The effect of intermittent treatment with sulphadimidine on coccidiosis in preruminant calves

Preruminant calves excreted coccidia oocysts in their faeces after 3 weeks of group housing. Two weeks of oral sulphadimidine (SDM) administration, 50 mg/kg on the first day of treatment followed by daily administration of 37.5 mg/kg, under the same housing conditions kept the faeces free of oocysts. Three weeks later, these calves excreted oocysts again. Repetition of the same treatment for 2 weeks controlled the infection again, but a second treatment for 5 days did not suffice. The repeated long treatment affected immunoglobulin levels adversely. SDM given repeatedly at a lower dose rate (30 mg/kg) for 1-week periods with medication-free intervals of 1 week controlled the infection and no adverse effects were noted. In comparison with controls, weight gains were greater in treated calves.     

Problems of potato cyst nematode pathotypes in the Czech Republic

During 1983–1989 about 1,200 infested plots in the Czech republic were investigated for the occurrence of new pathotypes of the potato cyst nematodes (PCN) Globoderu rostochiensis and G. pallida. Only eight populations of the pest were suspected of containing another pathotype than Ro1. Glasshouse pot trials were performed with those eight natural populations, two populations of Ro1, 10 potato cultivars resistant to Ro1 and 10 cultivars resistant to more pathotypes, G. pallida included. The multiplication rates (Pf/Pi) showed that four of the PCN populations were probably mixtures, with pathotype Ro1 prevailing. Three populations were suspected of containing G. pallida , but their morphological characters corresponded only with G. rostochiensis. One population corresponded with pathotype Ro5. The extent of the occurrence of pathotypes or virulence groups different from Ro1 can be estimated at 0.3–0.4% of infested plots.     

Influence of irradiance on photosynthesis, morphology and growth of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) seedlings

The influence of shading intensity on growth, morphology and leaf gas exchange of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) seedlings was investigated over a 2-year period. Diurnal gas exchange studies revealed significantly higher carbon gain for leaves grown in 20 or 50% shade compared to leaves grown in 80% shade. Seedlings grown in 20 or 50% shade accumulated significantly more dry weight than seedlings grown in 80% shade during the 2-year study period. Seedlings grown in decreased shade showed decreased leaf size, increased leaf thickness, lower specific leaf area (SLA) and higher stomatal frequency. Less shaded seedlings also allocated relatively more dry matter to roots than shaded seedlings and exhibited a significant reduction in leaf area relative to total plant dry weight (leaf area ratio). Increased leaf number, enhanced branching and shorter internodes resulted in a more compact appearance of less shaded seedlings. Irrespective of light conditions, mangosteen seedlings exhibited inherently slow growth because of low photosynthetic rates per unit leaf area, low SLA, low leaf area ratios and inefficient root systems.     

Chemical quality impacts of tropical forest tree leaf litters on the growth and fecundity of soil Collembola

The growth performances of a soil microarthropod, Cyphoderus javanus Börner (Collembola: Hexapoda), were tested in microcosms on leaf litter of different tropical forest trees to compare their nutritional quality to detritivores. The macronutrient profile was more or less similar between the litter types, but the quantities of non-nutrients like polyphenols, tannins and lignins were notably higher in the litter of Acacia auriculiformis and Shorea robusta trees than in the litter of Cassia siamea and Dalbergia sissoo trees. A choice experiment showed persistently higher colonisation of Collembola on litter of Cassia and Dalbergia, which differed significantly from a trend of lower occurrence in Acacia and Shorea. The nutritional benefit of the litter types was compared by measuring levels of tissue carbohydrates, proteins and lipids in C. javanus. Analysis of data by t test showed that animals reared on Cassia and Dalbergia litters contained statistically significant higher concentrations of tissue carbohydrates and proteins than those fed on Acacia. But the differences with the animals fed on Shorea were not significant. In contrast, C. javanus registered significantly low levels of tissue lipids in Cassia and Dalbergia litters when compared to animals reared on Acacia and Shorea litters. The 2-way RM-ANOVA test revealed highly significant main effect of time intervals for tissue carbohydrates and proteins and highly significant main effect of litter types for tissue lipids. Benefits derived from litter quality on growth were seen from enhanced fecundity and higher rate of moulting of C. javanus reared on Dalbergia followed by Cassia, Acacia and Shorea in descending order. The higher reproductive rate on Dalbergia and Cassia probably resulted in decreased level of tissue lipids in animals. Growth parameters, namely tissue nutrients, fecundity and moulting were influenced by the chemical constituents of different litter types, and these qualities are potential indicators of the nutritional quality of litter to detritivores, and the ecological suitability of tree species for enhancing the biological activity in soil system.     

Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) dry matter allocation and partitioning under different nitrogen and density levels

Dry matter partitioning and allocation is a major determinant of plant growth and its competitiveness. Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is a troublesome agronomic weed species and it is also a major health concern in Europe and many other countries because of its rapid spreading and production of allergenic pollen. A field experiment was conducted in 2009 to determine the effect of nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 100, and 200 kg ha^?1) and plant density levels (1.3, 6.6, and 13.2 plants per m²) on the leaf, stem dry matter partitioning, and dry matter allocation of ragweed. With an increasing density, the stem partitioning coefficient increased, whereas the leaf partitioning coefficient decreased. The addition of nitrogen had a limited effect on the leaf and stem dry matter partitioning. The root dry matter production decreased with an increasing density and was not influenced by the addition of nitrogen. Under intraspecific competition, ragweed exhibited a stronger above‐ground competition intensity than below the ground, which resulted in a greater root : shoot ratio, compared to the low‐density stands. The level of nitrogen influenced the vertical leaf, stem, and total dry matter distribution, with a greater allocation to the top stratum of the plants, thus increasing their competition for light. The biomass allocation of ragweed to the roots in response to the nitrogen supply exhibited a low plasticity, compared to the shoots, which displayed a high plasticity. The results of this study suggested that, under intraspecific conditions and with an increasing nitrogen supply, ragweed would be more competitive in above‐ground resource acquisition.     

The effect of two different weaning procedures on the growth of pasture-reared Thoroughbred foals in New Zealand

AIM: To identify if there was a significant difference in the average daily liveweight gain (ADG) between Thoroughbred foals weaned using two weaning protocols commonly used in New Zealand.

METHODS: Sixteen Thoroughbred foals were blocked for sex and age, randomly allocated into progressive (187, SD 33 days; three colts, five fillies) or abrupt (182, SD 28 days; four colts, four fillies) weaning groups, and weighed every second day for 2 weeks either side of weaning, then fortnightly from birth to 480 (SD 31) days old. ADG was calculated to examine the short-term (10 days before weaning, 5 and 10 days post weaning) and long-term (0–6 and 6–16 months of age) effect of the two weaning treatments.

RESULTS: ADG was 1.10 (SD 0.091) kg/day before weaning (0–6 months of age) and 0.59 (SD 0.06) kg/day from weaning to 480 (SD 31) days old. At the start of weaning, liveweights of the progressive and abrupt weaning groups were 276.5 (SD 40.3) kg and 257 (SD 15) kg, respectively (p=0.23). For the 5-day period during weaning, irrespective of treatment, there was a significant decrease in ADG of –0.29 (SD 0.49) kg/day and –0.15 (SD 0.30) kg/day for progressive and abrupt weaning, respectively. There was no significant difference in ADG between weaning methods at any measurement period (short or long term) during and after weaning. However, there was large variation between foals in ADG in the 10 days after the weaning process, which may indicate variation in individual foals' responses to being weaned, rather than the weaning treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Weaning, irrespective of method, was associated with a decrease in ADG in the first week after weaning. The method of weaning had no effect on post-weaning ADG either short term, 10 days after weaning, or long term up to 480 days of age. Practically, it may be more important to consider maturity and liveweight as criteria for weaning foals rather than age alone.     

Effect of oxytocin on suppression of oestrus in mares exhibiting normal oestrous cycles

Abstract

AIM: To compare the efficacy of oxytocin given once daily, either I/V or I/M, on Days 7–14 post-ovulation, on the expression of oestrus in mares through to 65 days post-ovulation.

