Observational study on the breeding performance of emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) in Brazil / [Estudo observacional sobre o desempenho reprodutivo de emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) no Brasil]

The objective of this study was to describe emus' breeding performance in Brazil at different ages, grouped in couples or colonies. The duration of the breeding season and the production of eggs per female housed were recorded, and the productivity and breeding variables were associated with the variation of the photoperiod. The total production of the flock was 180 eggs, and the breeding season lasted 167 days (April-September), a period with an average of 11 h and 11min of daylight. The breeding season lasted 113, 133 and 82 days, the numbers of eggs produced per female were 7.29, 25.67 and 17.3, and productivity values were 31.6, 38.6, and 45.4% in the groups of birds with ages of two, four and seven years, respectively. The breeding season in 2016 occurred between April and August in Brazil. Older birds tended to start breeding later. The production rate observations indicated that earlier peak production was associated with lower egg production potential. Finally, there was a tendency for better breeding performance of birds housed in couples than in groups with more birds.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o desempenho reprodutivo de emus de diferentes idades, agrupados em casais ou em colônias, no Brasil. A duração da estação reprodutiva e a produção de ovos por fêmea alojada foram registradas, a produtividade e as variáveis reprodutivas foram associadas às variações no fotoperíodo. A produção total do lote de aves foi de 180 ovos, e a estação reprodutiva durou 167 dias (abril-setembro), período que apresentou fotoperíodo médio de 11 horas e 11 minutos. Nos grupos de aves de dois, quatro e sete anos de idade, a estação reprodutiva durou 113,, 133 e 82 dias, o número de ovos por fêmea foi de 7,29, 25,67 e 17,3 e a produtividade foi de 31,6, 38,6 e 45,4%, respectivamente. A estação reprodutiva em 2016 ocorreu entre abril e agosto no Brasil. Aves mais velhas tenderam a iniciar o período reprodutivo mais tarde. As observações na taxa de produção podem indicar que quanto mais precoce o pico produtivo, menor o potencial de produção de ovos em emus. Houve a tendência ao melhor desempenho reprodutivo das aves alojadas em casais em comparação com as alojadas em colônias.(AU)

Gastrointestinal parasites of a population of emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) in Brazil / Parasitas gastrointestinais de emus Dromaius novaehollandiae de cativeiro no Brasil

Abstract Emus are large flightless birds in the ratite group and are native to Australia. Since the mid-1980s, there has been increased interest in the captive breeding of emus for the production of leather, meat and oil. The aim of this study was to identify gastrointestinal parasites in the feces of emus Dromaius novaehollandiae from a South American scientific breeding. Fecal samples collected from 13 birds were examined by direct smears, both with and without centrifugation, as well as by the fecal flotation technique using Sheather's sugar solution. Trophozoites, cysts and oocysts of protozoa and nematode eggs were morphologically and morphometrically evaluated. Molecular analysis using PCR assays with specific primers for the genera Entamoeba, Giardia and Cryptosporidium were performed. Trophozoites and cysts of Entamoeba spp. and Giardia spp., oocysts of Eimeria spp. and Isospora dromaii, as well as eggs belonging to the Ascaridida order were found in the feces. Three animals were diagnosed with Giardia spp., and three were positive for Entamoeba spp. based on PCR techniques. After analyzing the data, we concluded that emus were infected enzootically by nematode and protozoan species.

Resumo Emus são aves grandes que não voam pertencentes ao grupo das ratitas e são originários da Austrália. Desde meados da década de 1980, aumentou o interesse pela criação de emus em cativeiro para a produção de couro, carne e óleo. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar parasitas gastrointestinais nas fezes de emus Dromaius novaehollandiae de um criatório científico da América do Sul. Amostras de fezes coletadas de 13 aves foram examinadas por esfregaços diretos, tanto com e sem centrifugação, quanto com a técnica de flutuação fecal utilizando solução de açúcar de Sheather. Trofozoítos, cistos e oocistos de protozoários e ovos de nematóides foram avaliados morfologicamente e morfometricamente. Foram realizadas análises moleculares utilizando ensaios de PCR com primers específicos para os gêneros Entamoeba, Giardia e Cryptosporidium. Trofozoítos e cistos de Entamoeba spp. e Giardia spp., oocistos de Eimeria spp. e Isospora dromaii, bem como ovos pertencentes à ordem Ascaridida foram encontrados nas fezes. Três animais foram diagnosticados com Giardia spp., e três foram positivos para Entamoeba spp. com base em técnicas de PCR. Depois de analisar os dados, concluímos que os emus estavam infectados enzooticamente por espécies de nematóides e protozoários.

