LPS structure influences protein secretion in Salmonella enterica

In this study we have compared protein secretion in the wild type of S. Typhimurium and the rfaC mutant. We found out that the rfaC mutant was defective in protein secretion. In addition, the rfaC mutant was defective in its invasion into an IPEC-J2 porcine epithelial cell line and also in motility in semisolid agar. Consistent with this, reduced flagella numbers were observed in the rfaC mutant. In the rfaC mutant, there were no defects in flagellin expression as detected by western blot and immune electron microscopy which demonstrated equal amounts of flagellin in the cytoplasm of both the rfaC mutant and the wild-type S. Typhimurium. However, in the wild-type strain only, the flagellin was assembled to spatially restricted areas on the inner side of cytoplasmic membrane. The oligosaccharide core of LPS is therefore required for the assembly of flagella and T3SS secretion machinery followed by protein secretion.     

The influence of gamete co-incubation length on the in vitro fertility and sex ratio of bovine bulls with different penetration speed

The objectives of this work were to evaluate whether the sperm penetration speed is correlated to the in vitro fertility and whether adapting the gamete co-incubation length to the kinetics of the bull improves in vitro fertility and affects the sex ratio. In vitro matured oocytes were co-incubated with spermatozoa from four different bulls (A-D). At various post-insemination (p.i.) times (4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 h), samples of oocytes were fixed and stained with DAPI for nuclei examination, while the remaining ones were transferred into culture to evaluate embryo development. The blastocysts produced were sexed by PCR. Two bulls (A and B) had faster kinetics than the others (C and D), as shown by the higher penetration rates recorded at 4 h p.i. (43%, 30%, 11% and 6%, respectively for bulls A, B, C and D; p<0.01). The differences in the kinetics among bulls did not reflect their in vitro fertility. The incidence of polyspermy was higher for faster penetrating bulls (36%, 24%, 16% and 4%, respectively for bulls A, B, C and D; p<0.01) and at longer co-incubation times (0%, 16%, 19%, 30% and 34%, respectively at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 h p.i.; p<0.01). The fertilizing ability of individual bulls may be improved by adapting the co-incubation length to their penetration speed. A sperm-oocyte co-incubation length of 8 h ensured the greatest blastocyst yields for the two faster penetrating bulls. On the contrary, 16 h co-incubation was required to increase (p<0.01) cleavage rate of the two slower bulls. Bulls with a faster kinetics did not alter the embryo sex ratio towards males. The female/male (F/M) ratios recorded were 2.1, 1.4, 1.2, 1.3 and 1.6, respectively at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 h p.i.     

Effects of Bacillus cereus var. toyoi on immune parameters of pregnant sows

Changing immune parameters during pregnancy have previously been reported in humans and cattle, and have been suggested to contribute to increased susceptibility to infections. However, data regarding immune parameters during pregnancy in sows are rare. In this study, we investigated the peripartal immune status of sows using phenotypical (FACS analysis) as well as functional (proliferation assays, cytokine analysis) parameters of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in pregnant sows. In previous studies, we reported a modulation of the immune system after feed supplementation of the probiotic Bacillus cereus var. toyoi in piglets [Schierack, P., Wieler, L.H., Taras, D., Herwig, V., Tachu, B., Hlinak, A., Schmidt, M.F., Scharek, L., 2007. Bacillus cereus var. toyoi enhanced systemic immune response in piglets. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 118, 1–11]. Here, we extended these previous studies to include investigations of possible probiotic effects on the peripartal immune status of sows and their reproductivity. We show that immune parameters of sows change during pregnancy, the proliferative response of PBMCs to several bacterial antigens in control animals decreased from days 90 to 30 ante partum. Relative numbers (%) of CD3+CD8+, CD4+, cytotoxic T, CD14+ and CD21+ cells were reduced compared to non-pregnant sows. In contrast, the proliferative response of PBMCs of probiotic-treated sows increased during pregnancy. Bacterial antigens primarily stimulated the proliferation of naïve CD21+ cells and the relative CD21+ cell numbers were elevated in the probiotic group in the absence of effects on other immune cell populations. The clinical and microbial status of both control and probiotic sows was similar, excluding pre-existing health problems or infections as responsible for the immunological changes, and feed supplementation also had no significant effects on reproductivity. The results suggest that the probiotic B. cereus var. toyoi can alter the proliferative response of lymphocytes and affects the immune cell population ratios of pregnant sows. How and to what extent this may affect health and reproductivity should be the focus of further studies.     

