Using a GnRH agonist to obtain an index of testosterone secretory capacity in the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) and sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)

Objective   Validation of a stimulation test for determining the steroidogenic capacity of the parrot testis. The major aim was to characterise testosterone secretion after injection of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), then use the test to investigate seasonal reproduction in the male cockatiel.
Procedure   A synthetic GnRHa (buserelin; 8.0 µg of peptide/kg bodyweight) was injected IM into male cockatiels (n = 7) and sulphur-crested cockatoos (n = 3) and serial blood samples collected at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after administration. Once validated, the technique was subsequently used to examine seasonal changes (23 months) in the testosterone profile of a captive cockatiel population.
Results   Injection of buserelin resulted in a significant increase in the testosterone concentration of cockatiel plasma, with maximal concentrations occurring at approximately 60 (1.33 ± 0.08 ng/mL) to 90 min (1.22 ± 0.08 ng/mL) after injection. Although no clear pattern of seasonal variation in testosterone secretion was detected in cockatiel plasma, samples taken 60 and 90 min after administration showed a significant increase in all seasons. Injection of buserelin in the sulphur-crested cockatoo also resulted in increased testosterone secretion, with maximal concentrations obtained after 90 min.
Conclusion   Buserelin can be used to obtain a reliable index of the prevailing testosterone capacity of the cockatiel and cockatoo testis. With further studies, this test may be incorporated into clinical assessment of reproductive status.     

THE EFFECT OF DEXMEDETOMIDINE ON RADIOGRAPHIC CARDIAC SILHOUETTE SIZE IN HEALTHY CATS

Dexmedetomidine, an alpha₂‐adrenergic agonist, may be used in companion animals for chemical restraint, including cardiac evaluation. Echocardiographic changes associated with alpha₂‐adrenergic agonists have been described; however reports of radiographic changes in cats were not found at the time of this study. Aims of this observational, prospective, experimental study were to describe the effects of dexmedetomidine on the radiographic appearance of the cardiac silhouette in healthy, adult cats. Fourteen healthy adult cats received dexmedetomidine 40 mcg/kg IM. Right lateral, left lateral, ventrodorsal, and dorsoventral thoracic radiographs were obtained for each cat at three time points: presedation, intrasedation, and postsedation (≥ two hours after reversal with atipamezole). Radiographs were evaluated in a blinded, randomized fashion by two independent observers using the vertebral heart score on all four views, the number of intercostal spaces on lateral projections, and the percent width of thorax on ventrodorsal and dorsoventral projections. Median vertebral heart score on right lateral view was significantly increased intrasedation (median = 7.8; range = 7.25–8.25) compared to presedation (median = 7.5; range = 7–8 [P = 0.001]). Median percentage width was significantly higher intrasedation (70% on VD; range 65–80 [P = 0.001], and 75% on DV; range 65–80 [P = 0.006]) compared to presedation (65%; range 65–75 on both projections). Dexmedetomidine was associated with a small but significant increase in cardiac silhouette size on right lateral (vertebral heart score), ventrodorsal (percentage width), and dorsoventral (percentage width) radiographs in healthy adult cats. This effect should be taken into consideration for future interpretation of thoracic radiographs in dexmedetomidine‐sedated cats.     

在麦秸日粮条件下添喂β-受体激动剂对绵羊采食量与消化的影响

将8只新疆美利奴羯羊喂以麦草占88 %的粗饲料日粮 ,并在试验期喂给β-受体激动剂。结果表明 ,添喂 β-受体激动剂可使动物的干物质采食量由每只羊(713.8±107.1)g/d增加到(1028.0±152.6)g/d(P<0.05) ,并且使有机物、粗纤维和粗蛋白的消化率( %)分别由48.1±2.2、49.0±2.2和56.9±2.6提高到56.5±9.0(P<0.05)、60.1±8.5(P<0.01)和68.5±5.6(P<0.001)。不过 ,β-受体激动剂提高绵羊采食量、消化率特别是纤维素消化率的作用机理需进一步研究。     

