The pathogenesis of experimental Haemonchus longistipes infection in camels

The pathogenesis and clinical signs of Haemonchus longistipes infection were studied in four experimentally infected camels two of which were adults and the other two were young. In the former animals, an acute infection developed, characterized by mucoid diarrhoea, anorexia, anaemia, loss of body weight, oedema of the lower parts of the limbs, general malaise and death at 8-10 weeks post-infection. In the two younger camels, a less dramatic disease was encountered with less severe symptoms and no oedema, but also terminating fatally at 19-20 weeks post-infection. Parasitological, haematological and biochemical parameters were determined during the course of the infection and were mostly comparable with those usually encountered in haemonchosis of other animals.     

Age specific prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma bovis infection in Sudanese Desert sheep in the White Nile Province

A survey of ovine schistosomiasis was carried out in a Schistosoma bovis enzootic area in the central Sudan. Three hundred Desert sheep, representing different age groups, were screened for infection, using Pitchford's faecal egg counting technique. No infection was detected in animals under one year old, but from the age of 18 months onward, the prevalence increased progressively from around 20 per cent to 60 per cent in six-year-old sheep, and this was accompanied by an increase in infection intensity, as determined by faecal egg counts. These findings, which suggest that these sheep did not develop an effective resistance to schistosomiasis, contrasted with those previously recorded in cattle from the same locality, studied in the same year.     

Towards sustainable control of Lepidopterous pests in olive cultivation

Zusammenfassung Traditionelle, extensiv bearbeitete Olivenhaine, aber auch moderne Intensiv-Plantagen mit künstlicher Bewässerung und hohem Einsatz von Düngern bzw. chemischen Pflanzenschutzmitteln kennzeichnen die derzeitigen verschiedenen Anbauformen der Olive im Mittelmeerraum. Schadlepidopteren wie die Olivenmotte (Prays oleae, Lep.: Yponomeutidae) und die Jasminmotte (Palpita unionalis, Lep.: Pyralidae) werden durch regelmässigen Insektizideinsatz bekämpft. Das von der EU geförderte internationale Forschungsprojekt TRIPHELIO zielte auf die Entwicklung insektizidfreier Alternativmethoden durch (1) die Optimierung der pheromongestützten Überwachung und Verwirrtechnik, (2) der Anwendung von Habitatmanagement-Strategien zur Förderung natürlicher Gegenspieler, und (3) dem Einsatz von Trichogramma-Schlupfwespen. Zusätzlich wurden Module für eine optimale Anwendung biotechnischer und biologischer Methoden bezüglich der Phänologie der Schadinsekten und möglicher Nebenwirkungen von Pestiziden erarbeitet. Die intensive Kooperation zwischen Wissenschaftlern und Praktikern aus mehreren Ländern Europas und Nordafrikas erlaubte den Entwurf möglicher Lösungsansätze für verschiedene Anbaubedingungen und klimatische Regionen des Mittelmeerraumes. Die wichtigsten Ergebnisse und Ausblicke für eine zukünftige praktische Umsetzung werden in dieser Veröffentlichung beschrieben.     

The in vitro developmental competence of oocytes from juvenile calves is related to follicular diameter

This study investigated the relationship between follicle size (FS) and developmental competence of calf oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) from follicles>8 (L-COCs; n=19), 4-8 (M-COCs; n=54), and 2-3 mm (S-COCs; n=155) were recovered from non-stimulated 1-4 months old dairy calves post mortem and ex vivo (laparoscopy), and in parallel from slaughtered adult cows from follicles of identical size categories [>8 (n=91); 4-8 (n=138); 2-3 mm (n=193)]. Morphologically intact COCs were subjected to in vitro maturation, fertilization, and embryo culture. Cleavage rate (CR; 46 h post-insemination=p.i.), rate of morulae/blastocysts (M/Bl; day 7 p.i.), and blastocysts (Bl; day 9 p.i.) were recorded. FS had no effect on the CR in calves. However, calf L-COCs yielded the highest rates of M/Bl and Bl compared with the two other size categories (P<0.05). In contrast, calf S- and M-COCs gave similar rates of M/Bl, whereas the proportion of Bl was lowest for S-COCs (P<0.05). This was almost identical to findings in cows, except that the CR was highest for L-COCs and M/Bl yields were lowest for S-COCs (P<0.05). There were no differences between calf and cows with regard to CR for the respective FS categories. L-COCs from calves and cows yielded similar rates of M/Bl and Bl, whereas calf S- and M-COCs yielded lower rates of Bl than S- and M-COCs from cows and a lower rate of M/Bl when S-and M-COCs were analyzed as one group (P<0.05). Whereas the CR was similar in calves and cows, calf COCs yielded lower rates of M/Bl and Bl (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results show that the developmental competence of calf oocytes is higher in those derived from follicles larger than 8 mm, and thus are almost equally as competent as cow oocytes derived from follicles of identical size. This suggests that calf oocytes acquire developmental competence within the large follicle, potentially due to a process similar to prematuration of the oocyte in the adult cow. It is proposed that procedures that facilitate prematuration, such as "coasting" following a preceding superstimulation, might increase the developmental competence of calf oocytes.     

