High prevalence of porcine circovirus 2, porcine parvovirus, and pathogenic leptospires in mummified swine fetuses in Southern Brazil / Alta prevalência de parvovírus suíno, circovírus suíno 2 e leptospiras patogênicas em fetos suínos mumificados na região Sul do Brasil

ABSTRACT: Modern swine production employs a high degree of technology and is organized in various production stages, in which reproduction is one of the most significant. However, reproductive losses associated to fetal death are still high. Fetal losses, including fetal mummification, may occur at a rate below 1.5% in a sound herd. The causes of fetal death can be very diverse, and include various infectious agents. Therefore, investigating the causes of fetal losses is important in the decision-making process related to the control and prophylaxis of the herd. The goal of this study was to carry out a molecular survey, analyzing porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2), porcine parvovirus (PPV), and pathogenic Leptospira as potential agents related to fetal death in swine farms in Southern Brazil. We collected samples from three farms with a mummified index ≥ 2.5%. Fragments of brain, lung, kidney, liver, and heart were sampled for PCR analysis. Out of 100 samples examined, 87, 68, and 22 were positive for PCV2, PPV, and Leptospira spp., respectively. Moreover, we also identified coinfections with two and three pathogens in the same sample. Our findings contribute to the spreading of scientific knowledge related to infectious causes (PPV, PCV2, and pathogenic leptospires) of fetal losses in swine, as evidenced by the high frequencies of the investigated agents.

RESUMO: A produção moderna de suínos emprega um alto grau de tecnologia e é organizada em várias etapas de produção, nas quais a reprodução é uma das mais importantes. No entanto, as perdas reprodutivas associadas à morte fetal ainda são altas. Perdas fetais, incluindo mumificação, podem ocorrer em taxa abaixo de 1,5% em rebanhos sadios. As causas da morte fetal podem ser diversas, incluindo causas infecciosas. Portanto, a investigação de causas relacionadas à ocorrência de perdas fetais é importante no processo relacionado ao controle e profilaxia do rebanho. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um levantamento molecular, incluindo circovírus suíno 2 (PCV2), parvovírus suíno (PPV), e leptospiras patogênicas como potenciais agentes relacionados à morte fetal em suínos no sul do Brasil. Foram coletadas amostras de três granjas com índice de fetos mumificados ≥ 2,5%. Fragmentos de cérebro, pulmão, rim, fígado e coração foram amostrados para análise por PCR. Das 100 amostras examinadas, 87 foram positivas para PCV2, 68 foram positivas para PPV e 22 foram positivas para Leptospira spp. Além disso, também identificamos co-infecções com dois e três patógenos em uma mesma amostra. Os resultados encontrados contribuem para a disseminação do conhecimento científico relacionado às causas infecciosas (PCV2, PPV e Leptospiras patogênicas) relacionadas às perdas fetais em suínos, assim como evidenciam a alta frequência dos agentes pesquisados.

Mechanism of male reproductive failure in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and outcomes of assisted reproductive technology treatment / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective: To explore the potential mechanism of male reproductive failure in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients and analyze the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology treatment. Methods: Next-generation sequencing was performed for genetic diagnosis of 8 ADPKD patients, who came to International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, for genetic counseling. The semen of ADPKD patients and normal males who came for pre-pregnancy consultation was collected by masturbation for sperm analysis. The ultrastructure of sperm was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Outcomes of 7 patients with ADPKD who chose preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) were compared with those of 7 patients who were dystrophin (DMD) gene mutation carriers, undergoing the PGT in the same period. Results: Eight patients with ADPKD were heterozygous for polycystin 1 (PKD1) gene. Key parameters of sperm motion including progressive motility sperm percentage, curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, average path velocity, amplitude of lateral head displacement were much lower than those of normal semen, showing mild to severe oligozoospermia. One ADPKD patient with severe oligoathenospermia manifested bilateral seminal vesicle cysts. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the central microtubules of the sperm flagella of ADPKD patients were absent and the surrounding double microtubules were disorganized. There was no significant difference in the number of eggs, fertilization rate, cleavage rate, effective embryo rate and excellent embryo rate between the ADPKD patients and the DMD gene mutation carriers, but the ADPKD patients were prone to early abortion. Conclusion: Male reproductive failure caused by ADPKD may be related to many factors such as abnormal structure of sperm flagella and genital cysts. Further, PKD1 mutation may play a role in embryo implantation and early development.

