Reproducibility of bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP) via the application of colostrum

A haemorrhagic diathesis has been observed in young calves since 2007 which is described as bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP) and presents a completely new disease. The objectives of our investigation were to test if BNP could be reproduced using colostrum of cows with a BNP history and pre-colostral calves from farms where BNP has not been observed. In the present experiment, 22 German Holstein calves from BNP-free farms were fed four to six hours after birth 2.5 l colostrum from cows which had been reported to have had at least one calf with BNP in the last lactation. We distinguished three different experimental groups according to the composition of the colostrum. In experimental group I, each of the six calves received colostrum of a single cow, in experimental group II all six calves received colostrum from the same cow and in experimental group III each of the ten calves received a colostrum mix from ten different cows. Clinical signs of BNP were observed in 50% of the calves in experimental group I, 67% of the calves in experimental group II and all calves in experimental group III. The lethality in the three experimental groups was significantly different with rates of 16.7%, 66.7% and 80%, respectively. Calves fed with a colostrum-mix in experimental group III had the highest lethality. Neither the farm nor the amount of the colostrum fed had a significant effect on the occurrence and course of BNP. The profiles for thrombocytes, leucocytes and erythrocytes significantly differed in dependence of the severity of BNP signs. Calves with non-lethal BNP showed thrombocytopenia with values below 100 G/l on the 1th to 3rd and the 7th to 11th day of life. In calves with lethal BNP, thrombocytes decreased under 50 G/l from day 5. In calves with non-lethal BNP, a decrease of the leucocytes under the threshold was present only for a short period of time. In calves with lethal BNP, leucocytes decreased in the first 5 days after birth continuously and increased on the 6th to the 8th day to normal values and then a rapid decrease occurred. Erythrocytes decreased under the normal threshold just in the last two days before the calves died or were euthanized. Thus, the present experiments showed that colostrum of cows with a BNP-history and vaccination with PregSure BVD from Pfizer caused lethal BNP. We can assume that the different reactions of the calves are due to immunogenetic reactions to colostral alloreactive antibodies. The reaction spectrum of calves depends on the presence of antigens which can react with these colostral antibodies. The experimental results can explain the different incidences of BNP within and among farms as well as between breeds.     

火焰原子吸收光谱法测定奶粉中锌的含量

采用原子吸收光谱法测定多种品牌奶粉中锌的含量,对干法消化奶粉所用混合酸的组成、比例等试验条件进行了研究,其最佳样品处理条件为:硝酸-高氯酸(4+1)作为溶解用酸,1 mol/L盐酸作为定容用酸,测定结果的相对标准偏差小于2%.     

Ovine craniofacial malformation: A morphometrical study

Craniofacial malformation in 64 sheep was phenotypically described as mandibular distoclusion. Digital radiographs were examined in order to determine the degree of morphological changes in certain bones of the skull. Therefore, laterolateral standardised digital radiographs were used to determine anatomic reference points. Subsequently, five reference lines were defined and 16 linear and seven angular measurements were determined to describe malformations in the bones of the skull. Statistical analysis revealed a significant shortening of the rostral part of the corpus mandibulae and of the ramus mandibulae. However, the molar part of the mandible remained unchanged. These morphological changes caused premolar and molar malocclusion. No further craniofacial abnormalities, such as an elongation of the maxilla or of the incisive bone, were identified. In conclusion, the phenotypically observed mandibular distoclusion is caused by a shortening of specific parts of the mandible. This form of ovine craniofacial malformation is therefore best described as brachygnathia inferior.     

A comparative study on the rumen microbial populations,hydrolytic enzyme activities and dry matter degradability between different species of ruminant

A comparative study among Korean native cow (Hanwoo), Holstein dairy cow, Korean native goat and crossbred sheep on the population and marker concentration of ruminal microbes, the activities of carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase), xylanase and amylase, and in situ dry matter (DM) degradability were conducted. Twelve ruminally cannulated animals, three of each species, were used. Animals were fed the same diet containing 40% formula feed and 60% rice straw at the level of 2.5% of body weight. Total viable microbial populations in the rumen fluid were significantly (P < 0.01) greater for bacteria and fungi in goat than those of Holstein. The protozoan population among ruminant species was the reverse from that of bacteria. The concentrations of 2,6‐diaminopimelic acid and chitin as markers for bacteria and fungi in the rumen fluid, respectively, were highest in goat, which is in accordance with the above population data. The concentration of aminoethylphosphonic acid as marker of protozoa was highest in Hanwoo and lowest in sheep (P < 0.01). Goat had the highest (P < 0.01) activities of all the enzymes investigated among ruminants. In situ effective degradation of the DM of rice straw was approximately 19% higher in the rumen of goat compared with other animals.     

