Evaluation of a Burdizzo Castrator for Neutering of Dogs

A Burdizzo castrator was evaluated for the neutering of dogs. Histological and morphological changes of spermatic cells and peripheral serum testosterone after challenge with a GnRH-analogue (gonadorelin) were assessed. There was a control group (G1), a surgically castrated group (G2) and a Burdizzo group (G3) divided in two, G3a receiving two crunches in each spermatic cord and G3b receiving one crunch in each spermatic cord. Sixteen days after application of the Burdizzo blood samples were taken from the dogs at 30 min interval during 2 h; after the second sample the dogs were treated with 1 mug/kg body weight of gonadorelin i.v. The same protocol of gonadorelin challenge was performed in G1 and G2 dogs. The G2 dogs were surgically castrated after the second blood sample, before the gonadorelin treatment, and the G1 dogs after the last blood sample. The excised gonads were examined histologically, and sperm smears were prepared from the caudae epididymidis. The testes and plexus pampiniformis of the G1 and G2 dogs had a normal histological appearance, and they had morphologically normal epididymal sperm cells. In all G3 dogs, there was an acute fibrosis with an inflammatory reaction in the plexus pampiniformis. The testes from the G3a dogs showed diffuse areas of infarction and degeneration of the parenchyma. Similar but less diffuse lesions were seen in group 3b dogs. The deferent ducts from all G3 dogs showed vasitis and/or sperm granulomas. Azoospermia or sperm malformations were observed in the epididymal smears from the G3 dogs. Testosterone concentration in the G1 dogs increased after gonadorelin application (p < 0.0001). The G2 dogs had basal testosterone levels after castration (p < 0.001) and did not respond to gonadorelin. Groups 3a and b showed a slight but non-significant increase in testosterone concentration after gonadorelin challenge, supposedly due to the reduction of testicular blood flow and loss of testicular interstitial tissue.     

Amphibian and reptile community response to coarse woody debris manipulations in upland loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) forests

Coarse woody debris (CWD) has been identified as a key microhabitat component for groups that are moisture and temperature sensitive such as amphibians and reptiles. However, few experimental manipulations have quantitatively assessed amphibian and reptile response to varying CWD volumes within forested environments. We assessed amphibian and reptile response to large-scale, CWD manipulation within managed loblolly pine stands in the southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States from 1998 to 2005. Our study consisted of two treatment phases: Phase I treatments included downed CWD removal (removal of all downed CWD), all CWD removal (removal of all downed and standing CWD), pre-treatment snag, and control; Phase II treatments included downed CWD addition (downed CWD volume increased 5-fold), snag addition (standing CWD volume increased 10-fold), all CWD removal (all CWD removed), and control. Amphibian and anuran capture rates were greater in control than all CWD removal plots during study Phase I. In Phase II, reptile diversity and richness were greater in downed CWD addition and all CWD removal than snag addition treatments. Capture rate of Rana sphenocephala was greater in all CWD removal treatment than downed CWD addition treatment. The dominant amphibian and snake species captured are adapted to burrowing in sandy soil or taking refuge under leaf litter. Amphibian and reptile species endemic to upland southeastern Coastal Plain pine forests may not have evolved to rely on CWD because the humid climate and short fire return interval have resulted in historically low volumes of CWD.     

Evaluation of models of acute and subacute acidosis on dry matter intake, ruminal fermentation, blood chemistry, and endocrine profiles of beef steers

Crossbred steers (n = 20; 316 +/- 4 kg BW), each fitted with a ruminal cannula, were used to evaluate the effects of acute acidosis (AA) and subacute acidosis (SA) on DMI, ruminal fermentation, blood chemistry, and endocrine profiles. Animals were blocked by BW and assigned to treatments including 1) intraruminal (via cannula) steam-flaked corn (3% of BW; AA); 2) intraruminal dry-rolled wheat:dry-rolled corn (50:50; 1.5% of BW; SA); 3) offering forage-adapted steers ad libitum access to a 50% concentrate diet (AA control; AC); and 4) offering 50% concentrate diet-adapted steers ad libitum access to a 50% concentrate diet (SA control; SC). Samples of ruminal fluid and whole blood were collected on the day of the challenge (d 0) and 3, 7, 10, and 14 d after the challenge. Daily DMI responded quadratically (P < 0.01) through d 7 for AA and SA steers and increased linearly (P < 0.01) for AC steers. Dry matter intake by AA steers reached a nadir (< 3 kg/d) on d 3 and gradually increased to a level similar to other treatments (7 kg/d) by d 10, whereas DMI by SA steers increased through d 3. Blood pH, bicarbonate, base excess, and total CO2 were decreased (P < 0.03) for AA steers and increased (P < 0.03) for SC steers through d 7. Ruminal pH decreased quadratically (P < 0.01) in AA and AC steers and increased (P = 0.01) in SA steers through d 7. Ruminal total lactate concentration and osmolality responded quadratically (P < 0.01) for AA and AC steers. Ruminal total lactate peaked on d 3 for AA steers and on d 0 for AC and decreased to basal concentrations by d 7. Plasma NEFA concentration increased (P < 0.04) on d 3 and 7 for AA steers. Serum Na decreased (P < 0.05) on d 0 for AA and SA steers and on d 7 and 14 for AA steers. Serum P decreased (P = 0.01) for AA steers through d 7 and decreased quadratically (P = 0.01) for AC steers through d 7. Serum albumin and cholesterol decreased (P < 0.02) for AA and AC steers through d 7. Area under the GH curve decreased (P = 0.02) for AA and AC steers through d 7. Considerable variation was evident in the ability of an animal to cope with a carbohydrate challenge. Results of data modeling generally suggest that serum amylase activity, cholesterol and potassium concentrations, and plasma NEFA concentrations were useful in distinguishing between steers classified as experiencing subacute acidosis or not affected by a carbohydrate challenge.     

