Survival of Salmonellas and Ascaris Suum Eggs in a Thermophilic Biogas Plant

In a continuous biogas plant, receiving manure from 200 dairy cows and 400 calves and young stock, survival of salmonellas and Ascaris suum eggs was studied. The bacteria and parasite eggs were kept in filter sacs in the manure that had a temperature of 55°C. No viable salmonellas or Ascaris suum eggs could be found after 24h in the digester.Survival of salmonellas and Ascaris suum eggs was also studied in the manure pit where the manure was stored after digestion. The temperature in the manure pit varied between 22–27°C. Salmonellas survived 35 but not 42 days. On day 56, when the experiments had to be stopped, 60% of the Ascaris eggs were viable.     

Synergistic effects of quaternary ammonium compounds and food additive grade calcium hydroxide on microbicidal activities at low temperatures

The microbicidal activities of mixtures of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) and food additive grade calcium hydroxide (FdCa(OH)₂) were evaluated in a suspension test at −20°C using an anti-freeze agent (AFA) containing methanol, or at 1°C, with varying contact time, toward avian influenza virus (AIV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), fowl adenovirus (FAdV), avian reovirus (ARV), Salmonella Infantis (SI) and Escherichia coli (EC). At −20°C, the mixtures could inactivate AIV and NDV within 30 min, FAdV and ARV within 5 sec, and SI and EC within 3 min, respectively. AFA did not inactivate viruses and bacteria within 30 min and 10 min, respectively. At 1°C, the mixtures inactivated FAdV and ARV within 30 sec, AIV within 10 min, and NDV within 30 min. A mixture of slaked lime (SL) and QAC could inactivate FAdV and ARV within 30 sec, but could not inactivate AIV and NDV even after 60 min at 1°C. SL could not substitute FdCa(OH)₂ in order to exert the synergistic effects with QAC. Thus, QACs microbicidal activities were maintained or enhanced by adding FdCa(OH)₂. It is hence recommended to use QACs with FdCa(OH)₂, especially in the winter season.     

Bacteriology of washed and unwashed eggs. II. Penetration of Salmonella bacteria through the eggshell

The ability of the eggshell to resist penetration of Salmonella bacteria was studied in unwashed and in hand washed eggs, and in eggs, which had been subjected to industrial, large-scale machine washing under strictly controlled conditions.In one part of the investigation, concerning unwashed and machine washed eggs, a defined amount of a broth culture of Salmonella typhi murium was applied on the shell surface, whereafter the eggs were incubated at 4°C for eight weeks or at 30°C for 12 days. At the end of the storage period, the egg contents were examined for the presence of Salmonella. No Salmonella bacteria were detected in the 120 eggs investigated.In another part of the investigation, dealing with 200 unwashed, 200 hand washed and 200 machine washed eggs, a broth culture of Salmonella was applied on the shell surface of eggs, whose contents had been poured out through an opening. In every second egg of each kind, the shell membranes had been scraped off over an area, corresponding to the placement of the bacterial inoculum. The eggshells were filled with enrichment broth and the occurrence of Salmonella bacteria in this broth was examined after incubation.In the eggs with intact shell membranes, the frequencies of Salmonella positive enrichment broths were for unwashed eggs 0.12, for machine washed eggs 0.10, and for hand washed eggs 0.22. The corresponding frequencies in eggs with removed shell membranes were 0.27 (unwashed), 0.42 (machine washed), and 0.60 (hand washed).No statistical difference occurred between unwashed and machine washed eggs when the shell membranes were intact. When the shell membranes were removed this difference was statistically almost significant. The difference between machine washed and hand washed eggs with intact shell membranes was statistically almost significant, while the same difference was highly significant in eggs with removed shell membranes.The author assumes, from the results of the present and a preceding investigation, that the applied washing procedure in no way harms any essential storage properties of uncracked eggs. Considering the known occurrence of hand washing of eggs in Swedish farms — a treatment with documentedly unfavourable influence — it would be desirable if all eggs could be subjected to machine washing under strictly controlled conditions at the grading stations. Such an arrangement ought to result in an increase in the average bacteriologic-hygienic quality of eggs for market.     

