Veterinary World最新文献

Background and aim: The antioxidant effects of ergothioneine (EGT) on in vitro culture of porcine zygote are not well established. The study investigated the impact of EGT supplementation on meiotic competence and development of porcine oocytes.

Materials and methods: The impact of EGT concentrations (0, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 μM) during in vitro maturation (IVM) on the progression of meiotic maturation, fertilization, and blastocyst formation in porcine oocytes was assessed. The DNA fragmentation level was evaluated to determine oocyte and blastocyst quality.

Results: The proportion of metaphase II oocytes was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in EGT-cultured oocytes than in control oocytes, regardless of the EGT concentration, and those oocytes with 10 μM or more EGT had fewer DNA-fragmented nuclei (p < 0.05). Blastocysts derived from oocytes cultured with 10 μM EGT had the highest proportion (p < 0.05), while those from control oocytes or oocytes cultured with 50 μM or less EGT had significantly higher proportions. Despite EGT supplementation, there were no noticeable differences in total cell numbers and DNA fragmentation indices in the derived blastocysts.

Conclusion: Supplementing with EGT during IVM leads to better oocyte maturation, quality, and embryonic development due to decreased DNA fragmentation. The present study failed to elucidate the mechanism of DNA fragmentation reduction by EGT. More research needs to be conducted to explore the antioxidant mechanism of EGT.

Background and aim: Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus are common health issues in obese (OB) cats. In humans, obesity leads to alterations in adipokine and proinflammatory cytokine secretion, causing persistent inflammation. The inflammatory impact of obesity in cats remains unproven. This study investigated associations between obesity and inflammatory and metabolic changes in three groups of client-owned Brazilian domestic shorthair cats: naturally lean, overweight (OW), and OB.

Materials and methods: Cats from the Veterinary Hospital of Professor Sylvio Barbosa e Cardoso (FAVET/UECE) were clinically evaluated. Blood samples were collected for hematological and biochemical profile measurements, and part of the serum was used for measuring adipokine and inflammatory cytokines using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: In both the OW and OB groups, serum cholesterol and insulin concentrations increased, while triglyceride concentrations were notably elevated in the OB group. In the OW and OB groups, serum adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β levels were elevated, and leptin levels were significantly higher in the OB group.

Conclusion: This study is the first in Brazil to reveal increased serum levels of inflammatory markers in OW and OB client-owned felines. OW cats exhibited higher proinflammatory marker levels, implying obesity-induced inflammation.

The Koi fish (Cyprinus carpio var. koi) is an ornamental fish with a high selling value because of its attractive colors, color patterns, body shape, and swimming motion. Koi fish is extensively traded in the international fish market because of their popularity among hobbyists from numerous countries worldwide. This review discusses various aspects of Koi fish cultivation, including genetic involvement, selective breeding strategies, and management systems. By examining crucial factors such as water parameters, technological innovations, and evolving cultivation methods, this review explored their influence on the quality of Koi fish. Breakthrough technologies, such as ornamental fish warehousing and recirculation aquaculture systems, enhance breeding efficiency and profitability. Molecular sexing, feed optimization, and color enhancement strategies are central to pursuing superior Koi fish. Reproduction management, disease prevention, and risk reduction during transport underscore ongoing efforts to ensure their survival. Despite notable progress, several challenges remain, including limited genetic studies, gaps in disease research, and unexplored herbal alternatives. The active involvement of hobbyists and breeders in research initiatives is a pivotal force in unlocking the untapped potential. The holistic approaches to enhance production efficiency and improve care standards require further exploration, paving the way for a sustainable future in the evolving management of Koi fish cultivation.

Background and aim: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-footed animals. It is a major threat to livestock production worldwide, causing significant economic losses. Inactivation of FMD virus (FMDV) is crucial for vaccine development and control of outbreaks. However, traditional inactivation methods can sometimes damage the viral protein, affecting vaccine efficacy. Therefore, finding new inactivating agents that effectively inactivate the virus while preserving the integrity of its proteins is an important research area. This study investigated the optimal materials (0.04% formaldehyde, 0.001 M binary ethylenimine [BEI], or a combination) for inactivating and preserving the specific molecular weight of Serotype O FMDV protein.

Materials and methods: This study used serotype O FMDV isolated from several areas of East Java. The virus was inoculated into baby hamster kidney-21 cells, and the titer was calculated using the TCID₅₀ Assay. The virus was inactivated using 0.04% formaldehyde, 0.001 M BEI, or a combination of 0.04% formaldehyde and 0.001 M BEI. Inactive viral proteins were characterized using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting.

Results: Serotype O FMDV can be inactivated using 0.04% formaldehyde while preserving specific FMDV proteins, specifically VP0 and VP3 with a molecular weight (MW) of 36 kDa and VP3 with a MW of 24 kDa. Serotype O FMDV can be inactivated by 0.001 M BEI while preserving specific FMDV proteins, specifically VP0 with a MW of 35 kDa, VP3 with a MW of 28 kDa, and VP1 with a MW of 23 kDa. FMDV serotype O can be inactivated using a combination of 0.04% formaldehyde and 0.001 M BEI while preserving specific FMDV proteins, specifically VP0 and VP3 with a MW of 36 kDa and VP3 with a MW of 24 kDa.

