Molecular characterization of bovine foamy virus and its association with bovine leukemia virus infection in Vietnamese cattle

The detection of bovine foamy virus (BFV) in Vietnamese cattle was performed using conventional PCR targeting pol and gag genes. Out of 243 tested samples, ten (4.1%) and eight (3.3%) samples were positive for BFV gag and pol DNA, respectively. The prevalence of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) estimated by detection of proviral DNA using nested PCR targeting env gene was 26.7% (65/243). The results of nucleotide sequence alignment and the phylogenetic analysis suggested that Vietnamese BFV strains showed high homology to isolates belonging to either European or non-European clades. There was no significant correlation between BLV and BFV. This study provides information regarding BFV infection and confirms the existence of two BFV clades among Vietnamese cattle for the first time.     

Genomic characterization and distribution of bovine foamy virus in Japan

Bovine foamy virus (BFV) is distributed through worldwide cattle herds. Although the biological features of BFV are not well understood, appearance of clinical manifestation by superinfection with other microorganisms is inferred. In Japan, reports of genomic characterizations and epidemiology of this virus are limited. In this study, we performed whole genomic sequencing of BFV strains Ibaraki and No.43, which were isolated in this country. Additionally, we investigated BFV in geographically distant four daily farms in Japan, to estimate the distribution of BFV and its correlation to bovine leukemia virus (BLV). BFV was distributed throughout Japan; the average positive rate was 12.7%. The nucleotide sequence identities of the isolates were 99.6% when compared with BFV strain isolated in the USA. The phylogenetic tree using env gene sequence showed strains Ibaraki, No.43 and Kagoshima were sorted in the same cluster including the USA and Chinese strains, while Hokkaido strain was in the other cluster including European strains. Although no clear correlation between BFV and BLV could be found, BFV and BLV infections were likely to increase with ages. Our data on epidemiology and characteristics of BFV will provide important information to reveal biological features of BFV.     

The role of neighboring infected cattle in bovine leukemia virus transmission risk

A cohort study was conducted to evaluate the risk of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) transmission to uninfected cattle by adjacent infected cattle in 6 dairy farms. Animals were initially tested in 2010–2011 using a commercial ELISA kit. Uninfected cattle were repeatedly tested every 4 to 6 months until fall of 2012. The Cox proportional hazard model with frailty showed that uninfected cattle neighboring to infected cattle (n=53) had a significant higher risk of seroconversion than those without any infected neighbors (n=81) (hazard ratio: 12.4, P=0.001), implying that neighboring infected cattle were a significant risk factor for BLV transmission. This finding provides scientific support for animal health authorities and farmers to segregate infected cattle on farms to prevent spread of BLV.     

不同蛋白源饲料对秦川肉牛屠宰性能及牛肉品质的影响

[目的]试验旨在研究不同蛋白源饲料对秦川肉牛日增重、屠宰性能及肉品质的影响。[方法]选择20头体重相近、健康状况良好的12月龄左右的秦川肉牛(母牛)为试验动物,随机将试验牛分为5组,各组分别饲喂5种不同精饲料。试验结束后,对照组(31%豆粕组)、试验Ⅰ组(36%菜籽粕组)和试验Ⅳ组(42%紫苏饼组)各选3头参试牛进行屠宰。[结果]试验Ⅳ组的全期总增重、平均日增重和屠宰率均显著高于对照组(P<0.05);试验Ⅳ组背最长肌中干物质和粗蛋白含量均高于其他两组,但各组间均差异不显著(P>0.05);对照组和试验Ⅰ组大理石花纹均是3级,试验Ⅳ组大理石花纹是4级。[结论]本试验条件下,精饲料中添加42%的紫苏饼能够提高肉牛日增重和屠宰率,能够提高牛肉中氨基酸的含量和粗蛋白水平。     

