Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease that affects women of reproductive age in which the uterine endometrium grows outside the uterus. Origin of the ectopic endometrium is thought to be the retrograde endometrium through the oviducts. However, factors that determine the adherence and proliferation of the ectopic endometrium have not been revealed. Importantly, systemic autoimmune diseases are considered a key factor in the endometriosis onset. Herein, we established a surgical endometriosis rodent model using autoimmune disease-prone MRL/MpJ-Fas^lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) and MRL/+ mice to provide basic evidence of the relationship between autoimmune disease and endometriosis. Endometriosis lesions were successfully induced in two regions after transplanting uterine tissues from donor mice into the peritoneal cavity of recipient mice: the peritoneum or adipose tissue around the transplantation point (proximal lesions) and the gastrosplenic ligament or intestinal mesentery far from the transplantation site (distal lesions). Distal lesions were observed only in MRL/lpr mice, whereas endometriosis lesions showed no genotype- or region-related differences in the histology and distribution of sex hormone receptors and T cells. In contrast, transplanted uterine tissues in donor MRL/lpr mice exhibited a large infiltration of T cells in the lamina propria. Splenomegaly was more common in recipient than that in donor MRL/lpr mice. These results suggest that the infiltration of endogenous T cells in the endometrium alters the growth features of ectopic endometrium, possibly affecting the severity of endometriosis in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases.

In mammals, immune tolerance against fetal tissue has been established for normal pregnancy progression. It is known that Crry regulates complemental activity to prevent injury of the mouse embryo and extra-embryonic tissue. This study aimed to examine the expression appearance and normal localization sites of Crry in the mouse placenta. Also, the emergency responses of Crry were verified at the time of experimental miscarriage induction. Moreover, we investigated an existing similar protein of Crry in animal placentas other than mice. Crry expression level showed a peak at day 8.5 of pregnancy. Trophoblast giant cells and decidual cells indicated a positive reaction to anti-Crry antibody. After treatments of interferon-γ, Crry expression was increased significantly in the survived implantation sites as compared with the controls. However, there was no significant difference in the miscarriage-initiated sites. It disclosed that Crry distributes from the early to middle periods of the placentas and involves complement regulation at the extraembryonic tissue and decidua basalis. Crry also showed an ability to respond to risk against external initiation for urgent miscarriage. Finally, we found anti-mouse Crry antibody-bound proteins in the placenta of many animals. It suggests a potency of Crry to make an environment of immune tolerance in many types of mammal placentas.

An 8-year-old intact male pointer presented with lethargy and hypoalbuminemia. On abdominal ultrasonography, both adrenal glands were reduced in thickness. Based on the ACTH stimulation test results and the absence of electrolyte abnormalities, the dog was diagnosed with atypical hypoadrenocorticism. After treatment with low-dose prednisolone, his general condition improved, and blood tests normalized. The dog died 818 days later, and a complete autopsy was performed. Histologically, the architecture of the zonae fasciculata and reticularis was disrupted in both adrenal glands; however, the zona glomerulosa remained relatively normal. In summary, in this study, we detailed the pathological presentation of atypical hypoadrenocorticism without electrolyte abnormalities.

Idiopathic non-infectious meningoencephalomyelitis (NIME), which is thought to be an immune-mediated disease, is a common inflammatory disease in dogs. Meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin (MUO), a subgroup of NIME, consists of necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME), necrotizing leukoencephalitis, and granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis. Recent studies have shown associations between disease development and dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) class II genes in NME in Pugs and in NIME in Greyhounds. This study focused on Chihuahuas, which have a high incidence of MUO and are one of the most common dog breeds in Japan. Because the development of MUO seems to be associated with DLA class II genes, we aimed to evaluate the association between DLA class II genes and MUO development in Chihuahuas. Blood samples were obtained from 22 Chihuahuas with MUO (MUO group) and 46 without neurological diseases (control). The allele sequences of three DLA class II loci were determined, and haplotypes were estimated from these data. In total, 23 haplotypes were detected. The frequency of one haplotype (DLA-DRB1*015:01--DQA1*006:01--DQB1*023:01) was significantly higher in the MUO group than in the control group (odds ratio, 7.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.37–36.81; P=0.0141). The results suggest that the development of MUO in Chihuahuas may be associated with DLA class II genes. Because the identified risk haplotypes differed from those of other breeds, the pathogenesis of NIME-related diseases may differ among dog breeds.

