Point prevalence of bovine fascioliasis and the influence of chemotherapy on the milk yield in a lactating bovine population from the district of Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan

This paper provides an estimation of the point prevalence of fascioliasis and its economic impact in terms of increased milk yield after chemotherapy of a bovine population from the district of Toba Tek Singh, Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 2400 cattle and buffaloes were examined quantitatively using the McMaster egg-counting technique. Infected cattle and buffaloes (50 of each) were randomly selected and each divided into two groups of 25 animals. Groups A (buffaloes) and C (cattle) were treated with oxyclozanide (orally, 16.6?mg?kg-?1 body weight). Groups B and D served as negative controls for buffaloes and cattle, respectively. Pre- and post-treatment milk yield was recorded to determine if there were any changes in milk yield after treatment. Of 2400 faecal samples analysed, 654 (27.25%) were positive for Fasciola spp. with a mean number of eggs per gram (EPG) of 503.2. The point prevalence and worm burden of fascioliasis was significantly higher (OR?=?2.13; P?相似文献   

Molecular Characterization and Comparison of Phospholipase C zeta (PLCZ1) Gene Between Swamp (Bubalus carabanensis) and Riverine (Bubalus bubalis) Buffaloes: Its Implications and Future Perspectives

Phospholipase C zeta, a novel sperm-specific protein which is widely known to induce oocyte activation following fertilization, had already been characterized in various mammalian species, but not in water buffaloes thus far. The present study was conducted to initially characterize and compare the sequences of PLCZ1 gene of swamp and riverine buffaloes. Semen samples were collected; total RNA was extracted and reverse-transcribed. PLCZ1 cDNA was then amplified, and submitted for sequencing. Buffalo PLCZ1 gene yielded a sequence of 1905 base pair nucleotides translated into 634?bp amino acids. In general, the buffalo PLCZ1 gene was found to have high sequence identity with cattle and other domestic species. Similarly, significant residues and motifs in PLCZ1 gene sequence are found conserved in water buffaloes. However, there are variations in sequences identified between types of water buffaloes that may play a role in species-specific differences in terms of gene and protein expression, physiological mechanisms, and biological functions. The molecular information on buffalo PLCZ1 gene is highly valuable in subsequent works such as correlation studies on the identified gene variations with semen quality and fertility, and the development of biomarkers for bull fertility.     

Identification of Sarcocystis hominis-like (Protozoa: Sarcocystidae) cyst in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) based on 18S rRNA gene sequences

DNA templates were extracted from isolates of Sarcocystis hominis-like cysts collected from cattle and water buffalo, as well as from Sarcocystis fusiformis cysts and Sarcocystis suihominis cysts. The 18S rRNA genes were amplified using DNA from a single cyst as the templates. Approximately 1,367-1,440 bp sequences were obtained. The sequence difference in isolates of Sarcocystis hominis-like cysts from water buffaloes, and isolates of S. hominis cysts from cattle were very low, only about 0.1%, much lower than the lowest value (1.7%) among different species. Combined with their morphological structure, these sequence data indicate that the 4 isolates from cattle and water buffalo might be the same species, i.e., S. hominis, suggesting that both cattle and water buffalo may serve as the intermediate hosts for this parasite. Apparently, this is the first report using a single cyst to do such work and is a useful way to distinguish the Sarcocystis cyst in an intermediate host that may be simultaneously infected by several different Sarcocystis species.     

Point prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthiasis in ruminants in southern Punjab, Pakistan

The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthiasis in ruminants in an irrigated area of lower Punjab (Pakistan). For this purpose, 100 faecal samples were collected from sheep, goats, cattle and buffaloes. Parasitological procedures including direct and indirect methods (sedimentation and floatation) and coproculture were used for the identification of helminths. The overall prevalence of helminthiasis was 51% in cattle, 47% in buffaloes, 62% in sheep and 52% in goats, with nematodes being the most common helminths. The prevalence of helminths was higher in young animals compared with adults in cattle (P < 0.0001), buffaloes (P < 0.0001), sheep (P < 0.059) and goats (P = 0.010). The prevalence of different species of helminths also varied in different age groups, with Toxocara vitulorum being higher in calves than adults both in cattle (P = 0.017) and buffaloes (P < 0.0001). Sex-wise prevalence of helminths was higher in males than females for buffaloes (P < 0.0001) and sheep (P = 0.014) in contrast to cattle and goats.     

