Serum pregnancy-associated glycoprotein profiles during early gestation in Karya and Konya Merino sheep.

BACKGROUND: Reported as being expressed by mono- and binucleate placental cells, pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) are released into the blood circulation from the ruminant placenta. Circulating gestational PAGs levels may differ between sheep breeds. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at the close monitoring of the serum PAGs profiles of Karya and Konya Merino sheep during early pregnancy. METHODS: Fifteen Karya and 15 Konya Merino ewes were synchronized by a 12-day treatment with progesterone-impregnated intravaginal sponges. After the sponges were withdrawn, the ewes were administered 400 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin. The ewes were allowed to mate naturally, and all animals were sampled for blood as of the day of mating (day 0) at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Pregnancy diagnoses were made by transabdominal ultrasonography at week 5. At weeks 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11, blood samples were collected only from the pregnant ewes. The blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 × g, and extracted sera were stored at -20°C until being used for laboratory analyses. Serum PAGs levels were determined with the aid of a commercial PAG-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test originally developed for pregnancy diagnosis in cattle. Differences in the between the PAGs levels throughout pregnancy and the group effect (Karya and Konya Merino) were determined with a two-way mixed analysis of variance. Pairwise comparisons were made using a Bonferroni adjustment. RESULTS: PAGs levels showed a linear increase with the advance of pregnancy in both Karya and Konya Merino sheep. No difference was detected between the breeds for serum PAGs levels. The serum PAGs levels of the pregnant and non-pregnant ewes differed as of the fourth week. CONCLUSION: The serum PAGs levels of the Karya and Konya Merino ewes were similar during the first 11 weeks of gestation, and pregnancy diagnosis could be made based on serum PAGs levels as of the 4th week in both breeds.

Effects of propylene glycol used at different doses in Akkaraman lambs rations on metabolism-related parameters and liver gene and protein expression during different feeding periods.

This study aimed to investigate the metabolic effects of propylene glycol (PG) over 60, 90, and 120 days in lambs. Seventy-two weaned male lambs were allocated into three groups: control (Con), PG1.5 (1.5 mL/kg live weight0.75 ), and PG3 (3 mL/kg live weight0.75 ). Blood samples were collected at the beginning and slaughter days. Biochemical parameters (glucose, triglycerides, ALT, AST, LDH, BUN, and insulin) and gene and protein levels of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), diacylglycerol o-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1), carbohydrate responsive element binding protein (ChREBP), and sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1c (SREBP-1c) in the liver were determined. Glucose in PG1.5 was increased on Day 60, while significant differences were observed in biochemical parameters except for insulin on the 60, 90, and 120 days. Biochemical parameters such as ALT, AST, LDH, and BUN increased over time, while triglycerides decreased. DGAT1 gene and protein levels were lower, while SREBP-1c and PPARγ were higher in PG groups on Day 60. While SREBP-1c was lower in PG1.5, ChREBP was higher in PG3 on Day 90. PPARγ, DGAT1, and ChREBP were upregulated in PG3 on Day 120. Positive correlations were found between proteins. The long-term use of PG in lambs did not have detrimental effects on metabolism. The study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the metabolic effects of PG in lambs, shedding light on its potential applications in lamb production.

The evaluation of the genotype and slaughter weight effect on meat quality and fatty acid profile from two native sheep.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the quality characteristics and fatty acid composition of meat from male Akkaraman (AKK) and Bafra × Akkaraman B1 (BA B1) lambs slaughtered at different live weights. Thirty-six male lambs (18 AKK and 18 BA B1) were slaughtered at three different slaughter weights (35, 40, and 45 kg) after being fattened intensively. Meat physical quality characteristics and fatty acid profiles were used as response variables. Color parameters (L*, a*, and b*) and pH were not significantly influenced by genotype and slaughter weight (SW). Water-holding capacity (WHC) was significantly affected by SW (P < 0.05), cooking loss (CL) by genotype (P < 0.001). Increasing SW, intramuscular fat of the Longissimus thoracis muscle showed increased total unsaturated fatty acids (TUFA) (P < 0.01) and ratios of TUFA/saturated fatty acids (SFA) (P < 0.01), and decreased thrombogenic and atherogenic indices (P < 0.01). Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (P < 0.05) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (P < 0.01) varied on with the genotypes. In conclusion, genotype and SW did not greatly affect meat quality; however, MUFA and PUFA mutually changed according to the genotype, and fatty acid percentages improved according to the SW.

Diagnostic accuracy of refractometry methods for estimating passive immunity status in neonatal beef calves.

