A 5-year-old female fennec fox weighing 1 kg presented to the Veterinary Medical Center, Chungbuk National University with swelling of the mammary glands and hematuria. There were no significant complete blood count (CBC) or serum chemistry findings. The uterus obtained by ovariohysterectomy was filled with blood-clot-like material. The uterine fluid contained erythrocytes, a few leukocytes, and bilirubin crystals without bacteria. The progesterone concentration in the blood serum the day before ovariohysterectomy was 7.3 ng/ mL, which is higher than anestrus and lower than a true pregnant condition in a fennec fox. Despite the low blood progesterone concentration and absence of a fetus in the uterus, the histopathological zonary placental findings indicated that the fennec fox had been pregnant. This is the first case report of hematometra associated with fetal death in a captive fennec fox.

Hematometra is defined as the accumulation of blood and blood clots in the uterus. An 8-month-old, intact female Poongsan dog presented with continuous severe hemorrhagic vulvar discharge and anemia. The initial diagnostic evaluation included abdominal ultrasonography, radiography, and physical and laboratory examinations. The electrolyte levels were low: Na ion levels were 128 mmol/L (reference range, 141 - 152 mmol/L), and Cl ion levels were 99 mmol/ L (reference range, 105 - 115 mmol/L). At presentation, the white blood cell count was 60.19 × 103/μL (reference range, 5.05 – 16.76 × 103/μL), packed cell volume was 11.8% (reference range, 37.3% - 61.7%), hemoglobin levels were 4.6 g/ dl (reference range, 13.1 - 20.5 g/dl), and platelet count was 48 × 103/μL (reference range, 148 - 484 × 103/μL). Based on the results of the complete blood count, the dog was given lactated Ringer’s solution and a whole blood transfusion. On abdominal ultrasonography, the left uterine horn was enlarged and filled with echogenic fluid. On laparotomy, the uterus was enlarged and showed an accumulation of blood and blood clots. The incised uterine horn revealed that the endometrium was filled with blood and blood clots and had a cystic appearance. Additionally, thick and yellowish pus had accumulated in the uterine cavity. Gross findings revealed a definitive diagnosis of cystic endometrial hyperplasia- pyometra complex with severe hemorrhage, termed hematometra. This case was the first report of severe hematometra in a young Poongsan dog.

The objective of this experiment was to assess the relationship between electrical resistance of the vaginal mucosa and plasma progesterone for optimal mating time in the bitch. Eight mature beagle bitches were examined, and we observed eight times of estrus. Vaginal electric resistance was recorded weekly using a Draminski ovulation detector in anestrus, and daily in estrus. Plasma progesterone concentration was estimated by radioimmunoassay. In the bitch, incline in vaginal electric resistance (376.20 ± 105.63 units) showed a closely association with the onset of proestrus. Ovulation day was determined as the first day when plasma progesterone concentration increased above 5.0 ng/ml (Day 0). On Day 0, vaginal mucous electric resistance was 438 ± 132 units. Vaginal mucous electric resistance showed a slight decrease or was maintained until Day 0. However, it showed an explosive increase, and peaked on Day 1~3, which was above 600 units. Two of eight cases peaked on Day 1, three of eight cases were revealed on Day 2, and others were revealed on Day 3. After Day 4, resistance showed a rapid drop to below 600 units and reached 200 units on Day 8. The optimal mating time was determined when vaginal mucous electric resistance was above 600 units.

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of sericin-calcium (SC) as therapy for ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats. Three weeks after ovariectomy (OVX), Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into three groups: sham-operated group (Sham), ovariectomized group, and SC-treatment group (OVX+SC). Rats in the OVX+SC group were given drinking water containing 0.07% SC for eight weeks. Bone breaking force, mineralization, and blood parameters related to bone metabolism were analyzed. In OVX animals, blood concentration of 17β-estradiol showed a significant decrease, while osteocalcin and type I collagen C-terminal telopeptides (CTx) showed an increase. Breaking force of femurs as well as bone mineral density (BMD), ash, calcium, and phosphorus in femurs showed a significant decrease following OVX. Treatment with SC (0.07% in drinking water) resulted not only in remarkable restoration of the decreased 17β-estradiol and increased osteocalcin and CTx concentrations, but also led to recovery of decreased femoral breaking force, BMD, ash, calcium, and phosphorus. It is suggested that SC effectively improves bone density by preventing bone turnover-mediated osteocalcin, CTx, and minerals, and that it could be a potential candidate for use in therapy or prevention of post-menopausal osteoporosis.

