scholarly journals Physiological Responses of Dogs to Different Housing Systems

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esterina Fazio ◽  
Cristina Cravana ◽  
Antonio Giuliano ◽  
Pietro Medica

Background: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis undergoes adaptations throughout housing system that might contribute to the avoidance of adverse effects of welfare status in dogs housed in a shelter. Nevertheless, the influence of housing systems and stabling time on glucose and PCV changes is little known. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the patterns of cortisol, glucose and PCV in dogs housed in a kennel and normal environments, evaluating the differences between housing systems, by taking account the different stabling time and sex. Materials, Methods & Results:  The study comprised 98 cross-breed dogs, aged 4 ± 1.5 years, lodged in a kennel (observational group I: N= 61, 29 females and 27 males), in paired household dogs (control group II: N= 25, 13 females and 12 males) and in unpaired household dogs (control group III: N= 12, 6 females and 6 males). Females of both groups were spayed. The subjects were studied on the basis of different stabling times, ranged among <1 year, 2 years and 4 years, and different sex.Discussion: This observational study showed that kennelled males lodged for 2 (P < 0.01) and 4 (P < 0.001) years showed lower cortisol concentrations than males lodged <1 year, males lodged for <1 year (P < 0.001) showed higher cortisol concentrations than females; males lodged for 4 year showed lower cortisol concentrations (P < 0.01) than females. Kennelled females lodged for 4 year showed higher PCV values (P < 0.001) than females lodged for <1 year. Paired and unpaired household females and males lodged for 4 years showed lower cortisol concentrations (P < 0.01) than 2 years and <1 year. Paired and unpaired household females and males lodged for short-, medium- and long-term times showed higher glucose concentrations (P < 0.001) than kennelled dogs. This study showed significant changes of circulating cortisol, glucose and PCV values inter- and intra-groups, according to different housing systems, stabling time and sex. The magnitude of cortisol decreases after 2 and 4 years of stabling time in kennelled male dogs could suggest a stimulus-response relationship, probably due to adaptive responses. Interestingly enough in this observational study was that the exact consummatory event could be represented by the long stabling time itself, observed only in males. Moreover, the significant differences of cortisol concentrations between males and females in group I after a stabling time of <1 and 4 years confirm the wide variability of HPA activity independent of the different sex of dogs. The physiological higher glucose concentrations in household dogs than kennel dogs showed that the normal home environment offers probably more rich stimuli than kennel, independent of stabling times and sex. It is possible to suppose that the housing system of dogs also results in significant rise of organ reserve and adaptability, presumably due at early greatest in functional changes in the catecholaminergic system and related increased hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. Concerning the PCV changes, data obtained confirmed the disagreement among authors about sex differences in the circulating mass of erythrocytes according to different age and sex. In conclusion, this is an observational study on the adaptive responses of circulating cortisol, glucose and PCV patterns to different housing systems in both kennel and household, leading to the question of physiological relevance concerning the effects of different stabling, according to the quality of dogs’ life.

2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 285-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia G. Virstyuk ◽  
N. R. Senyutovich

The study involved 58 patients with chronic noncalculous cholecystitis (CNC) divided into two groups. Group I included 30 CNC patients with metabolic syndrome (MS), group II 28 CNC patients without MS. The control group consisted of 20 healthy people. MS was diagnosed according to International Diabetes Federation guidelines (2005). The following anthropometric parameters were determined: body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio, blood lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoproteins (HDL), and low density lipoproteins (LDL)). Leptin and insulin levels were measured using commercial ELISA kits «Leptin ELISA» and «Insulin ELISA» (DRG International, Inc., USA) respectively. Insulin resistance index HOMA-IR (Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) was calculated. It was shown that leptin level in CNC patients with MS was 2.61 times that in healthy subjects (p <0.001) and 2.47 times higher than in CNC patients without MS (p <0.001). Significant direct correlations between leptin blood levels andBMI, HOMA-IR index, triglycerides, and cholesterol were documented. The relationships between blood levels of leptin and the thickness of the gallbladder (GB) wall, the amount of cholesterol crystals in bile, and decreased bile release rate from GB which suggests effect of leptin on the structural and functional changes in GB.


