Effect of seasonal conditions on oestrus occurrence and postpartum period in Anatolian water buffaloes

Oestrus and calving records of Anatolian buffaloes were analyzed to investigate influence of climatic conditions on oestrus occurrence and postpartum period. Oestrus records showed a seasonal pattern concentrated between July and September which is the warmest period of the year. Likewise, more than half (52.7%) of the total calvings occurred between May and August. Month of calving significantly influenced the length of calving to first oestrus interval and open period (P < 0.01). The average length of open period was significantly shorter in autumn and summer calvers compared to those calved in spring and winter (P < 0.05) during long days. The humidity rate was negatively correlated with both calving to first oestrus interval and open period (P < 0.05). In conclusion, exposure to high environmental temperatures around 20 degrees C exerted no suppressive influence on ovarian activity in Anatolian buffaloes. Although humidity rate (P < 0.05) and ambient temperature (P < 0.01) was found to be correlated with the duration of postpartum period, day length might be the main factor regulating reproductive biorhythm and postpartum events in Anatolian buffalo cows.     

Effects of varying nitrogen doses on yield,yield components and artemisinin content of Artemisia annua L.

Artemisia annua L. is an aromatic-antibacterial herb that destroys malarial parasites, lowers fevers and checks bleeding, and of which the secondary compound of interest is artemisinin. The objective of the present study was to determine yield, yield components and artemisinin content of A. annua L. grown under four nitrogen applications (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha⁻¹) in the Çukurova region of Turkey in 2004 and 2005. Field trials were conducted at Çukurova University, Agricultural Faculty Field Crops Department. In the study, plant height, number of branches, fresh herbage yield, dry herbage yield, fresh leaf yield, dry leaf yield, essential oil content and artemisinin content (by high performance liquid chromatography, HPLC) were examined. By analysis of variance, nitrogen doses had no any statistical effect on the traits investigated except for artemisinin content. Artemisinin content of the dried leaves were significantly affected by nitrogen applications, which varied from 6.32 to 27.50 mg 100 g⁻¹. Contents were from 120 and 80 kg ha⁻¹ nitrogen for the years of 2004 and 2005, respectively.     

Phytochemical and antioxidant properties of anthocyanin-rich Morus nigra and Morus rubra fruits

In this study, phytochemical and antioxidant properties of anthocyanin-rich mulberry species of Morus nigra L. (black mulberry) and Morus rubra L. (red mulberry) fruits harvested from across Turkey were investigated. Fruit color, total phenolics (TP), total monomeric anthocyanin (TMA), titratable acidity (TA), and individual sugar and organic acid compositions were determined. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of fruits was assessed by both the trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Black mulberry exhibited higher TP, TMA, TAC and TA when compared to red mulberry. The average TP contents of M. nigra and M. rubra were 2737 and 1603 μg gallic acid equivalent in g fresh weight basis (GAE/g fw), respectively. M. nigra had the richest amount of anthocyanin with an average of 571 μg cy-3-glu/g fw. Overall, TAC averaged 10.5 and 12.0 mmol TE/L by the TEAC and FRAP methods, respectively. We found that FRAP, TEAC, TP and TMA were significantly correlated (r = 0.64–0.99) with each other. Fructose (5.27 g/100 mL) and glucose (5.81 g/100 mL) were determined to be the major sugars in both mulberries. M. nigra displayed a higher TA (2.05 g/100 mL) than M. rubra (0.78 g/100 mL), with citric acid as the major acid.     

