In Vitro Immune Competence of Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) of Different Production Potential: Effect of Heat Stress and Cortisol

Twelve healthy lactating Murrah buffaloes of similar parity (3rd) between 90 and 120 days of lactation, selected from the herd of National Dairy Research Institute (Karnal, India) and maintained at managemental practices as followed at the Institute they were included in this experiment. The animals were divided into two groups based on their production level in previous lactation. The average milk production level of group 1 and II was 9.3 and 6 lit/day, respectively. Blood was collected from these buffaloes on three occasions 10 days apart. The lymphocytes were separated and cultured in RPMI 1640 medium with PHA-P for 24 h at 37°C in a humidified CO2 incubator (95% air and 5%  CO2). The lymphocyte responsiveness was also evaluated in response to the in vivo heat stress and in vitro cortisol. Mitogen-induced stimulation index was not affected by production level (P < .01). Stimulation index was significantly reduced (P < .01) in both the groups when cortisol was added at 2.0 ng level in the culture. However, in heat-stressed buffaloes stimulation index did not vary despite increasing levels of cortisol, thus indicating that lymphocyte may become cortisol resistant during periods of acute heat stress. The results showed that lymphocyte proliferation response can be effectively used to study buffalo cell-mediated immunity in vitro

Profil ekspresije receptora hormona rasta (GHR), receptora čimbenika rasta sličnog inzulinu (IGFR) i gena leptina s biokemijskim i endokrinim profilom u jaradi crne bengalske koze (Capra hircus) tijekom različitih razdoblja pretpubertetskog rasta

The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression profile of growth hormone receptor (GHR), insulin like growth factor receptor (IGFR) and leptin genes, together with some blood biochemical (glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, AST; alanine aminotransferase, ALT) and endocrine (growth hormone and cortisol) parameters. For this purpose, blood samples were collected from 25 male and 25 female kids of the Black Bengal goat (Capra hircus), at days 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150. Male kids gained more body weight compared to females. The glucose and cortisol levels significantly (P≤0.01) decreased with the advancement of age. AST, ALT, and growth hormone increased significantly (P≤0.01). In both sexes, plasma glucose level was negatively (P≤0.01) correlated with AST. In males both cortisol and GH levels were positively (P≤0.05) correlated with plasma glucose levels. In female kids only GH showed a positive (P≤0.05) correlation with glucose levels. Female kids had greater expression of the GH receptor, IGFR mRNA and Leptin mRNA on day 30 (P≤0.05) and day 150 (P≤0.01). GHR was only positively (P≤0.05) correlated with IGFR and LEP in female kids. On the basis of the results obtained from our research, we are able to conclude that the lower growth rate in female kids expressed more leptin, which stimulated the somatotrophic axis for the expression of GHR and IGFR during the prepubertal growth stage.Cilj istraživanja bio je procijeniti profil ekspresije receptora hormona rasta (GHR), receptora čimbenika rasta sličnog inzulinu (IGFR) i gena leptina zajedno s krvnim biokemijskim pokazateljima (glukoza, aspartat-aminotransferaza AST, alanin-aminotransferaza ALT) i endokrinim pokazateljima (hormon rasta i kortizol). U tu su svrhu 15., 30., 60., 90., 120. i 150. dan života uzeti su uzorci krvi od 25 muške i 25 ženske jaradi crne bengalske koze (Capra hircus). Muška je jarad imala veći prirast tjelesne mase u usporedbi sa ženskom. Razine glukoze i kortizola s porastom dobi znakovito su se smanjivale (P ≤ 0,01). AST, ALT i hormon rasta znakovito su porasli (P ≤ 0,01). Kod oba je spola razina glukoze u plazmi bila u negativnoj korelaciji (P ≤ 0,01) s AST-om. Kod muške su jaradi kortizol i hormon rasta bili u pozitivnoj korelaciji (P ≤ 0,05) s razinama glukoze u plazmi. Samo je u ženske jaradi hormon rasta pokazao pozitivnu korelaciju (P ≤ 0,05) s razinama glukoze. Ženska je jarad imala veću ekspresiju receptora hormona rasta, mRNA IGFR i mRNA leptina 30. dan (P ≤ 0,05) i 150. dan (P ≤ 0,01). GHR je bio u pozitivnoj korelaciji (P ≤ 0,05) samo s IGFR-om i leptinom u ženske jaradi. Na temelju rezultata ovoga istraživanja možemo zaključiti da niža stopa rasta u ženske jaradi dovela do veće ekspresije leptina, što je stimuliralo somatotropnu os za ekspresiju hormona rasta i IGFR-a u pretpubertetskom razdoblju

