Comparison of selection methods among and within full-sibling progenies in Urochloa humidicola

Hybridization in the Urochloa humidicola breeding programme allowed to explore the genetic variability of the apomictic sources and, thus, to obtain new sexual and apomictic parents with compatible ploidy and/or superior progenies. However, given the high variability arising from crosses, there is a need to adopt efficient selection strategies among and within progenies. The aim of this study was to compare the selection methods among U. humidicola progenies with (t-BLUP) and without (BLUP) the weighting based on prediction error and subsequent selection within progenies by individual simulated (BLUP_IS) or optimal individual BLUP. We evaluated seventy-one U. humidicola full-sib progenies from biparental crosses between nine sexual and ten apomictic parents. The experiment was set up in an incomplete block design with 64 blocks of 15 plots each, consisting of individual plants. Seven consecutive cuts were made and the traits total dry-matter, leaf dry-matter and regrowth scores were measured. Genetic variance was expressive for all traits. The selection procedure among progenies of U. humidicula based on t-BLUP proved to be more advantageous regarding the use of BLUP not weighted by the prediction error, resulting in higher selection gains, taking as reference the optimal procedure of the individual BLUP. Furthermore, the use of BLUP_IS allowed an optimized selection of hybrids, allowing the breeder to explore with variable selection intensity the genetic variability within the selected full-sib progenies based on relative genetic merit.     

Composition and fatty acid profile of milk from cows supplemented with pressed oilseed cake

This study compared the productive and nutritional parameters of milk from crossbred lactating cows managed on Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania and with a diet supplemented with different pressed oilseed cakes. The supplements used were as follows: peanut cake, sunflower cake and palm kernel cake for replacement of soybean meal. Sixteen cows with an average weight of 544 ± 57 kg and producing 8 ± 1.4 L of milk per day were used in this study. The animals were randomly assigned to the treatments according to a Latin square design repeated over time, with four treatments, 16 animals and four experimental periods. Supplementation of the diet with peanut cake, sunflower cake and palm kernel cake compared with soybean meal in the diet of cows did not affect the average daily production or composition of the milk. The palm kernel cake promoted an increase in lauric fatty acids (C_12:0) and palmitoleic acids (C_16:1) (5.02 and 1.65%, respectively) compared with peanut cake and sunflower cake (4.13 and 4.01%, respectively). The levels of oleic fatty acids (C_18:1) were higher for the sunflower cake and palm kernel cake supplements (26.01 and 25.01%, respectively) compared with peanut cake (23.11%). The replacement of soybean meal with sunflower cake and palm kernel cake improved the nutritional quality of the milk, with lower concentrations of saturated fatty acids and higher concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids, without compromising the production or nutritional composition of the milk. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science     

Treatment response and long term follow up in nineteen dogs diagnosed with chronic enteropathy in Australia

Chronic enteropathy (CE) in dogs is common worldwide, but little data is available from Australia. The aim of this study was to describe treatment response and long‐term outcome in a cohort of dogs with CE. Dogs were prospectively enrolled at Murdoch University and the University of Melbourne. After diagnostic investigation to rule out diseases other than CE, dogs underwent sequential therapeutic trials until achieving a clinical response (diet then antibiotics, and finally immunosuppressants). Success was defined as 75% reduction of clinical severity for a minimum of five weeks. A total of 21 dogs were enrolled, and 19 completed the study. One dog was euthanised for lack of response to treatment and one excluded for lack of owner compliance. Most dogs responded to diet (n = 10), followed by antibiotics (n = 7) and immunosuppressants (n = 2). Long‐term remission (median 21.1 months, [3.0‐44.7]) was achieved in eight out of ten dietary responders without additional treatment. In contrast, only two dogs with antibiotic response remained in long‐term remission, of which one needed on‐going antibiotic treatment. Longer term remission was achieved in the two dogs treated with immunosuppressants with on‐going low dose therapy. This study concludes that most dogs referred for CE in Australia respond to dietary treatment (even after previous dietary interventions), and remission is long‐term compared to dogs treated with an antibiotic. Furthermore, the need for long‐term antibiotics in some dogs to maintain response may lead to antibiotic resistance. This study supports adequate dietary trials for CE in dogs, and a need for alternative second‐line treatments.     

