Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) in two chicken breeds and the correlation with experimental Pasteurella multocida infection

The present study is the first demonstration of an association of the genetic serum Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) concentration with bacterial infections in chickens. The genetic serum MBL concentration was determined in two chicken breeds, and the association with the specific Pasteurella multocida humoral immune response during an experimental infection was examined. Furthermore, we examined the association of the genetic serum MBL concentration with systemic infection. The chickens with systemic infection had a statistically significant lower mean serum MBL concentration than the rest of the chickens, suggesting that MBL plays an important role against P. multocida. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between the specific antibody response and the genetic serum MBL concentration for both breeds. This indicates that MBL in chickens is capable of acting as the first line of defence against P. multocida by diminishing the infection before the adaptive immune response takes over.     

Apocynin activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR): preliminary studies in vivo

An elevation in angiotensin II (Ang II) levels is a common occurrence in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Infusions of Ang II and a high salt diet increase the activity of NADPH oxidase that stimulates superoxide anion (O⁻²) generation and increases the expression of certain subunits of NADPH oxidase. Apocynin, an NADPH oxidase inhibitor with antihypertensive effects, is able to inhibit the release of superoxide anion by inhibiting NADPH oxidase activity and blocking the migration of p47 phox to the mitochondrial membrane. The aim of our study was to evaluate the antihypertensive effects of apocynin in SHRs and Wistar rats (WKYs) using a micropuncture technique. After microperfusion of both the proximal and distal tubules, we found that SHRs treated with apocynin showed a decrease in the free-flow collection of the proximal tubule (PT), which was not affected in WKYs. Moreover, significant differences were not demonstrated in the distal tubule (DT), probably due a mechanism of compensation that occurs in the loop of Henle. In conclusion, it is possible that the mechanisms of reabsorption in the PT are controlled by the interactions of O⁻² and nitric oxide (NO). These data could suggest a higher activity of NADPH oxidase and increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the PT during hypertension.

     

Supplementation of diets for lactating sows with zinc amino acid complex and gastric nutriment‐intubation of suckling pigs with zinc methionine on mineral status,intestinal morphology and bacterial translocation in lipopolysaccharide‐challenged weaned pigs

Sixty‐four pigs from 16 sows were used to evaluate addition of zinc amino acid complex (ZnAA) to lactating sows and gastric nutriment‐intubation of zinc methionine (ZnMet) to suckling pigs on mineral status, intestinal morphology and bacterial translocation after weaning. Sows were fed a barley‐based diet supplying 120 ppm zinc (Zn; control) or the control diet supplemented with 240 ppm Zn from ZnAA. At birth, day‐10 and day‐21 (weaning) of age, pigs from each litter were nutriment‐intubated with 5 ml of an electrolyte solution without or with 40 mg Zn from ZnMet. At weaning, 24 h prior to the collection of small and large intestinal lymph nodes and sections of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum, the pigs received an intramuscular injection of saline without or with 150 μg/kg body weight of Escherichia coli O26:B6 lipopolysaccharide (LPS). With the exception of a tendency (p = 0.09) for lower serum concentration of copper in pigs at weaning from ZnAA‐supplemented sows, there were no differences (p > 0.1) than for pigs from control‐fed sows for mineral status or intestinal morphology. Nutriment‐intubation of ZnMet increased serum (p = 0.001) and liver (p = 0.003) Zn concentrations, number of goblet cells per 250 μm length of jejunal villous epithelium (p = 0.001) and tended (p = 0.06) to enhance jejunum mucosa thickness. Interactive effects (p < 0.05) for higher jejunal villi height and villi:crypt ratio and increased ileal goblet cell counts were apparent for pigs from ZnAA‐supplemented sows that also received nutriment‐intubation of ZnMet. Challenge with LPS increased (p = 0.05) ileal villous width. Nutriment‐intubation of ZnMet decreased (p = 0.05) anaerobic bacteria colony forming unit counts in the large intestinal mesenteric lymph nodes. In conclusion, nutriment‐intubation of ZnMet increased serum and liver tissue concentrations of Zn and resulted in limited improvement to intestinal morphology of weaned pigs.     

