Porcine salivary analysis by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis in 3 models of acute stress: A pilot study

The purpose of this research was to study changes in the salivary proteome of healthy pigs in stressful situations to identify any potential new salivary biomarker of stress. Three groups of animals were subjected to 3 stress models: snaring restraint followed by simulated sampling of vena cava blood; brief transport by road; and restriction of movement in a digestibility cage. Saliva was obtained from each animal before and 15 and 30 min after the induction of stress. The samples from the animals that showed the greatest increase in salivary cortisol concentration were pooled and run on 2-dimensional gels. Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 was used for spot detection and mass spectrometry for spot identification. Statistical analyses showed that 2 proteins had significant differences in expression before and after the induction of stress. These proteins were identified as odorant-binding protein and fragments of albumin. Further studies will be necessary to confirm the value of using these proteins as salivary biomarkers of stress in pigs.     

Acupuncture Diagnosis in Equine Stifle Disease

The stifle is a large and complex joint in quadrupeds, including horses, making the diagnosis of stifle diseases a challenge for the clinician. The detection of “stifle syndrome” during acupuncture examination of the equine stifle may be useful for diagnosis of stifle diseases in horses. The aim of the present study was to describe stifle syndrome diagnosis in horses. From 2001 through 2012, 810 athletic horses involved in different disciplines were examined using the technique of acupuncture diagnosis. Stifle syndrome was suspected when the following points were reactive: the sacral point suggestive of stifle disease located at the sacral origin of the biceps femoris muscle, bladder (BL)-20, BL-21, and stomach (ST)-30, together with the three local points in the muscle groove of the posterolateral aspect of the thigh. The diagnostic protocol included radiography and/or ultrasonography in certain cases. The horses were evaluated because of reduced athletic performance, routine or prepurchase examination, hind limb lameness, refusal to jump, inappetence, upward fixation of the patella, thoracolumbar spine or sacroiliac pain, suspensory lesion, and front hoof problems, and 86 (9.4%) were diagnosed with stifle syndrome. The sacral acupuncture point suggestive of stifle syndrome correlated with BL-21, local stifle points, gall bladder (GB)-27, spleen-13, BL-23, BL-52, BL-26, and/or GB-25, ST-30, BL-54 (P < .0001), and BL-20 (P = .003). Twenty-two (25.6%) of the 86 horses with stifle syndrome underwent ultrasonography and/or radiography, and lesions were detected in 21. In conclusion, acupuncture for diagnosis of stifle disease may be considered a diagnostic method to be included in routine clinical examination of horses, and its reproducibility shall be investigated in further studies.     

The Use of Equine Follicle Stimulating Hormone to Increase Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin in the Pregnant Mare

Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), obtained from pregnant mares, is used for assisted reproductive technologies in laboratory rodents and livestock. The objective of the present study was to use equine follicle-stimulating hormone (eFSH) to increase the incidence of twin pregnancies, through multiple ovulations, and increase eCG. Nineteen light horse–type mares were enrolled in the study. The control group (n = 9) was bred with fresh or cooled semen and given human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) at the time of breeding. The second group (n = 10) was given 12.5 mg of eFSH intramuscularly twice a day beginning 5–7 days after ovulation. Prostaglandin F2α was administered intramuscularly the second day of eFSH treatment. Treatment with eFSH continued until follicles were >35 mm in diameter, and mares were then given no treatment for 36 hours. The mares were then bred with fresh or cooled semen from the same stallion as the control group and given hCG. Blood samples were taken weekly from day 35 to day 105 after ovulation. Serum concentration of eCG was obtained, and data were analyzed with multivariate analysis using the mixed procedure. Significance was set at P < .05. Data were combined for all mares carrying twins and compared with those carrying singletons. The group of mares carrying twins had higher peak concentrations of eCG and higher values for area under the curve compared with mares carrying singletons (P < .05). These results suggest inducing twins could be a method used to increase eCG production.     

Persistent Hematuria as a Result of Chronic Renal Hypertension Secondary to Nephritis in a Stallion

A 13-year-old Lusitano stallion was referred to our institution with a history of severe hematuria for 8.5 months. The origin of the hematuria was determined to be the left kidney. The diagnostic workup failed to identify obstructive, infectious, or neoplastic conditions. The history and ultrasonographic examination suggested a chronic condition. The stallion was subjected to left nephrectomy because of the persistent hematuria and anemia. A histopathological examination detected lesions, which were compatible with chronic nephritis and vascular renal hypertension. It is hypothesized that changes in the normal parenchymal architecture produced a vascular aberration that led to renal hypertension, with subsequent blood extravasation and hematuria. The horse recovered completely after nephrectomy.