Cell-specific activation of aflatoxin B1 correlates with presence of some cytochrome P450 enzymes in olfactory and respiratory tissues in horse

Horses may be exposed to aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) via inhalation of mouldy dust, leading to high exposure of olfactory and respiratory tissues. In the present study the metabolic activation of AFB(1) was examined in olfactory and respiratory tissues in horse. The results showed covalent binding of AFB(1)-metabolites in sustentacular cells and cells of Bowman's glands in the olfactory mucosa, in some cells of the surface epithelium of nasal respiratory, tracheal, bronchial and bronchiolar mucosa and in some glands in these areas. Immunohistochemistry revealed that cells expressing proteins reacting with CYP 3A4- and CYP 2A6/2B6-antibodies had a similar distribution as those having capacity to activate AFB(1). Our data indicate that the cell-specific activation of AFB(1) correlates with presence of some CYP-enzymes in olfactory and respiratory tissues in horse.     

Prevalence of Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium dendriticum in the cow: inspection in an east Switzerland abattoir

On the basis of meat inspection in an abattoir in the eastern part of Switzerland, the incidence of liverflukes in cattle was recorded weekly during one year. The prevalence was compared with surveys from the seventies and nineties. The average incidence of Dicrocoelium dendriticum infection did not change. Although the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica apparently slightly decreased, an actual decrease of liverflukes could not be demonstrated.     

Ultrasonography in gastrointestinal disease in cattle

Ultrasonography is an ideal diagnostic tool for investigating gastrointestinal disorders in cattle. It is performed on standing non-sedated cattle using a 3.5 MHz linear transducer. In animals with traumatic reticuloperitonitis, inflammatory fibrinous changes, and abscesses can be imaged; however, magnets and foreign bodies are difficult to visualize because of the gas content of the reticulum. Ultrasonography can be used to assess the size, position and contents of the abomasum. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided abomasocentesis can be performed to evaluate the nature and chemical composition of its contents. In left displacement of the abomasum, the abomasum is seen between the left abdominal wall and the rumen. It contains fluid ingesta ventrally and a gas cap of varying size dorsally. Occasionally, the abomasal folds are seen in the ingesta. In cattle with right displacement of the abomasum, the liver is displaced medially from the right abdominal wall by the abomasum, which has an ultrasonographic appearance similar to that described for left displacement. Motility and diameter of the intestine are the most important criteria for ultrasonographic assessment of ileus. However, the cause of the ileus is rarely determined using ultrasonography. In cases with ileus of the small intestine, there is at least one region of dilatation of the intestine and motility is reduced or absent. In cattle with caecal dilatation, the caecum can always be imaged from the right lateral abdominal wall. The wall of the caecum closest to the transducer appears as a thick, echogenic, semi-circular line.     

Short and long-term prospects for consumption of fish

If real prices for fish remain at the levels they had attained by 1999, in the year 2050 demand for fish and shellfish as food could be of the order of 270 million tons (live weight equivalent) per year. If producers were able to supply these quantities consumption would rise by 176% over this 50-year period. To meet the demand supply would have to expand at the rate of 2.1% annually; but, a review of the pattern of population growth--and of historical patterns of increases in per capita consumption of fish--shows that annual growth in the volume of fish demanded is likely to be largest in the coming two decades, and then to taper off. Will producers be able to deliver? It is clear that wild marine stocks at present harvested by capture fishermen cannot support fisheries that would yield much more than 100 million tons per year and of this amount a significant proportion will continue to be used for fish meal and oil production. The question therefore narrows down to: can aquaculture, or non-traditional marine species, supply the required amounts? The historical context of supply is considerably different from that which has prevailed during the past 30 years. At that time the growing demand in OECD countries was met partly through imports of fish produced in the seas and lakes of developing countries. During coming decades the increased demand in developing countries must be met essentially through their own resources. In fact, in poor countries it seems unlikely that supply will respond to demand unless they experience economic growth.     