Risk factor analysis of bovine leukemia virus infection in dairy cattle in Egypt

Identification of the risk factors associated with Enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) is essential for the adoption of potentially prevention strategies. Accordingly, our objectives were to determine the geographic distribution of Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) infection and identify the risk factors associated with cow-level BLV infection in the Egyptian dairy cattle. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1299 mixed breed cows distributed over four provinces in the Nile Delta of Egypt in 2018. The randomly selected cows on each farm were serologically tested for BLV, and the cow’s information was obtained from the farm records. Four variables (geographic location, herd size, number of parities, and age) were used for risk analysis. A total of 230 serum samples (17.7 %) were serologically positive for BLV. The highest prevalence of BLV infection was associated with parity (OR = 3.4, 95 %CI 2.4–4.9) with 80 % probability of being BLV-positive at parity ≥5, followed by herd size (OR = 1.8, 95 %CI 1.4–2.2). However, geographic location seems to have no impact on the prevalence of BLV infection in Egypt. Our findings strongly indicate that the intensive surveillance and effective prevention strategies against BLV infection in Egypt should be provided to multiparous cows with ≥5 parities and live in large farm with more than 200 cows.     

Outbreak of foetal infection with bovine pestivirus in a central Queensland beef herd

OBJECTIVE: To describe a significant outbreak of foetal infection and subsequent losses due to bovine pestivirus on a 5200 ha beef breeding and fattening property in central Queensland. DESCRIPTION OF THE HERD: The affected herd consisted of 656 cows, including 269 recently purchased cows, and 221 heifers that were joined in December/January 1995/96. There were approximately 2500 cattle on the property. INVESTIGATION: Following the purchase of 269 cows in October 1995, which were mingled with the existing cow herd, losses were experienced due to foetal infection with bovine pestivirus. These losses were recorded between 1996 and 1999 as: reduced pregnancy rates, losses between pregnancy testing (midpregnancy) and branding (calves averaged 3 months-of-age), losses due to pneumonia and ill-thrift between branding and approximately 12 months-of-age, and losses due to ill-thrift and the chronic wasting form of mucosal disease thereafter. All surviving calves were tested for bovine pestivirus in 1997 at an average of 10 months. Fifty-three calves were identified as persistently infected with bovine pestivirus. A further 110 calf losses could reasonably be attributed to bovine pestivirus infection. Persistently infected cattle were always unthrifty compared to their virus negative counterparts. Only one persistently infected calf was identified, on the basis of severe ill thrift, in the 1997 birth cohort and none in 1998. CONCLUSIONS: This outbreak of foetal infection with bovine pestivirus resulted in significant production losses. These losses were recorded over the three years subsequent to the outbreak. Significant numbers of persistently infected calves were not evident among calves born in the two years after this outbreak.     

张掖肉牛屠宰性能测定和肉品质评定

[目的]为了解张掖肉牛现阶段产肉性能,及时分析品种培育进展和成效,张掖市通过委托第三方专业检测机构开展肉牛屠宰性能测定和肉品质评价试验,根据其结果进行分析研判。[方法]从3家肉牛核心育种场选择具有继代关系的公犊牛持续育肥后根据屠宰性能测定和肉品质评定试验结果分析世代遗传进展和品种培育成效。[结果]试验历时5年,完成连续2个世代各20头育肥牛的屠宰测定和肉质评定。共测定性能指标35项,对其中25项测定值进行样本配对检验,试验B较试验A的体重、体高、胸围、胴体重、净肉重5项指标差异显著,管围、肉质大理石花纹、pH、系水力、蒸煮损失5项指标差异极显著,月龄、十字高、体斜长、腹围等其它15项指标有差异但尚未达到显著水平。而且试验B组较A组的屠宰月龄缩短1.64月,而体重增加59.91 kg,且体尺表型值相应增加。根据日增重遗传力(h²)0.42计算出宰前体重表型增加量为25.16 kg(即剔除由于育种场饲养管理改进、环境影响友好和其它有利因素叠加实现的提高量为34.75 kg),相当于产肉量增加11.6 kg。[结论]从2次结果反映出品种选育有成效,由活重体现出遗传进展。...     

