Epidemic of blindness in kangaroos - evidence of a viral aetiology     

PT HOOPER  RA LUNT  AR GOULD  AD HYATT  GM RUSSELL  JA KATTENBELT  SD BLACKSELL  LA REDDACLIFF  PD KIRKLAND  RJ DAVIS  PJK DURHAM  AL BISHOP  J WADDINGTON 《Australian veterinary journal》1999,77(8):529-536

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cause of an epidemic of blindness in kangaroos. DESIGN AND PROCEDURES: Laboratory examinations were made of eyes and brains of a large number of kangaroos using serological, virological, histopathological, electron microscopical, immunohistochemical methods, and PCR with cDNA sequencing. In addition, potential insect viral vectors identified during the disease outbreak were examined for specific viral genomic sequences. SAMPLE POPULATION: For histopathological analysis, 55 apparently blind and 18 apparently normal wild kangaroos and wallabies were obtained from New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia. A total of 437 wild kangaroos and wallabies (including 23 animals with apparent blindness) were examined serologically. RESULTS: Orbiviruses of the Wallal and Warrego serogroups were isolated from kangaroos affected with blindness in a major epidemic in south-eastern Australia in 1994 and 1995 and extending to Western Australia in 1995/96. Histopathological examinations showed severe degeneration and inflammation in the eyes, and mild inflammation in the brains. In affected retinas, Wallal virus antigen was detected by immunohistochemical analysis and orbiviruses were seen in electron microscopy. There was serological variation in the newly isolated Wallal virus from archival Wallal virus that had been isolated in northern Australia. There were also variations of up to 20% in genotype sequence from the reference archival virus. Polymerase chain reactions showed that Wallal virus was present during the epidemic in three species of midges, Culicoides austropalpalis, C dycei and C marksi. Wallal virus nucleic acid was also detected by PCR in a paraffin-embedded retina taken from a blind kangaroo in 1975. CONCLUSION: Wallal virus and perhaps also Warrego virus are the cause of the outbreak of blindness in kangaroos. Other viruses may also be involved, but the evidence in this paper indicates a variant of Wallal virus, an orbivirus transmitted by midges, has the strongest aetiological association, and immunohistochemical analysis implicates it as the most damaging factor in the affected eyes.  相似文献   

Foraging under uniform risk from different types of predators     

T Liesenjohann  JA Eccard 《BMC ecology》2008,8(1):19

Background  

Many animals live in environments where different types of predators pose a permanent threat and call for predator specific strategies. When foraging, animals have to balance the competing needs of food and safety in order to survive. While animals sometimes can choose between microhabitats that differ in their risk of predation, many habitats are uniform in their risk distribution. So far, little is known about adaptive antipredator behavior under uniform risk. We simulated two predator types, avian and mammalian, each representing a spatially uniform risk in the artificial resource landscapes. Voles served as experimental foragers.  相似文献   

Evaluation of spray application methods for navel orangeworm control in almonds          下载免费PDF全文

James C Markle  Franz JA Niederholzer  Frank G Zalom 《Pest management science》2016,72(12):2339-2346

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Dimethylformamide Improves the In vitro Characteristics of Thawed Stallion Spermatozoa Reducing Sublethal Damage     

A Morillo Rodriguez  C Balao da Silva  B Macías‐García  JM Gallardo Bolaños  JA Tapia  IM Aparicio  C Ortega‐Ferrusola  FJ Peña 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2012,47(6):995-1002

A total of 42 ejaculates were used in the experiment; six ejaculates per stallion, obtained from seven Pure Spanish stallions (PRE), were split and frozen in freezing media with different concentrations and combinations of cryoprotectant (CPA): (i) Cáceres (skim milk based extender) containing 2.5% glycerol (2.5GL), (ii) Cáceres containing 1.5% glycerol and 1.5% dimethylformamide (1.5%GL–1.5%DMFA), (iii) Cáceres extender supplemented with 1.5% glycerol and 2.5% dimethylformamide (1.5%GL–2.5%DMFA) and (iv) Cáceres extender supplemented with 4% dimethylformamide (4%DMFA). After at least 4 weeks of storage in liquid nitrogen (LN), straws were thawed and semen analysed by computer‐assisted sperm analysis and flow cytometry (membrane lipid architecture (Merocyanine 540), integrity and sublethal damage (YoPro‐1) and mitochondrial membrane potential (JC‐1)). After thawing, better results were observed in samples frozen in 4%DMFA or in combinations of 1.5%GL–2.5%DMFA, in fact total motility increased by 16% in the 4%DMFA group compared to 2.5%GL (P < 0.05). Also, there was an increment in the percentage of progressive motile sperm in the 1.5%GL–2.5%DMFA group (9.8% 2.5GL vs 19% in the 1.5%GL–2.5%DMFA group p < 0.05); also, samples frozen in the 4%DMFA group had more intact (YoPro‐1 negative) sperm post‐thawing, 29.3% in 2.5%GL vs 36.7% in 4%DMFA group (p < 0.05). Membrane lipid architecture was not affected by any of the cryoprotectants tested, while samples frozen in 4%DFMA had a lower percentage of mitochondria with lower membrane potential. It is concluded that DMFA improves the outcome of cryopreservation of stallion spermatozoa mainly reducing sublethal cryodamage.  相似文献   

