Journal of Veterinary Medical Science
Online ISSN : 1347-7439
Print ISSN : 0916-7250
ISSN-L : 0916-7250
Volume 78, Issue 6
June
Displaying 1-27 of 27 articles from this issue
Anatomy
  • Dae Young YOO, Hee Sun YIM, Hyo Young JUNG, Sung Min NAM, Jong Whi KIM ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 957-962
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: February 15, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    In the present study, we investigated the effects of type 2 diabetes-induced hyperglycemia on the integrity of the blood–brain barrier and tight junction markers in the rat hippocampus. Forty-week-old diabetic (Zucker diabetic fatty, ZDF) rats and littermate control (Zucker lean control, ZLC) rats were used in this study. We evaluated the integrity of the blood–brain barrier by measuring sodium fluorescein extravasation and blood vessel ultrastructure. In addition, tight junction markers, such as zona occludens-1, occludin and claudin-5, were quantified by western blot analysis. ZDF rats showed significantly increased sodium fluorescein leakage in the hippocampus. Tight junction markers, such as occludin and claudin-5, were significantly decreased in the hippocampi of ZDF rats compared to those of ZLC rats. In addition, ZDF rats showed ultrastructural changes with phagocytic findings in the blood vessels. These results suggest that chronic untreated diabetes impairs the permeability of the hippocampal blood–brain barrier by down-regulating occludin and claudin-5, indicating that chronic untreated diabetes may cause hippocampus-dependent dysfunction.
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Biochemistry
  • Hengbin QIU, Deigui LIN
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 943-949
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: February 18, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The Breast cancer 1, early onset gene (BRCA1) is known to be significantly associated with human familial breast cancer and is identified to play an important role in canine mammary tumors. Here, genetic variations in the coding region and DNA methylation in the 5′ flanking region of BRCA1 in canine mammary tumor samples, 15 each of benign and malignant against 10 normal canine mammary tissue samples, were analyzed using the direct sequencing method. The results indicated two point mutations each in the coding region of canine BRCA1 in one benign mammary tumor sample (4702G >T and 4765G >T) and in one malignant canine mammary tumor sample (3619A >G and 4006G >A). No mutations were detected in the normal canine mammary tissue samples. The 4702G >T mutation was found to terminate further translation. The physical effect of the 4765G >T mutation was found to be the repalacement of the glutamate residue with glutamine. The physical effect of the 3619A >G mutation was found to be the replacement of the threonine residue with alanine, and that of mutation 4006G >A was the replacement of the valine residue with isoleucine in the BRCA1 protein. Bisulfite sequencing detected methylated CpG sites in one canine malignant mammary tumor sample. In conclusion, the present study elucidated the mutational status of the BRCA1 coding region and methylation status of the 5′ flanking region of BRCA1 in canine mammary tumors.
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  • Sun-A OCK, Yeon-Mi LEE, Ji-Sung PARK, Sharath Belame SHIVAKUMAR, Seon- ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 987-995
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: February 26, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The biological properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are influenced by donor age, gender and/or tissue sources. The present study investigated the cellular and molecular properties of porcine mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) isolated from different tissues (adipose & dermal skin) and sex at different ages (1 week & 8 months after birth) with similar genetic and environmental backgrounds. MSCs were analyzed for alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity, CD90 and Oct3/4 expression, in vitro differentiation ability, senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) activity, telomeric properties, cell cycle status and expression of senescence (IL6, c-myc, TGFβ, p53 and p21)- and apoptosis (Bak and Bcl2)-related proteins. An age-dependent decline in AP activity and adipogenesis was observed in all MSCs, except for male A-MSCs. CD90 expression did not change, but SA-Gal activity increased with advancement in age, except in A-MSCs. Telomeric properties were similar in all MSCs, whereas expression levels of Oct3/4 protein declined with the advancement in age. p21 expression was increased with increase in donor age. Male derived cells have shown higher IL6 expression. The expression of p53 was slightly lower in MSCs of dermal tissue than in adipose tissue. Bak was expressed in all MSCs regardless of age, but up regulation of Bcl2 was observed in DS-MSCs derived at 1 week after birth. In conclusion, adipose tissue-derived MSCs from young female individuals were found to be more resistant to senescence under in vitro culture conditions.
