Intra-uterine exposure of horses to Sarcocystis spp. antigens / Exposição intrauterina ao Sarcocystis spp. em equinos

The aim of this study was to examine the intra-uterine exposure to Sarcocystis spp. antigens, determining the number of foals with detectable concentrations of antibodies against these agents in the serum, before colostrum ingestion and collect data about exposure of horses to the parasite. Serum samples were collected from 195 thoroughbred mares and their newborns in two farms from southern Brazil. Parasite specific antibody responses to Sarcocystis antigens were detected using the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and immunoblot analysis. In 84.1% (159/189) of the pregnant mares and in 7.4% (14/189) of foals we detected antibodies anti-Sarcocystis spp. by IFAT. All samples seropositive from foals were also positive in their respective mares. Serum samples of seropositive foals by IFAT, showed no reactivity on the immunoblot, having as antigens S. neurona merozoites. In conclusion, the intra-uterine exposure to Sarcocystis spp. antigens in horses was demonstrated, with occurrence not only in mares, but also in their foals, before colostrum ingestion these occurrences were reduced.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a exposição intrauterina ao Sarcocystis spp., para determinar o número de potros que possuem concentrações detectáveis de anticorpos contra esses agentes no soro, antes da ingestão do colostro, por meio da coleta de dados sobre a exposição a esses protozoários nos equinos. Amostras de soro foram coletadas de 195 éguas puro-sangue e seus respectivos potros recém-nascidos, em duas fazendas localizadas na região Sul do Brasil. Os testes utilizados na detecção de anticorpos específicos para o Sarcocystis foram a reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) e análise por meio de immunoblot. Pela RIFI, em 84,1% (159/189) das éguas e em 7,4% (14/189) dos potros foram detectados anticorpos anti-Sarcocystis spp. Todas as amostras soropositivas dos potros também foram positivas para suas respectivas mães. As amostras de soro dos potros soropositivos na RIFI, não apresentaram reatividade no immunoblot, tendo como antígenos merozoítos de S. neurona. Em conclusão, foi demonstrada a exposição intrauterina de Sarcocystis spp. em equinos, com ocorrência em éguas, porém, em seus respectivos potros, antes da ingestão de colostro a ocorrência foi reduzida.

comparison of two methods used for detecting pregnancy in goat

Our objective in this study was to compare the accuracy of progesterone assay and ultrasonography especially in early pregnancy, as well as to evaluate the ultrasonography for prenatal detection of fetal number in does. A total of forty five does were used in this study. Oestrus was synchronized by PGF[2] alpha and does were kept with fertile bucks. The date of service was recorded and considered as day 0 of pregnancy. Blood samples were taken from each does during days 0, 8 and 25 after mating and serum progestrone was determined by RIA. Moreover, all animals were examined transabdominally and transvaginally using real time B-mode ultrasound unit equipped with transducer of 5 and 7 MHz. Serum progesterone concentrations of pregnant and nonpregnant does at day 25 after mating was 3.48 +/- 0.91 and 0.49 +/- 0.05 ng/ml, respectively. Accuracy of progesterone assay in pregnancy diagnosis was 78.13% for pregnancy and 100% for nonpregnancy. While, accuracy of ultrasonography was 64%, at day 25 and 100% at day 42 post breeding. The number of fetuses could be dignosed by sonography at the 8[th] week of pregnancy. It could be concluded that in goats, progesterone assay at early stage of pregnancy was most accurate as a test for non-pregnancy rather than for pregnancy. While, the real-time ultrasonography was the best and more accurate method for pregnancy diagnosis specially after 4[th] week of pregnancy. It could also be concluded that, transvaginal technique was the best one of early pregnancy diagnosis, while the transabdominal one was the best for estimation of fetal number