Short-Term Effects of Duodenocecostomy on Body Weight, Glucose Absorption, Serum Components, and Intestinal Histopathology in Four Normal Horses

The objective of this study was to evaluate duodenocecostomy in horses performed through a ventral midline laparotomy and report its influence oil body weight, glucose absorption, serum components, and characteristics of jejunum, cecum, and large colon histology. Four horses were submitted to the duodenocecostomy technique through a ventral midline laparotomy with animals in dorsal recumbency under inhalation anesthesia, followed by abdominal exploration. A side-to-side anastomosis was performed between the duodenojejunal flexure and the base of the cecum with two simple continuous suture lines of the serosal and muscular layers. The size of the opening created was approximately 2 cm in diameter. The mucosa layer was not Sutured. After 30 days, animals were submitted to a second laparotomy to check the patency of the duodenocaecal fistula. During both laparotomy procedures, excisional biopsies of different segments of the gastrointestinal tract were performed. Information on physical examination findings, results of hematologic and histopathologic evaluations, and oral glucose absorption test were recorded. The horses did not have significant weight loss from baseline, and absorption curve of glucose did not significantly vary from baseline. Only triglycerides had significant alterations. Histologic evaluation of jejunum, cecum, and large colon did not show alterations of intestinal structure and morphology. We concluded that the proposed technique, principally in relation to the fistula size and not suturing the mucosa layer, allowed partial or total Occlusion of the fistulae without the necessity of a second surgery and avoided the permanent bypass of ingesta and weight loss.

Ultrastructural aspects of lingual papillae in squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus)

Saimiri sciureus is one of the smallest Cebidae native of Amazon region and also found at the biological reserve of northeast Atlantic forest. It is an omnivore animal, with diversified diet that directly influences the lingual mucosa, which includes certain types of papillae with different organization levels. The present study attempted to describe the morphological and ultrastructure aspects of the dorsal surface of the S. sciureus. Five tongues of de S. sciureus were analyzed from three males and two females who died from natural causes and were obtained from breeding colonies of CENP-Ananindeua-PA. Main macroscopic features were a general triangular shape with a craniocaudal elongation pointed apex. Tissue samples-apex, body, and root of tongue-were fixed in modified Karnovsky solution, following standard scanning protocol, mounted in stubs, coated by gold, and analyzed by Scanning Electron Macroscopy (SEM). Four types of papillae were described: filiform (along all tissue extension with 154 mu m of diameter), fungiform (along all tissue extension with 272 mu m of diameter), vallate [just three units in caudal (dorsal) portion with 830 mu m of diameter] and foliate (one pair at caudolateral surface with similar to 13 projections and 3000 mu m in length). Data analysis indicates that the distribution and ultra structural morphology of the S. sciureus lingual papillae are some similar to other primates. Microsc. Res. Tech. 74:484-487, 2011. (C) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Carios fonsecai sp nov (Acari, Argasidae), a bat tick from the central-western region of Brazil

Males, females, and larvae of Carios fonsecai sp. nov. are described from free-living ticks collected in a cave at Bonito, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The presence of cheeks and legs with micromammillate cuticle makes adults of C. fonsecai morphologically related to a group of argasid species (mostly bat-associated) formerly classified into the subgenus Alectorobius, genus Ornithodoros. Examination of larvae indicates that C. fonsecai is clearly distinct from most of the previously described Carios species formerly classified into the subgenus Alectorobius, based primarily on its larger body size, dorsal setae number, dorsal plate shape, and hypostomal morphology. On the other hand, the larva of C. fonsecai is most similar to Carios peropteryx, and Carios peruvianus, from which differences in dorsal plate length and width, tarsal setae, and hypostome characteristics are useful for morphological differentiation. The mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequence of C. fonsecai showed to be closest (85-88% identity) to several corresponding sequences of different Carios species available in GenBank. Bats identified as Peropteryx macrotis and Desmodus rotundus were found infested by C. fonsecai larvae in the same cave where the type series was collected. C. fonsecai showed to be aggressive to humans in the laboratory.

Validation of body condition score as a predictor of subcutaneous fat in Nelore (Bos indicus) cows

The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship among body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS) and rump fat thickness (RFAT) measured by ultrasonography, and validate the relationship between BCS and RFAT over the time. Two hundred sixty and six Nelore cows had their BW, BCS and RFAT evaluated at five different moments during the production cycle: M1) weaning: M2) parturition, M3) 42 days post-partum; M4) 82 days postpartum and M5) 112 days post-partum. A BCS value was attributed for each cow following a I to 5 points scale. Ultrasonographic images for RFAT measurement were obtained using a 3.5 MHz linear transducer. Images were immediately analyzed as soon as they were formed and frozen. Body condition scores and ultrasound measurements were collected on the same day by a single trained technician. The relationship between BCS and RFAT values was investigated by regression models. The analysis of similarity among the five obtained models was performed using the proc MIXED from SAS and the correlations among variables were analyzed with proc CORR from SAS. The BCS was able to predict RFAT in Nelore cows in all different moments evaluated. Also, it was shown that BCS presented high correlation (r=0.82 to 0.93) and relationship (R(2) = 0.73 to 0.92) with RFAT. However, both BCS and RFAT showed low correlation (r=0.37 to 0.50) and relationship (R(2) = 0.13 to 0.25) with BW. The BCS classification by visual method using a 1 to 5 point scale, was able to predict the RFAT in Nelore cows over the time. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Genotype effects on body temperature in dairy cows under grazing conditions in a hot climate including evidence for heterosis

