Measurement of the puncture profile and extradural pressure of cattle during extradural anaesthesia

ObjectiveTo measure the pressure profile during caudal extradural puncture and subsequent extradural anaesthesia in cattle and to investigate the presence of extradural pressure waves.Study designProspective experimental study.AnimalsEleven cattle aged 4.1 ± 2.5 years (range 0.8 to 8.8 years), with a body weight of 613 ± 162 kg (range 302–840 kg).MethodsCaudal extradural puncture was performed. To measure the extradural pressure profile, the needle was connected to an electronic pressure transducer placed at the height of the base of the tail. The pressure profile was recorded for 3 minutes following extradural puncture. Lack of resistance to injection of saline was assessed. One minute and 10 minutes after extradural anaesthesia with procaine extradural pressure was recorded. Correct extradural needle placement was assessed by clinical response.ResultsThree minutes after extradural puncture the median pressure was ?16 (range ?25 to 25) mmHg. Pressure in the extradural space 1 minute after the lack of resistance, 3 seconds after injection, and 10 minutes after injection was ?15 (?24 to 33) mmHg, 8 (?17 to 84) mmHg, and ?7 (?25 to 27) mmHg respectively. Pressure waves were visible after puncture, after lack of resistance, 3 seconds and 10 minutes after injection, in 4, 6, 8 and 7 cattle respectively. Pressure after testing lack of resistance, after the injection of local anaesthetic, as well as at the end of the measurement, period was significantly higher than baseline. All cattle showed clinical signs indicative of successful extradural needle placement.Conclusion and clinical relevance Extradural pressure was sub-atmospheric in 82% of the animals. Pressure waves were not consistently present before or after extradural injection, which limits their usefulness to confirm correct extradural needle placement. Extradural pressures increase significantly after injection of local anaesthetic solution. However, the clinical significance of the increase in extradural pressures was not clear.     

In vivo silage feeding value of early maize hybrids registered in France between 1958 and 1994

The in vivo feeding value of 118 early maize (Zea mays L) hybrids, registered in France between 1958 and 1994, has been estimated from digestibility measurements with sheep at INRA Lusignan (France). There were great variations in the digestibilities of organic matter and crude fibre, and in the energy value of these hybrids, ranging respectively between 65.1 and 73.5%, 45.4 and 60.0%, and 0.79 and 0.95 UFL. There was a regular decrease in the average feeding value, regarding the year of registration, for each of the feeding value traits investigated. From 1958 to date, the frequency of hybrids lower than Mammouth increased, while the number of hybrids higher than LG11 or Brutus clearly decreased. Across the years, the increase in variations among hybrids occurred because of the introduction of hybrids with a poorer feeding value, particularly since the end of the 80's. The extremely efficient genetic pressure in breeding for whole plant yield and stalk standability could explain the drift in feeding value. A silage maize hybrid with a high yield, a high lodging resistance, and a good feeding value can be available only if breeders use a digestibility assessment, proved as representative of the digestion in cattle. In addition to a digestibility evaluation, the prediction of maize ingestibility could be taken into account as soon as a criterion is established. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comparison of two methods for evaluating waste of a flow through trout farm

European water legislation enforces increasingly restrictive measures with regards to reduction of water consumption and waste emission in order to minimise the potential environmental impact of the agro industry sector. Fish farms are particularly concerned, but legislation covering effluent discharge varies significantly from country to country. However, recommendations and directives from institutional, national or regional bodies suggest the enforcement of increasingly strict waste reduction measures and the development of waste treatment. Before treatment, it is necessary to evaluate waste production in terms of composition and quantity. The waste quantification methods used today for fish culture systems are either based on direct measurements of nutrient and suspended solid fluxes or on indirect evaluation based on the digestibility coefficients of the feed constituents. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the waste of a freshwater flow through farm using both approaches and to discuss their applicability, drawbacks and advantages from the viewpoints of fish farmers and control authorities. Waste production on the farm was monitored during several 24 hour cycles in order to characterise the effluents of the system. The predictions and measurements for the total nitrogen (TN) parameter were well correlated, but measured and predicted suspended solids (SS) and total phosphorus (TP) values presented a weaker correlation coefficient. The hydrobiological method gives details on the N and P forms of waste but this method is heavy and it is difficult to obtain representative samples and flow rate measurements. The nutritional method is the simplest to use, provided that feed data are available.     

Phylogeography and conservation gaps of Musa balbisiana Colla genetic diversity revealed by microsatellite markers

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Collection and storage of crop wild relative (CWR) germplasm is crucial for preserving species genetic diversity and crop improvement. Nevertheless, much of...