Articular / epiphyseal osteochondrosis in Thoroughbred foals at 5 months of age: influences of growth of the foal and prenatal copper supplementation of the dam

AIMS: To determine the influence of copper (Cu) supplementation by injection of mares in late gestation on the frequency and severity of osteochondrosis (OC) lesions in their foals at around 160 days of age. To determine if there was any influence of the concentration of Cu in the liver, growth rate, birthweight, weight at 160 days of age, fatness, sex, or year of birth of the foal on the frequency and severity of OC lesions. To determine the influence of dam's age, and sex and birthweight of the foal on the growth rate from birth to 160 days of age, and weight at 160 days of age. METHODS: Thirty-three Thoroughbred foals, born in two consecutive years, were weighed every 2 weeks from birth. The dams had been supplemented with parenteral Cu or saline during late gestation, and the supplementation regimens were different in each year. Foals had liver biopsies harvested at birth for determination of Cu concentration. Pasture samples were collected every 4-8 weeks for analysis of concentration of Cu and zinc (Zn). At 160 days of age, articular cartilage of long bones was examined. Gross lesions were counted and scored, then sawn and radiographed, and processed for histopathology. Lesions were given radiographic scores and histopathological scores. Maximum scores for each lesion were combined to give a total OC score for each joint and each foal. The fatness of 20 foals (10 each from Years 1 and 2) at 160 days of age was determined chemically. RESULTS: Supplementation of dams with Cu had no significant effect on the concentration of Cu in the liver of foals at birth, or on the frequency or severity of lesions in articular cartilage at 160 days of age. The Cu and Zn concentrations of pasture were similar in Years 1 and 2, and were lower than current recommendations. All foals in Year 2, and 9/10 foals in Year 1 had irregularities in cartilage that was confirmed histologically to be indicative of OC. The average number of lesions per foal was 4.7 (SD 1.1) and 5.7 (SD 1.1) in Years 1 and 2, respectively. However, the severity of the lesions was considered mild, and no foals showed any clinical evidence of OC while alive. The number of lesions in the tarsocrural (TC) joint and the TC OC score at 160 days were positively associated with average daily weight gain (ADG) in the previous 4 weeks (p=0.005 and p=0.001, respectively). There was no significant effect of sex, fatness, birthweight, weight at 160 days of age, or year of birth of the foal on the frequency and severity of OC lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Many of the lesions classified as OC, using classification systems described by other authors, were likely to be normal variations of the process of endochondral ossification. Despite the high frequency of such lesions, they were considered to be of minor significance and none were clinically evident. The distribution of lesions was not typical, and most probably reflected the subtlety of the lesions. These results support the hypothesis that Cu is an over-emphasised factor in the aetiopathogenesis of OC. The relationship between subtle macroscopic lesions and lesions resulting in clinical signs of disease requires further investigation.     

Inhibitory effects of the beta-adrenergic receptor agonist zilpaterol on the LPS-induced production of TNF-alpha in vitro and in vivo

In this study the anti-inflammatory properties of zilpaterol, a beta2-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonist specifically developed as a growth promoter in cattle were investigated. Although zilpaterol has a different structure compared with the beta2-AR agonists known to date, it was noted that it was able to bind to both the beta2-AR (Ki = 1.1 x 10(-6)) and the beta1-AR (Ki = 1.0 x 10(-5)). Using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed U937 macrophages, the production of cyclic adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were investigated. Zilpaterol inhibited TNF-alpha release and induced intracellular cAMP levels in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of TNF-alpha release and induction of cAMP production was mainly mediated via the beta2-AR, as indicated by addition of beta1- and beta2-specific antagonists. The effects of zilpaterol were investigated in LPS-treated male Wistar rats after pretreatment with zilpaterol. Zilpaterol dosed at 500 microg/kg body weight reduced the TNF-alpha plasma levels. In conclusion, zilpaterol is a beta2-adrenergic agonist and an inhibitor of TNF-alpha production induced by LPS both in vivo and in vitro.     

