Comparison of grazing behaviour, dietary overlap and performance in non-lactating domestic ruminants grazing on marginal heathland areas

During the years 2000–2001, 7 non-lactating beef cows, 40 ewes and 40 does were managed in mixed grazing on a natural heathland vegetation plot (22 ha) with 20% improved pasture (perennial ryegrass) on a hill (1000 m a.s.l.) experimental farm located in the NW of Spain. Samples of faeces and vegetation components were collected monthly to estimate diet selection, using the alkane markers, and diet overlapping level. Animals were weighed monthly to quantify live weight changes and performance of the three livestock species during different periods (spring, summer, autumn, winter) of the grazing season.

The percentage of shrubs in the diet was significantly higher in the small ruminants (ranging between 36% and 85%) than in cows (less than 25%) in any period. Gorse (Ulex gallii) and heather (Erica spp., Calluna) percentages were always significantly higher in does than in ewes, except in autumn for heather. Herbaceous component (namely grasses) was higher in cattle (75–99%) than in small ruminants (15–64%). The lowest mean dietary overlap was found between cattle and goats (50.4%), with large differences during the grazing season, ranging between 20% and 70%.

The three animal species increased their live weight in the first grazing period (spring), when the mean sward height on the improved area was higher than 6.0 cm. However, when the sward height was lower than 3.5 cm (summer–winter), cows lost weight (− 437 g/day) while ewes and goats were still able to increase their weight (29 and 5 g/day, respectively).

Therefore, it seems that small ruminants, mainly sheep, are more suitable than cattle from the vegetation utilization and animal performance points of view, as cows were unable to maintain live weight when the preferred grass availability decreases. Goats were the species that included the highest proportion of heathland vegetation components in the diet, especially gorse, although their performance was significantly lower than in sheep. In consequence, small ruminant production systems could be more sustainable than cattle. The results indicate that mixed grazing of sheep and goats could be appropriate in these vegetation communities, allowing the development of sustainable systems, in which animal performance and the efficiency of resource use are maximized.     

Control of Blue Mold of Apples by Preharvest Application of Candida sake Grown in Media with Different Water Activity

ABSTRACT Unmodified and low water activity (a(w))-tolerant cells of Candida sake CPA-1 applied before harvest were compared for ability to control blue mold of apples ('Golden Delicious') caused by Penicillium expansum under commercial storage conditions. The population dynamics of strain CPA-1 on apples were studied in the orchard and during storage following application of 3 x 10(6) CFU/ml of each treatment 2 days prior to harvest. In the field, the population size of the unmodified treatment remained relatively unchanged, while the population size of the low-a(w)-modified CPA-1 cells increased. During cold storage, the populations in both treatments increased from 10(3) to 10(5) CFU/g of apple after 30 days, and then declined to about 2.5 x 10(4) CFU/g of apple. In laboratory studies, the low-a(w)-tolerant cells provided significantly better disease control as compared with the unmodified cells and reduced the number of infected wounds and lesion size by 75 and 90%, respectively, as compared with the non-treated controls. After 4 months in cold storage, both unmodified and low-a(w)-tolerant cells of C. sake were equally effective against P. expansum on apple (>50% reduction in size of infected wounds).     

Examination of the thoracic cavity and lung lobectomy by means of thoracoscopy in dogs.

The feasibility of thoracoscopy for viewing the chest cavity and performing pulmonary lobectomy was assessed in 8 mongrel dogs. Previously, selective intubation had been performed in another group of dogs (n = 8) in order to monitor respiratory physiology and assess its safety. Each hemithorax was intubated using a double-barrelled endotracheal tube with one barrel placed in the left main bronchus and the other in the bifurcation of the trachea. The thoracoscope was introduced through a cannula inserted through a 2-cm incision at the ventral third of the left 5th intercostal space. The cranial, dorsal, and caudal surfaces of the pleura, lobes of the left lung, and the mediastinum were examined. A 2nd cannula was located in the dorsal 3rd of the 5th intercostal space with a prior incision and used for the introduction of forceps to separate the viscera. To biopsy, a 3rd cannula was inserted at the dorsal third of the 8th intercostal space with a prior incision, through which a 12-mm diameter stapler was introduced. Should a lobectomy be necessary, a 4th cannula is located in the middle third of the 4th intercostal space. Excision of the left caudal pulmonary lobe was performed through the incision made for the 12-mm diameter cannula (8th intercostal space); a twisting movement facilitated removal. Thoracoscopy is a procedure that can be used in dogs and is particularly suitable for examination, collection of biopsy specimens, and even lung lobectomies.     

Purification and characterization of a protease from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1, an antigen common to all the serotypes.

