Book reviews

The T.M.E. System of Feed Evaluation. I.R. Sibbald, Animal Research Centre Contribution 83‐1, Animal Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Physiology and Behaviour of the Pigeon, edited by M. Abs. 1983. 360 pages, illustrated. London, Academic Press Ltd. Price £34.00. ISBN 0 12 042950 0.     

A note on the amino acid composition of the Turkey

1. The amino acid composition of the whole body protein of 28‐ and 56‐d‐old turkeys is reported.

2. There were some differences between the two ages; these could largely be reconciled by considering the likely differences in the proportion of feather protein.

3. The results were compared with similar values for the chicken and goose; overall there is a striking similarity, both in absolute concentrations and relative proportions of amino acids.     

Mode of action of the systemic fungicides furalaxyl,metalaxyl and ofurace

The systemic fungicides furalaxyl, metalaxyl and ofurace,

1 Ofurace is the proposed BSI and ISO common name for α-(2-chloro-N-2,6-xylylacetamido)-γ-butyrolactone.

used to control diseases caused by phycomycetes, were extremely active in vitro against Pythium ultimum, Phytophthora nicotianae and Phytophthora palmivora. Sporangia production was reduced more than mycelial growth but germination of sporangia and zoospores was relatively unaffected. Less than 1% of the metalaxyl or furalaxyl, present in media at the ED₅₀ for hyphal growth, was firmly absorbed by Phyt. palmivora mycelium; uptake was against a concentration gradient and was characterised by a rapid accumulation followed by a more gradual release. Respiration and wall synthesis were not inhibited, whilst membrane permeability was unaffected. Lipid patterns were altered but these changes were probably of secondary importance. The fungicides inhibited protein and nucleic acid synthesis; RNA production was particularly affected. There was some evidence of a reduction in nuclear division. The primary effect of furalaxyl and metalaxyl probably involves impaired biosynthesis of RNA so that mitosis is inhibited; ofurace may act in the same way.     

两种饲喂方式对哺乳母猪生产性能的影响研究

选取年龄、胎次、品种基本一致的哺乳母猪20头,随机分成对照组和试验组,试验分两批进行,每批10头.在相同的环境条件下,母猪自由饮水,饲喂同一哺乳母猪料.母猪分娩后4 d内,采用原场饲养制度,逐步增加哺乳母猪采食量,第5天开始,对照组采用不限量饲喂,试验组采用限量和添加哺乳母猪补充料的饲喂方式,仔猪21日龄断奶.结果显示两组仔猪21日龄的断奶窝重、母猪断奶后再发情时间和母猪哺乳失重等差异均不显著(P>0.05).     

Presentation,clinical pathological and post‐mortem findings in three related Scottish terriers with ligneous membranitis

Ligneous conjunctivitis and gingivitis were diagnosed in three related Scottish terrier dogs presented for investigation of severe conjunctivitis and respiratory signs. Hypoplasminogenaemia was confirmed in one of the three affected dogs. Supportive treatment was not effective, and the dogs died or were euthanased because of the disease. Post‐mortem analysis of two of the dogs revealed multiple abnormalities including severe proliferative fibrinous lesions affecting the conjunctiva, gingiva, trachea, larynx and epicardium and multiple fibrous adhesions throughout the thoracic and abdominal cavities. One dog had internal hydrocephalus and lacked a cerebellar vermis. Ligneous membranitis was confirmed on histopathology. This is a rare condition in dogs but an important differential diagnosis for severe conjunctivitis and gingivitis.