Biochemical indicators of fatness in meat-type chickens: lack of correlation between lipoprotein lipase activity in post-heparin plasma and body fat

1. Possible relationships between fatness and lipoprotein lipase activity in adipose tissue and plasma from heparinised birds were examined in 7-week-old male and female broilers. 2. Total lipoprotein lipase activity in abdominal fat was significantly correlated (r = 0.5) with fat pad weight, but there was no correlation between specific activity of the enzyme and fat pad weight. 3. Lipoprotein lipase activity in post-heparin plasma showed no correlation with either abdominal fat or total body fat content. 4. The results indicate that measurements of lipoprotein lipase activity in biopsy samples or in post-heparin plasma are of no value in predicting the fat content of live birds.     

Pemphigus foliaceus in dogs: a review of 37 cases

Thirty-seven dogs with pemphigus foliaceus were seen over a span of 9 years in a veterinary medical teaching hospital. Four breeds of dogs (Bearded Collie, Akita, Newfoundland, Schipperke) were at significant elevated risk when compared with both the dermatology canine case population and the hospital canine population. The mean age of onset was 4.2 years. The dorsal part of the muzzle was the most common site of initial involvement in over 50% of the dogs, and lesions of the head were seen first in 81% of the dogs. Disease progression was gradual (greater than 3 months) in 73% of the dogs. Somewhat bilaterally symmetric scaling, crusting, and alopecia were seen in all of the dogs. Vesicles, pustules, and bullae were not seen commonly, but target lesions with peripheral collarettes were seen frequently. Most dogs had characteristic footpad lesions, with erythematous swelling at the pad margins, cracking, and villous hypertrophy. Generalized exfoliative dermatitis was seen in dogs with widespread disease. Pruritus was noted in less than one half of the dogs. Typical histopathologic findings included subcorneal and intragranular cell layer epidermal pustules, or intrafollicular pustules with prominent acantholysis. Direct immunofluorescence in an intercellular pattern was noted in 76% of the dogs tested and indirect immunofluorescence was noted in 75% of a much smaller sample. Thirty-nine percent of the dogs responded to corticosteroid therapy alone, and 50% and 55% responded, respectively, to prednisone and cytotoxic drugs, and to prednisone with aurothioglucose. Aurothioglucose was successful alone in 27% of the dogs. One-year survival was achieved in 53% of the dogs.     

The economic effects of trypanosomiasis in sheep and goats at a range research station in Kenya

A study on the economic effects of naturally acquired trypanosomiasis in sheep and goats over a period of 35 weeks under range conditions in the Kiboko area of Kenya indicated that the financial loss from reduced weight gain and death amounted to 36.2 and 62.9 Kenya shillings per head for goats and sheep respectively. This was derived from the weight loss through death together with the reduced weight gain of the survivors compared with treated animals. The study also compared the efficacy of 3 drug regimes in goats and suggests that although quinapyramine (prophylactic) B.vet.C. provided the longest protective period, the weight increase of the stock under isometamidium chloride treatment was higher. The benefits of the drugs used are discussed.     

Fiber digestibility by black lemurs (Eulemur macaco macaco).

Black lemurs, Eulemur macaco, are classified as generalist feeders, consuming a proportion of fruits and leaves that varies with seasonal availability. It is hypothesized that black lemurs are capable of using neutral detergent fiber (NDF) as a source of energy through fiber fermentation in the cecum and large intestine. In captivity, they are typically fed a diet of commercially available primate biscuits and readily available produce, both of which are limited in NDE Digestibility trials were conducted on 14 black lemurs; 12 were housed in groups (four, three, three, and two) and 2 were individually housed. The lemurs were fed four manufactured feeds differing in fiber form and content. A commercially available primate biscuit, containing approximately 27% NDF, served as the control diet. The second diet contained the same primate biscuits, which were ground and then incorporated into a fiber-based gel matrix. The third and fourth diets were formulated using soybean hulls or ground corncobs as the fiber source, resulting in 53% and 47% NDF, respectively. Produce was added to the diet at 36% (dry matter basis). Dry matter digestibility differed significantly among all diets. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility was highest for the ground biscuit in gel and lowest for the two high-fiber gel diets, with biscuit digestibility values falling between the two extremes. The high-fiber gel diets were successful in increasing the NDF concentrations of the primate diets; however, black lemurs were capable of only limited fiber digestion.     

