Kisspeptin and bovine follicular cysts.

The aim of this study was to investigate kisspeptin (Kp) and sexual hormone blood concentrations in healthy dairy cows (H) and in cows diagnosed with ovarian follicular cysts (FC). Forty dairy cows were enrolled in this study and divided in 2 groups of 20 subjects each. All cows underwent blood collection on the day of diagnosis and on that of heat detection, respectively. Kisspeptin 10, estradiol, and progesterone blood concentrations were assessed. All the parameters were higher in Group FC than in Group H. These results suggest that the higher steroid levels found may have determined the increase in Kp secretion in the cystic cows. This, in turn, may have directly or indirectly stimulated the sustained Luteinizing Hormone (LH) release, known to occur in dairy cystic disease.

In vivo model for mastocytosis: A comparative review.

Human mastocytosis are heterogeneous group of neoplastic diseases characterized by a different degree of uncontrolled mast cell (MC) proliferation and activation. Interestingly, human mastocytosis share several biological and clinical features with canine mast cell disorders, so called canine mast cell tumors (CMCTs). These CMCTs are the most common spontaneous cutaneous tumors found in dogs representing a valid model to study neoplastic mast cell disorders. It has been discovered that the pathological activation of c-Kit receptor (c-KitR), expressed by MCs, has been involved in the pathogenesis of neoplastic MC disorders. In this review we have focused on human mastocytosis in terms of: (i) epidemiology and classification; (ii) pathogenesis at molecular levels; (iii) clinical presentation. In addition, we have summarized animal models useful to study neoplastic MC disorders including CMCTs and murine transgenic models. Finally, we have revised therapeutic approaches mostly common in human and canine MCTs and novel tyrosine kinase inhibitors approved for CMCTs and recently translated in human clinical trials.

Fluoroquinolone and Ovariectomy in the Bitch: Physiology of the Immune System as to CD56 and CD16 Expression.

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells which act against a variety of pathogens and tumours. Phenotypically they are characterized by surface markers named cluster designation (CD) antigens. CD56 and CD16 are recognized as specific NK markers in the dogs as well as in humans. Surgical interventions suppress NK cells both in rats and humans. In this direction, it has been shown that an antibiotic regimen (amoxicillin, benzylpenicillin/dihydrostreptomycin, sulfametazine/sulfamerazine/ sulfathiazole, enrofloxacin, lincomycin/spectinomycin) administered only twice is effective in preventing infections after laparatomic ovariectomy, in the bitch. On these grounds, this research will show that the administration of a fluoroquinolone (5 mg/kg of enrofloxacin, Baytril®, Bayer, Milan, Italy) one hour before and at the end of ovariectomy is able to increase CD56 and CD16 expression levels. Moreover, the antibiotic administration modifies the relative expression levels of the two CD; thus suggesting that the fluoroquinolone employed enhances the activation of a specific subset of NK cells mainly involved in body recovering during the post operative period as already observed in humans.

Immunological aspects of metritis in dairy cows: a review.

This paper reviews puerperal metritis in the cow, particularly the complex and multi-factorial pathogenesis characterized by an altered cross-talk among infectious agents, endocrine and immune systems. Uterine infections impair fertility and is one of the main causes of economic losses in dairy production. The early postpartum is a period characterized by an increased exposition to infectious agents and the disruption of the metabolic homeostasis, leading to endocrine and immunologic disorders. Dysregulation of uterine defence mechanisms results in the development of metritis. Because there is a complex interaction between infectious, endocrine and immune factors during metritis, there is need to use safer and cheaper drugs which are able to strengthen the anti-infective actions of the routine therapies.

Effects of mefepronic acid (2-phenoxy-2-methyl propionic acid) on hepatic metabolism and reproductive parameters in postpartum dairy cows.

This study investigates the effects of mefepronic acid (MA), a PPAR-α agonist, on hepatic metabolic functions and reproduction of postpartum dairy cows. Sixty Friesian cows were divided into Group A (administered 5g of MA IM, within 24 hrs after calving, on the 3(rd) and 5(th) day postpartum) and Group B (control). All the cows were blood sampled within 24 hrs of calving (Day 0), on Day 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, and 40 postpartum. On plasma, metabolic and biochemical parameters were determined. Liver biopsies were performed on Day 0, 15 and 30 for the evaluation of hepatic lipid and glycogen content. Reproductive parameters were also evaluated. In Group A, blood HDL, glucose and cholesterol increased till the end of the study, in accordance with the histological results. PPAR-α immunopositive cells increased in liver slices of Group A, too. Reproductive parameters improved in Group A. This study highlights the beneficial effects of mefepronic acid on the hepatic metabolism and reproductive parameters of post-partum dairy cows.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in human and pet tumours with special reference to breast cancer: a comparative review.

