Experimental ectopic mineralization in young boars I. The role of supplemental vitamin D inthe etiology.

Young boars supplemented orally with 800, 500,300 and 100 IU of vitamin D2/kg of feed and control boars not supplemented with vitamin D2 for four months developed mineralization in the left atrial endocardium, lamina muscularis mucosae of the fundic stomach and other sites. Since low levels of supplementation with vitamin D2 did not eliminate the lesions, the levels of vitamin D2 added appeared not to be involved in the pathogenesis. All boars had mild hypercalcemia throughout the experiment, and phosphorus levels in sera were lower in all animals receiving than in those not receiving calciferol. Mild morphological lesions of rickets developed in several boars not receiving supplemental vitamin D2 and in boars supplemented with 100 an 300 IU/kg of feed.     

An unusual case of generalized soft-tissue mineralization in a suckling foal

An atypical case of severe soft-tissue mineralization in a 3-week-old foal from a herd of Andalusian horses is described. The herd clinical history and the laboratory findings were compatible with a diagnosis of secondary hyperparathyroidism due to a mineral imbalance in the diet (low calcium and high phosphorus intake). Mares showed a marked increase in serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) approximately 10 times normal levels. Serum PTH was marginally elevated in foals. Clinical signs (unthriftiness, painful joints, lameness in one or more limbs, and stiff gait) were more pronounced in foals than in mares. Two foals died and necropsy of one of them revealed extensive soft-tissue mineralization of arterial walls and pulmonary parenchyma. Clinical signs in mares and foals resolved by 4 weeks after diet adjustment.     

Dietary induction of renal mineralization in dogs.

Ten dogs were fed diets high in phosphorus and low in calcium to induce secondary hyperparathyroidism, with ten dogs fed a standard diet as controls. At the end of the feeding period, all dogs were necropsied. Because of an apparent increase in mineral deposits in the kidneys of hyperparathyroid dogs, the amount and characteristics of these mineral deposits were compared. The dogs in the test groups had larger and more widely disseminated deposits. Five additional dogs were nephrectomized unilaterally, fed the test diet and euthanized at three-month intervals. In these dogs, the amount of renal mineral increased until six months after the start of the test diet, but dit not appreciably change between six and 15 months postdiet. When compared to controls, the test dog kidneys in this second experiment had a greater amount and wider distribution of renal mineralization and tubular dilatation.     

Effects of diets with different calcium and phosphorus contents on the skeletal development and blood chemistry of growing great danes

The skeletal development of three groups of great dane dogs, fed a diet composed according to the published nutritional requirements for dogs (controls) or with increased calcium or calcium and phosphorus content, was examined radiographically, histologically and biochemically. The diets were fed from the time the dogs first began eating food in addition to their dam's milk, until they were 17 weeks old. Thereafter, the calcium and phosphorus intakes of the dogs in the high calcium groups were normalised for a further 10 weeks. The dogs fed the high calcium diet without a proportionally high phosphorus intake became hypercalcaemic and hypophosphataemic, and had severe disturbances in skeletal development, growth, and mineralisation which were typical for rickets. After their calcium intake was normalised the lesions of rickets resolved but osteochondrotic lesions became apparent. The dogs fed the high calcium and phosphorus diet became slightly hypophosphataemic, their growth was retarded, and they had disturbances in skeletal development resembling osteochondrosis, which had only partly resolved after 10 weeks on the normal calcium and phosphorus diet.     

Uremic gastropathy in the dog.

Stomachs of four dogs with uremia and four normal dogs were examined. Uremic stomachs represented four types of disease: atrophic, amyloidotic, ulcerative and necrotic gastropathy. Pathologic changes common to all uremic stomachs were expansion of the lamina propria, atrophy of gastric glands, and submucosal arteriopathy; lesions were limited to body and fundic zones. Lamina propria was markedly expanded by edema, mastocytosis, deposition of acidic mucosubstances, fibroplasia and mineralization. Capillaries in lamina propria had swollen endothelium and calcium salts were present extracellularly as amorphous granular laminae. Gastric glands were distorted and irregular and had fewer cells per unit of tissue. Parietal cells were swollen and had fragmentation of cytocavitary network and mitochondrial swelling with calcification. Chief cells were shrunken, agranular and atrophic with foci of glycogen and dilation of endoplasmic reticulum. Argentaffin cell content was diminished. Muscular arteries of submucosae had segmental degenerative lesions characterized by myocyte necrosis, calcification, and deposition of acidic mucosubstances and fibrin; thrombosis and obstructive arteriopathy were common. These studies suggest that uremic gastropathy is a disease of mucosal lamina propria and that lesions were due to anoxia caused by diffuse vascular injury and to altered parietal cell function.     

Rabbit model of primary hyperparathyroidism induced by high-phosphate diet

The objective of this study is to establish a new rabbit model of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) induced by high-phosphate diet. One hundred twenty rabbits were divided into two groups of 60 each. The treatment group was fed a high-phosphate diet (Ca:P = 1:7) and the control group was given a normal animal diet (Ca:P = 1:0.7) for 1 to 6 mo. Serologic examinations, including parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium and phosphorus levels, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid, and the histologic examination, including parathyroid, kidney, and bones, were performed at the end of each month for 6 mo. Compared with the control, serum PTH levels in the treatment groups were elevated at all six time points, whereas serum calcium levels were reduced, and serum phosphorus levels remain unchanged over the course of the first 3 mo. Serum calcium levels were increased, whereas serum phosphorus levels were reduced at 4, 5, and 6 mo. Parathyroid histopathological examination showed no change during the first month, whereas 60% of the animals exhibited mild hyperplasia starting at 2 mo, and 90% of the animals in the treatment group exhibited mild-to-moderate hyperplasia with gland enlargement starting from 3 mo through the end of the study. Histopathological examination of the kidneys showed no change at 1 mo, but focal parenchymal inflammation with calcium deposition was observed in the treatment groups at 2 to 6 mo. Fibrous tissue of the bone extended toward the cortex, and fibrosis was evident at the third month. The fibrous cells were found to be concentrated mainly on the inner and outer membranes of the bone cortex, and the amount of fibrous tissue increased as the disease progressed. We conclude that a new rabbit animal model of PHPT can be successfully created by the administration of a high-phosphate diet. This animal model can be used in various future studies related to PHPT.     

杂交野猪适宜日粮磷水平与钙磷比例的研究

选用纯种野公猪与杜洛克母猪的杂交后代含50%野猪血缘的42日龄杂交野猪36头,随机分成9组,试验为双因子3水平(3×3)析因安排分组,完全随机区组设计,每个因子3个水平,共9个处理。结果显示,不同磷水平与钙磷比例对各处理组的平均日耗料量、平均日增重、料重比差异均不显著(P>0.05)。不同钙磷比例水平下对血清钙的影响差异极显著(P<0.01),日粮磷和钙磷比例互作效应对血清钙影响差异极显著(P<0.01)。不同日粮钙磷比例对血清磷水平差异显著(P<0.05),日粮磷和钙磷比例互作效应对血清磷影响显著(P<0.05);0.4%的日粮磷水平与0.6%的磷水平对血清AKP活性影响差异极显著(P<0.01)。     

Unusual case of osteopenia associated with nutritional calcium and vitamin D deficiency in an adult dog

A 6-year-old, spayed female rottweiler was presented for facial enlargement from swelling of the maxilla and mandible. The dog was fed a homemade diet deficient in calcium and vitamin D, suggesting that rubber jaw syndrome was a secondary nutritional disorder. Radiographic and tomodensitometric examinations revealed diffuse bone resorption in the skull. The plasma parathormone concentration was high, and serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentration was low. Based on these findings, nutritional calcium and vitamin D deficiency associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed. Dietary correction resulted in clinical and biological improvement, with an increase in skull mineralization.     

Effects of hyperparathyroidism and dietary calcium supplementation on bone healing.

Effects of nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism and dietary calcium supplementation on bone healing were determined. Groups (n = 4) of 5 mature male dogs each were fed the following diets: group 1, control diet (0.48% Ca, 0.43% P); group 2, test diet (0.12% Ca, 1.14% P): group 3, control diet plus calcium; group 4, test diet plus calcium. The dietary calcium supplementation was calcium gluconate. Lesions were induced in the right tibial cortex by trephinization. Within the time limitations of this study, it was determined that nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism does not inhibit bone healing and that dietary calcium supplementation does not aid bone healing.     

Hyperparathyroid disorders in the dog: primary, secondary and cancer-associated (pseudo)

Hyperparathyroid disorders were diagnosed in four dogs: one had primary hyperparathyroidism, characterized by parathyroid adenoma and hyper-calcaemia; one had renal secondary hyperparathyroidism, characterized by parathyroid gland hyperplasia, hypocalcaemia and renal failure; and two had cancer-associated hyperparathyroidism (pseudohyperpara-thyroidism), characterized by the presence of neoplasia, parathyroid gland atrophy, hypercalcaemia and absence of skeletal metastases. Significant clinicopathologic findings included serum concentrations of calcium, phosphorus and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (PTH), presence or absence of parathyroid and bone lesions, and the presence of non-parathyroid neoplasia.     

