Genetic diversity of seeds from four German Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seed orchards

European Journal of Forest Research - In Germany, Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii Franco) is seen as a valuable species for future cultivation in times of climate change. Local seed production...     

Main routes of oxygen ingress through different closures into wine bottles

The main routes of oxygen ingress into wine bottles through "technical" cork stoppers (Neutrocork), natural cork stoppers, and synthetic closures (Nomacorc) were investigated. A comparison was made among closures left uncovered (controls), closures with the closure-glass interface covered, and closures completely covered with a polyurethane impermeable varnish. The oxygen ingress into the bottles was measured by a nondestructive colorimetric method. Technical cork stoppers were essentially impermeable to atmospheric oxygen during the first 24 months of storage. Oxygen within natural corks diffused slowly but continuously into the bottles over the first 12 months of storage and in very tiny amounts through the cork-glass interface the 12 months thereafter. Nomacorc synthetic closures were permeable to atmospheric oxygen, mainly after the first month of storage.     

Food intake and energy expenditure in growing cats with and without a predisposition to overweight

Overweight and obesity are multifactorial diseases caused by an imbalance in energy metabolism. An underlying genetic predisposition is often a factor in these conditions. In the cat breeding family of the Institute of Animal Nutrition at the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, a segregating overweight phenotype with a genetic contribution was observed. From this breeding family, 26 kittens were followed from birth up to 8 months of age. During this time, food intake was measured using an automatic feeding station, and energy expenditure was investigated using indirect calorimetry at the ages of 4 and 6 months. Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was performed and blood glucose, leptin and insulin were measured at the ages of 4, 6 and 8 months. The kittens were also weighed daily for the first 2 weeks of life, every second day until weaning and once per week until 8 months of age. The body condition score (BCS) was evaluated monthly between 2 and 8 months of age. The main finding of this study is that a predisposition to overweight is connected to a higher food intake early in life, with no significant alterations in energy expenditure. The leptin blood levels were related to body fat percentage, and insulin sensitivity did not seem to be affected.     

Study of the genetic variability of porcine circovirus type 2 detected in Serbia and Slovenia

Recent variants of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) were obtained from tissues of domestic pigs with porcine circovirus associated disease and from randomly selected wild boar samples from Serbia and Slovenia. A 450-base-pair nucleotide sequence was obtained by PCR from the ORF2. The derived nucleotide and amino acid sequences were aligned and compared to the corresponding region of closely related PCV2 sequences determined in previous years and retrieved from the GenBank. The 30 Serbian and 17 Slovenian PCV2 sequences clustered into three previously determined genotypes (PCV2a: 7), (PCV2b: 38) and (PCV2d: 2). Three major variable regions, concerning 29 amino acid position substitutions within the ORF2, were observed, which further supports the segregation of the detected strains into three separate genotypes. This study indicates that PCV2b is the predominant genotype in Serbia and Slovenia and the detected PCV2 strains are closely related to those previously described in Europe and in other parts of the world.     

Effect of Progesterone and Ionomycin on Domestic Cat Sperm Motility Patterns and Acrosome Reaction

This study was aimed at assessing the changes in sperm motion patterns and the percentage of acrosome reaction (AR) in domestic cat semen after treatment with either ionomycin or progesterone (P₄). Ten ejaculates were collected from five tomcats using an artificial vagina, and were diluted, centrifuged and resuspended in a capacitation medium. Samples were evaluated and divided into seven equal aliquots and, after 2 h at 25°C, were incubated for 30 min at 38°C in 5% CO₂ and then analyzed. Computer-assisted sperm analysis and a combination of three fluorescent probes were used to assess sperm plasma, acrosomal membrane integrity and mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Thirty minutes after the start of incubation, P₄ was added (10 μg/ml) to the P1 group. Groups P2 and P3 were supplemented with P₄ (10 and 20 μg/ml, respectively) only after 2 h of incubation, and groups I1 and I2 were supplemented with ionomycin (4 and 8 μ m , respectively) 2 h after incubation. Group E was supplemented with ethanol (0.6%) at 2 h after incubation and group C received no supplementation. Ionomycin and P₄ treatments led to a hyperactivation-like sperm motion and an increase (p < 0.05) in the percentage of AR. Although a higher (p < 0.05) percentage of AR was obtained in group I2 when compared with all P₄ groups, a decrease (p < 0.05) in total and progressive motility was observed in I2 group. As I1 group was similar to I2 to induce AR without diminishing sperm motility, we can conclude that ionomycin at 4 μ m seems to be more suitable to trigger AR in domestic cat sperm.     

