Exercise-induced Modifications on Haematochemical and Electrophoretic Parameters During 1600 and 2000 Meters Trot Races in Standardbred Horses

Abstract Piccione, G., Casella, S., Giannetto, C., Monteverde, V. and Ferrantelli, V. 2009. Exercise-induced modifications on haematochemical and electrophoretic parameters during 1600 and 2000 meters trot races in Standardbred horses. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 131–135. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the modifications of some haematochemical and electrophoretic parameters during two different workloads in Standardbred horses. Ten clinically healthy horses were divided into two equal groups, taking part in an official trot race at 1600 or 2000 meters course, respectively. Blood samples were collected from each horse at rest, after warm up, 0, 30 and 60 min after the end of the race. Serum concentrations of albumin, globulins, total proteins, total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, hydroxybutyrate, urea, creatinine, creatine kinase (CK), glutamate pyruvate transaminases (GPT) and glutamate oxalacetate transaminases (GOT) were assessed. Exercise increased triglyceride, glucose, creatinine and..

serum lipid profile modification related to polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in thoroughbred horses

ABSTRACTThe importance of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) within the biological functions of animals has been widely recognized. In this study, exercise and PUFAs' supplementation effects on serum triglycerides (Try), total cholesterol (Chol), and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) concentration were evaluated in athletic horses. Ten regularly trained thoroughbred horses were randomly divided in two groups, control group (CG; n = 5) and experimental group (EG; n = 5). EG received a 4-week PUFA supplementation; CG received no dietary supplement. Blood samples were collected from the animals every 10 days before (PreD10, PreD20, PreD30) and after (PostD10, PostD20, PostD30) 1700 metres of race and were tested for selected parameters. Two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures showed lower Chol levels at PreD10, PreD20, and PreD30 in EG with respect to control CG (P < .05). EG showed lower NEFA levels than CG at PreD20 and PostD30 (P < .05). Increase of Try levels was found in EG at PreD20 and Pos..

Quantification of Some Heavy Metals in Hair of Dairy Cows Housed in Different Areas from Sicily as a Bioindicator of Environmental Exposure—A Preliminary Study

Simple Summary: Heavy metals are considered one of the most critical pollutants that contaminate the environment through anthropogenic or natural activities. Animals are very good indicators of environmental pollution as they inhabit the same space as humans and are exposed to the same pollutants. The levels of selected heavy metals in hair samples of Holstein dairy cows are evaluated in this study. The gathered results would emphasize the usefulness of hair samples as possible bioindicators of heavy metal exposure that, in the long term, could be harmful to the final consumer. Moreover, this study gives an overview about the scenario of anthropogenic activity effects on heavy metal accumulation in dairy cows from Ragusa, a peculiar Sicilian province particularly dedicated to cow breeding for milk production. Abstract: The objective of this preliminary study was to evaluate the levels of selected heavy metals in hair samples of Holstein dairy cows reared on agricultural soils characterized by grassland subjected to anthropogenic impacts. Ninety Holstein-Friesian cows were enrolled in the study and divided into six groups according to farm origin. From each animal, hair samples were collected in order to determine the content of aluminum, chromium, iron, copper, zinc, arsenic, cadmium, and lead. One-way analysis of variance was applied to assess statistically significant differences in the studied heavy metals among the six groups. A significant effect of groups (p < 0.05) on all tested heavy metals was observed. In this study, the low concentration of heavy metals in the hair of the studied animals led us to think that the cows were subjected to low levels of these compounds, preventing them from bioaccumulating. Although the current study provides only preliminary results, it highlights the importance of investigating the concentration of heavy metals in cow hair to improve the health and welfare of both humans and animals

Management Factors Influence AnimalWelfare and the Correlation to Infectious Diseases in Dairy Cows

