Glycolytic potential of red, soft, exudative pork longissimus muscle

Red, soft, exudative (RSE) pork is red as "normal" pork and exudative as PSE pork. The origin of RSE quality is unknown. In the present study, we determined whether the occurrence of RSE pork is related to the presence of the RN (Rendement Napole) gene. A glycolytic potential [= 2 x (glucose + glycogen + glucose-6-phosphate) + lactate] of > 180 micromol lactate/g of meat was used as indicator for presence of the RN gene. At 1 d postmortem, pork loin samples were collected at a commercial slaughter plant, and meat quality characteristics and glycolytic potential were determined. Glycolytic potential of RSE pork (n = 42) was higher (P < .01) than that of RFN (red, firm, nonexudative) pork (n = 25): 137 vs 110 micromol lactate/g of muscle. The glycolytic potential of PSE pork (n = 28) was 161 micromol lactate/g of muscle, which was higher (P < .01) than the glycolytic potential of RFN or RSE pork. Using a glycolytic potential of 180 micromol lactate/g of muscle as suggestive for the presence of the RN gene, four (10%) of the RSE samples were from RN carriers. By the same criterion, the PSE group contained nine (32%) RN gene carriers. These results suggest that the occurrence of RSE quality is not related to the presence of the RN gene.     

Use of phenytoin to treat digitalis-induced cardiac arrhythmias in a miniature Shetland pony

Two miniature Shetland ponies showing clinical signs of Digitalis purpurea (foxglove) poisoning were examined. One animal died shortly afterwards, but the second was treated successfully with the anti-arrhythmic agent, phenytoin, and was discharged after 16 days.     

Veterinary dental health science. 18. Chronic molar fistula in a lion: case discussion

In this case-report immobilization, examination and treatment of a lion (Panthera leo) with a chronic fistulation of a carnassial tooth are described.     

Rhinopneumonia or mycotoxin intoxication? Neurologic phenomena in horses from a riding school

In the course of several days most of the 40 riding-school horses turned out in paddocks developed ataxia of variable severity. Five of these horses showed severe ataxia and tremors, became paralyzed and were euthanized. Eleven privately-owned horses which were stabled on the same premises showed no clinical signs. The most likely diagnosis seemed to be the 'neurological form of EHV1', although the signs were not entirely typical. A few weeks later a second outbreak occurred among the riding-school horses and one of the privately-owned horses also showed signs of ataxia. In the meantime it had been shown that EHV1 titers in paired serum samples had not increased and that the cerebrospinal fluid of one of the severely affected horses was normal. Toxicological examination of hay, delivered just before the first outbreak and stored for the winter, showed a significantly increased concentration of lolitrem B mycotoxin (5-6 mg/kg). The hay appeared to have been made of ryegrass used for lawns and playing fields. Retrospectively it became probable that this hay occasionally been fed to the horses just before the onset of clinical problems. It is concluded that the horses showed the 'ryegrass-stagger syndrome'.     

Dynamics in the membrane organization of the mammalian sperm cell and functionality in fertilization

The capacitation process of sperm cells involves complex changes in the composition and orientation of molecules at the surface of the sperm cell. Here we focus on the lipid architecture in the sperm plasma membrane and demonstrate that the sperm plasma membrane is not static but is an extremely dynamic structure. Advanced fluoroscopic techniques enabled continuous monitoring of lipid organization in living cells and extremely rapid lipid movements were observed. The orientation of lipids in the sperm plasma membrane changed under capacitative treatments, was found to be sensitive for temperature and also changed upon binding of sperm cells to the zona pellucida. The changes in membrane properties coincided with an activation of protein kinases resulting in tyrosine phosphorylation of specific plasma membrane proteins. The detected membrane changes relate to intrinsic membrane properties such as fluidity, permeability, adhesiveness and fusibility. We think that these results may provide a physiological basis for new assays, able to discriminate between functional and non-physiological sperm cells.     

