Acta veterinaria Hungarica最新文献

Rodents (Mammalia: Rodentia) are among the ubiquitous hosts of Giardia duodenalis, as they can harbour at least six assemblages of this species, including the zoonotic assemblages A and B. However, studies targeting a broad spectrum of rodents and rabbits sampled in the same region are scarce, even in Europe. During this study, 164 samples were collected from five rodent species and rabbits in five locations in Hungary, to examine the presence of G. duodenalis with traditional parasitological and molecular methods. Parasitological analysis revealed the presence of cysts in 58.3% of asymptomatic Norway rats and 27.6% of chinchillas. Three degus were also found Giardia-infected (prevalence: 16.7%) using flotation technique. With PCR targeting three genetic markers, 3.2% of the samples showed positivity, whereas a rate of 21.9% prevalence was detected with flotation. The PCR products of five samples could be DNA sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis based on the partial sequences of the beta-giardin gene revealed the presence of assemblages B and G in rats. In addition, assemblage E was detected in a beaver, while assemblage B was present in a chinchilla. The results show that synanthropic rodent species have different epidemiological roles in the study region, depending on the prevalence of shedding Giardia cysts or harbouring zoonotic variants of G. duodenalis. Moreover, our findings confirm that pet rodents may pose a risk for zoonotic Giardia-transmission.

Light is one of the factors affecting physiological functions in living things. In the present study, reproductive functions of male rats exposed to different wavelengths of light were evaluated. For this purpose, a total of 56 male Sprague Dawley rats were used in 7 groups (n = 8 per group). Rats were exposed to light spectrum with different wavelengths for 63 days. It was observed that malondialdehyde levels were lower in the orange (2.77 ± 0.16 nmol*mL-1), red (4.27 ± 0.17 nmol*mL-1), yellow (5.14 ± 0.15 nmol*mL-1) and green (5.56 ± 0.40 nmol*mL-1) coloured light group compared to the other groups [purple (7.07 ± 0.96 nmol*mL-1), blue (7.52 ± 0.89 nmol*mL-1), white (8.59 ± 1.20 nmol*mL-1)] (P < 0.001). The lowest glutathione levels were observed in purple (86.82 ± 1.63 nmol mL-1), blue (101.25 ± 3.61 nmol*mL-1), yellow (105.44 ± 1.70 nmol*mL-1) and green (108.11 ± 0.51 nmol*mL-1) coloured groups, respectively. The lowest sperm motility percentage was found in blue (29.16 ± 11.40), purple (56.25 ± 3.36), green (62.50 ± 4.91) and white (69.58 ± 5.51) coloured light groups compared to the other groups (P < 0.001). Epididymal sperm density decreased significantly in rats exposed to purple, orange and blue light (P < 0.001). The abnormal sperm ratio was higher in the blue and white light group compared to the other groups (P < 0.001). Histological examinations showed that tubulus seminiferus contortus diameter and germinal cell thickness decreased significantly in the purple light treatment (P < 0.001). As a summary, the application of purple and blue light has negative effects on the reproductive function in rats.

Histopathological alterations caused by Thaparocleidus vistulensis (Siwak, 1932) on the European catfish Silurus glanis Linnaeus, 1758 were investigated by histopathology and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The pathological effects of T. vistulensis on the gills of the European catfish were mainly related to the attachment sites of the parasite to its host, but damage also affected adjacent structures. The primary attachment relies on the anchors at the opisthaptor which commonly adheres both superficially and deeply, into the basal region between adjacent secondary lamellae. At the attachment sites, the haptoral disc of the parasites formed deep concave cup-like depressions on the surface of the gill lamellae. Deep anchor penetration occasionally distorted the extracellular cartilaginous matrix and induced a marked proliferation of epithelial tissue. Epithelial hyperplasia leading to lamellar fusion and subsequent extravasated erythrocytes in the gill lamellae was also observed. The damage caused by the parasites also led to the fusion of lamellae at the tips of the heavily infected gill filaments, forming club-like structures. Epithelial eosinophilic granular cells were frequently observed at the attachment sites. The pathological changes caused by this monopisthocotylan parasite frame the need to implement effective management strategies for controlling T. vistulensis infections in farmed European catfish populations.

Objective: To identify associations between the occurrence of sacrocaudal fusion and the potential morphology of certain hind limb bones in actively racing greyhounds.

Methods: The calcaneus, talus and patella from each hind limb were collected from 94 male and 77 female mature greyhound cadavers and grouped into four groups; right or left bones from greyhounds with a standard or fused sacrum. The measurements were recorded for the following parameters: body mass of the greyhound, mass, length, and width of the right and left calcanei, tali and patellae.

Results: A fused sacrum (4 sacral vertebrae) was present in 41% of specimens. The right and left calcanei, tali and patellae in greyhounds with a standard or fused sacrum were anatomically similar. Overall, left to right asymmetry was found, in the width of calcaneus (P < 0.01) and the talus (P < 0.05) and the length of calcaneus (P < 0.001) all these being larger in bones from the left hind limbs. Comparing bones from dogs with a fused or unfused sacrum showed that the right calcaneus length (P < 0.05) was significantly less than the left in those greyhounds with standard sacrum; the right calcaneus width was significantly less (P < 0.01) than the left in those with a fused sacrum. There were no significant differences in the means of measurements of bones between greyhounds with a standard and those with a fused sacrum except for the mass of the right (95% CI 0.22 to 1.10, P < 0.01) and left (95% CI 0.18 to 1.04, P < 0.01) calcaneus which were heavier in greyhounds with a fused sacrum than those with a standard sacrum.

