Effect of Different Extenders on Sperm Motility and Vitality in Goose Semen Cryopreservation

This study aimed to investigate the usability of different diluents containing 6% Dimethylformamide (DMF) for cryo-preservation of the semen of geese (Anser cygnoides). The diluents of Glucose (G), Tris-Glucose (T), Lactated Ringer's-Glucose (LG), and Lactated Ringer's (L), all of which contained 6% DMF, were used as cryoprotectants. The researchers collected semen samples from four geese, twice a week over a four-week period, by means of abdominal massage; they then calculated how much sperm each goose ejaculated. Next, the semen samples were pooled and their spermatological parameters were determined. Their volume (4x (mL)), concentration (×108/mL), pH, motility (%), and vitality (%) rates were 0.31±0.01, 3.49±0.32, 7.13±1.06, 67.75±1.28, and 70.00±2.03, respectively. Then, these pooled semen samples were equally divided into four groups. Once they were frozen and thawed, the researchers discovered that the diluent L had the highest motility rate: 40.12% ± 1.35. The motility rates of the other diluents were as follows: LG (28.25%± 1.48), G (21.50% ± 1.41), and T (5.12% ± 0.83). Likewise, the vitality rates (%) of the diluents were as follows: L (41.93% ±1.87), LG (31.50%±1.88), G (29.43% ±1.45), and T (10.56%±1.34), respectively. Freezing and thawing appeared to lower each diluent's vitality and motility rates. However, for the Lactated Ringer's (L), this decrease was predictable. Therefore, Lactated Ringer's diluent containing 6% DMF can be used in cryo-preservation of goose semen.(AU)

Type C botulism outbreak in free-ranging waterfowl in Goiás / Surto de botulismo tipo C em aves aquáticas de vida livre em Goiás

Botulism is generally a fatal disease caused by ingestion of neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum. The present study describes the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory aspects of a type C botulism outbreak in free-living aquatic birds residing in an urban park in Quirinópolis, Goiás, Brazil. Among a population of approximately 80 waterfowl, a total of 30 birds, including ducks (Cairina moschata), teals (Anas platyrhynchos), and geese (Anser cygnoides), died within 10 days. Of these, six birds showed signs of flaccid paralysis of the pelvic limbs, eyelids, neck, and wings. To confirm the suspicion of botulism, four lake water samples, two samples of the feed consumed by the birds, and samples of serum, intestinal content, stomach content, and liver tissue from two teals that died after presenting clinical signs were analyzed. Using bioassay and neutralization with homologous antitoxin in mice, it was possible to detect the presence of botulinum toxin type C in a water sample and in the intestinal content of one of the necropsied teals. Additionally, the presence of C. botulinum type C was identified in the lake water using polymerase chain reaction. Based on the clinical signs and laboratory results, a diagnosis of botulism caused by botulinum toxin type C was confirmed with probable transmission by lake water.

O botulismo é uma doença geralmente fatal, causada pela ingestão de neurotoxinas produzidas pelo Clostridium botulinum. O presente estudo descreve os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e laboratoriais de um surto de botulismo tipo C em aves aquáticas de vida livre habitantes de parque urbano em Quirinópolis, Goiás. De uma população de cerca de 80 aves aquáticas, um total de 30 aves, entre patos (Cairina moschata), marrecos (Anas platyrhynchos) e gansos (Anser cygnoides), morreram no intervalo de 10 dias. Destes, seis aves apresentaram sinais de paralisia flácida de membros pélvicos, pálpebras, pescoço e asas. Para confirmar a suspeita de botulismo, foram analisadas quatro amostras da água do lago, duas amostras da ração consumida pelas aves e amostras de soro, conteúdo intestinal, conteúdo estomacal e fígado de dois marrecos que morreram após apresentarem os sinais clínicos. Pelo bioensaio e neutralização com antitoxina homóloga em camundongos foi possível detectar a presença de toxina botulínica tipo C em uma amostra de água e no conteúdo intestinal de um dos marrecos necropsiados. Adicionalmente, pela reação em cadeia da polimerase identificou-se a presença de C. botulinum tipo C na água do lago. Com base nos sinais clínicos e resultados laboratoriais estabeleceu-se o diagnóstico de botulismo causado pela toxina botulínica tipo C e veiculada provavelmente pela água do lago.

Comparative Analysis on the Duodenal Microbiota Community in Geese Fed with the All-grass or Basal Diet

Geese (Anser cygnoides) possess stronger ability of roughage digestion and utilization than other poultries, hence, it has become the focus of attention of scientists. Duodenal, jejunum and ileum were mainly participated in food digestion and nutrient absorption, while the cecum was responsible for biological fermentation. Effects on the geese's cecal microbiota community by feeding with the all-grass diet have been investigated, however, whether it had an influence on the geese's duodenal microbiota community remains unexplored. To address this problem, geese feeding with the basal diet for 28 days (G1), the basal diet for 28 days and the all-grass diet for the following 14 days (G2), the basal diet for 42 days (G3) were selected, respectively. The duodenal segments of geese were collected and the hypervariable V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was sequencing. A total of 4 main phyla and 16 main genera were identified. Moreover, we also successfully identified that two taxa including the Helcococcus and Clostridium could be used as distinguishing biomarkers specific to G2. The functional profiles of the duodenum microbiota were mainly involved in the membrane transport (e.g. ABC transporters), amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, and cellular processes and signaling pathways in geese feeding with the all-grass diet. In conclusion, the all-grass diet could impact the composition of duodenal microbiota. However, to resolve the underlying mechanism of the fiber digesting and utilization in geese's gut microbiota, the whole intestinal system needs to be assessed by further studies.(AU)

Leiomiossarcoma metastático em ganso africano (Anser cygnoides) / Metastatic leiomyosarcoma in African goose (Anser cygnoides)

Background: In birds, neoplasms are more frequently observed in Psittaciformes and Galliformes and rarely seen in Columbiformes and Anseriformes, with few reports of the occurrence of mesenchymal neoplasms such as leiomyosarcoma affecting birds. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe a case of metastatic leiomyosarcoma in an African goose (Anser cygnoides), analyzing the epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects. Case: A 10-month-old male African goose, was referred to the Veterinary Hospital, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Patos, Paraiba, Brazil, whit ataxia, tremors of intention in the head, and nystagmus about one month ago, progressing to lateral decubitus. Due to the unfavorable prognosis, animal was euthanized. Samples of the organs of the coelomic cavity and central nervous system were collected for histologic examination. The samples were fixed in 10% buffered formalin. After fixation, the organs were embedded in paraffin, cut into 4-5 µm sections, and then stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Paraffin blocks with liver, kidney and encephalon fragments were selected and sent for immunohistochemical analysis. The primary antibodies used were: alpha-smooth muscle actin (monoclonal 1A4), anti-vimentin (monoclonal, V9), CD57 (monoclonal, NK1) and cytokeratin (monoclonal, AE1/AE3) and incubated for 18 h at 4Cº. As an amplification and detection system polymer and labeled by addition of the liquid diaminobenzidine+substratechromogen system and counterstained with Harris hematoxylin. Macroscopically were observed in the liver nodular multifocal areas yellowish, sometimes coalescing, firm, and elevated to the surface that at the cut deepened to the parenchyma. In the left kidney there was a similar tumor mass. In the left frontal lobe, there was nodular focal area, well circumscribed, yellowish and protruding. To cutting surface it compressed the parietal and temporal lobe and showed surface yellowish and smooth. Microscopically, the liver was diffusely infiltrated by mesenchymal neoplasia, expansive, infiltrative, poorly circumscribed and not encapsulated, constituted by spindle cells arranged in interlaced bundles. The cells were elongated with sparse cytoplasm, slightly eosinophilic and indistinct borders with rounded to elongated nuclei, with coarse chromatin and evident nucleoli. In fragments of kidney and brain, neoplastic infiltration similar to that described in the liver was observed. In immunohistochemistry, neoplastic cells were positive with antibodies anti-vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin. Discussion: The diagnosis of metastatic leiomyosarcoma in an African goose was based on epidemiological, clinical and pathological findings and confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Reports of neoplasms in birds are relatively rare, however the occurrence of metastatic leiomyosarcoma affecting goose in the most varied locations has been described, from skin to organs of the coelomic cavity like kidney, ovary and intestinal wall. In this case, there is the unusual occurrence of dissemination in the liver, kidney and cerebral cortex, progressing to a neurological clinic condition. There are rare cases of metastatic leiomyosarcoma in geese African goose (Anser cygnoides). The main differential diagnoses include fibrosarcomas, neurofibrosarcomas and histiocytic sarcomas, which are similar macroscopically and histologically.