Safety and efficacy of high‐dose fomepizole compared with ethanol as therapy for ethylene glycol intoxication in cats

Objective – To determine the safety and efficacy of high‐dose fomepizole compared with ethanol (EtOH) in cats with ethylene glycol (EG) toxicosis. Design – Prospective study. Setting – University veterinary research laboratory. Animals – Thirteen cats. Interventions – Two cats received injections of high‐dose fomepizole (Study 1). Three cats received lethal doses of EG and fomepizole treatment was initiated 1, 2, or 3 hours later (Study 2). Eight cats received a lethal dose of EG and were treated with fomepizole or EtOH (Study 3). Cats treated with fomepizole received 125 mg/kg IV initially, then 31.25 mg/kg at 12, 24, and 36 hours. Cats treated with EtOH received 5 mL of 20% EtOH/kg IV initially, then every 6 hours for 5 treatments, then every 8 hours for 4 treatments. Cats also received fluids and supportive therapy as needed. Measurements and Main Results – Clinical signs were monitored and serial blood analyses performed. Cats receiving fomepizole experienced mild sedation but no biochemical evidence of toxicity. Cats receiving fomepizole for EG intoxication survived if therapy was initiated within 3 hours of EG ingestion. One of the 6 developed acute renal failure (ARF) but survived. Only 1 of the 3 cats treated with EtOH 3 hours following EG ingestion survived; 2 developed ARF and were euthanized. Cats treated 4 hours following EG ingestion developed ARF, whether treated with EtOH or fomepizole. Conclusions – Fomepizole is safe when administered to cats in high doses, prevents EG‐induced fatal ARF when therapy is instituted within 3 hours of EG ingestion, and is more effective than treatment with EtOH.     

Die Bekämpfung des Kartoffelkäfers (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say)

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Longterm investigation in an Austrian dairy herd with low prevalence of paratuberculosis detection of antibodies in blood and milk

Paratuberculosis (Johne's disease), which is widely distributed throughout the world, is caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Diagnosis of subclinically infected cattle is challenging and is especially problematic in herds with low prevalence of MAP. The aim of this long-term study was the comparison of different diagnostic tests for MAP and specific antibodies in a herd with low prevalence of MAP. Three different commercially available serum-ELISA (Svanovir-ELISA, Svanova, Uppsala, Sweden; IDEXX-ELISA, IDEXX Laboratories, Maine, USA; Pourquier-ELISA, Institut Pourquier, Montpellier, France) and two milk ELISA (Svanovirm-ELISA Svanova, Uppsala, Sweden; Pourquier-ELISA, Institut Pourquier, Montpellier, France) were compared. Apart from these indirect diagnostic tests, two methods for the detection of the etiologic agent (bacteriologic culture and real-time PCR of faecal samples) were performed. In January 2005 the first and in April 2005 the second herd investigation of all animals older than 2 years (n=335) were carried out. Blood, milk and faecal samples were taken. From November 2005 until April 2006 follow up investigations were performed. For this purpose, blood-, milk- and faecal samples were monthly taken from 63 selected animals. The highest number of blood- and milk samples with a detectable antibody-level was found by the Svanovir-ELISA. There was a significant correlation between serum- and milk- Svanovir-ELISA results, whereas the agreement between ELISA and faecal culture/PCR was low. Significant correlations between Svanovir-serum-ELISA results and milk somatic cell counts could be registered. Moreover, there was significant agreement between IDEXX-serum-ELISA results with the age and number of lactations of the cows, as well as the mother's MAP-status.     

Influence of body condition and bovine somatotropin on estrous behavior, reproductive performance, and concentrations of serum somatotropin and plasma fatty acids in postpartum Brahman-influenced cows

Ninety-nine multiparous Brahman-influenced (1/4 to 3/8 Brahman) cows were managed to achieve low (BCS = 4.3 +/- 0.1; n = 50) or moderate (BCS = 6.1 +/- 0.1; n = 49) body condition (BC) to determine the influence of bovine somatotropin (bST) on estrous characteristics, reproductive performance, and concentrations of serum GH and plasma NEFA. Beginning 32 d postpartum, cows within each BC were assigned randomly to treatment with or without bST. Non-bST-treated cows received no treatment, and treated cows were administered bST (Posilac, 500 mg s.c.) on d -35, -21, and -7 before initiation of the breeding season. On d -7, all cows received an intravaginal, controlled internal drug-releasing (CIDR) device. On d 0 (initiation of the 70-d breeding season), the CIDR were removed and cows received prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha). Blood samples were collected from the median caudal vein of the cows at each bST treatment and at d -28 and 0. Estrous behavior was monitored by radiotelemetry during the first 30 d of the breeding season. Growth hormone was increased (P < 0.05) in low and moderate BC cows treated with bST. The percentage of cows detected in estrus during the first 30 d of the breeding season was decreased (P = 0.05) for low BC (64%) compared with moderate BC (82%) cows. The interval to first estrus tended (P = 0.07) to be shorter in low BC-bST-treated cows (3.7 +/- 1.9 d) than in moderate BC-bST-treated cows (9.6 +/- 1.8 d). During the first 30 d of the breeding season, cows in low BC had a decreased (P = 0.02) number of mounts received and increased (P = 0.001) quiescence between mounts compared with cows in moderate BC. The number of mounts received was reduced (P = 0.04) in bST-treated cows. More (P = 0.02) cows treated with bST became pregnant during the first 3 d of the breeding season compared with non-bST-treated cows. The cumulative first-service conception rate tended (P = 0.07) to be greater for bST-low BC cows than non-bST-treated cows in low or moderate BC. On d 0, NEFA were greater (P < 0.05) in bST-treated vs. non-bST-treated cows. Low BC and bST reduced the intensity of behavioral estrus in postpartum Brahman-influenced cows. However, bST increased the first-service conception rate during the first 30 d of breeding and pregnancy rates during the first 3 d of breeding in postpartum Brahman-influenced cows.     

