Identification of glycosphingolipid binding sites for SEF21-fimbriated Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis in chicken oviductal mucosa

In order to clarify the presence of glycosphingolipids (GSLs) receptors for Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis with SEF21 fimbriae, we analyzed neutral GSLs and gangliosides from chicken oviductal mucosa and investigated the binding of bacteria to neutral GSLs and gangliosides. Five types of neutral GSLs, designated as N-1 to N-5, and two types of gangliosides, designated as G-1 and G-2, were identified on the thin-layer chromatography (TLC) plates. In the bacterial binding assay on TLC, the fimbriated bacteria bound only to glucosylceramide (GlcCer) standard, N-1 having the same TLC mobility as GlcCer, GM3 standard and G-1 corresponding to GM3 in TLC mobility, but not to N-2, N-3, N-4, N-5, or G-2. These results suggest the presence of GlcCer (N-1) and ganglioside GM3 (G-1) on the epithelial surface of chicken oviductal tract which act as sites for adherence of SEF21-fimbriated S. Enteritidis.     

Identification of possible chicken intestinal mucosa receptors for SEF21-fimbriated Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis

In order to test whether glycosphingolipids (GSLs) on the chicken intestinal mucosa serve as a receptor for Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis with fimbriae, we analyzed neutral GSLs and gangliosides from chicken intestinal mucosa and investigated the binding of bacteria to neutral GSLs and gangliosides. Four kinds of neutral GSLs, designated as N-1 to N-4 and four kinds of gangliosides, named G-1 to G-4, were identified on high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) plates. In TLC immunostaining tests, fimbriated S. Enteritidis bound only to glucosylceramide (GlcCer) standard, N-1, GM3 standard and G-1, but neither to N-2, N-3, N-4, nor to G-2, G-3 and G-4. Further, the bacterial binding to N-1 and G-1 was completely inhibited by preincubation of bacteria with anti-S. Enteritidis fimbriae (SEF) 21 antibody, but not by anti-SEF14 antibody. These results suggest that both GlcCer (N-1) and ganglioside GM3 (G-1) on the epithelial cell surfaces of chicken intestine act as receptors for fimbriated S. Enteritidis.     

PCR-RFLP using Ssu-rDNA amplification as an easy method for species-specific diagnosis of Trypanosoma species in cattle

A single polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay was used to characterise all important bovine trypanosome species. This is the first report of a sensitive pan-trypanosome PCR assay amplifying all species including T. vivax to a comparable extent using a single primer pair. A semi-nested PCR approach resulted in the detection of one T. congolense trypanosome genome/40 μl of blood, applied as buffy coat on filter paper. Restriction enzyme analysis using Msp1 and Eco571 gave a clear distinction between T. congolense, T. brucei, T. vivax and T. theileri. Several subgroups within the T. congolense group could be distinguished but no differences between the species belonging to the subgenus Trypanozoon or between T. simiae and T. theileri could be found. The use of MboII restriction enzyme allowed differentiation between T. simiae and T. theileri. The potential of the essay to be used as a suitable diagnostic tool is discussed.     

Binding of Vibrio anguillarum to neutral glycosphingolipids from intestinal mucosa of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

To test whether glycosphingolipids (GSLs) on the intestinal mucosa of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) serve as a binding receptor for Vibrio anguillarum, we analyzed neutral GSLs from rainbow trout intestinal mucosa and investigated the binding of bacteria to neutral GSLs. Two kinds of neutral GSLs, designated N-1 and N-2, were identified on high-performance thin-layer chromatography (TLC) plates. In TLC immunostaining tests, V. anguillarum bound only to galactosylceramide (GalCer), lactosylceramide and N-1 having the same TLC mobility as GalCer, but neither to glucosylceramide nor to N-2. These results suggest that N-1 is GalCer (Gal beta 1-1Cer) and also that N-1 (GalCer) on rainbow trout intestinal mucosa act as a receptor for V. anguillarum.     

Prevalence of Toxocara cati and other parasites in cats' faeces collected from the open spaces of public institutions: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Toxocarosis is a worldwide parasitic infection that affects both cats and dogs. Toxocara cati (Schrank, 1788) syn.Toxocara mystax (Zeder, 1800) prevalence was studied in faeces from stray cats collected from the open spaces of public institutions of Buenos Aires city, both building and surrounding open spaces are fenced off. Of the 465 samples obtained from March to June of 2005, 58.3% were found to have parasite eggs. The following parasites were identified from the 271 positive samples: T. cati (61.2%), Cystoisospora spp. (20.3%), Trichuris spp. (17.0%), Toxascaris leonina (15.1%), Ancylostoma spp. (14%) and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (2.6%). T. cati prevalence was 35.7% (95% confidence interval: 31.2–40.1), with a 42.2% single isolations. The most frequent combination was T. cati and Cystoisospora spp. (9%). More than half the areas studied showed over 40% prevalence. Seventy-one percent of the collected samples were fresh with a variable moist consistency and 29% were older with a dry consistency. A statistically significant association was found between sample consistency and presence of parasites (χ² = 10.81; p = 0.001) as also between sample consistency and presence of T. cati (χ² = 11.27; p = 0.0007). Moist consistencies were significantly different from the rest: consistency (wet or dry) versus parasites (z = 1.95; p = 0.02) (95% confidence interval: 0.004–0.203); consistency (wet or dry) versus T. cati (z = 3.25; p = 0.0006) (95% confidence interval: 0.075–0.254). The cat population that inhabits these public green spaces contaminates the environment, thus transforming them into dangerous spaces with a variable rate for the human population that spends time in these places.     

环形泰勒虫3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶的原核表达、多克隆抗体制备及亚细胞定位

为了研究环形泰勒虫3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶(glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase,GAPDH)的功能,本试验利用PCR技术从环形泰勒虫裂殖体cDNA中扩增环形泰勒虫GAPDH (TaGAPDH)基因,将扩增产物克隆到原核表达载体pET-30a(+)中,并转入大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中进行融合蛋白诱导表达,融合蛋白纯化后免疫家兔,制备多克隆抗体,分别用间接ELISA和Western blotting检测抗体的效价和特异性;利用激光共聚焦荧光显微镜观察TaGAPDH蛋白在环形泰勒虫裂殖体中的亚细胞定位.结果显示,克隆得到了TaGAPDH全长基因,大小为1 020 bp;SDS-PAGE分析结果显示,融合蛋白大小约44 ku,且以包涵体形式存在.制备的多克隆抗体效价高达1:12 800,具有很高的特异性;亚细胞定位显示TaGAPDH蛋白主要分布于环形泰勒虫裂殖体细胞质内.以上结果表明本试验成功克隆表达了TaGAPDH基因,并制备了针对TaGAPDH蛋白的兔多克隆抗体,为筛选环形泰勒虫病疫苗、药物靶点及研究环形泰勒虫能量代谢奠定了基础.     

The Isolation,Identification and Phylogenetic Analysis of Theileria

Bovine theileriosis was a kind of hemo-protozoan diseases that seriously hindered the sustainable development of cattle industry.In the present study, the infection of Theileria was detected using microscopic examination and species-specifc PCR of T.annulata, T.sergenti and T.sinensis from 18 blood samples collected from a breeding cattle farm in China.Then ITS and MPSP genes were amplified and cloned using universal primers of ITS and allele-specific primers of 4 major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP) from the positive samples.The sequences were used to make alignment, polymorphism and phylogeny analysis.The results showed that 3 samples were positive for Theileria and the 3 positive samples were all the T.sergenti infection.The amplification of allelic MPSP gene of T.sergenti from the 3 positive samples showed that two of them were single infection by Ikeda-type and another one was co-infection with both Chitose-type and Ikeda-type, while Buffeli-type and Thai-type were not detected.Moreover, on the basis of phylogenetic tree constructed with MPSP gene sequences, types 1 and 2 of MPSP were confirmed to be present in the cattle farm.The results revealed that there were T.sergenti infection in the breeding cattle farm, and these parasites at least with 2 allelic MPSP gene types were present, which indicated that the immune prevention and control of the disease became more complicated.Our research laid foundation of the further study on T.sergenti infection and disease prevention and control.     

