scholarly journals Cardboard and rubber objects as means of environmental enrichment for rabbits

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 109
Author(s):  
Kassy Gomes da Silva ◽  
Mariah Gomes Stange ◽  
Martina Pergorara ◽  
Cristina Santos Sotomaior ◽  
Saulo Henrique Weber ◽  
...  

Environmental enrichment improves rabbit welfare in rabbitries. Various toys for cats and dogs are commercially available, which are made of materials that could be safely used for rabbits as well. The objectives of this study were to evaluate whether cardboard and rubber materials could be used for environmental enrichment for rabbits. The study involved 42 adult New Zealand white rabbits (20 females and 22 males), randomly assigned to seven treatment groups: “C”, without object (control); “RB”, a solid rubber ball; “FT”, a fillable teether filled with hay; “CH”, a cardboard hole; “CS”, a piece of a cat scratcher; “CSC”, a piece of a cat scratcher with catnip; “CF”, an articulated cardboard fish. The behaviour of the rabbits and the percentage of destruction of the objects were recorded for 28 d. The normal behaviours of locomotion, rearing, stretching, stereotypies and sitting were not influenced by the treatments. Lying down was observed more frequently than the full stretched out position for resting. The FT-treatment group presented most behaviours of interaction (biting and sniffing) (<em>P</em>&lt;0.05) as compared to RB, CSC, and CF-treatment groups. All the objects showed some level of destruction; the mean rates of destruction for CH, CS, CSC and CF were up to 40%, whereas those for FT and RB were under 30%. Taken together, the results suggest that cardboard and rubber materials can be used as means of environmental enrichment for rabbits.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0250311
Author(s):  
Aonan Zhang ◽  
Lin Zhu ◽  
Zhenghao Shi ◽  
Tianying Liu ◽  
Lanlan Han ◽  
...  

The soybean aphid Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a primary pest of soybeans and poses a serious threat to soybean production. Our studies were conducted to understand the effects of different concentrations of insecticides (imidacloprid and thiamethoxam) on A. glycines and provided critical information for its effective management. Here, we found that the mean generation time and adult and total pre-nymphiposition periods of the LC50 imidacloprid- and thiamethoxam-treatment groups were significantly longer than those of the control group, although the adult pre-nymphiposition period in LC30 imidacloprid and thiamethoxam treatment groups was significantly shorter than that of the control group. Additionally, the mean fecundity per female adult, net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, and finite rate of increase of the LC30 imidacloprid-treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group and higher than those of the LC50 imidacloprid-treatment group (P < 0.05). Moreover, both insecticides exerted stress effects on A. glycines, and specimens treated with the two insecticides at the LC50 showed a significant decrease in their growth rates relative to those treated with the insecticides at LC30. These results provide a reference for exploring the effects of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam on A. glycines population dynamics in the field and offer insight to agricultural producers on the potential of low-lethal concentrations of insecticides to stimulate insect reproduction during insecticide application.


1978 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Macari ◽  
C. R. Machado

Semen was collected weekly from New Zealand white rabbits from the 1st positive mounting test to 43 weeks of age by means of an artificial vagina. The mean values of the results obtained in the 1st and 20th collection weeks were respectively: volume (ml) 0·61 ± 0·30 and 0·70 ± 0·19; pH 7·22 ± 0·50 and 7·19 ± 0±15; concentration (sperm/mm3 x 103) 750 ± 207 and 381 ± 90; fructose (mg/l00 ml) 117 ± 58 and 203 ± 121; citric acid (mg/l00 ml) 256 ± 90 and 200 ± 97; sodium ions (mEq/l) 133 ± 31 and 163 ± 46; potassium ions (mEq/l) 40 ± 21 and 29 ± 14. On the basis of these results, New Zealand white rabbits reach sexual maturity by 6 months of age.


1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 721-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Li ◽  
J. G. Fox ◽  
S. E. Erdman ◽  
N. S. Lipman

A retrospective study revealed intestinal plasmacytosis in 53 of 102 rabbits used in various experimental studies and as controls. The breeds affected included New Zealand white ( n = 46), Dutch-belted ( n = 6), and Watanabe ( n = 1) rabbits. Sex predisposition was not found in any breed. The mean (± SD) ages were 3.1 ± 1.4 years for New Zealand white rabbits, 1.3 ± 1.1 for Dutch-belted rabbits, and 2 years for the Watanabe rabbit. The severity increased with animal age. The incidence was higher ( P < 0.05) in rabbits used in antibody production and cholesterol studies. The lesions were characterized by multifocal to diffuse infiltration of well-differentiated plasma cells in the intestinal mucosa. Electron microscopic examination revealed typical plasma cell morphology of the infiltrating cells. Small intestine and cecum were the major sites affected. In severe cases, colon, rectum, trachea, esophagus, mesenteric lymph node, and spleen were also involved.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 162
Author(s):  
L. P. Nethenzheni ◽  
M. L. Mphaphathi ◽  
N. C. Negota ◽  
T. L. Nedambale

