Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (2) (2002)

CONTENTS AND ABSTRACTS

Clinical veterinary medicine

Stress-induced Cushing’s syndrome in fur-chewing chinchillas. Marina Tišljar, D. Janić, Ž. Grabarević, Borka Šimpraga, A. Marinculić, Ljiljana Pinter, Z. Janicki and Ankica Nemanič 133-142

A possible relationship between bumblefoot responsive to potassium arsenite and micrococci in the blood of three birds of prey. W. Tarello 143-150

Infectious diseases

Apparent cross-infection with a single strain of Malassezia pachydermatis on a pig farm. Ljiljana Pinter, R. M. Anthony, Nada Glumac, D. Hajsig, M. Pogačnik and Marinka Drobnič-Košorok 151-156

Molecular genetics

Tumour suppressor gene p53 mutation in a case of haemangiosarcoma of a dog. B. Mayr, S. Zwetkoff, G. Schaffner and M. Reifinger 157-160

Polymerase chain reaction amplification of 16S-23S spacer region for rapid identification of Salmonella serovars. C. S. Bakshi, V. P. Singh, Meenakshi Malik, Bhaskar Sharma and R. K. Singh 161-166

Motion analysis

Comparison of VHS video recording system with Apple Macintosh-based image analysis and modified CODA-3 systems in equine motion analysis. F. Szalay, W. Back, A. Barneveld, H. Schamhardt and F. Hajós 167-176

Mycotoxin research

Ochratoxin A contamination of cereal grains and coffee in Hungary in the year 2001. B. Fazekas, A. K. Tar and Melinda Zomborszky-Kovács 177-188

Pharmacology

Development of an antibiotic resistance monitoring system in Hungary. Éva J. Kaszanyitzky, A. Tarpai, Sz. Jánosi, Melitta Papp, J. Skáre and G. Semjén 189-197

Pulse and continuous oral norfloxacin treatment of experimentally induced Escherichia coli infection in broiler chicks and turkey poults. G. Sárközy, G. Semjén, P. Laczay, E. Horváth and J. Schmidt 199-210

Physiology

Na⁺/H⁺ exchange in primary, secondary and n-butyrate-treated cultures of ruminal epithelial cells: Short communication. P. Gálfi, Susan Neogrády and G. Gäbel 211-215

Effect of different fat sources on in vitro degradation of nutrients and certain blood parameters in sheep. Hedvig Fébel, F. Husvéth, T. Veresegyházy, Emese Andrásofszky, Ildikó Várhegyi and Szilvia Huszár 217-229

Reproduction

Improving reproductive performance in lactating dairy cows by synchronising ovulation or inducing oestrus. Gy. Gábor, J. P. Kastelic, S. Pintér, F. Szász, Edit Szigeti and N. Solymosi 231-234

Comparative evaluation of the effect of antioxidants in the conservation of ram semen. P. Sarlós, A. Molnár, M. Kókai, Gy. Gábor and J. Rátky 235-245

Book reviews 247-249

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (2), pp. 133–142 (2002)

STRESS-INDUCED CUSHING’S SYNDROME IN FUR-CHEWING CHINCHILLAS

Marina Tišljar^1*, D. Janić², Ž. Grabarević³, Borka Šimpraga¹, A. Marinculić⁴, Ljiljana Pinter⁵, Z. Janicki⁶ and Ankica Nemanič¹

One of the most serious problems in the chinchilla industry is ‘fur-chewing’, when the chinchilla bites off areas of its own or some other animal’s fur. The condition generally develops in both genders at the age of 6–8 months. In chinchilla farms in Croatia an incidence of 15–20% has been observed. A pathomorphological, microbiological and parasitological investigation was conducted on eleven 6- to 11-month-old chinchillas of both sexes with clinical symptoms of ‘fur-chewing’ and three chinchillas without such signs. Histopathology of the adrenal glands and of the chewed skin revealed changes typical of Cushing’s syndrome in ‘fur-chewed’ chinchillas, such as hyperkeratinisation of the epidermis, epidermal atrophy, pronounced follicular and sebaceous gland atrophy, hyperkeratinisation of the follicles with comedo formations and the presence of calcium salts in subcutis.

