Methodological performance of selenium determination in ruminal fluid by hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy

Selenium (Se) is a trace element used by multiple enzymes. In ruminants, Se present in food is released to ruminal fluid allowing its absorption in the small intestine. Se release may be analysed by hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy (HG-AAS). According to the Association Official of Analytical Chemists (AOAC), analysing the methodological performances is important to support the results of a methodology. The aim of this study was to develop and verify the analytical methodology of Se determination in ruminal fluid by HG-AAS. According to the AOAC guide, the parameters to be analyzed, and their respective acceptance criteria (AC) are: applicable range (AC: 0.220 - 9.68 µg/l), bias (AC: 70-125%), precision by repeatability (RSDr%) (AC: < 21%), intermediate precision (RSDip%) (AC: < 21%), recovery (AC: 80-110%), limit of detection (LOD) (AC: < 0.22 µg/l), and relative uncertainty (AC: <15%). The technique used is based on a wet digestion of ruminal fluid with HClO4 , H2 SO4 and HNO3 concentrated at temperatures ranging from 120°C to 180°C. Then the digest was pre-reduced in HCl at 50 % and was quantified in the HG-AAS. The results obtained were: LOD 0.196 µg/l, bias 96.8% (1.25 µg/l); 98.3% (2.50 µg/l); 94.8% (5.00 µg/l), precision by repeatability 8.61% (3.28 µg/l); 8.90 % (3.52 µg/l); 9.80% (1.85 µg/l), intermediate precision RDSip 10.2%, recovery 109.2% (10 µg/l); 96.7% (25 µg/l); 96.8% (50 µg/l) and applicable range 0.196-62.5 µg/l. The values obtained are within the requirements stated by the AC.El selenio (Se) es un elemento traza utilizado por múltiples enzimas. En rumiantes, el Se de los alimentos es liberado hacia el licor ruminal y esto permite su absorción en el intestino delgado. El Se liberado puede ser analizado por espectrofotometría de absorción atómica con plataforma de hidruros (HG-AAS) De acuerdo con la asociación oficial de química analítica (AOAC) analizar la performance metodológica es importante para respaldar los resultados de una metodología. El objetivo de este estudio fue el desarrollo y verificación de la metodología analítica de la determinación de Se en fluido ruminal mediante un HG-AAS. De acuerdo con la guía de la AOAC, los parámetros para analizar para esto, y sus respectivos criterios de aceptación (CA), son: rango aplicable (CA: 0,22-9,68 µg/l), bias (CA: 70-125%), precisión por repetibilidad (CA: RSDr <21%), precisión intermedia (CA: RSDR <21%), recuperación (CA: 80-110%) y límite de detección (LOD) (CA: <0,22 µg/l), incertidumbre relativa expandida (CA: <15%). La técnica que se utilizó se basó en una digestión húmeda del fluido ruminal con HClO4 (c), H2 SO4 (c) y HNO3 (c) a temperaturas que van de los 120 o C a 180 o C. Luego se realiza una prerreducción del equis con HCl al 50% y se cuantificó en el HG-AAS. Los resultados obtenidos fueron los siguientes: LOD 0,196 µg/l, Bias 96,8% (1,25 µg/l); 98,3% (2,50 µg/l); 94,8% (5,00 µg/l), equisite por repetibilidad 8,61% (3,28 µg/l); 8,90% (3,52 µg/l); 9,80% (1,85 µg/l), equisite intermedia RDSR 10,2%, recuperación 109, 2% (10 µg/l); 96,7% (25 µg/l); 96,8% (50 µg/l) y rango equisites 0.196-62,5 µg/l. Los valores obtenidos están dentro de los equisites mínimos indicados por los CA.EEA BalcarceFil: Brambilla, Emilio Cesar. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Cseh, Susana Beatriz. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Eduardo Luján. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: San Martino, Silvina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Introducción a las Ciencias Agrarias. Estadística y Diseño Experimental; Argentin

