2. Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU

During pregnancy, maternal erythropoietic expansion and fetal development require greater mobilization of available iron (Fe) stores. These adjustments in Fe metabolism in humans and rodents are largely mediated by the hormone hepcidin (Hepc), which controls the expression of ferroportin (Fpn), a transporter responsible for exporting Fe from stores to extracellular fluid and plasma. These mechanisms based on the regulation of Hepc on the availability of Fe during gestation in healthy mares remain unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the existence of interrelationships among concentrations of Hepc, ferritin (Ferr), Fe, and estrone (E1) and progesterone (P4) in Spanish Purebred mares along the whole gestation. Blood samples were taken from 31 Spanish Purebred mares each month, during 11 months of pregnancy. Fe and Ferr significantly increased and Hepc decreased during pregnancy (P < 0.05). The secretion peak of estrone (E1) was reached in the 5th month and progesterone (P4) between the 2nd and 3rd months of gestation (P < 0.05). Fe and Ferr were weakly positively correlated (r = 0.57; P < 0.05). Fe and Ferr were negatively correlated with Hepc (r = −0.80 and r = −0.67, respectively) (P < 0.05). P4 was positively correlated with Hepc (r = 0.53; P < 0.05). Pregnancy in the Spanish Purebred mare was characterized by a progressive increase in Fe and Ferr and a reduction in Hepc concentrations. E1 was partially responsible for the suppression of Hepc; on the other hand, P4 induced its stimulation during pregnancy in the mare.

In woman and in animal models, estrogens are involved in iron (Fe) homeostasis supporting the hypothesis of the existence of an “estrogen-iron axis”. Since advancing age leads to a decrease in estrogen levels, the mechanisms of Fe regulation could be compromised. In cyclic and pregnant mares, to date, there is evidence linking the iron state with estrogens pattern. Then, the objective of this study was to determine the relationship among Fe, ferritin (Ferr), hepcidin (Hepc) and estradiol-17β (E2) in cyclic mares with advancing age. A total of 40 Spanish Purebred mares of different ranges of age was analyzed: 4–6 years (n = 10), 7–9 years (n = 10), 10–12 years (n = 10), and >12 years (n = 10). Blood samples were obtained on days −5, 0, +5 and + 16 of the cycle. Compared to mares of 4–6 years, serum Ferr was significantly higher (P < 0.01) and Fe significantly lower (P < 0.01) in mares >12 years of age. Hepc was significantly higher in mares >12 years (P < 0.01) than in those 7–9 years of age. E2 levels were higher in mares of 7–9 years (P < 0.01) than in 4–6 and >12 years of age. Fe and Ferr were negatively correlated with Hepc (r = −0.71 and r = −0.02, respectively). E2 was negatively correlated with Ferr and Hepc (r = −0.28 and r = −0.50, respectively), and positively with Fe (r = 0.31). There is a direct relationship between E2 and Fe metabolism, mediated by the inhibition of Hepc in Spanish Purebred mares. The reduction of E2 decreases the inhibitory effects on Hepc, increasing the levels of stored Fe and mobilizing less the free Fe in circulation. Based on the fact that ovarian estrogens participate in changes in the parameters indicative of iron status with age, the existence of an “estrogen-iron axis” in the mares'estrous cycle could be considered. Future studies are required to clarify these hormonal and metabolic interrelationships in the mare.

Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains growth factors (GFs) that modulate the expression of inflammatory cells; thus, these products could be considered a good strategy to favor tissue regeneration in feline immunodeficiency (FIV) positive cats. However, there is no scientific documentation on obtaining PRP in FIV-positive cats. Authors hypothesized that PRP can be obtained in FIV cats following the PRGF®-Endoret® methodology. The objectives of this study were to compare the platelet, erythrocyte, and leukocyte concentration between whole blood (WB) and the PRP; and determine the concentration of platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in FIV-positive cats. Sixteen adults FIV-positive asymptomatic cats were included in the study. WB samples were drawn and the PRP was obtained by centrifugation at 265g for 10 min. Erythrocyte and leukocyte, platelets, and mean platelet volume (MPV) were determined both in WB and in PRP. PDGF-BB and TGF-β1 concentrations were additionally determined in PRP. Platelet concentration increased 1.1 times in PRP fraction compared to WB, but no significant differences were reported. MPV was statistically higher in WB than in PRP (p = 0.001). Erythrocytes and leukocytes counts were decreased by 99% and 92%, respectively in the PRP fraction (p < 0.001). Regarding TGF-ß1, a higher concentration was shown in the PRP (p < 0.02). Although the product obtained could not be classified as PRP according to the PRGF®-Endoret® methodology, based on the drastic reduction of RBC and WBC, the PLT concentrate is of high purity.

In the present review, the authors, based on the multiple functions performed by the liver, analyze the multiple biochemical and hematological changes as an expression of altered liver function in the horse. The liver performs important metabolic functions related to the synthesis, degradation, and excretion of various substances. Modification of these functions can be evaluated and diagnosed by determining serum concentrations of several serum analytes, including enzymes and other endogenous substances. Hepatocellular enzymes, such as sorbitol dehydrogenase-SDH and glutamate dehydrogenase-GLDH, are released following hepatocellular necrosis. Hepatobiliary enzymes, such as γ-glutamyl transferase-GGT, increase in response to necrosis, cholestasis, and other alterations in bile conducts. Serum concentrations of mainly endogenous and exogenous substances that the liver should synthesize or eliminate, such as proteins (albumin and globulins), bile acids, urea, glucose, total and direct bilirubin, and coagulation factors, and fibrinogen should be included in the liver function test profile. The interpretation of laboratory tests of liver function will allow the diagnosis of functional loss of the organ. Some of the analytes considered provide information on the prognosis of liver disease. This review will provide an accurate and objective interpretation of the common biochemical and hematological tests in use in the diagnosis of equine hepatic disease patients, aiding still further the veterinary activity on the applied equine clinical cases.

