Determination of diurnal rhythm of salivary corticosterone concentration in the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus f. domestica) using a non-invasive method.

There are many advantages associated with the determination of the level of corticosterone in rabbits from saliva, since this is a non-invasive sample collection method that does not affect their welfare and provides a reliable reflection of the state of the animal at a given moment without the results being distorted as they may be, for example, when blood samples are taken. The aim of this study was to determine the diurnal rhythm in the concentration of corticosterone in the saliva of the domestic rabbit. Saliva samples were taken from six domestic rabbits five times during the daytime (at 6:00, 9:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00) over the course of three consecutive days. The levels of corticosterone in the saliva of the individual rabbits displayed a diurnal rhythm during the course of the day, with a significant increase between 12:00 and 15:00 (p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference in the concentrations of corticosterone in the saliva of the individual rabbits was demonstrated. Although the basal value of corticosterone is not known in rabbits and is difficult to determine, the results of our study show the pattern of fluctuations in the concentration of corticosterone in the saliva of rabbits during the daytime.

Changes in rabbit lymphocyte subpopulations and activation following long-term administration of meloxicam.

Meloxicam is a commonly used analgesic in rabbits. However, its possible impact on lymphocyte subpopulations remained unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate a possible effect of long-term administration of meloxicam on rabbit lymphocyte subpopulations. The study included 8 rabbits given meloxicam orally once daily (1 mg/kg BW) for 14 days and 8 rabbits as a control group. Peripheral blood samples were collected on day 0 (before the first dose of meloxicam), day 3, 7 and 14. Samples were evaluated with a haematology analyser and a flow cytometer. A significant decrease in T: B cell ratio was found in all samples taken during meloxicam administration compared to day 0, as well as in comparison with the control group (P < 0.01). A significant increase (P < 0.05) in proportion of CD5 +CD8 + lymphocytes occurred by day 3. Subsequently, although the values slightly decreased, they still remained elevated throughout all the experiment compared to the values from day 0 (P < 0.05). A slight decrease in T and B cell activation (CD5 +CD25 + and IgM+CD25 +) noticed by day 3, declined during the next days of administration and became more and more significant (finally, P = 0.0078). Since a high significant decrease (P < 0.01) in both T and B cell activation as well as a significant increase (P < 0.05) in CD5 +CD8 + T cells proportion were observed after meloxicam administration, a predicted effect of long-term administration of meloxicam on rabbit lymphocytes was confirmed.

Case Report: Spontaneous Appendicitis With Suspected Involvement of Klebsiella variicola in Two Pet Rabbits.

Although laboratory rabbits are commonly used as models of appendicitis in man, spontaneous appendicitis was only described ante-mortem in one pet rabbit with an acute abdomen. The aim of this article is to describe two spontaneous cases of appendicitis in pet rabbits, to describe therapeutic appendectomy, and to discuss the microbial flora of the inflamed appendix. A 5-month-old intact female and a 16-month-old, neutered male were presented to the veterinary clinic with restlessness, anorexia, and reduced faecal output. The main clinical findings were restlessness, severe discomfort on abdominal palpation, a mid-abdominal palpable tubulous mass and an elevated rectal temperature. Blood analyses showed lymphocytosis, monocytosis, and hyperglycaemia. Radiography was inconclusive. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a presence of a tubular structure with wall thicknesses of 4.2 and 3.7 mm in the two rabbits, respectively. The tubular structure had a rounded, closed end, and a multilayered wall, suggestive of appendicitis. Due to metabolic acidosis and poor prognosis, the first rabbit was euthanized. In the 16-month-old rabbit, appendectomy was performed. Recovery was uneventful, and 4 h after surgery, the rabbit started to become normally active. Postoperative care consisted of fluid therapy, multimodal analgesia, supportive care and prokinetics. Follow-up examinations at 10 days, 1 month, and at 11 months after the surgery did not show any abnormal clinical or laboratory findings. Histopathological examination of appendices from both rabbits showed gangrenous appendicitis. Aerobic cultivation showed the presence of pure culture of Klebsiella variicola sensitive to enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin, tetracycline, cefuroxime, trimethoprim sulphonamide, neomycin, and gentamicin. Restlessness associated with anorexia, abdominal pain, palpable abdominal mass, hyperglycaemia, lymphocytosis, and elevated rectal temperature may be indicative of inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract. Abdominal ultrasound is recommended in rabbits with showing these clinical signs because radiography can be inconclusive. Appendicitis is a life-threatening condition, which should be included into the list of differential diagnoses; for the rabbit, an acute abdomen and gastrointestinal stasis syndrome and must be treated immediately. K. variicola may be associated with appendicitis in rabbits as a causative agent or in association with appendix intraluminal dysmicrobia.

