Correlated responses on growth traits after two-stage selection for ovulation rate and litter size in rabbits

Rabbit commercial maternal lines are usually selected for litter size (LS) and paternal lines for growth rate (GR). Line OR_LS was selected by ovulation rate (OR) and LS to improve LS more efficiently. In this study, growth traits of line OR_LS were evaluated by estimating the correlated response on weaning weight (WW), slaughter weight (SW) and GR during fattening period as well as their variability (DWW, DSW and DGR, respectively). Data were analyzed using Bayesian inference methods. Heritability estimates were low for growth traits (0.09, 0.13 and 0.14 for WW, SW and GR, respectively) and negligible for growth traits variability (0.01, 0.004 and 0.01 for DWW, DSW and DGR, respectively). Moderate common litter effect ratio (c2; 0.35, 0.28 and 0.27) and low maternal effect ratio (m2; 0.11, 0.05 and 0.01) were obtained for WW, SW and GR, respectively. Both c2 and m2 were lower at slaughter than at weaning. In addition, low common litter effect and negligible maternal effect were observed for growth traits variability. Genetic correlations between LS and both growth traits and their variability were close to zero. Positive genetic correlations were observed between OR and growth traits (0.19, 0.38 and 0.36 for WW, SW and GR, respectively) as well as between OR and growth traits variability (0.35, 0.62 and 0.20 for DWW, DSW and DGR, respectively). Positive correlated responses in both periods were obtained for growth traits, WW, SW and GR (0.037, 0.156 and 0.110 kg, respectively). The correlated response found in growth traits might be due to the positive genetic correlations between OR and these traits. However, selection for OR and LS using independent culling levels did not modify the growth traits variability. Therefore, no negative consequences on growth traits can be expected in current commercial maternal lines.

Abstract P3-09-10: Withdrawn

This abstract was withdrawn by the authors.

[Evidence on the prevention of cancer]

Cancer is one of the main health problems. It includes a set of diseases with multi-causal origins. The tumours with the greatest impact on the health of men are lung, prostate and colorectal cancers, while for women they are breast and colorectal tumours. The best strategies for preventing cancer are ones based on primary prevention and early diagnosis. It is estimated that about to 80-90% of cancers are preventable. As regards primary prevention, there is considerable evidence to suggest that not smoking, regular physical exercise and a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, along with the control of some environmental and occupational risk factors can reduce the incidence of cancer. The early diagnosis of breast, colorectal and cervical cancer is recommended for some groups of the population in a context of organised programs with adequate quality guarantees.

Investigation of the oviductal glycoprotein 1 (OVGP1) gene associated with embryo survival and development in the rabbit

An association study was performed in rabbits between early embryo survival and development, and the nonconservative SNP 12944C>G located in exon 11 and the triallellic microsatellite [(GT)(15)T(G)(5), (GT)(14)T(G)(5), and (GT)(11)T(G)(7))] located in the promoter region of the oviductal glycoprotein 1 (OVGP1) gene. We analyzed an F(2) cross of 2 lines of rabbits divergently selected for uterine capacity. A total of 172 and 159 females were slaughtered at 48 and 72 h of gestation, respectively, to determine whether OVGP1 influences ovulation rate, fertilization rate, early embryo survival, and embryonic stage of development. The results of the SNP indicated that all genotypes showed similar early embryo survival and a similar embryonic stage of development at 48 h of gestation. However, at 72 h of gestation, the GG genotype showed greater early embryo survival than the CC genotype (0.56 embryos) and their embryos presented less embryonic development. Analysis of the microsatellite was performed to ascertain the presence or absence of the allele (GT)(14)T(G)(5). At both stages of gestation, the (GT)(14)T(G)(5)/(GT)(14)T(G)(5) genotype showed greater early embryo survival (0.94 and 1.54 embryos at 48 and 72 h of gestation, respectively) and less embryonic development than the homozygous genotypes without the allele (GT)(14)T(G)(5).

