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PubMed2002

Prevalence of Escherichia coli serogroups and human virulence factors in faeces of urban Canada geese (Branta canadensis).

This was the first study to exhaustively characterize the prevalence of Escherichia coli sero-groups in any wildlife species. Faecal samples from Canada geese (Branta canadensis) were collected over a single year in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. The overall prevalence for E. coli ranged from 2% during the coldest time of the year to 94% during the warmest months of the year. During the time of year when nonmigratory geese dominated the local goose population (March-July) the prevalence of enterotoxogenic (ETEC) forms of E. coli was 13.0%. The prevalence of enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) forms was 6.0%, while prevalence for enteroinvasive (EIEC) and enteroagglomerative (EAEC) forms was 4.6 and 1.3%, respectively, during the same period. We also examined all samples positive for E. coli for genes coding for virulence factors, including: SLT-I, SLT-II, eae, hly-A, K1, LT, STa, STb, CNF1, and CNF2. Three isolates were positive for human virulence factors, representing a 2% prevalence for faeces containing potential human toxins. Genes for STa were isolated from ETEC strains O-8 and O-167, while the gene for K1 was isolated from an O-8 (ETEC) serogroup. These data will prove useful in focusing attention on the risks that increasing populations of urban Canada geese pose to public health.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Dynamics of yolk sac resorption and post-hatching development of the gastrointestinal tract in chickens, ducks and geese.

Under similar environmental conditions, 100 male Shaver-Starbro hybrid chickens, 100 male Mulard cross-line ducklings and 100 male Landaise goslings kept in 30 metabolic cages from the first day of life (10 birds of each species separately per cage) were chosen for the study. The animals were fed semi ad libitum diets with crude protein content and energy density similar to that used for poultry species, avoiding feed residues. During the first 21 days of life they received starter diets and from day 22 to 42 grower diets. Maize accounted for 23-40% and barley constituted 10-18%. Wheat accounted for 20.0% in starter diets and 10-18% in grower diets. Resorption of yolk sac residues, performance, development of the intestinal tract in young chickens, ducklings and goslings were assessed. During the first 5 days of life intensive absorption of yolk sac ingredients was observed. On day 7, residues of the yolk sac were found in more than 30% of chickens compared with approximately 10% in geese. In ducklings residues of the yolk sac were not found. On day 16 unabsorbed yolk sacs were found in approximately 10% of chickens. Liver and pancreas weighed the highest in geese and in ducks; in chickens the weight of these organs was significantly lower (p < 0.01). The relative values calculated to 100 g of metabolic body weight show that the average small intestine in chickens was significantly longer (p < 0.01) than in ducks or geese. The intestinal tract developed earlier in the chicken than in the water fowl.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1994

Isolation of mycoplasmas from clinically healthy adult breeding geese in Germany.

Cloacal swabs from adult breeding geese of both sexes from six separate farms were culturally examined for mycoplasmas. Geese from these flocks did not show any clinical signs of illness, increased mortality or drop in egg production during the reproductive season. The results revealed the presence of mycoplasmas in all the flocks tested. Mycoplasma (M.) cloacale was found in 6 flocks, M. anseris in 4 flocks, Mycoplasma species 1220 in 3 flocks and non-identifiable Mycoplasmas in 2 flocks. More than one Mycoplasma species was simultaneously isolated from 14 out of 37 geese.

Animals↗

PubMed1975

The control of adaptive hypertrophy in the salt glands of geese and ducks.

