The effects of environmental enrichment and transport stress on the weights of lymphoid organs,cell‐mediated immune response,heterophil functions and antibody production in laying hens

The effects of environmental enrichment and transport stress on the immune system were investigated in laying hens. A total of 48 1‐day‐old chickens were used, half of the chickens were reared in conventional cages (RCC) and the rest in enriched cages (REC). Transport stress was applied in the 17th week. Liver weight decreased, spleen and bursa of Fabricius weights, white blood cell count, CD4+ and CD8+ cell proportions increased due to the transport. Environmental enrichment significantly increased antibody production and tended to increase monocyte percentage and CD8+ cell proportion. The effect of transport on, heterophil (H) and lymphocyte (L) percentages was not significant in RCC chickens. While heterophil percentage and H:L ratio increased, lymphocyte percentage decreased in REC chickens subjected to transport. Transport stress increased heterophil functions both in REC and RCC chickens, but the increase was higher in REC hens than in RCC hens. In conclusion, although environmental enrichment did not neutralize the effect of transport on lymphoid organs, it activated the non‐specific immune system, cellular and the humoral branches of the specific immune system by increasing heterophil functions, CD8+ cells and antibody production, respectively. Therefore, environmental enrichment suggested for improving animal welfare may also be beneficial to improve the immune system of birds exposed to stress.     

Some of the properties of particleboard made from paulownia

The objective of this study was to determine some of the properties of experimental particleboard panels made from low-quality paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa). Chemical properties including holocellulose, cellulose, lignin contents, water solubility, and pH level of the wood were also analyzed. Three-layer experimental panels were manufactured with two density levels using urea–formaldehyde as a binder. Modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bond strength (IB), screw-holding strength, thickness swelling, and surface roughness of the specimens were evaluated. Panels with densities of 0.65 g/cm³ and manufactured using a 7-min press time resulted in higher mechanical properties than those of made with densities of 0.55 g/cm³ and press times of 5 min. Based on the initial findings of this study, it appears that higher values of solubility and lignin content of the raw material contributed to better physical and mechanical properties of the experimental panels. All types of strength characteristics of the samples manufactured from underutilized low-quality paulownia wood met the minimum strength requirements of the European Standards for general uses.     

COMPARISON OF CLINICAL, ULTRASONOGRAPHIC, AND POSTOPERATIVE MACROSCOPIC FINDINGS IN COWS WITH BURSITIS

Clinical, ultrasonographic, and macroscopic findings of bursitis in cows were compared to assess the contribution of diagnosis and therapy planning. Sixteen dairy cows with swelling at the carpal (n = 12) or tarsal (n = 4) region were examined clinically and ultrasonographically and the findings were compared. In 10 patients the bursae were removed in toto. According to the duration of the disease (history) and clinical findings nine and seven patients had acute and chronic bursitis, respectively. Six had fluctuation and in 10 the bursa was firm. Contents were serous (n = 3), serofibrinous (n = 4), serohemorrhagic (n = 2), or purulent (n = 1). Sonographically there was fluid in all bursa except one. Capsule echogenicity varied between hypoechoic and hyperechoic and mean capsule thickness was 9.2 +/- 4.1 mm. Fourteen of the bursae contained free-floating particles. The hyperechoic capsules represented fibrous tissue, and the echogenic/hyperechoic free-floating particles were erythrocytes, purulent exudate, or fibrin masses. Capsule thickness and large free-floating particles could not be detected by clinical examination/centesis alone. However, capsule thickness, bursa contents, and the extent of inflammation could be determined ultrasonographically and this made the decision for different invasive/ operative procedures easier.     

Dry Deposition of Sulfur Containing Species to the Water Surface Sampler at Two Sites

Sulfate dry deposition increases the deteriorating effects on environment. Sulfate can be deposited from atmosphere to water via both particulate (SO₄ ² :sulfate)and a gas(SO ₂:sulfurdioxide)form.In this research, the fluxes of gaseous(SO ₂)and particulate(SO ₄ ²)species were measured employing a water surface sampler(WSS)and glass fiber filters(GFFs)ontheknife?edge surrogate surface(KSSs)in the campus of Uludag University and the city of Bursa, Turkey.Sampling program was conducte dinter mittently between September2004and March2005.Average to talsulfate fluxes measured with the WS Satthe Uludag University campus and in the city of Bursa were58 ± 41and235 ± 43?mgm ^?2 d ^?1, respectively.The to talsulfate fluxe smeasure dat Bursa were highe rand this was probably due to greater sulfur containing species in it satmosphere.The dry deposition of gas eous SO ² flux was calculated by sub tracting the particulate flux collected with the KSS s from the total flux(particulate sulfate plus SO ₂ flux)obtained by the WSS.Anautomatic SO ₂ analyzer was used concurrently to measure the ambient concentration of gas eous SO ₂. The average SO₂ gas fluxes and ambient SO ₂ concentrations were18 ± 28and54 ± 48?mgm ^?2 day ^?1 and11 ± 7and49 ± 14?μgm ^?3 for the campus and the city, respectively.The measured gaseous SO ₂ fluxes and ambient concentrations were used to calculate the mass transfer coefficient.The calculated MTC values for the campus and the city were0.8 ± 1.0and1.2 ± 1.1?cms ^?1, respectively.The sevalues wereinag reement with previously reported dry deposition velocities for SO ₂.     

