Collection of equine cord blood and placental tissues in 40 Thoroughbred mares

Reasons for performing study: Stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue (UCT) and umbilical cord blood (UCB) in human subjects and horses can be obtained in a minimally invasive fashion with successful propagation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Currently there are no detailed protocols documenting a procedure to harvest UCB and UCT safely for equine stem cell propagation. Hypothesis: UCB and UCT could be collected without harm to mare or foal. Objectives: To develop a standard and safe method for UCB and UCT collection, and prospectively to compare foal and mare health between groups of animals where tissue was and was not collected. Methods: This study was conducted at a Thoroughbred breeding facility in central California in 2008. UCB and UCT were collected from 40 mare and foal pairs. Clinical parameters including time for foal to stand and nurse, time for mare to pass the placenta, and foal haematology data at age 24 h were documented and compared to a control group, consisting of the succeeding 40 mare and foal pairs. Results: UCB was obtained successfully from 36 of 40 (90%) mares and UCT from 38 of 40 (95%) mares. Bacterial contamination was documented in 6 out of 36 (16.6%) UCB samples. There were no significant differences in time to stand or nurse for foals or time to pass the placenta for mares, between the experimental and control groups. There were no clinically relevant differences identified in haematological data obtained from foals with and without UCB collection. Conclusions: UCB and UCT can be harvested safely without harm to mares or foals. Potential relevance: UCB and UCT samples collected in an inherently contaminated environment can be successfully disinfected and transported with minimal bacterial overgrowth for use in cell culture to isolate MSCs.     

Clients’ perceptions of delivery of veterinary services in peri-urban Ghana

A study was designed aimed at comparing the assessment of performance of animal health care delivery systems in peri-urban Ghana by livestock and poultry keepers in 4 locations. 889 respondents were interviewed using a questionnaire. A higher proportion of respondents in Location 1 met their needs for animal health by themselves, while in Location 3 these needs were met mainly by veterinarians. The mean distances to veterinary clinics, veterinary technicians or to purchase medicine were significantly higher in Location 1. Higher proportions in 3 locations perceived effectiveness of service delivery to be good. However, equity was poor in all 4 locations. Higher proportions in Locations 2, 3 and 4 said services were unaffordable. Client needs were perceived to have been met by higher proportions in Locations 3 and 4 but not in Locations 1 and 2. Staff attitude and technical competence were good in all 4 locations. The study concluded that the differences reported in the quality of service indicators in the 4 locations were not critical enough to recommend location-specific delivery systems.     

"抗暑一号"对热应激小鼠部分血液生理生化指标的影响

为探讨中药复方制剂"抗暑一号"对热应激小鼠部分血液生理生化指标的影响,将50只昆明小鼠随机分成5组,每组10只,其中1组至3组为热应激中药低、中、高剂量治疗组,4组为阳性对照组,5组为阴性对照组。各组按常规饲养,其中1组至4组模拟夏季高温天气,在生化培养箱内复制热应激病理模型。1组至3组分别灌服1∶1的"抗暑一号"煎剂0.2、0.40、.6 mL,4组和5组分别灌服生理盐水0.4 mL,各组连续灌胃1周。各组于末次灌药后的24 h,摘除眼球采血分离血清检测相关生化指标。结果表明,阳性对照组中的K+、Cl-、GOT、GPT浓度较阴性对照组显著升高(P<0.01),而Na+、TP、ALB、AKP浓度较阴性对照组显著降低(P<0.01)。3个剂量均能不同程度改善热应激小鼠的血液生理生化指标异常,与阳性对照组相比,差异均极显著(P<0.01),其中Na+、K+、TP、GPT浓度已回升至正常水平(与阴性对照组相比,P>0.05)。     

甘肃马鹿血液蛋白多态性及其与产茸量关系的研究

采用垂直板聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳技术,分析了66头甘肃马鹿的8个血液蛋白位点的基因频率、基因型频率和群体遗传变异指标,建立了产茸量与多态位点之间的线性相关模型.结果表明:甘肃马鹿各蛋白位点中,Tf、Hb、Alb、Pa、Prt1、Prt2、血清ES分别有3、1、1、2、2、2和3种基因型.未检测到红细胞ES;Tf和Prt2的基因型频率偏离Hardy-Wein-berg平衡;Tf的变异程度最大(杂合度为0.586 3),杂合度的大小顺序为Tf>Prt2>ES>Pa>Prt1>Hb=Alb.群体的平均杂合度为0.350 5;各多态住点中仅有Prt1与产茸量之间存在显著正相关(P<0.05),而且Prt1的AA型产茸量明显高于其他各位点基因型.由此可见,Prt1位点的AA型可用来标记甘肃马鹿的品种特征.     

