Effects of the sex‐linked dwarf gene (dw) on skeletal muscle cellularity in broiler chickens

1. The number and size of muscle fibres and the DNA concentration in m. pectoralis superficialis of normal (Dw⁺ / ‐ ) and dwarf (dw/ ‐ ) White Plymouth Rock females were investigated at the ages of 9 and 52 weeks.

2. Live weight and total meat was reduced by 37.4 and 42.8% in dw/ ‐ as compared with Dw⁺/‐ females at the age of 9 weeks. The suppressive effect of the dwarf allele on the weight of m. pectoralis superficialis was 40.6% (67.8 v. 40.3 g in Dw⁺ / ‐ and dw/ ‐ genotypes). This reduction in weight was accompanied by a similar decrease of DNA content (28.8 v. 17.1 mg, i.e. 40.6%), a decrease in number of muscle fibres (829 × 10³ v. 654 × 10³, i.e. 21.2%) and fibre diameter (30.80 v. 28.95 μm, i.e. 6.0%). In mature hens, the differences between genotypes Dw⁺ / — and dw / ‐ were slightly smaller.

3. The different relationships between the muscle growth traits studied are discussed.     

Genetic inferences from inter‐strain crossing for hatchability and fertility in white leghorns

1. Heritability estimates for hatchability of fertilised eggs were obtained from four White Leghorn strains and their crosses.

2. Based on the variance of the full‐sib family means, the heritability estimates for pure‐bred, cross‐bred and for the combined data were 0.lb186 ± 0.lb105, 0.lb065 + 0.lb021 and 0.lb088 + 0.lb005, respectively: the results showed absence of non‐additive genetic variance for hatchability.

3. Fertility was influenced more by sire strain than by the dam while hatchability was primarily influenced by the dam strain.

4. The sire x dam interaction effect was significant for fertility but not for hatchability.

5. Fertility was influenced by crossing two divergent strains.     

The development of a sex‐linked slow‐feathering white leghorn strain by gene transfer from an Indian indigenous breed

1. Breeding techniques were used to transfer an economically important physiological character dependent on a single pair of alleles from an indigenous breed (Kadakanath) to the White Leghorn.

2. The mating procedure used to develop a sex‐linked, slow‐feathering strain of White Leghorn by these means is described and it is shown that using the simplest genetic and breeding techniques productivity can quickly be improved.     

Chocolate: A sex‐linked recessive plumage colour mutant of the domestic fowl

1. A mating between Black Orpington bantams produced, in addition to blacks, a single female in which the black colouration was replaced by dark chocolate.

2. A mating of the chocolate‐coloured female with a black male, F₂ and backcross matings demonstrated that the chocolate phenotype is caused by a recessive sex‐linked gene to which I assign the symbol ?CHOC.

3. A mating of ‘chocolates’ inter se yielded all chocolate offspring.     

Effects of sex‐linked imperfect albinism in the chicken (s al‐c) on plasma luteinising hormone concentrations and early egg production

1. When measured before and after the onset of darkness, plasma LH concentrations in 40‐day‐old sex‐linked albino pullets (s^al‐c ) were slightly lower than those of nonalbinos (s ⁺ ).

2. This finding prompted an experiment in which plasma LH concentrations were measured between 12 and 33 weeks of age when daylength was increased at 15 or 21 weeks. Egg production of the early and late maturing albino hens was measured.

3. Plasma LH concentrations overall and at 17 weeks were lower for albinos than for nonalbinos. In the early maturing group egg production of albinos was higher than that of nonalbinos.

4. Results suggest that increased egg production of albinos is not the direct result of differences in plasma LH concentrations but may be a consequence of differences in the control of LH secretion.     

Ovarian morphology and follicular development in sex‐linked imperfect albino (sal‐s) and nonalbino hens before or after a forced moult

1. The effects of the S^al‐s gene on ovarian morphology and the development of ovarian follicles in old laying hens before and after a forced moult were investigated by measuring and weighing the ovaries and follicles.

2. The laying rate of albinos was higher than that of nonalbinos before the forced moult but not afterwards. Hierarchical follicles in albino hens were smaller than those of nonalbinos before but not after the moult.

