A simple in vitro test tube method for estimating the bioavailability of phosphorus in feed ingredients for swine

A simplified in vitro test tube (TT) method was developed to estimate the percentage of available P in feed ingredients for swine. The entire digestion procedure with the TT method consists of three consecutive enzymatic digestions carried out in a 50-mL conical test tube: (1) Pre-digestion with endo-xylanase and beta-glucanase for 1 h, (2) peptic digestion for 2 h, and (3) pancreatic digestion for 2 or 4 h. The TT method is simpler and much easier to perform compared to the dialysis tubing (DT) method, because dialysis tubing is not used. Reducing sample size from 1.0 to 0.25 g for the TT method improved results. In conclusion, the accuracy and validity of the TT method is equal to that of our more complicated DT method (r = 0.97, P < 0.001), designed to mimic the digestive system of swine, for estimating the availability of P in plant-origin feed ingredients.     

Fecal steroid analysis for evaluating ovarian function in the greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) and lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis)

Seasonal reproductive-endocrine norms have not been described for the genus Tragelaphus, which consists of seven species of African antelope. Longitudinal patterns of progesterone metabolite excretion were assessed by radioimmunoassays in fecal samples collected noninvasively (three to seven samples per week) from greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros, n = 4) and lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis, n = 4). Progesterone metabolite excretion patterns revealed seasonal estrous cycles in both species, and discrimination of pregnant versus nonpregnant females was achieved in lesser kudu. These data reveal the value of fecal progesterone metabolites for establishing reproductive-endocrine norms in both zoo-maintained and free-living antelopes of the genus Tragelaphus.     

Direct observations of structural phase transitions in planar crystallized ion plasmas

Laser-cooled 9Be+ ions confined in two-dimensionally extended lattice planes were directly observed, and the images were used to characterize the structural phases of the ions. Five different stable crystalline phases were observed, and the energetically favored structure could be sensitively tuned by changing the areal density of the confined ions. The experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions for the planar (infinite in two dimensions) one-component plasma. Qualitatively similar structural phase transitions occur, or are predicted to occur, in other experimentally realizable planar systems.     

Comparison of growth performance and zinc absorption, retention, and excretion in weanling pigs fed diets supplemented with zinc-polysaccharide or zinc oxide

Fifty weanling crossbred pigs averaging 6.2 kg of initial BW and 21 d of age were used in a 5-wk experiment to evaluate lower dietary concentrations of an organic source of Zn as a Zn-polysaccharide (Zn-PS) compared with 2,000 ppm of inorganic Zn as ZnO, with growth performance, plasma concentrations of Zn and Cu, and Zn and Cu balance as the criteria. The pigs were fed individually in metabolism crates, and Zn and Cu balance were measured on individual pigs (10 replications per treatment) from d 22 to 26. The basal Phase 1 (d 0 to 14) and Phase 2 (d 14 to 35) diets contained 125 or 100 ppm added Zn as Zn sulfate, respectively, and met all nutrient requirements. Treatments were the basal Phase 1 and 2 diets supplemented with 0, 150, 300, or 450 ppm of Zn as Zn-PS or 2,000 ppm Zn as ZnO. Blood samples were collected from all pigs on d 7, 14, and 28. For pigs fed increasing Zn as Zn-PS, there were no linear or quadratic responses (P > or = 0.16) in ADG, ADFI, or G:F for Phases 1 or 2 or overall. For single degree of freedom treatment comparisons, Phase 1 ADG and G:F were greater (P < or = 0.05) for pigs fed 2,000 ppm Zn as ZnO than for pigs fed the control diet or the diet containing 150 ppm Zn as Zn-PS. For Phase 2 and overall, ADG and G:F for pigs fed the diets containing 300 or 450 ppm of Zn as Zn-PS did not differ (P > or = 0.29) from pigs fed the diet containing ZnO. Pigs fed the diet containing ZnO also had a greater Phase 2 (P < or = 0.10) and overall (P < or = 0.05) ADG and G:F than pigs fed the control diet. There were no differences (P > or = 0.46) in ADFI for any planned comparison. There were linear increases (P < 0.001) in the Zn excreted (mg/d) with increasing dietary Zn-PS. Pigs fed the diet containing ZnO absorbed, retained, and excreted more Zn (P < 0.001) than pigs fed the control diet or any of the diets containing Zn-PS. In conclusion, Phase 2 and overall growth performance by pigs fed diets containing 300 or 450 ppm Zn as Zn-PS did not differ from that of pigs fed 2,000 ppm Zn as ZnO; however, feeding 300 ppm Zn as Zn-PS decreased Zn excretion by 76% compared with feeding 2,000 ppm Zn as ZnO.     

