Reproductive activity in sheep with different lambing period treated with melatonin in April

The object was to evaluate the effect of melatonin treatment on the advance in April of the reproductive resumption in Sarda breed sheep with different lambing period. For the research two farms, located in North Sardinia between 39° and 40° N, were chosen. In each farm, 120 lactating ewes were selected: 30 lambed between October 20th and November 20th (group 1); 30 lambed between December 1st and 30th (group 2); 30 lambed between January 1st and 30th; 30 lambed between February 1st and 28th (group 4). In each farm, each group of 30 animals was divided into two subgroups of 15 animals (M and C). On April 1st, in each farm, the animals of the M subgroups were treated with a implant containing 18 mg melatonin. The subgroups C were kept as control. The lambing dates and the number of newborn lambs were recorded until 220 days after ram introduction. In treated animals greatest fertility (P<0.01) and lowest distance in days from male introduction to lambing (P<0.01) were recorded. The best reproductive performances were found in the group 1 and 2 compared to the other two groups (P<0.01).The present research shows that melatonin treatment should be made 3 or 4 months after lambing, in order to obtain optimal results

Epidemiology of taeniosis/cysticercosis in Europe, a systematic review : Western Europe

Background: Taenia solium and Taenia saginata are zoonotic parasites of public health importance. Data on their occurrence in humans and animals in western Europe are incomplete and fragmented. In this study, we aimed to update the current knowledge on the epidemiology of these parasites in this region. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of scientific and grey literature published from 1990 to 2015 on the epidemiology of T. saginata and T. solium in humans and animals. Additionally, data about disease occurrence were actively sought by contacting local experts in the different countries. Results: Taeniosis cases were found in twelve out of eighteen countries in western Europe. No cases were identified in Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. For Denmark, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and the UK, annual taeniosis cases were reported and the number of detected cases per year ranged between 1 and 114. Detected prevalences ranged from 0.05 to 0.27%, whereas estimated prevalences ranged from 0.02 to 0.67%. Most taeniosis cases were reported as Taenia spp. or T. saginata, although T. solium was reported in Denmark, France, Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Portugal and the UK. Human cysticercosis cases were reported in all western European countries except for Iceland, with the highest number originating from Portugal and Spain. Most human cysticercosis cases were suspected to have acquired the infection outside western Europe. Cases of T. solium in pigs were found in Austria and Portugal, but only the two cases from Portugal were confirmed with molecular methods. Germany, Spain and Slovenia reported porcine cysticercosis, but made no Taenia species distinction. Bovine cysticercosis was detected in all countries except for Iceland, with a prevalence based on meat inspection of 0.0002-7.82%. Conclusions: Detection and reporting of taeniosis in western Europe should be improved. The existence of T. solium tapeworm carriers, of suspected autochthonous cases of human cysticercosis and the lack of confirmation of porcine cysticercosis cases deserve further attention. Suspected cases of T. solium in pigs should be confirmed by molecular methods. Both taeniosis and human cysticercosis should be notifiable and surveillance in animals should be improved.Peer reviewe

2.3 Vulnerable Workers in Agriculture

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Factors affecting rearing practices and health of calves on family farms

Aim of the study: Calf rearing practices vary in different countries and may be affected by many factors. Poor management is related to diseases outbreak and death in calves. This study aimed to analyze practices in calf rearing and the occurrence of common calf diseases on family farms in two European countries and to examine the characteristics of a farmer and his farm as factors that may affect the way of performing practices related to calves’ health.Area of study: Slovenia and Serbia.Material and methods: For collecting data, the same questionnaire-based survey was distributed among cattle farm owners in Slovenia and Serbia.Main results: The following factors showed a significant influence (p<0.05) on certain rearing practices: farm size (on time for checking calves, milk reheating, and providing rehydration fluids to the calf with diarrhea in Slovenia), specialization of the production (on preventive antiparasitic treatments and restriction of drinking water for calves with diarrhea in Slovenia, and the time for checking calves in Serbia), breeder’s age (on colostrum quality checking in Slovenia), and breeder’s education (on time for checking calves and checking colostrum quality in Serbia). The results pointed out the rearing practices to be improved in both countries, Slovenia and Serbia, such as colostrum management and prevention strategies of calf diseases.Research highlights: Characteristics of the farmer and his farm may affect many aspects of calves’ rearing. Continuous education of farmers and appropriate production planning can contribute to better farm productivity and better health and welfare of calves