Bacteriology
Serotypes of Rhodococcus equi isolated from horses, immunocompromised human
patients and soil in Hungary. László Makrai, Béla Dénes, István
Hajtós, László Fodor and János Varga 271
Molecular
and serological evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection of farm animals in the Black Sea Region
of Turkey. Halil Ibrahim Gokce, Oktay Genc, Atila Akca, Zati
Vatansever, Ahmet Unver and Hidayet Metin Erdogan 281
Clinical
veterinary science
Evaluation of a proposed therapeutic protocol in 12 dogs with
tentative degenerative myelopathy. Zoe S.
Polizopoulou, Alexander F. Koutinas, Michael N. Patsikas and Nektarios Soubasis 293
Passive hip
laxity in Estrela Mountain Dog – distraction index, heritability and breeding values. Mário M. D.
Ginja, António M. Silvestre, António J. A. Ferreira, José M. Gonzalo-Orden, Maria A.
Orden, Pedro Melo-Pinto, Maria P. Llorens-Pena and Jorge Colaço 303
Genetics
Cross-sectional imaging assisted selection for heart
performance in pigs. Róbert
Romvári, András Szabó, Gabriella
Andrássy, Zsolt Petrási, Tamás Donkó and Péter Horn 313
Comparison
of microsatellite and blood group diversity among different genotypes of cattle. Radoslav ®idek, Daniela Jakabová, Jozef Trandľík, Ján Buleca Jr.,
Frantiąek Jakab, Peter Massányi and László Zöldág 323
Parasitology
High prevalence of intestinal zoonotic parasites in dogs from Belgrade, Serbia – Short communication. Aleksandra Nikolić, Sanda Dimitrijević, Sofija Katić-Radivojević, Ivana
Klun, Branko Bobić and Olgica Djurković-Djaković 335
Pathology
Expression and localisation of
claudin-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -7 and -10 proteins in the normal canine mammary gland. Csaba Jakab, Judit Halász, Attila Marcell Szász, Enkhjargal Batmunkh,
András Kiss, Zsuzsa Schaff, Miklós Rusvai, Péter Gálfi and Janina Kulka 341
A survey of equine abortion and perinatal
foal losses in Hungary during a three-year period (1998–2000). Levente Szeredi, Miklós Tenk, Szilárd
Jánosi, Vilmos Pálfi, Helmut Hotzel, Konrad Sachse, Andreas Pospischil, Miklós Bozsó,
Róbert Glávits and Tamás Molnár 353
Reproduction
Physiological mechanisms of ovarian follicular growth in pigs
– A review. Tomasz Schwarz, Marcin Kopyra and Jacek Nowicki 369
Effects
of dietary meals containing different levels of phytoestrogens on reproductive function in
Bilgoraj ganders. Marek Opalka, Justyna Kugla-Owczarska,
Barbara Kaminska, Helena Puchajda-Skowronska, Wioletta Hryniewicka and Luiza Dusza 379
Synchronisation
of lambing with low doses of dexamethasone in Chios ewes
– Short communication. Theodora Tsiligianni, Eleni
Ntovolou and
Georgios S. Amiridis 393
Vitrification
of in vitro
matured oocytes of Mangalica and Large White pigs. Erika
Varga, Erzsébet Gajdócsi, Brigitta Petz Makkosné, Ildikó Salamon and Ágnes Bali Papp 399
Surgery
Experimental results and clinical impact of using autologous
rectus fascia sheath for vascular replacement. László
Kóbori, Tibor Németh, Péter Nagy, Gábor Dallos, Péter
Sótonyi Jr., Imre Fehérvári, Balázs Nemes, Dénes Görög,
Attila Patonai, Katalin Monostory, Attila Doros, Enikő Sárváry, János Fazakas,
Zsuzsanna Gerlei, Tamás Benkő, László Piros, Jenő Járay and Koert P. De Jong 411
Virology
