Precision-cut liver slices as a model for assess hepatic cellular response of chitosan-glutathione nanoparticles on cultures treated with zilpaterol and clenbuterol.

Zilpaterol and clenbuterol are two ß-adrenergic agonist drugs used in animal production. Both drugs have anabolic effects with advantages on carcass yield. Meanwhile, zilpaterol is approved for animal feed in authorized countries. Clenbuterol is a banned substance due to the risk of toxicity; however, it is still being used in unknown dose levels in many farm species. Therefore, the use and abuse of these substances should be closely monitored, considering the clenbuterol ability and the not proved yet of zilpaterol to produce reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Regarding glutathione which is the main intracellular antioxidant plays detoxification functions on liver metabolism; in this work, it is our interest to know the capacity of chitosan-glutathione nanoparticles (CS/GSH-NP) as a complementary source of exogenous GSH to modify the oxide-reduction status on bovine precision-cut liver slice cultures (PCLS) exposed to clenbuterol and zilpaterol. A single drug assay was performed in first instance by adding clenbuterol, zilpaterol, chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NP), and CS/GSH-NP. Then combinate drug assay was carried out by testing clenbuterol and zilpaterol combined with CS-NP or CS/GSH-NP. The results showed that both ß-adrenergic agonists modify in a dose-dependent manner in oxide-reduction response through ROS generation. The activity or content of glutathione peroxidase activity, intracellular GSH, gamma glutamyl-transpeptidase, aspartate aminotrasnferase and alanine aminotrasnferase were modified. The exogenous GSH delivered by nanoparticles could be used to modulate these markers.

The influence of copper levels on in vitro ruminal fermentation, bacterial growth and methane production.

BACKGROUND: Copper (Cu) is an essential microelement to the health and proper functioning of metabolic processes in animals, but the particular function of Cu in fermentation processes and the formation of methane (CH4 ) in the rumen have been poorly analyzed. The innovative aspect of this study was to investigate the effects of high doses of Cu as copper sulfate on in vitro ruminal degradation, fermentation patterns, and CH4 production. RESULTS: There was a decrease (P < 0.04) on in vitro dry matter (DM) and organic matter degradability from 60 to 100 µg Cu/g DM. Ammonia concentration decreased drastically with increasing Cu levels (linear effect, P < 0.01). Total bacteria and volatile fatty acids (quadratic effect, P < 0.02) were reduced with 80 and 100 µg Cu/g DM. Methane production (milliliters per gram digestible organic matter) was decreased when dosages of Cu were increased (linear effect, P < 0.003). CONCLUSION: Overall, the addition of increasing levels of Cu to 40 µg Cu/g DM did not have an adverse impact on ruminal bacteria growth and decreased CH4 production, without affecting the ruminal kinetics. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

In vitro assessment of Argemone mexicana, Taraxacum officinale, Ruta chalepensis and Tagetes filifolia against Haemonchus contortus nematode eggs and infective (L3) larvae.

Argemone mexicana, Taraxacum officinale, Ruta chalepensis and Tagetes filifolia are plants with deworming potential. The purpose of this study was to evaluate methanolic extracts of aerial parts of these plants against Haemonchus contortus eggs and infective larvae (L3) and identify compounds responsible for the anthelmintic activity. In vitro probes were performed to identify the anthelmintic activity of plant extracts: egg hatching inhibition (EHI) and larvae mortality. Open column Chromatography was used to bio-guided fractionation of the extract, which shows the best anthelmintic effect. The lethal concentration to inhibit 50% of H. contortus egg hatching or larvae mortality (LC50) was calculated using a Probit analysis. Bio-guided procedure led to the recognition of an active fraction (TF11) mainly composed by 1) quercetagitrin, 2) methyl chlorogenate and chlorogenic acid. Quercetagitrin (1) and methyl chlorogenate (2) did not show an important EHI activity (3-14%) (p < 0.05); however, chlorogenic acid (3) showed 100% of EHI (LC50 248 µg/mL) (p < 0.05). Chlorogenic acid is responsible of the ovicidal activity and it seems that, this compound is reported for the first time with anthelmintic activity against a parasite of importance in sheep industry.

