Utilizaram-se 30 corações de capivara (Hydrochoerus hydrochoeris), entre machos fêmeas de diferentes faixas etárias, cedidos pela Empresa Pró-Fauna, cidade de Iguape, estado de São Paulo, registrado no IBAMA sob nº 235930848-0 e no SIF sob nº 3381. As artérias coronárias direita e esquerda foram canuladas e injetadas com substância látex corada com pigmento específico. Em 96,9%s dos corações estudados, encontrou-se as artérias coronária direita e esquerda que possuem origem a partir da aorta ascendente. Em 3,3% dos casos não há artéria coronária esquerda, mas sim os ramos interventricular paraconal e circunflexo. Quanto ao ramo intermédio, este pode apresentar origem a partir do ramo interventricular paraconal em 40% dos casos, ou pode apresentar sua origem diretamente da aorta ascendente em 3,3% dos casos; e, ainda, pode ter origem a partir do ramo circunflexo em 56,6% dos casos. Quanto à artéria coronária direita, esta possui menor calibre que a artéria coronária esquerda em 100% dos casos. Apresenta-se percorrendo o sulco coronário emitindo ramos para a margem ventricular direita. Na face atrial, a referida artéria coronária apresenta ramo anastomótico, em todos os casos, como descrito anteriormente.

Os touros compõem uma importante categoria animal nos sistemas de produção ligados à pecuária, sendo responsáveis por uma considerável parcela do melhoramento genético de um rebanho. Porém, poucos estudos relacionados às condições metabólicas desta categoria vêm sendo conduzidos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o perfil metabólico de touros em três períodos distintos do ciclo reprodutivo - antes da estação reprodutiva, durante e após a estação reprodutiva. Este experimento foi conduzido em uma propriedade da região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul com 23 touros. Os marcadores bioquímicos utilizados para avaliar o perfil metabólico foram os seguintes: glicose, colesterol, para determinar o perfil energético; albumina, ureia, como marcadores proteicos e a enzima aspartato aminotransferase (AST) como indicador da função hepática. Os resultados demonstraram que houve diferença (p < 0,05) de todos marcadores metabólicos avaliados durante os diferentes períodos do ciclo produtivo, indicando que houve variação na disponibilidade de alimento, possivelmente capaz de gerar perdas produtivas e reprodutivas que podem ser solucionadas com suplementação proteica ou melhoramento do campo nativo.

Para a realização do estudo acerca do plexo braquial (PB) e dos territórios nervosos do membro torácico de lobos-marinhos (Arctocephalus australis) foram utilizados dois animais. A pele foi retirada e procedeu-se a identificação da musculatura do membro torácico e região peitoral. Em seguida foram aplicadas compressas de solução de ácido acético glacial 3% na musculatura, com o intuito de facilitar a dissecação realizada macroscopicamente. Nos espécimes analisados notou-se a emergência do plexo braquial a partir do sexto nervo cervical até o primeiro nervo torácico. Destas quatro raízes se formam os troncos de nervos de mesmo número, cujos ramos ventrais constituirão seu arranjo e distribuição territorial. Destes quatro troncos surgem os 12 nervos componentes do PB, sendo encontrados nervos que se formam a partir de apenas um segmento (supra-escapular, peitoral cranial, torácico lateral, toracodorsal e torácico longo) e também nervos que surgem a partir de mais de um segmento, sendo assim denominados plurissegmentares (subescapular, músculo-cutâneo, axilar, mediano, peitoral caudal, ulnar e radial). Nesse sentido, foi observada uma constância na inervação da musculatura, articulações e ossos do membro torácico, de onde podemos assim inferir que existe um padrão claramente definido na delimitação dos territórios nervosos.

As distocias na espécie bovina são normalmente corrigidas por manobras obstétricas, sendo a extração forçada um procedimento obstétrico de risco, podendo causar injúrias tanto maternas quanto fetais. Partos induzidos com administração de ocitocina exógena nas inércias uterinas podem levar ao comprometimento fetal pela hipotensão e bradicardia materna, pois a ocitocina participa de regulações endócrinas e neuroendócrinas de órgãos como o coração e rins. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar as mensurações de frequência cardíaca (FC), pressão arterial não-invasiva (PA) e eletrocardiograma de fêmeas bovinas da raça Holandesa agrupadas segundo a condição obstétrica: eutocia (G EUT; n = 10); distocia com manobra obstétrica (G DIST; n = 10); inércia uterina com infusão de ocitocina (G OCT; n = 10); nos seguintes momentos: pré-parto, intraparto, pós-parto imediato e uma hora após o parto. Os traçados eletrocardiográficos denotaram ritmo sinusal normal em todos os períodos. Observou-se taquicardia em todos os grupos, sendo que apenas no G OCT a FC pós-parto (111 ± 23 bpm) elevou-se estatisticamente em relação ao pré-parto (94 ± 11 bpm). Houve acréscimo significativo da PA no intraparto do G DIST (PA média = 101 ± 24 mmHg), decorrente de contrações uterinas e abdominais mais intensas. As fêmeas bovinas do Grupo OCT não apresentaram aumento significativo da PA diastólica intraparto em relação ao pré-parto como observado nos G EUT e G DIST. Os resultados apresentados demonstram que a distocia com correção manual eleva a pressão arterial das fêmeas bovinas, enquanto a administração de ocitocina altera momentaneamente as variáveis hemodinâmicas com possível efeito bradicárdico e hipotensor intraparto, impondo adaptação circulatória materna frente às alterações do parto.

