U. Bleul

Blood gas and acid-base analysis of arterial blood in 57 newborn calves

The pH, partial pressure of oxygen (pO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), concentration of bicarbonate (HCO−3), base excess and oxygen saturation (SO2) were measured in venous and arterial blood from 57 newborn calves from 55 dams. Blood samples were collected immediately after birth and 30 minutes, four, 12 and 24 hours later from a jugular vein and a caudal auricular artery. The mean (sd) pO2 and SO2 of arterial blood increased from 45·31 (16·02) mmHg and 64·16 (20·82) per cent at birth to a maximum of 71·89 (8·32) mmHg and 92·81 (2·32) per cent 12 hours after birth, respectively. During the same period, the arterial pCO2 decreased from 57·31 (4·98) mmHg to 43·74 (4·75) mmHg. The correlation coefficients for arterial and venous blood were r=0·86 for pH, r=0·85 for base excess and r=0·76 for HCO−3. The calves with a venous blood pH of less than 7·2 immediately after birth had significantly lower base excess and HCO−3 concentrations for 30 minutes after birth than the calves with a venous blood pH of 7·2 or higher. In contrast, the arterial pO2 was higher in the calves with a blood pH of less than 7·2 than in those with a higher pH for 30 minutes after birth.

Comparison of sodium bicarbonate and carbicarb for the treatment of metabolic acidosis in newborn calves

Carbicarb (an equimolar mixture of sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate) was compared with sodium bicarbonate alone for the treatment of acidosis in newborn calves: 25 of 49 calves with a blood pH at birth of less than 7˙2 and a base deficit of less than −3 mmol/litre were treated intravenously with sodium bicarbonate and 24 were treated with carbicarb. The doses were calculated on the basis of the base deficit in a blood sample taken 10 minutes after birth, and further blood samples were taken immediately after the treatment and 30 and 60 minutes after the treatment for the determination of acid-base status, blood gases and haematological and biochemical variables. Both treatments resulted in a significant increase in blood pH, but there was no difference between them. The mean (sd) blood pH before treatment was 7˙09 (0˙02) and after treatment it was 7˙28 (0˙01). There was no increase in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide after treatment with either sodium bicarbonate or carbicarb. Both treatments were associated with an increase in sodium concentration and decreases in the total erythrocyte count, haematocrit and haemoglobin concentration.

Clinical observations and management of a severe equine herpesvirus type 1 outbreak with abortion and encephalomyelitis

Latent equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection is common in horse populations worldwide and estimated to reach a prevalence nearing 90% in some areas. The virus causes acute outbreaks of disease that are characterized by abortion and sporadic cases of myeloencephalopathy (EHM), both severe threats to equine facilities. Different strains vary in their abortigenic and neuropathogenic potential and the simultaneous occurrence of EHM and abortion is rare. In this report, we present clinical observations collected during an EHV-1 outbreak caused by a so-called “neuropathogenic” EHV-1 G2254/D752 polymerase (Pol) variant, which has become more prevalent in recent years and is less frequently associated with abortions. In this outbreak with 61 clinically affected horses, 6/7 pregnant mares aborted and 8 horses developed EHM. Three abortions occurred after development of EHM symptoms. Virus detection was performed by nested PCR targeting gB from nasal swabs (11 positive), blood serum (6 positive) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (9 positive) of a total of 42 horses sampled. All 6 fetuses tested positive for EHV-1 by PCR and 4 by virus isolation. Paired serum neutralization test (SNT) on day 12 and 28 after the index case showed a significant (≥ 4-fold) increase in twelve horses (n = 42; 28.6%). This outbreak with abortions and EHM cases on a single equine facility provided a unique opportunity for the documentation of clinical disease progression as well as diagnostic procedures.

In vitro fabrication of autologous living tissue‐engineered vascular grafts based on prenatally harvested ovine amniotic fluid‐derived stem cells

Amniotic fluid cells (AFCs) have been proposed as a valuable source for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, before clinical implementation, rigorous evaluation of this cell source in clinically relevant animal models accepted by regulatory authorities is indispensable. Today, the ovine model represents one of the most accepted preclinical animal models, in particular for cardiovascular applications. Here, we investigate the isolation and use of autologous ovine AFCs as cell source for cardiovascular tissue engineering applications. Fetal fluids were aspirated in vivo from pregnant ewes (n = 9) and from explanted uteri post mortem at different gestational ages (n = 91). Amniotic non‐allantoic fluid nature was evaluated biochemically and in vivo samples were compared with post mortem reference samples. Isolated cells revealed an immunohistochemical phenotype similar to ovine bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and showed expression of stem cell factors described for embryonic stem cells, such as NANOG and STAT‐3. Isolated ovine amniotic fluid‐derived MSCs were screened for numeric chromosomal aberrations and successfully differentiated into several mesodermal phenotypes. Myofibroblastic ovine AFC lineages were then successfully used for the in vitro fabrication of small‐ and large‐diameter tissue‐engineered vascular grafts (n = 10) and cardiovascular patches (n = 34), laying the foundation for the use of this relevant pre‐clinical in vivo assessment model for future amniotic fluid cell‐based therapeutic applications. Copyright

