Evaluation of peripheral lymphocytes after weaning and vaccination for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

This study evaluated immune cell populations in pigs following weaning and vaccination for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Piglets (n = 24) were weaned (day 0) at 16 (±1) days of age, and randomly assigned to the vaccination group (n = 16) or control group (n = 8). Complete blood cell counts, flow cytometry and serology were completed for blood samples collected on days 0 (within hours of weaning), 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60. The M. hyopneumoniae S:P ratios (sample optical density: positive control optical density) were negative in the vaccination group until days 30 and 60, when the S:P ratios were 1.3 and 1.0, respectively. Control animals remained serologically negative. The percentage of CD4⁺ T cells was less (P < 0.01) in control pigs than vaccinated pigs at day 3. In contrast, numbers of CD8⁺ and CD4⁺CD8⁺ T cells were greater (P < 0.01) in control pigs than in vaccinated pigs at days 3 and 7. After day 7, few differences in immune cell types were evident between the groups. Differences in lymphocyte populations could not be solely attributed to vaccination, due at least in part, to the confounding influence of weaning. It was difficult to distinguish the influence of vaccination from the impact of weaning on peripheral immune cell populations.     

Evaluation of three tidal volumes (10, 12 and 15 mL kg−1) in dogs for controlled mechanical ventilation assessed by volumetric capnography: a randomized clinical trial

Objective

To evaluate three routinely used tidal volumes (V_T; 10, 12 and 15 mL kg^?1) for controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) in lung-healthy anaesthetized dogs by assessing alveolar ventilation (VT_alv) and dead space (DS).

Pharmacokinetics,plasma protein binding and bioavailability of moxifloxacin in Muscovy ducks after different routes of administration

In this study the disposition kinetics and plasma availability of moxifloxacin in Muscovy ducks after single intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and oral (p.o.) administrations of 5 mg kg^?1 b.wt. were investigated. The concentrations of moxifloxacin in the plasma were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection on samples collected at frequent intervals after drug administration. Following intravenous injection, the decline in plasma drug concentration was bi-exponential with half-lives of (t_1/2α) 0.22 ± 0.10 h and (t_1/2β) 2.49 ± 0.26 h for distribution and elimination phases, respectively. The volume of distribution at steady-state (V_dss) was 1.02 ± 0.14 l kg^?1 and the total body clearance (Cl_tot) was 0.32 ± 0.11 l kg^?1 h^?1, respectively. After intramuscular and oral administration of moxifloxacin at the same dose the peak plasma concentrations (C_max) were 2.38 ± 0.43 and 2.11 ± 0.36 μg ml^?1 and were obtained at 1.47 ± 0.26 and 1.83 ± 0.16 h (T_max), respectively, the elimination half-lives (T_1/2el) were 3.14 ± 0.42 and 2.63 ± 0.44 h, respectively, and AUC_0–24 were 15.87 ± 2.35 and 14.52 ± 2.37 μg ml^?1 h^?1, respectively. The systemic bioavailabilities were 96.36 ± 11.54% and 86.79 ± 12.64%, respectively. In vitro plasma protein binding percent was 32%. We concluded that moxifloxacin might be clinically interesting alternative for the treatment of most sensitive bacterial infections in Muscovy ducks.     

Resveratrol decreases oxidative burst capacity and alters stimulated leukocyte cytokine production in vitro

