New report of parasite-fauna of the free-tailed bat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tadarida brasiliensis,</Emphasis> Geoffroy, 1824) in Chile

One hundred and ninety five specimens of free tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) obtained from two regions of Chile were analized to determine parasite infection. From those specimens the endoparasites identified were: Trematoda: Acanthatrium lunatum, Limatuoides limatulus and Paralecithodendrium carlsbadensis; Cestoda: Vampirolepis sp.; Nematoda: Nochtia pilosus and Anoplostrongylus paradoxus. The ectoparasites identified were Chiroptonyssus robustipes, Ewingnana inaequalis and Notoedres lasionycteris all of them are acari species. Even thought the bat specimens are from the same species on both survey sites, the results differ for each site when the parasite species identified are compared.     

Cholangiocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Stratified Epithelial Portion of the Stomach in a Horse: A Case Report

Both cholangiocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach stratified squamous epithelial portion are rarely found in equine medicine despite being more common in human beings, dogs, and cats. The objective of the present article was to report the simultaneous occurrences of these two types of neoplasias in an 11-year-old mare. Numerous firm, whitish nodules were distributed throughout the liver parenchyma and those protruding over its surface were umbilicated in their appearance. It was verified that the nodules adhered to the peritoneum and omentum, diaphragm, spleen, and stomach serosa compressed the adjacent structures. The stomach stratified squamous epithelial portion, particularly originating in the margo plicatus toward the cardia, was covered by numerous smooth, whitish spherules. Microscopic examination allowed the liver, tumor, and the abdominal implants to be identified as a cholangiocarcinoma, and the stomach neoplasia as a carcinoma of its stratified squamous epithelial portion. Considering this as an uncommon finding, although when considered individually, the presence of a cholangiocarcinoma and a squamous cell carcinoma of the stratified squamous epithelial portion of the equine stomach in the same specimen is worthy of reporting.     

Comparison between haplotype-based and individual snp-based genomic predictions for beef fatty acid profile in Nelore cattle

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genomic predictions using the single-step genomic best linear unbiased predictor (ssGBLUP) method based on SNPs and haplotype markers associated with beef fatty acids (FAs) profile in Nelore cattle. The data set contained records from 963 Nelore bulls finished in feedlot (±90 days) and slaughtered with approximately 24 months of age. Meat samples from the Longissimus dorsi muscle were taken for FAs profile measurement. FAs were quantified by gas chromatography using a SP-2560 capillary column. Animals were genotyped with the high-density SNP panel (BovineHD BeadChip assay) containing 777,962 markers. SNPs with a minor allele frequency and a call rate lower than 0.05 and 0.90, respectively, monomorphic, located on sex chromosomes, and with unknown position were removed from the data set. After genomic quality control, a total of 469,981 SNPs and 892 samples were available for subsequent analyses. Missing genotypes were imputed and phased using the FImpute software. Haplotype blocks were defined based on linkage disequilibrium using the Haploview software. The model to estimate variance components and genetic parameters and to predict the genomic values included the random genetic additive effects, fixed effects of the contemporary group and the age at slaughter as a linear covariate. Accuracies using the haplotype-based approach ranged from 0.07 to 0.31, and those SNP-based ranged from 0.06 to 0.33. Regression coefficients ranged from 0.07 to 0.74 and from 0.08 to 1.45 using the haplotype- and SNP-based approaches, respectively. Despite the low to moderate accuracies for the genomic values, it is possible to obtain genetic progress trough selection using genomic information based either on SNPs or haplotype markers. The SNP-based approach allows less biased genomic evaluations, and it is more feasible when taking into account the computational and operational cost underlying the haplotypes inference.     

Total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and S(+)‐ketamine in rabbits

ObjectiveTo evaluate total intravenous anesthesia with propofol alone or in combination with S(+)-ketamine in rabbits undergoing surgery.Study designProspective, randomized, blinded trial.AnimalsNine 6-month-old New Zealand white rabbits, weighing 2.5–3 kg.MethodsAnimals received acepromazine (0.1 mg kg^?1) and buprenorphine (20 μg kg^?1) IM, and anesthesia was induced with propofol (2 mg kg^?1) and S(+)-ketamine (1 mg kg^?1) IV. Rabbits received two of three treatments: propofol (0.8 mg kg^?1 minute^?1) (control treatment, P), propofol (0.8 mg kg^?1 minute^?1) + S(+)-ketamine (100 μg kg^?1 minute^?1) (PK100) or propofol (0.8 mg kg^?1 minute^?1) + S(+)-ketamine (200 μg kg^?1 minute^?1) (PK200). All animals received 100% O₂ during anesthesia. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, hemoglobin oxygen saturation and respiratory rate were measured every 5 minutes for 60 minutes. Blood-gas parameters were measured at zero time and 60 minutes. Additional propofol injections, if necessary, and recovery time were recorded.ResultsAn increase in heart rate was observed in P and PK200 up to 10 minutes after induction of anesthesia. Blood pressure decreased from baseline values during the first 10 minutes in P and PK200, and during the first 15 minutes and between 45 and 55 minutes in PK100. A reduction in respiratory rate was observed after 5 minutes in all treatments. Respiratory acidosis was observed in all treatments. Six (2.8) [median (interquartile range)] further propofol injections were necessary in P, which differed statistically from PK100 [1 (0.2)] and PK200 [2 (0.6)]. Recovery time was shorter in P compared with PK100 and PK200, being [7.5 minutes (4.11)], [17.5 minutes (10.30)], and [12 minutes (10.30)], respectively.Conclusions and clinical relevanceS(+)-ketamine potentiates propofol-induced anesthesia in rabbits, providing better maintenance of heart rate. All of these techniques were accompanied by clinically significant respiratory depression.     

