Cardiac troponin I levels in canine pyometra

BACKGROUND: Myocardial injury may contribute to unexpected deaths due to pyometra. To detect myocardial damage, measurement of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is currently the most sensitive and specific method. The aims of the present study were to evaluate presence of myocardial damage in canine pyometra by analysis of cTnI, to explore whether myocardial injury was associated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and to evaluate whether other clinical or laboratory parameters were associated with cTnI increase. METHODS: Preoperative plasma levels of cTnI were investigated in 58 female dogs with pyometra and 9 controls. The value of physical examination findings, haematological, serum biochemical and pro-inflammatory (CRP and TNF-α) parameters as possible predictors of increased cTnI levels was also evaluated. RESULTS: Seven dogs with pyometra (12%) and one control dog (11%) had increased levels of cTnI. In the pyometra group, the levels ranged between 0.3–0.9 μg l(-1 )and in the control dog the level was 0.3 μg l(-1). The cTnI levels did not differ significantly between the two groups. No cardiac abnormalities were evident on preoperative physical examinations. Four of the pyometra patients died within two weeks of surgery, of which two were examined post mortem. In one of these cases (later diagnosed with myocarditis and disseminated bacterial infection) the cTnI levels increased from 0.9 μg l(-1 )preoperatively to 180 μg l(-1 )the following day when also heart arrhythmia was also detected. The other patient had cTnI levels of 0.7 μg l(-1 )with no detectable heart pathology post mortem. CTnI increase was not associated with presence of SIRS. There was a trend for the association of cTnI increase with increased mortality. No preoperative physical examination findings and few but unspecific laboratory parameters were associated with increased cTnI levels. CONCLUSION: Increased cTnI levels were observed in 12% of the dogs with pyometra. The proportions of dogs with cTnI increase did not differ significantly in the pyometra group compared with the control group. CTnI increase was not associated with presence of SIRS. A trend for association of cTnI increase and mortality was observed. Preoperative physical examination findings and included laboratory parameters were poor predictors of increased cTnI levels

Immunohistochemical Study of the Goat Ductus deferens

Ductus deferens plays an important role in sperm transport and participates in the preservation of structure, maturation, and viability of sperm. In this study, we have immunohistochemically examined the ductus deferens in the goat. For immunohistochemical study the following monoclonal antibodies were used: cytokeratin 18, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin and elastin. Morphologically, three distinct layers were identified in the goat ductus deferens — tunica mucosa, tunica muscularis and tunica adventitia. The epithelium of the mucosa was intensely stained with cytokeratin 18 (CK 18). The fibroblasts in the lamina propria and blood capillaries in the muscle layer showed positive reaction for vimentin. A positive reaction for α-SMA was observed in the smooth muscle cells of the tunica muscularis in the internal, middle and outer sublayers. An intense positive reaction for α-SMA was observed in the wall of the blood vessels. Elastic fibers in the form of a loose meshwork were present in all three layers. The high density of elastic fibers were found in the tunica adventitia

The Effect of Low Dose of Cadmium on Growth, Reproduction and Chicken Viability

Cadmium (Cd) is considered to be a highly polluting heavy metal with toxic effects on health and reproduction. In this study, the effects of low dose cadmium on growth, reproductive properties, and egg properties were studied. Cadmium as cadmium chloride (CdCl2) at a dose of 3 mg Cd.kg−1 was added as a feed supplement. The following parameters were evaluated: body weight, egg production, fertility, hatching, embryo and chick mortality, and egg quality characteristics. After 2 months of exposure to low doses of cadmium, the body weight increased in the cocks and did not change in the laying hens. Egg production was not affected, while fertility increased. The values of egg weight and hardness, thickness and shell weight were significantly higher (P < 0.05). The embryo mortality in the experimental group was lower (6.5 % vs. 12.8 %) compared to the control group. The hatching was significantly higher (P < 0.05) and the loss in 7 day old chickens was similar to that in the control group. Although the toxic effects of cadmium on reproduction and accumulation in poultry bodies have been generally described, low-doses of cadmium given to adult hens and cocks has improved the reproductive parameters and qualitative properties of laying hen eggs. The results related to the reproduction and quality of eggs obtained in this study have the characteristics of the hormetic effects of low cadmium uptake

The Distribution of Collagen and Elastic Fibres in the Lactating Bovine Mammary Gland

Collagen and elastic fibres are generally present in organs whose normal function requires great resistance and elasticity. The aim of this study was to localize the collagen and elastic fibres in the stroma of the bovine lactating mammary gland and to determine their role in the process of milk ejection. For this purpose, the histochemical staining for collagen and the immunohistochemical method for the detection of elastin were used. The accumulation of scattered collagen fibres was observed between and inside the lobules where they formed distinct septa. Between secretory alveoli, the collagen fibres were found to be concentrated into two incomplete layers surrounding the blood capillaries. Bundles of elastic fibres in high density were located in the interlobular spaces. A dense network of elastic fibres was located between adjacent alveoli. Elastic membranes were located beneath the secretory epithelium. The high concentration of the collagen and elastic fibres indicated, that both types of fibres play a significant role in the resistance during the secretory stage and in the recoil of the mammary gland after milk ejection

Perception and Attitude Towards Male Participation in Family Planning in Colomadu, Karanganyar, Central Java

Background: Family planning services have traditionally targeted women. However, there is recognition that reproductive health is the joint responsibility of men and women. Given that men often have significant influences on a couple‘s contraceptive use, male participation is crucial to the success of family planning programs and associated with better outcomes in reproductive health. While there are many possible factors affecting male participation in contraceptive, there is a lack of empirical studies supporting it in Indonesia. This study aimed to investigate the perception and attitude of husbands toward male participation in family planning in Colomadu, Karanganyar, Central Java, Indonesia. Subjects and Method: This was a qualitative study with phenomenology approach, conducted at Bolon Village, Colomadu, Surakarta, Central Java. A total of 5 husbands was selected purposively. The dependent variable was male participation in using contraceptive. The independent variables were perception and attitude. The data were collected by indepth interview and direct observation. The data were analyzed descriptively. Results: Generally, there were differences in perception and attitude based on the knowledge of husband. Most husbands felt sorry for the side effects of contraceptive use that their wives experienced. Husbands had positive attitude towards male participation in contraceptive use if it were offered voluntarily without coercion. Husbands had positive perception on male participation in family planning program as it might reduce the inadvertent risk of wives posed by contraceptive use. Conclusion: Husbands have positive perception and attitude towards male participation in family planning, although there actual participation in contraceptive use remains low. Keywords: male participation, family planning, contraceptive use, perception, attitud