Isolation and culture of preantral follicles for retrieving oocytes for the embryo production: present status in domestic animals

The development of efficient ovarian preantral follicle (PF) isolation and culture systems provide a large number of oocytes for the manipulation and embryo production. It also helps for understanding the mechanisms of follicle and oocyte development. Isolation and culture protocols for PFs were developed for many domestic species like cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pig, horse, camel, dog and cats; however, embryo production from oocytes derived from in vitro grown PFs was reported only in pigs, buffalo, sheep and goat. The rate of oocyte maturation from PFs grown in vitro is low and requires considerable research. This paper presents an overview of isolation and culture systems of PFs that have been developed for domestic species (cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pigs, horse, camel, dog and cat) along with the current status of progress achieved in the direction of producing embryos using PFs as the source of oocyte in these species.     

A serologic investigation of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) in cattle and gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa in Turkey

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) is a vector-borne disease of ruminants disseminated in the tropic and subtropic zone of the world. Gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa (goitered gazelle) is native species of Anatolia. Due to risk of extinction, captured gazelles have been taken under protection in a restricted area at Ceylanpinar state farm. In this study, the presence of EHDV was investigated serologically in 82 goitered gazelle and 399 cattle. Seropositivity rates in goitered gazelle and cattle were detected as 2.43% and 3.50%, respectively.     

Molecular cloning and phylogenetic analysis of inflammatory cytokines of Camelidae (llama and camel)

We cloned, sequenced and analyzed the cDNAs encoding Camelidae inflammatory cytokines, including llama (lama glama) interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and camel (Camelus bactrianus) IL-6 and TNF-alpha. The similarity levels of the deduced amino acid sequences of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha from llama (camel) to those from other mammalian species, ranged from 60.7% to 87.7%, 52.8% to 75.3%, 41.4% to 98.6%, and 72.9% to 99.6%, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on nucleic acid sequences showed that llama IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were more closely related to those of camel, pig, cattle, sheep and horse than to those of human, dog, cat, mouse and rat.     

Complement-dependence of polymorphonuclear yeast cell phagocytosis: a comparison between man and various domestic animals

The complement-dependence of polymorphonuclear yeast cell phagocytosis of sheep, goat, cattle, horse, dog, pig and man is determined by comparing the opsonizing abilities of untreated sera with complement-inactivated autologous sera at a serum concentration of 2.5% and at different phagocytosis periods. The performed phagocytosis assays only detects incorporated particles and allows for the differentiation of granulocytes with different quantities of phagocytosed particles. In sheep, horse and man the addition of heat-inactivated serum reduces the phagocytosis index to less than -80% of the value obtained at untreated serum addition at a phagocytosis period of 60 min. The other species show a smaller reduction ranging from -66.9% (dog) to 41.4% (cattle). The evaluation of the distribution pattern of granulocytes incorporating a certain number of yeasts offers significant differences in the investigated species.     

胶乳凝集抑制试验快速鉴定肉种类研究

以羧化聚苯乙烯胶乳作载体,将动物血清分别共价交联到载体微球表面,制成免疫微球。将此微球同相应抗血清配对,进行胶乳凝集抑制试验以鉴定牛肉、马肉、羊肉、狗肉和猪肉。通过对162份牛肉、43份马肉、100份猪肉、34份羊肉、30份狗肉、10份骡肉、4份驴肉和7份山羊肉的鉴定,制备的5种胶乳试剂敏感性均为100％。除马肉胶乳试剂和羊肉胶乳试剂有种属内交叉反应外,其它胶乳试剂特异性为100％。实验具有良好的重复性,试剂稳定性强,易于保存。5分钟内出结果,操作简便,适于基层单位应用。     

Allometric scaling of orbifloxacin disposition in nine mammal species: a retrospective analysis

