Effect of chemotherapy on semen characteristics of Balami rams infected with Anaplasma ovis

Six intact Balami rams were experimentally infected with Anaplasma ovis. Another six were infected one month after splenectomy and six others served as controls. Clinical manifestations of the disease, first observed between 5 to 7 days post-infection, were more severe and prolonged in the splenectomised-infected than in the intact-infected group. There was progressive deterioration in semen quality, which was also significantly more severe and prolonged in the splenectomised than in the intact-infected rams. Following treatment with long-acting terramycine, clinical recovery occurred earlier in the intact-infected (1–4 weeks) than in the splenectomised-infected group (5–7 weeks). A similar pattern was observed in post-treatment improvement in the spermiogram. However, although the infected animals recovered clinically by 1–7 weeks post-treatment, restoration of the reproductive potential did not occur for 20 to 25 weeks. It appears that stress factors may aggravate the deliterious effects of anaplasmosis.     

Genetic diversity, structure, and breed relationships in Iberian cattle

In Iberia there are 51 officially recognized cattle breeds of which 15 are found in Portugal and 38 in Spain. We present here a comprehensive analysis of the genetic diversity and structure of Iberian cattle. Forty of these breeds were genotyped with 19 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers. Asturiana de los Valles displayed the greatest allelic diversity and Mallorquina the least. Unbiased heterozygosity values ranged from 0.596 to 0.787. The network based on Reynolds distances was star-shaped with few pairs of interrelated breeds and a clear cluster of 4 breeds (Alistana/Arouquesa/Marinhoa/Mirandesa). The analysis of the genetic structure of Iberian cattle indicated that the most probable number of population clusters included in the study would be 36. Distance results were supported by the STRUCTURE software indicating a relatively recent origin or possible crossbreeding or both between pairs or small groups of breeds. Five clusters included 2 different breeds (Betizu/Pirenaica, Morucha/Avile?a, Parda de Monta?a/Bruna de los Pirineos, Barros?/Cachena, and Toro de Lidia/Brava de Lide), 3 breeds (Berrenda en Negro, Negra Andaluza, and Mertolenga) were divided in 2 independent clusters each, and 2 breeds were considered admixed (Asturiana de los Valles and Berrenda en Colorado). Individual assignation to breeds was not possible in the 2 admixed breeds and the pair Parda de Monta?a/Bruna de los Pirineos. The relationship between Iberian cattle reflects their geographical origin rather than their morphotypes. Exceptions to this geographic clustering are most probably a consequence of crossbreeding with foreign breeds. The relative genetic isolation within their geographical origin, the consequent genetic drift, the adaptation to specific environment and production systems, and the influence of African and European cattle have contributed to the current genetic status of Iberian cattle, which are grouped according to their geographical origin. The greater degree of admixture observed in some breeds should be taken into account before using molecular markers for genetic assignment of individuals to breeds.     

Evaluation of 2 sources of Angus cattle under South Florida subtropical conditions

The objective of this study was to compare performance and aspects of adaptability attributes of cattle from a Florida Angus bloodline (local source from a mostly closed herd for over 50 yr) to cattle that are representative of modern Angus bloodlines (outside source) in US subtropical conditions. Embryos from both sources were transferred to Brahman-crossbred cows in South Florida, and calves (n=82) were born in 3 yr. Before weaning, summer tympanic temperatures were recorded hourly for 3 d in each year. Heifers were placed with fertile bulls until diagnosed pregnant. Traits relative to sexual maturation of bulls were recorded at 1- or 2-mo intervals until approximately 17 mo of age. Calves from outside sources had greater hip height at weaning than calves from the local source (P<0.001; 108.8 ± 0.62 and 104.7 ± 0.68 cm, respectively). Local-source calves (n=37) had greater (P=0.03) exit velocity (2.7 ± 0.3 m/s) than outside-source (n=45) calves (2.0 ± 0.29 m/s), which may be indicative of more nervous or temperamental disposition. However, no source differences were detected for other assessments of disposition (chute or pen score, P>0.8). Few source differences for minimum, maximum, or range of daily tympanic (inner ear) temperatures were detected. At 17 mo of age, outside-source heifers were heavier (P = 0.05) and had greater (P<0.001) hip height than Angus heifers from the local source. Heifers from the outside source were younger (P<0.001) at the time of their first conception (454 ± 17.5 d) than heifers from the local source (550 ± 16.9 d). Outside-source heifers also had greater (P<0.02) pregnancy and calving rates (0.7 ± 0.119 and 0.62 ± 0.125, respectively) from exposure to bulls within a year from weaning than the heifers from the local source (0.29 ± 0.089 and 0.19 ± 0.077, respectively). Bulls from the outside source were heavier (P=0.05) at 320 d of age than local-source bulls. From 14 through 17 mo of age, outside-source bulls had greater (P≤0.05) scrotal circumference and tended (P≤0.15) to be heavier than local-source bulls. There appeared to be no performance or adaptation advantages for the local-source Angus through 17 mo of age. The large source difference for age at first conception in heifers merits additional attention and comparison with cow lifetime production performance for the 2 sources.     

