Applying the precautionary principle to the issue of impacts by pet cats on urban wildlife

Despite evidence that pet cats prey on urban wildlife and may transmit disease, there is uncertainty over whether they cause declines in wildlife populations. The uncertainty fosters disagreement about whether and how pet cats should be managed, and hampers the implementation of regulations. We suggest that the precautionary principle could be used in this context. The principle mandates action to protect the environment when there is a scientifically plausible but unproven risk, and provides a rationale for immediate intervention to protect wildlife from pet cats while we await definitive studies. In applying a 4-step guide for implementing the precautionary principle, we argue that: (i) current data documenting wildlife mortality caused by pet cats satisfy the precautionary trigger of scientifically plausible risk; (ii) the risk of significant declines or local extinctions of threatened wildlife, coupled with uncertainty in establishing population declines in response to pet cats, argue for strong levels of precaution; (iii) precautionary measures that should be considered include, but are not limited to, restrictions on the maximum number of cats allowed/household, mandatory sterilisation and registration of pet cats, curfews, requiring pet cats roaming outdoors to wear collar-mounted predation-deterrents or compulsory confinement of cats to their owners’ premises; and (iv) the principle’s requirement for extensive consultation in implementing precautionary measures should encourage collaborations involving conservation biologists, veterinarians, animal welfare activists, concerned citizens and municipal officers. Adherence to these steps should assist in choosing actions that have broad support and are applicable to unique local circumstances.     

Quantitative Echotexture Analysis for Prediction of Ovulation in Mares

The aim of this study was to predict the ovulation in mares by quantitative analysis of the echotextural changes of preovulatory follicular walls. Four mares of breeding age with 32 preovulatory follicles and 11 anovulatory follicles were observed by ultrasonography. The slope of the regression line of the follicular wall and the echogenicity score of granulosa layer (GL) and anechoic layer (AL) were measured from the images on Days -3 (Day 0 = ovulation), -2, and -1, respectively. GL was scored from 1 (anechoic) to 3 (echoic), and prominence of AL was recorded from 1 (gray and thin) to 3 (black and thick). The results indicated that the regression line of the follicular wall for 81.3% (26/32) of preovulatory follicles had the slope value ≥19.0 on Day -1, in which 4 of the 26 preovulatory follicles were ≥19.0 on Day -2 already. Mean slope value on Day -1 (21.9 ± 1.5) was significantly greater (P < .01) than on Day -2 (15.0 ± 1.4) and Day -3 (14.0 ± 1.1). All of the slope values for the 11 anovulatory follicles were <19.0 on any given day. GL and AL scores of preovulatory follicles were significantly greater (P < .01) than in anovulatory follicles on Days -3, -2 and -1; nevertheless, only 28.1% (9/32) of preovulatory follicles scored 3 for both GL and AL simultaneously on Day -1. All anovulatory follicles scored <2 for both GL and AL on Day -1. It was concluded that the slope of the regression line of the follicular wall is useful in predicting preovulatory follicles within 48 hours of ovulation when the value is ≥19.0. Of these follicles (N = 26), 84.6% (22/26) were predicted to ovulate within 24 hours, and 15.4% (4/26) within 24 to 48 hours.

Introduction

Insemination in mares by accurately predicting the time of ovulation may obtain maximum fertility with minimum use of semen, and therefore would definitely be a profitable advantage in the horse farming business. The optimal time for insemination with frozen-thawed semen usually include a shorter interval than if fresh semen or natural breeding is used. To achieve the maximal pregnancy rates with frozen-thawed semen, it is necessary to inseminate mares during a period between 12 hours pre- and 6 hours post-ovulation.[1] Therefore, if the timing of ovulation could be predicted, it would be helpful for the veterinarian to inseminate a mare only once per cycle if performed very close to the time of ovulation. [2] In recent years, many indicators have been reported for predicting impending ovulation in mares, including measurement of electrical resistance of the vaginal mucus, [3] the distinguishable endometrial folding pattern of uterus in estrus, [4] changes in size and shape of the preovulatory follicles, [5, 6 and 7] and the echotexture changes in the preovulatory follicular wall. [8] The latter has been more efficient for predicting the imminence of ovulation; nevertheless, their assessment of criterions was scored subjectively. The hypothesis for this study was based on the published report from Gastal et al in 1998 [8]; they found that 2 echotexture changes of the preovulatory follicle-increasing echogenicity of the granulosa layer and increasing prominence of an anechoic layer beneath the granulosa, were detected in the follicular wall as ovulation approached in mares. Computer-assisted image analysis is an advanced technology for diagnostic ultrasonography to improve the reproductive management of patients. [9, 10 and 11] The purpose of this study is to quantify the echotextural changes in the preovulatory follicular wall as ovulation approaches using computer-assisted image analysis, so that the quantified echotexture changes could serve as an indicator for prediction of ovulation in mares.

