Digestion of soybean meal proteinin the equine small and large intestine at various levels of intake

Four mature pony geldings weighing an average of 134 kg and fitted with ileal cannulas were used in a 4×4 Latin square experiment to determine the digestibility of soybean meal (SBM) protein in different segments of the equine digestive tract at various levels of protein intake. A complete basal corn-based diet was supplemented with SBM to formulate four diets with increasing crude protein. The diets, labeled A (basal), B, C and D, contained 4.9%, 9.5%, 14% and 16.5% crude protein (as fed), and provided nitrogen, per feeding, at approximately 44.8, 84.3, 123.9 and 146.3 mg/kg of body weight, respectively. Chromic oxide was fed to measure ileal flow and fecal excretion. Digestion and absorption of nitrogen was determined from changes in nitrogen: chromium ratios, and true digestion of nitrogen was computed by regression analysis. True total tract digestion of nitrogen was 95.7%. True digestibility of nitrogen in the small intestine over the range of linearity was 72.2%, while true digestibility of nitrogen reaching the large intestine was 89.8%. These data indicate that the protein in SBM was almost completely digested in the equine digestive tract. Furthermore, approximately 75% of the digestible protein was digested prececally when nitrogen intake was less than approximately 125 mg/kg of body weight per feeding.     

Sand colic in a mule: A case report

A 25-year-old mule was showing signs of colic. Clinical examination revealed acute pain, bilateral abdominal distention, stretching out and standing in this position. Rectal palpation revealed a hardened mass in the ventral region of the pelvic inlet. Surgical intervention was accomplished and faecaliths removed by colotomy. The mule died unexpectedly and postmortem examination revealed sand masses within the right ventral and right dorsal colon which caused obstruction of the intestinal tract in sternal and diaphragmatic flexures, respectively. This appears to be the first report of sand colic in a mule in Iran.     

Clinical observations on changes in concentrations of hormones in plasma of two stallions with thermally-induced testicular degeneration

To investigate effects of thermally-induced testicular degeneration on hormonal and seminal parameters in stallions, the scrotum was insulated for 36 hours in two mature (5-year-old mixed breed and 11-year-old Throughbred) stallions. Semen was collected daily for 10 days (DSO) prior to, and at intervals after, scrotal insulation. When DSO determinations were not being made, semen was collected 3 times weekly. Jugular blood samples were collected at 15-minute intervals for 6 hours from each stallion prior to, and at intervals after, scrotal insulation. A mouse interstitial cell testosterone assay was modified to quantify biologic activity of equine luteinizing hormone (BLH) in plasma samples. Immunoactive luteinizing hormone (ILH) and testosterone (T) concentrations were determined in plasma samples by routine RIA procedures. Percentages of progressively motile and morphologically normal spermatozoa began to decrease by 1 to 2 weeks postinsulation, reached nadir values at 3 to 3-1/2 weeks postinsulation, and returned to preinsulation values by 7 weeks postinsulation. Total number of spermatozoa and total number of progressively motile, morphologically normal spermatozoa in ejaculates at DSO returned to normal by 8 weeks postinsulation in stallion 2 and 12 weeks postinsulation in stallion 1. Concentrations of BLH and ILH increased, and while T concentrations decreased, immediately postinsulation. The increase in ILH concentrations was greater than the increase in BLH concentrations, resulting in a decrease in the BLH:ILH (B:I) ratio. Following the peak in LH secretion immediately postinsulation, LH concentrations gradually decreased while T concentrations increased. The B:I ratio was elevated from 1 to 13 weeks postinsulation compared to immediately postinsulation. In addition to changes in spermatozoal quality in ejaculates, stallion response to scrotal insulation included increased secretion of luteinizing hormone and impaired Leydig cell function (as determined by reduced testosterone concentration in circulating plasma). The proportion of biologically active LH secreted in response to thermal testicular injury increased during the recovery phase.     

The significance of small vs large intestinal digestion of cereal grain and oilseed protein in the equine

Mature ponies fitted with permanent ileal cannulas were used in two 3×3 Latin square experiments to quantify prececal, postileal and total tract digestion of N. In trial 1, corn, oats and sorghum were each fed with coastal Bermuda grass hay in 75:25 ratios. Apparent prececal digestibilities were similar (P>.05) and averaged 46.6%. By-difference procedures were employed to calculate digestibility of the cereal grain N only and apparent prececal N digestibility averaged 57.1%. In trial 2, a basal corn and hay diet was supplemented with cottonseed meal and soybean meal. Apparent total tract N digestibilities were similar (P>.05) across treatments, and prececal digestibility averaged 45.6%. By-difference calculations were used to determine digestibility of SBM and CSM N alone. Apparent prececal digestibility of SBM was 52.5% and was lower (P<.05) than 81.2% for CSM. It is possible that inadequate or excessive heat treatment of SBM affected enzymatic digestion. True digestibility of total rations fed in trial 2 was estimated by linear regression of nitrogen digested on nitrogen intake or N presented to the large intestine. True N digestibility of diets containing SBM and CSM was 54.7% and 69.4%, respectively.     