Effects of Vitamin E Supplementation on Serum Hormones and Gene Expression of Anti-season Breeding Xingguo Grey Geese (Anser cygnoides)

The objective of this study was to analyse the impact of dietary vitamin E supplementation on laying performance, serum reproductive hormones concentration and gene expression in ovary and follicles of anti-season breeding goose. A total of 210 anti-season breeding geese were divided into seven treatments with six replications. Each group was supplied with diets containing different vitamin E (DL--tocopherol acetate) contents (0, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320mg/kg). We observed that the egg production and laying rate improved significantly at doses of 10 and 80 mg/kg, while the highest egg weight appeared in the 320 mg/kg group. Meantime, 80 mg/kg of vitamin E supplementation significantly improved the concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) in serum (p 0.05). Dietary vitamin E supplementation significantly enhanced mRNA expression of FSHR, LHR and ESR1 at a dose of 80mg/kg, while PRLR increased at doses of 10 and 20mg/kg (p 0.05). It was found that the mRNA expression of Dicer increased at doses of 40 and 80 mg/kg of vitamin E supplementation in the ovary, SWF, LWF and SYF, respectively. Thence, Dietary vitamin E supplementation could improve egg laying performance, plasma reproductive hormones and the mRNA expression of reproductive hormone receptor genes in ovary, as well as the mRNA expression of Dicer in ovary, SWF, LWF and SYF. It was supposed that 80 mg/kg of vitamin E supplementation in dietary was appropriate to improve the fertility of anti-season breeding Xingguo grey goose.(AU)

Effects of Vitamin E Supplementation on Serum Hormones and Gene Expression of Anti-season Breeding Xingguo Grey Geese (Anser cygnoides)

The objective of this study was to analyse the impact of dietary vitamin E supplementation on laying performance, serum reproductive hormones concentration and gene expression in ovary and follicles of anti-season breeding goose. A total of 210 anti-season breeding geese were divided into seven treatments with six replications. Each group was supplied with diets containing different vitamin E (DL--tocopherol acetate) contents (0, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320mg/kg). We observed that the egg production and laying rate improved significantly at doses of 10 and 80 mg/kg, while the highest egg weight appeared in the 320 mg/kg group. Meantime, 80 mg/kg of vitamin E supplementation significantly improved the concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) in serum (p 0.05). Dietary vitamin E supplementation significantly enhanced mRNA expression of FSHR, LHR and ESR1 at a dose of 80mg/kg, while PRLR increased at doses of 10 and 20mg/kg (p 0.05). It was found that the mRNA expression of Dicer increased at doses of 40 and 80 mg/kg of vitamin E supplementation in the ovary, SWF, LWF and SYF, respectively. Thence, Dietary vitamin E supplementation could improve egg laying performance, plasma reproductive hormones and the mRNA expression of reproductive hormone receptor genes in ovary, as well as the mRNA expression of Dicer in ovary, SWF, LWF and SYF. It was supposed that 80 mg/kg of vitamin E supplementation in dietary was appropriate to improve the fertility of anti-season breeding Xingguo grey goose.

