Effects of two large doses of equine recombinant growth hormone on clinical, haematological and serum biochemical variables in adult horses

Objective To evaluate the clinical, haematological, and serum biochemical effects of two large doses of recombinant equine growth hormone.
Design Duplicated Latin square.
Sample population
Three Thoroughbred and three Standardbred mares aged between 12 and 17 years.
Procedure Two horses were randomly assigned into one of three groups. On each of three successive days, each horse pair received one of two dosages of growth hormone or a saline placebo so that by the end of the experiment all three horse pairs had received both dosages and the saline placebo. Dose rates selected were 50 μg/kg, and 100 μg/kg. A clinical examination was performed and a venous blood sample drawn for a complete blood count and serum biochemical analysis before administration of growth hormone and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 24 h after injection. Data were analysed by a repeated measures analysis of variance assessing the effects of dose and time.
Results There was an effect of time on a number of clinical, haematological, and serum biochemical variables. There were significant effects of growth hormone on heart rate and serum glucose concentration but values for both variables remained within the reference range.
Conclusion The results of the present study suggest that equine recombinant growth hormone has a wide margin of safety and show that the single administration of up to five times the recommended dose rate has no significant effects on clinical, haematological, or serum biochemical variables.     

Investigation of haematological and biochemical side effects of tilmicosin in healthy New Zealand rabbits

In this study, the effects of tilmicosin on some haematological and biochemical variables were investigated. Ten male New Zealand rabbits were used as material. The tilmicosin was injected (25 mg/kg body weight, subcutaneously as a single injection), and the rabbits were monitored for 4 days. No negative effects of tilmicosin on haematological and biochemical variables were observed, but it did cause a temporary decrease in red and white blood cell counts.     

Haematological and blood biochemical characteristics of Dutch warmblood foals managed under three different rearing conditions from birth to 5 months of age

Reference values for haematological and blood biochemical variables may vary per breed and are influenced by age and, to a certain extent, by rearing conditions. To investigate the influence of age and rearing conditions, these variables were measured in Dutch Warmblood foals from birth to 5 months of age. The foals were divided into three groups with different exercise regimens: 14 foals got boxrest with no exercise; 14 foals were kept in comparable boxes, but received daily exercise; and 15 foals were maintained on pasture with free exercise. Blood samples were collected each month and 36 haematological and biochemical variables were measured. The influence of age and rearing conditions was statistically evaluated. Significant age effects were found for all variables with the exception of band-shaped leucocytes, eosinophilic leucocytes, basophilic leucocytes, monocytes, platelets, pCO2, and sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, creatinine and creatine phosphokinase levels. Rearing conditions appeared to influence the haemoglobin, packed cell volume, pH, base excess, bicarbonate, chloride, urea, and alkaline phosphatase values. Most age-related differences can be explained by growth and differentiation-related processes that are specific for young animals. Differences due to the different rearing conditions can partly be explained by the higher metabolism and greater maturation of tissues in foals maintained on pasture with free exercise. Some other differences were minor and were probably of no clinical relevance. The conclusion is that haematological and blood biochemical variables in the Dutch Warmblood foal mainly depend on age, thus warranting the use of specific age-related reference values for foals of this breed.     

Toxicology Test and Safety Evaluation of Cefquinome Sulfate Liposomes

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of the cefquinome sulfate liposomes by using the acute toxicity test, local irritation test and chronic toxicity test. The results showed that the LD₅₀ of cefquinome sulfate liposomes was 639.73 mg/kg after intramuscular injection of its suspension and 95% confidence interval was 573.06 to 714.17 mg/kg. There was no significant stimulation to muscle. Subchronic toxicity test showed that the weight, haematological indexes and biochemical criterion of rabbits in variety dose had no significant difference compared with normal group (P>0.05). There was no visible pathological changes on the liver,kidney histology. According to pathological observation, the structure of liver and kidney were clear in treated and middle dose groups,but there existed disorganized hepatic cell cord in the liver and hemorrhag between glomerulopathy,tubulointerstitial and hepatic sinusoids in high dose group. All results proved that the cefquinome sulfate liposomes was safe and reliable based on the animal experiments.     

