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Toxoplasma gondiiis a major food-borne parasite and undercooked meat of infected pigs represents an important source of infection for humans. Since infections in pigs are mostly subclinical, adequate diagnostic tests for use at the farm level are pursued. Oral fluid (OF) was shown to be a promising matrix for direct and indirect detection of infections with various pathogens in pigs. The objective of this study was to assess whetherT. gondiiinfections in pigs could be diagnosed using an indirect ELISA kit adapted for OF samples (OF-ELISA). Routine serology and OF-immunoblot (IB) were used as standards for the comparison. For this, serial OF samples from sows (n=8) and fatteners (n=3) experimentally inoculated withT. gondiioocysts, individual field samples from potentially exposed sows (n=9) and pooled OF samples from potentially exposed group-housed fatteners (n=195 pig groups, including 2,248 animals) were analysed for antibodies againstT. gondiiby ELISA. For individual animals, OF-ELISA exhibited a relative diagnostic specificity of 97.3% and a relative diagnostic sensitivity of 78.8%. In experimentally infected animals, positive OF-ELISA results were observed from 1.5weeks post inoculation (pi) until the end of the experimental setup (8 to 30weeks pi); however, values below the estimated cut-off were occasionally observed in some animals despite constant seropositivity. In potentially exposed individual animals, OF- and serum-ELISA results showed 100% agreement. In group-housed fatteners, antibodies againstT. gondiicould be reliably detected by OF-ELISA in groups in which at least 25% of the animals were seropositive. This OF-ELISA, based on a commercially available serum-ELISA, may represent an interesting non-invasive screening tool for detecting pig groups with a high exposure toT. gondiiat the farm level. The OF-ELISA may need further adjustments to consistently detect individual infected pigs, probably due to variations in OF antibody concentration over time.

Sheep with a relatively low methane yield were observed to have shorter fluid and particle mean retention times (MRT). Because the application of pilocarpine, a saliva stimulant, was successful in reducing retention times in ruminants in previous studies, we applied this substance to sheep, expecting a reduction in MRT and methane yield. Three non-pregnant sheep (74 +/- 10 kg) were fed a hay-only diet in a 3 x 3 Latin square design with oral doses of 0, 2.5 and 5 mg pilocarpine/kg body weight and day. Measurements included feed and water intake, MRT of liquid and particulate phases in the reticulorumen (RR) and total gastrointestinal tract (GIT), ruminal microbial yield (via urinary purine bases and metabolic faecal nitrogen), total tract methane emission, apparent nutrient digestibility and rumen fluid parameters. Data were investigated for linear and quadratic effects using orthogonal polynomial contrasts. The MRT of liquid and small particles in the RR and total GIT, and the short-chain fatty acid concentration in rumen fluid, linearly declined with increasing pilocarpine dosage, while no quadratic relationship was detected. Intake of feed DM and water, apparent nutrient digestibility, methane yield and microbial yield were not affected by pilocarpine. When combining the sheep data with that of a similar experiment in cattle, we found that the MRT of the liquid phase was positively associated with estimated NDF digestibility and with methane production per digested NDF, but was not associated with microbial yield or the ratio of acetate to propionate. The ratio between MRT of the particulate and the liquid phase was smaller for sheep than that for cattle, and was not affected by treatment. Differences in this ratio might explain why species reacted differently to the saliva-inducing agent, which might help to explain the discrepancy between species in the effect of induced saliva flow on digestive parameters., Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, ISSN:0931-2439, ISSN:1439-0396

Dog breeders often require breeding soundness evaluations which include andrological examinations of the genital organs, hormone measurements, and semen analyses. During the past decades, a considerable number of research results have been published, allowing diagnoses of specific andrological conditions and fertility assessment. For specific examinations, however, no standard procedures have been defined and for some parameters different reference ranges have been published. Therefore, examination results from different facilities are difficult to compare and profound conclusions regarding health and fertility of a male dog are not always possible. Conventional semen examination, however, is still useful in identifying deviations or no deviations from normality, especially if confounding factors are taken into account and if the exam is repeated in case of inconclusive findings. A standardization of examination procedures and reference ranges would help to harmonize the exchange of examination results and interpretation of the findings.

Both in vitro and animal studies indicated that a higher dilution rate is related to a more efficient microbial synthesis and a lower methane (CH4) yield. The latter could be a consequence of the former, as an increase in microbial cell synthesis offers an alternative hydrogen sink competing with methanogenesis. To test this assumption in live animals, we applied a saliva stimulant, pilocarpine, to modify liquid flow rate in cattle. Four non-lactating cows (750 ± 71 kg) were fed forage only (restricted to constant intake) in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with oral doses of 0, 1, 2.5 and 5mg pilocarpine/kg body weight and day. We quantified feed and water intake, ruminal and total tract mean retention time (MRT) of solute and particle markers, ruminal microbial yield (via urinary purine bases or metabolic faecal nitrogen), CH4 emission, digestibility, chewing behaviour, reticular motility and rumen fluid parameters. The effect of induced saliva flow was evident by visibly increased salivation and water intake. Increasing the pilocarpine dosages resulted in a linearly decreased MRT of fluid and small particles (p, Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 107 (3), ISSN:0931-2439, ISSN:1439-0396

Eating and rumination variables were recorded using a pressure sensor integrated into the noseband of a halter in 60 cows with left displaced abomasum (LDA) before and after postoperative administration of flunixin meglumine (FM). Group 1 comprised 9 healthy control cows that were used to establish reference intervals. Group 2 included 60 cows with LDA that received one of the following three treatments: intravenous saline solution (2A, n=20), 1.1 mg/kg FM (2B, n=20) or 2.2 mg/kg FM (2C, n=20) once daily for 3 days after right-flank omentopexy. Median eating times on the day before surgery were 93 (2A), 80 (2B) and 114 (2C) min, which were below the reference interval (246 to 381 min). On the day after surgery, eating times had increased significantly to 201 (2A), 172 (2B) and 216 (2C) min, after which time they continued to increase. Eating and rumination times, numbers of regurgitated feed boluses per day and chewing cycles per bolus did not differ among treated groups. Postoperative administration of FM did not affect eating and rumination variables in this study, and normalisation of these variables was attributable to surgical correction of LDA.Die Fress- und Wiederkauparameter von 60 Kühen mit linksseitiger Labmagenverlagerung (LLV) wurden nach postoperativer Verabreichung von Flunixin meglumin (FM) mittels Drucksensors im Halfter untersucht. Die Gruppe 1 bestand aus 9 gesunden Kühen für die Normalbereichsermittlung. Die Gruppe 2 umfasste 60 LLV-Kühe, die nach Omentopexie 3mal in 24-stündigen Abständen mit NaCl (2A), 1.1 (2B) oder 2.2 mg FM/kg (2C) behandelt wurden. Bei den LLV-Kühen lag die Fressdauer (Medianwert) bei den 3 Gruppen am Tag 0 mit 93, 80 und 114 Min. unterhalb des Normalbereichs von 246 bis 381 Minuten. Bereits am Tag 1 nach der Operation war sie mit 201, 172 und 216 Min. signifikant länger und stieg danach weiter an. Die Werte der 3 Behandlungsgruppen unterschieden sich nicht signifikant. Ähnliche Ergebnisse wurden für Wiederkaudauer, Anzahl Wiederkauboli und Kauschläge pro Wiederkaubolus ermittelt. Die Verabreichung von FM beeinflusste die Fress- und Wiederkauparameter in der vorliegenden Untersuchung nicht. Vielmehr war für die rasche Normalisierung die Omentopexie entscheidend.Les variables d’alimentation et de rumination ont été enregistrées à l’aide d’un capteur de pression intégré à la muserolle d’un licol chez 60 vaches avec déplacement à gauche de la caillette (LDA) avant et après l’administration postopératoire de flunixine méglumine (FM). Le groupe 1 comprenait 9 vaches témoins en bonne santé qui ont été utilisées pour établir des intervalles de référence. Le groupe 2 comprenait 60 vaches avec LDA qui ont reçu l’un des trois traitements suivants : solution saline intraveineuse (2A, n=20), 1,1 mg/kg FM (2B, n=20) ou 2,2 mg/kg FM (2C, n= 20) une fois par jour pendant 3 jours après omentopexie par le flanc droit. La durée médiane des repas la veille de la chirurgie était de 93 (2A), 80 (2B) et 114 (2C) minutes, ce qui était inférieur à l’intervalle de référence (246 à 381 min). Le lendemain de la chirurgie, la durée des repas avait augmenté de manière significative à 201 (2A), 172 (2B) et 216 (2C) minutes, après quoi elle a continué à augmenter. Les temps de repas et de rumination, le nombre de bolus alimentaires régurgités par jour et les cycles de mastication par bolus ne différaient pas entre les groupes traités. L’administration postopératoire de FM n’a pas affecté les variables d’alimentation et de rumination dans cette étude et la normalisation de ces variables était attribuable à la correction chirurgicale de la LDA.Le variabili di alimentazione e ruminazione sono state registrate utilizzando un sensore di pressione integrato nella fascia nasale di una cavezza in 60 vacche con abomaso dislocato a sinistra (LDA) prima e dopo la somministrazione post-operatoria di flunixina meglumine (FM). Il gruppo 1 comprendeva 9 vacche di controllo sane che sono state utilizzate per stabilire gli intervalli di riferimento. Il gruppo 2 comprendeva 60 vacche con LDA che avevano ricevuto uno dei seguenti tre trattamenti: soluzione salina per via endovenosa (2A, n=20), 1,1 mg/kg FM (2B, n=20) o 2,2 mg/kg FM (2C, n=20) una volta al giorno per 3 giorni dopo l’omentopessi del fianco destro. I tempi mediani per mangiare il giorno prima dell’intervento erano di 93 (2A), 80 (2B) e 114 (2C) min, e risultavano inferiori dell’intervallo di riferimento (da 246 a 381 min). Il giorno dopo l’intervento, i tempi di alimentazione erano aumentati significativamente a 201 (2A), 172 (2B) e 216 (2C) min, dopo di che hanno continuato ad aumentare. I tempi di alimentazione e di ruminazione, il numero di boli di mangime rigurgitati al giorno e i cicli di masticazione per bolo non differivano tra i gruppi trattati. La somministrazione post-operatoria di FM non ha influenzato le variabili di alimentazione e ruminazione in questo studio, e la normalizzazione di queste variabili era attribuibile alla correzione chirurgica della LDA.