BACKGROUND: Assessing the inadequate transfer of passive immunity (ITPI) in beef calves is crucial because calves with ITPI are at high risk for morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of digital Brix (D-BRIX) and digital serum total protein (D-STP) refractometers to estimate different passive immunity status in beef calves and to determine the robustness of thresholds. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 202 (1-7 days old) beef calves. Serum total solid percentages, total protein concentrations, and IgG concentrations were measured with the D-BRIX refractometer, D-STP refractometer, and gold standard radial immunodiffusion (RID) assay, respectively. Data were analyzed using diagnostic test accuracy, areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve, Cohen's kappa coefficient, and misclassification costs analysis to estimate IgG concentrations <10, <16, and <24 mg/mL. RESULTS: For the prediction of serum IgG concentrations <10, <16 and <24 mg/mL, the optimal cut-off values were determined to be <8.5% (Se: 100.0% (95% CI: 87.9-100.0); Sp: 94.2% [95% CI: 89.6-97.2]), <8.5% (Se: 92.1% [95% CI: 78.6-98.2]; Sp: 97.6% [95% CI: 93.9-99.3]), and <10.1% (Se: 88.8% [95% CI: 79.7-94.7]; Sp: 67.2% [95% CI: 58.1-75.4]), respectively, for the D-BRIX refractometer; and <5.2 g/dL (Se: 100.0% [95% CI: 87.9-100.0]; Sp: 93.6% [95% CI: 88.9-96.8]), <5.2 g/dL (Se: 92.1% [95% CI: 78.6-98.2]; Sp: 97.0% [95% CI: 93.0-99.0]), and <6.4 g/dL (Se: 87.5% [95% CI: 78.2-93.8]; Sp: 69.7% [95% CI: 60.7-77.7]), respectively, for the D-STP refractometer. CONCLUSIONS: The digital Brix and digital serum total protein refractometers can be used as monitoring tools for assessing passive immunity transfer in neonatal beef calves.

Changes in serum total protein and immunoglobulin G concentrations and Brix percentages in neonatal Arabian foals from birth up to 21 days of age.

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and serum total protein (STP) concentrations and serum Brix percentages of neonatal Arabian foals during first 3 weeks of life. Blood samples were collected from 12 apparently healthy foals by jugular venipuncture at birth and at 12-hours, 24-hours, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15 and 21 days of age. Serum IgG and STP concentrations and Brix percentages were measured by the radial immunodiffusion assay, and digital STP and Brix refractometers, respectively. Based on the serum IgG concentrations measured at 24 h, two foals were diagnosed with failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI). While IgG concentrations were determined using the data of foals with adequate transfer of passive immunity, other calculations were made using the data of all foals. The mean IgG concentration of the foals increased from birth (<200 mg/dl) to 12 (2068.5 mg/dl) and 24 h (2184.7 mg/dl), and progressively decreased up to 21 days of age (1318.5 mg/dl). The serum IgG concentrations at 12 h were highly correlated with each of the IgG concentrations measured over the 21-day period. The serum IgG and STP concentrations and Brix percentages of the foals diagnosed with FTPI at 12 h did not reach the adequate strata over time. These results suggest that foals can be reliably tested for passive immunity status at 12 h after birth.

Evaluation of 2 refractometers to estimate different passive immunity status in Simmental dairy calves.

Inadequate transfer of passive immunity (ITPI) is major risk for mortality, morbidity and decreased growth performance in dairy and beef calves. Refractometry method is used in estimating ITPI in dairy and beef calves but studies evaluating refractometers for Simmental dairy calves are limited. The objectives of this study were determining the accuracy of digital serum total protein refractometer (STP-REF) and digital Brix refractometer (BRIX-REF) in the estimating of different passive immunity status (<10, <18, <25 and <32 g/L) in Simmental dairy calves. Serum samples were collected from apparently healthy Simmental dairy calves aged 1-8 days (n = 291). Serum total solid percentages were measured using BRIX-REF, serum total protein concentrations were measured using STP-REF and serum IgG concentrations were measured using radial immunodiffusion (RID) assay as a reference test. Correlation coefficients were calculated between RID test and refractometers results, and each other. The diagnostic test performance of the refractometers at IgG concentrations of < 10, < 18, < 25 and < 32 g/L was measured by performing a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. The optimal thresholds of the refractometers were determined based on Youden's J statistics and after accounting for different costs between false positive and false negative cases using misclassification cost term analysis. The overall test performance and the agreement of the refractometers were assessed using area under the ROC curve and Cohen's kappa analysis. Optimal thresholds were determined as < 7.9, < 8.3, < 8.7, < 9.4% for the BRIX-REF, and < 4.6, < 5.2, < 5.4, < 5.8 g/dL for the STP-REF in estimating IgG concentrations of < 10, < 18, < 25, < 32 g/L, respectively. Se and Sp of BRIX-REF were 88.8% and 89.1% for < 7.9% Brix, 81.6% and 94.2% for < 8.3% Brix, 77.9% and 97.4% for < 8.7% Brix and 81.7% and 91.2% for < 9.4% Brix, respectively. Se and Sp of STP-REF 92.5% and 88.2% for < 4.6 g/dL; 92.1% and 87.1% for < 5.2 g/dL; 81.7% and 93.6% for < 5.4 g/dL; 79.0% and 94.1% for < 5.8 g/dL, respectively. Both, digital Brix and STP refractometers performed well to estimate the status of passive immunity in dairy Simmental calves.

