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Percorrer CIMO por Domínios Científicos e Tecnológicos (FOS) "Ciências Agrárias::Ciências Veterinárias"
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- Effects of Ladder-Climbing Exercise on Mammary Cancer: Data from a Chemically Induced Rat ModelPublication . Silva, Jessica; Azevedo, Tiago; Aires, Inês; Medeiros, Catarina; Neuparth, Maria J.; Seixas, Fernanda; Ferreira, Rita; Faustino-Rocha, Ana I.; Oliveira, Paula A.; Duarte, José AlbertoBreast cancer remains a significant global health issue, affecting both humans and companion animals, particularly female dogs and cats, where mammary tumors are among the most common cancers. Strategies to minimize the impact of this disease on patients, pet owners, and veterinary medicine are essential. This study analyses the effects of resistance training on the development of chemically induced mammary cancer in female Wistar rats, divided into four groups: sedentary control (CTR), sedentary induced (CTR+N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)), exercised control (EX), and exercised induced (EX+MNU). The exercise protocol involved ladder climbing three times a week for 18 weeks with the load progressively increasing. At the study’s end, blood and histopathological samples were collected and analyzed. Although tumor onset occurred two weeks earlier and incidence was slightly higher in the exercised group (EX+MNU) compared to the control group (CTR+MNU), the mortality rate was lower, and the malignancy was not as aggressive. No systemic inflammation was observed, as the levels of albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the MNU groups remained similar to the controls. Exercise has been shown to promote overall health by increasing physical fitness, boosting immunological function, and improving metabolic health. These findings may offer valuable insights into the potential role of resistance training in managing mammary cancer in companion animals. However, further research is required to assess clinical applicability and to establish safe and effective exercise protocols for veterinary oncology.
- Establishment of reference intervals of hematological parameters and evaluation of age, sex, and season effects in the Preta de Montesinho goatPublication . Moreira, Rafaela S.S.; Jacob-Ferreira, João; Santos, Liliana; Valentim, Ramiro; Cortez, Paulo P.; Quintas, HélderThe Preta de Montesinho goat is an autochthonous Portuguese breed classified as endangered. Autochthonous breeds should be preserved because they are usually well adapted to their specific regional conditions, exhibit resistance to certain diseases, and serve as important reservoirs of unique genetic diversity. For a breed like the Preta de Montesinho, maintaining the health of the animals to ensure their reproduction and increase their numbers is essential. Therefore, understanding the hematological reference interval is particularly important. This study aimed to determine the hematological reference interval for the Preta de Montesinho breed and assess the potential influence of age, sex, and seasons on these intervals. A total of 136 blood samples were collected from healthy animals. The samples were analysed using the Mindray BC–5000 Vet® automatic hematology analyzer, and reference intervals for 23 blood parameters were established applying the ReferenceValue Advisor v2.1 software. JMP® was utilized to determine statistically significant differences between the established groups. Regarding age, statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between young and old goats were detected in 15 parameters. Sex significantly influenced eight parameters, six of which were erythrocyte indices. The annual season (summer or winter) affected seven parameters and six erythrocyte indices. The reference intervals described here can serve as a tool to identify sick animals, evaluate responses to therapies, and select healthy animals for reproduction, thus contributing to the breed’s preservation.
