Additional kinematic variables to describe differences in the trot between clinically normal dogs and dogs with hip dysplasia

OBJECTIVE: To describe the abnormal gait of dogs with hip dysplasia by use of kinematic gait analysis. ANIMALS: 19 large-breed dogs with moderate to severe clinical and radiographic evidence of hip dysplasia and 10 clinically normal dogs (controls). PROCEDURE: Kinematic and force plate data were collected, and degree of coxofemoral joint abduction-adduction, mediolateral foot movement, distance between hind feet, maximum hind foot elevation, mediolateral pelvic movement, and coxofemoral joint angular acceleration were calculated. Essential Fourier coefficients were determined and used to reconstruct mean angular acceleration curves. Fourier coefficients and foot and pelvic movement data were compared between groups. RESULTS: Dogs with hip dysplasia had a greater degree of coxofemoral joint adduction and range of abduction-adduction and greater lateral pelvic movement, compared with controls. Foot movement variables did not differ significantly between groups. Coxofemoral joint angular acceleration was greater in the middle to end of the stance phase, whereas deceleration was greater in the late stance to early swing phase and middle to end of the swing phase in dogs with hip dysplasia, compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Differences in degree of coxofemoral joint abduction-adduction, amount of mediolateral pelvic movement, and coxofemoral joint angular acceleration between clinically normal dogs and dogs with hip dysplasia may indicate a compensation in gait of affected dogs as a result of discomfort or biomechanical effects attributable to hip dysplasia and degenerative joint disease. Information gained from kinematic and kinetic gait analyses may be useful in evaluating treatments for hip dysplasia in dogs.     

Internal fixation of femoral capital physeal injuries in dogs: 40 cases (1979-1987)

Fractures of the femoral capital physis were stabilized with small pins or a lag screw in 36 dogs (4 bilateral injuries). Radiography was used to monitor the development of osteoarthritis in affected joints and narrowing of the femoral neck. More radiographic signs of arthritis (P less than 0.05) developed in the coxofemoral joints of dogs that were less than or equal to 4 months old when injured, compared with those in dogs greater than 4 months old. Of 40 capital physeal injuries, 35% had concurrent ipsilateral coxofemoral joint injuries and developed more radiographic signs of arthritis (P less than 0.05) than did those that had no other coxofemoral injury. Narrowing of the femoral neck developed in 70% of the healing capital physeal repairs, but in most dogs, narrowing was not associated with segmental collapse of the femoral neck. Neither time interval from injury to surgical fixation nor surgical approach used had an effect (P greater than 0.05) on the development of narrowing of the femoral neck.     

Immune response to avian reovirus in chickens and protection against experimental infection

Objectives To assess the efficacy of the vaccination procedure and the effect of the transfer of maternal antibodies to progeny chickens on reovirus pathogenicity.
Design To vaccinate chickens and challenge progeny chickens with high doses of homologous and heterologous viruses.
Procedure High doses of reovirus strains RAM-1, 1091 and 724 were used to induce tenosynovitis lesions. High doses were produced by concentration of viruses grown in cell culture. Then similar doses of viruses were used to challenge immunised chickens progeny.
Result Vaccination of breeding hens with the RAM-1 strain of avian reovirus, which resulted in the passive transfer of neutralising antibody to progeny chickens, completely prevented the development of tenosynovitis in 80% of progeny chickens infected with the homologous virus. Even though multiple injection of hens resulted in broadening of the normal type-specificity of the neutralising antibody response against heterologous serotypes of avian reovirus, only marginal protection against strains of two heterologous serotypes of avian reovirus was obtained.
Conclusions A model for assessing the efficacy of vaccination against avian reovirus strains on clinical signs such as tenosynovitis was developed that overcome the normal low virulence of Australian strains of avian reovirus. Breeding hens can be immunised with Australian strain of avian reovirus with passive transfer of antibody via the yolk to the progeny chickens. Although the neutralising antibody response to three injections of inactivated virus decreased the specificity of the neutralising antibody response against antigenically heterologous strains of avian reovirus, the protective immunity appeared to retain type-specificity.     

Comparative Development of Embryonic Age by Organogenesis in Domestic Dogs and Cats

The precise determination of the embryonic chronology is very important in reproductive biotechnologies, especially in estimating embryonic age. Thus, there is a need for greater knowledge and standardization for determining the chronology of embryonic development and functional morphology. We describe aspects of embryonic development in two domestic carnivores to add knowledge about organ peculiarities and for application in veterinary practice, in prenatal development and in the biotechnology fields. We found that the development of differential characteristics of embryonic organs occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy for both species. Thus, using the combination of the crown‐rump length, macroscopic analysis and optical microscopy, it is possible to predict gestational age more precisely in animals that lack a defined breed and establish an embryonic pattern.     