Key words: Chinchilla, ‘fur-chewing’, histopathology, skin, hyperadrenocorticism, hypercortisolism, Cushing’s syndrome

*Corresponding author; E-mail: czp-hvi@zg.tel.hr; Fax: +385 (0) 1 2441 396

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (2), pp. 143–150 (2002)

A POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BUMBLEFOOT RESPONSIVE TO POTASSIUM ARSENITE AND MICROCOCCI IN THE BLOOD OF THREE BIRDS OF PREY

W. Tarello^*

C.P. 42, 06061 Castiglione del Lago, Perugia, Italy

(Received September 14, 2001; accepted March 13, 2002)

Pododermatitis (bumblefoot) is a major health problem of falcons worldwide because healing processes in the talons are difficult and lengthy. A peregrine (Falco peregrinus), a merlin (Falco columbarius) and a saker falcon (Falco cherrug) with bumblefoot at different stages ranging from III to V, were all found to be carriers of micrococcus-like organisms in the blood and two of them were successfully treated with 0.5% potassium arsenite in low dosage given intravenously. A number of considerations are made on the immune dysfunction aspects of bumblefoot in birds of prey and on the emerging role of arsenic-based medicaments in the treatment of animal and human immune dysfunction syndromes.

Key words: Bumblefoot, pododermatitis, bird of prey, falcon, micrococci, potassium arsenite, treatment

*This work was carried out at the ‘Clinica Veterinaria Airone’ of Castiglione del Lago (Perugia, Italy) and at the ‘European Veterinary Center’ of Dubai (United Arab Emirates); Corresponding author: Walter Tarello, C.P. 1644, 06129 Perugia 5, Italy; E-mail: tarello@iol.it

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Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (2), pp. 151–156 (2002)

APPARENT CROSS-INFECTION WITH A SINGLE STRAIN OF MALASSEZIA PACHYDERMATIS ON A PIG FARM

Ljiljana Pinter^1*, R. M. Anthony², Nada Glumac³, D. Hajsig⁴, M. Pogačnik⁵ and Marinka Drobnič-Košorok⁵

1Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb 10000, P.O. Box 190, Croatia; ²Department of Microbiology, King’s College, London, St. Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK; ³Veterinary Field Station, Čakovec, Croatia; ⁴PLIVA Ltd., Zagreb, Croatia; ⁵Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

(Received December 14, 2001; accepted March 13, 2002)

Twenty-nine isolates of Malassezia pachydermatis were recovered from a single farm of 100 pigs in Croatia. In contrast, 290 farm pigs from other locations (northern parts of Croatia and Slovenia) yielded only two non-lipid dependent isolates of M. pachydermatis using the same swabbing procedure. Ten of the 29 isolates from a single farm had their identity confirmed by karyotyping, and were typed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. All but one of these isolates sub-typed were indistinguishable, one isolate produced a slightly different RFLP profile. Control isolates recovered from dog skin gave RFLP profiles that were easily distinguished from those produced by the pig isolates. These results suggest that a single strain of M. pachydermatis had colonised this pig herd.

Key words: DNA restriction, Malassezia pachydermatis, pig

*Corresponding author; E-mail: pinter@vef.hr; Fax: (385) 1 244 13 90

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Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (2), pp. 157–160 (2002)

TUMOUR SUPPRESSOR GENE p53 MUTATION IN A CASE OF HAEMANGIOSARCOMA OF A DOG

B. Mayr^1*, S. Zwetkoff¹, G. Schaffner² and M. Reifinger³

1Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics; ³Institute for Pathology and Forensic Veterinary Research, Veterinary University, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria; ²Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Dr. Bohr Gasse 7, A-1030 Vienna, Austria

(Received January 25, 2002; accepted March 13, 2002)

Haemangiosarcomas of dogs were analysed by molecular genetic techniques. Regions of the tumour suppressor gene p53, including the well-known tumour hot spots (codons 175, 245, 248, 249, 273 and 282) were screened. A 24 bp deletion was detected in exon 5 of the gene.

