Fresh and stored copra meal in meat quail diets

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aim of the current study was to evaluate the addition of fresh and stored copra meal to the diet of meat quails. Two hundred eighty-seven-day-old male...     

Methods of collection,extender type,and freezability of semen collected from creole bulls raised in the tropical highlands of Ecuador

This study was conducted to determine the best combination between two collection method and two extenders in the cryopreservation of semen from creole bulls adapted to highlands of the Ecuadorian Andes. Sixty ejaculates from three adult Creole bulls were evaluated after collection by artificial vagina (AV) and electroejaculation (EE). Semen samples were split into two aliquots and diluted with a soy lecithin extender (Andromed®; A) or an egg yolk-containing extender (Triladyl®; T) and packed in straws of 0.25 ml with 20 × 10⁶ sperms. Optical microscopy and computer-assisted semen analysis system (CASA) were used to evaluate semen quality characteristics. The effects of collection methods and extender type as well as its interaction were evaluated by a factorial ANOVA and Bonferroni’s test. Semen samples collected with EE and frozen with T (EE-T) and A (EE-A) had greater proportion of spermatozoa with optical assessed individual progressive motility (IPM), plasmatic membrane intact (HosT), and lower tail abnormalities than those obtained with AV and frozen with the same extenders (AV-T and AV-A); however, differences were significant only between EE-A and AV-T. CASA assessment indicated that the total mobility (TM) was greater (P < 0.05) in semen samples diluted with T, although these samples had a greater proportion (P < 0.05) of sperms with local motility (LM) and fewer immobile sperms (IS), than those extended with A. Generally, semen samples obtained with EE or AV and diluted with T seems to be the best option to ciopreserve gametes of Creole bulls raised in highlands of Ecuadorian Andes.

     

The synergistic effect of organic acids,phytochemicals and a permeabilizing complex reduces <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella</Emphasis> Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i-shedding in pigs

Salmonella Typhimurium (including S.Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i-) and other enteric pathogens cause acute infection in pigs during the weaning stage, often evolving into chronic infections responsible for the introduction of zoonotic bacteria into the slaughterhouse and thus determining carcass contamination. In addition to being zoonotic hazards, these pathogens are responsible for economic losses in affected farms. Traditionally, antibiotic treatments have been largely administered in order to reduce the infection burden but it favored, as a direct consequence, an increase in the number of multi-drug resistance strains. In order to overcome antibiotic-resistance concerns, new alternative control strategies should be developed. In this context, a blend of organic acids, phytochemicals and a permeabilizing complex, administered in feed (Group A - 459 piglets) or water (Group B – 458 piglets), was tested in field conditions for its capability of reducing Salmonella-infection in weaned piglets of an endemic farm. Data recorded were compared to results of a control group (Group C - 456 piglets). Zootechnical parameters were recorded in all animals, while microbiological, serological and PCR analyses were conducted in 15 piglets for each group. Results demonstrated that additive administered in feed improved animal weight gain (better average daily gain [A.D.G.] and increment), and rapidly reduced Salmonella-shedding in feces. Administration of additive in feed gave better results than in water.     

Food supplementation by an invasive fleshy‐fruited shrub sustains body condition of a native frugivorous bird during winter

Birds tend to adjust their behavior and physiology to changes in food availability in their environment. Seasonal fluctuation of food resources may act as an energetic challenge, augmenting hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis) activity, leading to an increase in corticosterone concentrations and promoting the metabolism of energy stores. Plant invasions may alter seasonal food fluctuations by providing a food supply during scarce seasons. This could attenuate the energetic challenge, reducing HPA axis activity and the metabolism of reserves. Using a system with seasonal fluctuation in food availability, we tested if fruit supplementation by the invasive fleshy‐fruited Pyracantha angustifolia during the season of native fruit scarcity decreases the consumption of energy stores through activity attenuation of the HPA axis. We measured changes in body condition and circulating corticosterone (CORT) concentration in Turdus chiguanco occurring at sites both invaded and not invaded by P. angustifolia over 3 time periods that correspond to the periods prior to, during and after highest fruit production of the plant. Fruit scarcity in the ecosystem appears as an energetic challenge for T. chiguanco, given that body mass, fat score and residuals of body mass/tarsus length decreased during winter in a site not invaded by the exotic shrub. Conversely, the presence of the invasive plant seemed to attenuate the metabolism of energetic reserves, as we did not record changes in body condition in birds inhabiting the invaded site. Unexpectedly, plasma CORT concentration did not vary between sites or periods. Further evaluation is required to elucidate how enhanced body condition, resulting from the consumption of a fleshy‐fruited invasive plant, affects survivorship and reproductive performance in T. chiguanco.     

Seroprevalence of spotted fever group rickettsiae in canines along the United States–Mexico border

Portions of northern Mexico are experiencing a re‐emergence of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), a tickborne disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a member of the spotted fever group of rickettsiae (SFGR). Infection with R. rickettsii can result in serious and life‐threatening illness in people and dogs. Canine seroprevalence has been used as a sentinel for human RMSF in previous studies. This study aims to quantify SFGR seroprevalence in canines in three northern Mexican states and identify risk factors associated with seropositivity. A total of 1,136 serum samples and 942 ticks were obtained from dogs participating in government sterilization campaigns and from animal control facilities in 14 Mexican cities in three states. SFGR antibodies were detected using indirect immunofluorescence antibody assays at titre values ≥1/64. Six per cent (69 dogs) showed antibodies to SFGR, with the highest seroprevalence reported in Baja California (12%), Coahuila (4%) and Sonora (4%). Dogs from Baja California had three times higher odds of having SFGR antibodies compared to dogs from Sonora (OR = 3.38, 95% CI, 1.81–6.37). Roughly one quarter (25%) of surveyed dogs were parasitized by ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato) at the time of sample collection. A portion of collected ticks were tested for rickettsial DNA using polymerase chain reaction. Positive samples were then sequenced, showing evidence of SFGR including R. massiliae, R. parkeri and R. rickettsii. Dogs that spent the majority of time on the street, such as free‐roaming or community‐owned dogs, showed a greater risk of tick infestation, seropositivity, bearing seropositive ticks, and may play a pivotal role in the spread of SFGR among communities. Estimating the seroprevalence of SFGR in the canine population can help public health campaigns target high‐risk communities for interventions to reduce human RMSF cases.     

The effects of prednisone on haemostasis in leishmaniotic dogs treated with meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol

Thirty dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum were studied in order to determine the effects of treatment on haemostatic function. The animals were divided randomly into two treatment groups: Group 1 received meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol; Group 2 dogs were given the same treatment plus prednisone. Ten healthy animals were used as untreated controls. Clinical examination and determination of platelet aggregation, coagulation factors and biochemical parameters were undertaken before treatment and after 15, 30 and 60 days. A significant improvement in platelet aggregation was detected after 60 days in Group 1, but only after 15 days in Group 2. In both treated groups, platelet aggregation was lower than in the control group at the end of the study. The results suggest that prednisone may be a useful tool in the treatment of haemostatic disorders during canine leishmaniosis. The potential benefits and risks due to the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of leishmaniosis are discussed.     

Effects of Heating Nutrient Solution on Water and Mineral Uptake and Early Yield of Two Cucurbits under Soilless Culture

Root temperature may affect the production of greenhouse vegetables under soilless culture. Four independent experiments were carried out over two consecutive crop cycles using two different substrates: rockwool and coconut coir waste. Three heating treatments were applied: non heating (T0), nutrient solution at 12–16°C (T1), and at 18–22°C (T2). The experiments were carried out in greenhouses in Almería (SE Spain) on cucumber and melon. Mean substrate and air temperature were not affected by the treatments. Under conditions of nutrient solution heating EC and percentage of drainage volume decreased, while water and mineral nutrient absorption increased. However, results showed great differences between both crops and substrates. A significant decrease in nitrate and phosphate emission from the substrates was also recorded, especially in rockwool substrate. Few effects were observed concerning yield and fruit quality parameters, but in rockwool-grown melon early yield was enhanced. It follows that nutrient solution heating is a low-cost and environmentally friendly method of increasing early melon yield.