Effect of red propolis extract isolated or encapsulated in nanoparticles on the in vitro culture of sheep preantral follicle: Impacts on antrum formation,mitochondrial activity and glutathione levels

This study aimed to characterize the hydroethanolic extract of red propolis (HERP) and nanoparticles containing HERP for using as an additive in the culture medium of isolated ovine preantral follicles. HERP was characterized by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and determination of flavonoid content, and the nanoparticles by the mean particle diameter, polydispersity index (PI) and encapsulation efficiency (EE). The effect of HERP (10 and 20 ηg/ml—HERP10 and HERP20 groups) and nanoparticles (NP10 and NP20 groups) on isolated secondary follicles cultured in vitro for 12 days was observed by morphological evaluation, oxidative stress markers (reactive oxygen species—ROS and glutathione—GSH) and active mitochondria. HPLC showed formononetin as the major compound in the HERP (63.92 ± 0.21 μg/mL). The content of flavonoids ranged from 2.14% to 11.00%. The nanoparticles showed mean diameter of 287.5 ± 3.9 and 479 ± 18.1 ηm; PI of 0.117 ± 0.018 and 0.316 ± 0.039; and EE of 67.15% and 41%, respectively, for the NP10 and NP20 groups. After 12 days of culture, HERP20 and NP20 increased (p < 0.05) the percentage of normal follicles compared to NP10. HERP20 showed significantly higher percentages of antrum formation than control medium (MEM) and NP10 (p < 0.05). HERP20 also showed an increase (p < 0.05) in mitochondrial activity compared to the other treatments, except NP20 (p > 0.05), and increased GSH levels (p < 0.05) compared to MEM and HERP10. In conclusion, use of HERP (20 ηg/ml) on in vitro culture of isolated ovine preantral follicles can increase antrum formation, mitochondrial activity and GSH levels.     

Feed and reproductive efficiency differences between divergently selected lines for birthweight environmental variability in mice

Sustainability has come to play an important role in agricultural production. A way to combine efficiency with sustainability might be by searching for robust animals that can be selected for the homogeneity of certain traits. Furthermore, the optimization of feed efficiency is one of the challenges to improve livestock genetics programmes, but this might compromise reproductive efficiency. Animals from two divergent mouse lines, regarding variability of birthweight, were used to check whether homogeneity was also related to both feed and reproductive efficiency. The objective of this study was to use these divergent lines of mice to compare them with their feed efficiency and the reproductive capacity. Animal weight, weight gain, feed intake, relative intake and cumulated transformation index were considered as feed efficiency traits. Animals from the low line had both lower weight and feed intake from 21 to 56 days. They had a worse transforming index in the three last weeks when litter size was fitted as an effect of the model, but the lines become similar if the higher litter size of the low line was not included. Reproductively, the low line performed better considering the number of females having parturitions, the number of parturitions, and with higher litter size and survival in both parturitions. Hence, the low variability line was preferred because of reproductive efficiency without seriously affecting its feed efficiency. Homogeneity seemed to be related to robustness with similar feed efficiency but higher reproductive efficiency.     

Essential oil composition of Pentzia incana (Asteraceae), an important natural pasture plant in the Karoo region of South Africa

Pentzia incana is one of the most important of all natural pasture plants in the dry interior (Karoo) region of South Africa. This highly aromatic shrub is thought to be responsible for the distinctive flavour of Karoo lamb (a registered geographical indication), yet the essential oil is here characterised for the first time. Leafy twigs are traditionally chewed for relief of stomach ache. Essential oil is associated with numerous small, multicellu- lar glands. Gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of 17 essential oil samples from five populations showed considerable variation in both yield (0.12% to 0.88% dry weight) and composition. Of interest was the presence of one major biosynthetic group comprising yomogi alcohol (to 38.9%), artemisia alcohol (to 26.1%), artemisia ketone (to 35.0%) and artemisyl acetate (to 9.4%). High levels of fragranol (26.9%) and fragranyl acetate (27.1%) were observed only in a single specimen. Other main compounds were 1,8-cineole (to 16.7%), santolina alcohol (to 11.3%), camphor (to 47.9%), linalyl acetate (to 17.4%) and bicyclogermacrene (to 11.8%). Six of the 10 major compounds were isolated and their identities confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance. The volatile compounds may possibly be linked to the medicinal use of P. incana, as well as the flavour profile of Karoo lamb.     

