The bovine leukemia virus infection prolongs immunosuppression in dairy cows during the periparturient period by sustaining higher expression of immunological checkpoints in T cells.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is caused by a deltaretrovirus and has been associated with immunosuppression as well as comorbidities such as bovine mastitis, the costliest disease in the dairy sector. However, no previous study has explored at the synergistic immunosuppressive effect of the peripartum period with an immunosuppressive viral disease such as BLV. Thus, our study explored the effect of BLV infection in the periparturient period on the expression of PD-1 and CTLA-4 in blood T lymphocytes, and the impact of BLV infection on the rate of new intramammary infections during the early lactation. Here, we found that BLV-infected dairy cows always had a statistically significant higher expression of CTLA-4 and PD-1 in blood T cells. Furthermore, our findings indicated that BLV infection prolongs immunosuppression in dairy cows during the periparturient period by sustaining higher expression of immunological checkpoints in T cells. In addition, BLV-infected dairy cows have a higher rate of new intramammary infections during early lactation. Thus, our study provides new insights of the immunosuppressive effect of BLV on the most critical period of the cows' life with marked detrimental effect on protective T-cell immunity and comorbidities, such as bovine mastitis.

Feeding reduced levels of trace minerals in proteinate form and selenium-yeast to transition cows: Performance, trace minerals, and antioxidant status, peripheral neutrophil activity, and oocyte quality.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of inorganic trace minerals (TM) and reduced levels of TM by using proteinate forms of Co, Zn, Mn, and Cu, and Se-yeast in diets of transition cows on performance, TM concentrations in colostrum, plasma, and liver, blood metabolites, antioxidant status, peripheral neutrophil activity, and oocyte quality. Thirty-two Holstein cows (22 multiparous and 10 primiparous cows) were enrolled in this study from 30 d before the expected calving date to 56 DIM. Cows were blocked according to body condition score, parity, and previous milk yield and randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: control (CON), with TM (Zn, Cu, Mn, and Co) supplied in form of sulfate and Se as sodium selenite to meet or exceed requirement estimates of the National Research Council; and proteinate trace minerals (PTM), with TM supplied bound with AA and peptides at 50% of CON levels and inorganic Se replaced with Se-yeast at 100% of CON level. Treatments were supplied until 56 DIM. Eight cows were removed from the study because of early calving (n = 3) or health issues (n = 5); thus, data of 24 cows (16 multiparous and 8 primiparous cows) were used in the statistical analysis. No differences between treatments were detected on nutrient intake or digestibility. Total excretion of purine derivatives was decreased when feeding PTM during the prepartum period. Feeding reduced levels of TM in proteinate form resulted in greater yield of milk (27.7 and 30.9 kg/d for CON and PTM, respectively) and protein (0.890 and 0.976 kg/d) between wk 5 and 8 of lactation. No treatment differences were detected for feed efficiency, milk somatic cell count, and milk urea nitrogen. Cows fed PTM had lower milk fat concentration during the 56 d of evaluation (4.08 and 3.74% for CON and PTM, respectively). Selenium concentration was greater in colostrum of cows fed PTM compared with CON (48.5 and 71.3 µg/L for CON and PTM, respectively), whereas Zn, Cu, and Mn concentrations were not different. Cows fed PTM showed lower liver Cu concentration compared with CON (51.4 and 73.8, respectively). Plasma concentrations of Mn and Zn were lower, but plasma Se concentration tended to be higher with PTM treatment. Feeding PTM resulted in greater blood concentrations of urea-N (16.6 and 18.2 mg/dL for CON and PTM, respectively) and ß-hydroxybutyrate (0.739 and 0.940 mmol/L). Counts of lymphocytes were higher with PTM but counts of monocytes were lower in complete blood cell count. No differences were observed in serum concentrations of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. No differences were detected in phagocytosis and oxidative burst potential of neutrophils after incubation with bacteria. Cows fed PTM had fewer viable oocytes per ovum pick-up in comparison with CON (8.00 and 11.6). Feeding PTM to transition cows may sustain performance without altering neutrophil activity despite some alterations in blood TM concentrations. More studies should be performed to evaluate production and fertility measurements when reducing TM dietary levels by using proteinate forms and Se-yeast with larger number of animals.

