Comparison of three doses of estradiol benzoate for synchronization of follicular wave emergence in suckled Bos indicus beef cows.

We aimed to compare the effect of three estradiol benzoate (EB) doses on follicular wave emergence (FWE) and dominant follicle growth of suckled Nelore cows submitted to TAI (D0). On a random day of estrous cycle (D-10), multiparous (MULT; n=36) and primiparous (PRIM; n=20) suckled Nelore cows received an intravaginal progesterone (P4) device and were assigned in three groups. Cows in the EB-1 (n=20), EB-1.5 (n=15) or EB-2 (n=21) groups received, respectively, an im treatment with 1, 1.5 or 2 mg EB. A subgroup (n=10-13 cows/group) were subject to daily ovarian evaluations from D-10 to D0. On D-2, P4 devices were removed, and all cows received the same treatment: 1 mg estradiol cypionate, 0.53 mg sodium cloprostenol, and 300 IU eCG. Statistical analyses were performed considering only the main effects of treatment group and parity order. The proportion of cows with a synchronized FWE and the moment of the FWE did not differ (p>0.05) among the treatment groups (overall: 80% [28/35] and 4.1 ± 0.4 days); however, the FWE occurred earlier (p=0.007) in MULT (3.8 ± 0.2 days) than PRIM (5.1 ± 0.4) cows. The proportion of animals detected in estrus was greater (86% [31/36] vs. 70% [14/20]; p=0.02) and the dominant follicle was larger on D-2 (9.7 ± 0.3 mm vs. 7.8 ± 0.7 mm; p=0.006) and D0 (11.9 ± 0.4 mm vs. 10 ± 0.5 mm; p=0.008) in MULT than PRIM cows. In conclusion, the three EB doses presented similar efficiency to synchronize the FWE in suckled Nelore cows. Moreover, a delayed FWE and smaller dominant follicle is observed in PRIM cows, contributing to the reduced reproductive performance in this parity category when using similar TAI protocols of MULT cows.

Evaluation of a cattle rapid test for early pregnancy diagnosis in sheep.

The early pregnancy diagnosis allows optimizing production and timely management correction, with a greater reproductive output of livestock. The Idexx Rapid Visual Pregnancy Test® consists of an ELISA for visual reading which does not require the use of readers in the laboratory, with satisfactory pregnancy diagnoses at 28 days of pregnancy in cattle. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate this rapid test and to verify the most appropriate day for the diagnosis of pregnancy in the ovine species. For this purpose, 98 serum samples from pregnant sheep and 36 from non-pregnant were used, with duplicate samples, and diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound examination, used as the gold standard. The numbers of positive samples obtained at 26, 28, and 30 days of pregnancy were 26, 27, and 45, respectively. The Rapid Visual Pregnancy Test correctly identified 100% of the samples as positive at pregnancy of days 26, 28, and 30. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were also 100%. The Idexx Rapid Visual Pregnancy Test, initially indicated for cattle, is effective for the detection of pregnancy in the ovine species, enabling diagnosis of pregnant sheep from the 26th day of pregnancy.

Cattle herd shearing can help to control Rhipicephalus microplus ticks.

Given the difficulties of controlling the tick Rhipicephalus microplus due to acaricide resistance, this study aimed to ascertain whether shearing could reduce infestation in cattle. 17 taurine cattle were sheared on the anterior third of one randomly selected side. Shearing was undertaken using a machine with a blade, leaving coats with a thickness of 1 mm. Subsequently, eight evaluations were performed once a week, counting adult females of R. microplus with a diameter > 4.5 mm on the anterior third of both sides (shorn and unshorn). The coat length was also monitored by taking five hair samples from each animal fortnightly (1, 15, 29, 43 and 57 days post shorn) from a central area of both shoulders (shorn and unshorn). The tick counts and hair length data were transformed for normalisation and were analysed using mixed models. The tick and hair length means were significantly higher for the unshorn side. Tick counts were significantly lower on the sheared side until the fifth evaluation, with the final three presenting no differences between the sides. The hair length was significantly lower for the sheared side during the five evaluations. We conclude that as the hair length increased, there was also an increase in the number of ticks on the sheared side. Although this method is not practical for large herds, it can be deemed an option in extreme conditions of tick infestation. In addition, the study reinforces the suggestion that the selection and/or use of cattle with shorter hairs may contribute to reduced tick infestation.

YTOX: a rapid toxicity test based on the dehydrogenase activity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for detection of contaminants in water samples.

A simple generic toxicity method (test) is proposed using baker's yeast to mediate the reduction of the colourless triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) to red, 1,3,5-triphenyl formazan, which can be extracted by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), enabling the identification of reducible toxic compounds (e.g. cadmium, fipronil) in water for consumption.

