Agriculture Victoria Services (Australia)

Dairy cows are highly susceptible to heat stress, which has a detrimental effect on milk production, fertility performance, and animal welfare. These adverse effects will increase as dairy-producing regions continue to be affected by climate change. To address this, Australia implemented a genetic evaluation for heat tolerance in 2017, which was updated in 2024. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between heat tolerance solutions from the official genetic evaluation and other important traits in Australian Holsteins and Jerseys. In addition to heat tolerance solution, genetic correlations were estimated for mean yield (cow solution for intercept) of milk, fat, and protein yields with 11 conformation traits, 2 body size composites, and 2 fitness traits using a multivariate animal model. To compare the correlation of heat tolerance solution with the traits considered in this study, we also calculated the correlations of heat tolerance adjusted for mean milk, fat, or protein production. Of the conformation traits considered, angularity had the strongest genetic correlation with the heat tolerance solution for milk of -0.26 ± 0.03 and -0.38 ± 0.04 for Holstein and Jersey, respectively. Comparatively, when the genetic correlation between angularity and the adjusted heat tolerance solution was corrected for milk, the correlations reduced to -0.11 ± 0.06 for Holstein and -0.12 ± 0.14 for Jersey. Both calving interval and survival had strong genetic correlations with the heat tolerance solution compared with other traits studied. When comparing heat tolerance solutions with heat tolerance solutions adjusted for mean production, the effect of milk, fat, and protein yield on the relationship between heat tolerance and conformation traits is driven by milk, fat, and protein yield. Production strongly influences the relationship of the current Australian phenotype for heat tolerance due to the calculation of heat tolerance phenotype via yield deviation under heat stress. Given these results, conformation traits have minimal value as a predictor of heat tolerance in Australian Holstein and Jersey cattle.

Dairy cattle, particularly in Australia where dairy farming is predominantly pasture-based, are experiencing an increased incidence of heat stress through rising global temperatures, causing a detrimental impact on productivity and welfare. Improving the thermotolerance of dairy cows through genetic selection is a potential proactive solution for mitigating the impact of heat stress for the dairy industry. Although heat tolerance breeding values for milk yield traits have been available to Australian dairy producers since 2017, considerable potential remains to develop genetic evaluation for heat tolerance of fertility and understanding of the underlying genetic architecture for heat tolerance. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of heat stress measured as temperature-humidity index (THI) on fertility traits and to identify genomic regions associated with heat tolerance in 2 specific fertility traits: first service nonreturn rate (FNRR) and successful calving rate to first service (SCRFS). In this study, we assembled more than 892K phenotypic records of Holstein cows with THI and fertility traits and identified specific periods with respect to service day. The effect of heat stress on fertility was assessed using a random regression sire model for estimating the change in genetic variance of fertility across various THI and obtaining heat tolerance solution (slope) for sires. Also, whole genome sequence GWAS were undertaken based on heat tolerance phenotypes of 5K Holstein bulls with at least 10 daughters with fertility data. The assessment of the different THI definitions based on different numbers of days before and after artificial service days on the fertility traits showed that the most prominent effect of THI on fertility outcomes was observed for THI 7 d preceding service (including the service day) and 6 d after service day. Heat tolerance (HT) traits with respect to FNRR and SCRFS are lowly heritable and ranged from 0.01 to 0.04 under moderate THI conditions ranging between 60 and 70. However, as the THI exceeded 70, the heritability increased to up to 0.08, indicating increased genetic variance as THI increased. Genetic correlations between extreme THI ranges were as low as 0.13, while correlations between consecutive THI ranges reached up to 0.98. This finding suggests the presence of genotype-by-environment interactions due to heat stress. Notable variation in heat stress sensitivity among sires was also observed for HT fertility. In total, 553 sequence variants were significantly associated with HT fertility, and 52 of them were identified as independent QTL. Some of the QTL regions were located near or within the genes that are involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, and fertility (e.g., TRPC5, CDK5RAP2, MGAT1, COMMD10, PRR7, GRK6, CUGBP1, MAFG, HERC2, NAPRT, HSD17B12, THRB, and EEF1D). The findings in this study will further aid in understanding genetic architecture and provide valuable information for improving the accuracy of genomic prediction of HT in dairy cattle.

IntroductionSarcoidosis is a multisystem chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology that primarily affects the lungs and currently has no cure. Macrophages are central to granuloma formation, and βc cytokines tightly regulate their activation and function. This study investigates the role of the βc receptor in granuloma development and evaluates βc antagonism as a potential therapeutic strategy for sarcoidosis.MethodsWe utilized an in vitro model of human granuloma formation using sarcoidosis patient human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and an in vivo vimentin-induced pulmonary sarcoidosis model in unique humanized βc transgenic (hβcTg) mice to assess the efficacy of βc antagonism in reducing granuloma formation and evaluate the underlying mechanism of action.ResultsAnti-βc receptor antibody, CSL311, significantly reduced the formation of human granulomas from PBMCs exposed to purified protein derivative and decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokine production by the granulomas. Mechanistically, CSL311 inhibited hyperactivation of mTOR signaling and reduced lipid droplet formation in granuloma macrophages. In hβcTg mice challenged with vimentin, CSL311 effectively reduced both granuloma size and immune cell infiltration in the lung. RNA sequencing analysis of lung tissue further showed that CSL311 treatment suppressed the activation of vimentin-induced inflammatory, fibrotic, and lipid metabolic pathways.ConclusionWe identified that βc cytokines are critical regulators in driving inflammatory and metabolic processes that lead to granuloma formation in sarcoidosis. Precisely targeting the βc receptor effectively disrupts these pathogenic networks and offers a promising new strategy for mitigating sarcoidosis immunopathology.

