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The gut microbiome plays an important role in the metabolism, nutrient absorption and immunocompetency of animals. The dynamics of the microbiota can be influenced by modulatory factors that involve nutrition, environment, health, diseases, etc. Few reports have been documented regarding the effects of different feeds on the fungi microbiome of Suffolk crossed with Tibetan sheep. A total of 30 Suffolk crossed with Tibetan sheep (ST sheep) were selected for the study and randomly divided into five equal groups (n = 6): AZ, BZ, CZ, DZ and EZ. Group AZ was fed with alfalfa and oat grass, whereas group BZ was fed with mixture of concentrated feed, alfalfa and oat grass. Groups CZ, DZ and EZ were fed with concentrated feed #1, #2 and #3, respectively. All experimental animals were fed twice a day for four months, and rectum samples were collected for microbiota analysis. Results revealed that 2,781,461 raw reads and 2,333,239 clean reads were achieved in the ST sheep. When compared with the sheep of groups AZ and BZ (164), the shared amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) between AZ and CZ (109), AZ (113) and DZ (118) as well as AZ along with EZ were fewer. Conspicuous different phyla (8) and genera (56) were examined and compared with free-range sheep in AZ. Genera including Xeromyces, Kazachstania, Cordyceps, Rhodotorula, Pichia, Spor, etc. were found higher in animals in the CZ, DZ and EZ groups. The results of this study provide new insights regarding the effects of different feeds on the fungi microbiome of sheep farmed on the plateau. We concluded that the differences in feed in Suffolk crossed with Tibetan sheep altered their gut microbiota.

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In July 2019, Bourbon virus RNA was detected in an Amblyomma americanum tick removed from a resident of Long Island, New York, USA. Tick infection and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) serosurvey results demonstrate active transmission in New York, especially Suffolk County, emphasizing a need for surveillance anywhere A. americanum ticks are reported.

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Good sleep is essential for health but there is no consensus on how to define and measure people's understanding of good sleep. To date, people's perceptions of a good night's sleep have been, almost exclusively, conceptualized under the lens of sleep quality, which refers to objective characteristics of good sleep, such as such as ease and time needed to fall asleep, hours of sleep, and physical symptoms during sleep and upon awakening. A related, yet different construct, sleep satisfaction, refers to perceived positive affect about one's sleep experience and has, to date, received little attention. This research focuses on sleep satisfaction, rather than sleep quality, and aims to develop a self-report measure to assess sleep satisfaction in an English adult population. As the measure will be developed in Suffolk, England, and its primary intended users are Suffolk community members, it is labelled the Suffolk Sleep Index (SuSI). The SuSI will draw from principles of community-based participatory research, following a seven-phase developmental process comprising literature review, interviews with Suffolk community members, synthesis of literature review and interview findings, pre-testing, pilot-testing, scale evaluation, and refinement. The present research will also investigate indices related to sleep satisfaction, including the community's general health status, lifestyle factors and socio-economic status. The research will add to the limited, yet emerging body of research on perceived sleep satisfaction and its measurement. To our knowledge, a valid and reliable sleep satisfaction self-report measure has not been developed in the United Kingdom previously.

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The effects of first-joining age (7 or 19 months) and genotype on ewe performance when joined to lamb at 2 years, and the performance of their progeny, were evaluated using 424 ewes, representing 3 genotypes: Belclare (Bel), Suffolk × Belclare (Suf × Bel) and Suffolk-type (≥75% Suffolk ancestry (Suf75)). Ewes were managed in a grass-based system. Ewes first joined at 7 months were lighter (p < 0.01) at 19 months and immediately post lambing; otherwise, age at first joining had no effects (p > 0.05) on ewes or their progeny and there were no important interactions with genotype. Bel and Suf × Bel had larger litters (p < 0.001) and reared more lambs per ewe joined (p < 0.01) than Suf75. Ewe genotype had no effect (p > 0.05) on proportion failing to lamb, incidence of lambing assistance, lamb mortality, ewe survival to 31 months, or progeny performance. Increasing the body weight of ewes at 7 months of age increased the probability (p < 0.02) of rearing 1 or more lambs at 2 years and there was no interaction with genotype. It is concluded that age at first joining had no negative impact on the performance of ewes or their progeny.

