Can Wheat Germination Test Be Used to Predict Pregnancy in Ewes?

Several invasive diagnosis methods to predict pregnancy in humans and animals were used in the past. Since Antiquity, grains germination test was used to predict more safely the pregnancy in women in order to avoid the possibility of miscarriage. The abscisic acid is a component of pregnant females’ urine that prevents germination of grains. Considering this principle, 20 samples of urine were collected from 10 pregnant ewes and 10 from non-pregnant animals. After urinalysis, 15 ml urine sample was added to 20 grains of wheat in a Petri dish, followed by a dilution of 1:4 with distilled water. Only water has been added in the control sample. There were performed duplicates for each animal. For 10 days, all plates were kept in a constant environmental temperature (22°C) and humidity (42%). Statistical analysis revealed that after 5 and 10 days, wheat grains belonging to pregnant ewes were less germinated, and values regarding shoot length were lower than those from the control group. Even if the number of samples is small, it can be concluded that wheat germination test can be used to predict pregnancy in ewes.

Assessment of Plasma Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Metabolic Parameters of Dairy Heifers: Relationship with Success at First Service

First insemination success is considered as good indicator of heifer fertility to ensure renewal of dairy herds. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between first insemination success and biomarkers of oxidative stress (OS). A total of 25 heifers were divided into two groups according to their success at first insemination: group FS+ (heifers that were pregnant at first service, n = 14) and group FS- (heifers that were not pregnant at first service, n = 11). The serum of these two groups were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione S-transferase (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric Oxide (NO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as oxidative stress biomarkers and biochemical parameters. Heifers in the group FS+ showed no significant difference in all OS parameters compared to heifers in the group FS-. The OS parameters showed almost similar values in both groups except for GST and CAT where the difference was at the limit of significance. The plasma concentration of OS biomarkers assessed in our study were not related to first service success in heifers. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of oxidative status in the reproductive performance of heifers.

Trauma Etiology in Dogs and Cats: A Retrospective Study of 4626 Cases

Traumatic injuries are a major health hazard having an important impact in animals’ welfare. The outcome following a traumatic event in the animal’s life, depends on multiple factors, the most common ones being the cause of trauma, the location of the trauma and the amount of kinetic energy and the way it was distributed to the animal, but also human activities and lifestyles, human-pet relationships and pet-management local strategies. This retrospective study aims to evaluate the impact of traumatic injuries in 4626 dogs and cats that presented to the Surgical Department from the USAMVBT’s Veterinary Hospital between 2000 and 2020. The most frequent traumatic injuries were represented by road traffic accidents, young animals under 1 year of age being more prone than other age groups χ2(4, N=4626) =43, p<.001 and dogs being more affected than cats χ2(1, N=4626) =107.66, p<.001. Although non-accidental injuries had a low frequency in our study, there is a tendency of misdistribution these cases in the other categories like road traffic accidents. By reporting non-accidental injuries, it could provide a better understanding and better perspective on the real number of abused animals.

Coronary Artery and Myocardium Injuries Induced by a High Cholesterol and Fructose Diet in Growing Male and Female Wistar Rats

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) are mainly consequent of atherosclerosis. Men develop CVD at a young age, this risk increases in women at an older age. Several studies have been carried out on male rats, but experiments on growing rats especially female are rare. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a high cholesterol and high fructose diet on the coronary artery and myocardium in growing male and female rats Young Wistar rats were divided into control groups fed a standard diet, cholesterol groups supplemented with 3% cholesterol (ChD), and cholesterol-fructose groups supplemented with 3% cholesterol and 15% fructose (ChFrD) for 14 weeks. Each group consists of male (n=6) and female (n=6) rats. We found, in comparison with corresponding controls rats, that both ChD and ChFrD diets caused a significant hyperglycemia and dyslipidaemia. In hearts supernatants, we highlighted increases of total lipids, malondialdehyde and Catalase assays. The histopathological examination showed a disorganization of the myocardial structure, arterial walls damage and endothelium injuries. Our study showed that ChD and ChFrD diets, caused weight, biochemical, oxidative and tissue disturbances that could lead to CVD in both young male and female Wistar rats even during the growing period.

Research on the Distribution of Coronary Arteries in Pig (Sus Scrofa Domesticus)

Pigs are some of the most widely used experimental models, an advantage being the characteristics of homeostasis and many morphological features comparable to those in humans. For this reason, we addressed this topic in this paper, with the major objective of completing the data and even identifying some features not described in the literature. The present study was performed on 20 pig carcasses, with different weights and ages (2-4 months). The aim was to highlight some peculiarities regarding the coronary artery system in this species, using as a method the injection of vessels with contrasting plastic material. The collaterals and terminals of the coronary arteries, their distribution territories as well as the identified individual variants were described. As a general conclusion, regardless of the polymorphism in all dissected cases, the left coronary artery was the dominant artery, there being no exception from the data known in the literature.

