Blood lipids, fecal fat and chymotrypsin excretion in the dog: influence of age, body weight and sex

Effects of physiological variables (age, body weight and sex) on lipemia (total lipids, phospholipids, triglycerides and NEFA), fecal fat and chymotrypsin excretion were examined in dogs. On comparing various ages and body weights, they found statistically significant differences, while only total lipids showed a statistically significant difference between the two sexes. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between body weight and fecal fat and chymotrypsin excretion. The results obtained contribute to the evaluation of small intestine functionality, especially in relation to some diseases, as malabsorption, maldigestion and steatorrhea in the dog.     

Pharmacokinetics of Tramadol and its Metabolites M1, M2 and M5 in Horses Following Intravenous, Immediate Release (Fasted/Fed) and Sustained Release Single Dose Administration

Tramadol (T) is a centrally acting analgesic structurally related to codeine and morphine. This drug displays a weak affinity for the μ and δ-opioid receptors, and weaker affinity for the κ-subtype; it also interferes with the neuronal release and reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline in the descending inhibitory pathways. The metabolism of this drug has been investigated in different animals (rats, mice, Syrian hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, and dogs) and humans; similar metabolites are produced but in different amounts. The major metabolic pathways involved in phase I metabolite production (M1–M5) are O-demethylation, N-demethylation, and N,N-demethylation. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of T in the horse, and its M1, M2, and M5 metabolites after single-dose administration (5 mg/kg body weight [BW]) by intravenous, sustained-release tablets and immediate-release capsules. We also will investigate the potential effects of fasting and feeding on bioavailability of immediate-release capsules. The study design was divided into four randomized phases. Twenty-four gelding Italian trotter race horses were divided into four groups (6 animals each) and administered T intravenously, with T immediate-release capsules in a fasting status, T immediate-release capsules in a feeding status, and T sustained-release in fasting status. Blood samples were collected at different times and analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorimetric detection. The limit of quantification was 5 ng/ml for T, M1, and M2, and 10 ng/ml for M5. A one-compartment model best fit the plasma concentrations of T and M2 after all treatments. Unfortunately, for M1 and M5, it was not always possible to fit plasma curves because of very low and variable concentrations. M2 was the main metabolite produced in the four different treatments and its concentration was higher than the concentration of T after sustained-release administration. Conversely, M1, the main metabolite in humans, and M5 seemed to be only marginally produced in the horse. When T was administered in both fasted and fed states, variations in some pharmacokinetic parameters were not considered clinically significant. We concluded that T could be administered in either a fasted or a fed condition.     

Daily rhythm of total activity pattern in domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) maintained in two different housing conditions

Housing conditions and human presence have been shown to have an influence on daily amount of activity in herbivores. Only few studies on the behavior of cats and interactions between cat and human were conducted, and these few works are referred to cats housed in laboratories. At the same way, only few and conflicting reports about the presence of circadian rhythms in cats are present. In view of this incomplete literature, the main aim of our study was to investigate the influence of different housing conditions on daily rhythm of total locomotor activity (TLA) in cats.For this purpose, 10 clinically healthy adult domestic cats were used. They were divided into 2 equal groups living with their owner in their home. Group A lived in 80-100 m² house and had free daily access to 20-40 m² garden from 08:00 to 9:00. Group B lived in 200-250 m² house, had free access to 2000-2500 m² garden all day, and from 21:00 to 08:00 they were kept outside. Our results showed that in group A, that live in strong symbiosis with owners respect to group B, the amount of activity was higher during the photophase. This supporting the view that domestic cats adapt their lifestyle with their owners. Group B exhibited the highest level of locomotor activity during the scotophase. Moreover, a robust daily rhythmicity of TLA was observed in group B; on the contrary, in group A, TLA showed no daily rhythmicity. Our findings underline the high influence of human presence and care on the amount of activity and daily rhythm in cats.     

