Acute Insulin-induced Hypoglycaemia does not alter IGF-1 and LH Release in Cyclic Mares

Lactation in the mare is associated with changes in the release of metabolic as well as reproductive hormones. Plasma glucose concentration is constantly reduced in lactating compared with non-lactating mares. Several metabolic signals have been proposed to link nutrition and somatic metabolism with reproductive function. The following experiment was performed to study the effect of acute hypoglycaemia on the release of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in cyclic mares. Different doses of insulin (0.1 and 0.2 IU/kg body weight) were given to induce a decrease in plasma glucose concentration, as existent in lactating mares. All horses treated with insulin developed a hypoglycaemia over a time period of nearly 10 h. The IGF-1 and LH were analysed before and after insulin administration. At no point of time, a significant difference between the two insulin treatments and the control treatment was observed. Therefore, the hypoglycaemic horse is apparently able to provide the brain with sufficient glucose. Short-term hypoglycaemia does not affect the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis, and concentrations of IGF-1 and LH remained stable during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. An acute change in plasma glucose concentration is thus not or at least not the only metabolic signal that links nutrition and somatic metabolism with reproductive function in the horse mare.     

Reconciling poverty alleviation with reduction in fisheries capacity: boat aid in post-tsunami Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract  The tremendous loss of life and assets resulting from the 2004 tsunami dealt a devastating blow to the coastal communities of Aceh Province, Indonesia. An assessment of the fishing fleet structure pre- and post-tsunami, including associated pattern in boat aid, in 15 coastal communities was conducted and compared with data on boat relief efforts over 17 districts of the Province. Aid was found to be not proportionally allocated to losses incurred by communities and was in many cases below what could be seen as a trend toward overcapacity. The distribution of aid appeared to be done without consideration of the former structure of the fleet, which changed significantly over time (pre- and post-tsunami), and resulted in a new fleet of reduced diversity with a strong focus on the smaller boat categories. If this situation perpetuates after the initial post-disaster period, it may further exacerbate the pre-existing economic and geographic marginalisation of some remote communities, and reduce the capacities of the fleets to diversify and develop multi-species harvesting strategies; thus, increasing the risk of ecologically unsustainable exploitation in near shore areas.     

Artificial Insemination of Gilts with 1.5 Billion Sperms Stored in Different Periods Associated with Different Pre-ovulatory Intervals

This study evaluated the reproductive performance of gilts inseminated at three intervals before ovulation (0-12, 13-23, 24-30 h) with sperm doses (SD) stored for 0-48 and 96-120 h. A total of 218 PIC Camborough 22 gilts were inseminated once with SD of 1.5 x 10(9) sperms. Pregnant gilts (n = 166) were slaughtered 30.8 +/- 3.7 days after artificial insemination. The number of corpora lutea (CL) and total embryos (TE) was counted. Pregnancy rates (PR) were analysed by chi-square test. TE and embryonic survival (ES), obtained as the ratio between viable embryos and CL, were analysed by GLM procedure (SAS) and mean values were compared by Tukey's test. Pregnancy rate was similar among artificial insemination-ovulation (AIOV) intervals when semen was stored for 0-48 h. However, the lowest PR was observed in the 24-30 h AIOV interval with storage time (ST) of 96-120 h (p < 0.05). There was a significant effect of the interaction between ST and AIOV (p < 0.05) on TE and ES variables. Total embryos and ES did not differ (p > 0.05) among AIOV intervals in ST of 0-48 h. However, gilts inseminated at 24-30 h AIOV interval with ST of 96-120 h showed a reduction of 6.7 embryos (p < 0.05) compared with gilts in the same interval inseminated with semen stored for 0-48 h. ES for the 24-30 h AIOV interval and ST of 96-120 h was lower than that observed in the other groups (p < 0.05).     

Actions of sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide on seed dormancy and germination of wild oats, Avena fatua L.

Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) can release dormancy of imbibed wild oat (Avena fatua L.) seeds. Treatments found effective included (i) immersing intact seeds in 800 mm NaOCl for 1 h followed by incubation on 5 × 10^?4m gibberellin A₃(GA₃); (ii) immersing dehulled seeds in 800 mm NaOCl for 1 min followed by incubation on 5 × 10^?4m GA₃; (iii) immersion of dehulled seeds in much lower concentrations of NaOCl, e.g. 13 4 mm for 3 h followed by incubation on water; or (iv) incubating dehulled seeds on a low concentration of NaOCl. Based on the concentrations of each of the reagents required to produce equivalent responses, NaOCl is approximately 4–6 times more effective than hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in triggering the onset of germination, and 6 times as effective in causing growth inhibition in the roots. These results suggest the modes of action of NaOCl and H₂O₂ in the termination of dormancy reside in a modification of the properties of the hull and seed coat membranes, and in the provision of additional oxygen to the seed.     