A set of cattle microsatellite DNA markers for genome analysis of riverine buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

One hundred and eight microsatellite primer pairs, originally identified from cattle, were evaluated for their applicability in buffalo. Eighty-one primer pairs (75%) amplified discrete products, and of these, 61 pairs (56%) gave polymorphic band patterns on a panel of 25 buffaloes. The mean number of alleles per polymorphic marker was 4.50 +/- 0.20, and the mean heterozygosity per polymorphic marker was 0.66 +/- 0.02. Successful genotyping of buffaloes using cattle specific primers suggests that the latter can be a valuable resource for genome analysis in bubaline species.     

Digesta passage rates in the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris)

The Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris (Sirenia: Trichechidae), is an herbivorous marine mammal found within coastal areas throughout the state of Florida, which feeds on both fresh and salt water sea grasses. Manatees, like other Sirenians, are a tropical species with little tolerance for water temperatures below 20°C, rely on a relatively poor nutritional food source, and have a low metabolic rate. Although manatees are hindgut fermenting herbivores, they are very efficient at extracting nutrients from the plants on which they feed. Slow passage rates of digesta have been suggested to be a factor in this increased efficiency. Two studies monitored the digesta passage times and mixing of particulate digesta within the manatee digestive tract using MicroGrits colored corncob grit as a fecal marker. Fecal samples were collected subsequently from four manatees in Study 1 and 3 manatees in Study 2, grit pieces removed, counted, and measured. The digesta passage times ranged from 6 and 10 days in Study 1, and 4.3 and 8.3 days in Study 2, supporting data presented in previous studies. When two different colored markers were administered on sequential days, minimal to no mixing was seen in recovered feces, suggesting that the digesta from a given day traveled through the tract as a bolus. Less than 1% of the marker fed was recovered and we hypothesize that perpendicular folds of the large intestine may be the major contributing factor, with pieces being retained and eventually digested. Zoo Biol 26:503–515, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Identification of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase in cattle and river buffaloes

All air-living organisms produce superoxide dismutase (SOD) and several antioxidant enzymes that limit oxidative stress by detoxifying reactive oxygen species. SOD1 gene has been investigated in Egyptian native cattle and buffalos at the level of genomic DNA and cDNA that were extracted from leucocytes. An unexpected band at approximately 370 bp was obtained in cattle genomic DNA and cDNA as well as in buffalo cDNA. SOD1 amplified sequence of native cattle genomic DNA and cDNA showed a 93% alignment. Native cattle genomic DNA SOD1 amplicon shares sequence homology with mRNAs of Bos taurus “similar to superoxide dismutase” (SOD1) sequence of the GeneBank database. It also shares sequence homology with “similar to superoxide dismutase” on B. taurus chromosome BTA13. The results indicate that the genomic DNA of Egyptian native cattle contains SOD1 processed pseudo gene. SOD1 primers amplified three fragments in buffalo genomic DNA which indicates that buffalo genome has different copies of SOD1 due to alternative splicing. It failed to produce the 370 bp fragments found in cattle DNA. The protein analysis revealed no differences between Egyptian native cattle and B. taurus SOD1 mRNA. However, one amino acid, aspartic acid (Asp), in Egyptian native cattle and B. taurus SOD1, is substituted with asparagine (Asn) (D26N) in buffaloes. This amino acid substitution may be due to non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs). The nsSNPs detected in buffaloes may affect the function of the encoded protein. This study is the first investigation reporting that the resistance of the buffalo to diseases and parasites that afflict cattle may not be acquired but may have a genetic basis.     