Replication and transmission of porcine circovirus type 2 in mice. Attila Cságola, Daniel
Cadar and
Tamás Tuboly 421
SEROTYPES
OF RHODOCOCCUS EQUI ISOLATED FROM HORSES,
IMMUNOCOMPROMISED HUMAN PATIENTS AND SOIL IN HUNGARY
László Makrai1, Béla Dénes2, István Hajtós3, László Fodor1 and
János Varga1
1Department of
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István
University, H-1581 Budapest, P.O. Box 22, Hungary; 2Central Veterinary
Institute, Budapest, Hungary; 3Animal Health and Food Control Station of County
Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Miskolc, Hungary
(Received 8 October 2007; accepted 7
November 2007)
Two hundred and twelve Rhodococcus equi strains were isolated from soil,
nasal and rectal swabs of horses and immunocompromised human patients in Hungary and serotyped using Prescott’s serotyping system. One hundred and
forty-seven strains (69.3%) belonged to serotype 1, 22 strains (10.4%) to serotype 2, 6
strains (2.8%) to serotype 3 and 1 strain (0.5%) to serotype 4. Serotypes 5, 6 and 7 were
not found and 36 strains (17%) could not be typed. Serotype 1 (72%) was the type most
commonly isolated from clinical samples of foals or from the soil of horse facilities. Six
out of 8 R. equi strains from humans belonged to
serotype 2, and two human strains were untypable. The data show that the prevalence of R. equi serotypes varies in different geographic
areas of the country.
Key
words: Rhodococcus equi, serotype, AGID, Hungary, soil, horse
MOLECULAR
AND SEROLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF ANAPLASMA
PHAGOCYTOPHILUM INFECTION OF FARM ANIMALS IN THE BLACK SEA REGION OF TURKEY
Halil Ibrahim Gokce1, Oktay Genc2, Atila Akca3, Zati Vatansever4, Ahmet Unver5 and Hidayet Metin Erdogan1
1Department of Internal
Medicine, 3Department of Parasitology, 5Department of Microbiology,
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kafkas, Kars 36040, Turkey; 2Department
of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey;
4Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of
Ankara, Ankara, Turkey
(Received 29 June 2007; accepted 7
November 2007)
This study was designed
to determine the presence and the prevalence of Anaplasma
phagocytophilum infection in sheep and cattle in the Middle and Eastern Black Sea
Regions of Turkey in which the potential vector, Ixodes
ricinus, is widespread. Blood samples were collected from 720 sheep and 720 cattle
from 6 provinces of the region, and used for detecting antibodies to A. phagocytophilum by indirect immunofluorescent
antibody test (IFAT) and specific nucleic acids by a nested polymerase chain reaction
(PCR). Blood smears were also prepared and examined microscopically for the presence of A. phagocytophilum-like organisms in
polymorphonuclear cells. Of the animals examined, antibodies were detected in 110 (15.27%)
cattle and 107 (14.86%) sheep and A.
phagocytophilum-like organisms were detected in the blood of 73 (10.13%) cattle and 71
(9.86%) sheep. In addition, specific DNA was detected in the blood of 27 (14.75%) cattle
and 22 (12.35%) sheep. The results obtained constitute the first molecular and serological
evidence of A. phagocytophilum infection in
sheep and cattle in the Black Sea Region of Turkey.
