The effects of aging on hematology and serum chemistry values in the beagle dog

To distinguish age-related changes in hematology and clinical chemistry values from those resulting from disease, hematology, and clinical chemistry values of healthy, age-matched Beagle dogs 3 to 14 years of age were analyzed. Serum potassium, total protein and globulin concentration, and lactic dehydrogenase activity increased with age, while urea nitrogen, creatinine and albumin concentration, and gamma-glutamyl transferase activity decreased. The 12-year-old group had some distinct differences from the other age groups: glucose concentration was lower, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activity and triglyceride concentration were higher. No significant age-related differences were found in the hematology parameters analyzed. This report extends the documented, age-related changes in normal Beagle dogs to 14 years of age. The age-related changes in organ-specific serum chemistries such as urea nitrogen and creatinine (kidney), and alanine aminotransferase (liver) noted here suggest that 12 years may be a pivotal age for determining longevity in the Beagle dog.     

Estimation of gonadal status of Japanese female eel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anguilla japonica</Emphasis> by a single injection of salmon pituitary extract

ABSTRACT:   Cultivated eels often either lack a part of the ovary (abnormal) or do not have any gonadal tissue (completely sterile). These abnormalities may cause a failure of induction of sexual maturation of female eels. In order to effectively induce sexual maturation and obtain good quality eggs, female eels having normal ovaries should be selected before induction of maturation. The present study examined effects of injection of salmon pituitary extract (SPE) on serum estradiol-17β levels to estimate gonadal status of sexually immature Japanese eels. At the initial stage (just prior to SPE injection), serum estradiol-17β levels were low and no significant difference was observed among eels possessing the different gonad types (normal, abnormal, and sterile), suggesting that gonadal status cannot be estimated by the measurement of serum estradiol-17β levels. A single injection of SPE significantly increased serum estradiol-17β levels in eels possessing normal and abnormal ovaries, but not in sterile eels. Serum estradiol-17β levels significantly increased from 24 h and were high on day 3. These data indicate that eels possessing ovaries can be distinguished from sterile eels by measurement of serum estradiol-17β between 1 and 3 days after a single injection of SPE.     

Effect of Gossypol on Hepatic and Serum γ-glutamyltransferase Activity in Rats

A single intraperitoneal dose (25 mg/kg) of gossypol given to male Sprague-Dawley rats caused marked changes in the activity of the hepatic and serum -glutamyltransferase (GGT) and microsomal monooxygenases. The GGT activity in liver homogenate, S-9 supernatant fraction and microsomes was significantly depressed; however, the level of serum GGT was elevated. While the hepatic glutathione concentration was not greatly changed, the aminopyrine N-demethylase activity and microsomal cytochrome P450 content of the liver were significantly decreased in the treated rats. At necropsy, the livers of the treated rats appeared generally pale with distinct pinpoint foci. Histopathological examination of the liver showed degenerative changes and coagulative necrosis. The results indicate that gossypol is a strong hepatotoxic agent which can produce severe hepatic damage.     

Serum amyloid A is not a marker for relapse of multicentric lymphoma in dogs

BACKGROUND: Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute phase protein whose concentration increases in inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic conditions in animals and human beings. Multicentric lymphoma is a common cancer in dogs, and chemotherapy is indicated to attain long-term survival. However, frequent relapses lead to changes in chemotherapeutic protocols. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate SAA as a marker for relapse of multicentric lymphoma in dogs and to determine whether chemotherapy induces changes in the concentration of SAA during treatment. METHODS: SAA was measured by an ELISA test in healthy control dogs (n=20), in healthy dogs receiving chemotherapy (n=8), and in dogs with lymphoma (n=20). All dogs receiving chemotherapy were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups, one receiving cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP) and the other receiving vincristine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and L-asparaginase (VCMA) protocols. SAA concentration was determined before chemotherapy at weeks 1-4 in healthy dogs receiving chemotherapy and in dogs with lymphoma, then every 3 weeks for 4 months in healthy dogs, and at relapse and in the sample prior to relapse in dogs with lymphoma. SAA was measured only once in the healthy control dogs. Results were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA followed by Tukey multiple comparison tests to compare groups and weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Mean SAA concentration was significantly higher in dogs with lymphoma before chemotherapy compared with healthy and chemotherapy control dogs. No increase in SAA concentration was found at relapse. No differences were observed in SAA concentration based on type of chemotherapy protocol. CONCLUSIONS: SAA is not a marker of relapse in dogs with multicentric lymphoma, nor does chemotherapy regimen affect SAA concentration.     

