Outbreaks of proliferative haemorrhagic enteropathy on two pig farms

SUMMARY Clinical signs of proliferative haemorrhagic enteropathy (PHE) including anaemia, dysentery and sudden death were observed in finisher pigs and young breeding stock on 2 farms. On farm A, PHE occurred 12 months after repopulation of the farm. Other outbreaks of PHE occurred after the withdrawal of therapeutic concentrations of in-feed antibacterial agents (farm A), or after monensin sodium (100 g/t) replaced olaquindox (100 g/t) in feed (farm B). The outbreaks, the possible sources of contamination and the role of antibacterial feed additives in the treatment and control of PHE are described.     

Comparative Expression Analysis of Gametogenesis‐Associated Genes in Foetal and Adult Bubaline (Bubalus bubalis) Ovaries and Testes

This study was conducted to identify and analyse the expression of gametogenesis‐associated genes and proteins in foetal and adult buffalo gonads of both the sexes. Relative quantification of the genes was determined by qPCR and Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was also performed for various gametogenesis‐associated proteins in foetal and adult gonads of both the sexes. We observed significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression of primordial germ cell‐specific, meiotic as well as genes associated with oocyte maturation and development in foetal ovaries as compared to the adult ones. However, significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression of proteins associated with oocyte maturation like GDF9 and ZP4 was found in adult ovaries, indicating temporal regulation of mRNA translation during oogenesis. Meiotic genes showed significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression in adult testes as compared to foetal testes and ovaries, indicating onset of meiosis at a later stage in spermatogenesis. In general, the expression of primordial germ cell‐associated as well as meiotic genes was higher in adult testes, indicating the increased biological activity in the organ. Immunohistochemistry revealed localized expression of gametogenesis‐associated proteins in ovarian follicles and seminiferous tubules of testes, while the surrounding somatic tissues were devoid of these proteins. The study gives an understanding of the sequential and temporal events of gene expression as well as mRNA translation during male and female gametogenesis. It could also be concluded that follicles and seminiferous tubules are the functional units of the female and male gonads, respectively, and their function could be enhanced by appropriate chemical and genetic intervention of the somatic tissue immediately surrounding them. This assumes importance in the context that buffalo attains sexual maturity at an older age of 2–3 years and have smaller ovaries with lesser number of primordial follicles in comparison with cattle, which is suggested to be the main reason of their poor breeding performance.     

Production of Wild Buffalo (Bubalus arnee) Embryos by Interspecies Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Using Domestic Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Oocytes

The objective of this study was to explore the possibility of producing wild buffalo embryos by interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) through handmade cloning using wild buffalo somatic cells and domestic buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) oocytes. Somatic cells derived from the ear skin of wild buffalo were found to express vimentin but not keratin and cytokeratin‐18, indicating that they were of fibroblast origin. The population doubling time of skin fibroblasts from wild buffalo was significantly (p < 0.05) higher, and the cell proliferation rate was significantly (p < 0.05) lower compared with that of skin fibroblasts from domestic buffalo. Neither the cleavage (92.6 ± 2.0% vs 92.8 ± 2.0%) nor the blastocyst rate (42.4 ± 2.4% vs 38.7 ± 2.8%) was significantly different between the intraspecies cloned embryos produced using skin fibroblasts from domestic buffalo and interspecies cloned embryos produced using skin fibroblasts from wild buffalo. However, the total cell number (TCN) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower (192.0 ± 25.6 vs 345.7 ± 42.2), and the apoptotic index was significantly (p < 0.05) higher (15.1 ± 3.1 vs 8.0 ± 1.4) for interspecies than that for intraspecies cloned embryos. Following vitrification in open‐pulled straws (OPS) and warming, although the cryosurvival rate of both types of cloned embryos, as indicated by their re‐expansion rate, was not significantly different (34.8 ± 1.5% vs 47.8 ± 7.8), the apoptotic index was significantly (p < 0.05) higher for vitrified–warmed interspecies than that for corresponding intraspecies cloned embryos (48.9 ± 7.2 vs 23.9 ± 2.8). The global level of H3K18ac was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in interspecies cloned embryos than that in intraspecies cloned embryos. The expression level of HDAC1, DNMT3a and CASPASE3 was significantly (p < 0.05) higher, that of P53 was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in interspecies than in intraspecies embryos, whereas that of DNMT1 was similar between the two types of embryos. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that wild buffalo embryos can be produced by iSCNT.     