Key
words: Cattle, sheep, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, prevalence,
seroprevalence, indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT), polymerase chain reaction
(PCR)
EVALUATION
OF A PROPOSED THERAPEUTIC PROTOCOL IN 12 DOGS WITH TENTATIVE DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY
Zoe S. Polizopoulou1, Alexander F. Koutinas2, Michael N. Patsikas2 and Nektarios Soubasis2
1Diagnostic Laboratory,
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 546 27 Thessaloniki,
Stavrou Voutyra st. 11, Greece; 2Clinic of Companion Animals, Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
(Received 15 May 2007; accepted 7
November 2007)
The objective of this work was to evaluate the long-term
efficacy of a proposed therapeutic protocol in 12 dogs with a tentative diagnosis of
degenerative myelopathy, followed-up for a 6-month period. Twelve dogs fulfilling the
antemortem inclusion criteria (breed, age, adequate vaccination, history of progressive
posterior ataxia and/or paraparesis, no radiographic and myelographic abnormalities in the
spinal cord and vertebral column) were allocated. All these dogs presented signs of
thoracolumbar syndrome (T3-L3), scored as grade I (mild to moderate ataxia and
paraparesis) in 10 and grade II (severe ataxia and ambulatory paraparesis) in 2 cases.
Treatment included the use of ?-aminocaproic acid and N-acetylcysteine, supplemented with
vitamins B, C and E. Prednisolone was given for the first two weeks and upon worsening of
neurological signs. Daily exercise, performed as walking or swimming, was strongly
recommended. Clinicopathological evaluation was normal in all 12 dogs, and survey
radiographs and myelograms did not show spinal cord compression. Magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI), performed only in 4 dogs, did not disclose compressive disorders or
intramedullary lesions. Neurological signs were progressively worsening in all 12 animals,
eventually resulting in severe paraparesis (grade III) or paraplegia (grade IV). The
applied medications do not appear to be an attractive alternative to conservative
management (physiotherapy) or euthanasia in canine degenerative myelopathy, irrespective
of its chronicity.
Key
words: Degenerative myelopathy, treatment, dog
PASSIVE
HIP LAXITY IN ESTRELA MOUNTAIN DOG – DISTRACTION INDEX, HERITABILITY AND BREEDING VALUES
Mário M. D. Ginja1*, António M. Silvestre2, António J. A. Ferreira3, José M. Gonzalo-Orden4, Maria A. Orden4, Pedro Melo-Pinto5, Maria P. Llorens-Pena6
and Jorge Colaço2
1Department of
Veterinary Sciences-CITAB, 2Department of Zootechny-CECAV and 5Department
of Engineering-CITAB, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal; 3Department
of Clinic-CIISA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Technical University of Lisbon, Lisbon,
Portugal; 4Department of Animal Pathology: Animal Medicine, Faculty of
Veterinary, University of Léon, Léon, Spain; 6Department
of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary, University Complutense of Madrid,
Madrid, Spain
(Received 26 July 2007; accepted 7
November 2007)
Two hundred and fifteen
Estrela Mountain Dogs (EMD) were examined using the PennHIP method between 2002 and 2006.
Passive hip laxity (PHL) was estimated calculating the distraction index (DI). Pedigree
information was obtained from the Portuguese Kennel Club. The heritability and breeding
values were estimated using the linear Animal Model. The DI, using as reference the worst
joint of each animal, ranged from 0.15 to 1.12 (0.55 ± 0.19). The PHL was equal in right
and left sides, and was higher in females than in males (P > 0.05 and P < 0.01 in the t-test, respectively). The estimated heritability was 0.83 ± 0.11. The mean
breeding values for PHL were stable in EMD born between 1991 and 2003, and showed an
improvement in 2004 and 2005. The data confirm high PHL in breeds with high prevalence and
severity of canine hip dysplasia. The high heritability indicates that the DI could be
reduced in the breed if PHL were used as a selection criterion. The early favourable
evolution of DI breeding values could be related with the increase of voluntary
radiographic hip screening in the last years, and the subsequent introduction of hip
quality as a breeding criterion.