Long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs, which are approved for male dogs and ferrets, have been used off-label to suppress estrus in bitches predisposed to the side effects of spaying. Health data from the past 12 years were evaluated from bitches without progestogen pretreatment that received deslorelin acetate (DA) to suppress estrus for the first time before the age of 4.5 years. The study population included 32 client-owned bitches repeatedly treated with either 4.7 mg or 9.4 mg DA implants for a period of 5.3 ± 3.4 years (range 0.5–11.3 years). Follow-up information concerning immediate side effects of DA occurring within five months after the first DA treatment (n = 23) as well as long-term side effects of sustained gonadal suppression occurring after five months up to three years (n = 2), three years up to five years (n = 2) or more than five years (n = 8) were assessed through a questionnaire. Treatment was considered successful if no major side effects requiring medical treatment occurred, which applied to 26 out of 32 (81 %) bitches. In the six remaining bitches, the following major side effects led to treatment discontinuation: persistent urinary incontinence (n = 1), reoccurring induced heat (n = 1), uterine disease (n = 3) and/or ovarian tumor (n = 3). The bitches recovered completely after surgical spaying and/or DA implant removal. Minor side effects that did not require therapy or affect animal welfare included body weight changes (n = 18), subtle behavioral changes (n = 13), induced heat (n = 12), coat changes (n = 11), pseudocyesis (n = 6), transient urinary incontinence (n = 4), and/or temporary thickening of the uterine wall with little anechogenic content (n = 2). To examine a possible causal relationship between adverse side effects and DA treatment, further studies should compare the frequency of pathologies between groups of GnRH-treated, intact and spayed bitches of similar breeds and ages. Nevertheless, DA application before the age of 4.5 years may be a means of postponing surgical spaying for several years in breeds at high risk for developing urinary incontinence. Before DA is used in bitches, owners should be fully informed regarding possible side effects.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal, hormonal, and fetal factors on early fetal volume (FV) measurements in mares obtained by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound. Furthermore, postpartum parameters were explored in regard to their association with early FV. For this purpose, 149 German warmblood mares that were artificially inseminated and confirmed to be pregnant between days 14–16 of gestation, were examined transrectally at day 45 ± 1 of gestation with the portable 3D ultrasound device Voluson® i (GE, Zipf, Austria). FV was calculated by using the extension software Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis (VOCAL™). Two different mixed linear models were used to analyze associations between the investigated maternal and fetal factors and the FV. Explanatory variables investigated in the first model were: maternal age, parity, maternal weight, and body condition score, type of pregnancy (recipient or biological mother), barren status (lactating or non-lactating), fetal sex, progesterone (P4) and equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) concentrations; and in the second model outcome variables such as gestational length, birth weight, placental weight, fetal sex, and abortion were included in the analysis. The final models revealed a significant relation between FV and eCG (b = 0.011, P = 0.030), as well as with P4 (b = −0.053, P = 0.016), but interestingly P4 was negatively related to FV. Fetal sex showed the most prominent effect on FV (b = −0.256, P = 0.039), with female fetuses being smaller than male fetuses. In the second model none of the investigated parameters were related to early FV except for fetal sex (b = -0.328, P = 0.047), again with female fetuses being smaller. In summary, it was found that FV is related with eCG, P4 and fetal sex, but was no suitable predicting factor for the investigated outcome parameters. Furthermore, the findings suggest that sex specific growth differences exist already in early gestation. The detailed biological mechanism by which P4 and eCG affect fetal size has to be investigated in prospective studies.

Background Although left and right displacement of the abomasum and abomasal volvulus are well-known disorders of cattle, a comparative evaluation of the clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic findings of these types of abomasal displacements has not been undertaken. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare these conditions in a large population of cows. The medical records of 1982 dairy cows with left displaced abomasum (LDA, n = 1341), right displaced absomasum (RDA, n = 338) and abomasal volvulus (AV, n = 303) were searched for the results of clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic evaluations. Results The main clinical findings were an abnormal demeanour in 48.2% of the cows, reduced rumen motility in 89.7% and decreased intestinal motility in 61.1%. Ballottement and simultaneous auscultation and percussion and simultaneous auscultation were positive on the left side in 96.9% of the cows with LDA and on the right in 98.5% of the cows with RDA and in 99.3% of the cows with AV. Ultrasonography was useful for diagnosing LDA in 97.9% of the cows and RDA/AV in 90.2% of the cows. The laboratory findings characteristic of abomasal reflux syndrome varied in severity; 83% of the cows had hypokalaemia, 67% had increased rumen chloride concentration, 67% had an increased base excess and 50% had haemoconcentration. Based on the clinical signs, a definitive diagnosis was made in 75.0% of the cows with LDA and in 22.5% of the cows with RDA/AV. Ultrasonography was required for a definitive diagnosis in another 22.0% of the cows with LDA and in 53.0% of the cows with RDA/AV. Laparotomy or postmortem examination was required for reliable differentiation of RDA and AV. Conclusions LDA, RDA and AV differ with respect to the severity and the frequency of several abnormal clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic findings as well as the methods required for a diagnosis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H

Background Nursing and sucking are essential for adequate nourishment of preweaned calves and the relationship between sucking indices has not been studied. The goal of this study was to investigate the number of sucks per litre of milk and per minute of drinking and the amount of milk ingested per suck in healthy preweaned calves. Correlation coefficients were calculated for the relationships between these variables. Eighteen healthy calves were used from birth to 5 weeks of age, and five measurements were made at the end of weeks 1 to 5. The calves were randomly divided into three groups and offered milk twice daily in a bucket with a rubber nipple. The amount of milk offered per day was equal to 12% of body weight in group A and 16% of body weight in group B. Calves in group C were offered as much milk as they wanted during each feeding period. The duration of drinking was determined with a stopwatch, and the number of sucks was counted with a handheld tally counter. The variables drinking duration, total amount consumed and the number of sucks required were used to calculate the number of sucks/min, the number of sucks/L, the amount ingested per suck and drinking speed. Results The number of sucks/min ranged from 113 to 133 and increased significantly during the study period. The mean number of sucks/L decreased from 204 in week 1 to 141 in week 5 and drinking speed increased from 0.6 to 1.0 L/min. There were significant correlations between the number of sucks/L of milk and the amount of milk ingested per suck, drinking duration, total amount consumed and drinking speed. Drinking speed was positively correlated with the amount of milk ingested per suck and the total amount of milk consumed, and negatively correlated with drinking duration. Conclusions These findings show that drinking variables of calves offered different amounts of milk vary little and significant changes occur during the same period with respect to the number of sucks/L of milk and the amount of milk ingested per suck. Several drinking variables are significantly correlated with other variables.

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a non-invasive real-time non-ionising imaging modality that has many applications. Since the first recorded use in 1978, the technology has become more widely used especially in human adult and neonatal critical care monitoring. Recently, there has been an increase in research on thoracic EIT in veterinary medicine. Real-time imaging of the thorax allows evaluation of ventilation distribution in anesthetised and conscious animals. As the technology becomes recognised in the veterinary community there is a need to standardize approaches to data collection, analysis, interpretation and nomenclature, ensuring comparison and repeatability between researchers and studies. A group of nineteen veterinarians and two biomedical engineers experienced in veterinary EIT were consulted and contributed to the preparation of this statement. The aim of this consensus is to provide an introduction to this imaging modality, to highlight clinical relevance and to include recommendations on how to effectively use thoracic EIT in veterinary species. Based on this, the consensus statement aims to address the need for a streamlined approach to veterinary thoracic EIT and includes: an introduction to the use of EIT in veterinary species, the technical background to creation of the functional images, a consensus from all contributing authors on the practical application and use of the technology, descriptions and interpretation of current available variables including appropriate statistical analysis, nomenclature recommended for consistency and future developments in thoracic EIT. The information provided in this consensus statement may benefit researchers and clinicians working within the field of veterinary thoracic EIT. We endeavor to inform future users of the benefits of this imaging modality and provide opportunities to further explore applications of this technology with regards to perfusion imaging and pathology diagnosis.

