Treatment of canine pyoderma with ibafloxacin and marbofloxacin--fluoroquinolones with different pharmacokinetic profiles

Dogs with superficial or deep pyoderma (n = 228) presented to first opinion veterinarians (n = 20) were treated orally with either ibafloxacin, at a dosage of 15 mg/kg, or marbofloxacin, at a dosage of 2 mg/kg, once daily for 3-16 weeks. On initial presentation, 35% of the cases were classified as having recurrent pyoderma and 40% as having deep pyoderma. Staphylococci (mainly Staphylococcus intermedius) were isolated from over 90% of the cases. The average treatment periods were 41 +/- 26 and 38 +/- 21 days in the ibafloxacin and marbofloxacin groups, respectively. One week after the cessation of treatment, 74 and 81% of dogs (P > 0.05) in the ibafloxacin and marbofloxacin groups, respectively, were classified as having responded to treatment. One month after the cessation of treatment, 70% of the dogs in each group were still classified as cured or improved, and 3 and 11% (P < 0.05) in the ibafloxacin and marbofloxacin groups, respectively, were classified as having relapsed. Despite having different pharmacokinetic profiles, ibafloxacin and marbofloxacin produced similar results when used under field conditions at the recommended dosages.     

The effect of dietary sodium on right ventricular failure-induced ascites, gain and fat deposition in meat-type chickens.

Experiments were carried out using various levels of sodium (Na+) from NaCl or NaHCO3 to determine: 1) the level of Na+ required to induce ascites alone or in combination with cold temperature and 2) the effect of Na+ on weight gain and fat deposition in broiler chickens. In experiment 1, there were no cases of ascites using levels of Na+, from NaCl at 0.14% to 0.44% in the feed from day 3 or using added Na+, from NaCl at 0.0% to 0.12% in the water from day 3 with a level of 0.14% in the feed. There was no significant difference in 21 or 42 day body weight, feed conversion, or right ventricle:total ventricle (RV:TV) ratio between treatment groups. Day 3 to 4 body weight gains were significantly increased in all treatment groups with added Na+ (p less than 0.01). In experiment 2, with levels of added Na+, from NaCl, at 0.0% to 0.12% in the water with a level of 0.20% in the feed there were two cases of ascites, one at day 7 and one at day 40 at the 0.12% level. There were no significant differences in body weight at days 21 or 42 or in the RV:TV ratios between groups. Feed conversions were improved (p less than 0.01) with the lowest and highest levels of Na+ and a significant increase in day 3 to 4 body weight gain, with increasing Na+ in all treatment groups, was observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Continuous feed medication with nitroscanate for the removal of Hymenolepis nana in naturally infected mice and rats.

In this study, the effects of nitroscanate were investigated in naturally acquired Hymenolepis nana infections in rats and mice. The natural infection was determined by centrifugal flotation technique of faeces. The infected rats and mice were divided into two treatment and two control groups (N = 10). Nitroscanate at the dose of 50 mg/kg per day was given in the diet for 4 days. The rats and mice of treatment groups were necropsied on 7th day after the last treatment together with those of control groups. Following necrospsy, in the treatment group a geometric mean of 1.07 Hymenolepis nana were recovered out of ten mice, compared with 8.14 in the control group. In the rat treatment group no Hymenolepis nana were found in ten rats, while the control group showed a geometric mean of 6.23. Nitroscanate was found to be effective 100% and 86.8% at the treatment of H. nana infection in rats and mice respectively.     

The effect of simulated rainfall on the efficacy of doramectin pour-on against nematode parasites of cattle.

