The use of concentrated bovine serum albumin in canines.

In humans it has been estimated that for each 2.5 g L^–1 decrease in serum albumin, risk of death increases by 24–56%. Clinical impression suggests this may be similar in veterinary patients. Species‐specific albumin (plasma) is often unavailable and concentrated solutions are not. Our experience using 25% human serum albumin (HSA) in critically ill dogs suggests a positive effect (results submitted), however it is expensive. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) may be a more cost effective and readily available alternative. The purpose of this study was to assess the immediate and long‐term safety of an intravenous dose (500 mg kg^–1) of bovine albumin administered to healthy dogs. Ten mature dogs (eight males, two females, 28 ± 6 kg) were to receive BSA (250 mg mL^–1) twice (BSA1 and BSA2) with 14 days between treatments. Temperature, blood pressure, and pulse and respiration rate were continuously monitored to identify a reaction to BSA. All dogs received BSA1. One dog immediately developed mild urticaria and pruritus, otherwise the infusion was well tolerated. No immediate reaction was noted in the other nine dogs. Two dogs received BSA2. One dog developed a mild immediate reaction similar to that occurring with BSA1, and one dog (the dog immediately reacting to BSA1) developed a severe anaphylactic reaction. Due to these reactions, no other dogs received BSA2. During a two‐week observation of the remaining eight dogs given BSA1, five developed a mild or severe generalized type‐III hypersensitivity reaction. The dog experiencing a mild reaction during BSA2 administration also developed a generalized type‐III hypersensitivity reaction. Delayed reactions occurred 15 ± 2.7 days after BSA exposure. Three dogs did not develop a reaction. All reacting dogs recovered fully. The severity of reactions, and the number of dogs affected, suggests prior (natural) exposure and immunological sensitization to bovine albumin. Bovine serum albumin is not suitable for therapeutic use in dogs.     

Aquaporin 9 is expressed in the epididymis of immature and mature pigs

Aquaporins (AQPs) are channel proteins that facilitate the transepithelial and bidirectional movement of water. AQP9 is an aquaporin that is expressed in the mammalian epididymis. This water transport contributes to epididymal sperm concentration. This study aimed to examine the morphology of epididymal epithelium in piglets and boars, as well as the expression and immunolocalization of AQP9. The piglets presented an epididymal epithelium in differentiation with principal, basal and apical cells. The cellular population of the epididymal epithelium in boars consisted of principal, basal, apical, clear and narrow cells. The migratory cells known as halo cells were observed in the epididymis of both piglets and boars. AQP9 expression presented differences between piglets and boars. Moderate intensity of AQP9 immunoreaction was observed in the apical border of the epididymal epithelium of the caput and cauda regions in the piglet epididymis. A moderate‐to‐intense reaction for AQP9 was observed in the nuclei of epithelial cells of the three epididymal regions in the boar epididymis. The region of the cauda epididymis showed reactivity for AQP9 also in the apical border of the epithelium. It is believed that the AQP9 is already functional in piglets at only 1 week of age and is more active, playing a pivotal role in the caput and cauda regions of the epididymis. Moreover, the intense AQP9 expression in the apical border of epithelial cells in the cauda region of the boar epididymis suggests a higher performance of AQP9 in this region, where sperm complete their maturation process, stored and concentrated.