Responses of hair and wool sheep to a single fixed dose of infective larvae of Haemonchus contortus

Body weights, fecal egg counts (FEC), and packed cell volumes (PCV) of hair sheep and wool sheep crossbred lambs were compared over 8 weeks following administration of a single dose of approximately 10,000 third-stage larvae of Haemonchus contortus. Hair sheep lambs (n=17) were reciprocal crosses between mainland USA populations of Barbados Blackbelly (BB) and Virgin Islands White (VIW) sheep. Wool sheep lambs (n=64) were from a crossbred composite of 50% Dorset, 25% Rambouillet, and 25% Finnish Landrace breeding. Lambs of both breed types continued to grow during the period of infection. Mean weights were higher for wool lambs (39.7±0.8 kg) than for hair lambs (28.2±1.5 kg). FEC increased to week 5 in both breed groups and remained elevated in wool lambs through week 7 but declined sharply in hair lambs after week 5. Mean FEC for weeks 4 through 8 were 4011±361 eggs per gram of feces (epg) in wool lambs, and 1135±196 epg in hair lambs. PCV declined through week 7 in wool lambs but stabilized and then increased after week 4 in hair lambs. Mean PCV in weeks 4 through 8 were 22.4±0.3% in wool lambs and 24.3±0.5% in hair lambs. These results suggest that Caribbean hair breeds may be able to contribute significantly to development of parasite-resistant sheep populations.     

A study on ectoparasites of sheep and goats in eastern part of Amhara region,northeast Ethiopia

A study on ectoparasites of small ruminants was carried out in three districts (woredas) of the eastern part of Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, from November 2003 to March 2004, with the objectives of determining the prevalence of ectoparasites and identifying the potential risk factors associated with the problem. Out of 752 sheep and 752 goats examined, 50.5% of sheep and 56.4% of goats were infested with one or more ectoparasites. The ectoparasites identified in sheep were Damalina ovis (38.5%), Melophagus ovinus (12.5%), tick infestations (3.4%) and Linognathus spp. (2.4%). In goats, parasites such as Linognathus spp. (28.3%), ticks (22.2%), sarcoptic mites (6.1%) and Ctenocephalides spp. (8.1%) were identified. The prevalence of M. ovinus and D. ovis infestations in sheep were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the highlands than both lowlands and midlands, which were almost similar. In goats, the risk of sarcoptic mange infestation in lowland and midland was 4.6 and 5.0 times higher than the highlands, respectively. The prevalence of Linognathus spp. in goats was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the highlands than the lowlands. Both in sheep and goats, no significant difference between young and adult age groups was observed for any ectoparasites except for D. ovis in sheep in which adults (42.2%) were more affected than young animals (29.9%). The goats with poor body condition were 4.3 times at risk for sarcoptic mange (OR = 4.3, p < 0.05), Linognathus spp. (OR = 2.1, p < 0.05) and tick (OR = 1.6, p < 0.05) infestation than goats of good body condition. On the contrary, no significant variation (p > 0.05) in ectoparasite infestation of sheep was observed in relation to body condition. Favorable climates, poor management, poor awareness of farmers and poor animal health extension services are believed to have contributed for the widespread occurrence of ectoparasites.     

Rumen enzyme profile and fermentation characteristics in sheep as affected by treatment with sodium lauryl sulfate as defaunating agent and presence of ciliate protozoa

The efficiency of sodium lauryl sulfate as a defaunating agent and effect of rumen protozoa on nutrient utilization, fermentation characteristics and enzyme profile were evaluated in adult sheep maintained on a mixed ration containing 65:35% Pala (Ziziphus numularia) leaf: concentrate. Twenty-one adult Malpura sheep divided into three equal groups (DF, RF and F) were either defaunated by oral administration of sodium lauryl sulfate at the rate of 8 g/100 kg body weight (DF), or defaunated and again refaunated (RF), or maintained faunated (F). Daily dry matter intake was similar in defaunated, refaunated and faunated sheep. However, digestibility of cell wall and cell wall contents (NDF, ADF and cellulose) were lower (P < 0.01) in defaunated than refaunated and faunated sheep. Irrespective of the presence or absence of rumen protozoa, daily intake of DCP and DE were similar in the three experimental groups. Even with similar DM, DCP and DE intake, N-retention, blood glucose level, ruminal concentration of total VFA and total-N were higher (P < 0.01), while rumen pH and NH₃-N concentration were lower (P < 0.01) in defaunated sheep. Ruminal activity of amylase, xylanase, protease and urease enzymes were not influenced by presence or absence of ciliate protozoa. However, carboxymethyl cellulase enzyme activity was lower (P < 0.01) in the rumen of defaunated sheep. The total and differential counts of rumen protozoa were similar in refaunated and faunated sheep indicating lack of residual toxic effect of sodium lauryl sulfate. It is concluded that absence of ciliate protozoa increased ruminal TVFA, total-N with lower NH₃-N concentration and fibre digestibility in sheep. Moreover, sodium lauryl sulfate was fully effective for complete removal of rumen ciliate protozoa and successfully defaunated the sheep.     

