Nutraceutic effect of free condensed tannins of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lysiloma acapulcensis</Emphasis> (Kunth) benth on parasite infection and performance of Pelibuey sheep

Forty-five Pelibuey sheep were experimentally infested with nematodes to evaluate the effect of three free condensed tannin (FCT) levels of Lysiloma acapulcensis on fecal egg counts (FECs), packed cell volumes (PCV), ocular mucosa colors (OMC), average daily gain (ADG), and adult nematode count. Five treatments were used: 12.5, 25.0, and 37.5 mg of FCT kg^?1 of body weight (BW); sterile water (control); and ivermectine (0.22 mg kg^?1 of BW) as chemical group. The data were processed through repeated measurement analysis. Even though the three FCT doses decreased (P?<?0.05) the FEC, the highest reduction was obtained with 37.5 mg kg^?1 of BW. No differences were observed in PCV and OMC. Higher ADG (P?<?0.05) was observed with 37.5 mg kg^?1 of BW of FCT. The count of adult nematodes (females and males) in the higher dose of FCT was similar to chemical treatment. Dose of 37.5 mg kg^?1 of BW decreased the parasite infection and improved the lamb performance. Therefore, this dose could be used as a nutraceutic product in sheep production.     

Effect of stocking rate and supplementation on performance of dairy cows grazing native grassland in small-scale systems in the highlands of central Mexico

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The use and management of native grassland for dairy production during the rainy season was studied on two small-scale dairy farms in the highlands of...     

CNS mastitis: nothing to worry about?

In this paper, we analyzed a very large field data set on intramammary infections (IMI) and the associated somatic cell count (SCC) in dairy cows. The objective of the study was to analyze the impact of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) IMI on cow SCC, both mean and variability, and on the potential of these infections to have a major impact on the bulk milk SCC (BMSCC). Data and milk samples for bacterial culture were collected by Quality Milk Production Services (QMPS) between 1992 and March of 2007. The QMPS program services dairy farms in New York State and other states in the Northeastern USA and operates in conjunction with Cornell University. Only records from cows where SCC and milk production data were available, and where only one organism was isolated from bacterial cultures of milk samples (or where culture was negative) were used for this analysis. A total of 352,614 records from 4200 whole herd mastitis screening sampling qualified for this study. Within herds an average of 15% (S.D. 12%) of cows sampled were infected with CNS, ranging between 0 and 100%. Average within herd prevalence of cows with a CNS IMI and an SCC over 200,000 cells/ml was 2% (S.D. 4%) with a minimum of 0% and a maximum of 50%. Results of linear mixed models showed three distinct populations of IMI statuses: negative cultures with the lowest SCC; CNS and Corynebacterium bovis with a moderate increase in SCC, and Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus aureus showing an important increase in SCC. Surprisingly, milk production was slightly but significantly higher in CNS infected cows compared to culture-negative cows, whereas it was strongly reduced in cows with a major pathogen IMI. The percentage contribution of CNS infections to the BMSCC was 17.9% in herds with a BMSCC less than 200,000 cells/ml. This value decreased to 11.9 and 7.9% in herds with bulk milk SCC between 200,000 and 400,000 and over 400,000 cells/ml, respectively. We concluded that very few herds with milk quality problems would have an important increase in BMSCC that could be mostly attributed to CNS infections. On the other hand, in herds with low BMSCC, CNS infections may be an important contributor to the total number of somatic cells in the bulk milk.     

Trichinella antigens: a review

This paper presents a review of the Trichinella antigens within the context of species variation. As with other parasites, Trichinella antigens can be classified according to their localisation as surface, excretory/secretory (ES) and somatic components. Surface antigens are mainly constituents of the outer cuticle although secretions from inner parts of the body wall as well as from the oesophagus can temporarily accumulate in the surface. ES antigens come mainly from the excretory granules of the stichosome, whereas somatic constitutive antigens come from the internal parts of the worms. ES products are considered very important from an immunological point of view as they are easily targeted by the immune system, whereas parasite death is required for exposure of somatic products. Some of the antigenic components have been characterised chemically. Phosphorylcholine is an important hapten that modulates the immune responses in Trichinella infections. Glycoproteins are the major components of surface and excretory/secretory products. A 43-kDa glycoprotein has been regarded as a good candidate for diagnosis and vaccination purposes. Recently some glycans have received special attention either as relevant epitopes or as parasite evasion strategies.     