青贮玉米秸秆对肉牛生长性能和屠宰性能的影响

为研究青贮玉米秸秆对肉牛生长性能和屠宰性能的影响,试验选取体重相近的11~12月龄西门塔尔杂交公牛30头,随机分为3组,每组10个重复,分别饲喂风干玉米秸秆(CS)、风干玉米秸秆与青贮玉米秸秆1:1(CSS)、青贮玉米秸秆(SS),每天饲喂等量的精料,试验期60d。结果表明:CSS、SS组较CS组平均日增重分别增加24.2%、44.0%(P<0.05),料肉比分别降低15.1%、24.7%(P<0.05);SS组较CSS组平均日增重增加15.9%,料肉比下降11.25%(P<0.05)。CSS、SS组较CS组热胴体重分别增加14.1%、26.1%(P<0.05),屠宰率分别增加9.9%、18.1%(P<0.05),净肉率分别增加6.0%、7.9%(P<0.05);SS组热胴体重、屠宰率较CSS组分别增加10.5%、7.4%(P<0.05),其余指标无显著差异(P>0.05)。综上,饲喂青贮玉米秸秆能显著改善肉牛生长性能及屠宰性能。     

Serological status of cattle to bovine viral diarrhoea virus and bovine herpesvirus 1 at entry to and exit from Australian feedlot backgrounding facilities

A total of 6195 cattle were enrolled in this observational study. Serum antibody concentrations to bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) and bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) were measured at entry to and exit from backgrounding facilities to assess their statuses on arrival and the extent of seroconversion to these viruses during backgrounding. The backgrounding facilities were contiguous with five feedlots in: Queensland (two sites), New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia. Cattle were held in the backgrounding facilities for a minimum of 29 days and a median of 34 days. On backgrounding facility entry, 32.7% of the study population was seronegative to BVDV, but 85.7% was seronegative to BHV1. After commingling in the backgrounding facilities, of the cattle that were seronegative on backgrounding facility entry, 33.9% and 30.3% showed a serological increase to BVDV and BHV1, respectively. At backgrounding facility exit, when cattle were placed in their feedlots, 19.6% and 59.1% were seronegative to BVDV and BHV1, respectively, and 0.26% were persistently infected with BVDV. There was a strong association between seroincrease to BVDV and seroincrease to BHV1 (P = 0.005) at animal level in cohorts known to contain an animal persistently infected with BVDV.     

肉牛添加剂的研究与应用

用本课题组研制的肉牛添加剂育肥体重230kg、330kg、400kg和530kg的肉牛，可使日增重分别提高25．5％、7．3％、25．4％和16.7％，效果显著（P＜0．05），可使饲料报酬最多提高25．8％（P＜0.05）；投入产出比最大为1：8，用该添加剂育肥高档肉牛时屠宰率可达57.2％，眼肌面积43cm2、皮下脂肪覆盖面积为优级，大理石状评分为优级。     

肉牛养殖中饮水管理注意事项

随着肉牛养殖业的不断发展,养殖户越来越注重精粗饲料的高效利用以及饲养管理水平的提升,往往容易忽视养殖过程中最基础同时也是非常重要的环节——饮水管理。适宜的饮水条件不仅可以降低肉牛疾病的发生,还可提高饲料消化率及生产性能,从而提高经济效益。     

Practices and opinions of New Zealand beef cattle farmers towards bovine viral diarrhoea control in relation to real and perceived herd serological status

ABSTRACT

Aims: To investigate the seroprevalence of infection with bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) virus among 75 beef herds and seroconversion in cattle during early pregnancy, and to determine the practices and opinions of farmers towards BVD control and their association with real and perceived herd serological status.

Methods: Blood samples were collected before mating in 75 beef herds across New Zealand from 15 unvaccinated heifers that had delivered their first calf that season. Serum samples were tested for BVD antibodies using ELISA individually, and after pooling samples for each farm. Animals that were antibody-negative were retested at either pregnancy diagnosis or weaning. Farmers were asked to complete a detailed survey about herd demographics, BVD testing and vaccination practices, and opinions towards national BVD control.

