MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FEATURES OF EQUINE NIGROPALLIDAL ENCEPHALOMALACIA

Magnetic resonance imaging (MR) was used to make a diagnosis of equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia in a horse. Equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia is a neurodegenerative disease that has many characteristics with Parkinson-like diseases in humans. Historically, horses were euthanized based on clinical signs and exposure to the toxic weed, yellow star thistle (Centaurea solstitialis). Previously, the disease has only been confirmed on necropsy. MR imaging can provide accurate and sensitive visualization of typical lesions seen in the brain of horses affected with equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia. Lesions were seen on T1-weighted, T2-weighted and proton density images. There was no contrast enhancement following Gd-DTPA administration. Lesions seen on MR were confirmed at necropsy. Using MR to confirm a diagnosis of equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia will prevent unnecessary suffering of horses and expense to owners that would otherwise incur, while further diagnostics are performed.     

Computed tomography dacryocystography evaluation of the nasolacrimal apparatus

Computed tomography-dacryocystography (CT-DCG) was used to evaluate the nasolacrimal system in four patients (three dogs and one horse) that were admitted for evaluation of chronic epiphora, facial swelling, or facial trauma. The four patients are reviewed and the technique for performing CT-DCG is described. Additionally, the indications for this procedure are discussed. CT-DCG is advantageous because cross-sectional imaging provides superior resolution of the nasolacrimal apparatus and the relatively long, small-diameter, bony nasolacrimal canal in most veterinary patients.     

Molecular Variability in Different Indian Isolates of Equine Herpesvirus-1

Three abortigenic Indian isolates of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) (Tohana, Hisar and Bikaner), along with two exotic abortigenic isolates (AB4 and V592) and another EHV-1 isolate (Jind) obtained from a case of perinatal foal mortality, were studied for variability. For this purpose, PCR and restriction endonuclease (RE) digestion techniques were used simultaneously as a DNA fingerprinting system. Nine different regions of EHV-1 virus were amplified by PCR using primer pairs specific for the regions and the products obtained from these regions were subsequently subjected to various restriction endonucleases to further assess the variability in the number of RE sites as well as in their positions. No difference was observed in all the four abortigenic isolates in terms of the size of different PCR products amplified by all the nine primer pairs, except for primer pairs ‘E’ and ‘C’. PCR products obtained with primer pair E revealed that Tohana and Bikaner isolates were most similar while Hisar isolate was like V592 isolate. However, the PCR product obtained from Jind isolate had a size between the PCR products of Hisar and Tohan/Bikaner isolates. The primer pair ‘C’ used to amplify the region between 1151 to 3679 in ‘Gene 1,2,3’ clearly differentiated the EHV-1 isolate obtained from a case of perinatal foal mortality from isolates obtained from abortion cases. This primer pair needs to be exploited more extensively for use as a potential marker for differentiating the EHV-1 isolates, mainly the abortion cases from perinatal foal mortality ones. Restriction endonuclease studies done with PCR product of all the isolates with various primer pairs did not reveal any changes in the position or number of RE sites present in the products amplified, indicating no variation in different RE sites within the amplified PCR products. However, this study clarified that all the Indian isolates belonged to the IP group of EHV-1.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE EQUINE BICIPITAL TENDON REGION: A CASE HISTORY REPORT AND REVIEW OF ANATOMY

The equine shoulder region is difficult to investigate by conventional imaging modalities. Diagnostic ultrasound has proven valuable for investigation of soft tissue injuries of the human shoulder. In a horse with shoulder lameness, the authors employed diagnostic ultrasound to augment the use of conventional radiography. A defect in the subchondral bone layer of the medial humeral tuberosity, with adjacent bony fragments were clearly identified with ultrasound. Ultrasound was used for initial evaluation of the bicipital tendon and bursa. The technique was subsequently used to follow and evaluate the post-operative condition of the proximal cranial humerus, bicipital tendon and bursa in this patient. The bicipital regions of 2 immature and 3 adult normal horses were also examined with to illustrate the normal ultrasonographic anatomy of the cranial shoulder region.     

马-牛无透明带卵异种克隆的研究

 【目的】开展异种克隆,为濒危动物的保护、细胞核重编程与核质互作研究提供新途径。【方法】以马耳成纤维细胞为供体,牛卵母细胞为受体,采用无透明带手工克隆方法构建异种胚胎,比较不同的激活液、培养液、体细胞同期方式、核移植方法对马-牛异种克隆胚胎体外发育的影响。【结果】（1）A23187 + 6-DMAP联合激活获得的克隆胚胎发育较好,囊胚率2.60%;（2）克隆胚胎于mCR1aa中的卵裂率和桑葚率显著高于CR1aa和SOF（83.65%vs 77.49%,74.87%;22.36%vs19.37%,18.98%,P＜0.05）,且发育到囊胚（2.72%）,CR1aa与SOF间无显著差异;（3）供体细胞经血清饥饿或接触抑制处理后,获得的异种克隆胚的融合率、卵裂率、桑葚率和囊胚率无显著差异;（4）无透明带手工克隆法的融合率显著高于显微注射法（90.33% vs 72.94%）,卵裂率、桑葚率和囊胚率无显著差异;（5）马-牛异种克隆胚与牛同种克隆胚比较,融合率和卵裂率无差别,桑葚率和囊胚率有显著差异（21.78%vs63.52%;2.71%vs37.48%）。【结论】牛卵母细胞能支持马体细胞去分化,进行核重编程。但由于二者的物种距离较远,异种克隆胚胎的发育能力远低于同种克隆胚胎。