Hookworm dermatitis due to Uncinaria stenocephala in a dog from Saskatchewan

Uncinaria stenocephala hookworm dermatitis (uncinariosis) was diagnosed on fecal examination and macerated skin biopsy in a 1.5-year-old greyhound dog from Saskatchewan. This is the first reported case in Canada. Treatment with moxidectin cleared gastrointestinal and dermal infections.     

Gene cloning of porcine adiponectin gene from adipose tissue and construction of its eukaryotic expression vector

To clone adiponectin (ADPN) gene from Shaziling porcine adipocyte and construct its eukaryotic expression vector, total RNA was extracted from subcutaneous fatty tissue. One pair of specific primers was designed by Primer 5.0 software according to the sequence of ADPN gene of porcine available in GenBank. The ADPN gene was amplified by PCR from cDNA and cloned into pMD18‐T vector to construct recombinant clonal vector pMD‐ADPN, sequenced and analysed. A recombinant expression plasmid pPICZaA‐ADPN was constructed by subcloning the cloned ADPN gene into the linearized pPICZaA vector. Then, the plasmid pPICZaA‐ADPN was expressed in Pichia pastoris (GS115) by electrotransformation. Western blot and Bradford analysis were used to determine the target protein induced by methanol. Results showed that the genome size of ADPN was 732 bp and encoded 244 amino acid, the nucleotide sequence of ADPN shared 100% identity with that of porcine available in GenBank. Western blot and Bradford analysis showed that the recombinant ADPN was expressed in GS115 correctly and has certain immune activity. The expression level of ADPN was 28.5 μg/ml. In conclusion, the recombinant ADPN could express in eukaryotic expression vector pPICZaA‐ADPN constructed in this study effectively.     

Interpopulation and intrapopulation maternal lineage genetics of the Lanyu pig (Sus scrofa) by analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b and control region sequences

The Lanyu pig is an indigenous breed from the Lanyu Islet, which is southeast of Taiwan. Two herds of Lanyu pigs were introduced from the Lanyu Islet into Taiwan in 1975 and 1980. The current population of conserved Lanyu pigs consists of only 44 animals with unknown genetic lineage. The Lanyu pig possesses a distinct maternal genetic lineage remote from Asian and European pigs. The present study aimed to understand the phylogenetic relationship among conserved Lanyu, Asian, and European type pigs based on the cytochrome b coding gene, to ascertain the maternal lineage and genetic diversity within the conserved Lanyu pigs, and to address whether genetic introgression from exotic or Formosan wild pigs had occurred in the conserved Lanyu pigs. Entire mitochondrial genomes of both types of Lanyu pig comprised 2 ribosomal RNA, 22 transfer RNA, and 13 protein-coding genes. Only 2 haplotypes of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and cytochrome b were identified in the conserved Lanyu pig herds. When maximum likelihood trees were constructed, the Type I Lanyu mitochondrial genes formed a unique clade with a large pairwise distance of both cytochrome b and the control region from Asian and European type breeds, Formosan wild pigs, and exotic breeds. Significant loss of genetic diversity of mtDNA within the conserved Lanyu pigs was demonstrated by low haplotype and nucleotide diversities, supported by Fu and Li's D* neutrality test (1.44055; P < 0.05). The mtDNA control region sequences of extant pigs in the Lanyu Islet, however, showed high haplotype and nucleotide diversity, and clustered with exotic pigs. These results indicate no maternal lineage mtD-NA gene introgression from Formosan wild pigs and introduced exotic pigs to conserved Type I Lanyu pigs, and a severe loss of heterozygosity of mtDNA in conserved Lanyu pigs. The remaining extant pigs on the Lanyu Islet have been introgressed with exotic breeds. Strategies for future conservation of native Lanyu pigs are now even more urgent and important.     

Implantable loop recorders: a viable diagnostic tool in veterinary medicine

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate whether implantable loop recorders could be used in the diagnosis of unexplained collapse in dogs. Methods : The medical records of six dogs presented to the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital between May 2003 and October 2006 for further evaluation of intermittent syncopal episodes, collapse or episodic weakness, were reviewed. All these dogs underwent standard investigations and had implantable loop recorders placed. Results : A provisional diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia was made in one dog, and diagnoses of exclusion of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and idiopathic epilepsy was made in two dogs. One dog suffered no further syncopal episodes, a diagnosis was not reached in another dog and the final dog was lost to follow‐up. Clinical Significance : The implantable loop recorder can be used successfully for the diagnosis of unexplained collapse in dogs.     

Bone strength of laying hens kept in an alternative system, compared with hens in cages and on deep-litter

1. Observations of vigorous wing movements and measurements of bone strength were compared in two experiments with birds in three different housing systems: a semi-intensive alternative system under development, a battery cage system and a deep-litter system. 2. A significant effect of housing system on the frequency of vigorous wing movements was found. The highest frequency was seen in the deep-litter system, about half this number in the alternative system, while in the battery cages they were never observed. 3. Corresponding to this a reduction in humerus strength of 9% was found in hens from the alternative system and of 45% in hens from cages, compared with deep-litter. A reduction in tibial breaking strength was also found in caged hens, when compared to deep-litter hens. 4. Keeping hens in cages thus restricts their movements, especially wing movements, to the degree that bone strength is greatly reduced. 5. This has welfare implications, for hens with low bone breaking strength risk a possibility of breakage, especially when handled and transported. When alternative systems are designed opportunities for movement in the three dimensions should be considered.     

Expression and functional analysis of the Follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) gene in the sheep ovary during the oestrous cycle

Follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) is a regulator of cellular apoptosis and was previously identified via RNA-Seq to be associated with follicular development in mammalian ovaries. However, the mechanism underlying the FSTL3 regulation of oestrus in sheep remained poorly understood. In this study, the oestrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations in blood were detected, and the expression level and functional analysis of FSTL3 in the ovary were studied during the different reproductive stage in Aohan fine wool sheep (seasonal breeding breed in China). The concentrations of E2 and P4 at the anestrus were significantly lower compared to dioestrus, proestrus and oestrus stages. Higher expression levels of FSTL3 were observed in the sheep ovary, hypothalamus, and thyroid. During different reproductive stages, higher expression levels were found during the stages of dioestrus and proestrus, while lower levels were found during the oestrus and anestrus stages. Functional analysis of FSTL3 was performed in primary granulosa cells (GCs) of sheep. The concentration of E2 increased significantly after RNAi interference of FSTL3, while the P4 level decreased. FSTL3 can decrease P4 levels, which might be involved in mediating oestrous cycle in sheep.     

Immune and bone properties of chicks consuming corn contaminated with a Fusarium that induces dyschondroplasia

A study was conducted to contrast the dyschondroplasia-inducing capability of several species of Fusarium with that of the natural fungi found in poultry diets and litter. Day-old broiler chicks were fed pure corn cultures of specific fungal isolates for 3 weeks. Humoral immunity to sheep red blood cells (SRBC), body weight, valgus and varus leg deformities, incidence of dyschondroplasia, and mechanical properties of the tibiotarsi were examined. F. equiseti #15 was the only fungal isolate to induce dyschondroplasia to any significant degree, which confirmed previous work in Minnesota. This isolate also suppressed growth rate and humoral immunity, although dyschondroplasia sometimes did occur without associated immunosuppression and growth depression. Bone strength of the tibiotarsal diaphysis was normal, and gross lesions of valgus and varus leg deformities did not appear to be related to the incidence of dyschondroplasia in the 3-week-old chicks.