Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 47 (2) (1999)

CONTENTS AND ABSTRACTS

Biochemistry

The determination of TBA-reactive substances and alkenals in the presence of antioxidants.
S. T. Balthazary, H.-P. Sallmann and H. Fuhrmann
155-159.

Fish diseases

Yersinia ruckeri septicaemia in experimentally infected carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) fingerlings.
Anera Berc, Z. Petrinec, ®eljka Mataąin and Z. Kozarić
161-172.

Food hygiene

Determination of acrinathrin residues in honey and beeswax. Mária Szerletics Túri and Enikő Szalai Mátray
173-179.

Nutrition

Study of the soil–plant (carrot)–animal cycle of nutritive and hazardous minerals in a rabbit model. A. Bersényi, S. Fekete, I. Hullár, I. Kádár, M. Szilágyi, R. Glávits, Margit Kulcsár, M. Mézes and L. Zöldág
181-190.

Effect of rumen protected methionine supplementation on early lactational responses of dairy cows fed a grass silage and cereals diet. Stefania Iwańska, Danuta Strusińska and Barbara Pysera
191-206.

Parasitology

Study on the course of Cryptosporidium baileyi infection in chickens treated with interleukin-1 or indomethacin. S. Hornok, Z. Széll, Tatjana A. Shibalova and I. Varga
207-216.

Pathology

Massive goitre (struma parenchymatosa) in geese. Éva Ivanics, P. Rudas, G. Sályi and R. Glávits
217-231.

Effects of cimetidine on broiler fattening and on stress-induced gizzard erosion in chicken.
® . Grabarević , P. Dľaja, J. Perić , V. ©erman, Z. Biđin, H. Mazija, N. Mas, ® . Mikulec, K. Čuljak,
Z. ©imec and B. Njari
233-241.

Pharmacology

Disposition kinetics and dosage regimen of ceftriaxone in crossbred calves (Short communication).
Bindu Johal and A. K. Srivastava
243-248.

Reproduction

Effect of an oxytocin antagonist on prostaglandin F_2a secretion and the course of luteolysis in sows.
Genowefa Kotwica, Anita Franczak, S. Okrasa and J. Kotwica
249-262.

Sperm collection from shot red deer stags (Cervus elaphus) and the utilisation of sperm frozen and subsequently thawed. Z. Zomborszky, T. Zubor, J. Tóth and P. Horn
263-270.

Toxicology

Model field study of Sumithion 50 EC and Fusilade S on pheasants.
L. Várnagy, P. Budai, Á. Zaják, T. Varga and E. Molnár
271-277.

Book reviews
279-281.

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 47 (2), pp. 155–159 (1999)

THE DETERMINATION OF TBA-REACTIVE SUBSTANCES
AND ALKENALS IN THE PRESENCE OF ANTIOXIDANTS

S. T. Balthazary¹, H.-P. Sallmann² and H. Fuhrmann^2*

¹Department of Veterinary Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology,
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3017, Morogoro, Tanzania;
²Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Veterinary School of Hannover, Bünteweg 17, D-30559 Hannover, Germany

(Received December 8, 1998; accepted January 28, 1999)

This study investigated the inhibitory efficiency of all-rac-a -tocopherol, 2,6-ditert-butyl-p-cresole (BHT), and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-chroman-2-carbonic acid (Trolox® ) on determination of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and short-chain alkenals in rat liver homogenates. The concentration of TBARS was measured fluorophotometrically. Aldehydes were determined after derivatization with methylhydrazine by gas chromatography. The concentrations of alkenals and TBARS in liver homogenates were diminished when antioxidants were present during the sample preparation. It is suggested that in the absence of antioxidants the samples are autoxidized further during the preparative procedures. For the aldehyde determination all-rac-a -tocopherol was the most effective antioxidant to reduce the bias due to autoxidation, whereas for TBARS it was Trolox.

