Plasma lipoprotein concentrations in the dog: the effects of gender,age, breed and diet

Earlier studies of canine lipoprotein metabolism have frequently not taken into account such variables as age, gender, lifestyle or feeding status. In the last years, many changes to lifestyle and feeding of dogs have occurred. In this study, C-tot, C-HDL, C-LDL, triglycerides and lipoprotein fractions were determined in 251 healthy dogs by means of enzymatic methods and through the electrophoretic technique. All data were analysed by multifactor anova test to determine which factors (age, gender, breed and diet) have a statistically significant effect (p < 0.05) on the determined parameter and subsequently Bonferroni’s test was applied where necessary. Gender, age, breed and diet can significantly affect lipid metabolism, in particular lipoproteins involved in cholesterol plasma transport; on the contrary, triglycerides are not influenced by the same factors. The most important observation about age is the high level of C-LDL in puppies under 1 year of age. The highest cholesterol concentrations are found in Rottweiler but high values of plasma cholesterol are found also in Pyrenees Mountain dog and a great level of C-LDL in Labrador. Diet has shown a great influence on lipidic metabolism: dogs fed with different high-quality dry foods had significant differences in plasma cholesterol values (C-tot, C-HDL, C-LDL,), in particular, dogs fed with a diet rich in fish and fish-by-products have shown the lowest levels of C-tot, C-HDL and C-LDL.     

Plasma leptin concentration in dogs: effects of body condition score, age, gender and breeds

Leptin is a cytokine produced by adipocytes, and plays a key role in the regulation of energy balance. In the present study, we measured plasma leptin concentrations of 166 normal and obese dogs visiting veterinary practices, and clarified the influence of age, gender and breed on plasma leptin levels in dogs. Leptin levels were higher in the dogs with higher body condition scores. There was no noticeable influence of age, gender and breed, but those in optimal puppies and obese Miniature Dachshund tended to be lower than those in corresponding groups. We conclude that plasma leptin is a reliable marker of adiposity in dogs regardless of age, gender and breed variations, and thereby useful as a blood biochemistry test for health examinations and treatment of obesity.     

Influence of gender, breed and age on maturity characteristics of sheep

Fifty-one ewes, 50 wethers and 51 rams of Finn x whiteface or Suffolk x whiteface breeding were slaughtered at an average age of 271, 361, 459, 557 or 652 d to study changes in maturity characteristics with changes in age. When metacarpal epiphyseal cartilage (growth plates) ossifies with age, break joints on the distal end of the metacarpals fuse and the end of the bone then appears as a spool joint rather than as a break joint. This fusion occurs earlier chronologically in ewes than in rams or wethers. Most Finn x whiteface-cross ewes, which normally reach reproductive maturity earlier than Suffolk x whiteface-cross ewes, exhibited ossified metacarpal growth plates by 459 d of age; break joints of Suffolk x whiteface crosses were not fused until 557 d of age. Both breed groups of rams exhibited fused joints by 557 d of age, but only 3 of 10 wethers exhibited spool joints at 652 d of age. Microscopic examination showed that even in these three wethers the epiphyseal growth plate could still be detected. Yearling 2-yr-old classifications of sheep from teeth were not gender-dependent within the discrete age classes of this study. About half the sheep in each gender group were classified as yearlings at 459 d of age and about half in each group were classified as 2-yr-olds by 652 d of age. Stepwise multiple regression equations to estimate age of sheep in days were developed. Overall maturity, lean color and texture and rib bone maturity were the best carcass measures of maturity. Maturity scores for characteristics of the break joint did not enter any of the equations studied. When eye lens weight was included in equations with the best measures of carcass maturity, accuracy of estimates for age of sheep was improved.     