Conclusion: This study found that 0.04% formaldehyde, alone or in combination with 0.001 M BEI, was effective for inactivating and preserving the specific molecular weight of Serotype O FMDV protein. The limitation of this study was the inactivations of the virus have not yet been tested for their potency on experimental animals. Further research is warranted to investigate the inactivation kinetics of these materials, including their potency on experimental animals. Additionally, a comparison of the inactivation rates between 0.04% formaldehyde alone and the combination with BEI would help to determine the optimal inactivation agent for future applications.

Background and aim: Canine rabies is an endemic form of zoonosis and represents a major public health threat in Guinea, similar to other African countries. However, few investigations on the epidemiology of rabies in animals and humans have been conducted, and evidence-based data required to inform health policies remain inadequate. This study was conducted to update our knowledge of human dog-mediated rabies epidemiology and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) accessibility-related factors in Guinea.

Materials and methods: This retrospective study, conducted from January 2018 to December 2020, collected data on animal bite cases, veterinary observations, rabies diagnoses through fluorescent antibody test, and PEP delivery from three veterinary and medical entities. Statistical analysis utilized Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test to evaluate relationships between variables.

Results: An average of 775 bites was recorded annually, and dogs were responsible for 98% of bites. However, only 64% of the biting dogs were under veterinary observation as required for integrated bite case management. Regarding the geographical distribution of bite cases, the entire country was affected, with the highest number of bites recorded in the prefectures of Nzérékoré and the special zone of Conakry. In addition, the laboratory diagnosis of brain samples from biting dogs indicated that 72% of the samples were rabies-positive. However, regarding prevention, only 58% of the bitten individuals received full PEP.

Conclusion: Improving disease surveillance and PEP provision for dog-transmitted rabies is crucial to preventing human cases and deaths. Increasing community awareness is essential for enhancing dog vaccination and PEP utilization. A national action plan integrating stakeholders for controlling canine rabies should be developed for effective One Health collaboration.

Background and aim: The primary components of fat and protein in chicken diets are fishmeal and soybean; however, due to limited supply and high costs, several efforts have been made to utilize alternative feedstuffs. The potential of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as a substitute for fat and protein has been extensively studied, but the findings are not consistent. This study used a meta-analysis approach to investigate the integrated efficacy of BSFL supplementation on laying hen production performance, egg quality, and physiological properties.

Materials and methods: The articles were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest. The retrieved references were examined for potential inclusion. The relevant findings of the included studies were then extracted. Fixed-effects, standard mean difference, 95% confidence intervals, and heterogeneity models were analyzed using the Review Manager website version (Cochrane Collaboration, UK).

Results: A total of 24 papers from 17 different nations across five continents have been selected for meta-analysis out of the 3621 articles that were reviewed. The current meta-analysis demonstrated that providing BSFL meals significantly favored feed efficiency, haugh units, albumen quality, eggshell quality, serum glucose, and lipid levels. In addition, significant trends in alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, magnesium, phosphorus, chlorine, and iron levels were observed in blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde. On the other hand, it was revealed that there was no favorable effect on weight gain, laying, yolk quality, and hematological profile.

Conclusion: The meta-analysis confirmed that BSFL meals can be utilized to optimize feed efficiency, haugh units, albumen, eggshell quality, liver, renal, and cellular physiology of laying hens, although they did not significantly increase body weight gain, laying production, and hematological profiles.

Telepathology and digital pathology, enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI), represent groundbreaking technology advancements. These entities offer information exchange, enhanced teaching and research, and automated diagnosis with high precision through a computerized approach. Machine learning in pathology shows promise for both human and veterinary medicine, yielding favorable results and in some cases, surpassing the accuracy of human pathologists. This study aimed to highlight the significance of integrated AI with telepathology and digital pathology, outlining both its advantages and limitations while emphasizing the crucial role of pathologists in its implementation. A literature review was conducted to uncover publications and data on telepathology and AI, and their implementation in human and veterinary medicine. This approach has facilitated information exchange, enhancing both teaching and research. In addition, it facilitates the creation of innovative methods and offers more precise patient diagnoses, adhering to ethical and legal standards. This study delivers valuable and comparable data on telepathology, digital pathology, and AI integration. Given the continually emerging nature of these technologies, further studies are essential for their application to human and veterinary medicine.

Background and aim: Rhodamine-B (Rh-B) marking shows a great potential for use in mark-release-recapture (MRR) studies for rear-and-release mosquito control strategies, including the radiation-based sterile insect technique. However, its applicability and evaluation in body-stain-irradiated males of Aedes aegypti have received little attention. The present study evaluated the use of Rh-B to mark gamma-irradiated male A. aegypti.

