Influence of Dorper lamb development from birth to 120 days of age on clinical and echocardiographic parameters.

The expansion of the sheep model in research represents an attractive and economically beneficial academic reason for investigations in sheep echocardiography. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical and echocardiographic parameters in Dorper lambs during the developmental period. Emphasis was placed on the use of the species in translational research for the echocardiographic diagnosis of congenital heart diseases, which can contribute to improvements in interventionist techniques. Ten Dorper lambs were evaluated at the following time points: 24 h after birth and 7, 14, 21, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days of age. Clinical parameters were compiled, and echocardiogram records were obtained without sedation. Rectal temperature was lower on the first day compared to the others. From 21 days of life, there was a reduction in HR, with differences between time points. Mean and systolic blood pressure differed, with the highest values at 90 and 120 days of age. The thickness of the interventricular septum in diastole (IVSd) increased as age progressed, with the highest value at 120 days of age, and the same occurred for LVIDd (left ventricle internal diameter in diastole), LVFWd (left ventricular free wall thickness in diastole), IVSs (interventricular septum thickness in systole), LVIDs (left ventricle internal diameter in systole) and LVFWs (left ventricular free wall thickness in systole). There were differences in the size of the LA, Ao and LA/Ao ratio, which were greater at 90 days and 120 days of age. Echocardiographic changes accompany the development of lambs, where changes in echocardiographic parameters are evident with advancing age. The echocardiographic measurements in lambs obtained in the present study are similar to those in newborns.

Comparison of hematological parameters between single and twin pregnancies in Dorper ewes during gestation, lambing, and postpartum / Comparação dos parâmetros hematológicos entre ovelhas Dorper de gestação simples e gemelar durante a prenhez, parto e pós-parto

ABSTRACT: The hematopoietic system changes during the pregnancy to carry fetal development and maternal needs. This study compared the hematological parameters between ewes with single and twin pregnancies during gestation, delivery, and postpartum. The experiment was conducted on 60 healthy pregnant Dorper ewes that were divided into two experimental groups: Group 1 (G1), with single pregnancies (n=30), and Group 2 (G2), with twin pregnancies (n=30). Blood samples were collected from all ewes at different times: immediately before fixed-time artificial insemination (AI); on day 30, 90, 120, 130, and 140 of pregnancy; immediately after delivery; and at 24h and 48h postpartum. Statistical analysis compared the two groups at different times (P<0.05). Mild, normocytic, and hypochromic anemia was detected in all ewes from AI time and throughout pregnancy from both groups, but did not prove to be of clinical relevance. In the peripartum stage (from the 140th day of pregnancy to 48h postpartum), the ewes with twin pregnancies (G2) exhibited higher erythrogram values and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio than did ewes with single pregnancies (G1). This indicated a greater hematopoietic adaptation in the body during the development of two fetuses. Except for the eosinophil numbers, all leukogram parameters were influenced by pregnancy in a similar way in both groups, and was characterized mainly by leukocytosis with neutrophilia during peripartum due to the high presence of endogenous cortisol at delivery. Thus, these findings showed that pregnancy was a stressful physiological event that increased the leukocyte count with a slight alteration in the erythrogram of Dorper ewes.

RESUMO: O sistema hematopoiético sofre mudanças durante a gestação para atender o desenvolvimento fetal e as necessidades maternas. Este estudo comparou os parâmetros hematológicos entre ovelhas com gestação simples e gemelar durante a prenhez, parto e pós-parto. O estudo foi realizado em 60 ovelhas Dorper prenhes, saudáveis, divididas em dois grupos experimentais: Grupo 1 (G1) com gestação simples (n = 30); e Grupo 2 (G2) com gestação gemelar (n = 30). Amostras de sangue foram colhidos de todas as ovelhas em diferentes momentos: imediatamente antes da inseminação artificial em tempo fixo (IA); nos dias 30, 90, 120, 130 e 140 de gestação; imediatamente após o parto; e às 24h e 48h pós-parto. A análise estatística comparou os dois grupos nos diferentes momentos (P < 0,05). Anemia leve, normocítica e hipocrômica foi detectada desde a IA e ao longo da gestação, nas ovelhas de ambos os grupos, mas não houve relevância clínica. Na fase periparto (do 140º dia de gestação às 48h pós-parto), as ovelhas com gestação gemelar (G2) mostraram valores do eritrograma e proporção neutrófilos: linfócitos mais elevados do que as ovelhas com gestação simples (G1). Isso indicou maior adaptação hematopoiética da ovelha para o desenvolvimento de dois fetos. Com exceção do número de eosinófilos, todos os parâmetros do leucograma foram influenciados pela gestação de forma semelhante em ambos os grupos, e foi caracterizada principalmente por leucocitose com neutrofilia no periparto devido ao alto nível de cortisol endógeno no parto. Assim, os achados mostraram que a gestação foi um evento fisiológico estressante que aumentou a contagem de leucócitos com leve alteração no eritrograma de ovelhas Dorper.

