Mating types ofExserohilum turcicum in Israel

Fifty-one single conidial isolates ofExserohilum turcicum were collected from seven locations in Israel and three in the USA and tested for mating type and aggressiveness. Sixteen isolates mated were mating type a; 29 were mating type A; and six failed to mate with either the A or the a mating type. Isolates differed significantly in their ability to cause lesions of different sizes, and in their ability to produce conidia on the susceptible corn hybrid Jubilee. They also differed in their rate of growth on lactose casein agar. No significant difference in lesion size or conidial production was noted between mating types. Conidial production and radial growth were significantly lower for isolates with no mating capacity as compared with conidial production of defined mating types. Pseudothecia were produced after 14–16 and 21 days when mating occurred onSorghum halepense straw or barley straw, respectively. The average number of pseudothecia produced on 10 cm² of straw was 17 and 8 forS. halepense and barley, respectively. Pseudothecia were not produced on corn straw.     

Gastric ulcers in standardbred racehorses: prevalence,lesion description,and risk factors

This study was performed to estimate the prevalence of gastric ulcers in Standardbred racehorses, to describe the lesion score and location, and to identify potential risk factors. Two hundred seventy-five (275) Standardbred horses from 5 training centers and 2 racetracks in Quebec, Canada, were studied. Historical data for the 2 months before examination were recorded for each horse, and the presence of gastric ulcers was determined by gastroscopy. A previously reported scoring system that used grades 0-3 for gastric lesions was used. Overall, 121 horses (44.0%; 95% CI, 38.1-50.1%) had gastric ulcers. The prevalence of gastric ulcers was significantly higher (P < .0001) in actively racing horses (63.3%; 95% CI, 54.7-71.2%) than in horses at rest. Multivariate analysis defined that horses in racing (OR = 9.29; 95% CI, 3.55-24.3) were significantly more likely to have gastric ulcers than horses at rest and that trotters (OR = 2.23; 95% CI, 1.28-3.86) were more likely to have gastric ulcers than pacers. The number of lesion sites (P < .0001) and poor body condition (P < .0001) were significantly associated with lesion scores. Gastric ulcers are highly prevalent in Standardbred racehorses. Furthermore, actively racing horses and trotters are more likely to have gastric ulcers. Also, poor body condition in Standardbred racehorses may be an indication that gastric ulcers are present and that lesion scores are high. The cause-and-effect relationship between poor body condition and the presence of gastric ulcers is unclear.     

Age-related variations in hematologic and plasma biochemical test results in Beagles and Labrador Retrievers

OBJECTIVE: To investigate age-related variations in results of hematologic and plasma biochemical tests performed on dogs of 2 common breeds. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. ANIMALS: 34 Beagles and 44 Labrador Retrievers. PROCEDURE: Blood samples were collected throughout the dogs' lives; 589 samples were collected from the Beagles and 964 samples were collected from the Labrador Retrievers (age at the time of sample collection ranged from 22 days to 15 years). White blood cell and RBC counts; hemoglobin concentration; Hct; mean cell volume; mean cell hemoglobin concentration; alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase activities; and calcium, phosphorus, cholesterol, urea, protein, and albumin concentrations were measured. RESULTS: For all tests, there were significant effects of age on test results. There was a significant interaction between age and breed for all tests except hemoglobin, albumin, and phosphorus concentrations. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that there were age-related changes in hematologic and plasma biochemical test results in these 2 breeds of dogs. Changes were most evident during the first year of life, reflecting growth and maturation of the puppies. In some instances, values for puppies diverged markedly from those for adults, necessitating the use of age-specific reference ranges for the interpretation of clinical data.     

