柞蚕场螽斯防治饵剂的生态风险评估试验

为了评估螽斯防治饵剂应用蚕场后的生态风险,在蚕场鸟类、鼠类对其取食观察基础上,选取大白鼠为研究对象,室内以饵剂或取食饵剂死亡的螽斯进行喂养,初步评价饵剂对非靶标动物的毒杀风险;测定饵剂中乙酰甲胺磷在施用7d、14d、21d、28d后的土壤残留值,评价其滞留蚕场的残留风险。结果表明,饵剂对鸟类相对安全,而对鼠类存在一定的生态风险;乙酰甲胺磷在土壤中易降解,在自然条件下,7d乙酰甲胺磷和代谢物甲胺磷残留量分别为0.022mg/kg和0.004mg/kg,14d后再未检出,其残留风险低。     

Efficacy of anticoagulant-free alternative bait products against house mice (Mus musculus) and brown rats (Rattus norvegicus)

The attractiveness and efficacy of four anonymous anticoagulant-free alternative rodenticides (active ingredients cellulose or plaster) were tested on wild strain groups of house mice (Mus musculus Linnaeus) and brown rats (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout) in laboratory choice and no-choice experiments. In no-choice tests, the rodenticide product was offered ad libitum to the animals for 21 days (mice) and 10 days (rats), respectively. In choice tests, the rodenticide product and non-poisoned food were offered for 28 days (mice) and 14 days (rats). Two products with cellulose (C1 and C2) as the active ingredient were tested against both mice and rats. In two no-choice tests with mice, all animals died within 14 days (C1) and 21 days (C2); in a third no-choice test, 11% (2/18) of mice survived (C1: 21 days). In all three tests, numerous incidents of cannibalism were observed. The attractiveness of cellulose baits was tested for one product (C1) in three trials against normal food pellets. In all trials, bait consumption was low and all mice survived (15–34 days). Two no-choice trials with cellulose baits (C1) were conducted on groups of Rattus norvegicus; 11 of 12 rats survived the bait feeding period and no cannibalism or sign of aggression between conspecifics was observed. Two plaster-based (CaSO₄·0.5H₂O) products (P1 and P2) were tested against both mice and rats; in no-choice tests, only one mouse (n= 20) and no rats (n= 8) were killed, although the baits proved to be attractive for rats and mice in choice tests. The results of these experiments suggest that neither cellulose-based nor plaster-based rodenticides are suitable agents for the control of Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus.     

Acceptance by stoats (Mustela erminea) of 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate) in small-volume baits and its effect on behaviour and time to death

AIMS: To assess whether stoats (Mustela erminea) would eat small baits containing 0.1% sodium monofluoroacetate (1080); whether they would die from it; how long it would take to kill them; and to document the behaviour of 1080-intoxicated stoats.

METHODS: Stoats were offered 1-g baits of two semi-fluid formulations containing 0.1% 1080, presented in open dishes, and their subsequent behaviour was monitored by video and direct observation. Muscle samples from stoats that died were analysed for 1080 residues.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference between two types of bait with regard to acceptance, mortality, and time to death, and behavioural effects were similar; consequently, results from the two types of bait were combined. Twelve of 14 stoats offered the baits ate them voluntarily, and a 13th licked bait off its fur; all 13 died between 1 h 15 min and 4 h 7 min (mean 2 h 38 min) later. At first (range 29 min — 2 h 7 min, mean 1 h 1 min), their behaviour appeared to be normal. Ataxia and hyperactivity were the first behavioural signs of poisoning, and lasted 2 min — 1 h 40 min (mean 26 min). This was followed by recumbency with convulsions and rapid breathing (range 16 min to 2 h, mean 58 min), then recumbency with limited activity and progressively shallow breathing prior to death (range 1–51 min, mean 33 min). Stoats became non-responsive to a light being turned on, or to touch once recumbency became sustained.

Residues of 1080 were found in muscle tissue of all 13 dead stoats, at concentrations ranging from 0.075 μg/g in a 287-g male that died 4 h 7 min after eating only 0.74 g of bait, to 2.5 μg/g in a 254-g female that died 2 h 42 min after taking a whole 1-g bait.

CONCLUSION: Stoats will voluntarily take small (1-g) baits containing a lethal dose of 1080 at 0.1%, and die from it comparatively rapidly for a mammalian carnivore.     

Evaluation of baits for oral vaccination of European wild boar piglets

The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate new baits for the oral delivery of vaccine preparations to 2–4 month-old wild boar piglets. Baits were prepared using a matrix composed of wild boar feed, wheat flour, paraffin, sacarose and cinnamon-truffle powder attractant with polyethylene capsules dipped into the matrix to introduce vaccine formulation. Physical stability studies demonstrated that baits were stable for at least three days at temperatures as high as 42 °C. Recombinant Escherichia coli expressing the membrane-displayed BM95-MSP1a fusion protein were used to test bacterial viability in the baits and the antibody response in orally immunized wild boar. The E. coli viability was not significantly affected after bait incubation at 25 and 37 °C for 96 h. Bait acceptance studies using artificial feeders in the field showed that baits were accepted by 2–3 month-old animals, the preferred age for vaccination. Orally immunized wild boar piglets excreted recombinant E. coli in the feces and developed antibody titers to recombinant BM95-MSP1a protein, thus confirming that vaccine composition was released and reached the wild boar gastrointestinal track. The results of these experiments support the use of these baits for oral delivery of vaccine formulations to 2–4 month-old wild boar piglets.     

用杀鼠剂和饵料对达乌尔黄鼠进行防治正交试验研究

为筛选出防治达乌尔黄鼠的杀鼠剂及其施用技术,用3种杀鼠剂、3个用药浓度、3个投饵量和3种饵料进行L9(34)正交试验,经方差分析和F检验发现,各因子对灭洞率的有效性自大至小顺序为:杀鼠剂用药浓度投饵量饵料种类。以灭洞率为评价指标,对不同因子各水平进行SSR测验证明:3种参试杀鼠剂的有效性依次为溴鼠灵(87.56%)C型肉毒梭菌生物毒素(80.00%)敌鼠钠盐(73.89%);灭洞率随用药浓度和投饵量变化,用药浓度越大、投饵量越多,灭洞率亦越高;用玉米、苜蓿草颗粒和玉米秸秆草颗粒作饵料灭洞率差异不显著,表明用苜蓿草颗粒和玉米秸秆草颗粒代替粮食作达乌尔黄鼠的饵料是可行;A2B3C2D3(0.15%的溴鼠灵、苜蓿草颗粒作饵料、每个有效洞口投25粒毒饵)是最佳处理组合。     

Acceptance by stoats (Mustela erminea) of 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate) in small-volume baits and its effect on behaviour and time to death

AIMS: To assess whether stoats (Mustela erminea) would eat small baits containing 0.1% sodium monofluoroacetate (1080); whether they would die from it; how long it would take to kill them; and to document the behaviour of 1080-intoxicated stoats. METHODS: Stoats were offered 1-g baits of two semi-fluid formulations containing 0.1% 1080, presented in open dishes, and their subsequent behaviour was monitored by video and direct observation. Muscle samples from stoats that died were analysed for 1080 residues. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between two types of bait with regard to acceptance, mortality, and time to death, and behavioural effects were similar; consequently, results from the two types of bait were combined. Twelve of 14 stoats offered the baits ate them voluntarily, and a 13th licked bait off its fur; all 13 died between 1 h 15 min and 4 h 7 min (mean 2 h 38 min) later. At first (range 29 min - 2 h 7 min, mean 1 h 1 min), their behaviour appeared to be normal. Ataxia and hyperactivity were the first behavioural signs of poisoning, and lasted 2 min - 1 h 40 min (mean 26 min). This was followed by recumbency with convulsions and rapid breathing (range 16 min to 2 h, mean 58 min), then recumbency with limited activity and progressively shallow breathing prior to death (range 1-51 min, mean 33 min). Stoats became non-responsive to a light being turned on, or to touch once recumbency became sustained. Residues of 1080 were found in muscle tissue of all 13 dead stoats, at concentrations ranging from 0.075 microg/g in a 287-g male that died 4 h 7 min after eating only 0.74 g of bait, to 2.5 microg/g in a 254-g female that died 2 h 42 min after taking a whole 1-g bait. CONCLUSION: Stoats will voluntarily take small (1-g) baits containing a lethal dose of 1080 at 0.1%, and die from it comparatively rapidly for a mammalian carnivore.     

