The aim of the present study was evaluate qualitative parameters of silver catfish (Rhmadia quelen) semen in two seasons, winter and spring.Semen samples were collected from eighteen animals by extrusion method in July and November and were submitted to motility, vigor, concentration and morphology analysis.In the morphology analysis cells were classified in normal, with primary or secondary abnormalities and spermatozoa heads in round or elongated.In July, just thirteen animals released semen and in november all animals responded positively to extrusion releasing semen.No significant difference (P>0,10) was found between the seasons for spermatic concentration, normal spermatozoa, secondary abnormalities and head morphology.For primary abnormalities, spermatic motility and vigor the results were better in spring (P<0,10).The results show a tendency for better semen quality in spring, however was obtained semen with good quality in winter too.
Background: Canine hypercortisolism (HC) is the most prevalent endocrinopathy in dogs in southern Brazil. The prognosis depends on several factors including the general health status, owners´ commitment, and the development of disease complications and comorbidities occurrence, such as cardiovascular complications including mitral valve disease (MVD), systemic arterial hypertension, and left ventricular hypertrophy. The main objective of the present study was to assess cardiovascular parameters in canine HC, based on investigating survival-related variables. The study also aimed to evaluate the influence of concurrent preclinical (MVD) on dogs` survival and the impact of HC on MVD progression. Materials, Methods & Results: A total of 25 dogs with spontaneous HC were enrolled and divided into 2 subgroups accordingly to their echocardiographic findings: group HC (normal echocardiography at first evaluation, n = 16); and group HC + MVD (concurrent presence of stages B1 and B2 MVD diagnosed at the first evaluation, n = 9). The patients were evaluated at diagnosis (T0); 6 months after treatment begging (T1); and after 12 months of treatment (T2). The owners were further contacted by phone or e-mail for 1 more year after T2 regarding survival information. A control group (CG, n = 20) was also evaluated at T0 and T1. At each evaluation, dogs were submitted to a complete clinical evaluation and physical exam, associated with a minimum database (CBC, serum biochemistry, and urine analysis) and cardiovascular evaluation composed of systolic blood pressure determination, electrocardiogram (ECG), and echodopplercardiography. In the HC group, 11/16 dogs underwent the evaluation at T2, while 4/9 dogs from the HC + MVD group and 17/20 dogs from the CG underwent the evaluation at T2. Five dogs (31.25%) from the HC group and 4 dogs (44.44%) from the HC + MVD group died before the end of the follow-up period. In the control group, only 1 dog (5.26%) died before the end of the study. Despite the higher mortality in the HC + MVD group during the follow-up period, there was no significant difference (P = 0.632) in survival when compared with the HC group. The MVD of 4 dogs included in the HC + MVD group was classified as stage B1, while the other 5 dogs were classified as stage B2. Only 1 dog from the CG developed stage B1 MVD in the period studied; however, progression of the MVD stage was documented in 1/4 of dogs in the HC + MVD group and MVD development was documented in 3/11 of dogs from the HC group from T0 to T2. The odds ratio (OR) and respective 95% confidence interval (95%CI) for HC as a risk factor for MVD progression were 4.267 (0.4268 - 42.65; P = 0.342). Exercise intolerance (12/16 dogs) and dyspnea (6/16 dogs) were the cardiorespiratory clinical signs with the highest incidence in the HC group at T0. When compared to the control group, both exercise intolerance (P < 0.001) and dyspnea (P = 0.03) occurrence were significantly higher in the HC group. The age (P = 0.001) and the occurrence of dyspnea (P = 0.036) at diagnosis were significantly higher in dogs with HC that died during the follow-up than those that remained alive. Regarding the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias verified by ECG, no statistically significant differences were observed among groups. Discussion: The study suggests that systemic hypertension and altered echocardiographic measurements did not interfere with dogs´ survival; however, dyspnea was associated with a worse prognosis. Finally, it is possible to conclude that mitral valve degeneration is a common comorbidity in dogs with HC, however, it was not evidenced their interference in the survival of dogs with this endocrine disease or even a role of the HC in the progression of the MVD. Keywords: Cushing's syndrome, hyperadrenocorticism, dyspnea, echocardiography, prognosis.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common endocrinopathy in dogs, however, the relationship between canine DM and cardiomyopathy is still unclear. The aims of this study were: to evaluate serum troponin I concentrations in diabetic dogs under treatment with insulin; to evaluate the hypothesis that the time of DM diagnosis could influence the troponin I concentration; and to evaluate the relationship between biochemical and cardiovascular parameters in diabetic dogs. This is a cross-sectional study including diabetic canine patients under NPH insulin treatment. Troponin I concentration, systolic blood pressure (SBP), complete blood count, serum fructosamine concentration, biochemical profile, and Doppler echocardiography assesments were carried out in each patient, as well as in age- and size- matched healthy controls. All diabetic dogs had concentrations of troponin I below the limits of detection of the assay. There was no difference between cardiovascular parameters between diabetic and healthy control dogs. There was no correlation between time of DM diagnosis and cardiovascular parameters. There was a significant positive correlation between SBP and fructosamine in diabetic dogs (r=0.54; P<0.01). Diabetic dogs receiving insulin treatment, regardless of the time of diagnosis, do not have significantly elevated serum troponin I. The results also suggest that fructosamine levels can be associated with high blood pressure, suggesting a possible correlation between fructosamine levels and vascular complications.
This study describes a case of tetralogy of Fallot in a lamb showing failure to thrive and signs of respiratory distress. Physical examination, electrocardiography, thoracic radiographies, echocardiography and cardiac troponin I evaluation were performed. The value of cardiac troponin I was compared with the values of 10 healthy lambs of the same age and breed, and the affected animal demonstrated an increase in cardiac troponin I. Due to the poor prognosis, euthanasia was indicated, and necropsy confirmed the diagnosis. This is the first report of an increase in cardiac troponin I in a lamb with tetralogy of Fallot.
Background: The external otitis is an infl ammatory process that gets at the pinna and the external acoustic meatus of many animals; it can be a pathological...
In Brazil in recent decades, the the dynamics of land use widened the agricultural frontier for sugarcane cultivation by modifying and replacing intensively traditional and pasture crops. It is proposed to examine the aggregating characteristics of rural enterprises that are part of the sugarcane agribusiness productive arrangement, evaluating their profiles, providing a more effective understanding of their socioeconomic sustainability. The quantitative approach was adopted applying statistical tests for variable selection and multivariate statistical techniques (cluster analysis) to evaluate rural enterprises. The results indicated two clusters with peculiar profiles, and the average distance between farm and agribusiness (± 22 km) and succession capacity (± 2.5 points) of both are similar. The other variables were discrepant (P <0.05), in cluster 1 the very negative rural exodus (-48%) and in cluster 2 positive (23%). Operating costs in relation to compensation for Cluster 1 was 61%, much higher than cluster 2 with 6% on average. It was concluded that through cluster analysis that the contract variables and the size of the establishment are the most significant factors directly influencing the rural exodus and production costs. These observations contribute to the creation of sectorial policies for the use of land and regional economic development, as such imply in a theoretical consolidation of precepts on the sugarcane expansion, as such also imply, under the perspective of the rural practice, in elements for the improvement in planning the agricultural enterprise.
A brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) was presented with lethargy, hyporexia, cough and heart murmur. The complementary tests and necropsy revealed pleuropneumonia, bacterial endocarditis and interventricular septal defect. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of increased cardiac troponin I levels in this species.