Can sheep become infected by grazing pasture contaminated by cattle with Johne's disease?

Extract

Madam:- Transmission of Johne's disease (JD) under natural conditions from sheep to cattle has been demonstrated in iceland⁽²⁾ but not in New Zealand.⁽¹⁾ The reverse, sheep becoming infected with Mycobacterium paratuberculosis of bovine origin, has been shown experimentally with large inocula (c. 5 × 10⁹organisms/lamb),⁽³⁾ but not under natural conditions. It could be important in New Zealand where sheep may be used to “clean up” pasture grazed by paratuberculous cattle.     

Free-range system and supplementation of 25-hydroxicholecalciferol increases the performance and serum vitamin levels in mixed-parity sows

Improvements in sow productivity have raised questions regarding dietary vitamin D recommendations. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of the housing system with access to sunlight exposure and supplementation of 25-hydroxicholecalciferol on performance and serum levels of 25(OH)D₃ in sows during gestation and lactation. Sows were distributed in an experimental design with two housing systems: gestation crates or gestation free-range system with external area for sunlight exposure; and two diets: 0 or 50 μg of 25-hydroxicholecalciferol kg⁻¹. The use of 25-hydroxicholecalciferol tended (P = 0.052) to improve total born and influenced (P = 0.046) on number of born alive. Litter weight at birth was also increased (P = 0.01) by 25-hydroxicholecalciferol supplementation; 25-hydroxicholecalciferol supplementation and housing system (free-range with sunlight exposure) tended to increase weaning weight (P = 0.07) and litter daily gain (P = 0.051) during lactation. Exposure to sunlight and 25-hydroxicholecalciferol supplementation increased 25(OH)D₃ serum levels when compared with control treatment during gestation (136.95 vs. 113.92 ng mL⁻¹; P = 0.035) and lactation (120.29 vs. 88.93 ng mL⁻¹; P = 0.026). In conclusion, the association of 25-hydroxicholecalciferol supplementation with exposure to sunlight during gestation improved significantly 25(OH)D₃ serum levels and consequently performance traits in gestation and lactation.     

Non-specific seroreactions against Brucella abortus in ruminants in New Zealand and the presence of Yersinia enterocolitica 0:9

The level of non-specific reactions found in the brucellosis serology of ruminants in New Zealand was very low until July 1992. This changed when, in an export consignment of 1071 deer, 35% reacted in the Brucella abortus tube agglutination test with titres varying from 50 to 200 IU. The reactors were also positive in the Rose-Bengal agglutination test and most of them reacted in the complement fixation test with titres varying from 10 to 80 IU. Yersinia enterocolitica 0:9 was later isolated from one deer of this consignment. It was the first isolate of this serotype recovered in New Zealand from an animal. Shortly after, false reactors occurred more frequently than before in sera from Brucella abortus accredited free cattle herds. As the involvement of Yersinia enterocolitica 0:9 was suspected in these cases, faecal samples from reactors and in-contact animals were cultured for this organism. Yersinia enterocolitica 0:9 was isolated from nine of 19 herds showing one or more false Brucella abortus seroreactions.

Prior to 1990, Yersinia enterocolitica serotype 0:9 had not been isolated in New Zealand, despite the recovery of a number of other bio— or serotypes of the organism from humans and animals. From 1990 onward, serotype 0:9 began to be isolated from human faecal samples with increasing frequency. Since the first isolations from deer and cattle in 1992, it has now also been recovered from a cat and an alpaca and from cattle without any association with false positive Brucella abortus reactions. All serotype 0:9 isolates were of biotype 2.     

Quantitative risk assessment for the annual risk of exposure to Trichinella spiralis in imported chilled pork meat from New Zealand to Singapore

Abstract

AIMS: To determine the annual likelihood of exposure to an infectious dose of Trichinella spiralis from consuming imported pork meat from New Zealand to Singapore.

METHODS: Input values specific for chilled pork meat imported into Singapore from New Zealand were used in a quantitative risk-assessment model. The model, designed to allow any combination of importing and exporting countries, was divided into two components, viz the release assessment, and the exposure assessment that assessed the annual risk of exposure to the consumer (ARC). The former estimated the likelihood that a contaminated fresh meat product from New Zealand would arrive at Singapore's border, and took into consideration the prevalence of disease on different types of farms. The latter determined the likelihood over a year that a person in Singapore would consume one or more servings of imported fresh meat from New Zealand that contained a burden of greater than or equal to one larva(e) of T. spiralis per gram after preparation for consumption.

