Phacoemulsification for the management of Encephalitozoon cuniculi-induced phacoclastic uveitis in a rabbit

Phacoemulsification was performed on a New Zealand White rabbit with slowly progressive unilateral phacoclastic uveitis and cataract formation. The irrigating solution with lenticular contents were centrifuged and examined cytologically using Weber's chromotrope-based stain. Microsporidial spores were observed and positively identified as Encephalitozoon cuniculi via polymerase chain reaction. More than 1 year following surgical therapy, the rabbit is visual and comfortable without medications.     

Malignant B-cell lymphoma of the Harder's gland in a rabbit

A 22-month-old, female rabbit was presented with a 1-day history of acute unilateral exophthalmos. Ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) of the orbit revealed an orbital mass. Retrobulbar lymphoma was diagnosed following fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Thoracic radiographs were normal, and ultrasonography of the abdomen showed focal hypoechoic thickening of the bowel wall and hypoechoic enlarged lymph nodes. The rabbit was euthanized and histopathology identified the retrobulbar mass as B-cell malignant lymphoma of the Harder's gland. Mesenteric lymph nodes, caecum, and both kidneys were also affected. This is the first documented case of malignant lymphoma of the Harder's gland in a rabbit.     

Inguinal-Scrotal Urinary Bladder Hernia in an Intact Male Domestic Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

An 8-year-old intact male dwarf rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was presented with a 2-month history of unilateral scrotal swelling. The external physical examination of the rabbit patient confirmed the severe, unilateral, fluid-filled scrotal distention. Radiographic images of the effected scrotum revealed a soft tissue swelling in the area of the left testicle, and the absence of the urinary bladder in the caudal abdomen. Ultrasonography verified the presence of a fluid-filled mass in the scrotum, enveloping the left testicle. A fine-needle aspiration of the scrotal mass yielded urine, thus a diagnosis of a nonreducible herniation of the urinary bladder into the scrotum was made. An inguinal herniorrhaphy was performed, and the bladder was successfully reduced into the abdominal cavity. A bilateral routine castration and left scrotal ablation were also performed. Two months after surgery no recurrence was noted, and the patient had normal urinary function. Inguino-scrotal bladder herniation is rare in both humans and animals. Male rabbits are predisposed to inguinal and scrotal hernias because their inguinal rings remain open throughout life. Herniation of the urinary bladder should be considered as a differential diagnosis when intact male rabbits are presented with unilateral scrotal swelling.     

Surgical correction of aberrant conjunctival overgrowth in a rabbit: a case report

A dwarf rabbit presented with unilateral aberrant conjunctival growth. Allgoewer’s U-suture therapy was initially used to correct the overgrowth. Centrifugal incisions extending up to the limbus were made on the hypertrophic conjunctiva. Transpalpebral limbal fixation was performed next. When the symptoms recurred 3 weeks later, a second operation was performed using the Lembert suture method instead. The overgrowing membrane was excised radically just posterior to the limbus. The conjunctiva was then sutured using the Lembert pattern. The rabbit recovered with no further complications.     

Intra-abdominal torsion of a neoplastic testicle in a rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) with cryptorchidism

Background: Testicular torsion is a relatively common complication of cryptorchidism in domestic mammals but is currently unreported in rabbits. Case presentation: A 7-year-old Dutch rabbit was examined for sudden anorexia and lethargy. The rabbit was previously diagnosed with unilateral cryptorchidism 5 years earlier; however, the owner declined surgical treatment at that time. Transabdominal ultrasonography showed a structure consistent with an enlarged testis, with decreased echogenicity, and absent blood flow upon color Doppler ultrasonography. After induction of general anesthesia and during preparation for surgery, the patient had an episode of cardiac arrest. After successful resuscitation, bilateral cryptorchidectomy continued as planned. A ventral midline laparotomy was performed and confirmed presence of an enlarged, dark red left testicle torsed on its spermatic cord. The contralateral testicle was atrophic. Both testicles were removed after standard hemostasis. Recovery was uncomplicated. Histopathologic examination revealed a diagnosis of Sertoli cell tumor and extensive hemorrhage and necrosis in the torsed testicle. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Based on literature search, this is the first reported case of intra-abdominal torsion of a neoplastic testicle in a cryptorchid rabbit. Early elective cryptorchidectomy before the potential development of life-threating complications may be beneficial in rabbits as in other species.     