IntroductionResveratrol, a naturally-occurring phytophenol, has been shown to bolster immune surveillance and reverse immunosenescence in a dose dependent manner in rodents and humans. Although safety and pharmacokinetic studies have been completed in dogs, the immunomodulatory effects of resveratrol in dogs has not yet been investigated. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of resveratrol on canine innate immune system function in vitro. The hypothesis was that similar to other species, low concentrations of resveratrol would stimulate while high concentrations would depress innate immune system function.MethodsWhole blood was collected from six healthy, adult, client-owned dogs and was incubated with resveratrol at final concentrations of 6000 ng ml⁻¹, 3000 ng ml⁻¹, 1000 ng ml⁻¹, or control solution for 4 h. Following incubation, phagocytosis and oxidative burst were evaluated using flow cytometry, and LPS-, lipoteichoic acid (LTA) – and peptidoglycan (PG)-stimulated leukocyte production of TNF, IL-6, and IL-10 were measured using a canine specific multiplex assay.ResultsPhagocytosis was not altered by resveratrol at any concentration compared to control. However, while the number of PMNs capable of performing oxidative burst did not change, the robustness of the reaction following stimulation with Escherichia coli and PMA was reduced in a dose dependent manner. In addition, LPS-, LTA-, PG, and PBS-stimulated TNF production was increased following incubation with all concentrations of resveratrol compared to control, and this effect was dose dependent. LTA-stimulated IL-6 was increased with resveratrol compared to control. Furthermore, LTA-stimulated IL-10 was decreased with 6000 ng ml⁻¹ and 3000 ng ml⁻¹ concentrations of resveratrol and PG-stimulated IL-10 production was decreased with all concentrations of resveratrol compared to control. The LPS-, LTA-, and PG-stimulated TNF:IL-10 ratio was increased with 6000 ng ml⁻¹ of resveratrol compared to control and lower resveratrol concentrations.ConclusionWhile resveratrol was sparing to PMN phagocytosis, it reduced the robustness of PMN oxidative burst. Resveratrol also increased pro-inflammatory and decreased anti-inflammatory leukocyte cytokine production capacity in vitro. These data suggest that resveratrol supplementation may depress oxidative burst reactions while promoting pro-inflammatory leukocyte cytokine production and decreasing anti-inflammatory cytokine production. Based on these findings, further in vivo study regarding the effects of resveratrol on PMN oxidative burst capability and leukocyte cytokine production capacity are indicated prior to routine supplementation.     

Preference among 7 bait flavors delivered to domestic dogs in Arizona: Implications for oral rabies vaccination on the Navajo Nation

Less than 20% of the domestic dogs on tribal lands in the United States are vaccinated against rabies. One method to increase vaccination rates may be the distribution of oral rabies vaccines (ORVs). ONRAB^® (Artemis Technologies, Inc., Ontario, Canada) is the primary ORV used in Canada to vaccinate striped skunks and raccoons. To investigate the potential use of ONRAB^® ORV baits to vaccinate feral domestic dogs against rabies on tribal lands and beyond, we performed a flavor preference study. A total of 7 bait flavors (bacon, cheese, dog food, hazelnut, sugar-vanilla, peanut butter, and sardine) were offered in pairs to 13 domestic dogs. Each dog was offered all possible combinations of bait pairs over a period of 10 days, with each bait offered 6 times. The proportion of times each bait was consumed first by individual dogs was calculated and comparisons among dogs were conducted using the MIXED procedure in SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Pairwise comparisons between baits were performed using “contrast” statements with sugar-vanilla flavor as the default for comparison. Type 3 tests of fixed effects showed a significant treatment effect (F_6,72 = 9.74, P < 0.0001). Sugar-vanilla was selected first during 14% of the offerings and exhibited the least preference among all bait types (F_1,72 = 22.46, P < 0.0001). Dog food was selected first 56% of the time, and more frequently than all other bait types (F_1,72 = 13.09, P = 0.0005).     

Pharmacokinetic,metabolism and withdrawal time of orphenadrine in camels (Camelus dromedarius) after intravenous administration

The pharmacokinetics of orphenadrine (ORPH) following a single intravenous (i.v.) dose was investigated in six camels (Camelus dormedarius). Orphenadrine was extracted from the plasma using a simple sensitive liquid–liquid extraction method and determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Following i.v. administration plasma concentrations of ORPH decline bi-exponentially with distribution half-life (t_1/2α) of 0.50 ± 0.07 h, elimination half-life (t_1/2β) of 3.57 ± 0.55 h, area under the time concentration curve (AUC) of 1.03 ± 0.10 g/h l⁻¹. The volume of distribution at steady state (Vd_ss) 1.92 ± 0.22 l kg⁻¹, volume of the central compartment of the two compartment pharmacokinetic model (V_c) 0.87 ± 0.09 l kg⁻¹, and total body clearance (Cl_T) of 0.60 ± 0.09 l/h kg⁻¹. Three orphenadrine metabolites were identified in urine samples of camels. The first metabolite N-desmethyl-orphenadrine resulted from N-dealkylation of ORPH with molecular ion m/z 255. The second N,N-didesmethyl-orphenadrine, resulted from N-didesmethylation with molecular ion m/z 241. The third metabolite, hydroxyl-orphenadrine, resulted from the hydroxylation of ORPH with molecular ion m/z 285. ORPH and its metabolites in camel were extensively eliminated in conjugated form. ORPH remains detectable in camel urine for three days after i.v. administration of a single dose of 350 mg orphenadrine aspartate.     

