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Assessment of Stress in Dogs Under Cancer Therapy via Faecal Cortisol Metabolite Analysis: A Pilot Study
No full textStress reactions play an important role in animals’ ability to cope with various situations. Glucocorticoids are measured as a stress parameter, and analysis of their faecal metabolites has proven to be a good method for evaluating long term stress. We hypothesised that dogs suffering from cancer would have a higher stress level during cancer therapy, which would be reflected in higher levels of faecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs). Faeces were collected from 40 dogs receiving radiation or chemotherapy before and during the treatment, and from 53 healthy dogs, who served as a control group. FCMs were extracted and quantified by a cortisol enzyme immunoassay. The results showed that the stress levels were not significantly higher in the cancer patients before therapy compared to those in the control group. Additionally, there were no significant differences in the FCM concentrations of dogs at specific time points during chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Therefore, suspected stress should not be a criterion to exclude animals from cancer treatment. Such a treatment seems ethically justifiable if it is expected to provide benefits and improvement in the quality of life for patients
An Animal-Free Patient-Derived Tissue-Mimetic Biochip Model of the Human Synovial Membrane for Human-Relevant Osteoarthritis Research
No full textCurrent synovial models fail to capture human-relevant OA traits. This study develops a fully humanized, animal-free synovial membrane model, mimicking OA synovial structure and molecular profile. Protocols for rheumatoid synovial micromasses are adapted for 3D biochip cultures of OA synoviocytes using TISSEEL fibrin and ELAREM lysate. Cell activity, mRNA expression, and structural changes are evaluated under varying hydrogel stiffness and cytokine exposure, with results compared to human OA and animal (equine and murine) synovial tissues. The animal-free biochip protocols replicate synovial architecture successfully. Improved gene expression of reticular collagen III (COL3A1) is achieved with 50 mg mL−1 fibrinogen and 1% hPL. A 50 pg mL−1 TNF-α and IL-1β stimulus induced a pro-fibrotic phenotype (COL1A1, COL3A1) distinct from the inflammatory response triggered by ng/mL dosages (IL6, MMP1, MMP3, and MMP13, vs the pg/mL model). The clinical relevance of the patient-relevant OA synovial model is underscored by significant Yap1 overexpression, reflecting synovial hyperplasia from cell activation and inflammation. Yap1 distribution, as a biomarker (ctrl vs kOA tissue), is best replicated in the low-dose pg/ml-treated model. The tissue-mimetic biochips provide a human-relevant OA study platform offering patient-relevant molecular insights into the structure-function relationships of osteoarthritic synovial tissues while eliminating animal-derived materials
Age-related evolution of serum biochemistry and intestinal fatty acid signaling, innate immune response, and barrier function in suckling and newly weaned piglets
No full textIt is helpful for diagnostic purposes to improve our current knowledge of gut development and serum biochemistry in young piglets. This study investigated serum biochemistry, gut site-specific patterns of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), and expression of genes related to barrier function, innate immune response, antioxidative status, and sensing of fatty and bile acids in suckling and newly weaned piglets. The experiment consisted of two replicate batches with 10 litters each. Piglets could suckle freely and had access to creep feed from day of life (DoL) 3. Weaning occurred on DoL28. Blood, gastric, cecal, and colonic digesta, as well as jejunal and cecal tissue were collected on DoL3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 31, and 35 (n = 10/sex/DoL). Serum liver enzyme activities were high on DoL3 but decreased thereafter, reflecting the immature state of hepatocytes after birth (P < 0.05). Age-related fluctuations in serum glucose and lipids indicated changes in energy metabolism within the suckling period and lower feed intake after weaning. Short-chain fatty acids increased in cecal digesta from DoL3 to 28 (P < 0.05). After weaning, lower gastric and cecal SCFA on DoL31 and DoL35, respectively, versus DoL28 mirrored lower feed intake, whereas colonic SCFA increased after weaning (P < 0.05). Jejunal and cecal expression of free fatty acid receptors and monocarboxylate transporters changed with increasing age (P < 0.05). For some genes including FFAR2 and FFAR3 in the cecum, expression