Morphological studies on Meckel's diverticulum in geese (Anser anser domesticus)

This study was carried out to reveal the morphological features of Meckel's diverticulum (MD) in geese. For this purpose, a total of 36 adult healthy geese of both sexes, 50-52 weeks of age, were used. The mean weight of MD in male was found to be significantly larger than that of female. It was located a little distal to the midpoint of the small intestine in both sexes. It had a lot of lymphoid tissues, the simple columnar epithelium and a small number of crypts, and was a lack of villi, and its muscularis mucosae was very thin. Results from this study are thought to throw light on future studies on MD and proper diagnosis of pathological disorders related to it, and to contribute considerably to the present anatomical knowledge on MD in geese.     

Tuberculosis in geese (Anser anser) in Turkey

Tuberculosis was detected in seven geese at the breeding unit of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafkas University, during 1998. In the necropsy, lesions of nodular type were seen in the liver, spleen, and lungs. Histopathologically, the lesions were characterized by central areas of caseous necrosis surrounded by epithelioid cells, multinucleated giant cells, lymphocytes, and an outer fibrous capsule. Acid-fast bacilli were visualized by the Ziehl-Neelsen staining method in paraffin sections and smears. Inoculation into Lowenstein-Jensen media with glycerin yielded Mycobacterium spp.     

Growth and development of Bohemian geese (Anser anser)

1. One hundred and twenty geese were slaughtered in groups of 10 at weekly intervals from 1-d-old until 71 d and also at 114 d and were subjected to carcase analysis. 2. The reduction in the proportion of low-value parts of the body in the period from the first to 114th d after hatching was 16.4 and 17.3% for males and females, respectively. 3. The relative proportion of weight of legs declined both with age and with body weight increase. It was described by a linear function in males and by a power function in females. 4. The relative proportion of wing weight increased from 1.2 and 1.3% on the first day after hatching in males and females, respectively, to 16.6% at the age of 50 d, and 15.2% at the age of 43 d in males and females, respectively.     

Isolation of various Arcobacter species from domestic geese (Anser anser)

In this study, the prevalence and distribution of various Arcobacter spp. were investigated in samples taken from the cloacae of healthy domestic geese raised in Turkey. A membrane filtration technique with a non-selective blood agar was employed after enrichment in Arcobacter enrichment broth (AEB) to isolate a wide range of Arcobacter spp. In addition, the isolates were characterized phenotypically and identified at species level using a multiplex-PCR assay. A total of 90 cloacal swab samples taken from geese, collected on three farms (18, 25, 47 samples, respectively), were examined. Of the samples examined, 16 (18%) were found positive for Arcobacter. One Arcobacter species was isolated from each bird. Of the 16 Arcobacter isolates, 7 (44%), 7 (44%) and 2 (12.5%) were identified by m-PCR as A. cryaerophilus, A. skirrowii and A. butzleri, respectively. The present study indicates that domestic geese can harbour a variety of Arcobacter spp. in their cloacae. The presence of Arcobacter in geese may be of significance as reservoirs in their dissemination. Detailed research is needed for better understanding of the epidemiology and zoonotic potential of this emerging pathogen.     

Concentrations in plasma and selected tissues of marbofloxacin after oral and intravenous administration in Bilgorajska geese (Anser anser domesticus)

ABSTRACT

Aims: To determine the pharmacokinetics and tissue depletion of 2?mg/kg marbofloxacin (MBX) in Bilgorajska geese (Anser anser domesticus) after I/V and oral administration, to calculate the daily dose from experimental data and to compare it with that calculated by allometric scaling.

Methods: Eight clinically normal female Bilgorajska geese were used in a three-phase study with a 3-week wash-out period between phases. In the first phase birds received I/V administration of 2?mg/kg MBX; the same dose was given orally in the second and third phases. Blood samples were collected between 0 minutes and 48 hours in the first and second phases, and samples of liver, kidney, lung, muscle and heart were collected following slaughter of birds between 6 and 48 hours in the third phase. Concentrations of MBX in plasma and tissues were analysed using HPLC. Two additional birds served as controls. The optimal dose was calculated based on a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.125 μg?mL using the observed clearance, or using clearance calculated by allometric scaling.