Genome-wide association studies of preweaning growth and in vivo carcass composition traits in Esme sheep

Sheep are considered as a major contributor of global food security. Moreover, sheep preweaning growth traits as well as in vivo carcass composition traits such as ultrasonic measurements of Longissimus dorsi muscle depth (UMD) and back-fat thickness (UFD) are crucially important indicators of meat yield and hot carcass composition. Despite their relative importance for productivity and profitability of a sheep production system, detected QTL for these traits are quite scarce. Therefore, we implemented GWAS for these traits using animal mixed model-based association approach provided by GenABEL in Esme sheep. Three genome-wide and 14 individual chromosome-wide associated SNPs were discovered. As a result, ESRP1, LOC105613082, ZNF641, DUSP5, TEAD1, SMOX, PTPRT, RALYL, POM121C, PHIP, LOC101106051, ZIM3, PEG3, TRPC7, FBXL4, LOC105610397, LOC105616489 and DNAAF2 were suggested as candidates. Some of the discovered genes and involved pathways were already annotated to contribute growth and development in various species including human, mice and cattle. All in all, the results of this study are expected to strongly contribute to shed a light on the underlying molecular mechanisms behind growth and carcass composition traits, with potential implications on studies aiming faster genetic improvement, targeted low-resolution SNP panel designs and genome-editing studies.     

A retrospective study of gastrointestinal disorders in a predominantly Austrian leisure horse referral hospital population

The aim of our retrospective study was to produce and analyse epidemiological data on gastrointestinal (GI) disorders of Austrian leisure horses. Case records of horses referred to the Equine Clinic of the Veterinary University of Vienna were collected from an electronic hospital information system using its search options. All cases reported to have suffered a GI disorder between March 2003 and February 2015 were selected. In this period of 4314 days, data of 1833 GI cases, mostly accompanied by colic signs, were analysed. The vast majority of our GI cases appeared in the abdominal parts of the GI tract 96% (1760/1833) while just 1.3% (24/1833) could be definitively attributed to oesophageal disorders, whereas in 2.7% (49/1833) of the cases a definitive diagnosis could not be made. The highest prevalence of GI disorders was seen in July and October/November. A breakdown of figures for cases clustered under the colic syndrome showed that colon impactions in left ventral large and/or pelvic flexure (35%) were the major problem followed by gastric disorders (18%), spasmodic colic (9%), enteritis (7%), caecal tympany (6%); caecal impaction (4%), colitis (3%), abnormal anatomical positions of large colon including complete and partial strangulation/volvulus, nephrosplenic entrapment of the left ventral and dorsal colon and right dorsal displacement of the large colon (3%) and small intestinal volvulus (2.7%). In 12% of the cases, the cause of the abdominal discomfort was likely idiopathic paralytic ileus. The searching tool of the electronic patient data also brought up cases with malabsorbtion/IBD syndrome and GI ruptures, both these contributed less than 1% of the referred GI cases. Results suggested that the causes of colic are diverse, but the major reasons for referred cases of colic in the east Austrian horse population are large colon impaction or displacements. Seasonal distribution and specific causes of gastrointestinal disorders should be considered essential components of the initial clinical assessment of horses presenting with colic.     

The forest garden system of Saparua island Central Maluku, Indonesia, and its role in maintaining tree species diversity

The dusuns of Central Maluku which improve fallows by planting spice trees such as clove (Syzygium aromaticum syn. Eugenia aromatica), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), or coconut (Cocos nucifera) and tending spontaneous regeneration, are an example of a species-rich forest garden system in the eastern hemisphere of the Indonesian archipelago. In this paper we report the influence of site conditions, as slope inclination, soil type, and soil depth, on species composition, tree species diversity, and stand structure in old dusuns in four villages on Saparua, a small island south of Seram. In addition, we compared the floristic composition and stand structure of old dusuns with those of primary forest and advanced fallow vegetation (∼15-yr old). Soil conditions, particularly the depth of the mineral soil layer, and the relief have a major influence on species selection in dusuns. The most common species in old dusuns were absent both in primary forest and forest fallow. Floristic similarity between old dusuns and the unmanaged stands was low. However, in two study villages species richness of old dusuns was similar to that of the primary forest. Old dusuns showed an open structure with an average reduction of basal area by about half compared to the primary forest. Less than half of all individuals found above 10 cm DBH in old dusuns were planted. Only very few species were exclusively planted. Most species were both planted and emerged from spontaneous regeneration. The results indicate the important role of spontaneous regeneration in this forest garden system. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Variation in crushing strength and some related properties of a red pine

