scholarly journals Refinement of uterine fragment sampling in experimental studies using small ruminants: from leptospirosis to beyond

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruna Guadelupe ◽  
Gabriel Martins ◽  
Mário Felipe Alvarez Balaro ◽  
Pedro Henrique Nicolau Pinto ◽  
WALTER LILENBAUM
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Lower Cost ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Handling Time ◽  
The Third ◽  
Fetal Infection ◽  
Reproductive Losses ◽  
Inflammatory Changes

Abstract Ruminant genital leptospirosis is a particular syndrome, in which leptospires remain lodged in the organs of the reproductive tract causing inflammatory changes and/or embryonic/fetal infection resulting in significant reproductive losses. To collect uterine biopsies from small ruminants, surgeries that are costly and time-consuming, causing injury to the animals, are used. In this article, we describe the technique used of videolaparotomy and we dazzle a satisfactory result, with the collected material and the animal welfare. The animals recovered faster and no antibiotics were needed, improving animal welfare. From the technique of collecting the uterine fragment by videolaparoscopy, it was possible to obtain a biological material of high quality, providing also a shorter handling time for animals, less invasive, lower cost and obtaining the same results as a surgery. This is related to ethical principles, particularly with the third of the 3Rs, Refinement, minimizing potential pain and distress and enhance animal welfare.

Preservation and evaluation of semen for artificial insemination

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay Gillan ◽  
W. M. Chis Maxwell ◽  
Gareth Evans
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Respiratory Activity ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Functional Condition ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Altered State ◽  
And Function ◽  
Improved Methods

Many years of research have been devoted to improving the fertility of preserved semen of small ruminants. There have been few significant advances in preservation in recent times, but considerable knowledge has been gained on the effect of preservation on the structure and function of spermatozoa. It has become evident that preservation greatly affects many sperm attributes, such as motility, respiratory activity, membrane status and DNA quality. Consequently, viability is reduced, transport in the female reproductive tract is inhibited, the timing of fertilisation is altered and embryo development is affected following insemination of preserved, compared to fresh spermatozoa. A greater understanding of their functional condition may lead to the development of methods of preventing these alterations or to improved methods of using the preserved spermatozoa for artificial insemination in their altered state.

Investigations and Concerns about the Fate of Transgenic DNA and Protein in Livestock

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Matovu ◽  
Ahmet Alçiçek
Keyword(s):  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Feed Processing ◽  
Gm Plants ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
Gastro Intestinal Tract

The fate of transgenic DNA (tDNA) and protein from feed derived from Genetically Modified organisms (GMOs) in animals has been a major issue since their commercialization in 1996. Several studies have investigated the risks of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of tDNA and protein to bacteria or animal cells/tissues, but some of the reported data are controversial. Previous reports showed that tDNA fragments or proteins derived from GM plants could not be detected in tissues, fluids, or edible products from livestock. Other researchers have shown that there is a possibility of small fragments entering animal tissues, fluids and organs. This motivated us to update our knowledge about these concerns. Therefore, this review aimed to evaluate the probable transfer and accumulation of tDNA/proteins from transgenic feeds in animal samples (ruminant and non-ruminant) by evaluating the available experimental studies published scientifically. This study found that the tDNA/protein is not completely degraded during feed processing and digestion in Gastro-Intestinal Tract (GIT). In large ruminants (cattle), tDNA fragments/proteins were detected in GIT digesta, rumen fluid, and faeces. In small ruminants (goats), traces of tDNA/proteins were detected in GIT digesta, blood, milk, liver, kidney, heart and muscle. In pigs, they were detected in blood, spleen, liver, kidney, and GIT digesta. In poultry, traces were detected in blood, liver and GIT digesta but not in meat and eggs. Notwithstanding some studies that have shown transfer of tDNA/protein fragments in animal samples, we cannot rely on these few studies to give general evidence for transfer into tissues/fluids and organs of farm animals. However, this study clearly shows that transfer is possible. Therefore, intensive and authentic research should be conducted on GM plants before they are approved for commercial use, investigating issues such as the fate of tDNA or proteins and the effects of feeding GM feed to livestock.

scholarly journals The slaughter of increased numbers of pregnant cows in Tanga abattoir, Tanzania: A cause for concern?

