Computed tomography (CT) scan findings in calves with hydranencephaly.

BACKGROUND: Hydranencephaly is the unilateral or bilateral loss of cerebral hemispheres and their replacement by a cerebrospinal fluid-filled sac that is caused by some teratogenic viruses. This disorder can be recognized before death occurs, using computed tomography (CT) scan. Pathological findings are also useful for the confirmation of the diagnosis. AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine features of hydranencephaly in calves by CT. METHODS: In this study, CT images were obtained from the skulls of 7 same-age calves with neurological signs, affected by Akabane virus, after slaughter. To compare the Hounsfield unit (HU) obtained from each brain region with the normal one, a normal calf's (with the same age) CT images were considered. Then, HU was measured in different parts of the affected calves' brain and compared with the normal calf's brain. RESULTS: Computed tomography images of affected calves indicated a hypoattenuated density of cerebral hemispheres, and the mean value of HU significantly decreased in these parts of the brain compared to normal calves (P=0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean value of the brain stem HU of the affected calves and the normal ones (P=0.066). In the gross pathology, asymmetric fluid-filled sacs that replaced cerebral hemispheres were observed, but the brain stems were intact in all cases. CONCLUSION: The results showed a strong correlation between CT scan and pathology findings in calves with hydranencephaly. This is the first CT scan-mediated study of calves with hydranencephaly.

Pulsed wave Doppler echocardiographic assessment after sedation by intravenous injection of medetomidine and xylazine hydrochloride on cardiac output and systolic time intervals in one-humped camel calves (Camelus dromedarious).

BACKGROUND: Pulsed wave (PW) Doppler echocardiography provides a convenient and noninvasive tool for measuring cardiac output (CO) alternations after the administration of sedative drugs, but this is not a usual method for camelids. AIMS: The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes of the left and right ventricular outflow tracts (LVOT and RVOT), CO, and systolic time intervals following the intravenous (IV) injection of medetomidine (M) and xylazine (X) using PW Doppler echocardiography. METHODS: Twenty apparently healthy immature male one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarious) were selected and divided into four groups (five animals per group). Medetomidine and X were injected to the left jugular vein at two different doses of 10 and 20 µg/kg, and 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg, respectively. Effects on echocardiographic parameters were assessed at 4 intervals: before, 3, 60, and 120 min after drug administrations. RESULTS: Velocity time integrity (VTI), maximum/mean flow velocity (Vmax and Vmean) and maximum/mean pressure gradient (PGmax and PGmean) decreased in aortic and pulmonic valves. Left ventricular ejection time (LVET) and LVET + pre ejection period (PEP) decreased and PEP and PEP/LVET increased in all groups except the low dose X group, 3 min after drug administration (P<0.05). The least values of VTI, velocity (V), PG and CO were observed after 60 min in the low dose X group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: A relationship was found between the intensity and the duration of changes in cardiac parameters and both types and dosages of the injected drugs. We concluded that X and M have transient depressor effects on the ventricular outflow tract and CO of healthy camels.

Nephroblastoma in bester sturgeon, a cultured hybrid of Huso huso × Acipenser ruthenus: Diagnostic imaging, clinical and histopathological study.

Abdominal distention occurred at an incidence of 1% (15 from 1500 fish) in the population of 1-year-old bester (Huso huso × Acipenser ruthenus). Computed tomography (CT) images and radiographs showed a soft tissue mass compressed the posterior part of the swim bladder. Ultrasonography showed that the masses had different patterns. Internal examination revealed the abdominal cavities to be filled with large masses which appeared to encompass most of the visceral organs, including the swim bladder. The masses originated from the posterior kidney. Histologically, the masses were composed of mixtures of embryonal epithelial (tubules and glomeruli), blastema and mesenchymal tissues. The tubules showed cystic, papillary and tubular patterns. Tubules and glomeruloid structures were surrounded by proliferating blastema cells. The primitive mesenchyme was composed of loose streams and whorls of spindle to stellate cells with elongate nuclei. Histological findings in the skeletal muscles, hypoderm and spleen confirmed the metastatic tumour from the kidney in two cases. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic cells of the tubules and glomeruloid structures were positive for cytokeratin AE1/AE3. Sections stained with Masson's trichrome showed blue staining of the stroma. The histopathologic findings were consistent with nephroblastoma.

Reduced anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in mares with hemorrhagic anovulatory follicles.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has been observed to decrease with the development of hemorrhagic anovulatory follicles (HAFs) in mares. Two studies were conducted to evaluate AMH concentration in mares with HAFs compared to seasonally anoestrous and cyclic mares, and to elucidate changes of AMH with the development of luteinised unruptured follicles (LUFs). In study 1, AMH and progesterone were evaluated in seasonally anoestrous, anovulatory (with HAF) and cyclic mares (at mid luteal phase). In study 2, mares in control and LUF groups were treated with 1500 IU/case hCG when they had a ≥32-mm follicle and an endometrial oedema score of three (day 0). Mares in the control group received no further treatment. Mares in the LUF group received 1.7 mg/kg flunixin meglumine at the time of hCG administration, and 12, 24 and 36 h after it. Ultrasonography and blood collection for AMH and progesterone measurement were performed on days 0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8. In study 1, AMH concentration was lower in seasonally anoestrous and HAF mares than cyclic mares (P<0.05). Progesterone concentration did not differ between HAF and cyclic mares (P>0.05). In study 2, AMH was not different between LUF and control mares (P>0.05); however, progesterone had a lower concentration and a delayed rise after hCG administration in LUF mares compared with the control group (P<0.05). The results indicated that similar to seasonally anoestrous mares, AMH concentrations decreased in mares with HAFs. LUFs were also found to be functionally different from HAFs.

Serum biochemical parameters of Acipenser persicus.

Serum biochemical parameters are important aspects in the management of endangered species, such as Acipenser persicus. The values of these parameters can be used for confirming the maturity and for monitoring any changes in the quality of waters and related soils. Serum samples of 44 A. persicus fishes were analyzed and their serum parameter values were determined as Mean+/-SD in four groups: mature males and females and immature males and females, respectively. We compared the levels of calcium (Ca; 1.97 +/- 0.31-2.38 +/- 0.28 mmol/l), blood urea nitrogen (BUN; 4.4 +/- 0.54-6.16 +/- 0.63 mmol/l), cholesterol (CHO; 2.55 +/- 0.42-13.51 +/- 0.65 mmol/l), creatinine (CREA; 27.23 +/- 3.5-83.98 +/- 7.5 mmol/l), magnesium (Mg; 2.74 +/- 0.18-3.05 +/- 0.46 mmol/l), bilirubin (Bilirubin; 2.05 +/- 0.42-13.93 +/- 4.39 mumol/l), aspatate transaminase (AST; 18.25 +/- 1.5-167 +/- 38 Iu/l), alanine transaminase (ALT; 11 +/- 1-25.33 +/- 9.24 Iu/l), alkaline phosphatase (ALP; 183.5 +/- 17.68-523 +/- 66.23 Iu/l) and creatine kinase (CK; 157.5 +/- 27.58-2132.2 +/- 250.92 Iu/l). We have shown that there were no differences in the Ca and Mg levels among the different groups. However, mature females have higher CREA, AST, CHO and lower BUN, ALP and ALT than the immature females. In the mature males, the values of ALP and bilirubin were higher yet the values of CREA and ALT were lower than in the immature males.