Prognostic value of serum protein electrophoresis constituents for arthritis development in anti-citrullinated protein antibody-positive patients with musculoskeletal pain.

OBJECTIVE: Predictors of arthritis development in patients with anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) and musculoskeletal symptoms are needed for risk stratification and to improve clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) constituents and the development of clinical arthritis in ACPA-positive patients with musculoskeletal pain. METHOD: We prospectively followed 82 ACPA-positive patients with musculoskeletal pain but no baseline arthritis during a median of 72 months (interquartile range 57-81 months). The primary outcome was arthritis development, as judged by clinical examination. SPE constituents were evaluated in baseline sera by immunoturbidimetric methods. Serum levels of the analysed proteins (albumin, orosomucoid, α1-anti-trypsin, haptoglobin, and immunoglobulins IgA, IgG, and IgM) were related to arthritis development by Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 39/82 patients (48%) progressed to arthritis. Median baseline levels of orosomucoid and α1-anti-trypsin were higher in patients who developed arthritis than in those who did not (p = 0.04), while median albumin levels were significantly lower (p = 0.03). Immunoglobulin levels did not differ between the groups. Univariable analysis demonstrated a significantly increased risk of arthritis with elevated baseline haptoglobin [hazard ratio (HR) 2.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32-4.85, p = 0.005] and orosomucoid levels (HR 2.63, 95% CI 1.09-6.31, p = 0.03). However, neither remained significant in multivariable analysis adjusting for elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. CONCLUSION: SPE does not add prognostic value for arthritis development in ACPA-positive patients with musculoskeletal pain.

Circulating anti-citrullinated protein antibodies containing secretory component are prognostic for arthritis onset in at-risk patients.

Autoantibodies related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), such as anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), are often detectable in the preclinical period years before arthritis onset. However, events triggering arthritis development remain incompletely known. We aimed to determine whether ACPA isotype levels are prognostic for arthritis development in patients presenting with immunoglobulin (Ig)G ACPA and musculoskeletal pain. Study participants (n = 82) had musculoskeletal pain of any sort and duration and a positive IgG ACPA test. None of the patients had arthritis upon clinical examination at baseline, but during follow-up (mean = 6 years), 48% developed at least one arthritic joint. IgG, IgA, IgM and secretory component (SC)-containing ACPA was measured in longitudinally collected serum samples. Cox regression analysis was performed to test the prognostic value of baseline antibody levels and changes over time. All analysed ACPA isotype levels were associated with arthritis development in univariable Cox regression analysis. In multivariable analysis, baseline SC ACPA levels were independently prognostic for arthritis development in multivariable analysis [hazard ratio (HR) = 1·006, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1·001-1·010, P = 0·012]. There were no significant changes in ACPA isotype levels over time, and no significant association between changes over time and arthritis development. In this prospective longitudinal study, baseline serum SC ACPA levels, but neither IgG, IgA nor IgM ACPA are prognostic for future arthritis development. Repeated measurement of ACPA isotypes do not bring additional prognostic value. The results reinforce a mucosal connection in RA development and encourage further exploration of the mechanisms underlying secretory ACPA formation as a trigger for arthritis development.

Autoantibodies are major predictors of arthritis development in patients with anti-citrullinated protein antibodies and musculoskeletal pain.

Objectives: Predictors of arthritis development are highly warranted among patients with anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) and musculoskeletal symptoms to optimize clinical management. We aimed to identify clinical and laboratory predictors of arthritis development, including biochemically assessed alcohol consumption, among ACPA-positive patients with musculoskeletal pain.Method: 82 ACPA-positive individuals with musculoskeletal pain but no clinical arthritis were followed for a median of 72 months (interquartile range 57-81 months). We evaluated the prognostic value of baseline clinical and laboratory factors including smoking, symptom duration, age, gender, shared epitope, rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-carbamylated protein antibodies, ACPA levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein levels, tender joint count, patient-reported general well-being, 28-joint Disease Activity Score, and alcohol consumption as measured by phosphatidyl ethanol (PEth) levels in whole blood.Results: During follow-up, 48% developed at least one arthritis. Multivariable analysis revealed an increased risk of arthritis development with RF positivity [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-4.8, p = 0.028] and higher ACPA levels (HR = 1.0, 95% CI 1.000-1.001, p = 0.002). High levels of RF (HR = 4.4, 95% CI 1.7-11) entailed the highest HR in this ACPA-positive population. Neither clinical characteristics nor alcohol consumption measured by PEth conferred significant prognostic value.Conclusions: ACPA levels and concurrent presence of RF are independent predictors of arthritis development among ACPA-positive patients with musculoskeletal pain. The results are compatible with a dose-response relationship between RA-related autoantibodies and risk of arthritis development.

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies are associated with radiographic damage but not disease activity in early rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed in 2006-2011.

Objective: The discovery of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) and the introduction of new therapeutic options have had profound impacts on early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) care. Since ACPA status, most widely assessed as reactivity to cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCPs), influences treatment decisions in early RA, we aimed to determine whether anti-CCP remains a predictor of disease activity and radiographic joint damage in more recent 'real-world' early RA. Method: Two observational early RA cohorts from Sweden enrolled patients in 1996-1999 (TIRA-1, n = 239) and 2006-2009 (TIRA-2, n = 444). Clinical and radiographic data and ongoing treatment were prospectively collected up to 3 years. Two other cohorts served as confirmation cohorts (TRAM-1, with enrolment 1996-2000, n = 249; and TRAM-2, 2006-2011, n = 528). Baseline anti-CCP status was related to disease activity, pharmacotherapy, and radiographic joint damage according to Larsen score. Results: In the TIRA-1 cohort, anti-CCP-positive patients had significantly higher 28-joint Disease Activity Score, swollen joint count, C-reactive protein level, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate during follow-up compared with anti-CCP-negative patients. In TIRA-2, no such differences were found, but baseline anti-CCP positivity was associated with higher 3 year Larsen score (5.4 vs 3.5, p = 0.039). In TRAM-2, anti-CCP also predicted radiographic damage (8.9 vs 6.7, p = 0.027), with no significant differences in disease activity. Conclusion: In the early RA cohorts recruiting patients in 2006-2011, baseline anti-CCP positivity was not associated with disease activity over time, but was associated with increased radiographic damage at follow-up. Hence, close radiographic monitoring is warranted in early anti-CCP-positive RA regardless of disease activity.

Secretory antibodies to citrullinated peptides in plasma and saliva from rheumatoid arthritis patients and their unaffected first-degree relatives.

The aim of this study was to evaluate secretory antibodies to citrullinated proteins (ACPA) in plasma and immunoglobulin (Ig)A ACPA in saliva from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their unaffected first-degree relatives (FDRs). Patients with RA (n = 194) and first-degree relatives unaffected by RA (n = 191) were recruited for analysis of secretory antibodies to second-generation cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) in plasma. From a subpopulation (25 RA patients, 21 first-degree relatives and 11 controls), saliva samples were obtained for IgA anti-CCP analysis. The presence of secretory ACPA was compared between subject categories, and related to genetic and environmental risk factors. Secretory ACPA occurred in 37 (19%) plasma samples from patients with RA, but only in two (1%) of FDRs. IgA ACPA in saliva was found in three of 25 (12%) patients with RA, but not in any of the 21 FDRs (< 5%). No significant associations were seen between the presence of secretory ACPA and SE or smoking, either among RA patients or among FDRs. Despite occurring in 19% of RA plasma, secretory ACPA was rare in both saliva and plasma among FDRs, even among those positive for conventional ACPA of non-mucosal origin. Longitudinal studies are warranted to determine whether circulating secretory ACPA occurs before or in parallel with the development of clinical arthritis.

