Admixture analysis in relation to pedigree studies of introgression in a minority British cattle breed: the Lincoln Red

Investigation of historic population processes using molecular data has been facilitated by the use of approximate Bayesian computation (ABC), which enables the consideration of multiple alternative demographic scenarios. The Lincoln Red cattle breed provides a relatively simple example of two well‐documented admixture events. Using molecular data for this breed, we found that structure did not resolve very low (<5% levels) of introgression, possibly due to sampling limitations. We evaluated the performance of two ABC approaches (2BAD and DIYABC) against those of two earlier methodologies, ADMIX and LEADMIX, by comparing their interpretations with the conclusions drawn from herdbook analysis. The ABC methods gave credible values for the proportions of the Lincoln Red genotype that are attributable to Aberdeen Angus and Limousin, although estimates of effective population size and event timing were not realistic. We suggest ABC methods are a valuable supplement to pedigree‐based studies but that the accuracy of admixture determination is likely to diminish with increasing complexity of the admixture scenario.     

Supplementation of the maternal diet with tomato powder and marigold extract: effects on the antioxidant system of the developing quail

The effects of natural dietary carotenoid supplementation of the maternal diet (tomato powder and marigold extract) on transfer to the egg yolk and on the development of the antioxidant system of the young quail liver in early postnatal life were investigated. Sixty Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were allocated to four treatment groups, each with three replicates consisting of four females and one male each. The quail were fed on one of four different diets for 23 d, each of them based on a low carotenoid, wheat/barley-based control diet. Tomato powder and marigold extract were added at rates of 20 and 2 g/kg to treatments 2 and 3, respectively. Marigold extract and tomato powder were also used in combination in treatment 4 at 2 g marigold + 20 g tomato powder/kg of diet. At 20 weeks of age, 60 eggs from each treatment were collected and placed in an incubator. After hatching, d-old quail from each group were reared (under standard commercial conditions) up to 14 d of age. They were fed on a low-carotenoid commercial diet. After hatch, at 1, 7 and 14 d, the livers of five young quail from each treatment were assessed for total carotenoid concentration and carotenoid profile. Results indicated that lycopene is transferred from the feed to the egg yolk and further to the liver of the developing embryo. Elevated carotenoid concentration in the egg yolk and correspondingly in the liver of newly hatched quail remains significant during first week posthatch. Lutein and lycopene did not affect vitamin E concentration in the egg yolk or liver of the newly hatched quail. A combination of increased concentrations of lycopene and lutein in the egg yolk results in elevated concentrations of coenzyme Q in the liver of the newly hatched quail.     

Intravenous and intratracheal administration of trimetoquinol, a fast-acting short-lived bronchodilator in horses with 'heaves'

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Trimetoquinol (TMQ) is a potent beta-adrenoceptor agonist bronchodilator used in human medicine but has not been evaluated for potential use as a therapeutic agent for horses with 'heaves'. OBJECTIVES: To assess the pharmacodynamics of TMQ in horses with 'heaves' to determine potential therapeutic effects. METHODS: Increasing doses of TMQ were administered to horses with 'heaves' by i.v. and intratracheal (i.t.) routes. Doses ranged 0.001-0.2 microg/kg bwt i.v. and 0.01-2 microg/kg bwt i.t. Cardiac and airways effects were assessed by measurement of heart rate (HR) and maximal change in pleural pressure (deltaPplmax), respectively. Side effects of sweating, agitation and muscle trembling were scored subjectively. Duration of action to i.v. (0.2 microg/kg bwt) and i.t. (2 microg/kg bwt) TMQ was evaluated over 6 h. RESULTS: Intravenous TMQ was an exceptionally potent cardiac stimulant. Heart rate increased at 0.01 microg/kg bwt, and was still increasing after administration of highest dose, 0.2 microg/kg bwt. Airway bronchodilation, measured as a decrease in deltaPplmax, also commenced at 0.01 microg/kg bwt. By the i.t. route, TMQ was 50-100-fold less potent than by i.v. Side effects included sweating, agitation and muscle trembling. Overall, the onset of HR and bronchodilator effects was rapid, within about 3 min, but effects were over at 2 h. CONCLUSION: When administered i.v. and i.t., TMQ is a highly potent cardiac stimulant and a modest bronchodilator. It may not be an appropriate pharmacological agent by i.v. and i.t. routes for the alleviation of signs in horses with 'heaves'. Further studies of TMQ by oral and aerosol routes are necessary. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: In horses, TMQ is a fast-acting bronchodilator with a short duration of action. It could be used as a rescue agent during an episode of 'heaves'. The i.v. and i.t. administration of TMQ is associated with side effects, similar to those reported for all other beta-agonists. However, other routes, such as aerosol and oral, may prove useful and safe for the alleviation of bronchoconstriction typical of 'heaves'.     

Intralesional cisplatin chemotherapy and topical cryotherapy for the control of choanal squamous cell carcinoma in an African penguin (Spheniscus demersus).

A 3.5-yr-old, 2.5-kg female African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) was diagnosed with a choanal squamous cell carcinoma on the basis of biopsy after a history of choanal ulceration and anorexia with weight loss. Therapeutic modalities included the use of intralesional cisplatin followed by localized, topical cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen. The penguin remained free of clinical disease for a period of 9 mo, at which time a second cryotreatment was performed. The patient has remained free of all signs of choanal carcinoma for a period of 13 mo since the second cryotreatment.     