Improvements of immune status, intestinal integrity and gain performance in the early-weaned calves parenterally supplemented with L-alanyl-L-glutamine dipeptide

Glutamine (Gln) is an important substrate for the innate immune cells including lymphocytes and macrophages. In this report, the effects of alanyl-glutamine dipeptide (Ala-Gln) on the naïve immune system, intestinal integrity and gain performance of early-weaned calves were investigated. Early-weaned Chinese Holstein calves were intravenously administered different dosages of Ala-Gln. The effects of Ala-Gln administration were ascertained by evaluating the blood for naïve T lymphocyte subpopulations, the concentrations of serum IgG, serum IgA and intestinal mucosal secretory IgA (s-IgA), the intestinal integrity, as well as the gain performance. Results demonstrated that intravenous administration of Ala-Gln dipeptide (1.01 g/kg × d^?1) for 7 days had a positive effect on gain performance, intestinal integrity and the immune system. Calves administered doses of Ala-Gln displayed an improvement in gain performance and health status concurrent with increases in blood CD2⁺ and CD4⁺ lymphocytes, the ratio of CD4⁺/CD8⁺, serum IgA and IgG, intestinal mucosal s-IgA while decreasing the occurrence of diarrhea. Moreover, we found that animals given the effective dose (1.01 g/kg × d^?1) of Ala-Gln resulted in improved immune status and intestinal integrity relative to those given a lower (0.49 g/kg × d^?1) or higher dose (1.99 g/kg × d^?1) of Ala-Gln. These findings suggest that maintaining a certain concentration of plasma and/or tissue glutamine in the early stages of weaning is an effective alternative approach for improvement of growth performance in early-wean calves.     

A comparison of three different methodologies for evaluating Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus susceptibility to topical spray compounds

This study aimed to compare three different methodologies (Adult Immersion Tests, field trials with naturally infected animals, and a Stall Test using artificially infested cattle) to evaluate the efficacy of two topical formulations that we administered as whole body sprays (15% Cypermethrin + 30% Chlorpyriphos + 15% Fenthion–Colosso^® FC 30, Ouro Fino Agronegócios; and 60% Dichlorvos + 20% Chlorpyriphos–Ectofós^®, Vallée Saúde Animal Ltd.), against a susceptible strain of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. To achieve this objective, two natural infestation trials were conducted, as well as two artificial infestation trials (Stall Tests) and two Adult Immersion Tests (AIT). The AIT results showed that both spray formulations achieved 100% efficacy against R. (B.) microplus fully engorged females. However, when observing results obtained by field trials (natural infestations) and Stall Tests, none of these topically applied compounds reached 100% efficacy or affected the reproductive capacity of the fully engorged female ticks. Additional studies must be conducted to compare these in vivo methodologies with different in vitro techniques, such as the Larval Packet Test. However, based on results obtained here, we can conclude that depending on the spray formulations used, the AIT can overestimate acaricidal efficacy and values of reproductive efficiency of such compounds against R (B.) microplus. Specifically, when dealing with spray formulations in the Stall Tests, the period of residual action can increase because these animals are sheltered from contact with environmental factors that might interfere with the efficacy of the products tested. It may be necessary to take in vivo trial results into consideration (such as field trials with naturally infested animals or Stall Tests) to standardize a specific in vitro assay, such as the Adult Immersion Test.     

