This study was performed to investigate the effect of food supplementation with chromium carbochelate on cortisolemia, glycemia and unspecific acute inflammation of pacus (Piaractus mesopotamicus) challenged by inactivated Aeromonas hydrophila in the swim bladder. 120 pacus (80.5 ± 11.3 g) were randomly distributed into 24 tanks (310 L, n = 5). After the adaptation period, the pacus were fed diets supplemented with 0 (control), 12, 18 and 36 mg of chromium carbochelate/kg of dry diet for 90 days (ad libitum). Fish fed diets containing 18 and 36 mg of Cr•kg −1 resulted in a reduction of cortisolemia and glycemia, and in an increase in the inflammatory response, seen through the greater accumulation of lymphocytes and thrombocytes. These results together suggest that food supplementation with chromium carbochelate, at the concentrations of 18 and 36 mg•kg −1 of feeds, brought homeostatic benefits to P. mesopotamicus. These benefits were translated, at least partially, as reductions in the consequences from inflammatory stress, with diminished cortisolemia and glycemia, which favored accumulation of lymphocytes and thrombocytes at the affected focus, as an increase in the immune response.

Running economy (RE), defined as the steady-state of oxygen uptake (VO2) for a given running velocity, is a factor of sports performance the genetic component of which has seldom been reported to date. We studied this component using a heritability index (HI) in a group of 32 male twins, 8 monozygotic (MZ) and 8 dizygotic (DZ) pairs, all sportsmen with similar perinatal and environmental backgrounds. Zygocity was determined by the identity of erythrocytic antigenic, protein and enzymatic polymorphism, and human leucocyte antigen serologic types between co-twins. The subjects exercised twice on a treadmill, once until exhaustion and again at submaximal intensities. Pulmonary gas exchange was measured continuously using an automatic analyser system during both tests. Blood samples were obtained during the recovery period to determine lactate concentrations. No significant differences were observed between MZ and DZ, in respect of RE at any speed or in maximal VO2 relative to body mass. Nevertheless, significant HI (P < 0.05) was found in maximal lactate concentrations (HI=0.75) and in respiratory equivalent for oxygen at two speeds, 7 km x h(-1) HI=0.71) and 8 km x h(-1) (HI=0.79), differences which probably suggest that there are differences in RE. In conclusion, we did not detect a genetic component in RE or in maximal oxygen uptake, but a genetic component for markers of anaerobic metabolism was present.

Mast cell tumors represent the most common malignant skin tumor in the dog. This review outlines the incidence, etiology and clinical signs of mast cell tumors. Diagnostic tests, staging and treatments are also discussed.

This work aimed to evaluate changes in the pattern of the blood count and biochemical metabolites, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine, in the blood of dogs affected with simple mammary carcinomas with and without metastasis. This study indicates that dogs affected with simple mammary carcinomas show haematological changes milder than those found in humans. Dogs affected with simple carcinomas have fewer red blood cells and increased number of neutrophils that dogs in the control group. The presence of lymphopenia suggests relation with the malignancy of tumors, as the lymphocytes are reduced in the more aggressive tumors.

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