Key words: Lipid peroxidation, antioxidant, a -tocopherol, Trolox, TBARS, aldehydes, malondialdehyde

^* Corresponding author [Present address: Institute of Veterinary Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 4, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany; E-mail: fuhrmann@vetmed.uni-leipzig.de; Fax: (0341) 97 28101]

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 47 (2), pp. 161–172 (1999))

YERSINIA RUCKERI SEPTICAEMIA
IN EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED CARP
(CYPRINUS CARPIO L.) FINGERLINGS

Anera Berc^1* , Z. Petrinec¹, ®eljka Mataąin¹ and Z. Kozarić ²

¹Department for Biology and Pathology of Fish and Bees; ²Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology,
University of Zagreb, Veterinary Faculty, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

(Received May 19, 1998; accepted September 2, 1998)

The presence of Yersinia ruckeri, the causal agent of enteric redmouth disease (ERM) in salmonids and a few other freshwater fish, has so far been reported from a variety of sources including the intestine of healthy carp. Since there are no data on the pathogenicity of this bacterium for carp, 15 fingerlings were experimentally infected by intraperitoneal injection of about 5 × 10⁵ cells. Thirteen injected fish were moribund or died within 4 days with septicaemic lesions. Two survivors were sampled on Day 28 after infection. Yersinia ruckeri was reisolated from the internal organs of all experimental fish. By histopathological examination moribund fish had generalised bacteriaemia with inflammation, degeneration and necrotic foci in kidney, liver and spleen, corresponding to findings described previously in ERM of rainbow trout. Survivors of challenge on Day 28 had a chronic disease characterised by prominent peritonitis and enteritis, exhaustion of the erythroid, granuloid and lymphoid components in haematopoietic kidney tissue as well as focal degeneration and necrosis in organs. These data indicate a high sensitivity of carp to intraperitoneal infection with a relatively low dose of Y. ruckeri.

Key words: Yersinia ruckeri, enteric redmouth disease (ERM), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), histopathology

^*E-mail: aberc@vef.hr; Fax: 003851 214 697

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 47 (2), pp. 173–179 (1999)

DETERMINATION OF ACRINATHRIN RESIDUES IN HONEY AND BEESWAX

Mária Szerletics Túri^1* and Enikő Szalai Mátray²

¹‘József Fodor’ National Centre of Public Health, National Institute of Food Hygiene and Nutrition,
H-1097 Budapest, Gyáli u. 3/a, Hungary; ²Institute for Small Animal Research, Gödöllő, Hungary

(Received November 13, 1998; accepted January 11, 1999)

The Asian bee mite (Varroa jacobsoni Oud.) causes variable damage in Hungarian apiaries due to the different and changing conditions. Plastic and wooden strips impregnated with synthetic pyrethroid-type active ingredients show a high efficacy against the mites. These treatments, however, may leave residues in bee products (honey, propolis, wax). After experimental treatment with Gabon PA 92, the levels of active ingredient (acrinathrin) residues were determined in honey and beeswax samples. The analytical results proved that the average concentration of acrinathrin residues was less than 0.01 mg/kg in honey and less than 0.10 mg/kg in beeswax. From the food-hygienic point of view it is favourable that the honey did not become ‘contaminated’ with acrinathrin during the experimental treatment. The analytical results serve as a basis for the registration of this veterinary product in Hungary.

Key words: Bee acaricide, acrinathrin, pyrethroid, residues, Gabon PA 92, honey, beeswax

^*Fax: (36 1) 215 1545

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 47 (2), pp. 181–190 (1999)

STUDY OF THE SOIL–PLANT (CARROT)–ANIMAL CYCLE
OF NUTRITIVE AND HAZARDOUS MINERALS
IN A RABBIT MODEL

A. Bersényi¹, S. Fekete^1* , I. Hullár¹, I. Kádár², M. Szilágyi³, R. Glávits⁴,
Margit Kulcsár¹, M. Mézes⁵ and L. Zöldág¹

¹University of Veterinary Science, H-1400 Budapest, P.O. Box 2, Hungary; ²Soil and
Agrochemical Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest; ³Research Institute for Animal Breeding
and Nutrition, Herceghalom; ⁴Central Veterinary Institute, Budapest; ⁵University of Agricultural Sciences, Gödöllő, Hungary

(Received September 15, 1998; accepted February 19, 1999)

