Pathological investigations of pigs with porcine multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS)

Extract

Pathological changes and immunohistochemical (IHC) examination for porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2) in nine weaner pigs from a property with PMWS are reported. The pigs were in moderate to poor body condition, and several had diarrhoea and noisy respiration. The outstanding pathological changes related to microscopic lesions in lymphoid tissues, including lymph nodes, palatine tonsils, Peyer's patches, peribronchial lymphoid aggregates and spleen. While there was variability of expression of change between and within cases, the main features of lesions could be summarised as depletion of lymphoid cells, infiltration of histiocytes (often syncytial), and the presence of botryoid intra-cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in macrophages. The changes in lymphoid tissue were typical of those described in PMWS. Also characteristic of this syndrome were histiocyte-dominated cellular inflammatory infiltrates in kidney, liver and lung. There was strong correlation between IHC positivity for PCV-2 and the lesions in lymphoid, pulmonary and renal tissues. Concurrent diseases that are probably promoted by immune suppression may complicate the diagnosis of PMWS. In the present cases, salmonellosis, attaching and effacing Escherichia coli infections, and secondary bacterial bronchopneumonia were identified.     

Comparative evaluation of the fertilizer value of human urine, cow manure and their mix for the production of carp fingerlings in small holding tanks

Advanced fry of Indian carps and post-larvae of freshwater prawn were reared for 120?days in 18 small holding tanks using each treatment in triplicate as: (a) non-aerated and (b) aerated fresh human urine (0.01%), (c) cow manure (1.8?kg tank^?1), mixed treatment with cow manure and human urine under (d) iso-phosphorus and (e) iso-nitrogenous conditions and (f) control. Examination of water quality, primary productivity of phytoplankton, plankton and fish growth from different treatments revealed that the total fish yield was maximum in the cow manure treatment (621.5?g?tank^?1) followed by the mixed treatments under iso-nitrogenous (428?g?tank^?1) and iso-phosphorus (333?g?tank^?1) conditions. Fish yield in different treatments was the direct function of the gross and net primary productivity of phytoplankton which, in turn, were directly related to the concentrations of nitrate and phosphate levels of water as well as their ratios in different treatments employed.     

CASE REPORT AND CLINICAL REVIEW: Acute lameness associated with osseous metastasis of a peri-renal carcinoma in a horse

We present a case of aggressive metastatic carcinoma in a horse that was initially presented for shoulder lameness. Although radiography and scintigraphy were useful for localising a lesion in the proximal humerus, subsequent development of non-specific signs of systemic disease prompted further evaluation. Haematology and blood biochemistry, urinalysis and ultrasonography were all instrumental in identifying renal involvement. A diagnosis of a peri-renal mass causing secondary renal failure prompted euthanasia of the horse because of the poor prognosis. Antemortem findings were supported by necropsy, with secondary lesions also identified in the spleen, liver, 8th left rib and proximal humerus. Histological examination yielded a diagnosis of undifferentiated metastatic carcinoma.     

Effects of FGF10 on Bovine Oocyte Meiosis Progression,Apoptosis, Embryo Development and Relative Abundance of Developmentally Important Genes In Vitro

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF10) acts at the cumulus oocyte complex, increasing the expression of cumulus cell expansion‐related genes and oocyte competency genes. We tested the hypothesis that addition of FGF10 to the maturation medium improves oocyte maturation, decreases the percentage of apoptotic oocytes and increases development to the blastocyst stage while increasing the relative abundance of developmentally important genes (COX2, CDX2 and PLAC8). In all experiments, oocytes were matured for 22 h in TCM‐199 supplemented with 0, 2.5, 10 or 50 ng/ml FGF10. In Experiment 1, after maturation, oocytes were stained with Hoechst to evaluate meiosis progression (metaphase I, intermediary phases and extrusion of the first polar body) and submitted to the TUNEL assay to evaluate apoptosis. In Experiment 2, oocytes were fertilized and cultured to the blastocyst stage. Blastocysts were frozen for analysis of COX2, CDX2 and PLAC8 relative abundance. In Experiment 1, 2.5 ng/ml FGF10 increased (p < 0.05) the percentage of oocytes with extrusion of the first polar body (35%) compared to 0, 10 and 50 ng/ml FGF10 (21, 14 and 12%, respectively) and FGF10 decreased the percentage of oocytes that were TUNEL positive in all doses studied. In Experiment 2, there was no difference in the percentage of oocytes becoming blastocysts between treatments and control. Real‐time RT‐PCR showed a tendency of 50 ng/ml FGF10 to increase the relative abundance of COX2 and PLAC8 and of 10 ng/ml FGF10 to increase CDX2. In conclusion, the addition of FGF10 to the oocyte maturation medium improves oocyte maturation in vitro, decreases the percentage of apoptotic oocytes and tends to increase the relative abundance of developmentally important genes.     

