The objective of this study was to verify whether the circulating concentration of the anti-Mulle... more The objective of this study was to verify whether the circulating concentration of the anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) was associated with fertility in Holstein and Jersey lactating cows and nulliparous heifers. Blood samples were taken from the caudal vein/artery from lactating cows (n = 141 Holsteins and n = 82 Jerseys) and heifers (n = 407 Holsteins and n = 122 Jerseys) with evacuated tubes containing EDTA. Samples were immediately refrigerated and plasma harvested, placed into microcentrifuge tubes within 2h and frozen until AMH analysis. AMH analysis was performed with the MOFA Global (Bovine Fertility Assay®) kit. Lactating cows and heifers underwent daily estrus detection performed in the mornings and followed by AI. Non-pregnant animals received an Ovsynch-like timed AI protocol. Retrospective analysis of the reproductive parameters included: 1) interval from calving to conception for lactating cows; 2) age at conception for nulliparous heifers. Statistical analysis was perform...
Journal of reproduction and fertility. Supplement, 1997
The objective of this study was to increase efficacy of treatment with the dopamine agonist, cabe... more The objective of this study was to increase efficacy of treatment with the dopamine agonist, cabergoline, for inducing abortion in cats by combining it with a synthetic PGF2 alpha analogue, cloprostenol. Side effects of cloprostenol were avoided by using low doses. An oral formulation of cabergoline was chosen to facilitate administration. Cabergoline was given daily (5 micrograms kg-1 day-1) while s.c. injections of cloprostenol were administered every 2 days (5 micrograms kg-1) (2 days)-1). Plasma concentrations of progesterone, side effects and pregnancy outcome were compared with those of five untreated pregnant queens. The treatment was administered from day 30 after first mating in five queens confirmed as pregnant and lasted a mean of 11 +/- 1 days. All treated animals aborted in 9 +/- 1 days without any side effect, except a mild haemorrhagic vulvar discharge. Subsequent fertility of the queens was not compromised. Abortion was mediated by an abrupt and constant decrease in ...
Summary The cardio-respiratory, general and acid-base balance effects induced by medetomidine- bu... more Summary The cardio-respiratory, general and acid-base balance effects induced by medetomidine- butorphanol-midazolam anaesthesia in dogs and its reversal with atipamezole were evaluated. Medetomidine (1000/μg/m2, IM) premedication induced a decrease in body temperature, heart rate, systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP), arterial and venous oxygen pressure (PaO2 & PvO2), blood pH, Cortisol and insulin as well as potassium levels with all recorded changes remaining within normal ranges. Induction with a mixture of butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg) and midazolam (1.0 mg/kg) intravenously did not affect any of these parameters. Reversal with atipamezole (5000 μg/m2, IM) administered one hour after the medetomidine injection, reversed the trend in heart rate, the decline in body temperature, insulin and Cortisol serum levels. A mild decrease in arterial systolic and diastolic blood pressures were noted whereas other relevant parameters remained unchanged.
Background The pathogenesis of erythema nodosum (EN) is still poorly understood, and studies eval... more Background The pathogenesis of erythema nodosum (EN) is still poorly understood, and studies evaluating the involvement of a cytokine network are very scarce. Objectives To investigate clinical and pathological features, the cytokine profiles, and the balance of T-regulatory (Treg) and T-helper (Th)17 cells in serum and lesional skin of patients with EN. Methods Patients with a diagnosis of EN were consecutively enrolled, and their clinical and histopathological features were recorded. A panel of cytokines was evaluated in both serum and lesional skin using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate the Treg/Th17 cell balance. Results Histopathological examination of skin biopsy specimens from all patients (four women and one man) showed classical features of EN. The most widely expressed cytokines were innate immunity cytokines (mainly tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-8 and-6) and growth factors (mainly granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1). The Treg/Th17 balance was highly different between patients. Conclusions The present study emphasizes the crucial role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of EN, as high levels of cytokines and growth factors mainly involved in neutrophil recruitment and activation were detected.
