Response time of broiler chickens to cimaterol: meat tenderness, muscle composition fiber size, and carcass characteristics.

The response time to cimaterol (CIM), a beta-adrenergic agonist, by broiler chickens for carcass characteristics, muscle composition, muscle fiber size, catheptic enzyme activity, and tenderness was determined. Two trials were conducted in which chickens were fed a control diet (CON) containing 0 ppm of CIM or a diet containing 1 ppm of CIM. Trial 1 consisted of 55, 31-d-old broiler chickens individually fed for up to 48 h. At 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 48 h, five CON and five CIM-fed chickens were killed. Trial 2 consisted of 160, 33-d-old broiler chickens group-fed for up to 14 d. At 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 d, 10 CON and 10 CIM-fed chickens were killed. The breast muscle (BM) and leg muscle (LM) weight, cathepsin B and L activities, DNA, RNA, and protein concentration, and BM shear force value (SFV) were measured in both trials. Thigh muscle (TM) SFV were measured in Trial 2 only. Fiber size of BM was measured (five birds per treatment) at d 2, 6, 10, and 14. In Trial 1, BM weight and SFV were lower in CIM-fed birds at 6 h (P less than .05). In Trial 2 BM SFV were higher at d 8 (P = .06) and d 10 (P less than .05) in CIM-fed chickens. The SFV of CIM-fed chickens were higher at d 4, 8, 10, 12, and 14 (P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Microcirculation in the follicles and corpora lutea of the bovine ovary--a corrosion anatomical study

With the help of a new synthetic material follicles and corpora lutea from the ovaries of 80 cows in different stages of the sexual cycle were examined for modifications of their blood vessel architecture. In the theca externa the main artery which runs towards the follicle, separates into arterioles of which capillaries derive in the theca interna, building a basket-like network around the zona granulosa. After ovulation the follicle wall forms characteristic fields. Capillaries grow into the zona granulosa and thus the folds form the lobular structure of the corpus luteum. Capillaries which rise from the ruptured part of the follicle, spread centripetally and together with lutein cells they build up the not lobulated cupola of the corpus luteum. The regression of the corpus luteum starts around the 16th day of the cycle, beginning at the capillary network of the cupola. A contraction of the vessels and a quick decrease of the volume follow.     

The effect of hypervitaminosis D3 on the bones of the chicken. 2. Electron microscopic studies

In an experiment of 36 days duration 46 one-day-old chicks were divided into 5 groups and fed with different concentrations of vitamin D3. The animals of the group which lacked vitamin D3, showed the typical rachitic lesions. After a 15 days lack of vitamin D3 the chicks of another group were treated with standard food (2000 I.U. vitamin D3/kg food) with the consequence of an approximation of the analyzed parameters to those of the control group within 3 weeks. When fed with 60,000 I.U. of vitamin D3 after a 15 days lack of this vitamin, the animals showed an over-hasty healing process, ending up with signs of intoxication which were even more conspicuous when fed with 120,000 I.U. of vitamin D3. Besides an increasing calcification of osteoblasts and endothelial cell membranes as well as a degeneration of osteoblasts, a clear increase of eosinophilic granulocytes could be noticed. In all groups free erythrocytes within the ground substance were found. There was no evidence of necroses of osteocytes or of bone.     

Comparison of partial ribosomal DNA sequences of Babesia gibsoni occurring in Miyazaki prefecture, Japan.

Nucleotide sequences of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of Babesia (B.) gibsoni occurring in Miyazaki, western Japan, were examined using blood samples obtained from seven dogs suffering from natural canine babesiosis. DNA isolated from these blood samples was subjected to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The nucleotide sequences of the PCR products were determined and compared with other rDNA sequences of B. gibsoni isolated from Asia, Europe and U.S.A. Although homology values between our isolates and those isolated from Europe and U.S.A. were both 84.0%, respectively, our isolates were identical to the Asian types. In conclusion, B. gibsoni occurring in Miyazaki was revealed to have the genotype Asia 1 or Asia 2 from a comparison of the partial rDNA sequences.     