- First multi-contaminant assessment of the non-native American mink (Neogale vison) in Iberian freshwater ecosystemsPublication . Lages, Bárbara; Sousa, Ronaldo; Cunha, Sara C.; Souza-Kasprzyk, Juliana; Fernandes, José O.; Gámez, Alejandro Nieto; Nóvoa, Miguel Fernandes; Guedes, Américo; Alves, Pedro; Niedzielski, Przemyslaw; Cortez, José Paulo; Sargo, Roberto; Garcês, Andreia; Loureiro, Filipa; Teixeira, Amilcar; Padilha, JaneideNon-native predators can act simultaneously as stressors and sentinels of environmental quality. This study aimed to quantify multi-contaminant burdens, characterize tissue-specific accumulation patterns, and evaluate the influence of biological factors (sex and body size) and trophic ecology (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N) on contaminant exposure in 49 American mink (Neogale vison) collected during control campaigns (2023–2024) from two freshwater ecosystems in northern Portugal Angueira and Maçãs. We quantified legacy contaminants, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-BDEs) in liver, together with essential (EEs), potentially toxic (PTEs), and emerging technology-critical (TCEs) elements in kidney, muscle, and fur. Thirteen PBDE and MeO-BDE congeners and 63 elements were determined to characterize multi-contaminant burdens and tissue-specific accumulation patterns, and stable isotopes (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N) to assess trophic position and contaminant–diet relationships. Liver ∑PBDE (0.0712 ng g⁻¹ w.w.) and ∑MeO-BDE (0.0645 ng g⁻¹ w.w.) concentrations were low compared with other regions or controlled exposure studies, suggesting limited regional inputs of these contaminants in the study area. No sex-related differences were detected. Fur accumulated most EEs and several PTEs (e.g., As, Sr), supporting its value as a non-invasive matrix. Stable isotopes indicated similar trophic positions between sexes (δ¹³C ≈ –25‰; δ¹⁵N ≈ 12‰) with moderate trophic niche overlap (38%). Weak-to-moderate positive correlations between δ¹ ⁵N and some PBDE congeners suggest a potential trophic dietary contribution to exposure. Overall, American mink accumulated multiple contaminant classes at relatively low levels, with exposure mainly influenced by local environmental conditions and diet. Given that American mink individuals are routinely culled during management programs, our findings support their use as a multi-contaminant sentinel and highlight fur and liver as practical matrices for freshwater monitoring.
- Genomic Analysis of Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence Profiles in Escherichia coli Linked to Sternal Bursitis in Chickens: A One Health PerspectivePublication . Ribeiro, Jessica; Silva, Vanessa; Freitas, Catarina; Pinto, Pedro; Vieira-Pinto, Madalena; Batista, Rita; Nunes, Alexandra; Gomes, João Paulo; Pereira, José Eduardo; Igrejas, Gilberto; Barros, Lillian; Heleno, Sandrina A.; Reis, Filipa S.; Poeta, PatríciaSternal bursitis is an underexplored lesion in poultry, often overlooked in microbiological diagnostics. In this study, we characterized 36 Escherichia coli isolates recovered from sternal bursitis in broiler chickens, combining phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing, PCR-based screening, and whole genome sequencing (WGS). The genetic analysis revealed a diverse population spanning 15 sequence types, including ST155, ST201, and ST58. Resistance to tetracycline and ciprofloxacin was common, and several isolates carried genes encoding beta-lactamases, including blaTEM-1B. Chromosomal mutations associated with quinolone and fosfomycin resistance (e.g., gyrA p.S83L, glpT_E448K) were also identified. WGS revealed a high number of virulence-associated genes per isolate (58-96), notably those linked to adhesion (fim, ecp clusters), secretion systems (T6SS), and iron acquisition (ent, fep, fes), suggesting strong pathogenic potential. Many isolates harbored virulence markers typical of ExPEC/APEC, such as iss, ompT, and traT, even in the absence of multidrug resistance. Our findings suggest that E. coli from sternal bursitis may act as reservoirs of resistance and virulence traits relevant to animal and public health. This highlights the need for including such lesions in genomic surveillance programs and reinforces the importance of integrated One Health approaches.
