Brucellosis in migratory sheep flock from Maharashtra,India

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease worldwide distributed and having the economic as well as public health importance. The prevalence of brucellosis among sheep flock having history of abortions was studied. A total of 229 samples comprising of 157 blood and 72 clinical samples (vaginal swabs) were collected from 157 animals. Clinical samples were processed for the isolation of Brucella melitensis. Serum samples (n = 157) were tested by Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and i-ELISA. A total of 68 (43.31%) and 104 (66.24%) samples were positive by RBPT and ELISA, respectively. Brucella isolates (n = 2) were recovered from clinical samples. Both isolates demonstrated amplification for bcsp 31 and IS711 genes. On AMOS PCR, both the isolates amplified at 731 bp, i.e., belongs to B. melitensis species. The incidence of B. melitensis in a migratory flock warns the thorough testing and culling of Brucella-infected sheep from the flock on a continuous basis; otherwise, such incidence will be routine and poor farmers will be at a loss.     

Genetic evaluation of growth in farmers’ flocks of Madras Red sheep under long-term selection in a group breeding scheme

The Network Project on Sheep Improvement (NWPSI)–Madras Red field unit is a group breeding scheme involving 198 farmers’ flocks of Madras Red sheep in which selection for growth traits and rotation of rams have been practised for over two decades. Growth data collected from these flocks were used to evaluate the performance and understand the direct and expected responses to selection based on genetic parameters. The body weight at birth (BW), weaning weight (WW), 6-month weight (6W), 9-month weight (9W), 12-month weight (YW), pre-weaning average daily gain (ADG1, birth to 3 months), post-weaning ADG2 (3–6 months), ADG3 (6–9 months), ADG4 (9–12 months) and ADG5 (3–12 months) were 2.67, 10.05, 14.56, 18.36, 21.36, 80.13, 49.05, 43.00, 34.21 and 41.18 g, respectively. Univariate analyses were carried out using animal and sire models to estimate variance components. Heritability obtained from animal model for BW was 0.36 and the values for other body weight traits were almost unity. Heritability estimate for pre-weaning ADG1 was 0.31. Very high genetic variability was observed in spite of long-term selection and this sustenance of variability is one of the main advantages of a group breeding scheme, combining several flocks of smaller size. An increasing genetic and phenotypic trend was noticed for almost all the traits studied. The expected responses calculated based on genetic parameters also indicated scope for improvement.     

Viability of cattle sperm under different storage conditions in Cameroon

A study was carried out to evaluate the viability of extended cattle semen, without freezing, under different storage conditions. The semen was collected from Holstein Friesian bulls using artificial vaginas. The semen was extended and stored in a 3-by-4 factorial design (storage system × ice change). The storage media were ice boxes, buckets, and refrigerator. The ice in these media was either replaced daily, on the first and third day, first day only, or no ice at all after the semen collection. Results showed an overwhelming evidence of the effect of storage medium and ice change on sperm viability (P < 0.0001). Individual motility before processing was highest in the refrigerator with averages of 44.5%, 39.5% in ice boxes, and 10% in buckets during the 8-day experiment. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in progressive motility after processing in the refrigerator (34%) and in ice boxes (33%) but significantly higher (P < 0.01) to the 10% obtained in buckets. It was shown that spermatozoa in the ice box retained 45% individual motility up to the sixth day after semen was collected on the condition that the ice was changed on the third day. Progressive motility after processing in the ice box was 40% up to the sixth day with the ice changed on the third day while the spermatozoa were well preserved up to the fourth day in the same medium if the ice put on the first day was not changed. This study shows that, if farmers plan to inseminate cows within the first day after semen collection, they can use buckets with ice for the transportation of the extended semen ampoules from the artificial insemination center. Otherwise, the semen needs to be kept in ice boxes and the ice changed on the third day after collection and this semen could be used within a week.     

Incidence of swallowing during exercise in horses with dorsal displacement of the soft palate

Reasons for performing study: The relationship between dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) and swallowing is unclear. Objective: To quantify the relationship between DDSP and swallowing in horses at exercise. Hypotheses: The frequency of swallowing increases immediately prior to DDSP in horses at exercise. Methods: Videoendoscopic and upper airway pressure data were collated from horses with a definitive diagnosis of DDSP at exercise. Horses with no upper airway abnormalities were matched by age, breed and sex and used as controls. Sixty‐nine horses were identified with a definitive diagnosis of DDSP during the study interval. Airway pressure data were available for 42 horses. Results: The majority of horses displaced at high exercising speeds while accelerating; a smaller number displaced during deceleration after peak speed had been reached. Horses swallowed significantly more frequently in the 1 min immediately preceding DDSP than in the control horses at equivalent speeds. DDSP at exercise results in a significant increase in tracheal expiratory pressure, a significant decrease in pharyngeal expiratory pressure and a significantly less negative pharyngeal inspiratory pressure compared to matched controls and compared to the pressures during the 1 min interval prior to DDSP. There was no significant difference between any measure of airway pressure before or after a swallow when examined at each time interval in the DDSP population. Conclusions: The frequency of swallowing decreases with increasing speed in normal horses. In contrast, the frequency of swallowing increases immediately prior to onset of DDSP. This is not a result of pharyngeal and tracheal pressure changes. Potential relevance: The increased frequency of swallowing observed prior to DDSP may be related to the aetiology of the disease.     

