Colostral Transfer of Rinderpest Neutralizing Antibody to Offspring of Våccinated Dams

The transfer of maternal antibodies to Friesian and buffalo calves born of dams vaccinated against rinderpest was through colostrum only. Colostral antibody titers at the time of parturition were higher than the serum titer. Two hours after suckling, a high level of rinderpest neutralizing antibodies was detected in the sera of newborn animals. The half-life of maternal antibodies in buffalo and Friesian calves was found to be approximately 33 and 29 days respectively. By the age of 7-8 months, 60 per cent of buffalo calves and 80 per cent of Friesian calves had no detectable levels of rinderpest neutralizing antibody.     

Studies on the metabolism of amino acids during development,ripening and senescence of ‘Pusa Seedless’ grapes

Changes in free amino acids were followed during the course of development and senescence of ‘Pusa Seedless’ grape berries. The total free amino acid content continuously increased right from the time of anthesis. The rate of increase was rather slow in the beginning, but accelerated after a lag phase (stage II) of berry development. Glutamic acid was the predominant amino acid in stage I, aspartic acid in stage II and arginine in stage III. In stage III there were massive increases in several amino acids. The ripening process was observed to be intimately associated with the metabolism of arginine, proline and glutamic acid. The proline level in particular increased at the height of the ripening process. During cold storage, the total free amino acid content decreased. Proline content of the berry increased at the expense of arginine and glutamic acid. The study indicated a possible relationship between low arginine/proline ratio and the onset of senescence.     

Enzootic calcinosis in sheep: clinical signs and pathology.

Enzootic calcinosis in Corriedale sheep was characterized by degeneration and mineralization of elastic connective tissue of aorta, arteries, lung, and kidney and by ulceration of cartilage of joints of limbs. Results of serum chemical analysis revealed low Ca X P value and significantly low, but inconsistent magnesium concentration and normal inorganic phosphorus content. The Ca:P ratio in bone was low in affected sheep. Clinicopathologically, calcinosis of sheep at Mattewara, India, appeared to be similar to the disease described as Enteque seco in South America, Naalehu disease in Hawaii, Manchester wasting disease in Jamaica, and calcinosis in central Europe, Israel, and South Africa. The disease might be due to complex mineral imbalance, although the possibility of a plant poisoning has not been ruled out.