Early detection of pregnancy is vital for appropriate reproductive management programmes to facilitate the rapid re-insemination of non-pregnant females and reduce the calving interval. A barium chloride test was compared with a commercial progesterone ELISA to detect pregnancy in non-descriptive cows and investigate if it could be applied as an alternative to ELISA in the field. Blood and urine samples were collected from 74 cows with recorded insemination dates. The progesterone ELISA and barium chloride assay were implemented to detect progesterone (P4) in blood and urine specimens, respectively. The cows' reproductive systems were examined after they were slaughtered to determine the uterus's status. Macroscopic examination of the uterus was used as a reference standard for both tests. The sensitivity rates of the P4 ELISA and barium chloride test to detect pregnant cows were 100.0% and 79.4%, and to detect the corpus luteum (CL) were 83.0% and 87.0%, respectively, their sensitivity increasing in the presence of the CL. The ELISA and barium chloride tests were 79.7% and 52.7% accurate in the diagnosis of pregnancy. The accuracy of the barium chloride test in CL detection increased to 81.0%, and that of the ELISA to 86.4%. There were no significant differences (P = 0.052) between the barium chloride assay and ELISA when they were utilised for the identification of the CL. The barium chloride test can be an inexpensive and time-saving alternative to ELISA in pregnancy diagnosis when the insemination date is known.

Objective: To determine effects of leukotriene (LT) C4 on ion transport across equine tracheal epithelium. Sample: Tracheal epithelium from cadavers of 24 horses considered free of respiratory tract disease. Procedures: Mucosae were mounted into Ussing chambers, and short-circuit current (Isc) was monitored over time. Effects of LTC4 were examined for various conditions, including addition of amiloride (10μM) to the mucosal bath solution, addition of bumetanide (10μM) to the serosal bath solution, addition of barium (1mM) to the serosal bath solution, and substitution of gluconate for chloride and HEPES for bicarbonate in bath solutions. Electrolyte transport was assessed via 22Na and 36Cl isotope fluxes. Results: Addition of LTC4 (50nM) to the serosal bath solution caused an increase in Isc for basal conditions and a larger increase after pretreatment with amiloride. The increase was negated in part by the addition of bumetanide to the serosal bath solution and further reduced by substitution of HEPES for bicarbonate in bath solutions. Remaining current was reduced to values less than those before treatment with LTC4 by the addition of barium to the serosal solution. There was a small increase in Isc after the addition of amiloride and substitution of gluconate for chloride. Radioisotope flux indicated that addition of LTC4 to the serosal bath solution increased chloride secretion and reduced sodium absorption. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: LTC4 stimulated chloride secretion through a predominately bumetanide-sensitive pathway, with a smaller contribution from a bicarbonate-dependent pathway. Thus, LTC4 appears to be a potential mediator of airway hypersecretion in horses.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate a contrast medium that could be used for radiographic and ultrasonographic assessment of the small intestine in dogs. ANIMALS 8 healthy adult Beagles. PROCEDURES Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC; 0.5% solution) was combined with iohexol (300 mg of iodine/mL) to yield modified contrast medium (MCM). Dogs were orally administered the first of 3 MCMs (10 mL/kg [9.5 mL of CMC/kg plus 0.5 mL of iohexol/kg]). Radiographic and ultrasonographic assessment of the small intestine followed 10 minutes after administration and every 10 minutes thereafter, until MCM was seen within the ascending colon. Minimally, 1 week elapsed between dosing of subsequent MCMs (10 mL/kg [9 mL of CMC/kg plus 1 mL of iohexol/kg and 8.5 mL of CMC/kg plus 1.5 mL of iohexol/kg]) and repeated radiography and ultrasonography. RESULTS Radiographic contrast enhancement of the small intestine was best with MCM that combined 8.5 mL of CMC/kg and 1.5 mL of iohexol/kg. Mean small intestinal transit time for all MCMs was 86 minutes. All MCMs did not interfere with ultrasonographic assessment of the small intestine and may have improved visualization of the far-field small intestinal walls. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE An MCM that combined 8.5 mL of 0.5% CMC/kg and 1.5 mL of iohexol/kg could be an alternative to barium or iohexol alone for contrast small intestinal radiography in dogs, especially when abdominal ultrasonography is to follow contrast radiography.