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Clinical Pathology
  • Kohei MURAKAMI, Shingo MAEDA, Tomohiro YONEZAWA, Naoaki MATSUKI
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 1051-1054
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: February 22, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in synovial fluids (SF) sampled from dogs with joint disorders was investigated by gelatin zymography and densitometry. Pro-MMP-2 showed similar activity levels in dogs with idiopathic polyarthritis (IPA; n=17) or canine rheumatoid arthritis (cRA; n=4), and healthy controls (n=10). However, dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR; n=5) presented significantly higher pro-MMP-2 activity than IPA and healthy dogs. Meanwhile, dogs with IPA exhibited significantly higher activity of pro- and active MMP-9 than other groups. Activity levels in pro- and active MMP-9 in cRA and CCLR dogs were not significantly different from those in healthy controls. Different patterns of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity may reflect the differences in the underlying pathological processes.
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Internal Medicine
  • Naohito NISHII, Toru NOMIZO, Satoshi TAKASHIMA, Tatsuya MATSUBARA, Mas ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 1079-1083
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: March 14, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Healthy dogs were administered acute oral doses of D-allulose (also called D-psicose) to evaluate its toxicity. Six dogs received oral doses of either a placebo or D-allulose solution (1 and 4 g/kg) on three different study days. One dog experienced vomiting, and five dogs showed transient diarrhea when 4 g/kg of D-allulose was administered. All dogs were active and had a good appetite throughout the study period. Blood glucose concentration slightly decreased without a rise in plasma insulin concentration 2 hr after D-allulose administration. Plasma alkaline phosphatase activities showed a mild increase between 12 and 48 hr after D-allulose administration. These data suggested that a single oral dose of D-allulose does not show severe toxicity in dogs.
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Laboratory Animal Science
  • Yuichiro OCHIAI, Hidetomo IWANO, Takako SAKAMOTO, Manabu HIRABAYASHI, ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 951-956
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: February 19, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Supplementary material
    Currently, from the viewpoint of animal welfare, anesthesia or analgesia is required during experimental procedures in animals that are likely to cause pain. A part of these anesthetics have been reported to influence a blood biochemical level. It is important for us to understand the effect of the anesthetic on blood biochemistry when we choose the anesthetic agent to be used in experiments. In this study, we examined the blood biochemical changes in mice after administration of a new mixture of three anesthetic agents −medetomidine / midazolam / butorphanol (MMB). We subcutaneously administered two dose combinations of MMB (0.45 / 6 / 7.5 and 0.9 / 12 / 15 mg/kg) in mice, followed by administration of atipamezole, for reversal of anesthetic effects, after 1 hr. Thereafter, blood biochemistry was assessed at 1, 4 and 24 hr after MMB administration. We observed that MMB administration caused a transient increase in blood sugar, inorganic phosphorus, potassium and creatine kinase levels. These, however, returned to the reference range 24 hr after MMB administration. In conclusion, MMB changes the levels of some blood biochemical parameters, but not to an extent that would threaten health. However, when using laboratory animals, this effect of MMB may influence the experimental results, depending on the experimental content. Hence, the choice of anesthetic agents used in laboratory animals should be based on detailed knowledge of their pharmacological effects.
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  • Ryoko NOZU, Masami UENO, Nobuhito HAYASHIMOTO
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 1045-1050
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: February 20, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The fecal microbiota of six mice derived from three Japanese commercial breeders was analyzed by using 16S rRNA gene clone libraries to construct a database for analyzing the gut microbiota of laboratory mice. The 566 clones were obtained from the clone libraries generated from the fecal DNA samples derived from BALB/c, C57BL/6N, DBA/2 and ICR mice. Among these 566 clones, there were 446 unique 16S rRNA gene sequences. When grouped at the 98% similarity level, the 446 unique sequences consisted of 103 Clostridiales, 43 Bacteroidales, 5 Lactobacillus and 3 Erysipelotricaceae, as well as sequences from 11 other phyla.
