The loss of opsonic activity of bovine milk whey following depletion of IgA

The role of the IgA antibody to Streptococcus agalactiae found in the whey of milks 12 hours after the first intramammary infection of six Friesian first lactation heifers was assessed using an in vitro bactericidal assay. The mean percentage kill of the streptococci by neutrophils in the presence of these wheys was 36.2% while the equivalent figure for the non-infected quarter whey was 0%. When the IgA antibody was absorbed from the infected quarter wheys using class specific IgA antiserum cross linked with glutaraldehyde the percentage kill of the test system fell to 0%. Elution of the absorbed antibody partially restored the activity to a mean percentage kill of 18.2%. The results indicated that the IgA antibody found in infected quarter whey during the acute stages of intramammary infection with Streptococcus agalactiae was responsible for the opsonic activity which pertained at that time.     

Fluctuation in the concentration of sex steroids and aflatoxin B1 in the seminal plasma of boars and its relation to sperm production

The concentration of testosterone, 17-beta oestradiol and aflatoxin B1 were studied in the semen plasma of 21 boars of four breeds for the period of twelve months. The following spermiological parameters were investigated: semen volume, sperm concentration, percentage of abnormal spermatozoa, and survival of spermatozoa. The fertilizing capacity of ejaculates was evaluated according to the conception rate of sows and gilts after the first insemination, according to the average number of piglets per litter and average number of live-born piglets per litter. The highest aflatoxin B1 residues in sperm were recorded in March to May and were related with aflatoxin concentration in feed ration. The group of boars with fertility disorders had more aflatoxin in their sperm (up to 100 pmol . l-1), lower sperm concentration, lower survival of spermatozoa, and a larger proportion of abnormal spermatozoa. The year season had a significant influence on the concentration of the hormones. The highest average value of testosterone (10.2 +/- 1.28 nmol) was obtained in autumn and lower values were recorded in winter. The changes in 17-beta estradiol concentration were similar to the changes in testosterone content, with the maximum value in November (0.249 nmol X 1(-1]. The boars with reproduction disorders had a significantly lower concentration of 17-beta oestradiol. Significant correlations were found between the concentration of the hormones, semen volume, and sperm concentration. 17-beta oestradiol also had a significant positive correlation to abnormal spermatozoa and to the activity of aspartate aminotransferase.     

Prevalence of feline leukemia virus infection among adult cats at an animal control center: association of viremia with phenotype and season

The overall frequency of feline leukemia virus infection among 555 cats tested from the Hillsborough County Florida Animal Control facility, using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, was 9.4%. Among male cats, the frequency was 13.8%, which was statistically higher (P = 0.003) than that for females (5.9%). There was no statistical evidence to associate frequency of viral infection with hair length or coloration. There was an association with color distribution. The frequency of viral infection in cats with a solid color in their coat, excluding tabby, calico, and tortoise, was higher (12.2%) than the frequency in the remainder of the cats (5.5%; P = 0.011). Finally, there was a difference in frequency related to season. For the 10 months of the study, cats collected in the 5 cooler months (January, February, March, April, and October) had a frequency of 14.6%; cats obtained in the 5 warmer months (May, June, July, August, and September) had a frequency of 7.2% (P = 0.038).     

Streptococcus suis in slaughter pigs and abattoir workers.

The detection and identification of Streptococcus suis type 2 in 8.1% of 347 pig herds of southwestern Ontario revealed that the infection is widespread in this area. A herd suspected to be infected showed a carrier rate of 9.7% among the 62 animals sampled. These subclinical carriers represent a potential source of infection for slaughterhouse workers. From studies of contamination of hands and knives, it was concluded that eviscerators involved in removing the larynx and lungs from the carcasses have a significantly higher (p less than or equal to 0.05) risk of exposure to Streptococcus suis than other abattoir workers.     

Pharmacokinetic adjustment of gentamicin dosing in horses with sepsis

Serum gentamicin concentrations were measured and pharmacokinetic values were calculated for 12 equine patients receiving parenteral gentamicin therapy. Horses were selected for monitoring of gentamicin pharmacokinetics if they met several criteria of high risk for gentamicin-induced toxicosis. Two blood samples were obtained, one immediately before gentamicin dosing and one at 1 hour after dosing. Gentamicin serum concentrations were analyzed and dosage adjustments were made on the basis of calculated one-compartment pharmacokinetic values. Nine of the 12 horses required dosage adjustment to optimize therapeutic concentrations. Even for horses for which there was no evidence of decreased renal function, variation in the disposition of gentamicin was substantial. Because of the larger volume of distribution in foals, an initial dosage of 3 mg/kg every 12 hours was found to best approximate target concentrations. Therefore, published standard dosages were a poor means of achieving desired peak and trough concentrations in many animals. Seemingly, for optimal treatment of horses with sepsis, gentamicin dosage adjustments based on the patient's pharmacokinetic values is required.     