The reduction of antibiotic use in food producing animals becomes increasingly important. Therefore, suitable alternatives for mastitis treatment in dairy cows have to be considered. Oxytocin (OT) induces milk ejection and hence supports milk removal from infected mammary quarters. Beyond udder emptying, the injection of very high dosages of OT causes increased somatic cell counts (SCC) in milk and enables the transfer of immunoglobulins (Ig) from blood into milk through a reduced blood-milk barrier integrity. The aim of the present study was to investigate pathogen-specific changes of SCC, the blood derived milk components lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum albumin (SA), and IgG in milk of cows suffering from mastitis caused by different pathogens treated with two intravenous injections of high dosages of OT (100 IU). Milk samples from 184 dairy cows from different farms were collected on day 1 (day of clinical examination and mastitis diagnosis) and on days 2, 3, 14, and 28. Bacteriological examination (day 1) identified involved pathogens. Cows were randomly assigned to treatment (OT injections on days 1 and 2) or control group (no OT). Independently of the assigned experimental group, cows received the common therapy protocol of the veterinary practice after sample collection if the general condition was affected. Milk SCC, LDH, SA, and IgG changed specifically depending on involved pathogens. Highest values of all three parameters were measured in mastitis caused by Streptococcus uberis. Changes were less pronounced with other Streptococci spp., Staphylococci spp. or Corynebacterium bovis. Oxytocin treatment did not affect any of the studied parameters independent of the involved pathogen. Only in quarters infected with Staphylococci other than Staphylococcus aureus a decreased SCC and increased IgG concentrations in quarters, where no pathogens were detected, were observed. Thus, high dosage OT administration is obviously not suitable as a stand-alone mastitis treatment in dairy cows.Die Reduzierung des Antibiotikakonsums bei Tieren in der Lebensmittelproduktion wird immer wichtiger. Daher müssen geeignete Alternativen zur Mastitisbehandlung bei Milchkühen geprüft werden. Oxytocin (OT) induziert das Einschiessen der Milch in das Milchgangsystem und unterstützt somit das Ausmelken der Milch aus infizierten Vierteln der Milchdrüse. Über die Euterentleerung hinaus führt die Injektion sehr hoher OT-Dosierungen durch eine verringerte Integrität der Blut-Milch-Schranke zu einer erhöhten Anzahl somatischer Zellen (SCC) in der Milch und ermöglicht den Transfer von Immunglobulinen (Ig) aus der Blutbahn in die Milch. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es, bei an Mastitis erkrankten und mit zwei hohen Dosen Oxytocin (100 IE iv.) behandelten Kühen, in Abhängigkeit des Pathogens die Veränderungen von SCC, den aus Blut stammenden Milchkomponenten Lactatdehydrogenase (LDH), Serumalbumin (SA) und IgG in Milch zu untersuchen. Milchproben von 184 Milchkühen aus verschiedenen Betrieben wurden am Tag 1 (Tag der klinischen Untersuchung und Mastitisdiagnose) und an den Tagen 2, 3, 14 und 28 entnommen. Der Nachweis der Krankheitserreger erfolgte mittels einer bakteriologischen Untersuchung (Tag 1). Die Kühe wurden zufällig der Behandlungs- (OT-Injektionen an den Tagen 1 und 2) oder der Kontrollgruppe (kein OT) zugeordnet. Unabhängig von der zugewiesenen Versuchsgruppe wurden die Kühe mit reduziertem Allgemeinzustand nach der Probenentnahme gemäss dem Therapieprotokoll der Tierarztpraxis behandelt. Milch-SCC, LDH, SA und IgG änderten sich spezifisch in Abhängigkeit der beteiligten Pathogene. Die höchsten Werte aller drei Parameter wurden bei durch Streptococcus uberis verursachten Mastitiden gemessen. Die Veränderungen waren bei Streptococci spp., Staphylococci spp. oder Corynebacterium bovis weniger ausgeprägt. Unabhängig vom verursachenden Pathogen hatte die Oxytocin-Behandlung keinen Einfluss auf einen der untersuchten Parameter. Einzig bei Mastitiden verursacht durch andere Staphylokokken als Staphylococcus aureus wurden eine verminderte SCC gemessen und bei Mastitiden ohne Nachweis eines Pathogens konnte eine erhöhte IgG-Konzentration beobachtet werden. Daher ist eine hochdosierte OT-Verabreichung nicht als eigenständige Mastitisbehandlung bei Milchkühen geeignet.La réduction de l’utilisation d’antibiotiques chez les animaux destinés à l’alimentation devient de plus en plus importante. Par conséquent, des alternatives appropriées au traitement des mammites chez les vaches laitières doivent être envisagées. L’ocytocine (OT) induit l’éjection du lait et favorise donc l’élimination du lait des quartiers infectés. Au-delà de la vidange de la mamelle, l’injection de doses très élevées d’OT entraîne une augmentation du nombre de cellules somatiques (CSC) dans le lait et permet le transfert d’immunoglobulines (Ig) du sang vers le lait grâce à une réduction de l’intégrité de la barrière sang-lait. Le but de la présente étude était d’étudier les changements spécifiques aux agents pathogènes du CSC, les composants du lait dérivés du sang que sont la lactate déshydrogénase (LDH) et l’albumine sérique (SA) ainsi que les IgG dans le lait de vaches souffrant de mammites causées par différents agents pathogènes traités par deux injections intraveineuses de doses élevées d’OT (100 UI). Des échantillons de lait de 184 vaches laitières de différentes exploitations ont été prélevés au jour 1 (jour de l’examen clinique et diagnostic de mammite) et aux jours 2, 3, 14 et 28. L’examen bactériologique (jour 1) a identifié les agents pathogènes impliqués. Les vaches ont été assignées au hasard au traitement (injections d’OT les jours 1 et 2) ou au groupe témoin (pas d’OT). Indépendamment du groupe auquel elles étaient attribuées, les vaches ont reçu le protocole thérapeutique usuel du cabinet vétérinaire après le prélèvement de l’échantillon si leur état général était affecté. Le CSC, la LDH, la SA et les IgG du lait ont varié spécifiquement en fonction des agents pathogènes impliqués. Les valeurs les plus élevées des trois paramètres ont été mesurées dans les mammites causées par Streptococcus uberis. Les changements étaient moins prononcés avec d’autres Streptococci spp., Staphylococci spp. ou Corynebacterium bovis. Le traitement à l’ocytocine n’a affecté aucun des paramètres étudiés indépendamment de l’agent pathogène impliqué. On a uniquement observé, dans les mammites causées par des staphylocoques autres que Staphylococcus aureus, une diminution du CSC et, dans les mammites où aucun agent pathogène n’a été détecté, une augmentation des concentrations d’IgG dans les quartiers. Ainsi, l’administration d’OT à forte dose n’est pas appropriée comme traitement unique des mammites chez les vaches laitières.La riduzione dell’uso di antibiotici negli animali per la produzione alimentare sta assumendo un’importanza sempre maggiore. Di conseguenza, è opportuno considerare delle alternative adeguate per il trattamento della mastite nelle vacche da latte. L’ossitocina (OT) induce l’eiezione del latte e quindi aiuta la rimozione di questo dai quarti mammari infetti. L’iniezione di dosi molto elevate di OT provoca non solo lo svuotamento della mammella, ma pure un aumento del numero di cellule somatiche (SCC) nel latte permettendo quindi il trasferimento di immunoglobuline (Ig) dal sangue al latte attraverso una ridotta integrità della barriera tra sangue e latte. Lo scopo del presente studio era di esaminare i cambiamenti patogeno-dipendenti dal SCC, i componenti del latte derivati dal sangue del lattato deidrogenasi (LDH), l’albumina del siero (SA) e le IgG nel latte, delle vacche affette da mastite causata da diversi patogeni e trattate con due iniezioni intravenose ad alti dosaggi di OT (100 UI). I campioni di latte provenienti da 184 vacche da latte di diverse aziende sono stati raccolti il giorno 1 (giorno dell’esame clinico e della diagnosi di mastite) e nei giorni 2, 3, 14 e 28. L’esame batteriologico (giorno 1) ha identificato gli agenti patogeni coinvolti. Le vacche sono state assegnate in modo casuale al gruppo con il trattamento (iniezioni di OT il giorno 1 e 2) o al gruppo di controllo (nessuna OT). Indipendentemente dal gruppo sperimentale assegnato, se dopo la raccolta del campione le condizioni generali dell’animale risultavano compromesse, le vacche ricevevano un comune protocollo terapeutico dello studio veterinario. Si è rilevato che a seconda degli agenti patogeni coinvolti, l’SCC del latte, la LDH, la SA e le IgG cambiavano in modo specifico. I valori più alti fra tutti e tre i parametri sono stati misurati in caso di mastite causata da Streptococcus uberis. I cambiamenti erano meno pronunciati con gli Streptococchi spp., Staphylococci spp. o Corynebacterium bovis. Si è notato che il trattamento con ossitocina non influenzava nessuno dei parametri studiati, indipendentemente dal patogeno coinvolto. Si è osservato nei quarti infettati da stafilococchi diversi dallo Staphylococcus aureus una diminuzione della SCC mentre nei quarti dove non venivano rilevati agenti patogeni si evidenziava un aumento delle concentrazioni di IgG. Pertanto, la somministrazione di OT ad alto dosaggio non è ovviamente adatta al trattamento stand-alone della mastite nelle vacche da latte.

