The effect of continuous aeration on the fertility of fowl and Turkey semen stored above 0 °C

1. Fowl and turkey spermatozoa were found to utilise oxygen when stored in tubes at 5 and 10 °G respectively; the storage medium becoming rapidly anaerobic.

2. This aerobic metabolism was encouraged by continuous introduction of air into the semen during storage.

3. Fertility of turkey semen stored at 10 °C for 24 h in a diluent containing glucose was increased 24‐fold by simple aeration and reached 99% of that achieved with fresh semen.

4. Fertilities of greater than 90% were also achieved with fowl semen stored aerated for 48 h at 5 °C in a diluent with or without glucose. The increased fertility on aeration was greater (2.2‐fold) with fowl semen stored in the absence of glucose.     

The effect of storage temperature on the shelf‐life of eviscerated air‐chilled Turkeys

1. Eviscerated air‐chilled turkeys (weighing about 5.5 kg) were stored in groups of 10 at temperatures between 5 and — 2 °C. Slight “off” odour was detected in an average time of 7.2 d at 5 °C, 13.9 d at 2 °C, 22.6 d at 0 °G and about 38 d at ‐2 °C.

2. The microbiological condition of the carcasses was determined initially and after storage at — 2 ^oC for 28, 35 and 42 d. It was found that, whilst pseudomonads (pigmented and non‐pigmented) were present at 10⁸/cm² after 35 and 42‐d storage, yeasts were also present at 10⁷/cm² and probably accounted for the unusual fusty “off” odours.     

The effect of reserpine on plasma LH concentrations in intact and Gona‐dectomised domestic fowl

1. Reserpine was found to inhibit the secretion of luteinising hormone when injected into intact and gonadectomised fowl at a dose rate which caused heavy sedation.

2. This could indicate that reserpine or its derivatives should not be used for breeding poultry.     

Effect of storage duration on egg quality,embryo mortality and hatchability in FUNAAB-ɑ chickens

Effect of extended storage on egg quality, embryo mortality and hatchability in FUNAAB-ɑ chickens was determined. Hatchable eggs (n = 288; weighing 53.2 ± 4.67 g) collected from a flock of FUNAAB-ɑ layer breeder hens aged 32 weeks were stored in egg tray with broad end up under 16 ± 1.5°C for either 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 or 20 d. Before incubation, eight eggs from each group were evaluated for internal and external quality traits. Remaining eggs were set in an incubator and transferred into hatcher on embryonic day 18. Data collected were subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Egg weight loss (EWL; p < .001), surface area (p < .001), yolk diameter (p < .001), inner and outer blastoderm diameters (p < .05) and dead in germ (DIG; p < .001) increased with storage duration while yolk height (p < .001), yolk index (p < .001), albumen weight (p < .05), albumen height (p < .05), albumen index (p < .01), Haugh's unit (HU; p < .05), fertility (p < .001), hatchability of set (HATCHS; p < .001) and fertile eggs (p < .05) decreased. Weight losses of 0, 1.2, 2.2, 3.4, 4.6 and 6.1% were recorded in egg stored for 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 days respectively. Eggs stored beyond 8 days exhibited higher DIG and lower HATCHS. Shell percentage in 4 days storage (11.4%) was lower (p < .05) than in 16 days storage (13.4%). Shell thickness was similar in eggs stored for 0 to 12 days, but 8 days storage (0.60 mm) had thinner (p < .01) shell than day 16 (0.71 mm) and day 20 (0.73 mm) storage. Internal quality unit (IQU) was higher (p < .05) in fresh eggs (180.4) than in 12 days (167.8) and 20 days (167.8) stored eggs. Extended storage of FUNAAB-ɑ eggs caused EWL, surface area shrinkage, lowered HU and IQU, loss of yolk and albumen quality, increased blastoderm diameters and DIG, and decreased egg fertility and HATCHS from day 8 forward. Storing FUNAAB-ɑ eggs beyond 8 days reduced quality parameters; therefore, other mitigating factors are recommended when storing beyond 8 days.     

The effect of source of nitrogen on the dry matter yield,nitrogen and nitrate‐N content of Lolium multiflorum

Three sources of N fertilizer (urea, limestone ammonium nitrate (LAN) and ammonium sulphate) showed no consistent significant trends in terms of the dry matter yield and nitrogen or nitrate‐N content of midmar ryegrass. Ammonium sulphate was found to acidify the soil markedly, relative to urea, with LAN showing the least acidifying effect.     

