A Disorder of Sex Development in a Holstein-Friesian Heifer with a Rare Mosaicism (60,XX/90,XXY): A Genetic, Anatomical, and Histological Study.

In this study, we describe an eighteen-month-old Holstein-Friesian heifer with a deformed vulva, located abdominally. The heifer showed typical signs of estrus. A comprehensive anatomical and histopathological examination revealed a blind-ended vagina and an additional section of urethra, which became a part of the shortened penis. Cytogenetic analysis showed the presence of two cell lines: 60,XX and 90,XXY. The frequency of the triploid cell line was low (3%) in leukocytes and elevated (35%) in fibroblasts. The molecular detection of Y-linked genes (SRY and AMELY) in the blood, skin, hair follicles, and buccal epithelial cells confirmed the presence of a cell line carrying the Y chromosome. Genotyping of 16 microsatellite markers in DNA isolated from hair follicles and fibroblast culture showed the presence of one (homozygous) or two variants (heterozygous) at all the studied loci, and allowed chimerism to be excluded. We concluded that the heifer had diploid/triploid (60,XX/90,XXY) mosaicism. To our knowledge, this is only the fifth such case to be reported worldwide in this species. Since cytogenetic studies are routinely performed on in vitro cultured leukocytes, we suspect that the prevalence of this chromosome abnormality is underestimated, as it is known from published reports that the frequency of the triploid cell line is usually very low in leukocytes.

Streptococcal endocarditis in a captive southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum).

Postmortem examination of a 43-yr-old male southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) revealed gross lesions and histopathologic findings consistent with endocarditis. The animal was born in Umfolozi National Park, South Africa, and then it was moved at 2 yr of age to two successive European zoologic collections. For several weeks prior to death, the animal was increasingly recumbent or assuming a dog-sitting position. Postmortem examination revealed cutaneous pressure sores and multiple rough nodular structures on the mitral valve and left ventricular endocardium. Histopathologic examination revealed vegetative endocarditis, myocardial and hepatocellular degeneration, hepatic fibrosis, and chronic nephritis. Bacterial culture from the oral cavity, trachea, lung, skin, and heart isolated beta hemolytic Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis and Streptococcus ovis. The cause of death was acute cardiopulmonary failure due mainly to endocarditis and moderate myocardial degeneration. Streptococcal infections are not uncommon causes of morbidity and mortality in rhinoceros. This is the first detailed report of streptococcal endocarditis in a rhinoceros.

Phylogenetic analysis of Columbid herpesvirus-1 in rock pigeons, birds of prey and non-raptorial birds in Poland.

BACKGROUND: The identity of herpesviruses isolated in Europe from domestic pigeons (Columbid herpesvirus-1 - CoHV-1) as well as falcons and owls remains unknown. All these herpesviruses are antigenically and genetically related. The falcons and owls are thought to have become infected during the ingestion of pigeon meat thus suggesting the virus's capacity to infect a wide range of hosts. The aim of the conducted study was to detect the occurrence of CoHV-1 and estimating the similarities and differences in the DNA-dependent DNA polymerase gene of herpesviruses isolated from domestic pigeons, birds of prey and non-raptorial free-ranging birds in Poland. RESULTS: The study has shown the presence of CoHV-1 in 20.4% (18/88) in the examined birds. In case of one CoHV-1, infected Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), neurological signs were observed. Nucleotide sequencing of the DNA-dependent DNA polymerase gene, showed a high similarity among Polish strains (100%), independently from the species of the affected birds. Only one compared CoHV-1 strain - KP 21/23 originating from Germany showed a slightly lower similarity at a level of 99.1%. Further analysis has shown the identity of DNA-dependent DNA polymerase of CoHV-1 strains and other herpesviruses present in poultry as well as other birds ranged from 35.4 to 44.9%. Interestingly CoHV-1 infection was also confirmed for the first time in four non-raptorial birds. CONCLUSIONS: The current study has shown a high similarity of CoHV-1 strains and the possible transmission of herpesviruses between domestic rock pigeons and free-ranging birds including raptors and non-raptorial birds. Further studies focused on cloning and the analysis of the whole CoHV-1 genome which is needed to explain the role of the observed similarities and differences between field strains of columbid herpesviruses.

Immunoregulatory function of lactoferrin in immunosuppressed and autoimmune animals.

In this article we review our recent results on the effects of lactoferrin (LF), given orally, on the immune status of mice subjected either to chemotherapy or immobilization stress as well as on rats with experimentally induced autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We demonstrated that LF accelerated reconstitution of the immune system function after administration of a sublethal dose cyclophosphamide (CP) and normalized the ratio of major blood cell types in that model. Also, after application of methotrexate (MTX) LF was effective to speed up reconstitution of the cellular and humoral immune response. Mice treated with lethal dose of busulfan (Bu) and CP and reconstituted with bone marrow cells (BMC) were able to quicker develop optimal immune responses when administered LF. In addition LF was shown to accelerate engraftment of bone marrow cells from syngeneic donors in that model. Using immobilization stress model was shown that LF accelerates reconstitution of the cellular and humoral immune response. In rats with EAE lactoferrin lowered the clinical score of the disease and diminished pathohistological changes in the spinal cord. In summary, in a series of studies we demonstrated a benefit of orally administered LF in immunocompromised animals.

Lactoferrin ameliorates symptoms of experimental encephalomyelitis in Lewis rats.

Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional protein present in secretory fluids of mammals and circulating neutrophils. Beside anti-inflammatory properties, LF was found to inhibit some autoimmune disorders. In this investigation we studied effects of oral administration of LF on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in Lewis rats. LF was given in drinking water as 0.25% solution beginning the day of elicitation of EAE or with a seven-day delay. The effects of LF were evaluated by the following criteria: clinical score, lymph node cell number, serum cytokine levels and histopathological changes. We found that LF treatment led to a significant acceleration of the recovery process, particularly on days 16-18 following elicitation of EAE. The delayed administration of LF was less effective in reducing the score of EAE. In addition, cell number of the inguinal lymph nodes of untreated EAE rats, almost 3 times higher as compared with control, naïve rats, was normalized by LF treatment. Furthermore, LF decreased elevated serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha and transforming growth factor beta. The histological analysis of the spinal cord revealed reduction in the number and size of inflammatory foci in LF-treated rats. In summary, treatment of EAE Lewis rats with LF reduced the clinical symptoms and accelerated the recovery of animals.