Equine neosporosis: search for antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid and sera from animals with history of ataxia

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

COX-2 Inhibitors for Cancer Treatment in Dogs

Cancer is one of the main causes of death in canines and felines, and this fact is probably related to the increase in the longevity of these species. The longer the animals live, the higher the exposure to carcinogenic agents will be. With the high incidence of cancer in companion animals, new studies are currently being performed with the aim of finding therapeutic options which make the complete inhibition of the development of neoplasms in animals possible in the future. The correlation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) whith the development of cancer opens the way for the use of new therapeutic approaches. This relationship has been suggested based on various studies which established an association between the chronic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and a decrease in the incidence of colon carcinoma. As cancer progresses, COX-2 participates in the arachidonic acid metabolism by synthesizing prostaglandins which can mediate various mechanisms related to cancer development such as: increase in angiogenesis, inhibition of apoptosis, suppression of the immune response, acquisition of greater invasion capacity and metastasis. Accordingly, overexpression of this enzyme in tumors has been associated with the most aggressive, poor-prognosis cancer types, especially carcinomas. Therefore, treatments which use COX-2 inhibitors such as coxibs, whether administered as single agents or in combination with conventional antineoplastic chemotherapy, are an alternative for extending the survival of our cancer patients.

Mycobacterium DNA detection in liver and skin of a horse with generalized sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a rare equine skin disease characterized primarily by an exfoliative and granulomatous dermatitis but also presenting granulomatous inflammation of multiple systems. The current report presents the clinical and histopathological findings of sarcoidosis in a 16-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding with nested polymerase chain reaction Mycobacterium spp. DNA detection within hepatic and skin samples. Mycobacterium spp. may play a role in the pathogenesis of equine sarcoidosis as has been proposed for human sarcoidosis.

Imunomarcação de células CD3+ e CD79a+ nas lesões descamativas e ulcerativas de cães com leishmaniose

Canine visceral leishmaniasis is an endemic infectious disease in some regions from São Paulo state and even though it is a systemic disease, in the dog, the main clinical sign is dermatological. Thirty dogs with positive results in serology (IFI) and parasitological exams (fine needle aspiration) for leishmaniasis from Aracatuba city were evaluated. They only showed dermatological signs and were divided in two groups, one with exfoliative (n=15) and other with ulcerative (n=15) lesions. There was significant statistical difference between CD3 and CD79a population in the same dermatological pattern, and with CD79a population between exfoliative and ulcerative patterns (p<0,05).

Tristeza Parasitária em bovinos na região de Botucatu – SP: estudo retrospectivo de 1986 – 2007

A retrospective study of Cattle Tick Fever was made with animals up to one year old, which occurred from 1986-2007 in Botucatu-SP in the influence area of the Veterinary Hospital of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science - UNESP. There were 232 cases and 57 deaths. The main etiological agent causing the disease on this region is Anaplasma marginale identified as a single agent in 31.5% of the cases. Most of the cases occurred on autumn in mixed-blood animals two to six months old. Predominant clinical signs included apathy, hyporexia or anorexia, dehydration, weight loss and pale mucosa. The high incidence and mortality observed justify prophylactic actions to have the balance between host, agent, vector, and environment, thus avoiding the clinical form of disease and death of livestock herds in the region.

Cutaneous myxosarcoma in a Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

The pathological findings in a 2-years-old Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) with a cutaneous myxosarcoma are described. Grossly, there was a large cutaneous mass in the right cervical region. Microscopical evaluation revealed a myxosarcoma characterized by pleomorphic, fusiform cells loosely arranged, randomly distributed, and presenting a moderate amount of basophilic amorphous stroma. There were hemorrhagic areas within the tumor. The basophilic amorphous stroma was positive to Alcian blue confirming the presence of a mucopolysaccharide matrix. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells expressed vimentin, and were negative for cytokeratin or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).