Among the causes for pregnancy loss, viruses and non-infectious factors are among the most import... more Among the causes for pregnancy loss, viruses and non-infectious factors are among the most important. In both dogs and cats, research and clinical evidence provide proof that there is an increasing incidence of pregnancy loss associated with infectious diseases like herpesvirus, as well as the presence of toxicants or chemicals in the animal's diet and environment. Endocrine causes must be taken into consideration when dealing with pregnancy loss. This review will cover the most recent knowledge regarding viral and non-infectious of pregnancy losses in the dog and cat.
Annales de recherches vétérinaires. Annals of veterinary research, 1985
A highly specific and sensitive RIA for alpha-MSH has been developed. Its main characteristic is ... more A highly specific and sensitive RIA for alpha-MSH has been developed. Its main characteristic is the possibility to measure the alpha-MSH in the whole plasma without extraction. The double incubation technics has been utilized. It has been possible by the utilization of highly specific and affin antiserum.
Changes in the concentrations and affinities of receptors for oestrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) a... more Changes in the concentrations and affinities of receptors for oestrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) and epidermal growth factor (EGF-R) were studied in mammary glands of healthy bitches with regard to age, the location in the mammary chain and the stage of the oestrous cycle. Uterus was used as the reference tissue for the evaluation of steroid receptors. Mammary and uterine samples from 7 healthy bitches were taken at five stages of the oestrous cycle in such a way that all the locations in the mammary chain were represented at each stage of the cycle (10 samples/dog). ER, PR and EGF-R were detected by biochemical assays using increasing concentrations of tritiated (steroids) or iodinated (EGF) ligands. A significant direct correlation was found between the ER and PR concentrations for mammary and uterine samples. No significant correlation was found between the steroid receptors and EGF-R concentrations. Mammary ER concentrations were significantly higher in bitches of 5 years of age or older than in younger ones; in posterior glands (4th and 5th pairs) than in anterior glands; and in the mid-luteal phase. Mammary PR did not vary significantly with age or location but was significantly lower in the early luteal phase than in other phases. A similar decrease in PR concentrations was observed in the uterus during the early luteal phase and uterine ER and PR concentrations were very low in the mid-luteal phase. Mammary EGF-R were not significantly higher in the early or mid-luteal phase than in pro-oestrus or anoestrus. The differences observed between the uterine and mammary steroid receptor concentrations during the oestrous cycle could be due to different mechanisms for regulating steroid receptor expression in the two tissues. Mammary EGF-R concentrations may be linked, as in other species, to cellular proliferation and/or to the serum progesterone concentrations.
OBJECTIVE To obtain renal cortical, ileal, colonic and skeletal muscle microvascular blood flow m... more OBJECTIVE To obtain renal cortical, ileal, colonic and skeletal muscle microvascular blood flow measurements in dogs using the laser Doppler technique and to characterize the effects of medetomidine-midazolam-butorphanol combination on these flows. STUDY DESIGN Prospective randomized experimental study. ANIMALS Fourteen clinically normal beagles (two groups of seven), aged 1-4 years and weighing 13.2 ± 1.8 kg. METHODS All dogs were anaesthetized with 1.7% end-tidal isoflurane in oxygen. In the treatment group, after instrumentation and when anaesthesia was considered stable, medetomidine (1 mg m-2 body surface area (BSA)) was administered intramuscularly (time 0). Midazolam (1 mg kg-1) and butorphanol (0.1 mg kg-1) were administered intravenously 20 minutes later. Atipamezole (2.5 mg m-2 BSA) was administered intramuscularly 60 minutes after medetomidine. In the control group, saline (0.5, 2.5 and 0.25 mL) was administered at the corresponding times. Heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures, body temperature, renal cortical, ileal, colonic and skeletal muscle microvascular blood flows were measured before time 0, and 5, 15, 25, 40, 60, 65, 70 and 90 minutes thereafter. RESULTS Heart rate, ileal and skeletal muscle blood flows decreased in the treatment group, while no changes were observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS Laser Doppler flowmetry allowed the measurement of microvascular blood flow in different organs. The medetomidine-midazolam-butorphanol combination decreases intestinal and skeletal muscle microvascular blood flows, while renal cortical blood flow is maintained. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Medetomidine-midazolam-butorphanol combination can be used to induce a short duration anaesthesia in dogs, but it will induce cardiovascular depression. This depression appears to be accompanied by a redistribution of blood flow.