Body weight,meat quality and blood metabolite responses to carbohydrate administration in the drinking water during pre‐slaughter feed withdrawal in broilers

This study was conducted to determine weights of body (BW), carcass (CW), gastrointestinal tract (GTW), meat quality and some blood metabolite responses to corn starch, saccharose or glucose administration in the drinking water during pre‐slaughter feed withdrawal (FW) in broilers. On day 42 of age, 200 broilers (Ross 308) were allocated randomly to five treatments with four replicates. During a 10‐h FW, control broilers (C) were provided with non‐treated water and the standard finisher diet ad libitum, whereas fasted broilers provided with non‐treated (NFW) or treated water, 3 g glucose (G), saccharose (S) or corn starch (CS)/L. Eight birds (four males and four females) per treatment were slaughtered. Birds receiving non‐treated or treated water had lower BW and higher carcass yield than the full‐fed broilers. The full‐fed broilers had higher absolute and relative GTW than the fasted birds. Broilers consumed more readily treated water compared with non‐treated water. While the a* value of breast meat from CS birds was higher than that from NFW, the b* value of that was higher than S and C birds. The c* values of breast meat from S birds were lower compared with that from the CS treatment. The thigh meat from NFW broilers had higher h* value than that from C and G broilers. The thigh meats of C and CS broilers had higher c* value than that of G birds. The full‐fed broilers had higher plasma triglyceride concentration than NFW, S and G birds. The full‐fed broilers had higher plasma uric acid and uric acid nitrogen concentrations than S birds. These results show that carbohydrate administration in the drinking water cannot be a good alternative for the FW period before slaughter due to the fact that the carbohydrates do not reduce BW losses and do not lead to increases in meat quality.     

Acute oral toxicity of zinc phosphide: an assessment for wild house mice (Mus musculus)

Irregular plagues of house mice, Mus musculus, incur major economic impacts on agricultural production in Australia. The efficacy of zinc phosphide (ZnP), the only registered broadacre control agent for mice, is reported as increasingly variable. Have mice become less sensitive over time or are they taking a sub-lethal dose and developing aversion? In this laboratory study, the sensitivity of mice (wild caught; outbred laboratory strain) was assessed using oral gavage of a range of ZnP concentrations. The estimated LD₅₀ values (72–79 mg ZnP/kg body weight) were similar for each mouse group but are significantly higher than previously reported. The willingness of mice to consume ZnP-coated grains was determined. ZnP-coated grains (50 g ZnP/kg grain) presented in the absence of alternative food were consumed and 94% of wild mice died. Mice provided with alternative food and ZnP-coated wheat grains (either 25 or 50 g ZnP/kg grain) consumed toxic and non-toxic grains, and mortality was lower (33–55%). If a sublethal amount of ZnP-coated grain was consumed, aversion occurred, mostly when alternative food was present. The sensitivity of wild house mice to ZnP in Australia is significantly lower than previously assumed. Under laboratory conditions, ZnP-coated grains coated with a new higher dose (50 g ZnP/kg grain) were readily consumed. Consumption of toxic grain occurred when alternative food was available but was decreased. Our unambiguous findings for house mice indicate a re-assessment of the ZnP loading for baits used for control of many rodents around the world may be warranted.     

Safety and immunogenicity of a vaccine bait containing ERA strain of attenuated rabies virus.

