Twenty-four multiparous Holstein dairy cows from a dairy farm in Hokkaido were featured in this study. They were divided into two groups: a keto group, which developed postpartum ketosis, and a control group (n = 12 / group). Oxidative stress markers and blood biochemistry were investigated in both groups. Blood samples were collected 10 to 14 days before calving, and 1 and 15 days after calving. The blood concentration of hydroperoxide, β-hydroxy-butyric acid, non-esterified fatty acids and the ratio of glycine/alanine were significantly higher in the keto group than in the control group 15 days after calving (P＜0.05 and P＜0.01, respectively). Blood glucose level and methionine/glycine ratio were significantly lower in the keto group than in the control group 15 days after calving (P＜0.05). Additionally, postpartum energy and protein deficiencies were observed in the keto group. In conclusion, ketosis might be related to oxidative stress due to enhanced lipid peroxidation and increases hydroperoxide levels in transition period.

View full abstract

Fifty-five of 1,080,000 slaughtered broiler chickens, 60 to 65 days of age, from a farm were diagnosed with aspergillosis, and 30 affected cases were subjected to pathological investigation. Based on their lesional distribution, 23 cases were classified into the pulmonary form, 6 into the cutaneous form, and 1 into the systemic form. Macroscopically, in the pulmonary form, yellow-white nodules of increased consistency were found in 13 and 23 cases of the lungs and air sacs, frequently in the abdominal air sacs. Cutaneous nodules were predominantly distributed in the alar and femoral feather tracts and the surrounding areas. The nodules in the systemic form were present in the lungs, air sacs, liver, kidneys and heart. Histologically, the nodular lesions were composed of multifocal coalescing granulomas with hyphae showing morphological characteristics of Aspergillus species. Cutaneous nodular lesions were formed in the feather follicles and their subadjacent dermis. Hematogenous dissemination of the fungus was suggested, since granulomas with hyphae were found in the arteriolar intima in the lungs in systemic form.

View full abstract