Distribution and repeatability of faecal egg counts and blood parameters in dairy goats naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes

The frequency, distribution and repeatability of measurements related to infection with gastrointestinal nematodes have been estimated in dairy goats. Monthly faecal and blood samples were taken over two grazing seasons from a flock of 120 naturally infected goats. The frequency distribution of egg excretion was positively skewed at each sampling date, suggesting an aggregative distribution of parasites. Overdispersed distributions were also apparent for pepsinogen and inorganic phosphate values. Repeatabilities for each parameter were estimated within each year. The values ranged between 0.23 to 0.43 and were relatively similar during the 2 years, with the highest coefficients recorded for pepsinogen. For each parameter, moderate to high repeatabilities were also estimated between the 2 years. Overall, the data suggest that, in dairy goats, the distribution of worms is overdispersed with a few individuals repeatedly harbouring large worm populations. These results have practical implications for genetic selection for resistance to worm infection and for selective administration of anthelmintics.     

Cellular and humoral local immune responses in sheep experimentally infected with Oestrus ovis (Diptera: Oestridae)

Cellular and humoral local responses were investigated following repetitive artificial Oestrus ovis infections in lambs. The presence of larvae induced a huge local recruitment of either leucocytes (T and B lymphocytes, macrophages) or granulocytes (eosinophils, mast cells and globule leucocytes). This cellular response was more pronounced in the ethmoid and sinus (development sites of second and third instar larvae) than in the septum or turbinates where first instar larvae migrate. Infected lambs produced Oestrus ovis specific IgG and IgA antibodies in their mucus. This local humoral response was mainly directed against larval salivary gland antigens and not against larval digestive tract antigens. Compared to the control animals, the sinusal mucosa of infected animals was extremely thickened and the epithelium exhibited hyperplasia, metaplasia and eosinophilic exocytosis. The possible roles of these local immune responses in the regulation of O. ovis larvae populations in sheep are discussed.     

Prevalence,abundance and site distribution of equine small strongyles in Normandy,France

Forty-two horses from Normandy (France) were examined post-mortem for small strongyle infections from October to March. In the positive horses, total worm numbers ranged from 234 to 90,247 (mean 11,297). Encysted larvae represented the major part of the total cyathostome burdens with a high percentage (83%) being early third stage larvae. They were mostly recovered from the caecum (48%) and ventral colon (40%) and were less present in the dorsal colon (12%). Adult cyathostomes were mainly located in the ventral colon (64%) and less frequently in the dorsal colon (27%) and caecum (9%). Twenty species of Cyathostominae were identified. The 10 most prevalent species (in sequence of prevalence) were Cyathostomum coronatum, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicocyclus insigne, Cyathostomum catinatum, Cylicostephanus goldi, Poteriostomum imparidentatum, Cyathostomum labiatum, Cylicocyclus ultrajectinus, Cylicostephanus calicatus and Cylicostephanus minutus which comprised 84% of the total adult population. Twelve species showed a site preference in the ventral colon, five in the dorsal colon and only one in the caecum while two species were collected in nearly equal numbers from the ventral and dorsal colon. The number of species per horse ranged from 1 to 12 with a median of 5. Infections with singletons occurred in 12.5% of the positive horses while multiple infections were encountered in 87.5%. A positive correlation was found between the intensity of cyathostome infection and its diversity, measured either by the number of occurring species or Shanon indexes.     

Longitudinal data collection of Mycobacterium avium subspecies Paratuberculosis infections in dairy herds: the value of precise field data

Longitudinal infection data on Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) was collected on three dairy farms in Northeastern United States during approximately 10 years. Precise data on animal characteristics and animal location within farm were collected on these farms. Cows were followed over time with regard to MAP status during biannual fecal and serum sampling and quarterly serum sampling. Approximately 13 000 serum samples, 6500 fecal samples and 2000 tissue samples were collected during these years. Prevalence of positive samples was 1.4% for serological samples, 2.2% in fecal samples and 16.7% in tissue samples. Infection dynamics of MAP was studied and resulted in a number of potential changes in our understanding of MAP infection dynamics. First, a high prevalence of MAP infection was observed in these herds due to lifetime follow up of cows, including slaughter. Second, two distinctly different infection patterns were observed, so called non-progressors and progressors. Non-progressors were characterized by intermittent and low shedding of MAP bacteria and a virtual absence of a humoral immune response. Progressors were characterized by continuous and progressive shedding and a clearly detectable and progressive humoral immune response. Strain typing of MAP isolates on the three farms identified on two of three farms a dominant strain type, indicating that some strains are more successful in terms of transmission and infection progression. Continuous high quality longitudinal data collection turned out to be an essential tool in our understanding of pathobiology and epidemiology of MAP infections in dairy herds.     

Porous, crystalline, covalent organic frameworks

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have been designed and successfully synthesized by condensation reactions of phenyl diboronic acid {C6H4[B(OH)2]2} and hexahydroxytriphenylene [C18H6(OH)6]. Powder x-ray diffraction studies of the highly crystalline products (C3H2BO)6.(C9H12)1 (COF-1) and C9H4BO2 (COF-5) revealed expanded porous graphitic layers that are either staggered (COF-1, P6(3)/mmc) or eclipsed (COF-5, P6/mmm). Their crystal structures are entirely held by strong bonds between B, C, and O atoms to form rigid porous architectures with pore sizes ranging from 7 to 27 angstroms. COF-1 and COF-5 exhibit high thermal stability (to temperatures up to 500 degrees to 600 degrees C), permanent porosity, and high surface areas (711 and 1590 square meters per gram, respectively).     

