Introduction: The study aimed to investigate the anti-fertility effect of fennel (Foeniculim vulgare Mill) seed extract in male rats.Material and Methods: Forty Wistar rats were divided into five equal groups. The control group received distilled water and the experimental groups were orally administered 1 ml of hydro-alcoholic extract of fennel seed in four doses of 35, 70, 140, and 280 mg/kg/b.w. daily for 60 days. After the last gavage, the rats were anaesthetised and the caudal part of the right epididymis was used for sperm counting. After fixation of the testes, microscopic sections were prepared and histological changes were evaluated.Results: The number of spermatogonia after doses of 140 and 280 mg/kg and Sertoli cells after a dose of 140 mg/kg decreased significantly as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The number of primary spermatocytes and sperm count decreased significantly in the experimental groups (70, 140, and 280 mg/kg) when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, thickening of the basement membrane, cell apoptosis, and irregular arrangement of the germinal epithelium were observed in the experimental groups.Conclusion: Hydro-alcoholic fennel seed extract at these doses could reduce reproductivity and has anti-fertility activity in male rats.

Introduction: Thyroid hormones affect protein turnover, and in the case of hypothyroidism a decrease in protein synthesis and reduced release of certain amino acids from skeletal muscles are observed. Changes in the amino acid system of skeletal muscles may be responsible for the occurrence of muscle disorders. Material and Methods: The study measured the content of selected amino acids in the gastrocnemius muscle of Wistar rats during experimental hypothyroidism induced by oral administration of methimazole at a concentration of 0.05% in drinking water for 90 d. The rats were divided into four groups: E1 (n = 6) - experimental males, E2 (n = 6) - experimental females, C1 (n = 6) - control males, and C2 (n = 6) control females. Results: A statistically significant reduction occurred in leucine, isoleucine, and 1-methylhistidine levels in males, and 1-methylhistidine in females, in comparison to the control groups. Conclusion: The hypothyroidism-induced changes in amino acid content may be responsible for the occurrence of skeletal muscle function disorders.

Proper conformational arrangement of the E2 molecules of bovine viral diarrhoea-mucosal disease virus (BVD-MDV) is crucial to obtain an effective recombinant vaccine candidate against the disease. In this study, we characterised a new molecule composed of two distinct sequences of the E2 glycoprotein of BVD-MDV and the Fc fragment of human immunoglobulin (BVDE2Fc). The chimaeric protein was expressed in mammalian cell lines of different species by adenoviral transduction and purified by immobilised metal-affinity chromatography. The N-glycans were profiled by HPLC, and the BVDE2Fc immunogenicity was assessed in male mice. The antigen-antibody reactions were evaluated by ELISA. The MDBK cell line was selected from among five for the final production of BVDE2Fc. After purification to over 90%, the N-glycan profile showed neutral and complex oligosaccharides. The mouse immunisation induced a strong humoral response, which produced antibodies able to attach to conformational epitopes on E2 molecules, while the Fc fragment barely contributed to the immune response. Additionally, BVDE2Fc attached to antibodies from bovine sera positive to distinct BVD-MDV subtypes, whereas the loss of BVDE2Fc structure during the deglycosylation process considerably diminished those interactions. These results demonstrate that the structure of E2 molecules arranged in tandem and attached to an Fc fragment could represent a viable design for future vaccine candidates against BVD-MD.

Introduction: Thyroid hormones play a major role in the regulation of testicular maturation and growth and in the control of Sertoli and Leydig cell functions in adulthood. When naturally occurring, hypothyroidism causes male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and Sertoli cell function disorders, but when iatrogenic and methimazole-induced its influence on the pituitary-testicular axis function with respect to Sertoli cells is poorly known. Material and Methods: Male adult Wistar rats (n = 14) were divided into two groups: E – taking methimazole orally for 60 days, and C – control animals. After 60 d, the concentrations in serum of testosterone, follicle-stimulating and luteinising hormones, and inhibins A and B were measured. Testicles were examined morphologically: the apoptotic Sertoli cell percentage (ASC%) and number of these cells functional per tubular mm² (FSCN/Tmm²) were calculated. Results: In group E, inhibin A was higher while inhibin B was lower than in group C. ASC% was higher and FSCN/Tmm² lower in group E than in group C. Conclusion: A specific modulation of Sertoli cell function in the course of methimazole-induced hypothyroidism leads to a simultaneous concentration increase in inhibin A and decrease in B. Inhibin A might share responsibility for pituitary-testicular axis dysfunction and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in this model of hypothyroidism.

