Daily Rhythms of Physiological Parameters in the Dromedary Camel Under Natural and Laboratory Conditions

Camels are well adapted to hot arid environments and can contribute significantly to the economy of developing countries in arid regions of the world. Full understanding of the physiology of camels requires understanding of the internal temporal order of the body, as reflected in daily or circadian rhythms. In the current study, we investigated the daily rhythmicity of 20 physiological variables in camels exposed to natural oscillations of ambient temperature in a desert environment and compared the daily temporal courses of the variables. We also studied the rhythm of core body temperature under experimental conditions with constant ambient temperature in the presence and absence of a light-dark cycle. The obtained results indicated that different physiological variables exhibit different degrees of daily rhythmicity and reach their daily peaks at different times of the day, starting with plasma cholesterol, which peaks 24 minutes after midnight, and ending with plasma calcium, which peaks 3 hours before midnight. Furthermore, the rhythm of core body temperature persisted in the absence of environmental rhythmicity, thus confirming its endogenous nature. The observed delay in the acrophase of core body temperature rhythm under constant conditions suggests that the circadian period is longer than 24 hours. Further studies with more refined experimental manipulation of different variables are needed to fully elucidate the causal network of circadian rhythms in dromedary camels

Direct heat stress-induced effects on rumen fermentation characteristics and nutrients degradability in sheep pair-fed alfalfa hay

Aim of the study: To investigate the direct effect of heat stress on rumen fermentation characteristics and nutrients degradability of pair-fed rams to subsequently eliminate the confounding effects of dissimilar feed intake induced by heat stress exposure.Area of study: Saudi Arabia.Material and methods: Five rumen-cannulated desert rams (45 ± 1.63 kg body weight; 2–3 years of age) were placed individually in controlled climatic-chambers to be exposed to two successive periods. The 1st period was a control thermoneutral period (TN; 23.64 ± 0.14 °C; extended for 21 days) followed by a 2nd period of heat stress (HS; 44.26 ± 1.70 °C, for another 21 days). Each period was consisted of a temperature acclimation phase (7 days) and a data collection phase (14 days). Alfalfa hay was offered twice daily during both periods in a pair-fed manner (800 g DM per head and day).Main results: Exposing pair-fed desert rams to elevated ambient temperature had (p<0.05) elevated their respiration rate and skin temperature, without noticeable (p>0.05) changes in their rectal temperature. Most of the rumen fermentation characteristics and nutrients degradability were not affected by HS (p>0.05). However, exposure to HS increased (p<0.05) pre-feeding rumen total volatile fatty acids concentrations, pre-feeding molar proportion of acetate, and post-feeding rumen osmolality.Research highlights: HS had no direct effect on post-feeding rumen fermentation characteristics and nutrients degradability in desert sheep. This implies that strategic approaches to mitigate the adverse effects of HS have to be directed towards promoting feed intake and nutrients utilization under such conditions

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Influence of introducing machine milking on biothermal parameters of lactating camels (Camelus dromedarius)

The current study wanted to investigate the physiological suitability of using the machine milking in lactating camels by assessing several biothermal (thermophysiological and infra-red thermographical) parameters. These parameters were assessed on 3 consecutive days, immediately before, immediately after, as well as 1 h after machine milking. The sample was composed of 12 multiparous dromedary camels at mid-lactation. The hypothesis of the current study was that introducing machine milking would produce noticeable effects on the physiological status of lactating camels. On the contrary, the obtained results revealed that machine milking had no effect (P>0.05) on average rectal (37.88±0.23°C) and vaginal temperatures (37.94±0.14°C), as well as respiratory (16.12±0.23 breath/min) and heart rates (56.78±1.89 beat/min). A significant decrease (P<0.001) in udder (-1.0°C) and teat (-1.6°C) surface temperatures, instead, was detected 1 h immediately after milking. Accordingly, this study provides a clear evidence that introducing machine milking has no effect on the homeothermic status of lactating camels

Influence of stocking density on welfare indices of broilers

The current study was conducted to identify the influence of short-term (five days) high stocking density (SD) on broilers' welfare by assessing several thermophysiological parameters in 32 birds of 43 days of age Ross male broiler chickens. Based on broiler's body weight, broilers were randomly allotted into two SD rates; control (26.5 kg/m2) or high (45.0 kg/m2). It appears evident that placing broilers at high SD as 45.0 kg/m2 had manifested noticeable impacts on their thermophysiological responses. This conclusion was demonstrated by the existence of results of the current study showed a major displacements in broilers' homeothermic status, high SD broilers experienced pronounced elevations of their body temperatures as well as head, body and shank surface temperatures over the control SD broilers. Additionally, this was further emphasized by the noticeable displacements of body internal, external and total thermal gradients as well as heat loss index of high SD broilers compared to the control broilers. Based on the presented evidences, short-term high SD markedly increased broilers stress and jeopardize their welfare. Measuring broilers' thermophysiological responses under different rates of SD can be adapted to assess their welfare. </p