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Pathology
  • Yuto SANO, Kazuya MATSUDA, Minoru OKAMOTO, Kazushige TAKEHANA, Kazuko ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 937-942
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: February 18, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    In horse, the characterizations of hyalocytes under the steady state are still unclear. Therefore, we investigated characterizations of hyalocytes in normal equine eyes by their immunohistochemical phenotype, histomorphology and distribution. Thirty-one eyes from 18 horses, divided into 4 groups (G) by age, were used: early (G1) and late gestation (G2) fetuses, 1- to 3-year-old (G3) and 8- to 24-year-old (G4) horses. Equine hyalocytes were histologically classified into 4 types, and they immunohistochemically expressed MHC II and CD163. Hyalocytes were detected on and/or around ciliary processes and pars plana in G2, G3 and G4, but were not located on retina and optic papilla. A significant increase in distribution was found between G2 and both G3 and G4, and the largest distribution was found at ciliary processes in these groups. Equine hyalocytes were characterized as residential ocular macrophage and MHC II antigen-bearing cell, accompanied by a pleomorphic appearance and located in the contiguous ciliary body. Our data provided characterizations of hyalocytes in normal equine eyes and may well contribute to improving the understanding of pathogenesis of equine ocular disease.
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  • Makiko OZAWA, James K. CHAMBERS, Kazuyuki UCHIDA, Hiroyuki NAKAYAMA
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 997-1006
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: February 27, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) is a syndrome that manifests itself in abnormal behaviors, such as disorientation and wandering. β-amyloid deposition in the brain, including the senile plaque (SP) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), has been suggested as a major cause of the syndrome. However, the pathological significance of β-amyloid deposition in CCD dogs remains unclear. The present study was conducted using 16 dogs aged 10 years or older to clarify the relationship between the age-related histopathological lesions, such as β-amyloid deposition, in the brain and the clinical symptoms of CCD as evaluated in a questionnaire previously established in a large survey. In addition, age-related brain lesions were assessed in 37 dogs. The pathological lesions were evaluated by the severity of β-amyloid deposition (SP and CAA), the amount of ubiquitin-positive granules (UBQ), GFAP-positive astrocytes, Iba-1-positive microglia and Nissle stain-positive nerve cells. The results revealed that there was no significant correlation between the severities of canine SP and CCD. The SP increased until 14 years old, but decreased thereafter, although the incidence of CCD is high at these ages. The CAA consistently increased with age, but did not correlate greatly with the CCD score. In contrast, the increases of UBQ, astrocytes and microglia were significantly correlated with CCD. Thus, the impairment in the synapse and/or myelin suggested by increased UBQ and glial activation might be involved in CCD pathogenesis, but β-amyloid deposition, especially SP, is not a direct pathogenic factor of CCD.
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  • Federico BONSEMBIANTE, Silvia Lucia BENALI, Davide TREZ, Luca ARESU, M ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 1039-1043
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: February 18, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Supplementary material
    Four feline renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) were examined using histopathological and immunohistochemical procedures. Specimens were classified by predominant histological pattern according to WHO criteria. A panel of antibodies including β-catenin, C-KIT, VEGF and VEGF-R2 and double immunostaining for vimentin/cytokeratin and for E-cadherin/CD10 was selected to characterize the tumors. Neoplasms were classified as tubular (3/4) and papillary (1/4). Neoplastic epithelial cells were cytokeratin, vimentin, E-cadherin, VEGF-R2 positive and C-KIT negative; 3 cases were β-catenin positive, whereas only 2 tumors were CD10 and VEGF positive. No correlation with histotype was evident. Our results confirm the low frequency of RCCs in cats and suggest a histological pattern similar to canine RCCs. In contrast, a peculiar immunohistochemical profile different from both canine and human RCCs is identified.