Milk Macrophage Function in Bovine Leukemia Virus-Infected Dairy Cows.

The implications of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) on innate and adaptive immune responses have been widely investigated; however, the effects of BLV on mammary gland immunity require further investigation. The present study investigated the viability, phagocytic capacity, and intracellular production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) by macrophages in milk samples from dairy cows naturally infected with BLV with or without persistent lymphocytosis (PL). No effect of BLV infection in the overall number of macrophages per milliliter and in the percentage of viable macrophages among overall milk viable cells was found. Furthermore, BLV-infected dairy cows had a higher frequency of viable milk macrophages, while healthy animals had a tendency toward a higher percentage of apoptotic milk macrophages. The percentage of milk macrophages that phagocytosed Staphylococcus aureus in seronegative animals was higher than that in BLV-infected dairy cows. No effect of BLV infection on the intracellular RONS production and the intensity of phagocytosis by milk macrophages was observed. Thus, this study provides new insights into the implications of BLV infections in the bovine mammary gland.

Temporal and geographical comparison of bulk tank milk and water microbiota composition in Brazilian dairy farms.

This study investigated the relationship between the bacterial communities of bulk tank milk (BTM) and water used in Brazilian dairy farms. We also explored the association between BTM microbiota and its quality parameters (i.e., somatic cell count [SCC] and total bacteria count [TBC]). Water and BTM samples were collected twice for high throughput metataxonomic characterization. Milk samples were collected for SCCs, TBCs, and antimicrobial residue analysis. Water samples were submitted for physico-chemical and microbiological analyses. Overall, the BTM bacterial community was not influenced by the water microbiota. Furthermore, a higher number of Bacillus spp. and a tendency toward a higher number of Lactococcus spp. was associated with a higher TBC, and consequently could be used as an indicator of milk quality. A higher number of Streptococcus spp. and a tendency toward a higher number of Staphylococcus spp. were associated with a higher SCC. Apart from a variation on the content of the Bacillus taxa, no effect of sampling time on BTM bacterial community was observed. Finally, a negative correlation between the number of different species (richness) on BTM and SCC was found.

Lymphocyte proliferation and apoptosis of lymphocyte subpopulations in bovine leukemia virus-infected dairy cows with high and low proviral load.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is one of the most important virus in dairy cattle. The infection behavior follows what we call the iceberg phenomenon: 60% of infected animals do not show clinical signs; 30% develop persistent lymphocytosis (PL); and the remaining 10%, die due to lymphosarcoma. BLV transmission depends on infected cell exchange and thus, proviral load is determinant. Understanding the mechanisms by which cattle governs the control of viral dissemination will be desirable for designing effective therapeutic or preventive strategies for BLV. The development of high proviral load (HPL) or low proviral load (LPL) might be associated to genetic factors and humoral immune responses, however cellular responses are not fully described. It is known that BLV affects cellular homeostasis: proliferation and apoptosis. It is also known that the BLV tropism is directed towards B lymphocytes, and that lymphocytotic animals have elevated amounts of these cells. Usually, when an animal is infected by BLV, the B markers that increase are CD21, CD5 and CD11b. This increase could be related to the modulation of apoptosis in these cells. This is the first work in which animals infected with BLV are classified according to their proviral load and the subpopulations of B and T lymphocytes are evaluated in terms of their percentage in peripheral blood and its stage of apoptosis and viability. PBMCs from HPL animals proliferated more than LPL and non-infected animals. CD11b+/CD5+ lymphocytes in LPL animals presented greater early and late apoptosis than HPL animals and cells of HPL animals had increased viability than LPL animals. Our results confirm that BLV alters the mechanism of apoptosis and proliferation of infected cells.

