A simple pump-assisted method for collecting live,undamaged Psoroptes ovis from sheep using circulating saline

The availability of large numbers of undamaged sheep scab mites, Psoroptes ovis, would be beneficial for discovery screening and development trials. There are several reported procedures for removing scab mites from sheep but they have limitations. To overcome this, a simple but versatile method employing the use of pumped saline was developed to remove all stages of the P. ovis mite from sheep. The method takes no more than 2 min to remove mites from the selected site with relative ease and is not affected by the condition of the fleece or lesion. The number of mites removed with the new method was 5-10 times more than detected by visual examination. These mites were undamaged and survived off-host for up to 16 days. The robust, portable equipment is easy to use under field conditions, making this method suitable for use as a diagnostic tool for early detection and monitoring of scab mites thus providing opportunities for development of novel alternative control strategies.     

A hereditary skin defect in sheep

Some years ago a lamb with abnormal skin was received at the State veterinary research station for small ruminants (SVRS), Stavanger, from a farm in Ryfylke. The lamb had apparently been normal at birth, but by normal activity and contact with its mother, extensive wounds developed, with large, loose skin areas. The lamb’s condition had deteriorated so much that it was killed when it was two days old. Two ewes sired by the same ram had given birth to similar lambs the same year, while some years earlier, lambs with the same defect had been born by other ewes in the flock.     

Comparison between dialysis methods and centrifugation/filtration for collecting fecal fluid from calves

Faecal samples of different consistency from 15 calves were subjected to two methods to separate faecal fluid. Osmolality as well as the concentrations of electrolytes and short chain fatty acids were determined for each of the fluid samples obtained and the results compared. For dialysis the following procedure was used: small dialysis bags filled with dextran 10% were placed in the cooled (4 degrees C) faecal sample to which gentamycin was added to inhibit fermentation. Equilibrium between dialysate and surrounding fluid was reached after 24 hours. However, depending on the consistency of the faeces, after 6 hours 90 to 95% of the final osmolality at 24 hours was reached. In regard to osmolality, sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations as well as to concentrations of short chain fatty acids no significant differences could be observed between the faecal fluid obtained by dialysis or by centrifugation (3500 g, 20 min, 4 degrees C) and subsequent filtration. Distinctly higher concentrations of calcium and inorganic phosphate were measured in the filtrates; the probable explanation is that these ions in faeces are largely present as poorly diffusible compounds (in particular with faeces of a more solid consistency) or bound to the cell membranes.     

高山草原绵羊放牧生态及消化代谢系列研究Ⅱ.放牧绵羊排尿量收集方法的新改进--纸尿裤法

利用纸尿裤法和常规法对６只甘肃高山细细毛羊成年竭羊，分别在祁连山东段高山草原７、８、１０、１月牧草生长的青草期、黄草期、葳草期共四期排尿量收集对比试验研究。实验表明，纸尿裤法收集收牧绵羊排尿量是常规法的１．６５－１．９４倍，纸尿裤法全面优于常规法，该方法的应用可以使放羯羊排尿量计量更加客观准确。     

Study on skin diseases in sheep from northern Ethiopia

A study was conducted to determine the cause and prevalence of skin diseases in local sheep from northern Ethiopia. Of 520 sheep examined 174 (33%) had skin diseases of different causes. The identified causes were lice infestation due to Damalina ovis and Linognatus africanus (21%), sheep pox (8%), sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptic Scab. var. ovis) (4%), dermatophilosis due to Dermatophilus congolensis (3%), and orf (contagious ecthyma) (3%). There was no statistically significant (P > 0.05) association of any of the skin diseases with age and sex of the sheep examined. The occurrence and spread of the diseases were associated with poor management, climatic factors, feed scarcity and inadequate veterinary services. The increasing threat of skin diseases to the development of sheep production warranting an urgent control intervention is indicated.     

Chronic arterial cannulation for studying the skin of sheep

Cutaneous branches of intercostal, external thoracic and deep circumflex iliac arteries in a total of 77 sheep were cannulated using one of two methods described. These cutaneous preparations, supplying areas of wool-growing skin from 30 to 400 cm2, remained patent for up to six weeks as determined by dye infusion. Wool was readily plucked by hand from preparations infused with either 12 mg betamethasone for eight days or 1.2 g mimosine for two days thereby demonstrating that normal defleecing responses can be elicited in animals bearing isolated cutaneous preparations.     

A whole blood method for measuring mitogen-induced transformation of sheep lymphocytes

A simple and reproducible micromethod for determination of in vitro mitogenic responses of sheep peripheral blood lymphocytes is described. The test uses (i) whole blood diluted in RPMI 1640 medium to give a cell count of 0.5 x 106-1 x 106 lymphocytes/ml, (ii) mitogens in the range of 5-20 micrograms of phytohaemagglutinin/ml, 20-80 micrograms of lipopolysaccharide/ml or 20-80 microliters of poke weed mitogen/ml, and (iii) a stimulation time of 42 to 90 h. A considerable variation in mitogenic response was observed both between animals and on different occasions in the same animal. Because of the large periodic variation it was suggested that the test should be repeated using blood drawn at different times in order to determine the mitogenic response of an animal.     

A method for estimating the age of coenuri of Taenia multiceps recovered from the brains of sheep

The age of coenurus metacestodes from the brains of sheep has been estimated by counting the average number of scolices in each cluster on the coenurus wall and relating it to a calculated regression line derived from an examination of cysts of known age. The method has been applied to 17 natural infections and its value is discussed.     

A skin allergy test in chlamydial abortion in sheep]

46 head of pregnant sheep, the Tsigaya breed, were subjected to the skin allergy test and subsequently divided into two groups. Sheep were in the 3rd month of gravidity and were a part of a flock consisting of 300 head, in which chlamydia-induced abortion was recorded in sheep. The skin allergic test was done by the Rodolakis et al. (1977) method, modified by us, to indicate the level of cell-mediated immune response. Simultaneously with it, serological examinations (complement fixation test--CFT) were performed to find out the levels of antibody against Ch. psittaci. The results of skin allergy test (SAT) and serological examination in sheep after bivalent vaccine administration are given in Tab. II. Of the total number of sheep ranked to vaccinated group, 18 head responded positively on SAT. After vaccination, 12 head responded positively though previously responded negatively. In vaccinated group one abort recorded in the sheep. No. 12 which was on the 0 day slightly positive in the skin test. High levels of antibody were found after abortion and the skin test was highly positive. The results of SAT and serological examination in sheep, when placebo was administered, are given in Tab. III. 6 sheep aborted in the group, placebo was administered, are given in Tab. III. 6 sheep aborted in the group, of which 5 were negative and one was slightly positive on the day 0 in SAT. In 4 sheep abort was accompanied with significant increase in humoral antibody against Ch. psittaci. In sheep which aborted and were negative in SAT on the day 0, a marked positivity has been indicated in the replicated SAT test.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A method for the measurement of the gingival sulcus of sheep.

A method for measuring and comparing the depths of the gingival sulcus of sheep in the incisor region at necropsy is described. The method was devised to assess and compare dental health in groups of sheep with and without premature loss of incisor teeth (broken mouth). The technique involves the use of paper spills in combination with dental plaster models.