Prevention of infectious diseases in aquaculture

Infectious diseases remain one of the most important limitations to the successful propagation of aquatic animals. Most of the losses caused by pathogens in aquaculture could be prevented by health inspection, adequate environment and sound management practices. Effective control measures, mainly based upon 1) avoidance of pathogens 2) modification of the environment 3) improvement of host resistance 4) vaccination and 5) chemoprophylaxis are described.     

Enhancement of tetrathiomolybdate-induced copper excretion in bile of sheep by the alpha 2-agonistic action of xylazine

The effect of intravenous doses of cortisol and xylazine on the quantity of copper excreted in response to 100 and 200 mg doses of tetrathiomolybdate (TTM) was studied in seven sheep. Cortisol alone produced a non-significant 1.4-fold increase and had no enhancing action on the response to TTM. Xylazine produced a significant 2.25-fold increase, doubled the quantity of copper excreted in response to both doses of TTM and reduced bile flow by approximately 35 per cent. The alpha 2 antagonist, idazoxan, prevented both the latter effects showing that they were due to xylazine's alpha 2-agonistic action. It is suggested that the combination of an alpha 2-agonist with the intravenous injection of TTM in the treatment of acute copper toxicity in sheep could reduced by 50 per cent the amount of molybdenum needed.     

Light and electron microscopy of keratinization in the laminar epidermis of the equine hoof with reference to laminitis

The laminar epidermis (epidermis parietis) of hooves from 14 clinically normal horses, 6 months to 15 years old, was examined by light and electron microscopy and immunofluorescence to measure the contributions of this region to the formation of the hoof wall. By their progressive keratinization to form primary epidermal laminae, the secondary epidermal laminae ultimately contributed about 20% of the thickness of the hoof wall (as revealed in the white line [zona alba]). The keratinized, primary epidermal laminae were developed to a height of 4 mm during their proximodistal-course, much of this obscured because of their basal portion being embedded in the cap horn epidermis. From evaluation of structural changes accompanying keratinogenesis in the cell and determination of the contribution of the laminar epidermis to the formation of laminar horn, cap horn, connecting horn, terminal horn, and the white line, we concluded that the sterile bed concept of a nongerminative role for the secondary epidermal laminae is no longer tenable.     

Hemagglutination and hemagglutination inhibition of turkey red blood cells with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

The ability of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae to agglutinate RBC was evaluated to develop an in vitro cytadsorption assay. Using swine RBC in a microtitration hemagglutination test, no agglutination or partial agglutination was detected. Comparison of RBC from various other species indicated that improved hemagglutination was obtained with RBC from turkeys. This hemagglutination was detected only when mycoplasma cells used in the assay had been frozen and thawed, heated at 50 C for 30 minutes, or treated with trypsin. Treatment of RBC with trypsin or neuraminidase enhanced hemagglutination. Possible surface lectin activity in M hyopneumoniae was evaluated by use of carbohydrates in a blocking assay; hemagglutination was not inhibited by any of 13 carbohydrates evaluated. Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae convalescent porcine serum and monoclonal antibodies against 2 M hyopneumoniae immunogens of molecular weights of 64,000 and 41,000 inhibited hemagglutination.     

Cupric oxide needles for grazing cattle consuming low-copper, high-molybdenum forage and high-sulfate water

Oxidized copper wire, commonly referred to as copper oxide needles (CuON), was evaluated using purebred Hereford cows and their calves. Thirty-seven cows were allocated to Cu treatments of 0, 25 or 50 g CuON (79.9% Cu in CuON) with 12, 12 and 13 cows per treatment, respectively; calves within cow treatments were allocated to treatment of 0 and 20 g CuON. Single oral doses of CuON were given at the start of a grazing trial that lasted 92 d. Cows and calves were weighed and blood samples were taken on d 0, 28, 63 and 92; liver biopsies were taken on d 0, 28 and 92 of the grazing trial. Cattle were consuming grass forage with mean concentrations on d 0, 28, 63 and 92 of the grazing trial ranging from 1.6 to 5.5 mg/kg DM for Cu, 2.5 to 5.5 mg/kg DM for Mo and 1.3 to 1.5 g/kg DM for total S. The water consumed by cattle contained 947 mg sulfate per liter (SE = 13.2, n = 4). Body weight of cows and calves was not influenced (P greater than .05) by CuON. Liver Cu was higher (P less than .01) in treated cows and calves but was not different (P greater than .05) between cows dosed with 25 or 50 g CuON. Treatment of cows and calves with CuON had no influence (P greater than .05) on the concentration of Fe or Mo in liver or plasma, the concentration of Cu and ceruloplasmin activity in plasma, or the concentration of Zn in liver. Plasma Zn did not differ (P greater than .05) in cows, but it was higher (P less than .05) in the calves suckling cows treated with CuON. It was concluded that dosing cows and calves with CuON resulted in a higher Cu content of liver but did not adversely influence the metabolism of Fe or Zn or modify the concentration of Mo in the plasma or liver of cows or calves.     

