Examination of the haematological profile of pregnant Polish Holstein-Friesian black-and-white cattle in the early stage.

Introduction: Cattle health and welfare are monitored via the analysis of the haematological profile, and it shows cattle's ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions, pregnancy and lactation; profile changes also indicate reproductive disorders. The literature lacks reports of the examination of the haematological profile in cows up to the 50th day of pregnancy (dop). Therefore, this research examined that in cows up to this pregnancy stage. Material and Methods: A total of 101 Polish Holstein-Friesian black-and-white cows were divided into groups. The control groups consisted of non-pregnant heifers (group C00) and non-pregnant cows (group C0), and the experimental groups were pregnant heifers (group T1 at dop ≤ 28 and group T2 at dop ≥ 29-dop < 45) and pregnant cows (group T3 at dop ≥ 29-dop ≤ 50). In addition, the T3 group was divided into cows pregnant for up 45 dop and cows between 45 and 50 dop. Blood samples were collected in March and April 2021 from each animal and analysed. A transrectal ultrasound examination was performed to detect and confirm pregnancy. Results: Statistically significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) between the group of cows at dop < 45 dop and those at dop ≥ 45-dop ≤ 50 dop were noted in granulocyte percentage (GRA%), white and red blood cell counts (WBC/RBC), platelets (PLT), platelet distribution width (PDW), haematocrit (HCT) and lymphocyte percentage (LYM%). No statistically significant differences were found in the mean corpuscular haemoglobin, monocytes (MON), monocyte percentage (MON%), mean platelet volume (MPV), thrombocrit or red blood cell distribution width (RDW). Similar statistically significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) emerged between the groups of heifers in PLT, GRA, RBC, lymphocytes, LYM% and HCT, and no significant differences were found between MPV, MON, MON% or RDW. Conclusion: Examining the haematological profile in high-yielding cattle is vital in maintaining herd profitability and high reproduction, which depend on the quick diagnosis of disorders facilitated by haematology. This study analysed the haematology profile of dairy cattle at dop ≤ 50 for the first time, indicating changes in lymphocyte levels, which suggests that the animals experienced direct stress during the study.

Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase 1 mediated alterations in the functionality of immune cells, deciphers the pregnancy outcomes in crossbred dairy cows.

Pregnancy establishment in bovines requires maternal immune cell modulation. Present study investigated possible role of immunosuppressive indolamine-2, 3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) enzyme in the alteration of neutrophil (NEUT) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) functionality of crossbred cows. Blood was collected from non-pregnant (NP) and pregnant (P) cows, followed by isolation of NEUT and PBMCs. Plasma pro-inflammatory (IFNγ and TNFα) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) were estimated by ELISA and analysis of IDO1 gene in NEUT and PBMCs by RT-qPCR. Neutrophil functionality was assessed by chemotaxis, measuring activity of myeloperoxidase and ß-D glucuronidase enzyme and evaluating nitric oxide production. Changes in PBMCs functionality was determined by transcriptional expression of pro-inflammatory (IFNγ, TNFα) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-4, IL-10, TGFß1) genes. Significantly elevated (P < 0.05) anti-inflammatory cytokines, increased IDO1 expression, reduced NEUT velocity, MPO activity and NO production observed only in P cows. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and TNFα genes were observed in PBMCs. Study highlights possible role of IDO1 in modulating the immune cell and cytokine activity during early pregnancy and may be targeted as early pregnancy biomarkers.

Prepartum supplementation of Moringa oleifera leaf meal: Effects on health of the dam, colostrum quality, and acquisition of immunity in the calf.

Influence of supplementing Moringa olifeira leaf meal (MOLM) to Holstein cows on (1) colostrum yield and quality and (2) immunoglobulin (IgG) absorption in dairy calves during the colostrum stage was evaluated in the study. Thirty-two pregnant Holstein cows were blocked by weight and expected day of calving and randomly assigned to one of 2 treatments during a 6-wk dry period: (1) no additive (CON) or (2) 16.66 g of MOLM/100 kg of body weight (MOLM). Cows were dosed daily from d -35 to 0 relative to calving. All cows received a dry period total mixed ration (TMR). At calving, calves were weighed immediately after birth and blood was sampled before receiving colostrum from their respective dams. Calves received their first colostrum meal within 2.5 h of birth. Calves received their first and second feedings of colostrum from the first-harvest colostrum. Cows' blood was sampled to determine IgG, whereas calves were blood sampled to determine the IgG, glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, and malondialdehyde. Colostrum composition (protein, fat, lactose, total solids, ash, and metabolizable energy) was also determined. The results of the study showed that MOLM did not affect dry matter intake in dams, body weight change, body condition score, colostrum yield, or calf birth weight. The colostrum harvested from MOLM-fed cows was higher in composition (fat, protein lactose, and total solids). Colostrum IgG was greater from cows that received MOLM compared with control from all 6 colostrum harvests. Calves born to MOLM-fed cows were characterized by higher blood glucose whereas lipid peroxidation (nonesterified fatty acids and malondialdehyde) was greatly reduced. Although the level of 16.6 g of MOLM/100 kg of BW did not affect the dam's body weight, calf birth weight and colostrum yield, higher quality colostrum, and higher IgG absorption in newborn calves could be achieved when that MOLM level is supplemented to dairy cows as late as 5 wk prepartum. The increased glucose with reduced lipid peroxidation after receiving maternal MOLM suggests that MOLM can be used as a feed additive not only to improve dams' immunity but to also improve health in early days of life in dairy calf.

Evaluación de un esquema de control integrado de Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus en vacas preñadas y con cría en el noreste argentino / Evaluation of an integrated control scheme against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in pregnant cows and in cows with calf in northeastern Argentina

Resumen El objetivo fue evaluar un esquema de control integrado para Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus en vacas preñadas y con cría combinando dos tratamientos con acaricidas químicos y el descanso de potreros en una localidad representativa del noreste argentino. Este esquema fue diseñado para combinar el efecto terapéutico del control estratégico (dos tratamientos aplicados entre fines del invierno y la primavera) con el que tiene el descanso de las pasturas (en el presente trabajo de tres meses) sobre la cantidad de larvas presentes en un potrero. Veintidós vacas y vaquillas de biotipo Braford fueron distribuidas en dos grupos en potreros infestados naturalmente con garrapatas, con un descanso de tres meses previo al ingreso de los animales. El grupo I recibió dos tratamientos acaricidas con fluazurón y flumetrina y el grupo II permaneció sin tratamientos como grupo control. Se estimó mensualmente la infestación con garrapatas y se calculó la eficacia terapéutica. La infestación con Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus en el grupo I fue significativamente menor que la del grupo control y los niveles de eficacia fueron siempre superiores al 93%, con la excepción del conteo de febrero dónde el porcentaje de eficacia fue del 89,1%. La integración complementaria de la descontaminación parcial ejercida mediante un descanso de pasturas de tres meses con un esquema de tratamientos estratégicos (dos en un período de 10 meses) permitió alcanzar niveles significativos de eficacia en el control de Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus manteniendo bajos niveles de infestación con mínimos movimientos a corral, y brindando sustentabilidad al uso de los acaricidas.

Abstract The aim was to evaluate an integrated control scheme for Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in pregnant and calving cows combining two treatments with chemical acaricides and paddock rest in a representative locality of northeastern Argentina. This scheme was designed to combine the therapeutic effect of strategic control (two treatments applied between late winter and spring) with the rest of pastures (in the present work of three months) on the amount of larvae present in a paddock. Twenty-two Braford-type heifers and cows were divided into two groups in paddocks naturally infested with ticks, with a rest of three months before the animals were admitted. Group I received two acaricidal treatments with fluazuron and flumethrin and group II remained without treatment as a control group. Tick ​​infestation was monitored monthly and therapeutic efficacy was calculated. The infestation with Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in group I was significantly lower than that of the control group and the efficacy levels were always higher than 93%, with the exception of the February count, where the efficacy was 89.1%. The complementary integration of the partial decontamination applied through a three-month pasture rest with a strategic treatment scheme (two in a 10-month period) allowed reaching significant levels of efficacy in the control of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus while maintaining low levels of infestation with minimal movements to management pens, and providing sustainability to the use of acaricides.

