RESUMO
Pig posture is closely linked with livestock health and welfare. There has been significant interest among researchers in using deep learning techniques for pig posture detection. However, this task is challenging due to variations in image angles and times, as well as the presence of multiple pigs in a single image. In this study, we explore an object detection and segmentation algorithm based on instance segmentation scoring to detect different pig postures (sternal lying, lateral lying, walking, and sitting) and segment pig areas in group images, thereby enabling the identification of individual pig postures within a group. The algorithm combines a residual network with 50 layers and a feature pyramid network to extract feature maps from input images. These feature maps are then used to generate regions of interest (RoI) using a region candidate network. For each RoI, the algorithm performs regression to determine the location, classification, and segmentation of each pig posture. To address challenges such as missing targets and error detections among overlapping pigs in group housing, non-maximum suppression (NMS) is used with a threshold of 0.7. Through extensive hyperparameter analysis, a learning rate of 0.01, a batch size of 512, and 4 images per batch offer superior performance, with accuracy surpassing 96%. Similarly, the mean average precision (mAP) exceeds 83% for object detection and instance segmentation under these settings. Additionally, we compare the method with the faster R-CNN object detection model. Further, execution times on different processing units considering various hyperparameters and iterations have been analyzed.
Assuntos
Algoritmos , Aprendizado Profundo , Abrigo para Animais , Processamento de Imagem Assistida por Computador , Postura , Animais , Suínos , Processamento de Imagem Assistida por Computador/métodosRESUMO
Helicobacter species (spp.) is a gram-negative spiral-shaped motile bacterium that causes gastritis in pigs and also colonizes in the human stomach. The present study assessed the prevalence of Helicobacter spp. in pig gastric mucosa and the stool of pig farmers in Assam, India. A total of 403 stomach samples from pig slaughter points, 74 necropsy samples of pigs from pig farms, and 97 stool samples from pig farmers were collected. Among the pig stomach samples, 43 (20.09%) of those with gastritis showed the presence of Gram-negative, spiral-shaped organisms, while only 3.04% of stomach samples without lesions had these organisms. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of urease-positive stomach samples revealed tightly coiled Helicobacter bacteria in the mucus lining. Histopathological examination showed chronic gastritis with hemorrhagic necrosis, leucocytic infiltration, and lymphoid aggregates. PCR confirmed the presence of Helicobacter suis in 19.63% of pig stomach samples and 2.08% of pig farmer stool samples. Additionally, 3.12% of the stool samples from pig farmers were positive for Helicobacter pylori. Phylogenetic analysis revealed distinct clusters of Helicobacter suis with other Helicobacter spp. These findings highlight the prevalence of Helicobacter in both pig gastric mucosa and pig farmer stool. The findings highlight the need for improved sanitation and hygiene practices among pig farmers to minimize the risk of Helicobacter infection in humans.
Assuntos
Gastrite , Infecções por Helicobacter , Helicobacter heilmannii , Helicobacter , Humanos , Suínos , Animais , Infecções por Helicobacter/epidemiologia , Infecções por Helicobacter/veterinária , Fazendeiros , Incidência , Filogenia , Gastrite/epidemiologia , Gastrite/veterinária , Gastrite/microbiologia , Helicobacter/genéticaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The angiogenic cytokine vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) also exerts non-angiogenic effects on endocrine functionality of porcine luteal cells critical for progesterone (P4) production. METHOD AND RESULTS: The expression dynamics of VEGFA-FLT/KDR system were investigated using RT-qPCR during luteal stages and VEGFA gene knock out (KO) porcine luteal cells were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The downstream effects of VEGFA ablation were studied using RT-qPCR, Annexin V, MTT, ELISA for P4 estimation and scratch wound assay. Bioinformatics analysis of RNA-Seq data of porcine mid-luteal stage was conducted for exploring protein-protein interaction network, KEGG pathways, transcription factors and kinase mapping for VEGFA-FLT/KDR interactomes. The VEGFA-FLT/KDR system expressed throughout the luteal stages with highest expression during mid- luteal stage. Cellular morphology, structure and oil-red-o staining for lipid droplets did not differ significantly between VEGFA KO and wild type cells, however, VEGFA KO significantly decreased (p < 0.05) viability and proliferation efficiency of edited cells on subsequent passages. Expression of apoptotic gene, CASP3 and hypoxia related gene, HIF1A were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated in KO cells. The relative mRNA expression of VEGFA and steroidogenic genes STAR, CYP11A1 and HSD3B1 decreased significantly (p < 0.05) upon KO, which was further validated by the significant (p < 0.05) decrease in P4 output from KO cells. Bioinformatics analysis mapped VEGFA-FLT/KDR system to signalling pathways associated with steroidogenic cell functionality and survival, which complemented the findings of the study. CONCLUSION: The ablation of VEGFA gene resulted in decreased steroidogenic capability of luteal cells, which suggests that VEGFA exerts additional non-angiogenic regulatory effects in luteal cell functionality.
