Contents page of the issue August 2007




EQUINE
L. Szeredi, M. Günther: Histoplasmosis in a newborn foal / 451
Zs. Simonyi, Zs. K. Faragó, B Szemere., L. Jávorka, A. Gáspárdy: Newer experiences on age related changes of horse teething / 455

BOVINE
Sz. Nagy: Domain specific fluorescent labelling of bull spermatozoa / 464
V. Jurkovich, K. Olaszy, J. Lehoczky, L. Könyves, A. Tirián, E. Brydl: Prevalence of claw disorders in dairy herds / 468

ANIMAL NUTRITION
S. Gy. Fekete: Is protein overfeeding harmful? Critical review / 474

SMALL ANIMALS
P. Zenke, Á. Maróti-Agóts, Zs. Pádár, A. Gáspárdy, I. Komlós, L. Zöldág: Molecular genetic data to evaluate inbreeding in dog populations / 484

PET ANIMALS
J. Gál: Goitre in an Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) / 490
R. Kothe: Therapy of pneumomycosis in parrots – emergency in treatment and case of an African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) / 494

FOOD HYGIENE
R. Kiss, T. Tirczka, G. Szita, S. Bernáth, Gy. Csikó: Listeria monocytogenes food monitoring data and human cases in Hungary in 2004. Secondary communication / 498

ACADEMIC REPORTS, 2007
Veterinary research in 2006 in the light of academic reports. Part 2 / 502

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Congenital cystic kidneys in fallow deer (I. Csapó) / 507

BOOK REVIEW
T. Pécsi (ed.): Artificial insemination of domestic mammals (L. Visnyei) / 509
I. Szendrőy: Under the charm of Brazil. I transferred embryos in Brazil (L. Visnyei) / 510

EVENTS
Diseases of farm animals [Galánta (Slovakia), 5th May 2007] (I. Miholics) / 512

L. Szeredi – M. Günther:
HISTOPLASMOSIS IN A NEWBORN FOAL. CASE REPORT

A newborn foal died in 1 day age after a short period of disease. The laboratory examination of the viscera revealed focal lympho-histiocytic inflammation accompanied by mild neutrophil infiltration in the cortex of kidney. In these foci round microorganisms with a diameter of 2–5 μm and a spherical, deeply basophilic body surrounded by a clear zone encircled by the thin cell wall were seen in the cytoplasm of histiocytes and in the extracellular masses. The microorganisms did not react, with periodic acid-Schiff reaction, poorly strongly stained by Gömöri methenamine and strong by positive with Warthin–Starry silver impregnation. The microorganisms were identified as Histoplasma spp., according to their morphology, which was also confirmed by immunohistochemistry using polyclonal goat anti-Histoplasma spp. antibody. No other bacterial or viral infection were found. To the authors knowledge, this is the first case of reported equine histoplasmosis in Hungary.

Zs. Simonyi – Zs. K. Faragó – B. Szemere – L. Jávorka – A. Gáspárdy:
NEWER EXPERIENCES WITH AGE RELATED CHANGES OF HORSE TEETHING

The authors give a short orientation about the age related parameters of incisors based on the literature, as well as present their own investigation of six parameters (cup depth and its yearly abrasion; area of dental table, length and proportion of dental table’s diameters, incisive arcade). The determination of the dental table’s area and applied method (evaluation of age corrected values by linear regression) in this study is novelty. Their elaboration reaches altogether 107 individuals, three horse types (English thoroughbred, English half-bred, small horse), and two genders (mare, stallion + gelding).
The authors assume that the shallow age corrected (for 3-4-5 years) cup (lower figures than it is mentioned in the literature) in the case of English thoroughbred is the consequence of a selection for early utilisation. The average yearly abrasion found by them is almost the half of the abrasion instanced in the literature (2 mm), and through this, the time for disappearance of cup is supposed to be four instead of three years.
The results got from the area of dental table and from the length of its diameters point out that the English thoroughbred horses have the narrowest incisors. Regarding this breed, they conclude that the general refinement of the whole organism, but especially of the bone system influences the narrowing of the tooth too. According to their observations, the area of occlusial surface is less usable in the age determination, but characterises well the differences being among the incisors, and can be successful in zoological researches.
They receive same proportion of diameters as it is mentioned in the literature (at the levelling 6:3, at 12 years of age 6:4).
The authors find the angle formed between lower and upper pinchers as 140° at the levelling, which significantly differs from the figure given in the literature (180°). The alteration of the incisive arcade is a very slow process. Its average yearly decrease is not exactly 2° after a nine-year-long period of time.

