Ultrasonography of the teat canal in cows and sheep

When the isolated teat of a cow was examined with an 8.5 MHz linear array transducer in a vertical plane, the teat canal appeared as a thin, white line, bordered on each side by parallel, thick, grey-black bands. In a horizontal plane a comparable image was obtained. In a sheep, images of comparable quality were obtained with a 12 MHz transducer. Histological studies of the tissues whose removal led to the disappearance of this characteristic ultrasonographic appearance showed that it was associated with the stratified keratinised squamous epithelium with distinct papillae. The content of keratin in the stratum corneum was apparently responsible for the bright zone; the stratum lucidum was not visible, and the surrounding dark, less echoic area was associated with the stratum granulosum. Doppler echography in live animals confirmed this designation. The outer layers of the teat wall were more echogenic.     

Factors influencing the content of urea in the milk of ewes

In total records of 363 East Friesian breed of sheep and 15 Lacaunes from 15 flocks located in Lower Austria, Upper Austria and Styria were available to investigate the influences on milk urea content. In one flock different groups of ewes were fed with low, medium and high amounts of energy and protein, but constant protein and energy ratio. The milk urea levels exhibited to statistically significant differences but the tendency of the feeding effect could be confirmed. Additional parameters influencing the urea content of milk of ewes are: herd specific factors, stage of lactation, mastitis, preservation and different analytical methods. The content of urea in milk is not suitable for assessment of the energy/protein-ratio of ewes with mastitis problems. Due to the special composition of sheep milk it is important to take account of the analytical method for determination of urea. Thus milk urea of one flock should be evaluated but not of individual sheep. In spite of these influence factors the determination of milk urea is a valuable tool for assessment of the energy and protein intake.     

Dietary L-carnitine supplementation enhances the lipopolysaccharide-induced acute phase protein response in broiler chickens

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential effects of dietary L-carnitine supplementation on acute phase protein response upon a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge of male broiler chickens receiving a commercial broiler diet supplemented with 15 or 100 mg L-carnitine/kg or an unsupplemented (control) diet from 14 days of age onwards. At 28 days of age, eight chickens per dietary treatment were weighed and subcutaneously injected with 300 microg LPS from E. coli (100 microg LPS/ml saline) or 3 ml saline (unsupplemented group only). During the next 10 days, blood samples were taken repeatedly and analysed for their hemopexin (HX) and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) levels. Extra dietary L-carnitine did not affect broiler performance. At day 1 postinjection, plasma HX and AGP levels were significantly increased in all treatment groups. However, the elevations in circulating HX and AGP levels were more pronounced in the L-carnitine supplemented chickens, especially in the 100mg L-carnitine group. It is concluded that extra L-carnitine in the diet of broiler chickens enhances or advances the acute phase protein response. The exact mode of action needs to be elucidated but seems to be consistent with a glucocorticoid mimicking effect.     

The use biochemical and hepatic parameters to predict treatment outcome of dairy cows suffering from displacement of the abomasum

In this prospective study the impact of fatty liver and an impaired liver function on the treatment outcome of displacement of the abomasum (DA) was investigated. In a yearlong period, all cows suffering from DA submitted to the clinic were included in this study. All cows were clinically examined before surgery and a serum sample was taken to measure the following parameters: ASAT, bilirubin, urea. Liver biopsy was performed in all cows. Liver fat content was measured gravimetrically and concentrations of triglycerides were measured using a commercial test kit. Reposition of DA was done using the method by Dirksen. A total of 365 cows with DA entered the study, 326 (89.3%) suffered from LDA and 39 (10.7%) from RDA. RDA-cows had significantly (p = 0.002) more days in milk than LDA-cows. RDA-cows had significantly (p < 0.001) higher urea concentrations than LDA-cows. Bilirubin concentrations (p = 0.008) and liver fat content, triglyceride concentrations and the ratio of triglycerides to fat (TRI/FAT) (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in LDA-cows. The majority of LDA-cows showed at least a mild fatty liver. Comparing the cows with successful and failed treatment showed that ASAT-activity (p = 0.021), bilirubin concentration (p = 0.001), triglyceride concentration in liver and TRI/FAT (all p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the unsuccessfully treated cows. In RDA cows, significant differences between successfully and unsuccessfully treated cows were only seen in urea concentration (p = 0.004). ROC-analysis was performed to determine whether any parameter is suitable for a prediction of treatment outcome. In RDA-cows no threshold value was traceable for urea concentration. In LDA cows, TRI/FAT showed the best curve progression. The threshold value of 53.5 % had a sensitivity of 0.720 and a specificity of 0.700. LDA-cows exceeding this threshold had a 2.4 higher risk of an unsuccessful treatment. Due to the good overall treatment success (92.3 %) the positive predictive value for an unsuccessful or ineffective treatment was 0.368 only. The results of our study clearly show that impaired liver function plays an important role in the outcome of treatment of LDA but not RDA. In spite of this no laboratory parameter provides sufficient power to make a predictive statement of treatment outcome.     

Toxic effects seen in a herd of beef cattle following exposure to ash residues contaminated by lead and mercury

Lead poisoning was diagnosed in three cattle along with increased mercury levels in the liver and kidney tissues of two of these animals. The clinical signs were different in each case and included salivation, anorexia, delayed menace response, delayed withdrawal reflex, head pressing, localized muscle fasciculation, reduced tongue tone, ataxia, rumen atony and seizures. Blood lead concentration was increased in all three cases to 0.76, 0.37 and 0.454ppm. Post mortem changes characteristic of lead poisoning were only recognized in one case and included cerebro-cortical oedema, cortical neuronal necrosis and endothelial proliferation, especially at the tips of the cerebral gyri. The animals were poisoned by ingestion of lead-contaminated ash residues from a bonfire. The abnormal levels of mercury in the liver and kidney tissues of two animals may also be at least partly attributable to the intake of the metal in the ash residues. The levels of mercury in the three samples from the ash residue were relatively low (1.31, 0.7 and 2.1ppm).     

The risk to Myrtaceae of Austropuccinia psidii,myrtle rust,in Mexico

Austropuccinia psidii is a biotrophic rust fungus that affects species from the Myrtaceae family. In Mexico, Myrtaceae is widely distributed in temperate, tropical and semi‐arid ecosystems, and includes 20 genera and 192 endemic and exotic species. Austropuccinia psidii has been present in Mexico for the last four decades; however, little is known about the distribution of this rust or the vulnerability of native and exotic Myrtaceae to infection. In this study, we used global occurrence records for the pandemic biotype of myrtle rust to model its current and future suitable habitat using a species distribution model, Maxent. We identified regions that are highly suitable for myrtle rust establishment, now and in the future (2050). Additionally, we identified the Myrtaceae species known to be susceptible to rust infection and that are currently distributed in areas with high rust habitat suitability. Thirty‐six susceptible plant species and 142 untested species are distributed within areas of suitable rust habitat and are considered potentially at risk of rust infection. Current suitable habitat is mainly restricted to the east coast of Mexico, with Veracruz, Puebla, Chiapas, Tabasco and Oaxaca being the most vulnerable regions to the rust under current and future climates. We encourage monitoring within these regions by surveying locations where the rust occurs and within areas with high suitable habitat to determine the threat to native ecosystems and industries reliant on Myrtaceae. We also recommend screening to test the susceptibility of Myrtaceae species with no known susceptibility rating.