The mixed acid-base disturbances of severe canine babesiosis

Thirty-four dogs suffering from severe babesiosis caused by Babesia canis rossi were included in this study to evaluate acid-base imbalances with the quantitative clinical approach proposed by Stewart. All but 3 dogs were severely anemic (hematocrit <12%). Arterial pH varied from severe acidemia to alkalemia. Most animals (31 of 34; 91%) had inappropriate hypocapnia with the partial pressure of CO2 < 10 mm Hg in 12 of 34 dogs (35%). All dogs had a negative base excess (BE; mean of - 16.5 mEq/L) and it was below the lower normal limit in 25. Hypoxemia was present in 3 dogs. Most dogs (28 of 34; 82%) were hyperlactatemic. Seventy percent of dogs (23 of 33) were hypoalbuminemic. Anion gap (AG) was widely distributed, being high in 15, low in 12, and normal in 6 of the 33 dogs. The strong ion difference (SID; difference between the sodium and chloride concentrations) was low in 20 of 33 dogs, chiefly because of hyperchloremia. Dilutional acidosis was present in 23 of 34 dogs. Hypoalbuminemic alkalosis was present in all dogs. Increase in unmeasured strong anions resulted in a negative BE in all dogs. Concurrent metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis was identified in 31 of 34 dogs. A high AG metabolic acidosis was present in 15 of 33 dogs. The lack of an AG increase in the remaining dogs was attributed to concurrent hypoalbuminemia, which is common in this disease. Significant contributors to BE were the SID, free water abnormalities, and AG (all with P < .01). Mixed metabolic and respiratory acid-base imbalances are common in severe canine babesiosis, and resemble imbalances described in canine endotoxemia and human malaria.     

Methane emission of Santa Inês sheep fed cottonseed by-products containing different levels of gossypol

The aim of this study was to evaluate the methane (CH₄) emission of Santa Inês sheep fed cottonseed by-products, verifying if the gossypol content of these feedstuffs affects CH₄ emission. Twelve late-lactating Santa Inês sheep (44.8?±?7.5 kg body weight (BW)) were allocated in metabolic cages for an experimental period of 19 days, 14 days for adaptation and 5 days for measuring CH₄ emission and dry matter intake (DMI). The animals were divided into four treatments, established in accordance with the cottonseed by-product used in concentrate formulation: Control (CON - no cottonseed by-product), Whole cottonseed (WCS), Cottonseed cake (CSC), and Cottonseed meal (CSM). The free gossypol level of the concentrates were 0, 1,276, 350, and 190 ppm for CON, WCS, CSC, and CSM, respectively. Also, the animals received Cynodon dactylon cv. Coast Cross hay, water, and mineral salt ad libitum. The ether extract content of the diets was balanced between treatments by including soybean oil in concentrates. The technique used to measure the CH₄ emission was the sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) tracer technique, and the gas samples collected were quantified by analysis in gas chromatography system. The CH₄ emission was evaluated considering the daily emission (g CH₄/day); DMI (g CH₄/kg DMI); and BW (g CH₄/kg BW). No statistical difference was found (P?>?0.05) between treatments for DMI and CH₄ parameters. In the regression analysis, no significant relation (P?>?0.05) between gossypol content and CH₄ emission was observed. These results suggest that gossypol does not affect rumen methanogenesis.     

Systemic Immunosuppression by Methylprednisolone and Pregnancy Rates in Goats Undergoing the Transfer of Cloned Embryos

The presence of the zona pellucida has been perceived as a requirement for the oviductal transfer of cloned embryos at early stages of development while protecting the embryo from an immune system response. We hypothesized that steroid hormone therapy could reduce a potential cellular immune response after the transfer of zona‐free cloned embryos into the oviduct of recipient female goats. In Experiment 1, seven does were used to study the systemic immunosuppressant effect of the methylprednisolone administration (for 3 days) on blood cell counts. Whole blood was collected prior to treatment with methyprednisolone and then on Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28 after the first dose of methylprednisolone for the analysis of haematological parameters. Methylprednisolone treatment significantly reduced circulating white blood cells and neutrophils in comparison with pre‐treatment levels, demonstrating a systemic immunosuppressant effect. In Experiment 2, a group of 58 does were used as recipient females to study the effect of administration of methylprednisolone for 3 days on the establishment of pregnancies after the transfer of zona‐free cloned embryos into the oviducts. No effects on pregnancy rates on Day 30 were observed regarding the distinct treatment groups (control vs. methylprednisolone), the source of oocytes (in vivo‐ vs in vitro‐matured) or the presence or absence of the zona pellucida in embryos. In summary, methylprednisolone was effective at inducing a systemic immunosuppressed state in goats, but the treatment prior to embryo transfer did not affect pregnancy rates. Moreover, pregnancy rates were similar between zona‐free and zona‐intact goat cloned embryos.     

Productivity and nutritional value of BRS capiaçu grass (Pennisetum purpureum) managed at four regrowth ages in a semiarid region

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity, productive efficiency, and nutritional value of the elephant grass cultivar BRS capiaçu...     

