Yoh-Ichi Miyake

Deletion of the SRY region on the Y chromosome detected in bovine gonadal hypoplasia (XY female) by PCR

In 6 sterile heifers which were female in appearance and in genital organs, all tissues derived from blood, skin, spleen and kidney had a single 60,XY type of metaphase plate. Although the SRY gene was detected by PCR in normal bull, it was not detected in normal cow or in 3 60,XY cases studied.

A fast, convenient diagnosis of the bovine freemartin syndrome using polymerase chain reaction.

To establish the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for detecting the XY cells in cases suspected to have the bovine freemartin syndrome, a PCR reaction test was conducted on blood from a normal bull diluted in blood from a normal cow. From the results obtained, it was shown that the Y-specific sequence was detectable down to a concentration of 0.1%. Various types of the bovine freemartin syndrome, which occurs in heterosexual twins, single-born sterile heifers, and heifers born with Acardius amorphus, were examined by the chromosome analysis and the PCR method. The Y-specific sequence was detected in all 26 cases that showed chromosome chimerism but which was absent in the 5 cases without a chimerism. The PCR method was found to be effective and convenient for quickly diagnosing the various types of bovine freemartin syndrome.

Comparison of the diagnosis of intervertebral disc herniation in dogs by CT before and after contrast enhancement of the subarachnoid space

Eleven miniature dachshunds with a herniated intervertebral disc were examined by CT, first before and then after contrast enhancement of the subarachnoid space. The images were classified into three grades by three veterinarians. In four cases, lesions observed on the scans obtained after contrast enhancement had not been observed on the preliminary scans and in one case a lesion observed on the preliminary scan was not observed on the scan obtained after contrast enhancement. Hemilaminectomies were performed on the basis of the enhanced CT results, and a clinical improvement was observed in each of the dogs. Calcification was detected in all the samples of herniated intervertebral disc material.

Clinical experience of using multidetector-row CT for the diagnosis of disorders in cattle

To determine the clinical usefulness of multidetectorrow CT for the diagnosis of disorders in cattle, images were obtained from 27 cattle, which were then subjected to postmortem and histopathological examinations. The cattle were divided into three categories of disorder: neurological (18 cases), skeletal (four cases) and other (five cases). In five cattle, which were suspected to have brain diseases, no abnormalities were identified by either CT or histopathological examination. Eight types of lesions were detected by CT in the cattle with neurological and vestibular disorders. The diseases diagnosed included hydrocephalus (three cases), intracranial arachnoid cysts (three cases), otitis media (five cases), cerebral abscess (one case), meningoencephalocele (one case), porencephaly (one case), bicephalus (one case) and rupture of the spinal cord (one case). Lesions were identified in all the cattle with skeletal disorders, including luxation (two cases), fracture (two cases), spondylosis (one case) and congenital disorders of the skeletal system (one case). Morphological disorders in the eyes (one case), nasal cavity (two cases), frontal sinuses (one case), thyroid glands (two cases), lung fields (two cases) and abdominal organs (two cases) were diagnosed by CT.

Evidence that the dominant follicle of the first wave is more active than that of the second wave in terms of its growth rate, blood flow supply and steroidogenic capacity in cows

To clarify the different characteristics of the dominant follicle (DF), the DF in first ovarian follicular wave (DF-1) after spontaneous ovulation and DF in second follicular wave (DF-2) and after induced ovulation of the first-wave DF by GnRH were examined in non-lactating Holstein cows. Follicular maturation of DF-1 and DF-2 were induced by PGF2α and GnRH treatment on Day 6 and 8 (Day 0=Day of follicular wave emergence), respectively. Follicular growth and blood flow (BF) in the follicular wall of DF-1 and DF-2 were examined. To analyze sex steroids in follicular fluid (FF) and amount of mRNA in granulosa cells, DF-1 and DF-2 were aspirated on Day 8 or 9 in different estrous cycle. Diameter in DF-1 was larger than DF-2 on Day 8 and 9. From Day 8 to 9, BF area (BFA) and percentage of the follicular wall with BF, which represents the degree of distribution of BF, increased in DF-1 but not in DF-2. BFA per length of follicle circumference with BF, which represents the thickness of BF, was not different between DF-1 and DF-2. Concentrations of 17β-estradiol (E2) in plasma, E2 and androstendione in FF and amounts of LH receptor mRNA were greater in the DF-1 on Day 8. Gene expression for steroidogenesis, prostaglandin synthesis and angiogenesis did not differ between DF-1 and DF-2. These results indicated that DF-1 were more active than DF-2 in growth, BF supply and steroidogenesis. The greater BFA observed in the DF-1 may be derived from as a result of the greater vascularity in the follicular wall.

