Field trials of a formulation containing moxidectin and 6 in 1 vaccines for sheep

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of a formulation containing moxidectin and 6 in 1 vaccine in sheep under field conditions.
Design: Efficacy and safety study.
Animals: Two hundred and five crossbred Merino lambs and two hundred and eight Merino ewes were used in the studies.
Procedure: A formulation was made for the simultaneous treatment of sheep with moxidectin and immunisation against clostridial diseases and caseous lymphadenitis. The efficacy against nematodes, vaccine response and safety were assessed.
Results: Effective control of nematodes and responses to antigens were achieved following subcutaneous administration. The formulation was safe to administer; occasional minor tissue reactions were evident, but no other adverse effects of treatment were observed in either pregnant ewes or lambs, using either the recommended dose, or an overdose of the formulation.
Conclusion: Administration of a formulation containing moxidectin, five clostridial antigens and caseous lymphadenitis antigen proved safe and efficacious under field conditions.     

Organic management of dietary rosemary extract in dairy sheep: effects on milk quality and clotting properties

The increasing demand for animals from organic breeding systems has increased interest in certain natural substances, called nutraceuticals, to stimulate the organic defenses of the animals. The aim of this trial was to study the effects of dietary rosemary extract in 36 ewes, from 57 to 154 days of lactation, divided into three groups: CTR (basal diet), ROXLD (600 mg extract/head/day) and ROXHD (1,200 mg extract/head/day). A significantly higher quantity of milk and quantitative daily production of protein, casein, fat, and lactose were observed in the milk of animals in the ROXHD group compared with milk from animals in the CTR and ROXLD groups. No significant differences were observed for somatic cell counts, considering that treated groups showed lower values compared with controls. A significant decrease in clotting time (r) and increase in curd firmness (a ₃₀ ) were observed in milk of both treated groups (ROXLD and ROXHD) compared with the CTR group. These results could be related to the significantly higher acidity values, pH and SH°, observed in the milk of animals from the treated groups. Dietary rosemary extract in dairy sheep enhanced milk yield, quality, and renneting properties due to its “natural, functional ingredients.”

     

Pituitary intermediate lobe in dog: two cell types and high bioactive adrenocorticotropin content

The pituitary intermediate lobe of most species is cytologically monotonous, but that of the dog is composed of two immunocytochemically distinct cell types. The predominant A cells are typical pars intermedia cells: they stain immunocytochemically for alpha-melanotropin and, more weakly, for adrenocorticotropin and beta-lipotropin. The B cells are like the corticotrophs of the anterior lobe: they stain intensely for adrenocorticotropin and beta-lipotropin but not for alpha-melanotropin. The B cells may account for the high concentration of bioactive adrenocorticotropin measured in the canine pars intermedia, and may explain why in dogs adenomas causing Cushing's disease through hypersecretion of adrenocorticotropin can arise from the intermediate as well as the anterior pituitary lobe.     

The effect of time between doses on serological response to a recombinant multivalent pilus vaccine against footrot in sheep

SUMMARY The response of sheep to a recombinant multivalent footrot vaccine containing pilus antigens was examined after the administration of two doses of vaccine at Intervals ranging from 2 to 52 weeks. Agglutinating antibody titres were measured 3 weeks after the second vaccination and showed that lengthening of the interdose interval results in higher agglutinin titres. The capability of sheep to mount an increasingly strong immune response as the interval between doses is increased provides an opportunity to maximise the usefulness of vaccination by administering the first dose well before an expected footrot transmission period. This advantage of increasing the interdose interval has not been reported for traditional, whole-cell footrot vaccines, and use of the new pilus vaccine in this manner may improve prospects for disease control. Furthermore, sheep given a third dose either 6 or 12 months after their initial two-dose vaccination program achieved significantly higher titres than those elicited after the second dose, suggesting the likelihood of further improvement in disease control in successive seasons.     