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Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease of cervids. We examined host range of CWD by oronasally inoculating Suffolk sheep with brain homogenate from a CWD-positive white-tailed deer. Sixty months after inoculation, 1/7 sheep had immunoreactivity against the misfolded form of prion protein in lymphoid tissue. Results were confirmed by mouse bioassay.

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During 2018, Heartland virus RNA was detected in an Amblyomma americanum tick removed from a resident of Suffolk County, New York, USA. The person showed seroconversion. Tick surveillance and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) serosurveys showed widespread distribution in Suffolk County, emphasizing a need for disease surveillance anywhere A. americanum ticks are established or emerging.

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In this study, we measured plasma concentrations of progesterone, pregnenolone, estradiol, estrone, estrone sulfate, and cortisol and analyzed the correlations between these hormones during gestation in 13 Suffolk ewes, the main breed in Japan. Progesterone increased during gestation and decreased a few days before parturition; however, this pattern was different in samples with high progesterone concentrations (P4 spike samples). This P4 spike was associated with a high pregnenolone concentration. Apart from the P4 spike, the progesterone change was similar to that in other sheep breeds. Pregnenolone increased during gestation and decreased after parturition. A significant correlation between progesterone and pregnenolone was observed a few days before parturition. Estrone sulfate and estradiol concentrations increased during gestation, but estrone did not. They increased shortly before parturition, and then decreased immediately after parturition. At parturition, the correlation between estrone and estrone sulfate was significantly stronger. Moreover, a strong correlation between estrone sulfate and estradiol was observed after parturition. Cortisol did not change during gestation and increased shortly before parturition. The results showed steroid hormone dynamics in normal pregnant Suffolk ewes, which were mostly in line with those of other sheep breeds. It should be noted that high progesterone concentrations altered the typical patterns.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of treatments based on GnRH, GnRH-PGF2α, and/or intense exposure to novel rams to induce fertile estrus without the use of steroid hormones in seasonally anestrous Suffolk ewes. METHODS: In the first experiment, ewes were treated with one injection of GnRH, two injections of GnRH administered 7 days apart, or a sequence of GnRH-PGF2α-GnRH. In the second experiment anestrous ewes were exposed, for 36 days starting on the day of weaning, to groups of four rams of three different breeds that were alternated every day. Besides exposure to the males, the ewes were injected with saline solution (ME group, n=20), with GnRH (ME-GnRH group, n=20) or with a sequence of GnRH-PGF2α-GnRH (ME-GPG group, n=20). The rams used for male-effect were fitted with aprons to prevent mating, and ewes detected in estrus were bred to selected fertile rams. Ovarian activity was monitored by progesterone determinations in both experiments. RESULTS: In the first experiment sustained induction of ovarian activity was not achieved and no ewe was detected in estrus. In the second experiment induction of sustained ovarian activity was achieved in all groups. Most of the ewes were detected in estrus, 76.7 % of the ewes were mated during a 36-d breeding period and 71.7 % of all the ewes became pregnant during that period. No significant differences between groups were found for any of these variables. However, estrus detection efficiency was higher in the ME-GnRH group than in the ME group (p&lt;0.05). CONCLUSION: An intense male-effect, that included the continuous presence and frequent alternation of several rams of different breeds, was sufficient to induce ovarian activity and fertile estrus in Suffolk ewes during the period of deep anestrus without the use of hormones, although addition of GnRH improved the efficiency of estrus detection.

