The behaviour of residues of benzoylprop-ethyl and its breakdown products in wheat

Samples of wheat grain and straw have been analysed from trials with the wild oat herbicide benzoylprop-ethyl ( I ) in several countries. Following recommended commercial treatments (application of 1.0–1.6 kg ha^?1 at Feekes growth stage G-J), total residues of I and its hydrolysis product N-benzoyl-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-DL - alanine (free and conjugated) were low and in the majority of instances they were < 0.01 mg kg^?1 in samples of grain from the UK, although rather higher residues were detected in some grain samples from other countries. Residues in straw were higher, but normally did not exceed 2 mg kg^?1, and were rather variable, possibly as a result of differences in agricultural practice.     

The Effect of Pasteurella haemolytica A2 Infection on Phagocytosis Efficiency of Caprine Broncho‐Alveolar Macrophages

An experiment was designed to study the in vivo effect of Pasteurella haemolytica A2 infection on the phagocytosis activity of caprine broncho‐alveolar macrophages and the extent of pneumonic lesions. Twelve healthy local Kacang goats, about 7 months of age, were divided into two groups of six. Goats in group 1 were inoculated intratracheally with 4 ml inoculum containing 2.8 × 10⁹ colony‐forming units (CFU)/ml of Staphylococcus aureus. Goats in group 2 were inoculated intratracheally with 4 ml of inoculum containing 9.5 × 10⁸ CFU/ml of Pasteurella haemolytica A2 isolated earlier from pneumonic lungs of goat. At intervals of 3 and 7 days post‐challenge five goats from each group were killed and the lungs were washed with sterile phosphate‐buffered saline. Smears were prepared from the lung washing fluid and the number of macrophages with phagocytic activity was determined. At day 3 post‐infection, goats of both groups showed a similar pattern of pneumonic lesion. The lung washing fluid of goats in group 2 was found to contain numerous neutrophils and macrophages. Goats in group 2 showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher extent of lung lesions than group 1. Similarly, the average extent of lung lesions was significantly (P < 0.05) more severe in group 2 at day 7 post‐infection. The lung washing fluid contained mostly macrophages. The phagocytic activity following S. aureus infection was more efficient and significantly (P < 0.01) higher compared with infection by P. haemolytica A2. There were weak correlations between the extent of pneumonic lesion and the phagocytic activity. Thus, goats with poor phagocytic activity were likely to develop more extensive lung lesions.     

Analysis of growth curve parameters of Gobra zebu females in Senegal

Summary Analysis of growth curve parameters was performed using body weight data collected from 1968 through 1980 at Dahra Research Station, Senegal. Month of birth had little or no effect on mature size and maturing rate. Females born from mid-wet through mid-dry seasons were likely to reach lighter mature weights than those born from mid-dry through mid-wet seasons. Year of birth affected both mature weight and maturing rate (P<0.01 and P<0.001 respectively). Sire had effects (P<0.05) on maturing rate and no effect on mature size. Genetic correlations between maturing rate and body weights at birth, weaning, 12 and 18 months were 0.45±0.51, –0.21±0.52, –0.61±0.57 and –0.76±0.51 respectively. Selection for maturing rate in Gobra females would be expected to decrease weaning and post-weaning weights. The least squares means of mature size and maturing rate were 398.83±45.81 kg and 0.187% per day respectively. Gobra zebu females were about 50 and 99% mature at about 12 and 87.6 months respectively.

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Analysis De Los Prametros De Las Curvas De Crecimiento De Hembras Cebu Gobra

Resumen Se llevó a cabo un análisis de los parámetros de las curvas de crecimiento de hembras Cebú Gobra, utilizando los datos de peso colectados desde 1968 hasta 1980 en la Estación de Investigación de Dahra, Senegal. El mes de nacimiento tuvo poco o ningun efecto, en el tamaño adulto y tasa de maduración. Las hembras nacidas entre la mitad de la estación lluviosa y la mitad de la estación seca, alcanzaron pesos maduros menores que aquellas nacidas entre la mitad de la estación seca y la mitad de la estación lluviosa. El año de nacimiento afectó tanto al peso en edad madura, como a la tasa de maduración (P<0·01 y P<0·001 respectivamente). El reproductor utilizado tuvo efecto (P<0·05) sobre la tasa de maduración y ninguno sobre el tamaño en la edad adulta. Las correlaciones genéticas entre la tasa de maduración y peso corporal al nacer, al destete, 12 y 18 meses, fueron 0·45±0·51, –0·21±0·52, –0·61±0·57 y –0·76±0·51 respectivamente. Se esperaria, que la selección para tasa de maduración en hembras Gobra, disminuiría los pesos al destete y post-destete. Les medias de mínimos cuadrados de tamaño a edad madura y tasa de maduración, fueron 398·83±45·81 kg y 0·187% por día respectivamente. Las hembras Gobra Cebú, fueron cerca del 50 y 99% maduras cerca de los 12 y 87·6 meses respectivamente.

