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Tal S, Shilo-Benjamini Y. Anesthesia, pain management and surgical approach of ovariectomy or orchiectomy in six Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus): A case report. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1121526. [PMID: 36992976 PMCID: PMC10040664 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1121526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this report is to describe the anesthetic and analgesic management and the surgical procedures of gonadectomy in six (four females and two males) healthy adult Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus). Bats were anesthetized with a combination of alfaxalone, midazolam, and morphine administered subcutaneously. Incisional line infiltration using bupivacaine was administered in all bats, and additional bilateral intratesticular injection was administered in the males. Ovariectomy was performed via a dorsal approach, by bilateral midline skin incisions at the paralumbar fossa level. Orchiectomy was performed via a ventral approach, by bilateral midline incisions of scrotal skin above the testes. Following surgery, all bats were administered flumazenil for midazolam reversal, and meloxicam for postoperative analgesia, subcutaneously. All bats recovered from anesthesia uneventfully. Bats were monitored for complications up to 10 days following surgery, when skin sutures were removed. No morbidities or mortalities occurred during this period in any of the bats. In conclusion, ventral approach orchiectomy and dorsal approach ovariectomy using the injectable combination alfaxalone-midazolam-morphine in conjunction with local anesthesia and meloxicam are feasible procedures in Egyptian fruit bats and can be performed with relative ease. However, further studies using these techniques in a larger group of bats should be performed to establish their safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smadar Tal
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Animal Sciences, Tel-Hai College, Qiryat Shemona, Israel
- *Correspondence: Smadar Tal
| | - Yael Shilo-Benjamini
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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Omer DB, Las L, Ulanovsky N. Contextual and pure time coding for self and other in the hippocampus. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:285-294. [PMID: 36585486 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01226-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Navigation and episodic memory depend critically on representing temporal sequences. Hippocampal 'time cells' form temporal sequences, but it is unknown whether they represent context-dependent experience or time per se. Here we report on time cells in bat hippocampal area CA1, which, surprisingly, formed two distinct populations. One population of time cells generated different temporal sequences when the bat hung at different locations, thus conjunctively encoding spatial context and time-'contextual time cells'. A second population exhibited similar preferred times across different spatial contexts, thus purely encoding elapsed time. When examining neural responses after the landing moment of another bat, in a social imitation task, we found time cells that encoded temporal sequences aligned to the other's landing. We propose that these diverse time codes may support the perception of interval timing, episodic memory and temporal coordination between self and others.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Omer
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
- Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Liora Las
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nachum Ulanovsky
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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Comparison of two injectable anaesthetic protocols in Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) undergoing gonadectomy. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15962. [PMID: 36153361 PMCID: PMC9509369 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20408-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Egyptian fruit bats have gained increasing interest being a natural reservoir for emerging zoonotic viruses. Anaesthesia is often required to allow safe handling of bats. We aimed to compare the sedative and cardiopulmonary effects of two balanced anaesthetic protocols in bats undergoing gonadectomy. Group DK (n = 10) received intramuscular dexmedetomidine (40 µg/kg) and ketamine (7 mg/kg), whereas group DBM (n = 10) received intramuscular dexmedetomidine (40 µg/kg), butorphanol (0.3 mg/kg) and midazolam (0.3 mg/kg). Induction time and cardiopulmonary parameters were recorded. If anaesthetic plan was inadequate, isoflurane was titrated-to-effect. At the end of surgery venous blood gas analysis was performed and atipamezole or atipamezole-flumazenil was administered for timed and scored recovery. In DBM group heart rate and peripheral oxygen saturation were significantly higher (p = 0.001; p = 0.003 respectively), while respiratory rate was significantly lower (p = 0.001). All bats required isoflurane supplementation with no significant differences between groups. Induction and recovery times showed no significant differences. In group DK a better recovery was scored (p = 0.034). Sodium and chloride were significantly higher in DBM group (p = 0.001; p = 0.002 respectively). Both anaesthetic protocols were comparable and can be recommended for minor procedures in bats.