Ultrastructural identification of small granule prolactin (PRL) cells in goat adenohypophysis by the colloidal-gold method

We describe ultrastructural characteristics of PRL cells with small secretory granules, immunostained with ovine antiserum, in adult Murciano-Granadina milking goats during anoestrus, the last third of gestation and lactation. This cell subtype is considered to comprise a stable population that decreases numerically during gestation and lactation, and that may change during these stages to show large granules.     

Influence of different supplements and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) cultivars on intake, digestible variables and methane production of dairy heifers under tropical conditions

The sulphur hexafluoride (SF(6)) gas tracer method was used to measure methane (CH(4)) production of crossbred (3/4 Holstein x Zebu) dairy heifers fed two types of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.; cultivar IAC-862480 (CC1) or cultivar IAC-873184 (CC2)) and supplemented with urea or concentrate. The study was performed at Embrapa Southeast Cattle, S?o Carlos, SP, Brazil, using a completely randomised design. Differences between treatments were significant for digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and energy. When animals were supplemented with urea differences between sugarcane cultivars did occur for NDF consumption, but not for daily methane production. This suggest that variation in chemical composition of sugarcane did not affect bovine ruminal CH(4) emissions. Concentrate inclusion in animal diet increased digestible organic matter intake, improving the nutrient intake by animals, but did not reduce CH(4) production expressed as a percentage of gross energy intake.     

Seasonal and dietary effects on Vitamin D deficiencies detected in wild boar from mid‐western Spain

Vitamin D (VitD) is involved in important mammalian physiological mechanisms, such as Ca–P metabolism, bone development and immunological response. VitD deficiencies are frequently detected in domestic animals and related to various health problems (e.g., rickets, bone deformation). However, knowledge about the status of VitD in wildlife species, such as the wild boar, is scarce. The aims of this work were to explore VitD status in wild boar populations from mid‐western Spain and to elucidate the influence of daylight exposure and food supplementation in levels of VitD. Serum concentration of VitD (measured as 25‐hydroxivitaminD) was assessed in 276 wild boar from 27 game estates located in mid‐western Spain using a commercial ELISA kit. In 19 out of 27 estates, the staff supplied a specific VitD‐enriched food (2,000 UI/Kg) ad libitum throughout the year, while in the remaining estates (8), no food was supplied. Blood samples were extracted from hunted animals (198) between October and February of hunting seasons 2016/2017 and 2017/2018, and from live wild boar (78) that were captured, sampled and released (March–September of 2017). The percentage of animals with VitD deficiency (<20 ng/ml), VitD insufficiency (20–30 ng/ml) and VitD sufficiency (>30 ng/ml) was estimated, and the relationship of these levels to factors like sex, age and season was assessed using chi‐square tests. Furthermore, associations between daylight exposure and supplemental food with VitD levels were explored using linear models. Of the studied wild boar population, 82.2% showed a VitD deficiency or insufficiency. VitD deficiencies were more frequent in animals sampled in winter and spring. Furthermore, levels of VitD positively correlated with daylight exposure and supplemental food intake. Ad libitum supplementation with VitD‐enriched food was insufficient to prevent VitD deficiencies in wild boar from November to April, probably because food consumption is lower during this period.     

KIT-positive gastrointestinal stromal tumours in two Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica)

Gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumours from two Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) were examined grossly, histologically and immunohistochemically. One neoplasm was a 1.5 kg tan multinodular cavitated mass in the forestomach. The other tumour was a firm mural mass 1.2 cm in diameter in the colon. Microscopically, both tumours were formed mainly by spindle shaped cells arranged in closely packed interlacing fascicles. Neoplastic cells in both tumours labelled positively for KIT (CD117), vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin. These findings suggest that both neoplasms were gastrointestinal stromal tumours and most likely to be derived from the interstitial cells of Cajal or their progenitor cells.     

Cluster of cases of malignant schwannoma in cattle

Between 1998 and 2001, several cases of ataxia and paresis followed by recumbency and death were reported in cows from different farms in a restricted area of the Argentinian Patagonia. Five cases of this cluster were studied and a diagnosis of malignant schwannoma was established. Electron microscopy (em) of tumour samples from three of the animals revealed intracytoplasmic or interstitial structures resembling retroviral particles. Attempts to isolate a viral agent from the tumours were unsuccessful but the epidemiological data and the em findings suggest a viral aetiology.     

核苷酸营养(三):核苷酸对提高肉雏鸡日粮利用率的作用

尽管肉鸡在出壳后第1周中的采食量仅占其一生(出壳至上市)总采食量的35%,但这一阶段的环境管理和正确的营养供应对确保肉鸡获得最佳生长性能非常重要.然而,由于新生雏鸡不能产生成熟的消化酶复合物,所以其消化能力达不到最佳状态(Leeson和Summers,2005).