Analysis of testicular variables,semen motility and kinematics-derived indexes in boar using a CASA-Mot system

The present study aimed to evaluate differences in area, volume and testicular weight among groups related to breed and age of boar and establish associations between testicular parameters and seminal characteristics. Seminal quality has been studied using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) systems that reduce the subjectivity of kinematic parameters. Based on the data obtained through this system, sperm quality indexes and their derived parameters have been assessed to identify a better estimator for determining movement and velocity parameters. We also established indexes of velocity and sperm movement for boar semen. To this end, we evaluated 191 ejaculate samples from 63 boars. Differences related to the effects of season and age on quality boar semen were found (p ≤ .05) in the animal groups. Indexes were established for velocity and sperm movement based on CASA-Mot, and we proposed a sperm movement index (SMI) and sperm velocity index (SVI) with the CASA-Mot variables. Correlations were found (p < .05) among sperm indexes and CASA-Mot variables. Boar characteristics were found to be associated with some CASA-Mot variables, and the estimated SMI and SVI indexes predicted a greater variation in kinematic characteristics compared to the parameters evaluated separately using the CASA-Mot system.     

揭膜种植方式下不同灌水量对棉花干物质积累及产量的影响

[目的]研究揭膜种植方式下不同灌水量对棉花干物质积累、转运及产量的影响,为新疆滴灌棉花生育期揭膜后的水分管理提供理论依据.[方法]选择新陆早45号(水分胁迫迟钝型)和新陆早42号(水分胁迫敏感性)为供试材料,在出苗后40 d揭膜并设置3个水分处理,即4425 m3/hm2(W1)、5310 m3/hm2(W2)、663...     

"雅士勇"口服液对猪的射精量和精子畸形率的影响

以大白猪和长白猪为研究材料,对照组不饲喂"雅士勇"口服液,两试验组分别饲喂25 mL和30 mL"雅士勇"口服液,研究"雅士勇"口服液对猪的射精量和精子畸形率的影响。结果表明,"雅士勇"口服液对射精量无明显影响(P>0.05),但对种公猪的精子畸形率有显著影响,对照组的精子畸形率均极显著地高于两个试验组(P<0.01),而两试验组之间精子畸形率差异不显著(P>0.05)。     

CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS IN THREE DOGS

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is the most common congenital cardiovascular disorder in dogs and requires an accurate diagnosis for an appropriate treatment. Cardiac MRI (cMRI) has been reported as a method for characterization of canine thoracic vasculature. However, to the authors’ knowledge, no published studies describe evaluation of canine PDA through cMRI. Three dogs were selected for this exploratory study. Electrocardiogram gating and breath‐hold techniques were performed using a 3T MR scanner. Both black blood imaging and bright blood cine acquisitions were performed. Quantification of stroke volume (SV) and shunting volume were calculated using a stack of short‐axis cine images. Additional 4D (three‐spatial dimensions plus time)‐TRAK (time‐resolved MR angiography with keyhole) sequences were conducted in patient 2 to verify other vasculature abnormality. Black blood images clearly depicted the course of the ductus from the descending aorta to the pulmonary artery in all three dogs. Morphological evaluation of PDA classified patients 1 and 2 as Type 2a and patient 3 as Type 1. Patient 2 was confirmed to have a concurrent persistent left cranial vena cava. Left ventricular SV, right ventricular SV, and left‐to‐right SV ratio were 12.4 ml, 3.36 ml, and 3.704, respectively, in patient 1; 6.85 ml, 1.22 ml, and 5.60 in the patient 2; and 3.67 ml, 2.14 ml, and 1.702 in patient 3. Findings indicated that cMRI is a feasible method for characterizing the morphology of PDA and extracardiac vasculature anomalies in dogs.     

Measurement of tidal volume using Respiratory Ultrasonic Plethysmography in anaesthetized,mechanically ventilated horses

ObjectiveTo compare tidal volume estimations obtained from Respiratory Ultrasonic Plethysmography (RUP) with simultaneous spirometric measurements in anaesthetized, mechanically ventilated horses.Study designProspective randomized experimental study.AnimalsFive experimental horses.MethodsFive horses were anaesthetized twice (1 week apart) in random order in lateral and in dorsal recumbency. Nine ventilation modes (treatments) were scheduled in random order (each lasting 4 minutes) applying combinations of different tidal volumes (8, 10, 12 mL kg^?1) and positive end-expiratory pressures (PEEP) (0, 10, 20 cm H₂O). Baseline ventilation mode (tidal volume = 15 mL kg^?1, PEEP = 0 cm H₂O) was applied for 4 minutes between all treatments. Spirometry and RUP data were downloaded to personal computers. Linear regression analyses (RUP versus spirometric tidal volume) were performed using different subsets of data. Additonally RUP was calibrated against spirometry using a regression equation for all RUP signal values (thoracic, abdominal and combined) with all data collectively and also by an individually determined best regression equation (highest R²) for each experiment (horse versus recumbency) separately. Agreement between methods was assessed with Bland-Altman analyses.ResultsThe highest correlation of RUP and spirometric tidal volume (R² = 0.81) was found with the combined RUP signal in horses in lateral recumbency and ventilated without PEEP. The bias ± 2 SD was 0 ± 2.66 L when RUP was calibrated for collective data, but decreased to 0 ± 0.87 L when RUP was calibrated with individual data.Conclusions and clinical relevanceA possible use of RUP for tidal volume measurement during IPPV needs individual calibration to obtain limits of agreement within ± 20%.     

