Artificial Insemination of Swine: Fecundity of Boar Semen Stored in Beltsville TS (BTS), Modified Modena (MM), or MR-A and Inseminated on One,Three and Four Days After Collection12

Contents: A field trial was conducted on 1,463 farms in The Netherlands to compare the fertilizing capacity of boar spermatozoa extended in Beltsville TS (BTS), Modified (MM), or MR-A, and inseminated in 2896 sows and gilts on the first, third or fourth day following collection. Semen was collected, extended, and stored at 18°C at six different AI centers and inseminated by inseminators on their regular routes. Sows inseminated with BTS and MR-A extended semen had higher farrowing rates than MM (79.3, 77.6 us 50.4, P <.0001), higher total pigs per litter (11.4, 11.1 vs 10.0, P <.0001) and higher total pigs born alive (10.7, 10.5 vs 9.4, P <. 0001). The farrowing rate of gilts inseminated with BTS extended semen was superior to MM (73.5 vs. 50.2%, P <.004), while MR-A gave farrowing rates greater than MM (64.1 vs 50.2%, P =.06). There was no difference in litter data for gilts. Farrowing rates for 1 and 4 day semen were superior to 3 day semen (73.2, 73.8 vs 60.3, P <.0001). The semen inseminated on day 4 contained 6 billion sperm per dose rather than the 3 billion per dose for 1 and 3 day semen. Based on the results of this study, BTS and MR-A are effective diluents for extension and storage of boar semen for use within the same week of collection. In addition, semen extended in either BTS of MR-A and stored and inseminated on the fourth day after collection can give fertility equal to first day insemination if the sperm per insemination dose is doubled. Inhalt: Künstliche Besamung beim Schwein: Fruchtbarkeitsergebnisse von Ebersamen nach Flussigkonservierung mit BTS, MR-A oder modifiziertem Modena-Verdünner (MM) und Besamung am ersten, dritten und vierten Tag nach Samengewinnung In einem in den Niederlanden durchgeführten Feldversuch wurden 3 verschiedene Verdünner-Medien für Ebersamen in vivo verglichen. Die Medien waren Beltsville TS (BTS), modifizierter Modena-Verdünner (MM) und das spanische MR-A-Medium. Insgesamt wurden 2896 Jung- und Altsauen in 1463 Herden mit 1, 3 oder 4 Tage altem Sperma besamt. Der Versuch wurde als “split-sample”-Versuch an 6 Eberstationen durchgeführt, der verdunnte Samen bei + 18°Cgelagert und von den Besamungsbeauftragten im Rahmen ihrer regulären Fahrten eingesetzt. BTS- und MR-A-konserviertes Sperma gab bei Altsauen gegenüber MM höhere Abferkelraten (79,3, 77,6 vs 50,4%, P < 0.0001), eine höhere totale Wurfzahl (11,4, 11,1 vs 10,0, P < 0.0001) und eine höhere Anzahl lebendgeborener Ferkel)10,7, 10,5 vs 9,4, P < 0.0001). Die mit BTS-uerdünntem Samen inseminierten Jungsauen wiesen gegenüber MM höhere Abferkelraten auf(73.5 vs 50,2%, P < 0.004). MR-A-Sperma lag ebenfalls hüher als MM-Samen (641 vs 50,2%, P=0.06). Die Wurfgröβen der Jungsauen reigten keine Unterschiede. Die Abferkelergebnisse nach Besamung mit 1 und 4 Tage altem Samen lagen höher als die des 3 rage alten Spermas (73,2, 73,8 vs 60,3%; P < 0.0001). Die am Tag 4 verwendeten Samenportionen enthielten 6 Milliarden Spermien gegenüber 3 Milliarden der nach 1 bzw. 3 Tagen inseminierten Portionen. Die Ergebnkse dieses Versuches zeigen, daβ BTS und MR-A effektive Verdünnermedien sind und die Lagerung von Eberfrischsperma zum Einsatz innerhalb der Entnahmewoche ermoglichen. Darüber hinaus können mit BTS oder MR-A verdünntes und am Tag 4 nach Gewinnung eingesetrtes Sperma Fruchtbarkeitsergebnisse erzielt werden, die ebenso gut sind wie nach Verwendung des 1-Tage-Spermas, wenn die Spermienzahl pro Besamungsdosis verdoppelt wird.     

