Adjuvant effect of green propolis on humoral immune response of bovines immunized with bovine herpesvirus type 5

Despite recent technological advances in vaccine production, most vaccines depend on the association with adjuvant substances. In this study, propolis, which has been attracting the attention of researchers due to its bioactive properties, was evaluated as an immunological adjuvant. The association of 40mg/dose of an ethanolic extract of green propolis with an inactivated oil vaccine against bovine herpesvirus type 5 (BoHV-5), resulted in a significant increase (P<0.01) in the neutralizing antibody levels, comparing to the bovines that received the same vaccine without propolis. Besides, propolis increased the percentage of animals with high antibody titers (above 32). Phenolic compounds such as artepillin C (3,5-diprenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid) and the derivatives of cinnamic acid besides other flavonoid substances were abundant in the propolis extract used, and they could be the main substances with adjuvant action. The effect of the green propolis extract on the humoral immune response can be exploited in the development of new vaccines.     

Concurrent infection with Trichinella spiralis and other helminths in pigs

The aim of this study was to investigate possible influence of different helmintosis in the development of Trichinella spiralis in experimental infected pigs. Forty-two Iberian pigs were allocated to six groups. Three groups were single inoculated with Ascaris suum, Metastrongylus apri or T. spiralis, respectively. Two groups were co-infected with T. spiralis and A. suum or T. spiralis and M. apri, respectively, while the last group included uninfected control pigs. Clinical signs were only observed in pigs with single or concurrent M. apri infections, with more severe respiratory symptoms in pigs with mixed M. apri infection. The number of A. suum and M. apri lung larvae, intestinal larvae of A. suum and adult M. apri were reduced in pigs with mixed Trichinella infections compared to pigs with single infections. In contrast, the number of liver white spots was higher in pigs with mixed infections. While T. spiralis muscular larval burdens were increased in pigs concomitantly infected with M. apri, they were reduced in pigs concomitantly infected with A. suum, compared to pigs receiving single infections with either of these helminths. Pigs with single or mixed A. suum infections showed higher eosinophil levels compared to the remaining groups. IgGt, IgG1, IgG2 and IgM against T. spiralis antigen could not be detected in pigs with single Ascaris or Metastrongylus infections, indicating that no cross-antibodies were produced. IgGt, IgG1 and IgM antibodies were detected earlier and generally at higher levels in mixed T. spiralis infections compared to single T. spiralis infections. The results suggest that T. spiralis had a low synergistic interaction with M. apri in concomitantly infected pigs, and an antagonistic interaction in concurrent infection with A. suum.     

Effect of two thermal regimes on the muscle growth dynamics of sea bass larvae,Dicentrarchus labrax L

Muscle growth was studied in larvae of sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax L., reared at two temperatures: real ambient temperature ( congruent with 15 degrees C during vitelline phase and increased gradually) and 19 degrees C from fertilization until the end of larval development. Muscle cellularity, body length and body weight were measured. Early temperature influenced larval development and so, pre-larval phase finished earlier at 19 degrees C than at ambient temperature (4 and 6 days, respectively). Temperature also affected muscle growth such that at hatching and at mouth opening hypertrophy of muscle fibres was greater at 19 degrees C (P < 0.05), whereas hyperplasia was similar in both groups. After 25 days, the cross-sectional area of the white muscle was greater at 19 degrees C (P < 0.05), which was mainly associated with a higher proliferation of new white muscle fibres. At this stage the body length was also higher at 19 degrees C. Metamorphosis finished earlier in fish reared at 19 degrees C (52 days) than at natural temperature (82 days). At this developmental stage body length and cross-sectional area of the myotome were similar in both groups. However, muscle cellularity differed between groups. Thus, hypertrophy of muscle fibres was higher in fish reared at ambient temperature (P < 0.05), whereas proliferation of new muscle fibres was higher at 19 degrees C (P > 0.05).     

Effect of nutritional supplementation upon pregnancy rates of goats under semiarid rangelands and exposed to the male effect

The aim of this study was to evaluate possible effects of improved protein and energy diet upon reproductive outcomes of adult goats under marginal rangeland grazing conditions and exposed to the male effect during the anoestrous-dry season. Adult goats (Nubian × Criollo, nonpregnant, nonlactating, n?=?160, 22° 50' N, 100° 59' W, 1,653?m) were randomly divided in two experimental groups: Control (CG; n?=?80) and Supplemented (SG; n?=?80). Both CG and SG goats were kept together during the day for ranging a semiarid rangeland while separated accordingly at night. SG goats were individually supplemented [400?g?kg(-1)?day(-1)?; 14% CP and 2.92 Mcal DE kg(-1)] during a 30-day period. Thereafter, both the CG [35.5?±?0.94?kg LW, 1.95?±?0.06 U, body condition score (BCS)] and the SG [39.5?±?0.94?kg LW, 2.29?±?0.06 BCS] were exposed to adult males (Nubian, n?=?4, two per group) of proven libido and fertility and kept together at night (1700-0900) during a 42-day experimental breeding period. At the beginning of the breeding period, both LW (P??0.05), respectively. Results suggest that nutritional supplementation and the male effect were able to successfully invoke neurophysiological pathways to increase ovarian activity and to promote a uterine milieu prone to the establishment of pregnancy during the anoestrus season. However, the increased abortion rates observed in the study occurred irrespective of the nutritional regime offered during the premating stage. Therefore, there is a need to align the last third of gestation to the onset of the grazing season in order to increase reproductive and economic efficiency in those rangeland-based marginal goat production systems.     