Key words: Haemangiosarcoma, spleen, dog, mutation, p53

*Corresponding author; E-mail: Burkhard.Mayr@vu-wien.ac.at; Fax: +43-1-25077-5693

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Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (2), pp. 161–166 (2002)

POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION AMPLIFICATION OF 16S-23S SPACER REGION FOR RAPID IDENTIFICATION OF SALMONELLA SEROVARS

C. S. Bakshi^1*, V. P. Singh², Meenakshi Malik¹, Bhaskar Sharma³ and R. K. Singh¹

1National Biotechnology Centre, ²Division of Bacteriology and Mycology, ³Division of Biochemistry, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar–243 122, Bareilly, UP, India

(Received November 5, 2001; accepted March 13, 2002)

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the spacer regions between the 16S and 23S genes of rRNA genetic loci of Salmonella serovars for their rapid identification. These genetic loci revealed a significant level of polymorphism in length across the species/serovar lines. When the 16S-23S spacer region amplification products were subjected to agarose electrophoresis, the patterns observed could be used to distinguish all the serovars of Salmonella tested. Unique elements obtained in amplification products were mostly clustered at serovar level, although certain genus-specific patterns were also observed. On the basis of the results obtained, the amplification of 16S-23S ribosomal spacer region could suitably be used in a PCR-based identification method for Salmonella serovars.

Key words: Polymerase chain reaction, ribosomal DNA, spacer region, 16S-23S

*Corresponding author; E-mail: shekhar1966@yahoo.com; Fax: +91(0) 581-440584

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Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (2), pp. 167–176 (2002)

COMPARISON OF VHS VIDEO RECORDING SYSTEM WITH APPLE MACINTOSH-BASED IMAGE ANALYSIS AND MODIFIED CODA-3 SYSTEMS IN EQUINE MOTION ANALYSIS

F. Szalay^1*, W. Back², A. Barneveld², H. Schamhardt³ and F. Hajós¹

1Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, H-1400 Budapest, P.O. Box 2, Hungary; ²Department of General and Large Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands; ³Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

(Received July 9, 2001; accepted March 13, 2002)

A VHS video - computer-based image analysis combination is described as a low sampling rate motion analysis system. Video recordings were taken indoor without any artificial illumination at 25 fps sampling rate. The horse studied was running on a high-speed treadmill and observed at 1.6, 4 and 7 m/s velocities at walk, trot and canter, respectively. Left forelimb and hindlimb were recorded separately from lateral view. For comparison, parallel CODA-3 recordings were taken at the same time from the same position. Joint angles were expressed and compared in angle-time diagrams. Sampling of both systems has been synchronised by a timer device at ± 1/300 s error level. Results obtained with the two different recording systems were comparable in all joints measured with the exception of the fetlock. Inaccuracies in fetlock recordings are thought to be eliminated by measuring at controlled illumination. As a conclusion, the VHS-Macintosh setup appears to be promising as a simplified system for gait analysis.

Key words: Horse, low-speed recording, VHS video, image analysis, motion analysis

*Corresponding author; E-mail: fszalay@univet.hu; Fax: +36 (1) 478 4224

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Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (2), pp. 177–188 (2002)

OCHRATOXIN A CONTAMINATION OF CEREAL GRAINS AND COFFEE IN HUNGARY IN THE YEAR 2001

B. Fazekas^1*, A. K. Tar¹ and Melinda Zomborszky-Kovács²

1Veterinary Institute of Debrecen, H-4031 Debrecen, Bornemissza u. 3–5, Hungary; ²Department of Animal Physiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Animal Science, University of Kaposvár, Kaposvár, Hungary

(Received October 19, 2001; accepted December 13, 2001)

