Parasites of the stomach in donkeys of the highveld of Zimbabwe

Summary

Fourteen donkeys from a communal area of the Zimbabwean highveld were examined for stomach parasites during July and November of 1986 and January and April of 1987. All 14 animals were infected. Habronema muscae occurred in 12, Draschia megastoma in 11, H. majus in 9, Trichostrongylus axei in 9, Gasterophilus intestinalis in 14 and G. nasalis in 1 donkey. The lowest level of infection was in January for the helminthes and in April for Gasterophilus larvae. The peak burdens of parasites were in July for Habronema spp. and in November for D. megastoma and Gasterophilus larvae. Infections with spirurid worms and Gasterophilus develop mainly from the middle of the rainy season to the beginning of the dry season (Januari to May/June). G. intestinalis seems to have an annual cycle.     

Buffer nitrogen solubility,in vitro ruminal partitioning of nitrogen and in vitro ruminal biological activity of tannins in leaves of four fodder tree species

This study explores the chemical composition, buffer N solubility, in vitro ruminal N degradability and in vitro ruminal biological activity of tannins in leaves from Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Morus alba and Trichanthera gigantea trees. These tree leaves are a potential protein source for ruminants, but their site‐influenced nutritive value is largely unknown. Leucaena leucocephala leaves had the highest N content (42.1 g/kg DM), while T. gigantea leaves had the least (26.1 g/kg DM). Leucaena leucocephala had the highest buffer solubility index (20%), while 10% of the total N in leaves of the other three species was soluble. The rapidly fermentable N fraction ‘a’ was highest in M. alba leaves (734.9 g/kg DM) and least in T. gigantea leaves (139.5 g/kg DM). The rate of fermentation (c) was highest for M. alba (7%/hours) leaves. No significant correlations were recorded between buffer solubility index of N and in vitro ruminal N degradability parameters: a, b, and c. The highest response to tannin inactivation using polyethylene glycol, in terms of percentage increase in 36‐hours cumulative gas production, was recorded in M. alba (39%) and T. gigantea (38%) leaves. It was concluded that buffer solubility of N is not a good indicator of ruminal N degradation in the leaves of these tree species. Leaves of M. alba could be more valuable as a source of rapidly fermentable N when animals are offered low‐protein, high‐fibre diets compared with other tree species evaluated in the current study. However, when feeding M. alba leaves, the role of tannins must be considered because these secondary plant compounds showed significant in vitro ruminal biological activity.     

Effects of the ruminal comminution rate and microbial contamination of particles on accuracy of in situ estimates of ruminal degradability and intestinal digestibility of feedstuffs

Effects of considering the comminution rate (k_c) and the correction of microbial contamination (using ¹⁵N techniques) of particles in the rumen on estimates of ruminally undegraded fractions and their intestinal digestibility were examined generating composite samples (from rumen‐incubated residues) representative of the undegraded feed rumen outflow. The study used sunflower meal (SFM) and Italian ryegrass hay (RGH) and three rumen and duodenum cannulated wethers fed with a 40:60 RGH to concentrate diet (75 g DM/kgBW^0.75). Transit studies up to the duodenum with Yb‐SFM and Eu‐RGH marked samples showed higher k_c values (/h) in SFM than in RGH (0.577 vs. 0.0892, p = 0.034), whereas similar values occurred for the rumen passage rate (k_p). Estimates of ruminally undegraded and intestinal digestibility of all tested fractions decreased when k_c was considered and also applying microbial correction. Thus, microbial uncorrected k_p‐based proportions of intestinal digested undegraded crude protein overestimated those corrected and k_c?k_p‐based by 39% in SFM (0.146 vs. 0.105) and 761% in RGH (0.373 vs. 0.0433). Results show that both k_c and microbial contamination correction should be considered to obtain accurate in situ estimates in grasses, whereas in protein concentrates not considering k_c is an important source of error.     

Evaluation of the efficacy of an epsiprantel/pyrantel combination against gastrointestinal helminths of dogs

Trials were conducted to evaluate the anthelmintic effect of a combination of epsiprantel at a dose rate of 5-5 mg/kg bodyweight and pyrantel pamoate at 5 mg pyrantel base/kg against Toxocara canis in prenatally infected unweaned greyhound pups, Toxascaris leonina, Uncinaria stenocephala, Trichuris vulpis and Dipylidium caninum in naturally infected adolescent greyhounds and Ancylostoma caninum, U stenocephala. Taenia hydatigena and Taenia pisiformis in artificially infected laboratory beagles. The product was well accepted and produced no obvious side effects. Percentage efficacy values based on post mortem worm counts were: T hydatigena 100; T pisiformis 100; D caninum 100; adult T canis 84-0; adult T leonina 96-5; immature T leonina 99-8; U stenocephala 99-0 and 87-7; A caninum 92-7; and T vulpis 43-3.     

