Biomarkers predictive of long-term fertility found in vaginal lipidome of gilts at weaning

A marker indicative of the fertility potential of replacement gilts early in development would decrease culling rates in the sow herd, improve sow herd reproductive efficiency, and reduce production costs. The objective of this study was to determine if vaginal lipid profiles at 21 d postnatal (PN) could predict sow reproductive performance. Vaginal swabs of the anterior vagina were taken at 21 ± 4 d PN from gilts born on a commercial sow production facility for lipidomic analysis. Animals were followed prospectively for 2 yr and assigned to reproductive performance categories based on the observation of estrus or piglets weaned per sow per year (PSY) across two farrowings. Lipids were extracted from cellular material collected with swabs taken from high fertility (HF; n = 28; ≥26 PSY) and infertile (IF; n = 34; no estrus, no pregnancy) animals, and multiple reaction monitoring profiling was used for lipidome analysis. The relative abundance of arachidonic acid (C20:4) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6) was lower (P < 0.05) in IF gilts than HF gilts, whereas the abundance of the free fatty acids such as cerotic (C26:0), ximenic (C26:1), and nonadecanoic (C19:0) acids was greater (P < 0.05) in IF gilts. Additionally, eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5), a precursor of prostaglandins, was higher (P < 0.05) in IF gilts. The perspective of having a panel of lipids captured with vaginal swabs at weaning that can predict the reproductive efficiency of gilts shows promise and warrants future research in this area.     

Intracapsular lensectomy and sulcus intraocular lens fixation in dogs with primary lens luxation or subluxation

Objective  To evaluate the postoperative results of lensectomy and sulcus intraocular lens fixation (SIOLF) via an ab interno approach in dogs with progressive lens subluxation or early luxation.
Study design  Retrospective study.
Animals studied  Twenty eyes from 19 dogs presented to the Animal Eye Clinic for lens luxation or subluxation between 1999 and 2006.
Methods  Medical records were reviewed to evaluate preoperative lens position, vision status, intraocular pressure (IOP), and whether surgery was performed on an emergent or elective nature. Lensectomy and SIOLF were performed and postoperative status including vision, glaucoma, and retinal detachment was assessed.
Results  Average age was 8.6 years (range 4–14 years) and 55% (11/20) were terriers. Patients were followed a mean of 29.2 months (range 1–92 months) after surgery. Retinal detachment or secondary glaucoma was observed in 1 of 20 (5%) and 5 of 20 (20%) eyes, respectively, with 1 of 20 (5%) exhibiting both. Mean preoperative IOP was 16 mmHg and preoperative lens position was equally divided between luxated and subluxated lenses. Surgery was performed more frequently as an elective procedure (18/20; 90%) due to normalized IOP vs. an emergency procedure (2/20; 10%). Vision was retained in 70% (14/20) of eyes with a mean time to vision loss of 41 months in the remaining eyes due to glaucoma, retinal detachment, or retinal degeneration.
Conclusions  Complications of glaucoma and retinal detachment after SIOLF in this study were less when compared with previously reported incidence rates in the literature for lensectomy alone which may reflect improved patient selection.     

Molecular analysis of the sex chromosomes of the platyfish Xiphophorus maculatus: Towards the identification of a new type of master sexual regulator in vertebrates

In contrast to mammals and birds, fish display an amazing diversity of genetic sex determination systems, with frequent changes during evolution possibly associated with the emergence of new sex chromosomes and sex‐determining genes. To better understand the molecular and evolutionary mechanisms driving this diversity, several fish models are studied in parallel. Besides the medaka (Oryzias latipes Temminck and Schlegel, 1846) for which the master sex‐determination gene has been identified, one of the most advanced models for studying sex determination is the Southern platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus, Günther 1966). Xiphophorus maculatus belongs to the Poeciliids, a family of live‐bearing freshwater fish, including platyfish, swordtails and guppies that perfectly illustrates the diversity of genetic sex‐determination mechanisms observed in teleosts. For X. maculatus, bacterial artificial chromosome contigs covering the sex‐determination region of the X and Y sex chromosomes have been constructed. Initial molecular analysis demonstrated that the sex‐determination region is very unstable and frequently undergoes duplications, deletions, inversions and other rearrangements. Eleven gene candidates linked to the master sex‐determining gene have been identified, some of them corresponding to pseudogenes. All putative genes are present on both the X and the Y chromosomes, suggesting a poor degree of differentiation and a young evolutionary age for platyfish sex chromosomes. When compared with other fish and tetrapod genomes, syntenies were detected only with autosomes. This observation supports an independent origin of sex chromosomes, not only in different vertebrate lineages but also between different fish species.     