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a nephrotoxic and carcinogenic mycotoxin, a secondary metabolite produced by mould fungi belonging to several Aspergillus and Penicillium species. It is formed during the storage of cereal grains and other plant-derived products. OTA ingested by humans and animals with the food or feed may exert deleterious effects on health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ochratoxin contamination of the most important potential sources of OTA. The OTA content of cereal samples for human consumption (36 baking wheat, 16 wheat flour and 6 maize coarse meal samples) and feed grain samples (30 feeding wheat, 32 feeding maize and 20 feeding barley samples) collected in the mid-phase or at the end of the storage period and of 50 commercial coffee samples was determined. The analyses were performed by immunoaffinity column – high-performance liquid chromatography (IAC-HPLC). The limit of detection of the method was 0.1 ng/g. Of the wheat samples intended for human consumption, 8.3% contained OTA at 0.29 ng/g on the average (OTA ranges: 0.12–0.5 ng/g; Table 2). The OTA contamination of wheat flour and maize meal samples for human consumption was similar to that of the baking wheat samples. OTA contamination was found in 26.7% of the feeding wheat, 15.6% of the feeding maize and 35% of the feeding barley samples. The average values and the ranges of OTA levels found in the above samples were 12.2 and 0.3–62.8 ng/g, 4.9 and 1.9–8.3 ng/g, and 72 and 0.14–212 ng/g, respectively (Table 3). Sixty-six percent of the coffee samples were contaminated with OA (average level: 0.57 ng/g, ranges: 0.17–1.3 ng/g; Table 4). OTA contamination of baking wheat samples was found to be relatively low, presumably as a result of the favourable weather at harvest and the optimal storage conditions. Calculations made on the basis of the obtained results show that the daily OTA intake of an adult human from edible cereals is only 6.7 ng, while the amount taken up with coffee is 4.1 ng daily. The high prevalence and high levels of OTA contamination in feed grains can be explained by the unfavourable storage conditions, and this finding suggests that OA-related health problems may arise in animals, and that foods of animal origin may be contaminated with this mycotoxin.

Key words: Ochratoxin A, wheat, barley, maize, coffee, HPLC

*Corresponding author; E-mail: fazekasb@indigo2.oai.hu; Fax: +36 (52) 310 823

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Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (2), pp. 189–197 (2002)

DEVELOPMENT OF AN ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE MONITORING SYSTEM IN HUNGARY

Éva J. Kaszanyitzky^1*, A. Tarpai¹, Sz. Jánosi¹, Melitta Papp¹, J. Skáre¹ and G. Semjén²

1Central Veterinary Institute, H-1149 Budapest, Tábornok u. 2, Hungary; ²Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, ‘Szent István’ University, H-1078 Budapest, István u. 2, Hungary

(Received December 5, 2001; accepted March 13, 2002)

Because of the rapid development and spread of antimicrobial resistance it is important that a system be established to monitor antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic zoonotic and commensal bacteria of animal origin. Susceptibility testing of bacteria from carcasses and different samples of animal origin has been carried out in veterinary institutes for a long time but by an inconsistent methodology. The disc diffusion method proposed by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) was introduced in all institutes in 1997. In order to obtain a coherent view of the antimicrobial resistance of bacteria a computer system was consulted, consisting of a central computer to store all data and some local computers attached to it through the network. At these local measuring stations computers are connected to a video camera, which displays the picture of Petri dishes on the monitor, and inhibition zone diameters of bacteria can be drawn with the mouse by the inspector. The software measures the diameters, evaluates whether or not the bacteria are sensitive, and stores the data. The evaluation is based upon the data of the NCCLS. The central computer can be connected to as many local computers with measuring stations as we wish, so it is suitable for an integrated system for monitoring trends in antimicrobial resistance of bacteria from animals, food and humans, facilitating comparison of the occurrence of resistance for each circumstance in the chain. It depends on the examiners which antibiotics they want to examine. Thirty-two different antibiotic panels were compiled, taking into consideration the active ingredients of medicinal products permitted for veterinary use in Hungary, natural resistance and cross-resistance, the mechanism of resistance and the animal species, i.e. which drugs were recommended for treatment in the given animal species, and the recommendations of the OIE Expert Group on Antimicrobial Resistance. The members of the panels can be changed any time, even during the measuring process. In addition to the inhibition zone diameters of bacteria the database also includes information about bacterial and animal species, the age of animals and the sample or organ where the bacteria are from. Since January 2001 the antibiotic susceptibility of E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter and Enterococcus strains isolated from the colons of slaughter cows, pigs and broiler chickens has also been examined. Each of the 19 counties of Hungary submits to the laboratory three tied colon samples from a herd of the above-mentioned animals every month.

