Toxocara canis: proteinases in perivitelline fluid from hatching eggs

Developing larvae of Toxocara canis may secrete several kinds of enzymes within the egg perivitelline fluid (EPF) prior to and during hatching. In particular, proteinases in EPF could play a role in larval emergence within the host gastrointestinal lumen but its presence and nature is unknown. In this work, proteolytic activities in hatching fluid of T. canis were identified and analysed by substrate gel electrophoresis at different pH values and by using type specific protease inhibitors. Three bands of 91, 68 and 38 kDa showed gelatinolytic activity and all proteinase activity from EPF was of the aspartic-type since it was inhibited by pepstatin A. Interestingly, a significantly higher proteolytic activity was observed at acidic pH (< or =5.5). These data suggest that T. canis developmentally secretes and accumulates in EPF aspartic proteinases with a pH-dependent activity that might help the parasite to take advantage of conditions in the host gastrointestinal microenvironment where egg hatching is induced and executed.     

Effects of induced parturition in goats on immunoglobulin G and chitotriosidase activity in colostrum and plasma and on plasma concentrations of prolactin

The effect of induction of parturition with a PGF(2)α analog on plasma concentration of prolactin (PRL) and its effects on colostrum concentration of IgG and chitotriosidase (ChT) activity were studied in 16 pregnant Majorera goats. Treated goats, those in which parturition was induced, had greater concentrations of PRL than control goats 24 h before parturition (P < 0.05) and 48 h after parturition (P < 0.05). Control goats had greater concentrations of PRL than treated goats 96 h after parturition (P < 0.05). Plasma concentration of IgG did not differ between groups during the experimental period, but colostrum concentrations of IgG were greater in control goats than in treated goats at parturition (P < 0.05). Plasma ChT activity decreased during the period 72 h before parturition to 24 h after parturition in control and treated goats. Time evolution after partum affected the colostrum ChT activity, being greater at parturition than after parturition in both groups (P < 0.05). In summary, concentration of IgG in colostrum is slightly diminished if parturition is induced. Induction of parturition causes an early increase in PRL, which is most likely responsible for preterm suppression of IgG transport into mammary secretions.     

Ultrasound Enhanced Immersion Protocols for Masculinization of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Androgen immersion protocols have been unsuccessful in consistently producing all-male tilapia at a high enough ratio for them to be commercially viable. This study explored the use of ultrasound to improve on the results of previous immersion studies. Variables tested include two hormones (trenbolone acetate-TBA and 17α-methyldihydrotestoterone-MDHT) at two concentrations (100 and 250 μg/L) and with or without ultrasound (cavitation level). All hormone treatments with ultrasound and non-ultrasound resulted in significantly higher masculinization than the appropriate controls ( P < 0.05). Among pairs of treatments of the same hormone at the same dose, all ultrasound treatments resulted in significantly higher number of males compared with non-ultrasound treatments with the exception of MDHT 250 μg/L ( P 0.05). Comparing across all ultrasound treatments, TBA 250 μg/L with ultrasound had higher masculinization than all the other ultrasound treatments ( P 0.05). Comparing across all non-ultrasound treatments, TBA 250 μg/L had higher ( P 0.05) masculinization than MDHT 100 μg/L and TBA 100 μg/L with non-ultrasound. Two of the three replicates of TBA 250 μg/L ultrasound treatment resulted in 100% males and the highest mean percentage (98%) of males. This study thus demonstrated the potential of a short-term immersion protocol using ultrasound to more predictably produce all-male, commercially viable tilapia seed.     

Efficacy of moxidectin 1% injectable against natural infection of Sarcoptes scabiei in sheep.

Thirty ewes naturally infected with Sarcoptes scabiei var. ovis, were allocated into three groups of 10 animals each. Animals in groups B and C were treated on day 0 and on days 0 and +10, respectively, with moxidectin 1% injectable at a dose of 0.2mg moxidectin/kg body weight (BW). Group A remained untreated. Seven days before treatment, the geometric mean of Sarcoptes scabiei var. ovis per square centimeter of skin in groups A, B and C were not significantly different. From the day of treatment to the end of the trial, the average number of mites/cm(2) increased in untreated animals and decreased in groups B and C, but these values were higher for group C. Active lesions produced by S. scabiei var. ovis consistently increased during the trial in the untreated animals; in group B the minimum count occurred on day +56 this reduction being more evident in group C (no lesions on days +49 and +56). Also in this group, the number of cured animals was 100%, therefore, the application of two treatments with moxidectin (group C) showed higher efficacy than a single treatment (group B). Body condition score decreased in the three experimental groups along the trial. All animals were individually weighed on days -1, +28 and at the end of the trial. No adverse reactions were observed in the animals treated with 0.2mg moxidectin/kg BW.     

