1939 Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Science and Animal Industry, Volume 12, 1939

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Contentes Pages: Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, Vol ??, 19??

CONTENTS

*Volume 12: Number 1*

Section I: Bacteriology

The preparation of anthrax spore vaccines (for cattle and sheep) in South Africa	Sterne, M & Robinson, EM	9

Section II: Parasitology

Some helminths of South African lizards	Malan, JR	21

South African helminths, Part VI. Some helminths, chiefly from rodents	Ortlepp, RJ	75

Further notes on species of Trichodectidae with descriptions of new species	Bedford, GAH	103

Notes on Menoponidae (Mallophaga) with descriptions of new genera and species	Bedford, GAH	121

Section III: Plant Physiology and Poisonous Plants

The Senecio Alkaloids, Part I. The isolation of isatidine from Senecio retrorsus and Senecio isatideus	De Waal, HL	155

Section IV: Toxicology

Water poisoning in man and animal, together with a discussion on urinary calculi	Steyn, DG & Reinach, N	167

Section V: Sex Physiology

Researches into sterility of cows in South Africa. The influence of (1) dry rations and (2) lack of exercise on sexual maturity and the duration of the ovarian cycle in beef heifers	Quinlan, J, Roux, LL & Van Aswegen, WG	233

Observations on the gestation period of Ronderib-Afrikaner sheep	Quinlan, J, Claassens, CC, Bonsma, HC & Rose, PD	251

Section VI: Animal Industry

Methods for determining length in the merino fleece	Bosman, V & Botha, ML	261


*Volume 12: Number 2*

Section I: Bacteriology

The use of saponin spore vaccine for inoculation against anthrax in South Africa	Sterne, M, Robison, EM & Nicol, J	279

Section II: Parasitology

Observations on the life-history of Bunostomum trigonocephalum, a hookworm of sheep and goats	Ortlepp, RJ	305

Section III: Mineral Metabolism and Deficiency

The effect of intermittent starvation on calcification, food utilization, and tissue composition	Kellermann, JH	321

Section IV: Poisonous Plants

Recent investigations into the toxicity of known and unknown poisonous plants in the Union of South Africa. IX	Van der Walt, SJ & Steyn, DG	335

Section V: Nutrition

The effect of supplementing lucerne with cystine and methionine on the growth of rats	Marais, JSC & Smuts, DB	369

Section VI: Zootechny and Meat Research

Factors affecting quality in mutton and beef with special reference to the proportions of muscle, fat, and bone	Hirzel, R	379

