Sanitary Procedures for the Production of Extended Semen

Semen is collected and processed from a variety of animal species for use in artificial insemination breeding programmes. Because of the inherent nature of the semen collection process, bacterial contamination of the ejaculate is a common occurrence. Additionally, manipulation of the ejaculate during processing in the laboratory can expose the sample to possible introduction of bacterial contamination. If preventative measures at the stud fail to adequately control these risks, decreases in semen quality, dose longevity and fertility may occur. Multiple mammalian and non-mammalian sources have been identified as origins of contamination in the stud. Knowledge of these sources has aided the industries in developing strategies that help in controlling the introduction of contaminant bacteria in extended semen. A primary step in minimizing contamination is in the practice of good hygiene by stud personnel. Prudent general sanitation protocols should also be followed in the laboratory, animal housing and semen collection areas. Cleanliness and attention to the actual semen collection process can also aid in reducing bacterial load originating from the stud semen donor. Attentiveness to all of these steps significantly contributes to an overall reduction in the type and amount of bacterial contamination. However, their complete elimination stills remains unavoidable. To address residual bacteria load in the sample, antimicrobials are commonly used in semen extenders intended to promote in vitro sperm longevity beyond that of a few hours. Current research by the animal industries continues in the selection and prudent use of antimicrobials that will lead to the success and sustainability of this modality in controlling bacterial contamination.     

Impact of weather variables and season on sporulation of Phytophthora pluvialis and Phytophthora kernoviae

Phytophthora pluvialis and Phytophthora kernoviae are the causal agents of important needle diseases on Pinus radiata in New Zealand. Little is known about the epidemiology of the diseases, making the development of control strategies challenging. To investigate the seasonality and climatic drivers of sporulation, inoculum traps, consisting of pine fascicles floating on water in plastic containers, were exchanged fortnightly at five sites in P. radiata plantations between February 2012 and December 2014. Sections of needle baits were plated onto selective media and growth of Phytophthora pluvialis and P. kernoviae recorded. To explore the generalizability of these data, they were compared to detection data for both pathogens from the New Zealand Forest Health Database (NZFHDB). Further, equivalent analyses on infection of Rhododendron ponticum by P. kernoviae in Cornwall, UK allowed the comparison of the epidemiology of P. kernoviae across different host systems and environments. In New Zealand, inoculum of P. pluvialis and P. kernoviae was detected between January–December and March–November, respectively. Inoculum of both species peaked in abundance in late winter. The probability of detecting P. pluvialis and P. kernoviae was greater at lower temperatures, while the probability of detecting P. pluvialis also increased during periods of wet weather. Similar patterns were observed in NZFHDB data. However, the seasonal pattern of infection by P. kernoviae in the UK was the opposite of that seen for sporulation in New Zealand. Phytophthora kernoviae was likely limited by warmer and drier summers in New Zealand, but by colder winter weather in the UK. These results emphasize the importance of considering both environmental drivers and thresholds in improving our understanding of pathogen epidemiology.     

Characterization of the antioxidant activity of sugars and polyhydric alcohols in fish oil emulsions

Polyols have been incorporated into fish oil emulsions as a means for the inhibition of lipid oxidation and suppression of fishy flavor. However, the role of sugars and polyhydric alcohols as antioxidants has not been clearly established. Selected polyols were evaluated for their performance as antioxidants and modifiers of oxidation pathways in a model system. Oil/water (O/W) emulsions were prepared with freshly steam-deodorized menhaden oil. A layer of emulsion in aluminum pans held at 5 degrees C was exposed to 2550 lx fluorescent lights for 24 h before peroxide values and volatile flavor compounds were analyzed by GC headspace entrainment procedure. Antioxidant activity was confirmed for fructose, sucrose, raffinose, sorbitol, or mannitol when incorporated at 16% of the aqueous phase into model fish oil-in-water emulsions. Peroxide values were suppressed 10-18% in treated samples compared to control samples. Viscosity data did not exclude possible contributions from a restricted oxygen diffusion mechanism in the antioxidant activity, but revealed that emulsion viscosity did not govern fish oil oxidation rates. Combining polyols with phenolic antioxidants (alpha-tocopherol, BHT, or TBHQ) frequently diminished the antioxidant activity compared to that for individual phenolic antioxidants, which was interpreted as indicating that the H-donating activity of phenolic antioxidants was hindered by the H-bonding activity of polyols. A viscosity-based inhibition of the retroaldol conversion of (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal to (Z)-4-heptenal with a high fructose concentration (67%) was attributed to a restriction of molecular mobility of reactants, but the conversion was only slightly inhibited by the concentration of fructose (16%) used in experimental emulsions. The data supported a hypothesis that either or both free radical scavenging and transition state metal chelation activities were provided by polyols in fish oil emulsions. Also, polyols retarded the water-requiring retroaldol decomposition of (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal to (Z)-4-heptenal in the model systems and the reaction may be involved in some suppression of fishy flavors in emulsions.     

Medical management of a corneal stromal abscess in a female Asian elephant (Elephas maximus).

A 47-yr-old female Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) developed a corneal stromal abscess in her right eye. The elephant was trained to open her eye for topical ophthalmic therapy, and was treated six times daily with antibiotics and an antifungal solution for almost 2 mo. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were used to control pain, and atropine was applied topically to dilate the pupil and provide additional comfort. Vascularization of the abscess began shortly after initiating therapy, and complete resolution was obtained by 7 wk.