Causes of death in beef cattle in southern Brazil

We determined the prevalence of diseases and pathogens associated with mortality in beef cattle in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, based on pathology laboratory submissions. Postmortem examinations were conducted on 1,277 beef cattle that died between 2008 and 2018. Information regarding age, time of the year, breed, and regional location were analyzed statistically. Most cattle were from the surrounding region of Porto Alegre, and 78.7% of the analyzed cases had diagnostic value. The diagnostic category with most cases was infectious and/or parasitic diseases (60%), followed by toxic and toxicoinfectious (25%). Most cases occurred in the fall. Major disease conditions identified included hemoprotozoal infection (18.2%), rabies (8.2%), and plant intoxications by Senecio spp. (8.5%) and Pteridium arachnoideum (4.6%). Hemoprotozoal infection occurred at a higher frequency in young cattle, mainly in animals up to 1 y old. Intoxication by Senecio spp. was more frequent in cattle 2–3 y old.     

Feeding Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products lessens the severity of a viral–bacterial coinfection in preweaned calves

We have previously reported that supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products (SCFP) ameliorates clinical signs and lung pathology following experimental bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) infection in preweaned dairy calves. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of SCFP supplementation on the metabolic and endocrine responses, and disease outcome of a viral–bacterial coinfection in preweaned calves. Twenty-seven, 1- to 2-d-old Holstein-Angus cross calves were enrolled in the study; one SCFP calf was removed from the trial during the pre-challenge phase due to complications from nephritis. Calves were assigned to two treatment groups: control or SCFP-treated, base milk replacer with 1 g/d SCFP (Smartcare, soluble formula) and calf starter top dressed with 5 g/d SCFP (NutriTek, insoluble formula). Calves were infected with BRSV on day 21, followed 6 d later by intratracheal inoculation with Pasteurella multocida (PM). Calves were euthanized on day 10 post-viral infection. Calves receiving SCFP had reduced thoracic ultrasonography scores on day 7 post-viral infection (P = 0.03) and a tendency toward reduced scores on day 10 post-viral infection (P = 0.09). Calves receiving SCFP also had less severe lung pathology scores at necropsy (P = 0.06). No differences between treatments were observed in lung viral loads (P = 0.48) or bacterial lung recovery (P = 0.34); however, there was a distinction in the lung location for PM recovery, with PM isolated more frequently from the cranial lobes in SCFP-treated calves, but more frequently from the caudal lobes of control calves. Calves treated with SCFP tended (P = 0.07) to have higher serum IL-6 concentrations following the coinfection. Calves treated with SCFP had lower concentrations of serum nonesterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyric acid compared with controls following experimental challenge (P = 0.03 and P = 0.08, respectively), suggesting metabolic changes favoring growth and development. There were no differences between groups in gene expression of insulin receptor, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), growth hormone receptor, or haptoglobin in the liver. Results from this study suggest that supplementing with SCFP may moderate the impact of a respiratory viral–bacterial coinfection on preweaned calves through metabolic and immune modifications.     

Tuberculosis in alpaca (Lama pacos) on a farm in Ireland. 1. A clinical report

This case report describes tuberculosis (TB) due to infection with Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) in alpaca (Lama pacos) on a farm in Ireland. Two severely debilitated alpaca were presented to the University Veterinary Hospital, University College Dublin in November 2004. Bloods were taken, and haematology and biochemistry results were indicative of chronic infection. Radiological examination showed evidence of diffuse granulomatous pneumonia suggestive of tuberculosis. On necropsy there were granulomatous lesions present throughout many body organs including lung, liver, kidney, intestine as well on peritoneum and mesentery. Culture of acid-fast bacilli from lesions led to a diagnosis of tuberculosis due to M. bovis. The use of intradermal skin testing proved inefficient and unreliable for ante mortem diagnosis of tuberculosis in alpaca. Infection due to M. bovis should be considered among the differential diagnoses of debilitating diseases in alpaca, particularly those farmed in areas known to be traditional black spots for tuberculosis in cattle.     

