Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 48 (1) (2000)

CONTENTS AND ABSTRACTS

Animal breeding

Assessment of ovulation of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) females selected for induced spawning on the basis of external morphological characteristics.
T. Szabó, R. Szabó, B. Urbányi and L. Horváth
1-8

Clinical veterinary medicine

Gastrointestinal ultrasonography of the dog: A review of 265 cases (1996–1998).
F. Manczur and K. Vörös
9-21

Defence reaction in dental pulp after pulp capping and partial pulpectomy in dogs.
Z. Pavlica, Polona Juntes and M. Pogačnik
23-34

Immunology

Effects of classical swine fever virus infection on the porcine leukocyte subsets.
P. Soós, H. J. Schubert and K. R. Depner
35-42

Newcastle disease antibody titre is dependent on serum calcium concentration.
Jasminka Božičković, P. Božičković, Gabrijela Krivec, W. L. Ragland, Estella Prukner-Radovčić and H. Mazija
43-50

Nutrition

Dog feeding test for assessing the nutritional adequacy of practical diets.
M. Hegedűs, S. Fekete, F. Janza, L. Zöldág and T. Gaál
51-58

Pathology

Cholangiohepatitis in broiler chickens in Japan: Histopathological, immunohistochemical and microbiological studies of spontaneous disease.
J. Sasaki, M. Goryo, N. Okoshi, H. Furukawa, J. Honda and K. Okada
59-67

Physiology

Effects of saturated and unsaturated fats with vitamin E supplementation on the antioxidant status of broiler chicken tissues.
F. Husvéth, H. A. Manilla, T. Gaál, P. Vajdovich, N. Balogh, L. Wágner, I. Lóth and K. Németh
69-79

Effect of large dietary doses of b -carotene on plasma retinoid and b -carotene levels and on progesterone production in the granulosa cells of Japanese quail.
A. Pusztai, Gabriella Ágota and L. Bárdos
81-87

Relationships between force-feeding and some physiological parameters in geese bred for fatty liver.
J. Janan, L. Bódi, Gabriella Ágota, L. Bárdos, P. Rudas, J. Kozák and Mária Karsai
89-97

Influence of electrical stimulation on regeneration of the radial nerve in dogs.
B. Zorko, J. Rozman and A. Seliškar
99-105

Monoamine oxidase activity in some brain areas of sheep after hormonal stimulation.
Bernadetta Pástorová, Angela Staníková, Marie Molnárová, J. Halagan and J. Buleca
107-111

Toxicology

Interaction of Dithane M-45 (mancozeb) and lead acetate during a teratogenicity test in rats.
L. Várnagy, P. Budai, E. Molnár, I. Takács and A. Kárpáti
113-124

Virology

Sequence and expression analyses of the Ul37 and Ul38 genes of Aujeszky’s disease virus.
A. Braun, A. Kaliman, Zs. Boldogkői, A. Aszódi and I. Fodor
125-136

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 48 (1), pp. 1–8 (2000)

ASSESSMENT OF OVULATION
OF COMMON CARP (CYPRINUS CARPIO) FEMALES
SELECTED FOR INDUCED SPAWNING ON THE BASIS
OF EXTERNAL MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

T. Szabó¹*, R. Szabó², B. Urbányi¹ and L. Horváth¹

1Department of Applied Genetics and Breeding, Biotechnology Laboratory, Gödöllő University of Agricultural Sciences, Institute of Animal Husbandry, H-2103 Gödöllő, Páter K. u. 1, Hungary; ²National Federation of Hungarian Fish Producers, Dinnyés Fish Farm, Dinnyés, Hungary

Secondary sexual characteristics such as softening and rounding of the abdomen as well as reddening and protrusion of the anal papilla and vent can be of help to breeders in selecting common carp (Cyprinus carpio) females prepared for propagation. To assess the reliability of this method, long-term data obtained on induced spawning of common carp at a large-scale fish hatchery were evaluated. The average spawning ratio of 2,620 females receiving hormonal injections was 79.8%. The average pseudogonadosomatic index (PGSI) calculated from data on the egg production of 2,086 females was 16.3 ± 5.87% (mean ± SD) for the same period. There was a correlation between fish weight and the time of induction determined by the breeder on the basis of external morphological characteristics. The similarity of the responses of females, including both spawning ratio and PGSI, among the different weight categories proved the reliability of this method for identification.

