BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is involved in pathogenesis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Lutein is a herbal compounds with antioxidant properties. OBJECTIVES: The current research aimed to evaluate the effect of lutein on body weight and histomorphometry of uterus in experimental PCOS induced with Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in mouse models. METHODS: Twenty-four female NMRI mice aged 20 days and weighing 14-17 g were randomly assigned to four equal groups: control, experimental PCOS, and PCOS treated groups with 125 and 250 mg/kg lutein. The induction period of PCOS with oral administration of DHEA (6 mg/100 g, daily) was 21 days and lutein treatment was followed by the induction period of 28 days. The mean body weight of the groups was evaluated on day 0, day 21 (at the end of DHEA treatment), and day 49 (at the end of treatment period) with lutein. The mean diameter of the uterine wall, the mean overall thickness of the uterine wall, the average thickness of the endometrium, myometrium and uterine epithelium, along with the number of endometrial gland branches were measured utilizing light microscope. RESULTS: The results revealed that body weight in the PCOS group was significantly higher than that in the control group on days 21 and 49. Treatment with 125 and 250 mg/kg of lutein reduced body weight in the lutein treated groups compared with PCOS (p < /em><0.01). The mean uterine wall diameter, mean total uterine wall thickness, mean thickness of endometrium, myometrium, and uterine epithelium with the number of uterine endometrial branching were significantly lower in the control and lutein treated groups compared to those in the PCOS group (p < /em><0.05). The use of both doses of lutein (125 and 250 mg / kg) significantly improved uterine histopathological indices, particularly the mean uterine wall diameter (p < /em>=0.0001) compared to the PCOS group. CONCLUSIONS: Lutein could improve the side effects of induced PCOS by DHEA on body weight and uterine parameters.

This retrospective study was conducted to elucidate reproductive parameters oh heifers. The age of insemination resulted with pregnancy (AIRP), the number of inseminations per pregnancy (NIPP), length of the gestation period (LGP), age at first calving (AFC), maternal body weight at the first calving (BWFC), and bodyweight of calves at parturition (BWCP) data were compiled from 179 heifers (Holstein, n = 32; Simmental, n = 147), which were born between June 22, 2013 and October 31, 2019 and raised under the same managerial program in a private farm. The data were subjected to 2-way ANOVA and regression analysis. The AIRP was longer in Simmental heifers than Holstein heifers (515 ± 5 d vs. 482 ± 7 d; P&lt;0.01) while NIPP values were similar (1.99 ± 0.10 vs. 2.06 ± 0.10, P&gt;0.05). Likewise, the AFC was 39 d shorter for Holstein heifers than that for Simmental heifers (753 ± 7 d vs. 796 ± 5 d, P&lt;0.001). The LGP was shorter in Holstein heifers than Simmental heifers (271 ± 1 d vs. 280 ± 1 d; P&lt;0.0001). However, the BWFC (576 ± 10 kg vs. 585 ± 5 kg) and BWCP (39.0 ± 0.8 kg vs. 40.7 ± 0.5) were not different. The sire, calf sex, and maternal weight accounted for 83.1% (P&lt;0.01), 9.3% (P&lt;0.05), and 7.6% (P&gt;0.05) of variations in the BWCP. The linear models describing relationships were 1) LPG (d) = 0.46∙BWCP (kg) + 260.4, R² = 0.12 (P&lt;0.0001), 2) AFC (d) = 28.05∙NIPP + 731.36, R² = 0.35, (P&lt;0.0001), and 3) BWFC (kg) = 0.32∙AFC (d) + 328.47, R² = 0.11 (P&lt;0.0001). In conclusion, reproductive management covering accurate observation for estrus sign, inseminated by experienced inseminator, checked for pregnancy status as early as possible is crucial to improve life-time productivity. Sire selection should be considered for minimizing dystocia incidence.