1. Factors controlling adaptive hypertrophy, which occurs when marine, or potentially marine, birds drink salt water, have been investigated in geese and ducks using changes in salt-weight weight, RNA and DNA contents as indices of this process. 2. Unilateral post-ganglionic denervation in geese prevented the changes in [RNA] and [RNA]:[DNA] that occurred in the intact gland of birds given salt water for 24 hr; denervation had no significant effect in birds on fresh water throughout. 3. Atropine treatment also prevented the adaptive changes in geese given salt water. 4. In ducks give 0.3 M-NaCl for 48 hr salt-gland weight, [RNA] and [RNA]:[DNA] increase markedly. Treatment of ducks drinking fresh water with large doses of corticosterone and mammalian ACTH for 48 hr had no significant effects on salt-gland weight, RNA or DNA; mammalian prolactin treatment for 48 hr significantly raised [RNA]. 5. No changes in the total amount of DNA in the glands were observed in these experiments, thus indicating that hyperplasia does not occur within 48 hr of a bird first drinking salt water. 6. It is concluded that adaptive hypertrophy is controlled by secretory nerves, and that hormones, if they play any part in this process, have a permissive or secondary role. It is suggested that hypertrophy and the maintenance of the secretory cells in the fully-adapted state may be obligatorily related to secretory activity induced by cholinergic secretory nerves.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1999

Seasonal enumeration of fecal coliform bacteria from the feces of ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) and Canada geese (Branta canadensis).

Water suppliers have often implicated roosting birds for fecal contamination of their surface waters. Geese and gulls have been the primary targets of this blame although literature documenting the fecal coliform content of these birds is quite limited. To determine the actual fecal coliform concentrations of these birds, fecal samples from 249 ring-billed gulls and 236 Canada geese in Westchester County, N.Y., were analyzed over a 2-year period. Results indicate that gull feces contain a greater average concentration of fecal coliform bacteria per gram (3.68 x 10(8)) than do goose feces (1.53 x 10(4)); however, average fecal sample weights of the geese were more than 15 times higher than those of the gulls.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Host-adapted Cryptosporidium spp. in Canada geese (Branta canadensis).

The prevalence and distribution of Cryptosporidium spp. in the fecal droppings of the free-living waterfowl Canada geese were examined at 13 sites in Ohio and Illinois. On the basis of the analysis of the small-subunit rRNA gene by PCR, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing, 49 (23.4%) of 209 fecal specimens collected from 10 sites (76.9%) were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. The following five Cryptosporidium species and genotypes were identified: Cryptosporidium goose genotype I (in 36 specimens), Cryptosporidium goose genotype II (in 9 specimens), Cryptosporidium duck genotype (in 1 specimen), Cryptosporidium parvum (in 4 specimens), and C. hominis (in 2 specimens). Cryptosporidium goose genotype I was the most prevalent parasite and was found at all five Cryptosporidium-positive sites in Ohio and at four of five positive sites in Illinois, followed by Cryptosporidium goose genotype II, which was found at two of five positive sites in Ohio and at four of five positive sites in Illinois. Cryptosporidium goose genotype II was detected for the first time, and it is phylogenetically related to goose genotype I and the duck genotype. All three genotypes have not so far been reported in humans, and their pathogenicity in geese has not been determined. Only 10.2% of the Cryptosporidium-positive specimens had C. parvum and C. hominis. The results of this study indicate that Canada geese might only serve as accidental carriers of cryptosporidia infectious to humans and probably play a minor role in the animal-to-human transmission cycle of the pathogen.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1984

Sleep changes in long-term fasting geese in relation to lipid and protein metabolism.

The proportion and the distribution over 24 h of the different arousal stages characterized in geese--wakefulness (W), drowsiness (D), and slow-wave (SWS) and paradoxical sleep (PS)--were studied in caged birds when fed and then fasted during about 40 days. In both the fed and fasted state, each arousal stage was distributed through numerous episodes of a short duration. The geese slept a little more during the night than during the day, a difference that was moderately emphasized during the fast. Fasting induced only a slight decrease in W. There were important changes in SWS and D in relation to the periods of fasting that were previously found to correspond to changes in lipid and protein utilization. When proteins were spared and lipids accounted for most of the energy expenditure, the fasted geese went more and more rapidly from W to SWS (proportion of D decreased from 33 to 13%/day) and slept for progressively longer periods (SWS increased from 23 to 49%/day). By contrast, when protein utilization rose, the general trend in sleep was a decrease in SWS and an increase in D. During the fast, changes in PS were in the same proportion as those in SWS. These reactions are examined for their implications in energy-saving and sleep mechanisms.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Effect of feeding green onions (Allium ascalonicum) to White Chinese geese (Threskiornis spinicollis).

