Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Se administered through intraruminal boluses in goat kids and correlate it with the levels of the mineral and the biomarkers of oxidative stress in the blood. Fifteen goat kids of 8 to 9 wk of age of the Alpine breed with an average weight of 13.7 kg were used and divided into three groups: Selenium group (a sodium selenite bolus was administered orally, with an equivalent content of 90 mg of Se); Se-SMZ group (a bolus of sodium selenite was administered orally, with a content equivalent to 90 mg of Se and 4 g of sulfamethazine a); Placebo group (a placebo bolus was administered orally). Plasma Se levels were carried out through the technique of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentration of TBARS and GSH were estimated through spectrophotometry. The established significance was P<0.05. After the administration of the selenium and SE- SMZ Se boluses, the goat kids increased the levels of Se in plasma starting 3 h after dosing, with a significant difference (P<0.05) between the Se vs Se-SMZ until 3 and 24 h. The groups of bolus-dosed animals had variability in plasma TBARS levels without showing a constant trend (P>0.05). GSH levels did not show significant differences between the groups. In conclusion, the boluses with Selenium and Se-SMZ increased plasma Se levels. There was wide variability in plasma TBARS levels and GSH levels did not show relevant significant differences between treatments. Boluses were a good alternative to supplement Se to ruminants.

Resumen Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto de Se administrado a través de bolos intrarruminales en cabritos y correlacionarlo con los niveles del mineral y los biomarcadores de estrés oxidativo en sangre. Se utilizaron 15 cabritos de 8 a 9 semanas de edad de la raza Alpina con un peso promedio de 13.7 kg y se dividieron en tres grupos: grupo Selenio (se administró un bolo de selenito de sodio por vía oral, con un contenido equivalente a 90 mg de Se); grupo Se-SMZ (se administró un bolo de selenito de sodio vía oral, con un contenido equivalente a 90 mg de Se y 4 g de sulfametazina a); grupo Placebo (se administró un bolo placebo vía oral). Los niveles plasmáticos de Se se llevaron a cabo mediante la técnica de espectrofotometría de absorción atómica. La concentración de TBARS y GSH se estimó mediante espectrofotometría. La significancia establecida fue de P<0.05. Después de la administración de los bolos de selenio y Se-SMZ, los cabritos aumentaron los niveles de Se en plasma a partir de las 3 h después de la dosificación, con una diferencia significativa (P<0.05) entre el Se vs Se-SMZ hasta las 3 y 24 h. Los grupos de animales a los que se les administró el bolo presentaron variabilidad en los niveles plasmáticos de TBARS sin mostrar una tendencia constante (P>0.05). Los niveles de GSH no mostraron diferencias significativas entre los grupos. En conclusión, los bolos con Selenio y Se-SMZ aumentaron los niveles plasmáticos de Se. Hubo una amplia variabilidad en los niveles plasmáticos de TBARS y los niveles de GSH no mostraron diferencias significativas relevantes entre los tratamientos. Los bolos fueron una buena alternativa para suplementar el Se a los rumiantes.

Resumo: A distribuição das células envolvidas na resposta imune em glândulas sexuais acessórias de carneiros experimentalmente infectados com Actinobacillus seminis foi estudada. Doze carneiros de um ano de idade foram experimentalmente infectados via intrauretral (IU) (n=4) e via intraepididimal (IE) (n=4) e quatro animais controles (CON) foram utilizados. Os animais foram abatidos 35 dias após a inoculação, amostras foram retiradas das glândulas sexuais acessórias e testes bacteriológicos e histopatológicos foram realizados. A presença de linfócitos CD4, CD8 e TCRγδ (WC1), células CD45RO, macrófagos (CD14), células dendríticas (CD1b) e células contendo IgA, IgG and IgM (IgCC) foi determinada. Os animais do grupo IE desenvolveram epididimite clínica. Não foram visualizadas lesões nos carneiros do grupo IU, dois dos CON inoculados intraepididimalmente desenvolveram pequenas lesões no epidídimo. Isolados de A. seminis foram obtidos de 6:16 (37,5%) nas glândulas sexuais acessórias no grupo IE mas não nos grupos IU e CON. No grupo CON células contendo IgA and IgM predominaram nas glândulas bulbouretrais e na próstata e foram escassas ou ausentes nas vesículas e na ampola. Um incremento significativo de células contendo IgA, IgG and IgM foi confirmado nas vesículas seminais, na ampola e nas glândulas bulbouretrais no grupo IE. Nos grupos IE e IU foi evidenciado um aumento em CD4, CD8, WC1, CD45RO e CD14 nas vesículas e ampola. As células dendríticas CD1b estavam presentes na ampola e nas vesículas com processo inflamatório. A. seminis induziu uma resposta imune local nos grupos IE e IU. Estes resultados indicam um padrão diferente de células imunes infiltrantes nas glândulas sexuais acessórias de carneiros infectados por A. seminis.

