Low concentrations of zearalenone in diets of boars for a prolonged period of time

Thirty-two boars were fed diets containing 0, 3, 6 or 9 ppm zearalenone from 32 d of age up to 145 or 312 d of age. Rate of gain, feed intake and gain:feed were not significantly different among treatments. Feeding of diets containing 9 ppm zearalenone did not affect the libido in seven boars. There was a tendency for boars fed 9 ppm dietary zearalenone to produce lower total and gel free volumes of semen, with lower total motile sperm; however, only the percent motility of the sperm was reduced (P less than .05).     

COMPARISON OF ULTRASONOGRAPHIC AND RADIOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS OF CANINE PROSTATE DIMENSIONS

The purposes of this study were to: 1) compare prostatic dimensions measured on radiographic and ultrasonographic images and 2) compare a subjective radiographic assessment of prostate size with a previously-described objective method. Thirty-four male dogs undergoing investigation of prostatic disorders were used. Prostate length and depth were measured from ultrasonographic and radiographic images. A subjective assessment of prostate size ('small', 'normal', or 'enlarged') was made in 29 animals by one of the authors who was unaware of radiographic or ultrasonographic measurements. In addition, the distance from sacral promontory to the pubic brim was also measured. A prostate length or depth of >70% of this distance was defined as 'enlarged' and <70% as 'normal'. After the effects of magnification on radiographic measurements were eliminated, there were no significant differences between prostatic length measured by the two methods. However, a significant difference was obtained between prostatic depth measurements. The subjective assessment agreed with a previously described objective assessment of prostatic size in 21/29 dogs for prostate length but in only 12/29 for depth. Prostatic length varied from 46.6 to 116.4% (mean 75.7%) of the distance from the pubic brim to the sacral promontory. Prostatic depth varied from 33.0% to 94.6% (mean 59.7%) of the same distance. It is recommended that prostate length, rather than depth, be used when evaluating prostate size from lateral abdominal radiographs.     

Vertical distribution, size and composition of the weed seedbank under various tillage and herbicide treatments in a sequence of industrial crops

Investigations were conducted during the 2003, 2004 and 2005 growing seasons in northern Greece to evaluate effects of tillage regime (mouldboard plough, chisel plough and rotary tiller), cropping sequence (continuous cotton, cotton–sugar beet rotation and continuous tobacco) and herbicide treatment on weed seedbank dynamics. Amaranthus spp. and Portulaca oleracea were the most abundant species, ranging from 76% to 89% of total weed seeds found in 0–15 and 15–30 cm soil depths during the 3 years. With the mouldboard plough, 48% and 52% of the weed seedbank was found in the 0–15 and 15–30 cm soil horizons, while approximately 60% was concentrated in the upper 15 cm soil horizon for chisel plough and rotary tillage. Mouldboard ploughing significantly buried more Echinochloa crus‐galli seeds in the 15–30 cm soil horizon compared with the other tillage regimes. Total seedbank (0–30 cm) of P. oleracea was significantly reduced in cotton–sugar beet rotation compared with cotton and tobacco monocultures, while the opposite occurred for E. crus‐galli. Total seed densities of most annual broad‐leaved weed species (Amaranthus spp., P. oleracea, Solanum nigrum) and E. crus‐galli were lower in herbicide treated than in untreated plots. The results suggest that in light textured soils, conventional tillage with herbicide use gradually reduces seed density of small seeded weed species in the top 15 cm over several years. In contrast, crop rotation with the early established sugar beet favours spring‐germinating grass weed species, but also prevents establishment of summer‐germinating weed species by the early developing crop canopy.     

The vitamin A requirement and the vitamin A status of growing cattle. 1. Studies of calves

Five experiments with 18 to 36 male calves each of the black and white dairy cattle breed (age: 14-21 days, initial live weight: approximately 45 kg per animal) were carried out in order to investigate the influence of various vitamin A supply (0-80,000 IU per 100 kg LW and day) on dry matter intake and weight gain as well as the vitamin A status of liver and blood plasma over 84 days. The calves consumed a diet free of carotene and vitamin A consisting of milk replacer, concentrate and chopped wheat straw. The calves were fed in three experiments for a longer time in order to observe the further vitamin A depletion. Nine animals consumed an unsupplemented ration, nine other one got 10,000 IU vitamin A per 100 kg LW and day. Biopsies of liver and plasma samples were taken from 4 animals per group every four weeks. The various vitamin A supplementation did not significantly influence the dry matter intake (Mean: 1.67; 1.48 to 1.80 kg DM per animal and day) and the weight gain of calves (Mean: 702, 599 to 770 g per animal and day). First vitamin A deficiency symptoms (reduced feed intake, decreased weight gain, diarrhoea etc.) were observed in animals of unsupplemented group after 100 days of experiments. After 84 days the vitamin A concentration of liver of animals of unsupplemented groups decreased to 1.3-32.2% compared with the begin of experiments (60.6-155.7 mumol/kg fresh matter). Up to 51% of initial concentration were found when 10,000 IU vitamin A per 100 kg LW and day were fed. About 25,000 IU vitamin A per 100 kg LW and day were required in order to keep the initial level of vitamin A concentration of liver. The plasma vitamin A concentration is unsuitable for estimation of vitamin A status of calves. The concentration of vitamin A of liver and plasma amounted to 114 mumol per kg and 0.25 mumol per litre at the begin of experiments. The vitamin A concentration of liver of unsupplemented group decreased to 20 mumol per kg, that of plasma increased to 0.28 mumol per 1 at the end. A strong vitamin A deficiency (liver concentration: less than 10 mumol/kg) may cause a decrease of vitamin A concentration of blood.     

