Prediction of digestibility and energy concentration of winter pasture forage and herbage of low-input grassland--a comparison of methods.

Regarding the estimation of the energy concentration or digestibility of herb-dominated forage and plant samples from winter pastures, it could be expected that the estimation is only reliable when in vitro methods with rumen fluid as inoculum (= gas production techniques) are used. For the verification of this thesis based on logical reflections, an in vitro-method with rumen fluid added as inoculum, as well as chemical, and enzymatic methods were applied under consideration of existing estimating functions. As a possible reason for the observed divergence of the methods, effects of fungal infections or, respectively, secondary compounds in herbs are discussed. At the present state of knowledge, it is adequate to estimate the energy concentration in vitro by gas tests, as far as fattening types like suckler cows and beef cattle are concerned, maybe in contrast to the forage evaluation for dairy cows.     

Growth hormone modulates cholecalciferol metabolism with moderate effects on intestinal mineral absorption and specific effects on bone formation in growing dogs raised on balanced food

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of growth hormone (GH) on Vitamin D3 metabolism and the subsequent effects on calcium (Ca) homeostasis and skeletal growth in growing dogs. A group of Miniature Poodles received supraphysiological doses of GH (GH group; n = 6; 0.5 IU GH per kg body per day) from 12 to 21 weeks of age and was compared with a control placebo-treated group (n = 8). Biologic activity of GH in the GH compared to the control group was indicated by (a) the 2.5- to 3.5-fold increase in the plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), (b) the increased production of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol as indicated by the significantly increased plasma 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol concentrations and the 12.9-fold increase in renal 1alpha-hydroxylase gene expression, and (c) the inhibited production of 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol as indicated by the significantly lower plasma 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol concentrations and the similar levels of renal 24-hydroxylase gene expression. Despite the distinct effects on Vitamin D(3) metabolism in the GH group, there were only moderate effects on the intestine, i.e. at 20 weeks of age there was a significant increase of 14.4 and 5.6% in fractional absorption of Ca and phosphate (Pi), respectively, compared to the control group. GH administration resulted in significantly elevated glomerular filtration rate, with no differences in Pi urine excretion as a result of a concomitant increase in the tubular reabsorption of Pi. GH had only limited disturbing effects on endochondral ossification as indicated by the maintenance of the regularity of the growth plates. However, GH had specific anabolic effects on bone formation without concomitant effect on bone resorption that may result in disorders of skeletal remodeling and manifestation of enostosis.     

Nephrotoxicity in Goats Caused by Dosing with a Water Extract from the Stems of Narthecium Ossifragum Plants

Seven goats were given a single dose of an aqueous extract derived from 30 g (wet weight) of Narthecium ossifragum per kg liveweight. Their serum creatinine and urea concentrations increased to day 5 but then fell to normal by day 10. Serum magnesium increased to day 4 and decreased to normal by day 9. Their serum calcium concentration was lower than normal on days 4, 5 and 6. Histopathological examination of the kidneys of goats killed or found dead 2, 4, 6, 8, 11 or 16 days after dosing revealed tubular epithelial cell degeneration and necrosis. Regeneration of the tubular epithelium and signs of interstitial fibroplast proliferation and fibrosis could be seen in animals killed on days 8, 11, 16 and 42. No signs of liver damage were observed in 3 goats dosed with the insoluble plant material from 40 g (wet weight) Narthecium ossifragum per kg liveweight. The total dose was divided into three doses, which were given intraruminally within 7 h. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase, -glutamyl-transferase and glutamate dehydrogenase remained within the normal range in all 10 goats after dosing.     