In standing dairy cows, the medial claws carry most of the load of the forelimb. The goal of our experimental study was to investigate how even load distribution can be achieved between the paired forelimb claws through foot trimming. We measured vertical ground reaction forces, mean and maximum pressures, and contact areas under the sound forelimb claws of 28 nonlame dairy cows using a force plate and a pressure plate. The experimental setup consisted of 3 measurement situations: (1) baseline measurements made after routine foot trimming, (2) measurements made with plywood plates, 3 mm in thickness, attached to both lateral claws, and (3) measurements made with the same plywood plates attached to both medial claws. After routine foot trimming, the medial claws carried 70.1% of the entire forelimb load with its palmar zone bearing 54.0% of the entire forelimb load. Even load distribution between the paired claws was achieved when the plywood plates were attached to the lateral claws, whereas plates on the medial claws increased the load discrepancy. The pressures on the medial claws were reduced by attaching the plywood plates to the lateral claws but remained uneven between paired claws and claw zones. The palmar zone of the medial claws was the region subjected to the greatest force and highest pressures in all situations. A drawback of the study was that the plywood plates increased the contact area and therefore reduced the mean and maximum pressures in the claws they were attached to. We concluded that equal load distribution between the forelimb claws was achieved in our setting when the lateral claws were left 3 mm higher than the medial claws.

BackgroundIn cows with acute toxic mastitis (ATM), the leukogram aids in the assessment of the severity of disease. The goal of our study was to compare the leukogram of 158 cows with ATM (cases) and 168 clinically healthy cows (controls). We hypothesised that the leukograms of surviving and non-surviving cows differ and that there are variables of the leukogram with sufficient prognostic potential to be used in the decision to treat or not to treat a cow with ATM. The cows were examined clinically and underwent haematological and biochemical examination of blood and bacteriological culture of milk samples.ResultsAll cows with ATM had a poor appetite or anorexia, and 34 cows (21.5%) were recumbent. A single quarter was affected in 119 cows (75.3%), two quarters in 37 cows (23.4%) and three quarters in two cows (1.3%). Bacteriological culture showed Gram-negative pathogens in 100 cows (63.3%), Gram-positive in 15 (9.5%) and yeast in 4 (2.5%). The median total leukocyte count of cases was 4300 cells/µL (interquartile range = 2300–8200/µL), which was significantly lower than 8000 cells/µL (6525–9300/µL) in controls. Except for band neutrophils and metamyelocytes, the counts of all components of the leukogram were lower in cases compared with controls. Significantly more cows with ATM had leukopenia (60.1 vs. 4.1%) or leukocytosis (10.1 vs. 3.0%) than controls. Diseased cows had significantly lower segmented neutrophil counts than controls (860 vs. 2598 cells/µL), and 69.5 and 17.3%, respectively, had counts below the reference interval. Cases had increased band (77.3%) and metamyelocyte (25.0%) counts compared with controls (0.6 and 0%, respectively). In diseased cows, eosinopenia occurred in 66.4% (controls, 1.8%), monocytopenia in 40.6% (4.2%) and lymphopenia in 60.2% (1.8%). Twenty-one diseased cows (16.4%) had a regenerative and 57 (44.5%) had a degenerative left shift. The median neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was 0.97 in diseased cows and 0.63 in controls. Toxic changes in neutrophils including cytoplasmic basophilia and vacuolisation were seen in 101 (91.8%) of 110 blood smears of diseased cows. The leukogram of the surviving and non-surviving cows did not differ significantly, and the hypothesis was rejected.ConclusionsATM results in severe changes in the leukogram particularly leukopenia, lymphopenia, and degenerative left shift. The hypothesis that the leukograms of surviving and non-surviving cows differ was rejected. The leukogram has not sufficient prognostic potential to be used in the decision to treat or not to treat a cow with ATM.

Advantages of pangenomes over linear reference assemblies for genome research have recently been established. However, potential effects of sequence platform and assembly approach, or of combining assemblies created by different approaches, on pangenome construction have not been investigated. Here we generate haplotype-resolved assemblies from the offspring of three bovine trios representing increasing levels of heterozygosity that each demonstrate a substantial improvement in contiguity, completeness, and accuracy over the current Bos taurus reference genome. Diploid coverage as low as 20x for HiFi or 60x for ONT is sufficient to produce two haplotype-resolved assemblies meeting standards set by the Vertebrate Genomes Project. Structural variant-based pangenomes created from the haplotype-resolved assemblies demonstrate significant consensus regardless of sequence platform, assembler algorithm, or coverage. Inspecting pangenome topologies identifies 90 thousand structural variants including 931 overlapping with coding sequences; this approach reveals variants affecting QRICH2, PRDM9, HSPA1A, TAS2R46, and GC that have potential to affect phenotype., Nature Communications, 13 (1), ISSN:2041-1723

Zusammenfassung Gegenstand und Ziel Kühe mit Labmagenulkus und Reticuloperitonitis traumatica (RPT) weisen zum Teil ähnliche Laborbefunde auf. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchung war es, die Häufigkeit der individuellen Laborparameter bei Kühen mit Reticuloperitonitis traumatica, Labmagenulkus Typ 1 (U1), Typ 2 (U2), Typ 3 (U3), Typ 4 (U4) und Typ 5 (U5) miteinander zu vergleichen und die diagnostische Zuverlässigkeit der verschiedenen Parameter zu berechnen. Material und Methoden Die Untersuchungen wurden an 182 gesunden Kontrollkühen (Kontrollen), 503 Kühen mit RPT, 94 mit U1, 145 mit U2, 60 mit U3, 87 mit U4 und 14 mit U5 durchgeführt. Ausgewertet wurden Hämatokrit, Leukozytenzahl, Gesamtprotein, Fibrinogen, Harnstoff, Kalium, Chlorid, Basenabweichung und Pansenchlorid. Die Häufigkeitsverteilungen aller Parameter wurden für die gesunden Kontrollkühe und die 6 Krankheitsgruppen miteinander verglichen. Danach wurden für alle Parameter die Zuverlässigkeitsparameter (diagnostische Sensitivität, diagnostische Spezifität, prädiktive Werte, positive Likelihood Ratio [LR+]) berechnet. Ergebnisse Außerhalb der Referenzbereiche liegende Laborwerte kamen je nach Parameter in 2 bis 24 % der Fälle auch bei gesunden Kühen vor (Pansenchlorid 2 %, Harnstoff 6 %, Serumchlorid 11 %, Hämatokrit 13 %, Basenabweichung 18 %, Fibrinogen 20 %, Gesamteiweiß 21 %, Gesamtleukozytenzahl 22 %, Kalium 24 %) und erschwerten so die Differenzierung zwischen «gesund» und «krank». Am besten eigneten sich für die Differenzierung das Pansenchlorid und der Serumharnstoff, da beide Parameter nur in 2 bzw. 6 % der gesunden Kühe verändert waren. Dies wurde auch unterstützt durch eine LR+ von 14 bis 27 für eine Pansenchloridkonzentration > 30 mmol/l und eine Serumharnstoffkonzentration > 6,5 mmol/l bei Kühen mit Labmagenulzera. Die Serumharnstoffkonzentration wies auch eine hohe diagnostische Spezifität auf und war wie die Pansenchloridkonzentration zur Differenzierung zwischen gesunden und kranken Kühen geeignet. Die Harnstoffkonzentration lag nur bei 0,5 % der Kontrollkühe > 8,5 mmol/l und die LR+ für eine Harnstoffkonzentration > 8,5 mmol/l variierte zwischen 11 bei Kühen mit RPT und 128 bei Kühen mit U2. Mit Ausnahme der RPT-Kühe trat eine Azotämie bei kranken Kühen signifikant häufiger als bei gesunden auf. Kühe mit U2 wiesen mit 70 % der Fälle signifikant häufiger Harnstoffkonzentrationen > 8,5 mmol/l als die Kühe aller anderen Gruppen auf. Obschon sich die Häufigkeiten abnormer Parameter zwischen den Krankheitsgruppen in vielen Fällen signifikant unterschieden, konnten keine Parameter zu deren zuverlässigen Differenzierung eruiert werden. Schlussfolgerung Einzelbefunde eignen sich nicht, um zwischen verschiedenen Krankheiten zu differenzieren. Klinische Relevanz Für die Diagnose der RPT und der Labmagenulzera der Typen 1 bis 5 ist die Gesamtheit aller Laborwerte unter Einbezug der klinischen Befunde, eines ausführlichen Vorberichts und oft auch weiterer Befunde wie z. B. des Haubenröntgens, der Sonographie und der Bauchhöhlenpunktion erforderlich. In vielen Fällen kann eine sichere Diagnose erst bei der Laparotomie bzw. der Sektion korrekt gestellt werden.

Embryo cryopreservation ensures that genetic biodiversity is preserved over time. This study evaluates the survival of donkey embryos subjected to slow freezing and vitrification after thawing and in vitro culture. Seven-day-old in vivo produced donkey embryos were subjected to slow freezing (SF, N = 14) or vitrification (VIT, N = 22). After one year of cryopreservation, embryos were warmed, washed and placed in incubation for in vitro culture (IVC). In order to assess the embryo viability, the quality grade and developmental stage were recorded after thawing and after 24 and 48 h of IVC. Eleven embryos (SF = 4 and VIT = 7) were incubated under a time-lapse camera, for up to 68 h, in order to determine the area and growth. The survival rate was not influenced by the procedure but by the developmental stage: after 48 h of IVC blastocyst survival rate (1/8, 12.5%) was significantly lower compared to both morulas (8/12, 66.7%) and early blastocysts (11/16, 68.7%) (P < 0.05). Embryo diameter class at recovery did not significantly influence the survival rate. In terms of the embryos that were judged to be alive after 48 h of IVC, quality grade 1 was observed in 7/8 (88%) and 4/12 (33%) of the SF and VIT embryos, respectively (P < 0.05). After time-lapse analysis, the IVC embryo area as well as growth percentage were statistically higher in the SF than the VIT embryos (P < 0.05). In conclusion, no difference in survival rates was found between the two cryopreservation procedures, although embryo quality was more negatively affected by vitrification.

