Cytokines, Growth Factors and Prostaglandin Synthesis in the Uterus of Pregnant and Non-pregnant Bitches: The Features of Placental Sites

Uterine tissue from pregnant bitches was investigated by qualitative RT-PCR for the gene expression of local factors potentially important for the implantation of canine embryos. For this purpose, 10 bitches identified as being at the time of implantation or early placentation by means of ultrasonography before ovariohysterectomy (days 20–35, n = 10) provided tissues for comparison to tissue collected in a previous study and identified as early pregnant (n = 10) or non-pregnant (n = 4) by embryo flushing after ovariohysterectomy (days 10–12 after mating; Schäfer-Somi et al. 2008 ). Uterine tissue was excised from the middle of the left horn from early pregnant and non-pregnant animals, including from interplacental and placentation sites. The following genes were investigated: CD-4, -8; cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, -2; granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF); hepatocyte growth factor (HGF); insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, -2; transforming growth factor (TGF) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α; interferon (IFN)-γ; interleukin (IL)-1β, -2, -4, -6, -8, -10, -12; leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and leptin. Gene expression for CD-8, COX-1, TGF-β, HGF, IGF-1, IL-2, -4,-10, IFN-γ and LIF were detected in the pre-implantation uterus, and all except IL-2 and -10 were still detectable during the implantation and placentation stage. During implantation, mRNA for IGF-2 and GM-CSF were additionally detected. The dioestrous uterus differed from the pregnant uterus because of the absence of CD-8, IL-4 and IFN-γ and the expression of CD-4, TNF-α and IL-6. The results suggest that IL-4, IFN-γ, CD-8, GM-CSF and IGF-2 are regulated in a pregnancy-specific manner and that GM-CSF and IGF-2 probably have growth supporting and immune modulating functions during implantation of the canine embryo.     

Antioxidants and radical scavenging properties of vegetable extracts in rats fed aflatoxin-contaminated diet

The present study evaluated the protection role of garlic, cabbage, and onion extracts against the toxic effects of aflatoxin. One hundred and twenty mature male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to eight experimental groups and treated for 15 days with extracts with or without aflatoxin. Blood samples were collected from all animals from the retro-orbital venous plexus at the end of the experimentation period for biochemical analysis. Livers and kidneys were removed at the end of the treatment period for determination of glutathione, malondialdehyde, and superoxide dismutase. The results indicated that animals treated with aflatoxin showed significant signs of aflatoxicosis. Extracts alone had insignificant effects on all parameters tested, whereas cotreatment with aflatoxin and extracts resulted in a significant improvement in all parameters; moreover, garlic extract was found to be the most effective in the prevention of aflatoxin-induced toxicity and free radical generation in rats.     

Effect of probiotics on the survival, growth and challenge infection in Tilapia nilotica (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the potential benefit of Bacillus pumilus and a commercial product (‘Organic Green'^?) as a probiotic in the culture of the tilapia nilotica. Two doses of B. pumilus (10⁶ and 10¹² g^?1 diet fed) and Organic Green^? (1 and 2 g kg^?1 diet fed) were used as feed additives and administered for periods of 1 (groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively) and 2 (groups 6, 7, 8 and 9 respectively) months; group 1 served as a control. Each group consisted of 4 equal replicates of 320 fish. Body weight, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) activity, haematocrit values and total and differential leucocytic counts (TLC and DLC) were recorded in each group after 1 and 2 months. At the end of the experiment (8 months), survival and individual body weights were recorded. Challenge infections were performed after 1, 2 and 8 months using 0.5 mL culture suspension of a pathogenic reference strain of Aeromonas hydrophila (10⁸ bacteria mL^?1). The NBT values were increased significantly in all treated groups, except those administered B. pumillus (groups 3 and 6). There were significant changes in haematocrit values and TLC and DLCs in the treated groups, except group 3, which showed a significant increase in TLC, lymphocytes and monocytes. There was a statistically significant increase in the individual body weight in groups 5, 6, 8 and 9. The survival rates of all treatment groups were higher than the control group, the differences being statistically significant in groups 3 and 9. The challenge infection showed a variable response with the type and dose of treatment and the period of application. The highest relative levels of protection were an average increase of 62.5% after 1 month (groups 3 and 5), 55.6% after 2 months (group 7) and 15.8% after 8 months (groups 8 and 9). Overall, both types of probiotics induced a similar effect. The results show the potential of using probiotics to enhance immune and health status and improve disease resistance in Oreochromis niloticus, thereby improving growth performance. However, further extensive testing, including a full commercial cost–benefit analysis, is necessary before recommending their application in aquaculture.     