levels declined from DoL3 onwards (P < 0.05), indicating an inverse relationship with luminal SCFA availability. However, there was no unique jejunal and cecal expression pattern for fatty acid receptors and transporters, and pattern recognition receptors (PRR), probably corresponding to the age-related changes in their ligands. Increasing expression of anti-inflammatory IL10 in jejunum and cecum from DoL3 to 28 may be indicative of a build-up of immune tolerance (P < 0.05). Postweaning expression of PRR was not increased, but reduced jejunal expression of antioxidative enzymes and increased cecal expression of proinflammatory TNFA combined with lower expression of MUC2, OCLN, and ZO1 compared to the suckling phase indicated compromised gut homeostasis (P < 0.05). Overall, the present results show study-specific age-related patterns of genes associated with mucosal metabolite sensing or defense mechanisms in the jejunum and cecum from birth to after weaning
Das Hufeisen Typ Lechner und seine Entwicklung auf Basis biomechanischer Befunde zur Hufrotation: Ein Beitrag zur Forschungsgeschichte
No full textJakob Lechners Bemühungen um die Verbesserung der Hufgesundheit ziviler und militärisch genutzter Pferde motivierten ihn, einen neuen wissenschaftlichen Ansatz zu verfolgen. So veröffentlichte Lechner bereits zwei Jahre, nachdem er zum Professor am k.u.k. Militär-Tierarznei-Institut in Wien berufen wurde, die Rotationstheorie, welche die Formveränderungen des Hornschuhs während der Bewegung des Pferdes erklären sollte. Sie regte einen intensiven wissenschaftlichen Diskurs an, nachdem die Erweiterungstheorie von Leisering und Hartmann zwanzig Jahre als unumstößlich galt. Die Befürworter blieben vereinzelt und die Rotationstheorie konnte sich nicht längerfristig durchsetzen. Erst in neuerer Zeit konnte die Rotationstheorie in Bezug auf die Mechanik des Hornschuhs durch eine Computersimulation mit finiten Elementen in ihrem Endergebnis bestätigt werden. Lechner hielt an der Rotationstheorie fest und entwickelte in der Folge das Hufeisen Typ Lechner, welches die neuen Kenntnisse bezüglich der Hufmechanik berücksichtigten sollte. Dieses wurde grundsätzlich in drei Größen und in drei Ausführungen (Pantoffel-Reiteisen, bestolltes Reiteisen und Reiteisen mit Schraubstollen) hergestellt. Nach einer ersten Erprobungsphase an Reitpferden im Militär-Tierarznei-Institut in Wien folgte nach Genehmigung durch das Reichskriegsministerium eine weitere Erprobung. Diese fand allerdings nicht in einem standardisierten Verfahren, sondern nach Ermessen der Kommandeure statt. Den Ergebnissen zufolge überzeugte das Hufeisen Typ Lechner und wurde als Standardhufeisen in der k.u.k. Armee flächendeckend eingeführt. Lechner hob nachträglich die Bedeutung dieses Hufeisentyps für den Erfolg der k.u.k Armee hervor. Insgesamt war die Frage des Hufbeschlags jedoch im militärischen Pferdewesen von untergeordneter Bedeutung.Jakob Lechner\u27s efforts to improve the hoof health of civilian and military horses motivated him to pursue a new scientific approach. Two years after being appointed as a professor at the Imperial and Royal Military Veterinary Institute in Vienna, Lechner published the rotation theory to explain the changes in shape of the hoof during movement. It sparked an intense scientific discourse, as the expansion theory of Leisering and Hartmann had been considered unassailable for twenty years. The proponents were few and the rotation theory could not establish itself. In recent times, the rotation theory for hoof mechanics has been largely confirmed by computer simulation using finite element modelling. Lechner remained committed to his theory and used it to develop the Lechner horseshoe, which he designed to take the new knowledge of hoof mechanics into account. The horseshoe was produced in three sizes and in three variations (riding shoe without studs, known as sidebone shoe; studded riding shoe; and riding shoe with screw studs). After an initial testing phase on riding horses at the Veterinary Institute in Vienna, further testing was conducted after approval by the Imperial War Ministry. The tests did not follow a standardized protocol but were undertaken at the discretion of the various commanders. The results showed that the Lechner shoe performed well and it was widely adopted as the standard horseshoe in the Imperial and Royal Army. Lechner later emphasized the importance of this type of horseshoe for the success of the Imperial and Royal Army, although the issue of hoof shoeing was of secondary importance in military equestrian affairs.Jakob Lechners Bemühungen um die Verbesserung der Hufgesundheit ziviler und militärisch genutzter Pferde motivierten ihn, einen neuen wissenschaftlichen Ansatz