Sheep fed with banana leaf hay reduce ruminal protozoa population

A ciliate protozoa suppression can reduce methane production increasing the energy efficiency utilization by ruminants. The physicochemical characteristics of rumen fluid and the profile of the rumen protozoa populations were evaluated for sheep fed banana leaf hay in replacement of the Cynodon dactylon cv. vaqueiro hay. A total of 30 male sheep were raised in intensive system during 15 days of adaptation and 63 days of experimental period. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design that included six replicates of five treatments with replacement levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) of the grass vaquero for the banana leaf hay. Samples of fluid were collected directly from the rumen with sterile catheters. Color, odor, viscosity, and the methylene blue reduction potential (MBRP) were evaluated and pH estimated using a digital potentiometer. After decimal dilutions, counts of genus protozoa were performed in Sedgewick Rafter chambers. The averages of pH, MBRP, color, odor, and viscosity were not influenced by the inclusion of the banana leaf hay. However, the total number of protozoa and Entodinium spp. population significantly decreased at 75 and 100% inclusions of banana leaf hay as roughage.     

Seroprevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brucella</Emphasis> antibodies in camels in Katsina State,Nigeria

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the status of Brucella infection in one-humped (Dromedary) camels in the North and Central senatorial districts of Katsina State, Nigeria. Nine hundred and eighty serum samples from live and slaughtered camels were tested. Modified Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and serum agglutination test (SAT) with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, (EDTA) were used as screening and standard tests, respectively. The prevalence of Brucella antibodies were 110 (11.2%) and 103 (10.5%) for RBPT and SAT, respectively. Of the 472 and 508 serum samples tested from the herds and abattoirs, respectively, 63 (13.3%) and 47 (9.3%) were positive by RBPT while 62 (13.1%) and 41 (8.1%) were positive by SAT, respectively. Based on the results, it was concluded that Brucella antibodies were present in camels in the study area. Poor management practices and mixing of camels with other species of livestock as well as unrestricted movement of camels were proposed to be the reasons for the prevalence of the disease in the study area. In view of the public health importance of the disease, it is recommended that there is the need to develop a strategic plan to decrease spread of brucellosis in the study area.     

Effects of road transportation on metabolic and immunological responses in Holstein heifers

This study examined the effects of road transportation on metabolic and immunological responses in dairy heifers. Twenty Holstein heifers in early pregnancy were divided into non‐transported (NT; n = 7) and transported (T; n = 13) groups. Blood was collected before transportation (BT), immediately after transportation for 100 km (T1) and 200 km (T2), and 24 h after transportation (AT). The T heifers had higher (P < 0.05) blood cortisol and non‐esterified fatty acid concentrations after T1 and T2 than did NT heifers. By contrast, the T heifers had lower (P < 0.05) serum triglyceride concentrations after T1 and T2 than had the NT heifers. The serum cortisol and triglyceride concentrations returned (P > 0.05) to the BT concentrations at 24 h AT in the T heifers. The granulocyte‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and the percentage of monocytes were higher (P < 0.05) after T2 in the T heifers than in the NT heifers, suggesting that transportation stress increased the numbers of innate immune cells. T heifers had higher (P < 0.01) plasma haptoglobin concentrations than NT heifers 24 h AT. In conclusion, transportation increased cortisol secretion and was correlated with increased metabolic responses and up‐regulation of peripheral innate immune cells in dairy heifers.     

Lack of glucokinase regulatory protein expression may contribute to low glucokinase activity in feline liver

In most mammals, glucokinase (GK) acts as a hepatic “glucose sensor” that permits hepatic metabolism to respond appropriately to changes in plasma glucose concentrations. GK activity is potently regulated by the glucokinase regulatory protein (GKRP), which is encoded by the GCKR gene. GKRP binds GK in the nucleus and inhibits its activity. GK becomes active when it is released from GKRP and translocates to the cytosol. Low glucokinase (GK) activity is reported to be a principal feature of feline hepatic carbohydrate metabolism but the molecular pathways that regulate GK activity are not known. This study examined the hypothesis that species-specific differences in GKRP expression parallel the low GK activity observed in feline liver. Hepatic GKRP expression was examined using RT-PCR, immunoblot, and confocal immunomicroscopy. The results show that the GCKR gene is present in the feline genome but GCKR mRNA and the GKRP protein were absent in feline liver. The lack of GKRP expression in feline liver indicates that the low GK activity cannot be the result of GKRP-mediated inhibition of the GK enzyme. However, the absence of the permissive effects of GCKR expression on GK expression and activity may contribute to reduced GK enzyme activity in feline liver. The study results show that the cat is a natural model for GCKR knockout and may be useful to study regulation of GCKR expression and its role in hepatic glucose-sensing and carbohydrate metabolism.     