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Suffolk County, New York, is a locus for West Nile virus (WNV) infection in the American northeast that includes the majority of Long Island to the east of New York City. The county has a system of light and gravid traps used for mosquito collection and disease monitoring. In order to identify predictors of WNV incidence in mosquitoes and predict future occurrence of WNV, we have developed a spatiotemporal Bayesian model, beginning with over 40 ecological, meteorological, and built-environment covariates. A mixed-effects model including spatially and temporally correlated errors was fit to WNV surveillance data from 2008 to 2014 using the R package "R-INLA," which allows for Bayesian modeling using the stochastic partial differential equation (SPDE) approach. The integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA) SPDE allows for simultaneous fitting of a temporal parameter and a spatial covariance, while incorporating a variety of likelihood functions and running in R statistical software on a home computer. We found that land cover classified as open water and woody wetlands had a negative association with WNV incidence in mosquitoes, and the count of septic systems was associated with an increase in WNV. Mean temperature at two-week lag was associated with a strong positive impact, while mean precipitation at no lag and one-week lag was associated with positive and negative impacts on WNV, respectively. Incorporation of spatiotemporal factors resulted in a marked increase in model goodness-of-fit. The predictive power of the model was evaluated on 2015 surveillance results, where the best model achieved a sensitivity of 80.9% and a specificity of 77.0%. The spatial covariate was mapped across the county, identifying a gradient of WNV prevalence increasing from east to west. The Bayesian spatiotemporal model improves upon previous approaches, and we recommend the INLA SPDE methodology as an efficient way to develop robust models from surveillance data to develop and enhance monitoring and control programs. Our study confirms previously found associations between weather conditions and WNV and suggests that wetland cover has a mitigating effect on WNV infection in mosquitoes, while high septic system density is associated with an increase in WNV infection.

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Promotion of spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) differentiation into functional sperms under in vitro conditions is a great challenge for reproductive physiologists. In this study, we observed that melatonin (10(-7) M) supplementation significantly enhanced the cultured SSCs differentiation into haploid germ cells. This was confirmed by the expression of sperm special protein, acrosin. The rate of SSCs differentiation into sperm with melatonin supplementation was 11.85 ± 0.93% which was twofold higher than that in the control. The level of testosterone, the transcriptions of luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), and the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) were upregulated with melatonin treatment. At the early stage of SSCs culture, melatonin suppressed the level of cAMP, while at the later stage, it promoted cAMP production. The similar pattern was observed in testosterone content. Expressions for marker genes of meiosis anaphase, Dnmt3a, and Bcl-2 were upregulated by melatonin. In contrast, Bax expression was downregulated. Importantly, the in vitro-generated sperms were functional and they were capable to fertilize oocytes. These fertilized oocytes have successfully developed to the blastula stage.

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Perinatal transmission of hepatitis B infection has increased in the UK over the last decade. Routine antenatal screening of pregnant mothers (based on HBsAg) provides an effective means to identify 'at risk' babies. Follow up of babies born to infected mothers involves 4 doses of vaccination and/or a single dose of HBIG at birth. In this study we report the outcome of follow up of babies born to infected mothers over a 5 y period. One hundred sixty-three babies born to HBsAg positive mothers were followed up to ascertain the completeness for immunization and serological testing. Vaccination completion was 99.4% (162 of babies) at birth (1st dose), 95.6% (152 babies) for the second dose (at 1st month), 94.3 % (148 babies) for the 3rd dose (at 2nd month) and 83.4% (106 babies) for the 4th dose (at 12 months). Additionally, at 12 months 29.9% (38) of babies had their blood tested serologically to ascertain infection status; all babies receiving antigen testing were HBsAg negative. The overall vaccination coverage was good, although there is scope to improve the coverage of 4th dose. However, the proportion of children who were serologically tested for surface antigen at 12 months was considerably lower and there is a greater need to test babies concurrently at the time of giving the 4(th) dose. The proposed dried blood spot testing which will be rolled out from September 2014 should address this issue.