2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (11) ◽  
pp. 1535-1543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdel-Aziz M. Hussein ◽  
Nashwa Barakat ◽  
Amira Awadalla ◽  
Ahmed A. Shokeir

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) on systemic and renal hemodynamics in a rat model of renal ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury. We used 30 male Sprague–Dawley rats distributed among the following 3 groups (10 rats per group): (i) the sham-operated group, (ii) the control group (I/R injury only), and (iii) the EPO-treated group (I/R injury with 1500 U EPO·(kg body mass)–1 on day 0, and 500 U·kg–1 on days 2 and 4 after ischemia). Renal function, arterial blood pressure (ABP), renal plasma flow (RPF), renal blood flow (RBF), and renal vascular resistance (RVR) were measured on days 1, 2, and 7 after ischemia. The expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and histopathology of kidney were evaluated on day 7. The contractility of aortic strips was recorded from the different groups. The results show that renal function and histopathology were significantly improved after treatment with EPO. Compared with the control group, the EPO-treated group showed a significant increase in RPF, RBF, haematocrite, ABP, eNOS expression, and a decrease in RVR (p < 0.05).The response of aortic strips to the relaxant effect of acetylcholine was improved in the EPO-treated group. In conclusion, treatment with EPO improves renal function and renal haemodynamics in renal I/R injury, and causes significant rise of ABP and haematocrite value.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
yingxin zi ◽  
Yu Deng ◽  
Jingru Zhao ◽  
Meiqi Ji ◽  
Yali Qin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Our aim was to study the morphologic and functional changes in the retina and sclera induced by form deprivation high myopia (FDHM) in guinea pigs and explore the possible mechanisms FDHM formation. Methods Forty 3-weeks-old guinea pigs were randomized into the blank control (Group I, 20 cases) and model groups (20 cases). In the model group, the right eyes of the guinea pigs were sutured 8 weeks to induce FDHM (Group II) and the left eyes were considered a self-control group (Group III). The diopters were measured with retinoscopy. The anterior chamber depth (AC), lens thickness (L), vitreous depth (V) and axial length (AL) were measured using ultrasonometry A. Retinal and scleral morphology and ultrastructural features were observed with light and electron microscopy. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the retina and sclera were detected with a chemical colorimetric assay. Results After remaining stitched for eight weeks, the diopters of Group II changed from (+3.59±0.33) D to (-7.96±0.55) D, and these values were significantly higher than those of Group I (+0.89±0.32) D and Group III (-0.55±0.49) D. The vitreous chamber depth (4.12±0.13) mm and axial length (8.93±0.22) mm of Group II were significantly longer than that of Group I [(3.71±0.23) mm and (7.95±0.37) mm, respectively] and Group III [(3.93±0.04) mm and (8.01±0.15) mm, respectively] (P < 0.05). With the prolongation of form deprivation, the retina and scleral tissue became thinner, the ganglion cell and inner and outer nuclear layers of the retina became decreased, and the arrangement was disordered. In Group II, the activity of SOD was significantly lower than that in Group I and Group III, and the content of MDA was significantly higher in Group II than in Group I and Group III. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions These findings suggested that in the FDHM guinea pigs model, the diopter, the vitreous chamber depth, and axial length increased significantly with prolongation of monocular FD time, and morphological structural changes in the retina and sclera were observed. Oxygen free radicals might participate in the formation of FDHM.


Author(s):  
Nagaraju Bandaru ◽  
Ramu A ◽  
Vijetha P ◽  
Vidhyadhara S ◽  
Nandini P ◽  
...  

Objective: To investigate the ex vivo anticataract activity of ethanolic extract of Alstonia scholaris (EEAS) leaves on dexamethasone-induced cataract using isolated goat lens.Methods: Anticataract activity is done using isolated goat lens. Goat lens was divided into four groups. Group I: Lens was incubated in artificial aqueous humor (normal control). Group II: Lens was incubated with dexamethasone 10 mg (toxic control). Group III and IV: Lens was incubated with dexamethasone and EEAS (50 µg and 100 µg) and subjected to photographic evaluation for opacity; lens was homogenized using Tris-phosphate buffer, and sodium, potassium, total protein, and catalase concentrations were determined.Results: The grades of opacity were 0, 3, 1, and 1 in group I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The present study showed higher total proteins (p<0.05 at all concentration) and K+  ions (p<0.05 at all concentration), whereas lower concentrations of Na+  ions (p<0.05 at all concentration) with EEAS-treated groups. The level of catalase was found to be less in experimentally induced cataract lenses as compared to normal control group. The lenses treated with EEAS showed a significant rise in enzyme level suggesting maintenance of antioxidant enzyme integrity.Conclusion: The present investigation suggests that EEAS leaves effectively prevent the cataractogenic condition. Thus, the goat lens model and dexamethasone-induced cataract model could be used for testing of various anticataract agents.Keywords: Cataract, Artificial aqueous humor, Lens, Dexamethasone, Alstonia scholaris. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 9-18
Author(s):  
Sylwia Pałka ◽  
Michał Kmiecik ◽  
Łukasz Migdał ◽  
Konrad Kozioł ◽  
Agnieszka Otwinowska-Mindur ◽  
...  

