Characterization of ovarian morphology and reproductive hormones in Zhedong white geese (Anser cygnoides domesticus) during the reproductive cycle

Zhedong white goose (Anser cygnoides domesticus) is a native Chinese breed with strong broodiness and low egg production, which is related to the physiology of reproduction. However, thus far, the physiology of goose reproduction has not been well elucidated. In the present study, the ovarian morphology and reproductive hormones of Zhedong white geese were investigated during the reproductive cycle (the laying and brooding periods). The results showed that the surface of the ovary was atrophied and follicular atresia appeared to some extent in the brooding period compared with the laying period. The concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, progesterone and luteinizing hormone were significantly higher than those in the brooding period (p < 0.05). In contrast, the concentrations of prolactin (PRL) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in the laying period were significantly lower than those in the brooding period (p < 0.05). In addition, the mRNA expression levels of PRL, AMH, dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DβH) and cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) were detected in the hypothalamus, pituitary and ovaries by using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that AMH mRNA was expressed specifically in ovary tissue. The expression levels of DβH and PRL in the brooding period was significantly higher than those in the laying period in the three tissues, especially in the early and middle stages of the brooding period. Moreover, AMH mRNA expression in the ovaries presented the same trend. In addition, P450scc mRNA was highly expressed in both the ovary and pituitary in the laying period. These results revealed the remarkable features of ovarian morphology and characterized the hormonal pattern and expression profile during the reproductive cycle, all of which contribute to understanding the differences in reproductive physiology between the laying and brooding periods in Zhedong white geese.     

Influence of dietary fiber sources on the physiological and behavioral stress responses of Greylag geese (Anser anser)

This experiment investigated the physiological and behavioral responses of Greylag geese (Anser anser) fed different fiber sources when exposed to the common stressors at harvest, primarily involving the procedures of fasting, transport, catching, etc. A total of 240 4-week-old Greylag geese were allocated to 4 diets with different fiber sources (corn straw silage [CSS], steam-exploded corn straw [SECS], steam-exploded wheat straw [SEWS], and steam-exploded rice straw [SERS]). The birds were fed for 12 wk and harvested at 16 wk for slaughter. Blood samples designated to determine stress status were collected before (pre-stress) and after (post-stress) the harvest procedure was carried out. Irrespective of the dietary differences, the harvest procedure caused the concentration of superoxide dismutase (SOD) to drop (P < 0.01) 13.57% and increased (P < 0.01) that of creatine kinase (CK) by 186.21% (post-stress vs. pre-stress), inferring that the birds had experienced a severe stress. As to the dietary effects, the birds fed alternative fiber sources did not develop dissimilar (P > 0.05) pre-stress blood parameters and behavioral sensitivities, while the birds fed CSS had a higher (P < 0.05) post-stress concentration of methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA) than those offered SECS by 22.01%, suggesting that feeding Greylag geese alternative fiber sources influenced their stress response.     

Porcine lymphotropic herpesvirus (Gammaherpesvirinae) DNA in free-living wild boars (Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758) in Brazil

BackgroundSuid gammaherpesvirus 3, 4, and 5 (porcine lymphotropic herpesvirus – PLHV-1, -2, and -3) are viruses that infect domestic and feral pigs.ObjectivesThis study examined the presence of PLHV DNA in biological samples from free-living wild boars circulating in a Brazilian geographical region with a high density of commercial domestic pigs.MethodsLung samples of 50 free-living wild boars were collected by exotic wildlife controller agents between 2017 and 2019 in the state of Paraná, southern Brazil. Lung and spleen fragments were obtained from six fetuses collected by hysterectomy post mortem from a pregnant sow. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay using consensus primers (pan-herpesviruses) was performed to detect PLHV DNA. The samples showing positive results for PLHV DNA were submitted to single-round PCR assays with the specific primers for identifying PLHV-1 (213-S/215-As), PLHV-2 (208-S/212-As), and PLHV-3 (886s/886As). The specificity of the species-specific PCR products was assessed by nucleotide sequencing of the amplicons.ResultsForty-eight (96%) of the 50 lung samples analyzed were positive for PLHV by PCR using pan-herpesvirus primers. In 33 (68.75%) of the positive samples, at least two PLHV species were identified simultaneously. The DNA of PLHV-1, -2, and -3 was found in free-living wild boars of all ages, but not in the fetuses, even though they were from a sow that tested positive for all three viruses.ConclusionThese viruses are endemic to the population of feral pigs in the Brazilian region evaluated, as well as in domesticated pigs.     