Application of bovine microsatellite markers for genetic diversity analysis of European bison (Bison bonasus)

In this study, the cross‐amplification of a commercial multiplex set of 11 cattle (Bos taurus) microsatellites was tested on a panel of 35 European bison (Bison bonasus) individuals. After polymerase chain reaction optimization, all loci cross‐amplified successfully in investigated bisons. Number of alleles and observed and expected heterozygosity per locus are in the range of 2–4, 0.086–0.629 and 0.288–0.621 respectively. The availability of a heterologous set of multiplexed microsatellite markers derived from cattle opens an avenue for collecting profound genetic data for efficient conservation management strategies of the European bison.     

Effects of pig age at market weight and magnesium supplementation through drinking water on pork quality

Thirty-two halothane-negative pigs (109 +/- 0.6 kg of BW) were used to determine the effect of pig age at marketing (and thus growth rate), and magnesium supplementation through drinking water, on pork quality. Two initial groups of 50 pigs that differed by 30 +/- 2 d of age were fed diets to meet or exceed nutrient requirements beginning at 28 kg of BW. Sixteen average, representative pigs were selected from each group to represent older, slow-growing pigs and younger, fast-growing pigs. For the duration of the study, pigs were individually penned, provided 2.7 kg of feed (0.12% Mg) daily, and allowed free access to water. After 7 d of adjustment, pigs were blocked by sex and BW and allotted to 0 or 900 mg of supplemental Mg/L as MgSO4 in drinking water for 2 d before slaughter. All 32 pigs were then transported (110 km) to a commercial abattoir on the same day and slaughtered 2.5 h after arrival. Longissimus and semimembranosus (SM) chops were packaged and stored to simulate display storage for fluid loss and Minolta color determinations at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 d. Two remaining sections of the LM were vacuum-packaged and stored at 4 degrees C for 25 or 50 d. Fast- (younger) and slow- (older) growing pigs differed by 27 +/- 0.3 d of age (153 and 180 +/- 0.3 d; P < 0.001) at similar BW (108 and 110 +/- 0.6 kg of BW; P = 0.13). Supplementation of Mg tended to increase plasma Mg concentration (24.1 vs. 21.8 +/- 0.8 ppm; P = 0.06) but did not affect Mg concentration in LM or SM. Fluid loss of displayed LM or SM, and purge loss, color, and oxidation of vacuum-packaged LM or SM were not affected by age or Mg (P > 0.10). Surface exudate of the SM from older pigs was lower than that of younger pigs (61 vs. 74 +/- 6 mg; P = 0.05) but was not different for the LM (P = 0.22). The LM from older pigs displayed for 4 and 8 d; P < 0.05) were less yellow (lower b*) than younger pigs. The SM from older pigs had lower lightness (L*) initially (47.9 vs. 49.5 +/- 0.4) and after 2 d (49.7 vs. 51.1 +/- 0.4), 6 d (52.1 vs. 53.7 +/- 0.4) and 8 d (54.5 vs. 55.9 +/- 0.4) of display storage. Younger pigs had greater oxidation of the LM than older pigs on d 8 of display (P < 0.01), and Mg decreased oxidation on d 8 within younger pigs (P < 0.05). Pork quality was improved in older pigs as indicated by less exudate, reduced yellowness of the LM, reduced paleness of the SM, and reduced oxidation of the LM. However, Mg supplementation through the water for 2 d did not affect pork quality of either older, slower growing pigs or younger, faster growing pigs.     

Canine model and genomic structural organization of glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSD Ia)

A canine model of glycogen storage disease Ia (GSD Ia), similar clinically, biochemically, and pathologically to the human disease, was established by crossbreeding Maltese and Beagle dogs carrying a mutated, defective glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) gene. Ten puppies were born in three litters from these crossbreedings. Six were homozygous for the previously described M121I GSD Ia mutation. Of these six affecteds, two were stillborn, and one died at 2, 32, and 60 days of life, respectively (puppies A, B, C, D, E), while one is alive at age 15 months (puppy F). Affected puppies exhibited tremors, weakness, and neurologic signs when hypoglycemic. They had postnatal growth retardation and progressive hepatomegaly. Biochemical abnormalities included fasting hypoglycemia, hyperlactacidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperuricemia. Microscopic examination of tissues from affected puppies showed diffuse, marked hepatocellular vacuolation, with distended clear hepatocytes and central to marginally located rounded nuclei. In the kidneys of puppies D and E, there was segmental glomerular sclerosis and vacuolation of proximal convoluted tubular epithelium. Biochemical analysis revealed increased liver glycogen content and isolated markedly reduced G-6-Pase enzyme activity in liver and kidney. The canine G-6-Pase gene was characterized by screening a canine genomic library. It spans approximately 11.8 kb and consists of five exons with >90% amino acid sequence homology to the derived human sequence. The first 1.5 kb of the 5' region was sequenced and contains several putative response element motifs homologous to the human 5' region. Establishment of this canine colony of GSD Ia that closely resembles human disease and isolation of the canine genomic gene provides an excellent model for studying pathophysiology and long-term complications and an opportunity to develop novel therapeutic approaches such as drug and gene therapy.     

Chylothorax in a dog with pulmonary lymphangiosarcoma

Lymphangiosarcoma of the pulmonary pleura was found to be the cause of persistent chylothorax in an eight-year-old, intact male golden retriever. After a two-month course of medical management, a lymphangiogram and thoracic duct ligation were performed with the objective of decreasing further effusion. At surgery, gross lung pathology was biopsied and yielded a histopathological diagnosis of pulmonary pleural lymphangiosarcoma. A relatively rare tumor, lymphangiosarcoma of the pulmonary pleura has not previously been documented as a source of chylothorax in the dog.