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Analyse Des Parametres Des Courbes De Croissance Des Vaches Zebu Gobra

Résumé On a entrepris une analyse des paramètres des courbes de croissance en utilisant les données pondéralés enregistrées de 1968 à 1980 à la station de recherches de Dahra, au Sénégal. Le mois de naissance n'a que peu ou pas d'effet sur la taille à l'état adulte et le taux de croissance. Les vaches nées du milieu de la saison des pluies au milieu de la saison sèche ont plus de chance d'avoir des poids adultes moins élevés que celles nées du milieu de la saison sèche au milieu de la saison des pluies. L'année de naissance affecte à la fois le poids adulte et le taux de croissance. Le mâle a un effet sur le taux de croissance et aucun sur la taille adulte. Les corrélations génétiques entre le taux de croissance et les poids à la naissance, au sevrage, à 12 et 18 mois sont respectivement de 0.45±0.51, –0.21±0.52, –0.61±0.57 et –0.76±0.51. On doit s'attendre à ce que la sélection effectuée sur le taux de croissance des femelles Gobra diminue les poids au sevrage et après sevrage. Les moyennes des moindres carrés des poids adultes et des taux de croissance sont respectivement de 398.83±45.81 kg et de 0.187 p. 100 par jour. Les vaches zébu Gobra sont adultes à 50 p. 100 et 99 p. 100 respectivement à environ 12 et 87.6 mois.

     

Depletion of residues of benzoylprop-ethyl in soil

The depletion of residues of benzolyprop-ethyl ( I ) and its hydrolysis product N-benzoyl-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-DL -alanine ( II ) in soils is reported from various trials following applications of I to soil and crops at up to 3 kg ha^?1. Quite rapid hydrolysis of I to II occurred in most soils and depletion of II followed. The total residue of I and II in the soil often initially increased, probably because of transfer of chemical from the crop to the soil, but the time for 50% disappearance of the total residue ( I+II ) was normally between 4 and 16 weeks. When four sites were treated for three successive years, carry-over of residues was negligible in three sites and showed no progressive increase in the fourth.     

Repellency and toxicity of aromatic plant extracts against the mosquito Culex pipiens molestus (Diptera: Culicidae)

The insecticidal activities of essential oil extracts from leaves, flowers and roots of aromatic plants against fourth-instar larvae of the mosquito Culex pipiens molestus Forskal were determined. Extracts of Foeniculum vulgare Mill were the most toxic, followed by those of Ferula hermonis Boiss, Citrus sinensis Osbeck, Pinus pinea L, Laurus nobilis L and Eucalyptus spp with LC50 values of 24.5, 44.0, 60.0, 75.0, 117.0 and 120.0 mg litre(-1), respectively. Combination tests between the LC50 and the maximum sub-lethal concentration (MSLC) were determined. Over 20 major components were identified in extracts from each plant species tested. Five essential oils and nine pure components were studied for their repellency against mosquito bites. Terpineol and 1,8-cineole were the most effective against Culex pipiens molestus bites offering complete protection for 1.6 and 2 h, respectively.     

A new freeze-dried living virus vaccine against sheep-pox

A sheep-pox virus strain has been adapted and multiplied in primary lamb kidney cell cultures. The main characteristics of the strain have been verified in vitro after clones were isolated, and the results confirmed its identity. The safety and the potency of the strain have been investigated in sheep.

The inoculation of the strain to sheep was followed by a post-vaccinal reaction materialised by a nodule at the site of inoculation and an increase of temperature by about 1°C. No reactions adversely affecting pregnancy have been noted. Immunisation was demonstrated by an increase in the level of neutralising serous antibodies and protection against the pathogenic virus. The immunity tended to decrease during the second year after primovaccination and a yearly booster vaccination appeared to be necessary. Primovaccination of lambs over 2 months of age produced a better immunity, especially when the lambs were born from vaccinated ewes.

This strain forms the active principle of a freeze-dried vaccine containing no adjuvant of the immunity.     

