Biological indicators of animal welfare in rodents in the biological essay laboratory of the University of Costa Rica: evaluation protocols / Indicadores biológicos de bem-estar animal nos roedores no laboratório de ensaios biológicos da Universidade de Costa Rica: protocolo de avaliação

Animal welfare can be affected by many factors that compromise both physical and mental health, that is why the more objective relationships are provided, the greater the likelihood of identifying the state of well-being of the animals. The purpose of this paper was to provide a rapid assessment protocol for biological indicators of animal welfare. The protocol was validated by two workers from the bioterium of the Biological Essay Laboratory of the University of Costa Rica by applying it in two animal colonies: female and male HSD:SD rats, and female and male HSD: IC mice. The evaluators reported two types of affections such as the presence of hematoporphyrin in rats and the presence of alopecia in mice. In both colonies, these results showed that there are no differences with the proposed tool.

O bem-estar animal pode ver-se afetado por muitos fatores que comprometem tanto a saúde física como a psíquica do animal, razão pela qual entre mais parâmetros objetivos sejam fornecidos, maior será a probabilidade de identificar o estado de bem-estar de nossos animais. O fim deste trabalho foi fornecer um protocolo de avaliação rápida para indicadores biológicos de bem-estar animal. O protocolo foi avaliado por dois funcionários do bioterio de produção em dois colônias de animais. Ratos fêmeas e machos HSD:SD e camundongos fêmeas e machos ICR. Os avaliadores reportaram dois tipos de afetações: a presença de porfirina nos ratos e a presença de barbering nos camundongos. Em ambas as colônias estes resultados se apresentaram em diferentes estados fisiológicos dos animais. Os resultados amostraram que ambos os avaliadores não amostraram diferenças com a ferramenta proposta de avaliação.

Biological indicators of animal welfare in rodents in the biological essay laboratory of the University of Costa Rica: evaluation protocols / Indicadores biológicos de bem-estar animal nos roedores no laboratório de ensaios biológicos da Universidade de Costa Rica: protocolo de avaliação

Animal welfare can be affected by many factors that compromise both physical and mental health, that is why the more objective relationships are provided, the greater the likelihood of identifying the state of well-being of the animals. The purpose of this paper was to provide a rapid assessment protocol for biological indicators of animal welfare. The protocol was validated by two workers from the bioterium of the Biological Essay Laboratory of the University of Costa Rica by applying it in two animal colonies: female and male HSD:SD rats, and female and male HSD: IC mice. The evaluators reported two types of affections such as the presence of hematoporphyrin in rats and the presence of alopecia in mice. In both colonies, these results showed that there are no differences with the proposed tool.(AU)

O bem-estar animal pode ver-se afetado por muitos fatores que comprometem tanto a saúde física como a psíquica do animal, razão pela qual entre mais parâmetros objetivos sejam fornecidos, maior será a probabilidade de identificar o estado de bem-estar de nossos animais. O fim deste trabalho foi fornecer um protocolo de avaliação rápida para indicadores biológicos de bem-estar animal. O protocolo foi avaliado por dois funcionários do bioterio de produção em dois colônias de animais. Ratos fêmeas e machos HSD:SD e camundongos fêmeas e machos ICR. Os avaliadores reportaram dois tipos de afetações: a presença de porfirina nos ratos e a presença de barbering nos camundongos. Em ambas as colônias estes resultados se apresentaram em diferentes estados fisiológicos dos animais. Os resultados amostraram que ambos os avaliadores não amostraram diferenças com a ferramenta proposta de avaliação.(AU)

Hepatogenous photosensitization by Brachiaria spp. in sheep: first report in Mexico

