The shelf‐life of uneviscerated and eviscerated chicken carcasses stored at 10°C and 4°C

1. Uneviscerated and eviscerated chicken carcasses were processed together and stored in groups of 10 at 10°C and 4°C; a further 10 eviscerated carcasses were wrapped in “polythene” bags and stored at 4°C.

2. The bacteriological condition of the uneviscerated and eviscerated carcasses prior to storage was very similar.

3. At 10 °C the eviscerated carcasses developed a slight “off” odour in 3 to 4 d (average 3.5 d) whilst the first signs of greening in the uneviscerated carcasses occurred in 4 to 6 d (average 5 d).

4. At 4 °C wrapped eviscerated carcasses developed slight “off” odour in 5 to 6 d (average 5.6 d) whilst the unwrapped eviscerated carcasses varied considerably in their shelf‐life from 5 to 11 d (average 7.9 d). After 18 d the uneviscerated carcasses were still quite acceptable and no bacteria were found in the breast muscle (i.e. < 150/g).

5. Bacteriological examinations made of the skin of the three groups of chickens stored at 4 °C confirmed the differences obtained in shelf‐life; Pseudomonas spp. were found to be the predominant spoilage organisms in each case.     

A note on the shelf‐life and spoilage of commercially‐processed chicken giblets

1. When chicken giblet tissues wrapped individually in polythene were stored at 1 °C, “ off” odours were detected in 11 to 14 d with necks (mean 12.3 d) tending to spoil before gizzards, hearts and livers (means 13.0 to 13.7 d).

2. In all cases, the predominant organisms at spoilage were Pseudo‐monas spp. with lower numbers of Acinetobacter spp.

3. Chlorination of process water at about 50 mg total residual chlorine/1 (including 0.1 to 0.9 mg free chlorine/1) extended the shelf‐life of giblets held at 1 °C by up to 3 d, and prior freezing of these tissues gave an extension of 1 to 2 d but combining the two treatments did not have an additive effect.

4. Immersing giblets for 1 min in a solution containing 100 g potassium sorbate/1 (pH 8.0) doubled the shelf‐life of each type of tissue by retarding growth of the normal spoilage microflora.     

Effect of olive-derived antioxidants (3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol and 3,4 dihydroxyphenylglycol) on sperm motility and fertility in liquid ram sperm stored at 15°C or 5°C

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of two olive oil-derived antioxidants, hydroxytyrosol (3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol, HT) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG), on ovine semen during liquid storage at 5°C and 15°C. Semen was collected, pooled, diluted and then divided into aliquots supplemented with different concentrations (5 μg/ml, 10 μg/ml, 50 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml) of HT, DHPG and a mixture (MIX) of both antioxidants. Sperm motility characteristics were assessed in the different samples at 0, 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr after cooling, and a fertility trial was also conducted. The results showed that the antioxidant addition did not significantly improve total and progressive motility in ovine cooled sperm maintained at 15° or 5°C. However, in samples stored at 5°C, LIN (48, 72, 96 hr), STR (0 hr) and WOB (0, 48, 72, 96 hr) values significantly decreased in comparison with control treatment when high antioxidant concentrations were added (MIX100 or HT100). When samples were maintained at 15°C, MIX50 showed significantly higher VCL values than the control treatment after 6 hr cooling, and MIX100 showed significantly lower VCL values at 96 hr after cooling. According to the artificial insemination trial, no significant differences were observed when antioxidants were added. In conclusion, the use of HT and DHPG showed small impact in sperm motility and fertility was not affected (nor detrimentally nor positively) when insemination was carried out using antioxidant-supplemented liquid sperm.     

Concordance of c‐kit Mutational Status in Matched Primary and Metastatic Cutaneous Canine Mast Cell Tumors at Baseline

Background

Mutation analysis of proto‐oncogene c‐kit (c‐kit) is advisable before starting treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in dogs with mast cell tumor (MCT), including those with metastatic disease. Testing is usually performed on primary tumors, assuming that c‐kit mutation status does not change in metastasis.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To give an insight into the mutational processes and to make a recommendation on the use of c‐kit mutational analysis in the clinical setting.

Animals

Twenty‐one client‐owned dogs with metastatic MCT.

Methods

Dogs undergoing resection or biopsy for both primary and matched metastatic MCT were prospectively enrolled. Total RNA or DNA was extracted from primary MCT and corresponding metastases. Exons 8, 9, and 11 were amplified by PCR and sequenced. Genetic features between primary MCT and metastases were compared. Their correlation with clinicopathologic features was investigated.

Results

Concordance (mutated or wild‐type) of mutational status, evaluable in 21 primary and matched metastatic (20 nodal and 1 splenic) MCTs, was 100%. Three new c‐kit mutations were identified. No significant correlation was detected between c‐kit mutation and clinicopathologic features.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Proto‐oncogene c‐kit mutational status is conserved between any primary and its matched secondary tumor, suggesting that both can be used for c‐kit mutational testing. Targeted therapies might be also used to treat metastatic disease.     

