One dose of a porcine circovirus 2 subunit vaccine induces humoral and cell-mediated immunity and protects against porcine circovirus-associated disease under field conditions

This study investigated the efficacy of a one-dose porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) subunit vaccine based on the PCV2 Cap protein expressed in a baculovirus system on two different farms at which a history of porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVD) was present. Morbidity, mortality, average daily weight gain, carcass weight, PCV2 load in serum and vaccine immunogenicity were assessed. Serology to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae was performed. A double-blind, randomised, and controlled field trial was performed distributing 818 piglets between two treatment groups. At inclusion (weaning at 21 ± 3 days of age), 408 animals (group B) received a 2-mL intramuscular dose of Porcilis PCV(?) (vaccinated group). Controls (group A, 410 pigs) received 2 mL of the adjuvant Diluvac Forte(?) intramuscularly. Weights were recorded at inclusion and at 12 and 26 weeks of age, and the average daily weight gain (ADWG) was calculated. The carcass weights of the pigs from farm 2 were recorded at slaughter (274 days old). All dead animals (died or culled) underwent autopsy to classify them as PMWS-affected or not. At each farm, blood samples were taken from 22 pigs/group for serologic studies. A beneficial effect was found after vaccination with a single dose of a PCV2 Cap vaccine against PCVD. The vaccination reduced the mortality rate and morbidity, reduced PCV2 viremia and viral load, improved productive performances (e.g. ADWG: +70 g/day between 12 and 26 weeks of age when viremia and the specific disease occurred) as well as carcass weight at slaughter age (+4.5 kg). These effects were associated with virologic and clinical protection from the immunogenicity of the vaccine measured as activation of both a humoral and a cellular immune response.     

Serological response of guinea pigs to oily and aqueous inactivated vaccines containing a Brazilian isolate of the Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV)

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) is widespread in cattle in Brazil and research shows its large antigenic variability. Available vaccines are produced with virus strains isolated in other countries and may not be effective. In this study, inactivated vaccines containing the Brazilian BVDV-Ib IBSP11 isolate were developed and tested on 6 groups of 10 guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Animals in groups A and C received an aqueous vaccine (aluminum hydroxide); B and D groups received an oily vaccine (Montanide ISA50); Group E positive-control animals were given an imported commercial vaccine with BVDV-Ia Singer; Group F animals were sham vaccinated (negative control). Groups A, B and E received two doses, and Groups C and D, three, every 21 days. Twelve blood samples were taken, at 21-day intervals over 231 days, and evaluated for antibody titer through virus-neutralization (VN), using a homologous strain (IBSP11), and a heterologous strain (BVDV-Ia NADL). Most animals, 42 days following the first dose, seroconverted to both strains and, after the second dose, there was a significant increase of titers in all groups. The oily formulation induced greater response after the third administration. This increase was not observed with the aqueous vaccines, regardless of the virus used in the VN. Antibody decline was more rapid in animals that received aqueous vaccines. The results showed the importance of studying the influence of endemic strains of commercial vaccines, to improve the efficacy of BVD vaccination. Use of the endemic strain in vaccine formulation presented promising results, as well as the use of guinea pigs as a laboratory model.     

Distribution of cytosolic oestrogen and progesterone receptors in the genital tract of the mare

The distribution of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in the equine genital tract was investigated by means of a modified dextran-coated charcoal method on samples collected from the vagina, the cervix and the uterus of 30 healthy adult Polish mares, divided into two groups on the basis of their serum progesterone levels. The concentrations of oestrogen and progesterone receptors were significantly (P<0·05) lower in the vagina and the cervix than in the uterus, in agreement with data from human beings, cattle and pigs, which showed that the highest concentrations of oestrogen and progesterone receptors were localised respectively in the body and in the horns of the uterus.     