Abstract: The distribution of cells involved in the immune response in accessory sex glands of rams experimentally infected with Actinobacillus seminis was studied. Twelve one-year old rams were experimentally infected by intraurethral (IU) (n=4) and intraepididymal (IE) (n=4) route, and four control (CON) animals were used. The animals were slaughtered 35 days post-inoculation, samples were taken from accessory sex glands, and bacteriology and histopathology tests were performed. The presence of CD4, CD8 and TCRγδ (WC1) lymphocytes, CD45RO cells, macrophages (CD14), dendritic cells (CD1b), IgA-, IgG- and IgM-containing cells (IgCC) was determined. Animals of the IE group developed clinical epididymitis. No lesions were seen in rams of the IU group; two of the intraepididymal inoculated CON developed small lesions in the epididymis. A. seminis isolates were achieved from 6:16 (37.5%) accessory sex glands in the IE group, but not in the IU and CON groups. In the CON group, IgA- and IgM- containing cells predominated in the bulbourethral glands and the disseminated prostate, and they were scarce or null in the vesicles and ampullae. A significant increase of IgA-, IgG- and IgM- containing cells was confirmed in the seminal vesicles, the ampullae and the bulbourethral glands in the IE group. In the IE and IU groups, an increase in CD4, CD8, WC1, CD45RO and CD14 was evidenced in the vesicles and ampullae. CD1b dendritic cells were present in the ampullae and vesicles with inflammatory processes. A. seminis triggered a local immune response in the IE and IU groups. These results indicate a different pattern of infiltrating immune cells in the accessory sex glands of infected A. seminis rams.

Os patógenos do aparelho reprodutor do macho podem penetrar e se estabelecer por via ascendente, a partir do prepúcio à uretra, glándulas anexas, epidídimo e testículos. Neste trabalho foi quantificada a distribuição de algumas das células envolvidas na resposta imune, em nível de prepúcio e uretra pélvica, em quatro carneiros de um ano de idade, sem lesões aparentes no testículo, no epidídimo e no prepúcio. No momento da eutanásia foram coletadas amostras do prepúcio e da uretra pélvica, as quais foram conservadas em formalina 10% e congeladas. De acordó com as análises de imunohistoquímica foram observadas células CD4, CD8, WC1, CD45RO, CD14 e CD1b; e por imunoflorescência foram observadas células que continham imunoglobulinas (CCI) das clases IgA, IgG e IgM. Com um analisador de imagens foi feita a contagem das células marcadas, presentes na mucosa de ambos os orgãos. Foi realizada a comparação entre o total de células entre ambos os tecidos e de forma diferencial entre os tecidos epitelial e conectivo da mucosa. Foram encontradas diferenças significativas no número total de linfócitos CD4, CD45RO e WC1, no número de macrófagos CD14 e células dendríticas CD1b, com valores de médias que foram maiores em todas as amostras coletadas do prepucio, em relação as amostras coletadas da uretra (p<0.05). Células dendríticas só foram encontradas no prepúcio. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas no número de linfocitos CD8 entre ambos os orgãos. A relação entre cada tipo celular no tecido conectivo e intra-epitelial e entre os diferentes órgãos, resultou para CD4 10/1 no prepúcio (p<0.05), contra 7/1 na uretra (p<0.05), entretanto os CD8 se distribuíram 1/1 em ambas as mucosas, não sendo significativa as diferenças. Os WC1 foram observados na relação 5/1 em ambas as mucosas (p<0.05). A célula CD45RO, no prepucio, foi observada de 19/1(p<0.05) e na uretra de 1/1, não sendo um resultado significativo. As CC-IgA não mostraram diferença significativa no total de células em ambos os tecidos. Na uretra não foram observadas as CC-IgG, e as CC-IgM foram escassas; em contrapartida, ambos os tipos celulares foram observadas no prepucio, em quantidades menores que na uretra (p<0.05). As CC-IgA, IgG e IgM foram observadas em ambos os tecidos conectivos da mucosa. A presença de células apresentadoras de antígenos, macrófagoss e células dendríticas, assim como de linfócitos CD4, CD8. TCR γδ (WC1), CC-IgA, IgG e IgM e células CD45RO, determinam que ambas as mucosas podem se comportar como locais de indução e promoção da resposta imune das mucosas.