In vitro effects of four tropical plants on three life-cycle stages of the parasitic nematode, Haemonchus contortus

Alcoholic extracts of four tropical plants (Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides, Newbouldia laevis, Morinda lucida and Carica papaya) were screened in vitro for potential anti-parasitic effects against eggs, infective larvae and adult Haemonchus contortus. Significant effects were obtained with all four plants but differences were observed depending on the parasitic stage. The effects of the four plant extracts were similar on egg hatching and were dose dependent. In contrast, no dose-response relationship was found for infective larvae and adult worms, although more potent effects were usually observed with the highest concentrations. Using a larval inhibition migration test, extracts of fagara (Z. zanthoxyloides) were found to be less active against Haemonchus infective larvae than were the other plants. N. laevis was found to be highly and rapidly effective against adult worms. Overall, these in vitro results suggest that these four plants, traditionally used by small farmers in Western Africa, do possess anti-parasitic properties. These effects remain to be confirmed through in vivo studies.     

Experimental concurrent infection of sheep with Oestrus ovis and Trichostrongylus colubriformis: negative interactions between parasite populations and related changes in the cellular responses of nasal and digestive mucosae

Concurrent infections of sheep with Oestrus ovis and trichostrongyles of the digestive tract are common in the field. In order to examine the possible occurrence of interactions between these two parasites and the consequences on parasite biology and the associated pathophysiological changes, an experimental study was conducted on four groups of na?ve sheep. Group O was infected repeatedly with O. ovis larvae from D0 to D42 of experiment; group T received a single infection of Trichostrongylus colubriformis on D49; sheep from group OT received both infections, and animals from group C remained uninfected as controls. Parasitological and pathophysiological parameters were measured regularly. At necropsy (D94), the mucosal cellular responses in the nasal cavities and digestive tract from all animals were analysed from histological sections. Infection of the digestive tract with nematodes did not modify the biology of Oestrus populations. In contrast, the presence of O. ovis was related to significant reductions in nematode egg excretion, worm fecundity and worm burdens. These changes were associated with significant modifications in tissular populations of mast cells, globule leucocytes and eosinophils in the respiratory and digestive tracts. These results indicate that parasitic infection in one particular anatomical site induces "at distance" inflammatory reactions of the whole mucosal system. The relationships between the cellular response and the changes in worm biology are discussed.     

Seasonal patterns of cadmium accumulation in Arrhenatherum elatius (Poaceae): Influence of mycorrhizal and endophytic fungal colonisation

We investigated the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) and dark septate fungi (DSF) colonisation on cadmium (Cd) accumulation in Arrhenatherum elatius from heavy metal-contaminated sites. AM colonisation disappeared when Cd concentrations in soil increased, while DSF infection was weak but constant throughout the experiment indicating that soil heavy metals are toxic to AM but not to DSF. AM colonisation was greatest when plant Cd concentrations were highest providing evidence that AM colonisation may influence Cd accumulation. In addition, the disappearance of AM and the concomitant reduction of Cd in shoots during seed maturation result in our suggestion that seasonal variation in AM may play a role in protecting developing seeds from soil pollution.     

The complex relationship between welfare and reproduction in cattle

Using reproduction parameters as indicators for cattle welfare has limitations and, at best, these parameters should only be viewed as indirect indicators of welfare. On a farm level, measures such as fertility rates emphasize biological performance of the herd but fail to consider the welfare of individual animals. Even on an individual level, the relationship between reproductive effectiveness and animal welfare is complex. Good reproductive performance does not automatically signify good welfare, as domestication and targeted breeding programmes have led to prioritization of high productive and reproductive performance in most modern farm animal species. In this review, we synthesize literature regarding cattle husbandry, reproduction, welfare and their multidimensional relationships. We argue that practices such as artificial insemination or the use of sexed semen may provide potential welfare advantages as these practices reduce the risk of disease transmission and injury or enable selection of specific beneficial traits. Furthermore, they may offer a solution to current practices jeopardizing welfare, such as the management of surplus bull calves in the dairy industry. Conversely, the animals’ ability to perform natural behaviours such as oestrous expression, an aspect arguably contributing to welfare, is often limited on commercial farms; this limitation is particularly evident in housing systems such as tie stalls where movement is restricted. Moreover, common management practices such as oestrus manipulation may lead to negative attitudes in citizens who often regard naturalness as important element of animal welfare.     

Evaluation of targeted drenching using Famacha method in Creole goat: reduction of anthelmintic use, and effects on kid production and pasture contamination

Haemonchus infection was monitored for 2 years (six kidding periods) in a Creole goat flock grazing under oceanic-tropical climate. Two hundred and thirty individual does were involved from late pregnancy to weaning. Anaemia diagnoses using Famacha method and packed cell volume (PCV) were compared. The best agreement (Kappa=0.33) was found if anaemia was declared when PCV values fell to 16 or below and Famacha score was 4 or 5. Drenching policy according to Famacha method was compared to systematic drenching policy. Using the Famacha method allowed a dramatic decrease in anthelmintic use during the periparturient period (0.57 individual dose instead of three doses for the control). The proportion of the nematode population on the pasture not derived from previously-treated goats (in refugia) was estimated to about 79% (65-90%) of the pasture contamination derived from the Famacha group. On the average, goats which needed to be drenched produced less than the control or undrenched goats (kid average daily gain was decreased by about 15%). The repeatability of the need for drenching individual does was estimated to 0.41. The older goats or the goats in poorer body condition at kidding needed more drenching than the younger animals and the animals in good body condition. Consequently the Famacha method may be used as an additional tool for the culling management.