Osseous sequestration in cattle: 110 cases (1987-1997)

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors for development of sequestra in cattle and identify factors associated with a successful outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 110 cattle. PROCEDURE: Medical records of cattle treated at veterinary teaching hospitals in North America were reviewed. To determine risk factors for osseous sequestration, breed, age, and sex of cattle with osseous sequestration were compared with breed, age, and sex of all other cattle admitted during the study period. RESULTS: 110 cattle were included in the study. Three had 2 sequestra; thus, 113 lesions were identified. Most sequestra were associated with the bones of the extremities, most commonly the third metacarpal or third metatarsal bone. Ninety-two animals were treated surgically (i.e., sequestrectomy), 7 were treated medically, 3 were initially treated medically and were then treated surgically, and 8 were not treated. Follow-up information was available for 65 animals treated surgically and 6 animals treated medically. Fifty-one (78%) animals treated surgically and 5 animals treated medically had a successful outcome. Cattle that were 6 months to 2 years old had a significantly increased risk of developing a sequestrum, compared with cattle < 6 months old. Cattle in which sequestrectomy was performed with the aid of local anesthesia were significantly more likely to undergo 2 or more surgical procedures than were cattle in which sequestrectomy was performed with the aid of general anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that sequestrectomy will result in a successful outcome for most cattle with osseous sequestration.     

Metabolism of naturally occurring [13C]glucose given orally to horses

In 5 horses, 13CO2/12CO2 ratios in expired air were determined using isotope mass spectroscopy to investigate metabolism of naturally occurring [13C]glucose. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed using maize or beet glucose. Maize has a higher 13C concentration than that of most plants. The 13CO2/12CO2 ratios after OGTT was performed using maize glucose were compared with 13CO2/12CO2 ratios in expired air after OGTT was performed using beet glucose. The ratio also was determined during the period horses were not fed. Using OGTT, all horses were glucose tolerant. The OGTT performed using beet glucose led to minimal changes in 13CO2/12CO2 ratios. The 13CO2/12CO2 ratios decreased significantly (P less than 0.01) when horses were not fed. After oral dosing with maize glucose, 13CO2/12CO2 ratios reached maximal increases 5 hours after dosing and reached baseline values 15 hours after dosing.     

Rumen microbial variation and nutrient utilisation in mithun (Bos frontalis) under different feeding regimes

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of feeding different diets on fermentation, enzyme activities and microbial population in the rumen fluid of mithun (Bos frontalis). In a randomized block design, 20 male mithun (6–8 months of age, 152 ± 12.6 kg body weight) were randomly divided into four experimental groups (n = 5/group) and fed experimental diets ad libitum for 180 days. The diet R₁ contained tree foliages (TF), R₂ comprised of 50% concentrate mixture (CM) and 50% TF, R₃ contained 50% CM and 50% rice straw, and R₄ contained 50% CM, 25% TF and 25% rice straw. Rumen liquor was collected at 0 and 180 days of the experiment for estimation of different ruminal parameters and a digestion trial was conducted at the end of the experiment. Rumen fluid was analysed for pH, ammonia nitrogen (NH₃‐N), total‐N, ruminal enzymes, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) and microbial profile. The relative quantification of ruminal microbes was carried out with real‐time PCR using bacteria as the house keeping gene. The dry matter intake, nutrients digestibility, body weight gain, NH₃‐N, total‐N, carboxymethyl cellulase, avicelase, xylanase, amylase, protease and molar proportion of butyrate were (p < 0.05) higher in mithun fed R₂, R₃ and R₄ compared to those fed R₁ diet. In contrast, increased (p < 0.05) ruminal pH, molar proportion of acetate and, acetate to propionate ratio was recorded in mithun fed only TF than those fed concentrate supplemented diets. Similarly, an increase (p < 0.05) in the population of Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus flavefaciens and total bacteria were evident in mithun fed R₂, R₃ and R₄ compared to those fed R₁. Therefore, it is concluded that TF 25% and/or rice straw 25% along with CM 50% may be fed to the growing mithun for improved rumen ecology, nutrient utilization and thus better performance under stall fed system.     

