Animal welfare and sustainable livestock production

This paper describes the basic principles of animal behavior and how these concepts can be applied to the management and care of domestic species in a sustainable way. Several examples are given as to how an understanding of animal behavior can be utilized to improve animal productivity and welfare while also solving problems at the farm. The following topics are briefly covered: adoption of orphaned animals, explaining how to replace dead lambs and add extra lambs to ewes with single births; severing of the mother-offspring (cow-calf) relationship by different weaning methods focusing on stress reduction while reproductive and productive performance are improved; design of installations to facilitate management and how to use this knowledge in the design of facilities conducive to moving cattle efficiently, thus, diminishing the risk of injury to humans and animals alike; behavior of sick animals, explaining the physiological processes they use to regain their homeostasis, and how these behavioral changes can be used to predict certain illnesses even before clinical symptoms appear, and to judge the magnitude of pain felt by a given individual. A final section touches on some miscellaneous aspects of management relevant to animal productivity

Changes in behavioural and physiological parameters associated with Taenia pisiformis infection in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) that may improve early detection of sick rabbits

[EN] The purpose of the present experiment was to describe rabbits' early behavioral responses to illness, and its relation with physiological changes to help improve early detection of infection, particularly those induced by Taenia pisiformis in rabbits. Twenty adult female New Zealand rabbits were randomly allocated in two groups, to determine whether changes in behavior and some physiological parameters can be induced in rabbits after a T. pisiformis infection. Infected animals were orally inoculated with 3,000 eggs of T. pisiformis, while controls only received saline solution. Behavioral activity was recorded daily from 19:00 to 21:00 h starting two days before infection. Mate choice and rank status were assessed, and blood samples were collected at -2, 7, 14 and 25 days post infection (dpi) for hematological and hepatic function determinations. All animals were observed for clinical signs every other day from the beginning of the experiment and euthanized 25 dpi after last sampling. Infected animals spent more (P0.05) were observed in the time spent at the feeder, rank status or mate choice. Leucocyte and lymphocyte concentrations increased (P<0.05) while heterophil counts decreased in infected rabbits as the experiment progressed. Furthermore, infected animals had larger concentrations of alkaline phosphatase as soon as 7 dpi. No clinical signs of the disease were detected. Necropsy findings corroborate hepatic lesions and presence of the parasite in all infected animals. It was concluded that an infection with 3,000 eggs of T. pisiformis induced changes in behavioral patterns, supported by some changes in hematological and hepatic parameters that could improve early detection of illness, regardless of clinical signs.Authors are very grateful to Dr. Sarah Chaplin for her help editing this manuscript and to PROMEP and CONACyT for financial support. We also want to thank the Canine Control Centre at Tlahuac County in Mexico City for allowing us to sample dogs in order to obtain the parasites used in this research.Betancourt-Alonso, M.; Orihuela, A.; Aguirre, V.; Vázquez, R.; Flores-Pérez, F. (2011). Changes in behavioural and physiological parameters associated with Taenia pisiformis infection in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) that may improve early detection of sick rabbits. World Rabbit Science. 19(1):21-30. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2011.801SWORD213019

Effects of human-animal relationship on animal productivity and welfare

This is a literature review of the effects of humans´ relationships with farm animals on animal productivity and welfare, including the following topics: definition of the concept and description of different tests that have been developed to measure human-animal relationship (HAR). Temperament and tameness, which have been considered as farm animal characteristics that are important in HAR, as are stockperson attitudes. Some international farm animal welfare protocols are also described, together with negative and positive stimuli that affect farm animal welfare and productivity. In addition to some factors affecting the quality of HAR. We conclude that even with improved precision farming and automation: a) a good HAR is still fundamental to improve farm animal welfare with associated health and production benefits and b) with the numerous tests assessing fear of humans, many are not commercially applicable.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) supplementation increase the sexual capacity of low but not high sexual performance rams (Ovis aries)

