Angiogenesis in The Ovary – The Most Important Regulatory Event for Follicle and Corpus Luteum Development and Function in Cow – An Overview

In the ovary, the development of new capillaries from pre‐existing ones (angiogenesis) is a complex event regulated by numerous local factors. The dominant regulators of angiogenesis in ovarian follicles and corpora lutea are the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), insulin‐like growth factor (IGF), angiopoietin (ANPT) and hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) family members. Antral follicles in our study were classified according to the oestradiol‐17‐beta (E2) content in follicular fluid (FF) and were divided into five classes (E2 < 0.5, 0.5–5, 5–20, 20–180 and >180 ng/ml FF). The corresponding sizes of follicles were 5–7, 8–10, 10–13, 12–14 and >14 mm, respectively. Follicle tissue was separated in theca interna (TI) and granulosa cells (GC). The corpora lutea (CL) in our study were assigned to the following stages: days 1–2, 3–4, 5–7, 8–12 13–16 and >18 of the oestrous cycle and months 1–2, 3–4, 6–7 and >8 of pregnancy. The dominant regulators were measured at mRNA and protein expression levels; mRNA was quantified by RT‐qPCR, hormone concentrations by RIA or EIA and their localization by immunohistochemistry. The highest expression for VEGF‐A, FGF‐2, IGF‐1 and IGF‐2, ANPT‐2/ANPT‐1 and HIF‐1‐alpha was found during final follicle maturation and in CL during the early luteal phase (days 1–4) followed by a lower plateau afterwards. The results suggest the importance of these factors for angiogenesis and maintenance of capillary structures for final follicle maturation, CL development and function.     

Angiographic Anatomy of External Iliac Arteries in the Sheep

External iliac artery atherosclerotic disease and aneurism occur in man. For treatment, imaging is required to facilitate minimally invasive introduction and advancement of stents within the intended vessels. Sheep are commonly used to test and improve stents. However, little information is published regarding the angiographic anatomy of the iliac arteries in the ovine species. The objective of this study was to describe the angiographic anatomy of the iliac arteries in the sheep. Computed tomography (CT) angiography and gross anatomical dissection were performed in, respectively, 10 and 43 adult ewes. Diameters and lengths of the arteries were measured. In comparison with man, salient anatomical differences were identified in the sheep: (1) the absence of common iliac arteries, (2) the common trunk at the origin of internal iliac arteries and (3) the location of the bifurcation of the external iliac arteries into femoral arteries in the pelvis (not in the limb). External iliac arteries in this series of sheep were 86 mm long in average and had a mean diameter of 7.5 mm. Lengths of arteries are only slightly different between man and sheep, while diameters are rather similar. Therefore, the sheep model appears to be sufficiently similar to man to test stent properties. This study provides useful reference images and measures of lengths and diameters of relevant arteries that could be applied to research with ovine models.     

Marked hyperphosphatasemia associated with an acute leukemia in a Great Dane

This is the report of a 5‐year‐old male neutered Great Dane with an extreme leukocytosis (544.9 × 10⁹ cells/L; RI 5.2–13.9 × 10⁹ cells/L) characterized by highly atypical round cells. Cellular morphologic features such as cytoplasmic membrane blebs, a high nuclear‐to‐cytoplasmic ratio, and nuclear indentations and irregularities and large nucleoli, as well as immunocytochemistry for CD3 and CD79, myeloperoxidase cytochemistry, and clonality testing were not conclusive for myeloid or lymphoid origin. Marked alkaline hyperphosphatasemia was present at the first visit (2783.0 U/L; RI 6–80.0 U/L), followed by a 5‐fold increase (14,000 U/L) a week later, identified as being mostly contributed by the bone‐ALP isoform (11,062 U/L; RI 0–30 U/L). In addition, the atypical leukocytes were strongly positive for cytoplasmic ALP activity. In vitro lysis of a heparin blood sample resulted in a 1.7‐fold increase of ALP activity, supporting the origin of the hyperphosphatasemia at least in part from the leukemic cell population. To the authors’ knowledge, this is a unique case of alkaline hyperphosphatasemia, due at least to a leukemic cell population producing a bone‐ALP isoform, regardless of the exact nature of the leukemia.     

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Dorsal Proximal Synovial Plica of the Equine Metacarpo‐/Metatarsophalangeal Joint

A synovial plica is present at the dorsoproximal aspect of the fetlock joint. The objective of this study was to describe the location of the synovial plica during induced hyperextension using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. For this study 20 cadaver limbs from five Warmblood horses were used. Measurements were made of the dorsal; palmar/plantar length and the thickness of the plica with the joint in a normal position. During induced hyperextension of the joint, the position of the plica was described; the dorsal angle of extension and angle of contact between the proximal phalanx (P1) and the condyle were measured. The dorsal length differed between front/hind limbs and between the medial/lateral aspect of the joint. The angle of contact between P1 and condyle differed between front/hind limbs; between the lateral and medial aspect of the joint and between different positions of the plica. Four different positions of the plica were observed: shortened with the tip curved towards palmar/plantar; projecting distally; projecting towards dorsal and projecting distally with the tip interposed between P1 and the condyle. During induced hyperextension, a close relation is present between the synovial plica, P1 and the condyle with a variable position of the plica; which is suggestive for a contact interface between P1 and the metacarpal/metatarsal bone. However the plica does not seem to act consistently as a cushioning surface.