Simple Summary: To investigate the relationship between some infectious diseases (Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, Chlamydiophila abortus, Neospora caninum, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and the bovine herpesvirus) and the dairy farms’ welfare scores, 36 dairy farms were monitored using the Italian National AnimalWelfare Reference Center (CreNBA) checklist. Farms and their animals were scored in five different areas, namely: Area A, “Farm management and personnel”; Area B, “Facilities and equipment”; Area C, “Animal-based measures”; Area D, “Inspection of microclimatic environmental conditions and alarm systems”; and Area E, “Biosecurity”. The recorded scores were compared between two farming conditions (access to pasture and indoor housing) and correlated with the serum data. Our results indicated that an accurate application of the checklist could be an instrument to prevent and control the spread of infections in dairy farms. Abstract: The present study assessed dairy cow welfare through the application of the Italian National Animal Welfare Reference Center (CReNBA) checklist in 36 dairy farms located in Ragusa (Italy) subjected to two different management conditions, housing with free access to pasture (Group 1, farms n = 17) and indoor housing (Group 2, farms n = 19). Five areas of investigation were considered: Area A, “Farm management and personnel”; Area B, “Facilities and equipment”; Area C, “Animal-based measures”; Area D, “Inspection of microclimatic environmental conditions and alarm systems”; and Area E, “Biosecurity”. Blood samples were collected by coccygeal venipuncture from all animals (4081 cows). The specific antibodies against Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, Chlamydiophila abortus, Neospora caninum, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and the bovine herpesvirus were assessed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) serological test. Group 1 (access to pasture) showed a lower value of percentage score recorded in Area A (p = 0.02) and E (p = 0.01) than Group 2 (indoor housing). Herpesvirus (Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis - IBR - detection of gB antibodies/IBR-gB) blood concentrations were higher in the cows housed indoor versus those with access to pasture (p = 0.01). Farm management and personnel (score A) was correlated with the level of bovine viral diarrhea virus ( = 0.3754) and bovine-herpesvirus-specific antibodies (IBR-gB) ( = 0.4159). “Biosecurity” percentage score showed a significant correlation with Chlamydiophila abortus ( = 0.4621) in the cows with access to pasture and IBR-gB ( = 0.3435) in the cows housed fully indoors. Group 2 showed a significantly reduced level of antibodies against Neospora caninum. In conclusion, differences in the welfare assessment score were observed in the “Farm management and personnel” and “Biosecurity” between the two management conditions. It had an effect on the prevalence of herpesvirus, which occurred more in cattle with access to pasture. Therefore, an accurate application of the checklist could be an instrument to prevent and control the spread of infections in farms

influence of omega 3 in standardbred horse haematological parameters

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of omega-3 supplementation on some haematological parameters like red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (Hgb), haematocrit (Hct), white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils (Neu) and lymphocytes (Lym) that may have a direct effect on the performance of athletic horses. Ten regularly trained Standardbred horses (6 geldings and 4 females, 4-5 years old, mean body weight 500 ± 25 kg) were used for the study. They were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group received an omega-3 dietary supplementation every day for 30 days. The control group received no supplementation. Every 10 days, horses took part in a 1660 metre harness race and blood samples were collected from each horse: one in the morning before race (pre) and one after race (post). The application of one-way analysis of variance for repeated mesures (ANOVA) showed a statistically significant difference due to the race in the two different groups. The results obtained in the present study show a discordant effect of supplementation with omega-3 on RBC, HCT and Hgb, while omega-3 supplementation has been shown to have a better effect on WBC, Neu and Lym, but further studies should be performed to better evaluate the benefits of these on the performance of the athletic horse

Serum Cortisol and Its Correlation with Leucocyte Profile and Circulating Lipids in Donkeys (<i>Equus asinus</i>)