ABSTRACTSpace exploration continues to drive technological and scientific advancements, benefiting both space and Earth. This expanding sector, including commercial space stations, deep‐space missions, and space tourism, presents unique challenges and opportunities for food researchers. A critical issue is the limited understanding of how space conditions such as microgravity, isolation, and confinement affect sensory perception, impacting astronauts’ nutritional intake and psychological well‐being. This review based on a structured literature search strategy integrates existing data on flavor perception during spaceflight missions (n = 16), identifying sensory changes, altered flavor preferences, and cravings linked to space‐related stressors. It also evaluates space analogs and simulations related to sensory research (n = 29), assessing their applicability for studying food perception in space conditions. It identified consistent sensory changes, including diminished taste sensitivity, increased preference for spicy or umami‑rich foods, and intense flavors. However, research in this area remains limited, with small sample sizes, inconsistent methodologies, and lack of comprehensive guidelines on applying analogs and simulations in sensory studies. These gaps raise challenges for researchers, particularly those without access to space analogs or simulations, in designing space‐related studies. Critically analyzing the findings, the review identifies gaps in understanding the complex interactions between environmental, physiological, and sensory factors. It also outlines potential methodological pathways to strengthen future evidence generation, such as implementing ecologically valid research approaches and validated analog designs, including combined use of multiple analog environments to better replicate the multidimensional sensory context. Addressing these challenges will support astronaut well‐being and foster innovations that benefit both space and Earth‐based applications.

This chapter discusses the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on qualitative social science research by exploring its relationship to various methodologies. AI challenges traditional qualitative research approaches while potentially enhancing analytical efficiency and rigour, and researchers must assess its utility and philosophical coherence for their studies. The chapter summarizes the philosophical foundations of AI, supplemented by practical examples from published literature. It delves into the role of AI augmented analysis within seven qualitative traditions: content analysis, descriptive qualitative analysis, discourse analysis, ethnography, participatory action research, constructivist grounded theory and phenomenology. Researchers are provided with critical questions to guide their plans to implement AI augmented analysis in their work. By describing the methodological relationship between AI and various qualitative approaches, this chapter enables informed decision making and may stimulate further research as both technology and methodological practices evolve.

In cases in which vision cannot be restored and the eye is a source of pain, removal of the eye may be indicated. In mammals, enucleation is the most common procedure performed; however, due to the distinct anatomical features of the avian eye, evisceration may be the preferred method in these species. The large globe size and rigid sclera leave the bird with a large sunken eye socket, which may cause the bird to become unbalanced and is not cosmetically appealing. Furthermore, birds have short optic nerves that can be injured due to traction and a thin interorbital septum that can be damaged during surgery. Evisceration reduces these risks and is typically done within a shorter anesthetic time. This case series reports the successful use of a modified evisceration technique in 4 pet psittacine birds: a red-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksia) diagnosed with severe fungal keratitis and anterior uveitis based on histopathology, a galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) with a traumatic injury resulting in a ruptured globe, a cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) diagnosed with a cataract and secondary glaucoma, and a green cheek conure (Pyrrhura molinae) diagnosed with anterior lens luxation and suspected endophthalmitis. Each bird underwent a modified evisceration surgery because the eyes were nonvisual and painful and had a grave prognosis for recovery. All 4 birds recovered uneventfully without complications and have remained stable for between 2.5 and 4.5 years postoperatively. This report demonstrates that the modified evisceration technique is safe and achievable in psittacine patients.

Chickens in Australia have recently been identified with symptoms and morphological findings including spondylitis attributed to pathogenic Enterococcus cecorum. Notably, there is limited information on clinical E. cecorum strains in Australia. The cpsO gene, located downstream of the capsular polysaccharide (cps) locus, was recently reported to successfully differentiate between pathogenic and commensal E. cecorum strains, as this gene is highly conserved in the pathogenic strains. In this study, pathogenic E. cecorum, with a conserved cpsO gene, was detected on 1 of the 2 farms studied in Australia. E. cecorum strains isolated from clinical sites of the diseased birds from the second farm did not have the cpsO gene and were distant from the isolates of the first farm. A cpsO PCR of the caecal content of the birds on this farm was positive, while cpsO PCR of washed culture plates where the tissue extracts were spread onto and incubated for bacterial growth was negative. This suggests that pathogenic E. cecorum with the cpsO gene, as detected in Farm 1 and reported in other countries, was present in the second farm but could not grow on the selective agar plates during the initial step of E. cecorum isolation. Nevertheless, E. cecorum isolated from the clinical sites on the second farm might represent the pathogenic strain, but further animal studies are required to validate this possibility. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the pathogenic strains in Australia were most closely related to the clinical strains in North America.