Early embryonic survival and embryo development in two lines of rabbits divergently selected for uterine capacity

The aim of this work is to study early embryo survival and development in 2 lines divergently selected for high and low uterine capacity throughout 10 generations. A total of 162 female rabbits from the high line and 133 from the low line were slaughtered at 25, 48, or 62 h of gestation. There were no differences in ovulation rate and fertilization rate between lines in any of the 3 stages of gestation. Embryo survival, estimated as the number of normal embryos recovered at a constant ovulation rate, was similar in both lines at 25 and 48 h. Embryo survival was greater in the high line [D (posterior mean of the difference between the high and low lines) = 0.57 embryos] at 62 h of gestation. There was no difference in embryonic stage of development at 25 h, but at 48 and 62 h of gestation, the high line, compared with the low line, had a greater percentage of early morulae (83 vs. 72%) and compacted morulae (55 vs. 38%). Divergent selection for uterine capacity appeared to modify embryo development, at least from 48 h of gestation, and embryo survival from 62 h.

[Intersectorial activities for traffic accident prevention]

We describe priority issues and some of the results obtained from the implementation of the Prevention and Reduction of Traffic Accident Injuries program in a health area. Since 1999 the public health center has made a priority of identifying and recruiting partners from other sectors (the local police association and the local education authority), increasing its capacity for working together, and setting up an intersectorial working group. Teaching activities and meetings were held. A network of people was created from 17 of a total of 39 town halls that participate in activities supported by the intersectorial group. Ten are involved in educational activities and a further seven focus on ensuring compliance with the law. The intersectorial group promoted their visibility through the local media. These activities are not aimed at reducing injuries from road traffic accidents, but rather at creating an action framework through which all the sectors involved can be mobilized. The aim is to strengthen commitment among political, technical and civil sectors by focussing on social values of respect for a healthier life.

A new report of mesomelic camptomelia, polydactyly and Dandy-Walker complex in siblings

Two male siblings with several malformations are reported. The anomalies detected in both fetuses were mesomelic camptomelia, postaxial hexadactyly and Dandy-Walker complex. There was only one similar previous report in the literature. This combination could represent a specific pattern of malformation or a new syndrome, with different variants. The parents' consanguinity and the recurrence in a subsequent pregnancy suggest an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern.

Does the liberalisation of abortion laws increase the number of abortions? The case study of Spain

BACKGROUND

Over the course of the 1980s a public debate on abortion took place in Spain culminating in a more permissive social climate and, in 1985, the partial decriminalisation of abortion. Before this, women were forced to abort illegally or abroad in countries which had decriminalised abortions. The aim of this study is to present jointly the evolution of abortions in Spanish women in England and Wales between 1974 and 1995, The Netherlands between 1980 and 1995 and Spain since the start of the register in 1987 through to 1995 and to compare trends both before and after the law in Spain.

METHODS

Incidence rates were calculated in each of the countries studied and the slopes of the curves for 1974-1984 and 1987-1995 were compared. Data were obtained from reports published by the offices of abortion surveillance in England and Wales, The Netherlands and Spain.

RESULTS

The rates increased constantly throughout the study period. From 1974 to 1985, a total of 204,736 Spanish women aborted in England and Wales and The Netherlands. After the law was passed, 34,895 Spanish women had abortions in those countries over the period 1986-1995. During 1987-1995, 340,214 Spanish women terminated their pregnancies in Spain. The regression coefficients before and after the passing of the law were beta = 0.3538 (0.307-0.400) and beta = 0.319 (0.243-0.394) respectively; no difference was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

During the study period a significant proportion of reproductive-aged Spanish women had abortions in England and Wales and The Netherlands. Decriminalisation has had no observed effect on the trends in abortion, but rather it has benefited Spanish women by making abortion available locally and, therefore, reducing the inequalities implied by lack of access to proper health care services. These data demonstrate the impact of the liberalisation of abortion on the trends of procedures performed in other countries.

[Hypertension in the elderly and health global results with different pharmacological therapies]

OBJECTIVES

To describe the benefits of treatment for hypertension in the elderly, the most efficient drugs, those most widely used in clinical practice to reduce morbi-mortality taken from the literature.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

PARTICIPANTS

Review study in Medline and the Cochrane Collaboration database. The antihypertensive pharmacological treatment is described (diuretics high and low dosage, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitor, and beta-blockers) administered to elderly people and their outcomes in morbi-mortality.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Reduction in coronary and cerebral morbidity and general, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality.

RESULTS

There is evidence to suggest that treatment for hypertension is helpful in the elderly, although efficiency is doubtful in patients over 80 years old. For persons aged over 65 general mortality is RR = 0.84 (0.75-0.94) and coronary morbidity RR = 0.80 (0.70-0.92). For persons aged over 80 general mortality is RR = 1 (0.86-1.17) and cardiovascular mortality is RR = 0.94 (0.75-1.18). Not all pharmacological groups produce the same results in mortality and morbidity. Diuretics (low dosage) offer better results than the remaining treatments reducing cardiovascular mortality as well cerebrovascular morbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with drugs in hypertense elderly people is beneficial in terms of mortality and morbidity. Treatment with low dose diuretics, with or without potassium savers, is the elective treatment for hypertension in elderly patients.