硫酸头孢喹肟脂质体的毒理学试验及安全性评价

采用急性毒性试验、局部刺激性试验和亚慢性毒性试验对硫酸头孢喹肟脂质体安全性进行评价,以期为临床用药提供参考。小鼠腹腔注射硫酸头孢喹肟脂质体半数致死量（LD₅₀）为639.73 mg/kg,95%可信限为573.06~714.17 mg/kg;该制剂对家兔股四头肌未见明显刺激作用;各给药剂量组家兔的体重、血液学指标、生化指标与对照组比较均无显著差异（P>0.05）;对肝脏和肾脏病理学观察表明,正常治疗剂量和中剂量组肝脏和肾脏组织结构清晰,但高剂量组出现肝细胞排列紊乱,肝血窦间出血,肾小球、肾间质有散在出血。以上结果表明硫酸头孢喹肟脂质体安全可靠,可应用于兽医临床。     

Effect of acetic acid consumption on clinical laboratory values in the dog

To investigate the influence of food enriched with acetic acid on the clinical, biochemical, electrolyte, blood gas, haematological and urinary variables in the dog, a cross-over study was carried out with periods of approximately 2 weeks involving six healthy, adult dogs. Another objective was to determine the maximum concentration of acetic acid that the dogs found to be palatable. The dogs were maintained on a commercial meat-based food with added acetic acid and/or glucose. The administered acetic acid was increased in stages. All dogs accepted the diet containing acetic acid at a level of 5% of metabolizable energy. Except for a decrease in plasma total protein, none of the variables were significantly affected by acetic acid consumption. Acetic acid feeding did not affect plasma acetate concentration and urinary acetate excretion, indicating that dogs efficiently metabolize ingested acetic acid.     

硫酸头孢喹肟子宫注入剂对泌乳期奶牛的安全性研究

为研究硫酸头孢喹肟子宫注入剂对泌乳期奶牛的安全性,试验选用24头泌乳期的健康中国荷斯坦奶牛,随机分为4组(每组6头),其中3个受试药物组(Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组)分别给奶牛子宫内注入不同剂量的硫酸头孢喹肟子宫注入剂,1个空白对照组(Ⅳ组),给奶牛子宫内注入一定剂量的灭菌生理盐水。给药2次,间隔72h。在给药第0天、末次给药日及停药第7天,观察记录试验奶牛的各项指标,包括体温(直肠温度)、脉搏、呼吸频率、血液生理和生化指标、精神状态等临床表现及日产奶量和乳汁体细胞数(SCC)等,并对其进行考查。结果表明,泌乳期奶牛按推荐方法使用受试药物硫酸头孢喹肟子宫注入剂较安全,临床可用于治疗泌乳期奶牛的子宫内膜炎。     

Effect of transportation on blood metabolites in broilers

1. Groups of 30 broilers from seven flocks were bled and weighed at the farm and a further sample of 10 broilers from each flock was transported from 8 to 16 km to the laboratory prior to bleeding and weighing. 2. One haematological and 11 biochemical analyses were made on each blood sample. 3. Although transportation did lead to significant differences in certain variables, the trends were consistent and sampling following transit is considered acceptable for clinical pathology studies.     

Investigation of biochemical and haematological side-effects of enrofloxacin in dogs

In the present study, effects of enrofloxacin on biochemical, haematological and blood gas parameters were investigated. Changes in laboratory parameters were monitored during the treatment period. Enrofloxacin was administered (5 mg/kg intramuscularly, once daily) to 10 healthy dogs for 14 days. Acidosis and temporary increases in aspartate aminotransferase, indirect bilirubin, sodium, partial pressure of CO2 and mean corpuscular volume levels as well as decreased levels of inorganic phosphorus, ionized calcium, potassium, partial pressure of O2 and standard bicarbonate were observed. The results of this study suggest that these observed effects of enrofloxacin on blood gas parameters should be taken into consideration in long-term use of the drug.     

