Acute phase proteins in dairy calves and reindeer : changes after birth and in respiratory infections

The early protection mechanism of the host against infection, trauma or other tissue damage comprises a set of reactions known as the acute phase response (APR). During APR, circulating concentrations of acute phase proteins (APPs) change. These proteins can serve as indicators of host response during various inflammatory conditions. In this thesis, APR in reindeer was investigated for the first time. Systemic concentrations of APPs during the neonatal period were studied in reindeer and cattle. APPs were also investigated during spontaneous bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in dairy calves. Escherichia coli endotoxin challenge in adult reindeer increased concentrations of serum amyloid A (SAA) in all animals. Haptoglobin (Hp) showed a less pronounced increase. SAA and Hp were concluded to be acute phase reactants in reindeer. In reindeer calves SAA concentrations increased during the first 2 weeks of life and decreased afterwards. Serum Hp concentrations increased throughout the first month after birth. In dairy calves SAA and lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) concentrations changed similarly during first month of age as in reindeer calves. However, Hp concentrations generally remained low after birth. SAA rise in calves were not derived from colostrum as mammary specific SAA isoforms were not found from calves serum samples. Results of these two studies indicated that newborn reindeer and dairy calves have an inflammatory response during the first weeks of life and the age of young animals should by considered when interpreting APP concentrations. Very similar SAA changes in the two ruminant species also suggest that this inflammatory response may have role in the adaptation process of newborns to extrauterine life. The effect of different bovine respiratory pathogens on concentrations of APPs (SAA, LBP, Hp, alpha1-acid glycoprotein and fibrinogen) was studied in calves. Isolation of Pasteurella multocida was associated with increased concentrations of all APPs tested. In another study, concentrations of APPs were investigated in dairy calves during an outbreak of BRD. Initial cause for BRD outbreak was bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) infection. Concentrations of SAA and LBP increased in parallel with clinical symptoms at week 1 and peaked at week 3 of outbreak. Some calves had high Hp concentrations at week 3. Higher SAA, LBP and Hp concentrations at a later stage of BRD (week 3) were associated with lower BRSV-specific IgG1 production, suggesting that these calves had enhanced inflammatory response to secondary bacterial infection. In conclusion, APPs proved to be useful in exploring host response in bovine respiratory infections.Eläimen sairastuessa tai saadessa kudosvaurion tapahtuu elimistössä niin kutsuttu akuutin vaiheen vaste. Akuutin vaiheen aikana joidenkin plasmaproteiinien pitoisuus kohoaa, koska niiden tuotanto maksassa lisääntyy. Mittaamalla akuutin vaiheen proteiineja verenkierosta voidaan tutkia tulehduksen vaikutusta elimistöön ja elimistön vastetta haasteeseen. Tässä väitöskirjatyössä tutkittiin ensimmäistä kertaa akuutin vaiheen proteiineja porolla. Siinä selvitettiin proteiinien pitoisuuksien vaihtelua heti syntymän jälkeen poronvasoilla ja vasikoilla ja arvioitiin akuutin vaiheen proteiinien käyttöä vasikoiden hengitystietulehduksissa taudinaiheuttajien elimistövaikutusten tutkimisessa. Escherichia coli - endotoksiini aiheutti seerumin amyloidi A:n (SAA) pitoisuuksien nousun aikuisilla poroilla. Haptoglobiinin (Hp) nousu ei ollut niin selvä, mutta tämä tutkimus osoitti, että molemmat proteiinit toimivat akuutin vaiheen proteiineina myös porolla. Poronvasoilla nousi SAA:n pitoisuus ensimmäisen kahden elinviikon aikana ja laski sen jälkeen. Hp:n pitoisuudet nousivat vasoilla tasaisesti ensimmäisen elinkuukauden aikana. Vasikoilla SAA:n ja lipopolysakkariidia sitovan proteiinin (LBP) pitoisuudet muuttuivat samalla tavalla kuin SAA poronvasoilla, mutta Hp pysyi yleisesti alhaisena syntymän jälkeen. Koska maidon SAA:n isoformia ei löytynyt vasikoiden verinäytteistä, niin havaittu veren SAA:n nousu heti syntymän jälkeen ei johdu SAA:n imeytymisestä ternimaidosta. Nämä kaksi tutkimusta osoittivat, että poronvasoilla ja vasikoilla on heti syntymän jälkeen ohimenevä tulehdusreaktio. Tästä syystä on tärkeätä ottaa huomioon eläinten ikä akuutin vaiheen proteiinien tulosten tulkinnassa nuorten eläinten sairauksien yhteydessä. Hyvin samanlaiset SAA:n muutokset poronvasoilla ja vasikoilla viittaavat siihen, että tulehdusvasteella on rooli vastasyntyneiden märehtijöiden sopeutumisessa kohdunulkoiseen elämään. Kaikkien tutkittujen akuutin vaiheen proteiinien (SAA, LBP, Hp, hapan alfa1 glykoproteiini ja fibrinogeeni) kohonneet pitoisuudet olivat yhteydessä Pasteurella multocida - löydökseen keuhkohuuhtelunäytteestä hengitystietulehdukseen sairastuneilla vasikoilla. Toisessa tutkimuksessa seurattiin vasikoita luonnollisen respiratory syncytial(RS)-viruksen aiheuttaman hengitystietaudinpurkauksen aikana. SAA:n ja LBP:n pitoisuudet nousivat vasikoilla samanaikaisesti kliinisten hengitystieoireiden ilmaantumisen kanssa seurannan ensimmäisen viikon aikana ja korkeimmillaan pitoisuudet olivat viikolla 3. Joillakin vasikoilla myös Hp-arvot olivat kohonneet viikolla 3. Korkeammat akuutin vaiheen proteiinien pitoisuudet taudinpurkauksen myöhemmässä vaiheessa oli vasikoilla, joilla oli vähäisempi RS-viruksen vasta-aineiden tuotanto. Tämä viittaa siihen, että matalampi vasta-aineiden tuotanto altisti vasikoita voimakkaammalle sekundaariselle bakteeritulehdukselle virustartunnan jälkeen. Nämä kaksi tutkimusta osoittivat että akuutin vaiheen proteiinit ovat hyödyllisiä tutkittaessa vasikoiden luonnollisia hengitystietulehduksia

Risk factors for honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) mortality in Estonian apiaries during 2012–2013

Received: January 4th, 2022 ; Accepted: May 11th, 2022; Published: May 19th, 2022 ; Correspondence: [email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6478-7047In light of the global increase in honey bee colony losses, risk factors regarding beekeeping management practices and honey bee diseases have been studied intensively during the last decade. Some risk factors have been outlined, but the correlation of evidence between relevant factors coinciding with honey bee mortality still needs to be clarified. The current study used the two-year data collected in frames of the European Commission EPILOBEE project. Previously, the data from Estonian apiaries were analysed together with the data from all 17 participating European countries in the consortium. In the current study, data from Estonian apiaries were targeted separately. In total, 196 apiaries containing 2,439 colonies all over Estonia were included in this dataset. The study aimed to clarify the risk factors that would predict colony losses in Estonia. The main factors increasing colony mortality after winter were the size of the apiary, Varroa destructor mite count, infestation with Paenibacillus larvae, and lack of farmlands around the apiary. No significant risk factors in relation to honey bee summer mortality were detected

Systemic inflammatory response to shoulder ulcers and lack of preventive effect of postpartum pain medication with ketoprofen in sows

Shoulder lesions are common in lactating sows and can affect their welfare. We assessed the systemic inflammatory response to shoulder ulcers and monitored the preventive effect of postpartum administration with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (ketoprofen) on their prevalence. In a double-blind placebo-controlled field trial, 144 YxL hybrid sows farrowing in crates with a cast-iron floor received either ketoprofen (3 mg/kg) or placebo as an intramuscular injection on days 0-1 after parturition. During the lactation period (weeks 1–4) all sows were assessed weekly for the presence of shoulder ulcers (0 = no ulcer, 1 = unilateral ulcer, 2 = bilateral ulcers; in all cases at least epithelial damage). From a subset of 37 sows, haptoglobin (Hp), albumin (ALB) and cortisol (COR) were measured from blood samples taken 10 to 12 days after farrowing. Results were analyzed according to a linear regression model for associations between Hp, ALB, COR and shoulder ulcers. A random ordered logistic model was used to assess risk factors (body condition score (BCS), back and shoulder fat, decrease in BCS or fat layer thickness during lactation, parity, number of live born and stillborn piglets, piglets weaned, shoulder ulcer scar) and the effect of ketoprofen treatment. Total prevalence of shoulder ulcers at lactation weeks 1–4 was 26.4%, 33.3%, 38.2% and 38.9%, respectively. Prevalences of unilateral shoulder ulcers at lactation weeks 1–4 were 16.7%, 19.4%, 20.8% and 18.8%, and prevalences of bilateral shoulder ulcers were 9.7%, 13.9%, 17.4%, and 20.1%. There was a decrease in albumin and an increase in Hp levels in sows with bilateral shoulder ulcers compared with sows without shoulder ulcers (P Peer reviewe

Short Communication: PGF2α and parenteral administration of ceftifur as a treatment of postpartum uterine inflammations in dairy cows

Present study was designed to get additional knowledge about treatment of postpartum (PP) clinical metritis (CM) and clinical endometritis (CE), using combination of systemic antibiotics with administration of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), to determine the optimal time of treatment, to study effect of this treatment on clinical, physiological and fertility parameters. Late pregnant dairy cows with diagnosed CM and CE were divided to the experimental and positive control groups and negative control groups were composed of healthy cows. Measurements of body temperature, examination of general health status and vaginal discharge, bacteriological and cytological examinations, determination of plasma or milk progesterone, measuring of acute phase proteins and data of fertility parameters were used for evaluation of treatment success. Using of combination of systemic administrations of ceftiofur with two injections of PGF2α at intervals of 8 h was compared with using of combination of intramuscular administration of ceftiofur with flunixin. Treatment of CE using systemic administrations of ceftiofur with two injections of PGF2α with an interval of 8 h in the early PP (5-10 day after calving) was compared with treatment in the late PP (30-35 day PP). The findings of the present study indicate that treatment of CM and CE using flunixin in addition to parenteral antibiotic did not improve clinical cure, inflammatory parameters or elimination of bacteria from the uterus. Regardless of more severe inflammation that was detected in animals from the group treated by parenteral administration of antibiotic with PGF2α they showed the same fertility parameters as healthy animals. Results of this study suggests that treatment of CE in the early PP period, using systemic administration of ceftiofur with two injections of PGF2α at an interval of 8 h, could be more preferable to using the same treatment in the late PP

CCL5/CCR1 axis regulates multipotency of human adipose tissue derived stromal cells

AbstractSeveral potential clinical applications of stem cells rely on their capacity to migrate into sites of inflammation where they contribute to tissue regeneration processes. Inflammatory signals are partially mediated by chemokines acting via their receptors expressed on the target cells. Data concerning the repertoire and biological activities of chemokine receptors in human adipose tissue derived stromal cells (ADSCs) are limited. Here we show that CCR1 is one of the few chemokine receptors expressed in ADSCs at a high level. CCR1 expression varies in ADSCs derived from different donors. It sharply decreases in the early phase of ADSCs in vitro propagation, but further demonstrates relative stability. Expression of CCR1 positively correlates with expression of SOX2, OCT4 and NANOG, transcription factors responsible for maintenance of the stemness properties of the cells. We demonstrate that signaling via CCL5/CCR1 axis triggers migration of ADSCs, activates ERK and AKT kinases, stimulates NFκB transcriptional activity and culminates in increased proliferation of CCR1+ cells accompanied with up-regulation of SOX2, OCT4 and NANOG expression. Our data suggest that chemokine signaling via CCR1 may be involved in regulation of stemness of ADSCs

Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence varies by cat breed

Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread zoonotic parasite that is relevant for veterinary and public health. The domestic cat, the definitive host species with the largest worldwide population, has become evolutionarily and epidemiologically the most important host of T. gondii. The outcome of T. gondii infection is influenced by congenital and acquired host characteristics. We detected differences in T. gondii seroprevalence by cat breed in our previous studies. The aims of this study were to estimate T. gondii seroprevalence in selected domestic cat breeds, and to evaluate whether being of a certain breed is associated with T. gondii seropositivity, when the age and lifestyle of the cat are taken into account. The studied breeds were the Birman, British Shorthair, Burmese, Korat, Norwegian Forest Cat, Ocicat, Persian, and Siamese. Plasma samples were analyzed for the presence of immunoglobulin G antibodies against T. gondii with a commercial direct agglutination test at dilution 1: 40. The samples were accompanied by owner-completed questionnaires that provided background data on the cats. Overall, 41.12% of the 1121 cats tested seropositive, and the seroprevalence increased with age. The Burmese had the lowest seroprevalence (18.82%) and the Persian had the highest (60.00%). According to the final multivariable logistic regression model, the odds to test seropositive were four to seven times higher in Birmans, Ocicats, Norwegian Forest Cats, and Persians when compared with the Burmese, while older age and receiving raw meat were also risk factors for T. gondii seropositivity. This study showed that T. gondii seroprevalence varies by cat breed and identified being of certain breeds, older age, and receiving raw meat as risk factors for seropositivity.Peer reviewe

Factors affecting sow colostrum yield and composition, and their impact on piglet growth and health

The present study investigated sow colostrum yield (CY), colostrum composition and factors affecting them, and their relation to piglet survivability, growth and mortality. The study included 230 sows with 3,210 live-born piglets from five Finnish and one Dutch sow herd. Sow farrowing was supervised, and piglets were individually weighed at birth (BWB) and 24 h after birth of first piglet in order to calculate piglet CI and sow CY. Colostrum nutritional composition, immunoglobulin (Ig), serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (Hp) contents were assessed. Sow plasma SAA, Hp and progesterone around farrowing were also assessed. Selected ear-tagged piglets were weighed at 3 to 4 weeks of age to calculate individual average daily gain. Sow CY was positively correlated with plasma Hp (P = 0.029) and number of live-born piglets (P < 0.01). An additional minute of farrowing duration lowered the CY by 2.2 g (P = 0.01). Piglet CI was positively associated with piglet weight at birth (P < 0.001) and negatively associated with the number of live-born piglets in the litter and percentage of protein in the colostrum (P < 0.001). Both piglet CI and birth weight were positively associated with piglet average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.001). Piglet survival from birth to weaning depends on CI. We established that the risk of piglet death or of a piglet being treated with antibiotic before weaning increases with a decrease in sow back fat thickness at farrowing (P = 0.04). Similarly, we found that piglets from litters with low BWB and low CI had a higher risk of death before weaning (P < 0.001). Piglets born from sows with lower levels of colostrum IgA and SAA and high plasma progesterone at the end of farrowing had a higher risk of neonatal diarrhea (P = 0.04; P = 0.05; P = 0.04). Piglets born from sows having higher back fat thickness at weaning had a higher risk of developing weaning diarrhea (P = 0.02). In conclusion, longer farrowing duration can be detrimental and can negatively influence sow CY. Sow body condition and physiological status around farrowing can also affect CY, and thereby increase piglet mortality and use of antibiotics in neonatal piglets. Neonatal piglets can benefit from higher colostrum immunoglobulins, SAA, and decreased level of plasma progesterone in sows at the end of farrowing.Peer reviewe

Porsimisen jälkeen annetun ketoprofeenin vaikutukset emakon terveyteen ja porsaiden kasvuun

The effect of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ketoprofen on the post-farrowing phase of sows was studied in a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Ketoprofen (3 mg/kg) was administered intramuscularly to 20 healthy sows for 3 days post partum (p.p.). The control group (n=20) received a saline placebo. Backfat, number of days of constipation and days before feed refusal were measured. Body condition (BCS) and shoulder sores were scored during a week p.p. Changes in BCS, backfat and shoulder sore scores were analysed with ANOVA. Blood was collected on days -1, 0, 5 and 14 with respect to medication. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine kinase (CK), haptoglobin and serum amyloid A (SAA) were quantified and analysed with a Mann-Whitney U test. BCS and backfat decreased less following ketoprofen administration than with the placebo (-0.08 ± 0.2 vs. -0.8 ± 0.2, 1.0 ± 0.8 mm vs. -2.0 ± 0.9 mm, respectively, P<0.05 for both) during the first 2 weeks of lactation. The shoulder sore score deterioration was milder during days 4-6 p.p with ketoprofen than with the placebo (P<0.05). Duration of constipation was shorter with ketoprofen than with the placebo (5.5 ± 0.3 vs. 6.4 ± 0.3 days p.p. P<0.05). Incidences of feed refusal occurred later in the ketoprofen than in the placebo group (9.6 ± 0.9 vs. 3.8 ± 0.8 days p.p., P<0.05). AST and SAA were higher after ketoprofen than placebo on day 5 p.p. (P<0.05). Ketoprofen benefits sows during the first 2 weeks post farrowing, but apparently causes some tissue irritation.Peer reviewe

Culling reasons and risk factors in Estonian dairy cows

Background: Culling is a major cost for dairy farms but also an essential part in managing herd productivity. This study aimed to identify the culling rates of Estonian dairy cows, identify the farmers' stated reasons and risk factors for culling. This observational study used registry data of all cows from herds with >= 20 cow-years in 2013-2015. Cow lactation-level analyses included data of 86,373 primiparous cows from 409 herds and 177,561 lactations of 109,295 multiparous cows from 410 herds. Weibull proportional hazard regression models were used to identify risk factors for culling due to slaughter or death. Results: The overall culling rate of Estonian dairy cows was 26.24 (95% CI 26.02; 26.46) per 100 cow-years. The most common reasons farmers stated for culling were feet/claw disorders (26.4%), udder disorders (22.6%), metabolic and digestive disorders (18.1%) and fertility problems (12.5%). Animal-level risk factors for culling were Holstein breed, older parity, lower milk yield breeding value, older age at first calving, longer previous calving interval, having assisted calving, stillbirth and birth of twins/triplets. Lower milk yield, somatic cell count over 200,000 cells/ml and fat/protein ratio over 1.5 at first test-milking after calving were associated with greater culling hazard during the lactation. Cows from larger herds, herds with decreasing size and higher milk yields had a higher culling probability. Conclusions: This study emphasises the need for improved management of hoof health and prevention of mastitis and metabolic diseases. It is essential to ensure easy calving and good health of cows around calving in order to lower the culling hazard

Multiblock analysis reveals key areas and risk factors for dairy cow losses

Describe the relative contribution of the production areas (thematic blocks) to cow losses characterized by herd on farm mortality risk (MR), culling rates (CR) and mean age of culled cows (MAofCC). Also, the study aimed to identify within each block, the variables mostly contributing to the cow losses.This work was financed by the Estonian Research Council grant (PSG 268).This work was financed by the Estonian Research Council grant (PSG 268