Seminal plasma insulin-like growth factor I and total protein concentration in peripubertal period of the Gyr bulls.

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation of seminal plasma IGF-I and total proteins from peripubertal bulls with semen characteristics and onset of puberty. Sixteen dairy Gyr bulls were separated into early (n = 8) and regular (n = 8) groups, according to the onset of puberty. Semen was monthly collected by electroejaculation from 14 to 26 months of age, and the onset of puberty was retrospectively determined (17.0 ± 1.6 and 19.2 ± 1.5 months, to early and regular group, respectively). Five time points were evaluated (day -60, day -30, day 0, day 30 and day 60 days of puberty), being day 0 considered as beginning of puberty. Scrotal circumference and body weight were also assessed. Semen characteristics were evaluated, the seminal plasma was separated by centrifugation and total protein and IGF-I concentrations were determined. There was no difference between groups to concentration of the seminal plasma total proteins, but we found an interaction between group and age. Seminal plasma IGF-I concentrations were not different between early and regular groups; thus, the data were combined for analysis. Combined IGF-I concentrations were positively correlated with sperm motility and concentration, age, body weight and scrotal circumference. Negative correlation was found between IGF-I concentration and total sperm defects. Increased IGF-I was observed in day -30 and day 0 of puberty in early and regular groups, respectively. Seminal plasma total proteins are involved in peripubertal modifications and IGF-I from Zebus dairy bulls can influence the seminal characteristics and the growth factor increase occurs concomitantly with body growth but cannot be used to define puberty bulls earlier.

Transplacental transmission of Neospora caninum to lambs in successive pregnancies of naturally infected sheep in Southern Brazil.

This study aims to report the detection of N. caninum DNA in a newborn lamb (1) with neurological signs and congenital neosporosis and in a stillborn lamb (2), both born from the same ewe in a herd of Southern Brazil. The lambs were born during different pregnancies of a Suffolk ewe seropositive to N. caninum and seronegative to T. gondii. Histopathological lesions were observed only in the central nervous system of the lambs. The newborn lamb (1) showed mild and focal gliosis in the frontal lobe. In the hippocampal region of the stillborn lamb (2), lymphoplasmacytic perivascular cuffs and N. caninum cysts were observed in the cytoplasm of neurons and confirmed by IHC. PCR was performed using brain samples to detect the protozoa N. caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. The infection with N. caninum was confirmed in the newborn lamb (1) by PCR and in the stillborn lamb (2) by histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and PCR tests.

Oxidative stress in hoof laminar tissue of horses with lethal gastrointestinal diseases.

Tissue damage caused by oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases in animals and man, and is believed to play a role in the development of laminitis in horses. The aim of this study was to investigate the oxidative stress associated with laminar lesions in horses with lethal gastrointestinal disorders. Laminar tissue samples of the hoof of 30 horses were used. Tissue samples were divided as follows: six healthy horses (control group-CG), and 24 horses that died after complications of gastrointestinal diseases (group suffering from gastrointestinal disorders-GDG). Superoxide dismutase (SOD2) and nitrotyrosine immunostaining and the severity of laminar lesions were evaluated. Presence of laminar lesions and immunostaining for nitrotyrosine and SOD2 were only evident in horses from the GDG group. Thus, oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of laminar lesions secondary to gastrointestinal disorders.

An update on equine laminitis / Atualização sobre laminite equina

ABSTRACT: Laminitis is a severe podal affection, which pathophysiology remains partially renowned. Ischemic, enzymatic, metabolic and inflammatory mechanisms are connected to the development of laminar lesions. However, few therapeutic measures are effective to prevent or control the severity of acute laminitis and its prodromal stage, which often determines serious complications such as rotation and/or sinking of the distal phalanx and even the loss of hoof. The purpose of this study is to compile the actual knowledge in respect to the pathophysiology and treatment of equine laminitis.

RESUMO: A laminite é uma grave afecção podal, que permanece com fisiopatogenia parcialmente conhecida. Sabe-se que mecanismos isquêmicos, enzimáticos, metabólicos e inflamatórios estão envolvidos no desenvolvimento das lesões laminares. No entanto, poucas medidas terapêuticas são eficazes para prevenir ou controlar a gravidade da laminite nas fases prodrômica e aguda, o que frequentemente determina sérias complicações como rotação ou afundamento da falange distal e até mesmo perda do estojo córneo. O objetivo deste trabalho é compilar os mais atuais conhecimentos sobre a fisiopatologia e tratamento da laminite em equinos.

Anticoagulants on yield of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells harvested from dogs / Anticoagulantes no rendimento de células mononucleares da medula óssea de cães

Cell therapy with bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells is an alternative to therapy with mesenchymal stem cell cultures. The aim of the present research was the comparison of the yield of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells harvested from dogs with two different anticoagulants. Bone marrow was harvested from the iliac crest of five healthy dogs aged between 15 and 30 months, and the effect of two anticoagulant solutions, CPDA-1 (citrate phosphate dextrose adenine-1) and heparin, on the isolation of mononuclear cells was compared. Mononuclear cells were isolated in a density gradient and stained for CD9 and CD44 for characterization by flow cytometry. Means were compared using Student's paired t-test. Samples harvested with CPDA-1 yielded an average of 5.16x106 (±1.76x106) to 20.20x106 (±1.55x106) mononuclear cells/mL, whereas the yield of samples harvested with heparin varied between 4.56x106(±0.69x106) and 24.30x106 (±2.12x106) mononuclear cells mL-1. By flow cytometry, mean percentage of double-stained cells varied from 1.96% (±0.64%) to 5.01% (±0.73%) for CPDA-1 and from 2.23% (±0.70%) to 7.27% (±0.97%) for heparin. No significant statistical differences were observed on yield or CD9 and CD44 expression. Further studies are recommended to assess efficacy of CPDA on mononuclear cell isolation.