Genetic diversity and infection levels of anisakid nematodes parasitic in fish and marine mammals from Boreal and Austral hemispheres

Anisakid nematodes have complex life-cycles that include invertebrate and vertebrate hosts at various levels of the marine food chain. Different types of habitat disturbances of the marine ecosystem (pollution, overfishing, by-catch) could impoverish the host population size, resulting in concomitant and detrimental effects on parasitic nematode populations. This in turn would lead to the loss of genetic diversity of these parasites at both the species and population levels. In order to test for a correlation existing between the genetic diversity of anisakid nematodes and habitat disturbance, the genetic variability, estimated by nuclear markers (19 allozyme loci), was evaluated among several anisakid populations from fish and marine mammals in various areas of the Boreal and Austral regions. Antarctic and sub-antarctic populations showed significantly (P<0.001) higher levels of genetic diversity (on average, He=0.23) than those from the Arctic and sub-Arctic populations and species (on average, He=0.07). Correlations between the degree of genetic variability and the levels of parasitic infections within their hosts were considered. Data revealed higher intensities in anisakid infections in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic hosts, presumably resulting from a lower degree of habitat disturbance in less stressed areas. The absence of disturbance presumably allowed anisakid species to reach a larger population size, with a reduced probability of genetic drift in their gene pools. This suggests that anisakid nematodes, and their levels of genetic diversity may be suitable indicators of the integrity of marine food webs and of the general biodiversity of a marine ecosystem.     

Abortion due to Salmonella enterica serovar Abortusovis (S. Abortusovis) in ewes is associated to a lack of production of IFN-gamma and can be prevented by immunization with inactivated S. Abortusovis vaccine

Salmonellosis due to Salmonella enterica serovar Abortusovis (S. Abortusovis) is mainly characterized by abortion in sheep. Little is known about the immune response, which develops in the host as a result of infection. We evaluated the immune response of pregnant ewes vaccinated and successively exposed to full virulent S. Abortusovis. We found that vaccine constituted by inactivated S. Abortusovis induced both humoral and cellular-mediated immune response and that it provided protection against a challenge infection due to a fully virulent S. Abortusovis. Furthermore, we found an association between the lack of capability to produce IFN-gamma and abortion. This evidence suggests that protection against abortion can be associated to an IFN-gamma mediated mechanism. Our findings represent an interesting insight to better understand the interplay between host and S. Abortusovis and the effector mechanisms underpinning immune-based protection.     

A survey of fleas on dogs in southern Italy

A survey aimed at studying the presence and distribution of fleas on dogs was conducted in an area of southern Italy. Between February 2005 and 2006, dogs were examined for fleas at four private veterinary clinics, with a twice-weekly frequency. Fleas were detected on 246 (17.9%) out of the 1376 tested dogs. A total of 960 fleas were sampled and two species were identified, namely Ctenocephalides felis felis (16.3% of the tested dogs) and Ctenocephalides canis (1.5% of the tested dogs). The results of the logistic regression model showed a significant association between the flea positivity and the following independent variables: housed with other dogs or cats and utilization, i.e. increasing prevalence from pets to guard, hunting, and stray dogs. Clinical symptoms (pruritus, alopecia, and flea allergic dermatitis) were also observed in some of the flea positive dogs. Flea infestation was detected throughout the year, although the prevalence was higher during the period between June and October.     

Assessment of clinical criteria to diagnose scrapie in Italy

A reliable ante-mortem test for the detection of scrapie in all genotypes has not yet been developed and clinical diagnosis remains a useful tool for surveillance purposes. This paper describes the results of a three-year study in which clinical signs consistent with scrapie were recorded according to standardized criteria in 245 sheep from 21 outbreaks in Italy in order to identify helpful criteria for the diagnosis of the disease. Thirty-seven sheep were scrapie-positive at post-mortem rapid testing, 23 showed weight loss, 20 had proprioceptive deficits, 17 demonstrated ataxia and nibble reflex, and some sheep had a combination of signs. Six scrapie-positive sheep were asymptomatic. The clinical protocol was easy to handle and appears to be a useful tool for improving passive surveillance. The data suggested that positive clinical history, nibble, and nibble combined with proprioceptive positioning deficit have a quite high negative predictive value. The protocol will be proposed as a tool for field inspection in passive surveillance in Italy.     