The effect of severe drought and management after drought on the mortality and recovery of semi‐arid grassveld

Abstract

The False Thornveld of the Eastern Cape experienced a particularly intense drought during the 1982/83 growing season. Extensive grass mortality took place during the drought. After the drought, recovery was particularly sensitive to the post‐drought management treatment applied. Veld that was grazed immediately after the drought recovered far more slowly than veld that was rested. This effect was still evident three years later, illustrating the considerable importance of resting semi‐arid grassveld after a drought.

Increaser I grass species present were apparently more capable of surviving drought than the Decreaser species, which in turn were more stable than the Increaser II species. Their ability to recover after the drought followed an opposite trend. On this basis, the desirability of Decreaser dominated veld, in situations that are likely to be poorly managed, is questioned.     

The role of histamine and fish meal in the incidence of gizzard erosion and pro‐ventricular abnormalities in the fowl

1. The role of certain fish meals in the production of localised gizzard erosion is confirmed.

2. Lesions typical of gizzard erosion could be produced by the addition of histamine to the diet.

3. The amount of histamine occurring naturally in fish meal depends on the species of fish and the extent and nature of bacterial spoilage.

4. These variables may explain why histamine has not been implicated previously and also why there have not been consistent associations between the condition and geographical source or common factors in bulk consignments of the meal.     

The effect of sodium sulphate and methionine on the utilisation of non‐protein nitrogen by laying hens

1. The response of layers to adding diammonium citrate (DAC), sodium sulphate or methionine to a basal diet containing 136–3 g protein/kg was determined.

2. Supplementing the diet with DAC equivalent to 25 g protein/kg did not improve egg production, the efficiency of food utilisation, egg weight, nitrogen retention or the apparent absorption of lysine and methionine; increases in food intake and in the concentration of methionine in the serum and liver were observed.

3. Adding sodium sulphate, alone or with DAC, did not affect the variables noted above.

4. Supplementation of the basal diet with methionine increased egg production, egg weight, food intake and the concentrations of lysine in the serum and liver.

5. It is concluded that the supplemental NPN was used only in serum protein synthesis.     

The effect of 6‐ and 8‐hour light‐dark cycles on egg production and pattern of ovipositions

1. Two flocks of 60 laying hens were transferred from 14 h light (L): 10 h dark (D), to repeated 3L:3Dor4L:4D lighting schedules at 37 weeks of age. Egg production decreased slightly but egg weight and shell quality improved.

2. The intake of low‐calcium diet and of oyster shell were similar for each light period of each lighting regimen.

3. Ovipositions were distributed virtually at random throughout the day and the mean interval between successive eggs within a clutch was increased.

4. Reducing the total daily photoperiod from 12 to 6 h decreased daily food consumption.     

Studies on the avian shell gland during egg formation: The effect of acetazol‐amide on the transfer of ions to the albumen 1

1. Twenty‐five laying hens were fed on a diet containing 100 mg acetazolamide/kg in order to determine the effects of a decrease in the activity of carbonic anhydrase on the transfer of minerals to the egg albumen.

2. Treatment with acetazolamide decreased the rate of shell formation by 44%; reduced the concentrations of water and Na+ in the albumen at the beginning of the plumping stage but increased the accumulation of water during plumping; increased the concentration of Cl‐ in the albumen after the 6‐h stage without any appreciable change in K+ and Ca²⁺ concentrations.

3. The computed relationships between the concentrations of different ions also showed that the transfer of water and Na+ were linked during egg formation, that a water‐independent, acetazolamide‐sensitive reabsorption of Na+ occurred after the 10‐h stage and that Na+ and Cl‐moved simultaneously up to 14 h but with the ratio of Cl‐ to Na+ three times higher in the treated group.

4. It is concluded that acetazolamide impairs the transfer of Na+ and Cl‐ between the albumen and the extracellular fluid and that secretion of Ca²⁺ into the uterine lumen seems to depend on Na+ and Cl‐ reabsorption.     

The effect of rotational grazing for periods of one or two weeks on the build‐up of lungworm and gastrointestinal nematode infections in calves

Summary

An experiment was carried out with three groups of grazing calves and one housed control group to study the effect of rotational grazing for periods of 1 and 2 weeks on the build up of lungworm and gastro‐intestinal nematode infections respectively. The experiment demonstrated that rotational grazing for periods of I week on six plots prevented the build‐up of heavy lungworm infections. A buildup of heavier lungworm infections was observed in a group that was rotationally grazed for periods of 2 weeks on three plots and a group which remained on one plot throughout the grazing season; there was no difference between these two groups. In all three situations, there was an adequate development of immunity against D. viviparus, as measured by worm recovery after challenge infection at the end of the experiment in comparison with worm recovery of the similarly challenged control group. Neither rotational grazing scheme protected the calves against gastrointestinal helminthiasis, because tracer calves, which grazed for 4 days only in August or October, acquired infections which would have resulted in severe illness or even death if necropsy had been postponed for a week.     

