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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

[DNA fingerprinting and genetic diversity of the European bison (Bison bonasus), American bison (Bison bison), and gray Ukrainian cattle (Bos taurus)].

To describe genetic variability and population diversity in domesticated populations of American bison (Bison bison), aurochs (Bison bonasus), and gray Ukrainian cattle (Bos taurus) different variants of DNA fingerprinting technique (utilizing the M13 phage DNA, (TTAGGG)4 synthetic oligonucleotide, and three arbitrary primers as hybridization probes) were used. Several parameters characterizing polymorphism and genetic diversity levels in each population (species) were evaluated on the basis of the profiles obtained. Dendrograms reflecting similarities between individual animals were constructed. Genetic variability of minisatellite and telomeric markers observed in the gray Ukrainian cattle flock was higher than that in aurochs and bisons. Comparison of the intrapopulation similarity (S) and gene diversity (H) indices along with the analysis of clusters in the dendrograms showed that the relatedness between the aurochs individuals was much higher than between the individual animals in the bison and gray Ukrainian cattle flocks. Furthermore, the gray Ukrainian cattle flock was represented by more distant relatives than the bison flock. It is suggested that reduced genetic variability and the appearance of deviant genotype observed in the two bison lines under selection, resulted from close inbreeding and the founder effect. The diagnostic value and efficacy of utilization of different molecular markers for estimation of genetic diversity and relatedness in domesticated animal populations is discussed.

Americas↗
PubMed2003

Reproductive success of bison bulls (Bison bison bison) in semi-natural conditions.

Sexual size dimorphism has been related to a high variance in male reproductive success. Research on American bison (Bison bison bison), a species that shows moderate sexual dimorphism, has put forward the assumption that under wild conditions the largest part of the female herd is bred by a limited number of males. Thus far, this hypothesis has never been supported by genetic data. The aim of this study is therefore to test the hypothesis of extreme male reproductive variance among bison through the determination of the reproductive success of the bulls in private herds. We analysed genetic paternity in four private herds (n=19, 33, 39 and 54) kept under semi-natural conditions. By analysing blood, hair and tissue samples, using 8-10 polymorphic microsatellites, the reproductive success of the bulls was quantified. Additional genetic data were gathered through a survey distributed among bison breeders with private herds over the world. Results show a highly differential reproductive success for bison males in private herds kept under semi-natural conditions. In each study group, a single male sires at least 70% of the calves. In the survey groups, a single male sires 81-100% of the calves. Only one survey group displayed a deviating pattern showing a more evenly distribution of paternity (28.57, 33.33 and 38.10%) among three same aged subadult males.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Squamous cell carcinoma in an American bison (Bison bison bison).

The following case report is, to the best of our knowledge, the first documentation of a squamous cell carcinoma in a full-blooded American bison (Bison bison bison). This female bison developed an ulcerated lesion on the left flank, at the site of a brand, in the summer of her eighth year. In the winter of her ninth year, as the lesion continued to grow, a biopsy was performed, and a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma was made. Ultimately, there was metastasis to the liver, a lung, and a prefemoral lymph node.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Identification of bovine and novel interferon-tau alleles in the American plains bison (Bison bison) by analysis of hybrid cattle x bison blastocysts.