Results: Based on the pooled serum antibody ELISA results, there were 28/75 (37%) negative herds, 15/75 (20%) suspect herds, and 32/75 (43%) positive herds. Of 1,117 animals sampled 729 (65.3%) tested negative for BVD virus antibodies; when retested, 47/589 (8.0%) animals from 13/55 (24%) herds had seroconverted. Among 71 famers providing survey responses 11 (15%) believed their herd was infected with BVD, 24 (34%) were unsure and 36 (51%) did not think their herd was infected. Only 19/71 (18%) farmers had performed any BVD testing within the past 5 years and 50/70 (71%) had not vaccinated any cattle for BVD. Support for national BVD eradication programme was strong in 51/71 (56%) respondents, but the biggest challenge to BVD control was considered to be famer compliance. Compared to farmers who did not think their herd was infected, more farmers who thought BVD was present in their herds had previously tested for BVD, would consider testing all replacement calves, and would support establishing a national BVD database; fewer would consider purchasing BVD tested or vaccinated cattle only.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: Only 15% of the beef farmers in this study believed their herds were infected with BVD virus and few of them had undertaken BVD screening. Nevertheless many were supportive of implementing a national BVD control programme. It is likely that the lack of farmer awareness around BVD and the failure of farmers to recognise the potential impacts in their herds are hindering progress in controlling the disease in New Zealand. There are opportunities for New Zealand veterinarians to be more proactive in helping beef farmers explore BVD management options.     

Application of a radioimmunoassay for detection of the major internal antigen (p24) of bovine leukemia virus from cultured lymphocytes of cattle

A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for the major internal antigen of bovine leukemia virus has been applied to detecting this protein in cultured lymphocytes of infected cattle. The specificity inherent in this assay offers obvious advantages over a previously described syncytium induction assay for infectious bovine leukemia virus, because false positive reactions due to other viruses such as bovine syncytial virus are avoided. Investigations of various culture conditions indicated that maximal amounts of antigen had been produced after incubation for 72 hr at 37°C. Lymphocyte concentrations of 10⁶?5×10⁷ cells/ml gave satisfactory results. Tests of cultured lymphocytes from bovine leukemia virus infected or bovine leukemia virus-free cattle indicated a comparable sensitivity between the radioimmunoassay and syncytium induction assay in the detection of bovine leukemia virus infections.     

复合益生菌制剂对肉牛生长性能、屠宰性能及经济效益的影响

为研究不同水平的复合益生菌制剂对肉牛生长性能、屠宰性能及经济效益的影响,试验选择体重(200±4)kg肉牛60头随机分成4组,每组15个重复,每个重复1头,1组饲喂基础日粮为对照组,试验2、3、4组分别添加2.5％、5.0％、10％复合益生菌制剂,预试验7 d,试验期为56 d.结果表明:(1)试验3、4组的平均日增重...     

Abnormal clonalities of B-lymphocytes in bovine leukemia virus-infected cattle with persistent lymphocytosis

Peripheral B-lymphocyte clonality of 274 bovine leukemia virus-infected cattle with lymphocytosis was analyzed using clonality PCR based on sequences of the variable region of the bovine immunoglobulin H chain. None of the cattle showed monoclonal proliferation, while 10, 31, and 233 showed minor-clonal, oligoclonal, and polyclonal proliferation, respectively. A total of 163 cattle were analyzable the following year, and lymphocytosis was maintained in 157, indicating persistent lymphocytosis (PL). B-lymphocyte clonality of the 157 PL cattle was minor-clonal in 6 (3.8%), oligoclonal in 8 (5.1%), and polyclonal in 143 (91.1%). A higher rate of enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) onset within a year was observed in PL cattle with minor-clonal (50.0% (3/6)) and oligoclonal (25.0% (2/8)) proliferation compared to those with polyclonal (5.6% (8/143)) proliferation. Minor-clonal and oligoclonal proliferation in PL cattle may be a prognosis factor for developing EBL.     

Financial effect of bovine Johne's disease in beef cattle herds in Australia

Objective To assess the financial effect of programs for controlling bovine Johne's disease (BJD) in beef herds. Design A spreadsheet simulation model of a self‐replacing beef herd in south‐eastern Australia selling 400‐kg steers at 15 months old. Methods The model calculated the monthly cash flow, and net present value (NPV) of cumulative cash flow, over 10 years. Four main control options were compared: (1) a base herd (no action to control the disease), (2) test and cull, and (3) partial and (4) total destocking. It was assumed that BJD was eradicated after 3 and 5 years with total and partial destocking, respectively, and not eradicated with a test and cull program. Scenarios were compared for both commercial and stud enterprises. Results If there was no discount on the sale price of cattle in commercial herds, deaths from BJD had to exceed 5% before the NPV of partial or total destocking was similar to taking no action to control the disease over a 10‐year period. When cattle sales incurred a 10% discount, deaths had to exceed 1% before the destocking strategies would break even after 10 years. Conclusion Control options for BJD should be carefully planned on an individual herd basis, as significant production and financial risks accompany destocking programs. Eradication will only be more profitable in the longer term, compared with living with the disease, when discounts on the sale of stock from infected herds are high. This can occur with the selling of store cattle or breeders. In stud herds, BJD will usually cause the total failure of the business.     

