Relation between erythrocyte parameters and stillbirth in piglets

The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between erythrocyte parameters of piglets and their mortality during parturition. Erythrocyte count, haematocrit volume, blood haemoglobin concentration, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were determined in 80 live-born and 109 stillborn piglets. In both live-born and stillborn piglets the investigated parameters were evaluated with respect to sex and birth mass. Blood samples of all piglets were collected immediately after birth. Stillborn piglets had lower erythrocyte values (P<0.01), haemoglobin (P<0.05) and haematocrit (P<0.01) than live-born piglets. The results suggest that the incidence of stillbirth in piglets is associated with reduced levels of erythrocytes and haemoglobin in their blood. There are no significant influences of sex and birth mass on any of the investigated erythrocyte parameters in either live-born or stillborn piglets

Pathophysiology of mast cell tumour in humans and animals

Cilj ovog preglednoga rada bio je istražiti dosadašnje spoznaje o patofiziološkim mehanizmima nastanka mastocitoma u različitih vrsta životinja i ljudi. Također je bila namjera na temelju literaturnih podataka usporediti biološko ponašanje i oblike mastocitoma u ljudi i različitih životinjskih vrsta i komparativnim pristupom istražiti najvažnija obilježja mastocitoma, njihovu pojavnost te mogućnost širenja. Patogeneza mastocitoma nije još u potpunosti razjašnjena. Pretpostavlja se da je više čimbenika uključeno u mehanizam nastanka; pasminska predispozicija upućuje na gensku komponentu uključenu u patogenezu mastocitoma, a važnu ulogu ima i mutacija gena koji kodira receptor s aktivnošću tirozin ‒ kinaze (KIT) na membrani mastocita za vezanje čimbenika matičnih stanica (SCF, engl. stem cell factor). Mutacija KIT gena uzrokuje stvaranje KIT receptora koji je kontinuirano aktivan u odsutnosti liganda, tj. SCF-a što dovodi do proliferacije mastocita i nastanka mastocitoma. Mutacije KIT gena u pasa su najčešće locirane na eksonu 11 koji kodira regulatornu jukstamembransku domenu KIT receptora, dok je u ljudi s mastocitozom najzastupljenija mutacija D816V na poziciji 2447 kodirajuće sekvence KIT gena. Mutacije KIT gena u pasa su povezane s progresijom i lošijom prognozom mastocitoma, dok u ljudi i u mačaka mutacije KIT gena nisu povezane s prognozom bolesti, premda u ljudi imaju bitnu ulogu u dijagnostici i terapiji.This review article investigates the current knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms for the formation of mast cell tumours in different animal species and humans. Based on the available literature data, the biological behaviour and forms of mast cell tumour occurring in animals and people were compared, and the essential features of these tumours, such as incidence and the possibility of spread, were examined. The pathogenesis of mast cell tumour formation is not yet fully elucidated though it is assumed to be multifactorial. Breed predisposition to mast cell tumour formation raises the suspicion that pathogenesis is based on a genetic component, where a mutation of the gene that codes the receptor for tyrosine kinase activity on the mast cell membrane for the binding of stem cell factor (SCF) plays an important role. Mutations in the KIT gene causes production of a KIT receptor that is constitutively activated in the absence of a ligand, i.e., stem cell factor (SCF), which leads to mast cell proliferation and development of the mast cell tumour. Mutations in the KIT gene in dogs are commonly located on exon 11, which codes the regulated juxtamembrane domain of the KIT receptor, while in humans with mastocytosis, mutations are commonly found on exon D816V at the 2447 position of coding sequence of the KIT gene. Mutations in the KIT gene in dogs are associated with progression and poor prognosis of the mast cell tumour. In contrast, such mutations are not associated with disease prognosis in cats or humans. However, they play an essential role in diagnosis and therapy in humans

Histopatološke promjene u sirištima jelena lopatara na Brijunima - kratko priopćenje.