Ninety percent of foxes fed commercial ERA vaccine in a specially designed bait developed rabies serum neutralizing antibodies. The vaccine bait did not cause clinical signs of rabies when consumed by foxes, raccoons, skunks, dogs, cats, cattle and monkeys. When presented, in the laboratory, to wild rodents of the species Microtus, Mus musculus and Peromyscus, the vaccine baits caused vaccine-induced rabies only in Mus musculus. Laboratory mice of the CD-1 and CLL strain were susceptible to vaccine-induced rabies; however, studies showed that transmission of virus to other animals did not occur. These studies suggest that the vaccine bait described could be useful in a rabies control program in areas where foxes and wild dogs are the principal vectors.     

A 90‐day adaptation to a high glycaemic diet alters postprandial lipid metabolism in non‐obese horses without affecting peripheral insulin sensitivity

High glycaemic feeds are associated with the development of insulin resistance in horses. However, studies that evaluated the effect of high glycaemic feeds used horses that either ranged in body condition from lean to obese or were fed to increase body condition over a period of months; thus, the ability of high glycaemic feeds to induce insulin resistance in lean horses has not been determined. This study evaluated the insulin sensitivity of 18 lean horses fed a 10% (LO; n = 6), 20% (MED; n = 6) or 60% (HI; n = 6) non‐structural carbohydrate complementary feed for 90 days. Although both the MED and HI diets increased insulinaemic responses to concentrate feeding in relation to the LO diet (p > 0.05), neither induced insulin resistance, as assessed by glucose tolerance test, following the 90‐day feeding trial. Interestingly, the post‐feeding suppression of plasma non‐esterified fatty acids was less pronounced in HI‐fed horses (p = 0.054) on days 30 and 90 of the study, potentially indicating that insulin‐induced suppression of adipose tissue lipolysis was reduced. As insulin‐resistant animals often have elevated plasma lipid concentrations, it is possible that altered lipid metabolism is an early event in the development of insulin resistance. The effects of high glycaemic feeds that are fed for a longer duration of time, on glucose and lipid metabolism, should be investigated further.     

Evaluation of 6 ONRAB Ultralite bait flavor matrices delivered to coyotes (Canis latrans): Implications for oral rabies vaccination

The spread of rabies in terrestrial wildlife throughout the United States is primarily controlled through oral rabies vaccination. Relatively low bait acceptance and seroconversion rates by some target species have prompted investigation into an alternative to the RABORAL V-RG bait currently used. In Canada, ONRAB Ultralite baits are used to vaccinate raccoons (Procyon lotor) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis). Comparative studies between RABORAL V-RG and ONRAB found higher seroconversion rates among raccoons that ingested ONRAB, suggesting that it may be a suitable alternative. However, ONRAB has not been evaluated in many rabies reservoir species, including coyotes (Canis latrans). Vaccination of coyotes is a critical element in preventing reemergence of canine strain of rabies in the United States. We evaluated flavor preference of ONRAB Ultralite oral rabies vaccine baits by coyotes. Preferences among bait types differed (Friedman χ² = 13.28; df = 5; P = 0.02). Of the 6 bait flavors evaluated, cheese ranked the highest, followed by fish, chicken, sugar-vanilla, egg, and bacon flavors. Pairwise trials among the top 3 flavors (cheese, fish, and chicken) showed no difference (Friedman χ² = 3.00; df = 2; P = 0.22). Our research suggests that among the bait flavors we evaluated, cheese, fish, or chicken-flavored baits may be an appropriate flavor for delivery of ONRAB Ultralite baits to coyotes.     

Viability of maternally heat-stressed mouse zygotes in vivo and in vitro

Mammalian preimplantation embryos are susceptible to heat stress. This present study examined how maternal heat stress affects the development of mouse zygotes in vivo and in vitro. In Experiment 1, zygotes collected from female mice that were heat‐stressed for 12 h on day 1 of pregnancy were cultured in vitro. Maternally heat‐stressed zygotes developed normally to the two‐cell stage, but the majority of embryos failed to develop into morulae or blastocysts. In Experiment 2, pregnant mice were heat‐stressed on day 1 or from day 1 to day 3 of pregnancy. The number of living fetuses on day 14 of pregnancy was lower in heat‐stressed mice than in non‐stressed mice, but the difference was significant only in successively heat‐stressed mice. These results demonstrate that maternally heat‐stressed zygotes have reduced in vitro viability, but this phenomenon does not necessarily lead to embryo loss in the maternal environment.     

