Ovarian follicle development and genital tract characteristics in different birthweight gilts at 150 days of age.

In the last decades, selection for improved prolificacy has resulted in higher litter sizes and has thereby increased the proportion of low birthweight (LW) piglets. It is well documented that LW piglets have lower growth performance, muscle accretion and poor carcass quality. However, little is known about the relations of birthweight with subsequent reproductive performance in gilts. This study investigated the effects of birthweight on reproductive tract and ovarian follicle development in 150-day-old gilts. Twenty eight female pigs of different birthweight ranges (high-HW: 1.8-2.2 kg; low-LW: 0.8-1.2 kg) from higher parity commercial sows were reared until 150 days of age, and their body weights were recorded at weaning, end of nursery and end of the grower-finisher phase. The animals were killed and their reproductive tracts collected for biometrical and histomorphometrical analysis. LW gilts showed significantly lower body weights and growth rates during all phases of production compared to their HW counterparts (p < .01). Most biometrical measurements of the reproductive tract were similar between the experimental groups, except vaginal length and the gonadossomatic index (relative ovarian weight), which were affected by birthweight class (p < .05). LW females also showed fewer medium size (3-5 mm; p < .01) ovarian follicles, pre-antral follicles (p < .07) and more atretic follicles per ovarian cortex area (p < .05). Therefore, besides the effects on post-natal growth performance, birthweight affects vaginal length and the follicular dynamics process, which may impair the reproductive performance of replacement gilts.

Colostrum yield and litter performance in multiparous sows subjected to farrowing induction.

The consumption of colostrum at a low level can compromise the survival and growth of piglets. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of farrowing induction on colostrum yield, IgG concentration and the survival and performance of piglets until the weaning. Sows of parity 3 to 7 were assigned into two groups: Control (n = 48), sows with spontaneous farrowing; and induction (n = 48), sows induced to farrow on day 114 of gestation with a PGF2 analogue. Colostrum and blood samples were collected from the sows, at farrowing and 24 hr later. Blood samples from the piglets were collected at 24 hr after birth. The performance of the piglets was evaluated in a subsample of 28 litters from each group. All piglets were weighed at 7, 14 and 20 days of age. The farrowing length, the number of piglets born alive, stillborn piglets, weight at birth, litter weight at birth and colostrum yield were not significantly affected (p > .05) by farrowing induction. There was no difference between the groups (p > .05) in the percentage of sows with obstetric interventions. Serum IgG concentration, in both sows and piglets, and colostrum IgG concentration were similar between the groups (p > .05). Furthermore, survival rate, piglet weight and litter weight at 7, 14 and 20 days of age were also similar between the groups (p > .05). Therefore, it can be concluded that the farrowing induction performed on day 114 of gestation does not affect the colostrum yield, the IgG concentration in colostrum and serum of piglets, and the litter performance until the weaning.

Vacinação com Escherichia coli J5 no pré-parto e ocorrência de mastite e produção de leite de vacas mestiças leiteiras / Escherichia coli J5 vaccination during pre-calving and mastitis and milk production of crossbred cows

Avaliaram-se a utilização da vacina Escherichia coli J5 no período pré-parto e a ocorrência de mastite e de produção de leite. Foram utilizadas 93 vacas, sendo 43 vacinadas e 50 não vacinadas. Para a análise dos dados de produção e CCS (contagem de células somáticas), utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente ao acaso em sistemas de parcelas subdivididas. Os dados de CCS e duração de casos clínicos de mastite foram transformados em Log10CCS. Para as médias de CCS e a duração de casos clínicos, usou-se o teste t. Para comparações de médias de recidivas de casos clínicos, usou-se o teste de Mann-Whitney. Para frequência de microrganismos e de mastite subclínica, usou-se o teste de qui-quadrado. A interação dessas variáveis foi analisada pelo teste de McNemar. Não houve redução na prevalência de infecções por coliformes entre a secagem e o parto nos dois grupos. A duração total dos casos clínicos de mastite em animais que apresentaram mastite clínica foi menor em vacas vacinadas. O número de episódios clínicos e a intensidade dos casos clínicos não diferiu entre os grupos. A prevalência de animais com mastite subclínica no pós-parto e a (CCS) nos 100 primeiros dias de lactação foram mais baixas no grupo de animais vacinados. Não foi observada diferença na produção de leite entre os grupos. A vacinação de vacas com E. coli J5 melhora a saúde da glândula mamária de vacas leiteiras e, consequentemente, reduz a prevalência de animais com mastite subclínica no pós-parto, bem como a duração dos casos clínicos de mastite e a CCS nos 100 primeiros dias de lactação.

The effect of immunization with Escherichia coli J5 vaccine in the pre-partum on the occurrence of mastitis and milk production in crossbred dairy cows was evaluated. Ninety-three cows were used as follows: forty-three were vaccinated and fifty cows were unvaccinated. For the production analysis, data and CCS were used in a completely randomized split-plot system. CCS data and duration of clinical cases of mastitis were transformed into Log10CCS. For the CSS averages and duration of clinical cases we used the t test. For comparisons of means of recurrences of clinical cases we used the Mann-Whitney test. For frequency of subclinical mastitis organisms and we used the chi-square test. The interaction of these variables was analyzed using the McNemar test. There was no reduction in the prevalence of infections caused by coliforms between drying-off and parturition in both groups. The total duration of clinical mastitis in animals with clinical mastitis was lower in vaccinated than unvaccinated cows. The number of clinical episodes and intensity of clinical cases did not differ between groups. The prevalence of animals with subclinical mastitis at postpartum and somatic cell count (SCC) in the first 100 days of lactation was lower in vaccinated than unvaccinated cows. However, there was no difference in milk production between groups. Vaccination of cows with E. coli J5 improves mammary gland health by reducing the prevalence of animals with subclinical mastitis at postpartum, as well as the duration of the clinical cases of mastitis and SCC in the first 100 days of lactation.

Intra-uterine growth retardation affects birthweight and postnatal development in pigs, impairing muscle accretion, duodenal mucosa morphology and carcass traits.

The present study investigated the occurrence of intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) in newborn (n=40) and 150-day-old (n=240) pigs of different birthweight ranges (high, HW: 1.8-2.2kg; low, LW: 0.8-1.2kg) from higher-parity commercial sows and its impact on their subsequent development and carcass traits in a Brazilian commercial production system. HW newborn pigs had heavier organs than LW pigs (P<0.01), and all brain:organ weight ratios were higher (P<0.01) in LW compared with HW offspring, providing strong evidence of IUGR in the LW piglets. HW pigs had higher bodyweights and average daily gain (ADG) in all phases of production (P<0.05), but ADG in the finisher phase was similar in both groups. Additionally, LW newborn and 150-day-old pigs showed a lower percentage of muscle fibres and a higher percentage of connective tissue in the semitendinosus muscle, greater fibre number per mm(2) and a lower height of the duodenal mucosa (P<0.05). On the other hand, HW pigs had higher hot carcass weight, meat content in the carcass and yield of ham, shoulder and belly (P<0.01). Hence, lower-birthweight piglets may suffer from IUGR, which impairs their growth performance, muscle accretion, duodenal mucosa morphology and carcass traits.

Distribution of rotavirus genotypes after vaccine introduction in the Triângulo Mineiro region of Brazil: 4-Year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Rotaviruses are the major cause of diarrhea in children for which a monovalent G1P[8] vaccine has been provided free for all Brazilian infants since March 2006. OBJECTIVES: To investigate prevalence and genotypes of rotavirus strains causing diarrhea in children in Triângulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais, during 2007-2010, and to assess local vaccine impact. STUDY DESIGN: Fecal specimens were analyzed for rotavirus detection and characterization by PAGE, RT-PCR and PCR-genotyping assays. RESULTS: Overall, rotavirus was diagnosed in 12.1% (76/630) cases, accounting for 35.8% of the hospitalizations and 6.5% of outpatient attendance due to diarrhea. A trend in rotavirus disease reduction occurred in both cities (71.8% and 83.4% in Uberaba; 95.3% in Uberlândia) up to 2009, but it reversed in 2010 with increased rotavirus cases in Uberlândia. Short pattern G2P[4] strains were detected in all but three (96%) cases of mixed/P[NT] infections with long electropherotypes. CONCLUSIONS: This 4-year follow-up study showed a reduction in rotavirus-related diarrhea and even skipped a rotavirus season, which is consistent with vaccine mediated protection. The 2007-2010 rotavirus epidemic curve reflected the natural cyclic fluctuation of the single G2P[4] genotype, with sharp reduction of cases in 2008 leading to lack of a rotavirus 2009 season (both cases and hospitalizations) followed by its come back in 2010. Diarrhea cases related to either vaccine serotype/genotype (G1 or P[8]) were not detected. Thus, a new scenario emerged with a single epidemic genotype replacing the cocirculation of great diversity of genotypes, thus far, a hallmark of the epidemiology of rotavirus in Brazil.

Tuberculosis in liver transplant recipients: prophylaxis in an endemic area.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) has a high prevalence in Brazil. The scenario of liver transplantation (LT) creates challenges: atypical presentation, treatment hepatotoxicity, and increased mortality. The majority of TB cases after transplantation represent reactivation of latent infections; therefore, prophylaxis (PX) plays a major role. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of PX after LT based on a pretransplantation tuberculin test (TT) in an endemic area. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of medical data from 376 adult cirrhotic patients undergoing OLT from 2001 to 2009. RESULTS: Among 191 selected patients, 137 (71%) showed a pretransplant TT including 41 (30%) with a TT ≥5 mm. The 17 (40%) of these patients who were prescribed PX did not experience TB. Prophylaxis was discontinued in 5 patients (20%) owing to suspicion of hepatotoxicity (medium serum alanine transaminase 175 U/L). In the group without PX, we diagnosed 1 case of pulmonary TB. The overall prevalence of anergic patients in the cirrhotic phase was 65% and prevalence of TB 1%. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of TB was similar to that reported in the literature, but positivity to TT was higher (34% vs 25%), possibly because of the endemicity of the area. There was a lower prevalence of extrapulmonary disease and no mortality. No patient undergoing PX with isoniazid, although incomplete due to suspicion of hepatotoxicity displayed TB. One patient without PX was affected by TB. The drug was effective but not always safe.

Administration of thyroxine affects the morphometric parameters and VEGF expression in the uterus and placenta and the uterine vascularization but does not affect reproductive parameters in gilts during early gestation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of thyroxine administration on morphometric parameters, expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascularization in the uterus and placenta and reproductive parameters in gilts at 70 days of gestation. At 150 days of age, i.e., before first heat, 20 gilts were randomly divided into two experimental groups: treated (n=10) and control (n=10). The treated group received a daily dose of 400 µg of L-thyroxine (T(4)) in their diet until slaughter and the control group received only typical meals. Before artificial insemination, blood was collected to determine plasma total T(4). The gilts were inseminated in the second oestrus and slaughtered at 70 days of gestation. The foetal thyroid follicular epithelium height, number, size and weight of foetuses; foetal myogenesis, corpora lutea number, embryonic mortality rate, uterine weight, placental weight and placental fluid volume were measured. Histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analysis of uterus and placenta were determined. The averages of all variables were compared by the Student's t-test. The gilts treated with thyroxine showed significant increase of plasma total T(4). At 70 days of gestation, the heights of the trophoblastic epithelium, endometrial epithelium and endometrial gland epithelium were significantly higher in the group treated with T(4). The expression of cytoplasmatic and nuclear VEGF in trophoblastic cells and the number of blood vessels per field in endometrial stroma were significantly higher in the gilts treated with T(4). No other significant differences between groups were obtained with respect to other parameters (p>0.05). We conclude that oral administration of T(4) up to 70 days of pregnancy in gilts affects the morphometric parameters, the expression of placental VEGF and the uterine vascularization but does not affect reproductive parameters in gilts during early gestation.

Rotavirus-associated infantile diarrhea in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, on the wake of the Brazilian vaccination program.

BACKGROUND: Rotaviruses are major causes of diarrhea in children for which vaccines were developed and are currently in use. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the genotypes of rotavirus strains causing dehydrating diarrhea in children in Uberaba, Triângulo Mineiro region, Minas Gerais, during 2005-2006. METHODS: Rotavirus-associated diarrhea was investigated in fecal specimens by PAGE and strains were characterized for their genotype by RT-PCR and PCR-typing assays. RESULTS: Rotavirus was detected in 15% (39/260) of the fecal specimens by PAGE: 64% of the specimens presented short electrophoretic patterns and G2P[4] genotype; and 36% presented long electropherotypes and G1P[8], G9P[8], G4P[9] and two strains with sill undetermined G and P[8] genotype. A change in the dominant electrophoretic pattern was observed, shifting from long to short patterns and coinciding with the highest incidence of diarrheal cases. CONCLUSIONS: Those are the first data on rotavirus strains circulating in the Triângulo Mineiro region. They were obtained over a 16-month period that included the first 10 months after the launch of the national rotavirus immunization program that uses a monovalent G1P[8] attenuated vaccine strain. These results should further our understanding of the dynamics of rotavirus strains and help interpreting the significance of the program.

Multicenter trial of dynamic cardiomyoplasty for chronic heart failure. The American Cardiomyoplasty Group.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to prospectively assess the effect of dynamic cardiomyoplasty in patients with symptomatic chronic heart failure. BACKGROUND: Since the first procedure was performed in 1985, dynamic cardiomyoplasty has been developed for use in patients with chronic heart failure. The aging population in developed countries has made heart failure a growing public health concern. Heart transplantation is appropriate or available for only a small proportion of these patients because of limited donor supply. Effective alternatives to transplantation are needed. METHODS: Eight centers in North and South America performed 68 cardiomyoplasty procedures between May 1991 and September 1993. Data were prospectively collected every 6 months and compared with preoperative values using paired t tests, chi-square tests and actuarial survival analyses. RESULTS: Patients had a mean (+/- SD) age of 57 +/- 1 years and were predominantly male (53 [78%] of 68). Heart failure etiology was classified as idiopathic in 47 (69%) of 68 patients and ischemic in 21 (31%). The in-hospital mortality rate was 12% (8 of 68), and the survival rate at 6 and 12 months was 75 +/- 5% and 68 +/- 6%, respectively. Objective improvements were seen at 6 months (n = 49) in left ventricular ejection fraction (23 +/- 1% vs. 25 +/- 1%, p = 0.05), stroke volume (50 +/- 2 vs. 56 +/- 3 ml/beat, p = 0.02) and left ventricular stroke work index (26 +/- 1 vs 30 +/- 2 g/m2 per beat, p = 0.01). Improvements in mean New York Heart Association functional class (3 +/- 0.04 vs. 1.8 +/- 0.1, p = 0.0001) and activity of daily living score (59 +/- 3 vs. 80 +/- 2, p = 0.0001) were also observed. There were no significant changes at 6 months in peak oxygen consumption (15 +/- 1 vs. 16 +/- 1 ml/kg per min), cardiac index (2.26 +/- 0.08 vs. 2.33 +/- 0.08 liters/min per m2), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (19 +/- 2 vs. 18 +/- 1 mm Hg) or heart rate (87 +/- 2 vs. 82 +/- 3 beats/min). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that dynamic cardiomyoplasty improves ventricular systolic function, reduces symptoms of heart failure and improves objective measures of quality of life in patients with congestive heart failure. This improvement occurred without changes in peak exercise capacity, ventricular filling pressure or actuarial survival.