Epidemiological Studies on Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections of Lambs in the Coastal Savanna Regions of Ghana

The types of gastrointestinal parasites (Eimeria and helminths) encountered by 70 lambs and the seasonal pattern of both Eimeria and strongylate infections in these lambs in the derived Coastal Savanna were followed for three years. Eimeria oocysts and helminth eggs were detected in the faeces of lambs at the same time, indicating the concurrence of both Eimeria and helminth infections. Eimeria oocysts were first seen in the lambs 20 days after birth (DAB) and the level of oocyst output increased by the fourth week. Eimeria species identified in the lambs were E. parva, E. pallida, E. faurei, E. ahsata, E. bakuensis, E. intricata, E. granulosa, E. ovinoidalis and, occasionally, E. marsica. E. ovinoidalis, the most pathogenic species, dominated the oocyst output during the early part of the life of the lambs. Strongyloides papillosus eggs appeared at 46 DAB, preceding strongylate nematode eggs, which were seen at 57 DAB and those of Moniezia at 69 DAB. The pattern of Eimeria oocyst output paralleled that of the worm egg output, and high oocyst and strongylate worm egg counts corresponded with the period of high rainfall during the study period. Although oocyst and worm egg output fluctuated, high Eimeria oocyst counts were seen again in the lambs when they were 1 and 2 years old. Haemonchus species formed 71% of the infective larvae revealed by larval culture.     

Co-culture model reveals the characteristics of theca cells and the effect of granulosa cells on theca cells at different stages of follicular development

Theca cells (TCs) play an important role in follicular development, which cannot be separated from granulosa cells (GCs). However, compared with mammals, the TCs and the effects of GCs on TCs at different follicular development stages (FDSs) have specific characteristics in avian species, but none of them have been clearly defined. In this study, we established an in vitro co-culture (with GC at the corresponding stage) model of goose TCs at different FDSs (pre-hierarchical, hierarchical and F1) by using a transwell system. The properties of TCs in co-culture at the three FDSs, including cell morphology, activity and intracellular lipid content, as well as the expression of key genes involved in de novo lipogenesis, steroidogenesis, proliferation and apoptosis, were examined and defined. We further compared the mono-culture and co-culture groups. After co-culture, the activity of TCs showed significant (p < .01) increases in all stages; moreover, in pre-hierarchical TCs, the expression levels of FAS, SREBP, 3β-HSD and CCND1 were promoted, and PPARγ, CYP19, BCL2 and CAS3 were inhibited (p < .05); in the hierarchical TCs, the expression levels of PPARγ, FAS, CYP19, CCND1 and BCL2 were promoted, and SREBP, STAR, 3β-HSD and CAS3 were inhibited (p < .05), whereas in the F1 TCs, the expression levels of PPARγ, FAS, 3β-HSD, CYP19 and CCND1 were promoted, and STAR and CAS3 were inhibited (p < .05). These results suggested that GCs at the three FDSs have dynamic and complex influences on the physiological characteristics of TCs, and the influences on TCs at the three FDSs were varied.     

中国伞形科当归属及相关类群毛状体和果实结构的系统学价值

深入研究了当归属及其相关7属,古当归属,高山芹属,柳叶芹属,独活属,欧当归属,山芹属及前胡属毛状体和果实结构。结果显示毛状体及果实结构(如:毛状体细胞,翅,油管,维管束,中果皮,内果皮,结合面及结晶)可以用于区分当归属及其相关类群。滇南当归及隆萼当归应从当归属移入独活属,其余当归属物种分为结合面宽及结合面窄两组,前者与前胡属较为相似,但与独活属差别较大,后者与古当归属,高山芹属,柳叶芹属,欧当归属有相似之处。支持分子系统学揭示的当归属不是个自然类群,当归属与前胡属共同位于当归分支,而独活属位于独活分支。山芹属果实结构与其他属不同,翅的中果皮无细胞,且伴生油管位于维管束内侧,为分子系统学显示此属与高山芹属,柳叶芹属,及欧当归属亲缘关系较远提供了形态学依据。     

Effect of injection site on the bioavailability of an oxytetracycline formulation in ruminant calves