Slaughter Conditions and Slaughtering of Pregnant Cows in Southeast Nigeria: Implications to Meat Quality, Food Safety and Security.

The increase in the slaughter of pregnant cows (SPCs) for meat (except as may be approved by veterinarians on health grounds to salvage the animal) is unethical. SPCs for meat is also counterproductive, detrimental to food security, and may enhance zoonotic disease transmission. In this context, therefore, this current study examined slaughter conditions and the slaughtering of pregnant cows, and the implications for meat quality, food safety, and food security in Southeast Nigeria. The direct observational method was employed to examine the slaughterhouse activities, from when the cattle arrived at the lairage to the post-slaughter stage. A pre-tested and validated closed-ended-questionnaire was used to elicit information on causes of the SPCs and the method of disposal of eviscerated foetuses. Pregnancy status of cows slaughtered was determined by palpation followed by visual examination of the eviscerated and longitudinal incised uteri. The study lasted for six months during which 851 cows out of 1931 slaughtered cattle were surveyed. Assessment/decision-making protocol of slaughterhouse conditions, welfare conditions of slaughter-cattle, reasons for sale or slaughter of pregnant cows, distribution of pregnant cows slaughtered, method of disposal of eviscerated foetuses, and estimated economic losses of SPCs were delineated. Of the 851 cows examined, 17.4% (148/851) were pregnant while 43.2% (64/148) of the total foetuses recovered were in their third trimester. Major reasons adduced for SPCs by proportion of involved respondents were: ignorance of the animals' pregnancy status (69.7%, 83/119), high demand for beef (61.3%, 73/119), preference for large-sized cattle (47.9%, 57/119), economic hardship (52.1%, 62/119) and diseases conditions (42.9%. 51/119). The conduct of SPCs for meat would not be profitable. This is because within six months, an estimated loss of about 44,000 kg of beef, equivalent to ₦ 70.1 million or $186,400 would be associated with SPCs and the consequential foetal wastages. If losses were to be replicated nationwide across slaughterhouses, 4.3 tons of beef estimated at ₦ 8.6 billion or $23 million would be wasted. Improving slaughter conditions and the welfare of slaughter-cattle in Nigerian slaughterhouses through advocacy, training of slaughterhouse workers, and strict implementation of laws promoting humane slaughter practices is imperative. Preventing SPCs for meat and inhumane slaughter practices at the slaughterhouse would enhance the welfare needs of slaughter cattle, grow the national herd size, and improve meat safety as well as food security.

Implantation associated changes in expression profile of indoleamine-2, 3-dioxygenase 1, Th1-Th2 cytokines and interferon-stimulated genes on neutrophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of crossbred cows.

Effective bidirectional communication between the embryo and dam improves the reproductive efficiency of dairy cows. Possible role of immunosuppressive indolamine-2, 3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) enzyme in the regulation of maternal systemic cytokine balance/shift during early pregnancy establishment along with various interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) expression in neutrophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) were investigated in crossbred cows. Blood was collected on days 0 i.e. day of Artificial Insemination (AI), 10, 18 and 36 post-AI followed by isolation of neutrophils and PBMCs for gene expression study of IDO1, anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10 and TGFß1), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFNγ and TNFα) and ISGs (ISG15, MX1, MX2, OAS1) in pregnant and non-pregnant cows. Cows were grouped as pregnant and non-pregnant after pregnancy confirmation by non-return to heat, ultrasonography, per rectal examination along with progesterone and IFNτ assay. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher relative mRNA expression of IDO1 and anti-inflammatory cytokines on days 10 and 18 post-AI were observed in both neutrophils and PBMCs of pregnant cows. Pregnant cows showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher mRNA transcripts of IFNγ and TNFα genes on days 18 post-AI in both neutrophils and PBMCs. Expression of ISGs was higher (P < 0.05) on day 10th and 18th post AI in both the neutrophils and PBMCs of pregnant cows. The study indicates that systemic immune regulation by IDO1 (through cytokine shift) and ISGs in peripheral immune cells are essential for the establishment of pregnancy and may be targeted in future as biomarkers for pregnancy diagnosis.