The relationship between the feline coronavirus antibody titre and the age, breed, gender and health status of Australian cats

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) antibody titres and age, breed, gender and health status of Australian cats DESIGN: Retrospective study PROCEDURE: Results from two serological tests that measure FCoV antibody levels, the Coronase test and the 7B Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) test, were recorded over a 2-year period, with patient signalment, history, presenting complaint and the reason for ordering the test (as available). Results from each antibody test were related to four explanatory variables (breed, age, gender and health status at the time of blood collection) using univariate ordinal logistic regression analyses, Mann Whitney U tests, one-sample sign tests or Kruskal-Wallis analyses, as appropriate. RESULTS: Results from 637 Coronase and 191 7B FIP antibody tests were recorded. There were significant differences in median Coronase antibody titres between breeds of cats (P < 0.0005). Specifically, the median Coronase antibody titres of Siamese, Persians, Domestic Shorthairs and Bengal cats (100) were significantly lower than that of British Shorthairs, Cornish Rex and Burmese cats (400, P < 0.0005). There was no statistical relationship between the Coronase or 7B FIP antibody titres and age, gender or overall health status, even when considering only those cats in which clinical signs suggestive of FIP were present. CONCLUSION: This study reinforces the complexity of interpreting serological tests for FCoV in both healthy cats and patients with signs compatible with FIR Unique to this study is the detection of a significant relationship between breed and median FCoV antibody titre. This supports the theory that breed related differences exist in response to FCoV infection. The distribution of median Coronase antibody titres by breed was very similar to the pattern of breed predisposition to FIP recently reported in Sydney.     

Effect of age,sex, and breed on serum cystatin C and creatinine concentrations in dogs

Veterinary Research Communications - This study investigated the effects of age, sex and breed on serum cystatin C (Cys-C) and creatinine in small breed dogs. This retrospective study included 250...     

Plasma plasminogen concentrations in clinically normal horses: the effect of age, sex and pregnancy

Plasma concentrations of plasminogen were determined in 28 clinically normal horses, including 13 adult geldings, five non-pregnant mares, five pregnant mares and five yearlings (two fillies, three geldings). Plasminogen was quantitated by a chromogenic assay based on activation of plasmin by excess urokinase. The overall mean plasma plasminogen for these horses was 2.94 +/- 0.54 CTA units (casein units, as defined by the Committee on Thrombolytic Agents) per ml. There were no significant differences in mean plasma plasminogen values among adult geldings, non-pregnant mares, pregnant mares or yearling horses (P greater than 0.05).     

Plasma leptin concentration in adult cattle: effects of breed,adiposity, feeding level,and meal intake

An ovine-specific RIA, shown to be reliable for bovine leptin determination, was used to study the effects of breed, body fatness, feeding level, and meal intake on plasma leptin level in adult cattle. Eighteen fat Charolais, fat Holstein, and lean Holstein adult cows were either well-fed (130% of maintenance energy requirements [MER]) or underfed (60% of MER) for 3 wk. The breed tended to have a small effect on plasma leptin level, which was decreased by 70% (P < 0.05) in lean compared to fat Holstein cows. A strong curvilinear relationship was found between mean adipocyte volume and plasma leptin concentrations in well-fed (r = +0.95) and underfed (r = +0.91) cows. Underfeeding caused a significant decrease in plasma leptin levels from 8.0+/-3.1 to 6.1+/-2.3 ng/mL (P < 0.01). Nine adult Holstein cows initially fed at 130% of MER (control) were underfed to 21% of MER for 7 d, and five of them were refed to 237% of MER for 21 d. Plasma leptin measured 1 h before meal distribution was decreased from 5.9+/-0.4 to 3.8+/-0.2 ng/mL (P < 0.01) by underfeeding and increased to reach 8.8+/-1.0 ng/mL (P < 0.01) after refeeding. It was positively related to plasma glucose (r = +0.52, P < 0.01) and negatively related to plasma NEFA (r = -0.67, P < 0.001). Plasma leptin measured 4 h after meal distribution was positively related to feeding level and to plasma 3-OH-butyrate (r = +0.61, P < 0.005) and negatively related to plasma NEFA (r = -0.56, P < 0.01). Differences between pre- and postprandial leptin concentrations showed a decrease after meal intake in control and well-fed cows (-7 and -19%, P < 0.01, respectively) and an increase in underfed cows (+12%, P < 0.01). Leptin response to meal intake was positively related to glucose response (r = +0.66, P < 0.001) and negatively related to 3-OH-butyrate response (r = -0.78, P < 0.001). By using the "multispecies" commercial RIA, leptin concentrations were lower and we observed similar physiological responses, although less related to other hormones or metabolites. These data provide evidence, first, that a specific RIA for ruminant leptin determination is necessary to better understand leptin regulation, and second, that plasma leptin is strongly related to adipose cell size and positively related to feeding level in adult cattle, and that an effect of meal intake could be mediated by glucose and(or) ketone bodies.     

