Changes of acute-phase proteins during different phases of the estrous cycle in Ovsynch-synchronized Holstein cows.

BACKGROUND: Acute-phase proteins (APPs) may be increased due to different stresses during estrus phase in farm animals. AIMS: Determining changes of APPs at different phases of non-synchronized estrous cycle group (NSEG), and Ovsynch-synchronized estrous cycle group (SEG) in Holstein cows. METHODS: Twelve non-pregnant clinically and paraclinicaly healthy Holstein cows with a body condition score (BCS) of 2.75 and 70 days in milk were chosen. Two groups including NSEG and SEG were performed. Blood sampling was carried out from NSEG at the time of diestrus, proestrus, and estrus. In SEG, blood sampling was performed on day 7 (at the time of prostaglandin injection, equivalent diestrus), day 9 (at the time of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) injection, equivalent proestrus), and day 10 (at the time of insemination, equivalent estrus) of synchronization protocol. Concentrations of haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and fibrinogen (Fib) were measured. RESULTS: Concentration of Hp at estrus phase was significantly higher compared with diestrus (P=0.001) and proestrus (P=0.019) in NSEG. Moreover, Hp level in the NSEG was significantly higher than SEG at estrus phase (P=0.002). Concentrations of SAA, Cp, and Fib had no significant differences during various phases of estrous cycle in each group or between equivalent phases of both groups. CONCLUSION: It seems that unlike SAA, Fib, and Cp, concentrations of Hp may be affected by different phases of estrous cycle. Although APPs are not specific indicators, their changes besides other clinical and paraclinical indices may be helpful for more accurate heat detection in dairy cows.

Evaluation of the sedative and clinical effects of xylazine, detomidine, medetomidine and dexmedetomidine in miniature donkeys.

Aim: To evaluate the sedative and clinical effects of I/V xylazine, detomidine, medetomidine and dexmedetomidine in miniature donkeys.Methods: Seven clinically healthy, male adult miniature donkeys with a mean age of 6 years and weight of 105 kg, were assigned to five I/V treatments in a randomised, cross-over design. They received either 1.1 mg/kg xylazine, 20 µg/kg detomidine, 10 µg/kg medetomidine, 5 µg/kg dexmedetomidine or saline, with a washout period of ≥7 days. The degree of sedation was scored using a 4-point scale by three observers, and heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature and capillary refill time (CRT) were recorded immediately before and 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after drug administration.Results: All saline-treated donkeys showed no sedation at any time, whereas the donkeys treated with xylazine, detomidine, medetomidine and dexmedetomidine had mild or moderate sedation between 5 and 60 minutes after treatment, and no sedation after 90 minutes. All animals recovered from sedation without complication within 2 hours. The mean HR and RR of saline-treated donkeys did not change between 0 and 120 minutes after administration, but the mean HR and RR of donkeys treated with xylazine, detomidine, medetomidine and dexmedetomidine declined between 5 and 60 minutes after drug administration. The mean rectal temperature of all treated donkeys did not change between 0 and 120 minutes after administration. The CRT for all donkeys was ≤2 seconds at all times following each treatment.Conclusions and clinical relevance: Administration of xylazine at 1.1 mg/kg, detomidine at 20 µg/kg, medetomidine at 10 µg/kg and dexmedetomidine at 5 µg/kg resulted in similar sedation in miniature donkeys. Therefore any of the studied drugs could be used for sedation in healthy miniature donkeys.