The biological variation,index of individuality,and reference change value for hematological and blood chemical analytes in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

BackgroundUnderstanding biological variation is important when establishing or using currently published reference intervals (RIs) to evaluate hematological and blood chemical analysis results. Population based RIs may not be sensitive enough to identify clinically significant changes in individuals when the intraindividual variation is lower than the interindividual variation. This is the first study with the aim to investigate the biological variation of hematological and biochemical analytes and then to calculate the reference change values (RCVs) in ferrets.MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed blood test results of 13 ferrets that have been tested every year for 7 years. Intraindividual and interindividual coefficients of variation for each analyte were calculated using restricted maximum likelihood that is suitable for unbalanced design since five ferrets died earlier, before determining the index of individuality (IoI) and RCV.ResultsNo analytes had IoI lower than 0.6. The IoI of mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), calcium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein, albumin, and globulin were between 0.6 and 1.4. The IoI of red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, MCH concentration (MCHC), white blood cell count, lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, sodium, potassium, phosphate, glucose, creatinine and amylase were higher than 1.4. In this study, the RCVs varied from 6.87% (sodium) to 391.46% (basophils).Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe results of this study indicate that population based RIs are appropriate to evaluate most analytes in this study. Population based RIs should be used with caution to evaluate MCH, calcium, BUN, ALT, ALP, total protein, albumin, and globulin. The hematological and blood chemical RCVs calculated in this study can assist in diagnosing diseases, and monitoring and evaluating the performance of long-term treatments.     

Electroneurographic examination of the ulnar and radial nerves in the dog: reference values, biological variation and reproducibility

The radial and ulnar nerves were examined electrophysiologically in 90 normal dogs. In 66 of these dogs, aged between one and eight years, the reference values were established for 27 variables. Multicomponent sensory nerve action potentials were encountered at the proximal recording site in the ulnar nerve in 68 per cent of the dogs in the reference group and in the radial nerve in 26 per cent. Differences between the sexes were not significant, nor were differences between two breeds of similar body size. There were no significant age related differences between the ages of one and eight years. Limb length, measured as the distance between sensory stimulation site (digits) and proximal recording site (elbow), was found to have a significant effect on the velocity, amplitude, number of positive peaks and duration of the nerve action potentials. The variation in results of repeated measurements of velocities ranged from 0 to 11 per cent. The relative error in velocities due to errors in measurement of distance and latency ranged from 1 to 12 per cent.     

Responsiveness of beef cattle (Bos taurus) to human approach,novelty, social isolation,restraint and trade‐offs between feeding and social companionship

This study investigated responsiveness of beef cattle to various environmental stimuli by subjecting 15–16 Japanese Black cows to five tests repeated twice. Within individual behavioral measures, cows were moderately (repeatability = 0.54–0.70) or highly (repeatability = 0.74–0.89) consistent in flight distance during grazing and resting in the human approach tests, maximum distance from the group pen and the number of total and different feed tub visits in the feeding–sociability trade‐off test, and unwillingness to enter the restraint, movement under restraint and flight speed after release from restraint in the social isolation and restraint test. By contrast, cows were not consistent in the latency to make the first contact and the number of contacts with novel object(s) in the novelty test (repeatability = 0.24–0.39). Across behavioral measures in different tests, cows showed no consistency (P ≥ 0.05) in any combinations of measures from the two human approach tests, the trade‐off test and the social isolation and restraint test. In conclusion, human approach (particularly during resting), feeding–sociability trade‐off and social isolation and restraint situations can be used for evaluating personality in Japanese Black cows, while the value of the novelty test needs to be reexamined.     

Intraocular pressure and Schirmer tear test results in clinically normal Long-Eared Hedgehogs (Hemiechinus auritus): reference values

Objective The present study was undertaken to establish reference values for Schirmer tear test (STT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) in the long‐eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus). Animals Fourteen healthy long‐eared hedgehogs (H. auritus) of either sex were studied. Procedures The hedgehogs were individually immobilized with an intramuscular injection of combined Ketamine (20 mg/kg) and Diazepam (0.5 mg/kg), and each animal underwent ophthalmic examinations including: STT, tonometry, biomicroscopy, and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Results No significant effects of animal gender, weight, side (right vs. left eye) were found in this study. Mean (SD) STT values for all eyes (n = 28) were 1.7 ± 1.2 mm/1 min with a range of 0–4 mm/1 min. Mean STT in male animals was 2.2 ± 1.2. Mean STT in female Hedgehogs was 1.3 ± 1.1. Mean (SD) IOP values by applanation tonometry were 20.1 ± 4.0 mmHg (range 11.5–26.5 mmHg). Mean (SD) IOP values by applanation tonometry were 18.2 ± 4.0 and 22.0 ± 3.2 mmHg for males and females, respectively. Conclusions This study reports STT and IOP findings in long‐eared hedgehogs (H. auritus).     

