The effects of benzimidazole anthelmintics on P4501A in rat hepatocytes and HepG2 cells

Benzimidazole anthelmintics including albendazole, fenbendazole, and mebendazole are widely used in veterinary medicine. The effects of these benzimidazoles on cytochrome P4501A were investigated in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes and in the HepG2 cell line. After incubation of rat hepatocytes and HepG2 for 24-, 48-, and 72-h cells with drugs at various concentrations (0.1-50 microM), the enzyme activities associated with P4501A1/2 (7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation and 7-methoxyresorufin O-demethylation) were measured. The P4501A1/2 protein levels in both model systems were determined by Western blotting. Although all benzimidazoles provoked a significant increase of P4501A1/2 protein levels and P4501A activities, large differences in the induction response were found which was dependent on drug structure, concentration, and model system used. Based on the results, relationships between induction potency and structure of drug were demonstrated, as well as differences between the in vitro systems used. Therefore, pharmacological and toxicological consequences of cytochrome P4501A induction by benzimidazole drugs should be taken into account in veterinary therapy.     

The effect of season and monensin sodium on the digestive characteristics of autumn and spring pasture fed to sheep

The effects of season of growth and monensin treatment on ruminal digestion of fresh-cut autumn and spring pasture were measured in a single group of ruminally fistulated castrated male sheep, housed indoors in metabolism crates. Responses were assessed in terms of ruminal volatile fatty acid molar proportions, ammonia concentration, pH, apparent digestibility of the pasture, and nitrogen balance of the animals. Blood plasma concentrations of insulin, glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate, urea, and NEFA were also evaluated. Autumn pasture contained significantly lower proportions of water-soluble carbohydrate (P < 0.05), cellulose (P < 0.05), and lignin (P < 0.05) and increased pectin (P < 0.05), hemicellulose (P < 0.05), and crude protein (P < 0.10) concentrations when compared with spring pasture. Voluntary DMI by sheep of autumn pasture was lower (P < 0.01) than that of spring pasture and was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by monensin treatment. Monensin treatment significantly decreased the ruminal molar proportions of acetic acid (P < 0.10) and butyric acid (P < 0.001) and increased the molar proportions of propionic acid (P < 0.001) and minor VFA (P < 0.01). Nitrogen retention of the sheep was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by monensin treatment. Plasma glucose levels were increased (P < 0.10) by monensin treatment during the fourth 5-d collection period in both seasons. Chemical analysis suggested that the composition of autumn pasture was different from that of spring pasture and that this was manifested in vivo by increased DMI and digestibility of spring vs autumn pasture. Ruminal fermentation of autumn pasture also had an increased acetate-to-propionate ratio compared with spring pasture. Monensin treatment acted consistently across seasons by increasing the proportion of propionate and decreasing the proportion of acetate in ruminal fluid.     

Urinary catecholamine metabolites during behavioral changes in a patient with manic-depressive cycles

3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol and normetanephrine were analyzed in daily urine specimens of a patient with manic-depressive cycles who was studied longitudinally. The quantities of these catecholamine metabolites excreted into urine were decreased during periods of depression as compared with periods of mania. Urinary excretion of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol varied cyclically with a period length of approximately 20 days. Changes in this metabolite, and perhaps in normetanephrine, preceded the affective and behavioral shifts.     

Legal implications of the exotic pet practice.

The ever-growing complexity of veterinary laws compounds the problem for the exotic pet practice. Issues of possession, treatment, vaccination, and ethics shape the legal landscape for the veterinarian, and as new problems develop, new legislation will be created. Only by learning and understanding the current laws and regulations of the jurisdiction can a practitioner hope to keep abreast of the changes and additions as they occur and to minimize the risk of liability.     

Semen collection in rhinoceroses (Rhinoceros unicornis, Diceros bicornis, Ceratotherium simum) by electroejaculation with a uniquely designed probe.

Electroejaculation in rhinoceroses has historically yielded inconsistent results, with the collection of high-quality, sperm-rich samples rare. The goal of this study was to develop a reliable method of electroejaculation in the rhinoceros by designing a rectal probe that appropriately fits the anatomy of this taxon and refining the procedure. A curved probe handle ending in an oblate, ellipsoid head was built using readily available supplies. A combination of rectal massage, penile massage, and electrical stimulation with a specially designed probe was employed in attempts to collect semen on 14 occasions from greater one-horned rhinoceroses (Rhinoceros unicornis; n = 4), black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis; n = 2) and a southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum; n = 1). During 13 of the 14 attempts, ejaculates were collected in multiple fractions. All but one of the ejaculates contained spermatozoa, and seven ejaculates contained good-quality fractions of semen (-60% sperm motility; > or =20 x 106 spermatozoa/ml) suitable for sperm banking and assisted reproduction procedures. Mean (+/-SEM) values for volume, pH, osmolality, and total sperm number for ejaculates containing good-quality fractions (98.2 +/-21.8 ml, 8.5+/-0.1, 290.4+/-6.7 mOsm, and 37.1+/-12.0 x 10(9), respectively) did not differ (P > 0.05) from those containing only poor-quality samples. Urine and/or erythrocyte contamination was not uncommon in fractions of both ejaculate types. Males producing good-quality samples ranged in age from 7 to 34 yr. None of the samples contained > or =75% morphologically normal spermatozoa. Electroejaculation with a uniquely designed probe consistently produced ejaculates in the rhinoceros. However, the production of high-quality samples continued to be challenging, occurring in only 50% of collection attempts. Regardless, the technology has progressed to a stage at which good-quality semen samples can be produced for sperm banking and assisted reproduction, and thereby can be integrated into intensive rhinoceros management strategies for the ultimate survival of this taxon.     