Colonization of cattle intestines by Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter lanienae

The location and abundance of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter lanienae in the intestines of beef cattle were investigated using real-time quantitative PCR in two studies. In an initial study, digesta and tissue samples were obtained along the digestive tract of two beef steers known to shed C. jejuni and C. lanienae (steers A and B). At the time of slaughter, steer B weighed 540 kg, compared to 600 kg for steer A, yet the intestine of steer B (40.5 m) was 36% longer than the intestine of steer A (26.1 m). In total, 323 digesta samples (20-cm intervals) and 998 tissue samples (3.3- to 6.7-cm intervals) were processed. Campylobacter DNA was detected in the digesta and in association with tissues throughout the small and large intestines of both animals. Although C. jejuni and C. lanienae DNA were detected in both animals, only steer A contained substantial quantities of C. jejuni DNA. In both digesta and tissues of steer A, C. jejuni was present in the duodenum and jejunum. Considerable quantities of C. jejuni DNA also were observed in the digesta obtained from the cecum and ascending colon, but minimal DNA was associated with tissues of these regions. In contrast, steer B contained substantial quantities of C. lanienae DNA, and DNA of this bacterium was limited to the large intestine (i.e., the cecum, proximal ascending colon, descending colon, and rectum); the majority of tissue-associated C. lanienae DNA was present in the cecum, descending colon, and rectum. In a second study, the location and abundance of C. jejuni and C. lanienae DNA were confirmed in the intestines of 20 arbitrarily selected beef cattle. DNA of C. jejuni and C. lanienae were detected in the digesta of 57% and 95% of the animals, respectively. C. jejuni associated with intestinal tissues was most abundant in the duodenum, ileum, and rectum. However, one animal contributed disproportionately to the abundance of C. jejuni DNA in the ileum and rectum. C. lanienae was most abundant in the large intestine, and the highest density of DNA of this bacterium was found in the cecum. Therefore, C. jejuni colonized the proximal small intestine of asymptomatic beef cattle, whereas C. lanienae primarily resided in the cecum, descending colon, and rectum. This information could be instrumental in developing efficacious strategies to manage the release of these bacteria from the gastrointestinal tracts of cattle.     

Delineation of temperature-humidity index (THI) as indicator of heat stress in riverine buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) of a sub-tropical Indian region

The erstwhile developed temperature-humidity index (THI) has been popularly used to indicate heat stress in dairy cattle and often in buffaloes. However, scientific literature suggests differences in thermotolerance and physiological responses to heat stress between cattle and buffalo. Therefore, THI range used to indicate degree of heat stress (mild, moderate, and severe) in cattle should be recalibrated for indicating heat stress in buffaloes. The present study was carried out to delineate THI range to indicate onset and severity of heat stress in buffaloes based on physiological, biochemical, and expression profiling of heat shock response (HSR) genes in animals at different THI. The result indicated early onset of heat stress in buffaloes as compared to cattle. Physiological and biochemical parameters indicated onset of mild signs of heat stress in buffaloes at THI 68-69. Significant deviation in these parameters was again observed at THI range 73-76. At THI 77-80, the physiological and biochemical responses of animals were further intensified indicating extreme alteration in homeostasis. The in vivo expression profiling of HSR genes indicated that members of Hsp70 gene family are expressed in a temporal pattern over different THIs, whereas expressions of Hsf genes were evident during intense heat stress. Overall, the study established that amplitude of heat shock response and THI range for indicating severity of thermal stress for buffaloes are not in unison to cattle. The study also suggests skin temperature of the poll region could be used as non-invasive tool for monitoring heat stress in dairy buffaloes.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12192-021-01209-1.     

