Alkaline and Acid Phosphatase, β‐Glucuronidase and Electrolyte Levels in Fractionated Stallion Ejaculates

Seminal plasma (SP) is a mixture of contents from the testes, epididymides and accessory sex glands. The sperm concentration is highest in the first few jets, or fractions, of the ejaculate, and the composition of SP varies between these fractions because accessory gland secretions are released in a specific order. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of Na, Cl, K, Mg, Ca, inorganic phosphate (Pi) and the enzymes alkaline phosphatase (AP), acid phosphatase (ACP) and β‐glucuronidase (BG) in the different fractions of the ejaculate and in different stallions. All semen collections were done using a computer‐controlled phantom that collects the ejaculatory jets separately in five cups. The cups with the highest (HIGH) and the lowest (LOW) sperm concentration were analysed. In Trial I, semen was collected from three reproductively normal stallions. In Trial II, ejaculates of two reproductively normal stallions were compared to those of two subfertile stallions. In Trial III, semen was collected from seven stallions with varying reproductive history. The sperm‐rich fractions contained the highest levels of AP, ACP, BG and inorganic phosphate, and the values were positively correlated to the sperm concentration. Significant differences between the subfertile and the fertile stallions pairs in HIGH : LOW ratios were found in Pi and Cl concentrations. The highest concentrations of Ca and Mg were found in the last fractions with low sperm concentrations, with no significant differences between the fertile and the subfertile stallion pairs. The concentrations of K, Na and Cl were similar in HIGH and LOW fractions and in whole ejaculate samples. Pre‐sperm fluid contained the highest concentrations of Na and Cl. Some of the possible variation in storage tolerance between ejaculates and ejaculatory fractions could perhaps be explained by differences in the composition of SP.     

Postovulatory Effect of Intravenous Administration of Lipopolysaccharide (E. coli,O55:B5) on the Contractile Activity of the Oviduct,Ova Transport,Binding of Accessory Spermatozoa to the Zona Pellucida and Embryo Development in Sows

The effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (E. coli, O55:B5), administered 18 h after ovulation in the second oestrus after weaning, on the contractile activity of the oviduct, ova transport, sperm binding to zona pellucida (ZP) and embryo development, was studied in 14 Swedish crossbred (Landrace Yorkshire) multiparous sows. The endotoxin group (E‐group) sows were administered with 300 ng/kg of LPS while the control group (C‐group) sows were administered with 5 ml of saline i.v. via an indwelling jugular cannula. Immediately after evidence of standing oestrus, a Millar^® pressure transducer was placed intraluminally about 3 cm into the mid‐isthmus, via laparotomy. Pressure recordings of the oviduct were collected from all conscious sows until slaughter. After slaughter, the genital tract opposite to the side with the transducer was retrieved, and three equal isthmic segments and the first third of the uterine horn part adjacent to the utero‐tubal‐junction (UTJ) were flushed separately to recover the ova. The intervals (mean±SD) from ovulation to slaughter (OS) and insemination to ovulation (IO) were not different between the E‐group (44.5±5.7 h; 13.3±6.5 h) and the C‐group (42.7±5.9 h; 14.8±4.1 h), respectively. Ova recovery rate (RR) in the E‐group (80.2±22.9%) did not differ from that in the C‐group (85.2±4.5%). The frequency distribution of ova recovered in the different segments did not significantly (p>0.05) differ between the groups. The E‐group showed higher cleavage rate than controls. A higher proportion of spermatozoa bound to the ZP was also found in the E‐group compared with controls. The isthmic intraluminal pressure slightly increased (p=0.07) 18 h after ovulation and immediately following LPS in the E‐group, compared with the C‐group. The frequencies of phasic pressure fluctuations were significantly (p<0.05) lower at 30 and 38 h after ovulation in the E‐ than in the C‐group. It can be concluded from the present study that a single i.v. administration of LPS (300 ng/kg body weight) to sows, 18 h after ovulation might be associated with changes in isthmic pressure and the frequency of phasic pressure fluctuations, increased numbers of spermatozoa attached to the ZP and an enhanced embryo development but not with ova transport rates.     