Key
words: Hip laxity, distraction index, heritability, breeding value, dog
Corresponding
author: Dr. Mário Ginja, Departamento de Ciencias Veterinárias, Universidade de
Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-911 Vila Real, Portugal; E-mail: mginja@utad.pt;
Fax: 00351 259 350480
CROSS-SECTIONAL IMAGING
ASSISTED SELECTION FOR HEART PERFORMANCE IN PIGS
Róbert Romvári, András Szabó, Gabriella Andrássy, Zsolt Petrási, Tamás Donkó and Péter Horn
Faculty of Animal Science, Kaposvár University, H-7400 Kaposvár, Guba Sándor u. 40, Hungary
(Received 24 July 2007; accepted 7
November 2007)
A two-way selection
procedure was performed on a Landrace pig line. First the cardiac output (CO) values (6.89
± 1.27 L/min) were estimated by ECG-gated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantify
the heart performance of the boars (n = 30), then total body skeletal muscle volume (MVTB;
48.7 ± 5.17 dm3) was determined applying spiral computerised tomography (CT). The
relative cardiac output value (RCO) was developed, expressing the relationship between CO
and MVTB. Four superior [RCO value below 6.7 dm3 / (L * min–1)]
and one minus variant [(8.97 dm3 / (L * min–1)] boars
were taken into breeding. The best fifteen percentage of the first generation males (n =
30) was characterised according to their RCO values. Significant difference was found
between the developed performance measure of the progenies of minus and plus variant boars
[8.2 ± 0.65 and 5.63 ± 0.70 dm3 / (L * min–1), n = 7
and 23], respectively. Comparing the existing five progeny groups, all of the ‘HP+’
groups differed significantly from the ‘HP–’ one, where the largest heart
performance contrast found was 3.2 dm3 / (L * min–1).
Based upon the results, the selection is being continued on a larger population.
Key
words: Pig, selection, heart performance, magnetic resonance imaging, computerised
tomography
COMPARISON OF MICROSATELLITE AND BLOOD GROUP DIVERSITY AMONG
DIFFERENT GENOTYPES OF CATTLE
Radoslav ®idek1, Daniela Jakabová1, Jozef Trandľík1, Ján Buleca Jr.2, Frantiąek Jakab3, Peter Massányi4 and László Zöldág5
1State Breeding
Institute, Nitra, Slovak Republic; 2University of Veterinary Medicine, Koąice,
Slovak Republic; 3State Breeding Inspection, Nitra, Slovak Republic; 4Slovak
Agricultural University, Nitra, Slovak Republic; 5Faculty of Veterinary
Science, Szent István University, H-1400 Budapest, P.O. Box 2, Hungary
(Received 4 July 2007; accepted 7 November 2007)
Genetic variability and relationships among
five cattle breeds (Holstein, Pinzgau, Limousin, Slovak
Spotted and Charolais) bred in the Slovak Republic were investigated separately using 11
microsatellite markers and 61 blood group systems. Allele frequency, heterozygosity (HO,
HE) and PIC values were investigated. F-statistics were computed separately.
For microsatellite markers FIS, FIT, FST and for blood
groups HS, HT, GST parameters were calculated.
Microsatellite and blood group comparison showed similar results by F-statistics but some
differences were marked using the other methods. Both methods were able to detect close
relation between Slovak Pinzgau and Slovak Spotted cattle breeds. Their relation was
confirmed by genetic distance, principal component analysis (PCA) and coefficient of
admixture (mY). Important divergences between different markers used in the study were
observed by the characterisation of Limousin and Charolais breeds.
