Use of ACP‐104 at Different Dilutions for Sperm Cryopreservation of Dourado,Salminus brasiliensis

The dourado, Salminus brasiliensis, is an important fish in South American river basins. The fish‐farming potential and concerns for its conservation in watersheds has stimulated studies with this species. This study compared the effect of different dilutions of two cryoprotectant solutions on the quality of cryopreserved dourado sperm (duration of motility/motility rate) post‐thawing using three different activating solutions. The cryoprotectant solution ACP‐104 was compared with the cryoprotectant solution most commonly used for dourado, which consists of a mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide, glucose, egg yolk, and distilled water. The semen was mixed following dilutions of semen : cryoprotectant solution: 1:3, 1:9, 1:15, 1:21, and 1:27. The cryopreserved samples were activated using distilled water, 0.45% NaCl or 1% NaHCO₃. The results showed differences in thawed semen using the different activating solutions and cryoprotectant solutions. The glucose‐based cryoprotectant not only resulted in sperm motility equal to or better than that produced by ACP‐104, but the quality was not affected by the dilution. However, the sperm quality improved with increasing dilutions for ACP‐104. Under the conditions tested, the standard cryoprotectant solution is recommended for the cryopreservation of dourado semen because it requires a lower solution volume and, therefore, reduced storage space for the same volume of semen.     

Chronological age and reservoir characteristics as predictors of trait composition in Neotropical reservoir fish assemblages

One of the main impacts on aquatic environments is the alteration of flow regime, usually caused by dam construction. This impact changes the dynamics and functioning of the environment. We aimed to evaluate changes in the composition of functional traits of fish assemblages from 29 reservoirs of different chronological ages. We assessed if there were any alterations in trophic state of these reservoirs according to their ages (chronological variable). Then, we evaluated the relationship between functional traits and environmental/chronological variables. Results showed that reservoir age is a predictor of fish assemblage functional traits composition. In older reservoirs, there was a predominance of omnivorous species, with multiple spawning and parental care. However, herbivorous species, with total spawning and medium size, had their abundance reduced. Also, it was possible to identify the influence of depth and water retention time on the composition of functional traits. By showing that although age has an influence on composition, the intrinsic characteristics of each reservoir are very important in evaluating the impacts of these projects. Therefore, the findings presented provide insights into what may happen to functional traits of fish assemblages with ageing of reservoirs.     

Prevalence and risk factors for anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in goats of the Seridó Oriental microregion, Rio Grande do Norte state, Northeast region of Brazil

The prevalence and risk factors for anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were investigated in goats of the Seridó Oriental microregion, Rio Grande do Norte state, Northeast region of Brazil. Three hundred and sixty-six blood samples from goats collected by jugular venopuncture were used. For the serologic diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection, the indirect fluorescent-antibody test (IFAT) with cut-off value 1:64 was carried out. The prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was 30.6% [95% CI=25.9-35.6%] with titers ranging from 1:64 to 1:16,384. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors associated to anti-T. gondii antibodies were presence of cats in the herd, extensive/semi-intensive management systems and lack of mineral supplementation.     

Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of type 1 dermoid sinus in two Rhodesian ridgeback dogs

Two cases of type 1 dermoid sinus in Rhodesian ridgebacks are described, with emphasis on the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis and delineation of the lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging was useful in identifying fluid-filled structures, fibrous capsules, and sinus tracts, but was not able to identify the termination of the tracts.     

Assessment of brachial plexus blockade in chickens by an axillary approach

ObjectiveTo assess the brachial plexus block in chickens by an axillary approach and using a peripheral nerve stimulator.Study designProspective, randomized, double-blinded study.AnimalsSix, 84-week old, female chickens.MethodsMidazolam (1 mg kg⁻¹) and butorphanol (1 mg kg⁻¹) were administered into the pectoralis muscle. Fifteen minutes later, the birds were positioned in lateral recumbency and following palpation of the anatomic landmarks, a catheter was inserted using an axillary approach to the brachial plexus. Lidocaine or bupivacaine (1 mL kg⁻¹) was injected after plexus localization by the nerve stimulator. Sensory function was tested before and after blockade (carpus, radius/ulna, humerus and pectoralis muscle) in the blocked and unblocked wings. The latency to onset of motor and sensory block and the duration of sensory block were recorded. A Friedman nonparametric one-way repeated-measures anova was used to compare scores from baseline values over time and to compare the differences between wings at each time point.ResultsA total of 18 blocks were performed with a success rate of 66.6% (12/18). The latency for motor block was 2.8 ± 1.1 and 3.2 ± 0.4 minutes for lidocaine and bupivacaine, respectively. The latencies for and durations of the sensory block were 6.0 ± 2.5 and 64.0 ± 18.0 and 7.8 ± 5.8 and 91.6 ± 61.7 minutes for lidocaine and bupivacaine, respectively. There was no statistical difference between these times for lidocaine or bupivacaine. Sensory function was not abolished in nonblocked wings.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe brachial plexus block was an easy technique to perform but had a high failure rate. It might be useful for providing anesthesia or postoperative analgesia of the wing in chickens and exotic avian species that have similar wing anatomy.     

Characterization of the extracellular matrix in the chorioallantoic membrane of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in early gestation

Placenta is formed by a parenchyma rich in extracellular matrix (ECM), and this structure guarantees the proper development of the embryo and placental functioning. Recently, studies have focused on the characterization of ECM in the placenta and foetal membranes of different species. This work aimed to analyse the composition of the ECM and to quantify the types of collagens in its composition. For this, 33 chorioallantoic membranes were used at different gestational ages, which were grouped into five groups. Subsequently, haematoxylin–eosin staining, Masson trichrome and picrosirius were performed for histological analysis. Through the technique of polarized light, it was possible to quantify the total collagen present in the membranes and finally the immunohistochemical technique was performed to verify the presence of collagens and glycoproteins. It was possible to verify that the chorioallantoic membranes have, in all the gestational periods of the initial third of gestation, the same histological structures, being the most significant difference the membrane thickening that occurs gradually during the gestation. However, we notice the appearance of binucleate cells only from group II. In addition, it was verified that a gradual increase of collagen occurs until the group IV, yet from the group V begins to occur a decrease of this protein. In addition, collagen I, collagen III, fibronectin and laminin were present in all membranes. With this, we concluded that the buffalo chorioallantoic membrane presents ECM in constant remodelling at the beginning of gestation and can be used as biomaterial in works on regenerative biology.     

Nitric oxide impacts bovine sperm capacitation in a cGMP‐dependent and cGMP‐independent manner

We aimed to elucidate whether NO acts in in vitro sperm capacitation in bovine via cGMP/PKG1 pathway. For this, cryopreserved bovine sperm were capacitated in vitro with 20 µg/ml heparin (Control) plus treatments: 1 mM L‐arginine (L‐arg, NO precursor), 50 µM Rp‐8‐Bromo‐β‐phenyl‐1,N²‐ethenoguanosine‐3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphorothioate (Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS, selective inhibitor of the binding site for cGMP in PKG1), 1 mM 2‐Phenyl‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl 3‐oxide (PTIO, NO scavenger), and the combinations of L‐arg + RP‐8‐Br‐cGMPS and L‐arg + PTIO. Sperm motility and vigour were determined by phase‐contrast microscopy, capacitation status by chlortetracycline staining, and the intracellular concentration of cGMP was measured by ELISA. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means compared with SNK test at 5% probability. Motility and vigour were lower in sperm treated with PTIO when compared to Control and other treatments (p < .05). The L‐arg treatment showed the highest percentage of capacitated sperm when compared to the Control and other treatments (Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS, L‐arg + Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS and PTIO) (69.8 ± 3.4%, 51.2 ± 3.0, 51.1 ± 2.1, 51.2 ± 3.0 and 45.5 ± 2.7, respectively) (p < .05). The capacitation ratio (%) was lower in treatments with Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS, L‐arg + Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS and PTIO, respectively (p < .05). Lastly, cGMP concentration (pmol/ml) was lower in PTIO and L‐arg + PTIO (1.3 ± 0.3 and 1.6 ± 0.4) and was higher in Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS and L‐arg + Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS (3.7 ± 0.4 and 4.0 ± 0.5) treatments. We showed that during in vitro capacitation of cattle: (a) NO influences sperm motility and vigour; (b) NO is associated with cGMP synthesis through two independent pathways and (c) the cGMP/PKG1 pathway has a partial role in sperm capacitation and does not involve the L‐arg/NO.     

Azotemia in cats with feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Prevalence and relationships with echocardiographic variables

ObjectivesThe prevalence of renal azotemia in cats with acquired heart disease is not well documented. The aims of this study were therefore (1) to determine the prevalence of azotemia within a hospital population of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and (2) to evaluate the relationship between echocardiographic variables and plasma urea and creatinine.Animals, materials and methods134 client-owned cats were retrospectively studied including 102 cats with HCM and 32 control cats. A complete physical examination, electrocardiography, systolic arterial blood pressure measurement, thoracic radiographs, and echocardiography were performed. Plasma creatinine and urea were determined in all cats. The animal was considered azotemic if plasma creatinine was >1.8 mg/dL and/or urea >65 mg/dL (i.e. BUN> 30 mg/dL).ResultsThe prevalence of azotemia was lower in control cats (25.0%) than in cats with HCM (58.8%) (P = 0.003). No significant differences in plasma urea and creatinine were observed between the HCM and control cats. There was no effect of plasma creatinine and urea on conventional echocardiographic variables in cats with HCM.ConclusionsAzotemia is a frequent finding in cats with HCM but is not dependent on echocardiographic variables.