Evaluation of rabbit excreta as an ingredient in broiler diets

1. Dry rabbit excreta were found to contain 188.1 g crude protein, 6.6 g non‐protein nitrogen, 0.3 g ammonia, 89.8 g moisture, 8.0 g ether extractives, 135.2 g crude fibre, 266.9 g ash and 19.18 MJ gross energy/kg. Methionine and lysine contents were 3.95 and 4.29 g/100 g protein, respectively.

2. In one experiment, 0, 50, 100 or 200 g rabbit excreta/kg were substituted for maize in a broiler diet. Chickens receiving the diet containing 200 g rabbit excreta/kg gained significantly less weight to 8 weeks of age than those receiving other diets.

3. In a second experiment, 0, 100, 150 or 200 g rabbit excreta/kg were substituted primarily for maize in a broiler diet to provide equal energy and protein contents. Weight gains to 8 weeks of birds receiving these diets did not differ significantly. The uncorrected metabolisable energy content of the excreta was 9.15 MJ/kg.

4. There were no gross pathological changes in the birds fed on the experimental diets.     

Aflatoxin susceptibility of selected and control Japanese quail lines

1. The influence of aflatoxin on growth and mortality of diverse lines of quail was studied in five trials.

2. Feeding 5 or 10 /μg aflatoxin/g diet from 4 to 7 weeks of age resulted in significant decreases in body‐weight gain in all lines.

3. Similar gains for all treatments during the third week of feeding indicated that body weights were reduced only during the first two weeks.

4. Crop intubation with 4 or 8 mg aflatoxin/kg body weight resulted in different mortality patterns for the selected and control quail lines.     

An age-related coagulation disorder associated with experimental infection with infectious bursal disease virus

Specific-pathogen-free White Leghorn chickens were inoculated with a field strain of infectious bursal disease virus. One group (A) was inoculated at 17 days after the chicks were hatched, and the other groups (C and E) were inoculated at posthatch day 42. Blood samples were obtained for determination of clotting times (whole blood recalcification, prothrombin, and activated partial thromboplastin times), virus-neutralizing antibody, and total hemolytic complement. There were significant increases in clotting times for groups C and E at 3 and 5 days after they were inoculated. There were no significant increases in clotting times at 3 days after inoculation in the group A chickens (inoculated at 17 days after hatching). There were no significant decreases in total complement activity in any of these chickens (groups A, C, and E). This study indicates that the mortality and clinical symptoms observed in chickens experimentally infected with infectious bursal disease virus may be associated with a clotting abnormality because it was noted only in chickens that developed severe clinical disease (inoculated at 42 days after hatching) and was not noted in chickens that remained clinically normal (inoculated at 17 days).     

Translocation of 14C-glyphosate in johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense L. Pers.) as affected by growth stage and rhizome length

Studies were conducted in the green house on ¹⁴C-methyllabelled glyphosate translocation in johnsongrass as affected by rhizome length and growth stage. The amount of ¹⁴C measured by the liquid scintillation technique in the rhizomes (2-8%) increased with rhizome length (10, 20 or 30 cm) and tended to increase with growth stage (15-30 cm tall, 45-60 cm tall, or at seedhead), but the amount of ¹⁴C per g fresh rhizome weight was almost similar in all cases. Of the total amount applied per plant (0·2 μCi) about 1/3 or less remained on the treated leaf area, while another 1/3 was a absorbed into the treated leaves. Autoradiographs showed that the ¹⁴C label moved to all plant parts, basipetally and acropetally. Migration du glyphosate ¹⁴ C chez le sorgho d'Alep (Sorghum halepense L. Pers.) en relation avec le stage de croissance et la longueur du rhizome Des recherches ont été effectuées en serru sur la migration du glyphosate marqué au ¹⁴C sur le méthyle, chez le sorgho d'Alep, en relation avec la longueur du rhizome et le stade de croissance. La quantité de ¹⁴C mesurée par la technique de scintillation liquide dans les rhizomes (2 à 8%) s'est accrue avec la longueur du rhizome (10, 20 ou 30 cm) et elle a eu tendance à augmenter avec le stade de croissance (Hauteur 15-30 cm, hauteur 45-60 cm ou épiaison), mais la quantité de ¹⁴C par gramme de poids frais de rhizome est restée Presque identique dans tous les cas. Environ 1/3, ou moins, de la quantitéà la surface des feuilles traitées par plante (0,2 μCi), est restéà la surface des feuilles traitées cependant qu'un autre 1/3 a été absorbé dans less feuilles traitées Les autoradiographies ont montré que le ¹⁴C marqueur a migré dans toutes les parties de la plante, dans le sens basipète et dans le sens acropète. Translokation von ¹⁴C-Glyphosat in Johnsongras (Sorghum halepense L. Pers.) in Abhängigkeit vom Wachstumsstadium der Pflanzen und der Rhizomlänge Im Gewächshaus wurden Versuche über die Translokation von ¹⁴C-Glyphosat in Johnsongras (Sorghum halepense L. Pers.) in Abhängigkeit vom Wachstumsstadium der Pflanzen und der Rhizomlänge durchgeführt. An den Rhizomen stieg der Gehalt von ¹⁴C(2–8%), gemessen mit der Flüssig-Szintillationstechnik, mit zunehmender Rhizomlänge (10, 20 oder 30 cm) an und nahm tendenziell auch mit fortschreitendem Pflanzenwachstum zu (15–30 cm und 45–60 cm Sprosslänge oder nach dem Rispenschieben); jedoch blieb die Menge pro g Rhizomfrischgewicht beinahe konstant. Von der insgesamt ausgebrachten Menge pro Pflanze (0.2 μCi) blieben bis zu 1/3 auf der behandelten Blättern absorbiert wurde. Die Autoradiographie zeigte, dass der ¹⁴C markierte Teil in alle Pflanzenteile sowohl basipetal wie auch akropetal transportiert wurde.     

