Composition of individual nucleobases in diets containing different products from bacterial biomass grown on natural gas, and digestibility in mink (Mustela vison)

The objectives of the present study were to quantify the amount of nucleic acids, to examine the nucleobase composition and to determine the digestibility of individual nucleobases in diets containing various products from bacterial biomass grown on natural gas, including autolytic and hydrolytic fractions, using mink (Mustela vison) as a model animal. The diets consisted of cod fillet (control), commercial basic BioProtein, and five experimentally produced autolytic and hydrolytic fractions of the bacterial protein meal as protein sources. Each diet was assigned to four adult male mink, housed individually in cages equipped for controlled feeding and quantitative collection of faeces. Faeces were collected for 4 days, and the individual nucleobases in diet and faeces were analysed by HPLC after hydrolysis using HClO(4). The content of nucleobases in the diets containing bacterial protein meal was 37% to 205% higher than in the control diet. The nucleobase-nitrogen in the control diet amounted to 4.3% of the total nitrogen content, whereas the experimental bacterial protein diets contained from 7.4% to 17.4% of the total N content in the form of nucleic acids. The various methods used to produce the bacterial protein fractions clearly affected both the amount of nucleic acids and the molar proportions of the individual nucleobases. The average digestibility of the nucleobases was 95%, and all the individual nucleobases were highly digestible. Uracil showed the highest digestibility (on average 96.8%), whereas thymine showed the lowest digestibility (on average 93.6%).     

Expression and localization of angiopoietin family in corpus luteum during different stages of oestrous cycle and modulatory role of angiopoietins on steroidogenesis,angiogenesis and survivability of cultured buffalo luteal cells

The objective of this study was to document the expression and localization of angiopoietin (ANGPT) family members comprising of angiopoietin (ANGPT1 and ANGPT2), and their receptors (Tie1 and Tie2) in buffalo corpus luteum (CL) obtained from different stages of the oestrous cycle, and the modulatory role of ANGPT1 and ANGPT2 alone or in combinations on progesterone (P₄) secretion and mRNA expression of phosphotidylinositide‐3kinase‐protein kinase B (PI3K‐AKT), phosphoinositide‐dependent kinase (PDK), protein kinase B (AKT), Bcl2 associated death promoter (BAD), caspase 3 and von willebrand factor (vWF) in luteal cells obtained from midluteal phase (MLP) of oestrous cycle in buffalo. Real‐time RT‐PCR (qPCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry were applied to investigate mRNA expression, protein expression and localization of examined factors whereas, the P₄ secretion was assessed by RIA. The mRNA and protein expression of ANGPT1 and Tie2 was maximum (p < .05) in mid luteal phase (MLP) of oestrous cycle. The ANGPT2 mRNA and protein expression was maximum (p < .05) in early luteal phase, decreased in MLP and again increased in late luteal phase of oestrous cycle. ANGPT family members were localized in luteal cells and endothelial cells with a stage specific immunoreactivity. P₄ secretion was highest (p < .05) with 100 ng/ml at 72 hr when luteal cells were treated with either protein alone. The mRNA expression of PDK, AKT and vWF was highest (p < .05) and BAD along with caspase 3 were lowest (p < .05) at 100 ng/ml at 72 hr of incubation period, when cultured luteal cells were treated with either protein alone or in combination. To conclude, our study explores the steroidogenic potential of angiopoietins to promote P₄ secretion, luteal cell survival and angiogenesis through an autocrine and paracrine actions in buffalo CL.     