Haematological, serum electrolyte and blood gas effects of small volume hypertonic saline in experimentally induced haemorrhagic shock

The effects of treatment with small volume hypertonic (2400 mOsm/litre) and isotonic (300 mOsm/litre) saline on serum electrolyte and biochemical concentrations, haemograms and blood gases were evaluated in 12 horses using a haemorrhagic shock model. Intravascular catheters were placed surgically for sample collection prior to anaesthesia. Controlled haemorrhage was initiated and continued until mean systemic pressure reached 50 to 60 mmHg. Hypertonic or isotonic saline (2 litres) was administered by intravenous infusion and data collected for 2 h. Following haemorrhage, packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin, blood glucose concentrations and erythrocyte numbers increased whereas plasma total protein and albumin concentrations decreased. Infusion of hypertonic saline resulted in a further decrease in total protein and albumin concentrations. Glucose concentrations and other haematological variables were unaffected. Isotonic saline administration did not affect electrolyte, total protein or albumin concentrations. Concentrations of sodium and chloride were unaffected by hypotension but increased significantly following hypertonic saline treatment, exceeding normal values during the immediate post treatment period. Serum osmolality increased concurrently. No significant changes in arterial and venous blood gas values were observed with haemorrhage or isotonic saline treatment. A transient decrease in arterial and venous blood pH and a sustained decrease in venous bicarbonate and base excess concentrations occurred following hypertonic saline administration. No significant increases in any serum biochemical concentrations occurred during hypotension or following infusion of either isotonic or hypertonic saline. These results demonstrate that small volume hypertonic saline can be administered safely to horses without producing extreme changes in electrolyte concentrations, blood gases or haematological parameters.     

Safety Study on Cefquinome Sulfate Intrauterine Infusion for Lactating Cows

The aim of this experiment was to study the safety of cefquinome sulfate intrauterine infusion for lactating cows.24 healthy lactating Chinese Holstein cows were randomly divided into four groups(6 cows in each group).Cows in groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ were respectively injected different doses of cefquinome sulfate intrauterine infusion in uterus, and cows in the blank control group(group Ⅳ) were injected the dose of sterilized saline water.The cows were injected with the tested drug in uterus for twice and the interval was 72 h.The indicators including body temperature(rectal temperature), pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood physiological and biochemical indexes, mental state, daily milk yield and somatic cell count(SCC) in milk were respectively observed and measured on the day of first administration, the day of final administration and the 7th day after final administration.The results showed that injecting lactating cows cefquinome sulfate intrauterine infusion to lactating cows as recommended dosage was safe.The drug could be used to treat endometritis of lactating cows in clinical practice.     

Tolerance of therapeutic doses of abamectin and doramectin in Istrian Pramenka sheep

Avermectin endectocides are very effective and safe veterinary drugs, when used at recommended doses. Adverse reactions are described in some species and breeds of animals. In this study, the effects of therapeutic doses of abamectin and doramectin on some haematological and biochemical parameters in Istrian Pramenka sheep are discussed. In the pilot trial, we compared selected haematological and blood biochemical parameters of an experimental sheep flock (40 sheep) with the reference values. Then, two groups of 12 sheep (and their suckling lambs) were chosen from the experimental sheep flock. Each group was subdivided into a control (six animals) and treated (six sheep and their six suckling lambs) groups. We compared haematological and biochemical parameters between control and treated group before subcutaneous administration of abamectin or doramectin (0.2 mg/kg b.w.) and on days 15 and 42 after treatment. In addition, animals were observed for neurological signs. We detected some significant differences (P < 0.05) in some haematological and biochemical parameters between control and treated animals, but none of them appeared to be of clinical importance. No neurological symptoms were observed. Therefore, abamectin and doramectin might be well tolerated in Istrian Pramenka sheep.     

