Carolina Akiko Sato Cabral Araújo

Copper Deficiency in Sheep with High Liver Iron Accumulation

An outbreak of enzootic ataxia among sheep raised in the northeastern region of Brazil is described. Copper (Cu) deficiency was diagnosed in a herd of 56 sheep, among which five presented characteristic clinical symptoms of enzootic ataxia. The symptoms began 30 days after birth, with a clinical condition that included locomotion difficulty, limb ataxia, tremors, and continual falls. Liver biopsies were performed and blood was collected to determine hepatic and plasmatic Cu, iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) concentration, respectively. The laboratory results showed that the animals presented low copper concentrations in the plasma and liver, without difference between the clinically healthy animals and those affected by enzootic ataxia. Even after supplementation with adequate Cu levels had been recommended, it was found on a new visit to the farm four months later that one animal still presented a clinical condition and that the hepatic Cu levels of the herd had not risen. Despite the low copper content of the diet, the high hepatic Fe levels found suggest that antagonism due to this element may have been an important factor in triggering copper deficiency in these animals, and thus, additional copper supplementation may be necessary for these animals.

Perfil energético e hormonal de ovelhas Santa Inês do terço médio da gestação ao pós-parto

ABSTRACT.- Araujo C.A.S.C., Nikolaus J.P., Morgado A.A., Monteiro B.M., Rodrigues F.A.M.L., Soares P.C. & Sucupira M.C.A. 2014. [Energetic and hormonal profile of Santa Ines ewes in the middle of gestation to postpartum.] Perfil energetico e hormonal de ovelhas Santa Ines do terco medio da gestacao ao pos-parto. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 34(12):1251-1257 . Departamento de Clinica Medica Veterinaria, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinaria e Zootecnia, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitaria, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil. E-mail: carolcbpr@gmail.comImportant physiological adaptations occur in the periparturient period; their failure predispose the ewe to metabolic diseases. Knowledge of normal changes makes an early recognition and treatment of mal functions possible and enables prevention of diseases and losses. The biochemical profile of Santa Ines ewes from the 88 th day of gestation until 28 days after parturition was evaluated and compared to non pregnant controls. The ewes were divided in groups according to the number of fetuses: G0, non pregnant (10); G1, one (10); G2, two and three fetuses (14). All animals had their heart and respiratory rates as well as their ruminal motility recorded. Serum and plasma was analyzed for the following parameters: glucose, non esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta hydroxibutyrate (BHB), T3, T4, insulin, glucagon and cortisol activities. Results showed changes in biochemical variables of energy and protein profile during pregnancy and parturition. During the last third of gestation, all ewes showed slightly increased NEFA, T3 and T4 levels when compared to non pregnant ewes. At lambing pregnant ewes, had higher glucose, NEFA and T3 levels. No significant differences on measured parameters comparing simple and multiple gestations were observed. Therefore, when there is adequate adaptation in this period of high meta-bolic challenge, biochemical parameters considered here are independent of the number of fetuses gestate and can be considered as reference values for a pregnant ewes from the middle third of gestation to first month postnatal period.

Effects of sudden melon intake on ruminal parameters of non-adapted sheep

This study evaluated the effects of varying amounts of melon with high sugar content offered to sheep without prior melon experience and that were not adapted to consuming it. We used 12 eight-month-old, rumen-cannulated crossbred sheep weighing 25 kg each. The animals received a base diet of roughage, and then half were randomly selected to have 25% of their diet replaced with melon (G25%) and the other half had 75% of their diet replaced with melon (75%). Ruminal fluid was collected before administration of melon and at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after the administration of the fruit. Sheep from the G25% group presented volatile fatty acid ruminal acidosis (sub-acute) between 3 and 6 h after consumption. This acidosis was characterized by a rumen pH slightly lower than 5.6, increased discrete L-lactic acid content, and increased redox potential (RP) and methylene blue redox (MBR) time of the ruminal fluid. The G75% group presented lactic ruminal acidosis at T6h, characterized by a rumen pH lower than 5.0, high lactate-L content, increased RP and MBR time, and increased ruminal fluid osmolarity. Therefore, offering large amounts of melon (75% of dry matter (DM)) is not recommended but 25% of DM of this fruit can be used safely.

Comparison of Rumen Fluid pH by Continuous Telemetry System and Bench pH Meter in Sheep with Different Ranges of Ruminal pH

We aimed to compare the measurements of sheep ruminal pH using a continuous telemetry system or a bench pH meter using sheep with different degrees of ruminal pH. Ruminal lactic acidosis was induced in nine adult crossbred Santa Ines sheep by the administration of 15 g of sucrose per kg/BW. Samples of rumen fluid were collected at the baseline, before the induction of acidosis (T 0) and at six, 12, 18, 24, 48, and 72 hours after the induction for pH measurement using a bench pH meter. During this 72-hour period, all animals had electrodes for the continuous measurement of pH. The results were compared using the Bland-Altman analysis of agreement, Pearson coefficients of correlation and determination, and paired analysis of variance with Students t-test. The measurement methods presented a strong correlation (r = 0.94, P < 0.05) but the rumen pH that was measured continuously using a telemetry system resulted in lower values than the bench pH meter (overall mean of 5.38 and 5.48, resp., P = 0.0001). The telemetry system was able to detect smaller changes in rumen fluid pH and was more accurate in diagnosing both subacute ruminal lactic acidosis and acute ruminal lactic acidosis in sheep.

