Seminoma in a southern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor): diagnosis, surgical management and effect on fertility

A testicular mass was identified by ultrasonography performed during a routine reproductive evaluation of an adult male southern black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis minor ). Histological examination of a testicular biopsy supported a presumptive diagnosis of testicular neoplasia. Hemi-castration was performed to excise the affected testis and a pathological diagnosis of a seminoma was made. Assessment of semen suggested reduced fertility as a consequence of the neoplastic process, but hemi-castration prevented further growth and metastasis of the tumour and ensured the animal's breeding potential. This is the second documented case of a seminoma in a rhinoceros species and the first case in a black rhinoceros.     

Salmonella enteritidis PT4 infection in specific pathogen free hens: influence of infecting dose.

The period during which specific pathogen free hens, infected by direct introduction into the crop of either 10(3), 10(6) or 10(8) cells of Salmonella enteritidis PT4, excreted the organism in faeces was closely related to the size of the inoculum, with the birds excreting for mean periods of 3.4, 16.4 and 36.8 days, respectively. The production of either IgG or IgM was also dose related with the birds which received 10(3) cells having lower antibody levels than those in the other two groups. In contrast, there was no relationship between the contamination of egg contents and either antibody status, faecal excretion, or the dose administered.     

Food safety and residues in Australian agricultural produce

SUMMARY A brief history of food safety in Australia in the context of the development of scientific knowledge is presented. Australia's food and food commodity residue and contamination surveillance and monitoring programs are outlined. Although chemical residues are perceived as a major health risk by the general community, the risk of food causing illness or death because of chemical residues is low. The major threat to human health from food is microbiological contamination, in terms of deaths, sickness and economic loss. The emerging influences in food safety are scientific and technical developments, deregulation, social and demographic factors, and the media. The risk of disruption of domestic and export markets by food safety issues is considerable. The emergence of international standards for food production and processing will enable commercial contractual arrangements to minimise the frequency of disruptive food safety incidents.     

Intravenous pentoxifylline does not enhance the pulmonary haemodynamic efficacy of frusemide in strenuously exercising thoroughbred horses

The present study was carried out to examine whether pentoxifylline administration to horses premedicated with frusemide would attenuate the exercise-induced pulmonary arterial, capillary and venous hypertension to a greater extent than frusemide alone, thereby affecting the occurrence of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH). Using established techniques, we determined right heart and pulmonary vascular pressures in 6 healthy, sound Thoroughbred horses at rest and during exercise performed at maximal heart rate at a workload of 14 m/s on 3.5% uphill grade in the control (no medications), frusemide (250 mg i.v., 4 h pre-exercise)-control, and the frusemide (250 mg i.v., 4 h pre-exercise) + pentoxifylline (8.5 mg/kg bwt i.v., 15 min preexercise) treatments. Sequence of the 3 treatments was randomised for every horse and 7 days were allowed between them. In the control study, galloping at 14 m/s on 3.5% uphill grade elicited significant right atrial as well as pulmonary arterial, capillary and venous hypertension and all horses experienced EIPH as detected by the presence of fresh blood in the trachea on endoscopic examination. Frusemide administration was not attended by changes in heart rate at rest or during exercise. Although in the frusemide-control experiments, a significant reduction in mean pulmonary arterial, capillary and wedge pressures was observed both at rest and during galloping at 14 m/s on 3.5% uphill grade, all horses still experienced EIPH. Pentoxifylline administration to standing horses premedicated with frusemide caused nervousness, muscular fasciculations, sweating and tachycardia. Although these symptoms had largely abated within 15 min, there were no significant changes in the right atrial or pulmonary vascular pressures. Exercise in the frusemide + pentoxifylline experiments also caused significant right atrial as well as pulmonary arterial, capillary and venous hypertension, but these data were not found to be significantly different from the frusemide-control experiments. All horses in the frusemide + pentoxifylline experiments also experienced EIPH. In conclusion, our data indicate that pentoxifylline (8.5 mg/kg bwt i.v., 15 min pre-exercise) is ineffective in modifying the pulmonary haemodynamic effects of frusemide in exercising horses. It should be noted, however, that we did not examine whether erythrocyte plasticity was altered by the administration of pentoxifylline. Since the intravascular force exerted onto the blood-gas barrier of exercising horses premedicated with frusemide remained unaffected by pentoxifylline administration, it is concluded that concomitant pentoxifylline administration is unlikely to offer additional benefit to horses experiencing EIPH.     

新年祝辞

全国兽医药品行业的全体同仁： 新年好! 在兽药事业发展和改革取得显著成绩的进程中，我们迎来了新的一年。值此辞旧迎新之际，我谨代表中国兽医药品监察所，向全国工作在兽药管理、监察、科研、生产、检验、销售一线的全体同仁致以诚挚的问候和节日的祝福!对所有关心、支持和帮助我们工作的各位领导和朋友们表示衷心的感谢!衷心地祝愿大家在新的一年里，工作顺利，身体健康，阖家幸福，万事如意!     

团结协作 共同努力推动我国动物保健品事业的健康发展--在中国动物保健品协会第四届会员代表大会上的讲话

各位代表、各位来宾、同志们: 首先请允许我代表中国兽医药品监察所对本次代表大会的召开表示衷心的祝贺!