Suspected malnutrition-induced reversible feline skin fragility syndrome in a cat with congenital axial deformities.

A stray cat, an intact female Japanese domestic shorthair cat of unknown age (suspected to be a young adult), was rescued. The cat was lethargic and thin and had marked skin fragility, delayed wound healing without skin hyperextensibility, and hind limb proprioceptive ataxia and paresis. Survey radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed congenital vertebral anomalies, including thoracolumbar transitional vertebrae, scoliosis resulting from a thoracic lateral wedge-shaped vertebra, and a kinked tail, and a dilated spinal cord central canal. Through nutritional support, the cat's general condition normalized, followed by a gradual and complete improvement of skin features. Whole-genome sequencing was completed; however, no pathogenic genetic variant was identified that could have caused this phenotype, including congenital scoliosis. A skin biopsy obtained 7 y after the rescue revealed no remarkable findings on histopathology or transmission electron microscopy. Based on clinical course and microscopic findings, malnutrition-induced reversible feline skin fragility syndrome (FSFS) was suspected, and nutritional support was considered to have improved the skin condition. Key clinical message: This is the second reported case of presumed malnutrition-induced reversible FSFS and was accompanied by long-term follow-up.

Syndrome de fragilité cutanée réversible induit par la malnutrition soupçonné chez un chat avec des difformités axiales congénitales. Un chat errant, une femelle intacte de race japonaise à poil court et d'âge inconnu (suspecté être une jeune adulte), a été secourue. La chatte était léthargique et maigre, et avait une fragilité marquée de la peau, un retard dans la guérison de plaies sans hyperextensibilité de la peau, et une ataxie proprioceptive et parésie des membres postérieurs. Des radiographies, un examen par tomodensitométrie, et de l'imagerie par résonnance magnétique ont révélé des anomalies congénitales des vertèbres, incluant des vertèbres transitionnelles thoraco-lombaires, une scoliose résultant d'une vertèbre thoracique en forme de coin, une queue pliée, et un canal central de la moelle épinière dilaté. Grâce à un soutien nutritionnel, la condition générale du chat s'est stabilisée, suivi d'une amélioration graduelle et complète des caractéristiques de la peau. Le séquençage du génome complet a été effectué; toutefois, aucune variation génétique pathogénique n'a été identifiée qui aurait pu causer ce phénotype, incluant la scoliose congénitale. Une biopsie cutanée obtenue 7 j après le sauvetage n'a révélé aucune trouvaille spéciale à l'histopathologie ou par microscopie électronique à transmission. Basé sur le déroulement clinique et l'examen microscopique, le syndrome de fragilité cutanée réversible félin induit par la malnutrition (FSFS) était suspecté, et le soutien nutritionnel a été considéré comme ayant amélioré la condition cutanée.Message clinique clé :Ce cas est le deuxième cas rapporté de FSFS induit par la malnutrition soupçonné et a fait l'objet d'un suivi à long terme.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Bone marrow iron scoring in healthy and clinically ill dogs with and without evidence of iron-restricted erythropoiesis.

BACKGROUND: There are few reports in dogs that have evaluated the utility of semi-quantitative scoring of bone marrow iron stores in conjunction with reticulocyte hemoglobin (CHr) to identify iron-restricted erythropoiesis due to absolute iron deficiency or iron sequestration. OBJECTIVES: An established system for scoring iron stores in human bone marrow samples was applied to dogs. The objectives were to evaluate interobserver agreement (Κω ), determine marrow iron scores in dogs without detectable hematologic abnormalities, and assess combined interpretation of iron scores and CHr to evaluate for iron-restricted erythropoiesis. METHODS: Four blinded observers independently scored iron in 139 Prussian blue-stained canine marrow samples from 0 (none) to 6 (very heavy), including healthy controls (n = 12), clinically ill dogs with (n = 100) and without (n = 16) detectable hematologic abnormalities, and dogs with experimental nutritional iron deficiency (n = 11). Additional medical record data were available for 118 dogs to evaluate for other evidence of iron deficiency (abnormal CHr, RBC indices, serum iron variables, external blood loss, or nutritional deficiencies). RESULTS: Mean Κω was 0.69 (substantial agreement) for all samples but was 0.44 (moderate agreement) for samples with iron scores <3, indicating distinguishing scores 0-2 may not be reliable. Dogs without detectable hematologic abnormalities had scores from 3-5. Dogs with scores <3 and decreased CHr often had more indicators of iron deficiency vs dogs only having low iron scores or low CHr. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of dogs with marrow iron score <3 for external blood loss or nutritional deficiencies is likely clinically worthwhile, particularly if there is also decreased CHr.

