Incidence of salmonellae in captive and wild free-living raptorial birds in central Spain

A total of 595 faecal samples from raptorial birds, either captive or free-living, residing in GREFA Wildlife Hospital were bacteriologically examined using various selective media and an Automated Diagnostic Assay System for Salmonella detection. Serotype and phage type of the strains identified as Salmonella was determined. In the captive group, of the 285 samples examined, 21 (7.36%) were positive for Salmonella. Serotyping revealed that most of the individuals were infected by Salmonella serotype Havana. This result suggested that there could be a source of contamination in the Hospital although it could not be established. In the wild free-living group, over 310 samples examined (4.19%) were positive for Salmonella. The Salmonella isolates showed a major variety of serotypes: Enteritidis, Adelaide, Brandenburg, Newport, Typhimurium, Hadar, Saintpaul and Virchow. Most of them are similar to those commonly described in isolates from human and domestic animals. These results indicate that wild birds could be involved in the dissemination of Salmonella in humans or domestic animals or vice versa.     

Histochemical and Morphometric Analyses of the Musculature of the Forelimb of the Subterranean Rodent Ctenomys talarum (Octodontoidea)

Histochemical and morphometric analyses were performed to characterize the fibre‐type composition of two forelimb muscles of the South American subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum. The studied muscles were the triceps lateralis, an extensor of the elbow, and the teres major, a flexor of the shoulder. It was found that these muscles had an elevated proportion of fast oxidative‐glycolytic (FOG) fibres, and lower proportions of slow oxidative (SO) and fast glycolytic (FG) fibres. This composition probably qualifies the teres major and triceps muscles to perform the sustained effort required in tunnelling excavation. The results were discussed considering published data on fibre‐type composition of mammals having different modes of life and digging behaviour. We here suggest that C. talarum has the potential of generating forces linked to rapid, powerful movements during sustained periods by means of an elevated proportion of FOG fibres, together with osteological changes that result in a great mechanical advantage of the forelimb muscles.     

Influence of the Cumulus and Gonadotropins on the Metabolic Profile of Porcine Cumulus–Oocyte Complexes During In Vitro Maturation

The aim of this work was to examine the influence of the cumulus and gonadotropins on the metabolic profile of porcine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) during in vitro maturation. Immature COCs were assigned to morphological classes A₁ (with a dense cumulus), A₂ (with a translucent cumulus), B₁ (with the corona radiata), B₂ (with only some remaining cumulus cells) and matured with or without gonadotropins. Glycolysis and ammonia production were higher in the A class COCs; gonadotropins increased both, especially in the A₁ COCs (p < 0.05). The A class COCs had the highest initial protein contents and at the end of in vitro maturation. Furthermore, hormonal stimulation induced a similar increase in protein contents of both A classes (p < 0.05). The neutral lipid content and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were similar in the immature oocytes of the COCs of all classes. A reduction was seen in both these variables when maturation proceeded either in the presence or absence of gonadotropins. The cumulus type surrounding the oocyte is related to the metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids by the COC during in vitro maturation under gonadotropic stimulation. Oocyte lipolytic activity and ROS production appear to be independent of the surrounding cumulus and the presence of gonadotropins.     

Early resynchronization protocols for goats: Progestogens can be used prior to an early pregnancy diagnosis without affecting corpus luteum functionality

