80 results on '"M. Probo"'
Search Results
2. Metabolic and production parameters of dairy cows with different dry period lengths and parities
- Author
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Antonio Mollo, Ippolito De Amicis, Alberto Prandi, M. Probo, Alessandro Agazzi, and Jasmine Fusi
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chemistry.chemical_classification ,NEFA ,Milk yield ,Animal science ,General Veterinary ,Milk protein ,chemistry ,Period (gene) ,Ice calving ,Fatty acid ,Biology ,Parity (mathematics) ,Postpartum period - Abstract
To assess the effects of dry period (DP) length on metabolic, reproductive, and productive parameters, second- (SP) and third- (TP) parity cows were assigned to a traditional (9 weeks, T) or short (5 weeks, S) DP, obtaining four subgroups: second-parity cows with traditional (SPT = 8) and short (SPS = 8) DP, third-parity cows with traditional (TPT = 8) and short (TPS = 10) DP. Plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels were assessed from 5 weeks before to 14 weeks after parturition. IGF-I concentrations were affected by parity (P < 0.05) and by the interaction of time and DP length (P < 0.01). NEFA levels were affected only by time (P < 0.01). S DP cows showed a shorter interval between calving and ovarian cyclicity resumption (P < 0.01) and a higher milk yield (P < 0.01) and fat and protein corrected milk (P < 0.01) compared with T DP cows. Decreased milk protein content was found in the SPS group compared to the SPT (P < 0.05) and the TPS (P < 0.05) group. In conclusion, a short DP length does not affect reproductive performances, except for hastening the resumption of ovarian cyclicity. A short DP appears to increase milk production and is associated with higher IGF-I levels both in the prepartum and the postpartum period.
- Published
- 2021
3. The Mediating Role of Gender, Age, COVID-19 Symptoms and Changing of Mansion on the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers Operating in Italy during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Author
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C. Gramaglia, P. Zeppegno, Danila Azzolina, M. Probo, Marco Rudoni, Debora Marangon, and Eleonora Gambaro
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medicine.medical_specialty ,burnout, healthcare workers, mediation analysis, COVID-19 pandemic, mental health ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,Health Personnel ,Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis ,health care facilities, manpower, and services ,education ,COVID-19 pandemic ,Anxiety ,Burnout ,Article ,NO ,Pandemic ,Health care ,medicine ,Humans ,mediation analysis ,Psychiatry ,Pandemics ,psychiatry_mental_health_studies ,burnout ,Depression ,SARS-CoV-2 ,healthcare workers ,business.industry ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,COVID-19 ,Mental health ,mental health ,Quality of Life ,Medicine ,Psychology ,business - Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has tested the performance of hospitals and intensive care units around the world. Health care workers (HCWs) have been used to developmental symptoms, but this was especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic when HCWs have been faced with many other sources of stress and anxiety that can usually be avoided. Moreover, long-term shifts and unprecedented population restrictions have weakened people’s ability to cope with stress. The research aims to observe the dynamic interplay between burnout, depression, distress, and anxiety in HCWs working in various settings, with specific a focus on emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of personal achievement in mediating a worse mental health status during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. We performed a mediation analysis, which resulted in a strong correlation among depression, psychological distress, health perception and anxiety, and the impact of job burnout on anxiety, depression, and distress. Gender seemed to have a strong correlation with burnout, anxiety, and distress; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Quality of Life seemed to affect anxiety and depression; the possible changes in job tasks and duties (intended as a change in work area or location and role change)influenced depression and job burnout. Encouraging supportive and educational strategies would be recommended to policymakers.
- Published
- 2021
4. Preliminary investigation on feline coronavirus presence in the reproductive tract of the tom cat as a potential route of viral transmission
- Author
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Stefania Lauzi, Maria Elena Gelain, Alberto Fioletti, M. C. Pisu, Sara Meazzi, Federico Bonsembiante, M. Probo, Saverio Paltrinieri, and Angelica Stranieri
- Subjects
Male ,Feline coronavirus ,040301 veterinary sciences ,Reproductive tract ,Viral transmission ,Disease ,Biology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Feline Infectious Peritonitis ,0403 veterinary science ,03 medical and health sciences ,prevention ,Semen ,Testis ,medicine ,Animals ,Coronavirus, Feline ,Small Animals ,cattery management ,feline infectious peritonitis ,PCR ,tom cat reproduction ,030304 developmental biology ,0303 health sciences ,Transmission (medicine) ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Original Articles ,Virology ,Feline infectious peritonitis ,Cats ,RNA, Viral - Abstract
Objectives Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is an immune-mediated disease initiated by feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection. To date, the only proven route of transmission is the faecal–oral route, but a possible localisation of FCoV in the reproductive tract of tom cats is of concern, owing to the involvement of the male reproductive tract during FIP and to the presence of reproduction disorders in FCoV-endemic feline catteries. The aim of the study was to investigate the presence and localisation of FCoV in semen and/or in the reproductive tract of tom cats, and its possible association with seroconversion and viraemic phase. Methods Blood, serum, semen and/or testicle samples were obtained from 46 tom cats. Serology was performed on 38 serum samples, nested reverse transcriptase PCR (nRT-PCR) and reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were performed on 39 blood samples and on 17 semen samples, and histology, immunohistochemistry and nRT-PCR were performed on 39 testicles. Results Twenty-four of 38 serum samples were positive on serology. Semen samples were negative on RT-PCR and RT-qPCR for FCoV, while all blood samples were negative at both molecular methods, except for one sample positive at RT-qPCR with a very low viral load. All testicles were negative at immunohistochemistry, while six were positive at nRT-PCR for FCoV. Serology and blood PCR results suggest that the virus was present in the environment, stimulating transient seroconversion. FCoV seems not to localise in the semen of tom cats, making the venereal route as a way of transmission unlikely. Although viral RNA was found in some testicles, it could not be correlated with the viraemic phase. Conclusions and relevance In the light of these preliminary results, artificial insemination appears safer than natural mating as it eliminates the direct contact between animals, thus diminishing the probability of faecal–oral FCoV transmission.
- Published
- 2019
5. Serum biochemical profile in Holstein Friesian and Belgian blue calves in the first 48 hours of life
- Author
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Pierangelo Moretti, M. Probo, Maria Cristina Veronesi, Saverio Paltrinieri, Geert Opsomer, L. O. Fiems, and Alessia Giordano
- Subjects
NEONATAL CALVES ,Holstein-Friesian ,040301 veterinary sciences ,Newborn calf ,COLOSTRUM ,0403 veterinary science ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,HEMATOLOGY ,Animal science ,Medicine ,Veterinary Sciences ,skin and connective tissue diseases ,lcsh:SF1-1100 ,holstein-friesian ,Creatinine ,business.industry ,COW ,ENDOCRINE TRAITS ,0402 animal and dairy science ,Biology and Life Sciences ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,040201 dairy & animal science ,belgian-blue ,PULMONARY-FUNCTION VALUES ,DOUBLE-MUSCLED CALVES ,chemistry ,Belgian Blue ,GROWTH ,Colostrum ,biochemical parameters ,Animal Science and Zoology ,lcsh:Animal culture ,sense organs ,Belgian-Blue ,business ,CREATININE ,newborn calf ,NEWBORN - Abstract
Specific age-related changes in blood variables of calves have previously been reported. The very first hours after birth are however not fully investigated, and results originating from different breeds are combined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the variation in biochemical variables during the first 48 hours after birth in Holstein-Friesian (HF) and Belgian Blue (BB) calves. Nineteen HF calves born vaginally and 23 BB calves delivered by caesarean section were sampled within 30 min after birth, and at 24 and 48 h of life. The concentration of albumin, chloride, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphate, urea, creatinine, glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate, total protein, and activity of AST, γGT and glutamate dehydrogenase were evaluated. In both groups, significant decreases were recorded at 24 and/or 48 hours compared with 30 min for albumin, calcium, chloride and creatinine, while significant increases were found for AST, γGT, bilirubin, GLDH, glucose and total protein. Changes in analyte concentrations or activities, followed the same trend in both groups, thus suggesting typical features of the newborn calf maturation. The first 24 hours after birth seem to represent a temporal key point in the newborn calf’s life for switching from maternal dependence to a self-sufficient and independent survival. This study confirms that age-specific values should be considered for precise interpretation of laboratory results of newborn calves.Highlights Biochemical profiles of Holstein-Friesian and Belgian-Blue newborn calf in the first 48 hours of age are investigated. Almost all biochemical parameters change according to calf age in both groups and following the same trend in the two groups. Age-specific reference values should be considered during newborn calf evaluation.
- Published
- 2018
6. Hair cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations in healthy beef calves from birth to 6 months of age
- Author
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Jasmine Fusi, Alberto Prandi, Tanja Peric, M. Probo, Maria Cristina Veronesi, and Massimo Faustini
- Subjects
Male ,Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ,Hydrocortisone ,Dehydroepiandrosterone ,Physiology ,Pituitary-Adrenal System ,Calves ,Cortisol ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate ,Food Animals ,Pregnancy ,Bovine ,Hair ,Animals ,Cattle ,Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ,Female ,Parturition ,Retrospective Studies ,medicine ,Small Animals ,Fetus ,Equine ,business.industry ,Hair analysis ,Radioimmunoassay ,medicine.disease ,chemistry ,Every Three Weeks ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Apgar score ,business ,hormones, hormone substitutes, and hormone antagonists - Abstract
Cortisol (C) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are recognized as the main fetal steroids, and they are likely to influence fetal development and have long-term effects on newborn hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) function. DHEA is often measured as its sulfates and expressed as DHEA-S. Hair analysis represents a promising methodological approach for the non-invasive measurement of steroids, allowing for a retrospective analysis of the total exposure to steroids over time, and avoiding the influence of acute events or circadian fluctuations. Hair cortisol and DHEA concentrations have been investigated in cows, but no studies have been performed on calves. The object of this study was to evaluate hair cortisol (HC) and hair DHEA-S (HDHEA-S) concentrations in beef calves from birth to six months of age. Hair samples of 12 beef calves (seven males, five females) were firstly collected at birth (T1) and then every three weeks up to six months of age (T2-T10), collecting only the re-grown hair. HC and HDHEA-S were analyzed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Calves sex, weight and APGAR score were registered immediately after birth. Statistical analysis revealed that both HC and HDHEA-S were influenced by sampling time (P < 0.001). HC concentrations were higher at T1 compared to all subsequent samplings (T2-T10, P < 0.01); HC concentrations were higher at T2 compared to T4-T10 (P < 0.01), while no further changes were detected from T3 onward. Higher HDHEA-S concentrations were registered at T1, T2 and T3 compared to all the other samplings (P < 0.01). No correlation was found between hair concentrations of both steroids and calf sex or birthweight. APGAR score was negatively correlated only with HC at birth (P < 0.05). These data demonstrate that C and DHEA-S are quantifiable in the hair of calves and are influenced by their age. The higher HC detected at birth (T1) probably reflects the high serum C concentrations present late in pregnancy and increased by the fetal HPA axis, by which parturition is initiated in cows. The highest HDHEA-S at birth (T1) in calves indicates that the largest amounts of DHEA and its sulfates are produced during fetal development. Moreover, the findings of higher HC at three weeks after birth and of higher HDHEA-S until six weeks after birth, suggest that C and DHEA secretion continues also beyond birth, and that these steroids could be involved in the events occurring during the challenging first weeks of age in the calf.