Carrotswas were grown on soils polluted by heavy metal salts.Treatments in which a Each The particular microelement reached a high concentration [molybdenum (Mo) 39.00%, cadmium (Cd) 2.30%, lead (Pb) 4.01%, mercury (Hg) 30.00%, and selenium (Se) 36.20 mg/kg dry matter] in the carrot were selected from a total of 13 treatments. In a metabolic balance trial conducted with 1530 male and 15 female New Zealand White rabbits, tvolvedhe control animals (n = 5) were fed ad libitum with concentrate as basal diet, while the other rabbits received the. While the feeding of the other ones was carried out with the basal diet and carrots containing the particularcertain microelement. BThe blood samples parameters wereas taken to determine the activity of serum enzymes. To investigate the metabolism of Mo, Cd, Pb, Hg and Se, the Ssamples were taken from the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, spleen, ovaries/testicles, and the entire digestive tract,above organs as well as from adipose tissue, femur, hair, faeces, and urine. for chemical analysi Mo, Cd, Pb, Hg and Se content was determined in all samples Carrot had significantly higher digestibility for all nutrients than the rabbit concentrate. used as basal diet. The CCcarrot samples of high Pb content had the lowest digestibility of crude protein. content. The Mmicroelements differed in their rate of accumulation in the organs examined: Mo and Cdshowed the highest accumulation accumulated in the kidneys, Pb in the kidneys, liver, bones and lungs, Hg in the kidneys and liver, while Se in the liver, kidneys and heart. Expressing Tthe proportions of microelements drawn eliminated from the body via either via the faeces and urine (Mo 80.18% and Se 47.41%) or via the faeces (Cd 37.86%, Pb 66.39%, Hg 64.65%) were determined. Mo and Se are excreted from the body mainly via the faeces and urine while Cd, Pb and Hg almost exclusively via the faeces. Expressing the proportion of microelements eliminated from the body via the faeces and urine as a percentage of their intake, the following values were obtained: Mo 80.18%, Cd 37.86%, Pb 66.39%, Hg 64.65%, and Se 47.41%. PathohHistological examination revealed that the rate of spermatogenesis was reduced in the Mo, Cd, Pb and Hg groups as compared to the control. Lead, Cd and Hg intake resulted in a considerableydecreased decrease in gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and in an elevated increase of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity because of damages toin the kidneys and bones.. Both Cd and Hg had similar effects on GGT and ALP activity. All experimental treatments decreased the activity of cholinesterase (CHE) because of lesions in the liver.,

Key words: Heavy metals, soil-plant-animal chain, rabbit, carrot, serum eenzymes

^*Corresponding author; E-mail: Sandor.Fekete@iif.hu; Fax: (36 1) 342 9734

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 47 (2), pp. 191–206 (1999)

EFFECT OF RUMEN PROTECTED METHIONINE
SUPPLEMENTATION ON EARLY LACTATIONAL RESPONSES OF DAIRY COWS
FED A GRASS SILAGE AND CEREALS DIET

Stefania Iwańska, Danuta Strusińska and Barbara Pysera

Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Management, University of Agriculture and
Technology, 10-718 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland

(Received April 10, 1998; accepted September 25, 1998)

To investigate the milk production limiting potential of a diet based on grass silage (40%), hay (15%), dried sugar beet pulp (13%) and grain compound mixture (32%), 28 multiparous cows in early lactation were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: a control group and a group receiving supplementary rumen protected methionine (RPMet) treatment (12 g intestinally available methionine/ cow/day, given 1–120 days postpartum; Smartamine™; RPAN’s technology). The diet was formulated to meet the requirements for protein and net energy. RPMet supplementation had no significant effect on DMI (kg/cow/day), milk dry mass, milk lactose and milk urea contents. Responses for mean daily milk yield, mean milk fat and milk protein yields were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in cows supplied with RPMet than in controls. Mean daily milk yield, milk protein and milk fat yields increased by 2.4 kg, 108 g and 124 g, respectively. The mean daily milk protein and casein contents were increased by 1.8 g and 0.9 g and milk fat content by 1.2 g in 1 kg of milk, respectively. The results suggest that in cows fed grass silage and a grain compound mixture milk production is limited by methionine insufficiency, but milk production performance can be increased significantly by the addition of RPMet to the diet.

