Comparative macroanatomic investigations on the formation of the external iliac vein in akkaraman sheep and Angora goat

To evaluate the formation of the external iliac vein in Akkaraman sheep and Angora goats, 8 adult healthy Akkaraman sheep and 8 Angora goats of both sexes, 3 to 4 years of age, were examined. The external iliac vein was formed by the deep femoral and femoral veins in 6 Akkaraman sheep and 7 Angora goats and by the medial circumflex femoral and femoral veins in 2 Akkaraman sheep and I Angora goat. Results from this study are thought to throw light on the future studies on the venous system, and to contribute considerably to the present anatomical knowledge concerning the external iliac vein of sheep and goats.     

Morphology of the venous system of the heart in the van cat

Morphology of the veins draining the heart was studied in the Van cat. Veins draining the heart were the great cardiac vein, the middle cardiac vein, the right cardiac veins and the smallest cardiac veins. No anastomosis was observed between the terminal branches of the paraconal interventricular vein and the subsinuosal interventricular vein. The coronary sinus was formed by the great cardiac vein and the middle cardiac vein. The origins of the right cardiac veins had significant variations. The right semicircumflex vein was observed in three (50%) cats, and it terminated at the middle cardiac vein.     

The distribution of the cardiac veins in angora rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

This study was carried out to describe the ramifications of the cardiac veins of Angora rabbit. For this purpose, a total of 16 adult healthy Angora rabbits of both sexes, 1.5-2 years of age, were used. The great, middle, right cardiac veins ran in a subepicardial course and opened into the left cranial vena cava, but some tributaries of the right cardiac veins sometimes also joined various portions of the right atrium. The smallest cardiac veins followed subendocardially and terminated in the right chambers of the heart. Based on their origin, course and frequency, it was concluded that the smallest cardiac veins are primarily responsible for the drainage of the interventricular septum. Results from this study are thought to shed light on further heart-related medical studies, and to contribute considerably to the present anatomical knowledge of the cardiac veins in this species.     

猪心表浅静脉观察

用大体解剖方法观察了５０例猪心表浅静脉，猪心冠关呈卵圆形，冠状窦瓣形态不一，多数（７６％）心中静脉直接注入右心房，猪心存在明显的右室后静脉，心前静脉包括升支和降低支两组。根据冠状窦的收受范围和心静脉的注入形式不同，将猪心表浅静脉分为６种类型。     

Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XLVI. Oestrid fly larvae of sheep, goats, springbok and black wildebeest in the Eastern Cape Province

Merino sheep in Thornveld, Dorper sheep and Angora goats in inland Valley Bushveld, Angora goats and Boer goats in Valley Bushveld on the coastal plateau, and springbok, Antidorcas marsupialis, and black wildebeest, Connochaetes gnou, in Karroid Mountainveld, all in the Eastern Cape Province, were examined for the larvae of nasal bot flies. The sheep and goats were infested with the larvae of Oestrus ovis, and Dorper sheep and Boer goats harboured more larvae than Angora goats on the same farms. Most infestation was present from November to May in Merino sheep in Thornveld, from February to June in Dorper sheep in inland Valley Bushveld, and from May to September in Angora and Boer goats in Valley Bushveld on the coastal plateau. These patterns of seasonality appeared to be regulated by the severity of the summer temperatures at the various localities. The springbok were infested with the larvae of Rhinoestrus antidorcitis, most of which seemed to mature from June to August. All larval sages of Oestrus variolosus and Gedoelstia h?ssleri were present in the black wildebeest, and large numbers of 1st instar larvae of G. h?ssleri appeared to accumulate on the dura of the wildebeest from June to August.     

