No abstract

Standard limb, six lead (I, II, III, aVR, aVL, and aVF) electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded in 10 awake mature rock partridges (Alectoris graeca) and 10 chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar). Durations and amplitudes of P and T waves and QRS complexes, durations of P-Q and Q-T intervals, and mean heart rates were calculated from the lead II ECGs. All observable P and T waves were negative in aVR and aVL, whereas they were positive in all remaining leads. The most frequent forms of QRS complex were r-s (r-S) and q-r (q-R). A Q wave was observed in all aVR and aVL leads in both species. Chukar partridges had significantly higher amplitudes of P and T waves and QRS complexes than rock partridges. Mean heart rates were 310+/-15 beats/min and 317+/-19 beats/min for chukar partridges and rock partridges, respectively. Mean electrical axes, calculated from leads II and III, were -99+/-6.3 degrees and -95+/-1.7 degrees for chukar partridges and rock partridges, respectively. Clear ECGs were easily obtainable without anesthesia or sedation.

1. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) on aflatoxin (AF) toxicosis in chicks. 2. Groups of 10 Ross PM3 chicks were given, for 21 d, no AF (C), 60 mg/kg/bwt of alpha-lipoic acid (LA), 150 ppb of aflatoxin (AF1), 150 ppb of aflatoxin plus 60 mg/kg/bwt of alpha-lipoic acid (AF1 + LA), 300 ppb of aflatoxin (AF2), and 300 ppb of aflatoxin plus 60 mg/kg/bwt of alpha-lipoic acid (AF2 + LA). Before the animals were killed, blood samples were drawn for haematological analysis, and then tissue samples were collected for histopathological investigation. Immunohistochemical staining was performed against inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine on liver samples. Apoptotic cell death in liver was assessed by in situ TUNEL assay. The malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations in liver and kidney were also determined. 3. Hydropic degeneration and occasional necrosis, bile duct hyperplasia and periportal fibrosis were observed in the livers of AF-treated groups. The severity of these changes was reduced in LA-supplemented AF groups. Occasionally, thymic cortical atrophy, lymphoid depletion in spleen and bursa of Fabricius, and degeneration in the kidney tubule epitheliums were detected in AF groups. The severity of these degenerative changes was slightly reduced in LA supplemented groups. 4. There was moderate to strong iNOS and nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity in the livers of AF groups, while decreased immunoreactivity was observed against both antibodies in the LA supplemented groups. Apoptotic cells were numerous in the AF groups, while greatly reduced in LA supplemented groups. 5. In the liver and kidney of AF-treated groups given 300 ppb of aflatoxin, MDA concentrations were increased as GSH decreased, compared to the control group. LA supplementation of AF-treated birds improved the results compared to the AF only groups, however a statistical difference was observed only in liver tissues between AF2 + LA and AF2 groups. Haematological variables showed no differences among the groups. 6. In conclusion, supplementation of feed with the antioxidant LA, might ameliorate the degenerative effects caused by aflatoxin due to lipid peroxidation.

Ucar O., M. Kaya, S. Yildiz, F. Onder, M. Cenesiz, M. Uzun: Effect of Progestagen/PMSG Treatment for Oestrus Synchronization of Tuj Ewes to be Bred after the Natural Breeding Season. Acta Vet. Brno 74, 2005: 385-393.The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and progestagen sponge on oestrus synchronization of Tuj ewes mated after breeding season. Body weights (b.w.) and condition scores (BCS) of seventeen mature fat-tailed Tuj ewes were recorded prior to the experiment and they were divided into two compared groups. All the ewes were treated by 30 mg Chronolone-impregnated intravaginal sponges for 14 days. Ewes in the first group (Group I, n = 9) were then injected with i.m. 600 I.U. PMSG upon sponge withdrawal while others, as control (Group II, n = 8) received placebo injection only. Ewes were monitored (at 2 h intervals) for both the signs of oestrus behaviour (classified as attractivity and receptivity) and their durations over the 102 h. Non-return rates were monitored (twice daily) during day 14-21 with the aid of a fertile ram. Lambing rates and litter sizes were recorded following the 150 ± 5 days of inseminations (hand-mating). Results showed that oestrus period was significantly prolonged (P < 0.05) in Group I. Additionally, a positive significant correlation (P = 0.021, R 2 = 0.345) was found between BCS in situ and the litter size, regardless of PMSG administration. Furthermore, regardless of the nature of oestrus (induced or natural) in all the ewes, there was a profound effect of BCS per se on the overall litter size (P = 0.000, R 2 = 0.633). It was significantly higher in ewes that had BCS higher than both 2.0 (P = 0.001, R 2 = 0.633) and 2.5 units (P = 0.001, R 2 = 0.654).In conclusion, PMSG combined with progestagen sponge administration for oestrus synchronization prolonged the duration of oestrus period but with no marked effects on the nonreturn rate, lambing rate or the litter size in Tuj ewes mated after breeding season. During this period, however, body energy reserves appeared to be the major effector of the litter size. Tuj, out-of-season, PMSG, Progesterone, oestrus behaviour, lambingIn general, a number of factors can affect the reproductive activity in sheep. These are: photoperiod (Ortavant et al. 1988), nutrition (Chilliard et al. 1998Ptaszynska 2001), social interactions (Yildiz et al. 2002ab, 2004

The aim of this study was to test whether anoestrous ewes respond differentially, in terms of pulsatile LH release, to sexually activated males or females. For that purpose, anoestrous ewes (n = 21) were divided into three equal groups and placed into three separated rooms. The experiment commenced two months before the expected breeding season. Body weights and body condition scores of ewes were recorded prior to the experiment. Into the Female group (n = 7), long-acting progestins plus oestradiol injected ewes (n = 4) were included; into the Male group (n = 7) longacting testosterone injected rams (n = 4) were included; and into the Control group (n = 7), sexually inactive ewes (n = 4) were introduced. In order to remove the between animal variance, blood samples for LH were taken twice, before and after the introduction, for 8 h at 15 min intervals. The results showed that mean and smoothed mean LH concentrations, LH pulse frequency, LH pulse amplitude and duration were not different between the experimental groups neither before nor after the introduction. However, when the LH data obtained before and after introduction were compared, it was seen that LH pulse frequency tended to decrease following the introduction in Female group (P = 0.078). Body weights and condition scores were not different between the groups but LH pulse frequency was higher in ewes that had condition scores higher than 2.00 units. Additionally, there was a significant positive correlation between condition score and LH pulse frequency (P = 0.004; R 2 = 0.368). In conclusion, it appears that although female sheep tend to reduce LH pulse frequency of anoestrous ewes, body energy reserves appear to be the major effector of LH pulse frequency during the anoestrous period studied.Testosterone, oestradiol, progestin, sexual interactions, body condition score