Bovine sire effects on daughters' in vitro blood neutrophil functions, lymphocyte blastogenesis, serum complement and conglutinin levels

Blood neutrophil functions, lymphocyte blastogenic responses, serum complement, and serum conglutinin activity of 98 lactating Holstein cows from two genetic lines were evaluated. The genetic lines were produced in a selection experiment that created and perpetuated genetic differences in milk production for up to seven generations. No significant differences between the two genetic lines of cows were found for neutrophil function, lymphocyte blastogenic responses, serum complement levels, or serum conglutinin levels. Significant differences between sire progeny groups within lines were found for unstimulated and mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte blastogenesis (P less than 0.0001), and almost all neutrophil functions (antibody independent neutrophil cytotoxicity, antibody dependent neutrophil cytotoxicity, ingestion of bacteria, iodination, chemiluminescence, chemokinesis, and chemotaxis (P less than or equal to 0.05)). Sire progeny group differences (P less than or equal to 0.0001) within lines for serum complement and conglutinin activity were also found. Neutrophil chemiluminescence activity (positive relationship; P less than or equal to 0.001), concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocyte blastogenesis (positive relationship; P less than or equal to 0.004), and serum conglutinin activity levels (negative relationship; P less than or equal to 0.01) each had small but significant associations with the total milk somatic cell count. Cows seropositive for bovine leukosis virus had increased resting and mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte blastogenic activity and were associated with increased in vitro neutrophil random migration and production of superoxide anion. Estimates of genetic parameters of various immune cell functions, of serum complement and of conglutinin levels for daughters of 11 sires with 4-6 daughters in the data set were determined. In this report, genetic variation was demonstrated for nonspecific humoral and cellular immunity.     

Reproductive efficiency and maternal-offspring transfer of gossypol in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed diets containing cottonseed meal.

In a preceding study, complete substitution of fish meal protein with cottonseed meal (CM) protein did not affect the survival or growth rate of adult rainbow trout over a 6-mo period. Gossypol, a naturally occurring compound in cottonseeds, has an antifertility effect in terrestrial animals, but information regarding salmonid fish is lacking. Female rainbow trout in this experiment were fed diets with either 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100% (diets 1 to 5) of the fish meal protein replaced with CM protein until first maturation and spawning to study long-term effects on growth and reproduction. Feeding diets containing CM over a total period of 10 mo did not result in differences in growth and mortality compared to the control group (P > 0.05). Increased CM incorporation levels resulted in decreased (P < 0.05) blood hemoglobin (10.6 +/- 1.3, 8.4 +/- 1.8, 7.3 +/- 1.1, 6.9 +/- 0.8, and 5.6 +/- 1.4 g/dL) and hematocrit (49.6 +/- 3.9, 38.5 +/- 9.3, 34.4 +/- 3.7, 34.8 +/- 4.9 and 28.0 +/- 6.8%) levels in diets 1 to 5, respectively. The CM incorporation level had no effect (P > 0.05) on the number of eggs produced per female but led to a reduction (P < 0.05) in egg weight. Eyed stage survival of embryos was low in all dietary groups and did not show differences (P > 0.05). However, an increasing CM incorporation level led to a linear increase (P < 0.05) in the number of females that produced no viable embryos (23.1, 37.5, 42.9, 60.0, and 71.4%). Gossypol in the diet was absorbed by the female trout and transferred to the eggs (0, 2.2 +/- 0.5, 6.7 +/- 1.6, 10.6 +/- 4.2, and 20.0 +/- 2.6 micrograms/g in diets 1 to 5, respectively). A high concentration of gossypol remained in the juveniles at the swim-up stage (endogenous yolk-absorbed) (0.6 +/- 0.3, 2.4 +/- 0.3, 3.4 +/- 0.0, and 4.7 +/- 1.0 micrograms/g, diets 2 to 5, respectively). The findings suggest that replacement of the dietary fish meal protein with CM protein has no effect on fish growth and mortality but may lead to a reduction in reproductive performance in female rainbow trout.     

Endocrine alterations associated with ergopeptine alkaloid exposure during equine pregnancy.

