Histochemical studies on the dependence of secretory function of the major vestibular gland (Bartholin's gland) on ovarian steroid hormones in the cat.

The dependency of the secretory function of the feline major vestibular gland (Bartholin's gland) on the ovarian steroid hormones was studied histochemically. After estrogen (estradiol-17 beta or diethylstilbestrol), progesterone or a combination of these was administered to cats which were previously ovariohysterectomized, the major vestibular glands were removed, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and stained by alcian blue, periodic acid-Schiff or peroxidase-labeled lectin (peanut agglutinin and wheat germ agglutinin). The vividly positive reactions to the stainings applied were observed in the secretory epithelial cells of the major vestibular glands in the estrogen treated animals. The dependency of the secretory function of the major vestibular glands on the estrogen was demonstrated in this study.     

Prevention of infectious diseases in aquaculture

Infectious diseases remain one of the most important limitations to the successful propagation of aquatic animals. Most of the losses caused by pathogens in aquaculture could be prevented by health inspection, adequate environment and sound management practices. Effective control measures, mainly based upon 1) avoidance of pathogens 2) modification of the environment 3) improvement of host resistance 4) vaccination and 5) chemoprophylaxis are described.     

Effect of rice variety on methane emission from an Indonesian paddy field

Variations in CH₄ emission from a Sumatra paddy field in which 8 popular modern varieties in Indonesia were grown were compared in the 1994/1995 rainy season. Total amounts of CH₄ emitted during the period of rice growth were in the ranges of 32.6-41.7 and 51.3–64.6 g CH₄ m^-2 for the plots amended with chemical fertilizer only and those amended with both rice straw and chemical fertilizer, respectively. The mean CH₄ emission rate was highest in the plot with the variety Bengawan solo and lowest in the plots with the varieties Atomita-4 and Way seputih among the plots which received chemical fertilizer, while highest in the plot with Way seputih and lowest in the plot with Bengawan solo among the plots amended with both rice straw and chemical fertilizer. The increase in the mean CH₄ emission rates by rice straw application was higher for the plots planted with Way seputih (1.98 times) and Atomita-4 (1.77 times) than for the plots with Bengawan solo (1.23 times) and IR-64 (1.35 times). The plots with Walanai and Cisanggarung recorded intermediate mean emission rates and the increase in CH₄ emission by rice straw application was also intermediate (1.57–1.64 times). It was noteworthy that Way seputih and Atomita-4 were derived from the variety Cisadane, Bengawan solo and IR-64 from the variety IR-54, and Walanai and Cisanggarung from the varieties IR-36 and Pelita 1-1, respectively.

The amounts of CH. emitted for 1 kg grain production ranged from 53 (Atomita-4) to 74 (Kapuas and Walanai) and from 89-93 (IR-64, Bengawan solo, and Atomita-4) to 121 (Kapuas) g CH₄ kg^-1 of grain for the plots amended with chemical fertilizer and those amended with rice straw and chemical fertilizer, respectively.     

Chemical characteristics and potential source of fulvic acids leached from the plow layer of paddy soil

To understand better the chemical characteristics and source of dissolved organic matter (DOM) leached from the plow layer of rice paddies, a lysimeter study was conducted, which simulated submerged paddy topsoil during rice growth. The fulvic acid (FA) fraction in the percolation water from the lysimeter was collected by adsorption onto insoluble polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and the temporal variations in its elemental composition, molecular size distribution, IR spectra, ¹³C CPMAS NMR spectra, and δ¹³C values were investigated. The proportion of the FA fraction to bulk DOM varied greatly, but the chemical characteristics of the FA fraction did not change appreciably during the experimental period. Thus, it is considered that the changes in the DOM composition in percolation water were mainly due to the differing contributions of the FA fraction. Further, to investigate the source of the FA fraction in the leachate, the chemical characteristics of the FA fraction in the leachate were compared with those extracted from the plow layer soil. A sequential extraction of the FA fraction was conducted using a sequence of water, 0.25 M Na₂SO₄, 0.1 M Na₄P₂O₇ (pH 7.0), 0.1 M Na₄P₂O₇ (pH 10.5), and NaBH₄+0.1 M Na₄P₂O₇ (pH 10.5). It was found that the water- and 0.25 M Na₂SO₄-extractable fractions, which were most mobile, were not the only source of the FA fraction in the leachate. The small molecular size sub-fraction of the NaBH₄+0.1 M Na₄P₂O₇ (pH 10.5)-extractable FAs, most of which are probably bound mainly to iron oxides, are considered to be another source of the FA fraction leached from the plow layer of paddy fields.     

