Search

The aims of this study were to assess the efficacy of alphacypermethrin (ACYP) on pediculosis due to Haematopinus tuberculatus and to evaluate the influence of the treatment on productive and reproductive performance in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) reared in an intensive system. The trial was performed on 56 pluriparous buffaloes at 86.8 ± 8.1 d in milk. The animals underwent individual louse count and were divided into 2 homogenous groups according to louse count, age, number of lactations, days in milk, live BW, BCS, pregnancy status, and milk yield. Group A (n = 28) was treated by a pour-on formulation of ACYP, and Group S (n = 28) was treated by pour-on saline solution. Individual louse counts were performed weekly on 10 buffaloes in each group. Feed intake was recorded daily and the total mixed ration, individual ingredients, and orts were analyzed to calculate DM ingestion. Individual milk yield was recorded daily and milk samples were analyzed at the beginning of the trial, after 4 wk, and at the end of the trial to assess milk composition. Individual BCS was also evaluated simultaneously. Finally, the animals underwent synchronization of ovulation starting 4 wk after treatment and the pregnancy rate and the calving-conception interval were evaluated. Data were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test and ANOVA for repeated measures. The infestation was constant in Group S, whereas no lice were present in Group A throughout the study. Daily DMI was similar in the 2 groups (16.7 ± 0.4 vs. 16.3 ± 0.3 kg/d in Group A vs. Group S, respectively), although buffaloes in Group A showed higher (P < 0.05) BCS score at the end of the trial (7.39 ± 0.1 vs. 7.14 ± 0.1 in Group A vs. Group S, respectively). The average milk yield/buffalo was higher (P < 0.05) in Group A compared to Group S (10.58 ± 0.1 vs. 10.39 ± 0.1 kg in Group A vs. Group S, respectively) and this was mainly due to the higher milk production recorded in buffaloes at less than 75 d in milk (11.81 ± 0.1 vs. 11.45 ± 0.1 kg in Group A vs. Group S, respectively). Despite of a similar fertility rate (90.5 vs. 80.9% in Group A vs. Group S, respectively), a lower (P < 0.05) calving-conception interval was recorded in Group A compared to Group S (118 ± 16 vs. 177 ± 16 d in Group A vs. Group S, respectively). In addition to the pour-on treatment against pediculosis, productive and reproductive performance were also improved. This represents a significant improvement in dairy buffalo herd management.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of tulathromycin in the control of respiratory diseases (BRD) in buffalo calves. The trial was performed in one buffalo farm located in the South of Italy where more than 2,000 animals are bred. An outbreak of BRD was considered when the animals showed three of the following criteria: rectal temperature >39.8°C, depression score >2 on a scale of 0 (alert) to 4 (soporous), respiratory rate >60 ⁄ min), dyspnoea (abnormal lung sounds) and cough or nasal discharge. A nasal swab was performed for microbiological investigations. After the results of the latter animals were treated with a standard therapeutic regimen on D 0, which consists of 2.5 mg/kg/live weight of tulathromycin (Draxxin®, Zoetis SRL, Italy) in a single administration. Daily clinical examinations were performed on treated calves for fourteen consecutive days to evaluate: A) depression score and general health status with a score from 0 (normal) to 4 (general conditions severely impaired); B) respiratory distress with a score from 0 (no alterations) to 3 (respiratory rate >80⁄min, abdominal breath and nasal discharge) and C) rectal temperature with a score from 0 (normal; 38.8-39°C) to 3 (> 40.3°C). Data were analyzed by analysis of variance. A total of 81 calves (53 females and 28 males) were included in the study. Bacteriological cultures revealed the presence of Pasteurella M. and Moraxella spp. in 53.1 and 38.3% of the samples, respectively. The average A, B and C scores were 2.24±0.1, 1.85±0.1 and 1.78±0.1 on day 0. Treatment was effective in solving the BRD in four days (Scores A, B and C = 0) in 79/81 calves (97.5%), and, consequently, 2/81 (2.5%) mortality rate was recorded. In conclusion, treatment with tulathromycin is highly effective in the control of the BRD in buffalo calves.

