Computed tomography of the abdomen in Saanen goats: II. liver, spleen, abomasum, and intestine

This study describes the results of computed tomography (CT) of the liver, spleen, abomasum, small intestine and large intestine in 30 healthy Saanen goats. CT examination and anatomical slice preparation postmortem were performed as described in the first communication. After subjective evaluation of the CT images, various variables including the length/size, volume and density of the liver, spleen and gallbladder, the wall thickness of the abomasum, small intestine and large intestine and the diameter of the intestine were measured. The liver, spleen, abomasum, small intestine and large intestine could be accurately visualised using CT

Ultrasonography of the omasum in 30 Saanen goats

Background Primary diseases of the omasum are uncommon in goats, although the omasum may be involved in various gastrointestinal disorders. Examination of the caprine omasum via ultrasonography requires a good understanding of the normal appearance of the organ. However, in contrast to cattle, there is a lack of reference information on this topic in goats. Thus, the goal of the present study was to describe the results of ultrasonography of the omasum in 30 healthy Saanen goats. Results Ultrasonography was carried out in standing, non-sedated goats using a 5.0 MHz linear transducer. The location and size of the omasum, thickness of the omasal wall and visualisation of the abomasal laminae, contents and contractions were assessed. The omasum was visible from the 9th intercostal space (ICS) in all the goats, and from the 8th and 10th ICSs in 29 and 24 goats, respectively. The omasum was seen medial to the liver, but only the omasal wall closest to the transducer was visible. The dorsal omasal limit formed a dorsally convex curve running from cranioventral to caudodorsal and was furthest from the dorsal midline in the 6th ICS. The ventral omasal limit formed a ventrally convex curve. The size of the omasum was largest (10.2 ± 3.1 cm) in the 9th ICS and decreased cranially and caudally from this position. Active omasal motility was recorded in 20 goats with 0.3 to 2.0 contractions per minute. Conclusions The findings of this study provide reference ranges for the interpretation of the location and size of the omasum in goats with suspected omasal abnormalities. Ultrasonography is an ideal diagnostic tool for evaluation of the omasum, which is not accessible to conventional examination techniques, such as inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation

Prosudba kliničkih i ultrazvučnih nalaza kod abdominalnih poremećaja u krava.

In this study, 100 cattle were examined clinically and ultrasonographically in order to identify their abdominal disorders. The importance and advantages of ultrasonography were evaluated by testing the findings of radiography and abdominocentesis in suspicious cases. Examinations revealed that subjects were suffering from omphalitis (n = 30), extraumbilical abscess (n = 22), traumatic reticulitis (n = 14), urolithiasis and bladder rupture (n = 10), traumatic reticuloperitonitis (n = 6), hernia umbilicalis (n = 6), omphalophlebitis (n = 4), urachal fistula (n = 3), abomasum fistula (n = 2), hernia ventralis (n = 2) or ruminal fistula (n = 1). This investigation indicated that clinical symptoms were unspecific and insufficient for definitive diagnosis even though they provided valuable data at first. However, ultrasonography not only provided definitive results, but also dispelled doubts raised by techniques applied in previous or subsequent procedures.Stotinu goveda bilo je pretraženo klinički i ultrazvučno radi dokazivanja njihovih abdominalnih poremećaja. Važnost i prednosti ultrazvučne dijagnostike bili su procijenjeni na osnovi radiografskih nalaza i punkcije abdomena u sumnjivih slučajeva. Pretragom je bilo ustanovljeno da su goveda oboljela od omfalitisa (n = 30), izvanpupčanih apscesa (n = 22), traumatskog retikulitisa (n = 14), urolitijaze i prsnuća mokraćnog mjehura (n = 10), traumatskog retikuloperitonitisa (n = 6), pupčane hernije (n = 6), omfalofl ebitisa (n = 4), urahusne fistule (n = 3), fistule sirišta (n = 2), ventralne hernije (n = 2) ili buražnih fistula (n = 1). Istraživanje upućuje na zaključak da su klinički znakovi bili nespecifični i nedovoljni za postavljanje konačne dijagnoze, iako su u početku davali obećavajuće rezultate. Ultrazvučnom dijagnostikom potvrđeni su konačni nalazi i uklonjene sumnje postavljene pretragom metodama primijenjenima u prijašnjim ili naknadnim pretragama.