A Comparison of Seitz and Millipore Membrane Filters for the Enumeration of Fecal Coliforms

In a comparison of two commonly used membrane filters for enumerating fecal coliform bacteria it was demonstrated that Seitz type M filters recovered statistically more colonies of bacteria than did Millipore HAWG 047S1 filters from pure cultures of Escherichia coli incubated at 44 °C. The membranes were grown on 0.4 % Teepol agar. On incubation at 37°C no significant discrepancy was found. As a reference method was used pour plating in plate count agar (Difco). It was demonstrated that incubation at 44°C did not per se inhibit propagation of fecal coliforms. Both types of filters examined were sterilized by the manufacturers with ethylene oxide. The discrepancy found can therefore not be due to sterilization procedures.     

不同品种葡萄渣对苜蓿青贮品质和有氧稳定性的影响

为探究不同品种葡萄渣对紫花苜蓿蛋白水解和有氧稳定性的影响,采用“甘农四号”紫花苜蓿作为青贮原料,分别添加马尔贝克(MC)、美乐(MT)、蛇龙珠(CG)3个品种葡萄渣50、100和150 g·kg^-1调制青贮饲料。试验共设置10个处理组,对苜蓿青贮后发酵品质、蛋白组分、蛋白质降解酶、微生物数量及有氧稳定性进行测定及分析。结果表明:3种葡萄渣在100和150 g·kg^-1的添加量下,均显著降低了青贮pH值(P<0.05);非蛋白氮含量随葡萄渣添加量增加而下降,以马尔贝克150 g·kg^-1最低,为430.25 g·kg^-1;添加葡萄渣降低了青贮中氨态氮含量,但添加量的变化对氨态氮含量影响不明显;美乐150 g·kg^-1对青贮羧基肽酶抑制作用最强,酶活性由17.56 μmol·h^-1下降至6.51 μmol·h^-1;葡萄渣增加了青贮发酵后乳酸菌数量,且抑制了霉菌的生长,蛇龙珠150 g·kg^-1乳酸菌数量最高,对照霉菌数量为3.02 log₁₀ cfu·g^-1,显著高于其他处理(P<0.05);3种葡萄渣均减缓了青贮有氧暴露阶段霉变腐败速度,其中美乐150 g·kg^-1处理组有氧腐败所用时间最长。综上所述,不同品种葡萄渣均能改善苜蓿青贮发酵品质,抑制蛋白酶活性,减少青贮蛋白水解程度,并提高了苜蓿青贮有氧稳定性。     

Effect of storage time on the urine protein: creatinine ratio in alkaline ovine urine

The urine protein:creatinine (UPC) ratio is considered the reference method to assess proteinuria. Its diagnostic value in ovine medicine needs further elucidation. In population monitoring and/or for research purposes, it is convenient to collect many samples simultaneously and store them for later analysis. However, analyte stability data are required to ensure reliable results. We used 15 of 90 urine samples collected from sheep to assess the effect of storage time on the UPC ratio. After centrifugation, the supernatant of each sample was divided into 6 aliquots. Urine protein and creatinine concentrations were determined immediately in one aliquot using the pyrogallol red and a modified Jaffè method, respectively. The other aliquots were stored at −18°C. Based on the absence of active sediment, alkaline urine pH, and UPC ratio ≥0.2, we included 15 samples in our study. The UPC ratio was determined in the stored aliquots 2, 7, 14, 21, and 60 d after collection. The data were analyzed with univariate ANOVA. No significant difference was observed in the urinary concentrations of protein, creatinine, and the UPC ratio (0.8 ± 0.84 in conventional units and 0.09 ± 0.095 in SI units) among different times (p > 0.05). The UPC ratio remained stable for 2 mo in ovine urine samples stored at −18°C.     

Effect of storage time and temperature on the total protein concentration and electrophoretic fractions in equine serum

Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) is a technique that could be considered one of the most useful diagnostic aids available to the clinician. The effect of storage time and temperature on the total proteins and electrophoretic fractions (albumin, α₁-, α₂-, β₁-, β₂-, and γ-globulins) was assessed in 24 healthy horses. All samples, collected by jugular vein puncture, were centrifuged and divided into 4 aliquots. The 1st aliquot was analyzed within 3 h from collection (time 0), the 2nd was refrigerated at +4°C for 24 h, the 3rd was refrigerated at +4°C for 48 h, and the last was frozen at −20°C for 48 h. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant effect (P < 0.05) of the different storage conditions on the concentrations of all the parameters studied and significant variations in the percentages of albumin, α₁-globulins, α₂-globulins, and γ-globulins. Compared with time 0 the total protein concentration increased significantly after 48 h at −20°C, the albumin percentage decreased after 48 h at −20°C, the α₁-globulin percentage increased after 24 h at +4°C, the α₂-globulin percentage increased after 48 h at +4°C and at −20°C, and the γ-globulin percentage increased after 48 h at −20°C. The results should help veterinary practitioners handle and store equine serum samples appropriately. Further investigations at different storage times and temperatures could be useful.     