To evaluate the effect of maca (Lepidium meyenii) supplementation on the sexual capacity of males, 40 rams were classified as high (HP) and low performers (LP). Within each category (n = 20), ten rams were supplemented with 233 mg of dry maca/kg of body weight/day during four weeks, followed by four weeks of a control diet (residual), while the rest of the animals remained as controls during the eight-weeks period. LP rams increased (P &lt; 0.05) all sexual behaviors during maca supplementation up to HP levels, decreasing to control planes one week after the supplementation ceased. In contrast, in HP rams, maca supplementation only increased genital sniffs and nudging, while mounts and ejaculations remained unaffected during both supplementation and residual phases. It was concluded that maca supplementation affects males differently, according to their original sexual capacity

Estimación del valor diagnóstico de la histerosonografia para los casos de pólipo endometrial en mujeres con hemorragia uterina anormal, en El Servicio De Ginecología Del Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal, Enero 2009 – Diciembre 2011

Objectives. Our goal is to determine the prevalence of endometrial polyps and estimate the diagnostic value of the HSG in the INMP. Materials and Methods.A cross – sectional study. The sample comprised patients attending the outpatient clinic of the Department of Gynecology, the reason for the visit is that of HUA in INMP in the period from January 2009 to December 2011. Inclusion criteria: non-pregnant patients with ultrasound scans an HSG in INMP, and then carried out two studies have a pathological study. The information is processed electronically with SPSS version 20,0 and Epidat 3,1. Be developed contingency tables and calculate the S, E, PPV and NPV of TV ultrasound and HSG, and their respective correlation.Objetivo. Nuestro objetivo es conocer la prevalencia de pólipos endrometriales y estimar el valor diagnóstico de la HSG en el&nbsp; en el INMP. Materiales y Métodos. Estudio descriptivo trasversal. La muestra son los pacientes que acuden al consultorio externo del servicio de Ginecología, cuyo motivo de consulta sea el de HUA en el INMP en el periodo de Enero del 2009 a Diciembre del 2011. Los criterios de conclusión: pacientes no gestantes con estudios de ultrasonido TV o en HSG en el INMP, y que luego de realizarse ambos estudios tengan un estudio anatomopatológico. . La información se procesará en forma electrónica con el programa estadístico SPSS versión 20,0 y Epidat 3,1. Se elaborará las tablas de contingencia y se calculará la S, E, VPP, y VPN de ultrasonido TV y de la HSG, y la correlación respectiva

Quality of Death in Fighting Bulls during Bullfights: Neurobiology and Physiological Responses

During bullfights, bulls undergo physiometabolic responses such as glycolysis, anaerobic reactions, cellular oedema, splenic contraction, and hypovolemic shock. The objective of this review article is to present the current knowledge on the factors that cause stress in fighting bulls during bullfights, including their dying process, by discussing the neurobiology and their physiological responses. The literature shows that biochemical imbalances occur during bullfights, including hypercalcaemia, hypermagnesaemia, hyperphosphataemia, hyperlactataemia, and hyperglycaemia, associated with increased endogenous cortisol and catecholamine levels. Creatine kinase, citrate synthase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels also increase, coupled with decreases in pH, blood bicarbonate levels, excess base, partial oxygen pressure, and oxygen saturation. The intense exercise also causes a marked decrease of glycogen in type I and II muscle fibres that can produce myoglobinuria and muscular necrosis. Other observations suggest the presence of osteochondrosis. The existing information allows us to conclude that during bullfights, bulls face energy and metabolic demands due to the high intensity and duration of the exercise performed, together with muscular injuries, physiological changes, and high enzyme concentrations. In addition, the final stage of the bullfight causes a slow dying process for an animal that is sentient and conscious of its surroundings.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Analgesia during Parturition in Domestic Animals: Perspectives and Controversies on Its Use