The trial was performed on 18 multiparous Mediterranean buffaloes, pre-synchronized by a double injection of 0.524 mg of PGF2α. Animals were divided into two groups (A and B), that underwent two superovulation (SO) treatments, starting 8 days after estrus (day 0): Group A (n=9) received a 4-days double daily decreasing dosage of 400 mg NIH-FSH-P1 (Folltropin®, Bio98, Italy). Group B (n=9) received the same treatment as Group A for the first 2 days, and a single injection of 1000 IU of eCG (Ciclogonina®, Fortdodge, Italy). On day 10 all buffaloes received a double injection of 0.524 mg of PGF2α to induce luteolysis. Ultrasound follicular development was assessed daily on each buffalo from the start of the SO treatments until 48 hours after estrus detection to record the total number of the follicles, grouped into 3 categories according to their diameter: small (between 0.20 and 0.50 cm), medium (between 0.51 and 1.00 cm) and large (more than 1.01 cm). The statistical analysis was carried out by using the chi-square test and the analysis of variance. Buffaloes in Group B showed a higher (P

INTRODUZIONE – I polifenoli sono una famiglia di sostanze largamente rappresentate nel mondo vegetale, caratterizzate dalla presenza di molteplici gruppi fenolici associati in strutture più o meno complesse di alto peso molecolare. Sono considerati degli antiossidanti naturali, agendo da "scavengers" dei radicali liberi, soprattutto perossilici, rompendone la catena di formazione e legandosi ad essi per neutralizzarli. Inoltre agiscono da "quenchers" nei confronti dei ROS e dei RNS e da chelanti di metalli (Rice-Evans et al., 1997). Presentano numerose funzioni biologiche, tra cui proprietà anti-infiammatorie, anti-aterogene, anti-virali e anti-carcinogeniche (Obied et al., 2005). Negli ultimi anni, le industrie alimentari si stanno indirizzando verso l’impiego di antiossidanti naturali nelle formulazioni alimentari, allo scopo di ritardare l’ossidazione lipidica e migliorare la qualità e il valore nutrizionale dei prodotti finiti (Fasseas et al., 2007). Per la carne è possibile migliorarne la qualità e la shelf-life attraverso l’impiego degli antiossidanti nella fase di pre-macellazione, incorporandoli nella dieta degli animali. Scopo del presente studio è stato di valutare l’effetto dei polifenoli nella fase di post-svezzamento in termini di incremento ponderale giornaliero (IPG), peso alla macellazione, caratteristiche istologiche del tratto gastroenterico e caratteristiche della carne. MATERIALI E METODI – La prova è stata condotta su 9 capretti maschi di razza Saanen, ed ha avuto una durata di 90 gg. I capretti sono stati suddivisi in 3 gruppi omogenei per peso ed età al momento dello svezzamento (40 gg): Gruppo A (n=3), alimentato con una razione standard; Gruppo B (n=3), alimentato con la razione standard e integrazione di polifenoli in polvere; Gruppo C (n=3), alimentato con la razione standard e integrazione di polifenoli in capsule. I polifenoli sono stati ottenuti da un trattamento effettuato su acque di vegetazione provenienti da frantoio, con sistema di estrazione continuo a tre fasi. Gli animali sono stati pesati ogni 10 giorni e sono stati calcolati i diversi IPG (Tab. 1). Al momento della macellazione si è valutata la resa al macello e sono stati prelevati campioni di longissimus dorsi per l’analisi delle caratteristiche chimiche e reologiche della carne. I dati sono stati analizzati mediante il SAS. Tab 1 – Incrementi ponderali e peso alla macellazione medio nei 3 gruppi di capretti. Peso Nas. (kg) Peso Svez. (kg) Peso Macel. (kg) IPG nas-svez (gr) IPG svez-macel (gr) IPG totale (gr) A 2,23 6,73 10,83 70 40 90 B 2,27 6,67 15,57 70 90 140 C 2,27 6,83 14,60 70 80 130 RISULTATI E CONSIDERAZIONI – Non sono emerse differenze in termini di peso alla macellazione e IPG tra i tre gruppi, sebbene valori più elevati siano stati osservati nei gruppi trattati con polifenoli (Tab 1). La resa alla macellazione è stata mediamente del 48,6% senza differenze tra i gruppi. Anche le caratteristiche chimiche della carne sono risultate simili (Tab 2), sebbene i soggetti dei gruppi B e C abbiano mostrato una maggior (P