Influence of plant leaf surface on the development,reproduction and life table parameters of the predacious mite, Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez (Acari: Stigmaeidae)

The influence of leaf surfaces of different host plants on the biology and life table parameters of the predacious mite, Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez was studied in the laboratory. A. exsertus successfully developed and reproduced on all tested plant leaves. Smooth, glabrous pear leaves accelerated the development of A. exsertus and showed the shortest mean generation time. Slightly rough, slightly hairy leaves of mulberry and acalypha were the most suitable surface for oviposition of the predator. These leaves exhibited the highest fecundity and net reproductive rate. On the other hand, leaves of rough, pubescent apple and scabrous, bristly lantana were the least suitable surface for oviposition of A. exsertus. They showed the lowest fecundity and net reproductive rate. Acalypha leaves exhibited the highest intrinsic rate of increase for the predator, whereas lantana leaves showed the lowest value. This difference in the predator response to leaf surfaces of host plants should be considered to enhance the role of the predator in biological control programs.     

Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) toxicity in four goats

CASE HISTORY: A one-year-old female goat presented with acute onset of recumbency, seizures and vocalisation approximately 5 hours after being given access to branch trimmings from a neighbour's garden. The plant from which the pruned branches came was subsequently identified as wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox). Three other goats kept in the same paddock displayed similar clinical signs over a period of 4 hours following the initial presentation.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: All four goats were ataxic, displayed tetanic seizures and were in lateral recumbency; they had dilated pupils and were hyperaesthetic, with elevated heart and respiratory rates. After symptomatic treatment, including sedation with diazepam, one of the three goats continued to deteriorate and was subjected to euthanasia. The remaining three goats recovered over 1–14 days with nursing care and physiotherapy.

DIAGNOSIS: Toxicity due to ingestion of wintersweet, which contains the alkaloid calycanthine.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Calycanthine is a central nervous system toxin, causing convulsions. Wintersweet shrubs are present in many New Zealand gardens. Practitioners should be aware that the seeds and flowers, and possibly the leaves, of this plant are highly toxic with signs of toxicity including ataxia, hyperaesthesia and seizures.     

30份引进大麦品种(系)苗期耐盐性综合分析

在不同浓度NaCl胁迫下,通过光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、叶绿素(Chl)、丙二醛(MDA)、游离脯氨酸(Pro)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)的测定,运用主成分分析法和模糊隶属函数法对30份国外引进的大麦Hordeumvulgare品种(系)耐盐性进行综合分析。结果表明:随着NaCl浓度增大,引进大麦品种(系)除SOD、CAT和Pro外,其他指标与对照相比均有所下降。根据综合评价值可知,其耐盐性由强到弱为:22-2522-30DH-116TabighaModaba22-55DH-5522-28TarpgolborKoRvKHEMUSSteptoeHarringtonClipperJrbidCpyrusDH-66PriorMorex22-43TObarleyBarbican22-42DH-40SchoonerDH-127KerabSloopYahudiyaDH-126。     

Development of a polymerase chain reaction to differentiate avian leukosis virus (ALV) subgroups: detection of an ALV contaminant in commercial Marek's disease vaccines

Avian leukosis viruses (ALVs) are common in many poultry flocks and can be detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or any other test designed to identify p27, the group-specific antigen located in gag. However, endogenous retroviruses expressing p27 are often present and can be confused with exogenous ALVs. A more specific and informative assay involves targeting the variable envelope glycoprotein gene (gp85) that is the basis for dividing ALVs into their different subgroups. We designed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers that would specifically detect and amplify viruses from each of the six ALV subgroups: A, B, C, D, E, and J. Subgroup B and D envelopes are related, and our B-specific primers also amplified subgroup D viruses. We also designed a set of common primers to amplify any ALV subgroup virus. To demonstrate the usefulness of these primers, we obtained from the Center for Veterinary Biologics in Iowa culture supernatant from chicken embryo fibroblasts infected with an ALV that was found to be a contaminant in two commercial Marek's disease vaccines. Using our PCR primers, we demonstrate that the contaminant was a subgroup A ALV. We cloned and sequenced a portion of the envelope gene and confirmed that the ALV was a subgroup A virus. Unlike typical subgroup A viruses, the contaminant ALV grew very slowly in cell culture. We also cloned and sequenced a portion of the long terminal repeat (LTR) from the contaminant virus. The LTR was found to be similar to those LTRs found in endogenous ALVs (subgroup E) and very dissimilar to LTRs normally found in subgroup A viruses. The E-like LTR probably explains why the contaminant grew so poorly in cell culture.     

