Effect of heating bovine colostrum at 60°C for 90' on colostrum quality and, the health and growth characteristics of Holstein dairy calves

AIMS

The major objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of heat-treating colostrum on the subsequent growth characteristics (weight gain, body size, dry matter intake and feed efficiency rate) and health of Holstein calves.

METHODS

A total of 1200 neonatal Holstein calves on one commercial dairy farm were enrolled. The calves were divided into heat-treated (60°C for 90 min) and unheated (raw) colostrum groups. Calf serum IgG and total protein concentrations were measured before and after colostrum consumption. Health characteristics and disease prevalence were recorded during the suckling period.

RESULTS

Consumption of heat-treated colostrum led to increased serum IgG (P < 0.0001) and total protein (P < 0.0001) concentrations, increased apparent efficacy of IgG absorption (P < 0.0001) and increased general health condition, weight gain (P < 0.0001) and clinical performance.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Heat-treatment of colostrum is an effective method to improve health and increase growth characteristics (weight gain, body size, dry matter intake and feed efficiency rate) of neonatal dairy calves, most likely by decreasing microbial load and facilitating IgG absorption.

Copper (II) complexes with N, S donor pyrazole-based ligands as anticancer agents

A group of bidentate nitrogen and sulfur donor pyrazole derivative ligands abbreviated as Na[RNCS(Pz)], Na[RNCS(Pz^Me2)], Na[RNCS(Pz^Me3)], Na[RNCS(Pz^PhMe)], Na[RNCS(Pz^Ph2)], where (R = Et, Ph), and their Cu (II) complexes were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and physicochemical methods. The crystal structure of [Cu(PhNCSPz^Me3)₂] was determined by X-ray crystallography analysis and the results described a distorted square planar coordination geometry for this complex. Also, the cyclic voltammetry investigations indicated that the synthesized copper complex is an electrochemically active species. Moreover, the cytotoxic activity of all of the twenty synthesized compounds was evaluated using MTT assay against the MCF-7 (human breast carcinoma) cell lines, in vitro. Cu (II) complexes indicate significant cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 cell lines as compared with the free ligands. The docking studies showed that the copper complexes have better interactions with EGFR and CDK2 proteins, compared to the free ligands, and most of the studied compounds have a higher value of binding energy relative to the studied controls. The results of QSAR analysis suggest that dipole moment is in direct correlation with the obtained IC₅₀ values, and it strongly impact the anticancer effects generated by the compounds. Our findings suggest that the developed copper complexes can be good candidates for further evaluations as chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of cancer.

In vitro and In silico studies on the anticancer and antimicrobial activity of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes with bis (pyrazolyl) borate derivative ligand

A bidentate N-donor pyrazole-based ligand abbreviated as K[H2B(PzMe2)2] and corresponding complexes with Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) were synthesized and characterized, where PzMe2=3,5-dimethylpyrazole. The synthesized ligand and complexes were evaluated for anticancer activities against (MDA-MB-231) human breast cell line. Their Antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was investigated. Also, their molecular docking with YmaH (PDB ID: 3HSB), ecKAS III (PDB ID: 1HNJ) protein and DNA dodecamer (PDB ID: 1BNA) as the possible targets was performed. In silico molecular docking along with the experimental MTT assay and antibacterial studies, indicated the metal complexes are more bioactive than free uncoordinated ligand and can be excellent candidates for further evaluations in the biological area.

Effect of orally administered cisapride, bethanechol, and erythromycin on the apparent efficiency of colostral IgG absorption in neonatal Holstein-Friesian calves

Objective

To evaluate the effect of orally administered cisapride, bethanechol, and erythromycin on the absorption of colostral IgG in dairy calves.

Animals

Twenty‐four healthy neonatal Holstein‐Friesian calves.

Procedures

Calves were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: 0.9% NaCl solution (2 mL, PO; negative control); erythromycin lactobionate (20 mg/kg BW, PO; anticipated to be a positive control); cisapride (0.5 mg/kg BW, PO); bethanechol chloride (0.5 mg/kg BW, PO). Calves were fed 3 L of pooled bovine colostrum containing acetaminophen (50 mg/kg) by suckling and oroesophageal intubation 30 minutes after each treatment was administered. Jugular venous blood samples were obtained periodically after the start of feeding and plasma total IgG, protein, acetaminophen, and glucose concentrations determined. Abomasal emptying rate was assessed by the time to maximal plasma acetaminophen concentration.

Results

Oral administration of cisapride facilitated the absorption of colostral IgG and protein. The effect of cisapride on abomasal emptying rate could not be evaluated because cisapride appeared to interfere with acetaminophen metabolism. Based on the total IgG and total protein concentration‐time relationships, the beneficial effects of cisapride appeared to occur early after oral administration and were transient.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Additional studies appear indicated to characterize the effect of cisapride dose on the magnitude and duration of its effect on facilitating the absorption of colostral IgG and protein. Identification of a nonantimicrobial method for increasing abomasal emptying rate, such as cisapride, will potentially provide a practical and effective method for facilitating transfer of passive immunity in colostrum‐fed dairy calves.

Molecular G typing of bovine rotaviruses in Iran

Fifty rotavirus-positive feacal samples, selected from 500 ELISA tested diarrheic specimens were used in this study. Viral RNA was extracted from each sample and reveres transcribed to cDNA. The cDNA was then amplified by oligonucleotide primers specific for RNA segment 9, coding for VP7. After the first amplification, PCR products were subjected to a multiplex semi-nested PCR to investigate the presence of bovine rotavirus serotypes: G6, G8 and G10. The results indicated prevalence of 48 and 26% for G6 and G10 serotypes, respectively. Twenty four percent of the samples showed a mix infection by G6 and G10 serotypes and no sample was found positive for the type G8. With the best of our knowledge this is the first report of molecular typing of bovine rotaviruses in Iran.