Z. Bakos^1*, K. Vörös², Heidi Kellokoski⁺ and J. Reiczigel³

1Clinic for Large Animals, ²Department of Internal Medicine, ³Department
of Biomathematics and Informatics, Faculty of Veterinary Science,
Szent István University, H-1400 Budapest, P.O. Box 2, Hungary

(Received January 21, 2003; accepted April 1, 2003)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of thoracic percussion and ultrasonography with the help of distance measurements and statistical methods in the determination of the caudal lung border in horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO). Examinations were performed on 11 healthy, warm-blooded horses of different breeds, age and grade of disease. First, the caudal lung border was determined by the traditional indirect percussion method in the 10th, 12th, 14th and 16th intercostal spaces at the end of inspiration and expiration on both sides of the thorax. To apply standardised measurements, a fix point was chosen as described earlier by the same authors for healthy horses. The distance between this point and the caudal lung border was measured with a tape-measure. Percussion was followed by ultrasonographic determination of the caudal lung border. Measurements were performed in the same way as described for the percussion technique. Mean values and standard errors of absolute values of differences between percussion and ultrasonographic measurements were the following, in centimetres (10th, 12th, 14th and 16th intercostal spaces). Left side expiration: 1.4, 0.4; 0.8, 0.2; 0.9, 0.2; 0.8, 0.4; left side inspiration: 0.8, 0.3; 1.5, 0.3; 1.4, 0.3; 1.1, 0.3; right side expiration: 2.1, 1.0; 2.1, 0.5; 1.6, 0.5; 0.8, 0.1; right side inspiration: 1.5, 0.7; 1.2, 0.6; 0.8, 0.2; 0.8, 0.3, respectively. Ultrasonography proved to be reliable in determining the caudal lung borders in horses with RAO. Results of the percussion examination did not differ significantly from those of the ultrasound method which was used as a reference technique. The differences between inspiration and expiration were greater in horses with RAO than in healthy horses in a previous study. Based on these results, percussion can be used as an integrated part of the physical examination in diagnosing caudal shift of the caudal lung border of horses suffering from RAO.

Key words: Ultrasonography, percussion, lung, horse, chronic respiratory disease

L. Stipkovits^1*, Zs. Laky², T. Abonyi³, Jurate Siugzdaite⁴ and I. Szabó³

1Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences,
H-1581 Budapest, P.O. Box 18, Hungary; ²Középtiszai Agricultural Co. Ltd., Kunhegyes, Hungary; ³Pfizer Hungary Ltd., Animal Health Division, Budapest, Hungary; ⁴Lithuanian Veterinary Academy, Kaunas, Lithuania

(Received October 25, 2002; accepted April 1, 2003)

The possibilities and economic benefits of controlling mycoplasmal pneumonia of pigs caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae by immunisation with Respisure and by Tiamutin treatment were studied. The experiment was carried out in a herd comprising 1000 sows which was free of PRRS, Aujeszky’s disease, swine dysentery and leptospirosis, and the prevalence of mycoplasmal pneumonia was low because the farm had recently been restocked. Groups C1 and C2 served as untreated controls, while Groups R1 and R2 received a prestarter diet containing 100 ppm Tiamutin from the time of weaning. Piglets of Group R1 were vaccinated with Respisure vaccine once on day 69, while those of Group R2 twice, on days 65 and 80. Piglets of Groups ST1 and ST2 were fed 100 ppm Tiamutin in the diet for 7 days at the time of weaning and then at 4 months of age, while pigs of Group ST2 received such treatment also in the 6th month of life. The efficacy of treatment was analysed on the basis of the number of animals that died, were emergency slaughtered or were retarded in growth in the different groups, the body weight of animals at weaning, at 94 and 148 days of age and at the time of slaughter, their daily body weight gain, the lung lesions found in animals slaughtered from the different groups, the costs of medication and vaccination, and the cost-benefit calculations of the results. The mortality and emergency slaughter rate was 2.88% and 4.62% in Groups ST2 and ST1, respectively, 4.23% and 4.62% in Groups R2 and R1, respectively, and 8.39% and 9.44% in the control groups (C2 and C1, respectively). The rate of growth retardation was 0.48% and 2.12% in Groups R1 and R2, respectively, 1.59% and 3.46% in Groups ST1 and ST2,
respectively, as compared to 8.03% and 6.55% in the control groups (C1 and C2, respectively). The severity score of lung lesions was 1.82 and 1.46 in Groups R1 and R2, 2.18 and 2.93 in Groups ST1 and ST2, and 3.83 and 4.02 in the control groups C1 and C2, respectively. The mean finishing weight of pigs was 102.4–107.8 kg and 95.2–106.6 kg in the treated groups and 94.5–98.6 kg in the control groups. The classification of pigs according to the EUROP categories showed a shift to the E and U categories in the treated groups. The average feed cost per one kg of liveweight was 77.89–82.64 Forints in the treated groups and 85.66 Forints in the control groups.

