A comparison of the effects of carbon dioxide and medical air for abdominal insufflation on respiratory parameters in xylazine-sedated sheep undergoing laparoscopic artificial insemination

AIMS: To determine if abdominal insufflation with medical air will improve oxygenation and ventilation parameters when compared to insufflation with CO₂ in xylazine-sedated sheep undergoing laparoscopic artificial insemination (AI).

METHODS: Forty-seven sheep underwent oestrus synchronisation and were fasted for 24 hours prior to laparoscopic AI. Each animal was randomised to receive either CO₂ or medical air for abdominal insufflation. An auricular arterial catheter was placed and utilised for serial blood sampling. Respiratory rates (RR) and arterial blood samples were collected at baseline, after xylazine (0.1?mg/kg I/V) sedation, 2 minutes after Trendelenburg positioning, 5 minutes after abdominal insufflation, and 10 minutes after being returned to a standing position. Blood samples were collected in heparinised syringes, stored on ice, and analysed for arterial pH, partial pressure of arterial O₂ (PaO₂), and CO₂ (PaCO₂). The number of ewes conceiving to AI was also determined.

RESULTS: Repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated temporal effects on RR, PaO₂, PaCO₂ and arterial pH during the laparoscopic AI procedure (p<0.001), but no difference between insufflation groups (p>0.01). No sheep experienced hypercapnia (PaCO₂>50?mmHg) or acidaemia (pH<7.35). Hypoxaemia (PaO₂<70?mmHg) was diagnosed during the procedure in 14/22 (64%) ewes in the CO₂ group compared with 8/23 (35%) ewes in the medical air group (p=0.053). Overall, 15/20 (75%) ewes in the CO₂ group conceived to AI compared with 16/22 (72.7%) in the medical air group (p=0.867).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There were no statistical or clinical differences in RR, PaO₂, PaCO₂, pH, or conception to AI when comparing the effects of CO₂ and medical air as abdominal insufflation gases. None of the sheep experienced hypercapnia or acidaemic, yet 42% (19/45) of sheep developed clinical hypoxaemia, with a higher percentage of ewes in the CO₂ group developing hypoxaemia than in the medical air group. Based on the overall analysis, medical air could be utilised as a comparable alternative for abdominal insufflation during laparoscopic AI procedures.     

Postanesthetic Pulmonary Edema In an Arab Stallion

A six-year-old arabian stallion was admitted to The Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital for evaluation and repair of a comminuted fracture of the second phalanx. The horse developed impaired arterial oxygenation during surgey and pulmonary edema post-operatively. We postulate that impaired arterial oxygenation resulted from atelectasis of the dependent lung during annesthesia, and the pulmonary edema occurred following re-expansion of the atelectatic of the initiating cause of the edema, removal of excess lung water from the alveoli, and restoration of normal arterial oxygenation. The horse was fully recovered within 12 hours of initiation of clinical signs of respiratory compromise. The horse was fully recovered within 12 hours of initiation of clinical signs of respiratory compromise. This report describes re-expansion pulmonary edema due to reperfusion injury in a horse, treatment of the condition, and a possible explanation of the pathogenesis of this pulmonary pathology.     

甘肃东方蜜蜂的形态特征研究

通过测定甘肃2个不同样点的4群东方蜜蜂发现,甘肃蜜蜂种群内遗传变异丰富,种群中许多形态性状特征表现出较明显的地理变异性;蜜蜂个体增大、体色变深,具体是:前翅长、前翅宽、背板3,4宽;后腿长、蜡镜长、蜡镜宽、蜡镜间距、腹片3,6的长和宽逐渐增加;背板3,4、小盾片的色素度逐渐加深。这些均具有生态适应意义。     

