Anatomical View of the Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion in Japanese Black Cattle.

The internal carotid artery (ICA) is a branch of the common carotid artery (CCA), along with the external carotid artery (ECA), which together provide the blood supply for the brain. The description of the ICA in cattle is vague, including denial of its existence or degeneration at an early stage after birth. This anatomical study investigated the internal carotid artery in Japanese black cattle. Sixty-five heads of Japanese black cattle aged from newborn to 13 years were dissected and injected with colored latex from the CCA after separating the head and body. Diameter measurements of the artery branches from the CCA on its bifurcation were conducted. Furthermore, a histological examination of the ICA wall's structures, which consist of the tunica intima, tunica media, and tunica externa, was performed. The ICA of Japanese black cattle is closed on the left side after age 3 years, except for a small lumen at 13 years, whereas the right ICA remains open at all ages. The location of occlusion of the left internal carotid artery (LICA) shows thickness of the tunica intima and an increased connective tissue layer area. The diameter of the ICA does not differ between the left and right sides, and there is no correlation with age. Therefore, further studies are needed, especially of ICA occlusion related to Japanese black cattle's physiology or cerebrospinal disease.

Comparative Analysis of Maternal Colostrum and Colostrum Replacer Effects on Immunity, Growth, and Health of Japanese Black Calves.

Maternal colostrum (MC) is an important source of nutrients and immune factors for newborn calves. However, when colostrum is unavailable or of poor quality, a colostrum replacer (CR) may be a suitable alternative to MC. As stock-raising farmers must make informed decisions about colostrum feeding management, this study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding MC versus CR on the promotion of immunological status, growth, and health in pre-weaned Japanese black (JB) calves. Sixteen newborn JB calves were fed MC after birth, and 16 JB calves were fed CR. For the MC group, the numbers of γδ T cells, CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells, CD4+CD8+ cells, B cells, and MHC class II+ cells were significantly higher compared with the CR group. Furthermore, the expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß-, IL-2-, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-encoding mRNAs were significantly higher in the MC group compared with the CR group. A lower incidence of disease in 1-month-old calves and higher carcass weight in the MC group were observed compared with the CR group. These results suggest that CR activates the immune system delayed in calves compared with MC. MC increases populations of various immunocompetent cells, which can reduce infection rates and improve body weight gain.

Effects of Maternal Supplementation with Organic Trace Minerals including Zinc, Manganese, Copper, and Cobalt during the Late and Post-Partum Periods on the Health and Immune Status of Japanese Black Calves.

In this study, we evaluated the effects of supplementation of the maternal diet with organic trace minerals including Zn (zinc), Mn (manganese), Cu (copper), and Co (cobalt) on the health and immune status of beef calves. We examined 19 pregnant cows, which were divided into a group of 9 cows fed a basal diet (control) and 10 cows fed a diet with organic trace minerals (treated). Cows were fed for a period of 45 days before the predicted calving date until 45 days after calving. The number of treatments needed for respiratory and digestive diseases within 14 days of birth was significantly lower in the treated group (p < 0.05) than the control group. In addition, the concentration of serum zinc in the treated group on day 1 was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that in the control group. The numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in the treated group on days 30 and 60 were significantly increased (p < 0.01) compared with those in the control group, as was the number of γδ T cells on days 1 and 30 (p < 0.05). The number of IgM+ cells in the treated group on days 30 and 60 was significantly increased (p < 0.01) compared with that in the control group, as was the number of MHC class II+ cells on day 60 (p < 0.01). The number of NK cells in the treated group on day 60 was also significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared with that in the control group. The expression levels of mRNAs encoding interlukin-2 (IL-2), interlukin-4 (IL-4), interlukin-12 (IL-12), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in the treated group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05) on days 1 and 60. The results indicate that maternal supplementation with trace minerals is a promising approach for producing highly disease-resistant calves and enhancing calf immunity.

Exposure to oxyfluorfen-induced hematobiochemical alterations, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and disruption of sex hormones in male African catfish and the potential to confront by Chlorella vulgaris.

