Interpopulation and intrapopulation maternal lineage genetics of the Lanyu pig (Sus scrofa) by analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b and control region sequences

The Lanyu pig is an indigenous breed from the Lanyu Islet, which is southeast of Taiwan. Two herds of Lanyu pigs were introduced from the Lanyu Islet into Taiwan in 1975 and 1980. The current population of conserved Lanyu pigs consists of only 44 animals with unknown genetic lineage. The Lanyu pig possesses a distinct maternal genetic lineage remote from Asian and European pigs. The present study aimed to understand the phylogenetic relationship among conserved Lanyu, Asian, and European type pigs based on the cytochrome b coding gene, to ascertain the maternal lineage and genetic diversity within the conserved Lanyu pigs, and to address whether genetic introgression from exotic or Formosan wild pigs had occurred in the conserved Lanyu pigs. Entire mitochondrial genomes of both types of Lanyu pig comprised 2 ribosomal RNA, 22 transfer RNA, and 13 protein-coding genes. Only 2 haplotypes of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and cytochrome b were identified in the conserved Lanyu pig herds. When maximum likelihood trees were constructed, the Type I Lanyu mitochondrial genes formed a unique clade with a large pairwise distance of both cytochrome b and the control region from Asian and European type breeds, Formosan wild pigs, and exotic breeds. Significant loss of genetic diversity of mtDNA within the conserved Lanyu pigs was demonstrated by low haplotype and nucleotide diversities, supported by Fu and Li's D* neutrality test (1.44055; P < 0.05). The mtDNA control region sequences of extant pigs in the Lanyu Islet, however, showed high haplotype and nucleotide diversity, and clustered with exotic pigs. These results indicate no maternal lineage mtD-NA gene introgression from Formosan wild pigs and introduced exotic pigs to conserved Type I Lanyu pigs, and a severe loss of heterozygosity of mtDNA in conserved Lanyu pigs. The remaining extant pigs on the Lanyu Islet have been introgressed with exotic breeds. Strategies for future conservation of native Lanyu pigs are now even more urgent and important.     

A miniature lighted stylet for fast oral endotracheal intubation in rabbits

Efficient oral endotracheal intubation of laboratory animals is a challenging technique in veterinary research. This study introduces a miniaturized lighted stylet for rabbit intubation. An experiment with repeated measures on two factors was used to assess the feasibility and efficacy of this method. The first factor compared stylet intubation vs. laryngoscopic intubation. The second compared three practitioners, one with prior experience and two without. Success rates on the initial attempt were not statistically different (χ² = 2.46, P = 0.12). The time difference between methods was significant (F = 41.007, P < 0.001), although the effect of practitioners was not (F = 1.038, P = 0.365). The mean ± SD of the intubation time, combining results from the three practitioners, was 20.34 ± 17.15 s for the stylet method and 57.58 ± 64.21 s for the laryngoscopic method. The results of this study demonstrate that lighted stylet intubation is efficient, robust, and independent of practitioner experience.     

Metrics for quantifying antimicrobial use in beef feedlots

Accurate antimicrobial drug use data are needed to enlighten discussions regarding the impact of antimicrobial drug use in agriculture. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the perceived accuracy and clarity of different methods for reporting antimicrobial drug use information collected regarding beef feedlots. Producers, veterinarians, industry representatives, public health officials, and other knowledgeable beef industry leaders were invited to complete a web-based survey. A total of 156 participants in 33 US states, 4 Canadian provinces, and 8 other countries completed the survey. No single metric was considered universally optimal for all use circumstances or for all audiences. To effectively communicate antimicrobial drug use data, evaluation of the target audience is critical to presenting the information. Metrics that are most accurate need to be carefully and repeatedly explained to the audience.     

Progesterone production in mares and echographic evaluation of the corpora lutea formed after follicular aspiration

