Immunological and bacteriological quality of fresh cow colostrum and passive immunity transfer in selected dairy farms in Fars, Iran.

Background: The quality of colostrum is affected by IgG level and microbial load. Aims: The quality of colostrum used in feeding dairy calves and passive immunity transfer in selected dairy farms in Fars province, Iran was investigated. Methods: A total of 75 colostrum and neonatal blood samples were collected from 11 herds. The immunological quality of colostrum was assessed using a Brix digital refractometer. The bacteriological quality was assessed by performing total plate count (TPC), total coliform count (TCC), spore-former count, fungi count, and species-specific PCR assay to detect some bacterial species. Results: The mean Brix of colostrum samples was 25.4% and 72% of the samples had a Brix score ≥22%. The mean serum Brix and the prevalence of failure of passive transfer (FPT) were 10% and 4%, respectively. The mean TPC, TCC, spore-former count, and fungi count were 3.6 × 105, 2.8 × 104, 3.2 × 104, and 1.1 × 104 CFU/ml, respectively. The results showed that 50, 5.9, and 4% of colostrum samples were positive for Staphylococcus spp., Salmonella spp. and Maycobacterium paratuberculosis, respectively. There was no evidence of contamination with Brucella spp., Corynebacterium bovis and Mycoplasma bovis. Conclusion: Considering all colostrum quality indicators comprehensively, only 37.3% of the studied samples met the industry standard. A large number of calves were at risk of receiving poor quality colostrum, especially in terms of microbial contamination. Further researches are needed to evaluate the colostrum management and the effect of bacterial contamination of colostrum on the health of neonate calves in this region.

The effects of post-partum drops in body condition on indices of energy metabolism in mid-lactation Holstein cows.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of energy metabolism indices in mid-lactation Holstein cows is critical to monitor health status. Aims: The objective of this study was to assess the effects of low (≤0.75) vs. high (>0.75) drops in body condition score (BCS) until day 60 post-partum on energy metabolism indices during mid-lactation in Holstein cows. METHODS: Twenty-eight Holstein cows were included in the study from the day of calving to day 120 of lactation. Whole blood samples were taken on 60, 90, and 120 days in milk (DIM). Serum was analyzed for insulin, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels. RESULTS: In cows with low BCS drop (LoD group), insulin did not change significantly through days 60 to 120 of lactation, but increased in high drop cows (HiD group) (P<0.001). Glucose concentrations decreased linearly in the LoD cows (P=0.039) and showed a quadratic increase in the HiD group on day 90 (P=0.028). Concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids showed both linear (P=0.04) and quadratic (P=0.002) changes in the HiD group. The HiD cows had significantly higher concentrations of insulin on day 120 (P=0.017) compared to the LoD group. Glucose concentration was lower (P<0.01) in HiD cows on 60 DIM. The concentration of non-esterified fatty acids was higher in HiD cows on day 90 (P<0.01). Surrogate indices of insulin resistance (calculated based on the concentrations of the measured metabolites) were different between the groups on day 90, indicating decreased insulin sensitivity in the HiD cows. CONCLUSION: Greater depletion of body reserves during early lactation may result in some inconsistencies in energy metabolism during mid-lactation periods. Controlling BCS loss during early lactation may help alleviate such alterations possibly through modifying insulin sensitivity of the tissues.

Compromised liver functions during the breeding period of clinically healthy Holstein cows.

BACKGROUND: The sub-clinical carry-over effects of post-partum (PP) conditions and the problems independent of parturition may affect the cows' performance during the breeding period. AIMS: It was hypothesized that some mid-lactation cows may have compromised liver functions and calculating liver activity index (LAI; -1.5 to +1.5) may be helpful in detecting such conditions. METHODS: Plasma lipid and protein profiles, retinol and ceruloplasmin were measured in 37 Holstein cows on days 60, 90, and 120 PP. Liver activity index was calculated using the measures of cholesterol, albumin and retinol. The results were interpreted using some health and performance indices. RESULTS: The mean LAI was 0.00 ± 0.61. Sixteen cows (45.7%) were LAI‾ and 19 cows (54.3%) were LAI+. In LAI+ cows the concentrations of cholesterol and albumin were unchanged, but in LAI‾ cows both of them increased through the study (P<0.05). Greater concentrations of low density lipoproteins (LDL) (P<0.01) and lower concentrations of γ- and total globulins (P<0.05; day 60) were detected in LAI+ cows. Ceruloplasmin was not different between the LAI groups with the highest level on day 90. Cholesterol had the strongest and the most repeated correlations with LAI during the study. The correlation of albumin with LAI faded on day 120 and vitamin A had a relationship only on day 60 PP. Triglycerides (TGs), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) (day 60) and LDL (days 60 and 90) had positive correlations with LAI. All globulin fractions showed negative correlations with LAI on day 60. Seventy percent of the cows without endometritis (day 30 PP) and 33% of the infected cows were LAI+ during the breeding period. About 79% of the cows with body condition score (BCS) loss ≤0.75 (day 60) and 38% of the cows with BCS loss >0.75 were LAI+ during the breeding period. CONCLUSION: Compromised liver functions may exist in dairy cows during the breeding period and may be detected by calculating LAI. The relationship of LAI during the progressed lactation with herd's performance needs to be investigated.

