Showing papers on "Animal mortality published in 2011"
TL;DR: The results provide new evidence that CYN is genotoxic and strongly suggest that it needs to be considered in the human health risk assessment.
Abstract: The cyanobacterial alkaloid cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is being increasingly identified in drinking water supplies worldwide. It is a potent protein synthesis inhibitor and causes human intoxications and animal mortality. The few genotoxicity studies available indicate that CYN is genotoxic, generally implying that it is pro-genotoxic. We evaluated CYN genotoxicity in the human hepatoma cell line, HepG2, analyzing the induction of DNA strand breaks, with the alkaline comet assay, and micronuclei (MNi), nuclear bud (NBUD), and nucleoplasmic bridge (NPB) formation, with the cytokinesis block micronucleus (CBMN) assay. In addition, changes in the expression of genes involved in the response to DNA damage (P53, CDKN1A, GADD45α, and MDM2) and genes presumably involved in CYN metabolism (genes from the Cytochrome P450 family: CYP1A1 and CYP1A2) were determined, using quantitative real-time PCR. Non-cytotoxic concentrations of CYN induced increased DNA damage after 12 and 24 h of exposure and increased the frequency of MNi, NBUDs, and NPBs after 24 h exposure. Moreover, CYN up-regulated the expression of the CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 genes. Although no changes in the expression of the P53 tumor-suppressor gene were found, CYN up-regulated the expression of the P53 downstream-regulated genes CDKN1A, GADD45α, and MDM2. Our results provide new evidence that CYN is genotoxic and strongly suggest that it needs to be considered in the human health risk assessment.
83 citations
TL;DR: Rising sea levels can act synergistically with climate change and then interact in a complex manner with other environmental and socio-economic factors to generate a greater potential for the transmission of vector-borne infectious diseases.
Abstract: Vector-borne infectious diseases are a significant cause of human and animal mortality and morbidity. Modeling studies predict that changes in climate that accompany global warming will alter the transmission risk of many vector-borne infectious diseases in different parts of the world. Global warming will also raise sea levels, which will lead to an increase in saline and brackish water bodies in coastal areas. The potential impact of rising sea levels, as opposed to climate change, on the prevalence of vector-borne infectious diseases has hitherto been unrecognised. Mosquito species possessing salinity-tolerant larvae and pupae, and capable of transmitting arboviruses and parasites are found in many parts of the world. An expansion of brackish and saline water bodies in coastal areas, associated with rising sea levels, can increase densities of salinity-tolerant vector mosquitoes and lead to the adaptation of freshwater vectors to breed in brackish and saline waters. The breeding of non-mosquito vectors may also be influenced by salinity changes in coastal habitats. Higher vector densities can increase transmission of vector-borne infectious diseases in coastal localities, which can then spread to other areas. The demonstration of increases in vector populations and disease prevalence that is related to an expansion of brackish/saline water bodies in coastal areas will provide the necessary supportive evidence. However the implementation of specific vector and disease control measures to counter the threat will confound the expected findings. Rising sea levels can act synergistically with climate change and then interact in a complex manner with other environmental and socio-economic factors to generate a greater potential for the transmission of vector-borne infectious diseases. The resulting health impacts are likely to be particularly significant in resource-poor countries in the tropics and semi-tropics. Some measures to meet this threat are outlined.
58 citations
TL;DR: Direct genetic characterization of the causative agent was performed on DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue of the hares with fatal toxoplasmosis, and all the cases were caused by T. gondii genotype II; the size of the PCR product at the seventh marker (M48) varied (213–229 base pairs).
