Microbial ecology of the equine hindgut during oligofructose-induced laminitis

Alimentary carbohydrate overload is a significant cause of laminitis in horses and is correlated with drastic shifts in the composition of hindgut microbiota. Equine hindgut streptococcal species (EHSS), predominantly Streptococcus lutetiensis, have been shown to be the most common microorganisms culturable from the equine caecum prior to the onset of laminitis. However, the inherent biases of culture-based methods are estimated to preclude up to 70% of the normal caecal microbiota. The objective of this study was to evaluate bacterial population shifts occurring in the equine caecum throughout the course of oligofructose-induced laminitis using several culture-independent techniques and to correlate these with caecal lactate, volatile fatty acid and degrees of polymerization 3-7 fructo-oligosaccharide concentrations. Our data conclusively show that of the total microbiota present in the equine hindgut, the EHSS S. lutetiensis is the predominant microorganism that proliferates prior to the onset of laminitis, utilizing oligofructose to produce large quantities of lactate. Population shifts in lactobacilli and Escherichia coli subpopulations occur secondarily to the EHSS population shifts, thus confirming that lactobacilli and coliforms have no role in laminitis. A large, curved, Gram-negative rod previously observed during the early phases of laminitis induction was most closely related to the Anaerovibrio genus and most likely represents a new, yet to be cultured, genus and species. Correlation of fluorescence in situ hybridization and quantitative real-time PCR results provide evidence supporting the hypothesis that laminitis is associated with the death en masse and rapid cell lysis of EHSS. If EHSS are lysed, liberated cellular components may initiate laminitis.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of hindgut bacteria associated with the development of equine laminitis

In the article 'Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of hindgut bacteria associated with the development of equine laminitis' (Milinovich et al., 2007), it is found that with reference to Horse 1, the histological signs of laminitis were first observed at 12 h post-oligofructose administration, and not 30 h as was indicated in the Results section under the subheading 'Induction of Laminitis' and in Fig. 1.

Horsing around – Using equine facilitated learning to support the development of social-emotional competence of students at risk of school failure

The social-emotional issues some students experience can place them at risk of school failure. Traditional methods of support can be ineffective or not sustainable and new alternative approaches need to be attempted to support social-emotional competency, school engagement and success for students at risk. This paper discusses preliminary outcomes of an equine facilitated learning (EFL) programme specifically designed to focus on using horses to improve the resilience and social-emotional competency in students perceived as ‘at risk’ of school failure. This qualitative exploratory study used interviews and observations over a six month period to listen to the voices of the students themselves about their experiences of EFL. Initial findings from the pilot study suggest that EFL programmes can be a novel and motivating way to promote resilience training and social-emotional development of students at risk of failure and, in turn, improve their level of engagement and connection with school environments.

Isolation of bovine herpesvirus type 5 from the semen of a healthy bull in Australia.

Artificial insemination is widely used in the cattle industry and a major challenge is to ensure that semen is free of infectious agents. A healthy donor bull was tested for freedom from infectious agents. A bovine herpesvirus was isolated in testis cells and identified as bovine herpesvirus type 5 (BoHV-5) by polymerase chain reaction and by direct amplicon sequencing. The amplicon sequence shared 100% similarity with the published sequence of BoHV-5. This is the first report in Australia of BoHV-5 in semen. The implications of this finding are discussed.

The first five days: field and laboratory investigations during the early stages of the equine influenza outbreak in Australia, 2007.

Until August 2007, Australia was one of only three countries internationally recognised to be free of equine influenza (EI). This report documents the diagnosis of the first cases of EI in Australian horses and summarises the investigations that took place over the next 5 days. During that time, a multifocal outbreak was identified across eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland. The use of an influenza type A pan-reactive real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction allowed rapid confirmation of suspect cases of EI.

The August 2007 equine influenza response management framework.

This section outlines the most important issues addressed in the management of the response in the two infected states, New South Wales and Queensland. There were differences in the management of the response between the states for logistic, geographic and organisation structural reasons. Issues included the use of control centres, information centres, the problems associated with the lack of trained staff to undertake all the roles, legislative issues, controls of horse movements, the availability of resources for adequate surveillance, the challenges of communication between disparate groups and tracing the movements of both humans and horses.

High-level coordination and strategy in the 2007 equine influenza outbreak response.

