An Ibero-American inter-laboratory trial to evaluate serological tests for the detection of anti-<Emphasis Type="Italic">Neospora caninum</Emphasis> antibodies in cattle

We carried out an inter-laboratory trial to compare the serological tests commonly used for the detection of specific Neospora caninum antibodies in cattle in Ibero-American countries. A total of eight laboratories participated from the following countries: Argentina (n = 4), Brazil (n = 1), Peru (n = 1), Mexico (n = 1), and Spain (n = 1). A blind panel of well-characterized cattle sera (n = 143) and sera representative of the target population (n = 351) was tested by seven in-house indirect fluorescent antibody tests (IFATs 1–7) and three enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs 1–3; two in-house and one commercial). Diagnostic performance of the serological tests was calculated and compared according to the following criteria: (1) the “Pre-test information,” which uses previous epidemiological and serological data; (2) the “Majority of tests,” which classifies a serum as positive or negative according to the results obtained by most tests evaluated. Unexpectedly, six tests showed either sensitivity (Se) or specificity (Sp) values lower than 90%. In contrast, the best tests in terms of Se, Sp, and area under the ROC curve (AUC) values were IFAT 1 and optimized ELISA 1 and ELISA 2. We evaluated a high number of IFATs, which are the most widely used tests in Ibero-America. The significant discordances observed among the tests regardless of the criteria employed hinder control programs and urge the use of a common test or with similar performances to either the optimized IFAT 1 and ELISAs 1 and 2.     

Supplementation of pig diets in the growth and termination phases with different calcium sources

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of pig diets in the growth and termination phases with different calcium sources. In experiment I, 36 whole males were distributed in randomized blocks in six groups, with six replications. A basal diet was formulated to meet the animals’ nutritional requirements except for calcium (0.09%), and the sources evaluated (calcitic limestone, monodicalcium phosphate, calcinated bone flour, and oyster flour) replaced the basal diet to provide 0.59% of total calcium. To determine the endogenous calcium, a diet containing low calcium (0.019%) was given simultaneously to another group of animals. Feces and urine were collected for determination the coefficients of apparent and true digestibility. In experiment II, 160 piglets were distributed in randomized blocks in four treatments, with five replications and four animals per experimental unit. Carcass and performance parameters, calcium concentration in bone and serum, and bone parameters were evaluated. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and factorial. The calcium source did not influence the digestibility coefficients determined by total collection (P > 0.05). The digestibility of Ca from oyster flour estimated by collection with an indicator was higher than that from the other sources (P < 0.05). Calcium sources did not interfere in the evaluated parameters (P > 0.05). The sources studied in this work can be used to supplement growing pigs’ diets.     

Morphofunctional diversity of equine of varied genetic compositions raised in the Pantanal biome of Brazil

Evaluating phenotypic diversity makes it possible to identify discrepancies in aptitudes among animals of different genetic bases, which is an indicator of adaptive or selective differences between populations. The objective of this work was to evaluate the morphofunctional diversity of 452 male and female adult equines (Arabian, Quarter Mile, Pantaneiro, and Criollo breeds, and undefined crossbreeds of horses and mules) raised in the Pantanal biome (Brazil). Linear measurements were performed to estimate conformation indexes. Initially, a discriminant analysis was performed, regardless of the animal’s size, followed by factor analysis. The factors were characterized and used as new variables. The diversity among equines and their relationship with the factors were evaluated using multivariate analysis. The factors were classified according to their decreasing importance: balance, rusticity, and robustness for the measurement factors; and load, ability, conformation, and equilibrium for the index factors. The genetic groups of equines have well-defined morphofunctional characteristics. The main differences are based on the rusticity and ability typologies in relation to those based on performance. Equines introduced to the Pantanal biome presented a more robust and compact body with good conformation. As a result, these horses may have superior athletic performance during equestrian activities when compared to the Pantaneiro local breed. However, this biotype may represent less rusticity (less adaptive capacity). Therefore, the regional breed can be equal or better in equestrian activities than breeds introduced to the Pantanal biome. Thus, breeders may cross horses from local breeds as an alternative to those introduced. Undefined crossbred male equines presented a different profile from the Pantaneiro breed, which may indicate little use of crossbreeds in breeding.     

Nitrogen utilisation efficiency in small-scale dairy systems in the highlands of Central Mexico

Nitrogen (N) plays an important role in small-scale dairy systems, both in production costs and as an indicator of environmental impact. The objective of this study was to quantify nitrogen inputs and outputs to identify areas for improvement in nitrogen utilisation efficiency (NUE). Evaluation was in 12 small-scale dairy farms with different feeding strategies. Six followed the traditional cut and carry of irrigated temperate pastures (CUT), and six have implemented grazing of pastures (GRZ), quantifying N inputs and outputs from May 2016 to April 2017. Data were analysed by ANOVA following a split-plot model with season (rainy or dry) as main plots and feeding strategy (CUT or GRZ) as split-plots, with results in kilograms N per hectare and kilograms N per cow. There were differences (P < 0.05) between seasons and strategies in N inputs from purchased N fertilisers and purchased feeds as concentrates and roughages, showing different N inputs and outputs whether in CUT or GRZ strategies. There were also significant interactions between seasons and strategies as in the sale of animals, where GRZ sell throughout the year, while CUT sell at the beginning of the dry season. N balance ranged from 33.9 to 183.0 kg N/ha, and 37.8 to 111.0 as kilograms N per cow with an interaction (P < 0.05) between season and strategies. There was a larger N surplus in GRZ during the rainy season from fertiliser inputs, which reduced N utilisation efficiency (NUE). Mean NUE in kilograms N per hectare and kilograms N per cow was 19%, with the higher efficiency for GRZ in the dry season. Farms with the best NUE had lower use of fertilisers and purchased feeds.