To characterize the cardiovascular effects of romifidine at doses ranging from 5 to 100 microg/kg... more To characterize the cardiovascular effects of romifidine at doses ranging from 5 to 100 microg/kg of body weight, IV. 25 clinically normal male Beagles. Romifidine was administered IV at a dose of 5, 10, 25, 50, or 100 microg/kg (n = 5/group). Heart rate, arterial pressure, central venous pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, body temperature, cardiac output, and PCV were measured immediately prior to and at selected times after romifidine administration. Cardiac index, stroke index, rate-pressure product, systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance indices, and left and right ventricular stroke work indices were calculated. Degree of sedation was assessed by an observer who was blinded to the dose administered. Romifidine induced a decrease in heart rate, pulmonary arterial pressure, rate-pressure product, cardiac index, and right ventricular stroke work index and an increase in central venous pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and systemic vascular resistance index. In dogs given romifidine at a dose of 25, 50, or 100 microg/kg, an initial increase followed by a prolonged decrease in arterial pressure was observed. Arterial pressure immediately decreased in dogs given romifidine at a dose of 5 or 10 microg/kg. Results suggest that IV administration of romifidine induces dose-dependent cardiovascular changes in dogs. However, the 2 lowest doses (5 and 10 microg/kg) induced less cardiovascular depression, and doses > or = 25 microg/kg induced similar cardiovascular changes, suggesting that there may be a ceiling on the cardiovascular effects of romifidine.
The clinical efficacy of a combination of medetomidine, butorphanol and midazolam for anaesthesia... more The clinical efficacy of a combination of medetomidine, butorphanol and midazolam for anaesthesia in dogs, and its reversal by atipamezole, was evaluated in two experimental groups of four adult beagle dogs and compared with a control group of four dogs receiving only midazolam and butorphanol. The anaesthetic procedure was used for surgical procedures in another group of 14 dogs. After the injection of medetomidine, a rapid loss of coordination followed by mild sedation was observed. Anaesthesia was attained 2 +/- 1 minutes after the administration of butorphanol and midazolam and lasted 82 +/- 5 minutes, the dogs recovered 51 +/- 6 minutes later and there were no side effects. Analgesia and skeletal muscle relaxation were optimal throughout the period of anaesthesia. Statistically significant bradycardia and hypothermia were observed but there were no significant effects on respiratory function. After atipamezole the dogs recovered their normal posture, heart rate and body temperature in less than 20 minutes. In the control group, the short-lived light sedation was accompanied by inadequate analgesia and poor muscle relaxation. In the surgical group, no differences, except in drug requirements, were recorded in comparison with the experimental groups. Good analgesia and muscle relaxation, total absence of side effects and stability in vital body functions were observed. The injection of atipamezole was always effective, devoid of side effects and induced recovery in less than 20 minutes.
The in vitro production of early porcine embryos is of particular scientific and economic interes... more The in vitro production of early porcine embryos is of particular scientific and economic interest. In general, embryos produced from in vitro Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) manipulations, such as somatic cell chromatin transfer (CT) and parthenogenetic activation (PA), are less developmentally competent than in vivo–derived embryos. The mechanisms underlying the deficiencies of embryos generated from PA and CT have not been completely understood. To characterize the altered genes and gene networks in embryos generated from CT and PA, comparative transcriptomic analyses of in vivo (IVV) expanded blastocysts (XB), IVV hatched blastocyst (HB), PA XB, PA HB, and CT HB were performed using a custom microarray platform enriched for genes expressed during early embryonic development. Differential expressions of 1492 and 103 genes were identified in PA and CT HB, respectively, in comparison with IVV HB. The ‘‘eIF2 signalling’’, ‘‘mitochondrial dysfunction’’, ‘‘regulation of eIF4 ...
