Single Layer Centrifugation with 20% or 30% Porcicoll separates the majority of spermatozoa from a sample without adversely affecting sperm quality

Centrifugation of boar semen through one layer of 40% colloid (Porcicoll) was previously shown to separate spermatozoa from bacteria without having a detrimental effect on sperm quality. However, some spermatozoa were lost. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether 20% or 30% Porcicoll could be used to recover most of the spermatozoa without impacting on sperm quality. Insemination doses (n = 10) from a commercial boar station were sent to the laboratory at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and processed by Single Layer Centrifugation with 20% and 30% Porcicoll approximately 7 hr after semen collection. The resulting sperm samples and controls were evaluated for sperm quality immediately and again after storage at 16–18°C for 4 and 7 days. Sperm recovery was 94 ± 18% and 87 ± 15% for 20% and 30% Porcicoll, respectively (p > .05). Sperm mitochondrial membrane potential and chromatin integrity were unaffected (p > .05). The proportion of live spermatozoa producing superoxide (9 ± 8%, 7 ± 6% and 3 ± 1%; p < .05), and the proportion of spermatozoa with high stainability DNA (0.68 ± 19%, 0.61 ± 0.22% and 0.96 ± 0.23%; p < .05- <0.01), were marginally increased whereas membrane integrity, although high, was lower in the centrifuged samples than in the controls (82 ± 8%, 83 ± 5% versus 92 ± 4%; p < .05). In conclusion, centrifugation through 20% or 30% Porcicoll enables most spermatozoa to be recovered, without having a major effect on sperm quality. These results are encouraging for further studies involving microbiological investigation of the processed samples, and scaling-up to process larger volumes of boar ejaculates.     

Antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella and generic Escherichia coli isolated from surface water samples used for recreation and a source of drinking water in southwestern Ontario,Canada

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the aquatic environment represents an important means of introduction and dissemination of resistance genes, and presence of resistant pathogens in surface waters may pose a public health concern to recreational and drinking water users. The purpose of this study was to explore antimicrobial resistance patterns in water samples collected from the Grand River watershed (southwestern Ontario, Canada) to describe the composition, trends and potential risks of AMR in the aquatic environment. As part of FoodNet Canada and the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS), stream water samples were collected bi‐weekly from sampling sites within the Grand River watershed in the Waterloo, Ontario sentinel site and tested for the presence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella spp. (2005–2013) and generic Escherichia coli (2012–2013). Of all samples tested, 16% of Salmonella and 22% of E. coli isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial, including three Salmonella isolates and two E. coli isolates that were resistant to Category I antimicrobials, which are classified as very high importance for the treatment of serious bacterial infections in humans. The greatest proportion of resistant E. coli isolates were observed from the river site upstream of the drinking water intake, while the greatest proportion of resistant Salmonella isolates were from sites upstream in the watershed, and at one recreational water site. Salmonella resistance trends remained fairly stable between 2007 and 2013, with the exception of streptomycin and tetracycline which increased in 2010 and 2013. Continued surveillance of antimicrobial resistance patterns and exploration of risk factor data will allow for a better understanding of resistance transmission in the aquatic environment.     

Canine dacryolithiasis: a case description and mineral analysis

A 4‐year‐old, female, spayed, Labrador retriever was presented with a painless swelling of the left ventromedial eyelid and epiphora of 3 months duration. Bilateral patency of the nasolacrimal system was confirmed by the appearance of fluorescein dye at both nares. Ultrasonography revealed a well‐demarcated fluid‐filled structure containing echogenic ill‐defined material in close proximity to the nasolacrimal system. A transconjunctival surgical approach confirmed the close anatomical proximity of the cyst and the absence of a communication with the inferior canaliculus. The cyst contained multiple intraluminal calculi (dacryoliths). Following surgical excision of the cyst, the epiphora resolved and no recurrence was noted over a 12‐month follow‐up period. On histopathology, the cystic structure was lined by stratified squamous epithelium, consistent with lacrimal canaliculus epithelium. Presumed progression of a canalicular diverticulum to a cyst with the formation of intraluminal dacryoliths was suspected. Mineral analysis of the dacryoliths revealed a calcium carbonate composition.     

A brief note on the information-seeking behavior of UK leisure horse owners

Equine welfare charities have identified the education of (primarily novice) horse owners as the principal route to tackling the majority of equine welfare problems in the United Kingdom. To reach and educate owners effectively, we must understand where they seek advice about issues that arise when owning or caring for a horse. Questions regarding information-seeking behavior were included in an Internet survey completed by a convenience sample of 1,326 UK leisure horse owners, recruited online and through electronic and postal mail shots to equestrian clubs and establishments. The questions asked where the owners sought advice regarding 4 different subject areas: horse behavior, health, stable care, and training. Respondents were asked to select their main sources of information from a list of 7—books/magazines, vet/farrier, instructor, Internet/forums, friends/family, tack shops, and other. Although books/magazines were the most frequently used information source across all 4 subject areas overall, there were differences between the 4 subject areas in the most commonly selected sources (χ² = 992, P < 0.001) and the number of sources consulted (χ² = 254, P < 0.001). Vets/farriers were the source consulted most frequently for health advice (Z = ?13.32, P < 0.001), instructors for training advice (Z = ?3.93, P < 0.001), and books/magazines for advice regarding both behavior (Z = ?9.49, P < 0.001) and stable care (Z = ?8.26, P < 0.001). Despite the survey mode and that many participants were recruited online, Internet/forums were only the third to the fifth most used of the 7 information sources, depending on the subject area. Logistic regression analyses identified significant associations between owner demographics (age, self-rated skill level, and self-reported rider type) and the likelihood of selecting a particular source for advice regarding a specific subject area. The findings have important implications for those trying to reach the horse-owning population to disseminate research findings and ultimately improve the welfare of their horses.     

Evaluation of flax accessions for high value textile end uses

Due to recent changes in EC subsidies for flax cultivation it has been difficult to grow short fibre flax profitably in the UK. The Texflax project aimed to demonstrate that high quality flax fibre can be produced and processed on short fibre cotton spinning systems. Initially 92 flax accessions were cultivated on test sites in the UK over three growing seasons to explore the range of fibre diameter found in fibre flax. The efficacy of applying a translocating herbicide at different stages of plant maturity for optimum fine fibre production was explored. A range of factors indicated that application at the midpoint of flowering stage is favourable for the desiccation of flax and onset of retting. Fibre was caustic extracted using a laboratory method developed at De Montfort University, and fibre evaluated in terms of diameter, length, consistency and cleanliness. At the end of the project five accessions from the original 92 were chosen as producing optimal quality fibre suitable for high value textile end uses. Improved agronomy and subsequent processing enabled yarns with a 50:50 cotton:flax blend to be spun at 26 N m yarn count, the normal blend ratio for this count being 70:30. The yarn properties show an improvement when compared to standard products and finer quality fabrics have been prepared using the yarns.