Evaluation of Biochemical Composition of Amniotic and Allantoic Fluids at Different Stages of Pregnancy in Queens.

Fetal fluid contents have functions in protecting fetuses and are essential for fetal development and maturation. However, little is known about the exact physiological functions of fetal fluids in fetal development, as well as the changing composition throughout the gestational period in cats. In this study, the biochemical composition of amniotic (AMN) and allantoic (ALL) fluids was investigated, as well as in the maternal serum of pregnant queens. Eighteen queens were included in this study and assigned to six different groups, D20, D25, D30, D40, D45 and D60, according to the gestational stage of fetal development. A total of 44 amniotic and 37 allantoic samples were collected. Fetal fluids contained lesser concentrations of alanine aminotransferase, albumin, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatine kinase, amylase, total protein and globulin than maternal serum. Other variables, such as aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, were in different concentrations at specific stages of gestation when compared to maternal serum. There were no differences between fetal fluids and maternal serum for lactate dehydrogenase, urea, lipase or glucose concentrations. There were greater concentrations of creatinine in amniotic fluid than in allantoic fluid or maternal serum. Based on the results of this study, fetal fluids do not accumulate as a result of the simple filtration of maternal blood, but rather, the fetus produces many of these components as a consequence of organ development and maturation.

Meloxicam vs robenacoxib for postoperative pain management in dogs undergoing combined laparoscopic ovariectomy and laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare meloxicam and robenacoxib for short-term postoperative pain management after combined laparoscopic ovariectomy and laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy. STUDY DESIGN: Double-blind, prospective, randomised clinical trial. ANIMALS: Twenty-six client-owned female dogs. METHODS: Dogs undergoing combined laparoscopic ovariectomy and laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy were randomly divided into 2 groups. Before induction of anesthesia, 13 dogs received meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg subcutaneously), and 13 dogs received robenacoxib (2 mg/kg subcutaneously). Pain was scored with the Glasgow Composite Pain Scale (short form) before surgery and at 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after extubation. Rescue analgesia (tramadol, 3 mg/kg) was provided to dogs with a Glasgow pain score (GPS) ≥5. Glasgow pain scores were analyzed by ANOVA with treatment, age, and surgical time as fixed factors. RESULTS: Glasgow pain scores were higher at 24 hours postsurgery in dogs treated with robenacoxib (2.18 ± 0.29) compared with those treated with meloxicam (0.68 ± 0.41, P = .04). Two dogs treated with meloxicam and 7 dogs treated with robenacoxib required rescue analgesia. Regardless of the treatment, the overall GPS was lower at 18 and 24 hours postsurgery when the surgical time was >40 minutes compared with surgical times ≤40 minutes, but surgical site inflammation was likely a confounding factor in this finding. Glasgow pain score was not affected by patient age. CONCLUSION: Meloxicam was more effective than robenacoxib at controlling pain in the population of dogs reported here. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Preoperative administration of meloxicam effectively controls pain for 24 hours after combined laparoscopic ovariectomy and laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy, but rescue analgesia may be required.

Colour Doppler ultrasound imaging of blood flows variations in neoplastic and non-neoplastic testicular lesions in dogs.

Testicular tumours are the most common neoplasms in male dogs accounting for approximately 90% of all tumours affecting the genitourinary tract. Gray-scale ultrasonography in combination with colour and power Doppler imaging has been well accepted as an accurate technique for assessing scrotal lesions and vascularization of the testis. Colour Doppler sensitivity for low blood flows appears promising in the study of testicular disorders. The aim of this study was to assess if colour and power Doppler ultrasound is a good tool for the investigation of testicular lesions in dogs, to report the sonographic features of lesions and to measure colour and power Doppler parameters such as resistive index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), hypovascularization and hypervascularization (VI) determining if they can be used to distinguish testicular neoplasms from the wide spectrum of non-neoplastic pathological findings. In this study, 50 male dogs of various breeds, aged between 7 and 14 years, presented with testicular disorders were selected. RI and PI were calculated. Mean RI values for neoplastic, inflammatory and degenerative lesions were 0.54, 0.45 and 0.58, respectively. Mean PI values were 0.62, 0.55 and 0.63, respectively. Hypovascularization and hypervascularization of the lesion were evaluated throughout the vascularity index (VI). Vascular signals in neoplasms were significantly intensified around and inside the mass if compared with those measured during inflammatory and degenerative lesions. VI markedly increased in solid tumours. Pathological testes were removed; macroscopical, histological and immunoistochemical evaluations were carried out. Colour Doppler showed increased intralesional and peripheral flows in all neoplastic lesions analysed. No flows were detected around cysts.

Monitoring the reproductive activity in captive bred female ball pythons (P. regius) by ultrasound evaluation and noninvasive analysis of faecal reproductive hormone (progesterone and 17ß-estradiol) metabolites trends.