Detection and genetic characterization of porcine circovirus 3 from aborted fetuses and pigs with respiratory disease in Korea

A novel porcine circovirus 3 (PCV3) was first detected in pigs showing porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome, reproductive failure, and multisystemic inflammation in the USA. Herein, we report on PCV3 as a potential etiological agent of clinical signs, reproductive failure and respiratory distress on Korean pig farms, based on in situ hybridization, pathological, and molecular findings. Confirmation of the presence of PCV3 may increase co-infection with other causative agents of disease in Korean pig herds, indicating the need for further systemic investigation of pathogenicity and of multiple infections with PCV2 genotypes and bacteria, and the development of an effective PCV3 vaccine.

Current updates on laboratory techniques for the diagnosis of male reproductive failure / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

The incidence of male reproductive failure leading to infertility, whether due to delayed parenthood, environmental issues, genetic factors, drugs, etc., is increasing throughout the world. The diagnosis and prognosis of male subfertility have become a challenge. While the basic semen assessment has been performed for many years, a number of studies question the value of the traditional semen characteristics. This is partly due to inadequate methods and standardization, limited knowledge of technical requirements for quality assurance, and an incomplete understanding of what clinical information a semen assessment can provide. Laboratories currently performing semen and endocrine assessment show great variability. The World Health Organization (WHO) manual for the evaluation of semen has been the core of andrology and fertility evaluation that has helped in further development of this field over many years. These include the physical appearance of the ejaculate, assessments of sperm count, motility, vitality, morphology, and functional aspects of the sperm and semen sample. These tests also include male endocrine profile, biochemical evaluation of the semen, detection of antisperm antibodies in serum, the use of computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA), sperm DNA integrity, and its damage due to oxidative stress. Assisted reproductive techniques (e.g., IVF, ICSI) have shown great success but are too expensive. Further development in this field with newer techniques and extensive training/instructions can improve accuracy and reduce variability, thus maintaining the quality and standards of such an evaluation. There is an urgent need to have standardized training centers and increased awareness in this area of men's health for reproductive success.

Metodologia aplicada na avaliação de fetos suínos abortados e natimortos / Methodology used in the evaluation of stillborns and aborted fetuses from swine

Este artigo revisa dados relativos à realização de necropsia em fetos suínos abortados e natimortos. Aspectos descritos incluem coleta de material, procedimentos de necropsia, achados macroscópicos e histopatológicos alguns dos quais de pouco ou nenhum significado patológico são frequentemente observados numa rotina de diagnóstico e geralmente interpretados erroneamente como lesões reais ou de importância.

This paper reviews information on necropsies in stillborn and aborted fetuses from swine. Aspects dealt with include sampling collection, necropsy procedures, gross and histopathological findings, some of which are of little or no pathological significance but often observed in the routine diagnostic work and misinterpreted as real or important lesions.