Replication of neurovirulent equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) in CD172a+ monocytic cells

Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is responsible for respiratory disorders, abortion and myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in horses. Two pathotypes of EHV-1 strains are circulating in the field: neurovirulent (N) and non-neurovirulent (NN). For both strains, CD172a⁺ monocytic cells are one of the main carrier cells of EHV-1 during primary infection, allowing the virus to invade the horse’s body. Recently, we showed that EHV-1 NN strains showed a restricted and delayed replication in CD172a⁺ cells. Here we characterize the in vitro replication kinetics of two EHV-1 N strains in CD172a⁺ cells and investigate if the replication of these strains is similarly silenced as shown for EHV-1 NN strains. We found that EHV-1 N replication was restricted to 7–8% in CD172a⁺ cells compared to 100% in control RK-13 cells. EHV-1 N replication was not delayed in CD172a⁺ cells but virus production was significant lower (10^3.0 TCID₅₀/10⁵ inoculated cells) than in RK-13 cells (10^8.5 TCID₅₀/10⁵ inoculated cells). Approximately 0.04% of CD172a⁺ cells produced and transmitted infectious EHV-1 to neighbour cells compared to 65% of RK-13 cells. Unlike what we observed for the NN strain, pretreatment of CD172a⁺ cells with histone deacetylases inhibitors (HDACi) did not influence the replication of EHV-1 N strains in these cells. Overall, these results show that the EHV-1 replication of N strains in CD172a⁺ cells differs from that observed for NN strains, which may contribute to their different pathogeneses in vivo.     

Comparative efficacy of a spot-on formulation containing emodepside and praziquantel (Profender®, Bayer) and praziquantel and pyrantel oral tablets (Drontal® for Cats) against experimental Ancylostoma ceylanicum infections in cats

Ancylostoma ceylanicum is a common zoonotic hookworm of dogs and cats throughout Asia and has also been reported to occur within the Australasian region. The aim of this study to was to determine the efficacy of a spot-on formulation containing emodepside and praziquantel (Profender^®, Bayer) and praziquantel and pyrantel oral tablets (Drontal^® for Cats, Bayer) against experimental A. ceylanicum infections in cats.Twenty-four kittens were each subcutaneously injected with 100 infective third-stage larvae of A. ceylanicum. Kittens were stratified by egg count and randomly allocated equally into control and two treatment groups. The first group were treated with emodepside 2.1%/praziquantel 8.6% (Profender®, Bayer) at the recommended label dose. The second group was treated with 80 mg pyrantel and 20 mg praziquantel (Drontal^® for Cats, Bayer) at the recommended label dose. The kittens in the control group were not treated. Egg counts were performed daily until the end of the study period and compared for the treated and control groups. No eggs were detected in the treated group of kittens within 4 days of treatment and faecal samples from this group remained negative throughout the rest of the study, resulting in a treatment efficacy (egg reduction) of 100% (P < 0.0001). The egg counts remained high (993 ± 666 epg) in the untreated control group for the rest of the study period. This study demonstrated that both combination products containing topical emodepside/praziquantel (Profender^®, Bayer) and praziquantel/pyrantel oral tablets (Drontal^® for Cats, Bayer) given at the recommended dose is highly effective against infection with A. ceylanicum in cats.     

