肺表面活性蛋白研究进展

Pulmonary surfactant protein （SP） is a carrier which plays an important role in phospholipids, mainly in the bronchial surface and alveolar gas-liquid interface, with lower surface tension properties, prevents alveolar collapse, is beneficial to gas exchange and to maintain the lungs pulmonary residual volume and to keep pulmonary compliance. Four kinds of proteins have been found, namely SP-A, SP-B, SP-C and SP-D. These four proteins in lung disease defensive and in maintaining lung function play important roles. Therefore, this article reviews SP from its structure, function and the correlation with the disease, to provide a basis for future research.     

Surfactant Protein C in Canine Pulmonary Fibrosis

Background: Canine pulmonary fibrosis (CPF) occurs most commonly in West Highland White Terriers. The differing incidences of CPF among dog breeds suggest that genetic factors contribute to its pathophysiology. Pulmonary fibrosis in humans is associated with mutations in the gene coding for lung surfactant protein C (SP-C) ( SFTPC ).
Hypothesis/Objectives: To investigate the histopathologic changes and SP-C composition and genetic structure in dogs with CPF.
Animals: Five dogs with PF, 2 dogs with other lung diseases, and 3 healthy dogs.
Methods: Lung tissue from dogs with clinically suspected CPF and 5 control cases was analyzed histopathologically. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collected postmortem from 3 terriers with histopathologically confirmed pulmonary fibrosis and the 5 controls were analyzed by Western blots, and the exons of SFTPC were sequenced for 2 dogs with PF and 1 dog with other lung disease.
Results: SP-C could not be detected in BALF of 1 dog with PF, although SP-B was present. A mutation was detected in SFTPC exon 5 of this dog. From 2 dogs with PF and in all 5 control dogs SP-B and SP-C were detected in BALF.
Conclusions: Taken together, the results indicate that canine and human lung fibrosis share histopathologic features and that analysis of SP-C and its gene in a larger set of dogs with PF is warranted.     

Immunohistochemical evaluation of surfactant proteins and lymphocyte phenotypes in the lungs of cattle with natural tuberculosis

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of pulmonary surfactant proteins (SP-A, SP-B, SP-C) and lymphocytic phenotypes in the lungs of 12 cattle with natural tuberculosis. Grossly, the disease-affected cattle revealed numerous granulomas in the lung lobes. Histopathological examination found multiple lung granulomas with typical cellular elements. Type II pneumocytes with adenomatous proliferation around the granulomas were strongly immunopositive for SP-A and SP-B compared to normal type II cells. Clara cells showed also cytoplasmic immunopositivity for these surfactant proteins. Positive immunolabelling for proSP-C was detected exclusively in the normal and proliferative type II pneumocytes, and the reaction was marked in the perinuclear area of the cells. CD3⁺ T and CD79αcy⁺ B lymphocytes were predominantly localized in the fibrotic capsule margin of advanced granulomas, in greater numbers than in the early granulomas. In conclusion, the study found that type II pneumocytes proliferated highly and surrounded the tuberculous granulomas in the lungs, that hyperplastic type II pneumocytes synthesized and secreted larger amounts of surfactant proteins than the normal type II cells, and that SP-A might have played an important role in host defence against the mycobacterial agents. Additionally, the presence of high numbers of CD3⁺ T cells throughout the granulomas confirmed the dominance of a cellular immune response in cattle tuberculosis.     