Key
words: Biodiversity, microsatellite, F-statistics, blood groups, cattle
HIGH PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL
ZOONOTIC PARASITES IN DOGS FROM BELGRADE, SERBIA – SHORT
COMMUNICATION
Aleksandra Nikolić1, Sanda Dimitrijević2, Sofija Katić-Radivojević3, Ivana Klun1, Branko Bobić1 and Olgica Djurković-Djaković1
1Centre for Parasitic
Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; 2Department
for Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade,
Serbia; 3Department for Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University
of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
(Received 15 May 2007; accepted 7
November 2007)
To identify areas of
risk for canine-related zoonoses in Serbia, the aim of this study was to provide baseline knowledge about intestinal
parasites in 151 dogs (65 household pets, 75 stray and 11 military working dogs) from Belgrade. The following parasites, with their
respective prevalences, were detected: Giardia duodenalis
(14.6%), Ancylostomatidae (24.5%), Toxocara canis
(30.5%), Trichuris vulpis (47.0%) and Taenia-type helminths (6.6%). Of all examined dogs,
75.5% (114/151) were found to harbour at least one parasite species. Of these, mixed
infections with up to four species per dog occurred in 44.7% (51/114). Infections with all
detected species were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in military working (100%) and
stray dogs (93.3%) versus household pets (50.8%). Among all parasites, agents with
zoonotic potential including Giardia, Ancylostomatidae and Toxocara were detected in 58.3% (88/151) of all
examined dogs with a significant difference (p < 0.05) among the subgroups (100%, 62.7%
and 46.2% for military working dogs, stray dogs and household pets, respectively). The
high prevalence of zoonotic parasites registered in the dog population from a highly urban
area in south-eastern Europe indicates
a potential risk to human health. Thus, veterinarians should play an important role in
helping to prevent or minimise zoonotic transmission.
Key
words: Intestinal parasites, zoonoses, dogs, urban area, Serbia
EXPRESSION AND LOCALISATION OF
CLAUDIN-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -7 AND -10 PROTEINS IN THE NORMAL
CANINE MAMMARY GLAND
Csaba Jakab1, Judit Halász2, Attila Marcell Szász2,
Enkhjargal Batmunkh2, András Kiss2,
Zsuzsa Schaff2, Miklós Rusvai1, Péter Gálfi3 and
Janina Kulka2
1Department of
Pathology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Szent István
University, H-1078 Budapest, István u. 2, Hungary; 22nd Department of
Pathology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; 3Department of
Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary
(Received 2 July 2007; accepted 7
November 2007)
The recently identified
claudins are dominant components of tight junctions, responsible for cell adhesion,
polarity and paracellular permeability. Certain claudins have been shown to have relevance
in tumour development. The aim of the present study was to analyse the expression of
claudin-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -7 and -10 in normal canine mammary glands. Samples from the inguinal mammary regions of
20 non-castrated, 1–13 years old female dogs were studied. Immunohistochemical analysis
was performed on conventional specimens and tissue microarrays. The results of the
immunohistochemical reactions detecting claudins in tissue sections were photodocumented.
The immunoreactivity of claudins was quantitatively analysed on digital images using Leica
QWin morphometry software. Intense membranous immunolabelling was found for claudin-1, -3
and -7, intense membranous with non-granular cytoplasmic immunolabelling for claudin-2,
moderate membranous immunolabelling for claudin-4 and -5, and weak membranous
immunolabelling for claudin-10. The occurrence of tight junctions was confirmed by
ultrathin section electron microscopy. The available data suggested that claudins might be
proteins preserved throughout the evolution of mammals. The results of our study support
the concept that they are indeed preserved, since the same type of claudins, in identical
distribution, could be detected in our canine mammary tissue samples as could be found in
human mammary tissue.
Key
words: Canine mammary gland, claudins, immunohistochemistry, morphometry, tissue
microarray, transmission electron microscopy
A
SURVEY OF EQUINE ABORTION AND PERINATAL FOAL LOSSES IN HUNGARY
DURING A THREE-YEAR PERIOD (1998–2000)
Levente Szeredi1,
Miklós Tenk1, Szilárd Jánosi1,
Vilmos Pálfi1, Helmut Hotzel2, Konrad Sachse2, Andreas Pospischil3, Miklós Bozsó1, Róbert Glávits1 and Tamás Molnár1
1Central Agricultural
Office Veterinary Diagnostic Directorate, H-1149 Budapest, Tábornok u. 2, Hungary; 2Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut,
Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Bacterial Infections and
Zoonoses, Jena, Germany; 3Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of
Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
(Received 16 July 2007; accepted 7
November 2007)
Cases of equine abortion
and perinatal foal losses were investigated in Hungary during a three-year period (1998–2000). Samples from aborted equine
fetuses and newborn foals (total n = 96) were examined using bacteriological, virological,
pathological, immunohistochemical (IHC), molecular biological and serological methods. The
cause of abortion and perinatal foal loss was identified in 67/96 cases (70%); viral
infection was found in 22 (23%), viral and bacterial co-infection in 1 (1%), bacterial
infection in 23 (24%), protozoan infection in 1 (1%) and fungal infection in 2 cases (2%).