The objective of this study was to generate bison x cattle hybrid embryos by in vitro fertilization, to assess their developmental potential, to determine the pattern of secretion of the embryonic signaling molecule interferon-tau (IFN-tau), and to identify novel IFN-tau mRNA polymorphism in the American plains bison. A total of 600 bovine oocytes were inseminated with frozen-thawed bison semen. Of these, 40.7% cleaved and 14.8% proceeded to the blastocyst stage. Individual blastocysts were cultured on a basement membrane (Matrigel) and their ability to attach and form outgrowths was monitored. A total of 36 blastocysts were cultured of which 22 formed outgrowths. During individual culture, medium samples were collected and their IFN-tau concentration was measured. On day 6 after onset of individual culture, attached outgrowths produced significantly more IFN-tau than unattached viable or degenerate blastocysts. At this time, female conceptuses also produced significantly more IFN-tau than their male cohorts. However, by day 12 this difference had disappeared. Total mRNA was extracted from three individual outgrowths and analyzed by RT-PCR. Subsequent sequencing of 28 clones showed several known bovine IFN-tau sequences as well as two novel sequences termed bisIFN-tau1 and 2. To determine the origin of these, DNA was extracted from bison semen and analyzed by PCR. One bovine IFN-tau sequence (bovIFN-tau1d) as well as bisIFN-tau2 and a third novel sequence bisIFN-tau3 were detected. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using hybrid embryos for the analysis of developmentally regulated gene expression in species where embryos may not be available.

Alleles↗
PubMed1995

Growth, digestive capability, carcass, and meat characteristics of Bison bison, Bos taurus, and Bos x Bison.

Three experiments involving 39 Bos taurus, 14 Bison bison, and 20 Bos x Bison fed diets differing in proportions of roughage and concentrate to evaluate growth, digestive capability, carcass, and meat characteristics are reported. Bos taurus consumed more (P < .05) feed per day and gained more (P < .05) rapidly than bison or Bos x Bison except during a period of extremely cold weather. Efficiency of gain was similar for all species types. There was no tendency for bison or Bos x Bison to gain more than Bos taurus on the higher-roughage diets. Bison and Bos x Bison had higher (P < .10 to .01) digestion coefficients for all components evaluated (i.e., DM, CP, GE, NDF,hemicellulose, and cellulose). Species x diet interactions were not significant, indicating that the higher digestion coefficients of bison were not specific to high-roughage diets. Bison and their hybrids had more (P < .05) lean meat and less (P < .01) fat trim in all wholesale cuts except the chuck and rib cuts. Fat thickness at the 12th rib of bison was higher (P < .01) than that of Bos taurus because most of the carcass fat of bison is located over the thoracic area. Bison and Bos x Bison had higher (P < .01) dressing percentages and a lower (P < .01) proportion of their carcass in the hindquarter than Bos taurus. Shear force and sensory tenderness scores indicated bison were more (P < .05) tender and had a flavor different (P < .01) from that of Bos taurus. Bison and Bos x Bison had more (P < .01) cholesterol in the longissimus muscle and less (P < .05) in the subcutaneous fat than Bos taurus. Bison had a lower (P < .01) percentage of white and higher percentage of intermediate muscle fibers than Bos taurus with essentially no difference in percentage of red fibers.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Host defense function in neutrophils from the American bison (Bison bison).

Selected host defense functions of neutrophils isolated from American bison (Bison bison) were characterized and compared with those of cattle (Bos taurus). Bison neutrophils had a robust chemotactic response to both IL-8 and LTB(4), with maximal responses occurring at 10(-7) M (IL-8) and 10(-8) M (LTB(4)). The magnitude of the chemotactic response to IL-8 was similar in bison and bovine neutrophils (except at 10(-7) M IL-8, where bison had a stronger response). In response to LTB(4), bison neutrophils had a much stronger chemotaxis at both 10(-8) and 10(-7) M than did bovine cells. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and opsonized zymosan (OpZ) was similar between bison and bovine neutrophils. However, the production of ROS in bison neutrophils stimulated with OpZ was primarily intracellular, while extracellular release of ROS was evident in bovine neutrophils stimulated with OpZ. Like bovine neutrophils, bison neutrophils did not generate a respiratory burst in response to fMLF. Granules prepared from bison neutrophils had potent direct killing action on the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli but failed to kill the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and, at intermediate doses, actually had a permissive effect for this bacteria. Thus, bison neutrophils have potent host defense capabilities similar in quality to those of bovine neutrophils; however, unique differences are present, which may allow bison neutrophils to respond to the distinct immunological challenges that bison encounter.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

An outbreak of sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever in bison (Bison bison) after exposure to sheep at a public auction sale.