The objective of this study was to verify whether the circulating concentration of the anti-Mulle... more The objective of this study was to verify whether the circulating concentration of the anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) was associated with fertility in Holstein and Jersey lactating cows and nulliparous heifers. Blood samples were taken from the caudal vein/artery from lactating cows (n = 141 Holsteins and n = 82 Jerseys) and heifers (n = 407 Holsteins and n = 122 Jerseys) with evacuated tubes containing EDTA. Samples were immediately refrigerated and plasma harvested, placed into microcentrifuge tubes within 2h and frozen until AMH analysis. AMH analysis was performed with the MOFA Global (Bovine Fertility Assay®) kit. Lactating cows and heifers underwent daily estrus detection performed in the mornings and followed by AI. Non-pregnant animals received an Ovsynch-like timed AI protocol. Retrospective analysis of the reproductive parameters included: 1) interval from calving to conception for lactating cows; 2) age at conception for nulliparous heifers. Statistical analysis was perform...
Journal of reproduction and fertility. Supplement, 1997
The objective of this study was to increase efficacy of treatment with the dopamine agonist, cabe... more The objective of this study was to increase efficacy of treatment with the dopamine agonist, cabergoline, for inducing abortion in cats by combining it with a synthetic PGF2 alpha analogue, cloprostenol. Side effects of cloprostenol were avoided by using low doses. An oral formulation of cabergoline was chosen to facilitate administration. Cabergoline was given daily (5 micrograms kg-1 day-1) while s.c. injections of cloprostenol were administered every 2 days (5 micrograms kg-1) (2 days)-1). Plasma concentrations of progesterone, side effects and pregnancy outcome were compared with those of five untreated pregnant queens. The treatment was administered from day 30 after first mating in five queens confirmed as pregnant and lasted a mean of 11 +/- 1 days. All treated animals aborted in 9 +/- 1 days without any side effect, except a mild haemorrhagic vulvar discharge. Subsequent fertility of the queens was not compromised. Abortion was mediated by an abrupt and constant decrease in ...
Summary The cardio-respiratory, general and acid-base balance effects induced by medetomidine- bu... more Summary The cardio-respiratory, general and acid-base balance effects induced by medetomidine- butorphanol-midazolam anaesthesia in dogs and its reversal with atipamezole were evaluated. Medetomidine (1000/μg/m2, IM) premedication induced a decrease in body temperature, heart rate, systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP), arterial and venous oxygen pressure (PaO2 & PvO2), blood pH, Cortisol and insulin as well as potassium levels with all recorded changes remaining within normal ranges. Induction with a mixture of butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg) and midazolam (1.0 mg/kg) intravenously did not affect any of these parameters. Reversal with atipamezole (5000 μg/m2, IM) administered one hour after the medetomidine injection, reversed the trend in heart rate, the decline in body temperature, insulin and Cortisol serum levels. A mild decrease in arterial systolic and diastolic blood pressures were noted whereas other relevant parameters remained unchanged.
Background The pathogenesis of erythema nodosum (EN) is still poorly understood, and studies eval... more Background The pathogenesis of erythema nodosum (EN) is still poorly understood, and studies evaluating the involvement of a cytokine network are very scarce. Objectives To investigate clinical and pathological features, the cytokine profiles, and the balance of T-regulatory (Treg) and T-helper (Th)17 cells in serum and lesional skin of patients with EN. Methods Patients with a diagnosis of EN were consecutively enrolled, and their clinical and histopathological features were recorded. A panel of cytokines was evaluated in both serum and lesional skin using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate the Treg/Th17 cell balance. Results Histopathological examination of skin biopsy specimens from all patients (four women and one man) showed classical features of EN. The most widely expressed cytokines were innate immunity cytokines (mainly tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-8 and-6) and growth factors (mainly granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1). The Treg/Th17 balance was highly different between patients. Conclusions The present study emphasizes the crucial role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of EN, as high levels of cytokines and growth factors mainly involved in neutrophil recruitment and activation were detected.
