Mechanical injury and fungal infection induce acquired resistance in Norway spruce

Norway spruce trees (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) pretreated by wounding and fungal infection showed highly enhanced resistance to a subsequent challenge inoculation with the pathogenic bluestain fungus Ceratocystis polonica (Siem.) C. Moreau. This is the first time the effectiveness of the constitutive and inducible defenses has been shown to depend on prior wounding and infection in conifers, although such acquired resistance has previously been found in several angiosperms. Trees that were pretreated with a combination of 12 bark wounds (1.6 x 10 cm), four fungal inoculations and four sterile inoculations 1-15 days before mass inoculation with C. polonica at 400 inoculations per square meter over a 0.8 m stem section had significantly shorter necroses in the phloem, less bluestained sapwood, and less dead cambium than untreated control trees. Pretreatment with four fungal or sterile inoculations alone did not lead to enhanced resistance. Pretreatment by bark wounding alone seemed to provide an intermediate degree of resistance compared to bark wounding, fungal inoculations and sterile inoculations combined. All trees had a marked increase in the number of resin ducts in the year of inoculation compared with previous years, suggesting that formation of traumatic resin ducts play an important role in the development and maintainance of enhanced resistance.     

Effects of intravenous infusion of high levels of potassium and sodium on mineral metabolism in sheep

A metabolism trial was conducted with 18 crossbred (Finn x Dorset x Suffolk) wethers, fitted with indwelling jugular catheters and abomasal and ileal cannulas, to determine the effects of high levels of i.v.-infused K and Na on mineral metabolism. The wethers (40 kg) were fed 800 g daily of a 60% concentrate diet in two equal portions at 0800 and 1900. Six wethers were infused randomly with 19 g K+, six with 10.6 g Na+ (chloride salts) and the other six with physiological saline solution (1.2 g Na) per day. Potassium chloride or NaCl infusion had no effects on apparent absorption, retention, flow or partial absorption of Mg, Ca and P in the digestive tract compared with physiological saline infusion. With all treatments, Mg and Ca were absorbed proximal to the abomasal cannula. Magnesium was secreted into, whereas Ca and P were absorbed from, the small intestine. Phosphorus was secreted both in the stomach and large intestinal regions of the digestive tract. Major sites of K and Na absorption were the small and large intestines, respectively. Infusion of K increased (P less than .05) retention of K compared with Na infusion. Infusion of Na increased (P less than .05) excretion and retention of Na compared with K infusion. Serum minerals were not changed by K or Na infusion compared with saline. The results of this experiment indicate that the depressing effects of K on Mg absorption are not attributable to high levels of absorbed K, but rather to K present in the digestive tract prior to the small intestine.     

Metabolism of 15N-14C-acetylurea in the sheep]

3 male sheep (phi 48.3 kg) were fed a semisynthetic diet containing acetyl urea as sole protein source and 15N-14C labelled acetyl urea (urea-C labelled) by intraruminal tube. A half life period of 4 hrs was established for the removal of labelled acetyl urea from the TCE-soluble portion of the ruminal fluid. The degree of 14C labelling in ruminal proteins was very low whereas the extent of 15N labelled protein synthesis was quite marked reaching a maximum between the 18th and 24th hour of experiment. The steepest rise of 15N incorporation into ruminal proteins was found to occur between 8 to 12 hrs after start of the experiment, i.e. at the time of peak level of 15N returned from 15N urea via the rumino-hepatic circulation. 23.3% of the amount of 14C activity administered (mean of all 3 experimental animals) was excreted through respiration. The curve patterns of both isotopes in the TCE soluble portion of the ruminal fluid were similar to that of the degasified TCE soluble portion of the blood blasma. At the peak time (8 hrs) a concentration of the nitrogen isotope of about 4 atom% excess of 15N was observed. The level of 14C labeling in blood plasma proteins was insignificant when compared with that of 15N labelling. The ratio at the peak time was 1:10; the same ratio was found for ruminal proteins. From this it can be concluded that the process of labelling of blood plasma proteins proceeds mainly through microbial protein synthesis. Sheep I and III excreted an average of 60.6% of 14C activity and 57.0% of the administered excess of 15N in the urine. 6 hrs after the beginning of the experiment 81% of the amount of urinary 14C activity was found to occur as acetyl urea; after 48 hrs this amount had decreased to 50%. All experimental sheep excreted a urinary sediment consisting mainly of acetyl urea. The level of faecal 14C excretion (1.4%-2.9% of the amount administered) was considerably lower than that of 15N excretion (9.1%--15.6% of the administered dose). The TCE soluble fraction of the faeces contained up to 2% of the 14C dose and 3% of the 15N dose. The true digestibility data of 15N from 15N acetyl urea varied between 96.4% and 98.2%. An average of 40.9% was obtained for the 15N balance over the 7-day trial period.     

Primary orthostatic tremor in Great Danes

Two Great Danes were presented for an investigation of 6-month histories of incessant tremor of all 4 limbs and trunk occurring only when the dogs were standing at rest. Dog 1 was a 2-year-old intact female harlequin Great Dane living in the UK, and dog 2 was a 2-year-old castrated male fawn Great Dane living in the United States. The owners described both dogs as having constant quivering of the limbs while standing, suggestive of an involuntary dance, since the age of 18 months. The intensity of the tremors was reported in both dogs to have steadily increased since onset. In dog 1, tremors were noticed to be more pronounced in the fore limbs when she was eating and more pronounced in the hind limbs when she was trying to sit. The owner of dog 1 also reported that the dog could no longer assume a position of recumbency without manual assistance because of the severity of the tremors. Intermittently, tremors were reported to involve the facial musculature of dog 2. Vaccinations were current, and the owners of both dogs did not report any previous medical history, exposure to natural or manufactured toxins, or concurrent treatment. No familial relationship was identified between these 2 dogs.     

Genetic structure and diversity among sheep breeds in the United States: identification of the major gene pools

Understanding existing levels of genetic diversity of sheep breeds facilitates in situ and ex situ conservation activities. A comprehensive evaluation of US sheep breeds has not been previously performed; therefore, we evaluated the genetic diversity among and within 28 US sheep breeds. Both major and minor breeds were included in the analysis and consisted of 666 animals from 222 producers located in 38 states. The level of within-breed genetic diversity was variable and not dependent upon status of a breed as a major or minor breed. Bayesian cluster analysis indicated the breeds were grouped more by physiological differences (meat vs. wool production) rather than geographic origin. Results suggest several actionable items to improve in situ and ex situ conservation. The results clearly identify breeds in need of increased in situ and ex situ management (e.g., Hog Island and Karakul) and allow several suggestions for in situ management of flocks. Conversely, several of the breeds appear genetically similar and therefore require less emphasis on collecting germplasm samples for the gene bank. Commercially important breeds (e.g., Rambouillet and Suffolk) were found to have substantial variation, which should enable breeders to proceed, unencumbered by genetic diversity concerns, with selection strategies that maximize profit.