Ticks in wild animals at a resort and the first documentation of Amblyomma sculptum infesting Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) / Carrapatos em animais selvagens em um resort e o primeiro registro de Amblyomma sculptum infestando Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

Abstract The study aimed to identify species of ticks present in the environment and among captive animals, in Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ticks were isolated from captive animals by manual examination and free-living ticks in the environment were captured using the flannel drag technique. A total of 91 ticks were obtained (51 adults, 25 nymphs and 15 larvae). The specimens were identified morphologically as Amblyomma sp., Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma ovale and Amblyomma sculptum , and were distributed among five species of native mammals and an exotic bird. This study also reports the first case of infestation of the Australian emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) by A. sculptum.

Resumo O estudo teve como objetivo identificar espécies de carrapatos presentes no ambiente e entre animais de cativeiro em Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Os carrapatos foram removidos manualmente de animais de cativeiro e no ambiente usando a técnica de arrasto em flanela. Um total de 91 carrapatos foram capturados (51 adultos, 25 ninfas e 15 larvas). Os espécimes foram identificados morfologicamente como Amblyomma sp., Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma ovale e Amblyomma sculptum, e foram distribuídos entre cinco espécies de mamíferos nativos e uma ave exótica. Este estudo também relata o primeiro caso de infestação do emu australiano (Dromaius novaehollandiae) por A. sculptum .

Morphometry of the cervical spine of emu using the hydrostatic method / Morfometría de la columna cervical de emu usando el método hidrostático

The study aimed at estimating the values of basic metric traits of emu cervical vertebrae. The study was conducted on the vertebrae of 6 male and 10 female emus being fourteen years old. Osteometric measurements were performed with electronic callipers, while the hydrostatic method was used to assess the density and volume of each vertebra. The sex of birds was considered a source of variation. The cervical spine had 17 vertebrae. Dimorphism was found in basic metric traits between analogous emu vertebrae of both sexes. The female vertebrae were characterised by significantly (P≤0.05 and P≤0.01) greater length, breadth and height than the male ones. No dimorphic differences were found in the volume of bone mass for vertebrae 1 to 8, whereas female vertebrae 9 to 17 had greater (P≤0.05) volume compared to the male ones. Correlation coefficients for body weight, vertebra volume and spinal canal capacity were weak. The sum of the length of vertebral bodies determining the length of neck showed significantly (P≤0.01) longer necks in female emus. No narrowing and extensions of the vertebral canal for the spinal cord running in it was found throughout the whole cervical spine.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo la estimación de los valores de los rasgos métricos básicos de las vértebras cervicales del Emu. El estudio se realizó en vértebras de 6 machos y 10 hembras Emu de catorce años. Las mediciones osteométricas se realizaron con pinzas electrónicas, mientras que el método hidrostático se usó para evaluar la densidad y el volumen de cada vértebra. El sexo de las aves se consideró como una variación. La columna cervical contaba con 17 vértebras. Se encontró dismorfismo en rasgos métricos básicos entre vértebras análogas de ambos sexos. Las vértebras de las hembras se caracterizaron por una longitud, ancho y altura significativamente mayor (P≤0,05 y P≤0,01) a las de los machos. No se encontraron diferencias dismórficas en el volumen de masa ósea para las vértebras 1 a 8, mientras que las vértebras de las hembras 9 a 17 tuvieron un volumen mayor (P≤0,05) en comparación con los machos. Los coeficientes de correlación para el peso corporal, el volumen de la vértebra y la capacidad del canal espinal fueron débiles. La suma de la longitud de los cuerpos vertebrales que determina la longitud del cuello mostró significativamente (P≤0.01) cuellos más largos en las hembras. No se observaron estrechamientos y extensiones del canal vertebral para la médula espinal que se encuentra en toda la columna cervical.