Ionophores alter hepatic concentrations of intermediary carbohydrate metabolites in steers

The effects of ionophores on liver weight and function were determined in finishing steers (n = 24; avg weight 440 kg). Steers were group-fed one of three treatments (control, lasalocid or monensin at 33 mg/kg feed) for 46 d prior to slaughter. Three days prior to slaughter, blood was collected for the determination of serum Ca and Mg. At slaughter, the liver was removed, weighed, sampled, frozen in liquid nitrogen and subsequently analyzed for concentrations of carbohydrate metabolites and minerals. Liver weight (5.9 kg) was unaffected by treatment. Serum and hepatic Ca and Mg were not affected by ionophore treatment. Hepatic glycogen levels in steers fed ionophores were unaffected by treatment. Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate was 21% lower (P less than .10) in hepatic tissue of steers fed ionophores, whereas dihydroxyacetone phosphate was 15 to 37% greater in hepatic tissue of steers fed monensin (P less than .20) or lasalocid (P less than .10). Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate was elevated more extensively by lasalocid than by monensin with increases of 72 (P less than .05) and 132% (P less than .001), respectively, over controls. Glycerol 3-phosphate levels were 37% (P less than .05) and 12% (NS) greater with these ionophores. Hepatic levels of pyruvate were elevated 12 (NS) to 36% (P less than .17) for monensin and lasalocid. Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels were 25% lower (P less than .25) in hepatic tissue of steers fed ionophores than in hepatic tissue from control steers. Other metabolites of carbohydrate metabolism in hepatic tissue were not altered appreciably. Changes in levels of intermediary metabolites of carbohydrate metabolism suggest alterations in hepatic carbohydrate metabolism favoring gluconeogenesis in steers fed ionophores.     

Scanning electron microscopic studies of the kidney glomerulus of Pudu pudu (Molina, 1782), and a comparison with that of cattle, goats, sheep and angora rabbits

The kidney's microvascularization of the Pudu pudu is mostly similar to that of domestic animals. The renal parenchymatous arteries do not give off capsular branches. The majority of the Pudu pudu's glomerula shows spherical shape. Glomerula next to the medulla have a diameter which is an average of 25 microns larger than the diameter of those situated more peripherally. Their volume is comparable to that of the angora rabbit. The capillaries form anastomosis in the inner and outer part of the glomerulus.     

Effects of fenbendazole administration on hematology, clinical chemistries and selected hormones in the white Pekin duck

The effects of single i.v. and p.o. doses (5 mg/kg) of fenbendazole, were evaluated on thyroxine, tri-iodothyronine, corticosterone, hematology, clinical chemistries, and serum proteins in 10 white Pekin ducks. Fenbendazole was administered i.v. (n = 5) as a 3% dimethyl sulfoxide solution and p.o. (n = 5) as a 10% commercial suspension. Serum enzyme concentrations, total protein and protein fractions, glucose, cholesterol, uric acid, sodium, and potassium were unchanged from baseline values. Serum triglycerides decreased consistently in the i.v.-treated group but remained unchanged in the p.o.-treated group. Serum chloride was consistently elevated above baseline values for both i.v.- and p.o.-treated ducks, while inorganic phosphate was consistently decreased only in the i.v.-treated group. Hemoglobin and hematocrit values generally were below baseline values. Leukocyte values varied considerably and were not significantly different from baseline values. Serum thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine values in both the i.v.- and p.o.-treated groups were not changed significantly from baseline values. Serum corticosterone values were not changed in the i.v.-treated groups but they were decreased at various times in the p.o.-treated group. Although there were some sporadic significant changes in the parameters measured versus baseline values all values remained within the physiologic limits for ducks. The safety of fenbendazole has been previously demonstrated for several species.