Validation of a bulk tank milk antibody ELISA to detect dairy herds likely infected with bovine viral diarrhoea virus in New Zealand

AIMS: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of a bulk tank milk (BTM) antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect likely infection of a dairy herd with bovine vi- ral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). The ELISA was subsequently used to estimate the prevalence of likely infected herds in parts of the North Island of New Zealand.

METHODS: BTM samples from 724 randomly selected dairy herds in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Northland regions of New Zealand were tested for BVDV antibodies. From this group, 20 herds were again randomly selected from each of the quartiles of the ELISA percentage inhibition (%INH) result. From each participant herd, serum from 15 randomly selected calves aged 6–18 months and 15 cows was collected and tested using an indirect blocking ELISA for BVDV antibodies.

RESULTS: Among serum results from calves from 50 herds available for analysis, 34 (68%) herds were classified as likely non-infected (0-3 seropositive among 15 calves) and 16 (32%) as likely infected (5–15 seropositive among 15 calves). Receiver- operator characteristic (ROC) analysis identified an optimal cut-off for BTM of 80%INH associated with 81% sensitivity and 91% specificity for likely herd infection. The prevalence of BVDV antibodies in cows within herds and %INH for BVDV in bulk milk were positively correlated (p<0.01). The association between bulk milk %INH and the prevalence of BVDV antibodies in calves was stronger than the same association in cows. Based on the threshold of 80%INH, the 95% confidence interval (CI) for prevalence of likely infection in the 724 herds in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Northland regions of New Zealand was 12–17%. Vaccination against BVDV was not significantly associated with the likely infection status of the herd based on prevalence of BVDV antibodies among calves.

CONCLUSION: An ELISA test result for BVDV antibodies in BTM ≥80%INH can be used as a threshold to indicate the presence of likely infection with BVDV in dairy herds in New Zealand, with 81% sensitivity and 91% specificity.     

Regulation of Innate Immune Function in Bovine Oviduct Epithelial Cells in Culture: The Homeostatic Role of Epithelial Cells in Balancing Th1/Th2 Response

This study aimed to investigate the role of epithelial cells in regulating innate immunity in bovine oviduct epithelial cell (BOEC) culture. We studied the effect of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and its interaction with ovarian steroids, estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4), and luteinizing hormone (LH) at concentrations observed during the preovulatory period on immune responses in BOEC culture. Immunohistochemistry of oviduct tissue showed intensive expression of Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) and TLR-2 in epithelial cells. A dose of 10 ng/ml LPS stimulated TLR-4, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor A (NFKBIA), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) expression, indicating an early pro-inflammatory response. A dose of 100 ng/ml LPS did not induce expression of these genes but stimulated TLR-2, IL-10,IL-4 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) expression and PGE2 secretion, indicating an anti-inflammatory response. Ovarian steroids and LH completely block LPS (10 ng/ml)-induced TLR-4, IL-1β and TNF-α expression as well as LPS (100 ng/ml)-induced TLR-2 expression. Taken together, this study suggests the existence of an early signaling system to respond to infection in the BOEC. In addition, ovarian steroids and LH may play a critical role in inducing homeostasis and in controlling hyperactive pro-inflammatory responses detrimental to epithelial cells, sperm and the embryo.     

A Five-Day Progesterone Plus eCG-Based Fixed-Time AI Protocol Improves Fertility Over Spontaneous Estrus in High-Producing Dairy Cows Under Heat Stress

