Utilization of durum wheat landraces in East Shewa,central Ethiopia: Are home uses an incentive for on-farm conservation?

The study was conducted in East Shewa, central Ethiopia, where durum wheat landraces were once popular, but were displaced and re-introduced. Combinations of survey techniques are employed to document the different home uses of durum wheat landraces and to assess whether these serve as an incentive to on-farm conservation. The findings reveal that wheat landraces have multiple dietary and sociocultural uses that contribute to the maintenance of landraces on-farm. Temporal analysis of historical information showed that (1) richness in food traditions is associated with a high level of landrace diversity on-farm; (2) food traditions in East Shewa did not change radically as a result of the integration of farmers into the market economy; and (3) farm households still have an appreciation of, and a preference for, the home-use related qualities of the landraces, this despite their long term disappearance and the subsequent availability of several improved wheat varieties. The study illustrates the relationship between the local availability of landrace wheats and their on-farm survival. The home uses of landraces plays an instrumental role in the promotion of on-farm (in situ) conservation. Augmenting conservation activities with non-breeding approaches (e.g., awareness-creation) would support the survival of wheat landraces for the foreseeable future. Bayush Tsegaye (PhD) is a graduate from Noragric – the Department of International Environment and Development Studies, of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. Prior to joining the University, she was engaged in various development programs in Ethiopia affiliated with government institutions as well as national and international non-governmental organizations. Her research interests include community management of plant genetic resources, food security, and gender issues. Trygve Berg is an Associate Professor at Noragric – the Department of International Environment and Development Studies, of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. His research interests focus on the management of plant genetic resources and participatory plant breeding.     

Bone scintigraphy in the initial evaluation of dogs with primary bone tumors

Bone scintigraphy was performed as part of an initial diagnostic evaluation of 70 dogs admitted with primary bone tumors during a 2-year period. Tumors involved major long bones of the appendicular skeleton and included 62 osteosarcomas, 6 fibrosarcomas, and 2 chondrosarcomas. All dogs were free of radiographically detectable pulmonary metastases. Bone scintigraphy was not of value in distinguishing among various types of primary tumors. One dog with an ulnar chondrosarcoma had a scintigraphically detectable occult osseous metastasis or synchronous primary tumor, and 1 dog with osteosarcoma had a scintigraphically detectable lymph node metastasis. Pulmonary metastases were not detected scintigraphically. Of the 70 dogs, 44.3% had areas of increased isotope uptake associated with nonneoplastic disease processes.     

Effects of pea chips on pig performance, carcass quality and composition, and palatability of pork

Pea chips are produced as a by-product when field peas are processed to produce split peas for human consumption. The objective of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that inclusion of pea chips in diets fed to finishing pigs does not negatively influence pig growth performance, carcass composition, and the palatability of pork. A total of 24 barrows (initial BW: 58.0 ± 6.6 kg) were allotted to 1 of 4 treatments and fed early finishing diets for 35 d and late finishing diets for 35 d. A corn-soybean meal (SBM) control diet and 3 diets containing pea chips were formulated for each phase. Pea chips replaced 33.3, 66.6, or 100% of the SBM in the control diet. Pigs were housed individually, and all pigs were slaughtered at the conclusion of the experiment. Overall, there were no differences (P > 0.11) in final BW, ADFI, and G:F of pigs among treatments, but there was a quadratic response in ADG (P = 0.04), with the smallest value observed in pigs fed the control diet. Dressing percentage linearly decreased (P = 0.04) as pea chips replaced SBM in diets, but there were no differences (P > 0.20) among treatments in HCW, LM area, 10th-rib backfat, lean meat percentage, and marbling. Likewise, pH in loin and ham, drip loss, and purge loss were not influenced (P > 0.13) by treatment. However, there was a quadratic response (P = 0.08) in 24-h pH in the shoulder, with the smallest value present in pigs fed the diet, in which 66.6% of the SBM was replaced by pea chips. Subjective LM color and Japanese color score standard were reduced (quadratic, P = 0.03 and 0.05, respectively) and LM b* values and hue angle were increased (quadratic, P = 0.09 and 0.10, respectively) when pea chips replaced SBM in the diets. Ham L* (quadratic, P = 0.04), a* (linear, P = 0.02), b* (quadratic, P = 0.07), color saturation (linear, P = 0.02), and hue angle (quadratic, P = 0.05) were increased when pea chips replaced SBM. However, there were no differences (P > 0.16) in shoulder and fat color. Moreover, cook loss percentage, shear force, juiciness, and pork flavor of pork chops were not different (P > 0.10) among treatments, but tenderness of pork chops linearly decreased (P = 0.04) as SBM replaced pea chips. It is concluded that all the SBM in diets fed to growing-finishing pigs may be replaced by pea chips without negatively influencing growth performance or carcass composition. However, pigs fed pea chips will have pork chops and hams that are lighter, and chops may be less tender if pigs are fed pea chips rather than corn and SBM.     