Role of the tendons of the biceps brachii and infraspinatus muscles and the medial glenohumeral ligament in the maintenance of passive shoulder joint stability in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To objectively evaluate the effect of transecting the tendon of the biceps brachii muscle (BBT), tendon of the infraspinatus muscle (IFS), or medial glenohumeral ligament (MGHL) on shoulder joint stability in canine cadavers. SAMPLE POPULATION: 81 forelimbs from mature dogs. PROCEDURE: Cadaver forelimbs were placed in a testing frame and axially preloaded with 4 kg of weight. Shoulder joint stability was tested in neutral joint position, flexion, and extension before and after transection of the BBT (n = 37), IFS (37), or MGHL (7). Humeral translation relative to the glenoid was induced by applying a 3-kg load in each of 3 directions (cranial, lateral, and medial) and quantitatively measured by use of an electromagnetic motion tracking system. Peak translational data were compared in each joint position before and after transection of the BBT, IFS, or MGHL. RESULTS: When tested in neutral position, the cranial, lateral, and medial translation of the humerus was significantly increased after BBT transection. In the flexed position, translation of the humerus in the cranial and lateral directions was significantly increased after BBT transection. In the extended position, the medial translation of the humerus was significantly increased after BBT transection. Complete medial luxation of all humeral heads occurred following transection of the MGHL. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The BBT contributes to passive shoulder joint stability in dogs, particularly in the neutral and flexed positions. It also provides medial stability during shoulder joint extension. Complete luxation of the joint occurs when the MGHL is transected.     

Effect of the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum on lambs during forced walking and transport

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feeding Ascophyllum nodosum (ANOD) to lambs at 0 (control), 0.5, 1, or 2% of DMI/d for 2 wk on lamb physiology in response to forced walking and transport during hot weather. Forty-four lambs (26 kg +/- 4.3) were used, and each lamb swallowed 3 gelatin capsules filled with ANOD or their normal 16% CP, pelleted grain ration twice daily, with the amount of ANOD dependent on the treatment. The amount of ANOD did not affect ear canal temperature or cortisol concentrations during 60 min of forced walking. The range between the minimum and maximum ear canal temperature for each lamb during 12 h of transport was narrower in lambs receiving the 2% ANOD than the control group (P = 0.05), and the 2% ANOD group also had lower (P = 0.05) ear canal temperatures than the control group during hot periods of transport. After 4 (P = 0.09) and 8 h (P = 0.05) of transport, the control group tended to have greater cortisol concentrations than the 2% ANOD group. Many differences among treatments were found in plasma protein, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, aspartate aminotransferase, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations posttransport; mainly, the control and 0.5% ANOD groups had greater (P < 0.05) concentrations than the other 2 treatments. Aldosterone concentrations were greater in the control and 0.5% ANOD group than in the 1 and 2% ANOD groups before transport, whereas the concentrations were not different after transport, suggesting pretransport concentrations were lowered by supplementation. The 1 and 2% ANOD groups lost more BW than the control group as a result of transport (P = 0.04). After transport, no differences were observed in the latency for lambs to drink, eat, or lay. There was a suppression of the IgG and IgM antibody responses at 4 and 7 d after administration of ovalbumin, with greater ANOD supplementation rates suppressing antibody response the greatest. Although ANOD decreased ear canal temperature in hot periods of transport, stabilized electrolyte concentrations, and decreased cortisol throughout transport, it also suppressed the antibody response indicating that the effect of ANOD on immune function merits further investigation.     

Metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma and diffuse hyperplastic gastritis resembling human Menétrier's disease in a camel (Camelus ferus bactrianus)

A captive 16-year-old male camel (Camelus ferus bactrianus) was euthanized after a prolonged period of inappetence leading to cachexia. At necropsy, there was a 7 cm large, tan, firm, well-demarcated nodule in the tunica muscularis and serosa of the distal region of C3. Histologically, a gastric adenocarcinoma was diagnosed. Numerous metastases were found in the liver and the hepatic lymph nodes, in the wall of the portal vein and the aorta, in the lung, heart, and pleura parietalis. Osseous metaplasia was found within the pleural and aortic metastases. In the mucosa of the glandular region of the C3 compartment a diffuse marked hypertrophy of rugae resembling cerebral convolutions was observed. The lesion was characterized by glandular hyperplasia and stromal inflammation and oedema. These changes closely resembled Menétrier's disease described in humans. To our knowledge, this is the first report of concomitant metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma and gastric hyperplasia in a camel.     

