羔羊苦马豆中毒的临床和病理学观察

本文对两例苦马豆自然中毒羔羊的临床和病理学观察的结果表明：病羔出现明显的神经症状，病理组织学变化以神经细胞发生空泡变性，神经胶质细胞增生，有明显的“卫星现象”和“嗜神经元现象”。心、肝、肾的实质细胞发生变性。     

青海省英得尔种羊场家畜棘豆中毒调查

英得尔种羊场家畜棘豆中毒情况严重，进入９０年代呈猛增趋势，已严重影响畜牧业的发展，家畜棘豆中毒发生于每年的８～１１月间，中毒家畜以绵羊和马为主，青海半细行羊对棘豆中毒尤其敏感，中毒绵羊的血清ＧＯＴ活性显著升高，主要病理变化为小脑浦顷野氏细胞和胰腺泡细胞空泡变性及肝，肾等实质器官细胞的空泡变性和颗粒变性。     

牦牛实验性棘豆中毒病理学研究

健康牦牛６头，随机分为毒草全量组（全量饲喂黄花棘豆和甘肃棘豆干草）、毒草半量组（棘豆干草和燕麦干草各半）和对照组（全量饲喂燕麦干草）。试验期间，定期称量体重和进行临床检查，４个月后，剖杀进行病理剖检、病理组织学及超微结构检查。试验发现，两实验组牦牛心、肝、肾、脑、脾及肠系膜淋巴结均有程度不同的病变，其中，小脑蒲肯野氏细胞，肝、肾实质细胞的空泡变性具有明显特征。电镜观察，空泡变性的细胞线粒体肿胀，嵴减少或消失呈空泡样。牦牛发生棘豆中毒的主要临床表现是体重明显降低。     

绵羊实验性甘肃棘豆中毒的病理学研究

给５只绵羊每天饲喂甘肃棘豆草（Ｏｘｙｔｒｏｐｉｓｋａｎｓｕｏｎｉｓｉｓ）粉（１０ｇ／ｋｇ体重），试验绵羊于饲喂后５６～７０ｄ内死亡，其主要病理组织学变化为神经细胞广泛空泡变性及肝、肾、心肌等组织细胞的颗粒变性。     

变异黄芪自然中毒山羊的病理学观察

变异黄芪是一种疯草类有毒植物,其毒性成分为苦马豆素,本试验以内蒙古阿拉善左旗吉兰泰镇的2只变异黄芪自然中毒山羊为对象,通过HE染色观察脑、心、肝、脾、肾等组织病理学变化,透射电镜观察脑、心、肝组织超微结构变化。结果发现,中毒羊脑、心、肝、肾等组织细胞发生广泛空泡变性,超微结构观察发现大小脑、心、肝细胞中有多量膜包裹的空泡样结构,血管中有炎性细胞浸润,线粒体嵴断裂,排列紊乱、变性。中毒羊的病理变化与超微结构变化与之前报道的疯草中毒动物的基本一致,但线粒体变性则报道的较少。     

绵羊实验性宽苞棘豆中毒的病理学观察

通过瘤胃瘘管给6只本地绵羊每天投服宽苞棘豆(10g/kg),全部试验绵羊在试验第17～18d出现轻度中毒症状,第25～30d出现严重的中毒症状。实验第35d的病理组织学变化为神经细胞广泛的空泡变性、卫星现象及嗜神经元现象,肝、肾、心肌等组织细胞颗粒变性和空泡变性。     