[Risk analysis of brucelosis in the state of Tlaxcala]. / Análisis de riesgos de la brucelosis en el estado de Tlaxcala.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the risk of brucellosis in the state of Tlaxcala, Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A diagnosis of social type was conducted in the municipalities of Huamantla, Ixtenco and Teacalco, located in the eastern region of the state. The seroprevalence of brucellosis in goats and humans was determined. RESULTS: 46.9% of producers know the programs of vaccination against brucellosis; 19.7% apply the vaccine and 80.3% do not apply the vaccine. Huamantla had the highest seroprevalence of animal brucellosis in 66.8%; San Jose Teacalco distributes unpasteurized cheeses to a distance of 270 km, increasing the risk of infection with brucellosis. Ixtenco recorded the highest prevalence of brucellosis in humans, with 1.51%. CONCLUSION: The municipalities studied present risks of infection and spread of brucellosis.

Effect of Supranutritional Dosage Selenium in Neonatal Goat Kids on Productive Performance, Physicochemical Profiles in Meat, Selenium Levels in Tissues, and Histopathological Findings.

Selenium (Se) is an essential element and antioxidant that catalyzes the destruction of hydrogen peroxide formed during cellular oxidative metabolism. Doses of Se as selenomethionine (SeMe) by oral route are 0.1-0.3 mgSe/kg DM, while the dose by parenteral route with sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) is 0.1 mgSe/BW. The effects of supranutritional Se supplementation on normal kids have rarely been studied. The objective of the study was to evaluate both Se sources on growth performance, Se in tissues, histopathological findings, and meat characteristics. Forty-five kids of the Pastoreña breed with 25-day age were distributed (4.7 ± 1.13 kg) in three treatments: a) control group, C: consumption with goat milk (GM: containing 0.135 mgSe/g); b) NaSe: GM plus Na2SeO3 injectable, 0.25 mgSe/kg BW; c) SeMe: GM plus oral dosage, 0.3 mgSe as SeMe daily. Fifteen animals per treatment were slaughtered at 7, 14, and 21 days. Feed conversion improved (P < 0.05) with Se supplement (P < 0.05) at 7 and 14 days. SeMe had higher protein and fat meat content (P < 0.05). SeMe increased Se liver at 14 and 21 days. NaSe and SeMe had higher (P < 0.05) levels of Se kidney. SeMe-21d showed 42% mononuclear and periportal cell infiltration lesions. In conclusion, Se administered through milk in goat kids was insufficient to prevent nutritional muscular dystrophy. The supranutritional dose of 0.25 mg/kg as NaSe was sufficient to maintain the Se level in tissues. SeMe increased Se liver and kidney efficiently. Both Se sources improved the bioavailability of the mineral in kids.

Effect of increasing levels of white mulberry leaves (Morus alba) on ruminal dry matter degradability in lambs.

A study was conducted to estimate dry matter (DM) degradability in the rumen of lambs offered a basal soybean meal and sorghum grain diet with three levels of white mulberry (WM) leaves (Morus alba). Diets consisted of 90% concentrate and 10% sorghum straw, which was incrementally replaced by WM leaves at 0% (control diet, T1), 2.5% (T2), and 5% (T3) of the total ration. Crude protein (CP) in WM was 21.8% (DM basis). Diets had equal CP (14% DM basis) and metabolizable energy (10.8 MJ/kg DM) content. Three non-castrated Pelibuey male lambs fitted with permanent rumen cannula were utilized in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. Each experimental period consisted of 10 days of adaptation followed by sampling. DM degradability was determined using the nylon bag technique. Bags contained the experimental diets offered in each period and were incubated in rumen in pairs for 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h. The potential degradation was higher (P < 0.05) for T2, followed by T3 and T1. WM level did not influence the degradation rate or the effective degradation at the three passage rates modeled. It was concluded that WM forage may have useful application in feedlot diets for growing lambs, as this forage increases potential degradation of high-grain diets. The incorporation of WM in diets for feedlot lambs in tropics may reduce the use of expensive conventional protein supplements.

Productive and economic parameters of pigs supplemented from weaning to finishing with prebiotic and probiotic feed additives.