RESULTS: The ARC for offal was 2.41 × 10^?7, which was below the pre-selected safety threshold of 1.00 × 10^?6. The ARC for lean meat was 2.39 x 10^?5, which was above the acceptable safety threshold.

CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that continued routine testing at slaughter is unnecessary for pig offal produced commercially, and provided a model with which to further assess management of the risk of exposure to T. spiralis in lean meat.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The potential of Trichinella species to cause disease in humans is a public health concern, and has created adverse effects on the international trade of fresh lean meat without regard to the surveillance measures employed by particular pork-producing countries.     

Mycobacterium bovis infections in wild ferrets

Extract

Bovine tuberculosis is one of the more important animal health problems in New Zealand. In contrast to a number of other countries, the classical test and slaughter methods in New Zealand have not led to the eradication of bovine tuberculosis. The failure to eradicate bovine tuberculosis is due to the continual spread of Mycobacterium bovis from wildlife to cattle and farmed deer. Although the Australian brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula is the most important wildlife reservoir of infection in New Zealand, M. bovis has also been isolated from wild deer, feral pigs, feral goats, feral cats and feral cattle. In this letter we wish to report the finding of M. bovis-infected wild ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) in seven geographically distinct areas of New Zealand (Figure 1). While there are reports from overseas of M. bovis being isolated from domesticated ferrets, there are no reports of its isolation from wild ferrets or polecats (Mustela putorius)⁽¹⁾.     

The occurrence of Cryptosporidium parvum,Campylobacter and Salmonella in newborn dairy calves in the Manawatu region of New Zealand

AIM: To determine the occurrence of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, Campylobacter spp and Salmonella spp in faecal samples taken from newborn dairy calves on 24 dairy farms in the Manawatu region of New Zealand.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the 2002 calving season. Faecal samples were collected from 185 newborn calves from a convenience sample of 24 dairy farms. The samples were tested microscopically for the presence of C. parvum oocysts, and bacteriologically for the presence of Campylobacter spp and Salmonella spp.

RESULTS: Infections with C. parvum were identified in 33/156 (21.2%) calves from 10 farms. More than 10⁶ oocysts/g (OPG) faeces were detected in calves from four farms. Campylobacter spp were isolated from 58/161 (36%) calves from 18 farms; in particular, C. jejuni subsp jejuni was isolated from 11/161 (6.8%) calves from seven farms. Salmonellae were not detected.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite the short and concentrated calving pattern and the long interval between calving seasons characterising most dairy farms in New Zealand, C. parvum is widespread among calves. Campylobacter spp, especially C. jejuni, rapidly colonise the intestinal tract of newborn calves.

RELEVANCE: This study provided an estimate of the ecological impact of newborn dairy calves with regard to the potentially zoonotic enteric pathogens most frequently isolated from human gastrointestinal infections in New Zealand.     

Detection of benzimidazole resistant Nematodirus spathiger

Sir:- Benzimidazole (Bz) resistant Nematodirus spathiger were first recorded in New Zealand in 1983.⁽²⁾     

UV‐light and dietary vitamin D and their effects on ionized calcium and 25‐OH‐D plasma concentrations in captive gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua)

In this study, the effect of ultraviolet (UV) light and dietary vitamin D on calcium metabolism in permanently indoor‐housed gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua ) was investigated. The study consisted of three periods, each completed with blood samples to analyse plasma concentrations of 25‐OH‐D, 1,25‐(OH)₂‐D, ionized (iCa) and total calcium (tCa). During the first study period (D), animals were housed under routine conditions without UV‐light and fed a diet of different fish species, supplemented with 1,000 IU vitamin D per animal and day. The following study period (Baseline) of 28‐day duration consisted of the same diet without any vitamin D supplementation and without UV‐light. During the study period (UVB) artificial UV‐light was added for 3 weeks. The vitamin D content of fish was measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography. It varied between fish species and between facilities, ranging from no measurable content in capelin (Mallotus villosus ) to 7,340 IU vitamin D/kg original matter (OM) in herring (Clupea spp). The average dietary vitamin D content was 311 IU/kg OM at facility 1 and 6,325 IU/kg OM at facility 2, resulting in a vitamin D intake per animal and day without supplementation of 130 IU (25.5 IU/kg body weight BW) and 2,454 IU (438.2 IU/kg BW) respectively. The supplementation of vitamin D elevated significantly the plasma concentrations of 25‐OH‐D by an intraindividual difference of 15 (range ?2 to 59) nmol/L and tCa by 0.1 (0.0–0.3) mmol/L only at facility 2. The exposure to UV‐light raised the blood concentrations of tCa at facility 2 by 0.15 (0.1–0.2) mmol/L, and of iCa and tCa for females at facility 1 by 0.23 (0.13–0.41) mmol/L and 1.8 (1.1–2.5) mmol/L respectively. No significant influence of the study periods (D) and (UVB) was found for the concentrations of 1,25‐(OH)₂‐D at both facilities.     