Two studies were conducted with doramectin topically administered at 500 microg/kg body weight to assess retention of therapeutic efficacy against nematode infections of cattle before, and after, simulated rainfall. In the first study, 50 heifers, with patent nematode infections, were allocated to one of five treatment groups. An untreated control group and one doramectin-treated group were not exposed to simulated rainfall. Simulated rainfall was applied at a rate of 25.4 mm of water in 35 min to three of the five groups: one group immediately before treatment, the second group 90 min after treatment, and the third group 24 h after treatment. Fecal samples were collected for determining egg counts 14 days after treatment. Percentage efficacy ranged from 97.3% to 100% in all treated calves, regardless of exposure to simulated rainfall. The second study involved 40 mixed-sex cattle that were allocated to one of four treatment groups (one saline control and three doramectin-treated groups). All cattle were confirmed to be free of nematode infections prior to oral gavage with infective larvae of Dictyocaulus viviparus, Cooperia oncophora, and Ostertagia ostertagi. Twenty-six days after infection, three groups were treated with doramectin pour-on and exposed to 20 mm of simulated rainfall over 40 min: one group 60 min before treatment, the second 20 min after treatment, and the third 40 min after treatment. Approximately two weeks after treatment, all cattle were necropsied for worm counts. In all treated groups, the percentage efficacy against O. ostertagi and D. viviparus was >99% to 100%. Percentage efficacy against Cooperia ranged from 97% to 98%. Results indicated that doramectin pour-on remains efficacious against nematodes of cattle when administered immediately before or after rainfall.     

Effect of aspirin on ex vivo generation of thromboxane in healthy horses

Different dosages of aspirin were administered (by nasogastric tube) to 3 groups of 5 healthy adult horses to determine the minimal effective dosage needed to decrease serum thromboxane B2 (TxB2) concentrations and to determine the duration of this decrease. When compared with their base-line serum TxB2 concentrations, horses in group 1 (given 5 mg/kg) had a 71% decrease in TxB2 concentrations at 24 hours after aspirin was given and a 86% decrease at 48 hours; serum TxB2 concentrations were back to base-line values by 120 hours. Horses in group 2 (given 10 mg/kg) had a 60% decrease in TxB2 concentrations at 24 hours after aspirin was given, an 84% decrease at 48 hours, a 48% decrease at 96 hours, and an 18% decrease at 6 days. Horses in group 3 (given 20 mg/kg) had a 68% decrease in TxB2 concentrations at 24 hours, a 93% decrease at 72 hours, an 87% decrease at 96 hours, and a 70% decrease at 6 days after aspirin treatment was given. All groups had a statistically significant decrease in TxB2 concentrations (P less than 0.05) by 12 hours after aspirin was given, which persisted 96 hours for group 1 and throughout the study for groups 2 and 3. The maximal TxB2 decrease was similar among the 3 groups (90% decrease from base line), and there were no significant differences among the TxB2 concentrations between 24 and 72 hours after treatment was given.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A randomized double blind clinical trial of two GnRH analogs for the treatment of cystic ovaries in dairy cows

A randomized double blind clinical trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, buserelin, to that of the hormone gonadorelin for the treatment of bovine ovarian cysts. Two hundred and sixty five cows with a clinical diagnosis of follicular cysts were included in the study. At 30 days post treatment 85% of the gonadorelin and 89% of the buserelin treatment groups no longer had a palpable ovarian cyst. No significant differences were found between treatment groups in the number of cows bred by 90 days post treatment, conception rate by 90 days post treatment, services per conception, milk progesterone at 30 days post treatment, days post treatment to first heat, and days post treatment to conception.     

油橄榄饼饲粮对肉仔鸡生长和一些生理指标的影响

本试验用油橄榄饼在等蛋白等能量基础上替代饲粮中部分玉米饲喂肉仔鸡。选用1日龄AA肉仔鸡300只,按公母、体重平分为三组(即对照,5％油橄榄饼,10％油橄榄粕饼)。检测其对鸡生长和一些生理生化指标的影响。从肉仔鸡各生长阶段和全期来看,日增重和饲料增重比三个组之问差异不显著(P>0.05);各组的红细胞比容及数量,白细胞数量及分类,血浆蛋白等生理生化常值均在正常范围内。尽管两组试验鸡血浆葡萄糖高于对照组,但葡萄糖和胰岛素含量也在正常范围内变动;饲喂油橄榄饼的两组鸡血浆IgG水平高于对照组。试验结果表明,用油橄榄饼替代饲粮中的部分玉米饲喂肉仔鸡不影响生长和健康,饲喂是可行的。     

