Effects of grape seed procyanidins on antioxidant function, barrier function, microbial community, and metabolites of cecum in geese.

The gut is the first line of defense for body health and is essential to the overall health of geese. Grape seed procyanidins (GSPs) are proverbial for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and microflora-regulating capabilities. This study aimed to inquire into the influences of dietary GSPs on the intestinal antioxidant function, barrier function, microflora, and metabolites of geese based on 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics. In total, 240 twenty-one-day-old Sichuan white geese were randomly divided into 4 groups, each of which was supplied with 1 of 4 diets: basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 50, 100, or 150 mg/kg GSPs. Diets supplemented with GSPs at different concentrations significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activity in cecal mucosa (P < 0.001). Dietary supplementation with 50 or 100 mg/kg GSPs significantly increased catalase activity (P < 0.001). The serum diamine oxidase, D-lactic acid, and endotoxin concentrations were decreased by GSP supplementation in the goose diet. Dietary GSP supplementation increased microbial richness and diversity, enhanced the relative abundance of Firmicutes, and decreased that of Bacteroidetes in the cecum. Diets supplemented with 50 or 100 mg/kg GSPs enriched Eubacterium coprostanoligenes and Faecalibacterium. Dietary GSPs substantially raised the acetic and propionic acid concentrations in the cecum. The butyric acid concentration increased when the GSP dosage was 50 or 100 mg/kg. Additionally, dietary GSPs increased the levels of metabolites that belong to lipids and lipid-like molecules or organic acids and derivatives. Dietary GSP supplementation at 100 or 150 mg/kg reduced the levels of spermine (a source of cytotoxic metabolites) and N-acetylputrescine, which promotes in-vivo inflammation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with GSPs was beneficial to gut health in geese. Dietary GSPs improved antioxidant activity; protected intestinal barrier integrity; increased the abundance and diversity of cecal microflora; promoted the proliferation of some beneficial bacteria; increased the production of acetic, propionic, and butyric acids in the cecum; and downregulated metabolites associated with cytotoxicity and inflammation. These results offer a strategy for promoting intestinal health in farmed geese.

Azaphilone pigments and macrodiolides from the coprophilous fungus Coniella fragariae.

Two azaphilone pigments (1 and 2), two dihydrobenzofurans (3 and 4), two macrodiolides (5 and 6), and a dimeric alkyl aromatic constituent (7) were isolated from the goose dung-derived fungus Coniella fragariae. Compounds 1-3 proved to be new natural products. Coniellins H and I (1 and 2) feature a tetracyclic core and an aldehyde group at C-5, which is unusual for azaphilone derivatives. The X-ray structure of pyrenophorin (5) is reported for the first time. Pyrenophorin (5) showed strong cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 0.07 to 7.8 µM.

Evolution of intestinal microbiota and body compartments during spontaneous hyperphagia in the Greylag goose.

The aim of this work was to study the effects of spontaneous hyperphagia on the evolution of intestinal microbiota and body compartments in old goose. From October 25th to November 26th, 5-yr-old breeding Greylag Landaise geese (106 males and 106 females) were fed with grass during 1 mo (G period). From November 26th (0 d) the birds had ad libitum access to pellets (AMEn: 10.5 MJ/kg, CP: 18.9 g/kg; spontaneous fattening (SF) period). Some birds were killed at -31 d (n = 24; 50/50 sex ratio), 0 d (n = 48), 14 (n = 46), 22 d (n = 46), and 70 d (n = 48) after the start of G period to measure body traits. For microbial analysis, 10 of the samples per sex at 0 d, 14 d, and 70 d were selected to be representative of body traits. Between 0 and 22 d, liver weight increased from 98 g to 194 g in males and from 89 g to 199 g in females (P < 0.001). Liver weight decreased between 22 and 70 d from 194 to 174 g in males and from 199 to 163 g in females (P < 0.001). Irrespective of the diet (G or SF period) and the sex of the bird, the two major phyla were Proteobacteria (49%) and Firmicutes (48%). Bacteroidetes represented around 3.0% of the sequences. At order level, Firmicutes were dominated by Clostridiales (33% of total sequences) and Lactobacillales (13% of total sequences) and Proteobacteria were dominated by Campylobacteriales (34% of total sequences). Finally, Bacteroidetes were dominated by Bacteroidales. SF and sex did not change the microbial diversity but sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis allowed us to highlight discriminant operational taxonomic unit between experimental groups. In conclusion, our result showed that changes in the body compartments of old geese during spontaneous hyperphagia depend on the sex of the birds, but not so much in gut microbial composition. Further investigations are necessary to understand the functional microbiota and highlight the role of gut microbiota in hepatic steatosis induced with hyperphagia in geese.

