Reference intervals and age-related changes for platelet count, mean platelet volume and plateletcrit in healthy pre-weaning piglets in Italy

Platelet count (PLT) mean platelet volume (MPV) and plateletcrit (PCT) were determined for 117 Landrace x Large White piglets aged 3-21 days; counts were performed with an automated blood cell counter (ABX Pentra 120). Reference values were estimated following the guidelines of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) and the International Committee for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH). The calculated central 95% reference limits for PLT was 49.9-516.2 x 10(9)/1, for MPV 6.71-9.91 fl and for PCT 0.009-0.395%. When observations are divided into three age groups (about 1 week each) there is an increase in mean PLT count and PCT in 2-week piglets, and a decrease in MPV from the first to the third week of life. These reference values provide guidelines for interpreting for experimental and clinical observations, as well as for monitoring of the health status of similar aged piglets determined using automated impedance-light focusing methodology.     

Uterine Motility in Sows During Spontaneous Parturition and Induced Parturitions with the PGF Analog Alfbprostol and Oxytocin

Contents: Uterine activity, i.e. myometrial contractions, were recorded in 11 sows prior to and during parturition by using strain gauges placed onto uterine horns about 15 to 20 cm cranial of the bifurcation. Tocographic patterns observed prior to and during spontaneous and alfaprostol induced parturitions were normal. Administration of 20, 10 or 5 I.U. oxytocin 22 hours after alfaprostol quickly initiated abnormal periparturient contraction patterns with 20 and 10 I.U. oxytocin and in one of two animals receiving 5 I. U. These were characterized initially by prolonged tetanic contractions resulting in delayed deliveries, and later by the premature occurrence of patterns seen normally only during the phase of placental expulsions, although not all piglets had been delivered. The importance to use myornetrial activity profiles to evaluate parturition induction methods was stressed .     

Prepuberal evolution of plasma leptin levels in gilts of thrifty genotype (Iberian pig) and lean commercial crosses (Large White × Landrace)

Current study aimed to determine possible differences in plasma leptin levels during the prepuberal period and their relationship with the onset of puberty in gilts of obese thrifty genotype (Iberian breed) and lean genotype (Large White × Landrace commercial crosses) reared under similar conditions. Plasma leptin concentration increased linearly during the 7 weeks prior to the day of puberty attainment in both genotypes (P<0.005, r=0.707 for LW × L and P<0.0005, r=0.874 for Iberian gilts). However, leptin levels in the Iberian gilts was higher from the first sample of the experimental period, with females having 16 weeks-old (2.7±0.3 vs 1.7±0.2 ng/ml in LW × L; P<0.001), to the onset of puberty (8.5±0.7 vs 2.8±0.3 ng/ml in LW × L; P<0.005). Thus, the current study reinforces previous data on changes in around puberty and evidences, for the first time, profound differences in prepuberal plasma leptin levels between gilts of obese (Iberian) and lean genotypes (LW×L).     

Dimensional analysis of milk fat globules in sow milk: effects of the lactation stage and fat content and comparison with vaccine milk

To assess the differences in the granulometry of milk fat globules between swine and bovine species, milk samples from 30 lactating sows were analyzed for fat globule dimensions and compared with cow milk samples. Results showed differences between the fat globules: sow milk presents reduced globule diameters compared with cow milk (volume-weighted diameter 2.62 vs. 3.27 µm, p < 0.001) and reduced interglobular distance. A positive relationship was observed between milk fat content and globule diameter, while a slight, insignificant inverse trend was detected between the day of lactation and fat globule diameter. These complex interactions between milk lipids, globule membrane proteins, and globule dimensions provide a better understanding of digestion/absorption phenomena in the design of milk replacers.

     

Biocontrol of the pathogen Phytophthora parasitica by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is a consequence of effects on infection loci

The impact of colonization by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Glomus mosseae on tomato root necrosis caused by the soil-borne pathogen Phytophthora parasitica was investigated. Studies in situ permitted infection loci to be identified and the effects of the AMF on numbers to be elucidated. Effects were significant and, 7 and 16 days after inoculation with zoospores of the pathogen, roots of plants colonized by the AMF had 39% and 30%, respectively, fewer infection loci than those that were not. Concurrent studies of the rate of spread of necrosis within roots showed no changes caused by the AMF. At harvest, 26 days following inoculation with the pathogen, 61% of roots of noncolonized plants were necrotic compared with only 31% in AMF-colonized plants. It is concluded that effects on numbers of infection loci are one mechanism via which AMF achieve biocontrol of this pathogen in tomato. Measures of the effects of the AMF on root system architecture suggest that no significant changes occur and are thus not the reasons for the reduction in infection loci. The implications of these data for agricultural practice and biocontrol research are discussed.     

Comparison of endoscopy,histology, and cytokine mRNA of the equine gastric mucosa

In recent years, gastric ulceration has been recognized as a common, possibly performance-limiting disease, of adult horses. The aim of this study was to compare endoscopic features, histological diagnosis, and mRNA levels of various cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-13) from horse gastric biopsies. Eleven horses suffering from equine gastric ulcer syndrome and seven horses with normal histological gastric features were assessed. No correlation between endoscopic features and histology (i.e., the gold standard) was observed. Based on histological diagnosis, a significant (p < 0.05) increase in cytokine mRNA levels (specifically, TNF-α and IL-13) was observed in horses affected by equine ulcerative gastric syndrome.

     

Enhancing insemination performance in pigs through controlled release of encapsulated spermatozoa

Encapsulation of boar semen is a novel technique that allows insemination to be performed as a single intervention without the need to dilute the semen. The research reviewed in this paper shows that spermatozoa encapsulated in alginate are able to achieve the same fertility as two or three inseminations per oestrus using standard techniques and unencapsulated cells. The use of encapsulated spermatozoa is currently limited by the need for longer semen processing time and wastage of disposable material (catheters, plastic bottles, etc.). In this review, the advantages, the drawbacks and the future possibilities for artificial insemination with encapsulated spermatozoa in the sow are discussed, with the aim of applying this promising new methodology for the optimization of sow reproductive performance.     

Evaluation of specificity of tuberculosis diagnostic assays in caprine flocks under different epidemiological situations

The aim of this study was to evaluate the specificity of the most widely used tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic tests, single intradermal tuberculin (SIT) and single comparative intradermal tuberculin (SCIT) tests and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) assay in 937 animals from eight TB-free caprine flocks under different epidemiological situations. Maximum specificity was found using SCIT test (99.4-100% depending on the interpretation criteria) while SIT test and IFN-γ assay showed a slightly lower overall specificity (97.6-99.2% and 96.4-98.4% respectively). Specificity of the SIT test in a Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infected flock was significantly (P<0.05) lower if a severe interpretation criterion was applied. Similarly, specificity values of SIT test and particularly IFN-γ assay in a paratuberculosis (PTB)-vaccinated flock were lower than those observed in non-vaccinated flocks. Higher proportion of false positive reactors to TB tests (SIT and IFN-γ assay) were observed among animals positive in the PTB-ELISA in PTB vaccinated flock. These results demonstrate that TB diagnostic tests show an adequate specificity when performed in goats from TB-free flocks in most situations. However, certain factors such as C. pseudotuberculosis infection and paratuberculosis vaccination can have a negative impact in the most sensitive tests.     

A single insemination intervention in the sow with barium alginate-encapsulated boar semen

Veterinary Research Communications -