Cytogenetic analysis of a canine haemangioendothelioma: a case report.

An 8-year-old German Shepherd bitch developed a haemangioendothelioma in the mammary region. The cytogenetic characterization of the tumour cells revealed a chromosome number of 80 plus a double minute. Several aberrations were detected: trisomies 4, 35, and 38, a centric fusion 8/22 and a tandem translocation 9/23.     

Intestinal cellular reaction of cattle after infection by Fasciola hepatica]

Defence reactions of cattle against Fasciola hepatica take place not only in the liver but also on a prehepatic level. The aim of the present experiments is to identify and quantify the cellular response in the small intestine. Five groups of two bulls (Simmental x Red Holstein, 6 months old) were infected by oesophageal probe with metacercariae of F. hepatica (MC) according to two experimental procedures. Two groups of bulls served as controls. In the first experiment both infected groups received 1000 MC once or twice at an interval of five weeks. The intestinal tissue was taken before infection and 5, 10 and 19 weeks p.i., respectively 5 and 14 weeks p. reinf. (p.ri.). In the second experiment, three infected groups received 400, 2 x 400 MC (at an interval of five weeks) and 800 MC respectively. Biopsies were taken one week ante infectionem, 6, 11 and 19 weeks p.i., respectively 1, 6 and 14 weeks post reinfectionem (p. ri.). The biopsies of the small intestine were prepared for histology and the tissue sections stained as follows: Astra blue for mucosal mast cells (MMC), Lendrum for eosinophils (EOS) and Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) for goblet cells (GC). The density of the three cell populations in the mucosa was determined microscopically and quantified. In both experiments the density of the MMC and EOS increased with each reinfection and depended on the infectious dose. There was no significant variation of the GC-numbers. The described intestinal cellular reactions suggest a participation of the small intestinal wall in the immunity against the common liver fluke.     

Evaluation of recombinant porcine somatotropin on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and muscle biochemical properties of Belgian Landrace pigs.

The dose related effects of recombinant porcine somatotropin (rpST) on growth, carcass characteristics, muscle properties, and meat quality were investigated in lean Belgian Landrace finishing pigs. Ninety-six pigs (48 barrows and 48 gilts) were injected daily with either vehicle, 1.5, 3, or 6 mg of rpST from 60 to 97.5 kg live weight. Each treatment group consisted of six pens of four pigs each (two of each sex). Pigs were given ad libitum access to a high-protein (20.4% CP) cereal-based diet. Administration of rpST increased (P less than .05) growth rate (16.3 to 25.4%) and improved (P less than .05) feed efficiency (16.9 to 29.4%). Feed consumption was reduced (12%; P less than .05) only in the 6 mg of rpST group. Liver, kidney, and heart weights were increased (P less than .05) in the 3 and 6 mg of rpST groups. Although the Belgian Landrace pigs are bred for superior carcass quality, rpST further improved (P less than .05) carcass composition at all dose levels as evidenced by a reduction (10 to 50%) in a number of subcutaneous fat depth measurements, an increase (10 to 20%) in longissimus muscle area, and an improvement in the lean cut:fat cut ratio. Rate of pH decline in the gluteus and longissimus muscles was similar, but rapid, in all groups (pH after 30 min = 5.74 to 5.94); the ultimate (24 or 72 h) pH was .15 to .2 pH units higher (P less than .05) in the pigs that received the 3 and 6 mg of rpST doses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of treatment with aspirin or aspirin/dipyridamole combination in heartworm-negative, heartworm-infected, and embolized heartworm-infected dogs.

