Necrotizing meningoencephalitis in cattle associated to Bovine Herpesvirus-5 in Pernambuco - Brazil / Meningoencefalite necrosante em bovinos associada ao herpesvírus bovino-5 em Pernambuco - Brasil

Background: Bovine Herpesvirus-5 (BoHV-5) is the most important cause of encephalopathy in cattle in Brazil. Necrotizing meningoencephalitis is an acute or subacute infectious disease that has low morbidity, higher fatal outcome and affects animals of all age groups, but especially young cattle under stress situations. The disease may occur like outbreaks or affect cattle alone. The mortality and morbidity varies from 75-100% and 0.05 to 22% respectively. This study aims to report the occurrence of two outbreaks of meningoencephalitis caused by bovine herpesvirus-5 diagnosed in the state of Pernambuco in the years 2011-2012. Cases: The epidemiological data and clinical signs were obtained with the veterinarians of two properties where the outbreaks occurred. Necropsies in two cattle were performed and samples of brain, spinal cord and tissues fragments from thoracic and abdominal cavities were collected. The material fixed in 10% buffered formalin was processed routinely for histopathological examination. After fixation of the brain, fragments of cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus, midbrain, cerebellar peduncles, cerebellum, bridge, medulla oblongata and cervical spinal cord were immunohistochemically processed for rabies. CNS samples were subjected to the technique of PCR for detection of BoHV-5. In affected cattle, the main clinical signs consisted of circling...

Necrotizing meningoencephalitis in cattle associated to Bovine Herpesvirus-5 in Pernambuco - Brazil / Meningoencefalite necrosante em bovinos associada ao herpesvírus bovino-5 em Pernambuco - Brasil

Background: Bovine Herpesvirus-5 (BoHV-5) is the most important cause of encephalopathy in cattle in Brazil. Necrotizing meningoencephalitis is an acute or subacute infectious disease that has low morbidity, higher fatal outcome and affects animals of all age groups, but especially young cattle under stress situations. The disease may occur like outbreaks or affect cattle alone. The mortality and morbidity varies from 75-100% and 0.05 to 22% respectively. This study aims to report the occurrence of two outbreaks of meningoencephalitis caused by bovine herpesvirus-5 diagnosed in the state of Pernambuco in the years 2011-2012. Cases: The epidemiological data and clinical signs were obtained with the veterinarians of two properties where the outbreaks occurred. Necropsies in two cattle were performed and samples of brain, spinal cord and tissues fragments from thoracic and abdominal cavities were collected. The material fixed in 10% buffered formalin was processed routinely for histopathological examination. After fixation of the brain, fragments of cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus, midbrain, cerebellar peduncles, cerebellum, bridge, medulla oblongata and cervical spinal cord were immunohistochemically processed for rabies. CNS samples were subjected to the technique of PCR for detection of BoHV-5. In affected cattle, the main clinical signs consisted of circling...(AU)

Aspectos clínicos, patológicos e reprodutivos de bovinos intoxicados pelas favas de Stryphnodendron fissuratum / Clinical, pathological and reproductive aspects in cattle poisoned by the pods of Stryphnodendron fissuratum

