Mesohabitat associations of the threatened San Marcos salamander (Eurycea nana) across its geographic range

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Artificial Insemination of Gilts with 1.5 Billion Sperms Stored in Different Periods Associated with Different Pre-ovulatory Intervals

This study evaluated the reproductive performance of gilts inseminated at three intervals before ovulation (0-12, 13-23, 24-30 h) with sperm doses (SD) stored for 0-48 and 96-120 h. A total of 218 PIC Camborough 22 gilts were inseminated once with SD of 1.5 x 10(9) sperms. Pregnant gilts (n = 166) were slaughtered 30.8 +/- 3.7 days after artificial insemination. The number of corpora lutea (CL) and total embryos (TE) was counted. Pregnancy rates (PR) were analysed by chi-square test. TE and embryonic survival (ES), obtained as the ratio between viable embryos and CL, were analysed by GLM procedure (SAS) and mean values were compared by Tukey's test. Pregnancy rate was similar among artificial insemination-ovulation (AIOV) intervals when semen was stored for 0-48 h. However, the lowest PR was observed in the 24-30 h AIOV interval with storage time (ST) of 96-120 h (p < 0.05). There was a significant effect of the interaction between ST and AIOV (p < 0.05) on TE and ES variables. Total embryos and ES did not differ (p > 0.05) among AIOV intervals in ST of 0-48 h. However, gilts inseminated at 24-30 h AIOV interval with ST of 96-120 h showed a reduction of 6.7 embryos (p < 0.05) compared with gilts in the same interval inseminated with semen stored for 0-48 h. ES for the 24-30 h AIOV interval and ST of 96-120 h was lower than that observed in the other groups (p < 0.05).     

Use of bacteriological techniques in the quality control of poultry slaughtering

Factors influencing the bacteriological status of materials, treated on a special stage of processing, can be detected by analysis of the flow of production. Changing the design of equipment, change of the production flow and education of the personnel who is handling the equipment can eliminate or minimize the risks. The data are to be collected on the basis of the special conditions of the plant. The daily checks can be performed by visual inspection or by using physical techniques.     

Quantification of water as a potential risk factor for cross-contamination with Salmonella,Campylobacter and Listeria in a poultry abattoir

1. Water used in a modern poultry processing line was tested from October 2005 to June 2006 to determine the level of bacteria in an abattoir in Germany.

2. A total of 420 water samples were taken from 14 processing sites (PSs), at 10 times, and from three different hours of the working shift at three sampling hours (SHs) at 5:00 a.m. (SH 1), 9:00 a.m. (SH 2) and 12:00 a.m. (SH 3). Each sample was assessed for the aerobic plate count (APC) and the prevalence of Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and Yersinia over 30 sampling weeks. The APC numbers of each PS from three SHs were compared, and the prevalence of Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and Yersinia from each PS of three SHs was determined as well as change from the initial PS to the end of the processing line.

3. A total of 46 water samples were positive for Salmonella, 120 positive for Campylobacter and 4 positive for Listeria. None of the water samples was found to be positive for Yersinia. During the course of the day, the APC increased. Salmonella was mostly found during SH 1 (5 a.m.) in water from all PSs. A high number of Campylobacter were observed at SH 2 (9 a.m.) and SH 3 (12 a.m.) from all PSs.

4. The results show that water, which is still used in substantial amounts in present poultry processing technology, can serve as a carrier for Salmonella and Campylobacter.

5. The findings indicate that birds might progressively contaminate the equipment and become contaminated via the same equipment, that water at every processing position of the line constitutes a risk and that more attention should be paid to effective water management in the processing plan.     

DDT-induced inhibition of avian shell gland carbonic anhydrase: a mechanism for thin eggshells

The shell-forming glands of Japanese quail fed p,p'-DDT or p,p'-DDE had carbonic anhydrase activity 16 to 19 percent lower than shell glands of quail on a diet free of pesticides.     

Disease of geese caused by a new herpesvirus

A goose flock farmed outdoors in south-eastern Queensland suffered an outbreak of peracute disease with high death rate (97%). Small button ulcers and large plaques overlying lymphocyte aggregates were present on the mucosa of the small intestine of affected birds. Small white foci of necrosis and focal haemorrhages were seen in the livers. Numerous intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed microscopically in hepatocytes and a herpesvirus which grew rapidly in chicken kidney cells was isolated from tissues. Duck virus enteritis (DVE) was suspected but DVE antiserums failed to neutralise the virus. Further serological studies with a limited range of known avian herpesviruses have failed to identify the virus. Experimental transmission resulted in high mortality in geese (100%), lower mortality in ducklings and nil mortality in chickens. Surveillance studies showed no evidence of infection in domestic and wild birds beyond the original farm and the infection appears not to have been established in the area. Wild ducks, which were frequent visitors to the farm dam, were considered the most likely source of the infection.     

Treatment of canine hip dysplasia: a review.

This article discusses the treatment approaches and recommendations for canine hip dysplasia. A search of the literature database MEDLINE (1969-1994) was conducted and relevant journal articles regarding the medical and surgical treatment of hip dysplasia were selected and reviewed. Dysplastic dogs can be divided, for treatment purposes, into those with no or minimal osteoarthrosis, and those with moderate to severe osteoarthrosis. In young animals with joint laxity and pain, but with no or minimal radiographic evidence of osteoarthrosis, the treatment approach is controversial. Conservative management may be effective in the short term, but progressive development of osteoarthrosis occurs and clinical signs may manifest at an older age. Options for surgical treatments in these young dogs include pectineal myectomy, lengthening of the femoral neck, and corrective osteotomies. Corrective osteotomies are advocated to reestablish joint congruency and prevent development of osteoarthrosis. In the mature osteoarthritic dog, effective conservative management depends on the severity of the degenerative joint disease. Proposed surgical treatments for clinically debilitating hip dysplasia include biocompatible osteoconductive/shelf arthroplasty; femoral head and neck excision arthroplasty, with or without muscle sling interposition; and total hip replacement. Although research directly comparing the salvage procedures has not been reported, studies suggest that total hip replacement is more effective in returning large dogs to full functional weight bearing.