Intra-prostatic injection of botulinum toxin type A in treatment of dogs with spontaneous benign prostatic hyperplasia

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

Avaliação da eficiência da desinfecção de teteiras e dos tetos no processo de ordenha mecânica de vacas

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

Surgical treatment of gynaecomastia in a Saanen goat

Background: Gynaecomastia in male goats is characterized by abnormal development of the mammary gland. Enlarged udder may be observed cranially to the scrotum, which can occasionally reach the size of the testicles. The udder may carry functional glands and impair the animal's reproductive performance and welfare. The case of a successful surgical treatment of gynaecomastia in a high reproductive performance Saanen buck-goat is reported in the present study.Material, Methods & Results: The animal was admitted presenting significant augmentation of the mammary glands, which was clinically diagnosed as gynaecomastia. The male goat owned optimal phenotypic characteristics for the Saanen breed, which had been producing high performance descendents. The mammary glands had been impairing the goat's locomotion and sexual performance. Manual milking resulted in great amount of milk secretion. The animal presented anorexia and impaired sexual performance. After clinical and laboratorial evaluation, the animal was submitted to radical mastectomy. An elliptic skin incision was performed around each mammary gland. Subcuticular blunt dissection was accomplished to isolate the mammarian tissue from the abdominal muscular layer and the spermatic chord. The excised mass was sampled for histological assessment. Subcuticular layer and skin closure was carried in a routine fashion. Hygienization of the surgical wound was performed with 2,5% PVP-I solution for ten days. Additionally, an association of penicillin G benzathine and streptomycin, and fluxinin meglumine were also given. The surgical procedure was successfully accomplished without any peroperative complication. The excised mass was sampled for anatomic/histological assessment. Macroscopically, the left mammary gland presented 22 cm in length, 12 cm wide and 26 cm in diameter. The right gland presented 16 cm in length, 7 cm wide and 13,5 cm in diameter. The microscopic assessment revealed hyperplasia of the glandular ducts. No abnormalities resembling malignant mammary neoplasms or degeneration were observed. At the end of the treatment, the animal was completely recovered. The animal convalesced satisfactorily and surgical wound healed completely within the first 10 days post-op. The goat was not culled and returned to normal reproductive activity. Within 12 months of follow-up, the animal was able to produce high milk yield performance progenies.Discussion: This case report presented relevant aspects of the surgical management of gynaecomastia, especially to veterinary practitioners dealing with milk goats. Gynaecomastia is not as common as other reproductive disorders in domestic animals. In opposition to the findings of the present study, other trials revealed that gynaecomastia usually does not affect fertility, libido, ejaculate parameters and sexual performance of goats. However, it is important to consider that neoplasic disorders such as mammary adenocarcinoma may be present, even though these are rare complications. Last but not least, the decision making on mastectomy in the present study was crucial in order to reestablish the animal's welfare and its functionality in the farms reproduction program.

Histologia e morfometria das glândulas das junções infundíbulo-magno e útero-vagina de codorna doméstica

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

Antibody and blood leukocyte response in Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) tick-infested dogs and guinea pigs

The dog is considered to be the natural host of Rhipicephalus sanguineus and is unable to develop appreciable resistance even after repeated feedings. The guinea pig develops strong resistance after one infestation with adult ticks. Antibody (IgG) titres against tick salivary gland antigens (SGAs) and blood leukocyte numbers in dogs and guinea pigs undergoing experimental R. sanguineus tick infestations were measured to detect a possible correlation with susceptibility or resistance of hosts. Since infested dogs develop an immediate hypersensitivity reaction to R. sanguineus antigens, total and anti-R. sanguineus SGA IgE levels were also measured in this host species. IgG and IgE antibody levels were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) along three consecutive infestations of both hosts. Most dogs and guinea pigs displayed low IgG levels against R. sanguineus SGAs, though marked differences in individual response were observed. Although dog's total serum IgE levels increased significantly after infestations, no change in the amount of anti-salivary gland IgE was detected. Total and differential blood cell counts were determined in dogs and guinea pigs during primary and secondary infestation. In dogs, a tertiary infestation and a subsequent higher infestation level were also evaluated. Infested dogs did not display any alteration in blood leukocyte counts throughout the experiment. Guinea pigs, on the other hand, developed a significant basophilia during primary infestation which increased further during secondary infestation. These data reveal similarities and differences in the reactions of resistant and non-resistant hosts to ticks. They contribute for the understanding of such host-parasite relationships and will hopefully aid in the development of immune control of ticks. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Secretory process of salivary glands of female Amblyomma cajennense (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks fed on resistant rabbits