2022 ISFM Consensus Guidelines on Management of the Inappetent Hospitalised Cat.

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: Inappetence may have many origins and, as a presenting sign or observation in the hospitalised patient, is common in feline practice. Nutritional assessment of every patient is encouraged, to identify the need for, and appropriate type of, intervention indicated. The impact of malnutrition may be significant on the feline patient, perpetuating illness, delaying recovery, slowing wound healing and negatively impacting gut health and immunity. Delayed intervention may result in the cat's deterioration; hence prompt control of contributing factors such as the underlying illness, pain, nausea, ileus and stress is vital to optimise voluntary food intake. Management is multimodal, comprising reduction of stress, medications and assisted nutrition in the form of tube feeding or parenteral nutrition. Use of antiemetic, analgesic, prokinetic and appetite stimulant medications may restore appetite, but placement of feeding tubes should not be delayed. Feeding tubes are generally well tolerated and allow provision of food, water and medication with minimal stress, although clinicians must be aware of complications such as stoma site infections and refeeding syndrome. CLINICAL CHALLENGES: Cats are vulnerable to malnutrition owing to their unique metabolism and specific nutritional requirements. Moreover, their nature as a species means they are susceptible to stress in the hospital environment, which may result in reduced food intake; previous negative experiences may compound the problem. In particular, an inappropriate clinic environment and/or handling may cause or exacerbate inappetence in hospitalised patients, with negative impacts on recovery. Postponing interventions such as feeding tube placement to await improvement, owing to clinician or caregiver apprehension, may hinder recovery and worsen nutritional deficits. EVIDENCE BASE: The 2022 ISFM Consensus Guidelines on Management of the Inappetent Hospitalised Cat have been created by a panel of experts brought together by the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM). Information is based on the available literature, expert opinion and the panel members' experience.

Chitosan oligosaccharide attenuates endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated intestinal apoptosis via the Akt/mTOR pathway.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and apoptosis are widely considered as essential factors associated with intestinal disorders, whereas nutritional therapeutic approaches targeting ERS may control disease activity. Thus, we focus on the potential benefit of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) on repressing ERS and ERS-induced apoptosis. In this study, we used the ERS model with tunicamycin (TM)-induced IPEC-J2 cells in vitro and nutrient deprivation-induced ERS in piglets to evaluate the protective mechanism of COS against ERS and ERS-induced apoptosis. The results showed that cells were characterized by activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) and increased epithelial apoptosis upon exposure to TM. However, these changes were significantly attenuated by COS and the expressions of Akt and mTORC1 were inhibited. Furthermore, a specific inhibitor of mTOR confirmed the suppression of Akt and reduced the activation of the UPR and apoptosis. In vivo, COS protected against nutrient deprivation-induced ERS in the jejunum of piglets, in which the overexpression of the UPR and apoptosis was rescued. Consistently, COS attenuated nutrient deprivation-induced disruption of intestinal barrier integrity and functional capacity. Together, we provided the first evidence that COS could protect against intestinal apoptosis through alleviating severe ERS, which may be related to the inhibition of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Malnutrition as the cause of recumbency in suckler cows associated with Trypanosoma theileri infection.

BACKGROUND: Recumbent cows are a diagnostic challenge because of a wide range of differential diagnoses, which include trauma, neurological and metabolic disorders, malnutrition and mineral deficiencies. This case report describes recumbent suckler cows that presented as a herd problem. In addition to weakness due to inanition, Cu and Se deficiencies were considered as possible aetiologies of the recumbency. Furthermore, Trypanosoma (T.) theileri, a blood parasite of unknown importance in Germany, was detected in the blood of some cows. CASE PRESENTATION: Three recumbent cows were referred to the Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Leipzig. They were unable to rise and had low body condition scores and rough hair coats. Haematological and serum biochemical analyses showed neutrophilia, electrolyte imbalances, increased activities of muscle and liver enzymes and decreased concentrations of trace elements, especially Copper (Cu) and Selenium (Se). T. theileri was detected in a routine blood smear from one cow. The cows did not respond to an intensive care protocol, which included intravenous fluids and electrolytes, mineral substitution, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and antibiotics, and were therefore euthanized or died. Postmortem examination showed cachexia, subcutaneous and scleral oedema and muscular dystrophy, especially in the hind limbs. Follow-up examination of the herd of origin produced similar findings including the detection of T. theileri in a large proportion of the herd. Ration analysis revealed considerable undersupply of several nutrients. CONCLUSIONS: Based on all findings, an aetiological diagnosis of trace mineral and nutrient deficiency with possible involvement of T. theileri was made.