Histology and Mucin Histochemistry of The Digestive Tract of Yellow Catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

The histology and characteristics of mucins secreted by epithelial mucous cells of the digestive tract in yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco were investigated using light microscope and transmission electron microscope. The digestive tract was divided into a pharynx, oesophagus, U-shaped stomach (with a cardiac, fundic and pyloric part) and intestine, composed of anterior intestine, middle intestine and posterior intestine, which consisted of a mucosa (epithelial layer), lamina propria-submucosa, muscularis and serosa. A large number of isolated longitudinal striated muscular bundles were present in the lamina propria-submucosa of pharynx. Goblet cells were observed throughout the digestive tract, except in the stomach. In the cardiac and fundic stomach, a plenty of gastric glands were observed, whereas they were absent in the pyloric part. Numerous mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum were observed in the columnar epithelial cells of the intestine, especially of the anterior part. The epithelial mucous cells contained neutral or other two mixtures of acid and neutral mucins, the first being the most common. The neutral mucin was the only type of mucins in the stomach, anterior intestine and middle intestine. The results of this study will be helpful for understanding the digestive physiology and diagnosing some gastrointestinal diseases in yellow catfish.     

Hypocalcemia in a dog

A case of hypocalcemia was presented with a concurrent hyperphosphatemia. Normal renal function tests excluded primary renal insufficiency. The diet was thought to contain a normal ratio of calcium and phosphorus and, therefore, nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism was not considered. The radiographs showed normal bone density and the dog was not lame. Concentrations of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone were measured in an attempt to classify the etiology. The dog was successfully managed with calcium supplementation and vitamin D(3) or oral calcium alone.     

Metastatic mineralisation in brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) from Kawau Island

AIMS: To describe the nature and incidence of metastatic mineralisation in brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) caught on Kawau Island. METHODS: Wild-caught possums were individually housed in captivity over a 24-month period and fed a cereal-based mash diet. Possums that became debilitated were examined post mortem for evidence of metastatic mineralisation of the heart, major blood vessels and kidneys. Serum and aortic segments were collected from affected animals and were analysed for mineral composition. Non-debilitated animals and possums that were experimentally poisoned with cholecalciferol were examined as a comparison. RESULTS: Fifteen of 42 possums (36%) captured on Kawau Island and housed in captivity were debilitated as a result of metastatic mineralisation of the walls of the aorta and/or of the kidney tubules, with four further possums having evidence of mineralisation when humanely killed. Phosphate and ammonium deposits were found in the aorta, and calcium deposits in the kidney tubules. Serum phosphorus and calcium levels were elevated in the debilitated animals. Similar lesions were found in only one of 288 possums captured from other North Island areas and housed in captivity over the same time period. CONCLUSION: Possums from Kawau Island appear to be more predisposed to metastatic mineralisation than possums from other areas of the North Island. The lesions observed in these possums were similar to those caused by cholecalciferol poisoning.     

Dietary magnesium and urolithiasis in growing calves

The effect of high levels of dietary magnesium (1.4%) alone or in combination with elevated calcium (1.8%) or phosphorus (1.6%) on growth and health of male calves was evaluated during a nine week feeding trial after weaning. Twenty calves were randomly divided into 4 feeding groups consisting of controls, high magnesium, high magnesium and calcium or high magnesium and phosphorus. Elevated dietary minerals caused decreased feed intake and growth rate. Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels were greatly elevated in calves fed high magnesium or magnesium and phosphorus and serum urea nitrogen was moderately elevated in calves fed high magnesium and calcium. These elevations suggested the occurrence of renal damage as a result of microcrystalline obstruction of renal tubules. Serum magnesium levels were three times normal in calves fed high magnesium or magnesium and phosphorus, but only twice normal in calves fed high magnesium and calcium. High dietary magnesium resulted in a significant depression in blood calcium level. This effect was somewhat overcome by additional dietary calcium Three calves fed the high magnesium diet and two calves fed the high magnesium and phosphorus diet developed urinary tract obstruction. The chemical composition of uroliths recovered from these calves was calcium apatite. Elevated dietary magnesium has been shown to be a cause of urolithiasis in growing male calves. Additional dietary calcium, but not phosphorus, appears to protect calves against urolithiasis induced by elevated dietary magnesium.     

