Evaluation of the sexual dimorphism in Mangalarga Marchador horses using discriminant analysis

This study used discriminant analysis to evaluate body measures and sexual dimorphism in Mangalarga Marchador horses. Discriminant analysis is a multivariate method that generates functions to classify animals using a prior criterion. In this study a prior criterion is male or female. The study analyzed 25 linear and 11 angular measures obtained from 25 stallions and 56 mares registered with the Mangalarga Marchador Brazilian Breeders Association. Knee girth, cannon girth, chest width, chest girth, back-loin length, hip width, distance from elbow to knee, hind limb hoof length, head width, shoulder length, and body length were found to be linear measures that provided evidence of sexual dimorphism. Angular measures with evidence of sexual dimorphism were shoulder–humerus, metacarpal–phalanx, coxae–femur, and femur–tibial angles. Stallions were larger than mares for almost all linear measures, except for back-loin length, hip width, and distance from elbow to knee. Shoulder–humerus and coxal–femur angles were larger in mares, while metacarpal–phalanx and femur–tibial angles were larger in stallions. Using linear measures, two mares were classified as stallions and three stallions were classified as mares. For angular measures, two other mares were classified as stallions and three other stallions were classified as mares. The discriminant functions can be useful for the selection of horses and to avoid registration of animals not meeting the phenotypic standards of the breed association.     

Fruit quality parameters of ‘Pioneer’ Japanese plums produced on eight different rootstocks

The influence of Marianna GF 8-1, GF 677, Julior-Ferdor, Nemared, Monegro (G × N 9), Felinem (G × N 22), Adesoto 101 and Cadaman rootstocks on fruit quality of ‘Pioneer’ Japanese plum was analysed. The study was performed during three consecutive years in the Guadalquivir Valley (Seville, Spain), on a silt loam and calcareous soil. Colour, fruit size, fruit and stone weights, hardness, soluble solid concentration and acidity were measured for fruit quality evaluation. In general, the effect of the different rootstocks on most of the analysed quality parameters was variable because a strong interaction rootstock × year was observed. However, several parameters as fruit shape, soluble solid concentration, acidity and maturity seem to be harder conditioned in some rootstocks, did not show significant differences year-by-year. Fruits produced on scions grafted on Marianna and Nemared showed the highest soluble solid concentration and Cadaman the lowest, the last also originated the hardest fruits and the lowest maturity.     

Effect of grape polyphenols on oxidative stress in canine lens epithelial cells

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the effects of oxidative stress could be attenuated in cultures of canine lens epithelial cells (LECs) by incubation with grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSE), resveratrol (RES), or a combination of both (GSE+RES). SAMPLE POPULATION: Primary cultures of canine LECs. PROCEDURES: LECs were exposed to 100MM tertiary butyl-hydroperoxide (TBHP) with or without GSE, RES, or GSE+RES. The dichlorofluorescein assay was used to detect production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and immunoblot analysis was used to evaluate the expression of stress-induced cell-signaling markers (ie, the mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAPK] and phosphoinositide-3 kinase [PI3K] pathways). RESULTS: GSE and GSE+RES significantly reduced ROS production after a 30-minute exposure to TBHP. Only GSE significantly reduced ROS production after a 120-minute exposure to TBHP. Incubation with GSE reduced TBHP-induced activity of the MAPK and PI3K pathways. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: GSE inhibited key components associated with cataractogenesis, ROS production, and stress-induced cell signaling. On the basis of the data reported here, there is strong evidence that GSE could potentially protect LECs from the damaging effects of oxidative stress.     

A family 11 carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) improves the efficacy of a recombinant cellulase used to supplement barley-based diets for broilers at lower dosage rates

1. Exogenous microbial beta-1,3-1,4-glucanases and hemicellulases contribute to improving the nutritive value of cereals rich in soluble non-starch polysaccharides for poultry. 2. In general, plant cell wall hydrolases display a modular structure comprising a catalytic module linked to one or more non-catalytic carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs). Based on primary structure similarity, CBMs have been classified in 50 different families. CBMs anchor cellulases and hemicellulases into their target substrates, therefore eliciting efficient hydrolysis of recalcitrant polysaccharides. 3. A study was undertaken to investigate the effects of a family 11 beta-glucan-binding domain in the function of recombinant derivatives of cellulase CtLic26A-Cel5E of Clostridium thermocellum that were used to supplement a barley-based diet at lower dosage rates. 4. The results showed that birds fed on diets supplemented with the recombinant CtLic26A-Cel5E modular derivative containing the family 11 CBM or the commercial enzyme mixture Rovabio Excel AP tended to display improved performance when compared to birds fed diets not supplemented with exogenous enzymes. 5. It is suggested that at lower than previously reported enzyme dosage (10 U/kg vs 30 U/kg of basal diet), the beta-glucan-binding domain also elicits the function of the recombinant CtLic26A-Cel5E derivatives. 6. Finally, the data suggest that exogenous enzymes added to barley-based diets act primarily in the proximal section of the gastrointestinal tract.     

Genital lesions and distribution of amastigotes in bitches naturally infected with Leishmania chagasi

Recent reports indicate that Leishmania chagasi has tropism to the male canine genital system, which is associated with shedding of the organism in the semen, supporting the hypothesis of venereal transmission. The aim of this study was to describe the lesions and assess parasite load in the genital system of bitches with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CanL). Symptomatic (n=5) and asymptomatic (n=5) bitches seropositive for CanL were randomly selected at the Center for Zoonosis Control (Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil). Five serologically negative, healthy, adult bitches also from the CZC were used as controls. Samples from genital organs (vulva, vagina, cervix, uterine body, uterine horns, uterine tubes, and ovaries), liver, and spleen were histologically evaluated and processed for immunodetection of Leishmania sp., and PCR. The most significant histological change was a mild to moderate vulvar dermatitis, characterized by a histio-plasma-lymphocytic infiltrate. This change was detected in all asymptomatic, four symptomatic, and three uninfected control bitches. In one symptomatic and one asymptomatic bitch intracytoplasmic amastigotes were observed within macrophages in the inflammatory infiltrate. Samples from all the segments of the genital tract were positive in at least one infected animal, in the absence of detectable amastigotes in the tissue. These findings support the notion that L. chagasi does not have genital tropism in the bitch, which is in contrast to our previous findings in naturally infected male intact dogs.     

