Association between vitamin D and malignant mammary tumors in obese female dogs

Overweight and obesity are known risk factors that are involved in the development and aggressiveness of breast tumors in women. In situations of obesity, local and systemic inflammation may worsen the prognosis of oncological patients. Moreover, hypovitaminosis D increases the risk of breast tumors in women. In female dogs, low vitamin D levels have been found in cases of lymphoma, osteosarcoma and mast cell tumor. The present study aimed to make correlations between body fat composition and serum 25(OH)D concentration in female dogs with mammary tumors. Two experimental groups were formed: healthy female dogs (n = 12; control group) and female dogs with mammary tumors (n = 11). An analysis on body composition was performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) equipment. In the tumor group, multicentric nodules were most prevalent (63,6%), with diameters of up to 8.2 cm. The most frequent histopathological diagnosis was tubular carcinoma (45.5%), and 9.1% presented metastases in axillary lymph nodes. The mean 25(OH)D concentration in the female dogs with mammary tumors (37.6 ng mL-1) was lower than the level in the control group (65.4 ng mL-1). Multivariate statistical analysis showed that elderly female dogs with malignant mammary tumors and high body fat levels presented lower 25(OH)D concentrations than those of the control group. It was concluded that female dogs with higher body adiposity presented mammary tumors of higher aggressivity, and that the higher the fat percentage was in the female dogs with malignant mammary tumors, the lower their vitamin D concentration was.(AU)

Sheep urinary tract architecture is not affected by acute urethral obstruction / A arquitetura do trato urinário de ovinos não é afetada pela obstrução uretral aguda

Urolithiasis affects the urinary tract of small ruminants, thereby requiring the animal to prematurely terminate breeding. Morphometric study of organs can be used as a diagnostic method. Thus, this study aimed to describe the macroscopic, histopathological, and histomorphometric changes in the urinary tract of sheep with urolithiasis. For this purpose, 14 healthy male Santa Inês sheep, approximately 90 days old, were studied and fed an experimental diet. After the development of urolithiasis, the animals were reorganized into two groups, D1 (without urolithiasis) and D2 (with urolithiasis) for comparative data analysis. Sheep were necropsied to evaluate the pathological changes, followed by macroscopic morphometric analysis, and the histopathological and histomorphometric characteristics were described. Urethral necrosis and a full urinary bladder were observed in all animals that developed the disease. The comparison between sheep with and without urolithiasis showed no significant difference (P < 0.05) in the evaluated macroscopic morphometric variables, except for the right ureter width. Regarding the histopathological evaluation, multifocal areas of mild to moderate congestion within the glomerular tufts and protein in the tubular lumen of the kidneys were observed. In the liver, mild to moderate fatty degeneration was noted in the centrolobular regions, and an ulcerated focal area in the bladder mucosa was observed in only one animal. The present study demonstrated that the formulated diet was effective in inducing clinical disease. In acute obstructive urolithiasis in sheep tissue, lesions in the liver and urinary tract were observed, although there were no significant histomorphometric changes.(AU)

Urolitíase acomete o trato urinário de pequenos ruminantes causando a saída prematura de animais destinados à reprodução. O estudo morfométrico dos órgãos pode ser empregado como método de auxílio diagnóstico. Assim, este estudo objetivou descrever as alterações macroscópicas, histopatológicas e histomorfométricas do trato urinário de ovinos com urolitíase. Com esse fim, foram utilizados 14 ovinos hígidos, machos, da raça Santa Inês com idade aproximada de 90 dias, que receberam dieta experimental. Após o desenvolvimento da urolitíase os animais foram reorganizados em dois grupos experimentais distintos D1 (sem urolitíase) e D2 (com urolitíase) para a análise comparada dos dados. Os ovinos foram necropsiados para descrição das alterações patológicas, seguindo-se a análise morfométrica macroscópica e descrição quanto as características histopatológicas e histomorfométricas. Necrose de processo uretral e bexiga urinária repleta foram observados em todos os animais que desenvolveram a doença. Na comparação entre os ovinos com e sem urolitíase não houve diferença significativa (P < 0,05) nas variáveis morfométricas macroscópicas avaliadas, a exceção da largura do ureter direito. Quanto à avaliação histopatológica, foram observadas áreas multifocais de discreta a moderada congestão dos tufos glomerulares e proteína no lúmen tubular nos rins. No fígado, observou-se nas regiões centrolobulares, discreta a moderada degeneração gordurosa e apenas em um animal foi observada, macro e microscopicamente, área focal ulcerada na mucosa da bexiga. Os achados da presente pesquisa demonstraram que a dieta formulada foi eficaz na indução da doença clínica. Na urolitíase obstrutiva aguda em ovinos, lesões teciduais em fígado e trato urinário são observadas, mas não há alterações histomorfométricas significativas.(AU)