Serum levels of proteins and acute-phase proteins in captive emus (Dromaius novaehllandieae) of different ages / Teores séricos de proteínas, inclusive proteínas de fase aguda, em emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) de diferentes faixas etárias e criados em cativeiro

Protein electrophoresis is a relatively simple technique that allows separating serum protein fractions, and provides important information in the investigation and diagnosis of several diseases. This study determined the levels of acute-phase proteins in the serum of healthy, captive emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae). Animals were divided into two groups (n=11 in each) based on age, with 1-year-old and 4-year-old emus. Acute-phase proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE. Ceruloplasmin, transferrin, albumin, haptoglobin, acidic glycoprotein, IgA, and IgG were detected in the serum of all animals. Protein profiles varied significantly with age (P<0.05). Individuals in the 4-year-old emus group had higher values of ceruloplasmin, transferrin, albumin, haptoglobin, and acidic glycoprotein, compared with the group with 1-year-old animals, showing the role of age in the protein profile of this species. Reference values for acute-phase proteins in healthy emus may be useful in the evaluation of health status and in the diagnosis of diseases affecting the species.(AU)

A eletroforese de proteínas é um método relativamente simples, que permite a separação das proteínas do plasma em frações. Sua interpretação fornece informações importantes para a investigação e o diagnóstico de inúmeras doenças. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de determinar a concentração das proteínas de fase aguda no soro de emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) hígidos e criados em cativeiro. As aves foram separadas em dois grupos: grupo 1: (n=11), aves com um ano de idade; grupo 2: (n=11), aves com quatro anos de idade. As proteínas de fase aguda foram separadas por eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida (SDS-PAGE). Identificaram-se as proteínas ceruloplasmina, transferrina, albumina, IgG, haptoglobina, glicoproteína ácida, IgA e IgG no soro de todos os emus. Houve diferença (P<0.05) entre os traçados eletroforéticos em função da faixa etária. As aves do grupo 2 apresentaram valores superiores de ceruloplasmina, transferrina, albumina, haptoglobina e glicoproteína ácida quando comparadas às aves do grupo 1. Conclui-se que o perfil eletroforético de emus sofre alterações conforme a idade analisada. O estabelecimento de valores de referência para as proteínas de fase aguda de emus hígidos poderá auxiliar estudos futuros na avaliação da saúde assim como no diagnóstico de doenças em emus.(AU)

Comparisons of Emu Necrotic Femoral Head Micro Structure Repaired in Two Different Methods / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare emu necrotic femoral head micro structure repaired in two different methods.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifteen adult emus were divided into 3 groups (all n=5), and the right femoral head was selected to research. The first group was the control group; in the second group, femoral head necrosis was made by cryogen with liquid nitrogen; and in the third group, femoral head necrosis was made by local pure ethanol injection. Right femurs were taken for micro CT examination,then femoral head micro structures were compared among these three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No infection or unexpected death was found in all groups. Compared with normal group, necrotic femoral heads in cryogen group showed that bone mineral density significantly reduced after repaire (P=0.015), trabecular space significantly reduced (P=0.001), bone volume fraction significantly enlarged (P=0.036), bone surface/volume fraction (P=0.032) and trabecular numbers (P=0.002) significantly enlarged; trabecular thickness showed no significant difference (P=0.060). Compared with control group, necrotic femoral heads in ethanol group showed that bone mineral density significantly enlarged after repaire (P=0.001), trabecular thickness (P=0.003) and bone surface/volume fraction (P=0.022) significantly enlarged, trabecular space (P=0.001) and bone volume fraction (P=0.001) significantly reduced; the trabecular numbers showed no significant difference (P=0.143). Compared with ethanol group, necrotic femoral heads in cryogen group showed significant lower bone mineral density after repair (P=0.001), significantly lower bone volume fraction (P=0.001), significantly lower trabecular thickness (P=0.001), significantly higher bone surface/volume fraction (P=0.022) and higher trabecular numbers (P=0.003); the trabecular space showed no significant difference (P=0.398).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Different repair methods make reconstructed femoral head weight bearing area have different bone structure and bone mineral density, along with different bone trabecular quality.</p>