Abstract: In material examined postmortem in Finland from May 2006 to April 2009, acute generalized toxoplasmosis was the immunohistochemically confirmed cause of death in 14 (8.1%) of 173 European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and four (2.7%) of 148 mountain hares (Lepus timidus). Sera from 116 of the European brown hares and 99 of the mountain hares were screened with a commercial direct agglutination test for Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG antibodies at a dilution of 1:40. All sera from cases of fatal toxoplasmosis had high titers of antibodies reactive to T. gondii. In contrast, none of 107 European brown hares and four (4%) of 96 mountain hares that died of other causes were antibody-positive. The proportional mortality rates and the T. gondii antibody prevalences among noncases differed significantly between the two host species (P,0.05). Direct genetic characterization of the causative agent was performed on DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue of the hares with fatal toxoplasmosis. Based on the results with six microsatellite markers (B18, TUB2, TgM-A, W35, B17, and M33; all six in 15 cases and four in three cases), all the cases were caused by T. gondii genotype II; the size of the PCR product at the seventh marker (M48) varied (213-229 base pairs). The presence of T. gondii genotype II, which is endemic in Europe, is now confirmed in Finnish wildlife: Natural infections with T. gondii parasites belonging to this widespread genotype caused fatal generalized toxoplasmosis in the two species of wild hares.
50 citations
TL;DR: Heme oxygenase-1 may protect healthy tissues against carcinogen-induced injury, but in already growing tumors it seems to favor their progression toward more malignant forms.
47 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that PD-1 signaling plays an essential role in decreasing the immunopathological damage induced by MHV-3 and that manipulation of this signal might be a useful strategy for FH immunotherapy.
Abstract: The inhibitory receptor programmed death-1 (PD-1) has the capacity to maintain peripheral tolerance and limit immunopathological damage; however, its precise role in fulminant viral hepatitis (FH) has yet to be described. Here, we investigated the functional mechanisms of PD-1 as related to FH pathogenesis induced by the murine hepatitis virus strain-3 (MHV-3). High levels of PD-1-positive CD4+, CD8+ T cells, NK cells and macrophages were observed in liver, spleen, lymph node and thymus tissues following MHV-3 infection. PD-1-deficient mice exhibited significantly higher expression of the effector molecule which initiates fibrinogen deposition, fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2), than did their wild-type (WT) littermates. As a result, more severe tissue damage was produced and mortality rates were higher. Fluorescence double-staining revealed that FGL2 and PD-1 were not co-expressed on the same cells, while quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated that higher levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α mRNA transcription occurred in PD-1-deficient mice in response to MHV-3 infection. Conversely, in vivo blockade of IFN-γ and TNF-α led to efficient inhibition of FGL2 expression, greatly attenuated the development of tissue lesions, and ultimately reduced mortality. Thus, the up-regulation of FGL2 in PD-1-deficient mice was determined to be mediated by IFN-γ and TNF-α. Taken together, our results suggest that PD-1 signaling plays an essential role in decreasing the immunopathological damage induced by MHV-3 and that manipulation of this signal might be a useful strategy for FH immunotherapy.
37 citations
TL;DR: Cure assessment through hemocultive and PCR approaches showed that Bz did not provide a parasitological cure, however, DB766 alone or associated with Bz cured ≥13% of surviving animals.
Abstract: Chagas disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in Latin America but no vaccines or safe chemotherapeutic agents are available. Combined therapy is envisioned as an ideal approach since it may enhance efficacy by acting upon different cellular targets, may reduce toxicity and minimize the risk of drug resistance. Therefore, we investigated the activity of benznidazole (Bz) in combination with the diamidine prodrug DB289 and in combination with the arylimidamide DB766 upon T. cruzi infection in vivo. The oral treatment of T.cruzi-infected mice with DB289 and Benznidazole (Bz) alone reduced the number of circulating parasites compared with untreated mice by about 70% and 90%, respectively. However, the combination of these two compounds decreased the parasitemia by 99% and protected against animal mortality by 100%, but without providing a parasitological cure. When Bz (p.o) was combined with DB766 (via i.p. route), at least a 99.5% decrease in parasitemia levels was observed. DB766+Bz also provided 100% protection against mice mortality while Bz alone provided about 87% protection. This combined therapy also reduced the tissular lesions induced by T. cruzi infection: Bz alone reduced GPT and CK plasma levels by about 12% and 78% compared to untreated mice group, the combination of Bz with DB766 resulted in a reduction of GPT and CK plasma levels of 56% and 91%. Cure assessment through hemocultive and PCR approaches showed that Bz did not provide a parasitological cure, however, DB766 alone or associated with Bz cured ≥13% of surviving animals.