The use of passive injectable transponders in fattening lambs from birth to slaughter: effects of injection position,age, and breed

A total of 1,159 Tiris half-duplex passive injectable transponders (PIT) of 32-mm length were used to study the electronic identification of 618 fattening lambs of two breeds used for different production purposes (Ripollesa, meat breed, n = 271, and Manchega, dairy breed, n = 347). The lambs were s.c. injected in the armpit and the retro-auricular positions at 2, 15, and 30 d of age. All lambs were also tagged with a small plastic ear tag after birth. A group of 76 lambs were injected only in the right armpit and were kept for breeding. The PIT losses, breakages, and electronic failures were evaluated at weekly weight recordings throughout the fattening period using two types of hand-held transceivers. Fattened lambs were harvested in a commercial abattoir between 3 and 4 mo of age when they reached market weight (11 to 12 kg hot carcass weight). The total number of PIT that fell or broke in the slaughtering line, the location method, and the recovery time were recorded. On the farm PIT losses were not affected (P > 0.05) by age at injection, injection position, or breed. Mean losses of PIT and ear tags during the same period were 5% and 6.3%, respectively (P > 0.05). No PIT breakages or failures were observed during the fattening period. Mean recovery of PIT in the abattoir (85.6%) was affected (P < 0.05) by breed and injection position. Losses of PIT in the abattoir were greater (P < 0.05) in the Ripollesa breed (18.4%) than in Manchega (10.0%), and for both breeds losses were greater (P < 0.05) in the retro-auricular than in the armpit positions (18.6 vs 10.8%, respectively). The percentage of PIT broken during slaughtering was low (0.3%). The mean recovery times (18 +/- 2 s) were not affected (P > 0.05) by breed, injection position, or age, thus allowing a harvesting speed of 200 lambs/h on average. In conclusion, the injection of 32-mm PIT into the armpit or the retro-auricular region is not recommended as a practice for the electronic identification of fattening lambs, even though they perform similarly to small plastic ear tags. This is partly a consequence of the PIT losses observed on the farm but mainly because of the difficulties with recovering the PIT in the abattoir. More research will determine whether the use of smaller transponders or injection in other positions could improve their performance in fattening lambs.     

Primary sarcoma of the ribs in a large, mixed breed dog

A 9-year-old, 30-kg, neutered male, mixed breed dog was referred for en bloc resection of a tentatively diagnosed costal chondrosarcoma. Light microscopic examination of the excised mass confirmed osteosarcoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy with 4 treatments with carboplatin was initiated. There have been no signs of metastases 5 months postsurgery.     