Evaluation of refractometry methods for estimating passive immunity status in neonatal foals.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the accuracy of the digital Brix and serum total protein (TP) refractometers for estimating different passive immunity status in neonatal foals. In total, 18- to 40-h old purebred Arabian foals (n = 185) were used. Serum TP concentrations, total solid percentages and IgG concentrations were measured with a digital serum TP refractometer, digital Brix refractometer and the gold standard radial immunodiffusion (RID) assay, respectively. Correlation coefficients were calculated between the refractometer and RID assay results. A receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to select the optimal cut-offs for both refractometers. Test performance and agreement were evaluated using diagnostic test characteristics at optimal thresholds and areas under the ROC curve, and by calculating Cohen's kappa coefficient. The sensitivity and specificity of the digital Brix refractometer at optimal cut-offs (≤7.8%, ≤7.9%, ≤8.2%, ≤8.3%, ≤9.0%) were 100 and 69.3%; 100% and 68.5%; 70.5% and 71.0%; 88.3% and 85.5%; 88.1% and 76% to estimate RID-IgG of <400 mg/dL, <800 mg/dL, <1500 mg/dL, <2500 mg/dL and < 3000 mg/dL, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the digital serum TP refractometer at optimal cut-off (≤4.6 g/dL, ≤4.6 g/dL, ≤4.8 g/dL, ≤5.0 g/dL, ≤5.4 g/dL) were 100 and 69.3%; 100% and 72.8%; 90% and 72.8%; 72.9% and 83.9%; 84.4% and 88% to estimate RID-IgG of <400 mg/dL, <800 mg/dL, <1500 mg/dL, <2500 mg/dL and < 3000 mg/dL, respectively. In conclusion, the refractometers showed a good potential as screening tools for the estimation of different IgG concentrations in neonatal foals.

The effects of some factors on the time to first successful stand up and sucking of native lambs after parturition.

The study aimed to identify the effects of birth time, birth weight, and the time to first grooming on the time to first successful stand up and sucking of the pure and crossbred native lambs. Data were recorded from pure (22 B-Bafra and 20 AKK-Akkaraman) and crossbred (19 BA F1 (B × AKK) and 13 BA B1 (B × F1)) lambs during the first 3 h after delivery. The time to first successful stand up of lambs was significantly affected by the birth time (P = 0.045), the time to first grooming (P = 0.000), and the time to first successful sucking (P = 0.000). Genotype significantly affects the time to first successful stand up of the lambs born at night (P = 0.000), low birth weight (P = 0.042), the time to first grooming (short, P = 0.001, and prolonged, P = 0.019), and the time to first successful sucking (early, P = 0.041, and late, P = 0.005). Data demonstrated that the time to first successful stand up affected the time to first successful sucking. The time to first successful stand up was longer for the lambs born at night, with low birth weight, and was affected by the time to first grooming, especially for the B lambs. Consequently, it should be given particular importance to the care of lambs born at night with low weight and exposed to mismothering.

Identification of factor XI deficiency in Holstein cattle in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Factor XI (FXI) is a plasma protein that participates in the formation of blood clots. Factor XI deficiency is autosomal recessive hereditary disorder that may be associated with excess bleeding in Holstein cattle. METHODS: In this study, 225 Holstein cows reared in Turkey were screened in order to identify FXI genotypes. DNA extractions were obtained from the fresh blood of the cows. Amplicons of FXI exon 12 were obtained by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and analyzed by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis stained with ethidium bromide. Additionally, all cows were confirmed by DNA sequencing to determine whether or not there was a mutant allele. RESULTS: Carriers of the FXI deficiency have two DNA fragments of 320 bp and 244 bp in size. The results of our study demonstrated that only four out of the 225 Holstein cows tested in Turkey carried the FXI deficiency. The frequency of the mutant FXI allele and the prevalence of heterozygous cows were found as 0.9% and 1.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The DNA-based test determines all genotypes, regardless of phenotype or FXI activity. The mutation responsible for the FXI deficiency had not been detected in Holstein cattle in Turkey before prior to this study. The frequency of the mutant FXI allele needs to be confirmed by carrying out further analyses on cattle in Turkey and the selection programs should be developed to eliminate this genetic disorder.

Geographic distribution of haplotype diversity at the bovine casein locus.

The genetic diversity of the casein locus in cattle was studied on the basis of haplotype analysis. Consideration of recently described genetic variants of the casein genes which to date have not been the subject of diversity studies, allowed the identification of new haplotypes. Genotyping of 30 cattle breeds from four continents revealed a geographically associated distribution of haplotypes, mainly defined by frequencies of alleles at CSN1S1 and CSN3. The genetic diversity within taurine breeds in Europe was found to decrease significantly from the south to the north and from the east to the west. Such geographic patterns of cattle genetic variation at the casein locus may be a result of the domestication process of modern cattle as well as geographically differentiated natural or artificial selection. The comparison of African Bos taurus and Bos indicus breeds allowed the identification of several Bos indicus specific haplotypes (CSN1S1*C-CSN2*A2-CSN3*AI / CSN3*H) that are not found in pure taurine breeds. The occurrence of such haplotypes in southern European breeds also suggests that an introgression of indicine genes into taurine breeds could have contributed to the distribution of the genetic variation observed.