SNP g.1007A>G within the porcine DNAL4 gene affects sperm motility traits and percentage of midpiece abnormalities

The flagellar beating of a spermatozoa's axoneme is caused by the varying activation and inactivation of dynein molecules. Dynein, axonemal, light chain 4 (DNAL 4 ) is a functional candidate gene for sperm motility as it encodes a small subunit of the dyneins. We resequenced the porcine DNAL 4 using three artificial insemination (AI ) boars each with high (>68%) or low (<60%) motility, and detected 23 SNP . These were then genotyped for 82 AI boars. Using spermatological records, significantly negative genetic correlations between ejaculate volume (VOL ) and the further spermatological parameters concentration (CONC ) (r  = ?.43), motility of undiluted semen (MOTUD ) (r  = ?.09), motility after 24 h (MOT 1) (r  = ?.17) and after 48 hr (MOT 2) (r  = ?.23) were estimated. Significantly positive correlations existed between CONC and MOT 1 (r  = .07) as well as MOT 2 (r  = .10), between MOTUD and MOT 1 (r  = .33), between MOTUD and MOT 2 (r  = .36), and finally between MOT 1 and MOT 2 (r  = .70). Significantly negatively correlated were all motility traits with the parameters abnormal acrosome (AA ) (MOTUD r  = ?.06; MOT 1 r  = ?.08, and MOT 2 r  = ?.1) and presence of cytoplasmic droplet (CD ) (MOTUD r  = ?.07; MOT 1 r  = ?.08; MOT 2 r  = ?.07). Association analyses (single marker regression model; SMR ) propose that SNP g.1007A>G, located in the second intron, reduces motility significantly (MOTUD ‐4.59%; MOT 1 ‐10.33%; MOT 2 ‐19.37%). According to the dominant‐recessive model (DRM ), genotype AA is always superior compared to genotypes AG and GG (i.e. MOTUD 67.67%, 64.16% and 53.91%; MOT 1 54.17%, 43.75% and 28.44%; MOT 2 44.12%, 24.91% and 4.97%). The average effect of gene substitution (g.1007A>G) on abnormal midpiece (AM ) was 0.71%, the genotypic values—as expressed by LS means—were 0.1 (AA ) and 0.81 (AG ).     

The Ontario Animal Health Network: enhancing disease surveillance and information sharing through integrative data sharing and management

The Ontario Animal Health Network (OAHN) is an innovative disease surveillance program created to enhance preparedness, early detection, and response to animal disease in Ontario. Laboratory data and, where available, abattoir condemnation data and clinical observations submitted by practicing veterinarians form the core of regular discussions of the species-sector networks. Each network is comprised of government veterinarians or specialists, epidemiologists, pathologists, university species specialists, industry stakeholders, and practicing veterinarians, as appropriate. Laboratorians provide data for diseases of interest as determined by the individual network, and network members provide analysis and context for the large volume of information. Networks assess data for disease trends and the emergence of new clinical syndromes, as well as generate information on the health and disease status for each sector in the province. Members assess data validity and quality, which may be limited by multiple factors. Interpretation of laboratory tests and antimicrobial resistance trends without available clinical histories can be challenging. Extrapolation of disease incidence or risk from laboratory submissions to broader species populations must be done with caution. Disease information is communicated in a variety of media to inform veterinary and agricultural sectors of regional disease risks. Through network engagement, information gaps have been addressed, such as educational initiatives to improve sample submissions and enhance diagnostic outcomes, and the development of applied network-driven research. These diverse network initiatives, developed after careful assessment of laboratory and other data, demonstrate that novel approaches to analysis and interpretation can result in a variety of disease risk mitigation actions.     

The use of electronarcosis as anaesthetic in the cichlid, Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters). II. The effects of changing physical and electrical parameters on the narcotizing ability of alternating current

The effects of wave form, voltage, frequency and current as well as application time on the narcotizing ability of alternating current were investigated. A 60 Vrms, 50 Hz sine wave current applied for 30 s produced narcosis of sufficient duration to enable handling and blood sampling. A triangle wave form was inferior in narcotizing ability to both sine wave and square wave forms. Duration of narcosis increased with increasing water conductivity but was reduced by increasing water temperatures.     

Loss of reserves of Cu in liver when Cu supplements are withdrawn from dairy herds in the Waikato region

Abstract

AIM: To monitor the consequences of withdrawing mineral Cu supplements from two dairy herds with initially high concentrations of Cu in liver.