Evaluación del estado metabólico, el peso vivo y la condición corporal durante la gestación en vacas de carne en la Altillanura colombiana / Evaluation of the metabolic status, live weight and body condition during pregnancy in beef in the Colombian Altillanura cows / Avaliação do estado metabólico, peso vivo e condição corporal durante a gestação em vacas de corte no Altillanura colombiana

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio, fue conocer los valores promedios de diferentes metabolitos, la variación del peso vivo (PV) y la condición corporal (CC) en vacas Cebú (C) y Simmental x Cebú (SC) bajo pastoreo extensivo en una finca de la Altillanura colombiana. Se utilizaron 19 vacas multíparas y durante cada trimestre de la gestación, se evaluaron los niveles de Glucosa (Glu), Colesterol (Col), Proteína totales (Ptt), Albúmina (Alb), Globulinas (Glo), Hemoglobina (Hb), Hematocrito (Hto), Nitrógeno en sangre (BUN), Cobre (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Calcio (Ca), Magnesio (Mg), Fósforo (P), y Aspartato aminotransferasa (AST). Los niveles de Glu, Hb, Hto, BUN, Ca, presentaron variaciones significativas durante los trimestre evaluados (P<0,05), con deficiencias de Cu y Zn. El PV y la CC presentaron una relación lineal en función del avance de la gestación. Se reconoce la importancia de los perfiles metabólicos (PM) como una herramienta para identificar los posibles imbalances nutricionales y la manera de corregir las deficiencias, con el propósito de hacer mas eficiente el sistema productivo.

Abstract The objective of this study was to know the average values ​​of different metabolites, the variation of live weight (LW) and body condition (CC) in Cebu (C) and Simmental x Cebu (SC) cows under extensive grazing in a farm of the Colombian Altillanura. We used 19 multiparous cows and during each trimester of pregnancy, we evaluated the levels of Glucose (Glu), Cholesterol (Col), Total Protein (Ptt), Albumin (Alb), Globulins (Glo), Hemoglobin (Hb), Hematocrit (Hto), Nitrogen in blood (BUN), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Phosphorus (P), and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The levels of Glu, Hb, Hto, BUN, Ca presented significant variations during the quarter evaluated (P <0.05), with deficiencies of Cu and Zn. The PV and CC presented a linear relationship based on the progress of pregnancy. The importance of metabolic profiles (PM) is recognized as a tool to identify possible nutritional imbalances and how to correct deficiencies, in order to make the productive system more efficient.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer os valores médios dos diferentes metabólitos, a variação do peso vivo (PV) e a condição corporal (CC) em vacas Cebu (C) e Simmental x Cebu (SC) sob pastejo intenso numa fazenda da Altillanura colombiana. Foram utilizadas 19 vacas multíparas e, durante cada trimestre da gestação, foram avaliados os níveis de glicose (Glu), colesterol (Col), proteína total (Ptt), albumina (Alb), globulinas (Glo), hemoglobina (Hb) e hematócrito (Hto), nitrogênio sanguíneo (BUN), cobre (Cu), zinco (Zn), cálcio (Ca), magnésio (Mg), fósforo (P) e aspartato aminotransferase (AST). Os níveis de Glu, Hb, Hto, BUN, Ca apresentaram variações significativas durante os trimestres avaliados (P <0,05), com deficiências de Cu e Zn. O PV e o CC apresentaram uma relação linear com o progresso da gravidez. A importância dos perfis metabólicos (MP) é reconhecida como uma ferramenta para identificar possíveis desequilíbrios nutricionais e como corrigir deficiências, a fim de tornar o sistema de produção mais eficiente.

Osseous malformation in calves and its relationship with ingestion of apple pomace in pregnant cows / Malformações ósseas em bezerros e sua relação com a ingestão de bagaço de maçã por vacas prenhes

Three outbreaks of osseous malformation in claves born of cows fed apple pomace throughout pregnancy are described. This study was carried out from historical surveys on properties where apple pomace was used in cattle feeding. The outbreaks occurred in the municipalities of Lages, Santa Catarina state, from 2007 to 2012, and Ipê, Rio Grande do Sul state, from 2011 to 2012. These calves presented bone deformity characterized mainly by arthrogryposis and chondrodysplasia of the anterior limbs. At necropsy, the observed changes were restricted to bending and thickening of the anterior limbs and skull. Microscopically, a disorganized, irregular, misaligned hypertrophic zone was observed in the humeral-radio-ulnar joints, in addition to absence of growth zone, thin bone trabeculae, and closed epiphyseal growth plate.(AU)

Descrevem-se 3 surtos de malformações ósseas em bezerros, nascidos de vacas prenhes alimentadas com bagaço de maçã. Estudos foram realizados a partir de levantamento de históricos em propriedades onde bagaço de maçã foi utilizado na alimentação de bovinos. Os surtos ocorreram nos municípios de Lages em Santa Catarina, de 2007 a 2012, e Ipê em Rio Grande do Sul, de 2011 a 2012. Dentre 20 e 69,2% dos bezerros apresentavam deformidade de membros, caracterizada principalmente por membros anteriores curvos e curtos. Na necropsia as alterações observadas restringiam-se ao encurvamento e engrossamento dos membros e do crânio. Microscopicamente nas articulações úmero-radio-ulnar, foi observado zona hipertrófica desorganizada, irregular e sem alinhamento, além de ausência da zona de crescimento e trabéculas ósseas finas e placa epifisária fechada.(AU)

Fetal infection with Schmallenberg virus - An experimental pathogenesis study in pregnant cows.

Since its first appearance in 2011, Schmallenberg virus (SBV) has been repeatedly detected in aborted ruminant foetuses or severely malformed newborns whose mothers were naturally infected during pregnancy. However, especially the knowledge about dynamics of foetal infection in cattle is still scarce. Therefore, a total of 36 pregnant heifers were experimentally infected during two animal trials with SBV between days 60 and 150 of gestation. The foetuses were collected between 10 and 35 days after infection and virologically and pathologically investigated. Overall, 33 heifers yielded normally developed, macroscopically inconspicuous foetuses, but abundant virus replication was evident at the maternal/foetal interface and viral genome was detectable in at least one organ system of 18 out of 35 foetuses. One heifer was found to be not pregnant at autopsy. One of the animals aborted at day 4 after infection, viral RNA was detectable in the lymphatic tissue of the dam, in the maternal and foetal placenta, and in organs and lymphatic tissue of the foetus. In another foetus, SBV typical malformations like torticollis and arthrogryposis were observed. The corresponding dam was infected at day 90 of pregnancy and viral genome was detectable in the cerebellum of the unborn. Interestingly, no common patterns of infected foetal organs or maternal/foetal placentas could be identified, and both, sites of virus replication and genome loads, varied to a high degree in the individual foetuses. It is therefore concluded, that SBV infects in many cases also the bovine foetus of naïve pregnant cattle, however, the experimentally observed low abortion/malformation rate is in concordance to the reported low rates in the field during the first outbreak wave following the introduction of SBV. This observation speaks for a natural resistance of most bovine foetuses even during the vulnerable phase of early pregnancy, which has to be further studied in the future.

Innocuity of a commercial live attenuated vaccine for epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus serotype 2 in late-term pregnant cows.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is an arthropod-borne infectious viral disease sustained by the epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV). The only commercially available and currently used vaccines are manufactured for EHDV-2 in Japan, either live or inactivated vaccines. In this study we tested the innocuity for fetuses of the live attenuated EHDV-2 vaccine in five late-term pregnant cows. Whole blood and serum samples were collected from dams and screened for the presence of EHDV-2 RNA, infectious virus and antibodies. After calving, whole blood and serum samples collected from calves, before and after colostrum intake, were also tested for antibodies and for virus detection. In dams, neither fever nor clinical signs were observed. All of them seroconverted and a strong humoral response was detected throughout the sampling period. All blood samples tested negative for EHDV-2 except for one sample collected from a dam 11 days post-vaccination which tested positive at virus isolation at the third cell passage following two rounds of blind passages. Although they had free access to colostrum, calves tested serologically negative for EHDV-2 during the entire course of the experiment. Overall, the tested live attenuated vaccine can be safely administered to late-term pregnant cows as it was not demonstrated to cross the placental barrier. The safety of the live-attenuated vaccine is further confirmed by the emergence of Ibaraki virus in 2013 in Japan which is apparently not related to the spread of the vaccine strain currently used in Japan.