Variation in digestive efficiency of captive North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) on various diets

Energy content, proximate nutrient values, passage rate, and digestive efficiency associated with various diet types and factors affecting these parameters have not been quantified for the North American river otter (Lontra canadensis). We measured energy digestive efficiency (DEff) and intestinal passage rate of three captive river otters on their regular diet (a combination of polar bear diet, cat food, and feline diet) and on test diets consisting of the constituent components of their regular diet. Gross energy, crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber varied appreciably among diet components. Caloric DEff values were high (cat food and polar bear diet combination: 83.11%; regular diet: 86.62%; feline diet: 90.22%) indicating diets high in fat and protein permit greater energy absorption. Passage rates ranged from 167–188 minutes and were influenced by level of activity such that passage rate was more rapid at higher levels of activity. Coefficients of variation (CV) from DEff (CV=1.51) and digesta passage rates (CV=7.35) were dissimilar, indicating that a direct measure may yield a more precise estimate of absorption over digesta passage rates. To further understand energy handling by river otters on diets used in zoologic institutions and to better provide the nutrient dense diets this active species requires, additional studies quantifying energetic parameters for captive otters of various genders, ages, and reproductive conditions on other diet types are needed. Zoo Biol 0: 1–10, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Global Distribution of Bartonella Infections in Domestic Bovine and Characterization of Bartonella bovis Strains Using Multi-Locus Sequence Typing

Bartonella bovis is commonly detected in cattle. One B. bovis strain was recently isolated from a cow with endocarditis in the USA, suggesting its role as an animal pathogen. In the present study, we investigated bartonella infections in 893 cattle from five countries (Kenya, Thailand, Japan, Georgia, and Guatemala) and 103 water buffaloes from Thailand to compare the prevalence of the infection among different regions and different bovid hosts. We developed a multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) scheme based on nine loci (16S rRNA, gltA, ftsZ, groEL, nuoG, ribC, rpoB, ssrA, and ITS) to compare genetic divergence of B. bovis strains, including 26 representatives from the present study and two previously described reference strains (one from French cows and another from a cow with endocarditis in the USA). Bartonella bacteria were cultured in 6.8% (7/103) of water buffaloes from Thailand; all were B. bovis. The prevalence of bartonella infections in cattle varied tremendously across the investigated regions. In Japan, Kenya, and the Mestia district of Georgia, cattle were free from the infection; in Thailand, Guatemala, and the Dusheti and Marneuli districts of Georgia, cattle were infected with prevalences of 10–90%. The Bartonella isolates from cattle belonged to three species: B. bovis (n=165), B. chomelii (n=9), and B. schoenbuchensis (n=1), with the latter two species found in Georgia only. MLST analysis suggested genetic variations among the 28 analyzed B. bovis strains, which fall into 3 lineages (I, II, and III). Lineages I and II were found in cattle while lineage III was restricted to water buffaloes. The majority of strains (17/28), together with the strain causing endocarditis in a cow in the USA, belonged to lineage I. Further investigations are needed to determine whether B. bovis causes disease in bovids.     

Conception rate after fixed time insemination following ovsynch protocol with and without progesterone supplementation in cyclic and non-cyclic Mediterranean Italian buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

The aim of this study was to test the effect of progesterone supplementation to Ovsynch protocol in cyclic and non-cyclic Mediterranean Italian buffaloes on conception rate after fixed time artificial insemination. From 169 pluriparous buffaloes, 2 groups were identified and subjected to: (1) Ovsynch protocol (OV; n=83) and (2) Ovsynch protocol with the supplementation of progesterone from days 0 to 7 (OV+PROG.; n=86). All cows were inseminated 16-20 h after the second GnRH administration. Within each group, non-cyclic buffaloes were identified (OV=21 and OV+PROG.=20). Overall conception rate was significantly higher in cyclic compared to non-cyclic buffaloes: 43.7% versus 17.0%, respectively, P=0.001. A significant effect of progesterone supplementation on conception rate was observed in non-cyclic buffaloes (30% versus 4.7%, P=0.04) but not in cyclic buffaloes (51.5% versus 35.7%, P=0.077). Collectively, the presence of a large follicle (>or=10 mm) detected at the beginning of the Ovsynch protocol by ultrasound significantly affected conception rate (44% versus 8%, P=0.01). The findings of the present study suggest that (i) progesterone supplementation to the Ovsynch protocol in buffaloes increases conception rate in non-cyclic animals, (ii) the presence of a large follicle at the beginning of the Ovsynch protocol is a determining factor for a successful synchronization of ovulation and high conception rates and (iii) ultrasound monitoring can improve the overall efficiency by selectively identifying more suitable cycling animals carrying a responsive follicle at the time of first GnRH administration.     