Timing and temperature thresholds of heat stress effects on fertility performance of different parity sows in Spanish herds

High temperature is an environmental factor that impairs sow fertility. In this study, we identified the critical weeks for heat stress effects on aspects of fertility performance, namely weaning-to-first-service interval (WSI) and farrowing rate (FR). We also examined the threshold temperatures above which the fertility performance deteriorated and whether there were any differences between parities regarding heat stress effects or thresholds. Performance data of sows in 142 herds from 2011 to 2016 were matched to appropriate weekly averaged daily maximum temperatures (T_max) from weather stations close to the herds. Two types of ratios (i.e., ratio for WSI and odds ratio for FR) were used to identify the critical weeks for heat stress by comparing the respective measures for two sow groups based on T_max in different weeks around weaning or service events. The ratios for WSI were calculated between groups of sows exposed to T_max ≥ 27 °C or <27 °C in each week before weaning, with the T_max cutoff value based on a recent review study. Similarly, the odds ratios for FR for the two groups were calculated in weeks around service. The weeks with the largest differences in the fertility measures between the two T_max groups (i.e., the highest ratio for WSI and the lowest odds ratio for FR) were considered to be the critical weeks for heat stress. Also, piecewise models with different breakpoints were constructed to identify the threshold T_max in the critical week. The breakpoint in the best-fit model was considered to be the threshold T_max. The highest ratios for WSI were obtained at 1 to 3 wk before weaning in parity 1 and 2 or higher sow groups. The threshold T_max leading to prolonged WSI was 17 °C for parity 1 sows and 25 °C for parity 2 or higher sows. Increasing T_max by 10 °C above these thresholds increased WSI by 0.65, and 0.33 to 0.35 d, respectively (P < 0.01). For FR, the lowest odds ratios were obtained at 2 to 3 wk before service in parity 0, 1, and 2 or higher sow groups. The threshold T_max leading to reductions in FR was 20, 21, and 24 to 25 °C for parity 0, 1, and 2 or higher sow groups, respectively. Increasing T_max by 10 °C above these thresholds decreased FR by 3.0%, 4.3%, and 1.9% to 2.8%, respectively (P < 0.01). These results indicate that the critical weeks for heat stress were 2 to 3 wk before service for FR and 1 to 3 wk before weaning for WSI. The decreases in fertility performance in parity 0 to 1 sows started at temperatures 3 to 8 °C lower than in parity 2 or higher sows.     

Antibody Against Western Encephalitis Virus Occurring in the Serum of Garter Snakes (Colubridae: Thamnophis) in Saskatchewan

A study was made of feeding and temperature as factors affecting the appearance of western equine encephalitis (WEE) virus-neutralizing serum (VNS) antibodies in the serum of garter snakes (Thamnophis spp). Eighty snakes were collected in the field, held in captivity under controlled conditions, and bled at frequent intervals. The sera were examined by standard procedures for the presence of WEE VNS-antibodies. It was found that snakes held between 10-28°C showed conversion and intermittent WEE VNS-antibody appearance, whereas snakes held at 6°C showed a decline in titre. The appearance of WEE VNS-antibody was related to environmental temperature, or a temperature-controlled factor, and not to feeding.     

Determination of the best practical method of thawing bovine semen

An experiment was designed to determine the best practical method of thawing which could be applied to all semen processed by Canadian A.I. centers. Semen in Tris, Triladyl, whole milk, or Fresh Plus Extender packaged in 1 mL ampules or 0.5 mL French straws was used. Semen was thawed in water at 35°C, 20°C, or 5°C, or in a shirt pocket for 5, 5, 10, or 10 minutes, respectively. Post-thaw viability of sperm cells was assessed by determining the percentage of progressively motile cells, rate of progression, and percentage of intact acrosomes, at 0 hours and after 2 hours of incubation at 37°C. Post-thaw viability was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for the 35°C thaw than for any of the other thaw methods regardless of extender or packaging. Our data indicate that when AI center recommendations for thawing semen are unknown, semen in ampules and straws should be thawed in a 35°C water bath and maintained at that temperature until it can be inseminated.     