Glyphosate Interaction with eEF1α1 Indicates Altered Protein Synthesis: Evidence for Reduced Spermatogenesis and Cytostatic Effect.

The broad-spectrum herbicide, glyphosate, is considered safe for animals because it selectively affects the shikimate pathway that is specific to plants and microorganisms. We sought a previously unknown mechanism to explain the concerns that glyphosate exposure can negatively affect animals, including humans. Computer modeling showed a probable interaction between glyphosate and eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 subunit alpha 1 (eEF1α1), which was confirmed by microcalorimetry. Only restricted, nondisrupted spermatogenesis in rats was observed after chronic glyphosate treatments (0.7 and 7 mg/L). Cytostatic and antiproliferative effects of glyphosate in GC-1 and SUP-B15 cells were indicated. Meta-analysis of public health data suggested a possible effect of glyphosate use on sperm count. The in silico, in vitro, and in vivo experimental results as well as the metastatistics indicate side effects of chronic glyphosate exposure. Together, these findings indicate that glyphosate delays protein synthesis through an interaction with eEF1α1, thereby suppressing spermatogenesis and cell growth.

Comparison of selected indices of internal environment and condition of laying hens kept in furnished cages and in aviaries.

Biochemical and hematological examination of blood and individual assessment of the birds were performed in Lohman Brown laying hens at 45 weeks of age housed in different systems. The biochemical examination revealed higher (p < .01) corticosterone levels, creatine kinase, and aspartate aminotransferase activity and lower (p < .01) levels of lactate, triglycerides, albumin, calcium, and phosphorus in aviary hens compared to hens housed in furnished cages. Hematological examination of hens housed in aviaries revealed higher (p < .05) hematocrit, leukocytes, heterophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, and H/L ratio. Furthermore, hens housed in aviaries had lower (p < .01) body weight than hens in furnished cages, they were worse feathered (p < .001), had more damaged combs (p < .05), and poorer physical condition (p < .01). In contrast, caged hens showed worse (p < .01) feather condition of the wings due to abrasion and claws due to overgrowth. The results have shown that the housing system has a significant impact on the internal environment and condition of birds and that housing in aviaries without taking into account the specifics of such housing may lead to significant stress and disturbance to the welfare of laying hens.

Haematological and biochemical parameters during the laying period in common pheasant hens housed in enhanced cages.

The development of selected haematological and biochemical parameters during the laying period was monitored in common pheasant hens housed in an enhanced cage system. The cages were enhanced by the addition of two perches and a shelter formed by strips of cloth hanging in the corner of the cage. The results showed significant changes in the haematological and biochemical parameters monitored during egg laying. At the time when laying capacity approached a maximum, a decrease was observed (P < 0.05) in haematocrit, erythrocytes, and haemoglobin values, whereas monocytes, eosinophils, the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, phosphorus, and calcium exhibited an increase (P < 0.05). At the end of the laying period, an increase (P < 0.05) was recorded in the count of leukocytes, heterophils, lymphocytes and basophils, the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, and the concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, cholesterol, phosphorus, and calcium, whereas lower values (P < 0.05) were recorded for haematocrit and plasma total protein in comparison with the values of the indicators at the beginning of the laying period. The results provide new information about dynamic changes in selected haematological and biochemical parameters in clinically healthy common pheasant hens during the laying period.

The influence of crate height on selected biochemical indices in captive-reared mallards.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of crate type (particularly its height) on selected biochemical indices in captive-reared mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). The physiological changes in response to 2-h crating in crates of either 20 cm or 26 cm height were monitored in 6-week-old mallards. Plasma corticosterone concentrations showed an increase (P = 0.036) in mallards crated in crates of 26 cm height in comparison with control non-crated birds, whereas no difference in plasma corticosterone levels was found between mallards crated in crates of 20 cm height and control non-crated birds. Lower concentrations of plasma triglycerides (P < 0.05) and uric acid (P < 0.05) were found in crated mallards in comparison with control non-crated birds; the height of the crates had no effect. Mallards crated in crates of 26 cm height also exhibited a higher (P = 0.032) plasma lactate dehydrogenase concentration in comparison with control non-crated birds, whereas no difference (P > 0.05) was found in lactate dehydrogenase concentrations in mallards crated in crates of 20 cm height. Our results suggest that crating mallards in lower crates (20 cm) may be less stressful than keeping them in crates allowing vertical movements of the birds.