Ultasonographical examination of one humped camels´(Camelus dromedarius)liver with some haematological and biochemical aspects

The main objective of this study was to determine the suitable site to examine the liver by transcutaenous ultrasonography and to describe the echo pattern of the hepatic parenchyma and hepatic vessels in apparently healthy dromedary camels. The study was conducted on two groups of camels; Group I consisted of forty-one camels from Sudan and Egypt with the weight range of 350-550 kg. Camels in Group II (four camels) were studied in Germany their body weight ranged 400-600 kg. Body temperature, pulse, heart and respiratory rates, blood haematology and biochemistry, hump height and circumference were determined. Sternal recumbancy was found to be the most suitable and safer position to perform all the above mentioned examinations. Mean and standard deviation of the hump height and circumference in Group I were 23.1 ± 6.1cm and 87.6 ± 35.9 cm respectively, and 38.3 ± 9.9 cm and 139.0 ± 21.7 cm, respectively in Group II. Body temperature ranged 35.8°C to 40°C (Group I) and 34.5°C to 36.4 °C (Group II); pulse rate ranged 35 to 55 beats/min (Group I) and from 30 to 45 (Group II) beats/min; respiratory rate was 10 to 22 breaths/ min (Group I) and 9 to 4 (Group II) breaths/ min. Blood parameters including total and differential (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monophiles and eosinophils) white blood cell count as well as Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC were measured in both groups. There was no significant difference in these values in animals in both groups. Blood biochemistry including AST, ALT, ALB, BIL, TG, ALP, GGT and GLDH was also measured in both groups. There were no significant differences between these values in Group I and Group II. The liver could be ultrasonographically visualized in the area extending from the 11th to the 6th intercostal space (ICS) on the right side of the animal. The transverse process of the 2nd lumbar vertebrum was considered as a reference point. The mean distance between the RP and the dorsal and ventral liver margins was measured in both groups. The difference between these values in both groups was not significant. The parenchymal pattern of the normal camel liver consisted of numerous medium echoes homogenously distributed all over the area of the liver. Fissures were observed in the visceral liver surface in the 10th to the 7th ICS. Hepatic and portal veins could be visualized within the normal liver textures. The caudal vena cava was characterized by an oval shape in cross section and visualized in the 11th and 10th ICS. Porta hepatis was found at the same level of the point of the shoulder joint at a distance of 70.3 ± 6.3 cm and 73.2 ± 4.4 cm from it in Group I and Group II, respectively. The portal vein was best visualized in the 10th ICS with diameter and depth of 33.4 ± 7.1 mm (Group I) and 35.0 ± 5.1 mm (Group II) and 42.0 ± 1.8 mm (Group I) and 72.7 ± 4.7 mm (Group II), respectively. The thickness of the dorsal and ventral liver margins at the 10th ICS was thinner as it progressed cranially. The dorsal margin was usually thinner than the ventral margin in all intercostal spaces in both groups of camels. The whole liver length which could be ultrasonographically examined in the area from the 11th to the 6th intercostal spaces in Group I and Group II were (53.0 ± 7.1 cm) and (60.5 ± 5.7 cm), respectively. This work represents the first study on ultrasonographical examination of the liver in the one humped camel. The presented data can form base line values for future use of ultrasound in diagnosis of liver diseases in the dromedary camel. The technique is non-invasive and has the advantage that it can be applied in sitting non-tranquilized animals

Development of ultrasound-guided gene therapy to the sheep fetus.

Fetal gene therapy may treat genetic diseases before significant organ damage, target stem cell populations and avoid immune sensitisation. Candidate diseases include cystic fibrosis, haemophilia and lysosomal storage disorders. This thesis developed ultrasound-guided delivery of viral vectors to the sheep fetus for treatment of these diseases. For haemophilia B treatment we delivered adenovirus vectors containing the p-galactosidase reporter gene (adlacZ) or the human factor IX gene (adhFIX) by ultrasound guidance to the early gestation sheep fetus, when it is considered to be pre-immune. Intraperitoneal injection allowed the earliest time point for gene delivery, achieved the highest hFIX levels and the most localised p-galactosidase expression. Therapeutic hFIX levels were detected after intramuscular and intra-amniotic delivery suggesting that these are potentially alternative sites for therapeutic gene expression. For each route examined, no humoral immune response was observed to the transgene, although antibodies to the adenovirus vector were identified. We achieved intravascular delivery via umbilical vein injection therapeutic hFIX levels were detected. We developed ultrasound-guided transthoracic injection of the mid-gestation fetal trachea for cystic fibrosis treatment, p-galactosidase expression, measured by ELISA, was low after delivery of adlacZ vector alone, but increased 10 fold when the vector was complexed with DEAE dextran. Pretreatment of the fetal airways with sodium caprate increased expression by 90 fold the effect of the two agents was synergistic. Perflubron instillation following vector injection redistributed transgene expression from the large to the small airways. We developed ultrasound-guided fetal intragastric injection and achieved widespread transgene expression throughout the gastrointestinal epithelia after adlacZ vector delivery. For brain manifestation of lysosomal storage disorders we injected adlacZ vectors to the fetal ventricles under ultrasound guidance. Transduction of the choroid plexus was seen. Future application of integrating vectors such as lentivirus may allow for long term therapeutic correction and induce immune tolerance to the transgene

