Comparison of two DNA extractions and nested PCR, real-time PCR, a new commercial PCR assay, and bacterial culture for detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in bovine feces.

In this study, 5 combinations of 2 DNA extractions and 3 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques were compared with culture for the detection of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis directly from bovine feces. These combinations included a new commercial extraction technique combined with a commercial PCR/Southern blot technique, nested PCR (nPCR), or real-time PCR, and a university-developed extraction combined with nPCR or real-time PCR. Four of the 5 combinations had statistically similar sensitivities between 93% and 100% and specificity between 95% and 100%, when compared with culture results from 63 bovine fecal samples. These results indicated that using a commercial extraction with a commercial PCR/Southern blot, nPCR, or real-time PCR, or a university-developed extraction with real-time PCR would result in similar sensitivities to culture for the identification of M. paratuberculosis from bovine feces and are valid alternatives to culture.     

Excretion of Methoxychlor in Cow Milk Following Dermal Application

The concentrations of methoxychlor in cow milk and plasma were determined following a cutaneous application of a non-commercial emulsion and an intravenous injection of a solution containing 5 and 1 g methoxychlor, respectively. Furthermore, some pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated and the results were evaluated toxicologically by comparison with the acceptable daily intake.Maximum concentration of methoxychlor in milk, found 2 days after dermal administration, was 0.062 ppm, decreasing to around 0.005 ppm 30 days later.From the results, a distribution volume greater than 200 times the body volume, a dermal absorption of around 1/5 of the topically applicated dose, and a half-life of 8–10 days were estimated.It was concluded that the levels in cow milk, following dermal application with an emulsion of methoxychlor did not represent any threat to human health and methoxychlor was recommended as a pesticide of choice for use on dairy cows.     

Aldrin epoxidase and 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity in livers from lambs of three different breeds of Norwegian sheep

The concentration of aldrin epoxidase was significantly greater in the livers of Norwegian Pelt lambs than in those of Rygja lambs but did not differ significantly between either of these two breeds and Spael lambs. Conversely, although there was no detectable EROD activity in the livers of many of the lambs in all three breeds, the median activity was greater in the livers of Rygja lambs than was the case for Spael lambs.Abbreviations EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - EROD 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase - GST glutathioneS-transferase     

The effect of O,O-dimethyl-O-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) phosphorothioate (fenchlorphos) on cholinesterases in the blue fox (Alopex lagopus).

Four blue fox bitches were used in the experiments. Two foxes were given fenchlorphos in the feed, one 100 mg/kg body weight and the other 200 mg/kg daily for 30 days. The maximum inhibition of plasma Cholinesterase was 65 and 69 %, respectively. The corresponding values of the erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase were 43 and 63 %.For the third bitch given 0.4 mg/kg as a single dose i.v. the effect was only measurable as a small transient decrease of the plasma Cholinesterase level.Eighty % of the plasma Cholinesterase of the fourth fox, given 500 mg/kg as a single oral dose, was inhibited on the third day. The erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity level only showed a slight decline. This fox vomited during feeding the day after administration.Symptoms as salivation, tremors, diarrhea, pinpoint pupils and respiratory distress were never seen in any of the foxes.It was concluded that fenchlorphos administration in the feed in doses recommended to dogs is well tolerated by healthy foxes as far as Cholinesterase inhibition is concerned.