Relationship of body condition score, live weight, stocking rate and grazing system to the mortality of Angora goats from hypothermia and their use in the assessment of welfare risks

Body condition scoring is widely used for sheep and cattle but the practice is included in only one Code of Practice for the welfare of goats in Australia. There is no published scientific evidence to support or defend its use in the assessment of welfare risks to farmed goats. PROCEDURE: The significance of stocking rate, grazing system, body condition score (CS) and live weight were investigated in explaining the risk of mortality of individual and flocks of grazing Angora goats from hypothermia following a severe weather event in April. This event occurred 5 weeks after shearing the goats. Angora goats and Saxon Merino sheep were grazed alone, or mixed together in equal numbers at each of three stocking rates. RESULTS: There was no mortality amongst Angora goats provided they grazed at the lowest stocking rate even when their CS was < or = 2.0. Mortality in flocks of Angora goats was most related to the CS reached during the preceding 2 months. For flocks of Angora goats there was no mortality at CS > or = 2.5 and mortality increased sharply at mean CS < 2.0. For individual Angora goats, mortality increased as CS declined and stocking rate and grazing combinations were additive in effect on mortality. Grazing with sheep increased mortality of Angora goats at higher stocking rates. The individual goat mortality rate was not dependent on individual plot effects suggesting that these results are applicable widely. Live weight loss was not related to mortality rates of goats once CS had been accounted for. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that CS and stocking rate were highly significant determinants of welfare risk in Angora goats.     

Symptomatic partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection in a kitten

A 3-month-old intact female American Shorthair cat, with syncope and tachypnea, underwent cardiac examination which identified no heart murmur or gallop. Thoracic radiography disclosed mild generalized enlargement of the cardiac silhouette and a bronchial and interstitial pattern throughout the lungs. Echocardiography identified tubular structures near the left atrium. After agitated saline contrast imaging, persistent left cranial vena cava with unroofed coronary sinus was suspected. Computed tomography angiography showed the right cranial, right caudal and left caudal pulmonary veins draining into the coronary sinus and flowing into the right atrium. The left cranial pulmonary vein drained normally into the left atrium. Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) was diagnosed. The kitten was treated with diuretics but died of heart failure 2 months later. Permission for necropsy was not granted. This case represents symptomatic PAPVC in a kitten. Most pulmonary veins were connected abnormally with the coronary sinus. The prognosis was grave because of refractory heart failure.     

The Apical Ligaments of the Penis of the Goat and Sheep

The penile apical ligaments of 13 goats and 8 sheep were dissected and described. Unlike the single apical ligament of the bull penis, both goats and sheep had one ligament on each side of the apex of the penis with no apparent connection over the dorsal surface. These lateral apical ligaments consisted of substantial connective tissue fibers that arose from the outer layers of the tunica albuginea and varied from 6.0 to 10.0 cm in length. The left apical ligament was longer and thicker than the right. The left apical ligament of the sheep penis was divided into a dorsal and a ventral branch. Both the goat and sheep possessed flattened perivenous ligaments that originated from the apical fascia and extended caudally along each side of the dorsal vein of the penis.     

Descriptive anatomic study of the great vessels of the heart in the capuchin monkey Cebus apella (Linnaeus, 1758)

The aim of this study was to describe the anatomy of the great vessels of the heart in capuchin monkey (Cebus apella) and to compare with those of other primates, including humans. The hearts were prepared through fixation in 10% formalin and subsequently dissected using standard techniques and instruments. The arterial and venous systems were perfused with colored latex solution via the femoral vessels. An ascending cylindrical branch with relatively great caliber was identified in the aorta artery, in addition to an aortic arch, from which three great arteries were originated, the brachiocephalic trunk, the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery. After a course of variable extension, the pulmonary trunk divided into right and left pulmonary arteries. The caudal vena cava was morphologically similar to that of humans, except for its association with the cardiac lobe of the right lung, whereas the cranial vena cava was formed by the two braquiocephalic veins and received the azygos vein close to right atrium. The pulmonary veins, in number of six, ended at the posterior face of the left atrium, differently from both humans and other primates. In conclusion, the morphology of the great vessels of the heart in Cebus apella was similar to that of humans and other primates, although some differences are evidenced with regards to topography and number of anatomic structures, particularly the relationship of the caudal vena cava with the cardiac lobe of the right lung and the presence of six pulmonary veins in Cebus apella.     