This study was performed to establish histopathological changes in the abomasa of fallow deer (Dama dama) from the Brijuni islands, in order to investigate the possible presence of Helicobacter species in this species, since literature data on abomasal histopathology are scarce, and data on the presence of Helicobacter species in red deer are absent. The study was performed on 23 abomasal samples taken from young adults (c. 1 year of age) shot in legal hunts. In all the samples inflammatory changes were visible. The histopathological findings from the samples examined were similar, indicating the epizootical nature of the disease, and they were similar to findings described in dogs with a gastric infection from Helicobacter-like organisms. However, in the abomasa of fallow deer Helicobacter organisms were not detected after the appropriate stains were applied, therefore the aetiological factor responsible for such histopathological changes has yet to be identified.Istraživanje je provedeno da bi se ustanovile patohistološke promjene u sirištima jelena lopatara (Dama dama) s brijunskog otočja i eventualna prisutnost Helicobacter vrsta u ove vrste, budući da je malo literaturnih podataka koji se tiču patohistoloških promjena u sirištu. Pregledom literature nismo pronašli niti jednu referencu o prisutnosti Helicobacter vrsta u jelena lopatara. Istraživanje je provedeno na 23 uzorka sirišta mladih odraslih jedinki (starosti oko godinu dana), žrtvovanih u redovitom odstrelu. U svim uzorcima ustanovljene su upalne promjene u sirištu. Patohistološki nalazi svih pregledanih uzoraka bili su slični, što ukazuje na epizootsku prirodu bolesti, te sličnost nalazima u želucima pasa inficiranih helikobakteru sličnim organizmima. Međutim, u sirištima jelena lopatara nakon obrade odgovarajućim tehnikama bojenja nismo ustanovili Helicobacter vrste, te zaključujemo da je etiološki čimbenik odgovoran za promjene nepoznat

Utjecaj tjelesne kondicije na metaboličke serumske pokazatelje u burske koze prije i nakon jarenja

In goats, during the puerperal period, a lack of energy is one of the most frequent causes of sudden metabolic changes and the consequent reproductive disorders. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of the body condition on the serum profile of metabolites such as: total proteins (TP), albumin (ALB), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (CHOL), glucose (GLU) and β-hydroxybutirate (BHB) in Boer goats during late pregnancy (Day 120), at parturition (Day 0) as well as on Days 30 and 60 after parturition. A total of 15 female Boer goats (does), from a commercial farm in north western Croatia were used. The body condition status of the goats was established using the standard protocol for scoring. Based on the body condition score (BCS), each doe was categorized into one of three groups: group 1 (n = 5) or obese does with BCS ≥3.50-5.00, group 2 (n = 5) or medium does with BCS ≥2.75<3.50 and group 3 (n = 5) or thin does with BCS <2.75. The concentrations of serum TP, ALB, TG, CHOL, GLU and BHB were measured spectrophotometrically. On Day 120 of pregnancy the level of TG was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the obese does than the medium does. The levels of TP or CHOL were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the obese than in the thin does on Day 30 and Day 60, respectively, following parturition. The recorded changes in the metabolites tested could be of significance for monitoring the metabolic status of goats during intensive production, and of practical interest for preventing/controlling economic losses in goat breeding.U koze tijekom puerperija nedostatak energije predstavlja jedan od najčešćih uzroka iznenadnih metaboličkih promjena i posljedičnih reprodukcijskih poremećaja. Cilj našeg istraživanja bio je procijeniti utjecaj tjelesne kondicije na serumske metabolite kao što su: ukupni proteini (UP), albumin (ALB), trigliceridi (TG), kolesterol (CHOL), glukoza (GLU) i β-hidroksimaslačna kiselina (BHB) u burskih koza tijekom kasne gravidnosti (120. dan), porođaja (0. dan) kao i na 30. i 60. dan nakon porođaja. Ukupno je korišteno 15 burskih koza iz komercijalne farme u sjeverozapadnoj Hrvatskoj. Status tjelesne kondicije (engl. body condition score, BCS) koza utvrđen je uporabom standardnog protokola za ocjenu. Na temelju ocjene BCS svaka je koza kategorizirana u jednu od 3 skupine od po 5 životinja u svakoj: 1. skupina - pretile (BCS≥3,50-5,00), 2. skupina - srednjeg gojnog stanja (BCS≥2,75-3,50) i 3. skupina - mršave (BCS≤2,75). Koncentracije serumskih UP, ALB, TG, CHOL, GLU i BHB bile su određivane spektrofotometrijski. Na 120. dan gravidnosti razina TG bila je značajno viša (P<0,05) u pretilih koza nego u koza srednjeg gojnog stanja. Razine UP i CHOL bile su značajno više (P<0,05) u pretilih nego u mršavih koza 30., odnosno 60. dana nakon porođaja. Zabilježene promjene u istraživanih metabolita mogle bi biti od značenja za praćenje metaboličkog statusa koza tijekom intenzivne proizvodnje, a mogle bi biti i od praktične vrijednosti za prevenciju i kontrolu gospodarskih gubitaka u uzgoju koza