METHODS: Eighteen mares of various breeds that were displaying normal oestrous cycles were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups on the day of ovulation (Day 0), detected using transrectal ultrasonography. Mares in the control group (n = 6) were given 1 mL saline I/V; mares in the I/V and I/M groups (n = 6 per group) were injected with 10 IU oxytocin I/V and I/M, respectively. All treatments were given once daily on Days 7–14. Mares were teased by a stallion three times per week, up to 65 days post-ovulation, to detect oestrous or dioestrous behaviour. Ovarian follicular and luteal activity were monitored using transrectal ultrasonography three times weekly, and daily when a follicle >30 mm diameter was present until ovulation. Blood samples were collected weekly for analysis of concentrations of progesterone in serum. Prolonged dioestrus was defined as a period of >30 days of dioestrous behaviour after Day 0, confirmed by detection of corpora lutea and concentrations of progesterone in serum >4 nmol/L.

RESULTS: Overall, 8/18 (44%) mares showed prolonged dioestrus. These included 2/6 (33%) mares in the control group, compared with 5/6 (83%) and 1/6 (16%) mares in the I/V and I/M groups, respectively (p = 0.11). The median duration of the first dioestrus was longer for the I/V group (64 (min 16, max 66) days) compared with the control group (18 (min 12, max 64) days) (p = 0.05), but was not different between the control group and the I/M group (16 (min 13, max 65) days) (p = 0.57). For all mares there was strong agreement between teasing behaviours, ultrasonographic assessment of ovarian activity, and concentration of progesterone in serum.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study found that low doses of oxytocin did not increase the proportion of mares with prolonged dioestrus, compared with controls, although I/V oxytocin did increase the median duration of dioestrus. The results must be interpreted with some caution as group numbers were small, and a variety of breeds were used. Further investigation of oxytocin given I/V may be warranted as a potential method of oestrus suppression in mares exhibiting oestrous cycles that is low cost, safe and well-tolerated, and potentially reversible with prostaglandin.     

Reproductive Performance of Ewes after 5-Day Treatment with Intravaginal Inserts Containing Progesterone in Combination with Injection of Prostaglandin F2α

Three experiments were conducted with a total of 1579 ewes to examine reproductive performance in response to synchronization of oestrus during the breeding season, using controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR-G) inserts in regimens designed to provide high concentrations of circulating progesterone. In experiment 1, treatment with two CIDR-G inserts for 12 days produced conception rate (79%) and prolificacy (1.9) to first service equivalent to breeding at natural oestrus (56% and 2.0, respectively). Pregnancy rates to two service periods were 90 and 79%, respectively. In experiments 2 and 3, progesterone was delivered by a single CIDR-G insert for 5 days in combination with prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha; 5 mg i.m., twice, 3 h apart) the day before (experiment 2), or at insert removal (experiment 3). The combined treatments improved rates of synchronization of oestrus (p<0.01) by 23 and 20% points, respectively, and pregnancy rates to the first service period by 19 (p<0.05) and 13 (p<0.01) percentage points, respectively, compared to treatment with PGF2alpha alone. It is concluded that the combination of treatment for 5 days with a CIDR-G insert and two injections of 5 mg PGF2alpha, the day before, or the day of insert removal, were effective treatments to obtain high fertility at synchronized oestrus in ewes during the breeding season.     

Long-term development of fish populations in the Římov Reservoir

Abstract  The inshore fish community of the Římov Reservoir in the Czech Republic was evaluated over 21 years using shore seining at night. The development of the fish community was divided into two separate phases: a highly dynamic and unstable phase dominated by perch, Perca fluviatilis L., was replaced by an extremely stable cyprinid phase dominated by roach, Rutilus rutilus (L.), and bream, Abramis brama (L.). The abundance of both these species oscillated during the cyprinid phase, but with decreasing amplitude. The proportion of piscivorous fish species such as asp, Aspius aspius (L.), pike, Esox lucius L., and pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (L.), increased slightly with time but remained low. The biomass of large Cladocera was negatively correlated with fish biomass only during the perch phase. The Shannon–Weaver index of diversity increased during the fish community succession, mainly because of greater evenness amongst the species.