Treatment of refractory feline sporotrichosis with a combination of intralesional amphotericin B and oral itraconazole

OBJECTIVE To describe the use of intralesional amphotericin B in localised lesions for the treatment of 26 cats from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with sporotrichosis refractory to oral itraconazole. DESIGN Uncontrolled intervention study. METHOD The 26 cats in this study were diagnosed with sporotrichosis, confirmed by isolation of Sporothrix schenckii, and presented residual localised skin lesions refractory to treatment with oral itraconazole for a minimum period of 8 weeks. The animals received weekly applications of intralesional amphotericin B in conjunction with oral itraconazole. In cases of owner unavailability, a maximum of 2 weeks between the infiltrations was accepted. RESULTS Twenty-two (84.6%) of the 26 treated cats achieved clinical remission, 16 (72.7%) of which were cured, and in the remaining six (27.3%) the lesions recurred at the same site. Lack of clinical response was observed in one animal and three owners abandoned treatment. CONCLUSION The proposed therapeutic regimen is an adjunctive treatment option for cats with sporotrichosis presenting as residual skin lesions refractory to itraconazole.     

Performance and meat quality traits of beef heifers fed with two levels of concentrate and ruminally undegradable protein

The effects of two levels of concentrate and ruminally undegradable protein (RUP) on performance, intake, digestibility, carcass characteristics, meat quality traits, and commercial cuts yield were assessed. Twenty crossbred heifers (240 kg average body weight) were used. At the beginning of the trial, four animals were slaughtered as reference group and the 16 remaining animals were randomly assigned to four treatments, in a 2 × 2 factorial design: two levels of concentrate (40% and 80%, dry matter (DM) basis) and two levels of RUP (48.79% and 27.19% of CP). At the end of the trial, all the animals were slaughtered. There was no interaction (P > 0.05) between concentrate and RUP levels. Dry matter intake and nutrients digestibility was not affected (P > 0.05) by RUP level. Heifers fed the highest RUP level had greater (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG). Concentrate level did not affect (P > 0.05) DMI and ADG. Heifers fed diets with 80% concentrate had greater intake of TDN and EE, and lower intake of NDF (P < 0.05). The digestibilities of all nutrients, except the NDF, were greater (P < 0.05) for the 80% concentrate diets. The RUP levels did not affect (P > 0.05) the carcass characteristics and carcass gain composition. Heifers fed 80% concentrate diets had larger (P < 0.05) longissimus muscle area and lower gain of bones (P < 0.05). Concentrate level did not affect (P > 0.05) the composition of carcass gain. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of RUP and concentrate levels on meat quality traits and commercial cut yields.     

Leishmania spp. in Didelphis albiventris and Micoureus paraguayanus (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) of Brazil

Leishmaniasis is kept in nature by the participation of several animal species. This study evaluated the presence of Leishmania spp. in skin samples of free-ranging marsupials Micoureus paraguayanus (n=95) and Didelphis albiventris (n=191), captured in Morro do Diabo State Park and in sections of its surrounding forest, in the region of Pontal do Paranapanema, S?o Paulo State, Brazil. The samples were tested for the presence of kDNA of Leishmania spp. by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by real time PCR (qPCR). All samples from D. albiventris tested by PCR were negative for the presence of kDNA of Leishmania spp. However, when tested by qPCR, the positivity was 1.6%. A positivity of 7.4% by PCR and 11.6% by qPCR was observed for M. paraguayanus. Sixty-four per cent (9/14) of positive animals were limited to the same forest fragment. Presence of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis was detected in M. paraguayanus samples. While D. albiventris is the most studied marsupial species due to its urban habits, other marsupial species such as M. paraguayanus can be potential reservoirs of Leishmania spp. and should also be studied.     