- Published
- 2021
7. Association between a single measurement of progesterone and cortisol blood concentrations at two to one week before parturition, and number of fetuses in the Teramana goat
- Author
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Augusto Carluccio, Roberta Bucci, M. Probo, Massimo Faustini, Jasmine Fusi, and Alessio Cotticelli
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Fetus ,medicine.medical_specialty ,General Veterinary ,business.industry ,goat ,Single measurement ,late pregnancy ,cortisol ,progesterone ,Endocrinology ,Internal medicine ,goat, late pregnancy, cortisol, progesterone, number of fetuses ,medicine ,number of fetuses ,business - Abstract
The Teramana goat is an at-risk breed, needing population protection and programs to increase their numbers. The first step for a population increase is the best management of reproduction, leading to an as high as possible number of healthy and viable kids born. To this purpose, beside the optimization of mating, the best possible management of pregnancy and parturition is mandatory. The goat is a prolific farm animal in which single, double, or triple ovulations can occur, leading to singleton, twin or triple pregnancies, and the birth of multiple kids. Twins and triplets are associated to increased risk for perinatal mortality and need a special surveillance and possible assistance at birth. Knowledge of the number of fetuses that have to be delivered from each goat could be a practical tool for a better management of parturition. Among the methods to define the number of fetuses in the goat, the measurement of blood progesterone (P4) concentrations have provided inconsistent results. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess the possible association between the maternal concentrations of plasma P4 and cortisol (C), two hormones possibly associated to the number of fetuses, measured only once at about two to one week before parturition in Teramana goats, and the number of fetuses. The results, obtained from 23 does, showed that both plasma P4 and C are higher in does bearing multiple fetuses than does with singleton pregnancies. However, the single measurement of plasma C, but not P4, two to one week before the expected parturition in the Teramana goat is useful to distinguish between does bearing singleton and triplet pregnancies for a better surveillance and assistance at delivery. Therefore, it could represent a tool for the best management of reproduction in a breed population at risk for extinction.
- Published
- 2022
8. Reliability of symmetric dimethylarginine in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease as kidney biomarker
- Author
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Alessia Libera Gazzonis, Melissa Papa, M. Probo, Paola Brambilla, A. Savarese, Chiara Locatelli, and Sergio Aurelio Zanzani
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medicine.medical_specialty ,Myxomatous mitral valve disease ,040301 veterinary sciences ,Population ,Cardiomyopathy ,Biomarker, Cardiovascular-renal disorder, Dog, Myxomatous mitral valve disease, Symmetric dimethylarginine ,030204 cardiovascular system & hematology ,0403 veterinary science ,03 medical and health sciences ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,0302 clinical medicine ,Internal medicine ,Mitral valve ,medicine ,Dog ,education ,Creatinine ,education.field_of_study ,General Veterinary ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,business.industry ,Complete blood count ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Biomarker ,medicine.disease ,Cardiovascular-renal disorder ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,chemistry ,QL1-991 ,Heart failure ,Symmetric dimethylarginine ,Cardiology ,Biomarker (medicine) ,business ,Zoology ,Kidney disease - Abstract
The most common cause of heart failure in the canine population is myxomatous mitral valve disease, sometimes complicated by chronic kidney disease. Many studies have been done on the use of symmetric dimethylarginine as biomarker of renal impairment in dogs affected by chronic kidney disease, few studies have examined his reliability as biomarker in dogs affected by heart diseases. Aim of this study was to evaluate symmetric dimethylarginine in dogs affected by mitral valve disease in order to assess his reliability in heart diseases. This was a retrospective case-control study on a clinical population of dogs affected by mitral valve disease (cases) vs healthy dogs (controls). Both groups underwent a complete physical evaluation, echocardiographic examination, complete blood count, biochemical panel, including serum creatinine and urea and urine analysis with protein-to-creatinine ratio. Serum was frozen and sent to IDEXX laboratories for symmetric dimethylarginine determination. General linear model was applied to data. A total number of 24 cases and 7 controls were included. Symmetric dimethylarginine value was in the reference value in the 75% (n=18) of cases, and in the 43% (n=3) of controls. Once set symmetric dimethylarginine as dependent variable, no statistical significant differences were found for each variable considered (breed, age, sex, weight, class of cardiomyopathy, presence/absence of valvular disease, presence/absence of congestive heart failure, pharmacological therapy, creatinine and urea concentration). Blood concentration of SDMA resulted not influenced by the variables mentioned above, so it could be considered a reliable marker of early renal impairment in dogs affected by mitral valve disease.Keywords: Biomarker, Cardiovascular-renal disorder, Dog, Myxomatous mitral valve disease, Symmetric dimethylarginine
- Published
- 2018
9. Pleural lymphocyte-rich transudates in cats
- Author
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L. Venco, Valentina Valenti, Walter Bertazzolo, Emme Lavergne, Saverio Paltrinieri, M. Probo, Catherine Trumel, Università degli Studi di Milano [Milano] (UNIMI), Veterinary Hospital Città di Pavia, Partenaires INRAE, Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Interactions hôtes-agents pathogènes [Toulouse] (IHAP), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT), Institut National Polytechnique (Toulouse) (Toulouse INP), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Institut National Polytechnique (Toulouse) (Toulouse INP), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, and LaVallonea Laboratory
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Thymoma ,040301 veterinary sciences ,[SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio] ,Cat Diseases ,Gastroenterology ,0403 veterinary science ,Mediastinal Lymphoma ,Internal medicine ,effusions ,medicine ,Carcinoma ,Animals ,Lymphocytes ,10. No inequality ,Small Animals ,pathophysiology ,Retrospective Studies ,business.industry ,0402 animal and dairy science ,Sequela ,Retrospective cohort study ,Exudates and Transudates ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,medicine.disease ,040201 dairy & animal science ,Transudate ,3. Good health ,Pleural Effusion ,Lymphatic system ,classification ,Effusion ,Cats ,Female ,business - Abstract
Objectives Non-chylous lymphorrhagic pleural effusions are transudative effusions with a predominance of lymphocytes; however, they do not contain chylomicrons and therefore do not have the classical milky aspect of true chylous effusion. This type of effusion has been anecdotally associated with cardiac diseases in cats, but studies are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between this type of effusion and the primary disease. Methods In this study, feline non-chylous lymphorrhagic pleural effusions were retrospectively selected from the database of the authors’ institutions over a 3 year period. All cases underwent thoracic imaging, including echocardiography. Effusions classified as transudates with a predominance of lymphocytes on cytology were included. Results Thirty-three cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria: 23 (69.7%) had a concurrent cardiac disease, eight (24.2%) cases were associated with the presence of a mediastinal lymphoma or carcinoma or a thoracic mass, one case (3.0%) was a thymoma and one case (3.0%) was a sequela of a pyothorax. Conclusions and relevance Since a clear lymphatic origin of the fluid could not be demonstrated, lymphocyte-rich transudate might be considered a better designation for these kinds of effusions rather than non-chylous lymphorrhagic effusions. Although the number of cases in this preliminary study is low, the presence of a pleural lymphocyte-rich transudate in a cat should prompt the search for cardiac disease or intrathoracic neoplasia.
- Published
- 2017
10. Prevalence, survival and subsequent fertility of dairy and beef cows with uterine prolapse
- Author
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Augusto Carluccio, Maria Cristina Veronesi, Brunella Giangaspero, M. Probo, and Ippolito De Amicis
- Subjects
Survival ,040301 veterinary sciences ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Longevity ,Uterus ,Ice calving ,Cattle Diseases ,Fertility ,Semen ,030308 mycology & parasitology ,0403 veterinary science ,03 medical and health sciences ,Animal science ,Milk yield ,Uterine Prolapse ,medicine ,Prevalence ,Animals ,media_common ,Retrospective Studies ,0303 health sciences ,General Veterinary ,business.industry ,food and beverages ,Uterine prolapse ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,medicine.disease ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Italy ,Cattle ,Female ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Weight gain ,After treatment - Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of uterine prolapse in cows and assess its effects on survival and subsequent fertility. Of 33,450 calving cows considered retrospectively, 216 (0.6%) developed uterine prolapse. A higher prevalence was found in beef cows (n = 57/5,700 cows, 1%) compared to dairy cows (n = 157/27,750 cows, 0.6%). Treatment consisted of cleaning and replacing the uterus with local administration of antibiotics, and applying a harness for uterine containment. The recovery rate was 81.9% (n = 177), similar in dairy (n = 129; 81.1%) and beef (n = 48; 84.2%) cows. Of the 216 cows with uterine prolapse, 18 (8.3%) died before or immediately after treatment; 21 cows (9.7%) were voluntarily culled for economic reasons (low milk yield, low fertility, insufficient weight gain). All recovered dairy cows were artificially inseminated with semen of proven fertility after a voluntary waiting period of 50 days; the beef cows were naturally mated. Among the 172 inseminated/mated cows, 84.7% (n = 150) became pregnant (83.7% dairy cows, 87.5% beef cows), while 15.2% (n = 27) did not conceive. Recurrence of uterine prolapse at subsequent calvings was recorded in one dairy cow. Based upon the data presented here, treated cows with uterine prolapse showed high chances of survival and conception, and a low risk of recurrence.
- Published
- 2019
11. Iron status in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease
- Author
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A, Savarese, M, Probo, C, Locatelli, A L, Gazzonis, S A, Zanzani, G, Traini, T, Vitiello, and P G, Brambilla
- Subjects
Heart Failure ,Male ,Dogs ,Iron ,Animals ,Mitral Valve Insufficiency ,Female ,Dog Diseases ,Renal Insufficiency - Abstract
In humans, iron deficiency represents a relevant occurrence in heart failure (HF), with or without anaemia, and is associated with the worst outcome. Moreover, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a well-known comorbidity of HF and is strongly associated with the risk of developing anaemia. The most common cause of HF in dogs is myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). To the best of our knowledge, no studies have examined the iron status in dogs with HF, with and without CKD. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the iron status in dogs affected by MMVD and how strong is the relation with HF. The retrospective study included 54 dogs with complete case records, echocardiography and laboratory analyses. Iron status was evaluated by measuring serum iron concentration (SIC), un- saturated iron binding capacity (UIBC), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and percentage of saturation (%SAT). The prevalence of dogs showing low serum iron concentration (SIC) was 18% in the whole population, 33% in symptomatic patients, 100% in dogs with acute decompensated HF. No signif- icant differences in SIC, UIBC, TIBC and %SAT median values were found among dogs classi- fied in different ACVIM (American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine) classes, between symptomatic and non-symptomatic patients, and among IRIS (International Renal Interest Soci- ety) classes. Azotemic and non-azotemic patients presented a significant difference in SIC mean values (p=0.02). Generalised linear model (GLM) revealed that dogs with low SIC were at high- er risk of being included in a higher ACVIM class (OR=6.383, p-value=0.014). Log-rank analysis showed shorter survival in dogs with low SIC (p=0.020), multivariate Cox analysis revealed that only HF symptoms can affect survival.
