Epididymitis Caused by Brucella ovis in a Southern Ontario Sheep Flock.
Epididymitis was diagnosed in three rams in a commercial sheep flock in southern Ontario. The affected rams had palpably enlarged epididymides and two rams had semen which contained inflammatory cells and was of poor quality. Serum compliment fixation titers for Brucella ovis were 1:20, 1:80 and 1:90. Five other rams in the flock were clinically normal and without titers. Two of the affected rams had lesions similar to those produced by experimental infection with B. ovis. The infection in the rams had no apparent affect on ewe performance. The source of the infection remains unknown, but the rams were purchased from a flock which had imported ewes from the western U.S.A.
Ovine contagious epididymitis: a review.
Ovine contagious epididymitis is predominantly associated with Brucella ovis, Actinobacillus seminis and a variety of organisms including Histophilus ovis. Transmission occurs venereally or by homosexual activity and, in the case of Actinobacillus seminis, ewe to lamb transmission is probably important. A chronic infection, mainly in the cauda epididymis may result in formation of spermatic granulomata and a reduction in ram fertility. Eradication of ovine brucellosis can be achieved by serological testing using a complement-fixation test in conjunction with palpation of lesions and removal of reactors. Vaccination to control ovine brucellosis is advocated in some countries. The nomenclature of the group of Gram-negative pleomorphic organisms to which Actinobacillus seminis and Histophilus ovis belong is urgently in need of review. This paper reviews the organisms capable of producing ovine contagious epididymitis, the pathogenesis of the condition as well as methods of diagnosis and control.
Evaluation of antioxidants by a rapid polarographic method
A simple, rapid, precise, and reproducible method and an adaptable apparatus for polarographic measurement of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activity is described. This method measures antioxidant activity within a few min time as compared to the hours or days needed for several widely used methods. Peroxidation rates were measured for different lipids as a function of amount of lipid, and amount of biocatalyst. The method is applicable to the detection and measurement of the antioxidant effects exhibited by weak antioxidants and has been satisfactorily used for the measurement of the antioxidant activity of different concentrations of powerful antioxidants.