Tyrosine kinase receptors (TKRs) play a key role in tumour cell proliferation and survival since they are involved in endothelial cell activation leading to tumour neoangiogenesis. In particular, vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), stem cell factor receptor (c-KitR), and colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) are overexpressed or constitutively activated in human and pet malignancies. A variety of small molecule inhibitors targeting specific tyrosine kinases (known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors or TKIs) have recently been approved, or are under investigation, for the treatment of human cancer. TKI application in animal cancer is however relatively recent. This review aims to illustrate the major aspects of tyrosine kinase dysfunctions, with special regard to human and animal cancer of the mammary gland, providing an update on the background of the anti-angiogenic and anti-neoplastic properties of TKIs in human and veterinary cancer.

Peritoneal adhesions in human and veterinary medicine: from pathogenesis to therapy. A review.

Any peritoneal inflammatory process consequent to infections or surgical injuries may induce abdominal adhesion formation. Peritoneal adhesions are connective laciniae that develop among abdomino-pelvic organs that limit physiologic visceral motion. Consequently, fertility may be impaired, and intestinal obstruction and pelvic pain may develop, mainly in subjects that had undergone gynaecological surgery. This review illustrates the pathogenic steps of adhesiogenesis and the therapeutic scenario that evolved over the years to tackle the threat of peritoneal adhesions, both in domestic animals and in women.

Effects of antibiotics on biochemical parameters, leukocytes and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in bitches after ovariectomy.

It is well known that following surgical procedures, a variety of patho-physiological alterations occurs in the host, such as changes in haemodynamic, endocrine and immune functions, as well as increase in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Antibiotic administration, a common practice used in surgery, affects immune functions and ROS generation. Our study was aimed to investigate the effect of five different antibiotic regimens: amoxicillin, benzylpenicillin/dihydrostreptomycin, sulfametazine/sulfamerazine/ sulfathiazole, enrofloxacin, lincomycin/spectinomycin, administered twice (2 hours before skin incision and 6 hours after the end of the surgical suture), on biochemical parameters, leukocytes and ROS concentrations, in bitches undergoing open laparotomic ovariectomy. All treated bitches recovered from surgery without developing either systemic dysfunctions, or infections at the surgical site. Mean healing time was 7 +/- 3 days. An increase in white blood cell count, in differential leukocyte count and in ROS concentrations occurred 24 hours after the end of surgery, followed by a gradual decrease to basal values within the fourth day after surgery. The biochemical parameters remained quite constant throughout the study. In conclusion, our results show that the above antibiotic regimens, administered only twice, are efficient in inducing an uneventful recovery after laparotomic ovariectomy and preventing the development of infections in the bitch.

Serum levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the bitch.

The aim of this study was to determine the serum concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the different phases of the estrous cycle in the bitch, in order to establish their physiological values. 56 healthy mixed-breed bitches were enrolled at this purpose and divided into 4 groups, standing on the different phases of the estrus cycle. Blood samples were collected in all groups and serum ROS concentrations were determined. Proestral concentrations were statistically higher than anestral ones, and statistically lower than those found in estrus (p<0.001). The highest concentrations of ROS were detected at estrus, that is, in the peri-ovulatory period. This sharp increase in ROS concentrations is related to the acute inflammatory process underlying ovulation and to the increase in immune and metabolic activities, cytological changes and myometrial contractility promoted by the high levels of estrogens. In diestrus, the mean concentration of ROS decreases. This reduction did not show any statistically significant difference with the mean value observed in proestrus. In this phase, in fact, the high concentrations of progesterone, exerting an antioxidant and immunodepressive effect, justify the lower mean concentration of ROS detected. In anestrus, the lowest concentrations of ROS were observed, for the reduced metabolic and endocrine activity occurring in this phase of the estrous cycle. In conclusion our results establish the physiologic levels of ROS during the estrous cycle in the bitch and reflect the endocrine morphologic and metabolic changes occurring during it.