Effects of β‐carotene‐enriched dry carrots on β‐carotene status and colostral immunoglobulin in β‐carotene‐deficient Japanese Black cows

Data from 18 β‐carotene‐deficient Japanese Black cows were collected to clarify the effects of feeding β‐carotene‐enriched dry carrots on β‐carotene status and colostral immunoglobulin (Ig) in cows. Cows were assigned to control or carrot groups from 3 weeks before the expected calving date to parturition, and supplemental β‐carotene from dry carrots was 138 mg/day in the carrot group. Plasma β‐carotene concentrations in the control and carrot groups at parturition were 95 and 120 μg/dL, and feeding dry carrots slightly improved plasma β‐carotene at parturition. Feeding dry carrots increased colostral IgA concentrations in cows and tended to increase colostral IgG₁, but colostral IgM, IgG₂, β‐carotene and vitamin A were not affected by the treatment. Feeding dry carrots had no effects on plasma IgG₁, IgA and IgM concentrations in cows, but plasma IgG₁ concentrations decreased rapidly from 3 weeks before the expected calving date to parturition. These results indicate that feeding β‐carotene‐enriched dry carrots is effective to enhance colostral IgA and IgG₁ concentrations in β‐carotene‐deficient cows.     

Dietary supplementation of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate in animals – a review

The leucine metabolite β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (HMB) has been studied by many researchers over the last two decades. In particular, the utility of HMB supplementation in animals has been shown in numerous studies, which have demonstrated enhanced body weight gain and carcass yield in slaughter animals; positive immunostimulatory effect; decreased mortality; attenuation of sarcopenia in elderly animals; and potential use in pathological conditions such as glucocorticoid‐induced muscle loss. The aim of this study was to summarize the body of research on HMB supplementation in animals and to examine possible mechanisms of HMB action. Furthermore, while the safety of HMB supplementation in animals is well documented, studies demonstrating efficacy are less clear. The possible reasons for differences in these findings will also be examined.     

α- and β-adrenoceptors in the sheep urinary bladder

A study was undertaken to determine the presence and distribution of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors in the sheep bladder body and base. In the bladder body, noradrenaline and isoproterenol induced relaxation which was significantly inhibited by propranolol, pafenolol and butoxamine. In the presence of propranolol (10(-5) M), noradrenaline induced a small contraction, as well as phenylephrine, but B-HT 920 failed to cause any effect on the bladder body. In the bladder base, noradrenaline caused a contraction that was significantly inhibited by prazosin but not by yohimbine. Phenylephrine also induced a contractile response in this structure which was inhibited by prazosin. Isoproterenol caused a relaxation that was significantly inhibited by propranolol and pafenolol but not by butoxamine. Relaxation was mediated by both beta 1 and beta 2-adrenoceptors in the detrusor muscle and by beta 1-adrenoceptors in the bladder base. Alpha 1-adrenoceptors contributed to maintain the detrusor tone and contract the bladder base.     

Effects of supplemental β‐carotene on colostral immunoglobulin and plasma β‐carotene and immunoglobulin in Japanese Black cows

Data from 26 Japanese Black cows were collected to clarify the effects of supplemental β‐carotene on colostral immunoglobulin (Ig) and plasma β‐carotene and Ig in the cows. Cows were assigned to control or β‐carotene groups from 21 days before the expected calving date to 60 days after parturition. Supplemental β‐carotene was provided at 500 mg/day in the β‐carotene group. Supplemental β‐carotene drastically increased plasma β‐carotene concentrations in the cows from parturition to 60 days after parturition, and plasma β‐carotene concentrations in the control and β‐carotene groups at parturition were 202 and 452 μg/dl, respectively. Supplemental β‐carotene had no effects on plasma IgG₁, IgA or IgM concentrations at parturition. Supplemental β‐carotene increased colostral IgG₁ concentrations in the cows, but colostral β‐carotene, IgA and IgM concentrations were not affected by supplemental β‐carotene. These results indicate that supplemental β‐carotene is effective to enhance colostral IgG₁ concentrations and plasma β‐carotene concentrations in Japanese Black cows.     

