Veterinary Medicine and Science最新文献

Captive ratites, including the ostrich (Struthio camelus), are susceptible to various gastrointestinal conditions. However, spontaneous cloacal prolapse is a relatively less frequent diagnosis. This report details the clinical management of cloacal prolapse in an ostrich, including a brief literature review. A 10-week-old female ostrich reared in a semi-intensive farming system was presented with a reddish protruded mass through the vent opening, along with a history of lethargy, poor appetite, and lack of droppings. Clinical examinations demonstrated a complete cloacal prolapse without any devitalization or necrosis of the involved tissues. Laboratory examinations revealed no parasitic or bacterial enteritis. Hematobiochemical analysis indicated low serum calcium. The case was surgically treated, which involved repositioning the prolapsed cloaca to its anatomical location and subsequent vent narrowing with a purse-string suture while ensuring adequate space for the passage of droppings. Postoperatively, supportive medications and formulated feed with vitamin-mineral supplements, including calcium, were provided. The ostrich experienced an uneventful recovery. The purse-string suture encompassing the vent was removed on the eighth postoperative day. No complications were reported 9 weeks after surgery. In brief, mineral deficiencies, particularly reduced serum calcium levels, may be associated with cloacal prolapse in young ostriches. Prompt surgical intervention and a balanced nutritional regimen with calcium supplements can effectively facilitate recovery.

Introduction: Climate change and its effects continue to threaten the stability of environments worldwide, impacting nearly every species. Although framing is an established technique in climate communication science, little has been done in communicating the climate change effects from an animal welfare perspective.

Objectives: The primary objective of this article is to present the synthesis of evidence in existing literature on the effects of communicating climate change as an animal welfare issue.

Methods: A systematic approach was taken based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) scoping review guidelines and utilizing a hybridized ProPheT-PICOS Model with modifications. Using search strings, scholarly databases within the Web of Science platform were systematically searched for English-language climate change literature that included animal welfare concepts. Articles were imported into Covidence and inclusion and exclusion criteria were then used to select articles for further analysis.

Results: Of an initial 4080 studies, only two papers were identified that used animal welfare framing to discuss climate change based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Conclusion: Further research should attempt to understand and approach framing climate change concerning current understanding by geographic location and culture to close research gaps and mitigate bias in the context of climate change and its effects on animal welfare.

Background: Obtaining information about the growth rates of animals' organs and tissues can help understand their meat production potential and determine the ideal slaughter weight (SW).

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effects of production system and SW on the allometric growth of the non-carcass components, carcass cuts, and hind limb tissues of Kivircik lambs.

Methods: A total of 54 single-born male lambs were randomly allocated into production systems (concentrate- and pasture-based) and SW groups: 25-26 kg (LOW), 30-31 kg (MEDIUM), and 35-36 kg (HIGH). The data for weights of non-carcass components, carcass cuts and hind limb tissues were analysed using General Linear Model (GLM). The allometric growth of non-carcass components, carcass cuts and hind limb tissues was estimated using the nonlinear allometric equation (Y = aX^b).

Results: The mean of carcass components increased linearly with SW (p < 0.05). Similar omental-mesenteric fat, kidney knob and channel fat (KKCF), back fat thickness, subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat and total fat levels were observed in the different SW groups in a pasture-based system (p > 0.05). Carcass cuts and hind limb fat tissues show late development (b > 1) in the concentrated system. Development of subcutaneous fat and total fat was late maturing (b > 1) in the pasture-based system. Allometric growth of KKCF, subcutaneous fat and total fat was rapid.

Conclusion: If more carcass weight is desired from Kivircik lambs in the concentrated production system, they should be slaughtered at higher weights than the HIGH group. Continuing to fatten pasture-based lambs after 30-31 kg may result in fatty carcasses.

With global protein prices on the rise, lowering protein levels in animal feed, together with balancing diet composition and reducing nitrogen emissions, can both reduce the environmental impact of agriculture and save on feed costs. However, the formulation of an ideal amino acid (AA) composition is crucial for better protein utilization by livestock. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different lysine to methionine ratios on the antioxidant capacity and immune function of the rumen in Tibetan sheep. Ninety male Tibetan sheep, weaned at 2 months of age, were randomly divided into three groups (1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 lysine ratios) and subjected to a 100-day feeding trial. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was utilized to analyse the impact of different AA ratios on gene expression in rumen tissue, whereas the levels of antioxidant enzymes (total antioxidant capacity [T-AOC], superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px] and catalase [CAT]) and immunoglobulins (immunoglobulin A [IgA], immunoglobulin G [IgG] and immunoglobulin M [IgM]) were evaluated. The results indicated that the 1:1 group significantly upregulated the expression of PTGS2, PLA2G12A and PLA2G4 genes, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, reducing free radical production and modulating systemic immune responses. COL16A1 and KCNK5 were highly expressed in the protein digestion and absorption pathway, maintaining the structural integrity and function of the rumen epithelium. BMP4 and TGFBR2 were significantly enriched in the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway and positively correlated with CAT and T-AOC. ITGA8 was upregulated in the 1:1 group, participating in the regulation of various cellular signalling pathways. ATP2B1 was enriched in the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)- protein kinase G (PKG) signalling and mineral absorption pathways, primarily influencing oxidative stress and immune responses by regulating intracellular calcium ion concentration. This study demonstrates that a 1:1 lysine to methionine ratio is most beneficial for enhancing the antioxidant capacity and immune function of the rumen in Tibetan sheep.

