Supplementation of broodmares with copper, zinc, iron, manganese, cobalt, iodine, and selenium

In experiment 1, 6 pregnant mares received a concentrate that contained a trace mineral premix that provided 14.3 mg Cu, 40 mg Zn, 28 mg Fe, 28 mg Mn, 0.08 mg Co, 0.16 mg I, and 0.16 mg Se/kg concentrate (group A). Seven mares received the same concentrate plus 502 mg Zn and 127 mg Cu once daily (group B). No differences (P > .05) in foal growth data, or Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations of mare milk, mare serum, or foal serum were observed. In experiment 2, 6 pregnant mares received the same concentrate as group A (group C), and 8 mares received the same concentrate fortified with 4× the trace mineral premix (group D). Group C mares had higher serum Zn concentration at 1 day (P < 0.01) and 56 days (P < 0.04). Group C mares had higher milk Fe concentration at 28 days (P < .01), and group D mares had higher milk Cu concentration at 56 days (P < .01). Group C foals had higher serum Cu concentration at 14 days (P < .03). The results from this study provide no evidence to indicate that supplementing late gestating and lactating mares with higher dietary trace mineral levels than those recommended currently by NRC has any influence on foal growth and development, or on the Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations of the mare milk, mare serum, or foal serum.     

Correlation between corneal sensitivity and quantity of reflex tearing in cows,horses, goats,sheep, dogs,cats, rabbits,and guinea pigs

Objective Guinea pigs have a very low threshold of corneal sensitivity and at the same time nearly no reflex tearing compared to dogs, cats, and horses. The question arose whether there is a general correlation between corneal sensitivity and the quantity of reflex tearing. Animals studied Totally 160 animals of 8 different species (20 animals per species) were investigated. Procedures The corneal touch threshold (CTT) was measured with a Cochet–Bonnet esthesiometer. The palpebral fissure length (PFL) was measured with a calliper ruler. The Schirmer tear test (STT) was modified by adapting the width of the STT strip to the PFL of every species. For the STT II, 0.4% oxybuprocaine was applied. Results Corneal touch threshold: Cows (1.67 g/mm²), horses (1.23 g/mm²), sheep (1.13 g/mm²), goats (1.44 g/mm²), dogs (2.16 g/mm²), and cats (1.33 g/mm²) show similar CTT values. In contrast, rabbits (6.21 g/mm²) and guinea pigs (7.75 g/mm²) show a significantly lower CTT. Tear Production Difference STT I ? STT II: Rabbits have the greatest decline in tear production with 38.4%, followed by sheep (33.3%), dogs (31.1%), cats (24.7%), cows (23.7%), horses (18.0%), and goats (14.0%). Guinea pigs have no decline, but a slight increase of ?16.0%. Correlation CTT and STT II ? STT I Difference: Pearson’s correlation coefficient shows a small, but significant correlation. The coefficient of determination can only forecast a value with 7.1% certainty. Conclusions The high variance and low reproducibility of results suggest that the measuring devices are inappropriate to assess the evaluated parameters. Therefore, no assured correlation between the corneal sensitivity and the quantity of reflex tearing could be found.     

The effects of antibiotic,probiotic, organic acid,vitamin C,and Echinacea purpurea extract on performance,carcass characteristics,blood chemistry,microbiota, and immunity of broiler chickens

The present context investigated the comparative study on the supplementation of antibiotic, probiotic, organic acid, vitamin C, and herbal extract after vaccination into drinking water and their effects on performance, carcass quality, blood biochemical parameters, immune system, and intestinal flora in broiler chicks for 42 days. A total of 420 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned into 7 treatments with 3 replicates (pens) per treatment and 20 male chicks for each replicate (pen). The experimental treatments consisted of drinking water (control, without additive); drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet; drinking water + C-Vet-50; drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet + C-Vet-50; drinking water + probiotic Primalac; drinking water + butyric acid; and drinking water + extract of Echinacea purpurea Moench (coneflower). There were no differences observed among the treatments for feed intake, but during the whole experimental period, the highest body weight gain was found in the chicks fed with drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet + 50 cc vitamin C (P < 0.05). There were no differences (P > 0.05) observed among the treatments for feed conversion ratio (P > 0.05). Moreover, there were no differences reported among treatments for carcass characteristics at the end of the experiment. Among the treatments, drinking water + 50 cc vitamin C, and drinking water + extract of E. purpurea reduced (P < 0.05) the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins. Drinking water + 50 cc vitamin C, drinking water + Primalac, and drinking water + extract of E. purpurea increased (P < 0.05) the lymphocytes count and decreased the heterophils count and heterophil:lymphocyte ratio. The highest Escherichia coli count and lowest Lactobacillus count in ileal content of the broilers were observed in the control group (P < 0.05). The additives used in this study may be incorporated in the drinking water of broiler chickens as growth promoters and for improved performance. A further, wider supplementation study is required to understand the performance, immune system, variation in the intestinal microbial counts, and any other possible alteration in the intestinal biota of the broilers.     

