Piotr Socha

Ultrasonographic fetometry formulas of inner chorionic cavity diameter and biparietal diameter for medium-sized dogs can be used in giant breeds

The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of the ultrasonographic fetometry method, involving inner chorionic cavity diameter (ICC) and biparietal diameter (BP) measurements, to predict the parturition date in giant breed dogs. Overall, 30 ICC and 24 BP measurements were taken on 24 giant breed bitches. The measured values were substituted into Luvoni and Grioni (2000) formulas for medium-sized bitches because formulas with ICC and BP to dogs with a body mass greater than 40 kg have not been defined. The accuracy of the parturition date predictions proved the method to be highly useful in the observed group of dogs. Prediction accuracy in the giants ranged between 54.16% (± 1 day, using BP) and 90% (± 2 days, using ICC), depending on the parameter measured and precision levels used. Numerically, the results obtained using ICC were better; however, no statistically significant differences between ICC and BP accuracy were found when comparing the effectiveness of the parturition date predictions. Regression lines based on the own fetometric measurements were highly convergent with the lines defined by Luvoni and Grioni (2000) formulas for medium-sized bitches. This outcome suggests a similar gestational development of fetuses in giant dogs and the possible use of Luvoni and Grioni (2000) formulas for medium-sized dogs with breeds weighing greater than 40 kg.

Detection and characterisation of Yersinia enterocolitica strains in cold-stored carcasses of large game animals in Poland

Yersinia enterocolitica is an important foodborne pathogen. The aim of the present study was to identify the bioserotypes and virulence markers of Y.enterocolitica strains isolated from three different anatomical regions of cold-stored carcasses of large game animals intended for human consumption. Y.enterocolitica strains were found in 12/20 (60%) of the roe deer carcasses examined, 7/16 (43.8%) of red deer carcasses and 11/20 (55%) of wild boar carcasses. Of the 52 Y.enterocolitica strains, 19 were isolated from the perineum, followed by 17 strains from the peritoneum of the longissimus dorsi muscle and 16 from the tonsils. Only one strain was isolated from warm culture. Bioserotype 1A/NI was the most commonly found and was detected in 29/52 isolates. All isolates contained amplicons corresponding to ystB gene fragments. The relatively high degree of carcass contamination with Y.enterocolitica is of concern due to the growing popularity of game meat with consumers.

Expression of metallothionein in the liver and kidneys of the red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) from an industrial metal smelting area of Poland

The metallothionein 1 (MT1) coding sequence of red deer was identified and compared to orthologous sequences from other mammals. Over 90% identity was observed between red deer MT1 amino acid sequence and MT1 sequences of other ruminants. Liver and kidney samples of red deer were collected from the industrial zinc smelting site of Miasteczko Slaskie and from the Masuria Lake District serving as a pollution-free control site. The concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were analyzed by the atomic absorption spectrometry technique (AAS). The levels of Cd in the liver of red deer from the metal smelting region was about 8 times higher than for the reference control site. Next, the expression of MT1 mRNA in the liver of red deer was quantified by the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and the expression of MT1/2 protein in the liver and kidneys was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Positive correlations were found between expression levels for MT1 mRNA and the concentrations of Cu and Zn in liver of red deer, and with the age of animals. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated the nuclear and cytoplasmatic expression in both liver and kidney tissues, but with no obvious relationship shown for the expression of MT1/2 protein and tissue metal levels. Our results showed that the analysis of MT expression levels in the red deer could not be used independently as a biomarker for identifying exposure to Cd, but could be co-analyzed with tissue metal levels to give better prognosis for environmental exposure to metals.

Prostaglandin release by cultured endometrial tissues after challenge with lipopolysaccharide and tumor necrosis factor α, in relation to the estrous cycle, treatment with medroxyprogesterone acetate, and pyometra.

