Tick-borne blood parasites in nyala (Tragelaphus angasii, Gray 1849) from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A total of 97 blood samples of nyala (Tragelaphus angasii, Gray 1849) from South Africa were tested for the presence of tick-borne haemoparasites by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization. The majority of blood samples contained several different haemoparasites, often in combination. Prevalent haemoparasites were Theileria sp. (kudu), T. buffeli, Theileria sp. (sable), T. bicornis, Ehrlichia sp. Omatjenne, Anaplasma marginale and A. bovis. This serves as the first report of Theileria sp. (kudu), T. buffeli, T. bicornis, Ehrlichia sp. Omatjenne, A. marginale and A. bovis in nyala, who seem to carry multiple haemoparasites without ill effect.     

Isolation of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus from mummichog, stickleback, striped bass and brown trout in eastern Canada

Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) was isolated from mortalities occurring in populations of mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus, stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus aculeatus, brown trout, Salmo trutta, and striped bass, Morone saxatilis, in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada. The isolated viral strains produced a cytopathic effect on the epithelioma papillosum cyprini cell line. Serum neutralization indicated the virus was VHSV and sequencing identified the rhabdovirus isolates as the North American strain of VHSV. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the isolates are closely related and form a distinguishable subgroup of North American type VHSV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of VHSV in mummichog and striped bass.     

Canine intestinal helminths in Finland: prevalence, risk factors and endoparasite control practices

In this survey, the prevalence of canine gastrointestinal helminths in Finland was investigated by coprological examination (n = 541) and possible risk factors for helminth infections in dogs were analysed. In addition, the dog owners (n = 296) completed a questionnaire about use of anthelmintics, sources of information about parasites and antiparasitic treatments and reasons for choosing the drugs.

The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths was 5.9%. Eggs from four different species were identified in the faecal samples. Toxocara canis eggs were present in 17 dogs (3.1%), Uncinaria stenocephala eggs in 14 dogs (2.6%) and Diphyllobothrium latum eggs in 2 dogs (0.4%). Moreover, one sample contained eggs of Trichuris vulpis (0.2%). Kennel housing and visits abroad were identified as risk factors for T. canis and U. stenocephala infections.

Most dogs (86.0%) received anthelmintic treatment at least once a year. Hunting dogs were dewormed least; one-third was treated less than once a year. Approximately, half of the owners occasionally changed the anthelmintic used. The most important trait of the anthelmintic was its broad spectrum, fenbendazole being the most commonly chosen. Veterinarians, dog magazines and dog breeders were the predominant sources of information concerning parasites and deworming strategies.     

Efficacy of intramammary treatment with procaine penicillin G vs. procaine penicillin G plus neomycin in bovine clinical mastitis caused by penicillin-susceptible,gram-positive bacteria--a double blind field study

The efficacy of intramammary treatments containing procaine penicillin G alone (treatment A) or a combination of procaine penicillin G and neomycin (treatment B) was compared in treating clinical bovine mastitis caused by gram-positive bacteria susceptible in vitro to penicillin G. Both treatments were supplemented with a single intramuscular injection of procaine penicillin G on the first day of treatment. The study was carried out using a double blind design on commercial dairy farms in Southern Finland. A total of 56 quarters were treated with treatment A and 61 with treatment B. The cure rates for both treatments were equal, which suggests that the use of the penicillin G-aminoglycoside combination does not increase the efficacy of the treatment over that achieved by using penicillin G alone in bovine clinical mastitis caused by penicillin-susceptible, gram-positive bacteria.     

Immunohistochemical Studies on Oestrogen Receptor Alpha (ERα) and the Proliferative Marker Ki-67 in the Sow Uterus at Oestrus and Early Pregnancy

Oestrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha), the main subtype in the uterus, is involved in the regulation of uterine growth/proliferation. A relationship between ERalpha and proliferative activity has been shown in the cyclic sow uterus, but to our knowledge, no study has been carried out on early pregnant sows. Therefore, by means of immunohistochemistry and use of mouse monoclonal antibodies to ERalpha and a proliferative marker, Ki-67, the localization of these proteins was investigated in the sow uterus during early pregnancy. Eighteen crossbred multiparous sows were artificially inseminated once at 20-15 h before expected ovulation. After artificial insemination (AI), they were slaughtered at five different times: at oestrus, 5-6 h after AI (n = 4), 20-25 h after ovulation (n =4), 70 h after ovulation (n = 4), on day 11 (the first day of standing oestrus = day 1, n = 3) and on day 19 (n = 3). Immediately after slaughter, uterine samples were collected at the mesometrial side of the uteri, fixed in 10% formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin. Immunohistochemistry was performed by using mouse monoclonal antibodies to ERalpha (C-311) and Ki-67 (MM1). All sows slaughtered after ovulation were pregnant. In general, positive immunostaining for ERalpha and Ki-67 was found in the nuclei. Variations in staining intensity and proportion of positive nuclei were observed in different uterine compartments and stages of early pregnancy. The highest level of ERalpha presence in the surface epithelium and myometrium was found at oestrus (5-6 h after AI), and low levels of ERalpha in these compartments were observed as early as 20-25 h after ovulation. In the glandular epithelia, presence of ERalpha was highest at 70 h after ovulation. The largest number of ERalpha-positive cells in the stroma was observed at oestrus and early after ovulation. Low proliferation was observed, and with no significant difference in tissue compartments except in the glandular epithelium. High proliferative activity in the glandular epithelium at 70 h after ovulation indicated involvement in preparation for secretory activity and growth during pregnancy establishment. Significant positive correlation was found between the number of ERalpha-positive cells in the stroma and Ki-67-positive cells in the surface epithelium. In conclusion, the present study showed differences in immunolocalization of ERalpha and the proliferative marker Ki-67 in different tissue compartments of the sow uterus at oestrus and early pregnancy. In some uterine compartments, the patterns of ERalpha and Ki-67 immunostaining seemed to be influenced by insemination and the presence of embryos, in addition to the effects of steroid hormones.     