Estimating the mass of asteroid 253 mathilde from tracking data during the NEAR flyby

The terminal navigation of the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft during its close flyby of asteroid 253 Mathilde involved coordinated efforts to determine the heliocentric orbits of the spacecraft and Mathilde and then to determine the relative trajectory of the spacecraft with respect to Mathilde. The gravitational perturbation of Mathilde on the passing spacecraft was apparent in the spacecraft tracking data. As a result of the accurate targeting achieved, these data could be used to determine Mathilde's mass as 1.033 (+/- 0.044) x 10(20) grams. Coupled with a volume estimate provided by the NEAR imaging team, this mass suggests a low bulk density for Mathilde of 1.3 grams per cubic centimeter.     

The effect of select seminal plasma proteins on endometrial mRNA cytokine expression in mares susceptible to persistent mating‐induced endometritis

In the horse, breeding induces a transient endometrial inflammation. A subset of mares are unable to resolve this inflammation, and they are considered susceptible to persistent mating‐induced endometritis PMIE Select seminal plasma proteins cysteine‐rich secretory protein‐3 (CRISP‐3) and lactoferrin have been shown to affect the innate immune response to sperm in vitro. The objective of this study was to determine whether the addition of CRISP‐3 and lactoferrin at the time of insemination had an effect on the mRNA expression of endometrial cytokines in susceptible mares after breeding. Six mares classified as susceptible to PMIE were inseminated during four consecutive oestrous cycles with treatments in randomized order of: 1 mg/ml CRISP‐3, 150 μg/ml lactoferrin, seminal plasma (positive control) or lactated Ringer's solution (LRS; negative control) to a total volume of 10 ml combined with 1 × 10⁹ spermatozoa pooled from two stallions. Six hours after treatment, an endometrial biopsy was obtained for qPCR analysis of selected genes associated with inflammation (pro‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐8, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interferon (INF)‐γ, anti‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐1RN and IL‐10, and inflammatory‐modulating cytokine IL‐6). Seminal plasma treatment increased the mRNA expression of IL‐1β (p = .019) and IL‐8 (p = .0068), while suppressing the mRNA expression of TNF (p = .0013). Lactoferrin also suppressed the mRNA expression of TNF (p = .0013). In conclusion, exogenous lactoferrin may be considered as one modulator of the complex series of events resulting in the poorly regulated pro‐inflammatory response seen in susceptible mares.     

Ovulation,Pregnancy Rate and Early Embryonic Development in Vernal Transitional Mares Treated with Equine‐ or Porcine‐FSH

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of purified equine‐ and porcine‐FSH treatment regimes in mares in early vernal transition. Mares (n = 22) kept under ambient light were examined ultrasonographically per‐rectum, starting January 30th. They were assigned to one of two treatment groups using a sequential alternating treatment design when a follicle ≥ 25 mm was detected. In the eFSH group, mares were treated twice daily with equine‐FSH, and in the pFSH group mares were treated twice daily with porcine‐FSH; treatments were continued until follicle(s) ≥ 35 mm, and 24 h later hCG was administered. Oestrous mares were inseminated with fresh semen and examined for pregnancy on days 11–20 post‐ovulation. In the eFSH group, 11/11 (100%) mares developed follicle(s) ≥ 35 mm, 8/11 (73%) ovulated and 6/8 (75%) conceived. In the pFSH group, 5/11 (45%) developed follicle(s) ≥ 35 mm, 4/11 (36%) ovulated and 3/4 (75%) conceived. Treatment with eFSH resulted in a greater ovarian stimulation; higher number of pre‐ovulatory‐sized follicles, higher number of ovulations and higher number of embryos (p < 0.05). Following ovulation, serum progesterone concentrations were correlated with the number of CLs and supported early embryonic development; maternal recognition of pregnancy occurred in all pregnant mares. We concluded that eFSH can be used to effectively induce follicular growth and ovulation in vernal transitional mares; however, if bred, diagnosis and management of twins’ pregnancies would be required prior to day 16 because of the increased risk of multiple embryos per pregnancy. Conversely, the current pFSH treatment regime cannot be recommended.