Reproductive outcomes of anestrous goats supplemented with spineless Opuntia megacantha Salm-Dyck protein-enriched cladodes and exposed to the male effect

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The possible influence of the “male effect” upon reproductive outcomes of adult anestrous goats under marginal rangeland conditions and...     

Seasonal and dietary effects on Vitamin D deficiencies detected in wild boar from mid‐western Spain

Vitamin D (VitD) is involved in important mammalian physiological mechanisms, such as Ca–P metabolism, bone development and immunological response. VitD deficiencies are frequently detected in domestic animals and related to various health problems (e.g., rickets, bone deformation). However, knowledge about the status of VitD in wildlife species, such as the wild boar, is scarce. The aims of this work were to explore VitD status in wild boar populations from mid‐western Spain and to elucidate the influence of daylight exposure and food supplementation in levels of VitD. Serum concentration of VitD (measured as 25‐hydroxivitaminD) was assessed in 276 wild boar from 27 game estates located in mid‐western Spain using a commercial ELISA kit. In 19 out of 27 estates, the staff supplied a specific VitD‐enriched food (2,000 UI/Kg) ad libitum throughout the year, while in the remaining estates (8), no food was supplied. Blood samples were extracted from hunted animals (198) between October and February of hunting seasons 2016/2017 and 2017/2018, and from live wild boar (78) that were captured, sampled and released (March–September of 2017). The percentage of animals with VitD deficiency (<20 ng/ml), VitD insufficiency (20–30 ng/ml) and VitD sufficiency (>30 ng/ml) was estimated, and the relationship of these levels to factors like sex, age and season was assessed using chi‐square tests. Furthermore, associations between daylight exposure and supplemental food with VitD levels were explored using linear models. Of the studied wild boar population, 82.2% showed a VitD deficiency or insufficiency. VitD deficiencies were more frequent in animals sampled in winter and spring. Furthermore, levels of VitD positively correlated with daylight exposure and supplemental food intake. Ad libitum supplementation with VitD‐enriched food was insufficient to prevent VitD deficiencies in wild boar from November to April, probably because food consumption is lower during this period.     

Farm and socio-economic characteristics of smallholder milk producers and their influence on technology adoption in Central Mexico

In order to identify the factors influencing adoption of technologies promoted by government to small-scale dairy farmers in the highlands of central Mexico, a field survey was conducted. A total of 115 farmers were grouped through cluster analysis (CA) and divided into three wealth status categories (high, medium and low) using wealth ranking. Chi-square analysis was used to examine the association of wealth status with technology adoption. Four groups of farms were differentiated in terms of farms' dimensions, farmers' education, sources of incomes, wealth status, management of herd, monetary support by government and technological availability. Statistical differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the milk yield per herd per year among groups. Government organizations (GO) participated little in the promotion of the 17 technologies identified, six of which focused on crop or forage production and 11 of which were related to animal husbandry. Relatives and other farmers played an important role in knowledge diffusion and technology adoption. Although wealth status had a significant association (p < 0.05) with adoption, other factors including importance of the technology to farmers, usefulness and productive benefits of innovations together with farmers' knowledge of them, were important. It is concluded that the analysis of the information per group and wealth status was useful to identify suitable crop or forage related and animal husbandry technologies per group and wealth status of farmers. Therefore the characterizations of farmers could provide a useful starting point for the design and delivery of more appropriate and effective extension.     

Application of computer-assisted semen analysis to explain variations in pig fertility

Sperm quality is often evaluated through computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) and is an indicator of boar fertility. The aim of this research was to study the relationship between CASA motility parameters and fertility results in pigs. Insemination records and semen parameters from a total of 45,532 ejaculates collected over a 3-yr period were used. The statistical model for analysis of fertility data from these inseminations included factors related to sow productivity. The boar- and semen-related variance (direct boar effect) were corrected for the effects of individual boar, genetic line of the boar, age of the boar, days between ejaculations, number of sperm cells in an ejaculate, number of sperm cells in an insemination dose, and AI station. The remaining variance was analyzed if semen motility parameters had a significant effect. This analysis revealed significant (P < 0.05) effects of progressive motility, velocity curvilinear, and beat cross frequency on farrowing rate (FR). Total motility, velocity average path, velocity straight line, and amplitude of lateral head displacement affected (P < 0.05) total number of piglets born (TNB). Boar- and semen-related parameters explained 5.3% of the variation in FR and 5.9% of the variation in TNB. Motility parameters, measured by CASA, explained 9% of the boar- and semen-related variation in FR and 10% of the boar- and semen-related variation in TNB. Individual boar and genetic line of the boar affected (P < 0.0001) the variation in FR and TNB. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed between effects of AI stations on fertility outcome, underscoring the objectivity of the CASA system used. Motility parameters can be measured with CASA to assess sperm motility in an objective manner. On the basis of the motility pattern, CASA enables one to discriminate between the fertilizing capacity of ejaculates, although this depends on the genetic line of the boar used in AI stations.     