In a proof of concept, PCV2-specific IgG-antibodies from testicular tissue fluid of seven-day-old castrated piglets were measured to verify the vaccination status of their mothers. Twelve randomly selected sows were vaccinated twice during the last third of gestation with a PCV2 vaccine, while ten controls received only adjuvant. PCV2- specific IgG-antibody titers of serum and colostrum from the sows were correlated with PCV2-specific IgG-antibody titers of serum and testicular tissue fluid of their castrated male offspring. Vaccinated sows showed significantly higher average PCV2-specific IgG-antibody titers in serum (29250 ELISA units, EU) and colostrum (65410 EU) compared to 980 EU and 2630 EU of the control group, respectively. Moreover, significantly higher average concentrations of antibodies were also measured in the serum (9362 EU vs. 247 EU) and the testicular tissue fluid (4022 EU vs. 354 EU) of piglets from vaccinated compared to piglets from adjuvant administered sows. Importantly, a strong linear correlation between PCV2-specific IgG-antibodies in the serum of the piglets and in their testicular tissue fluid was found (rs = 0.9148). PCV2-specific IgG-antibody titers of testicular tissue fluid from five randomly selected piglets allowed the determination of the vaccination status of the herd with a reliability of 98% for vaccinated and 73% for unvaccinated sows. Furthermore, using castration waste products is a very animal friendly method to replace painful and time-consuming blood samplings for herd monitoring or to verify vaccination status.In einem „proof of concept“ wurden PCV2-spezifische IgG-Antikörper in Hodengewebe-Flüssigkeit von sieben Tage alten, kastrierten Ferkeln zur Verifizierung des Impfstatus von Muttersauen gemessen. Zwölf zufällig ausgewählte Muttersauen wurde zweimal während des letzten Trächtigkeitsdrittels ein PCV2-Impfstoff und zehn Muttersauen zur Kontrolle nur Adjuvans appliziert. PCV2-spezifische Antikörpertiter von Serum und Kolostrum der Sauen wurde mit Serum und Hodengewebeflüssigkeit ihrer kastrierten Nachkommen verglichen. Geimpfte Sauen hatten mit 29250 ELISA- Units (EU) im Serum und 65410 EU im Kolostrum signifikant höhere PCV2 spezifische IgG-Antikörpertiter verglichen mit den Serum- (980 EU) respektive den Kolostrumtitern (2630 EU) der Kontrollsauen. Ferkel von geimpften Sauen wiesen mit 9362 EU im Serum und 4022 EU in der Hodengewebeflüssigkeit ebenfalls signifikant höhere Antikörper-Konzentrationen auf als Ferkel von Adjuvans behandelten Kontrollsauen, welche mit 247 EU im ­Serum und 354 EU in der Hodengewebeflüssigkeit aufwiesen. Es bestand eine hohe lineare Korrelation zwischen PCV2-spezifischen IgG- Antikörper Titern im Serum und den Titern in der Hodengewebeflüssigkeit (rs = 0,9148). Der Nachweis von PCV2-spezifischen IgG-Antikörper-Titern in der Hodengewebeflüssigkeit von fünf zufällig ausgewählten Ferkeln erlaubte eine korrekte Identifizierung des Impfstatus einer Herde mit einer Zuverlässigkeit von 98% bei den geimpften und 73% bei den nicht geimpften Sauen. Die Resultate zeigen, dass anstelle zeitaufwändiger und belastender Blutprobenentnahmen, Hodengewebe von kastrierten Ferkeln für Monitoringzwecke oder zur Feststellung des Impfstatus bei den Sauen verwendet werden könnte.Dans une preuve de concept, les anticorps IgG spécifiques au PCV2 provenant de liquide tissulaire testiculaire de porcelets castrés âgés de sept jours ont été mesurés pour vérifier le statut vaccinal de leur mère. Douze truies sélectionnées au hasard ont été vaccinées deux fois au cours du dernier tiers de la gestation avec un vaccin PCV2, tandis que dix témoins n’ont reçu que l’adjuvant. Les titres d’anticorps IgG spécifiques au PCV2 dans le sérum et le colostrum des truies étaient corrélés avec les titres d’anticorps IgG spécifiques au PCV2 dans le sérum et le liquide tissulaire testiculaire de leur progéniture mâle castrée. Les truies vaccinées ont montré des titres moyens d’anticorps IgG spécifiques au PCV2 significativement plus élevés dans le sérum (29250 unités ELISA, UE) et le colostrum (65410 UE) par rapport à respectivement 980 UE et 2630 UE dans le groupe témoin. De plus, des concentrations moyennes d’anticorps significativement plus élevées ont également été mesurées dans le sérum (9362 EU contre 247 EU) et le liquide tissulaire testiculaire (4022 EU contre 354 EU) de porcelets vaccinés par rapport aux porcelets de truies n’ayant reçu que l’adjuvant. Il est important de noter une forte corrélation linéaire entre les anticorps IgG spécifiques au PCV2 dans le sérum des porcelets et ceux présents dans leur liquide tissulaire testiculaire (rs = 0,9148). Les titres d’anticorps IgG spécifiques au PCV2 dans le liquide tissulaire testiculaire provenant de cinq porcelets sélectionnés au hasard ont permis de déterminer le statut vaccinal du troupeau avec une fiabilité de 98% pour les truies vaccinées et 73% pour les truies non vaccinées. De plus, l’utilisation de déchets de castration est une méthode très respectueuse des animaux pour remplacer les douloureux et longs prélèvements sanguins pour la surveillance du troupeau ou pour vérifier le statut vaccinal.Con una prova di fattibilità, sono stati calcolati gli anticorpi IgG specifici per PCV2 nel liquido testicolare del tessuto testicolare di suinetti di sette giorni castrati, per verificare lo stato di vaccinazione delle scrofe. Dodici scrofe selezionate a caso sono state vaccinate due volte durante l’ultimo trimestre di gestazione con PCV2, mentre dieci hanno ricevuto il solo coadiuvante. I titoli anticorpali specifici PCV2 del siero e del colostro delle scrofe sono stati comparati a quelli del siero e del liquido tissutale testicolare della loro discendenza maschile castrata. Con 29250 unità ELISA (EU) nel siero e 65410 EU nel colostro, le scrofe vaccinate avevano titoli anticorpali IgG specifici per PCV2 significativamente più elevati rispetto ai titoli sierici (980 EU) e del colostro (2630 EU) delle scrofe di controllo. I suinetti provenienti da scrofe vaccinate avevano concentrazioni di anticorpi significativamente più elevate con 9362 EU nel siero e 4022 EU nel liquido tissutale testicolare rispetto ai suinetti provenienti dalle scrofe di controllo trattate con coadiuvanti, che avevano 247 EU nel siero e 354 EU nel liquido tissutale testicolare. È importante notare che è stata trovata una forte correlazione lineare tra gli anticorpi IgG specifici per PCV2 nel siero dei suinetti e nel loro liquido tissutale testicolare (rs = 0,9148). I titoli di anticorpi IgG specifici per PCV2 del liquido tissutale testicolare di cinque suinetti selezionati a caso hanno permesso di determinare lo stato di vaccinazione della mandria con un’affidabilità del 98% per le scrofe vaccinate e del 73% per le scrofe non vaccinate. I risultati mostrano che invece di un campionamento del sangue lungo e doloroso, il tessuto tissutale testicolare dei suinetti castrati potrebbe essere utilizzato per il monitoraggio o per determinare lo stato di vaccinazione delle scrofe.

Zusammenfassung Ziel Das Ziel dieser Studie war, erstmals zweidimensionale (2D) und dreidimensionale (3D) transrektale Ultraschalluntersuchungen (USU) hinsichtlich ihrer Richtigkeit und dem zeitlichen Aufwand zur Geschlechtsdiagnose bei Pferdefeten zu vergleichen. Material und Methoden Zu diesem Zweck wurden 47 Stuten zwischen den Tagen 58 und 115 der Gravidität zunächst einer 2D-USU unterzogen, um das fetale Geschlecht anhand der Lokalisation des Genitaltuberkels oder dem Vorhandensein von äußeren Geschlechtsteilen zu ermitteln. Im Folgenden wurden 3D-Bilder des Fetus angefertigt und anschließend an einem PC ausgewertet. Ergebnisse Der beste Zeitraum zur Geschlechtsbestimmung war zwischen dem 58. und 79. Graviditätstag mit 77 % (2D-USU und 3D-Bild-Auswertung) korrekten Diagnosen. Durch wiederholtes Auswerten der 3D-Bilder konnte eine Steigerung richtiger Diagnosen um 16 % erzielt werden. Der zusätzliche Zeitaufwand für die 3D-USU und die 3D-Bild-Auswertung betrug etwa 6–7 Minuten pro Stute. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz Die Ergebnisse der Studie zeigen, dass die 3D- gegenüber der 2D-Sonografie die Zuverlässigkeit der transrektalen Geschlechtsbestimmung erhöht. Erfahrenen Untersuchern bringt die 3D-Ultraschalltechnik jedoch keine entscheidenden Vorteile und ist zudem zeitaufwendiger.

