Notable mutations of porcine parvovirus 1 and 4 circulating in commercial pig farms in South Korea

In this study, almost complete genomic sequences of PPV1 and PPV4 circulating in commercial pig farms in South Korea were obtained and analyzed. Important mutations that may be precursors to host changes, such as premature stop codons of PPV1 and frameshift mutations of PPV4, were observed in these sequences. A 27a-like strain of PPV1, known to show a lack of cross-neutralization against existing commercial vaccine strains, was identified by phylogenetic analysis. Given the active genetic evolution, the additional precursors to host changes and emerging new genotypes of PPVs need to be monitored through continuous sampling and genetic analysis.

Assessing PCV2 antibodies in field pigs vaccinated with different porcine circovirus 2 vaccines using two commercial ELISA systems

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the primary causative agent for post-weaning, multisystemic, wasting syndrome. Consequently, serologic detection of and vaccination against PCV2 are important for the swine industry. Among several serological tests, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is commonly used to measure anti-PCV2 antibody levels. In the present study, we used two commercial ELISA systems to comparatively evaluate anti-PCV2 antibodies in field pigs treated with three different PCV2 vaccines. Among a total of 517 serum samples, the results of the two ELISAs were fully concordant for 365 positive and 42 negative samples, indicating 78.7% agreement. In addition, the Pearson coefficient (0.636) indicated a moderate correlation between data from the two ELISAs. Results from the farms with pigs vaccinated with the three different PCV2 vaccines demonstrated that most of the vaccinated animals underwent seroconversion. However, the increase and duration of antibody titers varied depending on the vaccine, the presence of maternal antibodies, and the vaccination program. PCV2 serologic status and anti-PCV2 antibody levels of herds from this study could be utilized to determine the best timing for vaccination and assessing vaccination compliance.

Characterization of canine oral papillomavirus by histopathological and genetic analysis in Korea

In August 2008, forty dogs out of 400 developed oral warts in a breeding farm in Korea. Canine oral papilloma infection is a common disease in dogs. However, there has been no report of an outbreak of canine oral papillomavirus (COPV) in a group of dogs or in dog breeding farms in Korea, and the genetic analysis of COPV in Korea has yet to be performed. This study diagnosed canine oral papilloma from the oral samples of these dogs based on histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry. Polymerase chain reaction was applied to amplify the corresponding products using pre-existing primer sets for COPV and a universal human papillomavirus targeting L1 gene. Further genetic analysis of the major viral capsid gene L1 confirms the sequences of Korean COPV, which shows a close relationship to previously reported COPV. This study describes the histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of canine oral papilloma in a group of breeding dogs in Korea and discloses the complete L1 gene sequences of Korean COPV.

Comparative immunohistochemical characterization of canine seminomas and Sertoli cell tumors

Primary testicular tumors are the most common causes of cancer in male dogs. Overall, the majority of canine patients should be cured by testicular surgery. However, tumor markers are not well-known in veterinary medicine. We sought to determine using immunohistochemistry whether the combined human testicular tumor markers (placental alkaline phosphatase, OCT3/4, CD30, alpha-fetoprotein, inhibin-alpha, vimentin, c-KIT, and desmin) are expressed in canine seminomas and Sertoli cell tumors (SCTs). We examined 35 canine testicular tumors, 20 seminomas and 15 SCTs. c-KIT was expressed markedly in canine seminomas. Both inhibin-alpha and vimentin were expressed significantly in canine SCTs. The results of this study demonstrate differences and similarities between tumor marker expression of testicular tumors in dogs and humans. All the main markers in current routine use are discussed as well as potential useful markers for benign and malignant tumors, and tumor progression.

Electroejaculation in the Male Rat / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: We examined the possibility of electroejaculation for the evaluation of fertility in the male rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats that underwent seminal vesiculectomy were used for semen collection by electroejaculation. With a transrectal probe(60Hz, 3V, 0.5A), sign wave electric stimulation was applied to an anesthetized rat. Ejaculated semen was collected by a pipette and the volume and sperm density of the ejaculate were analyzed. Two weeks later, a second electroejaculation was performed under the same conditions with the same rats. RESULTS: At the first attempt, all 10 rats ejaculated following electric stimulation. The mean semen volume was 8.9 microliter (range, 3.0-28.5 microliter) and the mean sperm density was 6,428/ml(range, 320-20,997/ml). At the second attempt, only 7 of 10 rats(70%) ejaculated. The mean semen volume was 5.6 microliter(range, 3.3-8.6 microliter) and the mean sperm density was 2,801/ml (range, 227-12,555/ml). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that electroejaculation has the possibility of being a useful method for evaluation of fertility in the male rat.