Effects of malathion nebulization on the histopathology of the respiratory tract of Wistar rats, treated with sublingual atropine sulfate eye drops.

This study sought to evaluate the histological damage to the respiratory tract caused by inhaling an aqueous solution of 50% malathion, as well as the protective effects of sublingually-applied 1% atropine sulfate eye drops in rats. We searched the literature for the signs and symptoms associated with malathion inhalation for rats, humans, and livestock. We divide 24 female Wistar rats into three groups exposed to distilled water, malathion, and plastic boxes coupled to nebulizers kept at 22- 24°C. At the end of the experiment, the mice were sacrificed and their lungs and trachea were harvested. Histopathological examination revealed that the trachea in the treatment group is similar to that of the control group.

Este experimento buscou estudar e avaliar os danos histológicos ao aparelho respiratório, pela inalação de solução aquosa de Malation a 50% em ratas e o tratamento pela via sublingual com colírio de sulfato de atropina a 1%. Buscamos na literatura os sinais e danos não somente nesta espécie como também em animais domésticos e de produção além de estendermos para seres humanos que eventualmente são intoxicados pela substância. Foram utilizadas 24 ratas, fêmeas, da espécie Wistar em três grupos expostos a água destilada ou malation e outro tratado por 21 dias, utilizando caixas plásticas acopladas a nebulizadores, com controle da temperatura da sala entre 22° e 24°C. Ao final do experimento e eutanásia seguindo as normas de bem-estar dos animais, foram coletados os pulmões e traquéias de todos os grupos, e a partir do exame histopatológico constatou-se recuperação do parênquima de traquéia no grupo tratado, semelhante ao grupo controle.

The Suinfort® Semen Supplement Counters Seasonal Infertility in Iberian Sows.

Suinfort®, a commercial semen supplement demonstrated to increase fertility and litter size in commercial sows, was tested to improve reproductive performance in Iberian sows. A total of 1430 Iberian sows were artificially inseminated (AI) with semen from Duroc boars and assigned by parity to receive the seminal additive Suinfort® containing 2 IU oxytocin, 5 µg lecirelin, and 2 mM caffeine (SF; n = 1713 AI), or to serve as non-supplemented controls (CON; n = 2625 AI). CON showed a lower fertility comparing to winter for spring (p = 0.001) and summer (p < 0.001); summer was lower than autumn (p = 0.012). SF removed this seasonal effect (p > 0.05). Fertility was significantly higher for SF sows during summer (p = 0.025) and autumn (p = 0.004). Total born, live-born, stillborn, and mummified piglets did not differ between CON and SF but were impacted by the season, with total and live-born decreasing in summer compared with autumn (p < 0.001) and winter (p = 0.005). In conclusion, seminal supplementation with Suinfort® improved the fertility of Iberian sows during periods of seasonal infertility.

Effect of Season and Parity on Reproduction Performance of Iberian Sows Bred with Duroc Semen.

The Iberian pig is an autochthonous breed from the Iberian Peninsula highly valued for its meat. The sows are often bred as Iberian × Duroc crossings for increased efficiency. Since sow parity and season affect the reproductive performance, we evaluated two-year records from a commercial farrow-to-finish farm (live, stillborn, and mummified piglets after artificial insemination, AI). A total of 1293 Iberian sows were inseminated with semen from 57 boars (3024 AI). The effects of parity (gilts, 1, 2-4, 5-10, and >10 farrowings) and season were analyzed by linear mixed-effects models (LME). The data were fitted to cosinor models to investigate seasonal effects within parity groups. The effects of maximum daily temperature (MDT) and day length change (DLC) during spermatogenesis, pre-AI, and post-AI periods were analyzed with LME. The 2-4 group was the optimal one for parity. A seasonal effect was evident between spring-summer (lower fertility/prolificacy) and autumn-winter (higher). Cosinor showed that the seasonal drop in reproductive performance occurs earlier in Iberian sows than in other breeds, more evident in gilts. MDT negatively affected performance in all periods and DLC in spermatogenesis and pre-AI. These results are relevant for the improvement of Iberian sows' intensive farming.

A novel semen supplement (SuinFort) improves sow fertility after artificial insemination.