Molecular Cloning and Mrna Expression Analysis of Sichuan White Goose (Anser Cygnoides) Chrebp Gene

The carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP) is an important nuclear factor that regulates glycolysis and de novo lipogenesis. However, the role of ChREBP in fatty liver development in geese remains unclear. In order to understand the function of ChREBP in lipid metabolism of geese, we first cloned the complete cDNA of the ChREBP of the Sichuan White goose (Anser cygnoides) using RT-PCR, 5 RACE and 3 RACE, and analyzed goose ChREBP expression in nine different tissues using real-time PCR technology. The results showed that the goose ChREBP CDS consists of 945bp nucleotides that encode 314 amino acids, and the sequence has high similarities with the swan goose (Anser cygnoides domesticus) and duck (Anas platyrhynchos) sequences, both at the nucleotide and amino acid levels. The predicted ChREBP protein had a molecular mass of 35.64 kDa with pI value of 5.36. The phylogenetic analysis indicated its evolutionary relationships with corresponding orthologous sequences in swan geese and ducks. The qPCR assays revealed that ChREBP is highly expressed in liver in the Sichuan White goose. Together, these results indicate that goose ChREBP may play an important role in the development of hepatic steatosis.(AU)

Molecular Cloning and Mrna Expression Analysis of Sichuan White Goose (Anser Cygnoides) Chrebp Gene

The carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP) is an important nuclear factor that regulates glycolysis and de novo lipogenesis. However, the role of ChREBP in fatty liver development in geese remains unclear. In order to understand the function of ChREBP in lipid metabolism of geese, we first cloned the complete cDNA of the ChREBP of the Sichuan White goose (Anser cygnoides) using RT-PCR, 5 RACE and 3 RACE, and analyzed goose ChREBP expression in nine different tissues using real-time PCR technology. The results showed that the goose ChREBP CDS consists of 945bp nucleotides that encode 314 amino acids, and the sequence has high similarities with the swan goose (Anser cygnoides domesticus) and duck (Anas platyrhynchos) sequences, both at the nucleotide and amino acid levels. The predicted ChREBP protein had a molecular mass of 35.64 kDa with pI value of 5.36. The phylogenetic analysis indicated its evolutionary relationships with corresponding orthologous sequences in swan geese and ducks. The qPCR assays revealed that ChREBP is highly expressed in liver in the Sichuan White goose. Together, these results indicate that goose ChREBP may play an important role in the development of hepatic steatosis.

