Vocalizations During Electroejaculation in Anaesthetized Adult and Young Pampas Deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) Males

The aim of this study was to characterize the vocalizations produced during electroejaculation under general anaesthesia in pampas deer males and to determine whether the characteristics of those vocalizations differ in adult and young pampas deer males. Electroejaculation was applied to 13 adults (AM) and 13 young (YM) males under general anaesthesia. Vocalizations were digitally recorded, and the number and duration of vocalizations, the latency in relation to each voltage, the total time vocalizing, and the structure of the fundamental frequency (F₀) [initial frequency (F_start), maximal frequency (F_max), minimal frequency (F_min) and final frequency (F_end)] were analysed. No male vocalized with 0 V; the number of animals that vocalized increased at 2 and 3 V and increased again at 4, 5 and 6 V (p < 0.05). The latency time from the beginning of each series (each voltage) decreased until 4 V (p < 0.01). The number of vocalizations/voltage increased from 4 V (p < 0.05). The length of each vocalization and the total time during which animals vocalized were greater in YM than AM (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). Similarly, the fundamental frequencies were higher in YM than AM (p ≤ 0.05). Overall, we concluded that the vocalizations emitted during electroejaculation in pampas deer under general anaesthesia are related to the voltage applied during the process. Young males vocalize more time, probably due to a greater sensibility to the electric stimulation. The differences in the characteristics of the vocalizations between adult and young males may be related to the anatomic differences in the neck of adult or young males.     

Follow-up of mercury levels in fish,human hair and urine in the Madeira and Tapajós basins,Amazon, Brazil

Informal economy of gold mining has contaminated some important river basins in Amazon. Follow-up studies on critical compartments showed some areas with high Hg levels in fish as well as in human hair samples. Average Hg in piscivorous fish in the Madeira river itself was 846 ppb (N=284) with a maximum of 3921 ppb. Mercury in fish from non polluted areas in this basin shows high variability, even for single species. A seasonal variation in Hg content was observed, with higher values at the end of the dry season. In the upper Tapajós basin comparable values were found for fish but with a definite decreasing trend downstream. Average value for piscivorous fish in the whole Tapajós basin is 482 ppb (N=122) with a maximum value of 3770 ppb. Hair Hg was higher in fishing villages in the Tapajós (average: 17 ppm; with N=432 and maximum value of 176 ppm) than in the Madeira (average: 9 ppm; N=169; maximum 71 ppm), and data from some areas of the Tapajós suggest a decrease with time. Mercury was much higher in urine of goldshop workers in Santarém (low Tapajós) than in Alta Floresta (high Tapajbs) and show a decreasing trend in both cases, probably related to the significant decline in gold mining activities during the study period (1986–1994).     

Impact of a Variable Tungsten Pollution on the Elemental Uptake of Two Plant Species

A radish and a grass species were grown in identical substrates either unpolluted or polluted by tungsten (W) at 1, 5, and 10 μg/g levels of watering solutions during 1 month under controlled laboratory conditions. Initially, at 4.1 μg/g, the W content in grass leaves reached 16 μg/g at the highest rate of W supply to the substrate. For radish, the content of W reached 22 and 29 μg/g in the leaves and roots, respectively. The overall W pollution increased significantly the mobility of major elements from substrate to grass leaves, especially at the 5 μg/g pollution level, whereas the W impact on radish leaves resulted in an increase of most contents, only Mn remaining unaffected. The roots from polluted radishes were enriched in Si by 21% and Al by 42% at low pollution, and in Si by 15% at high supply, whereas the uptake of the other elements remained unchanged. It looks like the W pollution at the levels chosen does not impact the transfer of the major and trace elements from roots to leaves of Raphanus sativus. Alternatively, metallic trace elements (Ba, Ni, Cr, Zn, W, Co) of the Raphanus sativus and Chloris gayana leaves outline similar content changes depending on the amount of W pollution. The total rare-earth element contents of the leaves of Raphanus sativus grown in the polluted substrates are lower than those of the leaves from unpolluted substrate. Their normalization in the leaves and roots of Raphanus sativus from the polluted substrates to those of the radish from non-polluted substrate provides flat patterns for both with a positive Eu anomaly for leaves, as for those of the grass and a negative Gd anomaly for roots. Also, addition of soluble W to the substrates induced an increase in the bacterial activity of the soil.     

