bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A farming systems study of abortion in dairy cattle on the Atherton Tableland: I. Reproductive performance
Authors: NORTON JH , LISLE AT , TRANTER WP , CAMPBELL RSF 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYHerd health records from 1983 to 1985 were analysed for a sample of 19 dairy farms on the Atherton Tableland in tropical north Queensland. Abortion and first service conception rates were calculated for each farm for each year. The association between abortion rate and stage of gestation at pregnancy diagnosis was investigated as well as the association between abortion rate and lactation status. There was a significant linear increase in abortion rate over the 3‐year period, during which the mean rate was 7.3%± 2.1% (range 4.5% to 10.9%). There was also a significant variation in first conception rates during the same period, when the mean first service conception rate was 51.8%±6.6% (range 42.4% to 65.8%).A significantly higher abortion rate was recorded in first lactation cows. Of 178 abortions in all lactation groups (1984), 20.3% were repeat abortions by the same cows. Of 163 abortions, a majority (80.4%) occurred during months 3 to 7 of gestation. No significant association was found between the timing of pregnancy diagnosis and occurrence of abortion.
Enteritis in sheep and goats due to Yersinia enterocolitica infection
Authors: SLEE KJ , BUTTON C. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 5, serotype 02,3 was isolated from the intestine of 38 sheep and 8 goats submitted to the laboratory for disease diagnosis. Infected animals were usually young, had diarrhoea and were in poor condition or emaciated. A number were moribund or dead when submitted. Characteristic microabscesses were demonstrated in the intestine of 5 of 38 sheep and 3 of 8 goats and no alternative cause of morbidity or mortality was established in these animals.Of the 33 sheep and 5 goats infected with Y. enterocolitica in which microabscesses were not demonstrated, a number of other diagnoses were made, including internal parasitism (18), selenium deficiency or white muscle disease (6) and cobalt deficiency (2), so that morbidity and mortality were possibly unrelated to Y. enterocolitica infection.Five of 6 sheep exposed experimentally by mouth to Y. enterocolitica biotype 5, serotype 02,3 developed an intestinal infection. Although infected sheep showed no clinical evidence of disease and haematological and biochemical indices remained normal, multiple intestinal microabscesses typical of yersiniosis were demonstrated in 3 of 5 infected sheep.It is concluded that Y. enterocolitica biotype 5, serotype 02,3 is an enteropathogen of sheep and goats. Since sheep and goats may be the specific hosts of this bacterium, its virulence for these species is apparently low. Morbidity and mortality may, therefore, be unusual manifestations of infection.
Epidemiology of an avian influenza outbreak in Victoria in 1985
Authors: MORGAN IR , KELLY AP 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY In May 1985 an outbreak of avian influenza, a disease exotic to the Australian poultry industry, occurred on a farm in central Victoria. The outbreak was contained on that farm by immediate depopulation and disinfection measures. A description of the epidemiology of the outbreak was made during and after the event by interviewing involved personnel and by an extensive sampling and surveillance program both on the affected farm and across Victoria.Although the origin of the infection was not established, it is considered most likely that wild birds introduced the virus. The infection status of wild bird populations in the area has not been ascertained but sampling surveys of the poultry industry indicated that there were no other infected flocks in the state. The infection may have entered the affected flock as long as 2 weeks prior to the clinical outbreak although the exact timing could not be ascertained. The spread of disease on the farm appeared to be largely due to humans acting as mechanical vectors.
Development of a vaccine preventing parvovirus‐induced reproductive failure in pigs
Authors: PYE D , BATES J , EDWARDS SJ , HOLLINGWORTH J 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY An inactivated porcine parvovirus (PPV) vaccine for the prevention of PPV‐induced reproductive failure in pigs was developed, using virus grown in cell culture, inactivated with beta‐propiolactone and adjuvanted with aluminium hydroxide. The vaccine was tested for safety by subcutaneous injection into pregnant gilts. There were no signs of abnormal reactions nor evidence of PPV infection in the gilts or their foetuses when they were sacrificed 6 weeks after vaccination.To demonstrate that the vaccine was immunogenic, pigs were immunised either once or twice with 4 weeks between doses. Resulting antibody titres (haemagglutination inhibition — HAI) ranged from < 8 to 64 (geometric mean of 30) after one dose of vaccine, and from 128 to 512 (geometric mean 256) after two doses.To demonstrate that the vaccine was protective, antibody‐negative gilts were vaccinated twice, with 4 weeks between doses, joined after the second dose, and were then infected with virulent PPV 40 to 50 days after joining. In litters from 10 vaccinated gilts, none of 93 foetuses showed evidence of PPV infection. In contrast, in litters from two unvaccinated gilts, all 13 foetuses showed evidence of PPV infection and 10 of these were mummified. The average number of live piglets per litter was 9.2 from vaccinated gilts and 1.5 from unvaccinated gilts. The vaccine was therefore considered to be effective in preventing PPV reproductive failure in susceptible gilts.
