Alterations In Cows Research Articles

Clinical, Hematological and Some Serum Biochemical Alterations in Local Cows Affected with Milk Fever in Gogjalee Region, Mosul, Iraq

Milk fever (Hypocalcemia) is a metabolic disorder that has serious economic impacts on health of dairy cattle and production. Current research endeavored to evaluate the clinical, hematological and some biochemical alterations in cows affected with milk fever in the Gogjalee region, Mosul in Iraq. This research was conducted on 30 local breed cows aged (three to seven years) from private farms diagnosed with postparturient paresis according to clinical signs and laboratory confirmations. Ten healthy cows served as control groups.Blood samples were taken from each animal for biochemical and hemogram analysis. Results showed typical clinical signsof milk fever with different stages of the disease. Significant (P<0.05) increasesin the body temperature, respiratory rates and significant (P<0.05) decreases in heart rates in affected animals. Older ages (five to seven years)had considerably higher rate of 73.33%( n=22 ) than three to four-years-old with 26.66%(n=8 ). No significant changes were seen in the blood picture except in the total leukocytic count(TLC). Results revealed significant decrease of Calcium, Inorganic phosphorus, and significant increase of magnesium, haptoglobin(Hp), aspartate amino transferase(AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), creatine kinase (CK), and no significant changes in total protein levels compared tothecontrol groups. Our study indicates the prevalence of milk fever in local breed cows in Gogjalee region. A certain parameters (Ca, P and Mg), hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST, CK and Hp) are also useful and important in the diagnostic process for detection of milk fever.

Clinical responses in cows vaccinated with a developed prototype killed Staphylococcus aureus mastitis vaccine

Mastitis is an inflammatory condition of the udder that occurs as a result of the release of leucocytes into the udder in a response to bacterial invasion. The major causes of mastitis are an array of gram positive and negative bacteria, however, algae, virus, fungi, mechanical or thermal injury to the gland have also been identified as possible causes. Mastitis vaccines are yet to be developed using Malaysian local isolate of bacteria. The objective of the present experimental trial was to develop a monovalent vaccine against mastitis using S. aureus of Malaysian isolate and to evaluate the clinical responses such as temperature, respiratory rates and heart rates in vaccinated cows. S. aureus is a major causative bacteria in clinical and subclinical types of mastitis in cows. Four concentrations of the bacterin (106, 107, 108 and 109 cfu/ml of the local isolate of S. aureus) were prepared using Aluminium potassium sulfate adjuvant. Thirty cows were grouped into four treatment groups (B, C, D and E) with a fifth group as control (A). These groups were vaccinated intramuscularly(IM) with the prepared monovalent vaccine and its influence on the vital signs were intermittently measured. The mean of rectal temperature was significantly different (p˂ 0.05) at 0hr Post Vaccination [1]" in groups D and E (39.5 ± 0.15 °C and 39.4 ± 0.15 °C respectively) and at 3 h PV in groups C, D and E (39.8 ± 0.14 °C, 39.9 ± 0.14 °C and 40.3 ± 0.14 °C respectively) compared to the control group. This indicated a sharp increased rectal temperatures between 0hr and 3 h PV in groups C, D and E which later declined at 24 h PV. The mean of rectal temperature of group E was significantly different (p˂ 0.05) at weeks 1 and 2 PV (39.87 ± 0.19 °C and 39.80 ± 0.18 °C respectively) compared to the control group. The mean of heart rate was significantly different (p˂ 0.05) at week 1 PV in groups D and E (83.0 ± 3.8 beats/minute and 80.0 ± 3.8 °C respectively) compared to control. A trending decrease was however observed in heart rates of group E from weeks through 4 PV and in group D from weeks 1 through 3 PV. The mean of respiratory rates was significantly different (p˂ 0.05) at week 3 PV in group B and D (31.0 ± 1.2 breaths/minute and 28.0 ± 1.2 breaths/minute) compared to control. In conclusion, this study highlights responses of these vital signs due to vaccination against S. aureus causing mastitis in cows. To the best of our knowledge the findings of this study adds value to the shallow literature on vital signs alterations in cows vaccinated against mastitis as elevated levels of temperature and heart rates of group D and E indicated obvious response.

Clinical and subclinical endometritis induced alterations in bovine endometrial transcriptome and miRNome profile.

BackgroundClinical and subclinical endometritis are known to affect the fertility of dairy cows by inducing uterine inflammation. We hypothesized that clinical or subclinical endometritis could affect the fertility of cows by disturbing the molecular milieu of the uterine environment. Here we aimed to investigate the endometrial molecular signatures and pathways affected by clinical and subclinical endometritis. For this, Holstein Frisian cows at 42–60 days postpartum were classified as healthy (HE), subclinical endometritis (SE) or clinical endometritis (CE) based on veterinary clinical examination of the animals and histological evaluation the corresponding endometrial biopsies. Endometrial transcriptome and miRNome profile changes and associated molecular pathways induced by subclinical or clinical endometritis were then investigated using GeneChip® Bovine Genome Array and Exiqon microRNA PCR Human Panel arrays, respectively. The results were further validated in vitro using endometrial stromal and epithelial cells challenged with subclinical and clinical doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS).ResultTranscriptome profile analysis revealed altered expression level of 203 genes in CE compared to HE animals. Of these, 92 genes including PTHLH, INHBA, DAPL1 and SERPINA1 were significantly upregulated, whereas the expression level of 111 genes including MAOB, CXCR4, HSD11B and, BOLA, were significantly downregulated in CE compared to the HE animal group. However, in SE group, the expression patterns of only 28 genes were found to be significantly altered, of which 26 genes including PTHLH, INHBA, DAPL1, MAOB, CXCR4 and TGIF1 were common to the CE group. Gene annotation analysis indicated the immune system processes; G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathway and chemotaxis to be among the affected functions in endometritis animal groups. In addition, miRNA expression analysis indicated the dysregulation of 35 miRNAs including miR-608, miR-526b* and miR-1265 in CE animals and 102 miRNAs including let-7 family (let-7a, let-7c, let-7d, let-7d*, let-7e, let-7f, let-7i) in SE animals. Interestingly, 14 miRNAs including let-7e, miR-92b, miR-337-3p, let-7f and miR-145 were affected in both SE and CE animal groups. Further in vitro analysis of selected differentially expressed genes and miRNAs in endometrial stroma and epithelial cells challenged with SE and CE doses of LPS showed similar results to that of the array data generated using samples collected from SE and CE animals.ConclusionThe results of this study unraveled endometrial transcriptome and miRNome profile alterations in cows affected by subclinical or clinical endometritis which may have a significant effect on the uterine homeostasis and uterine receptivity.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2513-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Aborto em bovinos devido à intoxicação por Tetrapterys acutifolia (Malpighiaceae)

Esse estudo teve por objetivo demonstrar experimentalmente que Tetrapterys acutifolia Cav. (fam. Malpighiaceae) é capaz de provocar aborto em bovinos e caracterizar as alterações clínico-patológicas nas vacas e nos fetos. Estas plantas são responsáveis por significativo número de mortes em bovinos com mais de um ano de idade, especialmente nos Estados de Rio de Janeiro e São Paulo, mas até agora não havia sido comprovado experimentalmente seu efeito abortivo em bovinos. Os experimentos foram realizados no município de Barra do Piraí, RJ. Quatro vacas de descarte receberam brotos e folhas novas frescas de T. acutifolia, coletadas em propriedades vizinhas, nas doses de 2,5g/kg/dia, 5,0g/kg/dia (2 vacas) e 10g/kg/dia, até ocorrer o abortamento. O quadro clínico nas vacas caracterizou-se por arritmia cardíaca, tremores musculares, anorexia, ascite, jugular ingurgitada, edema de peito e barbela e aborto (23-76 dias após o início da ingestão da planta); todas as vacas abortaram. Das quatro vacas apenas uma (a que recebeu 10g/kg/dia) morreu 36 dias após o abortamento, com sintomas de insuficiência cardíaca. O exame necroscópico dos fetos/natimortos revelou hidrotórax, hidropericárdio, hidroperitônio e congestão hepática; ao corte do miocárdio, verificaram-se áreas pálidas. No exame histológico havia edema intersticial com fibrose incipiente. Na vaca que recebeu a maior dose e foi a óbito, bem como em outra intoxicada naturalmente, os achados de necropsia foram similares aos observados nos fetos, exceto pela dilatação dos vasos da base do coração e mais acentuada palidez do miocárdio. Observaram-se ainda edema subcutâneo nas regiões cervical e esternal, bem como veias jugulares ingurgitadas. Os achados histopatológicos foram necrose e edema intersticial com acentuada fibrose no miocárdio, espongiose da substância branca do encéfalo e, no fígado, congestão e leve fibrose. Adicionalmente, observou-se na vaca intoxicada espontaneamente, 17 dias após o aborto, arritmia cardíaca, jugular ingurgitada, edema de peito e barbela, anorexia com morte 43 dias após o aborto. Este estudo demonstra que Tetrapterys acutifolia é capaz de induzir aborto e, dependendo da dose, ainda causar a morte das vacas que abortarem.

Evaluation of the erythrocytes and leucocyte alterations in cows infected with Theileria annulata

The percentages of anemia, parasitemia and leucocyte changes were investigated in bovine theileriosis in the Northwest of Iran. The hematological values in 91 cows with theileriosis were compared with 19 healthy ones. The disease was confirmed by the presence of parasites in the peripheral blood smear test. Five mLs of blood from the jugular vein was collected and mixed with EDTA. Hematological parameters and parasitemia were assessed by current laboratory methods. The mean for hematocrit (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), total leucocytes counts (WBC) and erythrocyte count (RBCs) were 22.1%, 6.8 mg/dL, 7075/μL and 4x106/μL, respectively. Mean total protein, absolute lymphocyte, neutrophil, eosiniphil counts, MCV, MCH and MCHC were 6.4 g/dL, 3898, 2746, 136/μL, 55.5 fl, 16.7 Pg and 30.5 g/dL, respectively. Mean concentrations for PCV, Hb, RBCs, and MCHC were significantly (p<0.05) lower and MCV was higher than the control group. To determine the severity of anemia in theileriosis, PCV was classified into cows without anemia (>24%), mild (20-23.99%), moderate (12-19.99%) and severe anemia (<11.99%). Therefore, the frequency and percentage of infected cows were 44 (48.4%), 14 (15.3%), 23 (25.3%) and 10 cases (11%), respectively (p<0.01). The percentages of parasitemia among 4 groups (1.23, 3.86, 9.64 and 34.2%, respectively) were also significantly (p<0.01) different. Among the indices under study, mean RBCs and Hb showed significant differences (p<0.01) in all types of anemia. The types of anemia were varied from normocytic hypochromic to macrocytic hypochromic. Negative correlations were found (p<0.01) between parasitemia/PCV (r=-0.74), parasitemia/Hb (r=-0.64) and parasitemia/RBCs (r=-0.63). It is concluded that anemia would be the main clinical sign in theileriosis. Type of anemia varied based on the severity of the anemia. Hematocrit, Hb, RBCs MCV and MCHC are the main indices affected in theileriosis. The majority of the infected cows were affected by moderate anemia except for 11%, in that they showed severe anemia with 34.2% parasitemia. Thus, the assessment of RBCs indices will lead to the prognosis and appropriate treatment strategies.