Thyroid testing in Sloughis

Background: Thyroid hormone concentrations were found to be different in Greyhounds and Whippets compared with nonsight hound dogs.
Hypothesis: In Sloughis, thyroid hormone concentration is lower than in nonsight hounds and comparable to Greyhounds.
Animals: Fifty-one Sloughis with no evidence of disease and a mean age of 4 years (range, 1–12 years).
Methods: Thyroid profiles consisting of total thyroxine (tT4), free thyroxine (fT4), free thyroxine after equilibrium dialysis (fT4 after ED), canine thyroid stimulation hormone (cTSH), and thyroglobulin antibodies as well as CBC and serum biochemistry results of Sloughis were compared with those of normal dogs. In 8 Sloughis, TSH stimulation tests were performed.
Results: In Sloughis, tT4 concentrations and fT4 concentrations measured by chemiluminescence were lower than those of controls (1.13 ± 0.65 μg/dL compared with 2.9 ± 0.8 μg/dL, P < .0001 and 11 ± 4.3 pmol/L compared with 16.7 ± 5.2 pmol/L, P < .0001, respectively). Concentrations of fT4 after ED and TSH were increased in Sloughis, when compared with controls (41.3 ± 26.9 pmol/L compared with 20.98 ± 10.29 pmol/L, P < .0001 and 0.22 ± 0.15 pmol/L compared with 0.15 ± 0.13 pmol/L, P = .0138, respectively). T4 concentration after TSH stimulation increased from 1.5 μg/dL (range, 0.2–2.7 μg/dL) to 2.7 μg/dL (range, 1.2–4.7 μg/dL); the recommended post-TSH T4 concentration was achieved by only 3 of 8 Sloughis. Hemoconcentration was found in 84.3% and hypoglobulinemia in 80.3%.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: When evaluating Sloughis for hypothyroidism, veterinarians should be aware that these dogs have different thyroid hormone concentrations than nonsight hound dogs.     

饲粮添加不同水平果胶寡糖螯合锌对肉仔鸡生长性能、免疫功能和血清抗氧化功能的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮添加不同水平果胶寡糖螯合锌(zinc-pectic oligosaccharide chelate,Zn-POS)对爱拔益加(AA)肉仔鸡生长性能、免疫功能和血清抗氧化能力的影响。选用1日龄健康、体况较一致的AA肉仔鸡480只(公母各占1/2),根据体重一致原则随机分为5组,每组6个重复,每个重复16只鸡。其中Ⅰ组为基础饲粮组;Ⅱ组为抗生素组,在基础饲粮中添加62.5 mg/kg黄霉素;Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅴ组为Zn-POS组,在基础饲粮中分别添加300、600和900 mg/kg Zn-POS。试验期42 d。结果表明:1)1~21日龄,与Ⅰ组相比,Ⅲ、Ⅳ组平均日增重显著提高(P0.05);与Ⅱ组相比,Ⅲ、Ⅳ组体重显著提高(P0.05)。22~42日龄,与Ⅰ组相比,Ⅲ、Ⅳ组平均日增重显著提高(P0.05),Ⅳ组平均日采食量显著提高(P0.05)。1~42日龄,与Ⅰ组相比,Ⅳ组平均日增重极显著提高(P0.01),Ⅲ、Ⅴ组平均日增重显著提高(P0.05),Ⅳ组平均日采食量显著提高(P0.05);Ⅱ组平均日增重极显著高于Ⅰ组(P0.01)。2)Ⅱ组法氏囊指数显著高于Ⅰ组(P0.05),但Ⅱ组血清中免疫球蛋白G水平显著低于Ⅰ组(P0.05)。3)Ⅲ组血清总超氧化物歧化酶活性极显著高于Ⅰ组(P0.01),Ⅲ、Ⅴ组血清过氧化氢酶活性显著高于Ⅰ组(P0.05);Ⅳ、Ⅴ组血清丙二醛含量显著低于Ⅲ组(P0.05)。由此可见,饲粮中添加Zn-POS能改善1~42日龄AA肉仔鸡生长性能、免疫功能和血清抗氧化功能,以600 mg/kg添加水平较为适宜。     