Author index		551

Subject index		552

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Now showing 1 - 18 of 18

Factors affecting quality in mutton and beef with special reference to the proportions of muscle, fat, and bone
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1939) Hirzel, R.; Du Toit, P.J.
On the basis of measurements taken at Smithfield Fatstock Show between 1921 and 1932 the subject is discussed under the following heads: mutton: quality as af fected by the proportions of muscle, fat and bone in the carcase; marbling; beef: factors influencing carcase proportions, the texture and tenderness of meat, the colour of meat, the colour of fat, the firmness of fat, the amount of intramuscular fat in the meat and factors influencing the flavour of meat and fat.
The effect of supplementing lucerne with cystine and methionine on the growth of rats
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1939) Smuts, D.B.; Marais, J.S.C.; Du Toit, P.J.
By means of the paired feeding method it was shown that methionine supplemented lucerne significantly better than cystine. If lucerne is supplemented by methionine plus cystine and compared with lucerne supplemented by cystine no difference in total gains between the two comparisons is noted.
The effect of intermittent starvation on calcification, food utilization, and tissue composition
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1939) Kellermann, J.H.; Du Toit, P.J.
Data are presented on the effects of short intermittent fasts on bone calcification, food utilization and tissue composition. No significant differences were found between the percentage ash of femurs of males versus females or control versus fasted animals. No significant differences were found between the control and fasted animals with respect to food utilization but the males made uniformly better use of their food than the females. Intermittent periods of fasting had no effect on the composition of liver and muscle tissues.
Subject index
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1939) Du Toit, P.J.
Author index
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1939) Du Toit, P.J.
The use of saponin spore vaccine for inoculation against anthrax in South Africa
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1939) Sterne, Max; Nicol, J.; Robinson, E.M.; Du Toit, P.J.
(1) Virulent anthrax strains incorporated in saponin retained much of their virulence, and could not be used in vaccines. (2) Italian and American commercial saponin vaccines examined by us did not contain virulent strains. (3) Not more than 0·6 to 1·0 percent saponin should he used, where the dose for bovines is 1·0 c.c. and for sheep 0·5 c.c. (4) Saponin reduced slightly the virulence of vaccine strains for guinea-pigs. (5) Glycerine enhanced the virulence of vaccine strains for guinea-pigs. (6) A large-scale field test failed to show any difference between saponin vaccine and ordinary spore vaccine. (7) Laboratory tests on sheep, showed that saponin considerably increased the immunizing power of ordinary vaccine strains. This phenomenon could also be demonstrated in the case of an avirulent uncapsulated variant. (8) It is suggested that saponin should be used with mild strains to improve immunity, rather than with strong strains to reduce virulence.
Observations on the gestation period of Ronderib-Afrikaner sheep
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1939) Bonsma, H.C.; Rose, P.D.; Quinlan, John; Claassens, C.C.; Du Toit, P.J.
Very little is known of the origin of the Ronderib-Afrikaner sheep, but it is generally believed to have been developed by selection from the indigenous sheep of the fat-tailed type which were in the posession of the Hottentots when the Cape was first occupied in 1652. The Ronderib-Afrikaner is a very hardy breed and is to be found mostly in the dry North Western districts of the Cape Province. As the breed must of necessity continue to play an important part in the farming system of the more arid regions in the Union of South Africa, it was decided to obtain data on the age of sexual maturity, oestrous, the oestrous cycle, and the gestation period of these sheep. This publication deals only with the gestation period. The other aspects of the study on their sex-physiology will appear later.
Researches into sterility of cows in South Africa : the influence of (1) dry rations and (2) lack of exercise on sexual maturity and the duration of the ovarian cycle in beef heifers
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1939) Roux, Lucien L.; Van Aswegen, W.G.; Quinlan, John; Du Toit, P.J.
1. Twenty-eight high grade Sussex X Afrikander heifers, maintained in an artificial environment, enforcing dry rations and restricted exercise, has been observed regarding (1) the length of the period between birth and first oestrus, and (2) the length of the dioestrous cycle. 2. The average age at sexual maturity, or the appearance of the first oestrus, was 628·5 days. Sixteen heifers born during the warm season showed oestrus for the first time at an average age of 553 days. Twelve heifers born during the cold season showed the first oestrus at an average age of 496 days. 3. There was a striking difference in the age of sexual maturity of the heifers born in different years. This difference cannot be explained as all the heifers were kept under similar conditions. The influence of rainfall on sexual maturity was not significant, neither could hereditary influence be proved. 4. The heifers born from cows having access to unlimited sunlight and exercise showed the first oestrus on an average of 133 days earlier than heifers whose mothers were kept with a minimum of sunlight and exercise. However, in view of the fact that there was a significant difference in the age of sexual maturity of the heifers born from two groups of cows with unlimited sunlight and exercise, one group of which was mated six months later than the other, the difference of 133 days must be taken with reserve. 5. The average age of sexual maturity was, as a rule, much greater than that recorded in Europe than America. 6. The total number of dioestrous cycles recorded was 383. The average length of the dioestrous cycle was 20·3 days, with a range of 18 to 23 days for 349 cycles, or 91·12 per cent of the total. There were 34 dioestrous cycles outside this range, or 8·8 percent. These were considered abnormal cycles.
Methods for determining length in the Merino fleece
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1939) Bosman, V.; Botha, M.L.; Du Toit, P.J.
The importance of length as a characteristic of the merino fleece has often been stressed. It has been shown (Bosman 1937) that, in a stud ram producing 40,000 fibres per square inch of skin, every half an inch increase in staple length adds .9 pounds of wool to the scoured fleece, when it is a fine woolled fleece, and 1.4 pounds when it is a course woolled fleece.
The Senecio alkaloids Part I : the isolation of isatidine from Senecio retrorsus and Senecio isatideus
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1939) De Waal, H.L.; Du Toit, P.J.
Isatidine has been isolated not only from S. isatideus D.C. but also from S. retrorsus D.C., not hitherto observed by other workers. S. retrorsus contains as its main alkaloid retrorsine, accompanied by isatidine in lesser quantities. S. isatideus contains as its main alkaloid isatidine, accompanied by very small quantities of retrorsine. The chemical properties of isatidine and isatinecic acid are described, as well as the hydrolysis of isatidine to isatinecic acid and the oxidation of isatidine to oxalic acid. The pharmacology, pathology and further structural results with isatidine will be reported
Notes on Menoponidae (Mallophaga) with descriptions of new genera and species
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1939) Bedford, G.A.H.; Du Toit, P.J.
The family Menoponidae has recently been split up into several new genera, but the characters used for separating these genera have not always been of generic significance. For instance, as Ferris (Bern. P. Bishop Mus. Honolulu, Bull. 98, p. 53, 1932) has pointed out, certain genera have been created on the basis of the absence of gastric teeth. He stated that gastric teeth were present in all the species he examined, and that it was his belief that they were present in all species. With this I concur, but they may be absent in mounted specimens, especially if the specimens are pricked with a pin and the stomach contents gently pressed out before they are mounted.
Water poisoning in man and animal, together with a discussion on urinary calculi
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1939) Steyn, Douw G.; Reinach, Norman; Du Toit, P.J.
Points concerning the harmful effects of drinking water upon man and animal are discussed: (a) Poisoning with excessive quantities of "normal or wholesome water" (Ill A). (b) Poisoning due to the drinking of excessively cold water (II B). (c) Poisoning due to drinking of distilled water (Ill). (d) Poisoni.ng due to drinking of excessively mineralised waters (IV). (e) The role played by excessively saline waters in the causation of urinary calculi (V).
Further notes on species of Trichodectidae with descriptions of new species
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1939) Bedford, G.A.H.; Du Toit, P.J.
Werneck (Mem. do lnstit. Oswaldo Cruz, XXXI, iii, pp. 496-589, 1936) recently reduced the family Trichodectidae to a single genus, but such a procedure is unwarrantable. If one examines casually the figures of species in books it is usually possible to say from what kinds of animals the specimens had been obtained. For instance, one cannot mistake species taken from cats and mongooses, they all show a family likeness, likewise species found on various other groups of animals, and for this reason I consider they should be placed in separate genera. Some time ago I received from Mr. G. B. Thompson three new species of Trichodectidae taken off Procavia emini in the Belgian Congo. Two of these species were typical parasites of procaviidae, but the specimens (a female and a male) of the third species were undoubtedly stragglers; a mere glance at these was sufficient to convenience that they were not parasites of Procavia, but a new species of Trichodectes parasitic on a species of Canidae, or animal closely related to the Canidae. If one segregates the species of Trichoclectidae into different genera, and finds that by doing so the species tell one something about their hosts, then I feel that one is justified in splitting up the family. The same applies not only to the species of Mallophaga parasitic on mammals, but also to those parasitic on birds. The generic characters may not always be very striking, but no one could confuse, let us say, species of Actronith ophilus, which are parasitic on Charadriiformes, with species of Heleonomus, parasites of cranes. It is impossible to lay down any hard and fast rules as to what should be considered generic characters, because what may be a generic character in one family may not be a generic character in another.
