Austral Journal of Veterinary Sciences
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Physical quality of different industrial versus non-industrial eggs obtained from groceries and markets in southern Chile
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to determine external and internal quality parameters of industrial (cages and cage-free) and family farms eggs that are normally available at groceries in developing countries such as Chile. Two experiments were performed to evaluate 1) quality differences between family farms and industrial eggs and 2) to determine quality differences between brown shell eggs from different industrial cage and cage-free systems. Experiment 1 consisted of five groups where three of them were industrial eggs: i) cage white shell eggs, ii) cage brown shell eggs, iii) brown shell cage-free eggs; and two of them were non-industrial: iv) family farm brown shell eggs and v) family farm blue shell eggs. Experiment 2 had four groups, all brown-shell types of eggs were used: i) cage brown eggs, ii) cage-free from aviary eggs, iii) southern free-range eggs and iv) central free-range eggs. In both Experiments, egg weight, egg length, egg width, egg shape index, Haugh units, albumen ratio, egg yolk, yolk weight and albumen weight, blood and meat spots were determined. In Experiment 1, brown and blue-shelled family farm eggs were equal in terms of external and internal quality, except for blood spots, with brown eggs having more incidence. In Experiment 2, free-range eggs presented more intense yolk colors compared to those from battery and cages. In both experiments, free-range eggs presented the darker yolk color. It can be concluded that brown and blue-shelled family farm eggs are equal in terms of external and internal quality, except for blood spots, with brown eggs having more incidence. In addition, free-range eggs from the southern part of the country presented better shell quality, whereas free-range eggs presented more intense yolk colors, while those of battery
Frequency and risk factors of intestinal parasites in pet dogs from Mexicali, Mexico
Get PDFParasitic intestinal infections in dogs represent a problem for human health, because a wide variety of these parasites have zoonotic potential. Therefore, proximity to pets puts us at risk. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and risk factors (age, sex, size, breed, presence of ectoparasites and gastrointestinal disorders) of intestinal parasites in the feces of dogs attending a Veterinary Hospital in the City of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. A total of 148 fecal samples were collected from canine patients and analyzed for parasite identification and parasite load. A 12.2% (18/148) of the samples were positive to parasitic intestinal infections. The frequency of specific infections was an 8.1% of Cryptosporidium sp., followed by a 2.7% of Cystoisospora sp., and 1.4% of Toxascaris leonina. A statistical significance was identified between the presence of intestinal parasites and mongrel breed. The predominance of protozoa shows the importance of diagnosis prior to treatment with anthelminthic drugs, since preventive antiparasitic protocols are commonly used, although these particular parasites are out of the spectrum of those drugs. Cryptosporidium spp. have zoonotic potential, particularly in immunocompromised patients, and there are few or no treatment options
Effects of plant extracts on the growth of beneficial indigenous lactic acid bacteria (BLAB) for their potential use in preventing bovine reproductive tract infections
Get PDFThere is a renewed interest in products based on phytocompounds, prebiotics and probiotics in recent years, applied to different hosts to exert a wide variety of effects. The microbiome of the bovine reproductive tract can become unbalanced for many reasons, favoring the entry and proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms, currently treated with antibiotics that exert adverse effects and generate antimicrobial resistance. To deal with this situation, "phytobiotic" formulas are proposed that combine phytocompounds and probiotics. This study aims to determine the compatibility of beneficial autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (BALB) with plant extracts, prebiotics and vitamins, to incorporate them into intravaginal formulas with therapeutic activity. Nine beneficial strains isolated from different bovine ecosystems were evaluated against nine phytocompounds, two prebiotics and five vitamins. Compatibility was assayed using the diffusion technique on agar plates, and the effect of the phytocompounds on the growth of lactic acid bacteria by microplates. The growth of all the strains was affected by some plant extracts, showing a stimulating or inhibitory effect. By the qualitative method, only vitamin A affected the viability of Lactobacillus johnsonii CRL1702 at concentrations higher than 7.5 mg/ml, however, when studying the growth kinetics of the strains with the phytocompounds, the results show that the effect was different in each of one the associated strains + plant extracts, indicating a strain specific effect of plant extacts on each BALB strain. Lapacho and Malva have a stimulating effect on most of the microorganisms, while Garlic and Belladonna inhibited the growth of all of them. Plant extracts at different concentrations did not inhibit the growth of most of the pathogens responsible for endometritis. On the other hand, the highest concentrations of phenolic compounds were detected in Echinacea, Lapacho and Llantén; and the best percentages of antioxidant activity were evidenced in Garlic, Blueberry and Chamomile (<60%). The results obtained in this stage are original, since the combination of natural extracts with lactobacillus strains for veterinary application was not studied previously