- Published
- 2018
12. Association between metabolic diseases and the culling risk of high-yielding dairy cows in a transition management facility using survival and decision tree analysis
- Author
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Geert Opsomer, Stephen J. LeBlanc, Miel Hostens, O. Bogado Pascottini, and M. Probo
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040301 veterinary sciences ,Ice calving ,Cattle Diseases ,Culling ,Biology ,0403 veterinary science ,Animal science ,Metabolic Diseases ,Retained placenta ,Pregnancy ,Germany ,Genetics ,medicine ,Animals ,Lactation ,Metritis ,Pharmacology. Therapy ,Hazard ratio ,Decision Trees ,0402 animal and dairy science ,Milk fever ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,medicine.disease ,040201 dairy & animal science ,Mastitis ,Dairying ,Herd ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Cattle ,Female ,Food Science - Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the association between individual metabolic diseases (MD) and multiple MD (MD+) in the transition period (+/- 3 wk relative to calving) and the culling risk in the first 120 d in milk (DIM) in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Health records from a transition management facility in Germany with 1,946 calvings were analyzed in a 1-yr cohort via survival analysis and a decision tree model. The recorded MD were milk fever (MF), retained placenta (RP), metritis (METR), ketosis (KET), displaced abomasum (DA), twinning (TWIN), and clinical mastitis (MAST). The overall culling within 120 DIM was 18%. The 120 DIM culling risk for healthy cows (64.8% of the total) was 13%, whereas it was 25% for MD (24.5%) and 33% for MD+ (10.7%) cows. The 120 DIM culling risk (%) for each MD and MD+, respectively, was 34.6 and 48 for MF and MF+, 15 and 31.5 for RP and RP+, 9.4 and 22.2 for METR and METR+, 30.7 and 37.3 for KET and KET I.., 56.1 and 46.8 for DA and DA+, 30.3 and 34 for TWIN and TWIN+, and 36.6 and 27.8 for MAST and MAST+. Moreover, the incidence risk (%) for each MD and MD+, respectively, was 4 and 2.6 for MF and MF+, 1 and 2.8 for RP and RP+, 8.7 and 6 for METR and METR+, 4.5 and 6.1 for KET and KET+, 0.8 and 2.4 for DA and DA+, 1.7 and 2.7 for TWIN and TWIN+, and 3.6 and 1.8 for MAST and MAST+. Setting the healthy cows as the referent, the 120 DIM hazard ratios (HR) for culling were MD 2.1, MD+ 2.9, MF 3.3, MF+ 4.6, RP -1 2.7, METR+ 1.8, KET 2.6, KET+ 3.3, DA 5.5, DA+ 4.5, TWIN 2.8, TWIN+ 3.0, MAST 3.1, and MAST+ 2.3. According to both decision tree and random forest analyses, MF was the most significant disease influencing survival, followed by DA, MAST, METR, and TWIN. In conclusion, the presence of MD or MD+ during the transition period was associated with increased culling risk in the first 120 DIM. The culling hazard was greater when an MD was complicated with another MD. In this study pertbrmed in a well-managed large farm, uncomplicated cases of RP (HR = 1.2) and METR (HR = 0.7) did not have an influence on the 120 DIM culling risk. Interestingly, both decision tree and random forest analyses pointed to MF and DA as main culling reasons in the first 120 DIM in the present dairy herd.
- Published
- 2018
13. Reference intervals for hematological and biochemical parameters, acute phase proteins and markers of oxidation in Holstein dairy cows around 3 and 30days after calving
- Author
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Erminio Trevisi, Pierangelo Moretti, M. Probo, Andrea Minuti, Saverio Paltrinieri, Alessia Giordano, and Annarita Ferrari
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Veterinary medicine ,040301 veterinary sciences ,Ice calving ,0403 veterinary science ,Animal science ,Reference Values ,Lactation ,Medicine ,Animals ,Hematologic Tests ,General Veterinary ,business.industry ,Postpartum Period ,0402 animal and dairy science ,Acute-phase protein ,food and beverages ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,040201 dairy & animal science ,Reference intervals ,Patient population ,Dairying ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Milk ,Herd ,Cattle ,Female ,business ,Parity (mathematics) ,Blood parameters ,Biomarkers ,Acute-Phase Proteins - Abstract
The establishment of specific reference intervals (RIs) is advisable when different metabolic conditions in the patient population are present or when existing RIs are not suitable. Holstein dairy cows, at the start of lactation, experience a negative energy balance and an altered immune function that can lead to different levels of blood parameters compared with cows at peak lactation. The aim of this study was the determination of RIs for Holstein cows at 3±1 and 30±3days in milk. To this aim, 145 cows, from 4 herds, were sampled. A wide panel of hematological and biochemical analytes was determined, as well as the measurement of markers of inflammation/oxidation. RIs were generated following the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP) guidelines and the effects of lactation period, parity, herd and day of sampling were determined. Data from 39 out of 52 analytes were significantly different according to lactation period. Data of 13 out of 52 analytes were not significantly different between the two groups. Some differences were also recorded between herds and parity groups but the adoption of specific RIs for these subgroups, however, has practical limitations. In conclusion the use of RIs specific for the lactation period is highly justified from both a statistical and a biological point of view. Pre-analytical factors associated with parity or management need to be considered in the evaluation of results of some analytes.
- Published
- 2017
14. Comparative study on Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) plasma concentrations in new-born horse foals, donkey foals and calves
- Author
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Augusto Carluccio, S. Panzani, M. Probo, Alberto Prandi, Maria Cristina Veronesi, and Massimo Faustini
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Insulin-like growth factor ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Endocrinology ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Internal medicine ,Plasma concentration ,medicine ,Horse ,Donkey ,Biology - Published
- 2017
15. The Piedmont Noble Milk as a Tool to Improve the Competitiveness of Mountain Farms
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G. Lombardi, M. Probo, M. Renna, S. Astegiano, A. Bellio, S. Ravetto Enri, C. Lussiana, P. Cornale, V. Malfatto, A. Mimosi, G. R. Gariano, M. Gramaglia, L. Decastelli, and L. Battaglini
- Subjects
Geography ,Dairy Cows ,Milk Fatty Acid Profle ,Mountain Farms, Dairy Cows, Milk Fatty Acid Profle ,Mountain Farms - Published
- 2014
16. 96 Association between metabolic diseases and fertility of high-yielding dairy cows in a transition management facility using survival analysis and machine-learning models
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Stephen J. LeBlanc, M. Probo, Osvaldo Américo Bogado Pascottini, Miel Hostens, and Geert Opsomer
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Pregnancy ,Obstetrics ,Hazard ratio ,food and beverages ,Milk fever ,Reproductive technology ,Biology ,medicine.disease ,Mastitis ,Endocrinology ,Reproductive Medicine ,Retained placenta ,Relative risk ,Genetics ,medicine ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Metritis ,Molecular Biology ,Developmental Biology ,Biotechnology - Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the association between individual and multiple metabolic diseases (MD and MD+) diagnosed during the transition period (± 3 wk relative to calving) and the probability of pregnancy until 210 days in milk (DIM) in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Disease and reproductive data from a dairy herd with 1946 calvings (n = 542 primiparous and n = 1404 multiparous cows) were analysed using a 1-year cohort. The recorded MD were milk fever, ketosis, displaced abomasum, retained placenta, metritis, twinning, and clinical mastitis. The association between the 210-DIM pregnancy risk and the MD was evaluated as MD cows (uncomplicated cases) v. MD+ cows (complicated cases) v. healthy cows (3 groups of cows). Univariable survival models were used to analyse the association of MD and MD+ with pregnancy until 210 DIM, accounting for parity. Univariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to quantify the relative risk of pregnancy per day. A hierarchically ordered decision tree and a random forest model were built to explore the importance of MD and parity on the pregnancy risk within the first 210 DIM. Parity affected the 210-DIM pregnancy risk (P
- Published
- 2019
17. Colorimetric and electrophoretic evaluation of lipoprotein fractions in healthy neonatal calves: Comparison with results from adult cows and from calves with inflammatory conditions
- Author
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Saverio Paltrinieri, M. Probo, Pierangelo Moretti, Alessia Giordano, and Gabriele Rossi
- Subjects
Electrophoresis ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Very low-density lipoprotein ,040301 veterinary sciences ,High density ,Cattle Diseases ,030204 cardiovascular system & hematology ,Biology ,0403 veterinary science ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Reference Values ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Animals ,Inflammation ,General Veterinary ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Endocrinology ,lipids (amino acids, peptides, and proteins) ,Cattle ,Colorimetry ,Female ,Lipoproteins, HDL ,Lipoprotein - Abstract
High density lipoproteins (HDLs) are pivotal in innate immunity and decrease in serum during inflammation. Several studies have been done about lipoprotein changes in transition cows but little is known about their changes in newborn calves. The aim of this study is to provide information about HDLs in newborn calves, by defining the possible age-related changes in healthy calves compared with adults and by assessing the possible differences in calves with inflammation. Lipoprotein electrophoretic separation (reported as percentages) and colorimetric measurement of HDL (HDL-C) were performed on healthy cows and calves in order to identify possible differences in the lipoprotein profile due to the age. Then, age-matched calves with inflammatory conditions were also evaluated. Results showed that in calves HDL% and VLDL% were lower (mean values ± SD: 77.6% ± 8.6% and 2.6% ± 2.5%, respectively) and LDL% was higher (19.7% ± 7.4%) than in adults (89.0% ± 3.9%; 5.2 ± 2.1% and 5.8% ± 3.1%, respectively). Sick calves revealed a decrease of both HDL% (mean values ± SD: 61.0% ± 22.1%) and HDL-C (22.8 ± 11.6 mg/dL) and an increase of VLDL% (12.1% ± 13.1%) compared with controls (77.6% ± 8.6%; 41.5 ± 11.2 mg/dL and 2.6% ± 2.5%, respectively). Paraoxonase-1 activity, influenced by inflammation and oxidation, was measured, and it appeared correlated with HDL% and HDL-C in sick calves. In conclusion, this study revealed that HDLs concentration in healthy calves is lower than in adults, and further decreases in calves with inflammation, likely due to oxidation.
- Published
- 2016
18. Fluctuation of neutrophil counts around parturition in Holstein dairy cows with and without retained placenta
- Author
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Pierangelo Moretti, Alessia Giordano, Andrea Cantoni, M. Probo, and Saverio Paltrinieri
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Neutrophils ,Lymphocyte ,Ice calving ,Cattle Diseases ,Biology ,Andrology ,03 medical and health sciences ,Leukocyte Count ,Retained placenta ,Pregnancy ,Internal medicine ,Peripheral neutropenia ,medicine ,Peripartum Period ,Animals ,General Veterinary ,Monocyte ,0402 animal and dairy science ,food and beverages ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,medicine.disease ,040201 dairy & animal science ,030104 developmental biology ,Retained fetal membranes ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Endocrinology ,Absolute neutrophil count ,Cattle ,Female ,Placenta, Retained - Abstract
Retained placenta (RP) is often diagnosed in high-yielding dairy cows and can negatively affect reproductive performances. The objective of the present study was to investigate the hematological and biochemical profile of cows with RP before and immediately after parturition, with particular emphasis on neutrophil counts, since a previous study demonstrated the presence of peripheral neutropenia in dairy cows with RP sampled a few days after parturition. Results from 12 Holstein cows affected by RP and from 17 clinically healthy controls sampled one week pre-partum, within 12h after calving and between 48 and 72h after parturition were compared between groups and over time. Compared with controls, cows with RP had lower lymphocyte counts before parturition, lower leukocyte and neutrophil counts at parturition, lower monocyte counts at all times, and higher β-hydroxybutyrate before and after parturition. Erythroid and biochemical parameters were similar over time in both groups, whereas RP cows did not show the increase of neutrophil counts that occurs in controls at parturition. Hence, the finding of a lower neutrophil count in a routinely hemogram performed at parturition could be used as an alarm signal suggesting to monitor the affected animals. Moreover, although the underlying pathogenetic mechanism should be better investigated, the present study describes for the first time the association between altered blood leukocyte concentrations at parturition in RP compared to control cows.
- Published
- 2016
19. Mode of delivery is associated with different hematological profiles in the newborn calf
- Author
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Pierangelo Moretti, Alessia Giordano, Geert Opsomer, Maria Cristina Veronesi, M. Probo, and L. O. Fiems
- Subjects
Male ,Pediatrics ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Physiology ,Hematocrit ,Hemoglobins ,Leukocyte Count ,Food Animals ,Internal medicine ,White blood cell ,medicine ,Animals ,Small Animals ,Acid-Base Equilibrium ,Hematology ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,Cesarean Section ,Equine ,Vaginal delivery ,business.industry ,Venous blood ,Delivery, Obstetric ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Animals, Newborn ,Belgian Blue ,Erythrocyte Count ,Cattle ,Female ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Base excess ,Hemoglobin ,Blood Gas Analysis ,business - Abstract
Several studies on babies have shown that the type of delivery can influence the hematological and immune status of the newborn. In bovine medicine, some authors reported the hematological pattern of the newborn calf, but never related it with the calving process or other perinatal factors. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the hematological profile in newborn calves in relation to the type of delivery. A total of 41 healthy calves were enrolled; 16 Friesian calves which were born by vaginal delivery without assistance (VD), and 25 Belgian Blue calves that were born by elective Caesarean section (CS). As soon as the calves were born, a complete clinical examination was performed to verify viability and maturity. At 10 min after birth, 2 mL venous blood was collected to perform the blood gas and acid-base evaluation. Blood samples were subsequently collected from the jugular vein within 30 min after birth, and at 1, 2, 3, 7, and 14 days of age. An automatic analyzer was used to determine hemoglobin concentration (Hb), hematocrit (Ht), and red and white blood cell counts, while differential leukocyte count was performed microscopically. Statistical analysis was applied to assess differences between the groups and within the group for all parameters between each sampling time (P ≤ 0.05). All the calves were born alive, viable, and mature. There were no acidotic calves, but statistical analysis revealed many differences, as higher pH, base excess (BE) (P ≤ 0.05), PO2 (P < 0.001), and sO2 (P < 0.0001) in the VD group. Levels of hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and red blood cell number were constantly higher in CS calves (P < 0.001). In comparison with the VD calves, white blood cell and neutrophil absolute number were higher at birth and at 14 days of age in the CS group (P < 0.001 and P ≤ 0.05). The mode of delivery, therefore, seems to have an influence on the oxygenation levels and on the hematological and nonspecific immunity profile of the newborn calf.
- Published
- 2012
20. Long-acting injectable antipsychotics and global functioning in north western italian public health service
- Author
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F. Facchini, M. Probo, M. Rudoni, V. Preziosi, V. Dalo, and D. Nano
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,medicine.drug_class ,business.industry ,medicine.disease ,Public health service ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Long acting ,Schizophrenia ,Internal medicine ,Severity of illness ,Anticholinergic ,medicine ,Haloperidol ,Observational study ,business ,Psychiatry ,medicine.drug ,Psychopathology - Abstract
IntroductionLong-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAI-APs) should be the first choice therapy in the treatment of schizophrenia, however their use in outpatient's psychiatric services remains limited.ObjectiveObservational study in schizophrenic patients of the northwestern public health service.AimTo assess demographic and psychopathological features in patients treated with LAI haloperidol (H-LAI) and second-generation LAI antipsychotics (SG-LAI).MethodsWe recruited 105 schizophrenic patients upon LAI-APs treatment, and we assessed socio-demographic data, medical comorbidity, substances use, time from admission, treatment length, and per os augmentation therapies. All participants were assessed for global functioning and severity of illness by CGI-SCH and PSP, respectively.ResultsOf all patients, 52% were treated by H-LAI, 48% by SG-LAI. No statistical differences (P > 0.05) were found between the 2 groups for age, gender, other demographic variables, substances use, somatic comorbidities. Both groups were homogeneous for severity of illness (CGI-SCH score = 4.20 in H-LAI vs. 4.38 in SG-LAI) and global functioning (PSP score = 49.1 in H-LAI vs. 54.4 in SG-LAI). Compared with the H-LAI group, SG-LAI-treated patients were characterized by shorter time from admission (>10 yrs) and treatment length (>1 yr), and less frequent anticholinergic drug co-prescription. We counted only 6 LAI-APs treatments started in the last year.ConclusionsDespite of the literature support, LAI-APs treatment for schizophrenia is still limited in our service. Our data suggest that SG-LAI-APs are used as first choice of LAI-APs treatment, although maintained for short time, while H-LAI are reserved to long-standing patients and are burdened by side effects needing anticholinergic treatment.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
- Published
- 2017
21. Comparative Study on 15-Ketodihydro-PGF2α Plasma Concentrations in Newborn Horses, Donkeys and Calves
- Author
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Massimo Faustini, S. Panzani, Hans Kindahl, M. Probo, Maria Cristina Veronesi, and Augusto Carluccio
- Subjects
Veterinary medicine ,Fetus ,Endocrinology ,Plasma concentration ,Gestation ,Horse ,Physiology ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Statistical analysis ,Donkey ,Biology ,Biotechnology ,Hormone - Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the plasma profiles of 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2α) (PGM) in healthy neonates of three different species from birth until the third week of life. Twenty-four horse foals, 12 donkey foals, and 9 calves were studied. Blood samples were collected at 10, 20 and 30 min after birth, at 3, 24 and 72 h after birth, and at 7, 10, 17 and 21 days of life. All mothers experienced normal gestation lengths and normal, spontaneous deliveries. All newborns were judged mature and viable. Hormone concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in horse foals 20 and 30 min after birth compared to later samples, and at 10 min in donkey foals compared to later samples (p < 0.05). In calves, higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of PGM were observed 10, 20, 30 min and 3 hours from parturition compared to later samples. These findings may be related to increased fetal placental unit production during parturition, while the relatively high PGF(2α) levels in the days after parturition may be connected with their role in completing organ maturation. Despite the existing differences between these species, the statistical analysis did not discover significant differences in PGM profiles during the first 3 weeks of life in donkey, horse and cattle newborns. The low levels observed 10 days after birth are possibly due to a fast completion of maturational development in these species.
- Published
- 2011
22. PGF2α, LH, testosterone, oestrone sulphate, and cortisol plasma concentrations around sexual stimulation in jackass
- Author
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Nadia Govoni, I. De Amicis, Maria Cristina Veronesi, Augusto Carluccio, S. Panzani, M. Probo, and Hans Kindahl
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Time Factors ,Hydrocortisone ,Estrone ,Ejaculation ,Sexual arousal ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Semen ,Fertility ,Dinoprost ,Andrology ,Sexual Behavior, Animal ,Food Animals ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Animals ,Sexual stimulation ,Small Animals ,Testosterone ,media_common ,Equine ,business.industry ,Equidae ,Luteinizing Hormone ,Endocrinology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Vagina ,Animal Science and Zoology ,business ,Hormone - Abstract
Many hormones are involved in the regulation of male reproductive functions, controlling sexual behavior, and influencing sexual arousal, the onset of erection and ejaculation, and the post-ejaculatory detumescence. The aims of this study were to analyze the plasma concentrations of 15-ketodihydro-PGF 2α (PGFM), LH, testosterone (T), oestrone sulphate (OS), and cortisol (C) in relation to sexual stimulation and to evaluate the possible correlations among circulating hormones and between hormones and semen characteristics in the donkey stallion. Thirteen sexually experienced Martina Franca jackass of proven fertility were enrolled and semen was collected through an artificial vagina. Plasma samples were collected at 12, 9, 6 and 3 min before oestrous jenny exposure, at the first erection in the mating arena in the presence of an oestrous jenny, during ejaculation, at dismounting, 3, 6, 9 and 12 min after ejaculation in box, and then every 10 min during the following 50 min. PGFM showed an increasing trend with significant differences between the pre-ejaculatory and post-ejaculatory period, suggesting a role of this hormone in the control of ejaculation. LH showed a significantly higher concentration at ejaculation compared to last samples, while T showed significantly higher levels at erection, ejaculation and dismounting, probably for its influence on these processes and on sexual behavior. Finally, OS did not show any difference in the period of observation, while C presented a significant increase only 22 minutes after erection. The only hormonal correlation found was a positive one between LH and T at erection and dismounting, while T and OS were positively correlated with total and progressive motility, respectively.