Key words: Mycoplasmal pneumonia, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, medication, Tiamutin, Respisure vaccination, economic benefit

Jurate Siugzdaite^1*, Kristina Garlaite² and Danguole Urbsiene³

1Lithuanian Veterinary Academy, Tilzes 18, LT-3022, Kaunas, Lithuania,
²‘Linas & Viza’ Veterinary Centre, Lithuania and ³Lithuanian Institute of Animal
Science, Lithuania

(Received July 23, 2002; accepted December 10, 2003)

1Department of Pathophysiology and ³Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
²Swine Production Division, Agrokor, Zagreb, Croatia

(Received July 22, 2002; accepted December 10, 2002)

Thyroid function and morphology, liver morphology, some metabolic indices, haematological parameters and growth performance of fattening pigs fed 00-rapeseed meal (00-RPM) were examined. The control group was fed on a standard diet containing 6% sunflower seed meal (SM) during the growing period and 8% during the finishing period. The first experimental group was fed a diet in which SM was replaced by equal (6% and 8%) amounts of 00-RPM. The second experimental group was fed with a higher (8% and 10%) amount of 00-RPM. There were no significant differences between the control and experimental groups in the serum concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Thyroid gland and liver weights were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in both groups fed 00-RPM than in the group fed SM. The epithelium of the thyroid gland was cuboidal or columnar and the follicular area was moderately enlarged in pigs fed 00-RPM. Marked changes in liver histology were not observed. The 00-RPM diet increased (P < 0.01) the serum values of total proteins in the first fattening period. At the end of fattening both groups fed 00-RPM had higher (P < 0.05; P < 0.01) concentrations of plasma glucose than the control group. The inclusion of 10% of 00-RPM during the finishing period increased (P < 0.05) the serum values of insulin. Daily weight gain during the growing and the finishing period was higher (P < 0.05) in the experimental groups than in the control group. The results suggest that 6–10% 00-RPM can be used as a protein source in the diet of fattening pigs without poisonous side effects.

Key words: Pig, rapeseed meal, thyroid hormones, thyroid and liver histology, metabolic indices, haematology, growth performance

1Institute of Animal Breeding, Nutrition and Laboratory Animal Science, Faculty of
Veterinary Science, Szent István University, H-1400 Budapest, P.O. Box 2, Hungary; ²Central European University, Budapest, Hungary

(Received November 4, 2002; accepted April 1, 2003)

In order to investigate the effects of exposure to possible environmental pollutants such as Cd, Pb and Hg on haematological and serum biochemistry values, New Zealand White female rabbits were treated orally with distilled water solutions of CdSO₄·H₂O, Pb(NO₃)₂ and HgCl₂ (n = 4/treatment) in concentrations of 2.3, 4.1, and 30 mg/kg dry matter, respectively, for 28 days. The initial concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Hg in serum were significantly increased by the treatment. Exposure to Pb significantly decreased the red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin (Hgb) concentration and the haematocrit (Hct) value. The Zn-protoporphyrin concentration did not change as a result of Pb exposure. Pb and Hg loading significantly increased the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was also increased by both Hg and Cd exposure. Comparing the treated and the control rabbits, all the trace elements studied significantly reduced the activity of enzymes in the pancreatic tissues. The haematological results indicate that hyperchromic macrocytic anaemia developed in rabbits treated with Pb. The increased activities of both AST and ALT indicate pathophysiological changes of the liver parenchyma, which was verified by focal fatty infiltration seen histopathologically. Cd exposure could exert a toxic effect on the kidneys, although the slight tubulonephrosis developed would not possibly affect the renal function. The reduced activities of amylase, trypsin, protease and lipase induced by Cd, Pb and Hg suggest toxicity to the pancreas.