A descriptive epidemiological study of mastitis in 12 Irish dairy herds

: Factors relating to the occurrence of mastitis were studied on 12 Irish dairy herds with histories of elevated somatic cell count (SCC) and/or increased incidence of clinical mastitis cases. Milk recording data were analysed, housing conditions and calving areas were examined; dry cow therapy, clinical mastitis records, milking technique and aspects of milking machine function were assessed.Herds with a ratio of less than 110 cubicles per 100 cows were more likely to experience environmental mastitis. Herds with inadequate calving facilities, where cows spent prolonged periods on straw bedding, were likely to acquire environmental mastitis. In the majority of the herds, the selection of dry cow therapy lacked adequate planning. The majority of farmers took no action to reduce pain experienced by cows suffering mastitis. Deficiencies in parlour hygiene were evident in all herds experiencing elevation in SCC.     

Genotyping cattle for inherited congenital myoclonus and maple syrup urine disease

OBJECTIVE: To develop a routine procedure for establishing the inherited congenital myoclonus (ICM) genotype of cattle and to obtain an estimate of the prevalence of heterozygotes for ICM and maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) in Australian Poll Herefords. DESIGN: A mismatch amplification procedure was developed to genotype for ICM. The ICM and MSUD genotypes of subjects from a 'neuraxial oedema' experimental breeding herd were investigated. Tail hair roots were used as a source of target DNA to determine the ICM and MSUD genotypes of 455 Poll Hereford bulls. RESULTS: An Acc I mismatch procedure was found to be suitable to genotype cattle for the ICM alleles using tail hair roots as the source of DNA. Based on the prevalence of heterozygotes among saleyard and sale bulls in the early 1990s, and contemporary slaughter bulls, the frequencies of the alleles responsible for ICM and MSUD were estimated to be between 0.01 and 0.02. CONCLUSION: This survey demonstrates that the mutations responsible for ICM and MSUD are present in the Australian Poll Hereford population. PCR tests could be used to advantage in differential diagnosis of neurological disease in newly born calves and in selection of Poll Hereford seed stock.     

Prion protein (PrP) gene polymorphisms associated with natural scrapie cases and their flock-mates in Ireland

The PrP genotypes associated with natural scrapie in Ireland were determined and a comparison was made between genotypes found in scrapie-infected sheep and those found in healthy animals from scrapie-infected flocks. Seven PrP genotypes were identified in scrapie-infected animals: VV(136)RR(154)QQ(171),VA(136)RR(154)QQ(171),VA(136)RR(154)QR(171),VA(136)RR(154)QH(171),AA(136)RR(154)QQ(171),AA(136)RR(154)QH(171) and AA(136)RR(154)HH(171). Of 11 scrapie-infected flocks, 15 genotypes were identified in the healthy flock-mates. The genotypes identified in scrapie-affected animals were also all identified in healthy flock-mates. In 9 of the 11 flocks studied, the genotype frequencies among scrapie-infected animals were significantly different from those among healthy flock-mates. The results show that there is a significant risk of developing the clinical signs of scrapie associated with particular PrP genotypes in the Irish sheep population. The association between the V(136)R(154)Q(171) allele and scrapie was evident, as was the association between A(136)R(154)R(171) and resistance to developing the clinical signs of scrapie. The presence of the A(136)H(154)Q(171) allele in the flocks examined resulted in a decreased risk of developing scrapie compared to the presence of the A(136)R(154)Q(171).     

Comparison of two injectable anesthetic regimes in feral cats at a large-volume spay clinic

