Evaluation of changes in Doppler ultrasonography indices and levels of maternal serum angiogenic factors throughout pregnancy in ewes.

We evaluated the changes in the pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) of fetal and maternal vessels and maternal serum angiogenic factors throughout pregnancy in 20 Kivircik ewes. They were examined for pregnancy detection on Day 30 after mating. The PI and RI during the pregnancies were followed using Doppler ultrasonography (USG) of the uterine artery, umbilical artery, fetal aorta, and fetal vena cava. Doppler USG was performed every 15 days beginning from the 40th day after mating. Blood samples were collected every 15 days starting from the day of mating. Nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and angiopoietin-1 and -2 levels were measured in maternal serum. A gradual decline was observed in the PI and RI of the umbilical artery beginning from Day 75 of pregnancy. Similarly, the RI of the uterine artery decreased on Day 135. Embryonic resorption was detected in two ewes with an increased PI and RI in the uterine artery. A significant and gradual decrease in the maternal serum vascular endothelial growth factor level was observed throughout pregnancy. The maternal serum NO level increased beginning from Day 135 of pregnancy. The results of this study illustrate the progressive changes in the Doppler USG findings of fetomaternal vessels and maternal serum angiogenic factors that occur throughout ewe pregnancy. The umbilical and uterine artery Doppler USG findings and maternal serum NO concentration may be important parameters for evaluation of the course of pregnancy in ewes. The results of this study should be compared with those of further studies that include compromised pregnancies and nonpregnant ewes.

Osteoporotic risk and physeal closure in prepubertal ovariohysterectomized cats.

We aimed to examine the early effects of prepubertal ovariohysterectomy (P-OHE) on bone loss and proximal physeal closure in cats. Fourteen kittens randomly underwent P-OHE or sham operations (S-OP) at three months (mo) of age and were allocated to group I and group II. Each mo between four and nine mo of age, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans were performed to determine the total body bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC). Proximal radial physeal closure and radial length were determined by radiography. Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), carboxy-terminal collagen teleopeptide (CTX), 17-ß estradiol, progesterone, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) were measured in the serum samples. No significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of BMD, BMC, BAP, BAP/CTX, P, progesterone and body weight (BW) (between 4 and 9mo) and for Ca (between 5 and 9mo) and for CTX levels (between 4 and 8mo). The 17-ß estradiol was significantly higher at 6, 8 and 9mo of age in the S-OP group due to puberty (P=0.02, P=0.03 and P=0.02 respectively). Although there was a significant difference (P=0.0002) between the P-OHE and S-OP groups in terms of the proximal radial physeal closure times (7.43±0.20mo and 6.14±0.14mo, respectively), no significant difference was observed for the mean radius length (10.59±0.10cm and 10.06±0.27cm, respectively) at the last evaluation time. In conclusion, prepubertal ovariohysterectomized cats do not have any osteoporotic risks until nine mo of age and exhibit a delayed physeal closure time without a change in radius length.

Effects of surgical wound infiltration with bupivacaine on postoperative analgesia in cats undergoing bilateral mastectomy.

The analgesic effect of wound infiltration with bupivacaine was evaluated in cats undergoing bilateral mastectomy. Twenty-one female cats with mammary gland tumors were anesthetized with propofol and oxygen-isoflurane anesthesia following premedication with atropine. In the trial group (Group I; n=11), 30 ml of saline containing 2 mg/kg of bupivacaine was infiltrated topically into the surgical wound right after removal of the mammary glands, whereas only saline solution was infiltrated in the control group (Group II; n=10). At the same time, carprofen (4 mg/kg) was also administered subcutaneously in both groups. Behavioral signs of pain were monitored during the recovery period after general anesthesia. In order to examine the behavioral changes associated with acute pain, a questionnaire was prepared and given to the owners to be completed 4 hr and then 10 hr after the operation. According to the owners' anwers to the questionnaire, a pain score was specified using a "numerical rating scale" for each cat. Although some cats showed mild to moderate pain, the pain score recorded at 4 hr after the operation was significantly lower in Group I (P<0.001). No significant difference was found at 10 hr after the operation between the groups. The incidence of vocalization, aggression and convulsion within 2 hr after the operation was also lower in Group I. In conclusion, wound infiltration with bupivacaine before incisional closure provided reliable analgesia at least 4 hr after bilateral radical mastectomy in cats.