Effect of Immunocastration on Culled Sows-A Preliminary Study on Reproductive Tract, Carcass Traits, and Meat Quality.

The Bísaro pig is a Portuguese autochthonous breed greatly appreciated for its meat quality and is mainly reared outdoors. Immunocastration could be a solution to avoid undesirable pregnancies and boar taint in cull sows. The present study tested three immunocastration protocols (with Improvac®) according to their reproductive cycle. The first inoculation was performed two weeks after farrowing (IM1, n = 5), at the beginning of estrus (IM2, n = 5), and one week after the end of estrus (IM3, n = 5), followed by a second administration four weeks apart. A control group (C, n = 5) was also included in the same housing conditions. The sample collection included the reproductive tract for morphometric evaluation, neck fat for the quantification of boar taint compounds, and a portion of the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum for meat quality trait assessment. The reproductive tracts from intact sows (C) were significantly heavier compared to the immunocastrated groups (p < 0.05) (1.403 kg C to 0.508 kg IM1, 0.590 kg IM2, and 0.599 kg IM3), suggesting the regression of the reproductive tract to nonstimulated conditions due to immunization against GnRH. The IM1 group exhibited significantly smaller reproductive tract measurements compared to group C for most of the evaluated segments (p < 0.05). No marked differences were observed in the meat quality traits. Therefore, immunocastration can be used in culling sows to avoid ovarian activity, and it is not detrimental to pork quality traits.

Comparative effect of mesoporous carbon doping on the adsorption of pharmaceutical drugs in water: Theoretical calculations and mechanism study.

In this study, mesoporous doped-carbons were synthesized from sucrose, a natural source, boric acid and cyanamide as precursors, generating B- or N-doped carbon. These materials were characterized by FTIR, XRD, TGA, Raman, SEM, TEM, BET, and XPS, confirming the preparation of a tridimensional doped porous structure. B-MPC and N-MPC showed a high surface specific area above 1000 m2/g. The effect of B and N doping on mesoporous carbon was evaluated on the adsorption of emerging pollutants from water. Diclofenac sodium and paracetamol were used in adsorption assays, reaching removal capacities of 78 and 101 mg.g-1, respectively. Kinetic and isothermal studies indicate the chemical nature of adsorption controlled by external and intraparticle diffusion and multilayer formation due to strong adsorbent/adsorbate interactions. DFT-based calculations and adsorption assays infer that the main attractive forces are hydrogen bonds and Lewis acid-base interactions.

Seasonal Variations on Testicular Morphology, Boar Taint, and Meat Quality Traits in Traditional Outdoor Pig Farming.

Traditional outdoor pig farming is renowned for its emphasis on animal welfare and the production of highly valued, quality meat. While seasonality is known to impact certain animals, particularly those raised outdoors, there is a lack of research on Bísaro boars, a native Portuguese breed. This research study was conducted on a total of 20 male entire Bísaro pigs, reared in outdoor pens from 4 to 13 months old, and subsequently slaughtered. The animals were divided into two groups: one slaughtered in winter (Wi, n = 9), and the other in summer (Su, n = 11). The objective was to evaluate testicular morphometry, boar taint compounds, and meat quality traits, including sensory analysis and fatty acid profile. Testicles from the Su group exhibited reduced volume, indicating diminished functionality during that season. While no significant differences were observed in the boar taint compound analysis, panelists could discern a more intense aroma and flavor of boar taint in the Su meat. Other meat quality traits showed no significant variations, but the fatty acid profile displayed higher values in the Wi group. This study reveals that Bísaro boars experience reproductive seasonality, leading to variations in boar taint compounds across the seasons. This information is crucial for farm planning.

Long-Term Immunocastration Protocols Successfully Reduce Testicles' Size in Bísaro Pigs.

This study aimed to find a suitable immunocastration protocol for male Bísaro pigs (BP) due to the breed and production system particularities. Twenty-five male BP were treated with Improvac® according to three protocols: using two (GrpE2 and L2) or three vaccinations (GrpL3) and starting at 9 (GrpE2) or 13 weeks old (GrpL2 and L3). Eleven animals were kept as intact males (GrpC). Scrotal measurements and the morphometry of the testes and epididymides collected at slaughter were used to survey the effectiveness of the immunocastration compared with the age-matched intact controls. Animals in groups E2 and L3 were kept until 57 weeks, after a second vaccination cycle at 49 and 53 weeks of age. Scrotal dimensions decreased to almost initial values in treated animals until 17 (GrpE2) and 21 weeks (GrpL2 and L3), thereafter increasing to post-pubertal values until around 29 or 37 weeks of age for groups E2 and L2, respectively, but only at 41 weeks in group L3. Between 41 and 49 weeks, scrotal dimensions were similar in treated and control animals, decreasing to the predicted pre-puberty size after the second cycle of vaccination. This study suggests the most suited protocol for males slaughtered at older ages includes three administrations of Improvac® starting at 3 months of age, followed by a second vaccination cycle.

Evaluation of gonadal macroscopic and microscopic morphometry reveals precocious puberty in Bísaro pig.