Rumen fluid,feces, milk,water, feed,airborne dust,and bedding microbiota in dairy farms managed by automatic milking systems

Microbiota of the gut, milk, and cowshed environment were examined at two dairy farms managed by automatic milking systems (AMS). Feed, rumen fluid, feces, milk, bedding, water, and airborne dust were collected and the microbiota on each was assessed by Illumina MiSeq sequencing. The most abundant taxa in feed, rumen fluid, feces, bedding, and water were Lactobacillaceae, Prevotellaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Lactobacillaceae, respectively, at both farms. Aerococcaceae was the most abundant taxon in milk and airborne dust microbiota at farm 1, and Staphylococcaceae and Lactobacillaceae were the most abundant taxa in milk and airborne dust microbiota at farm 2. The three most prevalent taxa (Aerococcaceae, Staphylococcaceae, and Ruminococcaceae at farm 1 and Staphylococcaceae, Lactobacillaceae, and Ruminococcaceae at farm 2) were shared between milk and airborne dust microbiota. Indeed, SourceTracker indicated that milk microbiota was related with airborne dust microbiota. Meanwhile, hierarchical clustering and canonical analysis of principal coordinates demonstrated that the milk microbiota was associated with the bedding microbiota but clearly separated from feed, rumen fluid, feces, and water microbiota. Although our findings were derived from only two case studies, the importance of cowshed management for milk quality control and mastitis prevention was emphasized at farms managed by AMS.     

Changes in plasma melanocyte-stimulating hormone,ACTH, prolactin,GH, LH,FSH, and thyroid-stimulating hormone in response to injection of sulpiride,thyrotropin-releasing hormone,or vehicle in insulin-sensitive and -insensitive mares

Six insulin-sensitive and 6 insulin-insensitive mares were used in a replicated 3 by 3 Latin square design to determine the pituitary hormonal responses (compared with vehicle) to sulpiride and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), 2 compounds commonly used to diagnose pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses. Mares were classified as insulin sensitive or insensitive by their previous glucose responses to direct injection of human recombinant insulin. Treatment days were February 25, 2012, and March 10 and 24, 2012. Treatments were sulpiride (racemic mixture, 0.01 mg/kg BW), TRH (0.002 mg/kg BW), and vehicle (saline, 0.01 mL/kg BW) administered intravenously. Blood samples were collected via jugular catheters at −10, 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min relative to treatment injection. Plasma ACTH concentrations were variable and were not affected by treatment or insulin sensitivity category. Plasma melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) concentrations responded (P < 0.01) to both sulpiride and TRH injection and were greater (P < 0.05) in insulin-insensitive mares than in sensitive mares. Plasma prolactin concentrations responded (P < 0.01) to both sulpiride and TRH injection, and the response was greater (P < 0.05) for sulpiride; no effect of insulin sensitivity was observed. Plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations responded (P < 0.01) to TRH injection only and were higher (P < 0.05) in insulin-sensitive mares in almost all time periods. Plasma LH and FSH concentrations varied with time (P < 0.05), particularly in the first week of the experiment, but were not affected by treatment or insulin sensitivity category. Plasma GH concentrations were affected (P < 0.05) only by day of treatment. The greater MSH responses to sulpiride and TRH in insulin-insensitive mares were similar to, but not as exaggerated as, those observed by others for PPID horses. In addition, the reduced TSH concentrations in insulin-insensitive mares are consistent with our previous observation of elevated plasma triiodothyronine concentrations in hyperleptinemic horses (later shown to be insulin insensitive as well).     