槲皮素对PEDV感染幼龄仔猪肠道形态、抗氧化功能及空肠脂质代谢基因表达的影响

【目的】 通过研究槲皮素对猪流行性腹泻病毒（PEDV）感染仔猪肠道形态、肠道抗氧化功能及空肠脂质代谢相关基因相对表达量的影响,旨在探讨槲皮素对PEDV感染仔猪肠道的保护作用。【方法】 选取18头健康的7日龄断奶仔猪,随机分为3组：对照组、PEDV组和槲皮素＋PEDV组,每组6个重复,每个重复1头猪。试验期8 d,于试验第0~7天,对槲皮素＋PEDV组仔猪每天口腔灌服10 mg/kg BW的槲皮素,其余组灌服等体积的人工奶。于试验第5天晚上给PEDV组和槲皮素＋PEDV组仔猪口腔灌服10^4.5TCID₅₀的PEDV,对照组仔猪灌服相同体积的PBS溶液。于试验第8天早上屠宰,取仔猪十二指肠、空肠、回肠及结肠组织样品进行检测。【结果】 与对照组相比,PEDV组仔猪空肠和回肠的绒毛高度以及绒毛高度与隐窝深度比值极显著降低（P<0.01）,空肠、回肠和结肠中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）和总超氧化物歧化酶（T-SOD）的活力显著降低（P<0.05）,十二指肠、空肠、回肠和结肠中过氧化氢酶（CAT）的活力显著降低（P<0.05）,回肠和结肠中丙二醛（MDA）的含量显著升高（P<0.05）,空肠中载脂蛋白A1（APOA1）、载脂蛋白B （APOB）、载脂蛋白C2（APOC2）、脂肪酸结合蛋白2（FABP2）、酰基辅酶A合成酶长链家族成员3（ACSL-3）和脂肪酸合酶（FASN）基因的相对表达量极显著下调（P<0.01）。与PEDV组相比,槲皮素＋PEDV组仔猪空肠和回肠的绒毛高度以及绒毛高度与隐窝深度比值极显著提高（P<0.01）,空肠、回肠和结肠中GSH-Px和T-SOD的活力显著提高（P<0.05）,十二指肠、空肠和结肠中CAT的活力显著提高（P<0.05）,回肠和结肠中MDA的含量显著降低（P<0.05）,空肠中APOB、FABP2和FASN基因的相对表达量极显著上调（P<0.01）。【结论】 添加槲皮素可有效缓解PEDV感染导致的仔猪肠道损伤,提高仔猪肠道抗氧化能力以及空肠脂质代谢的能力。     

施磷水平对菊芋块茎产量、品质、植株生理特性与磷利用率的影响

探究不同磷肥施用量对菊芋块茎产量、品质、植株理化特性及磷肥利用率的影响,为实现菊芋高产优质栽培和农田磷素高效利用与科学施磷提供参考依据。于2019-2020连续两年分别于河南省原阳县和方城县布置磷肥用量田间试验,2019年设0、60、120、180和240 kg P₂O₅·hm^-2 5个磷肥用量水平,2020年则分别设0、45、90、135、180和225 kg P₂O₅·hm^-2 6个施磷水平。研究磷肥施用对成熟期菊芋块茎产量、品质（菊糖、还原糖含量）以及营养生长和生殖生长期地上部植株磷素积累量、叶片绿原酸、SPAD值、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白含量等理化指标的影响,计算分析菊芋收获指数、磷肥利用率和农学效率等肥料吸收利用状况。结果表明：磷肥供应均显著提高2019和2020年菊芋块茎产量,肥料效应呈“线性+平台”趋势变化,适宜施磷量分别为155和107 kg·hm^-2。此外,磷肥供应显著提高菊芋块茎菊糖和还原糖含量。与不施磷相比,2019-2020年度块茎总糖含量增幅分别平均为11.6%和18.3%。各生育期菊芋地上部植株磷素积累量、叶片绿原酸含量、SPAD值、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量均随施磷量增加而明显提高。菊芋磷素收获指数（PHI）、磷肥利用率（AUP）和农学效率（AEP）均随着磷肥用量增加而明显下降,施磷处理两年平均PHI、AUP和AEP分别为0.813、15.1%和23.9 kg·kg^-1。因此,合理施磷可显著提高菊芋成熟期块茎产量、改善品质,增强各生育期生理活性。在本试验条件下菊芋适宜施磷量为105~150 kg·hm^-2。     

Molecular characterisation of a field strain of bubaline herpesvirus isolated from buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) after pharmacological reactivation

Two healthy buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in a herd which had not been vaccinated against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), were selected for their seropositivity for anti-bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) glycoprotein E antibodies, and injected intramuscularly daily with dexamethasone for five consecutive days (day 1 to day 5) to reactivate any latent herpesvirus. Blood samples and nasal and vaginal swabs were collected daily from day 5 to day 15 from each buffalo for virological examination. All the vaginal swabs and blood samples were negative, but 13 of the 22 nasal swabs were positive; a cytopathic effect was observed in primary cultures of bovine fetal lung cells, and the viral isolates were identified as a herpesvirus by PCR. The viral strains were characterised by the sequence analysis of the genes coding for glycoproteins D and B, and the gene sequences were then used for phylogenetic analysis. The isolates from both buffaloes appeared identical at the level of the two genes, and were more closely related to bovine herpesvirus type 5 than to BoHV-1.