Anatomical and radiographic study of the scapula in juveniles and adults of Tamandua mexicana (Xenarthra: Myrmecophagidae)

Tamandua mexicana is a mammal of the superorder Xenarthra geographically located between Mexico and Peru that remains insufficiently studied. These species are characterized by their movement, resting, and eating of termites and ants in arboreal and terrestrial environments, and therefore, their thoracic limbs have been adapted morphologically to move in these environments. Tamandua mexicana is a species constantly threatened by different causes, and their thoracic limbs can be affected in the scapular and shoulder regions as a result; therefore, specific anatomical knowledge of the scapula allows for better clinical procedures, surgical approaches, radiological diagnosis and muscular reconstructions in extinct species of anteaters. The main objective of this study was to report the anatomical and radiographic features of the scapula in juvenile and adult specimens of T. mexicana. Gross dissections and radiographic study were performed in six cadavers. The scapula had large differences compared with other mammals, such as two spines, a foramen for the suprascapular nerve, a long acromion, a cranial transverse scapular ligament and caudolateral fossa for the origin of the muscles teres major, tensor fasciae antebrachii and subscapular. In juvenile specimens, a scapular cartilage, an acromial cartilage, craniomedial and caudolateral coracoscapular ligaments forming the foramen for the suprascapular nerve, and progressive ossification of those ligaments and the cranial transverse scapular ligament were observed. These findings were corroborated by radiography; therefore, these characteristics change with age. The bony reliefs of the scapula of T. mexicana corroborate the specialization of the shoulder in this species.     

Detection of linkage between genetic markers and genes that affect growth and carcass traits in pigs.

Segregation of paternal marker alleles in the progeny of a single boar was used to estimate linkage between the marker genes and associations of these genes with quantitative trait loci (QTL). The sire was heterozygous at four polymorphic marker loci, haptoglobin (HP), glucosephosphate isomerase (GPI), phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD), and esterase D (ESD), and sired 30 litters during an 8-mo period. Glucosephosphate isomerase and PGD were linked (theta = .09; P less than .005). The phase of these two loci in the sire was determined to be GPI A-PGD B, GPI B - PGD A. NO other linkages were detected. Growth (135 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 172) and carcass data (70 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 80) were analyzed assuming a fixed linear model. Least squares means were compared for differences in growth and carcass traits between pigs that inherited alternative paternal marker alleles. Pigs that inherited the GPI A allele from the sire had a 22-g higher daily live weight gain postweaning and reached 103 kg live weight in 2.6 fewer days than did pigs that inherited the GPI B allele (P less than .05), indicative of the presence of gene(s) that affect rate of gain linked to the GPI locus. Pigs that inherited the PGD B allele had a .14 unit higher score for muscle firmness (score ranged from 1 to 3 units) than pigs that inherited the PGD A allele (P less than .05). Pigs that inherited the HP 3 allele had a .06-kg higher weaning weight and a .11 lower ham muscle mass score than did pigs that inherited the HP 2 allele from the sire (P less than .05). No associations with quantitative traits were detected for ESD.     

Presence of multiple corpora lutea affects the luteolytic response to prostaglandin F2α in lactating dairy cows

Since the 1970s, luteolytic doses used for synchronizing estrus in dairy cattle have remained unchanged. This study aimed to evaluate the dose-response effect of prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α), which is used for synchronizing estrus, and subsequent fertility in cows with two or more corpora lutea (CL). The study population consisted of 1,683 cows with a single CL (1CL), 501 cows with multiple CL receiving a single dose of PGF_2α (2CL1), and 252 cows with multiple CL receiving a 1.5 × PGF_2α dose (2CL1.5). Cows with a single CL (n = 1,245) showed estrus significantly (P < 0.01) earlier (3.01 ± 1.23 days; mean ± SD) than cows with multiple CL (n = 287; 3.33 ± 1.69 days). Using 1CL cows as reference, the odds ratio (OR) for the estrus response in 2CL1 cows was 0.13 (P < 0.0001), whereas the ORs for estrus response and pregnancy of 2CL1.5 cows were 1.8 (P = 0.0001) and 1.7 (P = 0.001), respectively. Based on the results for only the 2CL1 cows, the OR for the estrus response was 0.7 (P = 0.01) for cows producing ≥ 45 kg of milk at treatment, compared to the remaining cows producing < 45 kg of milk. Our results showed that the presence of multiple CL reduced the estrus response to that induced by a single PGF_2α dose and milk production was inversely associated with this response, whereas an increased PGF_2α dose improved the estrus response. Therefore, an increase in the standard PGF_2α dose is recommended.     

First molecular characterization of Babesia vogeli in two naturally infected dogs of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Large piroplasms (>2.5microm) were detected by direct microscopical investigation in 34 out of 16,767 (0.20%) canine blood smears in the Southern region of Greater Buenos Aires. Genomic DNA was extracted from two parasitemic dogs and the hypervariable 18S RNA gene region of the pathogen was specifically amplified, sequenced, and aligned with corresponding gene sequences available in the GenBank. Phylogenetic trees were constructed and compared. 18S RNA gene sequences reliably segregated in three clearly distinguishable clades representing Babesia canis, Babesia vogeli and Babesia rossi isolates, respectively. The 18S RNA gene sequences of both Babesia isolates from Argentina affiliated to the B. vogeli branch. This finding represents the first molecular evidence of the existence of B. vogeli in Argentina.