牛泰勒虫的分离鉴定及进化分析

牛泰勒虫病是严重危害养牛业可持续发展的血液原虫病,本试验采用血涂片镜检和特异性PCR检测技术,对中国某种牛场的18份血样进行了泰勒虫检测,然后分别用ITS基因通用引物和4种MPSP等位基因特异性引物自阳性样品中扩增出对应的基因,克隆测序后,进行序列比对和进化分析,确定泰勒虫基因型。结果显示,自18份牛血样中检出3份阳性样品,且全为瑟氏泰勒虫感染;3个阳性样品的瑟氏泰勒虫MPSP等位基因扩增结果显示,1个阳性样品为I (Ikeda) 和C (Chitose)型的混合感染,另2个样品为I型单一感染,而均无B (Buffeli)和Thai型;用扩增的MPSP基因测序,构建进化树,确认其感染的瑟氏泰勒虫存在MPSP 1型和2型。这些结果表明,该种牛场存在瑟氏泰勒虫感染,且同时存在2种MPSP等位基因型;MPSP等位基因的复杂性可能使该病的免疫防控更加困难。本试验结果为深入研究瑟氏泰勒虫感染情况及免疫防控提供了数据支持,并为养防一体做好监控。     

弓形虫和新孢子虫交叉反应抗原MIC7A对小鼠的免疫保护效力分析

弓形虫和新孢子虫是两种亲缘关系接近的顶复亚门原虫，二者之间存在一定程度的交叉免疫保护作用，这种作用可能是基于交叉反应抗原产生的。本研究旨在表达并鉴定弓形虫和新孢子虫的交叉反应抗原TgMIC17A，通过将其应用于小鼠的免疫保护试验，评估该抗原对弓形虫和新孢子虫感染产生的交叉免疫保护作用。对TgMIC17A进行基因克隆和原核表达，通过免疫印迹试验鉴定其反应原性和交叉反应性。重组蛋白免疫小鼠后测定血清特异性IgG抗体水平，评价其免疫原性。二免后，分别用1×10³个弓形虫Pru速殖子、1.5×10⁷个新孢子虫Nc1速殖子攻虫，对小鼠的体重变化、存活率进行监测，并在攻虫30 d后检测各组存活小鼠的脑荷虫量，评价TgMIC17A重组蛋白免疫小鼠后对弓形虫和新孢子虫的交叉免疫保护效果。结果显示，rTgMIC17A可以被弓形虫和新孢子虫的阳性血清识别，相较于未免疫组小鼠，免疫组小鼠体内可产生高水平特异性IgG抗体(P＜0.01)，且感染弓形虫或新孢子虫的脑荷虫量均显著降低(P＜0.01)。本研究克隆并表达了TgMIC17A，鉴定其为新孢子虫和弓形虫的交叉反应抗原。该抗原可以刺激小鼠产生较好的体液免疫反应，并对弓形虫和新孢子虫的感染产生一定的交叉免疫保护作用，可以为弓形虫和新孢子虫共感染的防治，以及筛选具有交叉免疫保护力的重组疫苗提供可借鉴的研究资料。     

Adaptation and validation of antibody-ELISA using dried blood spots on filter paper for epidemiological surveys of tsetse-transmitted trypanosomosis in cattle

The indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of anti-trypanosomal antibodies in bovine serum was adapted for use with dried blood spots on filter paper.

Absorbance (450 nm) results for samples were expressed as percent positivity, i.e. percentage of the median absorbance result of four replicates of the strong positive control serum.

The antibody-ELISA was evaluated in Zambia for use in epidemiological surveys of the prevalence of tsetse-transmitted bovine trypanosomosis. Known negative samples (sera, n=209; blood spots, n=466) were obtained from cattle from closed herds in tsetse-free areas close to Lusaka. Known positive samples (sera, n=367; blood spots, n=278) were obtained from cattle in Zambia's Central, Lusaka and Eastern Provinces, diagnosed as being infected with Trypanosoma brucei, T. congolense, or T. vivax using the phase-contrast buffy-coat technique or Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood smears. For sera (at a cut-off value of 23.0% positivity) sensitivity and specificity were 86.1 and 95.2%, respectively. For bloodspots (at a cut-off value of 18.8% positivity) sensitivity and specificity were 96.8 and 95.7%, respectively. The implications of persistence of antibodies following treatment or self-cure are discussed.     

