Environmental unknowns

Among the environmental problems ahead, the most important ones could be those that are still unknown to us. This conceptual article explores this prospect on the grounds that it is important not only to supply answers to recognized questions but to raise appropriate new questions.     

Evaluation of the effects of enzootic pneumonia in pigs on weight gain and days to slaughter under New Zealand conditions

The effects of enzootic pneumonia on average daily weight gain and number of days taken to reach slaughter weight was studied in 333 bacon-weight pigs. Each 1% of lung volume affected by enzootic pneumonia was shown to reduce average daily gain by 2.2 grams and increase the numbers of days to slaughter by 0.61 days. The cost of these reductions in performance was calculated to be about NZD 1 for each 1% of lung affected.     

Intranuclear cisternal and vesicular structures in canine circumanal gland carcinoma cells

Intranuclear cisternal and vesicular structures, bound by a single membrane, were observed for the first time in some glandular "bird's eye" cells of canine circummanal gland carcinomas. The role of these intranuclear structures is not clear. It is suggested that they may be involved in cellular adaptation to an environment of nutrient deficiency, as a result of cell overcrowding.     

Theileria mutans in Nigeria.

Two strains of bovine Theileria from northern Nigeria were shown to be identical to Theileria mutans in the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. One of the strains was transmitted by the tick Amblyomma variegatum; large macroschizonts, typical for T mutans, could be demonstrated in infected cattle. It is concluded from these experiments and from the literature that there is reliable evidence so far for the occurrence in Nigeria of only two bovine Tehileria species, T mutans and T velifera.