Association of antibodies against Neospora caninum in mares with reproductive problems and presence of seropositive dogs as a risk factor.

Sera from 112 mares from 5 horse-breeding farms was examined for the presence of antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), as well as from dogs and cattle present on these properties for the presence of antibodies to N. caninum. Among the 112 mares, 35 had a history of reproductive problems in the last breeding season and 77 had no reproductive problems. The rates of seroprevalence of N. caninum in mares with and without a history of reproductive problems were 25.71% and 6.49% and from T. gondii 2.85% and 1.29%, respectively. In dogs and cattle, the rates of seroprevalence of N. caninum were 10.52% and 15.55%, respectively. A positive correlation was found between the presence of antibodies against N. caninum (p=0.010) in mares and the occurrence of reproductive problems using the Fisher's exact test. Significantly higher seroprevalence for N. caninum in mares was observed on the farm that had seropositive dogs (p=0.018). Cattle on this farm were also seropositive. No significant differences in seropositivity were found on farms where dogs were seronegative, or absent. This result suggests, for the first time, the presence of seropositive dogs as a risk factor for N. caninum in mares and the necessity for further investigation of the epidemiology of this parasite in horse-breeding farms with reproductive problems and the presence of cattle and dogs. This is the first report on the occurrence of antibodies against N. caninum in horses from the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Isolamento e caracterização de células mesenquimais do tecido adiposo de cães / Isolation and characterization of canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells

As células-tronco mesenquimais (CTMs) diferenciam-se em várias linhagens e têm potencial de utilização na medicina regenerativa. As CTMs podem ser isoladas de vários tecidos de animais adultos. O objetivo deste estudo foi o isolamento das CTMs do tecido adiposo de cães, seu cultivo e diferenciação. Foram coletadas amostras de tecido adiposo subcutâneo de cinco cães. As CTMs foram isoladas, obtendo-se 146.803 (±49.533) células/g, cultivadas e diferenciadas em osteoblastos, adipócitos e condrócitos. Avaliaram-se a cinética do crescimento, a morfologia e a viabilidade celular. A caracterização citoquímica comprovou a natureza mesenquimal das células isoladas. O cultivo foi iniciado com 20.000 células/mL, verificando-se crescimento rápido até 72 horas (220.000 células/mL), fase exponencial entre 72 e 192 horas (455.000 células/mL), seguida de platô por saturação da densidade com 240 horas (355.000 células/mL). A viabilidade celular variou entre 96 e 100%. As CTMs em cultivo são fibroblásticas, fusiformes, com citoplasma basofílico e núcleo esférico. O comprimento médio das células variou entre 80,85 e 98,36µm, a largura média entre 17,40 e 28,79µm e o diâmetro médio do núcleo entre 15,46 e 17,74µm.

The applications of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are becoming increasingly more promising for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering fields. MSCs can be isolated from adult animals from a variety of tissues, such as the adipose. This study focused on the isolation, culture and differentiation of MSCs from canine adipose tissue. Samples of subcutaneous adipose tissue from five dogs were collected. These cells were isolated, cultured and differentiated into osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondrocytes. We obtained 146,803 (±49,533) cells/g. Growth kinetics and viability studies were conducted during cell culture and the evaluation of cell differentiation was successfully performed by cytochemistry. The cell cultures were initiated with 20,000 MSCs/ml. Rapid growth was observed at 72 hours (220,000 cells/ml), the exponential phase between 72 and 192 hours (455,000 cells/ml) and saturation at 240 hours (355,000 cells/ml). The cellular viability ranged from 96 to 100%. MSCs in culture are fibroblastic cells, fusiform with basophilic cytoplasm and spherical nucleus. The length and width means of the cells and nuclear diameter ranged from 80.85-98.36µm, 17.40-28.79µm and 15.46-17.74µm respectively.

Quail (Coturnixcoturnix japonica) welfare in two confinement systems / Bem-estar de codornas (Coturnix coturnix japonica) em dois sistemas de confinamento