Key words: Antibiotic resistance, monitoring system, test panels, Hungary

*Corresponding author; E-mail: juhaszne@oai.hu; Fax: +36 (1) 222 6066

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Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (2), pp. 199–210 (2002)

PULSE AND CONTINUOUS ORAL NORFLOXACIN TREATMENT OF EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED ESCHERICHIA COLI INFECTION IN BROILER CHICKS AND TURKEY POULTS

G. Sárközy^1*, G. Semjén¹, P. Laczay², E. Horváth³ and J. Schmidt⁴

1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, ²Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, ‘Szent István’ University, H-1075 Budapest, István u. 2, Hungary; ³Poultry Department, State Control Institute for Veterinary Biologicals, Drugs and Feeds, Budapest, Hungary; ⁴Department of Bacterial Vaccine Development, Ceva-Phylaxia Veterinary Biologicals Co. Ltd., Budapest, Hungary

(Received March 29, 2001; accepted December 13, 2001)

Experimental colibacillosis was produced in 40 healthy, 7-day-old broiler chickens and turkeys by intratracheal injection of 1 × 10⁸ CFU/chick and 1.23 × 10⁹ CFU/poult bacteria of an O1:F11 strain of Escherichia coli, respectively. Two days before E. coli challenge all chicks were vaccinated with a live attenuated strain of infectious bronchitis virus (H-52). This model of infection – at least in chicken – proved to be useful for evaluating the efficacy of antimicrobial medication, by recording mortality, body weight gain, pathological alterations and frequency of reisolation of E. coli. Using this model, the efficacy of two different dosing methods of norfloxacin (continuous and pulse dosing) was evaluated. The once-per-day pulse dosing of norfloxacin administered via the drinking water at 15 mg/kg body weight proved to be more efficacious than the continuous dosing method of 100 mg/L for 5 days in chickens, while there were no convincing differences between the two treatment regimens in turkeys. The results confirmed earlier observations on the pharmacokinetic properties of norfloxacin in chicks and turkeys (Laczay et al., 1998).

Key words: Norfloxacin, E. coli, oral treatment, continuous dosing, pulse dosing

*Corresponding author; E-mail: gezas@elender.hu; Fax: +36 (1) 325 5263

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Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (2), pp. 211–215 (2002)

Na⁺/H⁺ EXCHANGE IN PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND n-BUTYRATE-TREATED CULTURES OF RUMINAL EPITHELIAL CELLS: SHORT COMMUNICATION

P. Gálfi^1*, Susan Neogrády¹ and G. Gäbel²

1Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, H-1400 Budapest, P.O. Box 2, Hungary; ²Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Leipzig, Germany

(Received January 10, 2002; accepted March 13, 2002)

Rate of amiloride-sensitive Na⁺ uptake into cultured rumen epithelial cells was studied in order to clarify the influence of culture conditions on Na⁺/H⁺ exchange (NHE). Cell cultures were exposed to Na-n-butyrate or not for seven days or subcultured. On the 14th day of culturing, primary cell cultures without butyrate exposure showed both non-stratified and stratified growth. Na-n-butyrate treated 14-day-old cultures and 3-day-old subcultures contained mostly non-stratified, i.e. non-keratinised cells. Both n-butyrate treatment and subculturing increased total and amiloride-sensitive Na⁺ uptake. Our results indicate that Na⁺ uptake via NHE is determined by the amount and the ratio of non-stratified (non-keratinised) cells.