The effects of automated plasmapheresis on clinical, haematological, biochemical and coagulation variables in horses

The goal of this study was to determine the effects of plasmapheresis on the behaviour, general condition, haematological, biochemical and coagulation variables of donor horses for 32 days following the procedure. Twenty millilitres of plasma/kg body weight were collected via plasmapheresis in six clinically healthy horses. The general behaviour and condition of the horses was not affected by the procedure. During plasmapheresis, there was a mild increase in the haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration and total erythrocyte and leucocyte counts (P < 0.01). The mean concentrations of total protein and albumin decreased significantly (P < 0.01) and total protein did not normalise for about three weeks. Several other biochemical variables also decreased significantly during plasmapheresis, but mostly remained within reference ranges. After plasmapheresis, the mean value of the activated partial thromboplastin time and the thrombin time were mildly but significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the mean activities of factor V, factor VIII and antithrombin decreased significantly (P < 0.01), although all coagulation values remained within reference ranges. Our results indicate that, in horses, the collection of 20 mL of plasma/kg body weight via plasmapheresis results in mild changes in several haematological, biochemical and coagulation variables, although these were of no clinical relevance for the donors.     

Dose dependency and individual variability in selected clinical, haematological and blood biochemical responses after systemic lipopolysaccharide challenge in cattle

Previous studies have noted that susceptibility to systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure seems to differ between individual cows. However, to date inter-individual variation in the response to intravenous injection of LPS has been reported only as an empirical finding, and its existence or extent has never been backed up by statistical analyses. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the dose-dependency of clinical, haematological and blood biochemical responses to intravenous LPS injection in dairy cattle and to determine the extent to which these responses differed between individual cows. Eight dairy cows each received three intravenous injections of Escherichia coli LPS (10, 100, and 1000 ng/kg, consecutively) at three-week intervals. All three LPS doses induced clinical, haematological, and blood biochemical responses lasting up to several days. The strength of all of the responses increased significantly with an increasing LPS dose. A statistically significant inter-individual variation was demonstrated for all clinical, haematological, and blood biochemical responses except for serum calcium concentrations. More than half of the statistical variation in white blood cell and thrombocyte counts could be attributed to the individual. The results of this study show that despite the existence of a dose-response relationship between LPS and ensuing clinical, haematological, and blood biochemical responses, the majority of responses to LPS differ significantly in strength and duration from cow to cow.     

Tyrosine Ameliorates Some of the Clinical,Biochemical and Haematological Effects of Acute Stress Associated with Transportation of Desert Sheep

We studied some clinical, biochemical and haematological variables in Desert (Najdi) sheep acutely stressed in the course of individual road transportation, and the influence thereon of pretreatment with tyrosine. Transportation for 30 min resulted in variable but statistically insignificant increases in heart, pulse and respiratory rates. It also caused significant increases in the plasma concentration of cortisol (from 43.5 to 101.7 mmol/L) and glucose (from 3.1 to 4.5 mmol/L), and a decrease in that of magnesium (from 0.85 to 0.72 mmol/L). The endogenous thiocyanate level was unaffected. The transportation stress also decreased the haematocrit (PCV) and the number of lymphocytes, and increased the concentration of haemoglobin. Pretreatment of sheep with tyrosine at a dose of 100 mg/kg by the intravenous route significantly ameliorated the stress-induced clinical, biochemical and haematological changes. The treatment caused no overt adverse effects.     

