Unravelling the Role of Metabolites for Detecting Physiological State of Wild Animals: European Rabbit's (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Case

[EN] The main aim of this work was to know the possible potential of certain metabolites as biomarkers of the European wild rabbit to deepen the biological knowledge of this species and complement specific conservation programs. The main finding of our paper is that, regardless of the weight of the animals and their reproductive state, females show greater feed intake capacity than males, and their metabolism is affected. Furthermore, different reproductive stages are related to different metabolic phenotypes, metabolic behaviors, and metabolic profiles. There are indications of better optimization of resources by females, and evidence of the importance of some metabolites in the reproductive fitness of the species. European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has been defined as a keystone species in the Mediterranean ecosystem. Rabbits have been classed as "endangered" by the IUCN within their native range. In this sense, animal nutrition may play a fundamental and limiting role in the conservation of wild species. The overarching goal of ecological nutrition is to unravel the extensive web of nutritional links that direct animals in their interactions with their ecological environments. The main aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different feed intake, geographic location, animal sex, and reproductive stage on glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and plasmatic urea nitrogen (PUN), albumin, glutamate, and total protein metabolites. Additionally, we examined the potential of these metabolites as biomarkers. Full stomach contents and blood samples were collected from European wild rabbits (n = 89) for the analysis of the metabolites described above. Our work shows that the levels of these metabolites are affected by the sex of the animals, as well as by their reproductive stage (glucose, NEFA and albumin). There were signs of better optimisation of resources by females than by other groups of animals. These data may be interesting in the study of nutritional components that could be affecting physiological state of this species.This study was supported by the Regional Ministry of Innovation, Universities, Scienceand Digital Society of the Generalitat Valenciana (GV/2021/115 and CIBEST/2021/157) and Universidad Cardenal Herrera CEU (PUENTE22-03). This study was partially supported by a project granted by the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) and funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and University (REF: PRIMAS2-11-PCI2019-103698). The APC was invited to Pablo Jesus Marin Garcia.Marín-García, PJ.; Llobat, L.; Rouco, C.; Aguayo-Adán, JA.; Larsen, T.; Cambra López, M.; Blas Ferrer, E.... (2022). Unravelling the Role of Metabolites for Detecting Physiological State of Wild Animals: European Rabbit's (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Case. Animals. 12(22):1-9. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani1222322519122

Effects of lanosterol on in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes

[EN] FF-MAS and T-MAS sterols, intermediaries in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway present in all cells, may represent the physiological signal that instructs the crocyte to reinitiate meiosis. The purpose of this study was to examine the hypothesis that exogenous lanosterol could be included in the sterol biosynthetic pathway from acetate to cholesterol and induce resumption of meiosis in oocytes cultured in vitro. Porcine oocytes were in vitro matured in medium supplemented with different concentrations of lanosterol. First, after 22 h of in vitro maturation, cumulus cells were recovery and Delta 7-Reductase gene expression was quantified using real-time PCR. Second, after 44 h of in vitro maturation, chromatin configuration was evaluated using Hoechst 33342. Lipid content was also evaluated at 22 and 44 In of in vitro maturation using Nile red staining. The results showed that the addition of lanosterol increased the Delta 7-Reductase gene expression and influenced resumption of meiosis using 50 and 100 mu M, as well as enhancing higher cytoplasmic lipid accumulation after in vitro maturation. The results demonstrate that exogenous lanosterol acts in the sterol biosynthetic pathway from acetate to cholesterol and it was responsible for a higher resumption of meiosis in porcine oocytes cultured in vitro. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Supported by the Universidad Politecnica de Valencia (Project 20081166).Marco Jiménez, F.; Llobat, L.; Vicente Antón, JS. (2010). Effects of lanosterol on in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes. Animal Reproduction Science. 117(3-4):288-294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2009.04.008S2882941173-

MicroRNAs as Biomarkers in Canine Osteosarcoma: A New Future?

