Circadian and circannual rhythms of cortisol,ACTH, and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in healthy horses

Cosinor analysis was used to evaluate whether pituitary and adrenal hormones exhibit circadian rhythmicity in horses. The effect of season and animal age on their respective rhythms was also determined. In addition, the usefulness of evaluating cortisol rhythmicity for the diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) was assessed. Serum cortisol concentrations (P < 0.01), but not plasma ACTH or α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), showed a significant circadian periodicity in horses. An effect of season on hormone concentration was observed with plasma ACTH and α-MSH concentration greater in the fall and cortisol concentration greater in the spring (P < 0.001). Age did not affect cortisol rhythm, but it did blunt the variation in cortisol concentration in horses, similar to what has been previously reported to occur in aged people and dogs. In addition, our results suggest that clinically and diagnostically normal, non–PPID-affected horses commonly have a loss of cortisol diurnal rhythm. Therefore, measurement of circadian rhythm is not an appropriate diagnostic test for PPID.     

Effects of oral supplementation with β-carotene on concentrations of β-carotene, vitamin A and α-tocopherol in plasma, colostrum and milk of mares and plasma of their foals and on fertility in mares

In this study, effects of oral β-carotene supplementation to mares (β-carotene group: 1000 mg/day, n = 15; control group: n = 15) from 2 weeks before foaling until 6 weeks thereafter on concentrations of β-carotene, vitamin A and α-tocopherol in plasma, colostrum and milk and plasma of their foals were determined. In addition, effects on fertility were studied. Beta-carotene concentrations increased in plasma and colostrum of β-carotene-supplemented mares compared to control mares (p < 0.05). In mares of both groups, β-carotene concentrations were higher in colostrum than in milk (p < 0.05). In foals, β-carotene concentrations increased with colostrum uptake and were higher in foals born to supplemented mares (p < 0.05; control group: 0.0003 ± 0.0002 μg/ml on day 0, 0.008 ± 0.0023 μg/ml on day 1; β-carotene group: 0.0005 ± 0.0003 μg/ml on day 0, 0.048 ± 0.018 μg/ml on day 1). Concentrations of vitamin A and α-tocopherol were higher in colostrum than in milk (p < 0.05) but did not differ between groups. Concentration of α-tocopherol in plasma of mares decreased over time and in foals, increased markedly within 4 days after birth. All but one mare (control group) showed oestrus within 2 weeks post-partum. Occurrence of oestrus did not differ between groups. More mares of the control group (7/7 vs. 5/12 in the β-carotene group) became pregnant after being bred in first post-partum oestrus (p < 0.05). In conclusion, β-carotene supplementation to mares increased β-carotene concentrations in plasma, colostrum and milk of mares and plasma of their foals but had no positive effects on fertility.     

Seroprevalence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome,Aujeszky’s disease,and porcine parvovirus in replacement gilts in Thailand

The present study investigated the seroprevalence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, Aujeszky’s disease virus (ADV), and porcine parvovirus (PPV) in replacement gilts from selected five swine herds in Thailand. The study consisted of three parts. First, a retrospective data analysis on the seroprevalence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and ADV glycoprotein I (gI) in gilts, sows, boars, nursery, and fattening pigs in five herds (n = 7,030). Second, a cross-sectional study on seroprevalence of PRRSV, ADV, and PPV (n = 200) in replacement gilts. Last, the seroprevalence of PRRSV, ADV, and PPV in gilts culled due to reproductive failure (n = 166). Across the herds, the seroprevalence of PRRSV and ADV was 79.3% and 5.3%, respectively. The cross-sectional study revealed that 87.5%, 4.0%, and 99.0% of the replacement gilts were infected with PRRSV, ADV, and PPV, respectively. In the gilts culled due to reproductive failure, the seroprevalence of PRRSV, ADV, and PPV was 73.5%, 28.3%, and 86.0%, respectively. Of these culled gilts, 75.5% had been infected with at least two viruses and 18.9% had been infected with all three viruses. It could be concluded that most of the replacement gilts were exposed to PRRSV (84%), PPV (97%), and ADV (4%) before entering the breeding house. PPV was an enzootic disease among the selected herds. The prevalence of ADV was higher in gilts culled due to reproductive disturbance than in the healthy gilts.     

Influence of in ovo injection of disaccharides, glutamine and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate on the development of small intestine in duck embryos and neonates

1. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of in ovo injection of disaccharides (DS), disaccharides and glutamine (DS + Gln) or disaccharides and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (DS + HMB) at d 23 of incubation on the development of the small intestine. 2. In DS + Gln-injected ducks, the greatest relative small intestine mass and muscularis layer thickness among 4 treatments was observed from d 25 of incubation to 7 d of age. 3. Jejunal sucrase activity in DS-injected ducks was significantly greater than in controls at hatch and on d 7. 4. In DS + HMB-treated ducks, a tendency toward slightly higher jejunal DNA concentration was observed throughout the experiment. 5. Greater body weight was found in DS + Gln and DS + HMB treated ducks in the first two weeks. However, there was no significant difference in the market weight (35 d) of ducks among the 4 treatments. 6. The results of present study suggest that administering disaccharides and Gln, or disaccharides and HMB, to the duck embryos exerted a beneficial effect on the early development of small intestine and on growth performance.     

