Recombinant Equine Luteinizing Hormone Stimulates Production of Progesterone from Murine Leydig, Ovine Small Luteal, and Equine Granulosal Cells

Recombinant equine luteinizing hormone (reLH) was evaluated for its ability to stimulate production of progesterone in cell lines from three species including murine Leydig tumor (MA-10), equine granulosal, and ovine small luteal cells (SLC). The response to reLH was compared with that obtained with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), equine chorionic gonadotropin, ovine luteinizing hormone, and equine luteinizing hormone (eLH). Media were collected hourly for 6 hours and assayed for progesterone content through radioimmunoassay. In MA-10 cells, production of progesterone was stimulated above baseline by reLH and hCG (P < .05). Ovine SLC responded to treatment with eLH, reLH, ovine luteinizing hormone, and hCG by increasing production of progesterone above that stimulated by vehicle control (P < .05). Production of progesterone in equine granulosal cells was maximally stimulated by treatment with hCG (P < .05), followed by reLH and eLH (P < .05). In conclusion, reLH elicited a progesterone response in MA-10, ovine SLC, and equine granulosal cells. Thus, reLH stimulates the production of progesterone in cell lines from three species.     

Cardiorespiratory,sedative and antinociceptive effects of dexmedetomidine alone or in combination with methadone,morphine or tramadol in dogs

ObjectiveTo evaluate the cardiorespiratory, sedative and antinociceptive effects of dexmedetomidine alone or in combination with methadone, morphine or tramadol in dogs.Study designExperimental, blinded, randomized, crossover study.AnimalsSix mixed breed dogs (two males and four females) weighing 10 ± 4 kg.MethodsThe animals were randomly divided into four treatments: D (10 μg kg^?1 of dexmedetomidine), DM (dexmedetomidine 10 μg kg^?1 and methadone 0.5 mg kg^?1); DMO (dexmedetomidine 10 μg kg^?1 and morphine 0.5 mg kg^?1), and DT (dexmedetomidine 10 μg kg^?1 and tramadol 2 mg kg^?1). The combinations were administered intramuscularly in all treatments. The variables evaluated were heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (f_R), rectal temperature (RT), systolic arterial pressure (SAP), sedation scale and pedal withdrawal reflex. These variables were measured at T0 (immediately before the administration of the protocol) and every 15 minutes thereafter until T105.ResultsA decrease in HR and f_R occurred in all the treatments compared with T0, but no significant difference was observed between the treatments. The RT decreased from T45 onward in all the treatments. The SAP did not show a difference between the treatments, but in the DT treatment, the SAP was lower at T30 and T45 compared with T0. The D treatment had lower scores of sedation at T15 to T75 compared with the other treatments, and the DMO and DM treatments showed higher scores at T60 and T75 compared with DT.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe treatments with morphine and methadone added to the dexmedetomidine showed higher sedation scores than the control treatment and the treatment with tramadol added to the dexmedetomidine showed no relevant differences in any of the variables evaluated in the study.     

Zum Einfluß von Ameisensäure,Calciumformiat und Natriumhydrogencarbonat auf die Keimzahlen der Mikroflora und deren Zusammensetzung in verschiedenen Segmenten des Gastrointestinaltraktes

Insgesamt 48 Kreuzungsferkel (DL × P) wurden nach einem Wachstumsversuch von 42 Tagen geschlachtet und der Inhalt von Duodenum, Jejunum, Ileum, Caecum und Colon auf mögliche Veränderungen der Keimzahlen von Laktobazillen/Bifidobakterien, Eubacteria, Bacteroidaceae, E. coli und Enterokokken untersucht. Als Zulagen wurden dem Futter neben einer Kontrollgruppe 1,25% Ameisensäure oder äquivalent im Säureanionengehalt 1,8% Calciumformiat (Cafo) zugelegt. Diese drei Behandlungen wurden zudem ohne bzw. mit 2% Natriumhydrogencarbonat (Puffer) versehen. Der Puffer sollte die pH-Wert-Absenkung der Ameisensäure wieder ausgleichen. Durch den Zusatz von 1,25% Ameisensäure und 1,8% Cafo wurden im Duodenum und Jejunum die Keimzahlen der Bacteroidaceae und E. coli signifikant gesenkt. Im Jejunum hatte Ameisensäure zudem verminderte Eubacteria-Keimzahlen zur Folge. Der Zusatz von Puffer I führte im Duodenum und Jejunum stets zu höheren Keimzahlen, unabhängig davon, ob er zur Kontrollration, Cafo- oder Ameisensäure-Behandlung zugelegt wurde. Im Ileuminhalt wies die Ameisensäure-Gruppe von allen Spezies die niedrigsten Keimzahlen auf. Die E. coli-Keime waren auch in der Cafo- sowie der gepufferten Ameisensäure-Gruppe nominell reduziert. Im Caecum und Colon konnten gegenüber der Kontrollgruppe keine signifikanten Veränderungen in den Keimzahlen festgestellt werden. Allgemein lagen jedoch die Laktobazillen/Bifidobakterien, Eubacteria, Bacteroidaceae und E. coli-Keime in der Ameisensäure- und Cafo-Gruppe jeweils in geringeren Keimzahlen vor.     

Muscle strain injuries of the hindlimb in eight horses: diagnostic imaging,management and outcomes

Objective To describe the clinical presentation, ultrasound findings, management and outcome in horses with muscle tear injuries of the hindlimbs. Design Retrospective case series Procedure Medical records of eight horses were reviewed and information on signalment, history, presenting complaint, physical examination findings and further diagnostic tests were recorded. Diagnosis of muscle injury was determined by the presence of abnormal ultrasound findings, compared with the contralateral limb, and, when required, nuclear scintigraphy. Follow-up information was obtained via telephone interviews with owners, trainers and referring veterinarians. Results Muscle tears causing lameness were identified in the middle gluteal (3), semitendinosus (1), semimembranosus (2) and gracilis (2) muscles. Tears were classified by ultrasound imaging as partial (6) or complete (2). The degree of lameness did not appear to be indicative of the extent of injury or of completion of healing. Long-term follow-up was available for seven horses and the outcome was favourable in six cases. Conclusions and clinical relevance Ultrasonography is useful in the diagnosis and assessment of moderate to severe muscle strain injuries. The prognosis appears to be favourable in most cases, although recurrence of injury and lameness can delay the return to athletic activity and an inferior outcome with persistent gait abnormality may occur.     

Ultrasonic shear wave velocities of MgSiO3 perovskite at 8 GPa and 800 K and lower mantle composition

Ultrasonic interferometric measurements of the shear elastic properties of MgSiO3 perovskite were conducted on three polycrystalline specimens at conditions up to pressures of 8 gigapascals and temperatures of 800 kelvin. The acoustic measurements produced the pressure (P) and temperature (T) derivatives of the shear modulus (G), namely ( partial differentialG/ partial differentialP)T = 1.8 +/- 0.4 and ( partial differentialG/ partial differentialT)P = -2.9 +/- 0.3 x 10(-2) gigapascals per kelvin. Combining these derivatives with the derivatives that were measured for the bulk modulus and thermal expansion of MgSiO3 perovskite provided data that suggest lower mantle compositions between pyrolite and C1 carbonaceous chondrite and a lower mantle potential temperature of 1500 +/- 200 kelvin.