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.

peer reviewed | Abstract Title: Equine neutrophil elastase in plasma, laminar tissue, and skin of horses administered black walnut heartwood extract (BWHE) Author(s) Name(s) & Institutional Affiliation(s): Geoffroy de la Rebière de Pouyade1, 2, Laura. M. Riggs3, J. N. Moore4, Thierry Franck1, 2, Ginette Deby-Dupont2, David J. Hurley4,5, and Didier Serteyn1, 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 3-Department of Equine Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 4-Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 5-Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 Take Home Message: Elastase concentrations are increased in the integument of horses during the developmental phase of BWHE-induced laminitis. Introduction: Current evidence suggests the involvement of neutrophils and myeloperoxidase (MPO), a strong oxidative enzyme in the development of laminitis. Elastase is a protease recognized as a component of inflammatory disorders. Neutrophil elastase concentrations were measured in plasma, skin and laminar tissues from control horses and horses given BWHE Materials & Methods (including Statistical Analyses): The study included 4 groups, a control group (water) and 3 experimental groups (BWHE). Plasma was obtained hourly until euthanasia of BWHE-treated horses at 1.5 (n=5), 3 (n=6), and 12 hours (n=10 plasma/n=6 tissue) and control horses at 12 hours (n=7 plasma/n=5 tissue). Elastase concentrations were determined via ELISA. Log-transformed data were analyzed with 1-way ANOVA (tissues) and unpaired t-test (plasma); significance was set at P<0.05. Results: Plasma elastase concentrations in the BWHE group were significantly higher at 6, 8 and 10h compared to the control group. Concentrations in skin and laminar tissue were significantly higher at 3 and 12h in the BWHE group. Elastase concentrations were significantly higher in skin than in lamina at 12h in BWHE group. Discussion: Increased elastase concentrations are consistent with dynamic changes in circulating leukocytes in horses given BWHE. Collectively, MPO and elastase have the potential to cause significant tissue damage during the development of laminitis. Clinical Relevance: Elastase may become an important target as new treatments for laminitis are developed. Conclusion: Elastase concentrations increase in the integumentary system during the development of laminitis and may participate in the disintegration of the hoof basal membrane.

Molecular genetic data provide powerful tools for genealogy reconstruction to reveal mechanisms underlying disease ecology. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) congregate in matriarchal groups; kin-related close social spacing may be a factor in the spread of infectious diseases. Spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD), a prion disorder of deer and their cervid relatives, is presumed to be associated with direct contact between individuals and by exposure to shared food and water sources contaminated with prions shed by infected deer. Key aspects of disease ecology are yet unknown. DNA tools for pedigree reconstruction were developed to fill knowledge gaps in disease dynamics in prion-infected wild animals. Kinship indices using data from microsatellite loci and sequence haplotypes of mitochondrial DNA were employed to assemble genealogies. Molecular genealogy tools will be useful for landscape-level population genetic research and monitoring, in addition to epidemiologic studies examining transmission of CWD in captive and free-ranging cervids.

The spectrum of acaricides changes continuously and improves. At the same time, big attention is given to research of new, more effective preparations meeting modern requirements. Research on studying the efficiency of Akaribil preparation against swine sarcoptosis (Sarcoptidae) was realized in the conditions of swine breeding farm in the Republic of Belarus. The preparation possesses high insect-acaricidal activity. In the conditions of the preparation storage and repeated opening of a ware in the course of tests there were stated no changes in drug smell or color. The scheme of the preparation application is applied in industrial production technology. It possesses anti-inflammatory properties, antiseptic stimulating healing of skin damages, does not irritate integuments, renders weak irritating effect on mucous membranes of eyes. In recommended doses Akaribil does not cause any adverse effects and complicating disease. There were stated no contraindications to preparation application. High therapeutic efficiency against arachnoentomosis was proved. Application the preparation made it possible not only to reduce disease incidence and animal death, but also to facilitate the severity of scabietic diseases. As a result of realized research it was established that efficiency of Akaribil against swine sarcoptosis was 100%.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus the was studied the age-specific dynamics of content of total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, phospholipids, total iron and catalase activity in spleen of broiler chicken during the incubation period (1-46 days). The content of total lipids, total cholesterol, and phospholipids was at maximal level at one day-old age, and gradually lowered by the end of growing period. The amount of total iron in ontogeny increased till the 30 day-old age and a bit lowered by the end of growing period. In broilers with lower live weight the iron content in spleen was lower during the whole growing period. The catalase activity had a wave-like character and depended on prophylactic vaccinations undertaken and the amount of lipids in tissues.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there were presented the results of a veterinary and sanitary assessment and bacteriological investigation of sheep slaughter products, which showed meat serviceability for consumption after application of Triclafen suspension. Application Triclafen suspension did not render negative influence on an organism of animals. It was proved by organoleptic and laboratory research of meat of slaughter animals of experimental and control groups. The meat obtained from healthy sheep which were administrated the suspension in accordance with microbiological indicators proved to be of good quality and corresponded to the established norms (Sanitary regulations and standards 11 - 63 Republic of Belarus 98): it had the general bacterial content within admissible limits and did not contain agents of anthropozoonosts, alimentary toxicosis and toxinfections and it can be sold without any restrictions.