Polymorphism in promoter region of growth hormone receptor is associated with potential production capacity of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 in pre‐pubertal Holstein heifers

Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) is one of the important factors for growth, milk production and reproductive functions and mainly released from the liver in response to growth hormone (GH) via GH receptor (GHR) in cattle. Recently, some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the bovine GHR gene. Some GHR‐SNPs were shown to be related to plasma IGF‐1 concentration in cattle. Hence, the capacity to IGF‐1 production in the liver might be affected by GHR‐SNP and associated with performance in the future. This study examined whether GHR‐SNP is associated with IGF‐1 production in the liver of pre‐pubertal heifers. In 71 Holstein calves, blood samples for genomic DNA extraction were obtained immediately after birth. To genotype the GHR‐SNPs in the promoter region, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were digested with restriction enzyme NsiI (cutting sites: AA, AG and GG). All heifers at 4 months of age were intramuscularly injected with 0.4 mg oestradiol benzoate. Blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein just before (0 h) and 24 h after injection. The number of AA, AG and GG at the NsiI site was 0, 17 and 54 respectively. In AG and GG, plasma GH concentrations were higher pre‐injection than 24 h post‐injection (p < 0.01). Moreover, plasma GH concentrations in AG post‐injection were higher than in GG (p < 0.05). In contrast, the GG genotype exhibited higher plasma IGF‐1 concentrations in pre‐injection than post‐injection (p < 0.01), although oestradiol did not change IGF‐1 concentration in the AG genotype. We conclude that the GG polymorphism in the promoter region of GHR is associated with a higher potential capacity of IGF‐1 production in the liver of cattle.     

Changes in macrophage and lymphocyte subpopulations of lymphoid tissues from pigs infected with the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)

We used an immunohistochemical method to investigate changes in macrophage and lymphocyte subpopulations in various lymphoid tissues of pigs in the acute phase of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection. The numbers of CD8+ cells and B-cells varied among lymphoid tissues after PRRSV infection. In the infected pigs, numbers of CD8+ cells increased in systemic lymphoid tissues whereas numbers of B-cells increased in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues. There was no difference in the distribution of virus-infected cells and macrophages between lymphoid tissues of the infected pigs. These changes may be associated with the establishment of virus persistence or the emergence of concurrent infection in mucosal organs.     

Frequency of enteropathogen detection in suckling and weaned pigs with diarrhea in Japan.

Fecal samples from suckling (n=153) and weaned (n=116) piglets with diarrhea in Japan were examined for shedding of viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens using culture, microscopic, and polymerase chain reaction methods. In suckling piglets, diarrhea was attributed to infection with a single etiologic agent in 60.8% of cases and with combinations of agents in 22.2%. In weaned piglets, diarrhea was attributed to a single etiologic agent in 43.1% and to combinations of agents in 47.4% of cases. Rotavirus was the most prevalent agent in suckling (67.3%) and weaned (65.5%) piglets. The detection of other pathogens was associated with age of the animals examined. Coccidia were predominantly isolated from suckling piglets, whereas Escherichia coli was found predominantly in weaned piglets. Although a relationship was not observed between detection rate of rotavirus and age of piglets, a single group of rotavirus was detected in 87.5% of suckling piglets whereas multiple groups were detected in 51.6% of weaned piglets. The results of this study confirm that diarrhea in piglets can, to a variable degree, be causally associated with multiple agents. Additionally, these results suggest reasons why this syndrome can be difficult to control.     

Epidemiological investigation of the prevalence and features of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome in Japan.

To investigate the prevalence and features of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in Japan, an epidemiological study was conducted in 692 weaned pigs with various clinical signs, commonly including wasting or weight loss, collected from 129 swine farms between 2000 and 2003. The presence of PMWS was diagnosed by the detection of characteristic histological lesions and moderate to large amounts of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) antigen within the lesions in multiple lymphoid tissues. Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome was positive in 23.4% of pigs (162/692) over the course of the study, and occurred in 50.4% of the farms (65/129). Mortality in 30-120-day-old pigs in the farms positive for PMWS varied from 0.1 to 32.0%. No significant difference in mortality was seen between PMWS-positive and -negative farms (P = 0.1). However, mortality was significantly higher in the PMWS-positive farms where PMWS was diagnosed in more than 50% of the pigs examined compared to farms negative for PMWS (P = 0.02). These findings indicate that PMWS has spread widely in Japan. Moreover it may exist in variable forms in swine farms, including an epidemic form or a subtle endemic or sporadic form. A case-control study suggested that risk factors for the occurrence of PMWS include porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) pneumonias and Mycoplasma hyorhinis infection.     

Infection and colonization of aseptically micropropagated sugarcane seedlings by nitrogen-fixing endophytic bacterium, Herbaspirillum sp. B501gfp1

In this study, we used Herbaspirillum sp. B501gfp1 (B501gfp1), an isolate from wild rice, to investigate the interaction between a non-host nitrogen-fixing endophytic bacterium and micropropagated sugarcane plants under aseptic condition. Two Japanese sugarcane plants (Saccharum sp.) cultivars (cvs) NiF8 and Ni15 were inoculated using B501gfp1 in two inoculum doses of 10⁸ and 10² bacterial-cells-per-milliliter suspension. The results showed that bacterial cells colonized both the root and stem tissues, and colonization was apparent in the intercellular spaces. Higher bacterial numbers were detected in plant tissues inoculated with the higher inoculum concentration treatment. Bacterial numbers also varied between the two cultivars, with the higher values determined in cv Ni15. This study provides evidence that Herbaspirillum sp. B501gfp1, a rice isolate, could colonize sugarcane tissues, suggesting non-specificity of host plant among endophytes.     

Stages in the History of China's Acid Rain Control Strategy in the Light of China-Japan Relations

We analyze the history of acid rain in China over the last three decades in the light of the relationship between China and Japan. China has been aware of the problem of acid rain and has been conducting scientific research since the late 1970s. However, little effort has been put into practical countermeasures. In the early 1990s, acid rain was re-evaluated as an international environmental problem. Meanwhile, Japan became concerned about trans-boundary air pollution from China. What is important is that Japan's concern strongly influences China's acid rain policy. In the context of growing international concern for environmental problems, China has taken remarkable steps to control acid rain. In this respect, dealing with acid rain is an issue of national pride for China.     

The effect of human recombinant interleukin-2 on the porcine immune response to a pseudorabies virus subunit vaccine

The effect of human recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) as an immune enhancing agent was evaluated in pigs vaccinated with a pseudorabies virus subunit vaccine (SV). Two groups of three pigs received two 25 micrograms doses of SV given 3 weeks apart. One group received 10(5) kg-1 day-1 of rIL-2 subcutaneously over two 5-day periods beginning on the day of the first and second vaccine inoculation. Six other pigs were immunized with two 5 micrograms doses of SV. Three of these pigs were treated as above with rIL-2. The effect of treatment was evaluated by comparing: the humoral response; the cell-mediated immune (CMI) response as measured by lymphocyte blastogenesis before and after virus challenge; and the weight response and virus excretion pattern after challenge with virulent pseudorabies virus (PRV). The humoral antibody response as detected by the serum virus neutralization (SN) assay and the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was consistently higher in rIL-2 treated pigs than in non-treated pigs. These differences were significant (P less than 0.05) among high vaccine dose pigs prior to virus challenge when measured by the SN assay and during the anamnestic response period between days 3 and 10 after challenge when measured by both the SN assay and the ELISA. No differences were detected between treatment groups in the weight response, virus excretion pattern or the CMI response. These results suggest that human rIL-2 may have enhanced the immune response of pigs to the subunit vaccine.