Materials and Methods

Animals and Ultrasonography

Four non-lactating and nonpregnant mixed mares between 4 and 14 years of age and weighing between 450 and 550 kg were studied from January to December 2001. The geographic area of the mares in this study was in subtropical Taiwan of the northern hemisphere. All mares were maintained on alfalfa/grass hay and had access to water and mineralized salt. A teaser stallion was introduced to detect the estrus signs of mares about 2 weeks after the end of the last estrus. Follicular changes were monitored with a real-time B-mode linear assay ultrasound scanner, equipped with a 7.5-MHz transrectal probe (Model Scanner 200 Vet, Pie Medical, The Netherlands). Upon detection of a preovulatory follicle, ultrasound examination was performed daily and continued until ovulation. A total of 32 preovulatory follicles and 11 anovulatory follicles were identified from a retrospective determination.Ultrasonographic images were recorded on Hi-8 MP videotape with a Sony DCR-TRV 120 Digital-8 camera. The brightness and contrast controls of the monitor and the time-gain compensation of the scanner were standardized to constant settings throughout the observation period.

Image Analysis

Still images were subsequently captured and saved as TIF files by computer using a digital image analysis program (Image-Pro Express V4.0 for Windows, Media Cybernetics, L.P., USA) with a resolution of 640 × 480 pixels and 256 shades of gray. Echotexture of the regions of interest was defined in terms of pixel intensity ranging from 0 (black) to 255 (white). Three ultrasonographic images of each preovulatory follicle at its distinctly discernible cross section were subsequently selected. To avoid the enhancement of through-transmission, sampling regions were located within the 10 or 2 o'clock position for measurement of pixel values (Fig 1). The pixel values were measured with the “Line Profile” tool, which involved sampling pixel values along a line traversing the follicle wall from the peripheral antrum, GL, AL, to the stroma. A graph of the pixel intensities along the line was produced ( Fig 2). The GL was defined as the highest pixel after which there was a sequential fall in gray-scale values. The pixel values along the curve (P0, P1, P2) were obtained as an average of 9 measurements (3 images per follicle and 3 lines per image) and were used to measure the slope of a regression line of the fall segment ( Fig 2).     

Intraventricular tension pneumocephalus as a complication of transfrontal craniectomy: a case report

OBJECTIVE: To report the diagnosis and surgical treatment of a case of intraventricular tension pneumocephalus in a dog after a transfrontal craniectomy for removal of a falx cerebri meningioma. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMAL: A 12-year-old spayed English springer spaniel. RESULTS: Intraventricular air and a fistula between the craniectomy site and ventricular system were identified by magnetic resonance imaging. Prompt repair of the dural defect using prosthetic dura mater resulted in immediate regression of the neurological signs and cerebral spinal fluid rhinorrhea. Magnetic resonance imaging repeated 8 weeks after surgery showed complete resolution of pneumocephalus. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Tension pneumocephalus is an uncommon but life-threatening complication of craniectomy that requires urgent diagnosis and treatment.     

Initiation of carp spermatozoa motility and early ATP reduction after milt contamination by urine

Fish sperm collected by stripping males is frequently contaminated by urine. In this study, carp milt mixed with urine (0.5–7.5% of volume) was studied in order to evaluate the changes of some motility parameters (percentage of motile spermatozoa, velocity and beat frequency) and the ATP content of spermatozoa. In the absence of urine contamination, spermatozoa had an ATP content in the range of 8–9 nmol/10⁸ spermatozoa, an initial velocity of 100–160 μm s⁻¹ and a flagellar beat frequency around 30–50 Hz, 10 s after a 1/2000 dilution in an activating medium (45 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 30 mM Tris–HCl, pH 8.0, osmolality <160 mosM kg⁻¹). In contrast, when milt was contaminated with 7.5% of urine for 1 h, the ATP content was 4–5 nmol/10⁸ spermatozoa and most spermatozoa had low initial velocity (30–100 μm s⁻¹) and flagellar beat frequency (10–30 Hz). It appears that the low osmolality of urine was responsible for the degradation in the quality of carp spermatozoa by an early activation in the collecting tube which induced an early reduction of the intracellular ATP store. From a practical point of view, milt contamination by urine during stripping can be avoided by first pressing the abdomen before sampling and then collecting the remaining urine by means of a catheter introduced into the urinary bladder.     

