Canine periodontitis: the dog as an important model for periodontal studies

Periodontal disease (PD) refers to a group of inflammatory diseases caused by bacterial plaque in the periodontium and ranges from an early stage (gingivitis) to an advanced stage (periodontitis). It is a multifactorial disease that results from the interaction of the host defence mechanisms with the plaque microorganisms. Early detection, diagnosis and treatment are essential in the control of this disease. PD has an enormous impact on human and veterinary medicine due to its high prevalence. The most common animal PD models use dogs and non-human primates, although other animals (rats, mice, hamsters, rabbits, miniature pigs, ferrets, and sheep) have also been employed. Dog models have contributed significantly to the current understanding of periodontology. The most important clinical aspects of canine PD are considered in this review and the various animal models are examined with an emphasis on the role of the dog as the most useful approach for understanding human PD and in the development of new therapeutic and preventive measures.     

Endoscopic transcervical intrauterine artificial insemination in Labrador Retriever bitches

Besides post-thawing reduced semen quality, there are some difficulties in the execution of the endoscopic transcervical intrauterine artificial insemination (AI) with frozen-thawed semen in bitches. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to evaluate behavioral and reproductive parameters (i.e., vaginal cytology and serum progesterone level) to determine time of insemination and to investigate the particularities and difficulties of this technique in bitches using fresh semen. Ten Labrador Retriever bitches were submitted to three endoscopic transcervical intrauterine AIs (with 48 h intervals). Oestrus and ovulation period were established by behaviour evaluation, progesterone assays and vaginal cytology, enabling optimal timing for AI during oestrus. During AI, the following aspects were evaluated: cervical os catheterization difficulty, semen deposition resistance, occurrence of semen backflow, and time required to perform the AI. In this study, it was possible to catheterize the cervical os in all bitches, with different degrees of difficulty, by manipulating the equipment to allow cervical visualization and catheter introduction in the cervical canal. Serial serum progesterone assays enabled estimation of LH surge day, and thus of ovulation. The pregnancy rate was 90%, with a litter size of 5.0 ± 2.6 puppies per bitch. It was concluded that the difficulties in the execution of the endoscopic transcervical intrauterine AI technique in Labrador Retriever bitches were minimized by the equipment manipulation and practical experience.     

Genetic associations between flight speed and growth traits in Nellore cattle

The aim of the present study was to estimate genetic parameters for flight speed and its association with growth traits in Nellore beef cattle. The flight speed (FS) of 7,402 yearling animals was measured, using a device composed of a pair of photoelectric cells. Time interval data (s) were converted to speed (m/s) and faster animals were regarded as more reactive. The growth traits analyzed were weaning weight (WW), ADG from weaning to yearling age, and yearling scrotal circumference (SC). The (co)variance components were estimated using REML in a multitrait analysis applying an animal model. The model included random direct additive genetic and residual effects, fixed effects of contemporary groups, age of dam (classes), and age of animal as covariable. For WW, the model also included maternal genetic and permanent environmental random effects. The direct heritability estimate for FS was 0.26 ± 0.05 and direct heritability estimates for WW, SC, and ADG were 0.30 ± 0.01, 0.48 ± 0.02, and 0.19 ± 0.01, respectively. Estimates of the genetic correlation between FS and the growth traits were -0.12 ± 0.07 (WW), -0.13 ± 0.08 (ADG), and -0.11 ± 0.07 (SC). Although the values were low, these correlations showed that animals with better temperaments (slower FS) tended to present better performance. It is possible to infer that longterm selection for weight and scrotal circumference can promote a positive genetic response in the temperament of animals. Nevertheless, to obtain faster genetic progress in temperament, it would be necessary to perform direct selection for such trait. Flight speed is an easily measured indicator of temperament and can be included as a selection criterion in breeding programs for Nellore cattle.     

Estimates of direct and maternal genetic effects for weights from birth to 600 days of age in Nelore cattle

Estimates of direct and maternal variance and heritability for weights at each week (up to 280 days of age) and month of age (up to 600 days of age) in Zebu cattle are presented. More than one million records on 200 000 animals, weighed every 90 days from birth to 2 years of age, were available. Data were split according to week (data sets 1) or month (data sets 2) of age at recording, creating 54 and 21 data sets, respectively. The model of analysis included contemporary groups as fixed effects, and age of dam (linear and quadratic) and age of calf (linear) effects as covariables. Random effects fitted were additive direct and maternal genetic effects, and maternal permanent environmental effect. Direct heritability estimates decreased from 0.28 at birth, to 0.12–0.13 at about 150 days of age, stayed more or less constant at 0.14–0.16 until 270 days of age and increased with age after that, up to 0.25–0.26. Maternal heritability estimates increased from birth (0.01) to a peak of 0.14 for data sets 1 and 0.07–0.08 for data sets 2 at about 180–210 days of age, before decreasing slowly to 0.07 and 0.05, respectively, at 300 days, and then rapidly diminished after 300 days of age. Permanent environmental effects were 1.5 to four times higher than genetic maternal effects and showed a similar trend.     

Efficacy of ivermectin jetting fluid for the curative treatment of blowfly strikes in sheep

SUMMARY A jetting fluid containing 7.5% w/v ivermectin, which was diluted to 0.03 mg/mL in water and applied using a standard hand jetting technique, was assessed for its efficacy in treating blowfly strikes on Merino sheep. Strikes were induced on sheep held under insectary conditions using laboratory-reared Lucilia cuprina. All struck sheep jetted at 28,48 or 72 hours after exposure to flies were successfully treated. All 1st, 2nd and early 3rd instar larvae were killed within 24 hours of treatment.     

