Disinfection of foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever viruses with citric acid and sodium hypochlorite on birch wood carriers

Transboundary animal disease viruses such as foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and African swine fever virus (ASFV) are highly contagious and cause severe morbidity and mortality in livestock. Proper disinfection during an outbreak can help prevent virus spread and will shorten the time for contaminated agriculture facilities to return to food production. Wood surfaces are prevalent at these locations, but there is no standardized method for porous surface disinfection; commercial disinfectants are only certified for use on hard, nonporous surfaces. To model porous surface disinfection in the laboratory, FMDV and ASFV stocks were dried on wood coupons and exposed to citric acid or sodium hypochlorite. We found that 2% citric acid was effective at inactivating both viruses dried on a wood surface by 30 min at 22°C. While 2000 ppm sodium hypochlorite was capable of inactivating ASFV on wood under these conditions, this chemical did not meet the 4-log disinfection threshold for FMDV. Taken together, our data supports the use of chemical disinfectants containing at least 2% citric acid for porous surface disinfection of FMDV and ASFV.     

Differential expression of insulin‐like growth factor family members in immature cumulus–oocyte complexes from dairy cows with different genotypes

It has been evident the improvement of in vitro embryo production (IVEP) in dairy cows. Nevertheless, it is known that differences in the number and quality of oocytes between taurine and zebu females impact the efficiency and economic viability of IVEP. As the insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) system is related to follicular and oocyte development, we aimed to quantify mRNA abundance of IGF system members and pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPPA) in the cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) of Gir, 1/2 Holstein × 1/2 Gir and Holstein cows. Four pools of 30 immature COCs from Gir, 1/2 Holstein × 1/2 Gir and Holstein cows were obtained by ovum pickup (OPU), and the oocytes and cumulus cells (CC) were mechanically separated and stored at ?80°C. Total RNA was extracted from pools of 30 oocytes and their respective CC. Expression of target genes was assessed by real‐time RT‐PCR. In oocytes, the abundance of IGFR1 mRNA was higher (p < .05) in Gir cows compared with the other breeds. In contrast, in CC, mRNA encoding IGF2 (p < .05), IGFR2 (p < .05) and IGFBP4 (p < .01) was higher in Holstein donors compared with Gir and 1/2 Holstein × 1/2 Gir cows. Additionally, the abundance of PAPPA mRNA was higher in oocytes (p < .001) and CC (p < .01) in Gir and 1/2 Holstein × 1/2 Gir cows compared with the Holstein donors. In conclusion, the higher abundance of PAPPA mRNA in the oocytes and CC from Gir and cross‐breed donors combined with the low expression of IGFBP4 in the CC suggests an enhancement of the bioavailability of IGF‐free when compared with Holstein COCs.     

Semen supplementation with palmitoleic acid promotes kinematics,microscopic and antioxidative parameters of ram spermatozoa during liquid storage

The purpose of the present experiment was to investigate the protective effects of palmitoleate on the quality of ram semen during low temperature liquid storage. Ejaculates were collected using the artificial vagina from four Qezel rams twice a week. Ejaculates were pooled, diluted with Tris–egg yolk extender without palmitoleate (control) or supplemented with 0.125 (P 0.125), 0.25 (P 0.25), 0.5 (P 0.5) and 1 (P 1) mM palmitoleate at a final concentration of 500 × 10⁶ spermatozoa/ml. Total motility and forward progressive motility (FPM) as well as other spermatozoa kinematics were evaluated by computer‐assisted sperm analysis. Moreover, viability and membrane functionality were determined in the spermatozoa. Additionally, amounts of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant activity (AOA), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were evaluated in the medium and spermatozoa at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hr of storage. The palmitoleate supplementation resulted in a significant (p < .05) increase in total motility and FPM with the highest increase at 0.5 mM concentration for 72 hr. P 0.5 group also resulted in the highest percentage of membrane‐intact spermatozoa (76.60 ± 1.95%) and viability (75.81 ± 1.34%) at 72 hr (p < .05). The amounts of MDA and NO were lower in P 0.125, P 0.25 and P 0.5 groups compared to control at 48 hr and 72 hr (p < .05). Higher amounts of AOA were obtained in palmitoleate‐treated groups in medium and spermatozoa during storage time (p < .05). Furthermore, palmitoleate supplementation increased the SOD activities in spermatozoa compared to the control (p < .05). The results of the present experiment reveal that supplementation with 0.5 mM palmitoleate improves ram spermatozoa motion characteristics, AOA levels and SOD activities during liquid storage. Then, palmitoleate could be used as an antioxidant source during liquid storage of ram semen.     