Neuronal networks that regulate gonadotropin-releasing hormone/luteinizing hormone secretion during undernutrition: evidence from sheep.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons are the final common conduit from the central nervous system in the reproductive axis, controlling luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion from the gonadotropes of the anterior pituitary. Although it is generally accepted that undernutrition inhibits GnRH/LH secretion, the central mechanisms that underlie the link between energy balance and reproduction remain to be fully elucidated. Sheep have been a longstanding and invaluable animal model for examination of the nutritional regulation of GnRH/LH secretion, given their ability to serve a biomedical and agricultural purpose. In this review, we summarize work that has used the ovine model to examine the central mechanisms whereby undernutrition regulates GnRH/LH secretion. Specifically, we focus our attention to the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus and on neurons that express kisspeptin, neurokinin B, dynorphin, proopiomelanocortin, and neuropeptide y/agouti-related peptide (NPY/AgRP). We examine their roles in mediating the effects of leptin and insulin and their effects on LH during undernutrition, as well as their regulation under conditions of undernutrition. This review will also highlight the interactions between the aforementioned neuronal networks themselves, which may be important for our understanding of the roles each play in relaying information regarding energy status during times of undernutrition to ultimately regulate GnRH/LH secretion.

Effects of maternal subnutrition during early pregnancy on cow hematological profiles and offspring physiology and vitality in two beef breeds.

This experiment evaluated the effects of subnutrition during early gestation on hematology in cows (Bos Taurus) and on hematological, metabolic, endocrine, and vitality parameters in their calves. Parda de Montaña and Pirenaica dams were inseminated and assigned to either a control (CONTROL, 100% requirements) or a nutrient-restricted group (SUBNUT, 65%) during the first third of gestation. Dam blood samples were collected on days 20 and 253 of gestation, and calf samples were obtained during the first days of life. Pirenaica dams presented higher red series parameters than Parda de Montaña dams, both in the first and the last months of gestation. During early pregnancy, granulocyte numbers and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were lower in Pirenaica-SUBNUT than in Pirenaica-CONTROL cows. Calves from the SUBNUT cows did not show a physiological reduction in red series values in early life, suggesting later maturation of the hematopoietic system. Poor maternal nutrition affected calf endocrine parameters. Newborns from dystocic parturitions showed lower NEFA concentrations and weaker vitality responses. In conclusion, maternal nutrition had short-term effects on cow hematology, Pirenaica cows showing a higher susceptibility to undernutrition; and a long-term effect on their offspring endocrinology, SUBNUT newborns showing lower levels of IGF-1 and higher levels of cortisol.

Nutritional assessment in the cat: Practical recommendations for better medical care.

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: Pet owners want dietary recommendations from their veterinarian. Providing a brief nutritional assessment for every cat at every visit will result in better medical care and build trust with clients. CLINICAL CHALLENGES: Examination time is limited, and it can be challenging to ensure appointments are efficient, yet thorough. A range of practical assessment tools is available that can assist with this process. PATIENT GROUP: Every cat can benefit from a screening nutritional evaluation as the fifth vital assessment (after temperature, pulse, respiration and pain assessment). Identifying patients with nutritional risk factors or nutrition-responsive diseases should prompt a more in-depth review of dietary needs. AUDIENCE: This article is aimed at all veterinary health professionals and is accompanied by videos demonstrating the body condition scoring process for a series of cats ranging from ideal body weight through to obese. EVIDENCE BASE: Information in the review is drawn from the current scientific literature, as well as the clinical experience of the authors.

Undernutrition modified metabolic responses to intramammary lipopolysaccharide but had limited effects on selected inflammation indicators in early-lactation cows.

The objective was to assess effects of experimentally induced undernutrition on responses to an intramammary lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge in early-lactation cows. Starting at 24 ± 3 d in milk, multiparous Holstein cows either received a ration containing 48% straw for 96 h to restrict nutrient intake (REST, n = 8) or were allowed ad libitum intake of a lactation diet (CONT, n = 9). After 72 h on diet or after an equivalent period for CONT, 50 µg of LPS (Escherichia coli 0111:B4) was injected into one healthy rear mammary quarter to induce an acute inflammation response. Blood samples were collected weekly until 7 wk of lactation, daily during feed restriction (or control), before and at 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, and 24 h relative to LPS injection. Foremilk quarter samples were collected before and at 4, 6, 10, and 24 h after LPS injection. Dry matter intake, milk yield, energy balance, plasma glucose, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), and ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations did not differ between CONT and REST immediately before nutrient restriction in REST (least squares means at d -1 were 21.8, 39.0 kg/d, -2.5 MJ/d, and 3.78, 0.415, 0.66 mM, respectively) but were significantly altered at 72 h of nutrient restriction (9.8, 28.3 kg/d, -81.6 MJ/d, and 2.77, 1.672, and 2.98 mM, respectively), when the LPS challenge was performed. The rectal temperature increment from baseline values in response to LPS did not differ, but cortisol increment was greater and cortisol response area under the curve (AUC) tended to be greater [202 vs. 122 (ng/mL) × 10 h] for REST than CONT. No treatment differences were observed in foremilk IL-8, IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 3 concentrations in response to LPS injection. Composite milk somatic cell count per milliliter (6.919 × 106 vs. 1.956 × 106 cells/mL) and total number of somatic cells secreted in milk per day were greater for REST than CONT during the day following LPS. Plasma glucose, urea, and insulin concentrations increased after the LPS challenge, suggesting establishment of insulin resistance and modifications of glucose metabolism to support acute inflammation in both CONT and REST. Nonetheless, nutrient-restricted cows had delayed plasma insulin and glucose responses to LPS, smaller insulin AUC but greater glucose AUC compared with CONT, despite the limited nutrient availability to sustain an inflammation response. Undernutrition altered peripheral metabolic responses to an intramammary LPS challenge but had limited effects on selected indicators of inflammation response in early-lactation cows.

Risk of nutritional deficiencies for dogs on a weight loss plan.

OBJECTIVES: To determine how general practice veterinarians make weight loss recommendations for dogs and if nutrients become deficient when following these recommendations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire of general practice veterinarians was conducted to characterise weight loss recommendations made to clients. Using this data, progressive levels of caloric restriction were applied to top-selling commercial non-therapeutic adult maintenance diets and non-therapeutic weight management diets. Nutrient intakes were compared to the National Research Council's Recommended Allowances for metabolic body weight using a theoretical current weight and ideal body weight for an obese dog. Nutrient intakes were also compared to recommendations from the Association of American Feed Control Officials using current body weight. RESULTS: Several nutrients were found at risk of deficiency, including choline, methionine, cysteine, selenium, eicosapentanoic acid, docosahexanoic acid, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and cobalamin in both non-therapeutic adult maintenance diets and non-therapeutic weight management diets. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Caution is warranted when making weight loss recommendations using commercial diets until further research on the nutrient needs of obese dogs undergoing weight loss is undertaken. Restriction of commercial diets to achieve weight loss in dogs may result in nutrient deficiencies.

Responses of rainbow trout intestinal epithelial cells to different kinds of nutritional deprivation.

In order to develop an in vitro system to study the cell biology of starvation in the fish intestine, rainbow trout intestinal epithelial cells were subjected to three kinds of nutrient deprivation and evaluated for 7 days. The RTgutGC cell line was grown into monolayers in Leibovitz's basal medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum (L15/FBS) and then subjected to deprivation of serum (L15); of serum, amino acids, and vitamin (L15/ex); and of all nutrients (L15/salts). After 7 days of nutrient deprivation, the cells remained attached to the plastic surface as monolayers but changes were seen in shape, with the cells becoming more polygonal, actin and α-tubulin cytoskeleton organization, and in tight junction protein-1 (ZO-1) localization. Two barrier functions, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and Lucifer Yellow (LY) retention, were impaired by nutrient deprivation. In L15/FBS, cells rapidly healed a gap or wound in the monolayer. In L15 and L15/ex, some cells moved into the gap, but after 7 days, the wound remained unhealed, whereas in L15/salts, cells did not even migrate into the gap. Upon nutrient replenishment (L15/FBS) after 7 days in L15, L15/ex, or L15/salts, cells proliferated again and healed a wound. After 7 days of nutrient deprivation, monolayers were successfully passaged with trypsin and cells in L15/FBS grew to again form monolayers. Therefore, rainbow trout intestinal epithelial cells survived starvation, but barrier and wound healing functions were impaired.

