Prevalence of Echinococcosis in Reindeer (Rangifer Tarandus) in Sweden

In Sweden echinococcosis is uncommon in domestic animals. In reindeer in the most northern part of the country echinococcosis was found. Of 1453 pairs of lungs, 23 pairs (1.6 %) were infected with hydatid cysts. These were of two types: typical well-developed hydatid cysts, which were found in nine of the 23 infected lungs, and collapsed hydatid cysts, which were found in 13 of the lungs. In only one lung pair both types of cysts were seen.     

Isolation of a Herpesvirus Serologically Related to Bovine Herpesvirus 1 from a Reindeer (Rangifer Tarandus)

Serological evidence of exposure of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) to a virus related to bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) (Synonym: Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus) has been reported in Canada (El Azhary 1979) and the USA (Dieterich 1981). A serological survey conducted in Finnish Lapland also detected neutralising antibodies to BHV1 in reindeer sera; 23 % of 300 reindeer had detectable antibodies, whereas none of 300 cattle sera from the same region contained antibodies to BHV1 (Ek-Kommonen et al. 1982). There is currently no evidence of BHV1 infection of cattle in Finland, so the isolation and characterisation of the reindeer herpesvirus was of considerable interest. This short communication describes the isolation and preliminary characterisation of a herpesvirus from a reindeer following the administration of dexamethasone.     

A Light Microscopic Comparison of The Cysts of Four Species of Sarcocystis Infecting The Domestic Reindeer (Rangifer Tarandus) in Northern Norway

Fresh preparations of micro-isolated sarcocysts from skeletal and cardiac muscle of 12 reindeer were examined by light microscopy. On the basis of cyst structure and cyst wall structure 4 Sarcocystis spp. could be differentiated. New names have been proposed for 2 previously unnamed Sarcocystis spp. of reindeer, and S. grueneri has been redefined. S. rangiferi n. sp. had macroscopic cysts in skeletal muscle measuring 2106×403 µm. The cyst wall protrusions were finger-like and measured 13.2×6.7 µm. The cysts were surrounded by a layer of fibrillar material. S. tarandi n. sp. had micro- to macroscopic cysts primarily in skeletal muscle, but a few cysts were found in the heart of one animal. In skeletal muscle the cysts measured 999×75µm; in the heart the cysts were shorter and wider. The cyst wall protrusions were fingerlike and measured 9.2×2.2 µm. S. grueneri had micro- to macroscopic cysts in cardiac muscle measuring 581×137 µm. The cyst wall was thin and relatively smooth with no visible protrusions. Sarcocystis sp. had micro- to macroscopic, slender cysts in skeletal muscle measuring 916×64 µm. The cyst wall had tightly packed, short, knob-like protrusions. The cysts of this species were previously classified as cysts of S. grueneri.     

Echinococcosis in Slaughtered Reindeer (Rangifer Tarandus) in the Northern Part of Troms and Western Part of Finnmark Counties,During the Winter 1975/76

Echinococcosis in reindeer in Norway has been known for a long time. Meat inspection of 3712 reindeer in the winter 1975/76 revealed echinococci in 56 lungs (1.5 %). Forty-eight of the lungs were examined at The State Veterinary Laboratory for Northern Norway. Of these, 40 (∞ 83 %) contained well-developed cysts, while 8 (∞17%) contained only collapsed cysts. Five lungs (∞ 10 %) contained both well-developed and collapsed cysts.     

Artificial insemination of Reindeer (Ragifer tarandus)

Semen collected from reindeer bulls in an artificial vagina was used for the artificial insemination of 16 reindeer cows: two with undiluted semen, five with diluted semen and nine with frozen semen. The two cows which received undiluted semen gave birth to normal calves 217 days later. The other cows returned to oestrus 23.5 days (mean) after insemination and subsequently calved, having been served by a fertile bull.     

A New Bipyrrole and Some Phenolic Constituents in Prunes (Prunus domestica L.) and Their Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC)

Isolation and structural elucidation of prune constituents were performed and total 10 compounds were determined by NMR and MS analyses. A novel compound was identified to be 2-(5-hydroxymethyl-2′,5′-dioxo-2′,3′,4′,5′-tetrahydro-1′H-1,3′-bipyrrole)carbaldehyde, and 7 phenolic compounds were isolated from prunes for the first time. In addition, antioxidant activity of them was evaluated on the basis of the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC).     