28 citations
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: The results show that rail transport is dangerous for wild mammals, and it can be clearly said that the most endangered species is roe deer (Capreolus capreolUS).
Abstract: As linear structures, railways (rail corridors) significantly affect life in the wild, have negative impact on animal population levels, and affect the very form and structure of inhabited biotopes. This article analyses and quantifies mammal mortality on the Plzeň– Horažďovice suburban railway line. The research was conducted over the 12 months from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009. During this period total 60 animals were run down, among them, 60% of collisions were with roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), 17% with European hare (Lepus europaeus), 13% with pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), 5% with bird of prey, 3% with wild board (Sus scrofa) and 2% with red fox (Vulpes vulpes). The aim of the research was to analyse in detail individual sections of the track, whose land cover, land use, migration rate and wildlife-train collisions vary. The outcome of this work is to evaluate and assess the overall animal mortality and to determine the most affected wildlife species. The aforementioned results show that rail transport is dangerous for wild mammals, and it can be clearly said that the most endangered species is roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).
21 citations
TL;DR: Detailed postmortem examinations were performed on 167 free-ranging Eurasian Cranes (Grus grus) from Germany, collected between September 1998 and December 2008 to evaluate causes of death and diseases.
Abstract: Detailed postmortem examinations were performed on 167 free-ranging Eurasian Cranes (Grus grus) from Germany, collected between September 1998 and December 2008 to evaluate causes of death and diseases. The most common causes of mortality were traumatic injuries (n=105, 62.9%) from collisions with power lines (n=39, 23.4%) and wire fences (n=12, 7.2%). A group of 28 Eurasian Cranes (16.8%) died from organophosphate intoxication. Predation by White-tailed Sea Eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) occurred in four cases (2.4%). Pathologic changes due to infectious diseases were associated with Aspergillus spp. (n=7, 4.2%), endoparasites (n=7, 4.2%), avian poxvirus (n=6, 3.6%), Mycobacterium spp. (n=2, 1.2%), and adenovirus infection (n=1, 0.6%). A severe Strigea spp. infection (n=1, 0.6%) and a leiomyosarcoma (n=1, 0.6%) were newly recognized diseases in Eurasian Cranes in this study.
19 citations
TL;DR: It is hypothesized that aerosolized compounds are generated primarily from EC, hydrophobic compounds in seawater by bubble-mediated transport, and would reflect the EC composition of the source matrix (the local surf zone).
Abstract: The harmful alga, Karenia brevis, produces a suite of polyether neurotoxins, brevetoxins or PbTx, that cause marine animal mortality and neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP). A characteristic of K. brevis blooms is associated airborne toxins that result in severe respiratory problems. This study was undertaken to determine the composition of aerosolized brevetoxins and oxidative derivatives to which beachgoers are exposed during a K. brevis bloom. The suite of brevetoxins and derivatives in seawater is comprised of intra-cellular (IC) and extra-cellular (EC) compounds. We hypothesized that aerosolized compounds are generated primarily from EC, hydrophobic compounds in seawater by bubble-mediated transport. Thus the composition of aerosolized brevetoxins and derivatives, to which beachgoers are exposed, would reflect the EC composition of the source matrix (the local surf zone). Brevetoxins were extracted from water collected along the shore and from marine aerosols along Siesta Beach and Lido Beach in Sarasota, FL, USA, during K. brevis blooms. Water samples were further processed into IC and EC components. The primary brevetoxins observed in water and air included PbTx-1, -2, -3, -PbTx-2-carboxylic acid, and brevenal. Oxidation and/or hydrolysis products of PbTx-1, -2, -3 and -7 were also found in EC water and in aerosol, but not IC.
17 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Histomonosis is a severe disease caused by the protozoan parasite Histomonas (H.) meleagridis, which can lead to high losses in turkeys, and the reoccurrence of histomonosis in a turkey breeder farm is described.
Abstract: Histomonosis is a severe disease caused by the protozoan parasite Histomonas (H.) meleagridis, which can lead to high losses in turkeys. The present report describes the reoccurrence of histomonosis in a turkey breeder farm. The first outbreak occurred in 2005 in 17 weeks old hens, the second in 2009 in 8 weeks old hens. The disease remained restricted in one house and one compartment, respectively. Mortality rose to 26 and 65% respectively within few days in spite of therapy with various compounds. Both flocks had to be euthanized. In both cases H. meleagridis belonging to genotype A was detected. The source of infection remained unclear in both cases.
10 citations
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of ventilation rate (VR) on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from co-composting dead hens mixed with hen manure was quantified, and the authors suggest that the ventilation rate can be adjusted to reduce NH3 and GHG emissions from animal mortality compositing.
Abstract: The effect of ventilation rate (VR) on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from co-composting dead hens mixed with hen manure was quantified. Three VR levels of 0.9, 0.7, and 0.5 m 3 h -1 were evaluated. Gaseous concentrations were measured using a multi-gas infrared photoacoustic analyzer, VR was measured with flowmeters, and the gas emis- sion rate was computed from the VR and gas concentration. Decomposition of the carcasses over the 11-week composting period was greater than 88%. VR was found to significantly affect NH3, CO2, and CH4 emissions (p < 0.05). Specifically, cumulative emissions per kg of initial matter for VR of 0.9, 0.7, and 0.5 m 3 h -1 were, respectively, 2.4, 2.0, and 1.2 g NH3; 78, 66, and 42 g CO2; 120, 90, and 52 mg CH4; and 6.4, 6.1, and 5.1 mg N2O. Hence, the study results suggest that the ventilation rate can be adjusted to reduce NH3 and GHG emissions from animal mortality compositing.
TL;DR: The study has shown that it has developed a reproducible surgical technique in a physiologically appropriate model for the preclinical assessment of internal aortic annulus repair devices.
Abstract: Background: The purpose of this study was to define an experimental model and a reproducible surgical technique for the preclinical assessment of safety and biocompatibility of a novel intra-annular internal aortic annulus repair device. Methods: Adult sheep were implanted with HAART Inc's 19 mm aortic annulus repair device via a transverse aortotomy using standard anesthetic, surgical, and cardiopulmonary bypass techniques. Animals were closely monitored throughout the study period until the time of elective sacrifice at 30 or 60 days. Results: Six adult sheep, mean age 63.2 weeks, mean weight 68.8 kg, underwent aortic annuloplasty with a 19 mm annuloplasty frame. Five of the sheep remained stable until scheduled sacrifice. The primary outcome of this study was animal mortality. Early mortality was seen in only one animal (16.7%), due to a surgical complication. Mild-to-moderate aortic insufficiency was observed in all animals upon echocardiographic examination at the time of elective sacrifice. ...
TL;DR: The impact on herpetofauna in urban areas has been investigated in this paper, where 14 km of suburban streets of Falconbridge that interface with the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, west of Sydney, was surveyed on foot two to four days a week, typically soon after dawn.
Abstract: Vehicle collision resulting in animal mortality is a common daily occurrence, although few studies have considered the impact on herpetofauna in urban areas Over a 7 year period (2003 - 2010), 14 km of suburban streets of Falconbridge that interface with the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, west of Sydney, was surveyed on foot two to four days a week, typically soon after dawn Over the period a total of 86 reptiles that represented 20 species: 38% of the lizard and 56% of snake species known from the area were collected as road kills due to collision with vehicles This equated to approximately one individual per month that was collected across the 7 years Representatives of six frog species were also identified as road kills (33% of the local frog fauna) In Faulconbridge, 20-30 km of 50 km/hr roadways interface with the national park and there are 26 towns within the World Heritage Area Each of these towns has a network of streets that covers much more than just the perimeter of the town
TL;DR: It is proved that supra-physiological doses of PRL isoforms administered in bolus could protect against sudden cardiac death as well as severe arrhythmias episodes during re-perfusion.
