Histologic pattern of testicular regrowths in caponized tom turkeys.

Testicular regrowths were observed in 10 of 21 tom turkeys between 28 and 32 weeks old, which was between 19 and 23 weeks after surgical caponization at 9 weeks of age. Regrowths were not observed in younger caponized toms. Two types of histologic patterns that differed from the normal pattern were observed in these regrowths. The first pattern was observed in seven regrowths and was characterized by a higher density of seminiferous tubules and more interstitial cells. The second pattern was seen in three regrowths and was characterized by extensive intertubular fibrosis, tubular detachment, and an increased number of interstitial cells. No correlation was found between the presence of these regrowths and plasma testosterone levels. The interstitial cell hyperplasia in all regrowths possibly was related to a diminished negative feedback by the endogenous testosterone on the release of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary. The appearance of regrowths at this age probably was related to the onset of normal physiological puberty.

Comparative susceptibility of caponized and uncaponized tom turkeys to Pasteurella multocida.

When susceptibility to virulent Pasteurella multocida was compared, there was no significant (P greater than 0.05) difference between caponized and uncaponized tom turkeys. Neither was there any significant (P greater than 0.05) difference between the surviving caponized and uncaponized toms in the development of serum anti-P. multocida antibody. However, at 28 weeks of age, the average live body weight of the caponized toms was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower than that of the uncaponized toms. Turkeys were caponized when 9 weeks old, and different groups were exposed to P. multocida when 13, 18, 23, and 28 weeks old.

Comparison of live avirulent M-9, Minnesota, and CU fowl cholera vaccines.

The M-9 and Minnesota (MN) avirulent Pasteurella multocida vaccines were evaluated and compared with the Clemson University (CU) vaccine, which had been shown to be highly effective in preventing fowl cholera in turkeys. Neither the M-9 nor the MN vaccine given in the drinking water was as effective as the CU vaccine in protecting turkeys against challenge with virulent P. multocida. When grown in brain-heart infusion (BHI) agar as recommended, the M-9 was not as efficacious as when it was grown in BHI broth. The M-9 was as effective as the CU vaccine only when grown in BHI broth and given at 10 times the standard dosage. Injection of the M-9 vaccine into the air spaces of the head at a site near the caudal rim of the ear after one vaccination in the drinking water was not as effective for hyperimmunizing potential breeders as was the CU vaccine injected at the same site. A microtiter agglutination test demonstrated a significant (P less than 0.05) correlation between the level of anti-P. multocida antibody found 1 week after vaccination and survival after challenge with virulent P. multocida.

Efficacy of Linco-Spectin water medication on Mycoplasma synoviae Airsacculitis in broilers.

Three trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Linco-Spectin (LS) water medication on Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) air-sacculitis in broilers under controlled experimental conditions. Day-old chicks were vaccinated against infectious bronchitis and Newcastle disease virus and exposed to a broth culture of MS by the respiratory route. In each trial, one-half of the flock was treated with 2 g of LS per gallon of drinking water for the first five days of life, and the other half was kept as a control. At two and eight weeks postinoculation (PI) birds were weighted individually and examined serologically, culturally, and grossly for MS airsacculitis. Linco-Spectin water medication was effective in controlling MS airsacculitis in broilers.

Neutropenia and salmonellosis in hospitalized horses.

Colitis due to salmonellae was diagnosed in 9 horses following hospitalization for various reasons at the University of Missouri Veterinary Teaching Hospital, from May, 1971, to April, 1972. Diarrhea, fever, and either a neutrophil count of less than or equal to 3,600/cmm or a rapid decline in neutrophil numbers were specific for salmonellosis. The value of hematologic survelillance in hospitalized Equidae was demonstrated in another group of 9 horses with neutropenia, each of which was promptly treated and did not develop colitis. Bacteriologic culturing of fecal samples from 28 clinically normal horses yielded only 2 salmonella isolations, S manhattan in each case. The serotyped salmonellae isolated from the patients with colitis were all S typhimurium, with similar antibiotic resistance patterns.

A method for surgically caponising turkey toms.

A surgical procedure was developed for caponising turkey toms. This operation consisted of making a 3 cm-long incision on each side immediately caudal to the last rib; widening the incision with a Gelpi retractor, teasing the tough mesorchium from the testicle, removing the testicle with a Brown-Adison forceps and suturing the incision with catgut. A combination of ketamine and xylazine given intravenously produced a satisfactory level of anaesthesia. The principal surgical problem was the thin blood vessels adjacent to the testicles in the turkey which could be easily ruptured.