Use of endoscopy for examination of the sacral epidural space in standing cattle

OBJECTIVE: To develop an epiduroscopic technique for use in standing cattle and describe the endoscopically visible anatomic structures of the epidural space in the sacrococcygeal area. ANIMALS: 6 healthy nonlactating, nonpregnant cows (mean +/- SD age, 60 +/- 18.5 months; mean weight, 599.7 +/- 63.87 kg) and 3 bovine cadavers. PROCEDURES: Cadavers were used to allow familiarization with the equipment and refinement of the technique. Following these experiences, procedures were performed in live animals. Each cow was restrained in a stock. After sedation with xylazine (0.03 mg/kg, IV), 2% lidocaine hydrochloride (0.25 mg/kg) was injected epidurally in the first intercoccygeal or the sacrococcygeal intervertebral space. By use of an introducer set (guidewire and dilation trocar and shaft), a flexible endoscope (length, 75 cm; diameter, 2.3 mm) was inserted through the dilation shaft into the epidural space. To obtain an optimal view, small amounts of air were insufflated into the epidural space through the working channel of the endoscope via a syringe with special filter. RESULTS: Anatomic structures of the epidural space that were viewed by means of the endoscopic procedure included blood vessels, connective tissue, fat, nerves, and the spinal dura mater. No adverse events were detected during epiduroscopy, and it was tolerated well by all 6 cows. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In ruminants, epidural structures can be viewed via endoscopy. Such epiduroscopic procedures may be useful in anatomic studies as well as for the diagnosis of disease or therapeutic interventions in ruminants.     

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.     

Simultaneous genetic evaluation of simulated mastitis susceptibility and recovery ability using a bivariate threshold sire model

The aim of this study was to develop a new approach for joint genetic evaluation of mastitis and recovery. Two mastitis incidences (0.28 and 0.95) measured via somatic cell count and three between traits genetic correlations (0.0, 0.2, and ?0.2) were simulated for daughter group sizes of 60 and 240. A transition model was applied to model transitions between healthy and disease state. The RJMC package in DMU was used to estimate (co)variances. Heritabilities were consistent with the simulated value (0.039) for susceptibility and a bit upward biased for recovery. Estimates of genetic correlations were ?0.055, 0.205, and ?0.192 for the simulated values of 0.0, 0.2, and ?0.2, respectively. For daughter group size of 60, accuracies of sire EBV ranged from 0.56 to 0.69 for mastitis and from 0.26 to 0.48 for recovery. The study demonstrated that both traits can be modeled jointly and simulated correlations could be correctly reproduced.     

Successful Cryopreservation of Domestic Cat (Felis catus) Epididymal Sperm after Slow Equilibration to 15 or 10°C

To support conservation strategies in wild species, simple but highly reproducible procedures of sperm cryopreservation are required for an application under field conditions. We used epididymal sperm of the domestic cat to optimize a sperm freezing procedure for felid species, particularly questioning the demand for sperm cooling to 4°C. We equilibrated sperm during slow cooling to only 15 or 10°C in a Tes–Tris–fructose extender with final concentrations of 4.7% (v/v) glycerol and 10% (v/v) of the water‐soluble fraction of hen's egg yolk (low‐density lipoproteins). Subsequently, sperm were frozen over liquid nitrogen. Total and progressive motility (mean ± SD) after thawing was 60.7 ± 8.6% and 53.9 ± 9.6% in samples cooled to 15°C or 61.6 ± 9.5% and 55.3 ± 9.9% in samples cooled to 10°C. Therefore, a one‐step addition of glycerol to sperm at room temperature together with the freezing extender, the use of cryovials (loaded with diluted sperm aliquots of 300 μl), an equilibration period of 40 min comprising slow cooling to 15°C at a rate of approximately ?0.14 K/min before rapid freezing over liquid nitrogen, yielded satisfying results. Cooling, freezing and thawing rates were exactly characterized as a prerequisite for further optimization and to provide a repeatable protocol to other practitioners.     

霉菌毒素检测技术最新研究进展

检测食品中霉菌毒素的一般流程为采样、研磨、提取、过滤、净化、检测和评估。本文对这一检测流程的具体步骤进行分析,认为采样是霉菌毒素检测误差的主要来源,简便方法主要基于免疫学检测系统,LC-MS/MS法越来越多地应用于多毒素的同时检测,而稳定同位素稀释法用于食品和饲料中霉菌毒素的准确定量检测。