Caudal vena cava point-of-care ultrasound in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease without clinically important right heart disease

ObjectivesCaudal vena cava (CVC) diameter and collapsibility index (CVC_D and CVC_CI) have been used to assess intravascular volume status (IVS). Maladaptations with progressive degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) lead to hypervolemia. We hypothesised that stages of DMVD will affect ultrasonographic CVC variables in dogs without clinically important right heart disease.Animals, materials and methodsThis retrospective study included 79 dogs with DMVD presented to the cardiology department between January 2017 and 2019. Subxiphoid views were used to obtain CVC cineloops. By visual inspection, CVC was subjectively scored as flat, normal or fat. Maximal and minimal CVC_D were measured and indexed to aortic diameter (CVC_D-max/Ao and CVC_D-min/Ao); CVC_CI was calculated as (CVC_D-max-CVC_D-min)/CVC_D-max. Fisher's exact and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to compare CVC variables.ResultsSubjective assessment was associated with American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) stages (P < 0.001). The proportion of fat CVC was greater in stages C and D. In stage D, CVC_D-max/Ao was larger compared with stages B1, B2 and C (P = 0.002, P = 0.002 and P = 0.035, respectively). In stages C and D, CVC_D-min/Ao was larger compared with B1 (P = 0.016 and P = 0.001) and B2 (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001. In stages C and D, CVC_CI was less than stage B1 (P = 0.016 and P = 0.044) and B2 (P = 0.001 and P = 0.010).ConclusionsIn dogs with DMVD without clinically important right heart disease, CVC variables differ across ACVIM stage. Subjective and objective CVC variables may be used to predict hypervolemia.     

Assessment of criteria for improvement in Theileria orientalis sergenti infection tolerance

We examined the relationships between calf productivity, anemia and Theileria orientalis sergenti infection from records of 109 Japanese shorthorn calves during a grazing period and we quantified the relative importance of the T. orientalis sergenti infection‐resistance criteria used. A decrease in average parasitemia (AvePara) and an increase in average packed cell volume (AvePCV) would cause a decrease in the number of drug treatments. An increase in AvePCV would decrease the number of drug treatments more efficiently than a decrease in AvePara. An increase in AvePCV would cause an increase in dairy gain, while a decrease in AvePara would cause a decrease in dairy gain. Therefore, an improvement in the capacity to control anemia development would improve T. orientalis sergenti infection resistance more efficiently than an improvement in the capacity to control parasitemia development.     

Effect of Manually Preheparinized Syringes on Packed Cell Volume and Total Solids in Blood Samples Collected from American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis)

The hemodilution effect of manually preheparinized syringes was determined by evaluating the packed cell volume (PCV) and total solids (TS) from blood samples collected from 50 American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). A volume of 0.2 mL of blood was drawn into 3 syringes of 1 mL: control with no heparin sodium, heparin sodium drawn to 0.1 mL and then expelled, and heparin sodium drawn to 0.2 mL and then expelled. PCV and TS values were determined from each syringe immediately after collection. Mean PCV and TS values were compared between the control and heparin groups using linear mixed modeling. The syringes coated with heparin resulted in a significantly lower mean PCV and TS values when compared with controls, with no significant difference between the heparin groups. This dilution effect was also found to be inconsistent and not accurate from one syringe to another. An adjunct method of obtaining 0.5 mL from already-collected blood samples into 1-mL syringes that were coated with heparin drawn to 0.2 mL and then expelled also showed a significant decrease in PCV and TS values when compared with the control samples, although to a lesser extent. As a result, it cannot be recommended to manually preheparinize syringes when collecting small volume of blood samples from American alligators because significant and unpredictable hemodilution is likely to occur.     

我国热带天然林植被C贮存量的估算

以海南岛尖峰岭热带林生态系统定位研究站多年的研究作为基本数据,用两种方法计算了海南岛和用一种方法计算了云南南部热带森林的Ｃ素库总量。结果表明,海南热带天然林的Ｃ素库总量为０．７１９－０．７３４亿ｔ,云南南部的热带天然林的Ｃ素库总量在０．６５３亿ｔ以上。