The aim of the study is investigate the relationship between puberty and plasma Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in Simmental heifers from six months to puberty. The heifers were selected through random sampling and their body weight, heart-girth circumference, hip height and body condition score were regularly recorded every month from six months of age (Group 1, n=10) until twelve months. Their blood samples were taken for AMH measurement. First data from six-month old heifers were classified in Group 1, the 7th month in Group 2, the 8th month in Group 3, the 9th month in Group 4, the 10th month in Group 5, the 11th month in Group 6 and the 12 months in Group 7. Two of the Simmental heifers in the study exhibited symptoms of estrous cycle in the 7th month, 2 in the 8th month, 1 in the 9th month, 2 in the 10th month and 3 in the 11th month. We calculated that the difference between all data except the AMH value was statistically significant in the first months before and after the onset of estrous cycle (P&lt;0.01). In conclusion, we found that AMH decreases before puberty, and proceeds at a stable value afterwards in Simmental heifers. We also found that AMH levels are correlated with hip height, heart-girth circumference and body weight during puberty. The study suggests that the differences in body condition score and body weight are significant (P&lt;0.05) in the month of estrous cycle onset and the following months.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective efficacy of the CIRCOQ porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) subunit vaccine in piglets with high maternally derived antibodies (MDAs) against disease caused by natural infection with PCV2d. A total of 130 weaned, 21-day-old healthy pigs was allocated into 3 trial groups. The signs of respiratory disorder were higher in unvaccinated pigs than in vaccinated pigs at 13 to 17 weeks old (P < 0.05), 18 to 22 weeks old (P < 0.001), and 23 to 27 weeks old (P < 0.01). The unvaccinated pigs had an early rate of dermatitis at 8 to 12 weeks old (10.0%), 13 to 17 weeks old (30.0%), 18 to 22 weeks old (46.7%), and 23 to 27 weeks old (33.3%), while there were no cases of dermatitis in vaccinated pigs. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the mortality of pigs in the unvaccinated group and the 2-dosed vaccinated group. PCV2 viremia was detected in the blood and peaked at 105 days old in both unvaccinated pigs (Ct-adj = 8.40) and pigs vaccinated with 1 dose (Ct-adj = 6.37), while no detectable PCV2 virus was found in the blood of pigs vaccinated with 2 doses. At 77 and 105 days old, the PCV2 viremia load (Ct-adj) of unvaccinated pigs and those vaccinated with 1 dose was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of the 2-dosed vaccinated pigs. The body weight (BW), average weight gain (AWG), and average daily gain (ADG) in both groups of vaccinated pigs were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of unvaccinated pigs. The study vaccine was significantly efficacious in protecting vaccinated pigs against clinical symptoms, blood viral load, and mortality, as well as improving productivity, compared with unvaccinated pigs.

OBJECTIVE To determine the safety and pharmacokinetics of various doses of plant-derived cannabidiol (CBD) versus placebo following repeated oral administration. ANIMALS 20 healthy adult Beagles. PROCEDURES In a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial, dogs were randomized to 5 groups balanced in body weight and sex (n = 4 dogs/group) and received a CBD (1, 2, 4, or 12 mg/kg; from cannabis extract) or placebo oil formulation PO once daily for 28 days. Outcome variables were assessed through daily health observations, veterinary examinations, CBC, and serum biochemical analysis. Blood samples were collected at various time points to estimate 24-hour pharmacokinetic profiles of CBD and selected metabolites (7-carboxy-CBD and 7-hydroxy-CBD). RESULTS Repeated CBD administration was well tolerated by dogs, with no clinically important changes in measured safety outcomes. Veterinary examinations revealed no clinically important abnormal findings. Adverse events were mild in severity. Relative to placebo administration, CBD administration at 12 mg/kg/d resulted in more gastrointestinal adverse events (mainly hypersalivation) and significantly higher serum alkaline phosphatase activity. Total systemic exposure to CBD increased on a dose-dependent basis following both acute (first dose) and chronic (28 days) administration. Within each CBD dose group, repeated administration increased total systemic exposure to CBD 1.6- to 3.3-fold. The 24-hour trough plasma CBD concentrations were also dose dependent, with a steady state reached following 2 weeks of administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Repeated, daily oral administration of the CBD formulation led to dose-dependent increases in total systemic exposure to CBD and 24-hour trough plasma concentrations in healthy dogs. These findings could help guide dose selection.

Abruptly weaned crossbred steer calves (N = 271) were used in a randomized, blinded 2-arm clinical trial to assess the impact of a long-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug on bovine herpesvirus type 1, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus type 3, and coronavirus titers and health outcomes when administered concurrently with a modified live respiratory vaccine upon arrival at a feedlot. Treatment groups included a control (saline; n = 135) and an experimental group (injectable meloxicam; n = 136). Viral antibody titers and body weight were measured on arrival, day 7, and day 21, along with a final weight on day 45. Body weight and antibody titers for all viruses increased over time (P < 0.001); however, there were no differences by treatment group or a significant group × time interaction when evaluated using repeated measures analysis of variance. Interestingly, the use of meloxicam was associated with increased treatment risk (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the administration of meloxicam may adversely affect health; however, a decreased vaccine response is likely not a contributing factor.

The popularity and availability of echocardiography in veterinary practice for companion animals have substantially increased in recent years. The results obtained during the procedure are compared to reference values established for the general dog population or to standards developed for a specific dog breed. The aim of this study was to determine whether individual dog traits, such as body weight, chest structure, and level of physical activity and performance, affect the reference values for echocardiographic parameters. Published reference values for echocardiographic examination parameters for 32 dog breeds were analyzed and the relationship between individual echocardiographic parameters and body weight, chest structure, and level of physical activity and performance was then statistically analyzed. It was found that echocardiographic parameters are affected by the dog's weight and physical activity. There was no significant relationship between heart size and chest structure. The great variety of dog breeds means that echocardiographic findings should be individually interpreted rather than establishing reference ranges for each breed in population studies. This will allow for a more accurate interpretation of the results obtained in the echocardiographic examination and consequently lead to earlier diagnosis of changes in myocardial morphology.

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.