The equine alveolar macrophage: Functional and phenotypic comparisons with peritoneal macrophages

Alveolar macrophages (AMs) constitute the first line of defence in the lung of all species, playing a crucial role in the regulation of immune responses to inhaled pathogens. A detailed understanding of the function and phenotype of AMs is a necessary pre-requisite to both elucidating their role in preventing opportunistic bacterial colonisation of the lower respiratory tract and developing appropriate preventative strategies. The purpose of the study was to characterise this important innate immune cell at the tissue level by making functional and phenotypic comparisons with peritoneal macrophages (PMs). We hypothesised that the tissue of origin determines a unique phenotype of AMs, which may constitute an appropriate therapeutic target for certain equine respiratory diseases. Macrophages isolated from the lung and the peritoneal cavity of 9 horses were stimulated with various toll like receptor (TLR) ligands and the production of nitrite, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin (IL) 10 and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) were measured by the Griess reaction and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and/or quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Cells were also compared on the basis of phagocytic-capacity and the expression of several cell surface markers. AMs, but not PMs, demonstrated increased TNFα release following stimulation with LPS, polyinosinic polycytidylic acid (Poly IC) and heat-killed Salmonella typhinurium and increased TNFα and IDO mRNA expression when stimulated with LPS. AMs showed high expression of the specific macrophage markers cluster of differentiation (CD) 14, CD163 and TLR4, whereas PMs showed high expression of TLR4 only. AMs, but not PMs, demonstrated efficient phagocytic activity. Our results demonstrate that AMs are more active than PMs when stimulated with various pro-inflammatory ligands, thus supporting the importance of the local microenvironment in the activation status of the macrophage. This information provides a valuable knowledge base on which to improve our understanding of the role of macrophages and their microenvironment in equine innate immunity.     

The effects of continuous and rotational grazing of sourveld on the quality of herbage selected by Simmentaler heifers

A grazing trial was conducted at the Kokstad Agricultural Station to compare the dry matter digestibility (DMD) and crude protein content (CP) of diets selected by four fistulated cattle which were continuously and rotationally grazing sourveld. Two stocking rates of 1,0 and 2,3 animals/ha (0,5 and 1,2 LSU/ha) were applied under each grazing method. The mean DMD and CP values of diets selected in the continuous and rotational grazing treatments, respectively, were: DMD=64,3%, 62,3%; CP=6,63%, 6,88%. The effect of stocking rate on the quality of the diet selected varied between the two grazing methods. DMD and CP of diets selected under rotational grazing decreased with time during the week‐long period of stay in each paddock. On average, DMD and CP values on the first and sixth day respectively, were: DMD=66,6%, 60,5%; CP=8,37%, 6,01%. These differences were more pronounced at the higher than at the lower stocking rate. It was concluded that, although some of the treatment differences were small, grazing method differences in the DMD of diets might at least partially account for observed differences in livemass gains under the two grazing systems.     

The effect of veld condition on the quality of diet selected by cattle grazing the Natal Sour Sandveld

The quality of diet selected by steers fistulated at the oesophagous was related to veld condition in a simulated rotational grazing system on the Natal Sour Sandveld. Six camps, ranging in veld condition score from 8,5 to 53%, were grazed simultaneously for a two‐week period in spring, summer, autumn and winter. Fistula samples were collected on the first, middle and last day of a period of occupation in a camp. Samples were analysed in terms of crude protein (CP), in vitro digestibility (IVD) and plant‐part (% leaf, % stem and % dead material) composition. Dietary quality in terms of CP, IVD and plant‐part composition was not related to veld condition but was dependent largely (P≤0,01) upon season and to a lesser extent upon period of occupation in a camp. It was concluded that in sourveld areas, where dietary quality may be limiting, the veld condition score may be a poor index of potential animal production.     

A model to assess the use of caecal and faecal inocula to study fermentability of nutrients in rabbit

An in vitro gas production trial was conducted using 10 Hyla rabbits to evaluate the use of caecal and faecal inocula in fermentability studies. Caecal content (CI) and hard faeces (FI) were used as inocula. Six legume and six cereal concentrates were used as substrates. Gas production was recorded 19 times at 2–24 h intervals throughout fermentation (120 h). The fermentation characteristics (degraded organic matter, OMd; potential gas production, A; volatile fatty acid, VFA; ammonia, NH₃) were measured by testing the inoculum and substrate (legumes vs. cereals). The inocula were different (p < 0.01) in OMd (818.2 vs. 799.4 g/kg OM for CI and FI respectively), A (255.0 vs. 267.1 ml/g OM), total VFA (67.3 vs. 53.2 mmol/g OM) and NH₃ content (21.2 vs. 19.8 mmol/l). Moreover, the significant differences in the (acetate + propionate)/butyrate ratio (5.02 vs. 4.09 for CI and FI respectively, p < 0.01) and in the branched chain proportion (isobutyrate + isovaleriate)/total VFA (0.044 vs. 0.031, p < 0.01) indicate that the inocula differed in fermenting legumes or cereals, but the equations for estimating caecal fermentation characteristics from those of faeces showed R² values from 0.673 to 0.975 (p ≤ 0.01). Our results confirm that in vitro fermentation characteristics of faeces were highly related to those of caecal content.     