Among the causes for pregnancy loss, viruses and non-infectious factors are among the most import... more Among the causes for pregnancy loss, viruses and non-infectious factors are among the most important. In both dogs and cats, research and clinical evidence provide proof that there is an increasing incidence of pregnancy loss associated with infectious diseases like herpesvirus, as well as the presence of toxicants or chemicals in the animal's diet and environment. Endocrine causes must be taken into consideration when dealing with pregnancy loss. This review will cover the most recent knowledge regarding viral and non-infectious of pregnancy losses in the dog and cat.
Annales de recherches vétérinaires. Annals of veterinary research, 1985
A highly specific and sensitive RIA for alpha-MSH has been developed. Its main characteristic is ... more A highly specific and sensitive RIA for alpha-MSH has been developed. Its main characteristic is the possibility to measure the alpha-MSH in the whole plasma without extraction. The double incubation technics has been utilized. It has been possible by the utilization of highly specific and affin antiserum.
Changes in the concentrations and affinities of receptors for oestrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) a... more Changes in the concentrations and affinities of receptors for oestrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) and epidermal growth factor (EGF-R) were studied in mammary glands of healthy bitches with regard to age, the location in the mammary chain and the stage of the oestrous cycle. Uterus was used as the reference tissue for the evaluation of steroid receptors. Mammary and uterine samples from 7 healthy bitches were taken at five stages of the oestrous cycle in such a way that all the locations in the mammary chain were represented at each stage of the cycle (10 samples/dog). ER, PR and EGF-R were detected by biochemical assays using increasing concentrations of tritiated (steroids) or iodinated (EGF) ligands. A significant direct correlation was found between the ER and PR concentrations for mammary and uterine samples. No significant correlation was found between the steroid receptors and EGF-R concentrations. Mammary ER concentrations were significantly higher in bitches of 5 years of age or older than in younger ones; in posterior glands (4th and 5th pairs) than in anterior glands; and in the mid-luteal phase. Mammary PR did not vary significantly with age or location but was significantly lower in the early luteal phase than in other phases. A similar decrease in PR concentrations was observed in the uterus during the early luteal phase and uterine ER and PR concentrations were very low in the mid-luteal phase. Mammary EGF-R were not significantly higher in the early or mid-luteal phase than in pro-oestrus or anoestrus. The differences observed between the uterine and mammary steroid receptor concentrations during the oestrous cycle could be due to different mechanisms for regulating steroid receptor expression in the two tissues. Mammary EGF-R concentrations may be linked, as in other species, to cellular proliferation and/or to the serum progesterone concentrations.
OBJECTIVE To obtain renal cortical, ileal, colonic and skeletal muscle microvascular blood flow m... more OBJECTIVE To obtain renal cortical, ileal, colonic and skeletal muscle microvascular blood flow measurements in dogs using the laser Doppler technique and to characterize the effects of medetomidine-midazolam-butorphanol combination on these flows. STUDY DESIGN Prospective randomized experimental study. ANIMALS Fourteen clinically normal beagles (two groups of seven), aged 1-4 years and weighing 13.2 ± 1.8 kg. METHODS All dogs were anaesthetized with 1.7% end-tidal isoflurane in oxygen. In the treatment group, after instrumentation and when anaesthesia was considered stable, medetomidine (1 mg m-2 body surface area (BSA)) was administered intramuscularly (time 0). Midazolam (1 mg kg-1) and butorphanol (0.1 mg kg-1) were administered intravenously 20 minutes later. Atipamezole (2.5 mg m-2 BSA) was administered intramuscularly 60 minutes after medetomidine. In the control group, saline (0.5, 2.5 and 0.25 mL) was administered at the corresponding times. Heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures, body temperature, renal cortical, ileal, colonic and skeletal muscle microvascular blood flows were measured before time 0, and 5, 15, 25, 40, 60, 65, 70 and 90 minutes thereafter. RESULTS Heart rate, ileal and skeletal muscle blood flows decreased in the treatment group, while no changes were observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS Laser Doppler flowmetry allowed the measurement of microvascular blood flow in different organs. The medetomidine-midazolam-butorphanol combination decreases intestinal and skeletal muscle microvascular blood flows, while renal cortical blood flow is maintained. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Medetomidine-midazolam-butorphanol combination can be used to induce a short duration anaesthesia in dogs, but it will induce cardiovascular depression. This depression appears to be accompanied by a redistribution of blood flow.