Deficiencias de cobre en rodeos de cría bovina en Venado Tuerto, Santa Fe

Las vacas de cría tienen elevadas exigencias para mantener su producción, para ello es importante cubrir en su dieta diaria todas las necesidades nutricionales. Entre los microelementos, el Cobre (Cu) debería estar presente en niveles ≥5ppm. El Molibdeno (Mo) antagoniza con el Cu cuando la relación Cu/Mo es ≤ a 2. El Mo con el Cu forman sales insolubles de Molibdato de Cobre. Además, si hay sulfatos elevados en agua se forma Tiomolibdato de Cobre, no siendo absorbidos en el tubo digestivo. Estos antagonismos producen carencia condicionada de Cobre.Fil: Correa Luna, Martin. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Venado Tuerto; ArgentinaFil: Morlacco, Marí­a Belén. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Venado Tuerto; ArgentinaBrambilla, Emilio Cesar. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Eduardo Luján. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Magnano, Luciana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros; Argentin

Rhabdomyolysis in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Rhabdomyolysis is a myopathy characterized by severe acute myonecrosis with lysis of muscle cells and extravasation of its content into the bloodstream, causing a secondary renal failure and myoglobinuria. Case-reports have been documented in a wide range of wild or domestic animal species, but to our knowledge, no reports in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) have been done. Three animals had signs of paralysis, muscle tremors and myoglobinuria while others died spontaneously. Samples of blood from affected animals showed increased levels of creatin kinase (CK), potassium (K), aspartate transaminase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). In addition, Selenium (Se) levels of those animals were low. Necropsy findings consisted of severe gelatinous and yellowish edema and pallor of the skeletal muscles of the hind limbs, lumbar, cervical and scapular region. Microscopically, acute and severe segmental monophasic coagulative necrosis of skeletal muscles and acute pigmentary tubular nephrosis was observed. We suspect that selenium deficiency was a predisposing factor of rhabdomyolysis in this particular case.EEA BalcarceFil: Llada, Ignacio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Gianechini, Leonor S. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Odriozola, Ernesto Raul. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Brambilla, Emilio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, Eduardo.Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Scioli, Maria Valeria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Canton, German Jose. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Morrell, Eleonora. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentin

Evaluación de la concentración de azufre en dietas de bovinos en engorde a corral del sur de Córdoba y Santa Fe

En el sudeste de Córdoba y el sudoeste de Santa Fe, han proliferado sistemas de engorde a corral (EC) de bovinos, con creciente inclusión de burlanda de maíz húmeda (BMH) en sus dietas. Según antecedentes de altas concentraciones de azufre (S) en dicho alimento, y de sulfatos (SO4 ) en el agua de bebida de la región, podría existir un excesivo aporte dietético de S total. En ECs de la región se han comunicado problemáticas productivo-sanitarias compatibles con las causadas por exceso de S dietético, asociadas al consumo de BMH y/o agua de bebida con altas concentraciones de SO4 . El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estimar y evaluar la concentración de S total en las dietas de bovinos de EC en la mencionada región del país. En verano e invierno del año 2017 se recolectaron muestras de agua de bebida de 46 establecimientos para cuantificar la concentración de SO4 , y se recolectaron muestras de 26 lotes de BMH provenientes de la planta industrial abastecedora de la región en estudio para la determinación de S total. La estimación de la concentración de S dietético total se realizó para cada perforación de agua, considerando el aporte del alimento sólido como el del agua de bebida. La estimación del S aportado por el alimento sólido se realizó considerando el aporte de dietas estándar de EC con 0 (B0), 15 (B15), 30 (B30) y 45% (B45) de BMH. Las concentraciones medias de SO4 en el agua fueron de 196 y 90 mg/l, en los muestreos estival e invernal respectivamente. La concentración media de S en BMH fue de 0,68%. Las concentraciones medias estimadas de S total en verano fueron de 0,23, 0,29, 0,34 y 0,43% para las dietas B0, B15, B30 y B45 respectivamente, mientras que en el invierno fueron de 0,22, 0,28, 0,33 y 0,42% para las dietas B0, B15, B30 y B45 respectivamente. En la región estudiada, es poco probable que los niveles de S dietético sean perjudiciales para la salud y desempeño de bovinos de EC.In the southeast of Córdoba and southwest of Santa Fe provinces, feedlot cattle (FC) systems have proliferated, with the inclusion of wet corn destillers grains (WCDG) in their diets. According to the background of high concentrations of sulfur(S) in WCDG, and sulfates (SO4) excess in drinking water of the region, an excessive dietary S is possible. Productive-health problems have been reported in FC from this region, compatible with those caused by excessive dietary S, associated with WCDG and / or high SO4 drinking water consumption. The objective of the present work was to estimate and evaluate the concentration of total S in the FC diets in this region of Argentina. During the summer and winter of 2017, drinking water samples were collected from 46 farms in order to quantify SO4 concentration and twenty-six WCDG batches from the regional supply plant were sampled for total S determination. The estimation of dietary S concentration was performed for each water well, considering solid food and drinking water contribution. The estimation of S solid food contribution was performed considering the contribution of standard FC diets with 0 (B0), 15 (B15), 30 (B30) and 45% (B45) WCDG inclusion. The average water SO4 concentrations were 196 and 90 mg/l, in the summer and winter samples, respectively. The average WCDG S content was 0.68%. Estimated total dietary S averages in summer were 0,23, 0,29, 0,34 and 0,43% for B0, B15, B30 and B45 diets respectively, while in winter they were 0,22, 0,28, 0,33 and 0,42% for B0, B15, B30 and B45 diets, respectively. In most FC farms from the studied region, it is unlikely that dietary S levels are detrimental to health and productive performance of FC.EEA BalcarceFil: Castro, Damián Jesús. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Marcos Juárez. Producción Porcina Sanidad Animal; Argentina.Fil: Poo, Juan Ignacio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina.Fil: Brambilla, Emilio Cesar. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina.Fil: Fernández, Eduardo Luján. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina.Fil: Cantón, Germán José. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina

White muscle disease in three selenium deficient beef and dairy calves in Argentina and Uruguay

White muscle disease (WMD), nutritional myodegeneration or enzootic muscular dystrophy, is a nutritional condition associated with selenium and/or vitamin E deficiency in ruminants. These elements are constituents of the major body antioxidant systems. Depletion of selenium results in oxidative damage to cardiac and skeletal muscle cells, resulting in myodegeneration and myonecrosis, typical lesions of WMD. Selenium deficiency is common in South America, but WMD is underreported. This research describes clinical, biochemical and pathological findings in two episodes of WMD associated with selenium deficiency in beef and dairy calves in Argentina and Uruguay with concurrent copper deficiency in one of them, which resulted in spontaneous calf mortality. Further studies are necessary to estimate the true incidence and economic impact of clinical and subclinical mineral deficiencies in livestock production systems in the southern cone of South America.Doença do músculo branco (DMB), miodegeneração nutricional ou distrofia muscular enzoótica é uma condição nutricional associada à deficiência de selênio e/ou vitamina E em ruminantes. Esses elementos são constituintes dos principais sistemas antioxidantes do corpo. O esgotamento de selênio resulta em dano oxidativo às células musculares cardíacas e esqueléticas, resultando em miodegeneração e mionecrose, lesões típicas da DMB. A deficiência de selênio é comum na América do Sul, mas a DMB está subnotificada. Este trabalho descreve os achados clínicos, bioquímicos e patológicos em dois surtos de DMB associados à deficiência de selênio em bezerros para carne e leite na Argentina e Uruguai com concomitante deficiência de cobre em um surto, que resultaram em mortalidade espontânea de bezerros. São necessários mais estudos para estimar a verdadeira incidência e impacto econômico das deficiências minerais clínicas e subclínicas nos sistemas de produção pecuária no sul da América do Sul.EEA Cuenca del SaladoFil: Rodriguez, Alejandro Martin. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Cuenca del Salado; ArgentinaFil: Schild, Carlos Omar. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), La Estanzuela; UruguayFil: Canton, German Jose. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Riet‐Correa, Franklin. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), La Estanzuela; UruguayFil: Armendano, Joaquín Ignacio. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Caffarena, Rubén Dario. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), La Estanzuela; UruguayFil: Brambilla, Emilio Cesar. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: García, Juan Agustín. Universidad de la República. Centro Universitario Regional Este; UruguayFil: Morrell, Eleonora Lidia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Poppenga, Robert. University of California at Davis. School of Veterinary Medicine. California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS). Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Giannitti, Federico. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), La Estanzuela; Uruguay. University of Minnesota. College of Veterinary Medicine. Veterinary Population Medicine Department; Estados Unido

