Serological Responses to Influenza Vaccination during Pregnancy

Pregnant women, newborns, and infants under six months old are at the highest risk of developing severe and even fatal influenza. This risk is compounded by the inability to vaccinate infants under six months, highlighting the importance of vertically transferred immunity. This review identifies novel insights that have emerged from recent studies using animal models of pregnancy and vaccination. We also discuss the knowledge obtained using existing clinical trials that have evaluated influenza-specific serological responses in pregnant women and how these responses may impact early life immunity. We delineate the mechanisms involved in transferring specific maternal antibodies and discuss the consequences for early life immunity. Most importantly, we highlight the need for continued research using pregnant animal models and the inclusion of pregnant women, a commonly neglected population, when evaluating novel vaccine platforms to better serve and treat communicable diseases.

Squamous metaplasia of the rete ovarii do not suppress ovarian cyclicity and pregnancy in cattle: case report

ABSTRACT Squamous metaplasia of the rete ovarii is an ovarian pathologic change characterized by replacement of the normal single layered cuboidal epithelium of the rete ovarii by a stratified squamous keratinized epithelium. Uterus and ovaries from a local slaughterhouse pregnant crossbreed cow were evaluated through ultrasound, macroscopically and histologically. Grossly, there were multiple cysts in both ovaries, which were histologically characterized as rete ovarii cysts with squamous metaplasia and intraluminal accumulation of keratinized material. Squamous metaplasia of the rete ovarii has been previously reported in cows, however this is the first report of this condition in a pregnant animal, demonstrating that this ovarian change is compatible with pregnancy.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for the assessment of placental development and function

The use of contrast agents as signal enhancers during ultrasound improves visualization and the diagnostic utility of this technology in medical imaging. Although widely used in many disciplines, contrast ultrasound is not routinely implemented in obstetrics, largely due to safety concerns of administered agents for pregnant women and the limited number of studies that address this issue. Here the microbubble characteristics that make them beneficial for enhancement of the blood pool and the quantification of real-time imaging are reviewed. Literature from pregnant animal model studies and safety assessments are detailed, and the potential for contrast-enhanced ultrasound to provide clinically relevant data and benefit our understanding of early placental development and detection of placental dysfunction is discussed.

Abattoirs – A Hidden Centre for Livestock Genetic Resources Loss in Nigeria

Nigeria is naturally blessed with wide diversity of native animal genetic resources. Indigenous ruminant livestock such as cattle, camel, donkey, sheep and goat contributes largely in both protein supply, revenue generation and national economy. In Nigeria, these animal resources are mismanaged and undermined through the indiscriminate slaughter of pregnant animals and foetal losses in abattoirs. This unethical practice resulted in the loss of genetic diversity, preferred traits and superior females ruminant animals. The current research focus on reported incidences across abattoirs, which is a centre where such practice is highly occurs within the country. Lack of modern facilities, law enforcement, poor management and animal welfare in abattoirs to protect pregnant animals are among few factors responsible for an increase in incidences. It is unprofitable to continue the tradition of pregnant animal slaughter that causes foetal losses. This is a condition that significantly threatens the animal genetic resources and general livestock industry in Nigeria. This practice must be discard with a proper conservation and documentation of these valuable animal genetic resources. Both long and short terms conservation programs must aim for substantial benefits of these resources. Laws must be enforced with strict penalties to those involved in pregnant animal slaughter. Genetic resources of these species and meat industry future could be safe with proper implementation of these laws and conservation measures.

EFFECT OF POTASH ADMINISTRATION ON THE BODY WEIGHT OF PREGNANT WISTAR RATS

Objective: Potash known as potassium carbonate (K2CO3) is a mixture of salt with other components, including impurities which coexist in mineral and salt is highly consumed in various forms by pregnant women. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of potash on the weight index of pregnant Wistar rats. Methods: A total of 25 albino Wistar rat with weights ranging from 180 to 300 g were used and allocated into five groups of five animals each (four females and one male) designated as Groups A, B, C, D, and E. The experimental Groups B, C, D, and E were administered through oral route different doses of potash of 300 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg, 900 mg/kg, and 1200 mg/kg, respectively, after pregnancy was detected by checking for mucus plug in the vagina. Group A served as the control group and was administered distilled water only. The animals were allowed for 1 week for acclimatization under normal temperature (270–300°C), which they were being fed with normal feed (grower’s mash) and water ad libitum for 1 week. Results: The result showed a significant (p˂0.05) reduction in weight with the highest level seen with the 1200 mg/kg group when compared to the control. Conclusion: Therefore, the effect of potash alters the physical activity and decreases weight, by implication may induce growth retardation of the Wistar rats which is not healthy for a pregnant animal.

