Insulin-like growth factor I in sera, ovarian follicles and follicular fluid of cows with spontaneous or induced cystic ovarian disease

The objective of this research was to determine changes in IGF-I levels in serum and follicular fluid, and immunoreactivity of the follicle wall of cows with spontaneous (slaughter specimens) or ACTH-induced follicular cysts, and to compare results to normal cycling (control) cows after selection of the ovulatory follicle. Concentrations of IGF-I in serum did not differ between control and cystic animals (p=0.76). Fluid from the ovulatory follicle in control cows had 41% higher concentrations of IGF-I than that from cystic follicles collected at slaughter (spontaneous cysts; p<0.05) and 70% higher than that in induced follicular cysts (p<0.05). An intense positive immunostaining with anti-IGF-I was observed in granulosa cells (p<0.05) and in the theca interna (p<0.05) of secondary and tertiary follicles in all three groups of animals, but staining was less intense in cystic (p<0.05) and atretic follicles (p<0.05). This study provides evidence to suggest that cystic ovarian disease in cattle is associated with decreased concentrations of IGF-I in follicular fluid, but not in serum, and decreased production of IGF-I in the follicular wall. These data support the notion that IGF-I plays a role in the regulation of folliculogenesis, and may participate in the pathogenesis of cystic ovarian disease in cattle.     

Tamoxifen induces apoptotic neutrophil efferocytosis in horses

Macrophages and neutrophils are important cellular components in the process of acute inflammation and its subsequent resolution, and evidence increasingly suggests that they play important functions during the resolution of chronic, adaptive inflammatory processes. Exacerbated neutrophil activity can be harmful to surrounding tissues; this is important in a range of diseases, including allergic asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in humans, and equine asthma (also known as recurrent airway obstruction (RAO). Tamoxifen (TX) is a non-steroidal estrogen receptor modulator with effects on cell growth and survival. Previous studies showed that TX treatment in horses with induced acute pulmonary inflammation promoted early apoptosis of blood and BALF neutrophils, reduction of BALF neutrophils, and improvement in animals’ clinical status. The aim of this study was to describe if TX induces in vitro efferocytosis of neutrophils by alveolar macrophages. Efferocytosis assay, myeloperoxidase (MPO) detection and translocation phosphatidylserine (PS) were performed on neutrophils isolated from peripheral blood samples from five healthy horses. In in vitro samples from heathy horses, TX treatment increases the phenomenon of efferocytosis of peripheral neutrophils by alveolar macrophages. Similar increases in supernatant MPO concentration and PS translocation were observed in TX-treated neutrophils, compared to control cells. In conclusion, these results confirm that tamoxifen has a direct effect on equine peripheral blood neutrophils, through stimulation of the engulfment of apoptotic neutrophils by alveolar macrophages.     

Extruded urea could reduce true protein source in beef cattle diets

Rumen micro‐organisms are capable of producing microbial protein from ammonia and carbon skeleton, and non‐protein nitrogen (NPN) may be one of the sources of ammonia. Alternative source of NPN is the slow release of ammonia sources in which the product is the extrusion of starch with urea. This work aimed to determine the effects on nutrient intake, ingestive behaviour, digestibility, nitrogen balance, ruminal pH, rumen ammonia nitrogen, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and blood parameters with increased levels of extruded urea (50, 60, 70 and 80 g/100 kg of body weight [BW]) in beef cattle diet. Four rumen cannulated crossbred steers with initial mean weight of 336 ± 47 kg in a 4 × 4 Latin square design were distributed. Diets were formulated with 400:600 g/kg roughage:concentrate ratio on dry matter based and provided once per day, being used whole corn silage as roughage. There were no effects on nutrient intake (kg/day), ingestive behaviour, apparent digestibility, nitrogen balance, volatile fatty acid (VFA) and blood parameters in extruded urea treatment groups. Similar results were observed on time spent on feeding, rumination and idleness. There were positive linear effects (p = 0.022) on rumen pH in the time of 8 hr after feeding and also on plasma concentration of the extruded urea levels (p = 0.039); whereas a linear negative effect (p = 0.030) was observed on ammonia nitrogen for the collection time of 2 hr after feeding. Increased levels of extruded urea could maintain nutrient intake, digestibility, ingestive behaviour, rumen pH and blood parameters in normal conditions. In conclusion, we recommend the extruded urea use with values up to 80 g/100 kg BW in confined beef cattle that receive balanced diets with 140 g/kg of crude protein.     