Rotavirus excretion by village pigs in Papua New Guinea
Authors: ALPERS D. , SANDERS RC , HAMPSON DJ 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Cohort studies were conducted on 29 pigs from 3 villages in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Animals ranged in age from 9 d to 5 m old. Three hundred and twenty nine faecal samples were collected from individual pigs followed over 3 to 6 w periods, and were examined for group A rotavirus antigen by ELISA, and rotaviral genomic RNA by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Electron microscopy was also conducted on selected samples.Group A rotavirus was detected in the faeces of 16 pigs with infected individuals coming from all villages. Non‐group A rotavirus resembling group C was found in faeces from pigs from 2 villages. All of the group A rotaviruses examined had the same electrophoretype and this was distinct from that of the common type infecting humans in the area at the time of the study. None of the group A positive samples reacted with monoclonal antisera specific for human group A rotaviruses of serotypes 1, 2, 3, 4 or 8. The non‐group A rotaviruses also all had identical electrophoretypes.In contrast to previous findings in intensive piggeries, rotavirus infection did not occur in all young pigs and was not limited to young animals under 2 m of age. Infected pigs varied in age from 12 days to 20 weeks of age. This pattern of infection was attributed to the non‐intensive husbandry situations in the villages, with less opportunity for transmission to occur than in intensive piggeries.
Pasteurella multocida septicaemia in fallow deer (Dama dama)
Authors: CARRIGAN MJ , DAWKINS HJS , COCKRAM FA , HANSEN AT 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Thirteen of 100 fallow deer, aged between 6 months and 10 years, died over a 5 week period. The deaths occurred in 2 outbreaks 3 weeks apart. Both outbreaks were preceded by at least 3 days of cold wet and windy weather, and were associated with water‐logged pastures. Affected animals were usually found dead, with a frothy bloodstained nasal discharge. In the 8 deer necropsied, gross lesions included widespread subserosal petechial haemorrhages, severe pulmonary congestion and oedema with froth‐filled airways, and fibrinous pneumonia and pleurisy in 4 deer. Two deer, also, had extensive subcutaneous petechial and ecchymotic haemorrhages and oedema of skeletal musculature. Histologically, the most significant lesions were present in the lungs. Moderate to severe pulmonary congestion and oedema, with fibrinous exudation into alveoli and septal oedema, were present in all deer. In some deer these changes were accompanied by a diffuse infiltration with polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Pasteurella multocida was isolated from a range of tissues from 7 of 8 deer examined. The remaining animal had been treated with antibiotics 8 hours before death. The isolates had identical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis patterns and were of the same antigenic type ‐ Carter group A, Heddleston type 3,4.
Practical aspects of the estimation of the time of ovulation and of insemination in the bitch
Authors: WRIGHT PJ 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY The aims of this study were to assess the precision of the estimates of the time of ovulation derived by various methods, and to define the most appropriate methods for the determination of the optimal time for insemination of bitches with fresh semen (artificial insemination or natural mating), or with frozen‐thawed semen. In 11 Labrador bitches, ovulation was estimated (plasma LH surge + 48 h) to occur 9 to 20 d after the start of the cycle, 0 to + 4 d after the onset of positive postural reflexes (2 bitches showed no positive postural reflexes), ‐ 4 to + 7 d after reaching a vaginal cytological eosinophilic index (El) of 100%, over a range of 2.5 to 5.5 d based on plasma progesterone concentrations of 4 to 10 ng/ml, over a range of 2 to 3 or 4 d based on 2 indirect methods of estimating the time of the plasma LH surge from plasma progesterone concentrations. Assuming fertilisation occurs 2 to 3 d after ovulation, these findings indicate that for fresh semen (with an estimated lifespan of > 4 days) an appropriate procedure would be to inseminate/mate on the day after the onset of positive postural reflexes; then 3 days later. For bitches not showing positive postural reflexes, insemination should occur when the vaginal El = 90% and then each 3 d until day 1 of dioestrus (D1). For frozen‐thawed semen (with a lifespan of >24 h) insemination should occur 4 to 5 d after the plasma LH surge. Thus, 1 insemination is required after direct measurement of the plasma LH surge, or 3 inseminations at 24 h intervals based on the less precise indirect assessment of the time of the plasma LH surge derived from measurement of plasma progesterone concentrations.
