Immune response to avian reovirus in chickens and protection against experimental infection

Objectives To assess the efficacy of the vaccination procedure and the effect of the transfer of maternal antibodies to progeny chickens on reovirus pathogenicity.
Design To vaccinate chickens and challenge progeny chickens with high doses of homologous and heterologous viruses.
Procedure High doses of reovirus strains RAM-1, 1091 and 724 were used to induce tenosynovitis lesions. High doses were produced by concentration of viruses grown in cell culture. Then similar doses of viruses were used to challenge immunised chickens progeny.
Result Vaccination of breeding hens with the RAM-1 strain of avian reovirus, which resulted in the passive transfer of neutralising antibody to progeny chickens, completely prevented the development of tenosynovitis in 80% of progeny chickens infected with the homologous virus. Even though multiple injection of hens resulted in broadening of the normal type-specificity of the neutralising antibody response against heterologous serotypes of avian reovirus, only marginal protection against strains of two heterologous serotypes of avian reovirus was obtained.
Conclusions A model for assessing the efficacy of vaccination against avian reovirus strains on clinical signs such as tenosynovitis was developed that overcome the normal low virulence of Australian strains of avian reovirus. Breeding hens can be immunised with Australian strain of avian reovirus with passive transfer of antibody via the yolk to the progeny chickens. Although the neutralising antibody response to three injections of inactivated virus decreased the specificity of the neutralising antibody response against antigenically heterologous strains of avian reovirus, the protective immunity appeared to retain type-specificity.     

Comparative Development of Embryonic Age by Organogenesis in Domestic Dogs and Cats

The precise determination of the embryonic chronology is very important in reproductive biotechnologies, especially in estimating embryonic age. Thus, there is a need for greater knowledge and standardization for determining the chronology of embryonic development and functional morphology. We describe aspects of embryonic development in two domestic carnivores to add knowledge about organ peculiarities and for application in veterinary practice, in prenatal development and in the biotechnology fields. We found that the development of differential characteristics of embryonic organs occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy for both species. Thus, using the combination of the crown‐rump length, macroscopic analysis and optical microscopy, it is possible to predict gestational age more precisely in animals that lack a defined breed and establish an embryonic pattern.     

Estimating the mass of asteroid 253 mathilde from tracking data during the NEAR flyby

The terminal navigation of the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft during its close flyby of asteroid 253 Mathilde involved coordinated efforts to determine the heliocentric orbits of the spacecraft and Mathilde and then to determine the relative trajectory of the spacecraft with respect to Mathilde. The gravitational perturbation of Mathilde on the passing spacecraft was apparent in the spacecraft tracking data. As a result of the accurate targeting achieved, these data could be used to determine Mathilde's mass as 1.033 (+/- 0.044) x 10(20) grams. Coupled with a volume estimate provided by the NEAR imaging team, this mass suggests a low bulk density for Mathilde of 1.3 grams per cubic centimeter.     

The effect of select seminal plasma proteins on endometrial mRNA cytokine expression in mares susceptible to persistent mating‐induced endometritis

In the horse, breeding induces a transient endometrial inflammation. A subset of mares are unable to resolve this inflammation, and they are considered susceptible to persistent mating‐induced endometritis PMIE Select seminal plasma proteins cysteine‐rich secretory protein‐3 (CRISP‐3) and lactoferrin have been shown to affect the innate immune response to sperm in vitro. The objective of this study was to determine whether the addition of CRISP‐3 and lactoferrin at the time of insemination had an effect on the mRNA expression of endometrial cytokines in susceptible mares after breeding. Six mares classified as susceptible to PMIE were inseminated during four consecutive oestrous cycles with treatments in randomized order of: 1 mg/ml CRISP‐3, 150 μg/ml lactoferrin, seminal plasma (positive control) or lactated Ringer's solution (LRS; negative control) to a total volume of 10 ml combined with 1 × 10⁹ spermatozoa pooled from two stallions. Six hours after treatment, an endometrial biopsy was obtained for qPCR analysis of selected genes associated with inflammation (pro‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐8, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interferon (INF)‐γ, anti‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐1RN and IL‐10, and inflammatory‐modulating cytokine IL‐6). Seminal plasma treatment increased the mRNA expression of IL‐1β (p = .019) and IL‐8 (p = .0068), while suppressing the mRNA expression of TNF (p = .0013). Lactoferrin also suppressed the mRNA expression of TNF (p = .0013). In conclusion, exogenous lactoferrin may be considered as one modulator of the complex series of events resulting in the poorly regulated pro‐inflammatory response seen in susceptible mares.     

