Leptin expression in ruminants: nutritional and physiological regulations in relation with energy metabolism

Leptin, mainly produced in adipose tissue (AT), is a protein involved in the central and/or peripheral regulation of body homeostasis, energy intake, storage and expenditure, fertility and immune functions. Its role is well documented in rodent and human species, but less in ruminants. This review is focused on some intrinsic and extrinsic factors which regulate adipose tissue leptin gene expression and leptinemia in cattle, sheep, goat and camel: age, physiological status (particularly pregnancy and lactation) in interaction with long-term (adiposity) and short-term effects of feeding level, energy intake and balance, diet composition, specific nutrients and hormones (insulin, glucose and fatty acids), and seasonal non-dietary factors such as photoperiod. Body fatness strongly regulates leptin and its responses to other factors. For example, leptinemia is higher after underfeeding or during lactation in fat than in lean animals. Physiological status per se also modulates leptin expression, with lactation down-regulating leptinemia, even when energy balance (EB) is positive. These results suggest that leptin could be a link between nutritional history and physiological regulations, which integrates the animal's requirements (e.g., for a pregnancy-lactation cycle), predictable food availability (e.g., due to seasonal variations) and potential for survival (e.g., body fatness level). Reaching permissive leptin thresholds should be necessary for pubertal or postpartum reproductive activity. In addition to the understanding of leptin yield regulation, these data are helpful to understand the physiological significance of changes in leptin secretion and leptin effects, and how husbandry strategies could integrate the adaptative capacities of ruminant species to their environment.     

Arthroscopic verification of ultrasonographic diagnosis of meniscal pathology in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical usefulness of ultrasonography for diagnosis of meniscal pathology in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Double-blind prospective study. ANIMALS: Dogs (n=10) with lameness localized to the stifle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sonographic examination of each affected stifle was performed by 1 ultrasonographer unaware of specific historical and clinical data for the dog. Sonographic findings were recorded, but not reviewed until study completion. Arthroscopic examination of the affected stifle was performed within 48 hours of ultrasonography by 1 surgeon unaware of ultrasonographic findings. Arthroscopic findings were recorded, but not reviewed until study completion. Two investigators compared the ultrasonographic and arthroscopic findings at study completion to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. RESULTS: Two of the 10 dogs had bilateral stifle evaluation. Twenty-four lateral and medial menisci, with normal and abnormal findings, were examined. The sensitivity and specificity for ultrasonographic diagnosis were 90.0% and 92.9%, respectively; positive and negative predictive values were 90.0% and 92.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography is highly specific and sensitive for diagnosing bucket handle tears of the medial meniscus in dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ultrasonographic evaluation of menisci in dogs is a noninvasive method for accurately and efficiently diagnosing pathology, determining the need for surgical intervention, and providing comprehensive information to clients.     

Pathology methods for the evaluation of embryonic and perinatal developmental defects and lethality in genetically engineered mice

The normal embryonic development of organs and other tissues in mice and all species is preprogrammed by genes. Inactivation of a gene involved in any stage of normal embryonic development can have severe consequences leading to embryonic or postnatal developmental defects and lethality. Pathology methods are reviewed for evaluating normal and abnormal placenta and embryo, especially after E12.5. These methods include pathology protocols for necropsy and histopathology in addition to references that will provide additional knowledge for embryo assessment including histology atlases and advanced embryo imaging techniques.     

