Early phase of acute pancreatitis: Assessment and management

Acute pancreatitis(AP) is a potentially life-threatening disease with a wide spectrum of severity. The overall mortality of AP is approximately 5%. According to the revised Atlanta classification system, AP can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Severe AP often takes a clinical course with two phases, an early and a late phase, which should both be considered separately. In this review article, we first discuss general aspects of AP, including incidence, pathophysiology, etiology, and grading of severity, then focus on the assessment of patients with suspected AP, including diagnosis and risk stratification, followed by the management of AP during the early phase, with special emphasis on fluid therapy, pain management, nutrition, and antibiotic prophylaxis.

Microbiota alterations in acute and chronic gastrointestinal inflammation of cats and dogs

The intestinal microbiota is the collection of the living microorganisms(bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses) inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract. Novel bacterial identification approaches have revealed that the gastrointestinal microbiota of dogs and cats is, similarly to humans, a highly complex ecosystem. Studies in dogs and cats have demonstrated that acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease(IBD), are associated with alterations in the small intestinal and fecal microbial communities. Of interest is that these alterations are generally similar to the dysbiosis observed in humans with IBD or animal models of intestinal inflammation, suggesting that microbial responses to inflammatory conditions of the gut are conserved across mammalian host types. Studies have also revealed possible underlying susceptibilities in the innate immune system of dogs and cats with IBD, which further demonstrate the intricate relationship between gut microbiota and host health. Commonly identified microbiome changes in IBD are decreases in bacterial groups within the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, and increases within Proteobacteia. Furthermore, a reduction in the diversity of Clostridium clusters XIVa and IV(i.e., Lachnospiraceae and Clostridium coccoides subgroups) are associated with IBD, suggesting that these bacterial groups may play an important role in maintenance of gastrointestinal health. Future studies are warranted to evaluate the functional changes associated with intestinal dysbiosis in dogs and cats.

Functional roles of ornithine decarboxylase and arginine decarboxylase during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy in sheep

Background: Polyamines stimulate DNA transcription and m RNA translation for protein synthesis in trophectoderm cells, as well as proliferation and migration of cells; therefore, they are essential for development and survival of conceptuses(embryo/fetus and placenta). The ovine conceptus produces polyamines via classical and non-classical pathways. In the classical pathway, arginine(Arg) is transformed into ornithine, which is then decarboxylated by ornithine decarboxylase(ODC1) to produce putrescine which is the substrate for the production of spermidine and spermine. In the non-classical pathway, Arg is converted to agmatine(Agm) by arginine decarboxylase(ADC), and Agm is converted to putrescine by agmatinase(AGMAT).Methods: Morpholino antisense oligonucleotides(MAOs) were designed and synthesized to inhibit translational initiation of the m RNAs for ODC1 and ADC, in ovine conceptuses.Results: The morphologies of MAO control, MAO-ODC1, and MAO-ADC conceptuses were normal. Double knockdown of ODC1 and ADC(MAO-ODC1:ADC) resulted in two phenotypes of conceptuses; 33% of conceptuses appeared to be morphological y and functional y normal(phenotype a) and 67% of the conceptuses presented an abnormal morphology and functionality(phenotype b). Furthermore, MAO-ODC1:ADC(a) conceptuses had greater tissue concentrations of Agm,putrescine, and spermidine than MAO control conceptuses, while MAO-ODC1:ADC(b) conceptuses only had greater tissue concentrations of Agm. Uterine flushes from ewes with MAO-ODC1:ADC(a) had greater amounts of arginine, aspartate, tyrosine, citrulline, lysine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, leucine, and glutamine, while uterine flushes of ewes with MAO-ODC1:ADC(b) conceptuses had lower amount of putrescine, spermidine, spermine, alanine, aspartate,glutamine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, leucine, and lysine.Conclusions: The double-knockdown of translation of ODC1 and ADC m RNAs was most detrimental to conceptus development and their production of interferon tau(IFNT). Agm, polyamines, amino acids, and adequate secretion of IFNT are critical for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy during the peri-implantation period of gestation in sheep.