Monensin controlled‐release intraruminal capsule for control of bloat in pastured dairy cows
Authors: LOWE LB , BALL GJ , CARRUTHERS VR , DOBOS RC , LYNCH GA , MOATE PJ , POOLE PR , VALENTINE SC 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Monensin, a polyether ionophore antibiotic, is potentially an important agent for bloat relief in dairy cows grazing temperate legume‐based pasture. A series of studies was undertaken to determine the effect of monensin, when delivered continuously in the rumen of lactating dairy cows by means of controlled‐release capsules (monensin CRC). Such devices release approximately 300 mg/head/day for 100 d. A short‐term pilot study made at Ruakura, New Zealand, tested monensin CRC in cows selected for high susceptibility to bloat and grazing lucerne (Medicago sativa) or red clover (Trifolium pratense). Treatment significantly reduced the incidence of bloat, while milk yield and protein yield were increased. There was no effect on fat yield. Following the pilot study, 6 large‐scale field experiments involving a total of 368 lactating dairy cows, were made in Australia and New Zealand to confirm the effectiveness of monensin CRC for bloat control and to measure the effect of such treatment on milk production and composition. A severe bloat problem occurred in 2 experiments, mild bloat occurred in 2 others, while no visual signs of bloat were observed in the remaining 2 experiments. Bloat was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by monensin CRC treatment when data was pooled over the 4 experiments in which bloat occurred. Daily milk yield was increased in all experiments from a mean of 17.7 in untreated groups to 18.8 kg/head/day (P < 0.05) in monensin CRC‐treated cows. Protein percentage was not affected by treatment, while there was a decrease from 4.29 to 4.10% fat, although total fat yield was not affected. No monensin residues were detected in serial samples of milk taken from 2 of the field experiments using an assay with a sensitivity of method of less than 2.5 ng/ml. Treatment of dairy cows grazing temperate legume pastures with monensin CRC reduced the severity of bloat and increased milk production, which could lead to the commercial use of the product on Australian and New Zealand dairy farms.
Vaccine efficacy for reducing turbinate atrophy and improving growth rate in piggeries with endemic atrophic rhinitis
Authors: KABAY MJ , MERCY AR , LLOYD JM , ROBERTSON GM 
Published: March 2008

SummaryTwo vaccines, based on formalin‐killed whole cells of toxigenic Pasteurella multocida type D and Bordetella bronchiseptica combined with a partially toxolded cell extract of P multocida, were prepared with Freund's incomplete adjuvant (vaccine 1) or by alum precipitation (vaccine 2). Each was tested for safety and efficacy in reducing the severity of nasal turbinate atrophy and improving the growth rate of pigs in three Western Australian commercial piggeries with endemic atrophic rhinitis.In safety experiments with vaccine 1, no adverse clinical effects were observed in vaccinated sows or their progeny. Piglets receiving vaccine 2 showed no injection site abnormalities, pyrexia or turbinate atrophy.In field trials, vaccine 1 significantly reduced the prevalence of moderate to severe nasal turbinate atrophy (Done score 3 to 5) when used in two piggeries (A and B). Progeny from vaccinated sows in piggery B also grew significantly faster than controls. When vaccine 2 was used in piggery A at a later date and in another piggery (C), growth rate was not improved in either piggery and the prevalence of moderate to severe turbinate atrophy was reduced only in piggery C.