头孢喹肟研究进展

头孢喹肟(cefquinome)是第4代头孢菌素类动物专用抗生素,是一种治疗动物严重感染的新药,具有独特的抗菌机制和良好的抗菌活性,其抗菌谱广、抗菌活性强,药动学优良,血药浓度达峰时间短、浓度高,无致癌性、致突变性、致畸性、无繁殖毒性。对其作用机理、理化性质、药理学性质及合成路线等方面进行综述,并分析头孢喹肟在合成中存在收率低、处理困难等问题,以便医药科技工作者全面了解,进而用以指导临床应用。     

Avian clinical pathology. General considerations

Summary

General aspects of avian clinical pathology are reviewed. It is concluded that in a clinical setting a volume of blood equivalent to 1 per cent of body weight can be collected safely from avian species for laboratory examinations. The anticoagulant of choice for most laboratory investigations is lithium heparin. In most bird species the right jugular vein is the preferred site for routine blood sampling. The use of a vacuum system greatly facilitates the procedure. The importance of immediately processing blood samples is explained. The many variables that may influence haematological or biochemical parameters are discussed and the reasons for determining blood chemical reference values by non‐parametric methods are emphasised.     

Double-outlet right ventricle in a 10-month-old Friesian filly

A 10-month-old Friesian filly had a presentation that was consistent with chronic left- and right-sided congestive heart failure. Clinical pathology findings included abnormal haematological and biochemical variables, abnormal blood gas values and increased serum concentration of cardiac troponin I. Echocardiography revealed cardiac chamber dilation and dextropositioning of the aorta. Radiography revealed a generally enlarged heart and pulmonary interstitial infiltration. These findings were supported at necropsy and the diagnosis of double-outlet right ventricle was confirmed. The pathological changes and physiological responses subsequent to double-outlet right ventricle have not previously been described in detail in horses. Clinical progression closely resembles that seen in humans, in whom antemortem diagnosis relies on echocardiography. In horses, complex cardiac disease presents a diagnostic challenge to the clinician. Appropriate therapy must be based on an accurate diagnosis.     

Determination of the maximum tolerated dose and the safety index of an experimental fasciolicide in cattle

The aim of the present study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the safety index (SI) of 5-chloro-2-methylthio-6-(1-napthyloxy)1H-benzimidazole, called compound alpha, in cattle. In addition, to search for possible adverse effects after treatment, the measurement of some biochemical, haematological and physiological parameters were also analysed. Eighteen crossbred heifers were divided into six groups of three animals each. Groups 1-5 received a single oral dose of 12, 36, 60, 120 and 180 mg/kg of body weight (bw) of compound alpha. Group 6 served as an untreated control. To determine the biochemical, haematological and enzymatic parameters, sera and blood samples were individually taken at 0, 4, 8, 16, 32, 128, and 720 h after treatment. Physiological parameters such as rectal temperature, heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR) and ruminal motility were measured at the time intervals mentioned above. Estimation of the MTD and SI was obtained by using the formula reported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the results showing an MTD of 180 mg/kg/bw and an SI of 15 times the recommended clinical dose. Some statistical differences were observed in a few of the biochemical, haematological and enzymatic parameters, the adverse effects being not highly representative. Alterations on HR and RR were statistically different (P<0.05) only in heifers treated with 180 mg.     

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intramammary cefquinome in lactating goats with and without experimentally induced Staphylococcus aureus mastitis

Values for pharmacokinetic variables are usually obtained in healthy animals, whereas drugs are frequently administered to diseased animals. This study investigated cefquinome pharmacokinetics in healthy goats and goats with experimentally induced mastitis. Five adult lactating goats received 75 mg of cefquinome intramammary infusion using a commercially available product into one udder half in healthy goats and goats with clinical mastitis that was induced by intracisternal infusion of 100 cfu of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 suspended in 5 ml of sterile culture broth. Cefquinome concentrations were determined in plasma and skimmed milk samples using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Pharmacodynamics was investigated using the California Mastitis Test and pH of milk. Experimentally induced mastitis significantly increased the California Mastitis Test score and pH, and decreased the maximal cefquinome concentration and shortened the half‐life in milk when compared to healthy goats. In conclusion, mastitis facilitated the absorption of cefquinome from the mammary gland of lactating goats and induced marked changes in milk pH, emphasizing the importance of performing pharmacokinetic studies of antimicrobial agents in infected animals.