Hydroxylysyl pyridinoline cross-link concentration affects the textural properties of fresh and smoked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) flesh

A simple HPLC method is presented to quantify the low concentration of hydroxylysyl pyridinoline (PYD) cross-links in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) muscle. The method involved the extraction of tissue with NaOH prior to hydrolysis, which greatly reduced the amount of protein to be hydrolyzed and made downstream operations easier and more reproducible. The concentration of PYD was 426 pmol g(-)(1) dry mass muscle in post-rigor muscle stored at 0 degrees C and sampled 3 d after death. Hydroxproline (HYP) concentration was determined following NaOH extraction as a measure of collagen content. In post-rigor samples, the alkaline-insoluble HYP fraction comprised 18.3% of the total HYP. Scanning electron microscopy revealed shrinkage of muscle fibers and a retraction of the connective tissue matrix in smoked salmon. PYD concentration was relatively resistant to processing to the smoked product, decreasing by around 11.7%, as compared to a 22.2% decrease in HYP. There was a positive correlation between PYD concentration and the firmness of post-rigor muscle samples as measured by an instrumental texture analyzer, explaining 25% of the total variation. A weaker but still significant correlation was found between PYD concentration and firmness in the smoked product. There was no relationship between fillet firmness and total collagen concentration, although the correlation with HYP in the alkaline-insoluble fraction was significant at the 6% level (P = 0.057). Our results indicate that only 1-3% of collagen molecules are linked by nonreducible mature cross-links in harvest size farmed Atlantic salmon and that PYD concentration is an important raw material characteristic for flesh quality.     

Preferential denervation of the adductor muscles of the equine larynx. I: Muscle pathology

The laryngeal muscles of 18 horses were examined histologically. The neurogenic changes found in each muscle were scored by four reviewers and the results evaluated statistically. Fifteen of these horses had endoscopic evidence of abnormal laryngeal function, three of which were defined as having adductor paralysis. Measurement of muscle fibre area in two horses with idiopathic laryngeal hemiplegia (ILH) was performed. In the quantitative study of neurogenic change, the adductor muscles were more significantly affected than the abductor muscle. This was also true in the clinical cases of ILH where measurement of muscle fibre area demonstrated that the lateral cricoarytenoid (adductor) muscles showed a wider range of pathological changes than the dorsal cricoarytenoid muscle (abductor). Those horses with the most severe muscle pathology also had the most abnormal endoscopic findings. The propensity for denervation of the adductor muscles should provide clues as to the pathogenesis and natural history of horses with sub-clinical laryngeal disease and ILH.     

Lesions in fetal pigs with transplacentally-induced toxoplasmosis

Two sows (Nos. 1, 2) were each fed 1,000 Toxoplasma gondii oocysts. Sow No. 1 was fed oocysts at 60 day of gestation and was euthanatized 49 days later. Sow No. 2 was fed oocysts at day 45 of gestation and euthanatized 62 days later. Sow No. 1 had eight dead fetuses of which one was mummified and unsuitable for histologic study. Sow No. 2 had 11 fetuses, of which four fetuses were mummified and unsuitable for histologic examination, two fetuses were dead and five were live. Lesions and Toxoplasma parasites were identified in seven fetuses from sow No. 1 and three fetuses from sow No. 2. No lesions were found in four fetuses from sow No. 2. Toxoplasma gondii was present in trophoblasts and produced areas of necrosis of the chorioallantois with focal placental separation. The predominant lesions were necrotizing placentitis, non-suppurative encephalomyelitis, and myocardial degeneration, necrosis and mineralization. Numerous tachyzoites were seen in trophoblast cells lining areolae in placenta.     

Experimentally induced infections in turkeys with Cryptosporidium baileyi isolated from chickens

Oocysts of Cryptosporidium baileyi isolated from chickens were inoculated by different routes into 3 groups of turkey poults. Intratracheal inoculation of oocysts produced clinical signs of respiratory tract disease, deaths, and gross lesions of airsacculitis. Parasites developed in the microvillous border of the nasopharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and air sacs. Oral and intracloacal inoculations of oocysts caused no deaths or clinical signs of disease, but did produce patent infections. Respiratory tract infections limited to the nasopharynx, larynx, and trachea occurred in 3 orally inoculated poults. Respiratory tract infections were not observed in intracloacally inoculated poults. The mode of inoculation did not influence the distribution of C baileyi in the digestive tract. The cloaca was parasitized in 100% of the birds with intestinal infections, and the bursa of Fabricius was parasitized in 72.7%.     

Coccidiosis in swine

It is clear that although the clinical history, pathologic lesions, and endogenous stage life cycle of I. suis are well understood, the epidemiology of this parasite is not understood or is misunderstood. Consequently, treatment of individual piglets and prophylactic use of coccidiostats in sows have not been consistently rewarding. The best control at present is achieved through use of extensive sanitation, particularly steam cleaning. The incidence of clinical coccidiosis in piglets continues to be a major component (approximately 20 per cent) in the differential etiology of scours in baby pigs.     

Induced transplacental transmission of Neospora caninum in cattle.

Three Jersey cows were inoculated SC and IM with 26 million Neospora caninum tachyzoites at 129 (cow 1), 126 (cow 2), and 81 (cow 3) days after mating. Cows remained clinically normal for at least 1 month after inoculation of N caninum. Cow 1 was euthanatized 32 days after inoculation because of gangrenous mastitis. Cow 1 had a live fetus with no gross lesions; however, microscopic lesions were seen in the fetus and consisted of severe nonsuppurative necrotizing encephalitis of the cerebral white matter. Neospora caninum was identified in lesions by staining with anti-N caninum serum in an immunohistochemical test, by bioassays in mice, and by inoculation of bovine monocyte cultures with fetal tissue homogenate. Neither N caninum nor lesions were associated with infection with the protozoon identified in tissues of cow 1. Cows 2 and 3 aborted small autolysed fetuses 101 and 74 days, respectively, after inoculation with N caninum; the fetuses and attached placenta were unsuitable for laboratory investigations. Cows 2 and 3 remained clinically normal 4 months after abortion. Results of this study indicated that N caninum can be transmitted transplacentally in cattle.     

The Effects of the Periodical Use of In-feed Chlortetracycline on the Reproductive Performance of Gilts and Sows of a Commercial Pig Farm with a History of Clinical and Subclinical Viral and Bacterial Infections

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of in‐feed chlortetracycline (CTC) as a measure of preventing or minimizing infectious problems of reproductive failure in gilts and sows. In a farm of 400 Large White × Landrace gilts and sows with a clinical history of porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome (PRRS) virus, the animals were treated with CTC. Treatment consisted of 10 g CTC sow/day for 15 days every 3 months. It improved the health status of sows by decreasing post‐farrowing clinical mastitis and vaginal discharges, abortions, return‐to‐oestrus and irregular return‐to‐oestrus rates. These beneficial effects had a positive impact on the performance of the litter. More piglets were born live and weaned. These positive effects improved with repeated use of CTC. The serological evidence of PRRS virus, Leptospira spp. and Chlamydia spp. and the subsequent beneficial use of the antimicrobial agent indicate that reproductive failure, possibly resulting from the bacterial agents can be controlled with in‐feed use of broad spectrum antimicrobials.