Litter Size and Vagina–cervix Catheter Penetration Length in Gilts

As in other species, the reproductive tract in pigs increases in size with age and body weight, and the development of the reproductive tract depends on a balance between development of the pituitary–ovarian axis and the influence of metabolic hormones. Two experiments were conducted in prepubertal Duroc gilts, 150–180 days of age, to determine whether litter size is related to vaginal–cervix catheter penetration length during insemination. In experiment 1, oestrus was induced in 452 gilts with a combined dose of 400 IU Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophine (PMSG) + 200 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The gilts were classified into three catheter penetration length groups: Ih, ≤ 21 cm; IIh, > 21 and < 28 cm; IIIh, > 28 cm. The litter size was lowest in group Ih (7.35 ± 0.15) compared with groups IIh (7.81 ± 0.12; p < 0.05) and IIIh (10.0 ± 0.36; p < 0.001). In experiment 2, first oestrus was induced in 162 gilts by boar exposure. The gilts were classified into three catheter penetration length groups at insemination during their second oestrus: In, ≤ 24 cm; IIn, > 24 and < 26 cm; IIIn, > 26 cm. As in experiment 1, the litter size was lowest in the group with the shortest catheter penetration length (8.32 ± 0.19). The litter size was not different among gilts of groups IIn and IIIn (8.84 ± 0.35 and 9.56 ± 0.46, respectively), but litter size was lower (p < 0.05) in group In than in group IIn. Based on the combined data from both experiments, the correlation between the catheter penetration length and total number of piglets born was expressed as: y=5.346 ± 0.104x; r=0.361 (p < 0.05). Fertility rate was not different among the groups of gilts induced into oestrus by hormone treatment or inseminated in the second oestrus; however, the total fertility rate of boar‐exposed gilts was higher (p < 0.0001) than PMSG/hCG treated animals. Thus, it is possible to conclude that litter size at first farrowing is associated with vaginal–cervix catheter penetration length during insemination of the gilt.     

Study of osteogenesis in adult sheep on a high and a low calcium ration by means of fluorescing bone markers

The rate of osteogenesis was studied in 8 non-pregnant, non-lactating Friesian dairy sheep, 3–6 years old, by means of a treatment with 3 different bone seeking agents. Four sheep were fed a low calcium ration (LCa : 1.8 g Ca/d) and four other sheep a high calcium ration (HCa : 12.7 g Ca/d). The bone markers, oxytetracycline-HCl, alizarine-complexon and demeclocycline-HCl, were administred at intervals of 6 weeks, and the sheep were killed 1 week after administration of the last marker. In undecalcified cross sections from the middle of ribs 2, 10 and 12, and from the proximal and distal parts of rib 10, the numbers of labelled osteons and the number of osteons with 1, 2 or 3 markers were counted under fluorescent microscopy.In the ribs of sheep from the LCa group, the number of labelled osteons and the quantity of labels per osteon tended to be higher than those of sheep from the HCa group. When osteogenic activity was compared in the different sites of ribs analysed, lowest osteogenic activity was observed in the proximal part of the 10th rib.The use of fluorescing markers offers the possibility of studying osteogenic activity over a certain period of time in adult sheep.     

Identification of several stilbene derivatives in bovine urine by means of high performance liquid chromatographic fractionation and immunochemical detection

Radioimmunochemical detection (RIA) following fractionation of urine extracts via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) turned out to be a very specific method for the identification of stilbene derivatives in bovine urine. Combination of the high resolution of the HPLC with a specific RIA is a suitable method to discriminate between the presence of different stilbene derivatives like diethylstilboestrol (DES), dienoestrol (DE) and hexoestrol (HEX) or other unknown compounds interfering in the celite-RIA used in the screening. Using this screening method 8200 samples of bovine urine were investigated on the presence of stilbene derivatives of which 133 were classified as 'positive'. In 106 'positive' urines the presence of DES was shown and in 19 'positive' urines the presence of DE or HEX, using the method described in this report whereas in 8 'positive' urines an unknown immunochemical active compound was detected. During 1.5 year of comparative investigation no qualitative discrepancies occurred between the results of the HPLC-immunogram procedure and the final confirmation by high resolution gas chromatography-mass spectometry (GCMS).     

