Clinical trials of intratesticular administration of nanostructured lipid carriers encapsulated alpha-mangostin: Safety and efficacy on feline reproductive health.

Surgical castration is a primary method for controlling male fertility, but it is impractical for large-scale population control of stray animals. Developing nanoparticle-mediated sterilants that induce cell apoptosis rather than necrosis is a complex and promising area of research. This study aimed to investigate the impact of intratesticular administration of alpha-mangostin encapsulated in nanostructured lipid carriers (AM-NLC) on testicular changes and any associated adverse effects over a 168-day observation period.

Ultrasonographic measurement of the prostatic dimension-to-aortic luminal diameter in healthy intact male dogs and dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Objectives: To establish ultrasonographic measurements of the prostatic dimension-to-aortic luminal diameter ratios including the prostatic volume-to-aortic luminal diameter ratio in healthy, intact male dogs and compare these ratios between healthy dogs and dogs affected by benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Materials And Methods: Healthy dogs (n = 75) and dogs affected by benign prostatic hyperplasia (n = 104) were included in the study. Prostate length, width, average height and aortic luminal diameter were measured from ultrasonographic images.

Unlocking perspectives on surgical sterilization in dogs and cats: A comprehensive study among Thai veterinary professionals.

Gaining insights into the opinions and attitudes of veterinarians is essential for enhancing the sterilization rate, given their influential role in guiding pet owners. This study investigated the attitudes and practices of Thai veterinarians concerning surgical sterilization in dogs and cats. The survey was conducted from August 2022 to December 2022 and distributed through online and on-site questionnaires across all regions of Thailand.

Proliferation and apoptosis studies of interplacental areas after aglepristone treatment for planned cesarean section in pregnant bitches.

Background And Aim: Progesterone (P4) is the main hormone for pregnancy maintenance, occurring approximately 62-64 days after ovulation in bitches. Progesterone acts by binding to specific receptors. Aglepristone is a progesterone receptor (PR) antagonist with a higher affinity for PR binding.

Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli causing canine pyometra and urinary tract infections are genetically related but distinct from those causing prostatic abscesses.

Despite extensive characterisation of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) causing urinary tract infections (UTIs), the genetic background of non-urinary extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) in companion animals remains inadequately understood. In this study, we characterised virulence traits of 104 E.

Advancing canine mammary tumor diagnostics: Unraveling the diagnostic potential of Cytokeratin 19 through droplet digital PCR analysis.

Cytokeratin 19 (CK19) is a complex intracytoplasmic cytoskeletal protein primarily localized in the ducts of the mammary gland and skin epithelial cells. In humans, the expression of CK19 gene within circulating tumor cells (CTCs) extracted from blood samples of breast cancer patients reflects tumor cell activity, offering valuable insights for predicting early metastatic relapse or monitoring treatment effectiveness. However, knowledge of serum tumor markers is limited in veterinary oncology.

Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone Levels and Estrous Monitoring of GnRH Agonist Deslorelin-Induced Estrus in Bitches: A Pilot Study.

This study was performed to monitor estrous patterns and, more importantly, changes in anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations during the peri-ovulatory period in deslorelin-induced estrous bitches. Healthy anestrous bitches (n = 4) were used. Estrus and ovulation were monitored after deslorelin implantation.

Validation of droplet digital PCR for cytokeratin 19 mRNA detection in canine peripheral blood and mammary gland.

In humans, peripheral blood cytokeratin 19 (CK19) mRNA-positive circulating tumor cells (CTCs) was utilized to identify early-stage breast cancer patients with micrometastatic disease who are at risk for disease progression and monitor treatment response in patients with advanced disease. To our knowledge, there has been little research regarding CK19 in canine mammary tumors (CMTs) using molecular methods. A droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) is proposed as a precise and sensitive quantification of nucleic acid targets.

The evaluation of non-anesthetic computed tomography for detection of pulmonary parenchyma in feline mammary gland carcinoma: a preliminary study.

