Ovariectomy by colpotomy in cows.

For the purpose of collecting active ovarian structures for cell culture, unilateral ovariectomy (n = 34 ovaries) was performed per vagina on 17 dairy cows having normal estrous cycles, bilateral ovariectomy was performed on 9 (n = 18 ovaries) dairy cows, and corpora lutea (n = 13) were removed from 11 beef cows having normal estrous cycles. None of the cows was clinically ill after the operation. Nine of 37 cows developed adhesions of both uterine horns and the body of the uterus. Three instruments were used to perform colpotomy. The described surgical technique for removal of the ovaries or corpora lutea is practical and inexpensive, and has low morbidity associated with it.     

Energy to protein ratios in supplements for grazing heifers in the rainy season

Tropical Animal Health and Production - This study evaluated the effect of energy and protein supplementation on the nutritional characteristics, ingestive behavior, and productive performance in...     

Oxidative homeostasis in oocyte competence for in vitro embryo development

The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) in oocytes from follicles of different diameters and their relevance in the in vitro production of embryos (IVPE). Bovine ovaries were aspirated according to the diameter of the follicle [2–8 (general), 4–8 (large), and 2 < 4 mm (small)]. The oocytes were evaluated for levels of ROS, GSH, in vitro maturation, and IVPE. Higher levels of ROS and GSH were observed (p < 0.05) in oocytes of the large group (85.6 ± 7.2 and 140.0 ± 9.6) followed by those in the general (81.1 ± 10.5 and 134.3 ± 7.8) and small (73.5 ± 10.1 and 125.0 ± 10.6) groups. However, the proportion of ROS/GSH did not differ (p > 0.05) between the general, large, and small groups. The maturation was higher (p < 0.05) in the large group (87.8 ± 3.0%) than in the small group (72.2 ± 5.8%), but both were similar (p > 0.05) to that in the general group (82.2 ± 2.5%), whereas the IVPE of the large group (57.3 ± 3.0%) was higher (p < 0.05) than those in the general (44.7 ± 4.4%) and small (34.0 ± 4.0%) groups. We report that oocytes from large follicles are more competent for IVPE, whereas higher levels of ROS and GSH appear to be correlated with oocyte competence, as long as oxidative homeostasis is retained.     

Anatomical study of the ventral rami of thoracic spinal nerves in Sapajus apella (Primates: Cebidae)

This study aimed to describe the gross anatomy of the ventral rami of the thoracic spinal nerves in capuchin monkey (Sapajus apella) and compare with humans and other primate species. Eight specimens, prepared in 10% formalin solution and dissected following routine standard techniques, were used. The animals presented 13–14 pairs of thoracic spinal nerves emerging from the intervertebral foramen and divided into dorsal and ventral rami. The ventral rami of the first 12 or 13 pairs represented intercostal nerves and the latter referred to the subcostal nerve. The intercostal and subcostal nerves gave off muscular and cutaneous branches (lateral and ventral), which promote innervation of muscles and skin associated with the chest and abdominal wall. Atypical anatomy was verified for the 1st, 2nd and 7th to 13th intercostal nerves as well as for the subcostal nerve. The morphological characteristics were similar to those observed in humans and some non‐human primates, especially in the absence of collateral branches.     

Estimation of daily milk yield of Nellore cows grazing tropical pastures

Beef cows’ milk yield is typically determined by measuring milk yield once daily and then doubling this value to estimate daily production. However, it is not known whether this is accurate. Thus, we aimed to determine the association between morning and afternoon milk yield in grazing Nellore cows. Eighty Nellore cows were used, with initial weight of 516.0?±?1.0 kg. The experiment was a completely randomized factorial scheme, with 20 replications and four treatments (i.e., +?or ??pre-partum supplementation in combination with +?or ??post-partum supplementation): PRMM—1 kg of supplement/cow/day for 90 days pre-partum; MMPS—1 kg of supplement/cow/day for 90 days post-partum; PRPS—1 kg of supplement/cow/day for 90 days pre-partum and 90 days post-partum; and MM—only mineral mix ad libitum during pre- and post-partum. Milk was sampled on days 45, 135, and 225 post-partum (early, middle, and late lactation, respectively). No effects were observed of pre- and post-partum supplementation on milk yield (P?>?0.05). The afternoon/morning proportion of 0.45 in the early third of lactation was higher than other stages, which had a proportion of 0.41 (P?<?0.05). Post-partum supplementation increased milk protein in the morning and afternoon milking (P?<?0.05). There was also no effect of pre- and post-partum supplementation on afternoon-morning proportion other milk components (P?>?0.05). We conclude that estimating daily milk production of grazing beef cattle by multiplying a once daily milking amount times two is not accurate. Under the conditions of this study, proportion of total daily production represented by the ratio of afternoon/morning milking was 0.45 in early lactation (first third) and 0.41 in mid- and late lactation.     

