First record on mercury accumulation in mice brain living in active volcanic environments: a cytochemical approach.

The health effects of mercury vapor exposure on the brain in volcanic areas have not been previously addressed in the literature. However, 10% of the worldwide population inhabits in the vicinity of an active volcano, which are natural sources of elemental mercury emission. To evaluate the presence of mercury compounds in the brain after chronic exposure to volcanogenic mercury vapor, a histochemical study, using autometallographic silver, was carried out to compare the brain of mice chronically exposed to an active volcanic environment (Furnas village, Azores, Portugal) with those not exposed (Rabo de Peixe village, Azores, Portugal). Results demonstrated several mercury deposits in blood vessels, white matter and some cells of the hippocampus in the brain of chronically exposed mice. Our results highlight that chronic exposure to an active volcanic environment results in brain mercury accumulation, raising an alert regarding potential human health risks. These findings support the hypothesis that mercury exposure can be a risk factor in causing neurodegenerative diseases in the inhabitants of volcanically active areas.

Peste Des Petits Ruminants Virus and Goatpox Virus Co-Infection in Goats.

Infection of small ruminants with peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) and goatpox virus (GTPV) are endemic and can have devastating economic consequences in Asia and Africa. Co-infection with these viruses have recently been reported in goats and sheep in Nigeria. In this study, we evaluated samples from the lips of a red Sokoto goat, and describe co-infection of keratinocytes with PPRV and GTPV using histopathology and transmission electron microscopy. Eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusion bodies were identified histologically, and ultrastructural analysis revealed numerous large cytoplasmic viral factories containing poxvirus particles and varying sizes of smaller cytoplasmic inclusions composed of PPRV nucleocapsids. These histopathological and ultrastructural findings show concurrent infection with the 2 viruses for the first time as well as the detection of PPRV particles in epithelial cells of the mucocutaneous junction of the lip.

Feline Niemann-Pick Disease With a Novel Mutation of SMPD1 Gene.

A 4-month-old female mixed-breed cat showed gait disturbance and eventual dysstasia with intention tremor and died at 14 months of age. Postmortem histological analysis revealed degeneration of neuronal cells, alveolar epithelial cells, hepatocytes, and renal tubular epithelial cells. Infiltration of macrophages was observed in the nervous system and visceral organs. The cytoplasm of neuronal cells was filled with Luxol fast blue (LFB)-negative and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-negative granules, and the cytoplasm of macrophages was LFB-positive and PAS-negative. Ultrastructurally, concentric deposits were observed in the brain and visceral organs. Genetic and biochemical analysis revealed a nonsense mutation (c.1017G>A) in the SMPD1 gene, a decrease of SMPD1 mRNA expression, and reduced acid sphingomyelinase immunoreactivity. Therefore, this cat was diagnosed as having Niemann-Pick disease with a mutation in the SMPD1 gene, a syndrome analogous to human Niemann-Pick disease type A.

Enterospora nucleophila (Microsporidia) in Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata): Pathological Effects and Cellular Immune Response in Natural Infections.

Enterospora nucleophila is a microsporidian responsible for an emaciative disease in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Its intranuclear development and the lack of in vitro and in vivo models hinder its research. This study investigated the associated lesions, its detection by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the cellular immune response of naturally infected fish. The intensity of infection in the intestine was correlated with stunted growth and reduced body condition. At the beginning of the outbreaks, infection prevalence was highest in intestine and stomach, and in subsequent months, the prevalence decreased in the intestine and increased in hematopoietic organs and stomach. In heavy infections, the intestine had histologic lesions of enterocyte hypercellularity and proliferation of rodlet cells. Infected enterocytes had E. nucleophila spores in the cytoplasm, and a pyknotic nucleus, karyorhexis or karyolysis. Lymphocytes were present at the base of the mucosa, and eosinophilic granule cells were located between the enterocytes. In intestinal submucosa, macrophage aggregates containing spores were surrounded by lymphocytes and granulocytes, with submucosal infiltration of granulocytes. Macrophage aggregates appeared to develop into granulomata with necrotic areas containing parasite remnants. Immunohistochemistry revealed mast cells as the main type of granulocyte involved. Abundant IgM+ and IgT+ cells were identified by in situ hybridization in the submucosa when intracytoplasmic stages were present. This study describes the lesions of E. nucleophila in gilthead sea bream, an important aquaculture species.

Intestinal immunity of dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula spiral valve: A histochemical, immunohistochemical and confocal study.

The present study describes histochemical and immunohistochemical characteristics of the spiral valve and its associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) in the dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula. The mucosal surface of the spiral valve represents the first line of defense against pathogens coming from the external environment through food. Epithelial, mucus and immune cells play a key role in controlling the inflammatory response. Valve intestine of S. canicula had many folds lined by simple columnar cells and goblet cells, which later reacted positive to PAS, AB and AB-PAS, histochemical stains differentiated the different types of mucins; lectin histochemistry (PNA and WGA), detected neutral and acid mucins secreted that plays an important role in protection against invading pathogens. Integrin α5ß1 was expressed in enterocytes that line the valve's folds with greater marking in the apical part of the cells. Laminin was found on the apical side of the epithelium, in fibrillar and cellular elements of the lamina propria and in the muscularis mucosa. In the spiral valve gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) has been studied. For the first time, massive leucocytes aggregates were identified by confocal immunofluorescence techniques, using the following antibodies: TLR2, S100, Langerin/CD207. Our results expand knowledge about Dogfish valve intestine giving important news in understanding comparative immunology.

Characterization of the fish ovarian stroma during the spawning season: Cytochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies.

The changes in the ovarian stroma of the fish during their spawning season become it an excellent biological model for studies on cellular and vascular elements due to the intense tissue remodeling in fish occur naturally throughout this critical period. The present study aims to investigate the cellular and vascular components of the ovarian stroma of Redbelly tilapia during the spawning season by conventional, immunohistochemical stains as well as to detect the ultrastructural characteristics for each stromal component. The histological examinations revealed a series of blood vessels with special structures, include throttle artery, glomus, spirally oriented arterioles, modified arteries, and veins as well as arteriovenous anastomosis. Various types of cells were detected in the stroma include; telocytes, rodlet cells, mast cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, fibroblasts, macrophages, melanocytes, adipocytes, dendritic cells, and endocrine (steroidogenic, interstitial) cells. Moreover, these stromal cells showed a broad range of staining affinity against c-kit, desmin, and s100-protein. Bundles of nerve fibers were detected between the follicles. This study exposed various cellular and vascular components with distinct functions in the ovary of Redbelly tilapia during the spawning season.

Supplemental L-arginine and vitamins E and C preserve xanthine oxidase activity in the lung of broiler chickens grown under hypobaric hypoxia.

The effects of l-Arg, vitamin C (VC), and vitamin E (VE) on xanthine- (XO) and NAD(P)H-oxidase (NOX) activities, and nitric oxide (NO) availability of hypoxic broilers were evaluated. Chickens were kept in wire cages with free access to feed and water. One-day-old chicks were assigned to 1 of 3 diets: control (CTL; ME 3,200 kcal/kg, CP 23%), high Arg (HA; CTL + Arg 0.8%), or high Arg plus VE and VC (AEC; HA + 200 IU of VE/kg of feed + 500 mg of VC/L of water), and grown under hypobaric hypoxia (HYP) from d 7 to 30. A fourth group of birds was fed the CTL diet and grown under normoxia (CTL-NOR). At d 30, chickens were euthanized, their lungs fixed in vivo, excised, and processed for cyto- and histochemistry. The enzymes XO and NOX were localized and activities assessed histochemically and in lung homogenates. The NO depletion was assessed through nitrotyrosine immunocytochemistry colloidal gold particles (NTY). The XO and NOX localized in cell membranes and within vesicles of pulmonary vessel endothelial cells. The XO activity was higher in CTL-NOR birds (586 ± 43 reflectance units) than in both AEC-HYP (456 ± 39) and HA-HYP birds (394 ± 31), whereas CTL-HYP birds had the lowest XO activity (313 ± 27). The NO depletion was not affected by dietary or hypoxia conditions in clinically healthy birds; nevertheless, hypoxic birds that developed pulmonary hypertension had higher NTY levels (less NO, 145 ± 19) than hypoxic but clinically healthy birds (56 ± 11). Thus, the concurrent supplementation of Arg, VE, and VC restored XO activity without affecting NOX activity or NO availability. The dual role of XO, which produces superoxide and uric acid, may have buffered the effects of superoxide in broiler chickens grown under hypobaric hypoxia.

Microstructural characterization of the skin in the African straw-coloured fruit bat, Eidolon helvum (Pteropodidae).

The African straw-coloured fruit Bat, Eidolon helvum, is a Yinpterochiroptera bat that is of public health and ecological importance. This study investigated the light microscopic morphology, morphometry and histochemistry of the skin and its glands across the cheek, withers, croup, ventral abdomen, perianal region, wing membrane, intercrural membrane and foot pad of the species. Sweat glands were absent and hypodermis was observed only in the withers, croup and ventral abdomen. The croup had the highest density of hair follicles while the perianal region had the highest density of sebaceous gland acini. The thicknesses of the dermis and epidermis were significantly high in the withers and foot pad respectively. Hair follicles and sebaceous glands were absent in the wing membrane. The sebaceous glands had melanin pigmentation at the periphery and stained positive to Alcian Blue-periodic acid Schiff at the withers and ventral abdomen. Epidermal and dermal thicknesses reported in this study were generally higher than those of Yangochiroptera bats and the presence of sebaceous glands and hair follicles in the wing membrane were variable in different bat species. This study has provided baseline information on the light microscopic morphology and morphometry of the skin and its glands across the various body regions in the African straw-coloured fruit bat. This information would be helpful in the understanding, handling, skin disease treatment and management of the bat in captivity for biomedical research purposes.

Comparison of the MGIT 960, BACTEC 460 TB and solid media for isolation of Mycobacterium bovis in United States veterinary specimens.

BACKGROUND: Bacteriologic culture remains one of the most important methods to diagnose bovine tuberculosis despite the lengthy incubation time, significant decontamination and media expense, and high biocontainment requirements. Media selection is an important determination of culture sensitivity, and the planned discontinuation of the BACTEC 460 TB culture system has challenged veterinary diagnostic laboratories to evaluate alternatives. At the National Veterinary Services Laboratories the BACTEC MGIT 960 and 4 solid media formulations were compared with the BACTEC 460 TB system on 6,795 veterinary diagnostic specimens submitted for Mycobacterium bovis culture. RESULTS: M. bovis was isolated from 2.6% of the samples and atypical mycobacteria from 4.4% of the samples. The BACTEC 12B media isolated significantly more M. bovis (93.1% of positive samples) than MGIT 960 media (81.9%). However, contamination rates were much higher for the MGIT media, 17-24%, compared to 7% for BACTEC, suggesting that contamination was a major cause of MGIT reduced sensitivity. Time to signal positive was 2.37 weeks (95% CI 2.24-2.5) for the MGIT, and 3.2 weeks (95% CI 3.07-3.3) for the BACTEC, both earlier than any solid media. Mycobactosel LJ failed to isolate M. bovis from primary culture. An in-house 7H11 media supplemented with calf sera, hemolyzed blood, malachite green and pyruvate recovered more M. bovis (80.6%) with the least amount of contamination of any other solid media evaluated. CONCLUSION: Decontamination methods may have to be optimized and or MGIT media may have to be altered to reduce contamination in veterinary samples. Despite these issues, the MGIT 960 system is still favored over the use of solid media due to decreased time to recovery and the potential for higher sensitivity.

Rapid assessment of bovine spongiform encephalopathy prion inactivation by heat treatment in yellow grease produced in the industrial manufacturing process of meat and bone meals.

BACKGROUND: Prions, infectious agents associated with transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, are primarily composed of the misfolded and pathogenic form (PrPSc) of the host-encoded prion protein. Because PrPSc retains infectivity after undergoing routine sterilizing processes, the cause of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) outbreaks are suspected to be feeding cattle meat and bone meals (MBMs) contaminated with the prion. To assess the validity of prion inactivation by heat treatment in yellow grease, which is produced in the industrial manufacturing process of MBMs, we pooled, homogenized, and heat treated the spinal cords of BSE-infected cows under various experimental conditions. RESULTS: Prion inactivation was analyzed quantitatively in terms of the infectivity and PrPSc of the treated samples. Following treatment at 140°C for 1 h, infectivity was reduced to 1/35 of that of the untreated samples. Treatment at 180°C for 3 h was required to reduce infectivity. However, PrPSc was detected in all heat-treated samples by using the protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) technique, which amplifies PrPScin vitro. Quantitative analysis of the inactivation efficiency of BSE PrPSc was possible with the introduction of the PMCA50, which is the dilution ratio of 10% homogenate needed to yield 50% positivity for PrPSc in amplified samples. CONCLUSIONS: Log PMCA50 exhibited a strong linear correlation with the transmission rate in the bioassay; infectivity was no longer detected when the log PMCA50 of the inoculated sample was reduced to 1.75. The quantitative PMCA assay may be useful for safety evaluation for recycling and effective utilization of MBMs as an organic resource.

Chondrocyte density, proteoglycan content and gene expressions from native cartilage are species specific and not dependent on cartilage thickness: a comparative analysis between rat, rabbit and goat.

BACKGROUND: In many pre-clinical studies of cartilage tissue, it has been generally assumed that the major difference of the tissue between the species is the tissue thickness, which is related to the size of the animal itself. At present, there appear to be lack of studies demonstrating the relationship between chondrocyte densities, protein content, gene expressions and cartilage thickness in the various animal models that are commonly used. The present study was conducted to determine whether or not chondrocyte density, proteoglycan/protein content and selective chondrocyte gene expression are merely related to the cartilage thickness (thus animal size), and not the intrinsic nature of the species being investigated. Mature animals (rabbit, rats and goats) were sacrificed for their hind knee cartilages. Image analyses were performed on five consecutive histological sections, sampled from three pre-defined locations at the lateral and medial femoral condyles. Cartilage thickness, chondrocyte density, Glycosaminoglycan (GAGs)/protein content and gene expression levels for collagen II and SOX-9 were compared across the groups. Correlation analysis was done between cartilage thickness and the other variables. RESULTS: The mean cartilage thickness of rats, rabbits and goats were 166.5 ± 10.9, 356.2 ± 25.0 907.5 ± 114.6 µm, respectively. The mean cartilage cell densities were 3.3 ± 0.4×10(-3) for rats, 2.6 ± 0.3×10(-3) for rabbits and 1.3 ± 0.2×10(-3) cells/µm2 for goats. The mean µg GAG/mg protein content were 23.8 ± 8.6 in rats, 20.5 ± 5.3 in rabbits and 328.7 ± 64.5 in goats; collagen II gene expressions were increased by 0.5 ± 0.1 folds in rats; 0.6 ± 0.1 folds in rabbits, and 0.1 ± 0.1 folds in goats, whilst the fold increase of SOX-9 gene expression was 0.5 ± 0.1 in rats, 0.7 ± 0.1 in rabbits and 0.1 ± 0.0 in goats. Cartilage thickness correlated positively with animals' weight (R2 =0.9856, p = 0.001) and GAG/protein content (R2 =0.6163, p = <0.001). Whereas, it correlates negatively with cell density (R2 = 0.7981, p < 0.001) and cartilage gene expression levels (R2 = 0.6395, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There are differences in the composition of the articular cartilage in diverse species, which are not directly dependent on the cartilage thickness of these animals but rather the unique characteristics of that species. Therefore, the species-specific nature of the cartilage tissue should be considered during any data interpretation.

Timing of puberty and its relationship with body growth and season in male raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Hokkaido.

The raccoon (Procyon lotor), indigenous to North America, has naturalized in Japan as an invasive alien species, having been introduced into the country in the 1970s. In Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, feral raccoons have been increasing in number and spreading throughout the island. The age at the onset of puberty for raccoons is important for estimating individual lifetime reproductive success and population growth. The present study investigated the timing of and potential factors affecting the onset of puberty in male raccoons in Hokkaido. External characteristics and histology of testes were studied in 151 male feral raccoons and in 1 captive juvenile. For the majority of feral yearling raccoons, prepubertal development began in May, and spermatozoa production began in October prior to their second mating season. However, some larger juveniles attained puberty during the juvenile period. The captive juvenile, which was fed throughout the winter, attained puberty only 11 months after birth. These results suggest that if male raccoons can achieve enough body growth before the first mating season, puberty can be attained early. In both juveniles and yearlings, spermatozoa production was only observed after autumn. This timing coincided with the recrudescence of seasonally active spermatogenesis in adult males. Therefore, attaining puberty in male raccoons appears to require both adequate body nutrient development and several environmental factors that control seasonal testicular changes.

Histological characterization of dilated cardiomyopathy in the juvenile toy Manchester terrier.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the most common form of cardiomyopathy in the dog, most often occurs in certain breeds. The objective of this study was to describe a rapidly progressive form of DCM that has been recently recognized in juvenile Toy Manchester Terrier dogs (TMTs). The clinical history and gross findings were reviewed in a group of 14 TMTs, and histologic sections of heart were examined in 12 of those 14 TMTs with DCM. Histochemical and histomorphometric analyses were employed to compare the heart in TMTs affected by DCM with that of control dogs. TMTs ranged in age from 10 to 58.3 weeks, with males and females being equally affected. Affected TMT hearts contained foci of degeneration and loss of myofibers with fibrosis and mild lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates. Less prominent features included foci of acute myofiber degeneration and necrosis with or without intralesional mineralization and mild to moderate suppurative and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates. Morphometric quantification demonstrated that the right ventricle was more severely affected (P ≤ .05) than the left ventricle with variable involvement of the interventricular septum. Immunohistochemistry for canine parvovirus was negative in all heart samples. However, the absence of parvoviral antigen does not rule out a possible viral or autoimmune cause. The presence of these myocardial lesions among closely related dogs suggests a genetic contribution to this disease process in the TMT.

Effect of fermented moist feed on performance, gut bacteria and gut histo-morphology in broilers.

1. Fermented feed has been shown to be beneficial in pig nutrition as a tool to reduce gut microbial disorders. Experiments with fermented feed in poultry are scarce, probably because of the belief that wet feed is less suitable for this species and causes wet litter. 2. A total of 280 one-d-old Ross 308 chickens were used in a completely randomised design with two dietary treatments (7 replicates of 20 birds/treatment); air-dry feed versus the same feed in moist form (water:feed ratio of 1.3:1, on a weight basis), inoculated with Lactobacillus plantarum NCIMB 40087 (9 log10 CFU/kg feed) and batch-fermented for 48 h at 26°C. The birds were given starter (d 0-13), grower (d 4-26) and finisher (d 27-39) diets ad libitum. At the end of the grower and finisher period, two birds per pen were removed to sample intestinal contents for cultivating bacteria and intestinal tissue to determine villus height and crypt depth. 3. Fermented moist feed (FMF) batches showed good characteristics, with a pH between 3.9 and 4.4 and DL-lactic acid between 137 and 286 mmol/l. Daily feed intake and gain were reduced considerably in the FMF group in the starter (-40 and -44%, respectively) and grower (-23 and -16%) period, though in the finisher period these birds performed better, with an improved feed utilisation. Concomitant with the latter, villus height at the mid-jejunum and mid-ileum on d 39 was higher (+22.6% and +16.0%). Significantly more Lactobacilli and less coliforms were found in the foregut and less Streptococci in ileum and caeca of birds given FMF. 4. This trial showed that FMF was detrimental for early bird growth but affected beneficially feed efficiency, the composition of the gut bacteria and villus height in the small intestine in the finisher period in broilers.

The efficacy of a standardised product from dried leaves of Solanum glaucophyllum as source of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol for poultry.

1. Chemical characterisation of an extract of Solanum glaucophyllum (SG) leaves affirmed the predominant presence of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D3) glycosides. The compound 1-(ß-D-glucopyranosyl)-1α,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol was isolated for the first time from a natural source. 2. Vitamin D activity of the extract was confirmed by the calcaemic properties shown in a quail eggshell bioassay. The results suggested a 1,25(OH)2D3 bioavailability of approximately 15%. 3. A broiler feeding experiment replicated in time was carried out with 6 treatments. A basic control diet containing 25 µg cholecalciferol/kg was supplemented with 2.5 and 5 µg free 1,25(OH)2D3/kg, with a product based on dried SG leaves (Panbonis) providing 10 µg of 1,25(OH)2D3-glycosides/kg, with two concentrations of an SG extract providing 8.8 and 37.8 µg of 1,25(OH)2D3-glycosides/kg. 4. Tibia breaking strength and stiffness were numerically greater in all treatment groups with free 1,25(OH)2D3 and with SG products compared to controls, though the overall treatment effects only had probabilities in the range of P = 0.07 to P = 0.1. Values for both characteristics increased progressively, with additions of synthetic 1,25(OH)2D3; values with the dried SG product were similar to those with 5 µg synthetic 1,25(OH)2D3/kg. 5. Plasma calcium was mildly elevated (P < 0.05) in treatment groups. The SG extract treatment containing 37.8 µg 1,25(OH)2D3/kg gave the highest plasma calcium concentration and lowest bodyweight, signs of marginal hypervitaminosis D. Plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations were in the normal range for all treatments. 6. Tibial dyschondroplasia occurred in only one replicate. The incidences were 31% in controls but considerably lower or zero with all other treatments. 7. Bioavailability of 1,25(OH)2D3 in the SG product seemed to be higher in broiler chickens than in Japanese quails. 8. It is concluded that the inclusion of the dried SG product as a source of vitamin D3 in broiler diets at a dietary concentration of 1 g/kg, providing 10 µg 1,25(OH)2D3/kg, is safe and efficacious.

Effect of different blood-guided conditioning programmes on skeletal muscle ultrastructure and histochemistry of sport horses.

The effects of three different blood-guided conditioning programmes on ultrastructural and histochemical features of the gluteus medius muscle of 2-year-old sport horses were examined. Six non-trained Haflinger horses performed three consecutive conditioning programmes of varying lactate-guided intensities [velocities eliciting blood lactate concentrations of 1.5 (v1.5 ), 2.5 (v2.5 ) and 4 (v4 ) mm respectively] and durations (25 and 45 min). Each conditioning programme lasted 6 weeks and was followed by a 5-week resting period. Pre-, post- and deconditioning muscle biopsies were analysed. Although training and detraining adaptations were similar in nature, they varied significantly in magnitude among the three different conditioning programmes. Overall, the adaptations consisted in significant increases in size of mitochondria and myofibrils, as well as a hypertrophy of myofibrillar ATPase type IIA muscle fibres and a reduction in number of type IIx low-oxidative fibres. Together, these changes are compatible with a significant improvement in both muscle aerobic capacity and muscle strength. The use of v1.5 and v2.5 as the exercise intensities for 45 min elicited more significant adaptations in muscle, whereas conditioning horses at v4 for 25 min evoked minimal changes. Most of these muscular adaptations returned towards the pre-conditioning status after 5 weeks of inactivity. It is concluded that exercises of low or moderate intensities (in the range between v1.5 and v2.5 ) and long duration (45 min) are more effective for improving muscle features associated with stamina and power in sport horses than exercises of higher intensity (equivalent to v4 ) and shorter duration (25 min).

Effects of dietary inclusion of fermented cottonseed meal on growth, cecal microbial population, small intestinal morphology, and digestive enzyme activity of broilers.

Two experiments were conducted to test the feeding value of fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) in broilers. In experiment 1, 480 1-day-old male yellow-feathered broilers were allocated into 4 dietary treatments with 6 replicates (20 birds per replicate) to examine the effects of FCSM on the growth response of chickens. Experimental feeding was performed for 6 weeks in two phases (starter, days 0 to 21; finisher, days 22 to 42). FCSM was used at 0, 40, 80, and 120 g/kg levels to replace soybean meal in the basal diet. The dietary inclusion of 40 and 80 g/kg FCSM increased (quadratic (Q): p<0.01) the body weight gain of broilers in the starter and in the overall feeding periods. Experiment 2 determined the effect of FCSM on the cecal microbial populations, intestinal morphology, and digestive enzyme activity of broilers. The number of lactobacilli in the cecal digesta increased at day 21 (p<0.01) and day 42 (linear (L): p=0.01). Coliform bacteria counts decreased (L: p<0.05) with the increasing inclusion of FCSM at day 21. The inclusion of FCSM increased (L-Q: p<0.05) villus height in the duodenum and linearly elevated (p<0.05) villus height and the villus height to crypt depth ratio in the jejunum at day 21. Similar improvement (L: p<0.05) was noted in jejunal villus height at day 42. The inclusion of FCSM improved (p<0.05) the activities of amylase and protease at day 21, as well as protease at day 42. In conclusion, the appropriate inclusion of FCSM improves growth, cecal microflora, intestinal morphology, and digestive enzyme activity in yellow-feathered broilers.

Slaughterhouse prevalence of ovine paratuberculosis in Southern India.

Ovine paratuberculosis is a threat to small animal holders in terms of economic loss such as reduced growth performance and early culling. In order to study the slaughterhouse prevalence of ovine paratuberculosis, the slaughterhouse sheep samples (which are poor in body condition) collected over a period of two and half years from 1,034 suspected male sheep (poor in body condition) and 40 normal sheep (good body condition and subsequently negative by all the diagnostic tests employed) aged between 16 and 18 months were slaughtered at various abattoirs of Tamil Nadu. All the sheep taken in this study were maintained in almost same management conditions. DNA was extracted from 1,034 intestinal tissue and mesenteric lymph node and 121 were positive by IS 900 PCR. One hundred ten and 56 were positive by absorbed ELISA and Ziehl-Neelsen staining, respectively. In histopathology, 28 animals showed gross lesions of paratuberculosis infection (20-multibacillary and 8-paucibacillary forms). Out of 1,034 sheep tissues cultured, 32 showed cultural growth in Middlebrook 7H9 and 26 in Herrold's egg yolk medium. None of the 40 normal sheep were positive by any of the tests employed. In general, the mean body weight of paratuberculosis-affected animal either by any one of the tests employed was less than the non-affected sheep. The approximate economic loss per sheep/farmer/year is around Rs 1,840 (US$ 38.33) in paratuberculosis-affected sheep.

Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum metabolites, gut morphology, and microflora of growing guinea fowl.

A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of dried ginger meal (DGM) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum parameters, gut morphology, and microflora of growing helmeted guinea fowl (Numidia meleagris). One hundred sixty 28-day-old male keets were assigned to four dietary treatments. There were 40 birds per treatment replicated four times with 10 keets each. The experimental diets consisted of the basal diet (control), ginger-supplemented diets containing 20, 40, and 60 g/kg DGM, respectively. Guinea fowls fed diet supplemented with DGM had higher (P <0.05) final body weight, body weight gain and lower (P <0.05) feed intake. Optimum weight gain was obtained with supplementation level of 36.15-g DGM (R (2) = 0.923). Guinea fowls fed diet supplemented with 40 g/kg DGM recorded the highest (P <0.05) coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility of dry matter, ether extract and longest (P <0.05) duodenal and ileal villus heights. The crypt depth of the duodenum and ileum reduced (P <0.05) with increasing level of dietary supplementation of DGM. Dietary supplementation of DGM resulted in increased (P <0.05) total serum protein, serum albumin and low (P <0.05) serum cholesterol concentration. Ileum content of birds fed diet supplemented with 40 g/kg DGM recorded the highest (P <0.05) lactobacillus count. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of 40-g DGM per kilogram diet is hereby recommended for improved growth, apparent nutrient digestibility, gut morphology, serum chemistry, and stimulation of balanced intestinal microflora in growing guinea fowl.

Characterization of alkaline phosphatase cytochemistry in canine neoplastic and non-neoplastic pulmonary mass aspirates.

BACKGROUND: Distinguishing primary and secondary pulmonary neoplasms can be challenging via cytology, and a rapid, inexpensive diagnostic tool to differentiate these neoplasms is unavailable. Alkaline phosphatase cytochemistry (ALP-CC) has been used to identify primary pulmonary carcinomas in human patients, and we hypothesized it could be applied to canine lung aspirates. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to characterize ALP-CC expression in fine-needle aspirate (FNA) samples of canine pulmonary neoplastic and non-neoplastic tumors. METHODS: A retrospective case search was conducted to identify cases with contemporaneous cytology and histopathology reports from pulmonary lesions, including neoplastic and non-neoplastic etiologies. Slides prepared from pulmonary aspirates were stained for ALP-CC activity, and the percentage of ALP-CC-positive primary pulmonary epithelial tumors was determined. To characterize the ALP-CC expression in non-neoplastic cellular constituents of pulmonary FNA samples, mesothelial cells were also evaluated. RESULTS: Forty-eight canine cases met the inclusion criteria. ALP-CC-positive cells were seen in both neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions. In non-neoplastic lesions, pulmonary epithelial cells were ALP-CC positive. Eighty-nine percent of primary pulmonary epithelial neoplasms were ALP-CC positive, and no ALP-CC positivity was noted in mesothelial cells. ALP-CC-positive neoplastic cells were seen in a metastatic amelanotic melanoma. CONCLUSIONS: Primary pulmonary epithelial neoplasms are frequently ALP-CC positive, but such positivity is not restricted to this tumor type. Non-neoplastic pulmonary epithelial cells can be ALP-CC positive, whereas mesothelial cells are negative.