Comparative anthelmintic tests in sheep and goats infected with gastro-intestinal nematodes and lungworms in Iran

Summary In three controlled experiments the efficiency of thiabendazole, tetramisole, diethylcarbamazine citrate, emetine hydrochloride and iodine was tested against gastro-intestinal nematodes and lungworms in naturally infected sheep and goats in Iran. An oral dose of either 10 or 15 mg/kg bodyweight of tetramisole, and 100 mg/kg (twice the normally recommended dose) of thiabendazole gave excellent results against all stages of nematodes of the alimentary tract, andDictyocaulus filaria and Protostrongylus spp. in the lungs. Thiabendazole was also shown to have some effect againstMuellerius spp. Diethylcarbamazine citrate, given in three daily doses of 20 mg/kg, gave good results againstDictyocaulus filaria andProtostrongylus spp., respectively. Emetine was toxic at 3 mg/kg but appeared safe and effective againstP. rufescens at one mg/kg. Efficiency againstMuellerius at this dose was 68 per cent. Iodine gave no noticeable effect againstMuellerius spp. andProtostrongylus spp. The use of these anthelmintics for the control of mixed infections of gastrointestinal nematodes and lungworms in sheep and goats is discussed.

---

Sumario En tres experimentos controlados se probóla eficiencia del thiabendazole, tetramizole, citrato de dietil carbamazine, clorhidrato de emetina y iodo contra nemátodes gastro-intestinales y parásitos pulmonares en ovinos y caprinos de Irán, naturalmente infectados. Una dosis oral de 10 ó 15 mg/kg de peso corporal, de tetramizole y 100 mg/kg (El doble de la dosis normalmente recomendada) de thiabendazole dió resultados excelentes contra todos los estadíos de nemátodes del tracto digestivo, yDictyocaulus filaria yProtostrongylus spp. de los pulmones. El thiabendazole también tuvo un peque?o efecto contraMuellerius spp. El citrato de dietil carbamazine administrado en tres dosis diarias de 20 mg/kg, dió buenos resultados contraDictyocaulus filaria yProtostrongylus spp., respectivamente. La emetina fué tóxica dada en 3 mg/kg, pero pareció segura y efectiva contraP. rufescens cuando fué administrada a razón de 1 mg/kg. La eficiencia contra elMeullerius en esta concentración fué del 68 per cent. Ei iodo no dió ningun efecto notable, contraMuellerius spp. yProtostrongylus spp. Se discute el uso de estos anti-helm?nticos para el control de infecciones mixtas de nemátodes gastro-intestinales y pulmonares.

---

Résumé Dans trois essais contr?lés, l'efficacité du thiabendazole, du tétramisole, du citrate de diéthylcarbamazine, du chlorhydrate d'émétine et de l'iodine fut éprouvée sur des nématodes gastro-intestinaux et pulmonaires chez des chèvres et des moutons naturellement infestés en Iran. Une dose orale de 10 ou 15 mg/kg vif de tétramisole et de 100 mg/kg (deux fois la dose recommandée) de thiabendazole donna d'excellents résultats sur tous les stades des nématodes du tractus digestif et surDictyocaulus filaria etProtostrongylus spp. dans les poumons. Le thibendazole aussi se révèle efficace dans une certaine mesure contreMuellerius spp. Le citrate de diéthylcarbamazine, donné trois jours de suite à 20 mg/kg donna de bons résultats contreD. filaria etProtostrongylus spp. L'émétine était toxique à 3 mg/kg, mais apparut inoffensive et efficace contreP. rufescens à la dose de 1 mg/kg. A cette dose, son efficacité contreMuellerius était de 68 p. 100. L'iodine ne fournit aucun résultat appréciable contreMuellerius spp. etProtostrongylus spp. L'emploi de ces anthelminthiques pour la prophylaxie de ces infestations mixtes des moutons et des chèvres est discuté.

     

Gastro-intestinal nematodes of gazelle,Gazella subgutturosa,in Iran

Sixty-five gazelles, Gazella subgutturosa, of different ages and sexes, from different National Parks and Protected Regions of Iran, were examined over a period of 2 years, for gastro-intestinal nematodes. All of the examined animals were infected with one or more nematode species. The following species were found: Marshallagia marshalli, Camelostrongylus mentulatus, Ostertagia occidentalis, O. circumcincta, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, T. vitrinus, Nematodirus gazellae, N. oiratianus, N. spathiger, N. archari, N. abnormalis, N. filicollis, N. sugatini, Nematodirella cameli, N. longissimespiculata, N. antilocaprae, N. gazelli, Skrjabinema ovis, Trichuris ovis, T. gazellae, T. skrjabini and T. discolor. Among the species found, Marshallagia marshalli, Nematodirus spp. and Nematodirella longissimespiculata were the most prevalent helminths.     