A terapia com células mononucleares de medula óssea é uma alternativa ao cultivo de células-tronco mesenquimais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o rendimento de células mononucleares derivadas da medula óssea de cães, colhidas com dois anticoagulantes diferentes. Foram coletadas medulas ósseas de cinco cães hígidos, com idades variando entre 15 e 30 meses, por punção na crista ilíaca. Foi comparado o efeito da solução anticoagulante no isolamento das células mononucleares, utilizando-se CPDA-1 (citrato, fosfato, dextrose, adenina) ou heparina como soluções anticoagulantes. As células mononucleares foram isoladas em gradiente de densidade e caracterizadas fenotipicamente em citometria de fluxo. Os resultados foram submetidos ao Teste t pareado para comparação de médias. Nas amostras coletadas com CPDA-1, o rendimento médio variou entre 5,16 x 106 (±1,76x106) a 20,20x106 (±1,55x106) células mononucleares mL-1, enquanto que, nas amostras coletadas com heparina, o rendimento variou entre 4,56x106 (±0,69x106) a 24,30x106(±2,12x106) células mononucleares/mL. Na citometria de fluxo, a média de células duplo-marcadas variou de 1,96% (±0,64%) a 5,01% (±0,73%) para CPDA-1 e de 2,23% (±0,70%) a 7,27% (±0,97%) para heparina. Não foram observadas diferenças estatísticas no rendimento ou na expressão de CD9 e CD44. Recomendam-se estudos adicionais para avaliar melhor a eficácia do CPDA no isolamento de células mononucleares.

Systemic leukopenia, evaluation of laminar leukocyte infiltration and laminar lesions in horses with naturally occurring colic syndrome.

The present study was aimed at identifying laminar lesions and leukocyte infiltration in hoof laminar tissue of horses with colic syndrome and its correlation with the total leukocyte count before death. Six healthy horses were used as control group (CG), and eighteen horses with lethal gastrointestinal disease were divided into two groups: leukopenic group (LG) with seven leukopenic horses, and non-leukopenic group (NLG) with 11 horses with total leukocyte count within reference range for the species. Leukocyte infiltration was examined by immunohistochemistry. Laminar lesions were observed in both LG and NLG, with no differences in severity between them. LG showed increase of the leukocyte infiltration in the hoof laminar tissue, when compared to CG and NLG. Horses with severe colic syndrome (LG and NLG) developed intense laminar lesions without clinical signs of laminitis, with increased leukocyte infiltration. However, the LG demonstrated an even higher increase of leukocyte infiltration compared to both CG and NLG.

Expression of matrix metalloproteases-2 and -9 in horse hoof laminae after intestinal obstruction, with or without Hydrocortisone treatment / Expressão de metaloproteinases 2 e 9 no tecido laminar do casco de equinos após obstrução intestinal e tratamento com hidrocortisona

Twenty horses were used in the experiment, for composed control group, (Cg) instrumented group, (Ig;without intestinal obstruction), treated group (Tg;submitted to intestinal obstruction and hydrocortisone treatment) and non-treated group (Ntg;submitted to intestinal obstruction without treatment). Immunohistochemistry and zymography techniques were used for researches on MMPs 2 and 9 in horse hoof laminae. There was an increase in the expression of MMP-2 in animals of Tg and Ntg. MMP-9 increased on animals from groups Ntg and Ig, however there was no rise of this MMP on the Tg when compared to the other groups in the immunohistochemistry analysis. Based on the results, it was observed that the intestinal injury caused by enterotomy and intestinal obstruction raise the quantities of MMPs in the hoof laminae.

Vinte cavalos foram usados no experimento: para compor o grupo controle (Cg), grupo instrumentado, Ig (sem obstrução intestinal), grupo tratado, Tg (submetidos à obstrução intestinal e tratamento com hidrocortisona) e grupo não tratado, Ntg (submetidos à obstrução intestinal, sem tratamento. Técnicas de zimografia e imunoistoquímica foram utilizadas para pesquisa de MMP-2 e MMP-9 no tecido laminar do casco dos equinos. Houve um aumento na expressão de MMP-2 nos animais dos grupos Tg e Ntg. A MMP-9 aumentou nos animais dos grupos Ig e Ntg. Houve aumento desta MMP no Tg quando comparado aos demais grupos na análise por zimografia. Observou-se que a injúria intestinal, causada pela enterotomia e obstrução intestinal, eleva a quantidade de MMPs no tecido laminar do casco.

Atresia anal, fístula uretrorretal congênita, bolsa escrotal acessória e pseudo-hermafroditismo em bezerro mestiço / Anal atresia, congenital urethrorectal fistula, accessory scrotum and pseudohermafroditism in a crossbred calf

Neste trabalho, é descrito o caso de um bezerro mestiço recém-nascido que apresentava atresia anal tipo 2, fístula uretrorretal congênita, bolsa escrotal bífida e pseudo-hermafroditismo masculino. O principal sinal clínico era a eliminação de fezes por meio do óstio prepucial, uma apresentação incomum em casos de fístula uretrorretal em animais machos. Apesar de o quadro de atresia anal ser relativamente comum nessa espécie, os outros defeitos congênitos encontrados são pouco frequentes.

In this study, the case of a newborn calf, which presented type 2 anal atresia, congenital urethrorectal fistula, bifid scrotum and male pseudohermafroditism is described. The main clinical sign was the elimination of feces by the prepucial ostium, an unusual finding in cases of urethrorectal fistula in male animals. Although anal atresia is relatively common in bovines, the other congenital defects found in this case are uncommon.