Effects of ecotrofin™ on milk yield,milk quality and serum biochemistry in lactating goats

A nutritional supplement (Ecotrofin™, by Vetoquinol Italia S.r.l) recommended in ruminants feeding to strengthen the physiological condition and improve digestive performance was tested in 20 pluriparae grazing goats divided in two groups (control and treated) to assess its possible effects on milk yield and quality and to assess eventual adverse effects. Animals from both groups also received 400 g/day of corn meal, and the treated group was supplemented with 20 g/head/day of the nutritional supplement. At the doses suggested by the manufacturer, despite a transient increase after 30 days of supplementation, Ecotrofin™ did not show significant effects on milk yield and, although some changes were found in the fatty acids profile, no significant improvement of MUFA and PUFA, as well as of omega-6:omega-3 ratio and CLA content were seen. Therefore, in our experimental conditions the supplementation of diet with Ecotrofin™ did not appear useful to improve goat's performance. A significant effect on kidney health markers (27 vs. 22.5 for urea and 0.83 vs. 0.76 for creatinine, p < 0.05) suggested a beneficial effect on renal function but, since levels fell in the normal ranges in both groups, such hypothesis would need further studies to be addressed.     

Proteomic analysis in canine leishmaniasis

In horses, Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) is an allergic disease that involves IgE mediated Type I Hypersensitivity responses. The development of this type of allergy involves a series of events that begins with reaginic antibodies, mainly IgE and some IgG subclasses. These reaginic antibodies bind with high affinity, via the Fc portion, to FcεRI receptors on the membrane of mast cells and basophils. Once bound, environmental allergens cross-link the antibodies, which results in mast cell degranulation leading to the production of histamine and other chemical mediators that act together to induce airway inflammation. RAO-affected horses present with coughing, respiratory distress, airway obstruction and poor performance. The aspect of the RAO has been extensively studied, yet the precise sequence of events is still not well understood. Therefore, this study proposes a bioassay for reaginic antibody detection from horse serum of RAO-affected individuals, in order to determine the etiology of disease, which mediate immediate type reactions. The technique involves measuring in vitro calcium mobilization in RBL-2H3 cells following incubation with horse serum from affected or unaffected horses and one of the RAO antigens (Aspergillus fumigatus). The results presented here demonstrate that 30% of RAO-affected horses react positively in this in vitro bioassay, whereas unaffected horses do not. This bioassay may facilitate further research on RAO and other allergic diseases in horses.