Neisseria arctica sp. nov., isolated from nonviable eggs of greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) in Arctic Alaska.

During the summers of 2013 and 2014, isolates of a novel Gram-stain-negative coccus in the genus Neisseriawere obtained from the contents of nonviable greater white-fronted goose (Anseralbifrons) eggs on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska. We used a polyphasic approach to determine whether these isolates represent a novel species. 16S rRNA gene sequences, 23S rRNA gene sequences, and chaperonin 60 gene sequences suggested that these Alaskan isolates are members of a distinct species that is most closely related to Neisseria canis, Neisseriaanimaloris and Neisseriashayeganii. Analysis of the rplF gene additionally showed that the isolates are unique and most closely related to Neisseriaweaveri. Average nucleotide identity of the whole genome sequence of the type strain was between 71.5 and 74.6 % compared to close relatives, further supporting designation as a novel species. Fatty acid methyl ester analysis showed a predominance of C14 : 0, C16 : 0 and C16 : 1ω7c fatty acids. Finally, biochemical characteristics distinguished the isolates from other species of the genus Neisseria. On the basis of these combined data, the isolates are proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Neisseria, with the name Neisseria arctica sp. nov. The type strain is KH1503T (=ATCC TSD-57T=DSM 103136T).

Effects of Bacillus subtilis var. natto and Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermented liquid feed on growth performance, relative organ weight, intestinal microflora, and organ antioxidant status in Landes geese.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Bacillus subtilis var. natto N21 (BAC) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y10 (SAC) fermented liquid feed (FLF) during different incubation times on the growth performance, relative organ weight, intestinal microflora, and organ antioxidative status in Landes geese. Two hundred forty male Landes geese (10 wk old) with the BW of 4.163 ± 0.108 kg were selected for a 3-wk trial and randomly allotted to 3 treatments according to their BW (10 replicates/treatment and 8 geese/replicate). The treatments included 1) CON, dry basal feed (corn-soybean basal diet mixed with water) before feeding (2:1 wt/wt), 2) FLF24, 24 h FLF, and 3) FLF48, 48 h FLF. The FLF diet was prepared by storing basal diet with 10(9) cfu/g feed of each BAC and SAC and water (2:1 wt/wt) in a closed tank at 20°C fermented for 24 or 48 h. The BW gain and feed intake of geese fed FLF24 and FLF48 was greater (P < 0.05) than CON treatment. Feeding geese with FLF24 and FLF48 feeds increased (P < 0.05) the relative weight of leg muscle whereas the liver was heavier (P < 0.05) in FLF48 treatment than CON and FLF24 treatments. The FLF24 and FLF48 increased (P < 0.05) the Lactobacillus population and depressed (P < 0.05) Escherichia coli population in small and large intestine. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration was greatest (P < 0.05) in FLF48 whereas the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was less (P < 0.05) in FLF24 and FLF48 treatments than CON. Geese fed FLF48 diet had greater glutathione peroxidase activity and less malondialdehyde content in heart and liver than those fed CON diet. In breast muscle, the superoxide dismutase activity were increased (P < 0.05) by FLF24 and FLF48 treatments than CON diet. In conclusion, the results indicated that feeding geese with BAC and SAC mix FLF can improve growth and feed intake, modulate the intestine ecology, and decrease the blood cholesterol concentrations; it also can improve the antioxidative status of organs and breast muscle.

Species diversity of campylobacteria in a wild bird community in Sweden.

AIMS: To analyse the occurrence and host species distribution of campylobacteria species in shorebirds, geese and cattle on grazed coastal meadows in Sweden. METHODS AND RESULTS: Species identification was performed through a polyphasic approach, incorporating Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) profiling, 16S RNA gene sequence analysis together with extensive phenotypic characterization. From 247 sampled birds and 71 cattle, we retrieved 113 urease positive thermophilic Campylobacter (UPTC) and 16 Campylobacter jejuni ssp. jejuni isolates. Furthermore, 18 isolates of Helicobacter canadensis, and five isolates that potentially represent a new genus of micro-aerophilic, spiral and Gram-negative bacteria were isolated. The distribution of bacterial species on hosts was uneven: all H. canadensis isolates were retrieved from geese, while all but one of the Campylobacter lari UPTC isolates were found in shorebirds. AFLP type distribution of Camp. lari UPTC isolates among individual, resampled and breeding-paired Redshank birds generally indicated a constant shift in strain populations over time and absence of geographical clustering. CONCLUSIONS: The large number of isolated campylobacteria, including species that are zoonotic enteropathogens, indicates that these wild birds potentially may serve as reservoirs of human infections. However, despite a common environment, the different host species largely carried their own campylobacteria populations, indicating that cross-species transmission is rare. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our study is one of few that provide data on the occurrence of campylobacteria in wild animals, adding information on the ecology and epidemiology of micro-organisms that are of public health concern.