An outbreak of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) among bison sold at an auction market was studied for an 18-month period. Forty-five of 163 bison submitted for sale from 8 different bison farms died on 7 other destination farms. The outbreak began on day 50 after the sale, peaked between days 60 and 70, and ended on day 220. Twenty-one dead bison were confirmed to be MCF cases by clinical histories, pathology, and detection of ovine herpesvirus-2 DNA in their tissues with polymerase chain reaction assays. Twenty-four dead bison were classified as suspect MCF cases from clinical histories. No cases of MCF were observed among bison remaining on originating farms or resident bison mixed with sale bison on destination farms. There were no sheep reported within 3 km of originating or destination farms, limiting bison exposure to sheep to the auction facility, where sheep were present for less than 1 day. The outbreak provides an illustration of the temporal distribution of MCF mortality expected in bison and an estimate of the time from exposure until death from MCF after a single short exposure to sheep. The study provides evidence that bison with MCF do not transmit MCF to other bison.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Malignant catarrhal fever in a bison (Bison bison) feedlot, 1993-2000.

A fatal enteric syndrome was identified in American bison (Bison bison) at a large feedlot in the American Midwest in early 1998. An estimated 150 bison died of the syndrome between January 1998 and December 1999. The syndrome was identified as malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), primarily the alimentary form. Clinical onset was acute, and most affected bison died within 1-3 days; none recovered. Consistent lesions were hemorrhagic cystitis, ulcerative enterotyphlocolitis, and arteritis-phlebitis. Vasculitis was milder and more localized than that in cattle with MCF, and in contrast to the situation in cattle, lymphadenomegaly was minimal. Virtually all affected bison examined were positive for ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. A retrospective study of archived tissues established that MCF occurred in the yard as early as 1993. A prospective study was undertaken to establish the importance of MCF relative to other fatal diseases at the feedlot. The fate of a group of 300 healthy male bison in a consignment of 1,101 animals was followed for up to 7 months to slaughter. At entry, 23% (71/300) of bison were seropositive for MCF viruses, and 11% (8/71) of these seropositive bison were PCR positive for OvHV-2. Forty seronegative bison were selected at random from the group, and all were PCR negative for OvHV-2. There was no change in seroprevalence in the group during the investigation. The minimum infection rate for MCF virus was 36.3% (93/256). Twenty-two (7.3%) of the 300 bison in the feedlot died. Of these, 15 had MCF, 4 had acute or chronic pneumonia, and 3 were unexamined. Losses in the entire consignment were higher (98/1,101; 8.8% death loss); 76% of deaths were attributable to MCF. The study failed to reveal a relationship between subclinical infection and development of clinical disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Comparative blood characteristics of ranched and free-ranging American bison (Bison bison).

Blood samples were obtained from 20 bison (Bison bison) from a ranch in northern lower Michigan, as well as from 20 free-ranging bison of the same sex and similar age from the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Hematologic and serum biochemical values were determined. The values were comparable in both groups, except for those for BUN, aspartate transaminase, and phosphorus, which were significantly (P less than 0.001) higher in the ranched bison than in the free-ranging bison. These differences were attributed to nutritional effects. Impact of age on blood characteristics was assessed in the ranched bison only by comparing values from calves weighing less than 185 kg with those from bison weighing more than 185 kg. Calves had significantly (P less than 0.001) higher values for phosphorus and RBC counts and lower total protein values than adults. Adult bison had higher eosinophil and neutrophil counts with lower numbers of lymphocytes, suggestive of a stress leukogram, whereas calves had the typical bovine neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The seasonal fertility of North American bison (Bison bison) bulls.