Versuche mit Herbiziden in Gemeiner Ringelblume (Calendula officinalis L.) in Sachsen-Anhalt und Thüringen

Between 2000 and 2005 12 experiments with 18 herbicides were carried out in marigold in experimental stations and on marigold fields of Thuringian farms. The main objective of the tests was to get the necessary data for the authorization procedure according to the regulations of §?18 a PflSchG. Marigold plants are very susceptible against some herbicides Betanal Progress, Goltix Compact + ?l, Kontakt 320 SC, Lentagran WP und Stefes IPU. These herbicides and cause severe damages on this culture. The use oft the herbicides Bandur, BASTA and further herbicides with the active ingredient Glufosinat was authorized for the application in marigold according the regulations of §?18 a PflSchG in the past. The herbicides Devrinol FL, Fusilade MAX, Goltix 700 SC, Roundup UltraMAX und Targa Super can be used in artichoke according the regulations of §?18 b PflSchG. These herbicides aren??t enough for the chemical control of weeds likeEchinochloa spec.,Galinsoga spec., Polygonum spec. in marigold. In addition to the application of the herbicides mechanical measures are necessary.     

Pathology of bovine cardiomyopathy

Pathological findings from 389 SimmentalxRed Holstein cattle and from 11 Holstein/Friesian cattle with cardiomyopathy (CMP) are described. The average age of affected animals was 34 months; the majority of cases was observed between October and March. The hallmark of the disease was cardiomegaly with ventricular and atrial dilation and hypertrophy, as well as myocardial fibrosis, in part accompanied by myofibrillar degeneration. Striking vascular changes within lung vessels were hypertrophy of arteriolar and venular walls together with luminal stenosis of veins. Marked hepatomegaly was induced by chronic liver congestion with hepatocyte degeneration and fibrosis. Many cases showed chronic, interstitial nephritis. CMP affected crossbred cattle only, which suggests a genetic factor influencing the pathogenesis of this disease by possibly interfering with biochemical and metabolic pathways leading to endothelial damage and extracellular matrix alterations.     

Effects of graded levels of potato by-products in barley- and corn-based beef feedlot diets: II. Palatability

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of barley- or corn-based diets containing 0, 10, or 20% potato by-product (DM basis) on Warner-Bratzler shear force and palatability of beef. One hundred forty-four crossbred beef steers (333+/-.44 kg) were allotted within weight block (3) to a randomized complete block design with a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments. Main effects were grain (barley or corn) and level of potato by-product (0, 10, or 20% of diet DM). There were a total of 18 pens with eight steers per pen and three pens per treatment. Steers were fed diets containing 83% concentrate (grain plus potato by-product), 10% supplement, and 7% alfalfa (DM basis) for an average of 130 d. Longissimus muscle cuts were used for Warner-Bratzler shear force determination (four steers per pen) and evaluation (two steers per pen) by a 10-member trained laboratory panel, a professional flavor/texture profile panel, and by consumer panels. Diet did not affect (P > .10) Warner-Bratzler shear force or trained laboratory panel tenderness, juiciness, and flavor intensity scores. Flavor/texture profile panel scores indicated feeding a corn-based diet as opposed to barley-based diet produced a more appropriate well-balanced and well-blended beef flavor and texture. However, the magnitudes of the differences were relatively small, and flavor and texture amplitude ratings for both barley- and corn-fed beef were well above average. Beef from steers fed 10 or 20% potato by-product had lower (P < .05) incidences of inappropriate aromatics and aftertastes, which may have a slightly beneficial effect on beef flavor, but flavor amplitude was not affected (P > .05) by level of potato. Moreover, consumer panel overall acceptability scores were not affected by diet. Thus, feedlot diets containing corn or barley with or without potato by-product should result in palatable beef products.     

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in Merino sheep

OBJECTIVE: To characterise neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) in Merino sheep. DESIGN: A prospective clinical, pathological, biochemical and genetic study. PROCEDURE: NCL cases were studied from a medium-wool Merino flock, the stud of origin of its replacement rams, and an experimental flock established at the University of Sydney. RESULTS: Behavioural changes and visual impairment were first detected at 7 to 12 months of age and progressed, with associated motor disturbances and at later stages seizures, to premature death by 27 months of age. At necropsy there was severe cerebrocortical atrophy associated with neuronal loss, astrocytosis and the presence in neurons of eosinophilic intracytoplasmic storage bodies with the characteristics of a lipopigment. In the retina there was progressive loss of photoreceptor cells. Storage bodies isolated from fresh brain, liver and pancreas formed electron-dense aggregates and coarse multilamellar and fine fingerprint profiles ultrastructurally, and consisted mainly of the hydrophobic protein, subunit c of mitochondrial ATP synthase. A homozygosity mapping approach localised the gene causing the disease in Merino sheep to the chromosomal region (OAR7q13-15) associated with NCL in South Hampshire sheep. CONCLUSION: NCL in Merino sheep is a subunit c-storing disease, clinically and pathologically similar to NCL in South Hampshire sheep. We propose that the disease in both breeds represents mutation at the same gene locus in chromosomal region OAR7q13-15.     

