Effects of meldonium on sexual performance,sperm motility,testes morphology and blood biochemical markers in boars

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of long term (90-day) administration of meldonium [3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazinium) propionate] (mildronate, quaterin, MET-88) on sexual performance, sperm motility, testes morphology and biochemical blood markers in boars. Boars were treated with 2.0 g of meldonium daily for 90 days. Administration of meldonium improved sexual performance and sperm motility. Thus, the reaction time (time from exposure to the dummy to the start of ejaculation) was reduced and the progressive motility of spermatozoa was significantly increased in the meldonium-treated boars compared to that of the boars of control group. In addition, the spermatogenic epithelium was thicker and proliferation of interstitial endocrine cells (Leydig cells) was observed in meldonium-treated boars. The concentration of blood serum testosterone was higher in the meldonium-treatment group than in the control group. Meldonium did not affect the concentration of creatinine, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, glucose and aspartate aminotransferase/AST, alanine aminotransferase/ALT activity in blood plasma. In conclusion, 90-day administration of meldonium improved sexual performance and sperm motility of boars and it also increased concentration of testosterone in blood serum. Further studies are necessary to substantiate the potential use of meldonium as a sperm motility and/or sperm quality-enhancing agent in livestock.     

The insectivorous bat Pipistrellus nathusii uses a mixed-fuel strategy to power autumn migration

In contrast to birds, bats are possibly limited in their capacity to use body fat as an energy source for long migrations. Here, we studied the fuel choice of migratory Pipistrellus nathusii (approximate weight: 8 g) by analysing the stable carbon isotope ratio (δ(13)C(V-PDB)) of breath and potential energy sources. Breath δ(13)C(V-PDB) was intermediate between δ(13)C(V-PDB) of insect prey and adipocyte triacylglycerols, suggesting a mixed-fuel use of P. nathusii during autumn migration. To clarify the origin of oxidized fatty acids, we performed feeding experiments with captive P. nathusii. After an insect diet, bat breath was enriched in (13)C relative to the bulk and fat portion of insects, but not deviating from the non-fat portion of insects, suggesting that bats oxidized exogenous proteins and carbohydrates, but not exogenous fatty acids. A feeding experiment with (13)C-labelled substrates confirmed these findings. In conclusion, migratory P. nathusii oxidized dietary proteins directly from insects captured en route in combination with endogenous fatty acids from adipocytes, and replenished their body reserves by routing dietary fatty acids to their body reserves.     

Impact of the genes UGT1A1, GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTA1, GSTP1 and NAT2 on acute alcohol-toxic hepatitis

Alcohol metabolism causes cellular damage by changing the redox status of cells. In this study, we investigated the relationship between genetic markers in genes coding for enzymes involved in cellular redox stabilization and their potential role in the clinical outcome of acute alcohol-induced hepatitis. Study subjects comprised 60 patients with acute alcohol-induced hepatitis. The control group consisted of 122 healthy non-related individuals. Eight genetic markers of the genes UGT1A1, GSTA1, GSTP1, NAT2, GSTT1 and GSTM1 were genotyped. GSTT1 null genotype was identified as a risk allele for alcohol-toxic hepatitis progression (OR 2.146, P=0.013). It was also found to correlate negatively with the level of prothrombin (β= ?11.05, P=0.037) and positively with hyaluronic acid (β=170.4, P=0.014). NAT2 gene alleles rs1799929 and rs1799930 showed opposing associations with the activity of the biochemical markers γ-glutamyltransferase and alkaline phosphatase; rs1799929 was negatively correlated with γ-glutamyltransferase (β=?261.3, P=0.018) and alkaline phosphatase (β= ?270.5, P=0.032), whereas rs1799930 was positively correlated with Γ-glutamyltransferase (β=325.8, P=0.011) and alkaline phosphatase (β=374.8, P=0.011). Enzymes of the glutathione S-transferase family and NAT2 enzyme play an important role in the detoxification process in the liver and demonstrate an impact on the clinical outcome of acute alcohol-induced hepatitis.     

Myxosarcoma in a wapiti.

Myxosarcoma was diagnosed in an adult male wapiti (Cervus canadensis) from western Colorado. The neoplasm was located on the medial aspect of the right thigh and had extensively infiltrated adjacent soft tissue.     

From clinical and biochemical to molecular genetic diagnosis of Wilson disease in Latvia

Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism characterized by hepatic and/or neurological damage. More than 300 mutations in gene ATP7B causing this defect have been reported. The data on correlation between WD patient genotypes and clinical presentation are controversial. In this paper, the results of ATP7B mutation analysis by testing for mutation H1069Q and direct sequencing of six exons together with the clinical data of 40 Latvian WD patients are presented. Two previously described and two novel mutations as well as one previously reported polymorphism were identified. The H1069Q mutation was present at 52.5% of the disease alleles. One individual among 157 healthy Latvians was also found to be a mutation H1069Q carrier. The estimated incidence of WD in Latvia is ∼1 in 25600. Wide clinical variability was observed among individuals with the same ATP7B genotype, thus supporting the suggestion that modifying factors play an additional role in the pathogenesis of WD. An algorithm for the diagnosis of WD, including testing for mutation H1069Q, is recommended for the populations where mutation H1069Q accounts for 50% of WD alleles or more. The text was submitted authors English.