Diagnosis of sharka (plum pox) by internal and external fruit symptoms

Depending upon the variety, fruits of plum trees infected with sharka virus may show grooves and pits, red bands and thin red rings and lines. The latter two types of symptom were only found on fruits that become orange, red or purple during ripening. On fruits of trees free from sharka virus these discolorations were never observed and therefore these symptoms are diagnostic for sharka virus. In several varieties the grooves and pits, previously thought to be the main symptom produced by sharka virus on plum fruits, were observed more or less frequently on fruits of trees free from sharka virus. Therefore, this symptom was unreliable for diagnosis of sharka virus under Dutch conditions.Inclusions were present in parenchyma cells of fruits of all varieties, when infected with sharka virus. They may be helpful for diagnosis when external symptoms are not conclusive.Samenvatting De diagnose van de sharkaziekte van de pruim is met behulp van de bladsymptomen goed mogelijk van begin juni tot ongeveer half juli. Daarna zijn de bladsymptomen bij de meeste rassen moeilijk of in het geheel niet meer te vinden. Daarom werd nagegaan in hoeverre vruchtsymptomen bruikbaar zijn voor een betrouwbare diagnose in de zomer.Op vruchten van met het sharkavirus geïnfecteerde bomen werden drie typen symptomen waargenomen (Tabel 1): 1. brede, rood- of paarsachtige bandvormige schilverkleuring, meestal aan een zijde scherp en aan de andere zijde diffuus begrensd (Plaat 2b en 4); 2. dunne, scherp begrensde rood- of paarsachtige lijntjes en kringetjes, vaak op de onderzijde van de vrucht (Plaat 5); 3. onregelmatige lijn- en putvormige inzinkingen, waaronder bruin necrotisch vruchtvles (Plaat 1b, 2b en 3b). Per vrucht kon meer dan een symptoomtype voorkomen. De symptomen verschenen pas 2–4 weken voor de rijping van de vruchten.Zowel de bandvormige verkleuringen als de dunne lijntjes en kringetjes werden waargenomen op vruchten van met het sharkavirus geïnfecteerde bomen van rassen met oranje, rode en paarse vruchten, doch niet op vruchten van rassen met gele of groene vruchten. Deze verkleuringen van de vruchtschil werden niet waargenomen op vruchten van niet mét het sharkavirus geïnfecteerde bomen (Tabel 1 en 2).De lijn- en putvormige inzikingen werden waargenomen op vruchten van verscheidene pruimerassen, zowel met als zonder het sharkavirus (Tabel 1 en 2; Plaat la en b, 2a en b en 3a en b). Bij een aantal rassen bleek dit pseudo-pox (inzinkingen op vruchten van bomen zónder het sharkavirus) vrij algemeen, zoals bij Warwickshire Drooper (Plaat la), Zoete Kwets (Plaat 3a) en incidenteel ook bij Victoria (Plaat 2a) en Early Prolific. De inzinkingen waren veelal alleen zichtbaar op de eerst rijpende vruchten, onafhankelijk van het voorkomen van het sharkavirus. Vruchten met dit symptoom vielen vaak vóór de rijping van de overige vruchten van de boom. De symptoomexpressie was op de vruchten van met het sharkavirus geïnfecteerde bomen vaak heviger dan op vruchten van niet met dit virus geïnfecteerde bomen, terwijl ook een groter aantal vruchten het sympttom toonden. Het is onmogelijk gebleken verschillen aan te geven tussen inzinkingen op vruchten van bomen die al dan niet met het sharkavirus waren geïnfecteerd. Alleen op vruchten van het ras Czar werden nooit inzinkingen gevonden.In de parenchymcellen van rijpende vruchten van sharkazieke bomen van alle onderzochte rassen werden voor het virus karakteristieke insluitsels gevonden. Deze insluitsels ontbraken in vruchten van niet met het sharkavirus geïnfecteerde bomen.Voor de diagnose van sharka kan dus bij rassen met oranje, rood of paars kleurende vruchten gebruik worden gemaakt van de beide typen schilverkleuring. Indien vruchten worden gevonden met inzinkingen, dan kan de aanwezigheid van het sharkavirus alleen worden vastgesteld op grond van andere symptomen op de vruchten en de bladeren, door insluitselonderzoek of door toetsing op indicatorplanten.