Versuche zur Zyklussynchronisation bei Kühen aus Beständen rnit Fertilitätsproblemen und bei Hybriden zwischen Wisent und Rind mit der PRID-Spirale*

Inhalt: An 81 Versuchs- und 92 Kontrolltieren der Rasse “Potnische Schwarzbunte” aus 3 Problembetrieben wurde ein Versuch zur Sterilitätsprophylaxe rnit der PRID-Spirale durchgeführt. Anhand klinischer Befunde und Milchprogesteronwerten wurde die Untergruppe aus Kühen mit Ovardystrophie (18 Versuchs- und 22 Kontrolltiere) gebildet und extra ausgewertet. Der Behandlungsbeginn lag zwischen 60 und 80 Tage post partum. Die Versuchstiere wurden mit der PRID-Spirale 12 Tage lang behandelt, die Kontrolltiere erhielten Injcktionen rnit Kochsalzlösung und solche rnit Ovardystrophie wurden zusätzlich mit einer Eierstocksmassage behandelt. Die Versuchstiere wurden 56 und 72 Stunden nach Entfernung der Spirale blind besamt. Die Brunstin-duktionsrate betrug insgesamt 90,1%, bei denen rnit Ovardystrophie 77,7%. Die An-wendung der PRID-Spirale führte zur Verbesserung der Fertilitätslage. Die Gesamt-trächtigkeitsrate lag mit 87,6% bei den Versuchskühenüber derjenigen der Kontrollkü-he mit 79,3%. Die Behandlung der Tiere rnit Ovardystrophie erbrachte eine Gesamt-trächtigkeitsrate von 88,8% bei den Versuchs- und 72,7% bei den Kontrolltieren. Die Zwischentragezeit betrug bei den Versuchstieren 101,2 Tage und bei den Kontrolltieren 113,3 Tage (p ≤ 0,05). Bei den azyklischen Tieren lag die Zwischentragezeit bei 104,6 Tage bzw. 134,7 Tage (p ≤ 0,05). In einem anderen Versuch wurde 20 Hybriden zwischen Wisent und Hausrind rwecks Zyklussynchronisation die PRID-Spirale verabreicht. Die Brunstinduktionsrate betrug 66,6%, das Erstbesamungsergebnis nach Doppelbesamung 30%, die Gesamtträchtig-keitsrate nach dem Decken der umrindernden Kreuzungstiere rnit einem Bullen 90%. Die Deckperiode konnte verkürzt werden. Contents: Investigations on the synchronization of estrus cycle in cattle from farms with fertility problems and in cross-breeds between bison and cattle with a PRID-de-vice In 81 experimental and 92 control animals of the “Polish Black and White” breed derived from 3 farms with fertility problems an investigation was carried out for sterility prophylaxis using the PRID-device. Based on clinical findings and milk progesterone values cattle with ovarian dystrophy (18 experimental and 22 control animals) from a special group were used. The begin of treatment was between 60 and 80 days post partum. All experimental animals had received a PRID-device for a duration of 12 days. Control animals were injected with physiological saline solution and animals with ovarian dystrophy were treated additionally with ovarian massage. Experimental animals were inseminated 56 and 72 hrs after removal of the device. All animals taken, estrus was induced in 90.1% of the animals, while only 77.7% of animals with ovarian dystrophy came to estrus. Application of the PRID-device led to an improvement of fertility. Pregnancy rates in experimental animals were 87.6%, while only 79.3% of the control animals were pregnant. Treatment of animals with ovarian dystrophy resulted in 88.8% pregnancies for treated and 72.7% for control animals. Experimental animals were non-pregnant for a duration of 101.2 days, while control animals remained non-pregnant for 113.3 days (p < 0.05). Acyclic cattle had a non-pregnant period of 104.6 days and 134.7 days (p < 0.05) respectively. In a second experiment 20 cross-breeds between bison and domestic cattle were treated with a PRID-device for synchronization of the estrus cycle. The rate of estrus induction was 66.6%, the fertility after double insemination 30%, the total pregnancy rate improved after mating with a bull of animals that had not conceived to 90%.     

The use of urban organic wastes in the control of erosion in a semiarid Mediterranean soil

Abstract. A two year field experiment was carried out in a semiarid Mediterranean area in order to evaluate, the effect on soil erosion of adding different urban organic wastes: a stabilized municipal waste (compost), an unstabilized municipal waste, and an aerobic sewage sludge. All the treatments significantly reduced soil erosion, compared to the control soil. The soil amended with compost was the most effective treatment, reducing soil loss by 94% and runoff by 54%.     

Purification of carbonic anhydrase isozyme VI (CA-VI) from swine saliva.

Salivary or secreted carbonic anhydrase (CA), which constitutes a new class of CA, designated CA-VI, was isolated. Swine CA-VI purified from swine saliva by inhibitor-affinity chromatography and ion exchange chromatography had a specific activity of 5,468 units/mg. The molecular weight was 250,000, as determined by gel filtration under non-denaturing conditions, and the subunit molecular weight was found to be 37,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicating that swine CA-VI consists of 7 subunits. The treatment of the enzyme with endo-N-acetylglucosaminidase F reduced its subunit molecular weight from 37,000 to 35,000 and 32,000. We raised a rabbit antibody against purfied swine CA-VI. Double immunodiffusion showed that anti-swine CA-VI serum reacted with swine CA-VI and swine saliva, but not with hemolysate (containing CA-I and CA-Il) or muscle extracts (containing CA-III). The concentration of CA-VI in swine saliva, measured using single radial immunodiffusion, was 0.027 +/- 0.017 mg/mg total protein.     

