The use of partly-hydrolyzed and untreated straw meal in the feeding of breeding sows. 5. Concentration, production and absorption of volatile fatty acids in the large intestine

In 2 experiments with a total of 28 breeding sows of the country species studies were made of the fermentation, production and absorption of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the large intestine after feeding variously treated straw materials in concentrate--straw meal mixtures. Experiment 1 ascertained that supplements of untreated (I), HCl treated (II) and partly hydrolysed straw meal (III, treatment with subsequent steaming) caused a decrease of the VFA concentration as well as considerable molar changes of the VFA in the caecal and colonal digesta in comparison of the sole feeding with concentrate (IV). The straw fibre integration increased the molar acetate quota at the expense decreased propionate and butyrate fermentation. Considering the straw meal variants this effects was least distinct after the feeding of partly hydrolysed straw meal (III). In experiment 2, which comprised the simultaneous ascertainment of VFA production in the feeding variants I and III and which was based on a representative number of animals per test group (n = 10), there were significant differences between the production quotas (I = 992; III = 1,300 mmol/animal.d) and in the absorption quotas of VFA (I = 63; II = 78%). The digestible energy from the VFA in the large intestine amounted to 711 kJ/d (I) and 1,183 kJ/d (III). The derived higher net energy gain from the hydrolysed straw product (III) was calculated at 590 kJ (40EFUpig/kg DM) and discussed together with results of feed value increase from the digestibility experiments.     

Effect of exercise on the vascular pattern in the bone extremities of broiler fowl

The vascular morphology of the proximal femur, tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus was studied in growing broiler chicks. A carousel was used to exercise one group of 24 birds for four periods of 15 minutes each day. A second group (controls) were not exercised. Some birds were killed during the course of the experiment, and the remainder after 25 days of exercise when they were 33 days old. After killing the limbs were perfused and the bone extremities cleared. The bone extremities were then cut into 1 mm thick slabs and examined. There were abnormalities of the physis and physeal vasculature in 18 (25 per cent) of the bone extremities from the exercised birds and in 24 (40 per cent) of the bone extremities from the unexercised (control) birds. The low level of activity in the unexercised fowls of the present study appeared to contribute to these abnormalities.     

Cervical spinal intradural arachnoid cysts in related,young pugs

Seven related young pugs were diagnosed with cervical spinal intradural arachnoid cysts by magnetic resonance imaging (n = 6) and myelography (n = 1). All dogs were presented with skin abrasions on their thoracic limbs and non‐painful neurological deficits, indicating a C1‐T2 myelopathy. In all six dogs examined by magnetic resonance imaging not only the spinal arachnoid cyst but also a concomitant, most likely secondary, syringohydromyelia was confirmed. Pedigree analysis suggested a genetic predisposition for spinal arachnoid cysts in this family of pugs. Generalised proprioceptive deficits more pronounced in the thoracic limbs suggesting a focal cervical spinal cord lesion, with concomitant skin abrasions on the dorsal aspect of the thoracic limbs in a young pug, should alert veterinarians to the possibility of cervical spinal arachnoid cysts.     

Impact of Food Restriction on Ovarian Development,RFamide‐Related Peptide‐3 and the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Ovarian Axis in Pre‐Pubertal Ewes

RFamide‐related peptide‐3 (RFRP‐3), the mammalian ortholog of gonadotropin‐inhibiting hormone, has been implicated as a mediator between reproduction and energy balance. This study aimed to investigate the physiological effects of RFRP‐3 on the process of ovarian development in food‐restricted pre‐pubertal ewes. The results showed that food restriction significantly inhibited the ovarian development and follicular growth. The data of qPCR in the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis showed that food restriction not only upregulated RFRP‐3 mRNA expression but also downregulated the mRNA expression of gonadotropin‐releasing‐hormone receptor, follicle‐stimulating hormone receptor and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR). Immunohistochemistry of RFRP‐3 in the ovaries suggested that RFRP‐3 may regulate the follicular development. These results suggested that the changes of RFRP‐3 in response to food restriction might influence the HPO axis and inhibit ovarian development.     

Quantification of water as a potential risk factor for cross-contamination with Salmonella,Campylobacter and Listeria in a poultry abattoir

1. Water used in a modern poultry processing line was tested from October 2005 to June 2006 to determine the level of bacteria in an abattoir in Germany.

2. A total of 420 water samples were taken from 14 processing sites (PSs), at 10 times, and from three different hours of the working shift at three sampling hours (SHs) at 5:00 a.m. (SH 1), 9:00 a.m. (SH 2) and 12:00 a.m. (SH 3). Each sample was assessed for the aerobic plate count (APC) and the prevalence of Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and Yersinia over 30 sampling weeks. The APC numbers of each PS from three SHs were compared, and the prevalence of Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and Yersinia from each PS of three SHs was determined as well as change from the initial PS to the end of the processing line.

3. A total of 46 water samples were positive for Salmonella, 120 positive for Campylobacter and 4 positive for Listeria. None of the water samples was found to be positive for Yersinia. During the course of the day, the APC increased. Salmonella was mostly found during SH 1 (5 a.m.) in water from all PSs. A high number of Campylobacter were observed at SH 2 (9 a.m.) and SH 3 (12 a.m.) from all PSs.

