Dose titration of sericea lespedeza leaf meal on Haemonchus contortus infection in lambs and kids

The objective of three experiments was to determine the impact of supplementing sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata; SL) in three concentrations in a loose or pelleted diet on gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in small ruminants. Experiments on lambs were conducted at the USDA, Agricultural Research Service in Booneville, AR (Exp. 1) and at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA (Exp. 2); an experiment on goat kids occurred at University of Maryland-Eastern Shore (Exp. 3). Exp. 1 used crossbred hair sheep lambs naturally infected with GIN that were randomly allocated to diets containing 0, 25, 50, and 75% SL diets (n=11 or 12/diet). Exp. 2 consisted of Haemonchus contortus-inoculated crossbred wool breed lambs that were blocked by gender and FEC and randomly assigned to 0, 25, 50, or 75% SL diet (n=8/diet). Fecal egg counts (FEC) and blood packed cell volume (PCV) were not influenced by SL supplementation in Exp. 1 and 2. Exp. 3 consisted of naturally GIN infected Boer crossbred goat kids in individual pens. Kids were blocked by FEC and randomly allotted to treatments of 0, 20, 40, or 60% SL with 9-13 goats/diet. The more SL fed, the greater the reduction in FEC (P<0.001). There was an increase in PCV in SL fed goats (P<0.001). Larval speciation at the end of the experiment indicated that feces from control animals produced 43% H. contortus larva while 20, 40 and 60% SL resulted in 39%, 35% and 31% H. contortus larvae, respectively. Feeding dried SL may be less effective in lambs than kids, though concurrent studies must be conducted to confirm this.     

Dose and release pattern of anabolic implants affects growth of finishing beef steers across days on feed

Four experiments evaluated the effect of implant dose and release pattern on performance and carcass traits of crossbred beef steers. In Exp. 1, steers (4 to 7 pens/treatment; initial BW = 315 kg) were fed an average of 174 d. Treatments were 1) no implant (NI); 2) Revalor-S [120 mg of trenbolone acetate (TBA) and 24 mg of estradiol 17β (E(2)); REV-S]; 3) Revalor-IS followed by REV-S (cumulatively 200 mg of TBA and 40 mg of E(2); reimplanted at 68 to 74 d; REV-IS/S); and 4) Revalor-XS (200 mg of TBA and 40 mg of E(2); REV-X). Carcass-adjusted final BW was greater (P < 0.05) for REV-X and REV-IS/S than for REV-S (610, 609, and 598 kg, respectively). Daily DMI did not differ (P > 0.10) among the 3 implants, but carcass-adjusted G:F was greater (P < 0.05) for REV-X and REV-IS/S than for REV-S (0.197 and 0.195 vs. 0.188). Both HCW and LM area were greater (P < 0.05) for REV-X and REV-IS/S than for REV-S. Marbling scores were greatest (P < 0.05) for REV-S and least (P < 0.05) for REV-IS/S; REV-X was intermediate to NI and REV-IS/S. In Exp. 2, steers (10 pens/treatment; initial BW = 391 kg) were fed 131 d, with treatments of REV-S, REV-IS/S (reimplanted at 44 to 47 d), and REV-X. Carcass-adjusted final BW (598 kg), ADG (1.6 kg), DMI (9.4 kg), G:F (0.17), and HCW did not differ (P > 0.10) among treatments. The percentage of Choice was less (P < 0.05) and percentage of Select greater (P < 0.05) for REV-IS/S than for REV-S and REV-X. In Exp. 3, steers (10 pens/treatment; initial BW = 277 kg) were fed 197 d and received either REV-IS/S (reimplanted at 90 to 103 d) or REV-X. Carcass-adjusted final BW (625 vs. 633 kg) and ADG (1.81 vs. 1.76 kg) were greater (P < 0.05) for REV-X-implanted steers. Daily DMI did not differ, but G:F tended (P < 0.10) to be increased and HCW was greater (P < 0.05) for REV-X than for REV-IS/S. In Exp. 4, steers (8 pens/treatment; initial BW = 238 kg) were fed 243 d and received either REV-IS/S (reimplanted at 68 to 71 d) or REV-X. Carcass-adjusted final BW (612 kg), ADG (1.54 kg), DMI (7.55), and G:F (0.21) did not differ (P > 0.10) for REV-IS/S and REV-X-implanted steers. Carcass traits did not differ among implants, but the percentage of Choice carcasses was greater (P < 0.05) and percentage of Select was less (P < 0.05) for REV-X than for REV-IS/S. These data indicate that when TBA/E(2) dose is equal, the altered release rate of REV-X can improve performance and quality grade, but these effects depend on duration of the feeding period and timing of initial and terminal implants.     

CORRELATION OF ULTRASOUND FINDINGS,LIVER AND SPLEEN CYTOLOGY,AND PROGNOSIS IN THE CLINICAL STAGING OF HIGH METASTATIC RISK CANINE MAST CELL TUMORS

Cytologic sampling of the ultrasonographically normal spleen and liver is not implemented routinely in the clinical staging of canine cutaneous mast cell tumors and normal ultrasound findings are often accepted as sufficient evidence for ruling out splenic or liver metastasis. Our objective was to define the specificity and sensitivity of ultrasound findings for diagnosis of mast cell infiltration when verified with cytologic evaluation, and to define the prognostic role of cytologic evaluation of liver and splenic aspirates. Dogs with a diagnosis of clinically aggressive grade II, or grade III mast cell tumor treated with a combination vinblastine/CCNU chemotherapy protocol, were selected retrospectively based on availability of cytologic evaluation of spleen plus or minus liver for staging. Out of 19 dogs, 10 dogs had a grade II tumor and nine a grade III tumor. Seven dogs had mast cell infiltration of the spleen, liver, or both. The sensitivity of ultrasound for detecting mast cell infiltration was 43% for the spleen and 0% for the liver. Dogs with positive cytologic evidence of mast cell infiltration to spleen, liver, or both had significantly shorter survival (100 vs. 291 days) than dogs without evidence of mast cell infiltration (P<0.0001). Routine splenic aspiration should be performed regardless of ultrasonographic appearance in dogs with a clinically aggressive mast cell tumor.     