zu verfolgen. So veröffentlichte Lechner bereits zwei Jahre, nachdem er zum Professor am k.u.k. Militär-Tierarznei-Institut in Wien berufen wurde, die Rotationstheorie, welche die Formveränderungen des Hornschuhs während der Bewegung des Pferdes erklären sollte. Sie regte einen intensiven wissenschaftlichen Diskurs an, nachdem die Erweiterungstheorie von Leisering und Hartmann zwanzig Jahre als unumstößlich galt. Die Befürworter blieben vereinzelt und die Rotationstheorie konnte sich nicht längerfristig durchsetzen. Erst in neuerer Zeit konnte die Rotationstheorie in Bezug auf die Mechanik des Hornschuhs durch eine Computersimulation mit finiten Elementen in ihrem Endergebnis bestätigt werden. Lechner hielt an der Rotationstheorie fest und entwickelte in der Folge das Hufeisen Typ Lechner, welches die neuen Kenntnisse bezüglich der Hufmechanik berücksichtigten sollte. Dieses wurde grundsätzlich in drei Größen und in drei Ausführungen (Pantoffel-Reiteisen, bestolltes Reiteisen und Reiteisen mit Schraubstollen) hergestellt. Nach einer ersten Erprobungsphase an Reitpferden im Militär-Tierarznei-Institut in Wien folgte nach Genehmigung durch das Reichskriegsministerium eine weitere Erprobung. Diese fand allerdings nicht in einem standardisierten Verfahren, sondern nach Ermessen der Kommandeure statt. Den Ergebnissen zufolge überzeugte das Hufeisen Typ Lechner und wurde als Standardhufeisen in der k.u.k. Armee flächendeckend eingeführt. Lechner hob nachträglich die Bedeutung dieses Hufeisentyps für den Erfolg der k.u.k Armee hervor. Insgesamt war die Frage des Hufbeschlags jedoch im militärischen Pferdewesen von untergeordneter Bedeutung
Contingency, determinism, and constraint in the evolution of elaborate courtship phenotypes
No full textNatural selection is broadly considered to be a deterministic process, though the roles of historical contingency and constraint are increasingly being recognized as key factors shaping the diversity of life on earth. Sexual selection through mate choice is similarly deterministic and there is increasing evidence that processes such as sensory drive may produce predictable evolutionary outcomes in the design features of sexual signals. However, much variation amid the extraordinary diversity of courtship phenotypes among animals is left unexplained by purely deterministic processes. Since evolution acts without foresight, the elaboration of phenotypes—including those involved in sexual signaling—is analogous to a tinkering process, meaning that nuanced historical contingencies in an organism’s phylogenetic history set the stage for unique constraints in the future. Even in famously diverse “ornamental” radiations, such as the birds of paradise—which feature numerous unique courtship traits or evolutionary “one-offs”—there is also striking convergence in signaling traits, despite strikingly diverse signal production mechanisms. While comparative research often focuses on signaler phenotypes, a clear distinction between signal production mechanisms (i.e., the mechanical or physiological basis of display) and their perceptual effects for signal receivers (i.e., signal design features) is critical to understand the deterministic processes shaping signal evolution. Furthermore, while there may be disparate evolutionary trajectories to similar elaborate signaling phenotypes, the resulting unique mechanisms of display can impose equally unique constraints on signaling phenotypes. These and other findings suggest that, to understand the evolution of elaborate courtship phenotypes, comparative research should address the interacting effects of deterministic processes, historical contingencies, and biological constraints
Stressbewertung in einem murinen Modell der chronischen Nierenerkrankung
No full textDiploma thesis - University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna - 2025The burden of the 5/6 nephrectomy is classified as severe due to the impact on a vital organ and its chronic effects on the animals. The survival rate and general well-being of the animals after the procedure are key indicators, with a higher survival rate and minimal impairments suggesting a less invasive method or fewer complications. For my experiment, 36 animals were divided into two groups: the NX group, which underwent the 5/6 nephrectomy, and the SH group, which underwent a sham surgery and served as the control group. Following the surgical procedures, the mice were observed for 5 minutes using video recordings to create a detailed behavioral profile. In addition, body weigth was regularly measured to document any potential effects of the surgery. The ethogram analysis showed signs of pain in the NX group and, to some extent, in the SH group, indicating a