4. The results show that water, which is still used in substantial amounts in present poultry processing technology, can serve as a carrier for Salmonella and Campylobacter.

5. The findings indicate that birds might progressively contaminate the equipment and become contaminated via the same equipment, that water at every processing position of the line constitutes a risk and that more attention should be paid to effective water management in the processing plan.     

Effects of maximal exercise on the blood composition of the racing camel

Haematological and blood biochemical changes were studied in nine camels after maximal exercise over 4 or 5 km. There was a lack of splenic reserve for red blood cells, indicated by a minimal increase in haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit. There were marked increases in plasma lactate (to over 20 mmol/litre), plasma ammonia and plasma glucose and a pronounced decrease in circulating free fatty acids. There were small but significant increases in plasma calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride and phosphate concentrations.     

Additional details of the life history of the chicken coccidium Eimeria mitis Tyzzer, 1929

Four asexual generations of Eimeria mitis were identified. The first three developed above the epithelial cell nuclei, but the fourth developed above and below. Meronts measured 13.8 x 16.4 microns, 16.1 x 16.4 microns, 12.1 x 14.6 microns, and 9.5 x 12.4 microns, respectively, of generations 1, 2, 3, and 4. They matured at 36, 67, 72, and 88 hr postinoculation (PI) and contain 20-24, 16-20, 10-14, and 7-10 merozoites, respectively. Merozonts measured 7.2 x 1.9 microns, 8.5 x 2.5 microns, 9.6 x 2.0 microns, and 6.75 x 2.75 microns, respectively. The first two types of meronts were deep in the crypts and epithelial cells. The third and fourth types of meronts were along the side and tip of the villi. Gametocytes developed from third and fourth generation. Gamonts were usually below the nuclei of the epithelial cells. Parasitism was primarily in the ileum, ceca, and rectum and also in the yolk-sac diverticulum.     

Vascular pattern of the developing intertarsal joint in the domestic fowl

The origin and nature of vascular canals in the distal tibiotarsus and proximal tarsometatarsus of the fowl have been described. The vascular pattern was modified at different stages of growth and there were anastomoses between epiphyseal vascular canals in the proximal tarsometatarsus. Such anastomoses are not seen in other bone extremities of the fowl and their presence may be a consequence of the incorporation of tarsal elements in proximal tarsometatarsi. In all the distal tibiotarsi examined, a third epiphyseal ossification centre was present. The pattern of metaphyseal vessels in the distal tibiotarsus and proximal tarsometatarsus was altered in some young chicks. This finding may be the result of abnormal angulation of the intertarsal joint which would result in uneven joint loading.     

Immune exclusion of Haemonchus contortus larvae in sheep: dose dependency, steroid sensitivity and persistence of the response

Naive and immune sheep, treated with anthelmintic, challenged directly into the abomasum and killed 48 hours later were used to examine the steroid sensitivity, persistence and dose dependency of immune mechanisms which result in the failure of incoming Haemonchus contortus larvae to establish (immune exclusion). Immune exclusion was almost totally abolished by corticosteroid treatment, the mean percentage of larvae establishing in the mucosa of immune sheep was 1.4 per cent of the challenge infection whereas in those treated with dexamethasone it was 24.4 per cent and in naive sheep 27.3 per cent. Immune animals challenged after seven and 42 days without antigenic experience excluded more than 90 per cent of the challenge larvae from their mucosae, whereas those challenged after 84 days without antigenic experience were as susceptible as naive animals. Immune exclusion was dose dependent, animals challenged with 10(6) and 10(5) larvae excluded 93 per cent and 82.5 per cent of the challenge dose whereas those challenged with 10(4) larvae failed to exclude larvae.     

An analysis of cellular proliferation, and synthesis of lymphokines and specific antibody in vitro by leucocytes from immunized cattle

The relationships between the production of lymphokines, cellular proliferation and antibody synthesis by immune bovine PBL in vitro was examined to identify the cellular reactions responsible for differences in the titres of serum antibodies in calves from selected sire lines and MHC Class I phenotypes. Leucocytes from 22 calves immunized with ovalbumin and DNP-BSA proliferated specifically in vitro in the presence of 1-10 micrograms/ml ovalbumin 7-28 days after the second vaccination. Significant correlations between the production of IL-2, IFN-gamma and maximum proliferation were observed for the total group. The quantity of specific antibody produced when PBL were incubated alone or with 10(-1)-10(-2) micrograms/ml ovalbumin was also correlated significantly with the maximum proliferation and the serum antibody titre between 7 and 14 days. Anti-ovalbumin IgG was also synthesized in MLRs where the quantity of antibody was significantly correlated with the magnitude of proliferation. The responses in vitro to DNP-BSA were too low to provide meaningful comparisons. The results indicate that at intervals during the period of increasing serum titres, events in the bovine antibody response in vivo can be replicated in vitro. In addition, assays for proliferation, IL-2 or gamma-IFN, or specific antibody can be used to assess the magnitude of the immune response in vivo in experimental groups of cattle. Significant sire line differences in the serological responses to ovalbumin were observed but DNP-BSA was a poorer antigen and differences in the responses to this antigen were not significant. However, the sire line differences in vivo were not reflected in vitro in proliferative and lymphokine assays; only the production of antibody in vitro was significantly correlated with the in vivo serum titre.