Use of paramunization in raising pigs

The fundamentals of paramunization are briefly discussed to provide better understanding of paramunization of pigs. Veterinary practice and experimental studies demonstrate the usefulness, efficacy and harmlessness of paramunization of pigs. Mortality, morbidity as well as weight gain in piglets are used to evaluate the effect of the inducers PIND-AVI and/or PIND-ORF on piglets which have been treated shortly after birth. The therapeutic effect of paramunization has been studied in herds with enzootic pneumonia. Paramunization is especially suitable in stimulating the immune system, in treating immune deficiencies, in the prophylaxis of the stress syndrome (e.g. induced by transport, weaning, changing stalls, etc.) and in treating pluricausal, multifactorial infectious diseases such as enzootic pneumonia, rhinitis atrophicans, "crowding" disease. Paramunization of pigs is discussed, using PIND-ORF as an example of a biological inducer. Paramunization as a biological method to stimulate immunity provides a new concept of prophylaxis and therapy opposed to the uncontrolled use of chemicals in pig production.     

Parvovirus infections in dogs and cats: problems of immunization

The general problems of immunization against parvoviroses are only understandable when knowing the basic principles of epidemiology, pathogenesis and immunology of those virus infections. The main difficulties with regard to vaccinations are 1. efficacy of homologous respectively heterologous vaccines, 2. indications for live resp. inactivated vaccines, 3. combination with other vaccines, 4. bridging of the "immunological gap" (refractory phase) of puppies, 5. mode of application and timing of vaccinations (schedule of vaccinations), 6. failure in vaccinated animals, 7. complications originating from vaccinations, 8. passive immunization.     

Variation of the growth hormone gene in ryr 1 genotyped Austrian pig breeds

SUMMARY: Polymorphism in the second intron of the porcine growth hormone gene of 273 Austrian Landrace and 81 Austrian Edelschwein pigs was investigated with a PCR-RFLP-technique. Results showed significantly different genotype patterns between the two breeds. The frequency of the Hae II(-) allele was significantly (P < 0,001) higher in the landrace than in the Edelschwein population (0,83 and 0,47 resp.). The Msp I(+) allele was predominant in both breeds but signifanctly higher in the Landrace (0,98 versus 0,69; P < 0,01). Analyses the Hae II/Msp I locus combination revealed also in breed specific difference. In the Landrace a very low interaction was found between the Hae II and ryr 1 locus, and between Msp I and ryr 1 locus (c. c. = 0,181 and 0,186 resp.). The correlation was slightly stronger (c. c. = 0,266) between the ryr 1 and Hae II/Msp I genotypes. No correlation was detected among the three loci in the Edelschwein population. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Variabilit?t des Somatotropin Gens in ?sterreichischen Schweinerassen genotypisiert hinsicbtlich ryr 1 An 273 ?sterreichischen Landrasse Schweinen und 81 ?sterreichischen Edelschweinen wurde der Polymorphismus am zweiten Intron des Schweinewachstumshormons mittels PCR-RFLP-Technik untersucht. Genotypen-und Genfrequenzen waren zwischen den beiden Rassen signifikant verschie- den. Die Hae II(-) Allelfrequenz war bei den Landrassetieren signifikant h?her (P < 0,001) als bei den Edelschweinen (0,83 bzw. 0,47). In beiden Rassen überwiegte das Msp I(+) Allel, das aber signifikant ?fters bei der Landrasse auftrat (0,98 bzw. 0,69; P < 0,01). Die Verteilung der Locuskombination von Hae II/Msp I zwischen den beiden Rassen war ebenfalls unterschiedlich. Bei der Landrasse konnte nur ein sehr geringer Zusammenhang zwischen dem Hae II und ryr 1 Locus (c. c. = 0,181 bzw. 0,186) und auch zwischen dem Msp I und ryr 1 Locus festgestellt werden. Die Korrelation zwischen dem ryr 1 und Hae II/Msp I Genotyp war geringfügig gr??;er (c. c. = 0,266). Bei den Edelschweinen konnte kein Zusammenhang zwischen den drei untersuchten Loci festgestellt werden.     

Some serum parameters of first lactation cows in relation to their supply of macro and trace elements as well as of vitamins

At the Institute of Animal Nutrition of the Federal Agricultural Research Centre (FAL) in Braunschweig a feeding trial with 30 first lactating cows (German Holstein) was realised in 2004 for a complete lactation. All animals received a diet based on maize- and grass-silage ad libitum at the rate of 60:40 (DM-base) and concentrate depending on their milk yield.The animals were fed with energy and protein as recommended (GfE 2001) and were kept in loose housing. After calving they were split randomly into two feeding groups with 15 animals each. Group 1 was fed a concentrate according to the recommendations of the GfE (2001), whereas group 2 was offered the same concentrate with roughly the double amount of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, beta-carotene and vitamins A and E. To study the influence of the different concentrates on the serum concentrations of minerals and vitamins, blood, feed and milk samples were regularly taken and analysed in the course of lactation. Significantly higher blood concentrations were detected for phosphorus, zinc and vitamin E in group 2, but therefore a direct influence of the feeding on the blood concentrations was detected only for zinc and vitamin E. Over the whole lactation the average milk yield of group 1 was 2.6 kg/day higher and the average milk fat content was reduced about 0.6 percent points compared to group 2.     

The aetiology of generalized alopecia in young calves

The objective of this study was to test for correlations between alopecia and ruminal drinking in young calves. 331 calves up to an age of 31 days were tested for evidence of generalized hair loss daily during their stay in the clinic. Incidence of diarrhoea and the results of ruminal fluid and blood analysis were compared between the groups with and without alopecia. Calves with alopecia showed a significantly higher incidence of diarrhoea and of ruminal acidosis persisting for at least 24 hours. Blood analysis revealed significant differences in degree of acidosis, in concentrations of D-lactate, urea, and creatinine in serum as well as in the activities of glutathione peroxidase, aspartate amino transferase, and creatine kinase. Alopecia in calves is correlated to longer periods of diseases, which are known to be accompanied by the production of D-lactate in the gastrointestinal tract, such as diarrhoea and ruminal drinking. The question, whether alopecia is due to formation of toxic substances or to deficiency of essential substances can not be answered.     

接种沙门氏菌苗可使新生雏鸡和强制换羽母鸡得到免疫保护

过去人们常认为,由于刚出壳雏鸡的免疫系统尚未发育成熟,同时肠道内缺乏有益的微生物,因而处于高度的敏感期,此时接种沙门氏菌苗产生的保护作用很有限。然而,最新的研究表明,在这些敏感期接种疫苗,可诱发产生保护作用。     

Impact of a treatment with phospholipase A2 on the physicochemical properties of hen egg yolk

Changes in physicochemical properties of egg yolk were investigated after a treatment with phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2), where phospholipids are converted in lyso-phospholipids. Protein solubility and protein denaturation before and after modification by PLA 2 was monitored as well as the functionality of egg yolk by means of interfacial tension. Enzymatic treatment showed a significant impact on the properties of egg yolk with regard to protein solubility and denaturation behavior. To gain a closer insight, egg yolk was separated in its water-soluble fraction called plasma and the insoluble granules. Both fractions were separately modified by PLA 2. The granule fraction shows a higher protein solubility, and the plasma proteins show very high heat stability after modification by PLA 2. Hypotheses regarding related changes in the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles are discussed. Results suggest that significant differences in the functional properties of untreated and PLA 2-modified egg yolk do not primarily result from the existence of lyso-phospholipids but from structural changes in egg yolk granules and LDL particles.