The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between pharmacokinetic parameters and body weight (W) for orbifloxacin using reported pharmacokinetic data. The parameters of interest: clearance (Cl), volume of distribution at steady state (Vss) and elimination half-life were correlated across nine mammal species, including cattle, dog, rat, rabbit, goat, camel, horse, cat and sheep as a function of W using the conventional allometric equation Y = aW(b), where Y is the pharmacokinetic parameter, W is the body weight, a is the allometric coefficient (intercept) and b is the exponent that describes the relationship between the pharmacokinetic parameter and W. Our estimates (Cl=4.40 W(1.03); Vss=1.10W(1.05)) indicated that the increase in these parameters with W approximates a linear power relationship with slopes being very close to one. Overall, the results of this study indicated that it is possible to use allometry to predict pharmacokinetic variables of orbifloxacin based on W of mammal species.     

Observed prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in domestic animals in Sicily, Italy during 2003-2005

The objective of this study was to characterize the observed prevalence of tick-borne pathogens (TBP) in domestic animals in Sicily, Italy during 2003-2005. Serological (competitive ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence antibody, n = 3299) and DNA tests (polymerase chain reaction and reverse line blot, n = 2565) were conducted on horse, donkey, cattle, sheep, goat, pig and dog samples. Pathogens analysed included Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, Babesia and Theileria species, and Coxiella burnetii. The most prevalent TBP were Anaplasma and Babesia species. The results reported herein suggested that cattle could serve as the major reservoir for Babesia and Theileria spp. while for Anaplasma spp. cattle, dogs, sheep and goats may be the most important reservoir species. These results expanded our knowledge about the prevalence of TBP in Sicily and provided information to understand the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases and may help to implement measures to diagnose, treat and control transmission to humans and animals in this region.     

Isolation of dermatophytes from domestic animals in Norway

The examination of 2066 skin scrapings from domestic animals in the period from July 1981 to June 1984, revealed dermatophytes in 439 samples. Dermatophytes isolated were: M. canis in dog, cat, cattle, horse, swine, goat, rabbit and hamster, M. equinum in dog and horse, M. gypseum in horse, T. equinum in horse and cattle, T. mentagrophytes in dog, cat, cattle, horse, guinea pig and rabbit, T. verrucosum in cattle and E. floccosum in dog.     

THE ROLE OF WILD ANIMALS IN THE SPREAD OF EXOTIC DISEASES IN AUSTRALIA

The distributions of the following feral animals are given -- cattle, buffalo, pig, goat, deer, camel, horse, donkey, fox, dog and cat -- and the native dingo. The possible role these and the native rodents, marsupials and monotremes would play should an exotic disease of livestock enter Australia is discussed. It is considered that feral animals would be important in creating foci from which the disease would spread.     

Cystic echinococcosis in Algeria: cattle act as reservoirs of a sheep strain and may contribute to human contamination

In Algeria, cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a serious economic and public health problem. The common sheep/dog cycle is usually considered as the major source of human contamination. But to date the main strain of Echinococcus granulosus involved in the human contamination and the role of other hosts are still unknown. This paper reports an original work performed in northern Algeria combining field observations and molecular analysis. In a first step, examination of 6237 carcasses in slaughterhouses showed high infection and fertility rates in cattle and dromedaries. Then, in a second step, we used a molecular biology approach to identify the E. granulosus strain(s) involved. Forty-six samples from various origins were collected. They were analysed using comparison of PCR-amplified DNA sequences with one genomic (BG 1/3) and two mitochondrial (COI and NDI) targets. Results show the presence of a "sheep" strain of E. granulosus in North Algeria circulating between cattle and ovines and infectious to humans, whereas in South Algeria, a "camel" strain and a "sheep" strain were found to circulate in camels and in sheep, respectively. This study also reports an ambiguous genotype which resembled the "sheep" strain genotype (Gl) on the basis of the partial COI gene sequence, whereas on the basis of the partial NDI gene sequence, it was similar either to the "sheep" strain (Gl) or to the "camel" strain (G6). Besides its basic interest, our study confirms the role of other hosts (mainly cattle) in leading to transmission to humans and suggests that control measures should not only target sheep.     

