Hematologic and biochemical reference intervals for specific pathogen free 6-week-old Hampshire-Yorkshire crossbred pigs

Background

Heifers not used as breeding stock are often implanted with steroids to increase growth efficiency thereby altering hormone profiles and potentially changing the environment in which ovarian follicles develop. Because bovine granulosa cell culture is a commonly used technique and often bovine ovaries are collected from abattoirs with no record of implant status, the objective of this study was to determine if the presence of an implant during bovine granulosa cell development impacts follicle stimulating hormone-regulated steroidogenic enzyme expression. Paired ovaries were collected from 16 feedlot heifers subjected to 1 of 3 treatments: non-implanted (n?=?5), Revalor 200 for 28 d (n?=?5), or Revalor 200 for 84 d (n?=?6). Small follicle (1 to 5 mm) granulosa cells were isolated from each pair and incubated with phosphate buffered saline (n?=?16) or 100 ng/mL follicle stimulating hormone (n?=?16) for 24 h.

Results

Granulosa cells of implanted heifers treated with follicle stimulating hormone produced medium concentrations of progesterone similar (P?=?0.22) to non-implanted heifers, while medium estradiol concentrations were increased (P?<?0.10) at 28 and 84 d compared to non-implanted heifers indicating efficacy of treatment. Additionally, real-time PCR analysis in response to follicle stimulating hormone treatment demonstrated a decrease in steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (P?=?0.05) mRNA expression in heifers implanted for 84 d and an increase in P450 side chain cleavage mRNA in granulosa cells of heifers implanted for 28 (P?<?0.10) or 84 d (P?<?0.05) compared to non-implanted females. However, no difference in expression of 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (P?=?0.57) and aromatase (P?=?0.23) were demonstrated in implanted or non-implanted heifers.

Conclusions

These results indicate follicles which develop in the presence of high concentrations of androgenic and estrogenic steroids via an implant tend to demonstrate an altered capacity to respond to follicle stimulating hormone stimulation. Thus, efforts should be made to avoid the use of implanted heifers to study steroidogenesis in small follicle granulosa cell culture systems.     

Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block in the dog: an anatomical evaluation

Objective To describe the ultrasound‐guided technique to the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in the dog and evaluate the spread of a local anesthetic/methylene blue solution. Study design Prospective experimental trial. Animals Ten adult Beagle cadavers weighing 11.1 ± 1.1 kg (mean ± SD). Methods Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks were performed bilaterally by a single trained individual on unpreserved cadaver dogs using 10 mL of methylene blue/bupivacaine solution per site. Dissection of the abdominal wall was performed within 15–55 minutes of block to determine distribution of injectate and nerve involvement in the transversus abdominis fascial plane. Results The transversus abdominis fascial plane was adequately visualized via ultrasound and injected in twenty hemi‐abdominal walls. Segmental branches of T11, T12, T13, L1, L2, and L3 were adequately stained in 20%, 60%, 100%, 100%, 90%, and 30% of injections, respectively. Conclusions and clinical relevance This anatomical study suggests that the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block would provide adequate regional anesthesia of the abdomen, potentially extending to the cranial and caudal limits of the abdomen. This supports the clinical potential of this block in veterinary medicine.     

Evidence for the exposure of water ice on Titan's surface

The smoggy stratosphere of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, veils its surface from view, except at narrow wavelengths centered at 0.83, 0.94, 1.07, 1.28, 1.58, 2.0, 2.9, and 5.0 micrometers. We derived a spectrum of Titan's surface within these "windows" and detected features characteristic of water ice. Therefore, despite the hundreds of meters of organic liquids and solids hypothesized to exist on Titan's surface, its icy bedrock lies extensively exposed.     

First record of Quadrastichus mendeli,a parasitoid of Leptocybe invasa,in South Africa

Leptocybe invasa, the blue gum chalcid, is a well-known pest of Eucalyptus globally. Since it was first observed in the Mediterranean and Middle East in 2000, it has spread to other countries where Eucalyptus have been planted. Efforts to control it have included the release of a number of larval and pupal parasitoids. This report serves as the first record of the presence of Quadrastichus mendeli in South Africa, a parasitoid originally released as a biological control agent of L. invasa in Israel. The interactions and potential impacts on the other insects in the L. invasa galls will need to be investigated.     