This study compared the efficiency of a five-day or standard (nine-day) progesterone-based regimen combined with equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) in a fixed-time AI (FTAI) protocol for dairy cows. The data examined were derived from 3577 inseminations conducted in three dairy herds. Animals with no estrus signs detected over 21 days were randomly assigned to a PRID-9 or PRID-5 group. Cows in each group received a progesterone intravaginal device (PRID) for 9 or 5 days, respectively, PGF_2α and eCG on PRID removal, and GnRH 48 h later. Fixed-time AI was performed 12 h after the GnRH dose. Cows artificially inseminated following spontaneous estrus during the study period were considered as controls. Based on the odds ratio, the likelihoods of animals in PRID-9 in the warm (conception rate [CR] of 22.3%) and cool (32% CR) periods, and control animals in the warm period (26.6% CR) becoming pregnant were reduced (by factors of 0.6, 0.3 and 0.4, respectively) compared with the control animals in the cool period (CR of 43.7%). The risk of a twin pregnancy was higher (51.4%) for cystic PRID-9 cows (by a factor of 3.6) and lower (9.9%) for cyclic PRID-5 animals (by a factor of 0.4) compared with the PRID-9 cyclic cows. These findings indicate that the proposed protocol achieves similar results during the cool or warm season to those obtained when AI is conducted at spontaneous estrus during the cool season. In addition, PRID-5 reduced twin pregnancy compared with PRID-9.     

牛疱疹病毒I型gB基因的原核表达

根据GenBank中BHV-1 Colorado 1毒株的全基因组序列,针对gB基因的主要B细胞免疫区域设计一对引物。提取BHV-1 Colorado 1毒株的基因组DNA,PCR扩增大小为585 bp的gB片段,将其克隆至pET-22b（+）原核表达载体并测序分析,同时用Nde I和Not I酶切鉴定。SDS-PAGE和Western blot试验结果证明,获得的可溶性gB重组蛋白能与牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒标准阳性WEI血清发生特异性反应,为ELISA等免疫诊断方法的建立奠定了物质基础。     

Hair cortisol as a marker of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation in Friesian dairy cows clinically or physiologically compromised

This study was designed to assess hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation in lactating cows clinically or physiologically compromised. Cortisol was measured in the hair of 475 multiparous cows of Italian Friesian breed. The cows were classified into Groups A (n=218) and B (n=257). Group A included cows clinically compromised that had recently suffered a disease (e.g. metritis, laminitis, mastitis) or physiologically compromised that calved 1 month prior to hair sampling. Group B were clinically normal lactating cows at least 60 days after calving with somatic cell counts of less than 200,000 cells/ml in milk. Animals in Group A showed higher hair cortisol levels than those in Group B (P<0.01). Significant positive correlation (rpb=+0.352, P<0.001) was detected between hair cortisol and cows clinically or physiologically compromised. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.701 (SE 0.024) and a cut-off value of 4.17 pg/mg was found to discriminate between groups A and B with a sensitivity of 62.4% and specificity of 69.3%. The hair cortisol test emerged as useful to determine HPA activation and to enhance current understanding on the involvement of this axis in clinically or physiologically compromised cows.     

“乳黄消散”对临床型奶牛乳房炎治疗效果

为观察不同给药量的"乳黄消散"对临床型奶牛乳房炎的治疗效果,为临床治疗提供可靠依据,选取患临床型乳房炎的泌乳牛40头,随机分为3个试验组和1个对照组,每组10头牛。试验组分别用不同给药量的"乳黄消散"进行治疗(高、中、低剂量组给药量分别为1 500、1 000、500 g/d),"公英散"对照组给药量为500 g/d,观察并统计临床治疗效果、治疗前后乳汁LMT检测情况及细菌变化情况。结果显示,"乳黄消散"中剂量组治愈率及总有效率最高,极显著高于高剂量组和低剂量组,高剂量组治愈率和总有效率次之,低剂量组最低。试验组治愈率和总有效率均极显著高于对照"公英散"组。LMT检测结果显示,治疗前40个乳区均为强阳性"+++",治疗后均为"+、+或-"。乳汁细菌检测结果显示,治疗前主要为大肠杆菌、无乳链球菌、乳房链球菌和屎肠球菌等,治疗后3～5 d同一乳区细菌检测结果显示,试验组的细菌总转阴率达66.67%～100.00%,对照组细菌总转阴率达50.00%～100.00%。综合考虑,"乳黄消散"中剂量组临床治疗效果最佳。     

