Five field trials on the efficacy of a bovine respiratory syncytial virus vaccine

Five field trials evaluated whether immunization of beef cattle prior to weaning, at weaning, or immediately upon arrival at the feedlot with a commercial bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) vaccine would reduce subsequent treatment for respiratory disease.

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus vaccination was associated with a significant (p<0.05) reduction in treatment rate in one of three groups of calves immunized prior to weaning (−12%) and in calves immunized upon arrival at the feedlot (−4%).

There was no significant (p>0.05) effect of the BRSV vaccine on treatment rate in calves immunized at weaning, in calves immunized upon arrival at the Saskatoon bull test station, or in yearlings immunized upon arrival at the feedlot.

Although the trend in these field trials was to a sparing effect of the BRSV vaccine, the small reduction in treatment rate may not justify the cost of the vaccination program.

     

Fusarium head blight and mycotoxin contamination of wheat,a review

Summary An infection of bread wheat by fusarium head blight contaminates the crop with mycotoxins, particularly deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV). The toxicity and natural occurrence of these mycotoxins in wheat are reviewed. Based on 8 years data of fusarium head blight epidemics of wheat in the Netherlands, DON contamination of the grain was estimated. Fusarium head blight ratings averaged an infection of 1.7% of all spikelets; estimates for DON contamination averaged 0.9 mg kg^–1. Taking a guideline level for DON in uncleaned bread wheat of 2 mg kg^–1, in 1979 and 1982 a wheat crop was produced with estimated DON concentrations above the limit of tolerance. Human and animal exposure to mycotoxins in the Netherlands appears to be small but chronic. The information presented in this paper illustrates the need for an annual evaluation of the crop for fusarium head blight incidence and mycotoxin content, and the necessity of fusarium head blight resistant wheat cultivars.Samenvatting Aaraantasting van tarwe doorFusarium culmorum enFusarium graminearum leidt tot vorming van mycotoxinen in het graan, waarvan deoxynivalenol (DON) en nivalenol (NIV) de belangrijkste toxinen zijn. In dit artikel wordt een overzicht gegeven van de toxicologische aspecten, en het voorkomen van deze toxinen in tarwe. Informatie over DON en NIV in tarwe in West-Europa is schaars. Gebaseerd op gegevens vanFusarium epidemieën in de jaren 1979–1986 wordt een schatting gegeven van de concentratie DON in Nederlandse tarwe. Rekening houdend met de herkomst en verwerking van tarwe, blijken zowel in dierlijk als menselijk voedsel lage concentraties DON chronisch voor te komen. Op basis van een maximaal toelaatbare dagelijkse dosis DON van 3 g kg^–1 lichaamsgewicht is de schatting van de dagelijkse opname van DON in het jaar volgend op de oogst van 1982 net op de grens. Zowel een jaarlijkse inventarisatie vanFusarium aantasting en DON besmetting van het graan, als de ontwikkeling vanFusarium-resistente rassen zijn noodzakelijk.     

Control of Fusarium wilt in carnation grown on rockwool by Pseudomonas sp. strain WCS417r and by Fe-EDDHA

