RESUMEN
Summary: Tryptase is a serin-protease produced and released by mast cells after IgE-mediated or non-IgE mediated stimuli. We here review the various aspects related to the molecular characteristics of the enzyme and its biological effects, the genetic basis of its production and the release kinetics. Recommendations for the clinical use of tryptase measurement developed by a task force of Società Italiana di Patologia Clinica e Medicina di Laboratorio and Associazione Allergologi Immunologi Italiani Territoriali e Ospedalieri are given on the best procedure for a correct definition of the reference values in relation to the inter-individual variability and to the correct determination of tryptase in blood and other biological liquids, in the diagnosis of anaphylaxis (from drugs, food, insect sting, or idiophatic), death from anaphylaxis (post mortem assessment) and cutaneous or clonal mastcell disorders.
Asunto(s)
Alergia e Inmunología , Anafilaxia/diagnóstico , Biomarcadores/sangre , Leucemia Bifenotípica Aguda/diagnóstico , Mastocitoma/diagnóstico , Mastocitosis/diagnóstico , Triptasas/sangre , Comités Consultivos , Animales , Autopsia , Humanos , Inmunoglobulina E/metabolismo , Italia , Guías de Práctica Clínica como Asunto , Reproducibilidad de los ResultadosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Molecules that stabilize protein kinases may be useful in overcoming the deleterious effects of cryopreservation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of caffeine treatment before vitrification of in vitro matured ovine oocytes on the activity of MPF and MAPK as well as the spontaneous parthenogenetic activation after 24 h culture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oocytes obtained from slaughterhouse sheep ovaries were in vitro matured for 21 h, incubated for 3 h with or without caffeine and then vitrified. After warming, oocytes were processed for the analysis of chromatin configuration and the evaluation of spontaneous parthenogenetic activation (24 h in vitro culture). Fresh in vitro matured oocytes were used as control. RESULTS: Caffeine treatment before vitrification maintained the MPF activity at a level similar to that of fresh oocytes, and reduced the spontaneous parthenogenetic activation in comparison with oocytes that were not-treated with caffeine. CONCLUSION: Caffeine treatment prolongs the meiotic arrest of vitrified MII oocytes, likely via its action of stabilizing the MPF level.
Asunto(s)
Cafeína/farmacología , Criopreservación/veterinaria , Factor Promotor de Maduración/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinasas Activadas por Mitógenos/metabolismo , Oocitos/citología , Oocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Ovinos/fisiología , Animales , Cromatina/metabolismo , Criopreservación/métodos , Femenino , Técnicas de Maduración In Vitro de los Oocitos , Oocitos/enzimología , Oocitos/metabolismo , VitrificaciónRESUMEN
In the ovine reproductive management, a thorough breeding soundness evaluation including specific inspection of the male genital tract represents a valuable tool for assessing the reproductive potential of a selected subject and for diagnosing genital disorders. During examination, accurate inspection on penis and prepuce is necessary, since conditions affecting these structures may hamper regular coitus. Records from 1270 males undergoing breeding soundness evaluation (n = 1232) or admitted for genital disorders to the Section of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (n = 38) of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, were collected, and lesions of penis and prepuce were therefore classified. The data collected revealed that 47/1270 rams examined presented lesions of the penis and prepuce. The most frequent condition was urolithiasis accounting for over 2% of the cases, followed by lack of the urethral process (0.39% incidence), lack of the glans penis and hypospadias (0.23% cases). Moreover, most of the conditions (40%) were observed in animals less than 2 years old, suggesting the importance of a careful breeding soundness evaluation in animals at young age.
Asunto(s)
Pene , Uretra , Masculino , Ovinos , Animales , Estudios Retrospectivos , Reproducción , Oveja DomésticaRESUMEN
The cryopreservation of oocytes is an open problem as a result of their structural sensitivity to the freezing process. This study examined (i) the survival and meiotic competence of ovine oocytes vitrified at the GV stage with or without cumulus cells; (ii) the viability and functional status of cumulus cells after cryopreservation; (iii) the effect of cytochalasin B treatment before vitrification; (iv) chromatin and spindle organization; (v) the maturation promoting factor (MPF) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity of vitrified oocytes after in vitro maturation. Sheep oocytes were vitrified at different times during in vitro maturation (0, 2, and 6 h) with (COCs) or without cumulus cells (DOs). After warming and in vitro maturation, oocytes denuded at 0 h culture showed a significantly higher survival and meiotic maturation rate compared to the other groups. Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide double staining of COCs and microinjection of Lucifer Yellow revealed extensive cumulus cell membrane damage and reduced oocyte-cumulus cell communications after vitrification. Cytochalasin B treatment of COCs before vitrification exerted a negative effect on oocyte survival. After in vitro maturation, the number of vitrified oocytes with abnormal spindle and chromatin configuration was significantly higher compared to control oocytes, independently of the presence or absence of cumulus cells. The removal of cumulus cells combined with vitrification significantly decreased the MPF and MAPK levels. This study provides evidence that the removal of cumulus cells before vitrification enhances oocyte survival and meiotic competence, while impairing the activity of important proteins that could affect the developmental competence of oocytes.