Antibodies to Akabane virus in horses,sheep and goats in Japan

High prevalences of neutralizing (NT) antibody to Akabane virus were obtained with horse (72%), sheep (38%) and goat (67%) serum samples collected in Chiba Prefecture, where outbreaks of abortion and congenital deformities caused by Akabane virus occurred among cattle. In these animal sera, titers of hemagglutination-inhibiting (HI) antibody to Akabane virus and of NT antibody were closely correlated.     

The pharmacokinetics of xylazine hydrochloride: an interspecific study

The pharmacokinetic disposition of xylazine hydrochloride is described after both intravenous and intramuscular injection of a single dose, in four domestic species: horse, cattle, sheep and dog, by an original high performance liquid chromatographic technique. Remarkably small interspecific differences are reported. After intravenous administration, systemic half-life ( t _{1/2 β}) ranged between 22 min (sheep) and 50 min (horse) while the distribution phase is transient with half-life ( t _{1/2 α}) ranging from 1.2 min (cattle) to 5.9 min (horse). The peak level of drug concentration in the plasma is reached after 12–14 min in all the species studied following intramuscular administration. Xylazine bioavailability, as measured by the ratios of the areas under the intravenous and intramuscular plasma concentration versus time curves, ranged from 52% to 90% in dog, 17% to 73% in sheep and 40% to 48% in horse. The low dosage in cattle did not permit calculation. Kinetic data are correlated with clinical data and the origins of interspecific differences are discussed.     

A serologic survey of viral infections in captive ungulates in Turkish zoos

Zoos and zoologic gardens make optimal environments for interspecies transmission of viral infections. There are seven zoos and several small zoologic collections in Turkey. This study aimed to determine the current status of viral infections in captive ungulates living in these environments. Blood samples were taken from 163 captive animals from two zoos. There were 39 Cameroon sheep (Ovis ammon f aries), 11 Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia), 57 pygmy goats (Capra hircus), 9 Angora goats (Capra hircus), 21 mountain goats (Capra aegagrus-aegagrus), 7 llamas (Lama glama), 8 Persian goitred gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa), 7 Caspian red deer (Cervus elaphus maral), 2 fallow deer (Dama dama), and 2 camels (Camelus dromedarius). Antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1), bovine adenoviruses (BAV-1 and -3), parainfluenzavirus 3 (PI-3), and bluetongue viruses (BTV-4 and -9) were investigated using the virus neutralization test, and malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) antibodies were screened by ELISA. All animals were negative for BVDV and BHV-1 antibodies. Seroprevalence of BAV-1, BAV-3, PI-3, BRSV, BT-4, BT-9, and MCF were detected as follows: 46.6%, 60.1%, 0.6%, 7.3%, 1.8%, 1.2%, and 51.6%, respectively. Seroprevalence of BAVs and MCF were more common than all other viruses (P < 0.0001). Ten sheep (37.0%), 48 goats (84.2), and 1 Ilama (14.2%) were the only species positive for MCF antibodies. Prevalence of BRSV and MCF antibodies were found to be significantly higher in goats than in sheep. BTV antibodies were detected both in Cameroon sheep and mountain goats and suggest that zoo animals are at risk for BTV in endemic regions.     

An attempt to define the host range for African horse sickness virus (Orbivirus, Reoviridae) in east Africa, by a serological survey in some Equidae, Camelidae, Loxodontidae and Carnivore.

A survey was carried out in horse, zebra, elephant, camel, sheep and goat and wild carnivore sera for virus-serum neutralising antibody to the nine type strains of African horse sickness virus. Antibody was found amongst the horse, zebra and elephant sera to all nine different strains. No antibody was detected in any sera from camels, sheep and goats. None was found in sera from hyaena and jackals in this series but had been detected earlier.     