The present study evaluated the effect of chronic exposure to oxyfluorfen (OXY) on different physiological responses of male African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, and the ameliorative effect of Chlorella vulgaris. The fish (160 ± 5.10 g) were exposed to 1/20 LC50 of OXY (0.58 mg/L) for 60 consecutive days with or without co-administration of C. vulgaris (25 g/kg diet) in triplicate groups. The results revealed that chronic exposure to a sublethal level of OXY induced severe anemia and leukopenia. OXY-exposed fish experienced hypoproteinemia, marked lower AchE levels, and a significant increase in glucose, liver, and kidney function biomarkers. The DNA fragmentation of the liver increased by 15 % in fish compared to the control. On the other hand, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities were markedly increased in the liver and testes homogenates of the OXY-exposed fish. Meanwhile, total antioxidant capacity and glutathione S-transferase levels declined in the same tissues. Exposure to OXY induced a significant reduction in testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels and a significant increase in follicle stimulating hormone and estradiol. Meanwhile, C. vulgaris dietary supplementation succeeded in alleviating the negative impact of OXY on hematobiochemical parameters and restoring the antioxidant balance in the liver and testes. Furthermore, it ameliorated endocrine disruption and repaired sex hormone levels. In conclusion, exposure to OXY could induce systemic stress, oxidative stress, and endocrine disruption in male C. gariepinus. The dietary supplementation of C. vulgaris could be a potential protective strategy against the toxicity of OXY.

Ameliorative Effect of Quercetin against Abamectin-Induced Hemato-Biochemical Alterations and Hepatorenal Oxidative Damage in Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.

Abamectin (ABM) is a common agricultural pesticide and veterinary anthelmintic drug. It can discharge from the sites of application to aquatic systems via surface run-off or spray drift, causing harmful effects to aquatic organisms. The present study investigated the protective effect of dietary quercetin supplementation on hemato-biochemical parameters and hepato-renal oxidative stress biomarkers in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to a sublethal dose of ABM. Fish were allocated into six equal groups. The first group was kept as a control group. The second and third groups (Q400, and Q800) were fed diets supplemented with two quercetin levels (400 and 800 mg/kg diet), respectively. The fourth group (ABM) was intoxicated with 20.73 µg/L of ABM. The fifth and sixth groups (ABM + Q400, and ABM + Q800) were fed diet supplemented with two quercetin levels (400 and 800 mg/kg diet) and simultaneously intoxicated with ABM for 60 days. The results showed that ABM significantly decreased RBCs, hemoglobin content, hematocrit, total protein, albumin levels, and acetylcholinesterase activity activities compared to the control. Meanwhile, ABM significantly increased white blood cells, glucose, total lipids, cholesterol, and alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activities. Liver and kidney levels of lipid peroxidation was significantly increased, while hepato-renal antioxidant biomarkers (reduced glutathione, super oxide dismutase, catalase, and total antioxidant capacity) were significantly decreased upon ABM exposure. On the other hand, quercetin dietary supplementation improved the hemato-biochemical alterations and alleviated oxidative stress induced by ABM exposure. Fish supplemented with quercetin at a level of 800 mg/kg diet showed better alleviating effects against ABM compared to 400 mg/kg diet. Based on these study findings, we suggest that quercetin dietary supplementation (800 mg/kg) offered direct protection against ABM-induced physiological disturbance and oxidative stress in Nile tilapia.

Protective effects of probiotics against tannin-induced immunosuppression in broiler chickens.

Tannins (TAs) are an anti-nutritional substance commonly used as a natural feed additive for livestock. However, our previous study described the dose-dependent adverse effects of TA on immune responses and growth in chickens. In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of a probiotic preparation (BT) consisting of three different bacteria (Bacillus mesenteric, Clostridium butyricum, and Streptococcus faecalis) against TA-induced immunosuppression in chickens. Forty chicks were divided into 4 groups as follows: the CON group (basal diet), BT group supplemented with 3 g BT/kg diet, tannic acid (TA) group supplemented with 30 g TA/kg diet, and BT+TA group supplemented with 3 g BT/kg diet + 30 g TA/kg diet. The feeding trial lasted for 35 days. Lymphocyte subset, macrophage phagocytosis, cytokine mRNA expression, and primary and secondary IgY immune responses were evaluated. BT supplementation significantly improved TA-induced reductions in final body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, and relative weights of lymphoid organs compared with the TA group. Furthermore, in the spleen and cecal tonsil (CT), the relative populations of CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+CD8+ cells in the BT+TA group were significantly ameliorated compared with the TA group. Additionally, comparison with the TA group showed that the chickens in the BT+TA group had an improved relative population of B cells in the CT and that macrophage phagocytosis in the spleen was significantly increased. Chickens in the BT+TA group showed significant increases in IFN-γ and IL-4 mRNA expression in the spleen compared with the TA group. The primary and secondary IgY responses were significantly improved. These results revealed that supplementation with BT protects against TA-induced immunosuppression in chickens.

