Effects of Rapid Cooling Prior to Freezing on the Quality of Canine Cryopreserved Spermatozoa

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of rapid cooling prior to freezing on frozen-thawed canine sperm quality. In experiment 1, centrifuged ejaculates from 6 dogs were pooled, split into 4 aliquots and cryopreserved by the Uppsala procedure using different cooling rates (control, cooling speed 18 C/90 min and average cooling rate 0.2 C/min; rapid, cooling speed 18 C/8 min and average cooling rate 2.25 C/min) in combination with 2 glycerol addition protocols (fractionated or unfractionated). In experiment 2, centrifuged ejaculates from 4 dogs were processed individually using the same cooling rates described in experiment 1 in combination with an unfractionated glycerol addition protocol. Each of the experiments was replicated 5 times. Sperm quality was evaluated after 30 and 150 min of post-thawing incubation at 38 C. Total motility (TM), progressive motility (PM) and quality of movement parameters were assessed using a computerized system, and sperm viability (spermatozoa with intact plasma and acrosome membranes) was assessed using flow cytometry (H-42/PI/FITC-PNA). Values for TM, PM, viable spermatozoa and the quality of movement parameters after thawing were not significantly affected by the cooling rate. The interaction between the cooling rate and the added glycerol protocol was not significant. There were significant differences among the males (P<0.01) in the sperm quality parameters evaluated after thawing. The interaction between the males and the cooling rate was not significant. In conclusion, canine spermatozoa can be cryopreserved using the Uppsala method at an average cooling rate of 2.25 C/min prior to freezing together with addition of fractionated or unfractionated glycerol.     

Paraoxonase activity as a tool for clinical monitoring of dogs treated for canine leishmaniasis

This study was designed to determine if the activity of paraoxonase (PON1), an antioxidant enzyme that works as a negative acute phase reactant, is a better predictor for the clinical recovery of leishmaniotic dogs receiving standard treatments compared with inflammatory markers such as C reactive protein (CRP) and electrophoretic fractions. For this purpose we tested 20 healthy dogs (controls) and 39 leishmaniotic dogs classified as sick (group A, n = 23) or severely sick (group B, n = 16) and tested at admission and after 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days.At admission, CRP and electrophoresis were altered in both groups, while PON1 activity was abnormal only in group B. There were no differences related to the outcome (mortality, complications or time of recovery). PON1 activity normalized in about 2 weeks in dogs that had abnormal values at admission and a final positive outcome; CRP normalized in 4–6 weeks and electrophoretic fractions were still altered after 6 weeks. The results show that, at admission, inflammatory markers did not predict the outcome of leishmaniasis. PON1 activity decreased only in some dogs with systemic inflammation but not in those with mild leishmaniasis: when decreased, PON1 normalized earlier than other markers in dogs that responded to treatment. This finding most likely depends on the rapid decrease in oxidative phenomena. PON1 activity should therefore be tested on admission: if low values are recorded, severe inflammation may be suspected and PON1 measurement may be repeated during treatment to early identify responsive dogs.     

Is the metabolic syndrome a useful clinical concept in dogs? A review of the evidence

The metabolic syndrome is a set of risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and stroke in human beings. The term has recently been applied to dogs that exhibit components of the human metabolic syndrome, specifically visceral obesity, hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, hypertension and fasting hyperglycaemia. Obese dogs, like obese humans, are known to develop resistance to the glucose-lowering effects of insulin, and develop increased circulating concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol and blood pressure. Unlike humans, however, obese dogs do not develop fasting hyperglycaemia or atherogenic hyperlipidaemia. Importantly, there is no evidence that dogs develop type 2 diabetes. Atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and stroke are rare and not known to be associated with obesity in dogs. On the basis of current knowledge, the use of the term ‘metabolic syndrome’ in dogs does not appear to have merit.     