Materials and methods: Male A. aegypti were irradiated at the pupal stage at a dose of 70 Gy. After emergence, males were fed 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, or 0.4% Rh-B in 10% glucose solution for 4 days. Groups of unirradiated males that received the same feeding treatments were used as control groups. We evaluated the persistence of Rh-B and the longevity of males after Rh-B feeding. Furthermore, the use of Rh-B in irradiated A. aegypti for MRR experiments was evaluated at an urban site.

Results: No difference was observed in the Rh-B persistence among all concentrations at the 24-h postmarking period ranging from 91.25 ± 1.61% to 96.25 ± 1.61% and from 90.00 ± 2.28% to 93.13 ± 2.77% for the unirradiated and irradiated groups, respectively. Rh-B persistence significantly decreased over time, and persistence was significantly longer with increased concentrations in both the unirradiated and irradiated groups. Longevity was considerably decreased by Rh-B feeding and irradiation. However, no significant difference in longevity was found among males fed various concentrations of Rh-B. Through MRR experiments, irradiated-Rh-B marked males were mostly detected within a radius of 20 m and 40 m from the center-release point. The mean distance traveled of the released males from the three MRR events was calculated to be 42.6 m.

Conclusion: This study confirms that Rh-B body marking through sugar feeding is applicable for irradiated male A. aegypti, with only a slight effect on longevity. Furthermore, considering the significant reduction in persistence over time, further study is needed to assess the impact of this reduction on the calculation of field biological parameters resulting from MRR experiments.

Background and aim: In veterinary medicine, health-related quality-of-life index (QOLi) measurements are becoming increasingly important because they are a multifaceted concept that represents not only patients' physical well-being but also clients' emotional health. This study assessed QOLi in dogs receiving incremental intermittent hemodialysis (i-IHD) with high- and low-flux dialyzers.

Materials and methods: Thirty dogs diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stage IV were randomly divided into two groups of 15 dogs each. A high-flux dialyzer was used in Group I, whereas a low-flux dialyzer was used in Group II. i-IHD was performed on days 0, 2, 4, 19, and 34, whereas QOLi evaluation was performed on days 0, 15, 30, and 45.

Results: Both groups exhibited considerable decreases in post-dialysis creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and phosphorus levels, while Group I experienced notable reductions in post-dialysis triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Dialysis adequacy did not show any significant difference between the clearance rates of high- and low-flux dialyzers. The QOLi assessment showed better post-dialysis scores in all categories except for water balance in Group I, while Group II demonstrated a worsening trend in scores for mental status, appetite, mobility, general health, and pain.

Conclusion: In the first three sessions of i-IHD, dogs with CKD should be treated every other day, and the schedule can be extended by 15 days after that. A high-flux membrane, which effectively decreases triglyceride and cholesterol levels more than a low-flux membrane, warrants consideration for dogs with cardiovascular complications undergoing dialysis. The dialysis-related QOLi aids in clinical decision-making and encourages client engagement.

Background and aim: In chronic viral infections, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) significantly suppress immune responses. The CTLA-4 receptor abundance in regulatory T cells showed a positive association with viral load and a negative association with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production in bovine leukemia virus (BLV)-infected cattle. Blocking this receptor boosted IFN-γ production, recovering immune response against this illness. In human cancer patients, not everyone responded positively to non-immunotherapy using CTLA-4 receptor antibodies. The present study analyzed the synergistic effects of CTLA-4 and PD-L1 receptor blockade on IFN-γ production in BLV+ cattle in vitro.

Materials and methods: The genes for bovine CTLA-4 and PD-L1 were artificially produced. The amino acid sequences of the extracellular receptor domains were sourced from the National Center for Biotechnology Information PubMed database. The western blotting and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) techniques were employed for the characterization of recombinant CTLA-4 (rCTLA-4) and recombinant PD-L1 (rPD-L1) proteins. The immunoinhibitory effects of recombinant proteins in Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB)-stimulated cattle peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were investigated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to analyze monoclonal antibodies against rCTLA-4 and rPD-L1. Antibodies generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy and BLV-seropositive cows were employed to evaluate their blocking capabilities.

Results: The resulting recombinant proteins specifically reacted with commercial homogeneous monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) using ELISA and anti-His-tag mAbs using western blotting. Analysis of the proteins using LC-MS/MS revealed correspondence with the sequences of rCTLA-4 and rPD-L1 located in the Mascot database. rCTLA-4 and rPD-L1 proteins inhibited IFN-γ production in bovine PBMCs of activated SEB. When PBMCs from cows were cultured with activated SEB containing rCTLA-4 and rPD-L1, the mAbs increased IFN-γ production in PBMCs. The combined cultivation of mAbs and PBMCs from BLV+ cattle enhanced IFN-γ production in the cells.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that the combined blockade of bovine CTLA-4 and PD-L1 receptors can be used as a therapy for bovine leukemia. However, it was shown that a single PBMC sample from a BLV-positive donor did not amplify the synergistic effect. Therefore, it is necessary to perform further studies on a larger population and assessing a wider range of cytokines.