Relationship between metabolic indices and milk yield in Saanen goats exposed to heat stress in semi-tropical climates.

This study aimed to determine the effects of heat stress on 30 Saanen goats of different ages (young, middle-aged, and old). The average temperature and humidity values during the trial were 27.82 °C and 40.65%, respectively. Statistically significant differences in pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (SS), and temperature humidity index (THI) were found between months (P < 0.05). Beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) values were found to be statistically significant in the young and middle-aged group (P < 0.05), with the highest in the middle-aged group obtained in June (0.65 mmol/L). Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and urea (BUN) were significantly different (P < 0.05) in all age groups, whereas creatinine values showed no significant differences between groups. Significant positive relationships were found between body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS), as well as pulse rate (PR) and daily average daily milk yield (DAMY) (P < 0.01). A positive correlation was also found between the respiratory rate (SS) and pulse rate (P < 0.01). As a result, although attempts have been made to prevent the decrease in productivity with applications for animals under heat stress, the optimal strategy may be to address the source of the problem. Issues that cause heat accumulation in the body should be identified and necessary arrangements should be made in the shelter to distribute heat to ensure that animals are less affected. Shaded areas should be provided in cases of stress caused by heat. An appropriate structural arrangement for temperature, humidification, and ventilation systems, as well as the provision of abundant fresh drinking water, would also be beneficial.

Newly developed peptide-ELISA successfully detected anti-IgG antibodies against Maedi-Visna virus in sheep.

Maedi Visna Virus (MVV) is a retrovirus that can infect sheep. There is still no effective therapy or vaccine against this virus and timely diagnosis is important to combat the complications of the disease. In this study, we aimed to develop an ELISA using peptides derived from gag protein as antigen. For this purpose, B cell epitopes of gag protein were predicted and a docking analysis with the B cell receptor was performed to select peptides to be used in ELISA. After three soluble epitopes with the highest antigenicity were produced as peptides, the immunogenicity of each peptide was determined by ELISA using sheep serum samples categorized as MVV positive (n=24) and negative (n=13). Subsequently, in house ELISA using above mentioned immunogenic peptides as antigen was used to investigate MVV seroprevalence in sheep (n=88). According to the results, among three peptides, two of them strongly reacted with MVV positive serum samples and the mean absorbance values detected among positive and negative serum samples were statistically significant, indicating that these peptides were immunogenic (P=0.016 and P=0.038). The third peptide also reacted with positive serum samples but the mean absorbance value was not statistically significant and this peptide was considered non-immunogenic (P=0.175). The immunogenic two peptides showed the same high sensitivity and specificity values of 91.60 and 92.80 according to the commercial kit. Moreover, MVV seroprevalence detected by peptide-ELISAs using CKQGSKE and CRPQGKAGHKG peptides as antigen was 3.40 % and 4.5 %, respectively. As a result, it was shown that these peptides can be successfully used for serological diagnosis of MVV.

Cartoid Near Occlusion: Time to Re-think Endarectomy?

OBJECTIVES: Carotid near occlusion (CNO) treatment is still controversial. In the discussion of surgical revascularization of these patients, periprocedural complications and technical failure should be considered in addition to the long-term results. We examined the efficacy and safety of surgical treatment in CNO and non-CNO patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: Data from 152 patients (118 male and 34 female) who underwent isolated CEA between January 2018 and June 2020 without critical contralateral lesions were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: CNO (n = 52) and non-CNO (n = 100). The groups were compared regarding postoperative transient ischemic attack (TIA), ipsilateral ischemic stroke, and mortality. RESULTS: The success rate of the procedure was 100% in the CNO group and 99% in the Non-CNO group. In the Non-CNO group, 1 patient had ipsilateral ischemic stroke on postoperative day 0, and this patient was treated with carotid artery stenting. While the number of patients who died in the non-CNO group was 3 (3%) overall, the exitus rate was 1 (1.9%) in the CNO group (P >.05). In the CNO group, retinal TIA was observed in 1 patient (1.9%), ischemic stroke in 2 patients (3.8%), and TIA in 1 patient (1.9%). In the non-CNO group; Retinal TIA was observed in 1 patient (1.0%), ischemic stroke in 2 patients (2.0%), and TIA in 2 patients (2.0%). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of postoperative neurologic complications and primary endpoints at 12-month follow-up (P >.05). CONCLUSIONS: Carotid endarterectomy is a safe, feasible, and advantageous procedure in selected CNO patients, as in non-CNO carotid artery patients. Therefore, we recommend a surgical approach to prevent neurological events in CNO patients.