3. Growth intensity of hierarchical follicles was greater in albino hens before the moult, suggesting that follicular maturation was more rapid, possibly explaining the higher egg production observed.

4. All differences between genotypes disappeared after the moult, suggesting that the state of the ovary before a moult is independent of that afterwards.     

Differential response of sex‐linked albino (s al ) and silver (S) hens to high and low light intensity

1. Sex‐linked albino (s ^al ) and S (Silver) female chicks were hatched from heterozygous sires from a brown egg‐type line. They were raised in a windowless house and at 17 weeks of age were caged individually in 4 rooms with white fluorescent tubes: two rooms had a “low” light intensity (less than 10 lux) and two had a “high” intensity (average near 400 lux). In total, 157 females completed the experiment.

2. Body weight, sexual maturity, egg weight, the number of abnormal and cracked eggs, efficiency of food utilisation and mortality were not affected either by lighting treatment or by genotype.

3. The genotype X treatment interaction was highly significant for egg number, laying percentage and clutch length to 362 d. The S females were not affected by light intensity. Albino hens of “high” light intensity were superior to the other 3 groups, laying 12 per cent more eggs than non‐albino hens; but their egg production was moderately depressed by “dim” light relative to others.     

Variation among individual white‐leghorn hens in the concentration of minerals in the albumen and yolk content of their eggs

1. The mineral composition of the albumen and yolk was determined in several eggs from each of a number of individual hens from the same White‐Leghorn strain. X‐ray fluorescent spectrometry was used to undertake two independent series of analyses. A total of 8 minerals (calcium, chlorine, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulphur) were included in the analyses of the yolk and the same minerals, but excluding iron (which is present in only small amounts), in the albumen.

2. There was considerable variation between individuals in the mineral concentration in their eggs (coefficients of variation ranged between 3.8% for sodium to 19.9% for calcium in the albumen, and between 4.3% for phosphorus to 11.8% for iron in the yolk).

3. At the same time, the moderately high repeatability of mineral concentration (t = 0.4?0.6) in successive eggs from the the same hen for several of the minerals analysed is indicative of some positive control by the hen of the mineral composition of her eggs.

4. There was a highly significant correlation (P≤ 0.001) between the mean concentration of potassium in the albumen and the hatchability of the eggs, supporting the claim that a deficiency of potassium in the egg could be the basis of some failures in hatchability.

5. The study also revealed variation among individual birds in the concentration of iron in the yolk which was negatively correlated (P≤0.01) with hatchability. No clear basis could be suggested for this variation among individual birds.     

Crimidine (2‐chloro‐4‐(dimethylamino)‐6‐methylpyrimidine) poisoning in a dog due to ingestion of the rodenticide Castrix®

The diagnosis and treatment of a case of crimidine poisoning in a dog are described. Presenting signs were seizures and vomiting. The vomitus contained a purple coloured cereal grain. The signs and grain colour were suggestive for a rodenticide with convulsive effects The diagnosis of crimidine poisoning was made by thin layer chromatography and was later confirmed by finding the source of the poison. Except for the administration of Vit B6, the specific antidote for crimidine, general treatment principles for poisoning were followed. The treatment of crimidine poisoning is time consuming and requires intensive care facilities.     

Does a pleiotropic gene explain deafness and blue irises in white cats?

The prevalence of deafness is high in cat populations in which the dominant white gene is segregating. The objective of this study was to investigate whether there is a gene that is responsible for deafness as well as for blue eyes and to establish a plausible mode of inheritance. For this purpose, data from an experimental colony with deaf cats were analyzed. The hearing status was determined by acoustically evoked brain stem responses (BAER). Complex segregation analyses were conducted to find out the most probable mode of inheritance using maximum likelihood procedures. The prevalence of deafness and partial hearing in the experimental colony was 67% and 29%, respectively. The results of the bivariate segregation analysis support the hypothesis of a pleiotropic major gene segregating for deafness and blue iris colour. The high heritability coefficients for both traits, 0.55 and 0.75 respectively, indicate that beside the major gene there is an important influence of polygenic effects.     