     

Xenotransplantation of goat ovary as an alternative to analyse follicles after vitrification

The aim of this study was to evaluate the caprine preantral follicles enclosed on vitrified/warmed ovarian cortex grafted to nude BALB/mice during 1 month. The ovarian cortex from goats was fragmented (3 × 3 × 0.5 mm) and divided into four groups: fresh control, vitrified control, fresh transplant and vitrified transplant. Follicular morphology, development and density, fibrosis as well as apoptosis, and tissue revascularization were evaluated. It was also observed a significant decrease in morphologically normal preantral (primordial, transition, primary and secondary) follicles in both vitrified control and vitrified transplant treatments when compared with both fresh control and fresh transplant. However, fresh control and fresh transplant exhibited a similar percentage of developing follicles. Additionally, Vitrified control showed a significant increase in developing follicles in comparison with both fresh control and fresh transplant. Follicular density significantly decreased in all treatments in comparison with fresh control. We observed high fibrosis in both fresh transplant and vitrified transplant. The mRNA expression of caspase 3 was lower in both fresh transplant and vitrified transplant in comparison with vitrified control. In conclusion, xenotransplantation is an excellent strategy to maintain normal preantral follicle morphology after vitrification/warming of goat ovarian tissue. Yet, in order to ensure the survival and development of these follicles, it is essential to improve the revascularization of the graft.     

The International Society for Plastination

The International Society for Plastination (ISP) was conceived as a means of defining plastination as an area of professional activity and serving as an agency for disseminating information relative to the art and science of plastination. In this paper, we present the purpose of ISP, the Journal of Plastination, the Plastination Index and the different international meetings organised by ISP.     

Male and female cats have different regional body compositions and energy requirements for weight loss and weight maintenance

Body composition and energy requirements are different between males and females in several species, and both interfere with weight loss. The aim of this study was to compare the total and regional body composition and energy requirements in obese male (n = 8) and female (n = 8) cats, during weight loss and weight maintenance over 17 subsequent weeks after regimen. The total and regional (thoracic and pelvic limbs, and trunk) body composition was assessed by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). Females exhibited a higher fat mass (FM) than males (p < 0.05), and the trunk was the site with greater fat accumulation regardless of gender. A 23.0 ± 2.8% reduction in body weight was followed by a 50.3 ± 9.4% and a 37.0 ± 8.9% reduction in fat in the trunk region in males and females respectively. Lean mass (LM) mobilization was also increased in the trunk (p < 0.05), and the loss of LM was associated with a reduction in bone mass. The energy intake to achieve the same rate of weight loss was 12.9 ± 3.4% higher in males (p < 0.05). The cats exhibited a gradual increase in energy requirements to maintain their body weight after weight loss (p < 0.05). It was concluded that obese cats mainly accumulate fat in the trunk. The reduction in lean mass after the regimen also occurred in the trunk, with no modifications in the skeletal muscle mass of the limbs. Neutered male cats have higher energy requirements than neutered females, and gender should be considered during obesity management in cats.     

Impact of land-use change on biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Chilean temperate forests

Context

Land-use change impacts biodiversity and ecosystem services, which are intrinsically related. There is a serious lack of knowledge concerning on how land-use change affects this relationship at landscape level, where the greatest impacts have been reported. A proper knowledge of that relationship would provide crucial information for planning conservation strategies. The forest landscape of southern Chile, which includes Valdivian Temperate Forest, has been designated as a hotspot for biodiversity conservation. However, this landscape has been transformed by land-use change.

Objective

We evaluated the impact of land-use change on the spatial patterns of the diversity of native forest habitat and the influence of these impacts on the provision of the ecosystem services water supply, erosion control, and organic matter accumulation from 1986 to 2011.

Methods

The evaluation, at the landscape level, was carried out using satellite images, landscape metrics, spatially explicit models and generalized linear models. Results: We found that the area loss of native forest habitat was 12%, the number patches of native forest habitat increased more than 150% and the Shannon diversity index decreased by 0.20. The largest decrease in the provision of services was recorded for erosion control (346%), and the smallest for water supply (11%).

Conclusions

The loss of provision of the ecosystem services can be explained by the interaction between the area loss, increase in the number patches and diversity loss. We recommend that the conservation planning strategies should consider the current landscape configuration, complemented with land-use planning.

     

Total cysto-prostatectomy: Technique description and results in 2 dogs

We describe a novel technique for total cysto-prostatectomy, followed by uretero-urethral anastomosis in 2 dogs. The technique was successful and was performed without pubic osteotomy. Post-operative urinary tract infections may be a potentially serious event.