Determination of temperature variation during the individual steps of the production of hospital diets of modified consistency

Background & aim: Many disease outbreaks of food origin are caused by foods prepared in Food Service and Nutrition Units of hospitals, affecting hospitalized patients who, in most cases, are immunocompromised and therefore at a higher risk of severe worsening of their clinical status. The aim of this study was to determine the variations in temperature and the time-temperature factor of hospital diets. Methods: The time and temperature for the preparation of 4 diets of modified consistency were determined on 5 nonconsecutive days in a hospital Diet and Nutrition Unit at the end of preparation and during the maintenance period, portioning and distribution at 3 sites, i.e., the first, the middle and the last to receive the diets. Results and discussion: All foods reached an adequate temperature at the end of cooking, but temperature varied significantly from the maintenance period to the final distribution, characterizing critical periods for microorganism proliferation. During holding, temperatures that presented a risk were reached by 16.7% of the meats and 59% of the salads of the general diet, by 16.7% of the garnishes in the bland diet and by 20% of the meats and garnishes in the viscous diet. The same occurred at the end of distribution for 100% of the hot samples and of the salads and for 61% of the desserts. None of the preparations remained at risk temperature for a time exceeding that established by law. Conclusion: The exposure to inadequate temperature did not last long enough to pose risks to the patient.

Knowledge and Practice of Prechewing/Prewarming Food by HIV-Infected Women

OBJECTIVE: HIV transmission has been associated with offering a child food prechewed by an HIV-infected caregiver. We assessed awareness of prechewing and oral prewarming of food by an adult before offering it to a child among HIV-infected pregnant women and clinical investigators in 3 Latin American countries. METHODS: HIV-infected pregnant women at 12 sites (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development International Site Development Initiative Perinatal Longitudinal Study in Latin American Countries, a prospective cohort trial) in Argentina, Brazil, and Peru were administered a screening survey about prechewing/prewarming of infant foods and cautioned against these feeding practices. Survey responses were analyzed, overall, and stratified according to country. RESULTS: Of the 401 HIV-infected pregnant women interviewed, 34% had heard about prechewing (50% from Argentina, 32% from Brazil, and 36% from Peru), 23% knew someone who prechewed food for infants, and 4% had prechewed food in the past. Seventeen percent had heard about oral prewarming of food, 13% knew someone who prewarmed food for infants, and 3% had prewarmed food for an infant in the past. Women who reported knowing someone who prechewed were more likely to also know someone who prewarmed food (P < .0001). Few site investigators anticipated that their patients would be aware of these practices. CONCLUSIONS: Prechewing food, a potential risk factor for HIV transmission, and orally prewarming food, which has not been associated with HIV transmission but might expose a child to blood from an HIV-infected adult, are not uncommon practices in Latin America. Both practices should be further investigated. Site investigator responses underscore that health care providers could be missing information about cultural practices that patients may not report unless specifically asked. Pediatrics 2011;127:e1206-e1211

Immunolocalization of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in human archival and rat tissues, and cultured cells

Nitric oxide (NO) exerts important physiological and pathological roles in humans. The study of NO requires the immunolocalization of its synthesizing enzymes, neuronal, endothelial and inducible NO synthases (NOS). NOS are labile to formalin-fixation and paraffin-embedding, which are used to prepare human archival tissues. This lability has made NOS immunohistochemical studies difficult, and a detailed protocol is not yet available. We describe here a protocol for the immunolocalization of NOS isoforms in human archival cerebellum and non-nervous tissues, and in rat tissues and cultured cells. Neuronal NOS antigenicity in human archival and rat nervous tissue sections was microwave-retrieved in 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer, pH 9.5, for 20 min at 900W. Neuronal NOS was expressed in stellate, basket, Purkinje and granule cells in human and rat cerebellum. Archival and frozen human cerebellar sections showed the same neuronal NOS staining pattern. Archival cerebellar sections not subjected to antigen retrieval stained weakly. Antigenicity of inducible NOS in human lung was best retrieved in 10 mM sodium citrate buffer, pH 6.0, for 15 min at 900W. Inflammatory cells in a human lung tuberculoma were strongly stained by anti-inducible NOS antibody. Anti-endothelial NOS strongly stained kidney glomeruli. Cultured PC12 cells were strongly stained by anti-neuronal NOS without antigen retrieving. The present immunohistochemistry protocol is easy to perform, timeless, and suitable for the localization of NOS isoforms in nervous and non-nervous tissues, in human archival and rat tissues. It has been extensively used in our laboratory, and is also appropriate for other antigens. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Clinical study of cryosurgery efficacy in the treatment of skin and subcutaneous tumors in dogs and cats