Asunto(s)
Criopreservación/veterinaria , Células del Cúmulo/fisiología , Oocitos/fisiología , Ovinos/fisiología , Animales , Membrana Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Membrana Celular/fisiología , Cromatina/fisiología , Crioprotectores/farmacología , Citocalasina B/farmacología , Femenino , Factor Promotor de Maduración/análisis , Proteínas Quinasas Activadas por Mitógenos/análisis , Oocitos/citología , Oocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Análisis de Supervivencia , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
This study aimed to update data on the prevalence of intestinal and lung parasitic infections in owned dogs and cats in Sardinia, Italy. Examinations on faecal samples from 619 dogs and 343 cats routinely referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Sassari were performed between the years of 2011 and 2015. Individual faecal samples were analysed using the Wisconsin technique for copro-microscopic examination and the Baermann technique for the presence of lungworm larvae. Endoparasites were found in 34.9% and 43.4% of examined dogs and cats, respectively. Helminthic infections (21.2% in dogs and 32.6% in cats) occurred more frequently than protozoan infections (17.9% in dogs and 17.8% in cats). In both dogs and cats, the most common parasites were ascarids (12.1% and 15.7%), Cystoisospora spp. (10.2% and 10.8%), Giardia duodenalis (9.4% and 8.5%), and hookworms (7.9% and 5.5%). Evidence of bronchopulmonary nematode infections were found in 0.8% of examined dogs and in 15.8% of examined cats. Age was identified as a risk factor, with animals younger than 6months more frequently infected than older animals, while no significant association was observed for gender. This study demonstrated that endoparasites in owned dogs and cats of Sardinia have considerably high prevalence. Veterinary practitioners and pet owners should be more aware of these infections and should adopt more effective and standardized control practices.
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Enfermedades de los Gatos/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Perros/parasitología , Enfermedades Parasitarias en Animales/parasitología , Envejecimiento , Animales , Enfermedades de los Gatos/epidemiología , Gatos , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Perros , Heces/parasitología , Italia/epidemiología , Enfermedades Parasitarias en Animales/epidemiología , PrevalenciaRESUMEN
Sarcoma arising in the mammary gland is a rare tumor in dogs, and primary liposarcoma with metastatic behavior has never been previously reported among canine mammary tumors. A 14-year old female poodle had a mammary mass diagnosed as pleomorphic liposarcoma. Two years following surgical removal, the tumor recurred in the mammary gland with lymph node metastases. In addition, a sex-cord stromal tumor was identified in the ovary. Immunohistochemistry was performed on both tumors that were positive for oestrogen and progesterone receptors. Moreover, the ovarian tumor was positive for calretinin. This is the first report to the authors' knowledge, of the co-occurrence of a pleomorphic liposarcoma of the mammary gland and an ovarian sex-cord stromal (gonadostromal) tumor in the dog.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades de los Perros/patología , Liposarcoma/veterinaria , Neoplasias Mamarias Animales/patología , Neoplasias Ováricas/veterinaria , Tumores de los Cordones Sexuales y Estroma de las Gónadas/veterinaria , Animales , Perros , Femenino , Inmunohistoquímica/veterinaria , Liposarcoma/patología , Metástasis Linfática , Neoplasias Ováricas/secundario , Tumores de los Cordones Sexuales y Estroma de las Gónadas/secundario , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
This work was undertaken in order to examine M-phase promoting factor (MPF) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) activities during meiotic progression of cat oocytes cultured in two different media for two different incubation times and preovulatory cat oocytes that reached MII in vivo. Oocytes recovered from ovaries of ovariectomized cats were cultured either in TCM 199 or SOF for 24 h and 40 h. In vivo matured oocytes were recovered by follicular aspiration from ovaries of domestic cats ovariectomized 24 h to 26 h after hormonal treatment. Results showed that the kinetic of MPF and MAPK activity was similar during meiotic progression of cat oocytes matured in TCM 199 and SOF. After 24 h of incubation, MII oocytes had significantly (p < 0.001) higher MPF and MAPK levels than MII oocytes cultured for 40 h in both culture media. MPF and MAPK activity was significantly (p < 0.01) lower in the oocytes matured in vitro than in those matured in vivo. This study provides evidence that the two different maturation media did not determine differences in MPF and MAPK fluctuations and levels during meiotic progression of cat oocytes and that the time of maturation influenced the level of the two kinases. Moreover, it shows that MPF and MPK activity is higher in in vivo matured oocytes than in in vitro matured oocytes, suggesting a possible incomplete cytoplasmic maturation after culture.