COINFECÇÕES FÚNGICAS ASSOCIADAS À VARÍOLA AVIÁRIA E SARCOMA EM GANSO

Esta dissertação apresentada ao Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Saúde Animal da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande é composta de dois capítulos constituídos por artigos científicos. O primeiro artigo, a ser submetido à revista Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia consiste em um estudo retrospectivo que tem por objetivo descrever os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos de sete casos de coinfecções fúngicas associada a lesões cutâneas de varíola aviária. Para isso foi realizado um levantamento das necropsias e biópsias de aves no período de janeiro de 2002 a dezembro de 2017 no Laboratório de Patologia Animal do Hospital Veterinário Universitário Profº. Dr. Ivon Macêdo Tabosa, onde foram coletados dados relacionados aos aspectos epidemiológicos e clínicos, além das descrições macroscópicas e microscópicas das lesões. As espécies aviárias acometidas foram galinhas (Gallus gallus) e perus (Meleagris gallopavo) jovens, criados sob regime extensivo. Clinicamente as aves apresentavam lesões cutâneas nodulares e crostosas nas regiões desprovidas de penas. A enfermidade foi diagnosticada predominantemente em forma de surtos, onde de um total de treze surtos, sete apresentavam infecções fúngicas secundárias. O diagnóstico de coinfecção fúngica associada à varíola aviária foi realizado através dos dados epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos e confirmado pela presença das inclusões intracitoplasmáticas em ceratinócitos na microscopia, bem como pela visualização de estruturas morfologicamente compatíveis com hifas, pseudo-hifas e leveduras fúngicas. Ressalta-se a ocorrência de infecções fúngicas secundárias a varíola aviária, ocasionando maior debilidade e morte dos animais, sendo assim, um fator agravante da doença. O segundo capítulo é um relato de caso a ser submetido a Acta Scientiae Veterinariae no qual descreve um leiomiossarcoma metastático em ganso Africano, abordando as suas principais características clínicas, anatomopatológicas e morfotintoriais. A neoplasia foi observada em um ganso Africano (Anser cygnoides) macho, de 10 meses de idade, oriundo no município de Acopiara no Estado do Ceará, Nordeste do Brasil. Clinicamente o animal apresentava andar cambaleante, tremores de intenção na cabeça e nistagmo há aproximadamente um mês. Devido ao prognóstico desfavorável foi sugerida a eutanásia e encaminhado para realização de necropsia no setor de Patologia Animal do Hospital Veterinário Universitário Profº Dr. Ivon Macêdo Tabosa na Universidade Federal de Campina Grande. Macroscopicamente foram observados nódulos multifocais a coalescentes amarelados e firmes distribuídos pela superfície capsular do fígado. No rim esquerdo e no hemisfério cerebral esquerdo observou-se presença de massa tumoral, que ao corte se aprofundava ao parênquima, causando compressão do tecido adjacente. O diagnóstico de leiomiossarcoma foi realizado através das características histológicas das células neoplásicas, bem como pela marcação positiva para vimentina e actina de músculo liso. Os leiomiossarcomas são raramente diagnosticados em aves domésticas na rotina do Laboratório de Patologia Animal da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, não sendo descrito até então no Nordeste do Brasil, em ganso Africano (Anser cygnoides). Destaca-se nesse caso, o alto poder metastático com disseminação para sistema nervoso central, culminando em quadro clínico neurológico.

This dissertation presented to the Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Saúde Animal of the Universidade Federal de Campina Grande is composed of two chapters consisting of scientific articles. The first article to be submitted to the Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterináriar e Zootecnia magazine consists of a retrospective study that aims to describe the epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of seven cases of fungal coinfections associated with cutaneous lesions of avian pox. For this, a necropsy and biopsy of birds were collected from January 2002 to December 2017 at the Laboratório de Patologia Animal of the Hospital Veterinário Universitário Profº. Dr. Ivon Macêdo Tabosa, where data related to epidemiological and clinical aspects were collected, as well as macroscopic and microscopic descriptions of the lesions. The avian species affected were chickens (Gallus gallus) and young turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), reared under extensive arrangements. Clinically the birds had nodular and crustal cutaneous lesions in the regions without feathers. The disease was diagnosed predominantly in the form of outbreaks, where out of a total of thirteen outbreaks, seven had secondary fungal infection. The diagnosis of fungal coinfection associated with avian pox was carried out through epidemiological, clinical and pathological data and confirmed by the presence of intracytoplasmic inclusions in keratinocytes under microscopy, as well as the visualization of morphologically compatible structures with hyphae, pseudohyphas and fungal yeasts. It is noteworthy the occurrence of fungal infections secondary to avian pox, causing greater weakness and death of the animals, being, therefore, an aggravating factor of the disease. The second chapter is a case report to be submitted to Acta Scientiae Veterinariae in which it describes a metastatic leiomiosarcoma in African goose, addressing its main clinical, anatomopathological and morpho-functional characteristics. The neoplasia was observed in a male African goose (Anser cygnoides), 10 months old, from the municipality of Acopiara in the State of Ceará, Northeast Brazil. Clinically the animal had staggered gait, intention tremors in the head and nystagmus for about a month. Due to the unfavorable prognosis, euthanasia was suggested and sent to perform necropsy in the Setor de Patologia Animal of the Hospital Veterinário Universitário Profº. Dr. Ivon Macêdo Tabosa at the Universidade Federal de Campina Grande. Macroscopically, multifocal nodules were observed at yellowish and firm coalescents distributed over the capsular surface of the liver. In the left kidney and in the left cerebral hemisphere there was presence of tumor mass, which at the cut entered the parenchyma, causing compression of the adjacent tissue. The diagnosis of leiomiosarcoma was made through the histological characteristics of neoplastic cells, as well as by the positive labeling for vimentin and smooth muscle actin. Leiomiosarcomas are rarely diagnosed in domestic fowl in the routine of the Laboratório de Patologia Animal of the Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, and were not described in the Northeast of Brazil in an African goose (Anser cygnoides). It stands out in this case, the high metastatic power with dissemination to the central nervous system, culminating in neurological clinical picture.

