"Benchmark" - a large observational study of Ontario beef breeding herds: Study design and collection of data

The methods used in a large field study which investigated the health and productivity of Ontario beef breeding herds are described. Beginning in the calving season of 1986, 180 breeding herds on 170 randomly sampled farms were followed for a two year period, using producer records and annual farm visits.

The response (cooperation) rate among the eligible producers initially contacted was 70%. Approximately two-thirds of producers maintained individual animal records, primarily calving season records. Approximately 40% recorded disease occurrences.

The advantages, disadvantages, and interpretation of “on-farm” observational studies are discussed.

     

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.     

Disseminated Aspergillus flavus infection in broiler breeder pullets

Increased morbidity and mortality occurred in a 5-wk-old broiler breeder replacement pullet flock. The affected broiler pullet flock was housed on the first floor of a two-story confinement building. Mortality increased to 0.1%/day compared to the flock on the second floor, which had mortality levels of less than 0.01%/day. Clinical signs in the affected chickens included inactivity, decreased response to stimuli, and anorexia. No respiratory or neurologic signs were observed. On necropsy, affected pullets were dehydrated and emaciated and had disseminated variably sized single or multiple heterophilic granulomas that contained intralesional septate and branching fungal hyphae. Lesions were extensive around the base of the heart in the thoracic inlet and in the kidneys. Other affected organs included eyelid, muscle, proventriculus, ventriculus, intestine, liver, spleen, lung, and heart. Aspergillus flavus was cultured from the visceral granulomas. The source of flock exposure to the organism was not determined.     

Target and non-target site mechanisms of fungicide resistance and their implications for the management of crop pathogens

Fungicides are indispensable for high-quality crops, but the rapid emergence and evolution of fungicide resistance have become the most important issues in modern agriculture. Hence, the sustainability and profitability of agricultural production have been challenged due to the limited number of fungicide chemical classes. Resistance to site-specific fungicides has principally been linked to target and non-target site mechanisms. These mechanisms change the structure or expression level, affecting fungicide efficacy and resulting in different and varying resistance levels. This review provides background information about fungicide resistance mechanisms and their implications for developing anti-resistance strategies in plant pathogens. Here, our purpose was to review changes at the target and non-target sites of quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides, methyl-benzimidazole carbamate (MBC) fungicides, demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides, and succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicides and to evaluate if they may also be associated with a fitness cost on crop pathogen populations. The current knowledge suggests that understanding fungicide resistance mechanisms can facilitate resistance monitoring and assist in developing anti-resistance strategies and new fungicide molecules to help solve this issue. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.