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  • Masashi SAKURAI, Kazushi AZUMA, Arata NAGAI, Toru FUJIOKA, Yuji SUNDEN ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 1063-1066
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: March 09, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    A 9-year-old male mixed breed cat showed chronic progressive neurological symptoms, which are represented by ataxia and seizures. At necropsy, spinal roots and spinal ganglions at the level of sixth cervical nerve to second thoracic nerve were bilaterally swollen and replaced by white mass lesions. Right brachial plexus and cranial nerves (III, V and VII) were also swollen. A mass lesion was found in the right frontal lobe of the cerebrum. Histologically, neoplastic lymphocytes extensively involved the peripheral nerves, and they infiltrated into the cerebral and spinal parenchyma according to the peripheral nerve tract. Immunohistochemically, most neoplastic lymphocytes were positive for CD20. The clinical and histological features in this case resemble those of neurolymphomatosis in humans.
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  • Yuuto KAWASHIMA, Hiroyasu TAKAHASHI, Megumi SHIMOO, Yukino TAMAMURA, Y ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 1075-1078
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: March 04, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    A large subcutaneous mass, formed on the left lower jaw of a 4-month-old Japanese Black male calf, was partially excised for histological and bacteriological examinations. Antibiotic treatment resulted in a good prognosis. Bacteria isolated from the excised material were characterized by weak hemolysis and positive reactions for catalase and oxidase, and were 99% identical to Mannheimia granulomatis strains. The presence of the leukotoxin gene product was demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction amplification. Histological examination showed that the excised material was composed of dense fibrous connective tissue with sparsely distributed eosinophilic granulomas or abscesses. These foci frequently contained Splendore-Hoeppli material with rod-shaped Gram-negative bacteria. Except for the absence of lymphangitis and the presence of basophils and mast cells, the histology of this lesion resembled that of lechiguana associated with coinfection of M. granulomatis and Dermatobia hominis. Leukotoxin was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry within Splendore-Hoeppli material and was judged to be responsible for its formation.
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  • Eun-Mi LEE, Ah-Young KIM, Eun-Joo LEE, Jin-Kyu PARK, Tae-Hwan KIM, Se- ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 1085-1088
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: March 13, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    A 13-year-old castrated male Yorkshire terrier dog had a soft splenic mass, which measured 11 cm in the greatest diameter. Microscopically, the parenchyma of the spleen was completely replaced by myxoid substances. Numerous spindle and stellate cells were loosely arranged in the myxoid stroma, and variable vessels of variable sizes were observed in a loose matrix with poorly defined margins. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that tumor cells were positive for desmin and alpha-SMA, but negative for S-100. Interestingly, intravascular tumor embolus with positive α-SMA expression was observed. This case is meaningful, because angiomyxoma, a rare tumor of dogs, occurs in the spleen. Even in human cases, splenic angiomyxoma was not reported.
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Pharmacology
  • Mohamed ELBADAWY, Yusuke ISHIHARA, Mohamed ABOUBAKR, Kazuaki SASAKI, M ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 1025-1029
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: March 24, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The oral pharmacokinetics of three sulfonamides, sulfadimidine (pKa 7.5), sulfadiazine (pKa 6.5) and sulfanilamide (pKa 10.5), with different rates of unionization in rumen juice, were compared in Shiba goats to clarify the relationship between drug absorption profiles after their oral administration as well as their degree of unionization in the rumen. Sulfonamides were administered either into the left jugular vein or orally to five male goats at doses of 10 mg/kg body weight, using a crossover design with at least a 3-week washout period. The Tmax of sulfadimidine, sulfadiazine and sulfanilamide reached 2.0 ± 1.2, 6.0 ± 0.0, and 7.8 ± 1.6 hr, respectively, after their oral administration, and this was followed by their slow elimination due to a slow rate of drug absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. The MAT and t1/2ka of sulfadiazine (13.2 ± 2.0 and 10.9 ± 1.08 hr) were significantly longer than those of sulfanilamide (9.09 ± 1.67 and 7.46 ± 1.70 hr) and sulfadimidine (7.52 ± 0.85 and 5.17 ± 0.66 hr). These results suggest that the absorption rates of highly unionized drugs (such as sulfanilamide and sulfadimidine) from the forestomach of goats may be markedly higher than less unionized ones (such as sulfadiazine). The mean oral bioavailability of sulfadiazine was high (83.9 ± 17.0%), whereas those of sulfadimidine and sulfanilamide were low (44.9 ± 16.4% and 49.2 ± 2.11%, respectively).