We compared diurnal patterns of vaginal temperature in lactating cows under grazing conditions to evaluate genotype effects on body temperature regulation. Genotypes evaluated were Holstein, Jersey, Jersey x Holstein and Swedish Red x Holstein. The comparison of Holstein and Jersey versus Jersey x Holstein provided a test of whether heterosis effects body temperature regulation. Cows were fitted with intravaginal temperature recording devices that measured vaginal temperature every 15 min for 7 days. Vaginal temperature was affected by time of day (P < 0.0001) and genotype x time (P < 0.0001) regardless of whether days in milk and milk yield were used as covariates. Additional analyses indicated that the Swedish Red x Holstein had a different pattern of vaginal temperatures than the other three genotypes (Swedish Red x Holstein vs others x time; P < 0.0001) and that Holstein and Jersey had a different pattern than Jersey x Holstein [(Holstein + Jersey vs Jersey x Holstein) x time, P < 0.0001]. However, Holstein had a similar pattern to Jersey [(Holstein vs Jersey) x time, P > 0.10]. These genotype x time interactions reflect two effects. First, Swedish Red x Holstein had higher vaginal temperatures than the other genotypes in the late morning and afternoon but not after the evening milking. Secondly, Jersey x Holstein had lower vaginal temperatures than other genotypes in the late morning and afternoon and again in the late night and early morning. Results point out that there are effects of specific genotypes and evidence for heterosis on regulation of body temperature of lactating cows maintained under grazing conditions and suggest that genetic improvement for thermotolerance through breed choice or genetic selection is possible.

Role of preoptic opioid receptors in the body temperature reduction during hypoxia

Evidence indicates that endogenous opioids play a role in body temperature (Tb) regulation in mammals but no data exist about the involvement of the specific opioid receptors, mu, kappa and delta, in the reduction of Tb induced by hypoxia. Thus, we investigated the participation of these opioid receptors in the anteroventral preoptic region (AVPO) in hypoxic decrease of Th. To this end, Th of unanesthetized Wistar rats was monitored by temperature data loggers before and after intra-AVPO microinjection of the selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine dihydrochloride (nor-BNI; 0.1 and 1.0 mu g/100 nL/animal), the selective mu-opioid receptor antagonist D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH(2) cyclic (CTAP; 0.1 and 1.0 mu g/100 nL/animal), and the selective delta-opioid receptor antagonist Naltrindole (0.06 and 0.6 mu g/100 nL/animal) or saline (vehicle, 100 nu animal), during normoxia and hypoxia (7% inspired O(2)). Under normoxia, no effect of opioid antagonists on Th was observed. Hypoxia induced Th to reduce in vehicle group, a response that was inhibited by the microinjection intra-AVPO of nor-BNI. In contrast, CTAP and Naltrindole did not change Th during hypoxia but caused a longer latency for the return of Th to the normoxic values just after low O(2) exposure. Our results indicate the kappa-opioid receptor in the AVPO is important for the reduction of Th during hypoxia while the mu and delta receptors are involved in the increase of Th during normoxia post-hypoxia. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Bone repair in mandibular body osteotomy after using 2.0 miniplate system - histological and histometric analysis in dogs

The objective of this study was to evaluate the bone repair along a mandibular body osteotomy after using a 2.0 miniplate system. Nine adult mongrel dogs were subjected to unilateral continuous defect through an osteotomy between the mandibular 3rd and 4th premolars. Two four-hole miniplates were placed in accordance with the Arbeitgeimeinschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen Manual. Miniplates adapted to the alveolar processes were fixed monocortically with 6.0-mm-length titanium alloy self-tapping screws, whereas miniplates placed near the mandible bases were fixed bicortically. At 2, 6 and 12 weeks, three dogs were sacrificed per period, and the osteotomy sites were removed, divided into three thirds (Tension Third, TT; Intermediary Third, IT; Compression Third, CT) and prepared for conventional and polarized light microscopy. At 6 weeks, while the CT repaired faster and showed bone union by woven bone formation, the TT and IT exhibited a ligament-like fibrous connective tissue inserted in, and connecting, newly formed woven bone overlying the parent lamellar bone edges. At 12 weeks, bone repair took place at all thirds. Histometrically, proportions of newly formed bone did not alter at TT, IT and CT, whereas significantly enhanced bone formation was observed for the 12-week group, irrespective of the third. The results demonstrated that although the method used to stabilize the mandibular osteotomy allowed bone repair to occur, differences in the dynamics of bone healing may take place along the osteotomy site, depending on the action of tension and compression forces generated by masticatory muscles.