Salinomycin poisoning in point-of-lay turkeys

Salinomycin poisoning occurred in a flock of 700 point-of-lay turkeys; 400 birds died over 7 days as a result of consuming feed contaminated with 50 ppm salinomycin. No gross lesions were detected. Histologic evidence of a myopathy was most readily detected in leg muscles of turkeys 5 to 7 d after ingesting salinomycin. Feeding trials were undertaken and individual susceptibility to the drug was found to vary greatly. In affected birds the plasma concentrations of creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were found to be in the range of 500,000 to 2,500,000 IU/l and 9000 to 25,000 IU/l, respectively. The marked increase in the plasma activities of these enzymes preceded histological evidence of segmental muscle necrosis.     

Advancements in Large Animal Embryo Transfer and Related Biotechnologies

Embryo transfer has been an inherent part of cattle breeding for more than 35 years and has also gained remarkable interest from the equine industry after several breeds allowed registration of more than one foal per year. In both large animal species, non‐surgical embryo recovery and transfer are well‐established techniques. However, success rates after superovulation and cryopreservation of embryos in horses are still lagging behind those of cattle, and more research is needed to address these areas. To address the problem of freezing large equine embryos, we offer a preliminary demonstration of a new cryopreservation method which involves reduction of the blastocoelic volume and microinjection of cryopreservative. Successful cryopreservation will improve the ability of practitioners to preserve and implant embryos in recipient mares. Recent advances in the use of equine FSH to induce superovulation in mares brings to the forefront the issue of how to best preserve the large number of embryos that are produced. Finally, the use of sexed semen after superovulation will provide the bovine and equine breeding industry the offspring of the desired sex.