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

Degenerative process and cell death in salivary glands of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae) semi-engorged female exposed to the acaricide permethrin

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

Resposta imune-humoral de búfalos (Bubalus bubalis) contra Anaplasma marginale (Theiler, 1910)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Recent Studies on Neoechinorhynchus curemai Noronha, 1973 (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae), in Prochilodus lineatus Valenciennes, 1836, from Volta Grande Reservoir, MG, Brazil

O presente trabalho estudou a helmintofauna do curimbatá, Prochilodus lineatus Valenciennes, 1836, do reservatório de Volta Grande, MG, Brasil. Foram analisados 18 peixes com comprimento médio de 46,7 ± 1,1 cm e peso médio de 1.674,8 ± 75,6 g, sendo que 15 apresentaram acantocéfalos no intestino com prevalência de 83,3%. O helminto foi identificado como Neoechinorhynchus curemai Noronha, 1973 (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae), que diferiu das outras espécies descritas pelas dimensões dos caracteres e pela morfologia. da descrição original de N. curemai difere pelas maiores dimensões dos testículos, pela glândula de cimento alongada, pela presença de núcleos nos lemniscos, pelas dimensões dos ovos e pelos maiores ganchos da probóscide presentes na segunda e na terceira fileiras nos machos e na primeira fileira nas fêmeas. Foi observada menor porcentagem ocupada pelo sistema reprodutivo em relação ao tronco da fêmea. A observação dos parátipos de N. curemai de Noronha (1973) mostrou grande semelhança com os do presente trabalho. Este fato complementa a descrição do helminto em outra localidade.

Correlação entre a citologia aspirativa por agulha fina e a histologia no diagnóstico de tumores mamários de cadelas

Foram estudados tumores de mama em cadelas, comparando o seu padrão citológico, obtido através da Citologia Aspirativa por Agulha Fina (CAAF), com os resultados da histopatologia. Num período de um ano, as cadelas trazidas ao Hospital Veterinário -- UNESP -- Câmpus de Jaboticabal foram submetidas a exérese cirúrgica dos tumores mamários. As amostras foram avaliadas de acordo com parâmetros estruturais utilizados nos tumores mamários humanos, como grau de atipia, critérios nucleares, padrão de cromatina e nucléolos, alta celularidade e pouca coesão intercelular. Utilizaram-se estes critérios para diferenciar tumores mamários benignos de malignos com 63% de diagnósticos concordantes, sensibilidade de 73% e especificidade de 83%. Nossos dados mostraram ter uma correlação positiva com o prognóstico, demonstrando que é possível reconhecer variáveis estruturais de malignidade na citopatologia para obter um diagnóstico precoce e um prognóstico seguro.

Thyroid status, but not insulin status, affects expression of avian uncoupling protein mRNA in chicken

The aim of this study was to investigate the hormonal regulation of the avian homolog of mammalian uncoupling protein (avUCP) by studying the impact of thyroid hormones and insulin on avUCP mRNA expression in chickens (Gallus gallus). For 3 wk, chicks received either a standard diet (control group), or a standard diet supplemented with triiodothyronine (T-3; T3 group) or with the thyroid gland inhibitor methimazole (MMI group). A fourth group received injections of the deiodinase inhibitor iopanoic acid (IOP group). During the 4th wk of age, all animals received two daily injections of either human insulin or saline solution. The results indicate a twofold overexpression of avUCP mRNA in gastrocnemius muscle of T3 birds and a clear downregulation (-74%) in MMI chickens compared with control chickens. Insulin injections had no significant effect on avUCP mRNA expression in chickens. This study describes for the first time induction of avUCP mRNA expression by the thermogenic hormone T3 in chickens and supports a possible involvement of avUCP in avian thermogenesis.

