Effects of energy level and PMSG dose on blood progesterone, insulin and FSH concentration in Zel ewes prior to and after mating

About 184 Zel ewes, 3-5 years of age and a body weight of between 40 and 45 kg were used in the trial. Ewes were randomly allocated to 4 treatments groups based on BW and age (46 ewes/group). All of the ewes were fed in two nutritional groups including low (2 mcal kg-1) and high (2.3 mcal kg-1) metabolizeble energy diet. Ewes received experimental diet until 28th day of experiment. The estrous cycles of ewes were synchronized using SIDR and 2 levels of PMSG (300 and 500 IU). Treatments include: 1-High energy and 300 IU PMSG (H300), 2-High energy and 500 IU PMSG (H500), 3-Low energy and 300 IU PMSG (L300) and 4-Low energy and 500 IU PMSG (L300). Jugular blood samples were collected from ewes using vacutainers at 10 h in first day of experiment, CIDR insert day, CIDR removal day before mating and 120 h after mating. Bloods samples centrifuged at 3000x g for 15 min then serum immediately separated and kept frozen at -20°C until analysis for insulin, FSH and progesterone. Repeated measurements used for data analysis. The result showed that there were no any significant difference between two groups weight before start the experiment (p>0.05). During the experiment high level of energy increased the body weight than low level group (p0.05) but high level of energy decreased the insulin concentration significantly (p<0.05). In this study PMSG had no any significant effect on blood metabolites such as FSH, Insulin and progesterone

Endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux using calcium hydroxyl apatite in dogs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Injection of biomaterial to suburetral region, using minimally invasive procedure, has become an interesting topic for urologists to treat vesicoureteral reflux. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of injecting newly introduced calcium hydroxyl apatite to suburetral region, for treating an experimentally induced vesicoureteral reflux in dogs.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Bilateral vesicoureteral refluxed (VUR) mixed breed dogs (n = 12; 10-15 kg live weight, 3-6 months of age) were selected for this study. The presence and grade of the reflux were determined using cystography. Accordingly, 6 dogs displayed grade 1 & 2 and the other 6 showed grade 3 & 4 bilateral VUR. Every single dog, with bilateral VUR, underwent endoscopic treatment and received an injection of calcium hydroxyl apatite (an Iranian made product) into the left (treated side) and an injection of the similar volume of normal saline in to the right (control side) subureteric space. One week, 3 and 6 months after treatment, cystography was performed. On each occasion, 4 dogs were euthanized by gas inhalation and biopsy samples were collected for histopathological study from ureter, bladder, kidney, lung and spleen in order to investigate the biomaterial migration into different organs. Data were analyzed using Chi-squared test. In control sides, radiographs confirmed the same grade of VUR, found at the initiation of the study. VUR was resolved in 100% (6/6) of Grade 1 & 2 and 83.33% (5/6) of Grade 3 & 4 in treated side. Therefore, the total success rate of this study was 91.67% (11/12). Macroscopic examination of the vesicouretral region of the treated side revealed a firm and consistent biomaterial mass at the site of injection. Histological findings confirmed inflammation at treated side. In contrast, there was no tissue reaction on control side. There was no evidence for biomaterial migration in macroscopic and microscopic observations in this study.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In the present study, a new biocompatible material produced a firm, consist and sustainable biomaterial mass in the suburetral region for treating vesicouretral reflux without any evidence of biomaterial migration.</p

Comparison between single and three portal laparoscopic splenectomy in dogs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is a newly growing technique to replace a more invasive conventional multiple portal laparoscopic surgery. The objective of this study was to compare single (SILS) with three portal (Conventional) laparoscopic splenectomy in dogs. Mongrel dogs (n = 18), weighting 15 ± 3 kg, were selected for this study (n = 12 SILS; n = 6 conventional). The area from xiphoid to pubis was prepared under aseptic conditions in dorsal recumbency with the head down and tilted 30 degree in the right lateral position. Pneumoperitoneum was established by CO₂ using an automatic high flow pressure until achieving 12 mm Hg. Instrumentation used consisted of curved flexible-tip 5 mm Maryland forceps and ultracision harmonic scalpel for sealing and cutting of the vessels and splenic attachments.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All dogs recovered uneventfully. The splenectomy procedure using SILS and conventional methods were significantly different in the respective operative time (29.1 ± 1.65 <it>vs.</it> 42.0 + 2.69 min) and the length of the surgical scar (51.6 ± 1.34 mm <it>vs.</it> 72.0 ± 1.63 mm; P < 0.001). There were no post-operative wound complication including inflammation, infection, hernia formation and dehiscence up to one month after surgery. Meanwhile, the conversion to open surgery or application of additional portals was not required in both approaches.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study demonstrated that SILS is a safe and feasible operation and could be used as an alternative approach to three portal (Conventional) for splenectomy in dog.</p

Not Available

Not AvailableNot AvailableNot Availabl

Metabolic enhancement of the one carbon metabolism (OCM) in bovine oocytes IVM increases the blastocyst rate: evidences for a OCM checkpoint

Abstract The one carbon metabolism (OCM) has a primary role in the process of oocyte maturation. In this study bovine oocytes were cultured for 24 h, up to MII stage, with standard medium supplemented or not with 8 metabolic enhancers of the OCM and the MII and blastocyst rate were compared. Additional analyses were performed on matured oocytes, cumulus cells, zygotes and blastocysts. The OCM supplementation increased the blastocyst rate derived from in vitro fertilization. The mitochondrial mass and DNMT3a protein expression were increased whereas DNA fragmentation decreased in matured oocytes. DNA methylation in female pronucleus of zygotes was increased. The supplementation did not directly affect the redox balance as ROS and GSH in matured oocytes and homocysteine in the spent medium were unchanged. The supplementation of the oocytes with metabolic enhancers of the OCM may increase the yield from the culture, likely due to improved DNA methylation and epigenetic programming. The lack of effects on MII rate with huge differences appearing at the blastocyst stage suggest the existence of a OCM metabolic check point that hampers oocytes progression to blastocyst post-fertilization, if they were not properly primed at the time of maturation

Structure and Stability Analysis of Cytotoxic Complex of Camel α-Lactalbumin and Unsaturated Fatty Acids Produced at High Temperature

Abstract α-Lactalbumin (α-La), together with oleic acid can be converted to a complex, which kills tumor cells selectively. Cytotoxic α-La -oleic acid and α-La -linoleic acid complexes were generated by adding fatty acid to camel holo α-La at 60°C (referred to as La-OA-60 and La-LA-60 state, respectively). Structural properties of these complexes were studied and compared to the camel α-La. The experimental results show that linoleic acid induces α-La partial unfolding but oleic acid does not change the protein structure significantly. Also the stability of La-OA-60 and La-LA-60 toward thermal denaturation was measured. The order of temperature at the transition midpoint is as follows: La-LA-60 &lt; La-OA-60 &lt; α-La. La-OA-60 complex inhibited tubulin polymerization in vitro. Although the structures of La-OA-60 and La-LA-60 were different, these two complexes had similar cytotoxic effect to DU145 human prostate cancer cells. Samples of La-OA-60 that have been renatured after denaturation lost the specific biological activity toward tumor cells