Determinants of bone mass,density and growth in growing dogs with normal and osteopenic bones

Survey radiographs of all the growing dogs aged up to 6 months, which were presented to the IVRI polyclinics during the 10 year period were screened to study the determinants of bone mass, density and growth. On the basis of clinical history and radiographic evaluation of long bones, the cases were categorized as normal or osteopenic. The relative cortical density (RCD), cortical index (CI), diameter of bone at the distal metaphysis (DDFM) and the width of the growth plate (WFGP) were determined by taking the femur as a model bone in German shepherd, Doberman and Spitz breeds of dogs at different age groups. The results showed that the RCD was the least in 0–2 month old normal growing dogs in all the breeds. As the age advanced up to 6 months the RCD increased 20–25%, and at 6 months, Spitz and Doberman showed significant increase (P < 0.05) in the RCD. In osteopenic bones, RCD remained less (25–50%) than that of normal animals at all age groups, and at 2–6 months of age, RCD in osteopenic bones was significantly lesser than in normal animals in GSD and Spitz breeds. The CI was also the least at 0–2 months of age in normal dogs. The CI increased about 50% at 4–6 months of age in GSD and Spitz. Whereas in Dob., there was no appreciable change in the CI at different age groups, and at 2–6 months it was significantly (P < 0.05) lesser than that of Spitz. In osteopenic bones, the CI was 25–75% lesser than that of normal animals at different age groups, and at 4–6 months there was significant difference (P < 0.05) between the normal and osteopenic bones in GSD and Spitz. The DDFM was the least in 0–2 month old normal growing dogs, and as the age advanced, it increased 10–20% up to 6 months. However, no significant difference in the DDFM was seen between breeds and also between the normal and osteopenic bones at different age groups. In normal animals, the WFGP was highest in the early age, subsequently it reduced 50–75% and at 4–6 months there was significant decrease (P < 0.05) in all the breeds of dogs. And at 4–6 months, there was significant (P < 0.05) difference in the WFGP between breeds, it was the least in Spitz and maximum in Dob., suggesting faster growth plate closure in Spitz than in GSD and Dob. breeds. In osteopenic bones, WFGP was generally more than in normal animals, and at 4–6 months (about 3–5 times more) there was significant difference (P < 0.05) between the normal and osteopenic bones in all breeds, indicating that physeal closure may be delayed in osteopenic bones. The results indicate that among different breeds Doberman breed has the least bone mass and may be more prone to osteopenia; whereas Spitz has the strongest bone.     

Histology and ultrastructure of the equine lingual tonsil. I. Crypt epithelium and associated structures

The microstructural and ultrastructural features of the equine lingual tonsil were studied in five young horses. Located at the root of the tongue it presented an irregular surface with rounded elevations, numerous folds and crypts. Stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium lining its outer surface was modified by heavy infiltration of lymphoid cells to form reticular epithelium within the crypt. The latter implies a role in initiating and maintaining immune responses to incoming infectious agents and antigens. Lamellated structures resembling Hassall's corpuscle were observed towards the outer surface epithelium. Microplicae were visible by scanning electron microscopy on the surface of both the outer and reticular epithelia. No microvillus cells resembling M cells were observed. The stratum superficiale of the reticular epithelium showed strong affinity for Soybean (SBA), Phosphocarpus tetragonolobus 1 (WBA 1), Ulex europaeus (UEA) and Griffonia simplicifolia 1 isolectin-B4 (GS1-B4). The characteristic lectin binding patterns may be useful for embryological and microbiological investigations. Vimentin filaments were not detected consistent with absence of M cells. Mucus glandular acini in the deeper lamina propria mucosae contained glycogen, acidic, neutral and weakly sulphated mucopolysaccharides. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the layers of the outer surface and reticular epithelia shared characteristic features except the stratum superficiale, which had nuclei of varying shapes and an abundance of cell organelles. A few mast cells with electron lucent granules and myelinated nerve fibres were localized in the deeper portion.     

Yeast extract, brewer’s yeast and spirulina in diets for Labeo rohita fingerlings affect haemato-immunological responses and survival following Aeromonas hydrophila challenge

A feeding trial was conducted for 60 days to study the immunomodulatory role of three different immunostimulants yeast extract (YE), brewer’s yeast (BY) and spirulina (SP) in Labeo rohita fingerlings. Four hundred and fifty fingerlings (avg. wt 3.35 ± 0.15 g) were randomly distributed in ten treatments and fed with either of ten iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric semi-purified diets, prepared with three incremental levels (1%, 2% and 4%) of different immunostimulants except the control. Growth parameters did not vary significantly (p > 0.05) among the experimental groups. Haematology and serum parameters was performed before Aeromonas hydrophila challenge whereas respiratory burst activity was analysed following challenge. The respiratory burst activity, total leucocyte count, serum total protein and globulin was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in YE 1% supplemented group. The survival (%) after challenging with A. hydrophila was also highest in the YE fed groups. The results indicate that among the different sources and levels of immunostimulants, YE at lower inclusion level is more effective in promoting the immune status of L. rohita fingerlings.     

Hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) in India: A preliminary study on the causative agent and control of the disease by inactivated autogenous vaccine

Summary Hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) in broiler birds of 3 to 6 weeks of age was recorded for the first time in the Haldwani area of Nainital district (UP) in India in November, 1994. The overall mortality in 6 poultry farms was 61·62 per cent. The disease was experimentally transmitted by bacteria free infected liver homogenate extract passed through membrane filters of 0·22 and 0·1 μ APD. The aetiological agent was inactivated by heat treatment at 56°C for one hour and 80°C for 10 min. A precipitin band was demonstrated in agar gel immunodiffusion and counter immunoelectrophoresis using infected liver homogenate extract as antigen and homologous antisera raised in the laboratory. The disease was effectively controlled by formalinised and heat inactivated autogenous vaccine prepared from the infected livers of birds which died of natural infection.

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Sindrome De Hidropericardio (HPS) En La India: Estudio Preliminar Acerca Del Agente Etiologico Y Del Control De La Enfermedad Mediante Vacunas Inactivadas Autogenas

Resumen Se describe por primera vez el síndrome de hidropericardio en pollos broiler de 3 a 6 semanas de edad en el area de Haldwani, en el distrito de Nainital (U. P.), en la India, en noviembre de 1994. La mortalidad global en seis granjas avícolas fue del 61·62%. La enfermedad fue transmitida de forma experimental mediante muestras homogeneizadas de hígado libres de bacterias y filtradas a través de filtros de membrana de 0·22 y 0·1 u APD. El agente etiológico fue inactivado por calor a 56°C durante 1 hora y 80°C durante 10 minutos. Se demonstró una banda de precipitina en inmunodifusión en agar gel y contrainmunoelectroforesis utilizando como antígeno extracto homogeneizado de hígado procedente de animales infectados y antisuero homólogo obrenido en el laboratorio. La enfermedad se controló de forma efectiva utilizando una vacuna autógena inactivada por calor y formol; la vacuna fue obtenida a partir del hígado de aves que murieron de infección natural.

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Syndrome D’Hydropericardie En Inde: Etude Preliminaire Sur L’Agent Responsable Et Controle De La Maladie Par Un Vaccin Autogene Inactive

Résumé Le syndrome d’hydropéricardie (SHP) fut observé pour la premiere fois en Novembre 1994 chez des poulets de 3 á 6 semaines dans la région de Haldivani du district de Nainital en Inde. Parmi 6 élevages la mortalité fut de 61.62%. La maladie fut transmise expérimentalement en utilisant des extraits de foie infecté sans bactéries, homogénéisés et filtrés sur des membranes de 0,22 et 0,1 μm. L’agent pathogéne fut inactivés par traitement thermique à 56°C pendant une heure et à 80°C pendant 10 minutes. Une bande de précipité fut observée dans les gels d’agarose d’immunoprécipitation par immunoélectrophorèse utilisant des extraits de foie homogénéises en tant qu’antigène et des antisera homologues produits dans le laboratoire. La maladie fut restrainte de fa?on effective en utilisant un vaccin autogène, inactivé par la chaleur et traité par la formaline issude foies d’oiseaux infectés qui moururent d’infection naturelle.

     

Isolates of Theileria annulata collected from different parts of India show phenotypic and genetic diversity

Phenotypic and genetic polymorphism was studied amongst four Theileria annulata isolates collected from three different parts of India. Amongst various markers studied for the comparison of growth characteristics of schizont cell lines established from these isolates, viability, non-viability counts and nitric oxide (NO) production showed significant variation. A negative correlation was observed between NO production and mRNA expression for TNF-alpha, a potent proinflammatory cytokine related to the pathogenesis of the disease. Phenotypic polymorphism was also revealed by T. annulata schizont-specific monoclonal antibodies (Mabs), viz. 1C7, 1E11, 2G2 and EU-106, which recognized variable number of cells in indirect fluorescent antibody and indirect immunoperoxidase tests, when tested against the four T. annulata isolates collected from India. Genetic polymorphism was recognized amongst the four isolates by restriction digestion analysis of Tams-1 gene PCR products. These observations revealed that the four isolates of T. annulata are different from each other and might be expressing different antigenic determinants on their cell surface.     

Vaginal myxoma in a Kathiawari horse

This case report describes a rare case of vaginal myxoma in a Kathiawari mare. The tumour, located on the left lateral vaginal wall, measured approximately 20 cm in diameter and resulted in dysuria, inappetance and loss of condition of the animal. Surgical enucleation of the tumour via a vaginal approach resulted in uneventful recovery of the horse. Based on the gross and histopathological observations, the tumour was diagnosed as a myxoma.     

The use of circular and hybrid external skeletal fixation systems to repair open tibial fractures in large ruminants: a report of six clinical cases

Veterinary Research Communications - A prospective clinical study consisting of six bovines (200–300&nbsp;kg body weight) undergoing open tibial fractures was carried out, to evaluate the...