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The uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) plays an important role in the regulation of lipolysis and thermogenesis in adipose tissues. Genetic variation within three regions (the promoter, intron 2 and exon 5) of the ovine UCP1 gene (UCP1) was investigated using polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analyses. These revealed three promoter variants (designated A, B and C) and two intron 2 variants (a and b). The association of this genetic variation with variation in lamb carcass traits and postweaning growth was investigated in New Zealand (NZ) Romney and Suffolk sheep. The presence of B in a lamb's genotype was associated with decreased subcutaneous carcass fat depth (V-GR) (p = 0.004) and proportion of total lean meat yield of loin meat (p = 0.005), and an increased proportion of total lean meat yield of hind-leg meat (p = 0.018). In contrast, having two copies of C was associated with increased V-GR (p < 0.001) and proportion of total lean meat yield of shoulder meat (p = 0.009), and a decreased hind-leg yield (p = 0.032). No associations were found with postweaning growth. These results suggest that ovine UCP1 is a potential gene marker for carcass traits.

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The study aimed to estimate the components of (co)variance and heritability for weights at birth (BW), weaning (WW) and 180 days of age (W180), as well as the average daily gains from birth to weaning (ADG1), birth to 180 days of age (ADG2) and weaning to 180 days of age (ADG3) in Suffolk sheep. Thus, three different single-trait animal models were fitted, considering the direct additive genetic effect (Model 1), the direct additive genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects (Model 2), and in Model 3, in addition to those in Model 2, the maternal additive genetic effect was included. After comparing models through the likelihood ratio test (LRT), model 3 was chosen as the most appropriate to estimate heritability for BW, WW and ADG1. Model 2 was considered as the best to estimate the coefficient of heritability for W180 and ADG2, and model 1 for ADG3. Direct heritability estimates were inflated when maternal effects were ignored. According to the most suitable models, the heritability estimates for BW, WW, W180, ADG1, ADG2 and ADG3 were 0.06, 0.08, 0.09, 0.07, 0.08 and 0.07, respectively, indicating low possibility of genetic gain through individual selection. The results show the importance of including maternal effects in the models to properly estimate genetic parameters even at post-weaning ages.

Objetivou-se estimar os componentes de (co)variância e herdabilidades para pesos ao nascer (PN), à desmama (PD) e aos 180 dias de idade (P180), além dos ganhos médios diários de peso do nascimento à desmama (GMD N-D), do nascimento aos 180 dias de idade (GMD N-180) e da desmama aos 180 dias de idade (GMD D-180), de ovinos da raça Suffolk. Para isso, utilizaram-se três modelos diferentes, considerando o efeito genético aditivo direto (Modelo 1), os efeitos genético direto e de ambiente permanente materno (Modelo 2) e, no Modelo 3, além daqueles contemplados no Modelo 2, foi incluído o efeito genético materno. Após comparar os modelos por meio do teste de razão de verossimilhança (LRT), observou-se que o 3 foi o mais adequado para estimar a herdabilidade para PN, PD e GMD N-D. Já o modelo 2 foi considerado como o melhor para estimar o coeficiente de herdabilidade para P180 e GMD N-180, e o modelo 1, para GMD D-180. As herdabilidades diretas foram inflacionadas quando os efeitos maternos foram ignorados. Os coeficientes de herdabilidade de baixa magnitude estimados para PN, PD, P180, GMD N-D, GMD N-180 e GMD D-180 foram iguais a 0,06, 0,08, 0,09, 0,07, 0,08 e 0,07, respectivamente, de acordo com os modelos mais apropriados, indicando que os ganhos genéticos obtidos por meio da seleção individual serão de pequena magnitude. Os resultados evidenciam a importância da inclusão dos efeitos maternos nos modelos para estimar adequadamente os parâmetros genéticos, mesmo após a desmama.

