Use of lupin,Lupinus perennis,mango, Mangifera indica,and stinging nettle,Urtica dioica,as feed additives to prevent Aeromonas hydrophila infection in rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

Feeding rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), with 1% lupin, Lupinus perennis, mango, Mangifera indica, or stinging nettle, Urtica dioica, for 14 days led to reductions in mortality after challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila. In addition, there was significant enhancement in serum bactericidal activity, respiratory burst and lysozyme activity in the treatment groups compared to the controls. Use of lupin and mango led to the highest number of red blood and white blood cells in recipient fish, with use of stinging nettle leading to the highest haematocrit and haemoglobin values; the highest value of mean corpuscular volume and haemoglobin was in the control groups and those fed with stinging nettle.     

Interactive effects of biochar and polyacrylamide on decomposition of maize rhizodeposits: implications from <Superscript>14</Superscript>C labeling and microbial metabolic quotient

Purpose

The applications of biochar (BC) and polyacrylamide (PAM) may have interactive effects on carbon (C) dynamics and sequestration for improving the soil quality and achieving sustainable agriculture. Relative to BC and PAM, rhizodeposits act as C and energy source for microorganisms and may change the mineralization dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM). No attempt has been made to assess the effects of BC, anionic PAM, or their combination on the decomposition of different aged ¹⁴C-labeled rhizodeposits. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the treatments mentioned above on the decomposition of different aged ¹⁴C-labeled maize rhizodeposits.

Materials and methods

biochar (BC) at 10 Mg ha^?1 or anionic PAM at 80 kg ha^?1 or their combination (BC + PAM) was applied to soils with/without 2-, 4-, 8-, and 16-day-aged ¹⁴C-labeled maize rhizodeposits. After that, the soil was incubated at 22 °C for 46 days.

Results and discussion

After 2 days of incubation, the total CO₂ efflux rates from the soil with rhizodeposits were 1.4–1.8 times higher than those from the soil without rhizodeposits. The cumulative ¹⁴CO₂ efflux (32 % of the ¹⁴C input) was maximal for the soil containing 2-day-aged ¹⁴C-labeled rhizodeposits. Consequently, 2-day-aged rhizodeposits were more easily and rapidly decomposed than the older rhizodeposits. However, no differences in the total respired ¹⁴CO₂ from rhizodeposits were observed at the end of the incubation. Incorporation of ¹⁴C into microbial biomass and 66–85 % of the ¹⁴C input remained in the soil after 46 days indicated that neither the age of ¹⁴C-labeled rhizodeposits nor BC, PAM, or BC + PAM changed microbial utilization of rhizodeposits.

Conclusions

Applying BC or BC + PAM to soil exerted only minor effects on the decomposition of rhizodeposits. The contribution of rhizodeposits to CO₂ efflux from soil and MBC depends on their age as young rhizodeposits contain more labile C, which is easily available for microbial uptake and utilization.

     

Differential replication properties among H9N2 avian influenza viruses of Eurasian origin

Avian influenza H9N2 viruses have become panzootic in Eurasia causing respiratory manifestations, great economic losses and occasionally being transmitted to humans. To evaluate the replication properties and compare the different virus quantification methods, four Eurasian H9N2 viruses from different geographical origins were propagated in embryonated chicken egg (ECE) and Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cell systems. The ECE-grown and cell culture-grown viruses were monitored for replication kinetics based on tissue culture infectious dose (TCID₅₀), Hemagglutination (HA) test and quantitative real time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). The cellular morphology was analyzed using immunofluorescence (IF) and cellular ELISA was used to screen the sensitivity of the viruses to amantadine. The Eurasian wild type-H9N2 virus produced lower titers compared to the three G1-H9N2 viruses at respective time points. Detectable titers were observed earliest at 16 h post inoculation (hpi), significant morphological changes on cells were first observed at 32 hpi. Few nucleotide and amino acid substitutions were noticed in the HA, NA and NS gene sequences but none of them are related to the known conserved region that can alter pathogenesis or virulence following a single passage in cell culture. All studied H9N2 viruses were sensitive to amantadine. The G1-H9N2 viruses have higher replication capabilities compared to the European wild bird-H9N2 probably due to their specific genetic constitutions which is prerequisite for a successful vaccine candidate. Both the ECE and MDCK cell system allowed efficient replication but the ECE system is considered as the better cultivation system for H9N2 viruses in order to get maximum amounts of virus within a short time period.     

