Ovarian mixed germ-cell tumor comprising mature teratoma and embryonal carcinoma in a four-toed hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

This report describes the clinical and histopathological characteristics of a rare mixed germ-cell tumor comprising teratoma and embryonal carcinoma in the left ovary of a 10-month-old four-toed hedgehog, with chief complaints of loss of appetite and lethargy. Laparotomy revealed a swollen left ovary with small disseminated peritoneal nodules, and bilateral ovariohysterectomy was performed. The left ovary had a mature teratoma with well-differentiated fat, bone, cartilage, salivary gland, trachea, keratin cyst, and nervous tissues, and an embryonal carcinoma consisting of poorly-differentiated epithelial cells arranged in tubular, alveolar, or solid patterns. Immunohistochemically, the embryonal carcinoma cells were positive for placental alkaline phosphatase and c-KIT. This is the first case of mature teratoma with embryonal carcinoma in the ovary of a hedgehog.     

Suppurative meningoencephalitis and perineuritis caused by Streptococcus gallolyticus in a Japanese Black calf

A 179-day-old calf, which was weak and stunted, showed neurological signs and was euthanized. Postmortem examination revealed extensive and severe cloudy area in the meninges, and pleural pneumonia. Gram-positive cocci were isolated from systemic organs. Biochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses identified the isolate as Streptococcus gallolyticus, and its subspecies was suggested to be gallolyticus (SGG). The isolate was classified as a novel sequence type (ST115) by the multilocus sequence typing scheme for SGG and showed susceptibility to penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, florfenicol, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and chloramphenicol. Histopathologically, suppurative meningoencephalitis and perineuritis were detected. As SGG has been isolated solely from a cow with mastitis in Japan, this is the first SGG infection in a calf with suppurative meningoencephalitis and perineuritis in this country.     

Effects of pre-feeding of a corn silage-based supplement on the feed intake, milk production and nitrogen utilization of grazing dairy cows

Four Holstein cows were used to determine the effect of timing of the feeding of a corn silage (CS)‐based supplement on the feed intake, milk production and nitrogen utilization of grazing dairy cows. The cows were fed the supplement 2 h before grazing (pre‐grazing) or immediately after grazing (post‐grazing). Cows were grazed for 5 h per day under a rotational grazing system. There was no difference in the herbage and total feed intake between treatments. The milk protein yield for pre‐grazing tended to be higher than that for post‐grazing, whereas the milk yield did not differ between treatments. The total nitrogen intake for pre‐grazing tended to be higher than that for post‐grazing (P = 0.06). There was no difference in the urinary nitrogen output between treatments, whereas the proportion of urinary nitrogen output : total nitrogen intake for pre‐grazing tended to be lower than that for post‐grazing (P = 0.06). The milk nitrogen output and nitrogen retention for pre‐grazing tended to be higher than that for post‐grazing (milk nitrogen, P = 0.06; nitrogen retention, P = 0.05). Nitrogen utilization of grazing dairy cows was improved by feeding a CS‐based supplement before grazing.     

Effects of growth and dietary crude protein level until first insemination on milk production during first lactation in Holstein heifers

To decrease the age at first calving in Holsteins, the effects of average daily body weight gain (ADG) and crude protein (CP) level until first insemination on growth performance and milk production were examined. The MM group had a target ADG of 0.75 kg and received a diet with a CP level of 14%. The HM and HH groups had a target ADG of 1 kg; both these groups received a diet with CP levels 14% and 16%, respectively. The ADG in the HM and HH groups was 1.1 kg, whereas in the MM group it was 0.97 kg (P < 0.01). The HM and HH groups showed no differences in withers height at body weight 350 kg. The ages at first calving in MM, HM and HH groups were 23.1, 21.0 and 21.8 months, respectively. The HM and HH groups had lower milk yield at day 305 than the MM group (P < 0.01). These results suggest that growth performance until first insemination should be maintained at an ADG of 0.97 kg or less with a CP level of approximately 14%, to shorten time until first insemination and prevent the decrease of milk yield.     