Effect of exogenous enzymes on ruminal fermentation, pelletability and palatability of blueberry products in equine feed, and the effects of quantity of protein and starch on equine cecal environment

Master of ScienceDepartment of Animal Sciences and IndustryTeresa L DouthitEnhancing ruminal fermentation of feed is an important consideration for producers of beef and dairy cattle. One method for enhancing fermentation of fiber is application of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) to feed. To determine whether method used to apply EFE impacts fermentation parameters by bovine ruminal microorganisms, 3 methods of applying Vista Pre-T (AB Vista, Inc., Plantation, FL.) on a total mixed ration (TMR) were evaluated: sprayed liquid enzyme (wet), liquid enzyme combined with molasses (molasses) prior to mixing molasses into TMR, and dried enzyme added to vitamin and mineral premix (dry) prior to mixing vitamin and mineral premix into TMR. Five grams (dry matter; DM) treated TMR, which were calculated to contain 4.82 mg (DM) Vista Pre-T, were placed into fermentation bottles. Additionally, there also were cultures that received 5 g (DM) untreated TMR with 2.41 mg (DM) liquid Vista Pre-T dosed directly (direct-dosed) into fermentation bottles at the time of inoculation. Negative control cultures contained 5 g (DM) untreated TMR and were not exposed to EFE. One hundred twenty-five milliliters McDougall’s buffer and 25 mL ruminal fluid, which served as inoculum, were combined with TMR in fermentation bottles. Bottles were sparged with N2, fitted with gas pressure monitoring modules, and incubated for 48 h at 39°C. Molasses enzyme application reduced maximum rate of gas production and increased time to reach half maximum gas production compared to all other applications (P ≤ 0.05). Wet application led to greater terminal pH compared to all other treatments (P ≤ 0.05). Cultures containing molasses treatment had greater (P ≤ 0.02) terminal pH compared to dry and direct-dosed treatments. Concentrations of total VFA, acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, and isovalerate were not affected (P ≥ 0.12) by application method. Acetate:propionate ratio was increased when cultures contained molasses treatment compared to direct-dosed and negative control cultures (P ≤ 0.01). Butyrate concentrations were greater when cultures contained molasses compared to all treatments (P ≤ 0.009) except dry (P = 0.07). Molasses and dry application methods resulted in greater valerate concentrations (P ≤ 0.03) compared to cultures containing wet treatment. Dry application led to greater caproate concentrations compared to all treatments (P ≤ 0.02) except molasses (P = 0.40). In vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) was greater for cultures containing dry and molasses treatments than all other application methods (P ≤ 0.0009). Neutral detergent fiber disappearance (NDFD) was greatest for cultures containing dry application (P < 0.0001) with wet application method yielding the lowest NDFD (P < 0.0001); however, ranges observed for all parameters were small. While molasses treatment had the greatest impact on dry matter disappearance in vitro, this effect has not been confirmed in vivo. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of liquid blueberry juice (BJ65) or blueberry puree (BP30) used as a binding agent on pellet durability and palatability of a typical equine concentrate when included at 4% of the pellet. Molasses was used as a control. Production data, pellet durability, and moisture content were evaluated in 1 replicate for each treatment. Because moisture content of condition mashes was 17.59% and 18.11% for BJ65 and BP30 treatments, respectively, greater inclusion of blueberry product would likely cause roller slippage and complicate the pelleting process due to increased liquid. Pellet durability met industry standards for all treatments. Pellets were fed in a 3-period crossover study to 9 two-year-old horses to determine the effect of blueberry products on acceptability. All animals were allowed 10 min to consume 1.36 kg at 0700 h and 1700 h each day for 3 d. Consumption time and amount consumed were recorded to calculate intake, intake rate, and intake ratio (IR). No horses consumed all pellets within the allotted time, and thus, treatment differences for intake and intake rate were the same. Period tended to impact intake (P = 0.0909), with horses consuming less during period 1 than period 3 (P = 0.0317), but period had no effect (P = 0.2881) on IR. Treatment influenced intake (P < 0.0001), with decreased intake of BP30 compared to control and BJ65 (P ≤ 0.0001). Intake ratio was greater (P = 0.0075) for BJ65 than BP30 with IR of 0.5069 and 0.4227, respectively. Because IR of 0.50 indicates equal consumption of treatment pellets compared to control, consumption of BJ65 was no different than control. Thus, BJ65 appears to be more acceptable to horses than BP30 when included in dietary pellets at this rate. Fluctuations in relative abundances of microorganisms in the equine hindgut have been associated with