Felipe Gomes Ferreira Padilha

Characterization of the zoonotic potential of Toxoplasma gondii in horses from Rio de Janeiro State

The aim of this study was to perform a survey on the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in horses from Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. From 2012 to 2013, a total of 624 blood samples were collected from horses from the eight regions comprising Rio de Janeiro State (Baixadas Litorâneas, Serrana, Norte Fluminense, Noroeste Fluminense, Centro-Sul, Metropolitana, Médio Paraíba, and Costa Verde). All sera samples were tested for anti-T. gondii antibodies by performing the modified agglutination test with a cut-off of 1:25. Positive serology for T. gondii was detected in 22.8% (142/624) of the horses studied. Seropositivity was detected in all regions sampled; furthermore, statistical significance was observed when all locations were compared at once. The Médio Paraíba region had the highest number of positive animals 54.76% (23/42) in the Bonferroni correction among Costa Verde, Centro Sul, Metropolitana, and Serrana (p<0.001). Seropositivity was 39.58% (38/96) in Norte Fluminense, which was the second most prevalent region. The results indicated that the T. gondii parasite is widely distributed in horses in Rio de Janeiro State and represents a risk to public and animal health. These findings emphasize the need to increase control and prevention of this disease in horses.

Effect of selection for eventing on the MSTN gene in Brazilian sport horses.

ABSTRACT Polymorphisms in MSTN have previously been associated with equine performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify variants in MSTN intron 1 in 16 Brazilian Sport Horses selected for competition in eventing and their possible effects of selection on performance. Among the nine variants identified, eight had already been reported in previous studies or genomic databases, although they showed differences in frequencies when compared with other horse breeds. Moreover, a new mutation was identified in two horses, both in heterozygous form. Considering the absence of molecular studies in this valuable Brazilian breed, these findings represent an important contribution to the characterization of its genetic profile and may possibly aid in further genotype-phenotype association studies.

Evaluation of Muscle Fiber Types in German Shepherd Dogs of Different Ages

The objective of this study was to determine and confirm the percentage of type I and type II muscle fibers that comprise the Gluteus Medius muscle in male and female canines of the German Shepherd breed, with standardized care, in different age groups, using the enzyme histochemical method. Muscle samples were collected from the Gluteus Medius muscles of forty clinically healthy dogs of the German Shepherd breed using the technique of percutaneous needle muscle biopsy. The samples were evaluated using histological and enzyme histochemical methods. The percentages of type I and II fibers and the ratio between the quantity of type I fibers/quantity of type II fibers were evaluated using the parameters of weight, age group, correlation between sex and age group, and between the sexes. It was found that there was no significant difference in relation to the types of fibers for the parameters of weight, age group, and age of the females. The correlation between the ages of the males suggested an increase in the percentage of type I fibers, a decrease in the percentage of type II fibers, or an increase in the ratio during the aging process. It was concluded that there was a decrease in the percentage of type II fibers with advancing age in male dogs, but without significant difference in the percentage of type I and type II fibers in relation to the weight. Anat Rec, 299:1540–1547, 2016.

Evaluation of Muscle Fiber Types in German Shepherd Dogs of Different Ages: EVALUATION OF MUSCLE FIBER TYPES IN GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS

The objective of this study was to determine and confirm the percentage of type I and type II muscle fibers that comprise the Gluteus Medius muscle in male and female canines of the German Shepherd breed, with standardized care, in different age groups, using the enzyme histochemical method. Muscle samples were collected from the Gluteus Medius muscles of forty clinically healthy dogs of the German Shepherd breed using the technique of percutaneous needle muscle biopsy. The samples were evaluated using histological and enzyme histochemical methods. The percentages of type I and II fibers and the ratio between the quantity of type I fibers/quantity of type II fibers were evaluated using the parameters of weight, age group, correlation between sex and age group, and between the sexes. It was found that there was no significant difference in relation to the types of fibers for the parameters of weight, age group, and age of the females. The correlation between the ages of the males suggested an increase in the percentage of type I fibers, a decrease in the percentage of type II fibers, or an increase in the ratio during the aging process. It was concluded that there was a decrease in the percentage of type II fibers with advancing age in male dogs, but without significant difference in the percentage of type I and type II fibers in relation to the weight. Anat Rec, 299:1540–1547, 2016.