To determine the drug dose required to inhibit platelet reactivity by at least 50%, 2 drug regimens were evaluated in heartworm-negative, heartworm-infected, and heartworm-infected dogs embolized with dead heartworms. Aspirin, or a combination of aspirin and dipyridamole, were administered to 2 groups of Beagles (n = 5 each) for 5 to 9 days; a third group of 5 Beagles served as nontreated controls. For heartworm-negative dogs, mean (+/- SD) aspirin dosage that inhibited collagen-induced platelet reactivity by at least 50% was 6 (+/- 2) mg/kg of body weight given once daily. The aspirin/diphridamole combination dosage was 1 mg of each drug/kg given every 12 hours. All dogs (n = 15) were implanted with 7 adult heartworms each and remedicated (or not treated) beginning at 21 days after heartworm implantation. In heartworm-infected dogs, mean aspirin dosage required to inhibit collagen-induced platelet reactivity greater than or equal to 50% was 10 (+/- 6) mg/kg. Mean dosage of aspirin/dipyridamole combination was 1.6 +/- (0.5) mg of each drug/kg given every 12 hours. When platelet reactivity in response to collagen was determined to be inhibited by at least 50% in all medicated dogs, each dog (n = 15) was embolized with 7 dead adult heartworms to mimic heartworm adulticidal treatment. Platelet reactivity was monitored for 21 days after treatment, and drug dose was adjusted to maintain platelet inhibition by at least 50%. In embolized dogs, mean aspirin dosage was 17 (+/- 14) mg/kg given once daily. Mean dosage of the aspirin/dipyridamole combination was 2.8 (+/- 1.3) mg of each drug/kg given every 12 hours. All dogs (n = 15) were euthanatized 21 days after heartworm embolization. Each lung lobe was evaluated for severity of lesions and presence of organized or fibrinous thrombi. Lesion severity in the aspirin- and aspirin/dipyridamole-treated dogs was not significantly different from that in control dogs.     

An abattoir survey of pneumonia and pleuritis in slaughter weight swine from 9 selected herds. IV. Bacteriological findings in chronic pneumonic lesions.

A total of 855 pig lungs were collected at slaughter and evaluated macroscopically. Bacteriological examinations were carried out on tissue samples from chronic pleuropneumonic lesions (n = 196) and from chronic bronchopneumonic lesions with suppuration (n = 14). Samples from normal lung tissue (n = 22) were also included. Pasteurella multocida was isolated from 54%, Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) pleuropneumoniae from 11%, and Streptococcus spp. from 14% of the pneumonic lesions, respectively. From normal lung tissue P. multocida was isolated from 3 (14%) of the samples, A. pleuropneumoniae was not recovered and streptococci were isolated from only 1 (5%) of these samples. The above mentioned bacterial species were recovered either in pure cultures or mixed with various other microbes. A total of 109 P. multocida strains were further characterized by capsular serotyping and testing for production of dermonecrotic toxin. Ninety-nine (91%) of the strains were capsular type A 10 (9%) were type D. Out of the type A and the type D strains 94% and 90% were toxigenic, respectively. Most of the A. pleuropneumoniae strains were serotype 2. Strains of serotypes 1 and 7 were also identified. The majority of the streptococci were identified as either Streptococcus suis or Streptococcus dysgalactiae. Actinomyces pyogenes was isolated from 14% of the lesions and anaerobic bacteria from 18%, respectively. The significance of the various bacterial species in relation to the development of chronic pneumonic lesions is discussed. Special attention is paid to P. multocida, and it is concluded that this bacterial species is probably of importance for the development of both types of chronic pneumonias.     

Evaluation of use of progesterone to counteract zearalenone toxicosis during early pregnancy in gilts.

It has been shown that zearalenone disrupts early pregnancy in swine without altering intrauterine content of estradiol 17 beta or progesterone, embryo migration, or estradiol-17 beta synthesis by blastocysts. However, serum concentrations of progesterone were reduced 2 to 3 weeks after mating in gilts that ingested zearalenone. Therefore, progesterone was administered to gilts during early pregnancy to determine whether it could counteract the detrimental actions of zearalenone on embryonic development. Thirty-two crossbred gilts (Hampshire x Chester White x Yorkshire x Duroc) were assigned randomly to a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: zearalenone (Z); zearalenone plus progesterone (ZP); progesterone (P); or control (C). From postmating days 4 to 15, Z- and ZP-treated gilts were fed 1 mg of Z/kg of body weight, and P-treated and C gilts were fed ethanol as vehicle in a corn-soybean diet. On postmating days 3 to 15, P- and ZP-treated gilts were injected IM with 100 mg of progesterone, and C and Z-treated gilts were injected with progesterone carrier (15% ethanol, 15% benzyl alcohol, 70% propylene glycol). Blood was collected from gilts by puncture of the jugular vein daily from days 3 to 15, on alternate days from days 17 to 31, and then twice weekly until the end of the experiment. Fetal development was assessed in Z- and ZP-treated gilts on postmating day 47.6 +/- 2.9 by cesarean section and in P-treated and C gilts at slaughter on postmating days 51.2 +/- 3.2. Serum concentrations of progesterone in P-treated gilts were greater on days 7 to 8, 10 to 15, 17, and 19 than in C gilts. Serum concentrations of progesterone were greater on days 8, 10, and 12 in ZP-treated than in C gilts. However, serum concentrations of progesterone were lower in ZP-treated gilts than in C gilts on postmating days 19 to 31.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Study of cystine urinary calculi in dogs.