Endosurgical treatment of a retrobulbar abscess in a rabbit

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 1-year-old sexually intact female Netherland dwarf rabbit was examined because of a 3-week history of signs of lethargy, decreased appetite, left unilateral exophthalmia, a previous draining sinus from a left maxillary facial abscess, and bilateral nasal discharge. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The rabbit weighed 1.0 kg (2.2 lb) and had a body condition score of 1.5/5. Physical examination revealed generalized muscle atrophy, bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge, and severe left-sided exophthalmia. Diagnostic investigation revealed anemia, neutrophilia, severe dental disease, a superficial corneal ulcer of the left eye, and a retrobulbar abscess. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Stomatoscopy-aided dental trimming, tooth removal, and abscess debridement were performed. Antimicrobials were flushed into the tooth abscess cavity, and antimicrobial treatment was initiated on the basis of cytologic findings and results of bacterial culture and susceptibility testing. Two months after the initial surgery, minimal exophthalmia was evident and no further physical, radiographic, or ultrasonographic changes were evident. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Stomatoscopy is a valuable technique that can facilitate diagnosis, treatment, and serial reevaluation of rabbits with dental disease.     

纹状体内注射6-羟基多巴胺制备兔帕金森病模型

应用脑立体定位技术微量注射6-OHDA于兔右侧纹状体内。术后每周观察以阿扑吗啡（Apomorphin,APO）诱导的旋转行为,并于术后6周处死兔,以黑质酪氨酸羟化酶（Tyrosine hydroxylase,TH）免疫组化染色,观察黑质多巴胺能神经元的形态、结构及数量变化。结果表明,部分兔在术后即出现行动迟缓、躬身、易激怒等异常行为。术后6周时,20只兔中有16只在阿扑吗啡诱导后30min内的平均旋转圈数大于7r/min,达到成功模型标准。模型成功率达到80%。TH免疫组化染色可见正常对照组、假手术组及模型组未损侧黑质内有胞浆浓染、突起明显的TH免疫反应阳性神经元分布,神经元数量较多,轴突长度较长,且3者差异不显著（P〉0.05）;而模型组损毁侧黑质内TH免疫反应阳性神经元与上述3者相比,数目明显减少（P〈0.05）,残存的细胞染色较浅,胞体轮廓和突起均不清晰,轴突长度明显变短（P〈0.05）。结果提示,将6-OHDA注射于兔单侧纹状体是一种制备帕金森病（Parkinson’s disease,PD）模型的有效方法,此法操作简便,动物死亡率低,模型制作成功率高。     

3个品种兔微卫星标记的遗传多样性研究

为分析福建黄兔、新西兰兔、日本大耳白兔群体内的遗传变异情况和群体间的遗传相关性,本试验选取3个品种兔各25只,分别耳静脉采血并采用试剂盒抽提全血基因组,运用15个微卫星标记,结合荧光PCR技术和毛细管电泳方法获得目的片段,通过计算等位基因数、有效等位基因数、杂合度、多态信息含量和遗传距离,分析3个品种兔的遗传多样性。结果显示,3个品种兔在15个座位共检测到110个等位基因,平均等位基因数为7.3个,其中福建黄兔、新西兰兔和日本大耳白兔分别检测到95、95和88个等位基因,且分别在11、12和11个微卫星座位表现为高度多态,表明3个品种兔在筛选的15个微卫星座位均呈现较丰富的遗传多态信息。Hardy-Weinberg遗传平衡检验结果表明,福建黄兔、新西兰兔和日本大耳白兔分别有8、8和6个座位处于Hardy-Weinberg不平衡状态。Nei氏遗传距离分析显示,福建黄兔与新西兰兔、福建黄兔与日本大耳白兔、新西兰兔与日本大耳白兔的Nei氏遗传距离分别为0.1761、0.2347和0.0432。遗传距离越小时,相似度越高,亲缘关系越近,因此,新西兰兔与日本大耳白兔间的亲缘关系最近,福建黄兔与日本大耳白兔间的亲缘关系最远。     