鹅微卫星(TG)_n基序的克隆及序列比较分析

以(TG)10重复基序设计引物对鹅基因组DNA进行PCR扩增,PCR产物经12%的非变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳后银染检测,共获得了7种基因型,4种等位基因;并且在各供试鹅品种上表现出多态性,可以实现遗传分类研究。对回收的不同条带进行纯化、克隆测序;测序结果显示各品种都有(TG)n基序存在,并且各个条带中重复数大于10。     

Detection of Ehrlichia muris DNA from sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) in Hokkaido, Japan

Ehrlichia muris DNA was detected in the blood of sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) by species-specific PCR based on the citrate synthase gene, which was shown to be more sensitive than species-specific PCR based on the 16S rRNA gene. Among 102 deer examined, one deer was positive. Deer may be a possible mammalian reservoir of E. muris.     

Molecular detection of Mycoplasma suis in captive white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) and wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Brazil

Mycoplasma suis, the etiological agent of swine hemoplasmosis, is an epicellular bacterium that adheres to the surface of pig erythrocytes leading to deformations of the target cells. Little is known about the occurrence of M. suis in wild swine populations around the world, its economic impact on swine herds, and the risk of human infection. The aim of this study was to investigate, by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) based on the 16S rRNA gene, the occurrence of M. suis in a captive population of white-lipped peccaries (100 Tayassu pecari) and in free-living wild boars (14 Sus scrofa) in Brazil. None of the white-lipped peccaries were positive for M. suis, whereas seven (50%) wild boars were positive in qPCR assays. The quantification of M. suis-16S rRNA copies/μL ranged from 1.42 × 10° to 3.906 × 10¹ in positive animals, indicating a low bacteremia and a chronic carrier status in free-living wild boars. In conclusion, M. suis might be a non-frequent pathogen in wild suids maintained in captivity. Despite the low bacteremia, the prevalence of M. suis in wild boar population in Brazil seems to be high.     

Bone marrow mastocytosis in dogs with myelosuppressive monocytic ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis): a retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow mastocytosis has been reported rarely in naturally occurring canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME). OBJECTIVES: The aims of the present study were to estimate the prevalence and magnitude of bone marrow mastocytosis in a case series of dogs with natural CME and to assess the association, if any, between mastocytosis and the clinical severity of the disease. METHODS: Seventy-six dogs with confirmed CME (Ehrlichia canis) were included in the study. Affected dogs were allocated into group A (n = 51) without bone marrow hypoplasia and group B (n = 25) with bone marrow hypoplasia. Twenty clinically healthy Beagles not previously exposed to E canis served as controls (group C). The main inclusion criteria for group A were documentation of normocellular to hypercellular bone marrow and complete clinical cure following a 4-week treatment with doxycycline, while those for group B were bone marrow hypoplasia and lack of response to doxycycline. Bone marrow aspirate smears from all 96 dogs were Giemsa-stained and examined for the presence of mast cells, which were calculated as a percentage of 1,000 nucleated cells (NCs). The prevalence of mastocytosis was compared among the 3 groups by the Pearson's chi-square test. RESULTS: Bone marrow mastocytosis (>0.1% of NCs) was found in 5 (20%) dogs in group B (range, 0.5-2.5% of NCs; median, 1% of NCs). One dog in each of groups A and C had 0.1% mast cells in the marrow. The prevalence of bone marrow mastocytosis in dogs in group B was significantly higher (P = .004) than in groups A and C. CONCLUSION: Bone marrow mastocytosis can be seen in a substantial number of dogs with E canis-induced myelosuppression.     

随机扩增多态DNA（RAPD）技术在鹅育种上的应用

本文用4种引物（OPH5、OPH13、OPH16和OPF4）对隆昌鹅、太湖鹅和新太湖鹅进行基因组DNA、RAPD分析。结果表明：三种鹅都有特异性的条带,扩增DNA条带都表现为多态性,条带数为3-12条,大小范围在0.36-0.38kb之间,多态频率为72.14%;RAPD标记可作为一种辅助手段来比较鹅群体的遗传变异性,太湖鹅遗传变异性大于隆昌鹅;OPF-04很可能用作区分隆昌鹅与太湖鹅的标记性引物。     

Serosurvey of antibodies against zoonotic pathogens in free-ranging wild canids (Cerdocyon thous and Lycalopex gymnocercus) from Southern Brazil