Association of Trypanosoma vivax in extracellular sites with central nervous system lesions and changes in cerebrospinal fluid in experimentally infected goats

ABSTRACT: Changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and anatomical and histopathological central nervous system (CNS) lesions were evaluated, and the presence of Trypanosoma vivax in CNS tissues was investigated through PCR. Twelve adult male goats were divided into three groups (G): G1, infected with T. vivax and evaluated during the acute phase; G2, infected goats evaluated during the chronic phase; and G3, consisting of non-infected goats. Each goat from G1 and G2 was infected with 1.25 × 105 trypomastigotes. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and investigation of T. vivax was performed at the 15th day post-infection (dpi) in G1 goats and on the fifth day after the manifestation of nervous system infection signs in G2 goats. All goats were necropsied, and CNS fragments from G1 and G2 goats were evaluated by PCR for the determination of T. vivax. Hyperthermia, anemia and parasitemia were observed from the fifth dpi for G1 and G2, with the highest parasitemia peak between the seventh and 21st dpi. Nervous system infection signs were observed in three G2 goats between the 30th and 35th dpi. CSF analysis revealed the presence of T. vivax for G2. Meningitis and meningoencephalitis were diagnosed in G2. PCR were positive for T. vivax in all the samples tested. In conclusion, T. vivax may reach the nervous tissue resulting in immune response from the host, which is the cause of progressive clinical and pathological manifestations of the CNS in experimentally infected goats.     

Comparison and standardisation of serological methods for the diagnosis of Neospora caninum infection in bovines

Various existing serological tests were compared with a standard panel of 523 sera in a multicentred study across Europe. Well characterised sera from animals that were experimentally or naturally infected with Neospora caninum as well as sera from cattle deemed uninfected with N. caninum were provided by the participants of the study and analysed in several commercial (CHEKIT Dr. Bommeli/Intervet, CIVTEST BOVIS NEOSPORA Hipra, Cypress Diagnostics C.V., Herd Check IDEXX, Mastazyme MAST Diagnostics, P38-ELISA Animal Welfare and Food Safety GmbH (AFOSA)) as well as in-house assays (five ELISAs and one IFAT). Most tests showed a high level of agreement in the interpretation of the test results (positive or negative). A further distinct increase in agreement between tests was obtained after the application of standardised cut-offs offered by a two-graph receiver operating characteristic analysis. This procedure allows a standardised interpretation of results obtained with different tests used in independent, parallel seroepidemiological studies.     

Leishmaniasis in Canis familiaris – a Report About Microvascular and Cellular Architecture of the Infected Spleen

Leishmaniases are a globally widespread group of parasitic diseases from the group of anthropozoonoses. They are caused by an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes a wide spectrum of diseases in humans and dogs worldwide. In fact, the dog is considered one of the most important reservoir. The spleen is one of the several haematopoietic and immunocompetent organs involved. As this organ is a blood filter, the authors looked for the expression of this infection over the microvascular environment and modifications of the spleen cell population related to immunological responses to this parasitic condition.
Tools:  Scanning electronic microscopy over intact tissue and corrosion casts, transmission electronic microscopy, histology and immunohistochemistry (MAC 387 and CD3).
Results:  Our results show three important modifications concerning the microvascular architecture of the spleen when compared to the normal pattern. A striking scarcity of the sinusoidal system sheath that surrounds the central arteries of the white pulp, a huge development of pulp venules and veins, differentiation of typical features of high endothelial venular cells.
Remarks:  According to our results it seems that independent of the virulence of the parasite involved and the kind of immunity prevalent in a particular host, the spleen develops blood dynamic conditions that allows a sluggish blood flow so that cells involved in immunological processes can proliferate and differentiate and it also contributes to the trapping of lymphocytes to the area through the differentiation of typical characteristics of HEV endothelial cells.     

Evaluation of single and comparative intradermal tuberculin tests for tuberculosis eradication in caprine flocks in Castilla y León (Spain)

Goats can act as reservoirs for tuberculosis (TB) infection. The main etiological agents of TB in goats are Mycobacterium caprae and Mycobacterium bovis and they infect also a wide range of domestic and wild animals and humans. Control programmes based mainly on the application of single and comparative intradermal tuberculin (SIT and SCIT respectively) tests are being implemented in certain regions of Spain with a high density of caprine flocks as Castilla y León, including goats with epidemiological relationship with cattle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the intradermal tests in naturally TB-infected caprine flocks from this region. The study was performed using data from 17,450 goats in 54 different flocks that were classified as TB-infected in the control programmes executed in 2010 and 2011. Data from 1237 goats from 7 dairy flocks depopulated after the first intradermal testing were used to estimate the sensitivity (Se) using bacteriology as the gold-standard. Overall Se of the SIT test using the severe interpretation was 43.9% (CI 95%, 40.4–47.4) and decreased to 38.8% (CI 95%, 35.5–42.3) using the standard interpretation. Overall Se of the SCIT test ranged between 21.3% (CI 95%, 17.6–25.4) and 7% (CI 95%, 4.9–9.8) depending of the interpretation criteria. A significant weak positive correlation was found between age and skin fold thickness (Spearman’s test p < 0.05). Results from this study yielded, in general, low Se values probably due the systematic detection and slaughter of reactors as a consequence of the eradication programme in previous years or the presence of factors that may interfere in the diagnosis. Therefore, these results suggest the necessity of including ancillary diagnostic tools and/or strict interpretation criteria to maximize detection of positive animals in infected settings.