Epidemiological aspects of bacterial wilt of fodder grasses1

In order to explain the occurrence of very severe or more moderate wilt of grasses attacked by Xanthomonas campestris pv. graminis, various observations on the factors possibly influencing the epidemics of the disease are summarized in this article. Although natural vectors exist, the main means of transmission is certainly mowing tools. Resistance of the plants can be genetically predetermined or induced by non-pathogenic phyllosphere bacteria, if these are inoculated at the same time as the pathogen and in sufficient numbers. Young seedlings are particularly susceptible. Strains of X.c. graminis vary in their pathogenicity. Non-pathogenic strains enhance host resistance. Very severe attacks are related to extremely virulent strains. Crop management can influence the disease which is favoured by various stress situations. Disease spreads extensively when grass is mown under wet conditions. In conclusion, the following measures are recommended to avoid heavy attacks: use of resistant grass cultivars; avoiding contaminated mowing tools, especially for the first cut; cutting under dry conditions.     

Chlorfenprop-methyl: its hydrolysis in vivo and in vitro and a new principle for selective herbicidal action

Chlorfenprop-mèthyl is hydrolysed completely as soon as it penetrates the leaf in sensitive as well as in resistant plants. The product of hydrolysis chlorfenprop presumably is the herbicidally active compound. The in vitro hydrolysing activity has been characterized. The behaviour of the herbicide in a system for the detection of rapid herbicidal activity (leaching system) and in three auxin-dependent systems leads to the conclusion, that a difference at the site of action is the basis for the observed herbicidal selectivity.     

Defects in semiconductors: some fatal, some vital

REVIEW The role of defects as essential entities in semiconductor materials is reviewed. Early experiments with semiconductors were hampered by the extreme sensitivity of the electronic properties to minute concentrations of impurities. Semiconductors were viewed as a family of solids with irreproducible properties. Scientific efforts overcame this idiosyncrasy and turned the art of impurity doping into today's exceedingly useful and reproducible technology that is used to control precisely electrical conductivity, composition, and minority-carrier lifetimes over wide ranges. Native defects such as vacancies and self-interstitials control basic processes, foremost self- and dopant diffusion. The structural properties of dislocations and higher dimensional defects have been studied with atomic resolution, but a thorough theoretical understanding of their electronic properties is incomplete. Reactions between defects within the host lattices are increasingly better understood and are used for gettering and electrical passivation of unwanted impurities. Metastable defects such as DX centers and the EL2-related arsenic antisite are briefly discussed. The recent development of isotopically controlled semiconductors has created new research opportunities in this field.     

对推行兽药GMP工作的思考

对推行实施兽药GMP工作中存在的问题进行了分析,提出了建议和对策,并指出兽药行业的规范化管理,除了要推行实施兽药GMP外,还应加快对兽药的经营、使用、研发、临床试验等各环节的立法,建立健全机构,加强队伍建设,特别是要尽快推行兽药经营质量管理规范(GSP),否则兽药GMP将很难长期坚持下去.     

Stochastic and Deterministic Trends in State Economies

ABSTRACT Nonstationary behavior in regional economies must be recognized and categorized before activity indicators can be properly used in analyses. The nonstationary behavior of gross product by one-digit industry and personal income from all of the 50 states is examined. Tests to discriminate between stochastic and deterministic trends are pursued and the results indicate that the former dominate the latter. State-nation linkages in the presence of stochastic trends are explored and it is shown that stable, long-term relationships between nonstationary state and national outputs are rare at both the industry and aggregate levels.     