Foram realizados dois estudos para constatar a capacidade e os efeitos da intoxicação das favas de Stryphnodendron fissuratum em vacas prenhes com diferentes concentrações. No primeiro experimento, foram avaliadas as propriedades abortivas e os sinais clínicos da intoxicação pelas favas de S. fissuratum em oito vacas prenhes. As vacas que ingeriram três doses diárias de 3,0 g/kg de peso corporal e uma que ingeriu três doses diárias de 3,3 g/kg das vagens apresentaram sinais clínicos digestivos e abortos, porém, a dose mais elevada foi fatal. Alterações neurológicas também foram observadas nas vacas que receberam as vagens da planta. Uma vaca e outros dois bovinos que ingeriram doses totalizando 6,5 g/kg e 7,5 g/kg, respectivamente, não apresentaram sinais clínicos e pariram bezerros normais. Estes resultados demonstram que S. fisuratum provoca distúrbios digestivos e nervosos, além de aborto em bovinos. No segundo experimento, objetivou-se caracterizar as lesões macroscópicas e histopatológicas da intoxicação por S. fissuratum (Mimosoideae). Suas favas foram administradas por via oral a oito bovinos. Os bovinos que receberam doses de 9,0 g/kg e 10 g/kg morreram intoxicados. Um bovino que recebeu uma dose de 6,5 g/kg adoeceu e se recuperou. Apenas os animais que receberam uma dose de 7,5 g/kg não adoeceram. À necropsia, as principais lesões estavam associadas ao sistema digestório e consistiram em necrose do epitélio e congestão da mucosa do rúmen e abomaso. Vastas áreas de erosão e ulceração foram observadas na mucosa oral, esôfago, retículos e mucosa do abomaso. Histologicamente havia degeneração, espongiose, presença de células acantolíticas e necróticas na mucosa do rúmen, retículo e omaso. As lesões hepáticas foram caracterizadas por marcado edema de hepatócitos, vacuolização hepatocelular, focos individuais ou aleatoriamente distribuídos de necrose hepatocelular e retenção biliar. Lesões no sistema nervoso central foram identificadas no tronco cerebral e consistiram em espongiose da substância branca da medula oblonga, pedúnculos cerebelares. No cerebelo e córtex cerebral havia presença de pequenas áreas de malácia da substância branca. Estes resultados demonstram que S. fissuratum provoca distúrbios digestivos, lesões hepáticas, renais e neurológicas em bovinos.

Two studies were conducted to verify the ability and the effects of intoxication beans Stryphnodendron fissuratum in pregnant cows with different concentrations. In the first experiment, the abortive properties and the clinical features of poisoning by the pods of S. fissuratum were studied in 8 pregnant cattle. One cattle that ingested 3 daily doses of 3.0 g/kg body weight and 1 that ingested 3 daily doses of 3.3 g/kg of the pods showed digestive clinical signs and aborted, but a higher dose was fatal. Signs of the digestive and central nervous system were observed in cattle that received the pods of the plant. One cattle and other two that ingested doses of 6.5 g/kg and 7.5 g/kg, respectively, did not showed clinical signs and delivered normal calves. These results demonstrate that S. fisuratum causes digestive and nervous disorders, beyond abortion in cattle. In the second experiment aimed to characterize the macroscopic and histopathological lesions of poisoning by S. fissuratum (Mimosoideae). Its pods were given orally to 8 cattle. The cattle that received doses of 9.0 g/kg and 10 g/kg died poisoned. One cattle that received dose of 6.5 g/kg recovered. Only the animals that received one dose of 7.5 g/kg did not become sick. At post-mortem examination the main lesions were digestive associated and consisted in breaking up of the epithelium and congestion of the mucosa of forestomachs and abomasum. Widespread areas of erosion and ulceration were observed at oral mucosa, esophagus, reticulums and abomasums mucosa. At these areas the main lesions were neutrophils infiltration, vacuolization of the epithelial lining, swelling and dissociation of cells with cytoplasmic eosinophilia, pyknosis, karyorrhexis and nuclear karyolysis. At the central nervous system, the main lesions were identified in the brain of goats that received 10 g/kg of pods and consisted of spongiosis of the brainstem’s white matter. The poisoning was characterized by damage to organs of digestive system, kidney and central nervous system.

Ultrasonographic fetal sex identification in pregnant sheep derived from natural mating and embryo transfer.

