The fibrinogen concentration in blood of dairy cows and its influence on the interpretation of the glutaraldehyde and formol-gel test reactions.

It has earlier been shown that the formol-gel test on serum and glutaraldehyde test on whole blood are simple and rapid methods for evaluation or the immunoglobulin status in the cow. Both tests function as coagulation tests in which aldehyde groups oross-link basic blood globulins at their NH₂-groups, forming polymerisates. The glutaraldehyde has in whole blood the capacity to polymerize not only immunoglobulins but also fibrinogen.This investigation was made in order to study whether the fibrinogen level may influence the result of the glutaraldehyde test, so revealing any differences between the results of that and the formol-gel test carried out on serum. In 92 cows with a variety of clinical disorders (most of them with inflammatory processes) the total protein, albumin, total globulin concentration and albumin/globulin ratio in serum and fibrinogen concentration in plasma were recorded. The material was grouped according to glutaraldehyde and formol-gel test reactions.It is shown that increases in the fibrinogen level have an effect on the results of the glutaraldehyde test. A positive glutaraldehyde test in more acute processes is ascribed to a heavy rise of plasma fibrinogen in its capacity of acute-phase protein. A positive glutaraldehyde test in chronic diseases may be viewed as a result of interaction between high immunoglobulin concentrations and elevated fibrinogen concentration.In conclusion the fibrinogen and immunoglobulin status of blood is important to assess in many diseases of cattle. The semiquantitative tests described for field use can separately, or especially in parallel use, provide valuable information about the character and development of a disease and may be regarded as good substitutes for the sedimentation rate (SR), which is not demonstrable in cattle. kw|Keywords|k]bovine fibrinogen; k]bovine serum proteins; k]formol-gel reaction; k]glutaraldehyde test; k]acute and chronic inflammations     

Field experiments to evaluate the feasibility of eradication of Aujeszky's disease virus by different vaccination schedules.

In the present report, the extent of the reduction in Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV) dissemination achieved when pigs were intensively vaccinated with gI-deleted vaccines under field circumstances, was examined. On widely dispersed breeding-fattening farms, a gI-negative status was most rapidly obtained and the rate of new waves of infections was lowest when the attenuated Bartha strain was administered to both the sows and the fatteners. It was more difficult not only to reach but also to keep a gI-negative status on farms on which the sows were vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine and the fatteners with the attenuated Bartha strain or when the fattening pigs were not vaccinated at all. In a densely populated area, 9 of the 17 farms had gI-positive fatteners at the start of the intensive vaccination programme in which the attenuated Bartha strain was given to both the sows and the fatteners. Antibodies were not detected in the sera of the fatteners of each farm at some time during the experiments, but the fatteners on 7 of the 18 farms still showed antibodies against gI after 20 months of vaccination. At the end of the experiment, the percentage of fatteners with antibodies on these farms was markedly reduced compared with the percentage at the start of the experiment. Therefore, elimination of field virus may be feasible if intensive vaccination is carried out over a sufficiently long period of time. However, the high rate of reinfections experienced either due to reintroduction of the virus or to recrudescence should be a warning against too much optimism, particularly in regions with a dense swine population.     

丝素蛋白/戊二醛对脆弱丝绸织物加固的工艺条件研究

采用丝素蛋白和交联剂戊二醛作为加固脆弱丝绸织物的材料,通过正交试验,研究了丝素蛋白和戊二醛的质量浓度、浸渍时间等因素对脆弱丝绸织物断裂强度、断裂伸长率、增重率、回潮率、色差、硬挺度等的影响,得出较优的加固处理工艺方案:丝素蛋白质量浓度为5 g/L,戊二醛质量浓度为0.05 g/L,在丝素蛋白溶液中的浸渍时间(t1)为40 min,戊二醛中的浸渍时间(t2)为60 min。在此工艺条件下,丝素蛋白/戊二醛对脆弱丝绸织物的加固效果明显,而且手感和外观较好。可利用该方法及工艺对丝绸文物进行加固保护。     

