Nose work with military working dogs (MWDs) in warmer-than-usual areas has led us to look for new tools to reduce both heat stress and the risk of heat stroke. One of the different strategies to manage heat stress is the use of cooling vests, such as those used in humans. The aim was to assess three cooling conditions (using two different cooling vests during exercise and the non-use of such garments) by measuring core body temperature, systemic blood pressure and pulse rate before and after the exercise (moment: four measurement times) in military dogs of the I Military Police Battalion (in Valencia, Spain). All dogs were evaluated under all three conditions during the three days of the study. Significant differences were observed between condition, moment, and the interaction of these two factors, in relation to core body temperature and pulse rate. Therefore, the use of an evaporative cooling vest may further be useful as a routine thermal control and conditioning measure in MWDs.

Antecedentes y objetivos: El semen criopreservado ofrece beneficios adicionales no presentes en el semen refrigerado. Sin embargo, varios factores afectan al éxito en la inseminación artificial con semen congelado de caballos. El objetivo del trabajo es evaluar si la adición de plasma seminal a diferentes concentraciones, sobre espermatozoides equinos descongelados, afecta a la motilidad espermática, viabilidad y a nivel de membrana. Material y métodos: Se utilizaron diferentes razas, cuatro sementales de silla, y dos sementales de tiro. En un primer experimento el semen descongelado se centrifugó, mientras en el segundo no se centrifugó. A continuación, se adicionó el plasma seminal al 10, 20, 30% suspendido en solución tampón fosfato y plasma seminal puro (100%). Resultados: En los caballos de silla el plasma seminal no afectó a los parámetros estudiados (p>0,05), pero se apreció un posible efecto tóxico del plasma seminal puro sobre las características espermáticas. En las muestras con plasma seminal de los caballos de tiro, se observaron unos índices mejores en espermatozoides vivos con acrosoma intacto que en las muestras control. Asimismo se obtuvo un porcentaje menor en espermatozoides reaccionados que en las muestras control, encontrando en esta categoría una diferencia significativa (p<0,05). Conclusiones: La incubación de los espermatozoides descongelados con plasma seminal puede frenar la reacción acrosómica, reflejado este hecho, en los bajos porcentajes de espermatozoides que han sufrido la verdadera reacción acrosómica.

Background/Objectives: A healthy diet in early childhood has been shown to be one of the essential mainstays for the development of children. Few studies have been conducted on preschool canteens, despite the fact that they play a crucial role. Our study aimed to assess the dietary and nutritional quality of the menus served in Spanish Defense Ministry preschool education centers (1–3 years old) and to ascertain their compliance with dietary and nutritional recommendations. We also evaluated the influence of the canteen management model. Methods: Our cross-sectional observational study was carried out on the 448 menus offered in the 25 centers (operating under two management models: direct and contracted) of the Spanish Ministry of Defense during a school year all across the Spanish territory. Results: Under the contracted management model, the frequency of rice was low, as well as that of salads, eggs, fish, and fruit. The rotation within the fish group did not comply with recommendations, showing a shortage of oily fish. The menus’ energy values were correct, but the energy profile in the contracted management menus was higher than recommended in protein and fat while being lower in carbohydrates. The lipid profile was adequate. Values were high in cholesterol, simple sugars, fiber, vitamin K, selenium, potassium, and sodium; they were deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, iodine, and zinc. Conclusions: These results could help to establish special references or limits for the Spanish preschool population.