Bile acid concentrations in the diagnosis of hepatobiliary disease in the dog

The clinical usefulness of measuring serum bile acid concentrations as a diagnostic test for hepatobiliary disease, was examined in 150 dogs that were suspected of having hepatic disease. Serum values of total bilirubin (TB), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), and albumin were also measured. Fasting serum bile acid (FSBA) values were determined, using a solid-phase radioimmunoassay for total conjugated bile acids or a direct enzymatic spectrophotometric method. A definitive diagnosis was established by histologic examination of the liver. On the basis of histologic findings, dogs were assigned to groups (1 to 8, respectively) including: extrahepatic bile duct obstruction, cirrhosis, portal systemic vascular anastomosis (PSVA), hepatic necrosis, intrahepatic cholestasis, steroid hepatopathy, neoplasia, and secondary disease. Dogs in group 8 had no morphologic evidence of hepatobiliary disease or had mild hepatic lesions. Test efficacies of FSBA, TB, ALP, ALT, and albumin were expressed using 4 indices: sensitivity, specificity, and positive-predictive and negative-predictive values. The diagnostic efficacy of FSBA was examined alone and in combinations with the other tests. There was wide overlapping of FSBA values among dogs in groups 1 to 7, and there was wide overlapping of ALT and ALP values among dogs in all groups. The specificity of FSBA for the diagnosis of liver disease exceeded 90% at values greater than or equal to 30 mumol/L and reached 100% at greater than or equal to 50 mumol/L. Individual liver tests with the best sensitivity for each group were:FSBA and ALP for extrahepatic bile duct obstruction; FSBA for cirrhosis and PSVA; ALT for hepatic necrosis; and ALP for intrahepatic cholestasis, steroid hepatopathy, and neoplasia. Combinations of tests with the best sensitivity for each group were: FSBA + ALP for extrahepatic bile duct obstruction; FSBA + ALT for cirrhosis and PSVA; FSBA + ALT and TB + ALT for hepatic necrosis; and FSBA + ALP for intrahepatic cholestasis, steroid hepatopathy, and neoplasia. Individual tests had the best sensitivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Plasma concentrations,behavioural and physiological effects following intravenous and intramuscular detomidine in horses

Reasons for performing study: Detomidine hydrochloride is used to provide sedation, muscle relaxation and analgesia in horses, but a lack of information pertaining to plasma concentration has limited the ability to correlate drug concentration with effect. Objectives: To build on previous information and assess detomidine for i.v. and i.m. use in horses by simultaneously assessing plasma drug concentrations, physiological parameters and behavioural characteristics. Hypothesis: Systemic effects would be seen following i.m. and i.v. detomidine administration and these effects would be positively correlated with plasma drug concentrations. Methods: Behavioural (e.g. head position) and physiological (e.g. heart rate) responses were recorded at fixed time points from 4 min to 24 h after i.m. or i.v. detomidine (30 μg/kg bwt) administration to 8 horses. Route of administration was assigned using a balanced crossover design. Blood was sampled at predetermined time points from 0.5 min to 48 h post administration for subsequent detomidine concentration measurements using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Data were summarised as mean ± s.d. for subsequent analysis of variance for repeated measures. Results: Plasma detomidine concentration peaked earlier (1.5 min vs. 1.5 h) and was significantly higher (105.4 ± 71.6 ng/ml vs. 6.9 ± 1.4 ng/ml) after i.v. vs. i.m. administration. Physiological and behavioural changes were of a greater magnitude and observed at earlier time points for i.v. vs. i.m. groups. For example, head position decreased from an average of 116 cm in both groups to a low value 35 ± 23 cm from the ground 10 min following i.v. detomidine and to 64 ± 24 cm 60 min after i.m. detomidine. Changes in heart rate followed a similar pattern; low value of 17 beats/min 10 min after i.v. administration and 29 beats/min 30 min after i.m. administration. Conclusions: Plasma drug concentration and measured effects were correlated positively and varied with route of administration following a single dose of detomidine. Potential relevance: Results support a significant influence of route of administration on desirable and undesirable drug effects that influence case management.     

Influence of breed, age and body weight on organ weight in the chicken

Body, liver, heart and spleen weights were measured in 3 different breeds and 2 breed crosses over an age range of 0–8 weeks. Correlation coefficients, linear regression equations, standard deviations of observations around regression lines, and the standard errors of the slopes were calculated to study the effects of age, breed, and body weight on organ weight. The principal findings were:

1. Regardless of breed, organ weight does not change at the same rate as body weight during the first 8 weeks of life.

2. The ratio of liver or heart weight to body weight reaches a peak at about one to two weeks of age and then decreases gradually with age until 8 weeks. Spleen‐body weight ratio, however, increases to about the 3rd week of age after which it remains relatively constant.

