vol. 13 núm. 26-27 (2017)

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, produced by a spirochete bacterium (Leptospira spp) that has more than 200 serovars, which produces kidney damage. The objective of the study was to determine the serological prevalence of Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae in female canines in the Municipality of Lejanías, Meta-Colombia. Methodology: With a descriptive and association approach, 100 female dogs from the rural area and the urban area of ​​the municipality of Lejanías, Meta-Colombia, were studied. They were taken for a sterilization campaign carried out in November 2017. Previous semiological examination of the individuals was carried out. He took a blood sample for serological study using the microscopic agglutination (MAT) technique for Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae. Results: A seroprevalence of 1 % positivity to L. icterohaemorrhagiae at the 1/200 dilution was evidenced. No association was found between the age factor or rural or urban origin. However, with the chi square technique, an association was found with the factors of temperature and color of mucous membranes (pale, icteric, cyanotic, hyperemic or pink). Conclusions: This seropositivity value suggests a possible low circulation and presence of the agent Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae in the study area. However, other investigations that take into account the variables studied could contribute to explain the possible reasons for these relatively low values ​​when compared with the available results.

Introduction: Animal use in biomedical investigations and in reactive production requires that these are kept under standardized conditions, following strict international regulations, guarantying: reliable, reproducible and comparable results. THE INHRR Laboratory animal center, had faults in its infrastructure, equipment that had ended their useful life, with a deficient maintenance and faulty reposition that caused high levels of ammonium producing bad odor, worsen by the level of humidity surpassing 70 %. Theme: In 2016 it was decided to execute a plan for its remodeling: “Plan de Desarrollo de la Planta Física” of 1200 m2, with the purpose of adapt the installations to optimal conditions, improve the sanitary conditions, and optimize the process and flows guarantying the quality,  quantity and management of the animals used as biological substrates. Development: From the study and evaluation of possible alternatives the edification was modified in its infrastructure, terminations, service redistribution, incorporation of new cutting-edge equipment such as ventilation systems, and biosecurity, meeting COVENIN and ISO 9001:2015 standards. Conclusions: The infrastructure and the sanitary barriers which were created or modified allow a unidirectional flow for the access of clean areas and the separation of this areas with the cleaning room in this way guarantying more security in the nucleus of the foundation, in accordance with international norms for the production of laboratory animals. In this way the Laboratory Animal Center changed from a classification of microbiologic conventional animals, to: Convectional Controlled by Sanitary Barriers.

Introduction: The increasing importance of sheep farming in Colombia, its national inventory, the production in tons of meat/year and the increase in per capita consumption, demand interventions to improve the reproductive indicators of the species, with support among others of the use of reproductive biotechnologies. For this reason, it is pertinent to identify the factors that hinder Artificial Insemination (AI) in sheep, in order to intervene on them and contribute to the improvement of their reproductive indicators and the welfare of the producers. Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted to identify the main factors reported, which make pregnancy difficult through artificial insemination in sheep. For the selection of articles, its open access nature was taken into account, and research products related to morphometric parameters, AI techniques that cross the cervix (IAV, IAC, IATC) and laparoscopic AI, forms of conservation were consulted of semen (fresh, refrigerated and frozen-thawed) and estrus synchronization protocols, which include fertility, pregnancy or delivery rates within their results. We excluded articles written in languages ​​other than Spanish, Portuguese and English, species other than sheep, as well as results that did not incorporate synchronization protocols, the presentation of semen, and the type of AI technique used, fertility rates, pregnancy or lambing. Results: Forty-four articles were selected, which met the inclusion criteria, of which 15 were related to morphometric parameters, forms of the cervical os and its correlation with age, and 29 were related to AI techniques, the type of semen conservation, synchronization protocols and their correlation with fertility, pregnancy and lambing rates. Conclusions: This work made it possible to clarify that the main factors that hinder AI pregnancy in sheep are the age of the animals, the morphometric parameters of the cervix, the type of AI technique and the presentation of the semen.

