Serum copper and haematological values of sheep of different physiological stages in the dry and wet seasons of central trinidad

Haematological profiles of Indonesian fat-tailed sheep under different physiological conditions

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of sex, age, feed and physiological conditions on the haematological profiles of Indonesian fat-tailed sheep. A total of 32 healthy Indonesian fat-tailed sheep in different physiological states (i.e. suckling lambs/weaners aged 1-5 months, postweaning lambs aged 6-8 months, lactating ewes, rams, and pregnant ewes) were used in this study. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein and then transferred into tubes for haematological analysis. The results revealed the following: RBCs, 7.09 ± 0.52 million µL^-1; HCT, 46.76 ± 4.30%; Hb, 9.83 ± 0.57 g dL^-1; MCV, 69.88 ± 5.48 fL; MCH, 14.94 ± 0.71 pg; MCHC, 24.29 ± 1.36 g dL^-1; WBCs, 5.60 ± 1.24 thousand µL^-1; percentage of neutrophils, 58.30 ± 7.31%; percentage of lymphocytes, 41.63 ± 7.31%; and N/L ratio, 0.18 ± 0.05. The physiological status of the sheep affected RBCs, Hb, HCT and MCH (P < 0.05). The sex, age, feed and physiological status of the animals should be considered in the interpretation of haematological profiles in Indonesian fat-tailed sheep.

Human, mouse, and dog bone marrow show similar mesenchymal stromal cells within a distinctive microenvironment

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) are a key part of the hematopoietic niche. Mouse and human BMSCs are recognized by different markers (LepR and NGFR/CD271, respectively). However, there has not been a detailed in situ comparison of both populations within the hematopoietic microenvironment. Moreover, dog BMSCs have not been characterized in situ by any of those markers. We conducted a systematic histopathological comparison of mouse, human, and dog BMSCs within their bone marrow architecture and microenvironment. Human and dog CD271+ BMSCs had a morphology, frequency, and distribution within trabecular bone marrow similar to those of mouse LepR+ BMSCs. However, mouse bone marrow had higher cellularity and megakaryocyte content. In conclusion, highly comparable bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell distribution among the three species establishes the validity of using mouse and dog as a surrogate experimental model of hematopoietic stem cell-BMSC interactions. However, the distinct differences in adipocyte and megakaryocyte microenvironment content of mouse bone marrow and how they might influence hematopoietic stem cell interactions as compared with humans require further study.

72-Hour in vivo evaluation of nitric oxide generating artificial lung gas exchange fibers in sheep

The large, densely packed artificial surface area of artificial lungs results in rapid clotting and device failure. Surface generated nitric oxide (NO) can be used to reduce platelet activation and coagulation on gas exchange fibers, while not inducing patient bleeding due to its short half-life in blood. To generate NO, artificial lungs can be manufactured with PDMS hollow fibers embedded with copper nanoparticles (Cu NP) and supplied with an infusion of the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP). The SNAP reacts with Cu NP to generate NO. This study investigates clot formation and gas exchange performance of artificial lungs with either NO-generating Cu-PDMS or standard polymethylpentene (PMP) fibers. One miniature artificial lung (MAL) made with 10 wt% Cu-PDMS hollow fibers and one PMP control MAL were attached to sheep in parallel in a veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit (n = 8). Blood flow through each device was set at 300 mL/min, and each device received a SNAP infusion of 0.12 μmol/min. The ACT was between 110 and 180 s in all cases. Blood flow resistance was calculated as a measure of clot formation on the fiber bundle. Gas exchange experiments comparing the two groups were conducted every 24 h at blood flow rates of 300 and 600 mL/min. Devices were removed once the resistance reached 3x baseline (failure) or following 72 h. All devices were imaged using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at the inlet, outlet, and middle of the fiber bundle. The Cu-PDMS NO generating MALs had a significantly smaller increase in resistance compared to the control devices. Resistance rose from 26 ± 8 and 23 ± 5 in the control and Cu-PDMS devices, respectively, to 35 ± 8 mmHg/(mL/min) and 72 ± 23 mmHg/(mL/min) at the end of each experiment. The resistance and SEM imaging of fiber surfaces demonstrate lower clot formation on Cu-PDMS fibers. Although not statistically significant, oxygen transfer for the Cu-PDMS MALs was 13.3% less than the control at 600 mL/min blood flow rate. Future in vivo studies with larger Cu-PDMS devices are needed to define gas exchange capabilities and anticoagulant activity over a long-term study at clinically relevant ACTs. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In artificial lungs, the large, densely-packed blood contacting surface area of the hollow fiber bundle is critical for gas exchange but also creates rapid, surface-generated clot requiring significant anticoagulation. Monitoring of anticoagulation, thrombosis, and resultant complications has kept permanent respiratory support from becoming a clinical reality. In this study, we use a hollow fiber material that generates nitric oxide (NO) to prevent platelet activation at the blood contacting surface. This material is tested in vivo in a miniature artificial lung and compared against the clinical standard. Results indicated significantly reduced clot formation. Surface-focused anticoagulation like this should reduce complication rates and allow for permanent respiratory support by extending the functional lifespan of artificial lungs and can further be applied to other medical devices.

Effect of mastitis on some hematological and biochemical parameters of Red Sokoto goats

AIM

This research project investigates the effect of mastitis on some hematological and biochemical parameters of Red Sokoto goats (RSGs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this investigation, 16 clinically and subclinically diagnosed mastitic and 20 non-mastitic RSGs, within Sokoto metropolis, were sampled. Blood samples were collected both in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and anticoagulant free sample bottles for hematology and biochemical analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

A statistical analysis of the results revealed no significant difference in all the hematological parameters analyzed for both the mastitic and non-mastitic goats except mean corpuscular hemoglobin where significant difference (p<0.05) was observed. Similarly, no significant difference was recorded in the serum biochemistry except for the increase in total protein (p<0.001), globulin (p<0.05), and alanine aminotransferase activity (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

This finding is a pointer to the fact that mastitis could be regarded as a localized problem affecting the udder without serious systemic or metabolic involvement in RSGs.

Haemato-biochemical and endocrine profiling of north western Himalayan Gaddi sheep during various physiological/reproductive phases

The study was aimed to provide baseline data regarding haemato-biochemical and endocrine profiling of Gaddi sheep found in north western Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh, India. Each random sample was collected from 45 Gaddi sheep reared in government sheep breeding farm Tal, Hamirpur, India, during various reproductive phases viz. anestrus, breeding season and post partum period. Haematology revealed significantly higher (P<0.05) RBC as well as haematocrit values in pregnant animals (n=23) during breeding season than during other reproductive phases. The number of platelets were significantly lower (P<0.05) and MCH, MCHC values were statistically higher (P<0.05) during postpartum period than during other reproductive phases. Blood biochemistry revealed significantly higher (P<0.05) concentrations of plasma cholesterol (83.98±3.68 mg/dl), plasma calcium (71.06±1.52 mg/l), magnesium (18.21±0.53 mg/l), potassium (5.10±0.13 mEq/l) and significantly lower (P<0.05) concentrations of plasma total protein (5.75±0.31 gm/dl), globulin (3.04±0.29 gm/dl) and sodium (138.83±1.83 mEq/l) during postpartum period in comparison to other reproductive phases. Endocrine profile revealed significantly higher (P<0.05) serum estrogen (60.97±1.24 pg/ml) and T4 (6.0±0.27 µg/ml) concentrations during postpartum phase. Similarly, significantly higher (P<0.05) serum progesterone (5.16±0.76 ng/ml) as well as TSH (0.70±0.14 µg/ml) concentration were recorded during pregnancy. From the study it can be concluded that physiological status significantly affects the blood metabolic and endocrine profile in Gaddi sheep.