Sudden increase in mortality was observed in 2 different flocks of mature breeder geese fed green onions. At necropsy, birds had pale epicardium with random petechiation, sanguinous fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac, and mild swelling of the liver and spleen. Histologically, there was accumulation of hemosiderin in hepatocytes, Kupffer cells of the liver, macrophages, and renal tubules. There was also moderate to severe hepatic necrosis, vacuolation of hepatocytes, splenitis, and renal tubular nephrosis. To assess the effects of green onion ingestion, 2 feeding trials were carried out in 3 mature White Chinese geese. In the first trial, onions were thoroughly mixed with pellet maintenance ration. In the second trial, onions were offered in a separate trough from the pelleted diet. During the 21 days of experiments, the red blood cell count and hematocrit decreased, whereas the polychromasia and reticulocyte estimate increased. The blood changes were more marked in birds from the second feeding trial. Gross and histologic changes were similar in both trials. Mild swelling and severe darkening of the liver were the only significant findings at necropsy. Histologically, the liver looked similar to that seen from the field outbreak. The liver contained moderate amounts of hemosiderin in the hepatocytes and Kupffer cells, and had centrolobular necrosis and vacuolation of hepatocytes. This experimental study demonstrated that anemia and liver pathology could be caused by ingestion of onions. Furthermore, Heinz bodies are not a consistent finding in the blood of geese fed onions.

Anemia↗

PubMed2005

Seasonal changes in plasma dehydro-epiandrosterone (DHEA) levels of domestic geese.

Changes in plasma DHEA, testosterone (T) and 17-B-oestradiol (E2) levels were examined in domestic geese of both sexes in the fall and winter. The levels of steroid hormones were determined in blood plasma by means of radio-immunoassay (RIA). A so-called second (autumn) cycle was induced in geese via a dark-room preparation and natural keeping conditions. The plasma levels of DHEA showed a minor peak at onset of the autumn breeding and a major one prior to the more intense spring reproduction in both sexes. The seasonal curves of plasma DHEA appeared fairly similar in ganders and layers and without considerable differences between the absolute values. In ganders, plasma DHEA peaks preceded the elevations in T levels in the fall and spring alike. With layers, in turn, the autumn and spring peaks of plasma DHEA appeared after the peaks in E2 levels. With ganders, the concentration of plasma T seemed to predominate between the two androgens throughout the experimental period. With layers, in turn, the concentration of DHEA surpassed the level of plasma E2 at the time of the peak periods and other times during the study, as well. In domestic geese, DHEA is probably involved in the autumn physiological processes and the induction of reproduction during fall and early spring periods, alike.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Altered porphyrin excretion and histopathology of greylag geese (Anser anser) exposed to soil contaminated with lead and arsenic in the Guadalquivir Marshes, southwestern Spain.

Greylag geese (Anser anser) in the Guadalquivir Marshes (southwestern Spain) can be exposed to sources of inorganic pollution such as heavy metals and arsenic from mining activities or Pb shot used for hunting. We have sampled 270 fecal excreta in different areas of the marshes in 2001 to 2002 to evaluate the exposure to Pb, Zn, Cu, Mn, and As and to determine its relationship with soil ingestion and with the excretion of porphyrins and biliverdin as biomarkers. These effects and the histopathology of liver, kidney, and pancreas were also studied in 50 geese shot in 2002 to 2004. None of the geese had ingested Pb shot in the gizzard. This contrasts with earlier samplings before the ban of Pb shot for waterfowl hunting in 2001 and the removal of Pb shot in points of the Doñana National Park (Spain) in 1999 to 2000. The highest exposure through direct soil ingestion to Pb and other studied elements was observed in samples from Entremuros, the area of the Doñana Natural Park affected by the Aznalcóllar mine spill in 1998. Birds from Entremuros also more frequently showed mononuclear infiltrates in liver and kidney than birds from the unaffected areas, although other more specific lesions of Pb or Zn poisoning were not observed. The excretion of coproporphyrins, especially of the isomer I, was positively related to the fecal As concentration, and the ratio of coproporphyrin III/I was positively related to fecal Pb concentration. Biliary protoporphyrin IX concentration was also slightly related to hepatic Pb concentration. This study reflects biological effects on terrestrial animals by the mining pollution in Doñana that can be monitored with the simple noninvasive sampling of feces.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Helminths of wintering geese in Texas.