The composition and structure of 48 canine cystine urinary stones were determined by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electron dispersive X-ray analysis. The infrared analysis showed that about 45% of the specimens were composed of pure cystine. The remainder also contained calcium oxalate (mono and/or dihydrate), magnesium ammonium phosphate hexadydrate (struvite), calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (brushite) and complex urates (ammonium, ammonium potassium and/or potassium enriched ammonium urate). The infrared study of several samples heated at 620 degrees C and 750 degrees C revealed the presence of apatitic calcium phosphate. This compound was difficult to detect in the spectrum of the original samples due to the small proportion of phosphate contained in the calculi and to band overlapping. The examination of a series of selected samples by means of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis complemented the infrared results.     

Evaluation of reproductive traits in Bos taurus and Bos indicus crossbred heifers: effects of postweaning energy manipulation

Reproductive traits were evaluated in Bos taurus and Bos indicus crossbred heifers that were fed different diets during the postweaning period. The study was designed in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Angus x Hereford (AH; n = 148) and Brahman x Hereford (BH; n = 148) heifers were sorted after weaning by body weight into light (LW) and heavy (HW) weight blocks. Heifers in each weight block were assigned to diets calculated to reach a target weight of 55% (LE) or 65% (HE) of their projected mature weights by the start of the breeding season. Puberty was determined after a 160-d observation period and characterized by the following criteria: 1) behavioral estrus, 2) presence of a palpable corpus luteum (d 6 to 10; estrus = d 0), and 3) rise in serum progesterone above 1 ng/ml (d 6 to 10). A higher (P = .01) proportion of AH heifers than of BH heifers reached puberty by the breeding season (93% vs 67%). Interactions of breed x weight block and energy level x weight block also contributed to this difference. Weight at puberty was heavier (P = .001) among HE than among LE heifers and greater for heifers in HW than for those in LW blocks (P = .02). Differences in prebreeding weight, body condition, average daily gain, hip height, and pelvic area were influenced selectively by breed, energy level, or weight block. Pregnancy rates were higher (P = .01) among AH than among BH heifers. Incidence and severity of dystocia was influenced by the breed x energy level interaction (P = .01). Brahman x Hereford heifers had less (P = .01) dystocia than AH heifers, HE heifers had less (P less than .02) dystocia than LE heifers, and HE-AH heifers had less (P less than .01) dystocia than LE-AH contemporaries. Subsequent duration of the postpartum interval to estrus was shorter (P = .002) among AH than among BH females. Pregnancy rates at the end of the 2nd yr were higher (P = .02) among LW than among HW females and weights were heavier (P = .001) at weaning among calves weaned from BH dams.     

Effects of season on the maintenance requirements of mature beef cows

Sixty mature, nonpregnant, nonlactating beef cows of two breed types, Angus and Simmental, were used in a four-period, split-plot study to determine the effects of season on maintenance requirements. Periods were chosen to represent each of the four seasons and ran consecutively from June 14, 1986 through June 20, 1987. All cows were fed at one of four feeding levels (75, 87.5, 112.5, and 125% of estimated ME required for maintenance) a cottonseed hull-based diet in each of the four seasons and were rotated such that all cows received all feeding levels during the study. Retained energy for all cows within periods was determined through changes in body composition determined initially and at the end of each period. Mean DM digestibility (DMD) was similar for both breeds (54.4%), and in both breeds DMD was similar in the summer, fall, and spring and lower (P less than .05) in the winter. Mean DE was 61.4% and also was similar between breeds. Season affected DE, which was greatest (P less than .05) for both breeds in the fall (62.5%). Simmental cows had a 16.1% greater (P less than .05) overall daily ME requirement for weight maintenance than Angus cows (123.5 vs 103.6 kcal/kg.75), and both breeds had greater (P less than .05) requirements during the summer and lower (P less than .05) requirements during the winter (122.6 vs 91.4 and 145.9 vs 109.3 kcal/kg.75 for Angus and Simmental cows, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)