Fecal and urinary lignans, intrafollicular estradiol, and endometrial receptors in lactating dairy cows fed diets supplemented with hydrogenated animal fat, flaxseed or sunflower seed

We hypothesized that the inclusion of flaxseed in the diets of lactating dairy cows will increase urinary and fecal concentrations of the lignans, secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SDG), enterolactone and enterodiol, reduce intrafollicular concentrations of IGF-I and estradiol, and subsequently reduce estradiol and oxytocin receptor expression in the endometrium. To test this hypothesis, 27 cycling, lactating Holstein cows were assigned to 1 of 3 diets supplemented with saturated fatty acids (SAT), flax (FLX), or sunflower (SUN) seed. Rations were formulated to provide 750 g supplemental fat/cow/d in all dietary groups. Ovulation (Day 0) was synchronized, and 5 d later, follicles>8 mm were ablated by an ultrasound-guided procedure in all cows. Samples of blood (Days 0 to 14), follicular fluid (Day 5 and 15), endometrium (Day 15), as well as urine and feces were collected in a subset of the animals. The fecal concentrations of SDG and enterodiol were higher (P<0.05) in cows fed FLX than in those fed SAT or SUN. Enterodiol increased (P<0.05) in urine samples of cows fed FLX, compared to those of cows fed SUN. However, follicular estradiol concentrations on Day 5 and 15 and endometrial concentrations of estradiol and oxytocin receptors on Day 15 did not differ among the dietary groups. Mean plasma progesterone concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in cows fed FLX and SUN than in those fed SAT. In summary, a diet supplemented with flaxseed increased the concentrations of SDG and enterodiol in feces, as hypothesized, but did not alter intrafollicular concentrations of IGF-I or estradiol, or endometrial populations of oxytocin or estrogen receptors in lactating dairy cows.     

Abdominal ascites in electric eels (Electrophorus electricus) associated with hepatic hemosiderosis and elevated water pH.

Six electric eels (Electrophorus electricus) from various centers that house aquatic organisms presented clinically with abdominal distension following prolonged exposure to elevated environmental pH. Postmortem examination revealed marked ascites. Culture of the abdominal fluid from three of the eels yielded either Aeromonas hydrophila or Citrobacter freundii, which were most likely secondary invaders. Histopathology showed marked iron accumulation in both hepatocytes and hepatic macrophage aggregates.     

血清中不同甘露(聚)糖结合凝集素浓度的绵羊感染绵羊肺炎支原体后免疫因子表达的变化

为研究中国美利奴羊不同甘露(聚)糖结合凝集素(MBL)浓度感染绵羊肺炎支原体(MO)的免疫因子水平变化,本研究选择血清中MBL高、低浓度的绵羊各6只(感染组和对照组各3只),感染组人工感染MO,分别在人工感染前和感染后不同时间,采用荧光定量PCR法检测血液中血清因子及补体表达水平。结果显示,不同MBL浓度的绵羊人工感染后MBL m RNA水平呈下降趋势,MBL高浓度促炎因子IL-2和IFN-γ的m RNA表达水平较高,抗炎因子IL-4的m RNA表达水平在感染后1 d升高,此后开始下降,而IL-4的m RNA水平在14 d后有所升高;MBL低浓度羊感染后其TNF-α的m RNA水平显著升高,随炎症的缓解,逐渐降低;补体C1和C3的m RNA在感染后表现出不同的变化,MO感染可以激活补体途径。本研究结果表明,低血清MBL浓度与绵羊支原体肺炎具有一定的相关性,MBL不同浓度组之间其IL-2、IL-4、TNF-α、IFN-γ、补体C1、C3水平存在差异,低浓度MBL的绵羊更易发生比较严重的炎症反应。