Background: Thoracic radiography in awake cats is a common procedure for the evaluation of pulmonary metastasis in feline mammary gland carcinoma (MGC). However, due to poor sensitivity, computed tomography (CT) is progressively taking its place. To perform CT in animals, general anesthesia is normally preferred but can cause lung atelectasis, affecting lung interpretation.

Support vector regression algorithm modeling to predict the parturition date of small - to medium-sized dogs using maternal weight and fetal biparietal diameter.

Background And Aim: Fetal biparietal diameter (BPD) is a feasible parameter to predict canine parturition date due to its inverted correlation with days before parturition (DBP). Although such a relationship is generally described using a simple linear regression (SLR) model, the imprecision of this model in predicting the parturition date in small- to medium-sized dogs is a common problem among veterinarian practitioners. Support vector regression (SVR) is a useful machine learning model for prediction.

Molecular studies on oestrogen α and progesterone receptors and histomorphometric analysis of canine uteri following aglepristone treatment.

Aglepristone, a competitive progesterone antagonist, is successfully used in various progesterone-dependent conditions. This study investigated uterine histomorphometric analysis, and expressions of the oestrogen α receptor (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) in uteri of bitches following the single dose of aglepristone treatment. Twelve client-owned healthy diestrous bitches were used in the study.

Impact of gonadal status on ultrasonographic renal parenchymal dimensions in healthy cats.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of gonadal status on ultrasonographic renal parenchymal dimensions in healthy cats.

Methods: Forty healthy cats (10 intact males, 10 intact females, 10 castrated males and 10 spayed females) presented to the Division of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, and the Diagnostic Imaging Unit at The Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University. They were ultrasonographically examined to assess renal length, aortic luminal diameter, cortical thickness and medullary thickness.

Prenatal diagnosis of foetal hydrocephalus and suspected X-linked recessive inheritance of cleft lip in a Chihuahua.

A 3.5-year-old, 2.9 kg, multiparous Chihuahua presented with abdominal distension; pregnancy was diagnosed.

Age-related changes in interstitial fibrosis and germ cell degeneration of the canine testis.

Fifty-five healthy medium-sized dogs were divided into four groups; young (1-3 years old, n = 14), adult (>3 to 6 years old, n = 12), old (>6 to 9 years old, n = 14) and senile (>9 years old, n = 15). After routine orchiectomy, testes were collected, and the degree of white streak areas on cut surfaces was subjectively assessed. Later, testicular tissue sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome for evaluation of germ cell degeneration and the proportion of interstitial connective tissue, respectively.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone-modified chitosan as a safe and efficient gene delivery vector for spermatogonia cells.

The use of male gonadal tissue as a site for the local delivery of DNA is an interesting concept. Previously, we reported synthesis, physiochemical and biological properties of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-conjugated chitosan as a carrier for DNA delivery to GnRH receptor-overexpressing cells. In this study, the application of modified chitosan as a potential vector for gene delivery to testicular cells was carried out.

Formulation, physical, in vitro and ex vivo evaluation of nanomedicine-based chemosterilant for non-surgical castration of male animals.

The overpopulation of free-roaming companion animals has become the global crisis. The development and application of a suitable, effective, non-surgical approach for animal sterilization would have an enormous advantage over the current surgical method. The main purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a novel nanomedicine-based chemosterilant for non-surgical castration of male companion animals.

Reproductive aging in male dogs: The epididymal sperm defects and expression of androgen receptor in reproductive tissues.

The present study aimed at investigating age-related changes in epididymal sperm motility, morphology, DNA integrity and androgen receptor (AR) expression in canine reproductive tissues. Fifty-five healthy medium-sized male dogs were divided into four groups: young (1 - 3 years old, n = 14), adult (>3 - 6 years old, n = 12), old (>6 - 9 years old, n = 14) and senile (>9 years old, n = 15). After routine castration, testes, epididymides (head, body and tail) and vas deferens were collected.