This study aimed to evaluate the exogenous progesterone (P4) effect on the luteal function from Day 16 to Day 21 of the oestrous cycle in inseminated goats with unknown pregnancy status. A total of 54 does passed through a short progestin-based synchronization protocol and, on Day 16 of the following oestrous cycle, 27 does received a new P4 device which was retained until Day 21. Blood samples were collected daily from all does during this period, as well as on Day 24. Pregnancy diagnoses were performed on Day 30. Serum P4 values from 26 animals (G_NPSP: Group of non-pregnant does with second sponge: n = 8; G_NPNSP: Group of non-pregnant does without second sponge: n = 6; G_PSP: Group of pregnant does with second sponge: n = 5; G_PNSP: Group of pregnant does without second sponge: n = 7) were determined by radioimmunoassay commercial kits. No P4 differences were found between groups (G_NPSP: 3.1 ± 2.8; 1.7 ± 1.8; 0.4 ± 1.0; and 0.0 ± 0.0 vs. G_NPNSP: 4.4 ± 1.8; 3.0 ± 2.2; 0.8 ± 0.8; and 0.0 ± 0.0 or G_PSP: 4.2 ± 1.0; 3.4 ± 0.6; 3.3 ± 1.6; 3.2 ± 0.9; 3.6 ± 1.2; 3.5 ± 1.3; 2.7 ± 1.3 vs. G_PNSP: 4.4 ± 1.6; 3.6 ± 1.5; 3.7 ± 1.5; 3.8 ± 1.4; 3.2 ± 1.2; 3.1 ± 1.2; 3.6 ± 1.1; D16, D17, D18, D19, D20, D21, D24, respectively) or for the interaction of group and time. In conclusion, a second progestogen device had no effect on luteolysis or early pregnancy in the following oestrous cycle.     

Effects of intraovarian infusion of insulin-like growth factor-I on ovarian follicular function in cattle

The objective of this study was to determine if increased secretion of intraovarian insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), experimentally induced via minipumps, affects follicular function in cattle. Fourteen cycling Holstein cows were divided equally into two groups: Control, osmotic minipumps (containing vehicle) surgically inserted into each ovary, or IGF-I treated, osmotic minipumps as in Controls but pumping 2.0 microg of recombinant human IGF-I per hr for 7 days. All cows were synchronized with prostaglandin F(2alpha) 0.10) between Control and IGF-I-treated cows during Days 2 to 6 of treatment. IGF-I treatment increased (P<0.05) estradiol concentrations in follicular fluid of small follicles, but had no effect (P<0.10) on estradiol concentrations in follicular fluid of large follicles, or on progesterone, androstenedione, or IGF binding protein concentrations in small or large follicles. We conclude that a 7-day infusion of IGF-I directly into the stroma of the ovary altered follicular growth and follicular fluid estradiol concentrations.     

Detection of Escherichia coli Serotype 0157 in Beef Carcasses and Faecal Material

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Clinical evaluation of random skin flaps based on the subdermal plexus secured with sutures or sutures and cyanoacrylate adhesive for reconstructive surgery in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of subdermal plexus skin flaps for closing defects after excision of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors in dogs and to compare outcome of flaps secured with sutures and those secured with butyl-cyanoacrylate and intermittent sutures. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical study. ANIMALS: Fifteen dogs. METHODS: After excision of cutaneous or subcutaneous tumors the skin defect was reconstructed by random flaps based on the subdermal plexus. Flap skin edges were apposed with simple interrupted 4-0 monofilament nylon sutures (group 1; 5 dogs) or nylon sutures alternated with butyl-cyanoacrylate adhesive (group 2; 10 dogs). Flaps were evaluated every 48 hours when bandages were changed, until complete healing. RESULTS: Random flaps based on the subdermal plexus were effectively used to close wound defects; mean flap survival was 89%. Partial flap necrosis occurred in 4 dogs. Wound margins apposed with butyl-cyanoacrylate had thinner and more esthetic scars than sutured margins. CONCLUSION: Random flaps based on the subdermal plexus proved to be versatile for covering limb wounds after excision of cutaneous or subcutaneous tumors. Mean survival rate was comparable to that reported for axial pattern flaps. Butyl-cyanoacrylate adhesive was easy to apply, allowed accurate margin apposition with good cosmetic outcome and reduced sutures needed. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cyanoacrylate adhesive should be considered in lieu of suture closure to secure random skin flaps based on the subdermal plexus in dogs.     

