RESUMEN
The reproductive performance of broiler breeder chickens noticeably decreases toward the end of their commercial lives. Herein, we determined the effects of vitamin E and selenium dietary supplementation on semen traits, egg fertility (defined as fertilization and hatching rates) of adult (49-week-old) and older (63-week-old) Red Cornish breeders. We found that both vitamin E and selenium were concentrated in the liver and adipose tissue of adult and older Red Cornish breeders, and were transferred to the semen and egg yolk, respectively, in proportion to the level of supplementation. Vitamin E supplementation, in particular, improved ejaculate volume, total sperm count, sperm motility, and viability in both adult and older roosters, whereas selenium improved sperm motility and viability in the adult roosters. Egg fertility increased following supplementation with either vitamin E or selenium. The hatching rate also improved by both supplements in proportion to the level of supplementation. No significant synergistic effects of vitamin E and selenium were found. The levels of egg fertility and sperm trait improvements diminished with the age of the birds and depended on vitamin E and/or selenium doses. Thus, as dietary vitamin E and selenium supplements improved semen quality and egg fertility in these older Red Cornish broiler breeders, such birds could be maintained in flocks to prolong their reproductive output.
RESUMEN
Lafora Disease (LD) is a rare, fatal, late-onset, progressive form of myoclonic epilepsy, occurring in humans and dogs. Clinical manifestations of LD usually include seizures, spontaneous and reflex myoclonus with contractions of the neck and limb muscles. We studied the electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns of two beagles in whom LD was subsequently confirmed by genetic testing. In both cases, the EEG recordings, accompanied by electromyography (EMG), have shown similar uncommon patterns. The hypovoltaged background rhythm was interrupted by waxing "crescendo" polyspikes-slow wave complexes appearing 80-250 ms after the start of intermittent photic stimulation, followed by myoclonic jerks after 80-150 ms. This study highlights the value of EEG in establishing a presumptive diagnosis of LD in dogs.
RESUMEN
Objectives The pharmacokinetics of praziquantel and pyrantel pamoate has never been reported in cats. The present study was designed to establish the plasma concentration-time profile and to derive pharmacokinetic data for a combined formulation of praziquantel and pyrantel in cats, after a single, oral administration. Methods Twenty-two clinically healthy adult cats were used, each receiving a single oral dose of praziquantel (8.5 mg/kg) and pyrantel (100 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected at regular time points up to 48 h post-dosing. Plasma concentrations of praziquantel and pyrantel were measured using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-high-throughput screening method. Results Clinical examination of all cats did not reveal any side effects after oral administration of these medications. The terminal half-life for praziquantel and pyrantel was 1.07 and 1.36 h, respectively. Praziquantel peak concentration (Cmax) was 1140 µg/ml, reached at 1.22 h. The plasma concentrations of pyrantel after oral administration were low with a mean Cmax of 0.11 µg/ml, reached at a Tmax of 1.91 h. Pyrantel showed a very limited absorption as pamoate salt, suggesting permanence and efficacy inside the gastrointestinal tract, where the adult stages of most parasitic nematodes reside. Conclusions and relevance Pyrantel showed a very limited absorption as pamoate salt. Praziquantel was rapidly absorbed following oral administration and the concentrations achieved suggest that praziquantel could be an effective and safe medication in cats. Although some resistance problems are arising as a result of their long use, these anthelminthic products can still play a major role in parasitic control, especially in geographical areas where the high cost of newer treatments or necessity of parenteral administration could decrease the number of treated animals.
