Acta Veterinaria Hungarica

MYC integrates FSH signaling network during the acquisition of oocyte competence

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Oocytes require gonadotropins to acquire the competence to sustain embryonic development. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) modulates signaling pathways in cumulus cells (CCs) for oocyte developmental competence, although the identity of transcription factors (TFs) that coordinate downstream effects remains limited. Therefore, this work was aimed to prospect TFs involved in FSH-mediated signaling during bovine oocyte maturation. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were subject to in vitro maturation with FSH (FSH+) or without (CTL) for 22h and CCs subsequently harvested for RT-qPCR. To ensure accurate RT-qPCR, three reference genes were selected using GeNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper software (ATP1A1, UBB, and YWHAZ). The FSH depletion abolished the expansion of CCs and diminished HAS2 levels (2.39-fold), thus validating the experiment. Among screened TFs, MYC was down-regulated (0.35-fold) and THAP11 was up-regulated (1.47-fold) under FSH+ conditions. In silico predictions found FSH-mediated TFs to bind to MYC and THAP11 promoters and phosphorylation sites to signaling pathways (EGFR/ERK, GSK3, PKA, and p38) that may execute post-transcription regulation. Further, MYC was predicted as part of the FSH signaling protein-protein interactome and THAP11 as an MYC-associated repressor. Hence, MYC integrates the FSH signaling network and becomes an attractive trans-acting factor to map the transcriptional changes associated with the acquisition of oocyte competence.

Factors Associated with the Seropositivity to Aino Virus in Sheep and Goats in South Korea

Jung-Yong Yeh, Jeong-Min Hwang, Yun Ji Ga — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Aino virus infection is responsible for epizootic and/or sporadic outbreaks of abortions, stillbirths, and premature births in pregnant ruminants. Because the epidemiology of Aino virus infection is poorly defined and remains unclear in South Korea, a study was designed to evaluate the seroprevalence for Aino virus in ovine and caprine species. The association of Aino virus infection with individual, management, and regional risk factors for sheep and goats was also investigated. In addition, a retrospective serosurvey was conducted. 36 of 331 flocks (10.9%) and 139 of 915 heads (15.2%) showed serum neutralizing antibodies against Aino virus. Our results revealed that the age class and history of reproductive problems in the flocks led to an increased risk of being positive. The management risk factor attributes showed that preventive measures, such as routine application of insecticide in farms, decreased the odds for seropositivity for Aino virus (OR=0.453, p=0.001). We observed a significant difference in the individual likelihood of being positive in southern and western provinces with respect to that in northern and eastern provinces, respectively (OR=2.199, p<0.001 and OR=2.177, p<0.001). The results in this retrospective study showed that seropositive rates ranged from 5.7% to 19.2% between 2003 and 2008.

Development of a chicken interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3)-specific monoclonal antibody using phage display

Byung-Hoon Jeong, Yong-Chan Kim, Min-Ju Jeong — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) has potent antiviral activity against several viruses. Recent studies have reported that the chicken IFITM3 gene also plays a pivotal role in blocking viral replication, but these studies are considerably limited due to being conducted at the RNA level. Thus, the development of a chicken IFITM3 protein-specific antibody is needed to validate the function of IFITM3 at the protein level. Epitope prediction was performed with the immune epitope database analysis resource (IEDB-AR) program. The epitope was validated by 4 in silico programs, Jped4, Clustal Omega, TMpred and SOSUI. Chicken IFITM3 protein-specific monoclonal antibodies were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) through affinity between recombinant IFITM3 protein and phage-displayed candidate antibodies. Validation of the reactivity of the chicken IFITM3 protein-specific antibody to chicken tissues was carried out using western blotting. We developed a chicken IFITM3 protein-specific monoclonal antibody using phage display. The reactivity of the antibody was confirmed in chicken peripheral tissues using western blotting. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first development of a chicken IFITM3 protein-specific monoclonal antibody using phage display.

Caffeine effects on stallion spermatozoa motility and viability in different temperature conditions

Marko Halo — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0200

The purpose of the study was to evaluate caffeine addition to stallion spermatozoa during different temperature conditions. The dose- and time-dependent effect of caffeine dissolved in physiological solution (A-0.625, B–1.25, C–2.5, D–5, E–7.5, F–10 mg/mL) on the motility and viability of stallion spermatozoa were evaluated. Control samples (CON) were prepared by diluting ejaculate only with the physiological solution. Motility parameters were evaluated by Computer Assisted Semen Analyser system, and the viability was assessed by the mitochondrial toxicity test at the end of the cultivation. Samples were evaluated after 0, 1, 2 and 3 hours of incubation at 5°C and 37°C. A positive effect of the lowest tested caffeine concentration on motility parameters was observed throughout the cultivation period at 5°C. After 3 hours of incubation viability in experimental samples with different caffeine concentrations showed decreased values compared to control at 5°C. Increased cultivation temperature (37°C) positively affected motility in samples B (P < 0.05) and D, E, F (P < 0.001) after three hours of cultivation. However, viability after three hours of cultivation had slightly decreasing tendency. Our results suggest that optimal caffeine concentration may be used as a potential suitable component of stallion semen extenders.