The expansion of urbanization on natural areas is increasing contact between human populations with wild animals. Wild carnivores can act as sentinel hosts or environmental health indicators. Thus, the aim of this work was to investigate the exposure of two major species of wild canids from Southern Brazil to selected pathogens. For that, we live-trapped free-ranging Cerdocyon thous and Lycalopex gymnocercus in five localities and determined the frequency of animals with antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania infantum, Neospora caninum, and Leptospira spp. Among the canids sampled, 23% (12/52) (95%CI: 13–36%) had antibodies against T. gondii, with titers ranging from 64 to 512. For T. cruzi, 28% (15/52) (95%CI: 18–42%) of sampled canids were seropositive, with titers ranging from 8 to 64. Concerning the protozoan pathogen N. caninum, a total of 5% (3/52) (95%CI: 2–15%) of wild canids had antibodies against it. None of the sampled canids showed the presence of antibodies against L. infantum. On the other hand, 44% (23/52) (95%CI: 31–57%) of the wild canids showed antibodies against Leptospira spp. The set of results presented here, show that free-ranging neotropical wild canids are exposed and have antibodies against to T. gondii, T. cruzi, Leptospira spp., and to a lesser degree to N. caninum. We found no evidence of L. infantum circulation among the studied populations. These results highlight some of the major pathogens which may represent risks for populations of these wild canids.Data Availability StatementThe data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.     

Virulence genes and plasmid profiles in Rhodococcus equi isolates from domestic pigs and wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Brazil

The virulence genes and plasmid profiles of 23 Rhodococcus equi isolates from 258 lymph nodes from domestic pigs (129 nodes with lesions and 129 without lesions) and 120 lymph nodes from slaughtered wild boars (60 nodes with lesions and 60 without) were characterized. R. equi was obtained from 19 lymph nodes of domestic pigs, 17 with, and two without lesions, and from four lymph nodes with lesions, from wild boars. The 23 isolates were tested for the presence of vapA and vapB genes, responsible for the 15–17 and 20 kDa virulence-associated proteins, respectively, by PCR in order to characterize as virulent (VapA), intermediately virulent (VapB) and avirulent. Plasmid DNAs were isolated and analyzed by digestion with restriction endonucleases to estimate size and compare their polymorphisms. Of the 19 domestic pigs strains, seven (36.8%) were avirulent and 12 (63.2%) were intermediately virulent, with the intermediately virulent isolates being plasmid types 8 (8 isolates), 10 (2 isolates), 1 (1 isolate) and 29 (1 isolate). The plasmid type of four strains isolated from wild boars was also intermediately virulent type 8. None of the domestic pigs and wild boar isolates showed the vapA gene. These findings demonstrate a high occurrence of plasmid type 8 in isolates from pigs and wild boars, and the similarity of plasmid types in the domestic pigs, wild boars and human isolates in Brazil.     

Species diversity and seasonality of free-living ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in the natural habitat of wild Marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) in Southeastern Brazil

This study evaluated the presence and seasonal activity of free-living ticks in remaining marsh areas by the Paraná river, in Brazil. Eight field trips (once per season) for collection of ticks were performed during 2 years. Using CO2 traps, dragging, and visual inspection of vegetation, five free-living tick species were collected, in the following order of abundance: Amblyomma cajennense, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma triste, Amblyomma coelebs, and Amblyomma nodosum. The seasonal pattern of A. cajennense was characterized by the highest peaks for adult ticks in the summer/spring months, for nymphs in the winter and for larvae in the autumn and winter. A. dubitatum and A. triste presented similar seasonal patterns characterized by peaks of adult ticks in the autumn. Nymphs of A. dubitatum peaked in the winter of the first year and in the winter/spring of the second year. A. triste was the only species to be collected in significantly higher numbers in the marsh than in surrounding drier areas such as forest patches. Among domestic animals living close the marsh areas, horses were infested by Anocentor nitens, A. cajennense, and Boophilus microplus, bovines were infested solely by B. microplus, and dogs were infested by Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Adults of A. triste showed to be well adapted to the marsh environment. This result, at least partially, explains local previous observations on the association of A. triste with marsh deer, as this vertebrate host inhabits mainly the marsh area.     

Pharmacokinetics of imidocarb dipropionate in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) after single intramuscular administration

This study was designed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of imidocarb, a carbanilide derivative, in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The pharmacokinetic properties of a single intramuscular (IM) dose of imidocarb were determined in 10 deer. A single IM injection of 3.0 mg/kg imidocarb dipropionate was administered, and blood samples were collected prior to, and up to 48 hr after imidocarb administration. Plasma imidocarb concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The disposition of plasma imidocarb was best characterized by a two-compartment open model. The mean ± SE maximal imidocarb concentration in deer was 880.78 ± 81.12 ng/ml at 38.63 ± 5.30 min postinjection. The distribution phase had a half-life (t_1/2α) of 25.90 ± 10.21 min, and plasma imidocarb concentration declined with a terminal elimination half-life (t_1/2β) of 464.06 ± 104.08 min (7.73 ± 1.73 hr). Apparent volume of distribution based on the terminal phase (V_Z/F) was 9.20 ± 2.70 L/kg, and apparent total body clearance (Cl/F) was 15.97 ± 1.28 ml min⁻¹ kg⁻¹.     