Sources and Levels of Trace Elements Influence Some Blood Parameters in Murrah Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Calves

Biological Trace Element Research - Sources of supplemental minerals in the diet of animals are of important significance. Bio-availability of organic sources is believed to be more in the body as...     

Effect of Glucose and Fructose in the Protein-repletion Diet Fed after Protein-depletion on Some Blood Constituents of Rats

Percentages of carbohydrates absorbed for 1 day-feeding of protein-repletion diet containing either glucose (glucose-group) or fructose (fructose group) after protein-depletion for 14 days were entirely the same. Some changes in blood constituents of the glucose group and the fructose group were studied. There were no detectable fluctuations in glucose concentration in blood of both groups for varying periods of time of feeding the protein-repletion diet. Whereas, pronounced elevation in fructose concentration in blood was observed for the fructose group. Its values increased for 9hr after feeding the protein-repletion diet containing fructose and then decreased gradually. However, fructose concentration in blood of the glucose group was low. The total carbohydrate concentration (glucose and fructose) in blood of the fructose group increased continuously for 6 hr after feeding the protein-repletion diet and then stayed constant. The total carbohydrate concentration of the fructose group was significantly higher than that of the glucose group except 72 hr-feeding. When the protein-repletion diet was given for 3 days, both liver weight and liver lipid content of the glucose group were significantly lower than those of the fructose group. Allantoin concentration in blood of the fructose group was significantly higher than that of the glucose group. Similarly it was also observed that uric acid level in the serum of the fructose group tended to be higher than that of the glucose group.     

The Influence of Moisture Stress on Liriodendron tulipifera L. Seedlings

A comparison of yellow poplar seedlings subjected to availablemoisture ranging from 100 per cent to 20 per cent of field capacityin two separate experiments (a soil study and a solution study)indicated that total dry matter production, stem height, totalleaf area and area of individual leaves, decreased with increasedmoisture stress. Differences in unit leaf rate (ULR) were primarilyresponsible for final plant size. Leaf area: weight ratio wasaffected by the method of induced stress. As stress increasedthe ratio increased in the soil study but decreased in the solutionstudy. The number of leaves produced was unaffected by stress,except at the most severe stresses. The number of senescentleaves increased as moisture stress increased. The allocationof new growth was unaffected by either moisture stress or timeand decreased in order of root, foliage, stem for the soil grownplants and foliage, root, stem for the solution grown plants.ULR and relative growth rate (RGR) were reduced by both moisturestress and time. A growth simulation of the soil-grown plantsbased on results from the solution moisture stress experimentpredicted the final plant dry weight within 12 per cent andleaf area within 7 per cent of the actual values.     

The Influence of Some Phenolic Compounds on Nodulation in Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan(L.) Millsp.)

Studies on exogenous application of phenolic compoundsviz: p-hydroxybenzoic acid, resorcinol and chlorogenic acid each with concentration of 10^-4 M are done on the legume (Cajanus cajan (L.)Millsp.) AL-15. The effect of applied phenolic compounds as well as of structural differences in phenols indicate a marked influence of phenolic compounds in regulating growth processes in plants. Fresh and dry mass of various plant parts increased after foliar spray with phenols resulting in an improved harvest index. It is seen that phenols also play an important role in the initiation and development of nodules.     

The Distribution of Sudoriferous Glands in the Hairy Skin of Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L.)

Skin samples were taken from forest reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L.) in order to study the distribution of apocrine tubular glands. Glands with well-developed secretory epithelium were restricted to certain areas of the body, namely the foreleg pit, a narrow strip on the belly, the groin and on the legs. Well-developed glands were also found in the oral angle and in the rump patch. The greatest amount was found in the ventral interdigital skin of both fore and hindfeet. In other parts of the body could only the excretory duct and a thin walled extension but no developed secretory epithelium be seen.     

New Polar Constituents in the Pupae of the Silkworm Bombyx mori L. (II): Developmental Changes of the Constituents

A correlation between the quantitative changes in L-methionine analogs, the ratio of D-serine/L-serine during the pupal stage, and metamorphosis was observed. The glycoside appearing at low blood sugar values during the pupal stage was isolated and characterized as D-glucosyl-L-tyrosine. ¹H-NMR indicated the appearance and increase of this glycoside, and Mirrorcle Ray CV4 equipment was used to take X-ray pictures of the pupal bodies. The results indicate that γ-cyclic di-L-glutamate and L-methionine sulfone might be concerned with ammonia assimilation in the pupae, and that D-glucosyl-L-tyrosine served as a switch for the fatty acid (pupal oil) dissimilation hybrid system.