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The relationship between metabolic disorders and the distribution of fat in different body regions is not clearly understood in humans. The aim of this study was to develop a suitable method for assessing the regional distribution of fat deposits and their metabolic effects in dogs. Twenty-five dogs were subjected to computed tomographic (CT) imaging and blood sampling in order to characterise their metabolic status. The different fat areas were measured on a cross-sectional scan, and the animals' metabolic status was evaluated by measuring fasting glucose, insulin and leptin levels. The volume of visceral adipose tissue is the main determinant of leptin levels. The correlation of visceral fat volume and leptin concentration was found to be independent of insulin levels or the degree of insulin resistance. There was a positive correlation between the visceral to subcutaneous fat volume ratio and serum insulin concentration, and a similar trend was observed in the relationship of fat ratio and insulin resistance. The distribution of body fat essentially influences the metabolic parameters in dogs, but the effects of adiposity differ between humans and dogs. The findings can facilitate a possible extrapolation of results from animal studies to humans with regard to the metabolic consequences of different obesity types. Key words: Leptin, insulin resistance, abdominal fat, computed tomographyObesity is a growing problem in companion animals just like in humans. The development of insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and other metabolic problems appear to be more closely related to the regional distribution of body fat than simply to adiposity or body weight. Even though the phenotypes of human obesity that represent specific risk factors for metabolic disorders have not been reported in dogs, differences in the metabolic effects of increased visceral or

Fingerlings of the sutchi catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, a favorite food fish in South Asia, is regularly imported by European fish traders and sold in pet fish shops. In shipments from Thailand, a skin and a kidney infection of this fish caused by myxosporean parasites was found both in Hungary and Russia. In the skin of the fish, small millet-sized nodules containing great numbers of a Myxobolus species were found, while in the renal glomeruli, spores and sporogonic stages of a Hoferellus species developed. The skin-infecting species described as Myxobolus hakyi sp. n. had 15.9 x 6.6-microm-sized spores with elongated polar capsules, while the renal species described as Hoferellus pulvinatus sp. n. had roundish spores with a size of 6.5 x 5.0 microm and had a characteristic pillow-like structure at its posterior end. Besides morphology, histology of infection and 18S rDNA sequences were studied.

Contents Leptin (Lep) and insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF1) are implicated in the regulation of testicular function, but in dogs, our knowledge is limited to the possible role of the IGF1 system in testicular tumours. In this study, we aimed to describe and compare gene expression and protein localization of Lep, IGF1 and their receptors (LepR and IGF1R, respectively) in the testis of healthy adult and prepubertal dogs. Testes were collected from sexually healthy mature (n = 7) and from 8‐week‐old dogs (n = 7). Relative gene expression of Lep, LepR, IGF1 and IGF1R was determined by semi‐quantitative real‐time (TaqMan) PCR and cellular distribution in the testis by immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was carried out with Student's t test. Lep and LepR mRNA concentration was similar between the two groups, but IGF1 and IGF1R gene expression was significantly higher in the 8‐week‐old pups. Protein localization and the intensity of signals differed by age. In adults, Lep and LepR immunoreactivity was detected in spermatocytes and spermatids. Leydig cells showed sporadic, weak Lep staining. In prepubertal animals, intense Lep signals were present in Leydig and Sertoli cells, and LepR was found in Leydig cells. IGF1 and IGF1R protein was expressed in spermatogonia of the mature testis; IGF1 signals in Leydig cells seemed stronger than IGF1R. In the pups, IGF1 and IGF1R staining was detected in Leydig cells and in gonocytes. Sertoli cells showed weak IGF1 and sporadic, weak IGF1R signals. In conclusion, Lep and IGF1 may support spermatogenesis in adult dogs and mediate Leydig cell function. In the immature testis, they may promote development of Sertoli and Leydig cells and gonocytes.

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Background Albuminuria is an important marker of renal damage and can precede proteinuria; thus, it can be a useful analyte in the early diagnosis of kidney diseases. Albuminuria has also been found in dogs with hypertension, inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic diseases. Objectives The aim of this study was to establish a reference interval (RI) for albuminuria in dogs. Methods One hundred sixty‐four clinically healthy dogs were enrolled in the study. Urinary albumin was determined by the immunoturbidimetric method, and albumin excretion was expressed as the urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine (UAC) ratio. The RI for UAC was established. Results After exclusions, 124 dogs from 32 breeds remained. The median UAC of the study population was 3.0 mg/g (range: 0‐48). The RI was defined as 0‐19 mg/g (with a 90% CI for the upper limit of 13‐28 mg/g). No significant difference was found between male and female dogs or between different age and body weight groups. The results of Sighthounds (n = 30) and Beagle dogs (n = 23) did not differ from the other breeds. Conclusion The canine RI of UAC is similar but somewhat narrower than the human RI.