Investigation of the primary cause of hypoadrenocorticism in South African angora goats (Capra aegagrus): a comparison with Boer goats (Capra hircus) and Merino sheep (Ovis aries)

Our objective was to identify the primary site of the reduced adrenal function in South African Angora goats (Capra aegagrus) that causes a decrease in cortisol production and leads to severe losses of Angora goats during cold spells. Angora goats, Boer goats (Capra hircus), and Merino sheep (Ovis aries) were assigned to three intravenous treatments: 1) insulin, 2) corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and 3) ACTH. Blood cortisol concentrations were determined over a 90-min period to determine any differences in the response of the experimental animals to these treatments. For both the insulin and ACTH treatments, cortisol concentrations were less in Angora goats than in the other experimental animals. The adrenal gland was subsequently investigated as a possible cause for the observed hypoadrenocorticism. Primary adrenal cell cultures were prepared from these species, subjected to different treatments, and the cortisol production determined. Upon pregnenolone (PREG) addition, all the experimental animals' cortisol production increased significantly, with the production in Boer goats higher (P<.01) when compared with that in the other species. The stimulation of cortisol biosynthesis by ACTH was only obtained for Boer goats and Merino sheep. The stimulation of cortisol production by forskolin and cholera toxin were compared with ACTH, and, for Angora goats, only cholera toxin caused a significant increase in cortisol production. For Boer goats, no difference (P>.05) between the PREG, ACTH, forskolin, or cholera toxin treatments were observed. The Merino adrenal cells were increasingly stimulated in the following order: PREG, ACTH, forskolin, and cholera toxin (forskolin and cholera toxin stimulated cortisol production to the same extent). This investigation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis, therefore, identified the adrenal gland as the primary site of the Angora's hypoadrenocorticism.     

A macroscopic study of the vascular system of the bovine hind limb claw

The vascular organisation of the hind limb claws from clinically normal cattle was studied using plastic corrosion casts. The proper digital artery ran dorsodistally within the interdigital space and gave off a bulbar branch to the bulb, a plantar branch to the axial aspect of the wall and sole, and a coronary artery to the coronary margin and proximal wall. The artery entered the distal phalanx at the axial foramen, coursed through the nutrient canal as the terminal arch, and emerged at the abaxial foramen to anastomose with branches of the bulbar artery. During its interosseous course, the terminal branch gave off 6-8 primary branches which provided the arterial supply to the coronary margin, axial and abaxial wall, white zone and sole. The dorsal proper digital vein and axial and abaxial proper plantar digital veins drained all venous blood from the claw. Each of these large veins arose from numerous smaller veins which joined to form the venous networks of the coronary margin, wall, sole and bulb. A large arched vein passed through the coronary cushion and formed a connection between the superficial coronary venous plexus and the intra-osseous plexus of the distal phalanx. The axial and abaxial proper plantar digital veins were connected by a vessel through the bulbar cushion. At the same level, the axial proper plantar digital veins of the lateral and medial claw were connected to each other by a large vessel through the interdigital space, situated just proximal to the distal interdigital ligaments. This resulted in the presence of a complete distal venous arch along the plantar aspects of both claws. The parietal collecting veins drained most of the venous blood from the sole, white zone and wall, and connected directly to the venous plexuses of the coronary margin and bulb. Valves occurred commonly in medium and larger calibre veins throughout the claw.     

Heat energy for growing goats and sheep grazing different pastures in the summer.