Update on vaccination of cattle and wildlife populations against tuberculosis

A recombinant bovine herpesvirus 5 lacking thymidine kinase and glycoprotein E genes (BoHV-5gEΔTKΔ) was evaluated as a live experimental vaccine. In a first experiment, ten-months-old calves were vaccinated intramuscularly (n=9) or remained as controls (n=8) and 42 days later were challenged with BoHV-5 or BoHV-1 intranasally. The four control calves challenged with BoHV-5 developed severe depression and neurological signs and were euthanized in extremis at days 13 and 14 pos-infection (pi); the five vaccinated animals challenged with BoHV-5 remained healthy. The titers of virus shedding were reduced (p<0.01) from days 3 to 7 post-infection (pi) in vaccinated animals. Control and vaccinated calves challenged with BoHV-1 presented mild transient respiratory signs; yet the magnitude of virus shedding was reduced (p<0.05) in vaccinated animals (days 5, 9 and 11pi). In a second experiment, young calves (100-120 days-old) were vaccinated (n=15) or kept as controls (n=5) and subsequently challenged with a BoHV-1 isolate. Control calves developed moderate to severe rhinitis and respiratory distress; two were euthanized in extremis at days 5 and 9 pi, respectively. In contrast, vaccinated animals were protected from challenge and only a few developed mild and transient nasal signs. The duration and titers of virus shedding after challenge were reduced (p<0.05) in vaccinated animals comparing to controls. In both experiments, vaccinated animals developed antibodies to gE only after challenge. These results demonstrate homologous and heterologous protection and are promising towards the use of the recombinant BoHV-5gEΔTKΔ in vaccine formulations to control BoHV-5 and BoHV-1 infections.     

A survey of methods of analysis for minerals in feedstuffs

A wide range of minerals occurs in feedstuffs as naturally occurring and purposely added elements, as well as by adventitious contamination. These mineral elements can generally be classified as nutritionally essential major elements, nutritionally essential minor and trace elements, and those regarded as toxic or with an essential/toxic duality. A survey is presented of methods used for the determination of major, minor, and trace elements in feedstuffs and related biological materials. Currently available methods include the following: atomic absorption spectrometry, atomic emission spectrometry, mass spectrometry, neutron activation analysis, x-ray emission spectrometry, molecular light absorption spectrometry, molecular fluorometry, electrochemistry, Kjeldahl method (nitrogen), combustion elemental analysis, volumetry, ion chromatography, and gravimetry. Available reference, routine, official, unofficial, and recommended methods are reviewed as a basis for recommendations of methods most suitable for feedstuffs.     

Bilan des recherches menées par le groupe inter-organismes ACTA-INRA-SPV* sur la biologie d'Arvicola terrestris scherman en France (1979–1987)1

A l'issue de deux phases de forte densité des populations d'Arvicola terrestris scherman en France, un groupe de travail inter-organismes ACTA-INRA-SPV a été constitué pour entreprendre un programme de recherche sur ce rongeur, dans le but d'en contrôler les populations. C'est à l'INRA que revient le rôle de coordonner les travaux et notamment d'assurer les études sur la biologie de l'espéce. L'ACTA a mené des études en captivité, ainsi qu'une expérimentation de plein champ en Haute-Savoie. Enfin, le SPV a pris la responsabilité de l'évaluation au champ des rodenticides et du développement d'un systéme de prévision en Franche-Comté et en Auvergne-Limousin. L'article résume les 8 années de travaux et souligne les questions restées en suspens. II cherche à situer le problème d'A. terrestris dans la problématique plus vaste de l'étude des rongeurs ravageurs de cultures en France et débouche sur l'analyse des choix des thématiques scientifiques qu'il convient de développer dans le contexte agricole moderne.     

A pattern in the appearance of cucumber powdery mildew in Dutch glasshouses

An inquiry was held in 1982, 1983 and 1984 to collect information on the survival and dispersal of cucumber powdery mildew. Growers who planted a crop in December, January or February were asked when they observed mildew for the first time in their crop. A gradual increase in the number of infected crops was observed from planting until May. The earliest observations of infected crops were immediately after planting. The weeks of the first observation of mildew, the disease-free periods and the apparent rates of increase of infected crops are presented for various districts. In the districts with the highest crop density (Pijnacker), mildew was generally observed early in the growing season, while the apparent rate of increase of infected crops was higher than in other districts. In the district with the lowest crop density (Northern Netherlands), mildew was observed late in the growing season and the apparent rate of increase of infected crops was low. Possible means of survival and dispersal of inoculum are discussed. It is suggested that overwintering of inoculum is possible because cucumber plants are grown all year round. Dispersal of cucumber powdery mildew is suggested to take place by transportation of infected planting stock, visitors and wind.