Key words: Ruminal epithelium, Na⁺ uptake, proliferation, differentiation, lectin

*Corresponding author; E-mail: pgalfi@mail.univet.hu; Fax: +36 (1) 478 4165

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Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (2), pp. 217–229 (2002)

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FAT SOURCES ON IN VITRO DEGRADATION OF NUTRIENTS AND CERTAIN BLOOD PARAMETERS IN SHEEP

Hedvig Fébel^1*, F. Husvéth², T. Veresegyházy³, Emese Andrásofszky³, Ildikó Várhegyi¹ and Szilvia Huszár¹

1Research Institute of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, H-2053 Herceghalom, Hungary; ²University of Veszprém, Georgikon Faculty of Agriculture, Keszthely, Hungary; ³Szent István University, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Budapest, Hungary

(Received November 6, 2001; accepted December 13, 2001)

This study was designed to determine the effects of calcium salt of palm oil fatty acids (CS), hydroxyethylsoyamide (HESA), butylsoyamide (BSA) and soybean oil (SO) on degradation of crude protein and fibre in vitro, and on the blood plasma lipid parameters in vivo. Five mature wethers (body weight 75 kg) were fed five diets in a 5 × 5 Latin square experiment. The control diet consisted of 50% meadow hay and 50% concentrate with no added fat. The control diet was supplemented with CS, HESA, BSA, or SO. Fat was added at 3.5% of dietary dry matter (DM). The final ether extract content of the ration was near 6%. Each period lasted 20 days. Fat supplements, except HESA, consistently decreased the in vitro DM disappearance of soybean meal as compared to control. In contrast to the effect of other treatments, crude protein degradation was greatest in the test tubes with inocula obtained from sheep fed diet with HESA. Fat supplements equally inhibited the DM and fibre breakdown of alfalfa pellet. CS and HESA seemed to be less detrimental to in vitro fermentation of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) than BSA and SO. All fat supplements increased blood plasma triglyceride, cholesterol and total lipid content. Plasma concentration of cholesterol and total lipid was highest with SO. The inclusion of CS in the diet increased 16:0, while all fat supplements increased plasma 18:0 and decreased 16:1 and 18:1 fatty acid content. Plasma 18:2n-6 was not changed by feeding CS and SO. However, compared to the control diet, 18:2n-6 increased with 12 and 41% in plasma fatty acids when sheep were fed HESA and BSA, respectively. The results showed that plasma concentration of linoleic acid was enhanced more when the amide was synthesised from butylamine than when from ethanolamine.

Key words: Fatty acid, soybean oil, oleamide, in vitro degradation, sheep

*Corresponding author; E-mail: febel.hedvig@atk.hu; Fax: +36 (23) 319 133

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Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (2), pp. 231–234 (2002)

IMPROVING REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN LACTATING DAIRY COWS BY SYNCHRONISING OVULATION OR INDUCING OESTRUS

Gy. Gábor^1*, J. P. Kastelic², S. Pintér³, F. Szász⁴, Edit Szigeti⁵ and N. Solymosi ⁶

1Research Institute for Animal Breeding and Nutrition, H-2053 Herceghalom, Hungary; ²Agriculture and Agrifood Research Center, Lethbridge, AB, Canada; ³Árpád Agricultural Co., Szentes, Hungary; ⁴Androvet Ltd., Budapest, Hungary; ⁵Research Group for Animal Breeding of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szent István University, Gödöllő, Hungary; ⁶Central Veterinary Institute, Budapest, Hungary

(Received November 16, 2001; accepted March 13, 2002)

Lactating crossbred Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (n = 331) were started on an Ovsynch regimen 68 ± 8.2 days after calving; 200 µg GnRH intramuscularly (i.m.) on Days 0 and 9, and 35 mg prostaglandin F_2? i.m. on Day 7. Thirty-eight and 31 cows (11.5 and 9.4%, respectively) were in oestrus on Days 0 to 6 and 7 to 8, respectively, and inseminated, and the remainder were fixed-time inseminated (on Day 10). For these three groups, pregnancy rates (60–65 days after breeding) were 31.6, 38.7 and 34.0%, respectively (P = 0.82) and calving rates were 100, 100 and 89.9% (P = 0.23). In a preliminary trial, twelve lactating cows (45 to 60 days postpartum) with inactive ovaries were given 1500 IU eCG i.m.; 10 were in oestrus within 10 days after treatment (and inseminated) and eight of these were pregnant (30 days after breeding). The Ovsynch program resulted in acceptable reproductive performance in cyclic cows and eCG treatment has considerable promise for inducing oestrus in anoestrous cows.

