In dairy cattle, mastitis is a disease of the mammary gland caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and algae. Mastitis causes economic losses to dairy farms as well as public health concerns. The reproductive efficiency of commercial dairy herds has important implications for the economic success of dairy operations and is strongly associated with the health status of cows. Mastitis has previously been linked with decreased fertility of dairy cows, but the effect of specific pathogens on the severity of fertility reduction is still unclear. In this study, cows diagnosed with mastitis caused by major pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Mycoplasma spp., and environmental Streptococcus) needed more artificial inseminations (AI) than did cows with mastitis caused by minor pathogens (coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium spp.) and healthy cows. Cows diagnosed with mastitis, independent of what pathogen was causing mastitis, had more days open compared with nonmastitic cows. The percentage of cows that successfully established pregnancy at first AI was greater for the control group than for the major pathogens group but not significantly different from the minor pathogens group. Pregnancy loss was lower in the control group than in the major pathogens group; however, there was no difference compared with the minor pathogen group. Mastitis caused by gram-negative bacteria decreased the percentage of pregnancy per first AI and increased days open and pregnancy loss compared with the control group. Cows with mastitis caused by gram-positive bacteria also had increased days open compared with control cows. This study shows that different mastitis-causing bacteria can affect the fertility of cows differently. Mastitis events caused by major pathogens and gram-negative bacteria were associated with the greatest decrease in reproductive efficiency.

Bovine follicular fluid (FF) constitutes the microenvironment of follicles and includes various biologically active proteins. We performed a study involving 18 healthy non-lactating Holstein cows to determine the protein expression profile of FF at key-stages of follicular development. Follicles were individually aspirated in vivo at pre-deviation (F1∼7.0mm); deviation (F1∼8.5mm); post-deviation (F1∼12.0mm); and pre-ovulatory stages of follicle development, which were confirmed by measurement of follicular estradiol and progesterone concentrations. The FF from nine cows were selected for proteomic analysis. After albumin depletion, triplicates of pooled FF were reduced, alkylated, and digested with trypsin. The resulting peptides were labelled with TMTsixplex and quantified using LC-MS/MS. A total of 143 proteins was identified and assigned to a variety of biological processes, including response to stimulus and metabolic processes. Twenty-two differentially (P < 0.05) expressed proteins were found between stages indicating intrafollicular changes over development, with expected deviation time critical to modulate the protein expression. For instance, high concentrations of follistatin, inhibin, serglycin, spondin-1, fibrinogen, and anti-testosterone antibody were found during early stages of follicular development. In contrast, apolipoprotein H, alpha-2-macroglobulin, plasminogen, antithrombin-III, and immunoglobulins were increased after deviation. Amongst the differentially abundant proteins, 19 were found to be associated with steroidogenesis. Pathway analysis identified proteins that were mainly associated with the acute phase response signaling, coagulation system, complement system, liver/retinoid X receptor activation, and biosynthesis of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen. The differentially expressed proteins provide insights into the size-dependent protein changes in the ovarian follicle microenvironment that could influence follicular function.

The influences of sex and age on hematological parameters were investigated in the ring-necked pheasant. Statistical comparisons were made for differences in values between male and female, 30 adults (52 week old) and 20 juvenile birds (5 week old). A variety of blood parameters showed statistically significant age and sex related differences. Adult males had higher values for Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and juveniles lower values for PCV. Adult females had higher values for basophils, the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio and total plasma protein. Juvenile females had higher values for hemoglobin. Adults had greater White Blood Cells (WBC), heterophils, eosinophils and monocytes. Serum biochemical values (uric acid, gamma glutamyl transferase, protein, albumin and globulins) were determined in young (5 week old) ring necked pheasants. There were no differences in any of these serum parameters among juvenile males and females.

A patologia clínica é usada na medicinaveterinária há muitos anos para avaliar as alteraçõesmetabólicas que possam indicar algum sinalde doença nos animais. Apesar do uso dos parâmetroslaboratoriais ser rotina em animais de companhia,não são comumente utilizados para avaliaçãoclínica de aves selvagens ou de produção. Aausência de informações sobre valores sanguíneosde referência limitou o uso destas ferramentas namedicina de aves. Os parâmetros laboratoriais namedicina de aves são úteis para avaliar aspectosrelacionados à saúde animal. Desta forma, assimesta revisão apresenta formas de utilização da patologiaclínica (hematologia e bioquímica clínica)para auxílio na avaliação e monitoramento da saúde das aves.

The influences of age on hematological and serum biochemical parameters were investigated in juvenile ring-necked pheasant. Statistical comparisons were made for differences in values among different ages. A variety of blood parameters showed significantly age related differences. Juvenile ring-necked pheasants of all ages had lymphocytes as the major circulating leukocyte. RBC values for 60 day-old pheasants were lower than the values for 74, 88 and 102 day-old pheasants. The hemoglobin value was higher for 88 day-old pheasants. The WBC, the heterophil and the lymphocyte values were significantly higher for 60 day-old pheasants. Total serum protein, albumin and globulin values for 25 and 60 day-old pheasants were significantly lower than the values for 42, 88 and 102 day-old pheasants.