Hematological changes in sheep inoculated with natural and Cobalt60-irradiated Crotalus durissus terrificus venom (Laurenti, 1768)

Natural (NV) and Cobalto60-irradiated (IrV) Crotalus durissus terrificus venom were used to evaluate serum production capacity of sheep and possible hematological and biochemical effects. Freeze-dried venom aliquots were diluted in acidified saline solution (NaCl 150 mM, pH 3.0) and irradiated by a Cobalt 60 source at a dose of 5.54 x 102 Gy/h and a concentration of 2.000 Gy. Twelve sheep were divided into two groups of six animals. One group received irradiated venom (IrV) and the other natural venom (NV). Three antigen doses (venom) were administered at monthly intervals. Blood samples were collected weekly for analysis of serum neutralization potency and capacity, complete blood count (CBC), total plasma protein, fibrinogen, albumin, and globulin. At the end of the experiment, the animals were challenged with a LD50 for sheep and showed no signs of envenoming. The two groups did not present clinical alterations. Results of the total leukocyte count did not present interaction or time factor effect for both groups, but there was a different action between them, with the NV group presenting more cells than the IrV group. The leukocyte increase to 13,000/ml indicates that slight leukocytosis occurred in the week after the first inoculation in the NV group. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in the absolute count of segmented neutrophils, eosinophils, and lymphocytes but there were statistically significant oscillations in values at the different collecting times. The NV group presented an increase in the absolute neutrophil count after the first inoculation that persisted for 5 weeks. In the IrV group, the increase in neutrophils occurred only in the first week returning to normal in the following weeks. The alterations in the neutrophil count are indicative of systemic inflammatory response related to cytokine release; response was more marked in the NV group, showing its greater toxicity.

Identification, characterization and expression analysis of hepcidin gene in sheep

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

DERMOID CYST IN SHEEP - A CASE REPORT

Stelmann U.J.P., Silva A.A, Souza B.G., Oliveira G.F., Mello E.B.F.R.B, Souza G.C.J. & Hess T.M. Dermoid cyst in sheep - A Case Report. [Cisto dermoide em ovino - Relato de Caso]. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinaria, 34(2):127-130, 2012. Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciencia, Tecnologia e Inovacao em Agropecuaria, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, BR 465, Km 7, Seropedica, RJ 23890-000, Brasil. E-mail: stelmann.ppgctia@gmail.comA dermoid cyst is a non-neoplasic, benign dermatologic injury. This article describes the finding of a dermoid cyst that was surgically extracted in a nine months aged ewe. The patient was admitted to the Large Animal Veterinary Hospital Department at the Federal Rural of Rio de Janeiro University, with a history of a non-healing wound that also contained fur. The ewe was referred to the surgical service and the histopathologic analysis of the lesion revealed a structure lined by stratified epithelium containing hair follicles, sudoriparous and sebaceous glands, which are conclusive for a dermoid cyst diagnosis.

First identification of Sarcocystis tenella (Railliet, 1886) Moule, 1886 (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) by PCR in naturally infected sheep from Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with neosporosis in sheep and dogs from farms

This study aimed to establish the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with neosporosis in sheep and dogs from rural properties. 1497 blood samples were collected from sheep and 42 from dogs that cohabited with sheep from 16 farms located in the central region of São Paulo State, Brazil. For the detection of N. caninum antibodies it was performed the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT >= 25). For the epidemiological study it was applied a questionnaire for the owners or responsible from the sheep and dogs regarding informations related to neosporosis. The seroprevalence obtained out of the 1497 sheep sera tested was 8.0% (CI95% = 6.7-9.2%) and out of the 42 dogs 4.8% (CI95% = 0-7.2%). Variables statistically related to seropositivity for N. caninum in sheep were: dams well as water supply (P = 0.0004; OR = 2.15), presence of other domestic canids (P = 0.0013; OR = 2.38) and presence of reproductive problems (P = 0.0031; OR = 1.75). (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Genotypic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in sheep from Brazilian slaughterhouses: New atypical genotypes and the clonal type II strain identified

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Serological profile of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infection in commercial sheep from São Paulo State, Brazil

Neosporosis and toxoplasmosis are two important infections in young and adult sheep, leading to low production and abortion. This study aimed to determine the frequency of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in sheep from the eastern region of São Paulo State, Brazil. Serum samples (382) were collected from the sheep and assayed for T. gondii through modified agglutination test (MAT) and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), and for N. caninum antibodies, through IFAT, with cut-off titers equal to 16 (T. gondii) and 25 (N. caninum). All frozen samples were sent to the Center for Zoonoses Research (NUPEZO), Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health (DHSVP), FMVZ, UNESP, for serological tests. A total of 71/382(18.6%) samples reacted to T. gondii, especially at titers 16 (28; 39.4%), 64(15; 21.1%), 256 (21; 29.6%) and 1024 (6; 8.5%) by MAT, and 16(34: 47.9%), 64 (18; 25.4%), 256 (14; 19.7%) and 1024 (5; 7%) by IFAT. As regards N. caninum, 49/382 (12.8%) samples reacted at titers 25 (17; 34.7%), 50 (11; 22.5%), 100 (11; 22.5%), and >= 200 (10; 20.4%). These animals presented infection but no clinical signs. Six and ten animals had high titers for toxoplasmosis and neosporosis. No significant association was observed between antibodies for both parasites (P = 0.535) according to Fisher's exact test, and no correlation was found between T. gondii (MAT) and N. caninum antibody titers (r = -0.0068; P=0.895), T. gondii (IFAT) and N. caninum antibody titers (r = -0.0025; P = 0.961). Thus, T. gondii and N. caninum infections were observed in farms located in São Paulo State, where sheep play an important economical role for the national and regional business. (C) 2010 Elsevier By. All rights reserved.

Dinâmica do peso e da condição corporal e eficiência reprodutiva de ovelhas da raça Santa Inês e mestiças Santa Inês-Suffolk submetidas a dois sistemas de alimentação em intervalos entre partos de 8 meses

O trabalho teve como objetivo comparar a eficiência produtiva e reprodutiva de ovelhas em dois sistemas de alimentação. Noventa e oito matrizes da raça Santa Inês e trinta e nove mestiças Suffolk (3/4 Suffolk + 1/4 Santa Inês) foram divididas em dois tratamentos: tratamento 1 (T1) - mantidas em pastagem, com suplementação de silagem de capim elefante na seca invernal, e tratamento 2 (T2) -mantidas em pastagem, com suplementação de silagem de capim elefante na seca invernal e de concentrado três semanas antes e durante a estação de monta, três semanas antes do parto e durante a lactação. Verificou-se diferença (P<0,05) entre peso inicial (PI) (52,5kg e 54,33kg), e peso final (PF) (53,38kg e 55,76kg) para T1 e T2, respectivamente. Houve efeito de genótipo (P<0,05), sendo PI 51,46 kg para a raça Santa Inês (SI) e 55,38kg para as mestiças Santa Inês-Suffolk (SF). Para PF, observou-se 52,36kg para a Santa Inês e 56,78kg na mestiça Santa Inês-Suffolk. O peso pré-parto (PPP) diferiu (P<0,05) apenas entre as estações, tendo sido de 65,23kg na estação reprodutiva I (2 a 4/2002), 58,15kg na estação reprodutiva II (10 a 12/2002) e 59,73kg na estação reprodutiva III (6 a 8/2003). No peso pós-parto (PPART), também ocorreram diferenças (P<0,05) entre a raça Santa Inês (53,59kg) e a mestiça Santa Inês-Suffolk (57,05kg); no peso aos 30 dias de lactação (P30d) a Santa Inês registrou 52,94kg e a mestiça Santa Inês-Suffolk 55,45kg. O peso aos 70 dias (P70d) de lactação foi para a Santa Inês de 50,83kg e de 53,22 kg para a mestiça Santa Inês-Suffolk; e o peso aos 100dias (P100d) de lactação foi de 51,55kg e de 53,61kg para a Santa Inês e para a mestiça Santa Inês-Suffolk, respectivamente. A condição corporal inicial (CCI) foi maior (P<0,05) para o T2 2,47 do que para o T1 2,16. Na condição corporal final (CCF), 2,19 e 2,6, respectivamente para T1 e T2, mas os tratamentos não diferiram na condição corporal pré-parto (CCPP). A CCI 2,4 para a mestiça Santa Inês-Suffolk foi (P<0,05) em relação a Santa Inês 2,22. A CCF da mestiça Santa Inês-Suffolk de 2,49 também foi maior (P<0,05) que da Santa Inês que obteve 2,3, mas não diferiram na CCPP. em relação as três estações reprodutivas, apenas na estação I a CCI 2,55, CCF 2,8 e a CCPP 3,03 foram maiores (P<0,05). Já as estações reprodutivas II= 2,47 e III= 2,1 diferiram somente na CCPP que foi menor na estação III. Na estação I e T1 ambos os genótipos obtiveram 72,5% de fertilidade e o T2 apresentou para as mestiças Santa Inês-Suffolk 77% e para a Santa Inês 88%. Na estação II o T1 obteve para as mestiças Santa Inês-Suffolk 42% e para as Santa Inês 38% e o T2 resultou em 56 e 50% para as mestiças Santa Inês-Suffolk e Santa Inês respectivamente. Na estação III a fertilidade do T1 foi para as mestiças 60% e para as Santa Inês 54% e o T2 87% e 76% para as mestiças e Santa Inês respectivamente. Encontrou-se diferença na prolificidade, entre os tratamentos, sendo na estação I a prolificidade foi de 1,20 e 1,55, na estação II foi 0,90 e 1,03 e na estação III obteve-se 1,11 e 1,14, respectivamente para o T1 e T2. Concluiu-se que a suplementação melhorou o desempenho reprodutivo das ovelhas.