Ten Canada geese (Branta canadensis), 24 snow geese (Chen caerulescens) and 22 white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) from coastal Texas (USA) were examined for helminths. Three cestode, seven nematode, and three trematode species were collected. Gizzard nematodes (Amidostomum anseris, A. spatulatum and Epomidiostomum crami) infected 53 of 54 birds. Gross lesions were not attributed to helminth infections and the host population does not appear to be impaired by them.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Treatment of lead poisoning in wild geese.

Twenty-seven wild geese (Anser albifrons) suffering from lead poisoning caused by ingestion of lead shot were treated with disodium calcium ethylenediaminetetraacetate. The concentration of lead in blood ranged from 0.4 to 23.0 micrograms/ml, with a mean concentration of 5.6 micrograms/ml. In 22 of the birds, 1 to 48 lead pellets (mean, 10.5 pellets/bird) were seen on radiographs of their gizzards. Eleven of 27 birds recovered 3 to 8 weeks after the initiation of treatment. In the birds that recovered, the lead pellets were rapidly eroded as the birds recovered their appetites in response to treatment, and disappeared radiographically between treatment days 17 and 52. The birds that did not survive died within 4 weeks, despite decreased concentrations of lead in blood. Of these 16 birds, 15 had radiographic evidence of impaction of the proventriculus at the first examination and no evidence of resolution of the impaction at the time of death. In contrast, only 2 of the 11 geese that recovered had impaction of the proventriculus at the time of admission. Thus, the condition of the proventriculus seems to be the first consideration to evaluate in the prognosis of lead poisoning in geese.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

[Ergotrophic action of flavophospholipol during the fattening of geese].

Experiments were carried out with a total of 144 geese of the Benkovska breed divided into 6 groups of 24 birds each. The average weight was 3.5 kg, the birds being compulsory fattened with steamed maize over an average period of 27 days. Flavophospholipol (flavofarm-NIHFI) was given at rates of 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 ppm. The method of positive control check was employed--a group which was offered zinc-bacitracin--(bacifarmin) at 30 ppm. Under the effect of flavophospholipol the weight gain was 2.2 to 21.2 per cent higher, and the weight of the liver rose by 1.4-23.1 per cent. The intake of maize per kg of gain dropped by 2.5 to 15.7 per cent, and it was 1.8 to 16.9 per cent lower per kg of liver. When flavophospholipol was given at 16 ppm, a maximum effect was produced--21.0 percent higher gain, 23.1 per cent increase of the liver weight, 15.7 per cent drop of maize intake per kg of gain, and 16.9 per cent drop of maize intake per kg of liver. With geese that were offered bacifarmin these indices were 3.3, 11.9,, 4.8, and 10.7 per cent, respectively. The amount of flavophospholipol used correlated positively with its ergotropic effect. The liver quality with geese treated with flavophospholipol and bacifarmin was higher. No residual amounts of flavophospholipol were found in the meat, liver and viscera of the treated birds.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1980

[Weight and chemical makeup of the liver of geese during fattening].

Experiments were carried out with regard to certain changes in the liver of geese during their fattening period. The observations were made before the fattening of the geese, namely on the 5th , 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th and 33rd days of the fattening. It was established that during the fattening period the weight of the liver was constantly increasing, especially between the 20th and 25th days. During the fattening their water contents decreased. This tendency was most pronounced after the period of pecking was over. As the process of fattening advanced, the dry substance in the liver increased and the highest increase (by 10.21%) was observed during the interval between the 15th and 20th days. The percentage of the total lipids in the liver increased progressively up to 18.9 times. In the case of unfattened geese the satiated free butyric acids prevailed. In the process of fattening their quantity decreased, whereas that of the unsatiated butyric acids increased.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed1981

[Changes in myocardial ultrastructure in geese overfed at different altitudes].

