Clinical disorders observed in a beagle breeding colony

Disorders in a beagle breeding colony were discussed, based on 472 clinical charts made in 1974-1983. In 201 neonates less than a week old, hypothermia associated with pneumonia was mostly seen. In 31 puppies from one week to two months old and in 46 young dogs from two months to a year old, pneumonia, canine parvovirus infection, dermal abscess and dermatosis were mostly found. In 91 dogs aged from one to five, trauma, intervertebral disc protrusion, dermal abscess, dystocia, claudication and otohematoma were frequently noted. In 103 animals over five years old, intervertebral disc protrusion, tumors, abscess, trauma and otohematoma were observed most often.     

Immunogenetic aspects of a canine breeding colony

A colony of dogs was expanded by selective breeding to study the immunogenetic determinants coded for by the major histocompatibility complex (DLA). Polymorphic determinants were identified by alloantisera specific for DLA-A and B loci antigens and by the mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) which defined alleles at the D locus. Thirteen families totaling 58 offspring were produced and typed for allelic determinants coded for by each of the three gene loci. Allelic segregation in a codominant manner occurred as expected and a recombinant between the A and B loci was detected. A number of animals were homozygous at one or more loci, thus providing genetically standardized animals as a source of typing cells, antigens, and sera to further study the immunogenetic details of DLA and for in vivo studies in transplantation biology.     

Establishment of a Chinese hamster breeding colony

A colony of outbred Chinese hamsters, Cricetulus griseus, was established. Attempts to use previously published methods of physically protecting the males were unsatisfactory. Rather, females were selected for nonaggressive behavior. Breeding was among pairs allowed to cohabit for 5 1/2 days. Production was typically in excess of 180 offspring per month, with an average breeder population of 44 females and 30 males. Litters were weaned at 3 weeks of age. At that time, appropriate numbers of offspring of female parents with a history including nonaggressive behavior, fecundity and freedom from seizures were retained for use as future breeders. Females were first bred at 8-12 weeks of age and males at 8-12 months. The remaining animals were maintained in groups of like-sex littermates until used. With these methods, mortality among breeder males due to overly aggressive female behavior was reduced to 3%. Animal husbandry procedures and record keeping requirements were relatively simple, not labor intensive and would be easily adaptable to most facilities.     

Frequency of prenatal loss in a macaque breeding colony

An accurate knowledge of the historical incidence of prenatal loss is essential for management of breeding colonies and for performing developmental toxicity studies in nonhuman primates. Data from the California Regional Primate Research Center indoor (timed-mated) and outdoor (random-mated) colonies of rhesus, cynomolgus, and bonnet macaques (Macaca mulatta, M. fascicularis, and M. radiata) were evaluated for a 10 year breeding period from 1984 to 1993. Pregnancy outcome data for the three species of macaques summarized in this report indicate that early pregnancy as well as term are vulnerable periods of gestation in terms of prenatal loss. Prematurity as well as twinning were additionally associated with elevated rates of loss during the prenatal or neonatal period. The incidence of pregnancy failure did not appear to be related to different housing/management conditions (i.e., indoor timed-mated vs. outdoor random-mated), parity, animal handling, shipping, or relocation. Some of the annual fluctuations in abortions could be related to disease outbreaks (e.g., measles, pneumonia) in the colony. These data will be invaluable in planning for research needs which focus on developmental biology and perinatology, and in interpreting the significance of abortions following exposure to experimental agents in small numbers of animals. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Thiamine deficiency encephalopathy in a specific-pathogen-free cat colony.

Thiamine deficiency encephalopathy occurred in a specific-pathogen-free cat colony where the diet consisted exclusively of commercially canned diet. This product was described by the manufacturer as a complete diet for cats. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by the demonstration of bilaterally symmetrical hemorrhage and microvascular fibrinoid necrosis in the brain and low erythrocyte transketolase levels. Treatment of clinically ill cats with vitamin B complex was followed by recovery within 24 hours.     

A record-keeping system for a pigeon breeding and research colony

Seven different records were used to monitor a 2,000-bird pigeon colony. A nest card was placed on each nest box to record current production. This information was collected monthly and transferred to a breeding pair record which was used to evaluate yearly reproductive performance as well as to maintain a record of the number of offspring produced. An individual record was maintained on each bird to record it life history and pedigree. Weekly, when new offspring were banded, a squab data sheet was taken into the pen to record the offspring's permanent leg band number, hatch date, strain, pen number, and parents' band numbers. An individual pen record was used to record the leg band numbers of each bird occupying each pen. A monthly death record and a health record were maintained to monitor the colony's health status. From examination of the death record, one could determine if the mortality was excessive and if any specific pens were involved. On the health record were recorded diet, monthly morbidity and mortality, results of monitoring programs, and any treatments rendered. The system provided ready accessibility do detailed records of production, pedigrees, pen locations of birds, colony health status, and the number, strain, and age of birds available for research.     