The pathogens of the reproductive system in the male can penetrate and establish by ascending route, from to the prepuce to the urethra, accessory glands, epididymis and testicles. The aim of this paper is determine the distribution and number of cells involved in the immune response in prepuce and pelvic urethra of rams, without apparent clinical alterations in testicle, epididymis and prepuce. The distribution of some of the cells involved in the immune response at the level of the prepuce and the pelvic urethra was quantified in four one-year-old rams seronegative for B. ovis and A. seminis and without apparent lesions in the testicles, the epididymis, and the prepuce. At the moment of slaughter, samples were taken from the preputial fornix and the pelvic urethra and placed in 10% formalin and under freezing conditions. CD4, CD8, WC1, CD45RO, CD14 and CD1b cells were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, and immunoglobulin-containing cells (ICC) of the IgA, IgG and IgM classes were demonstrated by immunofluorescence. The labeled cells present in the mucosa of both organs were counted with an image analyzer. The total number of cells was compared between both tissues and differentially between the epithelium and the connective tissue of the mucosa. Significant differences were found in the total number of CD4, CD45RO, and WC1 lymphocytes, in CD14 macrophages, and CD1b dendritic cells, with mean values being greater in the fornix than in the urethra (p<0.05) in all cases. Only dendritic cells were found in the prepuce. No differences were found in the number of CD8 lymphocytes between both organs. The ratio between each cell type in the connective and the intraepithelial tissues and between organs was 10/1 for CD4 in the fornix (p<0.05), against 7/1 in the urethra (p<0.05), while CD8 had a 1/1 distribution in both mucosae. The WC1 ratio was 5/1 in both mucosae (p<0.05). CD45RO labeling was 19/1 in the prepuce (p<0.05) and 1/1 in the urethra. IgA-containing cells did not show differences in the total number of cells in both tissues. In the urethra, no IgG-containing cells were observed and IgM-containing cells were scarce; in contrast, both cell types were present in the prepuce, in amounts greater than in the urethra (p<0.05). IgA-, IgG-, and IgM-containing cells were located in both organs in the mucosal connective tissue. The presence of antigen-presenting cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, as well as of lymphocytes CD4, CD8 TCR γδ (WC1), IgA-, IgG and IgM positive cells, and CD45RO cells suggests that both mucosae may behave as inductive and effector sites for the mucosal immune response.

Epididymitis due to Brucella ovis infection lead to a disease with great importance in Mexican sheep industry. In the affected rams produces a low productivity due to a decreased fertility. The objective of the study was to determine the relevance of different possible risk factors (production system, density of sires, population of ewes, ewes:ram ratio, mating system and sires breed) upon B. ovis prevalence in Zacatecas, México. A sample of 544 rams was obtained in 153 flocks from four production systems. The serological test was determined by double immunodiffusion. The positive sampled rams were 18.6 % (101/544) and 10.5 % (16/153) of the sampled flocks had at least one positive ram. The semi-intensive production system showed a major prevalence (P<0.05) with 86.1 % (87/101) of the positive rams, the extensive system with 11.9 % (12/101), the backyard with 2.0 % (2/101) and the intensive did not register positives. The prevalence of B. ovis was higher in larger flocks, with the largest number of ewes and rams. Katahdin rams showed a major prevalence (30.8 %) (24/78) than Rambouillet (14.0 %) (18/129), Dorper (13.8 %) (31/224) and Suffolk rams (13.8 %) (8/58); (P<0.05). The prevalence was associated more with the production system used, than the ratio ewes:ram or mating system. The results suggest that the amount of sires within each flock is the most important factor in the serological prevalence of B. ovis (OR= 17.38, 95% IC 7.76-38.94), although this potential factor could be subject to the production system.