Implications of bovine viral diseases for udder health / As implicações das doenças virais para a saúde da glândula mamária bovina

Several factors can affect bovine mammary gland health and although bacterial mastitis is the most studied and reported cause, viral infections may also have negative effects on bovine udder health. Viral infections can indirectly damage the papillary duct of the teat, and induce or exacerbate signs of bovine mastitis due to viral-induced immunosuppressive effects that may lead to a greater susceptibility to bacterial mastitis and even intensify the severity of established bacterial infections. Some viruses (Bovine alphaherpesvirus2, cowpox, pseudocowpox, foot-and-mouth disease, vesicular stomatitis and papillomavirus) affect the integrity of the udder skin, leading to teat lesions, favoring the entry of mastitis-causing pathogens. It is therefore possible that the association between mastitis and viruses is underestimated and may, for example, be associated with negative bacterial culture results. Few milk samples are tested for the presence of viruses, mainly because of the more laborious and expensive procedures required. Furthermore, samples for virus testing would require specific procedures in terms of collection, handling and storage. Thus, there is a knowledge gap in regard to the actual impact of viruses on bovine udder health. Despite the fact that serum anti-virus antibodies can be detected, there is not enough evidence to confirm or exclude the effect of viruses on udder health. However, any expectation of milk production from healthy animals should consider the possible impact of viral infections in mastitis development and not underestimate the importance of actions to diagnose and control the disease. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to describe the association of diagnosis and control of viral diseases and their effect on bovine udder health.(AU)

Diversos fatores podem afetar a saúde da glândula mamária bovina e embora a mastite bacteriana seja a causa mais estudada e relatada, as infecções virais também podem ter efeitos negativos sobre a saúde da glândula mamária bovina. De forma indireta as infecções virais podem danificar o ducto papilar do teto ou ainda, induzir ou agravar a mastite bovina, devido aos seus efeitos imunossupressores que podem levar a uma maior susceptibilidade para casos de mastite bacteriana e até mesmo intensificar a severidade das infecções bacterianas já estabelecidas. Alguns vírus (Alphaherpesvirus bovino 2, cowpox, pseudocowpox, febre aftosa, estomatite vesicular e papilomavírus) afetam a integridade da pele do úbere, levando a lesões no teto, favorecendo a entrada de patógenos causadores de mastite. Portanto é possível que a associação entre mastites e viroses seja subestimada e podem, por exemplo, estar associada às amostras de diagnóstico de mastite bacteriana com resultados de cultura bacteriana negativa. Além disso, as amostras de leite de vacas com mastite não são coletadas, tratadas e armazenadas adequadamente para pesquisa de vírus que requer cuidados específicos, além de um diagnóstico mais trabalhoso e caro. Desse modo, há lacunas a serem preenchidas quanto ao real impacto das viroses sobre a saúde da glândula mamária bovina. Apesar da possibilidade de detecção de anticorpos séricos contra os vírus, não existem evidências suficientes para incluir ou excluir os efeitos das viroses a saúde da glândula mamária bovina. Porém, a expectativa de produção de leite por meio de animais saudáveis deve considerar os possíveis impactos das infecções virais no desenvolvimento de mastites, não se pode, portanto, subestimar a importância de ações para o diagnóstico e controle das mesmas. Sendo assim, o propósito desta revisão é descrever as relações entre o diagnóstico de controle das doenças virais e seus potenciais impactos sobre a saúde da glândula mamária bovina.(AU)

Highly complex respiratory changes in calf / Alterações respiratórias de alta complexidade em bezerro

