Serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in apparently healthy cats regarding age, gender, breed, diet type, reproductive status, and housing condition.

BACKGROUND: Optimal vitamin D levels for an effective role in immune function and rickets prevention are thought to vary, but have not yet been definitively determined. Reports on reference values of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in cats are limited. AIMS: The study provides information about serum 25(OH)D values in cats with different age, gender, breed, diet type, reproductive status, housing condition, and also the relationship between these levels and various hematological and biochemical parameters. METHODS: Clinically healthy cats (88) were included in the study. Physical examination and assessment of hematological and biochemical parameters were performed on cats in order to confirm their health status. Reference value of serum 25(OH)D was assayed by ELISA method and the effects of age (under six months and above six months), gender, breed, diet (only commercial diet, only homemade food, mixture of commercial and homemade food), reproduction status, and housing conditions on serum 25(OH)D was determined. RESULTS: The median, 2.5% and 97.5% of 25(OH)D in sampled cats were 19.74 ng/ml, 3.12 ng/ml, and 92.1 ng/ml, respectively. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was lower when homemade diet was used compared to commercial and mixed diets as well as in cats under six months of age compared to older cats. CONCLUSION: Diet type and age can affect serum 25(OH)D levels in healthy cats while other parameters had no significant effects.

The relationship between body condition score, thyroxin, and health condition and serum energy indices, insulin like growth factor-1, and lipids profile over the transition period in Holstein dairy cows.

Background: Lipid mobilization increases significantly in cows around the time of calving; a correlation between excessive blood NEFA concentrations, oxidative stress, and impaired health status in transition dairy cattle was observed. Aims: The relationship between serum thyroxin (T4) values and energy indices and lipid profile in all cows, non-fat cows (NFCs), fat cows (FCs), healthy, and diseased animals were estimated in the present study. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from fifty multiparous cows on -14, +10, +20, and +30 days relative to parturition. They had similar diets and were kept under the same management conditions. Results: NEFA and BHBA values increased significantly on the 10th day of calving. Inversely, glucose, T4, triglyceride, LDL-C, and VLDL-C decreased significantly ten days after calving. There was a significant negative correlation between serum T4 and NEFA for all cows and FCs. Serum T4 and BHBA values had a significant negative correlation in NFCs, FCs, healthy, and diseased cows. In addition, serum T4 and fructosamine had a significant negative relationship in FCs and a significant positive correlation in diseased cows. Serum T4 values had a significant negative correlation with cholesterol, HDL-C, and a positive correlation with triglyceride and VLDL-C for all cows, NFCs, FCs, and healthy cows. Conclusion: The data emphasized the effects of negative energy balance during the transition period on serum lipids profile and thyroid function. In addition, the correlation between T4 and energy and lipids indices may indicate a possible effect of health and body condition status on thyroid responses.

Evaluation of cardiac troponin I, atrial natriuretic peptide and some oxidative/antioxidative biomarkers in the serum and hemolysate of trained Arabian horses after exercise.

BACKGROUND: Limited information existed on performance tests in Iranian Arab horses. AIMS: The objective of this study is to investigate time related changes of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and oxidative/antioxidant biomarkers in the serum of Arabian horses before and after regular training. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from jugular vein of 25 Arabian horses before exercise; 5 h and 18 h after exercise and used to measure the cTnI, ANP, malondialdehyde (MDA), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentrations. Data analysis was performed using SAS. RESULTS: Significant time related changes were seen for cTnI, MDA, and GPX concentrations (P<0.05). There were no time significant variations in the concentrations of ANP, FRAP and SOD. The values of cTnI and MDA significantly increased after exercise. The amounts of GPX significantly increased 5 h after exercise and then decreased up to 18 h after exercise. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study can be used in future studies in evaluating the health status of Arabian horses. In addition, the present results can be used as primarily described data in the evaluation of Arabian horses.

Effects of testosterone enanthate and resistance training on myocardium in Wistar rats; clinical and anatomical pathology.

