Effects of growth factors on equine synovial fibroblasts seeded on synthetic scaffolds for avascular meniscal tissue engineering

Across species, the avascular portion of the knee meniscus cannot heal spontaneously if severely injured. The most common treatment is meniscectomy which results in osteoarthritis. The objective of this study was to assess the fibrochondrogenic potential of equine fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) seeded on scaffolds under the influence of growth factors in vitro to determine the potential of developing a novel cell-based repair strategy. Cultured FLS were seeded onto synthetic scaffolds in a rotating bioreactor under the influence of three growth factor regimens: none, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) alone, and bFGF plus transforming growth factor (TGF-β₁) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). Constructs were analyzed for mRNA expression and production of fibrochondroid extracellular matrix constituents. Type II collagen and aggrecan mRNA were significantly higher in growth factor-treated groups (p < 0.05). Despite sub-optimal extracellular matrix production, FLS can exhibit fibrochondral characteristics and may have potential for cell-based tissue engineering for avascular meniscal regeneration.     

The Case of an Sry‐Negative XX Male Pug With an Inguinal Gonad

A case of intersexuality in a Pug that was bought as a male in a pet shop is described. The dog was presented at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Turin, for a reddish mass protruding from the prepuce. The mass had the aspect of an enlarged clitoris, with a caudoventral direction and a dorsal urethral ostium. A gonad was palpable in the left inguinal region. Laparotomy confirmed ultrasound detection of an abdominal uterine structure together with the right gonad. The histology of both gonads was similar, showing an exclusively masculine character, with seminiferous tubules lined only by Sertoli cells; the uterus showed a normal histological structure. Karyological analysis revealed a female karyotype (78,XX), and polymerase chain reaction showed the absence of Sry. The diagnosis was an XX male. The pathogenesis of the XX sex reversal syndrome in dogs is not completely understood, as Sry, the master gene regulating testis differentiation, is not present; to date, no genetic cause has been identified for this phenotypic condition in dogs. This case is unusual because the dog showed an inguinal testis, implying a partial activity of the mechanisms leading to abdominal testis translocation along a gubernaculum and transinguinal migration.     

Determination of irritant threshold concentrations to weeds,trees and grasses through serial dilutions in intradermal testing on healthy clinically nonallergic dogs

Irritant threshold concentration (ITC) for intradermal testing (IDT) was determined in 31 healthy, clinically nonallergic dogs. Twenty‐three allergens were tested at five variable concentrations ranging from 1000 to 8000 PNU/mL. To distinguish irritant reactions from subclinical IgE‐mediated hypersensitivities, serum allergy testing was performed. ITCs were determined by evaluating the lowest concentration to which no dogs (0% cut‐off) and to which at least 10% of dogs (≥10% cut‐off) reacted. ITCs at the 0% cut‐off were: 1000 PNU/mL (Johnson grass), 2000 PNU/mL (Ash, Lamb’s Quarter and Bermuda), 3000 PNU/mL (Bahia, Rye, Pig Weed and Virginia Oak), 4000 PNU/mL (Marsh Elder and Maple), 5000 PNU/mL (Sorrel sheep) and 7000 PNU/mL (Cocklebur and Black Willow). ITC for Dog Fennel, Box Elder and Red Cedar was <1000 PNU/mL. ITCs at the ≥10% cut‐off were: 2500 PNU/mL (Johnson), 3000 PNU/mL (Box Elder), 5000 PNU/mL (Bahia), 6000 PNU/mL (Pigweed and Marsh Elder) and 8000 PNU/mL (Virginia Oak and Black Willow). For all other allergens, the ITC was >8000 PNU/mL and could not be determined. No significant agreement between positive values was found for the same allergen on IDT and serum allergy testing for each dog suggesting reactions caused by the determined ITCs are less likely subclinical IgE‐mediated reactions. These results suggest that ITCs may vary, also they may be very high for the allergens tested and that higher test concentrations may be used for IDT for the tested allergens without inducing an irritant reaction. Further studies are needed to evaluate the benefit of higher IDT concentrations in atopic dogs.     

Use of Ribav and succinate for stimulating natural resistance of chicks at different stages of ontogeny

The aerosol use of Ribav before incubation and succinic acid on the 19th day of incubation of eggs leads to optimizing metabolic processes in embryos, which promotes an increase of viability of chicks both in early and late stages of embryogenesis.     

Effect of calcium as a cadmium detoxicant on the biochemical composition of quail blood

Two and three daily calcium ion norms for reducing the toxic effect of cadmium are studied on Japanese quail. Three daily calcium norms don’t have an effect on changing the blood content of total protein, magnesium, potassium, and sodium, but do increase the concentration of bilirubin, calcium, and phosphorus by 1.44–2.2 times and reduce the content of urea and cholesterol by 1.19–2.38 times.     

Characterization of phenotypic diversity,yield and response to drought stress in a collection of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth) accessions

Information on available diversity and drought resistance among Chloris gayana accessions would offer considerable potential to select genotypes to alleviate the feed inadequacy that constrains livestock production in dry tropical areas. A collection of 62 C. gayana accessions from the genebank of the International Livestock Research Institute in Ethiopia was characterized using a set of 30 morphological, 4 phenological and 8 agronomic traits to assess diversity within the collection and to select promising accessions for use as livestock feed. In parallel, an experiment was conducted to assess the ability of these C. gayana accessions to maintain productivity under drought stress.