Background: Clostridium butyricum is a probiotic widely used in animal husbandry, and there is evidence to suggest that it can alleviate intestinal inflammation in pigs and may be related to its lipoteichoic acid (LTA), but the mechanism is still unclear.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the regulatory effect and potential mechanism of C. butyricum LTA on LPS-stimulated inflammation in intestinal porcine epithelial line-J2 (IPEC-J2).

Methods: IPEC-J2 cells were treated with LPS and different concentrations of LTA (0.05, 0.1 and 0.15 mM). After treatment of 0.5, 1.5 and 4.5 h, the cell culture media were collected for the measurement of TNF-α and IL-10 by using ELISA kits, and the cells were collected for RT-qPCR and Western blotting detections. Further elucidating the pathway of LTA regulating IL-10 and TNF-α gene expression by inhibiting key proteins in the toll-like receptor pathway with antagonists C34, PDTC, SB230580 and U0126.

Results: High-dose LTA significantly promoted the secretion of the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 in IPEC-J2 cells, and inhibited the expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory TNF-α in the short term. LTA inhibited the gene expression of TLR4 in LPS-stimulated cells and reduced the protein phosphorylation levels of p38, ERK1/2 and p65. The inhibition of TLR4, p38, ERK1/2 and p65 reduced the TNF-α gene expression caused by LPS; LTA increased TLR2 gene expression, inhibition of p38, ERK and p65 rather than TLR4 reduced the IL-10 gene expression.

Conclusion: Our study found that C. butyricum LTA was an important component of C. butyricum regulating the inflammatory response of IPEC-J2 cells. LTA mainly reduced the expression of TNF-α by inhibiting TLR4, while stimulating TLR2 increased the expression of IL-10. Downstream p65, p38 and ERK1/2 were involved in regulating both TNF-α and IL-10. However, TLR4 was only related to the increase in TNF-α caused by LPS and not to the increase in IL-10 caused by LTA. Our work supplemented the probiotic mechanism of C. butyricum and provided a theoretical basis for the application of C. butyricum LTA.

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV), a single-stranded negative-sense RNA virus with an envelope, belongs to the Morbillivirus in the Paramyxoviridae family and is prevalent worldwide. PPRV infection causes fever, stomatitis, diarrhoea, pneumonia, abortion and other symptoms in small ruminants, with a high mortality rate that poses a significant threat to the sustainability and productivity of the small ruminant livestock sector. The PPRV virus particles have a diameter of approximately 400-500 nm and are composed of six structural proteins: nucleocapsid protein (N), phosphoprotein (P), envelope matrix protein (M), fusion protein (F), haemagglutinin protein (H) and large protein (L). Each protein has a distinct role in the virus's life cycle. Although the life cycle activities of PPRV have been widely reported, they are still limited. Research has demonstrated that PPRV has distinct adhesion factors on various cell surfaces, such as the epithelial cell adhesion factor nectin-4 or the lymphocyte adhesion factor SLAM. After attaching to the cell, the F and H proteins on the PPRV membrane interact with each other, resulting in a conformational change in the F protein. This change allows the F protein to enter the cell through direct fusion with the host cell membrane. The virus enters the host cell via the outer vesicle endocytosis strategy and replicates and proliferates through the role of caveolin, actin, dynein and cholesterol on the host cell membrane. This review summarises the viral structure, attachment mechanism and transmembrane internalisation mechanism of PPRV. The aim of this review is to provide theoretical support for the development of PPRV inhibitors and the prevention and control of PPR.

Background: Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection, caused by Pestiviruses A and B, with various clinical findings and causes significant economic losses. This disease is common in Turkey as well as in other countries, especially in European countries.

Objective: This study was designed to determine the genotypes of BVDVs and their variability among cattle in eastern Turkey.

Methods: A total of 110 samples from 85 cattle suspected of BVDV infection were tested using RT-PCR with primers targeting the 5'UTR, autoprotease (N^pro) and E2 gene regions of pestiviruses. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses were performed on the 5'UTR and N^pro gene regions of these samples.

Results: Analysis of 15 sequences obtained from 13 cattle revealed that Pestivirus A (BVDV-1) was responsible for the infection. In addition, the study identified subgenotypes BVDV-1a (n = 5), 1b (n = 5), 1d (n = 1), 1f (n = 1), 1l (n = 1) and 1r (n = 2). No evidence of infection with Pestivirus B (BVDV-2), Pestivirus D (Border disease virus) or Pestivirus H (HoBi-like virus/BVDV-3) was found.

