Perinatal veterinary medicine‐related evaluation in hematological and serum biochemical profiles of experimental beagles throughout pregnancy and parturition

Background: The aims of this study were(a) to ascertain age-related changes in the reference values in hematological and serum biochemical examinations of beagles,and(b) to clarify the changes in these findings, including acute phase proteins and oxidative stress, throughout pregnancy and after parturition.Methods: Clinicopathological parameters were measured in young beagles at 6, 9 and 12 months and in adult beagles aged from 24 to 60 months. Likewise, pregnant beagles were investigated throughout the pregnancy and after parturition.Results: Apparent age-related changes were found in erythrocytic parameters during the growth and development of beagles. Most of the parameters(total protein,albumin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, urate, alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and creatine kinase(CK) exhibited age-dependent transitions. White cell count significantly increased after 30 days of pregnancy. The values of erythrocytic parameters moderately decreased during the second half of the pregnancy. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, free cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations increased in the mid- and late stages of pregnancy. ALP, lactate dehydrogenase, CK and cholinesterase activities markedly increased during pregnancy and/or after parturition. C-reactive protein(CRP) concentrations gradually increased and reached a maximum after 30-40 days of pregnancy. Serum amyloid A(SAA) levels markedly increased at 30 days of pregnancy before subsiding, and then increased again 3 days after parturition. Reactive oxygen metabolites(d-ROMs) showed significant increases after 30 and 40 days of pregnancy.Conclusions: Reference values for hematological and serum biochemical examinations should be used for health evaluation of dogs, taking sex, age and the stage of pregnancy into consideration. Measurements of CRP, SAA and d-ROM levels are also useful for assessing maternal conditions in mid-pregnancy.

Reprogramming of germ cells into pluripotency

Primordial germ cells(PGCs) are precursors of all gametes, and represent the founder cells of the germline. Although developmental potency is restricted to germ-lineage cells, PGCs can be reprogrammed into a pluripotent state. Specifically, PGCs give rise to germ cell tumors, such as testicular teratomas, in vivo, and to pluripotent stem cells known as embryonic germ cells in vitro. In this review, we highlight the current knowledge on signaling pathways, transcriptional controls, and post-transcriptional controls that govern germ cell differentiation and de-differentiation. These regulatory processes are common in the reprogramming of germ cells and somatic cells, and play a role in the pathogenesis of human germ cell tumors.

Comparative evaluation of acute phase proteins by C-reactive protein(CRP)and serum amyloid A(SAA)in nonhuman primates and feline carnivores

The feasibility of a commercially available assay for C-reactive protein(CRP,CRP for humans:hCRP,and CRP for dogs:vCRP)and a trial reagent of serum amyloid A(SAA,vSAA for animals)were applied to the measurement of acute phase proteins in zoo animals,particularly in nonhuman primates and feline carnivores was evaluate.Results showed that hCRP and vSAA methods were applicable to measure CRP and SAA in Haplorhini.There was a highly signifcant correlation between both parameters with remarkably high correlation coefcient.A higher proportion of Bonnet macaques in Haplorhini,and the linear regression with good correlation between hCRP and vSAA levels were observed.Reference values in healthy Bonnet macaques were hCRP(46.86±30.97 nmol/L)and vSAA(9.06±1.95μg/mL).Although Ring-tailed lemur,which belonging to Strepsirrhini,showed low vSAA concentrations(reference values:1.08±0.47μg/mL),vSAA in patients was apparently elevated.The vCRP and vSAA methods were applicable to measurements of CRP and SAA in feline carnivores for highly signifcant correlation between both parameters.Theses two methods were also been deteded in lions,tigers and cheetahs.vSAA assays can be applied to measure SAA levels in other carnivores and herbivores.In conclusion,vSAA systems have potential utility as diagnostic tools for health screening and prediction in zoo animals.

Different characteristics of 40 kinds of free amino acids and 5-amino levulinic acid between wines and sakes(Japanese rice wines)

Based on a systemic analysis for the globa1 burden of disease study from 1990 to 2016,the Global Burden of Diseases(GBD)2016 Alcohol Collaborators reported that alcohol use was a 1eading nisk factor for globa1 disease burden and caused substantial health loss.However,alcoholic dnink(wines and sakes)contains abundant nutrients,particularly fermentable amino acids denived from grapes and rice.Amino acid nutrition and metabolism is strongly associated with health and preventiom against various diseases.The purpose of this study was to elucidate 40 kinds of free amino acid(FAA)profles in wines and sakes.In addition,the present study also provided the contents of 5-aminolevulinic acid(5-AI A)involved in the vital functionality of mitochondria.FAAs were detected and analyzed by use of an automatic amino acid analyzer.Aromatic amino acid,branched chain amino acid and Fischer ratio were calculated for each beverage.Individua1 FAAs showed significant differences between wines and sakes.Sakes abundantly contained almost all FAAs whereas wines had just a lttle content in some FAAs.Sakse were rich in arginine,glycine,alanine,valine,glutamic acid and leucine,while wines were remarkably nich in proline(Pro).Wines showed increased FAA levels in 6 kinds of variables(4-hydroxyproline,3-methy1 histidine,B-alanine,a-aminobutyric acid,Pro and a.-aminoadipic acid).In functionally characteristic FAAs,both wines and sakes were considerably abundant in y aminobutynic acid and 5-AI A The total amount of aromatic amino acid and branched chain amino acid were markedly higher in sakes than in wines.These results revealed that there were the apparent different characteristics in FAA profiles between wines and sakes.This difference resulted from fermentation process in wines(single fermentation)and sakes(paralle1 double fermentation).Forty kinds of FAA profiles are more usefu1 in investigating characteristics of the taste of wines and sakes.In future,detailed FAA analysis has the potential to find functional nutrients such as 5-AI A,whereas other foods generally contain ittle amount of these FAAs.