Adriana Ferlazzo

Circulating β-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone and cortisol levels of stallions before and after short road transport: stress effect of different distances.

BackgroundSince transport evokes physiological adjustments that include endocrine responses, the objective of this study was to examine the responses of circulating β-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels to transport stress in stallions.MethodsForty-two healthy Thoroughbred and crossbred stallions were studied before and after road transport over distances of 100, 200 and 300 km. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein: first in a single box immediately before loading (pre-samples), then immediately after transport and unloading on arrival at the breeding stations (post-samples).ResultsAn increase in circulating β-endorphin levels after transport of 100 km (P < 0.01), compared to basal values was observed. Circulating ACTH levels showed significant increases after transport of 100 km (P < 0.001) and 200 km (P < 0.001). Circulating cortisol levels showed significant increases after road transport over distances of 100, 200 and 300 km (P < 0.001). An effect of transport on β-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol variations was therefore evident for the different distances studied. No significant differences (P > 0.05) between horses of different ages and different breeds were observed for β-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol levels.ConclusionThe results obtained for short term transportation of stallions showed a very strong reaction of the adrenocortical system. The lack of response of β-endorphin after transport of 200–300 km and of ACTH after transport of 300 km seems to suggest a soothing effect of negative feedback of ACTH and cortisol levels.

Comparative endocrinological responses to short transportation of Equidae (Equus asinus and Equus caballus)

In order to evaluate the effects of short transportation on β-endorphin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol changes, 12 healthy stallions of Equidae (Equus asinus and Equus caballus) were studied before and after transportation of 50 km. Blood samples were collected 1 week before transportation in basal conditions, immediately before loading and after transportation and unloading, on their arrival at the breeding station. Compared to basal and before values, donkeys showed an increase in circulating ACTH (P < 0.001) and cortisol (P < 0.0005) levels after transportation and higher ACTH (P < 0.01) levels than horses after transportation. A positive and significant correlation (r = 0.885; P < 0.01) between ACTH and cortisol levels after transportation was found. No significant differences were observed for β-endorphin levels. Compared to basal and before values, horses showed higher cortisol (P < 0.005) levels after transportation and no significant differences were observed for ACTH and β-endorphin levels in donkeys. Horses facing forward (direction of travel) showed higher (P < 0.01) β-endorphin levels after transportation than donkeys; horses facing backward (the opposite direction of travel) showed lower (P < 0.05) ACTH levels after transportation. The results indicate that short transportation induces a preferential activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-axis (HPA), with significant release of ACTH and cortisol in donkeys and only of cortisol in horses, suggesting that transportation for donkeys may be more stressful than horses.

Concentration and Composition of Serum and Plasma Glycosaminoglycans in Domestic Animal Species

Acid glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were isolated from serum and/or plasma of some domestic animals and the composition of the isolated GAG mixtures were studied. Mean values of total GAG concentration, in terms of hexuronic acid, ranged from a maximum of about 12 mg/l in serum of calves, trained horses and sheep to about 9 mg/l in serum of cows and donkeys and in plasma of trained horses to about 6.5 mg/l in sedentary horse serum and rabbit plasma to a minimum of 4 mg/l in dog serum and sedentary horse plasma. Statistically significant differences in total GAG concentrations (P < 0.0005) were found in horses between plasma and serum and also between sedentary and trained subjects. Chondroitin sulphate was the main component in serum and plasma GAG mixtures, accounting for 81–84% of total GAGs in the examined animals, except in cow serum (72%), trained horse plasma (75.5%) and sheep serum (87%). Keratan sulphate-like structures, measured as galactose, ranged from 12% in sheep serum to 17% in cattle serum. Fucose was associated with galactose in GAG fractions, which supports the hypothesis that articular cartilage is among the sites of origin of circulating GAGs.

Effects of different health status on blood haematochemical values of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta)

In reptiles, several studies show the correlation between good or poor health and changes of physiologic parameters, but the comparison among data, methods and biochemical analysis in sea turtles are difficult. This study was carried out to investigate the biochemical patterns of total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in 100 loggerhead sea turtles (52 in good health, 16 with illness and 32 with serious illness). Blood samples were collected by venipuncture from the dorsal cervical sinus, the jugular vein or the ventral caudal sinus between March and October 2007 to 2009. Compared with subjects in good health, total protein and albumin concentrations were lower in subjects suffering from illness (p < 0.001) and in those with serious illness (p < 0.01). Compared with subjects with good health, creatinine concentrations (p < 0.001) and AST activity (p < 0.001) were lower in turtles with serious illness (p < 0.001), and urea concentrations were lower in subjects suffering from (p < 0.01). One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance showed significant effects of the health status of sea turtles on albumin (p < 0.05), urea (p < 0.001) and AST (p < 0.001) fluctuations. Data obtained showed a significant correlation between health status and haematochemical changes in sea turtles.