Effective treatment and control of biting lice, Felicola subrostratus (Nitzsch in Burmeister, 1838), on cats using fipronil formulations

The efficacy of 0.25% fipronil spray (Frontline Spray, Merial), 10% fipronil spot-on (Frontline Spot-on for Cats, Merial) and 10% fipronil/12% (S)-methoprene (Frontline Plus for Cats, Merial) against the biting louse Felicola subrostratus on cats was assessed and confirmed under laboratory conditions. A field study evaluated the efficacy of a single topical application of Frontline Spray, and spot-on against the parasite on cats. In the laboratory studies, animals were allocated based on pre-treatment louse counts to the treatment groups: (1) untreated control and (2) 10% fipronil spot-on in the exploratory study or (1) untreated control, (2) 0.25% fipronil spray, at 6 ml/kg; (3) 10% fipronil spot-on as per label and (4) 10% fipronil/12% (S)-methoprene as per label in the confirmation study. Cats in treatment groups 2-4 were treated twice topically on Days 0 and 28. No live F. subrostratus were found on cats treated with fipronil formulations at any post-treatment examination. The difference from controls was significant (P < 0.01) for each product at each examination. Based on whole body counts at Day 42, the efficacy of each product was determined to be 100%. In the field study, cats were allocated in strict order of presentation. Cats were randomly allocated to one of the three treatment groups: (1) propoxur collar (Bolfo, Bayer); (2) 0.25% fipronil spray, at 6 ml/kg and (3) 10% fipronil spot-on as per label. Cats were treated once topically on Day 0. Louse counts of cats treated with fipronil formulations were not different than those of cats receiving the propoxur collar. The efficacy was determined to be > 98% on Day 2 and 100% on Days 28 and 42 in all treatment groups. The results of these studies demonstrate that fipronil in topical formulations is effective for treatment and control of biting lice (F. subrostratus) infestations on cats.     

A study on possibility of Rosa canina seed use as feed ?ngredient in diets of Morkaraman male lambs

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the ground Rosa canina seed at various levels (0%, 5%, and 15%) in barley-soybean-based concentrates offered to Morkaraman male lambs at approximately 8?months of age, on fattening performance, carcass, and meat quality characteristics. The lambs were divided into three treatment groups including R1 (concentrate without R. canina seed; n?=?12), R2 (concentrate with 5% R. canina seed; n?=?12), and R3 (concentrate with 15% R. canina seed; n?=?12) at the beginning of fattening period. The soybean meal was used as main protein source in treatment groups. All of the groups were fed a diet consisting of concentrate offered ad libitum and 300?g of grass hay per lamb per day during 60-day fattening period. The effect of diet on daily weight gain was found statistically significant. The control group had higher daily weight gain than R3 groups with 15% of ground R. canina seed. The hot carcass and cold carcass weights and dressing percentage values were affected by diets, and R3 group fed concentrate with 15% R. canina seed had higher carcass weights and dressing percentages than R1 and R2 groups. Differences among the groups in terms of leg, rib, and hindshank weights were found highly significant. While R1 and R2 groups were not significantly different, R3 group was significantly higher to R1 and R2 groups in leg, rib, and hindshank weights. In addition, meat color parameters and pH values were not affected by diets in present study.     

Synchronising ovulation in dairy cows with either two treatments of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and one of prostaglandin, or two treatments of prostaglandin

