Isolation of mycoplasmas from bovine semen in Northern Ireland

In a survey of 332 fresh and 137 processed bovine semen samples and 25 preputial washes, mycoplasmas and, or, ureaplasmas were isolated from 46 per cent, 31 per cent and 80 per cent, respectively. Intermittent isolation from different semen collections from the same bull indicated that at least three collections per bull were necessary to determine whether infection was present. When stored processed samples were examined Mycoplasma canadense and M bovigenitalium were isolated from straws taken as long ago as 1975. Addition of lincomycin and spectinomycin to the semen extender eliminated the isolation of mycoplasmas and reduced the rate of isolation of ureaplasmas.     

Isolation of Leptospira of the serotype hardjo from bovine kidneys

Thirteen strains of Leptospira serotype hardjo were cultured from 200 bovine kidneys collected from an abattoir. All strains grew on primary isolation in EMJH medium 0.1 per cent Noble agar but most failed to grow in a variety of media containing neomycin or 5-fluorouracil as selective agents. Two of the cattle from which hardjo were isolated were seronegative by the microscopic agglutination test against hardjo, two had titres of 1/100, five of 1/400, three of 1/1600 and one of 1/6400.     

A case report of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycoplasma wenyonii</Emphasis> associated immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia in a dairy cow

Background and case presentation

A three year old, second lactation Holstein dairy cow presented to the Scottish Centre for Production Animal Health and Food Safety, Glasgow University Veterinary School in November 2014 with a history of post-calving vulval/vaginal bleeding nine days prior to presentation, followed by a sudden reduction in milk yield. Subsequent investigations resulted in a diagnosis of immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia secondary to infection with Mycoplasma wenyonii.

Conclusion

This report of a novel presentation of Mycoplasma wenyonii in a dairy cow illustrates the need to consider M.wenyonii as a potential differential diagnosis when a cow presents with anaemia and will discuss the potential implications of the condition at herd-level.

     

NorKing Russet: A new russet-skinned potato cultivar

NorKing Russet is an oblong to slightly blocky, russet-skinned potato cultivar with medium-early maturity and a strong vine. It has resistance to verticillium wilt but is susceptible to most viruses and to early and late blight. It is generally medium to high yielding and high in total solids.     

Sensory evaluation of breads containing various levels of potato peel

Breads prepared from 5, 10, and 15% potato peel/white flour, 30% whole wheat flour, and 100% white flour plus two commercial, high fiber, dark breads in fresh and frozen/defrosted forms were evaluated sensorially by both untrained and trained panels. It appears that potato peel can be included in bread for the purpose of increasing dietary fiber without unduly sacrificing quality and acceptability. However, a musty aroma in the breads containing peel possibly influenced their flavor and overall rating scores, roughly in proportion to the amount of peel they contained.     

Krantz: A Russet cultivar for the irrigated sands

Krantz is an oblong to slightly blocky, russet-skinned potato cultivar with medium-late maturity and a vigorous vine. It is resistant to hollow heart, has high resistance to common scab and possesses high field resistance to late blight. It is moderately resistant toVerticillium wilt, susceptible to early blight, viruses S and X, and exhibits symptoms of bacterial ring rot. Krantz is adapted to the irrigated sands, but will growth crack in heavier soils.     

Influence of potato storage and handling stress on sugars,chip quality and integrity of the starch (amyloplast) membrane

Mechanical handling of Norchip (cv.) potatoes resulted in sucrose concentrations that exceeded 1% (fresh wt basis) 10 days after treatment. More than 65% of the maximal sugar accumulation occurred within 5 days of handling. Potatoes increased in their ability to produce sucrose as storagetime increased. Sucrose accumulation in response to handling stress was not mediated via gross physical disruption of the amyloplast membrane. Electron micrographs indicated that starch granules of both handled and control potatoes were surrounded by intact and continuous plastid (amyloplast) membranes throughout the major portion (1 to 8 months) of the storage season (8.9 C). Glucose levels did not increase at a similar rate compared to changes in sucrose concentration. Results suggest that the majority of the sucrose, which occurred during storage and/or handling stress, was not efficiently converted to reducing sugars via the enzyme invertase. Sucrose and glucose concentrations in all potatoes began to increase and chip color darkened as tubers senesced (9 to 10 months storage). Examination of electron micrographs during this storage period revealed that the bi-layers of the amyloplast membrane were separating. The mechanical handling of senescing potatoes (10 months in storage) resulted in a shift of the plastid membrane to a more disrupted state over that noted in the control. The variation in chip color induced by handling and/or storage time in Norchip potatoes was closely associated with the variation in glucose content (r = 0.953).