Cartilage-derived retinoic acid-sensitive protein in equine synovial fluid from healthy and diseased joints

Reasons for performing study: More sensitive and specific diagnostic methods for early detection of changes in the joint cartilage are needed. Cartilage‐derived retinoic acid‐sensitive protein (CD‐RAP) is a potential marker of cartilage synthesis and regeneration. This is the first study on equine CD‐RAP. Objectives: To evaluate the ability of a commercially available human sandwich ELISA assay to detect equine CD‐RAP in synovial fluid from healthy and diseased joints. Methods: Synovial fluid was collected from 28 horses with no signs of joint disease and from 5 with induced inflammatory arthritis. CD‐RAP concentrations were measured using a human CD‐RAP ELISA. Intra‐ and interassay imprecision of the assay were evaluated by multiple measurements on pools of equine synovial fluid. Assay inaccuracy was determined by linearity under dilution. Results: The assay showed moderate to large intra‐ and interassay variation when applied to equine synovial fluid. Equine CD‐RAP was detected in synovial fluid from healthy horses ranged at 8.2–52 ng/ml. Repeated arthrocentesis (after injection of isotonic saline), age, joint or gender did not significantly affect CD‐RAP concentrations. Twelve hours after intra‐articular injection of lipopolysaccharide, concentrations of CD‐RAP were significantly lower than after injection of isotonic saline and remained significantly lower until the end of the study at 144 h. Conclusion and potential relevance: The assay is suitable for longitudinal monitoring of CD‐RAP concentration in individual horses. Disease significantly influenced CD‐RAP levels. Similar to previous results obtained in man, CD‐RAP seems to be a marker of cartilage synthesis and/or regeneration in horses.     

Long-term alteration of follicular steroid concentrations in relation to subclinical endometritis in postpartum dairy cows

The focus of this study was to investigate the effect of subclinical endometritis (scEndo) on ovarian follicular steroid concentrations in early postpartum pasture-fed dairy cows. Mixed-age lactating dairy cows (n = 169) were examined to ascertain uterine health status on d 21 postpartum (±3 d). From this herd, a cohort of scEndo and uninfected cows (n = 47) were selected using uterine cytology to determine scEndo. To ensure cows with scEndo were selected for the study, a conservative threshold [>18% polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells among uterine nucleated cells] was chosen as a selection threshold. Ovarian follicular dynamics were assessed by ultrasonography on d 21, 42, and 63 postpartum. On the latter 2 d, all follicles >4 mm in diameter were ablated, and 4 d later, the largest (F1) and second largest (F2) follicles were measured and their follicular fluid aspirated. Hematological variables and plasma metabolites were measured also on these days to further characterize scEndo cows. On d 21, the prevalence of scEndo was approximately 9% in this herd; by d 42 infections had self-resolved in the majority (81%) of those cows classified as having scEndo on d 21. The scEndo cows had a delayed return to cyclicity; however, no effect was evident on ovarian follicle size or growth rate. Weeks after scEndo had self-resolved and cyclicity was restored, decreased (P = 0.07) testosterone and increased (P = 0.07) cortisol concentrations were evident in F1 follicles of scEndo compared with uninfected cows. Progesterone concentrations of F1 increased (P < 0.05) in 11- to 16-mm diameter follicles of scEndo cows, whereas estradiol, androstendione, and dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations were decreased (P < 0.05) in F1 8- to 10-mm diameter follicles of scEndo cows. These 3 steroids also differed (P < 0.05) between F1 follicle size categories of scEndo but not uninfected cows. On d 21, mean plasma albumin concentration was decreased (P = 0.02) in scEndo cows. In summary, early postpartum scEndo had surprisingly long-term influences on the steroid concentrations of ovarian follicles long after infections had self-resolved. This is likely to affect oocyte quality and may partially explain the reduced conception rates and longer interval between calving and conception that are often associated with scEndo, although more detailed investigations are required to substantiate this theory.     

