Epidemiological assessment of Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bigemina, and Babesia bovis infections in Colombian creole cattle breeds: A molecular survey in northeastern Colombia.

Anaplasmosis and babesiosis are globally distributed arthropod-borne diseases known for causing substantial economic losses due to their high morbidity and mortality rates. This study aims to assess the frequency and epidemiological features associated with the infection of Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bigemina, and Babesia bovis in three Creole cattle breeds (Chino Santandereano (Chino), Casanareño (CAS), and Sanmartinero (SM)) in northeastern Colombia. Between June 2019 and March 2020, a total of 252 Creole cattle were sampled, with Chino, CAS, and SM accounting for 42.8%, 29.5%, and 29.5% of the samples, respectively. Blood samples were subjected to molecular analysis to detect the DNA of A. marginale, B. bigemina, and B. bovis, using species-specific primers. Additionally, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), total serum proteins, and body condition were evaluated. Molecular analyses revealed the presence of B. bigemina, A. marginale, and B. bovis in 83.7% (211/252; 95% CI = 79.1%-88.3%), 59.9% (151/252; 95% CI = 53.8%-66.1%), and 40.9% (103/252; 95% CI = 34.7%-46.9%) of the samples, respectively, with 69% (174/252; 95% CI = 57.8%-80.3%) exhibiting coinfections. Notably, in infected animals, no significant alterations in PCV, total serum proteins, or body condition were observed. Multivariate analyses indicated a statistically significant association between the frequency of A. marginale infection and the breed and season, with a higher frequency in SM during the rainy season (P < 0.05). To our knowledge, this is the first molecular survey that evaluates multiple arthropod-borne pathogens in Colombian Creole breeds. The results revel a high frequency of B. bigemina and A. marginale infections, coupled with a notable frequency of coinfections, all without significant alteration in the PCV, total serum proteins and body conditions. Our findings enhance the understanding of the epidemiological aspects of arthropod-borne pathogens in Colombian Creole breed and contribute to the improvement of sanitary programs for these animals.

Crioconservación seminal de Colossoma macropomum como estrategia de producción y conservación en la Orinoquia Colombiana / Seminal cryopreservation of Colossoma macropomum as a production and conservation strategy in the Colombian Orinoquia / Criopreservação seminal de Colossoma macropomum como estratégia de produção e conservação na Orinoquia Colombiana

Resumen La Cachama negra (Colossoma macropomum) es un pez nativo de Sur América. En Colombia, no hay estudios publicados sobre protocolos estandarizados para su crioconservación seminal. La implementación de esta biotecnología permitiría su producción comercial continua e introducción en bancos de recursos genéticos. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar los efectos de la crioconservación sobre el semen de C. macropomum sometido a diferentes crioprotectores y sistemas de empaque con miras a consolidar un protocolo eficiente para la especie. Se utilizó semen de tres machos sexualmente maduros (4.6 ± 1.6 kg). El semen fue diluido en una proporción 1:4 usando tres diferentes agentes crioprotectores (Dimetilsulfoxido 10% [DMSO], Metanol 10% [MET], Etilenglicol 5% [ETG]) con o sin la inclusión de yema de huevo 12% (YH) y glucosa 5.5%. Además, fueron evaluados dos sistemas de empaque (pajillas de 0.5 ml y macrotubos de 2.0 ml), las cuales fueron expuestas a vapores de nitrógeno líquido (NL) y luego almacenadas durante 8 meses. El semen fue descongelado en baño de agua a 37°C por 60 s y se determinó la motilidad masal (%) [MM], duración de la motilidad (s) [DM], integridad de membrana plasmática (%) [IMP] y fertilidad (%). La motilidad postdescongelación en todos los tratamientos fue significativamente diferente (P<0,05) al control siendo MET 2.0 ml el mejor (53 ± 5.8%). Respecto al control la DM tuvo un comportamiento similar para todos los tratamientos siendo solo diferente significativamente para ETG+YH 0.5 ml. La IMP se mantuvo sin diferencias significativas en MET 2.0 ml con respecto al control. La fertilidad fue significativamente menor en la mayoría de tratamientos con YH, siendo MET 2.0 ml el mejor (94.7 ± 0.6%). En conclusión, el semen de Colossoma macropomum es susceptible de crioconservación no siendo necesaria la utilización de YH en los diluyentes.