Influence of medetomidine on stress-related neurohormonal and metabolic effects caused by butorphanol, fentanyl, and ketamine administration in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To examine stress-related neurohormonal and metabolic effects of butorphanol, fentanyl, and ketamine administration alone and in combination with medetomidine in dogs. ANIMALS: 10 Beagles. PROCEDURE: 5 dogs received either butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg), fentanyl (0.01 mg/kg), or ketamine (10 mg/kg) IM in a crossover design. Another 5 dogs received either medetomidine (0.02 mg/kg) and butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg), medetomidine and fentanyl (0.01 mg/kg), medetomidine and ketamine (10 mg/kg), or medetomidine and saline (0.9% NaCI) solution (0.1 mL/kg) in a similar design. Blood samples were obtained for 6 hours following the treatments. Norepinephrine, epinephrine, cortisol, glucose, insulin, and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were determined in plasma. RESULTS: Administration of butorphanol, fentanyl, and ketamine caused neurohormonal and metabolic changes similar to stress, including increased plasma epinephrine, cortisol, and glucose concentrations. The hyperglycemic effect of butorphanol was not significant. Ketamine caused increased norepinephrine concentration. Epinephrine concentration was correlated with glucose concentration in the butorphanol and fentanyl groups but not in the ketamine groups, suggesting an important difference between the mechanisms of the hyperglycemic effects of these drugs. Medetomidine prevented most of these effects except for hyperglycemia. Plasma glucose concentrations were lower in the combined sedation groups than in the medetomidine-saline solution group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Opioids or ketamine used alone may cause changes in stress-related biochemical variables in plasma. Medetomidine prevented or blunted these changes. Combined sedation provided better hormonal and metabolic stability than either component alone. We recommend using medetomidine-butorphanol or medetomidine-ketamine combinations for sedation or anesthesia of systemically healthy dogs.     

Cathepsin gene expression in mouse placenta during the latter half of pregnancy

Gene expressions and their interaction are complex and have not been definitely clarified in the placenta. To identify interactions of gene products previously not studied, we applied cDNA subtraction analyses to the placenta between days 12 and 16, days 12 and 14, days 14 and 16 of pregnancy. Among subtracted cDNAs cathepsin M, Q and R in PECs were specifically identified on days 14 and 16 pregnancy. All of these gene expressions exhibited a similar pattern to the mPL-II gene expression determined by northern blot and RT-PCR analyses. By means of in situ hybridization, these mRNAs were localized in the basal and labyrinth zones of the placenta on day 16 of pregnancy. Double staining studies of cathepsin Q or cathepsin R mRNA by in situ hybridization followed by immunohistochemical staining of mPL-II in the same section revealed that signals for cathepsin Q and cathepsin R mRNAs were colocalized in mPL-II immunopositive trophoblast cells in the basal and labyrinth zones of the placenta on day 16 of pregnancy. Possible association of cathepsins with mPL-II may play important roles in placental functions during the latter half of pregnancy in mice.     

Optimization of a Chemiluminescent Dot-Blot Immunoassay for Detection of Potato Viruses

Vegetative propagation of potato leads to virus accumulation, resulting in significant yield losses and reduced quality. Virus identification is critical for developing disease management strategies and measuring seed lot health. The most widely used method of virus diagnosis in seed potatoes is a post-harvest test, for which the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is often used. ELISA was previously modified by substituting microtiter plates with membranes to develop a more flexible and inexpensive assay. We optimized a dot-blot immunoassay with viral proteins bound to a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane and detection of the proteins with alkaline phosphatase-labeled antibodies and a chemiluminescence reagent. The assay was tested for detection of viruses of seven genera. We have also altered the assay by spotting an antibody array onto a PVDF membrane and tested it for its potential uses as a diagnostic tool for Potato virus Y, Hosta virus X, and Potato leafroll virus.     

Report of a serological study of Coxiella burnetii in domestic animals in Albania

The prevalence of Coxiella burnetii antibodies in domestic ruminants in Albania has been investigated. A total of 1656 serum samples taken from sheep, goats, and cattle housed on farms located in 20 different districts were tested by ELISA for the presence of specific antibodies to C. burnetii phase I and II antigens. Specific IgG antibodies were detected in 9.1% of the animals from both lowland and mountainous areas. In total, a slightly higher percentage of antibodies was detected in sheep and goats (9.8%) than in cattle (7.9%).