Influence of nutrition on the lipid quality of pond fish: common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and tench (Tinca tinca)

Like marine fish freshwater fish are an important source of essential fatty acids for human nutrition. However, the fatty acid composition of pond fish can vary considerably and strongly depends on that of the ingested food. Investigations on the fatty acid composition of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and tench (Tinca tinca) have shown that different methods of rearing and feeding cause substantial variations in the proportions of the n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids of these fish species. Carp reared on the basis of natural food in ponds exhibit high contents of n-6 as well as n-3 fatty acids in their muscle triacylglycerols. On the other hand carp fed supplementary wheat in ponds resulted in somewhat lower levels of these essential fatty acids. High amounts of n-3 fatty acids can be found in carp fed high-energy diets containing high levels of fish oil. Analogous results were obtained in experiments with tench reared under different nutritional conditions. While rearing on the basis of only natural food in ponds as well as feeding supplementary wheat yielded in similar levels of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, higher contents of n-3 fatty acids were recorded in tench fed pellets. High levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in foodstuffs have positive effects on human health. Experiments with different cultured fish species proved that the fatty acid composition of the edible parts can be influenced by the diet. Therefore, a finishing diet with a suitable fatty acid profile can be used to improve the nutritional quality of fish products of farmed origin.     

The efficacy of insecticides against the screw-worm fly (Chrysomya bezziana)

A number of insecticides used for ectoparasite control in the livestock industry were screened for their efficacy against larvae of the screw-worm fly, Chrysomya bezziana, using in vivo and laboratory tests. Proprietary screw-worm fly treatments (after exposure to outdoor conditions for up to 10 days) were also tested against eggs and adults of C bezziana. Three of these were also evaluated on naturally acquired screw-worm infestations. Residual protection was generally of short duration. Among the organophosphorus compounds, the most effective formulations contained relatively high concentrations (3 to 4% al) of coumaphos, 2.5% fenchlorphos or low concentrations (0.05 to 0.5% al) of diazinon, chlorfenvinphos and fenthion methyl. Two chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides containing 3% lindane and 5% dieldrin were very effective but are now prohibited for use in Australia. Preparations had serious deficiencies when used under field conditions, especially for treating large, deepseated myiases for which systemic insecticides are recommended. A comparison of methods demonstrated that a laboratory test could supersede live animal experimentation, at least for the initial screening of potential insecticides.     

Effects of dietary protein on glomerular mesangial area and basement membrane thickness in aged uninephrectomized dogs.

The primary objective of this study was to determine the effects of diets containing 18% or 34% protein on glomerular mesangial area (GMA) and basement membrane thickness (GBMT) in uninephrectomized aged dogs. A secondary objective was to determine the combined effects of aging and uninephrectomy on GMA and GBMT in dogs. Ten clinically healthy, pure-bred dogs were unilaterally nephrectomized at about 8 y of age. After 2 mo, 5 dogs were fed an 18% protein diet and 5 dogs were fed a 34% protein diet for 48 mo. At month 48, the dogs were euthanized and the remaining kidney was collected. Samples of kidney from both times of collection were used to measure GMA and GBMT using electron microscopy. The effects of diet on GMA and GBMT were analyzed (student's t-test) using necropsy/nephrectomy score ratios. The effects of time-nephrectomy were determined by comparing nephrectomy values for GMA and GBMT with necropsy values (paired t-test). Dogs fed 34% dietary protein did not have a significant increase in GMA and GBM thickness when compared to dogs fed the 18% protein diet. A significant increase in GMA and GBMT occurred with time-nephrectomy (P = 0.011 and 0.018, respectively). Although dietary protein intake was not a significant factor in causing structural changes to glomeruli in uninephrectomized aged dogs, the power to detect a difference was low. However, significant effects of aging and nephrectomy were detected despite the low power of the study. These results suggest that the increases in GMA and GBMT that occur over time are not markedly influenced by dietary protein intake. However, subtle protein effects cannot be eliminated as a possibility based on this study.     