In carnations grown on rockwool disease incidence of fusarium wilt caused byFusarium oxysporum f.sp.dianthi (Fod) was reduced when Fe-EDDHA instead of Fe-DTPA was used as iron source in the nutrient solution. Addition ofPseudomonas sp. strain WSC417r intensified this reduction in the cultivar Pallas, moderately resistant to Fusarium, but not in the susceptible cultivar Lena. Treatment of plants with Fe-EDDHA instead of Fe-DTPA as iron source resulted in higher numbers and percentages on the roots, ofin vitro antagonistic fluorescent pseudomonads. However, differences were only significant at 56 days after planting for cv. Lena and at 14 and 28 days after planting for cv. Palas. Both chelators, at different concentrations, had no effect on root colonization by eitherPseudomonas sp. strain WCS417r orFod strain WCS816. However, when coinoculated, reduced numbers of propagules ofFusarium were found at concentrations of Fe-EDDHA lower than 10^–5 M.Higher concentrations of the siderophore fusarine produced byFod strain WCS816 were demonstrated when Fe-EDDHA instead of Fe-DTPA was used as iron source in culture media. At equal concentrations, no such differences were found in the amount of siderophore produced by WCS417r. Germ tube length ofFod was less with Fe-EDDHA than with Fe-DTPA. The reduction of germ tube length was stronger when the purified siderophore of WCS417r was added in excess to the culture media with Fe-EDDHA than those with Fe-DTPA. Therefore, the observed reduction of germ tube growth can not completely be explained by iron deprivation. It appeared that EDDHA exhibited a toxic effect for conidia ofFod strain WCS816 as well.we conclude that the observed disease reduction by Fe-EDDHA is a consequence of a limitation of iron availability forFod. This limitation is possibly intensified by the increase in number or percentage of antagonistic fluorescent pseudomonads that strongly compete for iron. The additional effect after bacterization withPseudomonas strain WCS417r in Fe-EDDHA treated carnations of cv. Pallas is likely to be due, at least partly, to a direct competition for iron between the siderophores ofFod strain WCS816 and ofPesudomonas sp. strain WCS417r.Samenvatting Verwelkingsziekte in anjers op steenwol, veroorzaakt doorFusarium oxysporum f. sp.dianthi (Fod), werd gereduceerd indien het ijzer-chelaat Fe-EDDHA in plaats van Fe-DTPA werd toegevoegd aan de nutriëntenvloeistof. Bacterisatie metPseudomonas sp. stam WCS417r had een additioneel effect bij de matig resistence cultivar Pallas maar niet bij de vatbare cultivar Lena. Toevoeging van Fe-EDDHA in plaats van Fe-DTPA aan planten als ijzerbron resulteerde op de wortels in hogere aantallen en percentages fluorescerende pseudomonaden, diein vitro antagonistisch waren ten opzichte vanFod. De verschillen waren echter alleen significant 56 dagen na planten voor de cultivar Lena en 14 en 28 dagen na planten voor de cultivar Pallas. Beide chelaten vertoonden bij verschillende concentraties geen effect op de kolonisatie van de wortel door beide microorganismen. Echter, wanneer beide micro-organismen gezamelijk werden toegevoegd nam de wortelkolonisatie doorFod stam WCS816 af bij concentraties lager dan 10^–5 M Fe-EDDHA. Er werd meer van het siderofoor fusarine doorFod stam WCS816 geproduceerd bij concentraties lager dan 10^–4 M Fe indien Fe-EDDHA in plaats van Fe-DTPA als ijzerbron aan het cultuurmedium was toegevoegd. Er werd geen effect van beide chelaten gevonden op de siderofoorproduktie door WCS417r. Indien een overmaat van het gezuiverde siderofoor van WCS417r werd toegevoegd aan Fe-EDDHA werden een sterkere afname van de kiembuislengte gevonden dan toevoeging aan Fe-DTPA. De reductie van de kiembuislengte bleek niet volledig verklaard te kunnen worden door een afname van de ijzerbeschikbaarheid. Het chelaat EDDHA heeft ook een toxisch effect op conidiën van fusarium.Wij concluderen, dat de waargenomen reductie van de verwelkingziekte door Fe-EDDHA een gevolg is van de afname van de ijzerbeschikbaarheid voorFod. Dit wordt waarschijnlijk versterkt door de ontwikkeling van een antagonistische, fluorescerendePseudomonas-populatie die sterk concurreren om ijzer. Het additioneel effect dat door bacterisatie metPseudomonas sp. WCS417r van de met Fe-EDDHA behandelde matig resistante anjers (Pallas) werd verkregen is voor een deel het gevolg van een directe concurrentie om ijzer tussen de sideroforen vanFod stam WCS816 en vanPseudomonas sp. stam WCS417r.     