5个家兔群体白细胞介素10基因外显子的遗传多样性分析

本研究旨在分析家兔IL-10基因外显子的多态性,以期为进一步研究家兔IL-10与疾病抗性的相关性提供理论依据。根据GenBank上收录的IL-10基因序列设计5对特异性引物,采用PCR-SSCP方法对海狸色獭兔、白色獭兔、皖系长毛兔、闽西南黑兔、九疑山兔这5个家兔群体IL-10基因的5个外显子序列进行多态性分析。结果表明:在IL-10基因外显子3上检测到4种等位基因,10种基因型,存在3个SNPs位点;在外显子4上检测到2种等位基因,3种基因型,存在1个SNP位点。而外显子1、2、5对于实验群体未发现有遗传多态性。在外显子3中,D等位基因只在闽西南黑兔和九疑山兔中检测到,除海狸色獭兔和闽西南黑兔外其余群体均处于哈代-温伯格平衡,各群体不同基因型分布存在极显著差异(P<0.01)。在外显子4中,A1B1基因型在獭兔群体中没有检测到;除海狸色獭兔外其余各群体均处于哈代-温伯格平衡,海狸色獭兔跟白兔獭兔不同基因型分布差异不显著(P>0.05),而其余群体彼此不同基因型分布存在显著性差异(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结果提示:5个家兔群体在IL-10基因外显子3和4中存在遗传多态性,不同家兔群体在遗传基础上存在着一定的差异。     

利用微卫星分析中国家兔的遗传多样性

利用10个微卫星DNA标记对7个家兔品种(9个群体)进行了遗传检测。结果表明:所选择的10个微卫星位点在所检测群体中均表现了较好的多态性,平均多态信息含量为0.569905。平均杂合度范围在0.5885～0.6826。表明所研究的家兔品种的遗传多样性较丰富,还可以做进一步的选择利用。根据遗传距离所做的聚类分析图表明,吉戎-Ⅰ系和吉戎-Ⅱ系、哈尔滨大白兔、塞北兔的亲缘关系依次较近,与它们的培育历史相吻合。     

塞北兔与其他品种饲养对比试验研究

对塞北兔三系(A系、B系、C系)、布列塔尼亚兔和伊普吕兔等3个家兔品种进行饲养对比试验.结果表明:塞北兔三系与布列塔尼亚兔、伊普吕兔在试验期日增重和饲料报酬两项指标存在极显著差异(P＜0.01),塞北兔三系间差异不显著(P＞0.05).说明塞北兔三系的日增重和饲料报酬比布列塔尼亚兔、伊普吕兔具有极显著优势.     

家兔群体遗传变异的微卫星标记

选用欧洲野生穴兔的5个微卫星座位,分析了5个品种(系)家兔群体的遗传变异.结果表明:Vc-Ⅱ系獭兔的群体内平均多态信息含量和平均杂合度均最大,分别为0.552 6和0.620 2;新西兰兔群体内平均多态信息含量和平均杂合度都最小,分别为0.451 5和0.526 1,说明在5个品种(系)家兔中,新西兰兔群体内变异较小,相对较纯;Vc-Ⅱ系獭兔群体内变异较大,纯度相对较小.但总的来看,5个品种(系)家兔的平均多态信息含量和平均杂合度相差都不大,说明Vc獭兔在遗传性能上已接近其他优良品种兔.聚类结果表明:Vc-Ⅰ系獭兔与Vc-Ⅱ系獭兔亲缘关系最近,与日本大耳兔、青紫蓝兔亲缘关系较近,与新西兰兔亲缘关系最远,这与Vc獭兔育种事实相符.在Sat4和Sat8座位分别检测出了一条Vc獭兔所特有的条带,从而为进一步研究Vc獭兔的遗传特性打下良好的基础.     

Abortion in dairy cattle with advanced twin pregnancies: Incidence and timing

This study examines incidences and timing of abortion in Holstein Friesian dairy cows with advanced twin pregnancies in north‐eastern Spain. The study population consisted of 1,194 twin pregnancies in two herds recorded from 2010 to 2015: 522 bilateral and 672 unilateral. The presence of live twins was determined by transrectal ultrasonography between 55 and 61 days post‐AI and pregnancy confirmed 60 days later. Abortion was recorded in 278 (23.3%) cows before Day 260 of pregnancy: 7 (1.3%) in bilateral and 271 (40.3%) in unilateral twin pregnancies. Using binary logistic regression procedures the following were excluded as risk factors for abortion: herd, year, heat stress (temperature‐humidity index values >72), lactation number and right versus left side for unilateral twins. Based on odds ratios, cows carrying unilateral twins were 49.9 (right unilateral twins) and 49.3 (left unilateral twins) times more likely to suffer abortion than cows with bilateral twins. The average time of abortion for unilateral twins was 173 ± 32 days and ranged from 135 to 249 days, 43% of abortions occurring between 135 and 154 days of gestation. The authors suggest prevention or reduction of unilateral twin pregnancies by follicular puncture and drainage of subordinate follicles at AI or manual rupture of the amniotic vesicle of one of the two twins at the time of pregnancy diagnosis.     

