Growth-related changes in the pulmonary function of goats

Growth-related changes in pulmonary function values were investigated in 20 healthy French Alpine goats, aged between 20 and 550 days, weighing 7–55 kg. Pulmonary ventilation, mechanics of breathing and arterial oxyten tension were measured using standardized techniques and methods adapted for goats of different body sizes. The Ppl values and the tI/tTOT ratio showed no significant changes with age and body size. The ventilation values (Vt, Ve, mVI and mVE) increased linearly with growth. There was a significant correlation of age and body weight with dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), total pulmonary resistance (RL), viscous work of breathing (Wvis tot) and minute viscous work (Wvis min) throughout the age range studied. Cdyn, Wvis tot and Wvis min increased and RL decreased with age and body weight. Arterial blood gases (PaO₂ and PaCO₂) did not show significant changes over the age range studied. Regression equations for each pulmonary function parameter are given with body weight as the independent variable. Data for the mechanics of breathing were compared with those elsewhere for cattle, horses, man and dogs.     

Aerosol therapy in the equine species

Inhalation therapy plays an increasing role in the management of equine respiratory disorders. Thisalternative to systematic treatment permits a high concentration of medication to act locally while minimizing side effects and residues. In human medicine, literature in this field is prolific and continuously renewed, whereas in veterinary medicine, applications of aerosol therapy are less extensive. This review considers the principles of action of the different types of devices used for inhalation, i.e., nebulization, metered-dose inhalation and dry powder inhalation, describes the technical and practical requirements for their use in the equine species and considers the advantages and disadvantages of each inhalation device. The pharmacological agents currently administered to horses by inhalation are also discussed. Perspectives of aerosol therapy in the equine species, including aerosols already used in human medicine and their potential applications for horses are described.     

Effect of exercise on the partitioning of equine respiratory resistance

Pleural, tracheal, pharyngeal and mask pressures as well as airflow and tidal volume of five ponies on a treadmill (incline 8.3 degrees) were recorded simultaneously while resting, walking, trotting slowly, trotting fast, after standing for 30 secs and 5 mins after the end of the exercise. The curves obtained were used to calculate total pulmonary resistance (RL), lower airway resistance (RLA) and upper airway resistance (RUA). The latter was also divided into nasal resistance (Rnas) and laryngeal plus extrathoracic tracheal resistance (Retr + lar). Furthermore, the inspiratory and expiratory components of each of these R values were estimated. Levels of RL, RLA and RUA were increased significantly during exercise but, during the recovery period, the values were significantly lower than those pre-exercise. RUA represented 82 per cent of RL at rest and this percentage did not change significantly during and after exercise. The nasal resistance to RUA ratio was always higher than 0.5. The fact that RL increased with exercise intensity was due to the increase of RUA during inspiration, and mainly a result of the increase of RLA during expiration. At fast trot, RLA represented 5 and 50 per cent of RL during inspiration and expiration respectively. It was concluded that heavy exercise induces in ponies an increase of RL, one reason for which could be the partial collapse of the extrathoracic and intrathoracic airways during inspiration and expiration respectively.     

The topographical distribution of the inhalation-to-perfusion ratio in double-muscled and Friesian calves

Five healthy Friesian calves and five double-muscled Belgian White and Blue calves were studied, using a 99m Technetium (99mTc) aerosol inhalation combined with a 99mTc macroaggregate injection and collimated scintillation counters. The inhalation-to-perfusion ratio (I/P) was calculated for both left and right sides of the thorax at four sites situated at three different levels in the auscultatory area on the same vertical axis and at a more anterior site just behind the scapulohumeral joint.I/P was higher in the left than in the right hemithorax. In both breeds, a vertical and a horizontal gradient were observed. I/P was higher in the lower and in the more cranial zones of the lungs. However the vertical gradient was more pronounced in Friesian calves while the horizontal one was greater in Belgian White and Blue animals.It was concluded that the factors affecting the topographical distribution of pulmonary ventilation and perfusion seem to be different in calves as compared to other species.     

Validation of the monofrequency forced oscillation technique for pulmonary function investigation in calves: an in vitro and in vivo study.

This study was to investigate whether the monofrequency forced oscillation (MFO) technique could be accurately used for pulmonary function testing in calves. The airflow resistance measured by this technique was compared to the resistance measured by the classical reference method by an in vitro study, using an artificial lung model, and by an in vivo study, using 11 healthy calves. The effect of the reference impedance of this oscillation equipment was also investigated. The results show linear relationships (r2 > 0.924, P < 0.001) in the resistance ranges 0 to 0.7 kPa litre-1 s and 0 to 1.0 kPa litre-1 s with a reference impedance of 1.0 kPa litre-1 s and 2.0 kPa litre-1 s, respectively. The MFO resistance values lower and higher than 0.4 kPa litre-1 s are slightly overestimated and underestimated, respectively. It was shown that, if some technical requirements are met, the MFO technique is a simple, reproducible, fast and accurate method which allows measurement of airflow resistance even in field conditions.     

Echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac morphologic and functional variables in double-muscled calves.

We studied, by means of echocardiography in vivo, the cardiac consequences of the double-muscled character selection in beef cattle. Morphologic and functional echocardiographic variables were regularly estimated in 17 Friesian and 8 Belgian White and Blue calves during their growth. A total of 50 and 44 sets of data were collected in each group, respectively. Recordings were obtained, using 2-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography, and included measurements in long- and short-axis views of the heart. Most of the diastolic measurements of the left ventricle were not significantly different between breeds when normalized for body weight. To the contrary, systolic measurements of left ventricular wall thickness and dimensions were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.001) lower and greater, respectively, in Belgian White and Blue calves than in Friesian calves. This was interpreted as a result of significantly (P less than or equal to 0.001) lower left ventricular systolic functional indices in Belgian White and Blue than in Friesian calves. Echocardiographic evidence that the double-muscled selection in cattle induces alteration in morphologic variables of left ventricle was not found. However, results indicate that indices of left ventricular systolic function are lower in double-muscled calves than in calves with standard conformation.     

The oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium in horses

Since "free radical research" started in 1954, understanding the role of oxidants and antioxidants in physiological and pathological conditions has increased continuously. Oxidants are essentially generated by metabolic enzymes, inflammatory cells and mitochondrial electron leakage; they are indispensable for the cellular redox regulation and may, under certain conditions, have a pro-inflammatory stimulatory role. Endogenous and exogenous antioxidants counterbalance the oxidative processes and so maintain the oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium. Excessive oxidant generation or antioxidant insufficiency can lead to oxidative stress. The aims of this review are: (1) to provide an insight into the concept of the oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium by briefly introducing the oxidant and the antioxidant systems; (2) to describe how the oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium or oxidative stress can be evaluated in horses, and (3) to summarise current knowledge about oxidative stress in equine medicine and equine exercise physiology.