Determination of prediction equations for estimating body weight of Zulu (Nguni) sheep

Data on linear body measurements (LBM) of 403 sheep collected in three areas of KwaZulu-Natal were utilized to develop a prediction equation for live body weight of Zulu sheep. Data were collected on live weight (LW), heart girth (HG), wither height (WH) and scrotum circumference (SC) on sheep of all ages. The age of sheep was estimated by dentition. The analysis of variance showed that age and sex were important factors contributing to variation in LW of Zulu sheep. Phenotypic correlation coefficients and regression equations of LW on HG, WH and SC were computed within different age groups (milk set of teeth, one pair, two pairs and the three and four pairs of incisors). Low correlation coefficients (r = 0.21–0.48) between LW, HG and WH were found among the pregnant ewes. The relationship between LBM and LW was stronger (r = 0.66–0.86) for males than among females (r = 0.42–0.75). The cubic polynomial of HG was the best fit (R² = 0.76) for the live weight prediction of young sheep with milk set of teeth. The combination of HG and WH produced the best fit for the two tooth and above males and non-pregnant females. The LW prediction equations for pregnant females were not reliable (R² = 0.05–0.26). The SC was more precise (R² = 0.61–0.80) when estimating the live weight of young males (<15–22-month-old) than of the older rams (R² = 0.23–0.56). It was concluded that LW of Zulu sheep can be reasonably estimated using the HG and WH. A table could be constructed for the farmers to estimate the LW of their animals.     

Clinical profile of sheep fed non-conventional feeds containing phenols and condensed tannins

A study was carried out to investigate the effects of feeding low quality non-conventional feeds (NCF) containing phenols and condensed tannins on the clinical profiles of sheep. Thirty-two Omani sheep were fed one of four diets with two base roughages, urea-treated palm frond (UTPF) and Rhodesgrass hay (RGH) and two concentrates, commercial concentrate (CC) and a by-products concentrate (BC) for 120 days. Haematological, serum biochemical and urine analyses were used to assess sheep health. Non-conventional feeds (urea-treated palm frond and by-products concentrate) contained higher levels of polyphenols and condensed tannins than conventional feeds (Rhodesgrass hay and commercial cubes). Feeds based on urea-treated palm frond had lower dry matter, crude protein, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre, gross energy (P < 0.001) and ash (P < 0.05) digestibility coefficients than those based on Rhodesgrass hay. Animals fed NCF had lower feed intake (P < 0.001) and lower body gain (P < 0.001) than those fed conventional ones. They also produced larger volumes of faeces (P < 0.01) which contained higher levels of nitrogen (P < 0.001) and had lower viscosity values of intestinal content (P < 0.001). Rumen liquor of NCF-fed animals had higher pH and lower ammonia–nitrogen levels (P < 0.01). Animals fed urea-treated palm frond plus by-products concentrate had lower lymphocyte (P < 0.01), monocyte (P < 0.05) and eosinophil (P < 0.05) counts by the end of the trial than those fed Rhodesgrass hay based diets. The urea-treated palm frond and by-products concentrate fed animals had lower blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels (P < 0.05), higher (P < 0.01) alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lower serum iron (P < 0.001) than those fed Rhodesgrass hay based diets. There was a trend of increasing blood, leukocytes and specific gravity in the urine of NCF-fed animals. This experiment implies that feeding low quality non-conventional feeds containing antinutritional factors for relatively long periods might produce subtle negative effects on the physiology and chemistry of the digestive system and blood parameters which might negatively affect sheep health and make them more susceptible to diseases.     