The oxytetracycline (OTC) disposition was studied in a group of six calves following the administration of an oxytetracycline‐10 per cent formulation (i) intravenously (i.v.), (ii) subcutaneously (s. c.) in the lateral neck, and intramuscularly (i. m.) in (iii) the lateral neck, (iv) the shoulder (M. triceps brachii), and (v) the buttock (M. semitendineus). The dose levels used for the intravenous route and other routes were respectively 17.0 ± 2.3 and 18.3 ± 1.25 mg OTC/kg. The peak OTC concentrations (Cmax) were achieved with the s. c. and i. m. routes between 4 and 8 hours after injection, the highest being found after application in the shoulder (Cmax:6.9 ± 0.82 μg/ml plasma). The Cmax for the s.c. and other i.m. routes of application was similar to each other, ranging from 5.0 to 5.5 μg/ml plasma. For different points in time after injection the partial bioavailability was calculated. At 52 h post injection (p.i.) maximal bioavailability was observed for the i.m. shoulder route, viz. 98.1 ± 7.0 per cent of the administered dose, while at 76 h p.i. similar bioavailabilities were achieved for the i.m. neck and shoulder route, namely 93.3 ± 8.9 and 99.4 ± 4.2 per cent, respectively. The lowest bioavailability (83.1 ± 13.4 per cent) was obtained following the i.m. buttock route at 76 p.i.

An obvious irritating effect was observed after s.c. application in the neck an di.m. injection in the buttock, which had disappeared at 5 days p.i. It is assumed that the longer persistence of OTC in plasma resulting with the latter two routes of administration was due to this irritation effect.     

Molecular characterisation of Cryptosporidium isolates from pet reptiles

In this study, we investigated the presence of Cryptosporidium in 171 faecal samples from reptiles commonly used as pet animals. These include lizards belonging to the genera Eublepharis, Pogona, Chlamydosaurus, Hemiteconyx, Teratoscincus, Tiliqua, Iguana, and Chamaeleo, snakes of the genera Lampropeltis, Elaphe, Python, Boa and Corallus, and tortoises belonging to the genera Testudo and Kinixys. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected by immunofluorescence using a commercially available kit and cryptosporidial DNA by amplification of a polymorphic fragment of the 18S rDNA and the HSP70 locus.Cryptosporidium was detected in 38.6% and 25.1% of the samples analysed by immunofluorescence and PCR, respectively. Molecular characterisation of the isolates confirmed that C. serpentis and C. varanii (syn. C. saurophilum) are the main species involved in infection in pet reptiles but also showed the presence of C. parvum and C. muris, as well as other species or genotypes of this parasite including the Cryptosporidium mouse genotype and Cryptosporidium tortoise genotype previously described in reptiles. In addition, a Cryptosporidium sp. was isolated from a chameleon and a python.     

生物钟基因在绒山羊皮肤中表达模式的比较

文章旨在研究绒山羊皮肤生物钟基因clock、tim、per1和cry1的表达模式,进而分析其在绒山羊皮肤组织中的作用及相互关系。生物钟基因形成一个转录-翻译反馈环,通过钟基因在绒山羊皮肤生长周期进行高表达,激活per1和cry1基因的转录-转化过程,从而在mRNA和蛋白水平的调控下进行有节律的表达。结果表明,这些生物钟基因在绒山羊皮肤中的表达量依次为:clocktimper1cry1;皮肤次级毛囊兴盛期,高振幅clock、per1、tim、cry1的节律表达分别出现在一天中的04∶00、08∶00、08∶00、16∶00;皮肤次级毛囊休止期,这些基因的高振幅节律表达分别出现在一天中的08∶00、04∶00、04∶00、16∶00。另外,cry1、per1基因的表达在生物钟基因正反馈循环中被激活,tim基因的表达在生物钟基因的负反馈循环中被激活。因此,clock、tim、per1和cry1调控下运行的钟基因反馈环是绒毛生长呈周期性现象的基础。     

Shape differences of the Carina sterni in birds of various locomotion types

The anatomy of the sternum in birds varies according to their habitats and type of locomotion. In particular, the carina sterni manifest different shape variations. In this study, the shape of the carina sterni was investigated by means of geometric morphometrics. Birds of different types of locomotion were used in the study: flying, swimming, and terrestrial. Ducks and chickens show a wider variety of shapes. Pigeons are the species with the least differences. The margo cranialis carinae in a turkey is the flattest compared to other species. In chickens, the apex carinae is more caudally than the base of the carina sterni. The margo cranialis of the carina sterni in ducks is concave. The differences in centroid size and shape differences between species collectively are statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The most distinct shape contrast is between the duck and turkey (p: 0.0003). Form differences between the ducks and geese as well as between the chicken and turkey are statistically insignificant. There is less variation in the shape of the carina sterni among avian species representing the same type of locomotion. Although there are many comparative morphological and morphometric studies of birds, shape analysis studies revealing the interspecific differences and similarities of the sternum are very limited. Morphology of the carina sterni can be useful in taxonomic investigations.     