Semen extenders and seminal plasma are vital for cryopreservation of buck semen. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the effect of 2 extenders: Triladyl® (Minitube, Tiefenbach, Bavaria) and Bioxcell® (IMV, L’Aigle, France) and the removal of seminal plasma on buck semen. Six indigenous bucks were used in this study and 6 ejaculates were collected from individual bucks. The semen was pooled and then randomly allocated into 6 groups: (1) raw-washed, (2) raw-non-washed, (3) Triladyl®-washed, 4) Triladyl®-non-washed, (5) Bioxcell®-washed, and (6) Bioxcell®-non-washed. Spermatozoa viability was assessed using Eosin-Nigrosin and morphology using Spermac® (Vitrolife, Göteborg, Sweden) stains. The washed semen samples were all diluted into (1:4 v/v) with PBS and centrifuged at 1500 × g for 10 min. Semen samples were then extended with Triladyl® or Bioxcell® per treatment groups and equilibrated for 2 h at 5°C. The semen samples were loaded into straws per treatment groups and placed 5 cm above a liquid nitrogen vapour for 10 min and then stored at –196°C until use. After 1 month of storage, frozen semen straws per treatment group were thawed at 37°C for 30 s, and spermatozoa parameters were analysed post-thaw. Significant differences among the mean values of semen parameters were determined by Tukey’s test using ANOVA, GLM procedure of SAS version 12.1 of 2010 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). There was a higher (P < 0.05) live and normal spermatozoa percentage in non-washed semen extended with Bioxcell® (45.7 ± 21.2) than the semen extended with Triladyl® (24.5 ± 22.2%). Live and normal spermatozoa percentages were drastically reduced in the Bioxcell® (5.2 ± 4.9) and Triladyl® (6.9 ± 8.6%) washed semen groups. There was a higher (P < 0.05) percentage of spermatozoa with head abnormalities in non-washed semen extended with Triladyl® (20.4 ± 10.2), compared with the semen extended with Bioxcell® (18.3 ± 12.4%) following freeze-thawing. There was a higher (P < 0.05) percentage of spermatozoa with head abnormalities in washed semen samples extended with Triladyl® (34.0 ± 16.0) compared with the semen extended with Bioxcell® (10.1 ± 7.0%). There were higher (P < 0.05) percentages of spermatozoa with coiled tail abnormalities in washed semen extended with Bioxcell® (65.4 ± 25.0) compared with Triladyl® (35.9 ± 21.6%). In conclusion, the liveability of spermatozoa was negatively affected by washing of semen extended with Bioxcell® and Triladyl® extender. Bioxcell® significantly increased tail abnormalities and Triladyl® gave less protection against head abnormalities following cryopreservation of South African unimproved indigenous bucks’ semen.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 3846-3846
Author(s):  
Depei Wu ◽  
Xin Du ◽  
Jie Jin ◽  
Zhijian Xiao ◽  
Zhixiang Shen ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3846 Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 3-day and 5-day treatment schedules of decitabine (nucleoside analogue) in Chinese patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). Methods: In this open-label, multi-center, phase 3b study, consenting men and women (n=132) above 18 years of age with de novo or secondary MDS fitting any of the recognized French-American-British classifications, with score on International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) ≥ 0.5 within 30 days before randomization, and having Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance (ECOG) status of 0–2, were enrolled. Patients were randomized (1:1) to either 3-day treatment schedule (15 mg/m2/day decitabine administered by continuous intravenous infusion within a 3-hour period, repeated every 8 hours for 3 consecutive days/cycle; cycles repeated every 6 weeks) or to 5-day treatment schedule (20 mg/m2 decitabine administered by a 1-hour infusion once-daily, on days 1 through 5/cycle; cycles repeated every 4 weeks), until minimum of 30 patients were included in the 3-day treatment group. All remaining patients were enrolled for the 5-day treatment. Patients were treated for ≥4 treatment cycles and for a maximum of 2 years, as long as the patient continued to benefit (absence of overt progression of disease or unacceptable toxicity). The primary efficacy endpoint was overall response rate (ORR) that included complete remission, bone marrow complete remission and partial remission, according to the International Working Group (IWG) 2006 response criteria. The secondary endpoints included hematological improvement, time to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) progression or death, and overall survival (OS). Safety and pharmacokinetics of decitabine were evaluated. Assuming a 10% dropout rate, with 132 enrolled patients, the study had 90% power at a 5% significance level to detect a &gt;10% ORR. Results: Thirty-four patients were included in the 3-day treatment group and 98 patients were included in the 5-day treatment group. Overall, 78 (59.5%) patients prematurely discontinued the study (16 [12.2%] patients discontinued due to disease progression). The demographic and baseline characteristics were comparable between the 2 treatment groups. In the overall population, the median age was 53.9 years (range: 18.5 – 84.0), 59% were men, all had de novo MDS, the mean (SD) time since diagnosis of MDS was 4.2 (9.38) months, 41.4% patients were IPSS Intermediate-1 (0.5–1.0), 43% were IPSS Intermediate −2 (1.5–2.0) and 15.6% were IPSS high risk (≥2.5) and the majority (68.9% of patients) had ECOG score of 1. Median number of treatment cycles was 3 for each of the treatment groups. Based on the single sample proportion comparison with given value (10%), the significant ORR was achieved in the overall population (22.9%; 95% CI: 16.0, 31.1; p&lt;0.001) as well as in the 3-day treatment group (26.5%; 95% CI: 12.9, 44.4) and 5-day treatment group (21.6%; 95% CI: 13.9, 31.2). The hematological improvement (CR+PR+HI) rate (% [95% CI]) for overall population, 3-day treatment group and 5-day treatment group was 39.7 (31.3, 48.6), 44.1 (27.2, 62.1) and 38.1 (28.5, 48.6) respectively. AML transformations or deaths occurred in 21 (16.0%) patients overall, and in 5 (14.7%) and 16 (16.5%) patients in the 3-day and 5-day treatment group respectively. For the overall population, the maximum estimated time to AML transformations or death was 27.8 months (3-day treatment: 17.9 months, 5-day treatment: 27.8 months). For the overall population, the 12-month OS was 80.6 % and 24-month OS was 60.7%. At steady state, the mean (SD) maximum plasma concentration and mean (SD) area under plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-∞) was 54.44 (20.07) ng/mL and 118.93 (50.55) ng.hr/mL, respectively for the 3-day treatment group (n=7) and 222.35 (53.74) ng/mL and 180.43 (43.78) ng.hr/mL, respectively for the 5-day treatment group (n=17). Overall, at least one treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) occurred in 97 (74%) patients (32 [94.1%] patients in the 3-day treatment group and in 65 [67%] patients in the 5-day treatment group); TEAEs were related to study drug in 31 (91.2%) patients in the 3-day treatment group and 60 (61.9%) patients in the 5-day treatment group. Conclusion: Decitabine was found to be efficacious and safe for treatment of MDS. Results of this study were consistent with similar decitabine studies conducted previously. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (05) ◽  
pp. 357-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tisha Harper ◽  
Stephen Joslyn ◽  
Julia Whittington ◽  
Devon Hague ◽  
Mark Mitchell ◽  
...  