Koštana alkalna fosfataza, osteokalcin i C-terminalni telopeptid kao pokazatelji koštane pregradnje u kuja

In clinical veterinary practice the measurement of biochemical markers for assessment of bone metabolism is not yet fully established and is only being used for now as a scientifi c method in investigations. The purpose of this research is the better understanding of bone metabolism in dogs and assessing the possible utility of biochemical bone markers in routine clinical veterinary practice. The bone markers selected for this study were: bone alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin as indicators of bone formation, and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen as marker of bone resorption. The research was conducted on 58 canine bitches of different breeds. The results indicate increased bone turnover in young animals and decreased turnover in old ones since the highest activities of the investigated bone markers were in the youngest group and they then declined with age. However, elevated activity of bone alkaline phosphatase was noted in older bitches, which has not been detected in other animal species or in healthy humans. Higher bone resorption and lower formation were noticed in heavier dogs.U veterinarskoj medicini saznanja o biokemijskim pokazateljima koštane pregradnje oskudna su i nedostatna, a njihova primjena je za sada isključivo istraživačka. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je bolje poznavanje koštanoga metabolizma u pasa na temelju mjerenja biokemijskih pokazatelja koštane pregradnje u krvi te procjena moguće kliničke primjene tih pokazatelja u rutinskoj veterinarskoj kliničkoj praksi. Pokazatelji koštane pregradnje koji su upotrijebljeni u ovom istraživanju jesu: koštana alkalna fosfataza i osteokalcin, kao pokazatelji izgradnje i C-terminalni telopeptid kao pokazatelj razgradnje kosti. Istraživanje je provedeno na 58 kuja različitih pasmina. Rezultati pokazuju pojačanu pregradnju kostiju u mladih životinja i smanjenu u starih životinja budući da su najviše vrijednosti koštanih pokazatelja utvrđene u mladih životinja, te su opadale s dobi. Međutim, povećana aktivnost koštane alkalne fosfataze zabilježena je u starijih kuja, što nije zapaženo u ostalih životinjskih vrsta niti zdravih ljudi. Također je uočena povećana razgradnja i smanjena izgradnja kosti u pasa veće tjelesne mase

Intrauterino liječenje puerperalnih poremećaja domaćih preživača ozonom - pregledni članak

