Peripheral white blood cell counts throughout pregnancy in non-aborting Neospora caninum-seronegative and seropositive high-producing dairy cows in a Holstein Friesian herd

Pregnancy is characterized by transient changes in the maternal immune system, also evident at peripheral level. The present study analyzes the kinetics and possible factors affecting peripheral white blood cell populations throughout pregnancy in a herd of high-producing dairy cows chronically infected or not with Neospora caninum. We examined 54 pregnant parous cows: 29 Neospora-seronegative and 25 Neospora-seropositive cows. Blood samples were collected on Days 90, 120, 150, 180 and 210 of gestation. General Linear Model (GLM) repeated measures analysis of variance showed that the interaction Neospora-seropositivity × parity significantly affected total leukocyte, neutrophil and monocyte counts with lower levels of total leukocytes, lower neutrophil and higher monocyte counts recorded in primiparous Neospora-seropositive cows. In addition, N. caninum-seropositive cows had significantly increased monocyte counts on Day 180 of gestation compared to seronegative ones. Other factors significantly associated with changes in total and/or differential leukocyte profiles were period of pregnancy, season, twin pregnancy and milk production. In conclusion, a parity-associated effect of chronic N. caninum infection was observed on peripheral blood cell profiles in dairy cattle during gestation.     

Relationships between endometrial cytology and interval to first ovulation, and pregnancy in postpartum dairy cows in a single herd

The objectives were to investigate the relationships between endometrial cytology (EC) and interval from calving to first ovulation, and pregnancy in dairy cows, and that between uterine fluid and EC. On day 25 postpartum, 39 dairy cows were grouped based on EC, as having low (?8%) or high (>8%) polymorphonuclear cells (PMN), and the quantity of uterine fluid was assessed by ultrasound. The interval from calving to first ovulation was shorter in low, than in high PMN cows (32 vs. 45 d). A greater proportion of cows with uterine fluid had high PMN (64% vs. 21%), and the PMN increased from 14% to 34% as the quantity of uterine fluid increased. The mean interval from calving to ovulation was longer in primiparous cows with high PMN (49 d) compared to that of primiparous and multiparous cows with low PMN (28 and 29 d, respectively). Although the conception rate to first service at 92 d postpartum was not different between PMN groups, the cumulative pregnancy at 270 d tended to be higher in low than in high PMN (80% vs. 58%) multiparous cows. Also, cows that had uterine fluid on day 25 postpartum had a shorter interval from calving to pregnancy than those with no uterine fluid (161 vs. 208 d). In conclusion, combining transrectal ultrasonography with endometrial cytology on day 25 postpartum has diagnostic value in the assessment of uterine inflammation.     

徐淮山羊PPAR基因克隆及其表达产物亚细胞定位的研究

研究旨在克隆徐淮山羊过氧化物酶体激活增殖受体(PPAR)基因的cDNA,并通过EGFP融合蛋白对该基因产物亚细胞水平定位。采用RT-PCR方法克隆徐淮山羊脂肪组织PPAR基因cDNA,并构建含有增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)报告基因的融合表达载体pEGFP-C1-PPAR,聚乙烯亚胺(PEI)介导基因转染NIH-3T3细胞,48h后荧光倒置显微镜下观察基因表达产物的分布,RT-PCR检测mRNA在体外水平的表达。结果表明:首次成功克隆出徐淮山羊PPAR基因的全序列cDNA,大小为1428bp,GenBank登录号为GU082382;构建了融合表达载体pEGFP-C1-PPAR;RT-PCR检测mRNA表达明显;EGFP-PPAR融合蛋白定位在NIT-3T3细胞质中。体外克隆的徐淮山羊PPAR基因cDNA,在单细胞水平上可表达于细胞质中,结果为进一步研究PPAR的生物学功能奠定基础。     

鸡ES细胞体外定向诱导分化特性的研究

旨在探索鸡胚胎干细胞(ES细胞)体外定向诱导的多向分化潜能.分离鸡X期胚盘细胞,体外培养传代,经鉴定后,采用地塞米松(DEX)、β-甘油磷酸钠(β-GP)和维生素C(VitC)诱导ES细胞向成骨细胞分化;采用维甲酸(RA)、3-异丁基-1-甲基黄嘌呤(IBMX)诱导ES细胞向神经元样细胞分化;采用DEX、胰岛素、IBMX诱导ES细胞向脂肪细胞分化,比较不同浓度组合诱导剂的诱导效果,分别用Von Kossa's染色法、甲苯胺蓝染色法、免疫组化法、油红O染色法和RT-PCR鉴定诱导产生的细胞.结果显示,ES细胞被诱导3～21 d后,分化为成骨细胞,诱导率为40％～72％;被诱导4～7 d后,分化为神经元样细胞,诱导率为71％～84％;被诱导2～21 d后,分化为脂肪细胞,油红O染色阳性,并表达PPARγ基因.结果表明,在体外条件下,ES细胞可被特异的化学物质定向诱导分化为成骨细胞、神经元样细胞和脂肪细胞,具有多向分化潜能.     

