Peripheral white blood cell counts throughout pregnancy in non-aborting Neospora caninum-seronegative and seropositive high-producing dairy cows in a Holstein Friesian herd

Pregnancy is characterized by transient changes in the maternal immune system, also evident at peripheral level. The present study analyzes the kinetics and possible factors affecting peripheral white blood cell populations throughout pregnancy in a herd of high-producing dairy cows chronically infected or not with Neospora caninum. We examined 54 pregnant parous cows: 29 Neospora-seronegative and 25 Neospora-seropositive cows. Blood samples were collected on Days 90, 120, 150, 180 and 210 of gestation. General Linear Model (GLM) repeated measures analysis of variance showed that the interaction Neospora-seropositivity × parity significantly affected total leukocyte, neutrophil and monocyte counts with lower levels of total leukocytes, lower neutrophil and higher monocyte counts recorded in primiparous Neospora-seropositive cows. In addition, N. caninum-seropositive cows had significantly increased monocyte counts on Day 180 of gestation compared to seronegative ones. Other factors significantly associated with changes in total and/or differential leukocyte profiles were period of pregnancy, season, twin pregnancy and milk production. In conclusion, a parity-associated effect of chronic N. caninum infection was observed on peripheral blood cell profiles in dairy cattle during gestation.     

Characterization of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection in swine lymphocytes using mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy PCV2-carrier pigs

Information regarding the susceptibility of swine lymphocytes to PCV2 is rather limited. To further explore and characterize the PCV2 infection in swine lymphocytes, an in vitro model using concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) obtained from clinically healthy PCV2-carrier pigs was introduced. It was found that the PCV2 antigen-containing rate was below 2% in PBLs from healthy PCV2-free pigs following treated simultaneously with Con A and PCV2. However, significantly higher PCV2 antigen- and nucleic acid-containing rates could be seen in Con A-stimulated PBLs from clinically healthy PCV2-carrier pigs. Prior to Con A treatment, both of the PCV2 antigen- and nucleic acid-containing rates in PBLs from healthy PCV2-carrier pigs were less than 1%; however, they reached 22.1+/-5.7% by flow cytometry and 27.1+/-6.5% by in situ hybridization, respectively, at 4-day post-incubation with Con A. Phenotyping of PCV2 antigen-containing cells revealed that PCV2-positive cells could be detected in both T and B lymphocyte populations within which IgM-positive B lymphocytes appeared to have a relatively higher positive rate. The Con A-stimulated PBLs also displayed a significantly higher viral load by the measurement of either PCV2 DNA copy number or viral titer when compared with the non-treated PBLs from healthy PCV2-carrier pigs. The results indicate that PBLs, especially IgM-bearing B lymphocytes, are indeed susceptible to PCV2 infection and PCV2 is capable of replicating in dividing lymphocytes. This activation-induced replication may explain in part the pathogenesis of lymphoid depletion in PMWS-affected pigs.     

伊犁马1000m速步训练赛各阶段静脉血中血气指标变化研究

利用i-STAT血气分析仪检测12匹伊犁马1000 m速步训练赛静息、热身后及赛后即刻、15 min、30 min、60 min时静脉血中的血气指标,并对各血气指标的差异性和相关性进行统计分析。结果表明,运动前后静脉血中PvCO₂、PvO₂、HCO₃、TCO₂、SvO₂和Glu变化差异不显著(P>0.05)。血液pH、BE和Ca²⁺在赛后即刻均明显降低,但经15 min休息后都基本回升到静息水平;K⁺、Hct和Hb在赛后即刻均显著增加(P<0.05),但经15 min休息后都基本回降到静息水平。血液pH与BE、HCO₃呈极显著正相关(P<0.01),与TCO₂浓度呈显著正相关(P<0.05),Hct、Hb与pH和HCO₃呈极显著负相关(P<0.01),与K⁺呈极显著正相关(P<0.01)。因此,BE、HCO₃、TCO₂、Hct和Hb对酸碱平衡均有一定的调节作用;Na⁺、K⁺和Ca²⁺对机体运动具有一定的调节作用。     

抗感败毒口服液对大鼠生长和血液理化指标的影响

为了评价抗感败毒口服液临床用药的安全性,对SD大鼠的生长和血液理化指标进行了试验研究,选用了健康大鼠80只,雌雄各半,随机分为高、中、低剂量组和对照组,其中高剂量组、中剂量组和低剂量组分别灌胃给予该口服液8 mL/kg、4 mL/kg和2 mL/kg体重,对照组按8 mL/kg体重灌服生理盐水,每天一次,连续给药35 d。各组末次给药24 h后,检测大鼠体重、血常规指标、血液生化指标、脏器系数及组织病理变化情况。结果表明,抗感败毒口服液各剂量组大鼠的体重、血液学检查、血液生化指标检查与对照组比较,均无显著差异（P>0.05）,雌性大鼠高剂量组的肝脏脏器指数与对照组相比有显著差异（P<0.05）,其他无显著差异（P>0.05）。肉眼观察实质器官无异常病变。结果提示,长期应用抗感败毒口服液对大鼠生长和血液理化指标无显著影响,临床用药安全。     

Effect of oxytocin infusion on luteal blood flow and progesterone secretion in dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of oxytocin infusion on corpus luteum (CL) function during early to mid-diestrus by measuring luteal size (LS) and luteal blood flow (LBF) along with plasma levels of progesterone (P4) and prostaglandin metabolites (13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F_2α, PGFM). On day (D) 7 of the estrus cycle (D1 = ovulation), seven cows received 100 IU of oxytocin (OXY) or placebo (PL) following a Latin square design. LS and LBF increased in both groups over time and no differences were observed between the groups. PGFM did not differ either within the groups over time or between the groups at any time point. P4 of the OXY group was higher compared to that of the the PL group 360 min after the infusion (p = 0.01) and tended to be higher at the time points 450 min, 48 h, and 72 h (all p = 0.08). Results from this study support the hypothesis that OXY is not directly involved in the mechanism(s) governing blood flow of the CL and has no remarkable effects either on luteal size or P4 and PGFM plasma levels. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the role of OXY in CL blood flow during early and late luteal phases.     

