Genetic parameters of product quality and hepatic metabolism in fattened mule ducks

Genetic parameters of traits related to hepatic lipid metabolism, carcass composition, and product quality of overfed mule ducks were estimated on both parental lines of this hybrid: the common duck line for the maternal side and the Muscovy line for the paternal side. The originality of the statistical model was to include simultaneously the additive genetic effect of the common ducks and that of the Muscovy ducks, revealing a greater genetic determinism in common than in Muscovy. Plasma metabolic indicators (glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol contents) were heritable, in particular at the end of the overfeeding period, and heritabilities increased with the overfeeding stage. Carcass composition traits were highly heritable in the common line, with values ranging from 0.15 for liver weight, 0.21 for carcass weight, and 0.25 for abdominal fat weight to 0.32 for breast muscle weight. Heritabilities of technological outputs were greater for the fatty liver (0.19 and 0.08, respectively, on common and Muscovy sides for liver melting rate) than for the pectoralis major muscle (between 0.02 and 0.05 on both parental sides for cooking losses). Fortunately, the processing industry is mainly facing problems in liver quality, such as too high of a melting rate, than in meat quality. The meat quality appraisal criteria (such as texture and cooking losses), usually dependent on pH and the rate of decline of pH, were also very lowly heritable. This study demonstrated that genetic determinism of meat quality and ability of overfeeding is not similar in the common population and in the Muscovy population; traits related to fattening, muscle development, and BW have heritability values from 2 to 4 times greater on the common line than on the Muscovy line, which is relevant for considering different selection strategies.     

Use of a graft of demineralized bone matrix along with TGF-β1 leads to an early bone repair in dogs

Tibia fractures are common in small animal practice. Over the past decade, improvements to animal internal fracture fixation have been developed. TGF-β1 has been shown to be crucial in the development, induction and repair of bone. In present study, we investigate the effect of local application of a graft demineralized bone matrix (DBM) along with TGF-β1 in a model of open osteotomy induced experimentally in dogs. Tibia fracture was brought about by using an open osteotomy model in young male dogs. Fracture repair was evaluated by a histological and biochemical analysis. Collagen content, proteolytic activity and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) expression were analyzed at the end of the study. Radiographic analysis, alkaline phosphatase and hematological evaluation were performed weekly. At the fifth week, there was an improvement and restoration of bone architecture in animals treated with a graft containing TGF-β1 (5 ng/ml) compared with the control and graft groups, as was evidenced by the presence of an early formation of wide callus and bone regeneration. In addition, local application of TGF-β1 led to an increase in collagen and proteolytic activity. More immunopositive osteoclast and mesenchymal cells were found in bone tissue from animals treated with TGF-β1 as compared with the control group. No changes in alkaline phosphatase, hematological and clinical parameters were observed. This study shows that the combined use of DBM along with TGF-β1 is able to improve and accelerate the bone repair.     

Mesenteric lymph node cells from neonates present a prominent IL-12 response to CpG oligodeoxynucleotide via an IL-15 feedback loop of amplification

ABSTRACT: At birth, the immune system is still in development making neonates more susceptible to infections. The recognition of microbial ligands is a key step in the initiation of immune responses. It can be mimicked to stimulate the immune system by the use of synthetic ligands recognising pattern recognition receptors. In human and mouse, it has been found that neonatal cytokine responses to toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands differ in many ways from those of adults but the relevant studies have been limited to cord blood and spleen cells. In this study, we compared the responses in neonate and adult sheep to CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN), a TLR9 ligand, in both a mucosal and a systemic organ. We observed that in response to CpG-ODN more IL-12 was produced by neonatal than adult sheep cells from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and spleen. This higher IL-12 response was limited to the first 20 days after birth for MLN cells but persisted for a longer period for spleen cells. The major IL-12-producing cells were identified as CD14+CD11b+. These cells were poor producers of IL-12 in response to direct stimulation with CpG-ODN and required the cooperation of other MLN cells. The difference in response to CpG-ODN between neonates and adults can be attributed to both a higher proportion of CD14+CD11b+ cells in neonate lambs and their higher capacity to produce IL-15. The IL-15 increases IL-12 production by an amplifying feedback loop involving CD40.     