Feeding value of ensiling fresh cattle manure with molasses or bakery by-products in lambs

Ensiling fresh dairy cattle manure (CM), corn stover, molasses (MO) or bakery by-products (BBP), as a viable method to produce good quality silage was evaluated. Silages composition was as follows: 1) molasses silage: CM, corn stover and molasses; and 2) BBP silages: CM, corn stover, and BBP. A low (250 g/kg dry matter) and a high (500 g/kg dry matter) level of CM with MO or BBP silages were incorporated in diets, and compared with a control diet (without CM silage) in lambs. There was a linear increase (P < 0.01) of dry matter (DM) intake and a quadratic increase of fiber digestion. Linear decrease (P < 0.05) in acetate to propionate ratio was observed with increased concentrations of MO or BBP in silages. Increasing MO silage caused a linear reduction of N intake and retained N, as well as a linear increase of fecal N. There were quadratic effects of BBP silage level on N intake, urine and retained, being the lowest values observed with the low level of BBP silage. Addition of BBP silages (250 or 500 g/kg DM) bring higher DM intake and total tract digestion of fiber, as compared to those diets without CM silage.     

Appraisal of Collection Techniques and Storage Temperatures on Turkey Plasma Cholinesterase Levels and Blood Glutathione Concentrations

The effects of different blood collection procedures, various storage temperatures and durations of storage on the levels of plasma cholinesterase and whole blood glutathione in turkeys were investigated.

Collection of blood through vacutainers yielded satisfactory results. Whereas the plasma cholinesterase activity remained unchanged even after three weeks of storage at -17.8°C., blood glutathione concentration was unaffected only when the samples were stored at -28.9°C for the three weeks. The range of mean activity was from 4.64 to 4.71 ΔpH/hour x 10 for cholinesterase and from 44.85 to 47.91 mgm/100 ml for glutathione.

     

The Effects of Cesarean Section Anesthesia on Heat Loss and Heat Production in the Newborn Rabbit

The newborn of some smaller animals rely upon heat produced by nonshivering thermogenesis in the brown fat to prevent a fall in body temperature after birth. Because of their pharmacological properties, some drugs may affect nonshivering thermogenesis. Therefore, in this study, the ability of newborn rabbits delivered under Innovar-Vet, ketamine hydrochloride, methoxyflurane and epidural anesthesia to maintain the rectal, subcutaneous interscapular and lumbar temperature was investigated at an ambient temperature of 35°C or 22°C and the results compared with control newborns delivered without anesthesia. When the newborns were exposed to 35°C, the anesthetics studied had no effect on the ability of the newborn to maintain the rectal temperature and the subcutaneous temperature over the interscapular fat pad was similar to the lumbar subcutaneous temperature thereby indicating that nonshivering thermogenesis was not activated. However, at an ambient temperature of 22°C Innovar-Vet or methoxyflurane reduced the temperature difference between interscapular and lumbar temperatures to 1.6°C compared to 2.5°C in controls and the difference between core temperature and ambient temperature to 3.5°C greater compared to 7.5°C in controls. Ketamine hydrochloride or lidocaine hydrochloride plus meperidine has less effect because these compounds lack adrenergic blocking properties. These data suggest that newborns delivered under anesthetics or tranquillizers that have adrenergic blocking properties require a warm (35°C) environment to prevent a fall in core temperature.     

Studies on Aspergillus Fumigatus; Toxin Production Ry Different Strains and Serological Comparison of the Strains

Saline extracts of mycelial material from 14 different strains of Aspergillus fumigatus showed haemolytic and toxic activities. These activities were present in filtrates obtained from mycelial material incubated at 20°C for 6, 15 and 30 days and at 37°C for 6 days. The haemolysin and toxin titers decreased with an increase in incubation time and at higher incubation temperatures.The haemolytic and toxic activities could be inactivated by heating the filtrates at 70°C for 10 min.The results of serological tests demonstrated immunological uniformity for the haemolytic and toxic factors.     

