Online: ISSN 2784 – 0360 | ISSN – L 2784 – 0360 | Print: ISSN 2784 – 0379 ISSN-L 2784 – 0360

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Drugociu Dan

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Embryo Transfer Activities in Europe

Sep 20, 2023 |

Ștefan Gregore Ciornei, Dan Drugociu, Florin Nechifor, Petru Roșca

ABSTRACT. This review highlights to what extent the embryo transfer (ET) activity in Europe was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ET represents a procedure of modern reproductive biotechnologies that is increasingly applied in farms animals. Commercial ET is applied to cattle and, albeit to a lesser extent, to other species. For this study, official data reported by each country to the European (AETE) and international (IETS) forums, regarding ET activities, were accessed. Each country has an official rapporteur, but the procedures are not mandatory. The reported data included the total number of ET sessions, the type of embryos obtained in vivo derived (IVD) or in vitro produced (IVP), the collection rate of oocytes and embryos and transferable embryos produced both in cattle and other species. For comparison, the data of two similar pre-pandemic (2017 and 2018) and pandemic (2019 and 2020) periods were analysed. The pandemic period (2019) started with a record decrease in all categories of ET, most likely because of less reports by veterinaries since reporting took place in May 2020, already pandemic time Europe, indicating a false negative decrease in Europe, the total ET activities reported decreased by 31.59%. In 2019, the in vivo ET procedures in cattle decreased by 26,421 sessions compared to 2018 (approximately 20%). Surprisingly, during the pandemic, in vivo ET in equines increased by almost 40%.

Keywords: covid; embryo transfer; IVD; IVP; pandemic.

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Cervical Oesophagotomy in a Cat for Foreign Body Removal – Case Report

Jun 23, 2021 |

Alexandra Neamțu, Liviu Burtan, Dan Gheorghe Drugociu

ABSTRACT. Oesophageal foreign bodies are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in small animals, especially in carnivores. Due to the possibility of complications such as perforation or tracheal compression, the patient may present an upper airway obstruction, which might become a medical emergency. Here, we describe a rare case of a large cervical foreign object in a cat and review the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of this condition. A 4-year-old female cat was referred to our clinic with signs of dyspnoea, dysphagia and regurgitation. The history and clinical exam suggested an oesophageal foreign body, subsequently radiographically confirmed. Because its shape and position did not allow endoscopic extraction, the foreign body was removed via ventral cervical oesophagostomy. Due to its location and large size, it was necessary to fragment the foreign body into two pieces for complete extraction without injuring the oesophageal walls. The patient had no postoperative complications and was discharged 7 days after surgery. In this condition, an early diagnosis, followed by an immediate surgical repair and a rigorous postoperative care, correlates with patient recovery and survival, being crucial in reducing the high morbidity and mortality rates that are usually associated.

Keywords: foreign body; oesophagus; cat; dyspnoea; dysphagia.

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© by the authors; licensee Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment, Iasi, Romania. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)