Veterinary Research Forum

Abstract The efficacy of eucalyptol on testicular ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of eucalyptol on I/R injury induced by testicular torsion/detorsion (T/D) in rats. A total of 32 rats were divided into four groups, including control, T/D, E100 (T/D + 100 mg kg^-1 eucalyptol administered 30 min prior to torsion), and E200 (T/D + 200 mg kg^-1 eucalyptol administered 30 min prior to torsion). Testicular T/D was induced in the left testis via a 720° clockwise torsion for 3 hr, followed by 3 hr of detorsion. Testicular tissues were harvested for histopathological, immunohistochemical including cleaved caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax), Bcl-2, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and biochemical parameter as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (rGSH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), vitamin C, and malondialdehyde (MDA) analyses. In the T/D group, significant reductions in GPx, rGSH, G6PD, and vitamin C levels were observed, alongside increased MDA levels compared to the control group. Immuno-histochemically, the T/D group exhibited increased expression of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, along with decreased expression of Bcl-2 and PCNA, compared to the control group. Histologically, Johnsen and Cosentino scores were irregular in the T/D group. Pre-treatment with eucalyptol resulted in reduced MDA, cleaved caspase-3, and Bax levels, while GPx, rGSH, vitamin C, G6PD, PCNA, and Bcl-2 levels increased. Additionally, improvements in Cosentino and Johnsen scores and histopathological damage were observed. These findings suggest that eucalyptol may exert a protective effect against I/R injury caused by testicular T/D, likely due to its anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.

Abstract Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein hormone predominantly produced in the kidneys, primarily stimulating erythroid cell proliferation in the bone marrow. The present study investigated the impact of EPO combined with swimming exercise on cardiac morphometry in adolescent male and female rats. The 4-week study involved 48 rats (24 males and 24 females), which were divided into four main groups of six males and six females each. The control group was administered intraperitoneal saline four times a week. The swimming exercise group also received intraperitoneal saline, followed by 30 min of swimming exercise, four times a week. The drug control group was given 50.00 IU kg^-1 epoetin alfa intraperitoneally, four times a week. Lastly, the Swimming + Drug group received 50.00 IU kg^-1 epoetin alfa intraperitoneally, four times a week, followed by 30 min of swimming exercise. The post-study measurements demonstrated that EPO administration did not result in notable alterations in crucial parameters, including the left ventricular mass index, left ventricular mass, and left ventricular posterior wall in the context of left ventricular hypertrophy in both genders. However, in female rats, EPO-only group and the combined EPO and exercise group showed significant thinning of the right ventricular wall and interventricular septum indicating potential cardiac dilatation. The results highlight the necessity of considering gender-specific responses when evaluating EPO's cardiovascular effects, particularly concerning the right ventricle, and suggest further investigation into the long-term consequences of these observed changes.

Abstract Tarantula cubensis alcoholic extract (TCAE) is a homeopathic product used in the veterinary field. This study aimed to determine the effects of TCAE on cadmium (Cd) toxicity in the embryo. The study used 220 fertile, incubated chicken eggs divided into 11 equal groups on the 7^th day of incubation. The groups comprised untreated and physiological saline control groups, a group with TCAE alone, four groups with varying doses of Cd alone and four groups with the same doses of Cd plus TCAE. At the end of the incubation period, the eggs were opened, kidney and liver tissue samples were taken for histopathology and the number of dead and living embryos were recorded. In the prsent study, the median lethal dose of Cd was determined to be 0.029 mg per egg and the median lethal dose of Cd plus TCAE was determined to be 0.020 mg per egg. The histopathological examinations determined that kidney and liver damage were increased when TCAE and Cd were administered together, that was higher than when Cd was given alone. Thus, TCAE, which had no toxic effect on the embryo when used alone, might increase the embryotoxic activity of Cd. However, more detailed studies are needed.

Abstract Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in goats is defined as a highly contagious and rapidly spreading mycoplasmal disease that is now among the leading causes of major economic losses on many continents (Asia, Africa and the Middle East). In this study, we aimed to evaluate immunohistochemically mast cells (MCs) profile and local interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-1β protein expressions in naturally infected CCPP according to the course of the inflammation (peracute-acute, subacute-chronic). The material of the study consisted of 40 naturally infected CCPP and 6 healthy control goat lung tissues. Appropriate samples were taken from the necropsied goats and subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. In the histopathological examination of the samples, it was determined that 29 samples had a peracute-acute course and 11 had a subacute-chronic course. In immuno-histochemical examination, MC profile and local IL-17 and IL-1β protein expressions were evaluated in the peracute-acute and subacute-chronic course. Immunohistochemically, significant increases in MC number, local IL-17 and IL-1β scores were detected in the peracute-acute course compared to the control group. There were significant decreases in the relevant scores in the subacute-chronic course compared to the peracute-acute course. Current findings indicated that MC, IL-17, and IL-1β expressions played important roles in the pathogenesis of infection in naturally infected CCPP, especially in the peracute-acute course. Additionally, MC profile was evaluated for the first time in naturally infected CCPP.