The effect of select seminal plasma proteins on endometrial mRNA cytokine expression in mares susceptible to persistent mating‐induced endometritis

In the horse, breeding induces a transient endometrial inflammation. A subset of mares are unable to resolve this inflammation, and they are considered susceptible to persistent mating‐induced endometritis PMIE Select seminal plasma proteins cysteine‐rich secretory protein‐3 (CRISP‐3) and lactoferrin have been shown to affect the innate immune response to sperm in vitro. The objective of this study was to determine whether the addition of CRISP‐3 and lactoferrin at the time of insemination had an effect on the mRNA expression of endometrial cytokines in susceptible mares after breeding. Six mares classified as susceptible to PMIE were inseminated during four consecutive oestrous cycles with treatments in randomized order of: 1 mg/ml CRISP‐3, 150 μg/ml lactoferrin, seminal plasma (positive control) or lactated Ringer's solution (LRS; negative control) to a total volume of 10 ml combined with 1 × 10⁹ spermatozoa pooled from two stallions. Six hours after treatment, an endometrial biopsy was obtained for qPCR analysis of selected genes associated with inflammation (pro‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐8, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interferon (INF)‐γ, anti‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐1RN and IL‐10, and inflammatory‐modulating cytokine IL‐6). Seminal plasma treatment increased the mRNA expression of IL‐1β (p = .019) and IL‐8 (p = .0068), while suppressing the mRNA expression of TNF (p = .0013). Lactoferrin also suppressed the mRNA expression of TNF (p = .0013). In conclusion, exogenous lactoferrin may be considered as one modulator of the complex series of events resulting in the poorly regulated pro‐inflammatory response seen in susceptible mares.     

ACCUMULATION OF ORGANIC MATTER IN A CHRONOSEQUENCE OF SOILS DEVELOPED ON WIND-BLOWN SAND IN NEW ZEALAND

A study was made of the amounts and distribution of C, N, S, and organic P accumulated over a period of 10 000 years of soil development on wind-blown sand. After initial rapid rates of accumulation of C, N, and organic P during the first 1000 years, subsequent rates of gain were slower, but steady states for C, N, and S had still not been reached after 10 000 years. Sulphur declined during the first 50 years of soil development but then increased in a parallel fashion to organic C. During 10 000 years, gains of organic C, total N, total S, and organic P were 204 000, 9800, 1180, and 1170 kg/ha m profile, respectively. Gains in total N and S in the older soils are readily accounted for by returns in precipitation. Pronounced changes in soil organic matter composition during 10 000 years are reflected in the widening of the C/N ratio (8 to 20) and the C/organic P ratio (39 to 159).     

Frequency of the severe combined immunodeficiency disease gene among horses in Morocco

Severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) of horses is an autosomal, recessive hereditary disease occurring among Arabian or crossbred Arabian horses. The genetic defect responsible was previously identified as a 5‐base pair deletion in the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of the DNA dependant protein kinase (DNA‐PKcs). This study was carried out to determine the frequency of SCID and identify horses carrying the gene for SCID among Arabian and Arabian crossbred stallions and mares in Morocco using a DNA‐based test. Twenty‐one horses were SCID carriers: 14 (7%) Arabians, 6 (4%) Arab‐Barbs and one (3.3%) Anglo‐Arab. After analysing their genealogy, 3 imported stallions were identified that disseminated the mutant gene of DNA‐PKcs in Morocco.     

Effects of dietary copper nanoparticles and vitamin C supplementations on growth performance,immune response and stress resistance of red sea bream,Pagrus major

A 60‐day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of copper nanoparticles (Cu‐NPs) and vitamin C (VC) on red sea bream. Besides the control diet (D1), six diets were supplemented with Cu‐NPs and VC [0/800 (D2), 0/1,000 (D3), 0/1,200 (D4), 2/800 (D5), 2/1,000 (D6) and 2/1,200 (D7) mg Cu‐NPs/VC per kg]. Cu‐NP was a significant factor on final weight (FBW), weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR), feed intake (FI), feed (FER) and protein efficiency ratios (PER), protein gain (PG) and protein retention (PR), body protein and lipid contents, protease (PA) and bactericidal activities (BA) and tolerance against stress (LT50%) (p < .05). In addition, BA and LT50% were significantly affected by either Cu‐NPs or VC (p < .05). Fish fed Cu‐NPs or/and VC‐supplemented diets showed higher FBW, WG, SGR, PG, PR, FI, PA, LA and BA values when compared with the control group (p < .05). FER, PER and body lipid content were significantly enhanced in D4, D5, D6 and D7 groups; meanwhile, body protein and LT50% were significantly enhanced in D5, D6 and D7 groups when compared with D1 group (p < .05). In conclusion, dietary Cu‐NPs or/and VC improved growth and health of red sea bream.     

