The relative plasma availabilities of ivermectin in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) following subcutaneous and two different oral formulation applications

Background

Overwintering (breeding) reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) are commonly treated with ivermectin against parasitic infestations once yearly in autumn-winter roundups. The only preparations registered to reindeer are those for subcutaneous injection. However, also oral extra-label ivermectin administration is used. Twenty-six, 8-month-old reindeer calves were randomly allocated into three groups. Group 1 (n = 9) received oral ivermectin mixture (Ivomec® vet mixt. 0.8 mg/ml, oral ovine liquid drench formulation), Group 2 (n = 9) oral ivermectin paste (Ivomec® vet 18.7 mg/g equine paste), and Group 3 (n = 8) subcutaneous injection of ivermectin (Ivomec® 10 mg/ml vet inj.), each group at a dose of 200 μg/kg body weight. Blood samples were collected at treatment and at days 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 16 post treatment. Plasma concentrations of ivermectin were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection.

Results

The peak plasma concentration (C_max) was reached by 2 days after each treatment. The C_max and Area Under Curve (AUC) differed significantly between the groups: C_max was 30.2 ± 3.9, 14.9 ± 5.7 and 63.1 ± 13.1 ng/ml, and AUC_∞ was 2881 ± 462, 1299 ± 342 and 6718 ± 1620 ng*h/ml for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively (mean ± standard deviation).

Conclusions

The differences in plasma concentrations of ivermectin are concomitant with earlier observed differences in antiparasitic efficacy, which discounts the use of the equine paste in reindeer in favour of the oral ovine liquid drench formulation, or preferably, the reindeer-registered subcutaneous injection formulation.     

Nutrient and heavy metals in decaying harvest residue needles on drained blanket peat forests

Harvest residue decomposition can significantly contribute to nutrient and heavy metal exports to receiving water courses. This study monitors the nutrient and heavy metal dynamics in decaying Sitka spruce and lodgepole pine harvest residue needles on Atlantic blanket peat forests in the west of Ireland. Using the litterbag method, harvest residue was placed both within and between furrows in two uncut forest and two clear-cut sites. On the clear-cut sites, the litterbags were positioned outside the harvest residue piles (i.e. brash windrows). Over the 2-year monitoring period, the needles decomposed slower at the clear-cut sites than the uncut forest sites, with mass losses of 46–55 and 58–77 %, respectively. Approximately 20 % less phosphorous (P) was released from the decaying needles at the clear-cut sites, while nitrogen (N) was released only at the uncut sites. Tree species was a significant factor contributing to nutrient and heavy metal release and accumulation patterns, with higher concentrations of aluminium (Al), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) in the decaying spruce needles than in pine. Conversely, the spruce needles showed accelerated depletion of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) relative to the pine. The harvest residue needle positioning (inside furrow/between furrows) and the site soil characteristics contributed significantly to Al transformations in spruce needles and iron (Fe) in both spruce and pine needles, with more accumulation occurring inside the furrows where Al and Fe contents of the peat were high. Manganese (Mn) was released from the needles in three of the four sites with a total release of over 90 % within 2 years. In the remaining site, where the Mn content of the peat was high, an accumulation of Mn in the needles was observed. The decomposition of needles on blanket peat catchments may be a significant source of P to receiving water courses, owing to their fast release of P, but not a likely source for N export.     

Recycled iron phosphate as a fertilizer raw material for tree stands on drained boreal peatlands

Fertilization of drained peatland forests with easily soluble or slow-release apatite fertilizers can increase phosphorus (P) export to water courses, especially when the soil is low in aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) hydroxides and oxides. Application of Al and Fe together with P increases P adsorption to the soil and decreases the risk of leaching. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of recycled iron phosphate (rFePO₄) as forest fertilizer raw material from environmental and forest production perspectives. Trial fertilizers with different mixtures of rFePO₄ and Russian Kola apatite (Kap) were applied on 15 mini-catchments (area 100 m²), where the discharge at the outlet was collected, sampled and analyzed throughout the about 4-year measurement period. The foliage P content and height growth of the trees on the mini-catchments were measured. The biomass growth of the extramatrical mycorrhizal mycelia (EMM) was studied with a separate in-growth mesh bag experiment conducted on the same site. The results indicated no increase in phosphorus export to surface waters after application of rFePO₄ and 25/75 and 50/50 mixtures of rFePO₄ and Kap. In contrast to earlier studies showing a relatively high P export with different types of apatite fertilizers, the Kap fertilizer showed only minor phosphorus export. The height growth measurements and needle analyses of the juvenile Scots pine stands indicated poor P availability from pure rFePO₄, but the P availability from the 50/50 and 25/75 mixtures of rFePO₄ and Kap was similar to pure Kap. The mixtures of Kap and rFePO₄ enhanced the EMM biomass by 2- to 3-fold, whereas Kap and rFePO₄ alone, and high P availability (superphosphate) had no significant effect compared to non-P controls. The increase in EMM biomass as induced by concurrent application of Kap and rFePO₄ was not clearly reflected in tree growth and P acquisition. However, longer follow-up studies than in this one may be needed in order to verify the effect of increased EMM biomass on mycorrhizal mycelia mediated nutrient uptake and tree growth.     