Key words: Rumen protected methionine, milk yield, milk protein, milk fat, early lactation, dairy cow

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 47 (2), pp. 207–216 (1999)

STUDY ON THE COURSE
OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM BAILEYI INFECTION
IN CHICKENS TREATED WITH INTERLEUKIN-1
OR INDOMETHACIN

S. Hornok¹, Z. Széll¹, Tatjana A. Shibalova² and I. Varga^1*

¹Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Science, H-1078
Budapest, István u. 2, Hungary; ²The Saint-Petersburg State Academy of Veterinary Medicine, Russia

(Received October 20, 1998; accepted December 1, 1998)

The effects exerted by human recombinant interleukin-1b (hrIL-1b ) and the prostaglandin inhibitor indomethacin on the course of Cryptosporidium baileyi infection in chickens were studied. Daily oocyst shedding was monitored by a quantitative method throughout the experiment. Humoral immune response to C. baileyi was assessed by ELISA at 3 weeks of age while the level of cellular immune response to phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) by a skin test at 23 days of age. Parenteral application of hrIL-1b decreased oocyst shedding to 62%, but the infection ran a similar course in treated and control birds. The PHA-P skin test demonstrated increased cellular immune reaction in chickens receiving IL-1b , but there was no significant difference in the humoral responses of the two groups as detected by ELISA. On the other hand, indomethacin mixed to the feed lessened oocyst shedding to 13.7% and also shortened its duration. Immunological parameters as reflected by PHA-P skin test and ELISA results indicated enhanced cellular but unaltered humoral immune response. These data suggest that the systemic application of interleukin-1 can induce partial protection against C. baileyi in chickens and that prolonged, abundant oocyst shedding is due to an indomethacin-sensitive immunodepression via the prostaglandin pathway.

Key words: Cryptosporidium baileyi, chicken, cytokine, interleukin-1, indomethacin

^* Corresponding author: Prof. I. Varga, Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Science, H-1400 Budapest, P.O. Box 2, Hungary; E-mail: ivarga@ns.univet.hu; Fax: (36 1) 342 7701

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 47 (2), pp. 217–231 (1999)

MASSIVE GOITRE (STRUMA PARENCHYMATOSA) IN GEESE

Éva Ivanics^1* , P. Rudas², G. Sályi¹ and R. Glávits¹

¹Central Veterinary Institute, H-1149 Budapest, Tábornok u. 2, Hungary;
²Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Science,
Budapest, Hungary

(Received November 18, 1998; accepted January 12, 1999)

In a goose flock consisting of 2300 birds of 6 months of age severe goitre was diagnosed. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of naturally occurring goitre in geese, which is not related to the feeding of rapeseed meal. The major pathological findings included retarded growth and plumage development, significantly (300%) increased relative thyroid weight, fat accumulation in the mesenteric and abdominal region, and lipid infiltration of liver and kidney cells. Subsequent hormone analysis showed undetectable thyroxine (T₄) levels and a dramatic drop in triiodothyronine (T₃) plasma levels of the diseased geese. Thyroidal histology displayed the typical signs of struma parenchymatosa. In order to get more information about the possible causes of the goitre, 10 geese from the affected farm were transferred into the laboratories of the Central Veterinary Institute. The geese were allotted into two groups. Group I received iodine supplementation for 55 days, while the other group served as sick control (Group S). Iodine treatment caused a dramatic improvement in the birds’ clinical condition except in plumage growth in Group I, while the clinical and main pathological signs of goitre remained unchanged or worsened in the untreated Group S. Contrary to this, the serum levels of thyroid hormones and responsiveness to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) improved not only in Group I but also in Group S. Almost euthyroid biochemical parameters were found after 55 days of iodine treatment in Group I and, surprisingly, a considerable improvement (especially in serum T₃ levels) occurred also in Group S. These findings confirm the diagnosis of goitre but also call attention to the fact that iodine deficiency was not the only factor eliciting the disorder. The underlying possible goitrogenic substance could not be traced down.

