The Ethics and Role of AI with Fresh and Frozen Semen in Dogs

The use of artificial insemination (AI) with fresh semen has resulted in many benefits for the management of dog breeding, but there are disadvantages that can sometimes be overlooked. Furthermore, poorer quality semen arising as a result of cryopreservation necessitates uterine insemination, which raises the potential for surgical insemination. A number of significant ethical concerns have been raised by key stakeholders (such as The Kennel Club and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) about AI per se , but particularly about the use of surgical insemination. This paper discusses the technological development of AI and explores a number of the ethical issues raised by its application to dog breeding. An Ethical Matrix method is used to map the potential ethical issues for key interest groups, namely dogs, breeders, owners, veterinarians and wider society. There are national variations in the way in which institutions have evaluated potential ethical impacts, and this is reflected in the different regulatory frameworks governing the use of AI in dogs. In order to facilitate decision-making and reduce some of the ethical risks associated with this technology, the veterinary research community could take several proactive steps including: (i) clarifying clinical decision-making processes, (ii) enhancing informed choice among clients and (iii) increasing the knowledge-base of potential impacts of AI.     

Quantification of the DNA Difference,and Separation of X‐ and Y‐Bearing Sperm in Alpacas (Vicugna pacos)

Sperm sexing is an emerging reproductive technology which has been successfully used to produce offspring of a pre‐determined sex in domestic and wildlife species but has yet to be applied to New World camelids. The aims of the present study were to (i) optimize the Hoescht 33342 (H33342) staining concentration for the flow cytometric separation of X and Y chromosome‐bearing alpaca (Vicugna pacos) sperm nuclei, (ii) separate alpaca sperm nuclei into high purity (>90%) populations bearing the X‐ and Y‐chromosome and (iii) determine the DNA difference between X‐ and Y‐bearing sperm in alpacas. Semen was collected from alpacas and sperm nuclei stained with H33342, incubated and analysed using a high‐speed cell sorter (SX‐MoFlo^®). H33342 staining concentrations of 36, 54, 72 or 90 μm did not affect the proportion of correctly oriented sperm nuclei (43.3 ± 3.9, 46.4 ± 3.7, 44.5 ± 4.0 and 51.1 ± 2.5% respectively) nor the speed of sorting (1381 ± 160, 1386 ± 123, 1371 ± 133 and 1379 ± 127 sperm nuclei/s). Sort reanalysis determined high levels of purity for X‐ and Y‐enriched populations (96.6 ± 0.7% and 96.1 ± 1.1% respectively). The DNA difference, based on fluorescence intensity (determined by the SX‐MoFlo^®), was 3.8 ± 0.06%. These data demonstrate for the first time that alpaca sperm nuclei can be separated into high purity populations and the potential for applying sperm sexing technology to New World camelids.     

Mineralogy and petrography of lunar samples

The lunar samples consist largely of augite, calcic plagioclase, and ilmenite. Olivine is a minor constituent of some rocks, as is cristobalite. Other minerals present in small amounts include tridymite, chromite, kamacite, taenite, and troilite. The principal rock types can be broadly grouped into ilmenite basalts and breccias. Except for their high ilmenite content, the lunar rocks resemble the calcium-rich achondritic meteorites (eucrites and howardites) in composition and structure. Evidence of a meteoritic increment in the lunar soil is provided by the presence of nickel-iron particles in glass and breccia, and the occurrence of metal-troilite spheroids; the breccias contain occasional silicate aggregates that resemble meteoritic chondrules. The lunar fines contain 325 parts of watersoluble calcium per million.     

Eocene volcanism and the origin of horizon a

A series of closely time-equivalent deposits that correlate with seismic reflector horizon A exists along the coast of eastern North America. These sediments of Late-Early to Early-Middle Eocene age contain an authigenic mineral suite indicative of the alteration of volcanic glass. A volcanic origin for these siliceous deposits onshore is consistent with a volcanic origin for the cherts of horizon A offshore.     

Mycotic dermatitis with digital gangrene and osteomyelitis,and protozoal intestinal parasitism in Marlborough green geckos (Naultinus manukanus)

CASE HISTORY: Thirty adult Marlborough green geckos (Naultinus manukanus) were collected from Stephens Island and held over winter, prior to their translocation. Five adult geckos developed skin lesions after husbandry changes affected the humidity of their enclosures. Two geckos underwent ecdysis and recovered. One animal died and two others progressively worsened and were presented for treatment.

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: The geckos were in poor body condition and had multiple black powdery lesions and solitary raised white nodules on their skin. Both geckos died despite topical and supportive treatment. Histopathology showed the skin nodules contained branching non-septate hyphae infiltrating necrotic epidermal tissue, and associated dermal inflammation. There was necrosis of several digits and mycotic osteomyelitis. Mucor ramosissimus was cultured from skin biopsies from each animal. Large numbers of motile protozoa, resembling Trichomonas, and another unidentifiable, were recovered from fresh faecal smears, and Nyctotherus sp protozoa were present in the lumen of the intestine of one animal post mortem.

DIAGNOSIS: Mycotic dermatitis with digital gangrene and osteomyelitis due to Mucor ramosissimus, and enteric protozoal parasitism with Trichomonas sp and Nyctotherus sp.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The clinical course and pathological findings of mycotic dermatitis in two Marlborough green geckos involved in a wildlife translocation in New Zealand are reported, and also the first record of the Marlborough green gecko as a host for the enteric protozoa Trichomonas sp and Nyctotherus sp.     

Detection of Mycoplasma conjunctivae in sheep affected with conjunctivitis and infectious keratoconjunctivitis

AIM: To determine the aetiolog y of a recurring and severe form of infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) in sheep.

METHODS: Five sheep flocks that had experienced a severe form of IKC were examined. Clinical history, conjunctival swabs and blood samples were collected from affected animals. Culture for bacteria, and also specifically for Mycoplasma and Chlamydophila spp, and detection of Mycoplasma conjunctivae DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were attempted. Serum samples were tested for antibodies to M. agalactiae, M. capricolum, M. conjunctivae and Chlamydophila spp.

RESULTS: Mycoplasma conjunctivae DNA was detected using PCR in 3/5 flocks, and in all flocks antibodies to M. conjunctivae were detected in sera. A pure growth of Branhamella ovis was cultured from conjunctival swabs from a small proportion of sheep in two flocks. No other pathogens were detected.

CONCLUSIONS: This investigation demonstrated that M. conjunctivae was a primary pathogen causing severe IKC in sheep, and is the first report of detection of this organism in sheep in New Zealand. Introduction of clinically normal carrier sheep appeared to have caused the outbreaks.     

Sensitivities to DMI fungicides in populations of Podosphaera fusca in south central Spain

BACKGROUND: Cucurbit powdery mildew elicited by Podosphaera fusca (Fr.) U Braun & N Shishkoff limits crop production in Spain. Disease control is largely dependent on fungicides such as sterol demethylation inhibitors (DMIs). Fungicide resistance is an increasing problem in this pathogen. To overcome such risk, it is necessary to design rational control programmes based upon knowledge of field resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the state of DMI sensitivity of Spanish P. fusca populations and provide tools for improved disease management. RESULTS: Using a leaf‐disc assay, sensitivity to fenarimol, myclobutanil and triadimenol of 50 isolates of P. fusca was analysed to determine discriminatory concentrations between sensitive and resistant isolates. As no clearly different groups of isolates could be identified, discriminatory concentrations were established on the basis of maximum fungicide field application rate, 100 mg L^?1 for the three fungicides tested. Subsequently, a survey of DMI resistance was carried out in different provinces located in the south central area of Spain during the cucurbit growing seasons in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Examination of a collection of 250 isolates revealed that 23% were resistant to fenarimol and 7% to triadimenol, the provinces of Almería, Badajoz and Murcia being the locations with the highest frequencies of resistance. By contrast, no resistance to myclobutanil was found. CONCLUSION: Results show that fenarimol and, to a lesser extent, triadimenol have become less efficient for controlling cucurbit powdery mildew in Spain. These are important observations that should lead to reconsideration of the current disease management programmes. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry