An outbreak of enzootic ataxia among sheep raised in the northeastern region of Brazil is described. Copper (Cu) deficiency was diagnosed in a herd of 56 sheep, among which five presented characteristic clinical symptoms of enzootic ataxia. The symptoms began 30 days after birth, with a clinical condition that included locomotion difficulty, limb ataxia, tremors, and continual falls. Liver biopsies were performed and blood was collected to determine hepatic and plasmatic Cu, iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) concentration, respectively. The laboratory results showed that the animals presented low copper concentrations in the plasma and liver, without difference between the clinically healthy animals and those affected by enzootic ataxia. Even after supplementation with adequate Cu levels had been recommended, it was found on a new visit to the farm four months later that one animal still presented a clinical condition and that the hepatic Cu levels of the herd had not risen. Despite the low copper content of the diet, the high hepatic Fe levels found suggest that antagonism due to this element may have been an important factor in triggering copper deficiency in these animals, and thus, additional copper supplementation may be necessary for these animals.

The study investigated the gross and microscopic anatomy of the genital organs of 20 agoutis at different stages of the estrous cycle and four in the final trimester of pregnancy. Specimens were euthanized and their reproductive organs were fixed in a 4% paraformaldehyde or 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution and submitted to routine histological techniques for light and scanning electron microscopy. In the ovary, during the proestrus phase, we observed developing follicles and corpus luteum (CL) in regression; during estrus, there were Graafian follicles; during metestrus, there was a hemorrhagic corpus, whereas in diestrus, there was a mature CL. The uterus was partially double because the cervix was cranially septate but caudally, the septum disappeared, forming a single ostium that opened into the vagina. Changes occurred along the estrous cycle in the uterine and vaginal epithelia, that is, an increase in the uterine epithelium height accompanied by an increase of thickness of the vaginal epithelium during the follicular phase and a decrease of thickness of both epithelia during the luteal phase. The endometrial lining was composed of a simple cuboidal epithelium to simple columnar epithelium with basal nuclei. The vaginal mucosa consisted of epithelium that varied from nonkeratinized stratified squamous (luteal phase) to keratinized stratified squamous (follicular phase). The clitoris was external to the vagina. It presented two protruding lateral keratinized spicules and a centralized urethra, with no common parts between the urinary and genital tracts. Anatomical and histological changes were observed mainly in the cervix, vagina and spicules of the clitoris during the EC.

ResumoOrigem do plexo lombossacral em Galea spixii (Wagler, 1831) (Rodentia, Caviidae). O preá silvestre é um roedor pertencente à família Caviidae presente na região semiárida do Nordeste do Brasil. Foram utilizados 20 preás que vieram a óbito por causas naturais, obtidos no Centro de Multiplicação de Animais Silvestres (CEMAS) da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA). Os animais foram ixados em solução aquosa de formaldeído a 10% e, após 48 h, foram dissecados para visualização do plexo. As relações topográicas do plexo lombossacral foram agrupadas em tabelas e, posteriormente, submetidas a análises estatísticas (teste do qui-quadrado com correção de Yates). O plexo lombossacral originou-se das raízes ventrais dos três últimos nervos lombares e dos três primeiros nervos sacrais, correspondendo a 65% dos animais estudados (L 5 L 6 L 7 S 1 S 2 S 3 ). Originam-se do plexo os nervos: femoral, obturatório, isquiático, glúteo cranial, glúteo caudal e pudendo. Palavras-chave:Anatomia; Nervos; Preá; Roedor; Sistema nervoso AbstractThe yellow-toothed cavy is a rodent belonging to the Caviidae family that inhabits the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. We used 20 cavies that had died of natural causes, obtained from the Reproduction Center of Wild Animals (CEMAS) of the Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid (UFERSA). The animals were ixed in aqueous solution of 10% formaldehyde and, after 48 hours, they were dissected to visualize plexus. The topographic relations of the lumbosacral plexus were grouped into tables and then they underwent statistical analysis (chi-square test with Yates' correction). The lumbosacral plexus stemmed from the ventral roots of the last 3 lumbar nerves and the irst 3 sacral nerves, corresponding to 65% of the animals under study (L 5 L 6 L 7 S 1 S 2 S 3 ). These nerves stemmed from plexus: femoral, obturator, ischiatic, cranial gluteal, caudal gluteal, and pudendal.

BackgroundAcute ruminal lactic acidosis (ARLA) is a major nutritional and metabolic disorder usually characterized by excessive or non-adapted intake of diets rich in nonstructural carbohydrates. Feed additives that regulate the ruminal environment have been used to prevent ARLA, such as ionophores and, more recently, yeast culture. Thus, we aimed to compare the efficacy of a yeast-based culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) with that of monensin sodium in the prevention of ARLA in sheep. Eighteen male, crossbred, rumen-cannulated sheep were randomly distributed into three groups of six animals: control, yeast culture and monensin. Thirty days after the start of supplementation with yeast culture (4 × 109 cfu/animal/day of S. cerevisiae) and monensin (33 mg/kg of total dry matter intake), 15 g/kg BW of sucrose was administered directly into the rumen of the animals to induce ARLA. Samples of blood and ruminal fluid were collected at the following time points: at baseline (T0 h) immediately before the induction of ARLA; 6 h (T6 h); 12 h (T12 h); 18 h (T18 h); 24 h (T24 h); 36 h (T36 h); and 48 h (T48 h) after ARLA induction.ResultsRuminal pH was higher in monensin group at T12 h and in yeast culture group at T36 h when compared to control group. Lower values of L-Lactate were found at yeast culture group at T24 h and T36 h. Monensin showed prophylactic effect by decreasing the rate of ruminal pH decline and occasionally reducing ruminal acidosis, whereas probiotics resulted in less accumulation of lactic acid in the rumen and a lower degree of systemic acidosis.ConclusionThe use of yeast culture can be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of ARLA in sheep, because it can effectively reduce the accumulation of lactic acid, and thereby increase ruminal pH and reduce ruminal osmolarity. On the other hand, monensin showed prophylactic effect by decreasing the rate of ruminal pH decline and occasionally reducing ruminal acidosis, however, it did not directly prevent these conditions.

O presente estudo promoveu o levantamento epidemiológico dos acidentes ofídicos ocorridos no município de Mossoró no período de 2004 a 2010, notificados pelo Sistema de Informações de Agravos e Notificação (SINAN). Os acidentes foram analisados nos seguintes aspectos: época do ano com maior acometimento, zona de ocorrência, faixa etária, sexo, local da agressão, tempo decorrido do acidente até o atendimento, sintomatologia apresentada, classificação e evolução dos casos e utilização de soroterapia. Dos 244 acidentes por animais peçonhentos notificados neste período, 58,6% correspondem a agressões por serpentes dos gêneros: Bothrops (44,8%), Crotalus (9,8%) e Micrurus (2,8%). O sexo masculino foi o mais acometido (65,7%), com predomínio da faixa etária de 20 a 49 anos (57,3%), sendo os membros inferiores a região anatômica mais afetada (39,9%). O tempo decorrido entre a picada e o atendimento foi menor que três horas (66,4%), sendo a maioria dos casos considerados leves (58,7%), os quais evoluíram para a cura (86,0%). Percebe-se tendência de aumento no registro de casos ao longo dos anos, porém muitas pessoas não procuram ajuda por não terem o conhecimento adequado, o que resulta em subnotificações. DESCRITORES: Serpentes; ofidismo; soroterapia.

RESUMOO trabalho objetivou estudar os aspectos epidemiológicos dos casos de dengue na população do município de Mossoró-RN. Foi realizado um estudo observacional descritivo, sendo analisadas as variáveis de confirmação diagnóstica, sexo, faixa etária, letalidade, classificação final e época do ano, cujos dados foram obtidos das fichas de notificação do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação correspondentes ao período de 2006 a 2010. Foram confirmados 1.917 casos de dengue, com incidência anual variando de 51 a 539/100.000 habitantes (2009 e 2008). Predominaram os casos de dengue clássico (87,9%), porém, com o passar dos anos, tem se evidenciado uma tendência de aumento do número de casos de dengue hemorrágico e dengue com complicações. A maior taxa de letalidade apresentada foi em 2007 com 1,4%. Os casos de dengue foram um pouco mais predominantes em pessoas do sexo feminino (52,6%), a faixa etária mais acometida foi a de 20 a 50 anos e a época do ano que concentrou o maior número de casos foi durante os meses de março, abril e maio.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological, biochemical, and blood gas alterations of goat whole blood stored in different blood bags. Seven male, adult, crossbreed goats were used, weighing 62±1.8 kg. Nine hundred milliliters of whole blood from each animal was collected and stored in blood bags (450 ml in each), CPDA-1 (citrate phosphate dextrose-adenine) and CPD/SAG-M (citrate phosphate dextrose with saline-glucose-mannitol) as additive solutions, and kept refrigerated (2-4 ºC) for 42 days. Blood samples were collected from the plastic bags at baseline (T0) and after seven, 14, 21,28, 35, and 42 days for hematological, biochemical, blood gas, and microbiological evaluations. Free hemoglobin, degree of hemolysis, lactate, and pO2were increased in both bags, whereas hydrogen potential (pH) and the total hemoglobin concentration decreased overtime(P<0.05). The red blood cell count, glucose, sodium, and potassium remained stable, compared to the baseline. The CPD/SAG-M bag presented a lower red cell count, globular volume, total hemoglobin, and sodium, and a higher degree of hemolysis and plasma hemoglobin, compared with the CPDA-1 bag. The whole goat blood remained viable for therapeutic use; although, there were some important changes in the variables of the 42-day stored blood in relation to fresh blood (T0). We concluded that the CPDA-1 bag is more suitable for use in the storage of goat blood because of its lower commercial value.

Seasonality effects on the mineral profile of goats were evaluated. Fifty males were divided into two groups, one with mineral supplementation and one control. Seasonal evaluation was conducted during four periods: beginning, middle, and end of the dry period and middle of the rainy period. Rib and liver biopsies were performed, and blood was collected at each period to evaluate mineral accumulation. Ca, P, Cu, Fe, Mo, Zn, and Co concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry after acid digestion. Normal Ca, P, and Mo; low Cu, Zn, and Co; and high Fe levels were observed in the diet. The young animals analyzed showed normal serum and bone Ca and P concentrations, suggesting no need for supplementation throughout the entire year under the conditions of this study. Iron showed high values throughout the year, being potentially dangerous especially owing to its antagonistic relationship with other elements. Cu and Zn deficiency in the diet was observed under the conditions of this study, requiring supplementation with values higher than those contained in the mineral supplement used in the middle and end of the dry period. The supply of specific mineral supplement formulated for animals farmed in the semiarid region is suggested and would reduce costs.