Is re-feeding efficiency compromised by prolonged starvation during aestivation in the green striped burrowing frog, Cyclorana alboguttata?

We examined several morphological parameters of the gastrointestinal tract, digesta passage rates, and nutrient assimilation efficiencies of Green-striped Burrowing frogs (Cyclorana alboguttata) following prolonged fasting during three months of aestivation and compared these with frogs that had been continuously fed. Whole animal digesta passage rates were significantly reduced following three months aestivation as a result of a decreased digesta evacuation rate from the stomach. Furthermore, food was selectively retained in the small intestine for an increased time following three months of aestivation. Overall digestibility of food and nitrogen, carbon, and energy extraction efficiencies were not significantly different from control values following three months of aestivation. These findings suggest that C. alboguttata employs reduced digesta passage rates so as to maximize nutrient assimilation efficiency following prolonged food deprivation during aestivation.     

The passage of digesta, particle size, and in vitro fermentation rate in the three-toed sloth Bradypus tridactylus (Edentata: Bradypodidae)

The digestive physiology of six three-toed sloths ( Bradypus tridactylus ) fed exclusively on Cecropia palmata foliage was studied. The mass of digesta in the gut was between 17 and 37% of body mass. This was between 133 and 282% of that expected in an animal of this size, based on published allometric equations. The concentration of total short chain fatty acids in the stomach was similar to that in the fermentative regions of other foregut fermenting herbivores but the rate of fermentation measured in vitro was very slow (6–12 mmol.l^-1.h^-1) and substantially lower than that observed using similar techniques in other small foregut fermenters.
The overall (dose to excretion) mean retention time of particulate and solute digesta markers was about 150 h. Most of this (73%) occurred in the stomach but a substantial proportion (17%) could be attributed to the storage of faeces in the rectum.
The slow rate of passage of digesta through the gut together with the slow rate of fermentation in the stomach is not typical of small foregut fermenting herbivores. However, such a pattern is feasible in Bradypus tridactylus because of the large volume of digesta retained in the gut and the very low metabolic rate of these mammals.     

Development of embryos reconstructed by interspecies nuclear transfer of adult fibroblasts between buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and cattle (Bos indicus)

The objective of this study was to explore the feasibility of employing adult fibroblasts as donor cells in interspecies nuclear transfer (NT) between buffaloes and cattle. Buffalo and bovine oocytes matured in vitro for 22 h were enucleated by micromanipulation using the Spindle View system. An ear fibroblast, pretreated with 0.1 microg/mL aphidicolin for 24 h, followed by culture for 2-9 days in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Media+0.5% fetal bovine serum, was introduced into the cytoplast by microinjection. Reconstructed oocytes were activated by exposure to 5 microM ionomycin for 5 min and 2 mM 6-dimethylaminopurine for 3 h. When buffalo adult fibroblasts were used as donor cells, there were no differences (P < 0.75) in the cleavage rate (66.2% versus 64.0%) between bovine and buffalo recipient oocytes, but more embryos derived from bovine cytoplasts developed to blastocysts than from buffalo cytoplasts (13.3% versus 3.0%, P < 0.05). When bovine adult fibroblasts were used as donor nuclei, both cleavage rate (45.3%) and blastocyst yield (4.5%) of NT embryos derived from buffalo cytoplasts were lower than those of NT embryos derived from bovine cytoplasts (65.5 and 11.9%, P < 0.05). The proportion of parthenogenetic buffalo (29.1%) or bovine (35.6%) oocytes developing to blastocysts was higher than those of NT embryos (P < 0.01). Interspecies NT embryos were derived from the donor cells and 55.0-61.9% of them possessed a normal diploid karyotype. In conclusion, embryos reconstructed by interspecies NT of adult fibroblasts between buffaloes and cattle developed to blastocysts, but bovine cytoplasts may direct embryonic development more effectively than buffalo cytoplasts, regardless of donor cell species.     