The effect of blood sampling method on indicators of physiological stress in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus)

The effects of manual blood sampling and remote blood sampling using automatic blood sampling equipment (ABSE) on plasma cortisol and catecholamine concentrations were studied on eight adult female reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). Contemporary body temperatures and heart rates were also recorded to determine their utility as other possible stress indicators. The animals were blood sampled once every hour with ABSE on 9-10 May and then by manual blood sampling on 13-14 May. Animals were also fitted with equipment to record heart rate and body temperature. Heart rate and body temperature were also recorded continuously without blood sampling on 17-18 May in undisturbed control conditions. Plasma cortisol concentrations were five-to-six fold greater during manual blood sampling compared to sampling with ABSE (F(1,3) = 13.34, P < 0.05). Plasma noradrenaline concentrations were significantly higher (F(1,3) = 22.98, P < 0.05) during manual blood sampling compared to sampling with ABSE, whereas plasma adrenaline concentrations did not differ. Heart rate was higher during manual blood sampling compared to control values. Body temperature was significantly higher during manual sampling compared to values recorded without blood sampling (F(1,4)= 31.65, P < 0.01). In conclusion, plasma cortisol concentration provides an excellent indicator of handling stress in reindeer. The use of ABSE for blood sampling enables measurements of plasma cortisol levels close to basal concentrations that may be used for reference values in studies where indicators of physiological stress are required.     

Population structure and genetic diversity of worldwide Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and Lancashire Heeler dog populations

The aim of this study was to research the population structure and genetic diversity of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (NS) and the Lancashire Heeler (LH) dog breeds. Data consisted of nearly all the worldwide registration history for both breeds, including 28 668 NS and 4 782 LH individuals. A reference population, including the females born between 1999 and 2008, was defined for genetic analyses for each breed. Average depth of the pedigrees known for the reference population dogs was 12.9 complete generation equivalents in the NS and 6.0 in the LH. Only a small fraction of the born dogs were used later for breeding. Effective number of founders was 9.8 in the NS and 15.2 in the LH. More than 50% of the genetic diversity in the reference population was explained by two ancestors in the NS and five in the LH. Average inbreeding coefficients in the reference populations were 0.26 in the NS and 0.10 in the LH. Average kinships were 0.26 and 0.08 and realised effective population sizes 18 and 28, respectively. Failure to use available genetic resources for sustainable breeding has resulted in depletion of genetic variation in both breeds. To increase genetic variation, a larger proportion of the dogs should be used in reproduction and the contributions of reproducing animals should be equalized. In the LH, it is necessary to use the unregistered farm dogs in breeding. In the NS, crosses with another breed are needed.     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Fish bones – a highly available calcium source for growing pigs

In general, there is a lack of scientific documentation of nutritional value of marine by‐products. The bone fraction from fish has been regarded as waste. Due to the high mineral content of fish bones, this material can be well suitable as a natural calcium source. In the present study, apparent calcium absorption of different fish bone sources was tested using growing pigs. The experimental diets consisted of boiled salmon frames, or salmon, saithe or cod bones treated with enzymes. Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) was used as control. The experimental diets were formulated to contain 0.7% total calcium of which the added calcium source to be tested contributed about 71% (study 1) and 86% (study 2). Except for the calcium and phosphorus sources, the animals received similar basal diets. Apparent calcium digestibility coefficient was calculated using yttrium as indicator (both studies) and was based on complete collection of faeces and urine (study 2). The experimental design was parallel and cross‐over in study 1 and study 2, respectively. In study 1, piglets getting salmon bone treated with enzymes had significantly higher calcium absorption than piglets getting boiled fish bone or calcium carbonate. Therefore, in the second study only enzymatically treated fish bones were included. The higher calcium absorption from enzymatically treated salmon bone was also found in study 2, but this time not significant. Calcium from boiled salmon bones in study I, and from enzymatically treated saithe and cod bones in study II were absorbed as well as the calcium carbonate control. The results indicate that fish bones may be a useful and well absorbed calcium source. Due to the high mineral content of the bone fraction, salmon bones can be well suitable as a natural calcium and phosphorus source in, for example, food, feed or as supplement.     

Antiapoptotic activity of bovine herpesvirus type-1 (BHV-1) UL14 protein

Viruses have evolved different strategies to interfere with apoptotic pathways in order to halt cellular responses to infection. One previous study showed that transient transfection of bovine herpesvirus type-1 (BHV-1) UL14 protein is efficient in protecting Madin Darby kidney (MDBK) and human chronic myelogenous leukemia (K562) cells from sorbitol-induced apoptosis. This protein corresponds to a putative protein of BHV-1, which shares aminoacid sequence with a part of the peptide-binding domain conserved in human heat shock protein (HSP70) family. The pBK-CMV-UL14 plasmid transfected MDBK cells treated with sorbitol did not show caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation with respect to non-transfected MDBK cells (UL14 negative). Furthermore, we report that the expression of the full length sequence of BHV-1 UL14 is evident after 7 h of infection of BHV-1 on MDBK cells which were then treated with sorbitol. These results indicate that UL14 gene product has important implications to enhance cell survival in response to apoptotic stimuli.