Fatal levamisole toxicosis of captive kiwi (Apteryx mantelli)

CASE HISTORY: Nine of 24 captive kiwi treated with oral levamisole at a dose between 25–43 mg/kg showed signs of respiratory distress. Six died within 4 h of treatment and the remaining three made a full recovery within 24 h.

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Within 3–4 h of treatment, the affected birds had an elevated respiratory rate, mucoid nasal discharge and rapidly became comatose. Post mortem examination revealed accumulation of thick mucus in the oral cavity and trachea. There was severe pulmonary congestion and oedema and early bronchopneumonia in the lungs of five of the birds. In two birds, there was acute hepatic degeneration and necrosis and one bird had acute pancreatic degeneration and necrosis.

DIAGNOSIS: Acute levamisole toxicity.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Kiwi were acutely sensitive to levamisole toxicity at doses that are well within the safe range for domestic poultry. Levamisole should not be used as an anthelmintic in kiwi.     

Variation among New Zealand isolates of Sphaeropsis sapinea

Sphaeropsis sapinea is a pathogen of many coniferous species and causes significant losses to the plantation forestry industries of many countries. New Zealand isolates of S. sapinea were examined for colony and morphological characteristics, and pathogenicity to Pinus radiata seedlings. Considerable variation was observed in colony growth form and colour, and in the growth rates on four agar media. The conidial dimensions, carbon and nitrogen utilization, and pathogenicity also varied among the isolates. The variation observed was such that the isolates could not be placed within previously described distinct morphotypes and the present results concur with previous studies cautioning the use of morphological criteria alone to partition the species. These results contrast markedly with previous reports and seemingly indicate a change in the New Zealand S. sapinea population. This difference may reflect the re‐introduction or spread of additional isolates or a shift in the structure of the resident population.     

Application of high-resolution melt curve analysis for classification of infectious bronchitis viruses in field specimens

Objective A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/high-resolution melt (HRM) curve analysis protocol was developed in our laboratory to differentiate infectious bronchitis (IB) virus reference strains. In the current study, this method was used to detect and classify IB viruses in field submissions. Procedure Over an 11-month period samples from 40 cases of suspected IB virus were received and 17 submissions were positive for IB virus by polymerase chain reaction. HRM curve analysis classified each strain as subgroup 1, 2 or 3 strain (12 submissions) or a strain that was unable to be classified (5 submissions). The 3′ untranslated region (UTR) and partial S1 gene nucleotide sequences for the 17 IB virus strains were determined and their identity with those of the relative reference strains compared to confirm the classifications generated using the HRM curve analysis. Results Of the 12 IB field viruses classified as subgroup 1, 2, or 3 using HRM curve analysis, the 3′UTR and S1 gene nucleotide sequences had identities ≥99% with the respective subgroup reference strain. Analysis of the 3′ UTR and S1 gene nucleotide sequences for the five IB virus strains that could not be classified indicated that four belonged to one of the subgroups, and one was a potential recombinant strain (between strains from subgroups 2 and 3). A novel recombinant strain was also detected. Conclusion HRM curve analysis can rapidly assign the majority of IB viruses present in field submissions to known subgroups. Importantly, HRM curve analysis also identified variant genotypes that require further investigation.     

Comparison of Diverse Differential Plating Methods to Enrich Bovine Spermatogonial Cells

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) have important applications in domestic animal reproduction and advanced biotechnologies. Because differential plating is one of the most common methods used for SSC enrichment, the goal of this study was to compare three differential plating methods for the enrichment of bovine SSC. To achieve this goal, testicular parenchyma from pre‐pubertal calves was minced and single cells were obtained after two enzymatic digestions. We compared three coating methods for differential plating: laminin (20 ng/ml), BSA (0.05 mg/ml) and PBS. Cells were incubated at 37°C, 5% CO₂ in air for 15 min onto laminin‐coated dishes or 2 h onto BSA‐ or PBS‐coated dishes. Cell viability was assessed by trypan blue exclusion method. Recovered cells were analysed for the expression of SSC molecular markers by quantitative RT‐PCR (GFRA1, CXCR4, ITGA6, THY1) and flow cytometry (GFRA1, CXCR4 and ITGA6). Cells at time 0, adherent cells on laminin and non‐adherent cells from BSA and PBS groups had the same cell viability (p = 0.0655). GFRA1, CXCR4 and THY1 relative gene expression was higher (p = 0.0402, p = 0.0007, p = 0.0117, respectively) for non‐adherent cells selected in PBS group. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that the presence of GFRA‐positive (GFRA+) cells was higher in non‐adherent cells from BSA and PBS groups (p < 0.001). However, laminin‐adherent cells had higher number of ITGA6+ cells (p < 0.001) and lower presence of CXCR4+ cells (p = 0.0012). In conclusion, differential plating is an effective method for the enrichment of bovine undifferentiated spermatogonia and higher expression of SSC markers is obtained without laminin or BSA coating.     