Association between udder morphology and in vitro activity of milk leukocytes in high yielding crossbred cows

Aim: The present investigation was conducted to study the association between udder morphology and in vitro activity of milk leukocytes in high yielding crossbred cows. Materials and Methods: A total of 48 healthy high yielding crossbred cows were selected for the study. The udder configuration and teat/udder morphology were recorded before milking. Milk samples (100 ml/cow) were collected aseptically. Milk somatic cell counts (SCC) and milk differential leukocyte counts were performed microscopically. Milk leukocytes (viz., neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages) were isolated from milk samples by density gradient centrifugation. Phagocytic index (PI) of milk neutrophils and macrophages were evaluated by colorimetric nitro blue tetrazolium assay. Lymphocytes proliferation response was estimated by MTT assay and expressed as stimulation index. Results: There was a significant (p<0.01) positive correlation between milk SCC with mid teat diameter, teat base diameter and significant (p<0.05) negative correlation between milk SCC and the height of the teat from the ground. Milk SCC was found to be significantly (p<0.01) lower in bowl-shaped udder and higher (p<0.01) in pendulous type. Milk macrophage percentage was positively (p<0.01) correlated with udder circumference. PI of milk neutrophil was negatively (p<0.01) correlation between teat base diameter, and PI of milk macrophages was found to be positively (p<0.01) correlated with teat apex diameter. Both PI of milk neutrophils and macrophages was found to be significantly (p<0.01) lower in the animals having flat and round teat and pendulous type of udder. In vitro PI of milk neutrophils was found to be significantly (p<0.01) lower in flat teat. In vitro PI of milk macrophages was found to be significantly (p<0.01) lower in the round and flat teats compared to pointed and cylindrical teats. Conclusion: Udder risk factors such as teat shape and size, teat to floor distance, udder shape, and size may decrease the in vitro activity of milk leukocytes hence facilitates the incidence intramammary infections

Electrocardiogram pattern of some exotic breeds of trained dogs: A variation study

Aim: The present study has been conducted to evaluate the variation in electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters among different trained breeds of dogs (viz. Labrador, German Shepherd, and Golden Retriever) used for security reasons. Materials and Methods: The ECG was recorded by single channel ECG at a paper speed of 25 mm/s and calibration of 10 mm=1 mV. The recordings were taken from all the standard bipolar limb leads (Lead-I, II, and III) and unipolar augmented limb leads (Lead-aVR, aVL, and aVF). Results: Heart rate was found to be highest in Labrador and lowest in German Shepherd. P-wave duration was maximum in Golden Retriever breed and lowest in Labrador. Maximum amplitude of P-wave was found in Labrador followed by German Shepherd and Golden Retriever. There was significantly (p<0.05) higher values of PR interval in German Shepherd compared to other breeds. The variation in QRS duration, ST segment duration, T-wave duration, and T-wave amplitude was found to be non-significant among breeds. Inverted T-waves were most common in Golden Retriever and German Shepherd, whereas positive T-waves were found in Labrador. There was significant (p<0.05) variation in mean electrical axis of QRS complex among different breeds and it ranges from +60° to +80°. Conclusion: The present study provides the reference values for different ECG parameters to monitor the cardiac health status among Labrador, German Shepherd, and Golden Retriever breeds

A study on the electrocardiography in dogs: Reference values and their comparison among breeds, sex, and age groups

Aim: The present investigation was intended to generate some basic data on electrocardiography (ECG) parameters in different breeds and their alterations in respect to sex and age. Materials and Methods: The present investigation was carried out on 239 owned dogs of 11 different breeds presented to the Institute Veterinary Clinic during 2018-2019. The animals, irrespective of breed and sex were grouped on the basis of their age groups. Recordings of ECG were performed by a single-channel ECG machine (CardiartR, BPL, India) at 25 mm/s paper speed and 10 mm=1 mV calibration keeping the animals on the right lateral recumbence without any anesthesia. Heart rate, along with the amplitude and duration of different waves and complexes was measured. Results: Heart rate did not vary significantly among breeds, sex, and different age groups. The highest heart rate has been reported in Doberman and the lowest in Beagle. The heart rate was lowest at the age group of 6 months-2.5 years and highest around 10.5-12.5 years irrespective of breed and sex. The incidence of sinus arrhythmia was mostly seen in older dogs. All the waves and complexes did not vary significantly between breeds, age, and sex except P duration which was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Golden retriever and Doberman breeds. Conclusion: The present investigation generated some reference values of ECG in dogs which will help the clinicians to diagnose different cardiac abnormalities through ECG

Post-calving umbilical cord tissue offcut: A potential source for the isolation of bovine mesenchymal stem cells

Background and Aim: Veterinary health care is an emergent area in animal sciences and innovative therapeutic approaches happen to be imperative in the present days. In view of the importance of cattle health and production, it is necessary to take up contemporary approach of stem cell therapy in this sector also. This study aimed to standardize an explant culture method of bovine umbilical tissue offcut to isolate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) because considerable efforts are required for ensuring easy accessibility and availability of MSCs in bulk quantity, as well as in establishing and characterizing the cell lines. Materials and Methods: The umbilical cord (UC) tissue matrix offcut was collected after calving. A simplified in vitro cell isolation technique was followed to collect the emerged out cells from the explants of UC. Further, we expanded these isolated cells in vitro, observed its growth kinetics, and characterized to confirm as per the criterion of bovine MSCs. Results: A considerable exponential growth rate of the UC-derived cells was noticed. In addition to their confirmation as MSCs, the cells also exhibited plastic adherent property and maintained the spindle-shaped morphology throughout the in vitro culture. The cultured cells were found positive MSC-specific surface markers CD105, CD90, and CD73 and were negative for hematopoietic cell marker CD45. Cytochemical studies revealed the ability of the cells to differentiate into osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lineages. Conclusion: This simplified method of isolation and culture of bovine multipotent MSCs from the UC offcut collected after calving could be extrapolated for the greater availability of the cells for prospective therapeutic applications

Induction of apoptosis by zerumbone isolated from Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith in protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani due to oxidative stress

In the present context of emergence of resistance aligned with the conventional anti-leishmanial drugs and occasional treatment failure compelled us to continue the search for replaceable therapeutic leads against Leishmania infection. Various ginger spices of the Zingiberaceae family are widely used as spices, flavouring agents, and medicines in Southeast Asia because of their unique flavour as well as due to their medicinal properties. Zerumbone, a natural component of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith, has been studied for its pharmacological potential as antiulcer, antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial. In this study, we have shown that zerumbone could induce ROS mediated apoptosis in Leishmania donovani promastigotes and also found effective in reducing intracellular amastigotes in infected-macrophages. We emphasized the potential of zerumbone to be employed in the development of new therapeutic drugs against L. donovani infection and provided the basis for future research on the application of transitional medicinal plants. Keywords: Leishmania donovani, Zingiber zerumbet, Zerumbone, Anti-leishmanial, RO