A fast and simple method for the polymerase chain reaction-based sexing of livestock embryos.

Embryo sexing is a powerful tool for livestock producers because it allows them to manage their breeding stocks more effectively. However, the cost of supplies and reagents, and the need for trained professionals to biopsy embryos by micromanipulation restrict the worldwide use of the technology to a limited number of specialized groups. The aim of this study was to couple a fast and inexpensive DNA extraction protocol with a practical biopsy approach to create a simple, quick, effective, and dependable embryo sexing procedure. From a total of 1847 sheep and cattle whole embryos or embryo biopsies, the sexing efficiency was 100% for embryo biopsies, 98% for sheep embryos, and 90.2% for cattle embryos. We used a primer pair that was common to both species and only 10% of the total extracted DNA. The whole protocol takes only 2 h to perform, which suggests that the proposed procedure can be readily applied to field conditions. Moreover, in addition to embryo sexing, the procedure can be used for further analyses, such as genotyping and molecular diagnosis in preimplantation embryos.

Isolation of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (O: 4, 5: i) and Salmonella enterica subsp. Typhimurium from free-living domestic pigeons (Columba livia) / Detecção de Salmonella enterica subsp enterica (O: 4, 5: i) e Salmonella enterica subsp. Typhimurium em pombo doméstico de vida livre (Columba livia)

The present study reports the isolation of Salmonella enterica in organs of free-living domestic pigeons. In the clinic examination, the presence of feces in the peri-cloacal and abdominal regions were observed, as well as symptoms such as cachexy, incoordination and opisthotonos. Before any therapeutic protocol was applied the bird died and a necropsy was then performed for the removal of spleen, liver, kidney and intestine for bacteriological examination and antibiotic sensitivity test. Salmonella enterica subsp.enterica (O:4,5:i-) and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium were isolated from the liver and intestine and the sensitivity test demonstrated that these strains are sensitive to several antibiotics...

O presente trabalho relata o isolamento de Salmonella enterica em órgãos de um pombo doméstico de vida livre. No exame clínico foi observada a presença de fezes pericloacal na região ventral, caquexia, incoordenação motora e opistótono. Antes de iniciar um protocolo terapêutico, a ave foi a óbito, e, em seguida, foi realizada uma necropsia para remoção do baço, fígado, rim e intestino para exame bacteriológico e teste de sensibilidade a antibióticos. Foi isolado Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (O:4,5:i-) e Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica sorovar Typhimurium do fígado e intestino, e o teste de sensibilidade demonstrou que essas cepas são sensíveis a vários antimicrobianos...

Systemic immunosuppression by methylprednisolone and pregnancy rates in goats undergoing the transfer of cloned embryos.

The presence of the zona pellucida has been perceived as a requirement for the oviductal transfer of cloned embryos at early stages of development while protecting the embryo from an immune system response. We hypothesized that steroid hormone therapy could reduce a potential cellular immune response after the transfer of zona-free cloned embryos into the oviduct of recipient female goats. In Experiment 1, seven does were used to study the systemic immunosuppressant effect of the methylprednisolone administration (for 3 days) on blood cell counts. Whole blood was collected prior to treatment with methyprednisolone and then on Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28 after the first dose of methylprednisolone for the analysis of haematological parameters. Methylprednisolone treatment significantly reduced circulating white blood cells and neutrophils in comparison with pre-treatment levels, demonstrating a systemic immunosuppressant effect. In Experiment 2, a group of 58 does were used as recipient females to study the effect of administration of methylprednisolone for 3 days on the establishment of pregnancies after the transfer of zona-free cloned embryos into the oviducts. No effects on pregnancy rates on Day 30 were observed regarding the distinct treatment groups (control vs. methylprednisolone), the source of oocytes (in vivo- vs in vitro-matured) or the presence or absence of the zona pellucida in embryos. In summary, methylprednisolone was effective at inducing a systemic immunosuppressed state in goats, but the treatment prior to embryo transfer did not affect pregnancy rates. Moreover, pregnancy rates were similar between zona-free and zona-intact goat cloned embryos.