Sz. Nagy:
DOMAIN SPECIFIC FLUORESCENT LABELLING OF BULL SPERMATOZOA

A new fluorescent staining combination was developed for the simultaneous evaluation of the plasma membrane integrity of the sperm head and tail domain and the integrity of the acrosome. This combination has not been applied in spermatological studies yet.

V. Jurkovich – K. Olaszy – J. Lehoczky – L. Könyves – A. Tirián – E. Brydl:
PREVALENCE OF CLAW DISORDERS IN DAIRY HERDS

In the present study the authors have collected data on the prevalence of claw disorders in 7 Hungarian dairy farms. Data collection was carried out on randomly chosen dairy farms at the time of the regular claw trimming in 2005. 37–122 cows from different production groups per farm were studied, giving a total of 540 animals' 2160 claws. During claw trimming data on the prevalence of digital dermatitis (DD), interdigital dermatitis, laminitis, sole ulcer, heel-horn erosion and interdigital hyperplasia were collected. In case of DD the localization and extension of the lesion were recorded. Data on the calving date, locomotion score, body condition score, milk yield, milk fat, milk protein content and somatic cell count of the studied animals were also collected.
A total of 1581 claws were diagnosed with disorder. DD was found the most prevalent (making up 45.9% of all disorders, affecting 33.5% of all claws). It could also be concluded that hind claws are more likely to be affected by different disorders. Dermatitis digitalis were present on 5 predilection areas, out of which the plantar area was affected in most of the cases (81% of all DD cases).
Merely 13 cows out of all studied animals were given a locomotion score 1, meaning that only 2.4% of all animals were not lame. It was observed that lower locomotion scores correlated with lower numbers of claw disorder and smaller DD lesions. It was also found that cows suffering from DD or laminitis are more likely to present other disorders at the same time and be given a higher locomotion score. There was no significant difference between the milk yield and milk composition of lame and healthy animals.

S. Gy. Fekete:
IS PROTEIN OVERFEEDING HARMFUL? CRITICAL REVIEW

The author reviews the potential dietetic and clinical consequenses of long-lasting protein overfeeding. After the short description of the physiological role of proteins and the symptomes and syndromes of their deficiency, the protein metabolism of omnivorous and non-obligate carnivorous monogastrics are interpreted, including the biochemical role of amino acids. This paper examines the effect of protein excess upon the longevity, immune response and acid base balance. Relations of the main target organs (liver and kidneys) of the protein metabolism and the quantity and quality of dietary proteins are also discussed. Finally, the effect of long-lasting protein (mostly methionine) overfeeding on the tumour development is described. As a practical conclusion, the continuous protein excess is not indifferent to the health, reproduction and longevity of animals.

P. Zenke – Á. Maróti-Agóts – Zs. Pádár – Á. Gáspárdy – I. Komlós – L. Zöldág:
MOLEULAR GENETIC DATA TO EVALUATE INBREEDING IN DOG POPULATIONS

In a Hungarian purebred dog population (Mudi) the genetic variance based on STR microsatellites were analyzed. Using 10 polymorphic microsatellites (PEZ1, FHC2054, FHC2010, PEZ5, PEZ20, PEZ12, PEZ3, PEZ6, PEZ8, FHC2079) the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, the genetic variance and heterozygosity was statistically analysed calculating the Shannon’s information and Wright‘s fixation index in a representative dog population of a kennel, consisting of more than 100 individuals. Controlling inbred and presumably depressed dog populations by investigating polymorphic STR microsatellites seems to be a suitable method to evaluate the real genetic status of purebred dog populations and may help in preparing of well-founded breeding and mating (genetic refreshment) decision.

J. Gál:
GOITRE IN AN EGYPTIAN TORTOISE (TESTUDO KLEINMANNI)

Goitre associated with the swelling of the thyroid gland was diagnosed by the author in an Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) that had frequently been fed on cabbage (Brassica oleracea). The histopathological examination of the thyroid gland revealed abnormalities characteristic to typifying struma colloides. In the present account the author draws attention to the risks of feeding food containing substances having a goitrogenic effect to terrestrial tortoises.