Evaluation of oxidative stress in hunting dogs during exercise

Exercise has been shown to increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to a point that can exceed antioxidant defenses, to cause oxidative stress. The aim of our trials was to evaluate oxidative stress and recovery times in trained dogs during two different hunting exercises, with reactive oxygen metabolites-derivatives (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) tests. A group of nine privately owned Italian hounds were included. A 20-min aerobic exercise and a 4-h aerobic exercise, after 30 days of rest, were performed by the dogs. Our results show an oxidative stress after exercise due to both the high concentration of oxidants (d-ROMs) and the low level of antioxidant power (BAP). Besides, the recovery time is faster after the 4-h aerobic exercise than the 20-min aerobic exercise. Oxidative stress monitoring during dogs exercise could become an interesting aid to establish ideal adaptation to training.     

Histochemical study of the interstitial tissue in scrotal and abdominal boar testes.

The present study describes the glycosidic content of the interstitial tissue in testes from healthy boars and from unilateral and bilateral abdominal cryptorchid boars using lectin histochemistry. The Leydig cells of healthy boars contained glycans with fucosyl, mannosyl, glucosyl, neuraminic acid and galactosyl residues, which have structural and transport functions, and participate in androgen synthesis and in cell regulation. Unilateral cryptorchidism induced high glucosyl and low galactosyl content in the Leydig cells of scrotal testes, resulting in impaired androgen production. In abdominal testes, the Leydig cells exhibited increased amounts of glucosyl and reduced amounts of galactosyl and neuraminic acid residues, resulting in defective cell regulation and lack of androgen synthesis. In healthy boars, the extracellular glycans contained fucosyl, galactosyl, glucosyl and neuraminic acid residues, which confer viscoelasticity on the interstitial tissue and participate in substrate transport, hormone binding and cell-cell interaction. Unilateral cryptorchidism did not induce anomalies in extracellular glycans in scrotal testes, but unilateral and bilateral cryptorchidism resulted in an increased content of fucosyl and galactosyl, and a decreased content of glucosyl and neuraminic acid residues in abdominal testes, leading to reduced viscoelasticity and defective substrate transport across the extracellular matrix.     

Comparison of hematologic and biochemical values for blood samples obtained via jugular venipuncture and via vascular access ports in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether hematologic and serum biochemical values for blood samples obtained from cats via vascular access ports (VAP) are comparable to those for samples obtained by direct venipuncture. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 14 healthy cats. PROCEDURE: A VAP was surgically implanted in a jugular vein in each cat. Blood samples were obtained from the VAP and by direct venipuncture of the contralateral jugular vein 10 weeks after VAP placement. Results of hematologic and serum biochemical analyses were compared by use of a paired t-test. The Pvalue to reject the null hypothesis was adjusted to account for multiple comparisons by using the Bonferroni procedure in which the nominal P-to-reject value is divided by the number of comparisons (0.05/24 = 0.002). RESULTS: Paired samples (VAP and venipuncture) obtained 10 weeks after VAP placement were evaluated for each cat. Of the 24 measured analytes, only potassium, total protein, and albumin concentrations differed significantly (P< 0.001 for all 3) between VAP and venipuncture samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that samples obtained from VAP are suitable for routine hematologic monitoring of feline cancer patients. Sample hemolysis may account for a slight increase in potassium, total protein, and albumin concentrations obtained from VAP samples. However, the values of variables most critical for monitoring of patients receiving chemotherapy (ie, mature neutrophil and platelet counts) are comparable. If proper techniques are used, VAP may be used for administration of chemotherapy as well as for blood collection in cats undergoing cancer treatment.     