In recent years, several studies have been conducted on Muse cells mainly due to their pluripotency, high tolerance to stress, self-renewal capacity, ability to repair DNA damage and not being tumoral. Additionally, since these stem cells can be isolated from different tissues in the adult organism, obtaining them is not considered an ethical problem, providing an advantage over embryonic stem cells. Regarding their therapeutic potential, few studies have reported clinical applications in the treatment of different diseases, such as aortic aneurysm and chondral injuries in the mouse or acute myocardial infarction in the swine, rabbit, sheep and in humans. This review aims to describe the characterization of Muse cells, show their biological characteristics, explain the differences between Muse cells and mesenchymal stem cells, and present their contribution to the treatment of some diseases.

Introduction: Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a chronic disease that leads to the weakening of a cat's immune system. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) offers therapeutic effects for multiple diseases, the use of PRP and growth factors (GFs) determination could be an alternative treatment to improve the quality of life in these patients. The objectives of this study were to determine and compare the concentration of platelets (PLTs), red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) between samples of whole blood (WB), PRP and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) fractions, and to evaluate the concentration of platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in both fractions in FeLV cats using a PRGF®-Endoret® protocol previously standardized in this species. Methods: WB was collected from 11 asymptomatic FeLV-positive cats. PRP and PPP was obtained following PRGF®-Endoret® technology according to centrifugation at 265 g for 10 min. Cellular components, RBCs, WBCs, PLTs, and the PDGF-BB and TGF-β1 concentrations in PRP and PPP fractions were determined. Results: PLT in the PRP fraction was statistically higher than WB and PPP fraction, with no statistical differences between WB and PPP. PLT concentration increased 1.4 times in PRP fraction compared to WB. Mean platelet volume (MPV) did not differ significantly between the WB, PRP, and PPP fractions. Compared to WB, the absolute numbers of RBCs and WBCs were decreased by 99% and more than 95% in the PRP and PPP fractions, respectively. TGF-ß1 concentrations increased in PRP vs. PPP, with no changes in PDGF-BB. Discussion: Based on the degree of PLT enrichment and the absence of RBCs and WBCs, this blood product could be classified as a Pure Platelet-Rich Plasma (P-PRP). The presence of GFs in PRP and PPP samples suggests that the PRGF®-Endoret® methodology is suitable for obtaining PRP in FeLV cats, despite future studies are necessary to optimize the technique, standardize the results and assess clinical efficacy.

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of different stages of lactation (0 to >300 d) and pregnancy (0 to >180 d) on serum amyloid A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose, total cholesterol (TCho), and triglyceride (TG) concentrations in dairy cows of different breeds. Thus, 40 healthy multiparous cows (10 Holstein, 10 Simmental, 10 Brown, and 10 Modicana) were randomly selected, and blood samples were collected once every 60 d for 1 year. Overall, SAA and CRP serum concentrations progressively increased and became more variable along the lactation, peaking at >240–300 d, and then decreased in the last period (>300 d). Along pregnancy, SAA and CRP initially increased, with the highest concentrations at >60–120 d, and then decreased until the last phase of pregnancy (>180 d). However, lactation and gestation phases did not significantly affect SAA and CRP when all the cows were analyzed together. A significant and positive correlation was observed between SAA and CRP both along lactation (r D 0:89; p<0:0001) and pregnancy (r D 0:91; p<0:0001). Breeds only showed differences in CRP levels along gestation (p D 0:0102), due to a peak registered at 0–60 d in Holstein cows. In pregnant cows, glucose was positively correlated with SAA (r D 0:43; p D 0:0017) and CRP (r D 0:42; p D 0:0019). Hence, these significant and positive relationships reflect the physiological adaptations of the dairy cows along both gestational and lactational dynamics, suggesting that these proteins may also be involved in non-pathological processes. In this perspective, this study established that the obtained response markedly varies among healthy individuals along lactation and gestation and thus that the physiological range of acute-phase proteins (APPs) is wide; this makes it difficult to use these proteins as a marker of different physiological reproductive and productive periods.

The aim of this study was to monitor hematochemical changes during and after OHE in bitches. Twenty-four females were anesthetized with alfaxalone, midazolam, morphine and sevoflurane. Blood samples were taken before anesthesia (T0), at 30 (T1), and 60 min (T2), at 3 (T3), 6 (T4), 12 (T5), and 24 h (T6), and at 3 (T7) and 7 days (T8) from the start of surgery. Red blood cells (RBC) and packed cell volume (PCV) decreased significantly from T1 to T5 and hemoglobin (HB) concentration from T4 to T6. Both the white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil (NFS) count increased significantly from T3 to T6, monocyte (MON) from T2 to T5, and eosinophil (EOS) at T5. Platelet (PLT) and plateletcrit (PCT) significantly decreased at T5 and increased from T6 to T8; platelet distribution width (PDW) increased significantly from T3 to T6. Creatine kinase (CK) activity increased significantly from T5 to T7. Glucose (GLU) concentrations increased significantly at T2 and P from T2 to T3. TG levels decreased from T2 to T4 and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels from T1 to T7, subsequently increasing until T8. Changes possibly resulting from stress and surgical trauma, as well as hemodilution and splenic storage, are due to anesthesia and surgery. In healthy bitches, these changes tend to gradually stabilize after the ending of OHE. A post-operative follow-up is essential to detect possible post-operative complications.