Asunto(s)
Factor Promotor de Maduración/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinasas Activadas por Mitógenos/metabolismo , Oocitos/metabolismo , Animales , Gatos , Núcleo Celular/metabolismo , Femenino , Técnicas In Vitro , Cinética , Meiosis , Oocitos/citologíaRESUMEN
An outbreak of toxoplasmosis occurring in a typical farm of 524 ovines was monitored for 1 year after the occurrence of 31 abortions. Abortion events involved 7.2% of 430 pregnant sheep. Presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in sheep sera was investigated by the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). A total of 422 ewes were bled four times during the year, and an epidemiological analysis was performed on all serology data collected in this subgroup. The prevalence of IgG positives ranged from 31.52% (133/422) at the first sampling to 62.56% (264/422) at the fourth sampling. Incidence of IgG antibodies was 38.75% at the second sampling, 14.92% at the third and 29.28% at the fourth sampling. At the beginning of the study, prevalence was 70.7% in primiparous sheep and 20.9% in sheep older than 5 years; at the third sampling, prevalence was stable at 70% in pluriparous sheep. The mean prevalence of IgM antibodies was 14.87%. A total of 147 out of all 524 ovines of the flock tested positive for IgM in more than one sampling. After an initial positivity, 60 sheep tested negative for IgG at the following serological controls (4 between the first and the second sampling, 30 between the second and the third and 28 between the third and the fourth sampling). One stray cat was positive for IgG, with a titre of 1 : 320. Moreover, one of the farmers was also positive, with a titre of 1 : 160 for IgG. A positive PCR result for T. gondii DNA was also observed in aliquots of grain and pellets taken from feed stocks amassed inside the sheds without protection, suggesting that an adequate management of the farm might be useful, if not essential, for controlling T. gondii outbreaks in ovine flocks.
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Aborto Veterinario/epidemiología , Anticuerpos Antiprotozoarios/sangre , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/epidemiología , Toxoplasma/aislamiento & purificación , Toxoplasmosis Animal/epidemiología , Feto Abortado/parasitología , Aborto Veterinario/diagnóstico , Aborto Veterinario/parasitología , Animales , Cruzamiento , Gatos , ADN Protozoario/análisis , Brotes de Enfermedades , Estudios Epidemiológicos , Femenino , Técnica del Anticuerpo Fluorescente Indirecta/veterinaria , Humanos , Inmunoglobulina G/sangre , Inmunoglobulina M/sangre , Incidencia , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/veterinaria , Embarazo , Complicaciones Parasitarias del Embarazo/sangre , Complicaciones Parasitarias del Embarazo/epidemiología , Complicaciones Parasitarias del Embarazo/parasitología , Prevalencia , Ovinos , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/diagnóstico , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/parasitología , Toxoplasma/genética , Toxoplasma/inmunología , Toxoplasmosis Animal/sangre , Toxoplasmosis Animal/diagnóstico , Toxoplasmosis Animal/parasitologíaAsunto(s)
Biopsia/veterinaria , Testículo/citología , Animales , Automatización , Biopsia/instrumentación , Biopsia/métodos , Fertilidad , Caballos , Masculino , Testículo/patologíaRESUMEN
During the reproductive period the AA have carried on bacteriological researches in the preputial cavity in eight sardinian rams, without pathological processes, living in eight flocks in the country around Sassari, in order to detect the bacteriological flora. This flora could interfere both with fertility and with conservation of seminal material for artificial insemination. Three withdrawals have been carried on before, during and after the reproduction season. E.coli, P. mirabilis, Staph. epidermidis have been found in the varius examined subjects. The AA stress that the same bacterium which had been isolated in the first withdrawal. Moreover in some subjects the bacteriological flora had increased. The AA stress how these data can be useful in order to control the flock fertility and in order to improve the technology of conservation of seminal material.
Asunto(s)
Pene/microbiología , Ovinos/microbiología , Animales , Escherichia coli/aislamiento & purificación , Fertilidad , Masculino , Proteus mirabilis/aislamiento & purificación , Staphylococcus epidermidis/aislamiento & purificaciónRESUMEN
Some hematological and hematochemical parameters in eight herring gulls (Larus argentatus) and in six buzzards (Buteo buteo) were checked. The buzzards were fed with ovine meat exclusively, while the herring gulls were fed with fish and ovine meat. Considerable differences between the two species were noted, particularly as far as the hematological and lipidic parameters are concerned. These differences are probably related to the aquatic life of the herring gull.