Effects of irrigation and nitrogen rates on foliar mineral composition of bell pepper

Irrigation and nitrogen fertilization are two important aspects of bell pepper production. Yet, limited information is available on the effect of irrigation on foliar nutrient content. Bell pepper were grown on bare ground under two nitrogen fertilization rates (11 and 19 kg N week^‐1) and irrigated according to an irrigation scheduling model based on weather data and crop age. Eight irrigation rates ranged between 36 and 148% of the model rate. Leaf samples were taken at first bloom (62 days after transplanting, DAT) and after final harvest (84 DAT). Yield response and the foliar content of all essential elements determined [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn)] responded linearly or quadratically to irrigation rates and most foliar nutrient contents remained within or above the sufficiency range. Foliar mineral content tended to be lower at 84 DAT as compared to 62 DAT. Only Ca became deficient under high irrigation rates on 84 DAT. Current fertilization recommendations for bell pepper and 100% of the model irrigation rate resulted in highest yield. These results suggest that the high N rate supplied as calcium nitrate should be used when multiple bell pepper harvests are expected.     

Scheduling Drip Irrigation for Bell Pepper Grown with Plasticulture

Producing economical yields of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) while conserving water and nutrients requires an integrated approach to fertilization and irrigation. Detailed fertilization recommendations exist for bell peppers grown in Florida, but current irrigation recommendations are based on historical weather data and year-to-year adjustments. The objective of this study was to develop and test a crop factor (CF) for bell peppers grown with plasticulture and irrigated daily. Crop water use (ETc) was calculated daily by multiplying CF with Class A pan evaporation (Ep). Values for the proposed CF were 0.20, 0.40, 0.80, 1.00, and 0.80 for periods 1–2, 3–4, 5–11, 12, and 13 weeks after transplanting, respectively. Daily Ep values were converted, to irrigation volumes using 10 mm Ep = 835 L/100 m of bed length. ‘Brigadier’ bell peppers were established in a factorial combination of 75%, 100%, and 125% of the recommended 224 kg N/ha rate and 33%, 66%, 100%, and 133% of the reference irrigation rate (I3) based on the proposed CF. Soil water tension (SWT) was monitored twice weekly in all the plots receiving the 100% nitrogen (N) rate. The numbers of days SWT remained below the recommended 15 kPa increased quadratically in both years as irrigation rate increased. Only the 100% and 133% I3 irrigation rates maintained SWT within the 0 to 15 kPa range at 15 and 30 cm depths on most days in 2001 and 2002. In 2001, bell pepper yields tended to increase as N rate increased. For 125% N rate, total, marketable, and fancy bell pepper yields responded quadratically to irrigation rates. Highest yields occurred between 115% and 124% of I3. In 2002, bell pepper yield did not respond to irrigation rate, and responded quadratically and linearly for N rates of 75%, 100%, and 125%, respectively. Highest bell pepper yields occurred with 125% N rate and 133% I3 irrigation rate. These results suggest that highest yields of bell pepper grown in the spring with plasticulture may be achieved with a combination of 125% of the University of Florida recommended N rate and irrigation scheduled in real time using 1.25 × CF test values of 0.25, 0.50, 1.25, 1.00, and 1.00 for the periods 1–2, 3–4, 5–11, 12, and 13 weeks after transplanting, respectively, with 10 mm Ep = 835 L/100 m of bed length.     

Metabolic blood profile of beef heifers during oestrous and non‐oestrous states

Haematological metabolic profiles in heifers could contribute to the development of proxies for oestrous detection and provide clues to further characterize biological changes during oestrus. One hundred and seven beef heifers were observed for oestrous behaviour twice daily for 124 days. Feed intake and productive performance (body weight and composition) traits were measured, and feed efficiency was determined using residual feed intake (kg DM/day). Blood plasma samples were collected when signs of oestrus were observed and every 30 ± 2 days. Heifers were considered in oestrus (n = 71) when plasma progesterone concentrations were <0.6 ng/ml. Least square means of blood metabolic parameters were compared between oestrous and non‐oestrous states and within oestrous groups according to performance traits and age. Heifers in oestrus exhibited higher concentrations of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), beta‐hydroxybutyric acid, creatine kinase (CK) and triiodothyronine (T3) than heifers in non‐oestrus. Heifers in oestrus revealed lower osmolality and concentrations of calcium, sodium and total protein than during non‐oestrus. Younger (and smaller) heifers had greater concentrations of CK, gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT), glucose and sodium than the older heifers. Heifers with lower fatness had increased osmolality and concentrations of cholesterol, CK, phosphorus, sodium and reduced T3 levels. Feed efficient heifers had greater levels of AST, cholesterol and GGT than inefficient heifers. Blood plasma parameters may be complementary to oestrous detection upon further validation; effects of age, feed efficiency, body size and body composition should be considered to optimize this haematological assessment.