Clinical response and transfusion reactions of sheep subjected to single homologous blood transfusion.

Studies in relation to blood conservation and responses to transfusion are scarce for ruminants. We evaluated the clinical manifestations of sheep that received a single homologous transfusion of whole blood, focusing on transfusion reactions. Eighteen adult sheep were subjected to a single phlebotomy to withdraw 40% of the total blood volume, which was placed into CPDA-1 bags and then divided into G0, animals that received fresh blood, and G15 and G35, animals that received blood stored for 15 or 35 days, respectively. Clinical observations were recorded throughout the transfusion, whereas heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were assessed at the following times: 24 hours after phlebotomy and before transfusion; 30 minutes, six, twelve, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours and eight and 16 days after transfusion. All groups presented transfusion reactions, among which hyperthermia was the most frequent (50% of animals). Tachycardia occurred most frequently in the G35 animals (50% of them). During transfusion G35 animals presented more clinical manifestation (P < 0.05). Transfusion of fresh or stored total blood improved the blood volume, but transfusion reactions occurred, demonstrating that a single transfusion of fresh or stored blood can cause inflammatory and febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions in sheep.

Applying CFD in Manufacturing of Polymer Composite Reinforced with Shape Memory Alloy via Resin Transfer Molding Process

This paper aims to study the manufacturing process of polymer composite reinforced with shape memory metal alloys by RTM process using ANSYS CFX ® software. The mathematical modeling consists of mass and momentum conservation equations applied to a metal mold with dimensions 0.3 × 0.3 × 0.002 m³ containing ten NiTi alloy wires 0.0005 m diameter. Results of the flow front position of the resin (polyester resin mixed with calcium carbonate particles), pressure, streamlines and resin velocity fields during the process are presented and discussed. We conclude that the addition of calcium carbonate resulted in increased resin viscosity and greater inlet pressure obtained at the entrance of the mold which resulted in short time to full fill the mold and the highest pressures at the NiTi alloy wire surface were obtained in the central region and near the mold entrance.

Clinical presentation and biochemical profile of horses during induction and treatment of hypocalcemia

espanolRESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la presentacion clinica, perfil bioquimico, y la respuesta al tratamiento en los caballos con hipocalcemia inducida experimentalmente. Doce yeguas se distribuyeron en un grupo control (n = 5) y un grupo tratado (n = 7). Acido etilendiaminotetraacetico disodico (Na2EDTA 5%) se infundio a los animales hasta que presentaron signos clinicos de hipocalcemia, momento en el que fueron tratados con una solucion comercial con calcio, fosforo, magnesio, y la glucosa en una dosis de 1 mL/ kg / PV de 30 minutos. El grupo control recibio 0,9% solucion salina en el mismo volumen. Examenes fisicos y coleccion de muestras sanguineas se realizaron en cuatro oportunidades: T0 (basal), T1 (al final de la infusion de Na2EDTA), T2 (al final del tratamiento), y T3 (24 horas despues del fin del experimento). Todas las yeguas presentaron una disminucion temporal en las concentraciones de calcio total y de magnesio y se observaron signos clinicos de hipocalcemia. En el curso del tratamiento, la taquicardia, taquipnea, hipofonesis, y la atonia del ciego desaparecieron, asi como aumentaron las concentraciones de calcio total magnesio. El tratamiento efectuado posibilito la recuperacion de la hipocalcemia clinica dentro de 30 minutos y retorno de las concentraciones de los principales parametros bioquimicos a los valores basales. EnglishABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to examine the clinical presentation, biochemical profile and response to treatment among horses with experimentally-induced hypocalcemia. Twelve adult, mixed breed mares were used. A 5% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium (Na2EDTA) solution was infused into all the mares until the animals presented clinical signs of hypocalcemia, at which point they were divided into a control group (n = 5) and a treatment group (n = 7). The treated group received an infusion of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and glucose at a dosage of 1 mL/kg/BW during 30 minutes. The control group received 0.9% saline solution at the same dosage. Clinical examination and blood sample collection were performed at the times T0 (baseline- thirty minutes before beginning the Na2EDTA), T1 (at the end of the Na2EDTA infusion), T2 (at the end of the treatment) and T3 (24 hours after the end of the experiment). Serum calcium and magnesium concentrations decreased in response to Na2EDTA administration. The clinical signs of hypocalcemia in the mares included tachycardia, tachypnea, hypophonesis and cecal atony. These signs disappeared over the course of treatment, while total calcium and magnesium increased. Treatment produced recovery from clinical hypocalcemia within 30 minutes and promoted return of the main biochemical parameters to baseline values.