Reproductive performance, metabolic and hormonal profiles of Santa Inês ewes in winter and summer under tropical conditions.

The study aimed to evaluate the reproductive, metabolic and hormonal profiles of Santa Inês ewes during winter and summer in the tropical climate of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The ewes (n = 16) were prepared for induction of synchronised oestrus with a short-term hormonal treatment, and follicular dynamics were assessed with ultrasonography. Blood samples for biochemical and hormonal analyses were collected on days zero, six and eight of the protocol at 7, 13 and 19 h. Reproductive behaviour did not differ (P > 0.05) between seasons. Based on ultrasonography data, the ovulation rate was 100% in summer and 81.3% in winter. Most of the ewes showed double ovulation in summer, and the diameter of the largest and second largest follicles differed (P < 0.05) between seasons. Among the biochemical parameters, plasma glucose, plasma urea and serum albumin differed (P < 0.05) between the study periods. Regarding the hormonal profile, higher serum triiodothyronine, thyroxine and prolactin concentrations (P < 0.05) were observed in summer. The average progesterone concentrations demonstrated low reproductive seasonality. In conclusion, the reproductive performance of the ewes was superior in summer, and higher levels of plasma glucose and serum albumin during this season may have played a role in the observed ovulation rates. The higher levels of serum prolactin and serum thyroxine in summer demonstrated that these compounds were not involved in the regulatory mechanisms underlying the onset of anoestrus in these Santa Inês ewes under tropical conditions.

Postoperative care and long-term follow-up after a rostral mandibulectomy to treat an ossifying fibroma in a horse / Cuidados pós-operatórios e acompanhamento a longo prazo após mandibulectomia rostral no tratamento de fibroma ossificante em um equino

ABSTRACT: Ossifying fibroma is a disfiguring benign neoplasia of the jaw that affects young animals of several species, including horses. The present report described the postoperative care and long-term follow-up after a rostral mandibulectomy (RM) that was performed to treat an ossifying fibroma in a horse. A 3-year-old crossbred horse presented a hard, well-defined, 14.5×10.0×9.5cm ulcerated mass attached to the rostral mandible. Radiographic findings were compatible with a nonaggressive mandibular bone deformity (benign neoplasia). Histological features confirmed the diagnosis of the ossifying fibroma. After the RM, the horse slowly adapted to the new feeding conditions and was discharged when it fully recovered and was capable of feeding on the paddock and drinking water on its own on day 60. This slow adaptation was crucial for post-surgical recovery and required hard labor to manage the feeding and hydration by nasogastric tube during the hospital stay.

RESUMO: Fibroma ossificante é uma neoplasia benigna desfigurante da mandíbula, que afeta animais jovens de várias espécies, incluindo equinos. O presente relato descreve os cuidados pós-operatórios e o acompanhamento a longo prazo após mandibulectomia rostral (MR) no tratamento de um fibroma ossificante em um equino. Um cavalo mestiço de três anos de idade apresentou massa ulcerada, dura, bem definida, medindo 14,5x10x9,5cm, contígua à mandíbula rostral. Os achados radiográficos foram compatíveis com uma deformidade óssea mandibular não agressiva (neoplasia benigna). As características histológicas confirmaram o diagnóstico de fibroma ossificante. Após a MR, o equino adaptou-se lentamente às novas condições de alimentação e recebeu alta clínica totalmente recuperado, sendo capaz de se alimentar em piquetes e beber água por conta própria, no 60o dia. Esta lenta adaptação foi crucial para recuperação pós-cirúrgica e exigiu trabalho árduo no manejo da alimentação e hidratação por meio de sonda nasogástrica durante o período de internação hospitalar.