Untersuchungen über die mögliche Beeinflussung der Zwischenkalbezeit bei Rindern der Rasse "Deutsche Schwarzbunte"

Die Dauer der biologischen Rastzeit ist eine variable Grβe und wird von ver-schiedenen endogenen und exogenen Faktoren beeinfluβt. Eine Rastzeit unter 60 Ta-gen ist nur bei einem kleinen Prozentsatz der Tiere als biologisch anzusehen. Eine indi-viduelle durchschnittliche Zwischenkalbezeit von 341 bis 360 Tagen ist in der Landes-zucht trotz frühzeitiger Besamung post partum nur bei einem relativ kleinen Prozentsatz zu erreichen (16,5 %). Eine individuelle durchschnittliche Zwischenkalbezeit von 361 Bis 380 Tagen dürfte als Ausdruck guter Fruchtbarkeit bei den heutigen Fütte-rungs- und Haltungsbedingungen zu werten sein. Bei einer individuellen durchschnitt-lichen Zwischenkalbezeit von 381 bis 400 Tagen liegt der Verdacht vor, daβ Fütte-rungs- und Haltungsfehler sowie Geburts- und Puerperalstörungen die Ursache der ver-langerten Zwischenkalbezeit sind. Bei Kühen mit einer sehr hohen Milchleistung kann diese Zwischenkalbezeit noch als vertretbar angesehen werden. Tiere mit einer individuellen durchschnittlichen Zwischenkalbezeit von über 400 Tagen sind im allgemeinen ats Minusvarianten hinsichtlich Fruchtbarkeit einzustufen. Dies gilt allerdings nicht für Tiere mit einer weit über dem Herdendurchschnitt liegenden Milchleistung. Eine Ver-kurzung der individuellen durchschnittlichen Zwischenkalbezeit erscheint möglich durch: Verbesserung von Fütterung und Haltung; gutes Management; Fruchtbarkeits-uberwachung; Verbesserung der Geburtshygiene; tierärztliche Überwachung von Puer-perium und Gustreit; Prophylaxe und rechtzeitige Behandlung diagnostizierter Erkran-kungen .     

Studies on Haemonchus contortus. X. The effect of Trichostrongylus axei in Merinos on artificial pastures

A recently established Eragrostis curvula pasture 1,1 ha in size at Hennops River in the Transvaal Highveld was contaminated from 6 October 1976 until 20 May 1977 by 30 weaned Merinos, each infested with 7 000 infective larvae of H. contortus. On 2 November 1976 3 groups of weaned Merinos and again on 10 January 1977 a further group of Merinos were infested with 40 000 infective larvae of Trichostrongylus axei. From 19 November a single group of sheep, predosed with T. axei, and a control group grazed with the seeders for 8 weeks. After 6 weeks another group of sheep dosed with T. axei grazed with them, thus ensuring a 2-week overlap. This continued until autumn, when the last groups were removed. Efficacy against challenge reached Class C (greater than 50% effective against total worm burdens of H. contortus in greater than 50% of sheep) in early summer and autumn, but only reached significant levels of either P less than 0,01 or P less than 0,05 in summer. Peak worm burdens in controls were recorded in early autumn.     

The serological relationship of herpesvirus ovis to other herpesviruses and its possible involvement in the aetiology of jaagsiekte.

Cross-neutralization studies showed that 3 different isolates of herpesvirus ovis from cell cultures derived from the lungs of sheep suffering from jaagsiekte were not only identical but were also related to similar isolate made in Scotland. No relationship, however, could be established between herpesvirus ovis and common bovine or equine herpesviruses. Antibodies to herpesvirus ovis were present in roughly 70% of all animals tested and no evidence was obtained for the involvement of the virus in the aetiology of jaagsiekte. On the other hand, the absence of antibodies in sheep sera from Iceland as well as the other data obtained in this study did not exclude involvement of the virus in jaagsiekte.     

Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia associated with Anaplasma phagocytophilum in a dog

A 10-year-old, crossbreed dog was presented with a history of severe lethargy, pyrexia and inappetence of several days' duration. Clinical examination revealed pallor of the mucous membranes, petechiae, generalised lymphadenopathy and effusions in multiple joints. Laboratory evaluation showed severe anaemia and thrombocytopenia, with positive in-saline agglutination and the presence of antiplatelet antibodies. The DNA of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, an endemic granulocytic rickettsial parasite, was detected by PCR. A poor response to doxycycline and immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids was seen. Euthanasia was performed after the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Postmortem examination demonstrated changes consistent with the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation and infection with granulocytic ehrlichiosis. This case documents the presence of canine granulocytic ehrlichiosis caused by A phagocytophilum in the U.K., and highlights the range of clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities that may be observed in infected dogs.     