Objective-To evaluate the efficacy of cryosurgery for treatment of skin and subcutaneous tumors in dogs and cats. Study Design-Prospective study. Animals-Dogs (n = 20), cats (10). Methods-Cutaneous or subcutaneous tumors were treated by liquid nitrogen cryosurgical spray (1 cm from target tissue at 90 degrees until a 5-mm halo of frozen tissue was achieved) for 15-60 seconds. Malignant lesions had 3 freeze-thaw cycles benign tumors, 2 cycles. The second or third freeze cycle was performed after complete thaw of the preceding freeze. Wounds healed by second intention. Follow-up was weekly for 1 month and then twice monthly until wounds healed, and final outcome was determined by telephone interview of owners. Results-Tumor size ranged from 0.3 to 11 cm, diameter with 28 (60%) being 0.3-1 cm; 8 (17%) 1.1-3cm, and 11 (23%) >3.4cm. Complications included edema, erythema and for extremity lesions, pain and lameness. Treated lesions (n = 47) had an overall remission of 98% (mean follow-up.. 345 +/- 172.02 days [range, 150-750 days]). One malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor recurred 7 months after cryosurgical treatment. Conclusion-Cryo surgery is an efficient method for treatment of skin and subcutaneous tumors in dogs and cats. Clinical Relevance-Cryosurgical ablation is an effective means of treating small cutaneous or subcutaneous tumors in dogs and cats, especially in older animals where wound closure or cosmetic outcome might limit surgical excision alone. (C) Copyright 2008 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Effects of six carbohydrate sources on dog diet digestibility and post-prandial glucose and insulin response

The effects of six extruded diets with different starch sources (cassava flour, brewer`s rice, corn, sorghum, peas or lentils) on dog total tract apparent digestibility and glycemic and insulinemic response were investigated. The experiment was carried out on thirty-six dogs with six dogs per diet in a completely randomized design. The diets containing brewer`s rice and cassava flour presented the greatest digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and gross energy (p < 0.05), followed by corn and sorghum; pea and lentil diets had the lowest. Starch digestibility was greater than 98% in all diets and was greater for brewer`s rice and cassava flour than for lentils and peas diets (p < 0.05). Dogs` immediate post-prandial glucose and insulin responses (AUC <= 30 min) were greater for brewer`s rice, corn, and cassava flour diets (p < 0.05), and later meal responses (AUC >= 30 min) were greater for sorghum, lentil and pea diets (p < 0.05). Variations in diet digestibility and post-prandial response can be explained by differences in chemical composition of each starch source including fibre content and starch granule structure. The nutritional particularities of each starch ingredient can be explored through diet formulations designed to modulate glycemic response. However, more studies are required to support these.

Effects of six carbohydrate sources on diet digestibility and postprandial glucose and insulin responses in cats

The effects of diets with different starch sources on the total tract apparent digestibility and glucose and insulin responses in cats were investigated. Six experimental diets consisting of 35% starch were extruded, each containing one of the following ingredients: cassava flour, brewers rice, corn, sorghum, peas, or lentils. The experiment was carried out on 36 cats with 6 replications per diet in a completely randomized block design. The brewers rice diet offered greater DM, OM, and GE digestibility than the sorghum, corn, lentil, and pea diets (P < 0.05). For starch digestibility, the brewers rice diet had greater values (98.6%) than the sorghum (93.9%), lentil (95.2%), and pea (96.3%) diets (P < 0.05); however, starch digestibility was > 93% for all the diets, proving that despite the low carbohydrate content of carnivorous diets, cats can efficiently digest this nutrient when it is properly processed into kibble. Mean and maximum glucose concentration and area under the glucose curve were greater for the corn-based diet than the cassava flour, sorghum, lentil, and pea diets (P < 0.05). The corn-based diets led to greater values for the mean glucose incremental concentration (10.2 mg/dL), maximum glucose incremental concentration (24.8 mg/dL), and area under the incremental glucose curve (185.5 mg.dL(-1).h(-1)) than the lentil diet (2.9 mg/dL, 3.1 mg/dL, and -40.4 mg.dL(-1).h(-1), respectively; P < 0.05). When compared with baseline values, only the corn diet stimulated an increase in the glucose response, occurring at 4 and 10 h postmeal (P < 0.05). The corn-based diet resulted in greater values for maximum incremental insulin concentration and area under the incremental insulin curve than the lentil-based diet (P < 0.05). However, plasma insulin concentrations rose in relation to the basal values for cats fed corn, sorghum, pea, and brewers rice diets (P < 0.05). Variations in diet digestibility and postprandial response can be explained by differences in the chemical composition of the starch source, including fiber content and granule structure, and also differences in the chemical compositions of the diets. The data suggest that starch has less of an effect on the cat postprandial glucose and insulin responses than on those of dogs and humans. This can be explained by the metabolic peculiarities of felines, which may slow and prolong starch digestion and absorption, leading to the delayed, less pronounced effects on their blood responses.