Changes in anti-citrullinated protein antibody isotype levels in relation to disease activity and response to treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease where serum analysis of anti-citrullinated peptide/protein antibodies (ACPA) is an important diagnostic/prognostic tool. Levels and changes of ACPA in RA patients have been studied previously in relation to disease course and therapy response, but less is known regarding ACPA isotype changes in early RA. Hence, recent-onset RA patients (n = 231) were subjected to a 3-year clinical and radiological follow-up. Serum samples were serially collected and ACPA isotypes were analysed using the second-generation cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) as capture antigen. Changes in ACPA isotype levels and status were related to disease course and pharmacotherapy. At inclusion, 74% of the patients tested positive for ACPA IgG; 55% for immunoglobulin (Ig)A, 37% for secretory IgA (SIgA) and 35% for IgM. The proportion of positive patients decreased significantly at follow-up regarding ACPA SIgA, IgM and IgA. During the initial 3 months, reduction of the 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) correlated with reduced levels of ACPA IgG (Rho = 0·242, P = 0·003), IgA (Rho = 0·260, P = 0·008), IgM (Rho = 0·457, P < 0·001) and SIgA (Rho = 0·402, P < 0·001). Levels of ACPA SIgA (P = 0·008) and IgM (P = 0·021) decreased significantly among patients with good response to treatment, which was not seen regarding ACPA IgA or IgG. Changes in ACPA isotype levels were not associated with radiographic damage. In conclusion, ACPA SIgA and IgM declined rapidly upon anti-rheumatic therapy and correlated with decreased disease activity in recent-onset RA. This may indicate that down-regulation of mucosal immunity to citrullinated proteins/peptides and recruitment of new B cells are key features of therapy responses in early RA.

Immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 and IgG4 anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) associate with shared epitope, whereas IgG2 anti-CCP associates with smoking in patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (the Swedish TIRA project).

Given the possible importance of anti-citrullinated peptide/protein antibodies (ACPA) for initiation and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), extended knowledge about the different isotypes and subclasses is important. In the present study, we analysed the immunoglobulin (Ig)G subclasses regarding reactivity against cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) among 504 clinically well-characterized patients with recent-onset RA in relation to smoking habits, shared epitope (SE) status and IgA and pan-IgG anti-CCP antibodies. All patients, regardless of pan-IgG anti-CCP status, were analysed for IgG1-4 CCP reactivity. Sixty-nine per cent were positive in any IgG anti-CCP subclass, and of these 67% tested positive regarding IgG1, 35% IgG2, 32% IgG3, and 59% IgG4 anti-CCP. Among ever-smokers the percentages of IgG2 anti-CCP (P = 0·01) and IgA anti-CCP (P = 0·002)-positive cases were significantly higher compared to never-smokers. A positive IgG anti-CCP subclass -negative cases. Combining SE and smoking data revealed that IgG1 and IgG4 anti-CCP were the IgG anti-CCP isotypes associated with expression of SE, although the lower number of patients positive for IgG2 or IgG3 anti-CCP could, however, have influenced the results. High levels of IgG2 anti-CCP were shown to correlate with expression of the 'non-SE' allele human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1*15. In conclusion, in this study we describe different risk factor characteristics across the IgG anti-CCP subclasses, where IgG2 appears similar to IgA anti-CCP regarding the predominant association with smoking, while IgG1 and IgG4 related more distinctly to the carriage of SE genes.

The effect of N-fertilisation rate or inclusion of red clover to timothy leys on fatty acid composition in milk of dairy cows fed a commercial silage: concentrate ratio.

The aim of this experiment was to, under typical Swedish production conditions, evaluate the effects of grass silages subjected to different N-fertilisation regimes fed to dairy cows on the fatty acid (FA) composition of their milk, and to compare the grass silages in this respect to red clover-dominated silage. Grass silages made from first year Phleum pratense L. leys subjected to three N-fertilisation regimes (30, 90 and 120 kg N/ha, designated G-30, G-90 and G-120, respectively) and a mixed red clover-grass silage (Trifolium pratense L. and P. pratense L.; 60/40 on dry matter (DM) basis, designated RC-G) were produced. The experiment was conducted as a change-over design, including 24 primiparous and multiparous dairy cows of the Swedish Red breed, each of which was allocated to three of the four diets. The cows were offered 11 kg DM of silage and 7 kg concentrates. The silages had similar DM and energy concentrations. The CP concentration increased with increase in N-fertilisation level. There was a linear increase in DM intake of the different silages with increased N fertilisation. There were also differences in concentrations of both individual and total FAs amongst silages. The daily milk production (kg/day) did not significantly differ between treatments, but G-30 silage resulted in higher concentrations of 18:2n-6 in the milk compared with the other two grass silages. The highest concentrations of 18:3n-3 and cis-9, trans-11 18:2 were found in milk from cows offered the RC-G silage. The G-30 diet resulted in higher concentration of 18:2n-6 and the same concentration of 18:3n-3 in the milk as the other grass silages, despite lower intake levels of these FAs. The apparent recoveries of 18:3n-3 from feed to milk were 5.74%, 4.27%, 4.10% and 5.31% for G-30, G-90, G-120 and RC-G, respectively. A higher recovery when red clover is included in the diet confirms previous reports. The higher apparent recovery of 18:3n-3 on the G-30 treatment may be related to the lower silage DM intake, which led to a higher relative proportion of ingested FAs originating from concentrates compared with the G-90 and G-120 diets. With the rates and types of concentrates used in this study, the achieved differences in FA composition among the silages were not enough to influence the concentrations of unsaturated FAs in milk.

Effects of feeding dairy cows different legume-grass silages on milk phytoestrogen concentration.

Phytoestrogens are hormone-like substances in plants that can substantially influence human health (positively or negatively), and when fed to dairy cows are partly transferred to their milk. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of varying the botanical composition and regrowth interval of legume-grass silage on phytoestrogen intake and milk phytoestrogen concentrations. In one experiment, 15 Swedish Red dairy cows were fed 2- or 3-cut red clover-grass silage, or 2-cut birdsfoot trefoil-grass silage. In a second experiment, 16 Norwegian Red dairy cows were fed short-term ley silage with red clover or long-term ley silage with white clover, and the effects of supplementation with α-tocopherol were also tested. High concentrations of formononetin and biochanin A were found in all silage mixtures with red clover. The milk concentration of equol was highest for cows on the 2-cut red clover-grass silage diet (1,494 µg/kg of milk). Because of the metabolism of biochanin A, genistein, and prunetin, their concentrations in milk and the apparent recovery were low. Coumestrol was detected in only short-term and long-term ley silage mixtures, and its milk concentration was low. Concentrations of secoisolariciresinol and matairesinol were higher in 2-cut birdsfoot trefoil-grass and long-term ley silage mixtures, those with legume species other than red clover, and the highest grass proportions. The 2-cut birdsfoot trefoil-grass silage diet also resulted in higher enterolactone concentration than the other diets (226 µg/kg of milk). Lengthening the regrowth interval increased the intake of secoisolariciresinol and decreased the recovery of lignans. Feeding long-term ley silage resulted in higher milk lignan concentrations but lower milk isoflavone concentrations than feeding short-term ley silage. The apparent recovery of all phytoestrogens except prunetin was highest on the 2-cut birdsfoot trefoil-grass silage diet. No effect of α-tocopherol supplementation was observed on milk concentrations of any of the measured phytoestrogens. Variations were observed in milk concentrations of phytoestrogens, especially of equol, among cows, which could not be explained by variations in diet composition or phytoestrogen intake. The results show that milk phytoestrogen concentration is strongly influenced by silage botanical composition, but questions regarding phytoestrogen metabolism remain to be answered.

Dietary influence on the m. longissimus dorsi fatty acid composition of lambs in relation to protein source.

