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Abstract: Two categories of behaviour involving lateralized posture were observed in semi-natural conditions in ostriches (Struthio camelus). Observing preferences for left or right foot, both in the forward foot posture (the foot standing in front at rest) and the starting foot used to initiate locomotion, a population-level right-foot preference was shown for the whole group and for each of the three age ranges considered (chick, young and adult). Ostriches are known to rely upon a lateralized behaviour during hatching (using their right foot to break the egg shell) suggesting the hypothesis that the precocious motor laterality observed at hatching might stand as a precursor of limb preference later in development, as already observed in other avian species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Serological studies in ostriches (Struthio camelus) are important tools to assess the risk of Newcastle disease in these herds and to the national poultry industry. In the present study blood samples were obtained from male and female ostriches without symptoms of the disease, raised in Bahia and São Paulo in order to evaluate the presence of antibodies against Newcastle disease virus using an indirect ELISA. There were collected 339 samples in Bahia and 105 samples in São Paulo. Although the owners guarantee that animals were not vaccinated, it was verified the presence 17,9% positives in Bahia and 4,7% in São Paulo, suggesting contact with vaccinal or field strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ostriches are originated from Africa, and in Brazil they are mostly found in commercial farms which are developing in Brazil due to the great reproductive potential and the great economic value of its products that include meat, leather, feathers and eggs. However, parasitosis causes death of the birds and economic failure. Therefore, the aim of this research was to identify these ectoparasites that infect ostriches from commercial farms in the Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Feathers and heads were collected randomly from 34 ostriches slaughtered in the city of Julio de Castilhos, RS. The feathers, heads and nasal cavity were individually cleaned in water with detergent. Following this, the material was sieved in a 150μm sieve and examined by stereomicroscope to search for ectoparasites search. Lice and mites were found in the feathers. The lices were clarified using metil salicilate and the mites by lactophenol. The lices were identified as Struthiolipeurus rheae and the mites as Struthiopterolichus sculpturatus. This is the first description of these arthropods in ostriches in Rio Grande do Sul. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A myofibril-bound serine protease (MBSP) was partially purified from ostrich (Struthio camelus) skeletal muscle. MBSP was dissociated from the myofibrillar fraction by ethylene glycol treatment at pH 8.5, followed by partial purification via Toyopearl Super Q 650S and p-aminobenzamidine column chromatographies. Ostrich MBSP revealed a major protein band of approximately 21kDa on SDS-PAGE, showing proteolytic activity after casein zymography. Optima pH and temperature of ostrich MBSP were 8 and 40°C, respectively. Substrate specificity analysis revealed that the enzyme cleaved synthetic fluorogenic substrates at the carboxyl side of arginine residues. Kinetic parameters (K m and V max values) were calculated from Lineweaver–Burk plots. The kinetic characteristics of ostrich MBSP were compared to values obtained for commercial bovine trypsin in this study, as well as those obtained for MBSP from mouse and various fish species. The results suggest that ostrich MBSP is a tryptic-like serine protease. Ostrich MBSP exhibited low sequence identity to commercial bovine trypsin (44%), MBSP from lizard fish skeletal muscle (33%) and trypsinogen from ostrich pancreas (22%). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effect on ostrich muscle quality of an additional thoracic stick (TS) to the normal ventral throat slit to bleed ostriches after electrical stunning was evaluated. The additional TS had no negative or positive effect on the drip loss, cooking loss, colour or pH and temperature readings of the fillet (Muscularis iliofibularis), big drum (M. gastrocnemius, pars interna) and inside loin (M. iliotibialis cranialis). None the less, personal observations would recommend the use of TS due to ethical considerations. An early post mortem low voltage electrical stimulation (ES) of the carcasses also had no influence on the cooking loss, drip loss and colour of these muscles. Electrical stimulation did result in a lower pH45 in both the fillet and big drum muscles. However, after 24 h the pH of the muscles did not differ. Electrical stimulation also caused elevated initial muscle temperatures, although this effect was only temporary due to the efficient cooling mechanism used in the abattoir. Electrical stimulation also had no effect on the Warner Bratzler shear force values in the fillet. It can be concluded that low voltage ES has no advantage pertaining to physical quality characteristics of importance in an ostrich abattoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ostrich breeding behaviour in the Serengeti ecosystem, Tanzania was investigated for differences in laying dates between low altitude western area (WA) and high altitude eastern area (EA) populations. Ostriches in WA laid eggs significantly earlier than in EA. The differences could be attributed to topography and rainfall pattern. Reliable rains in lower altitudes ensure availability of food that in turn influences the whole process of the reproductive cycle. Clutches were contributed by several females with a nest having up to 38 eggs. We also compared the frequency of observation of predators, ostriches, nests, ‘singletons’ (single eggs laid randomly) and broods between the two areas. There was no significant difference between WA and EA in 1) ostrich/nest ratio, indicating similar breeding densities; 2) ostrich/predator and predator/nest ratios, indicating that predation pressure was equally high; 3) nest/singleton and predator/singleton ratios, indicating that loss of nests did not vary between areas. However, there were significantly more predators, nests and ostriches compared to broods in EA than in WA, indicating a significantly lower reproductive success in EA. Using metapopulation terminology, ostriches in EA could be regarded as a ‘sink’ population and those in WA as a ‘source’ population, but investigations over longer time-periods are needed to further resolve if this is the case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to evaluate the inside changes quality of fresh ostrich eggs and eggs stored in ambient temperature (25°C) and in cooling condition storage (5°C), during 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after storage. There was a considerable slump at Unity Haugh, pH increasing and viscosity decreasing related to time storage. Eggs stored in ambienttemperature showed more alterations than the ones stored under refrigeration. There was an increasing loss of weight during the days of storage in ambient temperature and in cooling