Programmed Death-Ligand (PD-L1), Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Relaxin, and Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 (MMP3): Potential Biomarkers of Malignancy in Canine Mammary Neoplasia.

Gene expression has been suggested as a putative tool for prognosis and diagnosis in canine mammary neoplasia (CMNs). In the present study, 58 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) paraffined canine mammary neoplasias from 27 different bitches were included. Thirty-seven tumours were classified as benign, whereas thirty-one were classified as different types of canine carcinoma.

Canine Mammary Neoplasia Induces Variations in the Peripheral Blood Levels of CD20, CD45RA, and CD99.

The idea of using tumour biomarkers as diagnostic tools is progressively increasing. Of these, serum biomarkers are of particular interest, as they can provide rapid results. In the present study, serum samples from 26 bitches diagnosed with mammary tumours, plus 4 healthy bitches, were obtained.

Importance of Water Transport in Mammalian Female Reproductive Tract.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are involved in water homeostasis in tissues and are ubiquitous in the reproductive tract. AQPs are classified into classical aquaporins (AQP0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8), aquaglycerolporins (AQP3, 7, 9, and 10) and superaquaporins (AQP11 and 12). Nine AQPs were described in the mammalian female reproductive tract.

Evaluation of the Probiotic In Vitro Potential of Lactic Acid-Producing Bacteria from Canine Vagina: Possible Role in Vaginal Health.

Lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB) are being widely studied due to their probiotic potential. The aim of the present study was to determine and identify the presence of LAB from canine vaginal samples, as well as to evaluate their probiotic in vitro potential. Ninety-four bitches were included in the study.

Inflammatory Markers in Uterine Lavage Fluids of Pregnant, Non-Pregnant, and Intrauterine Device Implanted Mares on Days 10 and 15 Post Ovulation.

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are used in mares to suppress oestrous behaviour, but the underlying mechanism is yet to be elucidated. The presence of an embryo or an IUD prevents cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and, subsequently, prostaglandin (PG) release and luteolysis. However, inflammation may also be involved.

Microbial Prevalence and Antimicrobial Sensitivity in Equine Endometritis in Field Conditions.

Endometritis is one of the main causes of infertility in mares. In the present study, 363 mares with a history of repetitive infertility, and positive endometrial cytology and/or vaginal discharge were included. An endometrial swab for microbiological purposes plus sensitivity test was obtained from each mare.

Changes in Acute Phase Proteins in Bitches after Laparoscopic, Midline, and Flank Ovariectomy Using the Same Method for Hemostasis.

Acute phase proteins (APP) are biomarkers of systemic inflammation, which allow monitoring the evolution of diseases, the response to treatments, and post-operative complications. Ovariectomy (OVE) is frequently performed in veterinary medicine and can be a useful model to evaluate surgical trauma and inflammation in the bitch. The objective was to investigate and compare the acute phase response (APR) after applying three different OVE techniques by measuring serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (Hp), albumin (Alb), and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1).

Red LED Light Acts on the Mitochondrial Electron Chain of Mammalian Sperm via Light-Time Exposure-Dependent Mechanisms.

This work analyzes the effects of red LED light on mammalian sperm mitochondrial function, using the pig as an animal model. Liquid-stored pig semen was stimulated with red-light for 1, 5 and 10 min in the presence or absence of oligomycin A, a specific inhibitor of mitochondrial ATP synthase, or carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP), a specific disruptor of mitochondrial electron chain. Whereas exposure for 1 and 5 min significantly ( < 0.

Urine glucose concentration: A useful parameter as a surrogate for glycaemia on the first day of life in canine neonates.

Introduction: Hypoglycaemia is a well-known risk factor in neonatal puppies and kittens; glycaemia control is crucial during the first days of life. Kidneys immaturity provokes the presence of physiological glycosuria during the first 2-3 weeks of life in small animals.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of glycosuria as a predictor of glycaemia in neonatal puppies during the first two weeks of life.

Medium-term effects of the diluted pig semen irradiation with red LED light on the integrity of nucleoprotein structure and resilience to withstand thermal stress.

This study sought to evaluate the effects of irradiating pig seminal doses with red LED light irradiation on their quality and longevity over liquid-storage at 17 °C. For this purpose, boar ejaculates were diluted in a commercial extender at a final concentration of 3 × 10 sperm/mL and stored at 17 °C for 96 h. Upon arrival to our laboratory (5-6 h within collection), 1.

In vitro assessment of egg yolk-, soya bean lecithin- and liposome-based extenders for cryopreservation of dairy bull semen.

