Computer tomographic imaging in 4 dogs with primary nasal canine transmissible venereal tumor and differing cellular phenotype

Primary nasal canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) without genital affection is uncommon. The aim of this report was to describe the primary nasal CTVT findings and CT staging in 4 dogs with different cytological phenotypes. Three male dogs and 1 bitch were evaluated for their chronic histories of sneezing, snoring, mucopurulent nasal discharge and nasal deformation. Cytological examination of nasal secretions suggested CTVT, confirmed by histopathological examination and LINE‐1/c‐myc. Males had the plasmacytoid phenotype of CTVT, and the bitch had the lymphocytoid phenotype. CTVT were staged based on the CT findings using modified Adams staging system. The bitch was classified as stage 1, 2 males were classified as stage 3 and 1 male as stage 4. All dogs had a complete tumoral remission after chemotherapy. Plasmacytoid phenotype was identified in cases with most important damage of the nasal cavity. However, the cytological type did not affect the response to chemotherapy.     

Expected consequences of including methane footprint into the breeding goals in beef cattle. A Spanish Blonde d'Aquitaine population as a case of study

This study evaluates two potential scenarios for including methane (CH₄) emissions in the breeding objectives of beef cattle, using the Spanish population of Blonde d′Aquitaine as a case of study. First, CH₄ emissions were included as a cost using a shadow carbon price of 1.22€/CH₄ kg (0.044€/CO₂ kg) (carbon tax scenario). In the other scenario, a CH₄ quota was applied, optimizing emissions per unit of product. The current production system was used as benchmark scenario (Scenario 1). The economic value of CH₄ was calculated under all scenarios using a bioeconomic model that translated the production system into a mathematical function. Then, CH₄ emissions were included with proper relative weight in the selection index under each scenario. The economic value of CH₄ production from cows was ?0.54€/year and ?0.16€/year in a carbon tax and in a CH₄ quota scenario, respectively. Economic values for CH₄ production from fattening calves were ?1.22€/year and ?0.34€/year in a carbon tax and a quota scenario, respectively. The relative weights of total CH₄ traits in the indices were 4.9% and 1.8% in a carbon tax and quota scenario. The carbon tax scenario led to smaller cows (?7.59 kg of mature weight) and a decrease in carcass weight gain of calves (?4.78 g/day) involving a reduction in emissions in comparison with Scenario 1 (?0.76 CH₄ kg/slaughtered calf/year). However, it also led to a lower expected gain in profit per unit of product (?7.86 €/slaughtered calf/year). A carbon quota scenario would select slightly smaller cows (?0.48 kg) with similar responses in maternal abilities (age at first calving, calving interval, maternal weaning weight, and calving ease) and growth, and lower emissions (?0.22 CH₄ kg/slaughtered calf/year) regarding the benchmark scenario. Profit per cow would increase by +1.52€/slaughtered calf/year although this scenario implies a reduction in the number of cows per herd. In a carbon tax scenario, higher reduction in emissions implied a reduction of profitability per animal.     

Gut microbes limit growth in house sparrow nestlings (Passer domesticus) but not through limitations in digestive capacity

Recent research often lauds the services and beneficial effects of host‐associated microbes on animals. However, hosting these microbes may come at a cost. For example, germ‐free and antibiotic‐treated birds generally grow faster than their conventional counterparts. In the wild, juvenile body size is correlated with survival, so hosting a microbiota may incur a fitness cost. Avian altricial nestlings represent an interesting study system in which to investigate these interactions, given that they exhibit the fastest growth rates among vertebrates, and growth is limited by their digestive capacity. We investigated whether reduction and restructuring of the microbiota by antibiotic treatment would: (i) increase growth and food conversion efficiency in nestling house sparrows (Passer domesticus); (ii) alter aspects of gut anatomy or function (particularly activities of digestive carbohydrases and their regulation in response to dietary change); and (iii) whether there were correlations between relative abundances of microbial taxa, digestive function and nestling growth. Antibiotic treatment significantly increased growth and food conversion efficiency in nestlings. Antibiotics did not alter aspects of gut anatomy that we considered but depressed intestinal maltase activity. There were no significant correlations between abundances of microbial taxa and aspects of host physiology. Overall, we conclude that microbial‐induced growth limitation in developing birds is not driven by interactions with digestive capacity. Rather, decreased energetic and material costs of immune function or beneficial effects from microbes enriched under antibiotic treatment may underlie these effects. Understanding the costs and tradeoffs of hosting gut microbial communities represents an avenue of future research.     

Embryonic development in corkwing wrasse,Symphodus melops

Corkwing wrasse, Symphodus melops, is one of the main species used as cleaner fish to combat sea lice infestation in salmon aquaculture; however, there is little knowledge about its biology. Here, we describe the embryonic development of this species and examine the viability of the eggs under three temperature regimes. The experiments were conducted at three water temperature regimes, 12, 15, and 18°C, which resemble common sea water temperatures registered during the spawning season of corkwing wrasse at different latitudes along the Norwegian coast. Corkwing wrasse spawn small spherical eggs of 0.75–0.80 mm in diameter (mean 0.78, CV = 3.6%) with several oil droplets and go through eight developmental stages until hatching. The shortest hatching time was registered after 144 hr at 18°C and after 222 and 372 hr at 15 and 12°C, respectively. These observations provide important baseline biological information to advance the establishment of commercial rearing techniques and sustainable fishing management practices for this heavily exploited species.     

Correction to: The development of the Norwegian wrasse fishery and the use of wrasses as cleaner fish in the salmon aquaculture industry

Fisheries Science - A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-021-01502-z     

Changes in Eucalyptus globulus Labill. saplings growth and physiological parameters following fire-induced stem and crown damage in a plantation in north-western Spain

Stems and crowns of young Eucalyptus globulus Labill. saplings were experimentally damaged by fire to assess the short-term effects on tree growth and selected physiological parameters (stem sap flow density, electrical resistance of stem cambium and leaf stomatal conductance). Four different treatments were considered: partial stem damage (42 % of the stem circumference girdled by the direct application of heat in the cambium zone), crown foliage damage (56 % of crown volume scorched by heating the foliage with a torch), combined stem and crown damage, and no damage (control). Saplings displayed high sensitivity to crown scorching, in terms of basal area growth. The relative growth of the basal area of crown-damaged and stem + crown-damaged trees was, respectively, 3.1 and 6.2 times lower than that of undamaged trees for the 4 months following treatment. In contrast, stem injury alone did not have any negative effect on stem growth. The results suggest that tree growth is scarcely affected by low intensity surface fire and prescribed burning that do not affect the crown. Sap flow density, cambial electrical resistance and leaf stomatal conductance were useful indicators of the loss of physiological activity caused by fire. Although in the case of partial crown damage these parameters reflected a slight compensatory effect, the response was not sufficient to balance the loss of photosynthetic area. The study only focused on the initial effects of fire-related damage, and further research is clearly needed to determine the long-term effects of such damage.     

Cortisol secretion after adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) and Dexamethasone tests in healthy female and male dogs

Background

For the conclusive diagnosis of Cushing''s Syndrome, a stimulating ACTH test or a low suppressive Dexamethasone test is used. Reports in other species than the dog indicate that plasma cortisol concentration after ACTH administration is affected by gender. We investigated the effect of gender on the cortisol response to ACTH and Dexamethasone tests in dogs.

Methods

Seven healthy adult Cocker Spaniels (4 females and 3 males) were assigned to a two by two factorial design: 4 dogs (2 females and 2 males) received IV Dexamethasone 0.01 mg/kg, while the other 3 dogs received an IV saline solution (control group). Two weeks later the treatments were reversed. After one month, ACTH was given IV (250 μg/animal) to 4 dogs (2 female and 2 males) while the rest was treated with saline solution (control group). Cortisol concentrations were determined by a direct solid-phase radioimmunoassay and cholesterol and triglycerides by commercial kits.

Results and Discussion

No effect of treatment was observed in metabolite concentrations, but females presented higher cholesterol concentrations. ACTH-treated dogs showed an increase in cortisol levels in the first hour after sampling until 3 hours post injection. Cortisol concentrations in Dexamethasone-treated dogs decreased one hour post injection and remained low for 3 hours, thereafter cortisol concentrations increased. The increase in cortisol levels from one to two hours post ACTH injection was significantly higher in females than males. In Dexamethasone-treated males cortisol levels decreased one hour post injection up to 3 hours; in females the decrease was more pronounced and prolonged, up to 5 hours post injection.

Conclusion

We have demonstrated that cortisol response to ACTH and Dexamethasone treatment in dogs differs according to sex.     

Effects of alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonists on urine production in horses deprived of food and water

OBJECTIVE: To quantitate the dose- and time-related effects of IV administration of xylazine and detomidine on urine characteristics in horses deprived of feed and water. ANIMALS: 6 horses. PROCEDURE: Feed and water were withheld for 24 hours followed by i.v. administration of saline (0.9% NaCI) solution, xylazine (0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg), or detomidine (0.03 mg/kg). Horses were treated 4 times, each time with a different protocol. Following treatment, urine and blood samples were obtained at 15, 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes. Blood samples were analyzed for PCV and serum concentrations of total plasma solids, sodium, and potassium. Urine samples were analyzed for pH and concentrations of glucose, proteins, sodium, and potassium. RESULTS: Baseline (before treatment) urine flow was 0.30 +/- 0.03 mL/kg/h and did not significantly change after treatment with saline solution and low-dose xylazine but transiently increased by 1 hour after treatment with high-dose xylazine or detomidine. Total urine output at 2 hours following treatment was 312 +/- 101 mL versus 4,845 +/- 272 mL for saline solution and detomidine, respectively. Absolute values of urine concentrations of sodium and potassium also variably increased following xylazine and detomidine administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Xylazine and detomidine administration in horses deprived of feed and water causes transient increases in urine volume and loss of sodium and potassium. Increase in urine flow is directly related to dose and type of alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist. Dehydration in horses may be exacerbated by concurrent administration of alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonists.     

Monitoring glyphosate residues in transgenic glyphosate-resistant soybean

The availability of Roundup Ready (RR) varieties of soybean has increased the use of glyphosate for weed control in Argentina. Glyphosate [(N-phosphonomethyl)glycine] is employed for the eradication of previous crop vegetation and for weed control during the soybean growing cycle. Its action is effective, and low environmental impact has been reported so far. No residues have been observed in soil or water, either of glyphosate or its metabolite, AMPA (aminomethylphosphonic acid). The objective of this work was to monitor glyphosate and AMPA residues in soybean plants and grains in field crops in Santa Fe Province, Argentina. Five sites were monitored in 1997, 1998 and 1999. Individual soybean plants were sampled from emergence to harvest, dried and ground. Analysis consisted in residue extraction with organic solvents and buffers, agitation, centrifugation, clean-up and HPLC with UV detection. In soybean leaves and stems, glyphosate residues ranged from 1.9 to 4.4 mg kg(-1) and from 0.1 to 1.8 mg kg(-1) in grains. Higher concentrations were detected when glyphosate was sprayed several times during the crop cycle, and when treatments approached the flowering stage. AMPA residues were also detected in leaves and in grains, indicating metabolism of the herbicide.