Avian reservoirs and zoonotic potential of the emerging human pathogen Helicobacter canadensis.

A polyphasic identification approach was used to investigate the taxonomic position of Campylobacter-like isolates recovered from barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) and Canada geese (Branta candensis). Seven strains were selected from a collection of 21 isolates and analyzed by extensive phenotypic testing; four strains were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The results clearly identified the bird isolates as Helicobacter canadensis, recently described as an emerging human pathogen. This is the first report of an animal reservoir for this organism and of its presence in Europe and confirms the zoonotic potential of H. canadensis.

A survey of birds in Denmark for the presence of Pneumocystis carinii.

One hundred eighty-three toluidine blue O-stained necropsy lung imprint smears from different avian species were examined microscopically for Pneumocystis carinii. No cyst forms of the organism could be identified. Seventy-eight serum samples from a total of 155 chickens were examined by a competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibodies to P. carinii; 53 serum samples were from individual chickens, and 25 samples were pools of sera from two to five chickens. Diluted 1:50, the 78 serum samples showed a specific ELISA-inhibition of 4% to 56% (the 95% confidence limit being 25% to 30% inhibition). Diluted 1:50, nine serum pools representing 34 chickens and 17 of the 53 individual serum samples (32.1%) showed an inhibition greater than 30%. No specific pneumocyst DNA could be detected in serum from 13 of the 53 chickens using polymerase chain reaction and dihydrofolate reductase gene as a specific probe. Specific antibodies to a 116,000-molecular-weight antigen of rat pneumocysts were shown in two (13.3%) of 15 individual chicken serum samples. The results indicate that P. carinii organisms do not commonly reside in the lungs of birds, although some birds may be exposed to external sources of organisms.

Research note: avian leukosis retroviral genes are not detected in geese.

Genomic DNA from four strains of geese was analyzed for the presence of endogenous viral elements using a probe that can detect over 20 Rous-associated endogenous viral genes (ev genes) in chickens, as well as a probe and protocol that detects endogenous avian viruses (EAV). Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA did not reveal any ev genes in DNA of 15 geese from Chinese, Synthetic, or two Embden goose strains. Even under low stringency conditions, using a probe that covered most of the polymerase (pol) gene of the Rous-associated virus (RAV) and that revealed EAV elements in a chicken without ev genes, no viral loci were evident in goose DNA.

Demonstration of Clostridium septicum infection in a goose flock.

Clostridium septicum infection causing 5.0 to 5.2% mortality is reported for the first time in the literature from six-week-old growing geese in three flocks comprising 5,200, 5,500 and 5,900 geese, respectively. The affected birds exhibited weakness, uncoordinated movement, ataxia and, frequently, oblique position of the head and neck (torticollis) as well as signs indicative of dysequilibrium. The affected birds died within 18-24 h. Gross pathological examination revealed anaemia, hepatitis with map-like necroses of irregular outline (Fig. 1), acute enteritis, pulmonary oedema and cardiac dilatation. Light and electron-microscopic examination showed that the sinusoids of the liver were markedly dilated (Fig. 2) and filled with serous exudate and gas (Figs 2 and 3), and the hepatocytes surrounding them exhibited severe oedema (Fig. 4). Among the hepatocytes, ciliated bacteria 7-10 mu in length and 1-3 mu in width, bounded by a well-defined cell wall and often showing signs of spore formation were observed (Figs 5 and 6). By bacteriological examination the pathogen was isolated, its properties were studied, and the clinical entity of malignant oedema was experimentally reproduced by intramuscular injection of guinea-pigs and rabbits. The applied antibiotic (oxytetracycline) and furazolidone therapy proved effective.

Epizootic vesicular stomatitis in Colorado, 1982: epidemiologic studies along the northern Colorado front range.

Epidemiologic evaluations were made of farm personnel on vesicular stomatitis-affected premises along the front range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado during the 1982 epizootic. A similar antibody prevalence was noted to that of veterinarians and research and regulatory personnel who were involved with the same epizootic. Risk of infection resulted from intimate physical contact with infected horses or cows. Incidence and infection rates in horses were 45%; rates in cows were much lower, only 5%. Some epidemiologic clues were gained by a detailed study of an equine ranch. The pasture was incriminated as the area of highest risk, where 100% infection rates were noted. Horses in open pens and barns were at lower risk. Severe clinical disease in horses resulted in higher neutralizing antibody titers than inapparent or mild infection. Maternal antibody was detected in foals up to 4 months of age, and the level of antibody in the foal was a reflection of the dam's antibody level.