Stability of hematologic analytes in monkey, rabbit, rat, and mouse blood stored at 4°C in EDTA using the ADVIA 120 hematology analyzer

Background: The time from sampling to analysis can be delayed when blood samples are shipped to distant reference laboratories or when analysis cannot be readily performed. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the stability of hematologic analytes in blood samples from monkeys, rabbits, rats, and mice when samples were stored for up to 72 hours at 4°C. Methods: Blood samples from 30 monkeys, 15 rabbits, 20 rats, and 30 mice were collected into EDTA‐containing tubes and were initially analyzed within 1 hour of collection using the ADVIA 120 analyzer. The samples were then stored at 4°C and reanalyzed at 24, 48, and 72 hours after collection. Results: Significant (P<.0003) changes in hematologic analytes and calculations included increased HCT and MCV and decreased MCHC and cell hemoglobin concentration mean (CHCM) at 72 hours and increased MPV at 24 hours in monkeys; increased MCV at 72 hours and MPV at 48 hours and decreased monocyte count at 24 hours in rabbits; increased MCV and decreased MCHC, CHCM, and monocyte count at 24 hours in rats; increased MCV, red cell distribution width, and MPV and decreased MCHC, CHCM, and monocyte count at 24 hours in mice. Conclusions: Although most of the changes in the hematologic analytes in blood from monkeys, rabbits, rats, and mice when samples were stored at 4°C were analytically acceptable and clinically negligible, the best practice in measuring hematologic analytes in these animals is timely processing of blood samples, preferably within 1 hour after collection.     

Food restriction early or later in life and its effect on adaptability,disease resistance,and immunocompetence of heat‐stressed dwarf and nondwarf chickens

1. Dwarf and nondwarf chickens placed under 60% food restriction from either 4 to 6 (early) or 24 to 26 (late) days of age were exposed to high ambient temperatures (35 ± 2°C) from 36 to 43 d of age.

2. As measured by heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratios, stress response to food restriction was similar at both ages for dwarfs while less at the younger than the older age for nondwarfs, resulting in a significant food restriction interaction of genotype by age.

3. Nondwarf chickens food restricted at the younger age had smaller increases in H/L ratios, improved resistance to marble spleen disease infection and greater growth than those restricted at the older age or fed ad libitum in response to the high ambient temperatures.

4. For dwarf chickens feeding regimen had no influence on response to the environmental insults.

5. Antibody response to sheep erythrocyte antigen was not affected by genotype or feeding regimen.     

Studies on the toxic effects of crambe meal and two of its constituents, 1‐cyano‐2‐hydroxy‐3‐butene (GHB) and epiprogoitrin,in broiler chick diets

1. Studies were undertaken to determine a safe inclusion rate for crambe (Crambe abyssinica) meal in broiler chick diets, and to determine the mechanism for adverse effects by investigating its constituents; l‐cyano‐2‐hydroxy‐3‐butene (CHB) and 3‐butenyl glucosinolate (epi‐progoitrin, E‐PG).

2. Crambe meals were prepared to differ in E‐PG (19, 36 and 40 g/kg) and CHB contents (0.1, 0.7 and 1.9 g/kg), and with either active or inactive thioglucosidase.

3. Meals were fed to 7‐d‐old broiler chicks at 50 or 100 g/kg of the diet for 12 or 13 d. In separate studies, isolated E‐PG or CHB were mixed into the diet or administered by gavage to 7‐d‐old broiler chicks in amounts equivalent to 50 or 100 g/kg crambe meal diets for 10 and 12 d, respectively.

4. Weight gain decreased (P<0.05) in chicks fed on the high glucosinolate crambe diets or isolated E‐PG. Food consumption decreased (P<0.05) in chicks fed on the diet containing the high E‐PG meal with active enzyme.

5. Mild liver lesions and increased serum aspartate aminotransferase were found in chicks fed on the diet containing the high glucosinolate meal with active enzyme. Other organs, including thyroids, were normal.

6. Commercially‐processed crambe meal appeared safe at an inclusion rate of 50 or 100 g/kg diet, but could not be recommended at this point for long term feeding.     

The effect of rotational grazing for periods of one or two weeks on the build‐up of lungworm and gastrointestinal nematode infections in calves

Summary

An experiment was carried out with three groups of grazing calves and one housed control group to study the effect of rotational grazing for periods of 1 and 2 weeks on the build up of lungworm and gastro‐intestinal nematode infections respectively. The experiment demonstrated that rotational grazing for periods of I week on six plots prevented the build‐up of heavy lungworm infections. A buildup of heavier lungworm infections was observed in a group that was rotationally grazed for periods of 2 weeks on three plots and a group which remained on one plot throughout the grazing season; there was no difference between these two groups. In all three situations, there was an adequate development of immunity against D. viviparus, as measured by worm recovery after challenge infection at the end of the experiment in comparison with worm recovery of the similarly challenged control group. Neither rotational grazing scheme protected the calves against gastrointestinal helminthiasis, because tracer calves, which grazed for 4 days only in August or October, acquired infections which would have resulted in severe illness or even death if necropsy had been postponed for a week.     