Targeting the detection of chronic wasting disease using the hunter harvest during early phases of an outbreak in Saskatchewan, Canada

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal disease of North American cervids that was first detected in a wild, hunter-shot deer in Saskatchewan along the border with Alberta in Canada in 2000. Spatially explicit models for assessing factors affecting disease detection are needed to guide surveillance and control programs. Spatio-temporal patterns in CWD prevalence can be complicated by variation in individual infection probability and sampling biases. We assessed hunter harvest data of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) during the early phases of an outbreak in Saskatchewan (i.e., 2002-2007) for targeting the detection of CWD by defining (1) where to look, and (2) how much effort to use. First, we accounted for known demographic heterogeneities in infection to model the probability, P(E), that a harvested deer was infected with CWD given characteristics of the harvest location. Second, in areas where infected deer were harvested we modelled the probability, P(D), of the hunter harvest re-detecting CWD within sample units of varying size (9-54 km(2)) given the demographics of harvested deer and time since first detection in the study area. Heterogeneities in host infection were consistent with those reported elsewhere: mule deer 3.7 times >white-tailed deer, males 1.8 times>females, and quadratically related to age in both sexes. P(E) increased with number of years since the first detection in our study area (2002) and proximity to known disease sources, and also varied with distance to the South Saskatchewan River and small creek drainages, terrain ruggedness, and extent of agriculture lands within a 3 km radius of the harvest. The majority (75%) of new CWD-positive deer from our sample were found within 20 km of infected deer harvested in the previous year, while approximately 10% were greater than 40 km. P(D) modelled at 18 km(2) was best supported, but for all scales, P(D) depended on the number of harvested deer and time since the first infected deer was harvested. Within an 18 km(2) sampling unit, there was an 80% probability of detecting a CWD-positive deer with 16 harvested deer five years after the initial infected harvest. Identifying where and how much to sample to detect CWD can improve targeted surveillance programs early in the outbreak of the disease when based on hunter harvest.     

A Single Sea Lamprey Attack Causes Acute Anemia and Mortality in Lake Sturgeon

Abstract

The effects of sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus parasitism on hematological variables have not been quantified for lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens. Our study objectives were to (1) assess changes in lake sturgeon hematology immediately after a single sea lamprey attack and after a 2-week recovery period and (2) assess changes in the histological condition of major hematopoietic organs. Lake sturgeon from four size-groups (470–570, 570–650, 650–760, and 950–1,500 mm fork length) were individually subjected to a sea lamprey attack in a series of 55 experimental trials. Survival of lake sturgeon after a single sea lamprey attack was size dependent, with fish in smaller size-groups exhibiting higher direct and indirect mortality than individuals in larger size-classes. The most sensitive blood chemistry variable was hematocrit: each 1% decline in hematocrit resulted in a 5.1% increase in mortality risk. Other important variables were plasma protein level, with a 10-g/dL decline resulting in a 4.2% increase in mortality risk; and hemoglobin, with a 1-g/dL decline resulting in a 2.9% increase in mortality risk. Most of the surviving lake sturgeon were unable to restore hemoglobin, hematocrit, and plasma protein to pre-attack levels by the end of the 2-week recovery period. We developed an index of histological spleen condition, which indicated that short-duration (<5-d) sea lamprey attachments depleted red blood cell reserves faster than longer-duration attacks. Our study results indicate that sea lamprey parasitism has the potential to induce acute anemia in lake sturgeon and that nonlethal attacks on smaller (<760-mm) fish can have serious physiological implications.

Received August 3, 2011; accepted February 2, 2012.     

Multi-attribute evaluation of landscape-level fuel management to reduce wildfire risk

This paper provides an example of the practical application of multi-attribute trade-off analysis (MATA) to wildfire management. The MATA approach supports more informed decision-making because it exposes important trade-offs among competing management objectives (requiring value-based choices), helps guide and structure necessary technical judgements, explicitly represents uncertainty (i.e., not just expected outcomes but risk profiles around outcomes) and addresses temporal trade-offs. MATA promotes critical thinking about what analysis is required for decision-making. A MATA approach can be applied for all types of forest and fire management decisions. In this paper, we provide a sample application of MATA to an evaluation of landscape-level fuel treatments for managing wildfire risk. The study area is located in southeastern British Columbia, Canada where historical fire suppression policies and expanding development in wildland urban interface areas have resulted in an increase in both the probability and the consequences of stand replacement fires. We specify management objectives and develop measurable attributes for fire management costs, timber supply, property damage, landscape-level biodiversity, local air quality and climate change. We then simulate the effects on these attributes of four alternative fuel management strategies that include combinations of mechanical treatments and prescribed burning over a 100-year period. The evaluation illustrates the key features of MATA while highlighting the benefits and challenges of implementing the approach.     

Spawning movements of humpback whitefish in interior Alaska rivers

This study was conducted to describe the spawning movements and identify spawning areas for humpback whitefish Coregonus pidschian in the Minto Flats–Chatanika River complex, Alaska, during 2008 and 2009. Radio transmitters were surgically implanted in humpback whitefish in 2008 (N = 60) and 2009 (N = 100), and fish positions were determined through a combination of boat and aerial surveys and fixed receiving stations. Two spawning areas were identified: one in the Chatanika River downstream of the Elliot Highway Bridge and the other in the Tanana River near Fairbanks. Humpback whitefish dispersed from the wetland complex of Minto Flats in June, moved upstream through late August, arrived at the spawning areas in early September and began moving downstream in early October. In 2009, spatially segregated movements were observed when approximately 40% of the radio‐tagged humpback whitefish moved to the Tanana River, suggesting that humpback whitefish in Minto Flats are comprised of mixed spawning stocks. These study results provide a complete account of humpback whitefish movements and their associated spawning habitats, which will allow for better‐informed management strategies.