广东省牛流行热病毒分离株JM 2020的全基因组测序及进化分析

【目的】分析广东省牛流行热病毒(Bovine ephemeral fever virus,BEFV)分离株JM 2020与其他地区毒株的进化关系,阐明遗传进化与全基因组的特征,为中国乃至世界对牛流行热疾病的流行情况以及预防该疾病提供有用信息。【方法】根据从GenBank下载的BEFV毒株的全基因组序列信息,设计引物PCR扩增糖蛋白(Glycoprotein,G)基因;另设计10对引物用于扩增全基因组,送测序得到10个片段的基因序列,运用DNAStar软件中的EditSeq手动编辑和拼接获得全基因组序列。运用MEGA 6.0分别构建G基因和全基因组进化树进行进化分析。【结果】JM 2020毒株的G基因和全基因组与泰国毒株的核苷酸序列相似性均最高,分别为94.9%～99.3%和99.0%,进化分析表明JM 2020与2013—2017年泰国毒株处于同一小分支,而与JB76H、JT02L等国内毒株有一定进化距离。全基因组测序结果表明,JM 2020全基因组长度为14 902个核苷酸(nt),包括50 nt的前导序列,1 296 nt的核蛋白(Nucleoprotein,N)基因,837 nt...     

SRT1720 enhances maturity and quality of oocytes in aged mice

This study aims to investigate the morphology and distribution of mitochondria, spindles, and chromosomes in oocytes of aged mice and examine the effects of SRT1720 on oocyte maturation. C57BL/6J mice were divided into young (4–8 weeks) and aged groups (48–52 weeks). In vitro maturation media contained (0.05, 0.1, and 1.0 μM) SRT1720 and 0.1-μM dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO control). The rate of chromosome misalignment and spindle misorientation in oocytes of aged mice were significantly higher than that of young mice (P < 0.01). Fluorescence intensity of mitochondria from oocytes of aged mice was significantly lower than that of young mice (P < 0.01). SRT1720 at 0.1 μM significantly improved oocyte maturation, fertilization, and blastocyst formation in aged mice compared with young mice (P < 0.01). Additionally, immunofluorescence intensity of mitochondria, normal spindle morphology, and chromosome alignment were notably enhanced with SRT1720 when compared with the DSMO control group for metaphase II (MII)-stage oocytes matured in vitro (P < 0.01); 0.1-μM SRT1720 enhanced the expression level of SRIT1 in oocytes from aged mice. In summary, the aged mice oocytes showed increased nuclear and cytoplasmic defects, whereas SRT1720 enhanced oocyte maturation and quality. We concluded that 0.1-μM SRT1720 was an appropriate concentration for in vitro maturation media.     

Immunohistochemical expression of interferon-γ in different types of granulomatous lesions associated with bovine paratuberculosis

Animals infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) show a variety of lesions, from focal forms, seen in subclinical stages to diffuse lesions in clinical cases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the local expression of IFN-γ by immunohistochemistry in relation with the type of lesion in naturally Map-infected cows. The number of immunolabelled cells, −the majority morphologically consistent with lymphocytes-, was higher in focal and diffuse paucibacillary forms than in diffuse multibacillary lesions, where they appeared closely related to epithelioid cells. Diffuse multibacillary lesions had the lowest numbers, but higher than controls, and positive cells were intermingled among the macrophages. The peripheral IFN-γ production was higher in all Map infected cows and a positive correlation was found with the number of immunolabelled cells in the intestine. The findings of this study show that IFN-γ would play a role in the development of the different types of lesions in paratuberculosis, and also points out the importance of adequate sampling of lymphoid tissue containing samples when studying the local immune response in which IFN-γ expression may be involved, especially in cases where focal lesions are present.