31 research outputs found
Deslorelin subcutaneous implants in Oryx dammah males for reproductive control
No full textcontraceptive
method in the Oryx dammah male. For this purpose, deslorelin at different doses, i.e. 14.1 mg and 9.4 mg,
was subcutaneously implanted in three males (Phase 1) and one male (Phase 2) adult Oryx dammah, respectively.
Quantitative behavior evaluation and androgen concentrations in feces and plasma were assessed before and after
implant application. Fecal androgen concentrations observed in treated males were compared with those measured
in one orchiectomized male and two females. Fecal androgen concentrations increased up to 15 days after
the implant application, then progressively decreased, reaching the basal level at day150 in Phase 1. In Phase
2, levels remained high until day 60 and returned to basal level on day 120. Plasma testosterone concentration
was higher on the day of implant application than three months later, but with variable ranges among males.
A general increase of activity levels and hierarchical changes were observed after treatment, in accordance with
hormonal variations. Despite males cohabiting with two fertile females during the observation period, no births
were recorded. However, between the end of Phase 1 and the beginning of Phase 2, i.e. about 10–11 months after
the first deslorelin implant, a fertile mating occurred leading to the birth of a calf. Therefore, we can hypothesize
a contraceptive effect up to 10 months after the implant. Testicular histology performed on one male at the
end of the Phase 2 showed no spermatogenetic activity.Our results suggest that deslorelin implant can be used
to temporarily control reproduction in the Oryx dammah male. Behavior and fecal androgen measurements were
useful and repeatable, non-invasive methods to monitor response
Asymptomatic unilateral ovarian leiomyoma in a german shepherd bitch
No full textThis report shows for the first time clinical imaging (ultrasound and computed tomography), histological and immunohistochemical findings of an ovarian leiomyoma, coincidentally diagnosed in an asymptomatic unmated nulliparous ten year-old German shepherd bitch concurrently suffering from multiple mammary tumors. A thorough examination allowed the differentiation of ovarian leiomyoma from other spindle cell tumors. An accurate description of the diagnostic procedures useful in the managing of ovarian leiomyoma could provide valuable information to veterinary practitioners. Indeed, despite its rarity and nonspecific symptoms, ovarian leiomyoma may also affect the dog with an unknown potential risk
Treatment Effects and Risk Factors Evaluation in Longitudinal Studies : A Statistical Help for Data Analysis
No full textThis paper was inspired by the experience of the Authors research group composed by oncologist veterinarians and a biostatistician to evaluate treatments and prognostic factors with the aim to help veterinarians involved in longitudinal studies into evaluating and writing prognostic results.
Longitudinal studies are commonly analysed by techniques for survival data, taking into account for the time elapsed from the beginning of observation and the occurrence of an event related to treatment effect or disease course. The presence of incomplete follow-up information for some subjects requires specific descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Two literature datasets were analysed to show statistical models implementation techniques and to discuss statistical issues: I) A multicentre clinical trial on remission maintenance of children with acute Lymphoblastic leukaemia and II) A randomized clinical trial on advanced inoperable lung cancer. Data sets concerned studies on “humans”, nevertheless the peculiar data structure allowed to discuss some aspects which are common to survival analysis studies, regardless on subject’s characteristics. Log-rank test was used to compare survival curves for treatments and the relationship between Log-Rank test and univariate Cox model results was explained. As the evaluation of prognostic impact cannot be based only on p-values, the strength of the association between treatments and prognosis was estimated to take into account for the clinical relevance of results. On the second data set, beside of treatment, other clinical variables were available and a multivariate Cox model was applied. Model implementation was discussed concerning the coding of categorical variables and the relationship between continuous variables and model response. Suggested rules for the maximum number of covariates to be included in order to obtain reliable results were cited. Finally, the predictive ability of the model was discussed based on a measure of the area under ROC curve specific for survival data
Neonatal mortality in dogs: Prognostic value of Doppler ductus venosus waveform evaluation - Preliminary results
No full textAim: To define the prognostic value of Doppler ultrasonographic morphology of ductus venosus (DV) waveform on canine neonatal mortality.
Materials and Methods: Fifty-four healthy pregnant bitches underwent fetal ultrasonographic assessment. The DV waveforms were classified as diphasic (dDVw) or triphasic (tDVw) and compared with neonatal mortality.