- Published
- 2011
23. Peripartal Hormonal Changes in Alpine Goats: a Comparison Between Physiological and Pathological Parturition
- Author
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Hans Kindahl, Fausto Cairoli, Maria Cristina Veronesi, Giovanna Galeati, Massimo Faustini, and M. Probo
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Physiology ,Radioimmunoassay ,Biology ,medicine.disease ,Endocrinology ,Retained placenta ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Pathological ,Biotechnology ,Hormone - Abstract
Contents In this study, 31 pregnant Alpine does were used to investigate the peripartal plasma profiles of progesterone, estradiol-17β, 15-ketodihydro-PGF2α and cortisol, assessing differences between goats with physiological and pathological parturition. The goats were observed around the time of parturition; all peripartum abnormalities were recorded, and veterinary assistance was provided if necessary. Blood samples were collected every 12 h from 7 days before to 7 days after delivery, and plasma used for hormonal analysis by radioimmunoassay. Two animals died during the study, and their data were excluded from the study. Of the remaining 29 animals, 23 goats had a spontaneous and physiological delivery, while six goats showed pathological parturition, including dystocia and retained placenta. The 65 alive kids were viable at birth and at 7 days of age. The results concerning the hormonal concentrations in the normal parturition confirm and define more precisely the patterns already described in the goat, while the comparison between physiological and pathological parturition has never been previously reported in this species. Highest peripartum levels of cortisol were found in the pathological group at delivery (30.6 vs 15.9 ng/ml) (p
- Published
- 2011
24. Selected Metabolic and Hormonal Profiles during Maintenance of Spontaneous Ovarian Cysts in Dairy Cows
- Author
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Antonella Comin, Massimo Faustini, Hans Kindahl, Fausto Cairoli, Maria Cristina Veronesi, I. De Amicis, and M. Probo
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Ovarian cyst ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Biology ,medicine.disease ,Follicular fluid ,Endocrinology ,NEFA ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Ovulation ,Dairy cattle ,Postpartum period ,Biotechnology ,media_common ,Hormone ,Hydrocortisone ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Contents Information is lacking regarding the relationship between metabolic and hormonal profiles and the maintenance of spontaneous ovarian cyst disease in dairy cows. For this reason, the concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and cortisol (C) were investigated during the spontaneous course of ovarian cyst disease in dairy cows (n = 6) between the 7th and 16th weeks post-partum (PP). The control group consisted of normally cycling cows (n = 6). Blood samples were collected twice a day, and plasma was analysed using different techniques. Progesterone and 15-ketodihydro-PGF2α plasma profiles were investigated to confirm the ovulatory or anovulatory conditions of the cows. Cortisol plasma levels were not significantly different among sampling times within each group or between the two groups. NEFA plasma levels were significantly higher in cycling cows compared to cystic cows at the 16th week PP (p
- Published
- 2010
25. Poster Abstracts
- Author
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M. Probo, Massimo Faustini, Alberto Prandi, Maria Cristina Veronesi, and Antonella Comin
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine ,Chemistry ,medicine.medical_treatment ,0402 animal and dairy science ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,040201 dairy & animal science ,03 medical and health sciences ,Insulin-like growth factor ,0302 clinical medicine ,Endocrinology ,Internal medicine ,Plasma concentration ,medicine ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Biotechnology - Published
- 2010
26. Comparative study on Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) plasma concentrations in new-born horse foals, donkey foals and calves
- Author
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S, Panzani, primary, A, Carluccio, additional, M, Faustini, additional, A, Prandi, additional, M, Probo, additional, and MC, Veronesi, additional
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. Serum paraoxonase-1 activity in neonatal calves: Age related variations and comparison between healthy and sick animals
- Author
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Maria Cristina Veronesi, L. Giori, Gabriele Rossi, M. Probo, F. Pezzia, Saverio Paltrinieri, and Alessia Giordano
- Subjects
Aging ,General Veterinary ,Aryldialkylphosphatase ,business.industry ,Respiratory disease ,Acute-phase protein ,Cattle Diseases ,Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ,Early detection ,Physiology ,Inflammation ,medicine.disease ,PON1 ,Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ,Animals, Newborn ,Age related ,Immunology ,medicine ,Animals ,Cattle ,Animal Science and Zoology ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Serum paraoxonase - Abstract
Early detection of inflammation in neonatal calves allows early intervention, which may reduce mortality. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is a negative acute phase protein in humans. The aims of this study were to investigate age-related variability in serum PON1 activity and its clinical usefulness in neonatal calves. In healthy calves (n=9), PON1 activity increased with age from 2 to 21 days of age. There was no significant increase in PON1 activity in healthy calves from days 21 to 120 (n=15), but PON1 activity was significantly higher in adult cattle (n=45). In sick calves, serum PON1 was significantly lower in calves7 days of age with diarrhoea (n=8) and in calves28- to 120-days-old with respiratory disease (n=8) in comparison with age matched controls (n=20 and n=15, respectively). These results support the role of PON1 as a negative acute phase protein in cattle.
- Published
- 2013
28. Early post-partum hematological changes in Holstein dairy cows with retained placenta
- Author
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M. Probo, Saverio Paltrinieri, Pierangelo Moretti, Andrea Minuti, Alessia Giordano, Monica Venturini, N. Morandi, Erminio Trevisi, and Annarita Ferrari
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Physiology ,Acute phase proteins ,Cattle Diseases ,Hydroxybutyrates ,Inflammation ,Neutropenia ,Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ,Pathogenesis ,Leukocyte Count ,Endocrinology ,Food Animals ,Retained placenta ,Pregnancy ,Internal medicine ,Medicine ,Animals ,Dairy cattle ,Retrospective Studies ,Hematology ,business.industry ,Acute-phase protein ,Settore AGR/19 - ZOOTECNICA SPECIALE ,General Medicine ,Peripheral neutrophils ,medicine.disease ,Immunology ,Body Composition ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Calcium ,Cattle ,Female ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Oxidation-Reduction ,Biomarkers ,Placenta, Retained ,Acute-Phase Proteins - Abstract
Retained placenta (RP) occurs frequently in dairy cattle but little is known about the pathogenic or prognostic role of the hematological changes in this disease. This retrospective study was designed to investigate the hematological changes associated with RP in the immediate post-partum period and to assess whether these changes are associated with an acute phase reaction. Data concerning hematology, acute phase proteins, markers of inflammation and serum biochemistry performed on cows at 3±1 days in milk (DIM) from two intensive farms were extracted from the database of the ProZoo project, a research project aimed to investigate the relationship between genomic traits and bovine health and production. After application of restrictive inclusion criteria, data from 45 cows, 22 with RP and 23 controls, were statistically compared. RBC count, d-ROMs concentration, and AST activity were significantly higher in the RP group than controls. Conversely, neutrophils, thiol groups, and serum zinc concentration were significantly lower in the RP group than controls. In conclusion, although retained placenta has to be considered as a syndrome with multifactorial causes, neutropenia may be a co-factor involved in its pathogenesis. Further studies are needed to clarify whether neutropenia acts as a contributor in the pathogenesis of RP or if it is a very early consequence of the syndrome, preceding any other inflammatory changes in blood.
- Published
- 2014
29. Testosterone, 15-ketodihydro-PGF2a, cortisol, estrone sulphate and LH plasma concentrations in jackass around the time of semen collection
- Author
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M. C. Veronesi, M. Probo, U. Tosi, H. Kindahl, M. Faustini, A. Carluccio, GOVONI, NADIA, M.C. Veronesi, M. Probo, N. Govoni, U. Tosi, H. Kindahl, M. Faustini, and A. Carluccio
- Published
- 2008
30. Effect of dry period lenght on NEFA and IGF-I plasma concentrations and postpartum ovarian activity resumption in dairy cow
- Author
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Antonella Comin, Fausto Cairoli, M. Probo, Alberto Prandi, I. De Amicis, and Alessandro Agazzi
- Subjects
dry period ,business.industry ,Ice calving ,Period duration ,NEFA ,IGF-I ,Animal science ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Agricultural and Biological Sciences (all) ,Metabolic balance ,Dairy cow ,ovarian activity ,Lactation ,Dry period ,Ovarian activity ,Plasma concentration ,Medicine ,Analysis of variance ,business ,Period length - Abstract
The current study was carried out to examine the effects of dry period duration on NEFA and IGF-I plasma concentrations and postpartum ovarian activity resumption in dairy cows. Twenty-five pregnant Friesian cows (second and third lactation) were randomly assigned to one (standard dry period, 9 weeks, group C, n = 12) of two (short dry period, 5 weeks, group T, n = 13) treatments. Blood samples for NEFA and IGF-I analyses were collected once a week during the last 5 weeks prepartum and the first 14 weeks of lactation. Milk whey collection (twice/week) for progesterone analysis began 2 weeks after parturition and was used to detect ovarian activity resumption (at least three consecutive samples with P4 ≥ 300 pg/mL). The data obtained were analyzed by ANOVA for repeated data (mixed) and GLM of the SAS statistical package. Short dry periods reduced milk production (26.55 vs. 27.55 kg/day; P ≤ 0.01), without modifying milk quality. The mean interval from calving to first postpartum cycle was shorter in group T than in group C (34.5 vs. 46.9 days, P ≤ 0.01). No differences were found in NEFA plasma concentrations between groups either before or after calving, while IGF-I circulating concentrations were higher in group T than in group C during both the dry period and the first 14 weeks of lactation (P ≤ 0.01). In conclusion, the reduction in the dry period had a positive impact on metabolic balance and time of postpartum resumption of ovarian activity.
- Published
- 2012
31. Reproductive performance of dairy cows with luteal or follicular ovarian cysts after treatment with buserelin
- Author
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Antonio Mollo, Antonella Comin, M. Probo, Fausto Cairoli, Giuseppe Stradaioli, and Maria Cristina Veronesi
- Subjects
endocrine system ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Pregnancy Rate ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Physiology ,Cattle Diseases ,Efficiency ,Biology ,Luteal phase ,Luteal Phase ,Buserelin ,Endocrinology ,Food Animals ,Pregnancy ,Internal medicine ,Follicular phase ,medicine ,Animals ,media_common ,Follicular Cyst ,Reproduction ,General Medicine ,Fertility Agents, Female ,medicine.disease ,Pregnancy rate ,Dairying ,Ovarian Cysts ,Follicular Phase ,Pregnancy, Animal ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Cattle ,Female ,hormones, hormone substitutes, and hormone antagonists ,After treatment ,medicine.drug - Abstract
In dairy farm management economic losses resulting from cystic ovarian degeneration are well known. In spite of this, neither the definition nor the aetiopathology of ovarian cysts are clear and agreed upon. Also the usual classification in luteal and follicular cysts, requiring ultrasound examination together with assessment of P4 to be accurate, is not very helpful in field conditions. Consequently a single treatment is often provided for both types of cysts, and since the 1970s treatments with GnRH and its analogues have been considered very useful. Nevertheless differences in recovery rates after GnRH treatment in animals with either luteal or follicular cysts are reported. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate recovery rate, recovery time and conception rate after treatment with buserelin (GnRH-analogue) in cows with ovarian luteal or follicular cysts. In a 5 years period, 150 cows with cysts out of a total of 990 animals, were detected and treated intravenously between 45 and 60 days PP with 20μg buserelin. No statistically significant differences were found in recovery rates and in conception rates between the two types of cysts. Comparison of recovery times showed significantly shorter recovery for cows with luteal cysts. The results emphasise the usefulness of GnRH to treat ovarian cysts regardless of their type, in relation to both recovery and conception rates. Intervals from treatment to resumption of ovarian activity were affected by the characteristics of ovarian cysts, with a faster recovery for the luteal type.
- Published
- 2011
32. Selected metabolic and hormonal profiles during maintenance of spontaneous ovarian cysts in dairy cows
- Author
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M, Probo, A, Comin, F, Cairoli, M, Faustini, H, Kindahl, I, De Amicis, and M C, Veronesi
- Subjects
Ovulation ,Hydrocortisone ,FOLLICULAR-FLUID ,Cattle Diseases ,PERIPARTURIENT PERIOD ,Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ,FACTOR BINDING-PROTEINS ,POST-PARTUM ,Endocrinology ,GROWTH-FACTOR-I ,Animals ,Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ,Progesterone ,POSTPARTUM HOLSTEIN COWS ,Fatty Acids ,Postpartum Period ,BODY CONDITION SCORE ,MILK-YIELD ,Ovarian Cysts ,ENERGY-BALANCE ,LEPTIN CONCENTRATIONS ,Cattle ,Female ,Biotechnology ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Nonesterified - Abstract
Information is lacking regarding the relationship between metabolic and hormonal profiles and the maintenance of spontaneous ovarian cyst disease in dairy cows. For this reason, the concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and cortisol (C) were investigated during the spontaneous course of ovarian cyst disease in dairy cows (n=6) between the 7th and 16th weeks post-partum (PP). The control group consisted of normally cycling cows (n=6). Blood samples were collected twice a day, and plasma was analysed using different techniques. Progesterone and 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2α) plasma profiles were investigated to confirm the ovulatory or anovulatory conditions of the cows. Cortisol plasma levels were not significantly different among sampling times within each group or between the two groups. NEFA plasma levels were significantly higher in cycling cows compared to cystic cows at the 16th week PP (p0.01), but with rather low values, indicating by now sparse mobilization of fat stores. Insulin-like growth factor I plasma concentrations were higher in cystic cows during the 8th, 10th, 11th (p0.01) and 16th week PP (p0.05), indicating that the presence of ovarian cysts coincides with increased IGF-I levels. These results suggest no influence of cortisol and NEFA levels in cysts maintenance, while a possible involvement of IGF-I can be suspected not only in the pathogenesis, as already known, but also in the maintenance of spontaneous cystic ovarian disease in cattle.
