RESUMO
Fetal biparietal diameter (BPD) and thorax height (TH) were measured by ultrasound during intrauterine growth in pregnant llamas (Lama glama) and alpacas (Lama pacos). The goal was to establish representative curves that allows estimation of gestational age (GA) from real-time ultrasonic measurements of these fetal structures at any stage of gestation. Llamas and alpacas were mated under controlled conditions. Ultrasound exams were conducted to determine pregnancy status 1 month later. Measurements of fetal BPD and TH were conducted from the second month of pregnancy until term. Observation and assessment of fetal TH was difficult during the last 3 months of pregnancy, specially in llamas. Regression curves were calculated from the data as a function of GA, with the best fit represented by the following equations: llama GA=(BPD-0.002399)43.02293,r=0.98,P<0.001; llama GA=(TH-0.07137)46.94485, r=0.95,P<0.001; alpaca GA=(BPD-0.11376)47.23287, r=0.98,P<0.001; alpaca GA=(TH-0.36436)52.87663, r=0.96,P<0.001, where GA was measured in days and BPD and TH in centimeters. Results indicate that ultrasonic measurement of these fetal biometric variables constitute a valuable tool to estimate GA at any stage of pregnancy in these domestic South American camelids.
Assuntos
Camelídeos Americanos/embriologia , Idade Gestacional , Ultrassonografia Pré-Natal/veterinária , Animais , Peso ao Nascer , Feminino , Osso Parietal/diagnóstico por imagem , Osso Parietal/embriologia , Gravidez , Tórax/diagnóstico por imagem , Tórax/embriologiaRESUMO
An ultrasonography study of early pregnancy diagnosis was carried out in 19 alpacas and 12 llamas, after controlled matings. The aim was to determine the earliest gestational age at which pregnancy diagnosis by transrectal ultrasonography could be achieved, and to generate an empirical formula for gestational sac diameter (GSD) growth as a function of gestational age (GA), allowing an estimate of GA during the first month of pregnancy. We found that pregnancy diagnosis may be carried out as early as 9 days after mating in alpacas and 7 days in llamas. This diagnosis was found to be accurate at 23 days in alpacas and 34 days in llamas. The empirical relations that best describe the relationship between GSD and GA were GA = logGSD + 1.2339/0.0585 r = 0.85; P < 0.001 in alpacas, and GA = logGSD + 1.2649/0.0546 r = 0.77, P < 0.001 in llamas, where GA is measured in days and GSD in centimeters. Our results also indicate that ultrasonography is a reliable technique for early pregnancy diagnosis. Furthermore, the empirical formulae reliably make it possible to estimate GA from GSD during the first month of pregnancy and their use might improve the efficiency of camelid breeders.
Assuntos
Camelídeos Americanos/embriologia , Camelídeos Americanos/fisiologia , Embrião de Mamíferos/diagnóstico por imagem , Testes de Gravidez/veterinária , Prenhez/fisiologia , Ultrassonografia Pré-Natal/veterinária , Animais , Embrião de Mamíferos/fisiologia , Feminino , Idade Gestacional , Masculino , Modelos Biológicos , Gravidez , Testes de Gravidez/métodos , Ultrassonografia Pré-Natal/métodos , Útero/diagnóstico por imagem , Útero/fisiologiaRESUMO
Bovine uterotropic placental factor (bUTPF) was obtained from bovine term placentae that had been homogenized and extracted in acidic medium. The extracts were chromatographed on Sephadex G-75, a fraction named native bUTPF was obtained, and an antiserum was generated. The native bUTPF was chromatographed on Sephacryl S-300 HR, and a 230-kDa fraction was obtained. A competitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was developed to determine bUTPF levels during gestation. This EIA was linear between 0 and 80 micrograms/ml (with a detection limit of 0.2 microgram/ml) and showed intraassay and interassay coefficients of variation of 11.2% and 15.5%, respectively. Bovine UTPF serum levels during gestation were determined by means of a cross-sectional study between the first month of gestation and delivery. Maximal serum levels of bUTPF were found during the first month of gestation: 7.1 +/- 1.9 micrograms/ml (p < 0.05). In another cross-sectional study, blood samples were collected from 105 cows between 8 and 25 days postinsemination (day of insemination = Day 0). Levels of bUTPF were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) by Day 17 compared to Day 0 (5.8 +/- 2.2 micrograms/ml vs. 1.2 +/- 0.7 micrograms/ml). We conclude that bUTPF is detected by EIA in maternal peripheral serum early during gestation in the bovine species.
Assuntos
Bovinos/sangue , Técnicas Imunoenzimáticas , Hormônios Placentários/sangue , Animais , Ligação Competitiva , Western Blotting , Cromatografia em Gel , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida , Feminino , Imunodifusão , Placenta/química , Hormônios Placentários/isolamento & purificação , Gravidez , Valores de Referência , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Inhibitory and bactericidal activities of ciprofloxacin, temafloxacin, tosufloxacin, fleroxacin and E-4868 were determined against isolates of escherichia coli, acinetobacter baumannii and pseudomonas aeruginosa from varius chilean hospitals. Time-kill experiments were perfomed against one selected strain of these bacterial species. All quinolones showed high activity against E. coli as well as lower activity against P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii. Ciprofloxacin, temafloxacin, tosufloxacin, fleroxacin and E-4868 were rapidly bactericidal against E. coli, but only ciprofloxacin rapidly killed the strain of P. aeruginosa. E-4868 and tosufloxacin were also rapidly bactericidal against A. baumannii