RESEARCH PAPER: Comparison of an implantable telemetry device and an oscillometric monitor for measurement of blood pressure in anaesthetized and unrestrained green iguanas (Iguana iguana)

Objective The objective of this study was to compare an implanted direct blood pressure monitor and a non‐invasive oscillometric unit for use in anesthetized and awake green iguanas. Study design Prospective experimental trial. Animals Four male and four female adult green iguanas (Iguana iguana) weighing 1833 ± 534 g. Methods For each animal, the carotid artery was surgically exposed and the catheter tip of the pressure transducer was placed in the aortic arch. Non‐invasive blood pressure was measured using a cuff over the left femoral region. Pulse rate, respiratory rate and arterial blood pressure (ABP) measurements were taken every 5 minutes. Direct ABP measurements consisted of recording numerical values and graphic output. Simultaneous direct and indirect measurements were repeated in awake animals. Results The oscillometric device failed to provide a reading in over 80% of attempts, and failed to provide readings that correlated with direct measurements. The implanted direct transducer was capable of detecting blood pressures throughout all ABP ranges examined. Conclusions The implantable transducer was a reliable means of determining blood pressure in this study, while the oscillometric device was unreliable and often failed to provide any reading. Clinical relevance We do not recommend using the oscillometric device as described in a research or clinical setting for green iguanas. The advantages of an implantable device include the ability to monitor awake and anesthetized subjects remotely and continuously. These monitors are small, biocompatible and function across a wide range of ABP.     

女贞枸杞散预防断奶仔猪腹泻效果和对血液白细胞数的影响

为探讨以女贞子、枸杞子、穿心莲、大青叶等多味中药组成的女贞枸杞散对断奶仔猪腹泻的预防效果和对外周血各类白细胞数量的影响。根据体重相近、公母各半的原则选用80头体重为10kg左右的杜长大三元杂交断奶仔猪,随机分4组,分别为试验Ⅰ组(日粮中加0.4%女贞枸杞散),Ⅱ组(添加0.6%),Ⅲ组(添加0.8%)和对照组(普通日粮)。详细记录仔猪腹泻情况,计算腹泻率、腹泻频率、腹泻指数等。试验结束后采血,测定各类白细胞数量,结果表明,女贞枸杞散能有效地降低断奶仔猪的腹泻率,改善仔猪的生长性能,促进血液中的白细胞尤其是淋巴细胞的的生成,提高机体免疫力。     

Agreement between direct, oscillometric and Doppler ultrasound blood pressures using three different cuff positions in anesthetized dogs

ObjectiveTo evaluate the agreement between invasive blood pressure (IBP) and Doppler ultrasound blood pressure (DUBP) using three cuff positions and oscillometric blood pressure (OBP) in anesthetized dogs.Study designProspective study.AnimalsNine adult dogs weighing 14.5–29.5 kg.MethodsThe cuff was placed above and below the tarsus, and above the carpus with the DUBP and above the carpus with the OBP monitor. Based on IBP recorded via a dorsal pedal artery catheter, conditions of low, normal, and high systolic arterial pressures [SAP (mmHg) <90, between 90 and 140, and >140, respectively] were induced by changes in isoflurane concentrations and/or dopamine administration. Mean biases ± 2 SD (limits of agreement) were determined.ResultsAt high blood pressures, regardless of cuff position, SAP determinations with the DUBP underestimated invasive SAP values by more than 20 mmHg in most instances. With the DUBP, cuff placement above the tarsus yielded better agreement with invasive SAP during low blood pressures (0.2 ± 16 mmHg). The OBP underestimated SAP during high blood pressures (?42 ± 42 mmHg) and yielded better agreement with IBP for mean (MAP) and diastolic (DAP) arterial pressure measurements [overall bias: 2 ± 15 mmHg (MAP) and 0.2 ± 16 mmHg (DAP)].ConclusionsAgreement of SAP determinations with the DUBP is poor at SAP > 140 mmHg, regardless of cuff placement. Measurement error of the DUBP with the cuff placed above the tarsus is clinically acceptable during low blood pressures. Agreement of MAP and DAP measurements with this OBP monitor compared with IBP was clinically acceptable over a wide pressure range.Clinical relevanceWith the DUBP device, placing the cuff above the tarsus allows reasonable agreement with IBP obtained via dorsal pedal artery catheterization. Only MAP and DAP provide reasonable estimates of direct blood pressure with the OBP monitor evaluated.     