Sertolioma unilateral como causa de morte súbita por hemorragia interna em ganso Anser cygnoides / Unilateral Sertolioma as a cause of sudden death by internal bleeding in a Anser cygnoides goose

Um ganso adulto macho (Anser cygnoides), da família Anseriformes, de idade desconhecida, proveniente de uma criação da Universidade Luterana do Brasil, foi encontrado morto, sem apresentar histórico clínico, e foi submetido à investigação post mortem no Setor de Patologia Veterinária do Hospital Veterinário. Com base nos achados de necropsia e no exame histopatológico, definiu-se como causa da morte do animal hemorragia interna em razão da ruptura de vasos sanguíneos em uma neoplasia no testículo direito (sertolioma), com metástase no fígado.(AU)

An adult male goose (Anser cygnoides) of unknown age, raised at the Lutheran University of Brazil, was found dead without showing clinical history and was submitted for post mortem investigation in the Department of Pathology of the Veterinary Hospital. From the necropsy and histopathological findings, the cause of death was defined as exsanguination due to intestinal hemorrhage from ruptured vessels in a tumor in the right testis, which also presented hepatic metastasis.(AU)

Relevance of Chinese Goose (Anser cygnoides) in Experimental Epidemiology of Newcastle Disease

This study aimed to characterize the true epidemiological role played by the Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides) as a potential source of infection by the Newcastle disease virus (NDV). For this, Specific-Pathogen-Free chicks (SPF) were used and were housed with Chinese geese that had been inoculated with a pathogenic strain (velogenic viscerotropic, strain São João do Meriti) of NDV (DIE50=108.15/0.1 mL) pathogenic to chickens, by the ocular-nasal route. Each group was composed of 6 SPF Leghorn chicks and 3 geese. At 6 days (Group I) and 14 days (Group II) after inoculation of the Chinese geese with NDV, SPF chicks were put into direct contact with each goose group. Cloacal swabs were collected from both species (Chinese geese and SPF chicks) 6, 10 and 20 days after challenge to genome viral excretion by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Chinese geese did not demonstrate any clinical signs of Newcastle disease (ND). They were refractory to the clinical disease with the NDV. However, NDV genome was detected 20 days after challenge. Therefore, NDV carrier status was demonstrated by Chinese geese. Moreover, 100% of SPF chicks housed with the infected Chinese geese had died by 6 (Group I) and 14 days (Group II) after challenge. Thus, the transmission of the pathogenic virus from the Chinese geese to cohabiting SPF chicks was evident within 20 days of the experimental infection. This reveals the epidemiological importance of Chinese geese as a potential transmitter of NDV infection to other commercial birds that could be raised in close proximity.(AU)

Estudo de parâmetros clínicos, imunitários e do proteinograma sérico da vacinação contra a doença de Newcastle em gansos-da-China (Anser cygnoides) : pesquisa do estado portador do vírus e sua importância epidemiológica