Effect of hygiene and medication on preweaning survival and growth of Djallonké sheep in Atacora, Benin

Low sheep productivity in North Benin hampers economic development, and improvement can contribute to reduction of rural poverty and food insecurity. To reduce one of the constraints to the productivity of Djallonké sheep, high mortality during suckling in full rainy and start dry season, we tested hygienic measures and medication in improved housing. The effect of the two treatments and their combination on lamb performance and the internal rate of return (IRR) were compared to a control. For each treatment, survival and growth were observed in 20 lambs, living in 38 herds. Good housing and hygiene (daily cleaning and fortnightly disinfection of stable and water and feed troughs) reduced mortality and increased growth of suckling lambs until 3 months. Good housing plus medication (unique injection of vitamins and amino acids and with ivermectine for deworming, weekly tick treatment by spraying, and in case of diarrhea, antibiotic treatment) reduced mortality, but growth was not higher than the control. Accounting labor opportunity, the IRR was about equal for both, but capital investment was lower for the hygiene treatment which is thus more accessible to poor farmers. The combination of both treatments increased growth and benefits compared with the hygiene treatment, but decreased the IRR.     

Changes in Serum Concentrations of Prolactin,Progestagens, and Estradiol-17β and Biochemical Parameters During Peripartum in an Agalactic Mare

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in serum concentrations of prolactin (PRL), progestagens, and estradiol-17β and biochemical parameters during peripartum in an agalactic mare, as well as to study the periparturient indices of the foal. A 4-year-old Thoroughbred, primiparous, pregnant mare was diagnosed as agalactic from clinical conditions such as absence of observable udder development and weight loss of her foal after parturition. Serum PRL concentrations of the agalactic mare during prepartum tended to be lower than those of the control mares (19.5 ng/mL and 67.0 ± 15.0 ng/mL on the day of parturition, respectively). The progestagens and estradiol-17β concentrations were not markedly different between the agalactic mare and the control mares. Concentrations of γ-glutamyl transferase of the agalactic mare were higher than those of the control mares (P < .05). Although the serum immunoglobulin G concentrations of the foal of the agalactic mare after 24 hours of age were lower than those of the foals of the control mares (P < .05), all periparturient indices regarding the agalactic mare were considered to be within the normal range. In contrast, insufficient udder development and milk production was observed in the agalactic mare through the pre- and postpartum periods. We have ruled out the known causes for agalactia in mares based on other parameters, clinical symptoms, and nutritional causes. Clinical symptoms and PRL parameters in this case report are consistent with the category of agalactia in mares of unexplained causes, and we have determined additional blood parameters associated with agalactia in mares that are consistent with this category.     

Drivers and trajectories of social and ecological change in the Karoo,South Africa§

This review article explores past, present and possible future drivers of change in Karoo social-ecological systems. Biogeographically, the Karoo comprises the arid Succulent Karoo and Nama-Karoo biomes covering significant portions of the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces and a smaller part of the Free State. Despite the Karoo’s specific environment and spatial importance nationally (covering some 30% of South Africa), no government structures address its needs holistically. Today it is a politically and economically marginalised region; perceptions of it as a desert easily morph into perceptions of it as deserted and ripe for exploitation for the benefit of external constituencies, whether in the name of astronomy, shale-gas and uranium mining or renewable energy. To manage the Karoo better for present and future generations, it is clearly desirable for social and natural scientists to work collaboratively, yet there is relatively little interdisciplinary work to date. Against this background this review article provides an overview of social and ecological changes historically and in the present, and offers some cautious reflections concerning climate change, changing land use and governance as key drivers affecting trajectories of change into the future.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors of bovine leptospirosis in the province of Manabí, Ecuador

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution. The disease affects dairy and beef cattle, causing infertility, abortion, and reduced milk yield. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in cattle and the associated risk factors in the province of Manabí, Ecuador. Serum samples from 749 animals from 55 cattle herds were analyzed using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Animals were considered positive when titers were ≥ 1:100. The association between the potential risk factors and the positive Leptospira result was modeled at both animal and herd level using a generalized linear model with a binomial distribution and logarithmic link. The seroprevalence was 56.21% at the individual level and 98.18% at the herd level. The most prevalent serovars were Pomona (28.57%) and Icterohaemorragiae (22.30%). At the animal level, only the age was associated with leptospirosis seropositivity. Seroprevalence in animals over three years of age was 1.197 (95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.032 – 1.390), higher compared to animals up to three years old. The seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. was higher in farms with no veterinary assistance (PR = 1.209; 95%CI 1.053 – 1.388) and without a vaccination program against Leptospira (PR = 1.399; 95%CI 1.09 - 1.794). In addition, herds from Junín canton had a significantly higher seroprevalence of Leptospira spp (PR = 1.548; 95%CI 1.213 - 1.977) compared to the Bolívar canton, which had the lowest seroprevalence. In conclusion, more than half of the animals were positive to Leptospiraspp, and almost all herds had at least one positive animal. Furthermore, veterinary assistance and vaccination of cattle must be considered as essential aspects of the disease control program.     