Since the revised Animal Welfare and Management Law in Japan became effective on June 1st, 2022, it became mandatory for pet dogs and cats to have microchips implanted and registered prior to be sold. Two cases of spinal cord injury as the result of inappropriate microchip implantation in puppies were referred to our facility, of which were diagnosed by cervical spinal radiography and computed tomography (CT). While adverse reactions following microchip implantation are rare, the possibility of iatrogenic spinal cord injury remains a serious complication. This is the first report of adverse reactions following microchip implantation in Japan, and it alerts the possibility of iatrogenic spinal cord injury secondary to inappropriate microchip implantation, where adequate training and extra caution is crucial especially in small light-weight animals.

Canine lymphoma/leukemia cell lines with p16 protein expressions: high (17–71 and GL-1) and low (CLBL-1, CLC, Nody-1, and UL-1) were treated in vitro with cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors, palbociclib or abemaciclib. Cell proliferation decreased as a result, with higher IC₅₀ levels observed in the high p16 (17–71 and GL-1) and one low p16 (UL-1) cell lines compared with the low p16 cells (CLBL-1, CLC, and Nody-1). As expected, palbociclib and abemaciclib treatment reduced pRb phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner, especially in cells with low p16. These results suggest that CDK4/6 inhibitors have potential as new chemotherapeutic agents for canine lymphoma and high p16 protein expression may be used as a biomarker for resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy.

Sarcocystis cruzi is a member of the genus Sarcocystis, infecting bovine animals such as cattle and bison as intermediate hosts, and canids such as dogs and raccoon dogs as definitive hosts. Acute sarcocystosis of S. cruzi causes occasional symptoms in cattle, including weight loss, reduced milk production, abortions, and death, and similar to other Sarcocystis species can potentially cause food poisoning in humans when raw or undercooked infected cattle meat is consumed. Despite these issues, genetic information on S. cruzi is scarce, and there is no specific quantitative method for the detection and quantification of the parasite in infected cattle. In this study, we aimed to develop a method based on high-throughput sequencing of S. cruzi genome and transcriptome that specifically and quantitatively detects the S. cruzi acetyl-CoA synthetase gene (ScACS). Cardiac muscles were collected from slaughterhouses in Saitama Prefecture to obtain sarcocysts from which DNA and RNA were extracted for the high-throughput sequencing. Using the sequences, we developed a specific quantitative PCR assay which could distinguish S. cruzi ACS from that of Toxoplasma gondii by taking advantage of the differences in their exon/intron organizations and validated the assay with the microscopic counting of the S. cruzi bradyzoites. Thus, this assay will be useful for future studies of S. cruzi pathogenesis in cattle and for the surveillance of infected animals, thereby easing public health concerns.

There is no nationwide necropsy database of animals in Japan, and most of the records are available from the postwar period. To clarify the chronological transition of animal necropsy cases in Tokyo, Japan, the records accumulated in The University of Tokyo from 1902 were investigated. Of necropsy records on paper or electronic from 1902 to 2021 kept at the Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, The University of Tokyo, totally 3,137 cases including 572 in 1903–1914 (the Meiji-Taisho period), 1,258 in 1956–1969 (the Showa period) and 1,307 in 2006–2020 (the Heisei-Reiwa period), respectively, were examined for species, breed, age and pathological diagnosis. Dogs (44.6%) and horses (34.8%) in the Meiji-Taisho period, dogs (62.9%) and cats (17.3%) in the Showa period, and dogs (46.0%), cats (26.1%) and exotic animals (20.5%) in the Heisei-Reiwa period were the most necropsied animal species. With the passage of time, the number of animal species increased, and the breeds of dogs and cats came to be more various. The median ages of death were 2 years, 3 years and 10 years old in dogs in the Meiji-Taisho, Showa and Heisei-Reiwa periods, respectively, and 2 years and 10 years old in cats in the Showa and Heisei-Reiwa periods, respectively. Viral, bacterial and parasitic infections were decreased, and inversely tumor cases increased due to the prolonged lifespan.