Genotypic characterisation and cluster analysis of Campylobacter jejuni isolates from domestic pets, human clinical cases and retail food

The genetic similarity of Campylobacter jejuni isolates from pets, compared to human clinical cases and retail food isolates collected in Ireland over 2001-2006 was investigated by cluster analysis of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) fingerprinting profiles. Comparison of the PFGE profiles of 60 pet isolates and 109 human isolates revealed that seven (4.1%) profiles were grouped in clusters including at least one human and one pet C. jejuni isolate. In total six (1.6%) of 60 pet and 310 food profiles were in clusters with at least one food and one pet C. jejuni isolate. The detection of only a small number of genetically indistinguishable isolates by PFGE profile cluster analysis from pets and from humans with enteritis in this study suggests that pets are unlikely to be an important reservoir for human campylobacteriosis in Ireland. However, genetically indistinguishable isolates were detected and C. jejuni from pets may circulate and may contribute to clinical infections in humans. In addition, contaminated food fed to pets may be a potential source of Campylobacter infection in pets, which may subsequently pose a risk to humans.     

A case of a colocolic intussusception in a horse

The purpose of this report is to describe the clinical course and pathological findings in a horse admitted to the emergency service of the University of Georgia Large Animal Teaching Hospital for evaluation of colic, fever and diarrhoea of several days' duration. A presumptive historical diagnosis of colitis was made initially, but, due to the lack of faecal output during the first 12 h of hospitalisation and subsequent examination findings, an impaction of the ascending colon was suspected. Initial therapy consisted of rehydration with oral fluids and management of the abdominal pain with analgesic therapy. The horse did not respond to medical therapy and because of signs of persistent abdominal pain and financial constraints, the owner elected euthanasia after several days of supportive care. At necropsy, the horse was diagnosed with a colocolic intussusception.     

Arthritis and systemic disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi infection in a cow

Infection with Borrelia burgdorferi caused arthritis, myocarditis, glomerulonephritis, and pneumonitis in a cow. Spirochetes were detected by use of immunofluorescent staining in liver and lung specimens and were isolated from the liver. The carpal, stifle, and tarsal joints had marked synovial proliferation, and synovial fluid obtained from these joints had high antibody titers against B burgdorferi. The cow was from an area of Wisconsin that is not endemic for borreliosis.     

Effects of chromium propionate on growth, carcass traits, and pork quality of growing-finishing pigs

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary Cr propionate (CrProp) on growth, carcass traits, and pork quality of crossbred finishing gilts. Dietary treatments were 0 or 200 ppb Cr (as CrProp; as-fed basis), and each treatment was replicated four times with five gilts per replicate pen. Gilts were fed diets containing 0.82% lysine from 73 to 80 kg BW and 0.64% lysine from 80 to 115 kg BW. At the end of the trial, carcass and pork quality data were collected from four gilts per replicate. Average daily gain, ADFI, and G:F were not affected (P = 0.76 to 0.96) by CrProp. Before delivery at the abattoir, shrink loss was determined after an 18-h fast (fasting shrink) and after hauling (shipping shrink) pigs for 2.66 h (209.2 km). Fasting, shipping, and overall shrink were not affected (P = 0.14 to 0.39) by CrProp. Carcass length was increased (P = 0.03) in pigs fed CrProp. Loin muscle area, 10th-rib backfat thickness, average backfat thickness, dressing percent, muscle score, fat-free lean, and percent lean were not affected (P = 0.18 to 0.95) by CrProp. Twenty-four-hour loin pH was increased (P = 0.10) in pigs fed CrProp, but 45-min loin and ham pH and 24-h ham pH were not affected (P = 0.39 to 0.83) by CrProp. Subjective (color, marbling, firmness, and wetness) and objective (Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage L*, a*, b*) assessments of the loin muscle (at the 10th-rib interface) were not affected (P = 0.62 to 0.99) by CrProp. Forty-eight-hour drip (P = 0.10) and 21-d purge loss (P = 0.01) were decreased in pigs fed CrProp, but cook and total loss (drip + cook loss) and shear force were not affected (P = 0.35 to 0.53) by CrProp. Plasma cortisol, glucose, and lactate concentrations were not affected (P = 0.28 to 0.97) by CrProp after transportation or during exsanguination. These data indicate that CrProp may improve some aspects of pork quality (loin pH, drip and purge loss) but not growth performance or carcass traits.     

Effect of heat stress on oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and some stress parameters in broilers

1. This study was conducted to determine the effects of heat stress on fearfulness, leucocyte components, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in two commercial broiler strains, Cobb (C) and Ross (R). 2. At 36 and 37 d of age birds were exposed to 38 +/- 1 degree C for 3 h. Rectal temperatures, duration of tonic immobility (TI), haematocrit values, proportions of leucocyte components (heterophil, lymphocyte, basophil, eosinophil, monocyte), malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations and antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, SOD, GPx) of all the birds were determined, before and after heat treatment. 3. Rectal temperatures increased and haematocrit values decreased in birds exposed to heat stress. Heat stress caused a significant increase in heterophil/lymphocyte and in basophil ratios. 4. Exposing birds to heat stress increased duration of TI, suggesting heat-stressed birds tended to be more fearful. 5. Heat stress resulted in a significant Genotype x Treatment interaction for MDA concentration. CAT, SOD and GPx activities; MDA concentrations in heat-stressed R strain birds were greater than in heat-stressed C strain birds.