The effect of tannic acid and polyethylene glycol on the absorption capacity of chicken intestine for d-xylose and β-carotene

In an experiment, the possible influence of tannic acid (TA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the absorption capacity of intestine for d-xylose and β-carotene in broiler chicken was investigated. Four groups of nine 28-day-old broiler cockerels received d-xylose (500 mg) and β-carotene (52 μg) solutions (Group 1 to 4) with TA (1 g, Group 2 to 4) and PEG (500 mg Group 3 and 1 g Group 4), orally. One blood sample prior to, and four others after the administration of test materials, were collected from wing vein on 40 min basis, for 160 min and the concentration of plasma d-xylose was determined. The concentration of β-carotene was also measured in plasma of blood samples taken prior to and 160 min post-administration of the test materials. Plasma d-xylose concentration of all groups showed quadratic correlations with time (p < 0.001, r(2) = 0.84, 0.60, 0.70 and 0.74 for Group 1 to 4, respectively). Administration of TA reduced the plasma concentration of d-xylose in Group 2. However, feeding PEG after TA raised the concentration of d-xylose in Group 4 to the level that there was no difference in that variable between this group and Group 1. Although the plasma concentration of β-carotene was increased in 160 min post-ingestion of the test material, no difference was found in that variable among the experimental groups. In conclusion, TA and its interaction with PEG have impacts on the absorption capacity of intestine for d-xylose and highly likely other simple sugars, but TA or PEG have no influence on the absorption of β-carotene and most probably other fat soluble vitamins.     

Research note: The short‐term effect of fire on the woody component of the Sourish Mixed Bushveld

Abstract

The short‐term effect of an early‐spring, moderately hot fire on the woody component of the Sourish Mixed Bushveld was monitored before, directly after, and for two successive seasons following the fire. The average height of trees less than three metres was reduced due to severe topkill, but trees higher than three metres were unaffected by the fire. Tree volume, leaf volume, total biomass and available browse initially decreased, but recovered within two seasons. Fire damage and regeneration depended on the structure of the woody component. Biomass production and woody seedling establishment was stimulated by the fire.     

The role of chicken IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the occurrence of amyloid arthropathy

In this study, the roles of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in amyloid arthropathic chickens with variable amounts (severe, moderate and mild) of amyloid accumulation were investigated. The presence and the levels of cytokines were evaluated in serum and in joint tissues by using ELISA and immunohistochemistry, respectively. One hundred brown layer chicks were allocated into four groups and intra-articular injections of Freund’s adjuvant were used to induce amyloid arthropathy in Groups II, III and IV. Vitamin A in group II, and methylprednisolone in Group IV were added to enhance and to reduce the severity of amyloidosis, respectively. At the end of the study, a positive correlation was observed among the incidence and severity of amyloidosis, the serum amyloid A levels and the IL-1β values both in the serum and tissues. Elevation in the tissue TNF-α levels in parallel with the severity of amyloidosis has also been noted. As a conclusion, IL-1β appears to play an important role in avian AA amyloidosis either alone or in combination with TNF-α. Further investigation is needed for understanding the role of the pro-inflammatory cytokines in avian AA amyloidosis.     

Effect of gradual acclimation to high ambient temperatures on egg‐shell quality of the Sinai Bedouin fowl,the commercial white leghorn and their crossbreds

1. The effect of gradual acclimation to high ambient temperatures on egg‐shell quality was studied in the Sinai fowl, the commercial White Leghorn, and their reciprocal crossbreds.

2. The Leghorn egg was characterised by a thinner and weaker shell compared with the Sinai and the crossbreds, at all the experimental temperatures.

3. In contrast to other reports, high ambient temperatures for a long period had only mild effects on egg‐shell quality.

4. The results suggest that gradual acclimation to high ambient temperatures might improve the efficiency of the physiological mechanisms involved in the hen's response to heat. Consequently, the reproductive process adapts to the hot environmental conditions.

5. The results indicate that the Sinai breed might be used for future selection of a breed, highly resistant to extreme environmental conditions and with an improved shell quality.     

Interaction between dietary 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol and calcium and effects of management on the occurrence of tibial dyschondroplasia,leg abnormalities and performance in broiler chickens

1. Two experiments were performed to compare the relative effectiveness of feeding 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25‐DHCG) in minimising leg abnormalities in broilers with other methods and to investigate interactions between dietary 1,25‐DHCC and calcium.