Populational dynamics of Stomoxys calcitrans (Linneaus) (Diptera: Muscidae) in three biocenosis, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Populational flux of the adult phase of Stomoxys calcitrans was observed in the municipal district of Pedro Leopoldo, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Three biocenoses were selected for the study: stable agrobiocenosis, pastural agrobiocenosis and eubiocenosis. The occurrence and the populational flux of the insects, using the Magoon trap for their capture, were established. For each trap located in different biocenoses, a crossbred calf (Bos taurus × Bos indicus) approximately 6-month-old was used as “live bait,” exposed weekly for 48 h in the traps. Of the three agrobiocenoses studied, the stable agrobiocenosis contributed the greatest number of specimens of. S. calcitrans captured, corresponding to 96.9% of the total flies of this species collected. S. calcitrans shows seasonal behavior for approximately 6 months (spring and summer being the rainiest months of the year). The population peaked during the months of November and December. During the months of July and August, there was no capture of flies.     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in sows from slaughterhouses and in pigs from an indoor and an outdoor farm in Argentina

The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies from slaughter sows and from pigs raised at an indoor and an outdoor swine farm. Serum samples were obtained from 230 slaughter sows belonging to 83 farms distributed in 5 provinces. Blood samples were collected monthly from pigs of different ages from an intensive management indoor farm (farm 1). A cross-sectional study was carried-out from an outdoor farm (farm 2). All sera were tested for T. gondii antibodies by the modified agglutination test (MAT), using formalin-fixed tachyzoites as antigen. An antibody titer > or =1:25 was considered positive. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 87 (37.8%) of 230 sows sera. Distribution among provinces was: 37.1% from Santa Fe, 62.8% from Buenos Aires, 3.3% from San Luis, 58.7% from La Pampa and 24% from Córdoba. Four of 88 (4.5%) serum samples from farm 1 had antibodies to T. gondii and none of the negative pigs seroconverted. However, 45 of 112 samples from farm 2 were positive (40.2%) with the following distribution: sows 100%; nursery 40%; growers 13.8% and fatteners 20%. It is concluded that the prevalence of T.gondii antibodies among sows seems to be quite variable. T. gondii prevalence was related to the facilities and management of the farm.     

High-frequency ultrasonography of the skin of clinically normal dogs

OBJECTIVE: To assess the applicability of high-frequency diagnostic ultrasonography for evaluation and accurate measurement of the skin thickness of clinically normal dogs. ANIMALS: 26 healthy dogs (12 sexually intact males, 13 sexually intact females, and 1 spayed female) of various breeds and ages. PROCEDURE: Ultrasonographic examination of the skin and histomorphometric analysis of skin biopsy specimens obtained from the same site were performed. A 13-MHz linear-array transducer was used to obtain a series of ultrasonographic images of the skin in the flank region; images were analyzed and measured by use of imaging software. Cutaneous biopsy specimens were placed in fixative and then stained with H&E and Masson trichrome stains. Histomorphometric analysis was performed by use of an image analyzer. Thickness of the epidermis and dermis of each specimen was evaluated by use of a semiautomatic procedure of quantification. Data obtained from ultrasonographic and histologic measurements were compared by use of the Pearson correlation test. RESULTS: The ultrasonographic pattern of canine skin was consistently characterized by 3 distinct, defined echogenic layers corresponding to the epidermal entry echo, epidermis and dermis, and subcutaneous tissues. A positive correlation was found between ultrasonographic and histologic measurements of skin thickness. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Comparison between ultrasonographic and histologic appearance of the skin revealed that layering of canine skin (ie, epidermis and dermis) and the subcutaneous tissues may be recognized and measured by use of high-frequency ultrasonography. Thus, diagnostic ultrasonography may be a useful tool for the noninvasive evaluation of cutaneous disorders in dogs.     

Pseudopregnancy in Saanen Goats (Capra hircus) Raised in Northeast Brazil

The prevalence of pseudopregnancy over 44 months was investigated in 23 Saanen goats raised in Northeast Brazil during continuous oestrous cycling (cyclic group) or after synchronization of oestrus (synchronized group). The goats were monitored by ultrasonography and their plasma progesterone profile. The overall prevalence of pseudopregnancy was 30.4% (7/23). In the cyclic group, 28.6% (4/14) of goats showed pseudopregnancy, while in the synchronized group the prevalence was 33.3% (3/9). There was no significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). The mean (+/- SD) length of pseudopregnancy, as shown by the progesterone profile, was 121.6 +/- 33.5 days, ranging from 70 to 155 days. The study defined the prevalence of pseudopregnancy in Saanen goats raised in Northeast Brazil for the first time. This finding identified a major problem for this breed, as without treatment such animals remain unproductive until the spontaneous resolution of the condition. More research seems desirable to ascertain the prevalence of this condition in other breeds in this region of Brazil.