Association analysis of novel polymorphisms in 2′, 5′‐oligoadenylate synthetase gene with reproductive traits in indigenous and cross‐bred cattle of Indian Origin

2′, 5′‐Oligoadenylate synthetases (OAS) are important components of an interferon‐mediated antiviral pathway. No polymorphisms in exonic regions of bovine OAS1 gene have been identified and associated with reproduction traits. The objective of the study was to detect and evaluate the effects of mutations in exonic region of bovine OAS1 gene with reproduction traits in cattle. DNA samples collected from 250 individual cows of two Indian dairy breeds (Sahiwal and Frieswal) of cattle were used in the study. The genetic variants of the OAS1 gene were identified with polymerase chain reaction–single‐strand conformation polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP) and sequence analysis using seven set of primer pairs. The PCR‐SSCP analysis revealed polymorphism in the fragments comprising of exon 2, exon 5 and first fragment of exon 6 while the fragments of exons 1, 3, 4 and second fragment of exon 6 were monomorphic in Sahiwal and Frieswal cattle. The mutations in the amplified region comprising of exon 2 were found to have significant association with age at first breeding and calving, service period, dry period and pregnancy rate. Significant associations were found between SNPs in the exon 5 and service and dry periods of the animal, whereas the genetic variants in the first fragment of the exon 6 showed significant association with age at first breeding and calving. To our knowledge, this study demonstrated for the first time that the polymorphisms in OAS1 gene were associated with reproductive traits and it can be chosen as a candidate gene for improvement of reproductive performance of cattle.     

Pharyngeal mucoceles in dogs: 14 cases

This report describes the clinical features of a series of dogs with pharyngeal salivary mucoceles. A retrospective study of 14 dogs with pharyngeal mucocele was performed. Medical records from 1983 to 2003 were reviewed for information regarding signalment, clinical signs, diagnosis, surgical procedures, and short-term and long-term outcome. Miniature and toy poodles were common breeds in the study population, and 79% of the dogs were male. The most common presenting sign was dyspnea (50%). Diagnosis was by fine-needle aspirate, which revealed a mucoid substance in 93% of dogs. Histopathology of the excised salivary glands revealed lymphoplasmacytic inflammation in all dogs that had histopathology performed. Forty-three percent of the dogs had a cervical mucocele on the same side as the pharyngeal mucocele. Surgical therapy was performed in 13 dogs, which consisted of excision of the mandibular and sublingual salivary glands, excision of the mucocele, or marsupulization of the mucocele. Only two dogs had recurrence of the pharyngeal mucocele. In this study, pharyngeal mucoceles occurred in predominantly small dogs that frequently presented with respiratory signs. Surgical treatment was successful in most dogs.     

Analysis of the costs of veterinary education and factors associated with financial stress among veterinary students in Australia

Objective

To investigate the course‐related and other costs involved in obtaining a veterinary education in Australia and how these costs are met. The study also aimed to identify sociodemographic and course‐related factors associated with increased financial stress.

Methods

Students from seven Australian veterinary schools were surveyed using an online questionnaire. A total of 443 students participated (response rate 17%). Responses to survey items relating to finances, employment and course‐related costs were compared with sociodemographic factors and prior research in the area of student financial stress.

Results

Respondents reported spending a median of A$300 per week on living costs and a median of A$2,000 per year on course‐related expenses. Over half of respondents received the majority of their income from their parents or Youth Allowance (56%). A similar proportion (55%) reported that they needed to work to meet basic living expenses. Circumstances and sociodemographic factors linked to perceived financial stress included requiring additional finances to meet unexpected costs during the course; sourcing additional finances from external loans; an expected tuition debt at graduation over A$40,000; being 22 years or older; working more than 12 hours per week; living costs above A$300 per week; and being female.

Conclusion

The costs involved in obtaining a veterinary education in Australia are high and over half of respondents are reliant on parental or Government income support. Respondents with certain sociodemographic profiles are more prone to financial stress. These findings may have implications for the psychological health, diversity and career plans of veterinary students in Australia.     

Primary mesenteric root osteosarcoma in a dog

Abstract: A 10‐year‐old spayed female Boxer‐mix was presented with a history of several weeks of soft stools, straining to defecate, inappetance, and lethargy and several days of hematochezia, melena, and dyschezia. Physical examination findings included mild tachycardia and tense cranial abdomen. CBC results indicated moderate mature neutrophilia. Ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen revealed a large mass with complex echogenicity in the cranial abdomen, likely associated with the intestines. Cytologic examination of a fine‐needle aspirate revealed a population of round, stellate, and spindle‐shaped cells arranged individually and in aggregates with occasional cells embedded in an eosinophilic extracellular matrix. The cytologic interpretation was malignant mesenchymal neoplasm with osteosarcoma being the primary differential. Surgical exploration of the abdomen revealed a 10‐cm‐diameter mass located at the intestinal mesenteric root. The mass occluded blood flow to portions of the gastrointestinal tract. The dog was euthanized due to the nonresectable nature of the tumor. Histopathologic examination revealed an expansile poorly demarcated mesenchymal neoplasm composed predominantly of spindloid and pyriform cells, occasionally embedded in a matrix compatible with osteoid. The diagnosis was extraskeletal osteosarcoma of the intestinal mesenteric root, only rarely reported in dogs.