Genetical relationships between reactions to bacterial leaf spot,yellow mosaic and Cercospora leaf spot diseases in mungbean (Vigna radiata)

Summary Studies on the inheritance pattern of bacterial leaf spot (BLS), yellow mosaic (YM) and Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) reactions in crosses of BLS and YM resistant/tolerant but CLS susceptible × CLS resistant but BLS and YM susceptible parents indicated that resistances to BLS and CLS were governed by single dominant genes, whereas YM tolerance was a monogenic recessive character. The studies also indicated that these three genes were inherited independently. The simple inheritance pattern and independent assortment of the genes governing resistance/tolerance to these diseases suggest that the usual breeding methods will be adequate to develop multi-disease resistant mungbean cultivars.Paper XII in the series Studies on resistance in crops to bacterial diseases in India.     

Simultaneous intramammary and intranasal inoculation of lactating cows with bovine herpesvirus 4 induce subclinical mastitis

In this study, we examined whether an experimental bovine herpesvirus 4 (BHV4) infection can induce bovine mastitis, or can enhance bovine mastitis induced by Streptococcus uberis (S. uberis). Four lactating cows were inoculated intramammarily and intranasally with BHV4, and four lactating control cows were mock-inoculated. After 14 days, two of four cows from each group were inoculated intramammarily with S. uberis. No clinical signs were recorded in cows inoculated only with BHV4, and their milk samples showed no abnormal morphology, despite the fact that BHV4 replicated in inoculated quarters. Somatic cell count increased significantly in milk from three of six BHV4-inoculated quarters, compared to the non-inoculated quarters of the same cows (within-cow) and the quarters of mock-inoculated cows (control group) on days 8, 9 and 11 post-inoculation (pi). BHV4 was isolated from nasal swabs between days 2 and 9 pi. Clinical mastitis was observed in all four cows intramammarily inoculated with S. uberis. A preceding BHV4 infection did not exacerbate the clinical mastitis induced by S. uberis. S. uberis infections appeared to trigger BHV4 replication. From one quarter of each of two cows inoculated with BHV4 and S. uberis, BHV4 was isolated, and not from quarters inoculated with BHV4 only. In conclusion, BHV4 did not induce bovine clinical mastitis after simultaneous intranasal and intramammary inoculation. However, the BHV4 infection did induce subclinical mastitis in 50% of the cows and the quarters.     

Phytoavailability of lead altered by two Pelargonium cultivars grown on contrasting lead-spiked soils

Purpose

This study assesses the potential of two contrasted fragrant Pelargonium cultivars to induce pH and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) changes in the soil solution, Pb speciation, and their subsequent effects on rhizosphere phytoavailable Pb.

Materials and methods

Rooted plantlets were grown in special devices, floating on aerated nutrient solution in PVC tanks. This setup allows roots to be physically separated, through a mesh, from a 3-mm soil matrix layer that can be considered as rhizosphere soil. Two contrasted soils, each spiked with Pb-rich particles, emitted from a battery recycling industry, were used at total burdens of 500 and 1500 mg Pb kg^?1 in addition to a control unspiked soil. Soil solution pH, phytoavailable Pb, DOC, Pb adsorption, precipitation on roots, and Pb phases in soil and plant were investigated.

Results and discussion

Attar of Roses (Attar) cultivar acidified its rhizosphere by 0.4 pH units in both spiked soils. Concolor Lace (Concolor) was unable to change soil solution pH on soil-1 and increased it by 0.7 units on soil 2. Concentrations of Pb in soil solution from Attar plants were always higher than those of Concolor ones. DOC contents of both unspiked soil-1 and soil-2 without plants were not significantly different. In the case of spiked samples, DOC contents in the rhizosphere soil were increased by three and two times for Attar and Concolor, respectively, compared to the unspiked soil without plant. Both cultivars were able to increase DOC contents, independent of soil type and level of contamination. Accumulation of Pb in shoots and roots was higher in Attar as compared to Concolor due to enhanced available Pb as a result of pH and DOC modifications of the rhizosphere soil. Significant amounts of Pb were adsorbed on roots of both cultivars. X-ray elemental analysis of precipitates on roots revealed the association of Pb with P in cylinder-like structures. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy revealed that Pb was present, to a major extent in the inorganic form, mainly as PbSO₄ in the soil, whereas it was complexed with organic species within plant tissues. The conversion of Pb into organic species could decrease toxicity, may enhance plant tolerance, and could increase translocation.

