Kanamycin concentrations in synovial fluid after intramuscular administration in the horse

SUMMARY Six adult ponies were injected in the same intramuscular site with kanamycin sulphate (10 mg/kg). Two hours later, arthrocenteses of the right metacarpophalangeal, radio-carpal, intercarpal, tibio-tarsal and metatarsophalangeal joints were performed within 3 minutes. Arthrocenteses of the same joints on the left side were conducted 5 hours later. When expressed as a percentage of plasma drug concentration, differences in synovial fluid drug concentration between the joints sampled at 2 and 5 hours after injection were not detected.     

Analysis of properdin (BF) genotypes associated with litter size in a commercial pig cross population

Properdin (BF) was investigated as a candidate gene influencing litter size in a commercial pig cross population. The BF gene was chosen because of its integral role in influencing uterine epithelium growth and because several quantitative trait loci (QTL) with impact on reproductive traits have been detected near the centromere of porcine chromosome 7. A total of 123 F₂ (Large White × Landrace) × Leicoma sows were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) method. The sows were divided into two extreme performance groups, one with a high litter size (n = 61, ≥14.3 piglets per litter) and the other with a low litter size (n = 62, ≤11.3 piglets per litter). Although genotype and allele frequencies were uneven with 2.4% (AA), 16.3% (AB), 81.3% (BB) and 0.11 (A): 0.89 (B), the allele A was the unfavourable one, leading to less offspring. With regard to the level of significance at p < 0.05, the total number of born (TNB) and number of born alive (NBA) piglets were associated with BF genotypes. The genotype AA led to 10.55 TNB and 10.00 NBA, whereas the genotype BB led to 13.19 TNB and 12.11 NBA. The genotype AB was intermediate. In future, a systematic mating test is necessary in order to obtain more balanced genotype frequencies. Furthermore, it should be taken into consideration that the investigated polymorphism is located in an intronic region and the causative mutation is not clear yet.     

Detection of novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CYP21 gene and association analysis of two SNPs for CYP21 and ESR2 with litter size in a commercial sow population

Altogether 129 F₁ sows from a commercial sow farm with at least four litters were genotyped for the oestrogen receptor 2 gene (ESR2) and cytochrome P450 hydroxylase 21 gene (CYP21) and investigated for associations on the litter‐size parameters: total number born and number born alive. Five novel polymorphisms were found in the 3′‐untranslated region for the CYP21 gene. Genotype and allele frequencies for the CYP21 (position 3462G > A) single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) were 0.434 (GG), 0.504 (AG), 0.062 (AA) and 0.69 (G):0.31 (A), respectively. No association was found between this polymorphism and litter‐size parameters. For the ESR2 gene, the SNP in exon 5 associated with an amino acid substitution MET (allele A) > VAL (allele G) was investigated. Only two genotypes were found leading to allele frequencies of 0.34 (A):0.66 (G). Only number born alive piglets were significantly increased for the AG genotype (p = 0.034) with 11.64 piglets per sow and litter in comparison with the GG genotype, leading to only 10.96 piglets per sow and litter. From these data, it can be concluded that the investigated SNP of the ESR2 gene is associated with the number of liveborn piglets in the commercial population considered, and hence could be useful in selection for litter size. Therefore, this gene should be investigated in additional populations.     

Engineering of a broad specificity antibody for simultaneous detection of 13 sulfonamides at the maximum residue level

Sulfa antibiotics (sulfonamides) are a group of molecules sharing the p-aminobenzenesulfonamide moiety. Sulfonamides are used in veterinary and human medicine. Sometimes, the meat or milk of medicated animals is contaminated with residual sulfonamides. Current analytical methods for sulfonamides are unfit for screening of food, because they are either too laborious, insensitive, or specific for a few sulfa compounds only. A rapid immunoassay for detection of all sulfas in a single reaction would thus be useful. Previously, we used protein engineering to improve the broad specificity of sulfa antibody 27G3. In this study, we improved the best mutant of the previous studies with site-directed mutagenesis. The new mutants recognized different sulfonamides with affinities sufficient for detection of all 13 tested sulfonamides below the MRL level. We furthermore demonstrated the functionality of one mutant in some real sample matrices.     

