Lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (LAHS), which is the major subtype of adult-onset secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), has a poor outcome. Although the early diagnosis and treatment of LAHS contributes to a better outcome, the lack of mass formation and the absence of distinct lymph node enlargement often delay the diagnosis of underlying lymphoma. A recent study, which statistically analyzed HLH cases in the literature, showed that the serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R)/ferritin ratio could be used as a marker to diagnosis of LAHS. To verify this finding, we retrospectively analyzed the laboratory findings of 21 patients with HLH (10 benign disease-associated HLH and 11 LAHS). No significant differences were observed in the levels of LDH or CRP levels. The mean sIL-2R levels (units per milliliter) were significantly higher in the LAHS group (4,176 vs. 13,451, p = 0.0031), and ferritin levels (nanogram per milliliter) were higher in the benign disease-associated HLH group (20,462 vs. 2,561, p = 0.0031). Consequently, the mean serum sIL-2R/ferritin ratio of patients with LAHS was markedly higher than that of patients with benign disease-associated HLH (0.66 vs. 8.56, p = 0.0004). Thus, the results of this study demonstrated that the serum sIL-2R/ferritin ratio is a very useful marker for diagnosing of LAHS, which was further supported by clinical case analysis. Further studies to clarify the pathophysiology of secondary HLH caused by various triggers are needed.

Rs671 in the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene (ALDH2) is the cause of Asian alcohol flushing response after drinking. ALDH2 detoxifies endogenous aldehydes, which are the major source of DNA damage repaired by the Fanconi anemia pathway. Here, we show that the rs671 defective allele in combination with mutations in the alcohol dehydrogenase 5 gene, which encodes formaldehyde dehydrogenase (ADH5FDH), causes a previously unidentified disorder, AMeD (aplastic anemia, mental retardation, and dwarfism) syndrome. Cellular studies revealed that a decrease in the formaldehyde tolerance underlies a loss of differentiation and proliferation capacity of hematopoietic stem cells. Moreover, Adh5−/−Aldh2E506K/E506K double-deficient mice recapitulated key clinical features of AMeDS, showing short life span, dwarfism, and hematopoietic failure. Collectively, our results suggest that the combined deficiency of formaldehyde clearance mechanisms leads to the complex clinical features due to overload of formaldehyde-induced DNA damage, thereby saturation of DNA repair processes.

ABSTRACT. We measured the blood plasma testosterone (T) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in the seminal plasma of the ejaculates of 5 normal (2-5 years old) and 5 asthenozoospermic (AZ-) (3-5 years old) Beagles. Sperm ejaculated by AZdogs was incubated for 3 hr in Eagle's MEM only (controls) or Eagle's MEM containing 100 units/ml of SOD or catalase. Sperm motility was examined during incubation. The mean (± SE) plasma T level of the AZ-dogs (1.2 ± 0.2 ng/ml) was significantly lower than in the normal dogs (2.5 ± 0.2 ng/ml) (P<0.005). The mean (± SE) seminal plasma SOD and catalase activities (18.8 ± 1.9 and 0.5 ± 0.1 unit/g protein, respectively) were significantly lower in the AZ-dogs than in the normal dog (43.3 ± 2.5 and 2.2 ± 0.4 unit/g protein, respectively) (P<0.001 and 0.01, respectively). The motility of sperm incubated in Eagle's MEM containing SOD or catalase was significantly higher than that of control sperm incubated in only Eagle's MEM after 2 or 3 hr of incubation (P<0.05). The results of this study indicate that poor T secretion by the testes and low antioxidant enzyme activities are related to AZ in the dog. KEY WORDS: canine, catalase, seminal plasma, SOD.J. Vet. Med. Sci. 69(2): 133-136, 2007 Seminal plasma is known to contain reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by testicular tissue [18] and sperm [2,20], and elevated seminal plasma ROS concentrations in both humans [1,16] and dogs [22] have been reported to be a cause of oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, and teratozoospermia. Low sperm motility and morphologically abnormal sperm occur as a result of sperm plasma membrane dysfunction caused by ROS [7].Superoxide dismutase (SOD) [2,6,9] and catalase [6,19,24] are the main antioxidant enzymes in seminal plasma that prevent increases in ROS concentration in seminal plasma and protect the sperm against damage and oxidative stress caused by ROS. The SOD [6,8,18] and catalase [17,24] in seminal plasma are produced by the testis, epididymis, accessory reproductive organs, and sperm, and they are able to maintain sperm motility for a long time [6,8]. Seminal plasma SOD has been reported to have the same effect on canine sperm [5]. However, the cause of spermatogenic arrest in the dog is unknown [12]. In the present study, we examined the interaction between peripheral blood plasma testosterone (T) levels and the activities of seminal plasma SOD and catalase in the dog. Based on the results of this study, we suggested some causes for spermatogenic dysfunction in the dog. MATERIALS AND METHODS Animals:Ten male Beagles aged 2-5 years were used in this study. They were cared for in our university and housed in pens with ample runs. Commercial dry dog food was provided twice a day, and the dogs were given free access to water. All animals were maintained according to the guidelines of the Animal Care and Use Committee of the Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University.The semen quality of the dogs was examined 3 times at one-week intervals. Five of the dogs (3-5 years...