Predictive elements of obstructive urolithiasis in sheep

Background: Urolithiasis is an economically important disease that has considerable significance for sheep farming.With the tissue and biochemical changes resulting from the development of this disease, metabolic disorders and immuneresponse are established. Hemogasometric evaluation allows the identification of systemic acid-base imbalances quickly.Acute phase proteins (APP) have in the last two decades had become the biomarkers of choice in human and veterinarymedicine. To date, no biomarker studies have been published for sheep with obstructive urolithiasis. Thus, this studyaimed to analyze the hemogasometric kinetics in obstructive urolithiasis in sheep and the APP that can be used as earlybiomarkers in this disease.Materials, Methods & Results: In this study, 14 healthy male Santa Inês sheep, aged approximately 90 days, were fed oncalculogenic diet for 120 days. The sheep were examined weekly to observe the clinical signs. Blood and urine analysiswere also performed. For comparative analysis purposes, at the end of the experiment, sheep that developed obstructiveurolithiasis were extracted from the initial experimental group D1 (without urolithiasis) and moved to the second experimental group D2 (with urolithiasis). In the pre-experimental period and on the day of slaughter, venous blood was sampledfor hemogasometric tests, with a maximum time of 15 minutes between collection and analysis to ensure the reliability ofthe results obtained. The pH, pCO2, pO2, EB, tCO2, HCO3-, stHCO3-, tHb, sO2 and Hct, Na+, K+ and Ca2+ ions were quantified. To identify and measure immunoglobulins (A and G) and APP, samples from sheep that developed obstructive urolithiasis (D2) were analyzed. Blood samples were harvested weekly until the clinical...

Predictive elements of obstructive urolithiasis in sheep

Background: Urolithiasis is an economically important disease that has considerable significance for sheep farming.With the tissue and biochemical changes resulting from the development of this disease, metabolic disorders and immuneresponse are established. Hemogasometric evaluation allows the identification of systemic acid-base imbalances quickly.Acute phase proteins (APP) have in the last two decades had become the biomarkers of choice in human and veterinarymedicine. To date, no biomarker studies have been published for sheep with obstructive urolithiasis. Thus, this studyaimed to analyze the hemogasometric kinetics in obstructive urolithiasis in sheep and the APP that can be used as earlybiomarkers in this disease.Materials, Methods & Results: In this study, 14 healthy male Santa Inês sheep, aged approximately 90 days, were fed oncalculogenic diet for 120 days. The sheep were examined weekly to observe the clinical signs. Blood and urine analysiswere also performed. For comparative analysis purposes, at the end of the experiment, sheep that developed obstructiveurolithiasis were extracted from the initial experimental group D1 (without urolithiasis) and moved to the second experimental group D2 (with urolithiasis). In the pre-experimental period and on the day of slaughter, venous blood was sampledfor hemogasometric tests, with a maximum time of 15 minutes between collection and analysis to ensure the reliability ofthe results obtained. The pH, pCO2, pO2, EB, tCO2, HCO3-, stHCO3-, tHb, sO2 and Hct, Na+, K+ and Ca2+ ions were quantified. To identify and measure immunoglobulins (A and G) and APP, samples from sheep that developed obstructive urolithiasis (D2) were analyzed. Blood samples were harvested weekly until the clinical...(AU)

Clinical and biochemical profile of obstructive urolithiasis in sheep

Background: Urolithiasis is a metabolic disease of complex and multifactorial etiology, characterized by uroliths formation in the urinary system. It becomes clinically important when obstruction occurs, with little chance of reversal of the situation, and prevention is the best option for maintaining the integrity of the reproductive capacity. For this, the aim of this research was to know the clinical and biochemical profile of urolithiasis and predict the evolution of the disease in Santa Ines sheep breed fed with calculogenic diet, as well as to evaluate the prevention potential of vitamin C. Materials, Methods & Results: In this study, 14 healthy male Santa Ines sheep, aged approximately 90 days, were divided into two groups (G1- without vitamin C and G2 - with vitamin C, 1 g/dayly/orally) fed on calculogenic diet for 120 days. The animals were examined weekly, including observation of clinical signs, and blood and urine analysis were performed. Final leukogram revealed leukocytosis by neutrophilia in G2. There was aciduria in 57.14% (G1) and 71.43% (G2) and the presence of blood cells, bacteria and sperm to the urinary sediment. There were hyperproteinemia and proteinuria, but no significant elevation in serum albumin and globulin, urea and creatinine concentrations. Urine urea remained high. Serum uric acid was higher in M15 and M16, although inferior to those obtained in urine. No hyperglycemia was reported and urine concentrations remained stable over time, with a peak observed at M16. Serum AST presented a significant increase in M12 and M13, but returned to normal just after. Urine revealed significant turbidity and density changes for G1 and G2. Haematuria was observed in G1 and G2; however, changes in color and odor were evidenced only in G2. It was verified that, although most of the animals presented aciduria, 42.86% of G1 and 28.57% of G2 presented alkaline urinary pH.[...]

