Genetic parameters for growth of fiber diameter in alpacas

The alpaca is the most important fiber producer of the South American camelid species, and is an important source of income for the Andean communities. Nowadays, fiber diameter is considered the main selection objective in alpaca populations throughout the world. However, fiber diameter increases with the age of the animals, and it would be preferable to select those animals that maintain a thin fiber throughout their life span. The goal of this study was to describe the genetic relationship between fiber diameter at weaning age (6 mo) and the evolution of fiber diameter along the life span. The analysis of the evolution of fiber diameter was studied as a useful model for canalization and as a longitudinal trait by hierarchical Bayesian analysis. The results suggested that substantial genetic variation exists for fiber diameter and also for the variability and linear growth of the fiber diameter. Thus, a genetic selection program is plausible to modify the evolution of fiber diameter with time, together with a favorable correlated decrease in fiber diameter.     

Approaches towards efficient use of boar semen in the pig industry

The current cervical artificial insemination (CAI) procedure, involving deposition of excessive sperm numbers, is uneconomical for pig industry. The most obvious alternative requires uterine deposition in combination with fixed-time AI, which would reduce the number of sperm required per pregnant sow, thus allowing the best use of valuable boars and, ultimately, the commercial integration of frozen-thawed and sexed sperm. This review depicts possible best ways to implement an efficient use of liquid-stored, frozen-thawed and sexed sperm by the pig industry.     

A progressive axonopathy of Boxer dogs affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems

Five Boxer dogs with a new neurological disease are described. There is a progressive ataxia and weakness, initially in the hind-legs but later involving forelegs. The onset of signs is usually around 6 months of age although an older dog was affected. Proprioceptive function, muscle tone and tendon reflexes are diminished or absent while pedal reflexes and pain sensation are preserved. Muscle atrophy is minimal. The peripheral nerves are depleted in myelinated fibres. Nerve roots and, to a lesser extent, peripheral nerves show demyelination/remyelination changes and in the cervical ventral roots in particular, regenerative clusters are present. Forelimb muscles show evidence of re-innervation. In the CNS numerous swollen axons are present. The dorsolateral and ventral columns of the spinal cord are affected throughout their length. In the brain a number of nuclei and tracts, particularly in the lower brain stem, are affected and the superior olives are severely involved. The cerebral cortex and subcortical white matter appear normal. Various portions of the auditory and optic pathways are affected pathologically as are a number of cranial nerves. The axonal swellings contain a number of organelles including smooth endoplasmic reticulum, disordered neurofilaments, vesicles and mitochondria. The disease may be specific to Boxer dogs and may be inherited.     

Cephalosporins – pharmacological basis of clinical use in veterinary dermatology

Cephalosporins form a large group of β-lactam antibiotics which are used extensively in human medicine and to a lesser extent in domestic animals. In veterinary dermatology, the principle use for the cephalosporins is the clinical management of canine pyoderma associated with Staphylococcus intermedius . In practice, the use of orally administered first generation cephalosporin drugs to affected dogs is well tolerated and highly efficacious. Bacterial drug resistance appears to occur rarely.     

Immunization of dogs with a Leishmania infantum-derived vaccine

A partially-purified extract of Leishmania infantum has been administered to healthy dogs. Post-immunization sera were found to neutralize the infectivity of L. infantum and to abate the development of L. major. Muramyl dipeptide and one of its derivates, murabutide, were the best adjuvants.     

Biochemical analysis by SDS-PAGE and western blotting of the antigenic relationship between Leptospira and equine ocular tissues.

The antigenic relationship between Leptospira interrogans, equine cornea and lens was previously noted in our studies. Serum antibodies from horses inoculated with serovars wolffi, pomona, icterohaemorrhagiae, and tarassovi, were able to bind to five antigenic fractions from both cornea and lens, as demonstrated by immunoblotting. These antigens seem to be made up of protein and carbohydrates. After treatment with periodate for cleavage of glycoside ring structures, those fractions kept their condition of target for anti-Leptospira antibodies. Nevertheless, all fractions lost that condition after being subjected to peptide hydrolysis.     

Retrobulbar Block in Combination with General Anesthesia for Equine Ophthalmic Surgery

The use of retrobulbar block in conjunction with general anesthesia was evaluated in the horse. A prospective study of 12 cases fulfilling criteria for application of retrobulbar block was compared to a retrospective survey of 25 cases (control group) in which retrobulbar block was not performed. Retrobulbar block was done using a modified Peterson technique and 2% lidocaine HCI without epinephrine. In the control group, four horses exhibited signs compatible with initiation of the oculocardiac reflex; three horses developed bradyarrhythmias and hypotension during global traction related to enucleation, and cardiac arrest occurred in one horse during cataract extraction. In the retrobulbar block group, one horse developed bradyarrhythmia subsequent to retrobulbar block.     

Effect of electroimmobilisation on ovine plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin/beta-lipotrophin, cortisol and prolactin

The effect of electroimmobilisation on the plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin/beta-lipotrophin (beta-EP/beta-LPH), cortisol and prolactin (PRL) has been assessed in sheep. Serial blood samples were collected from control and electroimmobilised animals during the first and fourth of a series of four repeated treatments over two days. After electroimmobilisation the mean (+/- SEM) plasma concentrations of beta-EP/beta-LPH increased significantly from 132 +/- 19 pg ml-1 to 545 +/- 111 pg ml-1; the plasma concentrations of cortisol also increased significantly from 22.3 +/- 3.5 ng ml-1 to 108.0 +/- 12.9 ng ml-1. There was no significant change in plasma PRL concentrations after electroimmobilisation and also no significant difference between the plasma concentrations of PRL in the control and electroimmobilised animals. There was no significant difference between the effects of the first and fourth exposure to electroimmobilisation on the plasma concentrations of beta-EP/beta-LPH, cortisol and PRL. These results suggest that the endocrine response to electroimmobilisation may be specific to the pituitary-adrenal axis.