Effect of periparturient diseases accompanied by excessive vulval discharge and weaning to mating interval on sow reproductive performance

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of periparturient disease accompanied by vulval discharge, and weaning-to-mating intervals, on sow fertility and litter size. DESIGN REPRODUCTIVE: data were collected and analysed from 19 Hungarian swine herds over a 4 year period. Conception rates, farrowing rates and litter sizes of sows with periparturient disease accompanied by vulval discharge were used to evaluate the relationship between duration of vulval discharge and subsequent fertility and litter size. The possibility of interactions between weaning-to-mating intervals and duration of vulval discharges was investigated to determine if there was any effect on subsequent fertility and litter size. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Both parity 1 and parity 2 to 8 sows having had periparturient disease accompanied by vulval discharge in excess of 6 days duration had significantly (P < 0.001) lower subsequent fertility (conception, farrowing and adjusted farrowing rates) compared with sows of similar parity where the duration of vulval discharge was < 4 or 4 to 6 days. There was no difference in fertility rates between sows, in both parity categories, with vulval discharge for < 4 days compared with 4 to 6 days. A duration of vulval discharge in excess of 6 days in parity 1 sows significantly reduced litter size (total born and live-born) in subsequent farrowings, but not in parity 2 to 8 sows. There was no interaction between the duration of vulval discharge and post-weaning to mating intervals. However sows with weaning to mating intervals between 7 and 10 days had smaller (P < 0.001) subsequent litter sizes compared with 3 to 6 or 11 to 14 day intervals. It was concluded that the duration of vulval discharge in excess of 6 days was an indication of a severe persistent endometritis adversely affecting fertility of sows.     

Species spectrum, diversity profile and infection indices of helminth parasite fauna of Chirruh snowtrout, Schizothorax esocinus (Heckel) in lake ecosystems of Kashmir Himalayas-Do similarity and host-parasite associations arise?

In order to assess the species richness and diversity profile of helminth parasite fauna in an endemic fish, an investigation was carried out in two urban and two rural lakes of Kashmir. Overall nine species of helminth parasites were observed in four lakes. Of these three were autogenic and six were allogenic. Heteroxenous parasite species were more in number than monoxenous species. Results showed significant differences in heteroxenous / monoxenous ratio between different lakes. Core species (Prevalence?>?20) were only found in hypertrophic lake (Anchar Lake). Overall, majority of helminth species were either secondary or satellite species. Prevalence of some helminth parasites showed significant differences in different lakes. In addition mean intensity showed significant differences between autogenic and allogenic parasites (P?<?0.05). Principle Component Analysis based on prevalence showed that Anchar Lake was strongly associated with most of helminth parasites. Diversity indices showed significant variation between different lakes. Maximum helminth species per host was in Anchar Lake. Finally we concluded that helminth parasite fauna showed significant differences in species richness and infection indices between different lakes. Diversity profile was higher in Anchar Lake in comparison to other three lakes. The results clearly show that environmental features of lake ecosystems have got an impact on distribution pattern of helminth parasites in S. esocinus. We suggest comparative parasitological study should be taken between different species of fish in order to have a clear picture regarding the species composition of helminth species in this region. Also we need to characterize the species spectrum of parasitic worms in fish of freshwater bodies of this region as well as other similar type of climatic zones because parasite fauna is an integral part of the inventory of biodiversity and as possible regulators of host populations in aquatic ecosystems.