Genetic risk factors for osteochondrosis in various horse breeds

Osteochondrosis (OC) is an injury to cartilage canals with a following necrosis in the growth cartilage, from there it can develop to osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD). Due to its high impact in the equine industry, new insights into predisposing factors and potential high‐risk genetic variants are warranted. This article reviews advancements in quantitative and molecular genetics in refining estimation of genetic parameters and identifying predisposing genetic loci. Heritabilities were highest for hock OC with estimates at 0.29–0.46 in Hanoverian warmblood and Norwegian trotters, whereas in Thoroughbreds only very low genetic variation seemed to be present in hock OC lesions. Whole genome scans using the Illumina Equine SNP50 or SNP70 Beadchip were performed in Thoroughbred, Standardbred, French and Norwegian trotter, Hanoverian and Dutch warmblood. Validation studies in Spanish Purebred and Hanoverian warmblood horses corroborated OC risk loci on ECA 3, 14, 27 and 29. Particularly, a strong association with hock‐OCD was found for a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on horse chromosome (ECA) 3 upstream to the LCORL gene. Gene expression and microRNA analyses may be helpful to understand pathophysiological processes in equine OC and to connect OCD‐associated genomic regions with potential candidate genes. Furthermore progress in elucidating the underlying genetic variants and pathophysiological changes in OC may be expected from whole genome DNA and RNA next‐generation sequencing studies.     

Biochemical proximates of pumpkin (Cucurbitaeae spp.) and their beneficial effects on the general well‐being of poultry species

There is a growing need to increase productivity in poultry. Growth hormones and antibiotics have the ability to improve health, weight gain and feed efficiency in meat‐producing animals. The growth‐promoting antibiotics are administered to poultry to improve the general performance of the chicken. However, the use of the xenobiotic drugs in food‐producing animals has been a concern and a sensitive issue of debate for several decades in the EU and many other regional blocks of the world. Consequently, the use of hormones in animal production has been banned in Italy, Denmark and Germany for over 4–5 decades, while Belgium and Greece had never permitted its use for livestock fattening purposes. Bioactive phytochemicals exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antiprotozoal, antifungal and anti‐inflammatory properties and consequently have several beneficial effects on appetite, growth and the immune status of the animal. In South Africa, different species of pumpkin are produced for food due to their high nutrient content. The flesh serves as a traditional food, while the seeds and peels are commonly discarded. Pumpkin seed extract is reported to be useful for immunomodulation, reproductive health, therapeutics over a wide range of disease conditions and stimulates metabolism of accumulated fats. Studies have also shown that pumpkin seeds are a valuable source of protein and fat. Their complexity and extent of bioactivity offers sustainable prospects for natural control of pathogenic/parasitic organisms, stimulate nutrition or enhance resistance to disease infections, and reduce abdominal fat and serum levels of harmful lipids, while increasing serum levels of beneficial lipids.     

Prevalence and risk factors associated with bovine brucellosis in herds under extensive production system in southwestern Nigeria

Using a cross-sectional survey, we determined the prevalence and risk factors associated with bovine brucellosis in herds under extensive production system in southwestern Nigeria. Antibodies to Brucella species in serum samples were tested using the Rose Bengal test (RBT) and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA); for milk, the milk ring test (MRT) and indirect-ELISA (i-ELISA) were used. Questionnaire was administered to cattle herdsmen to determine factors predisposing the animals to bovine brucellosis. Data were analyzed using STATA 12. From 513 serum and 635 milk samples tested among 120 herds, overall animal-level prevalence of 10.1% (95% CI 7.5–12.7%) and 20.2% (95% CI 17.1–23.3%) were recorded by RBT and MRT, respectively; while 9.4% (95% CI 6.9–11.9%) and 17.8% (95% CI 14.8–20.8%) were obtained using cELISA and i-ELISA, respectively. In all, from the 120 herds tested, 29.2% and 43.3% were positive by RBT and MRT, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that herd location (OR?=?8.12, 95% CI 1.68–38.90) and improper disposal of placenta/fetus (OR?=?17.33, 95% CI 4.81–62.33) were predictors for a seropositive herd using RBT; while herd location (OR?=?5.13, 95% CI 1.27–20.28), large herd size (OR?=?2.62, 95% CI 1.15–5.85), and occurrence of abortion for a year or more (OR?=?4.62, 95% CI 1.53–13.71) were predictors of seropositivity to antibodies to Brucella spp. using MRT. We found high prevalence of brucellosis in cattle herds under extensive management system in southwestern Nigeria. Urgent and coordinated control strategies are required to mitigate this problem.