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Aguilar-Setién A, Aréchiga-Ceballos N, Balsamo GA, Behrman AJ, Frank HK, Fujimoto GR, Gilman Duane E, Hudson TW, Jones SM, Ochoa Carrera LA, Powell GL, Smith CA, Triantis Van Sickle J, Vleck SE. Biosafety Practices When Working with Bats: A Guide to Field Research Considerations. APPLIED BIOSAFETY 2022; 27:169-190. [PMID: 36196095 PMCID: PMC9526472 DOI: 10.1089/apb.2022.0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Field work with bats is an important contribution to many areas of research in environmental biology and ecology, as well as microbiology. Work with bats poses hazards such as bites and scratches, and the potential for exposure to infectious pathogens such as rabies virus. It also exposes researchers to many other potential hazards inherent to field work, such as environmental conditions, delayed emergency responses, or challenging work conditions. Methods: This article discusses the considerations for a thorough risk assessment process around field work with bats, pre- and post-occupational health considerations, and delves into specific considerations for areas related to biosafety concerns—training, personal protective equipment, safety consideration in field methods, decontamination, and waste. It also touches on related legal and ethical issues that sit outside the realm of biosafety, but which must be addressed during the planning process. Discussion: Although the focal point of this article is bat field work located in northern and central America, the principles and practices discussed here are applicable to bat work elsewhere, as well as to field work with other animal species, and should promote careful considerations of how to safely conduct field work to protect both researchers and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Aguilar-Setién
- Coordinación de Investigación Médica, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Nidia Aréchiga-Ceballos
- Laboratorio de Rabia, Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos, Secretaría de Salud, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gary A Balsamo
- Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Amy J Behrman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hannah K Frank
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Gary R Fujimoto
- Occupational and Internal Medicine Consultant, Los Altos, California, USA
| | | | - Thomas Warner Hudson
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Shelley M Jones
- Department of Environmental Health and Safety, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Luis A Ochoa Carrera
- Office of Environmental Health and Safety, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Gregory L Powell
- Department of Environmental Health and Safety, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Carrie A Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Susan E Vleck
- Department of Environmental Health and Safety, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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Sarel A, Palgi S, Blum D, Aljadeff J, Las L, Ulanovsky N. Natural switches in behaviour rapidly modulate hippocampal coding. Nature 2022; 609:119-127. [PMID: 36002570 PMCID: PMC9433324 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05112-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Throughout their daily lives, animals and humans often switch between different behaviours. However, neuroscience research typically studies the brain while the animal is performing one behavioural task at a time, and little is known about how brain circuits represent switches between different behaviours. Here we tested this question using an ethological setting: two bats flew together in a long 135 m tunnel, and switched between navigation when flying alone (solo) and collision avoidance as they flew past each other (cross-over). Bats increased their echolocation click rate before each cross-over, indicating attention to the other bat1–9. Hippocampal CA1 neurons represented the bat’s own position when flying alone (place coding10–14). Notably, during cross-overs, neurons switched rapidly to jointly represent the interbat distance by self-position. This neuronal switch was very fast—as fast as 100 ms—which could be revealed owing to the very rapid natural behavioural switch. The neuronal switch correlated with the attention signal, as indexed by echolocation. Interestingly, the different place fields of the same neuron often exhibited very different tuning to interbat distance, creating a complex non-separable coding of position by distance. Theoretical analysis showed that this complex representation yields more efficient coding. Overall, our results suggest that during dynamic natural behaviour, hippocampal neurons can rapidly switch their core computation to represent the relevant behavioural variables, supporting behavioural flexibility. During rapid behavioural switches in flying bats, hippocampal neurons can rapidly switch their core computation to represent the relevant behavioural variables, supporting behavioural flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayelet Sarel
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shaked Palgi
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Dan Blum
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Johnatan Aljadeff
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.,Department of Neurobiology, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Liora Las
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Nachum Ulanovsky