BQ123对低温诱发的肉鸡肺血管重塑的影响

动态观察了肺小动脉中膜平滑肌的增殖及管腔面积的改变,探讨内皮素受体拮抗剂BQ123 对低温诱发的肉鸡肺血管重塑的影响。200只16日龄AA肉鸡随机均分为4组: 常温(20 ℃)对照组、低温(7~9 ℃)组、低温低剂量BQ123组和低温高剂量BQ123组。23日龄、30日龄时测定肺动脉压,并取肺组织做石蜡切片, 以Weigert间苯二酚复红染色,形态学计算机图象分析法测定肺细小动脉外径和内径、管总面积和管腔面积,计算中膜厚度占外径百分值(%)mMTPA及管壁面积/管总面积WA/TA(%)。结果显示:(1)BQ123 抑制低温肉鸡平均肺动脉压的升高,23日龄时低温高剂量BQ123组显著低于低温组(P<0 05),30 日龄时低温低剂量BQ123 组和低温高剂量BQ123组均极显著低于低温组(P<0 01);(2)BQ123 抑制低温肉鸡肺小动脉WA/TA(%)的升高,30~50μm的肺小动脉,低温组极显著高于低温低剂量BQ123 组及低温高剂量BQ123 组(P<0 01),其它分级的肺小动脉组间差异性与此类似;(3) BQ123抑制低温肉鸡肺小动脉的mMTPA的升高,30~50μm的肺小动脉,23日龄时低温组极显著高于低温低剂量BQ123 组和低温高剂量BQ123 组(P< 0 01), 30 日龄时低温组显著高于低温低剂量BQ123组(P<0 05)、极显著高于低温高剂量BQ123组(P<0 01),30μm以下的肺小动脉组间差异性与此类似,50~120μm     

Intracranial arteries of New Zealand rabbits; identification,three-dimensional modelling,and morphometry by computed tomography angiography

The aim of the study was to determine identification, three-dimensional modelling, and morphometry of intracranial arteries in New Zealand Rabbit by using computed tomography angiography. A total of 20 adult New Zealand Rabbits from both sexes were used in the study. General anaesthesia procedure was followed before computed tomography angiography imaging. Rabbits were placed in a prone position for imaging. Computed tomography angiography imaging was performed by injecting contrast agent into vena auricularis marginalis of rabbits. Morphometric measurements of the specified points were taken by MIMICS program using the computed tomography angiography images acquired. Three-dimensional intracranial artery model was prepared from the two-dimensional images on the same program. Measurements were statistically compared in terms of sex and side. It was observed in the study that arteria basilaris was generated by bilateral arteria vertebralis at the basal level of medulla oblongata. In the study, a statistically significant difference was determined only in diameter values of arteria cerebri caudalis dextra et sinistra in both female and male rabbits. On the other hand, no statistically significant difference was determined with respect to the side. Consequently, we think that the data of the present study will contribute to further studies on cerebrovascular pathology, clinicians or researchers.     

Use of dimethylformamide to cryopreserve alpaca semen previously incubated with collagenase

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of collagenase and two final dimethylformamide (DMF) concentrations (4% and 7%) on alpaca frozen-thawed sperm quality. A total of 25 ejaculates from 5 alpaca were obtained using electroejaculation. Each individual ejaculate was evaluated and then diluted 4:1 in a solution of 1 mg/ml collagenase in HEPES-TALP medium and incubated for 4 min at 37°C. Subsequently, samples were diluted in TRIS-fructose-citric acid-egg yolk and cooled to 5°C. Then, each sample was divided in two aliquots and DMF at final concentration of 4% or 7% was added, equilibrated for 1 hr at 5°C and frozen over liquid nitrogen vapours. A Kruskal–Wallis test was used to evaluate the sperm morphometry, and Completely Random Block designs were used to analyse sperm motility, viability, membrane function and acrosome status. After collagenase incubation, none of the samples showed thread formation, and sperm parameters were preserved. Non-progressive motile sperm were higher (p < .05) in equilibrated samples (4% DMF: 31.8 ± 8.3% and 7% DMF: 36.3 ± 11.8%) compared to raw (10.1 ± 4.3%) and frozen-thawed semen (4% DMF: 9.7 ± 1.8% and 7% DMF: 7.5 ± 3.2%). Sperm membrane function, membrane integrity and intact acrosomes were higher (p < .05) in raw semen (40.1 ± 12.2%, 94.6 ± 3.2% and 91.3 ± 8.1%) compared to frozen-thawed samples (4% DMF: 19.8 ± 4.7%, 53.2 ± 2.7%, 65.7 ± 8.7% and 7% DMF: 20.4 ± 4.5%, 54.1 ± 1.4%, 64.6 ± 9.1%). Length of the sperm head was lower in frozen-thawed samples, being statistically different with 4% DMF compared to pre-freezing samples. The ratio between acrosome and head areas was greater (p < .05) in frozen-thawed samples. Incubation of raw alpaca semen with collagenase decreased the thread formation without affecting sperm quality. Frozen of collagenase treated alpaca semen with 4% or 7% DMF did not preserve the sperm parameters in thawed samples.     