Key words: Goitre, goose, pathological findings, hormone analysis

^*E-mail: eva_ivanics@ccmail.oai.hu; Fax: (36-1) 252-5177

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 47 (2), pp. 233–241 (1999)

EFFECTS OF CIMETIDINE ON BROILER FATTENING
AND ON STRESS-INDUCED GIZZARD EROSION IN CHICKEN

® . Grabarević ^*, P. Dľaja, J. Perić , V. ©erman, Z. Biđin, H. Mazija, N. Mas,
® . Mikulec, K. Čuljak, Z. ©imec and B. Njari

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, Republic of Croatia

(Received March 24, 1998; accepted October 13, 1998)

The work describes the effects of cimetidine on stress-induced gizzard erosions (Experiment A) and the influence of the long-term application (42 days) of the same drug on weight gain and feed consumption during broiler fattening (Experiment B). For experiment A, 60 male, three-day-old chicks were divided into two groups: C (n = 30) – control chicks treated with 0.5 ml saline; CIM (n = 30) – chicks treated with cimetidine in a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight (b. w.) intragastrically. All chicks were stressed using a modified water-immersion stress method according to which the chicks, after 24 h of feed deprivation, were immersed in tap water (17 °C) for a few seconds. Under chloroform anaesthesia ten chicks from each group were killed 1, 2 and 3 h after the stressing. The morphometric analysis of gizzard erosion (GE) and histopathological examinations of gizzards were performed for each chick. In Experiment B, 32 one-day-old broilers of both sexes were used. The control group was untreated (n = 16) while the CIM group (n = 16) was fed the same diet supplemented with 10 mg of cimetidine per kilogram of feed throughout the fattening period (42 days). The results of Experiment A showed decreased mean length of the GE in the cimetidine-treated birds as compared with the GE lesions of the controls. In Experiment B, the treated chicks had reduced liveweight (1835.1 g), carcass weight (1474.6 g) and increased feed consumption (2115 g of feed per kilogram of weight gain) compared to the controls in which the same parameters were 1898.5 g, 1574.2 g and 1797 g, respectively. The results show that while stress-induced GE of chicks can be medicated pharmacologically, long-term application of the same substance impairs the results of fattening.

Key words: Cimetidine, stress, broiler chickens, fattening

^* Address for correspondence: Prof. Dr. ®eljko Grabarevia , Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, Croatia; E-mail: zgrabar@vef.hr; Fax: +385 1 214697

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 47 (2), pp. 243–248 (1999)

DISPOSITION KINETICS AND DOSAGE REGIMEN
OF CEFTRIAXONE IN CROSSBRED CALVES
(SHORT COMMUNICATION)

Bindu Johal and A. K. Srivastava^*

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science,
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana - 141004, India

(Received August 17, 1998; accepted December 18, 1998)

Disposition kinetics and urinary excretion of ceftriaxone were investigated in healthy crossbred calves after its single intravenous administration (10 mg kg^–1). Based on kinetic parameters, an appropriate dosage regimen of ceftriaxone in calves was calculated. The peak plasma level of ceftriaxone at 1 min was 84.0 ± 1.55 µ g ml^–1 which declined to 0.43 ± 0.05 µ g ml^–1 at 8 h. The value of elimination half-life (t_1/2b ), volume of distribution V_{d (area)} and total body clearance (Cl_B) were 4.39 ± 0.63 h, 1.91 ± 0.19 L kg^–1 and 0.31 ± 0.01 L kg^–1 h^–1, respectively. Approximately 41 per cent of total administered drug was recovered in the urine within 24 h of its administration. The plasma protein binding of ceftriaxone was found to be concentration dependent with an overall mean of 38.55 per cent. The binding capacity of ceftriaxone to plasma proteins and the dissociation rate constant of protein-drug complex were 20.1 × 10^–8 ± 18.4 × 10^–8 mole g^–1 and 1.07 × 10^–6 ± 0.52 × 10^–6 mole, respectively. An appropriate intravenous dosage regimen of ceftriaxone in cattle would be 12 mg kg^–1 repeated at 24 h.

