Identification of ectopic ovotestis in a dog with XX ovotesticular,SRY‐negative,disorder of sexual development

A 1‐year‐old, previously spayed phenotypic female Poodle/Soft‐coated Wheaten Terrier (Whoodle) cross was presented for a suspected ovarian remnant. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration was below the detection limit (<1 ng/ml Witness^® LH), and serum progesterone concentration was elevated in the chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA; 20 ng/ml), consistent with dioestrus and presence of ovarian tissue. Transabdominal ultrasound revealed a retroperitoneal soft tissue structure suspected to be a gonad. On exploratory laparotomy, a gonad was removed from the cranial retroperitoneum, cranial to the right kidney, after ligation of its primary blood supply. Histological examination proved the gonad to be an ovotestis. Subsequent cytogenetics revealed a 78 XX karyotype, thus confirming the diagnosis of ectopic ovotestis in a XX ovotesticular, SRY‐negative, disorder of sexual development in a dog.     

Effects of soil compaction in the sub-humid cropping environment in Pakistan on uptake of NPK and grain yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum): II: Alleviation

Alleviation of soil compaction can be achieved through application of appropriate measures which will vary from soil to soil and with the socio-economic factors of the farmers. The effects of alleviation measures applied to artificially compacted soil on yield components, grain yield, dry matter and nutrient uptake by wheat was studied at the Agriculture Research Institute, Mingora, Pakistan, in two separate experiments in 2002–2003 and 2003–2004. The improvement measures included deep ploughing (DP), farmyard manure (FYM) and gypsum (GYP), and comprised a compacted control and four treatments T1 (control), T2 (DP), T3 (DP + FYM), T4 (DP + gypsum) and T5 (DP + FYM + GYP), arranged in completely randomized block design replicated four times. Improvement measures applied to compacted soil significantly decreased soil bulk density and increased total porosity. Bulk density decreased in the range of 12–15% while total porosity showed an increase of 16–23% over the control. Improvement measures significantly increased concentration and uptake of NPK in both years. Higher concentration and uptake was recorded during the second year as compared to the first year, probably as a result of higher seasonal rainfall in the second year. The uptake of NPK by wheat plants increased in the range of 43–51, 25–94 and 11–28%, respectively, over plants in the compacted control. Similarly, improvement treatments increased grains spike⁻¹, thousand grain weight, dry matter accumulation and grain yield in the range of 14–21, 5–14, 3–10 and 21–37% respectively, over the control. This work demonstrates that it is possible to overcome the deleterious effects of compaction induced by wheeled traffic, and improve crop yields and nutrient uptake in intensive cropping systems in rainfed environments in Pakistan and similar environments.     

Is a purpose of REM sleep atonia to help regenerate intervertebral disc volumetric loss?

The nature of atonia in sleep continues to be enigmatic. This article discusses a new hypothesis for complete core muscle relaxation in REM sleep, suggesting a bottom-up recuperative perspective. That is, does the atonia in REM sleep provide a utility to help restore the mechanobiology and respective diurnal intervertebral disc hydraulic loss? By combining the effects of gravity with current compressive concepts in spinal stability, this article looks at vertebral approximation as a deleterious experience with an intrinsic biological need to keep vertebrae separated. Methods using polysomnography and recumbent MRI are discussed.     

Potential impacts of projected sea‐level rise on sea turtle rookeries

• 1. Projected sea‐level rise (SLR) is expected to cause shoreline erosion, saline intrusion into the water table and inundation and flooding of beaches and coastal areas. Areas most vulnerable to these physical impacts include small, tropical low‐lying islands, which are often key habitat for threatened and endemic species, such as sea turtles.
• 2. Successful conservation of threatened species relies upon the ability of managers to understand current threats and to quantify and mitigate future threats to these species. This study investigated how sea‐level rise might affect key rookeries (nesting grounds) (n=8) for the northern Great Barrier Reef (nGBR) green turtle population, the largest green turtle population in the world.
• 3. 3‐D elevation models were developed and applied to three SLR scenarios projected by the IPCC 2007 and an additional scenario that incorporates ice melting. Results indicate that up to 38% of available nesting area across all the rookeries may be inundated as a result of SLR.
• 4. Flooding, as a result of higher wave run‐up during storms, will increase egg mortality at these rookeries affecting the overall reproductive success of the nGBR green turtle population. Information provided will aid managers to prioritize conservation efforts and to use realistic measures to mitigate potential SLR threats to the nGBR green turtle population. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

Sustained-release deslorelin acetate implants disrupt oestrous cyclicity in the mare