The bronchopneumonia of calves represents a risk to national supply chain because it is an ecopathy and weakens the more intensive production systems. It is characterized by inflammatory changes in the bronchi, bronchioles, lung parenchyma, and pleura. It is a disease of multifactorial traits called Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD). The association of infectious agents with host defense and management to which the animal is subjected leads to the emergence of major clinical manifestations of the disease. The clinical evolution of BRD can also have serious secondary changes such as pulmonary edema, sepsis, and pulmonary hypertension, or even be consequent to the involvement of other structures, such as in cases of myocarditis leading to congestive heart failure. Although this report refers to a non-experimental framework, the circumstances that caused the calf to be subjected to a protocol-specific respiratory assessment involving non-routine reviews has made it possible to associate circulatory and respiratory conditions, rarely considered in ruminant clinic. The focus of this report was pulmonary edema. Modern clinical vision requires of the veterinarian work with cost-benefit relation, so that the more accurate and the earlier the clinical diagnosis the less expensive the treatment.(AU)

A broncopneumonia dos bezerros representa um risco à cadeia produtiva nacional por ser uma ecopatia e fragilizar os sistemas mais intensivos de produção. É caracterizada por alterações inflamatórias de brônquios, bronquíolos, parênquima pulmonar e pleura. Por ser uma doença de características multifatoriais é denominada Complexo Doença Respiratória de Bovinos (CDRB). A interação dos agentes infecciosos, a defesa do hospedeiro e o manejo ao qual o animal é submetido determinam as principais manifestações clínicas da doença. A evolução clínica do CDRB também pode apresentar alterações secundárias graves como o edema pulmonar, septicemia e a hipertensão pulmonar, ou mesmo ser consequente ao acometimento de outras estruturas, como nos casos de miocardite que levam à insuficiência cardíaca congestiva. Apesar deste relato referir-se a um quadro não experimental, as circunstâncias de submissão a um protocolo de avaliação respiratória específico, envolvendo avaliações não rotineiras, permitiu a o estabelecimento da associação entre as interações circulatórias e o quadro respiratório, pouco consideradas na clínica de ruminantes. A referência do presente relato foi o edema pulmonar. A visão clínica moderna obriga o médico veterinário a trabalhar a relação custo-benefício e, quanto mais acurado e precoce é o diagnóstico clínico, menos dispendioso é o tratamento.(AU)

Blood and milk polymorphonuclear leukocyte and monocyte/macrophage functions in naturally caprine arthritis encephalitis virus infection in dairy goats.

The exact influence of caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) infection on blood and milk polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) and monocyte/macrophages of goats remains unclear. Thus, the present study sought to explore the blood and milk PMNL and monocyte/macrophage functions in naturally CAEV-infected goats. The present study used 18 healthy Saanen goats that were segregated according to sera test outcomes into serologically CAEV negative (n=8; 14 halves) and positive (n=10; 14 halves) groups. All milk samples from mammary halves with milk bacteriologically positive outcomes, somatic cell count ≥2×106cellsmL-1, and abnormal secretions in the strip cup test were excluded. We evaluated the percentage of blood and milk PMNLs and monocyte/macrophages, the viability of PMNLs and monocyte/macrophages, the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the nonopsonized phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by flow cytometry. In the present study, a higher percentage of milk macrophages (CD14+) and milk polymorphonuclear leukocytes undergoing late apoptosis or necrosis (Annexin-V+/Propidium iodide+) was observed in CAEV-infected goats; we did not find any further alterations in blood and milk PMNL and monocyte/macrophage functions. Thus, regarding our results, the goats naturally infected with CAEV did not reveal pronounced dysfunctions in blood and milk polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes/macrophages.

Effects of bovine leukemia virus infection on milk neutrophil function and the milk lymphocyte profile.

