Failure of two serotype II infectious bursal disease viruses to affect the humoral immune response of turkeys

The effect of serotype II infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) isolates from turkeys on the homoral immune response of turkey poults was determined. Following exposure to the OH IBDV isolate, poults in two experiments were inoculated with sheep red blood cells, which is a T-dependent antigen, and poults in two other experiments were inoculated with Salmonella heidelberg O antigen, which is a T-independent antigen. Prior exposure to serotype II IBDV did not affect serum antibody titers to these antigens. IBDV infection also did not affect the concentrations of serum immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG, or IgA in these poults. Bursa:body weight ratios of OH IBDV-infected poults were not significantly different from those of uninfected controls. In one experiment, the humoral immune response of poults to the LaSota Newcastle disease vaccine was not affected by infection with the MO IBDV isolate. Although no clinical infectious bursal disease was observed in any poult in these experiments, the serotype II IBDV isolates were infectious and transmissible in poults.     

Observations on Alcaligenes faecalis infection in turkeys

Experiments were initiated to study the pathogenicity of 5 Alcaligenes faecalis isolates in specific-pathogen-free poults. The isolates were recovered from commercial flocks suffering from a respiratory disease. There were no differences between cultural or biochemical characteristics of the isolates, but differences in antibiotic sensitivity were detected. All 5 isolates were capable of initiating a respiratory disease in poults similar to that seen in the early stages of turkey coryza. The infection, clinical signs, and lesions were limited to the upper part of the respiratory tract, but there were substantial differences in the severity of disease initiated by different isolates. There were also differences in the persistence of infection in the host. Secondary infections in the tracheas and sinuses were higher in poults infected with A. faecalis. The disease observed in the experimentally infected birds was milder than in 4 naturally infected flocks that also had complicating Escherichia coli infections. There was no evidence of infection with infectious bursal disease virus in 4 naturally occurring outbreaks in Ohio. It is proposed that the term turkey coryza be used to describe the disease initiated by A. faecalis.     

Immunolocalization of Melatonin and Follicle‐Stimulating Hormone Receptors in Caprine Ovaries and their Effects During in vitro Development of Isolated Pre‐Antral Follicles

The expression of melatonin type 1 (MT1) and FSH (FSHR) receptors in caprine ovaries and the effects of these hormones on the in vitro development of isolated pre‐antral follicles were evaluated. Follicles (≤200 μm) were cultured for 12 days in α‐MEM (control) or melatonin (100 or 1000 pg/ml) or sequential melatonin medium (100 pg/ml: from day 0 to day 6; 1000 pg/ml: from day 6 to day 12; experiment 1) and in control or sequential FSH (100 ng/ml from day 0 to day 6; 500 ng/ml from day 6 to day 12) or sequential melatonin or this latter plus sequential FSH (experiment 2). MT1 and FSHR expressions were observed in granulosa cells from secondary and antral follicles. The oocytes from primordial and primary follicles also express FSHR. Sequential melatonin increased the percentage of normal follicles and oocyte recovery compared with the control or melatonin (1000 pg/ml) at day 12. In experiment 2, all the treatments increased the normal follicles and growth compared with the control. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the presence of MT1 and FSHR in caprine ovaries. The addition of increased concentrations of melatonin (sequential medium) or FSH can be used to promote the in vitro development of caprine pre‐antral follicles.     

The Amniotic Membrane: Development and Potential Applications – A Review

Foetal membranes are essential tissues for embryonic development, playing important roles related to protection, breathing, nutrition and excretion. The amnion is the innermost extraembryonic membrane, which surrounds the foetus, forming an amniotic sac that contains the amniotic fluid (AF). In recent years, the amniotic membrane has emerged as a potential tool for clinical applications and has been primarily used in medicine in order to stimulate the healing of skin and corneal diseases. It has also been used in vaginal reconstructive surgery, repair of abdominal hernia, prevention of surgical adhesions and pericardium closure. More recently, it has been used in regenerative medicine because the amniotic‐derived stem cells as well as AF‐derived cells exhibit cellular plasticity, angiogenic, cytoprotective, immunosuppressive properties, antitumoural potential and the ability to generate induced pluripotent stem cells. These features make them a promising source of stem cells for cell therapy and tissue engineering. In this review, we discussed the development of the amnion, AF and amniotic cavity in different species, as well as the applicability of stem cells from the amnion and AF in cellular therapy.     

Effect of fentanyl on the induction dose and minimum infusion rate of alfaxalone preventing movement in dogs

Objective

To determine the effect of fentanyl on the induction dose and minimum infusion rate of alfaxalone required to prevent movement in response to a noxious stimulus (MIR_NM) in dogs.