Same‐day mass sterilization of feral cats requires rapid onset, short‐duration anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to compare our current anesthetic protocol, Telazol–ketamine–xylazine (TKX) with medetomidine–ketamine–buprenorphine (MKB). Feral female cats received either IM TKX (n = 68; 0.25 mL cat^?1; tiletamine 12.5 mg, zolazepam 12.5 mg, K 20 mg, and X 5 mg per 0.25 mL) or MKB (n = 17; M 40 µg kg^?1, K 15 mg kg^?1, and B 10 µg kg^?1). Intervals measured included time from injection to recumbency, time to surgery, duration of surgery, and time from reversal of anesthesia (TKX: yohimbine 0.50 mg cat^?1 IV; MKB: atipamezole 0.50 mg cat^?1 IM) to sternal recumbency. Following instrumentation (Vet/Ox 4403 and Vet/BP Plus 6500), physiological measurements were recorded at 5‐minute intervals, and included rectal temperature, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), SpO₂ (lingual or rectal probes), and indirect mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) (oscillometric method). Nonparametric means were compared using Mann–Whitney U‐tests. Parametric means were compared using a two‐factorial anova with Bonferroni's t‐tests. The alpha‐priori significance level was p < 0.05. Values were mean ± SD. Body weight (TKX: 2.9 ± 0.5 kg, MKB: 2.7 ± 0.7 kg), time to recumbency (TKX: 4 ± 1 minutes, MKB: 3 ± 1 minutes), time to surgery (TKX: 28 ± 7 minutes, MKB: 28 ± 5 minutes), and duration of surgery (TKX: 11 ± 7 minutes, MKB: 8 ± 5 minutes) did not differ between groups. In contrast, MKB cats required less time from reversal to sternal recumbency (TKX: 68 ± 41 minutes, MKB: 7 ± 2 minutes) and were recumbent for shorter duration (TKX: 114 ± 39 minutes, MKB: 53 ± 6 minutes). Temperature decreased during the study in both groups, but overall temperature was higher in MKB cats (38.0 ± 0.95 °C) than in TKX cats (37.5 ± 0.95 °C). RR, HR, and SpO₂ did not change during the study in either group. However, overall HR and RR were higher in TKX cats (RR: 18 ± 8 breaths minute^?1, HR: 153 ± 30 beats minute^?1) compared to MKB cats (RR: 15 ± 7 breaths minute^?1, HR: 128 ± 19 beats minute^?1). In contrast, overall SpO₂ was lower in the TKX group (90 ± 6%) compared to the MKB group (94 ± 4%). MAP was also lower in the TKX group (112 ± 29 mm Hg) compared to that in the MKB group (122 ± 20 mm Hg). However, MAP increased in the TKX group during surgery compared to pre‐surgical values, but did not change in the MKB group. The results of this study suggested that MKB might be more suitable as an anesthetic for the purpose of mass sterilization of feral female cats.     

An assessment of potential pesticide transmission,considering the combined impact of soil texture and pesticide properties: A meta-analysis

Pesticides are widely employed as a cost-effective means of reducing the impacts of undesirable plants and animals. The aim of this paper is to develop a risk ranking of transmission of key pesticides through soil to waterways, taking into account physico-chemical properties of the pesticides (soil half-life and water solubility), soil permeability, and the relationship between adsorption of pesticides and soil texture. This may be used as a screening tool for land managers, as it allows assessment of the potential transmission risks associated with the use of specified pesticides across a spectrum of soil textures. The twenty-eight pesticides examined were differentiated into three groups: herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. The highest risk of pesticide transmission through soils to waterways is associated with soils containing <20% clay or >45% sand. In a small number of cases, the resulting transmission risk is not influenced by soil texture alone. For example, for Phenmedipham, the transmission risk is higher for clay soils than for silt loam. The data generated in this paper may also be used in the identification of critical area sources, which have a high likelihood of pesticide transmission to waterways. Furthermore, they have the potential to be applied to GIS mapping, where the potential transmission risk values of the pesticides can be layered directly onto various soil textures.     

Managing apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) and powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) using Adem™

Current control of scab and mildew of apple in the UK requires the routine application of fungicides at 7 - 14-day intervals to achieve the blemish-free fruit required by the market. Such practices are generally effective, but with increased public concern about pesticides and rising costs to the grower, they are now less acceptable. The use of disease-warning systems offers scope for optimizing fungicide use by better timing of sprays. Adem^? is a PC-based system that warns of the risk of scab, mildew, Nectria fruit rot and canker and fireblight. In a 'key stage' strategy, warnings by Adem^? for scab and mildew integrated with practical pest and disease control resulted in similar or better control than a routine programme, with the additional benefit of reduced fungicide inputs and costs even in seasons exceptionally favourable for these diseases. Maximum savings in fungicide use were made by applying sprays curatively in response to scab warnings. However, this approach resulted in increased disease incidence to the crop and scab infection of fruit even in seasons unfavourable for scab attack.