Placentation and hormonal maintenance of pregnancy in the impala (Aepyceros melampus)

INTRODUCTION

The impala is a widely distributed African ungulate. Detailed studies of the placenta and ovaries in impala undertaken in the 1970s did not address the endocrine functions of the placenta.

METHODS

The uteri of 25 pregnant impala estimated to be between 49 and 113 days of the 190 day gestation were examined grossly, histologically and immunohistochemically.

RESULTS

A single corpus luteum was present in either maternal ovary but the conceptus was always situated in the right uterine horn. The fetal membranes extended to the tips of both uterine horns. The amnion was in intimate contact with, but not fused to, the allantochorion. Placentation was typically ruminant with fetal macrocotyledons attached to the rows of maternal caruncles. The fetal villi were highly branched, especially in the centre of each placentome where the attenuated maternal epithelium lining the placental crypts was absent in some places. Both the corpus luteum and the uninucleate trophoblast cells of the interplacentomal allantochorion stained strongly for 3-β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and progestagen concentrations in allantoic and amniotic fluids increased significantly as gestation progressed, with a tendency to do likewise in maternal serum. Binucleate trophoblast cells stained positively for bovine placental lactogen, but neither the placenta nor the maternal corpus luteum showed evidence of oestrogen synthesis.

DISCUSSION

Despite exhibiting the same basic type of placentation, both the gross and histological structure of the impala placenta, along with its immunohistochemical properties, demonstrates that great variation exists across ruminant placentas.

Blood acid-base status in impala (Aepyceros melampus) immobilised and maintained under total intravenous anaesthesia using two different drug protocols

BACKGROUND

In mammals, homeostasis and survival are dependent on effective trans-membrane movement of ions and enzyme function, which are labile to extreme acid-base changes, but operate efficiently within a narrow regulated pH range. Research in patients demonstrating a pH shifts outside the narrow regulated range decreased the cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance and altered the oxygen binding to haemoglobin. These cardiopulmonary observations may be applicable to the risks associated with anaesthesia and performance of wildlife ungulates on game farms. The aim of this study was to compare blood pH changes over time in impala immobilised and anaesthetised with two different drug protocols (P-TMP - immobilisation: thiafentanil-medetomidine; maintenance: propofol-ketamine-medetomidine; P-EME - immobilisation: etorphine-medetomidine; maintenance: etorphine-ketamine-medetomidine). Additionally, we discuss the resultant blood pH using both the Henderson-Hasselbalch and the Stewart approaches. Two data collection time points were defined, Time1 before maintenance of general anaesthesia and Time 2 at end of maintenance of general anaesthesia. We hypothesise that blood pH would not be different between drug protocols and would not change over time.

RESULTS

Significant differences were detected over time but not between the two drug protocols. Overall, the blood pH decreased over time from 7.37 ± 0.04 to 7.31 ± 0.05 (p = 0.001). Overall, over time arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide changed from 51.3 ± 7.5 mmHg to 72.6 ± 12.4 mmHg (p < 0.001); strong ion difference from 44.6 ± 2.4 mEq/L to 46.9 ± 3.1 mEq/L (p < 0.001); anion gap from 15.0 ± 3.1 mEq/L to 10.9 ± 2.2 mEq/L (p < 0.001); and total weak acids from 16.1 ± 1.2 mmol/L to 14.0 ± 1.1 mmol/L (p < 0.001). The bicarbonate changed from 29.6 ± 2.7 mEq/L to 36.0 ± 4.1 mEq/L (p < 0.001); and lactate changed from 2.9 ± 1.5 mEq/L to 0.3 ± 0.03 mEq/L (p < 0.001) over time.

CONCLUSIONS

The profound increase in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide that worsened during the total intravenous anaesthesia in both protocols initiated a substantial metabolic compensatory response to prevent severe acidaemia. This compensation resulted in a clinically acceptable mild acidaemic state, which worsened over time but not between the protocols, in healthy impala. However, these important compensatory mechanisms require normal physiological function and therefore when immobilising ill or anorexic wild ungulates their acid-base status should be carefully assessed.

Evaluation of wild herbivore faeces from South Africa as a potential source of hydrolytically active microorganisms

This study assessed faecal matter from three indigenous South African herbivores-zebra, giraffe and impala-as a potential source for hydrolytically active aerobic and facultatively anaerobic bacteria. Herbivore droppings were collected freshly in a local nature reserve in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Soil samples adjacent to faecal collection sites and faeces from a domestic herbivore, the Nguni cow, were included as controls. Hydrolase and dehydrogenase activity in faecal matter and soil samples were measured by the fluorescein diacetate and the triphenyltetrazolium chloride assay. Viable counts and counts for amylase, cellulase, esterase and protease producers were established using plate count agar and solid media containing cellulose, skim milk, starch and Tween 80. Zebra droppings produced the highest hydrolase and dehydrogenase activity. Faecal matter of the three indigenous herbivores generally produced higher hydrolytic activity than Nguni cow faeces and soil controls, thereby confirming that these materials are potential targets for hydrolytic enzyme mining.