Background: Culicoides biting midges are vectors involved in the biological transmission cycle of important animal diseases such as bluetongue and African horse sickness. In Romania, the first outbreaks of bluetongue were reported in 2014, leading to increased activities within the existing entomological surveillance network. The main goals of the surveillance activities were the establishment of the vector free period in relation to animal trade and the identification of Culicoides species involved in the transmission of the pathogen. This study was conducted on the composition and relative abundance of the species belonging to the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in certain regions of Romania and provided the opportunity to update the existing checklist of Culicoides species of this country. Methods: The study was conducted in 33 of the 42 administrative units (counties), including a total of 659 catches, in 102 locations. The collections were carried out with UV blacklight suction traps (OVI type). The collected insects were preserved in 70% ethanol. Morphological insect identification was carried out using a stereomicroscope, according to established identification keys. In ten localities the relative abundance of the cryptic species of the Obsoletus complex was determined by multiplex PCR assay based on the ITS2 segment. The identification of the Culicoides chiopterus (Meigen) species by morphological examination was confirmed by PCR assay based on the ITS1 segment. Results: Eleven species were identified using morphological and PCR tools. The rest of the individuals were separated into five taxa. The species of the Obsoletus complex (grouping Culicoides obsoletus (Meigen) and Culicoides scoticus Downes & Kettle) were the most abundant, accounting for 59% of the total number of captured Culicoides spp. Three of the identified species are mentioned, according to our knowledge, for the first time in Romania: Culicoides newsteadi Austen, Culicoides flavipulicaris Dzhafarov and Culicoides bysta Sarvašová, Kočisová, Candolfi & Mathieu. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that the Culicoides species most commonly cited as being involved in the transmission of arboviruses in Europe (i.e. bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses) make up a high proportion of adult Culicoides trapped in Romania.
This is the third in a planned series of data papers presenting modelled vector distributions produced during the ECDC and EFSA funded VectorNet project. The data package presented here includes those Culicoides vectors species first modelled in 2015 as part of the VectorNet gap analysis work namely C. imicola, C. obsoletus, C. scoticus, C. dewulfi, C. chiopterus, C. pulicaris, C. lupicaris, C. punctatus, and C. newsteadi. The known distributions of these species within the Project area (Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, and Eurasia) are currently incomplete to a greater or lesser degree. The models are designed to fill the gaps with predicted distributions, to provide a) first indication of vector species distributions across the project geographical extent, and b) assistance in targeting surveys to collect distribution data for those areas with no field validated information. The models are based on input data from light trap surveillance of adult Culicoides across continental Europe and surrounding regions (71.8°N-33.5°S,-11.2°W-62°E), concentrated in Western countries, supplemented by transect samples in eastern and northern Europe. Data from central EU are relatively sparse.
Studies were performed on first generation meat hybrids, from the Bălţată cu Negru Românească (BNR) dairy cattle, into four experimental groups of five animals /group, in relation to meat bulls breeds from which the frozen semen material used for cows artificial insemination, respectively: Group E1- Limousine (Li), E2 - Aberdeen Angus (AA), E3 - Blue Blanch Belgian (BBB) and E4 - Charolaise (CH). The hybrids obtained from the experimental groups were observed in terms of dynamic growth and development through biometric measurements and periodic weightings 3 months intervals until 12 months of age. Average Daily Gain (ADG) recorded different variations in report to age and breed: at six months old, between 418.52 ± 60.97 g (Group E3 -BBB) and 486.67 ± 108.66 g (Group E2 - AA), at 12 months old, between 997.22 g (Group E2 - AA) and 1311.11 g (Group E3 -BBB). Slaughter rate at 12 months showed variations in relation to breed and thermal regime, so in hot regime the values ranged between 56.62 % (BNR x AA) and 60.60 % (BNR x BBB) and in cold regime (to 24 hours) between 55.68 % (BNR x AA) and 59.73 % (BNR x BBB). Carcasses development indicators had values in most cases in favor of BNR x AA hybrids than BNR x BBB hybrids, with significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) regarding the width index (201.43 cm to 175.84 cm) and pulp development index (129.27 cm to 110.64 cm). From results analysis it can be concluded that in dangered local cattle, to be abandoned because of productive reform or not relevant point of view of milk production can be used in first generation for hybridization with meat breeds in obtaining meat hybrids with morphological features, slaughter rate and carcass structure from superior quality categories than the maternal breed.
The studies were performed in the dairy farm from Dancu Research and Development Station for Cattle Breeding, Iaşi, Romania, for a period of 5 consecutive years (2007- 2011), an effective annual rolled of 450 cows Bălţată cu Negru Românească (Romanian Black Spotted) breed.The experimental groups were composed of cows with anoestrus in 60 days postpartum interval, diagnosed by rectal examination with various ovarian disorders: persistent corpus luteum - group E1-162 cows and luteal cysts- group E2-138 cows. The treatments according to diagnosis were applied: PGF2α-,500 mcg/cow- group E1 and Gn-RH, (Receptal, 5 ml/cow-group E2). In relation to the year in which treatments were applied some variations in reproduction indices were found. Regarding to average intervals from treatment to first insemination and from treatment to conception respectively, significant differences were not found. Regarding to average conception rates after treatments, significant differences were found: in E1group, conception rate at the first insemination was 30,9% (with annual variations between 15,0% in 2008 and 41,1% in 2009) (p<0,01); per total insemination was 64,42 % (with annual variations between 44,7% - 2011 and 76,9% - 2007) (p<0,001) and pregnancy index was of 2,4 (with annual variations between 1,9 - 2009 and 2,8 - 2008); in E2 group, conception rate to first insemination was 25,96% (with annual variations between 16,66% - 2011 and 40% - 2010) (p<0,01); per total insemination was 77,88% (with annual variation between 52,17% - 2008 and 85,0% - 2010) (p<0,001) and pregnancy index of 2,4 (with annual variations between 2,1 - 2007 and 2,6 - 2008 and 2009). In relation to season in which treatments were applied, we found different variations in conception rates: in group E1, the average conception rates at the first insemination were between 24,24 % (autumn) and 40,7% (summer) (p<0,05) and per total inseminations between 75,0% (spring) and 85,71% (autumn) (p<0,05); in group E2, the average conception rates at the first insemination were between 5,3% (summer) and 48,5% (spring) (p<0,001) and per total inseminations between 68,4% (summer) and 81,8% (spring) (p<0,05). We believe that annual and seasonal variations found in this work are due to some deficiencies of management system in dairy farms, such as the stalls prolonged maintenance and lack of active movement in the cold season, inadequate microclimate of shelters, heat stress and deficiencies in cows feeding , especially those with higher milk production.
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