斑点叉尾(鱼回)疑似疱疹病毒感染的病理形态学观察

对四川省一些养殖场斑点又尾鮰大规模死亡的病鱼组织进行了光镜和电镜观察．在其肾和肝组织的细胞中发现一种圆形或椭圆形病毒颗粒，有囊膜的病毒颗粒存在于胞浆中，直径150～200nm．无囊膜的病毒颗粒既存在于胞浆中，也存在于胞棱中，直径为80～110nm，同时在细胞核内可见无病毒核心的空衣壳，根据其形态特征初步确定为一种疱疹病毒。病鱼主要表现为鳍条基部和皮肤（特别是腹部和尾柄）充血、出血，腹部膨大，眼球突出．鳃发白．腹腔内充有淡黄色或淡红色的腹水，胃肠道扩张，其内充满大量淡黄色的粘液，肝、脾和肾肿大。病理组织学变化主要为全身组织器官广泛性水肿、出血、变性、坏死和炎症细胞浸润，特别是肾、肝、胃肠道、脾和脑的损伤较为严重。肾间质水肿，造血组织坏死，巨噬细胞和中性拉细胞浸润．肾小管上皮细胞空泡变性和坏死；肝水肿，狄氏间隙增宽．肝细胞空泡变性及坏死；胃肠道粘膜上皮变性，坏死．脱落，固有膜，粘膜下层水肿，淋巴细胞、巨噬细胞和中性枉细胞浸润；脾淤血．出血．淋巴细胞减少，大量巨噬细胞和中性粒细胞浸润；脑水肿，神经细胞肿胀．甚至坏死固缩。超微结构上．被病毒感染的细胞发生明显的痛变，线粒体肿胀，嵴断裂．溶解，粗面内质网扩张，核糖体颗粒脱落．细胞核体积增大，染色质浓缩．边集。     

冰川棘豆对山羊的毒性试验初报

给３号奶山羊按体重１０ｇ／（ｋｇ．ｄ）饲喂冲川棘豆草粉，２８ｄ后山羊出现了中毒太，怀孕羊流产，中毒羊血液ＡＫＰ活性和ＢＵＮ含量升高，病理组织学检查发现，心，肝，脾，肺，肾，脑等组织器官普遍出现空泡变性。为深入进行冰川棘豆的研究奠定了基础。     

冰川棘豆对山羊的毒性试验

10只杂种奶山羊随机等分为试验组和对照组，试验组羊按每日10g／kg的剂量饲喂冰川棘豆干粉，定期采血，测定血液常规指标和生化指标，进行病理学检验。结果表明，RBC、Hb、PCV、MCH、MCV、MCHC显著低于对照组（P〈0．01），淋巴细胞出现空泡变性。试验组羊血清碱性磷酸酶（AKP）活性，从试验的第7天起持续升高；从试验的第14天起，血清谷草转氨酶（GOT）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）活性，尿素氮（BUN）含量明显高于对照组；在试验的35～49d，血清淀粉酶活性持续升高，与对照组比较差异显著（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）；从试验的第7天起，血清α-甘露糖苷糖（AMA）活性显著低于对照组（P〈0．01），说明冰川棘豆对心、肝、肾、脑等器官有一定的毒害作用，冰川棘豆中含有吲哚兹啶生物碱。病理组织学检查中发现，心、肝、脾、肺、肾、脑、卵巢等组织普遍发生空泡变性。     

实验性雏鸭铜中毒症的病理学研究

选用1日龄天府肉鸭健雏210只,随机分为3组,分别喂以对照日粮(Cu12.16mg/kg)、中毒I日粮(Cu850mg/kg)和中毒II日粮(Cu1050mg/kg)7周,进行了铜中毒对雏鸭器官组织和血清酶活性影响的病理学研究。2个中毒组的病变与程度基本一致,表现为肌胃角质层增厚、龟裂;肠道充满红褐色、黑褐色或淡绿色内容物,肠黏膜肿胀潮红,黏膜上皮变性坏死,肠绒毛裸露断裂和坏死;肝细胞、肾小管上皮细胞、心肌细胞颗粒变性和空泡变性;免疫器官体积缩小、质量减轻,淋巴细胞变性、坏死及数量减少。超微结构观察,肝细胞线粒体肿胀,嵴断裂甚至溶解消失呈空泡状,胞核变形,胞浆和胞核内可见数量不等、大小不一的电子密度极高的沉积物。同时,血清谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶活性显著升高(P<0.01),铜蓝蛋白活性下降。结果表明,铜中毒损害的靶器官是肝脏、肾脏、心脏、胃肠道和免疫器官。组织器官受损和功能障碍最终导致发病雏鸭死亡。     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein     

Avian brood parasitism — a growing research area in behavioral ecology (part Ⅱ)

正We are pleased to publish the second special issue on avian brood parasitism and to be responsible guest editors for the two special issues of Chinese Birds (Vol. 3, No. 4, 2012 and Vol. 4, No. 1, 2013), entitled "Avian Brood Parasitism - A Growing Research Area in Behavioral Ecology". The first issue was published in December 2012. The goal of the two special issues is to publish accumulated knowledge and some of the recent developments in     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -