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.     

Prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in cats, dogs and horses in Sweden

Samples of serum or plasma taken during 1986 and 1987 from 244 pet cats, 303 dogs and 219 horses, randomly selected among animals referred to the Animal Clinics of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. 42% of cats, 23% of dogs and 1% of horses examined were found seropositive.     

Nitrogen forms in bark, wood and foliage of nitrogen-fertilized Pinus sylvestris

Cycling of soluble non-protein N compounds is thought to be indicative of the N-nutritional status of trees. We determined the major N forms in bark, wood and foliage and estimated the dependence of prevalent N forms on N availability in Pinus sylvestris L. trees from northern Sweden. Trees subjected to severe N limitation and trees that had been fertilized with an average 64 kg N ha(-1) year(-1) for 25 years were analyzed. Bark and wood samples were collected by tangentially cryo-sectioning the trunk into 30-microm thick sections, from the bark to the functional xylem. Soluble amino compounds were extracted from the sections for analysis. Sap samples from twigs were obtained by centrifugation, and bark samples from twigs were obtained by tissue extraction. In both needles and bark, arginine dominated the amino-N pool. Because arginine concentrations in needles increased with N fertilization, arginine dominance of the amino-N pool in needles was higher in N-fertilized trees than in control trees. In bark, N fertilization resulted in a large increase in glutamine concentration, so that glutamine accounted for a larger proportion of the amino-N pool in bark in N-fertilized trees than in control trees. Glutamine dominated the amino-N pool in wood of control trees. Nitrogen fertilization resulted in an increased proportion of arginine in the wood amino-N pool. We conclude that the composition of the amino-N pools in bark, wood and foliage is highly sensitive to N supply. The composition of the amino-N pools can contribute to the regulation of tree N-nutritional status, which is mediated by shoot to root signalling by long-distance transport of amino compounds.     

Prevalence of Pneumonyssoides caninum infection in dogs in Sweden.

A prospective study of 474 dogs, 145 cats, and 66 wild red foxes submitted for necropsy to the Departments of Pathology at the National Veterinary Institute and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden, was conducted to examine for the presence of Pneumonyssoides caninum, the canine nasal mite. Pneumonyssoides caninum (P. caninum) was found in 95 (20%) of the dogs but in none of the cats or foxes. The median number of P. caninum mites per infected dog was 13 (range, 1 to 250). Dogs older than 3 years of age were more often infected with P. caninum than younger dogs, and large-breed dogs were more often infected than small-breed dogs. No sex predisposition was found.     

A Case of Neospora Associated Bovine Abortion in Sweden

Neospora caninum is a recently recognized protozoan organism that causes fatal neuromuscular disease in dogs and abortions and stillbirths in cattle and other animals (Dubey & Lindsay 1993). The parasite is morphologically similar and phylogenetically very closely related to the cyst-forming coccidium Toxoplasma gondii (Ellis et al. 1994, Holmdahl et al. 1994). This group of parasites has a two-host life cycle principally involving a carnivorous definitive host and a herbivorous or omnivorous intermediate host. However, with N. caninum, there is as yet no knowledge of any definitive host harbouring sexual stages of the parasite. The only known route of transmission is vertical from mother to foetus (Dubey & Lindsay 1993).     

Excretion of Eimeria Oocysts in Calves During their First Three Weeks After Turn-out to Pasture

The numbers of Eimeria oocysts per gram (opg) and the dry matter content of 449 faecal samples taken from 54 calves in 8 herds in south west Sweden were determined during the last 2 weeks before and the first 3 weeks after the animals were turned out to pasture. While they were housed only between 0 and 580 opg were found and in 2 of the herds the numbers of oocysts remained low after turn-out. In the other 6 herds the numbers of oocysts increased after 8 to 10 days and reached a peak of between 1080 and 80 803 opg 9 to 18 days after turnout. By 21 to 24 days after turn-out the opg-values had declined to their initial levels. Eimeria alabamensis accounted for most of the increase, but small numbers of oocysts of E. auburnensis, E. bovis, E. bukidnonensis, E. cylindrica, E. ellipsoidalis, E. pellita, E. subspherica, E. wyomingensis and E. zuernii were also observed. The interval between turn-out and the start of the increase in excretion of oocysts corresponded closely to the prepatent period of E. alabamensis and overwintered oocysts were therefore the most likely source of the infection. In 6 of the herds the dry matter content of the faeces of the calves decreased after turn-out and 56 % of the calves had clinical diarrhoea. Although it cannot be excluded that change of diet may have contributed to these symptoms, E. alabamensis infection is suggested as a potential cause of diarrhoea and loss of condition in calves in Sweden during their first weeks on pasture.     

Newly recognized fatal protozoan disease of dogs

Histologic sections and case histories from 23 dogs with proven fatal toxoplasmosis-like illness at the Angell Memorial Animal Hospital were reviewed. Toxoplasma gondii was identified in 13 dogs. A newly identified parasite, Neospora caninum, structurally distinct from T gondii, was found in 10 dogs. The newly discovered organism, belonging to a new genus and new species, formed meronts in many tissues of the dogs, especially the brain and spinal cord. Neospora caninum was located directly in the host cell cytoplasm without a parasitophorous vacuole; it divided by endodyogeny, contained more than 11 rhoptries, and did not react with the anti-T gondii serum in the immunoperoxidase test. Meningoencephalomyelitis and myositis were the main lesions associated with N caninum. Ulcerative and fistulous dermatitis was the major lesion in 1 dog.     

Neospora caninum and bovine virus diarrhoea virus infections in Swedish dairy cows in relation to abortion

The protozoan parasite Neospora caninum and bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) are recognized as important causes of bovine abortion and congenital disease worldwide. In this study, serological investigations were performed to estimate the prevalence of N. caninum infection in Swedish dairy cattle, to assess to what extent it may affect abortion rates, and to determine possible effects of coinfection with BVDV. The overall N. caninum seroprevalence in Swedish dairy cows was estimated at 2% (16/780), and the BVDV seroprevalence was 32% (249/780). Among aborting cows from herds with abortion problems, 7% (26/378) had antibodies to N. caninum and 42% (153/378) to BVDV. Seventeen of the N. caninum positive animals also had antibodies to BVDV. There was a statistically significant (P = 0.013) association between presence of antibodies to N. caninum and BVDV. In a case-control study comprising sera from cows in herds without recognized abortion problems, 6% (5/89) and 1% (1/89) of sera from aborting and non-aborting cows, respectively, had antibodies to N. caninum. Two of the N. caninum seropositive aborting cows also had antibodies to BVDV. These results confirm that N. caninum infection is associated with bovine abortion in Sweden and also indicate that there might be concurrent effects of N. caninum and BVDV. It is concluded that Swedish dairy cows have a low prevalence of N. caninum infection which is favourable in relation to possible future control programmes.