Fertilizing capacity of the ejaculate of nutria (Myocastor coypus) after the removal of the seminal vesicles as evaluated by the penetration test and natural mating

The fertility of male coypu sperm following seminal vesicle extirpation was investigated using the penetration test into the egg of Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Ejaculates were obtained from five males by means of electro-ejaculation under halothane narcosis. The results of the zona-free hamster eggs (ZFHE) penetration test showed that the ejaculates of all the surgically treated coypu males were fertile and that ZFHE value fluctuated from 54 to 76.6%. The results obtained in experiments with natural mating revealed that the extirpation of male coypu seminal vesicles did not affect their fertility. In total 47 foetuses were found post mortem in ten coypu females covered by surgically treated males, which on average represented 4.7 foetuses per female.     

A new virus disease of watercress in England1

In 1983 plants showing symptoms typical of watercress chlorotic leafspot agent (WCLSA) were found in Kent (GB). Later, plants showing similar symptoms were found in Dorset (1986) and Hampshire (1987), the main watercress-producing regions of England. These plants, unlike those infected with WCLSA, contained virus particles which were isometric with diameters of 37-38 nm. An antiserum to the virus was produced, with a titre in immunodiffusion tests of 1/128 and this gave good results in immunosorbent electron microscopy (ISEM) and ELISA tests on crude plant sap. Purified preparations of the virus reacted positively in ISEM and immunodiffusion tests with an antiserum to watercress yellow spot virus, a partially described virus occurring in France. Tests suggest that the crook root fungus Spongospora subterranea f.sp. nasturtii is probably the vector of this virus but other means of transmission cannot be excluded. Virus incidence within watercress beds varied, with little or no infection in the water inlet region of the bed where there are also low levels of crook root infection, higher levels in the central region and highest levels at the outlet region where crook root infection is also highest.     

Testing the effectiveness of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines: the relationship between test infection results and corresponding neutralization titers of vaccinated cattle

In the course of vaccine controls, the potency of 25 foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines was tested quantitatively in parallel in cattle using the intradermal infection and the determination of the SN titres. More than 95% of the vaccinated cattle with SN titres of greater than 1:20 were protected from generalized FMD, regardless of the virus type tested. 61.5% of the vaccinated cattle with SN titres less than or equal to 1:20 were not protected and developed generalized FMD. Comparison of the PD50 values calculated from the results of the intradermal infection and the corresponding SN titres (minimum protection titre greater than 1:20) showed that the results were in complete agreement in 56% of the tested vaccines. In a further 32% of vaccines, the PD50 calculated from the SN titre was slightly below that for the intradermal infection, in the remaining 12% it was somewhat above. The possibility of using the minimum titre determination for testing a vaccine and the significance of this titre as an expression of protection by vaccination are discussed.     

Efficacy of nemadectin, a new broad-spectrum endectocide, against natural infections of canine gastrointestinal helminths

Nemadectin, a new broad-spectrum endectocide, was highly efficacious against natural infections of all the major canine gastrointestinal helminths. At single oral dosages of 0.2-0.4 mg kg-1 body weight (BW), a liquid formulation administered in gelatin capsules was 100% effective in eliminating natural infections of Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala. Tablets (267 mg) containing 4.6% nemadectin given at a rate of 1/3 tablet per 20 kg BW (0.2 mg nemadectin kg-1) were 100% active against T. canis, A. caninum and U. stenocephala. With both formulations, an increase in the dose rate to 0.6-0.8 mg kg-1 BW resulted in 99-100% elimination of Trichuris vulpis infections. No adverse reactions were observed in any of the treated dogs.     

The prevalence and identity of Sarcocystis cysts in cattle in Belgium

Muscle tissue from the oesophagus, diaphragm and heart of 100 cattle slaughtered in Belgium was examined for Sarcocystis infection by microscopic examination of tissue and artificial digestion. Intact sarcocysts or cystozoietes were recovered from 97% of the cattle examined. There was a difference in sensitivity between the method (digestion or histology) used and the muscle processed. The digestion of the oesophagus muscle resulted in the highest number of positive animals whereas the heart muscles contained most cysts during histological examination. Thin-walled cysts were recovered from all positive animals especially in the heart and they were indistinguishable from those of S. cruzi. Thick-walled cysts were recovered from 56% of animals but these could not be identified as S. hirsuta and/or S. hominis on morphological grounds. A correlation between pathological changes and the infection grade could not be proved.     

A simple method for the quantitative determination of sperm aggregation

Described in this paper are 2 methodological variants for photometric recording of sperm aggregation. Heparin was used to induce aggregation. One of the working principles was related to aggregation-associated alteration of turbidity in an agitated cell suspension, measured by the KZM-1 coagulation-time meter, in analogy to measurement of thrombocyte aggregation. The 2nd variant was based on variation of cloudiness due to sedimentation of aggregates in a non-agitated suspension. Both methods provided equally valid information. They characterised both intensity of aggregation as a combined effect of the number and size of aggregates as well as the rate of aggregation. Photometric recording has proved to be an objectivated method for quantitative assessment of aggregation. Its use is proposed for studies into capacitation or immunological response of spermatozoa.