Angora goat, Spanish goat, and Suffolk x Rambouillet sheep wethers (20 of each type; 30.4+/-.57, 31.3+/-.93, and 32.4+/-1.08 kg BW for Angora goats, Spanish goats, and sheep, respectively) were used to investigate influences of animal type and two grass-based pasture treatments on heat energy during summer grazing (mid-August through September in Oklahoma). The improved pasture treatment consisted of .7-ha paddocks primarily of Old World bluestem and johnsongrass, whereas the native pasture treatment entailed 10.8-ha paddocks dominated by big and little bluestems and indiangrass. Grasses were 95 to 100% of diets for the improved pasture treatment and 71 to 95% for the native pasture treatment; forbs were 2 to 25%, and shrubs were less than 4% of diets for the native pasture treatment. Metabolizable energy intake was similar (P > . 10) between pasture treatments but differed (P <.01) among animal types: 79, 99, and 113 kcal/(kg(.75) BW.d) for Angora goats, Spanish goats, and sheep, respectively; SE 7.1. Heat energy estimated via CO2 entry rate was affected by pasture treatment ( P = .08) and animal type (P < .001): improved pasture treatment 109, 132, and 151 kcal/(kg(.75) BW.d); native pasture treatment 126, 138, and 163 kcal/(kg(.75) BW.d) for Angora goats, Spanish goats, and sheep, respectively. Likewise, daylight grazing time was greater (P = .04) for the native than for the improved pasture treatment and differed (P < .01) among animal types: improved pasture treatment 5.3, 4.7, and 6.7 h; native pasture treatment 6.0, 5.7, and 8.1 h for Angora goats, Spanish goats, and sheep, respectively. In conclusion, heat energy during summer grazing of grass-based paddocks was less for goats than for sheep, and animal type can affect the increase in heat energy as energy intake and grazing time increase.     

Biometrical Studies on the Cornea in Some Domestic Animals

The ringed seal ( Phoca hispida ), as well as other seals, exhibit some unique anatomical properties when compared to their terrestrial counterparts. In the ringed seal, the most conspicuous adaptation is the aortic bulb, a large dilatation of the ascending aorta, which is comparable to that found in other seal species and marine mammals. Coronary arteries are similar to those of terrestrial mammals. The branches of the ascending aorta (brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery) are similar to those of higher primates and man. The pulmonary trunk originates from the right ventricle near the ventral midline of the thorax. The peculiarities of the venous system are three pulmonary veins, a pericardial venous plexus, a caval sphincter, a hepatic sinus with paired caudal vena cavae and a large extradural venous system. Generally, three pulmonary veins (right, left, middle) empty into the left atrium. The right and left pulmonary veins drain the cranial and middle lung lobes of their respective lung, while the middle pulmonary vein drains both caudal lung lobes and the accessory lobe. The pericardial venous plexus lies on the pericardial pleura on the auricular (ventral) surface the heart. The azygous vein is formed from the union of right and left azygous veins near the 5th thoracic vertebra. The caval sphincter surrounds the caudal vena cava as it passes through the diaphragm. Caudal to the diaphragm, the vena cava is dilated excessively (the hepatic sinus) and near the kidneys it is biphid. Cardiovascular physiological studies have shown some of these anatomical variations, especially of the venous system and the ascending aorta, to be modifications for diving.     

Adrenal function in Angora goats: a comparative study of adrenal steroidogenesis in Angora goats, Boer goats, and Merino sheep

South African Angora goats (Capra aegagrus) are susceptible to stress conditions, possibly due to adrenal cortex malfunction. Selection for mohair production may reduce adrenal function and decrease cortisol production. Secretion of cortisol by the adrenal cortex is essential for the induction of several gluconeogenic enzymes that enable animals to survive stressful conditions, and adrenocortical insufficiency, therefore, precipitates a vulnerability to stress. In this study, Angora goats were compared with two breeds generally accepted as hardy, Boer goats (Capra hircus) and Merino sheep (Ovis aries). Adrenal steroidogenesis was studied using subcellular fractions prepared from the adrenal glands of freshly slaughtered animals. Adrenal microsomes and mitochondria were incubated with the relevant steroid substrates, and products were analyzed and quantified with TLC, HPLC, or RIA. Subsequently, the activity of individual enzymes involved in this pathway were further investigated. The cytochrome P450 content in the preparations was also compared. The results from these studies indicated that the activity of the cytochrome P450c17 enzyme in Angora goats differed (P < .01) from that of the other species investigated. This difference may contribute to the cause of the observed hypoadrenocorticism in Angora goats.     

