Biomedical subjects
G A Sharman
Publications and source records attributed to G A Sharman.
Cerebrocortical necrosis in ruminants: effect of thiaminase type 1-producing Clostridium sporogenes in lambs.
Large numbers of orally inoculated thiaminase type 1-producing Clostridium sporogenes failed to establish in the alimentary tract of two conventionally born lambs. Conversely, when similar inoculations were given to two gnotobiotic lambs, large populations of Cl sporogenes established in their rumens and correspondingly high levels of thiaminase were produced. No clinical symptoms of thiamine deficiency or cerebrocortical necrosis were seen despite the presence of high levels of thiaminase in the rumen of one of the gnotobiotic lambs for a period of 86 days.
Observations on the calving of free-ranging tame red deer (Cervus elaphus).
Calving was observed in 27 farmed red deer, most of which were calving for the first time. On average, parturition lasted 107 min and the placenta was released 98 min after calving. The postnatal development of 23 calves was watched. On average, the first sucking occurred 33 min after birth and the calves were able to stand 47 min after birth. There was wide variation in these times. Male first calves had a mean weight of 6.59 kg and females a mean weight of 6.00 kg, weighed dry after the first sucking. Out of 50 hinds put to the stag at 16 months of age, when their mean weight was 66 kg, 48 calved. None of 56 pregnant hinds, of which 50 were in their first pregnancies, died at calving time. Calf losses were 3 born dead and a further 6 which died soon after calving: these losses were 16.1% of pregnancies and 11.3% of calves born alive.
The isolation and characterization of a Babesia from red deer (Cervus elaphus).
On three occasions, antibody positive blood from wild red deer produced overt infections with Babesia when inoculated into splenectomized red deer. One of the deer also became infected with Eperythrozoon sp. Babesia divergens, B. capreoli and the Babesia of red deer are morphologically similar and the marginal position of the parasites in the host cell is characteristic. Babesia were not seen and no antibody was formed in five out of six splenectomized bovine calves which were injected with parasitaemic red deer blood. Two of these calves when challenged with B. divergens were fully susceptible. A transient infection with the deer Babesia may have occurred in the sixth calf since antibody was detected and the animal resisted challenge with B. divergens. In indirect fluorescent antibody tests there was little or no difference in the titre of sera from naturally or experimentally infected cattle and deer when reacted with B. divergens or the red deer Babesia antigens. Despite their similarities, specific status for B. divergens and the red deer Babesia is probably justified; at present there is insufficient evidence to justify separation of the red deer Babesia from B. capreoli.