牛胎儿皮肤成纤维细胞体外培养及其特性研究

该试验研究了牛胎儿皮肤成纤维细胞的分离、培养、纯化方法及其生长特征.牛胎儿皮肤细胞贴壁传代2～4次.可成功获得均一稳定的成纤维细胞群体.取传至4代的牛胎儿皮肤成纤维细胞进行细胞计数,并绘制其生长曲线.     

欧美牛病毒性腹泻防控措施及对我国的启示

牛病毒性腹泻是牛的重要疫病,导致产奶量下降、肉产量降低、繁殖障碍、生长迟缓、继发其他病原几率增加甚至死亡等,给养牛业造成较大的经济损失。欧美国家在牛病毒性腹泻防控方面形成了一套行之有效的方法,有效地控制并逐步根除了BVD。借鉴欧美牛病毒性腹泻防控策略可对我国该病的防制提供一定的指导。     

用单抗研究T细胞与牛流行性白血病发生的关系

本试验对10头患流行性白血病病牛的不同器官的肿瘤组织，用8种单克隆抗体（McAb),TH14B、BAQ44A、PIg45A、BIg715A、PIg501E、cAct105、MM1A、AHCC125染色进行了观察。结果：病牛经临床病理学和免疫琼扩试验而诊断为EBL，通过免疫组织化学检测，在10个病例中发现有9个病例的肿瘤组织对B细胞属性的McAb有很强的染色反应，证明其来源于B细胞。仅有1个病例对B细胞属性的McAb着色很淡，而对T细胞属性的McAb着色很深，呈强阳性反应，说明其来源可能与T细胞有关。     

Characterization of Interstitial Cells of Cajal in Bowel of Cattle (Bos taurus)

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) have been described in the gastrointestinal tract of different mammals including humans, horses, pigs, rats, dogs, mice and guinea-pigs. In the present study, ICC were identified in the jejunum of Bos taurus using polyclonal anti-c-Kit antibodies in immunohistochemical assays. Vimentin and desmin intermediate filaments were also determined using monoclonal antibodies. ICC were found in the tunica muscularis either in a palisade distribution pattern between the outer longitudinal and the inner circular layers (ICC-MP) or freely distributed in clusters in the longitudinal layer (ICC-LM). Morphometric studies determined that ICC have a fusiform shape presenting cytoplasmic prolongations. ICC were positive to c-Kit and vimentin antigens but negative to desmin. We have observed and described for the first time the presence of ICC in a ruminant. As observed in the aforementioned mammals, bovine ICC were associated with the myenteric plexus. Nevertheless, the presence of widespread ICC in the longitudinal muscular layer of the jejunum differs from previously described studies of other mammals.     

Biology of the prolactin family in bovine placenta. I. Bovine placental lactogen: Expression, structure and proposed roles

Bovine placenta produces an array of proteins that are structurally and functionally similar to pituitary prolactin. Bovine placental lactogen (bPL) is a glycoprotein hormone that has lactogenic and somatogenic properties. Purified bPL contains several kinds of isoforms that are created by alternative splicing and/or multiple glycosylation patterns. bPL can activate the prolactin (PRL) receptor‐mediated signaling pathway as well as PRL does. The bPL mRNA is transcribed in trophoblast binucleate cells, and synthesized bPL protein is stored in membrane‐bound secretory granules. The message encoding bPL is first detectable in trophoblast binucleate cells at approximately day 20 of gestation at, or shortly after, the appearance of binucleate cells in the trophoblast. Most binucleate cells are detected as expressed bPL in the placenta. Bovine PL may be the determinant in trophoblast differentiation. Although the biological activities of bPL have long been studied, the precise role of bPL is still largely unclear. This article reviews and discusses the biological roles of bPL, focusing on luteal function, fetal growth and pregnancy‐associated maternal adaptation, mammogenesis and lactogenesis, and placental angiogenesis. The precise biological function of bPL needs to be further evaluated.     

Cardiopulmonary effects of reverse Trendelenburg position at 5° and 10° in sevoflurane-anesthetized steers

Objective

To assess the cardiopulmonary effects caused by reverse Trendelenburg position (RTP) at 5° and 10° in sevoflurane-anesthetized yearling steers.