Gene expression in the forebrain of dexamethasone-treated pigs: effects on stress neuropeptides in the hypothalamus and hippocampus and glutamate receptor subunits in the hippocampus

Gene expression studies advance our understanding of the effects of stress and glucocorticoids on brain function and give a new direction to animal welfare research. In this context, the presence of messenger RNA s (m RNA s) for corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) and vasopressin (VP) in the porcine hypothalamus has recently been documented. This study investigated the expression of CRH, VP and ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) subunit m RNA s in the brains of pigs treated with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex; 5 mg kg(-1)i.v.). In the hypothalamus, VP, but not CRH, m RNA was reduced 3 hours after Dex. In the hippocampus, expression of m RNA s for some iGluR subunits appeared to be differentially regulated 6 hours after Dex. In addition, CRH message was detected in the hippocampus and significantly upregulated in the CA1 region 3 hours after Dex. The relevance of these findings to stress neurobiology of the growing pig is discussed.     

Recurrent and persistent urinary tract infections in dogs: 383 cases (1969-1995)

Laboratory records of bacterial urine cultures from 383 dogs with recurrent or persistent urinary tract infections (UTI) diagnosed at the University of California Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) between 1969 and 1995 were reviewed retrospectively to characterize the bacteria involved and their association with age, gender, and breed of dogs affected. Sixty-eight breeds and a mixed-breed group were represented. Escherichia coli was the most common isolate, although mixed-bacterial infections were seen in 58% of the female and 55% of the male dogs. Recurrent and persistent UTI were most prevalent in middle-aged to older German shepherd dogs, miniature/toy poodles, and Labrador retrievers, with no apparent sex predilection. Criteria fitting recurrent and persistent UTI were present in 0.3% of all dogs seen at the VMTH during this 26-year period.     

Some safety aspects of salmonella vaccines for poultry: distribution and persistence of three Salmonella typhimurium live vaccines

The purpose of this study was to analyze the safety characteristics of three commercially available live Salmonella vaccine strains (vacT, Zoosaloral, and X3985) in relation to their persistence in individual animals but also within a flock and in the environment. In a first experiment, the digestive and systemic distributions in chickens were followed for 10 days in individually reared chickens that were orally inoculated at 1 day of age. Strain X3985 quickly disappeared from the digestive tract but remained in the liver until the end of this experiment, whereas strains vacT and Zoosaloral colonized the liver as well as the gut for 10 days. In the second trial, behavior of the vaccine strains was studied in groups of 20 chickens during 10 wk after a single oral administration to individual birds. Strain vacT remained in the environment of inoculated animals for 4-5 wk. Six weeks after the inoculation, vacT was not recovered from internal organs such as liver and spleen, and vacT disappeared from the digestive tract between the sixth and the 10th weeks. Comparatively, both Zoosaloral and X3985 vaccine strains persisted longer in the environment (8 wk at least). Of the vaccine strains, X3985 showed the greatest colonization of both systemic and digestive organs.     

Growth characteristics of fibroblasts isolated from the trunk and distal aspect of the limb of horses and ponies

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is a difference in in vitro growth of fibroblasts isolated from the trunk and distal aspect of the limb of horses and ponies. To determine the effects of a corticosteroid and monokine on in vitro growth of fibroblasts isolated from the trunk and distal aspect of the limb of horses and ponies. STUDY DESIGN: Growth of fibroblasts from tissues harvested from the trunk and limb were compared from horse and pony samples grown in control media and control media with triamcinolone or monokine added. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Dermal and subcutaneous tissue from 22 horses and 17 ponies of various ages and breeds. METHODS: Fibroblast growth was assessed by tritiated thymidine uptake using standard cell culture techniques. The effect of a monokine or triamcinolone plus control media were compared with control media for fibroblast growth. RESULTS: Fibroblast growth from tissues isolated from the horse limb was significantly less than growth from the horse trunk and the limb and trunk of ponies. Monokine was more effective than triamcinolone in suppressing fibroblast growth from tissues isolated from the trunk and limb in both horses and ponies. CONCLUSIONS: There are growth differences in fibroblasts isolated from the limb of horses compared with those isolated from the trunk and from the limb and trunk of ponies. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The difference in fibroblast growth from tissues isolated from the trunk and limb of horses and ponies may provide evidence for the difference reported in the healing characteristics of limb wounds in horses and ponies. Influencing fibroblast growth may provide a key to controlling the development of exuberant granulation tissue in horses and ponies.