Experimental larval culture of the Caribbean scallops Argopecten nucleus and Nodipecten nodosus

Several experiments were performed examining the effect of different culture variables on the growth and survival of Argopecten nucleus and Nodipecten nodosus larvae. Higher growth and survival values were obtained at a low density (1 larvae mL^?1) than at a high density (5 larvae mL^?1), except for N. nodosus's survival, which was not affected by density. Higher growth was obtained when feeding the larvae a diet of Isochrysis galbana, similar results occurred with the diet of Isochrysis galbana+Chaetoceros calcitrans in A. nucleus and with I. galbana combined with the lipid emulsion EmDHA in N. nodosus. Higher survival was obtained when the diet included a mixture of microalgae than when EmDHA was supplemented. Growth and survival of the larvae of A. nucleus were greater when fed continuously, while N. nodosus grew and survived better when food was given discontinuously. Higher growth and survival values were recorded at lower food concentrations ranging from 20 to 40 cells μL^?1 of I. galbana. Higher growth was observed with increasing temperature between 22 and 28 °C, although there was a simultaneous decrease in survival. No significant effects on larval production parameters were found when the culture water was changed totally or partially, but higher larval growth of N. nodosus was verified when a partial renewal of water was performed.     

Voltammetric assay for the aging of beer

A new method for the evaluation of beer aging, based on a voltammetric analysis of beer distillates, is described. By measuring the current of both acetaldehyde and sulfite voltammetric peaks it is possible to distinguish between fresh, naturally aged, and artificially aged beers. The results obtained for the ratio of acetaldehyde and SO(2) currents correlate well with those given by an expert sensory panel. The kinetics of the combining reaction of sulfite with acetaldehyde was followed for different acetaldehyde/SO(2) molar ratios by using a programmed voltammetric procedure. The formation of an acetaldehyde-sulfite adduct is rapid, and the reaction equilibrium is reached after 30 min, which is in accordance with the results previously obtained by other methods. This voltammetric-based approach seems to be a new attractive tool for detecting chemical equilibria of the addition of sulfite to carbonyls in beer model systems.     

Prevalence of Ehrlichia canis infection in thrombocytopenic dogs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

BACKGROUND: Infection with Ehrlichia canis causes a highly variable, multisystemic disease in dogs. Nevertheless, many clinicians in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, use the presence of only thrombocytopenia to make a presumptive diagnosis of E canis infection. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of E canis in thrombocytopenic dogs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS: Following DNA extraction of whole blood samples from 226 dogs, PCR assays were done using primers for rickettsial DNA (including Ehrlichia spp, Anaplasma platys and A phagocytophilum) and using E canis-specific primers (16S rRNA gene). Dogs were grouped as thrombocytopenic and nonthrombocytopenic based on platelet counts. The null hypothesis that there was no difference in the prevalence of E canis in these groups was rejected at P<.05. RESULTS: Thirty-six (32.1%) of the thrombocytopenic dogs and 4 (3.5%) of the nonthrombocytopenic dogs were positive for rickettsial gene sequences (P<.0001). Further, 30 (26.8%) of thrombocytopenic dogs and 4 (3.5%) nonthrombocytopenic dogs were positive for E canis-specific gene sequences (P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Although the prevalence of E canis infection was higher in thrombocytopenic dogs, less than one third of these dogs had demonstrable E canis infection. Thus, thrombocytopenia is not specific for the detection of E canis infection and should not be used solely to establish a diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis, even in a geographic area with relatively high disease prevalence.     

Neurohistologic and ultrastructural lesions in cattle experimentally intoxicated with the plant Prosopis juliflora

Intoxication by pods of Prosopis juliflora (mesquite beans) causes an impairment of cranial nerve function in cattle and goats. In goats, vacuolation of neurons in the trigeminal motor nuclei has been reported. To study the lesions in cattle caused by consumption of P. juliflora pods and dry ground pods, eight 6- to 12-month-old male cattle were divided into 4 groups: group 1 was fed a ration containing 50% of pods; groups 2 and 3 received a ration containing 50 and 75% of dry ground pods, respectively; group 4 was the control. After 200 days, all cattle were killed and sampled for histologic evaluation. Samples of the trigeminal motor nucleus were examined by electron microscopy. All cattle from groups 1, 2, and 3 showed clinical signs resulting from impaired function of cranial nerves V, IX, X, and XII, starting 45-75 days after consumption of the plant. The main histologic lesions were vacuolation and loss of neurons in trigeminal motor nuclei and other motor cranial nerve nuclei with Wallerian-like degeneration in the cranial nerves. Mild denervation atrophy was observed in the masseter and other masticatory muscles. On electron microscopy, neurons of the trigeminal nuclei had markedly swollen mitochondria, with the mitochondrial cristae displaced peripherally, disoriented and disintegrating. Intoxication by P. juliflora seems to have a novel pathogenesis, characterized by a selective, primary, chronic, and progressive injury to mitochondria of neurons of the trigeminal and other cranial nerve nuclei. Cranial nerve degeneration and denervation atrophy of the muscles occurs as a consequence of the neuronal lesion.