Retinol, β-carotene and β-tocopherol concentrations in mare and foal plasma and in colostrum

Fat-soluble vitamins transfer poorly across the diffuse epitheliochorial placenta of the mare, so the neonatal foal is dependent on its supply via colostrum. Concentrations of retinol (RT), β-carotene (BC), and β-tocopherol (AT) were assayed in samples of plasma, colostrum and milk from nine mares of mixed light breeding and their foals at parturition and days 1, 2, and 4 postpartum. Samples were analyzed simultaneously for RT, BC, and AT using a new, less time-consuming reverse phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Feeds were analyzed, and mean daily intakes calculated. Mare plasma RT increased from day 1 to day 4 (P = .033), and plasma AT declined linearly from day 0 to day 4 (P = .006). Colostrum concentrations of all vitamins increased from parturition to day 1, and then declined rapidly over the 4 days. Foal plasma BC increased from parturition to day 4 (P = .080), and plasma AT increased from parturition to day 2 (P < .001), and 4 (P = .060). These observations suggest that three times the current recommendation of vitamin A is sufficient for pregnant mares, in keeping with previous studies of growth, pregnancy, and lactation. In contrast, the linear decrease in mare plasma AT suggests that 1.2 times the current recommendation of vitamin E may be less than optimal for pregnant mares.

Introduction

The diffuse epitheliochorial placenta of the mare does not allow fat-soluble vitamins to cross with ease to the fetus,[1] so their status in the neonatal foal is dependent on colostrum. This first milk contains these vitamins, which are necessary for many functions.Vitamin A is required for vision, reproduction, growth, development, and maintenance of epithelial cells, and osteoclast activity in bone formation. In addition, vitamin A deficiencies reduce resistance to disease, can cause neurological degeneration, and congenital defects.[2] Vitamin E, an antioxidant, prevents lipid peroxidation and cell membrane damage. Its deficiency in horses has been associated with a form of muscular dystrophy and impaired immune function. [3]Studies on the mare and foal have described blood concentrations of one or two of these vitamins,[4, 5 and 6] but only one involved all three. [7] In that study, vitamin concentrations were assayed in mare blood and milk, but only once in foal blood at parturition, so data during the periparturant period is incomplete.The objectives of this enumerative study were to determine concentrations of RT, BC, AT in plasma and colostrum, to evaluate colostral transfer of these vitamins, to assess the adequacy of vitamin intakes of mares, and to develop a time-saving single-run HPLC method.

Materials and methods

Animals

Nine healthy aged multiparous mares of mixed light breeding (13.6 ± 1.5 years, 592 ± 20 kg body mass) and their foals were sampled. The institutional animal care and use committee approved the protocol. Mares were kept on meager late-winter mixed grass pasture, with free access to round bale orchard and fescue grass hay, water, and trace mineral/vitamin salt. They were fed 2 kg of concentrate twice daily at 7:00 and 3:00 . The diet met or exceeded current recommendations for pregnant mares at 11 months gestation for energy.[8] Samples of hay and concentrate were submitted for partial proximate analysis to the Virginia Tech Forage Testing Laboratory where standard AOAC [9] methods are used ( Table 1). Samples of feeds were also taken for analysis of RT, BC, and AT ( Table 2).     

