Assessment of urinary volatile compounds and proteins in the female goat Capra hircus: A pilot study to reveal potential indicators of oestrus

Urine samples of female goats in pro‐oestrus, oestrus and post‐oestrus phases were analysed for finding oestrus‐specific volatile compounds using gas chromatograph–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), and proteins using sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption–ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS). Fourteen urinary volatile were identified covering all three phases among which four compounds, 1‐Tetradecanol, n‐Pentadecanol, 3‐Methylene tridecane and 2‐Ethyl‐1‐dodecene, were unique to oestrus. Also, oestrus urine contained a 25 kDa protein, which was totally absent in pro‐oestrus urine, and less‐expressed in post‐oestrus urine. This protein revealed to be complement C3 fragment. This pilot study, for the first time, reveals the difference in urinary volatile compounds and proteins in the female goat during the different phases of oestrous cycle. The four unique volatile compounds and a 25 kDa protein that appeared as oestrus‐specific in this study warrant further investigation to consider them as urinary biomarkers of oestrus in goats.     

Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs: cardiopulmonary biomarker levels

Cardiopulmonary biomarkers are biological parameters that can be objectively measured and quantified as indicators of pathogenic processes (heartworm disease) or as indicators of response to therapeutic intervention. To determine levels of cardiopulmonary biomarkers in canine dirofilariasis, measurements of cardiac troponin T, cardiac troponin I, myoglobin, and D-dimer concentrations were performed for dogs with and without evidence of adult heartworm infection. The results showed that levels of cardiac troponin T were undetectable in all dogs studied while levels of cardiac troponin I were higher in dogs infected with Dirofilaria immitis. In healthy dogs, levels of myoglobin and D-dimer were below detection limits of the instrument and were significantly higher in heartworm-infected dogs, notably in microfilaremic dogs. The results suggest the possibility of using troponin I and myoglobin as markers for cardiac damage and the D-dimer as a supportive tool for a diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism in dogs with cardiopulmonary dirofilariasis.     

Review of hypocalcemia in septic patients

Objective: To review the occurrence and etiologies of hypocalcemia in septic human and veterinary patients. Data sources: A thorough search was conducted using CAB abstracts and MEDLINE and the keywords hypocalcemia, ionized calcium, sepsis, and procalcitonin (proCT). Human data synthesis: Ionized hypocalcemia (iHCa) is a common finding in septic human patients. The cause is unknown but is likely multifactorial. Low ionized calcium (iCa²⁺) concentrations coincide with increased severity of illness and increased mortality. Recent studies show that iHCa has a strong correlation with elevated calcitonin precursor concentrations. Veterinary data synthesis: There is a paucity of publications in the veterinary literature pertaining to iHCa in septic animals. Experimental models of sepsis indicate that iHCa exists in animals. iHCa has also been investigated in horses with enterocolitis and endotoxemia. Prospective studies are needed to determine the prevalence of iHCa among septic small animals, and to determine whether iHCa correlates with increased mortality and severity of disease. Indications for the treatment of iHCa in septic small animals also need to be investigated. Conclusions: iHCa is well documented in septic human patients, but little is known about iHCa in septic veterinary patients. Future veterinary studies should focus on documenting the presence of iHCa in septic patients and steps should be taken to determine the cause. proCT concentrations may show promise for predicting sepsis and mortality in critically ill veterinary patients.     

Linseed oil in boar's diet improved in vivo fertility and antioxidant status

The reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are produced during storage of boar semen are causing oxidative stress and leads to poor fertility. Also, tropical and sub-tropical weather condition adversely impacts the physicomorphological quality and fertility of boar sperm. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of feeding linseed oil to boar on its seminal attributes, sperm kinetics, biomarkers of antioxidant, fatty acid profile of seminal plasma (SP) and sperm and in vivo fertility. Six Hampshire crossbreed boars were fed with 90 ml linseed oil (LIN) whereas six Hampshire crossbreed boars were fed 90 ml canola oil (CON) for 16 weeks. Sperm quality was evaluated (60 ejaculates for each group; a total of 120 ejaculates) for motility, livability, abnormal morphology, acrosomal membrane integrity, hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) and sperm kinetic parameters by computer assisted semen analysis (CASA) at 0 h and at 72 h of storage at 17°C. Biomarkers of antioxidant (glutathione peroxidase; GPx, catalase; CAT, total antioxidant capacity; TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in SP and serum. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used for the estimation of fatty acid composition of SP and sperm. Boars fed with linseed oil had higher semen volume (p < .01) and more total sperm numbers (p < .01). Feeding linseed oil to boar enhanced seminal attributes (p < .05) at 0 h as well as at 72 h of storage. Linseed oil feeding (p < .01) improved biomarkers of antioxidants and significantly (p < .01) lowered the lipid peroxidation in serum and SP. Linseed oil feeding (p < .05) increased the proportion of alpha linolenic (ALA), arachidonic and docosahexaenoic (DHA) fatty acids in SP. The ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids in sperm increased significantly (p < .01) in treatment group. Farrowing rate was significantly (p < .05) higher in treatment group. In conclusion, feeding linseed oil to boar improved the in vivo fertility, enhanced antioxidant capacity and increased the DHA content of SP and sperm.     

生物标志物及其在环境中的应用

对作为污染物暴露的早期响应的生物标志物进行了简要介绍,综述了近年来重金属、有机磷农药以及PAHs和PCBs等有机污染物的生物标志物的最新研究结果,并探讨了生物标志物在环境中的应用,指出了生物标志物今后的应用和研究方向。     

Mercury accumulation and resistance to mercury stress in Rumex induratus and Marrubium vulgare grown in perlite

Plants of Rumex induratus and Marrubium vulgare, collected in the mining area of Almadén, were transferred to pots and grown for 2 months using perlite as substrate and treated with soluble mercury (Hg) in the applied nutrient solution. Mercury resistance, Hg bioaccumulation, and some stress biomarkers were investigated in both plant species. Mercury concentration increased in both plant species in response to Hg supply, but R. induratus was more effective in Hg accumulation. Rumex induratus and M. vulgare showed higher [Hg]_shoot‐to‐[Hg]_root ratios than other plant species. Mercury in the growth medium perlite was also investigated, distinguishing soluble, available, and total amounts of Hg in the medium. At the lower doses, one half of the applied Hg was retained by perlite. Rumex induratus decreased the available Hg fraction in perlite more than M. vulgare. The bioaccumulation factor ([Hg]_plant/[Hg]_available) was similar in both species and similar as found in previous field studies. Plant growth, water content, and chlorophyll concentration, and nutrient translocation were reduced in both plant species by the Hg. Rumex induratus showed higher resistance and Hg‐accumulation capacity than M. vulgare, due to the accumulation of thiols in roots and the absence of a lipid oxidative response.