Results: Concentrations of MBX in plasma were detectable up to 24 hours following both I/V and oral administration. Mean oral bioavailability was 26.5 (SD 7.7)%. Concentrations of MBX in all tissues were highest at 6 hours and decreased constantly up to 34 hours. The mean optimal daily dose for oral administration of MBX, calculated using the observed clearance was 10.36 (SD 2.18) mg/kg, and using predicted clearance was 5.54 (SD 0.14) mg/kg. The preliminary withdrawal time for a maximum residue limit of 0.15?mg/kg calculated for muscle was 38.4 hours, heart 33.6 hours, kidney 48.3 hours, lung 47.7 hours and liver 49.3 hours.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: There was insufficient evidence to recommend MBX orally administered to geese at a daily dose of 2?mg?kg for treatment of bacteria with an MIC of 0.125?μg/mL. Further pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies in geese are recommended to determine the MBX dose regimen and its clinical efficacy in geese.     

Comparative Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of marbofloxacin in geese (Anser Anser domesticus) after two sites of intramuscular administrations

The pharmacokinetics of marbofloxacin (MAR) was compared in geese (Anser Anser domesticus) after single intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) (thigh and pectoral muscles) administrations of 5 mg/kg. Serum concentrations of MAR were determined with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Serum MAR concentrations versus time were analyzed by a noncompartmental method. After IV administration, MAR showed high volume of distribution at steady state (V_dss) of 5.24 ± 1.08 L/kg. The serum body clearance (Cl) and elimination half-life (T_1/2λz) of MAR were 0.79 ± 0.07 L hr⁻¹ kg⁻¹ and 6.94 ± 1.12 hr, respectively. The peak of MAR serum concentrations C_max achieved at one and 0.50 hr after thigh and pectoral IM sites of injections, respectively, were 1.20 and 0.91 μg/ml. Significant differences were found in the mean absorption time (MAT), the systemic bioavailability (F%), and elimination parameters of MAR between two sites of injections, indicating that the absorption was fairly slow and complete after thigh IM injection. The pharmacokinetics of MAR in geese diverged according to the site of IM injection following a parallel study design. We recommend the thigh muscle as IM site of injection to obtain maximum concentrations of the administered drug in geese.     

The Prevalence of Helminths in the Alimentary Tract of Geese (Anser anser domesticus) in Kars District,Turkey

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Influence of dietary fiber sources on the physiological and behavioral stress responses of Greylag geese (Anser anser)

This experiment investigated the physiological and behavioral responses of Greylag geese (Anser anser) fed different fiber sources when exposed to the common stressors at harvest, primarily involving the procedures of fasting, transport, catching, etc. A total of 240 4-week-old Greylag geese were allocated to 4 diets with different fiber sources (corn straw silage [CSS], steam-exploded corn straw [SECS], steam-exploded wheat straw [SEWS], and steam-exploded rice straw [SERS]). The birds were fed for 12 wk and harvested at 16 wk for slaughter. Blood samples designated to determine stress status were collected before (pre-stress) and after (post-stress) the harvest procedure was carried out. Irrespective of the dietary differences, the harvest procedure caused the concentration of superoxide dismutase (SOD) to drop (P < 0.01) 13.57% and increased (P < 0.01) that of creatine kinase (CK) by 186.21% (post-stress vs. pre-stress), inferring that the birds had experienced a severe stress. As to the dietary effects, the birds fed alternative fiber sources did not develop dissimilar (P > 0.05) pre-stress blood parameters and behavioral sensitivities, while the birds fed CSS had a higher (P < 0.05) post-stress concentration of methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA) than those offered SECS by 22.01%, suggesting that feeding Greylag geese alternative fiber sources influenced their stress response.     

Use of intralipid emulsion therapy to treat suspected oleander toxicosis in a domestic goose (Anser anser domesticus)

Ingestion of toxic substances is a common event in companion animals and livestock, especially in waterfowl. Oleander (Nerium oleander) toxicosis is rarely reported in avian species, with symptoms including cardiac, neurological and gastrointestinal manifestations. A 6-month-old domestic goose (Anser anser domesticus) was presented for depression, anorexia, permanent sternal recumbency, weakness and incoordination, and the owners witnessed the ingestion of oleander leaves. Despite the absence of evident cardiac symptoms, biochemical hematological findings showed significant increase of CPK, AST, LDH, and troponin I. Therapy was set with intravenous (IV) fluid administration, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory, oral activated charcoal, and IV lipid emulsion at 15 mL/kg/h. Clinical improvement was achieved after 2 hours. The patient was discharged 3 days after admission, with complete recovery and return to normal biochemical values 10 days after initial presentation. The present work describes a suspected case of spontaneous oleander poisoning in a domestic goose, with the first use of troponin I to diagnose cardiac injury in this species, and the first report of IV lipid emulsion to successfully treat this kind of toxicosis in veterinary practice.     