The recent prevalence of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection among Japanese cattle

A seroepidemiological survey of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection was conducted in Japan in 2007 using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test. A total of 5420 cattle (dairy, 3966; breeding beef, 797; fattening beef, 657) from 209 farms in seven prefectures in Japan were tested. The overall prevalence of BLV infection was 28.6%. The prevalence of BLV infection in dairy cattle (34.7%) was higher than for both fattening beef cattle (7.9%) and breeding beef cattle (16.3%). Age-specific prevalence showed that BLV prevalence increased with age in all types of cattle and was notably different between dairy and beef cattle under 1 year of age. Among 207 farms, 141 herds (68.1%) had one or more positive animals. The proportion of these positive farms was significantly higher among dairy farms (79.1%) than among beef breeding farms (39.5%) and beef fattening farms (51.9%) (P < 0.001). Dairy farms (40.5%) also showed a significantly higher within-herd prevalence than beef breeding (27.4%) and fattening (14.9%) farms (P = 0.001). This study indicated that BLV is more widely spread in dairy cattle than in beef breeding cattle in Japan. Given the prevalence of BLV infection in dairy and beef cattle was 8- and 1.7-fold higher, respectively, than rates previously found in 1980–1982, BLV appears to be spreading particularly among the dairy cattle population during the last two decades. Further investigation is required to determine the risk factors necessary to control BLV infection that take into account the different farming practices that exist between dairy and beef sectors.     

Molecular analysis of bovine leukemia virus in early epidemic phase in Japan using archived formalin fixed paraffin embedded histopathological specimens

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is an important pathogen associated with enzootic bovine leukosis. In this study, we performed PCR and sequencing analysis to characterize BLVgp51 sequences from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens made from 1974 to 2000 and successfully obtained BLV proviral genome sequences from 94% of the analyzed samples. Furthermore, from these samples, we reconstructed eight full-length and nearly full-length BLVgp51 sequences. These sequences were classified as BLV genotype 1, implying that genotype1 has already been circulating in Japan since the 1970s. In our results, the proviral DNA was detected in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s in the same manner, indicating that the detection of BLV proviral genome depends on storage conditions rather than storage period. The sequences obtained in this study provide direct insights into BLV sequences before 2000, which serves as a good calibrator for inferring ancient BLV diversity.     

康乐县肉牛产地检疫存在的问题及应对措施

随着康乐县肉牛产业的发展壮大,动物疾病防控工作显得尤为重要,如何搞好肉牛出栏产地检疫,保证上市交易肉牛健康,是摆在我们面前的首要问题,但由于我县肉牛养殖场、散养户多,宣传不到位,养殖者意识不强,交易市场开办方主体责任不明等原因导致肉牛产地检疫工作严重滞后。     

Analysis of the bone morphogenetic protein 6 gene promoter region in young beef cattle affected by enzootic bovine leukosis

Enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) is typically observed in cattle over 3 years old. However, some cases of EBL onset in young beef cattle have been reported in Japan. The mechanism for early EBL onset is unclear. In Japan, beef cattle are given large amounts of concentrated feed with low vitamin A. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are regulators of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, and thought to represent one of the key players in tumor malignancy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in BMP-6 methylation status between EBL beef cattle under 3 years old and other cattle. We investigated the methylation status of the BMP-6 promoter region in 32 EBL beef cattle under 3 years old. We also compared the methylation status of EBL dairy cattle to that of healthy cattle. Median methylation rate of the BMP-6 promoter region in EBL beef cattle under 3 years old was 8.9%, which was significantly higher than that of other groups. Hypermethylation of the BMP-6 promoter region might contribute to early onset of EBL in beef cattle under 3 years old, and animal feeding management practices specific to beef cattle may affect the methylation status of the BMP-6 promoter region.