Assessing the ability of zebrafish scales to contribute to the short-term homeostatic regulation of [Ca2+] in the extracellular fluid during calcemic challenges

Fisheries Science - The elasmoid scales of fish represent a significant internal reservoir of calcium ions (Ca2+), but little is known about the contribution of these scales to the short-term...     

Chemical composition and osmolality of seminal fluid of Acipenser persicus; their physiological relationship with sperm motility

Determination of semen quality is necessary to understand the basic biochemical processes occurring during motility of sperm and during fertilization to evaluate the reproductive ability of different fish species and to create an optimal environment for storage of spermatozoa; in this regard less information is available for Acipenseridae compared with Cyprinidae and Salmonidae. The aim of the present study is to determine chemical composition and osmolality of seminal fluid and their relationship with sperm motility in Acipenser persicus. The results obtained show that sodium (Na⁺), chloride (Cl^?) and potassium (K⁺) were predominant ions in the seminal plasma and the average of osmolality of seminal plasma was 82.56 mOsm kg^?1. The higher chemical contents and osmolality compared with other sturgeon species reveal species‐specific characteristics and high secretory activity of spermatic duct in A. persicus. Significant positive correlations were observed between osmolality‐Cl^?, Na⁺‐osmolality and Na⁺–Cl^? (P<0.05, P<0.001 and P<0.05 respectively). But statistically significant correlation was not observed between seminal plasma parameters and sperm motility. Probably, the Na⁺ and Cl^? are the main electrolytes playing a major role in maintaining the osmolality of the seminal plasma and the viability of the spermatozoa in vivo.     

Analytical and thermodynamic approaches to the mineralogical and compositional studies on anoxic sediments

Background, Aim and Scope  The identification of certain minerals directly in the raw sediment has proved to be difficult, if not impossible, because of their instability and/or low contents. This explains why the characterization/composition/crystalline nature of multiple (co)precipitates and solid solutions often necessitate the combined use of density separation methods and macro and microanalytical techniques, and in some cases the possible existence of certain mineral solids is only sustained from thermodynamic considerations. In this context, the comparison of porewater concentration profiles with thermodynamic calculations recently proved to be a convenient way of obtaining clues relative to the potential occurrence of natural minerals. Methods  Porewaters and sedimentary-solid phases were extracted from sliced sediment samples collected in the Seine estuary (northern France), and studied as a function of sediment depth. Porewater concentration profiles were determined for Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, P and Sr using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, and for dissolved sulfur using square wave, cathodic stripping voltammetry. To obtain information about sediment mineralogy, sedimentary solid phases were analysed directly and after density separation with a heavy liquid (CHBr₃) by means of several techniques: X-ray diffraction; electron spin resonance and micro-Raman spectroscopies. Furthermore, using sequential extraction procedures, the chemical speciation versus depth of several elements (Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, P, Pb, Sr, Ti, and Zn) and particularly sulfur [i.e. acid volatile sulfides (AVS) and chromium reducible sulfurs (CRS)] were undertaken. Results and Discussion.  From these analytical data, some thermodynamic calculations [using ion activity products (LAP)] were attempted for the anoxic porewaters where most of the ionic complexing species were measured to support the involvement of relevant geochemical equilibria between these ions and some metals and the existence of any discrete solid phases (calcite, dolomite, greigite and probably vivianite, apatite and siderite), as well as coprecipitates and solid solutions in calcium carbonate. Conclusions  Thermodynamic equilibria in sedimentary media are rarely achieved because many chemical processes in these systems are established in long periods. Nevertheless, these calculations remain useful to increase our insight into the considered system. They help to support our view about the possible existence of certain minerals (iron sulfides, calcite, dolomite...). They also help account for the real power of ESR for indicating the presence of hypothesised solid solutions, Mn_xCa_1-xC0₃. The critical investigations of the authors, however, reveal some weaknesses of XRD and Raman microscopy for identifying minor minerals/precipitates, which result from combinations between the inorganic anions P0₄ ^3-, C0₃ ^2- and S^2- and the metallic cations Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Sr²⁺.     