Echocardiographic evaluation in Dorper ovine fetuses: Applications and limitations.

In this study we aim to show the application of ultrasound evaluation of the fetal heart in the ovine species, as well as its limitations in the field. Ten Dorper sheep, without any sedation, were evaluated starting from the second month of pregnancy through transabdominal ultrasound with an ultrasound device equipped with a convex transducer. Images of the fetal heart were obtained through maternal abdominal ultrasound by identifying the position of the fetus and conducting the following measurements: length and diameter of the heart, dimensions of the right and left ventricles and dimensions of the right and left atria. The measurements could only be conducted with acceptable precision starting from the third month of pregnancy. There was a significant difference only for left ventricle diameter, which was larger in the fifth month of pregnancy. The echocardiographic evaluation of the fetus enables monitoring the heart development identifying early fetal viability, assessing inadequate events that could put the pregnancy at risk, especially for production animals. For the experimental design of research employing production animals, it is important to consider, among other factors, the limitations of the evaluation on the field, such as restraining the animals, the stress caused by handling and environmental conditions, temperature, luminosity, facilities available and the qualifications of the team.

Segurança e eficácia da técnica de biopsia pulmonar transtorácica percutânea para avaliação histopatológica do parênquima pulmonar de ovinos clinicamente sadios / Safety and effectiveness of the transthoracic percutaneous lung biopsy technique for histopathological evaluation of the lung parenchyma in healthy sheep

Foram analisados os resultados e complicações decorrentes do emprego da técnica de biopsia pulmonar transtorácica percutânea em 20 ovinos clinicamente sadios. Os animais foram submetidos ao exame clínico seguido da biopsia com agulha semi-automática no 7º espaço intercostal direito, 5cm acima do olécrano. Foram analisados o número de tentativas para a execução do procedimento e o tamanho dos fragmentos. As amostras obtidas foram avaliadas histologicamente. Posteriormente ao abate, foi realizado o exame pos mortem para avaliação de complicações da técnica e das eventuais lesões provocadas. Entre todos os animais submetidos à biopsia apenas dois demonstraram resistência a técnica, sendo obtidos fragmentos pulmonares de 4-7mm de comprimento, com média de 1,8±1 tentativas por fragmento. As principais alterações relacionadas à técnica foram tosse, dispnéia inspiratória, elevação das freqüências cardíaca e respiratória e aumento do ruído broncobronquiolar. Ao exame post mortem observou-se hemorragia dos músculos intercostais e pleura visceral em todos os animais. Das 20 tentativas de execução da técnica, 18 obtiveram sucesso, enquanto que em duas o fígado foi equivocadamente puncionado. As amostras de tecido pulmonar foram consideradas representativas, pois foi possível a visualização de estruturas íntegras, incluindo bronquíolos e alvéolos. Podemos concluir que a biopsia pulmonar é segura e eficaz para obtenção de amostras pulmonares com fins de diagnóstico histológico.

The results and complications arising from use of the percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy technique in 20 clinically healthy sheep were analyzed. The animals were subjected to clinical examination followed by lung biopsy with a semi-automatic needle in the 7th right intercostal space, 5cm above the olecranon. The number of attempts to implement the procedure and size of the fragments were evaluated. The samples were evaluated histologically. After the slaughter, a postmortem examination assessed the technical complications and possible injuries. Among all animals which underwent biopsy only two did not tolerate the technique. Lung fragments measuring 4-7mm were obtained by an average of 1.8 attempts per fragment. The main changes related to the procedure were cough, labored breathing, increased heart and breathing rate, and increased bronco-bronchiolar sound. The postmortem examination revealed bleeding of the intercostal muscles and visceral pleura of various extend in all lambs, and a wound up to 14mm length in the lung of two animals that did not tolerate the procedure. From 20 attempts to implement the technique, 18 were successful, while in two of them the liver was mistakenly punctured. Samples of lung tissue were representative. It was possible to visualize intact structures, including bronchioles and alveoli. It could be concluded that lung biopsy is a safe and effective procedure to obtain lung samples for histological diagnosis.