5-Aminolevulinc acid increases tree yield and improves fruit quality of ‘Rabia’ and ‘Sukkariat-Yanbo’ date palm cultivars under hot arid climate

Date palms growing in hot arid regions are generally facing several kinds of environmental stresses which limit tree growth and productivity and negatively affect fruit quality. During 2009 and 2010 seasons, the effects of 5-aminolevulininc acid (5-ALA) application at different rates on yield, fruit quality, pigment contents and nutrient uptake of ‘Rabia’ and ‘Sukkariat-Yanbo’ date palm cultivars were studied. In both cultivars, the application of 5-ALA significantly increased bunch weight and yield per tree compared to control. The highest bunch weight and yield per tree was achieved by 5-ALA at 200 ppm followed by 250 ppm applied on both fruit bunches and leaves. These were reflected on higher fruit and flesh weight and fruit length, at the bisir and rutab stages. However, the application of 5-ALA at 250 ppm only on fruit bunches without leaves significantly increased bunch weight and yield per tree compared to control only in ‘Sukkariat-Yanbo’ but not in ‘Rabia’ cultivar. There were significant interaction effects between treatments and seasons on bunch weight and yield in ‘Rabia’ but not in ‘Sukkariat-Yanbo’ cultivar. The rutab % was not significantly affected by any of the applied treatments and it was higher in 2009 than in 2010 season in ‘Rabia’, however, the opposite was true in ‘Sukkariat-Yanbo’ cultivar. Most of the physical parameters of fruit quality at both the bisir and rutab stages were significantly improved in both cultivars by 5-ALA application compared to control, in contrast to the biochemical parameters that were not affected. In both cultivars, chlorophyll a concentration significantly increased by 5-ALA application especially at 200 and 250 ppm on both leaves and fruits compared to control. While chlorophyll b concentration was not significantly affected by the 5-ALA application, total chlorophyll concentration was significantly higher at 250 ppm 5-ALA application than control in both cultivars. There were no significant differences among the different rates of 5-ALA application. Chlorophyll a/b ratio was not significantly affected by 5-ALA application compared to control. The concentrations of N, P and K in the leaves of both cultivars were not significantly affected by the 5-ALA application compared to control. It was concluded that 5-ALA application has promotive effects on yield, fruit quality and chlorophyll concentration of both ‘Rabia’ and ‘Sukkariat-Yanbo’ date palms under hot arid climate.     

Screening for the Mucopolysaccharidosis-IIIA gene in Huntaway dogs

Abstract

Extract

A single case of the inherited lysosomal storage disease known as mucopolysaccharidosis-IIIA (MPS-IIIA), due to a deficiency of the enzyme heparan sulphatase, was reported in an 18-month-old male Huntaway dog (Jolly et al 2000 Jolly, RD, Allan, FJ, Collett, MG, Rozaklis, T, Muller, VJ and Hopwood, JJ. 2000. Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA (Sanfilippo syndrome) in a New Zealand Huntaway dog with ataxia. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 48: 144–148. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). He had developed normally but when presented with a history of progressive ataxia over the preceding month, had a high stepping, prancing gait and difficulty in jumping into a utility vehicle. In addition, he had started to defaecate in his kennel. Following diagnosis of the enzyme deficiency, the mutant heparan sulphatase gene was sequenced and a PCR/restriction enzyme diagnostic test developed, based on the mutation. This is capable of detecting both homozygous and heterozygous individuals (Yogalingam et al 2000 Yogalingam, G, Pollard, T, Gliddon, B, Jolly, RD and Hopwood, JJ. 2001. Identification of a mutation causing mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA in New Zealand Huntaway dogs. Genomics, 79: 150–153.  [Google Scholar]).     

Polycystic kidney disease in lambs in New Zealand

Extract

A lethal congenital polycystic kidney disease (PCKD) has been known in lambs in New Zealand for more than 50 years and assumed to be genetic in origin. We have studied this in lambs from an experimental mating in a flock experiencing an outbreak the previous year. Two Perendale rams identified by DNA profiling (SignaGen) as sires of PCKD lambs were each mated to the other's daughters. From 71 such matings, 10 ewes gave birth to 15 PCKD lambs of both sexes. The results are in accord with those expected for a recessive autosomal trait. All lambs were dead or died shortly after birth. Their abdomens were distended by enlarged kidneys 40–140 mm in length. Their cut surface showed a multitude of cystic spaces 1–5 mm in diameter in both the cortex and medulla. Livers of affected lambs showed complex tubular and cystic patterns of bile ducts containing bile, and supported by an excess of fibrous tissue. Cystic changes also occurred in the pancreas and salivary glands.     