METHODS: Two herds were selected from dairy farms in the Waikato region of New Zealand that participated in an earlier survey of Cu supplementation practices and Cu status of dairy cows. The herds were fed pasture, grass and maize silage, plus palm kernel expeller (PKE) containing 25–30 mg Cu/kg dry matter (DM) fed at 2–4 kg/cow/day. No mineral Cu supplements were supplied from January 2009. Pasture samples were collected for mineral analysis in September 2008 and April 2009. Concentration of Cu in liver biopsies from the same 9–10 cows per herd was measured on three occasions between April 2009 and May 2010.

RESULTS: Pastures on both farms contained 10 mg Cu/kg DM, 0.1–0.5 mg Mo/kg DM and 3.5–4.0 g S/kg DM. The initial herd mean concentrations of Cu in liver were 1,500 (SD 590) and 1,250 (SD 640) μmol Cu/kg fresh tissue. In the absence of mineral Cu supplements, those mean concentrations decreased over 12 months to 705 (SD 370) and 1,120 (SD 560) μmol Cu/kg fresh tissue, respectively. For cows in the first herd, the rate of depletion of liver Cu reserves was influenced by initial concentration of Cu, such that high concentration led to faster loss according to first-order kinetics.

CONCLUSIONS: Mineral Cu supplementation was not necessary over 12 months for two dairy herds with mean concentrations of Cu in liver >1,250 μmol Cu/kg fresh tissue, grazing pastures containing 10 mg Cu/kg DM and concentrations of Mo <1 mg/kg DM. The quantity and particularly the duration of feeding PKE appeared to be a factor in whether or not the herd lost substantial reserves of Cu in liver during the year. However, the Cu status of both herds in this study was more than adequate to support late pregnancy and mating.

CLINICAL REVELANCE: Copper status of the herd should be monitored and on-farm management of Cu nutrition should take into account all sources contributing to daily intake of Cu. Where Cu supplementation has been excessive and there is risk of chronic Cu toxicity, mineral Cu supplements may be withdrawn for a period commensurate with the expected rate of liver Cu depletion.     

Evaluation of age-dependent susceptibility in calves infected with two doses of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis using pathology and tissue culture

The longstanding assumption that calves of more than 6 months of age are more resistant to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infection has recently been challenged. In order to elucidate this, a challenge experiment was performed to evaluate age- and dose-dependent susceptibility to MAP infection in dairy calves. Fifty-six calves from MAP-negative dams were randomly allocated to 10 MAP challenge groups (5 animals per group) and a negative control group (6 calves). Calves were inoculated orally on 2 consecutive days at 5 ages: 2 weeks and 3, 6, 9 or 12 months. Within each age group 5 calves received either a high – or low – dose of 5 × 10⁹ CFU or 5 × 10⁷ CFU, respectively. All calves were euthanized at 17 months of age. Macroscopic and histological lesions were assessed and bacterial culture was done on numerous tissue samples. Within all 5 age groups, calves were successfully infected with either dose of MAP. Calves inoculated at < 6 months usually had more culture-positive tissue locations and higher histological lesion scores. Furthermore, those infected with a high dose had more severe scores for histologic and macroscopic lesions as well as more culture-positive tissue locations compared to calves infected with a low dose. In conclusion, calves to 1 year of age were susceptible to MAP infection and a high infection dose produced more severe lesions than a low dose.     

A non-invasive technique for standing surgical repair of urinary bladder rupture in a post-partum mare: a case report

An 11-year-old mare presented 36 hours after foaling with a ruptured bladder. Uroperitoneum was diagnosed on ultrasound and from the creatinine concentration of the peritoneal fluid. Bladder endoscopy demonstrated tissue necrosis and a rent in the dorsocranial aspect of the bladder. Following stabilisation, including abdominal drainage and lavage, the mare was taken to standing surgery. Under continuous sedation and epidural anaesthesia, and after surgical preparation, a Balfour retractor was placed in the vagina. Using sterile lubricant and moderate force, it was possible to insert a hand into the bladder. The tear was easily palpable on the dorsal portion of the bladder. Two fingers were inserted through the tear and used to provide traction to evert the bladder completely into the vagina where it could grasped with the surgeons other hand to prevent further trauma. A second surgeon could then visualise the entire tear and repaired this using a single layer of size zero PDS suture in a single continuous pattern. As soon as the bladder was repaired, it was replaced via the urethra. The mare did well after surgery and was discharged after 48 hours, apparently normal.This report is the first describing repair of the bladder without an abdominal incision or incision into the urethral sphincter. This greatly reduces the chance of possible complications such as urine pooling after surgery with the previously described standing technique or bladder trauma due to traction with abdominal surgery.     

稻草床栽草菇培养料优质发酵方法研究

简易发酵、一次发酵和二次发酵稻草培养料床栽草菇的试验结果表明,二次发酵法栽培的草菇生物学效率达16.3%,显著高于一次发酵及简易发酵,且能较好地控制病虫害的发生,提高了草菇的产量和质量。