Respiratory distress syndrome in calves

Respiratory disease syndrome (RDS) is a condition of neonatal calves in which insufficient oxygen uptake and increased retention of carbon dioxide result in respiratory acidosis. This condition is more common in premature calves and seems to be associated with a deficiency of surfactant. Although there is no uniform definition of RDS, clinical signs appear as tachypnea and expiration accentuated by an abdominal lift and expiratory grunt, and they occur in association with characteristic blood gas changes. This article discusses the pathophysiology of RDS in calves, along with the clinical findings, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Obstetric gel shortens second stage of labor and prevents perineal trauma in nulliparous women : a randomized controlled trial on labor facilitation

Abstract Objective: To determine whether the obstetric gel shortens the second stage of labor and exerts a protective effect on the perineum. Method: A total of 251 nulliparous women with singleton low-risk pregnancies in vertex position at term were recruited. A total of 228 eligible women were randomly assigned to Group A, without obstetric gel use, or to Group B, obstetric gel use, i.e., intermittent application into the birth canal during vaginal examinations, starting at the early first stage of labor (prior to 4 cm dilation) and ending with delivery. Results: A total of 183 cases were analyzed. For vaginal deliveries without interventions, such as C-section, vaginal operative procedure or Kristeller maneuver, obstetric gel use significantly shortened the second stage of labor by 26 min (30%) (P=0.026), and significantly reduced perineal tears (P=0.024). First stage of labor and total labor duration were also shortened, but not significantly. Results did not show a significant change in secondary outcome parameters, such as intervention rates or maternal and newborn outcomes. No side effects were observed with obstetric gel use. Conclusion: Systematic vaginal application of obstetric gel showed a significant reduction in the second stage of labor and a significant increase in perineal integrity. Future studies should further investigate the effect on intervention rates and maternal and neonatal outcome parameters.

Clinical findings in 56 cows with toxic mastitis

The clinical, haematological, biochemical and bacteriological findings in 56 cows with toxic mastitis are described. In addition to acute mastitis, the most frequent clinical findings were tachycardia in 40 of the cows, anorexia or reduced appetite in 50, reduced ruminal and intestinal motility in 52 and no ruminal and intestinal motility in 39. The most important haematological and biochemical findings were a high haematocrit in 26 of the cows, leucopenia in 23 and a high concentration of urea in 31. In 27 of the cows the secretion of the affected mammary gland did not resemble milk. The most commonly isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli from 26 of the cows and Staphylococcus aureus from 11. Seven of the cows were investigated by an exploratory laparotomy because the principal sign was intestinal in origin, but no abnormalities were found. Seventeen of the cows were euthanased immediately after the diagnostic work, and 14 during the course of their treatment.

Effect of intranasal oxygen administration on blood gas variables and outcome in neonatal calves with respiratory distress syndrome : 20 cases (2004-2006)

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of intranasal oxygen administration on blood gas variables and outcome in neonatal calves with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 20 neonatal calves with RDS. PROCEDURES Arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO(2)), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO(2)) before and after intranasal administration of oxygen were analyzed. RESULTS There were significant increases in PaO(2) and SaO(2) in the first 24 hours after oxygen administration was begun, with mean +/- SD PaO(2) increasing from 38.4+/-8.8 mm Hg to 58.7+/-17.8 mm Hg during the first 3 hours of treatment. Calves with PaO(2)>55 mm Hg within the first 12 hours after oxygen administration was begun had a significantly higher survival rate (9/10) than did calves that did not reach this threshold (4/10). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that intranasal oxygen administration was a simple method of improving blood gas variables in neonatal calves with RDS and that PaO(2) could be used to predict outcome.

Effects of Duration of Storage and Storage Temperature on Cell Counts of Bovine Blood Samples as Determined by an Automated Haematology Analyser

Abstract: Analysis of blood cells is an important part of many scientific investigations in the field of cattle herd health. Over the last 30 years, automated blood analysis has all but replaced manual counting of blood cells using counting chambers. The present study investigated the effects of prolonged storage and storage temperatures on cell counts as determined by a haematology analyser. Blood samples from 20 clinically healthy cows were repeatedly analysed with a Cell-Dyn 3500 (Abbott Diagnostika, Delkenheim), within 24 hours after collection and after storage at either 4° C or 20° C. The counts of most blood cells were more stable in samples stored at 20° C than those stored at 4° C. For at least 8 h, the counts of all analysed cell types, with the exception of lymphocytes, remained within ±3 standard deviations that were calculated for fresh samples, provided that the blood was stored at 20° C.

The effect of lactic acidosis on the generation and compensation of mixed respiratory-metabolic acidosis in neonatal calves

Postnatal mixed respiratory-metabolic acidosis is common in calves, and depending on its severity can impair vitality or even cause death. Carbon dioxide accounts for the respiratory component and L-lactate for the metabolic component of the mixed acidosis, but it remains unclear which component determines the severity and duration of the acidosis. In a first attempt to clarify, this was investigated retrospectively in 31 calves during the first two hours of life, and in 13 calves during the first three days of life. Venous blood was collected for blood gas analysis and measurement of acid-base variables and L-lactate concentration. pH Was more strongly correlated with L-lactate concentration (r2=0.808) than with partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2, r2=0.418). Duration of parturition had a distinct effect on pH and L-lactate concentration but not on pCO2; calves born within six hours of rupture of the allantoic sac had a higher pH and lower L-lactate concentration than calves born after a longer duration of parturition (both P<0.01). Normalisation of pCO2 took four hours and normalisation of L-lactate took 48 hours. It was concluded that L-lactate is a more important factor in the pathogenesis of acidosis than pCO2, and that the duration of metabolic acidosis exceeds that of respiratory acidosis in perinatal asphyxia of calves.