Dietary lipid effect, as a consequence of protein supplement, on lamb m. longissimus dorsi fatty acid composition was investigated, with emphasis on biohydrogenation intermediates. Crossbred lambs (White Swedish Landrace × Texel) were fed a barley-based diet without (CON) or with protein supplements including peas (PEA), rapeseed cake (RC) or hempseed cake (HC). The HC diet resulted in the highest muscle 22:6n-3 proportion, with the RC diet being similar (P<0.05). Protein supplement did not affect the c9,t11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) proportion, however the HC diet increased some minor CLA isomers, including t10,c12 CLA (P<0.05). The t10-18:1 and total trans-18:1 were lowest for the RC diet (P<0.05), likely relating to rumen conditions and precursor availability. The saturated, monounsaturated and branched-chain fatty acids were largely unaffected by protein supplement. In conclusion, feeding the RC diet lowered the t10-18:1 and total trans-18:1 in meat, and modestly increased 22:6n-3 content. The direction of these changes would be beneficial, making the RC diet the preferred protein supplement; however the magnitude of the changes in the present experiment may not be sufficient to have an impact on human health.

Effects of Temperature during Moist Heat Treatment on Ruminal Degradability and Intestinal Digestibility of Protein and Amino Acids in Hempseed Cake.

The objective of this study was to evaluate ruminal degradability and intestinal digestibility of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) in hempseed cake (HC) that were moist heat treated at different temperatures. Samples of cold-pressed HC were autoclaved for 30 min at 110, 120 or 130°C, and a sample of untreated HC was used as the control. Ruminal degradability of CP was estimated, using the in situ Dacron bag technique; intestinal CP digestibility was estimated for the 16 h in situ residue using a three-step in vitro procedure. AA content was determined for the HC samples (heat treated and untreated) of the intact feed, the 16 h in situ residue and the residue after the three-step procedure. There was a linear increase in RUP (p = 0.001) and intestinal digestibility of RUP (p = 0.003) with increasing temperature during heat treatment. The 130°C treatment increased RUP from 259 to 629 g/kg CP, while intestinal digestibility increased from 176 to 730 g/kg RUP, compared to the control. Hence, the intestinal available dietary CP increased more than eight times. Increasing temperatures during heat treatment resulted in linear decreases in ruminal degradability of total AA (p = 0.006) and individual AA (p<0.05) and an increase in intestinal digestibility that could be explained both by a linear and a quadratic model for total AA and most individual AA (p<0.05). The 130°C treatment decreased ruminal degradability of total AA from 837 to 471 g/kg, while intestinal digestibility increased from 267 to 813 g/kg of rumen undegradable AA, compared with the control. There were differences between ruminal AA degradability and between intestinal AA digestibility within all individual HC treatments (p<0.001). It is concluded that moist heat treatment at 130°C did not overprotect the CP of HC and could be used to shift the site of CP and AA digestion from the rumen to the small intestine. This may increase the value of HC as a protein supplement for ruminants.

Intake and digestion of whole-crop barley and wheat silages by dairy heifers.

The effect of maturity at harvest on the digestibility and intake of large bale silage made from whole-crop barley and wheat when fed to growing heifers was evaluated. Two crops of spring barley (Hordeum distichum cv. Filippa and Kinnan) and 1 of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Olevin) were harvested at the heading, milk, and dough stages of maturity. The silage was fed to 36 dairy heifers in a balanced crossover experiment with 3 periods and 9 treatments (diets based on 3 crops and 3 stages of maturity), organized into 6 pairs of 3 × 3 Latin squares. No clear relationship was observed between intake and stage of maturity of whole-crop cereal silage, but intake was positively correlated to silage DM content (P < 0.001, r = 0.46) and negatively correlated to NDF content (P < 0.001, r = -0.42). Organic matter digestibility decreased between the heading and milk stages of maturity in all crops (P < 0.001), did not differ between the milk and the dough stages in the 2 barley crops, but increased in the wheat silage (P = 0.034). The NDF digestibility decreased between the heading and milk stages in all crops (P < 0.001), whereas it decreased in 1 barley crop (P < 0.001), increased in the other barley (P = 0.025), and was unchanged in the wheat between the milk and dough stages of maturity. Starch digestibility was less in the 2 barley crops compared with the wheat at the dough stage of maturity (P < 0.001). The feeding value of the whole-crop barley and wheat declined between the heading and milk stages of maturity, but thereafter the effect of maturity on the feeding value was minor.

Digestibility of whole-crop barley and oat silages in dairy heifers.

This study evaluated the digestibility of whole-crop cereal silage (WCCS) made from oats and six-rowed barley harvested at the heading, early milk and early dough stages, and two-rowed barley harvested at the early milk and early dough stages of maturity. The eight WCCSs were fed to 32 Swedish Red heifers in a changeover design over three periods of 28 days each. The heifers were first fed ad libitum for 17 days and then at 0.95 of ad libitum for 11 days of each period. During the last 5 days all faeces and orts were collected to determine the digestibility of the silages. Only the maturity stage effect was significant for the WCCS organic matter (OM) digestibility and the average OM digestibility was higher at the heading stage (698 g/kg) than at early milk (647 g/kg) and early dough (652 g/kg) stages of maturity. For neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility the crop × maturity stage effect was significant. The NDF digestibility decreased from the heading to the early milk stage for both six-rowed barley (746 to 607 g/kg) and oats (698 to 596 g/kg). There was no further significant decrease in NDF digestibility for six-rowed barley at the early dough stage (577 g/kg), but for two-rowed barley it decreased from the early milk (682 g/kg) to the early dough (573 g/kg) stage, and also for oats the NDF digestibility was lowest at the early dough stage (507 g/kg). The decrease in NDF digestibility during maturation was to a large extent compensated by an increase in starch concentration in the crops. The starch digestibility was lower for six-rowed barley at early dough stage (948 g/kg) than at early milk stage (977 g/kg), and was also lower compared with oats (979 g/kg) at early dough stage. The average crude protein (CP) digestibility was higher at the heading (646 g/kg) and the early milk (642 g/kg) stages than at the early dough stage (599 g/kg), and oats had higher average CP digestibility (650 g/kg) than six-rowed (613 g/kg) and two-rowed (624 g/kg) barley. Delaying the harvest of WCCS from the heading to the early milk and dough stage of maturity will decrease the OM digestibility; as a result there is a decreased NDF digestibility.

Effects of increasing amounts of hempseed cake in the diet of dairy cows on the production and composition of milk.

This study explored the potential for using seed cake from hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) as a protein feed for dairy cows. The aim was to evaluate the effects of increasing the proportion of hempseed cake (HC) in the diet on milk production and milk composition. Forty Swedish Red dairy cows were involved in a 5-week dose-response feeding trial. The cows were allocated randomly to one of four experimental diets containing on average 494 g/kg of grass silage and 506 g/kg of concentrate on a dry matter (DM) basis. Diets containing 0 g (HC0), 143 g (HC14), 233 g (HC23) or 318 g (HC32) HC/kg DM were achieved by replacing an increasing proportion of compound pellets with cold-pressed HC. Increasing the proportion of HC resulted in dietary crude protein (CP) concentrations ranging from 126 for HC0 to 195 g CP/kg DM for HC32. Further effects on the composition of the diet with increasing proportions of HC were higher fat and NDF and lower starch concentrations. There were no linear or quadratic effects on DM intake, but increasing the proportion of HC in the diet resulted in linear increases in fat and NDF intake, as well as CP intake (P < 0.001), and a linear decrease in starch intake (P < 0.001). The proportion of HC had significant quadratic effects on the yields of milk, energy-corrected milk (ECM) and milk protein, fat and lactose. The curvilinear response of all yield parameters indicated maximum production from cows fed diet HC14. Increasing the proportion of HC resulted in linear decreases in both milk protein and milk fat concentration (P = 0.005 and P = 0.017, respectively), a linear increase in milk urea (P < 0.001), and a linear decrease in CP efficiency (milk protein/CP intake; P < 0.001). In conclusion, the HC14 diet, corresponding to a dietary CP concentration of 157 g/kg DM, resulted in the maximum yields of milk and ECM by dairy cows in this study.

Udder health at a Swedish research farm with both organic and conventional dairy cow management.

Our aim was to compare udder health in groups of organically and conventionally managed cows, using data from a longitudinal study in a Swedish dairy-research farm. Management of the groups was identical except for feed composition and the feeding regimen. Our dataset included all lactating cows calving from 1 September 1990 to 31 August 2001 (145 organically and 151 conventionally managed cows). Udder health was assessed by the geometric average somatic-cell count (SCC) within 150 days after calving, by the number of monthly SCC tests >200,000 cells/ml within 150 days after calving and by presence of lactations with veterinary-treated cases of clinical mastitis. The effect of animal group was analysed by multivariable linear, Poisson and logistic-regression models, controlling for factors such as lactation number, breed, year, season and milk yield. The groups did not differ in any measure of udder health. We had power to rule out differences of at least 33,000 cells/ml in the geometric average somatic-cell count, an incidence rate ratio of 0.65 in the incidence of high-SCC milk-testing occasions, and an odds ratio of 0.43 in veterinary treated cases of mastitis.

The role of Fc-receptors in murine mercury-induced systemic autoimmunity.

Inorganic mercury (Hg) in genetically susceptible mouse strains induces a T cell-dependent, systemic autoimmune condition (HgIA) characterized by immunostimulation, anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and systemic immune-complex (IC) deposits. The exact phenotypic expression of HgIA in different strains depends on H-2 and non-H-2 genes. Fc receptors (FcRs) are important in the development of many autoimmune diseases. In this study, the effect of targeted mutations for activating and inhibiting FcRs in the BALB/c model of HgIA was examined. Hg-treated BALB/c mice without mutation (wild-type, wt) showed heavy IC deposits in the renal glomerular mesangium, as well as in renal and splenic vessel walls. The renal mesangial IC deposits were severely reduced in Hg-treated BALB/c mice without the gamma-chain (lack of the activating receptors FcgammaRI, FcgammaRIII and FcinRI), but unchanged in mice lacking the inhibitory FcgammaRIIB. The Hg-induced vessel wall IC deposits present in wt mice were abolished and reduced in the FcRgamma and FcgammaRIIB strains, respectively. Hg-treated BALB/c wt mice and mice without the gamma-chain showed an increase in serum IgE, while the increase in IgG1 was attenuated in the latter strain. In contrast, absence of the inhibiting FcgammaRIIB augmented the Hg-induced increase of both serum IgG1 and IgE. In conclusion, FcRs are important mainly for the induction of systmeic IC deposits in the HgIA model, but also affects serum IgG1 and IgE levels.

Intestinal parasites in swine in the Nordic countries: prevalence and geographical distribution.

In Denmark (DK), Finland (FIN), Iceland (I), Norway (N), and Sweden (S), 516 swine herds were randomly selected in 1986-1988. Individual faecal analyses (mean: 27.9 per herd) from eight age categories of swine showed that Ascaris suum, Oesophagostomum spp., Isospora suis, and Eimeria spp. were common, while Trichuris suis and Strongyloides ransomi-like eggs occurred sporadically. Large fatteners and gilts were most frequently infected with A. suum with maximum prevalences of 25-35% in DK, N and S, 13% in I and 5% in FIN. With the exception of the remarkably low A. suum prevalence rates in FIN, no clear national differences were observed. Oesophagostomum spp. were most prevalent in adult pigs in the southern regions (21-43% in DK and southern S), less common in the northern regions (4-17% adult pigs infected), and not recorded in I. I. suis was common in piglets in DK, I, and S (20-32%), while < 1% and 5% were infected in N and FIN, respectively. Eimeria spp. had the highest prevalences in adult pigs (max. 9%) without clear geographical differences. I. suis and Eimeria spp. were recorded for the first time in I, and I. suis for the first time in N.

Concentrations of antisecretory factor in eggs and in chicken blood plasma.

1. In the present study, the concentration of antisecretory factor (ASF), a lectin with hormone-like properties, and with the capacity to regulate water and electrolyte transport in the small intestine, was higher in hen's egg yolk than in egg white (1.20 v. 0.46 units/ml). 2. The blood plasma concentrations of ASF activity were higher in d-old chicks (1.03 units/ml) than in 7-d-old (0.42 units/ml) or 21-d-old birds (0.18 units/ml); the contents were found to be high again in 35-d-old chickens, but to have decreased by 60 to 90% after transport to slaughter 1 day later. 3. The amount of ASF activity was lower in two groups of chickens manifesting patent loose droppings at slaughter (0.15 units/ml in one group, and 0.08 units/ml in the other), than in two groups with normal faecal consistency (0.65 units/ml in one group, and 0.72 units/ml in the other). 4. The results demonstrate the presence of ASF in eggs, and a variation of ASF activity in chickens blood plasma in relation to age, stress and faecal consistency. The interpretation of these data suggests a regulatory influence of ASF on chicken intestinal transport of water.

Feed-induced lectins in piglets. Feed-induced lectins and their effect on post-weaning diarrhoea, daily weight gain and mortality.

The effect on various biological variables of a special weaner feed (FD) with the capacity to induce endogenous synthesis of feed induced lectins (FIL), and a commonly used commercial diet (CD) was evaluated in 891 piglets in four different experiments. The FD diet was found to induce a high activity of FIL (FIL = 0.94 +/- 0.03 units/ml. blood), as compared to CD (FIL < 0.20 units/ml. blood). The FIL values did not decrease after weaning. The incidence of diarrhoea in piglets fed FD 0-14 days post-weaning was 12 +/- 5 per cent, as compared to 41 +/- 9 per cent in the CD group, the difference being significant. Daily weight gain 0-35 days after weaning was 67 +/- 15 grams greater in the FD group than among those fed CD. The consumption of FD was double that of CD in the period before weaning (at 5 weeks), and some 40 per cent more in the postweaning period up to 9 weeks of age.

Plasma level of antisecretory factor (ASF) and its relation to post-weaning diarrhoea in piglets.

Antisecretory factor (ASF) is a regulatory peptide which counteracts diarrhoea in the pig; ASF is rapidly absorbed from the pig intestine, and significantly reduces the incidence of neonatal diarrhoea in the suckling offspring. ASF is synthesized in the central nervous system, and released to the blood stream via the pituitary gland. In two different experiments (n = 8 and n = 4), the blood concentration of ASF was followed in 5-weeks old piglets from day 7 before weaning up to day 12 days after weaning. In both experiments ASF concentrations were significantly (p < 0.01) lower on day three post-weaning, than either before weaning or on days 7 and 12 post-weaning. In another experiment, where plasma ASF activity was determined in relation to clinical signs of diarrhoea seven days post-weaning, it was found to be 0.87 +/- 0.08 units/ml (mean +/- SEM) in healthy weaners (n = 15), but only 0.22 +/- 0.05 units/ml in piglets suffering from diarrhoea (n = 15), the difference being significant. The faecal flora both of healthy weaners and of their matched controls suffering from diarrhoea were subjected to bacteriological examination before and after weaning, and found to be similar in both groups, namely a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic Gram negative rods, Campylobacter jejuni, Staphylococcus aureus/epidermidis, and Enterococcus faecalis. No particular pathogen was predominant in any of the diseased animals.