Practical evidence suggests possible beneficial effects with the combined use of prebiotics and probiotics which can improve production parameters. The objective of the study was to investigate the addition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) as prebiotic and the combination of Lactobacillus spp. (L), Bacillus spp. (B) as probiotics on productive parameters and economic feasibility. Four hundred male pigs, hybrids of commercial genetic lines (Pietrain), were used: T1 = control group, T2 = 4 kg/tonne SC, T3 = 0.8 kg/tonne feed L and B, T4 = 4 kg/tonne SC + 0.8 kg/tonne L and B. Productive parameters were recorded in the treatment groups for four periods. Then, the viscera of five pigs per treatment were collected after slaughter to evaluate the histological changes and cytokine concentrations in the ileum. The weight gains of groups at 70-100, 100-125 and 125-150 days in the T4 group showed statistically increases (p < .05). Feed intake had a significant difference (p < .05) in T3 versus T1. The feed-conversion ratio improved for all periods in the T4 group (p < .05). The eosinophil, mononuclear infiltration and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6) in the mucosa were lower for treatments with probiotics. In conclusion, there was an economic benefit when using both prebiotics and probiotics in the diet of pigs from weaning to finishing.

Designing and evaluation of sodium selenite nanoparticles in vitro to improve selenium absorption in ruminants.

Sodium selenite is used to prevent selenium deficiency known as nutritional muscular dystrophy or white muscle disease. In ruminants, selenium supplements are transformed partiality in insoluble form by ruminal microorganisms and its process decrease the selenium absorption in digestive gastrointestinal. However, the objective in this research was focused in encapsulated sodium selenite to be release into of a pH less than four, similarity to an intestinal environment. It was encapsulated by nanoprecipitation and emulsion-evaporation methods, within polymeric nanoparticles. The effect of these methods, polymer proportion (Eudragit RL and RS) and solvent (ethanol and acetone) on the physicochemical (drug entrapment, polidispersity index (PDI) and z potential) and morphological characteristics (particle morphology and particle size) were evaluated. Particle size from each nanoparticles, formulation ranged from 36.64 to 213.86 nm. Particle size, z potential and PDI increased (P 0.05) were observed when different polymeric proportions were used. Selenium entrapment was 26% when emulsion-evaporation method was used and 78% with nanoprecipitation. Nanoparticles produced by nanoprecipitation were spherical and had a great variation in particle size; on the other hand, nanoparticles produced by emulsion-evaporation were spherical as well as amorphous and presented a homogeneous nanopartcicle size distribution. The release of selenium from nanoparticles was higher in acid pH (less than 4), this condition may represent a better availability of the mineral in the small intestine.

Análisis de riesgos de la brucelosis en el estado de Tlaxcala / Risk analysis of brucelosis in the state of Tlaxcala

Objetivo. Identificar los riesgos de la brucelosis en el estado de Tlaxcala, México. Material y métodos. Se realizó un diagnóstico de tipo social en los municipios de Huamantla, Ixtenco y Teacalco, localizadas en la región oriente del estado. Se determinó la seroprevalencia de brucelosis en cabras y humanos. Resultados. El 46.9% de productores conoce los programas de la vacunación contra brucelosis; 19.7% aplica vacuna y 80.3% no aplica vacuna. Huamantla presentó la mayor seroprevalencia de brucelosis animal en 66.8 por ciento. San José Teacalco distribuye y comercializa quesos no pasteurizados en una distancia mayor de 270 km, lo que amplía los riesgos de contagio por brucelosis. Ixtenco registró la mayor prevalencia de brucelosis en humanos con 1.51 por ciento. Conclusión. Los municipios estudiados presentan riesgos de contagio y propagación de la brucelosis.

Objective. To identify the risk of brucellosis in the state of Tlaxcala, Mexico. Materials and methods. A diagnosis of social type was conducted in the municipalities of Huamantla, Ixtenco and Teacalco, located in the eastern region of the state. The seroprevalence of brucellosis in goats and humans was determined. Results. 46.9% of producers know the programs of vaccination against brucellosis; 19.7% apply the vaccine and 80.3% do not apply the vaccine. Huamantla had the highest seroprevalence of animal brucellosis in 66.8%; San Jose Teacalco distributes unpasteurized cheeses to a distance of 270 km, increasing the risk of infection with brucellosis. Ixtenco recorded the highest prevalence of brucellosis in humans, with 1.51%. Conclusion. The municipalities studied present risks of infection and spread of brucellosis.