Application of the Hands-On Donkey Tool for Assessing the Welfare of Working Equids at Tuliman, Mexico.

Equids are still used for diverse chores in Mexico and are essential for the livelihoods of numerous families. Appropriate health and behavior are prerequisites for performing work without affecting welfare. This study aimed to assess the welfare of working equids in Tuliman, applying the hands-on donkey tool. This tool evaluates five dimensions (behavior, body condition score [BCS], wounds, lameness, and other health issues) and was applied to 438 working equids (horses, mules, and donkeys). The Kruskall-Wallis test was applied to investigate differences between species and sex. Donkeys were more common; they also presented more positive behaviors and less lameness (p < 0.05). No differences were found for BCS among species on a scale ranging from 1 to 5 (mean BCS for donkeys = 1.9; mules = 2; and horses = 1.8). Mares had significantly lower BCS (mean = 1.5) than stallions (p < 0.05) and geldings (mean = 1.9). Overall mules had better welfare evaluations. The tool allowed detection of welfare issues in working equids; a practical outcome would be implementing local welfare strategies according to its results.

[Evaluation of visceral adipose tissue and lipid level in premenopausal and postmenopausal women's]. / Evaluación del tejido adiposo visceral y de la concentración de lípidos en mujeres pre y posmenopáusicas.

BACKGROUND: Postmenopausal women present weight gain and intensification of obesity, especially visceral adipose tissue (VAT) increases in postmenopausal women. But it is still not clear whether abdominal fat increases during this stage independently of body weight. OBJECTIVE: compare the VAT and lipid profile between postmenopausal and premenopausal Mexican women. METHODS: A case control study in postmenopausal women matched for BMI with premenopausal women. Anthropometric and laboratory measurements as well as body composition analysis were performed. RESULTS: VAT was increased in postmenopausal women in contrast with premenopausal women (114.8 ± 39.5 vs 97.3 ± 29.0, p<0.05). Compared with premenopausal women, postmenopausal women showed higher total cholesterol (231 .6 ± 56.1 vs 206.8 ± 29.5 p <0.05), and LDL-cholesterol levels (145.9 ± 48.3 vs 121.7 ± 34.1, p < 0.05), whereas H DL-cholesterol remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study have demonstrated that Mexican postmenopausal women had a significant increment in visceral adipose tissue and in other metabolic risk factors, independent of the body mass index.