This article analyzes the physiological role of pain during parturition in domestic animals, discusses the controversies surrounding the use of opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and local analgesics as treatments during labor, and presents the advantages and disadvantages for mother and offspring. Labor is a potentially stressful and painful event, due to the contractions that promote expulsion of the fetus. During labor, neurotransmitters such as the prostaglandins contribute to the sensitization of oxytocin receptors in the myometrium and the activation of nociceptive fibers, thus supporting the physiological role of pain. Endogenously, the body secretes opioid peptides that modulate harmful stimuli and, at the same time, can inhibit oxytocin’s action in the myometrium. Treating pain during the different stages of parturition is an option that can help prevent such consequences as tachycardia, changes in breathing patterns, and respiratory acidosis, all of which can harm the wellbeing of offspring. However, studies have found that some analgesics can promote myometrial contractility, increase expulsion time, affect fetal circulation, and alter mother–offspring recognition due to hypnotic effects. Other data, however, indicate that reducing the number of uterine contractions with analgesics increases their potency, thus improving maternal performance. Managing pain during labor requires understanding the tocolytic properties of analgesics and their advantages in preventing the consequences of pain.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Allonursing in Wild and Farm Animals: Biological and Physiological Foundations and Explanatory Hypotheses

Publication history: Accepted - 27 October 2021; Published - 29 October 2021.The dams of gregarious animals must develop a close bond with their newborns to provide them with maternal care, including protection against predators, immunological transference, and nutrition. Even though lactation demands high energy expenditures, behaviors known as allonursing (the nursing of non-descendant infants) and allosuckling (suckling from any female other than the mother) have been reported in various species of wild or domestic, and terrestrial or aquatic animals. These behaviors seem to be elements of a multifactorial strategy, since reports suggest that they depend on the following: species, living conditions, social stability, and kinship relations, among other group factors. Despite their potential benefits, allonursing and allosuckling can place the health and welfare of both non-filial dams and alien offspring at risk, as it augments the probability of pathogen transmission. This review aims to analyze the biological and physiological foundations and bioenergetic costs of these behaviors, analyzing the individual and collective advantages and disadvantages for the dams’ own offspring(s) and alien neonate(s). We also include information on the animal species in which these behaviors occur and their implications on animal welfare

Influencia de los tratamientos térmicos de temple y normalizado sobre la microestructura, dureza y resistencia mecánica y resistencia a la corrosión del latón de alta resistencia

The high resistance brass belongs to the copper-zinc alloys, which contains elements such as iron, aluminum, manganese and nickel, other elements in very small percentage in such a way that they do not affect the acquired properties and in which manganese increases the solubility of iron, improving mechanical properties and, along with nickel, its resistance to corrosion. The presence of aluminum and iron allow them to be heat treated, the objective of this work is to establish the conditions of heat treatment and its influence on physical, mechanical and corrosion properties.El latón de alta resistencia pertenece a las aleaciones de cobre-zinc, que contiene elementos como el hierro, aluminio, manganeso y níquel, otros elementos en porcentaje muy pequeños de tal modo que no afectan las propiedades adquiridas y en el cual el manganeso aumenta la solubilidad del hierro mejorando las propiedades mecánicas y junto con el níquel su resistencia a la corrosión. La presencia del aluminio y el hierro permiten ser tratados térmicamente, el presente trabajo tiene como objetivo establecer las condiciones del tratamiento térmico y su influencia en las propiedades físicas, mecánicas y a la corrosión

Surfactantless Emulsions Containing Eugenol for Imidacloprid Solubilization: Physicochemical Characterization and Toxicity against Insecticide-Resistant Cimex lectularius

Synthetic insecticides have been used for a long time as one of the most effective tools for insect pest control. However, the re-emergence of insect pests and their fast development of resistance, as has occurred for pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs Cimex lectularius L., make it necessary to develop new and safe strategies for effective pest control. This has fostered the research on new eco-sustainable formulations based on essential oils, which allows reducing the impact associated with the intensive use of synthetic insecticides on the environment and their effects on human health. This research explores the stability of water/eugenol/ethanol surfactantless emulsions loaded with imidacloprid (0.003 wt%), and their toxicity against a resistant bed bug strain. The results have shown that these emulsions enable the solubilization of a poorly water-soluble drug, such as the imidacloprid, without any significant modification of their stability. Furthermore, the application of the obtained formulations against the pyrethroid-resistant bed bug results in mortality in the 50–85% range upon topical and spray applications, with the increase of the eugenol content enhancing the effectiveness of the formulations. It may be expected that the ternary water/eugenol/ethanol mixtures could be further developed in the preparation of ready to use formulations, enabling the dispersion of insecticides for pest control