Evaluation of sow thermal preference across three stages of reproduction

The metabolic heat production of modern pigs has increased by an average of 16%, compared with sows of 30 years ago. Therefore, it is likely that temperature recommendations require updating to meet the needs of modern pigs. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether different reproductive stages of sows altered thermal preference and if current recommendations required updating. Twenty multiparous sows (3.4 ± 1.2 parity) in different reproductive stages (nonpregnant: n = 7; mid-gestation: 58.5 ± 5.68 d, n = 6; and late-gestation: 104.7 ± 2.8 d, n = 7) were tested. Thermal preference was individually tested, and sows could freely choose a temperature, using a thermal gradient between 10.4 and 30.5 °C. Sows were given 24 h to acclimate to the thermal apparatus. Before testing began, sows were given daily feed allotment and returned to the apparatus. Video from the 24-h test period was used to record sow behavior (time spent inactive), posture (upright and sternal and lateral lying), and location using instantaneous scan samples every 15 min. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4. A cubic regression model was used to calculate the sow’s most preferred temperature based on the location, or temperature, in which they spent the most time. The preference range was calculated using peak temperature preference ±SE for each sow. The reproductive stage altered where sows spent their time within the thermal gradient (P < 0.01). Late-gestation sows preferred cooler temperatures (14.0 °C) than mid-gestation (14.8 °C; P < 0.01) and nonpregnant sows (14.8 °C; P < 0.01). In summary, sow thermal preferences were within the lower half of the current recommended range (10 to 25 °C). This indicates that temperatures at the higher end of the recommended range could be uncomfortable to sows and that the thermal comfort zone of sows may be narrower than recommendations indicate.     

Association between in-transit loss, internal trailer temperature, and distance traveled by Ontario market hogs

An observational study was conducted from July to October 2004 to determine the association between in-transit losses of swine and internal trailer temperature after controlling for loading density, trip distance, herd size, and random trip effect. A convenience sample of 3 trucking companies was used to collect temperature, relative humidity, and global positioning data for 104 trips that delivered 21 834 pigs from 371 producers to Ontario abattoirs. The association between in-transit loss and trailer temperature was determined using the 90th percentiles of internal temperature for each trip. Average loading density was 0.36 m²/100 kg pig (range 0.28 to 0.50 m²/100 kg pig). Average in-transit loss was 0.12%; however, 94% of producers experienced no losses. As the 90th percentile of internal trailer temperature increased from a range of 8.6°C to 23.3°C to a range of 23.4°C to 26.1°C, average in-transit loss ratio increased approximately 3-fold, with an additional 2-fold increase as the range increased from 26.2°C to 28.9°C to 29.0°C to 30.5°C. As the 90th percentile of temperature increased by 1°C over the full range of temperatures in this study, in-transit loss was expected to increase 1.26 times. The in-transit loss was expected to decrease 0.81 times for each 50-km increase in distance traveled between the farm and the abattoir.     

Assessment of stability of ketamine-xylazine preparations with or without acepromazine using high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

The objective of this study was to evaluate the stability of 3 distinct preparations of ketamine and xylazine, with or without acepromazine, stored at room temperature or at 4°C for 1, 2, and 3 mo. Drug concentrations were compared to fresh solutions, using a high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/selected-ion monitoring (HPLC-MS/SIM) assay. The concentrations of ketamine and xylazine, diluted in physiological saline, did not change over time at room temperature or at 4°C. However, acepromazine concentrations decreased over time when stored at room temperature. In contrast, undiluted ketamine-xylazine preparations gradually decreased in concentration when stored at room temperature. All of the drug concentrations remained above 90% of their original concentration when stored at 4°C. In conclusion, when diluted in physiological saline, ketamine-xylazine cocktails can be stored for 3 mo, whereas undiluted cocktails can lose efficacy over 3 mo at room temperature. Storage at 4°C could preserve drug stability.     

Characterization of Campylobacter Jejuni/Coli Isolated from Different Sources

Characteristics of 50 strains of G. jejuni/coli isolated from rectal swabs, caecal contents or bile of cow, sheep, goat, swine, broiler chicken and man were investigated. All the strains grew at 30 °C, 35°C 42°C, but not at 25 °C. The strains were nalidixic acid sensitive. Differences were noticed in salt-tolerance, in the growth with 2,3,5 tri-phenyltetracolium chloride and in the hippurate hydrolysis. Growth of the strains with certain bile salts was also investigated and the results are discussed.     

Procedure for Blood Glutathione Peroxidase Determination in Cattle and Swine

An improved testing system has been developed for direct measurement of glutathione peroxidase activity in heparinized whole blood at 37°C. Without loss in net yield the consumption of reagents has been found to be considerably lower with the new technique than with previously described techniques. Within the range 0–700 mKat/1 the GSH-Px activity in red cells may be measured with a high degree of accuracy and reproducibility without preceding separation and washing. The stability of the enzyme in bovine and porcine whole blood at 22°C, 4°C, and —20°C was determined.