Protective efficacy of H5 inactivated vaccines in meat turkey poults after challenge with Egyptian variant highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus

In contrast to chickens, there is a paucity of information on the potency of H5 vaccines to protect turkeys against the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus infections. In this study, 4 groups, 10 turkey poults each, were vaccinated at seven days old with one of H5N2 or H5N1 commercial vaccines or one of two prepared H5N1 vaccines from a local Egyptian variant HPAI H5N1 (EGYvar/H5N1) strain. At 35 days age, all vaccinated and 10 non vaccinated birds were challenged intranasal with 10(6) EID(50)/0.1 ml of EGYvar/H5N1. All vaccines used in this study were immunogenic in turkeys. There was no cross reaction between the commercial vaccines and the Egyptian variant H5N1 antigen as obtained by the hemagglutination inhibition test. Birds vaccinated with H5N2 vaccine were died, while other H5N1 vaccinated groups have had 20-40% mortality. The highest virus excretion was found in non-vaccinated infected and H5N2 vaccinated birds. Eleven peculiar amino acid substitutions in H5 protein of the variant strain were existed neither in the vaccine strains nor in the earliest H5N1 virus introduced into Egypt in 2006. In conclusion, single vaccination at seven days old is inadequate for protection of meat turkeys against variant HPAI H5N1 challenge and multi-dose vaccination at older age is recommended. For the foreseeable future, continuous evaluation of the current vaccines in H5N1 endemic countries in the face of virus evolution is a paramount challenge to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the virus.     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Echinacea purpurea and Allium sativum as immunostimulants in fish culture using Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of echnicacea (E) and garlic (G) supplemented diets as immunostimulant for tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Seven treatments were designed including a control (C). Fish were fed on 35% protein diet at a rate of 3% body weight per day. Echinacea (1.0 ppt) and garlic (3%) were incorporated in the feed, which was administered for periods of 1, 2 and 3 months (summer season), followed by basal diet for 4 more months (winter season). Neutrophil adherence and haematocrit values increased in both supplemented groups with prolonging period of application. The neutrophils adherence was significantly increased in all treatments except group administered echinacea for 1 month. The lymphocytic counts were significantly (p < 0.004) elevated that resulted in a significant increase in the total leucocytic count in groups administered echinacea for 1 and 2 months when compared with the control and/or other treatments. The gain in the body weight and specific growth rate was significantly increased in all supplemented groups (p < 0.004) during summer, but remained without any significant increase after winter. The survival rate was significantly high (>85%) in all the supplemented groups. The percentage of protection, after challenge infection using pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila was the highest in groups supplemented with echinacea and garlic for 3 months after summer and winter seasons. It could be concluded that echinacea and garlic improve the gain in body weight, survival rate and resistance against challenge infection. Both compounds showed extended effects after withdrawal and improved resistance to cold stress during the winter season. However, a full commercial cost benefit analysis is necessary before recommending their application in aquaculture.     

Accuracy of transrectal palpation for early pregnancy diagnosis in Egyptian buffaloes

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy of transrectal palpation (TRP) for diagnosing early pregnancy in buffaloes and the false diagnoses of the TRP test by using the pregnancy-associated glycoprotein radioimmunoassay (PAG-RIA) test. Pregnancy was diagnosed in 168 buffalo–cows once by TRP and PAG-RIA test between days 31 and 55 after breeding. The sensitivity of TRP for detecting pregnant buffalo–cows was 37.5% at days 31–35, increased to 93.8% at days 46–50 and reached 100% at days 51–55 (P < 0.01). All cases of false negative diagnoses (n = 10) had PAG concentration higher than the threshold (≥1.8 ng/mL) for diagnosing pregnancy. The specificity of TRP for detecting non-pregnant buffalo cows ranged between 90.9%, and 100% between days 31 and 55. All cases of false positive diagnoses (n = 5) made by TRP had PAG concentrations lower than the threshold for diagnosing pregnancy. It could be concluded that TRP is an accurate method for diagnosing pregnant and non-pregnant buffalo cows from day 46 after breeding.