Summary Objectives: A study was performed to evaluate the lumbar vertebrae of domestic rabbits using computed tomography (CT) in order to identify safe corridors for implant insertion. Methods: Computed tomography imaging of 20 adult New Zealand white rabbits was evaluated using three-dimensional multi -planar reconstruction, and safe corridors were determined. Following corridor determination, implant placement was performed, and imaging was repeated. Results: The cranial and caudal endplates contained the majority of the vertebral bone stock, and were an average of 3.14 and 3.30 mm in length, respectively. The mean safe corridor angle was 62.9 degrees (range: 58.8–66.7), and the mean width of the corridor was 2.03 mm (range: 1.60– 2.07). Post-placement imaging revealed that 35% of the pins demonstrated errors of placement, most commonly canal impingement. Conclusions: The results of the corridor evaluation indicate that an insertion angle of approximately 60 degrees relative to the sagittal midline is appropriate for implant insertion in the lumbar vertebrae of New Zealand white rabbits. Additionally, due to the hourglass shape of rabbit vertebrae, the endplates provide maximal bone stock for implant purchase, so insertion should be attempted in these regions. However, the high percentage of errors in placement indicate the need to more clearly define entry points to access the canal, and highlight the challenges of appropriate placement in the small bones of rabbits.


2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (11) ◽  
pp. 1054-1060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-Sheng Yu ◽  
He-Hui Xie ◽  
Ling Li ◽  
Shu-Wei Song ◽  
Ping Han ◽  
...  