成都市兔肉市场调查报告

通过对成都市五城区的43家超市、21家农贸市场、16家餐饮店进行兔肉市场调查,以摸清成都市兔肉及其相关产品的种类、价格、市场铺货率等情况。结果表明:成都市兔肉销量大,兔肉产品种类丰富,市场铺货率高。总结出成都市兔肉消费量大的原因。本文还对兔肉市场提出了一些建议,从而为进一步推动本地兔肉市场的发展以及外地兔肉消费市场的开发提供一定参考。     

VC-I系獭兔育种初探

用日本大耳白母兔与加利福尼亚公獭兔杂交,其杂种一代母兔再与加利福尼亚公獭兔回交,共繁殖回交一代71只,其中绒毛型兔占42.25％,粗毛型兔占57.75％。将粗毛型兔淘汰,自绒毛型兔中选出理想型公母兔作为基础繁殖群进行横交固定,形成新的獭兔品系VC-I系。VC-I系獭兔(基础群)生长速度及繁殖性能均较纯种獭兔有所提高,毛品质亦保持了纯种獭兔水平。     

利用微卫星标记分析五个家兔群体的遗传多样性

利用15个微卫星座位,分析了新西兰白兔、德系安哥拉兔、美系獭兔、齐卡G系肉兔、福建黄兔5个家兔群体的遗传多样性。结果表明：15个微卫星位点的平均等位基因数和平均有效等位基因数分别为7．400±1．639个和5．694±1．470个;5个家兔群体的平均基因杂合度和平均多态信息含量分别为0．7367和0．6994;新西兰白的平均基因杂合度和平均多态信息含量最高,福建黄兔最低。5个家兔群体的平均总近交系数（F_is）为-0．03,群体内平均近交系数（F_is）为-0．151,群体平均分化系数（F_is）为0．105（P〈0．001）。采用UPGMA法进行聚类分析,5个家兔群体聚为三类：新西兰白兔和德系安哥拉兔聚为一类;齐卡兔G系和美系獭兔聚为一类,福建黄兔独自为一类。     

兔NLRC3基因克隆及其表达特性研究

本研究旨在探究兔NOD样受体家族蛋白3（NOD-like receptor family CARD domain containing 3，NLRC3）基因序列、分子结构和体内外表达特性。根据GenBank中公布的预测序列（登录号：XM_017338739.1）设计引物，PCR扩增并克隆兔NLRC3基因，利用生物信息学方法对其分子结构进行预测分析。构建真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-rNLRC3-HA，通过间接免疫荧光试验探究兔NLRC3的亚细胞定位。通过实时荧光定量PCR检测NLRC3基因在兔各组织中的分布情况及肠出血性大肠杆菌感染后表达水平的变化。结果表明，兔NLRC3基因编码区长3 192 bp，相似性比对及系统进化树显示，兔NLRC3与其他哺乳动物相似性较高，并在进化树中处于同一分支。兔NLRC3由N-端、NACHT及LRR结构域组成，三级结构模型呈单曲率马蹄形，凸面由α-螺旋组成，凹面由β-折叠组成。间接免疫荧光试验结果显示，兔NLRC3位于细胞浆中，且不与线粒体共定位。兔NLRC3基因在所有被检组织中均有表达，且在脾脏中的表达量最高，其次是肠系膜淋巴结、淋巴滤泡。肠出血性大肠杆菌感染机体后，在脾脏、肝脏、肾脏中兔NLRC3基因mRNA表达量均上调，表明兔NLRC3基因参与了肠出血性大肠杆菌感染后的免疫应答。综上，本研究成功克隆了兔NLRC3基因并进行了生物信息学分析，明确其为胞内受体，在各组织中广泛分布，并参与了细菌感染后的免疫应答，为进一步探究兔NLRC3在炎症反应中的调控机制提供了基础材料。     