Microbiota of 'airag', 'tarag' and other kinds of fermented dairy products from nomad in Mongolia

The traditional fermented dairy products were collected from three nomadic families in Donto‐Govi prefecture in Mongolia (central Mongolia), and those microbiota were analyzed. These samples consist three of ‘airag’, two of ‘tarag’, two of ‘isgelen tarag’ and ‘qoormog’, and some cheeses. In airag, Lactobacillus (L.) helveticus, L. kefiri, and Saccharomyces (S.) dairensis were common, and L. paracasei, L. plantarum, L. farciminis, S. cerevisiae, Issachenkia (I.) orientalis, Kluyveromyces (K.) wickerhamii were also found. In tarag, isgelen tarag and qoormog, L. helveticus, L. kefiri, L. fermentum, L. paracasei and L. acetotolerance were found. L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus was also found in one tarag and one qoormog samples. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis showed that there were diversity in each L. helveticus family and products, and there were common strains found in airag and tarag in the same family.     

Effects of Feeding Spirulina on Specific and Nonspecific Immune Responses of Channel Catfish

Abstract

Administration of various immunostimulants to fish has resulted in enhanced immune responses. The purpose of this study was to determine if feeding Spirulina, a processed form of the blue-green alga Spirulina platensis, enhanced specific and nonspecific immunity and resistance against Edwardsiella ictaluri infection in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Peritoneal phagocytes from fish fed Spirulina showed enhanced phagocytosis to zymosan and increased chemotaxis to E. ictaluri exoantigen. No significant difference in mortality due to E. ictaluri existed between fish fed Spirulina and fish fed a basal diet. No significant difference in antibody titer or in the percentage of fish positive for E. ictaluri antibody was found between the groups after immunization with formalin-killed E. ictaluri. Spirulina-fed fish had significantly higher antibody titers to key hole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) on day 22, and a greater percentage of these fish were positive for KLH antibody on days 15 and 36. Feeding Spirulina enhanced nonspecific cellular immune responses such as chemotaxis and phagocytosis but did not provide protection against infection with E. ictaluri. The use of Spirulina in feed resulted in enhanced antibody responses to KLH, a thymus-dependent antigen, but not to E. ictaluri, a thymus-independent antigen. These results indicate that stimulation of the nonspecific immune system of channel catfish does not provide enhanced protection from E. ictaluri.     

Regulation of fibroblast growth factor 9 on the differentiation of goat intramuscular adipocytes

It has been found that fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGF-FGFR) signaling can regulate the expression of adipocyte differentiation genes. FGF9 is one of the members of FGFs that mainly binds receptors FGFR2 and FGFR3. FGF9 is highly expressed in the adipose tissue of humans and mice, but there are few reports on the role of FGF9 in goat intramuscular adipocyte differentiation. Therefore, this study explored the effect of FGF9 on adipocyte differentiation through cell culture, interference, and overexpression. The expression of receptors FGFR1–FGFR4 in adipocyte differentiation and their effects on differentiation were detected to screen receptor gene of FGF9. Finally, the interaction between FGF9 and the receptor was tested by cotransfection. Our results showed that FGF9 interacts with FGFR2 to inhibit goat intramuscular adipocyte differentiation by regulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and preadipocyte factor 1 (Pref1), which is a data support for subsequent pathway research.     

Polymorphism of 5'-region of the bovine growth hormone receptor gene

Genes coding for growth hormone (GH) and GH receptor (GHR) are candidates for quantitative trait markers in farm animals. This work describes a search for nucleotide sequence polymorphisms within the 5′‐region of the bovine GHR gene. Two new single nucleotide polymorphisms were found: restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) at a Fnu4HI/TseI site (C/T transition at position ?1104), and at a Sau96I site (C/T transition at position ?262). The Fnu4HI/TseI polymorphic site is located within the 1.2‐kbp LINE‐1 retrotransposon upstream of the P1 promoter, while the Sau96I RFLP locates in the P1 promoter for exon 1A. The appearance of the Sau96I RFLP was studied in representatives of two bovine species, Bos taurus and Bos indicus. An absolute correlation was observed between Sau96I genotype and the insertion/deletion of LINE‐1.     

