Dictyocaulus species: cross infection between cattle and red deer

Aim: To discover whether cross infection between red deer (Cervus elaphus) and cattle is possible with either a bovine isolate of the cattle lungworm, Dictyocaulus viviparus, or with a cervine isolate of the lungworm, Dictyocaulus eckerti which is thought to be maintained primarily in deer. Method: Twelve cattle and 12 red deer were reared parasite-free from birth. At 3-4 months of age, half of each species (n=6) were experimentally infected with D. viviparus and the other half with D. eckerti. The course of infection was monitored for 34 days, after which the animals were slaughtered and the lungs removed to assess levels of infection. Results: Faecal larval counts demonstrated that patent Dictyocaulus infections occurred in all groups. At necropsy, adult worms were found in the lungs in all groups except the cattle that were infected with D. eckerti. The largest numbers of adult worms were found in the red deer infected with D. eckerti. Conclusion: It was demonstrated that both cattle and red deer could be infected with either D. viviparus or D. eckerti. However, D. eckerti larvae that originated from deer established more successfully in deer and D. viviparus larvae that originated from cattle established more successfully in cattle.     

Exogenous DNA Uptake of Boar Spermatozoa by a Magnetic Nanoparticle Vector System

The sperm‐mediated gene transfer method is applicable to transgenesis in many species that use spermatozoa for reproduction recently, which has been shown various results. In the current study, we show that transgenic porcine embryos can be efficiently produced by employing a simple transfection method that uses magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The complexes formed between plasmid DNA and MNPs were bounded on ejaculated boar spermatozoa at a higher efficiency compared to methods using DNA alone or lipofection. Using confocal microscopy, rhodamine fluorophore‐labelled MNPs were detected on external surfaces of the spermatozoa membrane, which were bounded on zona pellucida of in vitro maturated oocyte during in vitro fertilization. Electron microscopy revealed that clusters of MNPs were detected in inside of plasma membrane and nucleus of the spermatozoa head. Additionally, we found that magnetofected boar spermatozoa could be fertilized with oocytes in vitro and that the resulting gene of green fluorescent protein was detected in fertilized eggs by genomic PCR analysis. Taken together, these results suggest that MNPs can be used to efficiently introduce a transgene into embryo via spermatozoa.     

Selenium supplementation of young red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Two selenium (Se) supplementation trials were conducted in successive years involving a total of 70 red deer calves 3-15 months of age grazing pasture containing 30-57 ppb of Se on a dry matter basis. The trials compared growth rate, whole blood Se and glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) concentrations of calves which received periodic doses of oral Se or a single injection of barium selenate (equivalent to 50 mg Se) or no Se supplementation. There were no significant weight gain differences between treated and untreated groups in either trial. Whole blood GSHpx levels were strongly correlated with blood Se levels (r = 0.9278) and produced the following regression equation: GSHpx = 0.0155 Se - 2.292. In both years the 3 month old calves had GSHpx levels of 6-9 kU/I which probably derived from maternal transfer of Se. The GSHpx levels in unsupplemented calves declined from these levels to a minimum in winter (group means approximately 2.6) and then progressively rose the following spring and summer. Periodical oral dosing with Se or a single injection of barium selenate significantly elevated blood Se and GSHpx levels throughout the trials.     