Mangrove expansion and population structure at a planted site,East London,South Africa

Avicennia marina (Forrsk.) Vierh. was planted in 1969 at Nahoon Estuary, East London, followed a few years later by the planting of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lam. and Rhizophora mucronata (L.) among the larger A. marina trees. This study tested the hypothesis that mangroves have expanded and replaced salt marsh over a 33-year period (1978–2011). It provides important information on mangroves growing at higher latitudes, where they were thought to not occur naturally due to lower annual average temperatures. It further provides insights on future scenarios of possible shifts in vegetation types due to climate change at one of the most southerly distribution sites worldwide. The expansion of mangroves was measured using past aerial photographs and Esri ArcGIS Desktop 10 software. In addition, field surveys were completed in 2011 to determine the population structure of the present mangrove forest and relate this to environmental conditions. The study showed that mangrove area cover increased linearly at a rate of 0.06 ha y^?1, while the salt marsh area cover also increased (0.09 ha y^?1) but was found to be variable over time. The mangrove area is still relatively small (<2 ha) and expanded mostly over a bare sandflat area. Avicennia marina was the dominant species and had high recruitment (seedling density was 33 822 ± 16 364 ha^?1). Only a few Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Rhizophora mucronata individuals were found (<10 adult trees), although observations indicate that some young plants are becoming established away from the parent plants. The site provides opportunities for studies on mangrove/salt marsh interactions in response to a changing climate. Mangroves should not be planted in non-native areas as they may become invasive outside their natural range. However, future increases in temperature will certainly lead to a southerly expansion of mangoves in South African estuaries.     

Effects of Interferon‐Tau and Steroids on Cytochrome P450 Activity in Bovine Endometrial Epithelial Cells

The objective of the current study was to examine cyclooxygenase (COX), cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) and 2C (CYP2C) activity in bovine endometrial cell cultures following exposure to oxytocin (OT), interferon‐τ (IFN), estradiol (E2) and/or progesterone (P4). Bovine endometrial epithelial cells were treated with OT, IFN, a combination of OT+IFN or control (CON) media for 24 h. For the second experiment, cells were treated with E2, P4, a combination of E2 + P4 or CON media for 24 h. Treatments were performed in triplicate, and the experiment was repeated four times (n = 12 per treatment). Treatment with OT alone increased (p < 0.01) activity of COX compared with CON; however, OT alone did not alter activity of CYP1A (p = 0.55) or CYP2C (p = 0.46) compared with CON. Activity of CYP1A and CYP2C was decreased in cells exposed to IFN (p < 0.01) or OT+IFN (p < 0.01) compared with CON. Treatment with E2 alone did not alter activity of CYP1A (p = 0.64) or CYP2C (p = 0.06) compared with CON. Activity of CYP1A and CYP2C was decreased (p < 0.01) in P4 vs CON. In summary, IFN exposure, irrespective of OT treatment, decreased the activity of CYP1A and CYP2C. Activity of CYP1A was decreased following P4 treatment alone, while that of CYP2C was decreased following both P4 and E2 + P4 treatment. The mixed function monooxygenase enzymes, CYP1A and CYP2C, have been implicated in synthesizing embryotoxic compounds; therefore, downregulation in the endometrium may be necessary during maternal recognition of pregnancy.     

Induction of Chitinase and β-1,3-Endoglucanase Proteins by UV Irradiation and Wounding in Grapefruit Peel Tissue

UV irradiation enhanced the resistance of grapefruit against the development of green mold décay caused byPenicillium digitatum, the main postharvest pathogen of citrus fruit, and significantly inhibited the fungus’ growth at the fruit wound sites. Immunoblotting analysis using specific citrus chitinase and β-1,3-endoglucanase antibodies, showed that UV irradiation, wounding of the fruit, or a combination of these two treatments, induced the accumulation of a 25 kD chitinase protein in the fruit’s peel tissue. On the other hand, UV irradiation or wounding of the fruit alone was unable to induce the accumulation of 39 and 43 kD β-1,3-endoglucanase proteins, but the combination of the two treatments increased these protein levels. It is suggested that both chitinase and β-1,3-endoglucanase may play a role in the UV-induced resistance of grapefruit againstP. digitatum. Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel. No. 403/99. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting June 3, 1999.     

