Ariana Lopes Correia de Paiva

Cryopreservation of collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) semen using a powdered coconut water (ACP-116c) based extender plus various concentrations of egg yolk and glycerol.

The objective was to determine the effectiveness of a powdered coconut water-based extender (ACP-116c), plus various concentrations of egg-yolk and glycerol, as an alternative for cryopreservation of collared peccary semen. Twelve ejaculates were obtained from captive adult males by electroejaculation, and evaluated for sperm motility, kinetic rating, viability, morphology, and functional membrane integrity. The ejaculates were apportioned into aliquots that were diluted in Tris plus 10% egg yolk and 3% glycerol, or in ACP-116c plus 10 or 20% egg yolk and 1.5 or 3% glycerol. Samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen and, after 1 mo, thawed at 37 °C for 1 min. After thawing, samples were evaluated as reported for fresh semen, and also for sperm membrane integrity (fluorescent probes) and kinematic parameters (computerized analysis). Results were presented as means ± SEM. Freezing and thawing decreased sperm characteristics relative to fresh semen. Overall, ACP-116c plus 20% egg yolk and 3% glycerol provided better (P < 0.05) sperm motility and kinetic rating (48 ± 6.1% and 2.8 ± 0.2, respectively) after thawing than Tris extender (30.4 ± 5.7% and 2.4 ± 0.2). However, there were no differences (P > 0.05) among treatments with regard to the other sperm characteristics. Based on computerized motion analysis, total (26.5 ± 5.9%) and progressive (8.1 ± 2.2%) motility were best preserved (P < 0.05) with the above-mentioned treatment. In conclusion, a coconut water-based extender, ACP-116c, plus 20% egg yolk and 3% glycerol, was effective for cryopreservation of semen from collared peccaries.

Origem e distribuição do nervo femoral do mocó, Kerodon rupestris (Cavidae)

Rock cavy (Kerodon rupestris Wied, 1820), a rodent mammal from the Cavidae family is highly adapted to conditions of heat and shortage of water and food, mainly in the periods of great drought that periodically devastate the semi-arid of Northeast Brazil. In the literature, few data are found regarding the functional anatomy of the rock cavy, especially involving the anatomy of the nervous system. We aimed to investigate the origin of the femoral nerve close to the intervertebral foramina, its location and distribution for the musculature of the legs, to verify its importance to support further studies for wild animal clinics, and to contribute for the comparative neuro-anatomy. Ten adult rock cavies of different ages were used (4 males and 6 females), that had died in the Wild Animal Multiplication Center (Cemas) of the Rural Federal University of the Semi-Arid, Mossoro. After the fixation in aqueous solution of 10% formalin, the dissection of the abdominal cavity of the animals was accomplished for complete visualization of the femoral nerve. Variations were verified in the number of lumbar vertebrae, as seven animals (70%) had seven lumbar vertebrae, and three (30%) only six, altering the origin of the nerve. On the right side, in four animals (40%) the femoral nerve originated from ventral branches of L5 to L6, four (40%) from L5 to L7, and in two (20%) from L4 to L6. On the left side, in five animals (50%) the femoral nerve originated from the ventral branches of L5 to L6, in three (30%) from L5 to L7, and two (20%) also from L4 to L6.

Aspectos hematológicos de caprinos (Capra hircus) da raça Canindé criados no Rio Grande do Norte

The objective of this paper was to study the hematological profile of Caninde breed goats (Capra hircus) raised in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, as well as the acquirement of reference values appropriate to our region. Blood samples were collected from 58 clinically healthy animals, distributed in 4 groups (males, over 5-month-old, pregnant and not pregnant females and young goats, up to 4 months of age). From a single blood sample from each animal, it was possible to perform the red blood cell (RBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin, mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and the white blood cell (WBC) count and differential). The obtained data was statically evaluated by the Tukey test for parametric variables and Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunns test for nonparametric-level significance (p<0.05). The results of this study can be used as a reference for this breed of goats, making future interpretations possible from the evaluated parameters, and can support further studies in healthy or diseased animals. It shows the need for further research that demonstrates the semiarid conditions of handling and feeding, as well as assessment of variation factors on the constituents of blood taking into account sex, age and the physiological state of animals.

Use of Non-invasive Methods for Evaluating the Testicular Biometry in Collared Peccaries (Pecari tajacu Linnaeus, 1758)

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of two methods used to estimate testicular volume in the collared peccary. Calliper and ultrasonographic measurements of testicular dimensions (length, width and height) of both testes were taken on five adult collared peccaries. The testicular volume was calculated by Lamberts empiric formula: length (L) × width (W) × height (H) × 0.71, the formula of an ellipsoid L × W × H × 0.52, and Hansens formula: L × W2 × 0.52. The calculated volumes were then compared with the actual ones, which were estimated by water displacement. The mean of true testicular volume was 22.65 ± 1.52 ml. Lamberts formula estimated testicular volume more accurately when ultrasound measurements were taken. However, when the calliper was the methodology used, the results were closest to the true volume, especially when Ellipsoid formula and Hansens formula were applied, and underestimated the true volumes by 1.53 ± 1.75 ml and 1.53 ± 1.65 ml, respectively. This specific application of technologies in wild animals has the potential to revolutionize the selection process for the collared peccary entering artificial insemination or natural breeding programmes.

