Apoptosis‐Related Protein Expression During Pre‐ and Post‐Natal Testicular Development After Administration of Glucocorticoid in utero in the Sheep

Pre‐natal glucocorticoids are used in women at risk of preterm delivery to induce foetal lung maturation. However, glucocorticoids can produce negative outcomes for other tissues such as the reproductive system. We therefore tested the effects of pre‐natal betamethasone on testicular morphology and apoptotic protein immune expression during pre‐ and post‐natal development. Pregnant ewes (n = 42) bearing singleton male foetuses were randomly allocated to receive intramuscular injections of saline or betamethasone (0. 5 mg/kg) at 104, 111 and 118 days of gestation (DG). Testes were collected at 121 and 132 DG, and at 45 and 90 post‐natal days (PD) and subjected to morphometric analysis (volume densities of sex cords and interstitial tissues; sex cord diameter). Immunohistochemistry (% stained area) was used to assess active caspase‐3, Bax, Bcl‐2 and cell‐cycle proteins (PCNA). Compared with control values, betamethasone treatment decreased sex cord diameter at 121 DG, 45 and 90 PD, and sex cord volume at 90 PD. Active caspase‐3 was decreased by betamethasone at 121 DG and 90 PD, but Bax was increased in all betamethasone groups. Bcl‐2 and PCNA decreased in the betamethasone groups at 121 DG and 45 PD, but increased at 132 DG and 90 PD. We conclude that high levels of pre‐natally administered glucocorticoid reduce foetal testicular development, perhaps via changes in the balance between pro‐ and anti‐apoptotic proteins and cell‐cycle proteins. These outcomes could compromise the future spermatogenic potential of male offspring.     

Long‐term prognosis of gastrojejunostomy in foals with gastric outflow obstruction: 16 cases (2001–2006)

Reasons for performing study: It has been suggested that the success of gastric bypass surgery in foals for the treatment of gastric outflow obstruction is poor. However, few reports exist evaluating the long‐term prognosis of these cases. Objectives: To determine the long‐term success of foals, including racing records, surgically treated for gastric outflow obstruction secondary to gastroduodenal ulceration. Methods: Medical records of foals undergoing surgical treatment of gastric outflow obstruction secondary to gastroduodenal ulceration were evaluated for clinical information. Owners, trainers and race records were evaluated regarding long‐term survival and racing success. Results and conclusions: Sixteen foals were included in the study, all treated with a gastrojejunostomy. All foals survived to immediate discharge from the hospital; 8 survived to racing age, with 7 of those entering training and 3 actually racing. Foals that did not survive to racing age had various post operative complications. The success rate for these foals appears somewhat better than that previously reported. Potential relevance: Gastrojejunostomy for the treatment of gastric outflow obstruction, secondary to gastric ulceration, is a valid treatment option for foals.     

Ultrasonographic characteristics of soft tissue tumours in dogs

Objective   To identify and describe the ultrasonographic features of soft tissue tumours in dogs.
Procedure   Superficial soft tissue tumours of various histological types, including mast cell tumours (MCTs) and soft tissue sarcomas (STSs), were evaluated. Ultrasound was used to visualise internal characteristics of the tumour, including vascularity. Tumours were categorised according to size, shape, margin definition, tissue plane mobility, echogenicity, echotexture, acoustic shadowing or enhancement and vessel distribution. Objective measurements of intratumoural blood flow included velocities and maximal perfused cross-sectional area (fractional area). Logistic regression models incorporating a variety of data were used in an attempt to predict the histopathological type of tumours.
Results   The logistic regression model defined by the parameters echotexture, margin definition and presence of subcapsular vessels was highly predictive of MCTs (> 73%; P = 0.024). Several other trends, including a larger size for STSs and less vascularity for both MCTs and STSs, were observed, but did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusion   This preliminary study has shown the potential diagnostic value of ultrasound in differentiating soft tissue tumours. However, at present, ultrasound cannot replace biopsy and histopathological evaluation for tumour diagnosis.     

Intraperitoneal Use of Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose in Horses Undergoing Exploratory Celiotomy

The effect of intraperitoneal sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) administration on clinical outcome and survival was evaluated in horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy for acute gastrointestinal disease. Comparison of variables was made retrospectively between 44 horses that had SCMC and 92 horses (controls) not treated with SCMC. Mean age, body weight, heart rate, packed cell volume and plasma total protein of horses at admission, and convalescent period were not significantly different between control and SCMC groups. No significant differences were noted between control horses and SCMC horses with respect to incisional infection, hernia formation, recurrent episodes of colic, clinical outcome, and long-term survival (>6 months). Seventy-six (83%) control horses and 34 (77%) SCMC horses survived long-term. Seventy (76%) control horses and 30 (68%) SCMC horses survived without complications and returned to their previous use. These results suggest that intraperitoneal use of SCMC does not adversely affect abdominal incisional wound healing, clinical outcome or long-term survival, however, the efficacy of SCMC in prevention of postoperative intestinal adhesions in horses requires further investigation.     

Colour‐Doppler ultrasound imaging as a laparoscopy substitute to count corpora lutea in superovulated sheep

This study evaluated colour‐Doppler ultrasound imaging (UI) as a substitute for laparoscopy to count the corpora lutea (CL) in superovulated sheep. Twenty‐five Santa Ines ewes were superovulated three times at 21‐day intervals. Corpora lutea were counted by colour‐Doppler UI (CL_DOPPLER) 6 days after each superovulation and confirmed by laparoscopy (CL_LAP) 12 hr later. The mean number of CL was similar for both techniques (2.1 ± 2.5 vs. 2.1 ± 2.7 for CL_DOPPLER and CL_LAP, respectively) with a significant positive correlation (r = .94; r²=.89). Colour‐Doppler UI effectively evaluated the ovarian response in superovulated ewes and efficiently identified animals that did not respond to superovulation.     

The effect of date of primary growth harvest and levels of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers on the dry matter production of timothy (Phleum pratense)

Scots timothy was harvested three times a year for 3 years under four harvesting patterns and at all combinations of three levels of application of nitrogen and four of potassium. Harvesting patterns, H1, H2, H3 and H4, comprised cutting primary growth on 27–29 May or 14, 28 or 42 d later followed by cutting a first regrowth 8 weeks afterwards and a second regrowth on 15–16 October. N treatments, N0, N1 and N2, involved annual totals of 0,108 and 216 kg ha^-1 N in three equal doses. K treatments, K0, K1, K2 and K4, involved annual totals of 0, 54, 108 and 216 kg ha^-1 K also in three equal doses. Mean herbage DM yields in successive years were 8·90, 9·54 and 9·61 t ha^-1 containing92·4%, 93·1% and 94·5% timothy, respectively. Systems H3 and H4 had 24% higher yields than H1 and H2. The superiority of the late systems derived from higher yields of primary growth. Mean response to 108 kg ha^-1 N at 36·7 kg DM per kg N was significantly higher than the response to an additional 108 kg ha^-1 N. Response in primary growth to successive increments of 36 kg ha^-1 N averaged 53·9 and 27·5 kg DM per kg N. The first regrowth gave linear responses up to 72 kg ha^-1 N. The possibility is discussed of more effective use of N by increasing the proportion applied to regrowth. Response to K was low except in the third year when there was a marked response at N2. It was calculated that to maintain soil potash it is necessary to apply 23·9, 47·7 and 86·6 kg ha^-1 fertilizer K for each harvest at N0, N1 and N2 respectively.