An outbreak of West Nile virus-associated disease in domestic geese (Anser anser domesticus) upon initial introduction to a geographic region, with evidence of bird to bird transmission

West Nile virus activity in Manitoba was documented for the first time by the collection of an infected crow found on July 8, 2002, in Winnipeg. West Nile virus was identified as the cause of death for a large number of domestic geese at a single farm in southern Manitoba in August. Of the 5 differently aged cohorts on the affected farm, which included 2 breeding flocks and 3 growing flocks, the 6-week-old cohort was most severely affected with 692 of 2731 goslings dying within a 10-day period. Seroprevalence of West Nile virus in 2 clinically affected and recovered juvenile cohorts was 98% and 100%. In breeding geese without clinical disease, seroprevalence was 90% for 15-month-old birds and 10% for 5-year-old birds. Seroreaction in 3 of 4 cohorts tested exceeded what would be expected by mosquito transmission alone.     

Arterial vascularization of the uropygial glands (Gl. uropygialis) in geese (Anser anser) and ducks (Anas platyrhynches)

In the present study, arterial vascularization of the uropygial glands (Gl. uropygialis) of 10 adult geese (Anser anser) and 10 adult ducks (Anas platyrhynches) were studied. Takilon was injected into the median coccygeal arteries of six specimens from each species, and Latex (a natural rubber with ammonia) into those of four specimens. Takilon-injected specimens were corrosion casted, and arteries nourishing the gland were revealed via dissection. Vascularization of the uropygial glands of both the goose and the duck was observed to be the right (a. gl. uropygii dextra), left (a. gl. uropygi sinistra) and ventral (a. gl. uropygi ventralis) glandular uropygial arteries, arising from the median coccygeal (a. coccygea media) artery. Both the right and left glandular uropygial arteries were observed, divided into four branches as follows; muscular ramus (ramus muscularis), medial ramus (ramus medialis), ventral ramus (ramus ventralis) and lateral ramus (ramus lateralis). Of these, as the lateral, medial and ventral branches feed the gland, the muscular branch provides blood for the lateral coccygeal (m. coccygealis lateralis) and levator coccygeal (m. levator coccygealis) muscles, and the skin. Among the arteries mentioned above, anastomosis between the first and the second branches of the right ventral uropygial arteries in the five geese and five ducks was found.     

Characterization of ovarian morphology and reproductive hormones in Zhedong white geese (Anser cygnoides domesticus) during the reproductive cycle

Zhedong white goose (Anser cygnoides domesticus) is a native Chinese breed with strong broodiness and low egg production, which is related to the physiology of reproduction. However, thus far, the physiology of goose reproduction has not been well elucidated. In the present study, the ovarian morphology and reproductive hormones of Zhedong white geese were investigated during the reproductive cycle (the laying and brooding periods). The results showed that the surface of the ovary was atrophied and follicular atresia appeared to some extent in the brooding period compared with the laying period. The concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, progesterone and luteinizing hormone were significantly higher than those in the brooding period (p < 0.05). In contrast, the concentrations of prolactin (PRL) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in the laying period were significantly lower than those in the brooding period (p < 0.05). In addition, the mRNA expression levels of PRL, AMH, dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DβH) and cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) were detected in the hypothalamus, pituitary and ovaries by using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that AMH mRNA was expressed specifically in ovary tissue. The expression levels of DβH and PRL in the brooding period was significantly higher than those in the laying period in the three tissues, especially in the early and middle stages of the brooding period. Moreover, AMH mRNA expression in the ovaries presented the same trend. In addition, P450scc mRNA was highly expressed in both the ovary and pituitary in the laying period. These results revealed the remarkable features of ovarian morphology and characterized the hormonal pattern and expression profile during the reproductive cycle, all of which contribute to understanding the differences in reproductive physiology between the laying and brooding periods in Zhedong white geese.     

New method for estimating the volume and volume fractions of the nasal structures in the goose (Anser anser domesticus) using computed tomography images

1. The conchae within the nasal cavity of poultry are important for water and energy conservation, but have not been experimentally evaluated. The aim of the present study was to determine the accuracy of volume and volume fraction estimates of the conchae, nasal septum and nasal cavity.

2. The nasal cavities of 7 adult goose heads were scanned using computed tomography (CT), with images sampled randomly at a 1/5 sampling fraction. Physical sections were obtained from the same samples, using an electric saw that had an adjustable section range, and provided 14 to 15 sections with a thickness of 2.5 mm. The section surface areas of the nasal cavity, nasal septum and conchae were estimated using the Cavalieri principle. Results obtained using the CT and physical section images were compared. Volumes and volume fractions obtained from the physical sections were accepted as the gold standard and differences in the CT images were determined.