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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Eliav T, Maimon SR, Aljadeff J, Tsodyks M, Ginosar G, Las L, Ulanovsky N. Multiscale representation of very large environments in the hippocampus of flying bats. Science 2021; 372:372/6545/eabg4020. [PMID: 34045327 DOI: 10.1126/science.abg4020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hippocampal place cells encode the animal's location. Place cells were traditionally studied in small environments, and nothing is known about large ethologically relevant spatial scales. We wirelessly recorded from hippocampal dorsal CA1 neurons of wild-born bats flying in a long tunnel (200 meters). The size of place fields ranged from 0.6 to 32 meters. Individual place cells exhibited multiple fields and a multiscale representation: Place fields of the same neuron differed up to 20-fold in size. This multiscale coding was observed from the first day of exposure to the environment, and also in laboratory-born bats that never experienced large environments. Theoretical decoding analysis showed that the multiscale code allows representation of very large environments with much higher precision than that of other codes. Together, by increasing the spatial scale, we discovered a neural code that is radically different from classical place codes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamir Eliav
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Shir R Maimon
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Johnatan Aljadeff
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.,Section of Neurobiology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Misha Tsodyks
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.,The Simons Center for Systems Biology, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - Gily Ginosar
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Liora Las
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Nachum Ulanovsky
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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Evaluation of alfaxalone and midazolam with or without flumazenil reversal in Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus). Vet Anaesth Analg 2020; 48:239-246. [PMID: 33451926 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaa.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate alfaxalone-midazolam anesthesia in Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) and the effect of flumazenil administration on recovery time and quality. STUDY DESIGN Randomized, blinded, crossover and controlled, experimental trial. ANIMALS A total of 10 male Egyptian fruit bats. METHODS Bats were anesthetized with alfaxalone (15 mg kg-1) and midazolam (2 mg kg-1) administered subcutaneously. During anesthesia, vital signs, muscle tone and reflexes were monitored every 10 minutes. Flumazenil (0.3 mg kg-1) or saline at an equal volume was administered subcutaneously 60 minutes after anesthetic administration. Time to induction, time to first movement and recovery time (flying) were measured. Quality of induction, anesthesia and recovery were assessed on a 1-3 scale (1, poor; 2, good; 3, excellent). RESULTS Time to induction was 4.2 ± 1.9 minutes (mean ± standard deviation), with median quality score of 2 (range, 1-3). Anesthesia quality score was 3 (1-3). During anesthesia, heart rate and respiratory frequency decreased significantly and penis relaxation, indicating muscle tone, increased significantly. Administration of flumazenil significantly reduced mean recovery time compared with saline (10 ± 5 versus 45 ± 17 minutes, respectively), and significantly improved the quality of recovery [2.5 (2-3) versus 1 (1-2), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Alfaxalone-midazolam anesthesia resulted in good induction, muscle relaxation and sufficient anesthesia to perform routine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for approximately 40 minutes. Reversal of midazolam with flumazenil is recommended, resulting in quicker and better recovery.
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Moretti P, Ravasio G, Magnone W, Di Cesare F, Paltrinieri S, Pecile A, Giordano A. Haematological, serum biochemical and electrophoretic data on healthy captive Egyptian fruit bats ( Rousettus aegyptiacus). Lab Anim 2020; 55:158-169. [PMID: 32838610 DOI: 10.1177/0023677220948542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Bats play a key role as reservoir hosts of many emerging viral diseases with zoonotic potential. However, little is known about the laboratory reference intervals (RIs) of bats, especially Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus). The aim of this study was to obtain haematological, biochemical and electrophoretic RIs from captive fruit bats. Blood was collected from 21 R. aegyptiacus (11 females and 10 males). Complete blood cell count was performed using an impedance cell counter followed by the morphologic analysis of blood smears. Clinical biochemistry was performed with an automated spectrophotometer and agarose gel electrophoresis was carried out with an automated instrument. Reference intervals were determined using the Reference Value Advisor V2.1, following the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology guidelines. Possible differences related to sex or sexual maturity were also investigated. The RIs for most of the analytes investigated were similar to those of other types of bats and other mammalian species. Haematology revealed mild polychromasia and slightly lower haematocrit, haemoglobin, leukocyte and lymphocyte counts compared to other bats. Glucose levels varied possibly due to stress, the anaesthetic protocol and fasting time. Creatine kinase was higher, while triglycerides were lower compared with domestic mammals and other bats. No sex- or age-related differences were found. Serum protein electrophoresis showed five fractions (albumin, α-, β1-, β2- and γ-globulins). The values recorded in this study could be helpful as a reference biological dataset to monitor the health status of wild and captive R. aegyptiacus and, possibly, of other Chiroptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierangelo Moretti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy.,Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Giuliano Ravasio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy.,Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, Italy
| | | | - Federica Di Cesare
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Saverio Paltrinieri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy.,Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pecile
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy.,Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Giordano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy.,Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, Italy
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