Key words: Common carp, induced breeding, ovulation, maturity

*E-mail: tszabo@fau.gau.hu; Fax: +36 (28) 410 804

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 48 (1), pp. 9–21 (2000)

GASTROINTESTINAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE DOG:
A REVIEW OF 265 CASES (1996–1998)

F. Manczur^* and K. Vörös

The findings of ultrasonography of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of 265 dogs with GI disorders were analysed retrospectively. The sonographic changes associated with various inflammatory and neoplastic conditions and mechanical obstruction of the GI system were recorded and discussed. Sonographic alterations of the pancreas and the tissues adjacent to the GI tract were also included in the study. Ultrasonographic alterations of the GI tract were classified into three main categories: thickening of the GI wall, changes in peristalsis and dilation of the lumen. Localised thickening of the GI wall with disruption of its structure was caused by both neoplastic diseases and by inflammatory disorders. However, diffuse thickening with retained wall structure was generally associated with inflammatory diseases. The criteria previously established for the ultrasonographic diagnosis of intestinal obstruction were successfully applied to a large number of GI disorders. Pancreatitis was most often associated with hyperechoic mesentery and hypoechoic pancreas mass, but similar alterations were encountered in some cases of gastric or duodenal ulceration. Except in cases of invaginations and intestinal obstructions, the observed ultrasonographic changes were not specific enough for a definitive diagnosis. Nevertheless, ultrasonography proved to be a valuable technique in the diagnostic process of GI disorders of the dog.

Key words: Ultrasonography, dog, gastrointestinal diseases, pancreas

*E-mail: fmanczur@univet.hu; Fax: +36 (1) 478 4137

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 48 (1), pp. 23–34 (2000)

DEFENCE REACTION IN DENTAL PULP AFTER
PULP CAPPING AND PARTIAL PULPECTOMY IN DOGS

Z. Pavlica¹*, Polona Juntes² and M. Pogačnik²

1Small Animal Clinic and ²Institute of Pathology, Forensic and Administrative Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

(Received April 21, 1999; accepted October 20, 1999)

The dental pulp was capped indirectly or directly, or partial vital pulpectomy was performed on the 12 functionally most important teeth of 24 beagle dogs. For pulp capping, calcium hydroxide was used, followed by zinc phosphate as a lining, and the preparation was restored with amalgam or composite material. Histological sections were prepared and examined for degree and type of pulp inflammation (hyperaemia, pulpitis, necrosis or gangrene). Degenerative changes of dental pulp (vacuolation, calcification, amyloid or hyaline changes) were also determined. For indirect pulp capping the width of predentine in crown and root dental pulp was measured, and for direct pulp capping and partial pulpectomy (vital pulpotomy) the width and quality of the dentinal bridge were graded. The radical method of partial vital pulpectomy of the coronal part of the dental pulp in dogs produced better quality and continuity of the dentinal bridge than the less radical method of direct pulp capping. This was particularly obvious in small single root teeth such as incisors.

Key words: Dental pulp, defence reaction, pulp capping, partial pulpectomy, dog

*E-mail: PavlicZl@mail.vf.uni-lj.si; Fax: +386 (0) 61 333 708

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 48 (1), pp. 35–42 (2000)

