Reproductive injury in male BALB/c mice infected with Neospora caninum

Background Neospora caninum is one of the main causes of abortion in pregnant animals. However, N. caninum-induced reproductive injury in male mice is still unclear. Methods Male BALB/c mice were infected with a bovine isolate of N. caninum, and the organ coefficients of the testis and epididymis were measured. Lesions in the testis and epididymis were observed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Expression of the spermatogenic cell apoptosis-related proteins p53 and caspase-3 was detected by western blot. The expression of spermatogenesis-related genes in the testis was detected by reverse transcription-PCR. Sperm morphology and motility were observed. The levels of nitric oxide (NO) and antisperm antibody (AsAb) in the testicular homogenates and hormones in the serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The reproductive capacity of the male mice was detected using a reproduction test. Results The organ coefficients of the testis and epididymis of the experimental group were significantly downregulated. Light microscopy examination revealed that the spermatogenic cells of the testis were arranged in a disordered manner, and the number was reduced. The number of sperm in the epididymal lumen was significantly reduced, and the cytoplasm exhibited vacuolation and degeneration. Ultrastructural studies revealed that the cells of the testis and epididymis tissues showed varying degrees of disease. The level of p53 and caspase-3 expression in the testis was significantly upregulated. The expression of the testicular spermatogenesis-related genes Herc4, Ipo11 and Mrto4 were strongly downregulated. Observation of sperm by microscopic examination revealed significantly reduced sperm density and sperm motility, and the number of sperm deformities was significantly increased. The level of NO and AsAb was significantly increased. The levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone were significantly upregulated, whereas the levels of testosterone, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone were significantly downregulated. After challenge, the infected male mice and healthy female mice were caged together: the subsequent fetal death rate was increased, and the conception rate, litter size, number of live births and the birth weight were significantly reduced. Conclusions Infection of male BALB/c mice with the bovine isolate of N. caninum induced varying degrees of injury to the testis, epididymis and sperm of the mice, destroyed spermatogenesis and affected the reproductive capacity.

Genome Sequence of a Bovine Isolate of Pasteurella multocida Strain 232

We present here the genome sequence of Pasteurella multocida 232, a bacterium that is associated with pneumonia in humans as well as in many animal species. The genome of Pasteurella multocida 232 has an N 50 value of 187.32 kb and a total size of 2.34 Mb.

Draft Genome Sequence of a Multiresistant Bovine Isolate of Staphylococcus lentus from Tanzania

We report here the draft genome sequence of a Staphylococcus lentus isolate, 050AP, collected in Tanzania from a swab of healthy bovine perineum. The draft genome sequence contained 2.72 Mbp and 2,750 coding sequences with a G+C content of 31.7%.

Isolation of Clostridium difficile from food animals in Slovenia

A total of 313 faecal samples from three pig farms and two cattle farms was collected, and Clostridium difficile was isolated from 133/257 piglet samples (51.8 %) and from 1/56 calf samples (1.8 %). Toxins were tested only in calf samples and were positive in 44.6 % (25/56). The only bovine isolate belonged to toxinotype XIa (A−B−CDT+). Porcine isolates belonged to toxinotype 0 (A+B+CDT−) and toxinotype V (A+B+CDT+). Of the two ribotypes usually found in toxinotype V, the strains isolated in this study showed a greater similarity to ribotype 066 than to ribotype 078.