Evaluation of antiviral activity of phenolic compounds and derivatives against rabies virus

Human rabies is a viral disease with a great impact on public health, mainly on account of its fatal course in the majority of cases. Despite the well-established prophylaxis by immunization, rabies is believed to be responsible for 40,000-70,000 human deaths per year, mostly in endemic areas. Palliative support and experimental protocols to avoid death have been employed with no expressive results, with the exception of a recent human case of recovery from rabies. No antiviral drugs are currently available to fight against this infection. In combination with the prophylaxis, an antiviral drug would be useful for human rabies treatment, providing enhanced protection against the encephalitis caused by the virus. Phenolic compounds are derived from the secondary plant metabolism, although they can also be obtained by synthetic processes. Many studies have shown a great range of pharmacological effects for these substances, including vasodilatation, antiallergenic, antiinflammatory and antiviral properties, among others. In this study, the potential in-vitro anti-rabies activity of 24 synthetic phenolic compounds was evaluated using McCoy cells and PV rabies strain. The cytotoxicity (CC50) was assayed by the MTT method and the antiviral activity (IC50) was estimated by the inhibition of viral cytopathic effects. Isoprinosine and ketamine were used as positive controls. The tested compounds showed selectivity indices (SI=CC50/IC50) ranging from 1.0 to 3.9. Six phenolic compounds failed to inhibit the cytopathic effect to any degree, and four showed SI > or = 3.0. According to these results, some probable structure-activity relationships are suggested. It was observed that the presence of free hydroxyl and ether groups influenced the anti-rabies activity. However, additional studies are required to establish these relationships.     

Ruminal and morphometric parameters of the rumen and intestines of sheep fed with increasing levels of spineless cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm-Dyck)

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objective of this study was to evaluate the ruminal parameters (pH, N-NH3, and microbial protein) and morphometry of the rumen and intestine of sheep fed...     

Surgical resection of a dysgerminoma in a mare

A mare was referred for further evaluation of a mass found in the left caudal abdomen during a routine postpartum reproductive palpation. The mare was clinically normal with no history of health problems. Ultrasonographic examination of the mass confirmed its presence, but the origin of the mass could not be accurately determined. Routine haematology and serum biochemistry results were within normal limits. The mare was initially treated conservatively with antibiotics, but the mass continued to increase in size, so it was surgically excised. The mass involved the left ovary. The mare showed transient abdominal pain after surgery, but developed no other complications and was in foal 7 months later. On histology, the mass was diagnosed as a dysgerminoma, a rare ovarian tumour of germ cell origin.     

Feed restriction followed by realimentation in prepubescent Zebu females

In the present study, the effect of restricting the feed intake for 77 days and subsequent compensatory growth for 50 days of Sindi females were evaluated. Eighteen animals with an initial age of 21 months and a mean weight of 211.7 kg were placed into three groups according to the following alimentary regimens: feed ad libitum, feed restricted to 20 % dry matter, and feed restricted to 40 % dry matter. In the feed-restriction phase, the nutrient intake decreased (P?<?0.001) with an increase in the restriction level. As a consequence, the observed decrease in ingestion and serum concentrations of total protein, albumin and globulin, urea, glucose, calcium, and phosphorus were inversely proportional (P?<?0.001) to the restriction level. Significant differences in the nutrient intake and serum concentration were not observed in the realimentation phase (P?<?0.05). When animals in the control group reached the end of the feed-restriction phase, their weights (P?<?0.05) were similar to those in the 20 % restricted group, and both obtained a final weight that was greater than that of animals in the 40 % restricted group. In the feed-restriction phase, the control group had a similar mean daily weight gain (P?>?0.05) to animals in the 20 % restricted group and (P?<?0.05) 40 % restricted group. However, in the realimentation phase, the 40 % restricted group obtained greater weight gain rates (P?<?0.05), better food conversions, and partial compensatory gains. In particular, none of the restricted groups reached the final weight of the control group. In the feed-restriction phase, ingested nitrogen, nitrogen excreted in urine and feces, nitrogen balance and retained nitrogen decreased (P?<?0.05) with an increase in the restriction level. In the realimentation phase, none of the nitrogen balance variables were influenced by the restriction level (P?<?0.05). Females in the 40 % restricted group presented better food conversion rates and greater weight gains in the realimentation phase. Based on the animals’ compensatory weight gain, a feed-restriction rate of 20 and 40 % can be adopted as a nutritional management practice for prepubescent Sindi females.     