Effect of hypoxia on generation of neurospheres from adipose tissue-derived canine mesenchymal stromal cells

Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AT-MSCs) are good candidates for cell therapy due to the accessibility of fat tissue and the abundance of AT-MSCs therein. Neurospheres are free-floating spherical condensations of cells with neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC) characteristics that can be derived from AT-MSCs. The aims of this study were to examine the influence of oxygen (O₂) tension on generation of neurospheres from canine AT-MSCs (AT-cMSCs) and to develop a hypoxic cell culture system to enhance the survival and therapeutic benefit of generated neurospheres.AT-cMSCs were cultured under varying oxygen tensions (1%, 5% and 21%) in a neurosphere culture system. Neurosphere number and area were evaluated and NSPC markers were quantified using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Effects of oxygen on neurosphere expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1, α subunit (HIF1A) and its target genes, erythropoietin receptor (EPOR), chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), were quantified by qPCR. Neural differentiation potential was evaluated in 21% O₂ by cell morphology and qPCR.Neurospheres were successfully generated from AT-cMSCs at all O₂ tensions. Expression of nestin mRNA (NES) was significantly increased after neurosphere culture and was significantly higher in 1% O₂ compared to 5% and 21% O₂. Neurospheres cultured in 1% O₂ had significantly increased levels of VEGF and EPOR. There was a significant increase in CXCR4 expression in neurospheres generated at all O₂ tensions. Neurosphere culture under hypoxia had no negative effect on subsequent neural differentiation. This study suggests that generation of neurospheres under hypoxia could be beneficial when considering these cells for neurological cell therapies.     

Feasibility and repeatability of cold and mechanical quantitative sensory testing in normal dogs

Feasibility and inter-session repeatability of cold and mechanical quantitative sensory testing (QST) were assessed in 24 normal dogs. Cold thermal latencies were evaluated using a thermal probe (0 °C) applied to three pelvic limb sites. Mechanical thresholds were measured using an electronic von Frey anesthesiometer (EVF) and a blunt-probed pressure algometer (PA) applied to the dorsal aspect of the metatarsus. All QST trials were performed with dogs in lateral recumbency. Collection of cold QST data was easy (feasible) in 19/24 (79%) dogs. However, only 18.4%, 18.9% and 13.2% of cold QST trials elicited a response at the medial tibia, third digital pad and plantar metatarsal regions, respectively. Collection of mechanical QST data was easy (feasible) in 20/24 (83%) dogs for both EVF and PA.At consecutive sampling times, approximately 2 weeks apart, the average EVF sensory thresholds were 414 ± 186 g and 379 ± 166 g, respectively, and the average PA sensory thresholds were 1089 ± 414 g and 1028 ± 331 g, respectively. There was no significant difference in inter-session or inter-limb threshold values for either mechanical QST device. The cold QST protocol in this study was achievable, but did not provide consistently quantifiable results. Both mechanical QST devices tested provided repeatable, reliable sensory threshold measurements in normal, client-owned dogs. These findings contribute to the validation of the EVF and PA as tools to obtain repeated QST data over time in dogs to assess somatosensory processing changes.     

Two-dimensional cardiothoracic ratio for evaluation of cardiac size in German shepherd dogs

ObjectivesTo evaluate cardiac size in normal German shepherd dogs (GSD) using the two-dimensional cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) and to use this measure for diagnosing GSD with altered cardiac size.AnimalsOne hundred clinically normal GSD as well as 46 GSD with altered cardiac size (microcardia or cardiomegaly).MethodsThe CTR was computed as the percentage area of the cardiac silhouette relative to the area of the dog's thorax. Measurements were performed using a digital software program on lateral and ventro-dorsal radiographs at the points of peak inspiration and expiration. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the CTR for diagnosing cardiomegaly or microcardia.ResultsThe mean (±SD) CTR on lateral radiographs of normal dogs was 27.60% ± 1.10% and 30.13% ± 1.42% at the points of peak inspiration and expiration, respectively. For ventro-dorsal radiographs, mean CTR was 30.45% ± 1.39% at peak inspiration and 33.34% ± 1.46% at peak expiration. The cutoff value of the CTR for diagnosing microcardia on lateral radiographs was 22.98% (inspiration) and 25.06% (expiration), compared to 25.03% (inspiration) and 23.97% (expiration) on ventro-dorsal radiographs. Cutoff values for diagnosing cardiomegaly were 30.28% (inspiration) and 33.44% (expiration) on lateral radiographs and 36.80% (inspiration) and 37.99% (expiration) on ventro-dorsal radiographs.ConclusionsCTR may provide a clinically useful tool for evaluating cardiac size in dogs.     