Experimental Pathological Study of Acute African Swine Fever

To study the clinicopathology and histopathology of African swine fever (ASF), and to explore the internal relationship between pathological changes and disease occurrence and development and its pathological mechanism, 13 Landrace pigs with bodyweight about 20 kg were intramuscular injected with African swine fever virus (ASFV), strain Pig/HLJ/18 at a dose of 10²HAD₅₀·mL^-1. During the experiment, all the dead pigs were systematically dissected and sampled, paraffin sections were produced, and haematoxylin-eosin staining was performed. Clinicopathological evaluation standards for acute ASF were established, then pathological lesions (classification variables) were expressed by counting frequency and percentage, and the lesion degree (continuous variables) was graded and scored according to different pathological changes of various tissues and organs. The results showed that all infected pigs were in line with the clinical characteristics of ASF, including acute, febrile and highly infectious, with a 100% incidence rate and 100% mortality. The dead pigs showed typical characteristics of septicemia, cadavers prone to corruption, blood clotting adverse or hemolysis, rigor mortis incomplete. The main pathological lesions were hemorrhagic necrotizing lymphadenitis, acute inflammatory splenomegaly (septic spleen), cerebral edema, pulmonary edema and lung consolidation et al. The spleen and lymphonodus are the target organs attacked by ASFV, with the most significant lesions, the earliest occurrence time, the longest duration and the highest frequency. The most prominent pathological changes are blood circulation disorders, including multiple pathological manifestations such as edema, hyperemia, congestion, hemorrhage, infarction, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and the most important characteristics are hemorrhagic lesions. The inflammatory reaction of lymphocytic exudation caused by ASFV runs through the whole process, especially in the middle and later stages of the course. The results suggest that the main pathological process of acute African swine fever is a typical immune/inflammatory cascade reaction and severe systemic blood circulation disorder, which resulted in the high incidence rate and high mortality rate of acute ASF.     

急性非洲猪瘟的实验病理学研究

旨在通过对非洲猪瘟临床病理学和组织病理学的研究,探讨病理学变化与疾病发生发展的内在关系及其病理机制。选用体重20 kg左右的长白猪13头,肌内注射非洲猪瘟病毒毒株Pig/HLJ/18,剂量10²HAD₅₀·mL^-1。试验期间的死亡猪,全部进行系统剖检和取材,制备石蜡切片,苏木素伊红染色。建立病理学评价标准,病变（无序分类变量）用频率和百分比表示,病变程度（有序分类变量）按各组织器官的不同病变进行分级和评分。结果表明,发病猪符合非洲猪瘟急性、热性、高传染性等临床特征,发病率100%,病死率100%。病死猪表现败血症典型特征,尸体易腐败,血凝不良或溶血,尸僵不全。主要病理损伤为出血性坏死性淋巴结炎、急性炎性脾肿（败血脾）、脑水肿、肺水肿和肺实变等。脾和淋巴结是非洲猪瘟病毒攻击的靶器官,病变最为显著,出现时间最早,持续时间最长,发生频率最高。病理变化以血液循环障碍尤为突出,包括水肿、充血、淤血、出血、梗死和弥散性血管内凝血等多种病理表现,出血性病变为其最主要的特征。非洲猪瘟病毒引发的以淋巴细胞渗出为主的炎症反应贯穿始终,在病程的中后期表现更为明显。结果提示,急性非洲猪瘟的主要病理过程为典型的免疫/炎症级联反应和严重的全身血液循环障碍,共同导致急性非洲猪瘟的高发病率和高死亡率。     

Effect of housefly maggot meal (magmeal) diets on the performance, concentration of plasma glucose, cortisol and blood characteristics of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings

A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to access the effect of housefly maggot meal (magmeal) diets on the performance, concentration of plasma glucose, cortisol and blood characteristics of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings. Seven feeds formulated to contain 36% protein and 20 kJ g⁻¹ gross energy (dry matter basis), were prepared by replacing fish meal with magmeal. Fifteen fingerlings (initial average weight 2.0 ± 0.1 g) stocked per experimental tank were fed in triplicates at 5% body weight in two portions per day (a level previously established). Growth and food conversion ratio were adequate and comparable without any significant differences (p < 0.5) between feeding groups. Mean values for haematocrit and plasma glucose were not significantly different (p < 0.05) among the feeding groups. Fish group fed control diet (containing highest inclusion level of fish meal and without magmeal) gave the lowest haemoglobin concentration (5.96 ± 0.22 g dl⁻¹). This value was significantly different from other feeding groups. Stressful conditions in fish and in mammals are associated with decreased growth, haematocrit (packed cell volume) and haemoglobin values, increased whole blood glucose (hyperglycaemia) and plasma cortisol concentrations. No such physiological changes were observed in this study. Results suggest that feeding O. niloticus fingerling with magmeal diets did not cause any form of physiological stress. Magmeal can be used as a good alternative protein source in tilapia diets.     