Comparison of four dog diets (including nitrogen balance study)

Four pairs of Beagle dogs received in rotation, a specially prepared purified diet in powder form (reference diet), a semi-solid (SS) diet and two complete dry diets in expanded-pellet form (Dry-S and Dry-P). Finally, all dogs received a nitrogen-free diet. The diets were offered in equi-caloric quantities (175 kcal/kg body weight/day) and consumed for 14-day periods. Nitrogen balance was determined during the last 5 days of each period. Clinical observations (clinical signs, body weight, food and water consumption) revealed no differences between the semi-solid and two dry diets. On the reference diet, however; food consumption was poor, no weight was gained and water intake was increased. Nitrogen balance studies revealed that:

• (i). The relative biological values (BV) of the reference diet protein (casein) and that in the Dry-S diet were similar and greater than those of the other two products. The value for the Dry-S diet (BV = 58) was significantly greater than that on the Dry-P diet (BV = 50) at almost the 5 per cent level of probability.
• (ii). The apparent digestibility of nitrogen was greatest on the reference diet, however any advantage that this may have entailed was reversed by the low food intake, so that significantly greater quantities of nitrogen were absorbed by the same dogs, when offered the dry diets (0–1 per cent level of significance) and also the semi-solid diet (5 per cent level of significance).
• (iii). Nitrogen retention within the body was significantly greater on the Dry-S diet, but analysis of covariance showed that the group differences were entirely dependent on the amounts of nitrogen absorbed.

Résumé. Quatre paires de chiens Beagles reqoivent tour à tour un régime spécialement purifié préparé sous forme de poudre (régime de référence), un régime semi-solide (SS) et dew régimes complètement secs, sous forme de tablettes (Dry-S et Dry-P). Puis, tous les chiens reçoivent un régime totalement dépourvu d'azote. La nourriture était administrée en des quantités équicaloriques (175 calories/kg de poids corporel et par jour) et poursuivie pendant 14 jours. Le bilan azoté était déterminé au cours des 5 derniers jours de chaque période. L'observation clinique (signes cliniques, poids, consommation de nourriture et doses) n'a montré aucune différence entre le régime semi-solide et les deux régimes secs; cependant, avec le régime de référence, la consommation de nourriture était réduite, celle de l'eau augmentée, et le poids est resté stationnaire. L'étude du bilan azoté a donné les résultats suivants:

• (i). Les valeurs biologiques relatives (BV) concernant la protéine du régime de référence (caséine) et celle du régime Dry-S étaient similaires et supérieures à ce qui était observé avec les deux autres produits. Les valeurs pour le régime Dry-S (BV = 58) étaient significativement plus grandes que celles du regime Dry-P (BV = 50) à un niveau de presque 5% de probabilité.
• (ii). La digestibilité apparente de l'azote était la plus grande avec le régime de référence, cependant les avantages qui pouvaient en être tirés étaient réduits par la faible prise de nourriture, d'où absorption de quantités significativement plus grandes d'azote chez le meme chien soumis ultérieurement au régime sec (niveau de signification = 0,1%) et aussi au régime semi-solide (niveau de signification = 5%).
• (iii). La retention azotée dans l'organisme était significativement plus grande avec le régime Dry-S, mais l'analyse des covariances a montré que les différences de groupes dépendaient totalement des quantités d'azote absorbées.