The welfare and access to veterinary health services of mules working the mountain trails in the Gorkha region, Nepal
Get PDFWorking equid populations are mainly present in low to middle-income countries, their work directly contributing to the lives of people reliant on their presence. Although assistance from working equids is important to support people and their communities in these regions, their welfare is often poor. This study aims to provide insight into the welfare status of mules distributing supplies in the Gorkha region of Nepal; a population of working equids which has been largely overlooked and under recorded. The welfare of mules was assessed via the Equid Assessment Research and Scoping (EARS) tool using a trained assessor; livelihood surveys gathered basic demographic and ownership information; and semi-structured interviews gained the perspectives of 26 key informants. Mule body condition was found to be ideal in many cases, but their management was in the majority of cases inappropriate; characterised by integumentary trauma from equipment use and inhumane handling, unsuitable dietary provision, and insufficient access to water. This difficult situation was compounded by inadequate access to suitably qualified, experienced veterinary professionals able to offer appropriate levels of support. Organisations aiming to improve welfare in these remote locations need a multifaceted approach where owners are facilitated and empowered to improve the welfare of their own equids; in addition, industry professionals are encouraged to improve training and provision within veterinary service
Neosaxitoxin, a Long-Lasting Local Anesthetic and its Potential Clinical Applications in Horses
Get PDFNeosaxitoxin (NeoSTX) is a toxin that binds to the voltage-gated sodium channels therefore, inhibiting the neuronal impulse. The present study was conducted to explore the properties of NeoSTX and to evaluate its effects when injected as a perineural nerve block in horses. A group of five client-owned mature Warmblood horses exhibiting clinical signs of unilateral foot pain were enrolled in the study. For inclusion, lameness should subside after a palmar digital nerve block using 2 mL of 2% Lidocaine administered over the medial and lateral palmar digital nerves of the affected limb (day 0). Lameness was assessed using the AAEP scale and skin sensitivity was judged objectively using a pressure algometer. On day 1, 5µg of NeoSTX was injected. On day 4, 10µg of NeoSTX was administered. Lameness examination and skin sensitivity were evaluated at 3, 5,10, 15,30, 60, 90 minutes, and every hour until the effect of the injection wear off. When 10µg of NeoSTX was compared with lidocaine 2% the results showed no statistical differences in the onset of the anesthetic effect, measured as the time of start of desensitization of the skin and the time of complete desensitization or lameness resolution, nonetheless there was a significant difference in the return of skin sensation and lameness, showing a clear long-lasting nociceptive blocker effect of NeoSTX. In conclusion, this study suggest that NeoSTX can be used as a better alternative to conventional local anesthetics when a long-lasting effect is desired, for example as a part of a multimodal approach for pain management, as a local anesthetic for surgical procedures or to control chronic pain in some musculoskeletal diseases
Diagnostic value of patellofemoral parameters in small breed dogs with medial patellar luxation: a tangential X-ray study
Get PDFKnowing the diagnostic value of radiological patellofemoral parameters is important for evaluating the status of small-breed dogs with medial patellar luxation (MPL). This retrospective survey was conducted in four small dog breeds (Mini Pinscher, Pomeranian, Chihuahua, and Yorkshire terrier) on 46 healthy stifle joints and 72 joints with grade II and III MPL. The following morphometric parameters were measured on tangential radiographs: trochlear sulcus angle, lateral and medial trochlear inclination angles, trochlear depth, horizontal and vertical patellar diameters, length of the lateral and medial patellar facets, lateral and medial facet angles, Wiberg angle, congruence angle, and axial linear patellar displacement. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate the cut-off values, sensitivity, and specificity of the parameters associated with MPL. The trochlear sulcus angle and trochlear depth were capable of consistently identifying the MPL-affected joints (AUCs > 0.9). The parameters describing the position of the patella within the trochlear groove (congruence angle and axial linear patellar displacement) were found to be the most accurate, with an AUC of over 0.990 and a sensitivity/specificity of over 94%. The patellar morphology parameters had no diagnostic value in distinguishing between healthy and MPL stifles
Investigating mutations in the genes GDF9 and BMP15 in Pelibuey sheep through the amplification-refractory mutation system with tetra-primers
