Percutaneous ultrasound-guided over-the-wire catheterization of the portal and hepatic vessels in cattle

A new method for catheterization of the portal and hepatic veins in cattle by means of the over-the-wire system was investigated to maintain more reliable long-term patency of catheters. Four cattle were used to evaluate the success rate, patency and safety of the procedure. The catheters, coated by urokinase were patent as long as they were in situ. In addition, the introducer was useful to prevent the catheter from being broken. No complications developed during the10 days after the procedure. Two cows were then euthanized. Post mortem findings were minimal. The results of the study reported here are promising, the benefits are significant and there is no apparent disadvantage to its use.     

Diagnostic ultrasonography in cattle with abdominal fat necrosis

This study describes the ultrasonographic findings in 14 cows with abdominal fat necrosis. Ultrasonography of the abdomen revealed the presence of heterogeneous hyperechoic masses and hyperechoic omentum with localized masses floating in a hypoechoic peritoneal fluid. A hyperechogenic rim was imaged around both kidneys. The intestines were coated with hyperechoic capsules and the intestinal lumens were constricted. Ultrasonographic examination of the pancreatic parenchyma showed an overall increased echogenicity which was homogenously distributed in 3 cases. A diagnosis of abdominal fat necrosis was made with ultrasound-guided biopsy of the echogenic masses, and thereafter at postmortem examination. Results from this study demonstrate the efficacy of ultrasonography as an imaging modality for antemortem diagnosis of abdominal lipomatosis in cattle. To the authors' knowledge, this study is the first that illustrates ultrasonographic findings in cattle affected with abdominal lipomatosis.     

Echo-guided studies on portal and hepatic blood in cattle

The objectives of the present study were (1) to establish and maintain catheters non-surgically in the portal and hepatic veins of cattle for long-term monitoring of postprandially absorbed metabolites, and (2) to assess the safety of the technique used. Aspiration and catheterization were not performed if there was risk of bleeding, as determined by hemostatic data and enlargement of portal and hepatic veins. In five Holstein cattle, before and 60-min after feeding, percutaneous ultrasound-guided aspiration of portal and hepatic blood, together with jugular blood, was performed utilizing 17G x 17.5 cm needles. Concentration of ammonia nitrogen tended to be higher after feeding, but that of urea nitrogen and glucose were not significantly changed. In five other Holstein cows liver veins were catheterized with 14 x 16.5 cm guide-needles attached with 50 cm polyethylene tubes and blood samples were collected from portal, hepatic and jugular veins at 30-min intervals for 4.5 hr. The concentration of plasma acetate and 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-HB) were significantly increased after feeding, while that of lactate was not changed. Catheters in the portal and hepatic veins enabled the collection of blood samples up to 15 days (mean, 7 days). After a 7-day observation period, five cows were euthanised and necropsied. Changes in the intercostal musculature, peritoneum and liver were negligible. During the observation period, clinical profiles, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and total and differential WBC counts were within normal ranges.     

Fatty acid profiles in relation to triglyceride level in the liver of dairy cows

To elucidate possible relationships between triglyceride (TG) levels and fatty acid composition in bovine liver, hepatic TG and seven individual fatty acids were measured in 23 Holstein dairy cows, of them 6 are healthy. Liver TG level was greater than 3 % in 12 cows which were ruled fatty liver. Palmitic and oleic acid proportions were significantly higher in fatty liver cows than in the healthy cows, while stearic acid was lower in fatty liver cows. With increased liver TG, stearic acid proportions decreased dramatically. Results indicate that hepatic lipidosis markedly alters the proportions of the various fatty acids in the liver of dairy cows.     

Echocardiographic measurement of cardiac valvular thickness in healthy cows,cows with bacterial endocarditis,and cows with cardiorespiratory diseases

ObjectiveTo determine valvular thickness in healthy cows, cows with bacterial endocarditis, and cows with various cardiorespiratory diseases.Animals40 healthy Holstein adult cows (CONTROL), 6 adult cows with confirmed bacterial endocarditis (BE), and 10 cows with other cardiorespiratory disorders (NONBE).MethodsProspective study using right transthoracic echocardiographic examination in CONTROL, BE and NONBE cows. The valvular thicknesses of all cows were assessed in four different locations for all cardiac valves, and the maximal value was used for further analysis.ResultsThe mean [±standard deviation (SD)] maximal thicknesses of the tricuspid, mitral, aortic, and pulmonary valves in the CONTROL group were 0.69 ± 0.10 cm, 0.85 ± 0.21 cm, 0.72 ± 0.17 cm, and 0.58 ± 0.12 cm, respectively. The maximal valvular thicknesses were less than 0.97 cm for the tricuspid, less than 0.91 cm for pulmonary, less than 1.05 cm for the aortic, and less than 1.28 cm for the mitral. In BE cows, the maximal valvular thickness of affected valves (median: 4.22 cm; range: 2.52–6.97 cm) and non affected valves (median: 0.75 cm; range: 0.45–1.52 cm) were significantly different (P = 0.0004). The maximal valvular thicknesses of the NONBE valves as well as the unaffected valves in the BE group were not significantly different compared to the CONTROL group valves.ConclusionsUsing the mean ± 2SD formula for each valve in healthy cows, a thickness of tricuspid, mitral, aortic or pulmonary valves greater than 0.85 cm, 1.27 cm, 1.06 cm or 0.82 cm respectively should raise the suspicion of valvular bacterial endocarditis.     