Evaluation of short dietary questions from the 1995 National Nutrition Survey

Six of the short dietary questions used in the 1995 National Nutrition Survey (see box below) were evaluated for relative validity both directly and indirectly and for consistency, by documenting the differences in mean intakes of foods and nutrients as measured on the 24-hour recall, between groups with different responses to the short questions. 1. Including snacks, how many times do you usually have something to eat in a day including evenings? 2. How many days per week do you usually have something to eat for breakfast? 3. In the last 12 months, were there any times that you ran out of food and couldn’t afford to buy more? 4. What type of milk do you usually consume? 5. How many serves of vegetables do you usually eat each day? (a serve = 1/2 cup cooked vegetables or 1 cup of salad vegetables) 6. How many serves of fruit do you usually eat each day? (a serve = 1 medium piece or 2 small pieces of fruit or 1 cup of diced pieces) These comparisons were made for males and females overall and for population sub-groups of interest including: age, socio-economic disadvantage, region of residence, country of birth, and BMI category. Several limitations to this evaluation of the short questions, as discussed in the report, need to be kept in mind including: · The method for comparison available (24-hour recall) was not ideal (gold standard); as it measures yesterday’s intake. This limitation was overcome by examining only mean differences between groups of respondents, since mean intake for a group can provide a reasonable approximation for ‘usual’ intake. · The need to define and identify, post-hoc, from the 24-hour recall the number of eating occasions, and occasions identified by the respondents as breakfast. · Predetermined response categories for some of the questions effectively limited the number of categories available for evaluation. · Other foods and nutrients, not selected for this evaluation, may have an indirect relationship with the question, and might have shown stronger and more consistent responses. · The number of responses in some categories of the short questions eg for food security may have been too small to detect significant differences between population sub-groups. · No information was available to examine the validity of these questions for detecting differences over time (establishing trends) in food habits and indicators of selected nutrient intakes. By contrast, the strength of this evaluation was its very large sample size, (atypical of most validation studies of dietary assessment) and thus, the opportunity to investigate question performance in a range of broad population sub-groups compared with a well-conducted, quantified survey of intakes. The results of the evaluation are summarised below for each of the questions and specific recommendations for future testing, modifications and use provided for each question. The report concludes with some general recommendations for the further development and evaluation of short dietary questions.

Transient disruption of liver gap junctional intercellular communication and induction of apoptosis after administration of 1,4-bis[2-(3,5 dichloropyridyloxy)]benzene in mice

Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and connexin expression (Cx26 and Cx32) in mouse liver were studied after administration of 4-bis[2-(3,5 dichloropyridyloxy)]benzene (TCPOBOP), a phenobarbital-like enzyme inducer. Female C57BI/6 mice were administered TCPOBOP (5.8 mg/kg BW) and euthanized 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours later. Liver samples were snap frozen, or fixed in formalin, or submitted to GJIC analysis. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemistry and the Western blotting for Cx26 and Cx32 were performed. After 48 and 72 h of drug administration the liver-to-body weight ratio was increased 70% and 117% (p < 0.0001), respectively. There were temporal-dependent alterations in liver histopathology and a significant increase in cell proliferation was noted after 48h and sustained after 72h, though to a lesser extent (p < 0.0001). In addition. TCPOBOP administration induced apoptosis, which appeared to be time-dependent showing statistical significance only after 72h (p < 0.0001). Interestingly, a transient disruption by nearly 50% of GJIC capacity was detected after 48 h of drug ingestion, which recovered after 72 h (p = 0.003). These GJIC changes were due to altered levels of Cx26 and Cx32 in the livers of TCPOBOP-treated mice. We concluded that a single administration of TCPOBOP transiently disrupted the levels of GJIC due to decreased expression of connexins and increased apoptotic cell death in mouse liver. (C) 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Natural, but not lyophilized, low density lypoproteins were an acceptable alternative to egg yolk for cryopreservation of ram semen