Mixed infection by Libyostrongylus douglassii and L. dentatus (Nematoda: Trichostrongylidae) in Struthio camelus (Ratites: Struthioniformes) from Brazil with further morphological characterization of adults

The genus Libyostrongylus includes three species, L. douglassii, L. dentatus and L. magnus that occur as parasites in the proventriculus of Struthio camelus. We confirmed a mixed infection by L. douglassii and L. dentatus in farmed ostriches from the southeast of Brazil for the first time, and provided new information on some morphological characters that differentiate these species. Adult nematodes collected from the proventriculus of ostriches were observed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Morphologic characterization and morphometric analysis of the nematodes enabled the distinction of both species and corroborated results of prior studies. Specimens of L. dentatus have a buccal capsule with a prominent esophageal tooth. Furthermore, males and females of L. dentatus were larger (4954 and 9347 microm) than those of L. douglassii (3411 and 4229 microm), but measurements for most characters in both species were smaller then those previously reported. Besides, the cephalic structure based on scanning electron microscopy differs, and L. dentatus has thick lips with round papillae, whereas L. douglassii has fine lips with lengthened papillae. The confirmation of both species in South America strongly suggests that the mixed infection may be common in farmed ostriches.     

Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and resistance genes in faecal Escherichia coli isolates recovered from healthy pets

Faecal samples of healthy dogs (n=39) and cats (n=36) obtained in Northern Portugal were seeded on Levine agar plates, and two Escherichia coli isolates per sample were recovered (78 of dogs and 66 of cats). The susceptibility to 16 antimicrobial agents was tested in this series of 144 E. coli isolates. Almost 20% of them showed tetracycline resistance and 12 and 15% presented ampicillin or streptomycin resistance, respectively. The percentage of resistance to the other antimicrobial agents was in all cases below 4%, and no resistant isolates were detected for ceftazidime, imipenem, cefoxitin or amikacin. Two isolates (from one dog) showed cefotaxime-resistance and harboured both the CTX-M-1 and OXA-30 beta-lactamases. A bla(TEM) gene was detected in 12 of 17 ampicillin-resistant isolates, the aac(3)-II gene in the three gentamicin-resistant isolates, aadA in 7 of 22 streptomycin-resistant isolates, and tet(A) and/or tet(B) gene in all 28 tetracycline-resistant isolates. The gene encoding class 1 integrase was detected in six E. coli isolates, including the four trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-resistant isolates and those two harbouring CTX-M-1 and OXA-30 beta-lactamases; different gene cassette arrangements were identified: dfrA1+aadA1 (two isolates), dfrA12+orfF+aadA2 (two isolates) and bla(OXA30)+aadA1 (two isolates). One amino acid change in GyrA protein (Ser83Leu or Asp87Tyr) was detected in four nalidixic acid-resistant and ciprofloxacin-susceptible isolates and two amino acid changes in GyrA (Ser83Leu+Asp87Asn) and one in ParC (Ser80Ile) were identified in one nalidixic acid- and ciprofloxacin-resistant isolate. Faecal E. coli isolates of healthy pets could be a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes.     

Surgical Management of Cecal Impaction/Dysfunction by Ileocolostomy in a Horse

A four-year-old Appaloosa brood mare was referred for evaluation of a colic episode of 24 hours' duration. Physical examination revealed a distended cecum filled predominantly with fluid. A tentative diagnosis of cecal dysfunction was determined, and surgical intervention was performed by means of typhlotomy and ileocolostomy techniques through a complete bypass of the cecum. Postanaesthetic myopathy and incisional infection developed as postoperative complications. The mare was discharged 13 days after surgery. Follow-up information obtained from the owner and referring veterinarian 4 months after discharge revealed full recovery of the mare.     

Differences in susceptibility to Haemophilus parasuis infection in pigs

In animal breeding programs, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) markers can be used to identify sires that are less susceptible to disease. These DNA markers are typically discovered in populations that display differences in susceptibility. To find those differences, it was hypothesized that sires influence their offspring responses to infection with H. parasuis. To identify differences in susceptibility, colostrum-deprived pigs derived from 6 sires were inoculated with a virulent strain of H. parasuis serovar 5. Pigs were infected at 21-d of age and euthanized 1, 2, or 3 days post-infection. Rectal temperatures, bacterial detection, clinical signs, and lesions were measured by comparing disease susceptibility in the offspring from each sire. The effect of the sire on the severity of disease in the offspring was statistically analyzed using to a 2-way ANOVA with sire and test day as fixed effects. Significant differences among sires were found for lesions, rectal temperatures from days 0-1 and 0-2 (P < 0.05) and marginal effects for clinical signs (P = 0.08). On average, the offspring of sire H94 was the most susceptible to challenge. Responses to infection were categorized to determine the clinical responses and analyzed by Chi square. Overall, 10% of all pigs infected were fully resistant to H. parasuis infection. Boar H94 didn't produce any fully resistant offspring. Differences in susceptibility to H. parasuis were observed, and the results support the hypothesis that sires influence their offspring's response to infection. Tissues from this population could be used to identify DNA markers for genetic selection of sires that produce offspring more resistant to H. parasuis infection.