Investigation of the genetic diversity and flea-borne pathogens in Ctenocephalides felis samples collected from goats in Izmir and Sanliurfa provinces of Turkey.

The cat flea "Ctenocephalides felis" has veterinary and medical importance since it is a vector for numerous important pathogens. In this study, a total of 249 flea samples were collected from goats bred in eight different farms (located in Izmir and Sanliurfa provinces of Turkey) and morphologically identified under microscopy. Later, the genetic diversity was investigated in 117 of C. felis samples that were morphologically identified by sequencing the mitochondrial cox1 gene, followed by phylogenetic tree, haplotype, genetic differentiation and gene flow analyses. In addition, Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp. which are zoonoses were screened in 27 pools comprising 249 flea samples by PCR. The phylogenetic tree showed that 117 flea samples were clustered in Clade 1 together with isolates from Australia, New Zealand, the Czech Republic, and India. Four haplotypes (haplotypes I, II, III and IV) were detected within the C. felis species. The most prevalent haplotype was haplotype I (57/117; 48.7 %). Among the population of flea samples in Izmir and Sanliurfa, the Fst and Nm values were 0.16261 and 2.57, respectively, indicating a moderate genetic differentiation and high gene flow. Rickettsia spp. was detected in four of C. felis pool samples whereas Bartonella spp. was detected in 25 of them. BLAST analysis identified R. raoultii as well as B. henselae and B. elizabethae. In conclusion, the findings showed that C. felis samples collected from goats in Turkey were classified within Clade 1 representing four different haplotypes with a moderate genetic diversity for the first time. Also, R. raoultii, B. henselae and B. elizabethae were demonstrated for the first time in cat flea samples collected in Turkey.

Chemical Composition and Androgenic Effect of Bee Drone Larvae (Apilarnil) for Goat Male Kids.

Present study aimed to establish the stimulatory effects of bee drone larvae (BDL) on the androgenic effects and growth performance of goat male kids (GMK). The effects of BDL on growth and testosterone hormone levels were investigated in Saanen male kids. A total of 26 Saanen male kids (13 heads control, 13 heads treatment groups) were used for determining the effects of BDL 60 days after the weaning period. BDL was obtained from "good beekeeping practices" hives. Hormone levels, growth trials, testes characteristics, and body measurements were determined every 14 days on the days 75, 90, 105, 120, and 135 of the trial. The increasing level of testosterone hormone in the treatment group on 135 days strengthened the hypothesis that the BDL could have greater effects in the case of more application that is expensive and considering the time of maturity of Saanen GMK. The lipid composition of BDL was identified by GC/MS. Oleic acid (64.75 %) and palmitic acid (26.08 %) were the dominant lipid compounds of BDL. Additionally, the phenolic/organic acid profile investigated by HPLC-DAD revealed that trans-aconitic acid (11.20±0.32 µg/g) and fumaric acid (5.03±0.41 µg/g) were found as major compounds in BDL.