奶牛乳蛋白产量的营养调节效应与乳腺真核起始因子-2(eIF2)和核糖体s6(S6)激酶-1(S6K1)的磷酸化有关

日粮蛋白质和能量同时影响泌乳动物乳蛋白的产量,必需氨基酸单独不能完全解释营养素对乳蛋白产量的影响。生长动物组织中,营养素对蛋白质合成受哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶点(mTOR)和整合应激网络(ISR)的调控。本试验旨在探讨乳腺内营养素信号是否也通过mTOR和ISR网络调控乳蛋白的合成。泌乳奶牛饥饿22 h后,静脉内分别灌注必需氨基酸(EAA)和葡萄糖混合物,葡萄糖、l-Met+l-Lys、l-His或l-Leu 9 h。结果表明,EAA和葡萄糖混合物或葡萄糖能分别提高乳蛋白产量的33%和27%。Met+Lys或His产生的效应分别是EAA和葡萄糖混合物效应的35%和41%。乳腺组织中,EAA和葡萄糖混合物降低了ISR靶点eIF2的磷酸化,但增强了mTOR靶点S6K1和S6的磷酸化,同时刺激了乳蛋白的合成。葡萄糖提高了乳腺内S6K1的磷酸化(P0.05),降低了eIF2磷酸化62%,暗示着ISR网络在刺激乳蛋白产量中的作用。与此相反,EAA提高或趋向于(P0.1)提高乳腺内mTOR的活性(P0.05),但His,如葡萄糖一样降低了eIF2磷酸化62%。尽管EAA和葡萄糖混合物激活了乳蛋白合成信号的活性83%到127%,但EAA产生的效应还不到EAA和葡萄糖混合物效应的50%。因此,本试验结果表明,ISR和mTOR网络在调控乳蛋白产量中只起着部分的作用。     

犬猫霍纳氏综合征的研究进展

霍纳氏综合征是一种由眼球交感神经通路功能障碍引起的综合征.其主要症状有瞳孔缩小、第三眼睑部分脱出、上眼睑下垂和眼球内陷等.根据病灶位置,可分为3个节段,可卡因药物测试是目前诊断动物霍纳氏综合征的金标准.该病的治疗取决于其病因以及临床症状,有研究表明针灸疗法对于特发性霍纳氏综合征具有一定有效性.本文对霍纳氏综合征的流行病...     

Laryngeal rhinosporidiosis in a Belgian warmblood horse

In Belgium and even in northern Europe Rhinosporidium seeberi has not been reported in autochtonous people or animals. In this paper, the authors report the first observation of laryngeal masses, caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi, in a Belgian Warmblood horse. Moreover, laryngeal rhinosporidiosis is extremely rare since this localisation is only described in four human cases.     

Genetic parameters for early lamb survival and growth in Scottish Blackface sheep

The objectives of this study were 1) to estimate the heritability of lamb survival and growth in the Scottish Blackface breed; 2) to examine the relationship between lamb survival and live BW; and 3) to investigate the possibility of using lamb survival in a breeding program for this breed. The data used for the analyses contained information about survival and live BW at different ages on 4,459 animals. The records were collected from 1988 to 2003 in a Scottish Blackface flock. Live BW was recorded every 4 wk from birth to 24 wk. Survival was defined either by perinatal or postnatal mortality (up to weaning at 12 wk), or as cumulative survival to 1, 4, 8, and 12 wk. The pedigree file comprised 1,416 dams and 178 sires. A sire model was used to estimate genetic parameters for binary survival traits. Heritabilities of BW traits, and phenotypic and genetic correlations between BW and between survival and BW were estimated by fitting an animal model. Further, correlations of survival with live BW were estimated by using a Markov chain Monte Carlo threshold model, implemented by Gibbs sampling. The heritability estimates for cumulative lamb survival declined from birth onward (from 0.33 to 0.08), and postnatal survival had a heritability of 0.01. The direct and maternal heritabilities for BW traits ranged from 0.08 to 0.26 and from 0.06 to 0.21, respectively, whereas the maternal environmental component was between 0.04 and 0.16. The genetic correlations between BW traits at different ages were high. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between survival and BW were always positive (ranging from 0.04 to 0.54), so there was no antagonism between these traits. Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously improve both survival and live BW in a breeding program for this breed.     

Comparison of a new blood sampling device with the vacuum tube system for plasma and hematological analyses in healthy dogs

Pediatric devices based on a capillary system may provide an alternative to vacuum tubes for canine blood sampling. The potential advantages are absence of vein collapse, limited blood volume sampled, and improved safety. The aim of this study was to compare routine plasma and hematological variables in seven healthy dogs using both techniques. Five biochemical analytes were measured, and a complete hematological examination and plasma exogenous creatinine clearance test were performed. No clinically relevant difference between the two techniques was observed for any variable or functional test assessed.     

蛋鸡生产中沙门氏菌感染的成本有多大

蛋鸡生产者应基于沙门氏菌感染的风险和后果来评估预防其感染的成本和收益. 控制沙门氏菌感染如今正成为食用禽蛋生产的一个重要成本因素.欧盟出台的一系列旨在减少消费者感染沙门氏菌的法令,目的就是对整个生产链的操作流程进行评估.鸡蛋生产商应该利用现有的关于感染流行病学和控制措施方面的知识来制定禽舍建造、管理系统和禽群饲养(包括从饲料原料的质控到鸡蛋的产后处理、储存和运输)的决策.他们也应该评估在生产区域内由于沙门氏菌感染的风险和后果而采取的预防措施的成本和潜在效益.     

饲料组分——营养素和营养调节剂在基于营养的健康中的作用

目前用于提供食品的动物的生产和饲养在全球范围内已成为一巨大的产业。世界13亿人以此为职业,畜牧业产值占到农业总产值的40％（Steinfeld等,2006）。