Chronic obstructive mastitis in the camel. A clinicopathological study

Unilateral chronic mastitis in three she camels was due to obstruction of the teat canal by keratin. This lead to dilatation of the ducts, retention of milk and secondary bacterial infection. The teat canals and dilated ducts were lined by stratified squamous epithelium. There was excessive periductal fibrosis. Pasteurella hemolytica was isolated from one animal and Staphylococcus aureus from another. The fluid from the third animal was sterile. The condition was treated successfully by surgical amputation of the affected halves of the udder.     

Treatment of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia

Goats that had been inoculated with the causal organism of contagious, caprine pleuropneumonia and treated, within a few days, with oxytetracycline or tylosin, were less severely affected than infected, untreated control goats. However, 20% of treated cases remained infective and were, presumably, capable of transmitting the infection.     

Effects of cereal grain supplementation on apparent digestibility of nutrients and concentrations of fermentation end-products in the feces and serum of horses consuming alfalfa cubes

Twenty geldings (five groups; similar age and BW) were used in a completely randomized design experiment to determine effects of grain supplementation of an alfalfa-cube diet on apparent nutrient digestibility and hindgut fermentation. The geldings were housed individually, fed their diets in two equal meals (0600 and 1800), and adapted to five dietary treatments over 6 wk. The treatments were alfalfa cubes (1% of BW; DM basis) without (control) or with one of four rolled cereal grains (i.e., barley, corn, naked oats, or oats) to provide a target level of 0.4% of BW as total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC). Due to acute laminitis, three geldings (one in the control group and two in the barley group) were excluded. Because of this and multiple incidents of gas colic, TNC level was decreased to 0.2% of BW to ensure the geldings' health throughout the adaptation (7 d) and sample collection (5 d) periods. Grain intakes varied (P < 0.05) and reflected the different TNC concentrations. Apparent digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF, and cellulose were not affected (P > 0.05) by grain supplementation and averaged 63.2, 63.1, 79.5, 42.7, 39.9, and 50.3%, respectively. Regardless of the source, grain supplementation increased (P < 0.05) apparent digestibility of TNC (from 85.6 to 94.6%) and decreased (P < 0.05) fecal pH (from 7.04 to 6.74). Fecal concentrations of total VFA (mg/g of DM) were greatest for the barley and naked oats diets (averaging 11.73), intermediate for the oats diet (8.00), and least for the control and corn diets (averaging 5.00; P < 0.05). Fecal concentrations of lactate (microg/g of DM) were greatest for the barley diet (254), intermediate for the oats diet (138), and least for the remaining diets (averaging 100; P < 0.05). Fecal concentrations of NH3 N (mg/g of DM) were greatest for the naked oats diet (1.68), intermediate for the barley and oats diets (averaging 0.86), and least for the remaining diets (averaging 0.63; P < 0.05). Serum concentration of lactate was 46% higher (P < 0.05) for the control than for the grain diets (averaging 0.05 mg/100 mL). Feeding barley, corn, naked oats, and oats contributed to 13, 15, 8, and 20% higher (P < 0.05) serum NH3 N concentrations than the control diet (0.25 mg/100 mL). Higher (P < 0.05) serum concentrations of urea N (mg/100 mL) were detected for the control, barley, and naked oats diets (averaging 25.28) than for the corn or oats diets (averaging 22.21). Results suggest that horses consuming alfalfa cubes could be supplemented with rolled barley, corn, naked oats, or oats at levels not exceeding 0.2% of BW as TNC without affecting nutrient digestion or overall health negatively.