A new disease in tulip caused by Corynebacterium oortii nov. spec.

A new bacterial disease in tulip is described. The symptoms consist of: yellow spots on the bulb and silvery streaks and spots or roughened areas on the leaves. Some of the leaf symptoms have been observed in the field for many years, which indicates that the disease has been present for a long time but has never been disastrous. The occurrence seems to be strongly influenced by climatic conditions. Some characters of the pathogen are compared with those of other species ofCorynebacterium.Samenvatting In 1967 werd vastgesteld dat in tulp een bacterieziekte voorkomt, waarvan in 1964 de eerste duidelijke symptomen op de bol werden waargenomen. De symptomen in het blad zijn al veel langer bekend. De symptomen op de eerste witte rok van de bol kunnen tijdens de bewaring worden waargenomen nadat de bruine huid is gescheurd. Eerst ontstaan plekken die zijn samengesteld uit witte puntjes ter grootte van een speldeknop. Deze plekken worden geel, zwellen op en scheuren tenslotte vaak met kleine barstjes. Op grond van dit symptoom is de naam geelpok aan deze ziekte gegeven. In een varder stadium van het onderzoek werden bovengrondse symptomen bekend. In de kas en op het veld werden in ontwikkeling geremde planten gevonden, die over de gehele lengte van het blad één of enkele zilverkleurige smalle strepen toonden. De bollen van dergelijke planten toonden altijd de beschreven gele pokken. Op het veld werden bovendien later nog andere bovengrondse symptomen gevonden. Ten eerste zilverkleurige plekken van circa 5 mm diameter op het blad. Ten tweede een scheuren en opkrullen van de epidermis vooral aan de bladpunt. Dit laatste symptoom is al vele jaren bekend onder de naam helsvuur; het werd tot nut toe aan een fysiologische oorzaak (kou) toegeschreven. Opmerklijk is dat van aangetaste bladeren met de genoemde verkleuring reeds bij een lichte aanraking de epidermis scheurt.Uit alle beschreven symptomen werden herhaaldelijk identieke bacteriën geïsoleerd. Met deze isolaties werden na kunstmatige infectie de beschreven symptomen verkregen. Hoewel de bacterie door vele eigenschappen vrij nauw verwant is aanCorynebacterium betae zijn voldoende argumenten gegeven om hem als een aparte soort te kunnen beschouwen.     

Ausdünnungsstrategien für die Apfelsorte ‘Elstar’ – Erfahrungen mit Ammoniumthiosulfat, Calciumhydroxid und Benzyladenin

‘Elstar’, the most widely grown apple variety in the Netherlands, requires adequate fruit thinning to obtain regular bearing and the commercially desired fruit size and fruit quality. During several years studies have been carried out to look for alternative thinning methods to replace carbaryl, an insectide which also induced thinning when applied to young fruitlets, but that is no longer registered in the Netherlands. During recent years research on apple thinning has focused on the use of ammonium thiosulphate (ATS) as a flower thinner combined with 6-benzyladenine (BA) as a fruitlet thinner. This paper reports on a trial in which the fruit thinning efficacy of this combined treatment with ATS and that of BA on its own were evaluated. In addition, the use of slaked lime (Ca(OH)₂) to cover the leaves and reduce leaf photosynthesis at three different times during fruitlet development was tested, alone or in combination with an application of BA. The best chemical thinning treatment of this trial was the combination of 3 applications of ATS during flowering followed by BA at a fruit size of 13.8?mm. This treatment gave 82% of the thinning necessary to obtain the target fruit load. This treatment also effectively improved fruit size distributions, fruit colour and internal fruit quality. Slaked lime did not thin ‘Elstar’ effectively, most probably because it did not cause sufficient reduction of light interception by the canopy.     

Large-scale identification of rodenticide resistance in Rattus norvegicus and Mus musculus in the Netherlands based on Vkorc1 codon 139 mutations

BACKGROUND

Resistance to rodenticides has been reported globally and poses a considerable problem for efficacy in pest control. The most-documented resistance to rodenticides in commensal rodents is associated with mutations in the Vkorc1 gene, in particular in codon 139. Resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides has been reported in the Netherlands since 1989. A study from 2013 showed that 25% of 169 Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) had a mutation at codon 139 of the Vkorc1 gene. To gain insight in the current status of rodenticide resistance amongst R. norvegicus and house mice Mus musculus in the Netherlands, we tested these rodents for mutations in codon 139 of the Vkorc1 gene. In addition, we collected data from pest controllers on their use of rodenticides and experience with rodenticide resistance.

RESULTS

A total of 1801 rodent samples were collected throughout the country consisting of 1404 R. norvegicus and 397 M. musculus. In total, 15% of R. norvegicus [95% confidence interval (CI): 13–17%] and 38% of M. musculus (95% CI: 33–43%) carried a genetic mutation at codon 139 of the Vkorc1 gene.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates genetic mutations at codon 139 of the Vkorc1 gene in M. musculus in the Netherlands. Resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides is present in R. norvegicus and M. musculus in multiple regions in the Netherlands. The results of this comprehensive study provide a baseline and facilitate trend analyses of Vkorc1 codon 139 mutations and evaluation of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies as these are enrolled in the Netherlands. © 2022 The Dutch Pest and Wildlife. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.