Comparison of Propofol and Alfaxalone as Anesthesic Drugs in Bitches Undergoing Ovariohysterectomies (Healthy Bitches and with Pyometra) and Cesarean Sections.

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of two anesthetic agents, alfaxalone and propofol, on maternal physiological parameters (heart and respiratory rates, blood pressure, and temperature) on either ovariohysterectomies or cesarean sections in bitches. A total of 34 healthy and pyometra-affected females (classified as ASA II), were induced with IV propofol (4 mg/kg), while 35 females, both healthy and pyometra affected, were induced with IV alfaxalone (1 mg/kg). For cesarean sections, females (ASA II) were induced with propofol (n = 14) or alfaxalone (n = 14). Additionally, the neonatal viability and modified Apgar score were recorded at 5, 60, and 120 min post-delivery. There were no significant differences in the physiological parameters when comparing the use of propofol and alfaxalone in bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomies, regardless of their health status, nor when comparing cesarean sections. It was observed that bitches induced with propofol occasionally required an additional dose for maintenance of the anesthesia. Neonatal mortality rates were similar for both groups; however, alfaxalone was associated with higher neonatal viability as indicated by the Apgar scores. The findings suggest that both anesthetic protocols are effective and safe for use in canine reproductive surgeries, with no major differences in basic physiological parameters' alteration or neonatal outcomes between the two agents.

Effect of the donor's age and type of extender (egg yolk versus clarified egg yolk) over the sperm quality of Majorera bucks preserved at 4°C: In vitro results and fertility trials.

This study assessed the effect of donor´s age and two different extenders in the sperm quality of chilled semen in Majorera bucks. In experiment 1, semen was individually processed from 5 young (10-12 months old) and 4 mature (3-5 years old) bucks and then was diluted in two different extenders: EY (Tris-glucose, 12% egg yolk) and CEY (Tris-glucose, 12% clarified egg yolk) and cooled at 4°C; semen quality (sperm motility, percentages of alive spermatozoa, acrosome status and abnormal spermatozoa) was evaluated at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr after cooling. In experiment II, 72 Majorera goats were assigned to four experimental groups: for groups 24-EY (n = 18) and 24-CEY (n = 18), goats were inseminated with EY and CEY cooled semen for 24 hr, respectively, while for groups 72-EY (n = 18) and 72-CEY (n = 18), goats were inseminated with EY and CEY cooled semen for 72 hr, respectively. In vitro results confirmed that only ejaculate volume and sperm concentration were significantly different between young and mature bucks. In addition, semen quality was similar between both diluents, presenting values for the first 48 hr similar to that recorded in fresh samples. The fertility rate was around 70% after 24 hr (4°C) in both groups, but the kidding rate was significantly lower (44.4%, p < .05) in goats inseminated with EY diluent preserved for 72 hr. Our results showed that the semen samples may be stored at 4°C in media with egg yolk or clarified egg yolk, and, therefore, the use of clarified egg yolk may represent a valid alternative to chill semen samples. Finally, young bucks (older than 10-12 months) of Majorera breed could be successfully used in breeding programmes with similar efficacy to older males.

Pigeons and their droppings as reservoirs of Candida and other zoonotic yeasts / La paloma y sus excrementos como reservorios de Candida y otras levaduras zoonóticas

Background. The importance of pigeons as reservoirs and carriers of Cryptococcus neoformans and other species of this genus is well-known; however, less is known about their role as reservoirs and carriers of other yeasts that impact public health. Aims. The present study was performed on Gran Canaria Island to define yeasts other than Cryptococcus spp. that have been reported to impact public health and which could be carried by pigeons. Methods. Samples were obtained from 83 pigeon lofts (Columba livia); moreover, 331 crop samples, 331 cloacal samples and 174 dropping samples were collected. In addition, 17 dropping samples were taken from a total of 17 public squares. Samples were inoculated on Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol. Results. Different yeast species, i.e. Candida guilliermondii (24.36%), Candida kefyr (1.21%), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (2.43%), and Trichosporon asahii (1.21%) were isolated for the first time from the cloaca. The most frequently isolated yeast from the crop, cloaca and dropping samples from lofts was C. guilliermondii (30.46%, 24.36% and 49.37%, respectively). In addition, for the first time, C. kefyr (3.65%), Candida pelliculosa (2.43%), Candida rugosa (1.21%), T. asahii (3.65%), Trichosporon mucoides (3.65%) and Prototheca wickerhamii (1.21%) were obtained from crop samples; Candida pelliculosa (1.20%), T. asahii (9.63%) and T. mucoides (7.22%) were isolated from dropping samples in the lofts. Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated yeast in dropping samples collected in public squares. Conclusions. It can be assumed that pigeons and their droppings act as carriers and reservoirs of Candida spp. and other zoonotic yeasts (AU)

