Amino acid production in the isolated and perfused rumen wall of sheep

The metabolism of amino acids and urea in an isolated perfused wall of sheep rumen was studied by the method of organ perfusion, using 3 kinds of perfusate. In experiments with semisynthetic perfusate containing urea (SPurea) the levels of lysine, valine, glutamic acid and alanine increased at a simultaneous decrease of levels of leucine, arginine, aspartic acid, threonine and methionine. In perfusions with the semisynthetic medium without urea (SP) the levels of lysine, valine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, glutamic acid, glycine and alanine increased, the level of threonine dropped. In perfusions with whole autologous blood (KP) the levels of valine, glutamic acid and alanine increased, the level of arginine decreased. The level of urea decreased sharply at using SPurea and KP, however, the equal cumulation of ammonia (200-400 mumol x 1(-1)) was found in all three types of perfusate after 2-hr perfusion. Moreover, in experiments with SP a low level of urea was found already after 5-min. of perfusion. The results of the experiments suggest that the rumen wall is capable of producing amino acids also without the contents of rumen, and that independently on the presence or absence of urea as a nitrogen source.     

Etiology and immunoprophylaxy problems in sheep foot-rot (author's transl)]

The different aspects of the foot-rot were considered. The author described the foot-rot as a secondary polymicrobic infection due to pre-existent lesions of the hoof.The role of the different pathogenic germs was surveyed in terms of their relationship to Sphaerophorus necrophorus.Vaccination trials with different types of vaccines were analysed.In conclusion, polyvalent vaccines prepared with strains identified in the field should be preferred.     

The effect of physical form of orchardgrass hay on the passage of particulate matter through the rumen of sheep

Four Texel wethers (60 to 64 kg) fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used to study the kinetics of particulate matter in the rumen and the series of processes involved in their selection and passage. They were fed, in eight equal meals, 1,200 g of a mixture of a chopped orchardgrass hay and ground (8-mm screen) and pelleted orchardgrass hay in 90/10, 50/50, 30/70, or 10/90 ratios, according to a 4 x 4 Latin square design. The particle size distributions in feed, chewed feed, and ruminal, reticular, and duodenal digesta were determined by a wet-sieving procedure. Indigestible lignin was used as an internal marker to trace the passage of particles through the rumen. Digesta flow measurement was performed using the double-marker technique. We used a three-pool model, which partitions particles through the large, medium, and small particle pools, to determine the passage of lignin through those pools. Particle pool sizes and rumen and pool mean retention times (MRT) of lignin and of the rumen MRT of an ideal marker introduced separately in each pool were corrected for the "filter bed" effect. Grinding and pelleting of hay decreased the MRT of the indigestible lignin pool in the rumen. Particle MRT decreased and then reached a plateau with increased proportion of ground/pelleted hay in the diet. The diet with a ratio of 50/50 of chopped and ground/pelleted hay was the most favorable for the exit of particles from the rumen because of both a higher outflow rate from the rumen of particles eligible to exit and a sufficient comminution rate of larger particles to supply particles that were able to pass. For all diets, the large-particle comminution rate was always higher than the small-particle outflow rate, indicating that comminution was not the limiting step for passage. These results were the consequence of the curvilinear and opposite evolutions of both the particulate lignin pool in, and outflow from, the rumen. Those results contribute to an improved explanation of the mechanisms involved in the outflow of particles from the rumen.     

Contribution to an epidemiological study and the pathogenesis of caseous lymphadenitis of sheep (author's transl)]

In the south-east of France, caseous lymphadenitis of sheep occurs quite frequently. During an epidemiological survey, 181 specimens have been examined in respect of their etiological and experimental pathogenic role of the isolated micro-organisms. A certain number of bacterial specimens have been identified, which have been isolated as simple specimens or in combination with others, such as: pathogenic and non-pathogenic Staphylococci, Corynebacteriae (C. ovis and C. pyogenes) Streptococci, Bacilli, Micrococci, Enterobacteriae, Aeromonas, Moraxellae and Pasteurellae …The experimental study of their pathogenicity in sheep has shown that only Staphylococcus aureus, C. ovis and C. pyogenes species caused clinical symptoms similar to the natural disease: (4) gradual cure; (2) period of a sudden increase marked by a rise in the number of cases, abscesses, their frequency of occurrence and their severity.These observations lead us to believe that there exist two types of immunity response: genuine immunity and delayed hypersensitivity.An experimental study of the reactivation phenomenon (Koch's phenomenon) has shown an intensive effect with C. ovis, its occurrence with C. pyogenes, but no reaction with Staphylococci.     

Some parameters in reproduction of a Maroccain sheep breed (race d'Man) (author's transl)]

The importance of the sheep in Marocco was shown with help of statistical data. As there exist very few scientific work on sheep reproduction in this country, we began to work on local breeds with the race d'Man. The breed is asaisonal and is able to lamb 2 times within 13 months, with mostly 2 or more youngs (1,8 lambs per partum). The delay of gestation was found with 150 days, the duration of a cycle 17 days. The libido shown by the rams is violent. They easily accepted an other male as phantome for the collection of sperm with the easily accepted artificial vagina. The gonads are ovoid formed and are early developed. Remarkable is the tail of the epididymis which is covered in a pocketlike formed structure of the distal scrotum. Its volume is remarkable. Concerning the characteristics of the sperm there is no difference with other breeds. Therefore the conclusion seems reasonable that this apparent development of the epididmymis tail is an organ for thermoregulation for the sperm as the breeds origin are the oasis of the Sahara. The early onset of puberty as well as the violent sexual interest and the high rate of reproduction and asaisonal behavior could be a reference to a "primitive breed".     

