Apgar score or birthweight in Chihuahua dogs born by elective Caesarean section : which is the best predictor of the survival at 24 h after birth?

In the dog, the correct management of parturition and the prompt neonatal evaluation and assistance can reduce the perinatal mortality rates that are particularly high in toy breeds. Newborn evaluation and factors addressing prognosis are pivotal to guarantee the correct neonatal assistance. Assessment of the Apgar score with viability classification and birthweight are recognized as predictors for neonatal survival in dogs, but breed-specific data are needed for a more feasible application in the dog species, in which wide differences among breeds are known. The present study aimed therefore to: (a) assess the role of Apgar score and birthweight as predictors for the survival of Chihuahua newborn puppies in the first 24 h of life; (b) to assess a cut-off of the Apgar score and birthweight values that can predict the survival of Chihuahua newborn puppies in the first 24 h after birth; (c) to assess the possible effect played by maternal parity, newborn gender and litter-size on Apgar score in Chihuahua newborn puppies, in order to provide breed-specific data for a better neonatal assistance..Data obtained from 176 normal developed Chihuahua puppies born by elective Caesarean section, showed that 62%, 28% and 10% of puppies were classified in the Apgar score classes 7\u201310, 4\u20136 and 0\u20133, respectively, with survival at 24 h after birth of 97%, 96%, 39%, in the three Apgar classes of viability, respectively. Apgar score was a better predictor for survival at 24 h after birth than birthweight (AUC 0.93, P < 0.0001; AUC 0.69, P < 0.01, respectively). Litter-size of 7 puppies/litter plays a negative effect on Apgar score. Apgar score is a better predictor of survival at 24 h than birthweight, and the best cut-off of Apgar score for survival at 24 h after birth is 4, with 96% sensitivity and 77% specificity. The different proportion of \u201cnormal viable\u201d and \u201cless viable\u201d neonates in comparison to other studies highlights that Chihuahua puppies born by elective Caesarean section should be carefully evaluated at birth to provide correct assistance

The concurrent COPD mortality doubles the mortality estimate from COPD as underlying cause in Lazio, Italy

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Barium alginate capsules for 3D immobilisation of living cells: morphology, membrane properties and permeability

Encapsulation in a barium alginate membrane is a promising strategy to obtain a three dimensional culture of living cells: membrane properties are crucial for a realistic clinical application. A one-step encapsulation technique, recently developed for controlled release of boar semen, was employed to prepare barium alginate and protamine-alginate membranes: permeability to two model molecules (haemoglobin and glucose) was evaluated. Capsules were evaluated for technological properties and scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the external morphology of the capsules and the 3D distribution of the cells within the core. The results indicate that 3D arrangement and cell shape are maintained, capsule dimensions and mechanical properties can be modulated, as well as their permeability to model molecules such as haemoglobin and glucose

Postpartum hair cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and their ratio in beef cows: Exploring association with parity and conception outcome

