Life Sciences Commons^™

Improving Techniques To Study Equine Cervical Mucociliary Clearance, Melissa A. Hawkes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Bacterial uterine infections inflict major losses on the equine breeding industry. These infections usually arise from bacteria introduced at breeding. Micro-currents propelled by ciliated cells between the folds of the uterus and cervix have been proposed as a means by which contaminants are expelled. Previous data have shown possible ciliary micro-currents propelling carbon particles, occasionally rotating, through cervical folds. However, adherence to the epithelium may have interfered with movement of carbon in these studies. Therefore, we tested potentially non-adherent substances to reveal ciliary micro-currents on the equine cervix under high magnification video-endoscopy. We hypothesized that polyethylene green microspheres 1 - …

A Characterization Of Poultry Flocks And Poultry Producers In Maine, Alice Gluchanicz

Honors College

This study sought to characterize backyard poultry flocks and poultry producers’ knowledge of poultry husbandry in Maine. A survey on poultry flock characterization, management, and health was sent to poultry producers living in Maine. Based on the survey, most backyard poultry flocks contained 7-20 birds. Chickens were the predominant poultry species in Maine. Flocks were used primarily for egg production and companionship. Management practices varied greatly among producers, indicating a need for more flock management education. Mites and coccidiosis were the most commonly reported causes of illness by producers, but several diseases affected poultry in Maine. Producers cited the internet …

Developing Learning Models To Teach Equine Anatomy And Biomechanics, Zandalee E. Toothaker

Honors College

Animal owners and professionals benefit from an understanding of an animal’s anatomy and biomechanics. This is especially true of the horse. A better understanding of the horse’s anatomy and weight bearing capabilities will allow people to treat and prevent injuries in equine athletes and work horses. Currently, teaching anatomy is based on dissection of cadavers and study of figures in textbooks. Dissection is expensive and presents logistical difficulties associated with sourcing, storage, and disposal of cadavers. Also, post mortem tissue changes obscure how the muscles support the bones and make the specimens unsuitable for representing biomechanical principles. Cadavers may also …

Purification And Characterization Of A Fish Granzymea Involved In Cell-Mediated Immunity, Yuta Matsuura, Takeshi Yabu, Hajime Shiba, Teruyuki Nakanishi

2nd International Conference of Fish & Shellfish Immunology

No abstract provided.

Antigen Uptake In Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) At Different Life Stages, Louise Von G Jørgensen

2nd International Conference of Fish & Shellfish Immunology

No abstract provided.

Characterization And Functional Analysis Of Interleukin-12 In Amberjack Seriola Dumarili, Megumi Matsumoto Miss, Kyosuke Araki Dr, Kazuma Hayashi Mr, Hiroaki Suetake Dr, Atsushi Yamamoto Dr

2nd International Conference of Fish & Shellfish Immunology

No abstract provided.

Induction Of Cell-Mediated Immune Responses After Vaccination With Inactivated Oil-Emulsion Nocardia Seriolae In Amberjack Seriola Dumerili, Kyosuke Araki, Megumi Matsumoto, Kazuma Hayashi, Atsushi Yamamoto

2nd International Conference of Fish & Shellfish Immunology

No abstract provided.

Induced Inflammation In The Atlantic Salmon Intestine And Epithelial Responses, Håvard Bjørgen, Erling Olaf Koppang, Magne Kaldhusdal, Torfinn Moldal, Ole-Bendik Dale

2nd International Conference of Fish & Shellfish Immunology

No abstract provided.

Efficacy Of Maine Lobster Shell As Treatment For Haemonchus Contortus Parasitism In Sheep, Morgan H. Gustin

Honors College

Lobster shell, a chitin-based material, was applied to the ova, and to the L3 and L4 larval stages of the ruminant nematode Haemonchus contortus to assess its nematicidal effects on the parasite. Methods were developed to more accurately characterize and quantify larvae, including a formalin-kill technique to establish larval viability and a procedure for culturing L3 stage larvae into L4s in AF. Larval cultures containing 80g of fecal matter, 30g vermiculite and 100ml water were treated with various proportions of crushed lobster shell (medium or fine crush) to assess the affect of lobster shell on the maturation of H. contortus …

The Effect Of Management Strategies On Haemonchus Contortus Infections Of Sheep And Goats On Intensively Grazed Pasture, Catherine Werker Pouliot

Honors College

The purpose of this study was to determine how the management strategies used by producers on sheep and goat farms in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont could affect the fecal egg counts of the parasite called Haemonchus contortus in their animals. Surveys about management practices and fecal samples from the juvenile and adult populations were collected during the months of June, July, and August in the summer of 2015. Next, the samples were analyzed and fecal egg counts were determined using the McMaster method and a fluorescence-based H. contortus speciation technique. The fecal egg counts and survey answers were compiled …

Identification Of Internal Parasites Of Sheep And Goats, Amanda Chaney

Honors College

Abomasal worms are a major cause of small ruminant disease. Differentiation of the most pathogenic nematode, H. contortus, from the other common species can be difficult using standard diagnostic fecal floatation techniques because the ova are similar in size and morphology. Known pure culture H. contortus fecal samples from West Virginia University were used to develop morphologic assays using FITC-labeled lectin agglutination and immunocytochemistry to identify species of abomasal worms. These assays were applied to assess disease due to abomasal worms on selected small ruminant farms in Maine. The diagnostic tests were used to test the hypothesis that H. contortus …

Explorations, Vol. 5, No. 2, Kathleen Lignell, Mary Beth Pinto, Susan White, James M. Acheson, Mary Lee, John Field, Eric Beenfeldt, Robert Shepard, M. W. Blumenstock

Explorations — A Journal of Research

Articles include:

Cover: Brian McLain of New Harbor, measuring a V-notched lobster; slide taken by Robert C. Bayer, University of Maine Professor of Animal and Veterinary Sciences.

"April is Aquaculture Month Guest Editorial," by Kathleen Lignell

"Hospital Project Teams: Gaining Cooperation," by Mary Beth Pinto

"The Maine Lobster Institute: Science and Industry Working Together," by Susan White

"The Theory of Common Property Resources: Scientific Law or Myth?" by James M. Acheson

"What do Seedless Watermelons and Triploid Oysters have in Common?" by Mary Lee

"Technology and the Competitive Edge," by John Field and Eric Beenfeldt

"Growing our State Tree Faster: …