»das thier friszt, der mensch iszt«

Contemporary German shows a rigid lexical segregation between humans and animals (e. g. stillen/säugen ›suckle/breastfeed‹, corpse/carcass ›Leiche/Kadaver‹). This was not the case historically but only evolved in Early New High German and the beginning of the New High German period. This article lays out the emergence of the lexical boundary between humans and animals using the three lexical pairs essen/fressen ›eat [human]/eat [animal]‹, trinken/saufen ›drink [human]/drink [animal]‹ and schwanger/trächtig ›pregnant [human]/pregnant [animal]‹ on the basis of extensive corpus and dictionary studies, and pursues the question why the segregation between human and animals emerged at all and why this happened in the 18th century.

Induce estrus with ultrasonography examination and progesterone hormone assay for pregnancy diagnosis in Iraqi goats

The aim of present work is to induce ovulation in 40 female goats in non-breeding seasons and pregnancy diagnosis using RIA of progesterone serum level and trans abdominal ultrasonography with 3.5 MHz prop. The 40 Iraqi goats were naturally inseminated during estrous phase, using fertile backs, after withdrawal of intravaginal impregnated sponges with 20 mg of cronolone (Fluorogestone Acetate progestagen) kept for eleven days and 400 IU of equine chorionic gonadotrophin inject I/M 24hrs. before sponge withdraw. The results indicated that all does were showed (100%) estrous sign, the estrous time was 24-66 hrs. after sponge withdrawal and the pregnancy rate 67.5%. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein before progesterone treatment, at the time of insemination and after 21 day of insemination. Early pregnancy diagnosis by RIA of progesterone concentration was performed and showed progesterone hormone value as were increasing significantly (P<0.01) from 0.26±0.12 ng/ml before insemination to 3.29±1.10 ng/ml in 21 days after insemination. Pregnant animal was examined using transabdominal ultrasonography during 45, 60 and 90 days after insemination. In conclusion, estrus could be efficiently induced in female goats during non-breeding season using 20 mg cronolone impregnated sponge and 400 IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin I/M at 24 hrs. before spongy withdrawal. The effective of early detection of pregnancy by progesterone assay in 21 days after insemination and ultrasonography by abdominal 3.5 MHz transducer after 45 days of pregnancy.

PREVALENCE OF BRUCELLOSIS IN PIGS: THE FIRST REPORT IN BANGLADESH

Brucellosis, a bacterial zoonotic disease, has been reported in ruminants but still no report in pigs in Bangladesh. The aim of this study was to describe seroprevalence of brucellosis in swine in Bangladesh. Blood from a total of 105 pigs was collected from selected areas of Bangladesh. All samples were screened using Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and further confirmed by using Slow Agglutination Test (SAT). A structured questionnaire was used to collect the epidemiological data related to the animals and husbandry practices. Out of the 105 sera analyzed, 7 (6.7%) and 5 (4.8%) were found to be positive by RBT and SAT respectively. It was observed that, insignificantly higher prevalence of brucellosis based on SAT was found in female (5.6%) than male (2.9%), in aged animal (8.1%) than young (0.0%) and in pregnant animal (12.5%) than non pregnant animal (2.1%) (p>0.05). Prevalence of brucellosis was 42.9% in aborted pigs and 1.6% in non aborted pigs. The association between abortion status and prevalence of brucellosis was statistically highly significant (p<0.01). This report of prevalence of brucellosis in pigs is very important with regards to the human health and other livestock and might help Government and NGOs to design preventive measurement and establish livestock health policy.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v10i1-2.15649