A field study on glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate and thyroid hormones in dairy cows during the breeding period in Fars province, Iran.

BACKGROUND: It was hypothesized that under apparently good management practices in dairy farms, some cows may not be metabolically perfect during the breeding period and this may affect their performance. AIMS: This study was conducted to assess probable metabolic drawbacks in mid-lactation dairy cows affecting their performance. METHODS: Thirty-seven clinically healthy Holstein cows were assessed for plasma concentrations of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), thyroxin (T4), and tri-iodothyronine (T3) on days 60, 90 and 120 of lactation. The relationships of the measured analytes with some performance indices were also studied. RESULTS: Continuous declines in plasma glucose (within reference values; P<0.006), T4 (P<0.001) and T3 (0.003) were found during the study. Non-esterified fatty acids showed relatively high levels through the study with a rise at day 90 (P<0.041). Beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations did not change significantly (P>0.05) but were higher than those reported by others in mid-lactation cows. By progress in lactation 27% of cows had glucose concentrations <2.5 mmol/L, 62% had NEFA concentrations >0.40 mmol/L and 13.5% had BHB levels above 1200 µmol/L, which are the threshold levels of peri- and post-parturient problems. Milk production had negative correlations with glucose and T4 while the correlation was positive with NEFA. The interval between calving to the 1st heat had positive correlations with BHB concentrations. The interval between calving and the 1st insemination was inversely correlated with glucose and positively correlated with NEFA levels. CONCLUSION: The changes of the studied analytes in mid-lactation cows resembled those that would happen during negative energy balance in early lactation cows and feed restriction in mid-lactation cows and may affect the general health and the performance of the cows.

Progesterone concentration and lambing rate of Karakul ewes treated with prostaglandin and GnRH combined with the ram effect during breeding and non-breeding seasons.

The combination of ram effect with two injections of PGF2α 10-days apart and the same protocol plus an additional injection of GnRH prior to the first injection of PGF2α were examined in Karakul ewes during breeding and non-breeding seasons, respectively. Plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations (to detect the presence of active corpus luteum), twin lambing, litter size and synchronization of lambing were evaluated. In each study 70 ewes (2-4 years old) were divided to a treatment (n = 40) and a control (n = 30) group. During the breeding season, on days -10 and 0 before ram release, the treatment group was injected intramuscularly with PGF2α (D-Cloprostenol; 0.15 mg). During the non-breeding season, on day -15 before ram release the treatment group was injected with GnRH (buserelin; 4.2 µg) intramuscularly followed by two injections of PGF2α on days -10 and 0. In both studies, the rams were released into the ewe flock after the second prostaglandin injection (day 0). Blood samples of ewes were collected on days -10, 0, 20 and 70 of the study in breeding season and on days -15, -10, 0, 20 and 70 during non-breeding season. The treatment group had higher P4 concentrations compared to the control ewes on day 0 in the breeding season (5.80 ± 0.61 vs. 5.0 ± 0.93 ng/mL) and day -10 in the non-breeding season (3.50 ± 0.33 vs. 2.70 ± 0.35 ng/mL) though the differences were not significant (P > 0.05). Based on plasma P4 concentrations (>1 ng/mL) on day 70, in the breeding season all control ewes (100%) and 91.9% of the treatment ewes were detected to have active corpus luteum (P = 0.09). An almost inverse result (90% vs. 97.5%; P = 0.2) was detected in the non-breeding season. The lambing rate was higher (P = 0.03) in the treatment group compared to the control ewes during the non-breeding season (90% vs. 70%), but tended to be lower (P = 0.07) in the breeding season (73% vs. 90%). Twin lambing rate was higher in the treatment group compared to the control ewes in the breeding (40.7% vs. 0.0%; P < 0.05) and non-breeding (22.2% vs. 0.0%; P < 0.05) seasons. The litter size of the control and treated ewes were 1.0 ± 0.0 vs. 1.40 ± 0.10 in the breeding and 1.0 ± 0.0 vs. 1.22 ± 0.10 in the non-breeding season (P < 0.05). No effect was observed regard to synchronization of the treated ewes. In the breeding season two injections of PGF2α ten days apart combined with ram effect, may lower the lambing rate, but may enhance twin pregnancies and litter size in Karakul ewes. In the non-breeding season, however, the GnRH-PGF2α treatment plus ram effect may enhance the lambing rate, twin pregnancies and litter size.

The role of COX-2 and Ki-67 over-expression in the prediction of pathologic response of rectal cancer to neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy.

BACKGROUND: The response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is not the same among all cases with advanced rectal cancer. AIMS: This study investigated the association between over-expression of the two molecular markers (Cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2] and Ki-67) and tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, 55 patients with stage II-III rectal carcinoma were enrolled. All patients were treated with neoadjuvant therapy (45-50.4 Gy plus Capecitabine) between 2002 and 2009 in our institute. The pretreatment specimens were immunohistochemistry (IHC) stained for COX-2 and Ki-67 markers. The tumor response to neoadjuvant treatment was evaluated using a 5-point tumor regression grade (TRG) system. The induced inflammation and necrosis after CRT were also investigated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 11.5 and statistical significance was determined at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The pathologic response to neoadjuvant treatment from complete response as (TRG = 1) through no response as (TRG = 5) was found in 10 (22.2%), 8 (17%), 6 (13.3%), 16 (35.6%), and 5 (11.1%) cases. In comparison with poor responders (TRG: 4, 5), patients with good response to neoadjuvant treatment (TRG: 1, 2) were associated with lower pretreatment mean COX-2 staining extent (72.9% vs. 22.8%, P < 0.001) as well as lower mean Ki-67 staining extent (70.7% vs. 28.5%, P < 0.001). High COX-2 staining and high Ki-67 index were significantly associated with more inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Over-expression of COX-2 and high Ki-67 index were associated with a poorer response to neoadjuvant CRT. These markers might be helpful to define those patients with rectal carcinoma who benefit more from neoadjuvant treatments.

Effect of erythromycin and gentamicin on abomasal emptying rate in suckling calves.

BACKGROUND: Commonly used dosage protocols for antimicrobial agents may alter the rate of gastric emptying. HYPOTHESIS: Parenteral administration of erythromycin increases and gentamicin decreases the rate of abomasal emptying. ANIMALS: Five male Holstein-Friesian calves (8-15 days of age). METHODS: Calves received each of the following 4 IM treatments in random order: control, 2 mL of 0.9% NaCl; erythromycin, 8.8 mg/kg; low-dose gentamicin, 4.4 mg/kg; high-dose gentamicin, 6.6 mg/kg. Abomasal emptying rate was assessed by acetaminophen and glucose absorption. Calves were fed 2 L of cow's milk containing acetaminophen (50 mg/kg body weight) 30 minutes after each treatment was administered, and jugular venous blood samples were obtained periodically after suckling. The maximum observed plasma acetaminophen concentration (actual C(max)) and time of actual C(max) (actual T(max)) were determined, and pharmacokinetic modeling was used to calculate model C(max) and model T(max). RESULTS: Erythromycin increased abomasal emptying rate, as indicated by a shorter time to actual T(max) and model T(max) (P < .05). Abomasal emptying rate after injection of low-dose gentamicin was similar to that of control. Administration of high-dose gentamicin resulted in a longer time to actual T(max) (P= .021) but did not change model T(max) (P= .62). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: IM injection of erythromycin increased abomasal emptying rate in dairy calves, whereas low-dose and high-dose gentamicin did not alter the rate of abomasal emptying as measured by acetaminophen kinetics and glucose absorption. The clinical relevance of these findings remains to be determined.

An investigation on LD50 and subacute hepatic toxicity of Nigella sativa seed extracts in mice.

Nigella sativa seeds (blackseed) have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of a variety of diseases including diarrhea and asthma, and have been shown to have various useful pharmacological effects. In this study, acute and subacute toxicity of the aqueous, methanol and chloroform extracts of the seeds have been investigated. To determine their LD50, the aqueous, methanol and chloroform extracts were administered orally, in 4 different doses, 6, 9, 14 and 21 g/kg. Mortality rate and weight changes have also been measured in all groups for 3 and 7 days, respectively. No mortality has been observed in all groups and with all doses. Methanol extracts in all doses and chloroform extract in the dose of 21 g/kg significantly decreased animals weight. Hepatic toxicity of the extracts was also investigated in the dose of 6 g/kg/day orally for 14 consecutive days by measuring ALP, SGOT and SGPT activity in blood and hepatic histological study. Degenerative changes in hepatic cells have been observed only with aqueous extract of the seeds. In conclusion, Nigella sativa extracts are relatively nontoxic in the acute toxicity test, but the possibility of hepatic damage with its aqueous extract should be considered.