- Published
- 2011
33. PERIPARTAL HORMONAL CHANGES IN ALPINE GOATS: A COMPARISON BETWEEN PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL PARTURITION
- Author
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M, Probo, F, Cairoli, H, Kindahl, M, Faustini, G, Galeati, M C, Veronesi, Probo M., Cairoli F., Kindahl H., Faustini M., Galeati G., and Veronesi M.C.
- Subjects
Goat Diseases ,Estradiol ,Goats ,CORTISOL ,PERIPARTUM ,ALPINE GOATS ,PROGESTERONE ,15-KETODIHYDRO-PGF(2ALFA) ,Dinoprost ,Obstetric Labor Complications ,DNA-Binding Proteins ,Pregnancy ,Peripartum Period ,Animals ,Drosophila Proteins ,Female - Abstract
In this study, 31 pregnant Alpine does were used to investigate the peripartal plasma profiles of progesterone, estradiol-17β, 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2α) and cortisol, assessing differences between goats with physiological and pathological parturition. The goats were observed around the time of parturition; all peripartum abnormalities were recorded, and veterinary assistance was provided if necessary. Blood samples were collected every 12 h from 7 days before to 7 days after delivery, and plasma used for hormonal analysis by radioimmunoassay. Two animals died during the study, and their data were excluded from the study. Of the remaining 29 animals, 23 goats had a spontaneous and physiological delivery, while six goats showed pathological parturition, including dystocia and retained placenta. The 65 alive kids were viable at birth and at 7 days of age. The results concerning the hormonal concentrations in the normal parturition confirm and define more precisely the patterns already described in the goat, while the comparison between physiological and pathological parturition has never been previously reported in this species. Highest peripartum levels of cortisol were found in the pathological group at delivery (30.6 vs 15.9 ng/ml) (p0.01) and 12 h later (26.2 vs 11.1 ng/ml) (p0.05); the greater cortisol concentrations found in goats with dystocia and retained placenta could suggest a higher level of stress. No significant differences between the two groups were found with respect to the circulating values of the other hormones, but the individual variability and the small number of goats enrolled in the pathological delivery group could have masked possible differences.
- Published
- 2011
34. First admissions for psychoses in Eastern Piedmont-Italy
- Author
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Corrado Magnani, Eugenio Torre, M. Probo, Patrizia Zeppegno, Paola Airoldi, Daniela Ferrante, and Lisa Lavatelli
- Subjects
Psychiatry and Mental health ,business.industry ,Schizophrenia ,Medicine ,Psychoses ,business ,Rehospitalization - Abstract
Background and Objectives: 1) To identify the sociodemographic, anamnestic characteristics and presentation symptoms of patients, at the time of first hospitalization, associated with a discharge diagnosis of schizophrenic versus non-schizophrenic psychoses; 2) to define risk factors, at the time of the first admission, for a rehospitalization, regardless of reasons for readmission; 3) to assess the diagnostic stability between first and second hospitalization. Methods: This study includes 245 patients first admitted to the University Psychiatric Clinic of Novara in a period of seven years, discharged with a diagnosis of psychosis as reported in the Discharge Register (ICD-9-CM codes 290-299). Data were collected by consulting medical records and registers of community-based services of the South Novara Mental Health Department. A logistic regression model was used to determine the characteristics associated with a discharge diagnosis of schizophrenia. The relationship between the risk of rehospitalization and patients characteristics was studied using Cox,s regression analysis. Results: Risk factors for a discharge diagnosis of schizophrenia were age, compulsory admission, positive symptoms, and previous non-psychotic psychiatric episodes. Risk factors for rehospitalization were a diagnosis of schizophrenia, an age of less than 40 years, the absence of a stable affective relationship, and living with the family of origin. The 92% of the patients diagnosed as schizophrenic on the first hospitalization had the same diagnosis on readmission. Conclusions: Schizophrenia differs from other psychoses in terms of the greater prevalence of both some symptomatological characteristics and an history of previous non psychotic episodes. Some sociodemographic and clinical characteristics at the time of the first hospitalization can provide indications useful in preventing rehospitalization.
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- 2009
35. P02-16 - E.R. Admissions of Immigrants Presenting with Psychiatric Symptoms: a Retrospective Study in Eastern Piedmont
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M. Probo, Eugenio Torre, L. Lavatelli, A. Parafioriti, M. Antona, Patrizia Zeppegno, and F. Ressico
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,business.industry ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Immigration ,Retrospective cohort study ,medicine.disease ,Mental health ,Substance abuse ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Psychiatric history ,Intervention (counseling) ,Culturally sensitive ,Marital status ,Medicine ,business ,Psychiatry ,media_common - Abstract
ObjectivesThe immigrant population in Italy is currently increasing, particularly, foreigners in East Piedmont raised by 16,8 % last year. We aim to compare immigrant and Italian patients’ Emergency Room (ER) admissions due to psychiatric symptoms.ResultsOf the 658 admissions we observed, 13.1 % of ER contacts concerned immigrants mostly coming from Russia, Albania, Morocco and Romania, consistently with migration streams in East Piedmont. Compared to the Italians, immigrant patients were younger (35.70; SD = 10.56 versus 44.78; SD = 16.57) and more frequently admitted for alcohol and substance abuse/withdrawal. Italians had a higher probability of having a psychiatric history including previous hospitalizations and contacts with Mental Health Services (OR = 2.60; CI 95 %: 1.64-4.12). The presence of social/relational problems associated with admission was significantly lower among the Italians (OR = 0.55; CI 95 %: 0.35-0.88).ConclusionsPreliminary data suggest that ER utilisation by immigrants may represent their main way to primary health care. Monitoring ER contacts may provide relevant information for the development of culturally sensitive Mental Health Services.MethodsWe considered Italian and immigrant patients with psychiatric symptoms who were admitted to the ER Department of Novara during a period of 13 months. We compared sociodemographic (gender, age, education, occupational history, marital status, living circumstances) clinical-anamnestic (history of psychiatric illness, presentation symptoms, previous contacts with Substance Abuse/Mental Health Services, social/relational problems) and admission (type of admission, intervention and discharge) characteristics of the two groups (Italians versus immigrants).
- Published
- 2010
36. Study of the Correlations Between Theory of Mind, Symptoms and Personality Characteristics of a Non-Psychiatric Population
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M. Antona, Eugenio Torre, M. Probo, Patrizia Zeppegno, and A. Gogliani
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education.field_of_study ,medicine.medical_specialty ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Population ,Hostility ,medicine.disease ,Personality disorders ,Developmental psychology ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Psychoticism ,Theory of mind ,medicine ,Anxiety ,Personality ,Bipolar disorder ,medicine.symptom ,Psychology ,education ,Psychiatry ,media_common - Abstract
Aims:A deficit in the theory of mind has been identified, although without univocal results, in various pathologies, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and some personality disorders. Aim of the study was to evaluate, in a non- psychiatric population, the correlation of personological characteristics and symptoms with theory of mind and emotion recognition tasks.Methods:The following protocol was administrated to 130 voluntary students from Novara (Italy) School of Medicine: EPQ-R test for personality analysis; an intention-inferencing task for theory of mind (adapted from Happè's version); the emotion recognition test (adapted from Blair's version); and SCL-90 for symptoms evaluation. Spearman correlation coefficient (SC) was calculated; p< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:No statistically significant correlations were found between the EPQ-R (psychoticism, estroversion and nevroticism) and theory of mind test scores. Better performances in the theory of mind test corresponded to lower scores in SCL-90 subscales: obsessive-compulsive disorder (SC:-0.248; p=0.004); depression (SC:-0.280; p=0.001); anxiety (SC:-0.276; p=0.001); hostility (SC:-0.178; p=0.042); phobic anxiety (SC:-0.197;p=0.025); paranoid ideation (SC:-0.191;p=0.03); and psychoticism (SC:-0.189; p=0.032). A lower capacity in the recognition of the happiness emotion corresponded to higher scores in the hostility (CS:-0.194; p=0.027) and phobic anxiety (CS:-0.211; p=0.016) SCL-90 subscales, while higher scores in the EPQ-R subscale psychoticism and somatisation SCL-90 subscales were respectively related to lower skills in the recognition of fear (CS:-0.226; p=0.01) and envy (CS:-0.193; p=0.028) emotions.Conclusions:Theory of mind skills seem independent from personological traits, but are inversely correlated to various symptomatological subscale scores. The recognition of specific emotions correlates selectively with various personological traits and symptomatological subscales.
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- 2009
37. Hematological reference intervals in newborn dromedary calves in the first week after birth: Age and sex-related variations.
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Monaco D, Mariella J, Fusi J, Osman TK, Rauf AA, and Probo M
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- Male, Female, Animals, Blood Cell Count veterinary, Neutrophils, Reference Values, Camelus, Hematology
- Abstract
The establishment of hematological reference intervals (RIs) is an important tool to assess the health status of animals and to evaluate the impact of diseases at individual and population levels. Nowadays, specific RIs of hematological parameters in newborn dromedary camel calves at birth and during the first week after birth, are lacking. Therefore, RIs for the hematological variables from a complete blood cell count were established in 47 healthy newborn dromedary calves (18 females and 29 males). Blood samples were collected within 2 h after birth (d0), at 24 h (d1), at 3 (d3) and 7 days (d7) after birth, and analyzed within 24 h. The RIs were described based on the 95% confidence interval, and possible differences among mean values due to age (sampling time) and sex were investigated. Statistical analysis showed that age affected all the hematological variables except MCV, MCH, and MCHC, indicating that the adaptational process to the extrauterine life continues for several days after birth; sex affected most of the hematological variables, with higher RBC and PLT count, HGB, PCV, neutrophil population and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio at d7 in females compared to males. These findings suggest possible sex-based differences in the physiological maturation mechanisms and deserves further investigations. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of hematological RIs for newborn dromedary calves at birth up to 7 days of age; the RIs registered in the present study in newborns differ from those reported in adult dromedaries in literature, thus confirming the need for the adoption of separated reference ranges according to age also in the dromedary camel, as previously reported for other species., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
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- 2024
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38. Lactation performances in primiparous Holstein cows following short and normal gestation lengths.