The objective was to evaluate the suitability of using natural or lyophilized low density lipoproteins (LDL), in lieu of whole egg yolk, in extenders for cryopreserving ram semen. Once extragonadal sperm reserves were depleted in 10 fertile Santa Ines cross rams, two ejaculates per ram were collected for cryopreservation. Nine extenders were used: Tris-16% egg yolk extender with 5% glycerol as a control (T1), and substitution of whole egg yolk with 8, 12, 16 or 20% natural LDL (T2-T5, respectively), or with 8, 12, 16, or 20% lyophilized LDL (T6-T9). Semen was diluted to 100 X 10(6) sperm/mL, packaged into 0.25 mL straws, cooled, held at 5 C for 3 h, and then frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor. Immediately after thawing (37 degrees C for 30 s), sperm total and progressive motility, and kinetic parameters were analyzed with computer assisted semen analysis (CASA). Percentage of sperm with plasma membrane functional integrity was assessed by the hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST), sperm membrane physical integrity with propidium iodide (PI), and acrosome integrity with FITC-PSA using an epifluorescent microscope. For all sperm end points, there was no difference between the control and natural LDL treatments (P > 0.05): total motility (T1: 20.9 +/- 11.9 and average of T2-T5: 25.9 +/- 13.6%; mean SD), progressive motility (T1: 6.6 +/- 4.2 and average of T2-T5: 11.7 +/- 7.5%), HOST(+) (T1: 23.7 +/- 6.9 and average of T2-T5: 23.2 +/- 8.7%) and PI(-)/PSA(-) (T1: 13.8 +/- 7.8 and average of T2-T5: 18.1 +/- 7.8%). However, lyophilization was apparently unable to preserve the protective function of LDL; every sperm end point was significantly worse than in the control and natural LDL groups. We concluded that natural LDL was appropriate for cryopreserving ram semen, as it yielded results similar to those obtained with whole egg yolk. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

NONINVASIVE MONITORING OF ANDROGENS IN MALE AMAZONIAN MANATEE (TRICHECHUS INUNGUIS): BIOLOGIC VALIDATION

The Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) is endemic in the Amazonian basin and is the only exclusively fresh water sirenian. Historically hunted on a large scale, this species is now considered endangered, and Studies on the reproductive physiology are critical for the improvement of reproductive management of captive and wild Populations of manatees. The aim of this Study was to verify the viability of androgen measurement in saliva, lacrimal, urine, and fecal samples of the Amazonian manatee by conducting a hormone challenge. Two adult male manatees (A-1 and A-2) were Submitted to an experimentation protocol of 12 day (D1 to D10). On D0, the animals received an intramuscular injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-analogue. Salivary, lacrimal, urinary, and fecal samples were collected daily (between 0800 hours and 0900 hours) and frozen at -20 degrees C until assayed. Fecal samples were lyophilized, extracted with 80% methanol, and diluted in buffer before the radioimmunoassay (RIA). Urine samples underwent acid hydrolysis and were diluted in depleted bovine serum. Salivary and lacrimal samples were assayed without the extraction step. Hormonal assays were conducted with a commercial testosterone RIA kit. An androgen peak (>median + 2 interquartile range [IQR]) was observed in all matrices of both animals, although it was less prominent in the lacrimal samples of A-2. However, the fecal androgen peak (A-1 peak = 293.78 ng/g dry feces, median [IQR] = 143.58 [32.38] ng/g dry feces; A-2 peak = 686.72 ng/g dry feces, median [IQR] = 243.82 [193.16] ng/g dry feces) occurred later than urinary (A-1 peak = 648.16 ng/mg creatinine [Cr], median [IQR] = 23.88 [30.44] ng/mg Cr; A-2 peak = 370.44 ng/mg Cr, median [IQR] = 113.87 [117.73] ng/mg Cr) and salivary (A-1 peak = 678.89 pg/ml, median [IQR] = 103.69 [119.86] pg/ml; A-2 peak = 733.71 pg/ml, median [IQR] = 262.92 [211.44] pg/ml) androgen peaks. These intervals appear to be correlated with the long digesta passage time in this species. The salivary and urinary peaks were closely associated. These results demonstrate that androgen concentrations in saliva, urine, or feces samples reflect reliably physiologic events and are a powerful tool for noninvasive reproductive monitoring of Amazonian manatees.