The effect of copper sulphate on performance and the structure of the gizzard in broilers

Addition of copper sulphate (about 200 mg per kg) to conventional diets produced a small, though variable, growth response and improved food conversion in broilers maintained under commercial conditions. In some experiments interactions were found between sex or coccidiostat and copper in the diet. Broilers fed on diets containing greater concentrations of copper (between 400 and 600 mg per kg) exhibited reduced growth rate and food intake. The gizzard linings of birds receiving diets containing 600 mg CuSO₄ per kg showed extensive damage. This damage was attributable to a massive increase in the shedding of the gizzard glandular cells into the koilin layer and to disruption and cessation of koilin production. Similar though less severe gizzard changes occurred in birds which received 400 mg per kg and there was a slight increase in cellular desquamation in some of the birds receiving 200 mg per kg. High concentrations of copper were found in the gizzard lining and caecal contents of birds receiving supplementary copper and there was a progressive increase in the concentration of copper in the litter on which such birds had been reared.     

Acral mutilation and analgesia in 13 French spaniels

Acral mutilation and analgesia (AMA) is reported in 13 French spaniels in Canada. This newly recognized disorder shares striking similarities in clinical features and biopsy findings to the other acral mutilation syndromes or hereditary sensory neuropathies reported in German short-haired pointer dogs, English pointer dogs and English springer spaniels. Clinical signs are first noted between 3.5 and 12 months of age. Affected dogs lick, bite and severely self-mutilate their distal extremities resulting in ulcers with secondary bacterial infection. Auto-amputation of claws, digits and footpads occurs in severe cases. Single or multiple feet can be affected. Affected dogs walked on their severely mutilated feet without evidence of pain, lameness, or ataxia. The majority of the dogs were euthanized within days to months of diagnosis.     

Effect of breed and gender on bovine liver cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) expression and inter-species comparison with other domestic ruminants

The cytochrome P450 (P450) superfamily represents a group of relevant enzymes in the field of drug metabolism and several exogenous or constitutional factors contribute to regulate its expression. Cattle represent an important source of animal-derived food-products and studies concerning the P450 expression are needed for the extrapolation of pharmacotoxicological data from one species to another and for the evaluation of the consumer's risk associated with the consumption of harmful residues found in foodstuffs. In the present study, possible breed-, gender- and species-differences in P4503A (the P450 subfamily more expressed in the human liver) expression were studied in vitro in Piedmontese (PDM) and Limousin (LIM) meat cattle breeds of both sexes and in domestic Ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats). Cytochrome P450 and P4503A contents as well as CYP3A-dependent drug metabolising enzymes (DME) were measured in liver microsomes. Significant lower levels of P450 (P < 0.001) and P4503A (P < 0.05) contents were observed in PDM vs. LIM of both sexes; the P4503A-dependent DME activities were significantly (P values ranging from 0.05 up to 0.001) higher in PDM cattle, particularly in males. A gender-effect in DME activities was noticed (P < 0.05) only in PDM male cattle. With regards to the species, the expression of both P4503A apoprotein and some of the related DME activities were more pronounced in sheep (P < 0.01 vs. cattle) and in goats (P < 0.05 vs. sheep; P < 0.01 vs. cattle) than in cattle. The significant differences in P4503A expression observed in LIM and PDM cattle are consistent with previously published data on strain- and breed-differences pointed out in rats and men. As far as a possible sex-effect is concerned, no clear-cut evidence is likely to be drawn. Finally, P4503A expression was more relevant in small ruminants.     

Zoonotic aspects of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC)

Pathogens that are transmitted between the environment, wildlife, livestock and humans represent major challenges for the protection of human and domestic animal health, the economic sustainability of agriculture, and the conservation of wildlife. Among such pathogens, the genus Mycobacterium is well represented by M. bovis, the etiological agent of bovine tuberculosis, M. avium ssp. paratuberculosis (Map) the etiological agent of Johne disease, M. avium ssp. avium (Maa) and in a few common cases by other emergent environmental mycobacteria. Epidemiologic surveys performed in Europe, North America and New Zealand have demonstrated the existence and importance of environmental and wildlife reservoirs of mycobacterial infections that limit the attempts of disease control programmes. The aim of this review is to examine the zoonotic aspects of mycobacteria transmitted from the environment and wildlife. This work is focused on the species of two main groups of mycobacteria classified as important pathogens for humans and animals: first, M. bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis, which belongs to the M. tuberculosis complex and has a broad host range including wildlife, captive wildlife, domestic livestock, non-human primates and humans; the second group examined, is the M. avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) which includes M. avium ssp. avium causing major health problems in AIDS patients and M. avium ssp. paratuberculosis the etiological agent of Johne disease in cattle and identified in patients with Crohn disease. MAC agents, in addition to a broad host range, are environmental mycobacteria found in numerous biotopes including the soil, water, aerosols, protozoa, deep litter and fresh tropical vegetation. This review examines the possible reservoirs of these pathogens in the environment and in wildlife, their role as sources of infection in humans and animals and their health impact on humans. The possibilities of control and management programmes for these mycobacterial infections are examined with regards to the importance of their natural reservoirs.