La epididimitis causada por Brucella ovis es una enfermedad de importancia en los rebaños ovinos de México. En los sementales afectados ocasiona baja productividad por la disminución de la fertilidad. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la relevancia de diferentes posibles factores de riesgo (sistema de producción, densidad de sementales, total de vientres, relación hembras:macho, sistema de empadre y raza del semental) sobre la prevalencia de B. ovis en Zacatecas, México. Se muestrearon 544 sementales, en 153 rebaños, provenientes de cuatro sistemas de producción. La respuesta serológica se evaluó mediante inmunodifusión doble en gel. El 18.6 % (101/544) de los sementales muestreados resultaron positivos y el 10.5 % (16/153) de los rebaños presentó al menos un semental positivo. El sistema semi-intensivo presentó la mayor prevalencia (P<0.05), con 86.1 % (87/101) de sementales positivos, el extensivo 11.9 % (12/101), el traspatio 2.0 % (2/101), y el intensivo no registró positivos. La prevalencia de B. ovis fue más alta en los rebaños más grandes, con mayor número de vientres y sementales. Los sementales de raza Katahdin mostraron mayor prevalencia (30.8 %) (24/78) que los Rambouillet (14.0 %) (18/129), Dorper (13.8 %) (31/224) y Suffolk (13.8 %) (8/58) (P<0.05). La prevalencia se relacionó más con el sistema de producción utilizado que con la relación hembras:macho o el sistema de empadre. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que la cantidad de sementales en el rebaño es el factor de mayor relevancia en la prevalencia serológica de B. ovis (OR = 17.38, 95 % IC 7.76 a 38.94), aunque pudiera estar supeditado al sistema de producción.

The presence of antibodies against Maedi-Visna (MV) and caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) was evaluated in ovine and caprine fetuses obtained from pregnant females slaughtered in abattoirs. Sera from 54 caprine fetuses and 65 ovine fetuses were collected and evaluated by the indirect ELISA technique. Antibodies were detected in five caprine fetuses of 80 days of gestation and in four ovine fetuses of 90 to 100 days of gestation; three caprine fetuses and two ovine fetuses of 60 to 65 days of gestation were suspicious. The possibility of uterine infection with these retroviruses is confirmed, and its consequences in current disease control and eradication strategies are discussed.

Se evaluó la presencia de anticuerpos contra los virus del Maedi-Visna (MV) y la artritis encefalitis caprina (AEC) en fetos ovinos y caprinos obtenidos de hembras gestantes sacrificadas para consumo en México. Se recolectaron sueros de 54 fetos caprinos y 65 fetos ovinos que se evaluaron mediante ELISA indirecto. Se detectaron anticuerpos en cinco fetos caprinos de 80 días de gestación y en cuatro fetos ovinos de 90 a 100 días; tres fetos caprinos y dos ovinos de 60 a 65 días de gestación resultaron sospechosos. Se confirma la posibilidad de la infección uterina por estos retrovirus y se discuten sus consecuencias en las actuales estrategias de control y erradicación de las enfermedades.

The biological efficiency of two breeding systems for sheep in the Mexican high plateau was evaluated. A total of 300 adult and 60 replacement sheep of the Columbia breed were randomly distributed into two groups of 150 adults and 30 young ones (mean age to first birth of 18 months). Mates of 36 days with natural mount every eight months (March, November and July) were done in the first group (intensive system). In the second group (annual system), a 45-day mating was done starting on November every year. Marker males were introduced 15 days before mating in all cases, which were replaced on the first day of mating for stallions at a one male for every 20 female ratios. The physical condition of all females was evaluated every month. The animals grazed 8 to 9 hours in grasslands of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and Orchard (Dactylis glomerata) and Rye (Lolium perenne) grasses irrigated by aspersion. Only the sheep in the intensive system received supplement during lactation and re-mating. Breeding was achieved in both systems in all seasons. The mean fertility of the three breeding of the intensive system was 83.9%; while the mean fertility of the two annual breeding was 88.3% (P < 0.05). Prolificacy was 1.12 vs 1.32 (P < 0.05) for the intensive and annual breeding, respectively; mortality at weaning was 5.3% vs 6.4% (P < 0.05), weaning rate was 0.89 vs 1.09 (P < 0.05), the number of weaned lambs per ewe in two years was 2.5 vs 2.0 and lamb weight was 55.9 vs 44.4 kg (P < 0.05), respectively. Adult ewes were superior to the young ones in all the evaluated parameters, regardless of the kind of mating (P < 0.05). Results in this study allowed to compare the biological efficiency between an intensive breeding system every eight months and an annual breeding system. They also show the possibility of mating sheep of the Columbia breed in an intensive way.

