Short communication: apoptosis regulates passive immune transfer in newborn kids

Ten newborn kids were used to evaluate the relationship between apoptosis and passive immune transfer in neonatal enterocytes. Kids were slaughtered in groups of 2 at birth, 1, 2, 3, or 60 d postpartum, and samples of duodenal epithelium collected from each animal. Samples were fixed, dehydrated, and embedded in paraffin wax. Sections were assessed for apoptotic cells and immunostained for IgG. Our results suggest that IgG absorption is mediated by apoptotic enterocytes. Thus, delaying apoptosis may improve the success of passive immune transfer.

Effect of heat and high-pressure treatments on microbiological quality and immunoglobulin G stability of caprine colostrum

Caprine colostrums (6 batches) were subjected to heat (56 degrees C for 60 min and 63 degrees C for 30 min) and high-pressure (400 and 500 MPa for 10 min at 20 degrees C) treatments at laboratory scale, and analyses of the main microbial groups and the extent of IgG denaturation (determined by immunodiffusion) were performed. Overall mean microbial values in raw colostrums were: total count, 5.55 log cfu/mL; Enterobacteriaceae, 2.64 log cfu/mL; lactococci, 5.41 log cfu/mL; lactobacilli, 2.34 log cfu/mL; and enterococci, 4.06 log cfu/mL. Neither Salmonella spp. nor Listeria monocytogenes were detected, whereas coagulase-positive staphylococci were found in various colostrum samples with an overall mean of 1.02 log cfu/mL. Heat and high-pressure treatments significantly reduced total count (1.47 log), lactococci (1.45 log), enterococci (2.47 log), and Enterobacteriaceae, whereas lactobacilli and coagulase-positive staphylococci counts were reduced to undetectable levels, but differences between technological treatments were not statistically significant. High-pressure treatments were as efficient in reducing the bacterial population as were heat pasteurization treatments: 95.50 and 96.93% for pressure treatments of 400 and 500 MPa, and 91.61 and 97.59% for heat treatments of 56 degrees C for 60 min and 63 degrees C for 30 min, respectively. All treatments assayed produced a reduction in colostrum IgG concentration (27.53, 23.58, 23.33, 22.09, and 17.06 mg/mL for raw, heat-treated at 56 degrees C for 60 min or 63 degrees C for 30 min, and pressure-treated at 400 and 500 MPa, respectively), but differences were only observed between raw colostrums and those pressure-treated at 500 MPa. This laboratory-scale study indicated that 20- to 30-mL volumes of goat colostrum could be heated and pressure-treated (400 MPa) to produce hygienic colostrum without affecting IgG concentration.

The influence of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on blood serum and colostrum immunoglobulin G concentration in female goats before and after parturition

The effects on blood serum and colostrum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels from including conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in the diet were evaluated in goats. In experiment 1, 20 goats were allotted into two groups; the CLA group received 20 g/kg of dry matter of CLA 60 and the control group received 0 g/kg of CLA 60, from the third month of gestation until partum. Blood samples were taken every 2 weeks from 1 day before CLA inclusion to partum. From partum until 96 hours, blood and colostrum samples were taken every 24 h. Before partum, IgG serum blood levels were 15.6 and 9.4 mg/ml (CLA and control, respectively); the time effect was statistically significant. After partum (96 h), the effect of CLA dietary inclusion was statistically significant.

Short Communication: Correlations Between Udder Morphology, Milk Yield, and Milking Ability with Different Milking Frequencies in Dairy Goats

Tinerfeñ a breed goats were assigned to 2 experimental herds and milked once (n = 28) or twice (n = 24) daily to study correlations between udder morphology, milk yield, and milking ability during the middle stage of the first lactation. Pearson correlation coefficients were significantly higher between yield and measures of udder globulousness (udder volume, r = 0.79 and r = 0.59; perimeter of insertion of the udder, r = 0.47 and r = 0.37; distance between teats, r = 0.77 and r = 0.28, for goats milked once and twice daily, respectively) than for length parameters (cistern floor distance, r = 0.40 and r = -0.29; udder depth, r = -0.20 and r = 0.20). The globulousness of the udder was correlated with easier milking ability, as shown by milk fractioning (r = 0.49 to 0.70) and milk flow measures (r = 0.32 to 0.49). The results showed that the globulousness of the udder is more important than length measurements in assessing milk yield and milking ability.

Effects of lyophilized colostrum and different colostrum feeding regimens on passive transfer of immunoglobulin g in Majorera goat kids