This study was performed to determine the effects of 8 weeks testosterone enanthate (TE) injection and resistance training (RT) on cardiac muscle in male Wistar rats. A total of 28 male adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups; control + placebo, RT + placebo, TE and TE + RT. Testosterone enanthate (20 mg/kg BW, IM) and placebo (olive oil; 0.2 ml, IM) were injected twice a week for 2 months. The RT consisted of climbing (5 reps/3 sets) a ladder carrying a load suspended from the tail. The serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) and serum level of creatinine, urea and cardiac troponin I (CTnI) were evaluated. After sacrifice, samples from myocardial muscle were collected for histopathology evaluation. The serum concentration of CTnI and CK-MB activity significantly increased in group RT compared with control (p < .05). In group RT + TE, all biomarkers of muscle damage (CTnI, CK-MB, AST, LDH) were significantly more than those in control (p < .05). Also, mild myocardial hypertrophy was observed in RT and RT + TE groups. The higher level of all heart damage biomarkers in the RT + TE group rather than control may indicate the synergistic effects of medication and exercise.

Oxidant/antioxidant status in cattle with liver cystic echinococcosis.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the changes of antioxidants and oxidative stress markers in cattle with cystic echinococcosis (CE). Thirty cattle with liver CE along with 30 healthy cattle were used for the study. Parasitized cattle presented a significantly higher lipid peroxidation assessed by the malondialdehyde (MDA) compared with healthy animals (P<0.05). A significantly lower erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), and a significantly higher erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the parasitized group, were observed when compared with healthy group (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed for serum total antioxidant status (TAS), zinc, copper and iron between parasitized and healthy groups. The results obtained in this study suggest that CE in cattle induces changes in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. These changes render host cells susceptible to oxidants and exaggerate the generation of free radicals with a consequent lipid peroxidation enhancement.

Acute-phase protein concentration and metabolic status affect the outcome of treatment in cows with clinical and subclinical endometritis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of acute-phase protein concentration and metabolic status in the establishment and resistance of clinical endometritis (CE) and subclinical endometritis (SE) in dairy cows. We also characterised the treatment-related changes in the concentration of acute-phase proteins and metabolic variables in dairy cows affected by CE and SE. Cows of the SE and CE groups presented a significantly higher ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), haptoglobin and total sialic acid (TSA) concentrations compared with a healthy group of animals. A significantly lower serum calcium concentration, and a significantly higher serum aspartate aminotransferase activity in the CE group, were observed when compared with SE and healthy groups. The comparison of parameters before treatment indicated that cows suffering from CE or SE with lower concentrations of hepatic and inflammatory markers showed a better response to further treatment, and endometritis was not detected in the second examination. Moreover, decreased concentrations of BHB, acute-phase proteins and hepatic markers were observed after successful treatment for endometritis in CE and SE cows. The results obtained in this study suggest that improved liver function and a decrease in the acute-phase protein concentration might favour the resolution of endometritis after treatment.

Canine visceral leishmaniasis: relationships between oxidative stress, liver and kidney variables, trace elements, and clinical status.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of oxidative stress in the pathology of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). We therefore studied the relationships between oxidative stress markers, liver and kidney variables, trace elements, and clinical status in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum. Two groups of Leishmania-infected dogs [asymptomatic (AD, n = 14) and symptomatic (SD, n = 16)] were assessed and compared with a group of non-infected control dogs (CD, n = 30). A significant decrease (p < 0.001) in serum total antioxidant status (TAS) and albumin concentration (p < 0.05) and a significant increase in serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations (p < 0.001), in the SD group, were observed when compared to CD and AD groups. Dogs of the AD group presented a significant decrease in copper (p < 0.01) and zinc (p < 0.001) concentrations, when compared to CD group, while the SD group presented a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in copper and zinc concentrations, when compared to CD and AD groups. Oxidative stress markers (MDA and TAS) showed significant correlations (p < 0.001) with trace elements (copper and zinc) and liver (alanine aminotransferase) and kidney (BUN and creatinine) variables. The results of the present study revealed that symptomatic dogs showed more severe oxidative stress than asymptomatic and non-infected dogs and enhanced lipid peroxidation may be linked to liver and kidney damage in canine visceral leishmaniasis.

Oxidative stress and trace elements in camel (Camelus dromedarius) with liver cystic echinococcosis.

Status of certain oxidative stress indices and zinc, copper and iron concentrations in blood were estimated in camel with liver cystic echinococcosis. In comparison to healthy control, the index of serum lipid peroxidation assessed by the malondialdehyde (MDA) level was significantly higher in the parasitized group. However, mean serum total antioxidant status (TAS) and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were significantly lower in the parasitized group. Serum zinc concentration in camels with liver cystic echinococcosis was significantly lower than healthy control. In parasitized camels, a significant positive correlation of MDA with gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and bilirubin was observed. By contrast, MDA was inversely correlated with the values of packed cell volume (PCV), serum albumin and zinc. From the present study, it was concluded that cystic echinococcosis in camel is associated with oxidative stress. The resulting oxidative stress seems to have a role in the injury of hepatocytes, changes of trace elements and destruction of erythrocytes.