In the fight against infectious diseases, with the combined efforts of basic and clinical veterinary scientists, practitioners and domestic animal producers, antimicrobials of natural origin will bring to veterinary medicine the same type of curative revolution as antibiotics did. To realize the main objective of animal husbandry, in diminishing negative economic trends, it is necessary to introduce contemporary management to reproduction. Amongst the numerous preventive measures in use in practice, it is also important to use alternative preparations such as ozone, which has germicidal and fungicidal activities. Ozone is frequently used within the field of veterinary medicine for prophylaxis/treatment of pathological conditions of the genital system in domestic ruminants, such as retained fetal membranes, clinical metritis/endometritis, and improvement of fertility, according to some previous studies. The advantages of ozone in comparison to antibiotics are usage without prescription, low medication costs, lack of bacterial resistance, and the absence of residues in animal products. However, ozone is frequently but still insufficiently used in veterinary practice, particularly in buiatrics. More recently, it has exhibited very promising results in treatment of puerperal disorders in cows, goats and sheep as an alternative to the use of antibiotics, which are restricted and/or being gradually withdrawn in production of food animals in the EU.Zajedničkim naporima temeljnih i kliničkih veterinarskih znanstvenika i stručnjaka te uzgajivača domaćih životinja, protumikrobni lijekovi prirodnog podrijetla unijet će u veterinarsku medicinu isti oblik terapijske revolucije kakav se danas pripisuje antibioticima u borbi protiv zaraznih bolesti. To je od posebne važnosti u reprodukcijskom managementu u govedarstvu gdje je ozon rabljen kao alternativa antibioticima zbog svoje germicidne i fungicidne djelotvornosti. U veterinarskoj medicini ozon je najčešće rabljen za profilaksu i terapiju patoloških stanja spolnog sustava domaćih preživača, kao što su zaostajanje posteljice, klinički metritis i endometritis te za unapređivanje plodnosti prema navodima nekih prethodnih istraživanja. Prednosti ozona u usporedbi s antibioticima su: uporaba bez recepta, niski troškovi liječenja, izostajanje bakterijske rezistencije te odsutnost rezidua u animalnim proizvodima. Može se zaključiti da je ozon često rabljen u veterinarskoj praksi posebice u bujatrici, ali još uvijek nedostatno. Naime, pokazao je vrlo obećavajuće rezultate u liječenju puerperalnih poremećaja u krava, koza i ovaca kao alternativa uporabi antibiotika, čija je primjena ograničena ili zabranjena u proizvodnji konzumnih životinja

Koštana alkalna fosfataza, osteokalcin i C-terminalni telopeptid kao pokazatelji koštane pregradnje u kuja

In clinical veterinary practice the measurement of biochemical markers for assessment of bone metabolism is not yet fully established and is only being used for now as a scientifi c method in investigations. The purpose of this research is the better understanding of bone metabolism in dogs and assessing the possible utility of biochemical bone markers in routine clinical veterinary practice. The bone markers selected for this study were: bone alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin as indicators of bone formation, and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen as marker of bone resorption. The research was conducted on 58 canine bitches of different breeds. The results indicate increased bone turnover in young animals and decreased turnover in old ones since the highest activities of the investigated bone markers were in the youngest group and they then declined with age. However, elevated activity of bone alkaline phosphatase was noted in older bitches, which has not been detected in other animal species or in healthy humans. Higher bone resorption and lower formation were noticed in heavier dogs.U veterinarskoj medicini saznanja o biokemijskim pokazateljima koštane pregradnje oskudna su i nedostatna, a njihova primjena je za sada isključivo istraživačka. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je bolje poznavanje koštanoga metabolizma u pasa na temelju mjerenja biokemijskih pokazatelja koštane pregradnje u krvi te procjena moguće kliničke primjene tih pokazatelja u rutinskoj veterinarskoj kliničkoj praksi. Pokazatelji koštane pregradnje koji su upotrijebljeni u ovom istraživanju jesu: koštana alkalna fosfataza i osteokalcin, kao pokazatelji izgradnje i C-terminalni telopeptid kao pokazatelj razgradnje kosti. Istraživanje je provedeno na 58 kuja različitih pasmina. Rezultati pokazuju pojačanu pregradnju kostiju u mladih životinja i smanjenu u starih životinja budući da su najviše vrijednosti koštanih pokazatelja utvrđene u mladih životinja, te su opadale s dobi. Međutim, povećana aktivnost koštane alkalne fosfataze zabilježena je u starijih kuja, što nije zapaženo u ostalih životinjskih vrsta niti zdravih ljudi. Također je uočena povećana razgradnja i smanjena izgradnja kosti u pasa veće tjelesne mase