Pharmacokinetics of carprofen and firocoxib for medication control in racing greyhounds

Animals used in sport should be treated as required to ensure animal welfare but any such use of medication should also be controlled to ensure integrity. Pharmacokinetic studies on groups of six greyhounds were performed to measure plasma and urine levels of carprofen and firocoxib to inform medication control advice. Using the standard methodology for medication control the Irrelevant Plasma Concentration was determined as 20 and 2 ng/mL for carprofen and firocoxib, respectively. The Irrelevant Urine Concentration was also determined as 0.3 and 2 ng/mL for carprofen and firocoxib, respectively. These Irrelevant Plasma and Urine Concentrations will allow laboratory Screening Limits, Detection Times and Withdrawal Time advice to be determined and publicised by regulators of greyhound racing. The Screening Limits will also inform Recommended Limits of Detection if meat-containing residues of these medications are fed to greyhounds.     

Epidemiological enquiries in two Q fever outbreaks in a community of Baden-Württemberg during 2008 and 2009

In 2008 and 2009, two consecutive outbreaks of Q fever in humans were recorded in the district of Freudenstadt, northern Black Forrest, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In 2008, a total of 41 persons from a single local community fell ill and were found infected with Coxiella burnetii. Although comprehensive diagnostic and epidemiological outbreak investigations were conducted and control measures taken which included vaccination of ruminants at risk in three parts of the affected community, re-occurrence of the disease in 2009 with further 29 confirmed human Q fever cases could not be prevented. While the origin of infection of the first outbreak was probably a flock of 550 sheep moved in the surrounding of the affected villages, the source of infection for the consecutive outbreak in 2009 could not be identified. It seems possible that meadows contaminated with infectious placenta or birth fluids represented the sources of infection.     

Musculoskeletal responses of 2-year-old Thoroughbred horses to early training. 6. Bone parameters in the third metacarpal and third metatarsal bones

AIM: To determine the effect of a known training regimen on the size and mineral content of the third metacarpal (Mc3) and third metatarsal (Mt3) bones of 2-year-old Thoroughbred horses trained on racetracks.

METHODS: Mc3 and Mt3 of seven horses trained on grass and sand tracks were scanned at several sites using conventional quantitative and peripheral computed tomography (CT). Bone dimensions and density in the diaphysis and epiphysis were compared with those from seven untrained horses. Calcein label was injected in two clusters, during Weeks 9 and 12. The extent and rate of diaphyseal modelling was determined by confocal fl uorescent microscopic examination of thin plane parallel sections of the mid-metacarpal region.

RESULTS: Volumetric bone mineral density (BMDv) of the epiphysis was markedly higher and of the diaphysis was slightly higher in trained compared with untrained horses, but greater bone size in the trained horses had the greatest effect on an index of bone strength. Active osteons, defined as Haversian systems containing calcein label, were fewer, of smaller diameter at the time of calcein injection, and had a greater bone apposition rate in trained than in untrained horses.

CONCLUSIONS: Conventional training of 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses over a 13-week period had a significant effect on bone size, density and strength index when compared to untrained horses.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bone responded rapidly to early training. The data provide reference values and sites for use in longitudinal studies of commercial training regimens.     

Susceptibility of mulesing wounds to oviposition and strike development by the Australian sheep blowfly Lucilia caprina

The age and/or physical condition of mulesing wounds had a significant effect on both the oviposition response of L. cuprina and the ability of the wound to support a strike. Up to 48 h after mulesing, untreated wounds elicited a strong oviposition response in contrast with chemically treated wounds, although subsequent larval development was negligible. Seven to 9-day-old wounds, however, regardless of the wound treatment, were highly attractive oviposition sites, which subsequently developed into strikes; the D3 formulation of Defiance*S, however, significantly depressed strike development and shows promise as a mules wound treatment. A marked improvement in the wound healing 14 to 16 d after mulesing coincided with a significant decrease in oviposition. Only those sheep whose wound scabs remained broken, exposing pus and raw tissue, attracted oviposition; subsequent development of the eggs into strikes was negligible.