Social anhedonia is a psychological state with difficulty in experiencing pleasure from social interactions and is observed in various diseases, such as depressive disorders. Although the relationships between social reward responses and anxiety- and depression-like behaviors have remained unclear, a social reward conditioned place preference (SCPP) test can be used to analyze the rewarding nature of social interactions. To elucidate these relationships, we used 5-week-old male mice of AKR, BALB/c, and C57BL/6J strains and conducted behavioral tests in the following order: elevated plus-maze test (EPM), open field test (OFT), SCPP, saccharin preference test (SPT), and passive avoidance test. The nucleus accumbens of these mice were collected 24 hr after these behavioral tests and were used for western blotting to determine the levels of receptors for brain-derived neurotrophic factors and glucocorticoids. BALB/c mice displayed the highest levels of anxiety-like behavior in EPM and OFT as well as physical anhedonia-like behaviors in SPT. They also showed increased responses to social rewards and huddling behaviors in SCPP, with downregulated glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Regression analysis results revealed positive influences of anxiety- and physical anhedonia-like behaviors and expressions of GR on social reward responses. Collectively, temperament associated with anxiety and physical anhedonia may affect social reward responses, which possibly is influenced by the expression of GR that can modify these psychological traits.

Salivary corticosteroid measurement, as a surrogate for plasma corticosteroid levels to evaluate an animal’s stress or metabolic state, commonly used in mammals. However, the validity of salivary corticosterone (CORT) measurements in birds has not yet been reported. We aimed to measure salivary CORT in crows using a commercially available CORT enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. An adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge experiment using synthetic cosyntropin, an ACTH analogue, was conducted to compare CORT level elevations between the serum and the saliva in a 10–60 min range. Both salivary and blood CORT was significantly elevated 10 min after injecting synthetic cosyntropin. The results supported the validation of salivary CORT as a surrogate for a blood CORT in crows.

Medical records of 16 Japanese Black calves with respiratory signs associated with perinatal rib fracture were analyzed, retrospectively, to speculate criteria of surgical intervention for the disease. For this analysis, the severity of respiratory condition was classified into three grades: Grade 1, with no wheezing, Grade 2, with wheezing after excitement but not at rest and Grade 3, with wheezing at rest. Grade 1 (n=3) received only conservative management. Seven of Grade 2 (n=8) and all of Grade 3 (n=5) had surgical management. Clinical outcome was good in all of Grade 1, and the surgical success rate was 83% in other groups. Our result suggests that surgical intervention should be considered for cases with more the severity of Grade 2.

A 3-year-old, 4.0 kg, intact male domestic shorthair cat presented with postoperative dysuria following urethral resection and anastomosis for urethral rupture. Retrograde urethrography revealed a stricture in the pelvic urethra. Urethroplasty with bladder mucosa was performed following a bilateral pubic-ischial osteotomy. The bladder wall was resected to harvest an appropriately sized bladder mucosa graft. The graft was placed over the urethral defect in patch fashion and stabilized with interrupted sutures. The cat was able to urinate normally with no evidence of lower urinary tract signs 2 year postoperatively. Therefore, urethroplasty with an onlay bladder mucosa graft may be a feasible alternative to prepubic or subpubic urethrostomy for the treatment of pelvic urethral stricture in cats.

This study retrospectively evaluated the fentanyl-sparing effect of ultrasound-guided proximal radial, ulnar, median, and musculocutaneous nerve (RUMM) block for radial and ulnar fracture repair in dogs. Fentanyl was prepared for intraoperative analgesia in dogs, although proximal RUMM block was performed using 0.5% or 0.25% bupivacaine before surgery in the block group. Dogs without a nerve block were assigned to the control group. The fentanyl dose in the block group [0.8 (0−1.9) μg/kg/hr] [median (interquartile range)] was significantly lower than in the control group [8.4 (7.2−10) μg/kg/hr]. Surgery was performed without fentanyl in >50% of the dogs (5/7), using 0.5% bupivacaine. Ultrasound-guided proximal RUMM block can be useful as an intraoperative analgesic for radial and ulnar fracture repair in dogs.

