Retrospective Assessment of Animals Experimentation Projects in Romania – A Critical Analysis of Non-Technical Summaries

The aim of the present inquiry was to design an overview about the non-technical summaries available on the web page of the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Agency (Romania). We analyzed the compliance to the requirement of replacement, reduction and refinement (the 3R’s). 56 projects were found, the most of them (48), were assigned as “basic research”, 2 as “translational and applied research”, 2 as “regulatory use and routine analysis”, while 4 projects targeted “higher education or training”. The most common animals species used were rats, and mice, followed by rabbits, pigs, hamsters, guinea pigs and frogs (Rana sp.). According to cumulative severity of the project, 20 projects were classified as “severe”, six as “moderate”, three “mild”, and three as “non-recovery”. 24 projects had nor a severity assessment, neither a proper description of the level of severity. In our opinion, the number of projects classified as “severe” is too high; at least for some of them, the level of severity could be reduced using appropriate pain control techniques and / or human end-points. Overall, our recommendation is further improving the knowledge and skills of the personal involved in authorization and execution of the projects and of the authority inspectors that authorized the projects

Calculation of the required transfusion volume in anaemic Holstein calves

In bovine medicine, blood transfusion practice represents an emergency therapy where time is critical. The aim of this study was to develop a mathematical model to calculate the required blood for transfusion, using parameters which could be easily determined on the spot. Twenty Holstein calves were assigned to two groups depending on body weight (100.1 ± 3.1 kg and 151.1 ± 3.0 kg, respectively). All animals were subjected to an anaemia induction protocol in isovolaemic conditions in order to reduce the packed cell volume (PCV) by more than one third. Twenty-four hours later, each group received an auto-transfusion therapy. In order to find a valid constant for specific weight categories with high confidence interval in cattle, we calculated the value of constant ‘CC’ for each individual, using a formula described for carnivores as a basis. The value of the constant for the 100.1 ± 3.1 kg and 151.1 ± 3.0 kg groups was 80.6315 ± 1.1069 and 76.5294 ± 2.5640, respectively. The comparison between the two groups demonstrated significantly different mean values (P = 0.0002, by t-test) and, furthermore, significantly different values of the constant distributions (P = 0.0001, by the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test)

Salvia officinalis L. extract increase the antitumor effect of Doxorubicin on Ehrlich carcinoma tumor cells

The current study demonstrated the superior in vivo antitumor activity of the association between Salvia officinalis L. and Doxorubicin as compared with Doxorubicin alone and its lack of toxicity. The study was carried out on 32 Mus musculus female mice, for 14 days long. The tumor model was Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC). Animals were divided in four equal groups of 8 mice: normal control, tumor control, EAC + doxorubicin and EAC + doxorubicin + Salvia officimalis L. All the values that reflect the tumor development (difference in body weight, EAC volume and cellular concentration) were improved in significant manner. Hematological and biochemistry parameters determination were performed for all four groups of mice and no cytotoxicity was found. The efficacy of Salvia officinalis L. as an adjuvant therapy in cancer has been demonstrated

Caralluma Acutangula Prevents Body Weight Gain in Rats Feed on Hyperlipidic Diet

Caralluma acutangula (Decne.) (CA) (Asclepiadaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Burkina Faso for the management of weight. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of extract of CA on body weight, food intake, blood biochemistry parameters on experimental obesity rat model. One group received CA 400 mg/kg b.w. per day and was fed on hyperlipidic diet (HD), while the control group received HD only for three weeks long. The phytochemical investigation of extract showed a high total phenolic content (36.21±1.36 mg GAE/100mg of extract) and total flavonoids (4.98 ±0.31 QE/100 mg of extract). In the end, CA-HD treated group had a body weight loss of 2%, compared to HD group who presented a body weight gain of 15%. The CA-HD treated group showed also a lower levels of plasma triglyceride (136.57±13.82 mg/dL) and glycemia (187.74±31.16 mg/dL) compared to HD (206.02±23.82 and respectively 230.96±79.07 mg/dL) (p<0.05). CA extract also showed a good anti-oxidant activity in vivo (effect on antioxydant enzyme (MDA, GPX, SOD) and in vitro (inhibition of DPPH radical, ferric ion reduction). This study showed that CA is a potential natural remedy for the control of body weight and alleviation of obesity related disease

The Efficiency of Rectal Fluid Therapy in Moderately Dehydrated Horses

Dehydration and hydro-electrolytic imbalances are relatively common and life threatening conditions in many animal species including horses. In the present study, we highlighted the efficacy of rectal rehydration in horses, nowadays less commonly used. The study was performed on eight non-pregnant mares (Romanian semigreus and Lipiţan breeds), from Beclean horse stud farm, affected by mild dehydration. The method consists in rectal administration in the form of a high enema of a balanced polyionic solution by using an esophageal tube; the solution contains water, sodium chloride and potassium chloride. Blood samples were collected on EDTA and procoagulant vacutainers, before and after fluid therapy. Laboratory investigations include complete blood count and electrolytes measurement, total protein, albumin, and creatinine. Expectedly, dehydrated animals shown borderline elevated hematocrit associated with mild relative hyperproteinemia and hypernatremia, and elevated uremia levels. In all cases, the parameters were restored in response to therapy, and no side effects were recorded