Cryptococcosis in seven horses
Authors: RILEY CB , BOLTON JR , MILLS JN , THOMAS JB 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe clinical, radiographic and post‐mortem findings in 6 horses with cryptococcal pneumonia and one horse with an abdominal cryptococcal granuloma are described. In pulmonary cryptococcosis, the lesions were either diffuse and multiple, with bilateral lung involvement, or localised mainly to the dorsocaudal region of one lung. The cases of diffuse multiple cryptococcosis were thought to be associated with haematogenous spread of the fungus after gastrointestinal infection and dissemination from regional lymph nodes. The localised form of the disease was thought to have been associated with inhalation of cryptococci. In all cases of pulmonary cryptococcosis, encapsulated yeast‐like organisms were demonstrated in Wright's‐stained sediment of tracheal washes. In the horse with the abdominal granuloma, cryptococci were present in a fine needle aspirate sample. Isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans var gattii were recovered from 2 of the 5 horses in which cultures were attempted. In addition to a history of previous illness that may have predisposed to infection, most horses in this report had been in areas in which Eucalyptus camaldulensis, or the closely related E rudis, were growing. In humans, an epidemiological relationship between E camaldulensis and infection with C neoformans var gattii has been suggested. Cases of equine cryptococcosis carry a poor prognosis and treatment was not attempted in any of these cases.
Reproductive performance of Thoroughbred mares on six commercial stud farms
Authors: BRÜCK I , ANDERSON GA , HYLAND JH 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe records of 1630 mare years from 6 Thoroughbred stud farms in south eastern Australia were analysed for the years 1981 to 1986. Overall pregnancy and foaling rates were 83.9% and 69.3%, respectively. When calculated per served oestrous cycle, pregnancy and foaling rates were 54.7% and 43.1%, respectively. Pregnancy and foaling rates were higher (P < 0.001) for mares 3 to 10 years of age than for older mares. There was no difference in the pregnancy rates of maiden, barren and foaling mares. The foaling rate was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in mares that became pregnant during the first served oestrous cycle (77.8%) than in mares that needed two served oestrous cycles to become pregnant (65.4%).Of all diagnosed pregnancies, 19.5% were not completed. Pregnancy loss was lower (P < 0.05) in maiden (12.4%) than in barren (19.7%) or foaling (20.9%) mares.Twins were diagnosed in 7.8% of all pregnancies. If one conceptus was lost without external interference, 84.1% of pregnancies went to term. If one conceptus was manually crushed, 55.9% of pregnancies were maintained. If prostaglandin was used to terminate twin pregnancies, 60% of mares so treated produced foals the following year.
Food safety and residues in Australian agricultural produce
Authors: NICHOLLS TJ , MCLEAN GD , BLACKMAN NL , STEPHENS IB 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA brief history of food safety in Australia in the context of the development of scientific knowledge is presented. Australia's food and food commodity residue and contamination surveillance and monitoring programs are outlined. Although chemical residues are perceived as a major health risk by the general community, the risk of food causing illness or death because of chemical residues is low. The major threat to human health from food is microbiological contamination, in terms of deaths, sickness and economic loss.The emerging influences in food safety are scientific and technical developments, deregulation, social and demographic factors, and the media. The risk of disruption of domestic and export markets by food safety issues is considerable. The emergence of international standards for food production and processing will enable commercial contractual arrangements to minimise the frequency of disruptive food safety incidents.
Myotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of common tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) venom in the dog
Authors: LEWIS PF 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY The myotoxicity and neurotoxicity of common tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) venom are major factors in the pathogenesis of envenomation in the dog. Histological examination of the tissues of experimentally envenomed dogs has demonstrated the importance of muscle damage in affecting the clinical syndrome of tiger snake envenomation.Within one hour of injection of the venom into dogs, there was selective involvement of some muscles. Cardiac and smooth muscles were not significantly affected. The severity of myofibre damage was influenced by the amount of venom injected. Immobilisation under general anaesthesia resulted in significant protection against the myotoxic effects of high doses of venom.Lesions in the kidneys of experimentally envenomed dogs were acute tubular necrosis and the variable presence of a small amount of proteinaceous material in tubules. These lesions, which were similar to those in cases of natural snake bite, were indicative of a direct nephrotoxic effect, which could be complicated by the effects of myoglobinuria. These findings emphasise the need for supportive treatment aimed at maintenance of renal function in the treatment of dogs suffering from tiger snake envenomation.