Community-based interventions for the use and conservation of animal genetic resources: the case of indigenous scavenger chicken production in Benin

Scavenging chicken production in Africa is important for the livelihood of the poor. In most countries, these low inputs, low output systems employ local breeds making use of the feeding resources available in the household. However, their replacement with introduced exotic breeds with higher productivities represents a risk for their conservation. Here, we present a simulation model to evaluate the impact of community-based interventions aiming to improve the profitability of local chicken breeds and promote their use and conservation. The results indicate that under the current conditions, farmers producing exotic chicken are able to sell more animals in a one year period; however the market price of local chicken makes their production more profitable. Vaccination campaigns significantly reduce the mortality rate of both breeds, having a positive effect on producers’ income but its impact on animal off-take is larger for exotic breeds, and the availability of feeding resources is the limiting factor as the flock size increases. The results of the intervention are positive in terms of increasing farmers’ income but do not clearly contribute to the conservation of indigenous breeds since after the vaccination campaign, the gap between the profitability of indigenous and exotic breeds is reduced. The simulation model indicates that under the current conditions, the conservation of indigenous chicken breeds in Benin is maintained by the existence of distinct niche markets with consumers able to pay higher prices for indigenous chicken. Policies for the conservation of chicken genetic resources in Benin are discussed.     

Pre-operative neoadjuvant vinblastine-prednisolone in canine mast cell tumours: A single-centre retrospective cohort study

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be used in canine mast cell tumours (MCTs) to optimise surgical margins or to enable marginal excision in challenging locations. The objective of this study was to describe the outcome of dogs with cutaneous and subcutaneous MCTs treated with neoadjuvant vinblastine-prednisolone (NA-VP). Records of treatment-naïve dogs with cutaneous/subcutaneous MCT that received NA-VP were reviewed including signalment, indication for NA-VP, staging results, clinical response, surgical data and histopathology reports. For dogs with post-operative follow-up ≥365 days, predictive factors for local recurrence (LR) were evaluated. Forty-four dogs were included. NA-VP was indicated to optimise surgical margins (group MARG) in 19 dogs (43.2%) and to enable surgery (group MORB) in 25 dogs (56.8%). Complete and partial response were documented in 40.9% of dogs and 30 dogs (68.2%) underwent surgery. The indication for NA-VP was significantly associated with undergoing surgery (p < .001) on multivariable analysis. Twelve (48%) and 18 dogs (94.7%) underwent surgery in the group MORB and MARG, respectively. Five dogs (16.7%) experienced wound dehiscence. Complete excision was achieved in 14 dogs (46.7%). In dogs undergoing surgery with ≥365 days of follow-up, LR was documented in five cases (20.8%). None of the factors analysed including mitotic count, completeness of excision and response to NA-VP were associated with LR; notably, LR occurred in 3/11 (27.2%) completely excised MCTs. In a pre-operative setting, NA-VP appears safe and could be beneficial in selected cases. Prognostic factors such as clinical response, mitotic count and completeness of excision should be interpreted with caution following NA-VP.     

Long-term impact of de-icing salts on tree health in the Lake Tahoe Basin: Environmental influences and interactions with insects and diseases

Lake Tahoe, on the boundary of California and Nevada, is world renown for its natural beauty and is also a popular location for winter-sporting activities. De-icing compounds, such as sodium chloride (NaCl), are used to maintain safe winter driving conditions. Sodium chloride, however, can damage roadside vegetation and affect surface and ground water quality. Our objectives were to: investigate the relationship among salt damage to trees and other damage (from insects, diseases, and other biotic and abiotic factors), examine the effects of vegetation characteristics and environmental factors on salt damage to trees, and to quantify the long-term impacts of de-icing salts on roadside conifers in the Tahoe Basin. From 2006 to 2008, 442 square plots (0.1 ha) were established and surveyed throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin, including 176 control plots > 300 m from roads, and 137 plots originally established in 1990 that were used for long-term trends. Both incidence and severity of salt damage, diseases, insect pests, and other abiotic damage were recorded on all trees within plots (more than 10,000 trees). Soil and vegetation samples were collected from a subset of plots and analyzed for salt content. At least 15% of roadside trees were damaged by salt every year. Very large year-to-year variation in the incidence of salt damage was observed, but the severity of salt damage has decreased since 1990. A clear roadside effect on roadside conifers existed because symptoms of salt damage were only observed on trees in roadside plots and never in control plots, and foliage from trees in roadside plots had more sodium and chloride content than those in control plots for both salt symptomatic and asymptomatic foliage. Incidence of salt damage decreased with increasing distance from roads, was more frequent on rocky soils, and increased with downhill slope steepness and tree density. Pines (Pinus spp.) were more frequently and severely damaged by salt than firs (Abies spp.). Trees were more likely to be damaged by something other than salt, and the relationship among salt damage and other damages was antagonistic rather than synergistic. The results from this study have important implications for the ecology and management of conifer forests in relation to salinity and road maintenance.     