Effects of dietary whole cottonseed and crude protein level on rumen protozoal population and fermentation parameters

In this investigation in vitro and in vivo trials were performed to determine the efficacy of a cottonseed to limit protozoal population and fermentation parameters. The composition of diets given to the different treatments were as follow: (1) control (without whole cottonseed), 16% crude protein (CP), 3.2% ether extract (E.E.); (2) 20% whole cottonseed, 16% CP, 6.5% E.E.; (3) 20% whole cottonseed, 13% CP, 6.4% E.E. and (4) 20% crushed whole cottonseed, 13% CP, 6.4% E.E. DM disappearance (DMD) and fermentation characteristics of the treatments were determined by in vitro incubation studies. In the in vivo trial, ruminal fluid was taken by rumenocentesis (3 h after feeding) on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 21 and 28 from four sheep fed about treatment diets. The pH and protozoal counts were determined in each sample, while ammonia nitrogen and volatile fatty acid (VFA) were determined in samples taken on days 7, 14, 21 and 28. The in vitro DMD after 24 h incubation decreased (p < 0.01) with the addition of cottonseed in diets 3 and 4 and DMD after 72 h incubation was highest (p < 0.01) for the control diet. The fractional rate of gas production (c) for the control and diet 2 was higher (p < 0.05) than for the diets 3 and 4. Feeding crushed whole cottonseed decreased molar proportion of propionate (p < 0.05) and increased molar proportion of butyrate (p < 0.01). Low crude protein level increased the molar proportion of propionate (p < 0.05) and decreased molar proportion of butyrate (p < 0.05) and cellolytic protozoa population (p < 0.05). Feeding cottonseed decreased (p < 0.05) the total protozoa population from approximately 500,000 to 250,000 ml⁻¹ and Holotrich and cellulolytic protozoa disappeared from the rumen of sheep and only Entodinium sp., remained. This was associated with lower concentration of ammonia nitrogen in rumen fluid of sheep fed diets 4 (p < 0.05) and 2 (p < 0.01). It was concluded that cottonseed reduced rumen fauna and ammonia nitrogen, but had no effect on ruminal VFA while the crushed whole cottonseed decreased molar proportion of isovalerate only. In vivo molar proportion of propionate and butyrate and valerate were increase and decrease, respectively, by decreasing CP percentage in treatment diets.     

Comparaison entre OSEM-3D et rétroprojection filtrée pour les images traitées par SISCOM dans l’épilepsie temporale

IntroductionWhen ictal and interictal brain SPECT are reconstructed with filtered backprojection (FBP), the noise level of subtraction images is frequently high and requires the use of thresholding methods. The aim of this study was to compare the subtraction images for cerebral SPECT reconstructed either with FBP or with a 3D iterative reconstruction method (OSEM-3D).Material and methodsAfter optimisation of the reconstruction parameters on phantom, the subtraction SPECT images, which were obtained with FBP or with OSEM-3D and coregistered with MRI images, were analyzed in 15 patients with refractory temporal epilepsy.ResultsOn phantom and with the constrain of high enough spatial resolution (full width at half of maximum for a punctual source less than or equal to 11 mm) were reached using: (i) a Butterworth filter with a cut-off frequency of 0.4 Nyquist at order 6 for FBP and (ii) five iterations, 16 subsets and a 9 mm gaussian filter for OSEM-3D. On the subtraction images, which were obtained with these optimal parameters, the temporal foci from patients were smaller with OSEM-3D than with FBP (11 ± 6 cm³ versus 17 ± 10 cm³, P = 0.02), mean voxel activities were equivalent between the two methods within temporal foci (6.30 ± 3.13 counts versus 6.34 ± 4.93 counts) but these activities were dramatically reduced by OSEM-3D within background regions (0.02 ± 0.02 counts versus 0.19 ± 0.12 counts, P < 0.001).ConclusionFor the ictal–interictal subtraction SPECT images, which are obtained in patients with refractory temporal epilepsy, the use of an optimized OSEM-3D method leads to dramatically reduce the volume of temporal foci, as well as the background noise level, two properties that are likely to facilitate the detection and localisation of epilepsy foci.     

