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Copyright of Farol - Revista de Estudos Organizacionais e Sociedade is the property of Farol - Revista de Estudos Organizacionais e Sociedade and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

ABSTRACT: Rats and mice are the most used experimental models in research. Globally, animal houses are subjected to parasite outbreaks. In Brazil, the parasitological profile is used to reflect the sanitary condition of laboratory animals and must be monitored frequently. The present study developed an integrative review of scientific studies on the parasitological profile of rats and mice in animal facilities in Brazil. It identified the most prevalent parasite species reported in animal facilities from different geographic regions of the country, as well as factors contributing to the perpetuation of these parasites, and proposed measures to help prevent such infections. Based on the guiding question “which endoparasites and ectoparasites have already been identified in rat and mouse colonies in animal facilities in Brazil?” and considering inclusion and exclusion criteria, 28 studies published between 1974 and 2021 were selected in four scientific bases. These studies covered facilities in 12 Brazilian States, describing 16 genera of parasites in mice and 18 in rats. Most of the facilities in the selected studies were of the conventional type and with few sanitary barriers, and these conditions may favor the recurrence of parasites. Efforts are, therefore, necessary for institutions to have animal facilities in accordance with the legislation and practice optimal methodologies. The measures proposed in this article can contribute to change the panorama of parasites in the national animal facilities, aiming to safeguard the quality of scientific data and animal welfare.

The use of animal in biomedical research remains a critical compromise. Research and higher education institutions play a major role in educating on the use of animal and such training is expected to translate into the development of a culture of care practice across all staff working with animals. But nurturing a “culture of care” and impacting in professional attitudes in the field of animal research remains challenging due to its social, ethical and different institutional frameworks. From an educational perspective, current practice remains challenged by the need for better integration of inter-cultural perceptions on animal welfare, supported by more cross disciplinary integration in educational curriculum including the relevance of the 3Rs principles and promoting reflective practice strategies. Institutional support is crucial to provide a safe, and supportive framework to promote such caring ethos. Our aim is to discuss practical actions to implement and assess culture of care, highlighting its direct impact on the professional integrity of staff which is directly linked to research and education excellence. Seeking a global welfare for all the beings involved and supporting individual and team reflective practice will provide better tools to guarantee the best care of the animals.

ABSTRACT: Spontaneous polydactyly has been described in several species, but only one report about it in Swiss mice. The aim of the current study was to report the spontaneous occurrence of pre-axial polydactyly in Swiss mice. Clinical examination showed one extra toe laterally to the first digit, in the plantar region, alopecia in the back, altered face growth anatomy and changed perineal region anatomy. Pre-axial polydactyly in the tibial side, fused metatarsals and Y-shaped free phalanges were evidenced in the radiographic images. Pre-axial polydactyly observed in the plantar region differed from that in reports on albino Swiss mice with post-axial polydactyly (Po/Po+) phenotype featured by one extra toe in the ulnar side of one, or both, front limbs, which is the dominant feature. The observed findings highlight the importance of both clinical examinations and close attention by professionals involved in rodents’ breeding on physical changes resulting from different causes, including the genetic ones, since they reveal mutations and, sometimes, new biomodels.