Key words: Ceftriaxone, disposition kinetics, urinary excretion, dosage regimen, calf

^*Corresponding author; E-mail: ivispau@satyam.net.in; Fax: 0091 161 400945

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 47 (2), pp. 249–262 (1999)

EFFECT OF AN OXYTOCIN ANTAGONIST
ON PROSTAGLANDIN F_2a SECRETION
AND THE COURSE OF LUTEOLYSIS IN SOWS

Genowefa Kotwica^1* , Anita Franczak¹, S. Okrasa¹ and J. Kotwica²

¹Department of Animal Physiology, University of Agriculture and Technology,
²Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-718 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland

(Received July 27, 1998; accepted October 14, 1998)

The role of oxytocin (OT) in the regulation of prostaglandin F_2a (PGF_2a ) secretion during luteolysis in gilts was studied using a highly specific OT antagonist (CAP-581). In Experiment 1 gilts on Days 14 to 19 of the oestrous cycle in Latin square design were used, to determine the dose and time of application of OT and CAP. In Group I (n = 6) gilts were treated intravenously with saline or with 10, 20 and 30 IU of OT. Concentrations of the main PGF_2a metabolite i.e. 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F_2a (PGFM) were measured in blood samples as uterine response to the treatment. Twenty IU of OT was the most effective to stimulate PGFM release and this dose was used after CAP treatment in gilts of Groups II, III and IV. Gilts of Group II (n = 3) were injected into the uterine horns (UH) with saline (5 ml/horn) or CAP (2 mg, 3 mg and 4 mg; half dose/horn) and OT was injected (i.v.) 30 min thereafter. Any of the CAP doses given into the UH affected PGFM plasma concentrations stimulated by OT. In Group III (n = 4) gilts were infused (i.v.) for 30 min with CAP (9 mg, 14 mg and 18 mg/gilt) followed by 20 IU of OT. All doses of CAP effectively inhibited OT-stimulated PGF_2a release, therefore 9 mg was selected for the further studies. Gilts of Group IV (n = 4) received OT 4, 6 and 8 h after CAP to define how long CAP blocks the OT receptors. Concentrations of PGFM increased after any of this period of time. Thus, we concluded that 9 mg of CAP infused every 4 h will effectively block OT receptors. In Experiment 2, gilts (n = 4) received CAP as a 30-min infusion every 4 h on Days 12–20 of the oestrous cycle. Control gilts (n = 3) were infused with saline. CAP infusions diminished the height of PGFM peaks (P < 0.05). Frequency of the PGFM (P < 0.057) and OT (P < 0.082) peaks only tended to be lower in the CAP-treated gilts. Peripheral plasma concentrations of progesterone (P₄) and oestradiol-17b (E₂) and the time of luteolysis initiation as measured by the decrease of P₄ concentration were the same in CAP- and saline-treated gilts. The macroscopic studies of the ovaries in gilts revealed lack of differences between groups. We conclude that OT is involved in the secretion of luteolytic PGF_2a peaks but its role is limited to controlling their height and frequency. Blocking of OT receptors did not prevent luteolysis in sows.

Key words: Oxytocin antagonist, oxytocin, prostaglandins, luteolysis, sows

^*E-mail: janko@food.irzbz.pan.olsztyn.pl

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 47 (2), pp. 263–270 (1999)

SPERM COLLECTION FROM SHOT RED DEER STAGS (CERVUS ELAPHUS)
AND THE UTILISATION OF SPERM FROZEN AND SUBSEQUENTLY THAWED

Z. Zomborszky^1* , T. Zubor², J. Tóth³ and P. Horn¹

¹Faculty of Animal Science, Pannon University of Agriculture, H-7401 Kaposvár,
P.O. Box 16, Hungary, ²Embryo Ltd., Pécs, Hungary, ³Pannon Equestrian Academy
and Specialist Secondary School for Agriculture, Kaposvár, Hungary

(Received October 26, 1998; accepted December 21, 1998)