The Australian species of the genus Brachysandalus Stål, 1867 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Peiratinae) are revised. A total of 21 species are recognised, including nine new species: B. ayyammae Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., B. flavidus Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., B. fulvipes Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., B. gunbalanyae Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., B. howarthi Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., B. longifemoratus Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., B. maculatus Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., B. pallidus Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov. and B. westraliensis Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov. Redescriptions of the genus Brachysandalus and all 12 previously described Australian species of the genus as recognised in this study, are presented. Lectotypes are designated for Brachysandalus helluo Stål, 1867, B. lurco Stål, 1867, B. punctorius Stål, 1867, Pirates (Brachysandalus) alutaceus Reuter, 1881, P. (Brachysandalus) brevicoxis Stål, 1874, P. (Brachysandalus) crassifemur Reuter, 1881, P. (Brachysandalus) flavo-pictus Stål, 1874, P. (Brachysandalus) limbatus Reuter, 1881, P. (Brachysandalus) melanolestoides Stål, 1874, P. (Brachysandalus) setosus Stål, 1874, P. fuliginosus Erichson, 1842, P. fulvipennis Walker, 1873, P. sepulchralis Distant, 1902 and Reduvius (Pirates) ephippiger White, 1843. Pirates fulvipennis Walker, 1873 is removed from synonymy with B. punctorius Stål, 1867, and revalidated with the new combination as B. fulvipennis (Walker, 1873), stat. rev. & comb. nov. Pirates (Brachysandalus) flavopictus Stål, 1874, is removed from synonymy with B. punctorius Stål, 1867, and confirmed as synonym of B. fulvipennis (Walker, 1873). Reduvius semifasciatus Walker, 1873 is removed from synonymy with Brachysandalus fuliginosus (Erichson, 1842), and because the former not considered to be a peiratine species is placed here as "Incertae sedis". Pirates erythromelas Walker, 1873 is transferred to Brachysandalus as B. erythromelas (Walker, 1873), comb. nov. A key to species is provided together with images of the habitus of type specimens and some other males and females with different wing forms, and major structures of male genitalia to assist distinguishing these species. Based on morphology, brief comments are provided on putative species groups within the studied species. Brachysandalus howarthi Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov. collected from Bayliss Cave, north Queensland, is morphologically and behaviourally adapted to live in caves and is regarded to be an obligate subterranean species, further details and some biological information is provided. Detailed observations of the male extragenital structure that is present on the left side of sternite VII, were made in all species of Brachysandalus considered in the present study. Fourteen of the 21 species studied have been recorded to possess an externally visible extragenital process, that varies greatly in size, shape and development between species; these details are illustrated and discussed including their probable function in mating process, and potential value in species diagnoses. Cases of leg teratology, specifically morphological abnormalities of tarsi and tarsal claws, were observed in a few specimens of four species, i.e., Brachysandalus lurco Stål, 1867, B. helluo Stål, 1867, B. flavidus Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov. and B. gunbalanyaeMalipatil & Liu, sp. nov.; details are illustrated and discussed.

Widespread genotyping has enabled the identification of putative recessive mutations that affect fertility through early embryonic fetal loss, or that compromise neonate or calf viability. The use of artificial insemination in the global dairy population can rapidly spread these harmful mutations, and testing for multiple mutations can become relatively expensive if not all tests are available on the same SNP panel. However, it is possible to provide heifer and cow predicted carrier status to farmers at no additional cost if the animals are genotyped with a standard SNP panel. Additionally, for defects where the causal mutation is unknown but a haplotype of markers has been associated with the defect, the carrier status can be predicted based on that haplotype. The aims of this study were 3-fold: (1) to determine the accuracy of imputation of putative causal mutations for recessive deleterious conditions in Australian dairy cattle, (2) to impute carrier status for known recessive deleterious conditions in all genotyped Australian Holstein, Jersey, and Red breed cows, and (3) to determine the changes in carrier frequencies across time for these recessive deleterious mutations. We used the F1 statistic, combining precision and recall, to assess the accuracy of carrier status prediction. We showed that known deleterious mutations can be accurately imputed in Australian Holstein and Jersey cattle that are not directly genotyped for the causal mutation, with F1 ranging between 0.88 and 0.99. For recessive deleterious conditions not included on the standard Australian SNP panel, carrier status could be predicted using a marker haplotype, with F1 ranging from 0.91 to 0.92. Most putative causals and haplotypes were either stable with a low carrier percentage or had a declining carrier percentage. However, several recessive mutations showed a relatively high or increasing percentage, highlighting the importance of detecting carriers to reduce the number of at-risk matings. Furthermore, the high carrier percentage of the recently identified bovine lymphocyte intestinal retention defect mutation emphasizes the importance of detection of novel mutations.