Tularemia in Alaska, 1938 - 2010

Background

A major challenge in sheep farming during the grazing season along the coast of south-western Norway is tick-borne fever (TBF) caused by the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum that is transmitted by the tick Ixodes ricinus.

Methods

A study was carried out in 2007 and 2008 to examine the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum infection and effect on weaning weight in lambs. The study included 1208 lambs from farms in Sunndal Ram Circle in Møre and Romsdal County in Mid-Norway, where ticks are frequently observed. All lambs were blood sampled and serum was analyzed by an indirect fluorescent antibody assay (IFA) to determine an antibody status (positive or negative) to A. phagocytophilum infection. Weight and weight gain and possible effect of infection were analyzed using ANOVA and the MIXED procedure in SAS.

Results

The overall prevalence of infection with A. phagocytophilum was 55%. A lower weaning weight of 3% (1.34 kg, p < 0.01) was estimated in lambs seropositive to an A. phagocytophilum infection compared to seronegative lambs at an average age of 137 days.

Conclusions

The results show that A. phagocytophilum infection has an effect on lamb weight gain. The study also support previous findings that A. phagocytophilum infection is widespread in areas where ticks are prevalent, even in flocks treated prophylactic with acaricides.     

A comparison of two different anthelmintic treatment regimens against natural gastrointestinal nematode infections on two Lithuanian sheep farms

Background

According to targeted treatment (TT), the whole flock is dewormed based on knowledge of the risk, or parameters that quantify the mean level of infection, whereas according to targeted selective treatment (TST), only individual animals within the grazing group are treated, based on parasitological, production and/or morbidity parameters. The aim of this study was to compare two different treatment protocols on sheep farms in Lithuania. The study was conducted from 15 April to 31 October 2014 on three sheep farms. On the TT (the whole flock) and T(S)T (with FECs ≥ 300, respectively) farms all adult animals were treated orally with fenbendazole irrespective of EPG counts before the grazing season. The second treatment was applied with injectable ivermectin on both farms. However, on the TT farm all sheep were also treated on 2nd August regardless of their EPG counts, while on the T(S)T farm only those animals with an EPG ≥ 300 were treated on 1 July using a threshold of ≥ 300 EPG. No treatments were administered on the control farm (n = 1) during the study.

Results

Spring treatment of ewes significantly reduced nematode faecal egg counts (FEC) both on the TT and T(S)T farms, with the benefit of lowering pasture contamination with infective L₃ stage larvae at the start of grazing season, while it remained significantly higher on the control farm. The positive effect of the spring treatment of ewes was reflected by increased body weight gains (BWG) in lambs in the first half of the grazing season. Following the second treatment, the weight gains in lambs on the T(S)T farm were higher compared to lambs on the TT farm, while BWG in the control lambs started to decrease. The difference was also substantiated by the body condition scores (BCS) and dag scores (DS) of lambs, which were highest on the T(S)T farm compared with those on the control and TT farms.

Conclusions

The results of this study show that both treatment strategies were useful in reducing clinical effects (BCS and DS) of gastrointestinal nematode parasitism and increasing the performance in lambs. Furthermore, on the T(S)T farm some of animals were left in refugia, helping to slow down the development of anthelmintic resistance (AR) in future.

     

Serological Investigation of Granulocytic Ehrlichia Infection in Sheep in Norway

Serum samples of 749 sheep from 75 sheep flocks in Norway, i.e. 361 lambs (6 to 7 months old) and 388 adults (>1.5 year), were analysed for antibodies to Ehrlichia equi. Ten animals from each flock were examined. Seropositive animals were found along the coast of southern Norway from Vestfold to S?r-Tr?ndelag (as far north as 63°38'N). Seropositive sheep were not found in southeast, east or northern Norway. Thirty-two flocks were seropositive, although tick-borne fever had only been diagnosed earlier in half of these. In 78% of the seropositive flocks, more than 80% of the sheep were seropositive. A total of 35.7 % and 36.3 % of lambs and adults were found seropositive, respectively. However, the overall seroprevalence among animals that had been grazing on Ixodes pastures were 0.80 for the lambs and 0.84 for the adults. Mean antibody titres (± SD) (log₁₀) in seropositive lambs and adults were 2.59 (± 0.449) and 2.70 (± 0.481), respectively. No significant differences in either seroprevalence or mean antibody titre between sheep of different ages were obtained in this study. Based on antibodies 94% of sheep flocks on Ixodes pastures were infected with a granulocytic Ehrlichia infection. The association between seropositive flocks and Ixodes infested pasture shows a very high degree of agreement (p < 0.00001). The present study indicates that granulocytic Ehrlichia infection in sheep is underdiagnosed in Norway.     

