Essential fatty acids (EFA) and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are unsaturated fatty acids with immune-modulatory effects, yet their synergistic effect is poorly understood in dairy cows. This study ...aimed at identifying differentially abundant proteins (DAP) and their associated pathways in dairy cows supplied with a combination of EFA and CLA during the transition from antepartum (AP) to early postpartum (PP). Sixteen Holstein cows were abomasally infused with coconut oil as a control (CTRL) or a mixture of EFA (linseed + safflower oil) and CLA (Lutalin, BASF) (EFA + CLA) from - 63 to + 63 days relative to parturition. Label-free quantitative proteomics was performed on plasma samples collected at days - 21, + 1, + 28, and + 63. During the transition time, DAP, consisting of a cluster of apolipoproteins (APO), including APOE, APOH, and APOB, along with a cluster of immune-related proteins, were related to complement and coagulation cascades, inflammatory response, and cholesterol metabolism. In response to EFA + CLA, specific APO comprising APOC3, APOA1, APOA4, and APOC4 were increased in a time-dependent manner; they were linked to triglyceride-enriched lipoprotein metabolisms and immune function. Altogether, these results provide new insights into metabolic and immune adaptation and crosstalk between them in transition dairy cows divergent in EFA + CLA status.
•Dairy cows with low essential fatty acid status may suffer from health problems.•The regulation of nuclear receptors by fatty acids impacts key signalling pathways.•CLA and α-Linolenic acid modulate ...immunometabolism in transition dairy cows.•CLAs affect energy partitioning in dairy cows that can reduce health problems.•Nutritional strategy may aim to induce CLA synthesis in transition dairy cows.
Cows fed total mixed rations (silage-based) may not receive as much essential fatty acids (EFAs) and conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) as cows fed pasture-based rations (fresh grass) containing rich sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids. CLA-induced milk fat depression allows dairy cows to conserve more metabolisable energy, thereby shortening the state of negative energy balance and reducing excessive fat mobilisation at early lactation. EFAs, particularly α-linolenic acid, exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, thereby modulating immune functions. Thus, combined EFA and CLA supplementation seems to be an effective nutritional strategy to relieve energy metabolism and to improve immune response, which are often compromised during the transition from late pregnancy to lactation in high-yielding dairy cows. There has been extensive research on this idea over the last two decades, and despite promising results, several interfering factors have led to varying findings, making it difficult to conclude whether and under what conditions EFA and CLA supplementations are beneficial for dairy cows during the transition period. This article reviews the latest studies on the effects of EFA and CLA supplementation, alone or in combination, on dairy cow metabolism and health during various stages around parturition. Our review article summarises and provides novel insights into the mechanisms by which EFA and/or CLA influence markers of metabolism, energy homeostasis and partitioning, immunity, and inflammation revealed by a deep molecular phenotyping.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small and highly conserved non-coding RNA molecules that orchestrate a wide range of biological processes through the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. An ...intriguing aspect in identifying these molecules as biomarkers is derived from their role in cell-to-cell communication, their active secretion from cells into the extracellular environment, their high stability in body fluids, and their ease of collection. All these features confer on miRNAs the potential to become a non-invasive tool to score animal welfare. There is growing interest in the importance of miRNAs as biomarkers for assessing the welfare of livestock during metabolic, environmental, and management stress, particularly in ruminants, pigs, and poultry. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge regarding the potential use of tissue and/or circulating miRNAs as biomarkers for the assessment of the health and welfare status in these livestock species.
Mastitis by non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) is a significant issue in dairy buffalo farming. In a herd with subclinical NAS mastitis, we identified Staphylococcus microti as the predominant species. ...To assess milk protein integrity and investigate potential disease markers, we characterized 12 NAS-positive and 12 healthy quarter milk samples by shotgun peptidomics combining peptide enrichment and high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We observed significant changes in the milk peptidome. Out of 789 total peptides identified in each group, 49 and 44 were unique or increased in NAS-positive and healthy milk, respectively. In NAS-positive milk, the differential peptides belonged mainly to caseins, followed by milk fat globule membrane proteins (MFGMP) and by the immune defense/antimicrobial proteins osteopontin, lactoperoxidase, and serum amyloid A. In healthy milk, these belonged mainly to MFGMP, followed by caseins. In terms of abundance, peptides from MFGMP and immune defense protein were higher in NAS-positive milk, while peptides from caseins were higher in healthy milk. These findings highlight the impact of NAS on buffalo milk quality and mammary gland health, even when clinical signs are not evident, and underscore the need for clarifying the epidemiology and relevance of the different NAS species in this dairy ruminant.
