Using a GnRH agonist to obtain an index of testosterone secretory capacity in the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) and sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)

Objective   Validation of a stimulation test for determining the steroidogenic capacity of the parrot testis. The major aim was to characterise testosterone secretion after injection of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), then use the test to investigate seasonal reproduction in the male cockatiel.
Procedure   A synthetic GnRHa (buserelin; 8.0 µg of peptide/kg bodyweight) was injected IM into male cockatiels (n = 7) and sulphur-crested cockatoos (n = 3) and serial blood samples collected at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after administration. Once validated, the technique was subsequently used to examine seasonal changes (23 months) in the testosterone profile of a captive cockatiel population.
Results   Injection of buserelin resulted in a significant increase in the testosterone concentration of cockatiel plasma, with maximal concentrations occurring at approximately 60 (1.33 ± 0.08 ng/mL) to 90 min (1.22 ± 0.08 ng/mL) after injection. Although no clear pattern of seasonal variation in testosterone secretion was detected in cockatiel plasma, samples taken 60 and 90 min after administration showed a significant increase in all seasons. Injection of buserelin in the sulphur-crested cockatoo also resulted in increased testosterone secretion, with maximal concentrations obtained after 90 min.
Conclusion   Buserelin can be used to obtain a reliable index of the prevailing testosterone capacity of the cockatiel and cockatoo testis. With further studies, this test may be incorporated into clinical assessment of reproductive status.     

Response to radiation therapy of recurrent lymphangioma in a dog

A recurrent lymphangioma in a 5-year-old Airedale Terrier was treated successfully with cobalt-60 radiation. The neoplasm had been excised twice before being treated with radiation.     

Historical perspective and future directions in training of veterinary pathologists with an emphasis on zoo and wildlife species

This article discusses the history of the field of zoo and wildlife pathology, training opportunities for veterinary students and graduate veterinarians, and current and future job opportunities. The niches occupied by veterinarians in this field and their contributions to animal and human health are also highlighted. The field of zoo and wildlife, or "non-traditional" species, pathology has its roots in comparative anatomy, zoology, wildlife biology, and medical pathology in the mid- to late nineteenth century. The initial emphasis was on comparisons between animal and human diseases or on management of game animals. Veterinarians became increasingly involved during the twentieth century, gradually changing the emphasis to improvement of conservation strategies, captive care, and elucidation of diseases of concern for the animals themselves. Currently there are several zoos and wildlife agencies in the United States employing full-time veterinary pathologists. Private and government diagnostic laboratories, veterinary schools, and other academic institutions in the United States with pathology departments are other employers. The field requires post-DVM training by means of a residency program leading to board certification, graduate school (MS or PhD degrees), or both. Veterinary students can gain valuable experience in the field through externships and, at some schools, through elective courses in the curriculum. Current concerns about ecosystem health, bioterrorism, and the recognition that captive and free-ranging wildlife can serve as sentinel species will increase the demand for veterinary pathologists choosing this very rewarding career path specializing in non-traditional species.     

Evaluation of a collagen patch as a method of enhancing ventriculotomy healing in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of a porcine submucosal collagen patch to enhance ventriculotomy healing in quail. STUDY DESIGN: Histologic assessment of wound repair after ventriculotomy. Animal Population-Eighteen adult Japanese quail. METHODS: All quail had a ventriculotomy through the caudoventral thin muscle. The quail were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: group I (n = 9) had routine closure and group II (n = 9) had routine closure and the application of a porcine submucosal collagen patch over the serosal surface of the ventricular suture line. Three quail from each group underwent necropsy at 7, 14, and 21 days after surgery and healing of the ventriculotomy site was evaluated by microscopy. RESULTS: Ventricular mucosal epithelium was completely healed at 21 days postoperatively. Time to restoration of the ventricular submucosal integrity was variable in both groups. There was evidence of a gross or microscopic perforation in 4 quail in group II, which was statistically significant (P =.041). Quail with perforations had significantly elevated numbers of ventricular serosal lymphoid aggregates compared with those without perforations (P =.029). There were no other significant temporal differences between group I and group II for mortality or histopathologic grading of wound healing. CONCLUSIONS: A porcine collagen patch did not enhance ventriculotomy wound healing. Subjectively, the collagen patch might have contributed to perforation by the generation of a lymphocytic xenograft rejection response. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ventriculotomy can be safely performed using routine closure methods in healthy birds.     