Successful eradication of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and house mouse (Mus musculus) from the island of Selvagem Grande (Macaronesian archipelago), in the Eastern Atlantic

The Portuguese island of Selvagem Grande (Great Salvage) in Macaronesia is an important seabird breeding station in the eastern Atlantic. Significant populations of Cory's shearwater Calonectris diomedea (Scopoli, 1769), Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulweria (Jardine & Selby, 1828) and little shearwater Puffinus assimilis baroli (Bonaparte, 1857) are present, and white-faced storm-petrel Pelagodroma marina (Latham, 1790) and Madeiran storm-petrel Oceanodroma castro (Harcourt, 1851) populations are of global significance. Selvagem Grande also provides diverse habitats for an extensive flora, including 11 endemic species. The 270-ha island was also inhabited by two alien invasive mammals: the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) and the house mouse Mus musculus (Linnaeus, 1758). Both are known to have had adverse impacts on breeding seabirds and island vegetation. In 2002, the Natural Park of Madeira conducted a program using brodifacoum bait formulations aimed at rabbit and mouse eradication. Approximately 17 000 individual baiting points were established on a 12.5 × 12.5 m grid. Baits were also applied by hand “seeding” on steep slopes and cliffs where bait stations could not be placed. Rabbits were removed after a month. However, mice persisted for considerably longer and strategic bait applications against them continued for a further six months. Subsequent assessments by trapping, bait takes and systematic observation of signs over three years, has confirmed the removal of both alien invasive species. This paper presents information on these operations, on measures adopted to mitigate adverse impacts of the eradication program on important vertebrate non-target species, including Berthelot's pipit Anthus berthelotii Bolle, 1862 and a species of gecko Tarentola bischoffi Joger, 1984 and on the initial response of the island's ecosystem to the eradication of rabbits and mice.     

Multiple‐Aetiology Enteric Infections Involving Non‐O157 Shiga Toxin‐Producing Escherichia coli – FoodNet, 2001–2010

We describe multiple‐aetiology infections involving non‐O157 Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) identified through laboratory‐based surveillance in nine FoodNet sites from 2001 to 2010. A multiple‐aetiology infection (MEI) was defined as isolation of non‐O157 STEC and laboratory evidence of any of the other nine pathogens under surveillance or isolation of >1 non‐O157 STEC serogroup from the same person within a 7‐day period. We compared exposures of patients with MEI during 2001–2010 with those of patients with single‐aetiology non‐O157 STEC infections (SEI) during 2008–2009 and with those of the FoodNet population from a survey conducted during 2006–2007. In total, 1870 non‐O157 STEC infections were reported; 68 (3.6%) were MEI; 60 included pathogens other than non‐O157 STEC; and eight involved >1 serogroup of non‐O157 STEC. Of the 68 MEI, 21 (31%) were part of six outbreaks. STEC O111 was isolated in 44% of all MEI. Of patients with MEI, 50% had contact with farm animals compared with 29% (P < 0.01) of persons with SEI; this difference was driven by infections involving STEC O111. More patients with non‐outbreak‐associated MEI reported drinking well water (62%) than respondents in a population survey (19%) (P < 0.01). Drinking well water and having contact with animals may be important exposures for MEI, especially those involving STEC O111.     