Efficacy of the tris-salt of 2 [(methoxycarbonylamino)-[2-nitro-5-(n-propylthio) phenylimimo] methylamino] ethane sulfonic acid against inhibited larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi

The tris-salt of 2-[(methoxy-carbonylamino) - [2-nitro-5-(n-propylthio) phenylimimo] methylamino] ethane sulfonic acid (MCA) was evaluated against naturally acquired gastrointestinal parasitism in cattle during spring in Louisiana to determine efficacy of the compound against inhibited early 4th-stage larvae (EL4) of Ostertagia ostertagi. Forty-three crossbred yearling beef heifers were grazed together on contaminated pastures between Mar 1 and Apr 18, 1984. On April 17, 3 of the 43 heifers were slaughtered. Analysis of worm population characteristics in the 3 cattle indicated sufficient numbers of O ostertagi EL4 and other worm genera and species in these cattle to pursue a valid evaluation of the anthelmintic efficacy of MCA. The remaining 40 heifers were removed from pasture on April 18. On April 24, they were allotted into 4 treatment groups (10/group) based on an equal distribution of body weights and on whether they were spring- or autumn-born cattle. On April 25, the cattle were treated as follows: group 1, nontreated controls; group 2, treated with MCA at 7.5 mg/kg of body weight by oral drench; group 3, treated with MCA at 15.0 mg/kg by oral drench; and group 4, treated with MCA at 20.0 mg/kg by oral drench. The cattle were then confined in drylot pens until May 7. Similar numbers of cattle from each group were killed over a 3-day period from May 8 to May 10 (13 to 15 days after treatment). Mean numbers of O ostertagi recovered from nontreated controls were: adults, 8,279; developing 4th-stage larvae, 2,806; and inhibited EL4, 12,070.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of treatment with growth hormone and somatostatin on efficacy of diammine [1,1-cyclobutane dicarboxylato (2-)-0,0']-(SP-4-2) in athymic rats with osteosarcoma

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of exogenous growth hormone or somatostatin on chemotherapeutic efficacy in athymic (nude) rats with osteosarcoma. ANIMALS: 66 female athymic rats. PROCEDURE: Osteosarcoma was induced at an intratibial site. Rats were randomly allotted to 6 treatment groups. Rats were treated with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution alone, platinum, diammine [1,1-cyclobutane dicaboxylato (2-)-0,0']-(SP-4-2) (CBDCA; ie, carboplatin) plus saline solution, somatostatin alone, somatostatin plus CBDCA, growth hormone alone, or growth hormone plus CBDCA. Variables measured included estimated WBC count and percentage of neutrophils, plasma concentration of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), body weight, tumor volume, weight of primary tumor, survival time, and distant metastasis at time of death. RESULTS: Tumors formed at the injection sites in all rats. Treatment with growth hormone increased, and treatment with somatostatin decreased, plasma IGF-I concentration. Treatment with growth hormone or somatostatin altered CBDCA efficacy, as determined by evaluation of mean and median survival times. Metastatic pulmonary disease developed in 63 of 64 rats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The technique used here reliably induced local osteosarcomas and metastatic pulmonary disease. Treatment with growth hormone and CBDCA or somatostatin may improve chemotherapeutic efficacy without increasing toxic effects. IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN MEDICINE: Results reported here may be useful in the study of osteosarcoma in humans.     

