BACKGROUND: The serotonergic system is associated with numerous brain functions, including the resetting of the mammalian circadian clock. The synthesis and metabolism of 5-HT in the brain increases in response to exercise and is correlated with high levels of blood-borne tryptophan (TRP). The present investigation was aimed at testing the existence of a daily rhythm of TRP and 5-HT in the blood of athletic horses. METHODS: Blood samples from 5 Thoroughbred mares were collected at 4-hour intervals for 48 hours (starting at 08:00 hours on day 1 and finishing at 4:00 on day 2) via an intravenous cannula inserted into the jugular vein. Tryptophan and serotonin concentrations were assessed by HPLC. Data analysis was conducted by one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and by the single cosinor method. RESULTS: ANOVA showed a highly significant influence of time both on tryptophan and on serotonin, in all horses, on either day, with p values < 0.0001. Cosinor analysis identified the periodic parameters and their acrophases (expressed in hours) during the 2 days of monitoring. Both parameters studied showed evening acrophases. CONCLUSION: The results showed that serotonin and tryptophan blood levels undergo nycthemeral variation with typical evening acrophases. These results enhance the understanding of the athlete horse's chronoperformance and facilitate the establishment of training programs that take into account the nycthemeral pattern of aminoacids deeply involved in the onset of central fatigue.

We report a rapid and reliable method for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii in meat and animal tissues based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Samples were collected from cattle, small ruminants, horses, and pigs raised or imported into Sicily, Italy. All DNA preparations were assayed by real-time PCR tests targeted to a 98-bp long fragment in the AF 529-bp repeat element and to the B1 gene using specific primers. Diagnostic sensitivity (100%), diagnostic specificity (100%), limit of detection (0.01 pg), efficiency (92–109%), and precision (mean coefficient of variation = 0.60%), repeatability (100%), reproducibility (100%), and robustness were evaluated using 240 DNA extracted samples (120 positives and 120 negative as per the OIE nested PCR method) from different matrices. Positive results were confirmed by the repetition of both real-time and nested PCR assays. Our study demonstrates the viability of a reliable, rapid, and specific real-time PCR on a large scale to monitor contamination with Toxoplasma cysts in meat and animal specimens. This validated method can be used for postmortem detection in domestic and wild animals and for food safety purposes.

Acta Veterinaria Brunensis, the scientific journal of the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Brno, Czech Republic

Novel foods such as edible insects and food products based on insects could play an important role in both human and animal nutrition in the future. The identification of dangers associated with insect consumption is fundamental to guarantee consumer safety and adequate regulatory guidelines for operators of the food sector. While former studies have focused on the microbiological contamination of fresh or processed edible insects, so far little information is available about the occurrence of foodborne parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii, whose life cycle makes it a candidate for potential insects’ breeding substrate contamination. Hence, we investigated the presence of contaminating T. gondii in farmed edible insects to rule out this further hazard for consumers. Four species of insects most commonly used as food for human consumption were analyzed: Mealworm, African migratory locust, House cricket and Silkworms. Samples included live specimens but also minimally (dehydrated) and highly processed edible insects. Traces of T. gondii DNA were detected in samples of dehydrated mealworm. These results highlight the need for implementing good farming and processing practices with particular care paid to safe storage and handling of feed and substrates used for edible insects to reduce the chance of T. gondii entering the human food chain.

Articles | Veterinární medicína | Agricultural Journals