Veterinarians use flumequine (FLU) widely but its toxicological effects are still unclear. FLU doses of 53, 200, or 750 mg/kg were administered orally for six weeks to pubertal male rats for evaluation of their toxicity. Weight gain was poorer after seven days of exposure to FLU 750, but relative weights of the brain, adrenal and thyroid glands, and testes were notably higher. Haematological and lipid profile parameters, cardiac markers, and inorganic phosphate significantly increased in the FLU 750 group. Blood glucose, oestradiol and serum concentrations of immunoglobulins G (IgG) and E (IgE) significantly decreased after treatment. The levels of interleukins 10 (IL-10) and 6 (IL-6) fell significantly in the FLU 200 and FLU 750 groups. Cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 1 (CYP1A1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) expression amplified after treatment. Serum levels of free triiodothyronine (fT3) and free thyroxine (fT4) reduced in the FLU 200 and FLU 750 groups without changes in total T3 or T4 level. All doses of FLU significantly depressed concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and testosterone. Histopathology of thyroid glands from rats treated with FLU 750 showed degeneration and depletion of thyroid follicular epithelial cells. Expression of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was increased in a dose-dependent manner in the brain, but decreased in the testes. Expression of CYP1A1 increased in the adrenal and pituitary glands. The results of this study suggest that the toxicity of FLU in rats is an effect of its disruptive influence on the pituitary-thyroid hormonal system and on the dysfunction of the immune system.

In recent years, the use of bone scaffolds as bone tissue substitutes, especially the use of such as hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate, has been very popular. Today, the use of modern engineering techniques and advances in nanotechnology have expanded the use of nanomaterials as bone scaffolds for bone tissue applications. This study was performed on 60 adult male New Zealand rabbits divided into four experimental groups: the control group without any treatment, the second group receiving hydroxyapatite, the third group treated with β-tricalcium phosphate, and the fourth group receiving nanocomposite polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold. In a surgical procedure, a defect 6 mm in diameter was made in a hind limb femur. Four indexes were used to assess histopathology, which were union index, spongiosa index, cortex index, and bone marrow. The results showed that nanocomposite PCL and control groups always had the respective highest and lowest values among all the groups at all time intervals. The histopathological assessment demonstrated that the quantity of newly formed lamellar bone in the nanocomposite PCL group was higher than in other groups. All these data suggest that PCL had positive effects on the bone healing process, which could have great potential in tissue engineering and clinical applications.