Membrane proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum induce high-curvature tubules

The tubular structure of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) appears to be generated by integral membrane proteins, the reticulons and a protein family consisting of DP1 in mammals and Yop1p in yeast. Here, individual members of these families were found to be sufficient to generate membrane tubules. When we purified yeast Yop1p and incorporated it into proteoliposomes, narrow tubules (approximately 15 to 17 nanometers in diameter) were generated. Tubule formation occurred with different lipids; required essentially only the central portion of the protein, including its two long hydrophobic segments; and was prevented by mutations that affected tubule formation in vivo. Tubules were also formed by reconstituted purified yeast Rtn1p. Tubules made in vitro were narrower than normal ER tubules, due to a higher concentration of tubule-inducing proteins. The shape and oligomerization of the "morphogenic" proteins could explain the formation of the tubular ER.     

Management of femoral artery thrombosis in an immature dog

Objective: To report a case of femoral artery thrombosis and its medical management in a young dog. Case summary: A 13‐week‐old, female Boxer puppy presented with hind limb paralysis after an abdominal crush injury. A left femoral artery thrombus was identified on ultrasound. No spinal trauma was visualized in imaging studies. Clinical management of arterial thrombosis in a 13‐week‐old puppy with streptokinase and dalteparin therapy is described. New or unique information provided: This paper describes an unusual presentation of arterial thrombosis. The medical management with streptokinase and dalteparin is also out of the ordinary. Images that document the development of compensatory circulation around the thrombosed vessel are included. Additionally, this paper also documents the altered development that occurred in this immature dog after the thrombotic event.     

Thromboelastography: a tool for measuring hypercoagulability, hypocoagulability, and fibrinolysis

Objective: To describe the technique of thromboelastography (TEG) and review the applications of this coagulation test in humans and small animals. Data sources: Data sources included scientific reviews and original research publications. Human data synthesis: TEG in humans has been used for documentation of hypercoagulable and hypocoagulable states and has been shown to be beneficial in patient management. Veterinary data synthesis: Clinical evaluation of TEG in veterinary medicine is limited; however, recent reports have documented evidence of hypercoagulability in dogs with parvovirus and protein‐losing nephropathy. Additionally, many of the research models may be relevant to veterinary patients. Conclusions: TEG provides information about coagulation that is not available through routine coagulation tests. The application of TEG monitoring to veterinary patients shows promise; however, prospective clinical studies are needed.     

Clinical course, diagnostic findings and necropsy diagnosis in dyspneic cats with primary pulmonary parenchymal disease: 15 cats (1996–2002)

Objective: Correlate the necropsy diagnosis with the history, diagnostic findings, and clinical course of dyspneic cats with primary lung parenchymal disease. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Animals: Client‐owned cats over 6 months of age hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with a primary problem of respiratory distress that had pulmonary parenchymal disease on thoracic radiographs, and a complete necropsy. Interventions: None. Measurements and main results: Cats included were assigned into 2 groups based on the pulmonary histopathology: inflammatory (n=8) and neoplastic (n=7) disease. No statistical difference was found between the groups with regard to age, body weight, clinical signs, duration of clinical signs, physical examination findings, thoracic radiography, duration of hospitalization, treatment, and outcome. Cats with neoplasia had a statistically higher mean total white blood cell count (26.60 k/μL±10.41) than those with inflammatory lung disease (11.59 k/μL±4.49; P=0.026). Cats with bacterial or viral pulmonary disease had a significantly shorter median duration of illness (5 days, range 1–7 days) than all other cats (30 days, range 7–365 days; P=0.0042). Ultrasound guided pulmonary fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) provided an accurate diagnosis in 5/5 cases. Conclusions: Forty‐seven percent of cats with pulmonary parenchymal disease had neoplasia. The clinical diagnosis was difficult to obtain ante‐mortem; lung FNA appeared to be the most helpful diagnostic tool in these cases.