Metabolic response of horses to a high soluble carbohydrate diet: effects of low-intensity submaximal exercise and sodium bicarbonate supplementation.

Four mares fed a low fiber, high soluble carbohydrate diet were used in a crossover design to evaluate the effects of dietary sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) supplementation during daily low-intensity submaximal working conditions. Mares were fed the diet at 1.7 times the maintenance energy requirement for mature horses at work. The horses tolerated the diet well and had no clinical abnormalities. Resting venous blood bicarbonate (HCO3), standard HCO3, and base excess (BE) concentrations significantly (P less than 0.05) increased with NaHCO3 supplementation, but no significant changes in resting venous blood pH or carbon dioxide tension (PCO2) were recorded. Venous blood HCO3, standard HCO3, BE, hemoglobin, and heart rate were significantly (P less than 0.05) increased and plasma lactate concentration was significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased in the control horses and in the horses given the NaHCO3 supplement during low-intensity submaximal exercise. There were no significant changes in venous blood pH, PCO2, or plasma protein concentration with exercise. Venous blood HCO3, standard HCO3, and BE concentrations were significantly (P less than 0.05) greater during submaximal exercise in horses given the NaHCO3 supplement. There were no significant differences in plasma lactate or total protein concentrations, blood pH, PCO2, or hemoglobin concentration between the 2 groups during exercise.     

Effect of hot-fat trimming on factors associated with the subprimal yield of beef carcasses.

Thirty-two crossbred cattle (steers = 17; heifers = 15) exhibiting an ultrasound fat thickness at the 12 to 13th rib region of at least 10 mm were selected from a slaughter shift at a commercial packing plant. After splitting, alternating sides of each carcass were trimmed of 1) subcutaneous fat in excess of 6.4 mm; 2) all kidney, pelvic, and heart fat; and 3) all cod or udder fat and fat in the flank region. Both sides of each carcass were fabricated into subprimals (final trim level of 6.4 mm) according to normal industry procedures. Effect of hot-fat trimming, yield grade (3, 4, and 5), and gender on hot-fat trim, fabrication fat trim, major subprimal, and total subprimal yield of untrimmed and trimmed carcasses were determined. Higher numerical yield grade (YG) corresponded with higher (P less than .05) percentages of hot-fat trim. Hot-fat trimming increased (P less than .05) the difference in fabrication fat trim between steers and heifers and between YG 3 and YG 5. Steers and heifers differed (P less than .05) in percentage of major subprimals and total subprimals when processed conventionally, whereas hot-fat trimming eliminated this difference (P less than .05). Untrimmed YG 3 carcasses had 3.1 and 5.0% higher major subprimal yield (P less than .05) than untrimmed YG 4 and YG 5 carcasses, respectively, whereas hot-fat trimming reduced this difference to 2.5% for YG 4 and to 3.7% for YG 5.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Nonsurgical treatment of cubital subchondral cyst-like lesions in horses: seven cases (1983-1987).

Subchondral cyst-like lesions of the cubital joint were diagnosed in 7 horses at the teaching hospital between 1983 and 1987. Diagnosis of the lesions was made by administration of intra-articular local anesthesia and/or radiographically. Initial treatment for all horses consisted of stall rest for 60 to 90 days. In addition, 2 horses were administered sodium hyaluronate intra-articularly, 1 horse was given injections of polysulfated glycosaminoglycans IM, and 1 horse was given phenylbutazone orally. Follow-up information was compiled 6 weeks to 4 years after initial examination. At the time of follow-up inquiry, 6 horses were sound for intended use and only 1 horse became lame when exercised. A logical approach to choice of surgical or nonsurgical treatment is proposed on the basis of these findings and those reported in the literature.     

Serum Progesterone Concentrations and Blood Neutrophil Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in Cows Following Normal and Abnormal Parturition

Serum progesterone concentrations and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of blood neutrophils were determined in 3 groups of cows (n = 5 each) on days 1 and 2 and then at 3-day intervals up to 32 days post-partum. Group I cows had a normal delivery, Group II cows had dexamethasone-induced parturition and Group III cows were subjected to a caesarian section. All cows in Group III and 2 cows in Group II retained their fetal membranes. Mean serum progesterone concentrations declined the second day after calving (to < 0.67 ng/ml) and remained at low levels (< 0.54 ng/ml) throughout the observation period, except for the values in Group III, which were elevated on day 16 (0.94 ng/ml), declined again on day 26 (0.46 ng/ml) and peaked (1.05 ng/ml) on day 32 portpartum. Significant (P < 0.01) differences were found between serum progesterone concentrations on day 1 and on each of the other sampling days in Groups I and III. Day X parturition group interaction was significant (P < 0.05) for the progesterone concentrations. No significant differences were found between the overall means of ALP activity of blood neutrophils in the 3 parturition groups nor between days of the experiment. No significant correlation was found between serum progesterone concentrations and ALP activity values of blood PMN during the first 32 days post-partum. Inhalt: Serum Progesteron Konzentrat und Aktivität der alkalischen Phosphatase in neutrophilen Blutzellen bei Küken mit normalem und abnormalen Geburtsverlauf Serum-Progesteronkonzentrationen und alkalische Phosphatase- (ALP) Aktivität von neutrophilen Granulozysten, nach der Abkalbung am Tag 1 und 2 und dann im Abstand von 3 Tagen bis zum 32. Tag p.p. bei Kühen untersucht, die in drei Untersuchungsgruppen (n = 5) eingeteilt waren. Gruppe I kalbte normal ab, in Gruppe II wurde die Geburt durch Dexamethason eingeleitet, und Kälber der Gruppe III wurden via Kaiserschnitt gewonnen. Alle Tiere der Gruppe III und 2 Kühe der Gruppe II wiesen Nachgeburtsverhaltungen auf Der mittlere Serum-Progesterongehalt sank am 2. Tag p.p. auf < 0,67 ng/ml ab und blieb auf niederigem Niveau (< 0,54 ng/ml) während der gesamten Untersuchungs-periode. Lediglich in Gruppe III, mit erhöhten Werten (0,94 ng/ml) an Tag 16 p.p., sanken die Werte wieder an Tag 26 p.p. (0,46 ng/ml) und erreichten einen Maximalwert an Tag 32 p.p. mit 1,05 ng/ml. Signifikante (P 0,01) Unterschiede in der Serum-Progesteronkonrentration wurden zwischen Tag 1 p.p. und allen anderen Untersuchungstagen in den Gruppen I und III gefunden. Interaktionen zwischen den Gruppen für Tag X waren signifikant (P 0,05). Keine signifikanten Unterschiede wurden für den Gesamtmittelwert der ALP-Aktivität in den neutrophilen Granulorysten zwischen den Gruppen und im Vergleich der Untersuchungstage gefunden. Es wurden auch keine signifikanten Korrelationen zwischen den Serum-Progesteronkonzentrationen und der ALP-Aktivität der PMN während der ersten 32 Tage p.p. nachgewiesen.     