Dietary substitution of soybean oil with coconut oil in the absence of dietary antibiotics supports growth performance and immune function in nursery and grower pigs

Background:We hypothesized that supplementation of nursery and grower pig diets with coconut oil in the absence of antibiotics would yield maintenance of glucose homeostasis,growth performance,and immune function similar to what is achieved with nursery and grower pig diets containing antibiotics.Pigs received the same base treatment diets from d24(weaning)to d71 of age and had blood and fecal samples collected on d24,d31,d45 and d71 for measurement of whole blood glucose,serum insulin,cortisol and cytokines,and fecal microbiome.Pigs had weekly weights and daily feed consumption measured throughout the study.Animals were euthanized at d71 and subcutaneous fat and ileal contents were collected for assessment for fatty acids and microbiome,respectively.Diet treatments consisted of 2%soybean oil plus antibiotics(ABX;n=22),2%soybean oil without antibiotics(NABX;n=22),and 2%coconut oil without antibiotics(COC;n=22).Statistical analysis examined the effect of diet within each timepoint using a repeated measures ANOVA.Results:Pigs fed COC diet had decreased serum insulin levels,maintained feed intake,feed conversion and weight gain,and,based on serum cytokines and fecal microbiome,were immunologically similar to ABX-fed pigs.However,NABX-fed pigs performed similarly to the ABX-fed pigs in all parameters except for serum cytokines.Additionally,there was no difference in the incidence of diarrhea between any of the diet treatments.Conclusions:This study demonstrates that dietary antibiotics are not necessary to maintain growth performance in nursery and grower pigs.However,dietary antibiotics appear to modulate circulating cytokine levels.Dietary coconut oil is neither harmful nor helpful to growth performance or immune function in nursery and grower pigs but does modulate serum insulin levels.Therefore,while coconut oil fed at 2%by weight is a suitable substitute for dietary antibiotics,this study suggests that no substitute for dietary antibiotics is needed at all.

Comparison of Insecticide Resistance and Its Enzyme Mechanisms among Aedes aegypti Collected with Three Methods in a Dengue-Endemic City in Southern Mexico

Background: Despite the physical and chemical effort to control Aedes aegypti, the arboviruses transmission in the south of Mexico remains latent. Trying to improve the methods of entomological surveillance routinely used, whether the estimation of resistance to insecticides used for its control, as well as their enzyme mechanisms, were influenced by the phase in which the mosquitoes were collected through three different collection methods was investigated. Materials and Methods: Mosquito collections from the “5 de Febrero” neighborhood in Tapachula, Mexico were obtained by ovitraps, larvitraps, and a CDC backpack aspirator. Insecticide resistance of F1 females was determined by WHO diagnostic doses and resistance ratios (RR50), furthermore, levels of insecticide metabolism enzymes were determined by biochemical assays. Results: Overall, in mosquitoes collected by ovitraps, larvitraps, and CDC backpack aspirator respectively, the low mortalities obtained with the discriminant dose to Malathion (27.57%, 26.97%, and 26.91%), and to Bendiocarb (50.5%, 45.36%, and 54.97%) suggest resistance. However, LC50 for Malathion (0.922, 0.934, and 0.915) and for Bendiocarb (0.112, 0.109, and 0.107);and the low resistance ratios (RR50) for Malathion (3.34, 3.29, and 3.27) and for Bendiocarb (2.15, 2.1, and 2.06) does not suggest resistance. Although a slight numerical variation is observed between the three LC50 values, the overlap observed between their confidence intervals allows us to assume that there were no differences between the three methods. In general, esterases (determined with three substrates), glutathion S-transferases (GST) and cytochromes P450 were statistically higher than those of the susceptible strain;and the three enzyme levels were statistically different among the three collection methods (P Conclusion: Although using a CDC backpack aspirator demonstrated being the best collection method determining a specific resistance mechanism (as elevation at the enzyme level) in the mosquito adult phase, any collection method is reliable to determine whether a field mosquito population is resistant or susceptible to an insecticide.

