Uterine immune reaction and reproductive performance of sows inseminated with extended semen and infused with pooled whole dead semen

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of infusing whole dead semen (WDS) after AI with diluted commercial semen on uterine inflammatory reaction and embryonic survival rate in gilts. Sixty Yorkshire-Landrace gilts were assigned at their second estrus to one of the following AI treatments: 1) commercial semen adjusted to 1 x 10(9) sperm cells (S1) per dose, followed by an infusion of 80 mL of WDS (S1-WDS); 2) S1 followed by an infusion of 80 mL of Beltsville Thawing Solution (S1-BTS); 3) commercial semen adjusted to 3 x 10(9) sperm cells (S3) per dose, followed by an infusion of 80 mL of BTS (S3-BTS); and 4) a negative control group, in which gilts received two infusions of 80 mL of BTS (BTS). Two days after the first AI, eight gilts from Groups 1, 2, and 4 were slaughtered and reproductive tracts were collected. One horn was cut open longitudinally along the antimesometrial aspect and endometrial samples were taken and immediately frozen for analysis of messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance for inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. The other horn was flushed with 20 mL of PBS, and the contents of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) were determined by ELISA. On d 25 after AI, gilts from Groups 1, 2, and 3 were slaughtered and their reproductive tracts were collected to evaluate the number of fetuses and corpora lutea. On d 2 after the first AI, only TGF-beta1 was detected in the flush of all gilts, and no difference was observed between S1-WDS, S1-BTS, and BTS gilts. Endometrial levels of IFN-gamma and interleukin (IL)-6 mRNA were marked in all gilts, but they were not affected by the AI treatments, whereas the mRNA abundances for IL-1 and IL-2 were negligible. Infusions of WDS or BTS after a fertile AI did not affect IGF-I, IGF-I receptor, or IGF-II mRNA levels compared with gilts infused with BTS only, whereas the mRNA abundance for the IGF-II receptor was decreased (P < 0.05) in WDS-infused gilts. In gilts inseminated with S1 doses, infusion of WDS did not affect the number of live embryos. Although infusions of WDS did not affect the mRNA level and secretion of the cytokines measured and did not improve embryonic survival rates, further studies are needed to better understand the influence of semen composition on the uterine response after mating.     

Metabolic changes induced by regular submaximal aerobic exercise in meat-type rabbits

Pannon White growing rabbits (a group of 8) were exposed to treadmill exercise (3-9 m/s, 1.2-1.6 km/day) twice a day for 4 weeks, while additional 8 animals, kept inactive, were assigned as the control group. Weekly, 12 hours after exercise, venous blood was taken for serum metabolite and enzyme activity measurements. Total serum protein, albumin and creatinine levels significantly increased during the second half of the training, as compared to the control group. Triacylglycerol levels in the exercised group as compared to controls, however, were higher only after the first and the fourth weeks of the experiment. Resting non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration of the trained rabbits was lower at the end of the trial. On the other hand, there were no significant differences, as compared to the respective controls, in serum urea, total and HDL cholesterol levels. At the end of the exercise alkaline phosphatase activity was higher and total lactate dehydrogenase activity was lower in the trained rabbits. Serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities were not changed, while creatine kinase activity was slightly lower in the trained group. The serum cortisol concentration was not different in the trained and control rabbits.     

Productive behavior in growing kid goats and methane production with the inclusion of chokecherry leaf (Prunus salicifolia)

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Currently for the reduction of methane (CH4) emissions are using fodder rich in condensed tannins, however, not yet known exactly how they act in the rumen...     

Comparative fluorescein angiography of the normal sheep and goat ocular fundi

Fluorescein angiography without sedative or anesthetic agents was evaluated in 20 normal goats and 20 normal sheep. All of the angiographic phases were observed using 20 mg/kg fluorescein IV in both species. Fundus fluorescein angiography results revealed wide stars of Winslow in the tapetal fundus, central or marginal flow during the first part of the arterial phase, delayed filling of the focal areas in the choroid near the optic disc that often coincided with others in the disc, and lack of evidence of the 'striate area' in the tapetal fundi. In goats, the angiographic times were 6.54+/-1.25 s for the arterial phase (TA), 7.80+/-1.37 s for the arterio-venous phase (TAV), and 14.13+/-2.01 s for the venous phase (TV). I1: 1.30+/-0.30 s (time elapsing between TA and TAV), and I2: 6.20+/-1.60 s (time elapsing between TAV and TV). In sheep, times were 9.54+/-2.18 s TA, 11.73+/-2.10 s TAV, and 20.86+/-2.74 s TV. I1: 2.04+/-0.75 s and I2: 8.98+/-2.47 s, respectively. Due to the large size of the fundic vessels in sheep and goats, fluorescein angiography of the retinal vasculature can facilitate the study of the different vascular diseases in these species.     

Inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters in the cerebrospinal fluid of epileptic dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine concentrations of excitatory and inhibitory amino acids in CSF of a large number of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy or genetic epilepsy and to evaluate changes in CSF amino acid concentration with regard to drug treatment and sex. ANIMALS: 35 Labrador Retrievers with genetic epilepsy (20 male and 15 female), 94 non-Labrador Retrievers with idiopathic epilepsy (71 male and 23 female), and 20 control dogs (10 male and 10 female). PROCEDURE: Collection of CSF was performed > 72 hours after the occurrence of seizures. Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate (GLU), aspartate (ASP), serine, and glycine were determined by use of high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. RESULTS: CSF concentrations of GABA and GLU were significantly lower in Labrador Retrievers with genetic epilepsy (LR-group dogs) than in control-group dogs or in non-Labrador Retrievers with idiopathic epilepsy (non-LR-group dogs). The GLU-to-GABA ratio was significantly higher in LR-group dogs than in non-LR-group dogs. CSF concentrations of GLU and ASP were significantly lower when all dogs with epilepsy (non-LR- and LR-group dogs combined) were compared with control-group dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A decrease in CSF concentrations of GABA appears to play a role in the pathogenesis of genetically determined epilepsy in Labrador Retrievers. However, this decrease in CSF concentrations of GABA may also be a consequence of seizure activity. The GLU-to-GABA ratio may prove to be a useful indicator of genetic epilepsy in Labrador Retrievers.     

Evaluation of assays for perinuclear antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies and antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of immunofluorescence asssays for perinuclear antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCAs) and antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ASCAs) in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and assess the clinical value of these serologic markers of the disease. ANIMALS: 39 dogs with IBD, 18 dogs with acute diarrhea, 19 dogs with chronic non-IBD-associated diarrhea, 26 healthy dogs of various breeds and age, and 22 healthy young working dogs. PROCEDURE: Sera obtained from the dogs in each group were added to canine granulocyte- and Saccharomyces cerevisiae-mounted slides for detection of pANCAs and ASCAs via immunofluorescence techniques. Sensitivity and specificity (with 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) were calculated for the group of dogs with IBD versus each of the 2 groups of healthy dogs, the group of dogs with acute diarrhea, and the group of dogs with chronic non-IBD-associated diarrhea. RESULTS: Among the 39 dogs with IBD, 20 yielded positive results via the pANCA assay (sensitivity, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.35 to 0.67]) and 17 yielded positive results via the ASCA assay (sensitivity, 0.44 [95% CI, 0.22 to 0.69]). The specificity of the pANCA assay in the 4 groups of non-IBD-affected dogs ranged from 0.83 (95% CI, 0.85 to 0.96) to 0.95 (95% CI, 0.72 to 1.00). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Immunofluorescence assays for pANCA and ASCA appear to be useful for the detection of IBD in dogs. The pANCA immunofluorescence assay had high specificity for canine IBD, and pANCAs appear to be accurate markers of intestinal inflammation.     

Recombinant bovine interferon-gamma enhances expression of class I and class II bovine lymphocyte antigens

Recombinant bovine interferon-gamma augments expression of class I and class II histocompatibility antigens on the surface membrane of bovine lymphocytes. Immunofluorescence techniques using a series of monoclonal anti-HLA antibodies demonstrate that this enhancement is detectable as early as 24 h after incubation with rBoIFN, while maximum surface expression is obtained within 3-5 days. A concentration as low as 10 units of rBoIFN is effective. Such results may be useful for characterizing the BoLA gene products.     

Evaluation of the association between initial proteinuria and morbidity rate or death in dogs with naturally occurring chronic renal failure

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UP:C) > or = 1.0 at initial diagnosis of chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with greater risk of development of uremic crises, death, and progression of renal failure in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. ANIMALS: 45 dogs with CRF PROCEDURE: Dogs were prospectively assigned to 2 groups on the basis of initial UP:C < 1.0 or 2 > or = 1.0. The association between magnitude of proteinuria and development of uremic crises and death was determined before and after dogs with initial UP:C > or =1.0 were assigned to 3 subgroups and compared with dogs with initial UP:C < 1.0. Changes in reciprocal serum creatinine concentration were used to estimate decrease in renal function. RESULTS: Initially, dogs had similar clinical characteristics with the exception of systolic blood pressure and UP:C. Relative risks of development of uremic crises and death were approximately 3 times higher in dogs with UP:C > or =1.0, compared with dogs with UP:C < 1.0. Relative risk of adverse outcome was approximately 1.5 times higher for every 1-unit increment in UP:C. The decrease in renal function was of greater magnitude in dogs with UP:C > or =1.0, compared with dogs with UP:C < 1.0. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Initial UP:C > or =1.0 in dogs with CRF was associated with greater risk of development of uremic crises and death, compared with dogs with UP:C < 1.0. Initial determinations of UP:C in dogs with naturally occurring CRF may be of value in refining prognoses.