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Physiology
  • Qinwei SUN, Xi LI, Yimin JIA, Shifeng PAN, Runsheng LI, Xiaojing YANG, ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 921-928
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: February 11, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Supplementary material
    Methyl donor nutrients are critical for embryonic development of brain. Hippocampus is the most susceptible brain region to various factors including prenatal supply of methyl donors. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expressed in hippocampus is involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis and stress sensitivity. Hippocampal GR expression is highly susceptible to epigenetic regulation, yet the effect of maternal methyl donor supplementation on epigenetic regulation of GR transcription in offspring hippocampus remains unclear. In this study, we fed sows with betaine (3 g/kg) throughout the gestation and analyzed the hippocampal expression of GR mRNA and its variants, as well as the CpG methylation status of the promoter and the microRNAs predicted to target 3’ UTR of porcine GR gene in neonatal piglets. Total GR mRNA (P<0.01) and its variants GR 1-4 (P<0.05) and 1-9,10 (P<0.01), were significantly higher in the hippocampus of betaine-treated piglets, while the content of GR protein was not significantly changed. The CpGs located in the –1650 ~ –1515 segment of GR gene were hypermethylated (P<0.05). The hippocampal expression of miR-130b (P<0.05), miR-181a (P<0.05) and miR-181d (P<0.01) was significantly up-regulated. The targeting efficacy of miR-130b and miR-181d was validated in vitro using dual-luciferase reporter assay system. Our results demonstrate that maternal betaine supplementation during gestation enhances GR mRNA expression in offspring hippocampus, which involves alterations in miRNAs expression.
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  • Nakkawee SAENGKLUB, Brad YOUNGBLOOD, Carlos DEL RIO, Suwanakiet SAWANG ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 977-985
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: February 26, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Dronedarone is a multichannel blocking antiarrhythmic drug that has been used for management of atrial fibrillation in humans, but the data in veterinary medicine are inadequate. The objective of this study was to determine the short-term effects of oral dronedarone on cardiac inotropy and lusitropy, blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) in healthy dogs. A total of 6 beagle dogs were instrumented with telemetry units and sono-micrometry crystals to obtain left ventricular pressure-volume relationship, mean blood pressure (MBP) and ECG. Dogs were given orally dronedarone (20 mg/kg, twice per day) for 7 days. All parameters were obtained hourly at 4–8 hr after the first dose and at 12-, 96- (day 4) and 168-hr (day 7) after dosing. The results showed that dronedarone had no effect on inotropy and lusitropy, while it significantly lengthened PQ interval (P<0.001) and lowered MBP (P<0.05). Dronedarone also tended to reduce cardiac output (P=0.237) and heart rate (P=0.057). These results suggested that short-term effects of oral dronedarone administration at a dose of 20 mg/kg, twice per day, produced negative dromotropy with minimal effect on cardiac function in conscious dogs.