Evaluación de las pérdidas económicas por eventos de falla reproductiva asociadas a brucelosis bovina en hembras y explotaciones de la cuenca lechera de Tizayuca, Hidalgo, México / Evaluation of the Economic Losses of Events Associated With Reproductive Failure in Female Bovine Brucellosis and Dairy Farms of the Basin of Tizayuca, Hidalgo, Mexico

Con el objetivo de determinar las pérdidas financieras asociadas a brucelosis, se estudiaron 20 unidades de producción lechera (UPL) de la Cuenca de Tizayuca, Hidalgo, México, que aplicaban diferentes subprogramas de control de la enfermedad. Para estimar las pérdidas se utilizaron los eventos que se relacionaron significativamente con la brucelosis (abortos, nacimientos prematuros, tumores uterinos, celos perdidos y becerros nacidos muertos). Las pérdidas más altas por eventos de falla reproductiva se presentaron en las UPL que aplicaron la variante sólo vacuna; las más bajas se encontraron en las que eliminan de inmediato a las reactoras a brucelosis, y donde segregan y eliminan las vacas reactoras al final de su vida productiva. Así, de esos subprogramas la variante que reemplaza con animales del mismo hato, vacuna y elimina (20,26 USD) obtuvo una pérdida por animal tres veces inferior a la variante que sólo vacuna (70,00 USD).

With the objective of determining the financial losses for events of reproductive failure caused by the bovine brucellosis, 20 Units of dairy production of Tizayuca Agricultural and Industrial Complex (CAITSA), Hidalgo, Mexico. There were distributed proportionally in the 5 control programs of the disease applied in this basin. They were used to estimate the losses for reproductive failure for brucellosis with the events that were related significantly with the brucellosis (abortions, premature births, uterine tumors, lost heats and stillborn. The highest losses for events of reproductive failure were observed had in the dairy production units attributed to the variant of the program that single vaccine and the lowest were in the UPL that eliminate immediately brucellosis reactors, independently to the of the origin of the animals and where it is segregated to the reactors to brucellosis and they are eliminated at the end of their productive life, standing out inside this variant that replacement with animals reared in the herd and it eliminates (20.26 USD) with a loss three times inferior to the variant that only vaccine (70.00 USD).

Infecção por leptospira em bovinos e sua associação com transtornos reprodutivos e condições climáticas / Leptospiral infection in bovine and its association with reproductive failure and climatic conditions

Realizou-se estudo sorológico, por meio do teste de soroaglutinação microscópica, utilizando antígenos vivos, para pesquisa de aglutininas anti-leptospiras em bovinos de leite na Microrregião de Parnaíba, PI, em dois períodos do ano: estações seca e chuvosa. Das 1975 amostras analisadas, pertinentes a 16 rebanhos, 1044 (52,9 por cento) mostraram-se positivas a pelo menos um sorovar e todos os rebanhos apresentaram animais reagentes. A prevalência variou entre 25 por cento e 81 por cento. O sorovar de maior prevalência foi Hardjo reagindo em 39,5 por cento, seguido de Wolffi com 26,7 por cento e Hebdomadis com 12,2 por cento. Os sorovares mais freqüentes foram Hardjo e Wolffi presentes em 100 por cento dos rebanhos. Foram ainda encontrados animais reagentes aos sorovares Australis, Bratislava, Autumnalis, Butembo, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Shermani e Patoc. Houve correlação positiva entre a proporção de animais sororreagentes para leptospirose e pluviometria, mas não para temperatura. Foi constatada associação entre infecção e ocorrência de transtornos reprodutivos, e o sorovar que apresentou maior associação foi o Hardjo

This study was carried out by serologic sampling (microscopic agglutination test, living antigens) for anti-leptospiral antibodies in dairy farms of Parnaíba microrregion, state of Piauí, Brazil, during dry and rainny seasons. All 16 flocks were infected and 1044 out of 1975 sera samples (52.9 percent) were positive for at least one serovar. Higher prevalence was serovar Hardjo (39.5 percent) folowed by Wolffi (26.7 percent) and Hebdomadis (12.2 percent). Hardjo and Wolffi were found in all flocks. Serovars Australis, Bratislava, Autumnalis, Butembo, Hebdomadis, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Hardjo, Wolffi, Shermani and Patoc, were also present. A positive correlation between prevalence of infection and pluviometric was detected, but temperature ratios. Association between infection and reproductive failures was evidenced mainly regarding Hardjo serovar