Hair steroid measurement has received increasing attention for monitoring hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function, as it offers the advantages of being noninvasive, fast, and able to indicate steroid concentrations over long periods. The objects of the study were to evaluate cortisol (C) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) hair concentrations and their ratio (C/DHEA-S) in beef cows from calving to 100 days (d) postpartum (pp) and to assess possible differences related to parity (primiparous vs multiparous) and conception outcome (pregnant vs not pregnant). Hair samples were collected from 6 primiparous and 5 multiparous pregnant beef cows by clipping the coat at calving (T0) and every 20 d for 5 times (T1-T5), collecting only the regrown hair. Starting from the 6th-week pp, cows were submitted to artificial insemination at spontaneous estrus; by 100 d pp, 7 cows were pregnant and 4 were not pregnant. Statistical analysis showed higher hair C concentrations in the 11 cows at calving (T0) compared to all the subsequent samplings except for T1, and higher C concentrations at T1 compared to T3, T4, and T5. These results indicate that hair C concentrations in beef cows are affected by sampling time, with a decrease from calving, as reported in other matrices. When exploring changes within parity groups, no differences were found in the multiparous among sampling times, while hair C concentrations at T0 and T1 tended to be higher than at T2 (0.01 ≤ p < 0.05) and were higher (p < 0.01) than in all the subsequent samplings (T3, T4 and T5) within the primiparous group. Higher hair C concentrations were found at T0 and T1 in the primiparous compared to multiparous (p < 0.01), suggesting that primiparous cows undergo a greater stress level before and around parturition compared to multiparous, probably due to the novelty of the calving experience. No differences were detected in C hair concentrations according to conception outcome (pregnant versus not pregnant) in each sampling time. Hair DHEA-S concentrations were neither affected by time nor by parity or conception outcome. Differences in the C/DHEA-S ratio were found at T1, with higher C/DHEA-S in the multiparous compared to primiparous cows (p < 0.001), and a tendency for higher ratio in the not pregnant compared to the pregnant (0.01 ≤ p < 0.05). These results support the choice of hair as a valuable biological matrix when investigating long-time periods such as postpartum in cows and suggest an enhanced immunoprotective effect of DHEA-S in the postpartum of primiparous cows, and in cows that get pregnant within 100 d postpartum

How stressful is maternity? Study about cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate coat and claws concentrations in female dogs from mating to 60 days post-partum

In dogs, the phase from mating to the end of weaning lasts about 120 days and encompasses many aspects that, interacting, contribute to increase the allostatic load. The coat and claws, useful for long-term change assessments, have the advantage of being collectable without invasiveness. In the present study, the Cortisol (C) and Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) concentration monthly changes in the coat and claws were studied in female dogs from mating to the end of weaning to assess Hypothalamic\u2013Pituitary\u2013Adrenal (HPA) axis activation during pregnancy and the post-partum period. The results from 15 Dobermann Pinscher female dogs showed a trend of increase of the coat C from mating to 60 days post-partum, with significant changes between mating and parturition-60 days post-partum (p < 0.01) and between the 30-day pregnancy diagnosis (PD) and 30\u201360 days post-partum (p < 0.05). The claws C trend showed significant increases between mating and 30\u201360 days post-partum (p < 0.05) and between the PD and 60 days post-partum (p < 0.01). DHEA-S in both matrices showed non-significant changes. The results suggest that maternity could play a pivotal role in the HPA axis activation, with a subsequent chronic secretion of C determining an increase in the allostatic load in the mothers. Neither maternal parity nor litter size played a significant role in the accumulation of C and DHEA-S in both matrices

Peripubertal Testosterone, 17β-Estradiol and Progesterone Concentrations in Hair and Nails in Dobermann Dogs

Studies about puberty in dogs are few, probably because many factors are involved in the delicate process of puberty onset, leading to difficulties in the proper enrollment of subjects. Moreover, the use of blood for monitoring hormonal changes can be problematic, and not feasible for long-term studies. Hair and nails proved to be suitable matrices for the retrospective evaluation of hormones’ long-term accumulation. This study was performed using hair and nails for the evaluation of testosterone (T), 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations to assess possible sexual steroid changes during the peripubertal period in dogs. The results, obtained on five males and five females, showed a significant increase in T in hair and nails of males immediately before puberty. In females, a significant increase in E2 at puberty and a marked increase in P4 after puberty was found in both biological specimens. Sex-related differences were detected only for T hair concentrations, but when the sex and sampling time were considered together, hair and nails T and nails P4 concentrations allowed us to discern between male and female dogs at specific sampling times. The results from this study showed that hair and nails are useful biological specimens for the retrospective evaluation of changes in T, E2 and P4 concentrations in peripubertal dogs

Association between a single measurement of progesterone and cortisol blood concentrations at two to one week before parturition, and number of fetuses in the Teramana goat