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Public Health
  • Takaaki FURUSAWA, Hidetomo IWANO, Hidetoshi HIGUCHI, Hiroshi YOKOTA, M ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 1035-1038
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: February 14, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Supplementary material
    Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogen frequently identified as the cause of diverse infections or chronic disease. This microbe has natural resistance to several kinds of antibiotics, because of the species’ outer membrane, efflux pumps and growth as a biofilm. This bacterium can acquire increased resistance with specific point mutations. Bacteriophage (phage), however, can lyse these bacteria. Therefore, in the present study, we assessed the host range of phages isolates and their ability to lyse antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa. Present phages could lyse many strains of P. aeruginosa (28/39), including strains with high resistance to fluoroquinolones (4/6). In conclusion, application of phages for antibiotic-resistant bacteria is greatly effective. To avoid pervasive antibiotic-resistant bacteria, further development of phage usage for disease treatment is required.
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Surgery
  • Jun TAMURA, Naohiro HATAKEYAMA, Tomohito ISHIZUKA, Takaharu ITAMI, Sho ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 929-936
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: February 11, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The pharmacological effects of intramuscular (IM) administration of alfaxalone combined with medetomidine and butorphanol were evaluated in 6 healthy beagle dogs. Each dog received three treatments with a minimum 10-day interval between treatments. The dogs received an IM injection of alfaxalone 2.5 mg/kg (ALFX), medetomidine 2.5 µg/kg and butorphanol 0.25 mg/kg (MB), or their combination (MBA) 1 hr after the recovery from their instrumentation. Endotracheal intubation was attempted, and dogs were allowed to breath room air. Neuro-depressive effects (behavior changes and subjective scores) and cardiorespiratory parameters (rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, direct blood pressure, central venous pressure and blood gases) were evaluated before and at 2 to 120 min after IM treatment. Each dog became lateral recumbency, except for two dogs administered the MB treatment. The duration was longer in the MBA treatment compared with the ALFX treatment (100 ± 48 min vs 46 ± 13 min). Maintenance of the endotracheal tube lasted for 60 ± 24 min in five dogs administered the MBA treatment and for 20 min in one dog administered the ALFX treatment. Cardiorespiratory variables were maintained within clinically acceptable ranges, although decreases in heart and respiratory rates, and increases in central venous pressure occurred after the MBA and MB treatments. The MBA treatment provided an anesthetic effect that permitted endotracheal intubation without severe cardiorespiratory depression in healthy dogs.
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  • Mario DOLERA, Luca MALFASSI, Cristina BIANCHI, Nancy CARRARA, Laura CO ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 963-970
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: February 28, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The aim of this work was to present a novel minimally invasive surgical stabilization technique for canine atlanto-occipital dislocation and to report the associated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. All 5 dogs in this case series underwent 1.5 T MRI of the head and neck and 3 underwent both MRI and computed tomography (CT). Atlanto-occipital dislocations were diagnosed based on the increased joint space between the occipital condyles and the atlas on MRI. Surgery was performed immediately with a never previously described fixation technique based on an external ligature. The stabilization was performed via 4 holes drilled in the zygomatic processes and in the atlas wings on each side. A nylon monofilament of 1 mm diameter was inserted in the 4 holes, and an O-shaped ligature was carried out externally to the skin through the ipsilateral zygomatic arch. Ligatures were removed within 2 months. At the postsurgical follow-up examination, 14 days after surgery, all dogs were found to be ambulatory. Atlanto-occipital stability was assessed by clinical examination with an average of 24 months of follow-up. The positive outcomes in this case series suggest that atlanto-occipital dislocation may be surgically treated with this novel technique, irrespective of the severity of the clinical presentation and associated lesions observed on MRI.
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  • Takaharu ITAMI, Yasuo SAITO, Tomohito ISHIZUKA, Jun TAMURA, Mohammed A ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 1031-1034
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: February 11, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Supplementary material
    This study aimed to compare the pharmacokinetics of tramadol between young and middle-aged dogs. Tramadol (4 mg/kg) was administered intravenously (IV) to young and middle-aged dogs (2 and 8–10 years, respectively). Plasma concentrations of tramadol were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and its pharmacokinetics best fit a two-compartment model. The volume of distribution (Vd), elimination half-life (t1/2,β) and total body clearance (CLtot) of the young group were 4.77 ± 1.07 l/kg, 1.91 ± 0.26 hr and 29.9 ± 7.3 ml/min/kg, respectively, while those of the middle-aged group were 4.73 ± 1.43 l/kg, 2.39 ± 0.97 hr and 23.7 ± 5.4 ml/min/kg, respectively. Intergroup differences in the t1/2,β and CLtot were significant (P<0.05). In conclusion, tramadol excretion was significantly prolonged in middle-aged dogs.