Land Use Influences Carbon Fluxes in Northern Kazakhstan

A mobile, closed-chamber system (CC) was used to measure carbon and water fluxes on four land-use types common in the Kazakh steppe ecoregion. Land uses represented crop (wheat or barley, WB), abandoned land (AL), crested wheatgrass (CW), and virgin land (VL). Measurements were conducted during the growing season of 2002 in northern Kazakhstan at three locations (blocks) 15–20 km apart. The CC allowed the measurement of the carbon flux components of net ecosystem exchange (NEE), ecosystem respiration (R_E) and soil respiration (R_S), together with evapotranspiration (ET). Nonlinear regression analyses were used to model gross primary production (GPP) and ET as a function of photosynthetically active radiation (Q); R_E and R_S were modeled based on air (T_air) and soil (T_s) temperature, respectively. GPP, R_E, R_S, and ET were estimated for the entire year with the use of continuous 20-min means of Q, T_air, and T_s. Annual NEE indicated that AL gained 536 g CO₂ · m^?2, WB lost - 191 g CO₂ · m^?2, CW was near equilibrium (? 14 g CO₂ · m^?2), and VL exhibited considerable carbon accumulation (153 g CO₂ · m^?2). The lower GPP values of the land-use types dominated by native species (CW and VL) compared to WB and AL were compensated by positive NEE values that were maintained during a longer growing season. As expected, VL and CW allocated a larger proportion of their carbon assimilates belowground. Non–growing-season R_E accounted for about 19% of annual R_E in all land-use types. The results of this landscape-level study suggest that carbon lost by cultivation of VLs is partially being restored when fields are left uncultivated, and that VLs are net sinks of carbon. Estimations of carbon balances have important management implications, such as estimation of ecosystem productivity and carbon credit certification.     

Western European epidemiological survey for parvovirus and coronavirus infections in dogs

An epidemiological survey for canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine coronavirus (CCoV) infections was conducted in Western Europe. A total of 156 faecal samples were collected from dogs with diarrhoea in Spain (n = 47), Italy (n = 39), France (n = 26), Germany (n = 21), the United Kingdom (n = 8), Belgium (n = 10), and the Netherlands (n = 5). Using molecular assays for virus detection and characterisation, CPV and CCoV were found to be widespread in European dog populations, either alone or in mixed infections. In agreement with previous reports, the original type CPV-2 was shown not to circulate in European dogs. The recently identified virus variant CPV-2c was predominant in Italy and Germany and present at high rates in Spain and France but was not detected in the UK or Belgium. Except for the UK, CCoV genotype I was identified in all European countries involved in the survey, albeit at a lower prevalence rates than CCoV genotype II.     

Characterization of tuberculous granulomas in different stages of progression and associated tertiary lymphoid tissue in goats experimentally infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis

Oral infection of goats with Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH) resulted in a large variety of granulomas in organized gut-associated lymphatic tissues and intestinal lymph nodes. To characterize the cellular composition of granulomas, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, γδ, B lymphocytes and plasma, CD25⁺, CD68⁺, MHC-II⁺, Ki67⁺ and endothelial cells were labeled in consecutive frozen sections by immunohistochemistry and acid fast bacilli (AFB) by Kinyoun stain. Granulomas with extensive necrosis, little mineralization and variable numbers of AFB surrounded by many CD4⁺ T cells, but only few epitheloid macrophages were observed in severely sick goats at 2–3 mpi. They were interpreted as exuberant immune reaction. Organized granulomas with very few AFB were seen in clinically healthy goats at 13 mpi. The necrotic cores were surrounded by a zone of granulomatous infiltrate with many epitheloid macrophages and few lymphocytes. This zone was initially wide and highly vascularized and became progressively smaller. It was enclosed by an increasing layer of connective tissue. All organized granulomas were surrounded by compartimentalized tertiary lymphoid tissue. The granulomas in experimental infection of goats with MAH reflect the heterogeneity of lesions seen in mycobacterial infections of humans and ruminants and are therefore valuable for comparative research.     

Phenotypic and functional properties of feline dedifferentiated fat cells and adipose-derived stem cells

It has been reported that mature adipocyte-derived dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells show multilineage differentiation potential similar to that observed in mesenchymal stem cells. Since DFAT cells can be prepared from a small quantity of adipose tissue, they could facilitate cell-based therapies in small companion animals such as cats. The present study examined whether multipotent DFAT cells can be generated from feline adipose tissue, and the properties of DFAT cells were compared with those of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). DFAT cells and ASCs were prepared from the floating mature adipocyte fraction and the stromal vascular fraction, respectively, of collagenase-digested feline omental adipose tissue. Both cell types were evaluated for growth kinetics, colony-forming unit fibroblast (CFU-F) frequency, immunophenotypic properties, and multilineage differentiation potential.DFAT cells and ASCs could be generated from approximately 1 g of adipose tissue and were grown and subcultured on laminin-coated dishes. The frequency of CFU-Fs in DFAT cells (35.8%) was significantly higher than that in ASCs (20.8%) at passage 1 (P1). DFAT cells and ASCs displayed similar immunophenotypes (CD44⁺, CD90⁺, CD105⁺, CD14^?, CD34^? and CD45^?). Alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells were readily detected in ASCs (15.2 ± 7.2%) but were rare in DFAT cells (2.2 ± 3.2%) at P1. Both cell types exhibited adipogenic, osteogenic, chondrogenic, and smooth muscle cell differentiation potential in vitro. In conclusion, feline DFAT cells exhibited similar properties to ASCs but displayed higher CFU-F frequency and greater homogeneity. DFAT cells, like ASCs, may be an attractive source for cell-based therapies in cats.     

