O período de transição é um momento de grande desafio para vacas de aptidão leiteira, uma vez que, a maioria dos problemas metabólicos ocorre nesta fase podendo prejudicar toda a expectativa de produção durante a lactação, resultando em impacto econômico significativo para fazendas de produção de leite. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o perfil metabólico de vacas da raça Holandesa durante o período de transição. Doze vacas Holandesas foram avaliadas, três semanas pré-parto até três semanas pós-parto, em sistema free-stall, localizado em Inhaúma, Minas Gerais, no período de outubro a dezembro de 2012. Avaliou-se o perfil metabólico através da concentração sérica de ácidos graxos não esterificados (AGNE), beta hidroxibutirato (BHBA), colesterol (COLES), proteína total (PT), albumina (ALB), cálcio, fósforo, magnésio bem como a atividade sérica das enzimas aspartato transaminase (AST) e lactato desidrogenase (LDH). As concentrações séricas de AGNE e BHBA foram diferentes entre o pré-parto e pós-parto (p<0,05). Observou-se diminuição na concentração de COLES com a aproximação do parto com posterior aumento (p<0,05). As concentrações séricas dos minerais, PT e ALB não apresentaram diferenças (p>0,05) no período avaliado. A atividade enzimática de AST e LDH foram maiores no período pós-parto (p<0,05). A avaliação do perfil metabólico é uma importante ferramenta de monitoramento e, na situação estudada, demonstrou alterações do perfil energético das vacas entre os períodos pré e pós-parto, relacionadas provavelmente a diminuição da ingestão de alimentos. A luz dos resultados do perfil metabólico, o rebanho avaliado possui pequeno risco para a ocorrência de enfermidades no pós-parto relacionadas ao período de transição

The growth, physiology and skin pigmentation of pacamã Lophiosilurus alexandri juveniles were evaluated in an experiment using different tank colours (white, yellow, green, blue, brown and black) over an 80 day period. The tank colours did not cause significant differences to final body mass, total length, survival rate, carcass composition (moisture, crude protein, ash, ether extract, calcium, phosphorus, energy), or to plasma protein, triglyceride and cholesterol values. Haematocrit values, however, were highest for fish kept in white tanks (ANOVA P < 0·05), while the greatest haemoglobin levels were recorded for fish kept in blue and brown tanks (P < 0·01). The concentrations of cortisol (P < 0·001) and glucose (P < 0·01) were the most in fish in the black tanks. Tank colour affected skin pigmentation significantly, with fish in white tanks having the highest values of L* (brightness) and the lowest values in blue and black tanks. L*, however, decreased in all treatments throughout the experiment. C* increased significantly over the course of the experiment in fish kept in white tanks. Similar increases of C* were recorded in the other treatments but to a lesser extent. The use of black tanks during the cultivation of L. alexandri caused stress and should be avoided. Cultivation in white and yellow tanks produced individuals with a pale skin colour, while cultivation in blue and black tanks resulted in juveniles with a darker and more pigmented skin.

No abstract

The pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is not fully understood, and experimental models are an alternative to study this issue. We investigated the effects of a simple carbohydrate-rich diet on the development of obesity-related NAFLD and the impact of physical training on the metabolic abnormalities associated with this disorder. Sixty Wistar rats were randomly separated into experimental and control groups, which were fed with sucrose-enriched (18% simple carbohydrates) and standard diet, respectively. At the end of each experimental period (5, 10, 20, and 30 weeks), 6 animals from each group were sacrificed for blood tests and liver histology and immunohistochemistry. From weeks 25 to 30, 6 animals from each group underwent physical training. The experimental group animals developed obesity and NAFLD, characterized histopathologically by steatosis and hepatocellular ballooning, clinically by increased thoracic circumference and body mass index associated with hyperleptinemia, and metabolically by hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, increased levels of very low-density lipoprotein- (VLDL-) cholesterol, depletion of the antioxidants liver enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, and increased hepatic levels of malondialdehyde, an oxidative stress marker. Rats that underwent physical training showed increased high-density lipoprotein- (HDL-) cholesterol levels. In conclusion, a sucrose-rich diet induced obesity, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and NAFLD in rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the canine blood and urinary profiles after envenomation by Tityus serrulatus venom. Twelve dogs were randomly distributed into two equal groups. Control group animals received 0.5 mL phosphate buffered saline (PBS) injected subcutaneously into the internal portion of the left thigh, whilst dogs in the envenomed group were injected with scorpion venom (250 microg/kg in 0.5 mL PBS). No significant alterations were detected in the urine of envenomed dogs. Levels of plasma glucose and serum urea, creatinine, total protein, potassium, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and amylase were determined. Semi-quantitative analysis of serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) was performed using an immunochromatographic test. The concentrations of cortisol and insulin were determined using commercial radioimmunoassay kits. Increases in serum cortisol levels in experimental group animals coincided with hyperglycaemia and was probably a response to pain. Increased insulin levels were observed during the hyperglycaemic peaks. Envenomed dogs presented discreet increases in ALT, AST and CK, but no alterations in LDH, amylase, cTnI, urea, creatinine and potassium levels were observed. It was concluded that the venom of T. serrulatus induces blood and urinary biochemical changes in dogs.

Avaliaram-se as alterações histológicas do tecido laminar, obtido por biopsia, em 20 equinos portadores de laminite induzida por sobrecarga de carboidratos e tratados com ketoprofeno, fenilbutazona ou flunixin meglumine. A biopsia foi colhida dos dígitos torácicos 72 horas após a indução. Os achados histológicos foram comparados com os achados de amostras de equinos isentos de laminite. Infiltrado inflamatório neutrofílico foi observado em 80%, congestão em 50%, hemorragia em 35% e hiperplasia na túnica íntima das arteríolas das lâminas dérmicas primárias em 15% das amostras. As taxas de microtrombos e coágulos foram 15% e 20%, respectivamente. Estes achados parecem decorrer dos distúrbios circulatórios que ocasionaram edema, congestão e hiperemia, seguidos de degeneração. Em 70% das análises realizadas nos animais tratados, as lesões histológicas foram inferiores aos graus de claudicação observados. Conclui-se que a biopsia de tecido laminar digital de equinos é viável, os artefatos decorrentes da técnica de biopsia não prejudicam a análise histológica das amostras e os anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais não são capazes de evitar as lesões laminares quando administrados após o início da sintomatologia clínica de laminite.

No abstract

Patients with acute renal failure often have a negative energy balance, which promotes metabolic changes predisposing to complications. The objective of this study was to evaluate laboratory parameters of 30 dogs with severe acute renal failure, to assess their relationship with the possibility of developing acute pancreatitis due to the negative energy balance, and to correlate these findings with the degree of renal failure. Serum concentrations of urea, creatinine, beta-hydroxybutyrate, triglycerides, amylase, total lipase, and canine pancreatic lipase were compared between healthy dogs and dogs with severe acute renal failure. A greater serum concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate and greater activity of pancreatic enzymes, particularly canine pancreatic lipase, as well as a stronger correlation between the latter and serum creatinine concentrations, were related to the occurrence of acute pancreatitis in patients with severe acute renal failure. A greater degree of renal failure implied a greater predisposition to acute pancreatitis.