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.     

Detection of Clinically Relevant Pain Relief in Cats with Degenerative Joint Disease Associated Pain

Background

Detection of clinically relevant pain relief in cats with degenerative joint disease (DJD) is complicated by a lack of validated outcome measures and a placebo effect.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate a novel approach for detection of pain relief in cats with DJD.

Animals

Fifty‐eight client‐owned cats.

Methods

Prospective, double‐masked, placebo‐controlled, stratified, randomized, clinical study. Enrolled cats were 6–21 years of age, with owner‐observed mobility impairment, evidence of pain in at least 2 joints during orthopedic examination, and overlapping radiographic evidence of DJD, and underwent a 2‐week baseline period, 3‐week treatment period with placebo or meloxicam, and 3‐week masked washout period. Outcome measures were evaluated at days 0, 15, 36, and 57.

Results

Both groups significantly improved after the treatment period (day 36) on client‐specific outcome measures (CSOM) and feline musculoskeletal pain index (FMPI) (P < .0001 for both); there was no difference between the groups on CSOM or FMPI score improvement. After the masked washout period, more cats that received meloxicam during the treatment period had a clinically relevant decrease in CSOM score (P = .048) and FMPI score (P = .021) than cats that received placebo.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Using both a client‐specific and a general clinical metrology instrument, owners of cats with DJD were able to detect evident recurrence of clinical signs after withdrawal of active medication than after withdrawal of placebo, and that this study design might be a novel and useful way to circumvent the placebo effect and detect the efficacy of pain‐relieving medications.     

Optimization of triploidy induction in the blacklip abalone, Haliotis rubra (Leach, 1814), using 6-dimethylaminopurine

Optimal conditions of 6‐dimethylaminopurine (6‐DMAP) for triploidy induction in the blacklip abalone Haliotis rubra (Leach, 1814) were investigated, targeting inhibition of second polar body (PB2) formation. Two experiments were conducted at a water temperature of 17.5–18.5°C where factorial combination of (1) four dosages (DSs) of 100, 150, 200 and 250 μM 6‐DMAP, four starting times (STs) of 15, 20, 25 and 30 min post fertilization, and two treatment durations (TDs) of 20 and 30 min and (2) three DSs of 50, 100 and 150 μM 6‐DMAP, three STs of 15, 20 and 25 min post fertilization, and three TDs of 10, 20 and 30 min, were applied respectively. Day 3 larvae were sampled for triploidy and survival. Percent triploidy was verified using flow cytometry (FCM). Results show that optimal inductions that combine both high rates of triploidy and reasonable survival were those treatments commenced 15 or 20 min post fertilization and continued for 20 or 30 min, using 100 μM 6‐DMAP. These conditions induced rates of triploidy and relative survival of 80.5–93.3% and 36.5–40.2%, respectively, in the first experiment, and corresponding rates were 79.1–93.6% and 20.7–43.0% in the second experiment. High percent triploidy were also obtained in a number of treatments using 150 μM 6‐DMAP, but with overall survival rates generally lower than those using 100 μM 6‐DMAP.     

Rapid differentiation of Artemia spp. Populations by thin layer isoelectric focusing

Artemia spp. of various geographic origins, yearly collection lots, developmental stages, and a binary geographic mixture were analyzed by thin layer polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing (IEF). IEF of geographical Artemia samples yielded unique profiles for each population in the pH range employed. Parthenogenetic populations of Artemia exhibited IEF patterns which were, generally, dominated by fewer proteins; bisexual populations exhibited more evenly distributed, complex protein patterns. There were similarities reflected in IEF profiles of geographically isolated Artemia descended from a common ancestry. Yearly collections of Artemia exhibited no apparent differences in IEF protein patterns. There were differences noted in three developmental stages of Artemia. A binary mixture of geographic populations yielded IEF patterns intermediate to those of the component pure samples.     

Effect of active immunization against growth hormone-releasing factor on growth and onset of puberty in beef heifers.