The effects of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) on the immune response have been extensively investigated; however, its effects on mammary gland immunity are only speculative. Although BLV has a tropism for B cells, it can affect both adaptive and innate immunities because these systems share many effector mechanisms. This scenario is the basis of this investigation of the effects of BLV on mammary gland immunity, which is largely dependent upon neutrophilic functions. Thus, the present study sought to examine neutrophilic functions and the lymphocyte profile in the milk of naturally BLV-infected cows. The viability of the milk neutrophils and the percentage of milk neutrophils that produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) or phagocytosed Staphylococcus aureus were similar between BLV-infected and BLV-uninfected dairy cows. Furthermore, the expression of CD62L and CD11b by the milk neutrophils and the percentage of milk neutrophils (CH138+ cells) that were obtained from the udder quarters of the BLV-infected cows were not altered. Conversely, the median fluorescence intensity (MFI) representing intracellular ROS production and the phagocytosis of S. aureus, the expression of CD44 by the milk neutrophils and the percentage of apoptotic B cells were lower in the milk cells from BLV-infected dairy cows, particularly those from animals with persistent lymphocytosis (PL). The lymphocyte subsets were not different among the groups, with the exception of the percentage of CD5-/CD11b- B cells, which was higher in the milk cells from BLV-infected cows, particularly those with PL. Thus, the present study provides novel insight into the implications of BLV infection for mammary gland immunity.

Intracellular reactive oxygen species production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes in bovine leukemia virus-infected dairy cows.

The present study assesses the oxidative burst activity from polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) from bovine leukemia virus (BLV)-infected cows. Fifteen clinically healthy cows were divided into serologically positive cows without any hematological alteration, serologically positive animals with persistent lymphocytosis (PL) and healthy serologically negative cows. The oxidative burst activity from the PMNLs was evaluated by flow cytometry using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate as a probe. PMNLs from each cow were incubated with heat-killed Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) to stimulate oxidative burst activity. The results of the present work showed no significant difference in the oxidative burst activity without any stimulus and elicited by S. aureus. Conversely, a decrease in the oxidative burst index induced by E. coli in PMNLs was observed in BLV-infected cows.

Metabolismo oxidativo de leucócitos em animais infectados pelo Vírus da Leucemia Bovina / Oxidative burst of leukocytes from bovine leukemia Virus-Infected Cattle

A infecção pelo vírus da leucemia bovina (VLB) leva ao desenvolvimento de linfocitose persistente (LP) ou linfossarcomas, principalmente em rebanhos bovinos leiteiros. Entretanto, os eventos que induzem tais manifestações ou o efeito da infecção na função das diferentes populações de leucócitos são pouco conhecidos. Avaliou-se o efeito da infecção pelo VLB na produção intracelular de peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) em leucócitos circulantes, mensurada pela fluorescência produzida pela diclorodihidrofluoresceína, utilizando-se de citometria de fluxo. As células foram obtidas de cinco vacas soronegativas; cinco vacas infectadas pelo VLB, alinfocitóticas; e cinco vacas infectadas, manifestando LP. Verificou-se que a infecção pelo VLB não altera a porcentagem de leucócitos circulantes produzindo H2O2, com ou sem prévio estímulo por adição in vitro: de 12-miristato 13-acetato de forbol (PMA); de lipopolissacarídeos de Escherichia coli (LPS); ou Staphylococcus aureus. Todavia, a produção de H2O2 em leucócitos de animais apresentando LP, com ou sem estímulo, foi menor que aquela verificada em leucócitos de animais soronegativos e de animais soropositivos alinfocitóticos. Os estímulos aumentaram a porcentagem de leucócitos produzindo H2O2 e a produção intracelular média em animais soronegativos ou naqueles infectados alinfocitóticos. Contudo, em leucócitos de vacas soropositivas manifestando LP, a fagocitose de S. aureus não elevou a porcentagem de leucócitos produzindo H2O2. Também, apenas a adição de PMA elevou a produção intracelular de H2O2 em leucócitos de fêmeas soropositivas manifestando LP. Concluiu-se que bovinos infectados pelo VLB, manifestando LP, apresentam menor produção intracelular de H2O2, demonstrando vulnerabilidade funcional refletida por imunossupressão.