Evaluation of a method for experimental induction of osteoarthritis of the hip joints in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a method for experimental induction of osteoarthritis in the hip joints of dogs. ANIMALS: 12 mixed-breed dogs. PROCEDURE: A unilateral triple pelvic osteotomy was performed. In 6 dogs, the iliac osteotomy was repaired with 45 degrees of internal rotation, reducing coverage of the femoral head by the acetabulum. In the other 6 dogs, the fragments were repaired in anatomic alignment. Radiography, force plate evaluations, and subjective lameness evaluations were performed before and after surgery. Dogs were euthanatized 7 months after surgery, and samples of cartilage and joint capsule were examined histologically. RESULTS: Subjective lameness scores, radiographic appearance of the hip joints, and Norberg angles were not significantly different between groups; however, force plate evaluations did reveal significant differences in vertical ground reaction forces. Femoral head coverage was significantly decreased with rotation of the acetabulum. Mild inflammatory changes were discernible in the joint capsule and articular cartilage of some dogs in both groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that 45 degrees internal rotation of the acetabulum does not consistently induce biologically important osteoarthritic changes in the hip joints of dogs.     

Technical note: recombinant LHRH fusion protein suppresses estrus in heifers

A recombinant luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) fusion protein was evaluated for its effectiveness in suppression of estrus in heifers. Eight heifers were randomly assigned to two equal treatment groups. Treatments consisted of recombinant ovalbumin-LHRH-7 or recombinant ovalbumin (control). This recombinant chimeric fusion protein consisted of ovalbumin with seven LHRH peptides (ovalbumin-LHRH-7). The plasmid for this protein was expressed in E. coli and was collected and purified as an insoluble protein. One milligram of the respective proteins was suspended in 2 mL of Z-Max adjuvant and administered by intramammary injection three times at 7-wk intervals. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antibody binding was elevated in heifers treated with ovalbumin-LHRH-7 compared to ovalbumin-treated heifers (P < .05). Serum progesterone concentrations (< 1 ng/mL) indicate that the estrous cycle of the four heifers treated with ovalbumin-LHRH-7 was suppressed for a time period ranging from 60 to 238 d, which was different from control heifers (P < .01). Serum progesterone for the control heifers continued to exhibit cyclic profiles over the experimental period. This preliminary study in heifers demonstrated that a chimeric LHRH fusion protein induced elevated concentrations of circulating LHRH antibodies that suppressed estrus for an average of 122 +/- 41 d.     

Genetic analysis of vesicular stomatitis virus-New Jersey from the 1995 outbreak in the western United States

OBJECTIVE: To compare molecular associations between the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-New Jersey isolates of the 1995 outbreak with those from previous outbreaks between 1982 and 1985 in the western United States. SAMPLE POPULATION: 23 virus isolates considered representative of the 1995 outbreak of vesicular stomatitis. PROCEDURE: Viral gene coding for surface-envelope protein G was evaluated by use of nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: Changes in up to 0.77% of the nucleotide bases and 1.35% of the amino acids were detected among the 1995 viral isolates, whereas changes in up to 3.2 and 2.9% of the nucleotides and amino acids, respectively, were found, compared with the 1982 to 1985 viruses. Insertions or deletions were not found in the entire gene, which spanned 1,554 nucleotide bases. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the 1995 VSV-New Jersey belongs to a lineage distinct from that of the 1982 to 1985 viruses that caused previous outbreaks in the western United States. Furthermore, it also is distinct from strains from Central America and from the Georgian Hazelhurst strain.