Adiposity,Plasma Insulin,Leptin, Lipids,and Oxidative Stress in Mature Light Breed Horses

Background

Increased blood insulin levels are associated with an increased risk of pasture‐associated laminitis in equids.

Objective

To determine the relationship between plasma insulin, leptin, and lipid levels, and measures of oxidative stress with adiposity in mature light breed horses.

Animals

300 randomly selected light breed horses, aged 4–20 years.

Methods

A random sample of horses (140 mares, 151 geldings, and 9 stallions) was drawn from the VMRCVM Equine Field Service practice client list. Evaluations occurred June 15 – August 15, 2006, with all sampling performed between 0600 and 1200 hours. Concentrate feed was withheld for at least 10 hours before sampling. Plasma was analyzed for insulin, glucose, leptin, triglycerides, nonesterified fatty acids, and measures of oxidative stress. Body condition score was determined as the average of 2 independent investigators.

Results

Overconditioned and obese horses had higher plasma insulin (P < .001) and leptin (P < .01) levels than optimally conditioned horses. Obese horses had higher triglyceride levels (P = .006) and lower red blood cell gluthathione peroxidase activities (P = .001) than optimally conditioned horses.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Maintaining horses at a BCS <7 might be important for decreasing the risk of pasture‐associated laminitis.     

Aegyptianellosis,eperythrozoonosis, grahamellosis and haemobartonellosis

Aegyptianellosis, eperythrozoonosis, grahamellosis and haemobartonellosis are diseases caused by procaryotic microorganisms which parasitize the erythrocytes of a variety of animals. Differentiation between Eperythrozoon and Haemobartonella is difficult. The parasites are similar in the living state, being small cocci or rods. In stained preparations Eperythrozoon may appear to be annular. The major criterion for differentiation is the relation of the parasite to the erythrocyte. Haemobartonellae are tightly attached to the erythrocyte and are rarely seen free in the plasma. Eperythrozoa are loosely attached to the erthrocyte, can be readily disloded and are often seen free in the plasma. Aegyptianella which occurs intracellularly in an inclusion is easily differentiated from the others while Grahamella, which is rod shaped, is always intracellular and is not in an inclusion but is scattered throughout the erythrocyte's cytoplasm. These organisms are not generally pathogenic. A slight parasitemia, mild anemia and slight fever may follow infection in the intact animal. Most infected animals remain nonclinical carriers. Splenectomy of a carrier animal or infection of a splenectomized animal will produce high parasitemia; even then, the physiological disturbance is mild. The only exceptions to the general rule that infection with these organisms produces a mild disease in intact animals are infections with Aegyptianella pullorum, Eperythrozoon suis and Haemobartonella felis. Aegyptianella pullorum produces aegyptianellosis of fowl, a disease characterized by anemia, E. suis produces “icteroanemia of swine” and H. felis produces “filine infectious anemia”.     

Net requirements of calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, and potassium for growth of Nellore × Red Angus bulls, steers, and heifers

A comparative slaughter trial was conducted to assess the net requirements for gain of Ca, P, Na, K and Mg of bulls, steers and heifers of Nellore and Red Angus crossbreds. Twenty seven F1 Nellore and Red Angus crossbred calves (9 steers, 9 bulls, and 9 heifers), averaging 274 kg BW, were used. At the beginning of the trial, three animals from each gender were slaughtered to determine the initial body composition. The remaining 18 animals (3 animals of each gender) were randomly assigned to two treatments: fed 0.75 or 1.5% of BW of concentrate. The diets were based on corn silage and were isonitrogenous (2% N, DM). After three growing periods of 28 d, all animals were slaughtered. The cleaned gastrointestinal tract, organs, carcass, head, hide, tail, feet, and tissues were weighed to determine the empty BW (EBW). These parts were ground separately and subsampled for chemical analyses. The log of the contents of each mineral in the empty body was regressed on the log of the EBW to estimate the net requirement for each mineral per kg of empty body gain (EBG). There were no differences (P > 0.05) in the net requirements for growth of all macrominerals among genders. The equations of the pooled data of the net requirements for growth (g/kg EBG) were: 332.6 × EBW ^− 0.6367 for Ca, 112.1 × EBW ^− 0.5615 for P, 10.85 × EBW ^− 0.3992 for Na, 4.01 × EBW ^− 0.153 for K, and 3.589 × EBW ^− 0.462 for Mg. Our findings indicated that retained Ca and retained P were poorly related to the retained protein.     