Evaluation of modified techniques for immobilization of wild ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta)

Wild ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) can be anesthetized with Telazol via blow dart, but improved techniques are needed so that each lemur is reliably induced with a single dart. Medetomidine-butorphanol (MB) is a good supplemental protocol to be administered once the lemurs are captured, but other protocols may provide longer periods of sedation and immobility. One possible way of increasing the efficacy of each dart is to increase the time it is retained in the leg. In this investigation, a "double-sleeve" technique was used to try to increase the time of dart retention. This technique used a standard silicone sleeve on the needle, along with a second sleeve at the needle hub. Induction values were compared between lemurs darted with double-sleeve needles and those induced with needles that each had a single silicone sleeve. Once the lemurs were induced, supplementation with MB (0.04 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg) was compared with supplementation with ketamine-medetomidine (KM) (10 mg/ kg and 0.04 mg/kg). Twenty-three lemurs were darted with Telazol by using single-sleeve needles, and 24 were darted with double-sleeve needles. The number of darts per lemur and number of escapes were not different between animals darted with a single sleeve compared with a double-sleeve; thus, there were no significant improvements in induction success with the double-sleeve technique. Adequate sedation and muscle relaxation were achieved with both MB and KM; however, lemurs that received MB were more relaxed and needed fewer additional supplements that those that received KM. Single-sleeve dart needles are recommended for Telazol induction of ring-tailed lemurs via blow dart and MB is preferable to KM for supplemental sedation and muscle relaxation.     

Hepatozoon canis: The prevalence of antibodies and gametocytes in dogs in Israel

A survey for the prevalence of antibodies to Hepatozoon canis and for intraneutrophilic H. canis gametocytes in the peripheral blood neutrophils of dogs in Israel showed that 33.1% were seropositive, while only 1% of the dogs sampled had detectable parasites in their blood smears. Exposure to H. canis is widespread but it appears that most infected dogs undergo a subclinical infection and only a small proportion develop clinical disease.Abbreviations IFAT indirect fluorescent antibody test     

Uterine immune reaction and reproductive performance of sows inseminated with extended semen and infused with pooled whole dead semen

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of infusing whole dead semen (WDS) after AI with diluted commercial semen on uterine inflammatory reaction and embryonic survival rate in gilts. Sixty Yorkshire-Landrace gilts were assigned at their second estrus to one of the following AI treatments: 1) commercial semen adjusted to 1 x 10(9) sperm cells (S1) per dose, followed by an infusion of 80 mL of WDS (S1-WDS); 2) S1 followed by an infusion of 80 mL of Beltsville Thawing Solution (S1-BTS); 3) commercial semen adjusted to 3 x 10(9) sperm cells (S3) per dose, followed by an infusion of 80 mL of BTS (S3-BTS); and 4) a negative control group, in which gilts received two infusions of 80 mL of BTS (BTS). Two days after the first AI, eight gilts from Groups 1, 2, and 4 were slaughtered and reproductive tracts were collected. One horn was cut open longitudinally along the antimesometrial aspect and endometrial samples were taken and immediately frozen for analysis of messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance for inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. The other horn was flushed with 20 mL of PBS, and the contents of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) were determined by ELISA. On d 25 after AI, gilts from Groups 1, 2, and 3 were slaughtered and their reproductive tracts were collected to evaluate the number of fetuses and corpora lutea. On d 2 after the first AI, only TGF-beta1 was detected in the flush of all gilts, and no difference was observed between S1-WDS, S1-BTS, and BTS gilts. Endometrial levels of IFN-gamma and interleukin (IL)-6 mRNA were marked in all gilts, but they were not affected by the AI treatments, whereas the mRNA abundances for IL-1 and IL-2 were negligible. Infusions of WDS or BTS after a fertile AI did not affect IGF-I, IGF-I receptor, or IGF-II mRNA levels compared with gilts infused with BTS only, whereas the mRNA abundance for the IGF-II receptor was decreased (P < 0.05) in WDS-infused gilts. In gilts inseminated with S1 doses, infusion of WDS did not affect the number of live embryos. Although infusions of WDS did not affect the mRNA level and secretion of the cytokines measured and did not improve embryonic survival rates, further studies are needed to better understand the influence of semen composition on the uterine response after mating.     

Metabolic changes induced by regular submaximal aerobic exercise in meat-type rabbits

Pannon White growing rabbits (a group of 8) were exposed to treadmill exercise (3-9 m/s, 1.2-1.6 km/day) twice a day for 4 weeks, while additional 8 animals, kept inactive, were assigned as the control group. Weekly, 12 hours after exercise, venous blood was taken for serum metabolite and enzyme activity measurements. Total serum protein, albumin and creatinine levels significantly increased during the second half of the training, as compared to the control group. Triacylglycerol levels in the exercised group as compared to controls, however, were higher only after the first and the fourth weeks of the experiment. Resting non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration of the trained rabbits was lower at the end of the trial. On the other hand, there were no significant differences, as compared to the respective controls, in serum urea, total and HDL cholesterol levels. At the end of the exercise alkaline phosphatase activity was higher and total lactate dehydrogenase activity was lower in the trained rabbits. Serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities were not changed, while creatine kinase activity was slightly lower in the trained group. The serum cortisol concentration was not different in the trained and control rabbits.