Screening of pea germplasm for resistance to powdery mildew

Powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe pisi DC results heavy losses in the yield and quality of pods and seeds of pea crop. Germplasm comprising 701 accessions of garden and field pea originating from 60 countries were screened for powdery mildew resistance under natural epiphytotic conditions and 64 accessions found resistant in field screening for 2?years at one location were further screened both in field at two locations and artificially in laboratory to four isolates. The information was also obtained on the amount of genetic diversity and agronomic superiority in resistant accessions. Fifty-seven accessions showed resistant reaction for 3 consecutive years in field screening but only 14 accessions originating from 10 countries showed resistant reaction in laboratory screening against the four most prevalent isolates of E. pisi collected from different places in the area of experiment. Germplasm lines showed both complete and incomplete levels of resistance and variable reactions to different isolates. There was sufficient genetic diversity and agronomic superiority in the resistant accessions e.g. EC598655, EC598878, EC598704, IC278261, and IC218988, which may serve as useful genetic material to plant breeders for breeding pea varieties for powdery mildew resistance and high yield.     

Effects of Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone Administration on the Pituitary-Ovarian Axis in Anoestrous vs Ovariectomized Bitches

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) administration on the plasma concentrations of reproductive hormones in intact and ovariectomized (OVX) bitches. Therefore, blood samples were collected at multiple times before and after the administration of 10 microg/kg GnRH (Fertagyl)) for the determination of the plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone in six anoestrus and in six OVX bitches. The mean plasma LH concentrations before and 60 min after GnRH administration were significantly lower in the anoestrous bitches than in the OVX bitches. In both groups GnRH administration resulted in a significant increase in the plasma LH concentration. The highest plasma LH concentrations were found at 10 min after GnRH administration and these values did not differ significantly between the two groups. Only in the anoestrous bitches a significant increase in plasma oestradiol concentrations was found after GnRH administration and these values were significantly higher than those in the OVX bitches. The plasma concentrations of progesterone and testosterone were low (close to or below the limit of quantitation) both before and after GnRH administration and the differences between anoestrous and OVX bitches were not significant. It can be concluded that (i) basal plasma LH concentration is significantly higher in OVX bitches than in anoestrous bitches, (ii) plasma LH concentration increases after GnRH administration in both anoestrous and OVX bitches, (iii) GnRH administration causes a significant rise in plasma oestradiol concentration only if ovarian tissue is present and (iv) measurement of plasma progesterone and testosterone concentrations before and after GnRH administration does not aid in distinguishing between anoestrous and OVX bitches. The results of this study may provide a basis for the diagnosis of remnant ovarian tissue and verification of neuter status in the bitch.     

Screening techniques and sources of tolerance to salinity and mineral nutrient imbalances in cool season food legumes

A large global land area is affected by saline, alkali (sodic), and acid soil conditions. Cool season food legumes are important crops in many countries with such adverse soils. Tolerant genotypes have been identified in many crops, including legumes. However, very little has been published on selection of tolerant cool season food legume crops. The inadequate knowledge and understanding of the responses of cool season food legume crops to these abiotic stresses, necessitates action by a collaborative network of interdisciplinary teams to make rapid progress in identifying tolerant germplasm and developing cultivars better adapted to unfavorable soil conditions.     

The use of risk aversion in plant breeding; Concept and application

Summary Variance analysis is used to measure stability (inter-temporal) and adaptability (over space) components of variance with multilocation-multiyear sorghum yield data from India. Adaptability and stability were highly correlated. Only the stability component is relevant for farmers in their adoption decision. Measures of farmer's risk aversion are used to rank genotypes according to preferences which take account both of yield and stability. Since yield differences were large and risk aversion moderate, preference based rankings did not differ markedly from yield based rankings.