Hematologic, biochemical, and protein electrophoretic values in captive tawny owls (Strix aluco)

BACKGROUND: The tawny owl (Strix aluco) is a protected species in Italy. Orphaned, injured, and ill owls often are sheltered and treated in rehabilitation centers, where hematologic and biochemical analyses would be helpful to evaluate and monitor the status of their health. OBJECTIVES: The major aim of this work was to assess hematologic and biochemical constituents together with protein electrophoretic fractions in healthy tawny owls. In addition, we compared laboratory methods for determining hemoglobin (Hgb), total protein, and albumin concentrations. METHODS: Heparinized blood samples were collected from 10 clinically healthy adult captive tawny owls between March 2001 and November 2003 for CBC, routine biochemical analysis, and protein electrophoresis. Alternate methods for Hgb (estimation as HCT/3 vs spectrophotometry), total protein (biuret vs refractometry), and albumin (bromcresol green vs electrophoresis) concentrations were compared in 34 samples from 16 unhealthy adult owls and 8 nestlings. RESULTS: Results were reported as mean, median, and range (minimum-maximum). Significant differences and poor concordance were observed between methods for Hgb, total protein, and albumin. CONCLUSIONS: Hematologic and plasma biochemical values in captive tawny owls may be useful in evaluating and monitoring the health of this species in captivity.     

Tenogenic induction of equine mesenchymal stem cells by means of growth factors and low-level laser technology

Tendons regenerate poorly due to a dense extracellular matrix and low cellularity. Cellular therapies aim to improve tendon repair using mesenchymal stem cells and tenocytes; however, a current limitation is the low proliferative potential of tenocytes in cases of severe trauma. The purpose of this study was to develop a method useful in veterinary medicine to improve the differentiation of Peripheral Blood equine mesenchymal stem cells (PB-MSCs) into tenocytes. PB-MSCs were used to study the effects of the addition of some growth factors (GFs) as TGFβ3 (transforming growth factor), EGF2 (Epidermal growth factor), bFGF2 (Fibroblast growth factor) and IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor) in presence or without Low Level Laser Technology (LLLT) on the mRNA expression levels of genes important in the tenogenic induction as Early Growth Response Protein-1 (EGR1), Tenascin (TNC) and Decorin (DCN). The singular addition of GFs did not show any influence on the mRNA expression of tenogenic genes whereas the specific combinations that arrested cell proliferation in favour of differentiation were the following: bFGF2 + TGFβ3 and bFGF2 + TGFβ3 + LLLT. Indeed, the supplement of bFGF2 and TGFβ3 significantly upregulated the expression of Early Growth Response Protein-1 and Decorin, while the use of LLLT induced a significant increase of Tenascin C levels. In conclusion, the present study might furnish significant suggestions for developing an efficient approach for tenocyte induction since the external administration of bFGF2 and TGFβ3, along with LLLT, influences the differentiation of PB-MSCs towards the tenogenic fate.     

Feline leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum in Italy

A case of leishmaniosis in domestic cats (Felis catus domesticus) is described. The subject showed a nodular lesion on the eyelid. The diagnosis was achieved by serological, parasitological, and light and electron microscopic investigations. By molecular techniques the aetiological agent was identified as belonging to Leishmania infantum, the species implicated in human and canine leishmaniosis in southern Europe. A preliminary study on the prevalence of asymptomatic feline leishmaniosis, performed in the areas where the infected cat was identified, revealed a low seroprevalence of infection: only 1 (0.9%) of the 110 cat sera examined by indirect fluorescent antibody test was positive for anti-Leishmania antibodies. Because clinical signs in feline leishmaniosis are unspecific and similar to those observed in other diseases commonly found in this species, leishmaniosis must be added to the differential diagnosis by feline veterinary practitioners and adequate serologic and histopathologic investigations must be performed in endemic areas.     

Effect of 1-24ACTH administration on sheep blood granulocyte functions

The objective of the present study was to determine the efficiency of blood neutrophils (PMN) taken from sheep during acute stress. Ten healthy Charolle sheep were sampled before treatment (T0) and 1 (T1), 2 (T2), 24 (T24) and 48 (T48) hours after 1-24ACTH administration. Ten sheep serving as the controls were sampled at the same time intervals, using saline solution instead of 1-24ACTH. At each time sampling, rectal temperature, heart rate, cortisol, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), total and differential leukocyte counts were evaluated. PMN were isolated after centrifugation of whole blood and hypotonic lysis of RBC. Chemotaxis was evaluated on a modified Boyden chamber using a nitrate cellulose filter and both Zymosan activated serum (ZAS) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) as chemoattractants. Phagocytosis was measured using both non-opsonized latex beads and fluoresceinated yeasts opsonized with homologous serum. Superoxide (O(-)2) production was evaluated by measuring superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome C, and adherence by a colorimetric assay of acid phosphatase activity of adherent cells. The administration of 1-24ACTH induced an acute stress reaction, indicated by the presence of clinical, biochemical and hematological changes. Adherence significantly increased from T0 to T2 in treated sheep. This might be responsible for the depression of non-specific immunity in stressed animals. Studies using stressors other than 1-24 ACTH are needed to verify the influence of other components of the stress reaction on PMN functions.     