EFFECTS OF CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER VIRUS
INFECTION ON THE PORCINE LEUKOCYTE SUBSETS

P. Soós¹*, H. J. Schubert² and K. R. Depner³

The effects of classical swine fever (CSF) virus infection on the porcine leukocyte subsets were investigated by flow cytometry in acute, chronic and convalescent forms of the disease. The virus antigen could be first detected in the monocytes on postinfection (p.i.) day 10 while in the lymphocytes on p.i. day 13. It could be established that the ratio of CD6+ cells decreased until p.i. day 6, but afterwards it started to increase and reached different values. The CD4+CD8+, the CD8+ and the CD6– cells were obviously higher virus positive than the CD4+ and the CD4–CD8–subsets, but essentially all subsets could be infected. The ratio of CD8+ cells increased during the disease, while the number of double positive cells decreased, and that of the CD4+ cells was variable. The viral antigen could be detected in a lower percentage of the CD4+CD8+, CD8+, CD6+ and CD6– cells of the pigs affected with the chronic form of the disease than in those with the acute form. During the experiments no viral antigen could be detected in the leukocytes of the pig that became convalescent, though the changes in its leukocyte subsets were very similar to those seen in pigs in which the viral antigen could be detected. The studies have revealed that essentially all leukocyte subsets can be infected with the CSF virus, but in very different amounts.

Key words: Classical swine fever, flow cytometry, leukocyte subsets, CD markers

*E-mail: soos@novell.vmri.hu; Fax: +36 (1) 251-9260

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 48 (1), pp. 43–50 (2000)

NEWCASTLE DISEASE ANTIBODY TITRE IS DEPENDENT
ON SERUM CALCIUM CONCENTRATION

Jasminka Božičković¹, P. Božičković¹, Gabrijela Krivec¹, W. L. Ragland^2,3
Estella Prukner-Radovčić² and H. Mazija²*

Chickens were fed diets having optimal, high, and low levels of calcium for 42 days. Serum samples were collected at 14, 28 and 42 days of age, and serum calcium and haemagglutination inhibition titres for Newcastle disease virus were measured. The chickens were vaccinated at 14 days for Newcastle disease. Antibody titres were significantly increased by high dietary calcium and depressed by low dietary calcium. Mean titre was 2.5 (log₂) for the optimal diet, 3.2 for the high-calcium diet, and 1.6 for the low-calcium diet. Antibody titres were dependent on serum calcium concentration (r² = 0.98 at 14 days, 0.99 at 28 days, and 0.78 at 42 days).

Key words: Newcastle disease virus, antibody titre, chicken, serum calcium, dietary calcium

*Corresponding author. E-mail: hmazija@vef.hr; Fax: 385-1-239-0280

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 48 (1), pp. 51–58 (2000)

DOG FEEDING TEST FOR ASSESSING
THE NUTRITIONAL ADEQUACY OF PRACTICAL DIETS

M. Hegedűs¹, S. Fekete¹*, F. Janza³, L. Zöldág¹ and T. Gaál²

The nutritive value of dog foods declared by the manufacturer as nutritionally complete and balanced can be best assessed by feeding trials with dogs. A protocol of a feeding trial has been developed and tested with working dogs fed two different commercial complete and balanced diets for 8 weeks. The parameters used for evaluating the effect of diets were general health status, body and hair coat condition, change of body weight, haematological parameters (white blood cell (WBC) count, red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin, packed cell volume), and biochemical parameters in blood serum (alanine aminotransferase, urea, albumin). The trial protocol proved to be appropriate to monitor the dogs’ nutritional status and to reveal differences between diets. This method of evaluation is recommended for use in supporting the nutritional claims (labelling) of dog foods.

Key words: Dog foods, assessment of nutritional adequacy, feeding test

*Corresponding author. E-mail: Safekete@univet.hu; Fax: +36 (1) 478 4128

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 48 (1), pp. 59–67 (2000)

CHOLANGIOHEPATITIS IN BROILER CHICKENS IN JAPAN: HISTOPATHOLOGICAL, IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL
AND MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF SPONTANEOUS DISEASE

