Avian infectious bronchitis virus: a possible cause of reduced fertility in the rooster

The formation of epididymal stones in the rooster epididymis is a widespread problem that has detrimental effects on sperm production and fertility. The cause of epididymal stones is unknown, but an infectious agent, the avian infectious bronchitis virus (AIBV), has been implicated. The goal of this study was to determine if administering the live attenuated AIBV vaccine to male chicks increases the incidence of stones in the epididymal region of the adult rooster. Specific pathogen free (SPF) Leghorn roosters were divided into two groups: a vaccine-free group (n = 7) and a group vaccinated with AIBV (n = 12). The vaccine was administered orally at 2, 4, 10, and 14 wk of age. Blood was drawn weekly to monitor antibodies to AIBV. At 26 wk of age, blood was obtained to determine testosterone concentrations, and reproductive tracts were removed to analyze daily sperm production and to detect epididymal stones. Nine of 12 vaccinated roosters developed stones, whereas those not given the vaccine did not develop stones. Serum testosterone concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in vaccinated roosters with epididymal stones (3.6 +/- 0.30 ng/ml) when compared with nonvaccinated roosters that did not have epididymal stones (7.0 +/- 1.63 ng/ml). Testis weight was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in vaccinated roosters with epididymal stones (12.1 +/- 0.76 g), as compared with nonvaccinated roosters without epididymal stones (15.2 +/- 0.81 g). Daily sperm production was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in vaccinated roosters with epididymal stones (5.03 +/- 0.31 x 10(8) sperm/testis/day) when compared with nonvaccinated roosters without epididymal stones (7.43 +/- 0.52 x 10(8) sperm/testis/day). Comparing daily sperm production on a per gram basis, vaccinated roosters with epididymal stones had 4.38 +/- 0.14 x 10(7) sperm/g of testis, which was significantly (P < 0.05) smaller than nonvaccinated roosters without epididymal stones, which had 5.17 +/- 0.17 x 10(7) sperm/g of testis. We conclude that the use of a live attenuated AIBV vaccine increases the incidence of epididymal stones in roosters, resulting in decreased sperm production and decreased serum testosterone concentrations.     

Nonsuppurative myocarditis caused by porcine circovirus type 2 in a weak-born piglet

Reproductive failure associated with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) was observed in a farm, and a weak-born 8-day-old piglet was examined pathologically. Focal to locally extensive lesions, including infiltration of macrophages and lymphocytes, fibrosis and degeneration of the myocardium were observed in the heart. PCV2 antigens and nucleic acids were detected in degenerated cardiomyocytes and macrophages infiltrating the heart by immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization. Depletion of lymphocytes with occasional infiltration of multinucleated giant cells was seen in the lymphoid organs and PCV2 antigens were demonstrated in histiocytic cells. Crystalline arrays of viral particles were observed in infiltrated macrophages in the heart and, rarely, in cardiomyocytes by electron microscopy. Although myocarditis is a common finding in aborted or stillborn piglets in reproductive failure due to PCV2, it was also observed in the 8-day-old piglet with PCV2 association.     

A stable compound containing a silicon-silicon triple bond

The reaction of 2,2,3,3-tetrabromo-1,1,4,4-tetrakis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-1,4-diisopropyltetrasilane with four equivalents of potassium graphite (KC8) in tetrahydrofuran produces 1,1,4,4-tetrakis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-1,4-diisopropyl-2-tetrasilyne, a stable compound with a silicon-silicon triple bond, which can be isolated as emerald green crystals stable up to 100 degrees C in the absence of air. The SiSi triple-bond length (and its estimated standard deviation) is 2.0622(9) angstroms, which shows half the magnitude of the bond shortening of alkynes compared with that of alkenes. Unlike alkynes, the substituents at the SiSi group are not arranged in a linear fashion, but are trans-bent with a bond angle of 137.44(4) degrees.     

C-reactive protein concentration in dogs with various diseases

To investigate the clinical utility of C-reactive protein (CRP) determination in dogs, its plasma concentration was measured by a laser nephelometric method in 928 dogs with various diseases, and was compared with other inflammatory parameters. CRP concentration was elevated in various inflammatory diseases, this was most frequently observed in cases with neoplastic and immune-mediated diseases. All cases of pyometra, panniculitis, acute pancreatitis, polyarthritis, and hemangiosarcoma showed significantly elevated CRP concentrations. On the other hand, the CRP concentration was elevated only in few cases of neurological diseases such as epilepsy, meningoencephalitis, and hydrocephalus and endocrine diseases such as hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism, and diabetes mellitus. Only a weak correlation was observed between the CRP concentration and white blood cell (WBC) counts (r=0.44) but no correlation with band neutrophil counts. There was no correlation between the CRP and albumin concentrations, but a weak negative correlation (r=-0.40) when excluding chronic intestinal diseases and nephrotic syndrome, which can cause protein loss. Thus, CRP can be useful to detect inflammations that cannot be detected by WBC and, or band neutrophil counts, suggesting that the examination of CRP concentration is essential as routine diagnostic test.     