Phytic acid-induced metabolic changes in the rat

Phytic acid (PA) is present in considerable amounts in the seeds of many plant species consumed by animals. Little is known about its influence on metabolic processes. In the performed experiment the effect of rats feeding a standard laboratory diet (Murigran) with increasing supplements of PA on some hormones and biochemical parameters was tested. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups of eight animals each. In the first group (control) rats were fed a diet without any supplement whereas the groups II-V received food with added PA: 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 1%. After 20 days animals were decapitated, blood serum, liver and tight muscles were sampled. In rats fed a diet enriched in PA the concentration of thyroid hormones was diminished. Simultaneously, T(3)/T(4) ratio was slightly reduced. These changes were accompanied by a rise in blood glucose level and an augmentation in liver and muscle glycogen stores and were found in spite of unchanged blood insulin. Consumption of food with increased amounts of PA resulted in a substantial reduction of liver triglyceride content, but serum triglycerides were not affected. In rats from groups II and III serum free-fatty acids concentration was reduced. However, in animals receiving highest PA supplement this effect was not observed. Serum calcium and magnesium were not affected by PA. Serum iron was significantly reduced, but only in rats on the highest supplement of the tested compound. Results obtained in this experiment clearly indicate that the PA is able to induce hormonal and metabolic changes in animals. These changes seem to result not only from reduced bioavailability of minerals but also from interactions of PA with nutrients and enzymes in the liver.     

Reliability of the glutaraldehyde test to measure gamma-globulin levels in foals and the use of this test to check colostrum intake of foals

The glutaraldehyde coagulation test is a semi-quantitative test used to determine the gammaglobulin concentration in serum. The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability of the different modifications of this test by determining the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and the prevalence of hypogammaglobulinemia in foals. The results of the glutaraldehyde coagulation test were compared with the serum gammaglobulin concentration as a reference value, determined by measuring total serum protein and the serum protein spectrum. It was concluded that the glutaraldehyde coagulation test is a suitable test to use in the field for determining the serum gammaglobulin concentration in foals. The test has good sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value when using a 5% glutaraldehyde solution and when results are evaluated at 30 minutes for a serum concentration of 8 g/l and at 50 minutes for a serum concentration of 5.5 g/l, a concentration below which therapy is recommended.     

The Value of the Glutaraldehyde and Formaldehyde Tests in Evaluation of the Globulin Level in Bovine Blood

So-called liability reactions are based on the gelification of blood globulins when reacting with, i.e., glutaraldehyde or formaldehyde. Solidifying time is inversely proportional to the globulin concentration of the blood. In the present investigation glutaraldehyde and formaline-gelification tests were compared concerning their diagnostic and prognostic value in dairy cows with internal diseases.The investigation confirmed earlier results. The correlation between globulin concentration and gelification time was significant, and both tests give very good possibilities to reveal hyper-γ-globulinaemias.The 2 tests were relatively equal as regards the reliability. Even though the formol-gel reaction allows a somewhat better safety and semi-quantitative differentiation than the glutaraldehyde test, the latter has obvious practical advantages. It can be done on whole blood and with a short observation time. Thus, the blood globulin status can be evaluated during the visit on the farm.     

Detection of hypogammaglobulinaemia in neonatal foals using the glutaraldehyde coagulation test

The glutaraldehyde coagulation test was adapted to foal serum to determine adequacy of the colostral-intestinal transfusion of IgG. The test is performed simply by mixing one volume of reagent with 10 volumes of serum and observing the coagulation time. The required glutaraldehyde concentration was established for various threshold levels of IgG as determined by radial immunodiffusion. The analysis consisted of 140 serum samples from foals. Sera with low IgG levels require high glutaraldehyde concentrations and vice versa. The 4 g/l threshold generally accepted for IgG adequacy, was achieved at the optimum diagnostic sensitivity and specificity level by using 10% solution of glutaraldehyde and observing the coagulation at 20 minutes. The use of a 5% glutaraldehyde solution resulted in a cut off level at 5.5 g/l, respectively. The glutaraldehyde test is the cheapest field test for IgG-adequacy.     