Gene repertoire evolution of Streptococcus pyogenes inferred from phylogenomic analysis with Streptococcus canis and Streptococcus dysgalactiae

Streptococcus pyogenes, is an important human pathogen classified within the pyogenic group of streptococci, exclusively adapted to the human host. Our goal was to employ a comparative evolutionary approach to better understand the genomic events concomitant with S. pyogenes human adaptation. As part of ascertaining these events, we sequenced the genome of one of the potential sister species, the agricultural pathogen S. canis, and combined it in a comparative genomics reconciliation analysis with two other closely related species, Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus equi, to determine the genes that were gained and lost during S. pyogenes evolution. Genome wide phylogenetic analyses involving 15 Streptococcus species provided convincing support for a clade of S. equi, S. pyogenes, S. dysgalactiae, and S. canis and suggested that the most likely S. pyogenes sister species was S. dysgalactiae. The reconciliation analysis identified 113 genes that were gained on the lineage leading to S. pyogenes. Almost half (46%) of these gained genes were phage associated and 14 showed significant matches to experimentally verified bacteria virulence factors. Subsequent to the origin of S. pyogenes, over half of the phage associated genes were involved in 90 different LGT events, mostly involving different strains of S. pyogenes, but with a high proportion involving the horse specific pathogen S. equi subsp. equi, with the directionality almost exclusively (86%) in the S. pyogenes to S. equi direction. Streptococcus agalactiae appears to have played an important role in the evolution of S. pyogenes with a high proportion of LGTs originating from this species. Overall the analysis suggests that S. pyogenes adaptation to the human host was achieved in part by (i) the integration of new virulence factors (e.g. speB, and the sal locus) and (ii) the construction of new regulation networks (e.g. rgg, and to some extent speB).     

Indoor-outdoor housing systems for a self-sustaining marmoset breeding colony.

Indoor-outdoor housing of three types was designed, constructed, used and evaluated for housing a breeding colony of common (Callithrix jacchus) and cottontop (Saguinus oedipus) marmosets. All types were relatively inexpensive to construct, required minimal care, simulated a natural environment and allowed for some isolation between units and between individual runs within units.     

Development of PCR assays for detection of Streptococcus canis

Streptococcus canis isolates, also including S. canis of artificially contaminated milk, could be identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using oligonucleotide primers designed according to species-specific parts of the 16S rRNA gene and, after sequencing, according to S. canis-specific parts of the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region and with oligonucleotide primers detecting an internal fragment of the group G streptococcal CAMP factor gene cfg. The 16S rRNA gene- and CAMP factor gene cfg-specific oligonucleotide primers could be used together in a multiplex PCR. No cross-reactivities could be observed with other group G streptococcal isolates or with any of the other control strains of various streptococcal species and serogroups. The PCR methods presented in this study allowed a rapid and reliable identification of S. canis and might help to improve the diagnosis of this bacterial species in animal and human infections.     

Congenital malformations and twinning in a breeding colony of Old World monkeys

Clinical and necropsy records of malformations in Old World monkeys were compiled. The numbers of malformations and birth incidence rate for each species were: Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) 3 (1.02%); Cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) 11 (1.62%); Stumptail macaque (Macaca arctoides) 3 (1.55%); African green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops) 4 (1.5%). There was one pair of rhesus twins (twinning rate: 0.34%). Cardiovascular and central nervous system lesions accounted for 55% of all malformations. Only two of the malformations were in inbred infants. Nine of twenty-one colony-born malformed infants lived 24 hours or more.     

Blood catalase and haematocrit values in a breeding colony of Dutch-belted rabbits

Rabbit seminal plasma catalase is much higher than in the semen of other mammals, and differences appear to be inherited. Because of the scarcity of information on rabbit blood catalase and haematocrit in Dutch-belted rabbits, an investigation of possible effects of gender, age and genetics on these variables was undertaken. There were 191 rabbits sampled at 2-3 months, 130 at 12 months and 61 at 18-24 months of age. There was no age effect on the haematocrit values and on blood catalase activity. At 12 months of age males had an average haematocrit value of 44% compared with 40% for females (P < 0.05). Corresponding average catalase values were 431 and 356 units/ml of blood (P < 0.05). Also catalase was measured in the semen and blood of 34 males, and males differed in both their blood and semen catalase activity (P < 0.05). The correlation between the two traits was r = 0.44. Heritability (h2) estimates, based on 231 rabbits were 0.40 for blood catalase activity, and 0.26 for haematocrit. The genetic correlation between the two variables was 0.83 (P < 0.05). These studies are consistent with the literature in that female rabbits have a slightly lower haematocrit value than males, and this is associated with a lower catalase activity. This appears to be the first report of a study that compares rabbit blood catalase in males and females of different ages. Preliminary evidence that differences may have a heritable basis is consistent with previous studies on rabbit semen catalase.     

领燕鸻繁殖群体的集群觅食

集合点假说（Assembly—point hypothesis）认为：动物局部地区聚群数量的增加有助于不同的繁殖地的个体聚集成群体,然后一起寻找食物斑块觅食,这种聚群有助于个体从集群觅食中获得利益。本文通过领燕鸻（Glareola pratincola）离开和回到繁殖地的先后顺序来验证以上假说。我们在29天的观察中,发现有4天该群中个体离开繁殖地的先后顺序不是随机分布的,尽管这种策略会随着环境条件而改变,但仍然表明领燕鸻的觅食群体在繁殖地就已经聚集形成了。食物资源（飞虫）的短暂性和波动性以及由繁殖地到觅食地的距离均与所验证的假说的假设相一致[动物学报51（6）：1141—1145,2005]。     

Septic arthritis and osteomyelitis from a cat bite

A 39-year-old man with no prior history of underlying arthritis developed osteomyelitis and septic arthritis in his hand following a cat bite. This case illustrates the virulence of Pasteurella multocida infections associated with animal bites, particularly those of cats, whose teeth can inoculate bone directly. The onset of cellulitis caused by P. multocida infections is often rapid, and the drug of choice for such infections remains penicillin. Appropriate antibiotic therapy, however, does not always prevent complications such as those seen in this patient.