大鼠丘脑氨基酸类神经递质与塞拉嗪麻醉相关性

将32只Wistar大鼠随机分成4组,分别为对照组、麻醉组、恢复I组、恢复Ⅱ组。采用反向高效液相色谱法测定丘脑Glu、Asp、GABA和Gly的含量。结果显示,腹腔注射塞拉嗪40mg／kg后,麻醉组大鼠丘脑内GABA和Gly含量与对照组比较显著升高（P〈0．01）,Glu和Asp含量显著降低（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）;恢复I组丘脑Glu和Asp的含量与对照组比较差异显著（P〈0．05）;恢复Ⅱ组丘脑内GABA和Gly的含量与对照组比较差异显著（P〈0．05）,Glu和Asp的含量恢复显著（P〉0．05）。结果表明,塞拉嗪作用下引起丘脑内GABA、Gly、Glu和Asp含量的变化可能与塞拉嗪引起麻醉作用机制相关。     

鸡肝脏型脂肪酸结合蛋白基因启动子活性分析

PCR扩增鸡L-FABP基因5′侧翼区约2kb的DNA片段,进行克隆并测序,构建了鸡L-FABP基因报告基因系列缺失载体,瞬时转染进入人肝癌细胞系,利用双荧光素酶报告基因系统测定了荧光素酶活性。在线分析软件发现鸡L-FABP基因启动子区存在HNF-1、SREBP-1、AP-1、C/EBP、Oct-1、TATA、CCAAT、GATA-1等调控元件,没有发现CpG岛。报告基因结果表明鸡L-FABP基因启动子-2 076bp/-20bp区域具有最强的启动子活性,-522bp/-20bp区域启动子活性最弱;C/EBPα可以显著的抑制鸡L-FABP基因的表达,这些结果为深入研究鸡L-FABP的表达调控机制奠定了基础。     

Evaluation of tropically adapted straightbred and crossbred cattle: postweaning gain and feed efficiency when finished in a temperate climate

Beef cows in the subtropical USA must be adapted to the stressors of the environment, typically supplied by using Brahman (Br) breeding. Calves produced in the region, however, are usually grown and finished in more temperate regions, and have a perceived reputation for poor ADG and feed efficiency during finishing. Compromised fertility and carcass quality often associated with the Br have increased interest in tropically adapted Bos taurus breed types. The objective of this study was to evaluate 3 breeds [An = Angus (Bos taurus, temperate); Br (B. indicus, tropical); and Ro = Romosinuano (B. taurus, tropical)] and all possible crosses during various segments of post-weaning growth, and for feed efficiency during the finishing phase. Steer calves (n = 473) born over 3 yr were weaned in late September, backgrounded for at least 21 d (BKG), shipped 2,025 km to El Reno, OK, in October, fed a preconditioning diet for 28 d (RCV), grazed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) pasture from November to May (WHT), finished on a conventional feedlot diet (FIN), and serially harvested after approximately 95, 125, and 150 d on feed. Body weight and ADG during each segment were tested using a mixed model that included calf age at weaning, year (Y), breed of sire (SB), breed of dam (DB), and interactions. In addition, winter treatment (continuous wheat or reduced grazing of wheat with supplement) was included for the wheat and feedlot phases. Sire within SB × SB [and pen (barn × year) for feedlot phase] were considered random. The SB × DB interaction was significant for all traits (P < 0.01) except exit velocity taken at weaning and ADG during FIN, but both traits were affected by 3-way interactions with Y or harvest group. Tropically-adapted purebred steers had greater (P < 0.01) ADG than AnAn through weaning and BKG in FL but the reverse was true during the RCV and WHT segments. Similar, but less pronounced results were noted for F(1) steers with 100% tropical influence compared with those with only 50%. Heterosis was numerically greater for most traits for An × Br (11 to 64%) compared with An × Ro and Br × Ro (3 to 42%), which were similar. In a subset of the steers (n = 261), G:F was not influenced by level of tropical breeding, but tropically adapted steers were more efficient (P < 0.05) by residual feed intake. No heterosis was evident. These data show that in temperate zones, winter is the period when productivity of tropically adapted cattle is compromised.