In vitro inhibition of Citrobacter freundii, a red-leg syndrome associated pathogen in raniculture, by indigenous Lactococcus lactis CRL 1584

Red-leg syndrome (RLS) is one of the main infectious diseases that cause economic losses in Lithobates catesbeianus hatcheries, Citrobacter freundii being an etiological agent. Treatment or prevention with therapeutics or chemicals results in modifications of the indigenous microbiota, development of antibiotic resistance, presence of their residues in food and enhancement of production costs. Thus, probiotics could be used as an alternative therapy. Lactic acid bacteria are part of the indigenous microbiota of healthy frogs and can prevent pathogen colonization by different mechanisms, including the production of antagonistic substances. In this work, the evaluation and characterization of the inhibition of C. freundii CFb by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CRL 1584, a potentially probiotic candidate, were carried out. This strain produced lactic acid, H(2)O(2) and bacteriocin in static and shaken conditions and inhibited pathogen growth in associative cultures, with an earlier inhibition under agitated conditions. The elimination of each of the antimicrobial metabolites partially abolished the inhibition of the pathogen, suggesting that the inhibitory effect could be attributed to a combined action of the three antagonistic molecules. Electron microphotographs revealed the damage caused by L. lactis CRL 1584 supernatants to C. freundii cells. The addition of pure lactic acid, H(2)O(2) and bacteriocin to the culture media showed that each metabolite caused different morphological modifications in C. freundii, in agreement with the effect on viable cell counts. The results support the possibility that L. lactis CRL 1584 might be considered as a probiotic to be used in the prevention of RLS in raniculture.     

Genetic parameters for growth of fiber diameter in alpacas

The alpaca is the most important fiber producer of the South American camelid species, and is an important source of income for the Andean communities. Nowadays, fiber diameter is considered the main selection objective in alpaca populations throughout the world. However, fiber diameter increases with the age of the animals, and it would be preferable to select those animals that maintain a thin fiber throughout their life span. The goal of this study was to describe the genetic relationship between fiber diameter at weaning age (6 mo) and the evolution of fiber diameter along the life span. The analysis of the evolution of fiber diameter was studied as a useful model for canalization and as a longitudinal trait by hierarchical Bayesian analysis. The results suggested that substantial genetic variation exists for fiber diameter and also for the variability and linear growth of the fiber diameter. Thus, a genetic selection program is plausible to modify the evolution of fiber diameter with time, together with a favorable correlated decrease in fiber diameter.     

Mycobacterium microti infection in the cat: a case report, literature review and recent clinical experience

OVERVIEW: Mycobacterium microti infection is infrequently described in cats in the veterinary literature. It can be one of a large number of possible differential diagnoses in a feline patient with dermal nodules and non-healing draining ulcers, and can occasionally spread to involve the lungs and/or other areas of the body. CASE SUMMARY: This report describes the clinical signs, eventual diagnosis and variable response to treatment in a cat in Switzerland with recurrent cutaneous M microti infection. Only after several diagnostic and therapeutic attempts, over more than 2 years, was the species of Mycobacterium finally identified and targeted therapy given. PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: For any cat in which there is even a low suspicion of mycobacterial infection, the authors recommend that an aggressive diagnostic approach is taken. Tissue specimens should be collected and frozen early on, and, as soon as acid-fast bacilli are detected, samples should be sent to a mycobacterial reference laboratory for definitive identification. LITERATURE REVIEW: A review of the literature relating to the aetiopathogenesis, diagnosis and management of M microti infection in cats and dogs is included. This is supplemented with clinical and therapeutic experience gained from this case and other, unpublished cases managed over the past 15 years by one of the authors (DGM).     

Bilateral renal T-cell lymphoma with hepatic infiltration and secondary polycythemia in a dog: Utility of cytology slides

This is a case of bilateral renal T-cell lymphoma associated with secondary erythrocytosis in a dog. This case is distinctive in using clonality combined with immunocytochemistry to support the diagnosis, thus emphasizing the utility of cytology slides when histology is unavailable. This combination may be a unique canine lymphoma entity.     

Blastomycotic osteomyelitis associated with severe lameness in a horse

A 12-year-old Quarter horse gelding was presented for evaluation of severe right forelimb lameness, 2 draining tracts over the lateral aspect of the right proximal antebrachium, and weight loss. A presumptive diagnosis of blastomycotic osteomyelitis was established based on radiographs and cytology of the exudate. This diagnosis was confirmed at necropsy.