OBJECTIVE: To compare oestrus synchronisation using two treatments of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and one of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PG) with a double prostaglandin synchronisation protocol under southern Australian conditions. DESIGN: A clinical trial. PROCEDURE: Eight hundred and forty, seasonally calving, lactating dairy cows within nine herds in the Tallangatta district of northeast Victoria were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups. The treatment (GnRH) group received gonadotropin-releasing hormone followed by prostaglandin F2 alpha and then a second treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone. These cows were inseminated at a fixed time after the second gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment. Cows in the control (PG) group received two injections of prostaglandin F2 alpha, 14 days apart, and were inseminated according to detected oestrus. RESULTS: The effect of GnRH treatment on first service conception rate (CRS1) and 30 day pregnancy rate (PR30) varied between herd (P < 0.001 and P < 0.02, respectively). A significant difference in CRS1 between treatment (GnRH) and control (PG) groups existed in pooled data from eight of the nine herds (38.1% vs 65.9%, P < 0.001). A significant difference also existed in PR30 between treatment (GnRH) and control (PG) groups in pooled data from eight of the nine herds (64.1% vs 72.4%, P = 0.03). Pregnancy rates after 56 days of mating for both groups were not significantly different (79.8% vs 84.1%, P = 0.13 for treatment (GnRH) and control (PG) groups, respectively). Submission rates (proportion of cows submitted for insemination) for the treatment (GnRH) groups were 100%. There was significant variation in submission rates in the control (PG) groups. CONCLUSION: The GnRH protocol may be of benefit in herds where a poor response to the double prostaglandin program is anticipated. However, in the majority of herds in this trial, the double prostaglandin program achieved better results with fewer inseminations.     

Efficacy of ivermectin against Dirofilaria immitis larvae in dogs 30 and 45 days after induced infection

Forty-two Beagles, 14 to 15 weeks of age, were injected subcutaneously with 50 infective larvae of Dirofilaria immitis and were allotted by weight, within sex, to 6 treatment groups. Group 1 served as nonmedicated vehicle-treated controls; groups 2 through 5 were given an oral tablet form of ivermectin at dosages of 0.3 micrograms/kg, 1.0 micrograms/kg, 2.0 micrograms/kg, and 3.3 micrograms/kg at 30 days after inoculation; group 6 was given the 2.0 micrograms/kg dosage at 45 days after inoculation. Dogs were euthanatized and necropsied 154 days after treatment (day 139 for dogs in group 6) and examined for heartworms. On the numerical bases of helminths recovered in the groups, the efficacies for preventing heartworm maturation were 0% (group 2), 53.2% (group 3), 97.2% (group 4), 98.1% (group 5), and 63.8% (group 6). Drug-related adverse reactions were not detected.     

Evaluation of owner education as a component of obesity treatment programs for dogs

OBJECTIVE: To compare results of a conventional obesity treatment program with those of an obesity treatment program that included education of owners of obese dogs. DESIGN: Nonblinded prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS: 60 obese dogs with a body condition score (BCS) of 8/9 or 9/9. PROCEDURE: Dogs were randomly assigned to control or owner education (EDU) treatment groups. A 6-month weight loss period was followed by an 18-month weight maintenance period. Daily caloric intake to induce loss of 1% of body weight/wk was calculated for each dog after assessment of prior diet history. The daily caloric intake for weight maintenance was estimated to be 20% greater than that calculated for weight loss with adjustments of +/- 5% as required. Weight and BCS were recorded monthly for each dog. Owners of dogs in the EDU group were required to attend monthly classes that addressed nutrition-related topics during the 6-month weight loss period. RESULTS: Dogs in both treatment groups had significantly lower weight at the end of the weight loss period, compared with initial weight. Mean weight loss at 6 months was 14.7% in the control group and 15% in the EDU group; this difference was not significant. During the weight maintenance period, percentage weight loss was maintained in both treatment groups. Mean changes in BCS at 6 months (relative to time 0) were -1.5 in the control group and -1.7 in the EDU group. At 24 months, mean changes in BCS (relative to time 0) were -2.1 in the control group and -2.2 in the EDU group. No significant differences in BCS were identified between treatment groups at either 6 or 24 months. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Mean decrease in BCS of 2 and mean weight loss of 15% were achieved and maintained in all dogs. An obesity treatment program that included dietary changes and monthly weight checks during the weight loss and weight maintenance periods was sufficient to achieve these results.     

