Ultrastructural studies on bovine horn cancer

The ultrastructure of bovine horn cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) of Indian cattle is described. The tumour was composed of pleomorphic epithelial cells. The nuclei were enlarged with membrane invaginations and peripherally distributed heterochromatin and pleomorphic nucleoli. The cytoplasm contained bundles of tono-filaments and keratohyalin granules. In addition a majority of the cells revealed marked degenerative changes of the cytoplasmic orga-nellae and intracellular oedema. Desmosomes were rarely observed. Budding of virus-like particles from the cell membrane of a few cells was demonstrated.Key words: horn cancer, bovine, ultrastructure, virus     

Fluorescence-based method, exploiting lipofuscin, for real-time detection of central nervous system tissues on bovine carcasses

The removal of central nervous system (CNS) tissues as part of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) risk material is one of the highest priority tasks to avoid contamination of the human food chain with BSE. No currently available method enables the real-time detection of possible CNS tissue contamination on carcasses during slaughter. The fluorescent pigment lipofuscin is a heterogeneous, high-molecular weight material that has been shown to be enriched in high concentrations in neuronal tissues. In this study, lipofuscin fluorescence was investigated as a marker for real-time detection of CNS contamination. Front-faced fluorescence spectra of brain and spinal cord samples from 11 cattle gave identical, reproducible fluorescence signal patterns with high intensities. The specificity of these spectra was assessed by investigating 13 different non-CNS tissues enabling the differentiation of brain and spinal cord by signal intensity and structure of the spectra, respectively. Small quantities of bovine spinal cord were reliably detected in the presence of raw bovine skeletal muscle, fat, and vertebrae. The presented data are a fundamental basis for the development of a prototype device allowing real-time monitoring of CNS tissue contamination on bovine carcasses and meat cuts.     

Glucose and weight control in mice with a designed ghrelin O-acyltransferase inhibitor

Ghrelin is a gastric peptide hormone that stimulates weight gain in vertebrates. The biological activities of ghrelin require octanoylation of the peptide on Ser(3), an unusual posttranslational modification that is catalyzed by the enzyme ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT). Here, we describe the design, synthesis, and characterization of GO-CoA-Tat, a peptide-based bisubstrate analog that antagonizes GOAT. GO-CoA-Tat potently inhibits GOAT in vitro, in cultured cells, and in mice. Intraperitoneal administration of GO-CoA-Tat improves glucose tolerance and reduces weight gain in wild-type mice but not in ghrelin-deficient mice, supporting the concept that its beneficial metabolic effects are due specifically to GOAT inhibition. In addition to serving as a research tool for mapping ghrelin actions, GO-CoA-Tat may help pave the way for clinical targeting of GOAT in metabolic diseases.     

Immunotherapeutic potential of Ocimum sanctum (L) in bovine subclinical mastitis

Immunotherapeutic potential of aqueous extract of Ocimum sanctum (O. sanctum) leaf in bovine sub-clinical mastitis (SCM) was investigated. Somatic cell count (SCC), total bacterial count (TBC), milk differential leukocyte count (DLC), phagocytic activity and Phagocytic index and leukocyte lysosomal enzymes like myeloperoxidase and acid phosphatase content were evaluated after intramammary infusion of aqueous leaf extract of O. sanctum. The results revealed that the aqueous extract of O. sanctum treatment reduced the TBC and increased neutrophil and lymphocyte counts with enhanced phagocytic activity and phagocytic index. Similarly, the lysosomal enzymes contents of the milk polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) were also enhanced significantly in animals treated with the extract. The results suggest that the crude aqueous extract of O. sanctum (leaf) possesses some biologically active principles that are antibacterial and immunomodulatory in nature. As such, the present wok substantiates the therapeutic use of medicinal herb and also emphasizes on the potential of the commonly available non-toxic substances to enhance the mammary immunity.     

Strain differences in the erythrocyte and spermatozoan head dimensions of White Leghorn cocks

Differences amongst the length, breadth and area of erythrocyte nuclei, and the length, breadth, shape and area of the heads of spermatozoa were observed in six strains of White Leghorn cocks. Erythrocyte nuclear and spermatozoan head dimensions were negatively correlated. The negative correlations were explained on the basis of cellular oxidation rate.     

Dietary microbial phytase and citric acid synergistically enhances nutrient digestibility and growth performance of Labeo rohita (Hamilton) juveniles at sub-optimal protein level

A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment was designed to study the main effect of dietary microbial phytase, citric acid, crude protein (CP) level and their interactions on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and body composition of Labeo rohita juveniles. Two basal diets were formulated using plant‐based ingredients containing either sub‐optimum (25%) or normal (35%) CP levels. Both the diets were supplemented with microbial phytase (U kg⁻¹) and citric acid (%) at the level of 0, 0; 500, 0; 0, 3; and 500, 3 respectively. One hundred and twenty L. rohita juveniles (average weight 12.61–13.72 g) were randomly distributed in eight treatments, each with three replicates. Dietary microbial phytase alone had no significant effect on whole‐body ash content but addition of citric acid (3%) in the diet activated the phytase as evidenced by their significant interaction. A significant interaction between citric acid and microbial phytase was also found on weight gain%, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio. Increasing the dietary CP level from 25% to 35% significantly (P<0.01) decreased phosphorus and dry matter digestibility. Thus, these results showed that the growth‐promoting effect was higher in groups fed a sub‐optimum protein (25%) diet containing both 3% citric acid and 500 U kg⁻¹ of microbial phytase than those fed 35% CP diets. This suggests that microbial phytase and citric acid in sub‐optimum CP diet had a synergistic effect on nutrient digestibility and growth performance of L. rohita juveniles.     

Activity of cyclooxygenase-2 and nitric oxide in milk leucocytes following intramammary inoculation of a bio-response modifier during bovine Staphylococcus aureus subclinical mastitis

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of intramammary infusion of a bio-response modifier (BRM) prepared from Nocardia globerula on certain inflammatory markers and percentage of neutrophil/lymphocyte in mammary secretions during bovine Staphylococcus aureus subclinical mastitis (SCM). The somatic cell count (SCC), total bacterial count (TBC) in milk, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity, production of nitrite and nitrate (NOx) in milk leukocytes and neutrophil % and lymphocyte % in milk were evaluated before and after intramammary infusion of BRM in healthy and quarters inflicted with S. aureus SCM. Intramammary infusion of BRM significantly enhanced the SCC in earlier phase with subsequent reduction on day 7 after initiation of treatment. Whereas, the reduction of TBC was observed from day 3 onwards. The COX-2 activity and NOx production in milk cell increased initially on day 3 of post treatment but reduced on day 5 in SCM infected quarters following BRM infusion. The neutrophil % and lymphocyte % in milk also enhanced significantly on day 3 but reduced on day 5 in SCM infected quarters in response to BRM infusion. Initial influx of SCC, increased neutrophil%, lymphocyte % and enhanced COX-2 and NOx activity indicate the immunomodulatory potential of BRM in S. aureus SCM. Reduction of TBC could be due to increased leukocytosis or direct microbicidal activity of the activated milk cells. The beneficial effect of the BRM could be used as alternative therapy in the control of S. aureus SCM in cows, either alone or in conjunction with antibiotic therapy.