The royal python (Python regius) is commonly bred in captivity. To have a successful breeding season, accurate monitoring of the reproductive activity is necessary. The use of non-invasive monitoring methods in exotics is important in order to minimize stress. For this purpose ultrasound has been anecdotally used to monitor royal python reproductive activity. However, there is limited information regarding the reproductive cycle of this species. The aim of the present study is to monitor the female reproductive cycle of the royal python using ultrasonography and gonadal steroid metabolite measurements in the faeces. The reproductive activity of one hundred twenty-nine adult female P. regius was examined during two consecutive years. We performed brief scans on non-anaesthetized snakes using a portable ultrasound system and a 10-12 MHz linear array transducer (MyLab™ 30 Gold, Esaote). Ultrasound features, dimension and echogenicity of the reproductive structures were determined. During the second reproductive cycle, the hormonal profiles of 30 animals were also evaluated, with a monthly collection of faecal samples. These samples were classified according to reproductive stage, as identified by ultrasonographic examination, and the mean faecal progesterone and 17ß-estradiol levels were calculated using the results from an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Progesterone levels increased during the reproductive cycle. Estradiol levels showed greater variability, although they appeared to increase before coupling when compared to the levels between coupling and egg laying. The present study suggests that it is possible to identify different phases in the female royal python reproductive cycle: anovulatory phase, transition, folliculogenesis and embryogenesis. Ultrasound is also useful for identifying follicular regression or slugs. Gonadal steroid metabolite measurements from the faeces could help integrate reproductive information. The use of ultrasonography in addition to the steroid metabolite measurement in the faeces gives an accurate picture of ovarian activity in captive adult female royal pythons.

Long-term liquid storage and reproductive evaluation of an innovative boar semen extender (Formula12®) containing a non-reducing disaccharide and an enzymatic agent.

There are no reports of saccharolytic enzymes being used in the preparation of formulations for animal semen extenders. In the present study, the use of an innovative semen extender (Formula12®) in the long-term liquid storage of boar semen at 17°C was evaluated. The formulation included use of a disaccharide (sucrose) as the energy source precursor coupled to an enzymatic agent (invertase). The innovative extender was evaluated and compared in vitro to a commercial extender (Vitasem LD®) for the following variables: Total Motility (TM), Forward Progressive Motility (FPM), sperm morphology, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, and chromatin instability. Boar sperm diluted in Formula12® and stored for 12 days at 17°C maintained a commercially acceptable FPM (>70%). Using the results from the in vitro study, an AI field trial was performed. A total of 170 females were inseminated (135 with Formula12® and 35 with Vitasem LD®). The pregnancy rates were 97.8% compared with 91.4%, and the farrowing rates were 96.3% compared with 88.6% when Formula12® and Vitasem LD® were used, respectively. The mean number of piglets born/sow were 14.92±0.46 compared with 13.83±0.70, and the number of piglets born alive/sow were 14.07±0.46 compared with 12.12±0.70 (P<0.05). The results obtained in this study demonstrated that use of the innovative concept to provide a precursor of glucose and fructose as energy sources for an enzymatic agent in an extender allowed for meeting the metabolic requirements of boar sperm during storage at 17°C. It is suggested that there was a beneficial effect on fertilizing capacity of boar sperm in the female reproductive tract with use of these technologies.

A Clinical Case of an SRY-Positive Intersex/Hermaphrodite Holstein Cattle.

A single-born, 15-month-old Holstein cattle, diagnosed as hermaphrodite, was investigated for estrous cycle, hormonal profiles, karyotype, presence of SRY, as well as anatomopathological and histological aspects. Normal continuous estrous cycles and basal testosterone levels were reported. Necropsy showed the presence of a female genital tract that mismatched a vulvar opening and a male pelvic urethra continued within a penis. Moreover, we observed islands of seminiferous tubules with the presence of germline cells, 2 pampiniform plexi, the corpus cavernosum, the penile urethra, the corpus spongiosum and the glans. Cytogenetic analyses of the blood cells showed an XX karyotype, while the molecular analyses revealed the presence of the SRY gene in several tissues, including blood. This is the first report in the scientific literature of an SRY-positive hermaphrodite Holstein cattle with continuous ovarian cycles.

A very rare clinical case of a holstein heifer with two vulvae and a scrotum.

The physical and gynecological examination of a Holstein heifer single-born with a disorder of sexual development showed anatomical abnormalities such as the presence of a scrotum and 2 vulvae and an anal sphincter that was positioned on the right side of the body. Also, an early pregnancy was diagnosed. Cytogenetic and hormone analysis was requested, and the animal showed normal female metaphases (60,XX) and hormonal profiles. However, in gross anatomy and histological examinations, a structure compatible with a penis, the absence of a uterine body, 2 exophytic structures, and a septum in the vagina were detected.

Use of aglepristone for the treatment of P4 induced insulin resistance in dogs.

Insulin resistance (IR) in dogs is suspected when hyperglycemia is present despite administration of insulin doses greater than 1.0 to 1.5 UI/kg. IR is caused by increases in counter regulatory hormones concentrations (glucagon, glucocorticoids, catecholamines and growth hormone). This study was conducted to investigate the use of aglepristone (RU 46534), a P4 receptor antagonist, for the treatment of IR diabetes mellitus in bitches during the luteal phase. All animals were treated with porcine insulin zinc suspension (Caninsulin) and aglepristone (Alizin) 10 mg/kg subcutaneously at day 1, 2, 9 and 17 from diagnosis. At day 5, no significant variation in glycemia was shown. At day 12 and 20, serum glucose concentrations were significant lower (p < 0.05). From day 12 the insulin dose was reduced to 0.8 IU BID. Insulin was reduced in the following weeks and glycemia was controlled.