Pulsed wave Doppler echocardiographic assessment after sedation by intravenous injection of medetomidine and xylazine hydrochloride on cardiac output and systolic time intervals in one-humped camel calves (Camelus dromedarious)

BACKGROUND

Pulsed wave (PW) Doppler echocardiography provides a convenient and noninvasive tool for measuring cardiac output (CO) alternations after the administration of sedative drugs, but this is not a usual method for camelids.

AIMS

The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes of the left and right ventricular outflow tracts (LVOT and RVOT), CO, and systolic time intervals following the intravenous (IV) injection of medetomidine (M) and xylazine (X) using PW Doppler echocardiography.

METHODS

Twenty apparently healthy immature male one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarious) were selected and divided into four groups (five animals per group). Medetomidine and X were injected to the left jugular vein at two different doses of 10 and 20 μg/kg, and 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg, respectively. Effects on echocardiographic parameters were assessed at 4 intervals: before, 3, 60, and 120 min after drug administrations.

RESULTS

Velocity time integrity (VTI), maximum/mean flow velocity (Vmax and Vmean) and maximum/mean pressure gradient (PGmax and PGmean) decreased in aortic and pulmonic valves. Left ventricular ejection time (LVET) and LVET + pre ejection period (PEP) decreased and PEP and PEP/LVET increased in all groups except the low dose X group, 3 min after drug administration (P<0.05). The least values of VTI, velocity (V), PG and CO were observed after 60 min in the low dose X group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

A relationship was found between the intensity and the duration of changes in cardiac parameters and both types and dosages of the injected drugs. We concluded that X and M have transient depressor effects on the ventricular outflow tract and CO of healthy camels.

Reduced anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in mares with hemorrhagic anovulatory follicles

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has been observed to decrease with the development of hemorrhagic anovulatory follicles (HAFs) in mares. Two studies were conducted to evaluate AMH concentration in mares with HAFs compared to seasonally anoestrous and cyclic mares, and to elucidate changes of AMH with the development of luteinised unruptured follicles (LUFs). In study 1, AMH and progesterone were evaluated in seasonally anoestrous, anovulatory (with HAF) and cyclic mares (at mid luteal phase). In study 2, mares in control and LUF groups were treated with 1500 IU/case hCG when they had a ≥32-mm follicle and an endometrial oedema score of three (day 0). Mares in the control group received no further treatment. Mares in the LUF group received 1.7 mg/kg flunixin meglumine at the time of hCG administration, and 12, 24 and 36 h after it. Ultrasonography and blood collection for AMH and progesterone measurement were performed on days 0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8. In study 1, AMH concentration was lower in seasonally anoestrous and HAF mares than cyclic mares (P<0.05). Progesterone concentration did not differ between HAF and cyclic mares (P>0.05). In study 2, AMH was not different between LUF and control mares (P>0.05); however, progesterone had a lower concentration and a delayed rise after hCG administration in LUF mares compared with the control group (P<0.05). The results indicated that similar to seasonally anoestrous mares, AMH concentrations decreased in mares with HAFs. LUFs were also found to be functionally different from HAFs.

Serum biochemical parameters of Acipenser persicus

Serum biochemical parameters are important aspects in the management of endangered species, such as Acipenser persicus. The values of these parameters can be used for confirming the maturity and for monitoring any changes in the quality of waters and related soils. Serum samples of 44 A. persicus fishes were analyzed and their serum parameter values were determined as Mean+/-SD in four groups: mature males and females and immature males and females, respectively. We compared the levels of calcium (Ca; 1.97 +/- 0.31-2.38 +/- 0.28 mmol/l), blood urea nitrogen (BUN; 4.4 +/- 0.54-6.16 +/- 0.63 mmol/l), cholesterol (CHO; 2.55 +/- 0.42-13.51 +/- 0.65 mmol/l), creatinine (CREA; 27.23 +/- 3.5-83.98 +/- 7.5 mmol/l), magnesium (Mg; 2.74 +/- 0.18-3.05 +/- 0.46 mmol/l), bilirubin (Bilirubin; 2.05 +/- 0.42-13.93 +/- 4.39 mumol/l), aspatate transaminase (AST; 18.25 +/- 1.5-167 +/- 38 Iu/l), alanine transaminase (ALT; 11 +/- 1-25.33 +/- 9.24 Iu/l), alkaline phosphatase (ALP; 183.5 +/- 17.68-523 +/- 66.23 Iu/l) and creatine kinase (CK; 157.5 +/- 27.58-2132.2 +/- 250.92 Iu/l). We have shown that there were no differences in the Ca and Mg levels among the different groups. However, mature females have higher CREA, AST, CHO and lower BUN, ALP and ALT than the immature females. In the mature males, the values of ALP and bilirubin were higher yet the values of CREA and ALT were lower than in the immature males.