Uso de espectrofotometría de absorción atómica para cuantificar la liberación ruminal in vitro de selenio a partir de alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Tesis de maestría para obtener el grado de Magister Scientiae en Producción Animal presentada en la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata en Noviembre de 2018.El selenio (Se) es un oligoelemento esencial en rumiantes. Siendo relativamente nuevo el interés de su influencia en la fisiología animal, el objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar la liberación in vitro de Se desde alfalfa en fluido ruminal. Así, fue necesario poner a punto las determinaciones para cuantificar Se, en forraje y en fluido ruminal. Los resultados de la verificación de la performance para la determinación de Se en forrajes y fluido ruminal, indican que ambas técnicas son aptas para el uso en los fines requeridos. Por el lado de la liberación, se concluyó que la liberación de Se desde alfalfa es paulatina en el tiempo y que la variación en las primeras 5 horas podría vincularse al intercambio que los microbios ruminales realizan con el medio.Selenium is a trace element declared essential since 1973 and may be deficient in soils, plants and ruminants in several regions of Argentina, including Buenos Aires province. The main disadvantage for its assimilation in ruminants is due to the metabolism of ruminal microorganisms, which reduce selenium to its insoluble form. Being relatively new its physiological interest, there are few investigations regarding its ruminal metabolism. Therefore, the objective of this work was to characterize the release of selenium in alfalfa incubations under in vitro conditions. Thus, it was necessary to set up the determinations of selenium, in forage and ruminal fluid, through a hydride platform coupled to an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. For the methodological verification, the parameters analyzed were: limit of detection, range of work, bias, precision by repeatability and intermediate precision, recovery and expanded relative uncertainty, following the guidelines of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Regarding the ruminal release of selenium, two different treatments were evaluated in vitro: with ruminal fluid (T1) and without ruminal fluid (T2). The results on the verification of methodological performance for the determination of selenium in forages and ruminal fluid, indicate that both techniques are suitable for the required purposes. The in vitro ruminal release presented heterogeneous variance according to treatment, showing greater variability in T1. The in vitro release of Se from alfalfa reached its maximum at hours 1 and 2 after the beginning of the trial, and then it descended until the hour 5, after which it remained relatively stable. When analyzing descriptively the residue of alfalfa from the incubations of the treatments, the highest final concentration of Se was found in the treatment T1, so it is inferred that the ruminal microorganisms could be assimilated it and fixed it to the remaining non-digestible fibers. It was concluded that the release of Se from alfalfa is gradual over time and that the variation in the first 5 hours could be linked to the exchange that ruminal microbes made with the medium.EEA BalcarceFil: Brambilla, Emiliano Cesar, INTA, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce, Argentin

Effects of inorganic selenium injection on the performance of beef cows and their subsequent calves

