Importance of Some Biochemical Parameters in the Quality and Yield of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Samples of rapeseed from three Italian growing environments (Bologna, Perugia and Palermo) were analysed for glucose content and dry weight of 1000 seeds every three or four days starting from the end of flowering until complete ripening. In addition, the content of oil, soluble and total proteins, glucosinolates and myrosinase activity was determined in samples of mature seeds. The cultivars used were jet Neuf and Lingot (type 0) and Tandem, Jade and Santana (type 00). From the results it emerged that the point of intersection of the two branches of the linear regression plots for different glucose-consumption kinetics found during seed filling, in addition to being strongly affected by the climate of the test environment, is correlated with quantitative and qualitative production, independently of the genotype.     

Identification by isoelectric focusing of creatine kinase-MM isoforms in the plasma and striated muscle of pigs

Total creatine kinase (CK) and CK-MM isoforms were determined in plasma and longissimus dorsi muscle extracts from normal pigs. Based on their total CK activity, the pigs were divided into two groups. Pigs of group 1 (n=16) had a mean plasma total CK of 298±16 U/L and the distribution of the CK-MM isoforms was 65.7±2.5% CK-MM₃, 18.9±1.6% CK-MM₂ and 15.3±1.5% CK-MM. In group 2 (n=18; 826±75 U/L total CK) four isoforms were observed: 3.1±0.9% CK-MM, 67.9±3.0% CK-MM₃, 21.5±2.3% CK-MM₂ and 7.5±1.3% CK-MM₁. The differences between the two groups of pigs were significant (p<0.001) for CK-MM₁ and the presence of CK-MM. Four CK-MM isoforms were also detected in longissimus dorsi muscle homogenates: 45.6±8.1% CK-MM, 32.6±11.7% CK-MM₃, 16.6±2.3% CK-MM₂ and 5.1±2.8% CK-MM₁. The release of CK-MM isoforms from muscle into plasma seems to be unrelated to the concentration of these isoforms in striated muscle.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FEATURES OF MULTILOBULAR OSTEOCHONDROSARCOMA IN 3 DOGS

Three dogs with multilobular osteochondrosarcoma of the skull were evaluated using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Spin echo T1, T2, proton weighted and post contrast T1W images were obtained with a 1.5 Tesla magnet. The MR imaging findings were similar in all three dogs with mixed signal intensities in the T1W, T2W and proton weighted images and fairly large areas of contrast enhancement in the post contrast T1W images. The extent of brain and soft tissue involvement were well delineated and provided useful information concerning surgical planning. MR imaging provided a useful method of evaluating dogs with skull tumors.     

Humoral immune responses of black-footed penguins (Spheniscus demersus) after DNA-mediated immunization with a beta-galactosidase reporter gene.

Humoral immune responses of black-footed penguins (Spheniscus demersus) to DNA-mediated immunization with a beta-galactosidase reporter gene expression plasmid were evaluated. Six male and 6 female adult penguins received either test plasmid, pCMV-beta, containing the beta-galactosidase gene or control plasmid, pCI, lacking a gene for expression. Three birds from each group were used previously in a diluent control group and given one injection of sterile saline. All samples were screened for anti-beta-galactosidase antibodies by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with anti-chicken immunoglobulin G as secondary antibody. Antibodies to beta-galactosidase were detected in the sera of pCMV-beta-inoculated penguins, with a peak response on day 21. Antibody titers of the test plasmid group versus both control groups on days 21, 28, and 42 differed significantly. These results demonstrate that black-footed penguins can be safely transfected with the gene encoding beta-galactosidase and will mount a humoral response against the in vivo-expressed protein. Knowledge from this initial study can be applied to the development of DNA-mediated vaccines against specific infectious diseases of penguins.     

Effects of monensin on Mg, Ca, P and Zn metabolism and tissue concentrations in lambs

A study consisting of two trials was conducted to determine the effects of monensin on the apparent absorption and retention of magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and zinc (Zn) and to determine mineral changes in tissue and ruminal fluid. Eight lambs (39 kg) were used in trial 1, and 10 lambs (37 kg) were used in trial 2. Animals were blocked by weight and fed a high concentrate diet with or without 20 mg/kg monensin. Trials began with a dietary adjustment period lasting 18 d in trial 1 and 21 d in trial 2. Animals were then placed in metabolism stalls for a 10-d stall adjustment period followed by a 12-d collection period. Collections to determine mineral balance were made during the first 10 d of the collection period. Blood and ruminal fluid samples were taken on d 11 of the collection period. Lambs were slaughtered on d 12 of the collection period and tissue samples were collected. Monensin supplementation increased (P less than .05) Mg retention 42.0%. Urinary Ca excretion decreased (P less than .05) 60.0% when monensin was fed. Monensin supplementation decreased (P less than .05) liver Ca and bone Ca, 45.5 and 2.9%, respectively. Apparent P digestibility increased (P less than .05) 40.0% and P retention increased (P less than .10) 26.8% due to monensin supplementation. Both apparent absorption and retention of Zn increased (P less than .01) 50.0 and 45.0%, respectively, with monensin supplementation. Ruminal fluid Zn concentrations decreased (P less than .05) 33.0% with the addition of monensin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effects of bovine growth hormone and thyroxine on growth rate and carcass measurements in lambs