The involvement of cats in human rabies (author's transl)]

Cats do not play a major role in the outburst and propagation of a rabies epizooty. But the wounds it inflicts to human beings are always more dangerous than those caused by dogs.In a fox epizooty, cats are more often contaminated than dogs.Due to the nature of the wounds, antirabic serum should always be used to infiltrate in situ.As far as the general treatment is concerned, the serovaccination is recommended.     

Parathion poisoning in cattle (author's transl)]

In a herd of dairy cattle half of the cows showed symptoms of acute poisoning. Blood- and hair samples were taken from seven of the cows, of which two did not show any clinical symptoms. The cholinesterase activities were in all the blood samples decreased to about 10 per cent of normal and parathion was found in all hair samples. The cholinesterase activities rose gradually during a 31/2 month period to the lower part of the normal range. Parathion was found in samples from the inner walls of the cowstable, and it was concluded that the poisoning was probably due to parathion spraying in the stable, while a suspicion of winddrift as a source of poisoning was rejected as less probable.     

Actinobacillus infections in swine (author's transl)]

Actinobacilli infections in pigs are relatively rare. Most cases were septicaemic in the first week of life. With increasing age manifestations after generalized infections were characteristic, such as arthritis, polyarthritis, endocarditis, nephritis, osteomyelitis and embolic pneumonia. Of 34 porcine strains 33 were identified as A. equuli and only one was identical with A. suis. The justification of retaining this species is discussed.     

Repeated freezing of bull semen (author's transl)]

Repeated freeze-thaw cycles have been used as a mean to predict the viability and fertility of bull semen. In order to investigate the level of fertility of bull semen that has been frozen, thawed and refrozen again, two split sample field trials were performed. 25 bulls were used in the trial, and inseminations were performed by 30 technicians. The semen was diluted to 27 million spermatozoas per dose in a skimmilk-fructose extender, and filled in the french mini-straw. The straws were coded by use of a batch number system. The one half of the straws was fixed to the freezing rampes. After freezing and transfering of the rampes to liquid nitrogen, the rampes were placed in a water-bath at + 35 degree C in 7 seconds. Immediately after thawing the straws they were transferred to a refrigidaire room at + 5 degree C, dried, remounted on the rampes and frozen again in the ordinary way. The other half of the straws were frozen according to the normal routine. The semen from the two treatments were distributed in equal numbers to the technicians who were not informed of the trial. The motility after refreezing had decreased and the percentage of intravital eosin spermatozoas after refreezing increased by 23, as an average. Fertility results were estimated as 60 days non returns after 1st inseminations. Single frozen semen: 1488 1st ins. 493 ret. 66,86 N.r.-% Refrozen semen: 1511 1st ins. 500 ret. 65,30 N.R.-% The trials indicate that further investigation should be performed to see if semen might be frozen concentrated, rediluted after thawing and refrozen for distribution to the technicians.     

The calf mortality of the Anges? reindeer herd (author's transl)]

The heavy losses of reindeer calves in the Anges? forest herd and their seasonal occurrence are discussed on basis of the results obtained from the tables. The management, productivity and breeding conditions of this herd are estimated to be, for the most part the same as in other forest herds. The calf losses in the Anges? herd are high, during some years very high, while the reproductivity rate is comparable to that of the caribou. The extensive form of management makes it impossible to clarify most of the causes for the losses and their interrelationships. Preobrazhenskii (1961) emphasizes the importance of an intensive form of management and of counting the herd at least four times annually in order to control and prevent different kinds of losses. Skjenneberg & Slagsvold (1968) point out that the extensive form of management hinders progress in reindeer breeding, especially in the areas of selection and disease control. These statements seem to be highly relevant to Swedish reindeer breeding as well. The results from the tables clearly indicate the high total losses, the high losses during certain summers and the importance of accessible winter fodder for calf production and post-natal survival. It is important to investigate whether supplementary feeding with commercially available fodder, hay, and minerals would result in better economy in reindeer breeding. It is also desirable to investigate improved methods for supplementary feeding. During certain years calf losses are very high during the summer, but the relationships between different causes (such as stress, bloodsucking diphtera, parasites, keratitis etc.) are not clear. Surveillance of the animals during the calving season, marking of the calves before the fly season and summer heat, and developing a higher degree of domestication will probably result in smaller losses during spring and summer. If the practice of marking the calves in summer is to be continued, steps must be taken to protect the health of the animals. Such steps include making available sun shades, smoke fires against bloodsucking insects, running water, and salt and mineral feedings. Due to the extensive management form, it has not been possible to determine the extent of the real winter losses. For similar reasons the extent of the losses caused by parasites remains unclear. A continuous pathological examination of dead animals seems to offer the only possible method for clarifying the causal connections of the losses. As a consequence of the extensive form of management, the carcasses of animals that die during spring and summer are destroyed by heat and scavengers. One way of obtaining material useful for pathological examination would be a telemetric method, in which a radio signal is transmitted when the animals is dead or dying (Moell & Rehbinder 1975).     

On human pasteurellosis by inoculation (author's transl)]

Animal pasteurelloses are most frequent and can occur accidentally on humans. Peculiar variety so-called by inoculation is here described, recognised by J. Reilly and P. Tournier in 1952. It follows animal's bite, cat's bite most often, and can be acute like phlegmon or subacute like an algodystrophic syndrome invalidating during long time. Intradermic injection of P. multocida cultivation straining allows both diagnosis and treatment of a disease very resisting to other therapeutics