The Great Vessels and Tributaries of the Heart of the Ringed Seal (Phoca hispida)

The ringed seal (Phoca hispida), as well as other seals, exhibit some unique anatomical properties when compared to their terrestrial counterparts. In the ringed seal, the most conspicuous adaptation is the aortic bulb, a large dilatation of the ascending aorta, which is comparable to that found in other seal species and marine mammals. Coronary arteries are similar to those of terrestrial mammals. The branches of the ascending aorta (brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery) are similar to those of higher primates and man. The pulmonary trunk originates from the right ventricle near the ventral midline of the thorax. The peculiarities of the venous system are three pulmonary veins, a pericardial venous plexus, a caval sphincter, a hepatic sinus with paired caudal vena cavae and a large extradural venous system. Generally, three pulmonary veins (right, left, middle) empty into the left atrium. The right and left pulmonary veins drain the cranial and middle lung lobes of their respective lung, while the middle pulmonary vein drains both caudal lung lobes and the accessory lobe. The pericardial venous plexus lies on the pericardial pleura on the auricular (ventral) surface the heart. The azygous vein is formed from the union of right and left azygous veins near the 5th thoracic vertebra. The caval sphincter surrounds the caudal vena cava as it passes through the diaphragm. Caudal to the diaphragm, the vena cava is dilated excessively (the hepatic sinus) and near the kidneys it is biphid. Cardiovascular physiological studies have shown some of these anatomical variations, especially of the venous system and the ascending aorta, to be modifications for diving.     

The venous drainage of the heart in porcupines (Hystrix cristata)

The venous drainage of the heart in porcupines (Hystrix cristata) was investigated. Each of the five adult porcupines (three males, two females) was injected with a coloured latex mixture via the V. cava caudalis for the demonstration of the cardiac veins. The dissection of the specimens revealed that the venous drainage of the heart in porcupines was made by the V. cordis magna, V. distalis ventriculi sinistri, V. proximalis ventriculi sinistri, V. cordis caudalis (the left marginal vein), V. cordis media and Vv. cordis dextrae. The cardiac veins were observed in a subepicardial course on the heart except for the R. interventricularis paraconalis. The R. interventricularis paraconalis showed an intramyocardial course until the middle of the sulcus interventricularis paraconalis, and a subepicardial course after this point. The V. cordis magna and V. distalis ventriculi sinistri opened to the sinus coronarius. The V. cordis caudalis and the V. cordis media drained into the V. cava caudalis. The venous drainage of the conus arteriosus was made by the left V. coni arteriosi opening to the R. interventricularis paraconalis, and by the right V. coni arteriosi which continued to the Vv. cordis dextrae.     

Vascular Anatomy of Canine Hepatic Venous System: A Basis for Liver Surgery

Detailed knowledge of the vascular anatomy is important for improving surgical approaches to the liver. Twelve canine livers were skeletonized to describe the anatomy of their portal and hepatic veins in details. Our data suggest that the liver can be divided into two sections, three divisions, seven lobes and two to four sub‐lobes. This differs from the classic division into four lobes, four sub‐lobes and two processes. The right section was perfused by the right portal branch and drained by independent hepatic veins, while most of the left section, perfused by the left portal branch, was drained by the main hepatic vein deriving from the middle and the left hepatic vein confluence. Part of the right medial lobe, and in some cases the papillary process of the caudate lobe, drained directly into the caudal vena cava. A proper right hepatic vein draining blood from more than one lobe was never observed. Portal connections between the quadrate and the left medial lobe were frequently recorded. Two sub‐lobes with different portal blood supply and venous drainage could be identified in the right lateral (33.3% of cases) and the left lateral (100% of cases) lobes. From our results, the classic nomenclature of the liver lobes does not reflect their vascularization. Based on similarities between canine lobes and human segments, a new nomenclature is possible and may be less confounding in surgical settings.     

Host preference of the sheep scab mite,Psoroptes ovis

Sheep scab mites, Psoroptes ovis, collected from a Merino donor sheep, were used to infest Merino and Dorper sheep, and Angora and Boer goats. Mites were placed on the sheep on 1 or 2 occasions and on 5 occasions on the goats. All the animals were examined at regular intervals for the presence of scab lesions and living mites. Both sheep breeds developed lesions, but those on the Merino sheep were always larger than those on the Dorper sheep at the same intervals after infestation. None of the goats developed lesions or showed signs of irritation, or harboured any mites.     