Bísaro pig (BP), like many other local breeds reared in extensive non-industrial systems, faces many constraints to comply with the EU welfare regulation, particularly regarding the restrictions to surgical castration. In order to adapt an immunocastration protocol to overtake this issue, a puberty timeline is needed. Using gonadal morphometry data from 91 young male BP, this study intended to characterize testicular development, describing the prominent cell types and structures, to ultimately assess the age at puberty in male BP through a mixed prediction model. As expected, the relations between several macro and microscopic parameters and their relation with age were as described within the literature. Post-pubertal animals have larger and heavier gonads, lower Sertoli cell density/tubule, higher Leydig cell density and larger seminiferous tubules. Meiosis was firstly seen in 44-day-old animals, elongated spermatids in 70-day-old animals. Complete spermatogenesis was firstly identified in a 90-day-old animal. Spermatozoa were present in the epididymis of 23 animals, aged from 70 to 240 days old, and in the vas deferens of 14 animals (105 to 240 days old). The prediction model inferred that male Bísaro pigs reach puberty between 14 and 17 weeks (3 and 4 months old) and become sexually capable from 15 to 19 weeks (3.5 and 4.4 months old). These parameters confirm the sexual precocity of this breed.

On-farm storage of livestock vaccines may be a risk to vaccine efficacy: a study of the performance of on-farm refrigerators to maintain the correct storage temperature.

BACKGROUND: Livestock vaccines (LV) are often stored on-farm, in a refrigerator (fridge), prior to use and little is documented about the storage conditions during this period. As the quality of a vaccine can be impaired by storage at an incorrect temperature, the present study aimed to evaluate the on-farm performance of farm fridges to maintain the correct storage temperature. From January to August 2014, temperature data loggers were placed on selected farms fridges used to store LV (n = 20) in South-West England. RESULTS: Temperature recording data was available from 17 of the 20 farms. Fifty-nine percent of farm fridges had at least one temperature recording above 8 °C, 53% had at least one recording below 2 °C and 41% at or below 0 °C. Internal fridge temperatures attained 24 °C and dropped to - 12 °C as an absolute maximum and minimum respectively. Fridges tested spent an average of 16% of the total time recorded above 8 °C. Time of the year significantly influenced the percentage of time above 8 °C. External and internal temperatures were found to be positively correlated (p < 0.001). Statistical significant differences in internal and external temperatures were found between March and August. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of fridges in this study would have failed to keep any stored LV within the recommended storage temperature range. If LV are going to be stored on-farm prior to use, then urgent improvements in this part of the cold-chain are required in order to insure vaccine efficacy is not compromised.

Abordagem multidisciplinar dos caninos superiores permanentes impactados / Multidisciplinary approach for traction of impacted permanent cuspids

A impactação de caninos permanentes é uma anomalia bastante freqüente na clínica odontológica, que pode se desenvolver a partir de vários fatores etiológicos e acarretar patologias nos pacientes não tratados. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho é revisar a literatura no que diz respeito à etiologia, diagnóstico e opções de tratamento para caninos impactados, além de apresentar e discutir um caso clínico de uma paciente com impactação bilateral dos caninos superiores permanentes, onde se optou pela correção ortocirúrgica para tracionamento dos elementos dentários, por meio de aparelhos fixos superior e inferior. Consultando a literatura especializada, tivemos a oportunidade de constatar que a maioria dos autores alertam para a importância do diagnóstico clínico e radiográfico precoce das impactações, bem como para a necessidade de se tratar esses casos, a fim de evitar maiores conseqüências. A etiologia das impactações ainda é um dos temas que mais causa divergência entre os autores, talvez devido à variedade de fatores que podem levar um dente a impactar. Muitas são as opções de tratamento; no entanto, a maioria dos profissionais tem optado pela conduta ortocirúrgica, pelo fato de ser um tratamento mais conservador e menos arriscado. Portanto, vale a pena ressaltar que o tratamento de caninos impactados deva ser de caráter multidisciplinar, já que envolve diferentes áreas da Odontologia como Cirurgia, Ortodontia, Periodontia e Radiologia. Finalmente, este artigo ressalta a importância do tracionamento dos caninos sempre que possível, em decorrência do imprescindível valor morfofuncional e estético, especificamente nos movimentos funcionais da mandíbula.

Impaction of upper cuspids frequently observed in the dentistry clinic, and can develop from different etiologic factors, leading to pathologies in non-treated patients. The objective of this study is to review the literature on the etiology. diagnosis and treatment options for impacted cuspids, and present a clinical case of bilateral cuspid impaction. In the case presented the treatment plan included surgical and orthodontic correction, with traction and upper and lower fixed appliances. The review of the literature describes the importance of early clinical and radiographic diagnosis of impaction, as well as the need to treat these cases to avoid further problems. The etiology of impaction is still a controversial topic, maybe due the variety of factors involved. While many treatment options are also available, most authors have chosen the surgical/orthodontic procedures because it is a more conservative and lower risk approach. For this reason, the treatment of cuspids should be multidisciplinary involving Surgery, Orthodontics, Periodontics and Radiology. This study emphasizes the relevance of cuspids traction whenever possible, due to the essential morphologic, esthetic and functional role of the cuspids, specially in the mandibular movements.