Noha Salem

Oxidative stress (OS) is brought on by heat stress (HS), which weakens antioxidant defense and initiates OS. Since mitochondria are the primary source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), HS-mediated OS may be lessened by targeting mitochondria with particular antioxidants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of oral coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on the reproductive performance of goat bucks under HS conditions. Ten mature bucks were randomly separated into two groups and housed in an environment with a high-temperature humidity index (THI: 88.3 to 94.8; summer season). The first group (n = 5) got the baseline diet while the second group (n = 5) received supplemental oral CoQ10 (3 mg/kg BW; CoQ10 group) daily for six weeks. Testicular blood flow parameters (TBF), testicular volume (TV) and echogenicity (TE), nitric oxide (NO), seminal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and catalase (CAT) activities, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and semen quality traits were all measured. The examinations started a week before (W-1), on the first supplementation day (W0), and weekly for eight consecutive weeks (W1-W8). There were marked (P < 0.05) increases in TBF (W3-W6) and TV, and a decrease in TE (W3-W5) in the CoQ10 group compared to the CON group. Similarly, testosterone (T) and NO levels (W3-W5) in the CoQ10 group were higher (P < 0.05) than those of the control group. The CoQ10 group demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) increases in seminal CAT (W4-W8) and TAC (W2-W6) activities and decreases in ALT (W4-W7) activity and MDA (W5-W8) concentration as compared to the control group. The CoQ10 group showed improvements (P < 0.05) at W3-W6 for sperm progressive motility, viability, and normal morphology and at W6-W8 for sperm concentration. In conclusion, oral CoQ10 supplementation improved testicular hemodynamics, testosterone production, semen quality, and antioxidant capacity in goat bucks during summer heat stress conditions.

This study used autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to treat acute endometritis in jennies with follow-up for alterations in uterine hemodynamics, endoscopic, immunohistochemistry, oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, pro-inflammatory regulatory molecules, and transmembrane mucin expressions. Ten jennies suffering from endometritis (acute type; n = 10) were included in the study. PRP was prepared from each animal and two intrauterine infusions one week apart were administrated. Examination and follow-up were done physically, ultrasonographically, endoscopically and samples were taken for histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and bacteriological examination. Blood and uterine fluid samples were taken to estimate biochemical and oxidative stress alterations. Expression of TRAF6 and MUC1 genes was investigated in uterine fluid, at days -1 (day of diagnosis establishment), 7, 14, and 21. Uterine bacteriological examination showed a decrease in bacterial isolates after PRP treatment. The uterine thickness and uterine vascular perfusion as illustrated by color Doppler ultrasonography were significantly decreased in jennies treated by PRP. Uterine spectral wave pattern showed a significant linear increase in pulsatility index only. Three weeks after first PRP treatment, white light endoscopic examination revealed normal uterine body mucosa and uterine horn folds. A high nuclear factor (NF-κB) expression was seen in the mononuclear cells. A significant reduction in oxidative stress biomarkers in both serum and uterine fluid was recorded after PRP treatment. The TRAF-1 gene expression significantly decreased gradually after intrauterine PRP infusion. The MUC-1 gene expression significantly decreased gradually after intrauterine PRP infusion. Both genes were within normal levels by week 3. Endometritis in jennies is associated with an oxidative process, alterations in serum biochemical parameters, Doppler indices, endoscopic appearance, high NF-κB expression, and upregulation of TRAF-1 and MUC-1 expressions. Two intrauterine infusions of autologous PRP restored normal endometrial appearance after acute endometritis.

BACKGROUND: Canine mammary tumors (CMTs) are one of the most common malignancies in dogs and are associated with significant mortality. Serum tumor markers and non-coding microRNAs have gained widespread popularity in human oncology studies. The present study has two aims, first one is to investigate the miR-21 expression compared with changes in serum tumor markers (CEA and CA15-3) in CMT. The second aim is to detect the immunohistochemistry markers as vimentin, P63, and -SMA in CMT.

METHODS: This study enrolled 17 female dogs: 10 with mammary tumors and seven controls without tumors. Blood samples were collected to measure miR-21, CEA, and CA 15-3, and histological samples were prepared for histological grading and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: CA 15-3 was elevated in all animals, whereas CEA levels showed no change compared with controls. miR-21 was upregulated 12.84-fold in animals with CMT. The most frequently recorded CMT was the mixed type. Myoepithelial cells were identified by P63 immunoreactivity, but not SMA. High expression of miR-21 was observed with positive vimentin immunoreactivity, indicating the mesenchymal origin of the tumor cells.

CONCLUSION: The present study showed that miR-21 was elevated to a greater extent than CA 15-3 (12.84-fold vs. threefold). Tumors that was positive for vimentin immunoreactivity was also associated with an elevation in the levels of miR-21, showing that miR-21 is released from mesenchymal cells. These findings support the hypothesis that miR-21 may be a more sensitive, noninvasive indicator for CMT.