Widespread Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) infection leads to persistent lymphocytosis (PL) or lymphosarcoma, mainly in dairy herds. Nevertheless, neither the sequence of events that conducts to these symptoms, nor the effect of infection on function of different leukocyte populations, is well known. We evaluated the effect of BLV infection on immune response of cows through the analysis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) intracellular production of circulating leukocytes after in vitro stimuli with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides (LPS), or Staphylococcus aureus. Cells were obtained from five BLV-non infected cows, five BLV-infected, non-lymphocytotic cows, and five BLV-infected cows with PL, and analyzed by flow cytometry. Intracellular production of H2O2 was measured by dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate dependent fluorescence. Results showed that BLV infection does not alter the percentage of H2O2-producing circulating leukocytes (H2O2-PCL), with or without previous stimuli. However, the average of H2O2 intracellular production, with or without previous stimuli, in leukocytes obtained from cows with PL was smaller than those from cells obtained from BLV-negative cows and from BLV-infected, non-lymphocytotic cows. Moreover, stimuli increased H2O2 intracellular production and the percentage of H2O2-PCL obtained from BLVnegative cows and from BLV-infected, non-lymphocytotic cows. Conversely, neither phagocytosis of S. aureus and stimulus with LPS increases H2O2 intracellular production, nor phagocytosis increases the percentage of H2O2-PCL, when leukocytes were obtained from cows with PL. Thus, results show that BLV-infected cattle, with PL, have an impaired H2O2 intracellular production, demonstrating functional vulnerability reflected by immunosuppression.

Influência da leucose enzoótica bovina na função fagocítica de leucócitos circulantes em animais manifestando linfocitose persistente / Influence of enzootic bovine leukosis on phagocytic function of circulating leukocytes from animals with persistent lymphocytosis

Avaliou-se, por citometria de fluxo, a fagocitose de Staphylococcus aureus conjugados com iodeto de propídio (IP), por leucócitos circulantes obtidos de cinco fêmeas bovinas negativas no sorodiagnóstico para a Leucose Enzoótica Bovina (LEB); de cinco fêmeas infectadas, manifestando linfocitose persistente (LP); e de cinco fêmeas infectadas, porém alinfocitóticas. Observou-se que, entre as amostras dos animais soronegativos, a porcentagem média de células realizando fagocitose (12,90%) não diferiu da observada entre as células dos animais alinfocitóticos (14,70%). Contudo, ambas foram maiores (p=0,047) que aquela verificada entre as células obtidas de animais manifestando LP (7,20%). Além disso, a intensidade média de fagocitose (caracterizada pela intensidade de fluorescência do IP, em valores arbitrários), verificada em leucócitos de animais manifestando LP (17,43) foi menor (p<0,001) que a observada em leucócitos de animais alinfocitóticos (29,50), e que a observada em leucócitos de animais soronegativos (25,18), que não diferiram entre si. Assim, os resultados permitem-nos alvitrar que há alteração na função fagocítica de leucócitos circulantes em animais infectados pelo vírus da LEB, manifestando LP.

This study evaluated the phagocytosis of propidium iodide-labeled Staphylococcus aureus (PI-Sa) by circulating leukocytes obtained from five Enzootic Bovine Leukosis (EBL)-negative cows, five naturally EBL-infected, non-lymphocytotic cows, and five EBL-positive cows with persistent lymphocytosis (PL), analyzed by flow cytometry. Among cells obtained from EBL-infected cows, presenting PL, the percentage of leukocytes carrying out phagocytosis (7.20%), was smaller (p=0.047) than that verified among cells obtained from non-infected (12.90%), and from BLV-infected, non-lymphocytotic cows (14.70%). Furthermore, leukocytes obtained from EBL-infected cows, presenting PL, showed smaller phagocytosis intensity (characterized by the intensity of propidium iodide fluorescence) than leukocytes obtained from non-infected and from EBL-infected, non-lymphocytotic, cows (p<0.001). Therefore, results show a decreased phagocytic function among circulating leukocytes obtained from BLV-infected, lymphocytotic cows.