The objective of this study was to determine the presence and magnitude of seasonal fluctuations in semen quality and other reproductive indices in bison bulls. Testicles from 288 commercially slaughtered bison bulls were collected monthly over a 1-year period. Carcass and testicle weight were determined and measurements of seminiferous tubule lumen, diameter, and epithelial thickness were made. Sperm cell morphology and defects were described and quantified using epididymal semen from each testicle. Twenty-one Plains (Bison bison bison) and Wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) breeding bulls, averaging 6.0 years of age (range 2.5-8.0), from three farms were selected for semen collection and evaluation on the basis of producer co-operation. Semen was collected by electro-ejaculation on four seasonal occasions during a 12-month period. Ejaculate quality was judged on the basis of volume, density, gross and individual motility, morphology, live/dead ratio, and concentration. Sperm cell morphologies were evaluated microscopically and classified according to criteria used for bovine semen. Fecal testosterone was measured at each semen collection using a commercial competitive binding radioimmunoassay. There was an increase in carcass weights over the study period and testis weights were moderately correlated (r=0.44) with carcass weights. However, mean testes weights were heavier (P<0.05) in the summer than in winter, spring, or fall periods. There were no differences in the proportion of normal and abnormal epididymal sperm between seasons but there were seasonal changes in the testicular parenchyma. Seminiferous tubule and lumen diameter, and epithelial thickness were greatest (P<0.05) in summer. Live bulls gained weight between April and November, but lost weight over the winter. Normal sperm cell percentages as well as individual sperm cell motility in electro-ejaculated sperm samples were higher (P<0.05) at the pre-breeding collection relative to other collections, but no change in sperm cell concentrations occurred over the study period. Fecal testosterone concentrations were highest at the pre-breeding period (June) but decreased (P<0.05) in each subsequent collection to reach their lowest levels in the April. While many changes in seen characteristics were not significant, overall results indicate the presence of some reproductive seasonality and increased testicular capacity in the summer breeding season. Bulls showing marginal semen quality in the winter but otherwise carrying desirable genetic traits may warrant another evaluation in late spring prior to being culled from a breeding program.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Pasteurellaceae isolated from tonsillar samples of commercially-reared American bison (Bison bison).

As commercial producers of American bison (Bison bison) become more numerous, concerns relative to bison health management increase. Since loss due to respiratory disease associated with Pasteurella and related Pasteurellaceae is a major concern for cattle producers, a study was conducted to determine what types of Pasteurellaceae are carried by bison to evaluate the potential of pneumonic pasteurellosis in bison herds where management practices are comparable to those used for cattle. Tonsillar biopsies, collected in May (n = 29) and August (n = 25) 1997 from 24- to 30-month-old bison bulls, at the time of slaughter were cultured for Pasteurellaceae. Pasteurella spp. were isolated from all the samples collected in May. These included isolates identified as P. haemolytica, trehalosi, testudinis, and multocida subsp. multocida a and multocida b. Actinobacillus spp. and Haemophilus somnus were also isolated from some samples. Pasteurella spp., haemolytica, trehalosi, and multocida subsp. multocida a, multocida b and septica, plus 2 nonspeciated indole-positive biotypes, U2 and U16, were isolated from the second group of tonsil samples. Most of these organisms, including P. haemolytica, P. multocida subsp., and H. somnus are associated with disease in domestic livestock and should be regarded as potential pathogens for bison, particularly in animals which become stressed by management practices commonly used with cattle such as herding, crowding, and shipping.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1991

Oestrous cycle of the North American bison (Bison bison) characterized by urinary pregnanediol-3-glucuronide.