Effects of birth-rearing type on weaning weights in meat sheep are systematically associated with differences in mean performance among flocks

Background

Adjustment of body weights for systematic environmental effects such as dam age and litter size is essential for accurate prediction of breeding values in meat sheep and often accomplished by pre-adjusting records using simple multiplicative adjustment factors, which are derived as ratios of least-squares means of weights of lambs in target and reference classes. However, increasing use of multibreed genetic evaluations that incorporate data from both purebred and commercial flocks has generated concerns regarding the ability of simple additive or multiplicative adjustment factors to properly correct for environmental effects in flocks that differ widely in mean performance. Thus, consistency of adjustment factors across flocks and systematic effects of the level of flock performance on these factors were evaluated using data from the US National Sheep Improvement Program.

Methods

We used birth and weaning weights of lambs from 29 flocks that had at least 500 records per flock and represented several terminal-sire sheep breeds. Effects of lamb sex, dam age class and litter size on birth weights, and of dam age class and combined effects of type of birth and rearing on weaning weights were evaluated. Interactions between these effects and flock were assessed. Bias associated with different adjustment protocols was evaluated for high- and low-performance flocks.

Results

Effects of litter size and differences between yearling and adult dams varied (P < 0.001) among flocks. For weaning weights, additive adjustment factors were not associated with the level of flock performance, but multiplicative adjustment factors were strongly and inversely related to flock means for weaning weights (W). Flock-specific adjustment factors (F = αW^β) reduced bias in adjusted weaning weights associated with differences in flock performance. By contrast, simple multiplicative adjustment factors were appropriate to adjust birth weights.

Conclusions

Differences in weaning weights among single, twin, and triplet lambs were inversely related to the level of flock performance. Use of simple multiplicative adjustment factors led to adjustment bias when applied across flocks with large differences in mean performance. This bias was reduced by using additive adjustment factors or multiplicative factors that were derived as simple exponential functions of flock means for weaning weight.     

Nematode parasite control practices of sheep and goat farmers in the region of Trikala, Greece

Information concerning worm control practices of sheep and goat farmers in the region of Trikala (central Greece) was collected through a questionnaire survey by visiting farms and interviewing farmers. Questionnaires from 57 farmers residing in 23 rural communities were collected. Anthelmintics were used by 89% of the farmers. On average, lambs, kids and goats were treated once annually, while sheep were treated either once or twice annually. Only 2% of farmers reported treatment of animals with anthelmintics when moving to new pastures. The most common broad-spectrum anthelmintics used were those belonging to the benzimidazoles and probenzimidazoles. Fifty nine percent of the farmers used the same anthelmintic group for 3 or more years and 34% used two or more anthelmintic groups in the same year. Almost all farmers reported estimating live weights for calculating anthelmintic doses through visual perception on the basis of an average weight (96%). Tablets and boluses were the most preferred anthelmintic formulation used by 96% of farmers. The selection of an anthelmintic was based for 58% of farmers on recommendation by a veterinarian and for 39% of farmers on the cost of the drug. The most common occasions for deworming the animals were at turn out (86%) and after parturition (31%). Only 6% of farmers reported deworming new animals before introducing them onto the farm. Farmers preferred to seek information about the use of anthelmintics and worm control strategies from veterinarians (63%) and other farmers (37%).     

