Immunohistochemical localization of matrix proteins in the femoral joint cartilage of growing commercial pigs.

The immunocytochemical localization of several matrix macromolecules, including collagen type II and proteoglycans, in the distal femoral articular-epiphyseal cartilage complex of 15 commercial pigs between the age of 6 and 18 weeks was studied. Early osteochondrotic lesions, i.e., chondronecrosis in the resting region of the growth cartilage, as well as extensions of necrotic cartilage into the subchondral bone, were present in all animals, except those 6 weeks old. A battery of antibodies were used for identification of macromolecules in the matrix at different stages of the disease. Chondrocyte involvement in the process could be studied by identifying the sequence of alterations in matrix macromolecules as the lesion developed. The immunostaining for aggrecan (large aggregating proteoglycans), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, fibronectin, collagen type II, fibromodulin, and biglycan was more prominent in the areas of chondronecrosis, extending into the subchondral bone, than in the normal resting region. This altered pattern of matrix macromolecules resembled that of the matrix of the proliferative chondrocytes and suggests that the chondrocyte maturation had stopped in the proliferative zone. The matrix in the areas of chondronecrosis in the resting region resembled that in the normal resting region. Thus the chondronecrosis appears to have preceded alterations of the matrix composition. The antibody reactivity pattern was, however, altered in the matrix of the clustered chondrocytes in areas of chondronecrosis. Staining in these regions suggested a more prominent appearance of fibronectin and collagen type II than in the normal matrix of the resting region. These changes are suggestive of attempt to repair.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ochratoxigenic moulds and ochratoxin A in forages and grain feeds.

The contamination of forages and grain feeds with ochratoxigenic moulds and ochratoxin A was examined. The investigations were carried out over a period of three years in all seasons. Feeds were found to be contaminated with moulds at a high level throughout the three research years. The highest percentage (95 to 100) of contaminated feed samples was noticed during the second year. Total viable counts of moulds established in 1 g of feed samples ranged from 0.5 to 7.8 x 10(6). Penicillium spp. were dominant in mycopopulations isolated from feeds. Ochratoxin-A producing moulds were present permanently. In the summer period of the second research year as much as 94% of the feed samples were contaminated by ochratoxigenic Penicillium species. P. verrucosum var. cyclopium P. verrucosum var. verrucosum, P. commune and P. chrysogenum, i.e. ochratoxin-producing moulds, were the most prevalent Penicillium species throughout the three-year investigation. Ochratoxin A was found in various feeds in all seasons, except in summer of the first research year. Concentrations of the toxin varied from traces to 400 micrograms/kg. It occurred consistently in the same types of feeds (hay, dried alfalfa, fresh alfalfa, concentrate, pelleted sugar beet pulp, corn silage).     

The extraction particles from winter rapeseed with different glucosinolate fractions in swine with regard to the iodine supply. 3. Apparent digestibility of crude nutrients with special regard to the carbohydrate and nitrogen balance]

In two digestibility and N-balance experiments the following solvent extracted meals were examined in a grain (barley and wheat in equal parts) or in a starch diet with four female pigs/group fitted with urethra catheters during the 5 days sampling period: 48% soyabean meal (SBM) (1), 24% conventional rapeseed meal (RSM) (2), 24 (3) or 48% (4) RSM from a newly bred low glucosinolate variety, groups 1 to 4 with grain, 48% low glucosinolate RSM (5) or 48% SBM (6) both with starch. In numeric order of the groups 88, 85, 86, 84, 79 and 89% N were digested. Pigs responded to the additional faecal N excretion from RSM diets by a lower urinary N excretion and thus they reached the N-balance of the animals fed on SBM. In numeric order of the groups 86, 79, 80, 73, 73 and 92% of the organic matter of the solvent extracted meals were digested. In comparison with SBM even 48% RSM in the feed significantly lowered the digestibility of organic matter. Using detergents the additional faecal organic matter excretion of RSM versus SBM could quantified as two third lignin. In the case of 24% RSM in the diet--i.e. 15% of the carbohydrates given--the carbohydrate digestibility is estimated with a high error, that an energetic feed value should not calculated. Investigating 48% SBM or RSM respectively in a grain diet the net energy content was 9.8 MJ (666 Energetic Feed Units, EFU pig) or 8.3 MJ (569 EFU pig)/kg dry matter (DM). Based on the starch diet, however, little relevant for estimation of normal pig diets, there were evaluated 10.6 MJ (720 EFU pig) for SBM and 8.3 MJ (567 EFU pig) net energy/kg DM for RSM.     