Zusammenfassung. Vier Paare von Beaglehunden erhielten in planmässigem Wechsel ein besonders hergestelltes gereinigtes Futter in Pulverform (Reference Diet), ein halbfestes Futter (SS) und zwei völlig trockene Futtertypen in Form expandierter Pellets (Dry-S und Dry-P). Schliesslich erhielten alle Hunde ein stickstomreies Futter. Die Futtertypen wurden den Tieren in kalorisch gleichwertigen Mengen (175 cal/kg Körpergewicht/Tag) geboten und jeweils 14 Tage lang gefressen. Während der letzten 5 Tage jeder Periode wurde die Stickstoffbilanz bestimmt. Die klinischen Beobachtungen (klinische Zeichen, Körpergewicht, Futter- und Wasserverbrauch) ergaben keine Unterschiede zwischen dem halbfesten Futter und den zwei trockenen Futtertypen. Bei der Reference Diet war jedoch der Futterverbrauch gering, es erfolgte keine Gewichtszunahme und der Wasserverbrauch war erhöht. Die Stickstoff bilanzbestimmungen zeigten, dass:

• (i). Die relativen biologischen Werte (BW) des Reference-Diet-Proteins (Casein) und des Proteins im Dry-S-Futter ähnlich und grösser als die der beiden anderen Produkte waren. Der Wert für das Dry-S-Futter (BW = 58) war wesentlich grösser als der für das Dry-P-Futter (BW = 50) bei fast 5% Probabilität.
• (ii). Die scheinbare Verdaulichkeit des Stickstoffs war am grössten bei der Reference Diet, jedoch wurde jeder dadurch mögliche Vorteil durch die geringe Futteraufnahme aufgehoben, so dass die gleichen Hunde wesentlich grössere Stickstoffmengen absorbierten, wenn sie die trockenen Futtertypen erhielten (0,1% Signifikanz) oder auch das halbfeste Futter (5% Signifikanz).
• (iii). Die Stickstoffspeicherung im Körper war beim Dry-S-Futter wesentlich grösser, aber die Kovarianzanalyse zeigte, dass die Gruppenunterschiede völlig von den absorbierten Stickstoffmengen abhingen.

     

OXIDOREDUCTIVE DEGRADATION OF SOIL MINERALS AND CLAYS D,L-3(3,4-DIHYDROXYPHENYL) ALANINE BY SOIL MINERALS AND CLAYS

The effect of the perhydrol (H₂O₂) treated soils on the decarboxylation rate of d,1-3(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) alanine (DOPA), as examined by radiorespirometry, is highly significant and well-correlated (r=+0.913) with the clay content. Among the pure Na clays used, Wyoming bentonite had the strongest effect on the DOPA decarboxylation. The reaction was activated by phosphate buffer and completely inhibited by a dithionite treatment. Gas phases like carbon monoxide, hydrogen, or nitrogen do not inhibit the DOPA decarboxylation rate. A chromatographic study of the intermediate products formed during DOPA degradation reveals the presence of 5,6-dihydroxyindole. These results suggest that DOPA degradation by clays proceeds by a sequence of oxidoreductive reactions following the Raper (1927) scheme. The ferric oxides associated with the clay, and not the dissolved oxygen, are the electron acceptors. DOPA is oxidized to eumelanin which has an elementary percentage composition of C = 62.65; N = 11.05; H = 6.30; 0 = 20.     

Effect of sodium molybdate supplementation on high concentrations of Cu in liver of yearling bulls

AIM: To determine the impact of sodium molybdate treatment, given weekly, on concentrations of Cu in liver, activity of liver enzymes, and weight gain over 4 weeks, in yearling bulls with elevated concentrations of Cu in liver.

METHODS: The study was carried on two commercial grazing farms in the Otago region of New Zealand in yearling Friesian bulls (n=150 on Farm A and n=49 on Farm B) with mean concentration of Cu in liver >3,000 µmol/kg fresh weight. On Day 0, all animals were weighed and half were systematically allocated to treatment with sodium molybdate (3?mg/kg liveweight on Farm A and 7?mg/kg liveweight on Farm B); the remainder received no treatment (Control). Sodium molybdate was given as a drench weekly for 4 weeks and all animals were weighed again on Day 28. Ten animals on each farm (five from each treatment group) were systematically selected for blood sampling and liver biopsies on Days 0 and 28. Samples were analysed for concentrations of Cu in plasma, vitamin B₁₂ in serum, activities of γ–glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase and glutamate dehydrogenase in serum, and concentrations of Cu and vitamin B₁₂ in liver. Separate multivariable linear models were used to compare the change in outcome variables between Days 0 and 28 between bulls that had been drenched with sodium molybdate or not.