Severity and persistence of footrot in Merino sheep experimentally infected with a protease thermostable strain of Dichelobacter nodosus at five sites

Objective To test the hypothesis that ovine footrot associated with a thermostable protease strain of Dichelobacter nodosus undergoes self cure or is sustained as an annually recurring disease, depending on the environment.
Design and procedure Forty Merino sheep from a single blood line were infected with a protease thermostable strain of D nodosus a t each of five sites in Western Australia. Footrot lesions and microscopic evidence of D nodosus were recorded every fortnight for 2.5 years, supplemented by laboratory culture. Rainfall, soil and air temperature, pasture quantity and composition and soil types were also recorded. Flocks that apparently self cured were relocated to a more favourable site for footrot in the final spring season.
Results The maximum prevalence of feet with clinical footrot lesions was 80.6, 1.3, 14.4, 3.8 and 88.1% at the five sites. Severe footrot occurred for three consecutive spring seasons at one site that had clay loam soil and at least 3500 kg/ha total pasture dry matter annually. However, the infection was asymptomatic for up to 10 weeks between outbreaks. D nodosus was isolated from flocks for 2.5 years at only two sites, although there was microscopic evidence of the organism at other sites in the final year. A thermolabile variant (strain U6) of D nodosus was isolated from the two sites where footrot persisted.
Conclusion Depending on time and location, ovine footrot induced by a protease thermostable strain of D nodosus either self cured or persisted as annual outbreaks interspersed with periods of asymptomatic infection.     

Standing Laparoscopic Peritoneal Flap Hernioplasty of the Vaginal Rings does not Modify the Sperm Production and Motility Characteristics in Intact Male Horses

Laparoscopic hernioplasty techniques have been developed in the recent years to avoid the recurrence of inguinal hernias and to spare the testicles for breeding purposes in stallions. However, there have been no previous comprehensive and systematic studies of the reproductive outcomes and prognoses for stallions after inguinal hernioplasty. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the possible effects of one of these techniques (standing laparoscopic peritoneal flap hernioplasty) on the sperm production and motility characteristics of six healthy stallions that received this procedure based on 1‐year follow‐ups. There were no significant differences in the measured sperm variables (assessments based on the DSO, MOT, PMOT, VSL, VCL and VAP) during 1‐year follow‐ups.     

旱地钵苗移栽机械化生产的现状及发展趋势

旱地作物育苗移栽技术工艺因其对气候的补偿作用和使作物生长发育期提前的综合效应．在农业种植业生产上具有重要的经济效益。本文在论述移栽机械化生产必要性的基础上，综合分析了移栽机械化生产的重要意义，讨了国内外早地移栽机械的应用现状及我国发展旱地移栽机械化的发展水平和经验，提出了旱地移栽机械的研究重点和发展趋势。     

Pathogenesis of simian AIDS in rhesus macaques inoculated with the SRV-1 strain of type D retrovirus

Type D retrovirus was isolated from rhesus macaques with simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS) and transmitted to healthy rhesus macaques with tissue culture medium containing the virus. The clinical, immunologic, and lymph node morphologic changes were observed in 9 rhesus macaques for 52 weeks after inoculation. A spectrum of clinical signs developed including early death, persistent SAIDS, and apparent remission. Animals that died or developed persistent SAIDS had characteristic lymphoid depletion, persistently depressed peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) mitogenic response, and decreased serum immunoglobulins. The SAIDS retrovirus (SRV) was recovered from PBMC of 8 of the animals after inoculation. Virus could not be recovered from PBMC of one animal in remission, but this animal developed serum-neutralizing antibodies to SRV after inoculation. Seven of the animals seroconverted to SRV after inoculation, all 9 were seronegative for human T-lymphotropic virus-III, and 5 animals tested were seronegative to human T-lymphotropic virus-I. These findings support the etiologic role of the type D retrovirus in SAIDS and further define the pathogenesis of this disease.     

The minor role of pigs in outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease of northern Thailand

SUMMARY: A study was undertaken in northern Thailand to examine the involvement of pigs in outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Data were collected by surveying selected villages, by serological monitoring of pigs and by investigating outbreaks. Fifty-three of 58 villages (91%) surveyed reported that pigs did not develop FMD during the most recent outbreak. The source of 49/60 (82%) outbreaks was attributed to either recent purchases of infected cattle and buffalo or commingling of cattle and buffalo with stock from an infected neighbouring village. One of 60 villages (1.7%) reported that the source was introduced infected pigs. There was no association between the various hypothesised risk factors relating to the management of pigs and the frequency of FMD outbreaks in the survey. The percentage of seropositive pigs during 3 rounds of serological monitoring conducted at 6-monthly intervals in selected villages was 3.5%, 2.6% and 0%, respectively. No clinically affected pigs were observed in 11 outbreak investigations. It was concluded that pigs did not commonly become infected when there were outbreaks of FMD in village cattle and buffalo in northern Thailand. This was probably due to the pig feeding and housing practices employed by villagers that protected pigs from exposure to virus from infected cattle or buffalo, or their products.