Protectivity conferred by immunization with intranasal recombinant outer membrane protein H from Pasteurella multocida serovar A:1 in chickens

Recombinant outer membrane protein H (rOmpH) is a potential fowl cholera vaccine candidate. The present study was aimed at developing rOmpH formulations for intranasal administration. The rOmpH was purified and formulated with either Escherichia coli enterotoxin B (LTB) or CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) as an adjuvant. Antibody responses in chickens intranasally immunized with rOmpH in combination with 2 different adjuvants were significantly increased (P<0.05) post immunization. Chicken survival rates showed that rOmpH formulated with ODN and LTB elicited 90% and 70% protection, respectively. Our findings indicated that rOmpH formulated with ODN elicited protection better than that formulated with LTB. Therefore, the vaccines formulations in the present study can be considered new intranasal vaccine formulations for fowl cholera in chickens.     

Prolonging hypothermic storage (4 C) of bovine embryos with fish antifreeze protein

Embryos obtained via superovulation are necessary for mammalian artificial reproduction, and viability is a key determinant of success. Nonfreezing storage at 4 C is possible, but currently used storage solutions can maintain embryo viability for only 24–48 h. Here we found that 10 mg/ml antifreeze protein (AFP) dissolved in culture medium 199 with 20% (v/v) fetal bovine serum and 25 mM HEPES could keep bovine embryos alive for 10 days at 4 C. We used a recombinant AFP isolated from the notched-fin eelpout (Zoarces elongatus Kner). Photomicroscopy indicated that the AFP–embryo interaction was enhanced at 37 C. Embryos pre-warmed with the AFP solution at 37 C for 60 min maintained high viability, whereas those that were not pre-warmed could live no longer than 7 days. Thus, short-term storage of bovine embryos was achieved by a combination of AFP-containing medium and controlled pre-warming.     

Synovial fluid total protein concentration as a possible marker for canine idiopathic polyarthritis

Idiopathic polyarthritis (IPA) is a very common inflammatory arthropathy in the dog. Canine IPA is diagnosed mainly by detecting increased number of leukocytes in the synovial fluid (SF), which is easily influenced by glucocorticoid therapy. We obtained 31 SF samples from 24 IPA dogs prior to (n=19) and/or after (n=12) 1 to 10 weeks of glucocorticoid therapy. The SF total protein concentrations of IPA dogs were significantly higher than those of dogs with non-arthritis diseases (n=34) and healthy controls (n=10). Our data revealed that the SF total protein concentrations are not influenced by several weeks of glucocorticoid therapy. Hence, the SF total protein concentration is applicable as a diagnostic marker of canine IPA even when the patients are receiving glucocorticoid therapy.     

Effects of pistachio by‐products on digestibility,milk production,milk fatty acid profile and blood metabolites in Saanen dairy goats

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of pistachio by‐products (PBP) on nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites and milk fatty acid (FA) profile in Saanen dairy goats. Nine multiparous lactating Saanen goats (on day 90 post‐partum, 45 ± 2/kg BW) were randomly assigned to a 3 × 3 Latin square design with three treatment diets: 1) control diet (alfalfa hay based), 2) 32% PBP and 3) 32% PBP + polyethylene glycol (PEG‐4000; 1 g/kg dry matter). Each period lasted 21 days, including 14 day for treatment adaptation and 7 day for data collection. Pistachio by‐products significantly decreased (p < 0.01) crude protein (CP) digestibility compared with the control diet (64.4% vs. 58.7%), but PEG addition did not differ for CP digestibility of goats fed 32% PBP + PEG and those fed the two other diets. The digestibility of NDF tended (p = 0.06) to decrease for goats fed PBP compared with those fed the control diet. Yields of milk and 4% fat‐corrected milk were not affected by dietary treatments. Compared with the control diet, PBP supplementation appreciably changed the proportions of almost all the milk FA measured; the main effects were decreases (p < 0.01) in FA from 8:0 to 16:0 and increases (p < 0.01) proportions of cis‐9, trans‐11 18:2 and trans‐11 18:1, monounsaturated FA, polyunsaturated FA and long‐chain FA. The saturated FA, short‐chain FA and medium‐chain FA proportions were lower (p < 0.01) in goats fed the two PBP supplemented diet than in those fed the control diet and PEG addition led to intermediate proportions of saturated FA, unsaturated and monounsaturated FA. Inclusion of PBP in the diet decreased (p < 0.01) plasma concentrations of glucose and urea nitrogen compared with the control diet. It was concluded that PBP can be used as forage in the diet of dairy goats without interfering with milk yield. Inclusion of 32% PBP in the diet of dairy goats had beneficial effects on milk FA profile but PEG addition to PBP did not contribute to enhance further milk FA profile.     

Regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase 3/1 activity during meiosis resumption in mammals

In vivo, resumption of oocyte meiosis occurs in large ovarian follicles after the preovulatory surge of luteinizing hormone (LH). The LH surge leads to the activation of a broad signaling network in mural granulosa cells equipped with LH receptors. The signals generated in the mural granulosa cells are further augmented by locally produced peptides or steroids and transferred to the cumulus cell compartment and the oocyte itself. Over the last decade, essential progress has been made in the identification of molecular events associated with the final maturation and ovulation of mammalian oocytes. All new evidence argues for a multiple roles of mitogen-activated protein kinase 3/1 (MAPK3/1) in the gonadotropin-induced ovulation processes. However, the knowledge of gonadotropin-induced signaling pathways leading to MAPK3/1 activation in follicular cells seems limited. To date, only the LH-induced transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor/MAPK3/1 pathway has been described in granulosa/cumulus cells even though other mechanisms of MAPK3/1 activation have been detected in other types of cells. In this review, we aimed to summarize recent advances in the elucidation of gonadotropin-induced mechanisms leading to the activation of MAPK3/1 in preovulatory follicles and cultured cumulus-oocyte complexes and to point out a specific role of this kinase in the processes accompanying final maturation of the mammalian oocyte.     