山羊乳腺上皮细胞氧化损伤模型的建立

【目的】 探究过氧化氢(H₂O₂)诱导山羊乳腺上皮细胞(GMEC)氧化损伤的最佳条件,构建可靠、稳定的氧化损伤模型,为今后探究紫大薯花青素对氧化损伤的保护机制提供模型条件。【方法】 试验采用二因子完全随机设计,第一因素为H₂O₂处理浓度,分别为0(对照组)、350、430、460、490、520和550 μmol/L,第二因素为对GMEC的处理时间,分别为8、11、14、17 h。舍弃细胞存活率低于60%的处理组,并根据结果重新调整处理浓度与时间。然后通过细胞内谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)的活性、活性氧(ROS)和丙二醛(MDA)的含量以及培养液内乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)的测定确定最佳的H₂O₂处理条件。【结果】 与对照组相比,各H₂O₂处理组作用8 h后GMEC存活率均显著降低(P<0.05),其中350、430、460 μmol/L H₂O₂处理8 h时细胞存活率分别降低至64.6%、72.9%、66.2%,基本符合细胞存活率的筛选需求(70%)。因此,选择350、430、460、490、520 μmol/L H₂O₂处理4、6、8、10 h进行后续试验。调整后,除4 h 430 μmol/L处理组外,各处理组LDH活性在不同处理时间下均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),并随着时间的延长逐渐升高,10 h时各处理组LDH活性均达到最大值,且与浓度呈正比;各处理组ROS含量在6 h时均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),且8 h时各处理组ROS含量较6 h均大幅度显著升高(P<0.05),说明8 h为ROS含量变化的转折点;430、490、520 μmol/L处理组MDA含量在处理8 h后均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),其中430 μmol/L处理组MDA含量在8和10 h时显著高于对照组(P<0.05);各浓度组CAT、SOD、GSH-Px和T-AOC活性在处理6~8 h时均出现不同程度的降低,且8 h时仅430 μmol/L处理组CAT、SOD、GSH-Px和T-AOC活性显著低于照组(P<0.05)。【结论】 430 μmol/L H₂O₂处理GMEC 8 h为构建GMEC氧化损伤模型最佳条件。     

Reduction of economic losses caused by mycoplasmal pneumonia of pigs by vaccination with Respisure and by Tiamutin treatment

The possibilities and economic benefits of controlling mycoplasmal pneumonia of pigs caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae by immunisation with Respisure and by Tiamutin treatment were studied. The experiment was carried out in a herd comprising 1000 sows which was free of PRRS, Aujeszky's disease, swine dysentery and leptospirosis, and the prevalence of mycoplasmal pneumonia was low because the farm had recently been restocked. Groups C1 and C2 served as untreated controls, while Groups R1 and R2 received a prestarter diet containing 100 ppm Tiamutin from the time of weaning. Piglets of Group R1 were vaccinated with Respisure vaccine once on day 69, while those of Group R2 twice, on days 65 and 80. Piglets of Groups ST1 and ST2 were fed 100 ppm Tiamutin in the diet for 7 days at the time of weaning and then at 4 months of age, while pigs of Group ST2 received such treatment also in the 6th month of life. The efficacy of treatment was analysed on the basis of the number of animals that died, were emergency slaughtered or were retarded in growth in the different groups, the body weight of animals at weaning, at 94 and 148 days of age and at the time of slaughter, their daily body weight gain, the lung lesions found in animals slaughtered from the different groups, the costs of medication and vaccination, and the cost-benefit calculations of the results. The mortality and emergency slaughter rate was 2.88% and 4.62% in Groups ST2 and ST1, respectively, 4.23% and 4.62% in Groups R2 and R1, respectively, and 8.39% and 9.44% in the control groups (C2 and C1, respectively). The rate of growth retardation was 0.48% and 2.12% in Groups R1 and R2, respectively, 1.59% and 3.46% in Groups ST1 and ST2, respectively, as compared to 8.03% and 6.55% in the control groups (C1 and C2, respectively). The severity score of lung lesions was 1.82 and 1.46 in Groups R1 and R2, 2.18 and 2.93 in Groups ST1 and ST2, and 3.83 and 4.02 in the control groups C1 and C2, respectively. The mean finishing weight of pigs was 102.4-107.8 kg and 95.2-106.6 kg in the treated groups and 94.5-98.6 kg in the control groups. The classification of pigs according to the EUROP categories showed a shift to the E and U categories in the treated groups. The average feed cost per one kg of liveweight was 77.89-82.64 Forints in the treated groups and 85.66 Forints in the control groups.     

