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.     

Prepartum behavior of gilts in three farrowing environments

To determine effects of the farrowing environment on prepartum behavior, five gilts were monitored continuously for 48 h prior to parturition in each of three farrowing systems: 1) an open farrowing pen (2.1 x 1.5 m); 2) a turn-around farrowing pen, which allowed the gilt to turn around (2.4 m long; 1.8 m wide at back, .6 at front) and 3) a straight farrowing crate (sow zone = .6 x 2.1 m). Videorecords were summarized as three 16-h segments (Period A = 48 to 32 h before the first piglet was delivered, B = 32 to 16 h and C = 16 to 0 h) for analysis of activity over time. In all systems, frequencies of postural changes and oral-nasal activities directed at the floor or wall increased as farrowing was approached, the highest frequencies occurring in Period C. Respective times spent standing, sitting and engaged in oral-nasal activities directed at floor or wall also increased over time. Pawing occurred almost exclusively in Period C. Lying upright (ventral posture) occupied a greater portion of lying time as the gilt's activity increased over time, whereas feeding and drinking behaviors did not change over time. The only behavior affected by the experimental environments was the frequency of 90 degree turns. Gilts in both open and turn-around pens showed an increasing turning frequency over time, and they turned more often in the open pen than in the turn-around pen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Survey of the health and husbandry of small poultry flocks in Great Britain

An investigation into the health and husbandry of 15 small poultry flocks was undertaken. Each flock was visited in July and a questionnaire on management practices and disease history was completed. The flocks were clinically examined and serological tests for Salmonella pullorum, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, M synoviae, M meleagridis, Newcastle disease, infectious bursal disease, infectious bronchitis, eggdrop syndrome 76, adenoviruses and reoviruses were carried out. Oesophageal and cloacal swabs were cultured for mycoplasma and pullorum reactors were cultured. M gallisepticum, M synoviae, M meleagridis and M gallinarum infections were detected and serological reactions for all the viral diseases, except egg drop syndrome 76, were found. Evidence of Newcastle disease and pullorum disease was encountered. Lice were present in five flocks and mites in four flocks. Welfare standards varied.     

Pulmonary bacterial deposition and clearance during ascarid larval migration in weanling pigs.

Pulmonary deposition and clearance of bacteria were measured in weanling pigs, half of which had been inoculated at age 31 days with larvated Ascaris suum ova. Seven days later, when breathing signs of larval migration were pronounced, all pigs were exposed to aerosolized Escherichia coli (strain B). Then, either immediately after aerosol exposure (for deposition assessment) or immediately after a 120 minute period in filtered air (for clearance), bacteria in the pigs' lungs were counted. Ascarid ova-inoculated pigs did not differ significantly from control pigs for number of bacteria in the lungs after aerosol exposure, but after the 120 minute clearance period they had 7.2 times more than did the control pigs. Thus, in weanling pigs, the breathing-pattern changes that were evident during ascarid-larval migration did not affect pulmonary deposition of inhaled bacteria significantly, but the presence of ascarid larvae in the lungs was associated with impaired pulmonary bacterial clearance.     

Acute and short-term toxicoses associated with the administration of doxorubicin to dogs with malignant tumors

One hundred eighty-five dogs with histologically confirmed, measurable malignant tumors were used in a study to determine the toxicity of the anthracycline antitumor antibiotic, doxorubicin, which was administered once or twice (at a 21-day interval) at the rate of 30 mg/m2 of body surface area, iv. During this study, 7 dogs died as a direct result of doxorubicin-induced toxicosis and 16 died as a direct result of the malignant neoplastic disease. Each dog was evaluated for signs of toxicosis for 3 weeks after the last dose was administered (15 dogs received 1 dose, 170 dogs received 2 doses) or until the dog died, whichever came first. The most common signs of toxicosis were vomiting, diarrhea, colitis, anorexia, and pruritus. The probability of doxorubicin-induced toxicosis decreased significantly (P less than 0.0001) in inverse relationship to body weight. Dogs with signs of toxicosis during the 21-day interval from administration of the first dose of doxorubicin were 17.2 times (P less than 0.01; 95% confidence interval; 5.5, 54.2) more likely to develop signs of toxicosis during the 21-day interval from the second dose of doxorubicin. The performance status of each dog was evaluated using a modified Karnofsky performance scheme; the only time the performance status was adversely affected to a significant extent by doxorubicin-induced toxicosis was during the 21-day period, starting with the second dose (P less than 0.0001).     

Cell Wall of Melampyrum lineare Seed: Carbohydrate Components

Extraction with alkali of cell wall material from the seed of Melampyrum lineare leaves a residue (62.7 percent) which on hydrolysis yields over 70 percent mannose. Hydrolysis of the alkali-soluble hemicellulose fraction of the cell wall also yields largely mannose. In contrast, cell wall isolated from Melampyrum stem contains over 95 percent of glucose residues in the alkaliinsoluble fraction, and mostly xylose residues in the hemicellulose.