The objective of this study was to determine effects of a novel seminal supplement, SuinFort, on fertility of multiparous sows. For 2 years, a total of 1159 sows were assigned to be artificial inseminated (AI) either with semen supplemented with the additive (2 IU oxytocin, 5 µg lecirelin, 2 mM caffeine, n = 830 AI) or with no supplementation (Control, n = 2422 AI). The supplement was included 15 min before insemination. Supplementation with SuinFort resulted in greater fertility both by increasing farrowing rate 87.2% ± 0.7 to 90.7% ± 1.0 (P < 0.001) and litter size from 13.8 ± 0.1 to 14.4 ± 0.1 (P < 0.001). To test if there was a direct effect of SuinFort on spermatozoa, an in vitro experiment was conducted using semen doses from 10 boars. Semen was stored at 15 °C and on days 1, 2 and 3 were aliquoted to a control and SuinFort-supplemented group, incubated at 37 °C and analyzed for sperm quality at 15 min and 2 h. For aliquots with SuinFort, there was a small decrease in semen quality. In conclusion, the administration of a combination of oxytocin, lecirelin and caffeine to boar semen 15 min prior to AI, positively affects sow fertility. Considering that in vitro effects on sperm quality were small, it is likely that SuinFort affects fertility by modulating uterine function. Supplementation of semen with SuinFort, therefore, has potential for increasing pork production efficiency as a result of increased reproductive efficiency after AI of sows.

Thawing boar semen in the presence of seminal plasma improves motility, modifies subpopulation patterns and reduces chromatin alterations.

Seminal plasma could have positive effects on boar semen after thawing. In the present study we investigated changes in the motility and chromatin structure in spermatozoa over 4h incubation (37°C) of boar semen thawed in the presence of 0%, 10% or 50% seminal plasma from good-fertility boars. Cryopreserved doses were used from seven males, three of which were identified as susceptible to post-thawing chromatin alterations. Motility was analysed by computer-aided sperm analysis every hour, and data were used in a two-step clustering, yielding three subpopulations of spermatozoa (slow non-linear, fast non-linear, fast linear). Chromatin structure was analysed using a sperm chromatin structure assay and flow cytometry to determine the DNA fragmentation index (%DFI) as a percentage, the standard deviation of the DFI (SD-DFI) and the percentage of high DNA stainability (%HDS), indicating chromatin compaction. Thawing without seminal plasma resulted in a rapid loss of motility, whereas seminal plasma helped maintain motility throughout the incubation period and preserved the subpopulation comprising fast and linear spermatozoa. The incidence of chromatin alterations was very low in samples from non-susceptible males, whereas samples from males susceptible to post-thawing chromatin alterations exhibited marked alterations in%DFI and%HDS. Seminal plasma partly prevented these alterations in samples from susceptible males. Overall, 50% seminal plasma was the most efficient concentration to protect motility and chromatin. Some changes were concomitant with physiological events reported previously (e.g., semen thawed with 50% seminal plasma increased the production of reactive oxygen species and yielded higher fertility after AI). Thawing in the presence of seminal plasma could be particularly useful in the case of samples susceptible to post-thawing chromatin damage.

Contamination of public parks in Presidente Prudente (São Paulo, Brazil) by Toxocara spp. eggs.

This study aims to evaluate soil contamination by Toxocara spp. eggs in public parks in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil. Soil samples (500 g) were collected every month over a 12-month period, from 25 parks in different parts of the city (northern, southern, eastern, western and central areas). Two 10-g aliquots of the material collected from each park were subjected to the centrifuge-flotation method to recover Toxocara spp. eggs. Twenty-four out of the 25 squares studied (96.0%) were contaminated and the number of eggs recovered ranged from 1 to 398 per sample. Eggs were recovered all over the year. Despite the number being greater in autumn (p < 0.001), there was no correlation between number egg number and average monthly temperature (r = -0.492; p = 0.148) or between egg number and monthly rainfall (r = -0.299; p = 0.402). Park localization does not influence egg presence (p = 0.7116). Because of the high level of contamination of the parks by Toxocara spp. eggs, prevention of contamination of public areas by larva migrans agents is indicated.