condition storage, although the loss of weight was more notable in the ambient temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report fossil ratite eggshells from the site, Dharamsala of Dhok Pathan Formation (Middle Siwaliks), dated to 10.1 Ma. A comparative analysis reveals that in their combination of eggshell surface, pore, pore canal morphology and cross-sectional features, the Indian eggshells show closest affinity with the widely distributed Neogene fossil taxon Struthiolithus, and as such are assigned to cf. Struthiolithus. We have carried out a parsimony analysis of all relevant extinct and extant palaeognathous birds of the southern continents, as ingroup taxa. Genyornis, an extinct bird from Australia, and Gallus gallus (chicken) were also used in this analysis as ingroup (Neornithes) taxa. The result supports monophyly of Palaeognathae. The present cf. Struthiolithus eggshell and Aepyornis were found to be sister taxa and their forbearers had a common ancestry with Afro-Arabian Struthio and Diamantornis. The Indian subcontinent now has an extended fossil record of struthionid eggshells from the Late Miocene to the Late Pleistocene, implying dispersals through intercontinental migration corridors. Our stable carbon isotope (δ13CPDB) value of -10.4‰ of the present eggshells suggests that the ratite bird had a diet mainly of C3 plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the use of xylazine/ketamine and isoflurane for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia in adult ostriches (Struthio came/us), 7 healthy adult ostriches (weight 100-130 kg) were deprived of food for 12 hours and then given an injection of xylazine (4 mg/kg IV), followed 20 minutes later by an injection of ketamine (8 mg/kg IV). After intubation, each bird was maintained on isoflurane anesthesia, and physiologic and hematologic parameters were measured. The respiratory rate and the systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures decreased significantly 10 minutes after delivery of isoflurane, and these decreases continued until the isoflurane was discontinued. Jaw and pedal withdrawal reflexes were useful indicators for evaluating muscle relaxation and depth of anesthesia in the ostriches while under general anesthesia. Recovery from anesthesia was relatively smooth, with minimal complications, and was complete at mean (SD) 50 ± 24 minutes after discontinuing isoflurane. From these results, we concluded that induction of anesthesia with xylazine-ketamine followed by maintenance with isoflurane produced sufficient anesthesia for performing surgical operations with relatively smooth recovery in adult ostriches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heart of the ostrich (Struthio camelus), just like the domestic birds's heart, has a muscular right atrioventricular valve without chordae tendinae and a membranous left atrioventricular valve with chordae tendinae than extends between the cusps and 3 papillary muscles. The aim of the study was to describe the papillary muscles, number, position and some morphologic characteristics. Fifty ostrich hearts ( Struthio camelus ), were dissected and fixed in 10 % formalin and which got histological slices from 7 microns themselves they were stained with Van Gieson and H E. The macroscopic study evidenced absence of papillary muscles in the right ventricle and in the left ventricle 3 muscular masses formed by longitudinal trabeculae carneae that give insertion to the chordae tendinae. It was observed in the histological slices that the dorsal and ventral insertion points of the right atrioventricular valve to the ventricular wall, are prolongations of the muscle that forms the valve and shows conductive cardiac fibers. In the left ventricle, the longitudinal trabeculae carneae also show conductive cardiac fibers the ones that extend to the zone of insertion of the chordae tendinae. The results evidence that the heart of the ostrich (Struthio camelus ) does not have papillary muscles of conical form like in the human heart, are more developed muscular formations than in the domestic birds's heart and functionally acts like papillary muscles to show conductive cardiac fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of a deceased 10-year-old male ostrich that was diagnosed with severe necrotizing enteritis and septicimia. Its diet, the owner claims, consisted of commercial pelleted ration for horses and alfalfa hay. Prior to its death, the ostrich exhibited inappatence for three weeks, regurgitation, and body tremors. Particular focus is given to organ changes detected through pathologic examination. Gram-negative bacteria was identified from each aerobic culture source.

It has been suggested that secondary sexual ornamentation signals male ability to resist infections, as only high-quality individuals are able to invest both in high immune defence and elaborate ornament expression. Such ornaments could thus serve as indicators of male quality and could be used by females in choosing mates. Ostriches are sexually dimorphic with regard to coloration of their feathers, bill, neck and legs, and have a promiscuous mating system, with a high degree of reproductive skew, particularly in males. We investigated the relationship between the coloration of the feathers, bill, neck and legs of 15 male ostriches, maintained in a breeding flock, and the cell-mediated (measured using a phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) injection) and humoral components of their immune systems, as well as their heterophil:lymphocyte ratio. We found that male responses to PHA injection and humoral responses to tetanus were predicted by leg coloration, humoral responses to diphtheria were predicted by white feather coloration, and the heterophil:lymphocyte ratio was related to bill coloration. These traits, which relate to male immune capacity, are exposed during male–male interactions and courtship display, so we suggest that these visual cues could provide valuable information on male quality to females (as well as rival males), forming the basis of mate choice in this species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Life history theory predicts that females should modify their investment in a particular breeding attempt according to the likelihood of its success, as the investment of females in reproduction is typically higher than that of males. The ostrich mating system is promiscuous, and is thus a particularly interesting one in which to investigate differential investment by the sexes. To date, there has been no evidence that female ostriches discriminate between males as potential mates, but the degree of dimorphism in this promiscuous species and the variation in chick size within clutches suggest that differential maternal investment is likely. We investigated the relationship between egg mass and coloration of the feathers, bill, neck and legs of 15 male ostriches, maintained in a breeding flock at an ostrich farm in South Africa. Paternity was determined using microsatellite markers. We found that the colour of the neck, white and black body feathers, and the brightness of black feathers, predicted egg mass. These traits are exposed during the male courtship display, so we suggest that these visual