Maternal nutritional restriction during late gestation impairs development of the reproductive organs in both male and female lambs.

Maternal nutritional restrictions during late gestation could lead to fetal hypoglycemia. Glucose levels in the fetal sheep regulate circulating insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) levels, which stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation of reproductive organs after binding to its own receptor or estrogen receptors. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of subnutrition of ewes during the last trimester of gestation on the serum glucose/IGF1 levels and development of reproductive organs in their lambs. Pregnant ewes carrying singletons were randomly assigned to restricted (R ewes, n = 8) or control (C ewes, n = 8) groups (4 lambs of each gender/group) and fed with 50% or 100% of metabolic energy requirements from ∼100 days of gestation to term (∼147 days), respectively. Blood samples from lambs were taken on the first day after born and once at week for serum glucose and IGF1 determination. Lambs were euthanatized at 2 months of age, reproductive organs were weighted and tissue samples were collected from them for histology and to measure mRNA expression of IGF1 and its receptor (IGF1R) by qRT-PCR. Pre-partum glucose levels in R ewes were significantly lower compared to C ewes (p < .05). Compared to lambs born from C ewes, lambs born from R ewes showed lower serum levels of glucose and IGF1 during the first week of age (p < .05). At 2 month of age, these lambs had significant lower uterine and testicular weight and lower ovarian, uterine and testicular mRNA expressions of IGF1 and its receptor (p < .05). Histological findings showed that diameter of secondary and tertiary follicles in ovaries and number of endometrial glands in uterus of females, or number of Sertoli cells and seminiferous tubules and diameter, perimeter and tubular area in testicles of males were significantly lower in lambs born from R ewes compared to the respective organs of lambs born from the C ewes (p < .05). In conclusion, these results demonstrate that maternal subnutrition during late gestation affects IGF1 levels during fetal life and impairs reproductive development in the neonatal lamb, which could have permanent negative consequences in the future reproductive performance of the offspring.

Peri-conceptional under-nutrition alters the expression of TRIM28 and ZFP57 in the endometrium and embryos during peri-implantation period in domestic pigs.

DNA methylation is maintained by the main elements of methylation complex-tripartite motif containing 28 (TRIM28) and zinc finger protein 57 (ZFP57). Previously, it was found that the activity of TRIM28 and ZFP57 determines the process of DNA methylation and preserves over-expression of genes. We hypothesized that restricted diet applied during peri-conceptional period may induce changes in the expression of methylation complex in porcine endometrium and embryos during the peri-implantation period. The aim of this study was to detect and determine the expression of TRIM28 and ZFP57 in the endometrium and embryos harvested from gilts during the peri-implantation period (days 15-16 of pregnancy) fed restricted (n = 5) or normal (n = 5) diet during peri-conceptional period. In restricted-diet-fed gilts, endometrial expression of TRIM28 and ZFP57 mRNAs was decreased in comparison with normal-diet-fed gilts (p ≤ .01), while the embryonic expression of TRIM28 and ZFP57 mRNAs was increased in restricted-diet-fed gilts (p ≤ .05). The immunofluorescence showed the presence of TRIM28 and ZFP57 in luminal epithelial (LE), glandular epithelial (GE) and stromal cells (ST) of the endometrium as well as in the embryos. Total endometrial and embryonic abundance of TRIM28 and ZFP57 proteins was significantly higher (p ≤ .05) in restricted-diet-fed gilts than in normal-diet-fed gilts. Female under-nutrition during peri-conceptional period affects the expression of two main elements of methylation complex in the endometrium and in embryos during the peri-implantation period and may have the impact on DNA methylation in these tissues.