Technological,environmental and biological factors: referent variance values for infrared imaging of the bovine

Background

Despite its variety of potential applications, the wide implementation of infrared technology in cattle production faces technical, environmental and biological challenges similar to other indicators of metabolic state. Nine trials, divided into three classes (technological, environmental and biological factors) were conducted to illustrate the influence of these factors on body surface temperature assessed through infrared imaging.

Results

Evaluation of technological factors indicated the following: measurements of body temperatures were strongly repeatable when taken within 10 s; appropriateness of differing infrared camera technologies was influenced by distance to the target; and results were consistent when analysis of thermographs was compared between judges. Evaluation of environmental factors illustrated that wind and debris caused decreases in body surface temperatures without affecting metabolic rate; additionally, body surface temperature increased due to sunlight but returned to baseline values within minutes of shade exposure. Examination/investigation/exploration of animal factors demonstrated that exercise caused an increase in body surface temperature and metabolic rate. Administration of sedative and anti-sedative caused changes on body surface temperature and metabolic rate, and during late pregnancy a foetal thermal imprint was visible through abdominal infrared imaging.

Conclusion

The above factors should be considered in order to standardize operational procedures for taking thermographs, thereby optimizing the use of such technology in cattle operations.     

草原土壤重金属含量空间变异与污染评价——以大庆市及周边地区为例

重金属是危害草原生态健康的主要污染物之一,迄今有关大庆市及周边地区草原土壤重金属含量、空间变异和污染程度的研究鲜见报道。本文通过野外调查采样,应用地统计学,结合经典重金属污染评价方法,分析了大庆市及周边地区草原土壤Cd,Cr,Pb,Cu,Zn,Ni,Hg及As含量的空间变异与污染程度,结果表明:研究区8种重金属含量具有中等空间异质性,变异系数在28.3%~58.5%。8种重金属元素可以用指数模型、高斯模型和球状模型拟合,Cd,Cr,Pb,Cu,Zn,Ni和As的块金值/基台值[C₀/(C₀+C)]在25%~75%,其空间变异由结构性变异(母质、地形等)和非结构性因素(人类活动)共同引起,Hg的[C₀/(C₀+C)]>75%,即非结构性因素对其的影响大。土壤重金属含量呈斑块状、条带状、点状和环岛状分布特征。研究区8种重金属的超背景值率较高,表现为累积的特征。As和Ni的分别有23.7%和1.7%的采样点重金属含量超过《国家土壤环境质量标准》(GB15618-1995)2级标准限值。地积累指数评价表明,As存在轻度污染风险,其他重金属无单因子污染风险。潜在生态风险评价表明,8种重金属元素均不存在潜在生态风险。大庆市及周边地区草原土壤重金属呈现空间中等强度变异,个别重金属元素存在超标现象,土壤质量整体良好。     

Adipokines: a review of biological and analytical principles and an update in dogs,cats, and horses

Abstract: In addition to its role as an energy storage depot, adipose tissue is now recognized as a complex endocrine organ. Adipose tissue releases a variety of factors, termed adipokines, that regulate energy metabolism, cardiovascular function, reproductive status, and immune function. Some of the better‐studied adipokines include leptin, adiponectin, and components of the renin‐angiotensin system such as angiotensinogen. The function of more recently discovered adipokines such as resistin are under intense scrutiny. Abnormal production or regulation of adipokines occurs in obese individuals and is implicated in the development of a variety of associated co‐morbidities including metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, heart disease, and cancer in people, although evaluation in domestic species is just beginning. Adipokines are now being examined as potential biomarkers for risk assessment for development of complications related to obesity. This article summarizes the function and regulation of some better‐characterized adipokines. It also reviews the current information on the characterization of adipokines in some domestic species in which rates of obesity and obesity‐related disorders are increasing, such as the dog, cat, and horse.