Zinc and copper status in ewes supplemented with sulfate- and amino acid-complexed forms of zinc and copper

Thirty 6-yr-old Targhee ewes were randomly allotted to one of five supplemental treatments to evaluate supplementation effects on liver and fecal Zn and Cu concentrations and serum alkaline phosphatase activity: 1) control, 2) Zn complex, 3) Zn and Cu (ZnCu) complex, 4) Zn sulfate, and 5) ZnCu sulfates. Supplements were administered daily in gelatin capsules for 56 d. Liver biopsies and serum samples were collected every 14 d starting on d 0. Supplemental Zn and Cu levels were formulated to provide 90 mg/kg Zn and 10 mg/kg Cu, respectively, on a daily dry matter intake basis. Form (complex vs sulfate) x type (Zn vs ZnCu) interactions were not detected (P > 0.35). Therefore, contrast statements were used to make the following treatment comparisons: 1) control vs supplement, 2) Zn vs ZnCu, and 3) complex vs sulfate. Ewe BW at the end of the study (P = 0.09) and ewe BW change from beginning to end of the study (P = 0.07) were greater for supplemented than control ewes. Body weight and BW change did not differ between sulfate and complex (P > 0.39) or Zn- and ZnCu- (P > 0.40) supplemented ewes. Liver Cu concentrations did not differ (P = 0.41) between control and supplemented ewes. Liver Cu concentrations were higher (P < 0.10) for ewes supplemented with ZnCu than Zn and complex than sulfate forms of supplement. Liver Zn concentration tended (P = 0.13) to be higher in ZnCu than Zn-supplemented ewes. Liver and fecal Zn concentration were higher (P < 0.06) in ewes fed complex than sulfate supplements. However, serum alkaline phosphatase activity tended (P = 0.12) to be greater in ewes fed sulfate than complex supplements. Supplementing mature ewes with complexed minerals resulted in higher concentrations of Zn and Cu in the liver. In addition, supplemental Cu tended to increase concentrations of Zn in the livers of ewes; however, high levels of supplemental Zn did not negatively impact liver Cu concentrations.     

Spherocytosis associated with anaplasmosis in two cows

Spherocytes were detected on blood smears of 2 Angus cows. The RBC from both cows had increased fragility in hypotonic saline solution, supporting the presence of spherocytes. Other laboratory tests revealed a macrocytic, regenerative anemia with anisocytosis, polychromasia, basophilic stippling, Howell-Jolly bodies, nucleated RBC, and Anaplasma marginale organisms. A complement-fixation test was positive for anaplasmosis in cow 1 and a direct Coombs' test was positive for immunoglobulin G in both cows.     

Prevalence of bovine herpesvirus-4 infection in cats in Central Michigan

The gammaherpesvirus bovine herpesvirus-4 (BHV-4) has been isolated from a wide variety of animals, including lions and domestic cats. Although BHV-4 antibodies have been detected in normal cats and cats with urinary disorders, the epidemiology and pathogenic role of BHV-4 in cats is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of BHV-4 antibodies and viral nucleic acid in a population of free-roaming cats. Plasma and peripheral blood leukocyte samples were collected from 52 male and 52 female free-roaming cats impounded at a regional animal control facility in Central Michigan. Plasma concentrations of BHV-4 antibodies were measured with an indirect fluorescent antibody test. Peripheral blood leukocyte DNA was isolated, and a 2-stage polymerase chain reaction with heminested primers delineating a conserved portion of the BHV-4 glycoprotein B gene homologue was used to amplify BHV-4-specific DNA sequences. BHV-4 antibodies were detected in 38 (73%) male and 23 (44%) female cats. Seropositive cats were significantly more likely to be male than female (odds ratio = 3.22; P = .007). Cell-associated viremia was detected in 17 (33%) male and 11 (21%) female cats. Of the 61 seropositive cats, 23 (38%) had a detectable viremia; only 5 (12%) seronegative cats had detectable viremia. Seropositive cats were significantly more likely to be viremic than seronegative cats (OR = 4.30: P = .009). Our results suggest that BHV-4 infection may be more widespread in certain cat populations than previously reported. Furthermore, many cats seropositive for BHV-4 antibodies have a concurrent cell-associated viremia.     

The paradox of keystone species persecuted as pests: A call for the conservation of abundant small mammals in their native range

Small mammals, such as European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) and prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.), traditionally have been perceived as pests and targeted for control within their native ranges, where they perform essential ecosystem roles and are considered keystone species. These species can reach high densities, and have been subjected to eradication campaigns because of their putative negative impact on natural habitats and agriculture and their competition with livestock for forage. Eradication programmes have been a main factor causing sharp declines of these species in their natural ranges. Paradoxically, they are keystone species where they are abundant enough to be perceived as pests. The term “pest” is usually a social perception that is rarely supported by scientific data, whereas there is considerable scientific evidence of the key ecological roles played by these species. We call for the conservation of these species and present a conceptual model regarding the management of their populations. Where they occur at high numbers, and hence their effects on biodiversity are still of crucial importance, the persecution of these species should be avoided and their natural habitats preserved. In areas with high conservation value, but where these species occur at low densities, management efforts should aim to increase their density. In areas of high commercial value, managers ideally should consider changing prioritization of the area to high conservation value by purchasing the land or obtaining conservation easements. In situations with high commercial value and demonstrable low conservation concern, small mammals could be reduced humanely.     

Experimental acidification of Little Rock Lake,Wisconsin

The controlled acidification of a two-basin lake is described. The lake was divided by a vinyl curtain in 1984; acidification of one basin began in 1985. Target pH values of 5.5, 5.0 and 4.5 are planned for 2-yr increments. Biotic and chemical responses and internal alkalinity generation are being studied. Baseline studies, initial results at pH 5.5, and predictions of lake responses to acidification are described.     

An evaluation of field and non-invasive genetic methods to estimate brown bear (Ursus arctos) population size

Estimates of population size and density are essential for successful management and conservation of any species. Although there are a variety of methods available for estimating abundance and density of populations, most studies rely on only one estimator and very few studies have compared and critically evaluated the adequacy and the cost of these methods. We used the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in south-central Sweden to compare the performance of three different methods of estimating population size, including methods based on conventional field data as well as on non-invasive genetic data. The method based on observations of females with cubs underestimated the true population size, as the estimates were below the number of unique genotypes determined from faecal data inside the study area. The best traditional method was based on observations of bears from a helicopter. The genetic method using the closed population MARK estimator, as recommended in a previous study, seemed to perform the best. We conclude that approximately 223 (188-282) bears were present in our 7328 km² study area during 2001 and 2002 and suggest that this hunted brown bear population has been relatively stable for about ten years. The non-invasive genetic method was less expensive than the most reliable traditional field method (a CMR method based on observations of bears from a helicopter), and preferable from an ethical point of view. We recommend that future studies using non-invasive genetic methods based on collected faecal samples should aim at collecting 2.5-3 times the number of faecal samples as the “assumed” number of animals.