Effects of dietary Tenebrio molitor meal inclusion in free‐range chickens

Insects are currently being considered as a novel protein source for animal feeds, because they contain a large amount of protein. The larvae of Tenebrio molitor (TM) have been shown to be an acceptable protein source for broiler chickens in terms of growth performance, but till now, no data on histological or intestinal morphometric features have been reported. This study has had the aim of evaluating the effects of dietary TM inclusion on the performance, welfare, intestinal morphology and histological features of free‐range chickens. A total of 140 medium‐growing hybrid female chickens were free‐range reared and randomly allotted to two dietary treatments: (i) a control group and (ii) a TM group, in which TM meal was included at 75 g/kg. Each group consisted of five pens as replicates, with 14 chicks per pen. Growth performance, haematological and serum parameters and welfare indicators were evaluated, and the animals were slaughtered at the age of 97 days. Two birds per pen (10 birds/treatment) were submitted to histological (liver, spleen, thymus, bursa of Fabricius, kidney, heart, glandular stomach and gut) and morphometric (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) investigations. The inclusion of TM did not affect the growth performance, haematological or serum parameters. The morphometric and histological features were not significantly affected either, thus suggesting no influence on nutrient metabolization, performance or animal health. Glandular stomach alterations (chronic flogosis with epithelial squamous metaplasia) were considered paraphysiological in relation to free‐range farming. The observed chronic intestinal flogosis, with concomitant activation of the lymphoid tissue, was probably due to previous parasitic infections, which are very frequently detected in free‐range chickens. In conclusion, the findings of this study show that yellow mealworm inclusion does not affect the welfare, productive performances or morphological features of free‐range chickens, thus confirming that TM can be used safely in poultry diets.     

Comparison between mainstream (Capnostat 5) and a low-flow sidestream capnometer (Capnostream) in mechanically ventilated,sevoflurane-anesthetized rabbits using a Bain coaxial delivery system

ObjectiveTo evaluate agreement between end-tidal carbon dioxide (Pe′CO₂) and PaCO₂ with sidestream and mainstream capnometers in mechanically ventilated anesthetized rabbits, with two ventilatory strategies.Study designProspective experimental study.AnimalsA total of 10 New Zealand White rabbits weighing 3.6 ± 0.3 kg (mean ± standard deviation).MethodsRabbits anesthetized with sevoflurane were intubated with an uncuffed endotracheal tube (3.0 mm internal diameter) and adequate seal. For Pe′CO₂, the sidestream capnometer sampling adapter or the mainstream capnometer was placed between the endotracheal tube and Bain breathing system (1.5 L minute^–1 oxygen). PaCO₂ was obtained from arterial blood collected every 5 minutes. A time-cycled ventilator delivered an inspiratory time of 1 second and 12 or 20 breaths minute^–1. Peak inspiratory pressure was initially set to achieve Pe′CO₂ normocapnia of 35–45 mmHg (4.6–6.0 kPa). A total of five paired Pe′CO₂ and PaCO₂ measurements were obtained with each ventilation mode for each capnometer. Anesthetic episodes were separated by 7 days. Agreement was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis and linear mixed models; p < 0.05.ResultsThere were 90 and 83 pairs for the mainstream and sidestream capnometers, respectively. The mainstream capnometer underestimated PaCO₂ by 12.6 ± 2.9 mmHg (proportional bias 0.44 ± 0.06 mmHg per 1 mmHg PaCO₂ increase). With the sidestream capnometer, ventilation mode had a significant effect on Pe′CO₂. At 12 breaths minute^–1, Pe′CO₂ underestimated PaCO₂ by 23.9 ± 8.2 mmHg (proportional bias: 0.81 ± 0.18 mmHg per 1 mmHg PaCO₂ increase). At 20 breaths minute^–1, Pe′CO₂ underestimated PaCO₂ by 38.8 ± 5.0 mmHg (proportional bias 1.13 ± 0.10 mmHg per 1 mmHg PaCO₂ increase).Conclusions and clinical relevanceBoth capnometers underestimated PaCO₂. The sidestream capnometer underestimated PaCO₂ more than the mainstream capnometer, and was affected by ventilation mode.