Genetic analysis of fat‐to‐protein ratio,milk yield and somatic cell score of Holstein cows in Japan in the first three lactations by using a random regression model

We estimated the genetic parameters of fat‐to‐protein ratio (FPR) and the genetic correlations between FPR and milk yield or somatic cell score in the first three lactations in dairy cows. Data included 3 079 517 test‐day records of 201 138 Holstein cows in Japan from 2006 to 2011. Genetic parameters were estimated with a multiple‐trait random regression model in which the records within and between parities were treated as separate traits. The phenotypic values of FPR increased soon after parturition and peaked at 10 to 20 days in milk, then decreased slowly in mid‐ and late lactation. Heritability estimates for FPR yielded moderate values. Genetic correlations of FPR among parities were low in early lactation. Genetic correlations between FPR and milk yield were positive and low in early lactation, but only in the first lactation. Genetic correlations between FPR and somatic cell score were positive in early lactation and decreased to become negative in mid‐ to late lactation. By using these results for genetic evaluation it should be possible to improve energy balance in dairy cows.     

Influence of race and crossbreeding on casein micelles size

Casein (CN) micelles are colloidal aggregates of protein dispersed in milk, the importance of which in the dairy industry is related to functionality and yield in dairy products. The objective of this work was to investigate the correlation of milk CN micelles diameter from Holstein and Zebu crossbreds with milk composition (protein, fat, lactose, total and nonfat solids and milk urea nitrogen), somatic cell count (SCC), age, lactation stage and production. Average casein micelles diameters of milk samples obtained from 200 cows were measured using photon correlation spectroscopy and multiple regression analysis was used to find relationship between variables. CN micelle diameter, SCC and nonfat solids were different between animals with different Holstein crossbreed ratios, which suggests influence of genetic factors, mammary gland health and milk composition. Overall, results indicate the potential use of CN micelle diameter as a tool to select animals to produce milk more suitable to cheese production.     

Effects of Feeding Different Dietary Crude Protein and Digestible Energy to Yili Mares during Late Lactation Stage on Growth Development and Blood Biochemical Parameters of Foals

In this paper, thirty Yili mares aged 11 to 12 years with weighing 410 kg ± 30 kg, parity of 4 to 5 in third lactation month were selected, and were randomly divided into six groups, each group with five repeats.Two factors quadratic regression orthogonal rotational combination design was adopted to evaluate the effects of feeding different dietary CP and DE to mares on growth development and blood biochemical parameters of foals.Daily DE and CP feeding levels of the 6 groups were 92 MJ/d and 1.20 kg/d, 125 MJ/d and 1.20 kg/d, 92 MJ/d and 1.55 kg/d, 107 MJ/d and 1.35 kg/d, 125 MJ/d and 1.44 kg/d, 115 MJ/d and 1.55 kg/d, respectively.The results showed that body weight, body height, chest circumference and cannon circumference of foals of four and five months were not significant affected by maternal protein and energy intake (P>0.05).As compared with ration contained high DE (125 MJ/d) and low CP (1.20 kg/d), feeding with ration contained moderate DE (107 MJ/d) and CP (1.35 kg/d) improved body length of foals of four and five months significantly (P<0.05).From the blood biochemical parameters, such as total protein, albumin, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, urea nitrogen, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, there were no significant differences among all groups (P>0.05).Mares fed with ration contained moderate DE (107 MJ/d) and CP (1.35 kg/d) obviously improved the aspartate aminotransferase and uric acid level.In summary, Yili mares during lactation late stage fed with 1.35 kg/d CP and 107 MJ/d DE daily could significantly improve body length development of foals, and foals nitrogen metabolism was altered by maternal dietary nutrition through increasing blood aspartate aminotransferase activity.     

PCV2 Rep蛋白N-糖基化位点突变对病毒复制的影响

N-糖基化对病毒的感染与增殖均具有重要作用,与PCV2复制相关的Rep蛋白含有三个N-糖基化位点。为了分析PCV2Rep蛋白N-糖基化位点突变对病毒复制的影响,本试验构建了三个双拷贝突变体感染性克隆2M23、2M256、2M286,并成功拯救病毒。通过间接免疫荧光检测病毒的拯救效果,TCID50测定病毒的感染力,荧光定量PCR检测细胞病毒的载量。结果显示,PCV2Rep蛋白的23~25aa、256~258aa N-糖基化位点突变后降低病毒的复制能力,而286~288aa突变后增强病毒的复制能力,为进一步阐明PCV2的复制及致病机制提供参考。     

抗流感病毒药物研究进展

季节性和爆发性流感引起了高发病率和死亡率,不仅严重危害人体健康,还影响社会稳定和经济发展。目前对抗流感的主要措施是预防接种,然而流感病毒变异速度非常快,使得现有的疫苗对新变异的流感病毒无效或者预防效果不好。因此,抗病毒药物的研究显得非常必要,而被深入研究的流感病毒的生命周期和病毒结构蛋白也推进了抗流感病毒药物设计的进展。本文将对抗流感药物设计靶向进行概述,旨在为今后研究开发出更高效、更理想的多靶向抗流感病毒药物提供借鉴。