不同比例白酒糟对育肥山羊生产性能、血清指标及瘤胃发酵的影响

本试验采用不同添加比例的白酒糟等量替换豆秸,以确定山羊育肥期饲粮中白酒糟的适宜添加比例。选用年龄(4月龄)、体重[(21.56±1.21)kg]相近的公山羊32只,随机分为4组,每组8只,用白酒糟分别替代全混合日粮中0(对照)、8%、15%、25%的豆秸。育肥90 d后屠宰,测定山羊生产性能、血清指标、屠宰性能、胴体品质及瘤胃发酵的影响。结果表明:15%组山羊的平均净增重、平均日增重最高,料重比最低,经济效益最佳,并且与对照组差异显著(P0.05)。8%、15%组的血清胆固醇含量均显著高于对照组和25%组(P0.05)。15%组的血清生长激素、胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ、胰岛素、甲状腺素含量均显著高于对照组和25%组(P0.05)。15%组的胴体重、睾丸重、肺脏重、肝脏重、瓣胃重、皱胃重显著高于对照组和25%组(P0.05)。各组间肌肉p H、p H_24 h、失水率、熟肉率、瘤胃重和瘤胃液p H均无显著差异(P0.05)。15%、25%组的瘤胃液氨态氮浓度无显著差异(P0.05),但均显著高于对照组(P0.05)。由此得出,山羊育肥期饲粮白酒糟的最适添加比例为15%。     

稀土壳糖胺螯合盐对断奶仔猪生长性能、血清生化指标、营养物质消化率及粪中微生物菌群的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加稀土壳糖胺螯合盐(rare earth-chitosan chelate,RECC)对断奶仔猪生长性能、血清生化指标、营养物质消化率及粪中微生物菌群的影响。试验选取240头28日龄健康纯种大白仔猪,随机分成4组,每组4个重复,每个重复15头仔猪。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加0.02%、0.03%和0.04%RECC的饲粮。试验期28 d。结果显示:1)与对照组相比,饲粮添加0.02%和0.03%RECC显著提高断奶仔猪平均日增重和平均日采食量(P0.05)、显著降低料重比(P0.05),各RECC组断奶仔猪腹泻率均显著降低(P0.05)。2)饲粮添加0.02%和0.03%RECC显著提高断奶仔猪血清生长激素和免疫球蛋白G含量(P0.05)。3)饲粮添加0.02%和0.03%RECC显著提高断奶仔猪对干物质、粗蛋白质和粗脂肪的消化率(P0.05),饲粮添加0.02%RECC显著提高仔猪对Ca和P的消化率(P0.05)。4)饲粮添加RECC对仔猪粪中大肠杆菌、双歧杆菌和乳酸杆菌数影响均不显著(P0.05),但有降低大肠杆菌数的趋势。综上所述,饲粮中添加RECC可以通过提高断奶仔猪体内的激素含量、调节微生物平衡,进而改善仔猪的生长、免疫等功能,且RECC在断奶仔猪中较为适宜的添加量为0.02%。     

山羊IFN-γ免疫血清制备及抗体ELISA检测方法的建立

为制备山羊干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)免疫血清并建立山羊IFN-γ抗体ELISA检测方法 ,以原核表达的山羊γIFN重组蛋白(rIFN-γ)为材料,免疫小鼠制备免疫血清;通过对测定不同的抗原包被浓度及包被时间,酶标抗体稀释度,免疫血清的孵育时间等条件的优化建立检测抗体效价的ELISA检测方法,并采用建立的方法测定免疫血清的抗体效价。结果显示,rIFN-γ抗原包被浓度为10μg/mL,4℃包被12h;酶标抗体稀释度为1∶5 000;免疫血清孵育时间为60min,可以得到最佳ELISA的检测结果。重复试验显示该方法变异系数(CV)在1.5%~5%之间。采用建立的方法测得免疫小鼠免疫血清效价为107。该ELISA检测方法灵敏高,稳定性好,为山羊IFN-γ抗体检测提供了技术支持。