A Mortality Event in Elk ( Cervus elaphus nelsoni) Calves Associated with Malnutrition, Pasteurellosis, and Deer Adenovirus in Colorado, USA.

This report describes clinical, necropsy, and ancillary diagnostic findings for a mortality event in Rocky Mountain elk ( Cervus elaphus nelsoni) calves attributed to malnutrition, pasteurellosis, and an alimentary presentation of adenovirus hemorrhagic disease.

Combined thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography with mass spectrometric analysis of lipid classes and fatty acids in malnourished polar bears (Ursus maritimus) which swam to Iceland.

Between 2008 and 2011, four polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from the Greenland population swam and/or drifted on ice to Iceland where they arrived in very poor body condition. Body fat resources in these animals were only between 0% and 10% of the body weight (usually 25%). Here we studied the lipid composition in different tissues (adipose tissue if available, liver, kidney and muscle). Lipid classes were determined by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and on-column gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The fatty acid pattern of total lipids and free fatty acids was analyzed by GC/MS in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Additionally, cholesteryl esters and native fatty acid methyl esters, initially detected as zones in thin layer chromatograms, were enriched by solid phase extraction and quantified by GC/MS. The ratio of free fatty acids to native fatty acid methyl esters could be correlated with the remained body lipids in the polar bears and thus may also serve as a marker for other starving animals or even for humans.

Comparison of methodologies in determining bone marrow fat percentage under different environmental conditions.

The use of bone marrow fat percentage has been recommended in assessing body condition at the time of death in wild and domestic ruminants, but few studies have looked at the effects of time and exposure on animal bone marrow. We investigated the utility of bone marrow fat extraction as a tool for establishing antemortem body condition in postmortem specimens from sheep and cattle, particularly after exposure to high heat, and compared different techniques of fat extraction for this purpose. Femora were collected from healthy and "skinny" sheep and cattle. The bones were either frozen or subjected to 40°C heat; heated bones were either wrapped in plastic to minimize desiccation or were left unwrapped. Marrow fat percentage was determined at different time intervals by oven-drying, or by solvent extraction using hexane in manual equipment or a Soxhlet apparatus. Extraction was performed, where possible, on both wet and dried tissue. Multiple samples were tested from each bone. Bone marrow fat analysis using a manual, hexane-based extraction technique was found to be a moderately sensitive method of assessing antemortem body condition of cattle up to 6 d after death. Multiple replicates should be analyzed where possible. Samples from "skinny" sheep showed a different response to heat from those of "healthy" sheep; "skinny" samples were so reduced in quantity by day 6 (the first sampling day) that no individual testing could be performed. Further work is required to understand the response of sheep marrow.

Veterinary clinical nutrition: success stories: an overview.

In this overview of success stories in veterinary clinical nutrition topics in cats and dogs reviewed include the dietary management of chronic kidney disease, dissolution of urinary tract uroliths by dietary modification, the recognition that taurine and L-carnitine deficiencies can cause dilated cardiomyopathy; that clinical signs associated with feline hyperthyroidism (caused by a benign adenoma) can be controlled by a low-iodine diet alone; that dietary management of canine osteoarthritis can also reduce non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug doses; and that disease-free intervals and survival times can be statistically longer in dogs with Stage III lymphoma managed with diet. As we discover more about nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics, and as we expand our basic understanding of idiopathic diseases we are bound to identify more nutritionally related causes, and be able to develop novel dietary strategies to manage disease processes, including the formulation of diets designed to alter gene expression to obtain beneficial clinical outcomes.

Morbidity and mortality in stranded Cook Inlet beluga whales Delphinapterus leucas.

The endangered Cook Inlet (Alaska, USA) stock of beluga whales Delphinapterus leucas declined 47% between 1994 and 1998, from an estimated 653 whales to 347 whales, with a continued decline to approximately 312 in 2012. Between 1998 and 2013, 164 known dead strandings were reported by the National Marine Fisheries Service. Only 38 of these animals, or 23% of the known stranded carcasses, were necropsied. Carcasses were found between April and October. The majority of animals necropsied were adults (n=25), followed by juveniles (n=6), calves (n=3), and aborted fetuses (n=4). Eight of the 11 mature females were pregnant, post-partum, or lactating. Many (82%) of these belugas were in moderate to advanced autolysis, which hampered determination of a cause of death (COD). Each animal had a single primary COD assigned within a broad set of categories. The CODs were unknown (29%), trauma (18%), perinatal mortality (13%), mass stranding (13%), single stranding (11%), malnutrition (8%), or disease (8%). Other disease processes were coded as contributory or incidental to COD. Multiple animals had mild to moderate verminous pneumonia due to Stenurus arctomarinus, renal granulomas due to Crassicauda giliakiana, and ulcerative gastritis due to Anisakis sp. Each stranding affords a unique opportunity to obtain natural history data and evidence of human interactions, and, by long-term monitoring, to characterize pathologies of importance to individual and population health.