In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes has still a negative impact on the developmental competence of oocytes. Therefore, this study analysed the cumulus proteome of individual cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) with and without maturational competence, matured under in vivo or in vitro conditions (n = 5 per group). A novel, ultrasensitive mass spectrometry (MS) based protein profiling approach, using label-free quantification, was applied. The detected cumulus proteome included 2226 quantifiable proteins and was highly influenced by the maturation condition (479 differentially expressed proteins) as well as maturational competence of the corresponding oocyte (424 differentially expressed proteins). Enrichment analysis showed an overrepresentation of the complement and coagulation cascades (CCC), ECM-receptor interaction and steroid biosynthesis in cumulus of COCs that matured successfully under in vivo conditions. Verification of the origin of CCC proteins was achieved through detection of C3 secretion into the maturation medium, with significantly increasing concentrations from 12 (48.4 ng/ml) to 24 hours (68 ng/ml: p 100x higher. In summary, this study identified important pathways that are impaired in IVM cumulus, as well as potential markers of the maturational competence of oocytes., Scientific Reports, 10 (1), ISSN:2045-2322

This study included 94 cows aged 2.1 to 12.0 years (5.2 ± 2.05 years) that were examined at a referral clinic because of type-1 abomasal ulcer. The most common clinical findings were poor general health status (94%), partial or complete anorexia (93%), congested scleral vessels (89%), decreased skin surface temperature (76%), decreased or absent faecal output (72%), abdominal guarding (59%), tachypnoea (56%), rumen atony (53%) and positive percussion and simultaneous auscultation and/or ballottement and simultaneous auscultation on the right side (53%). The most common laboratory findings were hypokalaemia (68%), positive base excess (60%) and azotaemia (51%). The chloride concentration of rumen fluid was increased in 48% of the cows. The diagnosis of type-1 ulcer was made during laparotomy and/or postmortem examination. One or more concurrent diseases were diagnosed in 97% of the cows. Seventy-eight (83%) cows were euthanased immediately after the initial examination, during laparotomy or after unsuccessful treatment, and eight (8.5%) cows died, and all were examined postmortem. Eight (8.5%) cows were discharged and six of these made a complete recovery.Die vorliegende Untersuchung umfasst 94 Kühe im Alter von 2.1 bis 12.0 Jahren (5.2 ± 2.05 Jahre), die wegen eines Labmagenulkus Typ 1 untersucht wurden. Die häufigsten klinischen Befunde waren in abnehmender Reihenfolge gestörtes Allgemeinbefinden (94%), stark reduzierte bis aufgehobene Fresslust (93%), injizierte Skleralgefässe (89%), kühle Körperoberfläche (76%), reduzierte oder fehlende Kotmenge (72%), gespannte Bauchdecke (59%), Tachypnoe (56%), Pansenatonie (53%) und positive Perkussions- und/oder Schwing­auskultation rechts (53%). Als häufigste abnorme Blutbefunde wurden Hypokaliämie (68%), positive Basenabweichung (60%) und Azotämie (51%) festgestellt. Die Chloridkonzentration im Pansensaft war bei 48% erhöht. Die Diagnose eines U1 erfolgte bei der Laparotomie und/oder der pathologisch-anatomischen Untersuchung. Bei 97% der Kühe wurden eine, zwei oder mehr weitere Krankheiten diagnostiziert. Von den 94 untersuchten Kühen wurden 86 (91%) unmittelbar nach der Eintrittsuntersuchung, während der Laparotomie oder nach einem erfolglosen Therapieversuch euthanasiert und seziert. Acht Kühe (9%) wurden erfolgreich behandelt und gesund nach Hause entlassen. Sechs Kühe erholten sich vollständig.La présente étude a inclus 94 vaches âgées de 2,1 à 12,0 ans (5,2 ± 2,05 ans) qui ont été examinées dans une clinique de référence en raison d’un ulcère de la caillette de type 1. Les signes cliniques les plus courants étaient un mauvais état de santé général (94%), une anorexie partielle ou complète (93%), des vaisseaux scléraux congestionnés (89%), une diminution de la température de la surface de la peau (76%), une diminution ou une absence de débit fécal (72%), une défense abdominale (59%), de la tachypnée (56%), une atonie du rumen (53%) et une percussion positive avec auscultation simultanée (PSA) et / ou ballottement et auscultation simultanée (BSA) du côté droit (53%). Les résultats de laboratoire les plus courants étaient l’hypokaliémie (68%), l’excès de base positif (60%) et l’azotémie (51%). La concentration en chlorure du liquide du rumen a augmenté chez 48% des vaches. Le diagnostic d’ulcère de type 1 a été posé lors de la laparotomie et/ou de l’autopsie. Une ou plusieurs maladies concomitantes ont été diagnostiquées chez 97% des vaches. Soixante-dix-huit vaches (83%) ont été euthanasiées immédiatement après l’examen initial, pendant la laparotomie ou après un traitement infructueux, et huit vaches (8,5%) sont mortes. Toutes ont été examinées post-mortem. Huit vaches (8,5%) sont sorties de clinique et six d’entre elles ont complètement récupéré.Questo studio comprende 94 bovini di età compresa tra i 2.1 e i 12.0 anni (5.2 ± 2.05 anni) affetti da ulcera abomasale di tipo 1 esaminati in una clinica di referenza. I più comuni risultati clinici rilevavano di un povero stato di salute (94%), anoressia parziale o completa (93%), vasi sclerali congestionati (89%), diminuzione della temperature superficiale della pelle (76%), diminuzione o assenza di feci (72%), rigida parete addominale (59%), tachipnea (56%), atonia del rumine (53%) e/o una positive percussione e auscultazione simultanea (PSA) e/o ballottamento e auscultazione simultanea (BSA) a destra (53%). Il risultato di laboratorio più comune era ipopotassiemia (68%), eccesso di basi positive 60%) e azotemia 51%). La concentrazione cloridrica del liquido ruminale era aumentata nel 48% dei bovini. La diagnosi di ulcera dei tipo 1 è stata fatta durante la ­laparotomia e/o un esame post mortem. Una o più ­malattie concomitanti sono state diagnosticate nel 97% dei bovini. Settantotto (83%) bovini sono stati eutanasiati immediatamente dopo il primo esame, durante la laparotomia o dopo un tentativo terapeutico senza successo e 8 (8.5%) dei bovini sono morti e sono stati esaminati post mortem. Otto (8.5%) dei bovini sono stati dimessi e sei di questi si sono ristabiliti completamente.

Objectives Deslorelin 4.7 mg and melatonin 18 mg subcutaneous implants were studied in purebred male and female cats, via questionnaires sent to French cat breeders, to assess breed, age, duration of the contraceptive effect, fertility after use, changes in behaviour and side effects. Methods Reproductive data were collected in 57 tom cats and 41 queens implanted with deslorelin 4.7 mg, and 42 queens implanted with melatonin 18 mg, for a total of 140 purebred cats, from 38 different catteries, representing 18 breeds. Results Using deslorelin (Suprelorin 4.7 mg; Virbac), sexual behaviour in males was inhibited for a mean ± SD of 13.4 ± 3.2 (range 8–21) months in 37/57 cats. Of these, 24/37 mated successfully and produced litters at a mean of 15.5 ± 3.6 (range 9–20) months. Inhibition lasted 11 ± 1.1 (range 9–12; n = 6), 13.2 ± 2.4 (range 12–18; n = 6) and 15 ± 3.5 (range 9–18; n = 6) months in Norwegian Forest Cat, Singapura and Ragdoll males, respectively. In 26/41 females implanted with deslorelin 4.7 mg, oestrus was inhibited for a mean of 16.0 ± 5.7 (8–38) months; 12/26 went on to produce a litter. Of the side effects specific to females: two presented persistent oestrus, leading to the removal of the implant; two developed lactation; one had fibroadenomatosis; and one was sterilised owing to cystic endometrial hyperplasia. Using melatonin (Melovine 18 mg; Ceva), 33/42 females had oestrus inhibited for a mean of 86 ± 50 (range 21–277) days after implantation with a peak return to oestrus in March, and 12/33 had a subsequent litter. No side effects were reported. Conclusions and relevance This study is the first to collect a large amount of field data, in 140 purebred male and female cats where a deslorelin 4.7 mg or a melatonin 18 mg implant was used. These field results may allow for more accurate clinical advice and open up new avenues of research.

A Gram-stain-positive bacterial strain, designated LMM-1653T, was isolated from a uterus swab from a Holstein Frisian dairy cow in the frame of a clinical sampling trial. The isolated strain, which showed a rod to coccoid shape, was catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, its closest relatives were Corynebacterium flavescens and Corynebacterium argatoratense (96.50 % similarity each), suggesting that this isolate represents a novel species. Strain LMM-1653T had a quinone system consisting mainly of menaquinones MK-8(H2) and MK-9(H2). The polar lipid profile showed presence of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol-mannoside as well as one unidentified glycolipid and one unidentified aminoglycolipid. Moderate to minor amounts of three unidentified glycolipids, beta-gentiobiosyl diacylglycerol, one unidentified aminoglycolipid and three unidentified lipids without a functional group were also found. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the strain also contained corynemycolic acids. The fatty acid profile was predominantly composed of straight-chain, saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids, dominated by C18 : 1omega9c and C16 : 0. Since this isolate differs from the nearest related established Corynebacterium species in its genetic and phenotypic traits, a novel species named Corynebacterium endometrii LMM-1653T (=LMG-31164T=CCM 8952T) of the genus Corynebacterium is proposed.