L-Bupivacaine 0.5% vs. racemic 0.5% bupivacaine for caudal epidural analgesia in horses

Bupivacaine is available as a racemic mixture of its enantiomers, d -bupivacaine and l -bupivacaine (LB). The aim of this randomized, double-blind study was to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of S(−)-bupivacaine compared with standard racemic bupivacaine (RB) in horses under caudal epidural analgesia. Two treatments were administered to each horse, with a 2-week interval between subsequent treatments. Treatment 1 consisted of 0.5% LB at a dose of 0.06 mg/kg of body weight, and treatment 2 consisted of 0.5% RB at a dose of 0.06 mg/kg of body weight. Epidural injections were given in all animals between the first and second coccygeal vertebra. Heart rate (HR), arterial pressures, respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), analgesia, and motor blocking were determined before drug administration (basal) and 5, 10, 15 and 30 min after drug administration, and at 30 min intervals thereafter. There were no significant differences between the two treatments in the quality of sensory and motor block. The duration of analgesia was 320 ± 30 min (mean ± SD) for RB and 360 ± 42 min for LB. HRs and RRs, arterial pressures and RT did not change ( P  < 0.05) significantly from basal values after epidural administration of LB or RB. This study supports that 0.5% LB is an effective alternative to RB in caudal epidural analgesia in conscious, standing horses. The use of LB vs. RB warrants further investigation, particularly for long-lasting surgery in the perineal region.     

Evaluation of the Microalgae Paste Viability Produced in a Mollusk Hatchery in Southern Brazil

The present study was conducted to define a methodology to produce and store small‐scale microalgae paste to be used in a mollusk hatchery. Microalgae were cultured in 500 L fiberglass tanks, under temperature of 20 ± 2 C, Guillard f/2 culture medium, and continuous light intensity of 203–226 μmol photons/m²/sec. Cultures were centrifuged at 2000 g at the exponential growth phase. Microalgae cell quality after centrifugation and during storage was determined by analyses with Evan’s blue stain and by counting the number of total marine bacteria. Treatments with and without additive were applied to the microalgae paste produced, which was distributed into 100 mL plastic containers, capped, and stored under refrigeration at 4 ± 1 C. Results indicated that in the Chaetoceros muelleri paste, centrifugation did not damage the cells and the number of total marine bacteria reduced significantly from 2.9 × 10⁶ to 8.3 × 10⁵ colony‐forming units per milliliter. Chaetoceros muelleri and Chaetoceros calcitrans pastes stored with addition of 0.1% ascorbic acid had a shelf life shorter than 2 wk. For the treatment without additive, results with Evan’s blue stain showed that cells (99%) remained viable until the sixth week of storage for C. muelleri and seventh week of storage for Skeletonema sp. and C. calcitrans. The number of bacteria did not increase during storage for C. calcitrans and Skeletonema (P > 0.05). For C. muelleri, an increase in bacteria (P < 0.05) was observed after the sixth week of storage. This study demonstrated the feasibility to produce and store microalgae paste for a period of 2–8 wk, which allows it to be used as food source and also optimizes the use of microalgae cultured in laboratory.