Impact d’une réduction d’activité sur la mesure de la fraction d’éjection du ventricule gauche sur caméra D-SPECT

IntroductionRadionuclide ventriculography provides a reproducible measurement of the left ventricular fraction ejection (LVEF) but with a significant body radiation (effective dose of 5,9 mSv for the injection of 850 Mbq of ^99mTc). The highly sensitive semi-conductor (CZT) cameras could allow decreasing the injected activity by a factor 3, similarly to that of myocardial perfusion imaging. Our study was aimed to determine whether the LVEF measurement provided by radionuclide ventriculography on the CZT D-SPECT camera is impacted by a 70% reduction in recorded counts.Materials and methodsAfter the in vivo labeling of red blood cells with 850 MBq of ^99mTc, 49 patients completed a conventional 2D recording (Conv-2D) on Anger camera followed by a 3D recording on the D-SPECT camera (3D-100%). The CZT recordings of all projections were subsequently shortened to 30% of their initial durations (3D-30%) in order to assess the LVEF measured with a 70% reduction in recorded counts.ResultsMean LVEF values were 62.7 ± 11.1% on Conv-2D and higher on both 3D-100% (66.8 ± 14.8%, P < 0.001) and 3D-30% (66.3 ± 15.7%, P < 0.001). The correlation coefficients with the LVEF determined with the reference Conv-2D method were equivalents for 3D-100% (r² = 0.73) and 3D-30% (r² = 0.70) and with a similar level of overestimation for the highest LEVF values.ConclusionA 70% reduction in recorded counts does not significantly impact the LVEF measured with radionuclide ventriculography on the CZT D-SPECT camera. These values are coherent with those obtained with the reference 2D method but with a clear overestimation for the highest LVEF values.     

Capillaria plica (syn. Pearsonema plica) infection in a dog with chronic pollakiuria: Challenges in the diagnosis and treatment

Capillaria plica (syn. Pearsonema plica) is a nematode parasite of the urinary tract of canids, felids and mustelids, which can cause cystitis, pollakiuria, dysuria and hematuria. An eight-month-old female crossbred dog from Switzerland presented a six-month history of frequent urination. During the first clinical examination, C. plica eggs were detected in the urine sediment. Three series of treatments with fenbendazole (50 mg/kg body weight [BW]/day, orally) for 10 days each, three single day treatments with moxidectin–imidacloprid (spot-on) and one single administration of ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg BW subcutaneously) were performed within an eight-month period. None of those treatments succeeded in eliminating the C. plica infection or in resolving the clinical signs. An endoscopic examination of the urine bladder still revealed numerous adult viable C. plica worms attached to the bladder mucosa. A two-day treatment with levamisole (7.5 mg/kg BW/day intramuscularly) was subsequently performed. An endoscopic control of the urine bladder two days after this treatment and a urine analysis after two weeks confirmed the elimination of the parasites. The clinical signs disappeared within one month. Levamisole was shown to be effective against C. plica infection in a dog, whereas previous treatments with fenbendazole, moxidectin and ivermectin had failed.     

The effect of ruminoreticulum bypass in yarded lambs on the efficacy of oxfendazole against resistant Trichostrongylus spp. helminths

An observational study was performed to investigate the effects of yarding and ruminoreticulum bypass on the efficacy of oxfendazole against resistant Trichostrongylus spp. helminths. Ruminoreticulum bypass was observed in 9-month old Perendale lambs using video-taped fluoroscopy and the efficacy of oxfendazole was estimated using the faecal egg count reduction test. Yarding and withholding feed for 24 h before drenching with oxfendazole significantly enhanced the faecal egg count reduction for resistant Trichostrongylus spp. parasites (p < 0.05), but ruminoreticulum bypass of the drench in the yarded animals had no negative effect on anthelmintic efficacy (p > 0.05). The effect of ruminoreticulum bypass on the efficacy of oxfendazole may depend on the resistant parasite species present. The positive effects of yarding sheep for 24 h before drenching, on the efficacy of oxfendazole against resistant Trichostrongylus spp., probably outweigh any negative effects of ruminoreticulum bypass. However further studies are required, with different resistant parasite genera present, before firm recommendations can be made.     