The influence of temperature and photoperiod on growth and development of Parthenium hysterophorus L.

Germination, growth and flowering were investigated in Parthenium hysterophoms (Asteraceae), a species introduced to Australia and at present occurring as a weed in central Queensland. Combinations of day/night temperature regimes from 15/4 to 36/31 and day length of 10, 13 and 16 h in controlled conditions were examined to find the effects of any environmental restraints to growth and development. Results showed that individuals are able to germinate, grow and flower over a wide range of temperatures and photoperiods and established plants can survive at least one mild frost of — 2. We conclude that the potential distribution of P. hyslerophorus in Australia is much wider than at present. Future distribution of the species may be limited seasonally by the inability of seed to germinate in soils of low water potential and by the inability of seedlings to establish and grow at low light intensities.     

Egg production in relation to the results of a long term serological survey of 73 flocks of fowl

Summary Seventy-three flocks of fowl were tested at regular intervals for the presence of precipitins to fowl adenovirus (AV) and infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), haem-agglutinating inhibiting antibodies to BC14 virus, and of agglutinins to Mycoplasma gallisepticum (M.g.) and Mycoplasma synoviae (M.s.). In all the eight flocks affected with Egg Drop Syndrome (EDS '76), egg production problems were associated with increasing numbers of BCI4 virus reactors and AV reactors. In flocks showing production problems other than EDS '76 without any apparent cause, the average percentage of AV reactors increased significantly after the rearing period; this was not true of IBV reactors. BC14 reactors were either absent or present only once, in small numbers and with low titres, during the test period. The average percentage of AV reactors did not increase after the rearing period either in normally producing flocks or in flocks with production problems for which other diseases or dietary errors plausibly accounted for these problems. All this suggests a pathogenic role of AV in production problems. One can conclude from the high percentage of reactors in all groups of flocks that sub-clinical IBV infections are common. The percentage of IBV reactors during the laying period of flocks with EDS '76 was significantly higher than that of normally producing flocks. It is therefore suggested that subclinical IBV infection could be among the factors causing stress, acting as a trigger for EDS '76. All M.g.-infected flocks showed production problems; M.s. infections could not be related to egg production disturbances.     

Nitrate poisoning in cattle

Summary In a series of experiments the effect of administering KNO(2) was studied, during parturition, on the capability of oxygen transport of maternal blood and on oxygen transfer to foetal blood. The following blood parameters were analysed, MHb percentage, pO(2), O(2)-saturation, pH, pCO(2), and (NO(2)) in maternal arterial blood (carotid art.) and venous blood (jugular vein) and in foetal arterial blood (umbilical art.) and venous blood (umbilical vein). The relative O(2)-saturation was calculated from the estimated O(2)-saturation by multiplying with the factor Hb (mmol/1) minus MHb (mmol/1), divided by Hb (mmol/1). In addition, blood pressure in the carotid artery, heart rate, and respiration rate in the dam were continuously recorded for some hours. A dosage of 9 to 12 mg of NO(2)/kg body weight intravenously or of 30 mg of NO(2)/kg body weight orally to the dam caused much higher MHb percentages and NO(2) contents in the maternal blood than in the foetal blood. In maternal blood the ratio of NO(2) content td MHb percentage was proportional to that in foetal blood. In the arterial blood, MHb percentages were almost as high as in the venous blood. After administering of nitrite, relative O(2)-saturation dropped simultaneously with the increase in methaemoglobin. Nitrite treatment caused a drop in the maternal blood pressure; heart rate and respiration rate increased. O(2)-saturation in the blood in the umbilical vein was much lower in the animals with nitrite treatment than in those without. These experimental results show clearly that the oxygen capacity of the blood decreases after nitrite treatment. In pregnant cows the oxygen supply to the foetus will be adversely affected after nitrate intake, especially by the lower oxygen transfer via the placenta, though hardly at all by methaemoglobin formation in the foetal blood. When the oxygen transfer to the foetal blood decreases too sharply, intra-uterine death and ultimately abortion may result.     

Egg transmission of egg drop syndrome 1976 virus in fowl

Summary Egg transmission of egg drop syndrome 1976 virus (BC14 virus) in fowl was demonstrated in the second and third week after experimental infection. Eggs of BC14 virus infected hens were incubated weekly after disinfection with formaline gas. After 18 days of incubation, eggs with live embryos were homogenized. This egg material was fed to adult hens, housed in isolators. Seroconversion in these birds demonstrated egg transmission. It is suggested that egg transmission occurs as a result of viremia.     

Total hemolytic complement values in normal and diseased dog populations

The optimum conditions for handling and storage of canine sera for total hemolytic complement assays were assessed. Sera from 113 normal dogs and 217 clinical admissions to the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital were assayed for total hemolytic complement levels. Normal sera had a mean value of 185 CH50 units. Sera from animals with systemic lupus erythematosus and hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, had significantly lower mean levels of complement than the normal group. Sera from dogs with generalized demodectic mange, tumors, various inflammatory diseases, hypothyroidism, seborrhea, and rheumatoid arthritis had values significantly higher than the normal population.