Power relations between humans and animals in scientific experimentation have been investigated to test the hypothesis that certain concepts, such as discipline, biopolitics, and device, may help think about the reality of animals and humans in the laboratory context. It starts from the premise that powers are subtle rather than explicitly violent. First, we validated the hypothesis through an online focus group analysis of the discourse of lecturers, graduates, and bioethicists. Second, we noted the importance of affections, the notion of responsibility, and care. There is a human-animal relationship characterized by ambivalence: instrumental knowledge and practices, on the one hand, care, affection, and emotions, on the other. Therefore, animals have a double ontology since they are objects (they must be studied) and subjects (they must be respected). From this ambivalence, we discuss the guinea pig device, a set of discourses and practices that involve instrumentality and affectivity and transform animals into guinea pigs through its techniques. It is argued that this ambivalence, as vital as it is to keep the animal in the subaltern place of the guinea pig, also has the potential to create other forms of relationship, other forms of experimenting that escape the device, that is, the logic of sacrifice to produce docile and killable lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to perform the exploratory analysis of the chemical composition results and the use of models to estimate the total digestible nutrients of the corn silage samples generated from 12 years of commercial analyzes of the Animal Nutrition Laboratory of the Instituto de Zootecnia (IZ), in Nova Odessa, SP, Brazil. As a criterion, samples of corn silage had no additives, 220 samples in the periods from 2004 to 2015 were grouped in four triennia. These were characterized by their chemical composition through descriptive statistical analysis, Pearson correlations and the use of TDN estimation models, using four models of equations: one from Clemson University, one according Harlan and two according Kearl (1 and 2). The nutritional value of corn silage samples was of medium quality, with NDF values (49.2 to 57.2% of MS) above the ideal. All the equations could be used to estimate the NDT (variation of 54.3 to 67.0% in the triennia), Kearl 1 and Clemson showed the highest and the lowest variation between the triennia, respectively. The increase in nutrient value and TDN in triennial 3 and 4 indicates improvement in silage quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we discuss different modes of existing-together. More specifically, we deal with the question of how certain beings come together in trajectories of entanglement. Étienne Souriau's contention that existence is not only plural but always capable of becoming other and of gaining (or losing) intensity provides the starting point for our reflection. The modes of existing-together that we describe here come from our different fields of research (relations between humans and other-than-human animals in a research lab, and relations between human and more-than-human beings in Afro-Brazilian religions). We are interested in exploring the different trajectories and techniques that enable certain modes of entanglement to emerge and gain force in these fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Prescrição e Fisiologia do Exercício is the property of Instituto Brasileiro de Pesquisa e Ensino em Fisiologia do Exercicio and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The objective was to perform the exploratory analysis of the chemical composition results and the use of models to estimate the total digestible nutrients of the corn silage samples generated from 12 years of commercial analyzes of the Animal Nutrition Laboratory of the Instituto de Zootecnia (IZ), in Nova Odessa, SP, Brazil. As a criterion, samples of corn silage had no additives, 220 samples in the periods from 2004 to 2015 were grouped in four triennia. These were characterized by their chemical composition through descriptive statistical analysis, Pearson correlations and the use of TDN estimation models, using four models of equations: one from Clemson University, one according Harlan and two according Kearl (1 and 2). The nutritional value of corn silage samples was of medium quality, with NDF values (49.2 to 57.2% of MS) above the ideal. All the equations could be used to estimate the NDT (variation of 54.3 to 67.0% in the triennia), Kearl 1 and Clemson showed the highest and the lowest variation between the triennia, respectively. The increase in nutrient value and TDN in triennial 3 and 4 indicates improvement in silage quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surveillance of epizootic diseases in non-human primates (NHP) is an important strategy that aims, primarily, to early identification of the viral circulation of agents of yellow fever and rabies, in the prevention of risks to the health of the community. This descriptive, analytical and retrospective article used data from passive surveillance of epizootic diseases in NHP conducted by the Zoonosis Control Center and Vector Transmission Diseases of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, from 2017 to 2018. In the studied period, the epizooties involved 203 NHP, all of the family Callit richidae. 81.8% (n = 166) of the collected primates could be analyzed in the laboratory, depending on the conservation status of the carcasses. The Oceanic region of Niterói and the Fonseca neighborhood stood out in the amount of carcasses collected, where there was a concentration in areas of medium and high urbanization densities of the municipality. There was a predominance of carcasses from January to May. No positive NHP was found for rabies and a low prevalence of Yellow Fever was found in the animals analyzed in the laboratory (1.26% in 2017 and 0.6% in the period), with the identification of a single case in the pre-seasonal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anxiety is an emotion with psychological and physiological effects on the organism. It generates stress which can be evaluated by the levels of blood corticosterone, an important biomarker of the level of stress. The present study investigated if water and food restriction, commonly used in laboratory animals, is able to induce stress in Wistar rats subjected to progressively larger restriction times. Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: one Control Group (no restriction) and three groups of water and food restriction (Group 24h, 36h and 48h). The stress level of the animals was assessed by means of serum corticosterone and on the Elevated Plus Maze Task (EPM). Results showed absence of significant differences between groups with high levels of serum corticosterone and anxiety, suggesting that the treatment was not able to modulate stress levels in all animal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutritional encephalomalacia is a metabolic disorder characterized by clinical neurological signs and its etiology is attributed to hypovitaminosis E. It affects young chickens causing high losses to breeders and agroindustries due to their high morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to report macroscopic and histopathological changes in a case of nutritional encephalomalacia. A young chicken with four weeks of life conducted to the Animal Pathology Laboratory of Federal University of Rondônia. Physical examination showed poor body score and neurological signs, such as ataxia, circling, head lateralization, prostration and hypersensitivity, characterized by body spasms initiated after stimuli such as loud sounds and physical touch. After euthanasia, necroscopic examination was performed, organ fragments were collected and fixed in 10% buffered formalin. Necroscopic examination revealed collictive necrosis in the brain, which was extremely friable, with a pale color. In histopathological analysis, changes such as cytoplasmic vacuolization, Purkinje cell degeneration and extensive focal malacia in the cortical gray matter and white matter of the cerebellum were observed. From the clinical history and necroscopic and histopathological observations, the case was diagnosed as nutritional encephalomalacia by hypovitaminosis E. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory animals are widely used to contribute to the development of knowledge. Rats and mice are among the main taxonomic groups for such purposes and these animals are bred mostly in animal breeding facilities. In these facilities they are kept under strict environmental control in order to decrease variability of the research's results. It is imperative to recognize the welfare of these animals, due its implications on ethical behavior towards other living beings as well as the quality of results. The objective of the present work was to perform a welfare assessment in rats and mice in four animal breeding facilities (A, B, C and D) of educational institutions in the State of Paraná. For all facilities visited the health and psychological groups of indicators were considered severely compromised and the behavior group of indicators was moderately compromised. The nutritional group of indicators was moderately satisfactory in locations A, B and D and fully satisfactory in C. The environmental group of indicators was severely compromised in locations A and B and moderately compromised in C and D. Environmental enrichment items are not used and measures to reduce pain during euthanasia are not performed in any of the visited locations, suggesting that the actuation in these two areas should be a priority. In general, measures to improve animal welfare in animal facilities in the State of Paraná are urgent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microscopy of lymphoid organs was studied in the guinea pig at different developmental stages – fetus, pup, and adult. Liver is a lobed organ, coated with a mesothelium, and it consists of sinusoids and cell plates in its parenchyma, named hepatocytes. Thymus is covered by a thin capsule of connective tissue which is protruded as septa into the entire organ. The parenchyma of each lobule is not clearly separated into a cortex and medulla. Hassall’s corpuscles are abundant. Lymph nodes are arranged into cortex and medulla. The cortex has germinal centers or lymphoid nodules, surrounded by diffuse lymphoid tissue. Spleen is divided into red and white pulp. Trabeculae of connective tissue are protruded into the spleen from the capsule; however, they are sparsely found around the red and white pulps. Germinal centers were found in the white pulp, where small and large lymphocytes and lymphoblasts can be found. Since the guinea pig is regarded as an important model for morphological studies due to its closeness to human beings, this article raises relevant information on the structural components of the lymphoid system in these animals, providing a new source of data to other knowledge fields.

Relata-se inusitado achado de micro-organismos, semelhantes às espiroquetas, móveis e de diferentes morfologias e tamanhos, identificados pela microscopia de campo escuro, no sangue de animais do Centro de Bioterismo da Faculdade de Medicina da USP. As bactérias não crescem em meios habituais de cultivo, são pouco coradas pelo Giemsa e derivados da prata, e as provas sorológicas e moleculares foram negativas para Borrelia e Leptospira. A microscopia eletrônica revelou presença de micro-organismos com morfologia de Mycoplasma e, devido à sua mobilidade, sugeriu-se a presença de Mollicutes do gênero Spiroplasma. Visualizaram-se micro-organismos com mesmas características em 15 dos 26 funcionários (57,6%) do Centro de Bioterismo da FMUSP; contudo, exames clínicos e laboratoriais indicaram que os indivíduos estavam saudáveis. Estudos adicionais desenvolvidos na Disciplina de Reumatologia da FMUSP mostraram que, aproximadamente, 94% dos pacientes com Síndrome Baggio-Yoshinari (SBY) e 20% dos indivíduos normais também exibiam as mesmas estruturas identificadas no Centro de Bioterismo. A microscopia eletrônica realizada com amostras de pacientes com SBY mostrou bactérias que apresentam semelhanças com Mycoplasma, Chlamydia e Bacteroides. Visto que as sorologias e os testes moleculares foram negativos para estes contaminantes e com base em publicações da literatura médica, sugeriu-se que estes agentes infecciosos latentes fossem bactérias na sua apresentação L, que são definidas como bactérias despojadas de parede celular, assumindo, assim, morfologia de Mycoplasma, sendo, na maioria dos casos, inofensivas aos hospedeiros. Concluímos que os "espiroquetídeos" visualizados em animais e funcionários do Centro de Bioterismo seriam bactérias na forma L, não patogênicas, provenientes de contaminantes do meio ambiente, infecções regulares habituais ou oriundos de micro-organismos endógenos da flora saprofítica normal. Ao contrário, os "espiroquetídeos" identificados na SBY, ao preservarem a capacidade de invadir células in vitro, são potencialmente patogênicos e relacionados com a etiologia da SBY. Interpretamos a SBY como zoonose nova e particular ao território brasileiro, causada por espiroquetas adaptadas às formas latentes, possivelmente provenientes de mutações bacterianas em resposta às condições ecológicas e geográficas próprias do país.We report the unusual finding of mobile spirochetal microorganisms with different morphologies and sizes, on dark-field microscopy of the blood of animals from the Vivarium of the Medical School of USP. The bacteria did not grow in common culture media, shows faint staining to Giemsa and silver-derived stains, and serologies and molecular tests were negative for Borrelia and Leptospira. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of microorganisms with Mycoplasma-like morphology and, due to its mobility, it was suggested that they represented Mollicutes of the genus Spiroplasma. Microorganisms with the same morphology were also observed in 15 out of 26 employees (57.6%) of the Vivarium of FMUSP; however, clinical and laboratorial exams indicated that those individuals were healthy. Additional studies undertaken at the Rheumatology Department of FMUSP demonstrated the presence of the same structures identified at the Vivarium in approximately 94% of the patients with Baggio-Yoshinary syndrome (BYS) and 20% of healthy individuals. Electron microscopy of the blood of BYS patients showed bacteria that shared similarities with Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, and Bacteroides. Since serologies and molecular tests were negative for those contaminants, and based on publications in the medical literature, it was suggested that those latent infectious agents were L-form bacteria, defined as cell wall deficient bacteria, assuming, therefore, Mycoplasma morphology and they are, for the most part, harmless to the host. We concluded that spirochetal microorganisms visualized in animals and employees of the Vivarium were non-pathogenic L-form bacteria from contaminants in the environment, regular infections, or endogenous microorganism from the normal saprophytic flora. On the other hand, spirochetal organisms identified in BYS, by preserving the capacity to invade cells in vitro, are potentially pathogenic and related to the etiology of BYS. We consider BYS as a novel Brazilian zoonosis caused by spirochetes adapted to their latent form, possibly due to bacterial mutations in response to ecologic and geographic conditions unique to Brazil.

Copyright of Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinaria e Zootecnia is the property of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Veterinaria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article reviews the effectiveness of cannabinoid therapy in the treatment of orofacial pain. Cannabinoid therapy aims to stimulate the activity of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is involved in physiological and pathological functions such as immunomodulation, inflammation, and analgesia. The review included 5 articles from clinical studies conducted in the last 5 years, which showed that cannabinoid therapy reduced orofacial allodynia and hyperalgesia in experimental animal models, with different responses according to gender. Furthermore, evidence shows that the ECS is involved in modulating pain signals from the dental pulp and in exercise-induced hypoalgesia. However, most studies are still in the laboratory spectrum, and further translational studies and clinical trials are needed to better investigate the treatment of orofacial pain with cannabinoid therapy. [Extracted from the article]

The present study aimed to assess the effects of environmental enrichment (EA) on the welfare of mice in maternity of a vivarium. For this, Swiss mice of the maternity of the Positivo University vivarium were separated randomly into two groups of six females each, one group with enrichment (CE), consisting of paper for making the nest, and another group without enrichment (SE); two females were placed in each box. The behaviors evaluated were exploratory (EXP), agonistic (AGO), self-care (CUI), interaction with enrichment (IE), interaction with pups (IF), interaction between mothers (IM) and food (ALI), compared in general and throughout nine days of filming. Regarding the general comparison, the AGO behavior was lower in the CE group (P = 0.047); however, the median was equal to 0% for both groups. Throughout the days, the behaviors EXP, IF, and ALI in both groups showed differences (P<0.05), with decreasing length of EXP and increasing length of IF and ALI. There were differences (P<0.05) in the median of CUI and IM, indicating variation throughout the days on the SE group, and no difference on the CE (P>0.05), meaning that in CE, CUI and IM occurred in a more continuous way. Still in the CE group, there was variation (P<0.05) of IE, showing a decrease throughout the days, from 29% in the first day to 1% on the last day. The CE group showed a greater variation in the expression of the AGO behavior (P<0.05), while in SE there was no difference (P>0.05), indicating that AGO did not vary throughout the days. We conclude that EA improves the interaction between animals, decreasing agonistic behaviors and encouraging the natural nesting behavior. Due to the positive impact, most studies on ways to EA for mice are relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to raise some points for an understanding of the contemporary debate over the ethics of using animals in scientific experiments. We present the various positions from scientific and moral perspectives establishing different ways of viewing animals, as well as several concepts like 'animal ethics', 'animal rights', and 'animal welfare'. The paper thus aims to analyze the importance and growth of this debate, while proposing to expand the academic approach to this theme in the field of health.

