Dual stable isotope analysis (δC and δN) of soil invertebrates and their food sources

More research is required to validate and refine natural abundance stable isotope ratio techniques as a tool for the investigation of the feeding ecology of soil animals and trophic relations in soil food webs. Isotope ratios of C (δ¹³C) and N (δ¹⁵N) were measured in herbivorous and detritivorous invertebrate groups, namely lumbricid earthworms (7 species), enchytraeid worms (3 species), slugs (3 taxa), and their potential food sources in an arable system. Intrapopulation δ¹⁵N variation in the slug Deroceras reticulatum (n=52) was large (range 4.2‰), possibly reflecting spatial variability in the food sources. Significant correlations between C:N ratios and isotope ratios in earthworms suggest that factors other than feeding may influence isotopic patterns. One enchytraeid species, Enchytraeus buchholzi, was enriched in ¹³C and strongly depleted in ¹⁵N compared to all other groups. Invertebrates formed a continuum when considered in relation to C and N separately, but fell into two distinct groups on the basis of combined C and N isotope ratios. The less enriched group represents herbivorous and litter-feeding species, while the more enriched group represents soil feeders. It is concluded that δ¹³C measurements could provide a means of assigning separate baseline δ¹⁵N values to primary and secondary decomposers, which in turn could improve the inference of higher trophic levels, omnivory and intraguild predation.     

Estradiol-17β, Progesterone and Testosterone Plasma Concentrations during Estrus in the Bitch

Veterinary Research Communications - Rota, A., Veronesi, M.C., Volpe, S., Riccardi, A. and Battocchio, M., 2007. Estradiol-17β, progesterone and testosterone plasma concentrations during...     

Ultrasound Measurements of the Dorsal Subarachnoid Space Depth in Healthy Trotter Foals during the First Week of Life

The aim of this study was to determine ultrasonographic measurements of the depth of the dorsal subarachnoid space in healthy foals so as to obtain reference values. The depth of the dorsal subarachnoid space was recorded in 50 trotter foals at day 1 (D1), 4 (D4), and 7 (D7) after birth, measuring the distance between the dura mater and the dorsal portion of the pia mater at the level of the cisterna magna, both in cross-sectional and longitudinal scans. Average, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values were calculated. Wilcoxon signed rank test was applied to verify data distribution. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measurements and Bonferroni test as post hoc were applied to verify differences among D1, D4, and D7, both for cross-sectional and longitudinal scans. Student’s t-test for unpaired data was performed between fillies and colts to verify differences related to gender. Significance level was set at P < .05. Cross-sectional measurements were 7.2 ± 0.7 mm at D1, 7.4 ± 0.7 mm at D4, and 7.5 ± 0.6 mm at D7, whereas longitudinal measurements were 7.3 ± 0.6 mm at D1, 7.6 ± 0.6 mm at D4, and 7.6 ± 0.5 mm at D7. Differences in dorsal subarachnoid space depth were observed at D1 versus D7, both for cross-sectional and longitudinal scans, whereas no differences were found between fillies and colts. In this study, a reference range for the depth of the dorsal subarachnoid space has been reported in foals.     

High prevalence of multiple resistance to antibiotics in Salmonella serovars isolated from a poultry slaughterhouse in Spain

Salmonellosis is a major foodborne infection in Spain, and strains that are resistant to a great variety of antibiotics have become a major public health concern. The aim of this study was to determine the level of antibiotic resistance in 133 Salmonella isolates obtained from a poultry slaughterhouse in Zaragoza (NE Spain). Antimicrobial resistance testing was performed by disk diffusion method using 19 antibiotics. Results were interpreted following the NCCLS criteria. Overall, the highest percentage of resistance was found to the following antimicrobial agents: sulfadiazine (96.2%), neomycin (53.4%), tetracycline (21.8%), and streptomycin (11.3%). All isolates were found to be resistant to one or more of the antibiotics tested. Multiple resistance was observed in 87 strains (65.4%). We found 23 different patterns of resistance in Salmonella Enteritidis. Resistance to sulfadiazine was the most common single resistance. The most frequent patterns of multiresistant strains were neomycin+sulfadiazine and neomycin+tetracycline+sulfadiazine. S. 4,5,12:b: showed the highest percentages of resistance to the tested drugs, with five different resistance patterns found. Ampicillin+chloramphenicol+streptomycin+sulphonamides+tetracycline (ACSSuT) resistance pattern, commonly associated with S. Typhimurium DT 104, was not detected in strains of the same phage type from broilers. The appearance of substantial multiresistance in foodborne Salmonella isolates suggests the need for more prudent use of antibiotics by farmers, veterinarians, and physicians.     

Effect of housing system on reproductive behaviour and on some endocrinological and seminal parameters of donkey stallions

Reproductive management of male donkeys employed for artificial breeding has been poorly studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of housing system, with the animals grouped together in a paddock or kept in individual boxes, on sexual behaviour, cortisol and testosterone concentration and seminal characteristics of adult male donkeys. The study included four Amiata donkey jacks (stallions) from which ejaculates, saliva and blood were collected during two distinct 3 weeks periods, one in the group and one in the box housing system. Time needed for semen collection was shorter when donkeys were kept in paddocks compared to when they were kept in single boxes (14:57 ± 07:27 and 20:52 ± 09:31 min, p < .05). Native semen characteristics were not influenced by housing system, while cooled preservation in an Equitainer^® showed that sperm motility parameters were significantly higher during the paddock period compared to the box period. Salivary cortisol was influenced by housing system, both before and 60 min after ejaculation, being statistically higher when donkeys were housed in paddocks. On the contrary, overall and basal testosterone concentrations were significantly higher when animals were kept in boxes. In conclusion, in the present study, good quality semen could be successfully collected from donkeys irrespective of the housing system despite some differences in hormone concentrations.     

Priapism in a castrated cat associated with feline infectious peritonitis

This report describes a case of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in a castrated cat which first presented with the unusual sign of priapism. Laboratory examinations showed increased serum protein content and decreased albumin/globulin ratio. Serum electrophoresis revealed increased alpha 2- and gamma-globulin content. One month after the first examination, the cat died. At necropsy, histopathological evaluation of organs showed inflammatory granulomatous lesions compatible with non-effusive FIP and coronavirus-specific polymerase chain reaction confirmed the diagnosis. FIP antigen was demonstrated immunohistochemically in penile tissue.