There is a growing interest in developing new molecular markers of heart disease in young dogs affected by myxomatous mitral valve disease. The study aimed to measure 3 circulating microRNAs and ...their application as potential biomarkers in the plasma of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with early asymptomatic myxomatous mitral valve disease. The hypothesis is that healthy Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have different microRNA expression profiles than affected dogs in American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) stage B1. The profiles can differ within the same class among subjects of different ages. This is a prospective cross-sectional study. Thirty-three Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in ACVIM stage B1 were divided into three groups (11 younger than 3 years, 11 older than 3 years and younger than 7 years, and 11 older than 7 years), and 11 healthy (ACVIM stage A) dogs of the same breed were included as the control group. Three circulating microRNAs (miR-1-3p, miR30b-5p, and miR-128-3p) were measured by quantitative real-time PCR using TaqMan® probes. Diagnostic performance was evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC). MiR-30b-5p was significantly higher in ACVIM B1 dogs than in ACVIM A subjects, and the area under the receiver operating curve was 0.79. According to the age of dogs, the amount of miR-30b-5p was statistically significantly higher in group B17y (2.7 folds, P = 0.018) than in group A. The area under the receiver operating curves were fair in discriminating between group B17y and A (AUC 0.822). Identifying dogs with early asymptomatic myxomatous mitral valve disease through the evaluation of miR-30b-5p represents an intriguing possibility that certainly merits further research. Studies enrolling a larger number of dogs with preclinical stages of myxomatous mitral valve disease are needed to expand further and validate conclusively the preliminary findings from this report.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
A growing body of evidence shows that microRNA (miRNA), play important roles in regulating adipose tissue (AT) physiology and function. The objective was to characterize the AT miRNA profile ...in over-conditioned (HBCS,
n
= 19) versus moderate-conditioned (MBCS,
n
= 19) periparturient dairy cows. Tail-head subcutaneous AT biopsied on d -49 and 21 relative to parturition were used for miRNA sequencing. The miR-486 was the most significant miRNA among the upregulated miRNA on d -49, which might be related to more pronounced changes in lipogenesis and altered insulin sensitivity in AT of HBCS cows at dry-off. Comparing HBCS to MBCS on d 21, 23 miRNA were downregulated and 20 were upregulated. The predicted targets of upregulated differentially expressed (DE)-miRNA on d 21 were enriched in different pathways, including pathways related to lysosomes and peroxisomes. The predicted targets of downregulated DE-miRNA on d 21 were enriched in various pathways, including epidermal growth factor receptor, insulin resistance, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 signaling pathway, and autophagy. The results showed that over-conditioning was associated with changes in SCAT miRNA profile mainly on d 21, of which most were downregulated. The enriched pathways may participate in over-conditioning-associated metabolic challenges during early lactation.
α1-acid glycoprotein (orosomucoid, AGP) is an Acute Phase Protein produced by liver and peripheral tissues in response to systemic reaction to inflammation. AGP functions have been studied mostly in ...human, cattle and fish, although the protein has been also found in many mammalian species and birds. AGP fulfils at least two set of functions, which are apparently different from each other but in fact intimately linked. On one hand, AGP is an immunomodulatory protein. On the other hand, AGP is one of the most important binding proteins in plasma and, beside modulating pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of many drugs, it is also able to bind and transport several endogen ligands related to inflammation. The focus of this review is the immunomodulatory activity of AGP. This protein regulates every single event related to inflammation, including binding of pathogens and modulating white blood cells activity throughout the entire leukocyte attacking sequence. The regulation of AGP activity is complex: the inflammation induces not only an increase in AGP serum concentration, but also a qualitative change in its carbohydrate moiety, generating a multitude of glycoforms, each of them with different, and sometimes opposite and contradictory, activities. We also present the most recent findings about the relationship between AGP and adipose tissue: AGP interacts with leptin receptor and, given its immunomodulatory function, it may be included among the potential players in the field of immunometabolism.
The aim of this study was to define the microbiota of water buffalo milk during sub-clinical and clinical mastitis, as compared to healthy status, by using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA ...gene. A total of 137 quarter samples were included in the experimental design: 27 samples derived from healthy, culture negative quarters, with a Somatic Cell Count (SCC) of less than 200,000 cells/ml; 27 samples from quarters with clinical mastitis; 83 samples were collected from quarters with subclinical mastitis, with a SCC number greater of 200,000 cells/ml and/or culture positive for udder pathogens, without clinical signs of mastitis. Bacterial DNA was purified and the 16S rRNA genes were individually amplified and sequenced. Significant differences were found in milk samples from healthy quarters and those with sub-clinical and clinical mastitis. The microbiota diversity of milk from healthy quarters was richer as compared to samples with sub-clinical mastitis, whose microbiota diversity was in turn richer as compared to those from clinical mastitis. The core microbiota of water buffalo milk, defined as the asset of microorganisms shared by all healthy milk samples, includes 15 genera, namely Micrococcus, Propionibacterium, 5-7N15, Solibacillus, Staphylococcus, Aerococcus, Facklamia, Trichococcus, Turicibacter, 02d06, SMB53, Clostridium, Acinetobacter, Psychrobacter and Pseudomonas. Only two genera (Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas) were present in all the samples from sub-clinical mastitis, and no genus was shared across all in clinical mastitis milk samples. The presence of mastitis was found to be related to the change in the relative abundance of genera, such as Psychrobacter, whose relative abundance decreased from 16.26% in the milk samples from healthy quarters to 3.2% in clinical mastitis. Other genera, such as SMB53 and Solibacillus, were decreased as well. Discriminant analysis presents the evidence that the microbial community of healthy and clinical mastitis could be discriminated on the background of their microbiota profiles.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of intramammary infection (IMI) associated bacteria and to identify risk factors for pathogen group-specific IMI in water buffalo in ...Bangladesh. A California Mastitis Test (CMT) and bacteriological cultures were performed on 1,374 quarter milk samples collected from 763 water buffalo from 244 buffalo farms in nine districts in Bangladesh. Quarter, buffalo, and farm-related data were obtained through questionnaires and visual observations. A total of 618 quarter samples were found to be culture positive. Non-aureus staphylococci were the predominant IMI-associated bacterial species, and Staphylococcus (S.) chromogenes, S. hyicus, and S. epidermidis were the most common bacteria found. The proportion of non-aureus staphylococci or Mammaliicoccus sciuri (NASM), S. aureus, and other bacterial species identified in the buffalo quarter samples varied between buffalo farms. Therefore, different management practices, buffalo breeding factors, and nutrition were considered and further analyzed when estimating the IMI odds ratio (OR). The odds of IMI by any pathogen (OR: 1.8) or by NASM (OR: 2.2) was high in buffalo herds with poor milking hygiene. Poor cleanliness of the hind quarters had a high odds of IMI caused by any pathogen (OR: 2.0) or NASM (OR: 1.9). Twice daily milking (OR: 3.1) and farms with buffalo purchased from another herd (OR: 2.0) were associated with IMI by any pathogen. Asymmetrical udders were associated with IMI-caused by any bacteria (OR: 1.7). A poor body condition score showed higher odds of IMI by any pathogen (OR: 1.4) or by NASM (OR: 1.7). This study shows that the prevalence of IMI in water buffalo was high and varied between farms. In accordance with the literature, our data highlight that IMI can be partly controlled through better farm management, primarily by improving hygiene, milking management, breeding, and nutrition.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Exosomes mediate near and long-distance intercellular communication by transferring their molecular cargo to recipient cells, altering their biological response. Milk exosomes (MEx) are internalized ...by immune cells and exert immunomodulatory functions in vitro. Porcine MEx can accumulate in the small intestine, rich in macrophages. No information is available on the immunomodulatory ability of porcine MEx on porcine monocytes, which are known precursors of gut macrophages. Therefore, this study aims at (1) assessing the in vitro uptake of porcine MEx by porcine monocytes (CD14+), and (2) evaluating the in vitro impact of porcine MEx on porcine monocytes immune functions. MEx were purified by ultracentrifugation and size exclusion chromatography. The monocytes' internalization of PKH26-labeled MEx was examined using fluorescence microscopy. Monocytes were incubated with increasing exosome concentrations and their apoptosis and viability were measured. Lastly, the ability of MEx to modulate the cells' immune activities was evaluated by measuring monocytes' phagocytosis, the capacity of killing bacteria, chemotaxis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. MEx were internalized by porcine monocytes in vitro. They also decreased their chemotaxis and phagocytosis, and increased ROS production. Altogether, this study provides insights into the role that MEx might play in pigs' immunity by demonstrating that MEx are internalized by porcine monocytes in vitro and exert immunomodulatory effects on inflammatory functions.