Função renal, hepática e cardíaca de cães hígidos sob terapia prolongada com celecoxibe / Renal, hepatic and cardiac function in healthy dogs during long-term celecoxib therapy

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da terapia prolongada com celecoxibe sobre a função renal, hepática e cardíaca em cães hígidos. Foram utilizados 12 cães fêmeas, divididos em 2 grupos: Gcelecoxibe: terapia com celecoxibe, na dose de 5mg kg-1 por via oral, a cada 12 horas, durante 20 dias (peso médio de 8,9±1,6); Gcontrole: terapia com placebo, a cada 12 horas, por via oral, 20 dias (peso médio de 9,8±1,8). O exame físico, a função renal (urinálise; gamaglutamil transpeptidase -GGT e sódio urinários; ureia, creatinina, sódio e potássio séricos; e clearance endógeno de creatinina), tempo de coagulação (TC), biomarcadores cardíacos (creatinofosfoquinase -CK e creatinofosfoquinase fração MB- CK-MB) e função hepática (alanina aminotransferase -ALT, aspartato aminotransferase -AST e albumina) foram avaliados antes, aos 5, 10 e 20 dias (T0, T5, T10 e T20) do tratamento. No Gcelecoxibe, os valores de clearance de creatinina revelaram diminuição significativa no T20, em relação ao T0 e T5, bem como redução em relação ao Gcontrole em T10 e T20. A urinálise, sódio, potássio, ureia e creatinina séricos, enzima GGT urinária e o TC não apresentaram variação entre os momentos ou grupos avaliados. Houve aumento significativo de CK-MB no T20 e ALT no T5, T10 e T20 no Gcelecoxibe, entretanto, com valores dentro da normalidade para cães. Conclui-se que o celecoxibe revelou-se seguro em relação ao perfil cardíaco e hepático em cães sadios, mesmo sob terapia prolongada. Sob vigência de terapia prolongada, deve ser usado cautelosamente em cães portadores de alterações renais.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-term celecoxib therapy on renal, hepatic and cardiac profiles in healthy dogs. Twelve female were randomly assigned to 2 groups (G): Gcelecoxib: treated with celecoxib orally (5mg kg-1), every 12 hours, for 20 days (8.9±1.6 body weight); Gcontrol: received placebo orally, every 12 hours, for 20 days (9.8±1.8 body weight). Physical examination, renal function (urinalysis, urinary sodium and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase -GGT), serum urea, creatinine, potassium and sodium, and endogenous creatinine clearance), clotting time (CT), cardiac biomarkers (creatine phosphokinase -CK and CK-MB) and liver function (aspartate aminotransferase -AST, alanine aminotransferase -ALT and albumin) were evaluated before, at 5, 10 and 20 days (T0, T5, T10 and T20) of treatment. The creatinine clearance values showed significant decrease at T20, in relation to T0 and T5 in the Gcelecoxib, and reduction in relation to Gcontrol at T10 and T20. The urinalysis, values of sodium, potassium, urea and creatinine serum and urinary GGT enzyme showed no difference through the study between moments or groups. There was a significant increase on CK values at T20 and on ALT values at T5, T10 and T20 in the Gcelecoxib, however with normal range values for dogs. Celecoxib revealed to be safe in relation to cardiac and hepatic profiles, even under prolonged therapy. However, it should be used judiciously during long-term therapy in dogs with renal dysfunction.

Contamination of public parks in Presidente Prudente (São Paulo, Brazil) by Toxocara spp. eggs / Contaminação de praças públicas de Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brasil, por ovos de Toxocara spp

