Effect of the type of milking on mammary gland examination in Saanen goats

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition in mammary gland tissue fibrosis and insights into drug therapeutics

Background

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a multi-step morphogenetic process in which epithelial cells lose their epithelial properties and gain mesenchymal characteristics. The process of EMT has been shown to mediate mammary gland fibrosis. Understanding how mesenchymal cells emerge from an epithelial default state will aid in unravelling the mechanisms that control fibrosis and, ultimately, in identifying therapeutic targets to alleviate fibrosis.

Methods

The effects of EGF and high glucose (HG) on EMT in mammary epithelial cells, MCF10A and GMECs, as well as their pathogenic role, were studied. In-silico analysis was used to find interacting partners and protein-chemical/drug molecule interactions.

Results

On treatment with EGF and/or HG, qPCR analysis showed a significant increase in the gene expression of EMT markers and downstream signalling genes. The expression of these genes was reduced on treatment with EGF+HG combination in both cell lines. The protein expression of COL1A1 increased as compared to the control in cells treated with EGF or HG alone, but when the cells were treated with EGF and HG together, the protein expression of COL1A1 decreased. ROS levels and cell death increased in cells treated with EGF and HG alone, whereas cells treated with EGF and HG together showed a decrease in ROS production and apoptosis. In-silico analysis of protein-protein interactions suggest the possible role of MAPK1, actin alpha 2 (ACTA2), COL1A1, and NFκB1 in regulating TGFβ1, ubiquitin C (UBC), specificity protein 1 (SP1) and E1A binding protein P300 (EP300). Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment suggests advanced glycation end products-receptor for advanced glycation end products (AGE-RAGE) signalling pathway, relaxin signalling pathway and extra cellular matrix (ECM) receptor interactions underlying fibrosis mechanism.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that EGF and HG induce EMT in mammary epithelial cells and may also have a role in fibrosis.

Laboratory Tests to Optimize the Milking Machine Settings with Air Inlet Teat Cups for Sheep and Goats

Milking machine design and performance are directly related to the milkability of sheep and goats, with the aim of milking quickly, completely and gently. This leads to an increase in the milk yield with improved quality, and the maintenance of healthy udders. The aim of this study was to carry out laboratory tests to determine the optimal level of vacuum, pulsation rate and pulsation ratio of new milking machines in high and low milk lines for sheep and goats. This study was conducted at the Department of Research and Development, Siliconform, Germany. For this purpose, different levels of vacuum (32, 34, 36, 38 and 40 kPa), milk jet (2, 2.5, 3 and 4 mm), milk line (high line and low line) and pulsation ratio (50:50 and 60:40) were used. First minute water flow (1st WF/kg) was used as an indicator for assessing the best combination in the milking machine. In addition, the cyclic vacuum fluctuation was measured in the inner chamber of the teat cup during the 1st WF/kg with the aid of a Vacuscope device. Statistical analysis was conducted using the mixed procedure in SAS. Our results show that the vacuum level, the milk jet and the pulsation ratio had a significant influence (p < 0.05) on the 1st WF/kg in the two milking machines for goats and sheep. In conclusion, the ideal conditions for milking goats with air inlet teat cups in the milking machine are a vacuum level of 36–38 kPa (low line) and 38–40 kPa (high line), a pulsation rate of 90 cycles/min and a pulsation ratio of 60:40, while the ideal conditions in the sheep milking machines are a vacuum level of 35–36 kPa (low line) and 36–38 kPa (high line), a pulsation rate of 120 cycles/min and a pulsation ratio of 60:40 or 50:50.

The Impact of Mastitis on the Biochemical Parameters, Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress Markers in Goat's Milk: A Review

Goat mastitis has become one of the most frequently diagnosed conditions in goat farms, with significant economic impact on the dairy industry. Inflammation of the mammary gland poses serious consequences on milk composition, with changes regarding biochemical parameters and oxidative stress markers. The aim of this paper is to present the most recent knowledge on the main biochemical changes that occur in the mastitic milk, as well as the overall effect of the oxidative and nitrosative stress on milk components, focusing on both enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant markers. Mastitis in goats is responsible for a decrease in milk production, change in protein content with pronounced casein hydrolysis, and reduction in lactose concentration and milk fat. Milk enzymatic activity also undergoes changes, regarding indigenous enzymes and those involved in milk synthesis. Furthermore, during mastitis, both the electrical conductivity and the milk somatic cell count are increased. Intramammary infections are associated with a reduced milk antioxidant capacity and changes in catalase, lactoperoxidase, glutathione peroxidase or superoxide dismutase activity, as well as reduced antioxidant vitamin content. Mastitis is also correlated with an increase in the concentration of nitric oxide, nitrite, nitrate and other oxidation compounds, leading to the occurrence of nitrosative stress.