Se evaluó la eficacia biológica de dos sistemas de apareamiento en ovinos del altiplano central de México. Un total de 300 ovejas adultas y 60 de reemplazo de la raza Columbia se distribuyeron al azar en dos grupos de 150 adultas y 30 jóvenes (edad promedio al primer parto de 18 meses). En el primer grupo (sistema intensivo) se realizaron empadres de 36 días, con monta natural cada ocho meses (marzo, noviembre y julio), mientras que en el segundo grupo (sistema anual) se llevó a cabo un empadre de 45 días, iniciando en noviembre de cada año. En todos los casos, quince días antes del empadre se introdujeron machos marcadores, que en la fecha de inicio del empadre se sustituían por sementales en proporción de un macho por cada 20 hembras. Mensualmente se evaluó la condición física de todas las hembras. Los animales pastorearon de ocho a nueve horas diarias en praderas de alfalfa (Medicago sativa) y pastos orchard (Dactylis glomerata) y rye grass (Lolium perenne) irrigadas por aspersión. Solamente las ovejas del sistema intensivo recibieron complemento durante la lactancia y el reempadre. En los dos sistemas se lograron apareamientos en todas las épocas, la fertilidad en los tres empadres del sistema intensivo fue de 83.9%, mientras que el promedio de los dos empadres anuales fue de 88.3% (P < 0.05). En el mismo orden, la prolificidad fue de 1.12 vs 1.32 (P < 0.05); la mortalidad al destete, 5.3% vs 6.4% (P > 0.05); la tasa de destete, 0.89 vs 1.09 (P < 0.05); el número de corderos destetados por oveja en dos años fue de 2.5 vs 2.0, y de kg de cordero de 55.9 vs 44.4 kg (P < 0.05). Independientemente del tipo de empadre, las ovejas adultas fueron superiores a las jóvenes en todos los parámetros evaluados (P < 0.05). Los resultados de este estudio permiten comparar la eficacia biológica entre un sistema de apareamiento intensivo cada ocho meses y uno anual, también muestra la posibilidad de aparear ovejas de la raza Columbia en forma intensiva.

As an alternative for giving a selenium supplement, intraruminal boluses of 3 and 10 g (total weight) were designed and tested in lambs and adult sheep. The ingredients were: sodium selenite (5.23%) as source of Se; to regulate its release and maintain its mass and density, Fe 68.77%; cutin 25%; magnesium stearate 1%. Eight Pelibuey lambs (6 months of age) were used in metabolic cages for 15 d. Later, they received T type ruminal cannulas, and were fed a diet low in Se (0.06 µg g -1); the treatments were as follows: a control group without Se, and a group supplemented with bolus of Se (3 g). In the performance trial test, 20 Columbia ewes were used: 10 in the control group and 10 that received bolus (10 g). In the lambs, the bolus released Se without affecting the ruminal pH (p>0.05). The model for the degradation of the bolus in time effect within the ruminal medium was: Weight (g) = 3.0106 - 8-5(d) - 2-6(d)², (r = 0.97). In the behavior test with the ewes, the bolus of Se increased the concentrations of blood Se by 22.6 and 72% at 60 and 90 d (p<0.05). It is concluded that the intraruminal bolus used in this assay constitutes an adequate and reliable technology for correcting the deficiency of Se and maintaining adequate concentrations of Se in sheep.

Como alternativa para dar un suplemento de selenio se diseñaron y ensayaron bolos intrarruminales de 3 y 10 g (peso total) en corderos y ovinos adultos. Los ingredientes fueron: selenito de sodio (5.23%) como fuente de Se; para regular su liberación y mantener su masa y densidad, Fe 68.77%; cutina 25%; estearato de magnesio 1%. Se usaron ocho corderos Pelibuey (6 meses edad) en jaulas metabólicas por 15 d. Luego recibieron cánulas ruminales tipo T y fueron alimentados con una dieta baja en Se (0.06 µg g-1); los tratamientos fueron: un grupo testigo sin Se, y un grupo complementado con bolo de Se (3 g). En la prueba de comportamiento se usaron 20 ovejas Columbia: 10 en el grupo testigo y 10 que recibieron bolos (10 g). En los corderos, los bolos liberaron Se sin cambiar el pH ruminal (p>0.05). El modelo para la degradación del bolo en efecto tiempo dentro del medio ruminal fue: Peso (g) = 3.0106 - 8 -5(d) - 2-6(d)², (r=0.97). En la prueba de comportamiento con las ovejas el bolo de Se aumentó las concentraciones de Se sanguíneo en 22.6 y 72% a los 60 y 90 d (p<0.05). Se concluye que el uso de bolos intrarruminales es una tecnología adecuada y confiable para corregir la deficiencia de Se y mantener concentraciones adecuadas de Se en ovinos.