J. Sasaki¹, M. Goryo¹*, N. Okoshi², H. Furukawa³, J. Honda³ and K. Okada¹

Forty-five broiler carcasses from 6 different flocks were condemned due to liver lesions at processing meat inspection, and collected for pathological and bacterial examinations. All affected chickens showed liver enlargement with discolouration and an apparent acinar pattern. The enlarged gallbladder and the extrahepatic bile ducts contained yellow inspissated cream-coloured material. Histopathologically, extensive proliferation of bile ductules with fibrosis was observed in interlobular connective tissue, and it spread to form bridges with adjoining triads. Destruction and obstruction of portal bile ducts with multiple granulomas due to bacterial infection and outflow of the bile were frequently observed. Many Gram-positive bacilli were seen in the lesions, and they were identified as Clostridium perfringens by indirect immunofluorescence staining technique. Clostridium perfringens was isolated from affected livers. These findings are consistent with cholangiohepatitis. Therefore, it is suggested that C. perfringens might be important in the pathogenesis of cholangiohepatitis in broiler chickens.

Key words: Broiler chicken, cholangiohepatitis, Clostridium perfringens, multiple granuloma, proliferation of bile ductules

*Corresponding author; E-mail: goryo@iwate-u.ac.jp; Fax: 81-019-621-6231

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 48 (1), pp. 69–79 (2000)

EFFECTS OF SATURATED AND UNSATURATED FATS
WITH VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENTATION
ON THE ANTIOXIDANT STATUS
OF BROILER CHICKEN TISSUES

F. Husvéth¹*, H. A. Manilla¹, T. Gaál², P. Vajdovich², N. Balogh², L. Wágner¹,
I. Lóth¹ and K. Németh¹

The influence of fish oil (highly unsaturated) and beef tallow (highly saturated) with vitamin E (100 IU/kg) supplementation on the antioxidant status of broiler chicken cockerels was investigated. Chicks were fed a control diet with no added fat, 40 g/kg each of fish oil and beef tallow diets, respectively, from 11 to 42 days of age. Tocopherol concentration and the rate of lipid peroxidation, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) in liver, fatty acid composition of the liver lipids, blood serum total antioxidant status (TAS), and reduced glutathione (GSH) content were determined. Vitamin E supplementation of the diet increased liver ?-tocopherol content in chicks regardless of the type of dietary fat. Fish oil diet resulted in higher liver TBARS value while beef tallow diet showed lower values compared to the control diet. Vitamin E supplementation reduced liver TBARS as well as serum GSH, and raised serum TAS for all diets. Serum GSH was the same for vitamin E supplemented diets regardless of the fat supplement. Fish oil diets resulted in a significant increase in hepatic lipid n-3 PUFA content. A significant positive correlation was found between liver TBARS and n-3 PUFA content. No relationships were established, however, between liver TBARS and n-6 PUFA or saturated fatty acids. The results suggest that feeding oils rich in n-3 PUFA increases tissue concentration of these fatty acids, consequently increasing tissue lipid peroxidation and reducing the antioxidative status of broiler chickens. Supplementing high levels of vitamin E with such oils may increase tissue oxidative stability. Serum TAS or GSH may be used as a measure of antioxidative status in chickens.

Key words: Dietary fat, broiler chickens, n-3 fatty acids, lipid peroxidation, vitamin E

*E-mail: h5544hus@ella.hu; Fax: +36 (83) 314 344

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 48 (1), pp. 81–87 (2000)

EFFECT OF LARGE DIETARY DOSES OF b -CAROTENE
ON PLASMA RETINOID AND b -CAROTENE LEVELS
AND ON PROGESTERONE PRODUCTION
IN THE GRANULOSA CELLS OF JAPANESE QUAIL

A. Pusztai, Gabriella Ágota and L. Bárdos^*

Department of Animal Physiology and Health, Gödöllő Agricultural University,
H-2103 Gödöllő, Páter K. u. 1, Hungary

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of large-dose b -carotene supplementation on blood retinoid and b -carotene levels as well as on the progesterone secretion of the granulosa cells in Japanese quail. Laying quails were assigned to three dietary groups. The control group (Group C) received the basal diet (laying feed containing 9000 IU vitamin A/kg). In the treated groups (Groups BC1 and BC2) the basal diet was supplemented with 10² and 10³ mg/kg b -carotene (BC), respectively. At the end of the two-week feeding period, 10 birds from each group were euthanised. Blood samples were analysed for retinol, retinyl palmitate and b -carotene concentrations. Granulosa cells were isolated from ovarian follicles (F₁ and F₂), and PMSG-induced in vitro progesterone (P₄) secretion was measured. Similar retinol concentrations were found in both b -carotene supplemented groups, indicating saturation of the retinol-transporting system. b -carotene supplementation was accompanied by hypercarotenaemia, but did not increase the retinyl palmitate levels in the blood. PMSG-induced P₄ production of the granulosa cells decreased significantly in Groups BC1 and BC2 in a dose-dependent manner.