Seeding experiments demonstrate poor performance of the hatching test for detecting small numbers of Schistosoma mansoni eggs in feces

Parasitological methods for the evaluation of schistosomiasis tend to be limited when parasitic burdens are low, which is a major characteristic of low intensity transmission areas. While the hatching test (HT) method has been considered to be “very sensitive”, reports of its capacity to detect low numbers of eggs remain scarce in the published literature. Our main hypothesis is that HT has limitations and cannot be recommended for diagnosing light infections or as a control of cure. Hence, this study aims to describe the performance of HT in detail, with respect to seeding experiments for egg numbers in the range of 4 to 24 eggs per gram (epg) of feces. Different numbers of eggs of Schistosoma mansoni were seeded in normal human feces. The first set of experiments evaluated the amount of feces (higher than 0.5 g prevented hatching), the proximity of the light source (50 cm was preferred), and the observation time required for the detection of miracidia (more than 3 h did not add to sensitivity). HT was subsequently performed with 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, and 2 eggs in 0.5 g of feces. The final set of experiments was performed to analyze the initial filtration step, in which surgical gauze versus a 500 μm nylon mesh was compared and demonstrated losses of eggs that occurred with washing and gauze (better with nylon) sieving steps. The proposed method was found to produce 100% positivity for up to 12 epg, with a sharp decrease to 33% for 8 epg and less. In conclusion, HT is not recommended for diagnosing intestinal schistosomiasis in populations with light infections, considering the complexity of the procedure and its lack of effectiveness with fecal amounts higher than 0.5 g even at optimized conditions.     

Rumen microbial responses in fermentation characteristics and production of CLA and methane to linoleic acid in associated with malate or fumarate

An in vitro incubation in batch was conducted to investigate the effect of propionate precursor (malate or fumarate) on fermentation characteristics, and production of CLA and methane by rumen microbes when incubated with linoleic acid (C_18:2). Sixty milligrams of C_18:2 alone (LA), 60 mg C_18:2 with 24 mM malic acid (M-LA), or 60 mg C_18:2 with 24 mM fumaric acid (F-LA) was added to 150 ml culture solution consisting of 75 ml strained rumen fluid and 75 ml McDougall's artificial saliva. Culture solution for incubation was also made without malate, fumarate, and C_18:2 (control). Two grams of feed consisting of 1.4 g concentrate and 0.6 g ground alfalfa (DM basis) was also added to the culture solution of each treatment. An in vitro incubation in batch was made anaerobically in a shaking incubator for up to 12 h at 39 °C.The pH of the culture solution was increased (P<0.0001) in M-LA or F-LA treatments from 3 h to 12 h compared with the control and LA treatments. At 12 h incubation, the concentration of total VFA in the culture solution was higher (P<0.01) in M-LA and F-LA than in control and LA treatments. Concentration of C₃ by M-LA and F-LA was increased at 3 h (P<0.01), 6 h (P<0.01) and 12 h (P<0.01) compared with control and LA. However, no difference in C₃ concentration was observed between control and LA, or between M-LA and F-LA. Accumulated total gas produced for up to 12 h incubation was increased (P<0.01) by M-LA or F-LA compared with the control. Accumulated total methane produced for up to 12 h incubation, however, was greatly reduced (P<0.01) by all the supplements compared with control, and its production from M-LA or F-LA was smaller than the LA. The M-LA or F-LA also increased (P<0.05–<0.001) the concentrations of cis9, trans11-CLA for all incubation times and trans10, cis12-CLA at 1 h (P<0.01), 3 h (P<0.05), and 12 h (P<0.05) incubation times compared with LA.It can be concluded that malate and fumarate, as propionate precursors, act as alternative electron sinks and may compete with CH₄ generation and bio-hydrogenation of C_18:2 in the utilization of metabolic H₂. The highest CLA concentration at the early incubation stage (1 h) was accompanied by reduced propionate proportion. Linoleic acid is also considered one of the potential alternatives to suppress CH₄ generation.     

The relationship between fetal and maternal selenium concentrations in sheep and goats