Ergopeptine alkaloid exposure is common in pregnant mares. Many mares live in geographic areas where Neotyphodium coenophialum-infected tall fescue is the dominant grass in pastures and hay. A variety of grasses and cereal grains can be infected by Claviceps purpurea, and fungal sclerotia can contaminate forage and especially ground and pelleted feed. An understanding of the endocrine alterations associated with ergopeptine alkaloid exposure during pregnancy is necessary for the diagnosis of potential exposure to these compounds and for eective prophylaxis and therapy.     

Analysis of the reactivity of anti-bovine CD8 monoclonal antibodies with cloned T cell lines and mouse L-cells transfected with bovine CD8

Mouse L-cells transfected with bovine CD8 and two Theileria parva-infected cloned T cell lines expressing bovine CD8 were used to screen the panel of ten monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) submitted to the workshop. Eight of the ten mAbs reacted with the transfectant and both the cloned T cell lines. However, two mAbs CC58 and BAT82A did not recognise the transfectant and only reacted with one of the T cell lines. Further biochemical studies indicated that the eight mAbs react with both homo- and heterodimeric forms of bovine CD8 whilst the two mAbs CC58 and BAT82A react with only heterodimeric forms. These data suggest that bovine DC8 is encoded by two genes as is the case in mouse and man.     

Effect of dietary boron on growth performance, calcium and phosphorus metabolism, and bone mechanical properties in growing barrows.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary boron (B) on growth performance, bone mechanical properties, and calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) metabolism in pigs. Thirty-six barrows were weaned at approximately 21 d of age and randomly assigned to receive one of three dietary treatments. Treatments consisted of 1) low-B basal diet (control), 2) basal + 5 mg B/kg diet, and 3) basal + 15 mg B/kg diet. Boron was supplemented as sodium borate. Barrows remained on their respective experimental diets throughout the nursery (35 d) and growing (30 d) phases of production. Blood samples were obtained from each barrow at the end of each phase. Following the 30-d growing period, eight barrows per treatment were transferred to stainless steel metabolism crates. Barrows had an adjustment period of 7 d, followed by a 7-d total collection of urine and feces. All barrows were fed at 90% of the previous ad libitum grower intake of the control animals during the adjustment and collection periods. At the end of the 7-d collection period, barrows were killed and femurs and fibulas were harvested for the assessment of bone mechanical properties. During the nursery phase, ADG and ADFI were increased (P < 0.05) by B supplementation. Boron did not affect (P = 0.34) feed efficiency during the nursery phase. During the growing phase, ADG and ADFI were increased (P < 0.05) by B supplementation. Boron did not affect (P = 0.97) feed efficiency during the growing phase. Boron did not affect (P = 0.44) bone ash percentage, but B supplementation increased (P < 0.05) bone ash P. Ultimate shear force of the fibula was increased (P < 0.05) in barrows supplemented with 15 mg B/kg diet compared to barrows fed diets supplemented with 5 mg B/kg diet. Apparent absorption and retention of Ca and P were not affected (P > 0.05) by dietary B. These data indicate that B supplementation to pigs can increase growth and bone strength without greatly affecting Ca and P metabolism.     

Cutaneous vascular neoplasia in 15 cats: clinical, morphologic, and immunohistochemical studies.

Seven cases of cutaneous hemangioma and nine of cutaneous hemangiosarcoma were diagnosed from biopsy specimens of 15 Domestic Shorthairs of 5,091 cats that were examined by necropsy or biopsy during the 5-year period from 1 January 1986 through 31 December 1990. All but three cats were male. Tumor cells of both hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas were immunoreactive for factor VIII-related antigen and for vimentin by the avidin biotin peroxidase complex method. In cats with a median age of 10 years, hemangiomas occurred in skin with pigmented hair in six of seven cases without apparent site predilection. These solitary tumors did not recur after excision although one cat (No. 3) subsequently developed cutaneous hemangiosarcoma at another site. Seven of nine hemangiosarcomas occurred in dermis and subcutis of the head, usually on the pinna. All five hemangiosarcomas of the head, for which cutaneous pigmentation could be determined, occurred in unpigmented skin. Cats with hemangiosarcoma had a median age of 12.5 years at the time of diagnosis. Metastasis has not been documented, but hemangiosarcoma has recurred, from 1 month to 2 years after excision, in 6/7 cats that were studied.