Effects of Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone Administration on the Pituitary-Ovarian Axis in Anoestrous vs Ovariectomized Bitches

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) administration on the plasma concentrations of reproductive hormones in intact and ovariectomized (OVX) bitches. Therefore, blood samples were collected at multiple times before and after the administration of 10 microg/kg GnRH (Fertagyl)) for the determination of the plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone in six anoestrus and in six OVX bitches. The mean plasma LH concentrations before and 60 min after GnRH administration were significantly lower in the anoestrous bitches than in the OVX bitches. In both groups GnRH administration resulted in a significant increase in the plasma LH concentration. The highest plasma LH concentrations were found at 10 min after GnRH administration and these values did not differ significantly between the two groups. Only in the anoestrous bitches a significant increase in plasma oestradiol concentrations was found after GnRH administration and these values were significantly higher than those in the OVX bitches. The plasma concentrations of progesterone and testosterone were low (close to or below the limit of quantitation) both before and after GnRH administration and the differences between anoestrous and OVX bitches were not significant. It can be concluded that (i) basal plasma LH concentration is significantly higher in OVX bitches than in anoestrous bitches, (ii) plasma LH concentration increases after GnRH administration in both anoestrous and OVX bitches, (iii) GnRH administration causes a significant rise in plasma oestradiol concentration only if ovarian tissue is present and (iv) measurement of plasma progesterone and testosterone concentrations before and after GnRH administration does not aid in distinguishing between anoestrous and OVX bitches. The results of this study may provide a basis for the diagnosis of remnant ovarian tissue and verification of neuter status in the bitch.     

Pregnancy Rates to Fixed Embryo Transfer of Vitrified IVP Bos indicus,Bos taurus or Bos indicus × Bos taurus Embryos

The pregnancy rates obtained after the transfer of cryopreserved in vitro‐produced (IVP) embryos are usually low and/or inconsistent. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pregnancy rates of Holstein, Gyr and Holstein × Gyr cattle after the transfer of vitrified IVP embryos produced with X‐sorted sperm. Seventy‐two Gyr and 703 Holstein females were subjected to ovum pickup (OPU) sessions, followed by in vitro embryo production using semen from sires of the same breeds. Embryos (1636 Holstein, 241 Gyr and 1515 Holstein × Gyr) were exposed to forskolin for 48 h prior to vitrification. The pregnancy rate achieved with Gyr dam and sire was 46.1%, which was similar (p = 0.11) to that of Holstein dam and Gyr sire (40.3%). Crossing Gyr dams with Holstein sires resulted in a pregnancy rate of 38.9% and did not differ (p = 0.58) from the pregnancy rate obtained with the cross between Holstein dams and Gyr sires. The rate obtained with Holstein dam and sire was 32.5%. The average pregnancy rate was 36.6%, and no difference was found in the proportion of female foetuses (88.8%, in average) among breeds (p > 0.05). In conclusion, transfer of cryopreserved X‐sorted embryos represents an interesting choice for dairy cattle. Despite the small differences between pregnancy rates, we highlight the efficiency of this strategy for all of the racial groups studied.     

Effects of FGF10 on Bovine Oocyte Meiosis Progression,Apoptosis, Embryo Development and Relative Abundance of Developmentally Important Genes In Vitro

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF10) acts at the cumulus oocyte complex, increasing the expression of cumulus cell expansion‐related genes and oocyte competency genes. We tested the hypothesis that addition of FGF10 to the maturation medium improves oocyte maturation, decreases the percentage of apoptotic oocytes and increases development to the blastocyst stage while increasing the relative abundance of developmentally important genes (COX2, CDX2 and PLAC8). In all experiments, oocytes were matured for 22 h in TCM‐199 supplemented with 0, 2.5, 10 or 50 ng/ml FGF10. In Experiment 1, after maturation, oocytes were stained with Hoechst to evaluate meiosis progression (metaphase I, intermediary phases and extrusion of the first polar body) and submitted to the TUNEL assay to evaluate apoptosis. In Experiment 2, oocytes were fertilized and cultured to the blastocyst stage. Blastocysts were frozen for analysis of COX2, CDX2 and PLAC8 relative abundance. In Experiment 1, 2.5 ng/ml FGF10 increased (p < 0.05) the percentage of oocytes with extrusion of the first polar body (35%) compared to 0, 10 and 50 ng/ml FGF10 (21, 14 and 12%, respectively) and FGF10 decreased the percentage of oocytes that were TUNEL positive in all doses studied. In Experiment 2, there was no difference in the percentage of oocytes becoming blastocysts between treatments and control. Real‐time RT‐PCR showed a tendency of 50 ng/ml FGF10 to increase the relative abundance of COX2 and PLAC8 and of 10 ng/ml FGF10 to increase CDX2. In conclusion, the addition of FGF10 to the oocyte maturation medium improves oocyte maturation in vitro, decreases the percentage of apoptotic oocytes and tends to increase the relative abundance of developmentally important genes.     

Fibrous ingluvial foreign bodies in 33 cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus)

The presentation, treatment and outcomes of 33 ingluvial fibrous foreign bodies in cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) are described. Vomiting, lethargy and weight loss were the most common presenting signs. Diagnosis was made on palpation of a mass in the crop (ingluvies). Both surgical and non‐surgical treatment regimens were evaluated. The overall mortality rate was 33%, suggesting fibrous materials are not safe for cockatiels to groom or ingest and should not be offered as cage accessories.