Evaluation of a glutamine-containing oral rehydration solution for the treatment of calf diarrhoea using an Escherichia coli model

A high-calorie oral rehydration solution (ORS) with glutamine (n=11) was more effective in correcting plasma, extracellular fluid and blood volume than solutions without (one WHO-type solution, n=6, and two high-glucose but glutamine-free solutions, n=7, n=12). It was the only solution to improve plasma volume significantly within 48 h and sustain the improvement throughout treatment; similarly, it was the only solution to correct packed-cell volume within 48 h and sustain the benefit to the end of treatment. At the end of treatment, the glutamine-treated calves were the only ones to avoid a significant weight loss compared with their pre-diarrhoeic values. The crucial difference between this solution and those used with glutamine previously is that it gave significant nutritional support whereas WHO type solutions did not. It also had more favourable effects on hyponatraemia and metabolic acidosis than a standard ORS. Use of a high-calorie ORS for 4 days (rather than 2 days of 50:50 admixture with milk replacer) brought additional beneficial effects on blood glucose and body weight.     

Diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism in a cat using echocardiography and pulmonary scintigraphy

A 10-year-old male cat was presented with sudden onset of respiratory difficulties. Clinical examinatlon revealed an acute dyspnoea with cyanosis associated with a left systolic heart murmur. Standard thoracic radiographs excluded pulmonary oedema and showed very few pulmonary changes given the intensity of the respiratory compromlse. Echocardiographic examination revealed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a thrombus In the right pulmonary artery. Pulmonary sclntlgraphy confirmed a pulmonary thromboembolism with hypovascularisatlon of the left cranial lobe and of the ventral segment of the right lobe. Conservative treatment was instituted using an antibiotic (doxycycllne), anticoagulants (heparin, coumadine) and a calcium lnhlbitor (diltiazem). The cat was given absolute rest. The general condition of the animal improved.     

Phase II Clinical Trial of Carboplatin in Canine Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder

Fourteen dogs with histologically-confirmed transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder were treated with 300 mg/m² carboplatin every 3 weeks. Response to therapy was assessed with abdominal radiography, double contrast cystography, urinary bladder ultrasonography and thoracic radiography before therapy and at 6–week intervals during therapy. Dogs were monitored for hematologic toxicity with a CBC and platelet count performed immediately before and 10 to 14 days after carboplatin treatment. Tumor responses included progressive disease in 11 dogs and stable disease in 1 dog. Two dogs were euthanized due to carboplatin toxicity before assessment of tumor response. Toxicity included thrombocytopenia with or without neutropenia in 7 dogs and gastrointestinal toxicity in 6 dogs. Carboplatin therapy was not beneficial in the treatment of TCC in the 14 dogs in this study.     

