A packed-bed filtration system for collection of Myxobolus cerebralis triactinomyxons

Information on the distribution and abundance of Myxobolus cerebralis triactinomyxons in natural systems is limited because direct and accurate sampling methods for this life stage have not been developed. Existing methods are based on indirect measures of triactinomyxon densities and are therefore confounded. Direct estimation of triactinomyxon concentrations would more exactly pinpoint the ambient infection risk to wild fish and allow evaluation of management strategies designed to mitigate the effects of the disease. We developed a mobile packed-bed filtration system that quickly, accurately, and precisely collects, concentrates, and quantifies triactinomyxons. The system includes pumping, prefiltration, two rounds of packed-bed filtration, and centrifugation. Laboratory tests of the completed system using known quantities of triactinomyxons resulted in a mean recovery rate of 91% with a minimum detectable concentration of triactinomyxons of 0.04/L. We subsequently field-tested the system at a site known to be positive for the parasite and recovered triactinomyxons at densities of 0.7-1.4/L. The packed-bed filtration system has the potential to quickly determine the temporal and spatial variation in infection risk and to test the efficacy of various management strategies.     

Effect of feeding fermented liquid feed and fermented grain on gastrointestinal ecology and growth performance in piglets

To investigate the microbial and nutritional characteristics of dry feed, liquid feed containing fermented liquid cereal grains, and fermented liquid feed, and their effect on gastrointestinal ecology and growth performance, 120 piglets from 40 litters were used and housed in pens with 5 animals in each. The 3 dietary treatments (all nonheated and nonpelleted diets) were: a dry meal diet (DRY); a fermented, liquid cereal grain feed (FLG); and a fermented liquid feed (FLF). The FLG diet was prepared by storing the dietary cereals (barley and wheat) and water (1:2.5, wt/wt) in a closed tank at 20 degrees C and adding the remaining dietary ingredients immediately before feeding. The FLF diet was prepared by storing compound feed and water (1:2.5, wt/wt) in a closed tank at 20 degrees C. Three times daily, 50% of the fermented cereals or compound feed and water stored in the tanks was removed and replaced with an equal amount of fresh cereals or feed and water. On d 14, 1 piglet from each pen was killed and samples from the gastrointestinal tract were obtained. The pH of the fermented cereals was 3.85 (SD = 0.10), that of the FLG diet was 5.00 (SD = 0.18), and the pH of the FLF diet was 4.45 (SD = 0.11). The dietary concentration of lysine (g/16 g of N) pointed to a decreased concentration in the FLF (5.46, SD = 0.08) compared with the DRY (6.01) and FLG (6.21, SD = 0.27) diets, and the concentration of cadaverine was greater in the FLF diet (890 mg/kg, SD = 151.3) than in the DRY (32 mg/kg) or FLG (153 mg/kg, SD = 18.7) diets. Fermenting only the cereal component of the diet (FLG) promoted the growth of yeasts to a greater extent than fermenting the whole diet (FLF). Terminal RFLP profiles of diets and digesta from the stomach and midcolon showed differences among dietary groups. The number of yeasts able to grow at 37 degrees C in the stomach and caudal small intestine was greatest in the FLG group compared with the other 2 dietary groups (P < 0.01). In the cecum and colon, the differences were only significant between piglets fed the FLG and the FLF diets (P < 0.05). The greatest number of yeasts able to grow at 20 degrees C was detected in the animals fed the FLG diet. However, the values were different from the FLF-fed piglets only in the stomach (P < 0.05) and midcolon (P < 0.05). There was a tendency (P < 0.10) for greater ADG of the piglets fed the FLG compared with the FLF diet. Feeding liquid feed containing fermented, liquid cereal grains as a means of avoiding microbial decarboxylation of free amino acids in the feed and increasing feed intake by improving palatability seems promising but requires further investigation.     

