A comparison of the effects of carbon dioxide and medical air for abdominal insufflation on respiratory parameters in xylazine-sedated sheep undergoing laparoscopic artificial insemination

AIMS: To determine if abdominal insufflation with medical air will improve oxygenation and ventilation parameters when compared to insufflation with CO₂ in xylazine-sedated sheep undergoing laparoscopic artificial insemination (AI).

METHODS: Forty-seven sheep underwent oestrus synchronisation and were fasted for 24 hours prior to laparoscopic AI. Each animal was randomised to receive either CO₂ or medical air for abdominal insufflation. An auricular arterial catheter was placed and utilised for serial blood sampling. Respiratory rates (RR) and arterial blood samples were collected at baseline, after xylazine (0.1?mg/kg I/V) sedation, 2 minutes after Trendelenburg positioning, 5 minutes after abdominal insufflation, and 10 minutes after being returned to a standing position. Blood samples were collected in heparinised syringes, stored on ice, and analysed for arterial pH, partial pressure of arterial O₂ (PaO₂), and CO₂ (PaCO₂). The number of ewes conceiving to AI was also determined.

RESULTS: Repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated temporal effects on RR, PaO₂, PaCO₂ and arterial pH during the laparoscopic AI procedure (p<0.001), but no difference between insufflation groups (p>0.01). No sheep experienced hypercapnia (PaCO₂>50?mmHg) or acidaemia (pH<7.35). Hypoxaemia (PaO₂<70?mmHg) was diagnosed during the procedure in 14/22 (64%) ewes in the CO₂ group compared with 8/23 (35%) ewes in the medical air group (p=0.053). Overall, 15/20 (75%) ewes in the CO₂ group conceived to AI compared with 16/22 (72.7%) in the medical air group (p=0.867).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There were no statistical or clinical differences in RR, PaO₂, PaCO₂, pH, or conception to AI when comparing the effects of CO₂ and medical air as abdominal insufflation gases. None of the sheep experienced hypercapnia or acidaemic, yet 42% (19/45) of sheep developed clinical hypoxaemia, with a higher percentage of ewes in the CO₂ group developing hypoxaemia than in the medical air group. Based on the overall analysis, medical air could be utilised as a comparable alternative for abdominal insufflation during laparoscopic AI procedures.     

Cryopreservation of Piau‐Breed Wild Boar Sperm: Assessment of Cooling Curves and Centrifugation Regimes

This study aimed to assess the effects of different cooling curves and centrifugation regimes used in cryopreservation protocols on the post‐thaw viability of Piau‐breed wild boar (Sus scrofa) sperm using in vitro assessment tests. Two centrifugations (800  g for 10 min and 2400  g for 3 min) and two cooling curves (conventional cooling using nitrogen vapour – freezing 1 and automated cooling using a programmed freezing machine – freezing 2) were tested. Therefore, the treatments were divided into M3 – centrifugation at 2400  g for 3 min and freezing 2; M10 – centrifugation at 800  g for 10 min and freezing 2; R3 – centrifugation at 2400  g for 3 min and freezing 1; and R10 – centrifugation at 800  g for 10 min and freezing 1. No significant differences (p > 0.05) between treatments occurred post‐thawing regarding the total sperm motility means recorded. The mean values of the different treatments were not different from each other regarding the supravital staining (SV), hypo‐osmotic test (HO), sperm–egg binding assay or sperm morphology. This study showed that both the cooling curve and the centrifugation regime affected the quality of post‐thaw sperm, and centrifugation for shorter times and cooling curves using automated cooling are the most suitable for minimizing sperm injury.     

Development and evaluation of Taqman assays for the differentiation of Dickeya (sub)species

TaqMan assays were developed for the detection of seven Dickeya species, namely D. dianthicola, D. dadantii, D. paradisiaca, D. chrysanthemi, D. zeae, D. dieffenbachiae and D. solani. Sequences of the gene coding for dnaX were used for the design of primers and probes. In studies with axenic cultures of bacteria, the assays were highly specific and only reacted with strains of the target species, and not with non-target bacteria, including those belonging to other Dickeya species and other genera. The detection thresholds for DNA extracted from pure cultures of target strains ranged from 10 to 100 fg. The TaqMan assays for D. dianthicola and D. solani were more extensively evaluated as part of a method validation procedure. The threshold level for target bacteria added to a potato peel extract diluted ten-times in a semi-selective broth, was strain dependent and ranged from 1,000 to 100,000 cfu/ml. The coefficients of variation for repeatability and reproducibility were low and results were largely independent of the type of substrate, i.e. potato tuber or carnation leaf extracts. However, during routine testing of seed potatoes, false-positive reactions were found with the assay for D. solani. The use of the TaqMan assays for inspection of plant propagation material, ecological studies and studies on the effect of control strategies in disease management strategies is discussed.     

Radiographic Evaluation of the Anconeal Process in Skeletally Immature Dogs

Objective: To determine if a secondary center of ossification (SCO) of the anconeal process is present in skeletally immature dogs that do not develop an ununited anconeal process (UAP). Study Design: Case series. Animals: Dogs 77–154 days of age with conditions other than developmental disease of the elbow (n=78 dogs; total elbows=100). Methods: Mediolateral radiographic projections of the elbow were reviewed for presence or absence of a SCO of the anconeal process. Results: A SCO was radiographically evident in 16% of elbows from breeds that have been reported to be affected by UAP. The appearance of the SCO was different to an UAP fragment. None of the elbows with SCO of the anconeal process developed UAP. A SCO was not present in any small breed dogs. Conclusions: A SCO of the anconeal process is uncommon in medium and large breed dogs and the presence of a SCO does not indicate that UAP will develop. Clinical Relevance: Because radiographic diagnosis of a SCO of the anconeal process and UAP lesions have distinct appearances, an earlier diagnosis of UAP is possible.     

Performance of real‐time PCR and immunofluorescence for the detection of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus and Ralstonia solanacearum in potato tubers in routine testing

This paper describes a comparison study of test methods and supports the use of real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus and Ralstonia solanacearum in potato tubers in routine testing. These 2 bacteria are quarantine organisms under European Union (EU) regulatory control and testing for (latent) infections of these bacteria in seed potatoes is mandatory. Real‐time PCR tests were performed on 276 routine potato tuber samples, including samples infected with either C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus or R. solanacearum, and the performance of these real‐time PCR tests was compared with that of immunofluorescence (IF). Real‐time PCR tests, using different primer sets and extraction and PCR protocols, proved to be sensitive and specific for the detection of C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus and R. solanacearum in potato tubers in routine testing, and performed at least as well as IF. Real‐time PCR is a good addition to the detection protocols as laid down in EU regulations (EU Council Directives 2006/56/EC and 2006/63/EC).     

Efficiency in publishing the results of plant breeding research

In the writer's opinion there is a need for more efficient publication on plant breeding subjects and for new specialized journals of international significance.He considers Euphytica as an experiment. In his imagination he sees in the future some new periodicals on plant breeding, published in English, and national as concerns editors and contributors. An international journal on plant breeding with translations of important articles (Japanese, Russian, Italian, Spanish, etc.) in English would fill a need.

---

Samenvatting Naar schrijvers mening zal men terwille van een efficiënte publikatie van het veredelingsonderzoek meer en meer moeten overgaan tot het stichten van vaktijdschriften voor plantenveredeling.Schrijver beschouwt Euphytica als een experiment. In zijn fantasie ziet hij in verschillende landen in niet al te verre toekomst een aantal nieuwe vaktijdschriften in de Engelse taal, doch wat redactie en medewerkers betreft nationaal georiënteerd, en een internationaal tijdschrift met vertalingen van belangrijke artikelen op veredelingsgebied (Japans, Russisch, Italiaans, Spaans, etc.) in het Engels. Voor de verbreding en verdieping van de plantenveredeling als tak van wetenschap zou dit van betekenis zijn.

     

Factors influencing the breeding of agricultural crops in the Netherlands

The writer draws attention to some factors influencing the breeding of agricultural crops in the Netherlands. The mutual influence of breeding new varieties, research on varieties, seed production, agricultural production and export is explained.In the Netherlands, farmers on average purchase approved seed potatoes once in three years, which equals the frequency of replacement of the seed of rye. On the area covered by wheat five-eighths is sown with approved seed and of peas and oats, one-half. In the case of sugar beet, fodder beet and some other crops (including vegetables) 100% original seed is used.The writer draws attention in particular to the reasons why there is a continuous need for new seed and seed potatoes. As causes are mentioned: 1. the fact that a farmer did not grow a particular crop in the previous year; 2. that he had difficulties with the seed production of a given variety or the variety deteriorated owing to impurity, diseases or admixtures; 3. the wish to choose a new variety of better yielding capacity or other favourable properties; 4. purchase of original seed of a variety in demand for increase to once grown original seed or purchase of first rate starting material from the clonal selection farms for growing seed potatoes of a variety in demand.

---

Samenvatting Schrijver vestgt de aandacht op de invloedssferen van de veredeling van landbouwgewassen in Nederland. Met enige voorbeelden wordt de invloed van het kweken van nieuwe rassen op het rassenonderzoek, de zaaizaad- en pootgoedteelt, de landbouwproduktie en de export toegelicht.In Nederland schaft de boer gemiddeld eens in de drie jaar goedgekeurd pootgoed van aardappelen aan, terwijl de frequentie van vernieuwing van zaaizaad van rogge daaraan gelijk is. Bij tarwe wordt voor 5/8 van het areaal goedgekeurd zaaizaad gebruikt, bij erwten en haver voor de helft van het areaal. Voor suikerbieten, voederbieten en enige andere gewassen wordt 100% origineel zaaizaad gebruikt.Schrijver vestigt in het bijzonder de aandacht op de oorzaken waardoor er een voortdurende behoefte aan nieuw zaaizaad en pootgoed is. Als oorzaken worden genoemd dat de boer het gewas in het voorgaande jaar niet verbouwde, tegenslag met eigen zaaizaad- of pootgoedwinning van een bepaald ras of achteruitgang van dat ras door rasonzuiverheid, ziekten, vermenging, de wens een nieuw ras te kiezen met hoger opbrengstvermogen of andere gunstige eigenschappen, aanschaf van origineel zaaizaad van een gevraagd ras voor vermeerdering tot le nabouw, aanschaf van hoogwaardig uitgangsmateriaal voor de teelt van pootaardappelen.