In this study, we report ghrelin and leptin immunoreactive (ir) cells distribution in the gastrointestinal tract and blood ghrelin and leptin levels in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) fed diets with different fatty acid compositions. Juvenile rainbow trout and Murray cod were fed five iso-energetic experimental diets containing fish oil (FO) or one of the following vegetable oils (VO): olive oil (OO), sunflower oil (SO), linseed oil (LO), and palm oil (PO); as the added dietary lipid source. The presence and distribution of both ghrelin and leptin ir cells in the gastrointestinal tract were affected by the inclusion of VO. Ghrelin ir cells were found in the gastric glands of rainbow trout and in the mioenteric plexuses of the stomach of Murray cod fed FO. Ghrelin ir cells were localized in the mucosa of the intestine of rainbow trout and Murray cod fed VO. Leptin ir cells were more abundant in the epithelial lining of the mucosa folds and in the glands of the stomach of rainbow trout fed VO. Leptin immunoreactivity was detected in the gastric mioenteric plexus of Murray cod fed FO. No differences were found both in ghrelin and leptin levels in blood plasma or in the growth rates of rainbow trout and Murray cod fed the different experimental diets. These observations suggest that dietary fatty acids play a role in the peripheral feeding regulation.

The present investigation exposes the main results raised from an active collaboration started in 2018 with the San Pio Hospital (Benevento, Southern Italy), aiming at a detailed mineralogical investigation of urinary stones of patients from the Campania region. Forty-nine uroliths (both bladder and kidney stones) have been surgically collected from patients admitted between 2018 and 2020 at the Department of Urology of the San Pio Hospital and characterized for clinical purposes and environmental biomonitoring from a mineralogical point of view. Possible causes and environmental implications were inferred according to the morpho-constitutional classification of the uroliths carried out by means of a conventional analytical approach. The mineralogical frequency distribution of uroliths from the Campanian region can be discussed as a function of dietary, socio-demographic, and environmental risk factors. Whewellite [CaC2O4·H2O] and weddellite [CaC2O4·(2+x)H2O], along with anhydrous calcium oxalate, represent the main mineralogical phases forming the biominerals examined here. Worth to note is that the percentage of oxalates in the Campanian region (ca. 51%) is quite comparable to those of other Mediterranean areas. Frequent uricite [C5H4N4O3] (ca. 33%), mainly observed in bladder stones of older male patients, could be related to an incorrect lifestyle and dietary habits. Occurrence of lower percentages of phosphate (i.e., brushite [CaHPO4·2(H2O)] and carbonated apatite [Ca10(PO4CO3)6(OH)8]) and mixed stones (such as, for example, a mixture of ammonium urate [NH4C5H3N4O3] and calcium oxalates) indicates specific etiopathogenetic mechanisms, suggesting proper therapeutical approaches.

In the present study, we aimed at assessing the influence of breed and feeding system on the bovine milk profile of betaines and carnitines and milk capacity in counteracting the inflammatory endothelial cell (EC) damage induced by interleukin (IL)-6. In the first experimental design, two breeds were chosen (Holstein vs. Modicana) to investigate the biomolecule content and antioxidant capacity in milk and dairy products. In the second experimental design, two feeding systems (pasture vs. total mixed ratio) were tested only in Holstein to evaluate the possible effect on the functional profile of milk and dairy products. Finally, the bulk milk from the two experimental designs was used to evaluate the efficacy of preventing IL-6-induced endothelial inflammatory damage. Results showed that Modicana milk and whey had higher biomolecule content and antioxidant activity compared to Holstein milk (p < 0.01). Milk from Holstein fed TMR showed higher concentration of γ-butyrobetaine, δ-valerobetaine (p < 0.01), and l-carnitine (p < 0.05). Similarly, whey from Holstein fed TMR also showed higher content of δ-valerobetaine, glycine betaine, l-carnitine, and acetyl-l-carnitine (p < 0.01) compared to the Holstein fed pasture. Conversely, the antioxidant activity of milk and dairy products was not affected by the feeding system. In ECs, all milk samples reduced the IL-6-induced cytokine release, as well as the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the induction of cell death, with the most robust effect elicited by Modicana milk (p < 0.01). Overall, Modicana milk showed a higher content of biomolecules and antioxidant activity compared to Holstein, suggesting that the breed, more than the feeding system, can positively affect the health-promoting profile of dairy cattle milk.

In this study, evidence for leptin receptor (LR) and gastric leptin immunoreactivity along the digestive tract of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), is reported. Besides this, the regulation of gastric leptin and its transcript by fatty acids was analyzed in vitro. LR was detected mainly in the cells of the stomach gastric glands and in the brush border of the epithelium of the anterior, middle and distal intestine. In the stomach LR was co-distributed with leptin. The regulation of gastric leptin and its transcript by fatty acids was analyzed by in vitro incubations. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies anti rainbow trout leptin were developed and employed to detect leptin concentration in the stomach and in the incubation medium. Stomach slices were incubated with butyric (4:0), oleic (18:1n-9), α-linolenic (18:3n-3) and arachidonic fatty acids (20:4n-6). All fatty acids caused an increase in the protein in both the stomach and culture medium, while leptin transcript was not modified. Overall, the results confirm the gastric leptin release upon nutritional modulation.

The 3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine (3,5-T2) is an endogenous metabolite of thyroid hormones, whose administration to rodents fed high-fat diet (HFD) prevents body weight increase and reverts the expression pattern of pro-inflammatory factors associated to HFD. The diet-induced obese (D.I.O.) zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been recently used as an experimental model to investigate fundamental processes underlying central and peripheral obesity-driven inflammation. Herein, we aim to understand the role of 3,5-T2 in regulating central and peripheral inflammation in D.I.O. model of zebrafish. 3,5-T2 (10 nM and 100 nM) was administered with the obesity-inducing diet (D.I.O. with 3,5-T2) or after 4 weeks of obesity-inducing diet (D.I.O. flw 3,5-T2). 3,5-T2 significantly increased the body weight and serum triglyceride levels in D.I.O. zebrafish in both conditions. Moreover, 3,5-T2 sustained or increased inflammation in the anterior (AI) and mid (MI) intestine when administered with the obesity-inducing diet, as indicated by the immunoexpression of the inflammatory markers tumor-necrosis factor-&alpha, (TNF&alpha, ), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), calnexin, caspase 3, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). On the contrary, when 3,5-T2 was administered after the obesity-inducing diet, partly reverted the intestinal alteration induced by D.I.O. In addition, brain inflammation, as indicated by the increase in the activation of microglia, was detected in D.I.O. zebrafish and D.I.O. treated with 3,5-T2. These findings reveal that the effects of 3,5-T2 on fish intestine and brain can deviate from those shown in obese mammals, opening new avenues to the investigation of the potential impact of this thyroid metabolite in different diseases including obesity.

