Phosphoric acid ester preparations used in cattle, swine and sheep with special reference to cholinesterase activity. 3. Use of phosphoric acid ester preparations and their effect on acetylcholinesterase activity in swine]

The use of organophosphorus preparations in the treatment of ectoparasites and endoparasites of pigs is discussed. Treatment of 43 store pigs with preparations produced in the German Democratic Republic by washing and by the pour-on method resulted in considerable inactivation of acetylcholinesterase, which implies good systemic action. Overdosage increased this effect, but without producing signs of toxicity. The oral dosages for pigs cited in the literature were confirmed. Repeated treatment was recommended for the best results, as pigs rapidly break down the preparations. It is necessary to take into account adverse effects of oral administration on palatability of the ration and on weight gain. Addition of a preparation to a batch of food for a group of pigs is likely to be less successful than individual dosing, which is the best method for sows.     

Fatty acid composition of ruminal bacteria and protozoa,and effect of defaunation on fatty acid profile in the rumen with special reference to conjugated linoleic acid in cattle

Objectives of this study were to compare fatty acid (FA) composition of ruminal bacterial (B) and protozoal (P) cells, and to investigate effect of protozoa on FA profile in the rumen of cattle. Three cows were used to prepare ruminal B and P cells. Four faunated and three defaunated cattle (half‐siblings) were used to study effect of protozoa on ruminal FA profile. Proportions of C16:0 and C18:0 in total fatty acids in B cells were 20.7% and 37.4%, whereas those in P cells were 33.4% and 11.6%, respectively. Proportions of trans‐vaccenic acid (VA) and cis‐9, trans‐11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in B cells were 3.9% and 1.0%, and those in P cells were 5.5% and 1.6%, respectively, being higher in P cells. Proportions of C18:1, C18:2 and C18:3 in P cells were two to three times higher than in B cells. Proportions of unsaturated fatty acids, VA and CLA in B cells of faunated cattle were higher than those of defaunated. VA and CLA in the ruminal fluid of faunated were also 1.6 to 2.5 times higher than those of defaunated. This tendency was similar for cell‐free fraction of ruminal fluid. These results indicate that protozoa contribute greatly in VA and CLA production in the rumen.     

Latent Chlamydia infections as the cause of health disorders in swine, cattle and sheep breeders in Czechoslovakia]

For a twelve year period the health condition of a large group of pig-, cattle- and sheep-breeder was controlled and at the same time an inquiry was carried out why these people suffer from high occurrence of specific health problems which among the rest of the population appear in smaller extent. The performed investigation shows that the primary cause of the specific problems is a latent infection caused by the chlamydia microorganism, namely by the Chlamydia trachomatis group, that can be transferred from animals on people. These microorganisms survive permanently and parasite in the living cells of animals and people and they cause a wide range of specific health difficulties, often subjective, painful and very unpleasant ones, without any manifestation of clinical symptoms which could suggest an infectious disease. These properties of the agent and the fact, that neither human nor veterinary medicine inquire the problems of the relationship between the latent infection and the health of people, makes Chlamydia an extremely dangerous factor affecting people's health. Our paper includes anamnestic data of specific health problems of 746 breeders from 31 farms and results of serological examinations of a group of people with antigens Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia trachomatis. The paper also includes a biological experiment which the rise of antibodies of a guinea pig kept and fed with table scraps in the family of one the afflicted breeders as well as the results of serological examinations of a group of animals, the most frequent health problems at the latent course of disease, the course of the disease itself and the author's opinions on necessity of further investigation of the human medicine problems.     

Status of oxidative stress,trace elements,sialic acid and cholinesterase activity in cattle naturally infected with Babesia bigemina

Babesia bigemina infection (also known as Texas fever) is reported as the most prevalent and main causative agent of bovine babesiosis, worldwide. The current study was undertaken to assess indicators of oxidative stress including activities of antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidation status of biomolecules and serum levels of trace elements as well as indicators of inflammation including sialic acid (SA) contents and cholinesterase activity in cattle naturally infected with B. bigemina. An infected group comprised of 20 crossbred Holstein cattle (3–4 years old) were diagnosed to be positive by both microscopy and nested PCR assay. The infected animals were subdivided into two groups according to their parasitemia rates (<20 % and>20 %). Furthermore, 10 healthy cattle were included as the control. The infection caused severe anemia in a parasitemia-burden dependent fashion. The activities of catalase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase as well as the levels of TAC, zinc, selenium, copper and manganese were significantly decreased as the parasitemia increased, accordingly. However, the activity of superoxide dismutase as well as the levels of malondialdehyde, protein carbonylation, DNA damage and iron, were significantly elevated in a parasitemeia-burden dependent manner. Additionally, glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly elevated with the lower rate of parasitemia, but the higher rate had no significant effect as compared to control. Moreover, total, protein and lipid binding SA contents were significantly increased but the activities of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase were significantly reduced, parasitemia dependently. Conclusively, the infection was remarkably associated with the induction of anemia, oxidative stress and inflammation.     