The nitroxynil has been widely used in the control of Haemonchus contortus in sheep to be very effective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects on the hepatic and renal nitroxynil administered to rats (Rattus norvegicus albinos). We used 34 adult rats (Rattus norvegicus albinos), aged 120 and 140 days, and 22 females, divided into two experimental groups: G1 (control) and G2 (treated) and 12 males, divided into 2 groups G3 (control) and G4 (treated). The animals in groups G2 and G4 received nitroxynil 34% in a single dose, 10mg/kg, via subcutaneous and the animals of the control group G1 and G3 received saline by the same route and the same volume of the recommended dose. The FA and ALT of values the control and treated groups were found below the reference levels, the results of urea remained within normal parameters and histopathological evaluation of kidney and liver fragments revealed a pattern of microscopic normality. Results from this study have demonstrated that nitroxinil 34% administered at dose of 10 mg/kg, subcutaneous, in single application in rats, not promoted alteration hepatic and renal profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Eletrônica em Gestão, Educação e Tecnologia Ambiental is the property of Revista Eletronica em Gestao, Educacao e Tecnologia Ambiental and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The use of animals in attempt to understand biological processes began many years ago with Hippocrates (450 B.C.). Galeno (129-210 a.C.) studied the anatomy and physiology of the monkeys, believing in their similarity to humans. The use of animals in experiments has always been the target of too much criticism by several society segments, questioning animal suffering after manipulation. This is due to the fact that students and professors consider that such practices are against their moral and ethical principles, besides the psychological issues that they can promote. Because of this, alternative and complementary methods were developed for surgical training and motor development of surgeons, with the goal to reduce the number of animals in these practices and to increase qualification and surgical skills. The objective of this study is to offer a complementary method of learning in the area of surgery, specifically anatomical techniques as a complementary method for learning nephrotomy. Materials, Methods & Results: Four dog kidneys were used from the pathology sector of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. The kidneys were removed from the abdominal cavity with the perirenal fat, blood vessels and ureter. The renal artery, renal vein and ureter were cannulated and filled with red, blue and yellow colored latex, respectively. After this, the kidneys were immersed for one hour in running water for latex polymerization. Then, the nephrotomy technique was performed. At each step of the technique, renal structures were observed, incised in a clean and easy way, and each one identified perfectly by color. Discussion: The use of animals in practical classes is still a rule in the most of brazilian universities. Several studies have observed that the teaching of practices, based on alternative techniques instead of vivisection, enabled students to equal or more learning. Virtual reality techniques, handmade devices for training surgical nodes, models for anatomical and physiological study of the ocular and circulatory systems, objects for the practice of venous puncture, artificial limbs for surgical practice, models for the practice of microsurgery in small vessels, cylinder with several layers the simulates in every detail a surgical procedure, mannequins, simulators, videos and the use of cadavers and viscera chemically prepared for learning surgical techniques are some of the alternative methods found nowadays. Since it is expected that veterinary medicine students experience real patients, the combination of their acquired knowledge to the practice of complementary methods, helps the student to better understand the technique and facilitates the learning process. When using viscera to help in veterinary surgical technique classes, the students participate more effectively in the classroom, without the stress and fear they face when they first practice with live animals. Furthermore, this alternative allows them to train many times every technique, refining the accuracy, coordination and manual skills, so important for a surgeon. The use of colored latex injected kidneys to simulate nephrotomy proved to be an effective method to complement the training of future surgeons, without loosing teaching quality neither using animals for this purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of animals in teaching situations is traditionally used for science education which, thanks to the growing legal and ethical debates conducted by the society and members of the scientific community, has been the target of questions regarding the ethical education of students. This study aimed to investigate, through a resolution of questionnaires, concepts and teaching practices of university professors in a Brazilian Federal Institution of Higher Education of the State of Rio de Janeiro on the use of animals during graduation. The results were analyzed in a qualitative perspective and showed that teachers ignore legal and ethical guidelines for animal use in education contributing to the maintenance of exceeded values and outdated teaching practices during science education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the use of behavior analysis laboratory in teaching of Psychology from the debate on the use of animals in