Expression of TGFBR1, TGFBR2, TGFBR3, ACVR1B and ACVR2B is altered in ovaries of cows with cystic ovarian disease

The objective of this study was to examine the expression of transforming growth factor beta receptor (TGFBR)1, TGFBR2, TGFBR3, activin receptor (ACVR)1B and ACVR2B in ovaries of cows with cystic ovarian disease (COD). The expression of the selected receptors was determined by immunohistochemistry in sections of ovaries from cows with ACTH‐induced and spontaneous COD. Expression of TGFBR1 and TGFBR3 was higher in granulosa cells of cysts from cows with spontaneous COD than in tertiary follicles from the control group. Additionally, TGFBR3 expression was higher in granulosa cells of cysts from cows with ACTH‐induced COD than in those from the control group and lower in theca cells of spontaneous and ACTH‐induced cysts than in tertiary control follicles. There were no changes in the expression of TGFBR2. ACVR1B expression was higher in granulosa cells of tertiary follicles of cows with spontaneous COD than in the control group, whereas ACVR2B expression was higher in cysts of the spontaneous COD group than in tertiary follicles from the control group. The alterations here detected, together with the altered expression of the ligands previously reported, indicate alterations in the response of the ligands in the target cells, modifying their actions at cellular level.     

Comparative biochemical profiles,production and reproduction status of the post‐partum dairy cows with and without purulent vaginal discharge

Purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) is a prevalent uterine disease of dairy cows during the puerperium that affects the milk production and affects the profitability of farms. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the biochemical profile, the body condition score, the milk production of cows with PVD and the effects PVD on reproductive performance. A total of 338 Holstein dairy cows aged from 3 to 5 years, from three commercial dairy farms, from Brazil, were used. Blood samples were collected within 25 ± 3 days post‐partum from Holstein dairy cows without PVD (control cows, n = 242) and cows with PVD (n = 96), based on scoring of the vaginal discharge. The body condition score and milk production were recorded on the day of sampling. The biochemical profile encompassed albumin, urea, gamma‐glutamyl transferase, calcium, fibrinogen and cholesterol concentrations. The number of services per pregnancy was lower (p < 0.01), and the number of days until first insemination and the median time to pregnancy were higher in cows with PVD (p < 0.01) when compared with control cows. Milk production and body condition score were lower (p < 0.01) in cows with PVD than in control group. Cows with PVD had lower (p < 0.05) serum albumin, urea, calcium and cholesterol concentrations, and higher serum gamma‐glutamyl transferase activity and fibrinogen concentration than cows without PVD. Our results show that cows with PVD have changes in the biochemical profile and negative effects on production and reproduction performance.     

Seroprevalence of spotted fever group rickettsiae in canines along the United States–Mexico border

Portions of northern Mexico are experiencing a re‐emergence of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), a tickborne disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a member of the spotted fever group of rickettsiae (SFGR). Infection with R. rickettsii can result in serious and life‐threatening illness in people and dogs. Canine seroprevalence has been used as a sentinel for human RMSF in previous studies. This study aims to quantify SFGR seroprevalence in canines in three northern Mexican states and identify risk factors associated with seropositivity. A total of 1,136 serum samples and 942 ticks were obtained from dogs participating in government sterilization campaigns and from animal control facilities in 14 Mexican cities in three states. SFGR antibodies were detected using indirect immunofluorescence antibody assays at titre values ≥1/64. Six per cent (69 dogs) showed antibodies to SFGR, with the highest seroprevalence reported in Baja California (12%), Coahuila (4%) and Sonora (4%). Dogs from Baja California had three times higher odds of having SFGR antibodies compared to dogs from Sonora (OR = 3.38, 95% CI, 1.81–6.37). Roughly one quarter (25%) of surveyed dogs were parasitized by ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato) at the time of sample collection. A portion of collected ticks were tested for rickettsial DNA using polymerase chain reaction. Positive samples were then sequenced, showing evidence of SFGR including R. massiliae, R. parkeri and R. rickettsii. Dogs that spent the majority of time on the street, such as free‐roaming or community‐owned dogs, showed a greater risk of tick infestation, seropositivity, bearing seropositive ticks, and may play a pivotal role in the spread of SFGR among communities. Estimating the seroprevalence of SFGR in the canine population can help public health campaigns target high‐risk communities for interventions to reduce human RMSF cases.     