Validation of body condition score as a predictor of subcutaneous fat in Nelore (Bos indicus) cows

The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship among body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS) and rump fat thickness (RFAT) measured by ultrasonography, and validate the relationship between BCS and RFAT over the time. Two hundred sixty and six Nelore cows had their BW, BCS and RFAT evaluated at five different moments during the production cycle: M1) weaning: M2) parturition, M3) 42 days post-partum; M4) 82 days postpartum and M5) 112 days post-partum. A BCS value was attributed for each cow following a I to 5 points scale. Ultrasonographic images for RFAT measurement were obtained using a 3.5 MHz linear transducer. Images were immediately analyzed as soon as they were formed and frozen. Body condition scores and ultrasound measurements were collected on the same day by a single trained technician. The relationship between BCS and RFAT values was investigated by regression models. The analysis of similarity among the five obtained models was performed using the proc MIXED from SAS and the correlations among variables were analyzed with proc CORR from SAS. The BCS was able to predict RFAT in Nelore cows in all different moments evaluated. Also, it was shown that BCS presented high correlation (r=0.82 to 0.93) and relationship (R(2) = 0.73 to 0.92) with RFAT. However, both BCS and RFAT showed low correlation (r=0.37 to 0.50) and relationship (R(2) = 0.13 to 0.25) with BW. The BCS classification by visual method using a 1 to 5 point scale, was able to predict the RFAT in Nelore cows over the time. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of Osteopontin in Bovine Uterine Tube Fluid on Sperm Binding and Fertilization in RCA-1 Lectin-treated Oocytes

This study was conducted to determine the effect of pre-exposure of oocytes to Ricinus communis (RCA-1) lectin and osteopontin (OPN) in uterine tube fluid (UTF) on in vitro sperm-egg binding and fertilization. In vitro-matured bovine oocytes were incubated (39 degrees C, 5% CO(2) in air) for 2 h in the following treatments: (i) 500 mu l of fertilization medium (FM); (ii) 250 mu l of FM with 0.25 ml of non-luteal ampullary uterine tube fluid (NLAUTF); (iii) 250 mu l of FM with 250 mu l of NLAUTF and 4 mu l of RCA-1 lectin; (iv) 250 mu l of FM with 250 mu l of NLAUTF, a rabbit polyclonal antibody (1:200) against purified bovine milk OPN, and RCA-1 lectin; (v) 500 mu l of FM and RCA-1 lectin. Following incubation, oocytes were washed, placed in FM with 2 mu g heparin, and incubated with 1 x 10(5) frozen-thawed spermatozoa per 10 oocytes. Oocytes used to assess sperm binding were stained with Hoescht 33342, and the number of sperm bound per zona pellucida counted. The remaining oocytes were fixed in acid alcohol, stained with 1% acetate-orcein and observed to determine the presence of pronuclei. More sperm bound to the zona pellucida (mean +/- SEM) when oocytes were incubated in treatment 3 (59.0 +/- 5.5) than in treatments 2 (46.4 +/- 5.6), 4 (18.1 +/- 5.4), 5 (33.4 +/- 5.6) or 1 (32.5 +/- 5.6). More oocytes were fertilized when incubated in treatment 3 (91% +/- 3.0) than in 2 (84% +/- 3.0), 4 (40% +/- 3.0), 5 (77% +/- 3.0) or 1 (76% +/- 3.0). As in previous studies, this study suggests that RCA-1 lectin enhances binding of UTF-derived OPN to bovine oocytes, resulting in increased sperm-egg binding and fertilization in vitro and a possible role in fertilization.

Pre-treatment of cattle sperm and/or oocyte with antibody to lipocalin type prostaglandin D synthase inhibits in vitro fertilization and increases sperm-oocyte binding