To characterize the cardiovascular effects of romifidine at doses ranging from 5 to 100 microg/kg... more To characterize the cardiovascular effects of romifidine at doses ranging from 5 to 100 microg/kg of body weight, IV. 25 clinically normal male Beagles. Romifidine was administered IV at a dose of 5, 10, 25, 50, or 100 microg/kg (n = 5/group). Heart rate, arterial pressure, central venous pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, body temperature, cardiac output, and PCV were measured immediately prior to and at selected times after romifidine administration. Cardiac index, stroke index, rate-pressure product, systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance indices, and left and right ventricular stroke work indices were calculated. Degree of sedation was assessed by an observer who was blinded to the dose administered. Romifidine induced a decrease in heart rate, pulmonary arterial pressure, rate-pressure product, cardiac index, and right ventricular stroke work index and an increase in central venous pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and systemic vascular resistance index. In dogs given romifidine at a dose of 25, 50, or 100 microg/kg, an initial increase followed by a prolonged decrease in arterial pressure was observed. Arterial pressure immediately decreased in dogs given romifidine at a dose of 5 or 10 microg/kg. Results suggest that IV administration of romifidine induces dose-dependent cardiovascular changes in dogs. However, the 2 lowest doses (5 and 10 microg/kg) induced less cardiovascular depression, and doses > or = 25 microg/kg induced similar cardiovascular changes, suggesting that there may be a ceiling on the cardiovascular effects of romifidine.
The clinical efficacy of a combination of medetomidine, butorphanol and midazolam for anaesthesia... more The clinical efficacy of a combination of medetomidine, butorphanol and midazolam for anaesthesia in dogs, and its reversal by atipamezole, was evaluated in two experimental groups of four adult beagle dogs and compared with a control group of four dogs receiving only midazolam and butorphanol. The anaesthetic procedure was used for surgical procedures in another group of 14 dogs. After the injection of medetomidine, a rapid loss of coordination followed by mild sedation was observed. Anaesthesia was attained 2 +/- 1 minutes after the administration of butorphanol and midazolam and lasted 82 +/- 5 minutes, the dogs recovered 51 +/- 6 minutes later and there were no side effects. Analgesia and skeletal muscle relaxation were optimal throughout the period of anaesthesia. Statistically significant bradycardia and hypothermia were observed but there were no significant effects on respiratory function. After atipamezole the dogs recovered their normal posture, heart rate and body temperature in less than 20 minutes. In the control group, the short-lived light sedation was accompanied by inadequate analgesia and poor muscle relaxation. In the surgical group, no differences, except in drug requirements, were recorded in comparison with the experimental groups. Good analgesia and muscle relaxation, total absence of side effects and stability in vital body functions were observed. The injection of atipamezole was always effective, devoid of side effects and induced recovery in less than 20 minutes.
The in vitro production of early porcine embryos is of particular scientific and economic interes... more The in vitro production of early porcine embryos is of particular scientific and economic interest. In general, embryos produced from in vitro Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) manipulations, such as somatic cell chromatin transfer (CT) and parthenogenetic activation (PA), are less developmentally competent than in vivo–derived embryos. The mechanisms underlying the deficiencies of embryos generated from PA and CT have not been completely understood. To characterize the altered genes and gene networks in embryos generated from CT and PA, comparative transcriptomic analyses of in vivo (IVV) expanded blastocysts (XB), IVV hatched blastocyst (HB), PA XB, PA HB, and CT HB were performed using a custom microarray platform enriched for genes expressed during early embryonic development. Differential expressions of 1492 and 103 genes were identified in PA and CT HB, respectively, in comparison with IVV HB. The ‘‘eIF2 signalling’’, ‘‘mitochondrial dysfunction’’, ‘‘regulation of eIF4 ...
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