Get PDFSingle Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) or mutations are variations with a broad distribution in the genome and, as part of genetic studies, SNP allow the identification of allelic variants related to characteristics of economic importance in sheep production. However, the identification of SNP and their genotypes through sequencing is expensive, as it requires specialized materials and equipment. The objective of this study was to identify polymorphisms and their genotypes in the growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) genes in Pelibuey sheep using the tetra-primer amplification-refractory mutation system through polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR). DNA extraction and amplification of BMP15 and GDF9 were conducted from blood samples contained in WhatmanTM FTATM cards from 60 multiparous Pelibuey ewes with reproductive records. The T-ARMS-PCR methodology allowed the identification of wild-type genotypes and mutated homozygous genotypes in polymorphisms G4 and G6 of GDF9, whereas mutations in the BMP15 gene were not found. These results were confirmed by sequencing. In conclusion, the T-ARMS-PCR methodology allowed the identification of mutated and wild-type genotypes in SNP G4 and G6 of GDF9, although no mutations were found in BMP15 in Pelibuey sheep. This technique was found to be reliable, rapid, and easily applied to identify polymorphic genotypes
Frequency distribution of polymorphisms on k-casein and DGAT1 genes in dairy cattle used in Chilean milk production
Get PDFMilk solids are very important to transform milk in dairy products like cheese. Several genes and polymorphic variants had been associated with this process, increasing the milk fat and/or protein content or regulating the coagulation milk properties. In the present study, we evaluate the frequency distribution of two major polymorphisms present in DGAT1 and CSN3 genes in 6 dairy biotypes commonly used in southern Chile: Holstein-Friesian (HF), Jersey (JE), Montbeliarde (MB), Overo Colorado (OC), Frisón Negro (FN) and hybrids (HYB). For CSN3 the results revealed that the A variant was predominant (0.57 to 0.71) in all breeds except Jersey which showed a high frequency of the B variant (0.73), one that favors milk transformation, and in MB (0.58). For DGAT1 a similar trend was seen. The A variant predominated (0.64 to 0.96) in all populations except Jersey, which displayed a high frequency (0.70) of the K variant that favors milk solids. The analysis of FIS for both markers gave negative and non-significant values in all populations some exception of OC and HYB, which are not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, suggesting an excess of heterozygotes. By another hand, FST analysis suggest a high genetic structure for Jersey. The simultaneous analyses of both markers produced 16 combined genotypes with hybrid animals displaying the highest number (11) whereas Jersey showed a favorable combination (DGAT1 KK and CSN3 BB) renewing their productive orientation to transform milk to cheese. Also, some Holstein animals displayed a heterozygous combined genotype (DGAT1 A/K–CSN3 AB). For decades, Holstein-Friesian has been an important breed used for milk production in southern Chile and during the last time, several farmers have introduced Jersey in order to improve milk quality. In this sense, our results show the presence of potential favorable genotypes for the transformation of milk to dairy products
Evolution of IFN-ɣ response against mycobacterial antigens used for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis in BCG vaccinated cattle under a natural transmission setting in central Chile
Get PDFBovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a chronic disease of animals mainly caused by Mycobacterium bovis, a zoonotic pathogen that generates economic losses in the milk and meat industry. In central Chile, the Metropolitan Region concentrates dairy herds with the highest bTB prevalence of the country and the official veterinary service has supported the evaluation of the M. bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine in this area with the replacement of tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPDs) by the DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) peptides for the bTB diagnosis in the herds. This study aimed to describe the IFN-ɣ response against PPDs (bovine and avian PPD) and DIVA antigenic cocktails (ESAT-6/CFP-10 and Rv3615c) in BCG vaccinated 11-month-old heifers under a natural transmission scenario. Sixty-two animals were vaccinated via subcutaneous route with a 2-8 x 105 colony forming units of BCG Russia strain and 60 control animals received sterile saline. Blood sampling was performed at time 0, previous to vaccination, and then at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 months post-inoculation. The follow up of the IFN-ɣ response in animals determined that the BCG vaccination interferes with the diagnosis of bTB using the traditional bovine PPD between 9 and 12 months post-inoculation. Furthermore, the sensitization with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) was also interfering the diagnosis relying in PPDs, suggesting the need of using DIVA antigens under this epidemiological condition, whether or not the BCG vaccine is administered in cattle, in order to improve the accuracy of bTB diagnosis in central Chile