Effects of feeding management and time of day on the occurrence of self-suckling in dairy goats

The occurrence of self-suckling was recorded in 21 dairy goats during periods of 20 minutes at three different times per day (immediately after milking and the first feed, immediately after the second feed and in the afternoon) for 27 days (divided into three experimental periods of nine days). As expected, negative associations between milk yield and the frequency of self-suckling were observed (P<0.05). Goats suckled on their own right teat more frequently than on the left teat. The width of the right teat (measured at the middle of the teat) was positively associated with the frequency of self-suckling after controlling for the width of the left teat. A higher self-suckling frequency was observed immediately after milking than in the other two periods of the day. The frequency of self-suckling by each goat was reduced when animals were supplemented ad libitum with wheat straw in addition to their ordinary feed.     

Retrospective analysis of exploratory laparotomies in 192 Andalusian horses and 276 horses of other breeds

The medical records of 468 horses that underwent 490 exploratory laparotomies for the correction of gastrointestinal diseases were reviewed to search for differences between Andalusian horses and other breeds. The seasonal distribution of surgical colics and their outcome and complications were also investigated. Bivariant analysis was used to compare the horses' age, gender and breed with the type of surgery, the bowel affected and the type of colic, and all these variables were compared in relation to euthanasia during surgery, complications, short-term survival and seasonal distribution. A total of 405 horses survived the surgery and 329 were discharged from the hospital. Horses less than one year old had better short-term survival than older horses. Andalusian horses suffered more inguinal hernias than the other breeds and were more prone to suffer laminitis as a complication. Colic surgery and inguinal hernias were also more common in the summer.     

Evaluation of single and double centrifugation tube methods for concentrating equine platelets

The aim of this study was to evaluate single and double centrifugation tube methods for concentrating equine platelets. Whole blood samples were collected from clinically normal horses and processed by use of single and double centrifugation tube methods to obtain four platelet concentrates (PCs): PC-A, PC-B, PC-C, and PC-D, which were analyzed using a flow cytometry hematology system for hemogram and additional platelet parameters (mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, mean platelet component concentration, mean platelet component distribution width). Concentrations of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta(1)) were determined in all the samples. Platelet concentrations for PC-A, PC-B, PC-C, and PC-D were 45%, 44%, 71%, and 21% higher, respectively, compared to the same values for citrated whole blood samples. TGF-beta(1) concentrations for PC-A, PC-B, PC-C, and PC-D were 38%, 44%, 44%, and 37% higher, respectively, compared to citrated whole blood sample values. In conclusion, the single and double centrifugation tube methods are reliable methods for concentrating equine platelets and for obtaining potentially therapeutic TGF-beta(1) levels.     

High Antioxidant Activity Mixture of Extruded Whole Quality Protein Maize and Common Bean Flours for Production of a Nutraceutical Beverage Elaborated with a Traditional Mexican Formulation

The objective of this study was to determine the best combination of extrusion process variables for the production of whole quality protein maize (EQPMF) and common bean (ECBF) flours to prepare a high antioxidant activity mixture (EQPMF + ECBF) suitable to produce a nutraceutical beverage with high acceptability elaborated with a traditional Mexican formulation. Processing conditions were obtained from a factorial combination of barrel temperature (BT?=?120–170 °C) and screw speed (SS?=?120–200 rpm). Response surface methodology was applied to obtain maximum values for antioxidant activity (A _ox A) of the flour mixture (EQPMF + ECBF) and acceptability (A) of the nutraceutical beverage. The best combinations of extrusion process variables for EQPMF and ECBF to prepare an optimized mixture (60%EQPMF?+?40%ECBF) were BT?=?98 °C/SS?=?218 rpm and BT?=?105 °C/SS?=?83 rpm, respectively. The optimized mixture had A _ox A?=?14,320 μmol Trolox equivalent (TE)/100 g sample dry weight (dw) and a calculated protein efficiency ratio (C-PER) of 2.17. A 200 ml portion of a beverage prepared with 25 g of the optimized flour mixture had A _ox A?=?3,222 μmol TE, and A?=?89 (level of satisfaction “I like it extremely”). This nutraceutical beverage could be used as an alternative to beverages with low nutritional/nutraceutical value, such as those prepared with water, simple sugars, artificial flavoring and colorants, which are widely offered in the market.