Correlated responses in growth hormone to selection for weight gain in mice

SUMMARY: Correlated responses in pituitary gland weight and growth hormone (GH) concentration in the serum and pituitary were studied in lines of mice selected for growth rate, and in controls. The selection criteria were weight gain between 28 and 38 days on an ad libitum feed intake (EPA line), or on intake restricted to 80% of the control mice (EPR line), and weight gain between 48 and 58 days under the above two feeding regimes (LPA and LPR lines). The control line was maintained by random breeding. In generation 13, pituitary weight and growth hormone levels were determined at 38 days in lines EPA, EPR and the control and at 58 days in lines LPA, LPR and the control. Pituitary weight, corrected for body weight gain, was smaller in the EPA line than in the control line at 38 days and was greater in the LPR line than in the control line at 58 days. There were large differences in serum GH concentrations between the selected lines and the control; the differences were statistically significant at 38 days, with the EPA and EPR lines having lower levels than the controls. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Ver?nderung von Wachstumshormonspiegel bei Selektion für Zuwachs bei M?usen Ver?nderungen im Hypophysengewicht und Wachstumshormon-(GH)-Konzentrationen im Serum und in der Hypophyse wurden bei Wachstumsselektionslinien und bei Kontrollm?usen untersucht. Selektionskriterien waren Zuwachs zwischen 28 und 38 Tagen bei ad libitum Futteraufnahme (EPA Linie) oder bei Linien, wo Futteraufnahme auf 80% derjenigen der Kontrollm?use (EPR Linie) begrenzt wurde und Zuwachs zwischen 48 und 58 Tagen unter beiden Futterweisen (LPA und LPR Linie). Die Kontrollinie wurde durch Zufallspaarung fortgepflanzt. In Generation 13 wurden Hypophysengewicht und Wachstumshormonspiegel im Alter von 38 Tagen in Linien EPA, EPR und in Kontrollen und bei 58 Tagen in Linien LPA und LPR und Kontrollen bestimmt. Hypophysengewicht, korrigiert für Zuwachs, war geringer in der LPA Linie als in der Kontrolle bei 38 Tagen Alter und gr??er in der LPR Linie als in der Kontrolle bei 58 Tagen. Zwischen GH Konzentrationen selektierter und Kontrollinien waren erhebliche Differenzen, die bei 38 Tagen signifikant waren, wobei EPA und EPR Linien geringere Werte als die Kontrollen aufwiesen.     

Ecological Studies of Transformed Trichoderma harzianum Strain 1295-22 in the Rhizosphere and on the Phylloplane of Creeping Bentgrass

ABSTRACT A beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene and a hygromycin B (hygB) phosphotransferase gene were integrated separately into the Trichoderma harzianum strain 1295-22 genome, using biolistic transformation. The mycelial growth and biocontrol ability of the transformed strains did not differ from that of the original strain. The transformed Gus(+)-kanamycin-resistant (Gus(+)Kan(R)) strains were used to monitor growth and interactions with Rhizoctonia solani on creeping bentgrass plants. The hygB-resistant (hygB(R)) strains were used to selectively recover strain 1295-22 from the rhizosphere soil and phylloplane of creeping bentgrass after spray applications. The population levels of two hygB(R) strains and the original strain were very similar for all treatments. All three strains persisted for the duration of the experiment (28 days) in both the rhizosphere soil and on leaves, although population levels declined somewhat over the course of the experiment in unautoclaved soils. In this study, the results demonstrated that hygB(R) strains remained dominant over time when assayed on Trichoderma-selective medium containing hygB. The hygB(R) strains were not displaced by strains that colonized untreated plants. Microscopic observation showed that the Gus(+)Kan(R) strains colonized the rhizoplane, seed coat, and phylloplane of creeping bentgrass. These results supported our earlier observation that strain 1295-22 was rhizosphere and phyllo-plane competent. Interactions between T. harzianum and R. solani were readily observed in situ and changed over time. Two types of reactions were found in these experiments. In the first type, sections of hyphae of R. solani near the hyphae of T. harzianum appeared damaged, and the pathogen appeared necrotic when viewed with a microscope. The second type, observed less frequently than the first type, was typical of myco-parasitism. The findings in this study provide new insight into the interactions between R. solani and T. harzianum, providing a basis for future research.     

Toxicity investigation of fenbendazole, an anthelmintic of swine

The toxicity of fenbendazole, an anthelmintic for use in swine, was tested by feeding 8 growing pigs 2,000 mg of fenbendazole/kg of body weight daily for 14 days. A transient leukopenia developed on day 6, but values returned to base line on day 18, 4 days after discontinuation of dosing. Sorbitol dehydrogenase values were significantly (P less than 0.05) increased from day 4 and returned to base line on day 20. Marked gross or histopathologic lesions were not found.     

Hyperviscosity syndrome associated with lymphocytic leukemia in three dogs.

Hyperviscosity syndrome was associated with increased plasma content of monoclonal immunoglobulin (IgA or IgM) in 3 dogs with lymphocytic leukemia. The diagnosis of lymphocytic leukemia was based on the finding of a large number of mature lymphocytes in the blood and bone marrow. The clinical signs included weakness, lethargy, depression, and coughing due to congestive heart failure. Consistent physical findings were splenomegaly, with or without peripheral lymphadenopathy, and funduscopic abnormalities. Of the 2 dogs treated successfully with chlorambucil, 1 remains in remission after withdrawal of the drug for over 1 year.     

A comparative study between mature ostriches (Struthio camelus) and adult cockerels with regard to the true and apparent digestibilities of amino acids

1. A study was conducted to compare apparent and true digestibility of amino acids in a high protein experimental diet between young ostriches (7 months of age) and cockerels.

2. A mean value for true digestibility of amino acids (TAAD) of 0.837 ± 0.0073 (range 0.780 to 0.862) was derived for ostriches, compared with a mean value of 0.795 ± 0.0258 (range 0.723 to 0.825) for cockerels.

3. True retention of dietary protein was 0.646 ±0.0114 and 0.609 ±0.0643 for ostriches and cockerels respectively.

4. Results in the present study produced evidence that the method for determining metabolisable energy values of ingredients for ostriches is also suitable for measuring the digestibility of amino acids.

5. It was concluded that accurate diet formulation for ostriches requires the assessment of amino acid digestibilities for individual ingredients, because values derived from poultry would underestimate digestibilities for ostriches.     

Tuberculosis in alpaca (Lama pacos) on a farm in Ireland. 2. Results of an epidemiological investigation

Tuberculosis (TB), due to infection with Mycobacterium bovis was diagnosed in a flock of alpaca in Ireland in 2004. An epidemiological investigation was conducted to identify the risk of TB for farmed alpaca where TB is endemic, the origin of the infection, the potential for alpaca-to-alpaca transmission and appropriate control measures. The investigation focused on the alpaca flock (including the farm, animal movements and breeding, feeding and flock health practice), the disease episode (including animal disease events and subsequent control measures) and TB infection risk in the locality. The TB risk to alpaca is high in areas where infection is endemic in cattle and badgers and where biosecurity is inadequate. It is most likely that the source of infection for the alpaca was a local strain of M. bovis, present in cattle in this area since at least 2001. Genotyping of isolates identified a single variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) profile in both cattle and alpaca in this region. Although a tuberculous badger was also removed from the vicinity, bacterial isolation was not attempted. On this farm, infection in alpaca was probably derived from a common source. Alpaca-to-alpaca transmission seems unlikely. Two broad control strategies were implemented, aimed at the rapid removal of infected (and potentially infectious) animals and the implementation of measures to limit transmission. Tests that proved useful in detecting potentially-infected animals included measurement of the albumin-to-globulin ratio and regular body condition scoring. Skin testing was time consuming and unproductive, and early detection of infected animals remains a challenge. The flock was managed as a series of separate groupings, based on perceived infection risk. No further TB cases have been detected.