RESULTS: On Farm A, mean concentrations of Cu in liver on Day 28, as a percentage of concentrations on Day 0, for the control group was 55 (95% CI=40–73)% and for the treatment group was 73 (95% CI=43–111)%. On Farm B, the equivalent mean for the control group was 75 (95% CI=42–131)% and for the treatment group was 85 (95% CI=38–134)%. The multivariable linear models indicated that the changes in concentrations of Cu in liver, activities of liver enzymes and weight gain between Days 0 and 28 did not differ between the bulls treated or not with sodium molybdate (p>0.18).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Treatment with sodium molybdate in one bolus at weekly intervals for 4 weeks did not affect concentrations of Cu in liver, activity of liver enzymes or weight gain in animals with high concentrations of Cu liver on two farms.     

DIFFUSION COEFFICIENTS FOR TWO TRIAZINE HERBICIDES IN SIX SOILS

Summary. Diffusion of the triazine herbicides propazine and prometryne was studied in six soils. Apparent diffusion coefficients were calculated from the distribution of herbicide in a column of soil after diffusion from one half of the column for a known time. The magnitude of the diffusion coefficients varied from 1·5 × 10^?9 cm² sec^?1 for propazine in a sandy soil to 3·1 × 10^?9 cm² sec^?1 for prometryne in an organic soil. Under the conditions of measurement, the diffusion coefficients decreased in proportion to the extent of adsorption. Calculations were made to determine over what distances diffusion could be of importance in the movement of these herbicides. Coefficients de diffusion de deux triazines herbicides dans six sols Résumé. La diffusion de deux triazines herbicides, la propazine et la prometryne a étéétudiée dans six sols. Les coefficients de diffusion apparente furent calculés selon la distribution de I'herbicide dans une colonne de sol, aprés diffusion à partir de la moitié de la colonne pendant un temps connu. Les coefficients de diffusion variérent de 1,5 × 10^?7cm² see^?1 pour la propazine dans un sol sableux, á 3,1 × 10^?9 cm² sec^?2 pour la prométryne dans un sol organique. Dans les conditions oú les mesures furent effectuées, les coefficients de diffusion diminuérent en proportion de 1′étendue de l'adsorption. Des calculs ont été effectués pour detérminer au-delá de quelles distances la diffusion pouvait presenter une importance dans le mouvement de ces herbicides. Difftisions-KoeffizienUnfur zwei Trtazin-Deriaate in sechs Böden Zusammenfassung. Die Diffusion der beiden Triazin-Derivate Propazin und Prometryn wurde in sechs Böden untersucht. Die Diffusions-Koeffizienten wurden aus der Verteilung des Herbizids in einer Bodensaule nach Diffusion aus der einen Säulenhalfte in einer bestimmten Zeit errechnet. Die Grösse der Diffusions-Koeffizienten variierte von 1,5 × 10^?7 cm²× sec^?1 bei Propazin in einem Sandboden bis 3,1 × 10^?9 cm²× sec^?1 bei Prometryn in einem Humus-Boden. Unter den gegebenen Versuchsbedingungen nahmen die Diffusions-Koeffizienten in Abhángigkeit von der Stärke der Adsorption ab, Es wurden Berechnungen darüber angestellt, über welche Entfernungcn die Diffusion dieser Herbizide im Boden eine Rolle spielen könnte.     

Experimental production of dermatitis in sheep with Pseudomonas aeruginosa

SUMMARY The attachment, to sheep skin, for 4 days, of control wool pads saturated with sterile culture medium which contained a bacteriostat, induced only a mild dermatitis, whereas wool pads saturated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa culture induced a subacute dermatitis characterised by scaling, microabscess formation and seropurulent exudate. Changes similar to the latter were observed in skin affected by natural fleece-rot which developed spontaneously after 7 days of artificial wetting and in which P. aeruginosa was the predominant species of bacteria. An exacerbatory, if not causal, role for this organism is suggested in the development of the dermatitis associated with fleece-rot and in the exudation of seropurulent material, a step essential in the development of body strike.