colic, and, while equine diets contain varying ratios of forage:concentrate, little is known regarding effects of increasing dietary starch on the microbiome of the equine hindgut. Thus, an experiment was conducted with six cecally cannulated horses (524 ± 65.5 kg BW) to evaluate effects of increasing dietary starch on equine cecal microbiota. Starch was supplied via pelleted corn and increased by 0.5 g starch·kg BW-1·meal-1 every 7 d until horses received 3.5 g starch·kg BW-1·meal-1. Smooth bromegrass hay and water were offered ad libitum. Meals were fed every 6 h, starting at 0600 h. On d 7 of each period, cecal digesta were collected every 2 h for 12 h, with the h 0 collection occurring prior to the 0600 h feeding. Cecal samples obtained from all time points for a given level of dietary starch within an individual horse were pooled, DNA was extracted for PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene (V3 and V4 regions), and sequencing was performed using an Illumina MiSeq. Mothur was utilized for clustering of features and operational taxonomical units (OTUs), and sequences were submitted to SILVA database for identification. Data were analyzed (SAS version 9.4) as a completely randomized design with fixed effect of treatment (g starch·kg BW-1·meal-1) and random effect of horse. Across treatments, Firmicutes was the most abundant phylum, followed by Bacteroidota. Feeding 1.5 g starch·kg BW-1·meal-1 elicited the greatest changes in microbiota, indicated by decreased (P ≤ 0.0469) relative abundances (RA) of Rikenellaceae, Prevotellaceae, RF16 group, Spirochaetaceae, Alloprevotella, Prevotella UCG-003, Prevotella UCG-004, RF16 group genus, and Treponema compared to all other treatments. Conversely, feeding 1.5 g starch·kg BW-1·meal-1 resulted in increased (P ≤ 0.0045) RA of Christensenellaceae and the R-7 group genus compared to all other treatments. If a horse presented with symptoms of colic, it was removed from the experiment. Data obtained when feeding 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g starch·kg BW-1·meal-1 were compared between horses that completed the trial and those removed using a covariate of 0 g starch·kg BW-1·meal-1. When consuming 0 g starch·kg BW-1·meal-1, horses that persisted had greater (P ≤ 0.00454) RA of Aeromonadales, Succinivibrionaceae, and Selenomonadaceae compared to horses that were removed. When feeding 0.5 g starch·kg BW-1·meal-1, no differences in RA of taxa were detected between horses that persisted and horses that would later be removed. Horses that were removed had greater RA of Colidextribacter (P = 0.0057) compared to horses that persisted when feeding 1.0 g starch·kg BW-1·meal-1. When consuming 1.5 g starch·kg BW-1·meal-1, horses that persisted had greater (P ≤ 0.0500) RA of Negativicutes, Acidaminococcales, Acidaminococcaceae, Phascolarctobacterium, and Ruminococcus compared to horses that were removed. This is one of the first reports describing effects of gradually increasing dietary starch on equine cecal microbiota in vivo. As well, this is the first report to compare cecal microbiota of horses tolerant of increasing dietary starch to those susceptible to colic in response to such dietary challenge. Dietary protein recommendations for equines are not consistent and may not account for microbial nitrogen requirements in the equine hindgut. To assess the impact of nitrogen on fermentation by equine cecal microorganisms, cecal fluid from 4 cecally cannulated horses was used to inoculate fermentation bottles containing buffer, forage, and supplemental nitrogen. In experiment 1, sodium caseinate (SC) provided 0, 0.5, 1, 2, or 4% additional CP to bottles containing alfalfa (22.4% CP) or native warm season prairie grass hay (4.8% CP). Bottles were equipped with continuous gas pressure monitors and placed into a shaking incubator for 48 h at 39°C. Cultures with alfalfa had greater (P < 0.0001) in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD), NDF disappearance (NDFD), ADF disappearance (ADFD), cumulative gas production and total VFA than those with grass hay. All levels of sodium caseinate increased gas production (P ≤ 0.05) and decreased pH (P < 0.003) in cultures with grass hay. Sodium caseinate at 1, 2, or 4% additional CP increased IVDMD, NDFD, and ADFD (P < 0.01), while 4% additional CP also increased total VFA (P < 0.01) in cultures with grass hay. For experiment 2, SC, fishmeal, soybean meal (SBM), whey, porcine blood plasma, and L-lysine hydrochloride were added to supply 2% additional CP equivalent to cultures with grass hay. All nitrogen sources decreased pH and increased IVDMD, NDFD and ADFD (P ≤ 0.01), with the largest effects elicited by SC, L-lysine, and whey (P ≤ 0.05). Total VFA (P ≤ 0.04) and gas (P ≤ 0.05) production increased with L-lysine, whey, SC, SBM, and fishmeal. While nitrogen supplementation had minimal effects on cultures containing alfalfa, it altered fermentation and increased digestibility, as measured by IVDMD, NDFD, and ADFD, of grass hay, more notably with more soluble protein sources

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