Efficacy of lyophilised C-strain vaccine after oral immunisation of domestic pigs and wild boar against classical swine fever: first results

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of lyophilised C-strain vaccine in domestic pigs and wild boar after oral application. A new spherical bait form (diameter 3 cm) containing lyophilised vaccine virus and the recent vaccine baits were used for animal experiments. Four vaccination groups were established in experiment 1 (group 1: recent liquid bait vaccine; group 2: spherical baits containing one dose of the lyophilised vaccine; groups 3 (domestic pigs) and 4 (wild boar): spherical baits containing two doses of the lyophilised vaccine) and two groups in experiment 2 (group 1: recent liquid bait vaccine; group 2: spherical baits with two doses of the lyophilised vaccine). Challenge was carried out with the highly virulent virus strain "Alfort 187" (using 100 TCID50 in the first and 1.000 TCID50 in the second experiment). Our results showed that the animals vaccinated with lyophilised C-strain vaccine developed high neutralising antibody titres comparable to those obtained after vaccination with the recent bait vaccine. All pigs which picked up the baits remained healthy after challenge. Neither clinical symptoms nor viremia or virus shedding were observed after infection except in one pig (group 2, experiment 2) which had not consumed the vaccine bait. The surviving domestic pigs and wild boar were tested negative for CSFV and viral RNA at the end of the study. This result demonstrates that lyophilised vaccine may become an effective vaccine formulation for oral immunisation of wild boar against CSF in the near future.     

Distribution and Diversity of Salmonella Strains in Shipments of Hatchling Poultry,United States, 2013

Multistate outbreaks of salmonellosis associated with live poultry contact have been occurring with increasing frequency. In 2013, multistate outbreaks of salmonellosis were traced back to exposure to live poultry, some of which were purchased at a national chain of farm stores (Farm store chain Y). This study was conducted at 36 stores of Farm store chain Y and was concurrent with the timing of exposure for the human outbreaks of salmonellosis in 2013. We used environmental swabs of arriving shipment boxes of hatchling poultry and shipment tracking information to examine the distribution, diversity and anti‐microbial resistance of non‐typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) across farm stores and hatcheries. Isolates recovered from shipment boxes underwent serotyping, anti‐microbial resistance (AMR) testing and pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Postal service tracking codes from the shipment boxes were used to determine the hatchery of origin. The PFGE patterns were compared with the PFGE patterns of NTS causing outbreaks of salmonellosis in 2013. A total of 219 hatchling boxes from 36 stores in 13 states were swabbed between 15 March 2013 and 18 April 2013. NTS were recovered from 59 (27%) of 219 hatchling boxes. Recovery was not significantly associated with species of hatchlings, number of birds in the shipment box, or the presence of dead, injured or sick birds. Four of the 23 PFGE patterns and 23 of 50 isolates were indistinguishable from strains causing human outbreaks in 2013. For serotypes associated with human illnesses, PFGE patterns most frequently recovered from shipment boxes were also more frequent causes of human illness. Boxes positive for the same PFGE pattern most frequently originated from the same mail‐order hatchery. Only one of 59 isolates was resistant to anti‐microbials used to treat Salmonella infections in people. This study provides critical information to address recurrent human outbreaks of salmonellosis associated with mail‐order hatchling poultry.     

Heritability estimates for racing performance in Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses using linear and non-linear model analyses

This study evaluated the differences between linear and non‐linear modelled heritability estimates of racing performance based on lifetime earnings (LE) and lifetime ranking (LR) in Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses. The heritability estimate (h² = 0.25) obtained from a non‐linear model based on formal Japan Racing Association ranking was much higher than that obtained from a linear model based on the original trait phenotype (h² = 0.11). The linear models showed slightly higher heritability estimates under the trait categorizations than under the original phenotypes, while the non‐linear categorical trait models showed much higher heritability estimates than the linear models, especially for binary trait categorizations (h² = 0.34) with non‐winning and winning horses. The binary trait categorizations were consistent with the case and control classifications in the previous genome‐wide association study (GWAS), which identified possible sequence variants on ECA18 that affect racing performance in Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses. Those findings suggested that the different heritability estimates obtained from several trait categorizations would reflect the possible presence of susceptibility gene segregations in the analyzed population, indicating that heritability estimates from non‐linear models are useful for the selection of case and control populations in GWAS.     