Parâmetros clínicos, imunitários, proteinograma sérico e epidemiológicos da vacinação em gansos-da-China foram avaliados por três experimentos. Amostras vacinais Ulster 2C, B1 e La Sota do VDN foram utilizadas. A importância epidemiológica e pesquisa do estado de portador do VDN também foram avaliadas. No experimento 1, foram utilizados 120 gansos-da-China de um dia a 60 dias de idade, distribuídos em 4 tratamentos com 30 animais, submetidos a diferentes esquemas imunoprofiláticos. Os resultados dos títulos de anticorpos (HI) mostraram que os programas imunoprofiláticos ensaiados foram igualmente eficientes no estímulo da resposta imune humoral. Após o desafio frente a uma estirpe patogênica do VDN, aos 60 dias de vida das aves, em todos os grupos, realizou-se a extração de RNA viral através da reação de cadeia de polimerase pós Transcrição Reversa (RT-PCR). No experimento 2, foram utilizadas aves SPF conviventes com gansos-da-China inoculados com uma estirpe patogênica do VDN, decorridos seis, 10 e 20 dias da infecção experimental, após a infecção com o VDN, nas duas espécies, empregou-se a técnica do RT-PCR. Observou-se a transmissão de vírus patogênico (VDN) dos gansos-da- China para as aves SPF conviventes decorridos até 14 dias da infecção experimental com este patógeno, o que vem realçar a importância do ganso-da-China como fonte potencial de infecção de VDN para aves domésticas No experimento 3, foram determinadas as concentrações séricas das proteínas totais, albumina e globulinas das aves vacinadas e não vacinadas contra a doença de Newcastle. Notou-se que aos 42 dias de idade, de forma geral, os gansos vacinados com as estirpes Ulster 2C, B1 e Lasota apresentaram diferença de forma significativa em relação ao grupo controle para as concentrações séricas de albumina, especialmente o grupo vacinado com a estirpe LaSota

The clinical, epidemiological, immunological parameters and the serum proteinogram of vaccination in Chinese geese were investigated using 3 experiments. Ulster 2C, B1 and LaSota vaccines strains of the NDV were used. In experiment 1, 120 one-day-old Chinese geese were used, and divided into 4 different groups with 30 birds per group. They were submitted to different vaccination programs. The immunological responses in these birds were measured by HI test. These birds were also challenged with a pathogenic VDN strain at 60 days of age. After challenge, in all the groups, tracheal and cloacal swabs were collected for RT-PCR. Independent of the group, clinical signs of reaction to the vaccine were not observed. The antibody titers (HI) results showed that the immune vaccine programs adopted were equally efficient in stimulating protective levels of humoral immune responses. Challenged Chinese geese were refractory to the NDV clinical disease. However, a NDV carrier state was shown in this species until 20 days after experimental infection. The vaccinated groups of Chinese geese did not present any genetic material of virus in the RT-PCR. Therefore, these results show the relevance of vaccination in suppressing a NDV carrier state in the Chinese geese. In experiment 2, SPF chickens housed with Chinese geese which were previously inoculated with a pathogenic NDV strain, developed severe and characteristic NDV lesions and died, after five and 14 days. In experiment 3, the serum proteinogram showed significantly differences for albumin concentrations between the vaccinated and the control group at 42 days of age, especially the birds vaccinated with LaSota strain

Relevance of Chinese Goose (Anser cygnoides) in Experimental Epidemiology of Newcastle Disease

 This study aimed to characterize the true epidemiological role played by the Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides) as a potential source of infection by the Newcastle disease virus (NDV). For this, Specific-Pathogen-Free chicks (SPF) were used and were housed with Chinese geese that had been inoculated with a pathogenic strain (velogenic viscerotropic, strain São João do Meriti) of NDV (DIE50=108.15/0.1 mL) pathogenic to chickens, by the ocular-nasal route. Each group was composed of 6 SPF Leghorn chicks and 3 geese. At 6 days (Group I) and 14 days (Group II) after inoculation of the Chinese geese with NDV, SPF chicks were put into direct contact with each goose group. Cloacal swabs were collected from both species (Chinese geese and SPF chicks) 6, 10 and 20 days after challenge to genome viral excretion by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Chinese geese did not demonstrate any clinical signs of Newcastle disease (ND). They were refractory to the clinical disease with the NDV. However, NDV genome was detected 20 days after challenge. Therefore, NDV carrier status was demonstrated by Chinese geese. Moreover, 100% of SPF chicks housed with the infected Chinese geese had died  by 6 (Group I) and 14 days (Group II) after challenge. Thus, the transmission of the pathogenic virus from the Chinese geese to cohabiting SPF chicks was evident within 20 days of the expe