3. Multiplication of the data obtained on the CT images with the deviation percentage of the physical sections produced normalised values. No differences were observed between the gold standard data and the CT images. While it was possible to normalise the obtained data using the gold standard values, the raw data could also be used for comparative studies because the deviations from normal would be similar for all groups.

4. Our study showed that the nasal structures could be estimated in vivo using CT images.     

大雁肌肉营养成分的分析

科学地分析和评价大雁肌肉的营养成分,以期为其深加工及综合利用提供科学的参考依据。对13只体重相近、健康状况良好的大雁胸肌肉中粗蛋白、粗脂肪、粗灰分、氨基酸组成及含量、矿物质及微量元素等营养成分进行测定。结果表明:大雁胸肌鲜样中,水分68.94%、粗蛋白24.10%、粗灰分1.37%、粗脂肪3.44%、能值为7 431.92 J/g。每100 g肌肉样品中含有铜0.98 mg、铁7.39 mg、钾0.38 mg、钙42.00 mg、锌2.71 mg、磷244.40mg。鲜样中17种氨基酸总量为175.20 mg/g,7种人体必需氨基酸总量64.80 mg/g,4种鲜味氨基酸总量61.04 mg/g。研究表明,大雁肌肉具有较高的营养价值和保健作用,其开发利用前景较好。     

Meckel's diverticulum in the horse

Meckel's diverticulum is a remnant of the vitellointestinal duct. It is through this duct that nutrients pass from the yolk sac into the midgut of the four-week-old embryo. In a review of 15,000 postmortem records at the University of Kentucky, Meckel's diverticulum was observed in five horses examined postmortem. In each case, the diverticulum was a factor in the animal's death. In light of these statistics, Meckel's diverticulum may not be as frequent a finding in the horse as has been previously considered.     

Comparative pathological studies on domestic geese (Anser anser domestica) and Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) experimentally infected with parvovirus strains of goose and Muscovy duck origin

Parvovirus infection of Muscovy ducks caused by a genetically and antigenically distinct virus has been reported from Germany, France, Israel, Hungary, some Asian countries and the USA. The pathological changes include those of degenerative skeletal muscle myopathy and myocarditis, hepatitis, sciatic neuritis and polioencephalomyelitis. In the study presented here, day-old and 3-week-old goslings and Muscovy ducks were infected experimentally with three different parvovirus strains (isolates of D-216/4 from the classical form of Derzsy's disease, D-190/3 from the enteric form of Derzsy's disease, and strain FM from the parvovirus disease of Muscovy ducks). All three parvovirus strains caused severe disease in both day-old and 3-week-old Muscovy ducks but in the goslings only the two strains of goose origin (D-216/4 and D-190/3) caused disease with high (90-100%) mortality when infection was performed at day old. Strain FM (of Muscovy duck origin) did not cause any clinical signs or pathological lesions in the goslings. In the day-old goslings and Muscovy ducks the principal pathological lesions were severe enteritis with necrosis of the epithelial cells (enterocytes) of the mucous membrane and the crypts of Lieberkühn, and the formation of intranuclear inclusion bodies. Other prominent lesions included hepatitis and atrophy (lymphocyte depletion) of the lymphoid organs (bursa of Fabricius, thymus, spleen). In goslings infected with the strain originating from the classical form of Derzsy's disease mild myocarditis was also detected. After infection at three weeks of age, growth retardation, feathering disorders, myocardial lesions (degeneration of cardiac muscle cells, lympho-histiocytic infiltration) and hepatitis were the most prominent lesions in both geese and Muscovy ducks. In addition to the lesions observed in the geese, muscle fibre degeneration, mild sciatic neuritis and polioencephalomyelitis were also observed in the Muscovy ducks infected with any of the three parvovirus strains.     

Atypical multiple,papilliform, xanthomatous,cutaneous neoplasia in a goose (Anser anser)

An 18-month-old, male greylag goose was presented for assessment of multiple, semi-pedunculated cutaneous masses limited to non-feathered areas of skin. Initial biopsy and histopathology revealed a mesenchymal neoplasm suggestive of lipoblastomatosis or atypical xanthoma. Immunohistochemistry was unsuccessful in determining the tissue type of origin. Surgical resection of all masses was prevented by the mucocutaneous location of several masses. Chemotherapy using intralesion cisplatin was unsuccessful in resolving the masses but was well-tolerated by the goose. Serum lipid and lipoprotein analysis revealed a persistent hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia without biochemical evidence of an underlying metabolic disease. The persistent hyperlipidaemia may have contributed to the formation of the masses identified in this case.