Investigating the potential for genetic improvement of nitrogen and phosphorus efficiency in a Swiss large white pig population using chemical analysis

Pig production contributes to environmental pollution through excretion of phosphorus and nitrogenous compounds. European pig production requires annual imports of currently 36 million tons of soya bean, because domestic plant protein sources often do not meet the required protein quality. Most of the mineral phosphate sources are also imported. It is therefore desirable to improve nutrient deposition efficiency through selective breeding, that is to realise similar growth rates and carcass compositions as currently achieved but with a lower intake of dietary crude protein or phosphate. For a preliminary evaluation of the potential of selecting for increased nutrient deposition efficiency, we estimated genetic parameters for nitrogen and phosphorus efficiencies in a Swiss Large White pig population including 294 individuals. Nutrient efficiency phenotypes were obtained from wet-chemistry analyses of pigs of various live weights. Heritability of nitrogen efficiency was estimated at 41%. Heritability of phosphorus efficiency was very low (0.3%), but positive genetic correlations with nitrogen efficiency suggest that breeding for nitrogen efficiency would positively affect phosphorus efficiency. Further studies are needed to improve the quality of estimates and to obtain accurate high-throughput measures of nutrient efficiency to be implemented on farms.     

Remote monitoring system as a tool for calving management in Mediterranean Buffalo heifers (Bubalus bubalis)

Buffalo breeding is common in Southern Italy. Dystocia compromises dam's and newborn health and welfare. Difficult parturition could be solved through prompt calving assistance, even if the identification of the beginning of delivery is challenging. Herein, we aimed to evaluate a remote calving alarm system in 15 Mediterranean buffalo heifers. An intravaginal probe was placed close to the external cervical os once premonitory signs of delivery were observed. No vaginal discharge nor signs of discomfort were notified in the days following the insertion of the probe. Heifers calved from 48 to 72 hr after the alarm was activated. The system correctly warned the farm personnel at the beginning of stage II of parturition, except for 2 cases. In the former, the intravaginal probe was expelled but the poor carrier network coverage negatively affected phone's signal quality; in the latter, recurrent vaginal prolapse was responsible for non-retention of the probe. Overall median expulsive phase was 68 ± 8 min, while the expulsion of a female calf took 54 ± 22.0 min and 90 ± 34.0 min in males, with significant difference (p =.02). Deliveries were homogeneously distributed across a 24-hr interval. No retention of foetal membranes nor metritis was identified at postpartum clinical examination. The calving alarm system used in this work was well tolerated in buffalo heifers. The introduction of smart technology in buffalo farming could contribute to the overall farm net return by reducing calf losses, especially for calves born from sexed-sorted semen, and by increasing animal welfare through quick resolution of dystocia. Further studies will be necessary to evaluate the net return in buffalo farms which will implement a remote calving alarm system on a wider population.     

The role of historical dolphin takes and habitat degradation in shaping the present status of northern Adriatic cetaceans

• 1. Nine cetacean species have been reliably reported to occur in the shallow northern Adriatic Sea since the 17th century. However, only two species were considered regular there until the 1970s: the short‐beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).
• 2. Short‐beaked common dolphins have progressively disappeared from the northern Adriatic and are now rare in the region. The systematic culling campaigns and other takes that occurred between the second half of the 18th century and the 1960s, and habitat degradation in subsequent years are the most likely causes of their decline.
• 3. Today, common bottlenose dolphins are the only regular component of the northern Adriatic cetacean fauna; however, they now occur at low densities, and their fragmented groups are facing significant anthropogenic threats.
• 4. The future of northern Adriatic dolphins will depend on precautionary action to prevent further decline and on intensified research effort aimed at identifying the most effective mitigation strategies.

Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.