Effect of a Commercially Available Electrolyte Solution on Acute, Non-Specific Diarrhea in Dogs

Purpose: To determine if a commercially available electrolyte solution is safe and lessens the duration and severity of diarrhea in shelter dogs in stressful situations. Methods: In Experiment 1, six healthy beagles were administered the protocol-approved dose of the electrolyte solution to evaluate clinical, biochemical, or fecal microbiome changes. In Experiment 2, 22 dogs with small or large bowel diarrhea were randomized into one of three groups: the electrolyte solution and a prescription veterinary diet, a placebo and a prescription veterinary diet, or the electrolyte solution and a standard diet. A fecal score was assigned by trained, masked observers through Day 5 using the Purina 7-point fecal scoring system. All dogs were screened for enteric parasites by fecal flotation and the use of a fluorescence antibody assay for Giardia spp. cysts and Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts and all dogs that were parasitized were administered fenbendazole for five days. Results: In Experiment 1, all dogs tolerated the electrolyte solution with no vomiting or diarrhea noted and there was no evidence of negative effects on the gastrointestinal microbiome. In Experiment 2, 16 of the 22 dogs enrolled in the study had a normal stool the day after the first dose of the electrolyte solution, prescription diet, or placebo. All six dogs with the first day of normal stool detected after Day 1 were parasitized. When the days to normalcy were compared, the parasitized dogs had a significantly slower resolution (P = 0.018) than dogs with no parasites regardless of the other treatment group. Conclusions and Relevance: The results of the study suggest that this electrolyte solution is safe for use in dogs and that adding the electrolyte solution to a standard diet is equivalent to using a therapeutic diet alone or the electrolyte solution combined with a therapeutic diet.

Kinetics of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid sorption onto montmorillonite clays in soil and their translocation to genetically modified corn

The co-occurrence of glyphosate(GLP)and aminomethylphosphonic acid(AMPA)in contaminated water,soil,sediment and plants is a cause for concern due to potential threats to the ecosystem and human health.A major route of exposure is through contact with contaminated soil and consumption of crops containing GLP and AMPA residues.However,clay-based sorption strategies for mixtures of GLP and AMPA in soil,plants and garden produce have been very limited.In this study,in vitro soil and in vivo genetically modified corn models were used to establish the proof of concept that the inclusion of clay sorbents in contaminated soils will reduce the bioavailability of GLP and AMPA in soils and their adverse effects on plant growth.Effects of chemical concentration(1–10 mg/kg),sorbent dose(0.5%-3%in soil and 0.5%-1%in plants)and duration(up to 28 days)on sorption kinetics were studied.The time course results showed a continuous GLP degradation to AMPA.The inclusion of calcium montmorillonite(CM)and acid processed montmorillonite(APM)clays at all doses significantly and consistently reduced the bioavailability of both chemicals from soils to plant roots and leaves in a dose-and time-dependent manner without detectable dissociation.Plants treated with 0.5%and 1%APM inclusion showed the highest growth rate(p≤0.05)and lowest chemical bioavailability with up to 76%reduction in roots and57%reduction in leaves.Results indicated that montmorillonite clays could be added as soil supplements to reduce hazardous mixtures of GLP and AMPA in soils and plants.