Abstract Cachama Negra (Colossoma macropomum) it´s a native fish of South America. In Colombia, there are no published studies on standardized protocols about their seminal cryopreservation. The implementation of this biotechnology would allow its continuous commercial production and introduction in genetic resources banks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cryopreservation on C. macropomum sperm subjected to different cryoprotectants and packaging systems in order to consolidate an efficient protocol for this specie. Semen from three sexually mature males (4.6 ± 1.6 kg) was used. The semen was diluted in a 1:4 ratio using three different cryoprotective agents (Dimethylsulfoxide 10% [DMSO], Methanol 10% [MET], Ethylene glycol 5% [ETG]); with or without the inclusion of 12% egg yolk (YH) and glucose 5.5%. In addition, two packing systems were evaluated (0.5 ml straws and 2.0 ml macrotubes), wich were exposed to liquid nitrogen (NL) vapors and then stored for 8 months. The sperm was thawed in a water bath at 37° C for 60 s and was determined the mass motility (%) [MM], motility duration (s) [DM], plasma membrane integrity (%) [IMP] and fertility (%). Post-thaw motility in all treatments was significantly different (P <0.05) to control, being MET 2.0 ml the best (53 ± 5.8%). Respect to the control the DM had a similar behavior for all treatments, being only significantly different for ETG+YH 0.5 ml. The IMP remained without significant differences in MET 2.0 ml with respect to the control. Fertility was significantly lower in the majority of treatments with YH, being MET 2.0 ml the best (94.7 ± 0.6%). In conclusion, semen of Colossoma macropomum is susceptible to cryopreservation, and the use of YH in diluents is not necessary.

Resumo O tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) é um peixe nativo da América do Sul. Na Colômbia, não há trabalhos publicados sobre protocolos padronizados para sua criopreservação seminal. A implementação dessa biotecnologia permitiria sua produção comercial contínua e sua introdução nos bancos de genes. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da criopreservação no sêmen de C. macropomum submetido a diferentes crioprotectores e envases, e poder consolidar um protocolo eficiente para esta espécie. Foi utilizado sêmen de três machos sexualmente maduros (4.6 ± 1.6 kg). O sémen foi diluído em uma proporção 1:4 usando três diferentes agentes crioprotectores (10% de dimetil sulfóxido [DMSO], 10% de Metanol [MET] Etileno glicol 5% [ETG]), com e sem a presencia de gema de ovo ao 12% (YH) e glucose a 5.5%. Além foram avaliados dos sistemas de envase (palhetas de 0.5 ml e 2.0 ml de macrotubos) que foram expostos a vapores de nitrogênio líquido (NL) e armazenados por 8 meses em NL. O sémen foi descongelado em banho-água a 37 ° C durante 60 segundos e determinou-se a motilidade massal (%) [MM], duração de motilidade (s) [DM], a integridade da membrana plasmática (%) [IMP] e Fertilidade (%). A motilidade pós-descongelação nos tratamentos foi significativamente diferente (P<0.05) sendo a melhor combinação MET 2.0 ml (53 ± 5.8%) comprados com o controle. Em relação ao controle, o DM teve um comportamento similar para todos os tratamentos sendo significativamente diferente para o ETG+YH 0.5 ml. O IMP permaneceu sem diferenças significativas no MET 2.0 ml em relação ao controle. A fertilidade foi significativamente menor na maioria dos tratamentos com YH, sendo o MET 2.0 ml o melhor (94.7 ± 0.6%). Em conclusão, o sêmen Colossoma macropomum é suscetível à criopreservação e o uso de YH em diluentes não é necessário.