Re: Porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome in New Zealand

Extract

We wish to record the source of Figures 1a and 2 from the report “Porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome in New Zealand” published in the New Zealand Veterinary Journal 56, 94–99, 2008. These images were kindly provided by AF Julian from Gribbles Veterinary, Hamilton, New Zealand, and illustrate the gross cutaneous and renal lesions that were typical of those seen in pigs in the reported disease outbreak. The images were obtained from a pig with porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome submitted by one of the authors (DEBL) from a similar outbreak of the disease that was examined by Gribbles Veterinary, Hamilton. The failure to properly acknowledge this contribution is regretted.     

Cooled Storage of Canine Semen: in vitro Effects of Different Concentrations of an Antibiotic Combination on Growth of Mollicutes

The aim of this study was to examine effects of an antibiotic combination at different concentrations on growth of mycoplasma and ureaplasma during cooled storage of canine semen (n = 20). Semen aliquots were diluted with Tris–citric acid–fructose–egg yolk extender containing either 1.0 g/l streptomycin and 0.6 g/l benzylpenicillin (control) or a combination of gentamycin, tylosin, lincomycin and spectinomycin (GTLS‐1: 0.25, 0.05, 0.15 and 0.3; GTLS‐2: 0.5, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.6; GTLS‐3: 1.0, 0.2, 0.6 and 1.2 g/l). Samples were assessed for motility and membrane integrity by computer‐assisted sperm analysis immediately after dilution and at 24, 48 and 72 h of cooled storage. Morphologically, normal spermatozoa were determined, and bacterial culture was performed at 24 and 72 h. Mycoplasma spp. were detected in 14 of 20 ejaculates (70%) with severe growth in 12 samples. A reduction but not total elimination of mycoplasma growth occurred in all GTLS extenders with the most pronounced reduction in group GTLS‐3 (control vs GTLS‐1 and GTLS‐2 p < 0.05, control vs GTLS‐3 p < 0.001). Ureaplasmas were detected in four ejaculates, and growth was reduced to the same extent in GTLS and control extender. Progressive motility in all groups, total motility in groups GTLS 1–3 and percentage of membrane‐intact spermatozoa in groups GTLS 2 and 3 decreased slightly (p < 0.05) over time. In conclusion, dilution of canine semen with GTLS extender has no major detrimental effects on spermatozoa during cooled storage. It reduced the growth but did not totally eliminate mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas from cooled‐stored dog semen.     

Reproductive Development of Santa Inês Rams During the First Year of Life: Body and Testis Growth,Testosterone Concentrations,Sperm Parameters,Age at Puberty and Seminal Plasma Proteins

We have investigated the reproductive development of the tropically adapted Santa Inês ram, the most common hair sheep in Brazil. From 8 to 48 weeks of age, 16 animals were evaluated for body and testis growth, semen parameters, testosterone concentrations and seminal plasma proteins, using two‐dimensional SDS‐PAGE. Animals were weaned at 30 days and kept in feedlots thereafter, receiving hay, concentrate (18% of crude protein) and mineral supplement. Body weight increased from 12.3 ± 0.7 to 54.3 ± 1.6 kg between 8 and 48 weeks (p < 0.05), but changes in thoracic perimeter and scrotal circumference were non‐significant after 36 weeks (p > 0.05). The percentage of motile sperm increased slowly until 23 weeks and more rapidly after that age, but significant changes in progressive motility occurred after 25 weeks. Presence of abnormal sperm related inversely to age. Most significant changes in sperm concentration occurred between 38 and 44 weeks (0.38 ± 0.05 to 1.14 ± 0.24 × 10⁹ cells/ml, p < 0.05) and testosterone reached its highest concentrations at 42 weeks, decreasing afterwards. Rams reached puberty at 28.2 ± 0.8 weeks. The number of protein spots on seminal plasma gels was similar from 15 to 18 weeks (45 and 47 spots; p > 0.05), increased until 24 weeks (141 spots) and 28 weeks (170 spots; p < 0.05) and remained without significant (p > 0.05) changes from 28 to 48 weeks (186 ± 10 spots). Furthermore, the intensity of selected spots on 2D maps increased (p < 0.05) between 15 and 28 weeks, which preceded or coincided with the main developmental changes in sperm motility and percentage of defective sperm in the ejaculates. These results will support future studies designed to characterize specific seminal plasma proteins whose expression relate to the development of testis, epididymis and accessory sex glands.