1
|
Wier RC, Flietstra TD, Coleman-McCray JD, Genzer SC, Brake ME, Velazquez EM, Forero C, Welch SR, Tansey CM, Condrey JA, Spengler JR. Effect of Adopting a Timothy Hay-based Diet at Weaning or in Adulthood on Urinary Tract Parameters in Strain 13/N Guinea Pigs ( Cavia porcellus). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 2024. [PMID: 38580436 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-24-000019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Type of feed is an important consideration in herbivore colony management, yet limited studies report on the effects of diet on common conditions such as urolithiasis in guinea pigs. Urolithiasis is a well-documented cause of lower urinary tract disease in guinea pigs, with calcium carbonate uroliths reported as the predominant calculi formed in the guinea pig urinary tract. A calcium-rich diet has been suggested as a risk factor for of urolithiasis, with numerous commercially available guinea pig diets formulated for adults avoiding ingredients that are higher in calcium. Due to the high incidence of urolithiasis in our strain 13/N guinea pig colony, we conducted a prospective control study following the implementation of dietary changes aimed at improving overall urinary tract health and reducing risk factors for urolithiasis, thus improving colony welfare. A control group was kept on the original ad libitum alfalfa hay-based pellet diet with restricted loose timothy hay (control diet, 14 juveniles and 24 adults). An experimental group was placed on a portioned, 1 oz daily, timothy hay-based pellet diet with ad libitum loose timothy hay (experimental diet, 21 juveniles and 23 adults). Juveniles and adults were followed for a total of 14 and 26 wk, respectively. Longitudinal blood and urine samples were collected to evaluate blood chemistry and urinary parameters, along with weight and body condition scores to assess general health. Overall, dietary changes did not improve parameters associated with improved urinary tract health or reduced risk of urolithiasis; feeding strategy was not found to meaningfully affect calcium crystalluria, urine protein, urine specific gravity, or renal values. These data support alfalfa hay-based pellet or timothy hay-based pellet, when fed with loose timothy hay, as viable options and suggest that practices aimed at reducing dietary calcium by reducing pelleted diet portions are insufficient to mitigate risk factors for urolithiasis in guinea pigs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C Wier
- Comparative Medicine Branch, Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Timothy D Flietstra
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - JoAnn D Coleman-McCray
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sarah C Genzer
- Comparative Medicine Branch, Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Marie E Brake
- Comparative Medicine Branch, Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Eric M Velazquez
- Comparative Medicine Branch, Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Catalina Forero
- Comparative Medicine Branch, Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Stephen R Welch
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Cassandra M Tansey
- Comparative Medicine Branch, Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jillian A Condrey
- Comparative Medicine Branch, Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jessica R Spengler
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Brake ME, Russ BP, Gansebom S, Genzer SC, Tansey C, York IA. Effects of Extended-Release Buprenorphine on Mouse Models of Influenza. Comp Med 2023; 73:466-473. [PMID: 38110195 PMCID: PMC10752363 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-23-000049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Mice are widely used as small animal models for influenza infection and immunization studies because of their susceptibility to many strains of influenza, obvious clinical signs of infection, and ease of handling. Analgesia is rarely used in such studies even if nonstudy effects such as fight wounds, tail injuries, or severe dermatitis would otherwise justify it because of concerns that treatment might have confounding effects on primary study parameters such as the course of infection and/or the serological response to infection. However, analgesia for study-related or -unrelated effects may be desirable for animal welfare purposes. Opioids, such as extended-release buprenorphine, are well-characterized analgesics in mice and may have fewer immune-modulatory effects than other drug classes. In this study, BALB/c and DBA/2 mice were inoculated with influenza virus, and treatment groups received either no analgesics or 2 doses of extended-release buprenorphine 72 h apart. Clinical signs, mortality, and influenza-specific antibody responses were comparable in mice that did or did not receive buprenorphine. We therefore conclude that extended-release buprenorphine can be used to alleviate incidental pain during studies of influenza infection without altering the course of infection or the immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie E Brake
- Comparative Medicine Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Brynnan P Russ
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and
| | - Shane Gansebom
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
- Cherokee Nation Operational Solutions, Tulsa, Oklahoma
| | - Sarah C Genzer
- Comparative Medicine Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Cassandra Tansey
- Comparative Medicine Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ian A York
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|