Safety Evaluation of Stacked Genetically Modified Corn Event (MON89034 ×MON88017) Using Zebrafish as an Animal Model

This study assessed the effect of feeding stacked genetically modified (GM) corn event (MON89034 × MON88017) on embryonic development, adult tissue histology and assessed the possibility of transgenic DNA transfer, using zebrafish as an animal model. Adult zebrafish were separated into male and female groups. After 3 weeks of feeding with experimental diets, males and females were paired once a week and fertilized embryos were collected, then the male and female fish were re-turned to their sex-specific groups. This fertilization and embryo collection process were repeated 3 times. Embryonic morphological measurements were obtained on developing embryos up to 96 hours after fertilization, and then the embryos were fixed in 4% phosphate-buffered paraformal-dehyde for morphologic assessment. At the end of the feeding study, various adult zebrafish tissues were histologically examined for abnormalities. Both zebrafish tissues and embryos were analyzed for presence of plant specific genes and transgenic sequences. No changes or abnormalities were observed in embryonic morphology nor in any of the tissues examined histologically. In addition, no plant DNA reference genes or transgenic DNA were found in any of the analyzed samples. These results demonstrate that the safety and nutrition of MON89034 × MON88017 corn are similar to non-GM corn.

Comparative Evaluation of the Regular Ovitrap vs an Innovated Larvitrap for <i>Aedes</i>Entomological Surveillance in Tapachula

Objective: The objective is to compare a regular ovitrap versus an innovated larvitrap for monitoring Aedes spp. populations. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 regular ovitraps and 20 innovated larvitraps were placed in pairs in 20 houses from the 5 de Febrero neighborhood in Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico. The innovation consisted in the incorporation of a valve in the lower part of a half tire to drain the contents in a 2 L collection container. The evaluation was carried out during five weeks, collecting eggs and larvae from the ovitraps and innovated larvitraps, respectively. Positivity indexes and insectary production of adult Aedes spp. mosquitoes were compared by collection type. Results: Average positivity index for the five weeks period were 60% for ovitraps and 91.25% for innovated larvitraps. During the five weeks, 4043 Ae. aegypti and 703 Ae. albopictus adult mosquitoes were produced in the insectary from the eggs collected from ovitraps, while from innovated larvitraps were 9014 Ae. aegypti, 1205 Ae. albopictus, and 15 Culex spp. Conclusion: Collection by the innovated larvitrap was more efficient, collecting 3.56 times more Ae. aegypti than with ovitraps, using approximately the same effort in time for replacing the filter paper from traditional 1 L ovitraps. Since the logistics for the storage and placement of larvitraps may still be a disadvantage in comparison with ovitraps, their use could be specifically intended in sentinel sites for mosquito population monitoring for entomological surveillance purposes.

Transforming growth factor β signaling in uterine development and function

Transforming growth factor β （TGFβ） superfamily is evolutionarily conserved and plays fundamental roles in cell growth and differentiation. Mounting evidence supports its important role in female reproduction and development. TGFBs1-3 are founding members of this growth factor family, however, the in vivo function of TGFβ signaling in the uterus remains poorly defined. By drawing on mouse and human studies as a main source, this review focuses on the recent progress on understanding TGFβ signaling in the uterus. The review also considers the involvement of dysregulated TGFβ signaling in pathological conditions that cause pregnancy loss and fertility problems in women.

Development of a surgical procedure for removal of a placentome from a pregnant ewe during gestation

Background: In recent decades, there has been a growing interest in the impact of insults during pregnancy on postnatal health and disease. It is known that changes in placental development can impact fetal growth and subsequent susceptibility to adult onset diseases;however, a method to collect sufficient placental tissues for both histological and gene expression analyses during gestation without compromising the pregnancy has not been described. The ewe is an established biomedical model for the study of fetal development. Due to its cotyledonary placental type, the sheep has potential for surgical removal of materno-fetal exchange tissues, i.e., placentomes. A novel surgical procedure was developed in well-fed control ewes to excise a single placentome at mid-gestation.Results: A follow-up study was performed in a cohort of nutrient-restricted ewes to investigate rapid placental changes in response to undernutrition. The surgery averaged 19 min, and there were no viability differences between control and sham ewes. Nutrient restricted fetuses were smaller than controls(4.7 ± 0.1 kg vs. 5.6 ± 0.2 kg;P < 0.05), with greater dam weight loss(-32.4 ± 1.3 kg vs. 14.2 ± 2.2 kg;P < 0.01), and smaller placentomes at necropsy(5.7 ± 0.3 g vs. 7.2 ± 0.9 g;P < 0.05). Weight of sampled placentomes and placentome numbers did not differ.Conclusions: With this technique, gestational studies in the sheep model will provide insight into the onset and complexity of changes in gene expression in placentomes resulting from undernutrition(as described in our study),overnutrition, alcohol or substance abuse, and environmental or disease factors of relevance and concern regarding the reproductive health and developmental origins of health and disease in humans and in animals.