蛋氨酸羟基类似物异丙酯对瘤胃体外发酵参数的影响

本试验利用体外产气法研究蛋氨酸羟基类似物异丙酯(HMBi)对瘤胃发酵参数的影响.试验分为3个组,分别为对照组、试验1组和试验2组.其中,2个试验组的培养管中分别加入干物质量1％和2％的HMBi.分别在培养至3、6、9、12、24 h时测定产气量,培养12、24 h后测定发酵液pH以及挥发性脂肪酸和乳酸浓度.结果表明:12 h时2个试验组的乙酸、丁酸、异戊酸和总挥发性脂肪酸浓度均显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),但2个试验组间差异不显著(P＞0.05);24 h时各挥发性脂肪酸以及总挥发性脂肪酸浓度试验各组间均无显著差异(P＞0.05).试验各组的pH在12、24 h时均处于正常范围,12 h时pH试验1组高于对照组(P＞0.05)和试验2组(P＜0.05);而24 h时pH试验各组间均无显著差异(P＞0.05).24 h时2个试验组的乳酸浓度均高于对照组,且差异显著(P＜0.05),但2个试验组间差异不显著(P＞0.05).3、6、12 h时2个试验组的产气量均高于对照组,且差异显著(P＜0.05),但2个试验组间差异不显著(P＞0.05).由此得出,在发酵底物中添加HMBi可改善瘤胃体外发酵.     

A comparison of the rate of recovery of 13CO2 in exhaled breath with 2H in body water following ingestion of [2H/13C]octanoic acid in a dog

The objective of this study was to assess post-gastric processing of octanoic acid (OA) by comparing the rate of recovery of 13C in breath with the rate of recovery of 2H in saliva following ingestion of [2H/13C]OA. A test meal with 100mg [13C]OA and 750 mg [2H]OA was ingested on two separate occasions by one dog. Exhaled breath and saliva samples were collected at set time points for 6h following ingestion of the test meal. Two indices were computed, half recovery time (t(1/2)) and the time of peak excretion (t(max)). Recovery of 2H in saliva was quicker than recovery of 13C in breath as determined by the difference in the indices for each isotope; 1.33 and 1.59 h for t(1/2) and t(max), respectively. These findings suggest that the post-gastric processing of OA imposes a delay on the recovery of 13C in breath in the dog, as occurs in man and in the horse.     

Pharmacokinetic behavior in sheep and cattle of 5-chloro-2-(methylthio)-6-(1-naphthyloxy)-1H-benzimidazole, a new fasciolicide agent

The physicochemical properties, p K _a, Log P and solubility of compound alpha, (5-chloro-2-(methylthio)-6-(1-naphthyloxy)-1 H -benzimidazole), a new fasciolicide agent, were characterized using conventional methods. Also, its pharmacokinetics was evaluated in sheep and cattle. In both species an oral dose of 12 mg/kg was administered. Blood samples were collected during 144 h and analyzed by using an HPLC assay. Results showed that compound alpha is a weak base with a p K _a value of 2.87 and log P of 1.44. The solubility was very low in aqueous solvents. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that in both species compound alpha could not be detected at any sampling time. The mean half-life ( t _½) values of alpha sulphoxide in sheep and cattle were 19.86 and 29.87 h, while the half-life values of alpha sulphone were 19.43 and 46.32 h respectively. C _max values of alpha sulphoxide did not differ between species while alpha sulphone values were higher in cattle. Plasma protein binding of alpha sulphoxide was between 82% and 86%. These results, combined with the previous efficacy studies, suggest that compound alpha could be a promising fasciolicide agent.     

Mesothelioma in cattle: eight cases (1970-1988)

Over an 8-year period, 8 beef cattle with mesothelioma were admitted to the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Louisiana State School of Veterinary Medicine. Diagnosis was confirmed by histologic examination of affected tissues. Five bulls, 1 steer, and 2 cows were affected. Four of the bulls had scrotal swelling; 2 cows and 1 bull had ventral abdominal swelling. The peritoneal cavity was involved in 5 cases, the pleural cavity was affected in 2 cases, and in 2 cases, disease was apparently confined to the vaginal cavity. Of the 8 cattle, 6 died or were euthanatized; only cattle with tumor apparently confined to the vaginal cavity survived.     