Concentrations of ionized and total magnesium and calcium in healthy horses: effects of age, pregnancy, lactation, pH and sample type

Magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) are the main divalent cations in the body. The free ionized fraction is the physiologically active form of both Mg and Ca. As ion-selective-electrode (ISE) analyzers are becoming widely used in veterinary practice it will be useful to establish reference intervals for horses. In the present study, reference intervals were established for ionized, total and the ratio of the ionized to total Mg and Ca concentrations in four horse groups: adults, neonatal foals, and pregnant and lactating mares, as well as in three sample types, whole blood, plasma and serum, using an ISE-analyzer. Sample pH effect was assessed.Concentration differences in both total and ionized cations were recorded for some measures between horse groups and different sample types. The most significant differences were recorded between neonatal foals and other groups. These results demonstrate the need to use specific reference intervals for horses of different physiologic status and in specific sample types.     

Evaluation of indirect blood pressure monitoring in awake and anesthetized red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis): effects of cuff size, cuff placement, and monitoring equipment

ObjectiveTo compare Doppler and oscillometric methods of indirect arterial blood pressure (IBP) with direct arterial measurements in anesthetized and awake red-tailed hawks.Study designProspective, randomized, blinded study.AnimalsSix, sex unknown, adult red-tailed hawks.MethodsBirds were anesthetized and IBP measurements were obtained by oscillometry (IBP-O) and Doppler (IBP-D) on the pectoral and pelvic limbs using three cuffs of different width based on limb circumference: cuff 1 (20–30% of circumference), cuff 2 (30–40%), and cuff 3 (40–50%). Direct arterial pressure measurements were obtained from the contralateral superficial ulnar artery. Indirect blood pressure measurements were compared to direct systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during normotension and induced states of hypotension and hypertension. Measurements were also obtained in awake, restrained birds. Three-way anova, linear regression and Bland–Altman analyses were used to evaluate the IBP-D data. Results are reported as mean bias (95% confidence intervals).ResultsThe IBP-O monitor reported errors during 54% of the measurements. Indirect blood pressure Doppler measurements were most accurate with cuff 3 and were comparable to MAP with a bias of 2 (?9, 13 mmHg). However, this cuff consistently underestimated SAP with a bias of 33 (19, 48 mmHg). Variability in the readings within and among birds was high. There was no significant difference between sites of cuff placement. Awake birds had SAP, MAP and diastolic arterial pressure that were 56, 43, and 38 mmHg higher than anesthetized birds.Conclusions and clinical relevanceIndirect blood pressure (oscillometric) measurements were unreliable in red-tailed hawks. Indirect blood pressure (Doppler) measurements were closer to MAP measurements than SAP measurements. There was slightly better agreement with the use of cuff 3 on either the pectoral or pelvic limbs. Awake, restrained birds have significantly higher arterial pressures than those under sevoflurane anesthesia.     

Effect of lidocaine on the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane in dogs

Objective  To investigate the effects of a low-dose constant rate infusion (LCRI; 50 μg kg⁻¹ minute⁻¹) and high-dose CRI (HCRI; 200 μg kg⁻¹ minute⁻¹) lidocaine on arterial blood pressure and on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane (Sevo), in dogs.
Study design  Prospective, randomized experimental design.
Animals  Eight healthy adult spayed female dogs, weighing 16.0 ± 2.1 kg.
Methods  Each dog was anesthetized with sevoflurane in oxygen and mechanically ventilated, on three separate occasions 7 days apart. Following a 40-minute equilibration period, a 0.1-mL kg⁻¹ saline loading dose or lidocaine (2 mg kg⁻¹ intravenously) was administered over 3 minutes, followed by saline CRI or lidocaine LCRI or HCRI. The sevoflurane MAC was determined using a tail clamp. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure and plasma concentration of lidocaine were measured. All values are expressed as mean ± SD.
Results  The MAC of Sevo was 2.30 ± 0.19%. The LCRI reduced MAC by 15% to 1.95 ± 0.23% and HCRI by 37% to 1.45 ± 0.21%. Diastolic and mean pressure increased with HCRI. Lidocaine plasma concentration was 0.84 ± 0.18 for LCRI and 1.89 ± 0.37 μg mL⁻¹ for HCRI. Seventy-five percent of HCRI dogs vomited during recovery.
Conclusion and clinical relevance  Lidocaine infusions dose dependently decreased the MAC of Sevo, did not induce clinically significant changes in HR or arterial blood pressure, but vomiting was common during recovery in HCRI.     

新疆焉耆马血液生理指标的测定

运用美国雅培公司生产的CD1200型全自动血液分析仪,对21匹健康新疆焉耆马进行红细胞、白细胞、血小板等15项指标的测定.目前我国关于马血液指标的报道很少,对新疆焉耆地区的马血液指标未见有相关的报道,其测定结果可供兽医临床参考.     

鲤鱼冻血细胞培养及染色体制备条件优化研究

鱼类染色体制备方法中,外周血淋巴细胞培养法远远优于PHA体内注射法,使用冻血省力省功。由于外周血培养需要一定的条件和技术,该文就鲤鱼血液保存方法、细胞培养温度、秋水仙素处理浓度及滴加时间、低渗温度、固定处理次数等条件进行分析,得到较好的鲤鱼全血细胞培养及染色体标本制备方法,可为鲤鱼分子细胞遗传的后续研究奠定基础。