Ciclosporin A therapy is associated with disturbances in glucose metabolism in dogs with atopic dermatitis

The effect of ciclosporin A (CsA) on glucose homeostasis was investigated in 16 dogs with atopic dermatitis by determining plasma glucose, serum fructosamine and insulin concentrations, and serial insulin and glucose concentrations following a glucagon stimulation test, before and 6 weeks after CsA therapy at 5 mg/kg once daily. All dogs completed the study. Following CsA treatment, the median serum fructosamine concentrations were significantly higher (pretreatment 227.5 μmol/L; post-treatment 246.5 μmol/L; P = 0.001; reference range 162-310 μmol/L). Based on analyses of the areas under concentration-time curves (AUC) pre- and post-CsA treatment, plasma glucose concentrations were significantly higher (AUC without baseline correction 31.0 mmol/L/min greater; P = 0.021) and serum insulin concentrations were significantly lower (AUC without baseline correction 217.1 μIU/mL/min lower; P = 0.044) following CsA treatment. Peak glucose concentrations after glucagon stimulation test were significantly higher following CsA treatment (10.75 versus 12.05 mmol/L; P = 0.021), but there was no significant difference in peak serum insulin (52.0 versus 35.0 μIU/mL; P = 0.052). There was a negative correlation between baseline uncorrected insulin AUC and trough serum log CsA concentrations (r = -0.70, P = 0.005). The administration of CsA to dogs with atopic dermatitis leads to disturbances in glucose homeostasis. The clinical significance of this is unclear, but it should be taken into account when considering CsA treatment in dogs that already have such impairments.     

Imputation of missing single nucleotide polymorphism genotypes using a multivariate mixed model framework

The objective of this paper was to investigate, for various scenarios at low and high marker density, the accuracy of imputing genotypes when using a multivariate mixed model framework using information from 2, 4, or 10 surrounding markers. This model predicts genotypes at a locus, using genotypes at nearby loci as correlated traits, and the additive genetic relationship matrix to use information from genotyped relatives. For 2 scenarios this method was compared with the population-based imputation algorithms FastPHASE and Beagle. Accuracies of imputation were obtained with Monte Carlo simulation and predicted with selection index theory, using input from the simulated data. Five different scenarios of missing genotypes were considered: 1) genotypes of some loci are missing due to genotyping errors, 2) juvenile selection candidates are genotyped using a smaller SNP panel, 3) some animals in the pedigree of a breeding population are not genotyped, 4) juvenile selection candidates are not genotyped, and 5) 1 generation of animals in the top of the pedigree are not genotyped. Surrounding marker information did not improve accuracy of imputation when animals whose genotypes were imputed were not genotyped for those surrounding markers. When those animals were genotyped for surrounding markers, results indicated a limited gain when linkage disequilibrium (LD) between SNP was low, but a substantial increase in accuracy when LD between SNP was high. For scenario 1, using 1 vs. 11 SNP, accuracy was respectively 0.75 and 0.81 at low, and 0.75 and 0.93 at high density. For scenario 2, using 1 vs. 11 SNP, accuracy was, respectively, 0.70 and 0.73 at low, and 0.71 and 0.84 at high density. Beagle outperformed the other methods at high SNP density, whereas the multivariate mixed model was clearly superior when SNP density was low and animals where genotyped with a reduced SNP panel. The results showed that extending the univariate gene content method to a multivariate BLUP model with inclusion of surrounding marker information only yields greater imputation accuracy when the animals with imputed loci are at least genotyped for some SNP that are in LD with the SNP to be imputed. The equation derived from selection index theory accurately predicted the accuracy of imputation using the multivariate mixed model framework.     

Condensed Tannin in Drinking Water Reduces Greenhouse Gas Precursor Urea in Sheep and Cattle Urine