Management of dietary hypersensitivity in the dog

Dietary hypersensitivity is an uncommon condition which can result in a variety of dermato-logical and gastrointestinal signs. The major emphasis in management is on elimination of the causative agent from the diet. Correct diagnosis and implication of the offending allergen are prerequisites for optimal therapy. If this proves impossible, or if multiple sensitivities preclude formulation of an appropriate diet, corticosteroids or other anti-inflammatory agents must be employed and are variably effective.     

Serum amyloid A protein concentration measured by radial immunodiffusion in Abyssinian and non-Abyssinian cats

Serum amyloid A (SAA) protein concentration was determined by use of radial immunodiffusion (RID) in 4 groups of cats: Abyssinian cats with amyloidosis, healthy Abyssinian cats without clinical evidence of amyloidosis, hospitalized non-Abyssinian cats, and clinically normal non-Abyssinian cats. Mean SAA concentration in Abyssinian cats with amyloidosis was significantly (P = 0.05) higher than mean SAA concentration in healthy Abyssinian cats without clinical evidence of amyloidosis and in hospitalized non-Abyssinian cats. Mean SAA concentration in clinically normal non-Abyssinian cats was significantly (P = 0.05) lower than mean SAA concentration in healthy Abyssinian cats without clinical evidence of amyloidosis and in hospitalized non-Abyssinian cats. Affected and healthy Abyssinian cats, however, could not reliably be distinguished on the basis of SAA concentration, because of the wide range of SAA values in these 2 groups of cats.     

Response of an acetolactate synthase (ALS)-resistant biotype of Amaranthus rudis to selected ALS-inhibiting and alternative herbicides

An Amaranthus rudis Saner (common water-hemp) biotype from a field treated for two consecutive years with a mixture of chlorimuron and metribuzin was tested in greenhouse and laboratory studies to assess resistance and cross-resistance to four acetolactale synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides. The biotype demonstrated >1920-fold resistance at the whole plant level, and >850-fold resistance at the ALS enzyme to chlorimuron, compared with a susceptible biotype. This chlorimuron-resistant biotype was also cross-resistant to primisuifu-ron, haiosulfuron and imazethapyr. In greenhouse studies, atrazine alone or in combination with ALS-inhibiting herbicides provided excellent control of the resistant biotype of A. rudis . Combinations of dicamba and ALS-inhibitors also provided adequate control. Additionally, premixtures of flumetsulam and metolachlor and of dicamba and atrazine furnished excellent control of this chlorimuron-resistant A. rudis biotype.     

Oral fowlpox vaccination in chickens.

Chickens were given various fowlpox vaccines on food pellets--a commercial vaccine (strain M), and the same strain after a single passage on chorio-allantoic membrane or in chicken embryo fibroblasts. All three oral vaccines induced antibodies at levels similar to those induced by commercial strain M administered to the wingweb. The oral vaccine derived from chorio-allantoic membrane gave protection similar to that obtained with vaccine administered by the wingweb, but this required a thousandfold more virus.     

Additive and synergistic pharmacologic inhibition of equine fibrinoligase (factor XIIIa*-like) biochemical activity.

A selected group of pharmaceutical compounds were evaluated for the ability to inhibit the biochemical activity of fibrinoligase (coagulation factor XIIIa*) in pooled equine plasma. Criteria for the pharmaceuticals selected were based on the mechanism of the transglutamination biochemical reaction mediated by coagulation factor XIIa*. These criteria were complemented by recognition of the molecular configuration and chemical composition of amino acid residue side chains involved in the process of covalent fibrin monomer polymerization (cross-linking, transglutamination) mediated by this enzyme. Each pharmaceutical was evaluated individually and in combination with other potential coagulation factor XIIIa* inhibitors in an effort to detect additive and synergistic phenomenon. In this context, pharmaceuticals with a carbonylamide (eg, cefuroxime, Girard's reagent-P, prolinamide) were applied in concert with compounds with a terminal amine (eg, D-arginine, L-lysine) functional group. In concept, this method theoretically served to competitively simulate glutamine and lysine amino acid residues within strands of fibrin monomer substrate involved in phase I (carbonylamide) and phase II (terminal amine) of the transglutamination reaction (covalent fibrin monomer cross-linking). Halogen-dinitro and ethylene compounds were also evaluated because of their reported ability to inactivate enzyme systems dependent on an intact sulfhydryl group located at their biochemically active site (eg, cystine amino acid residue). This group of pharmaceutical compounds failed to inhibit the biochemical activity mediated by coagulation factor XIIIa* in equine plasma.