Morphological lesions suggestive of infection were recorded in 2 (2%) and non-infectious
causes in 16 cases (17%).
Key
words: Equine, abortion, aetiology,
infectious, non-infectious
PHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF
OVARIAN FOLLICULAR GROWTH IN PIGS – A REVIEW
Tomasz Schwarz, Marcin Kopyra and Jacek Nowicki
Department of Pig Breeding,
University of Agriculture, Al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Cracow, Poland
(Received 23 May 2007; accepted 7
November 2007)
Follicular growth after
antrum formation is determined by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Only two ways are
possible for recruited follicles, continuing development or atresia. In gilts, intensive
ovarian follicular growth begins between 60 and 100 days of age, and fluctuations of the
ovarian morphological status last about 20 days; however, at that time there are no really
large follicles. Final follicular development is under
luteinising hormone (LH) control; this is why
the attainment of puberty is related to an increase in serum oestradiol to a level that
causes a preovulatory surge of this gonadotropin. The pool of follicles at the beginning
of the oestrous cycle is about 30–40, most of which are small (< 3 mm) and growing. Then, the pool of
follicles increases to about 80 in the
mid-luteal phase but about 50 of them are small and 30 are medium sized (3–6.9 mm). Some
of these follicles are in the growing phase, but some are atretic. Between days 7 and 15
of the oestrous cycle the percentage of atretic follicles fluctuates between 12 and 73%.
At that time there are no large (> 7 mm) follicles because of the suppressing effect of progesterone. The number of
small follicles declines after luteolysis. From the pool of medium follicles, large
follicles are selected under the influence of LH, but about 70% of the medium-sized
follicles become atretic. Because of the long-lasting selection process there is a
significant heterogeneity in the diameter of large follicles in oestrus. However, the
number of follicles correlates with the number of corpora lutea after ovulation.
Individual follicular development and the relationship between follicles are still poorly
known. The use of ultrasonography may give a closer insight into these phenomena.
Key
words: Folliculogenesis, pig, gilt, sow
EFFECTS
OF DIETARY MEALS CONTAINING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PHYTOESTROGENS ON REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION IN
BILGORAJ GANDERS
Marek Opalka1, Justyna Kugla-Owczarska2, Barbara Kaminska1, Helena Puchajda-Skowronska2, Wioletta Hryniewicka
and Luiza Dusza1
1Department of Animal
Physiology, 2Department of Poultry Breeding, University of Warmia and Mazury in
Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
(Received 14 June 2007; accepted 7
November 2007)
The aim of this study
was to investigate how long-term feeding of ganders with diets containing different levels
of phytoestrogens affects the morphometry of testes, plasma steroid levels, sperm
parameters and reproductive performance. Male Bilgoraj geese were fed diets containing
grass meal (with low phytoestrogen levels) and those containing alfalfa meal and soybean
meal (with higher levels of phytoestrogens). Testes were obtained from ganders at the peak
of mating and the ongoing laying period as well as at the beginning of
photorefractoriness. The morphometric parameters were measured in frozen testicular
sections. Blood was collected monthly from December to June, and plasma testosterone,
androstenedione and corticosterone concentrations
were determined. During the mating season, semen was collected and its quantity and
quality were investigated. In the flocks (ganders with geese) reproductive output was
noted. Seasonal changes were observed in the morphology of testes and in plasma
testosterone, androstenedione and corticosterone concentrations in ganders. The feeding of
ganders with dietary meals containing higher levels of phytoestrogens did not affect the
plasma steroid contents or the majority of the morphometric parameters of testes, except
for the height of the seminiferous epithelium, which was lowered. Moreover, diets with
higher levels of phytoestrogens decreased the volume of ejaculates and the percentage of
normal spermatozoa. However, these changes were not reflected in the fertilisation rates.