The present study was conducted to determine the affect of pre-treating of oocytes and/or sperm with a rabbit polyclonal antibody against recombinant cattle lipocalin type prostaglandin D synthase (alpha L-PGDS) on in vitro sperm-oocyte binding and fertilization. In vitro matured cattle oocytes were incubated (39 degrees C, 5% CO2 in air) for I It in the following treatments either 500 mu L of fertilization medium (FM) or FM with alpha L-PGDS (1:2000). Frozen-thawed spermatozoa were washed by a 45/90% layered Percoll gradient centrifugation and incubated for I h either FM or FM with a L-PGDS. This study utilized five different treatments: (1) no antibody (control); (2) a rabbit IgG against a non-bovine antigen, bacterial histidase (alpha-hist); (3) a L-PGDS at fertilization time (with fertilization medium); (4) alpha L-PGDS-treated oocytes; or (5) a L-PGDS-treated sperm. Pre-treated oocytes were incubated with 10 X 10(4) washed spermatozoa per 25 oocytes. Oocytes used to assess sperm binding were stained with Hoescht 33342, and the number of sperm bound per zonae pellucidae counted. The remaining oocytes were fixed in acid alcohol, stained with 1% acetate-orcein and observed to determine the presence of pronuclei. More sperm bound to the zonae pellucidae when oocytes and/or sperm were pre-treated with alpha. L-PGDS: (1) 26.4 +/- 3.0; (2) 25.6 +/- 3.0; (3) 59.7 +/- 3.0; (4) 56.4 +/- 3.0; and (5) 57.1 +/- 3.0. Addition of alpha L-PGDS with sperm, oocytes, or both, decreased fertilization (P < 0.05) compared with the control: (1) 89.2 +/- 2.0%; (2) 87.5 +/- 2.0%; (3) 19.4 +/- 2.0%; (4) 27.2 +/- 3.1%; and (5) 14.1 +/- 3.4%. The alpha L-PGDS reacts with both oocytes and spermatozoa, resulting in increases of in vitro sperm-oocyte binding and inhibition of fertilization. These observations suggest that L-PGDS may have a role in cattle fertilization. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects that bovine sperm cryopreservation using two different extenders has on sperm membranes and chromatin

The process of cryopreservation impairs sperm cell function, potentially leading to a reduction in fertility. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects that cryopreservation using two different extenders has on sperm motility and mitochondrial function, as well as on the integrity of plasma membranes, acrosomal membranes and chromatin, using practical and objective techniques. The focus of the present study was to identify correlations between alterations in sperm membranes and sperm motility in cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa. Seven ejaculates were collected from eight Simmental bulls (n = 56). After collection, semen volume and concentration were assessed for purposes of dilution. Sperm motility was evaluated subjectively and by computer-assisted semen analysis, morphological characteristics were evaluated by differential interference microscopy, the integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes, as well as mitochondrial function, were determined using a combination of fluorescent probes containing fluorescein isothiocyanate-Pisum sativum agglutinin, propidium iodide or 5,5`,6,6`-tetrachloro-1,1`,3,3`-tetraethylbenzimidazolearbocyanine iodide. Chromatin integrity was evaluated using the acridine orange technique. The semen was subsequently divided into two aliquots and diluted with one of two extenders (Bioxcell(R) or Botu-Bov(R)), after which both were packaged in 0.5 mL straws and frozen using an automated system. Two straws of semen from each treatment were thawed, and the semen parameters were evaluated as described above. Cryopreservation of sperm reduced motility, damaging plasma and acrosomal membranes, as well as decreasing mitochondrial function. The Botu-Bov(R) extender was more effective in preserving sperm motility and membrane integrity than was the Bioxcell(R) extender. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Serological survey of Toxoplasma gondu in captive Neotropical felids from Southern Brazil

Toxoplasma gondu is the causative intracellular protozoan of toxoplasmosis inhuman being and animals Members of the Felidae family are considered the single definitive host for the infection both wild and domestic cats are able to excrete oocysts in the environment Wild cats maintained in captivity may serve as source of infection for other clinically susceptible animals in the same environment The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of T gondu IgG antibodies in 57 neotropical felids (1 Leopardus geoffroyi 3 Puma yagouaroundi 17 Leopard us wiedu 22 Leopardus tigrinus and 14 Leopard us pardalis) kept at the Bela Vista Biological Sanctuary Itaipu Binacional Southern Brazil by the modified agglutination test (MAT) using titer 16 as cut-off point Seropositivity was observed in 38/57 (66 67% 95% CI 53 66-77 51%) samples with higher frequency in ocelots (71 43%) Wild-caught felids were three times more likely to be infected when compared to zoo-born animals (P <= 0 05) and age of wild-caught animals (P= 0 6892 95% CI = 0 7528-166) was not significant as a risk factor for the infection the same occurring with zoo-born animals (P=0 05 95% CI = 06267-24052) These results suggest that despite efforts to control T gondu infection in zoo facilities such as individual pens hygiene monitoring veterinary care and pre-frozen meat offered as food non-domestic feuds kept in captivity particularly the wild-caught specimens may be invariably exposed to infection due to other environmental sources (C) 2010 Elsevier B V All rights reserved