Serological evidence of Toxoplasma gondii occurrence in naturally infected sheep in the Teresina microregion, Piauí, Brazil

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis of reproductive nature that is transmitted to humans mainly by ingestion of undercooked meat or drinking oocyte-contaminated water. The slaughter of small ruminants in clandestine slaughterhouses and the presence of companion animals in these locations may be epidemiologically important for the dissemination of the disease. The objective of the present study was to determine toxoplasmosis prevalence by researching anti- Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in meat sheep herds from farms in Teresina microregion, Piauí, Brazil. A total of 450 blood samples were collected from sheep of both sexes, belonging to 28 herds from the 14 municipalities that comprise the microregion. The samples were analyzed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the presence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was observed in 62% (279/450) of the animals in all the municipalities and on at least one farm in each municipality. The high occurrence of positive animals is an indication of reproductive problems in these herds, characterizing a problem for both sheep rearing and public health.

The effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition throughout a superovulation protocol in ewes.

Many studies identified new components of the renin­angiotensin system (RAS), such as Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1­7)] and Angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2), in mammalian ovaries.We previously showed Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibition, which increases the level of Ang-(1­7), stimulated ovarian estradiol output in ewe after estrous synchronization. Considering that Ang-(1­7) stimulates ovarian function and elevated estradiol before ovulation is associated with increased chance of achieving pregnancy, the present study investigated whether ACE inhibition throughout a superovulation protocol in ewe might improve ovulation outcome. At first, immunohistochemistry in ovaries of nonpregnant ewes revealed localization of Angiotensin II (Ang II), Ang-(1­7) and ACE2 in theca cells of antral follicles and in corpus luteum. Ang II and Ang-(1­7)were also detected in follicular fluid (FF) by Radioimmunoassay (RIA). Enalapril treatment throughout the superovulation protocol decreased 17ß-estradiol (E2) output and raised progesterone:estradiol (P4:E2) ratio without a direct influence on ovulation and quality of embryos.