The Applicability of Needle Chemistry for Diagnosing Heavy Metal Toxicity to Trees

Water, Air, &; Soil Pollution - To estimate the validity of needle chemistry as a tool for diagnosing heavy metal toxicity, we collected needle samples from mature pines and young seedlings and...     

Belowground responses by AM fungi and animal trophic groups to repeated defoliation in an experimental grassland community

We tested a hypothesis that the effects of defoliation on plants and soil organisms vary with the number of successive defoliations. We established a 23-week greenhouse experiment using replicated grassland microcosms that were composed of three plant species, Trifolium repens, Plantago lanceolata and Phleum pratense, growing together in grassland soil with a diverse soil community. The experiment consisted of two treatment factors-defoliation and harvest time-in a fully factorial design. The defoliation treatment had two levels, i.e. no trimming and trimming of plants every 2 weeks, and the harvest time five levels, i.e. harvests after 1-3, 5 and 7 trimmings. Shoot production (trimmed plus harvested shoot mass), harvested shoot and root mass and root N and C concentrations increased with time but were reduced by defoliation. Colonization rates of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi decreased with time in T. repens roots but were enhanced by defoliation, whereas AM colonization rates in P. pratense roots were not affected by harvest time or defoliation. The abundance of bacterivorous and fungivorous nematodes decreased and that of herbivorous and predatory nematodes increased with time, while the abundance of omnivorous nematodes and detritivorous enchytraeids varied in time without a linear trend. Defoliation had no effect on fungivores and predators but increased the abundance of bacterivores. Defoliation also increased the abundance of herbivores, omnivores and detritivores after 2 trimmings and that of omnivores and detritivores after 5 trimmings, but had a negative effect on omnivores after 3 trimmings and on herbivores after 7 trimmings. Among nematode genera, some deviation from the trophic group responses existed: for instance, defoliation reduced the abundance of bacterivorous Acrobeloides spp. and did not affect the abundance of herbivorous Filenchus spp. and Paratylenchus spp. Our results show that the effects of defoliation on plants, AM fungi and some soil animal trophic groups may remain constant all the way through several defoliations, whereas other animal trophic groups may have different and even opposite responses to defoliation depending on the length of the defoliation period before monitoring. This shows how separate studies with defoliation periods of different length can produce contradictory results of the effects of defoliation on the abundance of soil animals.     

Heavy Metal and Arsenic Profiles in Ombrogenous Peat Cores from Four Differently Loaded Areas in Finland

The concentrations and vertical distribution of Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb and As were studied in four different ombrotrophic peat bogs with varying heavy metal loads at Hietajärvi, Outokumpu, Harjavalta and Alkkia in Finland. At each site a peat sample (15 cm × 15 cm × 100 cm) was taken using a Titanium Wardenaar corer, and the samples were cut into 5 cm slices. Dried and milled samples were determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The mean concentrations of the elements were at their highest at Harjavalta (the most polluted area), apart from Cu which had the highest value at the Cu-treated site at Alkkia. Cu concentrations were above the lowest effective limit (LOEL) on all the plots except for the background plot at Hietajärvi. The maximum Cu values were reached in the topmost 20 cm layer, indicating the effects of mining and smelting activities. The highest Zn and Ni concentrations occurred in the 0–40 cm layer. At all sites, the maximum Pb concentrations were located between 10 and 50 cm. However, the Pb concentrations were higher at Alkkia and Harjavalta than at Outokumpu and Hietajärvi, indicating anthropogenic sources of Pb at the former sites. The As concentration was also the highest in the uppermost peat layers. The mean concentrations were markedly lower in the deeper layers (40–80 cm) than in the upper layers.     