Green Gold to Wild Woodlands; understanding stakeholder visions for woodland expansion in Scotland

Landscape Ecology - Despite woodland expansion being advocated via a number of Scottish policy documents, barriers to woodland creation remain. These include contested views about land use,...     

Myotonic dystrophy type 2 caused by a CCTG expansion in intron 1 of ZNF9

Myotonic dystrophy (DM), the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults, can be caused by a mutation on either chromosome 19q13 (DM1) or 3q21 (DM2/PROMM). DM1 is caused by a CTG expansion in the 3' untranslated region of the dystrophia myotonica-protein kinase gene (DMPK). Several mechanisms have been invoked to explain how this mutation, which does not alter the protein-coding portion of a gene, causes the specific constellation of clinical features characteristic of DM. We now report that DM2 is caused by a CCTG expansion (mean approximately 5000 repeats) located in intron 1 of the zinc finger protein 9 (ZNF9) gene. Parallels between these mutations indicate that microsatellite expansions in RNA can be pathogenic and cause the multisystemic features of DM1 and DM2.     

A parathyroid hormone-related protein implicated in malignant hypercalcemia: cloning and expression

Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy is a common complication of lung and certain other cancers. The hypercalcemia results from the actions of tumor factors on bone and kidney. We report here the isolation of full-length complementary DNA clones of a putative hypercalcemia factor, and the expression from the cloned DNA of the active protein in mammalian cells. The clones encode a prepro peptide of 36 amino acids and a mature protein of 141 amino acids that has significant homology with parathyroid hormone in the amino-terminal region. This previously unrecognized hormone may be important in normal as well as abnormal calcium metabolism.     

The nutritional management of gastrointestinal tract disorders in companion animals

Dietary protein, carbohydrates, fats and fibre have marked influences on gastrointestinal tract function and dysfunction. This article reviews the nutritional management of common gastrointestinal disorders in companion animals and introduces some of the current areas of research including probiotics, prebiotics, protein-hydrolysate diets, immunonutrition and dietary fibre.

Nutritional management of oesophageal disease revolves around varying the consistency of the diet and feeding the animal from an elevated container. Provision of bowel rest remains the mainstay of the management of acute gastroenteritis but food-based oral rehydration solutions are a useful adjunct. The recommended diet for chronic small bowel diarrhoea is a highly digestible, hypoallergenic, gluten-free, low-lactose and low-fat diet with modest amounts of fermentable fibre. The use of probiotics in the management of diarrhoea in companion animals has not yet been shown to be beneficial. It is likely that prebiotics will prove more effective than probiotics in the prevention of enteropathogenic infections.

Approximately 50% of cats in New Zealand that suffer from chronic idiopathic vomiting or diarrhoea will respond to a novel-protein-elimination diet and approximately 30% meet the diagnostic criteria for food sensitivity. Growing evidence supports the use of protein-hydrolysate diets in the management of inflammatory bowel disease and further advances in immunonutrition are expected. The dietary management of colitis should include a hypoallergenic diet with a fermentable fibre source.

Manipulation of the diet provides clinicians a powerful therapeutic strategy to be used alone or concurrently with drug therapy in the management of gastrointestinal disorders.     

Detection of APAF1 mutation in Holstein cows and mummified foetuses in Japanese dairy herds

Some of the highest genetic merit sires have been shown to harbour recessive mutations affecting fertility, which may spread rapidly in the population through AI. These disorders may result in abortion and decline in pregnancy per insemination in cows. This study was carried out on 240 Holstein‐Friesian cows and 15 mummified foetuses. Blood and tissue samples were collected from the cows and mummified foetuses, respectively, for DNA extraction. Allele‐specific PCR was designed for the detection of the cows and foetuses carrying the nonsense mutation (C/T) in apoptosis peptide activating factor 1 gene (APAF1). The mutant allele frequency of the APAF1 in carrier cows and mummified foetuses was calculated. Milk samples were taken from the carrier and non‐carrier cows for progesterone assay. The allele‐specific PCR reaction efficiently distinguished the C/T mutation in APAF1. Of 240 cows, seven cows (2.9%) were diagnosed to carry one copy of the mutant allele of APAF1. However, the carrier frequency was 33.3% in mummified foetuses (five of 15). The mutant allele frequency was 0.02 and 0.17 in the cows and mummified foetuses, respectively. Concentrations of progesterone did not differ between cows with APAF1 mutation and non‐carrier cows during 45 days post‐insemination. This study provided allele‐specific PCR for the detection of APAF1 mutation in cows. Moreover, it reports the carrier and mutant allele frequencies of APAF1 in dairy cows and mummified foetuses in Japan.