3. Significant negative correlations were obtained between body weight and both liver‐ and heart‐body weight ratios; while significant positive correlations were obtained between body weight and spleen‐body weight ratios. The correlation between liver weight and heart weight was found to be higher than that between liver weight and spleen weight or between heart weight and spleen weight.

4. The ratio of organ weight to body weight differed with different breeds. The faster growing breeds had lower ratios of organ weight to body weight and higher correlation coefficients between body weight and organ weight ratios.

5. Regression equations are presented that enable the estimation of organ weights from body weights or from other organ weights in the three different breeds and two breed crosses studied.

     

An epidemiological study of gastrointestinal parasites of dogs from Southern Greater Buenos Aires (Argentina): age, gender, breed, mixed infections, and seasonal and spatial patterns

A total of 2193 fecal samples from owned dogs were collected during the 2003-2004 period in Southern Greater Buenos Aires, and were evaluated for the presence of intestinal parasites by a flotation-centrifugation method. The overall prevalence was 52.4%, and the 11 species found were: Ancylostoma caninum (13%), Isospora ohioensis complex (12%), Toxocara canis (11%), Trichuris vulpis (10%), Sarcocystis sp. (10%), Giardia duodenalis (9%), Isospora canis (3%), Hammondia-Neospora complex (3%), Dipilydium caninum (18 cases), Cryptosporidium sp. (5 cases), and Toxascaris leonina (1 case). There was no significant difference in the overall prevalence between genders (female = 50.4%, male = 54.6%), and breeds (pure = 52.3%, mixed = 53%), but prevalence in puppies (<1 year) was higher than in adult dogs (62.7% versus 40.8%, respectively). Only the prevalence of A. caninum differed between genders, with higher values for males. The prevalences of six of the parasite species showed a decreasing trend with increasing host age, and an inverse pattern was found for two other species. The prevalences of three protozoa were significantly higher in pure-breed dogs, and those of two nematodes were significantly higher in mixed-breed dogs. The prevalences of T. canis, A. caninum, and T. vulpis were spatially heterogeneous with a clear Southwest-Northeast gradient. Only prevalences of Sarcocystis sp. and G. duodenalis showed seasonal variation. The frequency distribution of the number of species per fecal sample did not differ from a random distribution. Results obtained throughout the world were discussed.     

Effects of breed, gender, exercise and white-coat effect on markers of endothelial function in dogs

This study examines how systemic biomarkers of endothelial function and nitric oxide metabolism are affected by exercise in dogs. Furthermore, breed variation and white-coat effect have been tested by sampling three different dog breeds both in their home and in a clinical setting. Short-term exercise increased plasma nitrate and nitrite (NOx) and von Willebrand factor (vWf). There was significant difference between Pointers and the small dog breeds Cairn Terriers and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in the general plasma levels of vWf and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). NOx and vWf were significantly higher when the sample was taken in the laboratory cf. at home, whereas ADMA and L-arginine were significantly lower. In conclusion, both short-term exercise and white-coat effect influence several plasma markers of endothelial function depending also on the breed and gender of the dogs. These findings should be considered in future studies concerning endothelial function in dogs.     

The effect of age, weight and the breed of heifer on the concentration of thyroxine during insemination

We determined the thyroxine (T4) concentration in 63 heifers on 0th (day of insemination), 6th and 21st day after first and in repeat-breeder cows after second and third insemination in relation with the breed, age and weight of animals. The examination was carried out with a feed ration balanced according to the Czechoslovak State Standard CSN 46 7070, with all-the-year-round housing, with keeping the uniform time of insemination (8.00--9.00 a. m.) as well as the time of blood sampling (10.00--12.00 a. m.). The animals were inseminated from August to November. The average T4 concentrations, with a successful insemination, fluctuated on 0th day after first, second and third insemination at levels of 56.15 +/- 13.6; 84.6 +/- 10.66 and 89.75 +/- 13.62 nmol X l-1 of serum. As the results show, the lowest T4 concentrations (P less than 0.001; P less than 0.001) on 0th day were recorded in animals becoming pregnant in first insemination. The comparison with non-pregnant animals did not show any statistically significant difference in T4 concentrations. On 0th day of the second insemination, the T4 concentrations in pregnant animals were higher (P less than 0.01) as compared with non-pregnant. On 6th and 21st day after successful first insemination the T4 content increased significantly (P less than 0.001). After second and third successful insemination we recorded in T4 concentrations a moderate decrease on 6th day (P less than 0.01 for third insemination), with insignificant increase on 21st day.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Plasma vitamins A and E, total lipid and cholesterol concentrations in captive jackass penguins (Spheniscus demersus)