Intestinal establishment and reproduction of adult Trichinella spp. in single and mixed species infections in foxes (Vulpes vulpes)

Intestinal establishment and reproduction of adult Trichinella spiralis, Trichinella nativa, Trichinella britovi and Trichinella pseudospiralis were examined as single species or mixed species infections in foxes. This is the first study of intestinal dynamics of Trichinella spp. in a carnivore model and the results suggest that the intestinal phase is relatively short as only very few worms were recovered 10 days post-inoculation (dpi). In mixed species infection with equal doses of T. nativa and T. spiralis, molecular typing demonstrated that 64% of the intestinal worms and 78% of the muscle larvae were T. nativa. Conversely, T. spiralis dominated in the mixed species infections with T. pseudospiralis, constituting 66% of the intestinal worms and 94% of the muscle larvae. Although, the individual recoveries of intestinal worms were only up to 5.6% on day 1, and up to 1.5% on day 4 post-infection, the muscle larvae establishment was comparable to other fox studies. Infectivity, measured as muscle larvae burden did not differ among the four species of Trichinella, which is in contrast to other models with mice, rats, pigs or herbivores. Although statistically significant differences in intestinal worm burdens were found for some days, no distinct species were recovered in consistently higher numbers than the others.     

绿木霉对币斑病菌的生长抑制作用及对镉的耐受性

木霉菌是具有广阔应用前景的生防制剂，可用于多种植物病害的防治，也可作为重金属的吸附剂。本研究从北京多种草地类型中分离到83株木霉菌株。本研究对8种木霉菌进行了拮抗币斑病菌的平皿试验，其中哈茨木霉152-22、脐孢木霉192-49和绿木霉192-45菌株利用其对空间和营养的竞争能力以及分泌的非挥发性和挥发性物质，显著抑制了币斑病菌的生长。此外，采用梯度试验(0~350 mg·L^-1)研究了这些菌株对高浓度镉胁迫的耐受性。随着镉浓度的增加，虽然三种木霉菌的生长均受到一定程度地抑制，但绿木霉192-45菌株表现出较强的镉耐受能力。这说明绿木霉菌对镉胁迫和币斑病菌均具有较强抗性。综上所述，绿木霉192-45可以在镉富集和币斑病频发的复合胁迫草地中发挥至关重要的作用。     

马泰勒虫和驽巴贝斯虫半胱氨酸蛋白酶截短基因的克隆表达及其生物信息学分析

旨在克隆、表达马泰勒虫（Theileria equi）和驽巴贝斯虫（Babesia caballi）半胱氨酸蛋白酶（cystein protease,CP）基因,并对其进行生物信息学预测和分析。提取马泰勒虫和驽巴贝斯虫的DNA,以此为模板扩增目的基因。利用克隆技术和原核表达系统克隆表达CP,用尿素透析法进行纯化。通过Dot blot验证其与相应阳性血清特异性反应。应用MAGA软件和Prot Param、TMHMM、SignalP-5.0、Antibody Epitope Prediction、SYFPEITHⅡ、ProPred及EzMol^2.1等在线分析软件分析T.equi-CP和B.caballi-CP的基因及其蛋白序列。成功构建了重组质粒GST-T.equi-CP和GST-B.caballi-CP,经SDS-PAGE试验结果显示该基因表达的蛋白以包涵体形式高效表达,并能与相应阳性血清特异性反应。对T.equi-CP和B.caballi-CP基因编码蛋白进行系统发育分析发现,与其他原虫物种相比,系统发育分析结果与其原生动物学分类结果一致。经生物信息学分析预测显示,两个CP蛋白为亲水性蛋白,无跨膜区,不属于跨膜蛋白,无Th细胞表位,在细胞质、线粒体和细胞核中定位较多。其中T.equi-CP蛋白的相对分子质量为29 948.60,等电点为5.53,稳定系数为22.50。B.caballi-CP蛋白的相对分子质量为14 603.62,等电点为8.54,稳定系数为47.69,有信号肽区域。T.equi-CP和B.caballi-CP蛋白具有良好的反应原性,作为亲水性膜外蛋白,无Th细胞表位,在细胞质、线粒体和细胞核中定位较多等,可能说明CP在马梨形虫逃避宿主免疫反应,参与增殖、分化及程序性细胞死亡等发挥作用。本研究为T.equi-CP和B.caballi-CP蛋白的功能研究与马梨形虫的致病机制研究提供了理论依据。     