The host-parasite relationship in bovine neosporosis

Infection with the protozoan parasite Neospora caninum is thought to be a major cause of reproductive failure in cattle worldwide. Cattle infected with the parasite are three to seven times more likely to abort compared to uninfected cattle. The parasite may be transmitted to cattle through the ingestion of oocysts that are shed in the faeces of acutely infected dogs (definitive host of N. caninum) or by congenital infection from mother to foetus via the placenta. Interestingly, transplacental transmission can occur over consecutive pregnancies and congenitally infected heifers can transmit the parasite to their own offspring. This repeated vertical transmission observed in naturally infected cattle suggests that cattle do not easily develop effective immunity to the parasite, presenting a significant challenge to the development of a control strategy based on vaccination. Neosporosis is a disease of pregnancy and studying the bovine maternal and foetal immune responses during pregnancy will help us to understand the change in the balance between the parasite and the host that may result in disease of the foetus. Studies in non-pregnant cattle and in murine models of infection have shown the importance of T-helper 1-type immune responses involving pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IFNgamma and IL-12, in limiting intracellular multiplication of the parasite. During pregnancy, changes occur in the immune system allowing the mother to accept the foetal allograft. Research in other species has stressed the crucial role of T-helper 2-type cytokines at the materno-foetal interface in maintaining the pregnancy and regulating the potentially damaging effect of Th-1 responses. Studies in cattle have shown that cell proliferation and IFNgamma responses may be significantly down-regulated around mid-gestation. This may mean that cattle are less able to cope with N. caninum infection at this time and are more likely to transmit the parasite to the foetus. Another important factor is the gestational age and hence immuno-competence of the foetus at the time of infection. Early in gestation, N. caninum infection of the placenta and subsequently the foetus usually proves fatal, whereas infection occurring in mid to late pregnancy may result in the birth of a congenitally infected but otherwise healthy calf. Studies of foetal immune responses have shown that at 14 weeks of gestation, lymphocytes only respond to mitogen, while by 24 weeks (mid-gestation), they respond to antigen by proliferating and releasing IFNgamma. Clearly, there are several factors influencing the outcome of N. caninum infection in pregnancy: the timing, quantity and duration of parasitaemia, the effectiveness of the maternal immune response and the ability of the foetus to mount an immune response against the parasite. The challenge is to design a vaccine that will prevent foetal infection by N. caninum. This is likely to involve a fine balancing act with the immune system that will allow intervention in a manner that will tip the host-parasite balance in favour of the host without compromising the pregnancy.     

Plasma endotoxin concentration in horses: a methods study

Background: Accurate determination of plasma endotoxin concentration is critical for ex vivo and in vitro cellular and molecular studies of endotoxemia in horses. However, reports are conflicting with respect to anticoagulant, handling, and sample preparation.

Objective:

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of blood sample fraction and handling time on measurement of endotoxin concentration in horses.

Methods:

Methods: Whole blood, anticoagulated with 3.8% (0.12 M) sodium citrate (9:1), was collected from 5 healthy horses. Whole blood (WB), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) were spiked with endotoxin (2 EU/mL). Endotoxin-spiked WB samples were centrifuged immediately to generate PRP for measurement. Endotoxin concentration was subsequently measured by Limulus amebocyte assay at 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes. Assays were performed in triplicate and results were analyzed using Student's t -test, with significance set at P < .05.

Results:

Results: Mean endotoxin concentrations in 2 EU/mL-spiked WB were significantly different from those in PPP at all time points tested. Recovery of endotoxin in PRP generated from WB was significantly diminished after just 15 minutes.

Conclusion:

Conclusion: PRP generated from WB is significantly more reliable than PPP in determining endotoxin concentration ex vivo. Measurement of endotoxin in PRP generated from WB was significantly diminished after 15 min, identifying a time frame within which to process blood samples for endotoxin analysis.     

Proteome analysis of the sarcoplasmic fraction of pig semimembranosus muscle: implications on meat color development

Two-dimensional electrophoresis was used to investigate sarcoplasmic protein expression in pig Semimembranosus muscles sampled 20 min after slaughter. Two groups (light and dark) of 12 animals were selected from 1000 pigs, based on meat L values measured 36 h postmortem. Twenty-two proteins or fragments (p < 0.05) were differentially expressed. Muscles leading to darker meat had a more oxidative metabolism, indicated by more abundant mitochondrial enzymes of the respiratory chain, hemoglobin, and chaperone or regulator proteins (HSP27, alphaB-crystallin, and glucose-regulated protein 58 kDa). Conversely, enzymes of glycolysis were overexpressed in the lighter group. Such samples were also characterized by higher levels of glutathione S-transferase omega, which can activate the RyR calcium channels, and higher levels of cyclophilin D. This protein pattern is likely to have severe implications on postmortem metabolism, namely, acceleration of ATP depletion and pH fall and subsequent enhanced protein denaturation, well-known to induce discoloration.     

Hypercalcaemia associated with granulomatous lymphadenitis and elevated 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D concentration in a dog

A seven-year-old Labrador was presented with weight loss and mild generalised lymphadenopathy. Histopathology of an excised lymph node by the referring veterinarian demonstrated granulomatous lymphadenitis. At the time of referral, fine-needle aspirates of the lymph nodes confirmed the presence of ongoing granulomatous inflammation. Further investigations revealed marked hypercalcaemia, a low parathyroid hormone concentration, a parathyroid hormone related protein concentration within the reference range, and an elevated serum concentration of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D. An underlying cause of the granulomatous lymphadenitis could not be identified. The clinical signs, hypercalcaemia and elevated serum concentrations of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D resolved following prednisolone treatment. In contrast to dogs, hypercalcaemia occurred secondarily to granulomatous disease and elevated 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations is a well-recognised condition in human beings. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report to describe elevated serum calcium and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations in a dog with histologically confirmed granulomatous disease.