Stable isotopes for determining carbon turnover in sheep feces and blood

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

New Nanostructured Silica Adjuvant (SBA-15) Employed to Produce Antivenom in Young Sheep Using Crotalus durissus terrificus and Apis mellifera Venoms Detoxified by Cobalt-60

Equine antivenom is considered the only treatment for animal-generated envenomations, but it is costly. The study aimed to produce Apis mellifera (Africanized honeybee) and Crotalus durissus terrificus (C.d.t.) antivenoms using nanostructured silica (SBA-15) as adjuvant and cobalt-60 (60Co)-detoxified venoms utilizing young sheep. Natural and 60Co-irradiated venoms were employed in four different hyperimmunization protocols. Thus, 8 groups of 60- to 90-d-old sheep were hyperimmunized, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) serum titers collected every 14 d were assessed clinically daily, and individual weight were measured, until d 84. Incomplete Freund's (IFA) and nanostructured silica (SBA15) adjuvants were compared. The lethal dose (LD50) for both venoms was determined following intraperitoneal (ip) administration to mice. High-performance liquid chromatography on reversed phase (HPLC-RP) was used also to measure the 60Co irradiation effects on Apis venom. At the end of the study, sheep were killed in a slaughterhouse. Kidneys were histologically analyzed. LD50 was 5.97 mg/kg Apis and 0.07 mg/kg C.d.t. for native compared to 13.44 mg/kg Apis and 0.35 mg/kg C.d.t. for irradiated venoms. HPLC revealed significant differences in chromatographic profiles between native and irradiated Apis venoms. Native venom plus IFA compared with SBA-15 showed significantly higher antibody titers for both venoms. Apis-irradiated venom plus IFA or SBA-15 displayed similar antibody titers but were significantly lower when compared with native venom plus IFA. Weight gain did not differ significantly among all groups. 60Co irradiation decreased toxicity and maintained venom immunogenic capacity, while IFA produced higher antibody titers. SBA-15 was able to act as an adjuvant without producing adverse effects. Hyperimmunization did not affect sheep weight gain, which would considerably reduce the cost of antiserum production, as these sheep were still approved for human consumption even after being subjected to hyperimmunization.

Radiographic measurement of tibial joint angles in sheep

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Viability of OPS Vitrified Sheep Embryos After Direct Transfer

The aim of this study was to evaluate the viability in the effect of open pulled straw (OPS) vitrification procedure of sheep embryos after direct transference. Embryos were produced in vivo and cryopreserved in slow freezing or OPS vitrification. The survival rates of cryopreserved embryos were compared to non-frozen standard pattern. In a first set of experiments, embryos at morula and blastocyst stages were dived in ethylene glycol (1.5 M) and frozen in an automatic freezer. After being thawed, they were directly or indirectly transferred to ewes recipient. A second group of embryos were drawn into OPS and plunged into liquid nitrogen after being exposed at room temperature for 1 min and 45 s in 10% EG plus 10% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), then again for 30 s in 20% EG + 20% DMSO + 0.5 M sucrose. After being warmed, embryos were also directly transferred using a French mini straw as the catheter for the transplantation process or after in vitro dilution of cryoprotectants (two-step-process). No significant difference was observed among fresh, frozen or vitrified embryos on pregnancy rate (50.0%, 38.6% and 55.8%). However, when we evaluated only the direct transference, the pregnancy rate of OPS vitrified embryos was higher than that of frozen embryos (57.1% vs 34.8%) (p = 0.07). In addition, vitrified morulae had a higher pregnancy rate than the one with frozen embryos (64.0% vs 38.9%) (p = 0.07). Finally, our results indicate that OPS vitrification technique in association with direct transference improves the viability of sheep embryos with potential applications to field conditions.