Evidence of molecular heterogeneity for generalised glycogenosis between and within breeds of cattle

SUMMARY Northern analyses revealed normal levels of acidic α-glucosidase mRNA in cultured fibroblasts from a Shorthorn calf affected with glycogenosis but a gross deficiency in an affected Brahman calf. Analyses of acidic α-glucosidase activity, relative to that of other lysosomal enzymes, in blood mononuclear cells revealed greater variation within and between Brahman herds than Shorthorn herds. A Msp1 restriction fragment length polymorphism associated with glycogenosis in Brahmans was not found in Shorthorns. These results are considered in relation to molecular heterogeneity for AAG deficiency in cattle and its implications for disease control programs.     

Prevalence of pseudorabies virus infection and associated infections in six large swine herds in Illinois.

Sera were collected from 6 large farrow-to-finish swine herds infected with pseudorabies virus (PRV) in Illinois. All herds were participating in the Large Herd Cleanup Study, a USDA-initiated project to evaluate the feasibility of eradicating pseudorabies from large farms (greater than 400 sows) by use of a combination of vaccination and management changes. Herd size ranged between 425 and 1,500 breeding females. Between April and July 1990, sera for measurement of PRV antibodies were obtained from 113 to 156 sows and 112 to 162 finishing pigs (body weight greater than 70 kg)/herd. Duplicate sera from 30 sows and 30 market-weight pigs/herd were obtained for measurement of serum antibodies to the following associated organisms: swine influenza virus, transmissible gastroenteritis virus, encephalomyocarditis virus, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Eperythrozoon suis, and 6 serovars of Leptospira interrogans. Prevalence of PRV antibodies attributable to field virus infection ranged between 53.8 and 100% for sows and between 0.7 and 97.3% for finishing pigs, as determined by the appropriate differential test for the vaccine being used on each farm. In only 1 herd, PRV seroprevalence was increased with higher sow parity. For associated infections, the risk of seropositivity attributable to PRV was not significant (for most infections) on all farms and varied among farms. Thus, pseudorabies did not appear, in general, to increase susceptibility to infection with other disease agents.     

Aspects of reproduction in female Bos indicus cattle: a review

SUMMARY Differences occur between female Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle in various aspects of reproductive physiology and behaviour. These may be associated with different natural and human selection pressures, compounded by strong genotype-environment interactions. B indicus cattle are better adapted for tropical environments (despite overall poor cattle reproductive rates in these regions) which tend to be more stressful for B taurus genotypes. Conversely, B taurus cattle generally show superior reproductive and productive traits under more favoured, temperate conditions. Despite genotype-environment effects, B indicus females are generally considered to take longer to achieve puberty and to have longer gestation lengths, exhibit prolonged postpartum anoestrus, show greater seasonality of reproductive traits (tending to be long-day breeders), display a shorter, less overt oestrus as well as less tendency to allow riding behaviour by subordinate females. Some groups appear to have increased losses both during pregnancy and in the neonatal period. On the positive side, B indicus females respond well to managerial and nutritional interventions, tend to have greater reproductive longevity and they generally exhibit strong maternal traits. Culling of infertile females and selection for greater male scrotal circumference and sex-drive, in conjunction with the use of target weights, body condition scoring and weaning stratagems can improve reproductive rates in B indicus females.     

Comparison of inoculation regimes for the experimental production of swine erysipelas arthritis: II Serological findings in a gel diffusion precipitin test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

The serological response of pigs to Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae inoculation was monitored by a gel diffusion precipitin test (GDPT) using a crude, serotype-specific, autoclaved antigen and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a heat-extracted, alcohol precipitated and molecular seived antigen previously shown to react with serum from pigs infected with serotypes 1 or 2. All pigs receiving 3 or 5 weekly intravenous inoculations of either a highly virulent (VRS 229) or a lowly virulent isolate (VRS 252) produced GDPT-reactive antibody within 3 weeks, but only 44% were still reactive at 8 to 9.5 weeks. The ELISA response was significantly higher in pigs inoculated with the highly virulent strain, and was similar in pigs receiving 3 or 5 doses of either strain. In a dose-response trial, after 3 doses of VRS 229, GDPT reactivity occurred earlier and was stronger in pigs given higher doses of E. rhusiopathiae, but the response peaked 3 to 5 weeks after the start of challenge and was short lived. GDPT reactivity correlated with dose, but not with the severity of arthritis. The ELISA demonstrated specific IgG antibody was present by 2 weeks, and persisted to at least 11 weeks. The ELISA reactivity was significantly higher in pigs with arthritis than in pigs that received low doses and were not arthritic. Within groups of pigs with arthritis a significant, dose dependent, linear ELISA response developed but did not correlate with the presence or degree of arthritis at slaughter. Non-arthritic pigs had similar low ELISA responses to uninoculated controls.     

Presence of Ureaplasma diversum in the Australian cattle population

In cattle, Ureaplasma diversum has been associated with decreased fertility, granular vulvovaginitis, endometritis, salpingitis and spontaneous abortion in cows and seminal vesiculitis, balanoposthitis and changes in bull sperm. The presence of U. diversum within the Australian cattle population has not been established. One of the aims of this study was to determine if U. diversum was present in Australian cattle, using culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), both of which are considered to be gold standards for bacterial identification. Of 100 samples collected from 66 male and 34 female cattle, 15 were positive for U. diversum. Therefore, Australia can no longer be considered free of U. diversum. Further studies should be conducted to ascertain the effects of U. diversum within Australian cattle herds and, if warranted, to investigate prevention, treatment and eradication protocols.