Prevalence of pigeon haemosporidians and effect of infection on biochemical factors in Iran.

Prevalence of pigeon haemosporidians and effect of infection with Haemoproteus columbae on biochemical factors were investigated in 280 wild pigeons (Columba livia) captured from various locations in Khorasan province, in eastern of Iran, between April 2008 and June 2009. Infection prevalence with H. columbae and Leucocytozoon was detected 50 and 2%, respectively. However, no pigeon showed infection with Plasmodium. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and albumin were the parameters which showed significant differences between parasitized and non parasitized pigeons and high ALT and AST activities and reduced serum albumin level (hypoalbominemia) were observed in pigeons infected with Haemoproteus. High level of AST, ALT, and hypoalbuminemia may be due to impairment of liver cells caused by hepatic migration of parasite for its life cycle.

Comparison of the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin or progesterone on pregnancy per artificial insemination in repeat-breeder dairy cows.

Three different treatments were compared to improve pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) in repeat-breeder (RB) dairy cows. All cows (n=103) were assigned to one of four groups: (1) gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH); (2) human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); (3) once-used controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device; and (4) control. All treatments performed 5-6days after artificial insemination (AI) and milk samples were collected just before treatment for progesterone assays. There were no significant differences in milk fat progesterone concentration among trial groups. Cows were observed for estrus signs thrice daily. Pregnancy per AI on day 45 in hCG and CIDR groups were significantly higher than GnRH and control groups (60.0% and 56.0% vs. 26.9% and 29.6%, respectively), but there were no differences in P/AI between GnRH and control groups. There were also no significant differences between hCG and CIDR groups. Milk fat progesterone concentrations were compared between pregnant and non-pregnant cows in each group and only in the hCG group it was significantly lower in pregnant cows. In conclusion, treating repeat-breeder cows with hCG or once-used CIDR 5-6days after AI improved P/AI.

Determination of normal values of some blood serum enzymes in Acipenser stellatus Pallas.

Hematological studies on fishes have assumed greater significance due to the increasing emphasis on pisciculture and greater awareness of the pollution of natural water resources. Such studies have generally been used as an effective and sensitive index to monitor physiological and pathological changes in fishes, especially in the management of endangered species. This study was undertaken to establish a reference range for six important blood serum enzymes. Serum samples of 40 Acipenser stellatus (20 female and 20 male) were analyzed, and serum enzyme values were determined. The reference ranges for the total samples and also for each sex were determined. The activities of measured enzymes in serum were: aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 265.60 +/- 56.55 IU/l, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 5.65 +/- 1.18 IU/l, acid phosphatase (ACP) 15.63 +/- 2.59 IU/l, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) 2007.15 +/- 521.97 IU/l, creatine kinase (CK) 6,596.05 +/- 1,807.19 IU/l, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) 69.05 +/- 13.04 IU/l. There were significant differences between male and female fish in terms of AST and CK activity (P < 0.05). These may be related to the season of sampling and changing physiological cycles during spawning during which period the sexual hormones and stress are more obvious. However, there were no differences in the activity of ALP, ACP, LDH, and ALT between sexes. The correlations between measured enzymes were also determined.

Plasma biochemistry of ostrich (Struthio camelus): effects of anticoagulants and comparison with serum.

The effects of various types of anticoagulants on plasma biochemistry were studied in man and various animals, but limited information is existing for ostrich plasma biochemistry. Ten clinically healthy ostrich were blood sampled in different tubes containing each anticoagulant and plain tube for harvesting plasma and serum. The concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, uric acid, creatinine, total protein, albumin, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and magnesium and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were measured. The concentrations of glucose, uric acid, total protein, and calcium were significantly lower in citrated plasma than that of serum. For dilution corrected citrated plasma significant differences were only seen for the concentration of uric acid. Most parameters did not show any differences, but significant increase were seen for glucose, total protein, albumin, and phosphorus concentrations when heparin was used as an anticoagulant.

