PARASITES AND PARASITOSIS IN FISH CULTURE IN PORTUGAL

This paper deals with research work covering the period from May 1979 up to May 1981 and presents results of parasites and parasitosis diagnosed in a total of 195 complete dissections of six fish species from cultured and feral populations in Portugal: European eel (Anguilla anguilla) (49); mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio specularis) (29); common grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) (18); European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) (11); rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) (42); common sole (Solea solea) (46). A list of protozoans and helminths identified with respective incidence is given: A) Feral fish: 1) European eel (17)—Echinorhynchus clavula 11.8% and Rhabdochona anguilla 5.9%; 2) common grey mullet (18)—Haploporus benedenii 16.7%, Neoechinorhynchus sp. 5.6%, and Raphidascaris sp. 5.6%; 3) European plaice (11)—Bothriocephalus sp. larvae 9.1%, Contracaecum aduncum 9.1%, and Cryptocotyle lingua 9.1%; 4) common sole (46)—Cucullanellus minutus 8.7%, Gyrodactylus elegans 4.3%, and Cestodes larvae 2.2%. B) Cultured fish: 1) European eel (32)—Trichodina anguillae 3.1% and Ichthyophthirius multifiliis 18.8%; 2) rainbow trout (42)—Eimeria truttae 2.4%, Hexamita intestinalis 4.8%, Holophrya simplex 2.4%, and Trichodina truttae 4.8%. The results show that feral fish harbor predominantly indirect life cycle helminths, in contrast with cultured fish only affected with protozoans, due mainly to overcrowding and deficient management, which propitiate a significant background infection. It was in these specimens that some lesions characteristic of protozoosis were found.     

Systematic Review of Nonsteroidal Anti‐Inflammatory Drug‐Induced Adverse Effects in Dogs

The aim of this systematic review was to identify, assess, and critically evaluate the quality of evidence of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID)‐induced adverse effects in dogs. Original prospective studies published in peer‐reviewed journals in English (1990–2012) that reported data on the safety of NSAIDs administration in dogs were searched. For each study, design type (I, II, III, or IV) and assessment of quality (+, Ø, ?) were rated. For each drug, quantity and consistency rating (***, **, *) and strength of evidence (high, moderate, low, or extremely low) were identified and evaluated. The strength of evidence was defined in terms of how applicable and relevant the conclusions were to the target population. Sixty‐four studies met the inclusion criteria. Thirty‐five (55%) research studies and 29 (45%) clinical trials were identified. A high strength of evidence existed for carprofen, firocoxib, and meloxicam; moderate for deracoxib, ketoprofen, and robenacoxib; and low for etodolac. Quality and consistency rating were as follows: carprofen (***/***), deracoxib (**/***), etodolac (*/unable to rate), firocoxib (***/**), ketoprofen (**/***), meloxicam (***/***), and robenacoxib (**/**), respectively. Adverse effects were detected in 35 studies (55%) and commonly included vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia. Three studies (5%) reported a power analysis related to adverse effects of ≥80%. In randomized, placebo‐controlled, blinded studies (n = 25, 39%), the incidence of adverse effects was not statistically different between treated and control dogs. Finally, most studies were not appropriately designed to determine the safety of NSAIDs, and involved a healthy nongeriatric population of research dogs.     

The relationships between scrotal surface temperature,age and sperm quality in stallions