Assuntos
Sistemas CRISPR-Cas , Células Lúteas , Feminino , Suínos , Animais , Sistemas CRISPR-Cas/genética , Edição de Genes , Fator A de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/genética , Anexina A5RESUMO
Ovarian follicular development is a critical determinant of reproductive performance in litter bearing species like pigs, wherein economic gains depend on litter size. The study aimed to gain insight into the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and signalling pathways regulating follicular growth and maturation in Ghoongroo pigs. Transcriptome profiling of porcine small follicles (SF) and large follicles (LF) was conducted using NovaSeq600 sequencing platform and DEGs were identified using DESeq2 with threshold of Padj. < 0.05 and log2 fold change cut off 0.58 (LF vs. SF). Functional annotations and bioinformatics analysis of DEGs were performed to find out biological functions, signalling pathways and hub genes regulating follicular dynamics. Transcriptome analysis revealed 709 and 479 genes unique to SF and LF stages, respectively, and 11,993 co-expressed genes in both the groups. In total, 507 DEGs (284 upregulated and 223 downregulated) were identified, which encoded for diverse proteins including transcription factors (TFs). These DEGs were functionally linked to response to stimulus, lipid metabolic process, developmental process, extracellular matrix organisation along with the immune system process, indicating wide-ranging mechanisms associated with follicular transition. The enriched KEGG pathways in LF stage consisted of ovarian steroidogenesis, cholesterol and retinol metabolism, cell adhesion molecules, cytokine receptor interaction and immune signalling pathways, depicting intra-follicular control of varied ovarian function. The hub gene analysis revealed APOE, SCARB1, MMP9, CYP17A1, TYROBP as key regulators of follicular development. This study identified candidate genes and TFs providing steroidogenic advantage to LFs which makes them fit for selection into the ovulatory pool of follicles.
Assuntos
Fenômenos do Sistema Imunitário , Transcriptoma , Feminino , Animais , Suínos , Células da Granulosa/metabolismo , Folículo Ovariano , Perfilação da Expressão GênicaRESUMO
Luteal steroidogenesis is critical to implantation and pregnancy maintenance in mammals. The role of androgen receptors (AR) in the progesterone (P4) producing luteal cells of porcine corpus luteum (CL) remains unexplored. The aim of the present study was to establish AR gene knock out (KO) porcine luteal cell culture system model by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology and to study the downstream effects of AR gene deficiency on steroidogenic potential and viability of luteal cells. For this purpose, genomic cleavage detection assay, microscopy, RT-qPCR, ELISA, annexin, MTT, and viability assay complemented by bioinformatics analysis were employed. There was significant downregulation (p < 0.05) in the relative mRNA expression of steroidogenic marker genes STAR, CYP11A1, HSD3B1 in AR KO luteal cells as compared to the control group, which was further validated by the significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the P4 production. Significant decrease (p < 0.05) in relative viability on third passage were also observed. The relative mRNA expression of hypoxia related gene HIF1A was significantly (p < 0.05) downregulated in AR KO luteal cells. Protein-protein interaction analysis mapped AR to signaling pathways associated with luteal cell functionality. These findings suggests that AR gene functionality is critical to luteal cell steroidogenesis in porcine.
