Summertime and early autumn activity of some enzymes in the carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism of the crucian carp

In June, July, and September the activities of five enzymes involved in the carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism, namely phosphofructokinase (PFK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), citrate synthase (CS), cytochrome oxidase (cyt ox) and 3-hydroxy-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HAD), were measured in the heart, liver, red muscle, white muscle, and gill lamellae of crucian carp (Carassius carassius). LDH activity was measured in both reducing (LDHr) and oxidizing (LDHo) directions.The PFK activity in red and white muscle increased significantly between July and September indicating a preparation to winter anoxia by an increased glycylytic capacity in these organs. The HAD activity of the liver had increased significantly (by more than 50%) by September, also a preparation to winter anoxia as HAD is used in the reversed -oxidation (chain elongation of fatty acids). The LDHr and cyt ox activities in the heart and white muscle were highest in July. This shows that both the anaerobic and aerobic capacities are elevated in mid-summer when water temperature is high and oxygen concentration of the water could fluctuate greatly. The LDHo and CS activities in gill lamellae were lowest in July. The results show that the metabolism of crucian carp is under seasonal influence and that a preparation to winter hypoxia/anoxia could be detected in September.     

Wood versus fossil fuel as a source of excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere: a preliminary report

If the amounts of wood consumed in deforestation to increase agricultural land and as firewood in underindustrialized countries are added to the amount consumed by the money economies as forest products, the estimates of the net amount of wood removed from the biosphere in this century should be revised upward. The per capita ratio of the weight of carbon from net wood burned to the weight of carbon from fossil fuel burned in this century has been at least 0.1 and may have approached 1.0.     

Few alterations in clinical pathology and histopathology observed in a CYP2C18&19 humanized mice model

Background

This study was performed to characterize a gene-addition transgenic mouse containing a BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) clone spanning the human CYP2C18&19 genes (tg-CYP2C18&19).

Methods

Hemizygous tg-CYP2C18&19, 11 week old mice were compared with wild-type littermates to obtain information regarding clinical status, clinical pathology and anatomical pathology. After one week of clinical observations, blood samples were collected, organs weighed, and tissues collected for histopathology.

Results

In males, the tissue weights were lower in tg-CYP2C18&19 than in wild-type mice for brain (p ≤ 0.05), adrenal glands (p ≤ 0.05) and brown fat deposits (p ≤ 0.001) while the heart weight was higher (p ≤ 0.001). In female tg-CYP2C18&19, the tissue weights were lower for brain (p ≤ 0.001) and spleen (p ≤ 0.001) compared to wild-type females. Male tg-CYP2C18&19 had increased blood glucose levels (p ≤ 0.01) while females had decreased blood triglyceride levels (p ≤ 0.01).

Conclusion

Despite the observed alterations, tg-CYP2C18&19 did not show any macroscopic or microscopic pathology at the examined age. Hence, these hemizygous transgenic mice were considered to be viable and healthy animals.     

Recovery of phosphorus fertilizer in potato as affected by application strategy and soil type

Phosphorus (P) fertilizers are usually supplied prior to or at planting of potato even though most P is taken up 40 to 80 d after emergence. This may lead to inefficient P use as a result of P leaching or fixation in the soil. This study evaluates the effects of split P application at multiple times during the growth period according to the plant's need for P. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Ditta) was grown in pots in climate chambers, and radioactive ³²P isotope was used to distinguish between the fertilizer and soil‐derived P sources. Two soils were tested in combination with five application rates of P, and the plants were harvested at four dates. The results show that the recovery of P fertilizer can be significantly enhanced if the P supply is split. The result also showed that the proportion of soil‐derived P, accumulated in the plant, was significantly reduced both when more fertilizer P was applied to the soil and when P supply was split into several applications. The positive effects of multiple P applications on the P recovery were greatest in the soil with low P status and low buffer capacity.     

Direct and indirect measurement of somatic cell count as indicator of intramammary infection in dairy goats

Background

Mastitis is the most important and costly disease in dairy goat production. Subclinical mastitis is common in goats and is mainly caused by contagious bacteria. Several methods to diagnose subclinical mastitis are available. In this study indirect measurement of somatic cell count (SCC) by California Mastitis Test (CMT) and direct measurement of SCC using a portable deLaval cell counter (DCC) are evaluated. Swedish goat farmers would primarily benefit from diagnostic methods that can be used at the farm. The purpose of the study was to evaluate SCC measured by CMT and DCC as possible markers for intramammary infection (IMI) in goats without clinical symptoms of mastitis. Moreover to see how well indirect measurement of SCC (CMT) corresponded to direct measurement of SCC (DCC).

Method

Udder half milk samples were collected once from dairy goats (n = 111), in five different farms in Northern and Central Sweden. Only clinically healthy animals were included in the study. All goats were in mid to late lactation at sampling. Milk samples were analyzed for SCC by CMT and DCC at the farm, and for bacterial growth at the laboratory.

Results

Intramammary infection, defined as growth of udder pathogens, was found in 39 (18%) of the milk samples. No growth was found in 180 (81%) samples while 3 (1%) samples were contaminated. The most frequently isolated bacterial species was coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) (72% of all isolates), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (23% of all isolates). Somatic cell count measured by DCC was strongly (p = 0.000) associated with bacterial growth. There was also a very strong association between CMT and bacterial growth. CMT 1 was associated with freedom of IMI while CMT ≥2 was associated with IMI. Indirect measurement of SCC by CMT was well correlated with SCC measured by DCC.

Conclusions

According to the results, SCC measured with CMT or DCC can predict udder infection in goats, and CMT can be used as a predictor of the SCC.     

Aetiology and prevalence of subclinical mastitis in dairy herds in peri-urban areas of Kigali in Rwanda

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the prevalence of subclinical mastitis (SCM) and associated risk factors in dairy cows in peri-urban...     

Prevalence of subclinical mastitis in dairy farms in urban and peri-urban areas of Kampala, Uganda

It is widely recognized that subclinical mastitis (SCM) is an extensive problem in the dairy industry worldwide. It is of particular concern in developing countries. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of SCM in dairy cattle in the urban and peri-urban areas of Kampala, Uganda and to gain information about pathogens and antibiotic resistance patterns. The study was conducted as a field study in 18 smallholder dairy farms in peri-urban Kampala, Uganda. All cows at the farms were physically examined, and cows with signs of clinical mastitis were excluded. Cows (n?=?195) were tested with California Mastitis Test (CMT), and udder quarters with CMT score ≥3 (scale 1–5) were milk sampled for bacteriological analysis. To allow further sub-analysis of the results, the stage of lactation, parity, milk production, production type, udder hygiene, and cow breed were recorded. Results indicate that 86.2 % (n?=?168) of the tested cows had SCM in one or more quarters. The most common bacteriological outcome was infection with coagulase-negative staphylococci (54.7 %), followed by negative growth (24.9 %) and streptococci (16.2 %); all of which (n?=?34) were sensitive to penicillin. Of the tested staphylococci (n?=?17), the majority (58.9 %) were positive for penicillinase production. Factors with significant impact on the prevalence of SCM at cow level were the stage of lactation, parity, and production type. The results suggest that the prevalence of SCM in Uganda is substantially higher than reported in previous studies and in other comparable developing countries. This implies that SCM deserves more attention and that improvement in dairy cow husbandry in terms of hygiene and management is necessary.     

A 25?years experience of group-housed sows–reproduction in animal welfare-friendly systems

Since January 1 2013, group housing of sows has been compulsory within the European Union (EU) in all pig holdings with more than ten sows. Sows and gilts need to be kept in groups from 4 weeks after service to 1 week before the expected time of farrowing (Article 3(4) of Directive 2008/120/EC on the protection of pigs). The legislation regarding group housing was adopted already in 2001 and a long transitional period was allowed to give member states and producers enough time for adaptation. Even so, group housing of sows still seems to be uncommon in the EU, and is also uncommon in commercial pig farming systems in the rest of the world. In this review we share our experience of the Swedish 25 years of animal welfare legislation stipulating that sows must be loose-housed which de facto means group housed. The two most important concerns related to reproductive function among group-housed sows are the occurrence of lactational oestrus when sows are group-housed during lactation, and the stress that is associated with group housing during mating and gestation. Field and clinical observations in non-lactating, group-housed sows in Sweden suggest that by making basic facts known about the pig reproductive physiology related to mating, we might achieve application of efficient batch-wise breeding without pharmacological interventions. Group housing of lactating sows has some production disadvantages and somewhat lower productivity would likely have to be expected. Recordings of behavioural indicators in different housing systems suggest a lower welfare level in stalled animals compared with group-housed ones. However, there are no consistent effects on the reproductive performance associated with different housing systems. Experimental studies suggest that the most sensitive period, regarding disturbance of reproductive functions by external stressors, is the time around oestrus. We conclude that by keeping sows according to the pig welfare-friendly Directive 2008/120/EC, it is possible to combine group-housing of sows with good reproductive performance and productivity. However, substantially increased research and development is needed to optimize these systems.