In horses, spermatogenesis normally occurs at an average intratesticular temperature of 35 °C; therefore, mechanisms for testicular thermoregulation are essential. Measuring the scrotal surface temperature by thermography is one of the methodologies used to evaluate the effectiveness of testicular thermoregulation. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the control of scrotal surface temperature and sperm quality in horses of different ages. In total, 24 Quarter Horse stallions were divided into three groups: YS (young stallions), AS (adult stallions) and OS (old stallions). Initially, we calculated the testicular volume (TV) and evaluated various aspects of the semen (sperm kinetics, plasma membrane integrity and sperm morphology) for all the animals. We also evaluated rectal temperature (RT), body surface temperature (BST,) and average scrotal surface temperature in the testicular region (SST) before (M0) and after sun exposure (M1). Differences were observed (p<0.05) between the RT and BST before and after sun exposure in all three groups. However, there were no differences (p>0.05) in the SST values at these two time points, thus demonstrating the efficiency of the mechanisms for testicular thermoregulation. The SST was similar (p>0.05) among all three groups. Based on these results, we conclude that fertile stallions of different age groups are able to maintain SST and measuring the heat radiating from the scrotum using a digital infrared thermographer. We can also conclude that measuring the heat radiating from the scrotum using a digital infrared thermographer is a practical and efficient tool for monitoring SST in horses.     

Cross comparison of seminal plasma proteins from cattle and buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The objective of this study was to evaluate seminal plasma proteins from cattle and buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), to identify differences between related species. Sixteen buffaloes and 16 cattle between 30 and 60 months of age were used. Semen collection was performed by electroejaculation, followed by macroscopic and microscopic subjective analyses. After analysis, the samples were centrifuged at 800 g for 10 min, and the supernatant (seminal plasma) was recentrifuged at 10,000 g for 30 min at 4°C. The total protein concentration was determined by the Bradford method, and the proteins were digested in solution for mass spectrometry (nLC-MS/MS). Multivariate statistical analysis was used to evaluate the proteomics results by non-hierarchical clustering the considering exponentially modified protein abundance index (emPAI). Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were used for clustering. Proteomics identified 78 proteins, and multivariate analysis showed 4 that were over-expressed in buffaloes (cystatin C, prosaposin, peptide YY and keratin type II cytoskeletal 5) and 9 in cattle (spermadhesin-1, seminal plasma protein PDC-109, ribonuclease 4, metalloproteinase inhibitor 2, acrosin inhibitor 1, seminal ribonuclease, C-type natriuretic peptide, angiogenin-1 and osteopontin). Among the proteins identified in seminal plasma, the C-type natriuretic peptide and metalloproteinase inhibitors were described for the first time in buffaloes. Some protease inhibitors were found over-expressed in buffaloes, and important proteins in seminal plasma of cattle were not identified or were found at lower expression levels in buffaloes, which can contribute to reproductive performance in this species.     

Functional Feeds to Tackle Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) Stress: Physiological Responses under Acute Stressful Handling Conditions

Marine algae are recognised sources of bioactive compounds that have attracted great interest as nutritional supplements for aquaculture fish. Intensive rearing conditions often expose fish to husbandry-related stressors, rendering fish more susceptible to disease and reducing production yields. The present work evaluated the potential of two marine algae extracts (Fucus vesiculosus and Nannochloropsis gaditana) as nutritional supplements to mitigate stress effects in meagre (Argyrosomus regius) exposed to an acute handling stress (AS). A plant-based diet was used as a control, and three other diets were prepared, which were similar to the control diet but supplemented with 1% of each algal extract or a combination of the two extracts (0.5% each). The effects of supplemented diets on stress biomarkers, antioxidant enzyme activities, and immune response were analysed in fish exposed to AS after 4 weeks of feeding. Supplemented diets did not affect growth performance but the inclusion of F. vesiculosus promoted higher feed efficiency, as compared to the control group. Dietary algal extracts supplementation reduced plasma glucose levels, increased white blood cell counts, and reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory genes when compared with the control. N. gaditana supplementation led to a reduction in hepatic antioxidant enzyme activity and glutathione levels, while F. vesiculosus supplementation increased muscle glutathione reductase activity and reduced lipid peroxidation. These findings support the potential of algal extracts as nutraceuticals in aquafeeds to enhance the ability of fish to cope with husbandry-related stressful conditions and ultimately improve fish health and welfare.     