桧烯抗弓形虫活性的体外评价

本研究旨在筛选具有抗弓形虫活性的萜类化合物,并进行体外活性评价。对26个萜类化合物进行体外抗弓形虫增殖作用的筛选,采用CCK-8法确定活性化合物对Vero细胞的毒性和安全浓度,Giemsa染色进一步确定对弓形虫的活性,通过细胞免疫荧光、Giemsa染色和生物化学发光法评价活性化合物对弓形虫的体外活性。结果表明,26个萜类化合物中,桧烯对弓形虫有显著的活性,桧烯对RH-2F的IC₅₀为90.76 μg·mL^-1,Giemsa染色和细胞免疫荧光的结果表明,桧烯对细胞内的两种弓形虫虫株都有显著的抗增殖作用,并且对弓形虫的入侵有极显著的抑制作用（P<0.001）。综上表明,桧烯对弓形虫的入侵和细胞内增殖具有显著的抑制作用,可作为潜在的抗弓形虫先导化合物。     

Isolation and Identification of Toxoplasma gondii Isolates from Cats in Eryuan and Nujiang

The assay was aimed to isolate Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii) strains from stray cat in Eryuan and Nujiang of Yunnan province.The cat tissues (heart,liver,lung and brain) were digested by acid pepsin solution,intraperitoneally inoculated in Kunming mice,passaged at least 3 generations,and followed by specific PCR amplification of partial B1 gene using species-specific primers.Three T.gondii isolates were isolated from 18 stray cats,PCR result showed that we got the specific target band,and the sequence result of the specific PCR product showed that it was ribosome B1 gene sequence of T.gondii. Homology comparison analysis showed that the isolates was 100.0% homology with T.gondii B1.The method of inoculation into the mice with the tissues that was digested by acid pepsin solution was an effective way to isolate T.gondii strain from animals,and the specific PCR assay was an accurate method for the rapid identification of T.gondii.     

洱源、怒江猫源弓形虫虫株的分离与鉴定

为了分离猫源弓形虫,本试验从云南洱源、怒江两地区捕捉18只野猫,取其心脏、肝脏、肺脏、脑组织用盐酸—胃蛋白酶溶液消化处理后,腹腔接种小白鼠,将分离到的弓形虫虫株至少传3代,用特异PCR方法对所分离的虫株进行鉴定。结果表明,从18只野猫的样品中分离出3株弓形虫虫株,用特异性引物对3株虫株进行PCR鉴定,均得到弓形虫的特异性目的条带,测序结果表明所扩增出的DNA片段确为弓形虫核糖体B1基因部分序列。同源性比对分析结果显示分离株与T.gondii B1的同源性为100.0%。将动物组织用盐酸—胃蛋白酶溶液消化处理后腹腔接种小白鼠是一种分离弓形虫虫株较理想的方法,对弓形虫B1基因进行特异性扩增,可以快速地鉴定弓形虫虫株。     

中国不同地区羊吕氏泰勒虫分子流行病学调查及遗传进化分析

为了解吕氏泰勒虫在中国不同地区山羊和绵羊中的流行情况,本研究应用基于吕氏泰勒虫18S rRNA基因位点的PCR检测方法,对采自中国河南、甘肃、陕西、山西、贵州、云南、新疆7个地区的281份羊血液样品进行检测,并对阳性样品测序以进行序列分析。结果显示,羊吕氏泰勒虫总感染率为35.23%（99/281）。不同采样点羊吕氏泰勒虫感染率差异极显著（P<0.01）,其中河南省羊吕氏泰勒虫感染率最高（98%,49/50）,新疆最低（0）。绵羊和山羊吕氏泰勒虫感染率分别为51.67%（31/60）和30.77%（68/221）,差异极显著（P<0.01）;放牧羊吕氏泰勒虫感染率（41.55%,86/207）极显著高于舍饲羊（17.57%,13/74）（P<0.01）;羊吕氏泰勒虫感染率在春、夏、秋及冬四季分别为56.00%（28/50）、42.75%（59/138）、9.43%（5/53）和17.50%（7/40）,差异极显著（P<0.01）;≥ 12月龄和<12月龄羊吕氏泰勒虫感染率分别为33.50%（67/200）和39.51%（32/81）,差异不显著（P>0.05）。此外,遗传进化分析表明,本研究获得的羊吕氏泰勒虫分离株与中国流行的吕氏泰勒虫分离株同源性高达99.60%以上,且位于同一分支上。本研究为进一步了解中国不同地区羊吕氏泰勒虫的流行现状及分布提供了重要参考依据。     