Intoxicação por metronidazol em cão - relato de caso

Metronidazole is a nitronidazolic antibiotic used in veterinary medicine to the treatment of a variety of diseases. The cause of metronidazole neurotoxicity has not been determined. We report the case of a dog, female, Teckel, five-year-old, with a history of dorsiflexion of the tail, ataxia, muscle stiffness, recumbency, vertical nystagmus, apathy and anorexia, which was being medicated for seven days with metronidazole in a dose higher than the maximum recommended, and the neurological signs began after this period. Neurological signs were consistent with central vestibular dysfunction caused by metronidazole, such as ataxia and vertical nystagmus. In addition to the neurological changes, the clinical signs of anorexia and apathy are consistent with the administration of excessive doses of the medicine. The diagnosis of metronidazole-induced toxicosis is based on the history of normal to increased doses, clinical signs and resolution after discontinuation of the drug. In general, the prognosis is good after drug withdrawal and early diagnosis. Some dogs may die and others may recover completely. The neurotoxicosis has disappeared after the suspension of the medicine and supportive treatment. Veterinarians must be aware of potential complications associated with the use of this medicine, as well as limit their chronic use or high doses for the most severe cases, and diagnose the problem as quickly as possible to institute an early treatment.

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.

Avaliação da monensina sódica em vacas leiteiras

Utilizaram-se quinze vacas da raça Holandesa, submetidas a três tratamentos: T1-controle, T2-monensina sódica 300 mg/animal/dia, T3-monensina sódica 225 mg/animal/dia. A produção de leite, consumo de ração e o peso dos animais foram mensurados, juntamente com a avaliação da condição corporal Após o período experimental de 112 dias, evidenciou-se aumento na produção de leite de 13,5% e 10% (T2) em relação a TI e T3 respectivamente. Houve redução de consumo de ração de 4,5% (T2) e 3% (T3) em relação ao controle.

Desempenho, fibras musculares e carne de bovinos jovens de três grupos genéticos

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

Selection of X chromosome of buffaloes sperm with Percoll gradients

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the selection of X chromosome of buffaloes sperm with Percoll gradients. The stock solution of Percoll was prepared in the proportion of 1:11 (1 part of Percoll:11 parts of a solution containing KCl 1M, NaH(2)PO(4) 0.1M, NaCl 1.5M and sodium HEPES 23.8 g/ml). In order to prepare 9 different gradients were added to the stocked Percoll the A solution (glicine-yolk extender) in the following proportions: 90, 80, 72, 65, 57, 49, 34 and 25%. A sample of 0.7 ml of the fresh semen was deposited at 2 ml of Percoll 80% for the sperm wash. The precipitate was put in tube with 0.7 ml of each gradient. Then, the precipitated was washed in TES solution by centrifugation (500xg for 10 minutes), and collected again and diluted in TES solution to be freeze. The presence of the F body in the spermatozoa was observed in 58.7 +/- 5.4% of the control group and in 41.2 +/- 5.4% of the treated group (p<0.01). This result showed an increment of 17.55 of male sperm in the Percoll's group. The reduction of the centrifugation force did not improve the percentage of X sperm.

Parturition intervals and distributions of parturitions by months of buffalo in Southern and South-eastern Brazil

Reproductive rate is an important component of economic success in livestock production. Parturition interval (IEP) is a direct measure of the productivity of the animal. Long IEP reduce the number of calves produced per year. The objective this study was to determine the distribution of parturitions across month and to evaluate factors affecting IEP. The data included 7,588 parturitions of Murrah, Mediterranean and Carabobo buffalo from 10 herds in Southern and South-eastern Brazil. The analysis of distribution of parturitions evaluated the effects of month, year and their interaction on birth date of calves by using a Chi-Square test in SAS PROC FREQ (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Parturition intervals (n = 2,630) were evaluated using analysis of variance in SAS PROC GLM. The model for IEP included the fixed effects of season (December to May = 1, June to November = 2), year, season x year, sex of the preceding parturition, age of weaning of the previous calf, and herd. All sources of variation were significant (P<0.0001) except sex of the preceding parturition (P <0.85). The mean IEP was 446.7 +/- 10.4 days, for seasons 1 and 2 IEP were 419.8 +/- 11.3 and 473.6 +/- 40.7 days, respectively, a difference of 54 days. As weaning age increased there was a lengthening of IEP. Buffalo in Brazil showed seasonal parturition with calving concentrated from January to April, although the frequency by month differed across years (P<0.0001). These months also had the lowest calving interval.

Evaluation of water beef buffalo from birth to two years using different growth curves

The buffalo is a domestic animal species of growing world-wide importance. Research to improve genetic improvement programs is important to maintain the productivity of buffalo. The objective this research was to evaluate the growth of Brazilian buffalo to two years of age with different growth curves. Growth curves consolidate the information contained in the weight-age data into three or four biologically meaningful parameters. The data included 31,452 weights at birth and 120, 205, 365, 550 and 730 days of buffalo (n = 5,178) raised on pasture without supplementation. Logistic, Gompertz, quadratic logarithmic, and linear hyperbolic curves (designated L, G, QL, and LH, respectively) were fitted to the data by using proc NUN of SAS (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The parameters estimates for L [WT= A * (((1 + exp (-k * AGE)))**-m)] were A = 865.1 +/- 5.42; k= 0.0028 +/- 0.00002; M= 3.808 +/- 0.007; R(2) = 0.95. For G [WT= A * exp (-b * exp (-k * age)] the parameters estimates were A= 967.6 +/- 7.23; k = 0.00217 +/- 0.000015; b = -2.8152 +/- 0.00532. For QL [WT= A + b*age + k*(age*age) + m*log (age)] parameters estimates were A= 37.41 +/- 0.48; k= 0.00019 +/- 6.4E(-6); b= 0.539 +/- 0.006; m= 2.32 +/- 0.23; R(2)=0.96. For LH [WT= A + b*AGE + k*(1/AGE)] the parameters estimates were A= 23.15 +/- 0.44; k=15.16 +/- 0.66; b= 0.707 +/- 0.001; R(2)= 0.96. Each of these curves fit these data equally well and could be used for characterizing growth to two years in beef buffalo.

Evaluation of development traits of beef buffalo in Brazil using multivariate analysis

The buffalo population in Brazil increased about 12.9% between 1998 and 2003, to 2.8 million head, evidencing the importance of this species for the country. The objective this work was evaluation of animal growth using multivariate analysis. The data were from 2,944 water buffalo from 10 herds raised in pasture conditions in Brazil. Principal components and genetic distances were estimated using proc PRINCOMP and proc CANDISC in SAS (SAS Inst. Inc. Cary, NC, USA). Variables analyzed were birth weight (BW), age at weaning (AW), weaning weight (WT), weight adjusted to 205 d (W205), total gain between BW and WT (TG), daily gain between BW and WT (DG), weight adjusted to 365 d (W365), total gain between WT and W365 (TG3), daily gain between WT and W365 (TGD3), weight adjusted to 550 d (W550) and weight adjusted to 730 d (W730). Means and standard deviations for each variable were 39.4 +/- 3.2 kg, 225.6 +/- 38.8 d, 209.4 +/- 39.4 kg, 195.4 +/- 30.2 kg, 157.4 +/- 32.0 kg, 0.77 +/- 0.16 kg/d, 282.0 +/- 43.5 kg, 73.9 +/- 33.9 kg, 0.53 +/- 0.21 kg/d, 406.8 +/- 67.9 kg, and 468.2 +/- 70.6 kg, respectively. The eigenvalues to four first principal components were 5.29, 2.54, 1.66, 1.01, and justify 48%, 23%, 15% and 9%, respectively, with a total cumulative 95%. We created an index using the first principal component which is Y. 0.0552 BW + 0.0438 AW + 0.3142 WT + 0.3549 W205 + 0.3426 TG + 0.3426 DG + 0.4070 W365- 0.1531 TG3 - 0.2059 TGD3 - 0.3833 W550 - 0.3966 W730. This index accounted for 48% the variation in the correlation matrix. This principal component emphasizes early growth of the animal. Estimates the pair-wise squared distances between herds, D2(i vertical bar j)= ((x) over bar (i)-(x) over bar (j))' cov(-1)((x) over bar (i)-(x) over bar (j)), using with basis the average of weight of animals, showed the largest distance between herds eight (Murrah: DF) and seven (Murrah: Amazon) and the closest distance between herds one (Mediterranean - RS) and five (Jafarabadi - SP).

Genetic variability in Mediterranean buffalos evaluated by pedigree analysis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)