Ingestion of small amounts of condensed tannin (CT) by ruminants may provide benefits including reduction of ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions by reducing urine urea excretion. However, providing grazing ruminants with sufficient amounts of CT-containing forages is difficult, and an alternative may be to provide CT in their drinking water. We conducted three trials to determine if urine urea levels in sheep and cattle decrease after they drink water containing CT. In two initial trials, blood serum urea was measured as a surrogate for urine urea when lambs or steers drank tap water containing low to higher amounts of quebracho tannin (QT). Serum urea concentration was measured after lambs drank the treatments for 7 d or steers for 4–6 d. Lambs consumed pellets (16% crude protein [CP] as fed) at 3.5% of body weight, and steers were fed cubes (15% CP as fed) at 3% of body weight. Mean serum urea concentration in sheep was reduced when they consumed water with QT (P = 0.03) and was also reduced for cattle (P < 0.001). In a third trial with a Latin-square design, four wethers were fed pellets (22% CP, DM basis) and given tap water or tap water with low, medium, or high amounts of QT, and their urine urea excretion was measured. There was a linear effect of QT intake on daily urine urea excretion as a percentage of nitrogen intake (P = 0.03). Reductions in daily urea excretion as a percentage of nitrogen intake were 3.5%, 6.6%, and 12.6%, respectively, for the low, medium, and high QT intake. Small amounts of QT in the drinking water of grazing ruminants can reduce their urine urea excretion.     

Comparison of heat tolerance of feedlot heifers of different breeds

Heat stress in cattle causes decreases in feed intake and feed efficiency; in extreme cases, it can cause death. These losses amount to millions of dollars each year. A study was designed to determine severity of heat stress among four breeds of cattle. Throughout two summers, 256 feedlot heifers of four different breeds were observed. Respiration rates, panting scores, and surface temperatures were taken twice each day on 10 animals/breed for several weeks during the summers of 2002 and 2003. Twenty-four-hour behavior measurements were recorded for four heat-stress and four thermoneutral days. Results showed during the afternoon, Angus cattle (black) had the highest respiration rates, panting scores, and surface temperatures, followed by the MARC III (dark red), Gelbvieh (tan), and Charolais (white). Behavior data showed that heat stress increased drinking and standing behavior, and decreased eating, lying, and agonistic behaviors, and that dark-hided cattle adjusted their behavior more than light-hided cattle. Overall, it was found that breed of cattle with dark-hides were more affected by temperature changes and at peak temperatures than breeds of cattle with light-hides.     

Effect of age on reference intervals of serum biochemical values in kittens

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of age on reference intervals of serum biochemical values in kittens. DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS: 55 kittens from 12 specific-pathogen-free queens. PROCEDURE: Kittens were allocated at birth into colostrum-fed (n = 27) and colostrum-deprived (28) groups. Blood was collected at birth and on days 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 28, and 56. Serum samples were analyzed for activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, amylase, and lipase and for concentrations of albumin, total protein, bilirubin, urea nitrogen, creatinine, cholesterol, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, and triglycerides by use of an automated analyzer. Total serum solids concentrations were determined by use of refractometry. Serum IgG concentrations were quantified by use of radial immunodiffusion. RESULTS: For several analytes, reference intervals changed rapidly, most notably during the first few days of life. Reference intervals for alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and triglycerides were higher from birth to 8 weeks than adult reference intervals. Aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, urea nitrogen, and creatinine were higher than in adults at birth but were similar to or lower than adult reference intervals by 8 weeks. Compared with adult reference intervals, reference intervals for calcium and phosphorus concentrations were higher and for albumin and total protein concentrations were lower throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Important differences exist between reference intervals for serum biochemical values of neonatal and adult cats. Age-appropriate reference intervals should be used for accurate assessment of serum biochemical test results in cats.     

Selected topics in pediatric gastroenterology.

This article discusses some of the more common gastrointestinal problems encountered in pediatric patients. Topics include infectious and endoparasitic disorders, congenital esophageal and hepatic disorders, and acute or chronic intestinal diseases. Diagnostic criteria as well as treatment guidelines are presented.     

Structural and ultrastructural study of the intracranial portion of the oculomotor, trochlear and abducent nerves in dog

The right intracranial portion of the oculomotor, trochlear and abducent nerves were removed from six adult German shepherd dogs and analysed by light and electron microscopy. In all cases the nerve sectional area was calculated. Unmyelinated and myelinated fibres were analysed and number, diameter and cross-sectional area were calculated. In myelinated fibres, also calculated were the corresponding axon area and diameter, and myelin sheath thickness. The mean number of myelinated fibres was 8543.50 +/- 1231.85 being the unmyelinated 1402 +/- 241.58 in the oculomotor nerve; 1509 +/- 223.17 and 287.67 +/- 72.28 in the trochlear nerve and 2473.00 +/- 211.41 and 231.25 +/- 92.67 respectively in the abducent. The mean diameter was 10.23 +/- 0.68 microm in myelinated and 0.43 +/- 0.21 for unmyelinated in oculomotor nerve, 10.53 +/- 0.55 microm and 0.33 +/- 0.04 for the trochlear, and 10.45 +/- 1.27 microm and 0.47 +/- 0.09 in the abducent nerve respectively. This study reveals that oculomotor, trochlear and abducent nerves of the dog show structural and ultra-structural features similar to the same nerves in other species.     