Paired box 7 (Pax7) gene: molecular characterisation,polymorphism and its association with growth performance in goose (Anser cygnoides)

1. Paired box (Pax7) gene is a member of the paired box family and plays a critical role in animal growth and muscle development. However, the molecular characterisation of the goose Pax7 gene is unknown.

2. The open-reading frame of goose Pax7 is composed of 1509 bp, which encodes a protein of 503 amino acids and shares high homology with Pax7 of other birds.

3. Ten single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in the genomic DNA sequence, 8 located in the intron region and two located in the exon region.

4. Association analysis showed the C122T locus was significantly associated with the body weight of Zhedong-White geese in week 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12.

5. It was concluded that the goose Pax7 gene may be an important candidate gene for goose growth traits and marker-assisted selection.     

牛巴贝斯虫新疆株MSA-2c基因的克隆表达及其重组蛋白免疫原性

本试验将新疆株牛巴贝斯虫的MSA-2c基因克隆,并构建重组质粒pGEX-4T-2/MSA-2c.利用大肠杆菌原核表达系统进行外源蛋白的表达,并成功诱导出GST-MSA-2c融合蛋白.通过优化诱导条件,得到了较高的可溶性表达;利用亲和层析技术纯化后的重组蛋白皮下免疫试验小鼠.间接ELISA检测发现,免疫接种56 d后,抗重组蛋白的抗体效价达到1∶220 000以上.用获得的抗血清进行Western-blot试验,可获得清晰的免疫反应条带.结果表明,本试验所表达的MSA-2c蛋白与文献报道的目的蛋白相符,并具有免疫原性.同时本试验也为建立以MSA-2c重组蛋白作为抗原的血清学诊断体系奠定了基础.     

Microsporidia (Encephalitozoon cuniculi) in wild rabbits in Australia

Objective To determine the prevalence of infection with Encephalitozoon cuniculi i n wild rabbit populations in Western Australia, and to isolate the organism from seropositive rabbits.
Design Serological screening of wild and clinically affected domestic rabbit populations.
Sample population Eighty-one wild rabbits from southwestern Western Australia and 29 laboratory rabbits.
Procedure Indirect immunofluorescence antibody technique and in-vitro amplification of parasite isolates in fibroblast cultures.
Results Of the 81 wild rabbits and 29 laboratory rabbits, 20 and 22 respectively, had antibodies to E cuniculi . E cuniculi from the urine of one seropositive laboratory rabbit and from brain and kidney tissues of eight and five seropositive laboratory and wild rabbits respectively were isolated in fibroblast cultures.
Conclusion E cuniculi infection has been shown for the first time to be prevalent in wild rabbits in Australia. Techniques have been developed for the isolation and culture of the causative agent. Comparative studies can now be undertaken to determine risk factors for clinical disease in domestic rabbits and the relationship among E cuniculi isolates from wild and domestic rabbits.     

Comparison of indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and slide enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (SELISA) for diagnosis of Babesia bigemina infection in bovines

An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and slide enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (SELISA) were standardized for the detection of antibodies specific to Babesia bigemina in experimentally infected bovine calves and subsequently used for the screening of naturally infected bovine and bubaline sera. In experimentally infected calves positive reactivity was detected in sera at the earliest on day 7 by both the tests. Serological studies for detection of B. bigemina specific antibodies in 180 cow and 120 buffalo serum samples procured from endemic zones of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab revealed 56.11% and 23.33% seropositivity, respectively, both by SELISA and IFAT. Variation in the reactivity pattern between these tests was found to be non significant. The sensitivity of SELISA was determined to be 94.85% whereas the specificity was 90.85% in comparison to IFAT. The agreement between the two tests by kappa statistics at 95% confidence interval revealed κ- value of 0.853 that depicts almost a perfect degree of agreement. The findings employing experimental as well as test sera from cattle and buffalo from some of the tick infested zones of India suggested that SELISA could be a useful tool for seroprevalence studies on babesiosis, as the test is less cost intensive with high levels of sensitivity and specificity.