Urea utilization in growing lambs. 6. N balance with 15N urea

Lambs of an age of 2 or 4 months and of an average live weight of 14.7 and 27.4 kg resp. received rations consisting of 44% cereals, 46% dried sugar beet pulp, 6% wheat starch, 2% urea and 2% mineral-vitamin mixture. The crude protein content was 17.1 and 15.9% resp. in the dry matter, that of native crude protein 10.6 and 9.4% resp. During a 6-day N balance period 8 and 16 g 15N urea resp. with a 15N excess (15N') of 9.26 and 9.40 atom-% were fed orally instead of commercial feeding urea. There were no significant differences between the two age groups with regard to the digestibility of the organic matter and the crude nutrients. The average N balance of 372 +/- 85 mg/kg LW 0.75/day were in the intermediate range of N retention capacity and accounted for 26 +/- 5% of the consumed N. N retention in per cent. was slightly lower in younger lambs. Projections of urea utilization in a quasi stationary state resulted in an efficiency of the utilization of 33 +/- 4%. The dismembering of the lambs at the end of the main period showed between 0.02 and 0.22 atom-% 15N' in the total N, TCA precipitable N and amino acid N of the meat. At between 0.24 and 0.38 atom-% 15N' they were highest in the heart and jaw muscles. The quota of 15N' amounts found in the total N of the meat were 10.6 +/- 3% of the 15N-intake and 20.1 +/- 5.1% of the 15N' amount remaining in the body. The bones contained 7.7 +/- 1.7% and the fleece 7.9 +/- 3.1% of the 15N'-intake. Generally seen, the total N and urea utilization was slightly lower in younger lambs than in older ones.     

Molecular characterization and genetic relationship among almond cultivars assessed by RAPD and SSR markers

RAPDs and SSRs were used to study the genetic diversity of Iranian almond cultivars and their relationship to important foreign cultivars and three related species. Eight unidentified almond Shahrodi cultivars and three wild almonds (Prunus communis, Prunus orientalis and Prunus scoparia) were also included. Of the primers tested, 42 (out of 80) RAPD and 18 (out of 26) SSR primers were selected for their reproducibility and high polymorphism. A total of 664 polymorphic RAPD bands were detected out of 729 bands. The number of presumed alleles revealed by the SSR analysis ranged from 3 to 10 alleles per locus with a mean value of 6.64 alleles per locus. Both techniques discriminated the genotypes very effectively, but only RAPDs were able to discriminate the cultivars Monagha and Sefied. Results demonstrated an extensive genetic variability within the tested cultivars as well as the value of SSR markers developed in peach for characterization of almond and related species of Prunus. Dice similarity coefficient was calculated for all pair wise comparisons and was used to construct a UPGMA dendrogram. For both markers a high similarity in dendrogram topologies was obtained although some differences were observed. All dendrograms, including that obtained by the combined use of both the marker data, depicted the phenetic relationships among the cultivars and species, depending upon their geographic region and/or pedigree information. Almond cultivars clustered with accession of P. communis showing their close relationship. P. orientalis and P. scoparia were clustered out of the rest of P. dulcis.     

Compression radiography: an old technique revisited

Five case examples are provided to illustrate the use of compression radiography in the dog and cat. Abdominal compression radiography provides for evaluation of the size, shape, location, and opacity of a specific area without the degree of superimposition encountered with survey radiographs. The following cases illustrate compression techniques of the intestinal tract, uterus, kidney, bladder, and spleen. A review of the technique as well as a discussion of the advantages and limitations are presented.     

An outbreak of Akabane virus—induced abnormalities in calves after agistment in an endemic region

SUMMARY: During 1988, 2 farmers in the Bega district agisted pregnant cattle in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales. On return to the district to calve, 54% of calves from herd 1 and 30% of calves from herd 2 were affected with congenital arthrogryposls or hydranencephaly caused by Akabane virus infection. Field observations and laboratory findings from this outbreak are presented, illustrating the danger of moving immunologlcally naive animals into areas where Akabane virus is endemic.     

Isolation and characterization of Dichelobacter nodosus from ovine and caprine footrot in Kashmir, India

Footrot is a highly contagious and economically important disease of sheep and goats, caused by Dichelobacter nodosus, a slow growing anaerobic Gram-negative rod. The current Australian antigenic classification system, based on variation in the fimbriae, classifies D. nodosus into at least 10 serogroups (A-I and M) and 18 serotypes. This investigation was intended to determine the serological diversity of D. nodosus in this region of Kashmir, India. Exudates of footrot lesions were collected from 24 naturally infected sheep and 42 goats located in the Kashmir valley. Of these 66 samples, 24 yielded evidence of D. nodosus by PCR using 16SrDNA specific primers. Multiplex PCR using serogroup specific primers revealed the presence of serogroup B in all the samples except two, which showed the presence of serogroup E D. nodosus. This study also documents the isolation of D. nodosus and detection of serogroup E for the first time in India.