Pharmacokinetics of imipenem-cilastatin following intravenous administration in healthy adult horses

In two studies, six healthy adult horses were given imipenem-cilastatin by slow intravenous (i.v.) infusion at an imipenem dosage of 10 mg/kg (study 1) and 20 mg/kg (study 2). The same horses were used in each dosage schedule, with a 2-week washout period between studies. In each dosage group, serial blood and synovial fluid samples were collected for 6 h after completion of the infusion. HPLC was used to determine the imipenem concentration in all samples. Imipenem was well tolerated by all horses at both dosages; no adverse effects were noted during the study period or during the 24-hour postinfusion observation period. The pharmacokinetic profiles of imipenem in the plasma and synovial fluid indicate that an imipenem dosage of 10-20 mg/kg by slow i.v. infusion q6h (every 6 h) is appropriate for most susceptible pathogens.     

Disseminated Acanthamoeba sp. infection in a dog

Several species of free-living amoebae can cause encephalomyelitis in animals and humans. Disseminated acanthamoebiasis was diagnosed in pyogranulomatous lesions in brain, thyroid, pancreas, heart, lymph nodes, and kidney of a one-year-old dog. Acanthamoeba sp. was identified in canine tissues by conventional histology, by immunofluorescence, by cultivation of the parasite from the brain of the dog that had been stored at -70 degrees C for two months, and by PCR. The sequence obtained from the PCR product from the amoeba from the dog was compared to other sequences in the Acanthamoeba sp. ribosomal DNA database and was determined to be genotype T1, associated with other isolates of Acanthamoeba obtained from granulomatous amebic encephalitis infections in humans.     

Indices of renal function: reference values in normal horses

Urine and blood samples were taken at the same time from normal adult horses presented for routine investigations to establish reference values for a variety of parameters reported to be useful in the clinical evaluation of renal function. Blood biochemical values were consistent with previous studies and had well-defined normal ranges. Parameters representing urine concentration and electrolyte excretion however, varied widely reflecting the ability of the healthy kidney to change the composition of urine in response to differences in environment and management. Percent creatinine clearance ratios for potassium in particular were lower than those reported in normal horses in previous studies. Rational interpretation of these latter measurements should accept a wide range of normal values and management conditions must be considered in this interpretation.     

The laboratory culture of Dichelobacter nodosus in a footrot eradication program

SUMMARY As part of a program to eradicate virulent footrot from Western Australia, 2745 isolates of Dichelobacter nodosus were isolated from 5263 specimens from 1883 submissions. The virulence of each isolate was assessed using protease thermostability and isoenzyme zymogram. We describe changes to the materials and methods required to handle these specimens and to reduce the interval between submission and report to 8 days.     

Pancreatic exocrine secretion and plasma concentration of some gastrointestinal hormones in response to abomasal infusion of starch hydrolyzate and/or casein

Eight Angus steers (290 +/- 8 kg), surgically prepared with pancreatic pouch-duodenal reentrant cannulas and abomasal infusion catheters were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square experiment to investigate the effects of abomasal infusion of starch hydrolyzate (SH) and/or casein on pancreatic exocrine secretion and plasma concentration of hormones. Steers were fed a basal diet of alfalfa (1.2 x NEm) in 12 equal portions daily. Abomasal infusion treatments (6-L total volume infused per day) were water (control), SH [2.7 g/(kg BW x d)], casein [0.6 g/(kg BW x d)], and SH + casein. Periods were 3 d for adaptation and 8 d of full infusion. Pancreatic juice and jugular blood samples were collected over 30-min intervals for 6 h on d 11. Weight and pH of pancreatic samples were measured, and a 10% subsample was composited and frozen until analysis of total protein and pancreatic enzyme activities. The remaining sample was returned to the duodenum. Plasma was harvested and frozen until analyzed. Pancreatic juice (67 mL/h) and protein (1.8 g/h) secretion rates were not affected by nutrient infusion. There were SH x casein interactions for all pancreatic enzyme secretions (U/h; alpha-amylase, P < 0.03; trypsin, P < 0.08; and chymotrypsin, P < 0.03) and plasma insulin concentration (P < 0.10). Secretion of pancreatic enzymes was increased by SH (trypsin) and casein (alpha-amylase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin) but not when SH + casein were infused together. Glucose (P < 0.10) and cholecystokinin octapeptide concentrations (CCK-8; P < 0.05) were increased by SH, but glucagon was decreased (P < 0.10). Casein decreased (P < 0.10) plasma CCK-8 concentrations. These data indicate that positive effects of postruminal casein on enzyme secretion were inhibited by SH, emphasizing the complexity of the regulatory mechanisms involved in dietary adaptation of pancreatic exocrine secretion. Changes in hormone concentration may not relate directly to changes in enzyme secretion.     

Evaluation of EEG based determination of unconsciousness vs. loss of posture in broilers

Evaluation of the loss of consciousness in poultry is an essential component in evaluating bird welfare under a variety of situations and applications. Many current approaches to evaluating loss of consciousness are qualitative and require observation of the bird. This study outlines a quantitative method for determining the point at which a bird loses consciousness. In this study, commercial broilers were individually anesthetized and the brain activity recorded as the bird became unconscious. A wireless EEG transmitter was surgically implanted and the bird anesthetized after a 24-48 h recovery. Each bird was monitored during treatment with isoflurane anesthesia and EEG data was evaluated using a frequency based approach. The alpha/delta (A/D) ratio and loss of posture (LOP) were used to determine the point at which the birds went unconscious. There was no statistically significant difference between time to unconsciousness as measured by A/D ratio or LOP.     

Genetic Aspects of Reproduction in Sheep

Maintenance of high levels of realized fertility (defined as the percentage of ewes that lamb) and appropriate levels of fecundity are critical for efficient sheep production. The optimal level of fecundity in most situations is well below the maximum attainable level and can be targeted by combining selection among and within breeds with use of an expanding array of single-gene mutations affecting ovulation rate and litter size. The heritability of litter size is approximately 0.10, allowing changes of up to 2%/year from simple mass selection. Mutations in several genes associated with the transforming growth factor β superfamily ( BMPRIB , GDF9 and sex-linked BMP15 ) can increase ovulation rates by 0.7–1.5 ova in heterozygous ewes. However, ewes that are homozygous for BMP15 or GDF9 mutations are sterile, so use of these mutations requires carefully structured breeding programmes. Improvements in fertility may be critical for autumn lambing or programmes that aspire to lamb throughout the year. Selection to improve fertility in spring matings has been successful; selected adult ewes have lambing rates of 80–85% in October and early November. The selected ewes have a dramatically reduced seasonal anestrus, and many ewes continue to cycle during spring and summer. Major genes affecting seasonal breeding have not been identified in sheep. Polymorphisms in the melatonin receptor 1a gene appear to be associated with seasonal breeding in some, but not all breeds. However, functional genomic studies of genes associated with circadian and circannual rhythms have potential to reveal additional candidate genes involved in seasonal breeding.