Conclusion: The significance of pestiviruses in causing genital and respiratory problems is once again emphasised, underscoring the necessity of including them in herd screening. Identifying BVDV genetic diversity both in Turkey and worldwide is crucial for developing effective protection, control and eradication strategies, particularly for vaccination programs. As a conclusion, the identification of BVDV-1a, 1b, 1d, 1f, 1l and 1r in the eastern provinces of Turkey points to an increase in BVDV-1 genetic diversity.

The present study aimed to unveil the gastroprotective potential of Vaccinium macrocarpon (VM) extract and its mechanism of action against indomethacin (INDO)-induced gastric ulcers in rats. To achieve this goal, rats were pretreated with either omeprazole (20 mg/kg) or VM (100 mg/kg) orally for 14 consecutive days. Gastric tissue samples were collected and various parameters were evaluated to understand the mechanism of VM's action, including the levels of superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, glutathione, CAT and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), as well as the mRNA expression levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 beta, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and inhibitor kappa B (IκB). Additionally, the immunopositivity of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2, PGE2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and caspase-3 was assessed. The total amount of phenolic compounds present in the VM extract was high (58.08 µg/mL gallic acid equivalent/mg extract). The healing effect of VM was demonstrated by an increase in the expression of PCNA. Furthermore, the level of TGF-β was found to increase upon treatment with VM. Analyses of COX-1, COX-2 and PGE2 expression in gastric tissue confirmed the gastroprotective effect of VM. Notably, the expression of NF-κB was markedly reduced, whereas that of IκB was substantially increased. Overall, the findings of this study demonstrate that VM extract has gastroprotective and curative effects against INDO-induced ulcers through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, mucosal regenerative and anti-apoptotic activities. Therefore, VM may serve as a useful adjuvant treatment for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-induced gastric ulcer disease.

Background: The study of the epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile in populations is greatly facilitated by the ability to isolate and further characterize individual organisms, which requires effective culture protocols. In cattle, where little is known about the epidemiology of C. difficile, no studies have assessed or compared the performance of different assays for detecting C. difficile.

Objectives: This study compared two culture protocols for detecting C. difficile in bovine faeces from 121 gestating cows and 70 of their neonatal calves, while situating results obtained with each protocol relative to those obtained with shotgun metagenomic sequencing.

Methods: Protocol 1 involved direct plating enrichment onto taurocholine-cycloserine-cefoxitin-fructose agar (TCCFA), while Protocol 2 included an ethanol shock step before plating on CCFA/ChromID agar. For both protocols, one aliquot underwent broth enrichment prior to plating, while the other aliquot did not.

Results: Clostridioides difficile was detected following broth enrichment in two of the same calf samples using both protocols, and an additional cow sample was found to be positive with Protocol 2, though the difference in detection rates was not statistically significant (p = 1.0).

Conclusions: The detection of C. difficile in a much high number of these samples by shotgun metagenomics, albeit at low levels of relative abundance, suggests that neither of these culture protocols is sensitive when levels of abundance are low.

Background: There is a lack of data on the validation and diagnostic performance of the Freestyle Optium Neo-H (Freestyle) and Centrivet GK (Centrivet) devices for the diagnosis of hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia and hyperketonaemia in goats.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to validate the Freestyle and Centrivet for the analysis of whole blood beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and to validate the Freestyle for the analysis of whole blood glucose concentrations using the reference method (RM) in goat blood collected from the jugular and ear veins.

Methods: Venous blood samples were utilised to assess glucose and BHBA concentrations using the Freestyle, Centrivet and RM. The cut-off point of BHBA was ≥ 0.8 mmol/L for hyperketonaemia. A total of 198 paired blood samples (vena jugularis and ear vein) were collected from 99 hair goats. The cut-off point for hypoglycaemia diagnosis was < 49 mg/dL.

Results: There were proportional but no constant errors between RM and Freestyle and Centrivet for BHBA, and both proportional and constant errors were observed for glucose analysis. The mean bias for BHBA analysis was 0.14 and 0.06 mmol/L (Freestyle-RM) 0.51 and 0.16 mmol/L (Centrivet-RM) for jugular and ear veins, respectively. The mean bias for blood glucose analysis was 0.0 and 5.6 mg/L between Freestyle and RM in the jugular and ear veins, respectively. The sensitivity (Centrivet: 50%-61.3%; Freestyle: 93.6%-75.8%) and specificity (Centrivet GK: 75.7%-73%; Freestyle: 37.8%-70.3%) were determined in jugular and ear vein blood for hyperketonaemia diagnostics, respectively. The AUC of Freestyle was 0.89 and 0.95 in the jugular and ear vein for hypoglycaemia, respectively. The sensitivity of Freestyle was 60.3% and 96.8% in the jugular and ear vein for hypoglycaemia. The specificity of Freestyle was 100.0% and 76.7% for hypoglycaemia in jugular and ear veins, respectively.

Conclusions: Freestyle demonstrated acceptable diagnostic performance for hypoglycaemia in ear veins, but neither Freestyle nor Centrivet showed sufficient diagnostic performance for hyperketonaemia. Both analysers were not interchangeable with RM in BHBA and glucose analysis.