Key words: Heavy metals, rabbit, haematological values, Zn-protoporphyrin

Kinga Fodor^1*, L. Zöldág¹, S. Gy. Fekete¹, A. Bersényi¹, A. Gáspárdy¹,
Emese Andrásofszky¹, Margit Kulcsár², F. Eszes¹ and M. Shani¹

1Institute on Animal Breeding, Nutrition and Laboratory Animal Science and ²Department of Obstetrics and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science,
Szent István University, H-1400 Budapest, P.O. Box 2, Hungary

(Received November 8, 2002; accepted April 1, 2003)

An experiment was carried out with young male New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits to establish live body weight changes, body measurements, body composition and sexual maturity as a function of feeding intensity. Animals in Group 1 (‘AL’, n = 10) were fed ad libitum, while those in Group 2 (‘RS’, n = 10) received restricted feeding corresponding to 70% of the ad libitum level. The starting liveweights were practically the same (0.907 ± 0.146 and 0.911 ± 0.147 kg in Group AL and Group RS, respectively). The feeding trial lasted from 6 to 22 weeks of age. The average body weight was significantly higher in Group AL from 7 to 22 weeks of age. At 22 weeks of age the body weight of RS rabbits was 85.64% of the weight of AL animals (3.22 ± 0.52 kg and 3.76 ± 0.33 kg, respectively). Average body weights of RS males at 8, 9, 11, 19 and 21 weeks of age were similar to those of ad libitum fed (AL) animals at 7, 8, 10, 15 and 16 weeks of age, respectively. The growth of bucks fed restricted tended to be allometric. The most significant difference was found at 16 and 18 weeks of age, while the lowest difference occurred at 6, 12, 15 and 19 weeks of age. It can be stated that low-intensity feeding up to slaughtering weight causes backwardness in rear cannon length and this backwardness remains also after the 15th week, which is well over the optimal slaughtering age. Based on the present data, the 70% restricted feeding cannot be recommended either for the future breeding bucks or for broiler males reared for slaughter. To determine the major chemical components of the body, rabbits were euthanised. Original dry matter and crude fat content of the body significantly (P < 0.05) decreased under restricted feeding (41.42%; 32.48% and 16.73%; 7.35%) while the percentage of protein within the dry matter increased (49.6%; 65.0%) and fat decreased (40.17%; 22.1%) significantly. Libido unambiguously decreases as a consequence of feed deprivation. The most conspicuous difference was found in the level of blood testosterone. Although a few RS bucks produced semen but only much later than the rabbits fed ad libitum. On the other hand, there was no difference in the motility of spermatozoa and ejaculate volume in comparison with AL animals. There was no relationship between the body fat content and the reproductive status of bucks in the present trial.

Key words: Restricted feeding, growing rabbit, New Zealand White, male, body measures, chemical composition, sexual maturity

A. Al-Samman¹, K. Molnár^2*, Cs. Székely² and J. Reiczigel³

1Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Al-Baath University, Hama, Syria; ²Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-1581 Budapest, P.O. Box 18, Hungary; ³Department of Biomathematics and Informatics, Faculty of Veterinary
Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary

(Received December 16, 2002; accepted April 1, 2003)

The weight of internal organs (swimbladder, kidney, liver, spleen) in relation to the body weight was studied in common carp fingerlings divided into three groups on the basis of swimbladder appearance and microscopic examination of the kidney. The fish had been collected from different Hungarian fish farms at the time when swimbladder inflammation (SBI) usually occurs (in July and August). The first group comprised fish with severe signs of SBI and massive renal sphaerosporosis, the second group consisted of fish with milder swimbladder changes and/or kidney infection by a low number of Sphaerospora renicola, while the third group was constituted by infection-free common carp fry. Statistical analysis of swimbladder, kidney, liver and spleen weight in relation to the body weight revealed that in the infected groups the internal organs were substantially enlarged. This suggests that in common carp fry with SBI the swimbladder changes are accompanied by reno-, hepato- and splenomegaly.