2015 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel S. Swai ◽  
Abdu A. Hayghaimo ◽  
Ayubu A. Hassan ◽  
Bartholomeo S. Mhina
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Local Breed ◽  
The Third ◽  
High Level ◽  
Animal Welfare Legislation

Information on the level of foetal wastage in slaughtered cattle in Tanzania is limited. A three-month observational study (April – June 2014) of animals slaughtered at the Tanga abattoir in Tanga region, Tanzania was carried out to determine the number of pregnant cows slaughtered. The total number of cattle slaughtered during the study period was 3643, representing a monthly kill average of 1214 and a daily kill average of 40. Over 98% of the cattle presented to the abattoir for slaughter were local breed (Tanzania shorthorn zebu) and most were above 3 years of age. Improved breeds of cattle represented only 1.3% of all slaughters. Of the cattle slaughtered, 2256 (61.9%) were female and 1387 (38.1%) were male. A total of 655 slaughtered cows were pregnant, representing a foetal wastage of 29.1%. Of the 655 recovered foetuses, 333 (50.8%) were male and 322 (49.2%) were female. Of the recovered foetuses, 25.8% were recovered in the first, 42.7% in the second and 31.6% in the third trimester. This study indicates cases of significant foetal losses, negatively impacting future replacement stock as a result of the slaughter of pregnant animals. The indiscriminate slaughter of pregnant cows suggests that existing animal welfare legislation is not sufficiently enforced and routine veterinary ante-mortem inspection of trade animals is failing to prevent the high level of foetal wastage.

scholarly journals Functional Response of Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) Larvae on Saissetia oleae (Olivier) (Hemiptera: Coccidae): Implications for Biological Control

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1511
Author(s):  
Abdelkader Meni Mahzoum ◽  
María Villa ◽  
Jacinto Benhadi-Marín ◽  
José Alberto Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Functional Response ◽  
Attack Rate ◽  
Larval Instar ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Handling Time ◽  
Scale Insects ◽  
Chrysoperla Carnea ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
The Third ◽  
Saissetia Oleae

Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is a voracious predator of soft-bodied insects such as juveniles of scale insects and the black scale Saissetia oleae (Olivier) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) is an important pest of several crops, such as the olive tree. However, the predatory efficiency of C. carnea on S. oleae has been unstudied yet. The present work aimed to study the functional response of larvae of C. carnea fed on S. oleae nymphs. In a controlled laboratory environment, increasing densities of S. oleae second and third nymph stages were offered to newly emerged specimens of the three larvae instars of C. carnea. After 24 h, the number of killed S. oleae was recorded and the functional response of C. carnea was assessed. The three larval stages of C. carnea displayed a type-II functional response, i.e., killed prey increased with higher S. oleae densities up to a maximum limited by the handling time. The attack rate did not significantly differ among the three instars while the maximum attack rate was significantly higher for the third instar. The handling time of the first larval instar of C. carnea was higher than that of the third instar. Our results demonstrated that S. oleae could act as a food resource for all larval stages of C. carnea. Furthermore, the third larval stage of the predator was the most efficient in reducing S. oleae densities. These results suggest that C. carnea larvae could contribute to S. oleae control in sustainable agriculture.

scholarly journals Sex-related differences in local and whole-body heat loss responses: Physical or physiological?

2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 843-843
Author(s):  
Daniel Gagnon
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Heat Loss ◽  
Heat Production ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Metabolic Heat Production ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Fixed Rate ◽  
The Third ◽  
Metabolic Heat ◽  
Body Heat

The current thesis examined whether sex differences in local and whole-body heat loss are evident after accounting for confounding differences in physical characteristics and rate of metabolic heat production. Three experimental studies were performed: the first examined whole-body heat loss in males and females matched for body mass and surface area during exercise at a fixed rate of metabolic heat production; the second examined local and whole-body heat loss responses between sexes during exercise at increasing requirements for heat loss; the third examined sex-differences in local sweating and cutaneous vasodilation to given doses of pharmacological agonists, as well as during passive heating. The first study demonstrated that females exhibit a lower whole-body sudomotor thermosensitivity (553 ± 77 vs. 795 ± 85 W·°C−1, p = 0.05) during exercise performed at a fixed rate of metabolic heat production. The second study showed that whole-body sudomotor thermosensitivity is similar between sexes at a requirement for heat loss of 250 W·m−2 (496 ± 139 vs. 483 ± 185 W·m−2·°C−1, p = 0.91) and 300 W·m−2 (283 ± 70 vs. 211 ± 66 W·m−2·°C−1, p = 0.17), only becoming greater in males at a requirement for heat loss of 350 W·m−2 (197 ± 61 vs. 82 ± 27 W·m−2·°C−1, p = 0.007). In the third study, a lower sweat rate to the highest concentration of acetylcholine (0.27 ± 0.08 vs. 0.48 ± 0.13 mg·min−1·cm−2, p = 0.02) and methacholine (0.41 ± 0.09 vs. 0.57 ± 0.11 mg·min−1·cm−2, p = 0.04) employed was evidenced in females, with no differences in cholinergic sensitivity. Taken together, the results of the current thesis show that sex itself can modulate sudomotor activity, specifically the thermosensitivity of the response, during both exercise and passive heat stress. Furthermore, the results of the third study point towards a peripheral modulation of the sweat gland as a mechanism responsible for the lower sudomotor thermosensitivity in females.