Adaptation of ostriches to transport‐induced stress: Physiometabolic response

This study assessed the effects of five different transport periods on physiometabolic responses and gas exchange in ostriches. It included 138 ostriches that were assigned to five experimental groups. G₁ included 78 birds that were set aside as a reference group (RG). Each one of the four remaining experimental groups included 20 ostriches, which were transported in the following manner: G₁ on one occasion for a period of 1 h; G₂ on one occasion for 2 h; and G₃ on one occasion for 3 h; G_4a was made up of the ostriches from G₁ but they were shipped on a second occasion, for 2 h (making a total of 3 h); finally, G_4b was that same group, but after a third transport period, on this occasion during 3 h (for a total of 6 h). Groups G₂ and G₃ presented the most marked blood alterations (P < 0.05), including an increase in pH, hypocapnia (27.8 ± 0.80 mmHg), hypernatremia (171.75 ± 1.84 mmol/L), hypocalcemia (0.95 ± 0.03 mmol/L), and hyperglycemia (224.05 ± 3.94 mg/dL). Also, group G₃ presented the lowest hematocrit values (26.5 ± 0.47 HTC%). Therefore, transporting ostriches with no prior experience for 3 h caused the most pronounced physiometabolic changes.     

Prevalence of Ehrlichia canis infection in thrombocytopenic dogs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

BACKGROUND: Infection with Ehrlichia canis causes a highly variable, multisystemic disease in dogs. Nevertheless, many clinicians in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, use the presence of only thrombocytopenia to make a presumptive diagnosis of E canis infection. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of E canis in thrombocytopenic dogs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS: Following DNA extraction of whole blood samples from 226 dogs, PCR assays were done using primers for rickettsial DNA (including Ehrlichia spp, Anaplasma platys and A phagocytophilum) and using E canis-specific primers (16S rRNA gene). Dogs were grouped as thrombocytopenic and nonthrombocytopenic based on platelet counts. The null hypothesis that there was no difference in the prevalence of E canis in these groups was rejected at P<.05. RESULTS: Thirty-six (32.1%) of the thrombocytopenic dogs and 4 (3.5%) of the nonthrombocytopenic dogs were positive for rickettsial gene sequences (P<.0001). Further, 30 (26.8%) of thrombocytopenic dogs and 4 (3.5%) nonthrombocytopenic dogs were positive for E canis-specific gene sequences (P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Although the prevalence of E canis infection was higher in thrombocytopenic dogs, less than one third of these dogs had demonstrable E canis infection. Thus, thrombocytopenia is not specific for the detection of E canis infection and should not be used solely to establish a diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis, even in a geographic area with relatively high disease prevalence.     

Sugars Profiles of Different Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) and Almond (Prunus dulcis) Cultivars by HPLC-RI

Sugar profiles of different almond and chestnut cultivars were obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), by means of a refractive index (RI) detector. A solid-liquid extraction procedure was used in defatted and dried samples. The chromatographic separation was achieved using a Eurospher 100-5 NH₂ column using an isocratic elution with acetonitrile/water (70:30, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. All the compounds were separated in 16 min. The method was optimized and proved to be reproducible and accurate. Generally, more than 95% of sugars were identified for both matrixes. Sugars profiles were quite homogeneous for almond cultivars; sucrose was the main sugar (11.46 ± 0.14 in Marcona to 22.23 ± 0.59 in Ferragnes g/100 g of dried weight), followed by raffinose (0.71 ± 0.05 in Ferraduel to 2.11 ± 0.29 in Duro Italiano), glucose (0.42 ± 0.12 in Pegarinhos two seeded to 1.47 ± 0.19 in Ferragnes) and fructose (0.11 ± 0.02 in Pegarinhos two seeded to 0.59 ± 0.05 in Gloriette). Commercial cultivars proved to have higher sucrose contents, except in the case of Marcona. Nevertheless, chestnut cultivars revealed a high heterogeneity. Sucrose was the main sugar in Aveleira (22.05 ± 1.48), Judia (23.30 ± 0.83) and Longal (9.56 ± 0.91), while glucose was slightly prevalent in Boa Ventura (6.63 ± 0.49). The observed variance could serve for inter-cultivar discrimination.     

两个商品PRRSV欧洲型改良式活疫苗在妊娠母猪上的使用效果

1前言猪繁殖呼吸综合征(PRRS)的典型症状是仔猪呼吸窘迫和母猪繁殖失败,PRRSV属于动脉炎病毒科(Arterividae)动脉炎病毒属,是一种小体形、被囊膜包裹的单股正链RNA病毒。PRRSV是一类高度异基因的病毒,根据基因型、抗原性和致病力,可将其划分为欧洲型和美洲型两种基因型。