奶牛难产激发应激性急性肾上腺皮质功能不全——心衰、水电解质严重失调辩析

应激性急性肾上腺皮质功能不全症的病理机制十分复杂,目前人医的各类文献中大都以“垂体—肾上腺轴”功能不全、功能衰竭、或发生广泛性出血坏死性病演作解释。本病在奶牛分娩难产过程中并不少见,病牛的症状表现以心衰和失钠性低血症为主征。但在兽医临床上由于认识不足,曾有不少中外学者将奶牛产后卧地不起的各类疾病,含糊地统称为“母牛睡倒爬不起来综合征”;更由于救治不当,病牛常以淘汰或死亡告终。本文通过对一具体典型病例辨析,着重讨论了本病的基本病理反应和确立诊断依据,强调对本病救护施治时应遵循的基本原则,供同道们在分析和解决这一实际问题时参考。     

Effect of live weight and dietary supplement of raw potato starch on the levels of skatole, androstenone, testosterone and oestrone sulphate in entire male pigs

This study evaluated the effect of supplement of raw potato starch (RPS) on the levels of skatole, androstenone, testosterone and oestrone sulphate in plasma from entire male pigs. The study also evaluated relationships between plasma levels of skatole and testicular steroids at three different live weights (LW) of approximately 90, 100 and 115 kg. A total of 111 entire male pigs of a crossbred (Yorkshire dams×Swedish Landrace sires) were used. Animals were raised either in mixed pens, with females and males, or single-sex pens. Each pen contained seven or nine pigs. The most fast-growing three pigs from the pens with nine pigs were slaughtered when they reached 90 kg LW, and the remaining pigs were slaughtered at 115 kg LW. All pigs were fed the same commercial diet until the average pen weight reached 100 kg. Then, 33 out of 80 remaining pigs received RPS, 0.6 kg per pig and day, for 2 weeks prior to slaughter. Blood samples were taken from the pigs at three occasions: first, the day prior to first slaughter occasion, low-weight group; second, the day prior to change in diet, middle-weight group; and third, the day prior to second slaughter occasion, high-weight group. Plasma was analysed for the levels of skatole, androstenone, testosterone and oestrone sulphate. Fat samples were taken at slaughter and analysed for the levels of skatole and androstenone. The levels of skatole and testicular steroids in plasma were significantly higher in entire male pigs from the high-weight group fed no RPS compared to those from low- and middle-weight groups. The levels of the investigated compounds did not differ between low- and middle-weight groups (P>0.1). The diet with RPS induced a decline in skatole levels in plasma and fat (P<0.001), but not plasma levels of testicular steroids and fat levels of androstenone (P>0.05). Skatole levels were positively correlated to testosterone and oestrone sulphate levels in the middle- and high-weight pigs fed no RPS as well as to testosterone in the low-weight group. In the high-weight group fed RPS, skatole levels were not correlated to any of the analysed compounds. Approximately 26% of the entire male pigs (11 out of 43) from the high-weight group fed no RPS produced skatole levels in fat above 0.20 μg/g, whereas the pigs from the low- and high-weight group fed RPS did not produce skatole levels above 0.20 μg/g in fat. Androstenone levels in fat were high in all groups. In total 47% (52 out of 111) pigs expressed androstenone levels above the rejection levels in fat of 1.0 μg/g and 88% (98 out of 111) had androstenone levels above 0.5 μg/g. It was concluded that a lower slaughter weight and the supplement of raw potato starch to the diet could be used to reduce skatole levels in entire male pigs. Androstenone levels in fat, however, could not be reduced by either a lower weight at slaughter or dietary manipulation.     

Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction: current understanding and recommendations from the Australian and New Zealand Equine Endocrine Group

The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the current knowledge and opinions about the epidemiology, clinical findings (including sequelae), diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, particularly in the Australian context. This information and the recommendations provided will assist practitioners in making informed decisions regarding the diagnosis and management of this disorder.     

Role of chlorogenic acid in endothelial dysfunction in db/db mice

AIM: To explore the effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on endothelial dysfunction in db/db mice and the possible mechanism. METHODS: Male db/db mice (n=12) were divided into control group and CGA group, with 6 mice in each group. The mice in CGA group were treated with diet containing 0.02% CGA, while the mice in control group were given normal diet only. The observation period was 12 weeks. Fasting blood glucose level, tail blood pressure and the body weight were analyzed each week. At the end of the 12th week, the mice were anesthetized and blood was taken from carotid artery. The plasma levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), catalase (CAT), NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1 (NQO1) and glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1) were measured by ELISA. The mouse aortas were isolated, and the superoxide anion and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured by DHE and DAF-2 DA staining, respectively. Wire Myograph System was used to detect the vasorelaxation of db/db mouse aorta. The protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), phosphorylated endothelial NO synthase (p-eNOS), P22^phox and P47^phox were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Dietary CGA decreased fasting blood glucose and body weight in db/db mice as compared with control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The plasma levels of HO-1, CAT, NQO1 and GPx-1 in CGA group were higher than those in control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Administration of CGA for 12 weeks attenuated superoxide anion level, increased NO level in the mouse endothelium and improved endothelium-dependent relaxation of the db/db mouse aorta. CGA also increased the protein levels of PPARα, Nrf2, p-AMPK and p-eNOS, and decreased P22^phox and P47^phox levels (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Dietary CGA improves db/db mouse endothelium-dependent relaxation. This effect may be related to the increases in the levels of antioxidant molecules PPARα, Nrf2 and p-AMPK, and the up-regulation of antioxidant capacity, thus decreasing the oxidative stress, promoting eNOS phosphorylation, and increasing NO level.     

Carbon monoxide toxicity: a case series

Objective: To describe diagnostics, therapy, and sequelae of acute carbon monoxide (CO) toxicity because of a motor vehicle generator in 4 dogs and 2 cats. Series summary: Four dogs and 2 cats presented for recumbency, disorientation, dyspnea, and stiffness after an estimated 6–8 hour exposure to exhaust from a generator. Diagnostics included a serum carboxyhemoglobin levels evaluation, arterial blood gas analysis, pulse oximetry readings, and blood pressure measurements. Initial therapy included oxygen (O₂) administration, intravenous bronchodilators, fluids, and a hemoglobin‐based O₂ carrying (HBOC) molecule. Following administration of the HBOC, 4 of the 6 animals showed dramatic clinical improvement. Two weeks after hospital discharge, the owner reported potential hearing deficits in all animals. Brain auditory evoked response (BAER) tests were conducted in all surviving animals and some degree of hearing impairment was documented in all cases, with complete clinical resolution noted 6 weeks later. Unique information provided: This report describes the therapeutic use of an HBOC in acute isolated CO toxicity (i.e. without the complications of smoke inhalation). In addition, delayed nervous system dysfunction was documented in all surviving animals.