- Impacto da suplementação na alimentação de coelhos desmamados com folha de oliveira (OLEA EUROPEIA L.)e/ou selénio no crescimento e parâmetros histológicos cecaisPublication . Gomes, Daniela; Faria, Adriana Cristina de; Takahashi, Sabrina; Correia, Teresa MontenegroA produção de carne de coelho na União Europeia,especialmente em Portugal, enfrenta grandes desafios, devido, entre outras causas ao aumento dos custos deprodução. Em resposta, procuram-se alternativas mais sustentáveis visando minimizar o impacto ambiental e reduzam os custos de produção.Este trabalho investigou o potencial da suplementação de folhas de oliveira, um subproduto muito abundante em Portugal na indústria do azeite e ao qual lhe são atribuídas várias propriedades benéficas para o crescimento e saúde dos coelhos, assim como a suplementação com selénio.
- Influence of prostaglandin F2alfa dosage and semen storage time on cervical artificial insemination of ewesPublication . Paula, Isabela Mendonça Leon de; Moraes, Alexa Alves de; Santos, Liliana; Quintas, Hélder; Valentim, Ramiro; Silva, DaianeFixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) is one of the main tools to achieve genetic improvement in sheep production and its implementation is facilitated by methods of estrus synchronization and ovulation’ stimulation. For vaginal or cervical artificial insemination, fresh or cooled semen is the most used, resulting in acceptable pregnancy rates. The main purposes of this research were to evaluate the effectiveness of a reduced dose of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) in the estrus synchronization protocol and to verify the influence of semen storage time at 5oC on the sheep conception rates. This study was conducted at Bragança Polytechnic University between April and June 2023. Sixty-six Churra Galega Bragançana Branca breed ewes were used. The short progestogen protocol involved the use of a vaginal device containing 0.35 g of progesterone for seven days. Simultaneously with the device insertion, half of the ewes received an intramuscular (IM) injection of 75 μg of PGF2α, while the other half received 100 μg. Upon the removal of the device, all ewes received a 500 IU IM injection of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). Semen was collected from two ram donors through electroejaculation and seminal analyzes were performed using a computer assisted semen analysis (CASA). Semen was diluted in INRA 96 extender and 0.25 mL straws containing 250 x 106 sperm each were produced. The straws’ temperature was reduced until 5oC in a refrigerated water bath (-0.27oC/min). Semen was stored at 5oC, 0-day, 1 day or 2 days after cooling. Fifty-six hours after the eCG injection, all ewes were cervical inseminated by the FTAI method. After 41 days, rectal ultrasound was used to detect pregnancy rate. In order to identify statistically significant variations, variance analyses were conducted. The comparison between means was performed using the Bonferroni/Dunn test at 95% of probability. The Chi-square test was done to compare frequencies. It was determined that the use of 100 μg of PGF2α was more effective (P<0.05) than 75 μg, with conception rates of 85% and 73%, respectively. PGF2α is a hormone with high cost, then to reduce the dosage/animal/cycle is interesting for the sheep producers, but unfortunately the reduction of 25% compromises the pregnancy rate. The storage time (0-day, 1 day and 2 days) did not significantly impact the conception results (P>0.05), with rates of 81%, 83% and 73%, respectively. Therefore, it was concluded that the 100 μg of PGF2α protocol generates a higher pregnancy rate than the 75 μg of PGF2α protocol and it is possible to use ram semen until two days after cooling at 5oC without any negative impact on the conception rate of Churra Galega Bragançana ewes.