In this study, biological samples (slaughterhouse material) were collected from 30 sheep and 36 goats and classified according to gestational stage into either early or late gestation. Samples consisted of allantoic fluid, amniotic fluid, fetal liver, fetal kidney, fetal thyroid gland, maternal plasma and liver to determine selenium (Se) concentrations throughout gestation. The Se concentrations in the allantoic fluid, fetal liver and kidney increased significantly (p < 0.01) during late gestation. Concurrently, the Se concentrations in amniotic fluid, maternal plasma and liver decreased significantly (p < 0.01) over time. Significant (p < 0.01) positive relationships were recorded between the age of the fetus and Se concentrations in the allantoic fluid (r = 0.57–0.75), fetal liver (r = 0.43–0.59) and kidney (r = 0.80–0.81) in both sheep and goats. A significant (p < 0.05) positive relationships were also recorded between the Se concentrations in the allantoic fluid and fetal liver (r = 0.35–0.37), the maternal plasma and liver Se concentrations (r = 0.37–0.57) between sheep and goats. A significant (p < 0.05) negative correlation was recorded between the Se concentrations in the allantoic fluid with maternal plasma of sheep (r = −0.41) as well as between the fetal liver and maternal liver Se (r = −0.22 to 0.50) and a negative correlation (r = −0.42 to 0.43) (p < 0.01) between Se concentrations in the fetal liver and amniotic fluid in both sheep and goats, respectively. Se concentration in the fetal liver was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than that of the kidney and thyroid. In the thyroid gland no morphological differences were noted. Strong fetal–maternal relationships in Se concentration were evident throughout the gestational period and dams seem to sacrifice Se levels in order to maintain that in the fetus. Se concentrations in the amniotic and allantoic fluids could be used as a possible indicator of the Se status of the fetus throughout gestation.     

Activation of human biliverdin-IXα reductase by urea: Generation of kinetically distinct forms during the unfolding pathway

Activation of enzymes by low concentrations of denaturants has been reported for a limited number of enzymes including lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) and adenylate kinase. During unfolding studies on human biliverdin-IXα reductase it was discovered that the enzyme is activated at low concentrations of urea. Under standard assay conditions the native enzyme displays pronounced substrate inhibition with biliverdin as variable substrate; however in the presence of 3 M urea, the substrate inhibition is abolished and the enzyme exhibits Michaelian kinetics. When the initial rate kinetics with NADPH as variable substrate are conducted in 3 M urea, the V_max is increased 11-fold to 1.8 μmol/min/mg and the apparent K_m for biliverdin increases from 1 to 3 μM. We report the existence of two kinetically distinct folded intermediates between the native and unfolded forms. When the period of incubation with urea was varied prior to measuring enzyme activity, the apparent V_max was shown to decay to half that seen at zero time with a half life of 5.8 minutes, while the apparent K_m for NADPH remains constant at approximately 5 μM. With NADH as cofactor the half life of the activated (A) form was 2.9 minutes, and this form decays in 3 M urea to a less active (LA) form. The apparent K_m for NADH increases from 0.33 mM to 2 mM for the A and LA forms. These kinetically distinct species are reminiscent of the activity-enhanced and inactive forms of L-PGDS observed in the presence of urea and guanidine hydrochloride.     

Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, Interleukins-12(p40), 6, and 10 levels in cerebrospinal fluid and outcome prediction in Ossimi sheep with encephalitic listeriosis

Encephalitic listeriosis in sheep is a life-threatening disease. However, little is known about the cytokine response and their predictive value in this disease. The aim of present study was to assess the prognostic significance of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-12(p40) (IL-12 p40), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in sheep with encephalitic listeriosis. Fifty-nine ewes in 14 flocks were diagnosed clinically as having listeriosis. CSF was collected and subjected to bacteriological examination and estimation of selected cytokines. Twenty-eight ewes were confirmed to be infected with Listeria monocytogenes. Based on antimicrobial sensitivity test, sheep were treated and the outcome was recorded as survivors (n = 10) and non-survivors (n = 18). Cutoff points for CSF cytokines were determined by Receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC). Association between levels of CSF cytokines and outcome of listeriosis was assessed by logistic regression. TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-12(p40) levels as well as TNF-α/IL-10 ratio were significantly higher in non-survivors than survivors (p = 0.002, 0.0021, 0.0033, and 0.001, respectively). However, IL-10 level was significantly lower in non-survivors than survivors (p = 0.0058). ROC analysis revealed that IL-6 and TNF-α/IL-10 ratio had the highest AUC values (0.98, 0.984, respectively). Final multivariate logistic regression model showed that TNF-α/IL-10 ratio was the only variable that has predictive value for mortality in diseased sheep (p: 0.001; OR: 7.2; 95% CI: 5.7–9.8). TNF-α showed a positive correlation with IL-12β (r = 0.917) and IL-6 (r = 0.965). IL-12 (p40) showed also a positive correlation with IL-6 (r = 0.906). However, IL-10 showed a negative correlation with TNF-α (r = −0.915), IL-12(p40) (r = −0.790), and IL-6 (r = −0.902). In conclusion, TNF-α/IL-10 ratio may provide predictive information about outcome of encephalitic listeriosis in sheep.     

