Effect of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Insult on Iron, Copper, and Zinc Concentration in Liver, Bursa of Fabricius, Spleen, Pancreas, and Serum of Chickens

Alterations of hemogram, serum biochemistry, oxidative/nitrosative balance, and copper/zinc homeostasis in dromedary camels naturally infected with poxvirus

Camel pox (CMLP), a contagious viral disease of camels, causes considerable economic loss in terms of milk, meat, wool, and leather production besides reduction of draught power. The effect of spontaneous CMLP infection on hemogram, oxidative/nitrosative imbalance, and trace mineral homeostasis has not been studied earlier in dromedary camels. In the current study, hemogram, serum biochemistry, oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, and zinc (Zn)-copper (Cu) homeostasis were evaluated in healthy and pox-infected camels. The CMLP was confirmed from pooled samples of vesicular fluid, oral mucosa, and skin samples by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the C18L gene of CMLP virus. Hemogram was performed manually in whole blood. The serum was analyzed for biochemistry. The oxidative/nitrosative imbalance was measured by determining the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite and nitrate (NOx), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in serum. Simultaneously, copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations were measured in serum. A pronounced leucopenia (p = 0.019), lymphopenia (p = 0.005), and hypoproteinemia (p = 0.014) were noted in CMLP-infected camels compared to healthy animals. The significant elevation of the MDA (p = 0.005) and NOx (p = 0.044) concentrations in serum of CMLP-infected indicated marked oxidative stress during the disease. The zinc concentration (p = 0.014) in CMLP-infected camels was significantly lower than healthy camels. The study supports that oxidative/nitrosative imbalance and Cu-Zn homeostasis are compromised and related to the pathophysiology of CMLP infection. The finding will be helpful to veterinary clinicians to adopt effective therapeutic strategies using antioxidants and trace minerals during CMLP outbreak. The timely vaccination and bio-security will be the mainstay for prevention of the diseases.

Different effects on zinc redistribution if ethanol is consumed before or immediately after birth

AIMS

The effect of ethanol consumption, either during pregnancy and/or lactation, on the altered metabolism of zinc (Zn) is not well-defined. Therefore, this study was performed to analyse the effect of chronic ethanol exposure on Zn redistribution in dams and offspring during either gestation and/or lactation.

METHODS

We have used three groups of Wistar rat dams: control (CD), ethanol (ED), and pair-fed dams (PD). Some of the newborns were cross-fostered to dams at birth and we formed five experimental groups of offspring: control (CO); those exposed to ethanol during gestation only (GO); those exposed to ethanol during lactation only (LO); those exposed to ethanol during both periods (EO); and pair-fed groups (PO). Zn levels were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

RESULTS

Zinc distribution is altered in ED with respect to CD, presenting significantly higher Zn values in the brain and spleen, and lower levels in the liver. However, total organs Zn levels are similar between dams. Ethanol-treated offspring (GO, LO, EO) consumed significantly less Zn than the CO. However, LO and EO showed significantly higher Zn serum levels. Zn distribution was altered in ethanol-treated offspring. GO and LO showed lower Zn levels in liver than CO; GO presents the lowest Zn liver levels. These levels were significantly lower than EO and PO. Ethanol-treated pups present significantly higher spleen and testes values than CO and PO. Total organ Zn levels were significantly lower in GO.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal adaptation resulted in organ Zn retention in order to meet the demands of pup's growth in the face of a lower diet intake. However, there was a redistribution of Zn in organ contents. Therefore, the ethanol route administration (via placenta and/or milk) affects Zn redistribution in pups in a different way.