Key words: Swimbladder inflammation, common carp, Sphaerospora renicola, Myxosporea, renomegaly, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly

S. Celik^1*, R. Bal² and R. Durgut³

1Department of Biochemistry, ²Department of Physiology and ³Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mustafa Kemal,
31040 Antakya-Hatay, Turkey

(Received May 29, 2002; accepted April 1, 2003)

The effects of salbutamol and norepinephrine on the electrocardiogram (ECG), serum potassium level and enzyme activities were studied in rabbits with hyperkalaemia; norepinephrine and salbutamol may be therapeutically useful. For induction of hyperkalaemia, 300 mM KCl solution was used and then isotonic saline solution containing 6 µg salbutamol and 3.9 µg norepinephrine per ml were administered. Norepinephrine and salbutamol decreased the serum potassium from 7.36 ± 0.26 and 7.21 ± 0.31 mmol/L to 5.62 ± 0.27 and 4.35 ± 0.33 mmol/L, respectively, and caused the ECG changes (flatness of P wave, widening of QRS complex and bradycardia) to return to the control conditions (time 0). Norepinephrine, but not salbutamol, decreased the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to the control levels. These results suggest that monitoring of the enzyme activities might be useful as it yields indexes suitable for evaluating the therapeutic approach with norepinephrine in hyperkalaemia.

Key words: Hyperkalaemia, salbutamol, norepinephrine, biochemistry, electrocardiography, rabbit

(Received July 10, 2002; accepted December 10, 2002)

The effect of hypothyroidism on some oxidative stress parameters is reported. Moderate hypothyroid state was induced in two groups of female rabbits (3 and 12 months old) by giving 50 mg/kg body weight (BW) of propylthiouracil (PTU) per os for 6 days and 20 mg/kg BW of methimazole (MMI) for further 14 days. Serum T₄ and T₃ concentrations decreased by about 38–40 and 32–36%, respectively. The induced hypothyroidism resulted in a significant decrease in the serum concentration of the lipid peroxidation end-product malondialdehyde, as measured by the thiobarbituric-acid assay. Erythrocytes of hypothyroid animals exhibited higher resistance to oxidative stress, while submitted to free radicals generator 2,2’-azo-bis(2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH) in vitro. Using two detector systems (phospholipid liposomes and deoxyribose), sensitive to either organic or inorganic oxygen radical damage, the ability of euthyroid and hypothyroid rabbit plasma to protect against oxygen radicals was evaluated. The plasma of hypothyroid animals showed about 20% higher ability to protect against iron-binding organic radicals, but about 50% lower chain-breaking antioxidant activity. The antioxidant capacity of plasma against inorganic radicals was not affected by hypothyroidism. In conclusion, the results show that thyroid hormones modulate the free-radical-induced oxidative damage of lipids and that hypothyroidism offers some protection against lipid peroxidation.

Key words: Hypothyroidism, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, free radicals

Department of Animal Physiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn,
10-718 Olsztyn-Kortowo 5, Poland

(Received July 25, 2002; accepted April 1, 2003)

P. V. Drion^1**, O. Szenci^2**, F. Ectors³, D. Wirth⁴, Zs. Perényi¹, P. Muller¹
and J. F. Beckers¹

(Received July 19, 2002; accepted December 10, 2002)

1Dömötör Dog Fertility Clinic, H-6000 Kecskemét, Báthori u. 5/a, Hungary;
²Department of Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Science,
Szent István University, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary; ³Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary

(Received September 17, 2002; accepted April 1, 2003)

