Oxidative effects of long-term onion (Allium cepa) feeding on goat erythrocytes

Toxic compounds such as disulfides of onions cause oxidative-induced haemolysis in several animal species. In order to study the outcomes of long-term onion consumption on some oxidative haemolysis markers, 12 adult female goats were allocated to three groups, receiving 0 (served as control), 30 (dry matter basis) and 60 spring-grown onion for 60 days. Blood samples were obtained before feeding the onion and every 10 days up to 80 days for measuring malonyldialdehyde (MDA), methaemoglobin (MetHb), mean corpuscular fragility (MCF), serum-free haemoglobin and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and for evaluating their relation to packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations. PCV and Hb concentrations reduced, however, remained within reference ranges in onion-fed goats. MetHb showed a significant negative correlation with both PCV and Hb (P < 0. 05) in onion-fed goats and a significant positive correlation with MCF and serum-free haemoglobin in goats receiving 30 onion. MetHb showed a significant positive correlation with MCF in goats fed with 60 onion. MDA showed a positive correlation with LDH and serum-free haemoglobin concentrations. These results suggest a role for oxidative damage in destructing red cells in goats feeding onions. However, it seems that up to 60 onions in diet can be consumed by goats without noticeable clinical anaemia. © 2011 Springer-Verlag London Limited

The hematological profile changes in Saanen goat kids from birth to 3 months of age

This study performed to determine hematological parameters in Saanen goats’ kids from birth until 3 months of age. The whole blood specimens were collected from 20 clinically healthy goat kids (15 females and 5 males). The blood specimens were obtained at 24-48h after birth and 10 ± 2, 28 ± 2, 56 ± 2 and 84 ± 2 days. Hematological variables were determined based on reference laboratory methods. Results showed significant age related changes for most factors (p < 0.05) except for MCHC and the number of monocytes, eosinophils, and band neutrophils. There were significant differences with first sampling time for all parameters (p < 0.01) except for the number of monocytes, eosinophils and band neutrophils. The results of the present study ould be used as reference values for proper interpretation of laboratory results

Relationship between fructusamine, glucose, total protein, and albumin concentrations of serum in late pregnancy and early lactation of dairy Saanen goat

The changes in serum fructosamine concentration of dairy Saanen goats during late pregnancy and early lactation and its relationship to serum glucose, total protein, and albumin concentrations was investigated. Eleven Saanen goats were selected for the study. Blood samples were collected by the jugular vein in 30, 15 and 7 days before the expected time of parturition (D-30, D-15, and D-7, respectively) and also 12 hours and 3, 7, 13, and 42 days post-partum (H+12, D+3, D+7, D+13, and D+42, respectively). The serum concentrations of fructosamine, glucose, albumin, and total protein were measured. The maximum concentration of fructosamine was at 12 hours post-partum and decreased thereafter. Serum concentration of glucose significantly increased from D-15 up to 12 hours post-partum and then decreased and stayed at the same level. The serum concentrations of albumin and total protein significantly increased during post-partum period. There were significant correlations between fructosamine and glucose concentrations at post-partum period and overall time of the study. Linear regression analysis between each sampling amount of glucose and three consecutive fructosamine concentrations revealed significant positive correlation between glucose of each sampling time with the fructosamine of first sampling time thereafter. According to the correlation between glucose and fructosamine amounts during the study, especially post-partum period in Saanen goat, fructosamine measurement could be used as a useful indicator of energy economy and probably stress in Sannen goat; but controversy between reports in ruminants needs further studies for better understanding of fructosamine as energy biomarker in ruminants

The haematological, proinflammatory cytokines and IgG changes during an ovine experimental theileriosis

