Comparative analysis of in vitro proliferative,migratory and pro-angiogenic potentials of bovine fetal mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow and adipose tissue

Veterinary Research Communications - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are found in virtually all tissues, where they self-renew and differentiate into multiple cell types. Cumulative data indicate...     

Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of parenterally administered doramectin in cattle

Plasma concentrations of doramectin in 40 cattle dosed by subcutaneous (sc) or intramuscular (i.m.) injection (200 μg/kg) were compared to assess the bioequivalence of the two routes of administration. Peak concentration ( C _max), and areas under the concentration curve ( AUC_0– ) were determined from plasma concentrations. Animals treated by the sc route showed a mean AUC_0– of 457 ± 66 ng±day/mL (± SD) and a mean C _max of 27.8 ± 7.9 ng/mL. Results from the i.m. treatment group showed a mean AUC _0– of 475 ± 82 ng-day/mL and a mean C _max of 33.1 ± 9.0 ng/mL Absorption constants ( k _a) determined by modelling were 0.542 ± 0.336 day^-1after sc administration and 0.710 ± 0.357 day^-1after i.m. administration. The 90% confidence limits on the difference between mean AUC _0– values for the sc and i.m. groups fell within 20% of the mean value for the subcutaneous group. C _max was somewhat greater for the i.m. route. The 90% confidence limits on the difference in mean In ( T _max+1) also fell within 20% of the mean sc value. Based on this analysis, bioequivalence of the sc and i.m. formulation has been established.     

Further potential limitations of the undifferentiated faecal egg count reduction test for the detection of anthelmintic resistance in sheep

Fifteen (36%) of 42 mixed gastro-intestinal nematode infections in sheep, identified as drench-susceptible by the undifferentiated faecal egg count reduction test, were found to harbour anthelmintic-resistant worms when analysed on the basis of changes in the egg counts of individual nematode genera. Most of these cases involved resistance in a single nematode genus, with Ostertagia and Trichostrongylus being implicated most frequently. The possible contributory role of larval culture results in helping to reduce the chances of the faecal egg count reduction test producing these and similar types of errors is discussed.     

Effects of selection on food intake in the adult mouse

SUMMARY: Replicated lines of mice were selected High and Low for adjusted food intake and contemporaneous control lines were maintained. The selection criterion was food intake between 8 and 10 weeks, adjusted by phenotypic regression on mean body weight at 8 and 10 weeks of age to reduce correlated changes in body weight. Responses are given for the first 23 generations of selection, after which adjusted food intake had diverged by a factor of 1.7-1.95. A small correlated response in body weight occurred and mice from the High line were slightly heavier: at 10 weeks of age body weight had diverged by a factor of 1.09-1.11. The realized within-family heritability varied between the replicates from 0.16-0.27 from which a mean estimated mass selection heritability (h(2) = 0.35±0.05) was derived. Mice from the Low line were fatter, however not significantly, because of a High between replicate variance (p > 0.05). Differences in growth over the selection period may account for around 5% of the divergence and increased maintenance costs associated with the larger lean mass of the high lines may explain a further 5%. Mice from the High lines spilled significantly (p < 0.05) more food which accounted for 23% of the divergence in apparent food intake. The heat increment of feeding, brown adipose tissue activity and locomotor activity all appear to be unchanged. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Auswirkungen der Selektion auf Futteraufnahme in der adulten Maus In einem Experiment mit Wiederholungen wurden M?uselinien auf hohe und niedrige korrigierte Futteraufnahme selektiert und korrespondierende Konttrollen gehalten. Das Selektionskriterium war die Futteraufnahme im Alter von 8 bis 10 Wochen, die mittels ph?notypischer Regression korrigiert wurde, um die K?rpermasse m?glichst konstant zu halten. Der direkte Selektionserfolg über die ersten 23 Generationen ist beschrieben. Die Linien divergierten zu diesem Zeitpunkt bezüglich des Selektionsmerkmals um 70 bis 95%. In der K?rpermasse trat ein geringfügiger korrelierter Selektionserfolg auf. Die Tiere der 'high'-Linie waren im Alter von 8 bis Wochen ca. um 6 bis 11% schwerer. Die realisierte Intra-Familien-Heritabilit?t variierte zwischen den Wiederholungen zwischen 0.16 und 0.27, woraus sich eine mittlerer Heritabilit?tskoeffizient von h(2) = 0.35±0.05 für die Massenselektion ergab. M?use der 'low'-Linie hatten mit 10 Wochen 2.4% (P > 0.05) und mit 17 Wochen ca. 7% (P < 0.05%) mehr Fett. Mit Unterschieden im Wachstum lassen sich weniger als 5% der Linienunterschiede in der Futteraufnahme erkl?ren. Der h?here Erhaltungsbedarf, der aus einer h?heren fett-freien K?rpermasse in der 'high'-Linie resultiert, k?nnte weitere 5% erkl?ren. Tiere der 'high'-Linie verstreuten deutlich (P < 0.05) mehr Futter, worauf sich 23% der Divergenz in der scheinbaren Futteraufnahme zurückführen lie?en. Die Aktiv?t des braunen Fettgewebes, die lokomotorische Aktivit?t und die fütterungsbedingte Wàrmeproduktion sind scheinbar unver?ndert.     