Ultrasound‐guided follicular aspiration was performed in 26 Criollo crossbred mares, followed by the evaluation of ultrasonographic images of the Corpus luteum (CL) that was formed after puncture of follicles of different diameters (Group 25–29 mm; Group 30–35 mm and Group >35 mm). Serum progesterone (P₄) concentrations were measured to determine CL function. The size of the CL was measured and the CL was classified based on the following echoscore: 1– anechoic tissue; 2– poorly defined luteal structure with low echogenicity; 3– echogenicity analogous to a luteal structure. The proportion of aspirated follicles that formed a functional CL (based on P₄ concentration) 8 days after aspiration was 57.1% (4/7; CL size 25–29 mm), 75.0% (6/8; CL size 30–35 mm) and 72.7% (8/11; CL size >35 mm), respectively (p > 0.05). The echographic scores of aspirated follicles (indicating the presence or absence of a CL) were consistent with serum P₄ concentrations (p < 0.0001). Of 26 aspirations, 18 resulted in luteal function confirmed by increased progesterone concentrations ([P₄] > 1.0 ng/ml); 17 of these mares (94.4%) had an echoscore (2–3) compatible with luteinization (p = 0.0372). Eight days after aspiration, serum [P₄] > 2.0 ng/ml was associated with high (p = 0.0056) CL echoscore (3) in 15 of 17 mares (88.2%). The echoscore used in this study was valuable as a screening test to detect the presence of a functional CL after aspiration. An echoscore of 3 served as a practical and efficient method to confirm luteinization.     

Gender, age, breed and distribution of morbidity and mortality in insured dogs in Sweden during 1995 and 1996

More than 200,000 dogs insured by one Swedish company at the beginning of either 1995 or 1996 were included in a retrospective, cross-sectional study. They could be covered for veterinary care at any age, but were eligible for life insurance only up to 10 years of age. Accessions for veterinary care that exceeded the deductible cost were used to calculate the risk of morbidity. The morbidity and mortality data have been stratified by gender, age, breed, location and human population density. In each year, 13 per cent of the dogs experienced at least one veterinary care event and the mortality risk was 3.0 per cent. The risk of morbidity varied with age, gender, breed, and location. The risk of mortality increased principally with age. It was possible to derive population-based risks of morbidity and mortality from these insurance data.     

Infection of the subcutis and skin of cats with rapidly growing mycobacteria: a review of microbiological and clinical findings.

Mycobacteria were isolated and characterised from 49 cats with extensive infections of the subcutis and skin. Cats were generally between 3 and 10 years of age, and female cats were markedly over-represented. All isolates were rapid-growers and identified as either Mycobacteria smegmatis (40 strains) or M fortuitum (nine strains). On the basis of Etest for minimum inhibitory concentration and/or disc diffusion susceptibility testing, all strains of M smegmatis were susceptible to trimethoprim while all strains of M fortuitum were resistant. M smegmatis strains were typically susceptible to doxycycline, gentamicin and fluoroquinolones but not clarithromycin. All M fortuitum strains were susceptible to fluoroquinolones, and often also susceptible to gentamicin, doxycycline and clarithromycin. Generally, M smegmatis strains were more susceptible to antimicrobial agents than M fortuitum strains. Treatment of mycobacterial panniculitis involves long courses of antimicrobial agents, typically of 3-6 months, chosen on the basis of in vitro susceptibility testing and often combined with extensive surgical debridement and wound reconstruction. These therapies will result in effective cure of the disease. One or a combination of doxycycline, ciprofloxacin/enrofloxacin or clarithromycin are the drugs of choice for long-term oral therapy.     

Pharmacokinetic Behaviour of Albendazole Sulphoxide Enantiomers in Male and Female Sheep

Benzimidazole anthelmintic drugs are widely used in veterinary practice. Albendazole sulphoxide (ABZSO) is a benzimidazole drug with two enantiomers, as a consequence of a chiral centre in the sulphoxide group. The kinetics of these enantiomers were studied in male and female sheep. Plasma samples were obtained from the animals between 0.5 and 72 h after oral administration of 7.5 mg/kg of a racemic formulation of ABZSO (total-ABZSO). After a liquid–liquid extraction, the samples were analysed by HPLC to determine the concentrations of total-ABZSO and of the sulphone metabolite (ABZSO₂). During the chromatographic analysis, the ABZSO peak was collected and reanalysed by an HPLC technique using a Chiral AGP column to quantify the enantiomeric proportion therein. After kinetic analysis, the AUCs obtained for the (+)-ABZSO were 5.8 and 4.0 times higher than those for the (–)-ABZSO in male and female animals, respectively. The mean residence times were 23.4 and 16.1 h for (+)-ABZSO and 22.2 and 17.4 h for (–)-ABZSO for male and female animals, respectively. The only significant difference between the sexes (p<0.05) was in the T _max of the (–)-ABZSO. Comparing both enantiomers within each sex, significant differences were found in all the kinetic parameters. Finally, no kinetic differences were found between sex for total-ABZSO or ABZSO₂.