Book reviews

Research and Development in Relation to Farm Animal Welfare, contributions by B. A. Baldwin, J. R. Bareham, I. J. H. Duncan, R. Ewbank, D. C. Hardwick and K. Vestergaard, Animal Management, 11, Series Edited by D. W. Fölsch. Birkhauser Verlag, Basel, 1981. ISBN‐3–7643–1241–6.

First European Symposium on Poultry Welfare. Edited by L. Yding S0RENSEN. Published by the Danish Branch of World's Poultry Science Association. 1981. 238pp. D.Kr.90. ISBN 87–88162–00–1.     

Cellular changes in the granulosa layer of the maturing ovarian follicle of the domestic fowl

1. The relationships between length, width and height of the maturing ovarian follicle of the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) are shown.

2. During the rapid‐growth phase (yolk deposition) of the oocyte, i.e. an increase in size from about 9 mm diameter to 35 mm diameter, there is about a 15‐fold increase in its surface area. During this time the number of granulosa cells adjacent to the oocyte increases by about 5‐fold.

3. The granulosa cells become flatter during the growth period of the follicle, consequently increasing their surface area adjacent to the oocyte by about 3‐fold.

4. Together the change in shape of the granulosa cells and the increase in their number account for the increase in area of the granulosa layer during follicular growth.

5. Measurement of the DNA content of the granulosa layer indicated a progressive decrease in the cellular content of DNA as the follicle matures.     

Components of the electron transport system in the microsomal mixed-function oxidase system in wild birds

Notable differences were found among six species of wild-caught birds in the levels of cytochrome P-450, cytochrome b₅, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, and NADH-cytochrome c reductase. Ethyl isocyanide difference spectra showed significant variations among the species in peak height and in the ratios of the $\text{430}\text{455}\text{-}\text{nm}$ peaks. Substantial aldrin epoxidase activity was found in all species, and the amounts of dieldrin produced compared favorably with pigeon and rat liver microsomes. Higher content of cytochrome P-450 was not always accompanied by a similar rise in specific catalytic activity. Thus, no correlation could be established between these two parameters. Aldrin epoxidase activity with NADH as the sole electron donor was 25–49% as effective as with the NADPH-generating system. Addition of both NADH and NADPH-generating systems to the incubation mixture produced a synergistic effect with liver microsomes of two species but not with two other species. DDE and polychlorinated biphenyls residues were found in the heart tissue of all species examined, and this might indicate a possible inductive effect on the microsomal mixed-function oxidase system by environmental contaminants.     

Feeding fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) with either barley straw or pasture silage to non-lactating dairy cows

AIMS: To determine the suitability of diets containing either approximately 85% fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) with barley straw or 65% fodder beet with pasture silage when fed to non-lactating dairy cows, by measuring intakes, digestibility, rumen function including microbial growth, and N excretion.

METHODS: Holstein-Friesian cows fitted with permanent rumen fistulae were fed either 65% fodder beet with pasture silage (Silage; n=8) or 85% fodder beet with barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) straw (Straw; n=8) in an indoor facility over a 9-day period, for measurement of intakes, digestibility, rumen function and urine production. The cows were adapted to the diets over 2 weeks before the indoor measurements. Feed was available for about 6 hours/day, as practiced commercially for wintering non-lactating cows.

RESULTS: Five cows fed the Straw diet had to be removed from the trial because of acute acidosis; four on Day 1 of the measurement period and one on Day 7. One cow allocated to the Silage diet refused to eat fodder beet bulbs and was also removed from the trial. Two cows fed the Silage diet were also treated for acidosis. DM intakes were lower with the Straw than Silage diets (6.4 (SE 0.4) vs. 8.3 (SE 0.5) kg/day) and organic matter (OM) digestibility was lower with the Straw than Silage diets (77 (SE 1) vs. 83 (SE 1) g/100g). The N content of the two diets was 1.14 and 1.75?g/100?g DM and there was a net loss of N by cows fed the Straw diet (?22.7 (SE 7) g/day). Rumen microbial N production was much lower in cows fed the Straw than the Silage diet (6.6 (SE 1.3) vs. 15.8 (SE 0.7) g microbial N/kg digestible OM intake). Concentrations of ammonia in rumen liquid collected on Days 5–6 were below detection limits (<0.1?mmol/L) in 36/48 (75%) samples collected from cows fed the Straw diet and in 27/48 (56%) cows fed the Silage diet. Mean urinary N excretion was lower in cows fed the Straw than the Silage diet (52.0 (SE 5.8) vs. 87.7 (SE 5.9) g/day).

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVENCE: An over-wintering diet for dry cows comprising about 65% fodder beet with 35% pasture silage provided adequate nutrition, although there was some risk of acidosis. In contrast, the diet containing about 85% fodder beet with barley straw resulted in lower DM intakes, poor rumen function, negative N balance so that both nutrition and welfare were compromised.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Hypnotically created memory among highly hypnotizable subjects

A pseudomemory of having been awakened by some loud noises during a night of the previous week was suggested to 27 highly hypnotizable subjects during hypnosis. Posthypnotically, 13 of them stated that the suggested event had actually occurred. This finding has implications for the investigative use of hypnosis in a legal context.     

Stereological Analysis of Blood Space and Tissue Types in the Pseudobranch of the Rainbow Trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>)

The teleost pseudobranch, a reduced mandibular gill arch, morphologically closely resembles a gill hemibranch. It consists of several filaments bearing numerous lamellae. The vascular system of the pseudobranch also matches that of a gill, with afferent and efferent filamental arteries and the lamellar blood space. Despite the pseudobranch’s gill-like appearance, however, a gas exchange function is excluded in many teleosts by overlying opercular epithelium, effectively eliminating diffusional exchange with the external medium. The physiological function of the pseudobranch is still unknown, though its conspicuously close association with the ocular choroid rete mirabile, a structure supporting elevated oxygen partial pressures in the eye, suggests a role related to the process of oxygen secretion into the eyes of teleosts. In this paper we present new stereological data on the pseudobranch of rainbow trout (average weight: 478 ± 114 g, x ± SD, n = 12). The total Cavalieri volume of the pseudobranch was 46.4 μl (97 μl kg⁻¹), consisting of lamellae 49%, connective tissue 43.8%, large blood vessels 4.5%, filamental cartilage 2.3%, and central venous sinus 1.3%. Lamellae were comprised of pillar and pseudobranchial cells 81%, blood space 12.3%, and lacunar tissue 6.4%. The inner surface of the blood space in the lamellae was 12.2 cm² (25.5 cm² kg⁻¹), and its volume was 2.81 μl (5.88 μl kg⁻¹). The results demonstrate the pseudobranch’s potential for physiological functions requiring a high surface area or surface-to-volume ratio, i.e. ion transfer, gas exchange and other regulatory processes. More detailed analysis of the function of the pseudobranch, however, has to remain subject of future morphological and physiological studies.     

Prevention of organ allograft rejection by a specific Janus kinase 3 inhibitor

Because of its requirement for signaling by multiple cytokines, Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) is an excellent target for clinical immunosuppression. We report the development of a specific, orally active inhibitor of JAK3, CP-690,550, that significantly prolonged survival in a murine model of heart transplantation and in cynomolgus monkeys receiving kidney transplants. CP-690,550 treatment was not associated with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or lymphoproliferative disease. On the basis of these preclinical results, we believe JAK3 blockade by CP-690,550 has potential for therapeutically desirable immunosuppression in human organ transplantation and in other clinical settings.