Fire,Defoliation, and Competing Species Alter Aristida purpurea Biomass,Tiller, and Axillary Bud Production

Aristida purpurea (purple threeawn) is a competitive native perennial grass with monoculturistic tendencies and poor palatability. We examined effects of fire, defoliation, and interspecific/intraspecific planting for 1) threeawn responses in the presence of threeawn, Bouteloua gracilis, or Pascopyrum smithii, and 2) B. gracilis and P. smithii response with threeawn. Biomass, aboveground production, tillers, and axillary buds were analyzed following two fire and four clipping treatments applied to three species–pair combinations in a completely randomized factorial design with nine replications. Fire killed 36% of threeawn. Fire reduced surviving threeawn biomass 61% and reduced production 27%. Threeawn production was greatest when neither plant was clipped and least when competing species were moderately clipped, or when both plants were severely clipped. Tiller counts of burned threeawn were similar among clipping treatments, and less than non-clipped or moderately clipped plants not burned. Fire decreased threeawn axillary buds on average by 25%. Moderately clipped plants had greater production than those from other clipping treatments across species. Average threeawn percentage of pot biomass was greater with B. gracilis (46 ± 3% SE) than P. smithii (38 ± 3% SE). Fire reduced threeawn from 60 ± 3% to 23 ± 3% of pot biomass, indicating good potential for rapid reductions in threeawn dominance and restoration of plant diversity with fire.     

Skills, knowledge, aptitudes, and attitudes colloquium

Three projects recently funded by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) through the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues (NCVEI) focused on the veterinary school applicant pool, leadership skills in the veterinary profession, and a veterinary teaching hospital business model, respectively. The Skills, Knowledge, Aptitude, and Attitude (SKAs) Colloquium was designed to present the results of these three projects, to discuss their importance for the future of the veterinary profession, and to develop action plans accordingly. In all, 24 veterinary colleges were represented at the workshop and a total of 72 attendees participated, achieving a broad representation of the veterinary profession ( both academic and non-academic). Through an orchestrated combination of general sessions and facilitated small group discussions, recommendations for implementation and initial action plans for next steps were developed. From these, a list of potential AAVMC follow-up activities was developed, including advocating and facilitating programs across schools to engage and educate faculty regarding the results of these projects; developing realistic information on careers in veterinary medicine; organizing an AAVMC leadership consortium; working toward further development and implementation of the veterinary teaching hospital (VTH) business model; coordinating and sponsoring a national forum on the future of the VTH; reviewing admissions processes; integrating leadership into veterinary curricula; and organizing opportunities for faculty development in leadership.     

Institute of Animal Experimentation,Sapporo Medical University,Minami 1 Nishi 17, Sapporo 060, Japan

Asaccharolytic pigmented Porphyromonas species, including P. endodontalis, P. gingivalis, P. circumdentaria and unclassified species, were isolated from the plaque of adult dogs, but not from any oral sites of puppies and adolescent dogs. With age-dependency, the proportion of Porphyromonas species in the flora of plaque increased. Isolation of the genus Porphyromonas was clearly associated with the progress of periodontol disease. We suggested that Porphyromonas is the exogenous organism and obligate pathogen for canine periodontal diseases.     

Supplementation of cottonseed,linseed, and noug seed cakes on feed intake,digestibility, body weight,and carcass parameters of Sidama goats

A digestibility, feed intake, and carcass evaluation experiment using 20 yearling intact male Sidama goats weighing 16.4 ± 0.63 kg (mean ± SD) was conducted in Ethiopia with the objectives to determine feed intake, digestibility, body weight (BW) gain, and carcass parameters. The treatments included feeding natural pasture hay (T1, control) and supplementation with cottonseed cake (284 g—T2), linseed cake (250 g—T3), and noug seed cake (296 g—T4) on dry matter (DM) basis to supply 85 g crude protein (CP) per head per day. Randomized complete block design for feed intake and BW parameters and complete randomized design for digestibility and carcass parameters were used. Hay DM intake was higher (P < 0.01) for T1 than for the other treatments. T3 promoted higher (P < 0.01) DM (29.3 g/kg W^0.75/day) and CP (14.1 g/kg W^0.75/day) intake than T4 (8.9 g/kg W^0.75/day DM and 4.1 g/kg W^0.75/day CP). T3 showed better (P < 0.05) organic matter and CP digestibility than T2. Goats in T3 had higher nitrogen intake (P < 0.01) and retention (P < 0.05) than those in T1. Goats in T2 and T3 showed higher (P < 0.05) daily BW gain and final BW than those in T4 and T1. Goats in T2 and T3 had higher (P < 0.05) slaughter weight, empty BW, hot carcass weight, rib-eye muscle area, and dressing percentage on slaughter weight basis than those in T1. The results showed that T2 and T3 had similar effect on CP intake, daily BW gain, and carcass parameters for growing Sidama goats fed natural pasture hay.     