Isolation of Staphylococcus species from the tonsils of healthy cattle and phage patterns of isolates

Staphylococci were found in the tonsils of 121 (75.2%) of 161 cattle. There were 15 different species, 10 belonging to novobiocin-sensitive species. The most predominant species was S. simulans (79.3% of the 121 carriers), followed by S. aureus (20.7%), S. chromogenes (10.7%) and S. epidermidis (8.3%). The other 11 species were present in 0.8 to 5.8%. Twenty-six unidentifiable isolates were isolated from 26 (21.5%) carriers. Sixty-two (51.2%) of the 121 carriers yielded two to five Staphylococcus species together while only one species could be found in each of the other 59 (48.8%). Combinations of S. simulans and other species were most frequently encountered in 50 (41.3%) of the 121 carriers. Twenty-four (96.0%) out of 25 S. aureus isolates, 3 (42.9%) of 7 S. hyicus isolates and 45 (25.4%) of 177 coagulase-negative staphylococci (13 species and unidentifiable isolates) isolates were phage typable. Most of S. aureus isolates were lysed by bovine phages 119 (n = 16) or 116 (n = 5). Thirty-three (25.4%) of 45 coagulase-negative staphylococci typable isolates with Pulverer's phage set showed the phage pattern ph5/ph9/ph10/ph12/ph13/U4/U14/U16/++ +U20/U46. The tonsils of cattle thus appear to be a suitable environment for Staphylococcus species, particularly novobiocin-sensitive species.     

Effect of feeding wood kraft pulp on the growth performance,feed digestibility,blood components,and rumen fermentation in Japanese Black fattening steers

This study aimed to examine the effects of feeding kraft pulp (KP) on the growth performance, feed digestibility, and rumen fermentation of Japanese Black fattening steers. Ten Japanese Black fattening steers (aged 26 months) were randomly divided into control and KP groups. The control group (n = 5) was fed concentrate feed without KP, and the KP group (n = 5) was fed concentrate feed containing 10% KP. Both the groups were provided rice straw as roughage. The experiment was conducted over a period of 12 weeks. There was no significant difference in dry matter intake, daily body weight gain, and nutrient digestibility between both groups. No difference was observed in the ruminal concentrations of volatile fatty acids among the groups. At weeks 8 and 12 after the onset of the experiment, the acetate‐to‐propionate ratio in the ruminal fluid of the KP group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The average daily pH of ruminal fluid and activity of ruminal lipopolysaccharide did not differ between the groups. Our results suggested that the growth performance and feed digestibility in the Japanese Black fattening steers were not influenced by replacing concentrate feed with KP.     

Single oral β-cryptoxanthin administration increases its serum concentration and enhances peripheral blood neutrophil function in Holstein cattle

We investigated the effect of oral administration of β-cryptoxanthin (β-CRX) on its serum concentration and peripheral neutrophil functions by the chemiluminescence (CL) response in Holstein cattle. A single oral administration of β-CRX was performed for serum β-CRX concentration (0, 0.05, 0.1, or 0.2 mg/kg body weight [BW]) and for peak CL response of peripheral neutrophils (0.2 mg/kg BW). The serum β-CRX concentration was peaked on 2 days after, similar to peak CL response on 3 days after β-CRX administration. Therefore, a single oral administration of β-CRX (0.2 mg/kg BW) induces higher serum concentration and concurrently enhances bactericidal ability of peripheral neutrophils in Holstein cattle.     

Changes in Activities of Enzymes Related to Energy Metabolism in Peripheral Leukocytes of Fattening Steers

Glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) concentrations, some enzyme activities in plasma, and activities of enzymes related to energy metabolism in peripheral leukocytes were measured in fattening Japanese Black Wagyu x Holstein steers fed on different diets at 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 months of age. The plasma IRI concentrations at 20 and 24 months of age were significantly higher than those at 8 months of age. Activities of hexokinase (HK), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) in cytosolic fractions, and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), MDH and AST in mitochondrial fractions in peripheral leukocytes of steers at 24 months of age were significantly higher than those at 8 months. Increasing plasma insulin concentration was considered to induce acceleration of glucose utilization in leukocytes of fattening steers. The cytosolic ratio of MDH/lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in leukocytes increased significantly in the fattening process and was considered to be a useful indicator for evaluating changes in energy metabolism in steers.