Recent investigations into the toxicity of known and unknown poisonous plants in the Union of South Africa IX
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1939) Van der Walt, S.J.; Steyn, Douw G.; Du Toit, P.J.
The toxicity of thirty-three plants was investigated. According to the available literature the following ten plants were proved for the first time to be toxic: Lotononis laxa, Cotyledon coruscans, Cotyledon campanulata, Asaemia axillaris, Zygophyllum Morgsana, Urginea sp., Hymenocylus Smithii, Drosanthemum sp. probably D. hispidum, Chironia baccifera and Senecio sp. ab. Kraamwinkel, Settlers, July, 1937. It was also established that Dimorphotheca caulescens and Dichrostachys nyassana contain hydrocyanic acid. It is interesting to note that according to our present knowledge we can divide the poisonous species of cotyledon into three groups according to the symptoms caused by them, viz (A) those species (C. decussata, C. ventricosa, C. obovata, C. Wallichii, etc., containing cotyledontoxin), which cause “Krimpsiekte" (cotyledonosis), (B) those species (C. campanulata) which contain hydrocyanic acid, and (C) those species (C. coruscans) which cause pronounced gastrointestinal irritation (haemorrhagic enteritis). The active principle responsible for the severe irritation is unknown. The species of Cotyledon coruscans tested by us, however, also contained a small quantity of cotyledontoxin, but not in such quantities as to cause ''krimpsiekte''.
Observations on the life-history of Bunostomum trigonocephalum, a hookworm of sheep and goats
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1939) Ortlepp, R.J.; Du Toit, P.J.
1. Eggs passed in the faeces of sheep or goats or obtained from the uteri or gravid females are able to hatch in from 24 to 36 hours under suitable conditions of aeration, temperature and moisture. 2. The larvae have three preparasitic stages each separated by an ecdysis. The cuticle of the second stage is retained as a protective sheath for the third or infective stage which is reached in five to eight days after hatching. 3. Morphologically and biologically the different larvae are practically identical to those of Gaigeria pachyscelis. 4. Infection of the host takes place either by penetration of the skin or via the mouth. 5. After penetrating the skin the larvae proceed to the lungs which they reach within six days; the route taken is presumably via the blood stream. 6. In the lungs the larvae remain for about five days during which period they feed, grow and pass into the fourth stage provided with a provisional buccal capsule. 7. The larvae now migrate to the intestine presumably via the trachea, mouth and oesophages. When first seen in the intestine they have already shed their sheath, but no sex differentiation is yet evident; sex differentiation sets in about four days later. Buccal lancets also appear. 8. The larvae attach themselves to the intestinal villi and feed on the liberated blood. They grow and begin to pass into the final or fifth stage in about a week after reaching the intestine. 9. Final ecdysis takes place about 10 days later. 10. Growth continues and the egg laying stage is reached in nine to ten weeks after infection.
South African helminths Part VI : some helminths, chiefly from rodents
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1939) Ortlepp, R.J.; Du Toit, P.J.
Of 10 new species of helminths described 7 are from rodents, 2 from antelopes and I from the rock rabbit, viz., Paralibyostrongylus vondioei gen. and sp. nov. from the cane rat; Longistrongylus schrenki sp. nov. from the waterbuck; Paracooperia raphiceri sp. nov. from the steenbuck; Longistriata (L.) capensis sp. nov., Heligmonoides stellenboschius sp. nov. and Hehgmospiroides spira gen. and sp. nov. from mice; Libyostrongylta bathyergi sp. nov., Longistriata (L.) bathyergi sp. nov. and Heterakis macrospiculum sp. nov. from the dune mole; and Theileriana brevioesophagus sp. nov. from the rock rabbit. R.T.L.
Some helminths of South African lizards
(Pretoria : The Government Printer, 1939) Malan, J.R.; Du Toit, P.J.
The helminths of South African lizards collected by Malan show a high degree of host-specificity. Among the species recorded the following are new: Paradistomum zonuri n. sp. and Thubunaea impar n. sp. from Zonurus cordylus; Oochoristica africana n. sp. from Agama hispida; Pharyngodon mabuiensis n. sp. from Mabuya trivittata; Thelandros rotundus n. sp. from Agama atra and Pseudocordylus rnicrolepidotus. Several generic diagnoses are discussed and emended. Notes are given on host-specificity, infection percentages and possible life-histories.
The preparation of anthrax spore vaccines (for cattle and sheep) in South Africa
(Pretoria : The Government Printer, 1939) Sterne, Max; Robinson, E.M.; Du Toit, P.J.
Anthrax spore vaccines have been used in South Africa for the past seventeen years with, on the whole, very satisfactory results. In the course of time the original methods of preparing the vaccine have been somewhat modified, and we think the publishing of the modifcations recently introduced may interest other workers in this field

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