Bluetongue virus infection in sheep: haematological changes and detection by polymerase chain reaction

SUMMARY Eight sheep vaccinated with 10⁶ pfu of attenuated Australian bluetongue virus serotype 23 (BTV-free sheep were challenged with virulent BTV 23. There was little subsequent variation in the mean clinical score, or in the mean lymphocyte and platelet concentrations in the peripheral blood of the eight vaccinated sheep. There was a marked thrombocytopenia and lymphopenia in the naive sheep as the mean lymphocyte and platelet concentrations fell to a minimum at days 8 and 11 after inoculation, respectively. Similar changes were observed in three other naive sheep inoculated with field isolates of BTV 1, 9 or 23. BTV was detected by nested polymerase chain reaction in whole blood of these sheep between days 6 and 28, in mononuclear leukocytes between days 3 and 14, and in platelets between days 6 and 21.     

Isolation and genetic characterization of Acidovorax avenae from red stripe infected sugarcane in Northwestern Argentina

Red stripe is a bacterial disease of sugarcane causing important economic losses in Argentina that affects 30 % of the milling stems and consequently the juice quality. In this study, sugarcane leaves exhibiting red stripe symptoms were sampled in the 2008–09 growing season from 13 different sugarcane producing areas of Tucumán and Salta (northwest of Argentina). To achieve the identification and characterization of the causal agent of red stripe, bacterial isolation was performed. Species-specific PCR using Oaf1/Oar1 primers allowed the amplification of a fragment of 550 bp from approximately 50 % of the isolates; 16S rDNA sequences analysis displayed a similarity greater than 99 % with Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae. By means of RAPD-PCR the presence of at least four different biotypes among the analyzed isolates was detected. Results of pathogenicity test allowed us to confirm A. avenae subsp. avenae as the pathogenic agent for red stripe. This study constitutes the first report on the identification and molecular characterization of this plant pathogen from the Argentina sugarcane production areas. The genetic diversity observed among A. avenae is an important factor to be considered to improve an accurate diagnosis and/or the selection of sugarcane tolerant clones.     

DDGS和酵母培养物对奶牛生产性能和乳成分的影响

选择16头泌乳天数为127±52d经产荷斯坦泌乳牛用于评价酵母培养物(达农威益康XP)和玉米酒糟及其可溶物(DDGS)在试验日粮中含有限草料纤维数量(草料中的中性洗涤纤维含量为19.3%,干物质基础)之情况下对产奶量和乳成分的影响及其它们之间的互作效应。本次试验采用4重复4×4拉丁方设计,试验时间为4个星期。处理组均按照2×2因子排列而设定,其中:1)日粮中不含酵母培养物和DDGS(对照组);2)日粮中含有20%DDGS,无酵母培养物(DDGS组);3)日粮中含有60g/d的酵母培养物益康XP(XP组);4)日粮中含有20%DDGS和60g/d的益康XP(XP+DDGS组)。本次试验结果表明:各处理组之间对奶牛体重和体况评分无显著的影响。日粮的处理并不影响干物质采食量(DMI),在使用草料纤维含量较低且添加20%DDGS的日粮情况下乳脂率会降低。添加益康XP的确能够提高产奶量及乳蛋白产量,但却不能够完全阻止因DDGS所造成的乳脂率下降的趋势。无论日粮中是否含有DDGS,益康XP都能够提高奶牛的生产性能。     

A survey of owners' perceptions of fear of fireworks in a sample of dogs and cats in New Zealand

Abstract

AIMS: To establish reliable information regarding the behavioural responses of dogs and cats to fireworks in New Zealand; record interventions used by owners, and their perceived efficacies; and establish the prevalence of firework-related injury, and quantify owners' attitudes towards fireworks.

METHODS: A questionnaire targeting dog and cat owners was distributed via the Auckland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Animals Voice magazine and 25 veterinary clinics. The questionnaire covered demographics of animals, fear of fireworks, severity of the fear, and behaviours exhibited. Also included were treatments tried, source and perceived efficacy, prevalence of injury, and owners' attitudes towards the sale of fireworks for private use.

RESULTS: From a total of 8,966 questionnaires distributed, 1,007 valid questionnaires were returned, representing 3,527 animals. Of these 1,635 (46%) animals displayed a level of fear of fireworks recognisable to their owners. Owners of dogs identified a significantly higher fear response than owners of cats but the duration of these fear responses did not differ between species. Fear of fireworks frequently resulted in dogs exhibiting active fear behaviours, whereas cats were more likely to exhibit hiding and cowering behaviours. A significantly increased severity and duration of fear response over time in dogs and cats was associated with owners who comforted them when they displayed a fearful response. Only 141/890 (15.8%) of owners sought professional treatment from a veterinarian, animal behaviourist or animal trainer for their animals, with variable efficacy. Six percent (51/923) of animals had received physical injuries from fireworks. The majority (837/1,007; 83%) of respondents, regardless of whether they owned a fearful animal or not, supported a ban on the sale of fireworks for private use.

CONCLUSIONS: The results provide valuable information that is, as yet, unsubstantiated in New Zealand, although potential biases exist due to the non-random selection of respondents. Differences between dogs and cats were likely due to differing responses to fear-provoking stimuli between the species. Owner-reported increase in fearful response over time for comforted animals may indicate a negative impact on the longer-term psychological welfare of their animal.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The greater the awareness of effective treatment plans for animals that suffer from a fear of fireworks, the greater the possibility that this fear can be reduced. Wider dissemination of effective owner behaviour and treatment programmes for firework fears is needed to improve levels of professional treatment for dogs and cats.     

Effects of Solanum glaucophyllum toxicity on cell proliferation and apoptosis in the small and large intestine of rabbits

Vitamin D regulates mineral homeostases and enterocyte proliferation and differentiation. Hypervitaminosis D generates changes in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in several organs. We analysed morphometric parameters and proliferative and apoptotic indices in the intestinal epithelium of rabbits with hypervitaminosis D induced by the chronic treatment with the calcinogenic plant Solanum glaucophyllum. Rabbits were treated for 15 or 30 days. A group was treated for 15 days and led to possible recovery for 30 days. Another group was nutritionally restricted for 30 days. Morphological, morphometric, proliferative and apoptotic changes were found in the treated animals. Mild atrophy and reduced proliferation was found in the jejunum and ileum. Apoptosis increased in the crypts of the ileum and in the superficial epithelium and crypts of the rectum. Most of the alterations were partially recovered. The possible involvement in these changes of the hypervitaminosis D-like state induced by S. glaucophyllum is discussed.     

Assessment of Orchidometry and Scrotal Circumference in Coatis (Nasua nasua)

This study describes the morphometry of the testicles of captive coatis (Nasua nasua) and verifies the existence of correlations between the testicles and the semen producing characteristics. Twelve ejaculates were obtained from five adult specimens that were restraint by anaesthesia. Visual and morphometric evaluation of the external genitalia was performed by using a caliper. The animals presented a scrotal circumference of 9.4 ± 0.7 cm. The right testicle presented a width of 1.7 ± 0.2 cm, length of 2.6 ± 0.2 cm and volume of 3.9 ± 1.1 cm³. The left testicle presented a width of 1.7 ± 0.1 cm, length of 2.5 ± 0.3 cm and volume of 3.6 ± 0.7 cm³. No significant correlations were obtained between the scrotal circumference or total testicular volume and the semen producing characteristics (volume and sperm concentration). For the first time in this field, this study presents an important contribution to the knowledge of the reproductive morphophysiology of coatis.