Assuntos
Células Lúteas , Gravidez , Feminino , Suínos , Animais , Células Lúteas/química , Células Lúteas/metabolismo , Receptores Androgênicos/genética , Receptores Androgênicos/metabolismo , Corpo Lúteo/metabolismo , Progesterona/metabolismo , Progesterona/farmacologia , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Mamíferos/metabolismoRESUMO
To better understand the molecular basis of corpus luteum (CL) development and function RNA-Seq was utilized to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in porcine CL during different physiological stages of the estrous cycle viz. early (EL), mid (ML), late (LL) and regressed (R) luteal. Stage wise comparisons obtained 717 (EL vs. ML), 568 (EL vs. LL), 527 (EL vs. R), 786 (ML vs. LL), 474 (ML vs. R) and 534 (LL vs. R) DEGs with log2(FC) ≥1 and pâ¯<â¯0.05. The process of angiogenesis, steroidogenesis, signal transduction, translation, cell proliferation and tissue remodelling were significantly (pâ¯<â¯0.05) enriched in EL, ML and LL stages, where as apoptosis was most active in regressed stage. Pathway analysis revealed that most annotated genes were associated with lipid metabolism, translation, immune and endocrine system pathways depicting intra-luteal control of diverse CL function. The network analysis identified genes AR, FOS, CDKN1A, which were likely the novel hub genes regulating CL physiology.
Assuntos
Corpo Lúteo/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Ciclo Estral/genética , Suínos/genética , Transcriptoma , Animais , Corpo Lúteo/metabolismo , Ciclo Estral/metabolismo , Feminino , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento , Redes e Vias Metabólicas/genética , Suínos/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Suínos/fisiologiaRESUMO
Porcine circovirus2 (PCV2) infection in pigs is one of the major causes of economic loss to the farmers in terms of low production, slow growth and increase post-weaning mortality rate. The effect of PCV2 infection on haemogram, serum biochemical profile and oxidant/anti-oxidant status is not well established in pigs. In the present study, haemogram, serum biochemical profile and oxidant/anti-oxidant status were assessed in pigs confirmed positive for PCV2 infections as evidenced by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (n = 151) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (n = 42) among a total of 306 number of pigs included in the study. Non-infected healthy pigs (n = 6) served as healthy control. The total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), total leukocyte count (TLC), differential leukocyte count (DLC) and thrombocyte count were measured. The levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and glucose and enzymes viz. alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured. Oxidative stress indicators such as plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and total anti-oxidant activity (TAOA) were measured using commercially available kits. The mean values of TLC, lymphocytes and thrombocyte count were significantly (P < 0.05) low in PCV2-infected pigs. The levels of globulin, AST, GGT, BUN and creatinine were significantly increased (P < 0.05) whereas levels of albumin and glucose significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in PCV2-infected pigs. The significant increase (P < 0.05) in MDA level and significant decrease (P < 0.05) in TAOA level were noticed in PCV2-infected animals as compared with healthy control. The present study supports immunosuppression, possible multiple organ damage and oxidative stress associated with naturally occurring PCV2 infection in pigs. Timely vaccination and managemental practices can reduce PCV2 infection in farms. In spite of many research studies, there is still paucity of detailed systemic study on haemato-biochemical alteration and oxidative stress associated with PCV2 infection.
Assuntos
Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Contagem de Células Sanguíneas/veterinária , Análise Química do Sangue/veterinária , Infecções por Circoviridae/veterinária , Oxidantes/metabolismo , Doenças dos Suínos/fisiopatologia , Animais , Infecções por Circoviridae/sangue , Infecções por Circoviridae/fisiopatologia , Infecções por Circoviridae/virologia , Circovirus/fisiologia , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática/veterinária , Feminino , Masculino , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/veterinária , Suínos , Doenças dos Suínos/sangue , Doenças dos Suínos/virologiaRESUMO
In the present study, the normal electrocardiographic (ECG) values in the adult male Jamunapari breed of the goats were described. The mean heart rate in the goats was 127 +/- 3.46 per minute and ranged 107 and 168. The amplitudes and duration of various waveforms of ECG for six standard limb leads (I, II, III, aVL, aVR and aVF) were estimated. The overall P, QRS and T amplitudes (millivolts) were 0.065 +/- 0.01, 0.47 +/- 0.06 and 0.20 +/- 0.014 respectively. The duration (seconds) of these wave forms were 0.042 +/- 0.005, 0.033 +/- 0.002 and 0.10 +/- 0.014, respectively. The P-R interval and R-R intervals ranged between 0.06- 0.14 and 0.40-0.58 respectively. The average Q-T interval was 0.24 +/- 0.01 second, indicating the time for which the caprine ventricle remained depolarized. The corrected QT interval was also calculated which was found to vary from 0.24 to 0.57. The mean frontal plane vectors for the wave forms P, QRS and T wave forms were +49.99 +/- 6.02, +37.34 +/- 4.05 and +52.26 +/- 6.79 degrees respectively.