Quality of life of patients with brucellosis in an endemic area of Mexico

The aim of this study was to evaluate quality of life of patients infected with brucellosis compared to a control population from the same geographic region. The quality of life of brucellosis positive and brucellosis negative individuals from rural and urban areas of Mexico was evaluated using the Short-Form SF-36 Health Survey. This survey is a generic measure of physical and mental health-related quality of life. Data analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance and the Tukey test. Brucellosis patients had lower overall quality of life compared with the controls. Brucellosis patients from rural areas had lower overall quality of life (P < 0.05) compared with brucellosis patients from urban areas. In conclusion, human brucellosis affects quality of life, with patients living in rural areas most severely impacted. This may be due to the lack of local public policies and programs for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of brucellosis.

The distribution of drinking water-to-cattle ratios in the summer across four feedlots in the Texas High Plains

In this short communication, we report the findings of a cross-sectional pilot study of the amount of water available per head of cattle (water-to-cattle ratio) and the associated feedlot and environmental factors across 26 pens in four Texas feedlots. The water-to-cattle ratio varied greatly among pens within and between feedlots. Mixed-effect linear regression modeling with feedlot as a random effect indicated that water in troughs with a higher water-to-cattle ratio was generally warmer when compared with water in troughs with a lower water-to-cattle ratio. This may have implications in the transmission and persistence of pathogens in feedlot cattle, such as Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and Salmonella, because warmer water has been reported to favor the growth of these pathogens. Therefore, future field studies in feedlot cattle are warranted to assess whether the water-to-cattle ratio affects the prevalence of these pathogens in the water itself or in feces shed by the animals.

Pilot Study Evaluating the Use of a Commercially Available Oral Nutritional Supplement in the Management of Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats

Purpose: To determine if cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) would willingly consume an oral nutritional supplement formula (NS-CKD) and to assess associated effects on select clinical and biochemical parameters. Methods: Client-owned cats with CKD classified as International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stage 2 (n = 7), IRIS stage 3 (n = 12), or IRIS stage 4 (1 cat) were classified by the owners as having normal or variable appetites. The cats were offered 30 ml NS-CKD for 14 days concurrently with a meal in a separate bowl and the amount of the NS-CKD consumed daily was recorded. Bodyweight, physical examination, and serum biochemical profiles were assessed on Days 0, 7, and 14. Results: Greater than 50% of the NS-CKD was consumed by 14 of 20 (70%) cats and 12 of 20 cats (60%) consumed >80% of the NS-CKD. The total volume of NS-CKD consumed over the course of the study was statistically greater for the cats classified by owners as having normal appetite (P = 0.046). Increases in body weight were noted for 9 of 14 cats (64.3%) that ingested >50% of the NS-CKD and 1 of 6 cats (16.7%), that ingested ≤ 50% (p = 0.1409) and the group mean % change in body weight was greater in the cats that ingested >50% of the NS-CKD (P = 0.023). The volume of NS-CKD consumed correlated to the % change increases in serum bicarbonate concentration (R = 0.4998;P = 0.02) and was weakly correlated to % change decreases in serum phosphorus concentration (R = 0.0406;P = 0.08). Conclusions: In this pilot study, the NS-CKD was accepted by most cats, no adverse effects were noted, and several findings suggest that the product was associated with ameliorating some metabolic complications which suggest it could be considered in the management of cats with CKD.