Influência do estágio de lactação na composição do leite de cabras (Capra hircus) / Influence of lactation stage on goat (Capra hircus) milk composition

A influência do estágio de lactação na composição do leite de cabras foi estudada em 27 animais lactantes da raça Saanen durante oito meses, colhendo-se o total de 304 amostras. Foram selecionados e mantidos, no decorrer do trabalho, animais saudáveis, sem qualquer alteração no exame físico da glândula mamária e cujo leite manteve-se negativo ao exame microbiológico. Avaliaram-se os teores de gordura, proteína, lactose e sólidos totais. A concentração de sólidos totais, gordura e lactose declinaram durante a lactação, porém os teores de proteína foram praticamente estáveis durante o período estudado. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que a constituição do leite de cabras sofreu influência do estágio de lactação.

Citologia do leite de búfalas (Bubalus bubalis) hígidas criadas no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Milk citology of healthy buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) bred in São Paulo state, Brazil

As avaliações quantitativas e qualitativas das células presentes no leite são empregadas para a compreensão de diversos processos, fisiológicos ou não da glândula mamária. Apesar disso, as citações da literatura são conflitantes quanto às búfalas sadias e, para elucidar essa questão, avaliou-se a celularidade do leite em 108 amostras de quartos mamários de búfalas hígidas em lactação, submetendo-as à contagem de células somáticas (CCS), automática e por microscopia óptica, além de estabelecer-se a predominância celular empregando duas técnicas (Prescott e Breed e citocentrifugação). Os resultados das CCS do leite, por técnicas microscópica e automática foram semelhantes, mas a predominância celular analisada por microscopia diferiu em valores relativos. Foram identificadas mais células mononucleares nas lâminas de suspensão celular citocentrifugada, e mais leucócitos polimorfonucleares na técnica de Prescott e Breed. A lâmina de citocentrifugação permitiu melhor avaliação da morfologia celular sendo identificados 61,1 por cento de monócitos e macrófagos; 32,9 por cento de neutrófilos; 5,3 por cento de linfócitos e 0,7 por cento de eosinófilos. Os fagócitos mononucleares apresentaram uma acentuada plasticidade de suas estruturas, com variados padrões morfológicos.

Influência da fase da lactaçäo na contagem de células somáticas de amostras de leite de vacas näo infectadas / Influence stage of lactation on somatic cell count in milk samples from no infected mammary quarters

A contagem de células somáticas (CCS) é mundialmente considerada um importante parâmetro de avaliaçäo da higidez da glândula mamária. Apesar disso, a possibilidade de identificar variaçöes fisiológicas, independentemente da presença de infecçäo, como nas diversas fases da lactaçäo, devem ser consideradas. Com o objetivo de avaliar as variaçöes na CCS de amostras de leite de vacas näo infectadas. Durante a lactaçäo, as amostras foram divididas em fase inicial (5 -/ 90 dias);fase intermediária (90 -/270 dias) e fase final (270 -310 dias). Nas amostras de leite foram realizadas o "California Mastitis Test"(CMT), exame microbiológico e a contagem de células somáticas microscópica direta. Nas condiçöes que este experimento foi conduzido näo foram observadas diferenças entre as fases da lactaçäo propostas em amostras de vacas näo infectadas.(au)

Modelo experimental para avaliaçäo da resposta imune em ovinos / Experimental model for immune response evaluation in sheep

O presente trabalho procurou analisar uma metodologia de avaliação da resposta imune em ovinos mantidos em condições experimentais. Foram empregados cinqüenta ovinos adultos divididos em cinco grupos experimentais. Os animais foram tratados com levamisol (grupo I), parapoxvirus (Grupo II) e dexametasona (grupo III). Os grupos IV e V foram usados com controle. A resposta imune celular foi analisada pelo teste da tuberculina após sensibilização prévia pelo BCG. A resposta imune humoral foi analisada pelo teste de soroaglutinação em placa após a sensibilização pela vacina contra a brucelose. A sensibilização prévia de ovinos com BCG e com a vacina contra a brucelose pôde ser posteriormente comprovada, todavia, não foi possível demonstrar diferenças nestas respostas em animais tratados com levamisol, parapoxvirus e dexametasona.