Evaluation of meat meal, chicken meal, and corn gluten meal as dietary sources of protein in dry cat food

The nutritional value of meat meal (MM), chicken meal (CM), and corn gluten meal (CGM) as dietary sources of protein in dry food formulated for adult cats was evaluated. Twelve healthy adult cats (11 males and 1 female) were used. Dry diets containing MM, CM, or CGM as the main protein source were given for a 3-week period in a 3 x 3 Latin-square design. Digestion and balance experiments were conducted during the last 7 d of each period. In addition, freshly voided urine was taken to determine urinary pH and number of struvite crystals. As compared with the CM diet, dry-matter digestibility was higher and lower for the MM and CGM groups, respectively. Percentages of nitrogen (N) absorption and N retention to N intake were higher in the MM group, and N utilization was not different between the CM group and the CGM group. All cats excreted alkaline urine (pH > 7). Urinary pH, struvite activity product, and number of struvite crystals in urine were lower for the CGM group. There was no difference in retention of calcium and magnesium among the groups. From the point of view of digestibility and N utilization, MM is superior to CGM, and CM is better than or equivalent to CGM as a protein source of dry foods for adult cats. However, when CM is used as a dietary protein source, some manipulation of dietary base excess may be needed to control urinary acid-base balance, because CM contains higher calcium and phosphorus.     

Is Foliage Within Crowns of Cryptomeria japonica More Heterogeneous and Clumpy With Age?

Foliage clumping structure is important for forest ecological functions but has not yet been quantitatively analyzed. We examined how foliage clustering within crowns of Cryptomeria japonica changed with age. We sampled 10 trees from four monospecific stands with different ages from 20- to 88-years-old, and measured foliage mass density in cubic cells. Three indices of foliage clumpiness—coefficient of variance, Moran's I for aggregation of foliage density, and cluster fragmentation—correlated with the proportion of foliage gaps. As trees aged, foliage distributed more heterogeneously and clusters fragmented. Clumping in old crowns improves light interception under direct light conditions.     

Successful measures to prevent the spread of bovine papular stomatitis in a dairy farm

Nasal papules and oral ulcers were observed in calves that were group-housed at a dairy farm. The calves were diagnosed with bovine papular stomatitis (BPS) due to parapoxvirus (PPV) infection based on virologic examinations using polymerase chain reaction to detect PPV. To prevent the spread of BPS, we isolated the affected calves, made procedural changes so that the affected herd was managed after the healthy herd, disinfected the bedding with slaked lime, disinfected the stalls and fences with invert soap, and changed the animals’ feed to soft grass which does not damage the oral cavity. As a result, we succeeded in control the infection quickly.     

Oxidative stability of salmon and herring roe lipids and their dietary effect on plasma cholesterol levels of rats

ABSTRACT:   The oxidative stability of lipids from salmon roe and herring roe was compared with those of commercial fish oils originated from sardine and tuna. Both fish roe lipids contained high amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Total EPA and DHA was more than 35% of total fatty acids in both roe lipids. On the basis of oxygen consumption, fish roe lipids showed the higher oxidative stability than both fish oils. This tendency in oxidative stabilities was also confirmed by the determination of propanal formation during oxidation. Analyses of lipid compositions suggested that the higher oxidative stabilities of fish roe lipids would be mainly due to the presence of phospholipids in them. Dietary effects of salmon and herring roe lipids were also determined. Little increase in total cholesterol level was observed in plasma lipids in rats fed salmon and herring roe lipids, although cholesterol content in fish roe lipids were 6.3% and 9.7% of total lipids for salmon roe and herring roe.     

Serum thyroxine,estradiol-17β, and testosterone profiles during the parr-smolt transformation of masu salmon,Oncorhynchus masou

Changes in serum thyroxine (T₄), estradiol-17β (E₂) and testosterone (T) levels during the parr-smolt transformation (smoltification) were investigated in the masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) in 1985 and 1987. T₄ showed a peak in levels at the early stage of smoltification and E₂ and T levels peaked almost at the same time. There were no significant differences between the concentrations of serum hormones in female and males. During smoltification, germ cells in the peri-nucleolus and spermatogonia stage were present in the ovary and testis, respectively. These results suggest that E₂ and T may be involved in smoltification in the masu salmon.     

Effect of climate and structure on the progression of wooden check dam decay

To gain better understanding of rates of decay of wooden check dams with different structures under different climate conditions, several dams of this type were examined under different environmental conditions over a 3 to 5-year period post-construction. Because a linear relationship was found between the mean (μ) and standard deviation (σ) of pilodyn penetration depth, mean penetration depth was taken as the indicator of deterioration, and relationships with check dam structural features and climate data recorded by AMEDAS were investigated. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that temperature, climate index (CI) computed from rain days, warmth index computed from daily and annual mean air temperature, and altitude were the climate variables with the most effect on the rate of decay. With regard to dam structural features, factors such as specific discharge rate, water through width, dam length, and dam height had the most effect. Accordingly, in an effort to summarize the effects of climatic conditions and structural features, CI, altitude, and dam height were extracted as the most significant explanatory variables, and a formula for prediction of μ was obtained for each factor for up to 5 years post construction. The results showed that by taking into consideration regional conditions and calculating CI values from AMEDAS data, it is possible to predict the extent of decay of wooden check dams.