Key
words: Phytoestrogens, reproductive
function, goose, testis, morphometry, steroids
SYNCHRONISATION
OF LAMBING WITH LOW DOSES OF DEXAMETHASONE IN CHIOS EWES – SHORT
COMMUNICATION
Theodora Tsiligianni1,2,
Eleni Ntovolou2 and Georgios S. Amiridis2
1NAGREF, Veterinary
Research Institute, 57008 Ionia, Thessaloniki, Greece; 2Department of
Obstetrics and Reproduction, Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
(Received 2 July 2007; accepted 7
November 2007)
The purpose of the present study was to
investigate the feasibility of improving the synchronisation of lambing after oestrus
synchronisation and artificial insemination (AI). To this end, low doses of dexamethasone
21-isonicotinate (DEX) alone or in combination with prostaglandin F2a (PG) were
used in five treated groups (n = 20 each) and one control group (n = 136) of Chios ewes. On day 143 of pregnancy 1.5 mg DEX was
given in Group 5, while on day 146 the following treatments were applied: 0.0375 mg PG in
Groups 4 and 5, and 1, 1.5 and 2 mg of DEX in ewes of Groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The
control ewes received no treatment. The 1.5 and 2 mg dose of DEX was more effective in
synchronising labour as regards the treatment to lambing interval and the proportion of
ewes that gave birth within 3 days. However, obstetrical manipulations were needed, and dead lambs were born when 2 mg DEX was used. It
was concluded that lambing can be safely
synchronised in Chios ewes with 1.5 mg DEX given on day 146, without affecting the viability
of lambs and without parturition complications.
Key
words: Synchronisation of lambing,
dexamethasone, prostaglandins
VITRIFICATION OF IN VITRO MATURED OOCYTES OF MANGALICA AND LARGE
WHITE PIGS
Erika Varga, Erzsébet Gajdócsi, Brigitta Petz
Makkosné, Ildikó Salamon and Ágnes Bali Papp
Institute
of Animal Sciences, University of West Hungary, H-9200 Mosonmagyaróvár, Vár 4, Hungary
(Received 5 March 2007; accepted 7
November 2007)
The breeding of Mangalica, a native pig breed
in Hungary, had been started in 1833,
but this pig breed almost became extinct in Hungary in the past decades. In 1991, the number of sows was only 200. Although in
these days the existing Mangalica population consists of more than 6000 animals
representing different colour variations, the preservation of this traditional pig breed
is still very important. Vitrification is a potential tool for the preservation of gametes
and embryos of these animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of
vitrification on the developmental competence of Mangalica (M) and Large White (LW)
oocytes following fertilisation. The oocytes were vitrified by the Open Pulled Straw (OPS)
method using different concentrations of ethylene glycol and dimethyl sulphoxide as
cryoprotectants. After rehydration the oocytes underwent in vitro fertilisation; the resultant zygotes
were then cultured in vitro for four days to
assess embryonic development. In the first experiment, in vitro maturation of M and LW oocytes was
compared. No significant difference was observed in the nuclear maturation rate of LW and
M oocytes. In the second experiment, the sensitivity of oocytes to vitrification was
examined by evaluating oocyte morphology after thawing. A higher percentage of LW oocytes
showed normal morphology compared to M oocytes, indicating that Mangalica oocytes are more
sensitive to cryoprotectants than Large White oocytes. After warming and in vitro fertilisation, more than 50% of the
oocytes started embryonic development and by the end of the incubation period morula stage
embryos had developed in both groups. The results show that the OPS vitrification
technique is well suited to preserve Mangalica oocytes and from these oocytes morula
embryos can be produced.