刚地弓形虫GRA25基因的克隆及序列分析

本研究旨在对来源于不同宿主和地理分布的22株弓形虫的GRA25基因进行PCR扩增并测序,对获得的GRA25基因序列进行比对,利用MP和ML两种方法对不同分离株的GRA25基因构建系统进化树。利用生物信息学软件将弓形虫RH株的GRA25基因翻译成氨基酸序列,对其编码蛋白的生物学特征进行分析。结果显示,弓形虫GRA25基因序列有2种长度,分别为939和948 bp。序列比对结果显示,GRA25基因在不同虫株间有82个核苷酸变异位点,变异率为0~4.4%。进化分析结果显示,用GRA25基因不能区分弓形虫基因Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型虫株。生物信息学分析预测弓形虫GRA25蛋白含有7个亲水区域,10个α-螺旋,3个β-折叠,8个无规则卷曲和8个潜在的线性B淋巴细胞抗原表位。本研究结果表明,GRA25基因不能作为标记分子区分不同基因型的弓形虫虫株,但可能作为疫苗候选分子研制新型抗弓形虫基因疫苗或表位肽疫苗。     

遮阴对三种豆科牧草光合特性和叶绿素荧光参数的影响

为了探讨豆科牧草在遮阴条件下生态适应性及寻求适度的遮阴比例,系统研究了不同程度的遮阴处理(0%,48%,70%,95%)对3种豆科牧草的光合特性和叶绿素荧光参数的影响。结果表明,随着遮阴强度的提高,白三叶的光补偿点和光饱和点减小,紫花苜蓿与草木樨在适度遮阴条件下可维持较低的光补偿点和光饱和点;3种豆科牧草叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素b和叶绿素a+b的含量逐渐降低,且相同遮阴处理下白三叶均高于其他2种豆科牧草,紫花苜蓿在Y3处理条件下表现为叶绿素a/b值最大;3种豆科牧草PSⅡ受到损伤的程度为紫花苜蓿＞草木樨＞白三叶;遮阴会使白三叶与草木樨的ΦPSⅡ和qP略有降低,但在Y3处理条件下,白三叶的ΦPSⅡ和qP会略有增加,而紫花苜蓿随着遮阴强度的提高,其ΦPSⅡ和qP呈先增加后减小的趋势。3种豆科牧草的耐阴强度顺序为:白三叶＞草木樨＞紫花苜蓿,其中,白三叶在70％以上的遮阴强度下仍然可以长势良好,而草木樨在48％的遮阴强度下有利于生长,紫花苜蓿则受遮阴影响较大。     

Interaction of Tritrichomonas foetus and the bovine oviduct in an organ culture model

Tritrichomonas foetus is an extracellular parasite of the reproductive tract in cattle. The mechanism by which T. foetus causes abortion in cattle is largely unknown. There are no studies of infection in the cow oviducts, almost all published papers are related to vagina infection and few articles focusing on the uterus. The aim of the present study was to establish a working model of bovine oviduct epithelial cells and submit these cells to Tritrichomonas foetus interaction. Twenty bovine oviducts were obtained from cows at a commercial abattoir and T. foetus was injected through the isthmus into the oviduct lumen. The whole oviduct was analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The results reported here demonstrate that: (1) fresh whole oviducts can be used as a good model to study parasite-host cell interaction; (2) cow oviduct epithelium has been shown to consist of two cell types: ciliated and nonciliated secretory cells, and T. foetus displayed great specificity for the nonciliated cells localized in the deeper oviduct folds; (3) T. foetus adheres as single separate cells, and maintains the flagella externalized; (4) differently from T. vaginalis, T. foetus does not change its shape during the adhesion process; and (5) oviduct cells exhibited morphological characteristics of apoptosis after trichomonadal interaction.