Canine testicular tumours: a study on 232 dogs

The aim of this study was to provide an up-to-date estimate of the prevalence of canine testicular tumours, an earlier study (reported in 1962) having found a prevalence of 16%. Histological examination of both testes collected at necropsy from 232 dogs revealed that 62 (27%) had one or more testicular tumours, the total number of tumours identified being 110. Of these, 55 were interstitial cell tumours, 46 were seminomas, and nine were Sertoli cell tumours. The results suggest that, as reported in man, testicular tumours in dogs have increased during the past 40 years. Further studies should investigate the possible causative role of environmental pollutants.

Daily fluctuations of haematology and blood biochemistry in horses fed varying levels of protein

Changes in the plasma biochemistry of 12 stallions were studied over seven 24 h periods. Twelve healthy male horses of 4 different breeds (Thoroughbred [TB], Anglo-Arabo-Sardo [AAS], Avelignese [Av] and Maremmano [M]) were divided into 3 experimental groups and fed with an isoenergetic maintenance ration with different protein levels. The same amount of food was given daily at 0730 and 1930 h. After 20 days of pretrial, a series of 6 blood samples were collected daily from the jugular vein every 4 h for 7 days. The samples were analysed for packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin, plasma glucose, free fatty acids, cholesterol, total plasma protein, urea, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus and enzymatic activities: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotrasferase (ALT), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The data were analysed following the armonic analysis (Fourier) in order to define the pattern of biorhythm. Many parameters showed a biorhythmical pattern. Protein levels of the diet failed to influence haematology, blood biochemistry and biorhythm. Thoroughbreds showed the highest values of PCV, haemoglobin and creatinine and the lowest total protein, phosphorus and enzymatic activities.