Standardization of an experimental disease model of Streptococcus zooepidemicus in the equine

A reproducible experimental disease model in horses using Streptococcus zooepidemicus was developed. An intravenous challenge dose of 1 X 10(10) colony-forming units (CFU), followed 24 h later with another challenge of 1 X 10(8) CFU of Strep. zooepidemicus produced the desired disease model. The disease was characterized by depression, pyrexia, anorexia, abnormal lung sounds, inflammation of joints, moderate to severe lameness, gradual loss of condition and emaciation. The effects of the disease on hematology, serum chemical profile and different protein fractions were studied. The disease state had no effect on serum glucose, sodium, potassium, chloride, urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, calcium, phosphorus and enzymes SGOT or SGPT. However, the alkaline phosphatase showed a gradual decline. The serum iron levels dropped markedly and remained low to the last day of observations (post-infection day, PID 13). On serum protein electrophoresis, the albumin showed a gradual decrease; whereas, alpha II, beta and gamma globulin levels rose suggesting an immune response. The elevation of rectal temperatures and white blood cell counts related well with clinical observations. The serum iron levels proved very helpful in predicting the severity of clinical signs and often dropped before the onset of clinical signs and pyrexia.     

Reproductive performance in a diallel cross among lines of mice selected for litter size and body weight

Genetic factors affecting female reproductive performance in lines of mice with a known history of selection were estimated from a 5 X 5 diallel cross. Lines were selected as follows: large litter size at birth (L+); large 6-wk body weight (W+); an index for large litter size and small 6-wk body weight (L+W-); the complementary index (L-W+) and randomly (K). Partitioning of direct and correlated responses for litter size, 6-wk body weight and related traits into average direct genetic (li) and average maternal genetic (mi) effects indicated that the magnitude of differences in li exceeded those in mi. Lines having positive responses in li were W+ greater than L+ greater than L-W+ for dam body weight, L+ greater than L+W- greater than W+ for litter size and L+ greater than (W+, L+W-) for litter birth weight, whereas L-W+ responded negatively for litter size. A positive association was found between mi for litter size and dam body weight, W+ and L-W+ being high and L+ and L+W- low for both traits. Female infertility and time from male exposure to parturition had relatively small correlated responses. Line rankings in general combining ability (gi) and net line effects were similar for the respective traits. Depending upon the line and trait involved, the relative contribution of average direct genetic and line direct heterotic (hi) effects to general combining ability [gi = (1/2) li + hi] varied. Line heterosis refers to average heterosis in crosses involving that line. Direct heterosis ( hij ) for each trait differed considerably among crosses. The three crosses showing the highest hij for litter size at birth, W+ X L-W+ (1.78), L+ X W+ (1.28) and L-W+ X L+W- (1.22), possibly had loci contributing directional dominance to litter size with frequencies of parental lines deviating in opposite directions relative to mean gene frequency. The correlation between absolute difference in parental line means and hij for litter size was not significant, suggesting that the magnitudes of absolute differences in parental means were not reliable predictors of divergence in gene frequency. Crossbred performance increased linearly with midparent values for litter size at birth (b = .88 +/- .09, R2 = .92) and dam parturition body weight (b = 1.13 +/- .04, R2 = .99), the latter trait showing an increase (P less than .01) in heterosis as midparent values increased.     

A study of health and productivity of traditionally managed cattle in Zambia

A three-tiered survey was devised comprising a detailed questionnaire, a serological survey and a sentinel herd scheme for disease surveillance. The survey was carried out in the traditional farming sector in 7 districts of Zambia to obtain background information on cattle management and productivity, data on the prevalence of tick-borne and other disease problems in these areas and to monitor changes in individual herds.In the questionnaire survey, 288 farmers were interviewed. They owned a total of 15 360 head of cattle, representing approximately one percent of the national herd. Mean herd sizes ranged from 31 to 114 for each district. Mean calving percentages were 44–80%. Average national offtake from these herds was 10%. Calf mortality rates ranged from 4 to 32%, while adult yearly mortality rates ranged from 4 to 16%. Factors affecting the regional variation of these figures are discussed.     

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitism in Oklahoma swine

The prevalence of swine gastrointestinal parasites was determined from all listed large swine operations (28) and a geographically representative sample (70) of the population of small hog farm operations in Oklahoma. Fecal samples (n = 975) were collected from 98 farms. From the 98 farms, parasites were recovered in pig feces as follows: Ascaris, 53.0%, strongyles, 53.1%, Trichuris, 35.7%, spirurids, 6.1%, Strongyloides, 19.4%, coccidia, 57.1%, and Balantidium, 55.1%. A higher percentage (16.5%) of hogs maintained on cement floors were positive for Ascaris than were those on either dirt lots (11.9%) or slatted floors (9.9%), but pigs on dirt lots were more often positive with a higher percentage of coccidia (21.0%) than those on either cement or slatted floors (8.5% and 6.0%, respectively). Prevalence of Trichuris was essentially the same (6.8% to 11.3%) in hogs from all 3 management practices.     

