Effect of birth and fraternal litter size and cross-fostering on growth and reproduction in swine

Twelve hundred fifty-one pigs from six farrowings (FGRP) were classified within a FGRP by their birth litter size (BL- = below average and BL+ = above average), randomly allotted to nursing litter sizes of 6 or 12+ pigs/sow (NL- vs NL+) and reared by their own or foster dams (XF- vs XF+). Pigs were weighed at birth, 21 d and when near 105 kg. A random sample of 40 gilts per FGRP was retained for observation of pubertal age and primipara conception. Twenty-four gilts per FGRP were farrowed and rebred for a second parity. Pigs born in large litters were younger at 105 kg than those born in small litters (189 vs 196 d +/- 1.4); no other differences (P greater than .05) were observed for BL. Pigs reared in larger litters had lower survival rate from birth to weaning (79 vs 86% +/- 1), had slower weight gains to 21 d of age (5.3 vs 6.6 kg +/- .17) and were older at 105 kg (195 vs 190 d +/- 1.4) than those reared in small litters (P less than .04). Cross-fostered pigs were slower gaining to 21 d (5.9 vs 6.1 kg +/- .14) and were older at 105 kg (195 vs 191 d +/- 1.4) than pigs not cross-fostered pigs (P less than .02). Growth beyond 105 kg and pubertal age were unaffected by any factor studied (P greater than .05). Although size of birth litter did not affect (P greater than .05) any reproductive trait, an interaction between litter size and farrowing group was detected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Rain and windchill as factors in the occurrence of pneumonia in sheep

A computerised information retrieval system of abattoir pathology and meteorological data has been used to investigate the effect of prevailing weather conditions on the occurrence of pleurisy and pneumonia in the sheep population of Northern Ireland. Significant correlation coefficients were found between the percentage condemnations due to pleurisy and pneumonia in sheep and rainfall, windspeed, temperature and humidity. The most significant correlation was found with windspeed. The paper describes the calculation of a new meteorological variable, the rain/windchill factor. Very highly significant correlation coefficients were found between the percentage lung condemnations in sheep and the rain/windchill factor prevailing during the same month and both one and two months previously. The paper discusses the practical implications of these findings for sheep production and highlights the desirability of protecting sheep from adverse climatic conditions during the winter months.     

Specific immunity in farm animals to heartwater

The duration of immunity to heartwater normally varies from 6 months to 4 years. In Angora goats it may be difficult to produce a specific immune response with vaccination. Humoral immunity does not appear to play a role in the development of immunity. It has been suggested that cellular immunity may play a role, but the actual mechanism involved remains obscure. The specific immune response developing in farm animals following infection with Cowdria ruminantium is reviewed.     

Newly reported skin disease syndromes in the dog

Several recently recognized canine dermatoses are described. Syndromes discussed include superficial necrolytic dermatitis, Malasezzia dermatitis, sebaceous adenitis, nodular dermatofibrosis in German shepherd dogs, solar-induced dermatitis, and acrodermatitis.     

Tween 80: a marker for differentiation of hog cholera and bovine viral diarrhea viruses.

Markers for differentiating hog cholera and bovine viral diarrhea viruses were studied using Tween 80, chloroform, trichlorotrifluoroethane and tri (n-butyl) phosphate. Attenuated A and virulent Ames strains of hog cholera virus were employed. Moreover, the NADL PK-15 cell culture adopted strain and low cell culture passaged Purdue strain of bovine viral diarrhea virus were used. These viruses were reacted with 2,500 micrograms/ml of Tween 80 for one hour at 37 degrees C. When attenuated A and virulent Ames strains of hog cholera virus with titers greater than 10(6) and 10(5) plaque forming units respectively, were reacted with Tween 80 the titer of each strains was reduced by approximately 10(4) plaque forming units of virus. When either strain of bovine viral diarrhea virus was reacted with Tween 80, virus was not detected.     

Specific immunity in mice to heartwater

Mice develop a specific immune response following infection with the mice strains of heartwater. In the case of the Kümm strain the agent can persist in some tissues for up to 365 days. Transfer of spleen cells from immune mice confers protection against homologous challenge in recipient mice showing that cell mediated immunity is important. A comparison with immune mechanisms occurring in other Rickettsia is discussed.     

Design and synthesis of a peptide having chymotrypsin-like esterase activity

A peptide having enzyme-like catalytic activity has been designed and synthesized. Computer modeling was used to design a bundle of four short parallel amphipathic helical peptides bearing the serine protease catalytic site residues serine, histidine, and aspartic acid at the amino end of the bundle in the same spatial arrangement as in chymotrypsin (ChTr). The necessary "oxyanion hole" and substrate binding pocket for acetyltyrosine ethyl ester, a classical ChTr substrate, were included in the design. The four chains were linked covalently at their carboxyl ends. The peptide has affinity for ChTr ester substrates similar to that of ChTr and hydrolyzes them at rates approximately 0.01 that of ChTr; total turnovers greater than 100 have been observed. The peptide is inhibited by ChTr specific inhibitors and is inactive toward benzoyl arginine ethyl ester, a trypsin substrate. The peptide is inactivated by heating above 60 degrees C, but recovers full catalytic activity upon cooling and lyophilization from acetic acid.