Plasma concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin F-2-alpha (PGFM), progesterone and estradiol in pregnant and nonpregnant diestrus cross-bred bitches

The canine corpus luteum (CL) typically sustains elevated plasma progesterone concentrations for 2 months or more, with a peak approximately 15-25 days after ovulation, followed by a slow decline. The processes involved in the slow, protracted regression of the CL over the remaining 1.5-2-month period in nonpregnant bitches and until shortly prepartum in pregnant bitches are not well characterized. The rapid luteolysis that occurs immediately prepartum appears to be a result of a prepartum rise in peripheral PGF. The potential role of PGF in the slow regression process in the several weeks preceding parturition and in nonpregnant bitches after 15-25 days after ovulation is not known. Therefore, plasma concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F-2-alpha (PGFM), progesterone (P-4) and estradiol (E-2) Were determined and compared in bitches during nonpregnant diestrus (n = 9) or pregnancy (n = 8). During the gradual decrease in plasma concentrations of progesterone in both groups, the P-4 pattern appeared unrelated to changes in either E-2 or PGFM concentrations. The PGFM pattern was different between diestrus and pregnant bitches (P > 0.01); there was an apparent progressive but slow increase in PGFM in pregnant bitches from Days 30 to 60, followed by a large increase prior to parturition; concentrations declined immediately postpartum. However, there were no increases in PGFM during the same interval in nonpregnant bitches. Mean estradiol concentrations were sporadically elevated during the last third of pregnancy and less so in nonpregnant diestrus; there was no acute prepartum increase in estradiol associated with the PGFM increase. In summary, although there were no apparent changes in peripheral PGF(2)alpha concentration involved in regulating the slow protracted phase of luteal regression in nonpregnant bitches, modest increases in PGFM may play a role in ovarian function after mid-gestation in pregnant bitches. Furthermore, the acute prepartum rise in PGFM was not dependent on any concomitant increase in estradiol concentrations. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Serum cortisol, lactate and creatinine concentrations in Thoroughbred fillies of different ages and states of training

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Gonadal function arrest in fillies after birth, as reflected by steroid serum concentrations

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Evaluation of a portable clinical analyzer for the determination of blood gas partial pressures, electrolyte concentrations, and hematocrit in venous blood samples collected from cattle, horses, and sheep

Objective To compare results reported for blood gas partial pressures, electrolyte concentrations, and Hct in venous blood samples collected from cattle, horses, and sheep and analyzed by use of a portable clinical analyzer (PCA) and reference analyzer (RA).Animals-Clinically normal animals (24 cattle, 22 horses, and 22 sheep).Procedures-pH; Pco(2); Po(2); total carbon dioxide concentration; oxygen saturation; base excess; concentrations of HCO(3)(-), Na(+), K(+), and ionized calcium; Hct; and hemoglobin concentration were determined with a PCA. Results were compared with those obtained for the same blood sample with an RA. Bias (mean difference) and variability (95% confidence interval) were determined for all data reported. Data were also subjected to analyses by Deming regression and Pearson correlation.Results-Analysis of Bland-Altman plots revealed good agreement between results obtained with the PCA and those obtained with the RA for pH and total carbon dioxide concentration in cattle, K(+) concentration in horses and sheep, and base excess in horses. Except for Na(+) concentration and Hct in horses and sheep, correlation was good or excellent for most variables reported.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Data from blood gas and electrolyte analyses obtained by use of the PCA can be used to evaluate the health status of cattle, horses, and sheep. Furthermore, the handheld PCA device may have a great advantage over the RA device as a result of the ability to analyze blood samples on farms that may be located far from urban centers. (Am J Vet Res 2010;71:515-521)

GABA(A) receptor activation in the lateral parabrachial nucleus induces water and hypertonic NaCl intake

Inhibitory serotonergic and cholecystokinergic mechanisms in the lateral parabrachial nucleus and central GABAergic mechanisms are involved in the regulation of water and NaCl intake. In the present study we investigated if the GABA(A) receptors in the lateral parabrachial nucleus are involved in the control of water, NaCl and food intake in rats. Male Holtzman rats with stainless steel cannulas implanted bilaterally into the lateral parabrachial nucleus were used. Bilateral injections of muscimol (0.2 nmol/0.2 mu l) into the lateral parabrachial nucleus strongly increased 0.3 M NaCl (20.3 +/- 7.2 vs. saline: 2.6 +/- 0.9 ml/180 min) without changing water intake induced by the treatment with the diuretic furosemide combined with low dose of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril s.c. In euhydrated and satiated rats, bilateral lateral parabrachial nucleus injections of muscimol (0.2 and 0.5 nmol/0.2 0) induced 0.3 M NaCl intake (12.1 +/- 6.5 and 32.5 +/- 7.3 ml/180 min, respectively, vs. saline: 0.4 +/- 0.2 ml/180 min) and water intake (5.2 +/- 2.0 and 7.6 +/- 2.8 ml/ 180 min, respectively, vs. saline: 0.8 +/- 0.4 ml/180 min), but no food intake (2 +/- 0.4 g/240 min vs. saline: 1 +/- 0.3 g/240 min). Bilateral lateral parabrachial nucleus injections of the GABAA antagonist bicuculline (1.6 nmol/0.2 mu l) abolished the effects of muscimol (0.5 nmol/0.2 mu l) on 0.3 M NaCl and water intake. Muscimol (0.5 nmol/0.2 mu l) into the lateral parabrachial nucleus also induced a slight ingestion of water (4.2 +/- 1.6 ml/240 min vs. saline: 1.1 +/- 0.3 ml/240 min) when only water was available, a long lasting (for at least 2 h) increase on mean arterial pressure (14 +/- 4 mm Hg, vs. saline: -1 +/- 1 mm Hg) and only a tendency to increase urinary volume and Na+ and K+ renal excretion. Therefore the activation of GABAA receptors in the lateral parabrachial nucleus induces strong NaCl intake, a small ingestion of water and pressor responses, without changes on food intake. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of IBRO.

Fluoride Intake from Meals Served in Daycare Centres in Municipalities with Different Fluoride Concentrations in the Water Supply

Purpose: The aim of this study was (1) to determine the fluoride content in the meals served to children aged up to 36 months in daycare centres of two municipalities with different levels of fluoride in the water supply, (2) to calculate the mean fluoride ingested daily by the children when consuming those meals and (3) to analyse the contribution of this consumption to the development of dental fluorosisMaterials and Methods: Samples of the meals served to the children were collected during a whole week. The fluoride content of the samples of solid foods and milk was analysed using an ion-specific electrode combined with reference electrode after diffusion facilitated by hexamethyldisiloxane Samples of beverages were buffered with an equal volume of total ionic strength adjustment buffer and analysed using a combined electrode. The results were compared using the Mann Whitney testResults: Mean fluoride contents of the meals were of 0.204 +/- 0 179 and 0.322 +/- 0.242 mu g F/mL (P < 0.05), respectively, in the municipalities with low and adequate fluoride content. Daily fluoride intake in the former was 0.013 +/- 0.003 mg/kg body weight/day and in the latter was 0.012 +/- 0 001 mg/kg body weight/day (P > 0 05)Conclusions: The children were not exposed to dental fluorosis in the daycare centres However, the risk cannot be ignored, considering the meals and the use of fluoridated dentifrices at home may also contribute to fluoride intake.

Effect of Different Fluoride Concentrations of Experimental Dentifrices on Enamel Erosion and Abrasion

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

NaF treatment increases TNF-alpha and resistin concentrations and reduces insulin signal in rats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)