Key words: Reproductive performance, oestrus induction, synchronisation of ovulation, Ovsynch regimen, lactating dairy cows

*Corresponding author; E-mail: h12617gab@helka.iif.hu; Fax: +36 (23) 319 133/120

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Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (2), pp. 235–245 (2002)

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF ANTIOXIDANTS IN THE CONSERVATION OF RAM SEMEN

P. Sarlós^*, A. Molnár, M. Kókai, Gy. Gábor and J. Rátky

Research Institute for Animal Breeding and Nutrition, H-2053 Herceghalom, Gesztenyés u. 1, Hungary

(Received October 30, 2001; accepted December 13, 2001)

The aim of the present study was to develop a treatment supporting the membrane of ram spermatozoa. Semen of different ejaculates collected from breeding rams was mixed and samples of 10⁹ sperm cells per ml and Tris-egg yolk extender were completed with the following antioxidants: ?-tocopherol acetate (E), glutathione peroxidase (GP), Aromex^® (AR), resveratrol (R), resveratrol + vitamin E (RE), resveratrol + Aromex^® (RAR), resveratrol + GP (RGP). Peroxidation was evaluated by the analysis of malondialdehyde (MDA) during incubation for 30, 60 and 120 min at 37 °C as well as during a 24-h incubation at 5 °C. The success of preservation was checked in a 9-day-long period by observing the acrosomal defects and the motility of spermatozoa. Concentration of MDA was 4.06 nmol/10⁹ spermatozoa in samples treated with 15 µg R while the control sample contained 69.79 nmol MDA per 10⁹ spermatozoa after 24-h incubation. Following 30-, 60- and 120-min storage the concentration of MDA in control and R-treated samples was 25.89, 36.91, 49.57 and 3.69, 3.74, 3.74 nmol/10⁹ spermatozoa, respectively. Moreover, a significantly higher proportion of motile sperm cells was observed in the treated than in the control samples. The frequency of acrosomal defects was lower in the treated groups than in the control. These results indicate that RAR treatment can improve the effects of ram semen preservation.

Key words: Ram semen, antioxidant, conservation, sperm motility, acrosomal damage

*Corresponding author; E-mail: atk@atk.hu; Fax: +36 (23) 319 133

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Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (2), pp. 247–251 (2002)

BOOK REVIEWS

Karl-Heinz Waldmann and Michael Wendt (editors), Klaus Bickhardt, Karl Heinritzi, Karl Heinz Lahrmann, Hans Plonait^†, Karl-Heinz Waldman, Michael Wendt and Werner Zimmermann (co-authors): Lehrbuch der Schweinekrankheiten (Textbook of Swine Diseases). Parey Buchverlag, Berlin, 2001. 3rd revised edition. 626 pages with 318 figures and 63 tables. Format 17 × 24 cm. ISBN 3-8263-3373-X. Price: € 89.95.

Pál Rafai

 

Roy Mack, Bettina Mikhail and Michel Mikhail: Dictionary of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences / Wörterbuch der Veterinärmedizin und Biowissenschaften / Dictionnaire de médecine vétérinaire et des sciences biologiques (English–German–French). 3rd, revised and expanded edition, 2002. Parey Buchverlag, Berlin. 1692 pages. 17 × 24 cm. ISBN 3-8263-3405-1. Price: € 94.95.

András Székely

 

Környezet- és Természetvédelmi Lexikon (Encyclopaedia of Environmental Protection and Nature Conservation) (in Hungarian language). 2nd, revised and expanded edition. Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, 2002. Hardcover, two volumes (664 and 588 pages).

János Mészáros