The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that a small dose of ketanserin, which enhances baroreflex activity, prevents the early lesions of atherosclerosis. In experiment 1, baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was measured in 31 spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) in a conscious state using a computerized blood pressure monitoring system. Four weeks later, the rats were administered vitamin D3 and fed a high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks to induce atherosclerosis. Then their hearts and aortae were removed for pathological examination. A negative correlation was found between BRS and the scores of coronary (r = –0.460, P < 0.01) and aortic atherosclerosis (r = –0.448, P < 0.05) in SHR. In experiment 2, SHRs were divided into 3 groups (n = 10 in each group) and received a dose of ketanserin of 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg/kg (i.g.), respectively. At the smallest dose (0.3 mg/kg), ketanserin did not lower blood pressure but enhanced BRS. In experiment 3, SHRs were administered vitamin D3, fed a high-cholesterol diet, and simultaneously treated with low-dose ketanserin. The atherosclerosis scores of the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group (coronary score: 0.90 ± 0.14 vs. 1.76 ± 0.27, P < 0.05; aortic scores: 1.00 ± 0.39 vs. 2.18 ± 0.41, P < 0.05). In experiment 4, male New Zealand White rabbits were fed a high-cholesterol diet and treated with low-dose ketanserin at the same time. The atherosclerosis scores of the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group (aortic scores: 0.26 ± 0.20 vs. 0.60 ± 0.31, P < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated, for the first time, that low-dose ketanserin prevented the development of atherosclerosis independent of its blood pressure lowering action in SHRs and New Zealand White rabbits at least in part via enhancement of arterial baroreflex function.


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-160
Author(s):  
Joselaine Bortolanza Padilha-Boaretto ◽  
Priscila Michelin Groff-Urayama ◽  
Suelen Maria Einsfeld ◽  
Cleverson de Souza ◽  
Angélica Signor Mendes ◽  
...  

Objective: The effect of environmental enrichment on the behaviour of piglets in the nursery phase was evaluated.Methods: A total of 450 hybrid pigs (21 day old), including both females and uncastrated males, weighing approximately 6 kg, were distributed in a completely randomised design with 3 treatments and 3 replicates of 50 animals each. The treatments were: i) pen without environmental enrichment (control), ii) treatment consisting of continuous environmental enrichment (CEE) with rubber balls throughout the experimental period, and iii) treatment consisting of environmental enrichment with washed balls (EEWB) during the whole experimental period which were removed daily for washing. For the behavioural evaluation, 10 animals were randomly selected per replicate. The behavioural assessments were performed once a week, from 8 am to 6 pm, using images captured with a video camera. The data were submitted to non-parametric analyses, the means were compared using the Bonferroni test, and Person’s correlations were also calculated.Results: A statistical difference (p = 0.001) was observed in the B5 (playful) behaviour; the animals in the EEWB treatment group had a higher frequency of this behaviour than animals in the control treatment group. The animals in the control group showed a higher frequency of B7 behaviour (lying down) (p = 0.026) than those in the EEWB and CEE treatment groups. The animals in the control group had a higher frequency of the B9 (belly nosing) behaviour than those in the EEWB group (p = 0.015). There was a tendency towards a higher frequency of behaviour B3 (walking in the pen) (p = 0.067) when the animals received the control treatment than treatments EEWB or CEE.Conclusion: The use of an enriching object improved the animal welfare and altered the correlation between the evaluated behaviours compared to the animals that did not have environmental enrichment.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Periyasamy Anbarasi ◽  
Gurusamy Ponnudurai ◽  
Kandasamy Senthilvel ◽  
Kuppannan Sukumar ◽  
Palani Sriniva

Abstract The efficacy of flumethrin 1% pour-on (1% w/v, Flumitas) was evaluated against Haematobia exigua on cattle farms in Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu from November 2019 to February 2020. In this study, five farms, which had fly menace, selected randomly were divided as treatment (F1, F2, F3 and F4) and control (Fc) groups. Flies collected from the farms were identified as Haematobia exigua and a mean pre-treatment intensity was 195.56 ± 14.07. In the treatment groups (F1,F2,F3 and F4) flumethrin 1% pour on was applied to the back of cattle at the rate of 1 ml/10 kg body weight and fly intensity was recorded for a period of 2 months. The fly intensity reduced to zero within 30 minutes of application and the same trend continued till 28 DPT in F2 and F3, while it was effective 35 DPT in F1 and F4. A highly significant difference in the mean H. exigua fly counts between control and treatment group (P < 0.0001) was observed.


1989 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan H. Wilkinson ◽  
Cecilia Gillespie ◽  
Barry Hartley ◽  
D. Gwyn Williams

1. Intraortic suprarenal infusion in vivo of New Zealand White rabbits with plasma from patients with the nephrotic syndrome reduced the number of anionic sites labelled by the cationic polymer polyethyleneimine in the lamina rara iterna to 14.0 ± 2.7 per 1000 nm of lamina rara interna (mean ± sd) compared with 18.7 ± 2.1 (P < 0.005) after infusion of plasma from normal subjects. 2. Proteinuria increased in all nine animals infused with nephrotic plasma and in two of seven infused with control plasma (P < 0.01). The mean increase in proteinuria in the animals infused with nephrotic plasma was 246 mg/l (P < 0.05), whereas in those infused with control plasma there was no increase. 3. We conclude that nephrotic plasma contains a factor(s) capable of neutralizing the charge of these anionic sites and concomitantly increasing proteinuria.


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