- Prevalence, diversity and risk factors of gastrointestinal parasites in dogs housed at official shelters across PortugalPublication . Lopes, Patrícia; Gomes, Jacinto; Lozano, João; Louro, Mariana; Carvalho, Luís Madeira de; Fonseca, Isabel Pereira da; Lobo, Ricardo; Monteiro, Fernando; Carvalho, Liliana; Afonso, Paulo; Almas, Miguel; Cunha, Mónica V.Gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) are among the most common pathogens that affect dogs globally, with some species representing a zoonotic threat. Stray and shelter dogs are especially vulnerable to parasitism as their clinical history is often unknown, and copro-parasitological analyses are seldom performed upon animal arrival at shelters. In Portugal, official shelters play a pivotal role in sheltering and managing stray dogs; however, little is known about the GIP infection status of these animals. This study thus aimed to determine the occurrence of GIP in dogs housed at official shelters in Portugal and explore potential variables contributing to the GIP burden. Between November 2021 and October 2022, a total of 355 dog faecal samples were collected from shelters across the country. These samples were either obtained individually from dogs or pooled from groups of animals housed together, and were analysed using the Mini-FLOTAC technique with zinc sulphate flotation solution (specific gravity 1.35) to detect, identify, and quantify GIP shedding intensity. Over 16 % (57/355) of the samples were GIP-positive. The most frequently observed parasites were Trichuris vulpis (20/355), Toxocara canis (19/355), Ancylostoma spp. (13/355), and Cystoisospora canis (8/355). Co-infections with two parasitic agents were detected in three individual samples: two dogs harboured both T. vulpis and C. canis, while one dog was co- infected with T. vulpis and T. canis. Most positive samples (53/59) exhibited a moderate to high shedding intensity, with over 50 eggs or oocysts per gram of faeces – EPG or OPG, respectively. Only a few showed a low shedding intensity of less than 10 EPG or OPG. When examining individual faecal samples, the average prevalence rate of GIP in shelter dogs across sampled regions was 15.9 % (33/208). A single taeniid infection was detected and confirmed, via molecular assays, to be due to Echinococcus granulosus. The occurrence of Ancylos-toma spp. and T. vulpis were significantly correlated with the number of dogs housed in shelters. The presence of Ancylostoma spp. eggs was significantly associated with season and region, while consistency of faeces was significantly associated with the presence of T. canis eggs and GIP co-infection status. This study represents the first nationwide screening for GIP in shelter dogs in Portugal. Our findings underscore the importance of regular screening in shelters, namely upon animals' arrival, and the need for active, effective management of infections to control GIP spread within the shelter and to prevent possible occupational zoonotic transmission.
- Seroprevalence and associated factors of Leishmania infantum in small ruminants in PortugalPublication . Quintas, Hélder; Lebrero, María Eugenia; Jacob-Ferreira, João; Quilez, Pablo; Guallar, David; Coelho, Ana Cláudia; Lacasta, Delia; Marteles-Aragüés, Diana; Ruíz, Héctor; Arcaute, Marta Ruiz de; Cardoso, Luís; Villanueva-Saz, SergioBackground Leishmaniosis is a vector-borne disease caused by Leishmania parasites transmitted by infected phle- botomine sand flies. In the epidemiological study reported here, we investigated exposure to Leishmania infantum in sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hircus) in mainland Portugal. Methods A cross-sectional serosurvey was conducted in three geographical regions of Portugal (Tras-os-Montes, Centre and South), with sampling in 19 municipalities and 87 localities. Results A total of 2124 small ruminants were tested (1820 sheep and 304 goats). Overall seroprevalence was 21.3% (453/2124; 95% confidence interval [CI] 19.6-23.1), with higher seropositivity in sheep than goats (22.4% vs 15.1%). Univariable analysis showed that ruminant species and reported contact between goats and sheep were statistically associated with seropositivity, but these associations were not detected in the subset of 1851 animals used for mul- tivariable modelling. Rather, multivariable logistic regression analysis (n = 1851) showed that several management and biosecurity factors were linked to an increased risk of infection. Increased odds of infection were observed in non- autochthonous breeds (odds ratio [OR] 2.163), holdings without goat-sheep contact (OR 1.920), high aeration/ventila- tion (OR 1.964), suboptimal drinking fountai n hygiene (OR up to 6.221), biannual versus annual disinfection (OR 2.459) and not using equipment from other farms (OR 2.189). Permanent confinement was protective (OR 0.415). Conclusions These results indicate widespread exposure of Portuguese flocks to L. infantum, highlighting the rel- evance of husbandry practices. Further research is needed to determine whether sheep and goats develop clinical disease and to clarify the implications for animal and public health.
