Book review

Ethical, Ethological and Legal Aspects of Intensive Farm Animal Management, by E. von Loeper, G. Martin, J. Müller, A. Nabholz, G. van Putten, H. H. Sambraus, G. M. Teutsch, J. Troxler, B., Tschanz, 1987. 158 pp. illustrated. Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel. DM 59. ISBN 3 7643 1930 5.     

Adenohypophyseal receptors for LHRH, pituitary content of gonadotropins and plasma concentrations of LH in cyclic, pregnant and postpartum beef cows

Adenohypophyseal concentrations of LHRH receptors, pituitary content of LH and FSH, and plasma concentrations of LH were determined in thirty Hereford, Angus or Hereford-Angus heifers that were randomly assigned by breed and weight to five periods including day 3 of the estrous cycle (CY), pregnant day 120 (P120), 200 (P200), 275 (P275), or day 2 postpartum (PP). Jugular blood samples were collected at 10-min intervals for 8 hr from all cows. Within 2 hr after completion of blood sampling, animals were slaughtered and the pituitary gland frozen at −196 C. LH pulse frequency/8 hr was reduced (P<.05) during gestation (.5, .2, and 1.5 ± .5/8 hr, for P120, P200, and P275, respectively) and PP (.5 ± .5/8 hr) compared to CY (7.8 ± .5/8 hr). Frequency of LH pulses/8 hr was not different (P>.1) among P120, P200 or PP periods but was different (P<.05) between P200 and P275. There were no differences in LH pulse height (P>.1) among periods; however, pulse amplitude was greatest (P<.05) at P120 (1.3 ± .2 ng/ml) and lowest between P200 and PP (.6 to .8 ± .2 ng/ml). Baseline concentrations of plasma LH did not differ (P>.1) among P and PP periods (.3 ± .1 ng/ml), but were lower (P<.05) than in CY animals (.7 ± .1 ng/ml). Concentration of adenohypophyseal LHRH receptors was approximately two-fold greater (P<.05) at P120 (25.85 ± 2.2 fmol/mg) than at all other periods (9.5 to 14.9 ± 2.2 fmol/mg). Pituitary content of LH was greatest at P120 (1.56 ± .11 ug/mg) and lowest (P<.05) at P275 and PP (0.46 to 0.52 ± .11 ug/mg). Pituitary content of FSH was greatest (P<.05) in P (12.7 to 17.0 ± 1.4 ug/mg) and PP (18.3 ± 1.4 ug/mg) vs CY (5.0 ± 1.4 ug/mg) cows and increased from P120 to PP (P<.05). Results indicate that physiological changes occurring during gestation may have an effect on subsequent function of the adenohypophysis in beef cows.     

Host range of avian influenza virus in free-living birds

Isolation of avian influenza virus (AIV) has been reported from 12 orders and 88 species of free-living birds. Most isolations are reported from species in the orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes and it is recognized that species in Anseriformes represent important reservoirs of AIV. Morbidity and mortality among free-living birds attributable to AIV infection are rare, but differences in prevalence of AIV occur within and between avian species. Seasonal variation has been reported from free-living and sentinel ducks with peak AIV infection occurring in late summer and early fall. Prevalence of AIV is age-related, with highest isolation rates reported from juvenile birds. Differences in susceptibility to AIV infection among species have been demonstrated under experimental conditions. The dynamics and epidemiology of species-related variation in populations of free-living birds require further study.     

An enzyme immunoassay employing monoclonal antibodies and detecting specifically antibodies to classical swine fever virus

An enzyme immunoassay (complex-trapping-blocking ELISA, CTB ELISA) for the detection of antibodies against classical swine fever virus (SFV) has been developed. The CTB ELISA employs two monoclonal antibodies directed against different antigenic sites of SFV. A set of 2545 pig sera was tested in the CTB ELISA and in the neutralizing peroxidase-linked assay (NPLA) for neutralizing antibody to SFV. The CTB ELISA and the NPLA confirmed each other in 97% of the sera. The CTB ELISA detects low-level antibodies that can be found early after infection with low-virulent SFV strains or in postvaccination sera or sera with maternal antibodies. The CTB ELISA scored no false-positive results, whereas the NPLA scored 9 sera positive for SFV on a set of 81 pig sera that had antibodies against bovine viral diarrhoea virus.     

Comparison of haemodynamic changes during two surgical methods for neutering female dogs

The aim was to investigate if intraoperative registrations of blood pressure and heart rate could be used to estimate surgical trauma. In a prospective clinical trial, registrations in eight dogs neutered by laparoscopic ovariectomy (LOE) were compared with eight dogs subjected to open ovariohysterectomy (OHE). For comparisons phases were used: phase zero = steady state after induction of anaesthesia; phase one = opening of abdomen; phase two = severing of ovarian pedicles; and, phase three = abdominal closure. During LOE, mean systolic blood pressure increased by 7 mm Hg (p = 0.05) and 15 mm Hg (p = 0.01) from phase zero to phase one and two, respectively, and during OHE by 3 mm Hg (ns) and 29 mm Hg (p < 0.0001), respectively. The increase from phase one to phase two differed between groups (p = 0.03). Heart rate did not change. Frequent intraoperative measurements of blood pressure appear a promising method for evaluating surgical trauma.     

Studies of bovine Mycoplasma mastitis. 2. Testing of various culture media and culture methods for the isolation of Mycoplasma from milk samples]

The recipes Medium-I broth, Medium-B broth, and Weissenseemycoplasma broth as well as Medium-I agar, Medium-B agar, and MRL agar were tested for their applicability to culturing mycoplasma from milk samples, using the direct and indirect techniques. No dependable information on the occurrence of mycoplasma was obtainable from tested material unless several nutritive media and techniques were combined. Medium I, for which almost no imported substances were needed, was in no way inferior to common international nutritive substrates. Its use in conjunction with the indirect culturing technique is recommended for routine diagnosis.     

Aortic interruption in a dog.

A 3-month-old English Bulldog was found to have a discontinuity between the ascending and descending aorta. There were no signs of illness associated with the interruption. The descending aorta was supplied with blood by collateral circulation. An aortic graft of woven synthetic material was surgically implanted to connect the ascending and descending aorta. Without any restrictions on the dog's activity, the dog has lived for over 1 year and continues to do well.