Do carcasses of lambs finished on commercial production systems meet market standards?

This study aimed to characterize a commercial lamb finishing system using animals of undefined breed from production to slaughter by analyzing performance, carcass traits, yield of commercial cuts, and the quality and meat acceptance of different slaughter groups, as to evaluate whether this system provides the market with a standardized product. The lots were not homogeneous for yield of commercial cuts and performance and morphometric traits evaluated in vivo. The groups were heterogeneous to 75% of the 13 carcass traits evaluated, among them, hot and cold carcass weights, hot and cold carcass yields, carcass grade finishing and biological yield. There was also no uniformity for the proportion of non-carcass components, morphometry of carcass, visual appraisals, and loin traits. On the other hand, homogeneity was achieved in physico-chemical and sensory traits, except for hardness and proportion of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. We conclude that the commercial finishing system with the use of undefined crossbred lambs does not produce carcass and cuts standardized to the market.

Hiperhomocisteinemiay preeclampsia / Hyperhomocystinemia and preeclampsia

Objetivo: Comparar las concentraciones plasmáticas de homocisteína en gestantes con preeclampsia con respecto a un grupo control de gestantes sanas durante el tercer trimestre de gestación, así como determinar la prevalencia de hiperhomocisteinemia entre ambos grupos. Sujetos y métodos: Estudio transversal de 100 gestantes durante el tercer trimestre de gestación (50 con preeclampsia y 50 gestantes sanas) en el Servicio de Obstetricia del Hospital La Paz entre enero y diciembre de 1999. Resultados: Las concentraciones de homocisteína plasmática están significativamente elevadas en las pacientes con preeclampsia con respecto a las gestantes normales (media ñ desviación estándar [DE], 12,1 ñ 4,2; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95 por ciento, 11,7-12,9 frente a 5,9 ñ 2,4; IC del 95 por ciento, 5,1-7,4 µmol/l; p = 0,01). La prevalencia de hiperhomocisteinemia (homocisteína > 8,3 µmol/l) es mayor en gestantes con preeclampsia respecto al grupo control (el 78 frente al 18 por ciento; p = 0,03). Conclusiones: Las concentraciones plasmáticas de homocisteína están elevadas significativamente en gestantes con preeclampsia en comparación con gestantes sanas durante el tercer trimestre de gestación. La prevalencia de hiperhomocisteinemia es significativamente mayor en pacientes con preeclampsia respecto al grupo control (AU)

Homocysteine, folic acid and B-group vitamins in obstetrics and gynaecology.

The amino acid homocysteine is of considerable medical importance because it is involved in the etiopathogeny of cardiovascular diseases. Hyperhomocysteinemia is a factor in the vascular damage that predisposes thrombogenesis and arteriosclerosis. It has also been related to a range of obstetric and gynecologic complications. Numerous studies have demonstrated the association between increased levels of homocysteine and neural tube defects (NTD) and other congenital defects, spontaneous miscarriages, intrauterine growth retardation (IGR), preeclampsia and intrauterine fetal death. Folic acid and other B-group vitamins (B6 and B12) take part in the metabolism of homocysteine and the preventive administration of these vitamins may reduce some of the complications.