Nutritive value of some herbage for dromedary camels in the central arid zone of Iran

The purpose of this study is to prepare standard tables of the chemical composition of feedstuff and to determine the digestibility and palatability of different plant species in the dromedary camel, this research was conducted considering the consumed herbages by camels in the central arid zone of Iran. The following plant species were included: Alhagi camelorum, Artemisia sieberi, Atriplex lentiformis, Haloxylon persicum, Hammada salicornica, Salsola tomentosa, Salsola rigida, Seidlitzia rosmarinus, Suaeda fruticosa, Tamarix tree, and Tamarix kotschi. Thirty samples of the browsing parts were collected from three sites in the rangelands of Qom and Yazd province. The chemical composition of the samples, including dry matter, crude protein (CP), crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ether extract, total ash, macroelements (Ca, P, Mg, K), microelements, and gross energy were measured. The in vitro digestibility of the plants was measured by camel liquor using the Tilley and Terry method. The palatability of the plants was measured by four mature camels in cafeteria trials. Data were analyzed by general linear model method using the SAS software. The highest CP (17.5%) related to Haloxylon persicum and the lowest NDF (26.2%) and ADF (12.6%) were related to Salsola rigida. The lowest CP (5.5%) and the highest NDF (72.8%) and ADF (59.6%) were related to Artemisia sieberi. The results also indicate that Atriplex lentiformis, Alhagi camelorum, Seidlitzia rosmarinus, Suaeda fruticosa, Haloxylon persicum, Salsola tomentosa, Hammada salicornica, T. kotschi, Salsola rigida, Tamarix tree, and Artemisia seiberi were more pleasurable feeds, respectively. There was no consistent relationship between the palatability of herbages with the percentage of digestible organic matter in the dry matter or chemical composition.     

Effects of the supplementation of a calcium soap containing medium-chain fatty acids on the fecal microbiota of pigs,lactating cows,and calves

Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) have antialgal, antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoan, and antiviral activities. However, antibacterial activities of MCFAs in the hindgut of pigs and cattle are still unknown. We report the effects of the supplementation of MCFAs on fecal bacteria of pigs, lactating cows, and Japanese Black calves. Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., eaeA(+) Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni, and Clostridium perfringens in the feces of animals were quantified by real-time PCR assay. There was no significant increase or decrease in Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. in the three animals. In the pig feces, eaeA(+) E. coli was reduced to less than a third in the treatment group (P < 0.01). C. jejuni in the pig feces was also significantly less in the treatment group compared with the control (P < 0.01). In the lactating cow, eaeA(+) E. coli was reduced to one fifth of that in the control (P < 0.01). Salmonella spp. was halved in calf feces (P < 0.01). Thus, a reduction in Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria was observed. In conclusion, supplementation of a MCFA calcium soap in the diet would be beneficial to growing pigs, lactating cow, and calves by reducing pathogenic bacteria.     

Identification and characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from mixed pasture of timothy and orchardgrass,and its badly preserved silage

In order to understand the relationship between lactic acid bacteria (LAB) species and silage fermentation, a total of 65 LAB strains isolated from mixed pasture of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), and its badly preserved silages were subjected to phenotypic and genetic analysis. According to these analyses, the isolates were divided into 13 groups, including Enterococcus gallinarum, Lactobacillus acidipiscis, L. coryniformis subsp. coryniformis, L. coryniformis subsp. torquens, L. curvatus, L. paraplantarum, L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis, L. plantarum subsp. plantarum, L. sakei subsp. carnosus, Lactococcus garvieae, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides, Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Weissella hellenica, Weissella paramesenteroides and Carnobacterium divergens. This is the first report to document that C. divergens, L. acidipiscis, L. sakei subsp. carnosus, L. garvieae, phenotypically novel L. lactis subsp. cremoris, E. gallinarum and W. hellenica are present in vegetative forage crops. L. plantarum group strains were most frequently isolated from the badly preserved silages. Some isolates showed a wide range of growth preferences for carbohydrate utilization, optimal growth pH and temperature in vitro, indicating that they have a high growth potential. These results are useful in understanding the diversity of LAB associated with decayed silage of timothy and orchardgrass.