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with zoonotic parasitic infections in small ruminants in the Greek temperate environment

A cross-sectional serological study was carried out to screen the sheep and goat population of Thessaly, Greece for evidence of infection with Toxoplasma, Toxocara, Leishmania, and Echinococcus and to determine the risk factors related to herd characteristics, herd management practices, farmer status, and the bioclimatic variables associated with these zoonotic parasitic infections. A total of 540 sheep and goat serum samples were examined. The seroprevalence of infection in all examined animals was 24.5% for Toxoplasma, 32% for Toxocara, 0% for Leishmania and 85.9% for Echinococcus. The final logistic regression model showed that the species of small ruminant, herd size, anthelmintic treatment, class of anthelmintic treatment, grazing with other herds, educational level of farmer, elevation of farm location, and generalized land cover were associated with Toxoplasma gondii infections, while the species of small ruminant, farm type, anthelmintic treatment, class of anthelmintic treatment, rotation of grazing, age of farmer, elevation of farm location, and generalized land cover were associated with Toxocara canis infections. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 102 (28.3%) of 360 sheep and in 30 (16.8%) of 179 goats. Animals in small flocks (150–300 animals) had an approximately 0.42-fold lower risk of having positive cases of T. gondii among animals compared with large flocks (> 300 animals). Antibodies to T. canis were found in 155 (42.9%) of 361 sheep and 18 (10.1%) of 179 goats. The later finding constitutes the first report of seropositive goats to Toxocara. The risk of positivity for T. canis was 7.71-fold higher in sheep than in goats. Geographically, animals from plain areas had 2.9 and 2.01-fold higher risk of having positive cases of T. gondii and T. canis respectively. The significant bioclimatic variables (p < 0.05) associated with the occurrence locations of T. gondii infection were related to higher temperature, lower precipitation, and lower elevation compared to the absence locations of T. gondii. The significant bioclimatic variables (p < 0.05) associated with occurrence locations of T. canis infection were related to lower temperature and higher precipitation compared to absence locations of T. canis. These findings are useful to formulate appropriate control strategies for zoonotic parasites of sheep and goats in Greece and other areas with similar climatic conditions.     

Sero-prevalence,risk factors and distribution of sheep and goat pox in Amhara Region,Ethiopia

Background

Sheep pox and goat pox are contagious viral diseases of sheep and goats, respectively. The diseases result in substantial economic losses due to decreased milk and meat production, damage to hides and wool, and possible trade restriction. A study was undertaken in Amhara region of Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was used to estimate the sero-prevalence and identify associated risk factors, while retrospective study design was used to assess the temporal and spatial distribution of the disease. A total of 672 serum samples were collected from 30 Kebeles and tested using virus neutralization test.

Results

From a total of 672 sera tested, 104 (15.5%) were positive for sheep and goat pox virus antibody; from which 56 (17%) were sheep and 48 (14%) were goats. The diseases were prevalent in all study zones, the highest sero-prevalence was observed in South Gondar (20.9%) and the lowest in North Gondar and West Gojjam zones (11.9% each). From the potential risk factors considered (species, sex, age, agro-ecology and location); only sex and age were significantly associated (p?<?0.05) with the diseases in multivariable logistic regression. Female and young animals were at higher risk than their counterparts. From January 2010 to December 2014, a total of 366 outbreaks, 12,822 cases and 1480 deaths due to SP and 182 outbreaks, 10,066 cases and 997 deaths due to GP were recorded in Amhara National Regional State.

Conclusion

Both the serological and the outbreak data revealed that sheep and goat pox is one of the most prevalent and widespread diseases of sheep and goats in the study area. Hence, annual mass vaccination program must be implemented for economic and viable control of sheep and goat pox diseases in the Amhara region in particular and at a national level in general.

     

Estimation of the Use of Antibiotics in the Small Ruminant Industry in the Netherlands in 2011 and 2012

The aim of this study was to estimate the quantity of antibiotics and classes of antibiotics used in the small ruminant industry in the Netherlands in 2011 and 2012. Twelve large veterinary practices, located throughout the Netherlands were selected for this study. All small ruminant farms associated with these practices that had complete records on the quantity of antibiotics prescribed were included. The veterinary practices provided data on all antibiotics prescribed, and the estimated animal used daily dose of antibiotics per year (AUDD/Y) was calculated for each farm. The median AUDD/Y in small ruminant farms was zero in both years (mean 0.60 in 2011, and 0.62 in 2012). The largest quantity of antibiotic use was observed in the professional goat industry (herds of ≥32 goats) with a median AUDD/Y of 1.22 in 2011 and 0.73 in 2012. In the professional sheep industry (flocks of ≥32 sheep), the median AUDD/Y was 0 in 2011 and 0.10 in 2012. In the small scale industry (flocks or herds of <32 sheep or goats), the median AUDD/Y never exceeded 0. The most frequently prescribed antibiotics in the small scale industry and professional sheep farms belonged to the penicillin class. In professional goat farms, antibiotics of the aminoglycoside class were most frequently prescribed. This study provides the first assessment on the quantity of antibiotic use in the small ruminant industry. Given a comparable attitude towards antibiotic use, these results might be valid for small ruminant populations in other north-western European countries as well. The antibiotic use in the small ruminant industry appeared to be low, and is expected to play a minor role in the development of antibiotic resistance. Nevertheless, several major zoonotic bacterial pathogens are associated with the small ruminant industry, and it remains important that antibiotics are used in a prudent way.     

Variation of serum selenium concentrations in German sheep flocks and implications for herd health management consultancy

Background

This study was performed to demonstrate the widespread distribution and severity of selenium (Se) deficiency in sheep flocks and to evaluate the impact of influencing factors. In 150 flocks, ten serum samples of adult ewes were analysed for Se concentration. The farmers were interviewed concerning flock size, provision of mineral supplement, predominant form of husbandry (stationary fenced pasture/transhumance), predominant form of water provision (tap water/well/surface water) and predominant soil (sandy, silty/loamy, clay) in the area. The location of the flock was recorded as well as the production stage/season at the time of sampling. Intra-group variation and the validity to analyse pooled samples were tested.

Results

Pools of five samples correlated well with the mean of individually analysed samples. The intra-group range of serum Se concentration varied enormously (mean 45.4?±?18.8 μg Se/l). About 60% of the flocks showed mean serum Se concentrations below 80 μg/l, 37.4% were below 60 μg Se/l, representing a Se deficient stage. Using mineral supplement in general was no key factor for Se status. Stationary flocks on fenced pasture had constantly higher mean serum Se concentrations during breeding (outdoors, August-November), lambing (mainly indoors, December-March) and lactation (outdoors, April-July), whereas flocks practising transhumance had significantly lower Se status, except during lambing. There was no significant correlation between the soil type and the Se status, but flocks in Southern Germany tend to show a lower Se status compared to Central and Northern Germany. Increasing flock size was associated with lower mean serum Se concentrations. In stationary flocks only, the use of surface water was accompanied by significantly lower Se status.

Conclusion

Se deficiency is widespread in German sheep flocks. More than one third of the flocks showed Se deficiency, indicating the need to optimise the nutritional management. Factors raising suspicion of Se deficiency are large flocks, transhumance during lactation and the breeding season as well as surface water provision in stationary flocks.

     

Low-molecular-weight heparin reduces hyperoxia-augmented ventilator-induced lung injury via serine/threonine kinase-protein kinase B

Introduction

Factors explaining the greater susceptibility of preterm infants to severe lower respiratory infections with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remain poorly understood. Fetal/newborn lambs are increasingly appreciated as a model to study key elements of RSV infection in newborn infants due to similarities in lung alveolar development, immune response, and susceptibility to RSV. Previously, our laboratory demonstrated that preterm lambs had elevated viral antigen and developed more severe lesions compared to full-term lambs at seven days post-infection. Here, we compared the pathogenesis and immunological response to RSV infection in lungs of preterm and full-term lambs.

Methods

Lambs were delivered preterm by Caesarian section or full-term by natural birth, then inoculated with bovine RSV (bRSV) via the intratracheal route. Seven days post-infection, lungs were collected for evaluation of cytokine production, histopathology and cellular infiltration.

Results

Compared to full-term lambs, lungs of preterm lambs had a heightened pro-inflammatory response after infection, with significantly increased MCP-1, MIP-1α, IFN-γ, TNF-α and PD-L1 mRNA. RSV infection in the preterm lung was characterized by increased epithelial thickening and periodic acid-Schiff staining, indicative of glycogen retention. Nitric oxide levels were decreased in lungs of infected preterm lambs compared to full-term lambs, indicating alternative macrophage activation. Although infection induced significant neutrophil recruitment into the lungs of preterm lambs, neutrophils produced less myeloperoxidase than those of full-term lambs, suggesting decreased functional activation.

Conclusions

Taken together, our data suggest that increased RSV load and inadequate immune response may contribute to the enhanced disease severity observed in the lungs of preterm lambs.     

The Dynamics, Prevalence and Impact of Nematode Infections in Organically Raised Sheep in Sweden

A three-year survey (1997–99) was carried out on organically reared sheep flocks throughout Sweden. The aim was to determine the prevalence and intensity of nematode infections and to establish relationships between sheep management practices and parasite infections. Faecal samples from ewes and lambs were collected from 152 organic flocks around lambing-time and during the grazing-period for analysis. Results were compared with the different management practices that farmers use to prevent parasitism in their flocks. A high proportion of the flocks was infected with nematodes. The most prevalent species were Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia circumeincta, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis and Chabertia ovina and infections progressively increased during summer in lambs grazing on permanent pastures. Severity of parasitic infection in lambs was highly dependent on egg output from the ewes. H. contortus was found in 37% of the flocks, even at latitudes approximating the Polar Circle. Nematodirus battus was recorded for the first time in Sweden during the course of this study. Lambs turned out onto permanent pasture showed higher nematode faecal egg counts (epg) than lambs that had grazed on pastures, which had not carried sheep the previous year. This beneficial effect of lambs grazing non-infected pastures persisted if the ewes were treated with an anthelmintic before turn-out and if the lambs were kept on pastures of low infectivity after weaning. In lambs, the prevalence and the magnitude of their egg counts were higher during autumn in flocks where lambs were slaughtered after 8 months of age, compared with flocks where all lambs were slaughtered before this age. These results will be used in providing advice to farmers of ways to modify their flock management in order to minimise the use of anthelmintics, but at the same time efficiently produce prime lambs.     

A comparative study on the efficacy of artesunate plus sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine versus artemether-lumefantrine in eastern Sudan

Background

The most important factor for effective zooprophylaxis in reducing malaria transmission is a predominant population of a strongly zoophilic mosquito, Anopheles arabiensis. The feeding preference behaviour of Anopheline mosquitoes was evaluated in odour-baited entry trap (OBET).

Methods

Mosquitoes were captured daily using odour-baited entry traps, light traps and hand catch both indoor and in pit traps. Experimental huts were used for release and recapture experiment. The mosquitoes collected were compared in species abundances.

Results

Anopheles arabiensis was found to account for over 99% of Anopheles species collected in the study area in Lower Moshi, Northern Tanzania. In experimental release/capture trials conducted at the Mabogini verandah huts, An. arabiensis was found to have higher exophilic tendency (80.7%) compared to Anopheles gambiae (59.7%) and Culex spp. (60.8%). OBET experiments conducted at Mabogini collected a total of 506 An. arabiensis in four different trials involving human, cattle, sheep, goat and pig. Odours from the cattle attracted 90.3% (243) compared to odours from human, which attracted 9.7% (26) with a significant difference at P = 0.005. Odours from sheep, goat and pig attracted 9.7%, 7.2% and 7.3%, respectively. Estimation of HBI in An. arabiensis collected from houses in three lower Moshi villages indicated lower ratios for mosquitoes collected from houses with cattle compared to those without cattles. HBI was also lower in mosquitoes collected outdoors (0.1–0.3) compared to indoor (0.4–0.9).

Conclusion

In discussing the results, reference has been made to observation of exophilic, zoophilic and feeding tendencies of An. arabiensis, which are conducive for zooprophylaxis. It is recommended that in areas with a predominant An. arabiensis population, cattle should be placed close to dwelling houses in order to maximize the effects of zooprophylaxis. Protective effects of human from malaria can further be enhanced by keeping cattle in surroundings of residences.     

Selection for anthelmintic resistance by macrocyclic lactones in Haemonchus contortus.

Two morphologically marked strains of Haemonchus contortus, CAVRS (smooth-macrocyclic lactone resistant) and McMaster (linguiform-macrocyclic lactone susceptible), were used to investigate the selection for anthelmintic resistance following exposure to ivermectin (IVM), a non-persistent anthelmintic. and a more persistent anthelmintic, oral moxidectin (MOX). Three types of selection were investigated: (1) selection of resident worms at the time of treatment (Head selection); (2) selection of incoming-larvae post-treatment (Tail selection); and (3) selection of both resident population and incoming larvae (Head + Tail selection). The experimental animals were adult sheep and lambs. In the controls where there was no anthelmintic selection, the proportion of CAVRS in the adult worm population was the same as the proportion in larvae given to both adults and lambs indicating that CAVRS and McMaster H. contortus were equally infective. There was a significant effect of anthelmintic on total worm numbers in adult sheep with MOX treated adults having less worms, but selection type was non-significant. Anthelmintic type had a significant effect on numbers of resistant worms in adult sheep with less resistant worms in the MOX treated groups, but selection type had no effect. Analysis of variance of arcsine-transformed proportions of resistant worms found that the type of anthelmintic had a highly significant effect, with MOX treated adults having a higher proportion of resistant worms, while type of selection was not significant. In the lambs, nil treated controls and IVM Head + Tail and Tail selected groups had similar geometric mean total worm burdens while Head selected had less total worms. In the MOX treated lamb groups the worm burdens were similar within selection type but less than the IVM treated groups. In the lambs, the types of selection that resulted in more resistant worms were IVM Tail, MOX Head + Tail and MOX Tail. Resistant worm numbers were similar in both adult and lamb groups with Head selection by either MOX or IVM. Moxidectin selected out higher proportions of resistant worms than did IVM in the lambs, with Tail and Head + Tail being stronger selectors than Head. Computer simulations were used to estimate the rate at which resistance developed in the field using the information generated in the present study. The anthelmintic treatments used in the simulation followed a strategic parasite control program for H. contortus in which all sheep receive three Closantel (CLS) treatments in summer. all sheep receive a broad-spectrum (BS) drench or capsule at weaning and lambs receive an additional two BS drenches insummer or no further treatment in the case of the capsule. Moxidectin, IVM-capsule and IVM were the broad spectrum anthelmintics simulated. All simulations were run four times assuming high or low efficacy against resident resistant worms and in the presence or absence of CLS resistance. The simulations indicated that the presence of CLS resistance hastened selection for macrocyclic lactone (ML) resistance. While the IVM-capsule will select most rapidly for ML resistance, IVM oral is expected to be least selective. Moxidectin treatment is intermediate, except in simulations with no CLS resistance and when MOX is assumed to be highly effective against resident ML-resistant worms, in which case MOX can be expected to select more slowly than IVM oral treatments.     

Epidemiological studies on foot and mouth disease and paratuberculosis in small ruminants in Tafelah and Ma’an,Jordan

A cross-sectional study was performed to investigate some epidemiological aspects of foot and mouth disease (FMD) and paratuberculosis in small ruminant flocks located in two governorates in Southern Jordan. A total of 320 sheep and 300 goats from 38 and 24, sheep and goat flocks, respectively, were randomly sampled and assayed for presence of antibodies against FMD virus and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis using commercially available kits. A structured pre-tested questionnaire was administered to collect information on flocks’ health and management. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to investigate risk factors associated with seropositivity to the two studied diseases. The individual prevalence of FMD and paratuberculosis in sheep was 10.4 and 22.1%, respectively. The sheep flock level seroprevalence for FMD and paratuberculosis was 44.7 and 50%, respectively. In goats, the individual prevalence of FMD and paratuberculosis was 6.3 and 18.1%, respectively. The goat flock level seroprevalence for FMD and paratuberculosis was 33.3 and 45.8%, respectively. The logistic regression model revealed mixed farming as a common risk factor for both FMD and paratuberculosis. Grazing in communal areas and addition of new animals were identified as risk factors for paratuberculosis.     

Effective generation of transgenic pigs and mice by linker based sperm-mediated gene transfer.

Background

Transgenic animals have become valuable tools for both research and applied purposes. The current method of gene transfer, microinjection, which is widely used in transgenic mouse production, has only had limited success in producing transgenic animals of larger or higher species. Here, we report a linker based sperm-mediated gene transfer method (LB-SMGT) that greatly improves the production efficiency of large transgenic animals.

Results

The linker protein, a monoclonal antibody (mAb C), is reactive to a surface antigen on sperm of all tested species including pig, mouse, chicken, cow, goat, sheep, and human. mAb C is a basic protein that binds to DNA through ionic interaction allowing exogenous DNA to be linked specifically to sperm. After fertilization of the egg, the DNA is shown to be successfully integrated into the genome of viable pig and mouse offspring with germ-line transfer to the F1 generation at a highly efficient rate: 37.5% of pigs and 33% of mice. The integration is demonstrated again by FISH analysis and F2 transmission in pigs. Furthermore, expression of the transgene is demonstrated in 61% (35/57) of transgenic pigs (F0 generation).