Management and control of parasites on dairy farms in northwestern region of São Paulo state.

Dairy cattle farming is of great economic and social importance in all Brazilian's regions. Parasites can reduce milk productivity, especially the tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. This study consisted of a questionnaire answered by 40 milk producers in the northwestern region of the State of São Paulo. The aim was to ascertain how these producers controlled ticks and other parasites. Very many of them knew nothing about the biological cycle of the cattle tick or about strategic control or acaricide efficacy tests. The majority (87.5%) controlled ticks at a high frequency, without technical criteria and care to apply the acaricide. Spraying was the most used mode of acaricide application (95%) and endectocides were used by 45%. Cattle tick fever was the harm most associated with ticks (87.5%) followed closely by screwworm (77.5%). However, 65% were satisfied with their tick control. About the control of others parasites, all dewormed at least twice a year their animals; 65% were controlling horn fly; 40% had problems with screwworm. The interviewers had in general good level of education and the farms generally exhibited a high degree of technology for milk production on pasture because half of them received technical assistance frequently.

Management and control of parasites on dairy farms in northwestern region of São Paulo state / Manejo e controle de parasitas em fazendas leiteiras da região noroeste paulista

Abstract Dairy cattle farming is of great economic and social importance in all Brazilian’s regions. Parasites can reduce milk productivity, especially the tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. This study consisted of a questionnaire answered by 40 milk producers in the northwestern region of the State of São Paulo. The aim was to ascertain how these producers controlled ticks and other parasites. Very many of them knew nothing about the biological cycle of the cattle tick or about strategic control or acaricide efficacy tests. The majority (87.5%) controlled ticks at a high frequency, without technical criteria and care to apply the acaricide. Spraying was the most used mode of acaricide application (95%) and endectocides were used by 45%. Cattle tick fever was the harm most associated with ticks (87.5%) followed closely by screwworm (77.5%). However, 65% were satisfied with their tick control. About the control of others parasites, all dewormed at least twice a year their animals; 65% were controlling horn fly; 40% had problems with screwworm. The interviewers had in general good level of education and the farms generally exhibited a high degree of technology for milk production on pasture because half of them received technical assistance frequently.

Resumo A bovinocultura leiteira é de extrema importância econômica e social em todas as regiões brasileiras. Os parasitas podem reduzir a produção leiteira, especialmente o carrapato Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Este trabalho consistiu em um questionário respondido por 40 produtores de leite da região noroeste do Estado de São Paulo, com o objetivo de saber como os produtores controlam carrapatos e outros parasitas. Grande parte deles não conhecia o ciclo biológico do carrapato do boi nem o controle estragégico e o teste de eficácia de carrapaticidas. A maioria (87,5%) controlava o carrapato com alta frequência, sem critérios técnicos e cuidados na aplicação do carrapaticida. A aspersão foi o modo de aplicação mais usado (95%) e endectocidas eram utilizados por 45%. Tristeza parasitária bovina foi o prejuízo mais associado ao carrapato (87,5%), seguido de perto pela bicheira (77,5%). No entanto, 65% estavam satisfeitos com o controle do carrapato. A maioria (82,5%) criava gado mestiço. Em relação ao controle de outros parasitas, todos vermifugavam seus animais pelo menos duas vezes por ano; 65% deles controlava a mosca-do-chifre; 40% têm problemas com bicheira. Os entrevistados, de forma geral, tinham bom nível educacional, e as fazendas geralmente exibiam alto grau de tecnologia em produção de leite a pasto, porque metade delas recebia assistência técnica constante de um programa estatal que incentiva a produção leiteira sustentável.

Tick-borne infections in human and animal population worldwide.

The abundance and activity of ectoparasites and its hosts are affected by various abiotic factors, such as climate and other organisms (predators, pathogens and competitors) presenting thus multiples forms of association (obligate to facultative, permanent to intermittent and superficial to subcutaneous) developed during long co-evolving processes. Ticks are ectoparasites widespread globally and its eco epidemiology are closely related to the environmental conditions. They are obligatory hematophagous ectoparasites and responsible as vectors or reservoirs at the transmission of pathogenic fungi, protozoa, viruses, rickettsia and others bacteria during their feeding process on the hosts. Ticks constitute the second vector group that transmit the major number of pathogens to humans and play a role primary for animals in the process of diseases transmission. Many studies on bioecology of ticks, considering the information related to their population dynamics, to the host and the environment, comes possible the application and efficiency of tick control measures in the prevention programs of vector-borne diseases. In this review were considered some taxonomic, morphological, epidemiological and clinical fundamental aspects related to the tick-borne infections that affect human and animal populations.

Modeling of spatial distribution for scorpions of medical importance in the São Paulo State, Brazil.

