Advances in Exotic Mammal Clinical Therapeutics

It is imperative that the veterinarian treating exotic companion mammals stay abreast of the latest developments relating to medications and drug delivery approaches for safety and efficacy. Sustained-release formulations of commonly used drugs, as well as newer routes for administration of therapeutic agents, allow the veterinarian treating exotic companion mammals to reduce the stress associated with drug administration. Interactions can occur between vehicle and drugs when formulations are compounded; therefore, research studies are warranted regarding potential problems associated with these formulations. However, newer studies have been published that provide the basis for exploring the use of different vehicles, frequency of dosing, and drug delivery techniques for various classes of drugs in exotic mammals. The goals of this review are to not only evaluate new medications or uses for medications in companion exotic mammal patients but also review new methods of drug delivery that might be useful to the veterinarian who treats these animals.     

Advances in Avian Clinical Therapeutics

This article reviews advances in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of therapeutic agents used in avian medicine. There has been a significant body of work published within the last 5 years that has helped provide a scientific basis for drug treatment in avian patients. This concise article of different studies on antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, sedative and anesthetic, hormone (e.g., deslorelin), psychotropic, antiepileptic, and cardiovascular drugs provides evidence of the advancements in this area of companion exotic animal medicine.     

Advances in Reptile Clinical Therapeutics

The standard of today's reptile practice calls on clinicians to use an ever-increasing array of diagnostic tools to gather information and obtain a definitive diagnosis. Few, if any, pathognomonic signs exist for reptile diseases, and for most clinical syndromes there is a lack of information regarding pathophysiology for one to define standard therapeutic protocols based solely on clinical signs without objective diagnostic information. For example, in the relatively distant past, clinicians treating reptile patients would routinely administer parenteral calcium to green iguanas (Iguana iguana) with the primary presenting clinical sign of muscle tremors. Today, veterinarians who treat reptiles recognize that the risk of soft tissue mineralization and permanent damage to arteries, renal tubules, and other tissues usually outweighs the potential short-term benefit of calcium therapy. Before calcium therapy is initiated, it is best to know the patient's ionized calcium concentration to reduce the risk of potential adverse therapeutic side effects. A problem-oriented diagnostic approach directed toward minimizing risk and maximizing therapeutic benefit is now the standard of reptile practice.     

Advances in Amphibian Clinical Therapeutics

This review covers recent developments in the field of amphibian therapeutics without repeating previous extensive clinical reviews, formularies, and compendia. The information provided in this article would aid the veterinary practitioner treating amphibian species through the use of updated clinical therapeutic techniques and dosages.     

哺乳动物精子获能机理及体外研究

精子获能是哺乳动物精卵融合之前必须经历的一个阶段。自发现精子获能现象以来,对精子获能机制的研究已取得一些进展,但仍有不少问题需要进一步研究。精子获能为体外受精研究获得突破性进展,为人类直接观察受精过程和研究受精机理奠定了基础。文章主要对精子获能的变化、机制及体外研究进行了综述。     

哺乳动物嵌合体制作及分析进展

嵌合体技术对研究哺乳动物早期胚胎的发育,探索细胞分化规律,掌握基因的表达调控规律,建立遗传疾病动物模型等具有重要意义。本文分别就近几年来嵌合体动物的制作方法及分析手段作一简要概述。     

哺乳动物的卵巢冷冻保存

经冷冻保存后的卵巢或组织可以保存大量的原始卵泡,并且结构完整,具有活力及发育能力,且已直接用于临床获得妊娠。因此,卵巢冷冻近年来成了生殖生物学、生殖医学的研究热点。本文就卵巢冷冻的历史、基本技术原理、方案选择与评价及其影响因素作一综述。     

哺乳动物胚胎冷冻原理及研究进展

哺乳动物胚胎冷冻研究始于 5 0年代 ,先后在小鼠、大鼠、兔、马、牛、绵羊、山羊等动物胚胎上获得成功。目前该方面的研究进展很快 ,部分家畜的冷冻胚胎已逐步走向商品化应用。本文比较全面的综述了哺乳动物胚胎冷冻的原理、方法过程和冷冻胚胎的解冻及解冻后保护剂脱除。     

雌性哺乳动物LH及其受体的研究进展

本文综述了雌性哺乳动物促黄体素及其受体的结构及其在卵泡发育过程中的表达和功能。阐明了促黄体素及其受体在卵泡的生长发育、优势化及排卵等方面的重要功能。