Corneal ulcer could be a major source of distress in small animals, with many contributing agents. In recent years, few studies evaluated the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in healing corneal ulcers. This study aimed to assess the ability of subconjunctival injection of autologous PRP in the treatment of corneal ulcers in dogs and cats as well as estimate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and oxidative stress biomarkers in these patients. A total number of 28 animals (16 cats and 12 dogs) were enrolled in this study. Each animal was subjected to clinical, neurologic, and ophthalmic examinations where the type of ulcer was documented. Tear samples were collected for evaluation of oxidative biomarkers and MMPs; conjunctival swabs were taken to identify the involved organism. PRP was prepared from each animal and given as subconjunctival injection; numbers of injections were done according to case response. Clinical follow-up was done and documented for each case. In cat patients, female and Persian cats were most affected; unilateral and superficial ulcers were most recorded. In male dogs, unilateral, and superficial ulcers were most recorded. FHV-1 was most identified in cats, while was most identified in dogs. Numbers of injections needed to achieve healing were recorded, with 50% of dogs needing two injections with 1-week intervals and 50% of cats needed three injections with 1-week intervals. Alterations in both oxidative biomarkers and MMPs were recorded in affected animals. The use of autologous PRP as a subconjunctival injection in treating corneal ulcers in dogs and cats is effective. The number of injections is the case and corneal ulcer type-dependent. Autologous PRP as a subconjunctival injection in treating corneal ulcer is a relatively cheap, safe method and can be done in the clinical setting.

Background and Aim: Pregnancy and lactation have an impact on health status of animals and constitute burden on body metabolites and the oxidant-antioxidant equilibrium. This study is aimed at evaluating metabolic and oxidative stress patterns and parity impacts in both primiparous and multiparous dairy cows.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven primiparous and multiparous. Holstein cows were enrolled and categorized into four groups according to their physiologic status: Primiparous peripartum heifer (n=5), primiparous postpartum cow (n=9), multiparous peripartum cows (n=5), and multiparous postpartum cows (n=8). Blood sample was taken from each animal - peripartum groups at 3 weeks prepartum and postpartum groups at 3 weeks post-parturition - for complete blood picture, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity, and haptoglobin estimation.

Results: Postpartum primiparous cows showed significant decrease in glucose, total protein, and albumin while showing significant increase in MDA, NEFA, and globulin; on the other hand, multiparous postpartum cows showed significant decrease in glucose, total protein, and albumin, associated with significant increase in cholesterol and MDA when compared with prepartum PP and MP cows, respectively. Postpartum multiparous cows significantly showed reduction in NEFA when compared to primiparous postpartum cows. Hematologic profiles of postpartum primiparous and multiparous cows showed significant decrease in red blood cells and packed cell volume, significant increase in lymphocytes when compared with prepartum cows.

Conclusion: Metabolic and oxidative abnormalities exist in both primiparous and multiparous cows during the transition phase, however postpartum primiparous cows show higher susceptibility to negative energy balance impacts. Oxidant/antioxidant imbalance occurred in both the primiparous and multiparous postpartum cows, highlighting the importance of oxidative stress profiles in the assessment of metabolic health status during transition.

BACKGROUND: Anatomical feline models can aid in understanding the relationships between clinical findings and anatomical features and the course of foreign bodies passing through the oesophagus. This study has two goals 1) to assess feline oesophageal foreign bodies in feline patients using physical, radiologic and endoscopic examination and, how their location influences treatment plans and complications. 2) How the anatomical sharp angle of the oesophagus contribute to foreign body lodgement. Thirty-five cats were enrolled in this study; 30 of them were clinically ill, and five cats were used for anatomical study.

RESULTS: Cats with clinical signs underwent complete clinical and radiologic examination. Endoscopy was performed in only five cases. The site with the highest occurrence of foreign body lodgement was the oesophageal entrance, caudal to the pharynx (63.3%), followed by the thoracic inlet (26.7%) and the mid-cervical region of the oesophagus (10%). Two types of foreign bodies were identified: sewing needles (25/30) and bone (5/30). Radiography was able to identify the location and nature of the foreign body in all 30 affected cats. Therapeutic regimens were applied according to the nature and location of the foreign body and any associated complications. Removal of the foreign body was achieved using Rochester pean artery forceps in 17/30 cases, using full surgical intervention in 8/30 cases, and during endoscopy in 5/30 cases.

CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the location of the foreign body is strongly related to combination of consumed foreign body type and anatomic features of the cat oesophagus. The feline oesophagus has a variety of sharp angles that facilitate the entrapment of rigid linear and angular foreign bodies. Radiographic imaging remains the most frequently used diagnostic modality for determining the lodgement site and nature of radiopaque foreign bodies. Over all complication rate was low (6/30).

This study was performed to evaluate the hepatocyte-derived microRNA (miR)-122 as novel diagnostic biomarker in canine lymphoma. Fifteen dogs were enrolled in this study. Dogs presented at Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University. Dogs were divided into 8 clinically healthy dogs act as control and 7 clinically ill dogs. All dogs were subjected to clinical, ultrasonographic, hemato-biochemical and ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy for cytological and histopathological investigations. On the basis of these results, 7 dogs were found to be suffering from multicentric lymphoma involving liver. Serum hepatocyte-derived miRA-122 was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in all dogs. Multicentric lymphoma involving liver manifested by inappetance for several days, depression and peripheral lymphadenopathy. Hematological examination showed significant lymphocytosis. Serum biochemical analysis revealed significant increase in ALT, AST, ALP compared to control dogs. Ultrasonography revealed hypoechoic lymphoid aggregation at area of "porta hepatis" and circumscribed hypoechoic nodule interrupt liver parenchyma. Cytology revealed infiltration of liver tissue by lymphoblast cells and histopathology revealed diffuse infiltration of hepatic sinusoids and portal area by uniform population of small lymphocytes. Serum miRNA-122 analysis showed a significant increase represented as 9.00 fold in canine multicentric lymphoma involving liver. Serum hepatocyte-derived miRNA-122 is of diagnostic value, non invasive, stable and easily measurable blood biomarker for the detection of hepatocellular injury in dogs with multicentric lymphoma involving liver.