Seasonal changes in fecal testosterone concentrations and their relationship to the reproductive behavior, antler cycle and grouping patterns in free-ranging male Pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus bezoarticus)

The purpose of this study was to validate noninvasive endocrine monitoring techniques for Pampas deer and to evaluate seasonal changes in testicular steroidogenic activity and their correlation to reproductive behavior, antler cycle and group size. Thus, fecal samples, behavioral data and observations of antler status were collected at monthly intervals during 1 year from free-ranging Pampas deer stags (three radio-collared individuals and 15 random individuals) living in Emas National Park, Brazil (18 degrees S latitude). Fecal steroids were extracted using 80% methanol and steroid concentrations were quantified by a commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Fecal testosterone concentrations peaked in December-January (summer), March (early autumn) and in August-September (winter-spring), with minimal values from April-July. Reproductive behavior had two peaks, the first in December-January, characterized by predominately anogenital sniffing, flehmen, urine sniffing, chasing and mounting behavior, and the second peak in July-September (behavior primarily related to gland marking). There were significant correlations between fecal testosterone and reproductive behavior (r = 0.490), and between fecal testosterone and antler phases (r = 0.239). Antler casting and regrowth occurred under low testosterone concentrations, whereas velvet shedding was associated with high concentrations of testosterone. We inferred that Pampas deer stags exhibited a seasonal cycle that modulated sexual behavior and the antler cycle, and we concluded that fecal steroid analysis was a practical and reliable non-invasive method for the evaluation of the endocrine status of free-ranging Pampas deer. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Exigências de minerais para cabras SRD durante a gestação: cálcio e fósforo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Utilização de modelos matemáticos para estimar a retenção de minerais em cabras durante a gestação

O trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de estimar a retenção de elementos minerais durante a gestação de cabras com um ou dois fetos, utilizando-se diferentes modelos matemáticos. A estimativa de retenção foi baseada na diferença entre o total de cada mineral depositado no feto, útero, membranas, fluídos fetais e glândula mamária dos animais nas diferentes etapas da gestação e o total de cada mineral armazenado nas cabras vazias, utilizando-se os modelos de predição: ln Y = A - B e -C X ; Y = A e B X e ln Y = A + Bx + Cx², em que x = tempo de gestação. Comparando-se a estimativa com os valores reais obtidos, verificou-se que o modelo proposto ln = A+Bx+Cx², explicou com coerência e precisão o comportamento biológico da retenção de minerais durante todas as fases da gestação.

Exigências de minerais para cabras durante a gestação: Na, K, Mg, S, Fe e Zn

O trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de estimar a retenção e a exigência líquida dos minerais Na, K, Mg, S, Fe e Zn durante a gestação de cabras com um ou dois fetos. A estimativa de retenção foi baseada na diferença entre o total de cada mineral depositado no feto, útero, membranas, fluídos fetais e glândula mamária dos animais nas diferentes etapas da gestação e o total de cada mineral armazenado nas cabras vazias, utilizando-se o modelo de predição ln=A+Bx+Cx2, em que x=tempo de gestação. Os conteúdos de Na, K, Mg, S, Fe e Zn, durante as gestações de um e dois fetos foram de: 13,2 e 21,4 mg; 13,3 e 21,3 g; 2,1 e 3,7 mg; 5,5 e 9,3 mg; 575,5 e 981,0 mg; 112,6 e 164,7 mg nas gestações, resultando em exigências líquidas diárias de 0,13 e 0,11 g; 0,21 e 0,31 g; 0,06 e 0,11g; 0,17 e 0,21 g; 22,94 e 40,51 mg; 2,63 e 2,78 mg, respectivamente.