The objective of this study was to identify the migration period of the genital tubercle and the period of visualization of external genital structures in fetuses of the Dorper breed of sheep derived from natural mating and from fresh, frozen and vitrified embryo transfer. Transrectal ultrasound was performed using a double-frequency linear transducer (6.0 and 8.0 MHz) to monitor 130 ewe fetuses distributed in the four treatments regarding embryo origin. The accuracy of the ultrasound was 100% in this experiment. The fetuses originated from controlled natural mating (NM) and from fresh (FrE), frozen (FE) and vitrified (VE) embryo transfer, with embryos collected 7 days after breeding. Migration of the genital tubercle occurred earlier (P<0.05) in NM (42.21+/-2.86 days) than in FrE (43.98+/-3.00 days), FE (44.97+/-1.83 days) and VE (44.58+/-1.97 days). Visualization of the scrotal bag, prepuce and vulva occurred, respectively, earlier (P<0.05) in NM (45.22+/-1.25, 45.95+/-1.53 and 45.01+/-1.03 days) than in FrE (48.91+/-1.92, 48.52+/-1.41 and 47.41+/-1.41 days), FE (49.97+/-1.08, 49.18+/-2.00 and 47.64+/-1.82 days) and VE (50.12+/-1.66, 49.27+/-1.61 and 47.93+/-1.92 days). The results show that fetal sexing can be accomplished from the 50th day onward in fetuses produced by natural mating and from the 55th day onward in fetuses derived from fresh, frozen and vitrified embryos. It can also be concluded that real-time ultrasonography is a reliable tool for fetal sex determination in sheep taking into account both the location of the genital tubercle and the identification of external genital structures.

Ultrassonografia transretal para identificar o sexo fetal de caprinos / Transrectal ultrasound to identify the sex of caprine fetuses

Procurou-se estabelecer o período para sexar fetos caprinos pela ultrassonografia transretal visibilizando-se as estruturas da genitália externa, sendo que para tal foi monitorado o dia do posicionamento final do tubérculo genital (TG), bem como o dia em que o pênis, a bolsa escrotal, o clitóris e as tetas foram visibilizados. Foram monitorados fetos das raças Boer (n = 36), Parda Alpina (n = 31) e Anglo-nubiana (n = 27), do 40º ao 60º dia de gestação, usando-se transdutor linear de 6,0 e 8,0 MHz. O posicionamento final do TG ocorreu no período de 47,11 ± 1,45 dias, nos machos, e 45,62 ± 1,36 dias, nas fêmeas, e a visibilização das estruturas da genitália externa no período de 49,42 ± 2,20 dias para a bolsa escrotal; 49,37 ± 2,19 dias para o pênis; 49,23 ± 1,75 dias para as tetas e 49,98 ± 2,52 dias para o clitóris. A migração do TG no feto fêmea foi mais precoce (P < 0,05) do que no macho, enquanto a visibilização da bolsa escrotal e pênis foi mais precoce (P < 0,05) do que das tetas e clitóris, não havendo diferença (P > 0,05) entre as estruturas referentes ao mesmo sexo. Conclui-se que apesar da sexagem de fetos caprinos poder ser efetuada antes do 55º dia de gestação, recomenda-se realizá-la somente após a visibilização das estruturas da genitália externa para uma maior segurança na identificação do sexo.(AU)

The aim of this study was to establish the period for sexing caprine fetuses by transrectal ultrasonography through viewing the structures of the external genitalia, monitoring of the final positioning of the genital tubercle, and the day that the penis, scrotum, clitoris and nipples were seen. Fetuses of Boer (n = 36), Brownscale Alpine (n = 31) and Anglo-nubian (n = 27), breeds in the 40th-60th day of gestation, were tracked using linear transducer of 6.0 and 8.0 MHz. The final positioning of the genital tubercle occurred in the period from 47.11 ± 1.45 days in males and 45.62 ± 1.36 days in females. The visualization of structures of the external genitalia was in the period from 49.42 ± 2.20 days for scrotum; 49.37 ± 2.19 days for penis; 49.23 ± 1.75 days for nipples and 49.98 ± 2.52 days for clitoris. The migration of female genital tubercle in the fetus occurred earlier (P < 0.05) than in males, and the visualization of penis and scrotum was earlier (P < 0.05) than the nipples and clitoris, there was no difference (P > 0.05) among the structures of the same sex. In conclusion, although the sexing of caprine fetuses can be done before the 55th day of pregnancy, it is recommended to perform it only after the visualization of the structures of the external genitalia for a greater security in the sex identification.(AU)