There is a need for a safe, effective and practical method of oestrus suppression in the mare. The aim of this study was to monitor ovarian activity in mares exposed to either 9.4 or 28.2 mg deslorelin acetate, a GnRH agonist, in the form of a sustained-release implant. Following oestrus synchronisation, mares were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 4 per group) and administered either one (Des1 group; 9.4 mg) or three (Des3 group; 28.2 mg) implants of deslorelin acetate (Suprelorin-12, Virbac Australia) or one blank implant (Control group; Virbac Australia). Mares underwent weekly blood sampling for 12 weeks following implant placement (Day 0–Day 84), with transrectal palpation and ultrasonography of the reproductive tract at all sampling timepoints except Days 56, 70 and 77. All mares showed baseline serum progesterone concentrations (SPC; ≤1.3 nmol/L or 0.4 ng/ml) on Day 0. Cycling Control mares showed typical oestrous cyclicity characterised by peaks and troughs in SPC over time. Four of eight treated mares demonstrated a sustained elevation in SPC after the initial ovulation after implant placement; SPC declined to baseline levels (Des1 group; 2 mares) or remained elevated (Des3 group; 2 mares) at the final sampling timepoint on Day 84. Oestrous cyclicity was erratic in three of the remaining four treated mares. In total, 87.5% (7 of 8) of treated mares showed atypical oestrous cyclicity after implant placement. These results suggest that deslorelin acetate disrupts oestrous cyclicity in the mare, which warrants further research.     

Mycobacterium ulcerans infections in two horses in south-eastern Australia

Two horses were diagnosed as having Mycobacterium ulcerans infections. The first was a 21-year-old Quarterhorse-cross mare living in Mallacoota (a coastal town near the border of New South Wales and Victoria, Australia) that presented with lichenification, hair-loss and oedema on a fetlock, which subsequently ulcerated, as well as a non-healing ulcer on the wither. The second horse was a 32 year-old Standardbred gelding from Nicholson, near Bairnsdale, Victoria, that had an ulcerated lesion on its caudal thigh. Histologically, there were characteristic changes seen with M. ulcerans infections in other species, including extensive necrosis without associated granulomatous inflammation. The organisms were seen in Ziehl-Neelsen-stained smears or sections of the lesions from both horses and were isolated in culture from the first horse. A definitive diagnosis was provided by real-time polymerase chain reaction targeting the M. ulcerans-specific insertion sequence, IS2404. Delayed identification of the infectious agent in the first case led to the use of suboptimal antimicrobial therapy, resulting in failure to control the infection and the horse was subsequently euthanased. The second horse was successfully treated following surgical debulking of the centre of the lesion and one session of aggressive cryosurgery. Mycobacterium ulcerans should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained lichenification with oedematous and ulcerated skin lesions in horses living in regions where this organism is endemic.     

Spectral and thermal sensing for nitrogen and water status in rainfed and irrigated wheat environments

Variable-rate technologies and site-specific crop nutrient management require real-time spatial information about the potential for response to in-season crop management interventions. Thermal and spectral properties of canopies can provide relevant information for non-destructive measurement of crop water and nitrogen stresses. In previous studies, foliage temperature was successfully estimated from canopy-scale (mixed foliage and soil) temperatures and the multispectral Canopy Chlorophyll Content Index (CCCI) was effective in measuring canopy-scale N status in rainfed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) systems in Horsham, Victoria, Australia. In the present study, results showed that under irrigated wheat systems in Maricopa, Arizona, USA, the theoretical derivation of foliage temperature unmixing produced relationships similar to those in Horsham. Derivation of the CCCI led to an r ² relationship with chlorophyll a of 0.53 after Zadoks stage 43. This was later than the relationship (r ² = 0.68) developed for Horsham after Zadoks stage 33 but early enough to be used for potential mid-season N fertilizer recommendations. Additionally, ground-based hyperspectral data estimated plant N (g kg⁻¹) in Horsham with an r ² = 0.86 but was confounded by water supply and N interactions. By combining canopy thermal and spectral properties, varying water and N status can potentially be identified eventually permitting targeted N applications to those parts of a field where N can be used most efficiently by the crop.     

Salmonella serovars and phage types in humans and animals in Australia 1987–1992

SUMMARY This report summarises the range of Salmonella serovars and phage types found in humans in Australia during the years 1987 to 1992 inclusive, and compares them with serovars from food animals and raw meats for the same period. It also compares the major serovars found from different animal sources with their frequency from humans. The common serovars from animal feeds are compared with their frequency from animals.