海晏县牦牛布氏杆菌病的血清学检测

采用试管凝集反应对海晏县的牦牛进行了布氏杆菌病的血清学检测,共检测177份血清样品,结果检出阳性血清9份,阳性率为5．08％。     

体外培育抗苏拉灭伊氏锥虫克隆

将３个苏拉灭敏感的伊氏锥虫原种的克隆连续培养于改良Ｂａｌｔｚ无细胞培养系统中，通过逐步提高培养基中苏拉灭的含量，培育了３个抗苏拉灭的伊氏锥虫克隆─ＪＧｃ１－１６０、ＪＸ－１ｃ１－１６０和ＺＪｃ１－１４０。它们体外药敏试验的ＩＣ５０依次为３５８．５、４１２．３和２４６．４μｇ／ｍＬ，是各自亲本克隆的１２９２．５、１８７４．１和１７６０．ｏ倍；小鼠治疗试验的ＣＤ１００，对免疫功能正常小鼠依次为８０、１２０和３０ｍｇ／ｋｇ，为各自亲本克隆的５．３、８．０和３．０倍，对免疫抑制小鼠为２５０、３００和１００ｍｇ／ｋｇ，分别是相应免疫正常小鼠的３．１、２．５和３．３倍。试验结果表明，抗锥虫药治疗剂量不足和宿主免疫功能不全是导致产生抗药虫株的重要因素，各自既可单独发挥作用，又可相互协同。本文报道了体外培育伊氏锥虫抗药虫株的方法，这一方法对研究锥虫抗药性具有重要作用。     

快速凝集试验与补体结合试验检测牛边缘无浆体感染的效果对比

从138份血清样品的比较试验结果显示，快速凝集试验（RCA）比补体结合试验（CF）检测边缘无浆体感染的敏感性高（88．9％：81．5％），假阴性率低（11．1％：18．5％），两者都具有良好的特异性和预测性，检测阳性符合率高，快速凝集试验对一次感染牛的持续检出阳性时间更长久（303天：92天）     

驱除牛肝片形吸虫及消化道圆形线虫与体增重相关性的研究

通过寄生虫区系调查和临床检验,发现肝片形吸虫及消化道圆形线虫感染普遍。因此,应用硝氯酚和左旋咪唑给牛驱虫,并观察牛的虫卵减少率与体增重的关系。结果用药组的体增重与对照组比,硝氯酚组平均多增重２６．１ｋｇ／头;左旋咪唑７８．９ｋｇ／头。     

Effect of the β‐carotene oxygenase 2 genotype on the content of carotenoids,retinol and α‐tocopherol in the liver,fat and milk of rabbit does,reproduction parameters and kitten growth

Mutations in the β‐carotene oxygenase 2 (BCO2) gene can impair the function of the enzyme that breaks down carotenoids. As a result, gradual accumulation of unoxidized carotenoids in animal tissues gives them a yellow colour. The aim of the study was to determine the content of carotenoids, retinol and α‐tocopherol in the liver, fat and milk of rabbit does with three different genotypes determined by AAT‐deletion mutation at codon 248 of the BCO2 gene and to find out whether differences in the concentrations of the above compounds in the tissues and milk of the does affect reproduction parameters and the rearing rate of kittens. The experimental materials comprised 36 does, 12 of each genotype of the BCO2 gene, with their litters. Females with their litters were placed in individual cages, on deep litter. Between days 7 and 13 of lactation, samples of milk were collected from the does. The kittens stayed with their mothers until 35 days of age. After weaning, the does were sacrificed. Tissue samples of liver and perirenal fat were collected for chemical analyses. Additionally, based on samples taken from one female, RNA expression levels were determined from the mammary gland and liver, adipose tissue and skin. It was found that homozygous does with deletion at codon 248 of the BCO2 gene were characterized by considerably higher concentrations of xanthophylls and beta‐carotene in the liver, adipose tissue and milk than does with the remaining genotypes. However, the differences in the content of the above compounds in milk had no influence on litter weight or the number and rearing rate of kittens. Additionally, RNA expression of the BCO2 gene was found in the mammary tissue of lactating doe and its level was similar to those noted in the liver and adipose tissue.