Spectral Doppler ultrasound in selecting an equine embryo receiver

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the RI and PI values would help in choosing the best embryo recipient, and observe whether CL vascularization would influence P4 production. During the breeding season 2018/2019, the study was conducted using 35 mares, which is used for reference to collect data for the project on the day of embryo transfer. The utilized mares were divided into five groups followed by the day after ovulation, with D0 being the day of ovulation. Therefore, the five groups are as follows: D4—mares that were on the 4th post-ovulation day; D5—mares that were on the 5th post-ovulation day; and doing so successively for D6, D7 and D8. On the day of embryo transfer, the CL of the mares that selected as recipients was evaluated by B-mode and power flow mode ultrasonography and the right and left dorsal branches of the uterine arteries by spectral Doppler ultrasonography. Blood samples were taken on the day of the embryo transfer for a dosage of P4 concentration by radioimmunoassay. No statistical difference was found between the variables when the mares were separated into pregnant and non-pregnant mares, or when they were separated by age groups. When the groups of mares were compared by the day of embryo transfer, the statistical difference was found between the groups D5 × D6 (p = .0053) and D6 × D8 (p = .0036) in RI variable. In PI variable, the statistical difference was found between the groups D4 × D8 (p = .049), D5 × D6 (p = .0446) and D6 × D8 (p = .0024). We conclude that the mares with RI measurement of uterine arteries near 1.0 are correlated to mares with high CL vascularization and elevated P4 concentration.     

Light intensity preference of juvenile pikeperch Sander lucioperca (L.)

Light intensity preference of the pikeperch was tested in 1‐m² tanks divided into four lateral compartments with a hole in the middle to allow the fish to move between compartments. Two experiments were carried out with both 0+ and 1+ pikeperch: one testing intensities from 25 to 300 lx and the other from 1 to 50 lx. Light preference was observed individually for 5 days at 8, 11, 14 and 17 h. On the first and fifth day, the preference was tested without differences in light intensity (control). In both experiments, both age groups showed preference for the lowest available light intensity. Preference for low light intensity in pikeperch may be related to innate activity and feeding behaviour and to avoidance of harmful effects of light. It is suggested that under aquaculture operations, pikeperch should be reared under very dim conditions.     

In vitro effect of Aloe vera, Coriandrum sativum and Ricinus communis fractions on Leishmania infantum and on murine monocytic cells

In South America, visceral leishmaniasis is a zoonosis caused by the protozoan species Leishmania infantum (syn. L. chagasi) and is primarily transmitted through the bite of the female Lutzomyia longipalpis. Its main reservoir in urban areas is the dog. The application of control measures recommended by health agencies have not achieved significant results in reducing the incidence of human cases, and the lack of effective drugs to treat dogs resulted in the prohibition of this course of action in Brazil. Therefore, it is necessary to search new alternatives for the treatment of canine and human visceral leishmaniasis. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the in vitro effect of fractions from Aloe vera (aloe), Coriandrum sativum (coriander), and Ricinus communis (castor) on promastigotes and amastigotes of L. infantum and to analyze the toxicity against the murine monocytic cells RAW 264.7. To determine the viability of these substances on 50% parasites (IC50), we used a tetrazolium dye (MTT) colorimetric assay (bromide 3-4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-dephenyltetrazolium), and on amastigotes we performed an in situ ELISA. All fractions were effective against L. infantum promastigotes and did not differ from the positive control pentamidine (p>0.05). However, the R. communis ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions, as well as the C. sativum methanol fraction, were the most effective against amastigotes and did not differ from the positive control amphotericin B (p>0.05). The R. communis ethyl acetate fraction was the least toxic, presenting 83.5% viability of RAW 264.7 cells, which was similar to the results obtained with amphotericin B (p>0.05). Based on these results, we intend to undertake in vivo studies with R. communis ethyl acetate fractions due the high effectiveness against amastigotes and promastigotes of L. infantum and the low cytotoxicity towards murine monocytic cells.     

Ventilatory and Metabolic Compensation in Dogs With Acid-Base Disturbances

Ventilatory and metabolic compensation to acid-base disturbances is reviewed. The mechanisms for compensation as well as the values obtained from several studies using normal dogs and dogs with experimentally induced diseases are provided. Compensation is not the same in dogs and human beings. Dogs have a better ability to adapt to most respiratory disorders, and human beings adapt better to metabolic acidosis. In metabolic alkalosis and chronic respiratory acidosis there is no difference in compensation between these species. Ventilatory compensation for metabolic disorders in dogs is the same whether they have metabolic acidosis or metabolic alkalosis, whereas metabolic compensation in respiratory disturbances is less effective in acidosis. Values for the expected changes in PCO₂ in dogs with metabolic acidosis and metabolic alkalosis, and for bicarbonate concentration (HCO₃-) in dogs with acute and chronic respiratory alkalosis and acidosis are presented.     

Fulvic acid in foliar spray is more effective than humic acid via soil in improving coffee seedlings growth

ABSTRACT

Humic (HA) and fulvic (FA) acids improve the nutrient availability and uptake by plants but some aspects of their agronomic use still need to be clarified. The effects of HA soil application and FA foliar application on the growth, Zn and B uptake by coffee seedlings were evaluated. HA was added to an Oxisol at concentrations 0, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg kg^?1 (C-HA), in both limed (pH 6.2) and overlimed (pH 7.2) conditions. FA (0, 0.2, 0.5 and 1 g L^?1 C-FA) was applied to coffee leaves in three different application modes (M): with 0.3% Zn and 0.6% B supplied via foliar (M₁), 0.6% B and 1.2% Zn supplied via foliar (M₂) and 1.2 mg kg^?1 B and 6 mg kg^?1 Zn supplied via soil (M₃). HA addition in soil significantly (p < 0.05) reduced leaf B and Zn accumulation and coffee growth in both pH conditions. In the M₁ and M₂, FA application significantly (p < 0.05) increased the shoot growth at 0.59 and 0.45 g L^?1 and B accumulation at 0.96 and 0.45 g L^?1 C-FA. Foliar application of C-FA, instead soil application of C-HA, is a suitable practice to improve coffee seedlings growth and nutrition on Oxisol.