Austral Journal of Veterinary Sciences
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Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) determination in healthy and damaged equine articular cartilage
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to establish if there was any difference in the GAGs content between loaded and unloaded surfaces of the joint. Furthermore, the results were compared between macroscopically healthy and damaged joints. Cartilage samples were obtained from two different zones of the equine metacarpophalangeal joint (metacarpal condyles). Samples were collected from the loaded surface of macroscopically healthy joints (N1; n=10) and from macroscopically damaged cartilage (P1; n=10). Additionally, cartilage samples were collected from unloaded areas at the most dorso-proximal zone of the joint in macroscopically healthy joints (N2; n=10) and from the macroscopically pathological joints but without damaged cartilage on the site of sampling (P2; n=10). The GAGs were extracted from 100 mg of cartilage of each sample and quantified through the safranine - O method that measured the total anionic charges, and through the carbazole method that measured the uronic acid content. Both methods measured the GAGs content, showing no differences between intra-joint zones (1 and 2), but when the GAGs content was compared between healthy and pathological joints, both methods showed a significantly decreased GAGs content in the damaged joints (1 and 2). These results show that the whole articular cartilage could be affected in a chronic pathological process and is not only a local process occurring in the macroscopically damaged cartilage associated with the loaded area
Immune response in Eimeria sp. and E. coli challenged broilers supplemented with amino acids
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to evaluate the immune response of broiler chickens in Eimeria sp. and E. coli challengedbroilers supplemented with glutamine, arginine and threonine. There were six hundred one-day-old male Cobb 500 broiler chickens. The design was completely randomised using a 2 x 3 factorial design (unchallenged and challenged x 3 diets). A commercial diet was used as a control and two other diets were formulated with glutamine (1.5 and 3% Aminogut®), arginine (1 and 2% L-Arginine), and threonine (1 and 2% L-threonine). At day 28, the birds fed the highest level of amino acid showed lower levels of IgA (P<0.05) compared to the control group, and resulted in an increased number of goblet cells. In the period of 1 week after the challenge, the challenged birds showed lower measures (P<0.05) of the thymus compared to the birds that had not undergone challenge. At day 28, unchallenged birds showed a reduction (P<0.05) in splenic measures in the treatment with the highest level of amino acids. The highest measures were correlated to control birds that were not challenged. At day 21, blood urea levels were increased (P<0.05) for birds fed amino acids supplementation compared to those which received no supplementation. After 28 days, uric acid levels were similar between the two supplemented diets. These results suggest that diet supplementation with amino acids above the recommended levels for growth may be necessary to improve the immune response against an Eimeria and E. coli challenge
Encephalic xanthomas in a large malayan chevrotain (Tragulus napu)
Get PDFAn adult water chevrotain was euthanized due to severe non-responsive pododermatitis. Incidentally, multiple to coalescing cholesterol granulomas were identified within the right diencephalon, characterized by the presence of foamy macrophagesand cholesterol clefts consistent with encephalic xanthomas. No clinical signs or predisposing conditions associated with this findingwere identified. This is the first known report of encephalic xanthomas in this species
Relationship between body weight and body condition score with energy content in the carcass of Pelibuey ewes
Get PDFThe determination of energy content in the carcass and body of domestic animals by direct method involves very intensive work and it is costly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) with the energy content of muscular and adipose tissues of adult Pelibuey ewes. Twenty two adult non-pregnant, nonlactating ewes of 35.63 ± 5.03 kg BW and 2.47±0.55 BCS were used. The correlation coefficients (r) of BCS between muscle energy (ME), fat energy (FE) and total energy (TE) were all significant (P<0.01) with values of 0.64, 0.66 and 0.69, respectively, while for BW between ME, FE and TE they were all significant (P<0.001) with values of 0.90, 0.76 and 0.89, respectively. The regression equations had high determination coefficients (r2) ranging from 0.87 to 0.94 when BCS was used as predictor, while using the BW the r2 ranged from 0.59 to 0.83. The inclusion of both BW and BCS in multiple regressions improved the prediction from 2 to 7%; nonetheless, the inclusion of BCS only was significant in the equation for TE. The use of BCS and BW in Pelibuey ewes provides a good estimate of the ME, TE and FE of the carcass
Avian tuberculosis in a Lady Amherst’s pheasant Chrysolophus amherstiae
Get PDFWe report a case of a Lady Amherst’s pheasant (Chrysolophus amherstiae) with diffuse granulomatous lesions in liver, spleen and intestine. Using histopathological and molecular diagnosis we detected Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium, etiological agent of avian tuberculosis. Further studies are needed to understand the role of wild birds in the persistence and transmission of thispathogen
Genetic parameter estimation to milk yield and fat and protein yield deviated from 3% of concentration in milk, in dairy herds of southern Chile
