SHORT COMMUNICATION: Neutrophil oxidative metabolism and haemogram of sheep experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus and supplemented with selenium and vitamin E

The objective of this study was to evaluate neutrophil oxidative metabolism and haemogram in sheep experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus and supplemented with selenium and vitamin E. Twenty male Corriedale sheep were utilised and distributed into four experimental groups each with five animals infected with larvae: G1‐ supplemented with sodium selenite, 0.2 mg/kg body weight (bw) given intramuscularly (IM); G2‐ supplemented with sodium selenite and vitamin E, 0.2 mg/kg bw and 2000 IU per animal, respectively, both IM; G3‐ supplemented with vitamin E, 2000 IU per animal IM; G4‐ not supplemented. A haemogram and the number of parasite eggs were determined in samples of blood and faeces, respectively, on days zero (T0), 20 (T1), 40 (T2) and 60 (T3) and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assays were performed on heparinized blood samples taken on days zero, 30 and 60. A lower total leucocyte count was detected in G1 in relation to G4 at T4. Lymphocytes were reduced in G1 in relation to G3 and G4 at T3. In both non‐stimulated (NBT‐NS) and stimulated (NBT‐S) dye reduction assays, there was reduced activity at 60 days, in relation to other times in the groups treated with selenium (G1 and G2). On the basis of results obtained, we conclude that supplementation with selenium provides better antioxidant protection to neutrophils.     

中药复方多糖及其均一组分对雏鸡免疫功能的影响

目的:观察从自拟中药复方免疫增强剂中提取的复方多糖及其均一组分对雏鸡免疫功能的影响。方法:将14日龄健康雏鸡660只随机分为12组,每组55只。分别于15、16、17日龄口服黄芪多糖 环磷酰胺、复方多糖 环磷酰胺、GCPS-1-A-Ⅰ(多糖均一组分Ⅰ) 环磷酰胺、GCPS-2-A-Ⅱ(多糖均一组分Ⅱ) 环磷酰胺、GCPS-3-A-Ⅲ(多糖均一组分Ⅲ) 环磷酰胺、黄芪多糖、复方多糖、GCPS-1-A-Ⅰ、GCPS-2-A-Ⅱ、GCPS-3-A-Ⅲ、生理盐水、肌注环磷酰胺。分别在用药前、用药后7 d、14 d、21 d、28 d、35 d、42 d采血,测定红细胞数量;分别在NDⅣ系疫苗首免后7、14、21 d,二免后7、14、21 d采血、分离血清,测定ND-H I抗体效价。结果:中药复方多糖及其均一组分可使雏鸡红细胞数量、首免和二免后ND-H I抗体效价明显升高,其中以GCPS-2-A-Ⅱ组效果最佳;环磷酰胺可使上述指标明显下降,中药多糖能使环磷酰胺所致免疫抑制逆转至正常水平,复方多糖 环磷酰胺组、GCPS-2-A-Ⅱ 环磷酰胺组、GCPS-1-A-Ⅰ组、GCPS-3-A-Ⅲ组与生理盐水对照组相比差异不显著,复方多糖组、GCPS-2-A-Ⅱ组与黄芪多糖组相比差异显著。结论:中药复方多糖均一组分具有很好的免疫增强作用,但是其纯度与免疫增强效果不成正比。     

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test to assess thyroid function in severely sick cats

Basal serum thyroxine (T4) concentration and the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test were used to assess thyroid function in 36 critically ill cats examined between July 1996 and October 1998. Of the 36 cats. hyperthyroidism (as underlying or complicating disease) was suspected in 22 based on clinical signs, palpable thyroid nodules, and abnormal thyroid gland histology (study group). Hyperthyroidism was not suspected in the remaining 14 cats, which served as the control group. Based on serum T4 concentrations, suppression of thyroid function was documented in 14 (64%) cats of the study group and in 10 (71%) cats of the control group. The TRH stimulation test revealed an increase in serum T4 of less than 50% of the baseline concentration in 18 (82%) cats of the study group, and in 6 (43%) cats of the control group. In conclusion, based on the results of serum T4 determinations and the TRH stimulation tests, it was not possible to differentiate between cats with clinical and histologic evidence of thyroid dysfunction (hyperthyroidism) and cats with severe nonthyroidal illnesses.     

Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA (Sanfilippo syndrome) in a New Zealand Huntaway dog with ataxia

Aim: To investigate the nature of a progressive ataxia in a New Zealand Huntaway dog.

Methods: The affected dog was examined clinically before being humanely killed and necropsied. Selected tissues were submitted to light and electron microscopy and to biochemical analyses.

Results: The histological lesions were interpreted as indicative of one of the forms of mucopolysaccharidosis type-III (dMPS-III), a lysosomal storage disease. Biochemically there was a deficiency of heparan sulphamidase. All the heparan sulphate chains had non-reducing-end glucosamine-N-sulphate residues.