Clinical and biochemical profile of obstructive urolithiasis in sheep

Background: Urolithiasis is a metabolic disease of complex and multifactorial etiology, characterized by uroliths formation in the urinary system. It becomes clinically important when obstruction occurs, with little chance of reversal of the situation, and prevention is the best option for maintaining the integrity of the reproductive capacity. For this, the aim of this research was to know the clinical and biochemical profile of urolithiasis and predict the evolution of the disease in Santa Ines sheep breed fed with calculogenic diet, as well as to evaluate the prevention potential of vitamin C. Materials, Methods & Results: In this study, 14 healthy male Santa Ines sheep, aged approximately 90 days, were divided into two groups (G1- without vitamin C and G2 - with vitamin C, 1 g/dayly/orally) fed on calculogenic diet for 120 days. The animals were examined weekly, including observation of clinical signs, and blood and urine analysis were performed. Final leukogram revealed leukocytosis by neutrophilia in G2. There was aciduria in 57.14% (G1) and 71.43% (G2) and the presence of blood cells, bacteria and sperm to the urinary sediment. There were hyperproteinemia and proteinuria, but no significant elevation in serum albumin and globulin, urea and creatinine concentrations. Urine urea remained high. Serum uric acid was higher in M15 and M16, although inferior to those obtained in urine. No hyperglycemia was reported and urine concentrations remained stable over time, with a peak observed at M16. Serum AST presented a significant increase in M12 and M13, but returned to normal just after. Urine revealed significant turbidity and density changes for G1 and G2. Haematuria was observed in G1 and G2; however, changes in color and odor were evidenced only in G2. It was verified that, although most of the animals presented aciduria, 42.86% of G1 and 28.57% of G2 presented alkaline urinary pH.[...](AU)

Avaliação do desenvolvimento da discondroplasia tibial em frangos de corte submetidos à dieta com 25 hidroxicolecalciferol / Evaluation of tibial dyschondroplasia development in broiler chickens fed diets containing 25 hydroxicolecalciferol

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desenvolvimento da discondroplasia tibial (DT) em frangos de corte de 1 ae fontes de vitamina D (1250UI D3/kg sem 25-(OH)D3; 1250UI D3/kg com 69mg 25-(OH)D3/ton e 3000UI D3/kg com 69mg 25-(OH)D3/ton) e dois tratamentos controles com níveis de cálcio e fósforo com 3000UI D3/kg sem 25-(OH)D3 e 3000UI D3/kg com 69mg 25-(OH)D3/ton de ração. Foram avaliadas características ósseas. No período de 1 a 21 dias, os resultados indicaram que as concentrações de cálcio e fósforo nas tíbias não foram influenciadas pelos tratamentos e que o consumo de ração foi superior para os tratamentos que compõem o fatorial. A resistência óssea também não foi influenciada pelos tratamentos e a análise histológica não evidenciou lesões características de DT. Conclui-se que, nas condições experimentais da presente pesquisa, o desenvolvimento de DT não foi observado.

This research was carried out to evaluate the development of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) in broilers from 1 to 21 days. Four hundred forty day-old male chickens, from broiler breeders aged 60-62 weeks, were randomly distributed in a 3x3+2 factorial arrangement, resulting in 11 treatments with four replicates of 10 birds each. The factors evaluated were: bird strains (Ross 308, Cobb 500, and Hybro), levels and sources of vitamin D (1250UI D3/kg without 25-(OH)D3; 1250UI D3/kg with 69mg 25-(OH)D3/ton, and 3000UI D3/kg with 69mg 25-(OH)D3/ton), and two control treatments containing calcium and phosphorus levels with 3000UI D3/kg without 25-(OH)D3 and 3000UI D3/kg with 69mg 25- (OH)D3/ton of feed. Bone characteristics were evaluated. From 1 to 21 days, the results showed that bone calcium and phosphorus concentrations were not influenced by the treatments, however, feed intake was higher for factorial than control treatments. Bone breaking resistance was not influenced by the treatments and there were no typical lesions of TD. In conclusion, it was not observed TD development in broilers from 1 to 21 days according to experimental procedures of this research.(AU)