potential inadequacy of the analgesic protocol used. These findings suggest that adjustments to the analgesic regimen would have been necessary to ensure adequate pain relief and thereby improve animal health and welfare. One possible adjustment would be the administration of a buprenorphine depot formulation to achieve a longer-lasting effect. More precise postoperative monitoring is beneficial for administering targeted pain therapies. The animals should be monitored hourly, particularly during the first 24 hours after surgery. In the subsequent recovery phase, multiple daily checks are required, depending on the level of stress. However, complete elimination of pain in all experimental scenarios is not always possible. Necessary interventions to protect and ensure the well-being of the animals are legally mandated and must always take priority. Scientific requirements must adhere to this framework. Adequate care and management of the animals do not conflict with scientific objectives but rather represent a prerequisite for ethically conducted experiments. Despite advances in animal welfare research, challenges remain, such as measuring pain and stress, addressing individual variability among animals, and developing alternatives.Diplomarbeit - Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien - 2025Der Belastungsrad der 5/6 -Nephrektomie wird aufgrund der Eingriffe in ein lebenswichtiges Organ und deren chronischen Auswirkungen auf die Tiere als „schwer“ eingestuft. Die Überlebensrate und das Wohlbefinden der Tiere nach dem Eingriff sind wichtige Indikatoren, wobei eine höhere Überlebensrate und geringere Beeinträchtigungen auf eine wenig invasive Methode oder weniger Komplikationen hinweisen. Für meinen Versuch wurden 36 Versuchstiere in zwei Gruppen unterteilt: die NX -Gruppe, welche einer 5/6 -Nephrektomie unterzogen wurde, und die SH -Gruppe, welche einer Scheinoperation unterzogen wurde und somit als Kontrollgruppe fungierte. Nach den chirurgischen Eingriffen wurden die Mäuse mittels Videoaufnahmen 5 Minuten lang beobachtet, um ein detailliertes Verhaltensprofil zu erstellen. Darüber hinaus wurden regelmäßig Gewichtsdaten erhoben, um mögliche Auswirkungen der Operation zu dokumentieren. Die Analyse des Ethogramms ergab Anzeichen von Schmerz bei den Mäusen der NX -Gruppe sowie auch teilweise der SH -Gruppe, was auf eine mögliche Unzulänglichkeit des verwendeten Analgesieschemas hinweist. Diese Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass eine Anpassung des Analgesieschemas erforderlich gewesen wäre, um eine angemessene Schmerzlinderung und damit eine verbesserte Tiergesundheit und -wohlergehen sicherzustellen. Eine mögliche Anpassung ist die Verabreichung eines Buprenorphin- Depotpräparats, um eine langanhaltende Wirkung zu erzielen. Eine präzisere postoperative Überwachung ist vorteilhaft, um gezielte Schmerztherapien zu verabreichen. Die Tiere sollten vor allem in den ersten 24 Stunden nach der Operation stündlich überwacht werden. In der anschließenden Genesungsphase sind, je nach Belastungsgrad, mehrere Kontrollen pro Tag notwendig. Allerdings ist die vollständige Eliminierung von Schmerzen in allen experimentellen Szenarien nicht immer möglich. Notwendige Interventionen zum Schutz und Wohlbefinden der Tiere sind gesetzlich vorgeschrieben und müssen stets Priorität haben. Wissenschaftliche Anforderungen müssen sich an diesen Rahmen halten. Eine angemessene Betreuung und Pflege der Tiere kollidiert nicht mit den wissenschaftlichen Zielen, sondern stellt vielmehr eine Voraussetzung für ethische Durchführungen der Versuche dar. Trotz Fortschritten in der Tierschutzforschung bestehen weiterhin Herausforderungen wie die Messung von Schmerz und Stress, individuelle Unterschiede bei Tieren und die Entwicklung von Alternative
Comparative pathogenesis of aerosol-induced colibacillosis reveals greater susceptibility in broiler chicks compared to layer chicks, with systemic clearance of bacteria but persistence in the bursa of Fabricius
No full textAvian colibacillosis presents significant challenges to the poultry industry by adversely affecting bird health and productivity and raising global public health concerns. While numerous studies on colibacillosis in broiler and layer chickens have been reported, a comparative investigation on the disease progression following respiratory infection in these two chicken types under identical conditions is lacking. This study aimed to compare the clinical, pathological, and microbiological features in broilers and layers experimentally infected with ilux2-marked E. coli PA14/17480/5-ovary strain (ilux2-APEC). Sixty-four 2-week-old specific pathogen-free chicks (32 broilers, 32 layers) were divided into four groups (n = 