Probiotic supplementation improves reproductive performance of unvaccinated farmed sows infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus

We investigated if probiotic supplementation could improve the health and reproductive performance of unvaccinated lactating sows infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus. Twenty unvaccinated pregnant sows were equally allocated to probiotic‐supplemented (P) and control (C) groups. For the experiment, 15 g/day of probiotic compound BIO‐THREE PZ was given to P sows. Reproductive performance was checked daily. The number of neonates fostered by each sow was maintained at eight throughout the experiment. Individual milk production post‐parturition was measured twice. Milk protein and fat ratios were determined by a milk analyzer. Total immunoglobulin (Ig) A and G concentrations were measured by ELISA. At day 7 post‐parturition, the body weight of P sows was 10 kg higher than that of C sows, and at day 3 post‐parturition, P sows produced more milk (+2 kg) and had a higher IgA concentration in whey than did C sows (p < .05). Finally, unlike C sows, P sows tended to return to estrus faster, and had larger piglets at birth with a lower mortality percentage during early days of suckling. In conclusion, probiotic compound BIO‐THREE PZ helped strengthen the immune system of unvaccinated, PED‐infected sows and improved their reproductive performance.     

Expression of NG2 proteoglycan in the degenerated intervertebral disc in dachshunds

The pathogenesis of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is not fully understood. The biomolecular signaling pathways involved in the IVD degeneration require further investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of NG2 proteoglycan in the degenerated IVD. IVD samples were obtained from 16 Dachshunds that were confirmed to have IVD herniation and subsequently underwent hemilaminectomy. The samples were subjected to histological and immunohistochemical (IHC) examinations. IHC revealed positive results for the expression of NG2 proteoglycan in all examined samples. The results showed the expression of NG2 proteoglycan by the degenerated IVDs.     

Rainfall interception in a moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) forest

In recent years, moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) forest areas in Japan have rapidly expanded, and bamboo is now invading nearby natural or plantation forests. To date, only one study has examined the rainfall interception of a moso bamboo forest. In that study, it was reported that the interception ratio (interception/rainfall) of the bamboo forest did not exceed the interception ratios of other natural and plantation forests (n = 4) in Japan. To expand the current state of knowledge about rainfall interception of bamboo forests, we measured throughfall and stemflow at another bamboo forest site. Annual rainfall (Rf), throughfall (Tf), and stemflow (Sf) during the measurement period were 2,105, 1,556, and 322 mm, respectively. Annual rainfall interception at the plot (I) was 228 mm. Tf/Rf, Sf/Rf, and I/Rf were 73.9, 15.3, 10.8%, respectively. I/Rf was less than 20% throughout the year except in October, the month with lowest rainfall. We also summarized rainfall interception data from 19 other natural and plantation forests. The I/Rf value of our site did not exceed the I/Rf values of these natural and plantation forests (n = 19). Our data will be useful for assessing changes in water resources that result from replacement of natural or plantation forests by bamboo forests.     

Durability of isocyanate resin adhesives for wood V: changes of color and chemical structure in photodegradation

The effect of ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation on the color and chemical structure of water-cured polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (PMDI) was investigated using a UV long-life fade meter. Control treatment was performed without UV light irradiation using a thermohygrostat for comparison. Two kinds of resin were used in this study: that to which only water had been added, and resin to which a small amount of polyol and water had been added. In addition, lauan (Shorea spp.) wood was used as a reference. The photodegradation of the resins over a period of up to 300 h was observed using a colorimeter and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. When the resins were treated with UV light, the color difference (ΔE ^* ab) of the resins increased signifi cantly in a short time, and then reached a near-constant value. For lightness, L ^* decreased rapidly for a few hours and then decreased gradually. The color darkened compared with that of the wood used. When treatment was performed without UV light irradiation, ΔE ^* ab and ΔL ^* of the resins showed negligible change. Based on the results of FT-IR analysis, severe degradation such as cleavage of the main chemical bond was hardly observed under UV light irradiation irrespective of the type of resin. Part of this report was presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Sapporo, Japan, and at the 6th International Wood Science Symposium, Bali, Indonesia