Grasstrees reveal contrasting fire regimes in eucalypt forest before and after European settlement of southwestern Australia

We have developed a convenient new method of ageing grasstrees (Xanthorrhoea) and determining their fire history over the last 250 years or more. Grinding off the charred leafbases reveals alternating cream and brown bands that we equate with annual growth cycles and occasional black bands that we equate with the passage of fire. The new method was employed on 159 grasstrees at 50 sites distributed throughout the dry eucalypt forest region of southwestern Australia. In the 80 years prior to European settlement in 1829, and for the next 40 years, fires were recorded on grasstrees at 3–5 year intervals. The ensuing decline in mean fire frequencies and increased variability corresponded with demise of the aboriginal inhabitants and onset of intense wildfires associated with unrestrained logging. Our data show that from 1920 attempts at fire exclusion followed later by prescribed burning programs were only partly successful. Currently recorded intervals on individual trees of 10–20 years are consistent with further changes in fire management practices. Both extremes would have had significant impacts on the biota.     

Therapy of bovine bacterial pneumonia.

Practical strategies for developing rational therapeutic regimens based on in vitro sensitivity and pharmacokinetic disposition are presented. Special attention is given to Pasteurella haemolytica, which is regarded as the most frequent cause of bovine bacterial pneumonia. Bacterial-dependent and host-dependent causes of therapeutic failure and potentially valuable novel therapies and drug combinations are considered.     

Rifampin in the horse: comparison of intravenous, intramuscular, and oral administrations

The plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetics of rifampin disposition were determined after a single IV, IM, or oral dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight and an oral dose of 25 mg/kg. The overall elimination rate constants per minute were similar for the 10 mg/kg dose (0.0021 +/- 0.0004, IV; 0.0017 +/- 0.0002, IM; and 0.0023 +/- 0.0006, orally). The apparent bioavailability was moderate to low for IM and oral administrations (59.8% +/- 3.2% and 39.5% +/- 5.0%, respectively). The rate of absorption was most rapid for oral administration with an absorption half-life of 249.7 +/- 71.6 minutes as compared with 403.5 +/- 89.7 minutes for IM administration. However, the IM route produced longer detectable plasma concentrations (50 hours in 2 of the 4 horses). Based on bacterial sensitivity information derived for human and canine isolates, the daily oral administration of 10 mg of rifampin/kg administered in the feed represents a reasonable dose for susceptible gram-positive bacterial pathogens. Higher doses (greater than or equal to 25 mg/kg) or IV administration would be required for most gram-negative bacteria. Adverse effects of sufficient severity to limit use of the drug, especially by the oral route of administration, were not encountered under the single-dose experimental conditions used.     

Characterization and treatment of acid-base and renal defects due to urethral obstruction in cats

In 23 cats, urinary obstruction of 24 to 48 hours' duration caused marked azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, hyperkalemia, and metabolic acidosis. The metabolic acidosis was a consistent finding and was severe in all cats (venous pH, 7.11 +/- 0.09). Serum sodium and chloride were normal. Glycosuria was found in 17 (74%) of the cats. There was no clear difference in blood pH, serum chemical values, or electrolyte concentrations between cats obstructed 24 hours and those obstructed 48 hours or longer. At a mean of 8.4 hours after relief of obstruction, acid-base status was corrected to normal, using fluid replacement and sodium bicarbonate therapy. Blood urea nitrogen serum creatinine, and serum inorganic phosphorus improved significantly (P less than 0.01) at a mean of 19.5 hours after treatment. Variation in azotemia after fluid replacement suggested variable decreases in glomerular filtration rate after relief of obstruction. Hypokalemia occasionally developed after relief of obstruction during the postobstructive diuresis. It was concluded that fluid and electrolyte therapy must be regulated in response to the postobstructive diuresis, to ensure proper medical management.     

Antipyrine, erythromycin and oxytetracycline disposition in experimental fasciolosis.

The effects of fasciolosis on drug disposition were studied by administration of antipyrine, erythromycin and oxytetracycline to sheep and cattle. Fasciolosis was produced by administration of 200 or 400 metacercariae (MC) of Fasciola hepatica to sheep and 500 MC to cattle. The disease was subsequently confirmed by determination of plasma glutamate dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyl transferase and identification and quantitation of mature flukes in the liver at necropsy. Acute or subacute fasciolosis in sheep was accompanied by a significant decrease in the elimination rate constant (beta) and increase in the elimination half-time (t 1/2) for antipyrine and erythromycin when compared with controls or infected sheep which had been treated with the anthelmintic luxabendazole. An increase in apparent volume of distribution (Vd) was seen only for erythromycin in sheep given 400 MC. There were no changes in the disposition of oxytetracycline in sheep with either acute or subacute infection and no effects on disposition of the three test drugs in chronically infected sheep. With early chronic disease in calves, only the disposition of oxytetracycline was affected; not that of antipyrine or erythromycin.     

The growth of Treponema hyodysenteriae and other porcine intestinal spirochaetes in a liquid medium.