Uso do propofol na indução anestésica de emas (Rhea americana americana)

O propofol e um anestesico injetavel que promove inducao e recuperacao rapida, e toxicidade limitada. Apesar de suas vantagens, poucas pesquisas determinam a dose e os efeitos do propofol em emas. Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o uso do propofol na inducao da anestesia de emas, bem como determinar a dose de inducao anestesica do farmaco para a especie. Foram utilizados 20 emas, machos jovens, os quais foram anestesiados com propofol, administrado por via intravenosa. A frequencia cardiaca (FC) e respiratoria (f), temperatura cloacal (TC) foram aferidas antes da administracao do propofol e logo apos a obtencao da anestesia. Nestes momentos, sangue venoso foi colhido para analise hemogasometrica. Para avaliacao da anestesia, realizou-se pincamento interdigital, sendo determinados, com base na resposta ao estimulo, o periodo de latencia, periodo habil e de recuperacao anestesica. A dose capaz de promover anestesia nas emas foi de 5 mg.kg-1. As medias da FC, ƒ, TC basais foram 138 bpm, 35 rpm e 39,1oC, respectivamente e, apos a inducao as medias foram 180 bpm, 25 rpm e 40,6oC. A administracao do propofol nao resultou em alteracoes significativas nos valores de pressao parcial de oxigenio, excesso de base, bicarbonato, saturacao de oxigenio, pH, pressao parcial de dioxido de carbono. As medias do tempo de inducao, periodo habil de anestesia e tempo de recuperacao, em minutos, foram respectivamente 2,48; 2,98 e 7,85. A dose do propofol encontrada para emas foi compativel com as utilizadas para a inducao em outras especies de aves. O propofol, na dose de 5 mg.kg-1, mostrou-se um farmaco seguro para inducao anestesica em emas, possibilitando recuperacao rapida da anestesia alem de promover poucas alteracoes cardiorrespiratorias e hemogasometricas na especie.

Determinação da concentração alveolar mínima do isofluorano em catetos (Tayassu tajacu)

A anestesia inalatoria vem sendo amplamente difundida na medicina veterinaria, no entanto seu uso em animais selvagens ainda e restrito, nao sendo observado nenhum estudo referente a sua utilizacao na especie Tayassu tajacu. O objetivo da pesquisa foi determinar a concentracao alveolar minima (CAM) do isofluorano em catetos e apresentar os efeitos desta administracao sobre as variaveis hemodinâmicas e respiratorias, como tambem a qualidade da recuperacao anestesica. Utilizou-se 10 animais, machos, com idade variando de 1 a 3 anos oriundos do Centro de Multiplicacao de Animais Silvestres da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Arido, Brasil. Todos os animais tiveram anestesia induzida com 7mg.kg-1 de propofol e posteriormente foram conectados a circuito anestesico com isofluorano e oxigenio 100%. O estimulo noceptivo supramaximo adotado foi pincamento interdigital, o qual era realizado apos 15 minutos de espera para cada concentracao de isofluorano fornecida. Ao ser observada resposta negativa frente ao estimulo a concentracao era reduzida em 20%, quando verificada resposta positiva o estimulo era cessado, calculando-se a partir dai o valor da CAM. Observou-se dados quantitativos e qualitativos referentes a recuperacao. Utilizou-se o teste de normalidade de Shapiro Wilk e de homogeneidade de variânica de Levene, as variaveis avaliadas foram submetidas a One Way ANOVA-RM para medidas repetidas, seguidas por Teste Tukey, sendo os dados expressos em media e desvio padrao. A CAM do isofluorano foi de 2,4%, sendo a CAM cirurgica igual a 3,5%. Observou-se acao depressiva do isofluorano sobre a pressao arterial, frequencia cardiaca e respiratoria quando comparada a media dessas variaveis para animais acordados, entretanto durante a manutencao anestesica mantiveram-se estaveis. Observou-se acidose metabolica no periodo pre-anestesico o qual foi compensado apos a realizacao da anestesia inalatoria. A recuperacao anestesica foi tranquila e rapida. Concluiu-se que a CAM do isofluorano para catetos foi maior que a observada em especies afins. O isofluorano pode ser utilizado nesta especie, sendo considerado seguro e eficaz. A recuperacao dos animais apos anestesia com isofluorano foi livre de excitacao.