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of housing conditions and breed on the growth, slaughter traits and meat quality traits of Blanc de Termonde (n=34; 15♂, 19♀) and Popielno White (n=28; 15♂, 13♀) rabbits. Until weaning at 35 days of age the young rabbits were kept with their mothers in wooden hutches. After weaning they were divided into two groups. Rabbits from group I (n=42; 21♂ and 21♀) were kept two per cage in a battery system. Each cage was 40 cm wide, 90 cm long and 35 cm high. Animals from group II (n=20; 8♂ and 12♀) were kept in boxes with dimensions of 100 x 100 x 100 cm, on deep litter. Four or five rabbits were kept in each box, with males and females separated. The rabbits were feed pellets ad libitum. They were weighed weekly from birth to 12 weeks of age. Slaughter and dissection were performed at 12 weeks of age. At 45 min after slaughter the pH in the longissimus lumborum and biceps femoris muscles was measured, as well as the colour (L*, a*, b*). In the case of growth and slaughter traits, significant differences between housing systems were observed, but the housing systems was not found to significantly influence the dressing percentage or meat quality traits. Breed did not significantly influence body weight (except for litter weight at birth), slaughter traits, or meat quality traits.


TRAUMA ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 16-20
Author(s):  
A.M. Ignatiev ◽  
N.I. Turchin

Background. A decrease in bone mineral density (BMD), which occurs in osteomalacia (OM) and osteoporosis (OP), is accompanied by a decrease in the strength properties of bone structures and an increase in the risk of fractures. Despite the same clinical outcome (fractures), the morphostructural, etiological, and pathogenetic characteristics of OP and OM differ qualitatively. The purpose of our work was to study the diagnostic criteria for osteomalacia and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Materials and methods. We examined 157 postmenopausal (PM) women aged 57.5 ± 1.2 years, of which 103 women were diagnosed with OP (group I) and 24 were morphometrically diagnosed with osteomalacia (group II), control group (III) included 30 apparently healthy women. X-ray densitometry was performed (osteodensitometer Hologic Discovery (USA)). The blood serum level of 25(OH)D was determined by the enzyme immunoassay on a EUROIMMUN analyzer (Germany). Bone resorption marker C-terminal telopeptide of collagen type 1 (CTx), osteocalcin (OC), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were assessed by the immunochemiluminescent assay, phosphorus level — by spectrophotometric method using a Cobas 6000 analyzer (Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland). The level of osteoprotegerin (OPG) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on an Axsym analyzer (Abbot, Germany). Statistical processing was performed using Microsoft Office Excel and Statistica 10.0 software. Student’s t-test was used for mathematical processing. When assessing the strength of the correlation coefficients, the Chaddock scale was used. Results. The analysis of the data obtained showed a decrease in BMD (p <0.05) in groups I and II. However, BMD neck, T-test neck, Z-test neck in the group of women with OM were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in comparison with the group with OP. The levels of 25(OH)D, OC, OPG were also reduced (p < 0.05) in the second group of women compared with the first group. We obtained higher (p < 0.05) indices of PTH and CTx in the group of patients with OM in comparison with the group with OP. The correlation analysis of the obtained results showed a relationship between the level of 25(OH)D and indicators of structural and functional changes in BMD: 25(OH)D and CTx (r = –0.669; p = 0.001), 25(OH)D and BMD neck (r = 0.736; p = 0.002). There was also a direct relationship between BMD neck and CTx (r = –0.463; p = 0.002). Conclusions. The PM women with OM, in comparison with the PM women with OP, developed significantly larger (p < 0.05) changes in the structural and functional state of bone tissue, biochemical markers of bone tissue resorption and remodeling, as well as lower (p < 0.05) level of 25(OH)D. The 25(OH)D level is highly informative in terms of predicting and diagnosing a decrease in BMD and the risk of fractures. The biochemical marker of CTx resorption has a high informative value in terms of predicting, timely diagnosis, and the effectiveness of the treatment.