Spirometric Variables Recorded after Lobeline Administration in Healthy Friesian and Belgian White and Blue Calves: Normal Values and Effects of Somatic Growth

The purposes of the present study were: (1) to develop original equations to predict spirometric variables (SV) in healthy Friesian and Belgian White and Blue (BWB) calves < 1 year of age; and (2) to determine the effects of somatic growth on SV. Sixty-seven Friesian and 500 BWB calves were investigated. For each calf, the following SV were calculated: (1) the average minute volume derived using all the ventilatory cycles recorded during the 15 s of maximal ventilatory changes induced by lobeline administration (0.25 mg/kg, i.v.) (15-s LMV); (2) the maximal tidal volume, the maximal peak expiratory flow and the maximal peak inspiratory flow recorded from single breaths after lobeline administration (MVTL, MPEFLand MPIFL, respectively); (3) the ventilatory reserve (VRL= 15-s LMV - VEr; VEr= minute volume at rest). Mass specific (s) values were also calculated. All SV changed linearly with somatic growth in both Friesian and BWB calves. Since the rise in SV was more related to body weight than the age of calves, equations for reference values of SV always had body weight as the only independent variable. In the youngest calves, s SV were lower in the BWB breed. In the oldest calves (i.e. 1 year of age), s MPEFLand s MPIFLremained small in BWB calves whereas s MVTL, s 15-s LMV and s VRLwere almost equal in both breeds. These results could be related to the lower resistance to respiratory disorders in BWB calves < 1 year of age than in Friesian calves < 1 year of age.     

Treatment of premature calves with clinically diagnosed respiratory distress syndrome

BACKGROUND: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) has been reported previously in premature calves. However, there have been no published data on the effect of surfactant replacement therapy in the treatment of premature calves with RDS. HYPOTHESIS: Surfactant replacement therapy added to the standard treatment for premature calves clinically diagnosed with RDS would increase the viability of the calves. ANIMALS: Twenty-seven premature calves with clinically diagnosed RDS. METHODS: Twenty calves were instilled intratracheally with bovine lung surfactant extract and provided with standard treatment for RDS (surfactant group). Seven calves were given only standard care for RDS without surfactant therapy and placed in the control group. Standard treatment for newborn calves with RDS includes warming, administration of intranasal oxygen, fluid replacement, administration of antibiotics, and immunoglobulin solution. Arterial blood samples were collected from the calves at 3 observation points, the first just before treatment (hour 0) and at 2 hours (hour 2) and 24 hours (hour 24) after treatment was started to determine if ventilation was adequate, improving, or deteriorating. Blood gases, pH, bicarbonate, and lactate concentrations were measured. RESULTS: In the surfactant group, mean partial pressure of oxygen significantly increased at hours 2 and 24. Mean partial pressure of carbon dioxide decreased and mean arterial blood pH increased at hour 24 in the surfactant group compared with the control group (P < .05). Of the 20 calves in the surfactant group, 12 survived and 8 died. All 7 calves in the control group died. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The results of this study suggest that surfactant replacement therapy may reduce neonatal deaths in premature calves with clinically diagnosed RDS.     

Effects of prepartum supplementary fat and muscle hypertrophy genotype on cold tolerance in newborn calves.

Effects of feeding pregnant dams supplemental dietary fat during the last 55 d of gestation on cold tolerance of newborn crossbred calves with (Piedmontese cross, P, n = 15) or without (Hereford cross, H, n = 16) the muscle hypertrophy allele was determined. Primiparous F1 dams gestating F2 calves of the respective breeds were assigned randomly within breed to receive gestation diets containing either 2.2 (Low Fat; LF) or 5.1% fat (High Fat; HF). Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seeds containing 37% oil with 79% linoleic acid were the supplemental fat source in diets formulated to be isocaloric-isonitrogenous. At parturition, calves were separated from their dams, fed 38 degrees C pooled dairy cow colostrum (30 mL/kg BW), muzzled to prevent suckling, and returned to their dams in a heated (22 degrees C) room for 3.5 h. At 4 h of age (birth = 0 h), a catheter was inserted into the jugular vein. At 5 h of age, calves were placed in a 0 degrees C room for 140 min, and rectal temperatures and blood samples were obtained at 10- and 20-min intervals. Blood was assayed for cortisol and glucose. Rectal temperature was affected by diet (P<.05), time, diet x time, and breed x time (P<.01 for time and the interactions). Cortisol and glucose concentrations were not affected by diet, breed, or the diet x breed interaction, but they were affected by time, breed x time (both P<.01), and diet x time (P = .06). Calves from HF dams had higher rectal temperatures than calves from LF dams, and the HF calves maintained higher rectal temperatures throughout cold exposure. Cortisol concentrations were lower (P = .06) in calves from HF dams, and these calves had more (P = .06) glucose available for metabolic heat production than calves from LF dams. Piedmontese-cross calves maintained higher (P<.01) rectal temperatures and had higher cortisol and glucose (both P<.01) concentrations than did H-cross calves. We conclude that feeding dams supplemental fat during late gestation increased heat production in newborn calves and potentially could increase calf survival; calves with muscle hypertrophy may have a different ratio of shivering vs nonshivering thermogenesis due to differences in body composition or relationships among uncoupling proteins.     

Cardiovascular response to acute hypoxia in double-muscled calves

Hypoxic-induced pulmonary hypertension is known to be intensive in the bovine species and sometimes leads to pathological cardiac repercussions. On the other hand, doubled-muscled cattle are predisposed to develop hypoxaemia during exercise and with respiratory diseases. Therefore the purpose of this study was to investigate the cardiovascular response to acute hypoxia in double-muscled calves compared with calves of standard conformation. Pulmonary arterial pressure, electrocardiogram and blood temperature were simultaneously recorded, arterial blood was sampled for blood gas analysis and cardiac output was determined in six Friesian calves and six double-muscled calves of the Belgian White and Blue breed(BWB) when breathing air (fractional inspiratory oxygen concentration [FIO2]: 21 per cent) and when breathing a hypoxic gas mixture (FIO2: 10 per cent). All the absolute values of the measured parameters were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.001) different between the two breeds, except heart rate and arterial blood gas values. The pattern of hypoxic-induced decrease in arterial PO2 was similar in the two breeds of calves, suggesting that the pulmonary exchange capacities during hypoxia are no less efficient in double-muscled calves than in calves of standard conformation. Similarly, the percentage of variation of the mean pulmonary arterial pressure from its normoxic to its hypoxic value was the same in the two breeds of calves, suggesting that double-muscled calves are not predisposed to develop a more precocious or more intense pulmonary hypertension for a given level of hypoxaemia. The significantly smaller normoxic and hypoxic cardiac index and stroke index found in BWB compared with Friesian calves was interpreted as a less efficient cardiac function in double-muscled subjects.     

Optimal timing of elective caesarean section in Belgian White and Blue breed of cattle: the calf's point of view

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the timing of elective caesarean section (ECS) during parturition affects pulmonary and metabolic adaptation to extra-uterine life in healthy Belgian White and Blue (BWB) calves delivered at term. Vaginal palpation was performed and deliveries divided into six categories of timing for ECS: cervix closed (TECS 1); passive and active cervical dilatation (TECS 2 and TECS 3); full cervical dilatation (TECS 4); spontaneous rupture of allantoic (TECS 5) and amniotic (TECS 6) membranes.One hundred and eighteen BWB calves were examined at birth, 5, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min and 2, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after birth using the following measurements: physical examination (time between birth and sternal recumbency [T-SR]); heart rate (mHR); arterial blood gas analyses (arterial partial pressure in oxygen [PaO(2)], in carbon dioxide [PaCO(2)], arterial haemoglobin oxygen saturation [SaO(2)], alveolo-arterial difference in oxygen [AaDO(2)]); pulmonary function tests using the oesophageal balloon catheter technique (respiratory rate [RR], total pulmonary resistance [R(L)], dynamic lung compliance [C(Ldyn)], tidal volume [V(T)] and minute volume [V(E)]); arterial and venous blood acid-base balance analyses (arterial and venous pH [pHa and pHv], bicarbonate concentration [HCO(3)a and HCO(3)v], base excess [BEa and BEv]); rectal temperature (RT); jugular venous blood sampling for determination of metabolic variables (blood glucose [G], plasma lactate [L], serum cortisol [C], plasma noradrenaline [NA] and adrenaline [A] concentrations); haematological variables (red blood cell count [RBC], total haemoglobin concentration [Hb], Packed Cell Volume [PCV]) and passive immune transfer variables (total serum protein [TP] and beta(2)gammaglobulin [beta(2)gamma] concentrations).TECS significantly (P or =4 calves, TECS< or =3 calves showed lower PaO(2), SaO(2), V(T), C(Ldyn), RT, G, NA, A, RBC, Hb and TP and higher AaDO(2), RR, V(E). TECS differences progressively decreased and disappeared between 6 and 12 h after birth in TECS 2 and 3 calves but remained up to 24 h in TECS 1 calves. Improved postnatal respiratory and metabolic adaptation in TECS> or =4 calves were mainly related to differences in exposure to labour and subsequent hormonal surge: catecholamines, particularly A, enabled more effective removal of lung liquid and/or release of surfactant which contribute to better gas exchanges and induced greater energy mobilization to maintain adequate body temperature.It was concluded waiting for full cervical dilatation before performing CS should be encouraged because it promotes postnatal respiratory and metabolic adaptation in full-term BWB calves.     

