Adaptive and innate immune response of Leishmania infantum infection in Cirneco dell'Etna dog breed.

Leishmania spp. are an intracellular protozoa present in many countries around the world. In Europe, both the parasite and the disease it causes, leishmaniasis, are endemic in the Mediterranean basin. Clinical signs and severity of disease are highly variable depending on the host in both humans and dogs, traditionally considered the main reservoir of the parasite. The reason for these differences is not known, but it has been speculated that some hosts present immune response, related to activation of Th1 and Th17, capable of controlling the spread of the parasite, and that these immune responses are related to the genetic background of the host. The Ibizan hound, an autochthonous canine breed of the Mediterranean basin, has been postulated as a breed resistant to infection, but other canine breeds evolutionarily close to it and native to this region have not been studied. One of them is the Cirneco dell'Etna, native to the island of Sicily in southern Italy. In this study, the immune response against L. infantum infection in this canine breed was analysed. The results showed that infected dogs of this breed present high levels of several cytokines related to Th1 and Th17 immune response, and significant correlation between serum levels of cytokines related to disease resistance. Further studies are necessary in this canine breed to determine the mechanisms of immune response and genetic background related to L. infantum infection control.

Impact of Heat Stress on the Balance between Oxidative Markers and the Antioxidant Defence System in the Plasma of Mid-Lactating Modicana Dairy Cows.

Animal health is affected during heat stress as a result of impaired immune responses, increased production of reactive oxygen species, and/or a deficiency of antioxidants. This leads to an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants and results in oxidative stress. Heat stress is usually measured in dairy cattle via the temperature-humidity index (THI). In the present study, we aimed at assessing the influence of incremental THI on the balance between oxidative markers and the antioxidant defence system in the plasma of Modicana cows. Twenty-four multiparous, mid-lactating dairy cows were divided into two groups on the basis of different levels of mean THI reached in the period of the previous week up until the day of blood and milk sampling (April THI1:55, May THI2:68, June THI3:71, July THI4:80). The blood samples were collected to measure reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) and antioxidant defense markers (ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), paraoxonase (PON), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), plasma thiol groups (SHp), as well as lipid-soluble antioxidant pro-vitamin (ß-carotene) and vitamins (tocopherol and retinol). Milk characteristics, haematological values, and plasma biochemical metabolites were also evaluated. Results showed a significant increase in ROM (p < 0.05) and a significant decrease in PON (p < 0.05), AOPP (p < 0.05), and ß-carotene (p < 0.001). Incremental THI significantly decreased levels of milk fat content, red and white blood cells, plasma glucose, and non-esterified fatty acids, while significantly increasing monocytes and the concentrations of ß-hydroxybutyrate and creatinine, but not fructosamine. The results of the study show that heat stress significantly affects reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant parameters. Carotenoid supplementation should be considered to alleviate the impact of these effects.

Effect of Breed on Hematological and Biochemical Parameters of Apparently Healthy Dogs Infected with Zoonotic Pathogens Endemic to the Mediterranean Basin.

Dogs are considered the main reservoir of several zoonoses endemic to the Mediterranean Basin. In this study, a prevalence of infections and coinfections of canine vector-borne diseases was analyzed in apparently healthy dogs of different canine pure breeds in Sicily (Italy), where these diseases are endemic. The seroprevalence of Leishmania infantum, Ricketsia ricketsii, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Erlichia canis was assessed, as single and coinfections. Biochemical and hematological parameters were evaluated, and epidemiological factors, including sex, age, and canine breed, were recovered. The most frequent infection was L. infantum (45.61%), following R. ricketsii (36.84%), both as single, double, or triple coinfections. Coinfections change the biochemical and hematological parameters of the host, and canine breeds are related to the infection frequency and the parameters observed during infections. Changes in the complete blood count (CBC) and biochemical values also differ between canine breeds, with the Cirneco dell'Etna dogs infected with L. infantum being the animals presenting the most interesting results in our study. High values of RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), the albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio, and albumin and low levels of ß-2 globulin and γ-globulin were found only in this canine breed, suggesting some resistance to infection in these dogs. Future studies about the immune response of this canine breed could be interesting to determine their possible resistance to zoonotic pathogens, such as L. infantum.

A retrospective study on whelping seasonality of the Cirneco dell'Etna dog in Sicily, Italy.