CONTRAST-ENHANCED ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN NORMAL CANINE LIVER. EVALUATION OF IMAGING AND SAFETY PARAMETERS

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, a new imaging modality in veterinary medicine, can provide data on tissue perfusion. The objective of this study was to use the ultrasonographic contrast agent SonoVue to evaluate various transit time indices in the normal canine liver, to examine the effect of anesthesia on these parameters, and to evaluate the safety of this agent in dogs. The liver of 11 healthy dogs was studied by ultrasound during an intravenous bolus injection of SonoVue. Each dog underwent the examination twice, first with and later without the use of anesthesia. A time-intensity curve was generated from a selected region of interest within the liver from each scanning session. Ratios derived from peak enhancement, time to peak enhancement, up-slope and full-width half-maximum (FWHM) of the curve were calculated from the time-intensity curves, and are reported. There were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in peak enhancement, up-slope and FWHM between dogs that were anesthetized and dogs that were not. Time to peak enhancement, however, was significantly shorter when the dogs were anesthetized than when they were nonanesthetized (P < 0.05). There were no biologically significant changes in clinical laboratory findings. This study indicates that contrast-enhanced ultrasound using SonoVue gives reproducible liver perfusion data, and appears to be a safe and well-tolerated agent for use in dogs. When considering normal values, the use of anesthetic drugs has to be considered.     

Comparison of B-mode and Doppler ultrasonographic findings with histologic features of benign and malignant superficial lymph nodes in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To compare and correlate B-mode and color Doppler ultrasonographic characteristics with histopathologic findings of benign and malignant superficial lymph nodes in dogs. STUDY POPULATION: 50 superficial lymph nodes that were normal, abnormally large on physical examination, or represented regional lymph nodes draining an area of suspected primary malignancy in 30 dogs. PROCEDURES: Before excision, lymph nodes were evaluated via B-mode and color Doppler ultrasonography to assess size, echogenicity, presence of a hilus, acoustic transmission, and vascular flow. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of excised lymph nodes were stained with H&E and examined for the presence and extent of necrosis, fibrosis, fat, metastases, and tissue heterogeneity. To assess vascularity, the number and distribution of vessels stained by the Verhoeff van Gieson technique were recorded. RESULTS: In superficial lymph nodes, a varied echogenicity corresponded to tissue heterogeneity. The ultrasonographic detection of a hilus was associated with the presence of fibrous tissue, fat, or both in the hilar region. Acoustic enhancement corresponded to presence of areas of intranodal necrosis. There was significant correlation between both the distribution and the number of vessels detected via ultrasonography and that detected by histopathology. The amount of flow estimated via ultrasonography was typically higher than that estimated via histologic examination. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that histopathologic changes in canine lymph nodes have associated ultrasonographic changes and suggest that lymph node ultrasonography has an important role in the evaluation of lymph nodes in dogs in general and in dogs with neoplastic disease in particular.     

Horizontal Maedi-Visna virus (MVV) infection in adult dairy-sheep raised under varying MVV-infection pressures investigated by ELISA and PCR

A three year long experimental study was carried out to investigate horizontal MVV-infection by PCR and ELISA, in 191 one year-old latxa dairy-sheep raised in two separate groups under low and high MVV-infection pressure, respectively. Sheep originated from a previous MVV-transmission study in lambs and seroprevalence among one year-old sheep in both groups was 15% approximately. The high infection-pressure group (H-group) consisted of 147 replacement ewes that joined a milk-producing, housed dairy-flock with 42-66% MVV-seroprevalence and the low infection-pressure group (L-group) were castrated males raised in a separate shed. In contrast to results obtained when infection was investigated in lambs, the overall degree of agreement between ELISA and PCR results was very good and there was some indication that it increased further as sheep became older. MVV-prevalence did not change in the L-group and increased to 57% in three year-old sheep in the H-group (p<0.001). Random effects logistic regression confirmed seroconversion was significantly higher in the H-group compared to the L-group and was highest during the year after the sheep were introduced in the dairy flock and did not increase with age as in previous studies using less sensitive antibody assays. The evidence that horizontal transmission can be very low in spite of prolonged close contact between infected and non-infected sheep is valuable for MVV-control purposes. Furthermore it highlights the need to investigate virus excretion dynamics in infected animals and animal to animal transmission to improve our overall understanding of horizontal MVV transmission in MVV endemic populations.