Leptospiral antibodies in serum from cattle, swine, horses, deer, sheep, and goats: 1973 and 1974.

During 2 years (fiscal years 1973 and 1974), microscopic agglutination tests were performed on 12,565 serums from cattle, swine, horses, deer, sheep, and goats for the detection of leptospiral antibodies. The most frequent presumptive infecting serogroups were Hebdomadis, Pomona, Autumnalis, Ballum, Australis, and Canicola.     

Serological tests in relation to the viability,fertility and localization of hydatid cysts in cattle,sheep, goats and swine

A serological study of intermediate hosts (cattle, sheep, goats and swine) of Echinococcus granulosus was carried out by means of the indirect haemaglutination (IHA) and flocculation with latex (LA) tests, relating them with the organs invaded, and the fertility and viability of the cysts.In cattle a sensitivity of 75% and 21.05% of non-specific reactions was given by IHA, while the LA gave 66.7 and 17.54%, respectively. In the sheep, the IHA gave 79.16 and 20%, and the LA, 75 and 15%. In the goat, the IHA gave 76 and 22%, and the LA 71.43 and 16%. Finally, in the pig, the IHA gave 75 and 22%, and the LA, 66.6 and 14.16%.The IHA was more sensitive in detecting hepatic cysts in the cow, and pulmonary cysts in the goat, while in the sheep and the pig there were no significant differences. The LA was more sensitive in detecting hepatic cysts in the cow, goat and pig, while there were no significant differences in sheep.The differences in serum titers by the IHA and the LA tests with respect to the viability and the fertility of the cysts in the hosts, were not significant.     

Ionized calcium and total calcium in the blood of cattle, sheep, swine and horses of different ages, reproductive stages and uses]

Concentrations of ionized calcium (Cai) in blood and of total calcium (Ca(t)) in serum were determined in 99 cattle, 58 sheep, 74 pigs and 59 horses of different age groups and reproductive periods as well as kinds of use of the animals. The values of Cai in blood in the groups taken into account for comparison of species decreased significantly in the order dairy cows < ewes < sows < horses. In cattle and pigs, there were significant differences in the Cai-level, according to age with the youngest animals having the highest values. In cows from the fourth lactation onward, one day post partum (p.p.) the smallest concentrations were measured, differing significantly from animals in other reproductive periods. In ewes, the lowest values were estimated one week before parturition. The level of Cai in blood of sows decreased between day one and 6 weeks p.p. significantly. No significant differences could be demonstrated between the different groups of horses. With regard to the concentrations of total Ca, differences between the groups were not so clear as with Cai.     

Sonographic diagnosis of early pregnancy in horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, dogs and cats. Standard values and limitations

Ultrasonography allows early and reliable pregnancy detection in several domestic animals. Transrectal sonography can be recommended in horses and cattle, transrectal or transcutaneous procedures in sheep, goats and pigs while transcutaneous ultrasound scanning is appropriate in dogs and cats. Three periods of time can be distinguished in the diagnosis of early pregnancy by ultrasound: the earliest phase, where signs of pregnancy can be found in some cases, but accuracy of diagnosis is very low; the succeeding period, where reliable diagnosis is possible, but results are often difficult to achieve and examination can be time consuming; the third phase in which ultrasound diagnosis is very accurate even under practice conditions and can be efficiently carried out on a large scale basis in breeding management. To achieve high accuracy in determining pregnancies a suitable ultrasound scanner with a good image quality and considerable expertise are required. Under field conditions ultrasonic pregnancy diagnosis should be possible: from Day 14 in the horse, from Day 25-28 in cattle, from Day 25 (transrectal), resp. 35 (transcutaneous) in sheep, goats and swine and from Day 24-25 (transcutaneous) in the dog and cat. Before this period of time reliable diagnosis is sometimes possible: between Day 11 and 13 in the horse, between Day 20 and 25 in cattle, between Day 20 and 25 (transrectal), resp. between Day 30 and 35 (transcutaneous) in sheep and goats, between Day 20 and 25 (transrectal) and Day 22 and 35 (transcutaneous) in swine and between Day 19-20 and 24-25 in the dog and cat. Earlier sonographic indications of pregnancy are not sufficiently reliable for large scale accurate pregnancy diagnosis.