16), with control and infected groups for each type. Birds were necropsied at 3, 7, 10, and 14 days post-infection (dpi). In infected groups, spleen-to-body weight ratios were significantly higher compared to their respective controls. Mean maximum clinical scores, macroscopic, and microscopic lesions were significantly higher in infected broilers than in infected layers. Infected broilers showed a higher incidence of ilux2-APEC re-isolation from respiratory tissues compared to infected layers. Additionally, ilux2-APEC was re-isolated from blood, femoral head, heart, liver, and spleen exclusively in infected broilers. Unexpectedly, bioluminescence imaging identified bacterial colonization in the bursa of Fabricius in both infected groups, persisting up to 14 dpi. Immunohistochemistry detected Escherichia coli in trachea, lung, air sac, heart, liver spleen, and bursa of Fabricius, with higher detection rates in infected broilers. These findings highlight the increased susceptibility of broilers to APEC infection, suggesting a need for targeted disease control measures and potential genetic selection for improved disease resistance in broilers
Chronic pain management in a dairy cow with deep digital sepsis
No full textThis case report describes a cow with a penetrating foreign body in the sole horn of its medial claw of the right forelimb, leading to sequestration and necrosis of the pedal bone and subsequent chronic pain. The surgical interventions, multimodal pain management and development of the gait pattern over more than 6 weeks are described. The cow was additionally treated with a combination of local anaesthetics, various non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alpha 2-agonists and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists. However, none of these drugs resulted in a noticeable long-term improvement. As an ultima ratio, a neurectomy of the distal digital nerves was performed, which led to significant improvement in weight-bearing of the limb 6 days after neurectomy
A LEAP Forward in Wildlife Conservation: A Standardized Framework to Determine Mortality Causes in Large GPS-Tagged Birds
No full textAnthropogenic activities threaten many wildlife populations by increasing mortality rates, making it crucial to identify the locations and causes of mortality to inform conservation actions. Technological advancements, such as GPS satellite tracking, enable precise recording of wildlife movements. High-resolution data from such devices can facilitate rapid carcass recovery and provide insights into the mortality causes of tagged individuals. Obtaining required information to determine these causes is complex, and standardized approaches can overcome these limitations. In this study, we introduce the LIFE EUROKITE Assessment Protocol (LEAP), a framework for determining the timing, locations, and causes of mortality in GPS-tagged birds. LEAP is a multifaceted approach that integrates: (1) GPS tracking data, (2) evidence from the mortality location (site investigation), and (3) necropsy results to derive the mortality cause and a corresponding certainty score. We supplement the detailed description of LEAP with case studies assessing its effectiveness. Using 329 deceased GPS-tagged red kites (Milvus milvus) we compared conditions of the carcasses processed using LEAP with 145 opportunistically collected raptor carcasses. We also show that LEAP improves carcass condition and therefore allows for higher quality necropsy results. Additionally, we assessed how availability among sources of information (tracking, site investigation and necropsy) influences the quality of mortality assessments. Applying LEAP with all data sources provided the highest quality assessments in 64% of cases. Some 35% of cases were of high quality without necropsy, instead drawing evidence only from tracking data and site investigations. Predation related mortality was less prevalent (11%) when relying on necropsy compared to cases without necropsy (36%), while poisoning showed the opposite trend. Furthermore, we provide guidelines and empirical examples of mortality assessments. Our standardized LEAP approach ensures the best use of all available information regarding mortality events in GPS-tagged birds and advances wildlife mortality research as a valuable tool for conservationists and wildlife managers
Correction: Association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence, presence and type of horseshoes
No full textThis article is a correction to:
Ennsmann LH and Licka TF (2025) Association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence, presence and type of horseshoes. Front. Vet. Sci. 12:1598038. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.159803