Nanocarrier-mediated delivery of α-mangostin for non-surgical castration of male animals.

The overpopulation of abandoned and stray companion animals has become a global crisis. The main purpose of this study was to develop a novel nanomedicine-based antifertility compound for non-surgical castration of male animals. Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L) pericarp extract has been shown to exhibit anti-fertility property.

Chitosan-based DNA delivery vector targeted to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the application of modified chitosan as a potential vector for gene delivery to gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR)-expressing cells. Such design of gene carrier could be useful in particular for gene therapy for cancers related to the reproductive system, gene disorders of sexual development, and contraception and fertility control. In this study, a decapeptide GnRH was successfully conjugated to chitosan (CS) as confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H NMR) and Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR).

Collagen and glycosaminoglycan profiles in the canine cervix during different stages of the estrous cycle and in open- and closed-cervix pyometra.

The extracellular matrix of the cervix that comprises collagen, elastin, proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) is thought to have an essential role in cervical relaxation. This study investigated the proportion of collagen and smooth muscle as well as the GAGs in cervices obtained from healthy bitches at different stages of the estrous cycle and bitches with open- and closed-cervix pyometra. Cervices were collected after ovariohysterectomy.

Effects of cold storage prior to freezing on superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase activities, level of total reactive oxygen species and sperm quality in dogs.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are one of several crucial factors that cause mammalian sperm damage during handling and preservation. Their deleterious effects can be restricted by the action of antioxidants. The present study aimed at investigating: (i) effects of cold storage prior to freezing on activities of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase; SOD and glutathione peroxidase; GPx) and level of total reactive oxygen species (tROS); and (ii) effects of SOD or SOD plus GPx supplementation to chilled (3 and 96 h) and frozen-thawed semen.

Expression of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor in the dog prostate.

A possible role for gonadotrophins luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the prostate physiology has been suggested in humans and rats. This study aimed at investigating the presence of receptors for LH and FSH (LHR and FSHR) in the canine prostate. Prostates were collected at post mortem from 6 clinically healthy, sexually intact beagles free from any prostatic disorder.

Effect of the gonadal status and the gender on glycosaminoglycans profile in the lower urinary tract of dogs.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) form a functional component of connective tissues that affect the structural and functional integrity of the lower urinary tract (LUT). The specific GAGs of physiological relevance are both nonsulfated (hyaluronan) and sulfated GAGs (chondroitin sulphate [CS], dermatan sulphate [DS], keratan sulphate [KS], and heparan sulphate [HS]). As GAG composition in the LUT is hormonally regulated, we postulated that gonadectomy-induced endocrine imbalance alters the profile of GAGs in the canine LUT.

Expression of prostaglandin E₂ receptor subtypes in the canine lower urinary tract varies according to the gonadal status and gender.

Locally-synthesised prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) is pivotal for the function of the lower urinary tract (LUT). This study aimed at investigating the expression and distribution pattern of the four PGE₂ receptor (EP) subtypes in the LUT of intact and gonadectomised male and female dogs. Expression for EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4 and their mRNA (EP2, EP3, and EP4) was investigated.

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in the canine lower urinary tract with regard to the effects of gonadal status and gender.

As pituitary gonadotrophins can induce prostaglandin (PG) synthesis and receptors for LH and FSH are present in the canine lower urinary tract (LUT), the objectives of this study were to (i) investigate the expression of COX-2, a key rate-limiting enzyme in PG production, in the canine LUT and (ii) determine if COX-2 expression differs between gender, gonadal status (intact and gonadectomised) and LUT regions. Four regions (body and neck of the bladder as well as proximal and distal urethra) of the LUT were obtained from 20 clinically healthy dogs (5 intact males, 5 intact anoestrous females, 4 castrated males, 6 spayed females). In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were performed to determine the presence of COX-2 mRNA and protein, respectively.