Malignant ovine theileriosis is caused by Theileria lestoquardi, which is highly pathogenic in sheep. Theileriosis involves different organs in ruminants. Little is known about the role of proinflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of T. lestoquardi infection. The aim of this study was to measure concentration changes of proinflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulin G (IgG) during an ovine experimental theileriosis and correlate it with clinical and haematological parameters. During an experimental study, seven healthy Baluchi sheep (four females and three males) about 6–8 months old were infected with T. lestoquardi by feeding of infected unfed ticks on the sheep’s ears. The infected sheep were clinically examined during the study and blood samples were collected on days 0, 2, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17 and 21. The haematological parameters were analysed by an automatic veterinary haematology cell counter and the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IgG were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All infected sheep had temperatures above 40 °C on days 3–4 post infection (PI). The maximum temperature was noted on day 7, and it remained high until day 21. The parasitaemia of T. lestoquardi infection increased from 0.01% (day 7 PI) to 3.3% (day 21 PI). The mean white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), lymphocyte, neutrophil and platelet values slightly increased on day 2 PI and decreased by day 17 and day 21 PI. The percentage parasitaemia and fever had a negative correlation with the numbers of WBCs, RBCs, lymphocytes, neutrophils and platelets. The serum concentration of IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ cytokines increased and peaked on day 12 and thereafter decreased to levels lower than 0. Out of all tested cytokines, the concentration of IL-6 was significantly higher, as early as day 2 PI. No significant changes were observed for the IgG levels during the course of disease. A significant and strong correlation was observed between IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ values and a moderate correlation between IL-6 and the numbers of lymphocytes in the present study. A strong correlation was determined between the percentage parasitaemia and haematological parameters in T. lestoquardi-infected sheep. In addition, preliminary results indicate that the measurement of the serum concentrations of IL-6 in combination with haematological parameters could be considered a good marker to estimate the pathogenicity of T. lestoquardi strain

Effects of Monensin on Metabolism and Production in Dairy Saanen Goats in Periparturient Period

This trial evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with monensin sodium on dry matter intake, metabolic parameters and milk yield and milk composition of dairy Saanen goats in the periparturient period. Twelve Saanen pregnant dairy goats were assigned to a treatment and a control group. Saanen goats were fed monensin as its 10% sodium salt in the amount of 33 mg/kg of total dry matter intake during 30 d before parturition till d 42 in milk. Blood samples were collected from each goat at d 30, 15 and 7 before expected kidding time and also in d 1, 7, 13, 19, 21, 28, 35 and 42 postpartum. The serum concentrations of β-Hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), non-esterifed fatty acid (NEFA), calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphorus, cholesterol, triglyceride, urea, total protein, albumin and glucose and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity were determined. The BHBA concentration significantly decreased in goats, which received monensin in comparison to controls in the postpartum period (p = 0.049). The concentration of sodium (Na) was significantly influenced by monensin treatment in the postpartum period (p = 0.048). In addition, the difference in dry matter intake was highly significant between the two groups during the pre-partum period. Controls had more dry matter intake (DMI) than treatment goats (p = 0.0001). Mean 3.5% fat corrected milk production was not influenced by monensin treatment. However, milk fat percentage was significantly decreased in monensin treated goats (p = 0.0017)

Comparison of serum 25(OH) vitamin D, parathormone and immunity marker concentrations between dogs with transmissible venereal tumour and healthy dogs

Abstract Background 1,25‐Dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2 D) is vital in the homeostasis of calcium and bone health as well as in the prevention of many disorders such as neoplasms. Epidemiological data show that low concentrations of both 1,25(OH)2D and its precursor 25(OH) vitamin D (25(OH)D) are associated with an increased risk of a variety of human tumours. Objectives To investigate 25(OH)D, parathormone (PTH) and immunity marker concentrations in dogs with transmissible venereal tumour (TVT). Methods 25(OH)D, PTH and various biochemical and immunity markers were evaluated in dogs with TVT (n = 26) and in healthy (n = 30) dogs. Results 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly lower in dogs with TVT in comparison with healthy dogs. In contrast, PTH, immunoglobulin G and interleukin (IL)‐9 concentrations were higher in the dogs with TVT. Other variables, including IL‐10, interferon γ, calcium and inorganic phosphate, were not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusions Decreased serum 25(OH)D concentration may be a risk factor for the development of canine TVT; however, cause‐and‐effect remains incompletely understood. Further studies are required to elucidate the exact role of 25(OH)D in canine TVT and whether vitamin D supplementation may be useful prophylactically or as an adjunct to chemotherapy

Effects of Dexamethasone and Insulin Alone or in Combination on Energy and Protein Metabolism Indicators and Milk Production in Dairy Cows in Early Lactation – A Randomized Controlled Trial

<div><p>Objectives</p><p>This study investigated the effects of dexamethasone and insulin, when administered at 3^rd or 10^th day of lactation on energy and protein metabolism in dairy cows.</p><p>Materials and Methods</p><p>Two hundred Holstein cows were enrolled in a randomized controlled clinical trial. The cows were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 4 treatments at 3 or 10 days in milk: control group, 10-mL i.m. injection of sterile water, group insulin, s.c. injection of 100 units of insulin, group dexamethasone, i.m. injection of 20 mg of dexamethasone, group insulin plus dexamethasone, i.m. injection of 20 mg of dexamethasone and 100 units of insulin. The cows randomly assigned to receive the treatments on 3 or 10 days of lactation. Serum samples obtained at the time of enrollment, time of treatment and at 2, 4, 7 and 14 days after intervention. The sera were analyzed for β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose, cholesterol, albumin, urea, and aspartate amino transferase (AST). Data were analyzed using a repeated measures mixed model that accounted for the effects of parity, body condition score, dystocia, retained placenta, metritis and the random effect of cow.</p><p>Results</p><p>There was no significant interaction of group of treatment and time of intervention (day 3 or 10 post-partum) on serum components. Cows that received insulin or dexamethasone alone or in combination, had lower BHBA 2 days after treatment compared with control cows, whereas concentrations of NEFA, were unaffected suggesting that glucocorticoids lipolytic effects do not appear to be important in healthy cows. AST activities significantly reduced in cows that received dexamethasone with or without insulin at 2 and 4 days after treatment. Albumin and urea concentrations 2 days after treatment were higher for cows that received dexamethasone only or dexamethasone plus insulin compared with control and Ins received cows. There were no treatment effects on test-day milk production, milk fat and protein percentages.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The results suggested that administration of glucocorticoids in early lactation resulted in short-term improvement of metabolism in postpartum dairy cows in biochemical terms.</p></div

Parity, BCS, dystocia, incidence of retained placenta and metritis and milk breeding value of cows that received placebo (group Con), insulin only (group Ins), dexamethasone only (group Dex), or dexamethasone plus insulin (group ID), once in day 3 or 10 of lactation.

<p>Parity, BCS, dystocia, incidence of retained placenta and metritis and milk breeding value of cows that received placebo (group Con), insulin only (group Ins), dexamethasone only (group Dex), or dexamethasone plus insulin (group ID), once in day 3 or 10 of lactation.</p

Least square mean and standard error of serum concentrations of (a) BHBA, (b) NEFA, (c) glucose, (d) cholesterol, (e) aspartate aminotransferase (AST), (f) urea and (g) albumin in 193 cows received placebo (blue diamond, 49 cows), insulin (red square, 47 cows), dexamethasone (green triangle, 49 cows), and insulin plus dexamethasone (purple circle, 48 cows).

<p>Treatments were given once at +3 or +10 d relating to calving. Significant differences (<i>P</i><0·0083) are marked *.</p

The effects of time of lactation, treatment (group ID, insulin plus dexamethasone; group Ins, insulin only; group Dex, dexamethasone; group Con, placebo), parity, and subclinical ketosis on milk production and milk components by repeated-measures of ANOVA.

<p>All underlying data of the study is available as the <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0139276#pone.0139276.s001" target="_blank">S1 Table</a>.</p><p>There was no treatment × time interaction.</p