Stimulatory effects of selenium on mitogen responses in lambs

Separated lymphocytes from untreated and selenium-supplemented lambs were tested in culture against phytolectins (phytohaemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen). Levels of response varied considerably among individuals, and this tended to mask the effects of selenium. However, cells from both groups were more active in the presence of serum from supplemented animals, and a similar stimulatory effect was achieved by adding sodium selenite in vitro. Thus selenium could exert a direct influence on the performance of immunocompetent cells.     

Studies on serum tocopherol and selenium levels and blood glutathione peroxidase activities in lambs with white muscle disease

For the investigation of the cause of white muscle disease (WMD), tocopherol (Toc) and selenium (Se) levels and blood glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were examined using lambs with WMD and their ewes. Serum Se levels of 4 lambs with WMD were low under 30 ppb, lambs showing very low levels below 15 ppb. The serum Se level was correlated with blood GSH-Px activity showing remarkably low activities in the lambs with WMD. Se contents in the organs of lambs with WMD were lower than those of control lambs, and particularly liver Se contents were deficient levels below 50 ppb. Serum Toc levels were normal, but alpha-Toc contents in organs showed very low levels, especially in the liver. The serum Toc and Se levels and blood GSH-Px activities of their ewes and other sheep kept in the same farm revealed similar results to those of lambs with WMD. Feedstuffs supplied on the farm showed the deficient level of the Se content below 50 ppb and a very low level of alpha-Toc. It was concluded that WMD of lambs in Hokkaido was nutritional muscular dystrophy resulted from deficiencies of Toc and Se to their ewes.     

羔羊白肌病的诊治

新疆霍城县六十四团是一个农牧结合的团场,牧业以养羊为主。近几年来,每至1—3月份,发现一种以肌肉变性、运动机能障碍为特征的羔羊疾病,死亡率极高。据笔者调查,新疆伊犁地区其他县市和团场也有类似情况。据有关资料介绍,新疆伊犁地区属贫硒地区,结合该病的流行特点、临床症状     

Relationship between mitogen receptors in peripheral blood lymphocytes and blastogenic responses to mitogen

The relationship between the optimum concentration of mitogen which induces lymphocyte blastogenic response and the receptor occupancy by mitogen was investigated. The receptor occupancies which induced maximal blastogenic activity in equine, bovine and canine peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were 31.1 per cent, 26.5 per cent and 38.4 per cent with phytohaemagglutinin-P, and 48.2 per cent, 17.9 per cent and 24.5 per cent with concanavalin A, respectively. The data clearly show that each animal species had its own optimum concentration of mitogen for stimulation of PBL. Optimum concentration for blastogenesis and number of binding sites of each mitogen had a good correlation with each other for all three species.     

羔羊白肌病的诊治

羔羊白肌病是因微量元素硒不足或缺乏而引起的一种急慢性非传染性营养代谢病,以运动机能障碍、心力衰竭为主要特征,主要发生于6月龄以内羔羊.我县关山地区某村1月龄内羔羊大量发病死亡,经济损失大,经综合诊断为羔羊白肌病,采取以补硒为主的防治措施后,控制了该病的发生.     

Congenital white muscle disease in a Belgian blue calf

In this case report about white muscle disease (WMD) in a Belgian Blue herd, the disease is described both as an individual and as a herd problem. Aetiology, diagnosis, and therapy of WMD are discussed. WMD is a disease of animals with muscle damage due to the presence of free radicals. Unsaturated fatty acids in the cell membrane are transformed into a radical form in a chain reaction: a fatty acid next to the fatty acid radical can be transformed into another free radical. In healthy animal the chain reaction is stopped by anti-oxidants such as vitamin E and glutathione peroxidase. WMD can occur when more free radicals are produced than the available anti-oxidants can deal with. The disease occurs in calves, lambs, and foals.     

A condition resembling ovine white liver disease in lambs on irrigated pasture in South Canterbury

Abstract

Extract

Sir,— Ovine white liver disease (WLD) is a recognized entity in Northland and other parts of the North Island. In Northland, the disease occurs sporadically as a flock problem, mainly in lambs, during the warmer time of the year. Affected animals may show a failure to thrive, sometimes with anaemia, photosensitivity and a pale, swollen, fatty liver with characteristic h'stological changes. The disease is often associated with low liver vitamin B₁₂ levels and intestinal nematode parasitism. It has been suspected that a fungal toxin may be involved5 Martinovich, D. 1974. “Sheep diseases in Northland associated with suspect toxic forage”. In Proceedings N.Z. V.A. Sheep Society 4th Seminar 99–101.  [Google Scholar].