Key words: b -carotene, retinoids, progesterone, granulosa cell, Japanese quail

*Corresponding author; E-mail: lbardos@fau.gau.hu

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 48 (1), pp. 89–97 (2000)

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FORCE-FEEDING
AND SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS
IN GEESE BRED FOR FATTY LIVER

1Goose Breeding Research Station, ²Department of Animal Physiology and Health,
University of Agricultural Sciences, H-2103 Gödöllő, Páter K. u. 1, Hungary;
³Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Science,
H-1400 Budapest, P.O. Box 2, Hungary

The susceptibility of geese of different genotypes and sexes to force-feeding, some plasma biochemical parameters (thyroid hormones, cholesterol, retinoids, total protein and albumin) of force-fed geese, and the relationship between force-feeding, fat storage and the above-mentioned parameters were studied. Sixty (30 male and 30 female) geese of three genotypes (Hungarian, Landes and their crossbred called Babat Hybrid) were divided in two groups at 12 weeks of age. Geese in one group (5 males and 5 females from each genotype) received mixed feeding ad libitum. Birds in the other group were force-fed with maize. After 3 weeks all birds were bled, blood samples were taken, and the above-mentioned plasma parameters were determined. Thyroxine (T₄) levels were significantly lower in force-fed (11.6 ± 3.5 ng/ml) than in control geese (22.7 ± 4.09 ng/ml). Plasma triiodothyronine (T₃) level was also lower in the force-fed than in the control group, but the difference was not significant (1.87 ± 0.23 ng/ml and 2.11 ± 0.28 ng/ml, respectively). Plasma total protein (TP, 45.2 ± 4.5 g/l), albumin (ALB, 16.51 ± 2.8 g/l), b -carotene (BC, 3504 ± 3107 µg/l), retinol (ROL, 1160 ± 505 µg/l), retinyl palmitate (RP, 1745 ± 405 µg/l) and total cholesterol (TCh, 4.32 ± 0.55 mmol/l) levels were elevated in the force-fed group as compared to the control (TP = 36.4 ± 5.1 g/l, ALB = 15.6 ± 0.9 g/l, BC = 1657 ± 1681 µg/l, ROL = 687 ± 375 µg/l, RP = 1398 ± 607 µg/l, and TCh = 2.83 ± 1.98 mmol/l). All differences were significant except those found for albumin and b -carotene. No significant sex- or genotype-related effects were observed for these parameters.

Key words: Goose, force-feeding, thyroid hormones, cholesterol, retinoids, proteins

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 48 (1), pp. 99–105 (2000)

INFLUENCE OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION ON
REGENERATION OF THE RADIAL NERVE IN DOGS

B. Zorko¹, J. Rozman²* and A. Seliškar¹

1University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana,
²ITIS d.o.o. Ljubljana, Center for Implantable Technology and Sensors, Lepi pot 11, 1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia

The effects of biphasic electric fields on nerve regeneration that follows injury to the left radial nerve were studied in dogs by electromyography (EMG). Left and right radial nerves were crushed with a serrated haemostat. Stimulating electrodes were positioned proximally and distally to the site of the injury. The left nerves received rectangular, biphasic and current pulses (30 µA, 0.5 Hz) through the injury for two months. The right radial nerves were treated as controls and regenerated without electrical stimulation. EMG activities were recorded intramuscularly from the left and right musculus extensor digitalis communis (MEDC). Results obtained at the end of the two-month stimulation period showed a significant difference in EMG activity between the left (stimulated) and the right (non-stimulated) MEDC, suggesting that electrical treatment enhanced nerve regeneration.

