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This study aims to obtain three-dimensional models of the cavum pelvis in New Zealand rabbits of both genders using CT images, to measure the pelvis diameters and angles through the created digital models, and to compare female and male New Zealand Rabbits in terms of sexual dimorphism. A total of 20 New Zealand rabbits, 10 females and 10 males, were used in this study. Computed tomography (CT) images of the animals were taken, the images were reconstructed with the MIMICS 20.1 program, and a three-dimensional model of the pelvic cavity was obtained from the two-dimensional images. Morphometric data were obtained by making diameter and angle measurements on the resulting 3D model. Then, the rabbits were dissected and the os coxae was exposed and the anatomical formations were named. When pelvimetry measurements in female and male rabbits were compared, it was seen that all values except pelvic tilt were higher in females. The data reveal that there is no significant difference in the volume and surface area of the right and left os coxae between male and female rabbits (P > .05). In this study comparing the morphometric differences of the pelvis in female and male New Zealand rabbits, volume and surface area data were shared for the first time. The collected data could be used for sex discrimination in rabbits, assist physicians in diagnosing patients, serve as a reference for clinical practices, and form the basis for new research.

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Aim: This study was carried out to create three-dimensional (3D) models of the humerus and femur using computed tomography (CT) images of the New Zealand rabbit and to reveal whether there are differences between sexes and the right and left sides. Materials and Methods: The study was applied on 14 month old (10 male and 10 female) New Zealand rabbits. First, 0.5 mm thick images of the animals were taken by computed tomography (CT) and saved in DICOM format. Then, 3D models of the humerus and femur were obtained by reconstructing the images with the MIMICS 20.1 program. Morphometric data were obtained from the obtained 3D model. After this procedure, the rabbits were dissected and the weights of the humerus and femur were measured. Results: It was determined that the right humerus and femur volume and surface area in male rabbits were larger from the left side (p Conclusion: It was thought that this study would provide the basis for studies and experimental models on rabbits by revealing the morphological features of the humerus and femur and would help the physician in the diagnosis of diseases by forming the basis of the data obtained with the imaging systems used in the clinical field.

Copyright of Eurasian Journal of Veterinary Sciences is the property of Eurasian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract Background Magnesium alloys have been receiving much attention for use in biodegradable metal implants because of their excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However, their rapid breakdown and low bioactivity can cause the implant to lose mechanical integrity before the bone is completely healed. Moreover, hydrogen gas released during degradation can significantly delay the tissue regeneration process. To solve the instability of magnesium alloys, Zn and Ca can be added to improve the mechanical properties and biocompatibility. One other way to improve the mechanical properties of Mg is plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), which provides a dense, thick ceramic-like coating on the Mg surface. In this study, high-purity Mg was selected as the control, and Mg-1wt%Zn-0.1wt%Ca alloy and PEO-treated Mg-1wt%Zn-0.1wt%Ca alloy were selected as the test materials; the results of radiographic and histological analyses of their biocompatibility are reported herein. Materials and method Nineteen New Zealand white rabbits were used in the study. Rod-bars (Ø2.7 × 13.6 mm) were placed on both paravertebral muscles, and cannulated screws (Ø2.7x10mm) were placed on both femur condyle notches. Each animal was implanted in all four sites. X-rays were taken at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks, micro-CT, and live-CT were taken at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. At weeks 4, 8, and 12, individuals representing each group were selected and sacrificed to prepare specimens for histopathological examination. Result The results confirm that in vivo, Mg-1wt%Zn-0.1wt%Ca alloy had higher corrosion resistance than high-purity Mg and safely degraded over time without causing possible side effects (foreign body or inflammatory reactions, etc.). In addition, PEO treatment of Mg-1wt%Zn-0.1wt%Ca alloy had a positive effect on fracture recovery by increasing the bonding area with bone. Conclusion Our results suggest that PEO treatment of Mg-1wt%Zn-0.1wt%Ca alloy can be a promising biomaterials in the field of various clinical situations such as orthopedic and maxillofacial surgerys.

