Melatonin reduces apoptotic cells,SOD2 and HSPB1 and improves the in vitro production and quality of bovine blastocysts

Effects of adding different concentrations of melatonin (10^?7, 10^?9 and 10^?11 M) to maturation (Experiment 1; Control, IVM  + 10^?7, IVM  + 10^?9, IVM  + 10^?11) and culture media (Experiment 2; Control, IVC  + 10^?7, IVC  + 10^?9, IVC  + 10^?11) were evaluated on in vitro bovine embryonic development. The optimal concentration of melatonin (10^?9 M) from Experiments 1–2 was tested in both maturation and/or culture media of Experiment 3 (Control, IVM  + 10^?9, IVC  + 10^?9, IVM /IVC  + 10^?9). In Experiment 1, maturated oocytes from Control and IVM  + 10^?9 treatments showed increased glutathione content, mitochondrial membrane potential and percentage of Grade I blastocysts (40.6% and 43%, respectively). In Experiment 2, an increase in the percentage of Grade I blastocysts was detected in IVC  + 10^?7 (43.5%; 56.7%) and IVC  + 10^?9 (47.4%; 57.4%). Moreover, a lower number and percentage of apoptotic cells in blastocysts were observed in the IVC  + 10^?9 group compared to Control (3.8 ± 0.6; 3.6% versus 6.1 ± 0.6; 5.3%). In Experiment 3, the IVC  + 10^?9 treatment increased percentage of Grade I blastocysts with a lower number of apoptotic cells compared to IVM /IVC  + 10^?9 group (52.6%; 3.0 ± 0.5 versus 46.0%; 5.4 ± 1.0). The IVC  + 10^?9 treatment also had a higher mRNA expression of antioxidant gene (SOD 2) compared to the Control, as well as the heat shock protein (HSPB 1) compared to the IVM  + 10^?9. Reactive oxygen species production was greater in the IVM /IVC  + 10^?9 treatment group. In conclusion, the 10^?9 M concentration of melatonin and the in vitro production phase in which it is used directly affected embryonic development and quality.     

Pasteurella anatipestifer infection in turkeys

In a case of excessive mortality in seven-week-old turkeys, the primary lesion at necropsy was severe fibrinous pericarditis and epicarditis. After 48 hours of incubation at 37 C, Pasteurella anatipestifer was isolated. The infection responded to antibiotic therapy with a combination of neomycin and oxytetracycline in the drinking water. The lesions suggested chlamydial infection, but cultural procedures for chlamydia were negative.     

Mastitis in mink due to Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

An epizootic of mastitis in mink due to Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli associated with food poisoning was studied on a Connecticut ranch with 3,500 mink. In the course of the epizootic, approximately 2,000 mink kits and 480 adult mink, mostly nursing females, died within 10 days. Affected females had swollen mammary glands due to acute mastitis; S. aureus was isolated in pure culture from 2 mink and E. coli in pure culture from a 3rd. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the organs of 1 mink kit, S. aureus and E. coli from a 2nd kit, and E. coli from a 3rd. The organs of the remaining 7 kits examined did not contain bacteria. Both isolates were pathogenic when inoculated intraperitoneally into mice and mink, causing fatal septicemia within 16 to 24 hours. The meat from a septicemic bovine carcass fed prior to the epizootic was considered a possible source of infection, since it was found to be heavily contaminated with E. coli, S. aureus, and Streptococcus spp.