Hydroxyurea-induced onychomadesis in a dog with chronic myeloid leukemia: A case report

A 12-year-old Rottweiler dog was presented with a history of prostration, weight loss and hyporexia for six months. Based on complete blood tests (hematological and biochemical analyses), bone marrow examination and imaging analysis, a diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia was made. Treatment with hydroxyurea at a dosage of 18?mg/kg twice daily was not effective in controlling the high count of white blood cells. Furthermore, after 35 days of hydroxyurea treatment, the animal developed onycholysis, with sloughing of the claws of the left pelvic and left thoracic limbs and exposure of the distal phalanx. Interruption of the medication was implemented, with clinical healing of the ungual lesions observed three months after initiation of the drug. White blood cells returned to normal after using cyclophosphamide. Currently, the animal is in complete remission, having a disease-free interval of 575 days without chemotherapy. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of hydroxyurea-induced onycholysis within a short-term period in a dog diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia.     

Variability of Fusarium spp. isolates,causal agents of the soybean sudden death syndrome

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is the most widely cultivated crop in the world and an important commodity. Besides its main role in human nutrition, this grain is also used in animal feed and production of biofuels, among other purposes. Due to these factors, soybean became important in the global economy and is the most exported agricultural product from Brazil. Fungal diseases are among the limiting factors on soybean production; sudden death syndrome, caused by Fusarium spp., has been responsible for severe losses on this crop in Brazil. Four species of Fusarium can be considered causal pathogens: F. brasiliense, F. crassistipitatum, F. tucumaniae, and F. virguliforme. The Fusarium spp. isolates characterized in this work were collected in different soybean-producing regions in Brazil. The genetic variability of these isolates was determined through the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. Disease severity was evaluated on moderately resistant and susceptible soybean cultivars in greenhouse trials. RAPD analysis demonstrated a great genetic diversity among the isolates and a clear tendency to split into two main species groups, F. tucumaniae and F. brasiliense, both prevalent in Brazil. The disease severity experiments, in which soybean plants were artificially inoculated, have shown that all isolates caused significant damage to the seedling root system. In fact, the genetic diversity of isolates does not correlate with disease severity, and also does not correlate with geographic distribution.     

Influence of Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertilization on the Mineral Composition of Broccoli Sprouts

ABSTRACT

Broccoli sprouts (Brassica oleraceae var. italica) have been attributed health protective effects based on their glucosinolate content, and thus, are recommended in diets. However, no information is available on the mineral content of this novel product and how fertilization might influence it. The influence of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) applications (0, 14, and 28 mg· N dish^?1 and 0, 4.5, and 9 mg· S dish^?1) on the mineral content [N, S, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), and silicon (Si)] of broccoli sprouts (Brassica oleraceae var. italica cv. ‘Marathon’) was determined 11 d after sowing. It was found that N and S fertilization significantly (P < 0.001) influenced the uptake of all elements except phosphorus (P). Sulfur concentrations in broccoli sprouts varied between 11.4 and 15.2 mg· g^?1 (dw), while the Ca, Mg, P, K, and Na concentrations were below 10 mg· g^?1 (dw). The Cl contents ranged from 13.6 to 23.1 mg· g^?1 (dw). The highest S concentration was found when 9 mg· dish^?1 S and 14 mg· dish^?1 N was applied. A higher N rates of 28 mg· dish^?1, N yielded no higher S uptake. The significantly (P < 0.05) highest Ca, Mg, and Na concentrations were found in the control treatments, while this effect proved to be not consistent for P. The results clearly revealed that N and S fertilization increased biomass production even in the early growth stages. With view to maintaining high Ca concentrations an application in the form of ammonium sulfate would be preferable.     

INFLUENCE OF HIGH TEMPERATURE AND UREA FERTILIZATION WITH N-(N-BUTYL) THIOPHOSPHORIC TRIAMIDE AND DICYANDIAMINDE ON COTTON GROWTH AND PHYSIOLOGY

The objective of this growth chamber study was to evaluate the effect of adding N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) and dicyandiaminde (DCD) to urea fertilizer, on the physiology and growth of cotton (Gossypiumhirsutum L.) under normal and high temperatures. Treatments consisted of two day temperature regimes, 30°C and 38°C, and five nitrogen fertilization applications: unfertilized control, 125 kg ha^?1 of urea, 93 kg ha^?1 of urea, 93 kg ha^?1 urea + NBPT, and 93 kg ha^?1 urea + NBPT + DCD. The addition of NBPT to urea fertilizer had positive effects on leaf chlorophyll, leaf area, dry matter, nitrogen (N) uptake, and N use efficiency. The absence of a significant interaction effect indicated that N fertilization was not influenced by temperature. Deficiency of N significantly decreased leaf chlorophyll, increased glutathione reductase, decreased protein and increased leaf nitrate reductase. Physiological changes under high temperature included increased plant N uptake, glutamine synthetase, leaf chlorophyll, protein content, plant height and leaf area were due to high N uptake and utilization.