宁夏地区肉牛肾结石的营养学诱因分析

为找出宁夏肉牛患肾结石的营养学诱因,试验对宁夏肉牛患肾结石的日粮营养成分、结石成分和血液生化指标进行测定。结果表明,40头屠宰的肉牛有23头患肾结石,发病率为57.5%;肉牛日粮的精粗比和钙、磷含量均过高,且钙磷比偏低。通过结石能谱分析,结果显示结石的主要化学成分为磷和镁,初步判断为磷酸镁铵或磷酸镁钾;血液中磷和镁偏高而钙偏低,这说明肉牛日粮的高精粗比、高钙高磷日粮、钙磷比偏低是肉牛肾结石的营养学诱因;日粮镁离子含量对肾结石也可能存在着一定的促进作用。     

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided chemical parathyroid ablation for treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy, feasibility, and safety of ultrasound-guided chemical ablation of parathyroid masses in dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism. DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS: 8 dogs. PROCEDURE: In all dogs, a solitary parathyroid mass was evident ultrasonographically. Dogs were anesthetized with propofol, and a 27-gauge needle was directed into the parathyroid mass under ultrasound guidance. Ethanol (96%) was injected into the mass until there was evidence of diffusion of fluid throughout the mass. Serum total calcium, ionized calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations were monitored daily for 5 to 7 days after the ablation procedure and again 1, 3, and 6 months after the procedure. Dogs were also monitored for adverse effects. Follow-up ultrasonography was performed 5 days and 1 month after the ablation procedure. RESULTS: One injection was required in 7 dogs, and 2 injections were required in 1. Serum total and ionized calcium concentrations were within reference ranges within 24 hours after treatment in 7 dogs and within 5 days in 1 dog. Serum PTH concentration decreased and serum phosphorus concentration increased within 24 hours after treatment in all 8 dogs. Transient hypocalcemia developed in 4 dogs during the first 5 days after treatment, but only 1 dog required treatment for hypocalcemic tetany. Hypercalcemia recurred in 1 dog 1 month after the procedure and surgical removal of the parathyroid mass was required. Other adverse effects were not reported. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ultrasound-guided chemical ablation of parathyroid masses is a safe and effective alternative to surgery for dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism.     

Histological and Histochemical Studies on the Mucosa of the Initial Dilated and Middle Long Narrow Part of the third Compartment of the Camel's Stomach (Camelus dromedarius)

The purpose is to study the mucosa from its luminal surface to the lamina muscularis mucosae in the first two parts of the third compartement of camel's stomach. The material originates from six adult one-humped camels, ageing between 2 1/2 and 10 years, for ordinary histology and histochemistry.     

高钙与高蛋白日粮诱发鸡痛风

将120只35日龄健康蛋仔鸡随机分为3组：对照组饲喂基础日粮，高钙组(HC)在饲喂基础日粮的同时添加石粉(含钙3．80％)，高钙高蛋白组(HCHP)在饲喂基础日粮的同时添加石粉和豆粕(含钙3．55％，粗蛋白24．58％)，进行30d的饲养试验。结果显示：HC组鸡出现普遍的肾脏损害，但未见尿酸盐在内脏器官的沉积；HCHP组鸡出现尿酸盐在内脏器官表面广泛沉积，发生典型的内脏型痛风。与对照组相比，HC组血清无机磷和钾显著降低，血清尿酸和钠显著升高；HCHP组血清尿酸极显著升高，血清钙显著升高；HC和HCHP组尿液中钠及钾浓度均显著降低，无机磷浓度均显著升高；HC组24h尿液中镁排出量显著升高，HCHP组24h尿液中镁与钾排出量显著升高，HC和HCHP组24h尿液中尿酸、钙和无机磷排出量极显著升高，而钠排出量极显著降低。     

椰子粕、棕榈粕和木薯对猪磷表观消化率的影响

文章旨在评估分别以椰子粕、棕榈粕和木薯为主的日粮对生长猪磷表观消化率的影响。试验将平均体重为(40.2±0.58)kg的24头公猪随机分为4组,每组3个重复,每个重复2头猪。其中1组是日粮以玉米淀粉、蔗糖和明胶为主要原料的无磷日粮,测定了磷的基础内源损失,其他组日粮中含有40%的椰子粕、棕榈粕或木薯。试验共进行21 d,包括3个周期,每个周期分为3 d适应期,4 d样品采集期。结果:化学成分结果显示,椰子粕和棕榈粕的粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、粗纤维、中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维含量大于木薯,而同时椰子粕和棕榈粕总磷含量也高于木薯,但钙含量低于木薯。椰子粕和棕榈粕磷表观消化率较木薯日粮显著提高了228.57%和183.57%(P<0.05),而棕榈粕组钙表观消化率较椰子粕组显著提高了107.07%(P<0.05)。棕榈粕组钙摄入量较椰子粕和木薯组分别显著提高了144.17%和71.09%(P<0.05),棕榈粕组粪排泄量最多(P<0.05),而椰子粕和棕榈粕组粪磷占比最高(P<0.05),棕榈粕组每天粪磷排泄量较木薯组显著提高206.25%(P<0.05)。结论:椰子粕和棕榈粕总磷消化率显著高于木薯,但标准磷表观消化率无显著差异。因此,在低磷原料中用标准磷表示可消化磷较总磷更准确。