Fructose 1,6-biphosphate aldolase in the sera of Simmental young bulls Connection with the fattening capacity, muscle quantity and protein content

SUMMARY: The activity of enzyme aldolase (ALD) was determined in the sera of Simmental young bulls, with the purpose to see whether there exists a relationship between the enzyme activity and fattening capacity and whether the ALD could be an indicator of the muscle quantity and protein content. Early ALD activity was correlated with slaughter weight and ADG in the last fattening month. The regression analysis suggests that young bulls with higher serum ALD acitivity at the start of the experiment had more total muscles and less bone in the analysed rib part. On the basis of ALD activity in the first fattening month it was possible to estimate protein and fat content in the MLD. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Fructose-1,6-biphosphat Aldolase beim Serum Simmentaler Jungbullen. Beziehung zwischen Mastf?higkeit, Muskelmenge und Proteingehalt Aldolase (ALD) Enzymt?tigkeit im Serum von Simmentaler Jungbullen wurden in Hinblick auf eine Beziehung mit Mastf?higkeit, Muskelmenge und Proteingehalt untersucht. Es zeigt sich eine Korrelation zwischen früher ALD Aktivit?t und Schlachtgewicht und Tageszuwachs im Endmastmonat. Regressionsanalyse ergab, da? Jungbullen mit h?herer ALD Aktivit?t bei Mastbeginn mehr Muskelanteil im m. longissimus dorsi und weniger Knochen besitzen. ALD Aktivit?t im ersten Mastmonat erlaubt Sch?tzung des Protein- und Fettgehalts im m. long, dorsi. RESUMEN: Fructosa 1,6-bifosfato aldolasa en el suero de los terneros simentales. Relatión con sus capacidades de ser cebados, su cantidad de músculos y el contenido de proteínas Con el fin de establecer la relación entre la actividad de enzimas y las capacidades durante el proceso de la ceba, asf como para precisar si el ALD puede servir como indicador de la cantidad de músculos y el contenido de proteinas, intentaba determinarse la actividad de los enzimas de aldolasa (ALD) en el suero de los terneros simentales. A base de la actividad indicial del ALD, es posible estimar el peso final de matadero y la crecencia diaria media durante el último mes de la ceba. Tras una análisis regresiva se ha probado que los terneros con una actividad mayor del ALD en el suero a principios del proceso de su ceba tienen más músculos en total en la parte de costillas y m. longissimus dorsi mientras que tienen menos huesos. A base de la actividad del ALD durante el primer mes de la ceba es posible estimar el contenido de proteinas y grasa en m. long, dorsi. RéSUMé: Fructose 1.6-biphosphate aldolase dans le sérum des taurillons de Simmental. Le rapport entre l'aptitude à l'angraissement, la proportion des muscles et la teneur en protéines On a déterminé l'activité de l'enzyme aldolase (ALD) dans le sérum des taurillons de Simmental afin de vérifier s'il existait un rapport entre l'activité des enzymes et l'aptitude à l'engraissement et si l'ALD pouvait être indicatrice de la proportion de muscles et de la teneur en protéines. A la base de l'activité initiale de l'ALD, il est possible d'évaluer le poids de la carcasse et le gain quotidien moyen au cours du dernier mois d'engrais. Par analyse régressive, il a été établi que les taurillons à l'activité supérieure de l'ALD dans le sérum avaient au début de l'engrais plus de muscles au total dans la région costale et le m. longissimus dorsi et moins d'os. A la base de l'activité de l'ALD au cours du premier mois d'engrais il est possible d'évaluer la teneur en protéines et en graisse dans le muscle longissimus dorsi.     

Effects of vaccination against brucellosis and clostridia on the intake,performance, feeding behavior,blood parameters,and immune responses of dairy heifers calves