Neospora abortion epidemic in a dairy herd

Neospora caninrm is a protozoan closely related to Toxoplasma gonclii. It was discovered only a few years ago, but it is now recognised as one of the most common and important causes of abortion in cattle. Brain lesions characteristic of Neospora infection have been found in about 25% of aborted foetuses submitted to diagnostic laboratories in New Zealand and overseas⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾. Average abortion rates due to Neospora on New Zealand farms have been estimated at 7% of pregnancies compared with 4% due to other causes⁽¹⁾. The upper range of abortion rates for Neospora was 17–30% compared to only 7–10% for other causes, showing that the economic effects of Neospora abortions on the more severely affected farms can be devastating.     

No evidence of endemic infection with Dirofilaria immitis in dogs

Extract

Dirofilaria immitis is periodically recorded in dogs imported from Australia into New Zealand. In this country, environmental conditions are marginal for the transmission of this species, but potential mosquito intermediate hosts are known to be present⁽¹⁾. Development in the intermediate host is temperature dependent, with most reports indicating that a mean temperature of at least 18 °C is required^(2)(3)(4). Therefore, the most likely locations in New Zealand for D. immitis to establish are the Auckland region and areas north of this.     

Effect of vitamin E supplementation in milk replacer and Shiga toxoid vaccination on serum α‐tocopherol,performance, haematology and blood chemistry in male Holstein calves

Vitamin E (vit E), an essential antioxidant for maintaining the stability of biological membranes and the function of the immune system, is considered to support adaptive immune responses and performance in cattle. The principal virulence factor of Shiga toxin (Stx)‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC), the eponymous Stx, modulates cellular immune responses in cattle, the primary STEC reservoir. Active and passive immunization of calves with Shiga toxoids (rStx_MUT) was recently shown to reduce the STEC shedding. Here, we examined the influence of vit E on calves' serum α‐tocopherol, performance, haematology, blood chemistry and its interaction with rStx_MUT immunization. Data from calves having received passive (colostrum from immunized cows) and active (intramuscularly at 5th and 8th weeks of life) vaccination with rStx_MUT (n = 24) were compared to unvaccinated controls (n = 24; fed with low anti‐Stx colostrum, placebo injected). For each vaccination group, data were analysed according to the level of vit E supplementation offered by milk replacer (188 IU all‐rac‐α‐tocopheryl acetate daily [VitE_M] vs. 354 IU [VitE_H]). An increase by 79% in daily vit E supplementation led to slightly higher serum α‐tocopherol level and earlier concentrate intake at the beginning of the experiment without significant differences in live weight gain, haematology, blood chemistry parameters and peripheral CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T‐cell subpopulations. rStx_MUT vaccination modulated the CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio irrespective of vit E supplementation but decreased concentrate intake in VitE_H in a time‐dependent manner. Results of our study indicate that an increase in daily vit E supplementation vastly fails to exert effects on laboratory parameters and growth performance. However, observed interactive effects of vit E supply and vaccination on the regulation of feed intake deserves further attention.     