Isoelectric focusing reveals additional casein variants in German sheep breeds

Isoelectric focusing (IEF) was applied for screening milk protein variants in milk samples from altogether 1078 sheep of different breeds, in detail Black Faced Mutton sheep (SKF; n = 57), East Friesian Milk sheep (OMS; n = 254), Gray Horned Heath (GGH; n = 190), Merinoland sheep (MLS; n = 363), Merino Mutton sheep (MMS; n = 88), and Rhön sheep (RHO; n = 126). Besides the known genetic variants of α_s1-casein (CSN1S1) (A, C, D), α_s2-casein (CSN1S2) (A, B), and β-lactoglobulin (LGB) (A, B, C) additional variants could be demonstrated in CSN1S1 (H, I) and CSN1S2 (C, D) and their genetic control confirmed by segregation analyses. CSN1S1*H corresponds to a previously mentioned phenotype “X” occurring in OMS, whereas CSN1S1*I was identified for the first time in GGH. CSN1S2*C appeared in OMS, GGH, MLS, and RHO in low frequencies and CSN1S2*D in MLS. Within LGB all three alleles occurred in Merino breeds while α-lactalbumin (LAA) and κ-CN (CSN3) were monomorph at protein level. The haplotype CSN1S1*C–CSN1S2*A was predominant in five out of six breeds with frequencies between 0.325 and 0.919.     

Influences of short-term pre-slaughter dietary manipulation in sheep and goats on pH and microbial loads of gastrointestinal tract

Sheep (BW = 39.9 kg, n = 16) and goats (BW = 32.8 kg, n = 16) were used in a completely randomized design to determine the effect of short-term pre-slaughter diet and feed deprivation (FD) time on pH and microbial loads in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) contents. In a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement, the main effects of species, diet, and FD time prior to slaughter and their interactions were studied. Animals were fed either a hay or concentrate diet for 4 d and then feed deprived for either 12 or 24-h prior to slaughter. The pH of rumen and colon contents as well as weight of GIT was measured. The contents of rumen and rectum were also sampled for microbial analysis. The GIT of sheep (1.82 kg) was heavier (P < 0.05) than that of goats (1.46 kg). The 12-h FD group (1.74 kg) had a higher (P < 0.05) GIT weight than the 24-h FD group (1.53 kg). Hay-fed animals had higher (P < 0.05) rumen (7.08 vs. 6.43) and colon pH values (7.02 vs. 6.56) than those of the concentrate-fed animals. The 24-h FD group (3.39 ± 0.272 log₁₀CFU/g) contained more (P < 0.05) Escherichia coli in the rumen than did the 12-h FD (2.17 ± 0.272 log₁₀CFU/g) group. The concentrate-fed animals (3.49 ± 0.289 log₁₀CFU/g) had higher (P < 0.05) coliform counts in the rumen than the hay-fed animals (2.43 ± 0.289 log₁₀CFU/g). The 24-h FD group (3.42 ± 0.289 log₁₀CFU/g) had a higher (P < 0.05) concentration of coliform than did the 12-h FD group (2.50 ± 0.289 log₁₀CFU/g). The 24-h FD group (3.31 ± 0.259 log₁₀CFU/g) also had higher (P < 0.05) Enterobacteriaceae counts in the rumen than did in the 12-h FD group (2.47 ± 0.259 log₁₀CFU/g). Goats (5.71 ± 0.158 log₁₀CFU/g) had lower (P < 0.05) total plate counts in the rumen compared to sheep (6.27 ± 0.158 log₁₀CFU/g). The concentrate-fed animals had higher (P < 0.05) E. coli (6.44 vs. 4.01 ± 0.468 log₁₀CFU/g), total coliform (6.74 vs. 4.16 ± 0.469 log₁₀CFU/g), Enterobacteriaceae (6.93 vs. 3.83 ± 0.651 log₁₀CFU/g), and total plate counts (7.79 vs. 7.28 ± 0.170 log₁₀CFU/g) in the rectum than the hay-fed animals. The results indicate that microbial loads in the GIT of small ruminants may be reduced by either feeding hay for 4 d or depriving feed for 12-h prior to slaughter.     