Subsidy or stress? Tree structure and growth in wetland forests along a hydrological gradient in Southern Europe

In forested wetlands, hydrology exerts complex and sometimes compensatory influences on tree growth. This is particularly true in semi-arid ecosystems, where water can be both a limiting resource and a stressor. To better understand these relationships, we studied hydrologic and edaphic controls on the density, growth, tree architecture and overall productivity of forested wetlands dominated by the tree species Alnus glutinosa and Salix atrocinerea in Southern Europe. We sampled 49 plots set within 21 stands in the Atlantic coastal zone of the Iberian Peninsula, and quantified woody composition, size structure (diameter and height), and radial growth using dendrochronology. Plots were grouped into three saturation classes to compare tree growth characteristics (tree density, degree of sprouting, live basal area and productivity) across levels of saturation. We used Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to create integrated explanatory factors of hydrology, soil nutrient status and soil texture for use in linear mixed models to predict stand characteristics. Increased site saturation favoured a shift in species dominance from Alnus to Salix and resulted in a higher degree of multi-stemmed tree architecture (‘shrubbiness’), particularly for Alnus. Radial growth was negatively correlated with long-term soil saturation; however, annual productivity on a per-tree basis varied by species. Alnus growth and tree density were negatively correlated with waterlogging and fine-textured soils, possibly due to anaerobiosis in the rooting zone. In contrast, Salix growth was more influenced by nutrient limitation. Overall site productivity as measured by annual basal area increment decreased with prolonged saturation. In summary, soil saturation appears to act as a chronic stressor for tree species in this ecosystem. However, these species persist and maintain a dominant canopy position in the most permanently flooded patches through increased sprouting, albeit at a reduced rate of overall biomass accumulation relative to well-drained sites. The diversity in functional responses among wetland forest species has important implications for the conservation and management of these ecosystems. The sustainable management of these ecosystems is directly tied to their vulnerability to changing hydrological conditions. Non-equilibrium modifications to the hydrologic regime from land use and climate change, which are particularly severe in semi-arid regions, may further decrease productivity, integrity and resilience in these stress-adapted communities.     

A quantitative hybridization approach using 17 DNA markers for identification and clustering analysis of Ralstonia solanacearum

Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs) is a quarantine phytopathogenic bacterium accountable for heavy economic losses worldwide. Monitoring and eradication programmes required for this pathogen are dependent on the availability of time‐ and cost‐efficient detection and typing methods. However, members of the Rs species complex are characterized by a high phenotypic and genetic diversity, which requires improved diagnostics methods. The currently available full genome sequences of several Rs strains allow for the selection of novel specific DNA markers using comparative genomics tools. In this work, 17 novel markers were selected based on Rs‐specific protein domains and thoroughly validated for specificity and stability, both in silico and using ‘wet lab’ assays. Polymerase chain reaction‐ and hybridization‐based validation assays revealed that the DNA regions selected as markers were unevenly distributed amongst the tested strains, with nine markers present throughout the species complex. The distribution of the remaining eight markers was highly variable between the different analysed strains and enabled the attainment of strain‐specific dot blot hybridization patterns, particularly informative for typing. The average probability value of each strain being positive for each of the 17 markers was calculated by an algorithm and used to obtain a dendrogram representing hierarchical clustering analysis of Rs, according to the similarity of their hybridization patterns. This method should prove to be a robust and straightforward procedure for genotyping members of the Rs species complex. Furthermore, this quantitative hybridization approach will allow the construction of informative databases to determine new Rs genotypes and infer epidemiological patterns.     

Random regression models on Legendre polynomials to estimate genetic parameters for weights from birth to adult age in Canchim cattle*

The objective of this work was to estimate covariance functions for direct and maternal genetic effects, animal and maternal permanent environmental effects, and subsequently, to derive relevant genetic parameters for growth traits in Canchim cattle. Data comprised 49 011 weight records on 2435 females from birth to adult age. The model of analysis included fixed effects of contemporary groups (year and month of birth and at weighing) and age of dam as quadratic covariable. Mean trends were taken into account by a cubic regression on orthogonal polynomials of animal age. Residual variances were allowed to vary and were modelled by a step function with 1, 4 or 11 classes based on animal’s age. The model fitting four classes of residual variances was the best. A total of 12 random regression models from second to seventh order were used to model direct and maternal genetic effects, animal and maternal permanent environmental effects. The model with direct and maternal genetic effects, animal and maternal permanent environmental effects fitted by quadric, cubic, quintic and linear Legendre polynomials, respectively, was the most adequate to describe the covariance structure of the data. Estimates of direct and maternal heritability obtained by multi‐trait (seven traits) and random regression models were very similar. Selection for higher weight at any age, especially after weaning, will produce an increase in mature cow weight. The possibility to modify the growth curve in Canchim cattle to obtain animals with rapid growth at early ages and moderate to low mature cow weight is limited.     

Orbital cellulitis associated with Toxocara canis in a dog

Reports of Toxocara canis ocular larva migrans are uncommon in animals, with only a few cases reported. Most reports involve larval migration into the retina and choroid, with parasitic invasion of the orbit reported only in experimental studies. This is the first clinical case of Toxocara canis infection in the retrobulbar region of a 10-year-old, cross-bred male dog presenting with unilateral orbital cellulitis. Ophthalmic signs included protrusion of the nictitating membrane, chemosis, exophthalmos and hypertropia. The parasite was diagnosed by histologic and parasitologic examination of orbital tissues, which were removed during enucleation.