The use of melatonin and progestagen–eCG to initiate reproductive activity in prepuberal Awassi ewe lambs

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of administering hormonal treatments (melatonin and progestagen/equine chronic gonadotropin (eCG)) on advancing puberty in Awassi ewe lambs. Fifty-one 6-month-old ewe lambs of similar body weights (around 28 kg) were randomly assigned into four treatment groups; control (CON; n?=?14), melatonin (MEL; n?=?13), melatonin plus progestagen–eCG (MELPP; n?=?11), and progestagen–eCG (PP; n?=?13). Ewe lambs in the PP and MELPP groups were fitted with intravaginal progestagen sponges containing 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate for 14 days; 400 IU eCG were administered to each of these ewe lambs on the day of sponge removal. Ewe lambs in the MEL and MELPP groups received subcutaneous melatonin implants (Regulin®, 18 mg melatonin) 36 days before sponge insertion. Hormonal treatment had no effect on ewe lamb body weight change. Estrous behavior was greater (p?p?p?p?相似文献   

Effect of FMD vaccination on semen quality parameters in Karan Fries and Murrah buffalo bulls

Effect of Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) vaccination was studied on semen quality parameters of 19 Karan Fries (KF) and eight Murrah (MU) breeding bulls during the period 2002 to 2004 at Artificial Breeding Complex, NDRI, Karnal. A total of non-vaccinated 155 KF and 72 MU bulls' ejaculates were taken as control, while 169 KF and 51 MU bulls' ejaculates, collected after vaccination, were used to study the effect of vaccination stress. The results showed that FMD vaccination had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on ejaculate volume and total volume per day of semen in both KF and MU bulls. Volume of semen increased slightly during post-vaccination period in both the breeds. After FMD vaccination, there was significant (P < 0.01) decrease in mass activity (2.27 ± 0.06 vs. 1.67 ± 0.07 and 2.49 ± 0.09. vs. 1.75 ± 0.10, for KF and MU, respectively), initial motility (56.89 ± 0.03% vs. 44.62 ± 0.02% and 62.26 ± 0.04% vs. 47.08 ± 0.05%, for KF and MU, respectively), sperm concentration (754.19 ± 23.96 vs. 554.14 ± 22.95 × 10⁶/ml and 848.61 ± 33.65 vs. 571.57 ± 39.99 × 10⁶/ml, for KF and MU, respectively), and total sperm output per ejaculate (3,685.94 ± 158.40 vs. 2,781.54 ± 151.70 × 10⁶ and 2,218.75 ± 133.14 vs. 1,582.84 ± 158.20 × 10⁶, for KF and MU, respectively). Application of FMD vaccine had significantly (P < 0.05) adverse effect on most of the seminal attributes during post-vaccination in KF and MU buffalo bulls. So, the spermiograms affected following vaccination suggest that in bovines, the semen collection and preservation should be suspended till normal fertility of sperm is restored to avoid the failure of conception from artificial insemination using such semen.     

Plasma pharmacokinetics and milk levels of ceftriaxone following single intravenous administration in healthy and endometritic cows

Pharmacokinetics and milk levels of ceftriaxone were studied in healthy and endometritic cows following single intravenous administration. The drug was detected up to 8 h of dosing in plasma of healthy and endometritic cows and the drug disposition followed three-compartment open model. The values of Vd_area, AUC, t_1/2β, Cl_B, MRT and P/C ratio were 0.50 ± 0.19 L.kg⁻¹, 62.2 ± 23.3 μg.ml⁻¹.h, 1.02 ± 0.07 h, 0.30 ± 0.09 L.kg⁻¹.h⁻¹, 1.55 ± 0.25 h and 0.52 ± 0.27, respectively, in healthy and 1.55 ± 0.52 L.kg⁻¹, 37.0 ± 17.1 μg.ml⁻¹.h, 1.56 ± 0.25 h, 0.56 ± 0.14 L.kg⁻¹.h⁻¹, 2.14 ± 0.34 h and 1.44 ± 0.60, respectively, in endometritic cows. The drug was detected in milk for 36 h after administration. For MIC₉₀ of 0.5 μg.ml⁻¹ the most appropriate dosage for ceftriaxone, would be 9.0 mg.kg⁻¹ repeated at 6 h intervals for the treatment of endometritis in cows.     

Sample pooling for real-time PCR detection and virulence determination of the footrot pathogen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dichelobacter nodosus</Emphasis>

Dichelobacter nodosus is the principal cause of ovine footrot and strain virulence is an important factor in disease severity. Therefore, detection and virulence determination of D. nodosus is important for proper diagnosis of the disease. Today this is possible by real-time PCR analysis. Analysis of large numbers of samples is costly and laborious; therefore, pooling of individual samples is common in surveillance programs. However, pooling can reduce the sensitivity of the method. The aim of this study was to develop a pooling method for real-time PCR analysis that would allow sensitive detection and simultaneous virulence determination of D. nodosus. A total of 225 sheep from 17 flocks were sampled using ESwabs within the Swedish Footrot Control Program in 2014. Samples were first analysed individually and then in pools of five by real-time PCR assays targeting the 16S rRNA and aprV2/B2 genes of D. nodosus. Each pool consisted of four negative and one positive D. nodosus samples with varying amounts of the bacterium. In the individual analysis, 61 (27.1%) samples were positive in the 16S rRNA and the aprV2/B2 PCR assays and 164 (72.9%) samples were negative. All samples positive in the aprV2/B2 PCR-assay were of aprB2 variant. The pooled analysis showed that all 41 pools were also positive for D. nodosus 16S rRNA and the aprB2 variant. The diagnostic sensitivity for pooled and individual samples was therefore similar. Our method includes concentration of the bacteria before DNA-extraction. This may account for the maintenance of diagnostic sensitivity. Diagnostic sensitivity in the real-time PCR assays of the pooled samples were comparable to the sensitivity obtained for individually analysed samples. Even sub-clinical infections were able to be detected in the pooled PCR samples which is important for control of the disease. This method may therefore be implemented in footrot control programs where it can replace analysis of individual samples.