Haematology and serum chemistry was studied in young (5-6 months) and adult (2-2½ years) changthangi goats (Capra hircus) to investigate the age associated changes in blood constituents. Significant difference was recorded in most of the haematological and biochemical indices between two age groups. Higher values were recorded for total erythrocytes (16.63 ± 0.61 and 12.79 ± 0.56 x 106 / cumm) in young and adult respectively when compared to reference values for goats which speaks of its adaptation to high altitude hypoxic conditions. The total leukocyte count (9.99 ± 0.72 x 103/ cumm) in young was significantly (P0.01) higher as compared to the adults (6.38 ± 0.65 x 103/ cumm). Present study has shown significant (P0.01) age related difference in differential leukocyte count, with neutrophils high in young and lymphocytes in adults. Biochemical studies revealed age associated difference with total proteins (7.48 ± 0.08 g/ dl), cholesterol (108.40 ± 6.26 mg/ dl), triglycerides (99.20 ± 7.79 mg/dl), LDL (20. 20 ± 2.01mg/dl), HDL (68.14 ± 3.65mg/ dl) and creatinine (0.92 ± 0.04 mg/ dl) higher in adults and enzymes like ALP (151.31 ± 10.26 u/l) and AST (165.43 ± 4.7 u/l) higher in young. The study indicated that age be considered while interpreting the clinical and experimental data.

The study was conducted to determine the role of Ca2+ and K+ channels in Moringa oleifera flowers extract-induced myometrial contractility of buffalo uterus. Myometrial strips were prepared, mounted in an organ bath containing Ringer Locke solution maintained at 37oC and responses recorded using a kymograph. Moringa oleifera flowers extract (MOFE) produced quite conspicuous and concentration-dependent contractile effect on buffalo myometrium and the EC50 value was found to be 31.62 ìg/ml. Verapamil (10-12M) not only completely inhibited normal spontaneous rhythmic contractions of myometrial uterine strips but also inhibited MOFE-induced spontaneous rhythmic contractions. Ethylene glycol tetra acetic acid (EGTA; 0.1-0.2mM) reduced both the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous contractions and also produced around 28% reduction in the amplitude of MOFE-induced contractile effect. Similalrly, pinacidil (10-6M-10-5M), glibenclamide (10-5M) and 4- amino pyridine (4-AP; 1mM) pretreatments inhibited spontaneous contractions as well as the contractile effects of MOFE (250ìg/ml). Based on the results of present study, it may be inferred that both the extra- and intracellular Ca2+ are very vital for the oxytocic effect of MOFE. Functional presence of K+ ATP, K+ V and/or K+ Ca channels in buffalo myometrium and their involvement in mediating MOFEinduced contractility can not be ruled out. Moringa oleifera flowers possessed promising oxytocic activity and can be exploited in drug-development programme for evolving natural and effective oxytocic or abortifacient.

The hooded phenotype is one of the coat color phenotype seen peculiarly in the rat. The hooded locus showing autosomal recessive inheritance is mapped to chromosome (Chr) 14 and that the hooded phenotype receives modification by hooded-modifier gene showing the linkage to the hooded locus. However, a gene responsible for either the hooded or hooded-modifier gene is not yet identified. To clarify genetic control of hooded phenotype, we carried out genetic linkage studies using BN and LEA rats. For determination of phenotypic variation, we measured ratio of pigmented coat area in parental and their Fsub(1) and Fsub(2) rats. We, then, conducted a genome-wide scan on 152 Fsub(2) rats for linkage with ratio of pigmented coat area for the dorsal, ventral and total regions. A major quantitative trait locus (QTL), D14Got40, showing highly significant linkage contributing 70-90% of the variance for hooded phenotype was detected on Chr 14, which may be correspondent to the hooded locus. In addition, another QTL, D17Rat2, showing highly significant linkage was also detected on Chr 17 in dorsal region phenotype as well as a QTL showing suggestive linkage on Chr15 in ventral region phenotype. We, further, investigated a genome-wide scan for epistatic interactions and detected significant interactions between D14Got40 and D20Mit1, and between D14Got40 and D17Rat2 in the dorsal region phenotype. These results suggest that a major QTL in Chr 14, which is possibly correspondent to the hooded locus, mainly regulates the hooded phenotype with some modifier loci, two of which show epistatic interactions with the hooded locus.