Changes in fibre type composition of gluteus medius and semitendinosus muscles of Dutch Warmblood foals and the effect of exercise during the first year postpartum

In order to obtain broader insights into the equine musculoskeletal system, we studied the fibre type composition of 2 locomotory muscles in biopsies from Dutch Warmblood foals taken at 3 different ages in the first year postpartum. The muscle fibre types were determined histochemically as well as immunohistochemically. ATPase-characterised IIB fibres appear to express either IId or type lIa plus IId myosin heavy chain (MHC). A high percentage of fibres classified as IIA with ATPase expressed both fast types of MHC. The type I classification by the 2 methods matched almost completely. There was an increase with age of fibres expressing I and IIa MHC in the gluteus medius. At the same time, there was a decrease of fibres expressing IId MHC and fibres co-expressing MHC IIa and IId. MHC expression of the semitendinosus muscle did not change over time at first, but from age 22-48 weeks there was a decrease in the percentage of type IId fibres. In general, the gluteus medius contained more type I fibres but fewer type IId fibres compared to the semitendinosus. At most ages the fibre type compositions of both muscles correlated with one another. To examine the effect of exercise, one-third of the foals were given box rest, one-third received training and one-third kept at pasture during the first 22 weeks of life. The 3 exercise groups differed in their fibre type composition; however, these differences could not be attributed to the effect of exercise.     

Spontaneous gastroduodenal perforation in 16 dogs and seven cats (1982-1999)

The records of 23 dogs and cats diagnosed with spontaneous gastroduodenal perforation (GDP) were retrospectively reviewed. Survival was 63% in dogs and 14% in cats. Rottweilers <5 years of age were overrepresented. Clinical evidence of gastrointestinal bleeding was common in dogs but not in cats. Shock was an uncommon presenting condition in dogs and was not closely linked to outcome. In fact, progression of an ulcerating lesion to GDP was not associated with marked changes in symptoms exhibited by many patients in this study. Most GDPs were associated with histopathological evidence of subacute or chronic peritoneal reaction at the time of diagnosis. This suggests that diagnostic methods employed lacked sensitivity in identifying early perforating lesions, and that dramatic signs of acute abdomen following gastroduodenal perforation may not be as common as was previously thought.     

Transdermal absorption of a liposome-encapsulated formulation of lidocaine following topical administration in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine plasma disposition after dermal application of a liposome-encapsulated formulation of lidocaine in cats. ANIMALS: 6 healthy adult cats with a mean (+/- SD) body weight of 4.1 +/- 0.44 kg. PROCEDURE: CBC determination and biochemical analysis of blood samples were performed for all cats. Cats were anesthetized by use of isoflurane, and catheters were placed IV in a central vein. The next day, blood samples were obtained from the catheters before and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 hours after applying a 4% liposome-encapsulated lidocaine cream (15 mg/kg) to a clipped area over the cephalic vein. Plasma concentrations of lidocaine were analyzed with a high-performance liquid chromatography assay. Results-Two cats had minimal transdermal absorption of lidocaine, with lidocaine concentrations below the sensitivity of the assay at all but 1 or 2 time points. In the other 4 cats, the median maximum plasma concentration was 149.5 ng/ml, the median time to maximum plasma concentration was 2 hours, and the median area under the concentration versus time curve from zero to infinity was 1014.5 ng.h/ml. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Maximum plasma concentrations of lidocaine remained substantially below toxic plasma concentrations for cats. On the basis of these data, topical administration of a liposome-encapsulated lidocaine formulation at a dose of 15 mg/kg appears to be safe for use in healthy adult cats.     

Reactivation of a Trypanosoma cruzi infection in a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) experimentally infected with SIV

Trypanosoma cruzi-like flagellates were incidentally noted in blood smears of a routinely monitored rhesus monkey experimentally infected with the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). Immunodeficiency in the course of the SIV infection reactivated a chronic infection of Chagas' disease that had been unnoticed when the macaque was imported to Europe. The animal developed no specific clinical symptoms of American trypanosomiasis, but histologically a chagasic myocarditis was detected. Analysis of the small subunit rRNA gene of the trypanosome identified the protozoan as T. cruzi.     

Comparison of a putative second serotype of chicken infectious anemia virus with a prototypical isolate I. Pathogenesis