Effect of alpha-interferon and alpha-tocopherol in reversing hepatic cirrhosis in rats

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of alpha-interferon and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), or a combination of both, in reversing hepatic fibrosis following the induction of cirrhosis using thioacetamide by histological and biochemical analysis. Fifty male Wistar rats were used in this study. The animals were divided equally into five groups. Animals in group I were used as controls. The remaining animals (groups II-V) were provided with 0.5 g/L of thioacetamide in order to induce liver cirrhosis. Group II animals were used as the cirrhotic control. Animals of groups III, IV and V were given alpha-interferon, alpha-tocopherol and interferon together with alpha-tocopherol, respectively, for 30 days. After 30 days the animals were killed and following gross morphological examination of the liver, the hepatic tissues were processed for histological analysis and the serum was used for liver function tests. Morphological analysis showed a decrease in the number of nodules on the surface of the liver in both interferon- as well as vitamin E-treated cirrhotic rats. Histopathological analysis showed that the abnormalities of the cirrhotic liver were partially reversed and liver function tests showed an overall improvement following treatment of animals of groups III, IV and V. Combination therapy using both interferon and alpha-tocopherol did not have any substantial effect on the rats compared with that when they were given separately. These findings suggest that alpha-interferon and alpha-tocopherol may have therapeutic value in reversing liver cirrhosis.     

Effect of Food Availability on the Physiological Responses to Water Deprivation in Ponies

Six ponies were deprived of drinking water and food and compared over 24 hours with nondeprived ponies, ponies deprived of water but with food available, and ponies deprived of food but with water available. When food was eaten during water deprivation, plasma osmolality rose 4% from 284 mOsm/kg to 295 mOsm/kg. During water and food deprivation, plasma osmolality failed to rise, even over 24 hours, and usually fell. Packed cell volume was higher when food but not water was available. Food and/or water deprivation had no significant effect on plasma protein concentration. When food was available, the ponies drank three times more water (13.1 ± 2.1 kg) than when water but not food was available (3.5 ± 1.4 kg). Blood volume changes were calculated from packed cell volume and plasma protein data, and it was found that blood volume did not change significantly with deprivation. Urine volume did not vary with deprivation, but free water clearance changed significantly, falling when food but not water was available. Under these conditions, blood volume is maintained, but the mechanisms are not clear. When deprived of both drinking water and food, ponies failed to develop the hyperosmolality expected under these conditions. Water deprivation while food is available is a more powerful challenge to water and electrolyte homeostasis than deprivation of both food and water.     

A vitamin e response in a young dog

Extract

This subject will be covered in three sections, first, a brief history of how the idea of using trained dogs to help the blind was conceived, then the present-day methods of training guide dogs, and, finally, how the blind person is trained with their guide dog to work together as a team.     

Comparing Genotypes of Different Body Sizes for Growth-related Traits in Chickens. II. Feed Consumption Performance under Choice Feeding Using Commercial Starter Ration and Whole-grain Wheat

Three genotypes of chickens including one commercial broiler (CB) and two others from the Norwegian gene bank [Barred Plymouth Rock (BPR) and Jærhøn (JH)] were raised from 1 day to 20 weeks of age with a free choice of a commercial starter ration and whole-grain wheat. Body weights and pen-feed intakes were recorded every 2 weeks. The weight–age data were fitted to a Gompertz growth equation where, among other parameters, adult body weights were estimated and used for size scaling. The heavier CB chickens consumed more food (starter and wheat) than the other two genotypes. The maximum proportions of whole-grain wheat in the diet were 0.56, 0.68 and 0.75 for BPR, CB and JH birds, respectively. Although the proportions of whole-grain wheat were similar between the genotypes as age progressed, their maintenance requirement and feed intakes relative to body weight suggested a major genetic role and a possible interplay of both genetic potential and body size.     

Red urine from red deer grazed on pure red clover swards

Twenty-four red deer hinds with their calves were released on to a newly established pure red clover sward and, 2 days later, red staining of the tail, perineum and hocks was observed. This was presumed to be of urinary origin. Observation of micturition showed that when urine was passed, it was a normal straw colour but it turned scarlet-red about 1 hour after exposure to air. Midstream urine remained the normal colour when held under a pure nitrogen atmosphere immediately after micturition, but it turned red when held in air in the dark, suggesting that the colour change was due to an oxidative rather than a photosensitive reaction. All deer grazing red clover were affected but this did not occur in deer grazing ryegrass/white clover swards. No adverse effects were observed in the deer grazing the red clover, and calf growth was significantly higher than on ryegrass/white clover, suggesting that the red urine had no effect on health or productivity.

Blood and urine analyses showed no signs of haemolysis, haematuria or haemoglobinuria. Preliminary chemical analyses suggest that the compounds involved are not those found in the urine of sheep grazing oestrogenic clover. The nature of the compounds have yet to be determined.