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Probo M, Atashi H, and Hostens M
- Abstract
Despite decades of research, little is known regarding physiologic temporal limits for initiation of lactation in pregnant non-lactating cattle the aim of this study was to compare the lactation performances in primiparous Holstein cows after a short gestation length (GL) or abortion to those after a normal GL. The data were collected using an automated data collection system. The 94 herds evaluated were located in Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany. Data from a wide range of physiological cow-life events including birth and calving events, reproduction events (insemination, pregnancy checks, and abortions), and milking events were collected. The GL was defined as the interval between the last insemination and the subsequent calving (or abortion) within a range of 150-297 days. Animals were categorized into one of five categories based on GL quantiles (C-I to C-V). Lactation curve parameters including the scale, ramp, and decay were estimated using the Milkbot model. Then, the derived 305-day milk yield (M305-d), peak yield, and time to peak were compared between different GL categories. Of 13,732 lactations, 15 (0.11%) were found with a GL shorter than 210 days (ranging from 158 to 208 days). The 305-day milk yield was significantly lower in the C-I (7,566 ± 186) and C-II groups (7,802 ± 136 kg), compared to the C-III (8,254 ± 116 kg), C-IV (8,148 ± 119 kg), and C-V (8,255 ± 117 kg) groups. The same trends were found for the scale and peak yield of the lactation; the lowest scale were found for the C-I (31.5 ± 0.73) and C-II (32.8 ± 0.53) groups, and the highest were found for the C-III (34.5 ± 0.46), C-IV (34.9 ± 0.45), and C-V (35.0 ± 0.45) groups. Peak yield increased significantly from C-I (27.8 ± 0.66 kg) and C-II group (28.8 ± 0.48 kg) to the C-III (30.2 ± 0.42 kg) and further to the C-IV (30.6 ± 0.40 kg) and C-V (30.6 ± 0.41 kg) groups. Moreover, primiparous cows in the C-II GL category showed a higher milk yield persistency (decay of 1.30E-4 ± 3.55E-5) compared to those belonging to the C-IV (decay of 1.38E-4 ± 2.51E-5) and C-V (decay of 1.38E-4 ± 2.58E-5) group. In conclusion, results showed that primiparous cows with a shorter GL produced significantly less 305-day milk and peak yields, had a higher lactation persistency, and showed a lower upward slope of the lactation curve compared to those with a normal GL., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Probo, Atashi and Hostens.)
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- 2024
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39. Postpartum hair cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and their ratio in beef cows: Exploring association with parity and conception outcome.
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Peric T, Veronesi MC, Prandi A, Fusi J, Faustini M, and Probo M
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- Female, Pregnancy, Cattle, Animals, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Postpartum Period, Parity, Hair, Lactation, Hydrocortisone, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System
- Abstract
Hair steroid measurement has received increasing attention for monitoring hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function, as it offers the advantages of being noninvasive, fast, and able to indicate steroid concentrations over long periods. The objects of the study were to evaluate cortisol (C) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) hair concentrations and their ratio (C/DHEA-S) in beef cows from calving to 100 days (d) postpartum (pp) and to assess possible differences related to parity (primiparous vs multiparous) and conception outcome (pregnant vs not pregnant). Hair samples were collected from 6 primiparous and 5 multiparous pregnant beef cows by clipping the coat at calving (T0) and every 20 d for 5 times (T1-T5), collecting only the regrown hair. Starting from the 6th-week pp, cows were submitted to artificial insemination at spontaneous estrus; by 100 d pp, 7 cows were pregnant and 4 were not pregnant. Statistical analysis showed higher hair C concentrations in the 11 cows at calving (T0) compared to all the subsequent samplings except for T1, and higher C concentrations at T1 compared to T3, T4, and T5. These results indicate that hair C concentrations in beef cows are affected by sampling time, with a decrease from calving, as reported in other matrices. When exploring changes within parity groups, no differences were found in the multiparous among sampling times, while hair C concentrations at T0 and T1 tended to be higher than at T2 (0.01 ≤ p < 0.05) and were higher (p < 0.01) than in all the subsequent samplings (T3, T4 and T5) within the primiparous group. Higher hair C concentrations were found at T0 and T1 in the primiparous compared to multiparous (p < 0.01), suggesting that primiparous cows undergo a greater stress level before and around parturition compared to multiparous, probably due to the novelty of the calving experience. No differences were detected in C hair concentrations according to conception outcome (pregnant versus not pregnant) in each sampling time. Hair DHEA-S concentrations were neither affected by time nor by parity or conception outcome. Differences in the C/DHEA-S ratio were found at T1, with higher C/DHEA-S in the multiparous compared to primiparous cows (p < 0.001), and a tendency for higher ratio in the not pregnant compared to the pregnant (0.01 ≤ p < 0.05). These results support the choice of hair as a valuable biological matrix when investigating long-time periods such as postpartum in cows and suggest an enhanced immunoprotective effect of DHEA-S in the postpartum of primiparous cows, and in cows that get pregnant within 100 d postpartum., Competing Interests: Declarations of competing interest The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
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- 2024
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40. Stress indicators in dairy cows adapting to virtual fencing.
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Fuchs P, Stachowicz J, Schneider MK, Probo M, Bruckmaier RM, and Umstätter C
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- Humans, Female, Cattle, Animals, Dairying, Milk, Body Weight, Animal Feed analysis, Lactation, Hydrocortisone
- Abstract
Virtual fencing (VF) enables livestock grazing without physical fences by conditioning animals to a virtual boundary delimited with an audio tone (AT) and an electric pulse (EP). The present study followed the adaptation process of lactating dairy cows to a VF system with changing virtual boundaries and investigated its impact on animal welfare. Twenty cows were divided into stratified groups (2× VF; 2× electric fencing, EF) of five individuals. Each group grazed half-days in a separate EF paddock of comparable size during 3 d of acclimation (P0), followed by 21, 14, 14, and 7 d of experimental treatment (P1 to P4). At the start of the trial, all cows were equipped with an IceQube pedometer (Peacock Technology Ltd, Stirling, UK) and a VF collar (Nofence AS, Batnfjordsøra, Norway). During P0, cows were accustomed to their first paddock with a deactivated virtual boundary and wearing the sensors. In P1 to P4, an active virtual boundary for the VF groups, and a second EF for the EF groups was set up parallel to an outer EF within their paddock. Throughout the trial, the sensors continuously tracked cow positions and activity behavior at 15-min intervals. From P1 onwards, the VF collars additionally recorded each AT and EP per cow with a georeferenced time stamp. During P0 to P4, daily feed intake, body weight, and milk yield were recorded in the barn. A total of 26 milk samples were collected per cow to determine milk cortisol levels. Behavioral observations were conducted for 2 h on day 23 to record agonistic behaviors, vocalizations, and excretions. The total number of stimuli per cow ranged from 37 to 225 ATs (mean ± SD: 1.9 ± 3.3 per day) and 3 to 11 EPs (mean ± SD: 0.1 ± 0.7 per day) throughout the trial. The maximum number of EPs per day was 8 for an individual cow and occurred once on D1. Mean EP/AT decreased by 55% during the first three half-days of grazing and with each paddock change from 0.2 EP/AT in week 1 to 0.03, 0.02, and 0 EP/AT in weeks 4, 6, and 8, respectively. Linear and generalized mixed effects models revealed that milk yield and cortisol, feed intake, body weight, and activity and lying behavior did not significantly differ between VF and EF groups. A higher number of agonistic behaviors were observed in the VF groups when the VF system was activated. However, due to the short observation periods only few contacts were observed in total. Overall, all cows adapted to the VF system without evidence of lasting adverse effects on animal welfare., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)
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- 2024
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41. A matter of age? How age affects the adaptation of lactating dairy cows to virtual fencing.
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Confessore A, Schneider MK, Pauler CM, Aquilani C, Fuchs P, Pugliese C, Dibari C, Argenti G, Accorsi PA, and Probo M
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- Animals, Cattle physiology, Female, Dairying, Age Factors, Adaptation, Physiological, Animal Husbandry methods, Aging, Animal Welfare, Behavior, Animal, Milk chemistry, Lactation physiology
- Abstract
Virtual Fencing (VF) can be a helpful technology in managing herds in pasture-based systems. In VF systems, animals wear a VF collar using global positioning, and physical boundaries are replaced by virtual ones. The Nofence (Nofence AS, Batnfjordsøra, Norway) collars used in this study emit an acoustic warning when an animal approaches the virtual boundaries, followed by an aversive electrical pulse if the animal does not return to the defined area. The stimuli sequence is repeated up to three times if the animal continues to walk forward. Although it has been demonstrated that animals successfully learn to adapt to the system, it is unknown if this adaptation changes with animal age and thus has consequences for VF training and animal welfare. This study compared the ability of younger and older dairy cows to adapt to a VF system and whether age affected activity behavior, milk yield, and animal long-term stress under VF management. The study was conducted on four comparable strip-grazing paddocks. Twenty lactating Holstein-Friesian cows, divided into four groups of five animals each, were equipped with VF collars and pedometers. Groups differed in age: two groups of older cows (>4 lactations) and two groups of younger ones (first lactation). After a 7-d training, paddock sizes were increased by successively moving the virtual fence during four consecutive grazing periods. Throughout the study, the pedometers recorded daily step count, time spent standing, and time spent lying. For the determination of long-term stress, hair samples were collected on the first and last day of the trial and the hair cortisol content was assessed. Data were analyzed by generalized mixed-effect models. Overall, age had no significant impact on animal responses to VF, but there were interaction effects of time: the number of acoustic warnings in the last period was higher in younger cows (P < 0.001), and the duration of acoustic warnings at training was shorter for older cows (P < 0.01). Moreover, younger cows walked more per day during the training (P < 0.01). Finally, no effects on milk yield or hair cortisol content were detected. In conclusion, all cows, regardless of age, adapted rapidly to the VF system without compromising their welfare according to the indicators measured., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)
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- 2024
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42. Foraging behavior of Highland cattle in silvopastoral systems in the Alps.
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Nota G, Svensk M, Barberis D, Frund D, Pagani R, Pittarello M, Probo M, Ravetto Enri S, Lonati M, and Lombardi G
- Abstract
Trees and shrubs expanded in the last decades in European mountains due to land abandonment and the decrease in grazing pressure, and are expected to further spread also due to climate change. As a consequence of low forage quality and topographic constraints, the management of mountain environments dominated by woody vegetation with livestock is often challenging. Silvopastoral systems based on cattle hardy breeds able to forage on woody plants, such as Highland cattle, could be a suitable option for the management and restoration of such environments. In this study, we used direct observations to explore the foraging behavior of Highland cattle in four study areas across the western Alps. In particular, we assessed: (1) cattle diet composition, (2) the selection for more than 30 tree and shrub species, and (3) the relationships between species consumption and their abundance in the environment. Highland cattle fed on a mixture of both woody and herbaceous species, including between 15 and 46% of woody plants in the diet. Some trees (e.g., Celtis australis , Fraxinus spp., and Populus tremula ) and shrubs (e.g., Frangula alnus , Rhamnus spp., and Rubus idaeus ) were positively selected by cattle, thus they could be an important forage supplement to their diet. Moreover, the results highlighted that relative species consumption generally increased with increasing species abundance in the environment, suggesting that this cattle breed could be suitable to control shrub expansion in highly encroached areas. The outcomes of this study can support the development of targeted silvopastoral systems in the Alps., Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10457-023-00926-z., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing interests.Conflict of interestCorresponding author, on behalf of all the co-authors, discloses any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence the work., (© The Author(s) 2023.)
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- 2024
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43. Effect of a subcutaneous implant of deslorelin acetate on serum testosterone concentrations in male Hermann's (Testudo hermanni sp.) and Greek (Testudo graeca sp.) tortoises.