A new simple method for the preparation of a liquid medium containing rabbit serum for the propagation of Treponema hyodysenteriae and other porcine intestinal spirochaetes is described. The medium, when dispensed in shallow layers and sealed under 10 per cent CO2 in nitrogen, had a redox potential not greater than -125mV and an initial pH of about 6.9 when buffered with bicarbonate. Growth of T hyodysenteriae developed more rapidly and viable counts reached higher levels at 42 degrees C than at 37 degrees C. Viable counts increased at least 10,000-fold after two to five days' incubation, depending on the temperature. Growth could be initiated from small inocula that failed to produce colonies on blood agar. Using a 1 per cent inoculum, the medium supported the growth of two strains of T hyodysenteriae through 10 serial passages.     

First detection of Chlamydia psittaci from a wild native passerine bird in New Zealand

AIMS: To undertake disease surveillance for Chlamydia psittaci in native birds as part of a pilot study to examine pathogen diversity on Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island. To retrospectively review the Massey University post-mortem database to determine previous cases of avian chlamydiosis in New Zealand.

METHODS:Mistnetting of forest birds was conducted across an elevational gradient on Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island. Minitip culture swabs were used to collect cloacal samples from native birds. These swabs were screened for Chlamydia family DNA using two PCR methods. Positive results were sequenced. A retrospective review of the Massey University post-mortem database of all avian cases from 1990 to 2011 was conducted.

RESULTS:Ten native birds including four bellbirds (Anthornis melanura), three rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris), two hihi (Notiomyces cincta), and one whitehead (Mohoua albicilla) were sampled and one otherwise healthy female hihi was positive by both PCR screening methods for Chlamydophila. Sequencing confirmed 99–100% genetic similarity to C. psittaci. A retrospective review of the Massey University post-mortem database revealed no previous diagnoses of avian chlamydiosis in wild native New Zealand birds although it has been detected in captive parrots, and wild and captive exotic pigeons.

CONCLUSIONS:This is the first report of the detection of C. psittaci from a wild native bird in New Zealand. The bird was a Passeriforme from an endangered species that was captured free-living on Little Barrier Island. The incidence of avian chlamydiosis in native birds in New Zealand appears to be very low, based on the retrospective review of the post-mortem database.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It is unlikely that avian chlamydiosis is a significant problem for hihi population health. The detection of this organism has greater significance for other more susceptible species on Little Barrier Island and for human health, particularly for conservation workers involved in wildlife translocations. It further suggests that passerine birds may be a reservoir for C. psittaci in New Zealand ecosystems.     

Bovine thyroglobulin gene polymorphisms and their association with sexual precocity in Guzerat bulls

Puberty is a stage of sexual development determined by the interaction of environmental factors and genetic mechanisms. Among them, thyroid function plays a key role in sexual development and spermatogenic function and is under the control of several genes, including the well‐described thyroglobulin gene (TG). Previous reports have shown genetic association between thyroid function and selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in taurine cattle. Therefore, the identification of genetic mechanisms involved in the regulation of this trait can assist with the selection for early pubertal bulls, thus improving genetic progress in livestock breeding. The aim of this study was to validate the association between TG SNPs and age at puberty in zebuine bulls. Three SNPs (rs110406764, rs109662686, rs109057985) were genotyped in 159 Guzerat animals using SEQUENOM technology. Results showed a significant association (p < .05) between the studied SNPs and puberty age, in agreement with our previous reports in a taurine breed. Interestingly, allele frequencies were different from those already reported, being GAT the most favourable allele for age at puberty in Guzerat (94.4 days lower). Overall, our findings corroborate previous reports and reinforce the importance of genetic influence in the regulation of sexual development and puberty through a thyroid pathway in zebuine cattle.     

Effect of sperm pretreatment with glutathione and membrane destabilizing agents lysolecithin and Triton X‐100, on the efficiency of bovine intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is an assisted reproduction tool with several applications. Its effectiveness in bovines is lower than that in other species, mainly because of difficulties in the decondensation of the sperm nucleus after injection, and the presence of the acrosome and the plasma membrane which remain intact in this procedure. In this study, we assessed the effect of lysolecithin (LL) and Triton X‐100 (TX), in combination with glutathione (GSH) as sperm pretreatments prior to ICSI. The GSH‐LL and GSH‐TX groups showed 0% of spermatozoa with intact membrane (SYBR 14+/PI), in comparison with the control (63.3%) and GSH (65.7%) groups. The proportions of spermatozoa with damaged acrosome membrane in the GSH‐LL, GSH‐TX, GSH and control groups were 46%, 35.9%, 10.5% and 7.5%, respectively. Sperm chromatin decondensation analysis showed that the groups incubated for 3 hr with GSH presented greater decondensation (p < .05). Although fertilization was improved in all treatment groups evaluated, no differences were observed in the cleavage rate 72 hr after activation in the GSH (73.7%), GSH‐LL (80.2%) and GSH‐TX (77.8%) groups compared to the control (66.3%), neither in the blastocyst rate on day 8 (24.0%, 26.2%, 27.1% and 28.4% for the control, GSH, GSH‐LL and GSH‐TX groups, respectively). No differences were also observed in the total number of cells in all groups. In conclusion, although these sperm treatments promoted nuclear decondensation and induced plasma membrane disruption, these effects were not sufficient to improve bovine embryonic development after ICSI.