Expression of VEGFR and PDGFR‐α/‐β in 187 canine nasal carcinomas

Radiotherapy represents the standard of care for intranasal carcinomas. Responses to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been reported but data on expression of target receptor tyrosine kinases (rTKs) is limited. This study characterizes the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), platelet‐derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)‐α and PDGFR‐β in canine intranasal carcinomas. Histological samples from 187 dogs were retrieved. Immunohistochemistry was performed using commercially available antibodies. Expression of rTKs was classified into weak, moderate or intense and additionally recorded as cytoplasmic, membranous, cytoplasmic‐membranous, nuclear or stromal. VEGFR was expressed in 158 dogs with predominantly moderate expression (36.9%) and a cytoplasmic‐membranous expression pattern (70.9%). PDGFR‐α was detected in 133 with predominantly weak expression (57.9%) and cytoplasmic pattern (87.9%). PDGFR‐β was identified in 74 patients with a predominantly moderate expression (17.6%) and cytoplasmic expression pattern (63.5%). Co‐expression of rTKs was common. These results confirm expression of VEGFR, PDGFR‐α and PDGFR‐β in canine intranasal carcinomas and support the utility of TKIs.     

β‐hydroxy‐β‐methyl butyrate promotes leucine metabolism and improves muscle fibre composition in growing pigs

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of excess leucine (Leu) vs. its metabolites α‐ketoisocaproate (KIC) and β‐hydroxy‐β‐methyl butyrate (HMB) on Leu metabolism, muscle fibre composition and muscle growth in growing pigs. Thirty‐two pigs with a similar initial weight (9.55 ± 0.19 kg) were fed 1 of 4 diets for 45 days: basal diet, basal diet + 1.25% L‐Leu, basal diet + 1.25% KIC‐Ca, basal diet + 0.62% HMB‐Ca. Results indicated that relative to the basal diet and HMB groups, Leu and KIC groups exhibited increased Leu concentrations and decreased concentrations of isoleucine, valine and EAAs in selected muscle (p < 0.05) and had lower mRNA levels of MyHC I and higher expression of MyHC IIx/IIb (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the basal and HMB‐supplemented groups. Moreover, the mRNA expression levels of AMPKα and UCP3 were higher but the myostatin mRNA levels were lower in the soleus muscle of the HMB group than those from other groups (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrated that doubling dietary Leu content exerted growth‐depressing effects in growing pigs; dietary KIC supplementation induced muscular branched‐chain amino acid imbalance and promoted muscle toward a more glycolytic phenotype; while dietary HMB supplementation promoted the generation of more oxidative muscle types and increased muscle growth specially in oxidative skeletal muscle, and these effects of HMB might be associated with the AMPKα‐Sirt1‐PGC‐1α axis and mitochondrial biogenesis.     

Characterization of bovine neutrophil β2‐adrenergic receptor function

LaBranche, T. P., Ehrich, M. F., Eyre, P. Characterization of bovine neutrophil β₂‐adrenergic receptor function. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. doi: 10.1111/j.1365‐2885.2009.01143.x. This study compares bovine leukocyte β‐adrenergic receptor densities to that of the rat, demonstrates for the first time a functional β₂‐adrenergic receptor signaling pathway in steer neutrophils, and investigates the effect of an inflammatory stimulus on that signaling pathway. The β₁‐/β₂‐adrenergic antagonist ^[3H]CGP‐12177 demonstrated that rat lymphocyte specific binding‐site density was highest, followed by steer and dairy cow lymphocytes, and lastly steer and dairy cow neutrophils. The β₂‐adrenergic agonist terbutaline stimulated steer neutrophil adenosine 3,5‐cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) production, an effect increased by inclusion of ≥1 × 10^?8 m phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C. Both terbutaline and the nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine (IBMX) independently decreased steer neutrophil superoxide anion production in a concentration‐dependent manner, with 1 × 10^?4 m IBMX enhancing both the potency and efficacy of the terbutaline effect (up to 74% reduction in superoxide anion production). Superoxide anion production was also reduced by the synthetic cAMP analog 8‐bromo‐cAMP, which increased the potency of the IBMX effect on superoxide anion production. Taken together, these data demonstrate the presence of a β₂‐adrenergic receptor signaling pathway in bovine neutrophils much like that described in other animal species, as well as the potential for an inflammatory stimulus to alter its function.     