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Theriogenology
  • Yasuhiro MORITA, Masayasu TANIGUCHI, Fuminori TANIHARA, Aya ITO, Zhao ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 1019-1023
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: March 04, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The changes triggered by sperm-induced activation of oocytes, which are required for normal oocyte development, can be mediated by other agents, thereby inducing the parthenogenesis. In this study, we exposed porcine oocytes to 1 mM Ca-EDTA, a metal-ion chelator, at various intervals during 48 hr of in vitro maturation to determine the optimum period of Ca-EDTA treatment for parthenogenetic activation. When the oocytes were cultured with or without Ca-EDTA from 36 hr (post-12), 24 hr (post-24), 12 hr (post-36) and 0 hr (post-48) after the start of maturation culture, the blastocyst formation rates were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the post-24, post-36 and post-48 groups (3.3%, 4.0% and 2.6%, respectively) than those in the control group without treatment (0%). Furthermore, when the oocytes were cultured with Ca-EDTA for 0 hr (control), 12 hr (pre-12), 24 hr (pre-24), 36 hr (pre-36) and 48 hr (pre-48) from the start of maturation culture, the oocytes formed blastocysts only in the pre-36 and pre-48 groups (0.4% or 0.8%, respectively). Pronuclei (<66.7%) were observed only when the periods of Ca-EDTA treatment were more than 12 hr during maturation culture. In the control group, no pronuclei were detected. Our findings demonstrate that porcine immature oocytes can be parthenogenetically activated by Ca-EDTA treatment for at least 24 hr to 36 hr during maturation culture, leading to pronucleus formation followed by the formation of blastocysts.
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  • Hideo TAJIMA, Madoka YOSHIZAWA, Shinichi SASAKI, Fujio YAMAMOTO, Etsuo ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 1067-1073
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: March 03, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    We collected semen from a male Amur leopard cat using the transrectal electroejaculation method and investigated the semen qualities for about four years. In addition, the influence of the season on the spermatogenic function of the Amur leopard cat was investigated with regard to the semen qualities, testicular volume and serum testosterone level. As a result, we could collect semen with good sperm qualities that would be useable for artificial insemination. Some seasonality was noted in the testicular volume and serum testosterone level. We clarified that the semen qualities were favorable before and during the female breeding season compared with those after the breeding season.
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Virology
  • Shohei MINAMI, Yutaka TERADA, Hiroshi SHIMODA, Masaki TAKIZAWA, Mamoru ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 1013-1017
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: March 03, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Since there is no available serological methods to detect antibodies to ferret coronavirus (FRCoV), an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using recombinant partial nucleocapsid (N) proteins of the ferret coronavirus (FRCoV) Yamaguchi-1 strain was developed to establish a serological method for detection of FRCoV infection. Many serum samples collected from ferrets recognized both a.a. 1–179 and a.a. 180–374 of the N protein, but two serum samples did not a.a. 180–374 of the N protein. This different reactivity was also confirmed by immunoblot analysis using the serum from the ferret.Therefore, the a.a. 1–179 of the N protein was used as an ELISA antigen. Serological test was carried out using sera or plasma of ferrets in Japan. Surprisingly, 89% ferrets in Japan had been infected with FRCoV. These results indicated that our established ELISA using a.a. 1–179 of the N protein is useful for detection of antibody to FRCoV for diagnosis and seroepidemiology of FRCoV infection.