当代大学生就业中道德缺失问题的思考

大学生就业难是社会普遍关注的焦点问题之一。大学生就业中的伦理道德缺失不容忽视。要解决这一问题，除学校加强道德教育、企业提升自身魅力外，根本在于大学生自身的觉悟与个人素养的提高。     

内蒙古阿拉善左旗红砂荒漠土壤盐分离子含量与其含水量相关关系研究

对内蒙古阿拉善左旗红砂荒漠土壤盐分离子含量和土壤含水量的分布规律进行了研究,并对两者之间做了相关和回归分析。结果表明,阿拉善左旗红砂荒漠土壤中盐分离子的含量,阳离子以Na+为主,阴离子以SO42-为主。在垂直分布上,Mg2+、Na+、Cl-和SO42-含量随着土层深度的增加而增加,而K+、CO32-和HCO3-含量随着土层深度的增加而减少。阿拉善左旗3个地区(乌力吉、长流水和孪井滩)的土壤含水量介于1.39%～8.01%之间,平均含水量为5.02%。3个地区中,红砂荒漠土壤所含盐分离子中的Mg2+、Cl-和SO42-均与其土壤含水量之间存在明显的线性关系。     

Review of literature and results from test matings of East Friesian milk sheep affected with brachygnathia inferior

Shortness of the lower jaw (brachygnathia inferior, underbite, overshot, parrot mouth) is an inborn and mostly hereditary malformation often seen in many sheep breeds. Chromosomal anomalies are generally not involved in brachygnathia inferior. Viral infections, teratogenic drugs and alkaloids of plants often lead to craniofacial malformations associated with brachygnathia inferior. A maternal deficiency of iron is discussed as a cause for brachygnathia inferior. We performed a three-year breeding trial using mainly East Friesian milk sheep affected by brachygnathic occlusion. Mating schemes included affected by affected and affected by unaffected matings. In the breeding trial, 60 lambs were born and from these 37 animals had variable degrees of brachygnathia inferior. The brachygnathic condition increased with rising age of the lambs. Extremely affected lambs showed palatine ulcers and growth retardation. Moreover, some animals had abnormal positions of the incisor teeth, distortion of the lower jaw and deformities of the external ear. Analysis of the pedigree did not support a monogenic inheritance pattern. An oligogenic inheritance including a dominant and recessive locus responsible for the major gene effects and possibly further modifying loci appeared much more likely. Other causes for brachygnathia inferior such as viral infections and anemia of the ewes could be ruled out. Chromosomal abnormalities were not evident and thus, large chromosomal defects were not associated with brachygnathia inferior.     

Bovine neonatal pancytopenia in German Holstein calves

Profiles of blood cell counts were evaluated for 15 calves from three different farms. These calves showed petechia in the mucous membranes and in the skin and prolonged secondary bleeding after puncture. The clinical course of the disease could be observed in eleven calves. With exception of one case, the blood cell counts indicated a severe anaemia, leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. Out of these 15 calves, six calves survived and the other nine calves died or had to be euthanized due to the severity of the disease. Necropsy of these nine calves revealed petechia in the skin, subcutis, muscles, in inner organs and all serous membranes. Pathohistological examination showed a depletion of the bone marrow and lymphatic tissue in eight calves. These findings confirmed the diagnosis of bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP) for eight of these nine calves. Bluetongue virus serotype 8 was tested negatively using PCR. Bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) was negatively tested using immunofluorescence and cell culture and salmonella species were negatively tested in seven dissected calves. A cluster of toxins was negatively tested in one of the dissected calves. All 15 calves had high antibody titres for BVDV. The BVDV-antibody titres from twelve dams with affected calves were positive in six cases and not detectable in the other six cases. In three of the six dams with not detectable BVDV-antibody titres, calves were fed with colostrum of a further dam with high BVDV-antibody titres. In the further three dams without detectable BVDV-antibody titres, we could not ascertain which colostrum has been fed to the calves. BVDV-specific antigen could not be detected in any of the samples from the calves and dams tested. Using the activity of the gamma-glutamyl-transferase, we assumed a sufficient supply with colostrum for the examined calves.The cause for the occurrence of these BNP cases was due to bone marrow depletion.The reason for the bone marrow depletion remained unclear. However, it was obvious that the BNP described here is highly likely caused by colostrum from cows with positive BVDV-antibody titres.     

Disease of geese caused by a new herpesvirus

A goose flock farmed outdoors in south-eastern Queensland suffered an outbreak of peracute disease with high death rate (97%). Small button ulcers and large plaques overlying lymphocyte aggregates were present on the mucosa of the small intestine of affected birds. Small white foci of necrosis and focal haemorrhages were seen in the livers. Numerous intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed microscopically in hepatocytes and a herpesvirus which grew rapidly in chicken kidney cells was isolated from tissues. Duck virus enteritis (DVE) was suspected but DVE antiserums failed to neutralise the virus. Further serological studies with a limited range of known avian herpesviruses have failed to identify the virus. Experimental transmission resulted in high mortality in geese (100%), lower mortality in ducklings and nil mortality in chickens. Surveillance studies showed no evidence of infection in domestic and wild birds beyond the original farm and the infection appears not to have been established in the area. Wild ducks, which were frequent visitors to the farm dam, were considered the most likely source of the infection.