Levels of supplementation of inorganic selenium and vitamin E for meat quail aged 0 to 14 and 14 to 35 days

Two experiments were carried out to determine the levels of supplementation of inorganic selenium (Se) and vitamin E (VE ) in diets of quails aged 0–14 and 14–35 days old. A completely randomized design was used in a factorial design (Se = 0.1125; 0.2250; 0.3375 and 0.4500 mg kg^?1 diet^?1 × VE  = 10; 23; 36 and 49 IU  kg^?1 diet^?1). In experiment 1, quail (n  = 2,400) were aged 0–14 days and were divided into 16 treatments, with three replicates of 50 birds. In experiment 2, quail (n  = 1,680) were aged 14–35 days and were divided into the same treatments, with three replicates of 35 birds. At age 0–14 days, the levels of VE did not affect performance (p  > .05); however, the feed conversion (FC ) was influenced by a quadratic effect (p  = .0515), according to the level of Se, with a higher level estimated at 0.29 mg Se kg^?1 diet^?1. At age 14–35 days, there was a linear effect with interaction (Se × VE ), for FC (p  = .0150) and weight gain (WG ; p  = .0266). FC (Se, p  = .0048 and VE , p  = .0019) and WG (Se, p  = .0049 and VE , p  = .0068) improved linearly with increasing levels of Se and VE . The feed intake (FI ) decreased linearly (p  = .0582) as a function of VE . The carcass yield showed a quadratic effect (p  = .0056) on the levels of VE , with a higher yield estimation of 27.24 IU VE /kg of diet. It can be concluded that the optimum level of supplementation at age 0–14 days was 0.29 mg Se kg^?1 diet^?1 and 10 IU VE  kg^?1 diet^?1 and at age 14–35 days, it was 0.4500 mg Se kg^?1 diet^?1 and 49 IU of VE  kg^?1 diet^?1.     

Influence of multi-enzyme preparation supplemented with sodium butyrate on growth performance blood profiles and economic benefit of growing rabbits

The present study was carried out to explore the impacts of dietary supplementation of enzyme mixture with sodium butyrate on the growth performance, carcass traits, blood profile and economic benefit in two breeds of weanling rabbits adapted to survive in Egypt (New Zealand White and Rex). One-hundred and twenty weaned male rabbits (New Zealand White and Rex) of 6 weeks of age and 770.5 ± 20 g body weight were allotted randomly into four groups in a factorial arrangement. The obtained results indicated that there were non-significant differences in all growth performance traits, blood profile and economic parameters due to the breed effect. However, there were significant differences in most of carcass traits due to the breed effect except total giblets and New Zealand White breed showed the highest value of these parameters including dressing % (p < .01), forequarter and loin % (p < .001) and hindquarter % (p < .003) compared with Rex breed counterparts. The effect of the treatment and its interaction with the breed significantly (p < .05) improved body weight gain, feed consumption and carcass traits (percentage of dressing, forequarter, hind quarter and lion). However, final body weight and feed conversion ratio were not significantly influenced. Supplementing a diet with treatment significantly decreased blood triglycerides, cholesterol and the ratio between albumin and globulin (A/G ratio), while increased blood total protein and globulin. Although higher feed cost and total costs in treated groups than control ones in each breed, they showed higher total return and net return. Rex non-treated rabbit breed showed the lowest profitability measures compared with other groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of multi-enzyme with sodium butyrate is highly recommended in growing rabbits due to their beneficial effects on the growth performance and profitability.     

Dynamics of the free-living stages of sheep intestinal parasites on pasture in the North Island of New Zealand. 2. Weather variables associated with development

Abstract

AIM: To identify weather variables associated with the development of eggs of Teladorsagia (=Ostertagia) circumcincta, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Haemonchus contortus to third-stage infective larvae (L3) under a range of climatic conditions on pasture in the North Island of New Zealand.

METHODS: Sheep faeces containing known numbers of eggs of all three nematode species were deposited on, or buried in, pasture plots at three sites, viz coastal Manawatu, Upper Hutt Valley, and East Cape hill country. Development was measured by recovering L3 from faeces, herbage and soil 28–31 days after deposition, on 13–18 occasions between January 2005 until July 2006. Weather data were recorded at each site, and the association between weather variables and number of L3 recovered was analysed using subsets regression to select best-fitting models from several candidate variables, after adjustment for efficiency of recovery of L3. A multiple linear regression model was then developed for each species, to select weather variables that had both significant and substantive effects on the number of L3 recovered.

RESULTS: For all species, mean daily temperature was the bestpredictor of the number of L3 recovered (p=0.001). For T.circumcincta the final model included mean daily temperature and soil temperature (R²=51%), and for T. colubriformis the model only included mean daily temperature (R²=55%). For development of H. contortus, mean daily temperature was the most significant variable, but moisture in the form of rainfall entropy, i.e. the temporal distribution of rainfall, overthe first 14 days was also significant in the final model (R²=34%).