Expression of fibronectin and its integrin receptor α5β1 in canine mammary tumours

Fibronectin and its integrin receptor α5β1 were studied by immunohistochemical methods in five normal canine mammary glands, four dysplastic glands and 18 mammary tumours. The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible changes in the α5β1 integrin receptor and its ligand fibronectin in relation to the metastatic capacity of canine mammary neoplasms. The immunostaining of α5β1 was very uniform in the hyperplastic glands but uneven in the mammary tumours. The expression of α5 and β1 was diminished in metastatic tumours but there were some α5-positive cells with pronounced features of malignancy and immaturity. Stromal fibronectin was increased in most cases and cytoplasmic staining of fibronectin was observed in epithelial and myoepithelial cells in mammary neoplasms but not in normal or dysplastic mammary tissue. There was no relationship between the content of α5β1 and the expression of fibronectin in canine mammary tumours.     

Effects of maternal treatment with β‐hydroxy‐β‐metylbutyrate and 2‐oxoglutaric acid on femur development in offspring of minks of the standard dark brown type

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the diet, mother type and sex of the offspring on the mechanical and geometric parameters of long bones as well as bone tissue density in minks. Primiparous and multiparous dams were supplemented with β‐hydroxy β‐methylbutyrate (a metabolite of leucine, at the daily dosage of 0.02 g/kg of body weight) and/or 2‐oxoglutaric acid (a precursor of glutamine, at the daily dosage of 0.4 g/kg of body weight) during gestation. The diet did not influence bone tissue density and the length of the humerus. An increase in the length of the femur was noted in male offspring delivered by multiparous dams. The diet resulted in an increase in the weight of the humerus in males from multiparous dams and a decrease in offspring from primiparous dams. Heavier femora were noted in male offspring delivered by both types of dams. The maximum elastic strength of the humerus was higher in the offspring delivered by multiparous than primiparous dams, irrespective of the offspring sex. The diet resulted in reduction in the ultimate strength of the femur in the male offspring delivered by primiparous dams. Only females born by multiparous dams, irrespective of the diet, showed a significant increase in the cross‐sectional area of the humerus, while a significant decline was noted in males delivered by multiparous dams and in all the offspring delivered by primiparous dams. An increase in the cross‐sectional area of the femur was noted in the offspring delivered by multiparous dams, while reduction was observed in the offspring delivered by primiparous dams. These results have shown for the first time that the presence of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate or 2‐oxoglutaric acid in the diet of pregnant primiparous or multiparous dams unambiguously affects the geometry and mechanical properties of offspring's long bones.     

Expression of Oestrogen Receptor α and Oestrogen Receptor β in the Uterus of the Pregnant Swine

The uterus is a well‐known target of endocrine, paracrine and autocrine acting molecules among which steroid hormones are of special importance. The objective of our work was to localize oestrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) mRNA and protein in the pig uterus throughout pregnancy (10, 18, 32, 50, 71, 90 days post coitum) using RT‐PCR, Western‐blot and immunohistochemistry. The present study is the first one to demonstrate the presence of ERs protein in the porcine uterus not only at the beginning but also at mid‐ and late pregnancy. In the pregnant swine, ERα was immunolocalized in the luminal epithelium (LE) and glandular epithelium (GE) and the myometrium of the uterus with differences in the intensity of staining at different stages of pregnancy studied. The LE and GE of pregnant swine stained for ERβ regardless of the day of pregnancy examined, whereas only a few cells within the myometrium showed a weak immunoreactivity. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of ERα and ERβ proteins on all investigated days of gestation. The expression of ERα and ERβ mRNA was detected by RT‐PCR in all examined samples corresponding to each of the consecutive stages of pregnancy. The obtained results show that ERα is more abundant in comparison to ERβ within the porcine pregnant uterus. The presence of ERα and ERβ in all compartments of the pig uterus during pregnancy may indicate direct action of oestrogens on proliferation and differentiation of these cells.     