Due to the similarities of their anatomical morphology and physiology to those of humans, pigs have increasingly become useful models for toxicological and pharmacological studies. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the quality control level through hematological features of minipigs. Thus, we attempted to determine whether there are differences in hematological parameters between male and female minipigs. No significant differences in the levels of erythrocytes, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), leukocytes (WBC), and serum electrolytes were observed between male and female minipigs. However, leukocytes were higher than reference range in both sexes (26.46±2.06 vs 11.6±5.4 for male; 23.58±3.36 vs 10.0±2.0 for female). In differential leukocyte counts, no significant differences in leukocyte parameters were observed between sexes. However, neutrophils were higher than reference range in both sexes (60.65±13.92 vs 33.1±18.9 for male; 46.84±12.80 vs 15.4±5.6 for female). In serum biochemical analysis, no significant differences in biochemical parameters were observed between male and female minipigs. However, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALT) were higher than reference range, while alanine aminotransferase (ALP) was lower than reference range. In urine analysis, pH of male and female was 8.3±1.0 and 6.4±1.6, showing a higher value in male minipigs. These data indicate that quality control of minipigs must take precedence in conduct of toxicological and pharmacological studies.

Effects of Vegemil® containing soybean proteins and isoflavones on the growth and bone density of broiler chickens were investigated. One-week-old male and female Arbor Acres broiler chickens were fed on Vegemil® A containing 3% soybean proteins and 162 ppm isoflavones, instead of water, for 30 days and their growth indices (body weight, leg weight and femur length) and bone density were analyzed. The body weight gains in male and female chickens were increased by 15.6% and 31.7%, respectively, following feeding Vegemil® A compared to normal water. Vegemil® A increased leg weight as well as femur length of females by 22.9% and 15.0%, respectively. In addition, Vegemil® A feeding enhanced femoral bone density by 21.3% in comparison with water feeding. Therefore, it is suggested that Vegemil® A not only facilitates body growth, but also strengthens bone density of normal chickens, and that it could be a promising candidate for the improvement of infant growth and for the prevention of menopausal osteoporosis.

A 13-year-old, male mixed breed dog was presented to Veterinary Medical Center, Chungbuk National University for diagnosis and treatment of enlarged mass in right inguinal region. On hematological test, monocytes and neutrophils were slight increased, but other hematological values were normal. On radiological finding, opacity and size of mass in right inguinal region were increased. The mass and testis were removed surgically. Removed mass was oval-shpae and bulky with 5.6×7.6×5.2 cm. Histopathological finding of the mass revealed large and round to polyhedral cells and it was diagnosed as malignant seminoma. That was diffuse type seminoma near to malignant tumor without metastasis. During the follow-up for 13 months, patient showed normal contition without recurrence.

The aim of this study was to enhance the proliferation efficiency of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). In order to improve the proliferation efficiency, we investigated new factors that promote the proliferation of SSCs using in vitro culture method with natural plant extracts. Germ cell populations containing SSCs were collected 6- to 8-days-old from C57BL/6-TG-EGFP (C57GFP) mice and SSCs were isolated from the collected cells via magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS). Since then, SSCs were cultured for a week with culture medium containing natural plant extracts at concentration of 0.1, 1, and 10 μg/mL. After a week of culture, we looked for an increase, especially a dose-dependent increase, in the number of cells compared to that of the control group. A dose-dependent increase, in the number of cells was observed in the Petasides japonicus-treated groups. Furthermore, we carried out repeated experiment that is process consisting of selection and additional segmentation to explore new factors for activating SSCs at the molecular level. As a results, Petasides japonicus butanol fraction significantly increased the proliferation rate of SSCs in a dose-dependent manner among Petasides japonicus fraction samples. We identified normal expression level of PLZF in SSCs cultured with plant extracts using immunocytochemistry method. Furthermore, we also carried out qRT-PCR and identified normal expression level of Lhx1 and GFRα1. The finding of this study could contribute to improvement of proliferation and activation for SSCs, using culture method with natural plant extracts.

As an endocrine disruptor, bisphenol-A (BPA) causes several functional and behavioral abnormalities related to reproduction. The current study was design to evaluate the effect of perinatal exposure of female mice to BPA on sperm function of adult F(1) offspring. Pregnant female mice F(0) were gavaged with three different concentration of BPA, such as 50 μg/kg/day (tolerable daily intake value by the European Food Safety Authority), 5 mg/kg/day (no-observed-adverse-effect level; NOAEL), and 50 mg/kg/day (lowest-observed-adverse-effect level; LOAEL) and corn oil (7 mg/kg/day; vehicle control). The functional parameters of F(1) spermatozoa were studied both before and after capacitation, whereas the fertility assessment was evaluated by in vitro and in vivo assay using unexposed females. Our results showed that spermatozoa hyperactivated motility, capacitation, intracellular ATP, Ca2+, and ROS levels after capacitation were significantly affected using NOAEL and LOAEL concentration of BPA. However, the sperm motility was only affected by LOAEL dose after capacitation. All of the tested parameters were potentially unaffected by BPA before capacitation, except intracellular ATP that decreased by all concentrations. Although both NOAEL and LOAEL concentration were effectively reduced the rate of fertilization and embryonic development in vitro, however the average litter size was only affected by LOAEL dose. Our finding suggested that perinatal exposure of 50 μg/kg/day did not produce significant effects; however both NOAEL and LOAEL affects overall sperm function after capacitation, leading to impairments in the fertility of F(1) male offspring.