Screening for Booroola (FecB) and Galway (FecXG) mutations in Indian sheep

This study reports the status of the Booroola (FecB) and Galway (FecX^G) mutations in Indian sheep breeds. The Kendrapada sheep (n = 46) was genotyped for the presence of FecB and FecX^G mutations, while the Garole (n = 34), Malpura (n = 30), and Decanni sheep (n = 15) for the FecX^G mutation. The FecB and FecX^G genotyping was carried out by forced restriction fragment length polymorphism PCR technique. In the present study, FecB mutation was discovered in the Kendrapada sheep of Orissa, which is now the second prolific sheep of India after the Garole. Out of 46 individuals of Kendrapada sheep, 26 were homozygous (BB), 15 heterozygous (B+) and 5 non-carriers (++) for the FecB mutation. The frequency of the FecB allele in this sample was about 0.73. Results indicated that the frequency of the FecB mutation is high, but the gene is not fixed in the population as reported in Garole sheep. None of sheep breeds carried the FecX^G mutation. The discovery of the FecB mutation in Kendrapada sheep will facilitate the use of FecB allele in improving the prolificacy of non-prolific sheep breeds of India.     

Supplemental energy and protein increase use of sagebrush by sheep

The ability of sheep to consume big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.), a shrub that contains terpenes, may be improved with supplemental energy and protein needed for detoxification processes. We compared feeding behavior of supplemented and unsupplemented ewes grazing separately in three 0.5 ha plots of 40 m × 120 m during October 2001. Supplemented ewes were offered a choice of a high-energy (50% corn and 50% beet pulp—3.62 Mcal/kg DE and 9.5% CP) and a high-protein (85% alfalfa and 15% soybean meal—2.89 Mcal/kg DE and 15% CP) supplement for 15 min/day. Supplemented ewes consumed 492 g (S.E. = 24.3) of the high-energy supplement and 140 g (S.E. = 9.8) of the high-protein supplement. The incidence of feeding on sagebrush was recorded using scan sampling at 10-min intervals from 09:00 to 17:00 h every other day for 10 days. Incidence of feeding on sagebrush increased gradually for both treatments from 0.4% on day 1 to 28% on day 10 (P < 0.01), but supplemented ewes increased feeding frequency on sagebrush to nearly twice that of unsupplemented ewes by the end of the trial. Averaged throughout the trial, incidence of eating sagebrush was twice as high for supplemented compared to unsupplemented ewes (22% versus 11% of the total time feeding, P < 0.01). The results of this study show that supplemental macronutrients increase use of sagebrush by ewes. Thus, strategic supplementation during fall and winter may be a way to increase intake of sagebrush by sheep and enhance and maintain biodiversity in areas of the sagebrush steppe where sagebrush is deemed too abundant.     

Cardioprotective effects of lipoic acid,quercetin and resveratrol on oxidative stress related to thyroid hormone alterations in long-term obesity

This study investigated possible mechanisms for cardioprotective effects of lipoic acid (LA), quercetin (Q) and resveratrol (R) on oxidative stress related to thyroid hormone alterations in long-term obesity. Female C57BL/6 mice were fed on high-fat diet (HFD), HFD + LA, HFD + R, HFD + Q and normal diet for 26 weeks. Body weight, blood pressure, thyroid hormones, oxidative stress markers, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and ion pump activities were measured, and expression of cardiac genes was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. HFD induced marked increase (P < .05) in body weight, blood pressure and oxidative stress, while plasma triidothyronine levels reduced. ACE activity increased (P < .05) in HFD mice (0.69 ± 0.225 U/mg protein) compared with controls (0.28 ± 0.114 U/mg protein), HFD + LA (0.231 ± 0.02 U/mg protein) and HFD + Q (0.182 ± 0.096 U/mg protein) at 26 weeks. Moreover, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase and Ca^2 +-ATPase activities increased in HFD mice whereas NOS reduced. A 1.5-fold increase in TRα1 and reduction in expression of the deiodinase iodothyronine DIO1, threonine protein kinase and NOS3 as well as up-regulation of AT1α, ACE, ATP1B1, GSK3β and Cja1 genes also occurred in HFD mice. Conversely, LA, Q and R inhibited weight gain; reduced TRα1 expression as well as increased DIO1; reduced ACE activity and AT1α, ATP1B1 and Cja1 gene expression as well as inhibited GSK3β; increased total antioxidant capacity, GSH and catalase activity; and reduced blood pressure. In conclusion, LA, resveratrol and quercetin supplementation reduces obesity thereby restoring plasma thyroid hormone levels and attenuating oxidative stress in the heart and thus may have therapeutic potential in heart diseases.