Actinobacillus (A.) pleuropneumoniae is the etiological agent of porcine pleuropneumonia, a respiratory infectious disease responsible for global economic losses in the pig industry. From a monitoring perspective as well as due to the different courses of disease associated to the various serovars, it is essential to distinguish them in different herds or countries. In this study, we developed a novel high resolution melting (HRM) assay based on reference strains for each of the 19 known serovars and additional 15 clinical A. pleuropneumoniae isolates. The novel HRM comprises the species-specific APP-HRM1 and two serovar-specific HRM assays (APP-HRM2 and APP-HRM3). APP-HRM1 allowed PCR amplification of apxIV resulting in an A. pleuropneumoniae specific melting curve, while nadV specific primers clearly differentiated biovar 2 from biovar 1 isolates. Using APP-HRM2 and APP-HRM3, 13 A. pleuropneumoniae serovars can be determined inspecting the assigned melting temperature. In contrast, serovar 3 and 14, serovar 9 and 11, and serovar 5 and 15 have partly overlapping melting temperatures and thus represent a challenge to accurately distinguish them. Consequently, to unambiguously ensure the correct assignment of the serovar, it is recommended to perform the serotyping HRM assay using a positive control for each serovar. This rapid and user-friendly assay showed high sensitivity with 1.25 fg - 125 pg of input DNA and a specificity of 100% to identify A. pleuropneumoniae. Characteristic melting patterns of amplicons might allow detecting new serovars. The novel HRM assay has the potential to be implemented in diagnostic laboratories for better surveillance of this pathogen.

Borna disease (BD), a frequently fatal neurologic disorder caused by Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1), has been observed for decades in horses, sheep, and other mammals in certain regions of Europe. The bicoloured white-toothed shrew (Crocidura leucodon) was identified as a persistently infected species involved in virus transmission. Recently, BoDV-1 attracted attention as a cause of fatal encephalitis in humans. Here we report investigations on BoDV-1 infected llamas from a farm in a BD endemic area of Switzerland, and alpacas from holdings in a region of Germany where BD was last seen in the 1960s but not thereafter. All New World camelids showed apathy and abnormal behaviour, necessitating euthanasia. Histologically, severe non-suppurative meningoencephalitis with neuronal Joest-Degen inclusion bodies was observed. BoDV-1 was confirmed by immunohistology, RT-qPCR, and sequencing in selected animals. Analysis of the llama herd over 20 years showed that lossesdue to clinically suspected BD increased within the last decade. BoDV-1 whole-genome sequences from one Swiss llama and one German alpaca, and – for comparison – from one Swiss horse and one German shrew were established. They represent the first published whole-genome sequences of BoDV-1 clusters 1B and 3, respectively. Our analysis suggests that New World camelids may have a role as a sentinel species for BoDV-1 infection, even when symptomatic cases are lacking in other animal species.

The canine corpus luteum (CL) is the main source of reproductive steroids during dioestrus in the dog and remains active even in the absence of pregnancy (non-pregnant dioestrus, physiological pseudopregnancy). Whereas the biological effects of 17β-oestradiol (E2) in the canine CL remain unclear, the transcriptional availability of oestrogen receptors, ESR1 and ESR2, as well as other modulators of local availability of E2, for example, HSD17B7 (converts oestrone into oestradiol), SULT1E1 (inactivates E2 binding capacity to its own receptors through sulphonation) and STS (reverts E2 sulphonation), were previously detected in the CL of non-pregnant bitches. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the mRNA amounts of these factors involved in luteal sensitivity and metabolism of E2 in the canine CL during the course of non-pregnant dioestrus (days 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 post-ovulation, n = 5/group) and at different stages of pregnancy (n = 4-6/group): pre-implantation (days 8-12), post-implantation (days 18-25), mid-gestation (days 35-40) and prepartum luteolysis. During pregnancy, the availability of ESR1, HSD17B7, SULT1E1 and STS decreased from mid-pregnancy to prepartum luteolysis. The main findings during non-pregnant dioestrus were as follows: increased ESR2:ESR1 ratio on days 40 and 50 after ovulation, decreasing during luteal regression (day 60); increased STS at day 30 when SULT1E1 levels decreased; increased availability of SULT1E1 transcripts during luteal regression; and decreased amounts of HSD17B7 mRNA in early dioestrus, increasing towards later stages. These results suggest that E2 signalling and biologically active local concentrations could diverge in response to time and pregnancy status of the bitch.

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) originate from gonocytes that differentiate from primordial germ cells (PGCs). In the developing mouse testis, expression of the gene LIM homeobox 1 (Lhx1) marks the most undifferentiated SSCs, which has not yet been reported for spermatogonia-like cells generated in vitro. Previously, it was shown that a chemical intervention in male mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells in serum culture, including Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) inhibitor Ex-527, DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor RG-108 and electrophilic redox cycling compound tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), was associated with molecular markers of PGC to gonocyte differentiation. Here, we report the in vitro differentiation of male mouse ES cells, cultured under dual chemical inhibition of GSK3β and MEK (2i) with leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) (2iL) and serum, into cells with spermatogonia-like morphology (CSMs) and population-averaged expression of spermatogonia-specific genes by removal of 2iL and a specific schedule of twice daily partial medium replacement. Combination of this new protocol with the previously reported chemical intervention increased population-averaged gene expression of Lhx1 in the resulting CSMs. Furthermore, we detected single CSMs with strong nuclear LHX1/5 protein signal only in the chemical intervention group. We propose that further investigation of CSMs may provide new insights into male germline development., Stem Cell Research, 61, ISSN:1873-5061, ISSN:1876-7753