Colostrum management in calves: effects of drenching vs. bottle feeding

The objective was to examine whether the administration of colostrum by a drencher is a safe method to achieve satisfying immunoglobulin concentrations in newborn Holstein Friesian (HF)-calves. Twenty-one calves were fed 1 h postnatum with 2 l colostrum from their dam using a nipple bottle (group I); 15 calves were drenched with 4 l colostrum from their dam 1 h postnatum (group II). Thereafter, all calves were fed milk replacer exclusively. Serum concentration of total immunoglobulin [analysed by Sandwich-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)] 24 h postnatum was higher in drenched calves (25.2 g/l; 12.8/52.2; median and 10/90 percentiles) compared with bottle-fed calves (14.1 g/l; 9.2/24.7). To characterize the kinetics of immunoglobulin absorption, 17 blood samples were taken frequently within 72 h postnatum using a jugular catheter in five calves fed 2 l colostrum by nipple bottle and five calves drenched with 4 l colostrum 1 h postnatum. A slightly delayed increase of serum immunoglobulin concentration (approximately 3 h) was obvious in drenched calves compared with bottle-fed calves, but drenched calves reached significantly higher immunoglobulin concentrations compared with bottle-fed calves. It is concluded that the proper application of colostrum by a drencher is a useful method for adequate colostral supply in newborn calves. The failure of the oesophageal groove reflex in drenched calves caused no clinical consequences.     

Importance of Escherichia coli in young beef calves from northwestern Quebec.

The objectives of this study were: (i) to investigate the prevalence of Escherichia coli producing F5 (K99), F41, or F165 fimbriae and STa enterotoxin; (ii) to determine serum antibody levels against these fimbriae; (iii) and to examine the association between bacteriological and serological results and the presence of diarrhea, in beef calves from northwestern Quebec. A total of 373 live three to four week old calves and 27 dead calves were sampled between January and March 1991. No isolates positive for F5 were detected in live calves, and only one E. coli producing STa and F41 was isolated. Escherichia coli producing F41-like surface antigens or F165 fimbriae were isolated from 17.43% and 5.63% of live calves, respectively. Antibodies against F5, F41 and F165 were low. Escherichia coli isolates positive for F41-like surface antigen were most often observed in calves born between January and March. No association was found between bacteriological and serological findings, nor between these findings and diarrhea. Calves born from dams vaccinated against E. coli had higher median antibody levels than those born from unvaccinated dams. No E. coli positive for F5 or F41 fimbriae were isolated from dead calves. Escherichia coli with F41-like surface antigen or F165 were found in 55.56% and 11.11% of ileal samples; 4% and 16% of cecal samples, and 0% and 7.4% of colon samples, respectively. Escherichia coli positive for F41-like surface antigen were detected significantly more frequently in the ileum (chi (2)2df = 31.01, p < 0.001).     