Regression Models Based on Ultrasonography Fetal Ocular Measurements for Determining Gestational Age in Arab-Barb Mares

The aim of the present study was to develop regression models based on ultra-sonographic measurements of fetal eyes (orbital diameter (OD) and eyes volume (EV)) to determine mare gestational age (fetal age) in Arab-Barb breed and to compare the obtained formula with similar formulas used in practice. Twenty-two Arab-Barb mares were included in this study. For each mare, an average of 6 ultrasound examinations per month of gestation, from day 90 of pregnancy to foaling were performed. The parameters examined, OD and EV, were used to establish regression models to determine gestational age of mares. The results led to establish linear regressions of the two parameters, EV and OD. The derived gestational age (GA) prediction formulas were: GA = 0,0097EV + 93,887; GA = 8.687OD + 0.6598 (GA in day; EV in mm3; OD in mm). The coefficients of correlation (R) between EV (R=0.96), OD (R=0.93) and mare gestational age were highly significant (P<0.001) indicating that the two eye measurements can be used to determine accurately mare gestational age after 90 days of pregnancy in Arab-Barb breed. In addition, the formula established in the present work from the OD is more accurate in determining the GA in the Arab-Barb compared to that predefined for English Thoroughbred. This comparison reveals that the growth of fetal orbit of Arab-Barb breed is slower than that of the English Thoroughbred.

Evaluation of the Therapeutic Effect of Syzygium aromaticum Essential Oil in Wistar Rats Infected with Candida albicans - Biochemical and Hematological Study

The objective of this study, on the one hand, is to evaluate the impact of Candida Albicans infection (10 6 CFU per 0.2 ml of intravenous inoculum) on the biochemical and hematological approaches of adult Wistar rats, on the other hand, to test the efficacy of Syzygium aromaticum essential oil (CEO) in restoring or not the harmful effects of the studied yeast with a daily intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 ml CEO/kg. The extraction of the essential oil from S.aromaticum by hydro-distillation allowed us to obtain CEO with a yield of 10.18%. Infection of adult rats with Candida albicans by intravenous injection at a concentration of 106 CFU per 0.2 ml of inoculum increased hepatic and renal fungal load. The infection also revealed a disruption of various biochemical parameters, including liver (AST, ALT), kidney (urea, creatinine) biochemical assays, and hematological (white and red blood cells, platelets...); also, the results show a correction in the values of these parameters following the administration of CEO (by an intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 ml CEO/kg/day) compared to those of infected animals. CEO also corrected the shape of the affected blood cells after infection with C. albicans.

Control of Puerperium in a Dairy Farm using an Intrauterine Suspension

The purpose of this research was to evaluate a product developed at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Cluj Napoca and his efficiency in the control of the puerperium at cows. The study was carried out between January 2017 to December 2018 in a dairy farm from Mures county, Romania. In this study were enclosed 60 cows, randomly divided in 3 groups: Puerperal group (group 1), Puerperal and Estrumate group (group 2), and control group (group 3). For each group the treatment applied for the control of puerperium was different. For each group were followed: the evolution of puerperium, the appearance of the first postpartum estrous cycle, the interval of service period and the number of artificial inseminations necessary for one gestation. For the puerperium control and to avoid the postpartum complications Puerperal intrauterine suspension it’s a good option.

COVID-19 by SARS-CoV-2: a Brief Review on the Origins, Pathogenesis and Epidemiology

December 2019 was marked by the emergence of a novel human coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in Wuhan, China, which causes a variety of symptoms, commonly known as COVID-19. The high contagiousness, rapid worldwide spread and case fatality rate have led to a sharp increase in number of infected persons and related deaths, which subsequently resulted in the recognition of the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. SARS-CoV-2 is an ongoing challenge not only for the healthcare professional but also for the general population. The aim of this literature review is to summarize the currently available data on COVID-19 regarding the origins, pathogenesis and epidemiology.

Study on canine hip dysplasia and its diagnosis by imaging and molecular genetics techniques

The present paper is a bibliographical research on canine hip dysplasia using imaging and molecular genetics techniques. Ever since the first description in 1935 made by Schnelle, canine hip dysplasia has remained one of the most diagnosed orthopedic conditions present in the dog breeds. The gold standard method of diagnosis of hip dysplasia is the radiological examination in hip-extended position. While the radiological examination focuses mainly on the individual for the diagnosis of this condition, methods of diagnosis of an entire population are sought, and these methods are represented by molecular genetics techniques. Naming the etiology of canine hip dysplasia and finding out the latest methods of genetically and radiologically diagnosis of canine hip dysplasia and the best alternatives of treatment for this disease. Canine hip dysplasia continues to be a major problem for owners, breeders and veterinarians. Currently, there are five standardized systems worldwide that deal with the grading of canine hip dysplasia. In addition to digital radiology, CT and ultrasonographic examination are feasible diagnosis methods. Even if the standard method of diagnosis remains the radiological examination in the present, the near future provides to be of the molecular genetic techniques.