Effects of 'Agri-SC' soil conditioner on soil structure and erodibility: some further observations

Abstract. In field and laboratory experiments the conditioner‘Agri-SC’has shown improvements in the structure of loamy sand soils in east Shropshire, UK. It resulted in statistically significant decreases in soil bulk density values and increases in soil porosity and aggregate stability. Further experiments are in progress on both loamy sand and silt loam soils.     

Laboratory and field observations on anti-tick properties of the plant Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Brig.

A shrubby plant, abundant in east Kenya, Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Brig., was shown to exhibit repellent and acaricidal properties to larvae, nymphs and adult Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyomma variegatum ticks. All stages of ticks avoided the leaves of the plant and a high percentage of the ticks which were continuously exposed to its leaves died; surviving ticks were weak and inactive but regained activity when exposed to fresh air. The effectiveness of the plant's leaves as a repellent and acaricide was most pronounced on nymphs and least pronounced on adults. Field investigations indicated that ticks were not found up to 2-5 m from the plant in areas where the plant was predominant. The potential of using the plant for tick control within an integrated tick management system in the resource-poor farming context in Africa was highlighted.     

Comparison of three in vitro techniques to estimate benzimidazole resistance in Haemonchus contortus of sheep

Three in vitro assays to detect benzimidazole resistance, namely, the egg-hatch assay, tubulin-binding assay, and a larval-development assay, were evaluated by estimating the level of benzimidazole resistance in three field isolates of Haemonchus contortus compared with a susceptible reference strain. Comparisons were also made with estimates of benzimidazole resistance of the three field strains obtained from an in vivo controlled anthelmintic efficacy test. All three in vitro tests showed similar, consistent results which also suggested greater sensitivity than the in vivo assay. These results indicate that selection of an in vitro technique to determine benzimidazole resistance should therefore be based on considerations other than precision, such as technical expertise, availability of equipment, cost and speed in which diagnosis is required.     

A quantitative study of Eimeria infections of goats from central Spain.

A survey on coccidial infections in goats from central Spain was carried out. Fifty-five goat farms from 28 localities belonging to the three bioclimatic subregions of the area were visited. Individual samples (702) were obtained from the rectum of 130 young (under 1 year of age) and adult (572 over 1 year of age) goats. Coproscopical analyses showed a 100% prevalence and a moderate average intensity (7606.48 +/- 17918.78 Eimeria oocysts per gram of faeces), although wide variations were seen among herds and among individuals within each goat flock. Statistical analysis showed a strong age-related reduction in oocysts output in goats up to 4 years of age. The intensity of coccidial infections (young and adult goats, herds) was independent of the prevailing bioclimatic conditions. Heavier infections in young goats were found in bigger herds, whereas adult goats from these same big flocks (over 300 animals) showed the lowest oocyst output. Under our conditions, neither the female restocking rate nor the age structure seemed to play a significant role in the intensity of the Eimeria infections.     

Skin and plumage changes in domestic birds. II. Plumage changes]

The study describes plumage modifications and specific feather malformations, as related to the domestication process of different poultry species. The modifications include naked necks, leg feathering, frizzle feathering, silky feathering, fat quills, and feather abnormalities caused by behavioural hypertrophies. Most of these plumage modifications correspond to the breed standard for exhibition poultry fancy. However, they impair the normal function of these animals. The negative influences comprise disorders in social behaviour, loss of typical plumage functions and disabilities of normal mobility, as well as genetic defects and pathogenic predispositions.     

Plasma triglyceride concentration during intravenous infusions of propofol and Intralipid in sheep

Plasma triglyceride concentrations were measured in sheep given Intralipid or propofol, which is carried in a vehicle very similar to 10% Intralipid. A bolus dose was administered followed immediately by an infusion of the same agent for 2 h. In the animals that received propofol, the measured concentration increased by a mean amount of 3.39 mmol/l when the infusion rate was l ml/min (Group Pl) and by 7.13 mmol/l when it was 2 ml/min (Group P2). When 10% Intralipid was administered and infused at 1 ml/min (Group I10), the measured concentration increased only by 0.95 mmol/l. One hour after stopping the infusion, the excess of measured concentration over baseline had decreased in the Pl and I 10 groups to 0.52 and 0.13, respectively, of the corresponding maximum excess. The method adopted for measuring plasma triglycerides is widely used in hospitals; however, an incidental observation revealed that it is inappropriate in the presence of injections of propofol or Intralipid. Despite this, evidence and argument are presented to support the conclusion that, with propofol, plasma triglyceride concentrations increased more rapidly during the infusions and returned to baseline more slowly than with a corresponding amount of Intralipid.     

Die Wurzelentwicklung von Zuckerrübenpflanzen auf einem Sandlöß-Standort und ihre Bedeutung für die Stickstoffernährung

Root development of sugar beet plants on a sandy loess site with regard to nitrogen nutrition.
Root development of sugar beet plants in a sandy loess soil (Haplic Phaeozem) was observed from the early seedling stage up to harvest by measuring at first the greatest vertical and lateral extension of the root systems of single plants and later the rooting density of the whole plant stands (auger method, profile wall method).
During the seedling stage not only the subsoil, but also large parts of the topsoil between the plants remained unoccupied by the root systems. In this phase the greatest lateral extension of single roots reaches nearly the length of the greatest leaf of the plant. With the closure of the canopy the rooting density in the topsoil accounts to 1–2 cm cm⁻³.
In summer roots penetrate to a depth of 100–150 cm with rooting densities of 0.1 to 1 cm - cm⁻³. Thus, the plants gain not only access to water reserves, but sometimes meet remarkable amounts of nitrate which under the relatively dry conditions of the region tends to accumulate in 60–120 cm depth and – when taken up by the beet plants in the late stage of growth – affects crop quality negatively.