Methods of detection of Chlamydia psittaci in domesticated and wild birds

OBJECTIVE: To study the occurrence of Chlamydia psittaci in domesticated and wild birds and compare the sensitivity of molecular detection with cell culture isolation. DESIGN: Study of cell culture isolation and PCR detection of C psittaci in avian samples. PROCEDURE: Samples were obtained from 485 birds. Domesticated birds were selected at random from pet shops, private aviaries and zoos, while wild birds were captured locally, sampled, and immediately released. Swabs were collected from choanal slit, conjunctiva and cloaca of each bird and pooled. Samples were divided into equal portions for use in PCR dot-blot and cell culture detection. PCR and dot-blot detection was based on the ompB gene. RESULTS: Prevalence of infection varied markedly between flocks of captive birds. It was highest where there were frequent changes in the flock members or where there were many birds confined in small areas. C psittaci was not detected in wild birds or water birds. The sensitivity of cell culture compared to PCR dot-blot detection was 68%. All samples positive by cell culture were also positive by PCR. CONCLUSIONS: PCR-dot blot detection of C psittaci in birds appears to be more sensitive than cell culture isolation in this study. C psittaci infection of birds may occur in clinically normal captive birds.     

Effects of initial and extended exposure to an endophyte-infected tall fescue seed diet on faecal and urinary excretion of ergovaline and lysergic acid in mature geldings

Abstract

AIM: To determine the amount of ergovaline and lysergic acid retained or excreted by geldings fed endophyte-infected seed containing known concentrations of these alkaloids, and the effects of exposure time on clinical expression of toxicosis.

METHODS: Mature geldings (n=10) received diets containing either endophyte-free (E-) or endophyte-infected (E+) tall fescue seed during three experimental phases. The first phase (Days ?14 to ?1) was an adaptation phase, to allow all horses to adapt to a diet containing E- tall fescue seed. The second (Days 0 to 3) was the initial exposure phase to E+ tall fescue seed, used for the delivery of ergovaline and lysergic acid at 0.5 and 0.3 mg/kg of diet, respectively, to test the initial effects of exposure on routes and amounts of elimination of alkaloid. During this phase, half the geldings were exposed to an E+ diet while the rest served as controls by remaining on the E- diet. Once assigned to treatments, geldings remained on the same diet through the third phase (Days 4 to 21), which served as the extended exposure phase. Total outputs of faeces and urine were collected within each phase, to determine retention of ergovaline and lysergic acid and nutrient digestibility. Serum was collected weekly and analysed for activities of enzymes and concentrations of prolactin. Bodyweights (BW) and rectal temperatures were recorded weekly.

RESULTS: BW, rectal temperature, enzyme activities and concentrations of prolactin in serum, and nutrient digestibility were not affected by treatment. Total intake of ergovaline by geldings on the E+ diet was 3.5 and 3.6 (SE 0.20) mg/day, and 2.1 and 2.3 (SE 0.11) mg/day were not accounted for in initial and extended phases, respectively. Lysergic acid was excreted in the urine (4.0 and 4.9 (SE 0.97) mg/day) and faeces (2.5 and 2.7 (SE 0.35) mg/day) at greater amounts than that consumed (2.0 and 1.9 (SE 0.09) mg/day) during the initial and extended exposure phases, respectively. Animals exposed to E+ seed for a period of 20 days appeared to excrete more (1.5 vs 1.2 mg/day; SE 0.08; p=0.03) ergovaline in the faeces than those exposed for only 4 days.

CONCLUSIONS: Exposure time to the ergot alkaloids had a limited effect on the route of elimination or the amounts of ergovaline or lysergic acid excreted by horses. The primary alkaloid excreted was lysergic acid, and urine was the major route of elimination. These data will aid future research to improve animals′ tolerance to toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue.