Findings In Goats Research Articles

Incidence, haemato-biochemical analysis and ultrasonographic findings in goats with functional ileus

Incidence, haemato-biochemical analysis and ultrasonographic findings in goats with functional ileus

Experimental infection of goats with Mycobacterium microti induces subclinical pulmonary tuberculosis and mild responses to tuberculin skin tests

Mycobacterium microti is a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex that seldom causes disease in livestock and humans. This study evaluated the effects on immunodiagnosis and the pathological findings in goats after experimental exposure by different routes and doses to M. microti. In a first experiment goats were challenged orally (PO, n = 7) or intranasally (IN, n = 7) with 104 CFU. In a second experiment, the endobronchial route was assessed, with a low dose of 102 CFU (EB-LD, n = 7) and a high dose of 105 CFU (EB-HD, n = 7) as well as the subcutaneous route (SC, n = 5). Temperature, body weight, clinical signs and immunological responses were monitored. Pathological evaluation was carried out and samples were processed for mycobacterial detection. Resultsdemonstrated the induction of a subclinical pulmonary infection in all the EB-HD challenged animals. Infection was also confirmed in one animal of the SC group, but not in the EB-LD, PO or IN groups. Two animals belonging to the EB-HD and SC groups, respectively, showed positive results to the single intradermal tuberculin test, and another two animals of the EB-HD and EB-LD groups showed doubtful (inconclusive) results, indicating that M. microti can induce mild responses to tuberculin skin testing. No positive results were observed when defined antigens absent in M. microti (ESAT-6 and CPF-10) were used.Our results indicate that animals exposed to M. microti can yield positive results to the skin tests currently performed in livestock tuberculosis eradication campaigns and reinforce the need to use specific antigens in antemortem tests to avoid interference with M. bovis/M. caprae diagnosis.

Lesões compressivas no sistema nervoso central em caprinos e ovinos: estudo retrospectivo de 11 casos no bioma amazônico

ABSTRACT: This paper describes, within the framework of a retrospective study, the epidemiological and clinicopathological findings in goats and sheep with compressive lesions of the central nervous system (CNS) in Pará. This study included eight sheep and three goats from 2005 to 2022 by reviewing the clinical files of animals with CNS compressive lesions managed by the team of the Carlos Tokarnia Veterinary Hospital of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine of the Federal University of Pará. The animals with clinical signs were subjected to a general and specific clinical examination of the nervous system. All animals included in the study were necropsied, and the clinical signs were found to vary according to the location of the lesion. At necropsy, changes such as an abscess with osteomyelitis of the vertebral body with pathologic fracture and spinal cord compression, submeningeal abscess in the skull floor, subarachnoid hematoma, and congenital bone changes causing spinal cord compression and ankylosing spondylitis were noted. These findings indicate that a comprehensive clinical examination of the CNS in conjunction with necropsy findings is essential to characterize the clinical picture, localize the lesion, and determine the cause of the disease. The most affected medullary segment was between T3 and L3. Therefore, these diseases should be included in the list of differential diagnoses in farm animals with nervous system symptoms.

Microbiological, molecular, and histopathological findings in goats experimentally infected with Actinobacillus seminis

The objective of this study was to experimentally evaluate the pathogenicity of an Actinobacillus seminis isolate named SAAS01 in goats. Animals were challenged with 2 mL of a suspension containing 1,5 × 108 CFU/mL of A. seminis (SAAS01 isolate) through the intrapreputial, epididymis tail, and conjunctival routes. Epididymis and testicular fragments were submitted to histopathological exam, and semen samples underwent microbiological and molecular diagnoses. Clinically, a unilateral increase in firm consistency was observed in the epididymis and testicles of two animals inoculated in epididymis tail and in one animal inoculated through conjunctival sac; this firmness continued until the day of euthanasia. Two goats inoculated through epididymis tail and conjunctival sac routes presented histopathological findings with macroscopically and microscopically significant changes. A. seminis was isolated from semen samples collected from goats inoculated through the epididymis tail and conjunctival sac routes. A. seminis DNA was amplified from six semen samples of three goats inoculated through the epididymis tail, two in conjunctival sac and one through intrapreputial route. The experimental infection model using goats confirmed the pathogenicity of the A. seminis isolate, demonstrating the predilection of the agent for the epididymis, with clinical signs, histopathological lesions, bacterial isolation, and a positive molecular diagnosis.

Ultrasonographic findings in goats with contagious caprine pleuropneumonia caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae

BackgroundIn goats, contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is a cause of major economic losses in Africa, Asia and in the Middle East. There is no information emphasising the importance of diagnostic ultrasound in goats with CCPP caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp). This study was designed to describe the ultrasonographic findings in goats with CCPP caused by Mccp and to correlate ultrasonographic with post-mortem findings. To this end, 55 goats with CCPP were examined. Twenty-five healthy adult goats were used as a control group.ResultsMajor clinical findings included harried, painful respiration, dyspnoea and mouth breathing. On ultrasonography, a liver-like echotexture was imaged in 13 goats. Upon post-mortem examination, all 13 goats exhibited unilateral pulmonary consolidation. Seven goats had a unilateral hypoechoic pleural effusion. At necropsy, the related lung was consolidated and the pleural fluid appeared turbid and greenish. Pleural abscessiation detected in five goats was confirmed post-mortem. Twenty-eight goats had a bright, fibrinous matrix extending over the chest wall containing numerous anechoic fluid pockets with medial displacement and compression of lung tissue. Echogenic tags imaged floating in the fluid were found upon post-mortem examination to be fibrin. In two goats, a consolidated right parenchyma was imaged together with hypoechoic pericardial effusions with echogenic tags covering the epicardium. At necropsy, the right lung was consolidated in three goats and fibrin threads were found covering the epicardium and pericardium.ConclusionsIn goats with CCPP, the extension and the severity of the pulmonary changes could not be verified with clinical certainty in most cases, whereas this was possible most of the time with sonography, thus making the prognosis easier. Ultrasonographic examination of the pleurae and the lungs helped in the detection of various lesions.

Preparation of bioclimatograph for haemonchosis and trichostrongylosis in goats of subtropical high humid zone of Sikkim

Based on a systematic epidemiological study, bioclimatographs were prepared for Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus spp. infecting goats of subtropical high humid zone of Sikkim, India. Three meteorological parameters i.e., maximum and minimum temperature, average relative humidity and total rainfall were recorded for each month from April 2012 to March 2013 and correlated with faecal egg count, faecal larval count and pasture larval count of grazing area under investigation. Bioclimatographs were prepared against different meteorological parameters and the predicted values were correlated with actual field study. The findings in goats revealed higher rate of infection of Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus spp. from July to October and September to early March and higher intensity from June to October and November to February, respectively. The higher incidence of infection of larval stages on pasture was observed from June to October for Haemonchus spp.The prediction or forecasting of Haemonchus spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. infection in goats of this agroclimatic region as per bioclimatographs revealed a prediction for development and survival of eggs and larvae of Haemonchus spp. infection from July to October and for Trichostrongylus spp. from September to February. Bioclimatographs revealed that maximum temperature (Tmax.) v/s total rainfall (TRF) and Tmax. v/s relative humidity (RH) gave better prediction for Haemonchus spp, while for Trichostrongylus spp. it was minimum temperature (Tmin.) v/s RH.

Pheromones: The Scent of a Male

There has been an enduring fascination with discovering biological odours which can evoke behavioral and physiological responses in mammals. New findings in goats have now identified a key molecule involved in the effect male odours have on female reproductive cycles.

Achados bioquímicos, eletrolíticos e hormonais de cabras acometidas com toxemia da prenhez

A abrangência dos estudos sobre a toxemia da prenhez (TP) tem sido constante e inovadora em alguns conceitos, porém o estudo dos casos clínicos naturais em cabras é inexistente no Brasil. Diante disso, realizou-se análise das alterações clínicas, do perfil bioquímico, eletrolítico e hormonal com o objetivo de compreender a fisiopatogenia da enfermidade. Foram avaliadas 22 cabras atendidas na Clínica de Bovinos, Campus Garanhuns/UFRPE, diagnosticadas com TP, no período de 2007 a 2012. Realizou-se exame clínico e coleta de sangue e urina, para análise do perfil bioquímico e hormonal. Acentuadas alterações clínicas foram observadas, como decúbito, apatia, dispneia, aumento da temperatura corpórea, mucosas congestas, vasos episclerais injetados, desidratação, anorexia, hipomotilidade ou atonia ruminal, edema nos membros. Os resultados laboratoriais revelaram valores elevados para ureia, creatinina, ácidos graxos não esterificados (AGNE), β-hidroxibutirato, amilase e cortisol, enquanto as variáveis: proteína total, albumina, cálcio total, cálcio ionizado, fósforo, a relação cálcio e fósforo, sódio e insulina encontraram-se diminuídos. Outros parâmetros bioquímicos e eletrolíticos, como frutosamina, globulina, cloro, potássio e magnésio mantiveram-se dentro da faixa de normalidade. Quanto a glicemia, foram constatados três condições nas cabras com TP, normoglicêmicas (50%), hiperglicêmicas (27,28%) e hipoglicêmicas (22,72%). Dos 17 (77,27%) animais que obtiveram alta 10 (58,82%) eram normoglicêmicos. Vieram a óbito 22,8 % (5/22), no qual 60% (3/5) delas estavam hiperglicêmicas. A média de nascimento por cabra foi superior a duas crias. Verificou-se existir associação fortemente positiva dos AGNE's com a albumina (r=0,60), fraca com o β-hidroxibutirato (r=0,10) e glicose (r=0,03). Porém, existiu relação fortemente negativa dos AGNE's com a insulina (r= -0,70), moderada com o cortisol (r= -0,52) e amilase (r= -0,30). Marcadas alterações clínicas e metabólicas são observadas em cabras com TP, em que o aumento de certos metabólitos do perfil energético e hormonal se torna importante ferramenta para o diagnóstico e constitui um bom instrumento para avaliar a magnitude da condição clínica dos animais enfermos. Os dados encontrados servem de referência para estudos sobre nutrição e metabolismo em cabras com TP.

112. The pig (Sus scrofa) as a suitable non-rodent model system: Enabling the quantification of number and affinity of glucocorticoid receptors in porcine leukocytes

Glucocorticoids, being one central link between the neuroendocrine and the immune system, act on leukocytes directly via endogenous glucocorticoid receptors (GR). Consequently, the number and affinity of these receptor sites in immune cells is crucial for the sensitivity towards glucocorticoids and thus their immune-modulating effects. Although the pig is considered as a suitable model organism for studying the immune system, there is no research concerning GR in porcine leukocytes so far and methods allowing their quantification are currently missing. Therefore, this study aimed at the establishment of a quantification method of GR number and affinity in porcine leukocytes. A 3 H-dexamethasone-based receptor-binding assay adapted for processing in 96-well microtiter plates allowing quantitative analysis of GR in porcine leukocytes was accomplished. A detection limit of 1.5 × 10 8 total receptor sites and a quantification limit of 7.6e8 total receptor sites was found. Evaluation of the intra-assay-precision for quantification of the GR number and affinity showed a coefficient of variation of 2.5% and 3.0%, respectively. A range of 1500–2900 GR/cell showing affinities of K d = 1.4–3.1 nM were found for porcine PBMC, thereby closely corresponding to results for human PBMC. Comparison of PBMC and granulocytes revealed similar numbers of GR/cell on both leukocyte types but lower GR affinities in granulocytes, which resembles findings in goats. In summary, the established binding assay allows reliable quantification of GR number and affinity in porcine leukocytes.

Hematological, biochemical and pathological findings in goats naturally infection with Cysticercus tenuicollis

In Iran, Cysticercus tenuicollis, the metacestode stage of Taenia hydatigena is endemic. The migration of this parasite causes traumatic hepatitis and death in young animals. The objective of this work was to evaluate hematological, biochemical and pathological findings in 50 goats infected with C. tenuicollis in comparison with 50 non-infected goats, as control group. This study was carried out as case-control. Blood and liver samples were taken from the goats, analyzed for hematology and biochemical parameters and liver samples were prepared for paraffin blocks, sectioning and staining for further microscopic study in pathology laboratory. Significant decrease in red blood cell count, hemoglobin, packed cell volume and total protein (P<0.05) and significant increase in white blood cell count, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were observed in infected goats (P<0.05), compared with those in non-infected control group. The microscopic lesion in liver included large concentric foci of hemorrhage in migration stage and decreased number of hepatocytes, dilation of sinusoids, presence of inflammatory cells in portal areas and double layered parasitic cyst formation in chronic stages. In conclusion, various changes in parameters could have deleterious effect on morbidity and mortality of the herd.

Clinicopathologic findings in goats exposed to drinking water experimentally contaminated with varied low percentages of NPK 15–15–15 fertilizer

This study investigated the clinicopathology of goats exposed to drinking water experimentally contaminated with varied low percentages of NPK 15–15–15 fertilizer. Twenty West African dwarf (WAD) goats of between 4 and 8 months of age were used for the study. They were randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D) and were given drinking water contaminated with NPK 15–15–15 fertilizer at the level of 3%, 1%, 0.2%, and 0% (uncontaminated control), respectively, as the only source of drinking water for the 12-week period of the study. Data on the hematology, serum biochemistry profile, body weight, and water consumption of the WAD goats were collected at the beginning of the study and also at specific intervals during the study period. At the end of the study period, the goats were humanely sacrificed, and the internal organs were examined grossly and sections of the liver, kidney, heart muscle, lung, and spleen were prepared and examined for histopathological lesions using a light microscope. Results showed that, from the fourth week to the end of the study, the groups given water contaminated with 3% and 1% fertilizer had a significantly lower (p 0.05) in the organ weight percentages of all the groups, and no lesions were observed on the examined tissue sections of the goats in all the groups. It was concluded that contamination of drinking water of WAD goats with NPK 15–15–15 fertilizer as used in this study led to significant reduction in PCV, HbC, RBC counts, elevated serum cholesterol, and weight loss.

Metabolic profiles in goat does in late pregnancy with and without subclinical pregnancy toxemia

Pregnant goat does can develop various metabolic diseases during late pregnancy that may have profound effects on their health and productivity, including subclinical pregnancy toxemia. This study was performed to evaluate serum biochemical findings in goats in late pregnancy with and without subclinical pregnancy toxemia. Serum samples were obtained from 153 clinically healthy goats in the last trimester of pregnancy from 14 herds in central and northern Jordan. Serum was analyzed for the following constituents: 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-HB), glucose, total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, triglycerides, cortisol, T3, T4, total calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, using commercially available kits. Goats were classified as having subclinical pregnancy toxemia or as controls on the basis of 3-HB results. Biochemical results were compared between the 2 groups using nonparametric statistical tests. Fifty-three does had subclinical pregnancy toxemia (3-HB>0.86 mmol/L) and 100 were pregnant control does (3-HB< or =0.86 mmol/L). Does with subclinical pregnancy toxemia had significantly lower glucose concentrations (P<.001) and significantly higher urea (P=.042) and total protein (P=.048) concentrations compared with pregnant control does. 3-HB concentration was significantly correlated with glucose (r=0.290, P=.035), phosphorus (r=0.351, P=.01), and cortisol (r=0.394, P=.004) concentrations in goats with subclinical toxemia. Results of this study indicate that the biochemical profile of does with subclinical pregnancy toxemia had significantly lower glucose (P < .001) and total protein (P = .048)concentrations, whereas urea concentrations were significantly higher (P = .042) compared with pregnant control does [corrected].

Cytochrome P450 induction and metabolism of alkoxyresorufins, ethylmorphine and testosterone in cultured hepatocytes from goats, sheep and cattle

Very little is known of cytochrome P450 (P450) patterns and enzyme characteristics in food-producing animal species. Oxidative metabolism of alkoxyresorufins, ethylmorphine (EtM)_and testosterone (TST) was used to monitor the effects of the P450 inducers phenobarbital (PB), β-naphthoflavone (BNF), dexamethasone (DEX) and triacetyloleandomycin (TAO) in primary cultured hepatocytes from goats, sheep and cattle. BNF effectively and specifically induced ethoxyresorufin deethylase (>2-fold), indicating the presence of an inducible P450 1A form, and down-regulated EtM demethylation and most selected TST hydroxylations. In non-induced hepatocyte cultures, TST was metabolized to 6β-, 2β-, 12β-, 11α-hydroxy-TST (OHT). PB and , to a lesser extent, DEX non-specifically induced all OHT formations, and EtM demethylation. TAO almost completely inhibited OHT formation and EtM demethylation. These results indicate the involvement of principally one P450 form, or a restricted number of related P450 forms, presumably belonging to the P450 3A subfamily. In western blot analysis, cross reactivity was found with rat anti-P450 3A1 and anti-sheep P450 3A. A more specific PB effect was observed for 16α-OHT, which may be formed though a ruminant P450 2B form. None of the inducers influenced pentoxyresorufin depentylase (PROD) or EtM O-deethylation. Metabolite patterns and inducibility of selected activities in ruminant hepatocytes are in accordance with previous findings in goats in vivo. Cytochrome P450 characteristics in ruminants appear to differ from those in rats whereas similarities to the situation in humans appear to exist.

Metabolism of Ovine IgG-1 and IgG-2

Summary In sheep, radioisotopically labelled IgG—1 and IgG—2 were catabolized at equal rates, corresponding to approximately 12% of the plasma pool per day. This contrasted with earlier findings in goats and cattle, since IgG—2 in these species was catabolized at significantly lower rates than IgG—1. Other metabolic features of sheep IgG—1 and IgG—2 (transcapillary escape rate, distribution ratio) were comparable with those of cattle.

Eye findings in goats during the 3 years after acute wholebody neutron and gamma irradiation.

SummaryGoats which survived single whole-body exposures in the lethal range were examined at intervals up to 3 years after exposure. Only 2 out of 28 goats receiving fission neutron radiation showed changes in the lens. No radiation-induced lens changes were found after gamma radiation. The low incidence of cataract is similar to that found in dogs and primates exposed to fission neutrons and in human survivors from atomic bombing. There is a systematic change according to body size in the sensitivity of the lens to neutrons.