Key words: Electrical stimulation, electrode, nerve regeneration

*Correspondence: Janez Rozman, PhD, ITIS d.o.o., Center for Implantable Technology and Sensors, Lepi pot 11, 1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
E-mail: Janez.Rozman@guest.arnes.si; Fax.: +386 61 268 797

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 48 (1), pp. 107–111 (2000)

MONOAMINE OXIDASE ACTIVITY IN SOME BRAIN AREAS
OF SHEEP AFTER HORMONAL STIMULATION

Bernadetta Pástorová^*, Angela Staníková, Marie Molnárová, J. Halagan and J. Buleca

The influence of hormonal superovulatory preparations Folistiman (450 IU FSH, Spofa, Prague) and serum gonadotropin (1500 IU PMSG, Spofa, Prague) on monoamine oxidase (MAO), the degradative enzyme of catecholamines, was investigated in some areas of the brain regulating reproductive functions (area preoptica of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and pineal gland) in ewes with synchronized oestrus (20 mg chlorsuperlutin) during the oestrous period using a radiochemical method. After intramuscular administration of 1500 IU PMSG, marked increase of MAO activity was found in the area preoptica (p < 0.05) and in the pituitary gland (p < 0.01) in comparison with the control group. No change occurred in MAO activity after ovarian stimulation with FSH. Administration of the above superovulatory preparations failed to induce MAO activity in the pineal gland of sheep.

Key words: Monoamine oxidase, FSH, PMSG, superovulation, area preoptica, pineal gland, pituitary gland, sheep

*Fax: 095-767 675

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 48 (1), pp. 113–124 (2000)

INTERACTION OF DITHANE M-45 (MANCOZEB) AND LEAD ACETATE
DURING A TERATOGENICITY TEST IN RATS

L. Várnagy^*, P. Budai, E. Molnár, I. Takács and A. Kárpáti

The teratogenic effects of lead acetate (Trial 1) and the possible teratogenic effect of this compound administered in combination with a fungicide containing 80% mancozeb (Trial 2) were studied in rats. The test substances were administered by gavage on Days 6–15 of gestation. In Trial 1, five groups were treated with lead acetate administered at doses of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 10.0 and 1000.0 mg/kg body weight (bwkg), respectively. In Trial 2, lead acetate was applied at doses of 0.1, 10.0 and 1000.0 mg/bwkg, respectively. In the latter case the dose of the pesticide was 750 mg/bwkg in all treated groups. Lead acetate was not teratogenic after a single administration. Combined administration of lead acetate and mancozeb gave rise to the following toxic effects: average maternal weight decreased during pregnancy, the ratio of live fetuses decreased after the two lowest doses, and fetal mortality increased in the lowest and in the highest dose groups. The ratio of fetal resorption was higher in all the treated groups than in the control group. A significant decrease occurred in average fetal and placental weight in each treated group as compared to the control. Maternal toxicity was expressed in paralysis of the hindlimbs in the two lowest dose groups. Maternal mortality was between 16.7 and 23.3% at the three dose levels. Phocomelia and hernia cerebri occurred as characteristic fetal developmental anomalies in all the treated groups. It is concluded that the joint administration of lead acetate and a mancozeb-containing fungicide can cause maternal toxicity, embryotoxicity and characteristic teratogenic effects.

Key words: Lead acetate, mancozeb, teratology, rat

*E-mail: H9650var@ella.hu; Fax: +36 (83) 315 105

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 48 (1), pp. 125–136 (2000)

SEQUENCE AND EXPRESSION ANALYSES OF THE UL37
AND UL38 GENES OF AUJESZKY’S DISEASE VIRUS

A. Braun¹, A. Kaliman², Zs. Boldogkői¹, A. Aszódi¹ and I. Fodor^1,3*

1Institute for Biochemistry and Protein Research, Agricultural Biotechnology Center, Gödöllő, Hungary; ²Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms,
Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia; ³Center for Molecular Biology and Gene Therapy, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA