Brugia malayi Gene Expression in Response to the Targeting of the Wolbachia Endosymbiont by Tetracycline Treatment

Filarial parasites afflict hundreds of millions of individuals worldwide, and cause significant public health problems in many of the poorest countries in the world. Most of the human filarial parasite species, including Brugia malayi, harbor endosymbiotic bacteria of the genus Wolbachia. Elimination of the endosymbiont leads to sterilization of the adult female worm. The need exists for the development of new chemotherapeutic approaches that can practically exploit the vulnerability of the filaria to the loss of the Wolbachia. In this study we performed ultrastructural and microarray analyses of female worms collected from infected jirds treated with tetracycline. Results suggest that the endosymbiotic bacteria were specifically affected by the antibiotic. Furthermore, in response to the targeting of the endosymbiont, the parasites modulated expression of their genes. When exposed to tetracycline, the parasites over-expressed genes involved in protein synthesis. Expression of genes involved in cuticle biosynthesis and energy metabolism was, on the other hand, limited

Not Available

Not AvailableNot AvailableNot Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableThe objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of antibodies to four economically significant viral pathogens in domestic pigs porcine Reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus, porcine parvovirus (PPV), swine influenza virus (SIV) and porcine circo virus (PCV2) through a serological study in swine herds of five NE states of India experiencing reproductive problems. A total of 1064 serum samples from pigs were tested for antibody to the above mentioned viruses using a commercial ELISA kit. All farms in this study were farrow-to-finish operations and do not use an all-in-all out system. The obtained results showed the presence of antibodies to PPV (10.15%), PCV-2 (11.56 %), PRRSV (0.84%) and SIV (3.94%) in serum samples. Except Mizoram other four states were seronegative to PRRS virus. Clinical signs in sows and gilts recorded were mostly anestrous, abortion, stillborn and mummified foetuses, small litter size and weak born piglets. A total of 86 foetuses and weak piglets were necropsied from different swine herds. Pathological changes recorded grossly were congestion in the body surfaces, internal organs with accumulation of serosanguinous fluid in the body cavities of some necropsied late term aborted foetuses. PCR confirmation of the tissue samples collected from foetuses and piglets was done for the presence of PCV-2 and PPV by a duplex PCR. The present study demonstrated the extensive circulation of porcine parvo virus and porcine circo virus type 2 among domestic pig populations of NE India. All seropositivity to PRRSV, PPV, PCV2 and SIV is due to natural infection, because neither commercial nor autogenous vaccines were available during the study period throughout the country, indicating that the infection was widespread. This serological survey confirms a significant role of viral pathogens causing reproductive problems in pig population of NE India.Not Availabl

Not Available

NoAvailabletNot AvailableNot Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableEighteen Large White Yorkshire grower pigs were divided into three groups using randomized block design and they were supplemented with 0, 5 and 10% QPM maize fodder to the basal diet by replacing (wt/wt on DM) the maize grains and designated as T1 , T2 and T3 respectively. The protein content of the experimental diet was 18.63 ± 0.25, 18.51 ± 0.18 and 18.37 ± 0.11 while protein content of QPM maize fodder was 7.95 ± 0.04. Dry matter intake was found similar across the treatment groups. There was no significant difference on nutrient digestibility across the treatment groups. Similarly, there was no significant difference on average daily gain (g/day), feed intake per kg gain (FCR) and feed cost per kg gain. However, FCR and feed cost per kg gain was found better at 5% and 10% supplementation of maize fodder in the diet. Feed cost per kg gain was reduced by Rs.7.17 and Rs.11.59 at 5% and 10% supplementation of QPM maize fodder. From this study it is concluded that supplementation of QPM maize fodder to grower Large White Yorkshire pigs has economic benefit without affecting the growth and nutrient utilization and can be supplemented up to 5% in the diet of LWY pigs without affecting the performances.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableEighteen Large White Yorkshire grower pigs were divided into three groups using randomized block design and they were supplemented with 0, 5 and 10% QPM maize fodder to the basal diet by replacing (wt/wt on DM) the maize grains and designated as T1,T2 and T3 respectively. The protein content of the experimental diet was 18.63 ± 0.25, 18.51 ± 0.18 and 18.37 ± 0.11 while protein content of QPM maize fodder was 7.95 ± 0.04. Dry matter intake was found similar across the treatment groups. There was no significant difference on nutrient digestibility across the treatment groups. Similarly, there was no significant difference on average daily gain (g/day), feed intake per kg gain (FCR) and feed cost per kg gain. However, FCR and feed cost per kg gain was found better at 5% and 10% supplementation of maize fodder in the diet. Feed cost per kg gain was reduced by Rs.7.17 and Rs.11.59 at 5% and 10% supplementation of QPM maize fodder. From this study it is concluded that supplementation of QPM maize fodder to grower Large White Yorkshire pigs has economic benefit without affecting the growth and nutrient utilization and can be supplemented up to 5% in the diet of LWY pigs without affecting the performances.Not Availabl

Dietary supplementation of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid alters endometrial expression of genes involved in prostaglandin biosynthetic pathway in breeding sows (Sus scrofa)

Not AvailableThe present investigation was designed to study the effect of dietary supplementation of omega-3 (n-3) PUFA on endometrial expression of fertility-related genes in breeding sows. Sixteen crossbred sows were randomized to receive diets containing 4% (wt/wt) flaxseed oil as n-3 PUFA source (TRT group) or isonitrogenous, iso-caloric standard control diet (CON group), starting from the first day of estrus up to 40 days and were artificially bred on the second estrus. Endometrial samples were collected during days 10e11 and 15e16 post-mating for studying relative expression profile of candidate genes viz. Prostaglandin F Synthase (PGFS), microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 (mPGES-1) and Carbonyl Reductase-1 (CBR-1) using quantitative Real-Time PCR. Expression level of mPGES-1 gene transcript was 2.1-fold higher (P 0.05) during 15e16 days of pregnancy in TRT group as compared to CON group. Relative expression of PGFS gene transcript was significantly lower (P 0.05) of dietary supplementation during 15e16 days of pregnancy. Endometrial mRNA level of CBR1 was significantly lower (P 0.05) was observed subsequently during 15 e16 days of pregnancy as compared to CON group. Collectively, these results indicate that dietary n-3 PUFA supplementation can modulate gene expression of key enzymes in prostaglandin biosynthetic pathway during early gestation, which in turn might have beneficial impact on overall reproductive response in breeding sows. These findings partly support strategic dietary supplementation of plant-based source of n-3 PUFA with an aim to improve overall reproductive performance in sows.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableThe present investigation was designed to study the effect of dietary supplementation of omega-3 (n-3) PUFA on endometrial expression of fertility-related genes in breeding sows. Sixteen crossbred sows were randomized to receive diets containing 4% (wt/wt) flaxseed oil as n-3 PUFA source (TRT group) or iso-nitrogenous, iso-caloric standard control diet (CON group), starting from the first day of estrus up to 40 days and were artificially bred on the second estrus. Endometrial samples were collected during days 10-11 and 15-16 post-mating for studying relative expression profile of candidate genes viz. Prostaglandin F Synthase (PGFS), microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 (mPGES-1) and Carbonyl Reductase-1 (CBR-1) using quantitative Real-Time PCR. Expression level of mPGES-1 gene transcript was 2.1-fold higher (P  0.05) during 15-16 days of pregnancy in TRT group as compared to CON group. Relative expression of PGFS gene transcript was significantly lower (P  0.05) of dietary supplementation during 15-16 days of pregnancy. Endometrial mRNA level of CBR1 was significantly lower (P  0.05) was observed subsequently during 15-16 days of pregnancy as compared to CON group. Collectively, these results indicate that dietary n-3 PUFA supplementation can modulate gene expression of key enzymes in prostaglandin biosynthetic pathway during early gestation, which in turn might have beneficial impact on overall reproductive response in breeding sows. These findings partly support strategic dietary supplementation of plant-based source of n-3 PUFA with an aim to improve overall reproductive performance in sows.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableNot AvailableNot Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableEighteen crossbred (HS x Ghungroo) grower pigs (weighing from 40.4 ± 1.31 to 40.69 ± 3.73) were divided into three groups using randomized block design and they were supplemented with 0, 50 and 100 % HQPM-1(Quality Protein Maize Hybrid variety-1) maize grain by replacing the normal maize to the basal diet and designated as T1, T2 and T3 respectively. The protein content of the experimental diet was 18.12 ± 0.21, 18.38 ± 0.04 and 18.44 ± 0.11 respectively in T1, T2 and T3 groups while protein content of HQPM-1 maize grain was 9.39 ± 0.20. Dry matter intake was found similar across the treatment groups. There was no significant difference on nutrient digestibility across the treatment groups. Similarly there was no significant difference on average daily gain (g/day), feed intake per kg gain (FCR) and feed cost per kg gain. However, FCR and feed cost per kg gain was found better at 50 % and 100 % replacement of normal maize with HQPM-1 maize in the diet. Feed cost per kg gain was reduced by Rs.4.30 and Rs.1.40 at 50 % and 100 % replacement of normal maize with HQPM-1 in crossbred grower pigs.Not Availabl