The concentrations of vitamins A and E in the plasma of captive jackass penguins was studied in birds fed defined quantities of the vitamins. For a year, each of the 17 adult birds in the colony received a daily diet of 340 g of sprats and a vitamin supplement tablet, together providing 2.04 mg per day retinol equivalent and 185 mg per day alpha-tocopherol equivalent. The concentrations of plasma retinol and alpha-tocopherol and the alpha-tocopherol/total lipid ratio compared well with those recorded in wild populations of related species of penguin and the birds moulted and bred successfully.     

Clinical and MRI findings of lissencephaly in a mixed breed dog

A 7-year-old castrated male mixed-breed dog was presented with a complaint of acute pain. The dog had suffered from isolated seizures for two years. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed a smooth brain surface due to lack of gyri and sulci formation of the cerebrum and thick cortical grey matter. Additionally, ventriculomegaly and an arachnoid cyst were noted. Multiple spinal cord compressions induced by intervertebral disc protrusion were observed on a cervical MRI. Based on these findings, the dog was diagnosed as having lissencephaly concurrent with intervertebral cervical disease. After therapy for seizure and cervical pain, the clinical signs were completely resolved. To the author's knowledge, this is the case report to diagnose lissencephaly in a mixed-breed dog.     

Associations between sperm abnormalities, breed, age, and scrotal circumference in beef bulls

The objectives of this study were to determine the associations of breed, age, and scrotal circumference (SC), and their interaction, on the prevalence of sperm abnormalities in beef bulls in Alberta, Canada, and the percentage of satisfactory potential breeders identified during breeding soundness examination solely due to normal sperm morphology. Eosin-nigrosin stained semen smears and evaluation reports of 1642 bull breeding soundness evaluations were procured from 6 veterinary clinics in Alberta. Sperm morphology was determined for at least 100 sperm per bull. The most common defects were detached head [4.86% ± 5.71%; mean ± standard deviation (s)], distal midpiece reflex (6.19% ± 9.13%), and bent tail (1.01% ± 1.54%). Although breed, age, and SC did not significantly affect the prevalence of head or midpiece defects, morphologically normal or abnormal sperm, tail defects were more prevalent in Angus and Hereford bulls compared with other breeds. Overall, solely on the basis of sperm morphology, 1363 (83.0%) bulls were classified as satisfactory potential breeders and the remainder 279 (17.0%) as unsatisfactory (> 30% abnormal sperm, > 20% defective heads, or both). Although not significantly different, the breed with the highest percentage of satisfactory potential breeders was Limousin (90.6%) and the lowest was Hereford (78.8%). That 17% of bulls subjected to breeding soundness evaluation were designated as unsatisfactory solely on the basis of sperm morphology highlights its importance.     

Experimental investigation of the cardiovascular and respiratory effects of increasing concentrations of isoflurane in the dog

The cardiovascular and respiratory effects of the new inhalational anaesthetic agent isoflurane were investigated in dogs. Anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone after premedication with acepromazine. Isoflurane was administered with nitrous oxide and oxygen by spontaneous ventilation after base line values had been determined. Arterial blood pressure decreased as the concentration of administered isoflurane increased. Isoflurane produced a profound and dose related respiratory depression as measured by the increase in end tidal carbon dioxide levels. Isoflurane administration did not produce any visible muscle twitching.