Three phase elimination of oxytetracycline in veal calves; the presence of an extended terminal elimination phase

The pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline were studied after both intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration to a group of five veal calves. Blood samples were taken frequently during the terminal elimination phase in order to calculate a reliable elimination rate constant. Because of the low limit of quantification of the method of analysis used, oxytetracycline plasma concentrations could be monitored over a 12-day period of time.
After the intravenous administration of oxytetracycline, data were fitted according a three-compartment model. After i.m. administration, plasma-concentration-time curves could best be described by a two-compartment model. It was demonstrated that a very slow terminal elimination phase was present both after i.v. and i.m. administration with a half-life of approximately 95 h. The data show that this phase cannot be explained by slow absorption from the injection site and that release of oxytetracycline incorporated into bone is not a likely explanation.     

Colour Dilution Alopecia (CDA) in Ten yorkshire Terriers

Abstract— Clinical laboratory investigations as well as light, electron microscopic and X-ray microanalytical studies on skin biopsy specimens and hair from 10 yorkshire terriers suffering from Colour Dilution Alopecia (CDA) were carried out. Biochemical data detected a marked melanin reduction in hair from affected areas. Histologically, melanin clumps were mainly evident in the epidermal basal layer cells as well as inside the bulb and hair shaft. Ultrastructurally, basal keratinocytes were overloaded by fully melanized melanosomes disrupting cytoplasmic structures. Intracytoplasmic and free melanosomes were also evident in all cutaneous layers. Scanning electron microscopy showed holes and bulges scattered in the hair shaft. X-Ray microanalysis demonstrated silicate particles in the more superficial cuticular holes and calcium in the deeper fractured layers. Based on these observations a new hypothesis on the pathogenetic mechanism(s) of alopecia is proposed. Résumé— Diverses investigations, microscopie optique, microscopie électronique, études microanalytiques aux rayons X ont été réalisées sur des biopsies cutanées et des poils provenant de dix yorkshire Terriers présentant une Alopécie des Robes Diluées. Les examens biochemiques montrent une diminution nette de la mélanine dans les poils provenant des régions malades. Des aggrégate de mélanine sont observés dans les cellules de l'assise basale épidermique ainsi qu'à l'intérieur des bulbes pileux et des tiges pilaires. Sur le plan ultrastructural, les kératinocytes basaux montrent une surcharge en mélanosomes détruisant ainsi les structures cytoplasmiques. Des mélanosomes libres et intra-cytoplasmiques sont également observés dans toutes les couches épidermiques. La microscopie électronique à balayage montrent des trous et des bosses dispersés dans la gaine folliculaine. Des analyses en rayons X démontrent la présence de particules de silicate dans les trous les plus superficiels de la cuticule et du calcium dans les couches plus profondes. A partir de ces observations, une nouvelle hypothèse sur la pathogénie de dette alopécie est proposée. [Roperto F., Cerundolo, R., Restucci, B., Vincensi, M. R., De Caprariis, D., De Vico, G., Maiolino, P. Colour dilution alopecia (CDA) in ten yorkshire Terriers (Alopécie des robes diluées (ARD) chez dix yorkshire Terriers). Resumen— Se llevaron a cabo análisis clinicos asi como estudios microanaliticos con rayos X y microscopia electrónica sobre biopsias cutáneas tomadas a diez yorkshire Terriers que padecian de Alopecia de Color Diluido (CDA). Los estudios bioquimicos detectaron una fuerte reducción en melanina en el pelo de las zonas afectadas. A nivel histológico, los agregados de melanina se localizaban principalmente en la capa basal de la epidermis asi como en el bulbo piloso y en en pelo. A nivel ultraestructural, los queratinocitos basales estaban sobrecargados de melanosomas totalmente melanizados, alterando su estructura citoplasmática. También se identificaron melanosomas en forma libre o a nivel intracitoplasmático en todas las capas cutáneas. La microscopia electrónica de escáner mostró cavidades y prominencias diseminadas a lo largo del pelo. Mediante microanalisis por rayos X se detectaron partículas de silicato en las cavidades cuticulares más superficiales y calcio en las capas més profundas. Teniendo en cuenta estos hallazgos, se propone una nueva hipótesis sobre el/los mecanismo/s patogénico/s de la alopecia. [Roperto F., Cerundolo, R., Restucci, B., Vincensi, M. R., De Caprariis, D., De Vico, G., Maiolino, P. Colour dilution alopecia (CDA) in ten yorkshire Terriers (Alopecia de color diluido (CDA) en diez yorkshire Terriers).     