CONCLUSIONS: Temperature was the most important determinant of developmental success of free-living nematodes on pasture at the study sites, and probably also for other parts ofNew Zealand with similar climates. Moisture was not significant in the development of T. circumcincta or T.colubriformis, implying that under the generally moist temperate climate in New Zealand, moisture is seldom limiting for development of these species. Haemonchus contortusappeared to be sensitive to moisture availability and precipitation in the first 14 days after deposition of faeces. The results of this study will be further developed as part of species-specific climate-driven models of parasite development in New Zealand.     

Analysis of the value of measurement of the activity of caeruloplasmin as an alternative to measurement of the concentration of elemental copper in plasma and serum of farmed red deer

Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the relationship between the concentration of elemental Cu and activity of caeruloplasmin (CP) in the plasma and serum of farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus).

METHODS: Paired serum and heparinised plasma samples taken from 142 deer from 10 herds in the North Island of New Zealand were tested for the concentration of elemental Cu and activity of CP. Additionally, liver biopsy samples were taken from 49 of the deer (all one herd). The relationship between individual results for the concentration of elemental Cu and activity of CP was examined using a segmented model, with random slope and intercept and threshold.

RESULTS: The activity of CP in plasma and that in serum were strongly correlated (R²=0.994), with a high level of agreement. The concentration of Cu and activity of CP also showed a strong association (R²>0.88 for both plasma and serum), although there were significant differences between herds, with the segmented regression model providing the best fit rather than a linear mixed model.

Using the current thresholds for elemental Cu, the relationship between the concentration of Cu and activity of CP suggested that an activity of CP of <4 IU/L indicates Cu deficiency, and that deer with an activity of CP of ≥7 IU/L have adequate Cu status.

CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between elemental Cu and CP is markedly different from the simple linear relationship previously reported for cattle. Above a threshold of 10 IU/L, the rise in elemental Cu per unit increase in activity of CP was 50% of that below 10 IU/L. This is probably because above this threshold the oxidative activity of CP per enzyme unit was greater.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The association between concentration of Cu and activity of CP was robust enough to define provisional thresholds for determining Cu status. However, the proximity of the deficiency threshold to the limit of detection of the CP test, the effect of herd on the association, and the inherent disadvantages of using an enzymatic system, mean that activity of CP should not be used routinely to estimate Cu status in deer. When assessing the Cu status of deer based on blood samples, the concentration of Cu in plasma or serum should be used.     

Variability of piglet birth weights: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of litter size and supplementation of functional amino acids on the piglet birth weight variability through of a systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus and SciELO are the main used databases and were searched in January 2019 by using the following keywords and their combinations: within-litter birth, weight variability, piglets, litter size, sow, amino acids, gestation, uniformity, CV and/or SD. Of the 64 pre-selected articles, only articles presenting the coefficients of variation and/or standard deviations according to the litter size and different levels of amino acid supplementation in the sow diets during gestation were selected. The average birth weights of total and live piglets were 43% lower in litters from sows with high prolificacy than those from sows with low prolificacy. The weight variability was affected by high prolificacy sows, with increases of 4.04% and 4.54% in the coefficients of variation of total and born alive piglets respectively (p = .074; p = .009). The standard deviation increased by 180 g in born alive piglets to high prolificacy sows. The coefficients of variation of total and live piglets born from high prolificacy sows showed an increase of 4.04% and 4.54% respectively (p = .07; p < .05). There was a tendency for reduced weight variability with amino acids supplementation when considering the standard deviation of total born (p = .072). However, reproductive performance was not significantly influenced (p > .05). In conclusion, the average litter weight and the number of piglets born influence weight variability. Amino acids supplementation may reduce the birth weight variability between piglets. However, this effect depends on the amino acid used, the levels of supplementation and on other factors not completely addressed in this study. Thus, more research is necessary to fully elucidate this topic.     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in mainland and sub-Antarctic New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) populations

AIMS: To investigate the seroprevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri), as a potential contributor to reproductive failure.

METHODS: Archived sera were sourced from New Zealand sea lions from two recolonising mainland populations in the Otago Peninsula (n=15) and Stewart Island (n=12), as well as a declining population at Enderby Island (n=28) in the New Zealand sub-Antarctic. Sera were tested for antibodies to T. gondii using a commercially available ELISA (with samples considered positive if the sample to positive ratio was?>30%), and latex agglutination test (LAT; with titres ≥1:32 considered positive). Western blot analysis was used to validate the results of a subset of 14 samples.