Introduction: The prevalence of arrhythmias in dogs and the influence of sex, breed, age, and body weight were analysed over a seven-year span. Material and Methods: In total, 1189 referrals for cardiological examination by electrocardiography were received at one academic centre in Poland between 2008 and 2014. The largest proportion of the examined dogs were cross-breeds with body weight below 25 kg (n = 153, 12.87%), followed by German Shepherds (n = 122, 10.26%), Labrador Retrievers (n = 68, 5.72%), Yorkshire Terriers (n = 63, 5.3%), and Boxers (n = 60, 5.05%). Retrospective analysis was made of 1201 standing or right recumbent electrocardiograms without pharmacological sedation. The prevalence of arrhythmias was examined in terms of sex, age, body weight, and breed of the dogs. Results: A total of 630 (52.46%) electrocardiograms showed no signs of arrhythmia, but 96 (7.99%) and 475 (39.55%) pointed to physiological and pathological arrhythmias respectively. The most commonly diagnosed type was atrial fibrillation with 33.68% incidence, followed by ventricular arrhythmias (28%), sinus pauses (27.58%), supraventricular arrhythmias (24%), and atrioventricular blocks (22.95%). Pathological arrhythmias were most commonly found in male dogs and in German Shepherds. Conclusions: Atrial fibrillation predominated, followed by premature ventricular complexes. Male dogs were generally more prone to heart rhythm disturbances.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate fluorescein use in the diagnosis of bladder ruptures in rabbits as an experimental model.Material and Methods: The study was conducted on male New Zealand rabbits divided into a retrograde fluorescein group (n = 8) and an intravenous (IV) fluorescein group (n = 8). Following general anaesthesia, 10 mL of 10% fluorescein dye (sodium fluoresceine powder) was administered via ureterorenoscope to the bladder of the first group, and 0.5 mL of 10% fluorescein was administered intravenously to the second group. Then, the bladder was viewed through the cystoscope by urethral aspect. After experimental bladder perforation, groups were comparatively evaluated by paracentesis and laparotomy.Results: Following IV injection of fluorescein dye, the bladder veins were stained green within 10 s and then fluorescein mixed with urine flowed into bladder lumen. The green fluid flow was observed in the abdominal cavity after the perforation of the bladder in both groups.Conclusion: Fluorescein can be used as a marker in diagnosis of bladder ruptures. If there is no bleeding or intestinal content in the abdominal cavity, although a smoky yellow-green image is observed, bladder rupture can be suspected.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the use of microwave ablation (MWA) with cooling urethral perfusion and with no perfusion (MWA-UP and MWA-NP, respectively) for prostate gland ablation in canine cadavers. ANIMALS Cadavers of 18 sexually intact male dogs. PROCEDURES After technique refinement in 2 cadavers, laparotomy with ultrasound-guided MWA-UP (n = 8) or MWA-NP (8) of the prostate gland was performed in 16 cadavers. Normograde cystourethroscopy was performed before and after treatment; recorded images were reviewed in a blinded manner for scoring of urethral mucosal discoloration and loss of integrity. Difficulty with cystoscope insertion was recorded if present. Excised prostate glands were fixed for serial sectioning, gross measurements, and calculation of percentage ablation. Percentages of prostate tissue necrosis from MWA, denuded urethral mucosa, and depth of epithelial surface loss in an adjacent section of the colon were estimated histologically. Variables of interest were statistically analyzed. RESULTS Difficulty with cystoscope insertion after treatment was significantly more common and scores for urethral mucosal discoloration and loss of integrity were significantly higher (indicating more severe lesions) for the MWA-NP group than for the MWA-UP group. The histologically assessed percentage of denuded urethral mucosa was also greater for the MWA-NP group. Overall median percentage prostate gland ablation was 73%; this result was not associated with prostate gland volume or chronological order of treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE MWA-UP induced subtotal thermal necrosis of prostate glands in canine cadavers while limiting urethral mucosal injury. Further study is required to optimize the technique and evaluate its safety and efficacy in vivo as a future curative-intent treatment for prostatic tumors in dogs.

In humans and other mammals, general anesthesia impairs thermoregulation, leading to warm core blood redistributing to the periphery. This redistribution is an important contributor to hypothermia that can be reduced with pre-warming before anesthesia. Additionally, sedation following premedication has been associated with hypothermia in dogs. In a prospective, randomized, cross-over study, 8 adult male and female rats (weighing 388 to 755 g) were sedated with intramuscular ketamine-midazolam-hydromorphone, then placed in an unwarmed cage or warmed box for 14 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of isoflurane anesthesia with active warming. Core body temperature was monitored throughout. After sedation, warmed rats gained 0.28°C ± 0.13°C and unwarmed rats lost 0.19°C ± 0.43°C, a significant difference between groups (P = 0.004). After anesthesia, warmed rats maintained higher core temperatures (P < 0.0001) with 2/8 and 6/8 of warmed and unwarmed rats becoming hypothermic, respectively. Pre-warming during sedation and active warming during general anesthesia is effective in minimizing hypothermia.