Sarcomas are frequent in dogs and canine species are excellent animal models for studying the human counterpart. However, osteosarcomas are a rare form of sarcoma with high death rates in humans and dogs. miRNAs are small endogenous RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. The discovery of miRNAs could give a contribute in the diagnosis and prognosis of different types of tumors in animal species, as already in humans. The differentiated expression of miRNAs is a frequent finding in cancers and is related to their pathogenesis in many cases. Most canine and human sarcomas show similar miRNA aberrations. Lower levels of miR-1 and miR-133b in canine osteosarcoma tissues were found to increase tumorigenesis through a higher expression of their target genes MET and MCL1. The overexpression of miR-9 promotes a metastatic phenotype in canine osteosarcomas and its capacity as a prognostic biomarker for the disease is currently being evaluated. MicroRNAs at the 14q32 locus could be used as prognostic biomarkers, since their decreased expression has been associated with poor prognosis in canine and human osteosarcomas. Furthermore, a decreased expression of miR-34a in osteosarcoma tumour cells has been associated with shorter disease-free survival times and its reintroduction as a synthetic prodrug shows good potential as a novel therapeutic target to fight the disease. Circulating miR-214 and miR-126 are significantly increased in a broad-spectrum cancer and have the ability to successfully predict the prognosis of dogs. However, further studies are needed to make the use of miRNAs as biomarkers a common practice

Role of MicroRNAs in Human Osteosarcoma: Future Perspectives

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a rare form of cancer with high death rate but is one of the most frequent forms of bone cancer in children and adolescents. MiRNAs are small endogenous RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. The discovery of miRNAs could allow us to obtain an earlier diagnosis, predict prognosis and chemoresistance, and lead to the discovery of new treatments in different types of tumors, including OS. Despite the fact that there is currently only one clinical trial being carried out on a single miRNA for solid tumors, it is very probable that the number of clinical trials including miRNAs as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers, as well as potential therapeutic targets, will increase in the near future. This review summarizes the different miRNAs related to OS and their possible therapeutic application

Canine Cytokines Profile in an Endemic Region of <i>L. infantum</i>: Related Factors

Canine leishmaniosis is caused by infection with parasite Leishmania infantum, which are transmitted by sandflies Phlebotomus. Canine leishmaniosis is an endemic disease in the Mediterranean region. The immune response could vary between hosts and determines the severity of the disease and clinical features. The aim of this study was to analyze the serum levels of cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8, which are related to the activation of Th1 or Th2 immune responses in dogs living in the L. infantum endemic region. Moreover, we intend to relate and correlate these levels with different factors, such as sex, age, diet, lifestyle, and breed. Epidemiological data and serum were recovered for seventy-eight dogs, and serum levels of cytokines described previously were analyzed by using the ELISA method. The results showed differences in serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-8 between breeds. The lifestyle also affected serum levels of IL-2. The main conclusion of this study is that Ibizan hounds and crossbred dogs have a serological profile of cytokines that seems to indicate certain protections against infection by L. infantum compared to boxer and purebred breeds

How Does Protein Nutrition Affect the Epigenetic Changes in Pig? A Review

Epigenetic changes regulate gene expression and depend of external factors, such as environment and nutrition. In pigs, several studies on protein nutrition have been performed to improve productive and reproductive traits. Indeed, these studies aimed not only to determine broad protein requirements but also pigs’ essential amino acids requirements. Moreover, recent studies tried to determine these nutritional requirements for each individual, which is known as protein precision nutrition. However, nutritional changes could affect different epigenetic mechanisms, modifying metabolic pathways both in a given individual and its offspring. Modifications in protein nutrition, such as change in the amino acid profile, increase or decrease in protein levels, or the addition of metabolites that condition protein requirements, could affect the regulation of some genes, such as myostatin, insulin growth factor, or genes controlling cholesterol and glucose metabolism pathways. This review summarizes the impact of most common protein nutritional strategies on epigenetic changes and describes their effects on regulation of gene expression in pigs. In a context where animal nutrition is shifting towards precision protein nutrition (PPN), further studies evaluating the effects of PPN on animal epigenetic are necessary

Use of Alternative Methodologies in Veterinary Medicine Learning and Acceptance of Students