Differences in egg‐shell quality among the Sinai Bedouin fowl,the commercial white leghorn and their crossbreds

1. A comparison of egg‐shell characteristics was made among the Sinai breed (a desert inhabiting strain), the commercial White Leghorn and their reciprocal crossbreds.

2. The Sinai egg was smaller and its shell thicker and stronger than the Leghorn egg. All the differences were statistically significant.

3. Shell thickness and strength of Leghorn eggs were in accordance with values predicted on the basis of egg mass, while those of the Sinai and the two crosses were considerably higher than predicted.

4. The apparent differences in mean egg mass between Sinai and Leghorn breeds did not explain the differences in egg‐shell quality, neither did the shape index which was very similar among all breeds.

5. The findings suggest that the differences in egg‐shell properties are of a genetic origin.

6. The thick, strong and less permeable egg‐shell of the Sinai breed may reflect adaptations to its arid environmental origin and to incubation in the open.

7. These genetically‐determined egg‐shell characteristics might serve in a future selection for improved egg‐shell quality in poultry.     

Dexamethasone‐induced alterations in glucose tolerance and,insulin, glucagon and adrenaline responses during the first month in white leghorn chicks

1. Alterations in glucose tolerance and, insulin, glucagon and adrenaline responses in dexamethasone (DXM)‐treated (induced hypocorticalism) chicks have been evaluated chronologically during the first month of development of White Leghorn chicks.

2. Alterations in glucose tolerance and, insulin resistance and glucagon and adrenalin responses in dexamethasonised chicks were recorded. Control chicks too displayed differential glucose tolerance and, insulin, glucagon and adrenaline responses on a chronological basis.

3. The observations suggest increased insulin and adrenaline sensitivity in the first fortnight and gradually increasing glucagon response in the second fortnight in neonatal chicks.

4. Furthermore, increased insulin sensitivity and attenuated glucagon responsiveness was also associated with DXM‐induced hypocorticalism.     

Prolonged interovulatory interval and hormonal changes in mares following the use of Ovuplant™ to hasten ovulation

In its first year of commercial availability in the United States, reports from the field indicated that Ovuplant™ (a deslorelin-containing slow-release implant for hastening ovulation in mares) was associated with a delayed return to estrus in mares not becoming pregnant. Supposedly this effect was particularly prevalent in mares subsequently administered PGF_2α to cause luteal regression after embryo collection. The present experiment was conducted 1) to determine if the field observations were repeatable under controlled experimental conditions, and 2) to gather endocrine data that might yield information on the underlying cause(s) of this observation. Twenty-five light horse mares were used. Ovaries of each mare were examined by transrectal ultrasonography daily during estrus until ovulation. Once a follicle >30 mm was detected, the mare received either Ovuplant (treated group; N = 13) at the recommended dosage or a sham injection (controls; N = 12); treatments were administered in a manner to ensure that they were unknown to personnel involved with data collection. On day 7 after ovulation, each mare received a luteolytic injection of PGF_2ð. Mares were examined every other day until return to estrus or development of a 30 mm follicle, at which time daily examination was performed until ovulation. Jugular blood samples were collected daily. Two mares receiving Ovuplant did not return to estrus within 30 days and their data were not included in the statistical analyses; in contrast, no control mare exhibited such an extended interovulatory interval. For all other mares receiving Ovuplant, the interval between the first and second ovulations was longer (P = .0001) than that of control mares by an average of 6.2 days. In addition, plasma LH concentrations were lower (P <.05) in the treated mares on days 0 through 4, 9, 11, 18, and 19 after the first ovulation. Plasma FSH concentrations were also lower (P = .017) in treated mares from days 4 to 11 and on days 6 and 5 prior to the second ovulation (P = .005). Differences in progesterone and estradiol were observed but were less consistent than for LH and FSH. Mares receiving Ovuplant had fewer small (P =.026), medium (P = .003) and large (P = .045) follicles prior to the second ovulation. In conclusion, Ovuplant treatment at the recommended dosage decreased follicular activity after ovulation and increased the interovulatory interval in mares short-cycled with PGF_2ð. These effects appear to be mediated by a hyposecretion of LH and(or) FSH.     

