Raul Alexandru Pop

Milk C-reactive protein in canine mastitis

Presence of mastitis in lactating bitches can become life threatening for both the bitch and pups. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a possible utility of C-reactive protein (CRP) in both milk and serum for canine mastitis diagnosis. Our study showed that milk CRP levels ranged between 0.1 and 4.9μg/mL and from 0.3 to 40.0μg/mL in healthy and diseased bitches (P<0.01), respectively, while serum CRP levels ranged between 2.0 and 8.6μg/mL and between 0.3 and 162.3μg/mL in healthy and diseased bitches (P<0.01), respectively. Milk and serum CRP levels were higher in both clinical and subclinical mastitis when compared with healthy controls (P<0.05 in all cases). However, no significant differences were recorded in CRP concentrations between clinical and subclinical cases. Based on these results, it could be concluded that serum and milk CRP could be useful in order to diagnose canine mastitis.

Canine Amniotic Membrane Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells- Potential Sources for Regenerative Medicine

Abstract Canine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be defined with self renew potential and specific differentiation capacity. Amiotic membrane represent an important source of MSCs, which can be harvested by minimally invasive methods. The aim of our study was to evaluate the growth characteristics of canine amniotic membrane derived mesenchymal stem cells. The placenta samples were collected after cesarean section from healthy mixed breed dogs. MSCs isolation was performed using enzymatic method. Isolated cells were cultured in propagation medium: Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium/F12 (DMEM/F12, Gibco) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS, Gibco) and 1% antibiotic-antimycotic (Sigma-Aldrich). The medium was changed after 4 days. The cell doubling number, cell proliferation capacity, cell doubling time, daily duplication rate and clonogenic efficacy were evaluated. Our study demonstrate the self renew potential of canine amniotic membrane derived mesenchymal stem cells, and can represent a potential source of stem cells for canine regenerative medicine.

Researches Regarding Recovery and Identification of Mare Oocytes for In Vitro Maturation

During March to May 2009 morphological studies on the mare oocytes were carried out harvested by two methods (aspiration and scrape), from different classes of ovarian follicles. Ovaries were obtained from 16 slaughtered mares in an approved abattoir and transported to the laboratory at a temperature of 5 degrees C. A total number of 181 antral follicles were identified in the macroscopic evaluation of ovaries. They were engaged in three classes based on size, and were collected using the aspiration method (n = 85) and scrape (n = 96). Recovery rate was 64.7% when harvesting by aspiration and 63.5% for scrape follicles. Oocytes were evaluated in terms of morphological, after standard criteria. Of the total 116 oocytes recovered 50 (43.1%) were considered good for in vitro maturation and a number of 66 (56.9%) were considered fallow. The largest percentage recovery was obtained in the case of follicles first class, 66%.. Oocytes Class II and III were recovered in the number of 20 (43%) and 10 (25%) were considered good for in vitro maturation and 26 (57%) and 30 (75%) were considered fallow. Most oocytes obtained from ovarian follicles of Classes II and III were in various stages of degeneration.