Seminal parameters and field fertility of cryopreserved donkey jack semen after insemination of horse mares

Reasons for performing study: As mule production is often concentrated in remote areas of the world, a simplified semen cryopreservation protocol is required. Aim: To compare the seminal parameters of cryopreserved donkey semen in lactose‐EDTA and lactose‐yolk extenders and the fertility rates on horse mares. Methods: Trial 1: Sperm total and progressive motility, vigour (scale 0–5), morphology (major and minor defects) and plasma membrane integrity (HOST) were evaluated in 25 ejaculates from 5 donkey jacks immediately after collection (raw), after chilling to 5°C (chilled) and after freezing/thawing. The semen was mixed with skimmed‐milk extender, centrifuged, and then re‐suspended in lactose‐EDTA or lactose‐yolk extender. Semen was loaded into 0.5 ml straws and chilled to 5°C for 1 h, after which samples were either evaluated (chilled semen) or placed above liquid nitrogen for 20 min prior to immersion. Seminal parameters were evaluated by ANOVA and Tukey's test. Trial 2: Cryopreserved semen from 3 males was used to inseminate 53 mares at 60 oestrous cycles randomly assigned to lactose‐yolk (n = 30 cycles) or lactose‐EDTA (n = 30 cycles) extenders. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 15 and 25 days post ovulation. The pregnancy rates were compared using Chi‐squared tests. Results: Trial 1: No significant differences were evident in any seminal parameters between extenders after either chilling or cryopreservation. Total and progressive motility were significantly (P<0.05) lower in cryopreserved semen than raw and chilled semen for both extenders. Trial 2: Pregnancy rates did not significantly differ between extenders (lactose‐EDTA extender 53.33 and 43.33%; lactose‐yolk 50.0 and 46.66% for Days 15 and 25 post ovulation, respectively). Conclusions: Cryopreservation of donkey semen using the simplified lactose‐yolk extender resulted in similar seminal parameters and fertility rates when compared to lactose‐EDTA extender. Potential relevance: Lactose‐yolk extender may be advocated as a simple, easy to prepare extender, for use in geographically isolated enterprises producing mules throughout the world.     

Determination of the quality index of a Paleudult under sunflower culture and different management systems

Soil is an essential resource for life and its properties are susceptible to be modified by tillage systems. The impact of management practices on soil functions can be assessed through a soil quality index. It is interesting to assess soil quality in different soil types. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the soil quality index of a Paleudult under different management conditions and sunflower culture. The experiment was carried out in Botucatu (SP, Brazil), in an 11-year non-tilled area used for growing soybean and maize during summer and black oat or triticale in winter. Four management systems were considered: no-tillage with a hoe planter (NTh), no-tillage with a double-disk planter (NTd), reduced tillage (RT) and conventional tillage (CT). Soil samples were taken from the planting lines at harvest time. To determine the soil quality indices, following the methodology proposed by Karlen and Stott (1994), three main soil functions were assessed: soil capacity for root development, water storage capacity of the soil and nutrient supply capacity of the soil. The studied Paleudult was considered a soil with good quality under all the observed management systems. However, the soil quality indices varied between treatments being 0.64, 0.68, 0.86 and 0.79 under NTh, NTd, RT and CT, respectively. Physical attributes such as resistance to penetration and macroporosity increased the soil quality index in RT and CT compared to NTh and NTd. The soil quality indices obtained suggested that the evaluated soil is adequate for sunflower production under our study conditions. In view of the SQI values, RT is the most suitable management for this site since it preserves soil quality and provides an acceptable sunflower yield.     