cues influence the degree of maternal investment in eggs through their influence on female perception of mate quality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this study was to examine the endothelial surface morphology and perform a morphometric analysis of the corneal endothelial cells of ostrich (Struthio camelus) using scanning electron microscopy. Polygonality, mean cell area, cell density and coefficient of variation of mean cell area were analyzed. The normal corneal endothelium consisted of polygonal cells of uniform size and shape with few interdigitations of the cell borders. Microvilli appeared as protusions on the cellular surface. The average cell area was 269±18μm2 and the endothelial cell density was 3717±240cells mm-2. The coefficient of variation of the cell area was 0.06, and the percentage of hexagonal cells was 75%. The parameters evaluated did not differ significantly between the right and the left eye from the same ostrich. The results of this study showed that the ostrich corneal endothelial cells appear quite similar to those of the other vertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Widespread bushmeat hunting represents one of the major threats to many mammals and birds in Africa. We studied the influence of illegal bushmeat hunting on large grassland birds in the Serengeti National Park (SNP) and adjoining protected areas, by using the ostrich (Struthio camelus) as a case study. First, we documented illegal hunting of both small and large birds by using a questionnaire in the villages on the western and eastern side of the SNP. Second, we studied the effect of illegal hunting on density by driving 4,659 km of transects inside SNP and on the adjacent protected areas, where the data were analysed by DISTANCE sampling. Last, we used flight initiation distance (FID, i.e. the distance between an approaching predator (human) and prey when flight is started), to assess possible impacts on behaviour from illegal hunting. We found that people from the western side of the SNP admitted to hunting both small and large grassland birds, and collect ostrich feathers and eggs. Although the Maasai also hunted small birds, only ostrich feathers and eggs of the large grassland birds were used. Surprisingly, we found no significant differences in densities between the SNP and adjoining partially protected areas, but ostriches had longer FID to an approaching human outside the SNP. Currently illegal hunting does not appear to affect the ostrich population, but given the extensive use of birds for consumption more awareness educational programs accompanied by provision of agricultural incentives within the protected areas are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatal pulmonary aspergillosis and AA type amyloid accumulations in the liver and spleen are described in a female ostrich (Struthio camelus). The animal had had respiratory problems and long-term inappetence over an 8-week period. Necropsy revealed that several soft, grayish to white nodules ranging from 1 to 3 mm in diameter were scattered throughout the lungs and thoracic air sacs. Prominent enlargement of the liver and spleen was observed. No gross lesions were found in the other organs studied. The microscopic examination showed severe, necrotizing, granulomatous pneumonia, and air sacculitis. Aspergillus fumigatus was recovered from the lungs and air sacs as pure culture colonies. Amyloid deposition was demonstrated in the liver and spleen slides by Congo red and immunohistochemistry. To the authors' knowledge, to date no case of amyloid accumulation in ostrich has been reported. We report, for the first time, diffuse AA amyloidosis in the liver and spleen of an ostrich, probably occurring secondary to aspergillosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An orthoreovirus was isolated from an Ostrich (Struthio camelus) and rapidly identified as orthoreovirus by the rapid determination of viral RNA sequences (RDV) system and electron microscopy. Phylogenetic analysis of the sigma A protein indicated that the isolate belonged to avian species and was closely related to chicken orthoreovirus strain 138. The results of the present study indicated that an ostrich orthoreovirus is slight different from other chicken orthoreoviruses and provided evidence of diversity among avian orthoreoviruses. To our knowledge, this is the first genetic report of an orthoreovirus isolated from an ostrich. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives The HPAI H5N2 strain that caused an outbreak in ostriches of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa in 2004 was characterized. Design Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) were performed on sera from ostrich farms in the outbreak region, and intravenous pathogenicity (IVPI) tests, reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain reaction (RT-PCR), nucleic acid sequencing and phylogenetic comparisons were performed on the HPAI H5N2 virus isolated during the outbreak. Results The deduced amino acid sequence at the HA0 cleavage site determined by RT-PCR and nucleotide sequencing was PQREKRRKKRGLF and thus the virus fell within the definition of a highly pathogenic virus, but in an IVPI test in chickens on the virus isolated from the index case and a value of 0·63 was recorded, which is below the criterion for highly pathogenic viruses in this in vivo test. After a further passage in embryonated eggs a second IVPI was carried out and an elevated value of 1·19 was obtained. Cloacal swabs were taken from the initial IVPI birds, inoculated into embryonated chickens eggs and a third IVPI was then performed on the resulting haemagglutinating, infective allantoic fluid. An index of 2·73 was recorded. Conclusions HI tests appeared to be the more sensitive test compared to AGID when testing for antibodies to avian influenza in sera. An ostrich-derived virus with a virulent HA0 cleavage site was not initially virulent in chickens but after passage in the latter the virulence increased. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated the link between AI viruses carried by wild ducks and those infecting ostriches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Human land use such as pastoralism may be a key determinant of wildlife populations. We studied the influence of land use on wildlife and livestock in south-western Kalahari, Botswana, during the wet and dry seasons. We included two types of livestock areas and two types of wildlife protection areas. Wild and domestic mammals >0.2kg were sampled by distance technique. Small mammals <0.2kg were trapped and a vegetation survey was performed. Livestock and some medium-sized wildlife species were most abundant in livestock areas, while large-sized wildlife species were mainly restricted to wildlife areas. Most red-listed species were confined to the national park. The influence of land use on abundances changed moderately between seasons. However, cattle moved into wildlife areas during the wet season. Differences in species richness and diversity were most pronounced during the dry season. The trapping frequency of small mammals was highest in the national park. Differences in vegetation structure included sparser field layer and higher