Impacts of parasites on marine survival of Atlantic salmon: a meta‐analysis

Parasites can, in theory, have large impacts on the survival of fish populations. One method to evaluate such impacts on anadromous species is to apply manipulative field experiments in which parallel groups of antiparasitically treated and non‐treated fish are simultaneously released and then subsequently recaptured as returning adults. A systematic review and meta‐analysis on all such Norwegian studies on Salmo salar provided a data set for the time period 1996 to 2011 on 118 release groups comprising 657 624 fish released and 3989 recaptured. The overall risk ratio (RR) was estimated to be 1.18 (95% CI: 1.07–1.30). The effect varied strongly between groups, (Higgins I² = 40.1%). Over 70% of this heterogeneity could be explained by the release location, time period and baseline survival. The most important predictor variable was baseline survival. In groups with low recapture in the control group (low baseline survival), the effect of treatment was high (RR = 1.7), while in groups with high recapture in the control group (high baseline survival), there was no effect of treatment (RR ~ 1.00). The most prevalent parasite in the region affected by the drugs administered was Lepeophtheirus salmonis. Hence, the meta‐analysis supports the hypothesis that L. salmonis contributes to the mortality of S. salar during outward migration. However, the effect of treatment was not consistent, but was evidently strongly modulated by other risk factors. The results suggest that the population‐level effects of parasites cannot be estimated independently of other factors affecting the marine survival of S. salar.     

Are road verges corridors for weed invasion? Insights from the fine‐scale spatial genetic structure of Raphanus raphanistrum

Raphanus raphanistrum (Brassicaceae) is considered amongst the world's worst agricultural weeds. We address critical issues in its management by studying the pathway of colonisation at local scales. For this, we assessed the small‐scale spatial genetic structure of 231 samples collected from three different sites across the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa, using 11 nuclear microsatellite markers. Although natural pollen and seed dispersal were expected to be restricted, we found no significant relationship between genetic and geographical distance within sites. Instead, our results suggest that R. raphanistrum had colonised new habitats via jump dispersal, rather than through natural diffusive dispersal at local scales. We did not find evidence for road verges as dispersal corridors, as evidenced by a lack of isolation‐by‐distance at local scales. Instead, the absence of spatial genetic structure suggests that R. raphanistrum had rapidly spread throughout its current range, possibly facilitated by human‐mediated actions. Management plans addressing containment or suppression of the weedy species R. raphanistrum (and possibly other weedy species) should take the high degree of connectivity between distant geographical localities into account.     

Differences in nitrogen‐assimilating enzyme activity in halophyte species are habitat‐related

The chemical form and content of available nitrogen (N) in salt marsh substrates varies considerably. On the western coast of Ireland, habitats designated as Ombrogenic Atlantic salt marshes were formed on ombrogenic peat substrate. The peat substrate in these systems has three times more ammonium than substrate from adjacent salt marsh habitats on sand and mud substrate. This study examined the extent to which the high concentration of ammonium in peat salt marsh substrate influences the N‐ assimilating enzyme activity of halophytes and the extent to which N metabolism differs between species. Specifically, this work investigated whether plants from peat salt marshes are more likely to assimilate ammonium than plants from non‐peat substrates. Four halophyte plant species—Armeria maritima, Aster tripolium, Plantago maritime, and Triglochin maritime—were sampled from various saltmarsh habitats including three sites on peat substrate and three on non‐peat substrate, comprising sand, mud and sand/mud. The activities of N‐metabolising enzymes—glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate synthase, glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), and nitrate reductase (NR)—were quantified in shoot and root parts. Root GS activity in Armeria maritima and shoot GS activity in Triglochin maritima were positively correlated with increasing soil ammonium levels. Root NR activity in Aster tripolium and shoot NR activity in Plantago maritima were significantly higher in plants grown on non‐peat substrates than peat substrates. The shoot : root GS activity ratio in Triglochin maritima on peat substrate was more than double the ratio on non‐peat substrates. It is concluded that all species tested displayed differences in N‐metabolising activities depending on the chemical form and/or concentration of N in the substrate, while three out of the four species were capable of taking advantage of the high levels of ammonium in peat substrates.     

What veterinarians need to know about communication to optimise their role as advisors on udder health in dairy herds

The veterinary practitioner is one of the most important advisors for farmers in the field of udder health. He or she has the tools to improve udder health if farmers are motivated to do so. Many farmers think that udder health is important, but this does not always mean that management of mastitis is up to standard. Many veterinarians are of the opinion that they are unable to convince their clients of the possible profits to be gained from investing in management of mastitis. Something is required to bridge this gap. This article, based on data and experiences from The Netherlands, describes the communication issues that can be considered in order to improve the role of the veterinarian as advisor, to achieve better udder health. The outcome is beneficial for both farmers and veterinarians, the former for reasons of economics, welfare and ease of work; the latter because it creates extra, challenging work. It is concluded that the veterinary practitioner is in an ideal situation to advise and motivate farmers to improve udder health but, to do this, the means of communication need to take account of the different learning styles of farmers. The most important aspects of such communication are found to be a pro-active approach, personalisation of messages, providing a realistic frame of reference for the farmer, and use of the farmer's social environment. Importantly, all persons and organisations in a farmer's social environment should articulate the same message.     