Study of animal model of osteonecrosis induced by local ethanol injection in emu / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a new animal model of osteonecrosis of the femoral head by local ethanol injection in emu.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eight milliliter ethanol was injected slowly to the operated femoral head with customized probe in twenty adult male emus. Postoperatively, hip magnetic resonance imaging was performed at 1, 4, 8, 12 weeks. After emus were sacrificed, the femurs were collected for micro-computed tomography and histological analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No emu demonstrated signs of infection or died unexpectedly. Magnetic resonance imaging examination showed broad edema at proximal femur at 1(th) week, and the edema decreased with time, till local edema at femoral head at the 12(th) week. Histological images showed human-like osteonecrotic changes with active bone repair. There were significant differences in trabecular structure and bone mineral density between the operated and intact femoral heads. No collapse was found 6 months after the operation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This emu model of femoral head osteonecrosis by local ethanol injection can progress to early stage osteonecrosis. The different repair methods may have certain correlation with the results of osteonecrosis of the femoral heads.</p>

A new animal model of osteonecrosis induced by focal alternative cooling and heating insults / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a new animal model of osteonecrosis of the femoral head(ONFH) with improved consistency and incidence of femoral head collapse for studies on the mechanism of osteonecrosis. and on the assessment of treatment effectiveness.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty adult male emus were used. Guide instrumentation was constructed to position the customized probe just articularly and at the proximal part of the femoral head. An alternating focal liquid nitrogen freezing and radiofrequency heating was applied. At 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after surgery, hip magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. Before the emus were sacrificed, barium sulfate was infused to lower extremities for microangiography. The femoral samples were scanned by micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) and evaluated histologically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No bird demonstrated signs of infection or died unexpectedly. Hip MRI showed changes massive edema at the 4th week, increasingly localized abnormal signals at the 8th'" week, and femoral head collapse at the 12'h week. Micro-CT scans and histological images at the 16th week showed human-like osteonecrotic changes with impaired local blood supply. Bone mineral density of the collapsed head was (380. 31 + 28. 12) mg/cm3 and trabecular spaces were (0. 86 ±0.32) mm; both were significantly lower than those in the control side, which were (415.75 41.28) mg/cm3 and (1. 17 ± 0. 17) mm, respectively (P < 0. 05). Bone volume fraction of the collapsed head was(47.28 ± 17. 14)% and trabecular thickness was (506. 17 ± 220. 58) p.m; both were significantly higher than those at control side, which were (30. 92 ± 4. 01)% and (325. 50 ±44. 53) pm, respectively (P <0. 05). The microangiography at the 16th week showed that vessel volume fraction was (0. 315 ± 0. 055)% , which was significantly higher than the collapsed side [ (0. 142 ± 0. 059)% ] (P <0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The emu model of fem-oral head osteonecrosis was successfully established using focal alternating cooling and heating insults. The models, with improved consistency and incidence of femoral head collapse, can be used in studies on the mechanism of osteonecrosis and on the assessment of treatment effectiveness.</p>

Métodos de coleta de sêmen no avestruz (Struthio camelus LINNAEUS, 1758) e no emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae LINNAEUS, 1758), e algumas de suas características quantitativas e qualitativas / Methods for semen collecting in ostrich (Struthio camelus LINNAEUS, 1758) AND EMU (Dromaius novaehollandiae LINNAEUS, 1758), and some quantitative and qualitative characteristics