Abstract: Background: The different influences of one of the PRL isoforms (PRL I) on the cardiovascular system have been described in the past. Aim: Our goal was to establish an appropriate iv dose of 2 PRL isoforms (PRL I and PRL II) in intact rats. After establishing this dose, PRL I (0.01 mg/kg) or PRL II (0.001 mg/kg) was administered in bolus 10 min before left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion (7 min) followed by re-perfusion (15 min). We then aimed to study and compare the effects of these isoforms on ischemia- and re-perfusion-induced arrhythmias in the ischemia and re-perfusion-induced arrhythmias model in rats. Materials and methods: Mortality index, ventricular fibrillation and tachycardia (VF, VT) incidence and duration, systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate and myocardial index of oxygen consumption [pressure rate product (PRP)] were measured and calculated. Results: Both PRL isoforms reduced animal mortality (from 50 to 18.75 and 25%, respectively). PRL II significantly reduced VF incidence (to 25%) as well as VT duration (18.21±3.09) and these effects were markedly different from PRL I and from the control group (p<0.05). Both PRL reduced PRP in the recovery phase (p<0.05). Conclusions: We proved that supra-physiological doses of PRL isoforms administered in bolus could protect against sudden cardiac death as well as severe arrhythmias episodes during re-perfusion. Because of PRL’s positive influence on the cardiovascular system and as an endogenous, well-tolerated substance, it might be of potential clinical use.
TL;DR: In this paper, the radioprotective properties of indralin when used in combination with cystamine and mexamine were studied in inbred mice and rats, and the results showed that the combined application of these drugs in the same doses has 50% of radio-protective effect reached by applying these drugs separately in double doses.
Abstract: The radioprotective properties of indralin when it is used in combination with cystamine and mexamine are studied in inbred mice and rats. The mice and rats are irradiated with γ rays emitted by 60Co at doses of 9.0 and 9.5 Gy, respectively. A combined parenteral administration of indralin and cystamine in mice at doses of 25 mg/kg each is revealed to potentiate the radioprotective properties of indralin up to a level close to the ED50 effect, while the separate application of these drugs in doses of 25 mg/kg each has no or a very weak radioprotective effect. Indralin (50 mg/kg) and mexamine (12 mg/kg) injected intraperitoneally in rats are found to almost completely eliminate the animal mortality caused by gastrointestinal acute radiation syndrome; the mortality in the control radiation group reaches 60% on the seventh day after the animals have been exposed to radiation at a dose of 9.5 Gy. However, if bone-marrow acute radiation syndrome develops under the above condition of super-lethal dose, the radioprotectors have a low radioprotective effect. Under the this condition, the combined application of indralin and mexamine in the same doses has 50% of radioprotective effect reached by applying these radioprotectors separately in double doses.
TL;DR: The experimental killed E MCV vaccine tested may be a useful tool to prevent EMCV infection in llamas when given in 2 doses 4 wk apart, and then revaccinated or with antibody levels monitored annually thereafter.
Abstract: Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) is a pandemic virus that has caused mortality in numerous captive wildlife species worldwide. An experimental killed vaccine was created from two EMCV isolates associated with zoo animal mortality in the southern United States. The vaccine was tested for safety and efficacy in eleven llamas (Llama glama). All animals received an initial vaccination and a second booster vaccination 4 wk later. Serum antibody responses were monitored at initial vaccination and at 4 wks, 8 wk, 6 mo, and 12 mo postvaccination. Eight of the 11 llamas vaccinated experienced at least a 4-fold increase in serum antibody titers to EMCV. Antibody titers of those eight animals remained elevated above prevaccination levels when measured at 12 mo. The experimental killed EMCV vaccine tested may be a useful tool to prevent EMCV infection in llamas when given in 2 doses 4 wk apart, and then revaccinated or with antibody levels monitored annually thereafter.
03 Jul 2011
TL;DR: Western blot analysis showed that STS significantly affected the expression of the apoptosis-related genes bcl-2, bax, and caspase-3 in a dose-dependent manner in the H9C2 cell line and in chick embryos, suggesting STS may be a potent cardiac teratogen during embryo development.