A high molecular-mass proteolytic enzyme of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1, was purified from culture supernatants (CSN) by using DEAE-cellulose and sepharose-4B-gelatin chromatography. In 10% SDS-polyacrylamide gels copolymerized with porcine gelatin, the protease showed a single band of activity of > 200 kDa. However, minor molecular-mass proteolytic bands were observed when the protease was electrophoresed in the presence of either 5% beta-mercaptoethanol, 50 mM dithiothreitol, or 0.25 M urea. Furthermore, when the > 200-kDa purified protein was passed through a sucrose gradient, several bands with proteolytic activity were found: 62, 90, 190, and 540 kDa. The proteolytic activity was increased in the presence of calcium or zinc and was not affected after being heated at 90 degrees C for 5 min. Proteolytic activities were also observed in CSN from all A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes and biotypes. The purified protease hydrolyzed porcine IgA and IgG in vitro. In addition, by immunoblot the protease was recognized by serum of naturally infected pigs with serotypes 1 and 5, and by serum of pigs experimentally infected with serotypes 1, 2, 8, or 9. Serum of a pig vaccinated with CSN of a serotype 3 strain also recognized the protease, but not sera of pigs vaccinated with a bacterin (serotype 1). Proteins from CSN of all the serotypes, which were precipitated with 70% (NH4)2SO4, were recognized by a polyclonal antibody raised against the purified protease. Taken together these results indicate that an antigenic protease is produced in vivo by all the serotypes of A. pleuropneumoniae. The results indicate that proteases could have a role in the disease and in the immune response of pigs infected with A. pleuropneumoniae.     

Pulmonary pharmacokinetics of tulathromycin in swine. Part I: Lung homogenate in healthy pigs and pigs challenged intratracheally with lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli

The objective of the study was to assess the pharmacokinetics of tulathromycin in lung tissue homogenate (LT) and plasma from healthy and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐challenged pigs. Clinically healthy pigs were allocated to two dosing groups of 36 animals each (group 1 and 2). All animals were treated with tulathromycin (2.5 mg/kg). Animals in group 2 were also challenged intratracheally with LPS from Escherichia coli (LPS‐Ec) 3 h prior to tulathromycin administration. Blood and LT samples were collected from all animals during 17‐day post‐tulathromycin administration. For LT, one sample from the middle (ML) and caudal lobes (CL) was taken. The concentration of tulathromycin was significantly lower in the ML after the intratracheal administration of LPS‐E. coli (P < 0.02). In healthy pigs and LPS‐challenged animals, the distribution of the drug into the lungs was rapid and persisted at high levels for 17‐day postadministration. The distribution of the drug within the lung seems to be homogenous, at least between the middle and caudal lobes within dosing groups. The concentration versus time profile of the drug and pharmacokinetic parameters in two different lung areas (middle and caudal lobe) were consistent within the groups. The clinical significance of these findings is unknown.     

Avascular necrosis of the femoral heads in a red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens): possible Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.

A 17-mo-old captive-born female red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) presented with a sudden onset of lameness in its left hind leg was diagnosed radiographically as having possible severe, bilateral Legg-Calve-Perthes disease with fracture of the great trochanter of the left femur. Surgical repair of the fracture was performed using pins and a tension band wire through a lateral approach to the hip. This is the first case reported at Madrid Zoo-Aquarium, where 63 individuals have been bred over 15 yr.     

Comprehensive assessment of the quality of commercial cranberry products. Phenolic characterization and in vitro bioactivity

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) products have been widely recommended in traditional American medicine for the treatment of urinary tract infection (UTI). A total of 19 different commercial cranberry products from American and European markets have been analyzed by different global phenolic methods and by UPLC-DAD-ESI-TQ MS. In addition, in vitro antioxidant capacity and uropathogenic bacterial antiadhesion activity tests have been performed. Results revealed that products found in the market widely differed in their phenolic content and distribution, including products completely devoid of flavan-3-ols to highly purified ones, either in A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs) or in anthocyanins. The product presentation form and polyphenolic profile widely affected the antiadhesion activity, ranging from a negative (nulel) effect to a MIC = 0.5 mg/mL for cranberry powders and a MIC=112 mg/mL for gel capsule samples. Only 4 of 19 products would provide the recommended dose of intake of 36 mg total PACs/day. Of most importance was the fact that this dose would actually provide as low as 0.00 and up to 205 μg/g of procyanidin A2, indicating the lack of product standardization and incongruence between global and individual compound analysis.     

Multiple generalized follicular cysts in a stallion

This case report describes a case of multiple follicular cysts in a 4-year-old Spanish purebred stallion. The lesions ranged in size from 0.5 to 3 cm in diameter, and were firm, well circumscribed and nonpruritic. They developed over a 2-year period with a generalized distribution affecting all body regions. Five nodules were removed and histopathologically corresponded to simple epidermal cysts (infundibular and isthmus-catagen) with squamous epithelium and a keratin filled cavity. Lesions were not evident at birth but their number, early age of detection, slow growth and lack of previous trauma suggested that they were congenital. To the authors' knowledge, this condition has not previously been reported either in young horses or in Spanish purebred horses.