Foetal Growth in the Reindeer

In connection with reindeer, slaughter 348 foetuses were collected at different foetal developmental stages and studied together with 20 full-term newborn calves with respect to weight, crown-rump length, metacarpal bone length and appearance of ossification foci. On the basis of these measurements polynomial growth curves were constructed. Weight gain was most rapid during the last trimester of gestation, but total and metacarpal bone length gain showed only minor acceleration towards the end of pregnancy. Ossification was apparent at an age of about 6 weeks. Undernutrition during late winter was observed to retard the foetal growth.     

Prolonged persistence of fecally excreted ivermectin from reindeer in a sub-arctic environment

In December 2001 and 2002, feces from reindeer calves treated with ivermectin were distributed on plots established on two types of forested reindeer pasture in northern Finland. The ungrazed plots were on an enclosure that had been fenced to prevent reindeer access for the last 6 years. The grazed plots were on an area that had been heavily stocked by reindeer during the last 5 years. After enclosures had been established, reindeer and large wildlife were prevented from entering by a fence. Topsoil samples (feces, vegetation, and soil) were collected monthly during the summers of the following 2 years, over a period of from 25 to 95 weeks after deposition. The samples were analyzed for ivermectin using HPLC. Although ivermectin degradation rapidly took place during the first spring, considerable residual ivermectin could be measured throughout the sampling time, showing that ivermectin in feces on pasture may not be photodegraded as rapidly as previously believed. The results support the need for further environmental evaluation studies on the use of ivermectin to control reindeer parasites.     

Temporal changes in concentrations of serum amyloid-A and haptoglobin and their associations with weight gain in neonatal reindeer calves

Age-related changes in serum concentrations of two acute phase proteins (APPs), haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid-A (SAA) were investigated in newborn reindeer calves. Repeated blood samples were obtained from 51 reindeer calves at ages 0-32 days (2-4 samples from each calf). An increase of SAA concentrations was observed during the first 2 weeks of life. However, by the end of the observation period, SAA concentrations had decreased to levels below those of the first week. Serum Hp concentrations increased throughout the observation period. SAA concentrations in the second week had a negative association with weight gain during the entire study period (4 months). These time-related changes in APP concentrations suggest that these proteins have a role in the defence and adaptation mechanisms of newborn reindeer calves. Possible reasons for these changes include the presence of APP mediators in the colostrum, exposure to environmental pathogens after birth and age-related changes in hepatic synthesis of APP.     

Efficacy of different treatment regimes against setariosis (Setaria tundra,Nematoda: Filarioidea) and associated peritonitis in reindeer

Background

When a severe peritonitis outbreak in semi-domesticated reindeer was noticed in 2003 in Finland, the concerned industry urged immediate preventive actions in order to avoid detrimental effects of S. tundra and further economical losses. A research programme was swiftly initiated to study S. tundra and its impact on the health and wellbeing of reindeer.

Methods

The ultimate aim of this study was to test the efficacy of different treatment regimes against S. tundra and associated peritonitis in reindeer. The timing of the trials was planned to be compatible with the annual rhythm of the reindeer management; (1) the treatment of calves in midsummer, during routine calf ear marking, with ivermectin injection prophylaxis and deltamethrin pour-on solution as a repellent against insect vectors, (2) the treatment of infected calves in early autumn with ivermectin injection, and (3) ivermectin treatment of breeding reindeer in winter. The results were assessed using the post mortem inspection data and S. tundra detection. Finally, to evaluate on the population level the influence of the annual (late autumn-winter) ivermectin treatment of breeding reindeer on the transmission dynamics of S. tundra, a questionnaire survey was conducted.

Results

In autumn, ivermectin treatment was efficient against peritonitis and in midsummer had a slight negative impact on the degree of peritonitis and positive on the fat layer, but deltamethrin had none. Ivermectin was efficient against adult S. tundra and its smf. All the reindeer herding cooperatives answered the questionnaire and it appeared that antiparasitic treatment of reindeer population was intense during the study period, when 64–90% of the animals were treated. In the southern part of the Finnish reindeer husbandry area, oral administration of ivermectin was commonly used.

Conclusion

Autumn, and to a lesser degree summer, treatment of reindeer calves with injectable ivermectin resulted in decreased severity of peritonitis and perihepatitis in reindeer calves due to setariosis. In the case of necessity for animal welfare reasons, treatment during early autumn round ups should be considered. On the population level, massive and routinely applied antiparasitic treatments can improve the health of breeding reindeer and decrease the mortality and the number of carriers but during the outbreak could not prevent its movement and expansion to the North.