Author(s):  
O.I. Danyliuk

Objective of the study: to analyze the frequency of structural and functional changes in the thyroid gland of the patients with atrial fibrillation who took amiodarone for 12 months on regular basis. The study was based on findings obtained by examining 80 patients (28 women and 52 men) with cardiosclerosis (diffuse and postinfarction), atrial fibrillation and heart failure IIA at the age of 63.5 ± 1.3 years and 15 healthy individuals of the relevant age (62,4 ± 2,4 years) and relevant sex proportions. The main inclusion criterion was the euthyroid state of the thyroid gland before the beginning of antiarrhythmic therapy. To assess the functional state of the thyroid gland, we studied the content of free thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and antibodies to thyroid peroxidase. The examination was carried out before the therapy, and in 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after the beginning of the study during the course of antiarrhythmic therapy. To detect structural changes in the thyroid gland, we used ultrasound scanning. Depending on the prescribed treatment, the participants were divided into the following groups: group I included the patients who received amiodarone in a dosage of 200 mg per day and basic therapy (n = 60); control group involved the patients who received the basic therapy with antiarrhythmic drugs, digoxin and bisoprolol (n = 20). Results. The therapy with amiodarone for a year resulted in thyroid dysfunction in 33.3% of the patients. Hypothyroidism (20.0%) is leading in the structure of amiodarone-associated thyroid dysfunctions; this condition is subclinically manifested in 11.7% of the patients. The development of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis was observed in 13.3% of the patients, and the first cases of hyperthyroidism were detected not earlier than six months. Under the effect of amiodarone in the first months of the therapy, serum levels of free thyroxine may increase, while free triiodothyronine may decrease, therefore there may be a tendency to slightly increased levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the first weeks of the therapy. The above changes in laboratory parameters are transient and are not accompanied by the deterioration of the antiarrhythmic action of amiodarone.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud M. Abo Ghanima ◽  
Mohamed F. Elsadek ◽  
Ayman E. Taha ◽  
Mohamed E. Abd El-Hack ◽  
Mahmoud Alagawany ◽  
...  

Housing system and nutrition are non-genetic factors that can improve the well-being of animals to obtain higher quality products. A better understanding of how different housing systems and essential oils can influence the performance of layers is very important at the research and commercial levels. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of a housing system and dietary supplementation of rosemary and cinnamon essential oils on layers’ performance and egg quality. A factorial arrangement (2 × 3) was performed include two housing systems (floor and cage) and three different types of essential oils (0, 300 mg/kg diet of rosemary and 300 mg/kg diet of cinnamon essential oils) to study their effects on the productive performance, egg quality, immunity, oxidative stress and haematology of ISA brown laying hens during the production stages (from 28 to 76 weeks of age). Birds were randomly divided into two groups each comprising of 1500 birds; the first group was moved from the litter to reared laying cages while the second group was floor reared. Each group was randomly divided into three groups, the first was considered as a control group, the second treated with rosemary essential oil, and the third with cinnamon essential oil. The differences in egg production and weight, egg quality, feed intake and conversion, blood picture and chemistry, immunity, and antioxidant parameters between the different housing systems (floor and cage) were not significant at (p < 0.05 or 0.01). On the other hand, the egg production and weight, Haugh unit, feed intake and conversion, blood cholesterol, Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), urea, Ca, P, immunity, and antioxidant parameters were significantly (p < 0.05 or 0.01) better in rosemary and cinnamon groups than in the control group. Furthermore, the results of dietary supplementation with rosemary and cinnamon were very close. Regarding egg production and weight, there were no significant differences due to the interactions. The differences in egg mass among the interactions were also not significant except at 68–76 weeks, where the cage × cinnamon group was the highest. Under the floor rearing system, birds that were fed a diet supplemented with or without essential oils (EOs) consumed more feed than those raised under the cage system. Regarding feed conversion rate (FCR), the differences among the interactions were not significant except at 44–52, 52–60 and 68–76 weeks, where the cage × cinnamon group was the lowest. Excluding glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity (p < 0.001), all immunity and antioxidant indices were not statistically different as a consequence of the interaction among EOs and housing systems. Additionally, the highest levels of phosphorus were observed for layers fed diets enriched with cinnamon oil with the cage or floor system. In conclusion, the data suggested that supplementation of rosemary and cinnamon essential oils in laying hen diet showed significantly positive effects on hen performance and egg production. Cholesterol, liver and kidney functions, immunity, and antioxidant parameters improved with rosemary and cinnamon supplementation when compared to the control. Additionally, the different housing systems did not result in any positive or negative impact on these traits.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 209-216
Author(s):  
N. A. Shevchenko ◽  
L. S. Babinets