Reproductive performance of nili-ravi buffaloes after a single injection of GnRH earlypost partum

Summary Sixty dairy buffaloes (second to fourth lactation) from a large buffalo farm were used to compare the effects of single intramuscular injections of 100 µg gondadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH), 250 µg GnRH or saline given on day 14post partum. The buffaloes had calved at the end of the breeding season (December). Milk samples for progesterone determination were taken at the time of injection and then three times a week either until first insemination or until around day 90post partum. GnRH given at 14 dayspost partum resulted in quicker completion of uterine involution, earlier resumption of ovarian activity, shorter intervals between calving and conception and a better first service conception rate in non-suckled dairy buffaloes. Differences between the results obtained by a GnRH dose level of 100 µg and 250 µg were non-significant. In the post-treatment period cases of prolonged luteal activity were common in all groups of buffaloes. Therefore the sequential administration of GnRH and prostaglandin is suggested for the management of post-partum reproductive activity in problem herds.

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Desempeno Reproductivo De Bufalos Nili-Ravi Despues De Una Sola Inyeccion De GnRH Temprano Despues Del Post-Parto

Resumen Sesenta búfalos lecheros (segunda a cuarta lactancia) pertenecientes a un hato grande fueron utilizados para comparar los efectos de inyecciones intramusculares de 100 µg de GnRH, 250 µg y de solución salina, aplicadas 14 días después del parto. Los búfalos habian parido al final de la estación de pariciones (diciembre). Se tomaron muestras de leche para medir progesterona, en el momento de la inyección y después tres veces por semana hasta la primera inseminación, o hasta cerca de los 90 días post-parto. La GnRH administrada 14 días post-parto, dio como resultado una rápida involución uterina, más rápido retorno a la actividad ovárica, más cortos intervalos entre partos y concepción, y un mejor índice servicio-concepción en búfalos lecheros que no estaban amamantando. Los resultados de dosis de 100 µg y 250 µg no fueron significativos. En el período post-tratamiento, los casos de actividad luteal prolongada fueron comunes en todos los grupos de búfalos. Se sugiere entonces, la administración secuencial de GnRH y prostaglandina, parar el manejo de la actividad reproductiva post-parto en hatos problema.

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Performances De Reproduction Du Buffle Nili-Ravi Apres Une Injection Unique PrecocePost Partum De Gonadotrophine (GnRH)

Résumé Soixante bufflesses laitières (de la seconde à la quatrième lactation), appartenant à une grande ferme d'élevage de buffles, ont été utilisées pour comparer les effets d'une injection unique intramusculaire de 100 µg de gonadotrophine, ou de 250 µg du même produit ou d'une solution de sérum physiologique. Les bufflesses avaient mis bas à la fin de la saison de reproduction soit en décembre. Des prélèvements de lait ont été effectués pour déterminer le taux de progestérone au moment de l'injection d'une part, puis trois fois par semaine d'autre part jusqu'à la première insémination ou aux alentours d'une période de 90 jours après le part. La gonadotrophine, libérée sous forme d'hormone (GnRH), injectée 14 jours après la mise bas a eu pour effet un retour complet plus rapide de l'involution utérine et des intervalles plus courts entre la mise bas et la conception ainsi qu'un meilleur taux de conception à la première monte chez les femelles laitières non allaitantes. Les différences entre les résultats obtenus par une dose de 100/µg ou de 250/µg de gonadotrophine (GnRH) n'étaient pas significatives. Pendant la période post-thérapeutique, des cas d'activité lutéale prolongée ont été courants dans tous les groupes de bufflesses. En conséquence, l'administration séquentielle de GnRH et de prostaglandine est conseillée pour contrôler l'activité post-partum de reproduction dans les troupeaux qui présentent des problèmes de cet ordre.

