ABSTRACT
Background: glucocorticoids are the steroidal drugs which are very widely used in large animal medicine. These agents have advantages in large animals but they have also been associated with many potential adverse effects, especially at high doses or prolonged use
Objectives: the present experimental study was designed to clarify the effects of dexamethasone [DEXA] and isoflupredone [ISO], as the most common glucocorticoids in large animal medicine, on bovine thyroid hormones
Methods: ten clinically healthy Holstein calves [6-8 months old] were assigned into 2 equal groups. Dexamethasone [1 mg/kg] and isoflupredone [1 mg/kg] were administered intramuscularly in DEXA and ISOgroups, respectively, for two consecutive days. Blood samples were taken at days 0 [before the 1stdose], 1 [before the 2 nd dose], 2, 3, 5 and 7, from all studied animals and serum concentrations of T3, T4, fT3 and fT4 were determined in all specimens
Results: levels of T3 and T4 were decreased significantly after administration of both drugs. The concentrations of T3 and T4 in Iso group were significantly lower than the DEXA one [p<0.05]. There were no significant changes in serum fT3 and fT4 levels following drug administration
Conclusions: pharmacological doses of dexamethasone and isoflupredone have suppressive actions on the circulating levels of thyroid hormones in Holstein calves possibly via inhibition of TSH production at hypothalamic- pituitary-thyroid level
ABSTRACT
Background: information regarding the metabolic hormones in different metabolic states of high producing dairy cows can aid high producing herds to manage and resolve the metabolic and production problems. Furthermore, it can be considered as a tool to evaluate metabolic status of dairy cows. Herd managers can also evaluate the energy input- output relationships by assessing the metabolic profile to prevent and control negative energy balance, metabolic disorders and nutritional insufficiencies
Objectives: the present study was performed to clarify the metabolic hormone profile in each metabolic state of high producing Holstein dairy cows. The results of this research can reveal the normal metabolic state of these animals
Methods: 25 multiparous Holstein dairy cows were divided to 5 equal groups containing early, mid and late lactations, far-off and close-up dry periods. Blood samples were collected from all cows and sera were analyzed for concentrations of triiodothyronine [T3], thyroxine [T4], free T3 [fT3], free T4 [fT4], cortisol and insulin like growth factor-1 [IGF-1]
Results: serum T3 concentration in early lactation group was significantly higher than other ones [p<0.05]. T4 levels in early and mid-lactation dairy cows were lower than other studied groups, significantly. The cows in early lactation and close-up dry periods had the highest and the lowest serum fT3 concentrations, respectively [p<0.05]. fT 4 in far-off dry cows was significantly higher than others. The highest and the lowest circulating levels of cortisol were detected in mid and late lactation periods, respectively [p<0.05]. The lowest concentrations of IGF1 were detected in early lactation period and its highest levels were seen in mid and late lactation and faroff dry cows [p<0.05]
Conclusions: metabolic hormones change in different metabolic states of high producing Holstein dairy cows. The presented metabolic hormone profile can be considered as criteria to monitor the metabolic status of dairy cows at different metabolic states
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Metabolic profiles have been used in efforts to predict pre parturient problems and fertility, to diagnose metabolic diseases, and to assess nutritional status in dairy cows. These profiles may help to confirm the diagnosis of sub clinical diseases, to be aware of possible causes of infertility in the herds, or to monitor improvement in herd animals.
OBJECTIVES: This study investigated changes in the metabolic profile of high producing Holstein dairy cows from early lactation to close-up dry periods. The results of the current research can provide useful guidelines for management strategies during different physiological phases of high producing Holstein dairy cows.
METHODS: Twenty five multiparous high producing Holstein dairy cows were selected from a high producing industrial dairy farm. Cattle were divided into 5 equal groups of early, mid and late lactation and far-off and close-up dry cows. Blood samples were collected from all cows and sera were separated to evaluate glucose, insulin, ß-hydroxybutyric acid [BHBA], non-esterified fatty acid [NEFA], cholesterol, triglyceride [TG], high, low and very low density lipoproteins [HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol].
RESULTS: The highest levels of insulin were detected in mid lactation and close-up dry periods. The changing patterns of BHBA and NEFA were significant and the highest levels of these biomarkers were detected in the early lactation group. The decreasing pattern of BHBA and NEFA were seen from early lactation to far-off dry cows. Significant elevations were seen in these biomarkers from far-off to close-up dry cows.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study show that metabolic biomarkers change in high producing Holstein dairy cows, under different physiological states. These changes are induced commonly by negative energy balance, lactogenesis and fetal growth in each state.