Differential activity of cythioate against female and male Ctenocephalides felis on cats.

A study was conducted to determine whether cythioate, a systemically active insecticide, has different activity against male and female Ctenocephalides felis, the cat flea. Eighteen cats were allotted equally to 1 control and 2 treatment groups and infested on day 0 with fixed ratios of male and female cat fleas. Cats in the untreated control group and treatment group 2 were infested with 50 fleas with a female-to-male ratio of approximately 2:1. Cats in treatment group 1 were infested with 50 fleas with a female-to-male ratio of 1:1. Cythioate was administered orally to cats in the treatment groups at the dosage of 3.6 mg/kg of body weight once daily on days 0 and 3. Fleas remaining after treatment were removed, sexed, and counted on day 5. The efficacy of cythioate after 2 dosings was 82.8 and 33.4% against female and male fleas, respectively. The greater activity against female fleas resulted in post-treatment female-to-male ratios in treatment groups 1 and 2 of 0.32:1 and 0.54:1, respectively. Fleas recovered from untreated control cats had a final female-to-male ratio of 2.27:1. Total population control efficacies for treatment groups 1 and 2 were 61.7 and 67.6%, respectively.     

Clinical trial of a feline pheromone analogue for feline urine marking

Thirty-six cases of feline urine marking problem were collected through the cooperation of veterinary practitioners in the Kanto, Chubu, and Kansai areas in Japan, for an assessment of the clinical effect of treatment with a synthetic analogue of a feline cheek gland pheromone-like product. The mean frequency of urine marking was 14.2 times/week (median, 10; range, 1-77) at pre-treatment week (preW), and decreased significantly from the first week of treatment, dropping to 4.2 times/week (median, 2; range, 0-44) at the fourth week of treatment. This effect continued until the fourth week after cessation of treatment. These 36 cases were divided into 3 groups based on the effectiveness of treatment as demonstrated in the fourth week of treatment; 37% was categorized as the totally eliminated group (urine marking was not seen), 40% as the reduced group (the frequency of urine marking was equal to or less than 50% that of the preW), and 23% as the unchanged group (the frequency of urine marking was more than 50% that of the preW). Effectiveness of treatment in these groups was 38%, 24%, and 38% at the fourth week after the cessation of treatment, respectively. The decreasing rate of urine marking was compared between cats with and without intercat aggression, and it was revealed that the frequency of marking was sustained at high level in cats with intercat aggression. These results suggest that this pheromone treatment is as effective in Japan as has been reported in other countries for solving feline urine marking problems.     

Comparison of Oestrous Intensity between Natural Oestrus and Oestrus Induced with Ovsynch Based Treatments in Japanese Black Cows

The aim of this study was to examine the possible differences of oestrous intensity between natural oestrus and induced oestrus using the walking activity measuring device. Walking activity was used as an evaluation index of oestrous intensity. A total of 27 Japanese Black cows, more than 40 days after calving and clinically normal, were randomly assigned to three groups. Walking activity was recorded using a commercially available computerized pedometer system. The treatment groups consisted of an Ovsynch (n = 8) and a controlled internal drugs releasing device (CIDR) + Ovsynch (n = 9) group. The control group (n = 10) received no treatment. Walking activity was examined in all groups. Timed artificial insemination (timed AI) was performed at 16 hours after the onset of oestrus in the control group and at 24 h after second administration of GnRH in the treatment groups. Duration of oestrus had a tendency to be shorter in both the Ovsynch and the CIDR + Ovsynch groups when compared with the control group. The time required from the onset of oestrus to the time showing the highest number of steps of walking (the time to peak) showed a tendency to be shorter in CIDR + Ovsynch group. The number of steps of walking at peak and overall walking activities were significantly lower in both treatment groups than in the control group. Both activity and super-activity periods of time in the treatment groups were shorter than the control group. No difference was observed in the conception rate between the control (50.0%; 10/20), Ovsynch (50.0%; 4/8) and CIDR + Ovsynch groups (66.7%; 6/9). This study demonstrates that the oestrous intensity of cows in oestrus was different between natural oestrus and induced oestrus and also between the methods of the synchronization, but no difference was observed in the conception rate among the three groups.     