模式识别受体及其相关分子佐剂研究进展

综述了模式识别受体（Pattern recognition receptors,PRRs）及其相关分子佐剂的研究进展。PRRs是一类表达于固有免疫细胞并可识别病原体相关分子模式的识别分子。PRRs主要包括Toll样受体、NOD样受体、RIG—I样受体、清道夫受体、甘露糖受体和髓系细胞触发受体等。与PRRs直接相关的分子佐剂主要包括TLR激动剂、NLR激动剂、RIG—I和MDA5激动剂及CD40和肿瘤坏死因子受体超家族（TNFRSF）激动剂等。     

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous medetomidine in the horse

ObjectiveTo describe the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics following an intravenous (IV) bolus dose of medetomidine in the horse.Study designProspective experimental trial.AnimalsEight, mature healthy horses age 11.7 ± 4.6 (mean ± SD) years, weighing 557 ± 54 kg.MethodsMedetomidine (10 μg kg^?1) was administered IV. Blood was sampled at fixed time points from before drug administration to 48 hours post administration. Behavioral, physiological and biochemical data were obtained at predetermined time points from 0 minutes to 24 hours post administration. An algometer was also used to measure threshold responses to noxious stimuli. Medetomidine concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and used for calculation of pharmacokinetic parameters using noncompartmental and compartmental analysis.ResultsPharmacokinetic analysis estimated that medetomidine peaked (8.86 ± 3.87 ng mL^?1) at 6.4 ± 2.7 minutes following administration and was last detected at 165 ± 77 minutes post administration. Medetomidine had a clearance of 39.6 ± 14.6 mL kg^?1 minute^?1 and a volume of distribution of 1854 ± 565 mL kg^?1. The elimination half-life was 29.1 ± 12.5 minutes. Glucose concentration reached a maximum of 176 ± 46 mg dL^?1 approximately 1 hour post administration. Decreased heart rate, respiratory rate, borborygmi, packed cell volume, and total protein concentration were observed following administration. Horses lowered their heads from 107 ± 12 to 20 ± 10 cm within 10 minutes of drug administration and gradually returned to normal. Horse mobility decreased after drug administration. An increased mechanical threshold was present from 10 to 45 minutes and horses were less responsive to sound.Conclusion and clinical relevance Behavioral and physiological effects following intravenous administration positively correlate with pharmacokinetic profiles from plasma medetomidine concentrations. Glucose concentration gradually transiently increased following medetomidine administration. The analgesic effect of the drug appeared to have a very short duration.     

Effect of medetomidine-butorphanol and dexmedetomidine-butorphanol combinations on intraocular pressure in healthy dogs

ObjectiveTo assess the effects of intravenous (IV) medetomidine-butorphanol and IV dexmedetomidine-butorphanol on intraocular pressure (IOP).Study designProspective, randomized, blinded clinical study.AnimalsForty healthy dogs. Mean ± SD body mass 37.6 ± 6.6 kg and age 1.9 ± 1.3 years.MethodsDogs were allocated randomly to receive an IV combination of dexmedetomidine, 0.3 mg m^?2, combined with butorphanol, 6 mg m^?2, (group DEX) or medetomidine 0.3 mg m^?2, combined with butorphanol 6 mg m^?2, (group MED). IOP and pulse (PR) and respiratory (f_R) rates were measured prior to (baseline) and at 10 (T10), 20 (T20), 30 (T30) and 40 (T40) minutes after drug administration. Oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SpO₂) was monitored following sedation. Data were analyzed by anova followed by Dunnett's tests for multiple comparisons. Changes were considered significant when p < 0.05.ResultsFollowing drug administration, PR and f_R were decreased significantly at all time points but did not differ significantly between groups. Baseline IOP in mmHg was 14 ± 2 for DEX and 13 ± 2 for MED. With both treatments, at T10, IOP increased significantly (p < 0.001), reaching 20 ± 3 and 17 ± 2 for DEX and MED respectively. This value for DEX was significantly higher than for MED. There were no significant differences in IOP values between groups at any other time points. At T30 and T40, IOP in both groups was below baseline (DEX, 12 ± 2 and 11 ± 2: MED 12 ± 2 and 11 ± 2) and this was statistically significant, for DEX.Conclusions and clinical relevanceAt the documented doses, both sedative combinations induced a transient increase and subsequent decrease of IOP relative to baseline, which must be taken into consideration when planning sedation of animals in which marked changes in IOP would be undesirable.