Objective: To develop a technique for radiographic evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract in ball pythons (Python regius). Samples: 10 ball python cadavers (5 males and 5 females) and 18 healthy adult ball pythons (10 males and 8 females). Procedures: Live snakes were allocated to 3 groups (A, B, and C). A dose (25 mL/kg) of barium sulfate suspension at 3 concentrations (25%, 35%, and 45% [wt/vol]) was administered through an esophageal probe to snakes in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Each evaluation ended when all the contrast medium had reached the large intestine. Transit times through the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine were recorded. Imaging quality was evaluated by 3 investigators who assigned a grading score on the basis of predetermined criteria. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate differences in quality among the study groups. Results: The esophagus and stomach had a consistent distribution pattern of contrast medium, whereas 3 distribution patterns of contrast medium were identified in the small intestine, regardless of barium concentration. Significant differences in imaging quality were detected among the 3 groups. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Radiographic procedures were tolerated well by all snakes. The 35% concentration of contrast medium yielded the best imaging quality. Use of contrast medium for evaluation of the cranial portion of the gastrointestinal tract could be a reliable technique for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases in ball pythons. However, results of this study may not translate to other snake species because of variables identified in this group of snakes.

Barium suspension, oral iodine contrast medium and water were applied in eight dogs to evaluate (1) distension of gastrointestinal tract, (2) the effect of the oral contrast media on the identification of the pancreas from surrounding organs, and (3) image quality and the presence of artifacts in canine pancreas computed tomography (CT) images. Oral iodine contrast medium, gastrografin, produced significant artifacts that deteriorated the CT images of the pancreas. The use of water did not provide the fullness of the gastrointestinal lumens. Barium suspension was effective for the identification of the pancreas from the surrounding gastrointestinal tract, without significantly increasing image noise. Barium suspension can be used as an optimal contrast medium that will not cause an adverse effect on the pancreatic density and image quality.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate contrast agents for their ability to improve visualization of the colon wall and lumen during CT and ultrasonography. ANIMALS 10 healthy adult Beagles. PROCEDURES Food was withheld from dogs for 36 hours, after which dogs consumed 250 mL of polyethylene glycol solution. Dogs were then anesthetized, a contrast agent (tap water, diluted barium, or air; order randomly assigned) was administered rectally, iodine contrast medium (880 mg of I/kg) was administered IV, and CT and ultrasonography of the colon were performed. After a 1-week washout period, this process was repeated with a different contrast agent until all agents had been evaluated. Two investigators reviewed the CT and ultrasonographic images for colon wall thickness, conspicuity, artifacts, wall layering, and degree of lumen dilation at 4 sites. RESULTS Thickness of the colon wall was greatest in CT and ultrasonographic images with water used as contrast agent, followed by barium and then air. The CT images obtained after water administration had a smooth appearance that outlined the colonic mucosa and had the highest score of the 3 contrast agents for wall conspicuity. Although no substantial artifacts related to any of the contrast agents were identified on CT images, barium- and gas-induced shadowing and reverberation artifacts hindered wall evaluation during ultrasonography. For ultrasonography, the degree of conspicuity was highest with barium in the near-field wall and with water in the far-field wall. In contrast to CT, ultrasonography could be used to distinguish wall layering, and the mucosal and muscular layers were distinct with all contrast agents. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Use of water as a contrast agent for both CT and ultrasonography of the colon in dogs compensated for each imaging modality's disadvantages and could be beneficial in the diagnosis of colon disease.