Department of Animal Production and Rangeland Management,Awassa College of Agriculture,P.O. Box 5, Awassa,Sidamo, Ethiopia

Samples were collected from clinically infected carthorses in Awassa. Fungus species affecting the carthorses were identified. Eight genera of fungal groups were isolated from swabs and skin scrapes taken from symptomatic horses. These included Aspergillus spp., Histoplasma spp., Penicillinum spp., Microsporum spp., Trichophyton spp., yeast cells of Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp. and Geotrichum spp. The most frequent isolates were from the genera Aspergillus (48 %), Penicillium (39.2 %) and Trichophyton (31.6 %). Clinical findings are reported, the economic, zoonotic and pathogenetic importance of fungi causing dermatomycoses is discussed, and further studies are recommended.     

Cestodes and trematodes of wild sheep,Ovis ammon orientalis,and goitered gazelle,Gazella subgutturosa,in Iran

Two hundred and fifty wild sheep, Ovis ammon orientalis, and sixty five gazelles, Gazella subguttorosa, from different National Parks and Protected Regions of Iran, were shot and examined for the presence of metazoan parasites. Among the parasites recovered, Moniezia benedeni, Helicometra giardi, Cysticercus tenuicollis, Fasciola SPP. and Dicrocoelium dendriticum were absent in gazelle, whereas the other parasites were seen in both species of animals examined.Five adult tapeworms (Moniezia expansa, M. benedeni, Helicometra giardi, Stilesia globipunctata, and Avitellina centripunctata), three larval cestodes (Hydatid cyst, Cysticerucus tenuicollis and C. ovis) and three trematodes (Fasciola hepatica, F. gigantica and Dicrocoelium dendriticum) were found in the infected animals.     

Isolation,molecular identification,and phylogenetic evaluation of Cryptococcus neoformans isolated from pigeon lofts,Psittaciformes, and Passeriformes in Ahvaz,Iran

Cryptococcus neoformans, the main pathogen in immunocompromised patients, is a ubiquitous free-living fungus that can be isolated from avian excreta, soils, and plant material. This study was carried out to determine the infection rate of pigeon lofts, Passeriformes, and Psittaciformes in Ahvaz, the capital of Khuzestan province in Iran and to determine varieties of Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans). The 80 samples were collected from pigeon lofts. Also, 163 feces of captive birds (Passeriformes and Psittaciformes) which kept in Ahvaz pet shops, and the 70 cloacal swabs of pet birds (Passeriformes and psittaciformes) referring to the department of avian medicine (the faculty of veterinary medicine of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz) were analyzed. The samples were directly inoculated on niger seed agar (NSA) and also enriched in brain heart infusion broth and then inoculated on NSA. Dark brown colonies suspected to C. neoformans subcultured on saborouds dextrose agar and pure cultures subjected to molecular (polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) diagnosis. For detection of C. neoformans, primer sets that targeting the CNLAC1 gene were selected and nested PCR was conducted. For identification of C. neoformans varieties, a primer set targeting the STR1 gene was selected. For more accurate confirmation, the purified PCR products of some isolates were also sequenced, and based on the gene sequences, all of the isolates belonged to C. neoformans variety grubii (var. grubii)(serotype A). Totally 16 out of 80 pigeon samples (20%) were contaminated with C. neoformans. The results in pigeons disclosed a 98.64% identity when compared with other strains of C. neoformans (CN1525, T4, and T1) which were previously deposited in GenBank from Italy and Thailand. Also, 21 out of 233 samples from Psittaciformes (9.01%) were contaminated with C. neoformans. The results in Psittaciformes disclosed a 99.7% identity when compared with other strains of C. neoformans (TIMM1313, IFM5882, CN1525, etc.) which were previously deposited in GenBank from Japan and Italy, etc. In the present study, the samples belonging to the passerine order were free of C. neoformans infection. According to the results, C. neoformans is prevalent in pigeon flocks and pet birds including Psittaciformes in the Ahvaz area, and should be considered by pigeon and captive bird breeders, veterinarians, and public health organizations in Ahvaz. The cryptococcus species isolated from captive birds and pigeons could be potential pathogens in humans.     