Antecedentes. Es bien conocido el papel que desempeña la paloma como reservorio y portadora de Cryptococcus neoformans y otras especies del género; sin embargo, se conoce poco sobre el papel que desempeña como reservorio y portadora de otras levaduras que repercuten en la salud pública. Objetivos. El presente estudio fue realizado en la isla de Gran Canaria para determinar otras levaduras diferentes del género Cryptococcus que podrían portar las palomas y que repercuten en la salud pública. Métodos. Se tomaron muestras en 83 palomares (Columba livia): 331 muestras de buche, 331 cloacales y 174 muestras de excrementos. También se tomaron 17 muestras de excrementos en 17 plazas públicas. Las distintas muestras se sembraron en agar glucosado de Sabouraud con cloranfenicol. Resultados. Se aislaron por primera vez de la cloaca diferentes especies de levaduras: Candida guilliermondii (24,36%), Candida kefyr (1,21%), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (2,43%), Trichosporon asahii (1,21%). La levadura más frecuentemente aislada de muestras de buche, cloaca y heces de palomares fue C. guilliermondii (30,46, 24,36 y 49,37%, respectivamente). A estas especies se suman otras aisladas por primera vez a partir de muestras de buche: C. kefyr (3,65%), Candida pelliculosa (2,43%), Candida rugosa (1,21%), T. asahii (3,65%), Trichosporon mucoides (3,65%) y Prototheca wickerhamii (1,21%). Se aislaron por primera vez de muestras de excrementos de palomares las especies C. pelliculosa (1,20%), T. asahii (9,63%) y T. mucoides (7,22%). Candida albicans fue la levadura más frecuentemente aislada de muestras de heces recogidas de plazas públicas. Conclusiones. Por todo ello, concluimos que la paloma y sus excrementos actúan como portadores y reservorios de especies de Candida y otras levaduras zoonóticas (AU)

Pigeons and their droppings as reservoirs of Candida and other zoonotic yeasts.

BACKGROUND: The importance of pigeons as reservoirs and carriers of Cryptococcus neoformans and other species of this genus is well-known; however, less is known about their role as reservoirs and carriers of other yeasts that impact public health. AIMS: The present study was performed on Gran Canaria Island to define yeasts other than Cryptococcus spp. that have been reported to impact public health and which could be carried by pigeons. METHODS: Samples were obtained from 83 pigeon lofts (Columba livia); moreover, 331 crop samples, 331 cloacal samples and 174 dropping samples were collected. In addition, 17 dropping samples were taken from a total of 17 public squares. Samples were inoculated on Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol. RESULTS: Different yeast species, i.e. Candida guilliermondii (24.36%), Candida kefyr (1.21%), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (2.43%), and Trichosporon asahii (1.21%) were isolated for the first time from the cloaca. The most frequently isolated yeast from the crop, cloaca and dropping samples from lofts was C. guilliermondii (30.46%, 24.36% and 49.37%, respectively). In addition, for the first time, C. kefyr (3.65%), Candida pelliculosa (2.43%), Candida rugosa (1.21%), T. asahii (3.65%), Trichosporon mucoides (3.65%) and Prototheca wickerhamii (1.21%) were obtained from crop samples; Candida pelliculosa (1.20%), T. asahii (9.63%) and T. mucoides (7.22%) were isolated from dropping samples in the lofts. Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated yeast in dropping samples collected in public squares. CONCLUSIONS: It can be assumed that pigeons and their droppings act as carriers and reservoirs of Candida spp. and other zoonotic yeasts.