Effect of Roscovitine‐Treated Donor Cells on Development of Porcine Cloned Embryos

Synchronization of the donor cell cycle is an important factor for successful animal cloning by nuclear transfer. To improve the efficiency of porcine cloning, in the present report, we evaluated effects of contact inhibition, serum starvation and roscovitine treatment of donor cells on in vitro and in vivo developmental potency of cloned porcine embryos. Fibroblasts derived from a porcine foetus at day 30 of gestation were isolated and cultured to 70% confluency. Then, cells were either cultured to 100% confluency for contact inhibition, or cultured in 0.5% serum for 72 h for serum starvation or with 15 μm roscovitine for 24 h. Cells were most effectively synchronized at G0/G1 in the serum starvation group (87.5%) compared with the contact inhibition and roscovitine treatment groups (76.3% and 79.9% respectively p < 0.05). However, after somatic cell nuclear transfer followed by in vitro culture, the serum starvation group showed a significantly lower blastocyst formation rate (5.6%) compared with the contact inhibition and roscovitine treatment groups (11.6% and 20.0% respectively). Differential expression of apoptosis‐related genes and the level of apoptosis in each treatment group explain the variation in developmental competence among the groups. Significantly higher level of apoptosis was observed in the serum starvation group. On the other hand, the roscovitine treatment group shows the lowest level of apoptosis and the best in vitro development among the groups. Cloned embryos derived from roscovitine‐treated donor cells were transferred to surrogate pigs. Three healthy live piglets were produced. In conclusion, we suggest that roscovitine treatment of donor cells improves development of cloned porcine embryos and can raise the efficiency of cloned piglet production.     

吡喹酮非水溶液注射剂的研制--日本血吸虫病治疗试验

利用本课题组研制的吡喹酮非水溶液注射剂，分别进行了小鼠和牛的日本血吸虫病治疗试验。结果表明，感染日本血吸虫的小鼠按每千克体质量20mg和30mg的剂量肌肉注射吡喹酮的减雌率均达100％，人工感染日本血吸虫的牛按每千克体质量10mg和12mg的剂量肌肉注射吡喹酮的减雌率均达100％，每千克体质量8mg的剂量的减雌率为96．41％。自然感染血吸虫病牛按每千克体质量10mg的剂量肌肉注射后30d，粪便转阴率达90．50％。这一结果说明，研制的吡喹酮注射剂具有良好的治疗效果。     

SELENIUM - RESPONSIVE UNTHRIFTINESS OF YOUNG MERINO SHEEP IN CENTRAL VICTORIA

A trial was carried out to determine whether selenium responsive unthriftiness existed on a property in the Strathbogie ranges of Central Victoria where unthriftiness of young sheep has been a problem for 10 to 20 years. White muscle disease had been diagnosed on the property in the previous year and on other properties in the area. Eighty Merino ewes and lambs were allotted to one of 4 groups in a 2 x 2 factorial designed trial in which sodium selenite (0.1 mg/kg) was given orally to ewes and/or lambs at marking time and to treated lambs at 3 monthly intervals thereafter. Selenium treatment of the ewes had no significant effect on subsequent lamb performance. Selenium treatment of the lambs produced significant responses: mortality in treated groups was 0% compared with 17.5% in untreated groups; body weight gains were 1.9 kg higher at both weaning and one year of age in treated than in untreated lambs; mean fleece weight was 14.4% higher in treated lambs and they produced 39% more wool than the surviving untreated lambs.