Risk factor analysis for the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites found in large ruminants in Lower Dir Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in cattle and buffaloes of Lower Dir Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The presence of the eggs, cysts, and oocysts of GI parasites in fecal samples were detected using direct smear methods and concentration techniques including floatation, centrifugation, and sedimentation. Identification of recovered fecal stages were determined by morphology using size and appearance of the recovered eggs, cysts, and oocysts. A total of 314 fecal samples were collected from the different Tehsils (Administrative Districts) and analyzed through microscopy. A higher prevalence was observed in the buffalo than the cow population. A total of 184 samples were positive for GI parasites of which 109/196 (55.61%) were from cattle, whereas 75/118 (63.55%) were from buffaloes. The minimum number of strongyle eggs detected in all the samples were 136.39 eggs/g (EPG). The mean EPG in cattle was 143.30 and 122.56 in buffaloes. The open-source water prevalence of GI parasites was higher than the other sources in cattle and the second highest after tap water in buffaloes. The seasonal prevalence of GI parasites ranged from 32.39% (23/71), in spring to 68.8% (86/125) in summer in cattle. In was For buffaloes the infection prevalence was 52.94% (27/51) and 71.64% (48/67) in spring and summer, respectively. Gastrointestinal parasites are a serious problem in cattle and buffaloes in the lower district of Dir Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. In general, the burden of parasitic infection was low in most animals that received previous anti-parasitic treatment.     

First detection of Anaplasma ovis in sheep and Anaplasma platys-like variants from cattle in Menoufia governorate,Egypt

Tick-borne diseases are of global economic importance, especially due to the costs associated with disease treatment and productivity losses in livestock. In this study, 244 livestock animals (cattle N = 92, buffaloes N = 86 and sheep N = 66) from Menoufia, Egypt were tested for Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Babesia species using PCR. Results revealed detection of A. ovis (9.1%) in sheep while Anaplasma spp. (14.1%), A. marginale (15.2%), B. bigemina (6.5%) and B. bovis (5.4%) in cattle. On the other hand, Anaplasma spp. (1.2%), A. marginale (1.2%) and B. bovis (1.2%), were detected in buffaloes. Significantly higher detection rates were observed in cattle for Anaplasma spp. (P = .020), A. marginale (P = .001) and B. bigemina (P = .022) than in buffaloes. Sequence analysis of Anaplasma spp. isolates from cattle, revealed A. platys-like strains. Phylogenetic analyses of the A. platys-like isolates revealed variation among the strains infecting cattle. The A. marginale buffalo isolate, on the other hand, showed some level of divergence from the cattle isolates. This study reports the first detection of A. ovis in sheep and A. platys-like strains in cattle in Menoufia and Egypt at large. The results of the current study provide valuable information on the epidemiology and genetic characteristics of tick-borne pathogens infecting livestock in Egypt.     

Estimating the impact of Trypanosoma evansi infection (surra) on buffalo population dynamics in southern Philippines using data from cross-sectional surveys

Despite the widespread problem with surra (Trypanosoma evansi) in livestock, there are no published studies on its impact on host populations, probably because of the large financial and time cost involved in performing longitudinal studies. During 2002-6, a cross-sectional survey for T. evansi infection involving 1732 buffaloes from 71 villages in southern Philippines was carried out. Other livestock animals (horses, cattle and goats) in every surveyed village were also tested for infection with T. evansi but domestic buffaloes were the primary survey target. Seroprevalence ranged from 6% to 21% and 13% to 100% for buffaloes in low and high risk areas, respectively. Key demographic parameters were estimated from the age structured distributions of the sampled buffalo population for each sex. All areas were dominated by females (69%) and the annual calving rate for areas of 100% and low seroprevalence was 15% and 47%, respectively. Males were removed at a relatively high annual rate of 27% in all areas. In the main reproductive years (4-10) female removal/mortality was <1% and 10% for low and high risk areas, respectively. Older females were removed/died at a rate similar to males regardless of area. In high risk areas there were consistently more 2-year than 1-year old females and the reverse was true for the low risk areas. This implies that females were imported to the high risk areas for breeding. By assuming a stable age structure and similar size populations in each area, it was estimated that 28% of female calves need to be moved from low to high risk areas to maintain the observed age structure. In high risk areas, surra imposes significant financial losses due to reduced fertility, high mortality/removal rate and the necessity to import replacement buffaloes.     