Altered Expression of 3β‐HSD,CYP17 and 17β‐HSD in the Foetal Porcine Gonads in Response to Anti‐androgen Flutamide Exposure

We investigated whether the limited access to androgens during late prenatal period alters expression of steroidogenic enzymes involved in androgen production: 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5‐Δ4 isomerase (3β‐HSD), cytochrome P450 17α‐hydroxylase/17,20‐lyase (CYP17) and 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β‐HSD1) or type 3 (17β‐HSD3) in the foetal porcine gonads. Pregnant gilts were injected with anti‐androgen flutamide (for seven days, 50 mg/day/kg bw) or corn oil (control) starting at 83 (GD90) or 101 (GD108) gestational day. To assess 3β‐HSD, CYP17 and 17β‐HSD1 or 17β‐HSD3 expression, real‐time PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed. In testes from flutamide‐treated foetuses, increased 3β‐HSD and CYP17 mRNA expression was observed in the GD90 group, while decreased 3β‐HSD and 17β‐HSD3 mRNA expression and increased CYP17 mRNA expression were found in the GD108 group. CYP17 and 17β‐HSD3 were localized in Leydig cells. Following flutamide administration, the intensity of CYP17 immunostaining was higher in both treated groups, while 17β‐HSD3 intensity was lower in the GD108 group. In ovaries from flutamide‐treated foetuses in the GD90 group, mRNA level for 3β‐HSD was elevated, but it was diminished for CYP17 and 17β‐HSD1. In the GD108 group, flutamide treatment led to lower mRNA level for 3β‐HSD but higher for CYP17. 3β‐HSD was found in granulosa cells, while CYP17 was localized within egg nests and oocytes of forming follicles. Following flutamide treatment, the intensity of 3β‐HSD and CYP17 immunostaining was higher in the GD90 and GD108 groups, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining for 3β‐HSD was restricted to the ovary. Concluding, diminished androgen action in the porcine foetal gonads during late gestation induces changes in steroidogenic enzymes expression, which may led to changes in gonadal function. However, it seems that androgens exert diverse biological effects depending on the gestational period.     

Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) integrins αvβ3 and αvβ6 as FMDV receptors: Molecular cloning, sequence analysis and comparison with other species

Integrins are heterodimeric adhesion receptors that participate in a variety of cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix protein interactions. Many integrins recognize RGD sequences displayed on extracellular matrix proteins and the exposed loops of viral capsid proteins. Four members of the αv integrin family of cellular receptors, αvβ3, αvβ6, αvβ1 and αvβ8, have been identified as receptors for foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in vitro, and integrins are believed to be the receptors used to target epithelial cells in the infected animals. To analyse the roles of the αv integrins from a susceptible species as viral receptors, we have cloned Bactrian camel αv, β3 and β6 integrin cDNAs and compared them to those of other species. The coding sequences for Bactrian camel integrin αv, β3 and β6 were found to be 3165, 2289 and 2367 nucleotides in length, encoding 1054, 762 and 788 amino acids, respectively. The Bactrian camel αv, β3 and β6 subunits share many structural features with homologues of other species, including the ligand binding domain and cysteine-rich region. Phylogenetic trees and similarity analyses showed the close relationships of integrin genes from Bactrian camels, pigs and cattle, which are each susceptible to FMDV infection, that were distinct from the orders Rodentia, Primates, Perissodactyla, Carnivora, Galliformes and Xenopus. We postulate that host tropism of FMDV may in part be related to the divergence in integrin subunits among different species.     

Canine elliptocytosis due to a mutant β‐spectrin

Abstract: A 5‐year‐old, spayed female, mixed‐breed dog with persistent elliptocytosis was evaluated at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at Kansas State University. The elliptocytosis was asymptomatic and was detected during the evaluation of lameness. When subjected to shear stress in an ektacytometer, the dog's erythrocytes had reduced cellular deformability and erythrocyte membranes had decreased mechanical stability. Analysis of erythrocyte membrane spectrin by nondenaturing gel electrophoresis revealed an increased amount of spectrin dimers, indicating a defect in spectrin self‐association. DNA analysis detected a β‐spectrin mutation in codon 2110 in which threonine was replaced by methionine. This mutation likely altered the molecular structure of the erythrocyte membrane, leading to impaired spectrin self‐association and elliptocyte formation.     

