Otolith elemental characteristics of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) from brackish waters of the Gulf of Bothnia,Baltic Sea

To investigate whether European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) groups in the brackish (≤7%) Gulf of Bothnia (Baltic Sea) express specific otolith elemental characteristics, concentrations of elements (Ca, Ba, Sr, Zn, Mn, Fe) in whole otoliths were studied by inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry. Whitefish (N = 67) were sampled from six different latitudinal sites; four in the sea and two in rivers along the west coast of Finland, and from a fresh water lake for comparison. The concentration of several elements showed significant differences among sampling sites. Otolith Ba concentrations were higher at the northern sampling sites compared to the southern ones, thereby showing negative association to capture‐habitat salinity. In contrast, otolith Sr and Zn concentrations were lower at the northern sampling sites, thereby associating positively to capture‐habitat salinity. Otolith Mn concentrations did not associate with latitude or salinity but markedly varied between sampling sites. Elevated Fe concentrations occurred in fish otoliths from the two northernmost sites. Ca concentrations were at the same levels in otoliths from all whitefish samples. Otoliths of whitefish from the lake had very high Ba and low Sr concentrations compared to concentrations in otoliths from whitefish in the sea and rivers. Our results show that otolith elemental characteristics of whitefish vary considerably at various geographic scales showing high potential for population identification using elemental fingerprints. Analysis of otolith elemental characteristics may therefore provide an efficient tool for the identification of main areas of residence, spawning locations, and migration routes, thus contributing towards the sustainable management of whitefish stocks.     

Liver histology and histomorphometry in hybrid sorubim (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum × Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) reared on intensive fish farming

This study aimed to characterize the liver histology and histomorphometry in sorubim hybrid of different categories (nursery, growth and grow‐out) reared on fish farming. The categories were defined considering body weight (BW): nursery category (n = 5): BW = 37.06 ± 6.00 g (31.6–45.3 g); growth category (n = 5): BW = 310.40 ± 53.80 g (242.1–376.4 g) and grow‐out category (n = 5): BW = 874.28 ± 27.59 g (846.2–913.1 g). Liver fragments were processed to paraffin inclusion, and sections were stained by haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), PAS (Periodic Acid Schiff) and Perl's staining to histology, histomorphometry and density volumetric of liver structures; glycogen analysis and to detect ferric irons (Fe³⁺) respectively. The hepatosomatic index decreased between the categories (P < 0.01). The percentage of PAS‐positive hepatocytes in the nursery category was higher (P < 0.05) in relation to the growth and grow‐out categories. The hepatocytes from all fish were positive to Perl's staining. The density volumetric of liver structures did not differ among categories except to blood vessels were higher (P < 0.01) in the nursery and growth. The area (μm²) and perimeter (μm) of hepatocytes, and the area (μm²), perimeter (μm) and volume (μm³) of the nuclei from grow‐out fish were lower (P < 0.01) than those from the nursery and growth categories. Changes in morphometric characteristics of hepatocytes may result from metabolic changes associated with body growth surubins; therefore, these morphometric characteristics of liver tissue can be used as functional biomarkers for the assessment of fish health and nutrition status.     

Pharmacokinetics of xylazine after 2-, 4-, and 6-hr durations of continuous rate infusions in horses

Intravenous (i.v.) bolus administration of xylazine (XYL) (0.5 mg/kg) immediately followed by a continuous rate infusion (CRI) of 1 mg kg⁻¹ hr⁻¹ for 2, 4, and 6 hr produced immediate sedation, which lasted throughout the duration of the CRI. Heart rate decreased and blood pressure increased significantly (p > .05) in all horses during the first 15 min of infusion, both returned to and then remained at baseline during the duration of the infusion. Compartmental models were used to investigate the pharmacokinetics of XYL administration. Plasma concentration–time curves following bolus and CRI were best described by a one-compartment model. No differences were found between pharmacokinetic estimates of the CRIs for the fractional elimination rate constant (K_e), half-life (t_1/2e), volume of distribution (V_d), and clearance (Cl). Median and range were 0.42 (0.15–0.97)/hr, 1.68 (0.87–4.52) hr, 5.85 (2.10–19.34) L/kg, and 28.7 (19.6–39.5) ml min⁻¹ kg⁻¹, respectively. Significant differences were seen for area under the curve ( ) (p < .0002) and maximum concentration (C_max) (p < .04). This indicates that with increasing duration of infusion, XYL may not accumulate in a clinically relevant way and hence no adjustments are required in a longer XYL CRI to maintain a constant level of sedation and a rapid recovery.     