Previous to this study, there is no data relating to the reproductive physiology of the Cirneco dell'Etna breed. The birth date of 141 bitches and 104 sires registered at the National Agency of the Italian Kennel Club (ENCI) from all Sicilian breeders, and data related their fertile matings, which produced 266 whelps over a 14-year period, (2009-2022) were collected. Total whelping produced 1069 pups. The mean bitch age at first whelping was 39.13 ± 21.7 months and the mean litter size was 3.84 ± 2.08. The birth period of the bitches and sires was significantly influenced by the month of the year (p < 0.01), as was the distribution of the first (p < 0.05) and subsequent whelping periods (p < 0.01). Whelping distributions show a significant difference between the highest peak in April (which roughly corresponds to a period of heat in February) and in July (which roughly corresponds to a period of heat in May) and the lowest peak in March. No influence of month on litter size and sex ratio was found. Available data suggests that some ancient breeds such as the Cirneco dell'Etna may show seasonal patterns as a vestige of the stricter seasonality of its closest relative the wolf.

Residual feed intake is related to metabolic and inflammatory response during the preweaning period in Italian Simmental calves.

Residual Feed Intake (RFI) is defined as the difference between measured and predicted intake. Understanding its biological regulators could benefit farm profit margins. The most-efficient animals (M-Eff) have observed intake smaller than predicted resulting in negative RFI, whereas the least-efficient (L-Eff) animals have positive RFI. Hence, this observational study aimed at retrospectively comparing the blood immunometabolic profile in calves with divergent RFI during the preweaning period. Twenty-two Italian Simmental calves were monitored from birth through 60 d of age. Calves received 3 L of colostrum from their respective dams. From 2 to 53 d of age, calves were fed a milk replacer twice daily, whereas from 54 to 60 d (i.e., weaning) calves were stepped down to only one meal in the morning. Calves had ad libitum access to concentrate and intakes were recorded daily. The measurement of BW and blood samples were performed at 0, 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 45, 54, and 60 d of age. Calves were ranked and categorized as M-Eff or L-Eff according to the median RFI value. Median RFI was -0.06 and 0.04 kg of DMI/d for M-Eff and L-Eff, respectively. No evidence for group differences was noted for colostrum and plasma IgG concentrations. Although growth rate was not different, as expected, (0.67 kg/d [95% CI = 0.57-0.76] for both L-Eff and M-Eff) throughout the entire preweaning period (0-60 d), starter intake was greater in L-Eff compared with M-Eff calves (+36%). Overall, M-Eff calves had a greater gain-to-feed ratio compared with L-Eff calves (+16%). Plasma ceruloplasmin, myeloperoxidase, and reactive oxygen metabolites concentrations were greater in L-Eff compared with M-Eff calves. Compared with L-Eff, M-Eff calves had an overall greater plasma concentration of globulin, and γ-glutamyl transferase (indicating a better colostrum uptake) and Zn at 1 d. Retinol and urea were overall greater in L-Eff. The improved efficiency in nutrient utilization observed in M-Eff was paired with a lower grade of oxidative stress and systemic inflammation. L-Eff may have had greater energy expenditure to support the activation of the immune system.

Phenotypic and Genomic Characterization of the Comune di Sicilia Goat: Towards the Conservation of an Endangered Local Breed.

The Comune di Sicilia, a local goat breed from Sicily (Italy), is currently undergoing recognition as a distinct breed. This study aims to characterize the population both phenotypically and genomically to advance its recognition process. A total of 78 subjects from two locations were enrolled, and their phenotypic data, including qualitative traits and morphometric measurements of adult animals, were recorded and statistically analyzed. The goats were genotyped using the Illumina 50 k Goat SNPchip, comparing them with 473 goats from 15 Italian breeds. Population structure, phylogenetic relationships, admixture, and genomic inbreeding were analyzed. Additionally, subjects with different morphological traits were compared using FST and runs of homozygosity, leading to the identification of potential candidate genes associated with anotia and wattle presence in goats. The Comune di Sicilia breed exhibited distinctive genomic and phenotypic features, setting it apart from other breeds in the same region. However, moderate variability, possibly influenced by selection practices, was also observed. To ensure the breed's preservation and prevent excessive inbreeding, a comprehensive approach considering both morphology and genomic background is recommended. This study contributes valuable insights into the genetic peculiarities of the Comune di Sicilia goat, supporting its recognition as a unique and valuable breed.