CASEOUS LYMPHADENITIS IN GOATS

SUMMARY Two dairy goat stud herds were surveyed for Corynebacterium ovis infection by clinical examination and serum tests using both the haemolysis inhibition and double immunodiffusion techniques for detection of C. ovis antitoxin. In one herd, of 53 goats, 11 had abscesses from which C. ovis was recorded; 33 and 29 goats were positive to the haemolysis inhibition and double immunodiffusion tests respectively. Serums from 10 and 9 of 23 kids gave reactions positive to the respective tests with 19 of the 23 kids having been born to does with demonstrable antibody. In a second herd of 57 goats 16 had superficial abscesses containing C. ovis ; serums from 34 and 45 goats gave positive reactions to the haemolysis inhibition and double immunodiffusion tests respectively. The prevalence of caseous lymphadenitis in these stud herds was a cause of economic loss to the owners through euthanasia of severely affected goats, reduced milk production and emaciation, the cost of labour and drugs for treatment, jeopardisation of income from boarding or mating with outside stock and the appearance of goats at stud shows, and sale of valuable breeding stock to local and export markets.     

Isolation of respiratory bovine coronavirus, other cytocidal viruses, and Pasteurella spp from cattle involved in two natural outbreaks of shipping fever

OBJECTIVE: To identify cytocidal viruses and Pasteurella spp that could be isolated from cattle involved in 2 natural outbreaks of shipping fever. ANIMALS: 105 and 120 castrated male 4- to 8-month-old feedlot cattle involved in 1997 and 1998 outbreaks, respectively. PROCEDURES: Nasal swab specimens and blood samples were collected, and cattle were vaccinated on arrival at an order-buyer barn from 4 local auction houses. Four days later, they were transported to a feedlot, and additional nasal swab specimens and blood samples were collected. Nasal swab specimens were submitted for virus isolation and bacterial culture; blood samples were submitted for measurement of respiratory bovine coronavirus (RBCV) hemagglutinin inhibition titers. RESULTS: 93 of 105 cattle and 106 of 120 cattle developed signs of respiratory tract disease during 1997 and 1998, respectively, and RBCV was isolated from 81 and 89 sick cattle, respectively, while at the order-buyer's barn or the day after arrival at the feedlot. During the 1997 outbreak, bovine herpesvirus 1 was isolated from 2 cattle at the order-buyer's barn and from 5 cattle 7 and 14 days after arrival at the feedlot, and parainfluenza virus 3 was isolated from 4 cattle 14 days after arrival at the feedlot. During the 1998 outbreak, bovine herpesvirus 1 was isolated from 2 cattle at the order-buyer's barn and on arrival at the feedlot and from 5 cattle 7 and 14 days after arrival at the feedlot, and parainfluenza virus 3 was isolated from 1 animal the day of, and from 18 cattle 7 and 14 days after, arrival at the feedlot. Pasteurella spp was cultured from 4 and 6 cattle at the order-buyer's barn and from 92 and 72 cattle on arrival at the feedlot during the 1997 and 1998 outbreaks, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that RBCV may play a causative role in outbreaks of shipping fever in cattle. More than 80% of the sick cattle shed RBCV at the beginning of 2 outbreaks when the Pasteurella spp infection rate was low.     

Using environmental factors to predict Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. (Acari: Ixodidae) mortality

Background

Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. (Latreille, 1806) can establish indoor populations, which increases the risk of pathogen transmission to humans and companion dogs. Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. ticks spend most of their life cycle off the host, which subjects developmental timescale to abiotic factors. Previous studies showed that both temperature and relative humidity (RH) influenced Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. survival time across all life stages. However, quantified relationships between environmental factors and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. mortality is not currently available. Here, three Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. strains were evaluated for mortality under 20 combinations of five temperatures and four RHs. The data obtained were analyzed to quantify the relationship between environmental factors and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. survival.

Results

Mortality probabilities did not show a consistent pattern between the three tick strains. Temperature, RH, and their interaction influenced Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. mortality probabilities across all life stages, with mortality probability generally increasing with temperature but decreasing with RH. With 50% and lower RH, larvae cannot survive for more than 1 week. However, mortality probabilities in all strains and stages were more sensitive to temperature than to RH.

Conclusion

This study identified the predictive relationship between environmental factors and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. survival, which enables estimations of tick survival time under varied residential situations, allows parameterization of population models, and provides guidance for pest control professionals to develop efficient management strategies. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.