Immunohistochemical and qPCR determination of the expression and serum level of anti‐Müllerian hormone in pre‐pubertal,intact and ovarian remnant syndrome detected bitches

The aim of this study was to determine the serum concentrations, ovarian presence and expression of anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) in pre‐pubertal, bitches with signs of ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) and intact bitches. In addition, we aimed to verify the suitability of serum AMH concentrations for diagnostic purposes in sterilized bitches and/or in suspected cases of ORS in the field of veterinary medicine. For this purpose, 36 healthy female dogs divided into six groups: proestrus, oestrus, dioestrus, anoestrus, pre‐pubertal and ORS. Serum AMH concentrations were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, and ovarian presence and distribution of AMH was confirmed by immunohistochemical and qPCR techniques. According to the results of qPCR, while the expression values of AMH were at the highest concentrations in the proestrus and oestrus, there was a statistically significant decrease in these values at the later stages of the cycle (p < 0.05). According to hormone analysis, the serum AMH values of the ORS group had decreased significantly compared with the proestrus and oestrus (p < 0.05). Although serum AMH levels of ORS group were increased compared with anestrus and pre‐pubertal groups, this increase was statistically non‐significant (p > 0.05). Immunohistochemically, AMH expression was first observed in the granulosa cells of primordial follicles in folliculogenesis. Expression values were the highest in the proestrous and oestrus groups, but values from bitches in later stages of the cycle were statistically significant decrease in comparison with these groups (p < 0.05). As a result, AMH concentration and expression were found to be higher in proestrus and oestrus than in other periods (p < 0.05). In addition, the measurable level of AMH concentration in bitches with ORS is an indication that it can be used in the diagnosis of ORS.     

High urinary corticoid/creatinine ratios in cats with hyperthyroidism

Measurement of the urinary corticoid : creatinine (C : C) ratio provides an assessment of cortisol secretion over a period of time. Therefore, this test is a very sensitive measure of adrenocortical function. The stress of the diagnostic procedure and nonadrenal disease may increase the urinary C : C ratio. In addition, diseases such as hyperthyroidism may influence the metabolic clearance of cortisol. To evaluate the effect of thyroid hormone excess, urinary C : C ratios were measured in 32 cats with hyperthyroidism and 45 healthy household cats. In 7 cats, urinary C : C ratios were measured both before and after treatment for hyperthyroidism. With data from the healthy cats, the reference range for the urinary C : C ratio was determined to be 8.0 to 42.0 X 10(-6). The urinary C : C ratios in the cats with hyperthyroidism (median, 37.5 x 10(-6); range, 5.9-169.5 x 10(-6)) were significantly (P = .001) higher than those in the healthy cats (median, 16 x 10(-6); range, 4.8-52.5 x 10(-6)). In 15 cats with hyperthyroidism, the urinary C : C ratios exceeded the upper limit of the reference range. Treatment for hyperthyroidism led to a marked decrease in urinary C : C ratios. The results of this study demonstrate that the urinary C : C ratio may be abnormally high in cats with hyperthyroidism, probably because of increased metabolic clearance of cortisol and activation of the pituitary-adrenocortical axis by disease. Although the clinical features of hyperthyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism in cats are different, hyperthyroidism should be ruled out when cats are suspected of hyperadrenocorticism on the basis of abnormally high urinary C : C ratios.     

Differences in triglyceride and cholesterol metabolism and resistance to obesity in male and female vitamin D receptor knockout mice

A lean phenotype has been detected in vitamin D receptor (VDR) knockout mice; however, the gender differences in fat metabolism between male and female mice both with age and in response to a high‐fat diet have not been studied before. The objective of our study was to assess changes in body and fat tissue weight, food intake and serum cholesterol and triglyceride in VDR knockout mice from weaning to adulthood and after a challenge of adult animals with a high‐fat diet. Although VDR knockout mice of both sexes consumed more food than wild‐type and heterozygous littermates, their body weight and the weight of fat depots was lower after 6 months on a diet with 5% crude fat content. When adult animals were challenged with a high‐fat diet containing 21% crude fat content for 8 weeks, VDR knockout mice of both sexes had a significantly higher food intake but gained less weight than their wild‐type littermates. Cholesterol levels were higher after 2 days on the high‐fat diet in both sexes, but in the VDR knockout mice, less cholesterol was detected in the serum after 8 weeks. Wild‐type male mice showed signs of fatty liver disease at the end of the experiment, which was not detected in the other groups. In conclusion, lack of the VDR receptor results in reduced fat accumulation with age and when adult mice are fed a high‐fat diet, despite a higher food intake of VDR knockout mice relative to their wild‐type littermates. These effects can be detected in both sexes. Wild‐type male mice react with the highest weight gain and cholesterol levels of all groups and develop fatty liver disease after 8 weeks on a high‐fat diet, while male VDR knockout mice appear to be protected.     

RADIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY OF THE CRIBRIFORM PLATE (LAMINA CRIBROSA)

The radiographic appearance of the cribriform plate was investigated in 16 canine cadaver heads. The cribriform plate appeared as a "V"-shaped multilinear bone-opaque stripe in the caudal nasal region in projections perpendicular to the hard palate in 6 dogs with a skull index between 50.00 and 54.00. In 9 dogs with a skull index between 55.40 and 74.40, the cribriform plate had a more "C"-shaped and sharp appearance. In vertically oblique projections with an obliquity greater than 20 degrees, the cribriform plate lost its sharp outline and finally (40 degrees) disappeared. In lateral projections the cribriform plate appeared as a "C"-shaped interrupted bone-opaque stripe in all 16 dogs. In more brachycephalic dogs frontal bone structures superimposed on the cribriform plate on ventrodorsal and dorsoventral views and accentuated the radiographic appearance of the plate. Vertically oblique views separated both structures to produce two lines.     

CORRECTION OF ANGULAR DEFORMITY BY ASYMMETRIC PHYSEAL GROWTH AND BONE REMODELLING

Angular deformities of 25 or 37 degrees valgus were created by transverse wedge osteotomies in the diaphysis of the radius in 3-month-old Cocker Spaniels. Spontaneous correction was judged from radiographs until skeletal maturity. The magnitude of correction was estimated, using the opposite normal leg as a control. Asymmetrical physeal growth corrected the induced angulation between the proximal and distal radial joint plane surfaces (joint plane angle). The average correction of the joint plane angle was 80% in the 25 degree group, and 72% in the 37 degree group. Bone remodeling of the radial shaft corrected the induced diaphyseal angulation by 50% in both groups during the study.     

Diet modulates proteinuria in heterozygous female dogs with X-linked hereditary nephropathy

Young adult heterozygous (carrier) female dogs with X-linked hereditary nephropathy (XLHN) have glomerular proteinuria but are otherwise healthy. Because data regarding dietary influences on the magnitude of proteinuria in dogs with spontaneous glomerular disease are not available, 12 such dogs were studied in a double crossover experiment intended to determine effects of altering dietary protein intake for up to 6 weeks. Dogs were blocked by urine protein : creatinine ratio (UPC) and randomly assigned to receive 2 diets: high protein (34.6% dry matter [DM], HP) or low protein (14.1% DM, LP) fed in HP-LP-HP or LP-HP-LP sequence. Food intake was measured daily, body weight (BW) was measured twice weekly, and UPC, plasma creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, phosphorus, albumin, and protein concentrations were measured at 2-week intervals. Nutrient digestibility was measured during the third treatment period. Diet had a significant effect (P < .0001) on all measured variables except plasma phosphorus (P > .5), but unintended differences in digestibility of protein and energy (P < or = .01) prevented assignment of the diet effect exclusively to protein. Proteinuria was greater (UPC 4.7 +/- 2.2 versus 1.8 +/- 1.1, P < .0001) when the HP diet was fed, but the LP diet did not maintain starting BW or plasma albumin concentration within the normal reference range. Diet greatly affects the magnitude of proteinuria in XLHN carrier females. Dietary protein restriction can reduce proteinuria in dogs with glomerular disease, but BW and blood protein concentrations may not be maintained if the restriction is too severe.     

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒GP5、M蛋白基因的克隆及其基因疫苗构建

参照GenBank中猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)美洲型代表株VR2332 GP5和M蛋白基因序列,设计并合成2对引物,用RT-PCR方法分别扩增出PRRSV野毒株GP5和M蛋白基因603,525bp片段,并将其分别克隆到pMD18-T载体。测序正确后,将GP5和M蛋白基因分别克隆到真核表达载体pEGFP-C1上,成功构建基因疫苗表达载体pEGP5-C1和pEM-C1。小鼠免疫试验证实,这些基因疫苗质粒可以诱导小鼠产生特异性抗体,并在二免后1周开始检测到特异性淋巴细胞增殖反应。     

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征诊断与疫苗研究进展

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征是危害世界养猪业的最严重的传染病之一,自出现以来迅速在世界范围内大面积流行,对养猪业造成不可估量的损失,因此对于该病的研究具有重要的意义.近几年来,随着各国对该病的研究日益深入,在疫病的防控机制、诊断方法等方面也取得了重要进展.文章就近年来猪繁殖与呼吸综合征诊断方法和疫苗的发展概况进行了综述,诊断方法...