Variation of the growth hormone gene in ryr 1 genotyped Austrian pig breeds

SUMMARY: Polymorphism in the second intron of the porcine growth hormone gene of 273 Austrian Landrace and 81 Austrian Edelschwein pigs was investigated with a PCR-RFLP-technique. Results showed significantly different genotype patterns between the two breeds. The frequency of the Hae II(-) allele was significantly (P < 0,001) higher in the landrace than in the Edelschwein population (0,83 and 0,47 resp.). The Msp I(+) allele was predominant in both breeds but signifanctly higher in the Landrace (0,98 versus 0,69; P < 0,01). Analyses the Hae II/Msp I locus combination revealed also in breed specific difference. In the Landrace a very low interaction was found between the Hae II and ryr 1 locus, and between Msp I and ryr 1 locus (c. c. = 0,181 and 0,186 resp.). The correlation was slightly stronger (c. c. = 0,266) between the ryr 1 and Hae II/Msp I genotypes. No correlation was detected among the three loci in the Edelschwein population. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Variabilit?t des Somatotropin Gens in ?sterreichischen Schweinerassen genotypisiert hinsicbtlich ryr 1 An 273 ?sterreichischen Landrasse Schweinen und 81 ?sterreichischen Edelschweinen wurde der Polymorphismus am zweiten Intron des Schweinewachstumshormons mittels PCR-RFLP-Technik untersucht. Genotypen-und Genfrequenzen waren zwischen den beiden Rassen signifikant verschie- den. Die Hae II(-) Allelfrequenz war bei den Landrassetieren signifikant h?her (P < 0,001) als bei den Edelschweinen (0,83 bzw. 0,47). In beiden Rassen überwiegte das Msp I(+) Allel, das aber signifikant ?fters bei der Landrasse auftrat (0,98 bzw. 0,69; P < 0,01). Die Verteilung der Locuskombination von Hae II/Msp I zwischen den beiden Rassen war ebenfalls unterschiedlich. Bei der Landrasse konnte nur ein sehr geringer Zusammenhang zwischen dem Hae II und ryr 1 Locus (c. c. = 0,181 bzw. 0,186) und auch zwischen dem Msp I und ryr 1 Locus festgestellt werden. Die Korrelation zwischen dem ryr 1 und Hae II/Msp I Genotyp war geringfügig gr??;er (c. c. = 0,266). Bei den Edelschweinen konnte kein Zusammenhang zwischen den drei untersuchten Loci festgestellt werden.     

Utilisation of raw jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis) and jackbean fractions in diets for broiler chicks

1. An experiment was conducted to examine the effectiveness of some extraction procedures at eliminating the antinutritional properties of jackbean to the broiler chicken. The most pronounced effects were observed in the base‐ and acid‐soluble protein fractions (BSP and ASP) which contained the bulk of the antinutritional factors.

2. The growth of chickens on all diets were significantly (P<0.05) reduced.

3. Examining the weights of broiler organs as a proportion of body weight showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the weight of the liver and an increase in the weights of the kidney, brain and pancreas.

4. Serum urea concentrations were elevated (P<0.05) in all groups receiving base‐soluble protein (BSP), acid‐soluble protein (ASP), defatted jackbean (DJB) and raw jackbean (RJB) diets. Enzyme activities were similarly elevated (P<0.01), but serum protein and albumin concentrations were depressed while uric acid was not influenced by dietary treatment.

5. Histopathological examination revealed several pathological lesions in organs of chicks fed on the BSP, ASP, DJB and RJB diets. The presence of lesions was less marked in the organs of chickens fed on diets containing base‐insoluble residue (BIR), acid‐insoluble residue (AIR) and ethanol‐extracted meal (EEM), while those given the aqueous heated jackbean diet did not show any pathological effects.     

Breed differences and intra-breed genetic variability of dermatoglyphic pattern of cattle

SUMMARY: Muzzle dermatoglyphics - n. ridges, granula and vibrissae - were analysed in various breeds. Differences among these in most traits were significant. Herd effects accounted for about 1/10 of the variance and heritability, estimated by combining sib, halfsib and dam-daughter correlations corrected for herd differences was above 50% for ridges and vibrissae and about 30% for granula. Genetic correlations between ridge counts and n. vibrissae in different nose fields, respectively, were high as they were between the former and n. granula but they were negative or very low between vibrissae and the other two traits. Asymmetry among the counts in the two muzzle sides was significant for nearly all traits, Heritabilities were low, around 10 to 20%, and the crossbreds had less asymmetry than their parental breeds. The correlations among asymmetry measures were low. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Rassenunterschiede und genetische Variabilit?t von Flotzmaulmustern Flotzmaulmerkmale - Zahl von Leisten, Warzen und Haaren - wurden in verschiedenen Rassen untersucht. Unterschiede zwischen diesen waren für alle Merkmale signifikant. Herdeneinflüsse verursachten etwa 1/10 der Varianz und Heritabilit?tswerte, gesch?tzt aus Korrelationen zwischen Zwillingen, Halbgeschwistern und T?chter-Müttern, korrigien für Herdeneinflüsse, variierten zwischen 36 und mehr als 50%. Genetische Korrelationen zwischen Leistenzahl und Zahl von Haaren in verschiedenen Flotzmaulfeldern waren hoch, ebenso wie die zwischen ersteren und Zahl von Warzen, aber sie waren negativ oder sehr gering zwischen Haaren und den andern beiden Merkmalen. Asymmetrie zwischen Zahlen in beiden Flotzmaulh?lften war signifikant für fast alle Merkmale. Heritabilit?tswerte waren niedrig, etwa 10-20% und Kreuzungstiere zeigten weniger Asymmetrie als ihre Herkunftsrassen. Die Korrelationen zwischen Asymmetriema?en waren niedrig.     

Malignant catarrhal fever in a swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calf in New Zealand

Malignant catarrhal fever was diagnosed in a newly imported swamp buffalo calf. This disease is prevalent in deer and cattle in New Zealand and causes sporadic losses in these species. The disease is recognised as a problem in buffaloes overseas and this paper records the first case in a swamp buffalo in New Zealand.     

Elderly migration and development in small communities

"This paper develops a conceptual model of the process of community change [in the United States] in response to elderly inmigration. Analysis of intra-regional variation in elderly migration patterns in Appalachia, and synthesis of an emergent literature on the benefits and costs of attracting elderly migrants, serve as a backdrop for case studies, based on field observations and interviews, of three contrasting Appalachian communities at different stages of development as retirement destinations."     

Mucopolysaccharidosis in a domestic short-haired cat--a disease distinct from that seen in the Siamese cat.

A 10-month-old male domestic short-haired cat was examined because of progressive lameness, a broad face with depressed nasal bridge, small ears, corneal clouding, and multiple bone dysplasia. The cat excreted excessive amounts of glycosaminoglycan (a component of connective tissue) in its urine and had evidence of lysosomal storage of glycosaminoglycans in fibroblasts and neurons. Activity of alpha-L-iduronidase, a lysosomal enzyme involved in glycosaminoglycan degradation, was deficient in cultured fibroblasts and leukocytes. The mucopolysaccharidosis was distinct from that seen in Siamese cats in terms of the pathologic changes and the specific enzyme deficiency.