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate on Sow Performance and mRNA Expression of Myogenic Markers in Skeletal Muscle of Neonatal Piglets

The effects of dietary β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation during gestation on reproductive performance of sows and the mRNA expression of myogenic markers in skeletal muscle of neonatal pigs were determined. At day 35 of gestation, a total of 20 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire, at third parity) were randomly assigned to two groups, with each group receiving either a basal diet or the same diet supplemented with 4 g/day β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate calcium (HMB‐Ca) until parturition. At parturition, the total and live litter size were not markedly different between treatments, however, the sows fed HMB diet had a decreased rate of stillborn piglets compared with the sows fed the control (CON) diets (p < 0.05). In addition, piglets from the sows fed HMB diet tended to have an increased birth weight (p = 0.08), and a reduced rate of low birth weight piglets (p = 0.05) compared with piglets from the CON sows. Nevertheless, lower feed intake during lactation was observed in the sows fed the HMB diet compared with those on the CON diet (p < 0.01). The relative weights of the longissimus dorsi (LD) and semitendinosus (ST) muscle were higher (p < 0.05) in neonatal pigs from the HMB than the CON sows. Furthermore, maternal HMB treatment increased the mRNA levels of the myogenic genes, including muscle regulatory factor‐4 (MRF4, p < 0.05), myogenic differentiation factor (MyoD) and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1, p < 0.01). In conclusion, dietary HMB supplementation to sows at 4 g/day from day 35 of gestation to term significantly improves pregnancy outcomes and increases the expression of myogenic genes in skeletal muscle of neonatal piglets, but reduces feed intake of sows during lactation.     

Thiamine deficiency affects glucose transport and β‐oxidation in rats

Thiamine is recognized as a cofactor for many enzymes involved in intermediary metabolism responsible for energy production. Animal model of thiamine deficiency (TD) included direct evaluation of glucose uptake by estimation of ³H‐deoxyglucose transport across red blood cells membranes and β‐oxidation of fatty acids in isolated leucocytes. Feeding of animals with the thiamine‐deficient diet (0.018 mg/kg diet) for 30 days resulted in disturbances in energy production. The thiamine intake was limited not only by vitamin B₁ deficiency in the diet, but also by time‐dependent drop of feed consumption by rats fed this diet. At the end of experiment, diet consumption in this group of rats was 52% lower than in the control group. This was accompanied by low glucose uptake by erythrocytes of rats suffering vitamin B₁ deficiency for longer time. At the end of experimental period, glucose uptake was over 2 times lower in TD erythrocytes than in control RBC. Such drop of energy production was not compensated by delivery of energy from fatty acid degradation. In leucocytes from TD rats, the β‐oxidation was also suppressed. Observed significant decrease of serum insulin from 2.25 ± 0.25 ng/ml (day 0) to 1.94 ± 0.17 ng/ml (day 30) might have significant impact on observed energy production disorders. The results from this study indicate that the thiamine deficiency significantly reduces feed intake and causes modest abnormalities in glucose and fatty acid utilization.     

Antiviral Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiaeβ‐glucan to Swine Influenza Virus by Increased Production of Interferon‐γ and Nitric Oxide