Effects of heparin, citrate, and EDTA on plasma biochemistry of sheep: comparison with serum.

The effects of various types of anticoagulants on plasma biochemistry were studied in man and various animals, but limited information is existing for sheep plasma biochemistry. Ten clinically healthy Baloochi breed of sheep were blood sampled in different tubes containing each anticoagulants and plain tube for harvesting plasma and serum. The concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and magnesium and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were measured. Except for the amounts of GGT, bilirubin and inorganic phosphorus, other measured parameters were significantly lower in citrated plasma than that of serum. For corrected citrated plasma significant differences were seen for the concentrations of glucose, creatinine, calcium and the activity of ALP. Most parameters did not show any difference, but significant increase was seen for albumin concentration when heparin was used as an anticoagulant. Using EDTA as anticoagulant caused a significant difference for the concentrations of some of the measured parameters in plasma except glucose, GGT, cholesterol, albumin, bilirubin, CK, and inorganic phosphorus comparing with serum.

Effects of parenteral supply of iron and copper on hematology, weight gain, and health in neonatal dairy calves.

The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of parenteral administration of iron and copper on hematological parameters, weight gain, and health of neonatal dairy calves in the period when iron and copper deficiency could be existed. Twenty-four Holstein calves were used for the experiment and randomly assigned to four different treatments. Treatments consisted of (1) control (no injections of Fe and Cu), (2) test 1 (1000 mg Fe as fe-dextran was injected to each calf at day 2 of age), (3) test 2 (160 mg Cu as methionine-copper complex was injected to each calf at day 14 of age), and (4) test 3 (Fe and Cu were injected to each calf as mentioned previously). Blood samples were collected from all of the calves within 24-48 hours after birth and at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of age for measuring hematological parameters and within 24-48 hours after birth and at 14, 21 and 28 days of age for the determination of iron, copper, TIBC concentrations, and AST activity. Anti-coagulated blood was analyzed shortly after collection for: number of red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), heamatocrit (HCT), total leukocyte count (WBC), Platelet (Plt), MCH, MCV, MCHC, and differential leukocyte counts. The amounts of iron, copper, TIBC, and AST were measured in serum. Group had significant effects on the amounts of HCT, RBC, hemoglobin, MCV, neutrophil, weekly weight gain, and daily gain during each week (p < 0.05). Sampling time had significant effects on the amounts of RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, platelet, fibrinogen, copper, TIBC, AST, weight, weekly gain and, daily gain during each week (p < 0.05). significant interactions between sampling time and group were seen for HCT, RBC, hemoglobin, MCV, platelet, total protein, fibrinogen, iron, and TIBC (p < 0.05). Improved RBC parameters and MCV were seen in calves of group 4 (test 3) in comparing with control group. Total and daily gains were also significantly improved in test groups in comparing with control group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was seen for the days of treatment between groups.

Plasma biochemistry of one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius): effects of anticoagulants and comparison with serum.

The effects of various types of anticoagulants on plasma biochemistry were studied in man and various animals but limited informations are existing for camel plasma biochemistry. Eleven clinically healthy one-humped camels were blood sampled in different tubes containing different anticoagulants and plain tubes for harvesting plasma and serum. The concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, and chloride and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were measured. Except for the amounts of AST, ALT, CK, total bilirubin, and inorganic phosphorus, other measured parameters were significantly lower in citrated plasma than in serum. Most parameters did not show any difference, but significant increase for CK activity and significant decrease for GGT, cholesterol, creatinine and chloride were seen when heparin was used as anticoagulant. Using EDTA as an anticoagulant caused a significant difference in the amounts of some measured parameters in plasma except glucose, AST, ALT, GGT, cholesterol, albumin, total protein, bilirubin, and triglyceride in comparison with serum.

Serum constituents analyses in dairy cows: effects of duration and temperature of the storage of clotted blood.

We studied the effects of storage time and temperature of clotted whole blood on the amounts of 17 analytes in bovine blood serum. Serum separated after blood was allowed to stand for 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24h at room temperature or on ice. Results obtained for phosphorous, magnesium, urea, cholesterol, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), triglyceride, albumin, total protein and gamma-glutamyletransferase (GGT) were not influenced by storage at room temperature or on ice for as long as 24h. Duration of the clotted whole blood storage had a significant effect on calcium, glucose concentrations, creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities and temperature had a significant effect on glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, CK and bilirubin concentrations.