牛瘤胃积食的综合诊断与防治措施

随着人民物质生活的不断提高,畜牧业的持续发展,人们对于畜禽,尤其是大动物的养殖变得习以为常,这也促使着对于牛的养殖更多的是由传统的放牧、散养,转变为集约化、家庭农场式的现代化养殖,现代化养殖又多选用舍饲、栓养,其养殖密度、活动量又得不到较好的保证,这便导致在牛的养殖中,极易出现机体消化系统功能障碍的问题,尤其是牛瘤胃积食,其易复发、难根治的特性,十分影响畜牧业的健康发展,因此畜牧工作者需了解关于牛瘤胃积食的发生原因、临床特征,掌握其诊断方法和综合的防治措施,来降低牛瘤胃积食的发病率和病死率,进而达到促进畜牧业健康发展的目的。     

Rumen parameters of yaks (Bos grunniens) and indigenous cattle (Bos taurus) grazing on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau

Yaks and indigenous Qaidam cattle and cattle‐yak crosses (C × Y) graze on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau (QTP) throughout the year, but yaks are raised at higher elevations than cattle. Yaks do not receive supplementary feed whereas cattle require supplementary feed during harsh winter. We hypothesized that yaks would cope with the severe conditions of the QTP better than cattle and utilize the pasture more efficiently. We also hypothesized that differences between species would be pronounced in winter, when conditions are particularly harsh. To test these hypotheses, seasonal rumen fluid parameters of yaks, C × Y and cattle (n = 3 for each) were examined. Rumen fluid was collected in summer and winter from each genotype 2, 5 and 12 hr after a day of grazing. Concentrations of total volatile fatty acid (VFA), acetate, propionate, isobutyrate and isovalerate were greater in yaks than in cattle in summer (p < 0.05), while propionate concentration was lower in yaks than in cattle in winter (p < 0.05). Concentrations of ammonia and urea were greater (p < 0.001) in yaks than in cattle (p < 0.001) in summer, whereas, concentrations of free amino acids (AA) were greater in cattle than in yaks in summer and winter (p < 0.001). Concentrations of total VFA, acetate, propionate and butyrate decreased linearly (p < 0.05), whereas concentrations of isobutyrate and isovalerate increased linearly for yak and C × Y with sampling time (p < 0.05) in summer. In summer, concentrations of isobutyrate and isovalerate were greater in yaks than in cattle (p < 0.05). In conclusion, rumen fermentation characteristics of yaks showed that they coped better than cattle or C × Y in the harsh climate as we hypothesized. However, in contrast to our hypothesis, this emerged only in summer, when pasture was plentiful and not in winter, when pasture was scarce.     

Fate of [14C]xanthotoxin (8-methoxypsoralen) in a goat and in bovine ruminal fluid

A lactating Nubian goat was treated with [14C]xanthotoxin, a photosensitizing psoralen that occurs naturally in some phototoxic range plants, as a single oral dose equivalent to 10.0 mg of xanthotoxin/kg of body weight. The radiochemical was rapidly absorbed, metabolized, and excreted. Although expired air was not monitored for the presence of volatile radiocarbon, the data indicated that greater than 50% of the administered [14C]xanthotoxin was metabolized by cleavage of the O-[14C]methyl moiety, with subsequent loss of the label as, presumably, [14C]CO2. Studies with bovine ruminal fluid in vitro indicated that cleavage of the O-methyl moiety of xanthotoxin could occur rapidly in the rumen. In the goat, nonmetabolized xanthotoxin was not excreted in urine, and of several metabolites in urine extracts, 3 were identified as resulting from opening of the furan or lactone ring. Only about 2% of the dose was recovered in the feces, and this consisted mainly of unmetabolized xanthotoxin. Although appreciable amounts of radiocarbon were secreted into milk, this radiocarbon was not in the form of xanthotoxin or any identifiable metabolites. The radiocarbon in milk likely resulted from the biosynthetic incorporation of [14C]CO2 into normal milk components.     

Use of megestrol acetate in estrus synchronization of heifers under industrialized conditions of cattle breeding]

Daily doses between 30 and 35 mg megestrol acetate were administered to 4,000 heifers over roughly two weeks and produced highly synchronising effects which, however, were lower in response to lower doses. Rectal checks were applied to the ovaries of heifers which had received megestrol acetate and showed that here the number of mature follicles was higher than recorded from animals that had been given chlormadinone acetate. Megestrol acetate, applied in granular form blended into mixed fodder, proved to be the most favourable variant of application. Synchronisation of oestrus on the basis of the above approach was found to yield per animal savings between 4.30 and 22.70 roubles under practice conditions.