Skeletal muscle protein turnover in broiler and layer chicks

Dietary infusion of L-[U-14C]tyrosine was used to estimate the fractional protein synthesis rates (FSR) in broiler and layer chickens. Six 2-wk-old birds of each strain were placed in individual metabolism cages and given a purified diet in agar-gel containing 2 microCi L-[U-14C]tyrosine for 6 h. The birds were sacrificed and the pectoralis major (PM) and two combined leg (LM) muscles (gastrocnemius and peroneous longus) were removed for analysis. Subgroups of chickens were sacrificed 3 d before and 3 d after infusion to observe changes in muscle composition to calculate fractional protein accretion rates (FAR). Fractional protein breakdown rates (FBR) were calculated by difference (FBR = FSR-FAR). Protein, ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) concentrations were determined to observe relationships between these cellular constituents and FSR. Fractional whole body growth rate and FSR in PM was greater (P less than .05) in broiler than layer birds. The FSR in LM of the layer was not different (P greater than .05) from that of broilers, and from the FSR of the PM in each bird-type. The calculated FBR in the layer PM was at least 17% higher than that of the other muscles. Ratios of FSR to FBR indicated that 16% of the protein synthesized in the layer PM was retained, compared with 45% in the broiler PM. The RNA activity of the layer PM was less (P less than .05) than that of the other muscles investigated. Deoxyribonucleic acid activity was lower (P less than .05) in the PM than LM of either bird-type.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Analysis of relationships between German heavy horse breeds based on pedigree information

We analysed the relationship coefficients (R) between the four German heavy horse breeds South German Coldblood, Rhenish German Draught Horse, Schleswig Draught Horse and Black Forest Draught Horse. The relationship coefficient makes it possible to ascertain crossbreeding between the breeds over time, or autonomous developments of the breeds, respectively. The investigation revealed that the relationship coefficients between the German draught horse breeds were very low. The mean relationship coefficients between the four German heavy horse breeds were largest between the South German Coldblood and Schleswig Draught Horse (0.103%), whereas mean relationship coefficients were lowest between the Rhenish German and Black Forest Draught Horse (0.001%). The Rhenish German Draught Horse showed largest relationship coefficients with the Schleswig Draught Horse (0.09%), while the Black Forest Draught Horse was mostly related to the South German Coldblood (0.06%). The results reveal the presence of very few common progenitors of the breeds. The gene flow between the breeds is primarily due to crossbreeding of stallions and, especially, in the Rhenish German Draught Horse population breeding with a few mares from other German draught horse breeds.     

Persistent Frenulum of the Epiglottis in Four Foals

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical signs and management of 4 foals with persistent frenulum of the epiglottis. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMALS: Four newborn foals. METHODS: Foals were admitted with a complaint of oronasal reflux after nursing. Variable systemic signs of aspiration pneumonia were evident. Nasal endoscopy confirmed persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate. Persistent frenulum of the epiglottis, confirmed by oral endoscopic examination, was transected. RESULTS: After surgery, all foals had the epiglottis positioned normally, dorsal to the soft palate. Clinical signs of oronasal reflux resolved by the second nursing attempt in 3 foals, whereas this was difficult to assess in one foal that was nursed intermittently because of the mares behavior. This foal died 2 days later. The other 3 foals have had normal epiglottic function for 2-4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent frenulum of the epiglottis should be considered in foals with oronasal reflux from birth. With appropriate medical and surgical management the prognosis for resolution should be good.     

Vaginal Neurofibroma in a Hysterectomized Poodle Dog

A 15‐year‐old, spayed, female poodle dog was presented for evaluation of a mass of tissue prolapsed from the vulva. The dog had been hysterectomized when it was 5 years old. A vaginal mass had been removed approximately 10 months before presentation. Haematological and serum biochemistry analyses demonstrated mild leucocytosis and glycaemia. A vaginal smear was predominantly made up of parabasal cells and intermediate cells with no neoplastic cells. Thoracal and abdominal radiographic findings were unremarkable. The ovaries could not be identified using abdominal ultrasonography. A midline exploratory laparotomy identified both ovaries that were surgically excised. The vaginal mass was also removed following an episiotomy procedure. Histopathological examination of the mass demonstrated that it was a neurofibroma. Both ovaries had cystic changes. Four months after the surgery, the owner reported that the dog was clinically normal. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of a vaginal neurofibroma after an incomplete ovariohysterectomy in the dog.     

Myofiber differentiation in skeletal muscles of newborn runt and normal weight pigs

Differentiation of myofiber types and proportions of secondary and primary myofibers were investigated in the deep semitendinosus and longissimus muscles of 12-h- and 3-d-old littermate runt and normal birth weight pigs. Runt pigs 12 h after birth had lower proportions of type I fibers in the deep semitendinosus than did normal size pigs, which indicates that in utero stunting delayed the normal differentiation of myofiber histochemical characteristics. More of the type I myofibers had centrally located nuclei in runt pigs than in normal birth weight pigs. Also, newborn runt pigs had lower ratios of secondary to primary myofibers in the deep semitendinosus. This result indicates that the restriction of prenatal myofiber hyperplasia probably had a greater effect on secondary than on primary myofiber formation. None of these differences were observed in the longissimus muscle.     

Animal science departments of the future

Departments of animal science were established in agricultural colleges of public universities just over 100 yr ago, shortly before the founding of today's American Society of Animal Science. These departments and colleges have been remarkably resilient, changing little structurally. Yet, the future portends significant changes in these departments and colleges in response to shifts in how public higher education is financed and how society views the roles of animals in providing food and companionship. Funding for public higher education will continue to decline as a percentage of government appropriations. Public universities will garner more funding from gifts, endowments, grants, contracts, and tuition but will be held more accountable than today by public officials. Departments of animal science will retain strong constituencies and will be major units of most agricultural colleges; however, their students and faculty will be more diverse. Departments of animal science will focus on more species of animals and on a greater role of animals in society. Disciplines of faculty members in departments of animal science will become broader, and research projects will be more complex and have longer horizons, ultimately focused more on sustainability. Departments will share more resources across state and national boundaries, and there will be less duplication of effort regionally. Departments of animal science will continue to be important academic units of universities into the 22nd century.