Conclusions

Plant-induced changes were responsible for the modification of lead phases within the soil. Immobile forms present in the source leaded particles as well as in the soils were converted into soluble species, ultimately improving the phytoavailable or soil solubilized Pb.

     

Systemic and pulmonary antibody responses of calves to Pasteurella haemolytica after intrapulmonary inoculation.

Systemic and pulmonary antibody responses of calves to Pasteurella haemolytica were evaluated by measuring immunoglobulin production in blood for 9 days and in pulmonary lavage fluid for 7 days after intrapulmonary inoculation. Clinical signs, pulmonary lesions, pulmonary and systemic inflammatory response, and amount of antigen in lavage fluid were used to evaluate the response of calves to challenge with P haemolytica. The pulmonary response consisted of production of IgG, IgE, and IgM antibodies to P haemolytica antigens and a 17- to 68-fold increase of cells in lavage fluid 8 hours after inoculation, with a gradual decrease toward normal. Antibodies of the IgM isotype to P haemolytica were demonstrated as early as 8 hours through 7 days after inoculation in 3 of 3 calves. Of the anti-P haemolytica isotypes, IgM was found in the highest concentration. In all of the inoculated calves, IgE was found 1 to 2 days after inoculation, and IgG was found in 2 of 3 inoculated calves from day 1 through 7 after inoculation. Detection of IgG correlated with smaller pulmonary lesions. Immunoglobulin A was not detected in lavage fluid. Serum was evaluated for IgG and IgM antibody response to P haemolytica. Specific IgM was detectable 5 days after inoculation, and IgG was detectable 7 days after inoculation. Pasteurella haemolytica antigens were not detected in serum or plasma. A transient increase in neutrophil count was found 8 hours after inoculation, with return to baseline values by 24 hours after inoculation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Fat feeding increases equine heparin-released lipoprotein lipase activity

The aim of this study was to establish the dose-response relationship between fat intake and heparin-released plasma lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in horses. Eight mature trotters were fed 4 rations with different fat levels (3.0, 5.0, 7.7, or 10.8% fat in the dry matter) according to a 4 X 4 Latin square design. The experimental rations consisted of hay and different concentrates; the concentrates and hay were given in a 3:1 ratio on an energy basis. Soybean oil was added to the concentrates at the expense of isoenergetic amounts of glucose. Blood samples were taken at the end of each dietary period, which lasted 3 weeks. Fat feeding was found to increase heparin-released plasma LPL activity in a dose-dependent fashion. When the data from this study and previous studies were combined it was calculated that an increase in fat intake by 1 g/kg dry matter is associated with an increase in LPL activity by 0.98 micromol fatty acid released-mL(-1) x h(-1). Fat feeding raised the plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and phospholipids. Diet did not have a statistically significant effect on plasma triacylglycerol concentrations. The results are discussed in the light of the possible enhancing effect of fat feeding on the oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle.     

Antibody-induced internalization of viral glycoproteins in pseudorabies virus-infected monocytes and role of the cytoskeleton: a confocal study

Addition of pseudorabies virus (PrV)-specific polyclonal immunoglobulins to PrV-infected monocytes induces internalization of plasma membrane anchored viral glycoproteins. This process may interfere with antibody-dependent cell lysis and resembles the well-studied physiological endocytosis process. A confocal study was designed to investigate whether the major cellular components, involved in physiological endocytosis (clathrin, actin, dynein and microtubules), play a role in this virological internalization process. In order to visualize the interaction of endosomes, which contain the internalized viral glycoproteins, with clathrin, actin, dynein and microtubules, a double labeling of viral glycoproteins and different cellular proteins was performed. Porcine monocytes were inoculated with the PrV-strain 89V87 at a multiplicity of infection of 50 for 13h. After the addition of FITC-labeled porcine polyclonal PrV-specific antibodies, cells were fixed with para-formaldehyde at different time points and afterwards permeabilized. The different cellular components were visualized with monoclonal antibodies and a Texas Red-conjugate, with the exception of actin, which was stained with phalloidin-Texas Red. The cells were analyzed by confocal microscopy. A clear co-localization was observed between the viral glycoproteins and clathrin and dynein during the internalization process. The microtubules were in close contact with the internalized vesicles. For actin no co-localization could be observed. It can be stated that clathrin, dynein and microtubules, important components during physiological endocytosis, are also of importance during the antibody-induced internalization of viral glycoproteins.