Impacts of stocking density on the performance and welfare of broiler chickens

The current study was performed to investigate the influence of different stocking density rates on the performance, thermophysiological measurements as well as blood parameters of 0 to 30 d of age female Ross broiler. A total of 96 chicks were randomly distributed in a randomized complete block design among 12 cages. Three stocking density rates were applied; low (28.0 kg/m2), medium (37.0 kg/m2) and high (40.0 kg/m2). Results revealed that cumulative body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) were influenced (P&lt;0.01) by the rate of stocking density, while no effect (P&gt;0.05) were observed for broilers mortality-corrected feed conversion ratio (FCR). Higher BWG (P&lt;0.01) and FI (P&lt;0.05) were reported for low and medium density rates broilers in comparison to the high density rate broilers. Overall means of body temperature as well as head, neck, wing, body and shank surface temperatures have displayed (P&lt;0.05) higher values in medium and high density rates broilers compared to the low density rate broilers. Furthermore, increasing the stocking density from 28 to 40 kg/m2 induced a state of hemodilution in higher density rate broilers, which might explain the noticeable decrease in packed cell volume (PCV). Meanwhile, an increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was observed in the higher density group, which might indicate hepatocellular injures. It can be concluded that increasing the stocking density rate from 28 to 40 kg of BW/m2 had evident impingement effects on the performance of broiler chicken and could jeopardize their welfare

Correlation between clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in temporomandibular disorders

This study was carried out to determine the value of Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a diagnostic tool in patients with temporomandibular disorders. The clinical presentation and MRI findings on 88 temporomandibular joints belonging to 44 symptomatic patients were retrospectively studied. The disk position, configuration and signal intensity; mandibular condyle morphology and signal intensity; temporomandibular joint space and surrounding soft tissue abnormality were assessed. The correlation between the clinical and MRI findings was statistically analyzed using Fisher&apos;s exact (1-sided) test. Pain in the temporomandibular region was the most common clinical presentation, it accounts for 64% of cases. There was significant correlation between pain, and disc displacement with no reduction (DDWNR) and condylar hyperlaxity (p = 0.04, 0.03, respectively), as well as between clicking and each type of DD (p = 0.00). Statistically significant relationship was also found between tenderness, and DDWNR and presence of joint effusion (p = 0.02, 0.03, respectively) as well as between limitation of mouth opening and condylar marrow edema (p = 0.02). Causes of temporomandibular disorders can be well defined by clinical examination. However, MRI can be preserved for patients with pain in whom an initial medical conservative oral treatment failed in order to exclude other pathological process

Nutritional value of green seaweed (Ulva lactuca) for broiler chickens

The current work aimed to assess the potential of the green seaweed Ulva lactuca (U. lactuca) as an alternative ingredient in broiler chicken diets. The effect of substituting 1.0 or 3.0% of corn with U. lactuca on performance, carcass characteristics, serum constituents and nutrients retention of broilers from 12 to 33 d of age was evaluated. Three treatments were distributed in a RCBD design: T1 = control diet (0% U. lactuca); T2 = 1.0 % U. lactuca; T3 = 3.0 % U. lactuca. Cumulative feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and nutrients retention from 12 to 33 d of age were not affected by treatment (P&gt;0.05). Birds which had received T3 had a higher dressing percentage and breast muscle yield compared to those which had received T1 or T2. Serum total lipid, cholesterol and uric acid concentrations were significantly lower in birds which had received T2 and T3 (P&lt;0.05). Serum enzymes and electrolytes were not influenced by any dietary treatment except for alanine transaminase (ALT) which was significantly lower for the treated groups. Based on presented evidences, it is recommended to substitute 3.0% of corn with green seaweed (U. lactuca).</p

A comparative thermophysiological study between two purebred Saudi sheep under biometeorologically-simulated environment

Due to global warming, animal’s heat tolerance and adaptability characteristics to hot environmental conditions are attracting more research interest. The current experimental study was actually designed to evaluate and compare the heat tolerance efficiency of two purebred Saudi sheep when exposed to heat stress conditions under a biometeorologically-simulated environment similar to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) semi-arid environment. A total of 20 healthy male growing lambs of Najdi and Naimi breed with an initial body weight of 24.71 ± 4.65 Kg and 4 month-old were used in a 2-phases experiment. During the preliminary phase (lasted for 3 weeks), lambs were placed under a stable thermoneutral condition. Meanwhile, simulation of the external environment was performed using climatic-controlled chambers during the experimental phase (lasted for 8 weeks). Several meteorological [ambient temperature (Ta), relative humidity (RH) and temperature humidity index (THI)] and thermophysiological [rectal temperature (Tr), skin temperature (Tsk), respiratory rate (RR), heat tolerance coefficient (HTC), adaptability coefficient (AC), internal (BTGin), external (BTGex) and total (BTGto) body thermal gradients] measurements were recorded at weeks 0, 4 and 8. The obtained meteorological data showed that the prevailed conditions in the climatic chamber exhibited (P < 0.05) elevated values compared to the chambers with control or thermoneutral conditions, which indicated that all lambs had undergone a different level of surrounding conditions, which was our goal in the first place. Notably, the obtained findings of all variables showed irrespective to the breed the same trend as they all were affected (P < 0.05) at the 4th weeks and slowly returned to their steady values by the 8th weeks, especially body temperatures. Under such hot climatic condition, lambs showed as well some breed difference, where Naimi lambs kept in eliciting (P < 0.05) higher values of RR, AC, and BTGto as well as lower values of HTC compared to their Najdi associates. In conclusion, the outcomes might collectively enable us to initially recommend selecting Najdi breed over Naimi breed for herding under the hot environmental conditions of KSA. However, identification of genes responsible for acquiring heat tolerance ability of Najdi compared to Naimi is highly recommended in future studies