The use of ultrasonography in the reproductive evaluation of boars

The objective was to study the use of ultrasound as a complementary test in the breeding soundness evaluation in male pigs and study the pattern of echogenicity of the testicular parenchyma in boars of different racial groups. Twenty‐six adult boars from four different racial groups were used, 10 from the Piau breed (group 1), four from the commercial and finishing group (group 2), six Pietrain breed (group 3) and six from the Duroc breed (group 4). All animals were evaluated for breeding soundness evaluation and the ultrasound examination of the testicles. The groups of animals that were evaluated showed no difference in the main semen parameters that were evaluated, except for the sperm volume, concentration of the ejaculated sperm and the supravital staining; the lowest figures were for the animals from the Piau breed (group 1). In relation to the testicular biometrics, Duroc animals (group 4) had a greater scrotal width compared to the other groups. But when we assessed the intensity of pixels of the testicles, there was a difference between groups. The groups 2 (finishing animals), 3 (Pietrain) and 4 had no difference between themselves. Group 3 had greater pixel intensity in relation to group 1. Of the 26 animals studied, five showed an abnormality during ultrasound evaluation, like hydrocele, hyperechoic mass in the testicular parenchyma, cyst in the head of the epididymis and the presence of fluid in the head and tail of the epididymis. The various animal groups studied did not differ in the principal reproductive parameters evaluated, showing that despite the great variability of reproductive traits between breeds and within the same breed, the breeding soundness evaluation, the more complete it is, is essential for the selection of breeders and the ultrasonography of the reproductive system becomes an important addition in this examination.     

First report of Porcine teschovirus (PTV), Porcine sapelovirus (PSV) and Enterovirus G (EV-G) in pig herds of Brazil

Porcine teschovirus (PTV), Porcine sapelovirus (PSV) and Enterovirus G (EV-G) have been associated with enteric, respiratory, reproductive and neurological disorders. Although Brazil is the world’s fourth largest producer and exporter of pork, no information on the occurrence of PTV, PSV and EV-G infections is available for Brazilian pig herds. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of Porcine enteric picornavirus infections in pig farms located in three distinct geographical regions of Brazil. Forty randomly selected diarrhoeic and normal consistency faeces of suckling (n?=?22) and nursery (n?=?18) pigs from farms located in 21 distinct cities of the Southern, Southeast, and Midwest regions of Brazil were evaluated by nested-RT-PCR assays. Suckling piglets presented the expected amplicon size for PTV (158 bp) and EV-G (313 bp) in single and mixed infections in 40.9 % (9/22) of the faecal samples. PSV amplicon (212 bp) was not detected in this age group. For nursery pigs, Porcine enteric picornaviruses amplicons were present in 77.8 % (14/18) of the faecal samples. PTV and EV-G were detected in single and mixed infections, while PSV was detected only in two samples in co-infection with PTV and EV-G in this age group. The Brazilian regions evaluated presented at least two of the tested viruses. Sequencing analysis revealed high similarities to the related viruses (95.3 to 99.2 % for PTV, 94.2 to 98.5 % for PSV and 86 to 100 % for EV-G). For the first time PTV, PSV and EV-G have been molecularly detected and characterised in pig faecal samples in Brazil.     

Characterization of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown with biopesticides and deltamethrin

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physico-chemical characteristics and the post-harvest loss of mass of curly lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cv. Verônica that was grown in a protective environment with applications of biopesticides. The curly lettuce was treated by spraying with neem oil, cassava flour wastewater (manipueira), biofertiliser or the control treatment of deltamethrin. We determined the weight, circumference, dry matter, ash, crude protein, total phenols and minerals profile for the heads of lettuce. After harvesting, the lettuce was packed into opened plastic bags and kept at 5 °C for 5 days to evaluate its weight loss. No differences were observed among the treatments for the physico-chemical parameters. The lettuce that was sprayed with manipueira or biofertiliser had the greatest weight loss during storage. The achievement of similar yields with cheaper products suggests a benefit of using organic bioinsecticides.     

The relationship between the degree of thrombocytopenia and infection with Ehrlichia canis in an endemic area

Ehrlichia canis is the causative agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis. In order to evaluate platelet counts as a screening test for E. canis in an endemic area, 217 whole blood samples from dogs were divided into three groups: 71 non-thrombocytopenic samples (group A, platelet counts greater than 200 000/mL) and 146 thrombocytopenic samples (less than 200 000/mL). The thrombocytopenic group was further divided into 62 with platelet counts between 100 000-200 000/mL (Group B) and 84 samples with less than 100 000 platelets/mL (Group C). All samples were examined for the presence of a segment of the Ehrlichia canis 16S rRNA gene using a nested polymerase chain reaction. Sixty-seven of the 217 samples (30.9%) were positive for the presence of the E. canis 16S rRNA gene; 53 (63.1%) of the group C samples and 13 (21%) of group B. Only one (1.4%) of the non-thrombocytopenic samples (Group A) was positive. These data support the concept that platelet counts may be a good screening test for canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, and that the magnitude of thrombocytopenia may increase the reliability of diagnosis.     

Density-Dependent Ecohydrological Effects of Piñon–Juniper Woody Canopy Cover on Soil Microclimate and Potential Soil Evaporation

Many rangeland processes are driven by microclimate and associated ecohydrological dynamics. Most rangelands occur in drylands where evapotranspiration normally dominates the water budget. In these water-limited environments plants can influence abiotic and biotic processes by modifying microclimate factors such as soil temperature and potential soil evaporation. Previous studies have assessed spatial variation in microclimate and associated ecohydrological attributes within an ecosystem (e.g., under vs. between woody canopies) or across ecosystems (e.g., with differing amounts of woody canopy cover), but generally lacking are assessments accounting systematically for both, particularly for evergreen woody plants. Building on recently quantified trends in near-ground solar radiation associated with a piñon–juniper gradient spanning 5% to 65% woody canopy cover, we evaluated trends in soil temperature and associated estimates of potential soil evaporation as a function of amount of woody canopy cover for sites overall and for associated canopy vs. intercanopy locations. Quantified soil temperature trends decreased linearly with increasing woody canopy cover for intercanopy as well as canopy patches, indicating the coalescing influence of individual canopies on their neighboring areas. Notably, intercanopy locations within high-density (65%) woody canopy cover could be as much as ～10°C cooler than intercanopy locations within low-density (5%) cover. Corresponding potential soil evaporation rates in intercanopies within high-density woody canopy cover was less than half that for intercanopies within low density. Our results highlight ecohydrological consequences of density-dependent shading by evergreen woody plants on soil temperature and potential soil evaporation and enable managers to rapidly estimate and compare approximate site microclimates after assessing amounts of woody canopy cover. Such predictions of microclimate have general utility for improving management of rangelands because they are a fundamental driver of many key processes, whether related to understory forage and herbaceous species or to wildlife habitat quality for game or nongame species.     

Fatty acid composition of intramuscular fat from Nellore steers fed dry or high moisture corn and calcium salts of fatty acids

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the fatty acid composition of the Longissimus muscle from carcasses of Nellore steers fed diets with calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA) and high moisture corn. Forty eight steers were fed during 70 days four diets containing dry corn (DC), high moisture corn (HM), dry corn plus CSFA (DC-CSFA) or high moisture corn plus CSFA (HM-CSFA). Fatty acid composition of the Longissimus muscle was determined by gas chromatography. Corn type had no effect on the ether extract percentage and in the content of the majority of the fatty acids, although steers fed HMC showed higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated/saturated ratio. Feeding CSFA increased ether extract percentage but had no effect on total of saturated, unsaturated and saturated: unsaturated ratio. Both high moisture corn and calcium salts of fatty acids increased CLA (cis9, trans11) and total CLA concentrations in intramuscular fat.     

What is your diagnosis? Subcutaneous mass fluid from a febrile dog

Abstract: A 10‐month‐old spayed female Doberman Pinscher was presented for lameness. On physical examination, the dog was lethargic and febrile and had a 2‐cm raised subcutaneous mass at the base of the left ear. Fluid from the mass was drained. Direct smears of the fluid, stained with modified Wright's and new methylene blue, were highly cellular and contained large numbers of degenerate neutrophils with moderate numbers of macrophages. Large numbers of round yeast organisms, 8–20 μm in diameter, were observed extracellularly. The organisms had a thick blue wall and granular internal contents and broad‐based budding was seen frequently. Branching hyphae or pseudohyphae, with parallel sides and 2–4 μm in diameter, appeared to extend from the surface of the yeast. The morphology of the yeast organisms was consistent with Blastomyces dermatitidis, with atypical hyphae formation. Culture results were not definitive because it was not possible to induce transition from the mycelial to the yeast form at 37°C and because the morphology of the mycelial form of B. dermatitidis could not be differentiated from that of Emmonsia parvae. The organism was confirmed as Ajellomyces dermatitidis (the mycelial form of B. dermatitidis) using 18S ribosome RNA gene sequencing and comparison with an available databank. The mycelial form of B. dermatitidis is rarely found in the tissue of dogs, and may have been induced in this case by low environmental temperatures and the time delay between sample collection and slide preparation.     

Genetic structuring among populations of the great egret,Ardea alba egretta,in major Brazilian wetlands

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