Molecular investigation of bacterial and protozoal pathogens in ticks collected from different hosts in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of tick-borne disease is increasing because of the effects of the temperature rise driven by global warming. In Turkey, 19 pathogens transmitted by ticks to humans and animals have been reported. Based on this, this study aimed to investigate tick-borne pathogens including Hepatozoon spp., Theileria spp., Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia spp., and Bartonella spp. in tick samples (n = 110) collected from different hosts (dogs, cats, cattle, goats, sheep, and turtles) by molecular methods. METHODS: To meet this objective, ticks were identified morphologically at the genus level by microscopy; after DNA isolation, each tick sample was identified at the species level using the molecular method. Involved pathogens were then investigated by PCR method. RESULTS: Seven different tick species were identified including Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R. turanicus, R. bursa, Hyalomma marginatum, H. anatolicum, H. aegyptium, and Haemaphysalis erinacei. Among the analyzed ticks, Hepatozoon spp., Theileria spp., Babesia spp., and Anaplasma spp. were detected at rates of 6.36%, 16.3%, 1.81%, and 6.36%, respectively while Borrelia spp. and Bartonella spp. were not detected. Hepatozoon spp. was detected in R. sanguineus ticks while Theileria spp., Babesia spp., and Anaplasma spp. were detected in R. turanicus and H. marginatum. According to the results of sequence analyses applied for pathogen positive samples, Hepatozoon canis, Theileria ovis, Babesia caballi, and Anaplasma ovis were identified. CONCLUSION: Theileria ovis and Anaplasma ovis were detected for the first time to our knowledge in H. marginatum and R. turanicus collected from Turkey, respectively. Also, B. caballi was detected for the first time to our knowledge in ticks in Turkey.

The effect of bovine serum albumin-glutaraldehyde and polyethylene glycol polymer on neointimal hyperplasia in rabbit carotid artery anastomosis.

OBJECTIVE: Since the systemic drugs have been used to reduce the hyperplasic response in the tunica intima, the periadventitial local drug applications to the vascular wall have gained more popularity. In this study, we investigated the effect of bovine serum albumin-glutaraldehyde and polyethylene glycol polymer on neointimal hyperplasia in rabbit carotid artery anastomosis to explore the effects of these two different agents. METHODS: 21 New Zealand male rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. The carotid artery transection and anastomosis was performed onthe control group. The bovine serum albumin-glutaraldehyde and the polyethylene glycol polymer were applied locally on the other two groups seperatley after transection and anastomosis of the carotid arteries. At the end of 28-day follow-up, the histological and the immunohistochemical results related to neointimal hyperplasia were compared. RESULTS: The glue residues were detected in the BSA-glutaraldehyde group, but in the PEG polymer group there was no glue residue. The intima thickness and the intima/media thickness ratio in the control group was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the other groups. These values did not differ significantly between the BSA-glutaraldehyde group and the PEG polymer group (p>0.05). The lumen diameter and the area in the control group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the BSA-glutaraldehyde group. These values between the control group and the PEG polymer group did not differ significantly (p>0.05). aSMA-positive staining score in the Control group was found to be significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the BSA-glutaraldehyde and PEG polymer group and the VEGF-positive staining score in the control group was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the BSA-glutaraldehyde and the PEG polymer group. CONCLUSIONS: Although the both agents have positive results on neointimal hyperplasia, it would be favorable to use polyethylene glycol polymer, since it does not seem to affect the lumen area and the lumen diameter of the vessel.

High frequency of knockdown resistance mutations in the para gene of cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) samples collected from goats.

Fleas are ectoparasites of mammals and birds. In livestock such as sheep and goat, flea bites cause many clinical signs. Several types of insecticides including pyrethroids are used to struggle against fleas. The widespread use of these insecticides causes an increase in the number of resistant individuals in flea populations. T929V and L1014F mutations corresponding to pyrethroid resistance have been found in the para gene of cat fleas. We aimed to investigate T929V and L1014F mutations in flea samples (n:162) collected from goats in seven different farms where cypermethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid, had been used intensively. To achieve this aim, collected flea samples were morphologically identified under a stereo microscope and DNA isolation was conducted by HotSHOT method. Later, a bi-PASA targeting the para gene was applied to identify both mutations in corresponding samples. According to the results obtained, all fleas were Ctenocephalides felis. Frequencies of T929V and L1014F mutations in fleas were 92.6% (150/162) and 95.7% (155/162), respectively. In conclusion, the frequency of mutations related to pyrethroid resistance was very high in the fleas collected from all the farms and it was thought that the high frequency of these mutations can be attributed to intensive use of pyrethroids.