Pheochromocytoma: the path from first symptoms to diagnosis - a case report

Cilj: Prikazati slučaj pacijenta obrađenog zbog gubitka na tjelesnoj masi i anksioznosti kojemu je utvrđen tumor srži nadbubrežne žlijezde, a naknadnim uvidom u medicinsku dokumentaciju utvrđene su i višegodišnje povremene palpitacije, tahikardije i skokovi tlaka. Prikaz slučaja: Prikazan je šezdesetdvogodišnji pacijent koji se žalio na oslabljen apetit unatrag 3 mjeseca, gubitak na tjelesnoj masi 10 kg te anksioznost. Ultrazvukom abdomena utvrđena je, a kompjutoriziranom tomografijom (CT) abdomena potvrđena, oštro ograničena heterogena tvorba desne nadbubrežne žlijezde promjera 4,2 x 5 cm i denziteta 26 Hounsfieldovih jedinica. Iz medicinske dokumentacije saznaje se da je prethodnih 4 godina povremeno imao palpitacije i supraventrikularne tahikardije s vrijednostima krvnog tlaka do 190/100 mmHg. Endokrinološkom obradom utvrđene su povišene vrijednosti metanefrina i normetanefrina u plazmi (12 i 9 puta). Nakon operacije patohistološki je potvrđena dijagnoza feokromocitoma. Kontrolni nalazi metanefrina i normetanefrina bili su uredni. Planira se kontrola metanefrina i normetanefrina u plazmi jedanput godišnje. Zaključak: U ovom prikazu slučaja želi se istaknuti važnost postavljanja sumnje i pravovremenog utvrđivanja feokromocitoma te sprječavanja mogućih komplikacija. Ako postoji klinička sumnja na feokromocitom ili je tijekom obrade incidentaloma nadbubrežne žlijezde CT-om isključeno da se radi o adenomu, potrebno je učiniti biokemijsku obradu feokromocitoma. Ako se ne prepoznaju na vrijeme, ovi tumori zbog svoje hipersekrecije katekolamina imaju visok kardiovaskularni morbiditet i mortalitet.Aim: This case report presents a patient with diagnosed adrenal medulla mass. The patient presented with weight-loss and anxiety. Additional examination of medical records has revealed occasional palpitations, tachycardia and fluctuating blood pressure. Case report: A 62-year-old male patient presented with arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, anxiety, appetite and weight loss of 10 kg in three months. Adominal ultrasound showed and abdominal computerised tomography (CT) scan confirmed a sharply defined heterogenous mass on the right adrenal gland of 4.2x5 cm in diameter, with a density of 26 Hounsfield units. Medical records showed that during the previous four years the patient occasionally suffered from palpitation and supraventricular tachycardia with blood pressure levels up to 190/100mmHg. The laboratory analysis showed elevated plasma levels of metanephrine and normetanephrine (12 and 9 times). Following the surgery, the histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The metanephrine and normetanephrine follow-up results were normal. Annual follow-up is recommended once a year. Conclusion: This case study shows the importance of suspicion of pheochromocytoma with its early detection and the prevention of possible complications. If there is a clinical suspicion of pheochromocytoma or if CT scan rules out adenoma, a biochemical evaluation for pheochromocytoma is mandatory. Unless recognized on time, these tumors have high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality due to their hypersecretion of catecholamines

Uloga oksidacijskog stresa i upalnog odgovora u patogenezi mastitisa u mliječnih krava