Sperm samples were collected from the epididymides of 11 hunter-killed stags (Cervus elaphus hippelaphus) within 2 to 17 h post mortem in September 1991. Progressively motile spermatozoa were diluted and deep-frozen in tris-yolk extender by a procedure routinely used for bovine semen. The pre-freezing motility of spermatozoa from 6 stags was higher than 80%, while the sperm of 5 animals was found to be unsuitable for dilution. In the post-thawed sperm of six stags 40–50% of the spermatozoa showed progressive motility and the number of viable spermatozoa ranged from 8.6 to 26.7 × 10⁶ per 0.25 ml straw. Two years later, three hinds were superovulated by the use of a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (CIDR type G, Carter, Holt Harvey Plastic Products Group Ltd., Hamilton, New Zealand) for a period of 14 days and with follicle stimulating hormone (Folicotropin inj., Spofa, Prague). Each hind was inseminated artificially 60 h after the withdrawal of CIDR with thawed sperm injected into the uterus via the vagina. Seven days later the uteri were flushed out, as a result of which 3 early blastocysts + 1 ovum, 3 morulae + 4 ova, and 1 morula + 7 ova, respectively, were recovered from the three hinds. Deer embryos were frozen according to a glycerol-based freezing protocol. A further two years later two hinds were oestrus-synchronised with CIDR type G and 300 IU PMSG (Folligon inj., Intervet, NL), and two of the thawed embryos were transplanted into two recipient hinds 7 days after heat. One of these gave birth to a normal stag fawn in June 1996. This was the first deer born in Hungary from embryo transfer. The results obtained indicate that sperm from top stags shot in the course of hunting can prove useful for the preservation of genetic material or in the development of the farmed deer system.

Key words: Artificial insemination, embryo transfer, red deer, sperm preservation

^*E-mail: ZZomborszky@atk.kaposvar.pate.hu; Fax: 36 82 320 175

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 47 (2), pp. 271–277 (1999)

MODEL FIELD STUDY OF SUMITHION 50 EC
AND FUSILADE S ON PHEASANTS

L. Várnagy¹, P. Budai¹, Á. Zaják², T. Varga¹ and E. Molnár¹

¹Department of Hygiene, Institute of Plant Protection, Georgikon Faculty,
Pannon University of Agricultural Sciences, H-8361 Keszthely, P.O. Box 71, Hungary; ²Ecotoxicological Laboratory,
H-7136 Fácánkert, Hungary

(Received May 19, 1998; accepted September 30, 1998)

Toxicological studies on wild animals play an important role in the ecotoxicological examination of pesticides. The applied model tests enable the assessment of toxicological consequences with particular regard to the life and nutrition of wild animals in the ploughed field among plants treated with pesticides. The application of different pesticide formulations on plough-land may pose a simultaneous chemical burden to wild birds. In this model study, manifestations of the interaction between an insecticide and a herbicide were studied in pheasants. The birds were placed on lucerne in cages (48 m²) and sprayed once. The applied doses were: Sumithion 50 EC 1 litre/ha + Fusilade S 6 litres/ha (practical doses) and Sumithion 50 EC 5 litres/ha + Fusilade S 30 litres/ha. The analytically determined pesticide concentration of the lucerne was taken as a basis in the further treatment of fodder. The fodder of pheasants contained the following chemicals: 85 mg/kg Sumithion 50 EC + 510 mg/kg Fusilade S and 425 mg/kg Sumithion 50 EC + 2250 mg/kg Fusilade S. Sporadic deaths observed among the pheasants were of traumatic origin and not due to a toxic effect. The decrease of body weight was significant only at the higher dose levels. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity of the blood decreased significantly in both dose groups. On the basis of the results obtained it can be established that at the dose level used in the practice the pesticides studied do not give rise to a toxic interaction in pheasants.

Key words: Pesticide, Sumithion 50 EC, Fusilade S, pheasant, toxicological study

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 47 (2), pp. 279–281 (1999)

BOOK REVIEWS

Ueli Braun (ed.): BSE und andere spongioforme Enzephalopathien (BSE and other spongioform encephalopathies). With video on CD-ROM. Parey, Berlin, 1998. 151 pages (paperback), 21 pictures, 13 figures and 24 tables. ISBN 3-8263-2312-1

Maria-Elisabeth Krautwald-Junghanns: Computertomographie des aviären Respirationstraktes. Reihe ‘Akademisches Forum’. Parey Buchverlag, Berlin, 1997. 208 pages with 60 illustrations. Price DM 58. ISBN 3-8263-3173-7.

Jacques Euzeby: Les Parasites des Viandes. Epidémiologie, physio-pathologie, incidences zoonosiques. TEC et DOC-Lavoisier EM Inter, 11 rue Lavoisier, F-75384 Paris Cedex 08, 1998. 416 pages, 151 figures. Price FFr 350. ISBN 2-7430-0199-2.