Conclusion: In a population of greyhounds that race on anticlockwise tracks, the left calcaneus was wider and longer than the right and the left talus was wider. This asymmetry was more significant in dogs with sacrocaudal fusion and those dogs had more massive calcanei than dogs with standard sacrums, suggesting a difference in the way these bones were loaded in dogs with sacrocaudal fusion compared to dogs with the standard sacral anatomy.

Oral nerve blocks are an indispensable technique for pre-emptive pain management in various veterinary procedures, including tooth extractions. Local anaesthetic drugs are considered the safest and the most effective agents to inhibit oral pain. Recently, tramadol was used as an adjuvant to local anaesthetics to increase the duration of analgesia. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of maxillary nerve block induced by lidocaine or lidocaine-tramadol on perioperative pain in dogs undergoing upper fourth premolar extraction. A randomized blinded clinical study was conducted over five months involving sixteen animals divided into two groups, Group L (8 animals, Group Lidocaine) and Group LT (8 animals, Group Lidocaine-Tramadol). Both drugs provided effective pain control during and after surgical intervention, but lidocaine-tramadol resulted in longer analgesia than lidocaine alone. These findings suggest that the maxillary nerve block with lidocaine-tramadol can ensure adequate and prolonged pain control in dogs undergoing dental extraction. Although these are preliminary results, tramadol showed promising effects as a potential drug to use during oral surgery in association to local anaesthetics.

The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a granulosa cell-derived hormone that has been associated with female fertility and reflects the population of growing follicles. This study aimed to evaluate the average concentration of AMH in Lipizzaner mares, as well as to determine the relationship between AMH concentration and follicle number and size. We also investigated the relationship between the age of mares and their AMH levels. The possible effect of seasonality of AMH levels was also assessed. Twenty-three mares between 6 and 24 years of age were included in the experiment. Mares were divided into two groups: Group 1 included mares aged 6 - 15 years (n = 11), while Group 2 included individuals older than 15 years of age (n = 12). Venous blood was collected and ovarian activity was monitored parallelly by transrectal ultrasonography. Serum AMH concentrations varied widely between the two different groups. AMH concentrations were significantly lower in old mares than in younger animals. A positive relationship was detected between AMH concentration and the number of medium-sized follicles (P = 0.022), large follicles (P = 0.016) and the total follicle count (P = 0.026). No seasonal effect was detected.

This study aimed to contribute to the conservation of red pandas by improving the understanding of their oestrus cycle through examining urinary hormone changes during their breeding season. To minimize stress associated with blood sample collection, we used urine samples Sex hormone levels were measured over six months in pregnant and nonpregnant red pandas, to help understand changes in oestrogen concentrations during oestrus, post-mating progesterone concentrations and differences in ceruloplasmin concentrations. The results of the study revealed that female red pandas are polyoestrous, with a second oestrogen peak after mating. Progesterone changed in a cascading fashion, peaking and then gradually declining. Successfully mated females showed higher levels of progesterone than unsuccessfully mated females, which had no peak in progesterone after mating. Ceruloplasmin was measured to confirm pregnancy, but its value as a pregnancy diagnostic factor was not confirmed. These results provide significant insights into the reproductive physiology of red pandas and lay the foundation for additional research towards improving the management and breeding strategies for this threatened species.

In this publication various serum biochemistry and haematology parameters were determined from blood samples obtained from captive adult individuals of an exotic quail species, the mountain quail (Oreortyx pictus, Douglas, 1829). Venipuncture was performed in the second half of the breeding season from six roosters (males) and seven hens (females). During the examination, in addition to the haematological elements, basic parameters of serum enzyme levels, the products of protein metabolism, uric acid and the most important ions were monitored. The results are presented as a reference in future diagnostic tests for certain diseases. The blood parameters of the bird species examined in this study have not yet been published earlier.

Microscopic signs indicative of drowning are not specific to drowning but also to any other form of suffocation where mechanical obstruction is involved. Our study aimed to evaluate both macroscopic and microscopic findings across different groups sharing a common mechanism of death but differing causes and to compare the diatom test with pathohistological examination.Twenty-nine adult Wistar rats, weighing within recommended ranges, were divided into four groups (L1-L4). The diatom test followed established guidelines for diatoms in water from the Bosna River. Microscopic examination revealed diatoms in the lungs of rats in L3 and L4 groups. Pathohistological findings showed varying degrees of changes including consolidation and inflammatory cell infiltration, dominated by lymphocytes and macrophages, with some samples also showing eosinophilic leukocytes.Significant differences were observed between animals whose cause of death was mechanical asphyxia (suffocatio) and those that were submersed for1 hour versus those that were submersed for 72 hours after death. Diatoms identified in group L4 samples 3, 4, and 5 included Navicula sp. (U3 and U6) and Ulnaria ulna (U4).Our findings suggest combining the diatom test with pathohistological analysis to support a drowning diagnosis. Further examination of other organs could enhance result reliability.

The aim of this study was to investigate some biochemical and tissue changes associated with Salmonella gallinarum infection in laying hens (LHs), and the complicities of oxidative stress (OS). Fifty LHs were assigned to two groups of 25 LHs infected with S. gallinarum (109 cfu*mL-1 of S. gallinarum) and 25 uninfected controls. Biochemical assays and histopathology were carried out following standard procedures. There was a significant loss of body weight, drop in egg production, as well as 28% mortality in the infected group. Serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, as well as serum total protein, globulin, total cholesterol, total bilirubin, uric acid, creatinine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly higher, whereas serum albumin levels were significantly lower in infected LHs. There were inflammatory, degenerative and necrotic changes observed in the affected organs. Considering the significant elevation in MDA levels coupled with elevated SOD activity in the infected LHs, OS may play a significant role in the pathology of fowl typhoid and may suggest a possible treatment of infected layers with antioxidants.