Oxidative responses in ferret macrophages

Although the basic function of T and B lymphocytes in ferrets has been known for some time, the function of mononuclear phagocytes has not been described in this species. The present study has characterised basic oxidative responses in ferret macrophages, and has investigated the effects of endogenous and exogenous modulators of macrophage function on oxidative capacity in vitro. Macrophages derived from the blood or lungs of ferrets were shown capable of generating the reactive oxygen intermediate (ROI) molecules superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, and secreting a lysosomal enzyme (acid phosphatase), in response to appropriate stimuli. A T cell supernatant (derived from mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes) was able to activate both blood- and lung-derived macrophages for enhanced ROI production, while specific ROI inhibitors (superoxide dismutase and catalase) were able to partially ablate ROI activity. The accumulation of nitrite in culture supernatants, as an indicator for the production of reactive nitrogen intermediates, could not be demonstrated by ferret macrophages derived from either tissue source. In contrast to the enhancing effects of TCS on the oxidative function of blood-derived macrophages, exposure to bacterial LPS caused marked suppression of ROI and lysosomal enzyme production by these cells. Finally, the generation of superoxide anion, following phagocytosis of live or heat-killed Mycobacterium bovis or zymosan, indicated that ROI production in response to phagocytic stimulation was relatively weak in ferret blood-derived macrophages. These results are discussed in relation to the study of immune function in a novel species, and with particular reference to research into tuberculosis (Tb), since ferrets are important wildlife vectors of bovine Tb in New Zealand.     

Effect of ivermectin and oxfendazole on shedding of larvae of the lungworm (Dictyocaulus viviparus) by red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Thirty eight newly weaned hinds were randomly allocated to one of two equal groups. One group received ivermectin, the other, oxfendazole at dose rates of 0.2 mg/kg and 4.5 mg/kg, respectively. All deer were drenched four times and were grazed on pasture. Both anthelmintics reduced D. viviparus faecal larval counts to low levels 20 days after dosing, but the mean larval output and the proportion of deer shedding D. viviparus larvae at 27 and 33 days after treatment, were significantly lower in the ivermectin treated group. There was no significant difference in weight gain between the two groups throughout the trial. This study suggests that ivermectin prevents reinfection with D. viviparus for approximately 14 days longer than oxfendazole.     

Plants as de-worming agents of livestock in the Nordic countries: historical perspective, popular beliefs and prospects for the future.

Preparations derived from plants were the original therapeutic interventions used by man to control diseases (including parasites), both within humans and livestock. Development of herbal products depended upon local botanical flora with the result that different remedies tended to develop in different parts of the world. Nevertheless, in some instances, the same or related plants were used over wide geographic regions, which also was the result of communication and/or the importation of plant material of high repute. Thus, the Nordic countries have an ancient, rich and diverse history of plant derived anthelmintic medications for human and animal use. Although some of the more commonly used herbal de-wormers were derived from imported plants, or their products, many are from endemic plants or those that thrive in the Scandinavian environment. With the advent of the modern chemotherapeutic era, and the discovery, development and marketing of a seemingly unlimited variety of highly efficacious, safe synthetic chemicals with very wide spectra of activities, herbal remedies virtually disappeared from the consciousness--at least in the Western world. This attitude is now rapidly changing. There is a widespread resurgence in natural product medication, driven by major threats posed by multi-resistant pest, or disease, organisms and the diminishing public perceptions that synthetic chemicals are the panacea to health and disease control. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive account of the depth of historical Nordic information available on herbal de-wormers, with emphasis on livestock and to provide some insights on potentially rewarding areas of "re-discovery" and scientific evaluation in this field.     

Histopathology of grossly normal mesenteric lymph nodes of New Zealand farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) including identification of lipopigment

This article describes the histopathology of grossly normal mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) of New Zealand farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus). Eighty MLNs were sourced from 10 deer from 5 North Island herds and 5 South Island herds classified as low risk and high risk of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infection, respectively. Fixed sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin; Ziehl-Neelsen; and, selectively, periodic acid-Schiff, Perl's, and Sudan black. Positive Ziehl-Neelsen stain, follicular hyperplasia, capsular eosinophil infiltration, focal granulomas, foci of macrophages containing lipopigment, parasitic granulomas, and calcified foci are described and severity graded where appropriate. Animal age, sex, and herd of origin are variably associated with the presence of one or more features. Trabecular fibrosis and dilated edema-filled sinusoids are described. These observations allow differentiation between likely nonpathologic histologic features in deer MLNs and features possibly attributable to infection with a pathogen such as MAP.