Results: Ninety-three fetuses were evaluated. Twenty fetuses belonged to litters with neonatal mortality, in which tDVw was observed. Seven fetuses belonged to litters without neonatal mortality, in which tDVw was observed. Fifty-eight fetuses belonged to litters without neonatal mortality, in which only dDVw was observed. Eight fetuses belonged to litters with neonatal mortality, in which only dDVw was observed. The correlation between tDVw and neonatal mortality was statistically significant (odds ratio [OR], 20.7; p<0.0001). Considering only pregnancies with one or two fetuses with the same DV waveform: Two fetuses with tDVw belonged to litters with neonatal mortality; 1 foetus with tDVw belonged to litter without neonatal mortality and 26 fetuses showed dDVw without neonatal mortality. The correlation between tDVw and neonatal mortality even in litters up to two pups was statistically significant (OR, 88.3; p=0.01).
Conclusion: Echo-Doppler assessment of DV is feasible in canine fetuses, and the presence tDVw seems to be related to neonatal mortality
Identification of C-Kit-Positive Interstitial Cells in the Dog Lower Urinary Tract and Relationship with Smooth Muscle and Nerves. Hypotheses for a Likely Pacemaker Role.
No full textThe aim of this work was to give an evidence of the likely presence of interstitial cells in the canine lower urinary tract and to study their possible interactions with the musculature and the intramural innervation. Cryosections of normal canine bladder and urethra were immunofluorescently labelled with c-kit, a transmembrane, tyrosine kinase growth factor receptor, known to be expressed on the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) of the gut. The relationship with antiactin positive smooth muscle cells and PGP9.5-positive intramural innervation was also investigated by confocal microscopy. Anti-c-kit labelling demonstrated a network of elongated and branched c-kit positive cells, which were located in interstitial spaces, oriented in parallel to the smooth muscle bundles that form the bladder muscular layer, irrespective of dog sex. Cells with a similar localization were also PAS- and NADPH-diaphorase-positive. A contact between c-kit immunofluorescent cells and intramural innervation was demonstrated, too. The roles of interstitial cells might include regulation of smooth muscle activity of the bladder detrusor, integrating neuronal signals during urine storage and voiding
Cotinine as a Sentinel of Canine Exposure to Tobacco Smoke
No full textThe adverse health effects of both active and passive tobacco smoke have been well-known in humans for a long time. It is presumable that even pets, which intimately share the owner’s lifestyle, may be exposed to the same risks. This study aimed to detect and quantify cotinine (a metabolite of nicotine) in the serum and hair of dogs using a specific commercial ELISA immunoassay kit. A total of 32 dogs, 16 exposed and 16 unexposed to the owner’s smoke, were enrolled. The cotinine concentration was higher in the exposed than the unexposed group in both matrices (p p p p < 0.01). The exposure intensity, age, and weight of the dogs did not affect cotinine concentrations. A cut-off value of 2.78 ng/mL and 1.13 ng/mL cotinine concentration in serum and fur, respectively, was estimated to distinguish between the exposed and unexposed dogs. Cotinine was confirmed as a valuable marker of passive smoking also in dogs. Although owners do not perceive secondhand smoke as a risk for their dogs, greater awareness should be advisable, especially in pregnant animals
Aldosterone-progesterone relationship in sexually intact Chihuahua bitches
No full textAbstract Background Aldosterone represents an important target of heart failure therapy and may be a valuable indicator of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity. However, its assessment might be challenging because of the effect of individual factors. In a recent study, intact female dogs showed the highest value of urinary aldosterone-to-creatinine ratio (UAldo:C) compared to other sex categories. In humans and rodents, an influence of progesterone has been reported by several studies. To our knowledge, the relationship between aldosterone and progesterone has not yet been investigated in dogs. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate this relationship in sexually intact Chihuahua females, measuring both hormones twice in the same bitch, that is in anoestrus when progesterone concentrations are baseline and in dioestrus when they are high. Results The study population consisted of 14 sexually intact Chihuahua bitches. Serum progesterone (34.06 (21.17–44.90) vs. 0.19 [0.13–0.38] ng/ml; P < 0.001) and urinary aldosterone (9886.98 ± 5735.22 vs. 5005.72 ± 2127.73 pg/ml; P = 0.01) were significantly higher in dioestrus compared to anoestrous. Urinary aldosterone-to-creatinine ratio was higher in dioestrus compared to anoestrus (4.16 [3.17–6.80] vs. 3.39 ± 1.64 µg/g), but it did not reach the statistical significance (P = 0.056). Serum progesterone showed a moderate positive correlation with urinary aldosterone (ρ = 0.638, P < 0.001) and UAldo:C (ρ = 0.516, P = 0.005). Conclusions The results of the present study suggest the existence of a progesterone-aldosterone relationship in canine species, indicating that sex and phase of reproductive cycle should be taken into account when interpreting aldosterone concentrations. Further studies are needed to confirm these results on a larger canine population and to identify the underlying mechanisms in this species