Effects of age, sex and breed on antipyrine disposition in calves

In domestic animals relatively little is known about the functions of hepatic microsomal enzymes and their role in biotransformation. In this study, antipyrine was used to assess microsomal oxidative function and particularly to determine the effect of age, sex and breed on drug metabolising enzymes. At birth, the elimination rate of antipyrine was very low as reflected by a half-life of 24 hours. The first two months of life were characterised by a steady decrease of antipyrine half-life values of three to four hours being reached at six months. The decrease observed during early life was not identical in the two breeds used in this experiment. By six months the Friesian calves eliminated antipyrine twice as fast as the Blue White Belgian (BWB) breed: 2.1 +/- 0.3 hours and 4.9 +/- 0.3 hours, respectively. The BWB breed is characterised by muscular hypertrophy and by a relative imbalance in muscle:body ratio. The apparent volume of distribution of antipyrine did not vary with age, sex and breed. No differences in antipyrine clearance were found between male and female calves.     

荷斯坦牛高、低乳脂率牛乳代谢组分析

旨在筛选牛乳不同乳脂水平潜在标志性差异代谢物。本研究中乳样采自宁夏农垦贺兰山奶业茂盛牧场,采集体重与月龄相近且健康的头胎次荷斯坦牛泌乳中后期(180~210 d)的早、中、晚班次新鲜乳样(4∶3∶3混合)245份。DHI测定后筛选体细胞数低于20万个·mL^-1,乳脂率具有极端差异的样品26份,其中乳脂率大于4.4%为高乳脂率组(HF组,13份),乳脂率小于3.0%为低乳脂率组(LF组,13份)。之后采用超高效液相色谱-质谱法(UHPLC-MS)对样品进行代谢组学分析。偏最小二乘法-判别分析(PLS-DA)结果显示,相对于LF组,HF组代谢轮廓发生了变化,在HF与LF两组中共鉴定出343种代谢产物,根据VIP值(VIP>1)和单变量统计分析(P<0.05),正、负离子模式下共筛选出60种显著差异代谢物(P<0.05);其中依据P<0.5且FC>2.0及P<0.5且FC<0.5,HF组奶样中15种代谢物含量高于LF组,6种代谢物含量低于LF组;进一步通过ROC曲线下面积AUC>0.85,发现有18种差异代谢物对两组牛乳具有显著区别能力,即：N-油酰甘氨酸、皮质醇、δ-生育酚、PC(14∶0e/9∶0)。结果发现,不同乳脂水平显著差异代谢物有60种,且代谢物N-油酰甘氨酸、皮质醇、δ-生育酚、PC(14∶0e/9∶0)可作为高乳脂率牛乳潜在标志性差异代谢物。本研究结果为奶牛乳脂合成提供了有价值的理论依据,同时也为研究奶牛的泌乳过程提供了资料。     

大鼠成熟的肺表面活性蛋白B的原核表达及纯化

为表达和纯化SP-B蛋白,先对SP-B基因进行稀有密码子优化,PCR反应获得SP-B片段,构建重组质粒pGEX4T-1/SP-B,转化到E.coli BL21(DE3)中诱导表达;用SDS-PAGE与Western blot进行检测;用GSTPrep FF 16/10对融合蛋白进行纯化。经双酶切鉴定证实质粒中插入基因长250bp,测序结果与大鼠SP-B cDNA序列相符;质粒转化后用IPTG进行诱导,在分子质量约34ku处出现1个新条带,与pGEX4T-1/SP-B蛋白预期大小一致,且该融合蛋白能可溶性表达并被纯化。结果表明成功构建了pGEX4T-1/SP-B重组质粒,表达、纯化得到GST/SP-B蛋白,为研究肺表面活性物质替代药物奠定了基础。     