Evaluation of leukapheresis and thrombocytapheresis in the horse

Continuous-flow centrifugation leukapheresis techniques were used to collect 300-ml volumes of leukocyte-rich plasma from 5 nonmedicated horses and from 5 corticosteroid-stimulated horses. White blood cell counts and differential counts were performed on the horses before (base line) and up to 48 hours after leukapheresis. Systemic administration of hydrocortisone increased numbers of total WBC and neutrophils and improved harvest of these cells. Nonmedicated horses had a mean yield of 3.38 X 10(10) leukocytes in the 300-ml volume. Stimulated horses yielded a mean of 6.88 X 10(10) leukocytes. After leukapheresis, WBC counts decreased a mean of 38% in nonstimulated horses and decreased a mean of 30% in stimulated horses. By 6 hours after leukapheresis, circulating WBC counts of horses in both groups had returned to preleukapheresis values. The relationship between neutrophil yield and the 4 variables (preleukapheresis WBC count, preleukapheresis neutrophil count, preleukapheresis lymphocyte count, and the PCV of the leukocyte-rich plasma) were examined, using simple (pair-wise) correlation and multiple linear regression. A significant positive correlation was found between neutrophil yield and preleukapheresis WBC and neutrophil counts. Because sodium citrate was used in the collection system to prevent extracorporeal blood coagulation, ionized and total serum calcium concentrations were monitored before and after leukapheresis. Although total serum calcium concentrations remained unchanged, ionized calcium concentrations decreased approximately 33% from base-line values during the 2-hour leukapheresis procedures. Occasional mild muscle fasciculations were the only adverse clinical signs of citrate toxicity exhibited by the horses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase and antitrypsin in subclinically infected quarter-milk samples: effect of bacteria and hemolysins, lactation stage, and lactation number

Interrelationships between N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (indicating cellular damage) and antitrypsin (indicating increased permeability between the blood and milk compartments) were evaluated in 1,411 quarter-milk samples collected during routine herd surveys. N-Acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase was antitrypsin, whereas, in more severe mastitis, antitrypsin had a more constant deflection. The sensitivity of both determinants was associated with the virulence of bacteria. Production of bacterial hemolytic toxins was associated with a significant increase in both determinants. Penicillinase production by staphylococci was associated with selective increases of antitrypsin.     

Electro-immobilization versus mechanical restraint in an avoid-avoid choice test for ewes

A Y-maze avoid-avoid choice test was used to elucidate pregnant ewes' relative preference for electro-immobilization as opposed to restraint by a squeeze-tilt table. Choices in successive trials evaluating three commercial electro-immobilizers were: electro-immobilizer-13, 13 and 8% for respective models; squeeze-tilt table-79, 57 and 71%; and no choice-8, 30 and 21%. In all trials combined, 56% of the ewes never chose the electro-immobilizer after once experiencing it, while 94% did choose the squeeze-tilt table one or more times after being restrained by it. Most ewes became more willing to enter the table as experience with it increased, but those that had been both electro-immobilized and table-restrained became more hesitant to pass the test facility's entrance gate as these experiences increased. Ewes accepted a feed reward only reluctantly if at all after being electro-immobilized, but readily after table restraint. Electro-immobilization was clearly more aversive to the ewes than was restraint by a squeeze/tilt table. When restraint by either electro-immobilization or squeeze/tilt table is necessary, use of the table would be indicated in terms of its being less aversive.     

The normal microflora of the female rabbit''s genital tract.

Microorganisms associated with the vagina, cervix and uterus of rabbits were isolated and identified. The predominant microorganisms isolated from the vaginas and cervices were coagulase-negative staphylococci, micrococci, and nonfermentative bacilli. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were isolated frequently, but in small numbers, from the uteri. The pH of the rabbit vagina was found to be near neutrality. Our data indicate that the genital flora of female rabbits is relatively simple, regarding the number and type of microorganisms.