Supplemental corn grain for steers grazing native rangeland during summer

Effects of supplemental corn grain on forage OM intake (FOMI), digesta kinetics, ruminal fermentation patterns, in vitro OM digestibility (IVOMD), and in situ OM digestion were examined in steers grazing summer blue grama rangeland in northeastern New Mexico during July and August 1988. Sixteen ruminally cannulated steers (average BW 507 kg) were allotted to four treatments and individually fed whole-shelled corn at 0, .2, .4, and .6% of BW in a complete random design with repeated measurements over time. Forage OMI decreased linearly (P = .02) with increasing levels of supplemental corn; however, a tendency toward greater FOMI, as well as faster particulate and fluid passage, was observed when corn was fed at .2% of BW compared with 0, .4, or .6% of BW. Molar proportions of butyrate increased (P less than .10) but molar proportions of acetate and propionate, ruminal pH, and total VFA concentration did not change (P greater than .10) with added corn. Added corn linearly decreased (P less than .10) ruminal ammonia N concentrations in July, but patterns were inconsistent in August. A cubic response (P less than .05) for in situ OM disappearance with added corn was noted after 24, 72, and 96 h of incubation. Supplemental whole corn fed at .2% of BW had no detrimental effects and tended to increase FOMI. However, supplemental corn fed at .4 or .6% of BW decreased FOMI compared with 0 or .2% of BW.     

Early mucosal healing and chronic changes in pony jejunum after various types of strangulation obstruction

Strangulation obstruction was induced in anesthetized ponies for periods of 2 and 3 hours by clamping 45-cm segments of jejunum and their veins only (venous strangulation obstruction, VSO) and arteries and veins (arterial and venous strangulation obstruction, AVSO). These types of strangulation obstruction were studied in 4 segments in each of 4 ponies allowed to survive 12 hours (group 1) and in a single segment in each of 10 ponies allowed to survive 42 days (group 2) after the strangulation period ended. On visual inspection, segments subjected to VSO had hemorrhage and edema in the bowel wall and mesentery and were dark purple after all time intervals. They improved slowly after clamps were removed, but remained hemorrhagic and edematous. Segments subjected to AVSO were purple and had mild edema and scattered petechiae in the bowel wall and mesentery. They improved rapidly and closely resembled normal bowel after 5 minutes of reperfusion. On light and scanning electron microscopy, the mucosa of intestine subjected to VSO and AVSO had necrotic, denuded villi 1 hour after the strangulation periods ended. Twelve hours after removal of occlusion devices in group-1 ponies, 4 (25%) segments were unchanged, 4 (25%) had deteriorated, and 8 (50%) had stunted villus remnants partly or completely lined with regenerating epithelium. Separation and detachment of villus tip mucosal cells were seen in 3 of 4 control segments, 1 and 12 hours after the strangulation periods ended.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Book review

Tierhaltung, edited by D. W. Fölsch. Basel, Birkhäuser Verlag.     

Comparative study of chloramphenicol absorption in calves after oral, intra-ruminal and intra-abomasal administration

The mechanisms responsible for the rapid decline of chloramphenicol plasma levels after oral administration in young calves during their first weeks of life were investigated. Chloramphenicol was administered by stomach tube, to four 2 week old calves on three consecutive days at a dose of 50 mg/kg. The plasma levels increased daily to a peak value on the third day. The minimum therapeutic concentration of 5 μg/ml, however, was barely obtained. Simultaneous estimation of the ruminal contents showed a parallel increase in chloramphenicol concentration. Thus it can be assumed that there is an inefficient absorption of chloramphenicol from the forestomachs of young calves. Chloramphenicol was not metabolized by the ruminal contents until the calves were 9 weeks old. Finally chloramphenicol was administered to 7 week old calves by the intra-abomasal route, intraruminal route and by mouth. Only with the intra-abomasal method could a therapeutically effective level be reached. This indicates that the rapid decline of chloramphenicol plasma levels in calves during their first weeks of life could be attributed to the delayed reticulo-rumen emptying and to inefficient absorption from the forestomachs.     

On-farm production of liquefied catfish protein

A method and the equipment used to process channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) offal into a liquid catfish protein (LCP) suitable for use as an animal feedstuff component is described. This process uses the offal following cleaning of the catfish for commercial use, i.e., without additional grinding or chopping. Small amounts of either hydrochloric acid or formic acid can be used to liquefy the catfish offal in 2 h or less. The liquefaction is conducted in a drum fitted with a baffle. The drum is heated to 50°C with water from an overhead manifold while turning on a drum roller. Bones and unliquefied material are removed by screening to yield LCP at pH 4.5.Variations in the processing conditions — grinding, agitation rate, acid employed, and time — did not alter significantly the amount of crude protein or the essential amino acid profile. Acid selection altered the amount of essential free amino acids found, with hydrochloric acid producing the lesser amount. Reducing the agitation rate lowered the amount of essential free amino acids. Comparison of the essential amino acid profile of the LCP with those of catfish, menhaden and herring meals showed lower amounts of these acids but sufficient to warrant use as a feed component.