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Scrapie is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of sheeps and goats, associated with the deposition of a isoform of the prion protein (PrPsc). This isoform presents an altered conformation that leads to aggregation in the host's central nervous and lymphoreticular systems. Predisposition to the prion agent infection can be influenced by specific genotypes related to mutations in amino acids of the PrPsc gene. The most characterized mutations occur at codons 136, 154 and 171, with genotypes VRQ being the most susceptible and ARR the most resistant. In this study we have analyzed polymorphisms in 15 different codons of the PrPsc gene in sheeps from a Suffolk herd from Brazil affected by an outbreak of classical scrapie. Amplicons from the PrPsc gene, encompassing the most relevant altered codons in the protein, were sequenced in order to determine each animal's genotype. We have found polymorphisms at 3 of the 15 analyzed codons (136, 143 and 171). The most variable codon was 171, where all described alleles were identified. A rare polymorphism was found at the 143 codon in 4 percent of the samples analyzed, which has been described as increasing scrapie resistance in otherwise susceptible animals. No other polymorphisms were detected in the remaining 12 analyzed codons, all of them corresponding to the wild-type prion protein. Regarding the risk degree of developing scrapie, most of the animals (96 percent) had genotypes corresponding to risk groups 1 to 3 (very low to moderate), with only 4 percent in the higher risks group. Our data is discussed in relation to preventive measures involving genotyping and positive selection to control the disease.

Scrapie é uma encefalopatia espongiforme transmissível de ovinos e caprinos, associado a deposição da isoforma da proteína priônica (PrPsc). Essa isoforma apresenta uma alteração conformacional que leva ao acúmulo da proteína no sistema nervoso central e linforeticular do hospedeiro. A predisposição a infecção pelo agente priônico pode ser influenciado por genótipos específicos relacionados a mutações na sequência de aminoácidos do gene PrPsc. As principais mutações caracterizadas ocorrem nos códons 136, 154 e 171, sendo o genótipo VRQ o mais suscetível e o genótipo ARR o mais resistente. Nesse estudo nós analisamos os polimorfismos de 15 códons diferentes da gene PrPsc em ovinos de um rebanho da raça Suffolk no Brasil afetado com scrapie clássico. Os amplicons do gene da PrPsc, que contem os códons mais frequentemente encontrados foram sequenciados para determinar o genótipo de cada animal. Nós encontramos 3 polimorfismos do 15 códons analisados (136, 143 e 171). O códon que mais teve variações foi o códon 171, onde todos os alelos foram identificados. Um polimorfismo raro foi encontrado no códon 143, em 4 por cento das amostras analisadas, o qual tem sido descrito por aumentar a resistência a scrapie em animais suscetíveis. Nenhum outro polimorfismo foi detectado nos 12 códons restantes, todos então, correspondendo à proteína priônica selvagem. De acordo com a grau de risco a desenvolver scrapie, a maioria dos animais (96 por cento) tiveram genótipo correspondentes aos grupos de risco 1 a 3 (muito baixo a moderado), e somente 4 por cento no grupo de risco alto. Nossos dados discutem a relação das medidas de prevenção envolvendo a genotipagem e a seleção positiva para o controle da doença.

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Importation of rams of high genetic value is a common practice in Mexico; nevertheless, reproductive variables of imported animals have not been followed along. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive function of Suffolk rams along their first reproductive season in Mexico (October to February). The behavior of values of scrotal circumference, sperm count and morphology, and circulating testosterone in Suffolk ram during its first reproductive season in Mexico are in line with the ones reported for Suffolk rams in other latitudes; however, in Mexico such changes are lower in magnitude. Neuroendocrine-reproductive changes induced by environmental stimuli such as changes in duration of light-dark cycles have been broadly documented and are accepted as inducers of seasonal changes in the ram's behavior. In this work, both testosterone concentration and sperm production were observed in December. These results show that Suffolk ram imported to Mexico maintain their cyclic testicular function, although it has a lower magnitude than in other latitudes. Causes of this condition are unknown, but they may be related to changes in the duration of the light-dark cycles prevailing in Mexico.

