Seroepizootiology of types 3 and 7 adenoviruses and bovine viral diarrhea virus infections of beef cattle from birth to first parturition.

Twenty-nine female Angus cattle were monitored from birth until 24 months of age for infection with types 3 and 7 adenoviruses (AV3, AV7) and bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus by virus isolation and neutralization tests. Twenty-seven animals remained in the study for 450 days, whereas 16 animals remained at the conclusion of the tests. Viruses were not isolated from test animals.

Opposing effects of the interferon inducer, avridine: enhancement or suppression of tumor growth depending on treatment regimen.

Tumor growth and regression was studied in C57BL/6J mice injected with Moloney sarcoma virus (MSV) and treated with the interferon (IFN)-inducing drug, avridine. Avridine decreased the persistence of tumors when given one or five days after virus, but shortened the prepatent period and increased persistence if given one day prior to virus. Additional studies were undertaken to study the role that serum interferon and natural killer (NK) cell activity might have in this phenomenon.

Transplacental transfer and colostral concentrations of selenium in beef cattle.

Three groups of 20-month-old pregnant Hereford heifers received 3 regimens of selenium (Se) supplementation. Group 1 received pelleted alfalfa hay, soybean meal, which contained Se (0.313 mg/kg), and 90 mg of Se as sodium selenite/kg of salt-mineral mix ad libitum.

Comparison of selenium levels and glutathione peroxidase activity in bovine whole blood.

Blood glutathione peroxidase activity and selenium levels were found to correlate well, indicating that glutathione peroxidase activity can be used to assess blood selenium levels in beef cattle. The glutathione peroxidase activity of blood is less stable than is the selenium concentration but when blood was stored at 4 degrees C, the glutathione peroxidase activity remained constant for seven days.

Selenium deficiency of beef cattle in Idaho and Washington and a practical means of prevention.

The majority of beef cattle assayed for whole blood glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in Idaho and Washington were deficient in selenium. Cattle in the more arid sections of these states tended to have higher selenium levels than those in areas with moderate and high rainfall. Animals pastured on irrigated forages had lower selenium concentrations than those grazed on dry land pasture.