Mastitis is one of the most frequent diseases of dairy cows throughout the world, therefore it causes the greatest economic losses in dairy cattle industry. These losses are reflected through: reduced milk production, increased costs of medication and the other animal health services, reduced fertility, early culling of animals and the value of discarded milk. Mastitis is also important from the aspects of public health, milk processing and animal welfare. In the pathogenesis of mastitis the key role plays the innate immune response which is the first line of defence against the pathogen invasion of the udder. The innate immune response generates an inflammatory reaction which is the elementary response of an organism to the tissue trauma induced by any physical, chemical or biological causative agent, but primarily it is the protective mechanism of a vital significance which includes increased phagocytic activity, secretion of antimicrobial substances, fibrosis as well as the alterations in tissue structure of affected organ or body cavity. The release of a number of inflammatory mediators as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) is an important part of inflammatory response. In dairy cows, the metabolic challenge that occurred during the transition from dry period to early lactation may additionally increase the release of ROS which may contribute to development of oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Oxidative stress is defined as a shift in the balance from cellular oxidation-reduction reactions towards oxidation, i.e. to the state of excessive release of oxidants when their removal by antioxidants is impaired and even insufficient. During peripartum period antioxidantive status of dairy cows is seriously impaired and consequently both the oxidative stress and inflammatory response may present the predisposing factors to their higher susceptibility to intramammary infections (IMI) and mastitis. This association between oxidative stress and inflammation during IMI and mastitis indicates their role in the pathogenesis of mastitis. Thus, a better understanding of such a synergism could contribute to development of new approaches to prevention and therapy of IMI and mastitis.Mastitis je jedna od najčešćih bolesti mliječnih goveda u cijelom svijetu, jer uzrokuje najveće gubitke u mliječnom gospodarstvu. Ima značajan utjecaj sa stanovišta javnog zdravstva, prerade mlijeka i dobrobiti životinja. Ekonomski gubitci se očituju kroz: smanjenu proizvodnju mlijeka, velike troškove liječenja, prijevremeno izlučivanje životinja, vrijednost odbačenog mlijeka te smanjenu plodnost. U patogenezi mastitisa ključnu ulogu ima urođeni imunosni odgovor koji je prva linija obrane nakon što patogen prodre u mliječnu žlijezdu. Upala je standardna reakcija organizma na ozljedu bilo kakvog fizičkog, kemijskog ili biološkog uzroka, no prije svega to je vitalni zaštitni mehanizam, koji uključuje proizvodnju reaktivnih kisikovih spojeva (ROS), fagocitne mehanizme, izlučivanje protumikrobnih tvari, stvaranje ožiljkastog tkiva i neovaskularizaciju te promjene tkivne strukture zahvaćenog organa ili tjelesnog prostora. Metaboličko opterećenje nastalo prilikom prelaska iz perioda zasušenja u period rane laktacije je dodatno potencijalni izvor oksidansa i ROS-a u mliječnih krava i pogodovni čimbenik za nastanak oksidacijskog stresa i upalnog odgovora. Oksidacijski stres definiran je kao pomak ravnoteže u staničnim oksido-redukcijskim reakcijama prema oksidaciji, odnosno to je stanje prekomjernog stvaranja slobodnih radikala kisika i ROS pri čemu se nadilazi mogućnost njihova uklanjanja. Antioksidacijski status krava u peripartalnom periodu je stoga oslabljen i posljedično oksidacijski stres i upalni odgovor mogu predisponirati osjetljivosti krave za intramamarne infekcije (IMI) i mastitis. Povezanost između upalnog odgovora i oksidacijskog stresa tijekom IMI i mastitisa ukazuje na njihovu važnu ulogu u patogenezi bolesti mliječne žlijezde te stoga bolje razumijevanje takvog sinergizma može doprinijeti razvoju novih pristupa u prevenciji i liječenju IMI i mastitisa