Relevance. The variety of functional changes in internal organs characteristicofgeriatricage necessitates the search for drugs that can exert a multifaceted effect on various links in the pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis (CP) in comorbidity with the most common diseases of the elderly. Purpose. Investigation of the effectiveness of the inclusion of a systemic enzyme therapy drug in the complex treatment of chronic pancreatitis in elderly patients. Materials and methods. We examined 77 patients with CP over the age of 66 years, the average age (71.3 ± 1.4) g. Group I of patients with CP (23 patients) - took aconventional therapeutic complex (MC) for three months: pantoprazole 40 mg on an empty stomach according to requirement, continuous enzyme replacement therapy with pure pancreatin in an adequate dose with each meal, prokinetics / or antispasmodics if necessary. Group II consisted of 34 patients with CP (MC + W), in addition to LK, the drug of systemic enzyme therapy (SET) Wobenzym, 5 tablets, was taken. three times a day for three months. The control group consisted of 20 patients without signs of pathology of the digestive system. The parameters of lipid metabolism were determined by the enzymatic-colorimetric method. The assessment of the depth of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (PI) was determined by the level of fecal α-elastase (FαE) by enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay using standard BIOSERVELASTASE 1-ELISA kits. Statistical analysis was performed using Excel and the statistical package Statistica v. 5.0. Results. Additional inclusion of the drug SET (Wobenzym) in the generally accepted MC promoted a significant improvement in lipid profile parameters in elderly patients with CP, as well as a reliable correction of the excretory function of the P by the level of FαE (from the level of moderate to mild insufficiency). Conclusions. 1) The inclusion of Wobenzym in the general treatment complex contributed toa decrease in the levels of TC, βLP, TG and LDLP by 15.4%, 19.8%, 32.0% and 33.9%, respectively (p <0.001), as well as an increase in the level of HDLP by 21.7% and a decrease in AF (by 41.3%) (p <0.001); 2) under the influence of treatment with the use of Wobenzym, a significant increase in the level of FαE (by 42.6%) was found relative to this indicator to treatment (p <0.001), which significantly exceeded the results (by 15.8%) in the MC group, which were not statistically significant (p> 0.05).


Author(s):  
Anton Bózner ◽  
Mikuláš Gažo ◽  
Jozef Dostál

It is anticipated that Japanese quail /Coturnix coturnix japonica/ will provide animal proteins in long term space flights. Consequently this species of birds is of research interest of international space program INTERCOSMOS. In the year 1987 we reported on an experiment /2/ in which the effect of chronic acceleration of 2 G hypergravitation, the hypodynamy and the simultaneous effect of chronic acceleration and the location in the centre of the turntable of the centrifuge on the protein fractions in skeletal muscles was studied. The ultrastructure of the heart muscle was now in this experiments examined as well.Japanese quail cockerels, aged 48 days were exposed to 2 G hypergravitation /group IV/ in a 6,4 m diameter centrifuge, to hypodynamy /group III/ and their combination /group V/, respectively for 6 days / Fig.1/. The hypodynamy in group III was achieved by suspending the birds in jackets without contact the floor. The group II was located in the centre ofthe turntable of the centrifuge. The control group I. was kept under normal conditions. The quantitative ultrastructure of myocard was evaluated by the methods of Weibel/3/ - this enables to determine the number, relative size and volume of mitochondria volume of single mitochondria, defficiency of mitochondrial cristae and volume of myofibrils.


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