The values for basal serum cortisol concentrations of horses are available in many studies. However, there are limited data about serum cortisol in donkeys. The present study aimed to determine the baseline values for serum cortisol, to evaluate the influence of age and pregnancy on its levels, and to correlate its values with leucocyte profile, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides. Serum samples were collected from 97 healthy donkeys. Cortisol was analyzed by chemo-luminescent assay. The median and the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of serum cortisol measured and calculated in all donkeys were 5.64, 3.40, and 10.54 µg/dL, respectively. Females (n.91) were divided into three groups: Group A (young), Group B (adult), and Group C (pregnant at the 9th–11th months). The effect of age and physiological status was investigated by the Mann–Whitney test. Group C showed significantly higher levels than Group B (p p p p p p < 0.05). Higher cortisol values related to late pregnancy are also found in this species. These preliminary results provide evidence for a relationship between cortisol and the immune system as well as cortisol and lipid metabolism modulated by age and pregnancy when parameters are within normal values

Serum Cortisol and Its Correlation with Leucocyte Profile and Circulating Lipids in Donkeys (Equus asinus)

The values for basal serum cortisol concentrations of horses are available in many studies. However, there are limited data about serum cortisol in donkeys. The present study aimed to determine the baseline values for serum cortisol, to evaluate the influence of age and pregnancy on its levels, and to correlate its values with leucocyte profile, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides. Serum samples were collected from 97 healthy donkeys. Cortisol was analyzed by chemo-luminescent assay. The median and the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of serum cortisol measured and calculated in all donkeys were 5.64, 3.40, and 10.54 &micro;g/dL, respectively. Females (n.91) were divided into three groups: Group A (young), Group B (adult), and Group C (pregnant at the 9th&ndash;11th months). The effect of age and physiological status was investigated by the Mann&ndash;Whitney test. Group C showed significantly higher levels than Group B (p &lt; 0.05). Significant correlations were found in Group B with monocytes (r = 0.37, p &lt; 0.01) and triglycerides (r = 0.30, p &lt; 0.05), and in Group C with monocytes (r = 0.79, p &lt; 0.01), basophils (r = 0.6, p &lt; 0.05), and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (r = &minus;0.63, p &lt; 0.05). Higher cortisol values related to late pregnancy are also found in this species. These preliminary results provide evidence for a relationship between cortisol and the immune system as well as cortisol and lipid metabolism modulated by age and pregnancy when parameters are within normal values

Comparison of two PCR methods for detection of Leptospira interrogans in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues

In this study we compared two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods using either 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) or 23S rRNA gene primers for the detection of different Leptospira interrogans serovars. The performance of these two methods was assessed using DNA extracted from bovine tissues previously inoculated with several bacterial suspensions. PCR was performed on the same tissues before and after the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedding procedure (FFPE tissues). The 23S rDNA PCR detected all fresh and FFPE positive tissues while the 16S rDNA-based protocol detected primarily the positive fresh tissues. Both methods are specific for pathogenic L. interrogans. The 23S-based PCR method successfully detected Leptospira in four dubious cases of human leptospirosis from archival tissue specimens and one leptospirosis-positive canine specimen. A sensitive method for leptospirosis identification in FFPE tissues would be a useful tool to screen histological specimen archives and gain a better assessment of human leptospirosis prevalence, especially in tropical countries, where large outbreaks can occur following the rainy season

Heavy Metal Levels in Milk and Serum of Dairy Cows from Different Farms Located near an Industrial Area

Background: Heavy metals are toxic, non-biodegradable substances able to enter the food chain of cows and then transfer to their milk. This study investigated the relationship between the heavy metal concentrations in serum and milk and the environmental pollutants exposure at two different farms in Ragusa, Italy. Methods: To evaluate the concentrations of aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), milk and serum samples were collected from 40 Friesian dairy cows from farm 1 at about 3.7 km from an industrial area (group 1) and 40 Friesian dairy cows from farm 2 at about 400 mt from a greenhouse and 6.0 km from a chemical fertilizer factory (group 2). Results: The concentrations of heavy metals measured in serum and milk showed no statistically significant differences between group 1 and group 2. No significant correlation between heavy metals in serum and milk in group 1 was observed. A positive correlation between Zn concentrations measured in milk and serum samples was observed in group 2 (r = 0.35, p = 0.03). Conclusions: The determination of heavy metals in serum and milk can be an important tool to detect the exposure to environmental pollutants and in monitoring the hygienic state of the environment in which milk is produced