Plantago ovata in broiler chicken nutrition: Performance,carcass criteria,intestinal morphology,immunity, and intestinal bacterial population

In this experiment, the effect of dietary Plantago ovata (PO) on performance, carcass criteria, intestinal morphology, immunity, and intestinal bacterial population of broiler chickens was evaluated. A total of 250 one‐day‐old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to five treatments containing 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 g/kg of PO with five replicate pens and 10 birds in each replicate. Dietary PO increased body weight gain and decreased feed conversion ratio in the finisher period, improving the performance index (p < .05). Dietary treatments had no effects on carcass criteria, but breast meat percentage showed an increasing trend with incremental levels of PO in the diet (p = .069). The length of small intestine, especially jejunum section, as well as the villus height, villus width, villus area, and goblet cell numbers were significantly increased with supplemental PO (p < .05). Humoral and cellular immunity parameters, and oxidation stability of meat were improved due to use of dietary PO (p < .05). Dietary PO decreased the CFU of Escherichia coli, whereas the Lactobacilli population was increased (p = .001). Broken‐line regression revealed that dietary PO at the rate of 10 g/kg may results in the best performance in broiler chickens. This study showed that PO at the level of 10 g/kg could be considered as a beneficial feed additive in broiler diet.     

Relationship of season, herd, lactation, age, and pregnancy with serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine in holstein cows

A feild survey was conducted to determine the relationship of herd, season (winter vs. summer), postpartum interval, milk production, age, and gestation length with serum concentrations of total thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃) in Holstein cows. Thirteen Michigan dairy herds were visited once in February and August. Single blood samples were drawn from 4 cows per visit in each of early, middle, and late lactation, and dry cow stages. Hormones were quantified by radioimmunoassay.Analysis of variance was performed separately for cases within each stage, with T₄ and T₃ as dependent variables, herd and season as main effects, and the other appropriate variables recorded as covariates. T₄ values tended to be higher in the winter, but differences were not consistently significant. T₃ was higher (p<.01) in winter in all groups except early lactation cows, in which the herd-by-season interaction was significant (p<.05). T₄ and T₃ were positively related to days postpartum and negatively related to daily milk production in early-lactation cows only p<.05). There was a tendency across all groups for an inverse relationship of T₄ and T₃ with age. T₄ and T₃ were inversely related to gestation length in dry cows only (p<.05). These data suggest that metabolic events such as impending parturition, initiation of lactation, and negative energy balance with high milk production in early lactation may result in a reduction of T₄ and T₃ that is independent of seasonal effects in Holstein cows.     

Antibiotic resistance,antimicrobial residues,and bacterial community diversity in pasture-raised poultry,swine, and beef cattle manures

Animal manure can be a source of antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) and pharmaceutical residues; however, few studies have evaluated the presence of ARG in pasture-raised animal production systems. The objective of this study was to examine changes in microbiome diversity and the presence of antibiotic residues (ABRs) on three farms that contained a diverse range of animal species: pasture-raised poultry (broiler and layer), swine, and beef cattle. Total bacterial communities were determined using 16S rRNA microbiome analysis, while specific ARGs (sulfonamide [Sul; Sul1] and tetracycline [Tet; TetA]) were enumerated by qPCR (real-time PCR). Results indicated that the ARG abundances (Sul1 [P < 0.05] and TetA [P < 0.001]) were higher in layer hen manures (16.5 × 10⁻⁴ and 1.4 × 10⁻⁴ µg kg⁻¹, respectively) followed by broiler chickens (2.9 × 10⁻⁴ and 1.7 × 10⁻⁴ µg kg⁻¹, respectively), swine (0.22 × 10⁻⁴ and 0.20 × 10⁻⁴ µg kg⁻¹, respectively) and beef cattle (0.19 × 10⁻⁴ and 0.02 × 10⁻⁴ µg kg⁻¹, respectively). Average fecal TetA ABR tended to be greater (P = 0.09) for broiler chickens (11.4 µg kg⁻¹) than for other animal species (1.8 to 0.06 µg kg⁻¹), while chlortetracycline, lincomycin, and oxytetracycline ABRs were similar among animal species. Furthermore, fecal microbial richness and abundances differed significantly (P < 0.01) both among farms and specific species of animal. This study indicated that the microbial diversity, ABR, ARG concentrations, and types in feces varied from farm-to-farm and from animal species-to-animal species. Future studies are necessary to perform detailed investigations of the horizontal transfer mechanism of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms (ARMs) and ARG.     

