The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of negative energy balance (NEB) on the final growth of the dominant ovarian follicle in Holstein cows. Cows at 14 to 21 d postpartum from an intensive dairy farm were randomly selected and allocated into a positive energy balance group (PEB, with β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) level < 1.2 mmol/L, n = 15) and an NEB group (BHBA > 1.2 mmol/L, n = 15). Plasma samples were collected at 21, 50 and 55 d postpartum to assess the concentrations of energy metabolites, minerals, hormones and cytokines. Ovaries were examined by transrectal ultrasound on days 50 and 55 (120 hours later) to evaluate the diameter of the largest follicle. Compared with PEB cows, there were a more severe body condition loss and a lower milk yield in NEB cows (P < 0.05) and these had greater concentrations of plasma BHBA, non-esterified fatty acids, triglycerides, urea nitrogen, growth hormone, interleukin 6, and fibroblast growth factor 21 and lesser concentrations of plasma glucose, total cholesterol, insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3, leptin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and angiopoietin-like protein 8 on d 21 (P < 0.05), while plasma minerals were not affected by energy status (P > 0.05). These changes persisted until the end of the study period (50–55 days postpartum) resulting in a lower follicular growth rate for cows in the NEB than the PEB group. These observations indicate that follicular growth rate is associated with measurable changes in energy metabolite, hormone and cytokine concentrations caused by early postpartum NEB.

Opuntia ficus-indica has traditionally been used in prevention and treatment of various diseases such as diabetes mellitus. The current study was performed to determine whether Opuntia ficus-indica is associated with diabetes. Diabetic rat models were induced with streptozotocin (STZ). This study divided rats into 1 day (short-term) and 4 consecutive weeks (long-terms) of daily administration. These groups were subdivided into four groups each other for assessment of blood glucose level as follows: Group 1, untreated rats given distilled water; Group 2, untreated rats given Opuntia ficus-indica; Group 3, STZ-induced diabetic rats given distilled water; Group 4, STZ-induced diabetic rats given Opuntia ficus-indica. Blood glucose level was measured for one day and four weeks. In addition, serum markers of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), cholesterol, and creatinine were determined, and total protein triglycerides were measured at four weeks. Blood glucose level was highest in both groups (Group 3 and Group 4) at 30 minutes and two weeks and gradually decreased in a time-dependent manner. The difference in blood glucose among the four groups was significant (p < 0.05). Additionally, the levels of ALT, AST and triglycerides were significantly decreased by Opuntia ficus-indica.

OBJECTIVE To compare intraoperative and short-term postoperative variables pertaining to laparoscopic ovariectomy (LapOVE) and open ovariectomy (OVE) in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). ANIMALS Twelve 4− to 5-month-old female New Zealand White rabbits. PROCEDURES Rabbits were randomly assigned to undergo LapOVE (n = 6) or OVE (6), with a vessel-sealing device used to seal and transect the ovarian pedicles. Laparoscopic ovariectomy was performed with a 3-port approach. Variables were measured during surgery (surgery and anesthesia times and incision lengths) and for up to 7 days after surgery (food consumption, feces production, body weight, vital parameters, blood glucose and cortisol concentrations, abdominal palpation findings, facial grimace scale scores, and ethograms). RESULTS Mean surgery (43.2 vs 21.7 minutes) and anesthesia (76.2 vs 48.8 minutes) times were longer and mean incision length was shorter (24.0 vs 41.5 mm) for LapOVE versus OVE. No significant differences in postoperative variables were identified between groups. During LapOVE, small intestinal perforation occurred in 1 rabbit, which was then euthanized. Postoperative complications for the remaining rabbits included superficial incisional dehiscence (LapOVE, 1/5; OVE, 2/6), subcutaneous emphysema (LapOVE, 1/5; OVE, 0/6), and seroma formation (LapOVE, 1/5; OVE, 0/6). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Surgery time for LapOVE was twice that of OVE, and LapOVE resulted in unique complications in rabbits. No evidence of a reduction in pain or faster return to baseline physiologic status was found for LapOVE. Further evaluation of LapOVE in rabbits is warranted, with modification to techniques used in this study or a larger sample size.