Sperm collection in the domestic cat: A comparison of two techniques.

Semen collection in cats in the clinic setting can be difficult. However, semen analysis is vital when evaluating breeding soundness of a male. Electroejaculation (EEJ) is currently the most reliable semen collection method but requires specialized equipment and training of the operator.

Growth factor and cytokine characterization of canine platelet lysate with variable leukocyte concentration, plasma content, and heat-sensitive proteins.

Background: Platelet lysate is an acellular platelet product containing factors released from secretory granules, including cytokines and growth factors. This study aimed to evaluate different centrifugation methods used to prepare canine platelet lysate with variable content of leukocytes, plasma, and heat-sensitive proteins.

Methods: Whole blood was collected from six dogs and two double-spin preparation methods were used to generate the platelet-rich plasma with reduced (PRP) and high (L-PRP) concentration of leukocytes.

The Characteristics and Function of Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Human Bone Marrow and Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Are Influenced by Cell Culture Conditions.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC-EVs) have been proposed as a novel therapeutic tool with numerous clinically related advantages. However, their characteristics and functionality are dependent on the source of MSCs and their cell culture conditions. Fetal bovine serum (FBS) provides a source of nutrients and growth factors to the cultured cells.

Heterologous prime-boost H1N1 vaccination exacerbates disease following challenge with a mismatched H1N2 influenza virus in the swine model.

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) pose a significant threat to both human and animal health. Developing IAV vaccine strategies able to elicit broad heterologous protection against antigenically diverse IAV strains is pivotal in effectively controlling the disease. The goal of this study was to examine the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of diverse H1N1 influenza vaccine strategies including monovalent, bivalent, and heterologous prime-boost vaccination regimens, against a mismatched H1N2 swine influenza virus.

A Novel Neuraminidase Virus-Like Particle Vaccine Offers Protection Against Heterologous H3N2 Influenza Virus Infection in the Porcine Model.

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) pose a global health threat, contributing to hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions of hospitalizations annually. The two major surface glycoproteins of IAVs, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), are important antigens in eliciting neutralizing antibodies and protection against disease. However, NA is generally ignored in the formulation and development of influenza vaccines.

Equine Platelet Lysate Gel: A Matrix for Mesenchymal Stem Cell Delivery.

A variety of bioscaffolds have been developed as carriers for the delivery of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), however, many of them are unable to provide direct cell nourishment, a critical factor for survival and retention of MSCs at the site of delivery. Platelet lysate is a plasma-derived product rich in growth factors that can be turned into a gel matrix following the addition of calcium chloride. Our objective was to characterize growth factor and cytokine release of equine platelet lysate gel (ePL gel) encapsulated with MSCs over time and to measure the viability and proliferation of ePL gel-encapsulated MSCs for up to 14 days.

Investigation of platelet measurands in dogs with hematologic neoplasia.

Introduction: Thrombocytopenia has been associated with some neoplastic processes, including hematologic neoplasia. There is no information regarding specific changes in platelet measurands in dogs with hematologic neoplasia compared with healthy dogs. The objectives of our study were to establish RIs, evaluate platelet measurands in dogs with hematologic neoplasia, and compare these measurands in patients with hematologic malignancies with or without thrombocytopenia.

Fibrinogen-Depleted Equine Platelet Lysate Affects the Characteristics and Functionality of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is widely used to culture mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the laboratory; however, FBS has been linked to adverse immune-mediated reactions prompting the search for alternative cell culture medium. Platelet lysate (PL) as an FBS substitute has been shown to promote MSCs growth without compromising their functionality. Fibrinogen contained in PL has been shown to negatively impact the immune modulating properties of MSCs; therefore, we sought to deplete fibrinogen from PL and compare proliferation, viability, and immunomodulatory capacities of MSCs in FBS or PL without fibrinogen.

Platelet lysate as a novel serum-free media supplement for the culture of equine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) produced for clinical purposes rely on culture media containing fetal bovine serum (FBS) which is xenogeneic and has the potential to significantly alter the MSC phenotype, rendering these cells immunogenic. As a result of bovine-derived exogenous proteins expressed on the cell surface, MSCs may be recognized by the host immune system as non-self and be rejected. Platelet lysate (PL) may obviate some of these concerns and shows promising results in human medicine as a possible alternative to FBS.

Innate immune responses of equine monocytes cultured in equine platelet lysate.

Platelet lysate (PL) has been extensively used for the laboratory expansion of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in order to avoid fetal bovine serum (FBS) which has been associated with immune-mediated host reactions and transmission of bovine-origin microbial contaminants. Before suggesting the routine use of PL for MSC culture, we wanted to further investigate whether PL alone might trigger inflammatory responses when exposed to reactive white blood cells such as monocytes. Our objectives were to evaluate the inflammatory profile of equine monocytes cultured with equine PL (ePL) and to determine if ePL can modulate the expression of inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated monocytes.

Platelet lysate obtained via plateletpheresis performed in standing and awake equine donors.

Background: Platelet preparations containing growth factors, attachment factors, and enzymes are appealing to enhance healing of injured tissues and as an alternative to xenogenic serum in cell culture media. Plateletpheresis is commonly used to collect platelets in human medicine but has not been validated in horses.

Study Design And Methods: Plateletpheresis to collect platelet concentrate was performed on six female, mixed breed, chemically restrained horses using commercially available apheresis equipment.