Stereological analysis of metanephros from domestic cat (Felis catus, Linnaeus 1798) embryos and fetus.

Kidney diseases are the most common illness for cats with a prevalence seven times higher than in dogs. Metanephros is the last of three renal systems to be formed during the embryonic period, which then becomes the permanent kidney. The current work aimed to analyse the morphology and to quantify the structures present in the development of metanephros from domestic cat (Felis catus) embryos and foetuses.

Relationship between fetal biometric assessment by ultrasonography and neonatal lamb vitality, birth weight and growth.

Ultrasonographic examination of pregnant ewes can enable the identification of perinatal abnormalities and establish prenatal assistance responsible for minimizing morbidity and perinatal mortality. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a fetal biometric analysis by ultrasonography to predict neonatal vitality and lamb growth during the first month of life. A longitudinal study was conducted with 13 healthy ewes, subjected to ultrasonographic examination every 15 days from 60 day of pregnancy until lambing, evaluating thoracic diameter, abdominal diameter, biparietal diameter, humerus, femur and placentome length.

Haematological and biochemical analysis of healthy neonatal puppies during the immediate foetal-to-neonatal transition.

For the neonatal patient, precocity of diagnosis is crucial for effectiveness of medical approach. However, the newborn has its own physiological peculiarities due to ongoing adaptive mechanism for extrauterine life and deserves special attention in order to underline a specific management or clinical approach. The objective of this work was to verify clinical adaptations and biochemical balance of neonates during immediate period, with special reference to haematological, renal and metabolic functions.

Hemodynamics of the uterine and umbilical arteries during the perinatal period in ewes.

Examining feto-maternal blood flow is extremely important for accurate prenatal control and predicting adverse conditions during puerperium. We aimed to analyze blood flow of uterine artery (UA) and umbilical artery (UMA) from and subsequent to mid-gestation, lambing and postpartum of 15 ewes, subjected to lambing induction with aglepristone. Hemodynamic variables, diameter and blood flow of UA and UMA were determined by Doppler and B-mode ultrasonography at 60, 90 and 120 days of pregnancy, at 12 h before, 12 h after first aglepristone injection and 12 h after induction and days 1, 3, 5, 7, 15 and 30 after lambing.

Calving duration and obstetric assistance influence pulmonary function of Holstein calves during immediate fetal-to-neonatal transition.

Neonatal immediate adaptation to extrauterine life depends mainly on adequate lung function, which is under the influence of previous fetal maturation and obstetrical condition, both acting to stimulate the efficient liquid removal from the pulmonary parenchyma during the immediate transition period. The objective of the present study is to identify chest radiographic changes of neonatal calves born under the influence of different duration of calving and obstetric assistance and correlate with clinical analysis and blood acid-base balance. Experimental groups were determined according to the duration of calving: 2 h (n  =  16), 2-4 h (n  =  16) and >4 h (n  =  12), and additionally by two sub-groups: no-intervention calving (n  =  22) and intervention calving (n  =  22).

Elastographic and echotextural characteristics of foetal lungs and liver during the final 5 days of intrauterine development in dogs.

Objective was to evaluate the echotexture and characteristics during terminal development of canine foetal respiratory and hepatic systems through elastographic examinations. Fifteen pregnant bitches were evaluated by ultrasonography twice daily, from the 53rd gestational day until whelping, and images obtained from 120 to 0 h before parturition were analysed. Images of foetal lungs and liver were recorded and then used for computer-assisted analyses to determine quantitative attributes.

Redox, acid-base and clinical analysis of preterm and term neonatal lambs.

During pregnancy, fetal lambs are exposed to low oxygen tension. Thus, an effective antioxidant mechanism is partially developed which sensitizes fetus to oxidative stress. Consequently, term and preterm neonates are susceptible to molecular and cellular injury caused by oxygen species (ROS).