RESUMEN
Introduction: Alpha 2 macroglobulin (A2M), a multi-functional protein in the plasma protease inhibitor class, regulates proinflammatory cytokines and the clearance of chondrodestructive enzymes in cases of joint injury and osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of this study was to compare A2M concentrations in equine plasma samples processed by three commercial devices developed for stall-side regenerative joint therapy. Methods: Plasma samples were obtained from healthy adult horses (N = 13). Mass spectrometry analysis was used to determine the concentration of protein analytes in each sample. Selected reaction monitoring measured a specific A2M peptide as a surrogate of the whole A2M protein. A2M concentrations produced by each test device were compared for two sample types: a pre-concentrate or platelet-poor (PP) component and a final component for use in the horse. Results: There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the geometric mean (GM) concentration of A2M in the final concentration samples produced by the Alpha2EQ® device (N horses = 13) and the single-centrifugation PP samples produced by the Pro-Stride® APS (autologous protein solution) device (N = 13) and the Restigen® PRP (platelet-rich plasma) device (N = 11). When A2M content in final concentration samples produced by each device was compared, the Pro-Stride APS and Restigen PRP samples had significantly greater GM A2M content (p < 0.0001) compared to the Alpha2EQ samples, and the Pro-Stride APS final concentration samples had significantly greater GM A2M concentration (p < 0.0001) versus that for the Restigen PRP final samples. Discussion: This comparison demonstrated that the volume and A2M concentration of an Alpha2EQ final concentrate are no different than the volume and concentration of A2M in the PP from Pro-Stride or Restigen devices.
RESUMEN
The study evaluated the safety of a modified live-virus (MLV) porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) vaccine in susceptible, pregnant gilts. To simulate inadvertent exposure secondary to postvaccination shedding of PRRS-MLV, seronegative gilts (n=51) were exposed by IM vaccination at 90 days of gestation. Vaccinated and nonvaccinated, seronegative control gilts (n=25) were maintained in separate facilities. The PRRS-MLV vaccine was given in a 2mL dose on day 0. On day 7 all vaccinated gilts were PRRSV-PCR-positive for PRRSV and had responded serologically as determined by an ELISA. All control gilts remained PRRSV-PCR- and ELISA-negative throughout the study. Abortions did not occur in gilts from either group. The difference between vaccinated and control gilts in average number of piglets per litter (12.43 and 12.16, respectively), number of live births per litter (11.21 and 11.54), and mean piglet birth weight (3.22 and 3.26 lbs) were not significantly different. Piglets in the control group had significantly greater average daily gain versus piglets from vaccinated gilts (0.52 vs. 0.46 lbs, P<0.0001). Preweaning mortality was significantly greater (P=0.0023) in piglets from the vaccinated gilts (19.7% vs. 10.9%). A single gilt accounted for 18.2% of stillbirths in the vaccinated group. Air samples were borderline PRRSV-PCR-positive for PRRSV on days 29 and 32, after more than 98% of gilts had farrowed. Results demonstrated that vaccination of pregnant gilts at the time of peak fetal susceptibility was non-abortigenic and that the PRRS-MLV agent did not significantly affect reproductive outcomes. Lower ADG in piglets from vaccinated gilts may be due to PRRS-MLV viremia following transplacental or post-farrowing exposure. Air sampling results indicated that environmental contamination with PRRS-MLV shed from vaccinated gilts was minimal.