AIM: In this work, we aimed to develop maps of modeling geographic distribution correlating to environmental suitability for the two species of scorpions of medical importance at São Paulo State and to develop spatial configuration parameters for epidemiological surveillance of these species of venomous animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 54 georeferenced points for Tityus serrulatus and 86 points for Tityus bahiensis and eight environmental indicators, were used to generate species distribution models in Maxent (maximum entropy modeling of species geographic distributions) version 3.3.3k using 70% of data for training (n=38 to T. serrulatus and n=60 to T. bahiensis) and 30% to test the models (n=16 for T. serrulatus and n=26 for T. bahiensis). The logistic threshold used to cut models in converting the continuous probability model into a binary model was the "maximum test sensitivity plus specificity," provided by Maxent, with results of 0.4143 to T. serrulatus and of 0.3401 to T. bahiensis. The models were evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC), using the omission error and the binomial probability. With the data generated by Maxent, distribution maps were produced using the "ESRI(®) ArcGIS 10.2.2 for Desktop" software. RESULTS: The models had high predictive success (AUC=0.7698±0.0533, omission error=0.2467 and p<0.001 for T. serrulatus and AUC=0.8205±0.0390, omission error=0.1917 and p<0.001 for T. bahiensis) and the resultant maps showed a high environmental suitability in the north, central, and southeast of the state, confirming the increasing spread of these species. The environmental variables that mostly contributed to the scorpions species distribution model were rain precipitation (28.9%) and tree cover (28.2%) for the T. serrulatus and temperature (45.8%) and thermal amplitude (12.6%) for the T. bahiensis. CONCLUSION: The distribution model of these species of medical importance scorpions in São Paulo State revealed a higher environmental suitability of these species in the regions north, central, and southeast of the state, warning to emergencies actions for prevention and surveillance from scorpion stings in several counties. There is also a need to best conservation strategies related to neighboring territories, with the implementation of new environmental protected areas and measures of spread control of these species in urban areas of several counties.

Environmental infestation and rickettsial infection in ticks in an area endemic for Brazilian spotted fever.

Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, is endemic in the municipality of Americana, southeastern Brazil, where the disease is transmitted by the tick Amblyomma cajennense. This study evaluated the tick fauna and rickettsial infection in free-living ticks that were captured monthly using dry ice traps in areas endemic for BSF in Americana, from July 2009 to June 2010. Two tick species were captured: A. cajennense (6,122 larvae; 4,265 nymphs; 2,355 adults) and Amblyomma dubitatum (7,814 larvae; 3,364 nymphs; 1,193 adults). The immature stages of A. cajennense and A. dubitatum had similar distribution through the 12-month period, with larvae of both species collected in highest numbers between April and July, and nymphs between June and October. The highest numbers of A. cajennense adults were collected between October and December, whereas A. dubitatum adults were collected in relatively similar numbers throughout the 12-month period. Rickettsial infection was evaluated by means of PCR in 1,157 A. cajennense and 1,040 A. dubitatum ticks; only 41 (3.9%) A. dubitatum were found to be infected by Rickettsia bellii. The present study showed that the areas of Americana that are endemic for BSF are characterized by high environmental burdens of A. cajennense and A. dubitatum.

Environmental infestation and rickettsial infection in ticks in an area endemic for brazilian spotted fever / Infestação ambiental e infecção por rickéttsias em carrapatos de área endêmica para Febre Maculosa Brasileira

Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, is endemic in the municipality of Americana, southeastern Brazil, where the disease is transmitted by the tick Amblyomma cajennense. This study evaluated the tick fauna and rickettsial infection in free-living ticks that were captured monthly using dry ice traps in areas endemic for BSF in Americana, from July 2009 to June 2010. Two tick species were captured: A. cajennense (6,122 larvae; 4,265 nymphs; 2,355 adults) and Amblyomma dubitatum (7,814 larvae; 3,364 nymphs; 1,193 adults). The immature stages of A. cajennense and A. dubitatum had similar distribution through the 12-month period, with larvae of both species collected in highest numbers between April and July, and nymphs between June and October. The highest numbers of A. cajennense adults were collected between October and December, whereas A. dubitatum adults were collected in relatively similar numbers throughout the 12-month period. Rickettsial infection was evaluated by means of PCR in 1,157 A. cajennense and 1,040 A. dubitatum ticks; only 41 (3.9%) A. dubitatum were found to be infected by Rickettsia bellii. The present study showed that the areas of Americana that are endemic for BSF are characterized by high environmental burdens of A. cajennense and A. dubitatum.

