Veterinaria México OA

Expression profile of interferon-stimulated gene 15 in leukocytes during early pregnancy in Capra hircus

2024-06-21T20:31:42-05:00

Interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) is induced by conceptus-derived interferon tau (IFNT) in the endometrium during early pregnancy in ruminants, including goats. The expression of ISG15 in extra-uterine tissues, such as peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs), suggests its potential as a novel pregnancy biomarker. The onset and length of the breeding season in goats are influenced by various factors such as breed, latitude, climate, photoperiod, etc. The Osmanabadi, an Indian goat breed, known for its early maturity, prolificacy, and good dressing percentage, was the focus of the current study. The present investigation was designed to study the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) profile of Caprine ISG15 (cpISG15) in PBLs using real-time reverse transcription PCR (qPCR) on days 0, 13, 17, 21, 25 and 30 post-service in this breed. Pregnancies were confirmed by measuring plasma progesterone (P4) concentration and conducting trans-abdominal ultrasound scanning. The study revealed that the expression of cpISG15 mRNA was 5 to 8-fold higher (P < 0.05) during early pregnancy on days 17, 21, and 25 compared to day 0. There was no significant difference in the expression of cpISG15 mRNA between days 0 and 30 post-service. Progesterone concentration was higher on days 17, 21, and 25 in pregnant does compared to day 0. The presence of fetal parts was observed by ultrasound between 45 and 90 d of pregnancy. It is concluded that the detection of elevated ISG15 expression in PBLs during the early stages of pregnancy may be used as a marker for pregnancy detection in does.

Evaluation of the anticoccidial efficacy of quinfamide alone and in combination with carbopol in rabbits at weaning

2023-11-16T11:07:59-06:00

This study aimed to evaluate the anticoccidial activity of quinfamide in rabbits during the weaning period, which is considered a particularly vulnerable time for the clinical presentation of coccidiosis. Thirty-day-old New Zealand rabbits were included in this trial and were divided into the following groups: randomized control, non-randomized control, quinfamide (30 mg/kg) + carbopol; quinfamide (30 mg/kg); quinfamide (60 mg/kg) + carbopol and quinfamide (60 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally by mixing the drugs with the rabbits’ standard feed. Weight, daily weight gain, feed intake, conversion, and oocyst shedding were recorded for 14 days. The groups treated with quinfamide and quinfamide (60 mg/kg) + carbopol showed a clear improvement in the evaluated parameters compared to the control groups, and there was an increase in the duration during which oocysts in feces could not be detected. The group treated with quinfamide (30 mg/kg) + carbopol also presented better results than the control groups. In contrast, the group treated with quinfamide (30 mg/kg) alone, did not show any differences compared to control groups. Based on these results, it can be considered that quinfamide may present a useful anticoccidial effect, similar to the one obtained with other anticoccidial drugs in rabbits, but only when pharmaceutically prepared with carbopol as quinfamide retentive polymer in the gastrointestinal tract.

Effect of lipopolysaccharide on body physiological responses

2024-07-01T15:54:06-05:00

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an important compound with pathogenic properties. LPS is considered a bacterial endotoxin, and the body induces widespread inflammation responses by stimulating the immune system through blood cells and synthesizing proinflammatory cytokines. After entering the circulation, these proinflammatory cytokines affect different body organs and induce systematic inflammation. Proinflammatory cytokines also enter the brain through the periventricular hypothalamus (PeVH) and by affecting microglia and astrocytes; they stimulate the brain's immune response. After the induction of systemic and central inflammation, the animal sickness behavior appears. In this review, we are going to investigate the peripheral and central effects of LPS-induced inflammation on different animal species.

Climate change: on the pathway of heat-induced reproductive disaster?

2024-10-02T20:47:50-05:00

Human-driven climate change generates extreme weather events, a well-known consequence of global warming. This leads to increased exposure of most living beings to higher temperatures, resulting in longer, more frequent, and more intense heat stress (HS) periods. This jeopardizes the welfare and survival of animals, negatively affecting the process that connects generations and ensures subsistence and natural selection: reproduction. This letter aims to draw attention to the impact of increasing HS on animal reproductive capacity and the potential alternatives to address this phenomenon.

With rising temperatures in most regions worldwide, heat stress will increase in many animals, including humans. This will occur even if we achieve the goal of limiting global temperature rise to no more than 1.5 °C by the year 2100, relative to pre-industrial levels, as set in the 2015 Paris Agreement⁽¹⁾. Roth⁽²⁾ indicates that HS, upon inducing cellular stress, triggers both indirect (e.g., systemic physiological alterations) and direct (e.g., perturbation of gametes, embryos, and reproductive tissues) negative effects on animal reproduction. In this context, the fertility of insects,⁽³⁾ aquatic organisms;^{(1, 3, 4)} amphibians,⁽⁵⁾ reptiles,⁽⁶⁾ birds,⁽⁷⁾ mammalian pets,⁽⁸⁾ cattle,^{(2, 9, 10)} wild mammals,⁽¹¹⁾ laboratory mammals,⁽¹²⁾ non-human primates,⁽¹³⁾ and humans⁽⁴⁾ is threatened by elevated temperatures. Consequently, given the unavoidable increase in HS, if this trend continues, potentially all animal groups are at risk of experiencing at least partial declines in reproductive capacity worldwide. This scenario will endanger the production of food and goods from animal sources, affect animal welfare, and potentially threaten the survival of animal populations, including humans.

To mitigate widespread animal reproductive failures due to excessive heating, or to prevent them, alongside the coordinated environment-oriented efforts by governments, private industry, scientists, and the general public to reduce global warming, modifications in the management of animals, or their gametes and embryos, are necessary. For instance, Hansen⁽⁹⁾ suggests the following alternatives to mitigate the negative effects of HS on reproduction in farm animals: diet pattern changes; active or passive cooling systems; genetic selection or transgenesis to achieve greater thermotolerance; in vivo supplementation of compounds that reduce cellular stress (e.g., orally, or by intramuscular/intravenous administration); and in vitro supplementation of gametes/embryos (for use in reproductive biotechnologies) to decrease cellular stress. These strategies aim to reduce heat-induced fertility alterations, both systemically and directly in reproductive structures.

Given the serious risk that global warming poses due to the impact of heat on physiology, we urgently need more studies on the overall context of animal reproduction under HS. In addition, we require a specific focus on the impact of HS on reproductive processes, considering factors such as regions, production systems, species, breeds/strains, and specific genetic backgrounds. Therefore, whether the heating that planet Earth experiences will lead to disastrous effects on animal reproductive capacity or a more controlled, perhaps partially reversible, decrease in such capacity, could be influenced by the measures we plan now. These include efforts from society, governments, and veterinary professionals. Time is running out: the situation calls for immediate action.