Genetic and management factors that influence the susceptibility of cattle to Mycobacterium bovis infection

Genetic variation in the susceptibility of cattle to Mycobacterium bovis infection exists in differences between families and species, but not breeds. Susceptibility to M. bovis infection increases with age of cattle. Natural exposure to M. bovis or environmental mycobacteria may assist in the development of specific immunity, but there is no direct evidence for such immunological priming of tuberculosis resistance in cattle. This has, however, been demonstrated in humans and other animals. Since non-specific mechanisms have a role in protective immunity, developing an effective vaccine will be difficult, even though some protection of other species has been achieved. Immunological suppression in the periparturient period can produce anergic reactors, which may act as a constant source of infection for cattle-to-cattle transmission. Circumstantial evidence suggests that an adequate intake of mineral, vitamin and protein reduces the susceptibility of cattle. Although weather patterns have been implicated in the susceptibility of herds to M. bovis infection, there is insufficient information to determine the risk factors precisely. It is concluded that some reduction in the susceptibility of cattle to M. bovis infection can be achieved by modifications to the management system to minimize risk factors, but that a considerable amount of further research is required.     

Molecular systematics in Chrysanthemum × grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura

An attempt was made to understand the molecular systematics and genetic differences between 10 original chrysanthemum cultivars and 11 mutants. The similarity among the cultivars and mutants varied from 0.17 to 0.90 using RAPD analyses, a simple but efficient method to distinguish cultivars and to assess parentage. Two distinct groups were found. Two cultivars were present as a separate group showing differences from all other cultivars. Mutants with different flower colour could be identified at the molecular level using RAPD technique holding promise to identify unique genes as SCAR markers. A high genetic distance among the different chrysanthemums showed that there exists a possibility of introgressing new and novel genes from the chrysanthemum gene pool.     

Pericarp total protein profiles as molecular markers of tomato fruit quality traits in two segregating populations

The tomato fruit quality results of biochemical and physiological changes that occur during the ripening process. Although, the pericarp total protein profiles are less polymorphic than DNA-based markers the polymorphism in those could be directly associated with fruit quality traits. The aim of this work was to identify associations between polymorphic polypeptides from fruit pericarp at two ripening stages and fruit quality traits evaluated in two segregating populations of tomato. A cross between a normal ripening cultivar of Solanum lycopersicum (C, Caimanta) and a genotype carrying the nor (non ripening) gene (N) as well as a cross between Caimanta and a cherry type tomato of S. lycopersicum var. cerasiforme (Ce) showed genetic variance for several fruit quality traits such as fruit weight, shape, solids soluble content, acidity, color and fruit shelf life. The quantitative variations observed at phenotypic level had correspondence with the polymorphism detected in the protein profiles. Indeed, the polymophic polypeptides associated with quality fruit traits and fruit shelf life would be useful to assist tomato breeding programs as protein molecular markers.     

Characterization of semen collected by pharmacologically induced ejaculation from a stallion with seminal vesiculitis

The present study compared the quality of sperm collected by artificial vagina or pharmacologically induced ejaculation from a 10-year-old thoroughbred stallion with seminal vesiculitis. The pharmacological protocol involved intravenous administration of detomidine (0.01 mg/kg) and oxytocin (20 IU) and successfully induced ejaculation in all attempts of semen collection. Sperm motility, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity (PMAI), reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) percentage, and bacterial profiles of fresh and cooled semen (5°C for 24 hr) were evaluated. Semen obtained by the pharmacological method presented reduced seminal volume, decreased PMN percentage and superior sperm motility in cooled samples. Moreover, higher PMAI and lower ROS levels were observed in semen collected by the pharmacological method. Therefore, pharmacologically induced ejaculation is an alternative to obtain semen with minimal contamination and with sperm of superior quality and longevity from stallions with seminal vesiculitis.     

Electro-acupuncture and Chinese herbs for treatment of cervical intervertebral disk disease in a dog

A non-ambulatory dog with tetraparesis following a pain episode that had evolved over 2 months was submitted for medical treatment and diagnosed with intervertebral disk disease at C3-C4 and dorsal extradural compression at C1-C2 and C3-C4 using myelography and computed tomography. The dog experienced ambulation recovery after 15 days of treatment with only electroacupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, with marked improvement occurring after only 10 treatments. Six months of follow-up demonstrated that the dog was stable and had no recurrence of symptoms. Therefore, it was concluded that the combination of electroacupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine was responsible for motor rehabilitation.