Effect of aglepristone (RU534) administration during follicular phase on progesterone, estradiol-17ß and LH serum concentrations in bitches.

Aglepristone was administered in bitches during the follicular phase to evaluate its effects on progesterone, estradiol-17ß and LH serum concentrations. Ten German Shepherds were divided into two groups (treated n = 5; control n = 5). Treated bitches received 10 mg/kg BW of aglepristone subcutaneously during the early follicular phase, 24 hr after and then 7 days later. The control group was injected, at the same time periods, with saline solution (0.3 ml/kg BW). For the steroid evaluations, blood was collected daily from the onset of proestrus until the first day of cytological dioestrus. For LH base-line serum determination, blood was also collected every 20 min for 2 hr at the onset of proestrus. For LH surge identification, blood was collected daily (every 6 hr) starting from the day of the first administration of aglepristone or saline solution until the first day of dioestrus. All animals ovulated but the treated group presented longer ovulation-dioestrus intervals than the control group (5.2 ± 2.2 days p < .05). Serum concentrations of the evaluated hormones were similar between experimental animals except for serum LH. Indeed, no LH peaks were detected in the treated group while LH surges were clearly observed in the control group (9 ± 1 days after the beginning of proestrus. In particular, the area under the curve for LH was significantly lower in treated than control animals (12 ± 4 ng/ml x Day; p = .01). In conclusion, administrations of aglepristone during the follicular phase of the bitch does not affect the steroid hormone patterns but does prevent the occurrence of a LH surge. This work raises significant questions and opens perspectives concerning the mechanisms of ovulation in bitches.

A simulated avalanche search and rescue mission induces temporary physiological and behavioural changes in military dogs.

Saving human lives is of paramount importance in avalanche rescue missions. Avalanche military dogs represent an invaluable resource in these operations. However, their performance can be influenced by several environmental, social and transport challenges. If too severe, these are likely to activate a range of responses to stress, which might put at risk the dogs' welfare. The aim of this study was to assess the physiological and behavioural responses of a group of military dogs to a Simulated Avalanche Search and Rescue mission (SASR). Seventeen avalanche dogs from the Italian Military Force Guardia di Finanza (SAGF dogs) were monitored during a simulated search for a buried operator in an artificial avalanche area (SASR). Heart rate (HR), body temperature (RBT) and blood samples were collected at rest the day before the trial (T0), immediately after helicopter transport at the onset of the SASR (T1), after the discovery of the buried operator (T2) and 2h later (T3). Heart rate (HR), rectal body temperature (RBT), cortisol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured. During the search mission the behaviour of each SAGF dog was measured by focal animal sampling and qualitatively assessed by its handler and two observers. Inter-rater agreement was evaluated. Snow and environmental variables were also measured. All dogs successfully completed their search for the buried, simulated victim within 10min. The SASR was shown to exert significant increases on RBT, NEFA and cortisol (P<0.001), CK and HR (P<0.01), AST and LDH (P<0.05). These indicate the activation of a response to stress probably induced by the addition of factors such as helicopter transport, disembarking, and the search and rescue exercise. However, changes were moderate and limited over time, progressively decreasing with complete recovery at T3 except for sera cortisol that showed a slightly slower decline. More time walking within the search was related to lower RBT, conversely to walking. Standing still with head up and exploring with head-up were inversely related with HR. Agreement between handler and observers' opinions on a dog's search mission ability was found only for motivation, signalling behaviour, signs of stress and possessive reward playing. More time signalling was related to shorter search time. In conclusion, despite extreme environmental and training conditions only temporary physiological and behavioural changes were recorded in the avalanche dogs. Their excellent performance in successful simulated SASR may be attributable to extensive training and good dog-handler relationships. Simulated SASR did not seem to impair SAGF dogs' performance or welfare.