RESULTS: Five samples from sea lions in mainland locations were confirmed positive for antibodies to T. gondii. Two adult females exhibited high LAT antibody titres (min 1:2048, max 1:4096) on both occasions when sampled 1 and 2 years apart, respectively. No animals from Enderby Island were seropositive.

CONCLUSIONS: Toxoplasma gondii infection is unlikely to be a major contributor to poor reproductive success in New Zealand sea lions. However, continued surveillance is pertinent to assess subclinical and clinical impacts of the parasite on these threatened populations. The commercial tests evaluated here, with further species-specific threshold refinement could provide a fast, inexpensive and reliable indicator of T. gondii exposure in New Zealand sea lions.     

Letters to the editor

Sir;- Outbreaks of ovine abortions caused by Campylobacter fetus fetus (previously C. fetus intestinalis) occur sporadically in mimy areas of New Zealand. The devastating effects on some flocks have stimulated recent studies of the disease,^(1)(3)(7) and have also led to the commercial production of a single strain vaccine (Campylovexin; Wellcome N.Z. Ltd, Auckland). However, it has been shown that single strain C. Fetus vaccines do not protect against serologically distinct strains.⁽²⁾ Since at least two different serotypes of C. fetus fetus are present in New ZealandY) it is not surprising that the commercially available vaccine is only partially effective in some outbreaks.⁽⁷⁾     

Use of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in diets for sows: A review

Dietary supplementation with 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25OHD₃), as an alternative source of vitamin D, is becoming increasingly popular due to its commercialization and more efficient absorbability. The addition of 25OHD₃ rather than its precursor vitamin D₃ can circumvent the 25-hydroxylation reaction in the liver, indicating that supplementation of 25OHD₃ can rapidly improve the circulating vitamin D status of animals. Emerging experiments have reported that maternal 25OHD₃ supplementation could increase sow performances and birth outcomes and promote circulating vitamin D status of sows and their offspring. Increased milk fat content was observed in many experiments; however, others demonstrated that adding 25OHD₃ to lactating sow diets increased the contents of milk protein and lactose. Although an inconsistency between the results of different experiments exists, these studies suggested that maternal 25OHD₃ supplementation could alter milk composition via its effects on the mammary gland. Previous studies have demonstrated that adding 25OHD₃ to sow diets could improve the mRNA expressions of insulin-induced gene 1 (INSIG1) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) in the mammary gland cells from milk and increase the mRNA expressions of acetyl-CoA carboxylase α (ACCα) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in the mammary gland tissue. Maternal 25OHD₃ supplementation promotes skeletal muscle development of piglets before and after parturition, and improves bone properties including bone density and bone breaking force in lactating sows and their piglets. Interestingly, 25OHD₃ supplementation in sow diets could improve neonatal bone development via regulation of milk fatty acid composition related to bone metabolism and mineralization. In this review, we also discuss the effects of adding 25OHD₃ to sow diets on the gut bacterial metabolites of suckling piglets, and propose that butyrate production may be associated with bone health. Therefore, to better understand the nutritional functions of maternal 25OHD₃ supplementation, this paper reviews advances in the studies of 25OHD₃ for sow nutrition and provides references for practical application.     

Psoroptes cuniculi induced oxidative imbalance in rabbits and its alleviation by using vitamins A, D3, E, and H as adjunctive remedial

The oxidant/antioxidant balance of rabbits naturally infected with Psoroptes cuniculi and treated with ivermectin +/− vitamins A, D₃, E, and H supplementation was investigated. Two groups of seven mixed ♂ and ♀, 6-to-8 month-old New Zealand White rabbits, diagnosed Psoroptes mites-positive by skin scraping examination and seven clinically healthy control rabbits were examined. Blood samples were obtained on day 0 and at 28 days post-therapy to determine oxidative stress indices. On day 0, the levels of lipid peroxides were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) in the Psoroptes-infected rabbits compared with the healthy controls while those of reduced glutathione and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.01). Vitamin supplementation of the ivermectin-treated rabbits revealed both faster clinical (14 days) and parasitological (10 days) recovery. It was concluded that significant alteration of oxidant/antioxidant balance is a factor in the pathogenesis of P. cuniculi infestation of rabbits, and recovery can be enhanced by combining ivermectin treatment with vitamin A, D_3, E, and H supplementation.