Carcass traits and retail display-life of chops from different goat breed types

Four groups of goats, Boer x Spanish, straightbred Spanish, Spanish x Angora, and straightbred Angora were slaughtered at a constant age according to accepted industry procedures. At 24 h postmortem, various carcass yield and quality measurements were taken. At 48 h postmortem, one side from each carcass was fabricated into major wholesale cuts for dissection into percentage lean, bone, and fat. Rib chops from the opposite side were fabricated, packaged, and displayed in a retail case. Trained panelists evaluated the rib chops over 4 d of retail display for lean color, surface discoloration, and overall appearance; packages were opened and analyzed for off-odor on d 4. When slaughtered at constant ages, Angora goats had lighter (P < .05) live and hot carcass weights than all other breed types, and Boer x Spanish goats had heavier (P < .05) live and carcass weights than Spanish goats. Live and carcass weights for Boer x Spanish and Spanish x Angora goats did not differ (P > .05). Carcasses from Angora goats had considerably smaller (P < .05) longissimus muscle areas than all other breed types. Carcasses from Spanish goats had lower (P < .05) carcass conformation scores than carcasses from Boer x Spanish goats but did not differ (P > .05) from carcasses of the other two breed types. Carcasses from Angora goats had smaller (P < .05) leg circumferences than the carcasses from Boer x Spanish and Spanish x Angora breed types. In general, carcasses from Boer x Spanish and Spanish goats possessed higher (P < .05) percentages of lean and lower (P < .05) percentages of fat for the side than did carcasses from Spanish x Angora and Angora goats. When the Spanish x Angora carcasses were compared to the Angora carcasses, it seemed that the addition of the Spanish breeding tended to increase lean and decrease fatness for most side or primal comparisons. There were no (P > .05) breed type or breed type x day effects for lean color, surface discoloration, overall appearance or off-odor; however, day of display did influence (P < .05) these traits. Crossing Spanish with Angora goats may be an option to improve carcass characteristics over that of straightbred Angora.     

The influence of steroids on noradrenaline-mediated contractile reactivity of the superficial nasal and facial veins in cycling gilts

The nasal venous blood may be directed through the facial vein into the systemic circulation or through the frontal vein into the venous cavernous sinus of the perihypophyseal vascular complex, where hormones and pheromones permeate from the venous blood into the arterial blood supplying the brain and hypophysis. The present study was designed to determine the effect of noradrenaline (NA) on the tension of the nasal, frontal and facial veins of cycling gilts, and influence of ovarian steroid hormones on NA-mediated contractile reactivity. Additionally, the enzyme dopamine-beta-hydroxylase catalysing the conversion of dopamine to noradrenaline (DbetaH) was immunolocalized in these vessels. Among three studied veins, the frontal proximal vein, that fulfill a key role in the supply of the nasal venous blood into the venous cavernous sinus, reacted to NA most strongly (P < 0.001) and this reaction was weaker in the periestrous period than in luteal phase (P < 0.001). Inversely, the reaction to NA of the facial proximal vein, that carry blood to the peripheral circulation, was stronger in the periestrous period than in luteal phase (P < 0.05). P4, E2 and T significantly lowered NA-mediated tension of the frontal proximal vein during the periestrous period (P < 0.001), while in the luteal phase P4 might antagonize relaxing effect of E2 to this vessel. The result suggests that supply of the nasal venous blood into the venous cavernous sinus is greater during the periestrous period than during the luteal phase. DbetaH was clearly expressed in the muscular layer of the isolated superficial nasal and facial veins of gilts in both studied stages of the estrous cycle. We suggest that the reactivity of the superficial veins of the nose and face to NA combined with the previously demonstrated reactivity of these veins to steroid ovarian hormones and male steroid pheromones may regulate the access of priming pheromone androstenol (resorebed in the nasal cavity) to the brain of gilts during periestrous period via humoral local destination transfer.