Disease‐husbandry associations in farmed crocodiles in Queensland and the Northern Territory
Authors: BUENVIAJE GN , LADDS PW , MELVILLE L. , MANOLIS SC 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY To investigate husbandry‐disease associations in farmed crocodiles 7 farms in Queensland and the Northern Territory were visited and details of past and present farm design and husbandry practices were recorded. In addition pathological examination of 300 (mostly young) crocodiles was carried out (85 necropsied, one biopsied and 214 examined retrospectively).Mortality rate and occurrence of disease, especially opportunistic infections with bacteria and fungi, were highest during winter months and in farms located at greater latitudes. A difference in the presence and prevalence of disease between the initial establishment phase of Northern Territory crocodile farms (1984–87) and currently (1988–91) was apparent; parasitic infections are now relatively infrequent and bacterial septicaemias and mycoses less common as a result of some provision of artificial heating for juveniles.Gross and microscopic changes observed in visceral and periarticular gout, bacterial hepatitis/septicaemia, deep and superficial mycosis, pentastomiasis and other parasitic infections are described.
The clinical differentiation of nervous and muscular locomotor disorders of sheep in Australia
Authors: BOURKE CA 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Many of the nervous and muscular locomotor disorders that affect sheep throughout Australia are commonly referred to as ‘staggers’ syndromes. The range of clinical signs displayed by sheep suffering these disorders is sufficiently diverse to enable each syndrome to be graded into one of 5 progressive clinical groups. The first group, the limb paresis syndromes, includes the primary myopathies associated with the ingestion of Ixiolaena brevicompta, Malva parviflora, and Trachymene ochracea, as well as selenium and vitamin E disorders, Paroo virus staggers, congenital progressive muscular dystrophy, humpy back, hypocalcaemic muscle weakness, Tribulus terrestris staggers and tetanus. The second group is characterised by limb paresis with knuckling of the fetlocks, and includes the plant‐associated toxicities of Romulea rosea, Stachys arvensis, Trachyandra divaricata, and Tribulus micrococcus, together with haloxon toxicity, enzootic ataxia (copper deficiency), and the probably genetic disorders of segmental axonopathy, neuroaxonal dystrophy, and degenerative thoracic myelopathy. Other locomotor disorders that fit more loosely into this group are listerial myelitis (post‐dipping staggers), vitamin A deficiency, cervico‐thoracic vertebral subluxation, Stypandra glauca toxicity, Ipomoea spp toxicity, ivermectin toxicity, and botulism. The third group, the falling syndromes, includes the probably genetic disorders of thalamic cerebellar neuropathy, cerebellar abiotrophy, and globoid cell leucodystrophy, together with Swainsona spp toxicity. The fourth group, the falling‐with‐tremors syndromes, includes the plant‐associated toxicities of phalaris staggers, perennial rye grass staggers and nervous ergotism (Claviceps paspali). The fifth group, the convulsive syndromes, includes the polioencephalomalacic entity nardoo fern (Marsilea drummondii) staggers, outbreaks of focal symmetrical encephalomalacia and the tunicaminyluracil toxicities known as annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) toxicity, annual beard grass (Polypogon monspeliensis) toxicity, blow away grass (Agrostis avenaceae) toxicity, and water damaged wheat (Triticum aestivum) toxicity. A dichotomous system is presented for the differential diagnosis of these groups of conditions.
Studies on failure of T strain live Babesia bovis vaccine
Authors: BOCK RE , DE VOS AJ , LEW A. , KINGSTON TG , FRASER IR 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Field investigations of the protection afforded by the Australian live Babesia bovis vaccine used in the early 1990s (T strain) revealed inadequate vaccine‐induced protection in certain herds. Vaccination/challenge trials using 207 experimental cattle were conducted to evaluate the protection afforded by T strain B bovis against field isolates from these herds. The trials investigated whether isolates that could ‘break‐through’ T strain immunity were present in the field, the ability or inability of specific cattle to develop protective immunity after vaccination with T strain and the effect of attenuation and maintenance procedures on the immunogenicity of T strain. The results showed that B bovis parasites present early in the process of attenuation of T strain were more protective than those remaining late in the process. They also showed that cattle from properties experiencing vaccine failures were less protected by T strain vaccination than Bos taurus cattle randomly selected from the general population if vaccinated with highly attenuated T strain. A hypothesis is offered to explain these findings.