Study of Early Pregnancy Factor (EPF) in Equine (Equus caballus)

PROBLEM: Early pregnancy factor (EPF) is an immunosuppressive protein detected in the early pregnancy serum. We have already reported that we developed the rosette inhibition test for mare EPF and detected EPF in thoroughbreds. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not our method could be used clinically.
 METHODS OF STUDY: The rosette inhibition test for equine EPF was carried out on serum from six nonpregnant and six pregnant Shetland ponies, a female and a male Chinese pony, and four nonpregnant and 13 pregnant thoroughbred mares. In the thoroughbreds, sera were collected during the pregnancy period. Furthermore, we measured progesterone and detected pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) in order to confirm pregnancy of the Chinese pony 3 and 6 months after mating.
 RESULTS: In the nonpregnant Shetland ponies, the rosette inhibition titre (RIT) was 6.0±1.0 and EPF was negative. In contrast, in the pregnant ponies, the RIT was 9.2±0.4 and EPF was positive. Based on these results, we diagnosed pregnancy of the Chinese pony. The RIT of the female Chinese pony (3 months after mating) was above 10 and EPF was positive. Furthermore, we detected PMSG and progesterone in the serum of this pony. EPF appeared in the maternal blood circulation at 24–72 hr after mating, it was detected until the second trimester, and after that it disappeared from the maternal serum.
 CONCLUSIONS: The ponys EPF was detected by using the same rosette inhibition test as in the thoroughbred and was present from 24 to 72 hr after mating until the second trimester. The results indicated that our method was useful for pregnancy diagnosis of Equine.

Virtopsy in a Red Kangaroo with Oral Osteomyelitis

Abstract This report describes the use of computed tomography (CT) in a nondomestic species. Postmortem CT was performed on a red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) and a diagnosis of oral osteomyelitis was made. CT examination revealed bony remodeling of the right mandible, an intraosseous lesion of the right temporal bone, muscle necrosis around the right mandible, and the absence of the right, first, upper molar tooth. Cardiac and intrahepatic gas and a distended intestine due to postmortem gas accumulation were also seen. All the lesions identified with CT were also identified by conventional necropsy, except the cardiac and intrahepatic gases. Virtopsy may be a useful procedure for the noninvasive identification of cause of death and as a guide for necropsy in animals.

Computed tomography of the prostate gland in apparently healthy entire dogs

OBJECTIVES To describe the computed tomography (CT) features of the prostate gland and determine prostate size using CT in entire male dogs. METHODS The prostate gland was evaluated in 35 dogs. Morphological features including homogeneity, delineation, shape and intraprostatic differentiation were assessed. Height, length, width, area, volume and attenuation values of the prostate gland were measured. Ratios of prostatic height (rH), length and width to the sixth lumbar vertebral body length were calculated. Relationships of prostatic dimensions with body weight and age were evaluated. RESULTS The prostate gland was homogeneous in 29 dogs on non-contrast images and 18 of 24 dogs on postcontrast images. Transverse images revealed a semi-oval prostate gland in 29 dogs and irregularly shaped prostate gland in 6 dogs. A prominent median septum was observed in postcontrast images. Significant positive correlations were found between body weight and age and all prostatic dimensions except between age and rH. The mean ± sd values for attenuation were 59·3 ± 9·1 and 121·3 ± 22·7 HU in non-contrast and postcontrast image, respectively. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE CT can be useful for evaluating morphological features of the prostate gland. Prostatic length or width is a better measure than height for computed tomographic estimation of prostate size.

Influence of osmolarity of contrast medium and saline flush on computed tomography angiography: Comparison of monomeric and dimeric iodinated contrast media with different iodine concentrations at an identical iodine delivery rate

PURPOSE To evaluate the influence of osmolarity of iodinated contrast media and saline flush on the contrast effect in thoracic computed tomography angiography (CTA) at an identical iodine delivery rate (IDR). MATERIALS AND METHODS Seven beagles were used in a cross-over experiment. The contrast media used were iohexol 350 mgI/ml (IOH350; osmolarity 844 mmol/kg) and iodixanol 320 mgI/ml (IDX320; osmolarity 290 mmol/kg). Each contrast medium was administered to groups with and without saline flush at 40.0 mgI/kg/s for all experiments. Dynamic CT scanning was performed at the ninth thoracic vertebra level. The peak value, area under the curve (AUC), and time to peak (TTP) were calculated from the time attenuation curves of the pulmonary artery and aorta. RESULTS There was no significant difference between IOH350 and IDX320 with or without saline flush in the peak values for the pulmonary artery and aorta. AUC was significantly higher in groups with saline flush for both contrast media and arteries (p<0.05) with no significant difference between contrast media. TTP was significantly longer in groups with saline flush than without saline flush for both contrast media and arteries (p<0.05), with no significant difference between contrast media. CONCLUSIONS There were no significant differences in the contrast effects of monomeric IOH350 and dimeric IDX320 in thoracic CTA when used at an identical IDR. Moreover, saline flush prolonged the peak duration at 600 mgI/kg.

Partial Purification of Mare Early Pregnancy Factor

Problem:  Early pregnancy factor (EPF) is an immunosuppressive protein detected in the serum in early pregnancy. We have already reported the development of the rosette inhibition test for mare EPF and have detected EPF in thoroughbreds and ponies. Here, we attempted to purify equine EPF from pregnant mare serum.