Ruminants are highly susceptible to photosensitization caused by the ingestion of hepatotoxic plants. In two adjacent farms in Colima, Mexico, several sheep exhibited signs of depression and crusting dermatitis involving the ears, periorbital skin, eyelids, nostrils, and axillary regions. Results of serum biochemistry were indicative of liver injury. Post mortem examination revealed jaundice, craniofacial edema as well as an enlarged liver having an orange-brown discoloration; on the cut surface, the hepatic parenchyma had a subtle zonal pattern. Histopathological findings were those of severe necrotizing dermatitis, lymphoplasmacytic cholangiohepatitis, and renal tubular necrosis. Acicular crystals were microscopically and ultrastructurally evident in hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, biliary ducts, renal tubules and interstitium. The clinical, gross and microscopic findings were consistent with hepatogenous photosensitization. A field investigation revealed that affected sheep had been grazing Brachiaria spp., a potentially toxic grass originated from Africa and commonly cultivated in Australia and South America. This grass contains hepatotoxic saponins that cause liver injury and secondary hepatogenous photosensitization. Although frequently reported in South America, to our knowledge, this is the first report of Brachiaria spp. toxicity in Mexico.

Hepatogenous photosensitization by Brachiaria spp. in sheep: first report in Mexico

Ruminants are highly susceptible to photosensitization caused by the ingestion of hepatotoxic plants. In two adjacent farms in Colima, Mexico, several sheep exhibited signs of depression and crusting dermatitis involving the ears, periorbital skin, eyelids, nostrils, and axillary regions. Results of serum biochemistry were indicative of liver injury. Post mortem examination revealed jaundice, craniofacial edema as well as an enlarged liver having an orange-brown discoloration; on the cut surface, the hepatic parenchyma had a subtle zonal pattern. Histopathological findings were those of severe necrotizing dermatitis, lymphoplasmacytic cholangiohepatitis, and renal tubular necrosis. Acicular crystals were microscopically and ultrastructurally evident in hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, biliary ducts, renal tubules and interstitium. The clinical, gross and microscopic findings were consistent with hepatogenous photosensitization. A field investigation revealed that affected sheep had been grazing Brachiaria spp., a potentially toxic grass originated from Africa and commonly cultivated in Australia and South America. This grass contains hepatotoxic saponins that cause liver injury and secondary hepatogenous photosensitization. Although frequently reported in South America, to our knowledge, this is the first report of Brachiaria spp. toxicity in Mexico.(AU)

Applications of 5-aminolevulinic acid on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of strawberry fruit during postharvest cold storage / 5-aminolevulínico ácido sobre as características fisiológicas e bioquímicas de morango

The compound 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a key precursor in the biosynthesis of porphyrins, such as chlorophyll, heme and phytochromobilin, and has multiple physiological effects on plants. Varying concentrations of ALA (50mg L-¹, 100mg L-¹, and 150mg L-¹) and water (control) were applied to white stage 'Sweet Charlie' strawberry fruit. All ALA treatments delayed senescence and improved the qualities of strawberries fruit during storage. Among the treatments, 150mg L-¹ ALA was the most effective dosage concentration. Exogenously applied ALA significantly reduced the decay index, respiration rate, O2 - production rate (O2-), H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase activities (APX), total soluble solids (TSS) content, titratable acidity (TA) and anthocyanin content during the initial stage of storage. These results supported the pre harvest application of ALA as a beneficial strategy for the prevention of postharvest decay of strawberry fruit.(AU)

O composto de ácido 5-aminolevulínico (ALA) é um precursor chave na biossíntese de porfirinas, tais como clorofilae porfirinas, e verificou-se induzir elevações temporárias na taxa de fotossíntese e APX. Além disso, ele tem vários efeitos fisiológicos sobre os vegetais. Após o tratamento, Ala (50mg L-¹, 100mg L-¹ e 150mg L-¹) ou água (controlo) foi aplicado a frutos maduros branco "Sweet Charlie" de morango. As atividades índice de decadência, taxa de respiração, superóxido dismutase e ascorbato peroxidase, conteúdo de sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável, teor de antocianinas, taxa de produção de O2-, e conteúdo malondialdehyde foi avaliada nos frutos ALA-tratados e morango controle durante a armazenagem a 4°C. Os resultados mostraram que a aplicação exógena de ALA retarda a senescência e melhorou o valor nutricional das frutas de morango durante o armazenamento.(AU)