Abstract: It is well-known that the majority of malformations found in the human population is based on complex gene-environment interactions. As an industrial chemical sodium thiosulfate (STS) is used heavily in many industries. Nevertheless, there is little known about the effects of STS on embryo development. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of STS on cardiac development in rat cardiomyocyte H9C2 cell line and chick embryos. As determined by MTT assays, the proliferation of H9C2 cells was inhibited by STS in a dose-dependent manner. Fertilized eggs injected via the yolk sac with STS at Hamburger-Hamilton (HH) stages 6, 9 and 12 showed significantly increased cardiotoxicity at HH stage 18, including cardiomyocyte apoptosis and animal mortality. Western blot analysis showed that STS significantly affected the expression of the apoptosis-related genes bcl-2, bax, and caspase-3 in a dose-dependent manner in the H9C2 cell line and in chick embryos. Dysregulation of apoptosis was correlated with embryonic heart malformations. Thus, STS may be a potent cardiac teratogen during embryo development.
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: A proteomic-based approach was used to identify proteins that are common to adult Fasciola hepatica and Schistosoma mansoni, and some of the identified proteins could be used to develop drugs and vaccines against fascioliasis and schistosomiasis.
Abstract: It is not unusual to find common molecules among parasites of different species, genera, or phyla. When those molecules are antigenic, they may be used for developing drugs or vaccines that simultaneously tai'get different species or genera of parasite. In the present study, we used a proteomic-based approach to identify proteins that are common to adult Fasciola hepatica and Schistosoma mansoni. Whole-worm extracts from each parasite were separated by 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), and digital images of both proteomes were superimposed using imaging software to identify proteins with identical isoelectric points and molecular weights. Protein identities were determined by mass spectrometry. Imaging and immunoblot analyses identified 28 immunoreactive proteins that are common to both parasites. Among these molecules are antioxidant proteins (thioredoxin and glutathione-S-transferase), glycolytic enzymes (glyceraldehyde 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and enolase), proteolytic enzymes (cathepsin-L and -D), inhibitors (Kunitz-type, Stefin-1), proteins with chaperone activity (heat shock protein 70 and fatty acid binding protein), and structural proteins (calcium-binding protein, actin, and myosin). Some of the identified proteins could be used to develop drugs and vaccines against fascioliasis and schistosomiasis. It is not unusual to find common molecules between species of various genera, families, or phyla. The sharing of molecules able to elicit immune responses between different species of various genera is known as antigenic community, and it is responsible for antigenic cross-reactivity (Losada et al., 2005). The sharing of molecules among organisms is an expected finding because there are many molecules, such as enzymes, hormones, receptors, etc., that have been conserved during evolution. This has special relevance for the identification of molecules with potential for drug or vaccine development effective against different species or genera of organisms. Fasciola hepatica and Schistosoma mansoni are digenetic trematodes that have a major detrimental impact on animal and human health worldwide (Chen and Mott, 1990; Savioli et al., 2002; Mas-Coma, 2005). Worldwide losses in agriculture due to fascioliasis are estimated at over $2 billion dollars per year due to an increase in animal mortality and a reduction in productivity (Spithill and Dalton, 1998). Moreover, more than 17 million
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of ventilation rate (VR) on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from co-composting dead hens mixed with hen manure was quantified, and the authors suggest that the ventilation rate can be adjusted to reduce NH3 and GHG emissions from animal mortality compositing.
Abstract: The effect of ventilation rate (VR) on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from co-composting dead hens mixed with hen manure was quantified. Three VR levels of 0.9, 0.7, and 0.5 m 3 h -1 were evaluated. Gaseous concentrations were measured using a multi-gas infrared photoacoustic analyzer, VR was measured with flowmeters, and the gas emis- sion rate was computed from the VR and gas concentration. Decomposition of the carcasses over the 11-week composting period was greater than 88%. VR was found to significantly affect NH3, CO2, and CH4 emissions (p < 0.05). Specifically, cumulative emissions per kg of initial matter for VR of 0.9, 0.7, and 0.5 m 3 h -1 were, respectively, 2.4, 2.0, and 1.2 g NH3; 78, 66, and 42 g CO2; 120, 90, and 52 mg CH4; and 6.4, 6.1, and 5.1 mg N2O. Hence, the study results suggest that the ventilation rate can be adjusted to reduce NH3 and GHG emissions from animal mortality compositing.