Relationship of the prevalence of swine helminths to management practices and anthelmintic treatment in Danish sow herds

During 1982-1984, the occurrence of helminths in 66 sow herds in Denmark was examined by means of faecal samples. The correlations between the prevalences of Ascaris suum and Oesophagostomum spp. and management practices were analysed for fatteners and sows, respectively, resulting in four multivariate models. The helminth prevalences were in general low in large herds, specific pathogen-free (SPF) herds and herds with low weaning age. The multivariate analyses showed that only the two latter correlations were significant. The helminth prevalences of the fatteners were not correlated with anthelmintic treatment. In the sows, anthelmintic treatment was significantly correlated with low prevalences of both helminths, despite samples from recently dewormed sows indicating a rather transitory effect. The prevalences of Oesophagostomum in both fatteners and sows were significantly higher on solid floors with straw bedding than on slatted floors without straw, while this was not the case for Ascaris. Tethering of sows was not significantly correlated with helminth prevalences. Daily cleaning was significantly correlated with low helminth prevalences in fatteners, but not in the sows, while disinfection of the pens was only significantly correlated with low prevalences of Oesophagostomum in fatteners. No correlations to washing of the pens were found. The epidemiology of Ascaris and Oesophagostomum is discussed, especially why the latter is the most sensitive to intensive management.     

家蚕丝素固定化糖化酶的研究

茧丝经高浓度的氯化钙溶液处理或用稀碱溶液处理后,制成了粉末状丝素和碱化丝素,并以此为载体,用戊二醛为交联剂固定了糖化酶。经对固定化酶性质和动力学参数等的研究表明：丝素能较好地固定糖化酶;每克干粉末状丝素固定化酶的活力约为１８２２ Ｕ, 固定化酶的最适ｐ Ｈ 值比游离酶增加了１０ 到１２５ 个单位,最适温度比游离酶降低了５ ～１０ ℃;固定化酶具有较长的操作半衰期（１４ ～１８ｄ） ;通过米氏常数的测定,粉末状丝素固定化酶的 Ｋｍ １ ＝ ２ ．５３ ×１０ －５ , 碱化丝素固定化酶的 Ｋｍ ２ ＝３１５ ×１０ － ５ 。实验还发现： 在制备 固定化糖化 酶时, 酶的最适 浓度为 ８ ｍ Ｌ／ Ｌ,戊 二醛的 最适浓 度为０３ ％ 。     

Effect of chicory products with different inulin content on rat caecum physiology

A 4-week experiment carried out on rats addressed the analysis of physiological properties of model casein diets supplemented with 5% cellulose or different preparations of chicory roots: flour, pulp, high- and low-molecular inulin (IN(HM) and IN(LM) respectively). Of all preparations, only pulp did not induce the hypertrophy of caecum walls or an increase in the bulk of caecal digesta. Chicory preparations lowered caecal pH and ammonia concentration (except IN(LM) preparation), evoked increased hydration of caecal digesta and protein content. The highest concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) was observed in rats fed a diet containing chicory pulp and IN(HM), whereas the lowest VFA concentration was reported after the administration of an IN(LM)-containing diet. The VFA pool was the highest in rats receiving a diet supplemented with chicory flour. All preparations examined diminished the coefficient of protein digestibility but not decrease nitrogen retention. The lowest levels of glucose and total cholesterol, at concurrently the highest level of HDL fraction, were recorded in serum of rats fed IN(LM). A distinct increase in intestinal wall and intestinal digesta, as well as the highest production of VFA and the lowest pH of caecal digesta indicate that chicory flour ingested to a semi-synthetic diet had the most profitable effect on the functioning of rat caecum, compared with other chicory products. Compared with the IN(HM), the preparation of IN(LM) increased caecal wall hypertrophy without increasing VFA production, still simultaneously increasing ammonia content and pH of caecal digesta, decreasing the total cholesterol concentration and increasing HDL content in serum.     

Prevalence of helminth infections in swine in Denmark

During 1982-1984 the occurrence of helminths in 66 sow herds was determined by examining faecal samples from swine of different age groups. Ascaris suum was found in 88% of the herds, while Oesophagostomum spp. and Trichuris suis were found in 58 and 23% of the herds, respectively. Strongyloides ransomi and Hyostrongylus rubidus was not identified in any of the herds. The occurrence of both A. suum and Oesophagostomum spp. was strongly related to the age of the animals. A. suum was most frequently found in growing pigs (30% of the fatteners and 25% of the gilts), whereas only 11-19% of the animals of the adult stock were excreting eggs. In contrast the prevalence of Oesophagostomum spp. increased with the age of the hosts, from 10% of the fatteners to 35 and 44% of the sows and boars, respectively. T. suis occurred only very sporadically, with the highest prevalence being 3% in the gilts. In comparison to previous Danish surveys the present mean prevalences of A. suum and Oesophagostomum spp. were low. Extremely low herd prevalences were found among large herds with intensive management and housing. In these herds, the pigs were infected at a later stage in life than pigs in more traditionally managed herds.     