Studies on the immune status of calves with chronic inflammation and thymus atrophy.

The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ where the primary T cell repertoire is generated. Thymus atrophy is induced by various conditions, including infectious diseases, glucocorticoid treatment, and poor breeding management. Cattle with thymus atrophy tend to exhibit weak calf syndrome, a condition in which approximately half of neonates die shortly after birth. Calves with thymus atrophy that survive the first month typically contract chronic inflammatory diseases. In this study, we analyzed the populations of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells and thymocytes in calves with thymus atrophy. In addition, we evaluated polarization of master gene and cytokine mRNA expression in peripheral blood CD4+ cells in the calves. The population of CD4+CD8+ cells in thymus of the calves with thymus atrophy was lower than that of control calves. IL10 mRNA expression in peripheral blood CD4+ cells of calves with thymus atrophy was significantly lower than that of control calves. TBX21 mRNA expression in peripheral CD4+ cells of thymus atrophy calves was tended to be higher than that of the control group. In addition, FOXP3 mRNA expression in peripheral CD4+ cells of the thymus atrophy calves was tended to be lower than that of the control calves. Thymus atrophy calves exhibited chronic inflammatory disease leading, in severe situations, to conditions such as pneumonia with caseous necrosis. These severe inflammatory responses likely are due to decreases in IL10 mRNA expression, impairing control of macrophages, one of the main cell fractions of natural immunity.

Effects of branched-chain amino acids on immune status of young racing horses.

High-intensity exercise and competition are associated with depressed immune function. Young horses, which participate in high-intensity exercise and competitions, are at increased risk for the development of infectious disease due to depression of immune function. The effects of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation on the immune status of young racing horses were evaluated, determining whether BCAA might help to avoid or reduce immune suppression during exercise and competitions. Twenty horses (10 male and 10 female) were treated with BCAA supplementation; another twenty untreated horses (10 male and 10 female) constituted control group. Peripheral blood was collected from each animal and evaluated for lymphocyte subsets, phagocytosis analysis of monocytes and granulocytes, lymphocyte proliferative response, and expression of cytokine-encoding messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs). The numbers of CD4+, CD8+, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II+ cells in females of the treated group were significantly higher than those in females of the control group. The lymphocyte proliferative response in female of the treated group also was significantly higher than that in females of the control group. In addition, expression of mRNAs encoding interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in females of the treated group was significantly higher than that in females of the control group. There were no significant differences between males of the treated and control groups. The results of this study indicated the positive effects of BCAA supplementation in counteracting immunosuppression in young female racing horses during and following high-intensity exercise.

Different doses of tannin reflect a double-edged impact on broiler chicken immunity.

Tannin is one of the most common phytochemical secondary phenolic metabolites, which is widely distributed in various plant production systems. Dietary intake of tannin can exert different actions on the immune system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different concentrations on broiler chicken immunity. Three groups (n = 10 in each group) were evaluated: control group given a normal basal diet, high tannic acid (HT) group given high-dose tannic acid (30 g/kg diet) and low tannic acid (LT) group given low-dose tannic acid (0.5 g/kg diet) for 35 days. Feed intake and body weight were measured weekly. Cells were isolated from thymus, spleen and caecal tonsils at the end of the study. Lymphocyte subsets, monocytes phagocytosis and cytokine mRNA expression in spleen were evaluated. The results showed that HT group chickens had decreased daily gain, final body weight, daily feed intake and relative weights of lymphoid organs compared with other groups. In thymus, spleen and caecal tonsils, relative CD4+, CD8+, CD4+CD8+ and γδ+ cell populations in the HT group were significant decreased in comparison with those of other groups. The relative B cell population in the HT group was also significant decreased. Cytokine mRNA expression in spleen cells of the HT group was also significantly lower than that in other groups. Conversely, CD4+CD8+ subpopulations in spleen and caecal tonsils, γδ+ cells in spleen and B cells in caecal tonsils of the LT group were significantly higher than those of the control group. In addition, IFN-γ mRNA expression in the LT group was significantly higher than that of the control group. These results demonstrated that dietary intake of tannin had positive and negative effects on broiler chicken immunity in a dose-dependent manner.