The effects of chronic intermittent noise exposure on broiler chicken performance.

Effects of different noise levels (70 or 80 dB) that broilers were exposed to during the entire fattening period and also the effect of the timing of the first exposure to intermittent noise in the course of fattening (day 1 vs. day 7) were monitored. After 7 days of exposure to intermittent noise, experimental chickens already showed a significant decrease in live body weight in comparison with the control group. The difference between the group exposed to intermittent noise at 70 dB and the group exposed to 80 dB levels was not statistically significant, although the mean live body weight of broilers in the latter was lower during the entire fattening period. The chickens exposed to intermittent noise from day 1 of age showed lower mean live weight throughout the fattening period compared to chickens exposed to the same level of intermittent noise only from day 7 of age, although at the end of fattening the difference was statistically significant only in chickens exposed to the higher level of intermittent noise (80 dB).

Changes in selected biochemical indices resulting from various pre-sampling handling techniques in broilers.

BACKGROUND: Since it is not yet clear whether it is possible to satisfactorily avoid sampling-induced stress interference in poultry, more studies on the pattern of physiological response and detailed quantification of stress connected with the first few minutes of capture and pre-sampling handling in poultry are required. This study focused on detection of changes in the corticosterone level and concentrations of other selected biochemical parameters in broilers handled in two different manners during blood sampling (involving catching, carrying, restraint, and blood collection itself) that lasted for various time periods within the interval 30-180 seconds. METHODS: Stress effects of pre-sampling handling were studied in a group (n = 144) of unsexed ROSS 308 broiler chickens aged 42 d. Handling (catching, carrying, restraint, and blood sampling itself) was carried out in a gentle (caught, held and carried carefully in an upright position) or rough (caught by the leg, held and carried with lack of care in inverted position) manner and lasted for 30 s, 60 s, 90 s, 120 s, 150 s, and 180 s. Plasma corticosterone, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, lactate, triglycerides and total protein were measured in order to assess the stress-induced changes to these biochemical indices following handling in the first few minutes of capture. RESULTS: Pre-sampling handling in a rough manner resulted in considerably higher plasma concentrations of all biochemical indices monitored when compared with gentle handling. Concentrations of plasma corticosterone after 150 and 180 s of handling were considerably higher (P < 0.01) than concentrations after 30-120 s of handling regardless of handling technique. Concentrations of plasma lactate were also increased by prolonged handling duration. Handling for 90-180 seconds resulted in a highly significant elevation of lactate concentration in comparison with 30 s handling regardless of handling technique. Similarly to corticosterone concentrations, a strong positive correlation was found between plasma lactate and duration of pre-sampling handling. Other biochemical indices monitored did not show any correlation pattern in connection with duration of pre-sampling handling. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the pre-sampling procedure may be a considerably stressful procedure for broilers, particularly when carried out with lack of care and exceeding 120 seconds.

Responses of peripheral blood leukocytes to chronic intermittent noise exposure in broilers.

The purpose of the study was to specify full leukocytic responses in broilers to chronic intermittent noise exposure at two different levels (70 and 80 dB) and to assess the effect of the timing of the beginning of exposure to intermittent noise (from day 1 or day 7 of fattening). Noise treatment of 80 dB resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) elevation of heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (HLR) indicating a stress response of the broilers to the noise stimulus at the level of 80 dB in the course of fattening, in contrast to the 70 dB noise that did not cause any significant changes in HLR when compared to the control without noise treatment. Noise treatment of both 70 and 80 dB intensities also resulted in a significant elevation of basophil granulocytes. We found a different leukocytic response in broilers exposed to chronic intermittent noise from the first day of fattening in comparison to broilers exposed to this noise stimulus from the seventh day. There was a significantly smaller total number of leukocytes (P < 0.01) and significantly smaller differential counts of heterophils (P < 0.01), lymphocytes (P < 0.01) and basophils (P < 0.05) in broilers treated with noise (both 70 dB and 80 dB) from day 7 (group Day7) than in broilers treated with noise from day 1 (group Day 1). Differential counts of eosinophils and monocytes were not affected by the time of exposure to intermittent noise in this study.