In this case report, two horses with chronic refractory infections in the tuber calcanei were successfully managed via intravenous antibiotic regional limb perfusion through the lateral saphenous vein after failure of conventional treatment approaches, including surgery and intravenous regional limb perfusion using the cranial branch of the medial saphenous vein. Surgical delay in these cases may have allowed the development of chronic infection, which prevented the conventional regional perfusion from working effectively. The spatial difference of the vessels relative to the tuber calcanei possibly contributed to the treatment outcome in these horses. This report describes a novel approach for regional antimicrobial perfusion to the equine plantar hock region using the lateral saphenous vein.

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is the etiological agent of severe disease in domestic and wild carnivores. Clinical diagnosis of CDV is challenging because of its similarity to other canine respiratory and intestinal diseases. We aimed to determine certain cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]), interferon (IFN)-γ, canine serum amyloid A (SAA), and canine citrulline (CIT) levels for the first time in CDV-positive dogs. For this purpose, 10 CDV-positive dogs with compatible clinical findings (i.e., neurological symptoms such as tremors and myoclonus, ocular and nasal discharge, and wheezing) and 10 healthy dogs based on the clinical examinations and rapid test results were enrolled. It was observed that the CIT, INF-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were significantly decreased in the CDV-positive dogs than that of the healthy ones (P<0.05). As a result, it was observed that CDV causes immunosuppression and accordingly, the inflammatory response might cause decreased cytokine and acute-phase protein synthesis. Therefore, it was concluded that further investigation of inflammatory pathways and CIT interactions may provide crucial clinical information at different stages of CDV, and aforementioned parameters may serve as important biomarkers for CDV in terms of demonstrating the presence of immunosuppression.

The objective of the current study was to compare the virulence of four porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) genotypes (PCV2a, 2b, 2d, and 2e) in pigs. Pigs were inoculated at 42 days of age with one of four PCV2 genotypes, then necropsied at 63 days of age. PCV2 genotype groups were evaluated through a comparison of clinical outcomes, antibody titers, level of PCV2 loads in blood and lymph nodes, and lymphoid lesion severity. Statistical differences did not occur between the evaluated genotype groups. Pigs inoculated with PCV2a, PCV2b, or PCV2d had a significantly (P<0.05) higher levels of PCV2 loads in blood and lymph node compared to pigs inoculated with PCV2e. The results of this study indicated that the PCV2a, PCV2b, and PCV2d are more virulent than PCV2e based on blood and lymphoid viral load of PCV2.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is the etiologic agent of enzootic bovine leucosis. Our previous study showed the BLV existence in cattle kept in the Red River Delta Region of Vietnam. However, no positive samples were identified in beef cattle. Besides, information related to the BLV circulation in the remained parts of Vietnam is limited. Therefore, we tested the existence of BLV in 48 beef cattle kept in the Central Coast Regions. Nested PCR targeting the BLV-env-gp51 confirmed the prevalence of 14.6% in investigated regions. Phylogenetic analysis suggested the co-existence of genotypes 1 and 10. The close relationship between strains found in Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and China was revealed suggesting the possibility of BLV transmission through the movement of live cattle.

We examined the clinical signs and necropsy findings of a mountain hawk-eagle (Nisaetus nipalensis) that died during rehabilitation. The bird was rescued and treated for open fracture of the right forearm. During rehabilitation, the bird could not stand up or fly. Part of the right secondary and left and right primary feathers were removed during rehabilitation; additional fracture was found in the right tibiotarsus and treated. However, the bird died 92 days after rescue and necropsy was performed. Severe hepatic lipidosis and capture myopathy were confirmed by histopathological examinations. These lesions may be associated with the cause of death of this animal. Accumulation of information is expected to contribute to the improvement of effective rehabilitation techniques for raptors.

In this study, cauda epididymal sperm were collected from Amur leopard cats with various causes of death as well as Tsushima leopard cats that underwent castration surgery, and sperm quality was compared with that in domestic cats. A sufficient number of sperm similar to those in domestic cats could be collected from the cauda epididymis of Amur leopard cats. However, in old leopard cats, no or very few cauda epididymal sperm were recovered, although there were no differences in sperm motility and sperm abnormality. There were no significant differences in sperm quality immediately after collection and after freezing-thawing of cauda epididymal sperm compared with corresponding estimates in domestic cats.