Three experiments were conducted including 180 Majorera kids. In the first experiment, the effect of use of lyophilized colostrum vs. frozen colostrum on immunoglobulin G (IgG) blood serum concentration was evaluated. Kids (n = 40) received the same management and IgG mass [3368 mg/kg of body weight (BW)] during the colostrum feeding period. The IgG in blood serum of kids from the lyophilized colostrum group was greater than that for kids that received frozen colostrum. The second experiment evaluated the effect of total IgG ingested by kids (n = 60) on IgG in blood serum during the colostrum feeding period. Three groups of animals received 3368, 1684, and 842 mg of IgG/kg of BW in 4 feedings for 2 d [high IgG concentration (H-IgG), medium IgG concentration (M-IgG), and low-IgG concentration (L-IgG), respectively]. The IgG blood serum in the kids that received H-IgG was greater than in the other 2 treatment groups, and no statistical differences were found for IgG in blood serum of kids that received either M-IgG or L-IgG. The third experiment evaluated the effect of timing of lyophilized colostrum meals on IgG blood serum concentration. Four groups of kids (n = 80) were used. Two groups received 1684 mg of IgG/kg of BW (higher level-1 d and higher level-2 d) and the other 2 groups received 842 mg of IgG/kg of BW (lower level-1 d and lower level-2 d). Two groups received 2 feedings in 1 d, and the other 2 groups received 4 feedings over a 2-d period, as denoted. Higher level-1 d kids had greater IgG blood serum concentration than the higher level-2 d kids, and no statistical differences were found between lower level-1 d and lower level-2 d kids.

Short Communication: Evaluation of a Color Method for Testing Immunoglobulin G Concentration in Goat Colostrum

Colostrum samples (n = 1084) of first and second milking from Majorera goats were taken. The immunoglobulin (Ig) G concentrations estimated by measurement of the color of goat colostrum and by the radial immunodiffusion technique were compared. Least squares analysis of the relationship between the color measurement method and IgG concentration resulted in a significant linear relationship. Using 20 mg of IgG/ mL of colostrum as the cut-off point for colostrum selection, the sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of the color method as a test of IgG concentration in goat colostrum were 93.03, 71.43, and 78.12%, respectively.

Limb myosin heavy chain isoproteins and muscle fiber types in the adult goat (Capra hircus)

The primary focus of this study was the accurate classification of limb skeletal muscle fiber types in adult goats (Capra hircus) according to the myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform they express. Combined methodologies of gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, myofibrillar ATPase (mATPase), and quantitative metabolic enzyme histochemistry of M. semitendinosus samples were developed. Three MHCs were identified and tentatively designated as types I, IIA, and IIX. Five fiber types were defined immunohistochemically according to their MHC content: I, I+IIA, IIA, IIAX, and IIX. The hybrid fast-twitch fibers (IIAX) totaled 21% of the fiber population analyzed. The three major pure fibers (I, IIA, and IIX) could be objectively separated upon the basis of their mATPase activities after acid and alkaline preincubations. The prominent number of hybrid fibers, however, could not be delineated with these mATPase methods. Metabolic and size properties of muscle fibers varied according to their MHC content, but overlapped the full range of muscle fiber phenotypes. These integrated data demonstrate that type II skeletal muscle fibers of small ruminants have been misclassified in previous studies. The immunohistochemical approach developed in the present study offers new prospects for muscle fiber typing in caprine experimental studies and meat production technologies.

Stage III abdominal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in Costa Rican children: comparison of two consecutive trials of treatment

Seventy-three patients with Stage III abdominal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were prospectively treated following two sequential protocols (P): L278 P (group A, 33 patients) (1978-1983) and L384 P (group B, 40 patients), (1984-1991). No patient received radiotherapy. The L278 P included 7 drugs: cyclophosphamide, vincristine (VCR), adriamycin (ADR), prednisone, methotrexate (MTX), dexamethasone, and 6-mercaptopurine, given for remission induction, maintenance, and CNS prophylaxis. In the L384 P we introduced a consolidation phase consisting of intravenous MTX and citrovorum factor rescue, and IV cytosine arabinoside. VCR was also added to the monthly doses and the maintenance phase was reduced from 18 to 15 months. From January 1988 we changed ADR for epirubicin in the same doses. Prophylactic treatment of the CNS, in the L384 P, was intensified by increasing the number of doses of MTX IT in the remission, induction, and consolidation phases, and with the use of ara-C IT. Laparotomy in 50 patients allowed partial resection in 16, and second-look laparotomy was performed in 27 patients. Viable tumor was found in four patients. Three patients (G-A) died from metabolic complications and another 4 (2 G-A and 2 G-B) failed to attain CR and died. A total of 28 (85%) of 33 children of G-A and 38 (95%) of 40 children in G-B achieved CR. Five children died in remission (2 G-A, 3 G-B). Three patients (G-A) relapsed in the CNS and one (G-B) relapsed in the abdomen and died. Disease-free survival at 120 months was 70% in G-A and 84% in G-B.

Six new cases of a caterpillar-induced bleeding syndrome

We describe six new cases of a hemorrhagic diathesis induced by contact with Lonomia achelous caterpillars. Onset of clinical bleeding varied between a few hours and 10 days post-exposure. Laboratory coagulation tests showed prolonged PT, PTT and ThT; normal platelets and a marked decrease of fibrinogen, factor V, plasminogen and factor XIII (including its subunits A and S). Factors VII, II and alfa 2 anti-plasmin were variably affected. In addition, activation of the fibrinolytic system and the generation of a procoagulant effect could also be demonstrated. Two cases developed severe hemorrhagic diathesis and one of them died of a cerebral hemorrhage. Different aspects of this rare syndrome are discussed in relation to its complex physiopathology and the variability observed in all clinical and laboratory manifestations. Therapeutic recommendations and some possible hazards following replacement transfusions are also considered.