An enzyme immunoassay for urinary pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide (PdG) was evaluated for the indirect measurement of progesterone metabolites during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy of uncaptured North American bison. Comparisons between plasma progesterone and urinary PdG, dose-response parallelism between the standard curve and diluted urine samples and high-performance liquid cochromatography revealed that PdG was a primary immunoreactive urinary metabolite of progesterone in bison. Urine samples were collected directly from the soil from 29 bison cows during the August rutting season and analysed for PdG. Eight bison cows demonstrated complete oestrous cycles ranging from 19 to 26 days (mean cycle length = 23.12 +/- 0.76 days) and behavioural oestrus among four of these cows correlated with PdG nadirs. Mean PdG nadirs were 63.62 +/- 21.61 ng/mg urinary creatinine (Cr) and mean peak midluteal values were 546.01 +/- 130.73 ng/mg Cr. Seven of eight became pregnant, indicating that bison exhibit a second seasonal oestrus. Eighteen other bison cows were pregnant prior to the beginning of the study and demonstrated non-cyclic increased PdG concentrations (greater than 200 ng/mg Cr) during the 30-day course of collection. Three cows ovulated and became pregnant during the 30-day collection period and then exhibited increasing urinary PdG concentrations. This report demonstrates that ovarian function in uncaptured bison can be monitored by means of urinary PdG and that both ovulatory cycles and early pregnancy can be detected.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Efficacy of ivermectin pour-on against Ostertagia ostertagi infection and residues in the American bison, Bison bison.

Sixteen American bison, Bison bison, were artificially infected with 10(5) infective stage larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi on 21 April 1993. At 42 days post-infection eight bison were treated with 0.5% ivermectin pour-on (500 micrograms/kg bodyweight) and eight treated with the carrier only. Bison were necropsied 17 and 18 days post-treatment (21 and 22 June 1993, respectively). Mean (+/- SE) of 5,413 (+/- 1,716) adults and 565 (+/- 305) immature O. ostertagi were recovered at necropsy from bison treated with the carrier. No O. ostertagi were detected in bison treated with ivermectin pour-on. Based on the levels of the ivermectin marker metabolite in liver and adipose tissue 18 days post-treatment, the established bovine withdrawal time of 48 days appears adequate to insure that violative residues do not occur.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1997

Bacterial survival, lymph node pathology, and serological responses of bison (Bison bison) vaccinated with Brucella abortus strain RB51 or strain 19.

From August 1993 to June 1994, 3 month-old bison (Bison bison) were vaccinated with Brucella abortus strain RB51 (SRB51, n = 6), strain 19 (S19, n = 3), or with saline (n = 1) and serologic responses and persistence of vaccine strains within lymph nodes were monitored. Bison vaccinated with S19 had granulomatous lymphadenitis and greater peak numbers of B. abortus than those vaccinated with SRB51. Bison vaccinated with RB51 had similar histological lesions and B. abortus were still present in lymph nodes at 16 weeks. Although antibodies against RB51 were produced, standard tube agglutination test responses of RB51-vaccinates remained negative. The histological lesions of B. abortus infections in bison were similar to those observed in cattle, but bison did not clear SRB51 as rapidly as cattle.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed2006

The onset of puberty in North American bison (Bison bison) bulls.

Prepubertal testicular development was evaluated in young North American bison (Bison bison) bulls over a 12 months period, by following various parameters of semen quality intended to measure sexual maturity level. The study goals were to characterize bison male reproductive development and to define the age and onset of puberty. Semen was collected by electro-ejaculation from 12 bulls once a month for a period of 12 months, from 13 through 24 months of age. Volume, density, gross motility, individual motility, morphology, live/dead ratio, and concentration were used to judge the quality of the ejaculates. Abnormal sperm were classified into categories according to descriptions used for bovine evaluations and guidelines created by the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners were used for determining satisfactory semen quality. Minimums of 60% progressive motility and 70% normal sperm cells identified samples as satisfactory. Puberty was defined as the point in testicular development where an ejaculate contains a minimum of 50 x 10(6)sperm cells, showing at least 10% progressive motility. Fecal samples collected from bulls prior to electro-ejaculation for testosterone determination by a commercial testosterone specific antibody radioimmunoassay showed no significant changes in mean fecal testosterone concentrations over time. Changes in mean body weights over the study period were calculated, the average body weight at 13 and 24 months of age were 263+/-18.6 and 475+/-52.2 kg, respectively. Under these experimental conditions, age was determined to be the most significant factor in determining the onset of puberty. On average, bulls reached puberty at 16.5+/-2.5 months. There was a significant increase in the number of normal sperm with increasing bull age as well as significant decreases in proximal cytoplasmic droplets and head defects, but no significant changes in midpiece and principal piece defects. There were significant increases with age in individual progressive motility, gross motility, concentration, density, and volume but not in the percent of live sperm. Bison bulls used for breeding should be capable of passing a breeding soundness evaluation by 24 months of age. The commercial bison industry semen tests, and possibly rejects, many developmentally incomplete bulls between 19 and 21 months of age. We suggest that these may actually be developing normally and should not be hastily discarded; it may be worth testing again at 24 months.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2000