Induced triploidy in the bay scallop, Argopecten irradians, and its effects on growth and gametogenesis

Triploidy was induced in the bay scallop, Argopecten irradians, by treating newly fertilized eggs with cytochalasin B. Treatment for 20 min duration 10 min after fertilization resulted in 66% triploidy of scallops in the 0.05 mg/l cytochalasin treatment group and 94% triploidy of scallops in the 0.1 mg/l cytochalasin treatment group, detected by measuring the relative DNA content of scallop granulocytes using flow cytometry. Individually labelled scallops of known ploidy were grown in the Damariscotta River estuary in south-central Maine, U.S.A. from May 24 to September 15, 1982. Mean adductor muscle weight in triploid scallops was 73% greater than that of diploid controls and mean total body tissue wet weight was 36% greater. Shell inflation was significantly greater in triploids, while shell height and length were unaffected. The indexes of weight and glycogen content of the adductor muscle were significantly greater in triploids at the end of the growing season. The majority of triploid scallops failed to ripen during the summer months, while diploid scallops ripened and spawned.     

Exudative epidermitis and porcine circovirus-2 infection in a Swedish SPF-herd

An outbreak of exudative epidermitis (EE) among piglets in a Swedish SPF-herd initiated a survey for indications as to the cause of disease.The herd was established by caesarean section and has been closed to all new animal material, with the exception of semen for artificial insemination (AI). The study comprised serum samples from the SPF-herd over a 10-year period (n=109) and a close monitoring of animals in the herd during the period after the EE outbreak. Serum samples from conventional boars at the AI-station servicing the herd were also included (n=9). All serum samples were tested for antibodies to porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2). In addition, 3-week-old piglets from three litters (n=24) farrowed close after the initial EE outbreak were closely monitored for clinical signs of skin disease, sampled for Staphylococcus hyicus, tested for antibodies to porcine parvovirus and in sequentially collected serum samples tested for interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and interleukin-6.The PVC-2 serology showed that animals in the herd were sero-negative at least until 2 months prior to the EE outbreak. During the period close after the EE outbreak the animals showed varying levels of antibodies to PCV-2 but all the tested animals had sero-converted 4 months later. The AI boars were also sero-positive to PCV-2 at the time of the EE outbreak. Animals in the SPF-herd remained sero-positive to PCV-2 during the following 7 years. In the monitored litters, one piglet had clinical EE and 15 piglets displayed defined erythemas on the abdomen. Fourteen of the piglets also had IFN-alpha in serum on one or more occasions during the study, indicating viral activity among the animals. S. hyicus was isolated from all of the piglets from the earliest sampling point (3 days of age) and onwards, irrespective of clinical signs. PCV-2 was isolated from lymph node tissue collected from one of the EE affected pigs.Further, increases in the number of stillborn piglets, small litters (<6 piglets) and repeat breeders could be correlated to the time of PCV-2 sero-conversion. Coincidence of active viral infection and sero-conversion to PCV-2 points to the virus as the cause of the EE outbreak and reproductive disturbances.     

REVIEW: Effects of Germination on the Nutritional Profile of Gluten‐Free Cereals and Pseudocereals: A Review

There are a growing number of individuals diagnosed with food allergies and intolerances. Gluten, in particular, is avoided by many individuals because of celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and gluten ataxia. Individuals with allergies, intolerances, or both follow strict diets, but there is concern that these individuals may be at risk of several nutrient deficiencies, including decreased calcium, iron, B vitamins, and fiber. To prevent deficiencies, alternative sources of these nutrients must be provided. Gluten‐free cereals and pseudocereals such as amaranth, buckwheat, corn, millet, rice, sorghum, and quinoa can be excellent sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other important nutrients. Germination of these edible seeds has been shown to further increase nutrient content and to reduce antinutrients. Their use to naturally fortify and enrich gluten‐free foods has great potential. Although there are many benefits to germinated seeds in food, more research must be done to improve texture and sensory properties to gain wider consumer acceptance. A review of germination of gluten‐free cereals and pseudocereals and its effect on their nutritional profile is presented.