Sixty-seven pregnant Angus cows and their subsequent calves were used in a randomized design to evaluate the effect of inorganic Se injection from 80 d of gestation until weaning on cow reproductive parameters, BW and BCS evolution, milk yield and quality, calf growth and calf hematology parameters. The treatments were as follows: 1) Se+: cows were administered Se as sodium selenite at doses of 0.05 mg/Kg of BW at 80, 140, 200, 260 d of gestation and 30, 90, 150 and 240 d of lactation. Calves from Se + cows were Se as sodium selenite subcutaneously injected with a dose of 0.05 mg/Kg of BW at 70, 104, 144 d of age; 2) Control: cows and calves were administered sterile NaCl solution (9 g/l) at the same volume and intervals as Se + treatment. At the start of the experiment, forage Se concentration was 58.6 ppb ± 7.6 ppb, and cow whole blood Se concentration was similar (P > 0.10) between treatments (Se+, 29.3 ± 0.3 ppb; Control, 28.1 ± 0.5 ppb). After Se injection, cow whole blood Se concentration was increased (P  0.10) between treatments at d 70 after birth. After the first Se injection (70 d of age), calf whole blood Se concentration was increased (P  0.10) between treatments throughout the experiment. Ovarian follicle diameter measured by ultrasound 47 d postpartum was greater (P = 0.03) in Se + cows compared to Control cows. Pregnancy rate to fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI), overall pregnancy rate (P > 0.10) and pregnancy loss (P = 0.19) did not differ between groups. Selenium injection did not affect (P > 0.10) milk yield and composition. Calf morphometric parameters, BW at birth and growth rate during lactation were not affected (P > 0.10) by treatments. No significant effect (P > 0.10) was observed between treatments on hematological results of blood samples from calves at weaning. Results of this study shown that inorganic Se injection was an efficient tool to improve Se-status in cow-calf operation under extensive management. Selenium injection increased follicle diameter in postpartum beef cow, however, did not affect the rest of the variables studied.EEA Cuenca del SaladoFil: Rodriguez, Alejandro Martin. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Cuenca del Salado; ArgentinaFil: Lopez Valiente, Sebastian. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Cuenca del Salado; ArgentinaFil: Brambilla, Emilio Cesar. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Eduardo Luján. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Maresca, Sebastian. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Cuenca del Salado; Argentin

Métodos de análisis e implementación de calidad en el Laboratorio de Suelos

En esta publicación el lector encontrará resultados de investigación referidos a métodos de análisis de suelos y experiencias de la implementación de un Sistema de Gestión de Calidad siguiendo el lineamiento de la Norma IRAM 301:2005 (ISO/IEC 17025:2005).EEA AnguilFil: Azcarate, Mariela Pamela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; ArgentinaFil: Baglioni, Micaela. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Brambilla, Clara. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Brambilla, Emilio Cesar. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Romina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; ArgentinaFil: Noellemeyer, Elke. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Ostinelli, Miriam Mabel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Suelos; ArgentinaFil: Perez, Maria Micaela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; ArgentinaFil: Quiroga, Alberto Raul. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; ArgentinaFil: Savio, Marianela. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Kloster, Nanci Soledad. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; Argentin

Delayed colorectal cancer care during covid-19 pandemic (decor-19). Global perspective from an international survey

Background The widespread nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been unprecedented. We sought to analyze its global impact with a survey on colorectal cancer (CRC) care during the pandemic. Methods The impact of COVID-19 on preoperative assessment, elective surgery, and postoperative management of CRC patients was explored by a 35-item survey, which was distributed worldwide to members of surgical societies with an interest in CRC care. Respondents were divided into two comparator groups: 1) ‘delay’ group: CRC care affected by the pandemic; 2) ‘no delay’ group: unaltered CRC practice. Results A total of 1,051 respondents from 84 countries completed the survey. No substantial differences in demographics were found between the ‘delay’ (745, 70.9%) and ‘no delay’ (306, 29.1%) groups. Suspension of multidisciplinary team meetings, staff members quarantined or relocated to COVID-19 units, units fully dedicated to COVID-19 care, personal protective equipment not readily available were factors significantly associated to delays in endoscopy, radiology, surgery, histopathology and prolonged chemoradiation therapy-to-surgery intervals. In the ‘delay’ group, 48.9% of respondents reported a change in the initial surgical plan and 26.3% reported a shift from elective to urgent operations. Recovery of CRC care was associated with the status of the outbreak. Practicing in COVID-free units, no change in operative slots and staff members not relocated to COVID-19 units were statistically associated with unaltered CRC care in the ‘no delay’ group, while the geographical distribution was not. Conclusions Global changes in diagnostic and therapeutic CRC practices were evident. Changes were associated with differences in health-care delivery systems, hospital’s preparedness, resources availability, and local COVID-19 prevalence rather than geographical factors. Strategic planning is required to optimize CRC care