Experimental Escherichia coli endotoxin-induced sensitisation and abortion in sows

Subcutaneous injection of 235 micrograms endotoxin from E coli 08: K87, K88ab into two sows 14 days before the expected farrowing date elicited a toxic shock reaction but the sows recovered and farrowed normally. No reaction was observed in two other sows which had received endotoxin-free 0.9 per cent saline. In a subsequent pregnancy, the same four sows were injected subcutaneously with 23 mg of the same endotoxin preparation. Those which had previously received endotoxin exhibited a severe shock reaction and aborted after 28 and 40 hours, respectively, while the other two sows showed a milder reaction and farrowed normally.     

Die Entwicklung des Dottersackes beim Wiederkäuer (Schaf und Rind)

Yolk sac development was investigated in 69 ovine and 10 bovine embryos from the blastocyst stage to the 7th week of gestation. Light and electron microscopical findings are reported. The yolk sac in sheep and cattle is composed of an enlarged sac-like portion lying below the embryo and two ends which follow the elongated course of the trophoblast. In sheep, an open connection exists between the intestines and the yolk sac up to a crown-rump length (CRL) of 9 mm. It is closed by 12 mm CRL. The wall of the yolk sac is especially well vascularized in the enlarged, sac-like portion. Primary erythropoiesis occurs within the blood capillaries. In the blastocyst, the yolk sac entoderm is made up of elongated, flat cells. It becomes cuboidal in the 3 mm embryo (ovine) and later columnar. The up to 20 microns tall cells stain darkly and contain numerous light-colored vesicles. At 4.5 mm CRL light cells appear between the dark ones. Both cells are rich in rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER). The increased staining of the darker cells is due to an osmophilic cytoplasm and numerous, often parallel lamella of rER. The rER of the light cells is enlarged to irregularly-shaped cisternae, which nearly fill the entire cytoplasm and give them a rounded appearance. The dark cells contain polygonal nuclei, whereas those in the light cells are round with one or two nucleoli. The oval mitochondria have only a few peripheral cristae. Golgi fields are not very common. Cells of the entoderm are connected to one another over zonulae occludentes. They possess microvilli on the luminal surface and are supported by a basement membrane. From 5 mm CRL onwards (ovine), the yolk sac entoderm folds itself between the capillaries, thereby becoming stratified. The intercellular space between the cells expands as projections between neighboring cells interlock. Canaliculi arise between adjacent epithelia. The wall of the yolk sac thickens as a result of this infolding and the densely packed capillaries. Infoldings are especially predominant in the sac-like portion of the yolk sac, and only suggested in the ends. Involution of the yolk sac begins in the peripheral end segments and proceeds centripetally. Numerous glycogen particles appear in the yolk sac entoderm cells of the ovine fetus at a CRL of 36 mm, and by a CRL of 42 mm, the sac-like portion has also begun to show signs of degeneration. Mesenchyme is very sparse within the wall of the yolk sac throughout the entire period of development.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Mammomonogamus auris infection in the middle ear of a domestic cat in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, USA

A 2-year-old female domestic shorthair cat on the island of Saipan was presented to a local veterinarian for headshaking. Otoscopic examination showed mild erythema of the right tympanic membrane, but was otherwise unremarkable. Headshaking resolved with topical gentamicin/betamethasone/clotrimazole therapy; however, erythema persisted. Further otoscopy revealed movement of the erythematous region, which was in fact the red-colored strongylid nematode, Mammomonogamus auris, residing within the middle ear. Myringotomy and a saline flush were performed under heavy sedation. A silastic tube was inserted into the incision and the worms were retrieved by applying negative pressure. Follow-up treatment included topical thiabendazole/dexamethasone/neomycin ointment as well as selamectin. Mammomonogamus auris has previously been documented only three times, once each in China, Sri Lanka and Japan. This is the first report of M auris in cats from Saipan.     

Comparison of carcass and meat characteristics of Brahman grade cattle (Bos indicus) and crossbred water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) fed on high roughage diet

The objective of this study was to compare the carcass and meat quality in crossbred cattle and crossbred water buffalo at the same younger age and fed with high roughage in the Philippines. Ten crossbred cattle and 10 crossbred water buffalo, with an average age of 22 months (18–24 months) were used in this experiment. The animals were fed a similar diet, which consisted of 85% Napier or Para grass and 15% concentrate mixture on a dry matter basis, for 180 days before slaughter. Slaughter weight of the crossbred water buffalo was higher (P < 0.05) than that of the cattle, although the dressing percentage was significantly (P < 0.01) lower for the former than for the latter. The estimated lean yield was higher (P < 0.05) in crossbred cattle than crossbred water buffalo. The muscle fiber diameter of loin in buffalo meat was smaller (P < 0.05) than that in cattle. In regard to carcass and meat quality, the crossbred water buffalo was comparable or slightly superior to the crossbred cattle in tenderness, sensory score of color (P < 0.01) and flavor (P < 0.05). These results clearly indicate that at a younger age and even under high roughage‐based fattening rations, crossbred water buffalo are able to produce good quality meat, which will be by no means inferior to that of crossbred cattle in the Philippines.     

In vitro evaluation of cryopreserved bovine sperm and its relation to field fertility in fixed‐time artificial insemination

This study aimed to assess characteristics of bovine cryopreserved sperm and evaluate its relation to field fertility in fixed‐time artificial insemination (FTAI). Semen samples of 16 bulls were used to inseminate 811 Nellore cows, and four of these bulls were also used to inseminate 101 Nellore heifers. Samples of the same ejaculate used for FTAI from each bull were analysed in the laboratory after thawing. Sperm motility and vigour were subjectively assessed by light microscope, and integrity of the plasma and acrosome membranes, and H₂O₂ production were evaluated by flow cytometer. Relation among sperm characteristics and pregnancy rate of cows and heifers were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Subjective sperm motility and vigour did not affect the probability of pregnancy in cows or heifers. In univariate analysis for pregnancy in cows, sperm traits related to acrosome injury positively affected probability of pregnancy mainly when associated with plasma membrane integrity; H₂O₂ production seems to be less important than plasma membrane integrity in affecting probability of pregnancy. In multivariate analysis, sperm traits related to injured acrosome positively affected probability of cow and heifer pregnancies while intact acrosome was negatively related to cow pregnancy. Intact plasma membrane and high H₂O₂ production were positively related to cow pregnancy but negatively related to heifer pregnancy. Results suggest that a capacitation‐like status of the acrosome may benefit probability of pregnancy in cows.     

Determination of poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate assimilation by postlarval whiteleg shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei using stable 13C isotope tracing

A preliminary study was conducted to demonstrate fate of the bacterial storage compound poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) once ingested and degraded in vivo in crustaceans. The 2% supplementation of ¹³C‐labeled Ralstonia eutropha DSM545 containing 75% PHB on dry weight in postlarval whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei resulted in consistent enrichment of two fatty acids (containing 14–24 carbons [C] in length ) pentadecanoic acid (15:0) and palmitic acid (16:0) in all lipid fractions. This could indicate that ¹³C signal may not only originate from the PHB but partly from the structural components of the bacterial cell. There was a trend of lower ¹³C enrichment in various lipid fractions of the postlarvae as compared to the diet. These findings may have important implications as to potential of PHB as energy source rather than as building block. There was a rapid transfer of ¹³C in the postlarvae as seen by the significant ¹³C enrichment in the tissues 4 hr after feeding with labeled bacterial cells. Overall, the assimilation of PHB in crustacean tissues is demonstrated for the first time. Our results indicate that PHB once ingested is rapidly assimilated in the tissues and could probably act as an energy source rather than as a building block.