Aspen Recovery Since Wolf Reintroduction on the Northern Yellowstone Winter Range

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) recruitment and overstory stem densities were sampled in 315 clones in 1991 and 2006 on 560 km² of the Northern Yellowstone Winter Range (NYWR). A primary objective was to observe if aspen status had improved from 1991 to 2006: evidence of a wolf (Canis lupus) caused trophic cascade. Recruitment stems (height > 2 m and diameter at breast height < 5 cm) represent recent growth of aspen sprouts above elk (Cervus elaphus) browsing height, whereas overstory stems (all stems > 2 m) represent the cohort of stems, which will insure the sustainability of the clone. Overstory stem densities declined by 12% (P = 0.04) on the landscape scale when compared with paired t-tests. Overstory stems declined in 58% of individual clones and in 63% of the 24 drainages of the study area. The second objective was to determine which factors influenced changes in aspen density. Winter ungulate browsing (P = 0.0001), conifer establishment (P = 0.0001), and cattle (Bos spp.) grazing (P = 0.016) contributed to the decline in overstory stem densities when analyzed using a mixed effects model of log transformed medians. Eighty percent of the clones were classified as having medium to high browsing levels in 1991, whereas 65% of the clones received a similar rating in 2006, possibly due to the reduced NYWR elk population. Aspen recruitment has increased in some 2–10 km² areas, but not consistently. Our study found that a trophic cascade of wolves, elk, and aspen, resulting in a landscape-level recovery of aspen, is not occurring at this time.     

Isolation of active compounds from methanol extracts of Toddalia asiatica against Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in goldfish (Carassius auratus)

The parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis infests all species of freshwater fish and can cause severe economic losses in fish breeding. The present study aims to evaluate the antiparasitic activity of the active components from Toddalia asiatica against I. multifiliis. Bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation of compounds with antiparasitic activity were performed on the methanol extract of T. asiatica yielding two bioactive compounds: chelerythrine and chloroxylonine identified by comparing spectral data (NMR and ESI-MS) with literature values. Results from in vitro antiparasitic assays revealed that chelerythrine and chloroxylonine could be 100% effective against I. multifiliis at the concentration of 1.2 mg L^?1 and 3.5 mg L^?1, with the median effective concentration (EC₅₀) values of 0.55 mg L^?1 and 1.90 mg L^?1 respectively. In vivo experiments demonstrated that fish treated with chelerythrine and chloroxylonine at the concentrations of 1.8 and 8.0 mg L^?1 carried significantly fewer parasites than the control (P < 0.05). The acute toxicity (LC₅₀) of chelerythrine for goldfish was 3.3 mg L^?1.     

A field trial of infrared thermography as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for early detection of digital dermatitis in dairy cows

