N. A. Misk

Effect of Suckling Cow's Milk or Milk Replacer on Abomasal Luminal pH in Dairy Calves

Abomasal ulceration occurs commonly in suckling calves, and the cause for the high prevalence of abomasal ulceration is unknown. We hypothesized that diet may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of abomasal ulceration. Six male dairy calves with an abomasal body cannula suckled fresh Holstein cows milk, all milk-protein milk replacer, or combined milk- and soy-protein milk replacer twice daily at 12% of body weight/d. Abomasal luminal pH was measured every second for 24 hours by using a miniature glass pH electrode. Mean 24-hour abomasal luminal pH for all milk-protein milk replacer (3.22) and combined milk- and soy-protein milk replacer (3.27) were similar but significantly (P < .05) higher than that for cows milk (2.77; standard error = 0.08). Both milk-replacer formulations failed to clot after the addition of chymosin, whereas cows milk clotted within 2 minutes. The in vitro titration curve of cows milk and all milk-protein milk replacer were similar, but different to that of combined milk- and soy-protein milk replacer. The osmolalities of all milk-protein milk replacer (375 mOsm/kg) and combined milk- and soy-protein milk replacer (410 mOsm/kg) were greater than that of cows milk (278 mOsm/kg). The slightly lower mean abomasal luminal pH in calves suckling cows milk, compared to milk replacer, was probably due to clotting of cows milk, with extrusion of low pH whey, and a slower rate of abomasal emptying caused by the hyperosmolality of milk replacer. Examination of our results suggests that suckling cows milk may increase the prevalence of abomasal ulceration by decreasing mean luminal pH, although this remains to be determined.

A Comparative Study of the Surgical Anatomy of the Tendons of Insertions of the Extrinsic Muscles of the Eyeball in Diferent Domestic Animals

A study of the length, width, and line of insertion on the eyeball, relative to the limbus was made of the extrinsic eye muscles of 11 domestic animal species. Eyes were collected fresh from abatoir or studied in the gross anatomy dissecting laboratory of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine. A comparison of these species is made regarding the description of the mode of insertion of these muscles.

Donor-Matched Comparison of Chondrogenic Potential of Equine Bone Marrow- and Synovial Fluid-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Implications for Cartilage Tissue Regeneration

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been demonstrated to be useful for cartilage tissue regeneration. Bone marrow (BM) and synovial fluid (SF) are promising sources for MSCs to be used in cartilage regeneration. In order to improve the clinical outcomes, it is recommended that prior to clinical use, the cellular properties and, specifically, their chondrogenic potential must be investigated. The purpose of this study is to compare and better understand the in vitro chondrogenic potential of equine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and synovial fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SFMSCs) populated from the same equine donor. BM- and SF-derived MSCs cultures were generated from five equine donors, and the MSCs were evaluated in vitro for their morphology, proliferation, trilineage differentiation, and immunophenotyping. Differences in their chondrogenic potentials were further evaluated quantitatively using glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content and via immunofluorescence of chondrogenic differentiation protein markers, SRY-type HMG box9, Aggrecan, and collagen II. The BMMSCs and SFMSCs were similar in cellular morphology, viability, and immunophenotype, but, varied in their chondrogenic potential, and expression of the key chondrogenic proteins. The SFMSCs exhibited a significant increase in GAG content compared to the BMMSCs (P < 0.0001) in three donors, suggesting increased levels of chondrogenesis. The expression of the key chondrogenic proteins correlated positively with the GAG content, suggesting that the differentiation process is dependent on the expression of the target proteins in these three donors. Our findings suggest that even though SFMSCs were hypothesized to be more chondrogenic relative to BMMSCs, there was considerable donor-to-donor variation in the primary cultures of MSCs which can significantly affect their downstream application.

Surgical anatomy of the lens in different domestic animals.

An anatomic study of 20 eyes collected from 11 domestic ruminants and nonruminants were fixed in formalin and submitted to an anatomic study. Relationships were made between morphology of the lens and its capsule and the remainder of the eyeball which were considered important in surgical removal of the lens.

Concepts and challenges in the use of mesenchymal stem cells as a treatment for cartilage damage in the horse

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of joint disease affecting humans and horses, is characterized by the advance and decline of cartilage and loss of function of the affected joint. The progression of OA is steadily accompanied with biochemical events, which interfere with the cytokines and proteolytic enzymes responsible for progress of the disease. Recently, regenerative therapies have been used with an assumption that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess the potential to prevent the advancement of cartilage damage and potentially regenerate the injured tissue with an ultimate goal of preventing OA. We believe that despite various challenges, the use of allogenic versus autologous MSCs in cartilage regeneration, is a major issue which can directly or indirectly affect the other factors including, the timing of implantation, dose or cell numbers for implantation, and the source of MSCs. Current knowledge reporting some of these challenges that the clinicians might face in the treatment of cartilage damage in horses are presented. In this regard we conducted two independent studies. In the first study we compared donor matched bone marrow and synovial fluid - derived equine MSCs in vitro, and showed that the SFMSCs were similar to the BMMSCs in their proliferation, expression of CD29, CD44 and CD90, but, exhibited a significantly different chondrogenesis. Additionally, 3.2-21% of all SFMSCs were positive for MHC II, whereas, BMMSCs were negative. In the second study we observed that injection of both the autologous and allogenic SFMSCs into the tarsocrural joint resulted in elevated levels of total protein and total nucleated cell counts. Further experiments to evaluate the in vivo acute or chronic response to allogenic or autologous MSCs are imperative.

Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Densities When Injected as Suspension in Joints with Osteochondral Defects

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate an intraarticular injection of different doses of autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for improving repair of midterm osteochondral defect. Design At 4 weeks postoperative marrow stimulation model bilaterally (3 mm diameter; 4 mm depth) in the medial femoral condyle, autologous MSCs were injected into knee joint. Twenty-four Japanese rabbits aged 6 months were divided randomly into 4 groups (n = 6 per group): the control group and and MSC groups including 0.125, 1.25, and 6.25 million MSCs. Repaired tissue was assessed macroscopically and histologically at 4 and 12 weeks after intraarticular injection of MSCs. Results At 12 weeks, there was no repair tissue in the control group. The gross appearance of the 1.25 and 6.25 million MSC groups revealed complete repair of the defect with white to pink tissue at 12 weeks. An osteochondral repair was histologically significantly better in the 1.25 and 6.25 million MSC groups than in the control and 0.125 million MSC groups at 4 and 12 weeks, due to presence of hyaline-like tissue in the deep layer at 4 weeks, and at 12 weeks hyaline cartilage formation at the periphery and fibrous tissue containing some chondrocytes in the deep layer of the center of the defect. Subchondral bone was restructured in the 1.25 and 6.25 million MSC groups, although it did not resemble the normal bone. Conclusion An intraarticular injection of 1.25 or 6.25 million MSCs could promote the repair of subchondral bone, even in the case of midterm osteochondral defect.

Effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines on chondrogenesis of equine mesenchymal stromal cells derived from bone marrow or synovial fluid

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have the capacity to differentiate into cells of mesenchymal lineage, such as chondrocytes, and have potential for use in regeneration of equine articular cartilage. MSCs instilled intra-articularly would be exposed to the inflamed environment associated with equine osteoarthritis (OA), which may compromise their function and ability to heal a cartilaginous defect. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of equine adult MSCs to differentiate into chondrocytes when stimulated with pro-inflammatory cytokines. MSCs derived from equine bone marrow (BM) and from synovial fluid (SF) were cultured in chondrogenic induction medium containing transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. BM-derived MSCs (BMMSCs) and SF-derived MSCs (SFMSCs) were stimulated with 100 ng/mL interferon (IFN)-γ and 10 ng/mL tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Chondrogenic differentiation was measured quantitatively with the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) assay and qualitatively by immunofluorescence (IF) for SOX-9, TGF-β1, aggrecan and collagen II. The viability of equine MSCs was maintained in the presence of IFN-γ and TNF-α, but production of GAGs from both types of MSCs was decreased in stimulated medium. Exposure of BMMSCs to pro-inflammatory cytokines reduced the levels of SOX-9, TGF-β1, aggrecan and collagen II, whereas exposure of SFMSCs to these cytokines reduced the levels of aggrecan only. These data suggest that pro-inflammatory cytokines do not affect proliferation of MSCs, but could inhibit chondrogenesis of MSCs.

Surgical Excision of Interdigital Pouch and Cyst in Sheep

The present study was carried out on a total number of six adult Saedi sheep and 16 thoracic and pelvic limbs of mature saedi sheep of both sexes collected from the slaughter house. In addition, two cases of interdigital cysts were reported in Rahmany sheep. The results indicated that interdigital pouch is present in the four limbs of sheep of both sexes. The pouch is a tube like a pipe with long narrow neck and wide blind sac. Surgical excision of the pouch is easy and can be performed without any post-operative complications. For the first time, according to the available literatures, two cases of interdigital cysts were reported and subjected to treatment by excision of the cysts without any postoperative complications.

A retrospective study of surgical affections of mammary glands in cattle and buffaloes and their management in the field

The present retrospective study was conducted from 2003 to 2015 in Egypt to document common surgical affections of the udder and teat in cattle and buffaloes, and determine medical and surgical treatment options that are feasible in a field setting. We diagnosed 19 different surgical affections and classified them into 4 groups according to their location. Teat orifice affections (12.41%) included imperforate teat, contracted teat orifice, enlarged teat orifice, and black spot. Teat cistern affections (23.76%) included teat fistula, dilated teat cistern, teat polypi, and webbed teat. Teat surface affections (50.35%) included sore teat, supernumerary teat, sloughed teat, teat papilloma and fibropapilloma, teat wounds, and teat viral lesions. Udder affections (13.48%) included hypermastia, udder wounds, and suppurative and gangrenous mastitis. In cattle, the number of surgical affections located on the teat surface (20 ± 5.4) was significantly higher compared with other locations as well as compared with buffaloes (P<0.05). No treatment was indicated in 24% of recorded cases. Medical and surgical treatment was indicated in 73.75% of affected animals. Favorable results were achieved with the recommended treatments when applied in the field.

Effect of traumatic reticulitis and allied syndromes on blood constituents in buffaloes

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of traumatic reticulitis and other affections on some blood variables in buffaloes. Female buffaloes (n = 62) were divided into eight groups: control, non-penetrating reticular foreign bodies (NPRF), traumatic reticulitis (TR), traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP), traumatic reticuloperitonitis with peri-reticular abscess (TRP + PA), traumatic reticuloperitonitis with vagus indigestion (TRP + VI), diaphragmatic hernia (DH), and traumatic pericarditis (TP). Results revealed a significant decrease in RBC count in cases of NPRF, TR, TRP, TRP + PA, and TP. Platelet count was significantly decreased in case of TRP. Serum albumin concentration was significantly decreased in cases of TRP, NPRF and TR. Serum zinc was significantly decreased in case of TP. Serum phosphorus was significantly decreased in case of DH. It could be concluded that anemia is a consistent finding in affections of the rumen and reticulum in buffaloes. The tendency of buffaloes to ingest foreign bodies may be attributed to deficiency of phosphorus and/or zinc.