Ovulation,Pregnancy Rate and Early Embryonic Development in Vernal Transitional Mares Treated with Equine‐ or Porcine‐FSH

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of purified equine‐ and porcine‐FSH treatment regimes in mares in early vernal transition. Mares (n = 22) kept under ambient light were examined ultrasonographically per‐rectum, starting January 30th. They were assigned to one of two treatment groups using a sequential alternating treatment design when a follicle ≥ 25 mm was detected. In the eFSH group, mares were treated twice daily with equine‐FSH, and in the pFSH group mares were treated twice daily with porcine‐FSH; treatments were continued until follicle(s) ≥ 35 mm, and 24 h later hCG was administered. Oestrous mares were inseminated with fresh semen and examined for pregnancy on days 11–20 post‐ovulation. In the eFSH group, 11/11 (100%) mares developed follicle(s) ≥ 35 mm, 8/11 (73%) ovulated and 6/8 (75%) conceived. In the pFSH group, 5/11 (45%) developed follicle(s) ≥ 35 mm, 4/11 (36%) ovulated and 3/4 (75%) conceived. Treatment with eFSH resulted in a greater ovarian stimulation; higher number of pre‐ovulatory‐sized follicles, higher number of ovulations and higher number of embryos (p < 0.05). Following ovulation, serum progesterone concentrations were correlated with the number of CLs and supported early embryonic development; maternal recognition of pregnancy occurred in all pregnant mares. We concluded that eFSH can be used to effectively induce follicular growth and ovulation in vernal transitional mares; however, if bred, diagnosis and management of twins’ pregnancies would be required prior to day 16 because of the increased risk of multiple embryos per pregnancy. Conversely, the current pFSH treatment regime cannot be recommended.     

Transplacental Transfer of Iron in the Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): Uteroferrin and Erythrophagocytosis

The objectives of this investigation were to understand transplacental transport of iron by secreted uteroferrin (UF) and haemophagous areas of water buffalo placenta and clarify the role(s) of blood extravasation at the placental‐maternal interface. Placentomes and interplacentomal region of 51 placentae at various stages of gestation were fixed, processed for light and transmission electron microscopy, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. Haemophagous areas were present in placentomes collected between 4 and 10 months of pregnancy. Perl’s reaction for ferric iron was negative in placentomes, but positive in endometrial glands. Positive staining for UF indicated areas in which it was being taken up by phagocytosis and/or fluid phase pinocytosis in areolae of the interplacentomal mesenchyme, with little staining in endometrial stroma. Imunohistochemistry detected UF in trophectoderm of haemophagous regions of placentomes and in other parts of the foetal villous tree, but the strongest immunostaining was in the epithelial cells and lumen of uterine glands. Ultrastructural analyses indicated that erythrophagocytosis was occurring and that erythrocytes were present inside cells of the chorion that also contained endocytic vesicles and caveolae. Results of this study indicate that both the haemophagous areas of placentomes and the areolae at the interface between chorion and endometrial glands are important sites for iron transfer from mother to foetal‐placental tissues in buffalo throughout pregnancy.     