基于粪便DNA的雪豹种群调查和遗传多样性

雪豹(Pantherauncia)是仅分布于亚洲高海拔山区的珍稀濒危猫科动物。本研究在印度西南部(Ladakh)、中国青海和蒙古国的南部(南Gobi)3个独立的雪豹分布区共采集109份粪便样品。应用线粒体DNA(mtDNA)cytb基因特异性引物对109份粪便样品进行鉴定,发现有31份粪便来自雪豹,其中印度Ladakh、我国青海和蒙古国南Gobi的雪豹样品分别为17份、3份和11份。利用重新筛选设计的7对家猫(Feliscatus)微卫星引物,对雪豹粪便样品进行了基因分型分析,结果发现在Ladakh和南Gobi检测到的雪豹粪便样品分别来自4只和5只不同的雪豹个体,而青海的样品则来自同一只雪豹;遗传多样性统计分析表明,蒙古国南Gobi的雪豹微卫星遗传多样性水平低于印度的Ladakh。研究结果表明了粪便DNA在雪豹种群监测和遗传多样性研究中的可行性。

Grass height and transmission ecology of Echinococcus multilocularis in Tibetan communities, China

Background Alveolar echinococcosis is a major zoonosis of public health significance in western China. Overgrazing was recently assumed as a potential risk factor for transmission of alveolar echinococcosis. The research was designed to further test the overgrazing hypothesis by investigating how overgrazing influenced the burrow density of intermediate host small mammals and how the burrow density of small mammals was associated with dog Echinococcus multilocularis infection. Methods The study sites were chosen by previous studies which found areas where the alveolar echinococcosis was prevalent. The data, including grass height, burrow density of intermediate host small mammals, dog and fox fecal samples as well as Global Positioning System （GPS） position, were collected from field investigations in Shiqu County, Sichuan Province, China. The fecal samples were analyzed using copro-PCR. The worms, teeth, bones and hairs in the fecal samples were visually examined. Single factor and multifactor analyses tools including chi square and generalized linear models were applied to these data. Results By using grass height as a proxy of grazing grass in the pasture led to lower small mammals＇ pressure in the homogenous pasture, this study found that taller burrow density （X2=4.670, P=0.031, coefficient=-1.570）. The Echinococcus multilocularis worm burden in dogs was statistically significantly related to the maximum density of the intermediate host Ochotona spp. （X2=5.250, P=-0.022, coefficient=0.028）. The prevalence in owned dogs was positively correlated to the number of stray dogs seen within a 200 meter radius （Wald X2=8.375, P=-0.004, odds ratio=1.198）. Conclusions Our findings support the hypothesis that overgrazing promotes transmission of alveolar echinococcosis and confirm the role of stray dogs in the transmission of alveolar echinococcosis.

G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor as a new therapeutic target for treating coronary artery disease

Coronary heart disease(CHD) continues to be the greatest mortality risk factor in the developed world. Estrogens are recognized to have great therapeutic potential to treat CHD and other cardiovascular diseases; however,a significant array of potentially debilitating side effects continues to limit their use. Moreover,recent clinical trials have indicated that long-term postmenopausal estrogen therapy may actually be detrimental to cardiovascular health. An exciting new development is the finding that the more recently discovered G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor(GPER) is expressed in coronary arteries-both in coronary endothelium and in smooth muscle within the vascular wall. Accumulating evidence indicates that GPER activation dilates coronary arteries and can also inhibit the prolif-eration and migration of coronary smooth muscle cells. Thus,selective GPER activation has the potential to increase coronary blood flow and possibly limit the debilitating consequences of coronary atherosclerotic disease. This review will highlight what is currently known regarding the impact of GPER activation on coronary arteries and the potential signaling mechanisms stimulated by GPER agonists in these vessels. A thorough understanding of GPER function in coronary arteries may promote the development of new therapies that would help alleviate CHD,while limiting the potentially dangerous side effects of estrogen therapy.