This study aims to evaluate soil contamination by Toxocara spp. eggs in public parks in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil. Soil samples (500 g) were collected every month over a 12-month period, from 25 parks in different parts of the city (northern, southern, eastern, western and central areas). Two 10-g aliquots of the material collected from each park were subjected to the centrifuge-flotation method to recover Toxocara spp. eggs. Twenty-four out of the 25 squares studied (96.0%) were contaminated and the number of eggs recovered ranged from 1 to 398 per sample. Eggs were recovered all over the year. Despite the number being greater in autumn (p < 0.001), there was no correlation between number egg number and average monthly temperature (r = -0.492; p = 0.148) or between egg number and monthly rainfall (r = -0.299; p = 0.402). Park localization does not influence egg presence (p = 0.7116). Because of the high level of contamination of the parks by Toxocara spp. eggs, prevention of contamination of public areas by larva migrans agents is indicated.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a contaminação do solo de praças públicas por ovos de Toxocara spp. em Presidente Prudente, São Paulo. Amostras de solo (500 g) foram coletadas mensalmente, durante um período de 12 meses, de 25 praças de cinco diferentes setores da cidade (norte, sul, leste, oeste e central). Duas alíquotas de 10 g do material coletado foram submetidas ao método de centrífugo-flutuação (sulfato de zinco; d = 1.200 g/cm3), para recuperação dos ovos. Das 25 praças estudadas, 24 (96,0%) estavam contaminadas e o número variou de 1 a 398 ovos por amostra analisada. A recuperação foi verificada durante todos os meses do ano, sendo maior no outono (p < 0,001). Entretanto, não houve correlação entre o número de ovos e a temperatura média (r = -0,492; p = 0,148) e a precipitação pluviométrica (r = -0,299; p = 0,402) mensal. Não houve influência da localização dos parques sobre a quantidade de ovos (p = 0,7116). Devido ao alto nível de contaminação de parques públicos por ovos de Toxocara spp., a prevenção da contaminação de áreas públicas pelos agentes de larva migrans é indicada.

Analgesia e ação antiinflamatória da Arnica montana 12CH comparativamente ao cetoprofeno em cães / Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Arnica montana 12CH in comparison with ketoprofen in dogs

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos analgésico e antiinflamatório da Arnica montana 12CH comparativamente ao cetoprofeno em cadelas submetidas à ovariossalpingohisterectomia (OSH). Foram avaliadas 16 cadelas, distribuídas aleatoriamente em dois grupos de oito animais cada, tratados por via oral com 1mg kg-1 de cetoprofeno (TC) e com cinco glóbulos de Arnica montana 12CH (TA). Decorridos 60 minutos, os animais foram tranquilizados com acepromazina (0,05mg kg-1, IV), seguindo-se indução e manutenção anestésica com propofol (5mg kg-1, IV) e isofluorano, respectivamente. Foram mensurados: frequência cardíaca, frequência respiratória, pressão arterial sistólica, concentração final expirada de dióxido de carbono, concentração final expirada de isofluorano, variáveis hemogasométricas, concentração sérica de cortisol, grau de analgesia e de inflamação. Em casos de analgesia insuficiente, foi realizada suplementação com morfina (0,5mg kg-1, IM). A estatística foi realizada com ANOVA e teste de Tukey (P<0,05). Estabilidade cardiorrespiratória foi observada em ambos os tratamentos durante a OSH. Não houve diferença entre os tratamentos em relação ao grau de analgesia e de inflamação. Analgesia de resgate foi necessária em dois animais de cada grupo. Conclui-se que a Arnica montana 12 CH confere efeitos analgésico e antiinflamatório semelhantes aos do cetoprofeno, sendo uma opção segura e efetiva para cadelas submetidas à OSH.

This study aimed to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Arnica montana 12CH comparatively to ketoprofen in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Sixteen female dogs were randomly distributed in two groups of eight animals and received 1mg kg-1 of ketoprofen (TC) and 5 globules of Arnica montana 12CH (TA) by oral route. After 60 minutes, the dogs were sedated with acepromazine (0.05mg kg-1, IV), followed by anesthetic induction with propofol (5mg kg-1 IV) and maintained with isoflurane. Heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, arterial blood gases, serum cortisol concentration and degree of analgesia and inflammation were measured. Additional morphine (0.5mg kg-1IM) was given when the analgesia was insufficient. Statistical analyses were performed by ANOVA and Tukey tests (P<0.05). Cardiopulmonary stability was observed in both treatments during the surgery. The degree of analgesia and inflammation did not differ between groups. Rescue analgesia was administered to two dogs from each group. It was concluded that Arnica montana 12CH provides similar analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects when compared with ketoprofen, suggesting that this treatment is a safe and effective option to dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.