Sphericity Index and E‐Point‐to‐Septal‐Separation (EPSS) to Diagnose Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Doberman Pinschers

Background

E‐point‐to‐septal‐separation (EPSS) and the sphericity index (SI) are echocardiographic parameters that are recommended in the ESVC‐DCM guidelines. However, SI cutoff values to diagnose dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) have never been evaluated.

Objectives

To establish reference ranges, calculate cutoff values, and assess the clinical value of SI and EPSS to diagnose DCM in Doberman Pinschers.

Animals

One hundred seventy‐nine client‐owned Doberman Pinschers.

Methods

Three groups were formed in this prospective longitudinal study according to established Holter and echocardiographic criteria using the Simpson method of disk (SMOD): control group (97 dogs), DCM with echocardiographic changes (75 dogs) and “last normal” group (n = 7), which included dogs that developed DCM within 1.5 years, but were still normal at this time point. In a substudy, dogs with early DCM based upon SMOD values above the reference range but still normal M‐Mode measurements were selected, to evaluate if EPSS or SI were abnormal using the established cutoff values.

Results

ROC‐curve analysis determined <1.65 for the SI (sensitivity 86.8%; specificity 87.6%) and >6.5 mm for EPSS (sensitivity 100%; specificity 99.0%) as optimal cutoff values to diagnose DCM. Both parameters were significantly different between the control group and the DCM group (P < 0.001), but were not abnormal in the “last normal” group. In the substudy, EPSS was abnormal in 13/13 dogs and SI in 2/13 dogs.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

E‐point‐to‐septal‐separation is a valuable additional parameter for the diagnosis of DCM, which can enhance diagnostic capabilities of M‐Mode and which performs similar as well as SMOD.     

Neurological disorders,virus persistence and hypomyelination in calves due to intra‐uterine infections with bovine virus diarrhoea virus

The clinical and pathological findings after a natural intra‐uterine infection with BVD‐virus in a Friesian dairy herd are described. The virological and serological aspects will be discussed in a separate paper (30).

In a period of 4 years, 11 calves were hum with the following nervous symptoms: more or less serious incoördination, tremor, oscillating nystagmus, and a negative blinking reflex. The pupillary and sucking reflexe's were normal. No ocular defects, such as lenticular opacity or retinal atrophy were observed.

The first calf was born in 1979. Within 6 months the symptoms disappeared. After a normal conception and pregnancy this animal gave bⁱrth to 2 clinically normal calves in 1981 and 1982. The second calf died at the age of 2 months, due to an ulcerating enteritis.

In 1980, again 8 calves with the same nervous symptoms were born within a period of 3 months. Two calves died at the age of 3 days and 5 weeks respectively; 2 calves were sold when 10 days and 3 weeks old; one calf did not improve and was necropsied at the age of 17 days. The remaining 3 calves showed only a slight hypermetria when examined after 6 months. At that time nystagmus was only visible with ophthalmoscopy. Two calves were slaughtered when 10 months old. The last one, a bull, proved to be sterile and was necropsied at the age of 1 ½> year.

A calf, born in 1981, recovered within a week and was necropsied at the age of 15 days. The last calf, born in 1982, did not improve at all and was necropsied at the age of 14 days.

During these 4 years none of the other animals in the herd showed any symptoms due to an acute or chronic BVD‐virus infection.

At post mortem examination of 6 animals no macroscopically visible malformations were found. Hypomyelination and abnormal glial cells were evident in 5 cases, especially in the two youngest calves which did not show any improvement. One of them had an obvious thymic hypoplasia. The calf which recovered within a week showed only very slight changes. In one of the calves slaughtered at 10 months, inflammatory lesions were found in the brain. The diagnosis was confirmed by virological investigations.

Clinically as well as pathologically there was a close resemblance to Border disease in lambs and congenital tremor in piglets after prenatal exposure to Hog cholera virus.     