ABSTRACT. The proportions of Sertoli cell tumor (SCT), seminoma and Leydig cell tumor in 50 dogs with unilateral testicular tumors were 52%, 36% and 12%, respectively. The rate of occurrence of SCT in the cryptorchid testis was very high (71%). The testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, testicular heat shock protein (HSP) 70 concentration and peripheral blood plasma inhibin (INH)-α concentration of 10 dogs with a unilateral cryptorchid testis and no testicular tumors, 10 dogs with SCT in a unilateral cryptorchid testis and 10 normal dogs, all aged 5-15 years, were measured in order to identify high risk factors for the occurrence of SCT in the canine cryptorchid testis. The mean SOD activity in cryptorchid testes and SCTs was significantly lower and higher, respectively, than in normal testes (both P<0.01). The mean HSP 70 concentration in both cryptorchid testes and SCTs was significantly higher than in normal testes (both P<0.01). The mean plasma INH-α concentration of the cryptorchid and SCT dogs was significantly lower and higher, respectively, than in normal dogs (P<0.05 and 0.01, respectively). The low SOD activity in the cryptorchid testis, low blood plasma INH-α concentration of the cryptorchid dogs and high HSP 70 concentration in the SCTs may be related to the occurrence of SCT and tumor cell proliferation in canine cryptorchid testes.

ABSTRACT. The breeding season was investigated in 174 female cats that were acclimated under a natural photoperiod, and determined the interval between birth and initial estrus (puberty) was determined in 125 cats. Although the breeding season differed noticeably among individual animals, the mean was 180.4 ± 3.0 (SE) days between the end of January and the end of July. The interval between birth and first estrus ranged from 181 to 560 days, with a mean of 345.0 ± 0.9 days. With respect to month of birth, the mean interval was 343.0 ± 9.5 days in cats born between March and June. Among cats that were born between July and October, the mean intervals were 242.0 ± 6.3 days in cats that exhibited estrus the year after birth and 519.2 ± 5.8 days in those that exhibited estrus 2 years after birth. KEY WORDS: breeding season, feline, natural photoperiod.J. Vet. Med. Sci. 66(9): 1129-1132, 2004 The domestic cat is a seasonally polyestrous animal. The onset of puberty in female cats occurs at an average age of 8 to 10 months [5,11]. Ovulation and the initial release of LH are usually observed 24 to 30 hr after copulation [15]. It has been reported that the breeding season starts in December to February, and continues until September [2,6,13]. These factors may depend on the day length, that is, latitude [4].The mechanism by which the photoperiod influences the hypothalamus pituitary gland gonadal axis system via melatonin has been clarified in cats [8,9]. In cats, when the photoperiod is shortened, melatonin and PRL secretion are enhanced, reducing ovarian function [1,8,9]. Leyva et al. [9] reported that no recurrent estrus occurred after melatonin was administered to cats under 24-hr lighting. No recurrent estrus occurs under 8-hr lighting in the cat room, whereas estrus recurs under 12-hr lighting [4,8,10,13,14]. Therefore, it is recommended that the lighting cycle should be 14 hr or more for cat breeding [10,12,14]. Nevertheless, no previous study has provided detailed data on the estrus status when cats are acclimated under a natural photoperiod. In this study, we investigated the breeding season in female cats that were acclimated as a group at a constant room temperature under a natural photoperiod. We also investigated the interval required until first estrus (puberty) in female cats that were born under those conditions. Animals: We used 103 female cats ranging in age from 2 to 8 years that were acclimated via passage breeding in our laboratory between 1989 and 2002 (latitude: 35 degrees, 42 min N). In some cats, estrus was investigated for 2 to 6 years. A total of 174 cats were investigated. The cat room was located on the second floor, and measured 4.5 × 3.0 × 2.5 (height) m. The east, west, and south sides were transparent and glass-plated. The east and west glass windows measured 3.6 × 0.9 × 0.9 (height) m. The south glass window measured 1.8 × 0.9 × 0.9 (height) m. Room temperature was 23 ± 2°C. The cats were acclimated as a group. Dry food (Hill's feline maintenance, U.S.A.) and water were given ad libitum...