Dexamethasone and colostrum feeding affect hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes differently in neonatal calves

Plasma glucose concentrations in neonates are influenced by colostrum feeding and by glucocorticoids. We have tested whether a high-glucocorticoid status after birth, as well as colostrum feeding, influences glucose metabolism in association with changes of hepatic expression and activities of gluconeogenic enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK; EC 4.1.1.32) and pyruvate carboxylase (PC; EC 6.4.1.1) in neonatal calves. Calves (n = 14 per group) were fed either colostrum or a milk-based formula with nutrient and energy contents similar to colostrum. Half the calves in each feeding group were treated with dexamethasone (DEXA; 30 microg/[kg BW x d]). Pre- and postprandial blood samples were taken on d 1, 2, 4, and 5 and liver samples were collected on d 5 of life. Dexamethasone treatment increased (P < or = 0.05) plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and glucagon more in colostrum-fed than in formula-fed calves but increased (P < or = 0.05) urea concentrations and decreased (P < or = 0.05) concentrations of NEFA, ACTH, and cortisol independent of colostrum vs. formula feeding. Colostrum feeding increased (P < 0.05) plasma glucose, but decreased (P < 0.05) plasma urea concentrations. Glucagon-to-insulin ratios in DEXA-treated and colostrum-fed calves were decreased (P < 0.05). Dexamethasone treatment decreased hepatic mRNA levels and activities of PC (P < 0.001 and P < 0.10) and activities of PEPCK (P < 0.001) but increased (P < 0.001) the glycogen content. Colostrum feeding increased (P < 0.05) mitochondrial PEPCK mRNA levels and PEPCK activities in calves not treated with DEXA but decreased (P < 0.1) amounts of PC mRNA. In conclusion, increased plasma glucose concentrations after DEXA treatment were not associated with a stimulation of hepatic gluconeogenic enzyme activities; however, colostrum feeding probably raised plasma glucose concentrations because of increased hepatic gluconeogenic activities.     

Effect of varying carbohydrate and fat content of milk replacer on body composition of Holstein bull calves

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of varying concentrations of dietary fat and carbohydrate on changes in body composition of Holstein bull calves fed under isocaloric and isonitrogenous intake conditions. Thirty-two calves were assigned to a randomized block design with three dietary treatments, eight calves per treatment, and one baseline group of eight calves. Animals were reared from birth to 85 kg live BW (SEM = 0.57). All calves began treatments between 2 and 6 d of age. Three different milk replacer treatment diets were designed to deliver 14.8 (low fat, LF), 21.6 (medium fat, MF), or 30.6% of DM (high fat, HF) fat; 55.3, 46.7, or 35.4% of DM lactose; and 23.5, 24.8, or 27.0% of DM CP, respectively. Gross energy values were 4.62, 5.09, and 5.77 Mcal/kg for the LF, MF, and HF milk replacers, respectively. From d 1 to 14, calves were offered 0.24 Mcal intake energy/kg BW(0.75), adjusted weekly based on increases in BW, and 0.28 Mcal intake energy/kg BW(0.75) from d 15 to slaughter. Dry feed was not offered. Dry matter, energy, CP, and fat intakes were 55.2 kg, 257.6 Mcal, 13.0 kg, and 8.2 kg; 52.8 kg, 268.8 Mcal, 13.1 kg, and 11.4 kg; and 46.8 kg, 270.3 Mcal, 12.6 kg, and 14.3 kg for the LF, MF and HF treatments, respectively. Energy and CP intakes did not differ among treatments (P = 0.63 and 0.79, respectively). Fat and DMI were different among treatments (P = 0.001 and 0.02, respectively). Empty BW gains were 0.61, 0.61, and 0.65 kg/d for LF, MF, and HF, respectively, and were not different among treatments (P = 0.27). Empty body CP, water, and ash gain were not different among treatments (P = 0.65, 0.99, and 0.57, respectively). Empty body retained energy and fat gain were 27.2 and 57.7% greater for calves fed the HF than for those fed the LF diet (P = 0.06 and 0.006, respectively). Fat as a percentage of the whole empty body on a water-free basis was lower for calves consuming the LF diet (28.6%) than for those fed the HF diet (34.6%), whereas percentage of CP on an empty body, water-free basis was greater for calves consuming the LF diet (59.2%) than for those fed the HF diet (54.9%) (P = 0.006). The results of this study demonstrated that, under isocaloric and isonitrogenous intake conditions, equivalent dietary energy from fat compared to carbohydrate, above 15% fat, has no beneficial purpose unless additional fat deposition is required in the animal. Further, the data demonstrate significant changes in body composition independent of growth rate.     