Nutritive value of sorghum silage for sheep

This study compared ensiled sorghum (ES) from two varieties (first and second cuts) with corn silage (CS) for chemical analysis, total-tract nutrient digestibility, ruminal variables and blood biochemistry metabolites in sheep. Five experimental silages representing first cut ES var. Pegah (PS1), second cut ES var. Pegah (PS2), first cut ES var. Speedfeed (SS1), second cut ES var. Speedfeed (SS2) and CS were assessed for chemical analysis, silage fermentation and anti-quality compounds. Diets consisted of lucerne hay, silage and a premix (at the ratio of 53.5:46:0.5 on a dry matter [DM] basis). Feed consumption, total-tract nutrient digestibility, microbial nitrogen supply (MNS), ruminal variables and blood biochemistry metabolites were determined in a Latin square design of five periods with five male sheep. Compared to sorghum, CS had lower (p < 0.01) concentrations of ash, water-soluble carbohydrates and crude protein, but higher starch, lignin (sa), non-structural carbohydrates and apparent nutrient digestibility. The measurements of pH, lactic acid, NH₃-N and volatile fatty acids (VFA) confirmed that all silages were well-preserved. The anti-quality compound levels in the silages were below the safe limits for ruminants. No differences were observed in feed consumption (p > 0.05) and total-tract digestibility of DM and nutrients (p > 0.05). Rumen pH, NH₃-N, VFA concentrations and acetate to propionate ratio showed no difference among treatments (p > 0.05). Sheep fed on sorghum silage showed a decrease (p < 0.01) in total protozoa, and particularly in the Entodiniae population. There were no differences in cellulolytic bacteria counts (p > 0.05) among treatments. Urinary N, MNS and blood biochemistry metabolites showed no difference among treatments (p > 0.05). Silages from both cuts of sorghum had comparable total-tract nutrient digestibility to CS, therefore, these varieties could be used as a more drought resilient silage source in the feeding of sheep.     

东北白鹅和籽鹅血液生化指标

为建立东北白鹅和籽鹅血液生化指标的正常参考值及其正常参考范围,探讨东北白鹅和籽鹅的各项血液生化指标之间的差异显著性,随机抽取(12±0.5)月龄健康、体质量为(4.2±0.2)kg的东北白鹅母鹅和(3.5±0.2)kg的籽鹅母鹅各65只,空腹12h后翅下静脉采血,离心分离血清,应用半自动生化分析仪及试剂盒对血清22项生化指标进行检测分析。结果表明:东北白鹅和籽鹅丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT/GPT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST/GOT)、谷氨酸酰基转移酶(GT)、胆碱脂酶(CHE)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH-L)、葡萄糖(Glu)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、总蛋白(TP)、白蛋白(Alb)、钙(Ca)、肌酐(Cre)、镁(Mg)等血清生化指标之间差异达到极显著水平(P<0.01);碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、总胆固醇(CHO)、无机磷(P)之间差异达到显著水平(P<0.05);a-羟丁酸脱氢酶(a-HBDH)、尿素氮(BuN)、甘油三脂(TG)、尿酸(UA)、总胆红素(T.Bili)、直接胆红素(D.Bili)、氯(Cl)之间无显著性差异(P>0.05)。本试验建立的东北白鹅和籽鹅血液生化指标的正常参考值及其正常参考范围,为今后鹅的相关研究提供了基础的科学数据和基本的理论依据。     

Comparison of Blood Physiological and Biochemical Parameters of Two Kinds of Minipigs in Different Altitudes

This study was designed to compare the blood physiological and biochemical parameters between plateau Juema minipigs and plain Bama minipigs,and provide a theoretical basis for Juema minipigs served as experimental animals in the future.The blood samples of Juema minipigs were taken in Gannan,and the blood samples of the Bama minipigs were taken in Xi'an,24 blood physiological and biochemical parameters were tested using an automatic analyzer of blood cells and biochemistry.Between the plateau Juema minipigs and Bama minipigs,there were significant differences in PLT,RDW-CV and RDW-SD (P< 0.05) and extremely significant differences in RBC,HGB,HCT,MCH,MCMH,GGT,GLU and CRE (P< 0.01).The plateau Juema minipig had an altitude acclimatization,so it was better than Bama minipig in plateau medical science.     