Avaliações radiográfica e ultra-sonográfica do joelho de ovinos / Radiographic and ultrasonographic evaluations of the ovine stifle joint

The aim of this study was to evaluate the stifle joint of 18 healthy Santa Ines sheep in different age groups, utilizing both radiographic and ultrasonographic exams. The animals were divided into 3 equal groups: Group I, 6-8 months old (mean weight of 25 kg); Group II, 2 years old (mean weight of 50 kg); Group III, 3-5 years old (mean weight of 55 kg). Radiographically the lateral femoral condyle was larger than medial femoral condyle, and the lateral tibial condyle was larger than the medial tibial condyle in the craniocaudal view. The patella showed a pyramidal base and a pointed apex in mediolateral view. The medial sesamoid bone of the gastrocnemius muscle was observed in one, and the lateral sesamoid bone was observed in four of 36 hindlimbs evaluated. Out of all the radiographs, the fibula was identified in only one animal - a Group III sheep. The distal femoral, proximal tibial and tibial tuberosity physes could be evaluated in all radiographs. These physes were closed or semiclosed in all animals of Group III. According to ultrasonographic examination, the convex surface of the patella was observed as a hyperechogenic line with an acoustic shadow and the articular cartilage of the femoral condyles was observed as a hypoechogenic line outlining the bone surface. The intermediate patellar ligament presented as a fibrilar hyperechogenic structure measuring 1.2-3.2mm in thickness. The lateral and medial menisci appeared triangular in shape, slightly heterogeneous, and moderately echogenic. In conclusion, the radiographic images were useful to evaluate the bone structures of the stifle, and physis closure and the ultrasonographic images allowed to identify soft tissue structures, such as menisci and patellar ligament.

Com o presente trabalho visou-se estudar as características osteo-articulares do joelho de ovinos hígidos em diferentes idades, considerando duas possibilidades de exames: radiográfico e ultra-sonográfico. Foram utilizados 18 ovinos da raça Santa Inês, divididos em três grupos experimentais eqüitativos: Grupo I, idade de 6-8 meses (peso médio de 25 kg); Grupo II, idade de 2 anos (peso médio de 50 kg); Grupo III, idade de 3-5 anos (peso médio de 55 kg). Radiograficamente, na incidência craniocaudal, o côndilo femoral lateral apresentou-se mais amplo que o côndilo medial, assim como o côndilo tibial lateral foi maior em relação ao medial. A patela apresentava base em formato piramidal e ápice afilado na incidência mediolateral. Dos 36 membros avaliados, o osso sesamóide medial do músculo gastrocnêmio foi visibilizado em apenas um membro e o osso sesamóide lateral em quatro. A fíbula foi identificada somente em um animal do Grupo III. As linhas fisárias femoral distal, tibial proximal e da tuberosidade da tíbia puderam ser avaliadas em todas as radiografias, estando fechadas ou semifechadas especialmente nos ovinos do Grupo III. Ao exame ultra-sonográfico, a superfície convexa da patela foi visibilizada como uma linha hiperecogênica com sombra acústica e a cartilagem articular dos côndilos femorais como uma linha hipoecogênica contornando a superfície óssea. O ligamento patelar intermédio mostrou-se como uma estrutura fibrilar hiperecogênica homogênea com espessura de 1,2 a 3,2mm. Os meniscos lateral e medial apresentaram formato triangular, aspecto discretamente heterogêneo e ecogenicidade moderada. Sendo assim, o exame radiográfico foi útil para avaliar especialmente as estruturas ósseas do joelho e o fechamento da placa fisária, e a ultra-sonografia permitiu identificar algumas das estruturas teciduais moles, como os meniscos e o ligamento patelar.