健康家兔肠道益生菌的分离鉴定

用选择性培养基对健康家兔不同年龄段及不同部位的肠道微生物进行培养,结果表明:断奶仔兔盲肠内有氧菌种类极显著高于回肠(P<0.01),盲肠内厌氧菌种类稍高于回肠,但差异不显著(P>0.05);青年兔盲肠内有氧菌和厌氧菌种类均显著高于回肠(P<0.05)。断奶仔兔盲肠和回肠内有氧菌稍高于青年兔,但差异不显著;而盲肠和回肠内厌氧菌极显著低于青年兔(P<0.01)。     

5个家兔群体FGF5基因的遗传多样性分析

设计5对特异性引物,采用PCR-RFLP法及PCR-SSCP法对5个家兔群体FGF5基因CDS序列进行分析。结果显示:FGF5-1A发现了2个等位基因、3种基因型,在该引物285~287位点存在TCT缺失;FGF5-3B发现了2个等位基因、2种基因型,在该引物58位点处存在T→C突变。所有的群体均处于哈代-温伯格平衡,且在所选的5个家兔群体的FGF5-1A中,A1等位基因均为优势等位基因,獭兔群体表现为中度多态,肉兔群体表现为低度多态,毛兔未检测到多态。皖系长毛兔与其他家兔群体之间分布均差异极显著(P<0.01),九疑山兔与海狸色獭兔之间分布差异显著(P<0.05)。该研究为FGF5基因是否能作为家兔毛质性状选育工作的分子标记提供了一定参考。     

A Comparison of the Effects of Unilateral Thyroarytenoid Lateralization Versus Cricoarytenoid Laryngoplasty on the Area of the Rima Glottidis and Clinical Outcome in Dogs with Laryngeal Paralysis

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effects of unilateral thyroarytenoid lateralization versus unilateral cricoarytenoid laryngoplasty for the treatment of canine laryngeal paralysis. Study Design-A prospective, clinical trial. ANIMALS: Twenty client-owned dogs admitted to Glasgow University Veterinary Hospital (GUVH) between 1997 and 1999 with a diagnosis of laryngeal paralysis. METHODS: A thorough evaluation of each dog was undertaken that included history, physical and neurologic examinations, complete blood count, serum biochemistry profile, serum thyroxine (T4) level, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) assay. The exercise tolerance of each dog was investigated by assessing respiratory rate and arterial blood gas analysis at rest and after 5 minutes of mild exercise. Animals were included in the study on the basis of a definitive diagnosis of laryngeal paralysis made by endoscopic observation of the larynx in the lightly anesthetized patient. The animals were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups: unilateral thyroarytenoid lateralization or unilateral cricoarytenoid laryngoplasty, with all procedures being performed by the same surgeon. Video images of the rima glottidis were recorded pre- and postoperatively using video endoscopy. Video images were digitized and the area of the rima glottidis measured using image-analysis software. An increase in the area of the rima glottidis was expressed as a percentage of the preoperative area. All animals were reassessed 6 weeks' postoperatively, and exercise tolerance tests were repeated. RESULTS: The mean increase in the area of the rima glottidis postoperatively when compared with the preoperative area was 140% for those animals undergoing unilateral thyroarytenoid lateralization (range, 120%-158%) and 207% for those animals undergoing unilateral cricoarytenoid laryngoplasty (range, 183%-228%). This difference was statistically significant (P < .0001). At the 6-week postoperative examination, there was no significant difference in improvement between the 2 groups when compared on either a clinical basis or exercise tolerance tests. The mean surgical time in the 2 groups was 25 minutes for thyroarytenoid lateralization and 43 minutes for cricoarytenoid laryngoplasty. This was a statistically significant difference (P = .002). CONCLUSION: Although increase in area of the rima glottidis was significantly greater after unilateral cricoarytenoid laryngoplasty compared with unilateral thyroarytenoid lateralization, no difference in clinical outcome could be detected. However, the cricoarytenoid laryngoplasty procedure required significantly more surgical time. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Both unilateral cricoarytenoid laryngoplasty and unilateral thyroarytenoid lateralization are successful methods for the treatment of laryngeal paralysis; however, thyroarytenoid lateralization requires less surgical time to perform.