The equine influenza (EI) outbreak presented many challenges that required high-level coordination and decision making, as well as the development of new approaches for satisfactory and consistent resolution. This paper outlines the elements of the national coordination arrangements, preparatory arrangements in place prior to the outbreak that facilitated national coordination, and some of the issues faced and resolved in the response.

Significant features of the epidemiology of equine influenza in Queensland, Australia, 2007.

An outbreak of equine influenza (EI) caused by influenza A H3N8 subtype virus occurred in the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales in August 2007. Infection in the Australian horse population was associated with the introduction of infection by horses from overseas. The first case of EI in Queensland was detected on 25 August 2007 at an equestrian sporting event. Infection subsequently spread locally and to other clusters through horse movements prior to the implementation of an official standstill. There were five main clusters of infected properties during this outbreak and several outliers, which were investigated to find the potential mechanism of disease spread. To contain the outbreak, Queensland was divided into infection status zones, with different movement controls applied to each zone. Vaccination was implemented strategically in infected areas and within horse subpopulations. Control and eventual eradication of EI from Queensland was achieved through a combination of quarantine, biosecurity measures, movement control, rapid diagnostic testing and vaccination.

Follicle stimulating hormone secretion and dominant follicle growth during treatment of Bos indicus heifers with intra-vaginal progesterone releasing devices, oestradiol benzoate, equine chorionic gonadotrophin and prostaglandin F-2 alpha

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects on follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion and dominant follicle (OF) growth, of treatment of Bos indicus heifers with different combinations of intra-vaginal progesterone releasing devices (IPRD), oestradiol benzoate (ODB), PGF(2 alpha), and eCG. Two-year-old Brahman (BN; n=30) and Brahman-cross (BNX; n=34) heifers were randomly allocated to three IPRD-treatments: (i) standard-dose IPRD [CM 1.56 g; 1.56 g progesterone (P-4); n = 17]; (ii) half-dose IPRD (CM 0.78 g; 0.78 g p(4); n=15); (iii) half-dose IPRD + 300 IU eCG at IPRD removal (CM 0.78 g+G; n=14); and, (iv) non-IPRD control (2 x PGF(2 alpha); n=18) 500 mu g cloprostenol on Days -16 and -2. IPRD-treated heifers received 250 mu g PGF(2 alpha) at IPRD insertion (Day 10) and IPRD removal (Day -2) and 1 mg ODB on Day -10 and Day -1. Follicular dynamics were monitored daily by trans-rectal ultrasonography from Day -10 to Day 1. Blood samples for determination of P-4 were collected daily and samples for FSH determination were collected at 12 h intervals from Day -9 to Day -2. A significant surge in concentrations of FSH was observed in the 2 x PGF(2 alpha), treatment 12 h prior and 48 h after follicular wave emergence, but not in the IPRD-treated heifers. Estimated mean concentrations of total plasma P-4 during the 8 days of IPRD insertion was greater (P<0.001) in the CM 1.56 g P-4 treated heifers compared to the CM 0.78 g P-4 treated heifers (18.38 ng/ml compared with 11.09 ng/ml, respectively). A treatment by genotype interaction (P=0.036) was observed in the mean plasma P4 concentration in heifers with no CL during IPRD insertion, whereby BN heifers in the CM 1.56 g treatment had greater plasma P-4 than the BNX heifers on Days-9, -7, -6, -5, and -4. However, there was no genotype effect in the CM 0.78 g +/- G or the 2 x PGF(2 alpha) treatment. Treatment had no effect on the DF growth from either day of wave emergence (P=0.378) or day of IPRD removal (P=0.780) to ovulation. This study demonstrates that FSH secretion in B. indicus heifers treated with a combination of IPRD's and ODB to synchronise ovulation was suppressed during the period of IPRD insertion but no significant effect on growth of the DF was observed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis in three horses in Australia

Background Equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) is a recently described form of interstitial pneumonia associated with the presence of equine herpesvirus type 5 (EHV-5). Since 2007, several case reports from America, Europe and the United Kingdom have further characterised the clinical presentation and laboratory findings of this disease. Case reports Three Thoroughbred broodmares were diagnosed with EMPF. Diagnosis was based on lung histopathology and positive identification of EHV-5 using PCR DNA amplification. There was multiple organ involvement in all three cases, including identification of EHV-5 in hepatic tissue in one case. Two of the three horses died. Treatment with acyclovir was unsuccessful in one horse and one horse survived without antiviral or corticosteroid treatment. Conclusion This case series is, to the authors' knowledge, the first report of EMPF in Australia and adds to the clinical description of the disease.