Validation of 15 microsatellites for parentage testing in North American bison, Bison bison and domestic cattle.

Fifteen bovine microsatellites were evaluated for use in parentage testing in 725 bison from 14 public populations, 178 bison from two private ranches and 107 domestic cattle from five different breeds. The number of alleles per locus ranged from five to 16 in bison and from five to 13 in cattle. On average, expected heterozygosity, polymorphism information content (PIC) and probability of exclusion values were slightly lower in bison than in cattle. A core set of 12 loci was further refined to produce a set of multiplexed markers suitable for routine parentage testing. Assuming one known parent, the core set of markers provides exclusion probabilities in bison of 0.9955 and in cattle of 0.9995 averaged across all populations or breeds tested. Tests of Hardy-Weinberg and linkage equilibrium showed only minor deviations. This core set of 12 loci represent a powerful and efficient method for determining parentage in North American bison and domestic cattle.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

The pathology of spontaneous paratuberculosis in the North American bison (Bison bison).

Gross and histopathologic examinations were performed on 70 North American bison (Bison bison) from a Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis culture-positive herd. The bison examined were part of a breeding herd totaling 2,800 animals. Eight of 70 (11%) animals had gross findings of intestinal mucosal thickening, and 16 of 70 (23%) of the animals had enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. Histologic lesions compatible with Johne's disease were diagnosed in 30 of 70 (43%) bison on the basis of the demonstration of noncaseating granulomatous inflammatory infiltrates and of one or more acid-fast bacilli characteristic of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis. A suspicious diagnosis of Johne's disease was obtained in 11 of 70 (16%) bison on the basis of the observation of noncaseating granulomatous inflammatory infiltrates without demonstrable acid-fast bacteria. Twenty-nine of 70 (41%) animals were assessed as histologically paratuberculosis free. Histologic results were compared to Johne's disease tests such as culture, serology, and polymerase chain reaction, which were performed on some of the cohort animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Brucellosis in free-ranging bison (Bison bison) from Teton County, Wyoming.

Brucellosis was studied opportunistically in bison (Bison bison) in the free-ranging Jackson herd of approximately 120 in Teton County, Wyoming (USA) in March 1989. Recent abortion was diagnosed in a 2-yr-old cow and Brucella abortus biovar 1 was isolated from vaginal discharge, uterine contents, uterus, and supramammary lymph nodes. Endometritis was characterized by lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates in the lamina propria and neutrophils in uterine glands and within necrotic debris and exudate in the uterine lumen. A 5-yr-old bull had diffuse lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates in epididymis and accessory sex glands; B. abortus was isolated from seminal vesicle and ampulla. Twenty-seven (77%) of 35 bison tested from 1989 to 1990 were serologically positive or suspect on tests for Brucella antibodies. We report the occurrence of abortion due to brucellosis in free-ranging bison in the Jackson herd, suggest that bison in this herd are capable of transmitting brucellosis to other susceptible hosts, and report the first confirmation of brucellosis in this herd.

Abortion, Veterinary↗