Toxic effects of selenium on growing swine fed corn-soybean meal diets

A total of 96 crossbred pigs received various levels of sodium selenite to determine the effect of dietary selenium (Se) on growing swine fed corn-soybean meal diets. Levels of supplemental Se were 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 micrograms/g. There were linear decreases (P less than .01) in both gain and feed intake with increasing levels of dietary Se. Feed/gain increased numerically as dietary Se increased. Hair Se increased quadratically (P less than .01) and blood Se increased linearly (P less than .01) with increasing level of dietary Se. Cell volume and hemoglobin were not affected by dietary treatment. Increasing dietary Se significantly increased glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (GOT). and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT). External signs of selenosis were noted in some pigs fed 12 or 20 micrograms/g of Se. The toxic level of Se in a corn-soybean meal diet for crossbred pigs appears to be between 4 and 8 micrograms/g. Of variables studied, growth rate was the most sensitive indicator of chronic selenosis in swine.     

Measurement of plasma antithrombin III activity in healthy horses

A fluorometric assay was used to determine plasma antithrombin III (AT III) activities in 15 healthy adult horses. Nearly all plasma samples had an initial value of greater than 100% thrombin inhibited, so a 1:1 dilution of the prepared samples was performed. Following dilution, the mean value of the animals was 59.17 +/- 7.4% thrombin inhibited. Mares had significantly greater AT III activity than did geldings (P less than 0.01). The results of this study indicate the horse has more AT III activity than did other domestic species in which AT III activity has been reported.     

Luxation of the Canine Shoulder Joint to Maximize Exposure for Treatment of Osteochondritis Dissecans

Luxation of the humeral head by internal rotation of theforelimb with the shoulder joint in flexion will maximize exposure of the humeral head for treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the canine shoulder. The procedure was performed on 51 normal dogs and on 13 shoulders of 11 dogs with osteochondritis dissecans. Postoperative evaluation was obtained in all 51 normal dogs and 8 clinical patients. Postoperative seromas were seen in two dogs; one was presumed to be due to reaction to the suture material used, and the other to unrestricted exercise during the immediate postoperative period. There were no other complications. The time for recovery to normal ambulation was similar to those reported for other approaches.     

Elimination of salicylic acid in goats and cattle

Sodium salicylate was administered to cattle and goats IV and PO according to a crossover design. Total urinary excretion of SA and its metabolites was measured for 3 days after dosing. Salicyluric acid (SUA) was the only metabolite detected in urine of either species. Recovery of sodium salicylate and SUA in goats amounted to 67.9 and 34.6% of the dose, respectively, after IV administration. After oral dosing, total recoveries were 30.2% (sodium salicylate) and 71.7% (SUA) of dose. By comparison, cattle excreted significantly (P less than 0.05) less sodium salicylate (54.0%) and more SUA (49.9%) after IV dosing. The same pattern was observed after oral administration, wherein cattle excreted less than 12% as sodium salicylate and more than 99% as SUA. In both species, almost 90% of the drug excreted as sodium salicylate was found in urine within the first 12 hours after an IV dose and within 24 hours after oral dosing. The excretion of SUA was somewhat slower in both species, especially after oral administration. The data suggested that there were only quantitative differences in the metabolism and elimination of sodium salicylate between the 2 species, with cattle excreting a higher proportion of the drug as the glycine conjugate SUA.     

Growth and carcass composition of female turkeys implanted with anabolic agents and fed high-protein and low-protein diets

This laboratory investigated the anabolic effect of the synthetic steroid trienbolone acetate (TA) and found it effective in male and female meat turkeys without any apparent gross abnormalities (Poultry Sci., 61: 1386, 1982). The present study was undertaken to characterize the response of female turkeys, fed equicaloric diets varying in dietary protein density to anabolic agents implanted at 13 wks. TA and zeranol (Z) were tested singly and in combination (TAZ). Body weight gain and feed conversion at 16 wks of age were improved (P less than 0.01) with TA and TAZ. The response to TA was enhanced as dietary protein density increased. Carcass fat, protein, ash, energy, potassium, and calcium were not altered by implant treatment. A trend existed toward increased carcass fat with zeranol implantation. Carcass moisture (P less than 0.01) and sodium (P less than 0.05) were increased in the TA treatment. Blood plasma electrolytes were not affected by implant treatments but plasma calcium was decreased (P less than 0.05) by TAZ. No synergism was noted between TA and Z with respect to growth, feed conversion, carcass composition, plasma electrolytes with the exception of plasma calcium. No interaction was observed between dietary protein density and implant treatment. Performance variables increased and carcass fat decreased with increasing dietary protein density. These results confirm our earlier finding with respect to TA and provide additional evidence that dietary protein density influences the response of meat turkeys to TA. The data show that zeranol lacks an anabolic effect in turkeys.