The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of oestrus symptoms of the bitch (vulvar swelling, vaginal fluid, attraction of the male, teasing) and that of the most frequently used examination methods (vaginal smear, vaginoscopy, serum progesterone determination) which indicate the stage of the cycle and allow to predict the optimal day of mating (ODM). The determination of the cycle stage was based upon the number of days left from the day of examination to the day of parturition (DTP). Our results indicate that none of the above-mentioned symptoms and examination methods is reliable alone for the determination of DTP, and even the complex picture obtained from the integrated results of different methods will not enable an exact estimation. ODM can be predicted with a higher reliability, and 1–2 days before it, it can be detected very safely. Since most bitches are presented for timing to practitioners, a scheme was created based upon a scoring system, which gives a point value to each individual symptom and examination result, and judges the bitch according to the total amount of points.

Key words: Ovulation detection, cycle staging, bitch, progesterone

Christina Warnke¹, A. Tuchscherer², Hannelore Alm¹, W. Kanitz¹, S. Blottner³ and H. Torner^1*

1Department of Reproductive Biology and ²Department of Biometry, Research Institute for the Biology of Farm Animals, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany; ³Institute for Zoo Biology and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany

(Received September 9, 2002; accepted December 10, 2002)

The aim of the study was to compare different types of movement pattern and velocities of stallion spermatozoa depending on cryopreservation during breeding and non-breeding season. Ejaculates were collected from four stallions during May (n = 24) and December (n = 24). Parameters of sperm movement were evaluated by computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) system, and included percentages of motile spermatozoa, different patterns of motility, the velocity, linearity (LIN), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and beat-cross frequency (BCF). In winter the average percentages of motility were slightly higher compared to the breeding season in May (70.8 ± 12.7% vs. 66.8 ± 12.2%, respectively). Cryopreservation and thawing led to a significant decrease in the number of motile sperm to 11.3 ± 5.8% in May and 15.6 ± 7.0% in December. The pattern of motility was also changed. Detailed analysis by CASA demonstrated that cryopreservation resulted in a shift from the proportions of linear to more non-linear motile spermatozoa and to a significant increase of local motile and hyperactivated spermatozoa. Mean velocity of fresh motile spermatozoa differed between May and December (119.1 ± 43.9 vs. 164.4 ± 66.4 µm/sec, respectively; P < 0.05). Cryopreservation and thawing led to a slight increase of curvilinear velocity (VCL) and straight line velocity (VSL). The motility analysis has shown that the parameters BCF and ALH were highly correlated in stallion spermatozoa (r = –0.67; P < 0.001). The BCF of stallion spermatozoa was slightly reduced in the non-breeding season. Altogether, the influence of factors on the motility of stallion spermatozoa has the following rank order: cryopreservation (P < 0.0001) > stallion (P < 0.001) > season (P < 0.05).

Key words: Stallion spermatozoa, cryopreservation, CASA, motility, movement pattern, velocity

Sz. Jánosi¹, Margit Kulcsár², P. Kóródi³, L. Kátai², J. Reiczigel², S. J. Dieleman⁴, Judit Anna Nikolic⁵, G. Sályi¹, Piroska Ribiczey-Szabó² and Gy. Huszenicza^1*

1Central Veterinary Institute, Budapest, Hungary; ²Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, H-1400 Budapest, P.O. Box 2, Hungary; ³Faculty of Animal Science, Kaposvár University, Kaposvár, Hungary; ⁴Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht
University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; ⁵Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, Zemun, Yugoslavia

(Received February 7, 2003; accepted April 1, 2003)

Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University,
06110 Ankara, Turkey

(Received October 2, 2002; accepted December 10, 2002)

In this study, bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) was detected and biotypically characterised in clinical samples using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The RT-PCR technique produced two different amplicons (402 and approx. 680 bp in size) in case of the presence of both biotypes (cp and ncp) in the sample. The mixture of the biotypes as detected by RT-PCR was verified by the immunoplaque assay (IPA). Purification of biotypes was carried out by native plaque isolation and subsequent RT-PCR revealed single products (402 or approx. 680 bp in size) in each clone. The results showed that RT-PCR can be used for accurate molecular differentiation between the BVDV biotypes.

Key words: BVDV, RT-PCR, biotype characterisation