In vitro development of IVF-derived bovine embryos following cytoplasmic microinjection for the episomal expression of the IGF2 gene

Important genomic imprinting changes usually occur following the in vitro production (IVP) of bovine embryos, especially in the imprinting pattern of components of the IGF system. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a transient episomal overexpression of the IGF2 gene in bovine IVP embryos following embryo cytoplasmic microinjection (CMI) at the 1-cell stage on embryo survival, early and late developmental kinetics and morphological quality up to Day 7 of development. Selected cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured and fertilized in vitro and subsequently segregated into six experimental groups: non-CMI control group and five CMI groups at increasing doses (0, 10, 20, 40 and 80 ng/μl) of a GFP vector built for the episomal expression of bovine IGF2. Zygote CMI was effective in delivering the expression vector into the ooplasm, irrespective of the groups, with 58% of positive GFP fluorescence in Day 7 blastocysts. Considering developmental rates and late embryo kinetics, the 10-ng/μl CMI vector dose promoted a lower blastocyst rate (10.4%), but for blastocysts at more advanced stages of development (93.0% blastocysts and expanded blastocysts), and higher number of cells (116.0 ± 3.0) than non-CMI controls (23.3%, 75.0% and 75.0 ± 6.8 were obtained, respectively). In conclusion, CMI at the 1-cell stage did not compromise subsequent in vitro development of surviving embryos, with the 10-ng/μl group demonstrating a possible growth-promoting effect of the IGF2 gene on embryo development, from the 1-cell to the blastocyst stage.     

Sodium hydroxide or urea pretreatment of acerola (Malpighia emarginata) fruit residue increases dry matter degradability and reduces methane production in in vitro rumen fermentation

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding different concentrations of either urea or NaOH in dehydrated acerola (Malpighia emarginata) fruit...     

INFLUENCE OF NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON NICKEL ACCUMULATION AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF COFFEE PLANTS DURING FRUIT DEVELOPMENT

Nutritional and physiological significance of micronutrients in coffee plants, especially with regard to nickel (Ni) is still unknown. The dynamics of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and Ni accumulation in coffee fruits, as well as their relationships with total soluble protein, amino acids, reducing sugars, and starch content during coffee fruit development (green, ripe, and dry fruits), were investigated. Coffee trees received three N fertilizer rates (0, 150, and 300 kg of N ha^?1) as ammonium sulfate split into three applications per year. Nitrogen fertilization increased reducing sugars and starch concentrations in ripe fruits. In contrast, green fruits showed the highest amino acid and Ni concentrations. Fruit Ni concentration decreased in both green and ripe fruits as N rates increased; thus, indicating the possibility of either a N-associated dilution effect on Ni concentration or that Ni uptake by roots and/or transport to developing fruit was limiting. Plant nutritional status and fruit development stage influenced the coffee grain chemical composition. Furthermore, the variation in reducing sugars and starch content was more closely linked to the stage of fruit development than to N supply. A supposed relationship among the decreased of caffeine, starch, amino acids, and proteins with Ni content during green fruit development suggests a fundamental role for Ni in coffee fruit ripening. The interaction between N and Ni metabolism during fruit ripening might influence the chemical parameters involved in the coffee grain quality. This is the first report documenting changes in Ni concentrations of coffee fruit as a function of N fertilization rates and the development stage, but further research is needed to better understand the significance of N-Ni interaction in developing coffee fruit.     

Antigenotoxicity and Antioxidant Activity of Acerola Fruit (Malpighia glabra L.) at Two Stages of Ripeness

Genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of acerola fruit at two stages of ripeness were investigated using mice blood cells. The results show that no ripeness stage of acerola extracts presented any genotoxic potential to damage DNA (Comet assay) or cytotoxicity (MTT assay). When antigenotoxic activity was analyzed, unripe fruit presented higher DNA protection than ripe fruit (red color) extract. The antioxidant capacity of substances also showed that unripe samples inhibit the free radical DPPH more significantly than the ripe ones. The results about determination of compounds made using HPLC showed that unripe acerola presents higher levels of vitamin C as compared to ripe acerola. Thus, vitamin C and the complex mixture of nutrients of Malpighia glabra L., and especially its ripeness stages, influenced the interaction of the fruit extract with the DNA. Acerola is usually consumed when ripe (red fruit), although it is the green fruit (unripe) that has higher potential as beneficial to DNA, protecting it against oxidative stress.