Kinetics of immune response to foot-and-mouth disease virus (type Asia 1) in experimental cattle

Humoral and mucosal (secretory antibody)immune response to FMDV type Asia 1 in cattle was analyzed after vaccination and infection using virus neutralizing test (VNT). Vaccination (1/16th the usual dose) failed to protect cattle from generalized clinical disease following experimental FMDV Asia 1 infection. Our results showed that infection induced higher and prolonged serum antibody titres indicating antigen mass is important for optimal immune response. Experimental FMDV infection induced significant secretory antibody (mucosal) response in cattle. Though, there was no difference in the serum antibody response between the cattle that developed generalized infection (unprotected) and those with only localized infection (protected), secretory antibody response differed, wherein the unprotected cattle had higher secretory response than protected cattle. Thus, FMDV Asia 1 infection stimulates a similar serum antibody response and a unique secretory antibody response among the infected cattle. An erratum to this article can be found at     

中国实验用小型猪血液指标正常参考值分析

本试验旨在建立中国农业大学教授专家团队培育的小型猪(命名为"中国实验用小型猪")血液生理和生化指标的正常参考值范围,为小型猪作为人类疾病模型提供参考依据。用全自动化生化仪测定1、3、6和12月龄中国实验用小型猪血液的9项生理指标和22项生化指标,对同一月龄不同性别的血液测定值进行单因素独立样本t检验。试验结果显示,中国实验用小型猪绝大多数血液生理生化指标同一月龄不同性别间差异不显著(P>0.05),仅红细胞体积分布宽度和肌酐等指标存在显著差异(P<0.05)。中国实验用小型猪血液指标与巴马小型猪、贵州小型猪和五指山小型猪相比,大多数血液测定值接近。试验结果表明,中国实验用小型血液生理生化指标稳定,与人类正常参考值相比,小型猪9项血液生理指标中有4项和人类相接近,22项血液生化指标中有15项和人类相接近。     

Effect of spineless cactus intake (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Opuntia ficus-indica</Emphasis>) on blood glucose levels in lactating sows and its impact on feed intake,body weight loss,and weaning-estrus interval

The effect of spineless cactus intake (Opuntia ficus-indica) on blood glucose (BG) levels in lactating sows and its impact on daily and total feed intake (dFI^?1 and TFI, respectively), body weight loss (BWL), and weaning-estrus interval length (WEI) were evaluated. Thirty-four hybrid (Yorkshire × Landrace × Pietrain) sows in lactation phase were used. Sows were divided into two groups: G1 (n = 17) where they received commercial feed and G2 (n = 17) provided with commercial feed plus an average of 2.0 ± 0.5 kg spineless cactus, based on a sow’s body weight. The variables evaluated were BG, dFI^?1, TFI, BWL, and WEI. Statistical analysis was performed by using a fixed and mixed model methodology, under a repeated measurements experiment. Group effects were found on all analyzed variables (P < 0.05). The BG was lower in G2 (55.2 and 64.5 mg/dL pre- and post-prandial, respectively), compared to that in G1 (70.9 and 80.1 mg/dL pre- and post-prandial, respectively) (P < 0.05). G2 showed better performance than G1 for dFI^?1, BWL, and WEI (P < 0.05) whose averages were 5.5 ± 1.8 kg, 7.4 ± 4.5%, and 5.3 ± 1.2 days, respectively. Averages for these variables in G1 were 4.7 ± 1.5 kg, 16.8 ± 4.6%, and 6.1 ± 1.6 days, respectively. Intake of spineless cactus reduced BG levels in lactating sows, generating greater dFI^?1, lower BWL at the end of lactation, and a lower WEI.     

豆科牧草追施钾肥试验

试验结果表明，当旱地红壤养分中的速效钾含量在７５．５ｐｐｍ情况下，白三叶每公顷追施氯化钾２２５ｋｇ，结果施肥比对照每公顷增产鲜草７７７９ｋｇ，每公顷氯化立鲜草３４．６ｋｇ，增产率达２９％。按生物统计ｔ测验，增产显著。当稻田速效钾含量在４５ｐｐｍ条件下，给紫云英每公顷施用氯化钾１１２．５ｋｇ，结果施肥比对照每公顷增产鲜草５０００－７７５０ｋｇ，平均每公顷增产６７５０ｋｇ。每公斤钾肥可增产粮食２３．５     

应用套式PCR分段扩增犬瘟热病毒融合蛋白的全基因

为研究犬瘟热病毒（ＣＤＶ）融合蛋白各段功能,根据ＣＤＶＯｎｄｅｒｓｔｅｐｏｏｒｔ弱毒株的融合蛋白基因序列,设计合成了１０条寡聚核苷酸引物。对此１０条引物进行不同的配对,将１株犬瘟热疫苗弱毒株细胞培养物的总ＲＮＡ进行ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ扩增,利用１次ＰＣＲ扩增得到了７个基因片段,最长的达１６６９ｂｐ,最短的为３１４ｂｐ;应用套式或半套式ＰＣＲ,扩增得到了能覆盖整个融合蛋白基因的８个片段