A criação comercial de avestruzes aponta como mais uma alternativa de agronegócio. Estas aves oferecem, além da carne, o couro e as penas, e o Brasil é o maior importador mundial deste subproduto. Uma avestruz doméstica bota em média de vinte a trinta ovos por estação reprodutiva. Com exceção da África do Sul, o plantel mundial está em formação, os ovos férteis alcançam aqui no Brasil em média R$ 450,00, os frangos com 2 meses, R$ 1200,00, reprodutores adultos entre R$ 8.000,00 a 10.000,00. Nos Estados Unidos, a criação iniciou-se na década de 80 e os preços também eram semelhantes. Por momento estão um pouco mais baixos devido ao aumento do número de animais e conseqüente aumento da oferta. De posse do exposto, deve-se observar com cuidado o manejo reprodutivo desta ave, de maneira tal a não inviabilizar economicamente uma propriedade que resolva investir na estrutiocultura. Infecções no oviduto de avestruzes são relativamente comuns. Os agentes infecciosos variam, e também a severidade da infecção. Na metade dos casos somente o útero, ou a glândula secretora da casca são infectados, levando a metrite. Os sinais clínicos variam desde ovos com casca anormal a falência na produção destes. Salpingite e peritonite podem ocorrer, dependendo da duração da doença ou rota de infecção. A infecção proveniente de migração ascendente de bactérias resulta quase sempre em degeneração da musculatura do oviduto. As doenças reprodutivas em avestruz são, em sua maioria, relacionadas com o manejo dos animais. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi revisar as doenças reprodutivas em avestruz, sua ligação com o manejo e os possíveis tratamentos.

Ratite production as an agricultural enterprise and one alternative to agribusiness. This bird offered meat, leather, and feather, the last shows potencies in our country, because Brazil is the greater import country. A hen lay between twenty to thirty eggs in one breeding season. The early multiplication phase are characterized by exceptionally high price for fertile egg in Brazil, about R$ 450, 3-mounth-old chicks, R$ 1200, mature adults R$ 8000 to 10.000. In USA the ratite industry begins in 80’ and the prices are same of Brazil in that time, now are lower. Prices were high, reflecting the imbalance of supply and demand as producers envisioned promising future market opportunities from the relatively prolific livestock species. Infertility represents a significant source of financial loss. The aid of this monograph was review ostrich reproduction diseases, the behavior, reproductive management and possible treatment. Infectious agents vary, as does the severity of the infection. In mild cases, only the uterus, or shell gland, is affected, termed metritis. Clinical signs range from production of eggs with abnormal shells to failure of produce eggs. Salpingitis and peritonitis may occur depending on the duration of the disease in the route of infection.Infection may result from muscular degeneration of the oviduct during egg production, allowing an ascending bacterial infection. The ostrich reproductive diseases are relationship with animal’s management.

Surgical Treatment of Seizures in Malformations of Cortical Development (MCD) / 대한간질학회지

OBJECT: Surgical treatment of cortical dysplasias (CDs) presenting with intractable seizures is challenging, because isualization/localization of the lesion is difficult, correlation with seizure foci needs comprehensive investigations, and the reported surgical results are not satisfactory. We report our result of surgical treatment of CD classified from the surgical point of view. METHODS: Definition of CD was a visible dysplastic lesion on MRI or MRI-negative (normal MRI) case with pathological diagnosis of moderate to severe dysplasia. During the last 4.5 years, we had operated on 36 cases of intractable epilepsy with CDs. We divided the 36 cases into 4 groups ; Group A : diffuse bilateral hemispheric dysplasia, Group B : diffuse lobar dysplasia, Group C : focal dysplasia, and Group D : moderate to severe degree of cortical dysplasia with normal MRI. All but one patient in Group C were monitored at EMU using subdural electrodes for seizure localization and functional mapping. RESULTS: The incidence of CD in the whole epilepsy surgery cases was 12.4%. Mean age was 21.3 years. Mean age at seizure onset was 8.5 years. Mean follow up period was 26.0 months. Twenty-six (72.2%) patients (20 and 6, respectively) belong to Engel Class I and II. There were 5, 9, 9, and 13 cases in Groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. Groups A and B had significantly lower age at seizure onset and significantly poorer surgical outcome compared to Groups C and D (p<0.05). If the outcome was compared on the extent of removal of CD, patients with completely removed CD had very significantly better outcome than those with partial removal (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that intractable epilepsy with CD can be treated surgically with comprehensive preoperative approaches. Deliberate resective procedures aiming at complete removal of dysplastic tissue ensure excellent seizure control without permanent neurological deficit.