The objective of this study was to investigate the changes in synovial fluid concentration of collagen type II cleavage site (C2C) and pro collagen II C-propeptide (CPII), markers of joint cartilage degeneration and synthesis, respectively, in horses with intraarticular fracture or osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), and to examine the relationship between arthroscopic findings and these biomarker levels. Synovial fluid was collected from 36 joints in 18 horses (6 fractures and 12 OCDs). Samples from contralateral normal joints, when available, served as controls (n=12). Concentrations of C2C and CPII were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays. Moreover, the severity of the cartilage degradation was graded arthroscopically in 16 horses, and the correlation between the C2C and CPII levels and the arthroscopic scores were investigated. Compared to the control, the concentration of C2C was increased in OCD joints but not in fracture joints, whereas the concentration of CPII was increased in fracture joints but not in OCD joints. Within each disease group there was no correlation between biomarker levels and arthroscopic findings. Therefore, although C2C and CPII have diagnostic potential further knowledge is required to provide accurate analysis.

The study was conducted on twelve normally calved, suckled, lactating Murrah buffaloes, aged 57.9±3.2 months from 1st to 3rd parity. The animals varied from 12 to 30 days postpartum at the start of experiment and suckling was restricted to twice daily (before milking). The objective of the study was to monitor ovarian follicular changes during early postpartum in Murrah buffaloes using a real time Bmode ultrasonography. Only 3 out of 12 animals showed cyclicity during observation period. Large follicles (8 to 10 mm) were detected for the 1st time at 24.4±1.99 days, whereas 10 mm follicles were first noticed at 26.0±1.41 days. The duration of growth of dominant follicle (9.3±0.48 days) was higher than duration of its regression (7.1±0.40 days), thereby indicating that the rate of regression is faster (0.73±0.03 mm/d) as compared to rate of growth (0.64±0.02 mm/d). The duration of growth of corpus luteum formed after 1st ovulation was very short (8.67±1.44 days). The largest diameter attained by first postpartum ovulatory follicle was 13.0±1.10 mm and the calving to first postpartum ovulation interval was 52.67±8.02 days in the present study. It is concluded that very few (25%) buffaloes experience ovulations in early postpartum period (within 2 months postpartum). Low number of buffaloes displayed spontaneous resumption of postpartum cyclicity although ovaries of all the animals exhibited follicular activity.

The calf was a congenital abnormal stillbirth of Sahiwal breed of zebu cattle, with multiple musculoskeletal defects. It was born to a heifer in its first calving. The calving was normal; however, calf born had multiple anomalies. The body of the calf was flashy just like a rubber balloon filled with water (case of hydropsy). The body was without hairs (hypotrichosis). Skeleton was noncalcified and ribs were cartilaginous. The body was identifiable in three regions: head, thoraxabdomen, and limbs. Morphologically limbs were developed but were quite short in length with well-developed hoof. There was one eye like structure just above the mouth (case of cyclopia). The tongue was developed and was protruded from mouth. There was one additional structure on the head, looked like outgrowth of muscles covered with thin skin, had openings of nostrils on the end. In autopsy abdominal body cavity was found filled with fluid. The visceral organ seemed normal. It was identified as female; however, ovaries and genital tract could not be traced and examined. It was the first calving of its dam with the complete gestation period of 287 days like a normal period in cattle. Pieces of tissue from lung and blood from the heart and vena cava were collected; however, cultures were found heavily contaminated with bacterial growth. The actual cause of the defects could not be established, might be defects of certain genes responsible for incomplete growth and development.