Prevalence of Bartonella species, haemoplasma species, Ehrlichia species, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Neorickettsia risticii DNA in the blood of cats and their fleas in the United States

Ctenocephalides felis were killed and collected from 92 cats in Alabama, Maryland, and Texas. The fleas and blood from the corresponding cat were digested and assessed in polymerase chain reaction assays that amplify DNA of Ehrlichia species, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neorickettsia risticii, Mycoplasma haemofelis, 'Candidatus M haemominutum' and Bartonella species. DNA consistent with B henselae, B clarridgeiae, M haemofelis, or 'Candidatus M haemominutum' was commonly amplified from cats (60.9%) and their fleas (65.2%). Results of this study support the recommendation to maintain flea control on cats in endemic areas.     

Feline pyoderma therapy

Feline pyoderma is a disease entity more prevalent than previously described. Diagnosis is made by finding bacteria in the presence of inflammatory cells or bacterial phagocytosis on routine cytological examination. Diseases leading to secondary bacterial pyoderma include allergic and inflammatory skin diseases, parasitosis, feline chin acne, and others. Lesions of feline pyoderma are variable and include crusted and eroded papules, pustules, furuncles, eroded to ulcerated plaques with variable exudation and crusting, and linear to nodular ulcerative granulomatous lesions. Three cases of feline pyoderma responsive to antimicrobial therapy are discussed: case 1, a 10.5-year-old male neutered domestic short hair with eosinophilic lip ulcer, case 2, a 7-year-old male neutered domestic short hair with multiple cutaneous eosinophilic plaques, and case 3, an 8-month-old male neutered domestic short hair cat with Pseudomonas dermatitis, vasculitis, and panniculitis. Antibiotic selection for treatment of feline pyoderma should be based on cytological examination, and culture and sensitivity in unresponsive cases.     

Consistent action of two partially effective loci conferring resistance to Globodera pallida Pa2/3 across multiple nematode field populations

The potato cyst nematodes (PCN) Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida are significant pests of potatoes worldwide. The most effective control methods are crop rotation and the deployment of resistant varieties. Complete resistance to G. rostochiensis based on a single resistance gene has successfully been integrated into many varieties. However, resistance to G. pallida has not been as successful to date, with current varieties only exhibiting partial resistance. Combining partially effective quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for resistance can increase the strength and breadth of the resistance. An additive effect on resistance has previously been demonstrated on combining two QTLs from Solanum tuberosum subsp. andigena (GpaIV^s_adg) and Solanum vernei (Gpa5). However, populations of G. pallida can be quite divergent and it was unclear whether the relative effects of the individual QTLs and the combined additive effect would be consistent across different G. pallida Pa2/3 populations. Using a mapping population segregating for both QTLs, the effect of the QTLs individually and combined was examined on four UK‐derived field populations of G. pallida pathotype Pa2/3, and the relative effects of the individual QTLs and the additive effect of the combination found to be consistent across all populations.     

Reduced fertility in triploids of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia auriculiformis</Emphasis> and its hybrid with <Emphasis Type="Italic">A. mangium</Emphasis>

Polyploid breeding offers the possibility of increased variability in the search for improved growth, site adaptation and disease resistance in tropical acacias. A key focus of breeding in Vietnam has been the production and testing of vigorous triploid clones which are expected to have the added advantage of being sterile. Triploids obtained by manual crosses between diploid and tetraploid trees or by bulk screening of seedlings derived from open-pollinated seedlots were verified using flow cytometry. Thirteen clones are under field testing for growth rate, tree form and fertility. Six of these are now reproductively mature and flowered as prolifically as diploids. However no pollen germinated, either on agar or on their own stigmas under controlled pollination. Only one clone (X01—F₁ hybrid of tetraploid A. mangium and diploid A. auriculiformis) produced open pollinated pods on 0.05% of hermaphrodite flowers and these contained an average of 1.3 filled seeds per pod, about one-fifth the number observed in diploids. Less than 25% of germinated progeny from this triploid clone survived at 3 months after sowing and survivors were severely stunted with arrested growth. Ploidy and genotype analysis revealed them to be predominantly aneuploids, ranging from hyperdiploid to hypotetraploid with 95% being selfs. We are confident that we can select triploid clones which will be effectively infertile if deployed in plantations and may be of particular value in situations where the normal prolific natural regeneration of tropical acacias is highly undesirable.