didactic-scientific contexts. Provided the basis for the analysis: 1. international guidelines on the use of animals in research and teaching and 2. the Brazilian legislation on ethics in animal experiments. Usually the activities that take place in Behavior Analysis didactic laboratories aim the demonstration of concepts; it is a possible point in conflict with the current legislation. It was also observed that the traditional configuration of this laboratory entails negative impacts on the welfare of experimental subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field works is still a hard way for the teacher; however, they represent a major step for the study of biodiversity. Our country is considered mega-diverse but teaching this subject is complex. The objective of this study was to outline a protocol for field works so that the teachers can implement it during their lectures about biodiversity. The ants were chosen as study model since they are rich and abundant in most tropical ecosystems. Sardine baits were used in edible oil to collect these insects; and in order to obtain enough volume of biological material to base the discussions concerning the proposed issue three collection expeditions will be required, using 15 baits each. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and the quantitative characteristics of carcass of immunocastrated, barrows and females in the finishing phase fed with diets containing 10ppm of ractopamine. One hundred and twenty animals were used, with initial weight of 99.1±5.3kg, distributed in a randomized blocks factorial design in 2 x 3 (two ractopamine levels, 0 and 10ppm and three sex), five replicates of four animals each. The inclusion of 10ppm of ractopamine in the diet improved (P<0.05) feed conversion in pigs, independent of sex. The inclusion of ractopamine damaged (P<0.05) the weight gain of the immunocastrated and increased (P<0.05) the weight gain of the barrows and the females, without, however, affect (P>0.05) quantitative carcass characteristics of pigs. The sex was determining factor in performance and carcass quantitative traits and the females had higher (P<0.05) hot carcass yield for immunocastrated male and they have yield above (P<0.05) the barrows. Immunocastrated males and females had higher (P<0.05) percentage of lean meat for barrows. The results of this study highlight the need for studies to adjust the nutrient levels of diets containing ractopamine to immunocastrated pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An adult Guzera cow, dysplaying for two weeks signs of right-sided congestive heart failure died during the transport to the veterinary hospital. At necropsy, the left cranial lung lobe was moderately increased in volume and firm. The parenchyma of the affected lung lobe was white and contained multiple 0.3 to 1.5cm in diameter, yellow, dry, friable nodules. Similar changes were observed in bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes, parietal pericardium, epicardium, and adventitia of the pulmonary artery. Microscopically, the pulmonary tissue mass was composed of neoplastic epithelial cells arranged in acini lined by two or more layers, some with intraluminal papillary projections. Anisokaryosis was marked, and mitotic index was moderate (2-3 mitosis in high field). Abundant fibrous connective tissue surrounded the neoplastic cell aggregates. Foci of necrosis and mineralization were moderate. Similar microscopic changes were observed in bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes, visceral and parietal pericardium and adventitia of the pulmonary artery. With liver chronic generalized congestion exception, no other macro or microscopic lesions were observed. Microscopic findings were consistent with pulmonary adenocarcinoma with regional metastases. The right-sided congestive heart failure was probably due to obstruction of lymphatic drainage by metastases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several surgical techniques have been proposed for perineal hernia correction in dogs and regardless of the used method the surgical risk related to clinical status and animal age should always be considered, since the involvement of the urinary tract and/or digestive tract is frequent and the geriatric patient can present multiple problems that significantly affect their tolerance to anesthesia, surgery and infections. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the use of colopexy and deferentopexy associated with omentopexy as surgical alternative in 30 elderly dogs, systemically compromised, which had perineal hernia and concomitant rectal anomaly. The cases analysis showed that the proposed surgical technique allowed the inspection and evaluation of abdominal organs, particularly those with hernial content involved; the distal colon linear format restoration, reducing its diameter and encouraging a normal function return, effective setting and secure cranial prostate and urinary bladder repositioning, avoiding further caudal displacement; satisfactory tissue repair and defect occlusion of the pelvic diaphragm. Thus, it was concluded that the proposed procedure has therapeutic value for dogs with perineal hernia and concomitant rectal sacculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four groups of Santa Inês male sheep born in four seasons in the Distrito Federal were analyzed to evaluate the age and body weight at puberty, at which point were castrated. Histological measurements were carried out on the testicles to evaluate cellular parameters and size measurement of the seminiferous tubules. The effect of the group on cellular parameters was