The nutrient and energy disposition of growing lambs. 2. Results of slaughter and animal carcass analysis

A total of 90 lambs (fattening hybrids of either sex of three different genetic constructions and male merino meat sheep) were butchered at the beginning (9...16 kg live weight) or at the end (29...33 kg live weight) of a growth experiment. Total body and the meat of carcass, cutlet and loin were analysed. Significant differences between the genotypes could only proved in the crude ash content. The female animals showed a significantly higher content of fat, dry matter and energy as well as a significantly lower content of crude ash--at the end of the experiment also of protein--in the total body than the male animals. The content of nutrients and energy in the total body could be much more precisely derived regressively from the corresponding content values in the meat of the carcass than from the values of cutlet and loin.     

Die Verhaltensfelder der Kriebelmücken (Simuliidae,Diptera) vom Anflug bis zur Blutaufnahme am Wirt. Zur quantitativen Messung aktiver Teilpopulationen

The continual process of approach, landing and take-up of blood in black files on and upon the host resp., is structured into separate behavioral areas which are specified according to conceptual groups (eg. density and activity of approach, landing activity). Among these areas there is a hierarchy of sub-populations, the formal relationships of which are determined. There are numerous and inhomogenous environmental factors interfering the behavioral areas to a different extent and influencing distinct sequences as well as the entire procedure of behavioral activities. Thus, a stable numeric relation among the active subpopulations following each other hierarchically can be expected by no means. The number of landing black flies will never match the number of the ones taking up blood. Superordinate subpopulations or population size cannot be readily approached recording simply sub-populations of certain activities and vice versa. Particularly, it is examined up to which extent sub-populations can be recorded within the behavioral areas methodically. Using bibliographical references it is discussed, what several authors really did record in man and animal, and how far these recordings are comparable under different conceptual conditions. The meaningfulness of some recording parameters is discussed in relation to a concrete question or target, resp. The influence of environmental factors, chiefly on water balance in black flies, which is coinfluenced by vapour pressure of water and its gradients to a large extent, should be applied to behavioral areas. Thus, induction of increase in approach- and biting activities causing harm, i. e. the damage as a matter of fact, can be easier understood. Probably, warnings about losses to come about during the main suffering period, when the cattle is put out to pasture the first time in spring, could be stated more precisely.     

Gas exchange in boars of different development stages during motor activity

Continuous measurements were performed on 16 untrained boars for VO2, VCO2, and rectal temperature, prior to, during, and after running exercises on an horizontal exercise belt, with speeds set to 1.3 m.s-1 corresponding to something between 23 and 43 kg of body weight b.wt. or 0.7 and 1.3 m.s-1 corresponding to 76 to 86 kg of b.wt. The highest values of VO2 and VCO2 (ml.min-1/kg-1 b.wt.) and of rectal temperature (degrees C) were 36.78 +/- 3.57, 40.23 +/- 6.17, and 41.9 +/- 0.6 in younger animals or 21.49 +/- 2.46, 22.53 +/- 3.12, 40.8 +/- 0.5, 29.3 +/- 5.15, 30.6 +/- 4.77, and 40.7 +/- 0.45 for somewhat older animals for belt speeds of 0.7 and 1.3 m.s-1. Exercise belt speeds of 0.7 to 1.3 m.s-1 were found to be suitable for testing aerobic metabolic capacity of untrained young boars.     

Epidemic disease in a sheep herd with a possible relationship to a pestivirus

In connection with a case of epidemic disease with high morbidity and mortality in a flock of sheep, a pestivirus infection could be diagnosed. Pathological-anatomical abnormalities were very similar to the character of BVD/MD. Scientific findings on pestivirus infections in sheep are discussed.