Scapular Sequestrum in a Horse A Case Report

A 15-year-old Morgan mare presented with a draining tract associated with osteomyelitis and sequestration of the medullary cancellous bone of the right scapula. Moderate lameness and muscle atrophy were present. Partial resection of the lateral cortex allowed exploration and debridement of the medullary cavity of the scapula. The mare returned to soundness, the muscle mass returned, but a small discharging sinus persisted.     

The Effect of Landfill Leachate Spraying on Foliar Nutrient Concentrations and Leaf Transpiration in a Northern Hardwood Forest, Canada

The effect of municipal solid waste (MSW) leachate spray irrigationon a mature northern hardwood forest was investigated. Canopyfoliar samples and stem increment cores were collected fromtwo indicative species, sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.)and American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.), within each ofa heavily sprayed, lightly sprayed and control area. Foliarconcentrations of N and P were significantly higher in bothmaple and beech foliage within the sprayed areas when comparedto an unsprayed area (control). Levels of Mg and K were markedlyhigher in maple but not beech foliar samples within the heavilysprayed areas when compared to foliage sampled within the unsprayedcontrol. While no significant trends were observed within themaple foliage, both Fe and B levels increased significantlyin beech foliar samples obtained from within the heavily sprayedarea in comparison to foliage samples from the control. Directporometric measurements of the transpiration rate and diffusive(stomatal) resistance of canopy and understory plant leavesrevealed a significant increase in diffusive resistance anda decline in transpiration rate with leachate spraying. Afterfour years of spraying a significant effect of leachate applicationon radial stem growth of both maple and beech trees has notbeen observed.     

Successful treatment of a pancreatic pseudocyst by omentalisation in a dog

CASE HISTORY A 3-year-old male Labrador retriever was presented with a history of dietary indiscretion followed by vomiting and abdominal pain.

CLINICAL FINDINGS AND TREATMENT: Abdominal ultrasonography revealed the presence of a fluid-filled cystic structure in the region of the pancreas. Flocculent, dark fluid was drained from the cystic structure during exploratory celiotomy prior to resection of the lateral cystic wall. Omentum was sutured into the cystic cavity to provide drainage and enhance immune response. A jejunostomy feeding tube was placed. Post-surgical care consisted of antibiotic therapy. The dog was clinically normal at 1 and 7 months post-operatively and the pancreas appeared normal on final ultrasonographic examination.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This case describes the use of omentum to provide physiological drainage of a pancreatic pseudocyst. This surgical technique may help clinicians manage patients with this condition in the future.     

Improvement of Fertility in Artificially Inseminated Ewes Following Vaginal Treatment with Misoprostol Plus Terbutaline Sulphate

The effect of vaginal administration of misoprostol plus terbutaline sulphate 6 h prior to artificial insemination (AI) upon the site of AI (vaginal or cervical) and fertility was studied using a total of 87 estrous synchronized Serra da Estrela ewes (control n = 42 and treated n = 45). Artificial insemination was performed using refrigerated semen at 54–55 h after sponge removal. Lambing rate (fertility) and prolificacy were compared between control and treated ewes. The effect of the site of semen deposition on fertility was also evaluated. Prolificacy rate was not different between control (1.5) and treated (1.59) ewes. The proportion of cervical AI achieved in control (45.2%) and treated (37.8%) ewes was not significantly different. Overall, fertility was significantly lower in control than in treated ewes (42.9% vs 64.4%; p < 0.04). Fertility following vaginal AI was significantly lower for control for than treated ewes (30.4% vs 60.7%; p < 0.03) but the difference was smaller and not significant for cervical AI (control 57.9% vs 70.6%). It was concluded that vaginal administration of misoprostol plus terbutaline sulphate 6 h prior to artificial insemination did not affect the proportion of cervical inseminations but significantly improved the fertility of treated ewes. Although needing confirmation, it was hypothesized that drugs might have induced local secretory modifications leading to an increase of cervical ability to retain more viable spermatozoa for fertilization.