Effects of gut treatment on recovery and germinability of bovine and ovine ingested seeds of four woody species from the Sudanian savanna in West Africa

Passage rate through the digestive tracts of zebu cattle and sheep, and subsequent germination of egested seeds of four woody species from the Sudanian savanna, Acacia dudgeoni, Acacia seyal, Burkea africana and Prosopis africana, were studied. The result indicates large differences in passage rate among woody species, as well as between animals. The values ranged from 46% to 87% for seeds ingested by cattle while the lowest passage rate was 2.3% and the highest being 74% for seeds ingested by sheep. Among plant species, seeds of Prosopis africana had the highest passage rate through the digestive tract of both cattle and sheep. Seed passage through the gut showed a significant positive correlation with seed mass and thickness for cattle and sheep, respectively. The gut treatment and the retention time in the gut did not improve germination capacity and the speed of germination of dormant seeds. For non-dormant seeds of Acacia dudgeoni, the germination capacity was higher for seeds ingested by cattle than sheep. The speed of germination was also significantly higher for egested seeds than the control. It can be concluded that large herbivores could play an essential role in long distance dispersal of seeds. Gut treatment alone was not effective in breaking seed coat-imposed dormancy, although it enhanced the rate of germination of non-dormant seeds. To get a complete picture of the effect of frugivore on the release of seed dormancy, the combined effect of initial mastication and subsequent gut treatment needs to be investigated.     

Colonization of Cattle Intestines by Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter lanienae

The location and abundance of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter lanienae in the intestines of beef cattle were investigated using real-time quantitative PCR in two studies. In an initial study, digesta and tissue samples were obtained along the digestive tract of two beef steers known to shed C. jejuni and C. lanienae (steers A and B). At the time of slaughter, steer B weighed 540 kg, compared to 600 kg for steer A, yet the intestine of steer B (40.5 m) was 36% longer than the intestine of steer A (26.1 m). In total, 323 digesta samples (20-cm intervals) and 998 tissue samples (3.3- to 6.7-cm intervals) were processed. Campylobacter DNA was detected in the digesta and in association with tissues throughout the small and large intestines of both animals. Although C. jejuni and C. lanienae DNA were detected in both animals, only steer A contained substantial quantities of C. jejuni DNA. In both digesta and tissues of steer A, C. jejuni was present in the duodenum and jejunum. Considerable quantities of C. jejuni DNA also were observed in the digesta obtained from the cecum and ascending colon, but minimal DNA was associated with tissues of these regions. In contrast, steer B contained substantial quantities of C. lanienae DNA, and DNA of this bacterium was limited to the large intestine (i.e., the cecum, proximal ascending colon, descending colon, and rectum); the majority of tissue-associated C. lanienae DNA was present in the cecum, descending colon, and rectum. In a second study, the location and abundance of C. jejuni and C. lanienae DNA were confirmed in the intestines of 20 arbitrarily selected beef cattle. DNA of C. jejuni and C. lanienae were detected in the digesta of 57% and 95% of the animals, respectively. C. jejuni associated with intestinal tissues was most abundant in the duodenum, ileum, and rectum. However, one animal contributed disproportionately to the abundance of C. jejuni DNA in the ileum and rectum. C. lanienae was most abundant in the large intestine, and the highest density of DNA of this bacterium was found in the cecum. Therefore, C. jejuni colonized the proximal small intestine of asymptomatic beef cattle, whereas C. lanienae primarily resided in the cecum, descending colon, and rectum. This information could be instrumental in developing efficacious strategies to manage the release of these bacteria from the gastrointestinal tracts of cattle.