Identification of pathogenic Leptospira strains in tissues of a premature foal by use of polymerase chain reaction analysis.

Studies were carried out to determine the cause of death in a prematurely born Thoroughbred foal that died 24 hours after birth. Necropsy revealed gross lesions suggestive of septicemia. A commercial Leptospira polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay designed to specifically amplify the hemolysis-associated protein 1 (hap1) gene present only in pathogenic Leptospira strains detected the presence of Leptospira DNA in various tissues of the foal. Histologic examination of lung, liver, kidney, and myocardium revealed numerous spirochetes in Warthin-Starry-stained tissue sections. Results of PCR analysis and histologic examination suggested a leptospiral infection in the newborn foal. At the moment of death, the infection coexisted with a streptococcal-associated aspiration bronchopneumonia and postpartum septicemia. These findings indicate that the PCR assay based on the amplification of the hap1 gene represents a useful tool for specific detection of pathogenic leptospira in field samples taken from horses.     

Pharmacokinetics of voriconazole after oral and intravenous administration to horses

OBJECTIVE: To characterize pharmacokinetics of voriconazole in horses after oral and IV administration and determine the in vitro physicochemical characteristics of the drug that may affect oral absorption and tissue distribution. ANIMALS: 6 adult horses. PROCEDURES: Horses were administered voriconazole (1 mg/kg, IV, or 4 mg/kg, PO), and plasma concentrations were measured by use of high-performance liquid chromatography. In vitro plasma protein binding and the octanol:water partition coefficient were also assessed. RESULTS: Voriconazole was adequately absorbed after oral administration in horses, with a systemic bioavailability of 135.75 +/- 18.41%. The elimination half-life after a single orally administered dose was 13.11 +/- 2.85 hours, and the maximum plasma concentration was 2.43 +/- 0.4 microg/mL. Plasma protein binding was 31.68%, and the octanol:water partition coefficient was 64.69. No adverse reactions were detected during the study. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Voriconazole has excellent absorption after oral administration and a long half-life in horses. On the basis of the results of this study, it was concluded that administration of voriconazole at a dosage of 4 mg/kg, PO, every 24 hours will attain plasma concentrations adequate for treatment of horses with fungal infections for which the fungi have a minimum inhibitory concentration 相似文献   

Comparison between the Sperm Morphology in Semen Samples Obtained from Yearling Beef Bulls by Transrectal Massage of the Ampullae and Cauda Epididymal Dissection

As electroejaculation (EEJ) is prohibited for use on unanaesthetized animals in Sweden, there is a need for an alternative method of semen collection from bulls in the field. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of transrectal massage (TM) of the ampullae to collect semen from yearling beef bulls under field conditions in Sweden. Transrectal massage was performed on 52 yearling beef bulls. Volume of semen collected, duration of procedure, percentage progressively motile sperm, and sperm concentration were measured. Smears were prepared for sperm morphology examination. Semen samples were obtained from 47 of 52 bulls. Mean volume was 3.2 ml (SD +/- 3.7), mean duration of collection was 7.4 min (SD +/- 2.8), mean percentage progressively motile sperm was 43.5% (SD +/- 29.2) and mean concentration was 201.9 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml (SD +/- 278 x 10(6)). Twenty-three of the 52 bulls were slaughtered 3-4 days after semen collection and aliquots of the cauda epididymal contents were collected for sperm morphology examination. The percentages of proximal droplets, abnormal tails and abnormal midpieces were significantly higher (p < 0.05) and the percentage of detached heads was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the post-mortem samples compared with those in the TM samples. However, importantly there was no significant difference between the two sample types in the percentages of abnormal heads. This study demonstrates that semen can be collected from yearling beef bulls by TM. We think that TM constitutes a useful tool, when semen collection with EEJ or artificial vagina (AV) is not possible under field conditions, when included in the bull breeding soundness evaluation (BBSE) protocol. However, further studies are needed, and presently being carried out, to evaluate if semen samples collected by TM are comparable with semen samples collected by AV.