Diagnosis of Coxiella burnetii-related abortion in Italian domestic ruminants using single-tube nested PCR

Coxiella burnetii, an obligate intracellular parasite with a worldwide distribution, is the causative agent of acute and chronic Q fever in humans. Although infection is often unapparent in cattle, sheep and goats, there is increasing evidence that C. burnetii infection in these species is associated with abortion and stillbirth. This paper describes the introduction of a single-tube nested PCR protocol for the diagnosis of C. burnetii-related abortion in domestic ruminants in Italy. A total of 514 aborted foetuses from cattle (n = 138) and sheep and goat (n = 376), collected from 301 farms, were analyzed from January 2001 to March 2005. Ninety-seven of 514 (18.9%) animals tested PCR-positive, with 16/138 (11.6%) cattle and 81/376 (21.5%) sheep and goat. Eleven of 102 (10.8%) farms with reproductive disorders in cattle and 37/199 (18.6%) farms with reproductive disorders in sheep and goats were infected with C. burnetii. A greater incidence was observed in three of the seven investigated provinces (p < 0.01), with rates of infected farms of up to 23.8%. Data showed that almost all the C. burnetii-related abortions were recorded between October and April (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that Q fever in humans is largely underestimated in Italy, probably because its occurrence is obscured by flu-like symptoms in acute forms.     

Veterinary service usage and animal ownership in Ohio, U.S.A.: Results of telephone surveys in 1983 and 1984

A telephone survey of three sub-populations in Ohio was conducted to compare the utilization of veterinary services in 1982 with 1983 and to characterize animal ownership. A response rate of approximately 90% was achieved for all three sub-populations namely (1) food-animal producers, (2) horse owners and (3) pet owners. There was no significant difference between the percentage of respondents using veterinary services in 1982 and 1983. In both years, over 85% of dairy producers purchased veterinary services compared with approximately 62% for beef producers, approximately 70% for swine producers, and over 97% for horse owners. In 1983, approximately 69% sheep producers, 50% of goat producers, 81% of dog owners, 67% of cat owners, 12% of bird owners and none of the fish owners used veterinary services during the previous year. The 1983 median expenditures for veterinary services per farm or household using veterinary services were $465 for horses, $450 for dairy cattle, $111 for beef cattle, $115 for swine, $66 for sheep, $0 for goats, $75 for dogs, $44 for cats and $18 for pet birds. The average number of times animals were seen by a veterinarian varied by species but did not vary much from year to year. For all three groups, preventive services were used more frequently than were treatment and surgical services.     

Reactivity of eleven anti-human leucocyte monoclonal antibodies with lymphocytes from several domestic animals

Nine commercially available monoclonal antibodies and two monoclonal antibodies from The American Type Culture Collection, raised against various human leucocyte surface antigens, were tested on lymphocytes from cow, sheep, goat, swine, horse, cat, dog, mink, and rabbit as well as man. Four antibodies bound to lymphocytes from some of the animals. These were the antibodies against CD8 and CD4 antigen, the antibody to C3b-receptor, and the antibody to the HLA-DR antigen. The CD8 antigen-reactive antibody reacted with lymphocytes from mink, cat, dog, and sheep, while the CD4 antigen-reactive antibody reacted with lymphocytes from mink. The anti-C3b-R antibody reacted with lymphocytes from horse, swine, dog, and cat, and the anti-HLA-DR reacted with lymphocytes from cow, goat, sheep, horse, dog, cat, and mink.     