cover of an invasive shrub in livestock areas. Our study shows the importance of protected areas for many wildlife species in the Kalahari. It also shows the value of a multi-species approach for investigating the effects of land use on wildlife communities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The structure and function of the lower intestinal tract of Rhea americana were characterized to evaluate the evolutionary relationship to other struthioniform and avian species. In 5 rheas the gross anatomy and the light and transmission electron microscopy were studied in parallel to in vitro electrophysiological measurements of ion transport. The mucosa in the colon was amplified with villi, often branched, and in the coprodeum with folds. In both tissues the epithelium was a monolayer composed of columnar absorptive cells, goblet cells and mitochondria-rich cells. Colon and coprodeum appeared to produce large amounts of mucus. The proctodeal diverticulum was rich in lymphoid tissue arranged into lobuli bursales, and it was concluded that this structure is a modified bursa of Fabricius. The sparse interlobular epithelium of the diverticulum resembled that of colon and coprodeum. Baseline short circuit currents (ISC) averaged 114.5±13.8 µA/cm2 in colon, 193.1±30.3 µA/cm2 in coprodeum and 60.4±9.1 µA/cm2 in the diverticulum. Amiloride sensitive Na+-transport amounted to 31, 88 and 38% of the baseline ISC in these three tissues, respectively. In all tissues, there was also a modest, theophylline activated chloride secretion response, and ouabain, the Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitor, abolished most of the ISC. The transepithelial resistance (TER) of the diverticulum was much higher than the other tissues. Upon dissection, urate from ureteral urine was observed in the lower third of the colon and to a lesser extent in the proctodeal diverticulum, indicating retrograde peristalsis of the urine. Thus, unlike the ostrich, there is no sphincter separating colon and coprodeum. On the other hand, a thick mucus layer was seen overlying the mucosa in both colon and coprodeum, as in the ostrich. This may help to prevent osmotic water loss, despite the presence of hyperosmotic urine (up to 800 mOsm) in the lower intestine. Both morphological and electrophysiological data from the rhea support the hypothesis that the rhea lower intestine contributes to post-renal modification of ureteral urine and to the regulation of osmotic balance, as also seen in domestic fowl and other avian species. The proctodeal diverticulum functions mainly as an immune organ, with only limited transport capability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The role of the egg is 2-fold - protection of the contents and conditioning the incubation. We used a variety of search engines to collate literature pertinent to the ostrich egg from PubMed, Medline, and Agricola. An ostrich egg weighs ca. 1.5 kg, and the mean length and width are 156 and 129 mm, respectively. The vertical and horizontal circumferences reach a maximum of 45 and 40 cm, respectively. Average internal volume is ca. 1350 ml. The mean weight of albumen in a 1500 g ostrich egg reaches 900 g, with a 317 g yolk and a 296 g voided shell. The shell thickness ranges from 1.6 to 2.2 mm. Instron-determination of the eggshell strength reached some 70 kg (~686 N), while that of chicken eggshells was 3-4 kg. Thus, an ostrich egg can potentially withstand the weight of an adult human being. The egg that possesses the best genetic manifestations of size and shape is likely to be located in the centre of a nest, thus providing optimal incubating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The researches were realized on anatomical preparations derived from 6 specimens of Struthio camelus. The glenoid fossa formed by scapula and coracoid is very small relative to the size of the girdle and faces laterally. This joint has a thick and wide capsule. There are two main ligaments: dorsal scapulohumeral and dorsal coracohumeral, which appear like strong reinforcement only of the dorsal part of the capsule. The elbow joint have dorsal collateral, ventral collateral and cranial cubiti ligaments. In addition, ligament transversum radioulnare and proximal interoseus ligament joint the proximal extremity of radius and ulna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A surveillance study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in poultry meat in Iran. Over a 24-month period (January 2006 - May 2008), a total of 800 poultry meat samples from raw chicken (n=280), quail (n=248), turkey (n=212) and ostrich (n=60) meat were procured from the Esfahan city of Iran and analyzed. The highest prevalence (68.4%) of Campylobacter spp. was recorded in quail meat, followed by chicken meat (56.1%), turkey meat (27.4%) and ostrich meat (11.7%). The overall prevalence of Campylobacter spp, in studied samples was 47.1%, (377 from 800), out of which 76.4% were identified as C. jejuni and 23.6% as C. coli. It was concluded that a high proportion of poultry meat marketed in Esfahan, Iran, was contaminated by Campylobacter spp. and that consumption of undercooked or cooked contaminated poultry products presented a possible risk for consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article studies the macroscopic features of the venous drainage of the reproductive system of six pre-pubertal and three sexually mature and active ostrich. According to the authors, each testis was drained by one to four testicular veins, The right testicular veins drained the right testis and epididymis and its appendix to the caudal vena cava and to the right common iliac vein, whereas the left testicular veins drained the left testis and epididymis and its appendix exclusively to the left common iliac vein. The authors note the previous studies on the vascular system of the male reproductive tract in birds.

Abstract: The characteristics of Balantidium from ostriches (Struthio camelus) are similar to those of Balantidium coli; however, the species Balantidium struthionis was proposed on the basis of the host species (ostriches) and the shape of the macronucleus (with a deep depression in one side). In the present work, we have performed morphological and genetic comparisons between isolates of Balantidium from ostriches and B. coli from pigs to determine the specific status of B. struthionis. The morphological characteristics of the trophozoites of Balantidium from ostriches were reviewed in 100 trophozoites from two isolates. The macronucleus’ shape of the ostrich Balantidium was highly variable, thus the use of this criterion for diagnostic purposes is not reliable. Besides, very few trophozoites showed a deep depression in their macronucleus and almost all the trophozoites conform to the description of B. coli. The complete sequence of the DNA coding for the 18s-rRNA–ITS1–5.8s-rRNA–ITS2 regions were obtained by PCR from five pig and five ostrich isolates. The sequences corresponding to the 18s and 5.8s-rRNA genes were identical for the ostrich and pig isolates. Two clearly different genotypes were found in the analysis of the ITS1 and ITS2 regions of the pig isolates; the genotype A was identified in all isolates, while the genotype B was found in only two of them. Their sequences show clear differences from that published corresponding to a B. coli gorilla isolate, which we will consider as a different genotype, C. In our opinion, these different B. coli genotypes reflect the genetic variability of this organism, but further studies would be necessary to determine if it could have practical importance. The polymorphism of the ITS regions have been also found in the ostrich isolates. The same genotypes A and B have been identified, although not as mixed infections. The morphological characteristics and the genetic results suggest that the species name B. struthionis is a synonym of B. coli; however, until experimental infections are carried out to determine if the parasite is transmissible between pigs and ostriches, it would be preferable to tentatively designate it as B. coli-like. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a survey of plasma and liver mineral concentrations and enzyme activities in ostriches under farmed conditions in New Zealand. Results showed that plasma concentrations were within the normal range observed in the literature for ratite species. It was observed that copper concentrations in plasma were lower but higher in liver. Although aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK) are higher compared to those literature from South Africa, the author concludes that they were normal and were only a reflection of the high growth rates of the musculoskeletal system.

Fully developed rigor mortis in muscle is characterised by maximum loss of extensibility. The course of post mortem changes in ostrich muscle was studied by following isometric tension, shortening and change in pH during the first 24 h post mortem within muscle strips from the muscularis gastrocnemius, pars interna at constant temperatures of 7 °C and 37 °C. Maximum shortening was significantly higher at 37 °C (33.4 ± 3.57%) than at 7 °C (10.7 ± 2.63%). The rate of rigor development was temperature dependent, reaching a maximum tension at 4.08 ± 3.89 h post mortem in muscle strips at 37 °C; while at 7 °C maximum tension was reached at 10.5 ± 6.47 h post mortem. It was concluded that the completion of rigor occurred at the point of minimum pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three groups of bacteria compete for hydrogen in different anaerobic ecosystems; along with CO2 they produce methane, hydrogen sulfide and acetate. These reactions mean energy gain for the animal. The purpose of this study was to determine presence and size of populations of hydrogen utilizing bacteria in different portions of the gastrointestinal tract of the ostrich. Anaerobic procedures and culture media were used for isolation and quantification. AC11 media was used for acetogenic, Potgate for sulfate reducing and phosphate buffer for methanogenic bacteria. Size of populations was determined by most probable number (MPN). The experimental design was completely random, with factorial arrangement A= portions of digestive tract and B= microorganism types. MPN of acetogenic and methanogenic bacteria was zero. Sulfate reducing bacteria were present in all gastrointestinal tracts. The results for the number of population were 544.00, 532.00, 157.20, 155.32 and 76.48 x 106 for the large intestine, cecum, small intestine, proventricle, and ventricle, respectively. Results confirm the presence and prevalence of sulfate-reducing bacteria in all the gastrointestinal tract portions evaluated from ostriches. The AGV production in the ostrich gastrointestinal tract is a result of the metabolism and reuse of hydrogen by sulfate-reducing bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of the two disulfide bonds (Cys4–Cys60 and Cys18–Cys29) in the activity and stability of goose-type (G-type) lysozyme was investigated using ostrich egg-white lysozyme as a model. Each of the two disulfide bonds was deleted separately or simultaneously by substituting both Cys residues with either Ser or Ala. No remarkable differences in secondary structure or catalytic activity were observed between the wild-type and mutant proteins. However, thermal and guanidine hydrochloride unfolding experiments revealed that the stabilities of mutants lacking one or both of the disulfide bonds were significantly decreased relative to those of the wild-type. The destabilization energies of mutant proteins agreed well with those predicted from entropic effects in the denatured state. The effects of deleting each disulfide bond on protein stability were found to be approximately additive, indicating that the individual disulfide bonds contribute to the stability of G-type lysozyme in an independent manner. Under reducing conditions, the thermal stability of the wild-type was decreased to a level nearly equivalent to that of a Cys-free mutant (C4S/C18S/C29S/C60S) in which all Cys residues were replaced by Ser. Moreover, the optimum temperature of the catalytic activity for the Cys-free mutant was downshifted by about 20 °C as compared with that of the wild-type. These results indicate that the formation of the two disulfide bonds is not essential for the correct folding into the catalytically active conformation, but is crucial for the structural stability of G-type lysozyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newcastle disease (ND) is one of the most important diseases of poultry and other avian species. The usual mean to control ND is specific immunoprophylaxis. Although chickens are routinely vaccinated against ND, vaccination of ostriches is less well understood. We investigated the effect of vaccination against Newcastle disease via different routes on specific antibody titer in 24 adult ostriches, divided into three experimental and one control group. The vaccine was administered in drinking water to the first, by spraying to the second, and oculo-nasally to the third group. The results have indicated antibody production with titers sufficient for humoral immunity in all experimental groups. The strongest immune response was determined in the group vaccinated by spraying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycated haemoglobin (HbG) concentration is a retrospective measure of mean blood glucose level and is not affected by recent stresses, food ingestion or exercise. HbG has been determined in various wild and domestic animals such as kestrels, mankhor, mouflon, aoudad, deer, goat, sheep, dog, camel and horse. But there is no information regarding HbG in ostrich and its relation to blood glucose. The purposes of this study were to determine the normal values of HbG in ostriches and to investigate its relation to fasting plasma glucose. Blood samples were collected from jugular veins of 30 clinically healthy ostriches after 12 h of fasting. After separation and washing of red blood cells, haemolysate was prepared and subjected to weak cation exchange chromatography for determination of HbG. Glucose was measured in plasma samples. Fasting plasma glucose and HbG were 11.23 ± 0.80 mmol/l and 1.20 ± 0.2% of total haemoglobin, respectively. It was shown that HbG percent and fasting plasma glucose were correlated ( P < 0.05; r = 0.93). To determine if low HbG percent in ostrich is related to low permeability of erythrocytes to blood glucose, haemolysates incubated with glucose (11.21 mmol/l final glucose concentrations) were subjected to chromatography under the same conditions. It was shown that HbG was significantly increased in glycosylated haemolysates. It was concluded that low HbG percent in ostrich is related to low glucose permeability of erythrocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ostriches can digest feed fiber; however, the usefulness of including forages common in Mexico in complete diets for this specie is unknown. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the proportion in which nutrients of complete diets which include corn silage (CS) were in fact digested. All diets (CS: A: 0.00, B: 10.0, C: 20.0 and D: 30.0 %) were formulated to satisfy minimum nutritional requirements of crude protein (12.5 %), fiber (16.0 %) and metabolic energy (2.6 Mcal kg-1 feed). In a 4x4 Latin square design, four diets were consecutively dispensed to each one of four ostriches in its finalization stage (12 mo of age, males) for a 10 d period; the first 3 d as conditioning time and the other 7 d were considered on-test. Feed and feces were sampled in triplicate. Apparent digestibility (AD) of dry matter (DMAD), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were estimated. Statistically significant differences were not observed either in diet intake, weight increase or feed conversion index. However, inclusion of CS in diets allowed for a better performance for protein, NDF and ADF AD. Diet cost fell when CS content increased. Results of this study suggest that CS use in ostriches diet formulas, could increase technical and economic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study was conducted to establish the shelf-life of ostrich steaks stored in four different packaging types: (i) air exposure, (ii) vacuum, and two different modified atmospheres packages (iii) MAP: 80% CO2 +20% N2, and (iv) MAP+CO: 30% CO2 +69.8% argon+0.2% CO. Shelf-life evaluation was based on colour, lipid and hemopigments oxidation, microbial counts and sensory assessment of odour and colour. Samples stored under air exposure showed the highest lipid and hemopigments oxidation rate. Based on aerobic bacteria counts, the shelf life of ostrich steaks stored under aerobic conditions would be 8 d at most, whereas under vacuum, MAP or MAP+CO it would be 12 d. The presence of CO extends the shelf life of ostrich steaks by stabilisation of red colour measured by instrumental and sensory techniques, and maintenance of fresh meat odour by slowing down off-odour perception. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nodular trombiculinosis has been reported in Brazil in chickens [Torres, S., Braga, W., 1939. Apolonia tigipioensis, g. e sp. n. (Trombiculinae) parasito de Gallus gallus dom. Chave para determinação de gêneros. Boletim da S.A.I.C. 4, 37–44] and humans [Carneiro, L.S., 1952. Uma nova acaríase humana—Contribuição ao seu estudo. Imprensa Industrial, Recife. Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Recife, Tese Livre Docência, p. 56]. In this report, a juvenile ostrich and a house sparrow, both originating from a riverside property in the town of Petrolina in the state of Pernambuco, presented 87 and eight nodules, respectively, on various locations of their bodies. Physical expression of the nodules liberated parasites that were morphologically identified as mites from the family Trombiculidae. The mites were further identified as Apolonia tigipioensis by the presence of an elongated body form and transversely striated, three pairs of long legs each with seven segments, primary coxae with a single seta, each tarsus terminating with three claws, and a scutum with an anteromedian projection and paired anteromedian setae. Histopathologic examination of skin biopsies from these birds, stained with hematoxilin–eosin, revealed acute parasitic cystic lymphoplasmacytic dermatitis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Muscle moment arms were measured for major muscles of the pelvic limb of the ostrich ( Struthio camelus) in order to assess specific functional behaviour and to apply this to locomotor performance. Pelvic limbs of six juvenile ostriches were used for this study. The tendon travel technique was used to measure moment arms of 21 muscles at the hip, knee, ankle and metatarsophalangeal joints throughout the ranges of motion observed during level running. Six of the 21 muscles measured were found to have moment arms that did not change with joint angle, whilst the remainder all demonstrated angle-dependent changes for at least one of the joints crossed. Moment arm lengths tended to be longest for the large proximal muscles, whilst the largest relative changes were found for the moment arms of the distal muscles. For muscles where moment arm varied with joint angle: all hip muscles were found to have increasing moment arms with extension of the joint, knee flexors were found to have moment arms that increased with extension, knee extensor moment arms were found to increase with flexion and ankle extensor moment arms increased with extension. The greatest relative changes were observed in the flexors of the metatarsophalangeal joint, for which a three-fold increase in moment arm was observed from flexion to full extension. Changes in muscle moment arm through the range of motion studied appear to optimize muscle function during stance phase, increasing the effective mechanical advantage of these muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although locomotor kinematics in walking and running birds have been examined in studies exploring many biological aspects of bipedalism, these studies have been largely limited to two-dimensional analyses. Incorporating a five-segment, 17 degree-of-freedom (d.f.) kinematic model of the ostrich hind limb developed from anatomical specimens, we quantified the three-dimensional (3-D) joint axis alignment and joint kinematics during running (at ~3.3 m s-1) in the largest avian biped, the ostrich. Our analysis revealed that the majority of the segment motion during running in the ostrich occurs in flexion/extension. Importantly, however, the alignment of the average flexion/extension helical axes of the knee and ankle are rotated externally to the direction of travel (37° and 21°, respectively) so that pure flexion and extension at the knee will act to adduct and adbuct the tibiotarsus relative to the plane of movement, and pure flexion and extension at the ankle will act to abduct and adduct the tarsometatarsus relative to the plane of movement. This feature of the limb anatomy appears to provide the major lateral (non-sagittal) displacement of the lower limb necessary for steering the swinging limb clear of the stance limb and replaces what would otherwise require greater adduction/abduction and/or internal/external rotation, allowing for less complex joints, musculoskeletal geometry and neuromuscular control. Significant rotation about the joints' non-flexion/extension axes nevertheless occurs over the running stride. In particular, hip abduction and knee internal/external and varus/valgus motion may further facilitate limb clearance during the swing phase, and substantial non-flexion/extension movement at the knee is also observed during