Clinicopathologic diagnosis of cutaneous toxoplasmosis in an Angora cat

This report deals with a case of cutaneous toxoplasmosis in a 2 year-old female Angora cat. Cutaneous lesions were characterized by prescapular ulcers and hyperemic nodules in the skin of the inguinal and dorsosacral regions. A skin biopsy sample was collected from the lesioned area and processed for histopathologic examination and immunoperoxidase test using Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum specific antibodies. Toxoplasma gondii immunopositive reactions were detected in keratinocytes and dermal macrophages while no immunoreactivity was detected for N. caninum. The case of cutaneous toxoplasmosis was further confirmed by PCR analysis using T. gondii B1 gene-specific primers. In conclusion, we report the first case of cutaneous toxoplasmosis in Angora cats.     

Tick-borne diseases in Turkey

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

Evaluation of nutrient equivalency of microbial phytase in hens in late lay given maize–soybean or distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) diets

1. An experiment was conducted with 360 Lohmann LSL-Classic White Leghorn layers (64 weeks old) to evaluate the effects of supplementation of microbial phytase on production, egg quality, bone, selected manure parameters and feed costs.

2. Experimental diets were formulated as follows: (1) maize–soybean (CS), (2) CS+300 units of phytase (FTU)/kg diet which was formulated to recoup only calcium and available phosphorus equivalency for phytase (CS+PHY_Ca+P), (3) CS+300 FTU/kg diet which was formulated to recoup total nutrient equivalency for phytase (CS+PHY_total), (4) CS+100 g/kg distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), (5) DDGS+300 FTU/kg diet which was formulated to recoup only calcium and available phosphorus equivalency for phytase (DDGS+PHY_Ca+P), or (6) DDGS+300 FTU/kg diet which was formulated to recoup total nutrient equivalency for phytase (DDGS+PHY_total).

3. Each dietary treatment was assigned to 4 replicate groups with 3 cages and 5 hens per cage. The hens were provided with feed and water ad libitum. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks.

4. CS+PHY_Ca+P, CS+PHY_total, DDGS+PHY_Ca+P and DDGS+PHY_total diets supplemented with phytase provided similar percentage egg production, egg weight, egg mass, exterior egg quality, initial and final body weight compared with phytase-free diets.

5. However, supplementation of phytase to the experimental diets and calculation of the total nutrient equivalency for enzyme caused increased feed intake and decreased feed conversion ratio and Haugh unit.

6. No differences in manure dry matter, crude ash, total nitrogen, tibia crude ash, calcium and phosphorus contents were found among the experimental diets. On the other hand, manure total phosphorus content was significantly decreased in the DDGS diet and diets supplemented with phytase in comparison to the CS diet.

7. It was concluded that the addition of microbial phytase to the CS-based diets or diets with DDGS of hens in late lay and using Ca and available P equivalency of enzyme in feed; formulation may provide an economic benefit and decrease the amount of phytate P excretion in the manure without compromising production and egg quality parameters.     

Prevalence and Serotype Distribution of Listeria monocytogenes in Salted Anchovy,Raw Anchovy,and Raw Mussel Using IMS-Based Cultivation Technique and PCR

In the present study, a total of 150 samples including 50 salted anchovy, 50 raw anchovy, and 50 raw mussel samples collected from the retailers and small-scale producers in Samsun province from the Black Sea region of Turkey were analyzed; and 12% (6/50), 2% (1/50), and 2% (1/50) of the samples, respectively, were found to be contaminated with L. monocytogenes. According to the serotype distribution, six salted anchovy and one of the raw fish samples were contaminated with L. monocytogenes 1/2b (or 3b). In one raw mussel, both L. monocytogenes 1/2b (or 3b) and 4b (or 4d or 4e) serotypes were detected.