Hepatitis contagiosa canis (H.c.c.)--2 cases in Austria

Two cases of H.c.c. which occurred in winter 1987 in Vienna are described. Case one was a female Chow-Chow, 8 weeks of age, that died from the peracute form of the disease. The diagnosis was confirmed by histology and direct immunofluorescence. Case two, a 9-month old female Kuvacz, showed clinical signs of the subacute form of H.c.c. She was hospitalized and therapy was successful. The disease was diagnosed by the typical clinical signs and the raise of antibodies in paired serum samples. Etiology, clinical signs and immunology of H.c.c. are discussed.     

Nephrolithiasis resulting in intermittent ureteral obstruction in a cow

Bilateral nephrolithiasis with intermittent ureterolithiasis was diagnosed in a 7-year old Holstein cow. Two episodes of ureterolithiasis resulted in severe azotemia which resolved after spontaneous movement of the stone. A third episode of obstruction one year after the initial episode resulted in rupture of one kidney, necessitating euthanasia. The histopathological examination of the kidney was diagnostic for chronic pyelonephritis. Corynebacterium sp. was cultured from a nephrolith. In this case it is believed that the chronic pyelonephritis predisposed to the calculi formation.     

Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibodies to bovine virus diarrhoea virus in milk

The present study shows that milk is an appropriate source for detection of seroreactors to bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV). There was close agreement between antibody titres in serum and in skim milk, as determined by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The antibody titres were usually lower in skim milk than in serum, but all seropositive cows (n = 84) were also skim milk-positive and all but one seronegative cow (n = 55) proved negative in skim milk. During lactation, the level of antibodies to BVDV in milk showed an inverse relationship to the amount of milk produced. However, there was a sufficient level of antibodies in milk throughout lactation to permit an adequate determination of BVDV antibody status in dairy cows. There was a mutual good agreement between milk antibody titre in the four mammary quarters, irrespective of milk cell count. Milk can be used to detect seroreactors to BVDV. Milk is preferable to blood in large-scale epidemiological studies, since the sampling procedure is much simpler.     

Effect of a new pelleting process on the level of contamination of poultry mash by Escherichia coli and Salmonella

The efficacy of a new pelleting process in eliminating naturally occurring Escherichia coli and salmonella from poultry mash was assessed by comparing the microbial load in raw and processed mash. Instead of using steam produced in a boiler, the new process conditioned mash in an Original Vertical Conditioner with steam and other hot gases generated by direct combustion in a Vaporator. E. coli was isolated from 72-100% of samples of raw mash in all trials, and the mean number of colony-forming units of E. coli/g of samples was 6.8 +/- 4.0 X 10(4). Salmonellae (S. senftenberg, S. bredeney, and S. mbandaka) were isolated from 5-10% of samples of raw mash utilized in three of the seven trials. Within limitations of the sampling and analytical tests utilized, the new pelleting process eliminated salmonella from all mash in which the organism was known to be present but eliminated E. coli in only three trials. The process appeared to be 100% effective against both organisms when mash entering the pellet mill from the conditioner had a temperature of 85.7 C and a moisture content of 14.5% and had been retained and treated with steam and hot gases for 4.1 minutes.     

Spontaneous regression of bovine cutaneous leukosis

Biopsies of skin from a 2-year-old heifer with spontaneously regressing dermal leukosis were examined. The heifer was not infected with bovine leukemia virus and was negative for tumor-associated antigens of enzootic bovine lymphosarcoma. By hematological standards for bovine leukemia, the heifer was positive at about 60 days post-occurrence of the disease (POD). At 53 days POD, lymphoblastic neoplastic cells in the dermis reacted with anti-T lymphocyte monoclonal antibody by the avidin biotin peroxidase complex method. The cells had intracytoplasmic clustered dense bodies under electron microscopy. From 53 to 83 days POD, figures of the transepithelial elimination (TE) against neoplastic cells and perivascular infiltration of small lymphocytes were in the dermis. Small lymphocytes reacted with anti-T lymphocyte monoclonal antibody. At necropsy there were no neoplastic lesions; there were flat lymph node-like tissues in the subcutis. Many germinal centers were seen in the lymphatic organs. Blood lymphocytes at 46 days POD were stimulated by phytohemagglutinin-P and concanavalin A. Sera, taken until 75 days POD and at necropsy, showed an inhibitory effect on mitogen-induced blastogenesis of normal bovine lymphocytes. These results suggested the existence of a spontaneous regressive mechanism against neoplastic lesions by TE and tumor immunity.