The intensification of animal production systems presents a potential impact on the welfare of animals. The objective of this work was to assess the welfare of quail Coturnixcoturnix japonicain two maintenance systems: battery cages (BC),and enriched aviary (EA),with saw-dust bedding, sand-bathing area and nests. The experiment procedure involved eight animals per holding area and four repetitions per treatment, an overall of 64 quails. Welfare was assessed through behavioral freedom, sanitary freedom (feather condition and injuries), blood analyses and glicocorticoid metabolites measurement in droppings. Results are presented in the BC order, followed by EA. Water drinking behavior and agonistic behavior were different between treatments (P<0.05). Feather condition was adequate in both treatments, except for the head in BC quails. Blood data were statistically different forred blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, blood proteins, eosinophils, heterophils, lymphocytes and heterophil: lymphocyte ratio. Glicocorticoid metabolites levels were significantly different between maintenance systems. The behavioral and physiological welfare indicators showed higher welfare degree for quails in enriched aviary as compared to battery cages system.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o bem-estar de codornas (Coturnix coturnix japonica) em dois sistemas de manutenção: gaiolas industriais em baterias (BC) e aviários enriquecidos (EA) com cama de serragem, caixa de areia e ninhos. O procedimento experimental envolveu oito animais por área experimental equatrorepetiçõesportratamento, totalizando64codornas. O bem-estar animal foi avaliado por meio da liberdade comportamental e da liberdade sanitária -condição das penas e ferimentos -, análises de sangue e mensuração de glicocorticoides nas fezes. Atividade de beber água e comportamento agonístico foram diferentes entre os tratamentos (P<0,05). A condição das penas foi adequada em ambos os tratamentos, exceto para a condição das cabeças em codornas do tratamento BC. Os dados do sangue foram diferentes para eritrócitos, hematócrito, hemoglobina, proteínas sanguíneas, eosinófilos, heterófilos e linfócitos e para a relação heterófilo:linfócito. Os níveis de metabólitos glicocorticoides foram significativamente diferentes entre os sistemas de manutenção. Os indicadores comportamentais e fisiológicos de bem-estar mostraramalto grau de bem-estar para as codornas no EA em relação às no BC.

Investigation of Neospora sp. and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in mares and in precolostral foals from Parana State, Southern Brazil.

Antibodies to Neospora sp. and Toxoplasma gondii were measured in mares and precolostral foals from a farm in Parana State, Brazil. An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used to determine specific antibodies. Three sampling points, 2003, 2004 and at parturition were included in the study, but not all horses are represented at a parturition time point. In 2003, antibodies to Neospora were detected in 17 mares (47%) at 1:50 dilution and in 5 mares (13.8%) at 1:100 dilution. In 2004, antibodies to Neospora were found in 11/36 (30%) horses with titers of 1:50 and in 6 mares (16.6%) at 1:100 dilution. The prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii was 2.7% in mares, either in 2003 and 2004. Evidence for the role of Neospora sp. in equine reproduction failure was not observed in the farm. Immunoglobulin G antibodies to Neospora were found in two of the nine precolostrum foals. Four seronegative foals were born from seronegative mothers, and three seronegative foals were born from seropositive mothers (1:50). Two seropositive precolostrum foals were born from seropositive mothers (1:50). The foals were born clinically normal, and T. gondii antibodies were not detected in their serum samples. The total immunoglobulins values detected on seronegative precolostrum foals were lower than the levels observed in the seropositive foals. This data warrants additional studies to differentiate N. hughesi and N. caninum serologically and determination if these parasites were associated with equine neurological disease and reproductive failure.

Valores hematológicos e bioquímicos de grupos de papagaios-de-cara-roxa (Amazona brasiliensis)

O artigo não apresenta resumo.

Artrite séptica em cão. Relato de caso

O artigo não apresenta resumo.

Serological diagnosis of neosporosis in a herd of dairy cattle in southern Brazil.

Neospora caninum-specific antibodies were detected in 60 of 172 (34.8%) dairy cattle by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a herd from Parana State, Brazil. The seropositive animals included 47 of 126 (37.3%) adult cows, 7 of 29 (24%) heifers (1-2 yr), 4 of 15 (27%) heifers (5 mo-1 yr), and 2 precolostral samples. Data collected over a 9-yr follow-up period revealed that the proportion of pregnancies ending in abortion was 20% (31/154) among ELISA seropositive cows and 8% (15/193) among seronegative cows. The farm recorded 46 abortions, of which 31 (67.3%) were from seropositive cows. All sera positive by ELISA (n = 60) and sera from cows (n = 11) that were ELISA-negative but that had aborted were tested by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) at dilutions from 1:25 to 1:200. All sera from ELISA-positive cows (n = 47) had an IFAT titer of 1:25:35 (74%) of these sera were also seropositive at a dilution of 1:200 (IFAT). Cows seropositive by ELISA had a 4-fold increased risk of having aborted at least once, compared to ELISA-seronegative cows. This association was statistically significant (P = 0.0016). The attributable fraction for this association indicated that approximately 76% of the risk for a cow having a history of abortion was attributable to seroconversion to N. caninum.