ABSTRACT
Analyzing the synovial fluid is one of the common methods to diagnose the articular problems to detect the stage and express the prognosis. Such gross, cytological, and biochemical analysis of synovial fluids can aid in the diagnosis of various joint diseases. Normal values for synovial fluid in the camels have been described previously; however, there are no reports regarding concentration of acute phase proteins and inflammatory cytokines in camelids synovial fluid. Hence, the present study tried to compare the synovial fluid inflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins in clinically healthy and arthritic tarsal joints of dromedary camels. 46 male dromedary camels, 5 to 10 years old, were used in this study. 33 camels did not have any clinical articular abnormalities while 13 camels had gross articular problems such as lameness and swollen tarsal joints. Collecting the synovial fluids was extracted from the healthy and arthritic tarsal joints immediately after slaughter. Then, the concentration of haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma were measured in samples. Concentration of all measured parameters in arthritic joints were significantly higher than clinically healthy joints [p<0.05]. The synovial fluid concentration of serum amyloid A, haptoglobin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma were 5.379, 4.285, 25.503, and 1.904 times higher in arthritic joints than normal joints, respectively. The articular inflammatory processes can increase the synovial fluid concentration of acute phase proteins and inflammatory cytokines. Information about the normal values of these parameters and their changing patterns may help camel rearing systems during arthrititis by assessing the health status of joints in the camels; in addition, the information about normal values can be diagnostically valuable when considering diseased animals
Subject(s)
Animals , Cytokines , Arthritis , Acute-Phase Proteins , Inflammation , CamelusABSTRACT
The acute phase response is beneficial to the animal in restoring homeostasis, and measuring the circulating acute phase proteins, cytokines, and enzymes can be used to evaluate the innate immune system's responses to invader agents such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Measurement of these parameters has shown to be useful as diagnostic and prognostic markers in animal endotoxemia. The aim of the present experimental study was expression of the acute phase response following the induction of endotoxemia by Escherichia coli serotype O55:B5 in sheep and the relationships among the acute phase response parameters during endotoxemia and their changing patterns. Five clinically healthy 1-year-old Iranian fattailed ewes [25 +/- 1.5 kg, bodyweight] were randomly selected and lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli serotype O55:B5 was infused at 20 micro g/kg intravenously to each animal. Fluid therapy was performed in all ewes over 120 minutes after lipopolysaccharide injection and continued for 180 minutes. Blood samples were collected from all ewes prior and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 24 hours after lipopolysaccharide injection and sera were separated. Serum concentrations of haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase were assayed. The rapid and significant elevation of haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma were seen after endotoxemia induction. Serum concentrations of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly decreased after intravenous lipopolysaccharide infusion. The results of the present experimental study showed that haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma at all hours studied after endotoxemia induction were positively correlated together. These parameters were negatively correlated with superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase at all hours after lipopolysaccharide infusion. The results of the present experiment can provide evidence for associations among acute phase proteins, cytokines, and enzymes and their changes during endotoxemia in sheep
Subject(s)
Animals , Endotoxemia/physiopathology , Sheep Diseases , Acute-Phase Reaction , Proteins , Cytokines , EnzymesABSTRACT
Information regarding serum biochemical profile can reflect cardiovascular performance in animals. Although studies have evaluated the inter-relationship among cardiovascular biomarkers in animals and human beings, there are no reports of such a probable relationship in camelids. The aim of the present study was to provide data on the correlations among cardiovascular biomarkers in different ages of clinically healthy male dromedary camels to provide a basis for assessing cardiac muscle healthiness in this species. Thirty clinically healthy dromedary camels [Camelus dromedarius] were selected and divided into four age groups including 1-3 [n=7], 4-6 [n=7], 7-9 [n=8], and above 10 [n=8] years old. Blood samples were collected and sera were separated. Serum concentrations of homocysteine [Hcy], cardiac troponin I [cTnI], creatine kinase-myocardial specific isoenzymes [CK-MB], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST] were evaluated. The results of the present study showed that there were significant correlations among cTnI and CK-MB [r=-0.853; p=0.015] and Hcy [r=0.916; p=0.004] in the 4 to 6-years-old group of clinically healthy male dromedary camels. LDH was significantly correlated with CK-MB in the 7 to 9-year-old group [r=-0.710; p=0.045]. There were no significant correlations among different factors of 1-3 and above 10-year-old groups [p>0.05]. The data provided here is the first report on cardiac health assessment parameters in dromedary camels. Moreover, the data is valuable in camel racing clubs, when an overall cardiac health and fitness is to be assessed. The correlation reported here might also be helpful for easier analysis of cardiac health status in dromedary camels. The data may be useful for assessing suspected cases of myocardial diseases and its changes maybe of prognostic value
ABSTRACT
To improve breeding programs in dairy cattle artificial insemination using sexed sperm has been applied in different farms. To evaluate pregnancy rate and economic benefit of artificial insemination with sexed sperm in Holstein dairy heifers of Shiraz industrial farms. The insemination data of 200 heifers in five farms including sperm types [sexed or conventional] and insemination date and times were collected from March 2009 to March 2010. The pregnancy rate of conventional sperms [72.2%] were significantly higher than the sexed sperms in heifers [49.2%; p=0.001]. The sexed sperms insemination showed lower fertility in the winter [36.3%] when compared with the autumn values [73.9%; p=0.02]. Cost and benefit analysis showed that costs of the first and the second insemination with sexed sperms were higher than the conventional ones. On the other hand, after the second insemination the economic benefit for the sexed sperms was lower than the conventional one. However, the cost and benefit analysis for sexed sperm values showed a trend to the convential ones. If the fertility rate of the sexed sperm insemination in healthy heifers reach to the 90 percent of the conventional sperm, sexed sperm insemination can be more beneficial than the conventional one after two insemination