Chronic valvular disease in the cavalier King Charles spaniel in Sweden.

The prevalence of chronic valvular disease was studied in 494 cavalier King Charles spaniels with a mean (+/- sd) age of 3.0 +/- 2.7 years. Cardiac murmurs were detected in 65 (13.2 per cent) of the dogs. Among 61 cavalier King Charles spaniels with a mean age of 6.4 +/- 2.8 years, cardiac murmurs were detected in 32 (52 per cent). In both groups of dogs the prevalence of cardiac murmurs was low among dogs younger than three years (1.9 per cent) but increased with age (P < 0.001). The estimated ages at which 50 per cent of the dogs had developed murmurs were 7.5 and 6.2 years, respectively. When 39 of the 61 dogs were re-examined three years later, cardiac murmurs were detected in 28 (72 per cent), and the intensities of the murmurs had generally increased (P < 0.05). Nine (28 per cent) of the dogs which had previously had murmurs had been euthanased for signs of congestive heart failure whereas none of the dogs which had been free of murmurs had died from congestive heart failure. Animal insurance statistics from 1982 to 1990 (1983 excluded) for dogs less than 10 years old showed that claims for veterinary care or death or euthanasia were five times more common in the cavalier King Charles spaniel than in dachshunds (P < 0.001) and eight times more common than the mean for all other insured breeds (P < 0.001).     

Globular periodontal cement dysplasia in a black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)]

A globular periodontal cementous dysplasia in a 18 years old black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) is diagnosed by gross pathology, X-ray, and by histological examinations. The findings are discussed.     

Epizootic botulism of cattle in Brazil.

The first diagnosis of botulism in cattle in Brazil and its epizootiology are reviewed. The high prevalence of the disease raised on phosphorus deficient pastures in Savanna regions has caused severe economic losses in the past. The temperature induced microcomplement fixation test (TIMCF) confirmed the clinical-pathological diagnosis in all of the 24 cases studied by this method. The most important reason why botulism has not been controlled satisfactorily in Brazil is the lack of an available effective vaccine (type C and D). Additional prophylactic measures are phosphorus supplementation and removal of carcasses from the pasture.     

Isolation and characterization of immunoglobulin binding proteins from Staphylococcus intermedius and Staphylococcus hyicus.

125-I-IgG binding activities were observed with 15 (17%) of 90 S. intermedius isolates from dogs and 39 (95%) of 41 S. hyicus isolates from pigs. Binding activities were not detected with S. hyicus isolates from cows. The IgG binding proteins of 2 S. intermedius, 2 S. hyicus, and protein A from S. aureus Cowan I were isolated from their cell surfaces. The proteins precipitated with IgG preparations from human, rabbit, pig, dog and horse, but not with IgG from cow, mouse and chicken. This indicated that these IgG binding proteins could be classified as type I receptors. In addition, the isolated proteins from all 3 staphylococcal species precipitated with polyclonal chicken anti-protein A antiserum. SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and gel isoelectric focussing of the proteins revealed numerous bands in the 42,000 D range and acid isoelectric points. The isoelectric point of the isolated proteins from both S. intermedius cultures was slightly more acidic than those from S. hyicus and S. aureus. The present results indicate a close functional and antigenic similarity, if not identity, between IgG binding proteins of S. intermedius and S. hyicus, and protein A of S. aureus.     

The radiologic differential diagnosis in girth increase of the gastric cavity and the body in lizards (Squamata: Sauria)]

The extended girth is one of the few important and obvious symptoms in lizards (Sauria). Radiological examination proved to be the most important method in the clinical diagnostic procedure. Standard and contrast images using oral and cloacal application of barium sulphate or iodophoric contrast media were frequently indicated. Based on 442 X-rays from 162 lizards out of 20 genus the significant radiological, physiological and pathological findings are described. Frequent findings were dystocia in oviparous and viviparous lizards (18.5%), gastritis and enteritis (12.3%), ascites (9.3%), fractures of the spine and osteodystrophia (9.3%), obstipation (6.2%), foreign bodies (4.9%), neoplasia (4.3%) and enteroliths (4.3%). Pneumonia (3.7%), was as frequent as the physiological lung tympany (3.7%). Pregnancy was the most frequent physiological finding (8%). The radiological findings, are described in detail, especially in regard to differentiation between physiological and pathological conditions.