Different university degrees focus on students acquiring theoretical and practical knowledge, aiming to develop their professional activity in the future. However, the usual study plans often forget other skills that will be very useful for the correct performance of their professional activity. In the case of veterinarians, these can range from dialogue with farmers to the unification of knowledge, so that they can provide a simple and effective solution to the different questions that may arise throughout their work activity. On the other hand, the perception of the world and the ways of acquiring knowledge have been changing over the years. Currently, our students require new ways of being presented with the information and knowledge that they should acquire, using, in most cases, new technologies. The present study was carried out with two cases. First, we used gamification through role-play as an alternative methodology to generate a method to unify the knowledge acquired in the subject and, mainly, to acquire skills such as the transfer of this acquired knowledge to other classes and situations. The second case aims to verify if the use of new technologies, specifically the use of interactive videos, can improve the acceptance of students and their training. A total of 2 h of videos were recorded, and 31 min and 42 s of that footage were ultimately used. A special edition and some specific illustrations and designs were made for this work, taking care of the format–background relationship. The results obtained show that these alternative-learning methodologies could be applied to many subjects, so that students, in a playful and relaxed way, are able to unify all the knowledge they are acquiring in their training as veterinarians, preparing them to face the exercise of their future professional activity with greater ease and safety. Finally, we provide the degree of acceptance of these new learning methodologies by students

Inheritance of Monogenic Hereditary Skin Disease and Related Canine Breeds

The plasticity of the genome is an evolutionary factor in all animal species, including canines, but it can also be the origin of diseases caused by hereditary genetic mutation. Genetic changes, or mutations, that give rise to a pathology in most cases result from recessive alleles that are normally found with minority allelic frequency. The use of genetic improvement increases the consanguinity within canine breeds and, on many occasions, also increases the frequency of these recessive alleles, increasing the prevalence of these pathologies. This prevalence has been known for a long time, but mutations differ according to the canine breed. These genetic diseases, including skin diseases, or genodermatosis, which is narrowly defined as monogenic hereditary dermatosis. In this review, we focus on genodermatosis sensu estricto, i.e., monogenic, and hereditary dermatosis, in addition to the clinical features, diagnosis, pathogeny, and treatment. Specifically, this review analyzes epidermolytic and non-epidermolytic ichthyosis, junctional epidermolysis bullosa, nasal parakeratosis, mucinosis, dermoid sinus, among others, in canine breeds, such as Golden Retriever, German Pointer, Australian Shepherd, American Bulldog, Great Dane, Jack Russell Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Shar-Pei, and Rhodesian Ridgeback

<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Foods: Prevalence, Control, and Safety

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, with approximately one third of the population around the world seropositive. The consumption of contaminated food is the main source of infection. These include meat products with T. gondii tissue cysts, and dairy products with tachyzoites. Recently, contamination has been detected in fresh products with oocysts and marine products. Despite the great health problems that are caused by T. gondii, currently there are no standardized methods for its detection in the food industry. In this review, we analyze the current detection methods, the prevalence of T. gondii in different food products, and the control measures. The main detection methods are bioassays, cell culture, molecular and microscopic techniques, and serological methods, but some of these do not have applicability in the food industry. As a result, emerging techniques are being developed that are aimed at the detection of multiple parasites simultaneously that would make their application more efficient in the industry. Since the prevalence of this parasite is high in many products (meat and milk, marine products, and vegetables), it is necessary to standardize detection methods, as well as implement control measures

Epigenetic Alterations in Canine Malignant Lymphoma: Future and Clinical Outcomes

Canine malignant lymphoma is a common neoplasia in dogs, and some studies have used dogs as a research model for molecular mechanisms of lymphomas in humans. In two species, chemotherapy is the treatment of choice, but the resistance to conventional anticancer drugs is frequent. The knowledge of molecular mechanisms of development and progression of neoplasia has expanded in recent years, and the underlying epigenetic mechanisms are increasingly well known. These studies open up new ways of discovering therapeutic biomarkers. Histone deacetylases and demethylase inhibitors could be a future treatment for canine lymphoma, and the use of microRNAs as diagnosis and prognosis biomarkers is getting closer. This review summarises the epigenetic mechanisms underlying canine lymphoma and their possible application as treatment and biomarkers, both prognostic and diagnostic