Two levels of MCT1 and CD147 expression in the equine red blood cells and muscle

Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs), especially the isoforms MCT1 - MCT4, cotransport lactate and protons across the cell membranes. They are thus essential for pH regulation and homeostasis in glycolytic cells such as red blood cells (RBCs), and skeletal muscle cells during intense exercise. In 70% of the Standardbred horses the lactate transport activity (TA) in RBCs is high and transport is mediated mainly by MCTs. In the rest 30% of the Standardbreds MCT mediated transport route is not active and the TA is low. MCTs need an ancillary protein for their proper localization and functioning in the plasma membrane. The ancillary protein for MCT1 and MCT4 is a member of immunoglobulin superfamily, CD147. Here we determined the expression of MCT isoforms and CD147 in equine RBCs and gluteal muscle. We sequenced the cDNA of horse MCT1 and CD147 to achieve horse-specific antibodies and to reveal sequence variations that may affect the TA of RBCs. The amount of MCT1 and CD147 mRNA in muscle were also studied. ---- In all, 73 horses representing different breeds were used. Blood samples were drawn from the jugular vein and muscle samples were taken either from gluteal muscle using biopsy needle or during castration from expendable cremaster muscle. The TA of RBCs was studied using radiolabeled lactate and the amount of MCT isoforms and CD147 in the plasma membranes using Western blotting. The level of mRNA in muscle cells was determined using qPCR. Isoforms MCT1 and MCT2 were found in the RBCs and isoforms MCT1 and MCT4 in the muscle cells of horses. The TA of RBCs was dependent on the expression of CD147 and MCT1 in the plasma membrane. Sequence variations were found in the cDNA of both MCT1 and CD147, but they did not explain the inactivity of MCT1 mediated transport route. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) Met125Val in CD147 that existed parallel with an SNP in 3´-untranslated region explained, however, attenuation in CD147 expression in Standardbreds. A single mutation Ile51Val also decreased the expression of CD147 in one Warmblood. The MCT1 and CD147 mRNA concentrations in the gluteal muscle were higher in horses with higher MCT1 and CD147 expression in RBCs and lower in horses with minor expression of CD147 and MCT1. This suggests that the bimodal distribution of TA is due to differences in transcriptional regulation that is functioning in parallel in MCT1 and CD147 gene.

Comparación de índices productivos y reproductivos de monta natural e inseminación artificial con semen congelado en cerdos

El presente trabajo de tesis se realizó en la granja experimental porcina MAGFOR-Misión China de la república de Taiwán, ubicada en Cofradía. El estudio consistió en la evaluación de los parámetros reproductivos en grupos de cerdas obtenidos por inseminación artificial y grupos obtenidos a través de la monta natural, también se aborda el tema de la consanguinidad y sus consecuencias como un factor negativo en la fijación de caracteres indeseables, esto sucede en las poblaciones en las que existe una alta homocigosis debido al origen común del material genético (padres emparentados). Las variables evaluadas en el presente trabajo fueron: tamaño de la camada al nacimiento, peso promedio de los lechones al nacimiento, peso promedio de los lechones al destete e intervalo parto parto. para el análisis estadístico se elaboraron tablas de contingencias por cada una de las variables con base en los promedios. Para la variable tamaño de la camada al nacimiento se obtuvo para el tratamiento inseminación artificial un promedio de 9.16 lechones y para la monta natural un promedio de 9.89 lechones al contrastar las medias de los dos tratamientos se obtuvo un valor de t de 0.88 que comparado con el valor tabulado al 5% resulto no significativo al observar el comportamiento de las diferentes razas ,la yorkshire obtuvo los mayores promedios en inseminación el caso especifico de esta habían muy pocos ejemplares 6 . Se trabajo en condiciones normales de producción lo cual pudo influir en estos resultados debido al tamaiio de la muestra en esta raza. Los resultados para la variable peso promedio de los lechones al nacimiento, arrojaron un promedio de 1.76 Kg. para las camadas obtenidas por inseminación artificial y 1.67kg para las obtenidas por el método de monta natural en las observaciones de los promedios por razas, se obtuvo el mayor peso a favor de la raza Landrace con 1.99 Kg. seguido de la raza duroc con 1.85 Kg. en el tratamiento de inseminación artificial, y para la monta natural el menor peso lo obtuvo la raza duroc con 1.44 Kg. y elmayor peso fue también la raza Landrace. la raza Yorkshire mostró un comportamiento similar tanto en inseminacion artificial, como en monta natural. Para la variable peso promedio de los lechones al destete, se obtuvo un peso promedio de 7.39 Kg. para los lechones obtenidos por el método de inseminacion artificial y un peso promedio de 6.71 Kg. en el caso de lechones obtenidos por monta natural al evaluar las razas, la raza Landrace obtuvo el mayor peso al destete con 8.01 Kg. como era de esperar al obtener los mayores promedios en peso al nacimiento esto fue para las camadas obtenidas por inseminacion artificial. en el caso. de los lechones obtenidos mediante la monta natural el mayor peso correspondió a la raza Hampshire pudiendo haber influido el numero de lechones, ya que esta fue la que presento el menor numero la raza Yorkshire tuvo en este caso un comportamiento similar en los dos tratamientos. Para la variable intervalo parto-parto, en el caso de las cerdas servidas por el método de inseminacion artificial presentaron un IPP de 5.52 meses o sea 167 días y las cerdas servidas por monta natural obtuvieron un IPP de5.01 meses o 152 días. En la prueba de hipótesis tanto como el contraste de varianza, los resultados fueron significativos y una diferencia de 15 días vacíos en una hembra eleva los costos de producción de una manera considerable por esta razón un IPP como el de la inseminación artificial solo se justifica en la granja experimental porcina en un numero especifico de cerdas elite y como apoyo al mejoramiento genético del hato porcino de esta así como del hato nacional.

Establecimiento de técnica de extracción de semen en gallos criollos e inseminación artificial en gallinas criollas en Nejapa - Managua

La inseminación artificial es una técnica que fue desarrollada en la década de los años treinta utilizando el método descrito por Buno\VS y Quinn (1937), consistía en practicarle masajes abdominales y en la cloaca tanto al ave macho como a la hembra Este trabajo de investigación que tiene por título: Establecimiento de técnicas de extracción de semen en gallos criollos e inseminación artificial en gallinas criollas, fue investigado con los tines de realizar la técnica inseminación artificial en gallinas criollas que no se utiliza en nuestro país, y también comprobar que esta tiene resultado positivo. En la investigación se trabajo con 10 gallinas y 2 gallos en donde se divide dos tratamientos: 1er tratamiento monta natural que se utilizaron 5 gallinas y un gallo, 2do tratamiento Inseminación artificial que se utilizaron 5 gallinas y un gallo Los cuales fueron seleccionados con Jónne parámetros establecidos En el tratamiento en la monta natural las gallinas estaban en manejo tradicional y la alimenticio ad-libitum y copulacion natural de gallo. Mientras que en 2do tratamiento para el gallo de la inseminación se le realizo un adiestramiento durante 6 meses para lograr la obtención de semen puro posteriormente inseminar a las gallinas destinadas para el 2do tratamiento. En los resultados de la variable de incubación de cada tratamiento se valoró la diferencia de los tratamiento empleados, mostrando que en el tratamiento 1 por la monta natural (T1 M.N) fue de margen inferior de 75%, donde para el tratamiento 2 de inseminación artificial (T2 LA) un margen de superioridad reflejado en 83% Se encontró un Chi­ cuadrado de 1.7562 no significativo al5% con 1 grado de libertad,-- (filas-uno)*(columnas-1) -­ entendiéndose que las diferencias observadas en el porcentaje de huevos nacidos de cada grupo de tratamiento, así como el porcentaje de huevos no nacidos de cada grupo de tratamiento están en el rango posible de diferencias atribuibles a la casualidad propias de unidades experimentales biológicas empleando un nivel de significación del 5 % También se rellejo el porcentaje de huevos incubables fue para(T1 M.N) 35% y ("12 LA) 31%, para mortalidad embrionaria se determino un 32%(T1 M.N)y el 20% para elpara(T2I.A). En elcomportamiento reproductivo se constato que para (T1 M.N) un margen de 28- 15 huevos y para (T2 LA) un margen de 24- 13 huevos. Concluyendo que la técnica de inseminación attiticial se puede realizar, y puede ser beneficiosa, pero a niveles industriales o en aves de razas debido a que los costos son significativamente costosos no siendo viable para los pequeños productores de gallinas de patio