Influence of ketamine or xylazine supplementation on isoflurane anaesthetized horses‐ a controlled clinical trial

ObjectivesTo determine the influence of ketamine or xylazine constant rate infusions on isoflurane requirements, cardiovascular parameters and quality of anaesthesia in horses undergoing elective surgery.Study designProspective, matched paired clinical trial.AnimalsFifty four adult Warmblood horses.MethodsAfter premedication with acepromazine, xylazine and butorphanol, anaesthesia was induced with ketamine-midazolam and maintained with isoflurane alone (I), isoflurane with either 1 mg kg⁻¹ hour⁻¹ ketamine (IK) or same dose of xylazine (IX). End tidal concentration of isoflurane (Fe’Iso) was adjusted by the same anaesthetist in all horses according to a scoring system. Dobutamine was infused to maintain mean arterial pressure (MAP) =70 mmHg. Arterial blood gases, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, MAP and cardiac output (lithium dilution) were measured. Groups I and IK received xylazine before recovery. Recovery quality was scored.ResultsMean ± SD averaged Fe’Iso (volume%) was significantly lower in IX (0.95 ± 0.07) and IK (0.97 ± 0.08) than in I (1.16 ± 0.13). In group IX, HR was significantly lower and averaged MAP (90 ± 13 mmHg) significantly higher than in groups I (71 ± 7 mmHg) and IK (76 ± 7 mm Hg). Differences in other cardiopulmonary variables did not reach statistical significance. All horses recovered well with best score in group IX.ConclusionsBoth CRIs of xylazine and of ketamine resulted in pronounced reduction of isoflurane requirements and blood pressure support based on routinely monitored parameters. Cardiac output appeared well maintained in all three protocols, but lithium dilution induced errors mean the results are untrustworthy. The work requires repetition with another mode of measurement of cardiac output.Clinical relevanceAll three protocols provided good clinical anaesthesia with clinically acceptable cardiovascular effects.     

Changes in various metabolic parameters in blood and milk during experimental Escherichia coli mastitis for primiparous Holstein dairy cows during early lactation

Background:The objective of this study was to characterize the changes in various metabolic parameters in blood and milk during IMI challenge with Escherichia coli(E.coli) for dairy cows during early lactation.Thirty,healthy primiparous Holstein cows were infused(h = 0) with-20-40 cfu of live ? coli into one front mammary quarter at ~4-6wk in lactation.Daily feed intake and milk yield were recorded.At-12,0,3,6,12,18,24,36,48,60,72,96,108,120,132,144,156,168,180 and 192 h relative to challenge rectal temperatures were recorded and quarter foremilk was collected for analysis of shedding of E.coli.Composite milk samples were collected at-180,-132,-84,-36,-12,12,24,36,48,60,72,84,96,132 and 180 h relative to challenge(h = 0) and analyzed for lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),somatic cell count,fat,protein,lactose,citrate,beta-hydroxybutyrate(BHBA),free glucose(fglu),and glucose-6-phosphate(G6P).Blood was collected at-12,0,3,6,12,18,24,36,60,72,84,132 and 180 h relative to challenge and analyzed for plasma non-esterified fatty acids(NEFA),BHBA and glucose concentration.A generalized linear mixed model was used to determine the effect of IMI challenge on metabolic responses of cows during early lactation.Results:By 12 h,E.coli was recovered from challenged quarters and shedding continued through 72 h.Rectal temperature peaked by 12 h post-challenge and returned to pre-challenge values by 36 h post-IMI challenge.Daily feed intake and milk yield decreased(P 0.05) by 1 and 2 d,respectively,after mastitis challenge.Plasma BHBA decreased(12 h;P 0.05) from 0.96 ± 1.1 at 0 h to 0.57 ±0.64 mmol/L by 18 h whereas concentration of plasma NEFA(18 h) and glucose(24 h) were significantly greater,11 and 27%,respectively,after challenge.In milk,fglu,lactose,citrate,fat and protein yield were lower whereas yield of BHBA and G6 P were higher after challenge when compared to pre-challenge values.Conclusions:Changes in metabolites in blood and milk were most likely associated with drops in feed intake and milk yield.However,the early rise in plasma NEFA may also signify enhanced adipose tissue lipolysis.Lower concentrations of plasma BHBA may be attributed to an increase transfer into milk after IMI.Decreases in both milk lactose yield and%after challenge may be partly attributed to reduced conversion of fglu to lactose.Rises in G6 P yield and concentration in milk after challenge(24 h) may signify increased conversion of fglu to G6 P.Results identify changes in various metabolic parameters in blood and milk after IMI challenge with E.coli in dairy cows that may partly explain the partitioning of nutrients and changes in milk components after IMI for cows during early lactation.     

A comparison of two stand table projection methods for young Eucalyptus nitens (Maiden) plantations in Chile

The study compares two methods of stand table projection based on data from young Eucalyptus nitens (Maiden) plantations in Chile. The projected diameter distributions were estimated using the methods proposed by Nepal and Somers (1992) [For. Sci. 38 (1992) 120] and Cao and Baldwin (1999) [For. Sci. 45 (1999) 506]. The evaluation compared the observed and estimated diameter distributions for different projection intervals, using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and an error index called ‘relative discrepancy’. The evaluation showed that both methods are suitable for application in the Eucalypt plantations. However, the method proposed by Nepal and Somers proved to be more accurate, especially when the projection period extends over 4 years or more. Expected error and bias for the observed and estimated total and merchantable volumes at stand level were also evaluated. The observed error and bias were relatively low for both methods; however, some differences were detected when the volume distributions were analyzed at diameter class level.