Patrícia Glombowsky

Mineralization in newborn calves contributes to health, improve the antioxidant system and reduces bacterial infections

The first phase of life of dairy calves has elevated mortality indices linked with low immunity and sanitary challenges, mainly bacterial infections are involved in the pathogenesis of diarrhea, the leading cause of death. Also, other important problem is the nutritional deficiencies, such as the mineral deficiency. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether an intramuscular mineral supplementation based on selenium, copper, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus possess beneficial effects on health of dairy calves. For this, ten calves were divided in two groups: the group A was supplemented with injectable mineral, while the group B was used as control group (without mineral supplementation). The mineral complex was administrated via intramuscularly at dose of 3 mL/animal on days 2 and 14 post-birth. The total blood was collected on days 2, 10, 20 and 30 of life of animals in order to analyze the antioxidant enzymes (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)), blood count and seric biochemistry linked with proteic, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Feces samples were also collected on days 10, 20 and 30 of life of animals to perform the total bacterial count, parasitological exam and fecal consistency score. Moreover, the weight and corporal temperature were also evaluated. The mineral supplementation presented beneficial properties to calves from birth to the 30th of life through the increase on activity of antioxidant enzymes, improvement of immunity, and avoiding problems linked with diarrhea and anemia, can be considered an interesting approach to prevent these alterations linked with high mortality in the period of life.

Homeopathic treatment as an alternative prophylactic to minimize bacterial infection and prevent neonatal diarrhea in calves

Bovine neonatal diarrhea is common due low immunity in newborn calves, poor management (or absence) of sanitary barriers, and other factors. Newborn calves with diarrhea in the first days of life suffer failure to thrive and may die if left untreated. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether prophylactic administration of a homeopathic product (Dia 100®) can control bovine neonatal diarrhea in calves born on a farm with substantial sanitary challenges. We counted total bacteria and protozoan parasites in fecal samples. We measured serum glucose, total protein, globulin, albumin, cholesterol and triglycerides on days 1, 7 and 14 of life. Twenty newborn calves were maintained in individual stalls, and were divided in two groups: ten untreated animals (control) and ten animals treated with Dia 100®. Fecal consistency was evaluated daily. We diagnosed diarrhea in five animals in the treated group, and in all animals from the control group. Infections with Escherichia coli and Giardia duodenalis were identified as the responsible organisms. The E. coli count was low in the treatment group on day 7 of life compared with the control group. Antibiotics were given to eight animals in the control group, and to two animals in the treatment group. On day of life 7, serum levels of total protein and globulins were higher in the control group, but were lower on day 14. Serum levels of glucose and triglycerides were greater in treated animals on days 7 and 14, suggesting that the homeopathic product contributes to improvement of intestinal health and absorption and nutrients. We conclude that Dia 100® controls diarrhea with 50% of efficacy, and reduces antibiotic utilization.

Mineral supplementation stimulates the immune system and antioxidant responses of dairy cows and reduces somatic cell counts in milk

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of subcutaneous mineral supplementation would affect metabolic parameters, immunological response, milk quality and composition of dairy cows in the postpartum period. Twelve pregnant primiparous Holstein cows, were divided into two groups: six animals supplemented with the mineral complex (magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and copper), and six animals used as controls. Milk samples were collected every two other weeks postpartum up to sixty days of lactation to analyze composition and quality. Blood samples were collected, and the levels of ketone bodies, total proteins, glucose, albumin, and globulin were measured. The catalase and superoxide enzymes, reactive oxygen species, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukins were determined. Animals supplemented with minerals showed lower levels of ketone bodies and somatic cell counts on days 30, 45 and 60 of the experiment, without changes in milk composition compared to the control group. Supplemented cows had lower levels reactive oxygen species and increased superoxide enzymes activity. Total protein, globulin and cytokine levels were higher in cows supplemented with mineral complexes. Therefore, we can conclude that subcutaneous mineral supplementation improved the immune response and minimized the oxidative stress in dairy cows during lactation.

Oxidative stress in dairy cows seropositives for Neospora caninum

Bovine neosporosis is caused by the protozoan Neospora caninum and is one of the major causes of abortion in cows. Cattle are intermediate hosts of this parasite and may have asymptomatic or symptomatic infections. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative stress marker reactive oxygen species (ROS), thiobarbituric reactive acid substances (TBARS) levels, glutathione S-transferase (GST), adenosine deaminase (ADA), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities in dairy cows seropositives for N. caninum (asymptomatic or symptomatic). Dairy cows (n=90) were tested by immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA) for N. caninum and divided accordingly into three groups: the group A (seronegatives, n=30), the group B (seropositives and asymptomatic, n=30), and the group C (seropositives and symptomatic, n=30). It was observed increased levels of TBARS and reduced (P<0.05) BChE activity in seropositives either asymptomatic or symptomatic animals. ROS levels and ADA activity increased, and GST activity decreased (P<0.05) only in seropositives symptomatic dairy cows (the group C) compared to seronegatives dairy cows (the group A). Based on these results, it was observed that seropositive animals showed cell damage associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, mainly in those with symptomatic infections. Increased seric ROS levels and BChE activity may have influenced N. caninum pathogenesis in symptomatic animals due to increased cell damage and exacerbated inflammatory response, leading to the development of clinical signs.

Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii in sheep of southern Brazil

Toxoplasma gondii is responsible for reproductive failure in sheep, and it is considered a zoonotic parasite. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and its risk factors at the farm level. For that, 314 sheep from 18 farms of 7 municipalities of the West part of Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil were used. To identify possible risk factors associated to the disease, a survey was applied to farmers with questions regarding farm characteristics, type of management, and history of animal reproductive problems. Out of 314 sera samples, 118 (37%, CI 95% 32.3–43.3) were positives for T. gondii. Multivariate analyses showed that allowing cats to have access to sheep feed was significantly associated to toxoplasmosis, with an odds ratio of 2.42. Similarly, keeping cats in the farm increased 1.67 times the chances of T. gondii infection by sheep. Therefore, we concluded that sheep infection by T. gondii in the West of Santa Catarina state is distributed very similarly to other regions of Brazil, and the presence of cats in the property is strongly correlated to the occurrence of the disease.