stance. Measurement of 3-D segment and joint motion in birds will be aided by the use of functionally determined axes of rotation rather than assumed axes, proving important when interpreting the biomechanics and motor control of avian bipedalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a homologous family of zinc proteinases that are collectively capable of catabolising the various macromolecular components of the extracellular matrix including collagens. In this study an MMP was successfully isolated and purified from ostrich skeletal muscle using Toyopearl Super Q-650S, hydroxylapatite and zinc-chelate chromatographies. The purified molecule had a molecular weight of 55K and a total of 467 amino acid residues. Purified ostrich MMP showed a pH optimum of 7 and a temperature optimum of 45°C. The activity of purified ostrich MMP was shown to be inhibited by metal chelators (1,10 phenanthroline and EDTA) and partially inhibited by soy bean trypsin inhibitor. All the functional properties of ostrich MMP were compared to previously reported values for MMPs from other sources. The MMP activities in ostrich meat during a 21-day ageing period were determined and an overall increase in MMP activities was observed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present work, the very first finding of Libyostrongylus douglasi in farm-reared ostriches in Croatia, was described, not only as the main cause of the death, but also as the cause of persistent infection. The results of histopathological examination of almost all parenchymatous organs in two routinely necropsied ostriches were presented, including atypical histopathological finding in the brain and the result of the L. douglasi scanning electron microscopical (SEM) examination. In order to determine the parasite species to which the larval form found in the brain belonged, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed. Total DNA was isolated from fresh L. douglasi, and from archival formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded brain section. Additionally, the smears of the proventricular mucosal lining were cytologically examined. Virological examination for newcastle disease virus (NDV) was also performed. As there was very limited information concerned ostrich''s health status in Croatian farms, a preliminary evaluation of the parasite infestation level in the Croatian ostrich population over the period 2001–2002 was also done, and an attempt at characterising individual parasite species, was made. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Although the ostrich has been bred for several decades for feathers and/or meat, its behaviour has received limited attention. To our knowledge there are just descriptions of behavioural repertoire or detailed measurements of behaviour, but in limited contexts. We recorded the behaviour of six 4-year old Black neck ostrich (Struthio camelus domesticus) pairs, kept in and already acquainted to 900m2 paddocks. This longitudinal study spanned one solar year and the birds were observed individually during six 120-min observational sessions per month, although the statistical basis used was at season level. We focussed on the behaviour transitions, more than recording the behaviour duration only, as transition recording allows elucidation of the behaviour repertoire. The 22 behaviours considered were recorded continuously with a digital event recorder. Most transitions were one-way transitions in both sexes and had small variation among seasons. This suggests low variability in behaviour performance, although the existence of stereotypes is unlikely. Males displayed a slight, but constantly higher, number of transitions than females, showing that they possess a wider, or more varied, behavioural repertoire. There were many transition loops, not random and indicative of some rigidity in sequence repetition. In both males and females the total amount of transitions relied on a very few activities, indicative of a few widely used behaviours, particularly those connected to locomotion, which repeatedly followed or preceded many others. Walking was an activity greatly involved in transitions in both winter and spring, following and preceding many other behaviours, showing that even in captivity, locomotion maintains its importance for reproduction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cold-shortening is the response when muscles are exposed to temperatures below 10°C with a pH>6.20. The course of pH within hot-deboned and intact ostrich M. gastrocnemius, pars interna and M. iliofibularis were followed for the first 23–24h post-mortem to investigate the changes in pH as well as to determine the point of minimum pH for ostrich muscles post-mortem. The hot-deboned muscles took longer to reach the point of minimum pH than the intact muscles. There was no significant (P =0.4508) difference in the minimum pH (5.91±0.26) between the hot-deboned and the intact muscles. It was concluded that both the M. gastrocnemius, pars interna and the M. iliofibularis reached a pH<6.20 early post-mortem with muscle temperatures above 10°C; and therefore showed no risk of cold-shortening if these muscles were to be hot-deboned 2–4h post-mortem. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A genetic analysis was performed on Polish ostriches from the 3 principal ostrich breeds: red-, blue-, and black-necks. The analysis was based on 2 molecular methods: DNA fingerprinting and microsatellites. The DNA fingerprinting patterns were obtained using the restriction enzyme HinfI and Jeffrey's 33.15 probe. The second method consisted of a PCR procedure, for which 5 VIAS-OS primers specific to the ostrich were used. The PCR products were separated on polyacrylamide gel using ALFexpress (Authomated Laser Fluorescent DNA Sequencer). The study aimed at assessing the genetic variability within and among the 3 ostrich breeds as well as evaluating the genetic distance between them, and represents the first report on the genetic characteristics of the ostrich breeds. The results obtained by both methods showed considerable compatibility, especially with regard to the relationship among the breeds analyzed. The diversity within breeds, obtained on the basis of the DNA fingerprinting analysis, proved to be low. Among the ostrich populations analyzed, the highest variability potential was observed for black-necked ostriches (the mean diversity of patterns amounted to 29.04%, whereas the mean heterozygosity was 0.30) and the lowest was observed for the red-necks. The largest genetic similarity was recorded between red- and blue-necked ostriches, but the greatest genetic distance was between the red- and black-necks. This means that the use of birds of those breeds in crosses should result in the highest heterotic effect. Both of these methods measured the genetic distance between the analyzed ostrich breeds that was expected from the geographic origin of these birds. The results obtained in the present study showed that both analytic methods used can be successfully applied when elaborating on the genetic characteristics of the ostrich. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast muscles from three different birds were subjected to hydrostatic high-pressure (400 MPa)/temperature (10–75°C) combinations, and the denaturation-induced effects on the pressurized proteins monitored by DSC. Comparisons with parallel results from heating-alone processes were established. Actin was the most labile moiety to pressurization and myosin together with sarcoplasmic proteins were next in observing pressure-induced denaturation at low temperatures. Some myosin derivatives (fragments or aggregates) and collagen remained native-like under pressure at any temperature. As previously reported, pressure and temperature showed interdependent and antagonistic-like effects. Hydrostatic high-pressure caused severe proteins denaturation at non thermal denaturing temperatures. At thermally active conditions, pressure preserved proteins from subsequent thermal denaturation. This last effect was lower than in similar but destructured myosystems (batters) because of the absence of functional salts but presumably also by steric hindrance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functional anatomy of the pelvic limb of the ostrich ( Struthio camelus) was investigated in order to assess musculoskeletal specialization related to locomotor performance. The pelvic limbs of ten ostriches were dissected and detailed measurements of all muscle tendon units of the pelvic limb were made, including muscle mass, muscle length, fascicle length, pennation angle, tendon mass and tendon length. From these measurements other muscle properties such as muscle volume, physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA), tendon cross-sectional area, maximum isometric muscle force and tendon stress were derived, using standard relationships and published muscle data. Larger muscles tended to be located more proximally and had longer fascicle lengths and lower pennation angles. This led to an expected proximal to distal reduction in total muscle mass. An exception to this trend was the gastrocnemius muscle, which was found to have the largest volume and PCSA and also had the highest capacity for both force and power production. Generally high-power muscles were located more proximally in the limb, while some small distal muscles (tibialis cranialis and flexor perforatus digiti III), with short fibres, were found to have very high force generation capacities. The greatest proportion of pelvic muscle volume was for the hip extensors, while the highest capacity for force generation was observed in the extensors of the ankle, many of which were also in series with long tendons and thus were functionally suited to elastic energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The pecten oculi is a structure peculiar to the avian eye. Three morphological types of pecten oculi are recognized: conical type, vaned type and pleated type. The pleated type has been well studied. However, there exists only scanty data on the morphology of the latter two types of pectens. The structure of the vaned type of pecten of the ostrich, Struthio camelus was investigated with light and electron microscope. The pecten of this species consists of a vertical primary lamella that arises from the optic disc and supports 16–19 laterally located secondary lamellae, which run from the base and confluence at the apex. Some of the secondary lamellae give rise to 2 or 3 tertiary lamellae. The lamellae provide a wide surface, which supports 2–3 layers of blood capillaries. Pigmentation is highest at the distal ends of the secondary and tertiary lamella where blood capillaries are concentrated and very scanty on the primary and the proximal ends of the secondary lamella where the presence of capillaries is much reduced. In contrast to the capillaries of the pleated pecten, the endothelium of the capillaries in the pecten of the ostrich exhibits very few microvilli. These observations suggest that the morphology of the pecten of the ostrich, a flightless ratite bird is unique to the pleated pecten and is designed to meet the balance between optimal vision and large surface area for blood supply and yet ensuring it is kept firmly erect within the vitreous. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effects of hot-deboning on the physical meat quality characteristics and shelf-life of ostrich m. gastrocnemius, pars interna (gastroc) and m. iliofibularis (iliof) were investigated during 42 days (d) of refrigeration. The hot-deboned gastroc was initially tougher than the cold-deboned muscles, while hot-deboning had no significant effect on the shear force of the iliof. After 14 d of refrigerated storage, there was no difference in tenderness between the hot- and the cold-deboned muscles. Hot-deboning caused significantly more purge (3.4 ± 2.33%) compared to cold-deboning (2.1 ± 2.06%) throughout the 42-day storage period. All muscle samples were acceptable in terms of Aerobic Plate Counts (APC < 104 cfu/g) and E. coli (E. coli < 10¹ cfu/g), based on the South African Standards for the microbiological monitoring of meat for refrigerated export. It was concluded that hot-deboning did not influence the shelf-life of ostrich muscles negatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ostrich absence of heteromorphic sex chromosomes, unique sequences or markers located in the ostrich W-chromosome. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting was carried out to investigate the sex-specific DNA sequence for sexing in ostrich. One hundred and forty random primers were used for random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR). One of these primers, OPAJ-13, produced a sex-specific band only found in tested females, which was isolated and constructed into plasmids for nucleotide sequencing. A 760bp novel female-specific sequence was obtained. Two primers (OstSexOPAJ13-F and -R) were designed according to the cloned female sequence to amplify the female-specific fragment from genomic DNA of ostriches for sexing by PCR. The sex-specific band was represented in females but none were found in the males. This result showed that the sex of ostrich could be easily and effectively identified using the female-specific primers for PCR technique. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The efferent duct of the ostrich consists of two segments, the proximal efferent duct (PED) and the distal efferent duct (DED) that are continuous, as in some other birds. Both segments of the duct possess an epithelium comprising non-ciliated and ciliated cells in varying proportions between the two segments. The non-ciliated cell (type I) of the PED contains a well-developed, subapical endocytic apparatus of apical tubules and endocytic vacuoles, a solitary, large, heterogeneous lipid droplet, and numerous, oval, dense bodies in the supranuclear region of the cell. Mitochondria tend to concentrate in the basal part of the cell. Intercellular spaces between the non-ciliated cells are enlarged, especially in the basal half of the epithelium. Together, these morphological features confer on the PED an efficient fluid absorption capability. The DED epithelium displays the type II non-ciliated cell whose poorly developed subapical endocytic apparatus as well as the absence of dilated basal intercellular spaces indicate its limited fluid absorptive capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]