To better understand the pathogenesis of endometrial changes in cats associated with administration of progestagen contraceptives and with pyometra, we examined local variability of the prostaglandin synthesis system after challenge with either tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in organ cultures of endometrial tissues derived from cyclic cats, cats treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), or cats with pyometra, as well as in cultured endometrial epithelial and stromal cells. In addition, spontaneous prostaglandin secretion was compared in endometria from different experimental groups. Data gathered in the present study show that the concentration of PGE2 in supernatants was increased only in endometrial organ cultures from cats with pyometra (P < 0.001) compared with other groups. This was also true for PGF2α in pyometra, compared with cats treated either short- or long-term with MPA and cats during late diestrus (P < 0.001), anestrus (P < 0.01), and estrus and middiestrus (P < 0.05). Treatment with LPS and TNF-α combined stimulated PGE2 secretion in all groups compared with the control (P < 0.001 for endometria of cats during anestrus or middiestrus, cats treated short-term with MPA, and those with pyometra; P < 0.01 for endometria of cats treated long-term with MPA; and P < 0.05 for the endometria of cats during estrus and late diestrus). The combined treatment with LPS and TNF-α increased PGF2α secretion in the endometria of cats treated short-term with MPA (P < 0.001), during anestrus and pyometra (P < 0.01 for both), and estrus and middiestrus (P < 0.05 for both), compared with the control. Spontaneous secretion of prostaglandins was several times greater in the endometria of queens with pyometra, compared with other groups, which may further regulate the local inflammatory response. Data gathered from endometrial cell culture and endometrial organ culture lead to the conclusion that disturbances in prostaglandin release contribute to pyometra in cats.

MiRNA-21, miRNA-10b, and miRNA-34a Expression in Canine Mammary Gland Neoplasms

Abstract The expression of miRNA-21, miRNA-10b, and miRNA-34a in malignant and benign tumours and non-neoplastic lesions in canine mammary gland, using real-time PCR with TaqMan probes was determined. The expression in normal tissues was compared to neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions using one-way ANOVA test. Significant changes in miRNA expression in neoplastic tissues, as compared to normal ones, were demonstrated. In all neoplastic tissues, the miRNA-21 expression increased while in non-neoplastic lesions slightly decreased in comparison to normal ones. MiRNA-10b expression in malignant and benign tumours increased in comparison to normal tissues and non-neoplastic lesions. MiRNA-34a expression profile in neoplastic and non-neoplastic tissues differed from other examined miRNAs (miRNA-21 and miRNA-10b). In all samples miRNA-34a expression level decreased in comparison to normal tissues.

Treatment of Ovarian Cysts in Dairy Cows with Simultaneous Administration of GnRH and PGF2α has no Clear Advantage Over the Use of GnRH Alone

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the therapeutic efficacy o f simultaneous administration of GnRH and PGF2α in dairy cows with ovarian cysts. Ovarian cyst-affected dairy cows were divided into two experimental groups: 54 cows treated with GnRH and PGF2α, and 42 cows treated with GnRH alone, whereas 22 untreated cows served as the control group. Clinical response and reproductive performance were evaluated. The cumulative disappearance was better in treated cows than in the control group; however, there were no differences between the treatment groups (92.6; 95.2% vs. 72.3%). The mean interval from calving to conception was not significantly shorter (being so by 29 d) in the GnRH/PGF2α group than in the cows treated with GnRH alone (P > 0.05). The intervals from treatment to conception were also similar in these groups. The pregnancy rate in both treated groups was similar (62%) and higher than in the control cows (53%). In the cows with luteal cysts, the total pregnancy rate was higher in all experimental groups; however, only in GnRH-treated cows was this difference statistically significant (77.8% vs. 50.0%, P < 0.05). With time after parturition, the pregnancy rate decreased in all groups. In general, the cows treated with GnRH and PGF2α simultaneously displayed a good clinical response and slight improvement in reproductive performance compared to the single-therapy GnRH group; however, this was not fully convincing.