In the experiments the method of intensive feeding of geese (hybrid Ivages with steamed maize for a period of 32 days at two different altitudes was used (146 m above sea level and 974 m above sea level). Changes of the ultrastructure of the heart muscle of these animals were investigated. At both levels a marked lipid infiltration of myocardial cells was observed, formation of a large number of myelin-like structures, contractures of myofibril bundles, enhanced lobe formation of nuclei and marked abundance of pinocytic vacuoles in endothelials of capillaries. In geese from the high altitude the extent of fatty infiltration, the number of myelin-like structures and contractures of myofibril bundles was smaller than at the lower altitude. Probably during the more than one-month stay of the geese at the higher altitude as part of adaptation processes a population of "young" smaller mitochondria developed which represented a 10% increment of mitochondria which was confirmed also by morphometric methods.

Altitude↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Experimental transmission of duck hepatitis B virus to Pekin ducks and to domestic geese.

We investigated experimental transmission of duck hepatitis B virus to its original host, the domestic Pekin duck, and to three other avian species. Intramuscular injection of a standard inoculum of duck hepatitis B virus into 2- to 5-day-old Pekin ducklings hatched from a duck hepatitis B virus-free flock resulted in viremia in 100% of 107 animals, indicating that duck hepatitis B virus infection of young progeny of a defined duck hepatitis B virus-free flock occurs reproducibly. When the same inoculum was injected into chicks and Muscovy ducklings of the same age, no evidence of viral infection was detectable. In contrast, hatchlings of two domestic breeds of geese were readily infected by duck hepatitis B virus, developing viremia at a slower rate than Pekin ducklings, but a higher average titer of viremia 4 weeks or more after injection. Neither the pattern of restriction enzyme sites in the viral DNA nor the susceptibility of ducklings to the virus were detectably altered after passage in geese. As in duck hepatitis B virus-infected young ducklings, most of the experimentally infected goslings appeared to be persistently infected and those eventually laying eggs transmitted virus to the progeny. While ducklings exhibited a fairly uniform inflammatory response to the virus, duck hepatitis B virus inoculation of the goslings resulted in both inflammation and an altered hepatocellular morphology not seen in uninjected controls. The host range of duck hepatitis B virus appears to be limited to the primary host and a close taxonomic relative, similar to other members of the hepadnavirus family, hepatitis B virus and ground squirrel hepatitis virus.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

H5N1 influenza viruses isolated from geese in Southeastern China: evidence for genetic reassortment and interspecies transmission to ducks.

The H5N1 viruses (H5N1/97) associated with the "bird-flu" incident in the Hong Kong SAR have not been isolated since the slaughter of poultry in December 1997 brought that outbreak to an end. Recent evidence points to this virus as having arisen through a reassortment of a number of precursor avian viruses and a virus related to Goose/Guangdong/1/96 (H5N1) (Gs/Gd/96) was the likely donor of the H5 hemagglutinin. We characterize the Goose/Guangdong/1/96-like viruses isolated from geese and ducks imported into Hong Kong in the year 2000. Antigenically and genetically, these recent H5N1 viruses fall into two groups, one mainly associated with geese, and the other, recently transmitted to ducks. Further, viruses isolated from a goose and a duck in December 2000 have acquired NS, PA, M, and PB2 genes from the aquatic avian influenza gene pool through reassortment. For pandemic preparedness, it is important to monitor whether these reassortant viruses have the capacity for interspecies transmission to terrestrial poultry or mammals.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Calibration of mitochondrial DNA evolution in geese.

Mitochondrial DNA was purified from five American species of geese representing the genera Anser and Branta, which have fossil records. The results of electrophoretic comparisons of about 75 fragments per individual produced by 14 restriction enzymes imply that the mean extent of sequence divergence between species of Anser and Branta is about 9%. Fossil evidence suggests that these two groups of geese had a common ancestor 4-5 million years ago. Thus, the mean rate of sequence divergence in goose mitochondrial DNA is not far from 2% per million years, the value in mammals.

Animals↗