The aim of this study was to identify possible effects of different vaccination strategies (concomitantly or not) against brucellosis and clostridia on intake, performance, feeding behavior, blood parameters, and immune responses of dairy heifers calves. Fifty heifers calves were enrolled [38 Gyr (Zebu, Bos taurus indicus) and 12 5/8 Holstein Gyr]. At 120 d of age, animals were randomly distributed among 3 groups: B (n = 18), vaccinated against brucellosis; C (n = 14), vaccinated against clostridia and CB (n = 18), vaccinated concomitantly for both. Rectal and thermographic temperatures were evaluated on days 1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7,10, 14, and 28 relatives to the vaccination day. Feed and water intake, body weight (BW), and feeding behavior were monitored daily by an electronic feeding system. Blood was sampled on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28, relative to the vaccination day for determination of glucose and -hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations. Blood sampled on day 0 (prevaccination) and on days 28 and 42 were used to evaluate the immune response against Brucella abortus and clostridia. There was an increase in rectal temperature between the first and the third day postvaccination in the 3 groups. The thermography revealed an increase of local temperature for 7 d on groups B and CB. Group C had increased local temperature for a longer period, lasting for up to 14 d. Dry mater intake was reduced for groups B and CB, but no alteration was observed for group C. No alterations regarding initial BW, final BW, average daily weight gain, and feed efficiency were observed. No differences were observed for the 3 vaccination groups for blood parameters throughout the evaluation period. The concomitant vaccination against brucellosis and clostridia led to lower neutralizing antibody titers against epsilon toxin of Clostridium perfringens and botulinum toxin type C of C. botulinum (C > CB > B). When cellular proliferation assay and serological tests to B. abortus were evaluated, no differences were observed between groups B and CB. The present results indicate that the concomitant vaccination against brucellosis and clostridia has no relevant impact on the intake, performance, and feeding behavior of dairy calves. However, the concomitant vaccination of vaccines against these 2 pathogens impacts animal immunity against clostridial infections.     

Pregnancy‐Induced ISG‐15 and MX‐1 Gene Expression is Detected in the Liver of Holstein–Friesian Heifers During Late Peri‐Implantation Period

The bovine embryonic signal interferon‐τ (IFN‐τ) produced by the trophoblast is known to pass through the uterine fluid towards the endometrium and further into the maternal blood, where IFN‐τ induces specific expression of interferon‐stimulated gene expression (ISG), for example in peripheral leucocytes. In sheep, it was shown experimentally by administration of IFN‐τ that ISG is also detectable in the liver. The objective was to test whether ISG can be detected in liver biopsy specimens from Holstein–Friesian heifers during early pregnancy. Liver biopsies were taken on day 18 from pregnant and non‐pregnant heifers (n = 19), and the interferon‐stimulated protein 15 kDa (ISG‐15) and myxovirus‐resistance protein‐1 (MX‐1) gene expression was detected. The expression of both MX‐1 (p: 24.33 ± 7.40 vs np: 9.00 ± 4.02) and ISG‐15 (p: 43.73 ± 23.22 vs 7.83 ± 3.63) was higher in pregnant compared to non‐pregnant heifers (p < 0.05). In conclusion, pregnancy induced ISG‐15 and MX‐1 gene expression in the liver already at day 18 in cattle.     

Accuracy of a rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure progesterone in mares

The aim of this study was to validate an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the measurement of progesterone (P4) in mares. Specifically, the objectives were as follows: (1) to determine the specificity and sensitivity of the ELISA test for determination of P4, (2) to measure the potential agreement between the 2 people performing the test, and 3) to evaluate the effect of time on the outcome. Ten mares were sampled on the day before ovulation (D-1), and on days 1 (D1), 3 (D3), and 5 (D5) following ovulation, during the reproductive season. While mares were cycling regularly, estrus was induced by the injection of 5 mg of prostaglandin (PGF2) and monitored starting on the 4th day by daily transrectal palpation and ultrasonography to determine the time of ovulation. Blood was collected and all samples (n=96) were assayed for P4 by a semiquantitative ELISA, by chemiluminescent immunoassay, and by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Based on the RIA, values of P4 on D-1, D1, D3, and D5 were significantly different (P < 0.0001) with mean and standard deviation(s) of 0.004, s = 0.52; 2.05, s = 2.58; 8.37, s = 4.17; and 12.76, s = 4.00 ng/mL respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the semiquantitative assay were 94% and 95%, respectively for the lowest values of P4 (< 1.0 ng/mL). The value of kappa was 0.90 between 2 individuals performing the test. In conclusion, these results suggest that the semiquantitative test may be used reliably and economically to evaluate P4 levels in equine plasma in the clinical     

Comparison of a commercial ELISA with the modified agglutination test for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in naturally exposed sheep

Surprisingly few commercial ELISAs are available for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in animals, and none for use in sheep have been evaluated. We thus compared the Bommeli Diagnostics ELISA Toxotest for the detection of T. gondii antibodies in ruminants with the reference modified agglutination test (MAT) in a series of 180 sheep sera. ELISA results were analysed at two cut-off levels (30%, comprising both weakly positive and positive results, and 100%, comprising only positive results), and compared with MAT at three cut-off levels (titre of 1 : 25, 1 : 50 and 1 : 100). The results showed a moderate agreement of ELISA at both cut-offs (kappa = 0.46 and 0.51) with MAT at a cut-off titre of 1 : 100. However, the specificity and positive predictive value were above 95% only at an ELISA cut-off of 100%, indicating its potential as a diagnostic test, particularly in areas with a high prevalence of infection. On the other hand, lower sensitivity and negative predictive value limit its value as a screening test. Thus, the ELISA Toxotest may be used for quick diagnosis of T. gondii infection in sheep in the field, i.e. for the differential diagnosis of ovine abortion storms.     