A Febre Maculosa Brasileira (FMB) é uma antropozoonose endêmica no município de Americana/SP, causada pela bactéria Rickettsia rickettsii e transmitida pelo carrapato Amblyomma cajennense. Este estudo avaliou a fauna de carrapatos e a infecção por riquétsias em carrapatos de vida livre capturados mensalmente com armadilhas de CO2, em áreas de risco para FMB de Americana, de julho de 2009 a junho de 2010. Duas espécies foram capturadas, A. cajennense (6.122 larvas; 4.265 ninfas; 2.355 adultos) e Amblyomma dubitatum (7.814 larvas; 3.364 ninfas; 1.193 adultos). Os estágios imaturos de A. cajennense e A. dubitatum apresentaram uma distribuição anual semelhante, com larvas de ambas as espécies sendo coletadas em maior número no período de abril a julho e ninfas de junho a outubro. Maior número de adultos de A. cajennense foi coletado de outubro a dezembro, enquanto que os adultos de A. dubitatum foram coletados em número relativamente semelhante durante todo o ano. A infecção por Rickettsia foi avaliada pela PCR em 1157 carrapatos A. cajennense e 1040 A. dubitatum, com apenas 41 (3,9%) A. dubitatum infectados com Rickettsia bellii. Este estudo demonstrou que as áreas de risco para FMB de Americana são caracterizadas por elevadas infestações ambientais de A. cajennense e A. dubitatum.

Evaluation of gelatinases, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2, and myeloperoxidase protein in healthy and inflamed human dental pulp tissue.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the gelatinolytic activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 and the expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2 and myeloperoxidase protein (MPO) in clinically healthy human pulp and inflamed pulp tissue specimens. METHODS: Twenty dental pulps clinically diagnosed as inflammatory tissues and 20 healthy pulp tissues from enclosed third molars were harvested and evaluated. The gelatinolytic activity for MMP-2 and MMP-9 was assessed by using the zymography technique, TIMP-2 gene expression was evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and MPO was determined using the MPO assay. RESULTS: Data showed increased levels of MMP-9, active MMP-2, TIMP-2, and MPO in inflammatory pulp tissues compared with healthy tissues (P < .05). No statistical difference could be observed for pro-MMP-2 (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Although all samples were associated with MMP-2 expression, the active form of this MMP was observed only in inflamed pulps. Inflamed pulps showed an up-regulation of MMP-9, TIMP-2, and MPO.

A fast immunoassay for the screening of alfa-trenbolone in bovine urine

Brazil is one of the many countries that forbids the use of anabolic compounds, which generates difficulties on monitoring its use, once it has one of the biggest cattle herd. Therefore, several anabolic compounds are used, including trenbolone acetate. With the agreement of “Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento", an ELISA based test was done with the production of polyclonal antibodies in rabbits and testing in steers urine which received trenbolone acetate implants. The test showed to be cheap, easy and reliable to use in bovine urine to determine alfa- trenbolone, trenbolone acetate major metabolite, released in the animals urine until 60 days after implant was been injected. The results in comparison to the ones obtained by the commercial kit used by the Brazilian "Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento" were similar, with no significant differences.

O Brasil está entre os países que mantêm o uso de anabolizantes proibido, o que gera dificuldades muito grandes no monitoramento destas substâncias, uma vez que possui o maior rebanho bovino. Contudo, diversas substâncias são largamente utilizadas, entre as quais o acetato de trembolona. Com o consentimento do Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento, foram produzidos anticorpos policlonais para um teste baseado em ELISA ("enzyme linked immunosorbent assay") capazes de detectar acetato de trembolona na urina de bovinos tratados com trembolona. O teste apresentou baixo custo e de fácil execução para a detecção de alfa-trembolone, o principal metabólito na absorção do acetato de trembolona, liberado na urina dos animais. Os resultados foram similares aos obtidos com o "kit" comercial usado pelo Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento do Brasil.

Resíduos de anabolizantes na produçäo animal: importância e métodos de detecçäo / Anabolic residues in livestock prodution: relevancy and detection methods

Com o desenvolvimento da indústria farmacêutica e o conseqüente surgimento de novas substâncias promotoras do crescimento animal, o setor agropecuário necessita de tecnologias cada vez mais eficientes e sensíveis para detectar possíveis resíduos deixados por este vasto número de substâncias anabolizantes, principalmente esteróides com atividades estrogênicas, androgênicas e progestogênicas. Tais substâncias, quando presentes na carne, gordura, ovos, entre outros, podem ser detectadas e quantificadas por uma série de métodos, dentre os quais, descrevemos os cromatográficos, baseados principalmente em cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massa (CG-EM), cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE), cromatografia em camada delgada de alta eficiência (CCDAE) e os métodos imunológicos, como radioomunoensaio (RIA) e ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA). Estes métodos têm como vantagens o elevado número de amostras que podem ser analisadas por período de tempo, aliadas à alta sensibilidade na detecçäo de resíduos