Changes of very low-density lipoprotein concentration in hepatic blood from cows with fasting-induced hepatic lipidosis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) components in hepatic blood (HB) from 5 nonlactating nonpregnant cows fasted from days 0 to 3 and subsequently refed to day 10 and, in addition, to assess those of other lipoproteins. Increased phospholipid concentrations in each lipoprotein after the start of fasting suggested their availability for the surface lipids of lipoproteins. Although the VLDL-triglyceride (TG) concentration in HB from all cows increased on day 1, the value on day 4 became similar to that on day 0. However, the concentration on day 10 was significantly increased. In all cows, the decreased ratio of the VLDL-TG concentration in HB to the non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration in portal blood (PB) on day 4 appeared to reflect relatively decreased secretion of TG as VLDL by NEFA excessively mobilized to the liver via PB. The markedly increased ratio on day 10 was considered to contribute to the improvement of hepatic lipidosis.     

The effect of the physico-chemical stability of emulsions of an ester of 2, 4-D on their biological activity

The phytotoxicity of oil-in-water emulsions containing the ‘iso-octyl’ ester of 2, 4-D [(2, 4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid], prepared by the dilution of emulsifiable concentrates, to Phaseolus vulgaris, was found to be independent of the surfactant concentration (‘Synperonic NPE 1800’ + ‘Ethoduomeen T20’) and of the emulsion stability. Moreover, spray retention was also independent of the surfactant concentration within the range studied (0.01-150 g litre^?1); this could be accounted for in terms of the energetic processes involved during impaction, and the subsequent adhesion of the spray droplets to the target surface. However, the independence of the phytotoxicity of the surfactant concentration and emulsion stability was not expected, and some tentative explanations are given for these results.     

Decreases in serum apolipoprotein C-III concentration in cows with ethionine-induced fatty liver

To monitor the serum concentration of apolipoprotein C-III (apoC-III), one of the functional apoproteins in lipid metabolism, in cows with ethionine-induced fatty liver, and to investigate the association of apoC-III with liver triglyceride (TG) content and serum biochemical variables, seven nonpregnant nonlactating Holstein cows (3 to 6 years old) were used. Five cows were treated with ethionine, an analogue of methionine, (days 0, 7 and 14). The remaining two controls received saline as the vehicle. Liver TG contents in the treated cows were increased markedly whenever administered, and significant increases were observed at days 14 (666.4%, 85.3 mg/g) and 21 (675.0%, 86.4 mg/g) compared with day 0. In controls, no significant changes in liver TG content and serum biochemical variables were observed during this experiment. The serum apoC-III concentration in the treated cows was decreased drastically after the first administration and fell to the lowest value at day 10 (76.2 microg/ml, 32% of day 0). The apoC-III was significantly (p<0.05) correlated with non-esterified fatty acids (r= -0.526), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (r= -0.407), total bilirubin (r= -0.464), positively with apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100, r=0.601) and cholesterol ester (r=0.449). Although apoB-100 concentrations were also reduced by the administrations, the concentrations tended to recover smoothly toward the next administration. The distinct difference in change between apoC-III and apoB-100 suggests that apoC-III may be regulated by other pathways, in addition to inhibiting the synthesis of apoproteins by ethionine.     

Tetralogy of Fallot in a calf: clinical, ultrasonographic, laboratory and postmortem findings

A 6-month-old female Holstein calf was referred with a history of respiratory distress, anorexia and dehydration. When first examined, a loud harsh murmur was clearly audible from both sides of the thorax. Two-dimensional echocardiography demonstrated a markedly dilated right ventricle and right atrium, hypertrophied myocardium, prominent papillary muscles and a thickened interventricular septum (IVS). A large-sized ventricular septal defect was imaged at the top of the IVS. The aorta was dextrally located and overriding both ventricles. The diagnosis was confirmed as tetralogy of fallot on postmortem examination.