Summary Below-crown radial and height variations in maximum crushing strength parallel to grain, relative density and tracheid length of an immature, 55 year old, red pine were studied. All properties showed pronounced trends with radial age and increased from pith to bark. A radial age of 16 years was estimated as the age from which mature stem wood is formed. All properties studied varied with height above ground. Strong correlations were observed among properties. The study tree exhibited noticeably lower average crushing strength than is reported in the literature for wood from mature red pines.This work was undertaken with financial support from Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Operating Grant 0GP0004417     

Risk factors for occupational brucellosis among veterinary personnel in Turkey

Veterinarians and veterinary technicians are at risk for occupational brucellosis. We described the risk factors of occupational brucellosis among veterinary personnel in Turkey. A multicenter retrospective survey was performed among veterinary personnel who were actively working in the field. Of 712 veterinary personnel, 84 (11.8%) had occupational brucellosis. The median number of years since graduation was 7 (interquartile ranges [IQR], 4–11) years in the occupational brucellosis group, whereas this number was 9 (IQR, 4–16) years in the non-brucellosis group (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, working in the private sector (odds ratio [OR], 2.8; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.55–5.28, p = 0.001), being male (OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.05–18.84, p = 0.041), number of performed deliveries (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.002–1.02, p = 0.014), and injury during Brucella vaccine administration (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 3.16–9.3, p < 0.001) were found to be risk factors for occupational brucellosis. We suggest that all veterinary personnel should be trained on brucellosis and the importance of using personal protective equipment in order to avoid this infection.     

Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin after intravenous and intramuscular administration in Angora goats.

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of enrofloxacin were determined after single intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administrations of 5 mg/kg body weight (BW) to 5 healthy adult Angora goats. Plasma enrofloxacin concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetics were best described by a 2-compartment open model. The elimination half-life and volume of distribution after IV and IM administrations were similar (t1/2beta, 4.0 to 4.7 h and Vd(ss),1.2 to 1.5 L/kg, respectively). Enrofloxacin was rapidly (t1/2a, 0.25 h) and almost completely absorbed (F, 90%) after IM administration. Mean plasma concentrations of enrofloxacin at 24 h after IV and IM administration (0.07 and 0.09 microg/mL, respectively) were higher than the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for most pathogens. In conclusion, once-daily IV and IM administration of enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg BW) in Angora goats may be useful in treatment of infectious diseases caused by sensitive pathogens.     

Genetic and morphologic diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinochloa crus-galli</Emphasis> populations from different origins

Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv. (barnyardgrass) is an annual weed that is native to Asia and found throughout the world. The broad ecological tolerance and competitive ability of E. crus-galli makes it the most important weed species in rice. Genetic studies of plants are becoming increasingly common because reliable information is necessary to better understand population dynamics, occurrence of herbicide resistance, and demographic data. Echinochloa crus-galli populations from 34 different locations in Turkey were compared with respect to morphological differences and genetic variation. For morphological variation, five seeds of each population were sown in pots and grown in a screenhouse using a randomized block design. Morphological parameters such as germination speed, flowering time, leaf area, plant height, spikelet length, above-ground biomass, root dry weight and number of seeds were measured. Distinct differences among populations with respect to hierarchical cluster analysis were observed. Genetic variations among populations were performed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The seven RAPD primers amplified 55 bands whose molecular weight varied between 200 and 4000 bp. The percentage of polymorphic bands was 74.54%. Results showed high morphological and genetic variability among individual genotypes within geographic locations. Phenotypic and genetic variability among E. crus-galli populations would be influenced by agricultural practices, crop characteristics, geographic location and herbicide pressure. Differences between weed populations may affect response to chemical or biological control.