Key
words: Vitrification, pig, Mangalica, Large White, porcine oocytes, embryo development
EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS AND
CLINICAL IMPACT OF USING AUTOLOGOUS RECTUS FASCIA SHEATH FOR VASCULAR REPLACEMENT
László Kóbori1, Tibor Németh2, Péter Nagy3,
Gábor Dallos1, Péter Sótonyi Jr.4, Imre Fehérvári1, Balázs Nemes1, Dénes Görög1, Attila Patonai1, Katalin Monostory5, Attila Doros1, Enikő Sárváry1, János Fazakas1, Zsuzsanna Gerlei1, Tamás Benkő1, László Piros1, Jenő Járay1 and Koert P. De Jong6
1Transplantation and
Surgical Department, Semmelweis University, H-1082 Budapest, Baross u. 23–25, Hungary; 2Department
of Surgery and Ophthalmology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University,
Budapest, Hungary; 31st Department of Pathology and Cancer Research, Semmelweis
University, Budapest, Hungary; 4Department of Vascular and Cardiac Surgery,
Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; 5Chemical Research Institute of the
Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary; 6Department of Hepatobiliary
Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University Medical Hospital of Groningen, Groningen,
The Netherlands
(Received 29 June 2007; accepted 7
November 2007)
Vascular complications
are major causes of graft failure in liver transplantation. The use of different vascular
grafts is common but the results are controversial. The aim of this study was to create an
‘ideal’ arterial interponate for vascular replacements in the clinical field. An
autologous, tubular graft prepared from the posterior rectus fascia sheath was used for
iliac artery replacement in dogs for 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Forty-one grafts were
implanted and immunosuppression was used in separate groups. The patency rate was followed
by Doppler ultrasound. Thirty-seven grafts remained patent, 2 cases with thrombosis and 2
cases with stenosis occurred. There was no evidence of necrosis or aneurysmatic formation.
The histological analysis included conventional light microscopic and immunohistochemical
examinations for CD34 and factor VIII. The explanted grafts showed signs of
arterialisation, appearance of elastin fibres, and smooth muscle cells after 6 months.
Electron microscopy showed intact mitochondrial structures without signs of hypoxia. In
conclusion, the autologous graft presents acceptable long-term patency rate. It is easy to
handle and the concept of beneficial presence of the anti-clot mesothelium until
endothelialisation seems to work. The first clinical use was already reported by our group
with more than 2 years survival.
Key
words: Rectus fascia sheath, liver transplantation, vascular grafts, veterinary field
REPLICATION AND TRANSMISSION OF PORCINE CIRCOVIRUS TYPE 2 IN
MICE
Attila Cságola1, Daniel Cadar2 and Tamás Tuboly1
1Department of
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István
University, H-1143 Budapest, Hungária krt. 23–25, Hungary; 2Department of
Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences
and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
(Received 26 July 2007; accepted 7
November 2007)
Little information is
known about infection, replication and transmission of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in
species other than swine. Two sets of animal experiments were carried out to investigate
the susceptibility of mice to PCV2 and to study their possible role in maintaining and
transmitting the virus. In the first experiment 14 mice were inoculated with PCV2 by the
intraperitoneal route with 5 × 102 TCID50 of the PCV2-ROM strain
(Cadar et al., 2007). In a second experiment 24 mice were divided into two groups (A and
B); mice in Group A (n = 18) were inoculated orally with 1 × 105 TCID50
PCV2-ROM and mice in Group B (n = 6) were left uninoculated until day 12 post inoculation
(p.i.), when they were mixed with Group A. The animals were sacrificed at intervals for
postmortem investigation and virus genome detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
The PCR results indicated that PCV2 could replicate in mice infected intraperitoneally or
by the oral route, and that the virus can be transmitted directly from mouse to mouse.
Key
words: PCV2, PMWS, epidemiology, reservoir