Tobacco Smoke Exposure in Pregnant Dogs: Maternal and Newborn Cotinine Levels: A Pilot Study
No full textActive and passive smoking in pregnant women is associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality risk, including abortion, preterm birth, low birthweight, and malformations. No data are available on intrauterine exposure to smoking during pregnancy in dogs. This study aimed to fill this gap by exploring the detectability and quantity of cotinine, the major metabolite of nicotine, in maternal (serum and hair) and newborn (amniotic fluid and hair) biospecimens collected at birth in dogs. For this purpose, twelve pregnant bitches, six exposed to the owner’s smoke and six unexposed, were enrolled. A further six non-pregnant bitches exposed to passive smoke were included to investigate the role of pregnancy status on cotinine uptake. Exposed dogs, dams, and puppies had greater cotinine concentrations than unexposed ones. Although without statistical significance, serum and hair cotinine concentrations were higher in pregnant compared to non-pregnant bitches, suggesting a different sensitivity to tobacco smoke exposure during gestation. The present results provide evidence for cotinine transplacental passage in the dog. It is conceivable that fragile patients such as pregnant, lactating, and neonate dogs may be more susceptible to the harmful effects of second-hand smoke exposure. Owners should be sensitized to the risk of smoke exposure for their pets
Maternal and neonatal wellbeing during elective C-section induced with a combination of propofol and dexmedetomidine: How effective is the placental barrier in dogs?
No full textAnaesthetics administered during C-section (CS) can cross the placenta and the foetal blood-brain barrier contributing to distress up to neonatal mortality. Therefore, to prevent neonatal risks, sedatives and analgesics are not commonly administered to the bitch until all pups are delivered. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a new anaesthetic and analgesic protocol for elective CS in dogs, focused on both maternal and neonatal wellbeing. General anaesthesia was induced by a combination of propofol (PPF) and dexmedetomidine (DEX) and maintained with isoflurane. DEX was added to PPF in order to provide analgesia and to reduce PPF dose. Propofol and DEX concentrations in maternal blood, amniotic fluid, and placenta were correlated to maternal and neonatal parameters. Maternal pain score was assessed with Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale short-form. Nine healthy purebred dogs scheduled for elective CS delivered 54 pups. The 77.8% of pups were vigorous at birth and assigned to the highest Apgar score (AS). The lowest AS was recorded in pups from mothers receiving additional doses of PPF (p < 0.001). Apgar scores improved with the increase in time between induction and pups' extraction, starting from 30 min after induction (p < 0.01). This study could contribute to clarify the controversy about the optimal extraction's time of pups after induction i.e. the best time between PPF administration and birth. No bitch showed post-operative pain or required additional analgesic doses based on their pain score. Maternal blood PPF and DEX, as well as placental PPF concentrations, decreased over time (p < 0.01). Conversely, placental DEX was fair uniformly detected in littermate pups. Both PPF and DEX were not detectable in amniotic fluid. Placenta resulted an effective barrier against foetal DEX exposure, making this protocol safe, analgesic and advisable for elective CS in dogs
Sox9 duplications are a relevant cause of Sry-negative XX sex reversal dogs.
No full textSexual development in mammals is based on a complicated and delicate network of genes and hormones that have to collaborate in a precise manner. The dark side of this pathway is represented by pathological conditions, wherein sexual development does not occur properly either in the XX and the XY background. Among them a conundrum is represented by the XX individuals with at least a partial testis differentiation even in absence of SRY. This particular condition is present in various mammals including the dog. Seven dogs characterized by XX karyotype, absence of SRY gene, and testicular tissue development were analysed by Array-CGH. In two cases the array-CGH analysis detected an interstitial heterozygous duplication of chromosome 9. The duplication contained the SOX9 coding region. In this work we provide for the first time a causative mutation for the XXSR condition in the dog. Moreover this report supports the idea that the dog represents a good animal model for the study of XXSR condition caused by abnormalities in the SOX9 locus