Effects of dietary inclusion of Rhus coriaria on internal milieu of rabbits

The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of Rhus coriaria L. inclusion to the diet on some biochemical, haematological parameters and the level of antioxidant status of male rabbits. Adult rabbits were divided into five groups: one control (C) and four experimental groups. Experimental animals received sumac per os in feed in various doses (0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00% and 1.50%) for 90 days. Significant increase in PDWc (platelet distribution width) in E3 group when compared with control group was recorded. Sumac administration resulted in decreased cholesterol levels in all experimental groups vs. control group. Significantly lower level of cholesterol was found in E4 group with highest dose of sumac (1.50%). Higher values of total antioxidant status (TAS) and albumins were observed in all experimental groups in comparison with control group. A significant increase in TAS was detected in group E1 and E4. Concentrations of albumins were significantly higher in groups E3 and E4 vs. control group. Sumac administration had no significant effect on bilirubin content. In conclusion, these results show a positive effect of sumac consumption on antioxidant status and cholesterol level in adult male rabbits.     

十二指肠灌注DL-蛋氨酸对肉牛营养物质消化率和血液指标影响的研究

根据基础日粮+待测氨基酸法,由十二指肠瘘管连续灌注DL-Met,通过日增重、氮平衡试验、小肠营养物质消化率指标和血浆游离氨基酸含量确定基础日粮条件下十二指肠氨酸最佳灌注量。试验结果表明:III组日增重最高,比I组提高15.27%(P<0.05)II组和III组沉积氮、沉积氮/可消化氮显著高于I组(P<0.05),其中III组高于II组;III组尿中尿素氮显著低于I组(P<0.05)。III组小肠氮的表观消化率最高,比I组高5.72%(P<0.05)。III组血浆氨氮显著低于I组(P<0.05)。血浆Cys和MetIV组显著高于其它3组(P<0.05),而Ser和Ile则相反。III组血浆Leu、Lys、BCAA和EAA显著低于其它各组(P<0.05)。肉牛十二指肠蛋氨酸最佳灌注量为13g/d。     

REPEATABILITY OF DOPPLER ULTRASONOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENT OF EQUINE DIGITAL BLOOD FLOW

The repeatability and sensitivity of Doppler ultrasonographic measurement of lateral digital arterial and venous blood flow has not been previously determined. Doppler ultrasonography was used to measure blood flow within the forelimb lateral digital vessels in one normal adult Thoroughbred horse on six occasions and in six normal adult Thoroughbred horses on three occasions, each occasion being at least 1 h apart, to determine the within- and between-horse variation. The values obtained from the right and left lateral digital vessels did not differ significantly. The within-horse coefficients of variation (CV) for arterial and venous measurements were all acceptable (< 11%); the between-horse CV were acceptable (< 7%) for all parameters except TaVa (average velocity of first peak of arterial waveform) and TaVb (average velocity of remainder of arterial waveform). The within-horse intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) demonstrated excellent repeatability (> or = 0.71) for all parameters except venous diameter; the between-horse ICC demonstrated good to excellent repeatability (> or = 0.67) for all parameters except TaVb. Doppler ultrasonography can detect differences of 0.005 and 0.01 ml/ min in digital arterial and venous flow, respectively, using measurements from six horses on three occasions (80% power; P < 0.05). Thus, the technique is sufficiently repeatable and sensitive to be able to detect changes in flow during different physiological or pathological states or following pharmacologic intervention.     

Blood vitamin concentrations in privately owned dogs fed non-standardized commercial diets and after intake of diets with specified vitamin concentrations

The objective was to investigate in a survey study the blood vitamin concentrations in healthy dogs fed non-specified commercial complete diets and in an intervention study to determine the effects of defined dietary vitamin intakes on blood vitamin levels and hair and skin condition. Sixty-four privately owned dogs, aged from 1 to 8 years, without history of skin or coat problems were included. All animals were fed commercial complete diets with uncertain vitamin concentrations before enrolment. The animals were assigned, according to weight and gender, to four groups with graded vitamin intakes. The blood vitamin levels and skin and coat quality of the dogs were investigated at days 0 and day 122. Coat and hair condition was not influenced by the experimental diets. The retinol concentrations were reduced at the end of the experiment compared with the baseline levels, retinyl esters were not influenced. 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol decreased in all groups, alpha-tocopherol was constant or tended to decrease. Ascorbic acid, thiamine pyrophosphate and riboflavin concentrations were not affected by treatment, flavin adenine dinucleotide and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate were partially reduced on day 122. Cobalamin, pantothenate and biotin concentrations increased with higher dietary intakes, folate levels in tendency. In conclusion, this study gives a survey of blood vitamin concentrations in healthy dogs and provides a data base for the evaluation of the vitamin status in health and disease.