Present status of aquaculture and the challenge of bacterial diseases in freshwater farmed fish in Tanzania;A call for sustainable strategies

Aquaculture provides significant contributions to household food security,as the capture of wild fish from lakes,dams,and oceans do not meet the current demand for animal protein in Tanzania.Sustainable aquaculture requires well-established regulatory systems and extension services for good pond management practices and maintaining fish health by fish farmers.Fish farming is practiced widely in Tanzania,from small-to large-scale ponds and these farming systems are moving from extensive normal operations(low input demand)to intensive farming(high input demand).However,the industry is largely still operating at a subsistence level with low production.Bacterial infections have been occurring in these fish farms and will continue to be an issue of concern into the future.This review highlights the current challenges,successes,and prospects towards a sustainable aquaculture industry in Tanzania,including:limited extension services mirroring the limited knowledge by farmers regarding pond management practices;the inadequacy of funds to carry out fish disease research or implement a surveillance system;little expertise in fish disease diagnosis and treatment;and poor management options.To minimize disease outbreaks and optimize production in the future,we suggest a strengthening of extension services,augmented with on-farm knowledge transfer.Emphasis should be on pond management practices and fish disease management;the creation of a well-functioning fish disease surveillance system;and strengthening collaborative research on aquaculture between the government research institutions and academia.Establishing small cooperative fish farmer groups within the Aquaculture Association of Tanzania(AAT)for easy access to information is also recommended.

FTY720,a sphingosine analog,altered placentome histoarchitecture in ewes

Background:The lysosphingolipid,sphingosine-1-phosphate,is a well-described and potent pro-angiogenic factor.Receptors,as well as the sphingosine phosphorylating enzyme sphingosine kinase 1,are expressed in the placentomes of sheep and the decidua of rodents;however,a function for this signaling pathway during pregnancy has not been established.The objective of this study was to investigate whether sphingosine-1-phosphate promoted angiogenesis within the placentomes of pregnant ewes.Ewes were given daily jugular injections of FTY720(2-amino-2[2-(−4-octylphenyl)ethyl]propate-1,3-diol hydrochloride),an S1P analog.Results:FTY720 infusion from days 30 to 60 of pregnancy did not alter maternal organ weights nor total number or mass of placentomes,but did alter placentome histoarchitecture.Interdigitation of caruncular crypts and cotyledonary villi was decreased,as was the relative area of cotyledonary tissue within placentomes.Also,the percentage of area occupied by cotyledonary villi per unit of placentome was increased,while the thickness of the caruncular capsule was decreased in ewes treated with FTY720.Further,FTY720 infusion decreased the number and density of blood vessels within caruncular tissue near the placentome capsule where the crypts emerge from the capsule.Finally,FTY720 infusion decreased asparagine and glutamine in amniotic fluid and methionine in allantoic fluid,and decreased the crown rump length of day 60 fetuses.Conclusions:While members of the sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling pathway have been characterized within the uteri and placentae of sheep and mice,the present study uses FTY720 to address the influence of S1P signaling on placental development.We present evidence that modulation of the S1P signaling pathway results in the alteration of caruncular vasculature,placentome architecture,abundance of amino acids in allantoic and amniotic fluids,and fetal growth during pregnancy in sheep.The marked morphological changes in placentome histoarchitecture,including alteration in the vasculature,may be relevant to fetal growth and survival.It is somewhat surprising that fetal length was reduced as early as day 60,because fetal growth in sheep is greatest after day 60.The subtle changes observed in the fetuses of ewes exposed to FTY720 may indicate an adaptive response of the fetuses to cope with altered placental morphology.

The ins and outs of spermatology

Now Webster himself defines Ins and Outs As discussions with a technical slant, So when you see a title like this Get curious rather than rant.