In the last years, great importance has been given to the beneficial effects of polyphenols [1]. Agricultural by-products are a rich source of polyphenols and have a potential suitable for development into dietary supplements and various food additives [2]. The objective of the present research was to investigate gut morphology, inflammation and immune response of adult pigs (Casertana strain) fed with polyphenols extracted from olive mill wastewater added to the standard diet, by in vivo and in vitro analysis. The ‘Casertana’ pig is an ancient autochthon genetic type and represents an experimental model suitable for semi-wild controlled breeding technique. During the finishing period, pigs were randomly assigned in two groups: control group fed with a standard diet and treated group fed with standard diet supplemented with polyphenols extracted from olive mill wastewater (OMWW) using capsules (0.03 g/kg of feed per pig per day) [3]. The trial lasted for 120days. After slaughter, alveolar macrophages were extracted from pig lungs [4] and the superoxide anion assay was performed to test the anti-oxidant effects of polyphenols extracted from OMWW. Gastrointestinal tracts (stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum and colon) were collected from all animals, embedded in paraffin wax, serially cut in transversal sections and stained with hematoxylin– eosin for histomorphometric analysis. No significant differences in the length of the jejunum-ileum villi and the depth of the colon crypts were detected between control and polyphenols fed pigs. COX-2 immunoreactivity in the gastrointestinal tract was more intense in the control group. The low level of expression of COX-2 in immunoreactive cells in the intestine of treated pigs could suggests a protective role of polyphenols, modulating and reducing the inflammatory response [5]. Superoxide anion production in alveolar macrophages was lower in pigs fed polyphenols (p

Nesfatin-1 (Nesf-1) is an anorexigenic peptide involved in the regulation of homeostatic feeding. Nesf-1 is expressed in the central nervous system and other organs, including pancreas, where it promotes the release of insulin from β-cells. This raises the possibility that Nesf-1 dysfunction could be involved in metabolic disorders, particularly in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Recently, it has been discovered that dolphins can be a natural animal model that fully replicates human T2D, due to its prolonged glucose tolerance curve and maintenance of a state of hyperglycemia similar to human T2D during fasting. This correspondence suggests that dolphins may be a suitable model for investigating physiological and pathological metabolic disorders. Here, we have characterized Nesf-1 distribution in the pancreas of the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and measured plasmatic levels of Nesf-1 and glucose during fasting and post-prandial states. The Mediterranean Marine Mammal Tissue Bank (MMMTB) of the University of Padova provided us with pancreas samples, derived from four animals, and plasma samples, collected before and after the main meal. Interestingly, our results showed that Nesf-1-immunoreactive cells were distributed in Langerhans islets, co-localized with glucagon in α-cells. Similar to humans, dolphin plasma Nesf-1 concentration doesn’t show a statistically significant difference when comparing fasting and post-prandial states. On the other hand, blood glucose levels were significantly higher before than after the main meal. Our data provide a comparative analysis for further studies on the involvement of Nesf-1 in mammalian metabolic disorders.

Hypocretins/Orexins neuropeptides are known to regulate numerous physiological functions, such as energy homeostasis, food intake, sleep/wake cycle, arousal and wakefulness, in vertebrates. Previous studies on mice have revealed an intriguing orexins/endocannabinoids (ECs) signaling interaction at both structural and functional levels, with OX-A behaving as a strong enhancer of 2-arachydonoyl-glycerol (2-AG) biosynthesis. In this study, we describe, for the first time in the brain of zebrafish, the anatomical distribution and co-expression of orexin (OX-2R) and endocannabinoid (CB1R) receptors, suggesting a functional interaction. The immunohistochemical colocalization of these receptors by confocal imaging in the dorsal and ventral telencephalon, suprachiasmatic nucleus (SC), thalamus, hypothalamus, preoptic area (PO) and cerebellum, is reported. Moreover, biochemical quantification of 2-AG levels by LC-MS supports the occurrence of OX-A-induced 2-AG biosynthesis in the zebrafish brain after 3 h of OX-A intraperitoneal (i.p.; 3 pmol/g) or intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.; 0.3 pmol/g) injection. This effect is likely mediated by OX-2R as it is counteracted by i.p./i.c.v administration of OX-2R antagonist (SB334867, 10 pmol/g). This study provides compelling morphological and functional evidence of an OX-2R/CB1R signaling interaction in the brain of adult zebrafish, suggesting the use of this well-established vertebrate animal model for the study of complex and phylogenetically conserved physiological functions.

The aim of this study was to quantify nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) utilisation and excretion in intensive dairy buffaloes. Italian Mediterranean buffaloes were divided into 4 groups (n=6/group) as follows: Groups M50, M125 and M225 at 50, 125 and 225 days of lactation, respectively, and Group NL which was non-lactating. Lactating buffaloes had greater (P