- Author
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Pisu MC, Andolfatto A, Ferro A, Esposito S, Veronesi MC, and Probo M
- Subjects
- Animals, Male, Dogs, Greece, Turtles
- Abstract
Deslorelin acetate is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist formulated in a controlled-release subcutaneous implant and designed for reversible suppression of testosterone production in dogs. It has also been demonstrated to be effective in other animal species, but no data on its effectiveness in male land tortoises are available. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a 4.7-mg deslorelin acetate implant on serum testosterone concentrations in male Hermann's (Testudo hermanni sp.) and Greek (Testudo graeca sp.) tortoises. Twenty adult male tortoises housed under the same environmental conditions were enrolled for the study and randomly assigned to a treatment (D, n = 10) or a control (C, n = 10) group. Starting in May, males from the D group were implanted with a 4.7-mg deslorelin acetate device, whereas males from the C group did not receive any treatment. Blood samples were collected once immediately before implant application (S0-May) and at 15 days (S1-June), 2 (S2-July), and 5 (S3-October) months after application. Serum testosterone at each sampling time was measured through a solid-phase, enzyme-labeled, competitive chemiluminescent immunoassay. Median serum testosterone concentrations were not significantly different between the two groups in all sampling times, and no interaction between treatment and sampling time was observed. The present study, therefore, suggests that a single treatment with a 4.7-mg deslorelin acetate implant has no effect on testosterone circulation in male Hermann's and Greek tortoises during the following 5 months., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)
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- 2023
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44. Apgar Score for Newborn Dog Viability Assessment: Differences between English and French Bulldogs Born via Cesarean Section.
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Veronesi MC, Bucci R, Probo M, Faustini M, and Fusi J
- Abstract
Even if largely used in canine neonatology, some questions about the Apgar Score (AS) arose. Notably, considering the breed-oriented modifications of the score are needed, slight changes of the score were reported for English (EBs) and French bulldogs (FBs). The present study aimed to evaluate the possible differences between neonatal viability of the two breeds assessed by AS in puppies born via cesarean section. The results obtained from 99 puppies born alive and without malformations (EB = 47, FB = 52) showed significant ( p < 0.001) differences in the median AS (seven in EB vs. eight in FB), with Grimace ( p < 0.05 for sub-score 0 and p < 0.001 for sub-score 2) and Attitude ( p < 0.05) being differently sub-scored between the two breeds. In the 89 alive puppies at 7 days of age, the same difference in the median AS was observed ( p < 0.001), and only Grimace was differently sub-scored between the two breeds ( p < 0.05 for sub-score 0 and p < 0.01 for sub-score 2). These results suggest that low Grimace could be an intrinsic characteristic of EB newborns, but it could negatively affect the neonatal adaptation process of EBs, providing an indication for focused neonatal assistance. Neonatal mortality at 7 days of age was higher in EBs than in FBs (17 vs. 3.8%, respectively), which deserves further investigations. The study provides further evidence that breed-oriented ASs are needed for a better evaluation and assistance of purebred puppies at birth.
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- 2023
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45. Peripubertal Testosterone, 17β-Estradiol and Progesterone Concentrations in Hair and Nails in Dobermann Dogs.
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Fusi J, Veronesi MC, Prandi A, Probo M, Faustini M, and Peric T
- Abstract
Studies about puberty in dogs are few, probably because many factors are involved in the delicate process of puberty onset, leading to difficulties in the proper enrollment of subjects. Moreover, the use of blood for monitoring hormonal changes can be problematic, and not feasible for long-term studies. Hair and nails proved to be suitable matrices for the retrospective evaluation of hormones' long-term accumulation. This study was performed using hair and nails for the evaluation of testosterone (T), 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations to assess possible sexual steroid changes during the peripubertal period in dogs. The results, obtained on five males and five females, showed a significant increase in T in hair and nails of males immediately before puberty. In females, a significant increase in E2 at puberty and a marked increase in P4 after puberty was found in both biological specimens. Sex-related differences were detected only for T hair concentrations, but when the sex and sampling time were considered together, hair and nails T and nails P4 concentrations allowed us to discern between male and female dogs at specific sampling times. The results from this study showed that hair and nails are useful biological specimens for the retrospective evaluation of changes in T, E2 and P4 concentrations in peripubertal dogs.
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- 2023
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46. Health Workers' Burnout and COVID-19 Pandemic: 1-Year after-Results from a Repeated Cross-Sectional Survey.
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Gambaro E, Gramaglia C, Marangon D, Probo M, Rudoni M, and Zeppegno P
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- Child, Female, Humans, Male, Cross-Sectional Studies, Pandemics, Burnout, Psychological, Health Personnel, Surveys and Questionnaires, COVID-19 epidemiology, Burnout, Professional epidemiology
- Abstract
(1) Background: This study evaluates, one year later, the levels of burnout, anxious-depressive, and post-traumatic symptoms and the general health status in the Health Workers (HWs) involved in the SARS-COVID-19 pandemic in the Novara area. (2) Methods: The survey was sent via a link in an email to doctors, nurses, and other operators during the period between June and August 2021. The survey collected socio-demographic data and contained some self-administered questionnaires. (3) Results: A total of 688 HWs completed the survey, 53% were aged 30-49 years, 68% were female, 76% were cohabiting, 55% had children, 86% reported family habit changes, and 20% had non-COVID related health problems. Only a few of the respondents had a follow-up by a specialist (12%), of which there were even less in recent times (6%). It was observed that the respondents had undergone burnout; a poor state of general mental health (62%); depressive symptoms (70%); post-traumatic symptoms (29%); and less frequently, anxious symptoms (16%). The data of this study are in line with other studies in the literature. (4) Conclusions: The data indicate that psychological-based suffering was no longer markedly concentrated in some specific bands of HWs. In conclusion, it would be essential to enhance HW support strategies.
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- 2023
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47. Blood Gas, Acid-Base and Electrolyte Analysis in Healthy Dromedary Camel Calves up to 21 Days of Life.
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Osman T, Probo M, Monaco D, Shafiek HK, and Freccero F
- Abstract
The importance of prompt evaluation and care of the newborn is essential for reducing neonatal mortality, which represents a major cause of loss in camelids. This study investigated the blood gases, acid-base and electrolyte profiles in healthy dromedary calves during the first 3 weeks of life, assessing possible associations with age. Twenty-one dromedary camel calves aged 1 to 21 days were sampled, and venous whole blood analyzed through a VETSTAT® analyzer. The following parameters were measured: sodium (Na
+ ), potassium (K+ ), chloride (Cl- ), hydrogen ion concentration (pH), partial pressure carbon dioxide (pCO2 ), partial pressure oxygen (pO2 ), total hemoglobin concentration (tHb), hemoglobin oxygen saturation (sO2 ), total carbon dioxide (tCO2 ), bicarbonate (HCO3 - ), base excess (BE) and anion gap (AG). Calves were divided in two groups; younger calves (1-10 d), and older calves (11-21 d). Statistical analysis showed an effect of age, with lower K+ ( p < 0.001) and higher Na+ and Cl- ( p < 0.05) mean concentrations in the younger calves compared to the older ones, and higher pCO2 and lower sO2 mean concentrations in the older group. These preliminary results firstly described the blood gas, acid-base and electrolyte profiles in the healthy dromedary calf during the first 3 weeks of age, suggesting an effect of age on some parameters.- Published
- 2023
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48. Coat, Claw and Dewclaw 17-β-Estradiol and Testosterone Concentrations in Male and Female Postpubertal Cats: Preliminary Results.
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Fusi J, Peric T, Probo M, Bucci R, Faustini M, and Veronesi MC
- Abstract
In the recent past, tissue materials such as hair/coat and nails/claws have proved to be useful for the study of long-term hormonal changes in humans and animals and shown to be advantageous in terms of being collectable without invasiveness, with a benefit in terms of animal welfare. However, studies using these tissue materials in cats are scarce, especially on sexual hormone measurement. In this study, the concentrations of 17-β-estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) were assessed in 20 male and 18 female domestic postpubertal cats at the time of neutering/spaying during the breeding season. Hormones were measured in coat shaved from the forearm (ACOAT) and from the surgical area (SCOAT); claws were collected from the forearms (CLAWS) and the dewclaws (DCLAWS). Although all these tissue materials were shown to be useful for E2 and T long-term measurement, only T concentrations were higher ( p < 0.001) in males from both ACOAT and SCOAT samples when compared to females and therefore useful for distinguishing between the two sexes. Within each sex, E2 and T concentrations can be assessed on coat, but also on the dewclaws, providing an alternative, practical, matrix for sexual steroid measurement in postpubertal cats during the breeding season.
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- 2023
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49. Nitrogen translocation by Highland cattle grazing in Alnus viridis -encroached pastures.
- Author
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Svensk M, Pittarello M, Mariotte P, Nota G, Schneider MK, Frund D, Dubois S, Allan E, and Probo M
- Abstract
During the last decades, Alnus viridis has expanded over former montane pastures and meadows, due to land use and abandonment. This nitrogen-fixing woody species has triggered negative agro-environmental impacts, such as nitrogen (N) leaching, soil acidification and a reduced biodiversity. The aim of this study was to estimate the N translocation from A. viridis -encroached areas to adjacent open pastures by Highland cattle. In 2019 and 2020, Highland cattle herds equipped with GPS collars were placed in four A. viridis -encroached paddocks across Italy and Switzerland. The N content was measured in A. viridis leaves, herbaceous vegetation, and cattle dung pats, which were collected throughout the grazing season. Using GPS locations and collar activity sensors, livestock activity phases were discriminated. The N ingested by cattle was estimated through the N content of herbaceous vegetation and A. viridis leaves of vegetation patches visited by cattle during 24 h before dung sampling (N
24H ). The N content of herbaceous vegetation significantly increased with increasing A. viridis cover. The average N content in dung pats (31.2 ± 3.4 g.kg-1 DM) was higher than average values from literature on grazing cattle. Moreover, it was positively related to the N24H . Most of this N (29.5 ± 10.3 kg ha-1 yr-1 ) was translocated towards resting areas, which generally occurred on flat open pastures. Our results highlight the potential of Highland cattle to effectively translocate part of the ingested N from A. viridis -encroached towards targeted open areas, thus bringing new perspective for forage yield and quality improvement in the long-term., Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10705-023-10282-0., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing interests., (© The Author(s) 2023.)- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. Clinical Scoring Systems in the Newborn Calf: An Overview.
- Author
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Probo M and Veronesi MC
- Abstract
A scoring system is an instrument that enables the scorers, including farmers, technicians, and veterinarians, to adopt a systematic approach for diagnosis or monitoring, as it decreases bias and confounding and increases objectivity. Practically, it is a number assigned to a patient that correlates with a probability that a diagnosis can be confirmed or that a specific outcome will follow. This article examines the clinical scores designed or adapted to bovine medicine that aim to assess newborn calf viability and to diagnose and monitor neonatal calf diarrhea and respiratory diseases, helping the clinician promptly recognize calves needing medical assistance. Despite the large number of clinical scores described in the literature, these are still barely used in farm animal practice; possibly, the complexity of the scores and missing recommendations for intervention are reasons for their lack of popularity as well as the crosswise lack of consistency among scores designed for the same purpose. Further research is needed in this regard to increase scores validation and encourage their application in bovine calf neonatology.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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