Comparação analítica entre resultados da glicemia em bovinos obtidos com glicosímetro portátil vs método enzimático / Comparative analysis between portable glucometer and enzyme method for measurement of blood glucose levels in cattle

Background: Changes in glycemic levels can negatively affect the body. Several techniques for the measurement of bloodglucose have been described, but the enzymatic method is considered standard and more accurate in both humans andanimals. The College of American Pathologists recommends the use of portable glucometers (PGs), which are routinelyused in human medicine because this is an easy, relatively inexpensive method that delivers results quickly. The aim ofthis study was to compare the results of the measurement of blood glucose in cattle obtained using portable Accu-Check®glucometer with the enzymatic method (EM), which is still considered standard.Materials, Methods & Results: Thirty crossbred cattle (Bos taurus), male and female, of different ages were evaluated.Through a puncture of the jugular vein, 10 mL of blood was collected, and one drop was immediately used in an AccuChek® PG; the remaining blood was stored in tubes containing sodium fluoride and tubes containing EDTA. The sampleswere packaged and sent to the laboratory for processing. Blood glucose was measured in the sodium fluoride samples using the enzymatic-colorimetric method (EM) employing Labtest® glucose kits with automatic ELISA spectrophotometerreadings. The glycemic values obtained in this study with PG and EM ranged from 62 to 163.3 mg/dL. Mean glucoseconcentrations for the PG and EM methods were 93.53 mg/dL and 94.84 mg/dL, respectively, with no statistical difference(P > 0.05). The glycemia measurement results generated by both tests were normally distributed by the Shapiro–Wilk test(P > 0.05) and equal variances by the Levene test (P > 0.05).

Comparação analítica entre resultados da glicemia em bovinos obtidos com glicosímetro portátil vs método enzimático / Comparative analysis between portable glucometer and enzyme method for measurement of blood glucose levels in cattle

Background: Changes in glycemic levels can negatively affect the body. Several techniques for the measurement of bloodglucose have been described, but the enzymatic method is considered standard and more accurate in both humans andanimals. The College of American Pathologists recommends the use of portable glucometers (PGs), which are routinelyused in human medicine because this is an easy, relatively inexpensive method that delivers results quickly. The aim ofthis study was to compare the results of the measurement of blood glucose in cattle obtained using portable Accu-Check®glucometer with the enzymatic method (EM), which is still considered standard.Materials, Methods & Results: Thirty crossbred cattle (Bos taurus), male and female, of different ages were evaluated.Through a puncture of the jugular vein, 10 mL of blood was collected, and one drop was immediately used in an AccuChek® PG; the remaining blood was stored in tubes containing sodium fluoride and tubes containing EDTA. The sampleswere packaged and sent to the laboratory for processing. Blood glucose was measured in the sodium fluoride samples using the enzymatic-colorimetric method (EM) employing Labtest® glucose kits with automatic ELISA spectrophotometerreadings. The glycemic values obtained in this study with PG and EM ranged from 62 to 163.3 mg/dL. Mean glucoseconcentrations for the PG and EM methods were 93.53 mg/dL and 94.84 mg/dL, respectively, with no statistical difference(P > 0.05). The glycemia measurement results generated by both tests were normally distributed by the Shapiro–Wilk test(P > 0.05) and equal variances by the Levene test (P > 0.05). (AU)

Contributions of RNA-seq to improve in vitro embryo production (IVP)

In Vitro Embryo Production (IVP) is widely used to improve the reproductive efficiency of livestock animals, however increasing the embryo development rates and pregnancy outcomes is still a challenge for some species. Thus, the lack of biological knowledge hinders developing specie-specific IVP protocols. Therefore, the contributions of RNA-seq to generate relevant biological knowledge and improve the efficiency of IVP in livestock animals are reviewed herein.

Contributions of RNA-seq to improve in vitro embryo production (IVP)

In Vitro Embryo Production (IVP) is widely used to improve the reproductive efficiency of livestock animals, however increasing the embryo development rates and pregnancy outcomes is still a challenge for some species. Thus, the lack of biological knowledge hinders developing specie-specific IVP protocols. Therefore, the contributions of RNA-seq to generate relevant biological knowledge and improve the efficiency of IVP in livestock animals are reviewed herein.(AU)

What is new in the cryopreservation of embryos?

Embryo cryopreservation represents a pivotal tool for the long-term storage and exchange of valuable genetic resources of livestock and endangered species. The innumerable applications of embryo cryopreservation in human medicine, animal production, as well as in other embryo biotechnologies for research purposes are calling for standardized protocols that can be used in these different fields. This review will provide the reader with a brief outline to “the classics” of embryo cryopreservation procedures in farm animals and with a deeper insight into “the new trends”. Moreover, the cryopreservation effects on the embryo will be revised; from the easily visible cellular damage to the damage at the transcriptomic, proteomic and lipidomic level, and fresh attention will be given to the epigenetic effects of this technology. Finally, we will go through personal considerations to take into account when embryo cyopreservation is used: how to select the best embryos for cryopreservation, the eternal question for how long can we store the cryopreserved embryos, the fact that size and fat matter when it comes to embryo cryopreservation and ultimately, our suggestion about designing cryopreservation protocols “à la carte ” attending the needs of each type of embryo.(AU)

What is new in the cryopreservation of embryos?

Embryo cryopreservation represents a pivotal tool for the long-term storage and exchange of valuable genetic resources of livestock and endangered species. The innumerable applications of embryo cryopreservation in human medicine, animal production, as well as in other embryo biotechnologies for research purposes are calling for standardized protocols that can be used in these different fields. This review will provide the reader with a brief outline to “the classics” of embryo cryopreservation procedures in farm animals and with a deeper insight into “the new trends”. Moreover, the cryopreservation effects on the embryo will be revised; from the easily visible cellular damage to the damage at the transcriptomic, proteomic and lipidomic level, and fresh attention will be given to the epigenetic effects of this technology. Finally, we will go through personal considerations to take into account when embryo cyopreservation is used: how to select the best embryos for cryopreservation, the eternal question for how long can we store the cryopreserved embryos, the fact that size and fat matter when it comes to embryo cryopreservation and ultimately, our suggestion about designing cryopreservation protocols “à la carte ” attending the needs of each type of embryo.

Deslocamento de abomaso à esquerda em bovino - relato de caso / Left abomasal displacement in cattle - case report

O deslocamento do abomaso caracteriza-se pela patologia mais frequente do trato gastro intestinal dos ruminantes, representa a principal causa de cirurgia abdominal em vacas de leite de alta produção, comumente diagnosticada no período pós-parto inicial.  Os fatores predisponentes são atribuídos às falhas no manejo nutricional na fase de transição, onde ocorre o fornecimento de dieta rica em energia, altamente fermentável e deficiente em fibras. Desta forma, os movimentos abomasais serão reduzidos, permitindo o acúmulo de gás no local, tendo como consequência, a distensão e o deslocamento do órgão. Descreve-se como principal sinal clínico a redução acentuada no volume de leite produzido. O diagnóstico é firmado através da anamnese somada ao exame clínico detalhado, que permite a auscultação de som metálico-timpânico no abomaso denominado ping. A intervenção cirúrgica faz-se necessária na maioria dos casos. Assim, o presente artigo objetiva descrever um caso de deslocamento de abomaso à esquerda em vaca de leite de alta produção na segunda semana pós-parto com sucesso terapêutico. Optou-se pelo tratamento cirúrgico aberto, mediante laparotomia pelo flanco esquerdo e abomasopexia. O procedimento clínico escolhido é uma técnica de fácil execução, rápido retorno à ordenha e baixo custo operacional, o que viabiliza a utilização deste em situações de campo.

Abomasal displacement is the most frequent disease of the gastrointestinal intestinal tract of ruminants. It is the leading cause of abdominal surgery in high producing dairy cows, and is commonly diagnosed in the early postnatal period. Predisposing factors are flaws in nutritional management during the transition phase, when a highly fermentable, energy-rich, and fiber-deficient diet is offered to the animals. Thus, abomasal movements are reduced, enabling gas accumulation, and resulting in distention and dislocation of this organ. The main clinical sign is a sharp reduction in the volume of milk produced. Diagnosis is confirmed by history, coupled with detailed clinical examination showing a metallic sound in abomasum, called "ping". Surgical intervention is necessary in most cases. The present study aims to describe a successful treatment for left abomasal displacement in cattle. Open surgical treatment by laparotomy on the left flank and abomasopexy were used. The clinical procedure chosen in this case is a simple technique, determining fast return to normal milking, and has low cost, enabling its use in field situations.

Deslocamento de abomaso à esquerda em bovino - relato de caso / Left abomasal displacement in cattle - case report

O deslocamento do abomaso caracteriza-se pela patologia mais frequente do trato gastro intestinal dos ruminantes, representa a principal causa de cirurgia abdominal em vacas de leite de alta produção, comumente diagnosticada no período pós-parto inicial.  Os fatores predisponentes são atribuídos às falhas no manejo nutricional na fase de transição, onde ocorre o fornecimento de dieta rica em energia, altamente fermentável e deficiente em fibras. Desta forma, os movimentos abomasais serão reduzidos, permitindo o acúmulo de gás no local, tendo como consequência, a distensão e o deslocamento do órgão. Descreve-se como principal sinal clínico a redução acentuada no volume de leite produzido. O diagnóstico é firmado através da anamnese somada ao exame clínico detalhado, que permite a auscultação de som metálico-timpânico no abomaso denominado ping. A intervenção cirúrgica faz-se necessária na maioria dos casos. Assim, o presente artigo objetiva descrever um caso de deslocamento de abomaso à esquerda em vaca de leite de alta produção na segunda semana pós-parto com sucesso terapêutico. Optou-se pelo tratamento cirúrgico aberto, mediante laparotomia pelo flanco esquerdo e abomasopexia. O procedimento clínico escolhido é uma técnica de fácil execução, rápido retorno à ordenha e baixo custo operacional, o que viabiliza a utilização deste em situações de campo.(AU)

Abomasal displacement is the most frequent disease of the gastrointestinal intestinal tract of ruminants. It is the leading cause of abdominal surgery in high producing dairy cows, and is commonly diagnosed in the early postnatal period. Predisposing factors are flaws in nutritional management during the transition phase, when a highly fermentable, energy-rich, and fiber-deficient diet is offered to the animals. Thus, abomasal movements are reduced, enabling gas accumulation, and resulting in distention and dislocation of this organ. The main clinical sign is a sharp reduction in the volume of milk produced. Diagnosis is confirmed by history, coupled with detailed clinical examination showing a metallic sound in abomasum, called "ping". Surgical intervention is necessary in most cases. The present study aims to describe a successful treatment for left abomasal displacement in cattle. Open surgical treatment by laparotomy on the left flank and abomasopexy were used. The clinical procedure chosen in this case is a simple technique, determining fast return to normal milking, and has low cost, enabling its use in field situations. (AU)