Antimicrobial substances and chick growth promotion: The growth‐promoting activities of antimicrobial substances,including fifty‐two used either in therapy or as dietary additives

1. Fifty‐five antimicrobial substances were tested for their ability to promote growth when added to the diet of chicks.

2. Both cephalosporins and all the nine penicillins tested were active.

3. Of six aminoglycosides, streptomycin and gentamicin had the greatest activity and neomycin had none.

4. Growth rate was significantly improved by clindamycin, lincomycin, vancomycin, spectinomycin, rifampicin, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, erythromycin, tylosin, flavomycin, virginiamycin and zinc bacitracin. Chloramphenicol and nalidixic acid were inactive. Polymixin B, novo‐biocin, cycloserine, phosphonomycin, and sodium fusidate had little activity. Fusidic acid promoted growth at 250 mg/kg diet.

5. Trimethoprim was inactive alone and in combination with sulpha‐diazine. Of seven 5‐nitroimidazoles, only dimetridazole and metronidazole showed slight activity. Of the six 5‐nitrofurans, only nitrovin, the standard reference substance used, promoted growth.

6. Caprylohydroxamic acid, a urease inhibitor, had no beneficial effect on growth rate or on the efficiency of food conversion.

7. The growth‐promoting properties of the various substances could not be related with their known antimicrobial and absorption characteristics in mammals.     

The effect of ringbarking Brachystegia spiciformis Benth., Julbernardia globiflora (Benth.) Troupin and Terminaliasericea Burch. ex DC. trees at different heights with or without the addition of a pidoram/2,4‐D mixture

Trees were ringbarked at three different heights relative to ground level (1 000 mm above the ground, at ground level and 100 mm below ground level). In a separate trial, arboricide was applied at four different rates to the lower lip of the ringbarked trees either 1 000 mm above the ground or at ground level. Ringbarking without the arboricide was most effective when carried out in February and at a height of 1 000 mm above the ground. Application of a picloram/2,4‐D mixture to the lower lip of ringbarked trees in January or April resulted in higher kill rates than applications made in June or October. Using this method, somewhat less picloram was necessary than was required to effect the same kill rate to these tree species by applying the arboricide to cuts in their stem bases. In both trials, the kill rate was positively related to the amount of coppice removed.     

The effects of eggshell calcium (Biomin H®) and its combinations with alfacalcidol (1α-hydroxyvitamin D3) and menaquinone-7 (vitamin K2) on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in a rat model of osteoporosis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of eggshell calcium (Biomin H^® dietary supplement) and its combinations with alfacalcidol (1α-hydroxyvitamin D₃) and menaquinone-7 (vitamin K₂) on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats. Adult female rats (n = 48) were divided into 6 groups of 8 individuals each: sham-operated rats (SHAM); ovariectomized (OVX) rats untreated; OVX rats treated with Biomin H^® (BIO); OVX rats simultaneously receiving Biomin H^®, vitamin D₃ (BIO + D₃); OVX rats simultaneously treated with Biomin H^®, vitamin K₂ (BIO + K₂) and OVX rats treated with Biomin H^®, vitamin D₃, vitamin K₂ (BIO + D₃ + K₂) during 8 weeks. Biochemical parameters, bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC) and femoral bone microstructure were determined. Plasma calcium and phosphate were increased in BIO + D₃ and BIO + D₃ + K₂ groups as compared to OVX. Alkaline phosphatase was elevated in OVX, BIO versus SHAM, BIO + D₃ + K2 groups. When compared to OVX group, decreased urine deoxypyridinoline was observed in all treated groups and femoral BMD, BMC were higher in BIO, BIO + D₃, BIO + D₃ + K₂ groups. The BIO + K₂ rats had similar densitometrical values than OVX individuals. Microcomputed tomography revealed increased trabecular relative bone volume (due to an increase in trabecular number) in BIO + D₃, BIO + D₃ + K₂ as compared to OVX. The higher relative bone volume in BIO + D₃, BIO + D₃ + K₂ groups was also accompanied by an increase in bone surface. In the cortical bone, an enhanced periosteal bone apposition was identified in BIO, BIO + D₃, BIO + K₂, BIO + D₃ + K₂ groups. The rats from BIO + D₃ + K₂ group had a higher area of primary osteon's vascular canals. In BIO + D₃, BIO + K₂, BIO + D₃ + K₂ groups, an increased area of secondary osteons was determined in comparison with OVX. Our results indicate the beneficial effect of triple application of Biomin H^®, vitamin D₃, vitamin K₂, as well as simultaneous administration of Biomin H^®, vitamin D₃ on the inhibition of ovariectomy-induced bone loss in a rat model of osteoporosis.