Use of skin staples for rapid closure of gastrointestinal incisions in the treatment of canine linear foreign bodies

A technique was developed for closure of gastrotomy and enterotomy incisions using disposable skin staples. The technique was used successfully in three dogs with gastrointestinal linear foreign bodies that required a gastrotomy and one or more enterotomies. The method allows for secure closure of gastrointestinal incisions and minimizes the surgical time in patients requiring multiple gastrointestinal incisions.     

Stress and feather pecking in laying hens in relation to housing conditions

1. Possible association between high rates of feather pecking and increased stress were investigated in laying hens. 2. From week 19 to week 30 after hatching, 16 groups of 11 hens (white Lohman Selected Leghorn hybrids) were kept in pens with or without long-cut straw as foraging material and provided with food in the form of pellets or mash. 3. Stress was assessed by egg production, weight gain, tonic immobility (TI), heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio and antibody titres to sheep red blood cells (SRBC), tetanus toxoid (TT) and human serum albumin (HSA). 4. Provision of foraging material and food form influenced feather pecking. Rates of feather pecking were highest in groups housed without straw and fed on pellets. 5. Egg production was reduced in pens without straw but not affected by food form. Both the duration of TI and H/L ratios were influenced by provision of foraging material and food form. TI was longer and H/L ratios were increased in hens housed without straw and in those fed on pellets. Antibody titers to SRBC and TT were lower in pens without straw than with straw but not influenced by food form. 6. In conclusion, foraging material and food form affected both feather pecking and indicators of stress, suggesting that feather pecking in laying hens is associated with stress.     

Pheasant ataxia: a new condition in pheasant poults

Between 1995 and 1997 a neurological condition in pheasant poults from 24 sites in England and Scotland was investigated. Affected birds showed varying degrees of ataxia and incoordinated movements and, in severe cases, recumbency, but generally remained alert with their heads held upright. The condition characteristically affected poults from seven weeks of age and the incidence on any one site was low. No significant bacteria were isolated consistently from brain tissue. The condition was characterised histologically by a non-suppurative meningoencephalitis, in which lesions were found predominantly in the cerebellum in 61 of 81 samples examined (75.3 per cent). A non-suppurative myelitis was recorded in 16 of 20 spinal cords examined. No lesions were recorded in peripheral neural tissue and lesions were rare in other tissues. The condition appeared not to have been recorded previously in pheasants. A viral aetiology was suspected but Newcastle disease virus was not involved.     

On the morphology of the liver in the two-humped camel (Camelus bactrianus)

The liver of a two-humped camel (Camelus bactrianus) was examined by means of gross anatomy and histology. The liver appeared characteristically as an enlarged triangle in visceral aspect, and showed the following lobation: the left lateral and medial lobes, the right lobe, the caudate lobe and the quadrate lobe. These findings were similar to those for the one-humped camel. Histologically, a distinct lobulation, a typical arrangement of the interlobular connective tissue, and the trias was confirmed.     

Complicated periodontal disease

Not all patients experience "normal" levels of periodontal disease. More complicated cases with deep periodontal pockets or excessive inflammation require specialized procedures and therapy.     

Pythiosis with bone lesions in a pregnant mare

A 9-year-old pregnant mare was referred for evaluation of a nonhealing wound of 8 weeks' duration on the lateral aspect of the left forelimb. A soft tissue mass encircled the proximal two thirds of the metacarpus; radiography revealed a moderate periosteal reaction affecting metacarpal bone i.v. Histologic and immunohistochemical examinations revealed eosinophilic granulomatous inflammation and Pythium sp in the soft tissues. The mare was treated for 12 days with antimicrobials, medicated wound dressings, debridement, and i.v. administration of sodium iodide; radiography revealed progression of the bone lesions. The mare was treated by regional arterial perfusion with miconazole and excision of affected soft tissues and the distal two thirds of metacarpal bone i.v. The mare recovered without complications and gave birth to a healthy foal. Regional perfusion of antifungal agents provides high concentrations in soft and osseous tissues and permits use of low dosages of agents administered by other routes, which reduces cost, adverse effects, and teratogenic effects.