The Teramana goat is an at-risk breed, needing population protection and programs to increase their numbers. The first step for a population increase is the best management of reproduction, leading to an as high as possible number of healthy and viable kids born. To this purpose, beside the optimization of mating, the best possible management of pregnancy and parturition is mandatory. The goat is a prolific farm animal in which single, double, or triple ovulations can occur, leading to singleton, twin or triple pregnancies, and the birth of multiple kids. Twins and triplets are associated to increased risk for perinatal mortality and need a special surveillance and possible assistance at birth. Knowledge of the number of fetuses that have to be delivered from each goat could be a practical tool for a better management of parturition. Among the methods to define the number of fetuses in the goat, the measurement of blood progesterone (P4) concentrations have provided inconsistent results. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess the possible association between the maternal concentrations of plasma P4 and cortisol (C), two hormones possibly associated to the number of fetuses, measured only once at about two to one week before parturition in Teramana goats, and the number of fetuses. The results, obtained from 23 does, showed that both plasma P4 and C are higher in does bearing multiple fetuses than does with singleton pregnancies. However, the single measurement of plasma C, but not P4, two to one week before the expected parturition in the Teramana goat is useful to distinguish between does bearing singleton and triplet pregnancies for a better surveillance and assistance at delivery. Therefore, it could represent a tool for the best management of reproduction in a breed population at risk for extinctio

Hair and Claw Dehydroepiandrosterone Concentrations in Newborn Puppies Spontaneously Dead within 30 Days of Age

The latest intrauterine fetal developmental stage and the neonatal period represent the most challenging phases for mammalian offspring. Toward the term of pregnancy, during parturition, and after birth, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) is a key system regulating several physiologic processes, through the production of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This study was aimed to assess DHEA concentrations in hair and claws of 126 spontaneously dead newborn puppies, classified as premature puppies (PRE-P), stillborn puppies (STILL-P) and puppies that died from the 1st to the 30th day of life (NEON-P). The possible influence of newborn sex, breed body size, and timing of death on DHEA concentrations in both matrices was evaluated. Claw DHEA concentrations were higher in the PRE-P group when compared to STILL-P and NEON-P puppies (p < 0.05), whilst no significant differences were found in hair for all the studied factors. The results confirm the hypothesis that higher amounts of DHEA are produced during the intrauterine life in dogs, also in puppies that will die soon after birth

Stream channel response to peak flows in a fifth-order mountain watershed

This investigation explored how the magnitude, style, and frequency of channel adjustments vary spatially and over time within a 5th-order mountain watershed. Historical data sets, including repeated cross section surveys spanning up to 20 years at five sites on 2nd to 5th-order channels and streamflow records spanning up to 50 years, were supplemented by mapping and field reconnaissance activities. The study had two major parts. The first focused on two adjacent, contrasting stream reaches to examine the influence of large woody debris (LWD) on channel morphology and channel response to peak flows in a 3rd-order stream. The upper reach flows through old-growth forest with abundant LWD, while the lower reach was clearcut in 1964-65 and contains little LWD. A 25-year flood in 1996 caused deposition upstream of LWD steps in the old-growth reach alternating with scour between steps, resulting in no net gain or loss of sediment within the reach, while extensive scour and coarsening of the bed occurred in the clearcut reach. These observations suggest that reach-scale channel response was strongly influenced by LWD abundance, but that response at finer scales depends critically on the details of the location and arrangement of LWD. The second part of the study examined the dynamics of channel response to peak flows over two decades, and to two particular large floods during that period, in different portions of the channel network. The cross section data show that the streambed at the study sites is very stable, particularly in lower-order channels. Peak flows that produced detectable change at 90% of cross sections-flows able to cause significant channel adjustments-recur approximately three times as frequently (every 6-7 years) in 4`" to 5`h-order Lookout Creek as in 3rd-order Mack Creek (20-25 years). Flows that produced detectable change at 25% of cross sections are estimated to occur on average every 1.7 to 3.0 years at the study sites. It is estimated that if peak flows of all sizes were increased by only 10% due to anthropogenic impacts (e.g., logging) or climate change, the frequency of peak flows of a magnitude observed to produce significant channel adjustments would increase by approximately 30% in Lookout Creek and 60% in Mack Creek

A case of cerebral salt wasting syndrome in a patient with central diabetes insipidus and status epilepticus

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