Plasma pharmacokinetics of abamectin in fallow deer (Cervus dama dama) following subcutaneous administration.

The pharmacokinetics of abamectin (ABM) following a single subcutaneous administration of 200 µg/kg was evaluated in adult fallow deer by following ABM concentration in blood plasma. A nonlinear mixed effects modelling procedure was used for pharmacokinetic analysis. The time course of ABM concentration was described by a two-compartment model with first-order absorption. Abamectin absorption in fallow deer was rapid with a peak plasma concentration of 120.7 ± 33.2 ng/mL observed at 19.1 ± 7.7 h (mean ± SD). Half-lives of the distribution and terminal phase were 17.2 and 119.3 h, respectively. Typical apparent clearance of the bioavailable fraction (CL/F) was 0.795 L/h and was independent of animal weight. Considering the obtained pharmacokinetic parameters in our study, we may assume that effective parasite control in fallow deer is obtained using the usual recommended dose of 200 µg/kg.

Effects of a deoxynivalenol-contaminated diet on the reproductive performance and immunoglobulin concentrations in pigs.

Two groups of 10 pregnant gilts (89 +/- 2 days gestation) were fed either an experimental diet that contained 5.08 mg/kg deoxynivalenol, 0.09 mg/kg zearalenone and 21.6 mg/kg fusaric acid, or a control diet that contained 0.29 mg/kg deoxynivalenol, <0.02 mg/kg zearalenone and <0.77 mg/kg fusaric acid. The concentrations of immunoglobulins were measured in sera of the gilts and in the colostrum and serum of the piglets by radial immunodiffusion. The feed consumption of the sows fed the experimental diet was significantly lower and the overall growth rate of their piglets was significantly reduced. On average, parturition took 80 minutes longer in sows fed the experimental diet. On day 17 after parturition, the concentration of IgM in the serum of the experimental gilts was significantly higher, but the concentration of IgA in their colostrum was significantly lower, than in the control gilts. In the serum of the piglets 12, 24 and 48 hours after first suckling, the concentrations of IgA and IgG were significantly lower in those farrowed by the sows fed the experimental diet than in those farrowed by the sows fed the control diet.

Validation of the procedure for the determination of maduramicin in concentrates, premixes, and feeds by liquid chromatography.

A single laboratory validation was carried out for the determination of maduramicin in concentrates, premixes, and feed. The method comprised sample extraction of maduramicin, derivatization with dansylhydrazine and liquid chromatography with ultraviolet light detection. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.4 and 1.0 mg kg(-1), respectively. The repeatability expressed as the average difference between the results of duplicate measurements was 5.9% at the concentration level of 1% (concentrate), 7.1% at the concentration level of 1 g kg(-1) (premix), and 11% with the feed containing maduramicin with the nominal concentration of 5 mg kg(-1) and feed spiked at the concentration level of 1 mg kg(-1). The relative standard deviations for the within-laboratory reproducibility (RSD(W)) were 9.2%, 16%, 18%, and 17% at the concentration levels of 1%, 1 g kg(-1), 5 mg kg(-1), and 1 mg kg(-1), respectively. The measurement uncertainties were +/-0.2%, +/-0.3 g kg(-1), +/-1.9 mg kg(-1), and +/-0.3 mg kg(-1) at the same concentration levels, respectively.

Fasciola hepatica: effects on blood constituents and liver minerals in fallow deer (Dama dama).

Haematological and serum biochemical constituents as well as the liver mineral concentrations can be affected by Fasciola hepatica. The present study compares the blood and liver constituents in 19 fallow deer with fascioliosis and in 43 without it. Blood samples, gastro-intestinal tract, lungs and liver were taken from 62 male and female fallow deer that were shot, aged 6 months and over, in enclosures, between 1999 and 2001 in Slovenia. Samples were analysed and the means of various parameters of blood and liver were determined. Significant differences in blood were found in the mean cell volume, total serum proteins, sodium, and calcium; and in liver and calcium and copper were higher in animals without fascioliosis. Mean cell haemoglobin concentration, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, alanine aminotransferase, urea, glucose and copper in blood were significantly higher in animals with fascioliosis. It has been concluded that some of the values in fallow deer like in other domestic ruminants are the sensitive indicators of liver cell damage in fascioliosis.

[Impact of lactic acid fermentation in the large intestine on acute lactic acidosis in cattle]. / Einfluss der Milchsäuregärung im Dickdarm auf die akute Laktatazidose beim Rind.

Microbial and fermentation changes in the ingesta of the large intestine and their influence on the pathogenesis of acute lactic acidosis were studied in 4 cows fitted with permanent cannulas in the ileum and cecum. Feed mixture containing 65% of maize was infused into the cecum for several days in amounts of 2 and 4 kg per day. The daily amount was divided in 8 equal portions and given with 3 l of warm physiologic saline solution. During the period of ad libitum feeding of hay, the pH values in cecal digesta were 7.4 to 7.6 and the amount of total volatile fatty acids 40-60 mmol/kg with high molar percentage (87-90 mol%) of acetic acid. As to lactic acid only the L(+) lactic isomer was found in a concentration of about 0.4 mmol/kg. Infusion of low amounts of starch induced mild lactic acid fermentation in the cecum associated with a pronounced increase in the concentration of L(+) and D (-) lactic acid to peak levels of 80 +/- 10 mmol/kg and 7 +/- 1 mmol/kg, respectively. Lactic acid fermentation ceased within 2 to 3 days indicating that the gut microflora had adapted to the starch infusion. Slight decreases of blood pH and bicarbonates in blood as well as a moderate increase of netto acid-base excretion in urine indicated mild changes of acid-base balance, but clinically no pathological symptoms were observed. Higher amounts of infused starch caused pronounced lactic acid production in the large intestine which persisted throughout the experiment. Peak L(+) and D(-) lactic acid concentration in cecal digesta reached on the average 137 +/- 16 mmol/kg and 45 +/- 7 mmol/kg respectively. Significant decreases of blood pH values from 7.41 +/- 0.02 to 7.18 +/- 0.08 (P < 0.001), actual bicarbonate from 28.2 +/- 3.2 to 11.0 +/- 2.6 mmol/l (P < 0.001) and base excess from 3.9 +/- 3.6 to -15.2 +/- 3.8 mmol/l (P < 0.001) were observed. D (-) lactic acid concentration in blood increased to 3.2 +/- 0.4 mmol/l, but L(+) lactic acid values remained unchanged under 1 mmol/l. Clear clinical symptoms of indigestion and intoxication characterized by severe inappetence, ruminal stasis and general weakness were also observed. Typical clinical symptoms of disease as well as blood and urine changes in acid-base balance indicated that lactic acid fermentation in the large intestine contributes considerably to the pathogenesis of acute ruminant lactic acidosis.

[Relationships between postpartum mobilization of body substances and rumen digestion in dairy cows]. / Beziehungen zwischen postpartaler Mobilisierung von Körpersubstanz und Pansenverdauung bei Milchkühen.

Relationships between body tissue mobilisation during the postpartal period, and rumen fermentation were studied in 105 high yielding Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. A strongly positive correlation (p < 0.001) between the molar proportion of ruminal acetic acid, and a negative correlation (p < 0.001) between the molar percentage of ruminal propionic and butyric acid (on one hand), and body tissue mobilisation as well as blood plasma concentrations of free fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and total bilirubin (on the other hand) were found. These results indicate that in animals with higher postpartal loss of body weight, ruminobacterial fermentation activity is lower, probably secondary to metabolic disturbances.