Conclusion: The disease is dMPS-IIIA (Sanfilippo syndrome). An autosomal recessive mode of inheritance can be provisionally assumed from the nature of this disease in other species.     

益生素、寡糖对三黄鸡生产性能及免疫机能的影响

将1日龄广东三黄鸡160只，随机分成5组，即对照组，试验1组(添加0．3％的益生素)，试验2组(添加0．2％的寡糖)，试验3组(添加0．3％的益生素和0．2％的寡糖)，试验4组(添加0.2％的益生素和0．1％的寡糖)，研究益生素和寡糖对肉鸡生产性能与免疫机能的影响。结果表明：饲料中添加益生素或寡糖均能显著提高肉鸡的平均日增重、饲料转化率、免疫器官指数、白细胞吞噬率及新城疫抗体效价，降低肉鸡死亡率。寡糖的作用效果前4周较明显．而益生素4周后较明显。同时添加益生素和寡糖对提高肉鸡生产性能与免疫机能具有协同作用。     

Selection of locations of knots for linear splines in random regression test‐day models

Using spline functions (segmented polynomials) in regression models requires the knowledge of the location of the knots. Knots are the points at which independent linear segments are connected. Optimal positions of knots for linear splines of different orders were determined in this study for different scenarios, using existing estimates of covariance functions and an optimization algorithm. The traits considered were test‐day milk, fat and protein yields, and somatic cell score (SCS) in the first three lactations of Canadian Holsteins. Two ranges of days in milk (from 5 to 305 and from 5 to 365) were taken into account. In addition, four different populations of Holstein cows, from Australia, Canada, Italy and New Zealand, were examined with respect to first lactation (305 days) milk only. The estimates of genetic and permanent environmental covariance functions were based on single‐ and multiple‐trait test‐day models, with Legendre polynomials of order 4 as random regressions. A differential evolution algorithm was applied to find the best location of knots for splines of orders 4 to 7 and the criterion for optimization was the goodness‐of‐fit of the spline covariance function. Results indicated that the optimal position of knots for linear splines differed between genetic and permanent environmental effects, as well as between traits and lactations. Different populations also exhibited different patterns of optimal knot locations. With linear splines, different positions of knots should therefore be used for different effects and traits in random regression test‐day models when analysing milk production traits.     

Tidal Breathing Flow‐Volume Loop Analysis for the Diagnosis and Staging of Tracheal Collapse in Dogs

Background: Tracheoscopy is generally used for the diagnosis of tracheal collapse (TC) in dogs; yet, it is costly, requires anesthesia, and can irritate the airway. The tidal breathing flow‐volume loop (TBFVL) is a safe, quick, and noninvasive pulmonary function test currently used in humans. Hypothesis: TBFVL will differentiate dogs with TC from healthy controls and contribute to disease grading. Animals: Twenty‐eight dogs with naturally occurring TC and 10 healthy controls. Methods: Cross‐sectional, prospective clinical study: The 38 dogs were assigned to one of 4 groups based on tracheoscopy results: group A (n = 10, healthy controls), group B (n = 10, grade I TC), group C (n = 10, grade II TC), and group D (n = 8, grade III TC). The TBFVL measurement was performed on all dogs and loops were assessed for their shape. Forty‐four TBFVL parameters were calculated. Results: Two types of TBFVL shapes were identified: Type I, representative of the 10 healthy controls, and Type II, representative of the 28 dogs with TC. Statistical analysis showed the dogs could be differentiated into healthy or affected by TC by 3 indices, TE/TI (expiratory time divided by inspiratory time), TI/TTOT (inspiratory time divided by total respiratory time), and EF75/IF75 (expiratory flow at end tidal volume plus 75% end tidal volume divided by inspiratory flow at end tidal volume plus 75% end tidal volume). The TC could also be graded as mild‐moderate (grades I and II) or severe (grade III), showing a diagnostic value of 97.4%. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: TBFVL is accurate, quick, noninvasive, and safe and can contribute to the diagnosis of TC in dogs.     

猪尾巴的功能

文章从猪的解剖、生理、心理、胴体、肉质方面对猪尾巴的功能作了分析点评,对当前集约化养猪中剪尾的工艺操作提出了辩证哲理的质疑观点。     

Factors associated with time to neonatal diarrhoea in French beef calves

A prospective study was carried out on 92 randomly selected beef herds in the Midi-Pyrénées region in France. The objective was to determine factors associated with time to neonatal gastroenteritis. By taking into account the “intra-herd” correlation in failure time (in the semiparametric Cox model), we identified 12 management risk factors associated with hazard of diarrhoea. Some previously have been identified, but “new” risk factors were feeding of corn silage and the incidence of diarrhoea in the last season. We used the two main approaches which are often reviewed: marginal and frailty Cox models. Our results show that these two models give different parameter estimates, so the choice of the model remains crucial.