Do Handling and Transport Stress Influence Adrenocortical Response in the Tortoises (Testudo hermanni)

The goal of this study was to analyze circulating cortisol levels from tortoises (Testudo hermanni) to establish reference intervals and to develop guidelines for the interpretation of the effect of handling and transport stress. Blood samples were obtained from the caudal venous from 23 healthy juvenile tortoises (9 males and 14 females), aged 8–20 years, in basal condition, four weeks prior to and four weeks following handling and short transportation. The study was carried out on the experimental group: 10 tortoises, 4 males and 6 females, and on a control group: 13 tortoises, 5 males and 8 females. Compared to basal values, circulating cortisol concentrations was higher after handling and transport (+286%; P < 0.001), with an increase of +246% (P < 0.001) in males, +236% (P < 0.005) in females, +370% (P < 0.005) in subjects aged 8–12 years, and +240% (P < 0.001) in subjects aged 13–20 years. These observations support the hypotheses that cortisol may act to mediate the effects of handling and transport stress in this species and that four weeks following handling and transport were insufficient to restore their homeostasis.

Glycosaminoglycan concentrations in horse plasma and serum. Differences with other animal species and identification of affecting factors

1. The measured values of acid glycosaminoglycan (GAG) concentration in plasma or in serum show significant differences between trained and untrained horses and among sedentary horses and other animal species (cattle, rabbit, sheep). 2. Diurnal variations in serum GAG levels are reported (cattle), and changes in plasma GAG concentrations after road transport (horses) and in late pregnancy (mares, cows), while sex, age and breed do not affect them.

Serum and plasma biochemical values of health loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta)

Inappropriate sample handling of blood, the different collection procedures and integrity of incoming samples are significant limits to a correct interpretation of physiological ranges by practicing veterinarians in sea turtles. Several studies show the changes between serum or plasma biochemical determinations in large populations of sea turtles, but the comparison among data, methods and biochemical analysis is difficult in this species. In order to assess physiological parameters for healthy loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), and therefore develop comparison between serum and plasma patterns of total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) n. 23 healthy loggerhead sea turtles (15 juvenile and eight subadult) were studied. Blood samples were collected daily from the occipital venous sinus from all turtles during three consecutive years. Plasma total protein, albumin and creatinine concentrations were similar to serum biochemical values. On the other hand, plasma urea concentrations were higher (P < 0.05), and AST and ALT activities were lower (P < 0.001) than serum determinations. On the basis of different age, subadult subjects showed serum urea concentrations lower (P < 0.05) and serum AST activity higher (P < 0.05) than serum values of juvenile subjects. No significant differences were observed between plasma values of juvenile and subadult subjects. In addition, plasma AST activity both of juvenile (P < 0.001) and subadult (P < 0.001), and ALT activity of subadult (P < 0.05) subjects were lower than serum determinations. Data obtained showed significant differences between serum and plasma biochemical parameters in healthy sea turtles and only in serum values between juvenile and subadult subjects.

Breeding season and transport interactions on the pituitary-adrenocortical and biochemical responses of horses

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the circulating adrenocorticotropin and cortisol changes in breeding stallions in response to road transport before and after the breeding season. Creatinine, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea, and lactate dehydrogenase changes were also considered. Twenty‐seven healthy stallions were studied before and after transport over a distance of 200 km, before and after the breeding season. On the basis of the number of mares covered per stallion during the breeding season, each stallion was assigned to 2 groups: 17 stallions with a poor score, mean: 7.71 ± 4.67 mares per horse (group A); 10 stallions with a good score, mean: 35.50 ± 10.66 mares per horse (group B). Increases in circulating adrenocorticotropin concentrations were found after the first trip for group A stallions (P < 0.001), and after the first trip (P < 0.05) and return trip for group B stallions (P < 0.01). Increases in circulating cortisol concentrations were found after transport in both groups A and B (P < 0.001). Significant increases, as effect of the transport after the breeding season, were described for all biochemical parameters. Two‐way ANOVA showed significant differences between groups A and B only for increases in cortisol and CK as an effect of posttransport plus the postbreeding season. This study showed that the pituitary‐adrenocortical axis is efficiently stimulated by transport and that the breeding season augments the increase of cortisol and CK values of stallions as an effect of mental and physical arousal.

Trends in Veterinary Sciences

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Testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations in pregnant Spanish Purebred mare

Androgens modulate maternal ovarian activity, embryo implantation and correct placental development. The objective of this study was to establish reference values for testosterone (T), androstenedione (A4) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) concentrations in pregnant mares. A total of 30 healthy Spanish Purebred mares with an age range of 9.33 ± 3.31 years, were studied during the 11 months of gestation. T, A4 and DHEA concentrations were determined using EIA validated specifically for equines. T increased in the 2nd and 3rd month (P < 0.05), showing a plateau between the 4th and 6th month, decreased from the 7th to the 9th month (P < 0.05) and increased in the 10th month (P < 0.05), reaching the maximum value in the last month of pregnancy (P < 0.05). A4 increased in the 2nd month (P < 0.05), reaching the maximum value in the 3rd month (P < 0.05), decreased in the 4th month, increasing in the 5th and 6th month (P < 0.05). From the 7th month the average values decreased until reaching the minimum at the end of gestation. DHEA progressively increased from the 1st to the 5th month, at which time the maximum mean value was reached (P < 0.05), after a decrease in the 6th and 7th month occurred (P < 0.05), reaching the minimum value in the last month of gestation. T, A4 and DHEA were positive and significantly correlated (P < 0.05). The androgens analyzed in this study can be used as predictive markers of pregnancy in the mare.