Changes in the herbicide sensitivity and competitive ability of Abutilon theophrasti over 28 years: Implications for hormesis and weed evolution

BACKGROUND

The potential of weed species to respond to selection forces affecting the evolution of weedy traits such as competitive ability is poorly understood. This research characterized evolutionary growth changes in a single Abutilon theophrasti Medik. population comparing multiple generations collected from 1988 to 2016. A competition study was performed to understand changes in competitive ability, and a herbicide dose–response study was carried out to assess changes in sensitivity to acetolactate synthase-inhibiting herbicides and glyphosate over time.

RESULTS

When grown in monoculture, A. theophrasti biomass production per plant increased steadily across year-lines while leaf number decreased. In replacement experiments, A. theophrasti plants from newer year-lines were more competitive and produced more biomass and leaf area than the oldest year-line. No clear differences in sensitivity to imazamox were observed among year-lines. However, starting in 1995, this A. theophrasti population exhibited a progressive increase in growth in response to a sublethal dose of glyphosate (52 g a.e. ha⁻¹), with the 2009 and 2016 year-lines having more than 50% higher biomass than the nontreated control.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that weeds can rapidly evolve increased competitive ability. Furthermore, the results indicate the possibility of changes in glyphosate hormesis over time. These results highlight the importance of the role that rapid (i.e., subdecadal) evolution of growth traits might have on the sustainability of weed management strategies. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Schiff-Sherrington syndrome in a 7-year-old zebra mare (Equus quagga)

A 7-year-old plains zebra (Equus quagga) mare was presented to the Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Germany as an emergency. The owner reported that the mare was unable to stand after a suspected traumatic episode at the home yard. The mare was transported in lateral recumbency in a trailer. Clinical examination revealed tachycardia (up to 102 beats/min), tachypnoea (28 breaths/min), mild fever (38.7°C) and clinical dehydration with elastic skin and dry and red mucous membranes. Neurological examination showed paraplegia with complete loss of nociception of the mid-thoracic region and caudal to it. In contrast, examination of the thoracic limbs revealed marked extensor rigidity and hyperaesthesia resulting in an enhanced acute response to minimal touch of the neck and shoulder region. Lateral radiographs of the thoracic vertebral column led to the diagnosis of a complete fracture of the vertebral body of the 7th thoracic (T) vertebra with suspected traumatic compression of the spinal cord. Post-mortem examination confirmed the diagnosis. Gross pathology revealed a complete comminuted fracture of T7 with marked compression of the spinal cord. This is the first report describing the clinical, radiological and pathological findings of a fracture of a thoracic vertebra leading to a Schiff-Sherrington syndrome in a zebra (Equus quagga).     

The post-ovulatory rise in progesterone is lower and the persistence of oestrous behaviour longer during the first compared with the second cycle of the breeding season in mares

Mares are seasonally polyoestrous breeders. Therefore, the first ovulation of the season, following winter anoestrus, is the only cycle in which mares ovulate without the presence of an old CL from the previous cycle. The objective of this study was to compare the length of oestrous behaviour, and plasma progesterone concentrations during the early post-ovulatory period between mares after the first and second ovulation of the breeding season. Overall, 38 mares and 167 oestrous periods were used in the study. From those, 11 mares were used during the first and subsequent oestrous period to measure and compare the post-ovulatory rise in progesterone concentration, whereas all the mares were used to compare the length of the post-ovulatory oestrous behaviour between the first and subsequent cycles of the breeding season. The persistence of the post-ovulatory oestrus was longer (p < .001) following the first ovulation of the year (median of 52 h) compared with the subsequent ovulations (median of 36 h for second and later ovulations groups; n = 38 mares). The progesterone concentration at any of the four 8 h-intervals analysed (28, 36, 76 and 84 h post-ovulation) was lower (p < .01) following the first versus the second ovulation of the year. By 36 h post-ovulation the progesterone concentration of mares at the second ovulation of the year had passed the threshold of 2 ng/ml (2.1 ± 0.33 ng/ml), whereas in the first cycle it was 1.2 ± 0.13 ng/ml. In conclusion, mares had lower progesterone concentrations in their peripheral circulation and longer persistence of oestrous behaviour following the first ovulation of the year compared with the second and subsequent ovulatory periods of the breeding season.