Infrared thermography (IRT) was used to detect digital dermatitis (DD) prior to routine claw trimming. A total of 1192 IRT observations were collected from 149 cows on eight farms. All cows were housed in tie-stalls. The maximal surface temperatures of the coronary band (CB) region and skin (S) of the fore and rear feet (mean value of the maximal surface temperatures of both digits for each foot separately, CB_max and S_max) were assessed. Grouping was performed at the foot level (presence of DD, n = 99; absence, n = 304), or at the cow level (all four feet healthy, n = 24) or where there was at least one DD lesion on the rear feet, n = 37). For individual cows (n = 61), IRT temperature difference was determined by subtracting the mean sum of CB_max and S_max of the rear feet from that of the fore feet.Feet with DD had higher CB_max and S_max (P < 0.001) than healthy feet. S_max was significantly higher in feet with infectious DD lesions (M-stage: M2 + M4; n = 15) than in those with non-infectious M-lesions (M1 + M3; n = 84) (P = 0.03), but this was not the case for CB_max (P = 0.12). At the cow level, an optimal cut-off value for detecting DD of 0.99 °C (IRT temperature difference between rear and front feet) yielded a sensitivity of 89.1% and a specificity of 66.6%. The results indicate that IRT may be a useful non-invasive diagnostic tool to screen for the presence of DD in dairy cows by measuring CB_max and S_max.     

Supplementing Guinea grass with fresh sweet potato foliage for milk production by Bunaji and N'Dama cows in early lactation

Forage from three sweet potato cultivars (A = TIS-87/0087; B = TIS-8164; C = TIS-2532.OP.1.13 at 30% daily dry matter intake), dried brewers' grains (DBG) and cottonseed meal (CSM) each at 2.5 kg were supplemented to Guinea grass (GG) to form four diets: Diet A = GG + TIS-87/0087; Diet B = GG + TIS-8164; Diet C = GG + TIS-2532.OP.1.13, and Diet D = GG + DBG + CSM (as control). Treatments were assigned as 4 × 4 Latin squares design over 60 days (10-day adaptation and 5-day sampling) using Bunaji and N'Dama cows in early lactation. The 48-h rumen dry matter (DM) degradation ranged (P < 0.01) from 407 g kg^? 1 DM for GG to 791 g kg^? 1 DM for sweet potato cultivar TIS-87/0087. Bunaji dry matter intake varied (P < 0.05) between 7.1 kg day^? 1 in Diet B and 8.9 kg day^? 1 in Diet D, but was similar (P > 0.05) among diets for the N'Dama cows. The metabolisable energy (ME) intakes were higher for Diet D although, it recorded the least efficiency of ME utilization for milk production. Milk yields were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the Bunaji than the N'Dama cows, which is typical of their true breed differences. Total solids, ash, protein, fat, and sugar contents of the milk were similar among diets for both cow breeds, except Bunaji ash contents that ranged (P < 0.05) from 0.77 g 100 g^? 1 for Diet B to 0.83 g 100 g^? 1 for Diet D. The results suggest that sweet potato forage could be utilized as whole or partial replacement for DBG and CSM to save cost under smallholder farming systems.     

Evaluation of transformation growth factor beta1, interleukin-10, and interferon-gamma in male symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs naturally infected by Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi

The aims of this study were to evaluate the immunomodulatory role of TGF-β₁, IL-10, and INF-γ in spleen and liver extracts and supernatant cultures of white spleen cells from male symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs, naturally infected by Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi. Thirty dogs from Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil, an endemic leishmaniosis area, were selected by positive ELISA serological reaction for Leishmania sp. and divided into two groups: asymptomatic (n = 15) and symptomatic (n = 15) consisting of animals with at least three characteristic signs (fever, dermatitis, lymphoadenopathy, onychogryphosis, weight loss, cachexia, locomotion problems, conjunctivitis, epistaxis, hepatosplenomegaly, edema, and apathy). After euthanasia, spleen and liver fragments were collected for ex vivo quantification of TGF-β₁, IL-10, and INF-γ. Naturally active in vitro produced TGF-β₁ was also evaluated in spleen cell culture supernatant. Spleen and liver extract of asymptomatic dogs had higher mean TGF-β₁ levels than symptomatic dogs. High concentrations of IL-10 were found in spleen, and mainly in liver extract of both groups. Higher INF-γ concentrations were found in spleen extracts of symptomatic dogs, and in liver extracts of asymptomatic dogs. Extract of this cytokine was lower in spleen extract. Although INF-γ is being produced in canine infection, mean levels of TGF-β₁ and IL-10 from spleen and liver extracts were quantitatively much higher; suggesting that immune response in both asymptomatic and symptomatic dogs was predominantly type Th2.