Serological evidence for a non-protective RHDV-like virus

The data were recorded during a Rabbit haemorrhagic disease outbreak that occurred in France in 2001 in a wild population of rabbits that we have been monitoring since 2000. These data suggested the existence of non-protective antibodies due to a putative RHDV-like virus. Twenty-one blood and 22 liver samples were taken from the 26 corpses of recently dead rabbits that were found. RHDV was found in all liver samples. A first screening for RHD antibodies, carried out using an ELISA based on the detection of VP60-RHDV antigen, showed that 20 of the rabbits were seropositive. Moreover, we determined antibody titres for 13 of these 20 seropositive samples. All were > or = 1/400. Such titres normally indicate antibody levels sufficient to confer protection to all known RHDV or RHDV-like strains. For 16 samples, we determined whether these rabbits had died of a chronic or an acute form of the disease, by employing monoclonal antibody (Mabs)--based differential ELISA. All had died of an acute form of RHD. Because the antibodies detected by this VP60-ELISA test are known to appear 5-6 days after infection and since acute RHD generally kills the rabbits 2-3 days after infection, we assumed that the detected antibodies must have been present before the exposure to the virus that killed these rabbits. A second detection of antibodies was made with Mabs that are specific for RHDV. The results were negative, showing that the antibodies detected with the VP60 ELISA test were not specific for RHDV. We sequenced a portion of the VP60 gene of viruses isolated in 17 rabbits. All RHDV isolates were very similar to the RHDV strains commonly isolated in France during this period, suggesting that this viral strain was not a putative variant that is not neutralised by antibodies. Therefore we conclude that the detected antibodies were probably due to a RHDV-like virus that induces the production of detectable but non-protective antibodies.     

Changes in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) sperm quality during the spawning season

The biology of cod reproduction is well described in the scientific literature. However, sperm biology and spermatozoa management are poorly studied in this species. Because of its recent farming expansion, a better knowledge of cod gametes is becoming especially useful. This work aimed at establishing tools to study sperm biology in cod, and also investigated the existence of changes in cod sperm quality during the spawning period. We showed that sperm concentration could be assessed using spectrophotometry at 260 nm. Sperm motility significantly decreased after a 168‐h storage at 4 °C. A 1:9 dilution of sperm in a non‐activating medium (1/3 seawater and 2/3 freshwater, osmotic pressure: 360 mOsm kg^?1) improved sperm storage. Sperm concentration, sperm velocity and storage capacity at 4 °C peaked during the medium period of the spawning season and then decreased to values close to those observed at the beginning of the reproductive period. The measured values of osmotic pressure, pH, protein, Na⁺, Cl^? and Ca²⁺ concentrations of the seminal fluid were modified along the spawning period. Cell damage was noted at the end of the spawning period: local blebs were observed on the flagellum but also loops at its distal part. On the other hand, spermatocrit did not vary with the sampling date. In conclusion, cod sperm quality is modified during the spawning period, the highest‐quality samples being collected during the medium part of this season.     

Relationship between biological characteristics of eggs and female brood stocks of Persian sturgeon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipenser</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">persicus</Emphasis>: a comparison with other fish species

We have determined a number of biological characteristics of the Persian sturgeon egg (including diameter, surface-to-volume ratio, yolk sphere and perivitelline space) and of female brood stocks (including age, length, weight, condition and absolute fecundity) in 420 specimens of the migratory population of Acipenser persicus in Gorgan bay of Iran from 2001 to 2004. In the hydrated egg, the average egg diameter, yolk diameter, surface-to-volume ratio and yolk sphere-to-perivitelline space ratio values were: 3.64 ± 0.17 mm, 3.26 ± 0.25 mm, 1.65 ± 0.08 and 0.75 ± 0.01, respectively. In this chondrostean species, the egg surface and volume were found to increase with increasing egg diameter, but the egg surface-to-volume ratio decreased. In Persian sturgeon, the surface-to-volume ratio and yolk sphere-to-perivitelline space ratio is very high; therefore, the metabolic rate is low and female spawning occurs in low-temperature waters. The statistical Pearson correlation between egg diameter relative to a number of brood stock characteristics, including fork length (r = 0.059), weight (r = 0.140), age (r = 0.081) and absolute fecundity (r = 0.095), were not significantly different (P > 0.05). An extensive comparison of these results with data published on other fish species is presented and discussed.