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Purpose To investigate the impact of a 3-month course of intracortical injections of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) upon ovarian reserve markers versus no intervention in women with low ovarian reserve prior to undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART). Methods Prospective controlled, non-randomized comparative study conducted in a private fertility clinic, in Venezuela. Women with abnormal ovarian reserve markers (FSH, AMH and AFC) who declined oocyte donation were allocated to one of the following groups according to patient choice: monthly intracortical ovarian PRP injections for three cycles, or no intervention. Primary outcomes were the change in FSH, AMH and AFC pre-and post-treatment. Secondary outcomes included the number of oocytes collected and fertilized, biochemical/clinical pregnancy rates and miscarriage and live birth rates. Results Eighty-three women were included, of which 46 received PRP treatment and 37 underwent no intervention. Overall median age was 41 years (IQR 39-44). There were no demographic differences between the study groups. At the 3-month follow-up, women treated with PRP experienced a significant improvement in FSH, AMH and AFC, whereas there was no change in the control group. Furthermore, overall rates of biochemical (26.1% versus 5.4%, P = 0.02) and clinical pregnancy (23.9% versus 5.4%, P = 0.03) were higher in the PRP group, while there was no difference in the rates of first trimester miscarriage and live birth between groups. Conclusion PRP injections are effective and safe to improve markers of low ovarian reserve prior to ART, although further evidence is required to evaluate the impact of PRP on pregnancy outcomes.

SummaryVenous thromboembolism may be efficiently treated by one single daily administration of a high dose of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). The present study investigates if the physiological deterioration of renal function associated with normal aging or the presence of an acute venous thromboembolism influences the pharmacodynamic pattern of the anti-factor Xa and anti-thrombin activities. Three groups of 12 subjects were investigated. The first 2 groups were composed of healthy volunteers differing by age (25 ± 4 and 65 ± 3 yrs) and creati-nine clearance (114 ± 15 and 62 ± 6 ml · min –1). The third group was composed of patients hospitalized for deep vein thrombosis, having a mean age of 65 ± 11 yrs and creatinine clearance of 76 ± 8 ml · min –1. Nadroparin was administered subcutaneously once daily at the dose of 180 anti-factor Xa IU.kg–1 for 6 to 10 days. Serial sampling on day 1 and on the last day of administration (day n) allowed the pharmacodynamic parameters of the anti-factor Xa and anti-thrombin activities to be compared at the begining and at the end of the treatment. The main findings were the following: (1) After repeated administration, a significant accumulation of the anti-factor Xa activity was observed in the healthy elderly and in the patients but not in the healthy young subjects (accumulation factor: 1.3). There was no evidence of accumulation of anti-thrombin activity; (2) There were significant correlations between the clearance of creatinine and the clearance of the anti-factor Xa activity but not with that of the anti-thrombin activity; (3) In the patients, the clearance of the anti-factor Xa and of the anti-thrombin activities were 1.4 and 2 times higher respectively than those calculated in the healthy elderly; (4) The mean ratio of the of anti-factor Xa and anti-thrombin clearances was close to 2 in the healthy subjects but equal to 5.4 in the patients. These results suggest that the mechanisms involved in the clearance of polysaccharide chains which support the anti-thrombin activity are different from those of the anti-factor Xa activity and that the enhanced binding properties of plasma proteins to unfractionated heparin reported in patients presenting an acute venous thromboembolism also exists for LMWH, predominantly for the anti-thrombin activity.

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Contents Over the last 10–15 years, long‐acting GnRH agonists have become widely available. In the field of small animal reproduction, most recent studies have focused on the use of two compounds developed under the form of subcutaneous implants: azagly‐nafarelin and deslorelin. Only the latter has been commercially available for use in male dogs, first in Australia and New Zealand, then in several countries of the European Union since 2008. Although officially marketed for male dogs, this compound has also been studied in bitches and more recently in queens. Some published papers or recent presentations at congresses – still unpublished – have focused on the use of GnRH agonists implants in females.

Defective skin barrier characterize canine atopic dermatitis (AD). Pyoderma is the most common complication. Herbal compounds have been suggested as alternatives to control bacterial colonization for their effect on natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). This study evaluated the effects of 0.1% Peumus boldus leaf and Spiraea ulmaria plant extract combination on clinical signs, bacterial colonization and AMPs secretion in atopic dogs compared to placebo. Twenty privately-owned atopic dogs were randomly divided in 2 groups (treatment: n = 10; placebo: n = 10) and their abdomen was sprayed every 24 h for 4 weeks. Total and inguinal clinical scores (CADESI-03), manual bacterial count, and skin washes for AMPs (cBD3-like and cCath) were performed on days 0, 14 and 28. AMPs were detected using in-house, previously-validated, canine-specific ELISAs. Data were statistically analyzed and a p < 0.05 was considered significant. Clinical scores and AMPs secretion did not differ significantly between the two groups at any time point. A significant reduction of the clinical scores was seen in the placebo group at 14 and 28 days (p < 0.04). On days 14 and 28, a reduction in the bacterial count was seen in the treated group compared with placebo (p < 0.009 and p = 0.04, respectively). Compared to baseline, a reduction in Staphylococcus spp. was seen in the treated group after 14 days of treatment (p < 0.03). These results show the efficacy of this plant extract combination against bacterial colonization, suggesting its potential usefulness in preventing bacterial infection in atopic dogs. The influence of this compound on AMPs secretion or other mechanisms should be further evaluated.

BackgroundTwo experimental studies using a transmission blocking model with Dermacentor reticulatus ticks infected with Babesia canis were performed to test the ability of Effitix® to prevent the transmission of babesiosis in dogs.MethodsFour groups of seven dogs (experiment 1) and one group of eight dogs (experiment 2) were treated topically with a novel combination of fipronil and permethrin in a spot-on formulation (Effitix®, Virbac) respectively 28, 21, 14 and 7 days (experiment 1) and 2 days (experiment 2) prior to tick infestation. In each study, a control group of seven dogs (experiment 1) and eight dogs (experiment 2) remained untreated. On day 0, all dogs were infested with adult D.reticulatus ticks harboring B. canis. An efficacy failure (successfully infected) was regarded as a dog in the treated groups that was tested serologically positive for B.canis antibodies, using an indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay and tested positive for B.canis by DNA-assay using PCR analysis.ResultsB.canis was transmitted by D.reticulatus to all untreated dogs (experiment 1) and six untreated dogs out of eight (experiment 2) as confirmed by IFA and PCR assays. The large majority of treated dogs (92.9% in experiment 1 and 100% in experiment 2) remained sero-negative over the challenge period.ConclusionsThe treatment of dogs with Effitix® applied 2 to 28 days prior to infestation with D. reticulatus harboring B.canis, successfully prevented the transmission of canine babesiosis.