CAGE TRAPPING AND FIELD ANESTHESIA OF BROWN BEARS AS PART OF NUISANCE BEAR MANAGEMENT

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0200

The population and range of European brown bear Ursus arctos arctos in Slovakia is expanding and bears were observed beyond the southern border in Hungary. This study presents the author's experience of capture, field anesthesia and veterinary interventions of wild brown bears. A total of 25 bear captures and translocations were carried out using a specially designed metal cage trap. We used 3 anesthetic protocols to handle free-ranging and trapped bears. Ketamine - xylazine mixture at doses of 3.0 - 4.0 mg/kg ketamine and 1.0 - 1.5 mg/kg xylazine, for juveniles. Distant immobilization of free ranging bears usually raiding communal trash bins was performed by 2-3 ml PneuDart darts. The preferred drug combination for this was tiletamine - zolazepam - detomine (Z-D) at a dose of 3.5-5.0 mg/kg and 1.0 - 2.0 mg/kg. Anesthesia lasted from 40 to 150 min. Anesthesia in all cases was antagonized by atipamezole at a dose of 1.3 mg/kg. The Z-D mixture was shown to be an safe low volume, anesthetic protocol for darting with the possibility of partial reversal, minimal adverse effects on physiological parameters and sufficient duration. The results can be used for population managment of large carnivores in the Carpathian region.

…

Evaluation of an in-clinic antigen test in Dirofilaria immitis and/or Dirofilaria repens infected dogs

Zsolt Becker — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Blood samples of 71 dogs were examined by PCR to identify D. immitis and/or D. repens infections and by the Abaxis VetScan® Canine Heartworm Rapid Test Kit.

Twenty-six dogs were PCR positive only for D. immitis (Group 1), 21 dogs proved to be positive for D. immitis and D. repens (Group 2) and 24 dogs had only a D. repens infection (Group 3). The sensitivity of the VetScan Ag test was determined from Group 1 and 2 altogether, based on the individuals being PCR positive for D. immitis and it yielded 97.7% (95% CI 89.0% - 99.9%). The specificity of the VetScan Ag test was calculated from Group 3, and it yielded 66.7% (95% CI 45.6% - 83.1%). In the presence of D. repens infections, the VetScan Ag test produced excellent sensitivity, but moderate specificity. Six patients with negative PCR for D. immitis and positive for D. repens had positive VetScan Ag tests. These dogs were checked with other Ag tests as well and demonstrated positive results. These patients might have had occult heartworm disease and a coinciding D. repens infection.

Reproductive failure in an Austrian piglet-producing farm due to porcine circovirus genotype 2d

René Renzhammer — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Infections of pigs with the porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) can lead to various clinical conditions including reproductive disorders (PCV2-RD) via transplacental infection of foetuses mainly resulting in mummification and stillbirth. So far, PCV2-RD has mainly been described in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) herds or farms with a high proportion of gilts. From December 2018 to February 2019, a high abundance of mummified foetuses (15.5%) was observed in two farrowing groups in an Austrian piglet-producing farm. PCV2 DNA was detected using qPCR in organs of all six investigated foetuses (2.07 x 10⁸ - 1.09 x 10¹² PCV2 genome equivalents (GE)/g tissue) and in situ hybridization (ISH) in organs from five foetuses, while histologic lesions were not observed in a single foetal heart. All isolates were sequenced and identified as PCV2d. After the implementation of a regular vaccination of all sows against PCV2 the abundance of mummified foetuses dropped to 3.5% in May 2019. In contrast to previous reports about PCV2-RD, this farm was neither an SPF herd nor a start-up herd with a high proportion of gilts. The implementation of a regular PCV2 vaccination helped to reduce the abundance of mummified foetuses substantially.

Molecular evidence of the concurrent infection by Orf virus and Bovine herpesvirus-1 in goats in Turkey

B. Taylan KOÇ — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Orf is a prevalent disease among all ruminant species which particularly affects goats and sheep. Orf causes significant economic losses by its clinical symptoms although it has a low mortality rate in animals. Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) is an alphaherpesvirus which mainly causes reproductive and respiratory symptoms in cattle. However, remarkable reports have existed that BoHV-1 has circulated among other ruminant species, for instance, goats and sheep. However, BoHV-1 does not induce clinical disease in goats in contrast to ORFV. Thus, it has been aimed in this study that both to confirm ORFV by molecular analysis, and to uncover potential herpesvirus infection masked by ORFV symptoms in 82 goats that housed near to a cattle herd. Three goats were detected positive by both ORFV and BoHV-1 (3.65%), and also one goat has been found ORFV positive through polymerase chain reactions. Molecular characterizations have been performed and Neighbor-Joining (NJ) Trees were constructed. In conclusion, concurrent-infection existed by particularly subclinical chronic infections causes huge economical losses even. This study has revealed that ORFV and BoHV-1 may induce a dual infection. Thus, it should be cared for and investigated presence of seconder chronic infection in diseased goats, and prevention methods should be developed.

Kinetics of cell invasion of Yersinia ruckeri serotype O1 biotype 1 in nonphagocytic fish cell line RTG-2

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Yersiniosis caused by the fish pathogen Yersinia ruckeri, is a serious bacterial septicaemia mainly affecting salmonids worldwide. The acute infection may result in high mortality without apparent external symptoms, while the slow form shows a considerable or moderate mortality. Survivors of yersiniosis outbreaks become carriers. Y. ruckeri is able to adhere to and to invade phagocytic and nonphagocytic fish cells with unknown molecular mechanisms. The aim of this study was to describe the kinetic of cell invasion of Y. ruckeri serotype O1 biotype 1 in the rainbow trout gonads fish cell line (RTG-2). The invasion efficiency in Y. ruckeri is temperature dependent, showing a maximum invasion at 20ºC. Y. ruckeri was also able to survive up to 96 h postinfection, and the incubation of the cell line at 4ºC, pre-incubation of bacteria with sugars or heat inactivated antiserum, produced a significant decrease in the invasion efficiency or inability to invade RTG-2 cell line.

These findings indicate that Y. ruckeri is capable of adhering, entering and surviving within nonphagocytic cells, and that the intracellular environment may constitute a suitable niche for this pathogen that can favors the spread of infection and/or maintenance of a carrier state in fish.

Environmental effects, population genetic parameters, breeding values, phenotypic and genetic trends for calving interval of Limousin cows

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Some environmental effects, population genetic parameters, breeding values of Limousin breeding bulls, also phenotypic and genetic trends in the calving interval (CI) of cows between 1996 and 2016 were estimated. The study was extended to three herds and 3008 calving data of 779 cows. GLM method was used for the study of different effects, the BLUP animal model for estimation of population genetic parameters and breeding values (BV) and weighted linear regression analysis for trend calculations. The overall mean value of the CI was estimated to be 378.8±3.1 days. The heritability of CI proved to be low (h²_d = 0.03±0.02; h²_m = 0.01±0.02). The repeatability was low (R = 0.03±0.02). There were relatively small differences in the estimated BV of the studied sires for the CI. Based on the phenotypic trend calculation, the CI of cows decreased by an average of 0.60 days per year (R² = 0.19; p<0.05). In case of genetic trend calculation, the average BV of sires in CI increased 0.07 and 0.17 days per year (R² = 0.23 and 0.27; p<0.05).

Endoscopic diagnostic and surgical orbital approach in canines

Miloš Djurić; Vanja Krstic, Tatjana Lazic, Sinisa Grozdanic — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Four different endoscopic approaches were investigated in this study of video endoscopy in cadavers: dorsal transorbital ligament approach via incision of the orbital ligament (DTOLA); dorsal subpalpebral transconjunctival approach (DSTA); ventral subpalpebral transconjunctival approach (VSTA); and transoral orbital approach (TOA). Additionally, the ventral transpalpebral approach (VTA), dorsal caudal transmuscular approach (DCTA), DTOLA and DSTA were used in clinical patients.

Results: The most technically demanding approach was DTOLA, however it provided the best visualization of different anterior and posterior orbital structures. Visualization of primarily dorsal orbital wall, dorsal portion of the eye globe, and dorsal extraconal space also was achieved by DSTA. The ventral subpalpebral transconjunctival approach enabled good visualization of the ventral orbital floor, and ventral extraconal and intraconal space. In contrast, TOA provided relatively poor visualization of orbital structures, limited to the ventral orbital quadrant. Meanwhile, the VTA provided visualization similar to VSTA, while DCTA visualization was limited to the dorsal and caudal orbital space.

Conclusions: Orbital endoscopy is an effective and minimally invasive procedure that can be used for diagnostic and surgical orbital procedures. The method has the potential to dramatically reduce the risk of iatrogenic trauma to sensitive facial, ocular and periocular structures during orbital surgeries.

Pet’s owner feedback on psychological support service in an Italian veterinarian hospital

Michela Campigli, Giulia Strizzolo , Tommaso Furlanello, Stefania Uccheddu — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Emotional stress experienced by pets’ caregivers inducted by negative diagnoses, clinical problems, long-terms therapies should be taken into serious consideration by veterinarians for the risk of experiencing in such individuals incapability of dealing with such burden and reduction of compliance. Understanding the client’s affective state may enhance the veterinarian’s empathic response and effective communication. To understand better the unmet needs of clients, we collect data on service requests at the clinic and emotions that caregivers felt in the veterinarian setting. Understanding these difficulties experienced may represent a first step to inform the development of a psychological intervention targeting problems experienced by caregivers. We hypothesized that pets’ owners might be interested in psychological support provided directly by the veterinary hospital according to the service requested for the pet. Our survey showed that a large percentage of owners expressed feelings related to careviging in the veterinarian setting, unrespective of the type of assistance needed, including apparently easy procedures a non-chronic diseases. At the same time, they express a strong intention to receive a professional support. However, the crucial role of a psychological support is still difficult to accept even when it can be perceived as a right choice.