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic evaluation of marbofloxacin in the treatment of Haemophilus parasuis and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infections in nursery and fattener pigs using Monte Carlo simulations

This study evaluated the theoretical clinical outcome of three marbofloxacin posology regimens in two groups of pigs (weaners and fatteners) for the treatment of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) and Haemophilus parasuis (Hp) infection and the appearance of resistant bacteria due to the antibiotic treatment. The probability of target attainment (PTA) for pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) ratios associated with clinical efficacy and with the appearance of antimicrobial resistance for fluoroquinolones at each minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) or mutant prevention concentration (MPC) were calculated, respectively. The cumulative fraction of response (CFR) was calculated for the three posology regimens against App and they ranged from 91.12% to 96.37% in weaners and from 93% to 97.43% in fatteners, respectively. In the case of Hp, they ranged from 80.52% to 85.14% in weaners and from 82.01% to 88.49% in fatteners, respectively. Regarding the PTA of the PK/PD threshold associated with the appearance of antimicrobial resistance, results showed that marbofloxacin would prevent resistances in most of the animals up to the MPC value of 1 μg/mL.     

Production of IFN-γ in feline whole blood after incubation with potential T-cell epitopes of the nucleocapsid protein of feline coronavirus

Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) plays an important role in cell mediated responses against mutated feline coronavirus strains (FCoV) involved in the pathogenesis of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). The aim of this study was to establish a combined in silico and in vitro approach to assess feline leukocyte production of IFN-γ in response to selected peptides of the nucleocapside protein (N) of FCoVs. To this aim, we designed, through a bioinformatic approach, 8 potentially immunogenic peptides from the protein N corresponding to sequences of residues 14, 182, 198 detected only in FCoVs from FIP cats (virulent strains), only in FCoVs from healthy cats (avirulent strains) and both in FIP and in healthy cats (mixed strains). The peptides or a sham solution were incubated with whole blood from 16 cats (7 healthy and 9 with chronic diseases other than FIP) and IFN-γ concentration was measured on plasma using an ELISA system. RT-PCR expression of IFN-γ mRNA was also evaluated after incubation of the peptides or a sham solution with whole blood from 4 clinically healthy cats. The mean plasma concentration of IFN-γ in samples incubated with peptides decreased and the expression of IFN-γmRNA did not change compared with the sham solution, except for some cats with chronic diseases (which probably have a "pre-activated" immune response). These cats responded to "avirulent" or "mixed" peptides by increasing the concentration of IFN-γ and the expression of IFN-γ mRNA. The combined approach employed in this study allowed us to identify potentially immunogenic peptides of FCoV N protein that can modulate the production of IFN-γ especially in cats with a "pre-activated" cell mediated response.     

Development of a time-resolved fluorometry based immunoassay for the determination of canine haptoglobin in various body fluids

A time-resolved immunofluorometric assay (TR-IFMA) was developed for the determination of haptoglobin (Hp) in canine serum. Haptoglobin was purified from canine acute phase serum by ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by gel filtration. This isolated dog Hp was used as the standard to calibrate the assay. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation of the assay were, respectively, 5.7% and 16.6% at 0.51 mg/mL, 2.4% and 10.6% at 2.1 mg/mL and 10.5% and 11.9% at 32.5 mg/mL. The dilution of serum samples with high Hp concentrations resulted in linear regression equations with R2 of 0.99 and 0.97. A high correlation was found in serum Hp measurements by TR-IFMA and a commercial assay based on peroxidase activity of haemoglobin bound to haptoglobin (R2 = 0.96). The limit of detection for the TR-IFMA method was 0.002 microg/mL. The addition of fresh haemolysate to serum samples did not affect the haptoglobin concentration (P = 0.694). Statistical differences (P < 0.003) were found between healthy dogs and dogs with different pathological processes. In whole blood, Hp concentrations were much lower than in serum but closely related (R2 = 0.84) whereas saliva Hp concentrations were poorly related with serum concentrations (R2 = 0.53). However, the concentration of Hp in saliva was significantly (P < 0.039) higher in dogs with pathological processes compared to healthy dogs. The assay sensitivity was adequate to also be applied to whole blood and saliva specimens.     