Interferon-γ acts as a regulator in the trade-off between phagocytosis and production performance in dwarf chickens

Background: Interferon-γ(IFN-γ) is critical for innate and adaptive immunity against viral and bacterial infections. IFN-γ reportedly affects the phagocytic ability of monocytes and macrophages as well as regulates pituitary function in humans and mice. The present study analyzed the impact of IFN-γ on monocyte and macrophage phagocytosis, production performance, and pituitary function in vivo and in vitro(in dwarf chickens). IFN-γ was injected into dwarf chickens through a vein, and then, the laying rate, average egg weight, and levels of follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH) and IFN-γ were measured in treatment and control groups. For the in vitro experiment, the pituitary tissues were supplemented with IFN-γ, and the m RNA expression levels of follicle-stimulating hormone beta subunit(FSH-β), interferon gamma receptor 1(IFNGR1),and interferon gamma receptor 2(IFNGR2) in the pituitary were assessed.Results: Monocyte and macrophage phagocytosis product(PP) was decreased by IFN-γ treatment in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. In the in vivo experiment, the level of IFN-γ in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group at 7 d(P 0.05), 14 d(P 0.01), and 21 d(P 0.01) post-injection.Compared with the control group, monocyte and macrophage PP was lower in the treatment group after injection(P 0.01). The laying rate was higher in the treatment group than in the control group at 2 and3 wk post-injection(P 0.05). There was a significant difference between the treatment and control groups in the levels of FSH at 1, 3, 7, and 14 d post-injection(P 0.01). In the in vitro experiment, increased m RNA expression levels of FSH-β, IFNGR1, and IFNGR2 were observed in the treatment group after stimulation with100 U/m L IFN-γ for 24 h compared to those in the control group(P 0.05).Conclusions: IFN-γ inhibited the phagocytosis of monocytes and macrophages; up-regulated the m RNA expression levels of the FSH-β, IFNGR1, and IFNGR2; enhanced the secretion of FSH; and improved the laying rate. IFN-γ might be an important regulator in the trade-off between the immune effect and production performance in dwarf chickens.     

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.     

Use of the Cortisol‐to‐ACTH Ratio for Diagnosis of Primary Hypoadrenocorticism in Dogs

Background

The ACTH stimulation test is currently required for definitive diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism. Increased cost of synthetic ACTH (cosyntropin) has prompted a search for alternative diagnostic methods.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a cortisol‐to‐ACTH ratio (CAR) can be used to differentiate dogs with hypoadrenocorticism from normal dogs and those with nonadrenal illness.

Animals

Eight healthy dogs (H), 19 dogs with nonadrenal illness (NAI), and 15 dogs with hypoadrenocorticism (HAD).

Methods

Dogs in the HAD group were retrospectively identified from PUVTH medical records. The NAI group consisted of hospitalized dogs with clinical signs, clinicopathologic findings, or both, consistent with a diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism, but in which hypoadrenocorticism was ruled out based on ACTH stimulation test results. Healthy dogs were recruited from hospital staff and students. Endogenous ACTH concentrations and cortisol concentrations before and after ACTH stimulation were measured in all dogs.

Results

Baseline cortisol concentration was significantly lower, and ACTH concentration was significantly higher, in the HAD group versus the H and NAI group (P < .001). However, there was overlap among groups. Cortisol‐to‐ACTH ratio was significantly lower in the HAD group versus the H and NAI groups (P < .001), and there was no overlap between the HAD group and the other 2 groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

CAR can be used for definitive diagnosis of primary hypoadrenocorticism.     

Experiences with the silicone T‐tube in man and dog

Summary

Silicone T‐tubes are particularly useful for long‐term stenting of the laryngotracheal airway. Silicone is useful when non‐autogenous non‐reactive soft material is wanted for use in the human and animal body. Two case reports illustrate the use of the silicone T‐tube.     

Exploring the potential of the descending‐point method to measure utilization in karoo veld

Abstract

The descending‐point method of vegetation survey proved effective in measuring meaningful plant cover changes during a grazing period. No significant changes in basal cover or plant height were detected. Changes in canopy spread and canopy cover could only be used to detect changes in utilization at levels lighter than 50 % and 70 % respectively. Selective utilization between species implies that it may be extremely difficult to achieve a specified level of utilization in practice. Therefore, in karoo veld, resting may be considered a more practicable veld management strategy than attempts to achieve a specific utilization intensity. The descending‐point method is time‐consuming in determining canopy cover. Thus, methods based on more effective point sampling, within the canopy spread, may be more appropriate for this purpose.