The aim of these experiments was to investigate the potential antiviral effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiaeβ‐glucan on the pneumonia induced by swine influenza virus (SIV). Forty colostrum‐deprived 5‐day‐old piglets were randomly divided into four groups of 10. The 20 pigs in groups 1 and 2 were administered Saccharomyces cerevisiaeβ‐glucan orally (50 mg/day/pig; En‐Bio Technology Co., Ltd) for 3 days before SIV infection and those in groups 3 and 4 were given culture medium/diluent alone. Groups 1 and 3 were inoculated intranasally with 3 ml of tissue culture fluid containing 2 × 10⁶ tissue culture infective doses 50% (TCID₅₀)/ml of SIV and those in groups 2 and 4 were exposed in the same manner to uninfected cell culture supernatant. The microscopic lung lesions induced by SIV infection (group 1 pigs) were significantly more severe than those induced by infection in animals pre‐administered β‐glucan (group 3) (P < 0.05). Significantly more SIV nucleic acid was detected in the lungs of pigs experimentally infected with SIV only (group 1) at 5, 7 and 10 days post‐inoculation (dpi) compared with lungs from pigs pre‐administered β‐glucan and infected with SIV (group 3) (P < 0.05). The concentrations of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and nitric oxide (NO) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from pigs pre‐administered β‐glucan and infected with SIV (group 3) were significantly higher than for any other group at 7 and 10 dpi for IFN‐γ, and at 5, 7 and 10 dpi for NO (P < 0.05). Saccharomyces cerevisiaeβ‐glucan reduced the pulmonary lesion score and viral replication rate in SIV‐infected pigs. These findings support the potential application of β‐glucan as prophylactic/treatment agent in influenza virus infection.     

β-Carotin und Follikel-Lutein-Zysten beim Rind*

Inhalt Um die mögliche ätiologische Rolle eines β-Carotinmangels für die Genese von Follikel-Lutein-Zysten des Rindes abzuklären, wurden Geschlechtsorgane und Blutproben am örtlichen Schlachthof gesammelt. Die β-Carotinkonrentrationen wurden in Petrolatherextrakten uon Blutserum- und verseiften Luteingewebeproben, die von Rindern mit solchen Zysten oder mit zyklischen Gelbkörpern stammten, photometrisch bestimmt. Die mittlere β-Carotinkonzentration im Serum von 12 zystentragenden Tieren war signifikant niedriger als bei 12 Tieren mit zyklischen Gelbkörpern (0,7 ± 0,5 us. 2,2 ± 1,4μg/ml; p ≤ 0,01). Die mittleren β-Carotinkonzentrationen im Luteingewebe progesteronproduzierender Follikel-Lutein-Zysten und Gelbkörper unterschieden sich nicht signifikant (11,7 ± 13,6 vs. 8,7 ± 10,6 μg/g; p > 0,05; n = 5, n = 6). Die β-Carotinkonrentrationen im Luteingewebe und im Blutserum von Tieren mit progesteronserernierenden Zysten und Gelbkörpern waren signifikant positiv korreliert (r = 0,61 und r = 0,81; p ≤ 0,01). Die Ergebnisse sprechen für eine wichtige Bedeutung des β-Carotinmangels bei der Entstehung von Follikel-Lutein-Zysten beim Rind. Contents: β-carotene and luteinized follicular cysts in cattle To evaluate the possible etiological role of β-carotene deficiency in the genesis of luteinired follicular cysts in the bovine, genital organs and blood were obtained from the local abattoir. β-carotene concentrations were quantified photometrically in petrolether extracts of blood serum and saponified luteal tissue of dairy cattle bearing such cysts or cyclic corpora lutea. The mean serum β-carotene concentrations of 12 cyst bearing animals were significantly lower than in 12 animals having cyclic corpora lutea (0. 7 ± 0.5 us. 2.2 ± 1.4 μg/ml; p ≤ 0.01). Luteal tissue β-carotene concentrations of progesterone secreting luteinired follicular cysts and cyclic corpora lutea did not differ significantly (11.7 ± 13.6 us. 8.7 ± 10.6 μg/g; p> 0.05; n = 5, n = 6 respectively). Luteal tissue and serum β-carotene concentrations were positively correlated in animals bearing progesterone secreting cysts or corpora lutea (r = 0.61 and r = 0.81; p ≤ 0.01; respectively). Results suggest a causative role of β-carotene deficiency in the genesis of luteinired follicular cysts in cattle.