Endothelin receptor subtype A blockade does not affect the haemodynamic recovery from haemorrhage during xenon/remifentanil or isoflurane/remifentanil anaesthesia in dogs

ObjectiveTo test the compensatory role of endothelin-1 when acute blood loss is superimposed on anaesthesia, by characterizing the effect of systemic endothelin receptor subtype A (ET_A) blockade on the haemodynamic and hormonal responses to haemorrhage in dogs anaesthetized with xenon/remifentanil (X/R) or isoflurane/remifentanil (I/R).Study designProspective experimental randomized controlled study.AnimalsSix female Beagle dogs, 13.4 ± 1.3 kg.MethodsAnimals were anaesthetized with remifentanil 0.5 μg kg^?1 minute^?1 plus either 0.8% isoflurane (I/R) or 63% xenon (X/R), with and without (Control) the systemic intravenous endothelin receptor subtype A antagonist atrasentan (four groups, n = 6 each). After 60 minutes of baseline anaesthesia, the dogs were bled (20 mL kg^?1) over 5 minutes and hypovolemia was maintained for 1 hour. Continuous haemodynamic monitoring was performed via femoral and pulmonary artery catheters; vasoactive hormones were measured before and after haemorrhage.ResultsIn Controls, systemic vascular resistance (SVR), vasopressin and catecholamine plasma concentrations were higher with X/R than with I/R anaesthesia at pre-haemorrhage baseline. The peak increase after haemorrhage was higher during X/R than during I/R anaesthesia (SVR 7420 ± 867 versus 5423 ± 547 dyne seconds cm^?5; vasopressin 104 ± 23 versus 44 ± 6 pg mL^?1; epinephrine 2956 ± 310 versus 177 ± 99 pg mL^?1; norepinephrine 862 ± 117 versus 195 ± 33 pg mL^?1, p < 0.05). Haemorrhage reduced central venous pressure from 3 ± 1 to 1 ± 1 cmH₂O (I/R, ns) and from 8 ± 1 to 5 ± 1 cmH₂O (X/R, p < 0.05), but did not reduce mean arterial pressure, nor cardiac output. Atrasentan did not alter the haemodynamic and hormonal response to haemorrhage during either anaesthetic protocol.Conclusions and clinical relevanceSelective ET_A receptor blockade with atrasentan did not impair the haemodynamic and hormonal compensation of acute haemorrhage during X/R or I/R anaesthesia in dogs.     

Antioxidant activity-guided fractionation of blue wheat (UC66049 Triticum aestivum L.)

Antioxidant activity-guided fractionation based on three in vitro antioxidant assays (Folin-Ciocalteu, TEAC, and leucomethylene blue assays) was used to identify major antioxidants in blue wheat (UC66049 Triticum aestivum L.). After consecutive extractions with solvents of various polarities and multiple chromatographic fractionations, several potent antioxidants were identified by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Anthocyanins (delphinidin-3-glucoside, delphinidin-3-rutinoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, and cyanidin-3-rutinoside), tryptophan, and a novel phenolic trisaccharide (β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside) were the most active water-extractable constituents. However, anthocyanins were found to be major contributors to the overall blue wheat antioxidant activity only when the extraction steps were performed under acidic conditions. Alkylresorcinols were among the most active antioxidants extractable with 80% ethanol in the TEAC assay. However, this may be due to a color change instead of a bleaching of the ABTS radical. Ferulic acid was found to be the major antioxidant in alkaline cell-wall hydrolysates. The contents of the most active antioxidants were determined.     

Seminal Leucocytary Profile in Beef Bulls

Despite evidences that seminal leucocytes could affect semen quality, references for the frequency and concentration of these cells in bulls are not available. The aim of this study was to determine the normal concentration of leucocytes in beef bulls and to correlate this characteristic with semen quality. First, 57 bulls from artificial insemination centres were evaluated to obtain the normal leucocytary profile values. Next, 382 bulls were subjected to breeding soundness evaluation. The average concentration of leucocytes in bovine semen was 4.73 × 10⁶/ml. Unsatisfactory bulls showed a higher number of leucocytes/field than that in the satisfactory ones. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the unsatisfactory bulls showed 6.5‐fold more chances of having higher leucocyte counts than satisfactory ones. Values of up to 1 leucocyte/field in the bull ejaculate are considered physiologically normal, whereas >5 leucocytes/field is associated with poor semen quality.