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  • Jianbao DONG, Wei ZHU, Takeshi HAGA
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 1059-1061
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: February 27, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Although papillomaviruses (PVs) have been widely reported in vertebrates, there have been only a few PV reports in yaks (Bos grunniens). In 2012, Bam et al. reported bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) and BPV-2 associated with cutaneous papillomatosis in yaks, which provided genomic and pathology information for yak PVs. However, nucleotide identity and phylogenic analyses revealed that there are two isolates with a high possibility of belonging to a novel type that is not BPV-1. The argument was thought to be caused by type-specific primers. Our analysis showed that BPV-1 type-specific primers can detect not only BPV-1 but also other PVs. It suggests that identification results using type-specific primers should be confirmed with more robust methods in molecular epidemiological studies.
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Wildlife Science
  • Yukari SOTOHIRA, Kazuyuki SUZUKI, Haruka SASAKI, Tadashi SANO, Masakaz ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 971-976
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: February 22, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reliability and effectiveness of directly determining endotoxin activity in plasma samples from kangaroos with lumpy jaw disease (LJD, n=15) and healthy controls (n=12). Prior to the present study, the ability of the commercially available automated handheld portable test system (PTSTM) to detect endotoxin activity in kangaroo plasma was compared with that of the traditional LAL-kinetic turbidimetric (KT) assay. Plasma samples, which were obtained from endotoxin-challenged cattle, were diluted 1:20 in endotoxin-free water and heated to 80°C for 10 min. The performance of the PTSTM was not significantly different from that of the traditional LAL-based assay. The data obtained using PTSTM correlated with those using KT (r2=0.963, P<0.001). These findings indicated that the PTSTM is applicable as a simplified system to assess endotoxin activity in macropods. In the present study, we demonstrated the diagnostic value of plasma endotoxin activity in kangaroos with systemic inflammation caused by oral necrobacillosis and identified plasma endotoxin activity as a sensitive marker of systemic inflammation in kangaroos with LJD. Based on ROC curves, we proposed a diagnostic cut-off point for endotoxin activity of >0.22 EU/ml for the identification of LJD. Our results indicate that the assessment of plasma endotoxin activity is a promising diagnostic tool for determining the outcome of LJD in captive macropods.
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  • Alice Ching Ching LAU, Masakazu ASAHARA, Sung Yong HAN, Junpei KIMURA
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 1007-1011
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: March 17, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Sexual dimorphism of the craniodental morphology of the Eurasian otter in South Korea was studied with geometric morphometrics. 29 adult skulls (15 males and 14 females) were used. Images of the dorsal and ventral view of the cranium and right lateral view of the mandible were taken and then digitized, and measurements were taken on the right side. Results showed that size difference between males and females was significant. Correlations between the size and shape variations have not been observed in this study. The bivariate plots with centroid size showed size dimorphism between males and females with some overlapping. Most relative warp (RW) scores were not significantly different between males and females. We observed only RW2 for dorsal and ventral view of the skull, and only RW1 for mandible was significantly different between the sexes. Shape dimorphisms were revealed at the postorbital constriction, temporal-mandibular joint, coronoid process, mandibular condyle and angular process of the skull. Based on our study, sexual dimorphism exists in Eurasian otter from the South Korean population in terms of both the size and shape. Furthermore, the degree of size dimorphism is greater than shape dimorphism.
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  • Yuki NAKAJIMA, Haruka FUKUDA, Manabu ONUMA, Koichi MURATA, Miya UEDA, ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 1055-1058
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: July 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: February 26, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    We conducted experiments to evaluate the ability of gonadal germ cells (GGCs), isolated from the embryonic gonads of Ciconia boyciana or Geronticus eremita, to migrate into the gonads of developing chicken embryos. Fluorescently labeled GGCs, isolated by the PBS (−) method, were transferred into the dorsal aorta of 2-day-old chicken embryos. Five days after transfer, fluorescent GGCs were detected in the gonads of recipient embryos. Our results indicate that GGCs from Ciconia boyciana and Geronticus eremita are capable of migrating into the gonads of developing chicken embryos.
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