significant (P<0.01). Animals born in the dry season were more precocious than the others, but showed the worst histological profile of the testis. The histological traits of the testis of the Santa Inês rams were influenced by the season. The end of the rainy season was shown to the best season for births of sheep in the Central region of Brazil, with histological testicular traits at puberty being superior to the other groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on laboratory animals suggest an antiulcergonic effect of Casearia sylvestris extract. This extract has not yet been tested for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of gastric ulcers in horses. In order to evaluate the influence of C. sylvestris extract on gastric sucrose permeability, six adult horses underwent a protocol of gastric ulcer induction. All animals were submitted to sucrose permeability testing before and at the end of gastric ulcers induction by intermittent feed deprivation, for detection of gastric ulcers. During the seven days of induction, the animals were submitted to daily treatment by nasogastric tubing with C. sylvestris extract (9mg kg-1 b.w.) or vehicle (Agar). After 32 days of pasture turnout, in order to allow healing of induced ulcers, each animal underwent a second induction protocol, in which treatments were alternated. By this manner, each animal was submitted to both treatments in distinct periods. The urine sucrose concentration was determined for each sample obtained, by high performance liquid chromatography and pulsed amperometric detection. No alterations in clinical examination and hemograms were detected. Treatment with C. sylvestris extract avoided the increase on urine sucrose concentration (P<0.05) when compared to the vehicle, suggesting an antiulcer preventive effect for equine gastric ulcers. More extensive studies including gastroscopy are necessary to evaluate the possibility of employing this extract for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of gastric ulcers in horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acupuncture (AP) is an ancient empirical Eastern therapeutical technique that uses magical though (pre-scientific language) in this domain. Reflex therapy that uses the stimulation of specific points of the body to achieve a therapeutic or homeostatic effect. According to AP, health depends on psico-neuro-endocrine functions under the influence of the genetic code and extrinsic factors like nutrition, daily habits, weather, environment and others. The present article is a brief review on the AP philosophy, its historical marks in East and West, the veterinary AP history in Brazil and abroad. It also summarizes AP practice, including diagnosis, treatment protocols, the needling of animals, its indications, nonindications and adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cachexia has been associated with higher mortality in patients with chronic renal disease both in human and veterinary medicine. Body condition score (BCS) can be used along with body weight for a better evaluation of a patient's body composition. The objective of this study was to associate body condition score with prognosis of cats with chronic renal disease. One hundred and ten elderly cats were evaluated; of which 70 were healthy (Group I) and 40 had been diagnosed with chronic renal disease (Group II). In Group I, only 5.7% of the cats presented a BCS below ideal, though none were found to be cachectic. In Group II, 70% of the cats presented a BCS below ideal, where 32.5% were cachectic. Mortality was significantly higher within the cachectic patients of Group II. BCS below ideal indicates a poor prognosis for patients with chronic renal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research describes the cyst resection of the prostate, perineal hernia and laparoscopic criptorquidectomia of a Collie dog, which showed clinical signs of recurrence after conventional hernia surgery. By mean three retroumbilical portals,an intraabdominal testicle was located through laparoscopic surgery. It was removed after the application of titanium clips in mesorquio and pots testicules. A prostate cyst was noticed that was drained by puncture with a transparietal needle. An incision was made in the wall and omentopexia of the cystic cavity was performed. In the evaluation of the pelvic cavity, it was found that the hernial defect was small and could be managed by laparoscopy. An intracorporeal suturing pattern was applied which covered the coccygeal muscle and lifted the anus. The entire procedure took about 140 minutes, with no complications. It was concluded that laparoscopic surgery can be used to treat prostate cysts and the perineal hernia of dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to verify if the ranitidine dosage of 2mg kg-1 by intravenous path causes emesis or hypotension in healthy dogs. They were selected 10 Labrador Retriever, 10 Beagles and 10 mongrel dogs, five animals of each sex. The animals were submitted to clinical examination and blood pressure evaluation before ranitidine administration and also 10 minutes and 4 hours after administration of it. After administration was observed that 13.3% of the animals presented normal; 6.7% of the dogs presented apathy; 50% of the animals presented salivation and 30% presented apathy, salivation, emesis mimic or emesis. There was no significative arterial blood pressure decrease after ranitidine administration. It was concluded that ranitidine useful in therapeutic dosage by intravenous path may provoke apathy, salivation, emesis mimic and emesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes biological characteristics of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in the parasitic phase from equines experimentally infested. Four equine were experimentally infested, initially with 20,000 and then, in a sequence of three times with 40,000 larvae each. In all infestations the animals developed intense cutaneous reaction on the larvae fixation area. This reaction was characterized by intense local itch and hair elevation, followed by alopecic areas, with bounded ulcerated lesions. Larvae and nymphs mortality was nearly 90% and 60%, respectively. From the initial infestation, none engorged or semi-engorged female was recovered. After infestations accomplished with 40,000 larvae of R. microplus, two equines were considered resistant to the infestation, because none engorged or semi-engorged female was recovered. One equine was considered moderately resistant, since a few semi-engorged female were recovered. One equine was considered susceptible. In this last one, R. microplus completed its parasitic cycle with 30% of adult mortality. The average period of parasitic phase were 33.3; 36.9 and 38.5 days, respectively, to three infestations accomplished with 40,000 larvae. Recovery rates of engorged female ranged from 0.9% to 1.8%. This research shows that it is possible to study the R. microplus biology from experimental infestations in equine. However, the number of larvae used for infestation, as well as the existence of susceptible and resistant equines should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to check the prevalence and the pathologic features of spontaneous neoplasms found in Wistar rat, from the production colonies at the Center for Laboratory Animal Breeding, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro. One thousand nine hundred and sixty four Wistar rats were submitted to necropsy in the period between August 2002 and January 2007, after euthanasia in CO 2 chamber. Tissue samples were collected, fixed in 10% buffered formalin and processed by the usual techniques for inclusion in paraffin. Thirty eight neoplasms were diagnoses and 36 rats had tumors, representing a prevalence of 1.8%. Among the 36 animals, only six (16.7%) were male and one (2.8%) young. The neoplasms were diagnosed with the following occurrences: mammary carcinoma (42.1%), mammary fibroadenoma (13.2%), hemangiosarcoma (7.9%), adenoma of the pituitary gland (7.9%), mammary adenoma (5.3%), fibrosarcoma (5.3%), primary papillary pulmonary adenocarcinoma (2.6%), sebaceous epithelioma (2.6%), ganglioneuroblastoma in the adrenal gland (2.6%), leiomyoma of the uterus (2.6%), mesothelioma (2.6%), osteosarcoma osteoblastic (2.6%), papilloma (2.6%). In this study the prevalence of spontaneous neoplasms was lower than the ones found in similar studies and the malignant tumors predominated. The sebaceous epithelioma and also the mucinous and simple papillary-cystic mammary carcinomas with spontaneous occurrence were described in Wistar rats for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The purpose of this article is to raise some points for an understanding of the contemporary debate over the ethics of using animals in scientific experiments. We present the various positions from scientific and moral perspectives establishing different ways of viewing animals, as well as several concepts like 'animal ethics', 'animal rights', and 'animal welfare'. The paper thus aims to analyze the importance and growth of this debate, while proposing to expand the academic approach to this theme in the field of health.Este artigo tem por objetivo fornecer alguns elementos para a compreensão do debate atual sobre a questão ética no que diz respeito à utilização de animais de laboratório. Nessa perspectiva, o que se pretende é apresentar as várias posições no campo das reflexões científicas e morais, que delimitam diferentes áreas de consideração para com os animais, assim como categorias distintas, tais como ética animal, direito animal e bem-estar animal. Portanto, visa-se demonstrar a importância e o crescimento de tal debate, propondo-se uma necessária ampliação da abordagem acadêmica sobre o tema na área da saúde.

The use of alternative methods to substitute live animals is an very important issue today. For that objective corpses can be employed to ensure the skills of the young surgeon. Various conservation methods have been tested for conservation of cadavers over time. Evaluated the modified Larssen solution in six corpses of rabbits over seventy-five days. Organoleptic aspects remained similar to live animals. The solution in question is practical, low cost and allows the training of surgical techniques for young surgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the in vitro efficacy of aqueous extracts from banana crop residues on the inhibition of larval development of sheep gastrointestinal nematodes. The quantitative and qualitative coproculture technique was performed to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of the aqueous extract of leafs , pseudostems and hearts from banana plants, cv 'Prata Anã', at 25, 75 and 150mg mL-1 concentrations, in a completely randomized design. The results showed that the three extracts, in concentrations equal to or greater than 75mg mL-1, decreased significantly (P<0.05) the nematodes larval development, with efficacy up 96.9%. The identification of the developed larvae revealed occurrence of Haemonchus spp. in the evaluated samples, allowing to conclude that the tested parts of this plant showed anthelmintic properties on the larval development of this important parasite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]