Molecular expression and identification of caprine estrogen receptor gene 1 for fertility status in bucks

Estrogen and its receptors are essential for sexual development and reproduction. Oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is a nuclear receptor activated by the hormone oestrogen. In male, ERα is encoded by the gene ESR1 (oestrogen receptor1) responsible for better fertility. ESR1 is involved in the reabsorption of luminal fluid during the transit of spermatozoa from the testis to the head of the epididymis which is important for their survival and maturation during epididymal storage. The absence of ESR1 leads to reduced epididymal sperm content, reduced sperm motility and fertilizing ability. The present study was undertaken to investigate the expression and presence of ESR1 gene in fertile and low-fertile male goat breeds. We identified ESR1 gene through various molecular tools. Genotyping was carried out by high resonance melting analysis using Roche Light Cycler 480(LC-480) system and found three different genotypes. Genotypic frequency-AA (blue-0.67), BB(Red-0.2), AB(Green-0.08) with allele frequency A(0.71 and B (0.29). The predominance of this gene in head of epididymis in fertile bucks was confirmed by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. From the results, we corroborated that the present study provides a useful and effective way to predict male fertility in goat breeds, which in turn increases the percentage of fertility in flock leading to more number of offspring in a kidding season.     

Applicability of leukocyte esterase test strip in detection of canine pyuria

A commercially available leukocyte esterase assay was evaluated for application in analyzing canine urine for the detection of pyuria. In 229 urine samples, the leukocyte esterase activity was compared with leukocyte concentrations, as assessed by microscopic sediment analysis and chamber cell counts. The leukocyte esterase assay was specific (93.2%) for canine pyuria, but was poorly sensitive (46.0%) and did not appear to be applicable to analysis of canine urine samples.     

Erythrocyte volume distribution analysis and hematologic changes in two horses with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia was diagnosed in two horses on the basis of regenerative anemia, increased erythrocyte fragility in hypotonic saline, autoagglutination, and a positive direct antiglobulin (Coomb's) test. During steroid therapy partial resolution of the anemia was indicated by rising packed cell volume, macrocytosis, and bone marrow erythroid hyperplasia. Using erythrocyte volume distribution histograms (erythrograms), the regenerative response was characterized by analysis of macrocytic and normocytic erythrocyte subpopulations. In both horses, a gradual net increase of about 2 X 10(6) macrocytes/microliter occurred over a four- to five-week period. Over the same interval there was a gradual decrease in the number of normocytes. We suggest that the macrocytes remained large through this period rather than contributing to normocyte population growth. Erythrograms may provide an additional means of evaluating erythrocyte regeneration in horses.     

Hyperammonemia and hepatic encephalopathy in the dog.

Thirteen dogs with hepatic encephalopathy were found to have hyperammonemia and increased retention of plasma sulfobromophthalein. Six dogs had abnormal portal circulatory systems and 4 had heptic disease. The cause of illness was undetermined in 3.     

Recent Advances in Insect Pathology

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