Lipid concentrations of fillets, liver, plasma and lipoproteins of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822), fed diets with varying protein concentrations

This study investigated the effect of the dietary protein concentration on lipid concentrations in fillet and liver and concentrations of lipids in plasma and lipoproteins in African catfish. Two experiments were carried out, in which African catfish were fed diets with various protein concentrations. In experiment 1, semisynthetic diets with various concentrations of casein (350, 450 or 550 g protein/kg) were used. In experiment 2, diets were based on a commercial trout diet supplemented with various amounts of casein or carbohydrates, resulting in protein concentrations between 282 and 545 g/kg diet. In both experiments, the dietary protein concentration had a significant effect on growth, feed conversion ratio and carcass composition. Maximum of body weight gains and feed efficiency ratios were reached in both experiments at the highest dietary protein concentrations. Increasing the dietary protein concentration continuously increased masses of fillets and reduced masses of the liver and adipose tissue in the abdominal cavity. Fish fed the diets with the highest protein concentrations had the lowest concentration of total lipids, triglycerides and cholesterol in the fillets, the highest percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in total lipids of fillets and the lowest concentrations of saturated fatty acids (SFA). Fish fed the diets with the highest protein concentration also had the lowest concentrations of triglycerides in the liver, the highest percentages of PUFA in liver total lipids and the lowest percentages of SFA. Moreover, fish fed diets with high protein concentrations (501 and 545 g/kg) had significantly lower concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol and phospholipids in plasma than fish fed diets with lower protein concentrations. In conclusion, this study shows that the dietary protein concentration does not only influence growth, feed efficiency and carcass composition in African catfish, but also influences their lipid metabolism and lipid concentrations of liver and fillet.     

The effect of lead poisoning on hematologic and biochemical values in trumpeter swans and Canada geese

BACKGROUND: Lead is a persistent contaminant in the environment, and waterfowl are susceptible to lead toxicity from ingestion of lead pellets and fishing weights. Lead affects numerous physiologic processes through inhibition of enzyme activity and protein function, but its effects on commonly assessed avian blood values are incompletely understood. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to evaluate hematologic and biochemical changes associated with blood lead concentrations in trumpeter swans and Canada geese. METHODS: Data for CBCs, plasma biochemical profiles (total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, total bilirubin, calcium, phosphorus, gamma-glutamyltransferase [GGT], aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, amylase, and lipase), and whole blood lead concentrations were retrospectively analyzed for 69 trumpeter swans and 52 Canada geese. Laboratory data obtained prospectively from an additional 20 trumpeter swans also were included. RBC morphology was semiquantitated in blood smears from 70 of the birds. Data were analyzed initially by ANOVA and covariance. A statistical model then was constructed to determine the relationship between each parameter and lead concentration. RESULTS: In both avian species, PCV, hemoglobin concentration, and MCHC decreased significantly (P < .05) with increasing blood lead concentration. Uric acid concentration and GGT activity were increased in trumpeter swans and phosphorus concentration was decreased in Canada geese in association with high blood lead concentration (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Lead toxicosis induced significant changes in the values of commonly measured hematologic parameters in waterfowl. These changes may be useful indicators of severe lead intoxication during routine laboratory assessment. Changes in clinical chemistry values, although statistically significant, were too inconsistent to serve as indicators of lead toxicosis.     

Hematologic and biochemical changes during canine agility competitions

BACKGROUND: Normal response to different types of exercise needs to be established before performance, training level, or exercise intolerance can be assessed. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to describe the hematologic and biochemical changes that dogs undergo during an agility competition. METHODS: Fifteen dogs were subjected to an agility test that covered a distance of 360-400 m with 40 obstacles. Basal venous blood samples were drawn 1 week before the competition, immediately after exercise, and at 5, 15, and 30 minutes of recuperation. A CBC, plasma biochemical profile, and lactate concentration were determined by standard methods using automated analyzers. Serum cortisol concentration was measured by competitive immune-enzyme analysis; insulin was measured by sandwich ELISA. RESULTS: Hematologic response to the agility test consisted of significant increases in RBC count, hemoglobin concentration, and HCT, with no change in total protein concentration. Serum triglyceride concentrations were increased postexercise, with highest values observed at 30 minutes of recuperation. Postexercise lactate concentrations exceeded the anaerobic threshold of 4 mmol/L. Serum lactate dehydrogenase activity was significantly higher after 30 minutes of recuperation. Significant differences were not observed in other analytes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that agility competitions induce mild to moderate changes in hematologic and biochemical results consistent with splenic contraction, increased lipolysis, and utilization of anaerobic pathways involved in energy resynthesis in muscle.