Influence of pre-emergence herbicides on root development of Agrostis stolonifera sod*

Agrostis stolonifera Huds cv.‘Penncross’ and cv.‘Cohansey’(bentgrass) were maintained as a golf-course putting green. Five herbicides were evaluated at normal (1 x) and three times normal (3 x) rates for Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop (Crabgrass) control and influence on root development of sod. The herbicides were applied once (April), twice (April and August) and three times (April, June and August) annually. After application of 3 × rates, benfluralin (N-butyl-N-ethyl-2,6, dinitro-4-triflouromethylaniline) and chlorthal-dimethyl (2,3,5,6-tetrachloroterephthalic acid dimethyl ester) caused injury on both A. stolonifera cultivars. Shoot injury remained with repeated benfluralin treatments; however, injury was no longer apparent after the first application of chlorthal-dimethyl. Terbucarb (2,6-di-t-butyl-p-tolyl N-methylcarbamate) completely killed both cultivars during the second year of the study. Bensulide (N-[2-(0,0-di-isopropyldithiophosphoryl)ethyl]benzene sulphonamide) and siduron (N-(2-methylcyclohexyl)-N-phenylurea) did not influence shoot growth of either A. stolonifera cultivars. Chlorthaldimethyl, bensulide and siduron allowed excelent sod rooting in both cultivars. The 3 × rate of the three herbicides did affect rooting of ‘Cohansey’ cultivar during the second year of the study, as did the 1 × rate of benfluralin. The benfluralin injury did not persist from one treatment time to the next, even at 3 × rates. Terbucarb restricted root growth for the entire year. Bensulide and siduron provided acceptable D. sanguinalis control and acceptable A. stolonifera tolerance under golf-course green management and re-establishment with turf.     

First report and histological features of Chlamydia pecorum encephalitis in calves in New Zealand

CASE HISTORY: Between September and October 2013, 40 of 150 crossbred Friesian dairy calves on a farm in the Manawatu region of New Zealand developed neurological signs when between 1 and 3 months of age. Calves were grazed in multiple mobs and calves from each mob were affected. A variable response was observed to initial treatment with thiamine, fluoroquinolone antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Affected calves exhibited a range of neurological signs that included generalised depression, hind limb ataxia with a stiff gait, and knuckling of the fetlocks. In advanced cases, calves became recumbent with opisthotonous. Over a 4-week period, 13 calves died or were subject to euthanasia and a thorough necropsy was performed on three of these calves. Necropsy findings included fibrinous peritonitis, pleuritis and pericarditis, with no gross abnormalities visible in the brain or joints. Histology of the brain was possible in seven of the affected calves, with lesions ranging from lymphocytic and histiocytic vasculitis and meningoencephalitis, to extensive thrombosis and neutrophilic inflammation. Immunohistochemistry using an anti-chlamydial lipopolysaccharide antibody revealed positive immuno-staining in all seven cases, with no brain samples exhibiting immunostaining for Histophilus somni. DNA was extracted from a sample of fresh brain from one case and chlamydial DNA sequences were amplified by PCR and found to be identical to Chlamydia pecorum. PCR was also performed on formalin-fixed brain tissue from three of the other cases, but no chlamydial DNA was amplified.

DIAGNOSIS: Chlamydia pecorum meningoencephalomyelitis (sporadic bovine encephalomyelitis).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first time that C. pecorum has been confirmed as a cause of clinical disease in New Zealand. Practitioners should be aware of this disease as a differential in calves with neurological signs, and submit samples of formalin-fixed brain as well as fresh brain to enable confirmation of suspected cases using PCR analysis. Furthermore, these cases illustrate that the histological lesions in the brains of calves with C. pecorum are more variable than previously reported, and pathologists should be aware that histological features may overlap with those traditionally ascribed to other organisms, such as H. somni.