Septic pericarditis and myocardial abscess in an English Springer spaniel

Septic pericarditis and myocardial abscess are rare conditions in dogs. They are usually caused by foreign bodies, penetrating wounds, systemic infections or extension of local infections such as endocarditis, pleuritis or pulmonary infections to the myocardial tissue. Here we report a septic pericardial effusion and myocardial abscess in a young English Springer spaniel presenting with a long history of pyrexia and lethargy. No cause could clearly be identified although a penetrating injury or dissolving foreign body was highly suspected. The patient was successfully treated with a surgical approach in combination with broad spectrum antibacterials resulting in resolution of clinical signs without recurrence of the infection.     

犬细小病毒YBYJ株的分离鉴定及VP2基因的序列分析

[目的]为分离犬细小病毒（CPV）.[方法]采集疑似CPV感染病死犬的组织病料,用胎猫肾细胞（F81）进行病毒分离,并对分离的病毒进行回归动物试验、间接免疫荧光（IFA）及VP2基因PCR扩增鉴定.[结果]经盲传3代后FS1出现明显细胞病变（CPE）,分离病毒可导致2～3月龄犬出现典型犬细小病毒病（CP）的临床症状和特征性病理变化,通过IFA观察到特异性的绿色荧光,PCR扩增到VP2基因全长为1 755 bp,编码584个氨基酸.它与国内外具有代表性的18株CPVVP2基因的核苷酸同源性为98.0％ ～ 99.8％,氨基酸同源性为96.1％ ～99.8％.[结论]用F81细胞成功分离到1株强毒CPV,命名为YBYJ株.     

冷温血停搏液心肌保护效应血清CK—MB,CTn—T的变化研究

为探讨血停搏液不同灌注对心肌保护效应，２８只低温体外循环犬，按停搏液灌注方式随机分为四组：Ａ组为冷晶组，Ｂ组为冷血组，Ｃ组为温血组，Ｄ组为冷温血组。     

犬腺病毒纤突蛋白基因功能区的比较分析

根据GenBank中已发表的CAV纤突基因序列，设计合成4对8条引物，用已建立的PCR方法，对犬2型腺病毒沈阳分离株第5代强毒经蚀斑克隆驯化的第60代毒弱毒（SY-V60）和犬1型腺病毒长春犬株（CCC-V6）的纤突基因进行了扩增，PCR产物经纯化后进行基因序列测定，测定结果经拼接后得到一个由1632和1629个核苷酸组成的纤突蛋白全基因序列，分别编码543和542个氨基酸。犬2型腺病毒（SY-V60）与犬1型腺病毒（CCC-V6）的纤突基因的同源性达到80.48%。犬2型腺病毒（SY-V60）与犬1型腺病毒（CCC-V6）纤突基因的同源性达到80.48%；根据犬的腺病毒与人2型腺病毒纤突蛋白的序列同源性比较结果，推测了犬腺病毒纤突蛋白的尾（tail)、轴（shaft)，结（knob)三个功能区的氨基酸序列，2个型之间的尾区同源性为76.9%；轴区同源性为78.59%；其结区同源性为83.24%，而同型毒株之间结和尾区同源性较高，轴区同源性较低。