Effect of a single injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on testicular blood flow measured by color doppler ultrasonography in male Shiba goats

Although color Doppler ultrasonography has been used to evaluate testicular blood flow in many species, very little has been done in goat. Eight male Shiba goats were exposed to a single intramuscular injection of either gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH group; 1 µg/kg BW) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG group; 25 IU/kg BW). Plasma testosterone (T), estradiol (E2) and inhibin (INH) were measured just before (0 hr) and at different intervals post injection by radioimmunoassay. Testis volume (TV) and Doppler indices, such as resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of the supratesticular artery, were measured by B-mode and color Doppler ultrasonography, respectively. The results indicated an increase in testicular blood flow in both groups, as RI and PI decreased significantly (P<0.05), but this increase was significant higher and earlier in hCG group (1 hr) than in the GnRH group (2 hr). A high correlation was found for RI and PI with both T (RI, r= −0.862; PI, r= −0.707) and INH in the GnRH group (RI, r=0.661; PI, r=0.701). However, a significant (P<0.05) correlation was found between E2 and both RI (r= −0.610) and PI (r= −0.763) in hCG group. In addition, TV significantly increased and was highly correlated with RI in both groups (GnRH, r= −0.718; hCG, r= −0.779). In conclusion, hCG and GnRH may improve testicular blood flow and TV in Shiba goats.     

Morphological characteristics of blood cells in monitor lizards: is erythrocyte size linked to actual body size?

Blood cell morphology and count are not uniform across species. Recently, between‐species comparisons revealed that the size of red blood cells is associated with body size in some lizard taxa, and this finding was interpreted in the context of the metabolic theory. In the present study, we examined the numbers and the size of blood cells in 2 species of monitor lizards, the mangrove‐dwelling monitor (Varanus indicus) and the savannah monitor (V. exanthematicus), and we compared these traits in individuals of different body size. The results revealed that during the course of ontogeny, the size of red blood cells increases with body mass. Because the mass‐specific metabolic rate decreases with body size and the cell volume‐to‐surface ratio decreases with the cell size, changes in the erythrocyte size might be the result of oxygen transport adjustment.     

Dog erythrocyte antigens 1.1, 1.2, 3, 4, 7, and Dal blood typing and cross‐matching by gel column technique

Background: Testing for canine blood types other than dog erythrocyte antigen 1.1 (DEA 1.1) is controversial and complicated by reagent availability and methodology. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to use available gel column technology to develop an extended blood‐typing method using polyclonal reagents for DEA 1.1, 1.2, 3, 4, 7, and Dal and to assess the use of gel columns for cross‐matching. Methods: Dogs (43–75) were typed for DEA 1.1, 1.2, 3, 4, 7, and Dal. Methods included tube agglutination (Tube) using polyclonal reagents, a commercially available DEA 1.1 gel column test kit (Standard‐Gel) using monoclonal reagent, and multiple gel columns (Extended‐Gel) using polyclonal reagents. Blood from 10 recipient and 15 donor dogs was typed as described above and cross‐matched using the gel column technique. Results: Of 43 dogs typed for DEA 1.1, 23, 25, and 20 dogs were positive using Standard‐Gel, Extended‐Gel, and Tube, respectively. Typing for DEA 1.2 was not achievable with Extended‐Gel. For 75 dogs typed for DEA 3, 4, and 7, concordance of Extended‐Gel with Tube was 94.7%, 100%, and 84%, respectively. Dal, determined only by Extended‐Gel, was positive for all dogs. Post‐transfusion major cross‐matches were incompatible in 10 of 14 pairings, but none were associated with demonstrable blood type incompatibilities. Conclusions: Gel column methodology can be adapted for use with polyclonal reagents for detecting DEA 1.1, 3, 4, 7, and Dal. Agglutination reactions are similar between Extended‐Gel and Tube, but are more easily interpreted with Extended‐Gel. When using gel columns for cross‐matching, incompatible blood cross‐matches can be detected following sensitization by transfusion, although in this study incompatibilities associated with any tested DEA or Dal antigens were not found.