Biochemical and molecular investigation of thermal manipulation protocols during broiler embryogenesis and subsequent thermal challenge.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of different thermal manipulation (TM) protocols during embryogenesis on thermotolerance acquisition parameters during subsequent thermal challenge (TC) at posthatch day 28. A total of 1500 fertile chicken eggs were divided randomly into five treatments (300 eggs each): control was maintained at 37.8 °C and 56 % relative humidity (RH) whereas, TM1, TM2, TM3 and TM4 were subjected to 38.5, 39, 39.5 and 40 °C for 18 h and 65 % RH daily during embryonic days ED 12-18. Hatched chicks from each treatment group allocated randomly into two sub-treatment groups (thermo-neutral, naïve (TN) and thermal challenge (TC). At day 28 of age, chicks subjected to TC by adjusting room temperature to 42 °C for 6 h while naïve chicks kept under regular conditions (22 ± 1 °C and 50-60 % RH). Chick's response to TC evaluated by determination of plasma T3, T4, corticosterone, total proteins, albumin, selected enzymes and some electrolytes at the beginning (0 h) and after 1, 3 and 5 h of TC in TM and TN chicks. Furthermore, pectoral and thigh muscles mRNA expression of Atrogin-1, CK, avUCP, DIO3, DIO2 were evaluated in TC and TN sub-treatment groups. RESULTS: TM induced a significant reduction in free T3 and elevation in total proteins and albumin in plasma with significant down-regulation of Atrogin-1 and DIO2 and significant up-regulation of DIO3 mRNA expression in muscle of TM chicks compare to control. During TC at day 28, decrease in the concentrations of plasma free T3, total proteins and albumin with increase in T4 have been detected in control and TM chicks. TC induced up-regulation of Atrogin-1 and DIO3 with down-regulation of DIO2 gene expression in muscles of all TC chicks. CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that, TM improved thermotolerance acquisition by decreasing basal metabolic rate and muscle injury during thermal stress. Basal metabolic rate decreased via reduction of plasma T3 concentration with up and down regulation of expression of DIO3 and DIO2, respectively in muscles. Muscle injury protected by stimulation of protein biosynthesis and down-regulation of Atrogin-1 expression.

Detection and molecular characterization of bovine leukemia viruses from Jordan.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is distributed worldwide. BLV has many effects on the health status and productivity of infected animals and is a potential risk for humans. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of and genotype bovine leukemia viruses on Jordanian dairy farms. Nested PCR coupled with RFLP and direct sequencing of a partial fragment of the env gene were carried out. Two BLV genotypes were found, genotypes 1 and 6. These genotypes were identified by nested PCR-RFLP of 444 bp of the env gene by restriction digestion with HaeIII, Bcl I and Pvu II. However, BLV-Jordan-10 seems to represent an entirely new genotype in our phylogenetic analysis. The nucleotide sequence identity between these two Jordanian BLV genotypes (1 and 6) was 96.2 %. The nucleotide sequence identity between Jordanian BLV genotype 1 and other reference BLV genotype 1 strains ranged from 99 % to 99.5 %. The nucleotide sequence similarity of the Jordanian BLV genotype 6 to other BLV genotypes ranged from 90 % to 96.7 %. A neutralizing motif and CD8(+) T-cell epitope were found in the env protein of both Jordanian isolates. In this study, we documented the presence of two BLV genotypes (1 and 6) on Jordanian dairy farms.

Unusual presentation of splenic myelolipoma in a dog.

A 13-year-old dog was presented with clinical signs of anemia, vomiting, weight loss, and progressive abdominal distension. Abdominal ultrasonography and radiography revealed a large mass, which was removed surgically. Cytologic and histologic evaluation of the mass revealed a mixture of fat and hematopoietic tissue, consistent with a splenic myelolipoma.

Accuracy of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of the liver and cytologic findings in dogs and cats: 97 cases (1990-2000).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of the liver and cytologic findings in dogs and cats. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 56 dogs and 41 cats. PROCEDURE: Medical records of dogs and cats evaluated from 1990 to 2000 by use of cytologic and histopathologic examination of the liver were reviewed. Histologic and cytologic diagnoses were categorized as vacuolar hepatopathy, inflammation, neoplasia, cirrhosis, primary cholestasis, shunt, normal, and other. RESULTS: Overall agreement between the histopathologic diagnosis and cytologic diagnosis was found in 17 of the 56 (30.3%) canine cases and 21 of the 41 (51.2%) feline cases. Vacuolar hepatopathy was the category with the highest percentage of agreement. Vacuolar hepatopathy was identified via cytologic examination in 7 of 11 and 15 of 18 dogs and cats, respectively, in which histopathologic examination revealed that it was the predominant disease process. However, it was also the category that was most commonly misdiagnosed via cytologic examination. Inflammatory disease was accurately identified cytologically in 5 of 20 and 3 of 11 dogs and cats, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Acknowledging the limitations of cytology and the extent of discrepancies between cytologic and histopathologic findings in dogs and cats will help clinicians make better decisions in diagnosing liver disease.