Research in veterinary science最新文献

An emotion is defined as the affective response to a stimulus that leads to specific bodily changes, enabling individuals to react to positive or negative environmental conditions. In the absence of speech, emotions in animals are primarily studied by observing expressive components, such as facial expressions. This review aims to analyze the available literature on the influence of environmental stimuli on measurable behaviors in horses, describing the anatomical components involved in perception at the central nervous system level and the efferent pathways that trigger facial muscle contraction or relaxation, thus altering facial expressions. Additionally, articles addressing the function of facial expressions in communication are discussed, emphasizing their role in social interactions in this species. While there is limited research on equine neurophysiology, considering the common structure of the limbic system in most mammals, studies conducted on canines and primates were taken into account. In conclusion, the article underscores the importance of understanding equine facial expressions to assess their emotional states and, by extension, their welfare.

The bacterium Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp) causes a chronic infectious respiratory disease in pigs, leading to important economic losses. This study aimed to compare the immune response of the local Piau breed and a commercial line to Mhp vaccination. For this, two phases were carried out. In the first, gene expression of toll-like receptors (TLR2, TLR4, TLR6, and TLR10) and cytokines (IL2, IL6, IL8, IL10, IL12, IL13, TNFα, and TGFβ) was assessed in porcine blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from the two genetic groups before and after vaccination. In the second experiment, nitric oxide production, specific antibodies, and gene expression of toll-like receptors and cytokines were evaluated in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells of vaccinated and unvaccinated pigs. After vaccination against Mhp, TLR2, TLR4, TLR6, TLR10, IL6, TNFα, and TGFβ expression levels were elevated in PBMC from commercial animals, and TLR6, TLR10, and TGFβ expression levels were elevated in PBMC from the Piau group. Vaccination also increased the production of Mhp-specific IgG antibodies in BALF cells in the Piau breed. Comparison of the two genetic groups revealed differences in TNFα and IL10 expression in BALF cells. These results show that Piau pigs have different immune responses to vaccination compared with commercial animals. It is worth noting that these genetic differences between both genetic groups may be related to phenotypic differences in Mhp resistance or susceptibility.

This study aimed to analyze the response of lactating beef cows to repeated short nutritional challenges with their performance parameters and plasma metabolites. Multiparous lactating beef cows were subjected to three repeated nutritional challenges in the fourth month of lactation. Each challenge consisted of a 4-d feed restriction (55% of their average energy and protein requirements), followed by a 3-d refeeding period (100% requirements). Cows were classified into two groups differing in their performance (milk yield) and metabolic adaptation [non esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB)] to diet changes (metabolic response, MR): High and Low MR cows, where the High MR cows showed a faster and larger response to diet changes than the Low MR cows (P < 0.001). The loss in milk yield during restriction was the smallest in challenge 1 (P < 0.001). Milk urea increased during restriction in challenges 1 and 2 (P < 0.001). The High MR cows had greater NEFA concentrations than their Low MR counterparts during restrictions, and greater BHB concentrations during the restriction of challenge 2 (P < 0.001). Restriction increased NEFA, BHB (only in the High MR cows) and urea (P < 0.01). During refeeding, both milk yield and plasma metabolites recovered basal values (P > 0.05). These results highlight the ability of beef cows to respond to and recover from successive short-term nutrient restrictions, and that despite a certain degree of sensitization of milk yield may have occurred, there were only minimal changes in the metabolic strategies triggered to cope with repeated underfeeding.

The cannabinoid 2 receptor (CB2R) is a crucial element of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is predominantly expressed on cells of the reticuloendothelial system. Alterations in CB2R expression have shown a prognostic role in various human neoplastic diseases and its expression has been studied in canine mast cell tumours (MCT). Canine diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoma in dogs and has a variable clinical behaviour. Expression of CB2R was assessed by means of immunohistochemistry in fifteen dogs with proven histological diagnosis of DLBCL. A semiquantitative and quantitative assessment of immunoreactivity (IR) by digital analysis was performed in all cases. Our results indicate that CB2R expression is conserved in canine DLBCL but does not correlate with clinical outcome.

The effectiveness of three Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) Modified Live Virus (MLV) vaccines against PRRSV viraemia and nasal shedding following experimental challenge was compared. The study comprised a negative control (T01), and three treatment groups (T02, T03 and T04) each vaccinated with a single dose of a commercial PRRS MLV vaccine, given in accordance with the vaccine's Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Pigs aged 21 days were vaccinated (day 0), challenged intranasally (day 28) with heterologous PRRSV-1-1 strain Olot/91, then monitored for PRRSV viraemia and nasal shedding for 12 days. After challenge, pigs were viraemic on fewer days in group T04 (0.67) than groups T01 (0.91), T02 (0.81) and T03 (0.97) (P < 0.0296). From day 34, inclusive, serum PRRSV titres were lower in group T04 than negative controls (P ≤ 0.0001) and groups T02 and T03 (P ≤ 0.0047); serum PRRSV titre Area Under the Curve (AUC) for group T04 (42.34) was lower than in T01 (65.49), T02 (60.67) and T03 (67.38) (P < 0.0100); pigs exhibited nasal shedding on fewer days in group T04 (0.40) than T01 (0.78), T02 (0.64) and T03 (0.56) (P < 0.0101); and nasal shedding AUC for group T04 (8.52) was lower than in groups T01 (23.59, P < 0.0001) and T02 (19.37, P = 0.0001). The ability of PRRS MLV vaccines to reduce the duration of viraemia and nasal shedding after intranasal challenge with a heterologous PRRSV-1-1 strain differ significantly.

Background

Livestock markets are critical intermediaries in the movement of cattle and sheep between herds and to abattoirs. Disease prevention strategies promoting Cleansing & Disinfection (C&D) of vehicles moving animals from markets are in place in Scotland to reduce the risk of widespread transmission of pathogens within the livestock industry. However, little is known about how market users implement C&D on their vehicles and how these may differ between sectors of the industry.

Methods

An online questionnaire was completed by 72 Scottish market users to investigate C&D practices on livestock transport vehicles. Respondents were grouped based on their farming activities and biosecurity practices were compared between commercial and non-commercial users.

Results

The results showed a lower-than-expected use of brush or disinfectant and a shorter-than-expected time spent on C&D. Particularly, 43.6 % of respondents spent less than 30 min to C&D their vehicle, with no significant differences between respondents from commercial and non-commercial sectors (P = 0.75). Overall, we found little differences in C&D practices and level of training between sectors, highlighting the industrywide deficit in biosecurity knowledge.

Conclusions

These results highlight a need to improve the messaging and awareness on good C&D practices on transport vehicles. Regular training on C&D practices is recommended, particularly for commercial livestock transport.

Through their occupational role, veterinary professionals are regularly exposed to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs). These events can elicit negative (pathogenic) psychological outcomes of moral distress. However, PMIEs can also result in positive (salutogenic) outcomes of posttraumatic growth. Both outcomes are characterised by specific symptomology that is suggestive of a pathogenic or salutogenic trajectory. This study employed data from 194 veterinary professionals from Australia and New Zealand and sought to examine symptoms experienced by professionals following exposure to PMIEs. Respondents reported more symptoms of moral distress than posttraumatic growth following PMIE exposure. Negative symptoms included both affective and work-related factors including consideration of leaving the profession, while positive factors included increased confidence, personal growth, and staff cohesion. Potential factors contributing to the disparity in salutogenic and pathogenic outcomes are discussed. An integrated approach comprising both individual- and organisation-level factors is recommended to facilitate more salutogenic outcomes for veterinary professionals following PMIE exposure.