Effect of exogenous melatonin on embryo viability and uterine environment in undernourished ewes.

The effect of exogenous melatonin on embryo viability in undernourished ewes was investigated. At lambing, 24 ewes were treated (+MEL) or not (-MEL) with a melatonin implant. After 45 days, both groups were fed to provide 1.5 (Control, C) or 0.5 (Low, L) times daily maintenance requirements, so that experimental groups were: C-MEL, C+MEL, L-MEL and L+MEL. Ewes were mated (Day 0) and on Day 5 embryos were recovered and classified according to their developmental stage and morphology. Ovaries were used for in vitro fertilization and uterine horns were processed to study progesterone and oestrogen receptor (PR and ERα) expression by inmunohistochemistry. After 21 days, groups L-MEL and L+MEL had an average weight loss of 10kg (P<0.001). Number of viable embryos per CL from L+MEL (0.50±0.2) was higher than from other groups (P<0.05). Overall, the melatonin effect was particularly evident in undernourished ewes, increasing both viability (L+MEL: 65%; L-MEL: 25%; P<0.05) and pregnancy rates (L+MEL: 66.6%; L-MEL: 16.6%; P<0.05). Neither nutrition and melatonin nor their interaction had a significant effect on the in vitro oocyte development. Melatonin treatment tended to increase the percentage of positive cells to PR in deep glandular epithelium, independently of diet (P=0.09), and the greatest staining intensity of PR was observed in the luminal and superficial glandular epithelia (P<0.0001). In conclusion, melatonin implants at lambing during the breeding season improve the viability of embryos recovered from undernourished ewes, although this effect seems not to be mediated at the oocyte competence level.

Overfeeding and underfeeding have detrimental effects on oocyte quality measured by in vitro fertilization and early embryonic development in sheep.

To determine effects of maternal diet on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and early embryonic development, ewes (n = 48) were divided into control, overfed (ad libitum feeding), and underfed (60% of control) nutritional planes for 8 wk before oocyte collection. Follicular development was induced by twice-daily injections of FSH on days 13 and 14 of the estrous cycle, and ovaries and blood samples were collected on day 15 of the estrous cycle. During the 8-wk experiment, for control ewes BW and BCS did not change, but for overfed ewes mean (± SEM) BW and BCS increased (11.8 ± 1.1 kg and 2.0 ± 0.1, respectively) and for underfed ewes decreased (14.2 ± 0.9 kg and 0.7 ± 0.1, respectively). The number of follicles was determined; oocytes were collected and subjected to in vitro maturation and fertilization. After IVF, developing embryos were evaluated throughout the 8-d culture period. The proportion of cleaved oocytes after IVF and developing morula and blastocyst were less (P < 0.0001) in overfed and underfed ewes than in control ewes. However, number of visible follicles, total number of oocytes, number of healthy oocytes, and percentage of healthy oocytes were similar for control, overfed, and underfed ewes. Serum insulin concentration was greater (P < 0.05) in overfed ewes than in underfed ewes, estradiol 17-ß (E(2)) concentration was greater (P < 0.05) in underfed ewes than in overfed ewes, but triiodothyronine (T(3)) and thyroxine (T(4)) concentrations were similar in all treatment groups. These data show that inadequate feeding has a negative effect on oocyte quality which results in lower oocyte cleavage after IVF and morula and blastocyst formation; overfeeding increased serum insulin and underfeeding increased serum E(2) but not T(3) or T(4). These data emphasize the importance of diet for reproductive and metabolic functions. Furthermore, the mechanisms through which enhanced or decreased energy in diet affect oocyte quality and serum insulin and E(2) concentrations remain to be elucidated.