The effect of melatonin treatment on the ovarian response of ewes to the ram effect     

Abecia JA  Palacín I  Forcada F  Valares JA 《Domestic animal endocrinology》2006,31(1):52-62

To determine the ovarian response to the ram effect after treatment with melatonin, on 8 March, 71 Rasa Aragonesa ewes were randomly assigned to either the treatment group and given an 18mg melatonin implant or the untreated group. On 19 April (day 0), rams were introduced into the flock. Melatonin treatment produced a significantly higher percentage of cyclic ewes at ram introduction (P<0.05). Melatonin-treated ewes had their first oestrus after ram introduction significantly earlier than did untreated ewes (P<0.0001), and the groups differed in the distribution of their ovarian response. Most (80%) of the treated ewes exhibited a silent ovulation followed by a cycle of normal duration, whereas about half (52%) of the untreated ewes exhibited a silent ovulation, a short cycle, and another silent ovulation followed by a cycle of normal duration (P<0.05). At ram introduction, melatonin-treated ewes, cyclic and non-cyclic, had higher mean plasma progesterone concentrations than did untreated ewes. The proportion of ewes that mated within the first 17 days of the mating period was significantly higher among the treated ewes than in the untreated ewes (P<0.0001). Furthermore, at lambing, 39% of the melatonin-treated ewes lambed within the first 17 days of the lambing period, while none of the untreated ewes lambed in that period. The untreated group exhibited peaks in mating between days 18 and 21, and particularly, between days 22 and 25, when the majority of ewes lambed; peaks did not occur in the treatment group. Treated and untreated ewes did not differ significantly in fertility, litter size and fecundity. In conclusion, melatonin treatment modifies the ovarian response to the ram effect in ewes, which leads to modifications in mating patterns, and consequently, the lambing curve.  相似文献   

Membrane Lipids of the Stallion Spermatozoon in Relation to Sperm Quality and Susceptibility to Lipid Peroxidation     

B Macías García  L González Fernández  C Ortega Ferrusola  C Salazar‐Sandoval  A Morillo Rodríguez  H Rodríguez Martinez  JA Tapia  D Morcuende  FJ Peña 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2011,46(1):141-148

Lipids were extracted from ejaculated spermatozoa from seven individual stallions to distinguish neutral lipids (NL) and polar lipids (PL) and determine their variation among stallions and their relationship with sperm quality and sperm susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. The isolated fatty acids were correlated with sperm quality (membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and expression of active caspases) and the sensitivity of the sperm plasma membrane to LPO. The miristic (C14: 0), palmitic (C16: 0), stearic (C18: 0) and oleic (C18: 1n9) acids were predominant among the NLs. Within the phospholipid fraction, the docosapentanoic acid (C22: 5n6) was dominant, albeit varying among stallions. Surprisingly, the percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids was positively correlated with sperm quality and a low propensity for LPO, probably because these particular fatty acids provide a higher fluidity of the plasma membrane. The stallion showing the poorest sperm membrane integrity plus a high level of LPO in his ejaculate had a lower percentage (p < 0.05) of this fatty acid in his sperm plasma membranes.  相似文献   

Prevalence of Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae,bovine viral diarrhoea virus,and gastrointestinal parasitism in a sample of adult New Zealand alpaca (Vicugna pacos)     

KE Dittmer  JA Hinkson  C Dwyer  B Adlington  M van Andel 《New Zealand veterinary journal》2018,66(1):9-15

AIM: To determine the prevalence of infection with Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae (Mhl), antibodies to bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), and BVDV antigen, and the prevalence of animals with elevated faecal nematode egg counts (FEC) in a sample of adult New Zealand alpaca (Vicugna pacos).

METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 175 alpaca, collected from 15 farms around New Zealand, and from 31 samples sent to a diagnostic laboratory for routine haematology. Blood smears (n=170) were examined microscopically for the presence of haemoplasma, and DNA was extracted from whole blood (n=206) for real-time PCR testing for Mhl. Packed cell volume (PCV) was determined for 193 samples. Serum samples (n=195) were tested for BVDV antibody using ELISA, and for BVDV antigen using a real-time PCR assay. Faecal samples were collected from 143 animals; FEC were measured, and samples pooled for larval culture.

RESULTS: No haemoplasma organisms were present on blood smear examination. Of the 206 blood samples, two (from the same farm) were positive for Mhl by real-time PCR testing, giving a prevalence of infection with Mhl of 0.97%. Of the 195 serum samples tested, four (2.1%) were positive for antibodies to BVDV; animals with BVDV antibodies were from 3/15 (20%) farms, none of which farmed cattle. None of the serum samples were positive by PCR for BVDV antigen. The median FEC was 50?epg (min 0, max 4,700), with 55/143 (38.5%) samples having 0?epg, and 33/143 (23.1%) having ≥250?epg. Haemonchus spp. were the most common nematodes present in faecal larval cultures from the North Island. Log₁₀ FEC was negatively associated with PCV (p=0.02), and was higher in males than females (p<0.001), and in animals that were positive compared with negative for Mhl (p=0.022).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The number of alpaca infected with Mhl was low, as was the seroprevalence of BVDV. Gastrointestinal parasitism was, however, a common finding in this sample of New Zealand alpaca.  相似文献   

Lower initial dose desoxycorticosterone pivalate for treatment of canine primary hypoadrenocorticism     

JA Bates  S Shott  WD Schall 《Australian veterinary journal》2013,91(3):77-82

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Chlamydiaceae in riverine buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and cows (Bos taurus) in Egypt with and without signs of reproductive disease     

KM Osman  HA Ali  JA ElJakee  HM Galal 《New Zealand veterinary journal》2013,61(4):228-233

Abstract

AIMS: To obtain information and compare the prevalence of Chlamydiaceae in riverine buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and cows (Bos taurus) in Egypt with and without clinical signs of reproductive disease.

METHODS: Vaginal swabs and blood samples were collected from animals attending Governmental Veterinary Clinics without (buffalo n=39, cows n=20) and with (buffalo n=63, cows n=53) signs of reproductive disease. Serum samples were tested for antibodies to Chlamydiaceae using complement fixation testing (CFT). Vaginal swabs were tested for Chlamydiaceae following inoculation into Vero cells and 6-day-old embryonated chicken eggs, using modified Giménez and immunoperoxidase staining, PCR analyses targeting the omp2 gene, and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism PCR (RFLP-PCR) for species identification.

RESULTS: Antibodies to Chlamydiaceae were detected in 30/39 (77%) and 50/63 (79%) buffalo without and with signs of reproductive disease, respectively, and 10/20 (50%) and 39/53 (74%) of cows with and without signs of reproductive disease, respectively. Positive samples from PCR analysis were identified in 31/39 (79%) and 37/63 (59%) buffalo without and with signs of reproductive disease, respectively, and 12/20 (60%) and 46/53 (89%) of cows without and with signs of reproductive disease, respectively. Using RFLP-PCR, 57/68 (84%) of samples from buffalo, and 47/58 (81%) from cows, were identified as Chlamydophila psittaci and the reminder as Cp. abortus. From the CFT and PCR results there was no significant difference in the prevalence of positive samples between species, or between animals without or with signs of reproductive disease.

CONCLUSION: The presence of anti-Chlamydiaceae antibodies in 77% of the animals with signs of reproductive disease and the detection of Chlamydiaceae in 72% of vaginal swabs of the animals suggest a pathogenic role by Chlamydiaceae in riverine buffalo and cows. The main Chlamydiaceae found in the genital tract of cattle in Egypt were Cp. psittaci and Cp. abortus.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Chlamydophila spp. should be included in diagnostic algorithms for reproductive disorders, in order to assess the real burden of Chlamydophila associated disease in buffalo and cattle and to evaluate the potential value of vaccines.  相似文献   

Mineral Levels in Animal Health     

JA Rodger 《Australian veterinary journal》1993,70(12):463-463

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