Ultrassonografia transretal para identificar o sexo fetal de caprinos / Transrectal ultrasound to identify the sex of caprine fetuses

Procurou-se estabelecer o período para sexar fetos caprinos pela ultrassonografia transretal visibilizando-se as estruturas da genitália externa, sendo que para tal foi monitorado o dia do posicionamento final do tubérculo genital (TG), bem como o dia em que o pênis, a bolsa escrotal, o clitóris e as tetas foram visibilizados. Foram monitorados fetos das raças Boer (n = 36), Parda Alpina (n = 31) e Anglo-nubiana (n = 27), do 40º ao 60º dia de gestação, usando-se transdutor linear de 6,0 e 8,0 MHz. O posicionamento final do TG ocorreu no período de 47,11 ± 1,45 dias, nos machos, e 45,62 ± 1,36 dias, nas fêmeas, e a visibilização das estruturas da genitália externa no período de 49,42 ± 2,20 dias para a bolsa escrotal; 49,37 ± 2,19 dias para o pênis; 49,23 ± 1,75 dias para as tetas e 49,98 ± 2,52 dias para o clitóris. A migração do TG no feto fêmea foi mais precoce (P 0,05) entre as estruturas referentes ao mesmo sexo. Conclui-se que apesar da sexagem de fetos caprinos poder ser efetuada antes do 55º dia de gestação, recomenda-se realizá-la somente após a visibilização das estruturas da genitália externa para uma maior segurança na identificação do sexo.

The aim of this study was to establish the period for sexing caprine fetuses by transrectal ultrasonography through viewing the structures of the external genitalia, monitoring of the final positioning of the genital tubercle, and the day that the penis, scrotum, clitoris and nipples were seen. Fetuses of Boer (n = 36), Brownscale Alpine (n = 31) and Anglo-nubian (n = 27), breeds in the 40th-60th day of gestation, were tracked using linear transducer of 6.0 and 8.0 MHz. The final positioning of the genital tubercle occurred in the period from 47.11 ± 1.45 days in males and 45.62 ± 1.36 days in females. The visualization of structures of the external genitalia was in the period from 49.42 ± 2.20 days for scrotum; 49.37 ± 2.19 days for penis; 49.23 ± 1.75 days for nipples and 49.98 ± 2.52 days for clitoris. The migration of female genital tubercle in the fetus occurred earlier (P 0.05) among the structures of the same sex. In conclusion, although the sexing of caprine fetuses can be done before the 55th day of pregnancy, it is recommended to perform it only after the visualization of the structures of the external genitalia for a greater security in the sex identification.

Accuracy of early fetal sex determination by ultrasonic assessment in goats.

The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of early fetal sex determination by ultrasonic assessment of the relative location of the genital tubercle (GT) in goats at different stages of pregnancy as well as by the identification of fetal external genitalia. Pregnant animals were divided into three experimental groups (EI: n=21, EII: n=28, EIII: n=33). In EI, fetuses (n=27) were transrectally monitored daily from days 40 to 60 of pregnancy with a linear transducer (6.0 and 8.0MHz). In EII, fetuses (n=40) were examined once between days 45 and 70 of pregnancy by transrectal ultrasonography. In EIII fetuses (n=52) between days 100 and 120 of pregnancy, were submitted to a single transabdominal ultrasonography using a convex transducer (5.0 and 7.5MHz). Regardless of fetal sex diagnosis, 15/15 (EI), 13/16 (EII) and 9/14 (EIII) of single pregnancies and 10/12 (EI), 20/24 (EII) and 21/38 (EIII) of twin pregnancies were correctly identified. The accuracy of sex identification among EI (92.6%), EII (82.5%) and EIII (57.7%) was not statistically different (P>0.05). Identification of the GT in male fetuses was possible from day 45 onward. Changes in the GT position were not observed between days 53 and 60 of pregnancy. Accuracy of fetal sexing under field conditions is high in goats when ultrasound imaging is properly timed during pregnancy and when it is performed with proper equipment by experienced operators.