Development and practical test of a weighable groundwater lysimeter for floodplain sites

Presently, the soil water balance of flood‐influenced soils in fluvial plains is insufficiently described. The new development of a weighable groundwater lysimeter is the basis for recording the water‐balance components precipitation, evapotranspiration, groundwater recharge, capillary rise, and interaction with the water course. Soil‐hydrologic measuring setups at two floodplain sites of the Elbe river serve for direct comparability of lysimeter measurements with data obtained on site. A groundwater control was designed for lysimeters that automatically adjusts the current groundwater level at the floodplain measuring setups and quantifies inflow into or outflow from the lysimeter. It turned out that the lysimeter developed is capable of identifying the individual water‐balance quantities at high accuracy. Contrary to previous assumptions, it was possible to prove groundwater recharge for the floodplain sites.     

Recovery of 15N Labelled Urea as Affected by Fixation of Ammonium by Clay Minerals

A greenhouse experiment was conducted with Lolium perenne to determine whether ammonium (NH₄⁺-N) fixation by clay minerals can increase the recovery of nitrogen following application of ¹⁵N labelled urea. A silty loam subsoil, B_t horizon from an Alfisol derived from loess, pH (CaCl₂) 7.9, was chosen for the experiment. The NH₄⁺-N fixation capacity was altered by varying the distribution of potassium (K) in the upper and lower soil layer. In the K₀ treatment (control), the upper soil layer fertilized with urea was not supplied with K, whereas the lower soil layer was fertilized with 300 mg K kg^?1 soil. In the K₁^?, K₂^? and K₃ treatment the upper soil was supplied with 100-, 200- and 300 mg K kg^?1 soil, respectively. The soil in the lower layer of the K₃ treatment was not supplied with K. The recovery of ¹⁵N from applied urea (¹⁵N uptake of Lolium perenne plus residual soil ¹⁵N_t) was 86.1% in the K₀ treatment and 75.2%, 69.1% and 69.6% in K_1-, K_2- and K₃ treatments, respectively, showing that ¹⁵N losses were smallest in the K₀ treatment. Two weeks after applying ¹⁵N labelled urea the amounts of nonexchangeable ¹⁵NH₄⁺-N in the upper soil layer were significantly higher in the K₀ treatment than in the treatments with K application. Apparently, NH₄⁺-N fixation by clay minerals can reduce NH₃ volatilization after urea fertilization, if the amount of exchangeable K is low.     

Proton release by N2‐fixing plant roots: A possible contribution to phytoremediation of calcareous sodic soils

With a world‐wide occurrence on about 560 million hectares, sodic soils are characterized by the occurrence of excess sodium (Na⁺) to levels that can adversely affect crop growth and yield. Amelioration of such soils needs a source of calcium (Ca²⁺) to replace excess Na⁺ from the cation exchange sites. In addition, adequate levels of Ca²⁺ in ameliorated soils play a vital role in improving the structural and functional integrity of plant cell walls and membranes. As a low‐cost and environmentally feasible strategy, phytoremediation of sodic soils — a plant‐based amelioration — has gained increasing interest among scientists and farmers in recent years. Enhanced CO₂ partial pressure (P_CO2) in the root zone is considered as the principal mechanism contributing to phytoremediation of sodic soils. Aqueous CO₂ produces protons (H⁺) and bicarbonate (HCO₃^‐). In a subsequent reaction, H⁺ reacts with native soil calcite (CaCO₃) to provide Ca²⁺ for Na⁺ Ca²⁺ exchange at the cation exchange sites. Another source of H⁺ may occur in such soils if cropped with N₂‐fixing plant species because plants capable of fixing N₂ release H⁺ in the root zone. In a lysimeter experiment on a calcareous sodic soil (pH_s = 7.4, electrical conductivity of soil saturated paste extract (EC_e) = 3.1 dS m^‐1, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) = 28.4, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) = 27.6, CaCO₃ = 50 g kg^‐1), we investigated the phytoremediation ability of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). There were two cropped treatments: Alfalfa relying on N₂ fixation and alfalfa receiving NH₄NO₃ as mineral N source, respectively. Other treatments were non‐cropped, including a control (without an amendment or crop), and soil application of gypsum or sulfuric acid. After two months of cropping, all lysimeters were leached by maintaining a water content at 130% waterholding capacity of the soil after every 24±1 h. The treatment efficiency for Na⁺ removal in drainage water was in the order: sulfuric acid > gypsum = N₂‐fixing alfalfa > NH4NO3‐fed alfalfa > control. Both the alfalfa treatments produced statistically similar root and shoot biomass. We attribute better Na+ removal by the N₂‐fixing alfalfa treatment to an additional source of H⁺ in the rhizosphere, which helped to dissolve additional CaCO₃ and soil sodicity amelioration.