Toxic effects of domoic acid in the seabream Sparus aurata

Neurotoxicity induced in fish by domoic acid (DA) was assessed with respect to occurrence of neurotoxic signs, lethality, and histopathology by light microscopy. Sparus aurata were exposed to a single dose of DA by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 0, 0.45, 0.9, and 9.0 mg DA kg(-1) bw. Mortality (66.67 ± 16.67%) was only observed in dose of 9.0 mg kg(-1) bw. Signs of neurological toxicity were detected for the doses of 0.9 and 9.0 mg DA kg(-1) bw. Furthermore, the mean concentrations (±SD) of DA detected by HPLC-UV in extracts of brain after exposure to 9.0 mg DA kg(-1) bw were 0.61 ± 0.01, 0.96 ± 0.00, and 0.36 ± 0.01 mg DA kg(-1) tissue at 1, 2, and 4 hours. The lack of major permanent brain damage in S. aurata, and reversibility of neurotoxic signs, suggest that lower susceptibility to DA or neuronal recovery occurs in affected individuals.     

Nitrogen and potassium,but not boron,change the morphology,production and nutrient concentration of Tanzania guineagrass roots

Plant shoot production is closely related to root development. To obtain greater grass persistence, nutrient uptake by roots and recovery after defoliation, it is necessary for the plants to have well developed root systems. The study aimed to evaluate the morphological, productive and nutritional characteristics of Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania roots in response to combinations of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and boron (B) rates in nutrient solution. Root dry mass, total root length, and total root surface increased with the combination of N and K rates. Boron rates did not affect any of the studied parameters. Greater concentrations of ammonium than nitrate were found in the root tissues. Root specific length and root specific surface decreased as rates of N and K increased. The N and K supply caused an increase in the morphological and productive aspects of the root system, thus enhancing the capacity for nutrient absorption.     

The ghost crab Ocypode quadrata (Fabricius, 1787) as a potential indicator of anthropic impact along the Rio Grande do Sul coast, Brazil

The aim of this study is to compare the density and vertical distribution of ghost crab Ocypode quadrata burrows at three beaches with different degrees of anthropic impact. In order to achieve this, 12 1 m² quadrants were laid out at random daily on each beach, over a 100 m wide strip stretching from the dunes to the waterline, in order to estimate the density of the burrows. The results showed that the density of O. quadrata burrows was lower at beaches with higher anthropic impact - Tramandaí and Harmonia. Jardim do Éden beach, which suffers little impact, had the highest density of burrows. Vertical distribution of the burrows at Tramandaí beach was restricted by the presence of a strip which cars drive along. The burrows along this beach tended to be distributed over a strip where there are kiosks which offer protection from the traffic. At Jardim do Éden and Harmonia beaches, vertical distribution of the burrows was affected only by the dynamics of the rise and ebb of the waterline, caused by two storm events. The results showed that the density of ghost crab O. quadrata burrows is a tool of quick and easy use in diagnosing anthropic impact in coastal areas.     

Immunohistochemical expression of HER - 2 and Ki - 67 in granulosa cell tumor in bitches

Granulosa cell tumour, an ovarian neoplasm of stromal origin, is an important tumour related to oestrogenic dominance syndrome and cystic endometrial hyperplasia–pyometra complex. In order to analyse ovarian tumour´s malignant potential, immunohistochemical markers can be used, such as anti-HER2 and anti-Ki-67. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of immunohistochemical markers HER-2 and Ki-67 in granulosa cell tumour from bitches´ ovaries. In HER-2 immunomarker analysis using the HercepTest^® method, most tumours were classified as 2+ (moderate labelling). Concerning Ki-67 immunomarker, only one case was described as having a high proliferative index. An association was found between immunostained cell percentage by anti-HER-2 antibodies and high pleomorphism, represented by the pattern of follicular/trabecular tumour arrangement. There was no correlation between anti-Ki-67 and anti-HER-2 antibody immunostaining intensities, probably due to only one case with a high Ki-67 index. With an effective protocol for HER-2 and Ki-67 immunohistochemical identification in granulosa cell tumours in bitches, it was possible to characterize this neoplasm proliferation profile.