Angus and Charolais heifers (195 +/- 7 kg) were actively immunized against growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) to evaluate the effect on concentrations of somatotropin (ST), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), insulin (INS), growth, and onset of puberty. Primary immunizations were given at 184 +/- 7 d of age (d 0 of experiment) by injecting (s.c.) 1.5 mg of GRF-(1-29)-Gly-Gly-Cys-NH2 conjugated to 1.5 mg of human serum albumin (GRFi, n = 22) or 1.5 mg of human serum albumin (HSAi, n = 21). Booster immunizations of .5 mg of antigen were given on d 62, 92, 153, and 251. Antibody binding (percentage at 1:2,000 dilution) to [125I]GRF on d 69 was greater (P less than .01) in GRFi (53.7 +/- 4.5) than in HSAi (10.1 +/- .6) heifers. Serum concentration (ng/ml) and frequency (peaks/5 h) of ST release, respectively, on d 78 were lower (P less than .01) in GRFi than in HSAi heifers (3.3 +/- .1 vs 5.6 +/- .2 and .9 +/- .3 vs 2.3 +/- .2). Serum IGF-I (ng/ml) was lower (P less than .01) in GRFi than in HSAi heifers on d 69 (41 +/- 5 vs 112 +/- 4). Serum INS (microU/ml) on d 78 was lower (P less than .05) in GRFi (2.2 +/- .1) than in HSAi (3.8 +/- .2) heifers. Feed intake, ADG, and feed efficiency were lower (P less than .05) in GRFi than in HSAi heifers. Hip height was lower (P less than .01) and fat thickness was greater (P less than .05) in GRFi than in HSAi heifers by d 132 and 167, respectively. Percentage of heifers attaining puberty (progesterone greater than 1 ng/ml for two consecutive weeks) by d 209 and 379 (12.9 and 18.5 mo of age), respectively, was lower (P less than .05) in GRFi (40.9 and 45.5) than in HSAi (81.0 and 100). In conclusion, growing heifers were successively immunized against GRF. Active immunization against GRF resulted in decreased serum concentration of ST, IGF-I, and INS. In addition, GRF immunization led to lowered feed intake, ADG, and feed efficiency, increased fat depth, and delayed onset of puberty in heifers. We propose that ST and IGF-I are important metabolic mediators involved in the initiation of puberty in heifers.     

Successful treatment of suspected essential thrombo-cythaemia in the dog

Essential thrombocythaemia in an eight-year-old Irish setter is described. The condition is characterised by an autonomous overproduction of thrombocytes in the absence of overt leukaemia. This is believed to be the first recorded case of this condition in the dog. The paper describes the diagnosis and treatment by combination chemotherapy using vincristine, cytosine arabinoside, cyclophosphamide and prednisolone.     

A Biomechanical Comparison of Headless Tapered Variable Pitch and AO Cortical Bone Screws for Fixation of a Simulated Lateral Condylar Fracture in Equine Third Metacarpal Bones

OBJECTIVE: To compare drilling, tapping, and screw-insertion torque, force, and time for the 4.5-mm AO and 6.5-mm Acutrak Plus (AP) bone screws, and to compare the mechanical shear strength and stiffness of a simulated complete lateral condylar fracture of the equine third metacarpal bone (MC3) stabilized with either an AO or AP screw. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro biomechanical assessment of screw-insertion variables, and shear failure tests of a bone-screw-stabilized simulated lateral condylar fracture. SAMPLE POPULATION: Eight pairs of cadaveric equine MC3s METHODS: Metacarpi were placed in a fixture and centered on a biaxial load cell in a materials-testing system to measure torque, compressive force, and time for drilling, tapping, and screw insertion. Standardized simulated lateral condylar fractures were stabilized by either an AO or AP screw and tested in shear until failure. A paired t test was used to assess differences between screws, with significance set at P < .05. RESULTS: Insertion and mechanical shear testing variables were comparable for AO and AP insertion equipment and screws. CONCLUSION: The 6.5-mm tapered AP screw can be inserted in equine third metacarpal condyles and is mechanically comparable with the 4.5-mm AO screw for fixation of a simulated lateral condylar fracture. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Considering the comparable mechanical behavior, the potential for less-persistent soft-tissue irritation with the headless design, and the ability to achieve interfragmentary compression by inserting the screw in one hole drilled perpendicular to the fracture plane, the 6.5-mm tapered AP screw may be an attractive alternative for repair of incomplete lateral condylar fractures in horses.     

APPLICATION OF THE PIN-HOLE COLLIMATOR IN SMALL ANIMAL NUCLEAR SCINTIGRAPHY: A REVIEW

The pin-hole collimator is used to improve spatial resolution and magnify areas of interest. The pin-hole collimator has many applications in small animal veterinary scintigraphy. The principles of image formation for the pin-hole and parallel hole collimators are reviewed. The effects of distance on resolution and sensitivity are presented for the pin-hole and parallel hole collimators. Specific application of the pin-hole and parallel hole collimators. Specific application of the pin-hole collimator in veternary scintigraphy are discussed.