[The importance of the gender perspective in health interview surveys]

The identification and measurement of the population health needs should be the first step in health planning. In order to guarantee equity criteria, to know the situation of the whole population, and therefore also that of women, is a key issue. Health interview surveys are a good tool for pinpointing the needs of the population, but mainly they are usually focused on health risk factors that explain men's health status such as health behaviours and paid job. These factors often fail to capture aspects that are relevant for women's health, such as household work. The main objective of this paper is to emphasise the importance of a gender perspective in the design and analysis of health interview surveys, and to propose variables that should be included in health surveys in order to better know gender health inequalities. Likewise, this article deals with the gender concept and its importance as a health inequality factor. Gender is an analytical construct based on the social organisation of the sexes that can be used to better understand the conditions and factors influencing women's and men's health beginning by the social roles that each culture and society assigns to people based on their sex. Health is a complex process determined by a wide range of factors: biological, social, environmental and health services related factors. Gender, because of its close relation to all of them, plays a key role. The gender approach is characterised by the analysis of the social relation between men and women, taking into account that sex is a determinant of social inequalities. This paper presents the variables that health interview surveys should include from a gender approach point of view: reproductive work, productive work, social class, social support, self-perceived health status, quality of life, mental health and chronic conditions. In addition, issues related to the wording of questions, data collection and analysis are discussed.

[Prevention of thromboembolic disease in patients with heart disease]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the adequacy to thromboembolic disease prophylaxis protocol in patients with heart disease.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SUBJECTS

Patients older than 14 years affected of heart disease in a semi-urban health primary-care clinic with a population of 10,610 persons and 5582 clinical records.

METHODS

Data about age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, heart disease, prophylactic treatment and its adequacy to the protocol of the "thromboembolic disease commission" of the reference hospital were analysed.

RESULTS

Age 67 +/- 13 years (mean +/- SD). Cardiovascular risk factors: hypertension 40%, diabetes 33%, dyslipemia 15%, smoking 21%. Heart disease: ischemic cardiopathy 48%, atrial fibrillation 15%, valvulopathy 19%, dilated myocardiopathy 4% and other 14%. In 20% of cases had two different affections (80% with atrial fibrillation). Prophylactic therapy: 52% of patients were under prophylactic treatment (35% antiaggregation, 18% anticoagulation). Among antiaggregants, drugs used were acetylsalicylic acid 73.5%, triflusal 14.7%, dipyridamole, 8.8% and ticlopidine 3%. In 53% of people without prophylactic treatment antiaggregation criteria were present. 15% of patient under antiaggregation therapy did not meet antiaggregation criteria, and 6% fulfilled anticoagulation criteria. 67% treatments accorded the reference protocol, without significant differences between kind of heart disease or sex. The only statistically significant difference was found in age: 46% of patients older than 80 year were correctly treated, in front 75% adequacy in younger people.

CONCLUSION

Prophylactic antithrombotic therapy was according the reference protocol in 67% of cases. In older patients, with greater risk of thromboembolic disease, the adequacy is worse.

[Induced abortions among Spanish women in England and Wales (1974-1988)]

To assess the importance of travelling for abortion in Spanish women from 1974 to 1988, a descriptive epidemiologic study was undertaken, based on information from the United Kingdom Office for Population Censuses and Surveys. Additionally, the effect of the democratic restitution in Spain (1978) and of the passing of the Spanish abortion law in Spain is explored. During the study period, close to 200,000 Spanish women travelled to England and Wales to have an abortion. The annual figures range from 2,978 in 1974 to 22,002 in 1983. In 1988, in spite of the partial decriminalization of abortion in Spain, still 3,188 travelled to the UK for an abortion. In average, 1 out 35 Spanish women in fertile ages travelled to England and Wales for this reason in the study period. The likelihood was higher for the cohort of women born between 1955 and 1959, for which the risk was 4.5%. The proportional distribution by age shows that teenagers increased their relative importance from 9.3% in 1974 to 17% in 1988, suggesting less benefits for this age group than for older women from the democratization of the country and the abortion law.