Do sows need straw for nest-building ?

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
GD Hutson
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Operant Conditioning ◽  
Thermal Protection ◽  
Nest Building ◽  
Genetic Adaptation ◽  
The Third ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Nesting Behaviour ◽  
Fourth Experiment ◽  
Conditioning Apparatus

The motivation of sows to obtain straw was measured in 4 experiments using operant conditioning apparatus. In the first experiment there was no significant difference in the operant level of response when lifts on a lever produced access to an empty box or a box containing straw. None of the 6 sows, 4 about 10 weeks pregnant and 2 non-pregnant, showed any interest in the straw. In the second experiment variation in motivation to obtain straw was measured by testing pigs for 7 consecutive days every 2 weeks from mating to weaning. All pigs showed little change in lever lifting behaviour, although 2 gilts showed increased responsiveness to straw at farrowing time. In the third experiment 4 sows were allowed to farrow in the test pen with access to the lever and straw box. The sows showed an increase in activity prior to farrowing which coincided with increased manipulation of the lever. The response to straw was variable, although all pigs showed an increase in pawing behaviour. However, in a fourth experiment, 4 control pigs showed similar increases prior to farrowing in activity, lever manipulation, and pawing behaviour when the straw box was empty. The apparent low motivation of sows towards utilisation of straw is discussed in relation to its importance as a key stimulus for nesting behaviour and its role in thermal protection of the piglets, and also in relation to possible absence of appropriate nest-building stimuli, previous experience, genetic adaptation and animal welfare.

Inverse Kinematics of Discretely-Actuated Manipulators Within a Bounded Grid Element

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deanne C. Kemeny ◽  
Raymond J. Cipra
Keyword(s):  
Inverse Kinematics ◽  
Lower Cost ◽  
Robotic Manipulators ◽  
Forward Kinematics ◽  
End Effector ◽  
Grid Element ◽  
The Third ◽  
Inverse Kinematics Problem

Discretely-actuated manipulators are defined in this paper as serial planar chains of many links and are an alternative to traditional robotic manipulators, where continuously variable actuators are replaced with discrete, or digital actuators. Benefits include reduced weight and complexity, and predictable manipulation at lower cost. Challenges to using digital manipulators are the discrete end-effector positions which make the inverse kinematics problem difficult to solve. Furthermore, for a specific application position in the manipulator workspace, there may not be an actual end-effector position. This research has relaxed the inverse kinematics problem around this challenge making each application position an element of a grid in which the end effector must reach. There may be many possible end-effector positions that would reach the element goal, the solution uses the first one that is found. The inverse kinematics solution assumes the assembly configuration of the digital manipulator is already solved specifically for the application grid. The Jacobian function, normally used to solve joint velocities, can be used to identify the exact shift vectors that are used for the inverse kinematics. Three methods to solve this problem are discussed and the third method was implemented as a four-part solution that is a directed and manipulated search for the inverse kinematics solution where all four solutions may be needed. A discussion of forward kinematics and the Jacobian function in relation to digital manipulators is also presented.

scholarly journals Pathological Conditions Associated with the Male Reproductive Tract of the Sahel Bucks

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuf Abba ◽  
Suleiman Simon ◽  
Halima Idris Gambo ◽  
Ikechukwu Onyebuchi Igbokwe ◽  
Yusuf Iliyasu
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive System ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
System A ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Total Incidence ◽  
Sahel Goat ◽  
Inflammatory Changes ◽  
Unilateral Cryptorchidism

The study of pathological conditions of the male reproductive system is paramount to understanding reproductive inefficiency in the Sahel goat. In this study, 1048 Sahel bucks presented for slaughter at the Maiduguri metropolitan abattoir were evaluated for the presence of various pathological abnormalities of the reproductive system. A total incidence of 15.08% was recorded for various pathological conditions, with testicular, penile, and scrotal conditions having incidences of 7.82%, 4.80 and 2.50%, respectively. Bilateral testicular hypoplasia and atrophy and unilateral cryptorchidism accounted for incidences of 4.10%, 2.38%, and 1.24%, respectively, while paraphimosis and scrotal laceration had incidences of 1.72% and 1.05%, respectively. Age specific incidence of pathological conditions were not significant(P>0.05)between bucks aged <1–1.5 and 2–2.5 years. However, bucks aged 3–3.5 year a had lower(P<0.05)incidence of pathological conditions than other age groups. Histopathological evidence of inflammation, degeneration, and atrophy was observed in the testes, while inflammatory changes were observed in the prepuce.

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