The pharmacokinetics of thiamphenicol in lactating cows

The pharmacokinetics of thiamphenicol were studied after intravenous and intramuscular administration of 25 mg/kg body weight in lactating cows. Distribution (t _1/2) and elimination (t _1/2) half-lives of 6.10±1.39 min and 1.60±0.30 h, respectively, were obtained after intravenous administration. The body clearance was 3.9±0.077 ml/kg per min and the apparent volume of distribution was 1220.79±256.67 ml/kg. The rate at which thiamphenicol appeared in the milk, as indicated by the penetration half-life (t _1/2P) (serum to quarters), was found to be 36.89±11.14 min. The equivalent elimination half-life (t _1/2E) (quarters to serum) from the milk was 3.62±1.06 h and the peak thiamphenicol concentration in the milk was 23.09±3.42 µg/ml at 2.5±0.32 h.After intramuscular injection, the elimination half-life was 2.2±0.40 h, the absorption half-life was 4.02±1.72 min and the peak concentration in the serum was 30.90±5.24 µg/ml at 23±8.4 min. The bioavailability after intramuscular administration approached 100%. The penetration half-life was 50.59±6.87 min, the elimination half-life was 5.91±4.97 h and the mean peak concentration in the milk was 17.37±2.20 µg/ml at 3.4±0.22 h.Abbreviations AUC area under the concentration-time curve - CAP chloramphenicol - C _max peak concentration - IM intramuscular - IV intravenous - TAP thiamphenicol - t _1/2 distribution half-life - t _1/2 elimination half-life - V _c volume of central compartment - V _d volume of distribution     

The role of autotoxins from root residues of the previous crop in the replant disease of asparagus

Replant disease is a common phenomenon in asparagus growing in the Netherlands. It is distinct from the decline phenomenon reported from many other asparagus producing area’s. The involvement of autotoxins from root residues of former asparagus crops was evaluated. Residues of aspar agus roots decompose extremely slowly. At two locations, each with fields where asparagus production was terminated 1 and 10 years before, biomass of root residues was 4180 and 11060 kg dw ha^?1 after 1 year and 420 and 1140 kg dw ha^?1 after 10 years.Although 10-year-old residues were for the greater part decomposed, crude aqueous extracts inhibited root growth of asparagus seedlings significantly and even more of garden cress. In root observation boxes with field soil mixed with non-sterilized or sterilized asparagus root fragments, growth of secondary roots was inhibited. Non-sterilized strawberry roots did not inhibit root growth, suggesting that effects of organic matter were not involved. In a pot experiment, sterilized asparagus root fragments inhibited root growth when added at a rate of 20 g1^?1, but not a 2 g1^?1 Addition of non-sterilized root fragments strongly inhibited root growth at both levels. This was probably due to simultaneous infection byFusarium oxysporum present in these residues. When an asparagus field is replanted, the amount of root residues left behind in soil after termination of the crop in the previous season is about 2 g dw 1^?1, that corresponds to approx. 11000 kg dw ha^?1. This level is too low for considering direct growth inhibition by autotoxins as a major factor. Their possible indirect effects are briefly discussed.     

Environmental unknowns

Among the environmental problems ahead, the most important ones could be those that are still unknown to us. This conceptual article explores this prospect on the grounds that it is important not only to supply answers to recognized questions but to raise appropriate new questions.     

Evaluation of the effects of enzootic pneumonia in pigs on weight gain and days to slaughter under New Zealand conditions

The effects of enzootic pneumonia on average daily weight gain and number of days taken to reach slaughter weight was studied in 333 bacon-weight pigs. Each 1% of lung volume affected by enzootic pneumonia was shown to reduce average daily gain by 2.2 grams and increase the numbers of days to slaughter by 0.61 days. The cost of these reductions in performance was calculated to be about NZD 1 for each 1% of lung affected.     

Monoclonal antibodies identifying chick gonadal cells

1. The aim of the present study was to raise monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) which discriminate gonadal cell types in chickens.

2. A panel of 180 MAbs was generated, from which 14 were chosen for their specificity.

3. These MAbs were characterised immunohistologically on frozen sections of embryonic, newly‐hatched and adult, male and female, left gonads.

4. Three of these MAbs are described: AGC5, AGC7, and AGC13 which recognise respectively germinal epithelial cells, supporting cells and germ cells.

5. These MAbs may be useful in following the developmental pathways in the chicken gonad and analysing the interactive role(s) taking place between gonadal stromal cells and primordial germ cells.