Serum distribution of iodine after oral administration of ethylenediamine dihydriodide in cattle

Serum concentrations of iodine were determined after cattle were given ethylenediamine dihydriodide (EDDI) orally at dosages ranging from 0.0 (placebo) to 0.77 mg/kg of body weight/day. The serum iodine concentration was correlated with the dosage of EDDI. A rate of 0.11 mg EDDI/kg/day was correlated with serum iodine concentrations (20 to 80 micrograms/dl) previously found to be effective in preventing foot rot in cattle. A linear dose-response curve that was generated could be helpful in predicting dosage of EDDI if the serum iodine concentration is known.     

Isolation of pure Babesia equi and Babesia caballi organisms in splenectomized horses from endemic areas in South Africa

Both Babesia equi and Babesia caballi are endemic in large parts of South Africa. Attempts were made to obtain pure local isolates of both B. equi and B. caballi for the purpose of developing serological tests to study the epidemiology of equine babesiosis in this country. The indirect fluorescent antibody test was used to screen horses for B. equi and B. caballi in an endemic area. Seven horses and 3 donkeys between 3 and 36 months of age that tested negative were subsequently splenectomized. The splenectomy operation was performed through the abdominal approach. A 100% survival rate was achieved through this method, probably because it reduced the risk involved in the operation. Blood collected from naturally infected horses and passaged in fully susceptible splenectomized horses and a donkey, under laboratory conditions, produced 2 isolates of Babesia caballi and 1 of B. equi. Microscopical and serological examinations confirmed that these were pure isolates.     

Heterosis, maternal and direct effects in double-muscled and normal cattle: II. Carcass traits of young bulls

Data on 135 young bulls from a two-breed group diallel experiment involving double-muscled (DM) and normal (N) cattle were analyzed to obtain estimates of heterosis, maternal and direct effects for carcass traits. When carcass traits were adjusted to a constant age at slaughter (398.5 d), significant positive heterosis was observed for slaughter and carcass weights, carcass length and s.c. fat thickness. Maternal effect was relatively unimportant for the traits studied. The progeny of N sires and DM straightbreds were heavier at slaughter and had higher carcass weight, s.c. fat thickness and carcass length (P less than .01), whereas DM-sired progeny and DM straightbreds had higher dressing percentage (P less than .05) and cutability (P less than .01). Heterosis was significant for all the 10-11-12th rib joint dissection traits except for percentage of muscle. Although there was negative heterosis for percentage of bone, there was positive heterosis for rib joint weight, fat weight and percentage, muscle weight and muscle:fat and muscle:bone ratios. For direct effect and straightbred differences, N-sired progeny and N straightbreds, respectively, had significantly larger values for rib joint weight, fat weight and percentage and bone weight. The DM-sired progeny and DM straightbreds had larger values for percentage of muscle, muscle:fat and muscle:bone ratios. When the carcass and dissection traits were adjusted to a constant carcass (303.7 kg) and rib joint (4,812 g) weight, respectively, the results were similar to those observed on age constant basis except for rib eye area, for which DM-sired progeny and DM straightbreds had larger values.     

Experimental infection with Mycobacterium avium, serotype 2, in pigs. 5. The immunizing effect of BCG vaccine against M. avium infection.

The immunizing effect of BCG vaccination against infection with M. avium was evaluated in pigs on the basis of clinical and pathological findings and numbers of acid-fast organisms in the tissues.In experiments with small and large challenge doses i.v. (10⁻² and 5 mg) the vaccinated animals were found to be partially protected. As compared to non-vaccinates, a reduction of viable organisms was found in vaccinates examined 28-31 or 70-73 days after challenge (Table 4), and fewer positive tissues were found in vaccinates than in non-vaccinates (Table 3). The most obvious results were seen in the experiment with a challenge dose of 10⁻² mg i.V., where the number of organisms was consistently smaller in vaccinates than in non-vaccinates (Table 4). In contact infection experiments, the observations in both vaccinated and non-vaccinated pigs were limited and the results difficult to evaluate. There seemed to be a protection, as judged by histopathological and cultural findings. kw|Keywords|k]Mycobacterium avium, Serotype 2; k]BCG vaccination; k]challenge, intravenous, oral; k]pigs