A study was carried out in 2161 quarter milk samples of 550 cows in Durg district Chhattisgarh. Out of 550 animals, 385 (70%) animals were found to be positive for sub clinical mastitis (SCM) by Modified White Side Test (MWST), 432 (78.54%) by Modified California Mastitis Test (MCMT) and 462 (84%) by somatic cell count (SCC). The quarter wise prevalence of sub clinical mastitis was 47.99%, 55.25% and 60.90% by MWST, MCMT and SCC respectively. Prevalence of blind teats was 1.77%. prevalence was highest during second and third lactations and at 5 and 6 years of age. Infection rate was higher during early and late stages of lactation. HF and Jersey cross bred cows were more susceptible than indigenous cows. Microorganisms isolated were predominantly Staphylococci. ABST revealed sensitivity to cefotaxime whereas most of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin.

Thirty Staphylococcus aureus isolates used in the study obtained from cattle (20) and goat (10) were haemolytic on blood agar. Twenty one of the isolates (14 from cattle, 7 from goats) produced a-haemolysis, 3 produced b-haemolysis (2 from cattle and 1 from goats), and 6 isolates (4 from cattle and 2 from goats) produced both a- and b-haemolysis. The haemolysins tested against erythrocytes from rabbit, cattle and horse in order to demonstrate a-, b- and d-toxins, respectively revealed that a- and b-toxins were produced by all the isolates but b toxin was produced by only 7 isolates from cattle and by 3 from goats. On titration it was recorded that highest titre was recorded for a-toxins (for cattle, 1:2560 and for goat, 1:1280) whereas the highest titres for b and d-toxins was similar (1:160) for cattle as well as goat isolates. The result obtained for qualitative and quantitative haemolysin assays correlated well with the haemolysis pattern seen on the blood agar plates.

peer reviewed

peer reviewed | Abstract Title: Anoxia / Reoxygenation of equine endothelial cells produce reactive oxygen species: an oxymetric and electron paramagnetic resonance investigation. G. de la Rebière de Pouyade 1,2, A. Mouithys-Mickalad 2, A. Salciccia 1,2, J. Ceusters 2, G. Deby-Dupont 2, D. Serteyn 1,2 1-Department of Clinical Sciences, Large Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine B41, University of Liège, Sart Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium 2-Center for Oxygen Research and Development, Institute of Chemistry B6a, University of Liège, Sart Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium Take Home Message: Equine endothelial cells (EC) submitted to anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Introduction: Endothelium participates to the regulation of the inflammatory response and ischemia/reperfusion-induced injuries are suspected in laminitis. Herein, we investigated the effect of anoxia/reoxygenation on ROS production by EC. Materials and Methods: EC cultures were obtained from equine carotid. Detached cells (107) were submitted either to 3 cycles of 20min anoxia followed by reoxygenation in presence of POBN (50mM)/ethanol (2%) mixture as spin trap or to 1h of anoxia followed by reoxygenation and immediate addition of 100mM DMPO. Normoxic cells were used as control (n=3). Anoxia and reoxygenation were monitored by high-resolution respirometry and ROS production was evidenced by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Results: After A/R cycles, high intensity EPR spectra, assigned to the POBN/•CH(OH)CH3 adducts were observed, but not in normoxic cells (control). After 1h of anoxia followed by reoxygenation, an enhanced production of DMPO-OH adducts was observed compared to control. Discussion: The EPR spectra were consistent with the trapping of superoxide anion produced by EC. Such a production could derive from either xanthine oxidase activity or mitochondria dysfunction. Production of ROS by EC could be involved in the disruption of the endothelial barrier, the recruitment of neutrophils and participate to the development of laminitis. Clinical relevance: Drugs (fractionated heparin or pentoxifylline) able to protect endothelium may have therapeutic relevance in preventing laminitis. Conclusion: ROS from EC submitted to A/R might play a crucial role in the oxidative aspect of laminitis.