Clinical evaluation of sodium sulfanilate clearance for the diagnosis of renal disease in dogs

Sodium sulfanilate (ss) clearance time was measured in 13 clinically normal dogs and in 24 dogs with suspected renal disease. The results were compared with those from more routine tests of renal function to assess whether measurement of ss clearance provided additional information about the degree of renal dysfunction. It was concluded that ss clearance is a more sensitive measure of renal dysfunction than is serum creatinine or blood urea nitrogen. Sodium sulfanilate half-life was increased before the complete loss of ability to concentrate urine; however, urine concentrating ability was impaired in some dogs with normal ss clearance. In dogs with glomerular disease, proteinuria developed before increased ss clearances. However, ss clearance was a more reliable method of monitoring the degree of renal dysfunction than was protein concentration in single urine samples.     

The reaction of ovine neutrophils to Histophilus ovis in relation to genital infection of rams

Histophilus ovis was shown to be phagocytized by neutrophils when the organisms enter the lumen of the reproductive tract of the ram. The phagocytosis and destruction of H. ovis by neutrophils was demonstrated in vitro by the viable count method and by electron microscopy. It was shown that immunoglobulins and complement had no influence on the phagocytosis and destruction of H. ovis. Phagocytosis and killing of H. ovis was accomplished equally well by neutrophils from immunized and non-immunized rams. Immunized rams showed a massive infiltration of neutrophils into the walls, epithelium and lumen of their ampullae when dead H. ovis were introduced into their lumen.     

Reduction of salmonella infection of broilers by spray application of intestinal microflora: a longitudinal study

The Nurmi concept for diminishing salmonella infection of poultry by application of gastrointestinal microflora from adult birds into newly hatched chicks was tested in a field study in which 8 million broilers were involved. Half of the 284 flocks was treated in the hatchery by spray application of an undefined microflora propagated in SPF chicks. A significant reduction in salmonella-contaminated flocks, as well as in the number of infected broilers in these flocks was demonstrated. No undesirable side effects were detected. It was concluded that hygienic improvements in transportation and slaughtering of broilers are needed in order to maintain the reduced salmonella contamination rate.     

Inheritance of resistance in carnation against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. dianthi races 1 and 2, in relation to resistance components

Four carnation cultivars, Novada (resistant to races 1 and 2 ofFusarium oxysporum f.sp.dianthi), Elsy (susceptible to race 1), Lena (susceptible to race 2) and Sam's Pride (susceptible to both races), were selfed and crossed. When three months old, the seedlings were inoculated via the roots or via the stems, after which wilting was recorded weekly according to a 5-point ordinal scale.Analyses were carried out on the proportions of diseased plants. For race 1 variation between the progenies could be described by means of general combining abilities only; GCA values were not affected by the inoculation method used. Also for race 2 GCAs were most important but the GCA values appeared different for the two inoculation methods. It is concluded that resistance to both races is inherited in an additive way.Indications for independently inherited root-specific resistance components (extravascular resistance) were only found with race 2. With both races, the ability to confine the pathogen at the infection site appeared the most important resistance component. Resistant progenies were also characterized by longer latent periods and lower wilting rates.Both race 1 and race 2 induced the accumulation of the phytoalexins dianthalexin and methoxydianthramide S, but race 2 induced higher amounts than race 1. The accumulation of phytoalexins was positively correlated to the resistance level of the progenies against the respective races. The progenies of the double-resistant cultivar Novada appeared to produce particularly high levels of phytoalexins.     

Prevalence of paratuberculosis in the dairy goat and dairy sheep industries in Ontario,Canada

A cross-sectional study was undertaken (October 2010 to August 2011) to estimate the prevalence of paratuberculosis in the small ruminant dairy industries in Ontario, Canada. Blood and feces were sampled from 580 goats and 397 sheep (lactating and 2 y of age or older) that were randomly selected from 29 randomly selected dairy goat herds and 21 convenience-selected dairy sheep flocks. Fecal samples were analyzed using bacterial culture (BD BACTEC MGIT 960) and polymerase chain reaction (Tetracore); serum samples were tested with the Prionics Parachek enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Using 3-test latent class Bayesian models, true farm-level prevalence was estimated to be 83.0% [95% probability interval (PI): 62.6% to 98.1%] for dairy goats and 66.8% (95% PI: 41.6% to 91.4%) for dairy sheep. The within-farm true prevalence for dairy goats was 35.2% (95% PI: 23.0% to 49.8%) and for dairy sheep was 48.3% (95% PI: 27.6% to 74.3%). These data indicate that a paratuberculosis control program for small ruminants is needed in Ontario.