藏山羊和藏绵羊小肠黏膜免疫相关细胞的比较研究

为了探讨藏山羊和藏绵羊在低氧环境中小肠黏膜免疫屏障结构的适应特征,本试验采用组织化学方法和图像分析法对4只成年藏山羊和4只成年藏绵羊小肠不同肠段的上皮内淋巴细胞、杯状细胞和肥大细胞的数量进行比较研究。结果显示:藏山羊小肠各段杯状细胞和肥大细胞的数量均高于藏绵羊(P<0.05),其中藏山羊十二指肠、空肠和回肠的上皮内杯状细胞数量分别比藏绵羊多37.87%(P<0.05)、21.43%(P>0.05)和31.68%(P<0.05),藏山羊十二指肠、空肠和回肠的肥大细胞数量分别比藏绵羊多85.20%(P<0.05)、50.73%(P<0.05)和22.52%(P>0.05);而藏山羊小肠各段上皮内淋巴细胞的数量(36.35±0.98)低于藏绵羊(48.84±2.12)(P<0.05)。结果提示,成年藏山羊的小肠黏膜免疫屏障功能强于藏绵羊;藏绵羊小肠中上皮内淋巴细胞起重要的黏膜防御功能,而在藏山羊小肠中杯状细胞和肥大细胞起重要的黏膜防御功能。     

Decreased expression of p63, a regulator of epidermal stem cells, in the chronic laminitic equine hoof

Reasons for performing study: Abnormal epidermal stem cell regulation may contribute to the pathogenesis of equine chronic laminitis. Objective: To analyse the involvement of p63, a regulator of epidermal stem cell proliferative potential, in chronic laminitis. Methods: Epidermal tissues from skin, coronet and lamellae of the dorsal foot were harvested from 5 horses with chronic laminitis and 5 control horses. Tissues were analysed using histopathology, immunofluorescence microscopy and quantitative immunoblotting Results: Hoof lamellae of laminitic horses had a lower frequency of p63 positive cells than control lamellae, particularly in the distal region. Quantitative immunoblotting confirmed reduced p63 expression in the laminitic distal lamellar region. The decreased p63 expression in laminitic epidermal lamellae was most apparent in the abaxial region adjacent to the hoof wall and highly associated with the formation of terminally differentiated, dysplastic and hyperkeratotic epidermis in this region, whereas lamellae from control horses maintained high p63 expression throughout the axial‐abaxial axis. Conclusions: Expression of p63 in equine skin resembles that reported in other species, including man and rodents, suggesting that p63 can serve as a marker for the proliferative potential of equine epidermal stem cells. p63 expression was significantly lower in the chronic laminitic hoof than in that of control horses, suggesting laminitic hoof epithelium has more limited proliferative potential with a shift towards differentiation. This may reflect reduced activity of epidermal stem cells in laminitic hoof. It is proposed that p63 contributes to the maintenance of hoof lamellae and that misregulation of p63 expression may lead to epidermal dysplasia during lamellar wedge formation. Potential relevance: This study suggests that loss of epidermal stem cells contributes to the pathogenesis of equine laminitis. Autologous transplantation of p63‐positive epidermal stem cells from unaffected regions may have regenerative therapeutic potential for laminitic horses.     

猪卵巢颗粒细胞分离培养及鉴定

为构建猪卵巢颗粒细胞的体外培养体系,研究毒素的生殖毒性奠定基础,采用机械分离法从1～5 mm的卵泡中提取猪卵巢颗粒细胞,苔盼蓝染色计算细胞存活率,Giemsa染色和结晶紫染色观察细胞形态,免疫细胞化学染色方法检测促卵泡刺激素受体(FSHR)表达来鉴定颗粒细胞,MTT方法测定细胞生长曲线.结果显示分离提取的猪卵巢颗粒细胞存活率为65%左右,细胞纯度＞97%,细胞结构完整,边缘分明,胞核呈卵圆形位于靠近胞质的中央.另外细胞生长曲线表明,细胞从24 h开始进入对数生长期,并于96 h达到最高密度,之后进入平台期.分离培养的颗粒细胞生长状态良好,且细胞纯度＞97%,是理想的适合进行毒素生殖毒理学的细胞培养体系.     

仔猪胰腺细胞体外培养体系的建立

为了研究体外培养仔猪胰腺细胞的适宜条件,试验选取1日龄的仔猪胰腺组织置于冰上清洗、修剪,对消化酶、离心方式、培养皿铺被方式、培养液及添加不同促生长因子等多种因素进行筛选和优化。结果表明:0.25%胰酶消化所获得的细胞强于0.1%胶原酶消化获得的细胞,细胞清亮,易于生长;采用500 r/min离心5 min、多次离心所获得的细胞较Percoll不连续密度梯度离心和5%BSA等密度梯度离心所获得的细胞贴壁率高,生长能力强,易于培养传代;采用0.1%明胶或20μg/mL的层黏连蛋白铺被培养皿均比无铺被的培养皿获得更多的贴壁细胞;以RPMI 1640、M199、F12、L-DMEM多种培养液培养仔猪胰腺细胞,表现出多种细胞形态和生长趋势;在基础培养液中添加上皮生长因子、角质化生长因子、β-巯基乙醇和白血病细胞抑制因子、转铁蛋白与亚硒酸盐混合试剂等促干细胞增殖因子可促进不同形态细胞的增殖。说明按此方式培养可获得大量、多种细胞形态的仔猪胰腺祖/干细胞。     

铜对肉鸡原代肝细胞活性及糖原含量的影响

为了探讨铜对肉鸡原代肝细胞活性及糖原含量的影响,试验分别用10,50,100μmol/L Cu2+在体外孵育原代肝细胞,PAS染色后测定30分钟和1,2,4,24,48,72小时各时间点的原代肝细胞活性及24小时时的糖原含量。结果表明:50μmol/L和100μmol/L Cu2+仅分别在72小时和4小时之后明显降低细胞活性;随着铜浓度的升高,糖原含量减少。说明高浓度铜可降低原代肝细胞活性,促进肝糖原分解。