Considerações biométricas do sistema respiratório de carcará (Polyborus plancus) / Biometric parameters of the respiratory system in the southern caracara

Neste trabalho, foram estudados os parâmetros biométricos das vísceras que compõem o sistema respiratório de oito carcarás de ambos os sexos, com pesos corpóreos e idades diferentes. As aves foram eutanasiadas, evisceradas e dissecadas. Em seguida os diferentes componentes do sistema respiratório foram estendidos em uma superfície plana, medidos com o auxílio de uma fita métrica em escala milimétrica e pesados em balança eletrônica de precisão. A análise estatística utilizada foi o teste T de Student com o nível de significância P≤0,05. Foi observado que, em carcarás fêmeas, o comprimento da laringe foi significativamente maior do que em carcarás machos. Além disso, a traquéia de carcarás fêmeas possui um menor comprimento do que a de galinha. Também foi observado que a relação entre o peso corpóreo e o peso da traquéia e do pulmão de carcarás é maior do que em Gallus gallus domesticus.(AU)

The biometric parameters of the internal guts that make up the respiratory system of eight Southern Caracara of both sexes, with different weights and ages were studied. The birds were sacrificed, dissected and the visceral components of the respiratory system were exposed into a plane surface. The length was measured with the support of a millimeter based measuring gauge, and the weight was obtained via electronic precision scale. For the purpose of statistical analysis the T Student test was used with a significance level of P≤0.05. The female Southern Caracara, larynx was significantly larger than in males. The trachea is small length than in chickens and that, the relationship between the corporal weight and the trachea and the lung's weight of the caracara are greater than the Gallus gallus domesticus.(AU)

Aspectos morfológicos do ciclo testicular anual de codorna doméstica (coturnix coturnix) da variedade italiana / Morphological features of the annual testicular cycle of quail (coturnix coturnix) of the Italian variety

A estrutura histológica do epitélio tubular seminífero e os valores do índice gonadossomático de codorna doméstica da variedade italiana, analisados em todas as estações do ano, permitiram caracterizar que a espermatocitogênese nesta ave tem ritmo constante durante a primavera, a fase mais ativa do ciclo testicular anual, o qual, aparentemente, não cessa durante o inverno e o verão. Por outro lado, uma fase quiescente do ciclo observou-se nos períodos inicial e médio do outono, quando a espermiogênese não se completava, levando à não formação de espermatozóides. Os eventos morfológicos testiculares observados parecem se repetir anualmente, durante as estações, sendo bem típica a quiescência outonal, o que permitiu caracterizar na codorna um padrão testicular cíclico circanual, em termos do ritmo da cinética da espermatogênese.(AU)

Structural features of the epididymal region of the domestic duck (Anas plathyrynchos) / Características estruturais da região epididimária do pato doméstico (Anas plathyrynchos)

The epididymal region of the domestic duck is composed by efferent ductules, whose histotopology was characterized by the proximal and distal ductules and sequentially by the epididymal duct. The epithelial lining of the efferent ductules was ciliated pseudostratified and formed by columnar cells. Also the ducts epididymidis epithelium was pseudostratified but non-ciliated. Concerning the histomorphometric analysis, the epithelial height mean was significantly greater in the distal efferent ductules, differing from the lower epithelium height mean observed in proximal efferent ductules and epididymal duct. The maximum and minimum diameter mean were significantly greater in the proximal efferent ductules, comparatively to the same diameter means of the other ductules. (AU)

A região epididimária do pato doméstico era composta pelos ductúlos eferentes, os quais hitotopologicamente foram caracterizados como dúctulos eferentes proximal e distal e, sequencialmente, pelo ducto epididimal. O epitélio dos dúctulos eferentes era pseudo-estratificado, formado por células colunares. O epitélio dos ductos epididimários mostrou-se também pseudo-estratificado, mas não ciliado. De acordo com as análises histomorfométricas, a média da altura epitelial foi significativamente maior nos dútulos esferentes distais, diferindo das baixas médias de altura epitelial observadas nos dúctulos eferentes proximais e ducto epididimal. A média dos diâmetros máximos e mínimos foi significativamente maior nos dúctulos eferentes proximais, comparativamente as médias dos mesmos diâmetros dos outros dúctulos. (AU)