The goals of this study were to investigate hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in seven different breeds of cows, to establish reference intervals for HCC in Brown Swiss cows and to compare cortisol concentrations of hair collected from four different areas of the body. Three groups of cows were used. Group 1 comprised 70 healthy cows representing four dairy breeds (Brown Swiss, Swiss Fleckvieh, Holstein Friesian, Water Buffalo) and three beef breeds (Raetian Grey, Limousin, Highland). Group 2 consisted of 60 healthy Brown Swiss cows in which two different hair samples were collected from the thoracic region to establish reference intervals; A samples consisted of hair that had grown for one month in a pre-clipped area, and B samples consisted of hair from a previously unshorn area. Group 3 comprised 21 healthy Brown Swiss cows, in which HCCs were measured in A and B samples from four different body regions (neck, shoulder, thorax, rump). Liquid chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry was used for cortisol measurement. In group 1, the highest HCCs were measured in Holstein Friesian cows at 1,75 pg/mg, which was significantly higher than those of the Brown Swiss, the Swiss Fleckvieh and the Water Buffalo cows. Hair cortisol concentration and daily milk yield of the 40 dairy cows were highly correlated (r = 0,57, P0,01). In group 2, the HCCs of 77 % of the A samples and 85 % of the B samp-les were below the laboratory's limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0,50 pg/mg and the results were expressed semiquantitatively as.Das Ziel war es, die Haarcortisolkonzentrationen (HCC) bei 7 Rinderrassen zu untersuchen, Referenzwerte für Braunviehkühe zu bestimmen und 4 Entnahmestellen in Bezug auf die HCC zu vergleichen. Die Untersuchungen wurden an 3 Gruppen von Kühen durchgeführt. In der Gruppe 1 wurden die HCC bei 70 Kühen von 4 Milchvieh- (Brown Swiss, Swiss Fleckvieh, Holstein Friesian, Wasserbüffel) und 3 Mutterkuhrassen (Rätisches Grauvieh, Limousin, Schottisches Hochland­rind) untersucht. In der Gruppe 2 wurden bei 60 gesunden Brown-Swiss-Kühen A- und B-Proben zur Ermittlung von Referenzwerten am Thorax entnommen. Die A-Proben bestanden aus nachgewachsenen Haaren aus einer vor einem Monat geschorenen Fläche und die B-Proben aus nicht vorgeschorenem Haar. Die Gruppe 3 bestand aus 21 gesunden Brown-Swiss-Kühen, bei denen die HCC in A- und B-Proben von 4 verschiedenen Körperstellen (Hals, Schulter, Thorax, Kruppe) untersucht und miteinander verglichen wurden. Die HCC-Bestimmung erfolgte mittels LC-MS/MS (Flüssigkeitschromatographie, gekoppelt mit Massenspektrometrie). In der Gruppe 1 waren die HCC der Holstein-Friesian-Kühe mit 1,75 pg/mg signifikant höher als diejenigen der Brown Swiss-, Swiss Fleckvieh- und Wasserbüffelkühe. Zwischen den HCC und der Tagesmilchleistung der 40 Milchkühe bestand eine signifikante Korrelation (r = 0,57, P0,01). Bei der Gruppe 2 waren die HCC in 77 % der A- und 85 % der B-Proben unterhalb der Bestimmungsgrenze (limit of quantification, LOQ) von 0,50 pg/mg und wurden semiquantitativ alsLOQ angegeben. In den restlichen Proben lagen die HCC zwischen 0,50 und 1,20 pg/mg. Die Werte der A- und B-Proben unterschieden sich nicht signifikant. Bei der Gruppe 3 lagen die HCC-Medianwerte der messbaren Proben für die 4 Lokalisationen zwischen 0,50 und 1,00 pg/mg Haar. Die HCC unterschieden sich weder zwischen den verschiedenen Körperstellen noch zwischen den A- und Proben signifikant. Die Untersuchungen lassen die Vermutung zu, dass Holstein-Friesian-Kühe signifikant höhere HCC als Brown Swiss-, Swiss Fleckvieh- und Wasserbüffelkühe aufweisen und dass dies mindestens teilweise durch die hohe Milchleistung bedingt ist.Les objectifs de cette étude étaient d’étudier la concentration de cortisol dans les poils (hair cortisol concentration (HCC)) chez sept races de vaches différentes, d’établir des intervalles de référence pour le HCC chez les vaches de race Suisse Brune et de comparer les concentrations de cortisol dans les poils prélevés sur quatre zones différentes du corps. Trois groupes de vaches ont été utilisés. Le groupe 1 comprenait 70 vaches saines représentant quatre races laitières (Brown Swiss, Swiss Fleckvieh, Holstein Friesian, Buffle d’eau) et trois races à viande (Grise rhétique, Limousin, Highland). Le groupe 2 était composé de 60 vaches Brown Swiss en bonne santé, pour lesquelles deux échantillons de poils différents ont été prélevés dans la région thoracique afin d’établir des intervalles de référence ; les échantillons A étaient constitués de poils ayant poussé pendant un mois sur une zone précédemment tondue et les échantillons B étaient constitués de poils provenant d’une zone non tondue auparavant. Le groupe 3 comprenait 21 vaches suisses brunes en bonne santé, chez lesquelles les HCC ont été mesurés dans des échantillons A et B provenant de quatre régions corporelles différentes (cou, épaule, thorax, croupe). La chromatographie liquide en tandem avec spectrométrie de masse a été utilisée pour la mesure du cortisol. Dans le groupe 1, les HCC les plus élevés ont été mesurés chez les vaches Holstein Friesian à 1,75 pg/mg, ce qui était significativement plus élevé que ceux des vaches Brown Swiss, Swiss Fleckvieh et Buffle d’eau. La concentration de cortisol dans les poils et le rendement laitier quotidien des 40 vaches laitières étaient fortement corrélés (r = 0,57, P0,01). Dans le groupe 2, les HCC étaient inférieures à la limite de quantification (LOQ) de 0,50 pg/mg dans 77 % des échantillons A et 85 % des échantillons B et ils ont été indiquées de manière semi-quantitative commeLOQ. Dans les échantillons restants, les HCC se situaient entre 0,50 et 1,20 pg/mg. Les valeurs des échantillons A et B n’étaient pas significativement différentes. Dans le groupe 3, les valeurs médianes des HCC des échantillons mesurables pour les 4 localisations se situaient entre 0,50 et 1,00 pg/mg de poils. Les HCC ne différaient pas significativement entre les différentes localisations corporelles ni entre les échantillons A et B. Les analyses permettent de supposer que les vaches Holstein-Friesian présentent des HCC significativement plus élevées que les vaches Brown Swiss, Swiss Fleckvieh et les bufflonnes d’eau et que cela est dû au moins en partie à leur production laitière élevée.L’obiettivo di questo studio è stato quello di analizzare la concentrazione di cortisolo (HCC) nel pelo in sette diverse razze bovine, di stabilire gli intervalli di riferimento per l’HCC nelle vacche di razza Bruna e di confrontare le concentrazioni di cortisolo nei peli raccolti da quattro diverse aree del corpo. Sono stati utilizzati tre gruppi di vacche. Il gruppo 1 comprendeva 70 vacche sane che rappresentavano quattro razze da latte (Bruna svizzera, Swiss Fleckvieh, Frisona, Bufalo d’acqua) e tre razze da carne (Grigia alpina, Limousine, Highlander). Il gruppo 2 era composto da 60 vacche Bruna svizzera sane in cui sono stati raccolti due diversi campioni di pelo dalla regione toracica per stabilire gli intervalli di riferimento. I campioni A erano costituiti da peli cresciuti per un mese in un’area tosata, mentre i campioni B erano costituiti da peli provenienti da un’area precedentemente non tosata. Il gruppo 3 comprendeva 21 vacche Bruna svizzera sane, in cui le HCC sono stati misurate in campioni A e B provenienti da quattro diverse regioni del corpo (collo, spalla, torace, groppa). Per la misurazione del cortisolo è stata utilizzata la cromatografia liquida accoppiata con spettrometria di massa (LC-MS/MS). Nel gruppo 1, le HCC più elevate sono state misurate nelle vacche di razza Frisona con 1,75 pg/mg, significativamente più alte di quelle delle vacche di razza Bruna svizzera, Swiss Fleckvieh e Bufalo d’acqua. La concentrazione di cortisolo nel pelo e la produzione giornaliera di latte delle 40 vacche da latte erano altamente correlate (r = 0,57, P0,01). Nel gruppo 2, le HCC del 77 % dei campioni A e dell’85 % dei campioni B erano inferiori al limite di quantificazione (LOQ) del laboratorio di 0,50 pg/mg e i risultati sono stati espressi semi-quantitativamente come.

Recently, we observed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) suppresses corpus luteum (CL) function in isolated perfused ovaries. It remained unclear if this suppression was due to increased luteal PGF2α secretion or LPS-induced apoptosis. Therefore, possible impacts of PGF2α and LPS were inhibited by a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (flunixin) and an endotoxin-binding agent (polymyxin B), respectively. Bovine ovaries with a mid-cycle CL were collected immediately after slaughter and perfused for 240 min. After 50 min of equilibration, either flunixin or polymyxin B (5 μg/ml of each) were added to the perfusion medium of six ovaries, respectively. All ovaries (n = 12) were treated with E. coli LPS (0.5 μg/ml) 60 min after the onset of perfusion, and received 500 I.U. of hCG after 210 min of perfusion. Progesterone and PGF2α were measured in the effluent perfusate every 10 and 30 min, respectively. Biopsies of the CL were collected every 60 min to determine the mRNA expression of the cytokine TNFA and factors of apoptosis (CASP3, -8). Flunixin-treatment inhibited the increase of PGF2α after LPS-challenge that was observed in the polymyxin B-treated (PX-LPS) ovaries. After hCG-stimulation, progesterone secretion increased (P < 0.05) in group PX-LPS but not in the flunixin-treated (F-LPS) ovaries. Compared to initial values before LPS-challenge, luteal mRNA expression of TNFA and CASP3 was increased (P < 0.05) in group F-LPS at 120 and 180 min, respectively, and those of CASP8 was decreased (P < 0.05) in PX-LPS at 60 and 120 min after LPS-treatment. In conclusion, although flunixin managed to inhibit PGF2α, it did not suffice to successfully prevent LPS-induced apoptosis. However, endotoxin-binding polymyxin B resulted in luteal responsiveness to hCG after LPS-challenge., Journal of reproduction and development, 68 (1), ISSN:0916-8818, ISSN:1348-4400

Was die Faktenlage betrifft, bestehen signifikante Unterschiede zwischen der Blauzungenkrankheit beim Wiederkäuer und Covid-19 beim Menschen. Daher sind diesbezüglich auch unterschiedliche Bekämpfungsstrategien erforderlich, die in der Schweiz im Epidemiengesetz und im Tierseuchengesetz festgelegt sind. Ungeachtet der wichtigen Differenzen soll in der folgenden Arbeit das Augenmerk vor allem auf die Parallelitäten gelegt werden, namentlich bezüglich der Selbst- und Fremdbestimmung im Umgang mit Seuchen und Pandemien.

Background Despite their indispensability in human medicine, fluoroquinolones (FQ) are used for the treatment of bacterial infections in farm animals which increases the risk of transferring FQ-resistant bacteria into the environment and via the food chain to humans. The objectives of this observational study were to follow-up of the presence of quinolone non-susceptible Escherichia coli (QNSE) qualitatively and quantitatively in faecal samples of pigs at four time points (2 weeks old, 4 weeks old, 2 weeks post weaning and during fattening period). Moreover differences between groups of FQ-treated pigs, pigs with contact to treated pigs and control pigs were investigated. Additionally, quinolone and FQ resistance of Escherichia coli isolates of the faecal samples were investigated by determining minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Results 40.9% of 621 fecal samples contained QNSE. Proportion of samples with detectable QNSE from treated and contact pigs did not differ significantly and were highest in piglets of 2 and 4 weeks of age. However, the proportions of samples with QNSE were significantly lowest in control pigs (7/90; 7.8%; CI = 3.5–14.7%) among all groups. Also, the number of colony-forming units was lowest in both weaners and fattening pigs of the control group compared to treated and contact groups. Following CLSI human breakpoints, in total, 50.4% out of 254 isolates in faecal samples were intermediate or resistant to ciprofloxacin. Conclusions QNSE were present in faeces of pigs independent of age or FQ background but significantly less were found in pigs from farms without FQ usage. Due to the long half-life of FQ, it is likely that only a prolonged absence of fluoroquinolone treatments in pig farming will lead to a reduced frequency of QNSE in the farm environment. Solutions need to be found to minimise the emergence and transfer of quinolone and FQ-resistant bacteria from treated pigs to contact pigs and to farms without FQ usage.