     

Long-term study (2005–2010) on the vaccination with BoHV-1 glycoprotein E-deleted marker vaccine in selected two dairy herds in Turkey

A follow-up study from 2005 to 2010 was carried out in two herds where eradication programme for the bovine herpes virus-1 (BoHV-1) infection depends on the vaccination with inactivated glycoprotein E-deleted vaccine that was started in 2001 following the vaccination with inactivated conventional vaccine between 1999 and 2001. For serological screening, a total of 12,976 sera sampled over several sampling times approximately 6 months of interval during 5 years (2005–2010) were tested for glycoprotein E (gE)- and glycoprotein B-specific antibodies using ELISA. According to the serological evidence, the long-term persistence of BoHV-1 antibodies, success of marker vaccine, first vaccination time of the calves in herds regularly vaccinated, etc. were discussed in this paper. In conclusion, the vaccination programme using gE (?) marker vaccines, with making efforts to prevent the other factors about transmission of infection, was suggested for the eradication of BoHV-1 infection in Turkey as many EU countries. This is the first report on the BoHV-1 eradication programme in some dairy cattle in Turkey.     

Haematological,biochemical and organ changes in broiler chickens fed varying levels of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Morinda lucida</Emphasis> (brimstone) leaf meal supplementation in the diets

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Morinda lucida leaf meal (MLLM) on the haematology, biochemical and organ changes of broiler chickens. One hundred and ninety-eight day-old Marshall broiler chicks were completely randomised into 6 treatments in a 3?×?2 factorial arrangement of three levels of M. lucida leaf meal supplementation (0, 0.1 and 0.2 g/kg) with or without medication. The treatment consisted of both negative (without MLLM and routine medication) and positive (containing no MLLM but with routine medication) control groups while each treatment was replicated thrice. MLLM-supplemented diets and routine medication decreased (p?<?0.05) the white blood cell count compared to the negative control. Dietary supplementation with MLLM in combination with normal routine medication increased (p?<?0.05) total serum protein when compared with treatment group without MLLM and routine medication. Dietary supplementation with MLLM and routine medication reduced (p?<?0.05) serum creatinine concentration of the broiler chickens. Birds fed with 0.2 g/kg MLLM supplement coupled with medication and those on negative control had higher (p?<?0.05) creatinine values. Serum enzyme activities reduced (p?<?0.05) following supplementation. MLLM supplementation recorded no significant effect (p?>?0.05) on the liver, kidney, heart and gizzard. M. lucida leaf meal can be compared to routine medication for improved health status of broiler chickens. Dietary inclusion with 0.1 g/kg MLML combined with routine medication could be used in producing healthy and safe chickens.     

PK/PD modeling of flunixin meglumine in a kaolin‐induced inflammation model in piglets

Flunixin is marketed in several countries for analgesia in adult swine but little is known about its efficacy in piglets. Thirty‐two piglets (6–8 days old) were randomized to receive placebo saline (n = 11, group CONTROL) or flunixin meglumine intravenously at 2.2 (n = 11, group MEDIUM) or 4.4 (n = 10, group HIGH) mg/kg, 10 hr after subcutaneous injection of kaolin in the left metacarpal area. A hand‐held algometer was used to determine each piglet’s mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) from both front feet up to 50 hr after treatment (cut‐off value of 24.5 newton). Serial venous blood samples were obtained to quantify flunixin in plasma using LC‐MS/MS. A PKPD model describing the effect of flunixin on the mechanical nociceptive threshold was obtained based on an inhibitory indirect response model. A two‐compartmental PK model was used. A significant effect of flunixin was observed for both doses compared to control group, with 4.4 mg/kg showing the most relevant (6–10 newton) and long‐lasting effect (34 hr). The median IC50 was 6.78 and 2.63 mg/ml in groups MEDIUM and HIGH, respectively. The ED50 in this model was 6.6 mg/kg. Flunixin exhibited marked antinociceptive effect on kaolin‐induced inflammatory hyperalgesia in piglets.     

The effect of salt stress on Arabidopsis thaliana and Phelipanche ramosa interaction

Salinity and Orobanche or Phelipanche spp. infection are important crop stress factors in agricultural areas. In this study, we investigated the effect of salt stress on Phelipanche ramosa seed germination and its attachment onto Arabidopsis thaliana roots. We also evaluated the effect of both stresses on the expression of genes regulated by abiotic and biotic stresses. According to our results, high concentration of NaCl delayed P. ramosa seed germination in the presence of a strigolactone analogue (GR24). A similar pattern was observed in the presence of A. thaliana plants. Furthermore, we found that salt‐treated A. thaliana seedlings were more sensitive to P. ramosa attachment compared with the untreated plants, indicating that there was a positive correlation between salt sensitivity and the ability of P. ramosa to infect A. thaliana plants. At the molecular level, a synergystic effect of both salt and P. ramosa stresses was observed on the cold‐regulated (COR) gene expression profile of treated A. thaliana seedlings. Our data clarify the interaction between parasitic plants and their hosts under abiotic stress conditions.     

Mechanisms conferring resistance of Western flower thrips to bendiocarb

Mechanisms associated with bendiocarb resistance were examined in two strains of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), that differed in their susceptibility to this carbamate by 13.6-fold. No appreciable differences between the two strains in [¹⁴C] bendiocarb penetration and excretion were detected; however, bendiocarb was metabolised substantially faster by the resistant KCM thrips than by the more susceptible UMC thrips. No appreciable difference between the two strains was found in the sensitivity of acetylcholinesterase activity to inhibition by bendiocarb. It was concluded that bendiocarb resistance in KCM western flower thrips was due to enhanced metabolism that probably was mainly oxidative in nature.