- Seroprevalence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Infections in Small Ruminants in EuropePublication . Quintas, Hélder; Benavides, Júlio; Jacob-Ferreira, João; Afonso, Paulo; Coelho, Ana CláudiaParatuberculosis, also known as Johne’s disease, is a granulomatous enteritis in both domestic and wild ruminants caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. Understanding the prevalence of this disease in small ruminants is essential for disease control and prevention strategies. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the PubMed, ScienceDirect and Scopus databases to identify all articles reporting Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) seroprevalence in sheep and goats in Europe, published from January 2006 to December 2023. The initial search for existing publications reporting systematic reviews and primary studies was carried out by searching the available databases. For the final selection of studies, an initial screen for basic eligibility and a detailed appraisal of quality were performed. After the study selection, the relevant data was extracted. The detailed appraisal generated 21 publications that reported 55 studies, 22 (40.0%) from sheep (12 at the animal-level and 10 at the flock-level) and 28 (50.9%) from goats (17 at the animal-level and 11 at the flock-level), and 5 (9.1%) from mixed small ruminant species at the animal level. In total, 34 (61.8%) were animal-level studies and 21 (38.2%) were flock-level studies. Population and inclusion criteria were highly variable among studies. Sample sizes ranged from 291 to 15,585 animals. Most studies reported testing adult animals (over 24 months of age). Commercial ELISA kits were used in most studies. The highest prevalence was obtained in sheep (100%) in Türkiye, and the lowest was found also in sheep (0.7%) in Austria. Overall, the results suggest that MAP antibodies have been frequently detected among small ruminants in some countries and there is a need for standardisation of case definitions to improve the accuracy of prevalence estimates. Further research is needed to understand the risk factors associated with MAP infection in small ruminants and to develop effective control and prevention strategies.
- Widespread benzimidazole resistance and β-tub-1 F200Y SNP in gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep across PortugalPublication . Campbell, Natália Faria; Almeida, Paulo; Simões, Ana Rita; Antunes, Joel; Quintas, Hélder; Pires, Humberto; Monteiro, Helena; Waap, Helga; Cortes, HelderAnthelmintic resistance (AR) to benzimidazoles (BZs) in gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) of sheep was assessed across 35 farms in northern (Trás-os-Montes, TM), north-central (Beira Interior, BI), central (Estremadura, ES), and southern (Alentejo, AL) Portugal. Pooled fecal samples were tested for AR by egg hatch tests (EHTs) with albendazole (ABZ) and thiabendazole (TBZ). Effective concentrations inhibiting 50% egg hatch (EC50) were calculated, with EC50 > 0.13 µg/mL (ABZ) and > 0.10 µg/mL (TBZ) indicating AR. ABZ resistance was detected on 69% of farms, while TBZ, never administered, showed resistance on 59% of farms, suggesting wide BZ cross-resistance. EC50 values ranged from 0.05 to 0.68 µg/mL (ABZ) and 0.03–0.70 µg/mL (TBZ). Nemabiome metabarcoding identified 10 GIN species, predominantly Haemonchus contortus (41%), Teladorsagia circumcincta (33%), and Trichostrongylus colubriformis (19%). Less common species included Bunostomum trigonocephalum and Oesophagostomum venulosum. Species richness (3–6 per farm) was highest in TM, with unique occurrences of B. trigonocephalum and Cooperia sp. H. contortus dominated in TM and BI, while T. circumcincta prevailed in AL, where AR was most severe. Higher EC50 values correlated with increased T. circumcincta and T. colubriformis prevalence. The BZ-resistance F200Y SNP in the isotype-1 β-tubulin gene of H. contortus was detected on 85% of farms, with resistant allele frequencies inferring predominantly homozygous resistant populations (A/A; > 90% resistant allele) on some farms, strongly correlating with higher EC50 values, particularly in AL. Widespread BZ resistance underscores the need for enhanced AR surveillance, prudent anthelmintic use, and integrated management to sustain sheep health in Portugal, especially in Alentejo.