     

Teaching animal welfare in the land grant universities

Colleges and universities have an obligation to teach the basis of animal husbandry and welfare and must prepare students so that they can respond effectively to challenges by proponents of the animal welfare and animal rights movements. Veterinary curricula must now contain formal instruction in professional ethics and humane stewardship of animals for accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association. It is helpful if students have an understanding of farm animal behavior, stress physiology and methods of assessing welfare prior to learning about the animal welfare/rights movement's philosophies and issues. A review of early judicial practices, "classical" Judeo-Christian philosophy, the philosophy of Rene Descartes, Jeremy Bentham, Albert Schweitzer, and current philosophers and the entertainment media places the movements in perspective. Students should be familiar with such concepts as the mind-body controversy, equality of suffering, self-awareness or intelligence, and speciesism. After acquiring an appreciation of the basics, a knowledge of the issues facing animal agriculture and the arguments for and against each issue are necessary. Graduates of colleges of agriculture need to realize the potential effects the movements can have and take the initiative to improve the image of animal agriculture.     

Detection of a novel chloramphenicol resistance plasmid from "equine" Staphylococcus sciuri

A small chloramphenicol resistance (Cm) plasmid of 4.65 kB could be detected in an "equine" Staphylococcus sciuri-culture. This plasmid, designated as pSC3, was identified by interspecific protoplast transformation. On the basis of restriction endonuclease analyses a detailed restriction map of pSC3 could be constructed. This allowed structural comparisons of pSC3 with Cm-plasmids of other staphylococcal species from infections of humans and animals and identification of pSC3 as a member of the pC 221-family of staphylococcal Cm-plasmids. The pSC3-plasmid encoded an inducible chloramphenicol acetyltransferase as confirmed by enzymatic assays. This enzyme could be demonstrated in cell-free lysates of Cm-induced pSC3-transformants.     

30 years of swine health services in Bavaria

A Pig Health Service in Bavaria was established in 1958, there was one veterinary-officer working. The department Pig-Health Service of the "Tiergesundheitsdienst Bayern" has twenty-one veterinary-officers now. They mostly are working in the pig health scheme, doing stress susceptibility test, giving advice and expert evidence.     

Ovarian cysts in cattle--etiology, therapy success, fertility

The functions of the ovaries were controlled in 92 cattle over a period of 12 to 95 days p.p. Cystic follicles developed in 61% (25 from 41) during reconvalescence period and were correlated with a 4.2 days earlier onset of ovarian function, which was assured statistically. All together in 41 animals cystic degeneration was registered. Cysts having appeared before day 39 p.p. receded spontaneously in 24%, those having developed later remained. By application of the GnRH-analogous Buserelin (Receptal), either exclusive or combined with beta-carotene or Prostaglandin Trometamol-Tiaprost (Iliren) ovarian function could be restored in all cases. Restitution was most rapid when using Buserelin plus beta-carotene (Fertilizing insemination 3 weeks post application), but protracted after the consecutive method of therapy. All 92 cattle became pregnant. The P4-level of all "cyst-cows" were low, i.e. between 0.68 and 0.81 ng/ml of skimmed milk. The increase of conductivity of the cervical mucus to above 30 Ohm turned out an evidence of an ovarian cyst to be present. Restoration took longer in correlation with the increasing diameter of the cysts.     

Plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus hyicus

A total of 33 Staphylococcus hyicus-cultures from piglets with exudative epidermatitis were analyzed for the presence of antibiotic resistance plasmids. Four small plasmids encoding resistances to chloramphenicol, macrolide-lincosamide-antibiotics, streptomycin or tetracyclines could be identified in plasmid-curing and plasmid-transformation experiments. For further characterization these plasmids were digested with restriction endonucleases. This led to the construction of a specific restriction map for each of the 4 plasmids. On the basis of their restriction maps, these 4 antibiotic resistance plasmids from "porcine" S. hyicus-cultures were compared with the respective resistance plasmids of other staphylococcal species from infections of humans and animals.