Introduction: To identify endo and ectoparasites in equids slaughtered at the Villa Rosa slaughter house in Piedecuesta, Santander, between October and December 2015. Metodology: For ecto and hemoparasites studies, 83 equids were employed, and 75 for gastrointestinal parasites. Ectoparasites were collected directly from the skin and hemoparasites by blood culture, Woo, wet preparations, stained smears and Knott Technique. Gastrointestinal parasites were studied by Mc Master and Sedimentation-Flotation techniques, as well as feces cultivation and helminthological necropsy. Results: Anocentor nitens ticks were found on 31,32 % of the equids and 8,43 % had mixed infestation with Amblyomma cajennense s.l.. The louse Haematopinus asini was collected from one animal. Except for the presence of Setaria equina microfilariae, in 7,2 % of the samples, no hemoparasites were detected with the parasitological methods employed. “Strongylid type” eggs were found in 88% of the samples, Dictyocaulus sp. in 6,6 %; Parascaris sp. in 5,3 %; Oxyuris sp. in 5,3 %; Strongyloides sp. in 1,33 % and Anoplocephala sp. in 9.3%.  Culturing of feces yielded only 12 L3 larvae of the Cyathostominae or “Small Strongyles” group and one of Trichostrongylus axei. Helminthological necropsies recovered adults of Habronema megastoma, Setaria equina, Oxyuris equi, Strongylus spp., Triodontophorus, Cyathostominae and Anoplocephala perfoliata. Conclusions: Parasitisms by ticks, large and small strongyles and tapeworms are common in horses slaughtered in Piedecuesta, Santander. Serologic and molecular tests are recommended to detect hemoparasites in future studies.

Introduction: the Enterobacteriaceae family is the largest and most heterogeneous group of gram-negative bacilli, many of them of public health importance, associated among others with the consumption of fresh eggs, even those with intact and clean skin. Methodology: 200 eggs were obtained by sampling at 10 commercial outlets in the city of Valledupar, Cesar (Colombia), of which the shell and yolks were studied using a pre-enrichment protocol, selective enrichment and, therefore, a selective medium. differential to determine the presence of enterobacteria. Results: the presence of enterobacteria in the shell and yolks was determined in 31% of the eggs, as well as 15.5% with contamination with other microorganisms. The presence of the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus was also proven. Conclusions: the results demonstrate the presence of pathogenic agents in eggs marketed in the studied area, and the consequent need to intervene to protect consumers’ health. It is recommended that public health agents take action to intervene and conduct research in order to find out about potential health risks, as well as document cases associated with the consumption of these eggs.

Introduction: Using probiotics is a practice that tries to improve the productive performance the health of the animals. The aim of the study was to know the effect of the consumption of fermented milk with Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus casei on the development of goat kids during artificial rearing and to compare it with the consumption of fresh non-fermented milk. Materials and methods: thirty-eight kids were randomly assigned in two experimental groups, fresh milk (FrM, n = 20) or fermented milk (FeM, n = 18) obtained with a culture of Bifidobacterium and L. casei. Weaning was at 56 days of age and having tripled the weight at birth. The daily milk consumption, the average daily weight gain (ADG), the number of days required to triple the birth weight and the incidence and duration of diarrhea were determined. Results: Daily consumption (1668±73 vs 1603±67, mL), ADG (190±7 vs 194±6, g), the time to triple the weight at birth, and the incidence of diarrhea (55 vs 60 %) was not different between groups (p>0,05, FeM and FrM respectively). Ninety-one percent of the diarrheas lasted longer than 4 days in the FrM group, and 50 % in the FeM group (p=0,06). Conclusions: It is concluded that under the conditions of the study, the consumption of milk fermented with Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus casei, did not affect body development of kids during the artificial rearing, however, diarrheas were of less duration.

Introduction: some animal species are used as experimental models in clinical and surgical practice and in university spaces for teaching animal and comparative anatomy. As a collaboration with these exercises, this research enriches the knowledge of the external morphology of the swine uterus and its vascular irrigation. Methodology: this cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out with 60 swine uteri. The uterine arteries and veins, previously repaired with silk at the level of the uterine cervix, were perfused with semi-synthetic resin (palatal 85% and styrene 15%) colored with red and mineral blue, respectively. For the anatomical study of the organ, a general description of uterine irrigation was performed. External measures of the ovaries and uterus were taken to characterize them. Results: the average length of the ovaries was 23.07 +/- 3.93 mm to the right and 23.02 +/- 4.45 mm to the left. The right ovarian artery had a caliber and a length of 1.7 +/- 0.31 mm and 36.2 +/- 24.1 mm; while on the left a gauge and length of 1.6 +/- 0.5 mm and 35.6 +/- 16.5 mm was observed. The uterine tubes had a length of 140.3 +/- 29.3 mm on the right side and 135.9 +/- 29.2 mm on the left side. Conclusions: it was found that the morphometric values found in this research were, in general, lower than those described in previous studies, probably because the measures described by other authors have been carried out in multiparous females. This consideration invites further studies that include females with such parity characteristics, in order to know and specify whether the factor is associated with the variations in the reported measures. It is worth mentioning that the morphometry of the genital system has an increasing importance in medical research.