Variations in the immune response to natural Schistosoma mattheei infections in calves born to infected mothers

During previous work Schistosoma antibodies and circulating antigens were detected at birth in the serum from some calves born to Schistosoma mattheei infected mothers. The objectives of the present survey were: (1) to investigate the proportion of calves, born to cows infected with S. mattheei, which have specific antibodies and circulating schistosome antigens present in their serum at birth and (2) to investigate whether the presence or absence of these specific antibodies and/or circulating antigens at birth may affect the pattern of a natural S. mattheei infection in calves from 4 to 5 months of age, when the colostral antibodies are thought to be of negligible importance. A total of 28 calves born to infected mothers were randomly selected. Faeces, serum and colostrum samples were collected from the cows at calving, serum samples were collected from the calves at birth (day 0), after intake of colostrum (day 1) and monthly thereafter up to the age of 10 months. Both serum and colostrum samples were analysed for IgG(H+L) against SWAP mattheei and schistosome circulating anodic antigen (CAA) levels. The calves were exposed to a natural challenge from the age of 4-5 months. Faecal samples were collected from the calves monthly, starting at an age of 5 months up to 10 months, and were examined for faecal egg counts. Nine (group 1) out of the 28 calves were found to have specific antibodies in their serum at birth, in 5 of them CAA levels were also detected. In the other 19 calves (group 2) no IgG(H+L) or CAA were detected. At the end of the study faecal egg counts and CAA levels were significantly lower in calves from group 1 compared to group 2. Results confirm earlier work that specific antibodies and circulating antigens may be present in serum from calves at birth, and show that these calves have lower faecal egg counts and CAA levels after exposure to a natural challenge.     

Inheritance and interaction of immune traits in beef calves

Three sets of blood samples were obtained from beef calves of two experimental populations and assayed for various immunological measurements. The first set of samples was taken between 24 and 48 h after birth and quantified for IgG1 concentration. A second set was taken immediately prior to vaccination for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV; at an average age of 164 d) and a third set taken 60 d post-vaccination. These later samples were quantified for antibodies specific to IBRV. Level of complement C3 was also quantified in the samples taken immediately prior to vaccination. Three hundred sixty-seven calves were from four Hereford lines; three lines were previously selected for growth traits and the fourth was a randomly selected control line. There were no consistent differences in immune traits among these lines. The second group of 165 animals were Angus, Hereford and Red Poll calves. While Angus calves had a higher mean IgG1 concentration at 24 to 48 h of age than Hereford or Red Poll calves, no differences among breeds were found for the other immune traits measured. Calves from older dams (greater than 3 yr old) tended to have higher mean IgG1 concentrations, pre-vaccination IBRV antibody titers and complement C3 levels than calves from 2- and 3-yr-old cows. However, these calves had lower 60-d post-vaccination IBRV titers than calves from the younger cows (P less than .05). As pre-vaccination IBRV antibody titer increased, post-vaccination IBRV antibody titer decreased (P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Reactions of dairy calves exposed to transport stress at 60 days of age. Effects of various rearing conditions in the developmental quality of calves on physiological variables and their changes