Conclusions

Our data suggests that LB-SMGT could be used to generate transgenic animals efficiently in many different species.     

Mapping of the transcription start site (TSS) and identification of SNPs in the bovine neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene

Background

The domestic goat is one of the important livestock species of India. In the present study we assess genetic diversity of Indian goats using 17 microsatellite markers. Breeds were sampled from their natural habitat, covering different agroclimatic zones.

Results

The mean number of alleles per locus (NA) ranged from 8.1 in Barbari to 9.7 in Jakhrana goats. The mean expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0.739 in Barbari to 0.783 in Jakhrana goats. Deviations from Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) were statistically significant (P < 0.05) for 5 loci breed combinations. The D_A measure of genetic distance between pairs of breeds indicated that the lowest distance was between Marwari and Sirohi (0.135). The highest distance was between Pashmina and Black Bengal. An analysis of molecular variance indicated that 6.59% of variance exists among the Indian goat breeds. Both a phylogenetic tree and Principal Component Analysis showed the distribution of breeds in two major clusters with respect to their geographic distribution.

Conclusion

Our study concludes that Indian goat populations can be classified into distinct genetic groups or breeds based on the microsatellites as well as mtDNA information.     

Time change of aluminium toxicity in the acid bulk soil and the rhizosphere in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stands

Context

In acidic forest soils, aluminium can alter tree health due to its potential toxicity. Aluminium phytotoxicity is mainly influenced by its chemical form and its availability.

Methods

As physical-chemical indicators of Al toxicity in soil, Al speciation in soil solutions and in the exchange complex was measured in the rhizosphere and the bulk soil of two tree species (Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in an acidic soil and in 4 months (November, February, May and August) representing the four seasons in a year.

Results

In the bulk soil, Al toxicity was generally higher under Norway spruce than under beech. Furthermore, temporal changes in Al behaviour were identified under Norway spruce but not under beech. The monomeric Al in the soil solutions and the exchangeable Al in the solid soil increased significantly in February under Norway spruce and were positively correlated with nitrate concentration, suggesting that nitrate influence Al speciation and mobility under Norway spruce. In the rhizosphere, Al toxicity was restricted through Al complexation by organic compounds and by nutrient contents independently from the season. The ecological importance of the rhizosphere in Al detoxification is discussed.

Conclusions

This study suggests that plant specific differences as well as seasonal changes in plant physiology, microbial activity and microclimatology influence aluminum toxicity in acid forest soils.     

Occurrence of haemolytic Mannheimia spp. in apparently healthy sheep in Norway

Background  

The occurrence of Mannheimia species in healthy sheep has only been investigated to a very limited extend since the genus and its five named species were established. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of haemolytic Mannheimia species in apparently healthy sheep originating from four sheep flocks in South-Western Norway.     

Stable levels of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coxiella burnetii</Emphasis> prevalence in dairy sheep flocks but changes in genotype distribution after a 10-year period in northern Spain

Bulk tank milk (BTM) samples were collected from 81 sheep flocks in the Basque Country, Spain, in 2015 and were analysed for antibodies against Coxiella burnetii by ELISA and for C. burnetii DNA by real-time PCR. Thirty-two percent of the flocks had BTM antibodies against C. burnetii. Presence of C. burnetii DNA in BTM was detected in 23% of the flocks, suggesting recent C. burnetii infections. Retrospective data of BTM samples obtained from 154 sheep flocks investigated in 2005 in the same geographic area were compiled to assess temporal changes in C. burnetii infection. The overall percentage of infected sheep flocks did not significantly change after the 10-year period. Among the 46 flocks sampled in both periods, 11 flocks that were negative in 2005 were positive in 2015, 18 maintained their initial status (positive or negative), and 17 positive flocks were negative in 2015. These findings indicate that C. burnetii infection is a dynamic process in dairy sheep in northern Spain. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping of positive samples identified three genotypes, SNP1 being the most prevalent in 2015 and SNP8 in 2005; SNP4 was only detected once in 2005. These results suggest possible changes in the pattern of genotype infection over time.