Effects of low-dose leptin and gender on the physiology of the mouse (Mus musculus)

Exogenous leptin was given intraperitoneally to five male and five female mice at 0.2-0.3 mg/kg/day for 3 days. The plasma glucose and thyroxine concentrations as well as the hepatic and kidney enzyme activities were determined. The hepatic glycogen phosphorylase activity was suppressed by leptin treatment in the male mice. The other parameters were not significantly influenced by exogenous leptin, but there was a trend towards increased gluconeogenesis and glycogen storage due to leptin treatment. Enzyme activities of glucose and fat metabolism as well as the responses to leptin administration were sexually dimorphic. Discriminant analysis separated the control and the leptin-injected males and females to four distinct groups. Leptin seems to have minor but widespread effects on the energy metabolism of a nonmutant rodent. In nature, one function of leptin could be carbohydrate preservation.     

X-ray Microanalysis of the Secretory Epithelium of the Endometrial Glands and Intraluminal Uterine Fluid in Oestrus Mares

X‐ray microanalysis was used to determine the occurrence of transudation as a source of intrauterine fluid in mares during oestrus. The content of some selected elements was studied in secretory vesicles of the epithelium of endometrial glands and in intraluminal fluid of healthy mares of varying age and parity. An in situ cotton tampon was used to absorb intrauterine fluid from 23 gynaecologically healthy mares during oestrus. Immediately after tampon withdrawal, endometrial tissue for biopsy was removed from the uterine body/horn junction while videoendoscopy was performed. The tissue specimens were frozen ultra‐rapidly against a copper surface chilled with liquid N₂. X‐ray microanalysis of frozen fully hydrated endometrial samples and of microdroplets of intraluminal fluid (n = 20) was performed, using a SEM microscope equipped with a cryo‐stage and an X‐ray microanalysis system. The concentrations of sodium (Na), potassium (K), chlorine (Cl), sulphur (S), phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) in the epithelium of endometrial glands and in intraluminal fluid were compared with those in serum. There was a significant difference in the concentrations of all analysed elements between the secretory gland epithelium and the intraluminal fluid apart from S. The major elements in glandular epithelium were K and P. Although there was a significant difference in the concentrations of Na, Cl, S and Ca between the uterine fluid and serum, there was still a conspicuous resemblance in the relationship between the different elements in uterine fluid and serum, with Na and Cl being the dominant elements. Sulphur and especially Ca were present only in small amounts throughout. Neither age nor parity affected the elemental concentrations of Na, K, Cl, S, P and Ca in gland epithelium, uterine fluid or serum. It was concluded that serum transudation contributes to a great extent to the composition of uterine fluid, having a diluting effect upon the specific secretion of the uterine glands.     

Modified arabinoxylan-based films. Part B. Grafting of omega-3 fatty acids by oxygen plasma and electron beam irradiation

Arabinoxylans (AXs) are byproducts of the cereal milling industry. To obtain high-value products, AXs have been used as a film-forming agent. Hence, AX-based films are poor water vapor barriers. The objectives of this study were to graft omega-3 (omega3) fatty acids onto AX polymeric chains by using two new technologies: cold plasma and electron beam (EB) irradiation. Results show that the surface hydrophobicity of the modified films is higher than that of a waxy coating or a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film. In addition, FTIR spectroscopy analysis reveals vibration bands attributed to new chemical functions. Finally, a decrease in water vapor permeability (WVP) is obtained for the film treated with the alpha-linolenic acid-rich oil. This result could be explained by a better diffusion of this shorter polyunsaturated fatty acid into the AX network. Linseed oils provide better barrier properties and a higher surface hydrophobicity than oils extract from marine oils. Edible oils were chosen for edible application of these films to retard moisture transfers in stuffed biscuits.