The study was conducted to compare the effect of four commercially available extenders (Triladyl®- egg yolk-based; Andromed® and Bioxcell®-plant based and Optixcell®-liposome-based) on post-thaw sperm quality and functionality variables evaluated using computer-assisted sperm analysis and flow cytometry. A total of 30 ejaculates from five bulls were analysed. With use of Triladyl®, sperm had a greater post-thaw total motility than with use of Bioxell® and Optixcell® but there was no difference as compared with use of Andromed® with the greatest (P < 0.

Tyrosine phosphorylation is not a relevant mechanism to modulate aquaporin 2 activity in gestational queen endometrium and placenta.

Aquaporins have been shown to be regulated by phosphorylation of serine residues, but the possible role of tyrosine residues phosphorylation has not been evaluated. Changes in the localization of aquaporin 2 (AQP2) in the queen endometrium have been related to serum progesterone levels. The aim of this study was to determine whether these AQP2-localization changes are mediated by variations in its tyrosine phosphorylation levels.

Uterine and placental specific localization of AQP2 and AQP8 is related with changes of serum progesterone levels in pregnant queens.

Aquaporins play vital roles in reproductive physiology. This study evaluates the expression and localization dynamics of AQP1, AQP2, AQP3 and AQP8 in the endometrium and placental transference zone during pregnancy in queens by means of immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Animals were distributed into six groups: non-pregnant queens with low levels of serum progesterone (P), non-pregnant animals with high P levels, and queens at 30, 40, 50 and 60 days of pregnancy.

Cyclooxygenase-2 is inhibited in prolonged luteal maintenance induced by intrauterine devices in mares.

Treatment with intrauterine devices (IUD) prolongs luteal phases in mares, but the mechanism for this has not been fully elucidated. The aims of the present study were to examine how IUDs affect the uterus to induce longer luteal phases, particularly the role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the maintenance of the corpus luteum (CL). Twenty-seven reproductively normal mares were included: 12 were inseminated (AI), and 15 were fitted with IUDs.

Placental and uterine expression of GLUT3, but not GLUT1, is related with serum progesterone levels during the first stages of pregnancy in queens.

The present study investigated the expression of GLUT1 and GLUT3 in the uterus and placental transference zone of non-pregnant and pregnant queens throughout different pregnancy ages, using immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting techniques. Both GLUT1 and GLUT3 were expressed in both uterine glandular and luminal epithelia and myometrium in pregnant and non-pregnant queens. While endometrial endothelia showed expression of GLUT1 in both pregnant and non-pregnant queens, GLUT3 was only expressed in the pregnant counterparts.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines: Useful markers for the diagnosis of canine mammary tumours?

The aim of the present study was to analyse the expression of 60 pro-inflammatory cytokines as possible markers of malignancy in canine mammary tumours using a human cytokine antibody array. The cytokines were grouped into two different categories: (1) cytokines in which expression indicated the presence of a mammary tumour and (2) cytokines in which expression differentiated between simple mammary adenoma, tubulopapillary carcinoma or complex carcinoma. These data suggest that specific pro-inflammatory cytokines could be useful as tools for the diagnosis of canine mammary tumours.

Effects on the equine endometrium of cervical occlusion after insemination.

Cervical patency is considered to be important for uterine drainage after mating or artificial insemination (AI), and failure to relax or premature tightening of the cervix can lead to persistent endometritis. This study investigated the hypothesis that cervical occlusion after AI increases accumulation of fluid, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), and cytokines in the uterine lumen. Endometrial swabs were obtained from 29 normal cyclic mares during the first, third, and fifth estrus and biopsies during the first and fifth estrus.

Non-invasive in vivo measurement of cardiac output in C57BL/6 mice using high frequency transthoracic ultrasound: evaluation of gender and body weight effects.

Even though mice are being increasingly used as models for human cardiovascular diseases, non-invasive monitoring of cardiovascular parameters such as cardiac output (CO) in this species is challenging. In most cases, the effects of gender and body weight (BW) on these parameters have not been studied. The objective of this study was to provide normal reference values for CO in C57BL/6 mice, and to describe possible gender and/or BW associated differences between them.

Coagulation parameters do not change during luteal phase and pregnancy in cats.

Changes in coagulation parameters depending on reproductive status and pregnancy have been previously reported in both human and other veterinary species. The objective of this study was to determine if different reproductive status affects coagulation parameters in queens. Blood samples from 66 queens submitted to spay surgery were obtained.