The effects of bovine growth hormone (GH) and thyroxine (T4) on growth and carcass characteristics were assessed in Dorset ram lambs. Lambs in four groups (n = 10/group) were treated for 30 d as follows: controls, 3.33 mg (6 IU) GH/d (s.c.); 5-mg T4 implant (s.c.) on d 1 and a 10-mg T4 implant 21 d later; GH + T4. Blood samples were collected at 3-d intervals for analysis of GH, T4, triiodothyronine, somatomedin-C and testosterone concentrations. Six lambs/group were slaughtered for carcass measurements and composition. Daily GH injections increased (P less than .005) baseline plasma GH levels 10-fold, whereas plasma T4 concentrations were increased 10% (P less than .10) by the implants. Somatomedin-C increased with time in all groups, but the increments from d 0 to d 30 were higher (P less than .05) with GH treatment. Average daily gain (mean = 352 g/d), feed consumption and feed to gain ratio were not affected (P greater than .1) by GH or T4 treatment in ram lambs. Hot carcass weight and dressing percentage were increased (P less than .05) by T4. Growth hormone increased carcass protein content (P less than .005) and muscle weights while reducing carcass fat (P less than .05). Carcass composition was not altered by T4 alone, and the T4 x GH interaction was not significant; however, the combination of T4 and GH resulted in greater muscle and protein weight than did either hormone alone or no hormone administration. There were no differences in bone length or in the metacarpal growth plate width among groups. The beneficial effects of GH on carcass composition were not further enhanced by administration of thyroxine.     

Oesophagogastric parakeratosis in the growing pig: effects of the physical form of barley-based diets and added fibre

In four experiments a total of 288 individually fed pigs were given barley-based diets for about 100 days from about 20 kg liveweight. Fine grinding of barley increased the number and severity of oesophagogastric lesions. Pelleting a diet based on coarsely ground barley had a similar effect. Coarser grinding of the barley and substituting small proportions of oat husk, but not of bran, gave lower incidences and severities of lesions. The performance responses of the pigs differed and give a framework for deciding on the balance to be struck between optimal performance and the risk of lesion development.     

Insertion of a transtympanic ventilation tube for the treatment of otitis media with effusion

In this paper, a case of otitis media with effusion (‘glue ear’) is described in a Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Its presentation, diagnosis and surgical management by the insertion of a trans-tympanic ventilation tube (grommet) is discussed.     

Alteration of nitrogen metabolism by alpha-ketoglutarate administration in growing lambs fed high nonprotein nitrogen-containing diets

Two completely randomized design experiments were conducted, using either 10, 38-kg (Exp. 1) or 10, 26-kg (Exp. 2) Hampshire x Western wether lambs, to study the effects of alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) administration on N metabolism. Lambs were fed 890 and 885 g DM/d in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively, of corn-cottonseed hull basal diets with urea added to attain CP levels of 10.6 and 10.5% in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively. Experiments consisted of 10 d of adaptation followed by 7 d of infusion and excreta collection. Lambs were infused continuously either i.v. (Exp. 1) or abomasally (Exp. 2) with control solutions (CON) or solutions containing 41.3 g AKG/d (AKG). In Exp. 1, fecal and urinary N excretion and N retention were not affected (P greater than .10) by treatment. Compared to CON in Exp. 2, AKG infusion increased (P less than .10) fecal N output (6.6 vs 5.9 g N/d) but did not affect (P greater than .10) the amount of N retained (4.4 vs 3.5 g N/d). Compared to CON, AKG increased (P less than .10) urinary NH3 N excretion in Exp. 1. Serum urea N was lower (P greater than .10) for AKG than for CON in Exp. 1 but was not affected (P greater than .10) by treatment in Exp. 2. In Exp. 1, AKG appeared to reduce activities of several serum enzymes that function in amino N metabolism. In Exp. 1, compared to CON, AKG decreased (P less than .10) aspartate but increased (P less than .10) asparagine in serum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)