CIAV-7 is a virus with similar pathogenic and physicochemical characteristics to, but antigenically distinct from, chicken infectious anemia virus (CIAV). The pathogenesis of CIAV-7 was evaluated in a comparative study with a representative isolate of CIAV, the Del-Ros strain. The pathogenesis of CIAV-7 was similar to Del-Ros on the basis of the clinical disease induced and gross and microscopic lesions, although CIAV-7 produced fewer and less severe lesions overall. A second comparative pathogenesis study was performed with Del-Ros and CIAV-7, both alone and in combination with infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). In this study, the pathogenesis of CIAV-7 was similar to Del-Ros in clinical, gross, and microscopic lesions in the bone marrow. However, thymic lesions were less severe in CIAV-7-inoculated birds. The interaction between Del-Ros and IBDV was synergistic, whereas there was no observed potentiation of CIAV-7-induced disease by IBDV. Progeny from breeder flocks from several geographic locations in the eastern United States were challenged with CIAV-7 or Del-Ros to assess protection by maternal antibodies. Some progeny from all flocks had protection against CIAV-7 challenge, providing evidence for the presence of CIAV-7 in the field. Additionally, the number of birds protected against CIAV-7 or Del-Ros challenge varied within flocks, demonstrating that the agents are serologically distinct.     

Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates associated with mortality in broiler chicks

In mid-2000, a broiler chicken company in Alabama experienced high early mortality rates in chicks from two different hatcheries. Five isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, obtained from these contaminated hatcheries and resulting broiler chicks with omphalitis, were selected to determine virulence of the bacteria. One-day-old specific-pathogen-free white leghorn chicks were placed into positive pressure isolation units (10 chicks per unit); feed and water were provided ad libitum. The five isolates of P. aeruginosa (1 x 10(1) or 1 x 10(1) colony-forming units/bird) were used to challenge two replicates of 10 chicks via yolk sac inoculation. Two control groups were injected with 0.1 ml of phosphate-buffered saline, and two groups received no treatment. Mortality was recorded daily, and the chicks that died were necropsied and liver and yolk sacs were cultured. After 14 days, the remaining chickens were euthanatized and necropsied. Bacterial isolates retrieved from liver and yolk sacs were identified by the API 20 NE typing system to confirm that they were the same as the challenge isolate. Virulence varied greatly among the isolates, resulting in mortality rates from 0 to 90%. The challenge isolates produced different and often distinctive postmortem lesion patterns. Antibiotic sensitivity tests showed that all five isolates were resistant to sulfisoxazole, ceftiofur, penicillin, lincomycin, bacitracin, oxytetracycline, erythromycin, naladixic acid, and tetracycline. The isolates varied in sensitivity to other antibiotics, but all isolates were sensitive to gentamicin.     

Effects of increasing dietary niacin on growth performance and meat quality in finishing pigs reared in two different environments

We conducted two experiments to determine the effects of added dietary niacin on growth performance and meat quality in finishing pigs. Pigs were blocked by weight and assigned to one of six dietary treatments in both experiments. Dietary treatments consisted of a corn-soybean meal-based control diet (no added niacin) or the control diet with 13, 28, 55, 110, or 550 mg/kg of added niacin. In Exp. 1, pigs were housed at the Kansas State University research from with two pigs per pen (six pens per treatment per sex). In Exp. 2, pigs were housed with 26 pigs per pen (four pens per treatment per sex) in a commercial research barn. In Exp. 1, 144 pigs (initially 51.2 kg) were fed diets in two phases (d 0 to 25 and 25 to 62) that were formulated to 1.00 and 0.75% lysine, respectively. In Exp. 2, 1,248 pigs (initially 35.9 kg) were fed diets in four phases (d 0 to 28, 29 to 56, 57 to 84, and 85 to 117), with corresponding total lysine concentrations of 1.25, 1.10, 0.90, and 0.65% lysine, respectively. Added fat (6.0%) was included in the first three phases. In Exp. 1, average daily feed intake tended (quadratic, P < 0.07) to increase then return to values similar to control pigs as dietary niacin increased. Longissimus muscle (LM) 24-h pH (longissimus of pigs fed added niacin) tended to increase (control vs niacin, P < 0.06) for pigs fed added niacin. In the commercial facility (Exp. 2), increasing added niacin improved gain:feed (quadratic, P < 0.01) and subjective color score, and ultimate pH (linear, P < 0.01). Added niacin also decreased (linear, P < 0.04) carcass shrink, L* values, and drip loss percentage. Results from these two studies show that 13 to 55 mg/kg added dietary niacin can be fed to pigs in a commercial environment to improve gain:feed. It also appears that pork quality, as measured by drip loss, pH, and color, may be improved by higher concentrations of added dietary niacin.