Complete caecal bypass without ileal transection for caecal impaction in horses: seven clinical cases (1997-2007)

Objectives To report the clinical outcome in seven horses following use of a newly described surgical technique for treating caecal impaction. Methods The medical records of seven horses with caecal impaction treated surgically using a stapling technique to create a complete caecal bypass without ileal transection were reviewed. Data were obtained from the records and through telephone interviews with case-associated personnel. Results The mean age was 10 years (range 2–22 years) and duration of colic ranged from 24 h to 2 weeks. Five horses had type II motility dysfunction and the remaining two had type I. Mean surgical time was 185 min (range 146–245 min) and the horses were hospitalised for a mean of 12.4 days (range 9–22 days); 71% (5/7) were discharged from hospital and all five were alive 60 days from the surgery date. One horse was lost to follow-up. The four (66.7%) available remaining horses were alive ≥ 1 year (long-term survivors). Conclusions Complete caecal bypass without ileal transection for clinical cases of caecal impaction had comparable outcomes to complete bypass with ileal transection. The technique is easy to perform, has the potential to reduce surgical time, compared with traditional bypass techniques, and may reduce the risk of intraoperative abdominal contamination. It is recommended for use in clinical cases in which caecal bypass is desirable.     

Kinetics and role of antibodies against intimin β in colostrum and in serum from goat kids and longitudinal study of attaching and effacing Escherichia coli in goat kids

The presence of antibodies to the intimin β-binding region (Int280-β) of attaching and effacing Escherichia coli (AEEC) in serum from 20 goat kids from 2 herds, as well as in goat colostrum, was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, the onset and subsequent pattern of shedding of AEEC from the same goat kids over a 6-mo period was investigated. All the colostrum and serum samples tested contained antibodies against Int280-β. The association between the antibody titer and the isolation of AEEC suggests that antibodies to intimin β do not prevent colonization of the intestine by AEEC in goat kids. The AEEC were generally shed only transiently. Most AEEC isolated from the kids belonged to serogroup O26. Three isolates belonged to serogroup O157. These data show that goat kids may be a reservoir of AEEC that are potentially pathogenic for humans.     

Hydrometra in a ferret-case report.

A desexed female ferret was presented with bilateral alopecic changes. Clinical examination revealed generalized alopecia and abdominal distension. A polycystic mass was found behind the right kidney, and the whole abdomen was filled with a large turgid mass. Radiography and ultrasonography confirmed the presumptive diagnosis of a hydrometra. Hematology and serum biochemistry showed regenerative anemia with light azotemia. Laparotomy showed the presence of a neoplastic mass at the location of the right ovary, a massive enlargement of the uterus filled with a clear fluid, and a subcapsular cyst on the left kidney. After surgery, histopathologic examination of the tissues diagnosed a leiomyoma of the right ovary with hyperplasia of the uterine wall.     

Undernutrition in the parental and first generation provokes an organ‐specific response to oxidative stress on neonates of second filial generation of Wistar rats

Undernutrition induces an increase of the oxidative stress that can predispose offspring to various diseases in adulthood through epigenetic reprogramming. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of intergenerational undernutrition on protein oxidation and antioxidant defence response on liver, heart and brain of the second‐generation neonates (F₂) of undernourished rats. For this purpose, both parents in parental (F₀) and first generation (F₁) were fed with a low‐nutrient diet. Body mass and length decreased (p < 0.05) in F₀, F₁ and F₂ being the F₁ males who exhibited a greater mass loss. A decrease in plasma albumin concentration was observed in F₂ neonates (p < 0.05) and also a mass loss of liver, heart and brain (p < 0.05), although proportionally to body length reduction. Undernutrition increased levels of protein oxidation in liver and heart (p < 0.05) but not in brain (p > 0.05) while catalase activity increased only in brain (p < 0.05). In summary, intergenerational undernutrition modifies the antioxidant status through an organ‐specific response, on F₂ neonate rats, where the brain increased catalase activity to prevent a severe oxidative damage and support the vital functions of this key organ to maintain vital functions.