Expression of α-transducin,a chemoreceptive molecule,in endocrine and non-endocrine cells of the pig gastrointestinal tract

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Enhanced expression of TGFβ protein in lymphoid organs and lung, but not in serum, of pigs infected with a European field isolate of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is an immunomodulatory cytokine which is able to modulate the host immune response eliciting an inefficient response against pathogens. In this sense, the role of this cytokine in porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) has been poorly studied and the reported results are contradictory. Thus, in the present study, the expression of TGFβ was analysed both at tissue (lymphoid organs and lung) and serum level to study its correlation with the expression of PRRS virus (PRRSV). To carry out this study, 32 pigs were inoculated with the European PRRSV field isolate 2982 and sequentially killed from 0 dpi to the end of the study (24 dpi). Blood and tissue samples were collected to determine the expression of PRRSV and TGFβ. PRRSV was detected in inoculated animals from 3 dpi until the end of the study, however TGFβ was not detected in sera from inoculated animals. Contrary, an increase of TGFβ antigen was observed both in the lymphoid organs and in the lung of PRRSV-inoculated pigs when compared with control group. Since TGFβ play a role as an immunomodulatory cytokine of the immune response and also in the differentiation of regulatory T cells (Tregs), the upregulation of the TGFβ at tissue level may play a role in the impairment of the host immune response observed during PRRS, being observed a significant correlation between PRRSV and TGFβ expression at lung level.     

Concentrations of medetomidine enantiomers and vatinoxan,an α2-adrenoceptor antagonist,in plasma and central nervous tissue after intravenous coadministration in dogs

ObjectiveTo quantify the peripheral selectivity of vatinoxan (L-659,066, MK-467) in dogs by comparing the concentrations of vatinoxan, dexmedetomidine and levomedetomidine in plasma and central nervous system (CNS) tissue after intravenous (IV) coadministration of vatinoxan and medetomidine.Study designExperimental, observational study.AnimalsA group of six healthy, purpose-bred Beagle dogs (four females and two males) aged 6.5 ± 0.1 years (mean ± standard deviation).MethodsAll dogs were administered a combination of medetomidine (40 μg kg⁻¹) and vatinoxan (800 μg kg⁻¹) as IV bolus. After 20 minutes, the dogs were euthanized with an IV overdose of pentobarbital (140 mg kg⁻¹) and both venous plasma and CNS tissues (brain, cervical and lumbar spinal cord) were harvested. Concentrations of dexmedetomidine, levomedetomidine and vatinoxan in all samples were quantified by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and data were analyzed with nonparametric tests with post hoc corrections where appropriate.ResultsAll dogs became deeply sedated after the treatment. The CNS-to-plasma ratio of vatinoxan concentration was approximately 1:50, whereas the concentrations of dexmedetomidine and levomedetomidine in the CNS were three- to seven-fold of those in plasma.Conclusions and clinical relevanceWith the doses studied, these results confirm the peripheral selectivity of vatinoxan in dogs, when coadministered IV with medetomidine. Thus, it is likely that vatinoxan preferentially antagonizes α₂-adrenoceptors outside the CNS.     

Streptococcus suis in employees and the environment of swine slaughterhouses in S?o Paulo,Brazil: Occurrence,risk factors,serotype distribution,and antimicrobial susceptibility

Streptococcus suis is an important pathogen in the swine industry. This article is the first to report the occurrence, risk factors, serotype distribution, and antimicrobial susceptibility of S. suis recovered from employees and environmental samples of swine slaughterhouses in Brazil. Tonsillar swabs from all 139 pig-slaughtering employees and 261 environmental swabs were collected for detection of S. suis and serotyping by monoplex and multiplex polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the disk-diffusion method. Although S. suis was not detected in any of the tested employees, it was isolated from 25% of the environmental samples. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in the occurrence of S. suis were observed between slaughterhouses and between areas of low, medium, and high risk. The most frequent serotypes were 4 and 29, each accounting for 12% of the isolates, followed by 5, 12, 21, and 31, each accounting for 6%. High rates of susceptibility to the antimicrobials doxycycline (100%), ceftiofur (94%), ampicillin (81%), and cephalexin (75%) were observed. However, multidrug resistance was observed in all the isolates. Because S. suis is present in the environment of swine slaughterhouses, on carcasses and knives, as well as on the hands of employees in all areas, all employees are at risk of infection.     

Evaluation of sedative and antinociceptive effects of dexmedetomidine,midazolam and dexmedetomidine–midazolam in tegus (Salvator merianae)

Objective

To evaluate dexmedetomidine, midazolam and dexmedetomidine–midazolam for sedation and antinociception in tegus.