La importación de sementales de alto valor genético ha sido una estrategia común en México. Sin embargo, debido a que no se le ha dado seguimiento al desempeño reproductivo de tales sementales se llevó a cabo el presente trabajo para realizarlo en sementales Suffolk durante su primera época reproductiva en México (octubre a febrero). El comportamiento de los valores de la circunferencia escrotal, la cuenta y la morfología espermática, así como las concentraciones circulantes de testosterona de los sementales Suffolk durante su primera época reproductiva en México, coinciden con las que se notifican en la literatura para esos animales en otras latitudes, aunque en México son de menor magnitud. Los cambios neuroendocrinos-reproductivos derivados de los estímulos ambientales, como las variaciones en la duración de los ciclos luz-oscuridad, han sido ampliamente documentados y se aceptan como responsables de los cambios estacionales en el comportamiento reproductivo de los carneros. En este trabajo, la mayor concentración de testosterona, así como la mayor producción de espermatozoides se observó en diciembre. Estos resultados indican que los sementales Suffolk importados son capaces de mantener su función testicular cíclica, aunque ésta se manifiesta con menor magnitud que en otras latitudes. Se desconocen las causas de este comportamiento, aunque pueden estar relacionadas con los cambios en la duración de los ciclos luz-oscuridad que ocurren en México.

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Grazing behaviour, ponderal growth and level of parasitic infestation were studied in Suffolk breed sheep, from 1994 to 1995, in Nova Odessa, São Paulo. Two management systems were compared: restricted grazing, where the animals were released to the pastures at 9:50 a.m. and confined at 5:30 p.m., and 24 hour grazing, where the animals were maintained all the time in the paddocks, but with access to shelters. Thirty-four adult ewes were used in the summer period (17 under restricted grazing and 17 full-time grazing), and 42 ewes in the winter period (21 with restricted grazing and 21 full-time grazing). Also, for both seasons, 12 tracer animals, six in each grazing system, were used to obtain worm counts from their digestive tracts. For three consecutive days, grazing behaviour, that is, whether grazing or not, was observed in January/February (summer) and July/August (winter) at 30 minute intervals from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., also whether the animals stayed in the sun or shade, irrespective of whether they were grazing or not. The level of parasitic infestation was evaluated under each system by eggs per gram countings (EPG) of the herd and the tracer animals, as well as by larvae count. It was concluded that restriction of grazing time by itself does not provide any effective control of parasitic infestation in sheep, however a better control was obtained in the summer period. Restricted grazing time was compensated by the greater activity of the animals during the hotter hours of the day, however, this behaviour affected the animal performance, resulting in lower weight gains. Greater forage availability in relation to estimated consumption may explain the similarity between the grazing times observed in both management systems, either in the summer or in the winter.

Foi estudado o comportamento em pastejo, o desempenho ponderal e o nível de infestação parasitária em ovelhas da raça Suffolk, no período de 1994 a 1995, em Nova Odessa, SP. Comparou-se dois sistemas de manejo: pastejo restrito, onde os animais foram soltos às 9:50h e presos às 17:30h e pastejo em período integral, no qual os animais não eram recolhidos, tendo a disposição abrigo para passarem a noite. Foram utilizadas 34 fêmeas adultas no verão (17 em pastejo livre e 17 em pastejo restrito) e 42 fêmeas adultas no inverno (21 em pastejo livre e 21 em pastejo restrito). Trabalhou-se ainda com 12 animais traçadores em cada estação do ano, sendo metade em cada sistema de manejo visando a contagem de nematódeos no trato digestivo dos animais. Durante 3 dias consecutivos nos meses de janeiro/fevereiro (verão) e julho/agosto (inverno) estudou-se, através da observação dos animais, a cada 30 minutos entre as 7:00 e 17:30h, o hábito de pastejo (pastando ou não; na sombra ou no sol). Acompanhou-se o nível de infestação parasitária dos animais em cada sistema, pela contagem do OPG do rebanho e dos traçadores e nematódeos recuperados nos traçadores. Concluiu-se que a restrição do horário de pastejo isoladamente não propiciou um controle efetivo da infestação parasitária nos animais mostrando. A restrição do tempo de pastejo é compensada pela maior atividade dos animais nas horas mais quentes do dia, todavia este comportamento afetou o desempenho, resultando em menor ganho de peso. A maior disponibilidade de forragem, em relação ao consumo estimado, pode explicar a similaridade entre os tempos de pastejo verificados nos dois sistemas de manejo, tanto no verão como no inverno.