Dairy calves reared in groups of constant (Gk, N = 16, m 8, w 8) and changing composition (Gw, N = 16, m 8, w 8) and single box reared calves (E, N = 15, m 8, w 7) were exposed to transport stress lasting around 60 minutes at 60 days of age. Long term measurements of heart rate (HF) were combined with blood sampling (V. jugularis) before and immediately after transport and at the following day as well. Mean differences of HF, Hb, Hk, lactate and blood urea between groups were found at all sampling points. After transport mean values of HF, MetHb, pO2, O2SAT and O2CONT were increased in all calves and such of HHb were decreased. Measures of acid-base balance and lactate changed differently in calves of the three rearing groups concerning direction and degree. Changing of the variables after transport comparing the starting values was different between rearing groups in 16 out of 25 possible cases. Changing of variables immediately after transport showed strong negative correlations with starting values in case of pH, HCO3, base excess, COHb, total protein, albumin, lactate, glucose and Ca in all groups, in all other cases not in all groups. Strong correlations between sampling points of Hb, Hk, MCHC, O2CONT, O2CAP, creatinine, blood urea and of the minerals indicate a high individual specificity of these measures. Results proof variation components of physiological variables in calves caused by husbandry conditions and their effects on reactions of animals in case of transport stress.     

Detrimental effects on villus form during conventional oralrehydration therapy for diarrhoea in calves; alleviation by a nutrient oral rehydration solution containing glutamine

This paper examines the possibility that treatment of diarrhoea with conventional oral rehydration solutions (ORSs) may be detrimental to villus structure by imposing nutrient deprivation and that such detrimental effects may be reduced or avoided by using a nutrient ORS. A conventional WHO-type ORS (W) was compared with two nutrient solutions (N and G) both containing high glucose concentrations and the latter containing glutamine; their effects on enteric structure were assessed by morphometric analysis of samples obtained from diarrhoeic calves after 96h treatment. Comparisons were also made with samples from controls and diarrhoeic calves at the stage where oral rehydration would have begun in the treated groups. As in our previous ORS studies, diarrhoea was induced with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (09:K30:K99). We measured villus length and width, crypt depth and width and calculated villus surface area in proximal, mid and distal small intestine (PSI, MSI, DSI), using standard morphometric techniques. Proximal and distal spiral colon samples (PC, DC) were examined for crypt depth and width; mitoses per crypt were counted in samples from all regions. Non-diarrhoeic calves showed the expected gradient of villus length through PSI, MSI and DSI, hence data for each region are normalized as a percentage of the control value for that region. PSI showed the greatest loss of villus length and surface area (50%) with diarrhoea. In MSI and DSI the villus loss was greater with solution W and N or G, as were increased mitoses and crypt depth. Crypt depth and mitoses also increased in the colon with solution W. Colonic crypt width increased with diarrhoea and conventional oral rehydration but less so with G; there is reason to believe that such changes have functional significance. Crypt changes in colon, MSI and DSI were least with solution G. The changes developing in diarrhoeic calves prior to treatment were thus less apparent in those treated with a nutritional ORS, particularly if it contained glutamine.     

Correlation between thyroid hormone level and blood pH in cows and in their offspring

Thyroid hormone levels in the plasma and blood pH were compared in 38 newborn calves and their dams immediately at parturition, then 24 and 72 h thereafter. Both thyroid hormone levels and pH exhibit much higher variation in calves than in cows. Applying a linear model at different sampling times, a weak (r = -0.112 to -0.397) but significant (P less than 0.05) negative correlation was found between thyroid hormone levels and blood pH in calves 24 and 72 h postpartum. At birth, when no correlation was found with linear approach, a polynomial regression model showed curvilinear relationship between thyroid hormone levels and blood pH in calves. Since these correlations could not be substantiated by comparing data of different sampling times, one can conclude that the possible relationship of thyroid hormone levels and blood pH is a complex one. Revealing the underlying mechanism of the above observations requires further study.