Effects of selection on food intake in the adult mouse

SUMMARY: Replicated lines of mice were selected High and Low for adjusted food intake and contemporaneous control lines were maintained. The selection criterion was food intake between 8 and 10 weeks, adjusted by phenotypic regression on mean body weight at 8 and 10 weeks of age to reduce correlated changes in body weight. Responses are given for the first 23 generations of selection, after which adjusted food intake had diverged by a factor of 1.7-1.95. A small correlated response in body weight occurred and mice from the High line were slightly heavier: at 10 weeks of age body weight had diverged by a factor of 1.09-1.11. The realized within-family heritability varied between the replicates from 0.16-0.27 from which a mean estimated mass selection heritability (h(2) = 0.35±0.05) was derived. Mice from the Low line were fatter, however not significantly, because of a High between replicate variance (p > 0.05). Differences in growth over the selection period may account for around 5% of the divergence and increased maintenance costs associated with the larger lean mass of the high lines may explain a further 5%. Mice from the High lines spilled significantly (p < 0.05) more food which accounted for 23% of the divergence in apparent food intake. The heat increment of feeding, brown adipose tissue activity and locomotor activity all appear to be unchanged. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Auswirkungen der Selektion auf Futteraufnahme in der adulten Maus In einem Experiment mit Wiederholungen wurden M?uselinien auf hohe und niedrige korrigierte Futteraufnahme selektiert und korrespondierende Konttrollen gehalten. Das Selektionskriterium war die Futteraufnahme im Alter von 8 bis 10 Wochen, die mittels ph?notypischer Regression korrigiert wurde, um die K?rpermasse m?glichst konstant zu halten. Der direkte Selektionserfolg über die ersten 23 Generationen ist beschrieben. Die Linien divergierten zu diesem Zeitpunkt bezüglich des Selektionsmerkmals um 70 bis 95%. In der K?rpermasse trat ein geringfügiger korrelierter Selektionserfolg auf. Die Tiere der 'high'-Linie waren im Alter von 8 bis Wochen ca. um 6 bis 11% schwerer. Die realisierte Intra-Familien-Heritabilit?t variierte zwischen den Wiederholungen zwischen 0.16 und 0.27, woraus sich eine mittlerer Heritabilit?tskoeffizient von h(2) = 0.35±0.05 für die Massenselektion ergab. M?use der 'low'-Linie hatten mit 10 Wochen 2.4% (P > 0.05) und mit 17 Wochen ca. 7% (P < 0.05%) mehr Fett. Mit Unterschieden im Wachstum lassen sich weniger als 5% der Linienunterschiede in der Futteraufnahme erkl?ren. Der h?here Erhaltungsbedarf, der aus einer h?heren fett-freien K?rpermasse in der 'high'-Linie resultiert, k?nnte weitere 5% erkl?ren. Tiere der 'high'-Linie verstreuten deutlich (P < 0.05) mehr Futter, worauf sich 23% der Divergenz in der scheinbaren Futteraufnahme zurückführen lie?en. Die Aktiv?t des braunen Fettgewebes, die lokomotorische Aktivit?t und die fütterungsbedingte Wàrmeproduktion sind scheinbar unver?ndert.     

Development and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to subgroup A avian leukosis virus

Avian leukosis virus subgroup A (ALV‐A) is a retrovirus which infects egg‐type chickens and is the main pathogen of lymphoid leukosis (LL) and myeloid leukosis (ML). In order to greatly enhance the diagnosis and treatment of clinical avian leukemia, two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to ALV‐A were developed by fusion between SP2/0 and spleen cells from mice immunized with expressed ALV‐A env‐gp85 protein. Using immunofluorescence assay (IFA), two MAbs reacted with ALV‐A, but not with subgroups B and J of ALV. Western blot tests showed that molecular weight of ALV‐A envelope glycoprotein recognized by MAbs was about 53 kD. Isotyping test revealed that two MAbs (A5C1 and A4C8) were IgG1 isotypes. These MAbs can be used for diagnosis and epidemiology of ALV‐A.     

Gene cloning of porcine adiponectin gene from adipose tissue and construction of its eukaryotic expression vector

To clone adiponectin (ADPN) gene from Shaziling porcine adipocyte and construct its eukaryotic expression vector, total RNA was extracted from subcutaneous fatty tissue. One pair of specific primers was designed by Primer 5.0 software according to the sequence of ADPN gene of porcine available in GenBank. The ADPN gene was amplified by PCR from cDNA and cloned into pMD18‐T vector to construct recombinant clonal vector pMD‐ADPN, sequenced and analysed. A recombinant expression plasmid pPICZaA‐ADPN was constructed by subcloning the cloned ADPN gene into the linearized pPICZaA vector. Then, the plasmid pPICZaA‐ADPN was expressed in Pichia pastoris (GS115) by electrotransformation. Western blot and Bradford analysis were used to determine the target protein induced by methanol. Results showed that the genome size of ADPN was 732 bp and encoded 244 amino acid, the nucleotide sequence of ADPN shared 100% identity with that of porcine available in GenBank. Western blot and Bradford analysis showed that the recombinant ADPN was expressed in GS115 correctly and has certain immune activity. The expression level of ADPN was 28.5 μg/ml. In conclusion, the recombinant ADPN could express in eukaryotic expression vector pPICZaA‐ADPN constructed in this study effectively.