Improvement of Fertility in Artificially Inseminated Ewes Following Vaginal Treatment with Misoprostol Plus Terbutaline Sulphate

The effect of vaginal administration of misoprostol plus terbutaline sulphate 6 h prior to artificial insemination (AI) upon the site of AI (vaginal or cervical) and fertility was studied using a total of 87 estrous synchronized Serra da Estrela ewes (control n = 42 and treated n = 45). Artificial insemination was performed using refrigerated semen at 54–55 h after sponge removal. Lambing rate (fertility) and prolificacy were compared between control and treated ewes. The effect of the site of semen deposition on fertility was also evaluated. Prolificacy rate was not different between control (1.5) and treated (1.59) ewes. The proportion of cervical AI achieved in control (45.2%) and treated (37.8%) ewes was not significantly different. Overall, fertility was significantly lower in control than in treated ewes (42.9% vs 64.4%; p < 0.04). Fertility following vaginal AI was significantly lower for control for than treated ewes (30.4% vs 60.7%; p < 0.03) but the difference was smaller and not significant for cervical AI (control 57.9% vs 70.6%). It was concluded that vaginal administration of misoprostol plus terbutaline sulphate 6 h prior to artificial insemination did not affect the proportion of cervical inseminations but significantly improved the fertility of treated ewes. Although needing confirmation, it was hypothesized that drugs might have induced local secretory modifications leading to an increase of cervical ability to retain more viable spermatozoa for fertilization.     

Efficacy of avermectin B1 given orally against equine intestinal strongyles and Onchocera microfilaria

Three groups of horses and ponies (N = 13, 13 and 12) were treated with ivermectin paste (0.2 mg/kg p.o.), avermectin B1 solution (0.2 mg/kg p.o.), or fenbendazole suspension (10 mg/kg via nasogastric tube). The avermectin B1 was a 1% solution in a propylene glycolglycerol formal base. Faecal strongyle egg counts were performed before, and 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70 d, after treatment. Full-thickness skin biopsies from the neck, pectoral and umbilical regions were examined for Onchocera microfilaria before treatment, and again 14 and 70 d later. Ivermectin therapy produced a significant (P less than 0.01) decrease in mean strongyle egg counts 14, 28, 42 and 56 d after treatment. Avermectin B1 therapy resulted in significant (P less than 0.01) decreases in mean strongyle egg counts 14, 28 and 42 d after treatment. All horses given ivermectin or avermectin B1 had zero strongyle egg counts 14 and 28 d after treatment. Fenbendazole failed to significantly decrease strongyle egg counts. Both ivermectin and avermectin B1 resulted in zero microfilaria counts in all horses 14 d after treatment. On day 70 the percentage decrease in microfilaria counts were 100% and 99.6% respectively. Fenbendazole failed to significantly decrease microfilaria counts. The oral administration of this formulation of avermectin B1 appeared to be highly efficacious against intestinal strongyles and Onchocera microfilaria. The duration of anti-strongyle activity was, however, significantly (P less than 0.01) shorter than that of ivermectin paste.     

Diversity among isolates of Actinobacillus equuli and related organisms as revealed by ribotyping

Objective The objective of this work was to examine the diversity within Australian isolates of Actinobacillus equuli and related organisms by the genotypic method of ribotyping.
Design Ribotyping, performed using the enzyme Hae III, was used to examine the diversity in 12 field isolates of A equuli (five being capable of fermenting L-arabinose), one field isolate of Pasteurella caballi and two unclassifiable field isolates. Isolates were obtained from Australian horses, except for three isolates of A equuli (one L-arabinose positive and two L-arabinose negative) which were obtained from horses and a pig in Africa. In addition, the type strains for A equuli and P caballi and a reference strain for Bisgaard Taxon 9 were included in the study.
Results The ribotype patterns were analysed by computerised cluster analysis, yielding five clusters (A to E). All five of the L-arabinose positive A equuli were assigned to cluster A, with all the other seven A equuli isolates (all L-arabinose negative) and the type strain being assigned to cluster B. One of the two unclassified isolates formed cluster C along with the reference strain for Bisgaard Taxon 9. The remaining unclassified isolate formed cluster D. Cluster E consisted of the field isolate and reference strain of P caballi .
Conclusion The results of this study indicate that A equuli is a diverse species, with L-arabinose positive isolates of A equuli being quite distinct from typical L-arabinose negative isolates. Ribotyping appears to be a useful tool in confirming the identity of A equuli -like organisms from horses.     

Pharmacokinetics of articaine hydrochloride and its metabolite articainic acid after subcutaneous administration in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

AIM: To develop and validate a simple and sensitive method using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for quantification of articaine, and its major metabolite articainic acid, in plasma of red deer (Cervus elaphus), and to investigate the pharmacokinetics of articaine hydrochloride and articainic acid in red deer following S/C administration of articaine hydrochloride as a complete ring block around the antler pedicle.

METHODS: The LC-MS method was validated by determining linearity, sensitivity, recovery, carry-over and repeatability. Articaine hydrochloride (40?mg/mL) was administered S/C to six healthy male red deer, at a dose of 1?mL/cm of pedicle circumference, as a complete ring block around the base of each antler. Blood samples were collected at various times over the following 12 hours. Concentrations in plasma of articaine and articainic acid were quantified using the validated LC-MS method. Pharmacokinetic parameters of articaine and articainic acid were estimated using non-compartmental analysis.

RESULTS: Calibration curves were linear for both articaine and articainic acid. The limits of quantifications for articaine and articainic acid were 5 and 10?ng/mL, respectively. Extraction recoveries were >72% for articaine and >68% for articainic acid. After S/C administration as a ring block around the base of each antler, mean maximum concentrations in plasma (C_max) of articaine were 1,013.9 (SD 510.1) ng/mL, detected at 0.17 (SD 0.00) hours, and the C_max for articainic acid was 762.6 (SD 95.4) ng/mL at 0.50 (SD 0.00) hours. The elimination half-lives of articaine hydrochloride and articainic acid were 1.12 (SD 0.17) and 0.90 (SD 0.07) hours, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The LC-MS method used for the quantification of articaine and its metabolite articainic acid in the plasma of red deer was simple, accurate and sensitive. Articaine hydrochloride was rapidly absorbed, hydrolysed to its inactive metabolite articainic acid, and eliminated following S/C administration as a ring block in red deer. These favourable pharmacokinetic properties suggest that articaine hydrochloride should be tested for efficacy as a local anaesthetic in red deer for removal of velvet antlers. Further studies to evaluate the safety and residues of articaine hydrochloride and articainic acid are required before articaine can be recommended for use as a local anaesthetic for this purpose.     

Pregnancy Loss in Dairy Cattle: Relationship of Ultrasound,Blood Pregnancy‐Specific Protein B,Progesterone and Production Variables

Objectives were to determine associations between percentage pregnancy loss (PPL) in dairy cattle and: (i) pregnancy diagnosis by ultrasonography; (ii) pregnancy diagnosis by serum pregnancy‐specific protein B (PSPB) concentrations, with or without serum progesterone concentrations; and (iii) production and environmental factors. This study included 149 822 pregnancy diagnoses conducted over 13 years in Holstein‐Friesian cows in Hungarian dairy herds. The following were determined: PPL in cows diagnosed pregnant by transrectal ultrasonography 29–42 days after artificial insemination (AI; n = 11 457); PPL in cows diagnosed pregnant by serum PSPB 29–35 days after AI (n = 138 365); and PPL and its association with serum progesterone concentrations, PSPB and production/environmental variables. The definition of PPL was percentage of cows initially diagnosed pregnant based on ultrasonography or PSPB, but not pregnant when examined by transrectal palpation 60 –70 days after AI. The PPL was lower (p < 0.001) in cows following ultrasonographic vs PSPB diagnosis of pregnancy at 29–35 days (8.1 vs 19.3%, respectively), but was higher in cows following ultrasonographic pregnancy diagnosis on 29–35 vs 36–42 days (8.1 vs 7.1%, respectively, P < 0.05). Furthermore, 72.9% of pregnancies with ultrasound‐detected morphological abnormalities resulted in pregnancy loss. As a subset of PSPB data, a fully quantitative PSPB assay was used for 20 430 samples; PPL in cows with a high PSPB concentration (>1.1 ng/ml) was lowest (15.0%), whereas cows with low concentrations of both PSPB and progesterone (0.6–1.1 and <2 ng/ml, respectively) had the highest PPL (76.3%; p < 0.0001). Furthermore, PPL was higher in cows with advanced parity and with high milk production, when ambient temperatures were high, although body condition score (BCS) had no effect on PPL. Finally, there were no significant associations between serum PSPB and environmental temperatures or number of post‐partum uterine treatments.