Effect of sorghum grain supplementation on glucose metabolism in cattle and sheep fed temperate pasture

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of sorghum grain supplementation on plasma glucose, insulin and glucagon concentrations, and hepatic mRNA concentrations of insulin receptor (INSR), pyruvate carboxylase (PC), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK1) mRNA and their association with nutrient intake, digestion and rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) in cattle and sheep fed a fresh temperate pasture. Twelve Hereford × Aberdeen Angus heifers and 12 Corriedale × Milchschaf wethers in positive energy balance were assigned within each species to one of two treatments (n = 6 per treatment within specie): non‐supplemented or supplemented with sorghum grain at 15 g/kg of their body weight (BW). Supplemented cattle had greater plasma glucose concentrations, decreased plasma glucagon concentrations and tended to have greater plasma insulin and insulin‐to‐glucagon ratio than non‐supplemented ones. Hepatic expression of INSR and PC mRNA did not differ between treatments but PCK1 mRNA was less in supplemented than non‐supplemented cattle. Supplemented sheep tended to have greater plasma glucagon concentrations than non‐supplemented ones. Plasma glucose, insulin, insulin‐to‐glucagon ratio, and hepatic expression of INSR and PC mRNA did not differ between treatments, but PCK1 mRNA was less in supplemented than non‐supplemented sheep. The inclusion of sorghum grain in the diet decreased PCK1 mRNA but did not affect PC mRNA in both species; these effects were associated with changes in glucose and endocrine profiles in cattle but not in sheep. Results would suggest that sorghum grain supplementation of animals in positive energy balance (cattle and sheep) fed a fresh temperate pasture would modify hepatic metabolism to prioritize the use of propionate as a gluconeogenic precursor.     

The economic implications of sylvatic rabies eradication in Italy

After more than 10 years of absence, sylvatic rabies re‐appeared in Italy in 2008. To prevent disease spread, three oral rabies vaccination (ORV) campaigns targeting red foxes were performed through manual distribution of vaccine baits between January and September 2009. As these campaigns proved unsuccessful, at the end of December 2009, baits started being distributed using helicopters, allowing uniform coverage of larger areas in a shorter time period. From winter 2009 to autumn 2016, a total of 15 ORV campaigns (four emergency, four regular and seven preventive ORV) were implemented through aerial distribution of baits. In this study, we assessed the costs of the aerial ORV campaigns, which were aimed at eradicating the disease and reobtaining the rabies‐free status. Cumulative costs per km² were estimated at €59.45 during emergency campaigns and ranged between €51.94 and €65.67 in the regular vaccinations. The main portion of costs for ORV programmes were related to baits supply and distribution: €49.24 (82.83%) in emergency campaigns and from €40.33 to € 43.35 in regular ORVs (71.97% and 66.02%, respectively). At the end of each ORV campaign, the efficacy of vaccination activities was estimated by assessing the proportion of foxes testing positive for tetracycline biomarker in jawbone, indicating bait intake. Results revealed that the proportion of foxes that ingested baits varied between 70.97% and 95.51%. Statistical analysis indicated that reducing the density of dropped baits could potentially lead to a cost‐saving of 22.81%, still maintaining a satisfactory level of bait intake by the fox population.     

The influence of crate height on selected biochemical indices in captive‐reared mallards

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of crate type (particularly its height) on selected biochemical indices in captive‐reared mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). The physiological changes in response to 2‐h crating in crates of either 20 cm or 26 cm height were monitored in 6‐week‐old mallards. Plasma corticosterone concentrations showed an increase (P = 0.036) in mallards crated in crates of 26 cm height in comparison with control non‐crated birds, whereas no difference in plasma corticosterone levels was found between mallards crated in crates of 20 cm height and control non‐crated birds. Lower concentrations of plasma triglycerides (P < 0.05) and uric acid (P < 0.05) were found in crated mallards in comparison with control non‐crated birds; the height of the crates had no effect. Mallards crated in crates of 26 cm height also exhibited a higher (P = 0.032) plasma lactate dehydrogenase concentration in comparison with control non‐crated birds, whereas no difference (P > 0.05) was found in lactate dehydrogenase concentrations in mallards crated in crates of 20 cm height. Our results suggest that crating mallards in lower crates (20 cm) may be less stressful than keeping them in crates allowing vertical movements of the birds.