Get PDFChilean milk processing industry is providing clear signs to milk farmers regarding the significant importance of milk solids within raw milk payment schemes. A litre of milk containing 3% of fat and 3% of protein is defined as a basic litre and, each additional kilo of fat and/or protein receives an extra payment. These are new production traits which must be researched on. In this study, 64,029 lactations, on 24 Región de Los Ríos at Southern of Chile herds, were used. Genetic parameters for milk yield and fat and protein above 3% yield were estimated. A multiple trait linear model, solved by BLUP methodology, was used. Variance components were estimated using AIREMLF90 and VCE software. Estimated heritability for milk yield, and fat and protein above 3% yield were 0.16±0.004, 0.44±0.007 and 0.42±0.006, respectively. Estimated genetic correlations were –0.285 and –0.331 between milk yield and fat and protein above 3% yield, respectively. It is concluded that there exist genetic variation for the two new traits proposed by the Chilean milk processing industry and, genetic selection for these traits should be done based on their estimated breeding values. However these two traits, plus milk yield, should be included in a selection index to account for the negative genetic correlations among them and minimise selection against milk yield
IL-2 is involved in immune response of prenatally stressed rats exposed to postnatally stimulation
Get PDFEnvironmental cues influence growth and development of mammals during prenatal and particularly early postnatal life and can exert long-lasting effects in adult life. High circulating concentration of glucocorticoids during pregnancy (prenatal stress) affects the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) of offspring and has been linked to alter immune system responses. Early postnatal stimulation (handling) of prenatally stressed animals generates long-term beneficial effects on the reactiveness of the HPA axis and immune system function. The aim of this study was to further investigate the effect of handling on immune response in prenatally stressed male rats and to elucidate a possible relationship with the HPA axis activity. Control and prenatally stressed (PS) offspring by immobilization (IMO) were handled during the first week of life. Animals from both treatments were subjected to acute stress by IMO. Corticosterone (COR) plasma concentration was measured by RIA assay, T lymphocyte proliferation by [3H] thymidine assay and IL-2 levels by direct ELISA technique. Chronic IMO prenatal stress caused an increase in mother plasma COR basal levels. Furthermore, prenatally stressed rats subjected to an acute stress session had lower T cell proliferation and decreased IL-2 release. In addition, early postnatal stimulation reversed the negative effects of prenatal stress on proliferation of T lymphocytes and IL-2 release
Evidence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) infection in huemul deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus) in patagonian fjords
Get PDFIn the Chilean coastal Patagonia, fourteen wild deer huemul faecal pellet samples were collected and cultured for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis detection. Six samples were positive, but only one was able to show a molecular type similar to the most common strain reported for cattle in Chile
Haematological and serum biochemical reference values for urban-working equines in Chile
Get PDFBlood variables are an important tool when assessing the health and welfare of working horses. Commonly, reference intervals established abroad for Thoroughbreds are used, which not necessarily apply for local conditions. Thus, the aim of this study was to establish haematological and biochemical reference intervals for apparently healthy working horses under Chilean local husbandry conditions, and compare them with those proposed in the literature. A group of 320 working horses were sampled, and reference intervals were calculated for 11 haematological and 15 serum biochemical variables according to IFCC (International Federation of Clinical Chemistry) standards. The reference intervals calculated were then compared with those established in the literature for sport and working horses. The percentage of horses below and above the reference intervals from the literature was also calculated. Reference intervals for red blood cell count, haemoglobin and haematocrit were lower for 92.6%, 34.7% and 62.4% of Chilean working horses respectively when compared to reference intervals for UK horses. On the other hand, enzyme reference intervals were higher for CK, LDH and AST, and were higher for 100%, 94.9% and 70.6% of Chilean working horses when compared to reference intervals for UK horses. In conclusion, results show that reference intervals established overlap with those from the literature. The main differences were found when comparing the reference values with those established for sport horses such as Thoroughbreds, whereas values adequate better to those established for working horses in Pakistan
Identification of non-tuberculous mycobacteria isolated from opossum (Didelphis virginiana) lymph nodes and characterisation of lesions
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to investigate the presence of NTM in the lymph nodes of opossums (D. virginiana) and to characterise the microscopic changes in affected tissue. Retropharyngeal and tracheobronchial lymph nodes were collected postmortem from 18 opossums in the state of Colima, Mexico in 2013. The lymph nodes were also cultured for mycobacterial organisms and processed for histopathological examination. Bacteriological cultures yielded 5/18X100 (28%) isolates of NTM, which were subsequently identified as M. terrae, M. szulgai, M. gastri and M. asiaticum. Microscopic examination of the affected nodes revealed a necrotic granulomatous lymphadenitis (3/60%) composed of histiocytes, epithelioid cells and giant cells with intralesional alcoholresistant acid bacteria. An association between the sex of the opossum and the presence of NTM was observed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of NTM isolation in opossums with granulomatous lymphadenitis in Mexico