新疆牛、羊和骆驼源产志贺毒素大肠埃希菌的系统进化分群、血清群与毒力基因及耐药性分析

旨在了解新疆牛、羊和骆驼源产志贺毒素大肠埃希菌（Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli,STEC）的系统进化分群、血清群、毒力基因、耐药性及其遗传多样性,本研究采用PCR方法对牛、羊和骆驼源STEC进行了系统发育分群、血清群和毒力基因stx₁、stx₂（包括亚型）、eaeA、hlyA检测,通过K-B纸片法对分离株进行药物敏感性检测,并对其进行ERIC-PCR基因分型。结果表明：94株非O157 STEC以B1群为主,含9个血清群,包括O146（n=14）、O22（n=7）、O3（n=4）、O168（n=4）、O8（n=3）、O167（n=2）、O88（n=1）、O112ab （n=1）和O147（n=1）。毒力基因检测显示,46.8%（44/94）仅携带stx₁,6.4%（6/94）仅携带stx₂,46.8%（44/94）同时携带stx₁+stx₂。羊源STEC以携带stx₁+hlyA为主（68.0%）;牛源STEC以携带stx₁+stx₂+hlyA为主（57.9%）;骆驼源STEC以携带stx₁+hlyA为主（25.0%）。stx_1a主要分布于牛源STEC,stx_1c主要分布于羊源STEC。14株（14.9%）为耐药菌,对头孢他啶、四环素、头孢噻肟、氨苄西林和氨曲南的耐药率为3.2%~5.3%,对复方新诺明、头孢吡肟、哌拉西林-他唑巴坦、氨苄西林-舒巴坦、阿莫西林-克拉维酸和多黏菌素B的耐药率为1.1%~2.1%。ERIC-PCR结果显示牛、羊和骆驼源STEC亲缘关系较近。牛、羊和骆驼携带多种已知血清群STEC,贮存丰富的毒力基因,存在感染人类的风险,应在屠宰加工过程中予以预防和控制。     

Peste des petits ruminants infection in domestic ruminants in Sudan

The existence of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in domestic ruminants and camels in Sudan during 2008–2012 was investigated. Lung tissues and serum samples were randomly collected from sheep, goats, cattle, and camels at different areas of Sudan. A total of 12,384 serum samples were collected from clinically healthy 7413 sheep, 1988 camels, 1501 cattle, 1459 goats, and 23 gazelles at different areas in the Sudan. They were examined for PPR antibodies using competitive ELISA (cELISA). The overall detected seroprevalence of PPR in tested sera was 49.4%; seroprevalence values within species were 67.1, 48.2, 25.8, 2.1, and 21.7% in sheep, goat, cattle, camels, and gazelles, respectively. The highest seroprevalence (68.1%) was observed in sera collected from Darfur states, then the central states (54.3%). A total of 1276 lung tissue samples (623 sheep, 324 cattle, 220 camels, and 109 goats) were collected. The majority of lung samples were collected from clinically healthy animals that showed lesions on PM in slaughterhouses (95%) and during PPR outbreaks; samples were tested for PPR antigen using immunocapture ELISA (IcELISA). PPR antigen was detected in 233 out of the 1276 tested samples (18.3%). Positive results were observed in samples collected from clinically healthy and diseased animals. The observed prevalence values in each species were 33.6, 21.1, 15.4, and 12.3% in camel, goat, sheep, and cattle, respectively. PPR antigen was detected in samples from different areas; however, the highest prevalence (63.9%) was found in samples collected from the eastern states, then Khartoum state (28%). Trials for virus isolation were done in different cell cultures. Out of 30 IcELISA-positive samples inoculated in primary bovine and ovine kidney cells, Vero cells, the PPR virus was successfully isolated from 15 (eight sheep, five camels, and two goats) samples in the three cell culture types. Using RT-PCR, PPRV nucleic acid was detected in all 25 IcELISA-positive tested samples.     

山羊KIFI基因分子克隆及序列分析

利用Primer 3.0设计出1对特异性引物F和R,以成年山羊基因组DNA为模板,扩增山羊的KIFI基因,将其克隆至pGEM-T载体,转化后挑取阳性菌落进行酶切及测序鉴定。结果表明,克隆所得的472 bp序列(GenBank登录号：GQ988385),包括山羊KIFI基因的Exon 1全长、部分5′UTR和部分Intron 1序列。山羊KIFI基因的Exon 1序列编码116个氨基酸,与绵羊、牛、马、人和家鼠的同源性分别为98%、90%、90%、88%和84%。KIFI基因部分序列的克隆,为进一步研究KIFI基因多态性与绵、山羊绒用性能间的相关性奠定基础。