Spatial distribution of seroprevalence for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia canis, and Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in Washington, Oregon, and California

Background: In the US little spatially defined information regarding exposure to most vector‐borne pathogens in dogs is available for the states of California (CA), Oregon (OR), and Washington (WA). Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the spatial distribution of seroprevalence for 4 vector‐borne pathogens, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia canis, and Dirofilaria immitis, across the 3 western coastal states of the contiguous United States that extend from the northern Mexican to the southern Canadian border. Methods: A convenience sample, targeting blood from 20 pet dogs per county across CA, OR, and WA, was evaluated using a canine point‐of‐care ELISA kit. Geographic coordinates of home zip code were displayed using a geographic information system. A total of 2431 dogs from CA, OR, and WA were tested. Results: The overall seroprevalence was highest for A. phagocytophilum (2.4%), followed by B. burgdorferi (1.2%), and E. canis (0.7%). The prevalence of infection with D. immitis was 0.7%. At the individual dog level, there was a significant association between seropositivity to B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum (odds ratio=18.7, 95% confidence interval=6.8–47.1). For most positive results, prevalence tended to decrease with increasing latitude; thus, the highest rates of seropositivity occurred in CA, followed by OR, and then WA; one exception was seropositivity for B. burgdorferi, which was higher in WA (0.38%) than in OR (0.15%), but considerably lower than in CA (2.00%). In WA, dogs that tested positive for A. phagocytophilum, E. canis, and B. burgdorferi were in the southern Puget Sound area. For D. immitis, none of the dogs in WA was positive. Conclusions: Seropositivity for vector‐borne pathogens is broadly but patchily distributed in dogs in CA, OR, and WA.     

Exercise-induced alterations in plasma concentrations of ghrelin, adiponectin, leptin, glucose, insulin, and cortisol in horses

Six Standardbred (STB) mares (11+/-2 years, 521+/-77 kg; means+/-SD) performed an exercise trial (EX) where they underwent an incremental exercise test (GXT) as well as a parallel control trial (CON) to test the hypothesis that short-term, high intensity exercise would alter plasma concentrations of glucose, leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, insulin and cortisol. Plasma samples were taken before (0 min), during (last 10s at 6, 8m/s, and the velocity eliciting VO(2max)), and after exercise (2, 10, 30, 60 min; 12 and 24h post-GXT). A second set of blood samples was collected before and after an afternoon meal given at 1515 h (at 1500, 1514, 1530, and 1545 h). Data were analyzed using ANOVA for repeated measures and Tukey's test. During the GXT, there were no changes (P>0.05) in the plasma concentrations of glucose, leptin, adiponectin or ghrelin. However, there was a 29% increase (P<0.05) in mean plasma cortisol concentration and a 35% decrease (P<0.05) in mean plasma insulin concentration. Substantial increases (P<0.05) in the mean plasma concentrations of glucose and cortisol of 36% and 102%, respectively, were seen in the EX trial during the first 60 min post-GXT. Plasma leptin concentration, measured at the 24h post-GXT time point, was 20% lower (P<0.05) during the EX trial compared with the parallel time point in the standing control (CON) trial. Plasma ghrelin concentration was 37% lower (P<0.05) in the EX trial compared with CON before and after the afternoon meal, but was 43% higher (P<0.05) 12h post-GXT. There were no differences between EX and CON for plasma concentrations of insulin or adiponectin during recovery. It was concluded that short-term high intensity exercise alters plasma leptin and ghrelin concentrations in STB mares post-exercise, which may signal the exercised animals to alter energy intake.