2. Adding 5 μg 1,25‐DHCC/kg to a diet containing 12 g calcium/kg was more effective than early food restriction or meal feeding in preventing leg abnormalities but was found to cause a growth depression.

3. The second experiment, which had a factorial design, with diets containing 7.5, 100 and 12.5 g calcium and 0, 2.0, 3.5 and 5.0 μg 1,25‐DHCC/kg, showed linear and quadratic interactions between these dietary factors. Diets with higher concentrations of both 1,25‐DHCC and calcium resulted in growth depression associated with hypercalcaemia.

4. The incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) at 3 weeks of age was highest with the basal diet containing 7.5 g calcium/kg and was markedly reduced by addition of 1,25‐DHCC and/or calcium. The incidence was very low or non‐existent when 1,25‐DHCC was fed at 3–5 μg/kg or greater.

5. Feeding 5 μg/kg 1,25‐DHCC had no effect on plasma 1,25‐DHCC concentrations, although at the higher dietary calcium contents plasma concentrations of 25‐hydroxy‐ and 24,25‐dihydroxy‐cholecalciferol were lower in those birds fed 1,25‐DHCC.

6. It is concluded that 1,25‐DHCC is most effective in preventing TD without accompanying growth depression when it is fed in conjunction with diets containing less than 10 g calcium/kg.     

The Impact of Demographic,Social, and Environmental Factors on the Development of Steroid‐Responsive Meningitis‐Arteritis (SRMA) in the United Kingdom

Background

Steroid‐responsive meningitis‐arteritis (SRMA) is an inflammatory disease of dogs that is suspected to be immune‐mediated. The development of other immune‐mediated diseases has been linked to vaccinations, time of the year, geographic location, sex, neuter status, and breed.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To identify if the development of SRMA is associated with time of year, vaccination, geographic location, sex, neuter status, and breed.

Animals

Sixty SRMA cases and 180 controls, all ≤24 months of age and matched for year of presentation, from a referral hospital population in the United Kingdom.

Methods

Retrospective case‐control study with unconditional logistic regression analysis.

Results

Beagles (P = .001), Border Collies (P = .001), Boxers (P = .032), Jack Russell Terriers (P = .001), Weimaraners (P = .048), and Whippets (P < .001) had significantly greater odds of developing SRMA in this population of dogs. Vaccination, time of year, geographic category, sex, and neuter status did not increase the odds of developing SRMA.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Only breed increased the odds of developing SRMA. It would be prudent to investigate the genetics of the identified breeds to help elucidate the etiopathogenesis of SRMA.     

The effect of a single oral dose of non‐protein nitrogen from various sources on amino acid concentrations in the plasma and liver of the chick

1. Broiler chicks were fed normally for 21 d, then starved overnight and given a single oral dose of an aqueous solution of diammonium hydrogen citrate (DAHC), triammonium citrate (TAC), ammonium lactate (AL) or urea equivalent to 24.76 mg N. Controls were given water. The concentrations of free amino acids in the plasma were measured 2, 4 or 6 h after dosing. The only non‐essential amino acid significantly affected was glutamine, which increased in chicks given DAHG or TAC

2. In another experiment, non‐protein nitrogen (NPN) from the same sources was given at dosages of 124 mg N per chick. The concentrations of free amino acids in the plasma and liver were determined 2, 4 or 6 h after dosing. NPN from all sources increased the amount of glutamic acid and glutamine in both tissues (P< 0.001), although the response to urea was delayed. The concentrations of plasma aspartic acid (P<0.05), plasma alanine (P< 0.001) and liver aspartic acid (P< 0.001) also increased.

3. The results are discussed in relation to earlier studies with liver homogenates in vitro.     

The role of Bcl-xL and nuclear factor-��B in the effect of taxol on the viability of dendritic cells

Taxol has been used effectively in cancer therapies. Our previous study demonstrated that taxol induced altered maturation and improved viability of dendritic cells (DCs). However, the effects of taxol on DC viability have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, flow cytometric analyses revealed that taxol treatment significantly increased the number of viable DCs and the expression levels of a representative anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL. Furthermore, mobilization of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) from the cytosol to the nucleus in DCs was observed by confocal microscopy. An inhibition assay using N-p-tosyl-_L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone confirmed that NF-κB was intimately involved in the effects of taxol on DC viability. In addition, we investigated the mechanisms of taxol enhancement of DC viability. Since taxol is a popular anticancer agent used in clinic, this study may provide a rationale for the use of taxol in DC immunotherapy to treat cancer patients. Taken together, these results confirm that taxol increases DC viability, and this information may provide new insights for new clinical applications of both taxol and DCs.