High-fat diet (HFD) and overnutrition are important starting factors that may alter intestinal microbiota, lipid metabolism, and systemic inflammation. However, there were few studies on how intestinal microbiota contributes to tissue steatosis and hyperlipidemia. Here, we investigated the effect of lipid metabolism disorder–induced inflammation via toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways at the intestinal level in response to HFD. Twenty 80-day-old male New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into the normal diet group (NDG) and the high-fat diet group (HDG) for 80 days. Growth performance, blood biochemical parameters, lipid metabolism, inflammation, degree of tissue steatosis, and intestinal microbial composition were measured. HFD increased the relative abundance of Christensenellaceae_R_7_group, Marvinbryantia, Akkermansia etc., with a reduced relative abundance of Enterorhabdus and Lactobacillus. Moreover, HFD caused steatosis in the liver and abdominal fat and abnormal expression of some genes related to lipid metabolism and tight junction proteins. The TLR-2, TLR-4, NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-6 were confirmed by overexpression with downregulation of IL-10. Serum biochemical indices (TG, TCHO, LDL-C, and HDL-C) were also increased, indicating evidence for the development of the hyperlipidemia model. Correlation analysis showed that this microbial dysbiosis was correlated with lipid metabolism and inflammation, which were associated with the intestinal tract's barrier function and hyperlipidemia. These results provide an insight into the relationship between HFD, the intestinal microbiota, intestinal barrier, tissue inflammation, lipid metabolism, and hyperlipidemia. Key points: • High-fat diet leads to ileal microbiota disorders • Ileal microbiota mediates local and systemic lipid metabolism disorders and inflammation • There is a specific link between ileal microbiota, histopathology, and hyperlipidemia [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rabbit is an experimental animal that is widely used to understand the etiology, progression, and treatment strategies of diseases related to the circulatory system. The creation of disease models related to vascular system is particularly preferred in performing surgeries and invasive experiments for education purpose. Though rabbit's iliac arteries and their branches are vessels mostly encountered in these procedures, yet there are limited resources on the course and distribution of arteria (a.) iliaca interna. Therefore, seven male and seven female New Zealand rabbits have been used to elucidate the detailed ramification patterns of branches from the a. iliaca interna using the latex injection method. The a. iliaca interna ramified into a. umbilicalis, a. obturatoria, a. iliolumbalis, a. glutea cranialis, a. ovarica or a. prostatica, a. glutea caudalis, a. pudenda interna, a. perinealis ventralis, and a. caudalis lateralis. The branching pattern of the a. iliaca interna showed five variations. According to the findings of the recent study, the vessels supplying the pelvic wall were not originating from the a. glutea caudalis rather both visceral and parietal divisions were branching off the a. iliaca interna. So, it can be said that among domestic mammals, a. iliaca interna of the New Zealand rabbit is similar to ruminant and sus, that is, short pudendal type branching in terms of course and divisions. Hopefully, the information obtained in this study will make a contribution to future anatomical, interventional, and surgical studies using the New Zealand rabbit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives We aimed to explore the bacterial community composition following ocean bacterial infection using an animal model. Methods This animal-based experiment was conducted from September 2019 to November 2019. Eighteen seawater filter membranes were collected from Changle City, Fujiian Province, China, on September 8, 2019. Ten filter membranes were used for implantation. Eight filter membranes that were used in the bacterial culture for the exploration of seawater bacteria were assigned to the seawater group (SG). Fourteen healthy adult New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into the experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). Seawater filter membranes and asepsis membranes were implanted into the tibia in the EG and CG, respectively. One week after surgery, tibial bone pathology tissues were collected and assessed using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Medullary cavity tissues were collected for the performance of Illumina MiSeq sequencing and bacterial culture. The differences between EG and CG were assessed by pathological observation under light microscopy and SEM, high-throughput bacterial sequencing, and bacterial culture. Results Compared with the CG, the infection rate was 100%, and the mortality value was 20% after the implantation of the filter membranes in the EG. Both light microscopy and SEM showed that a large number of bacteria were distributed in the bone marrow cavity after ocean bacterial infection. No bacterial growth was found in the CG. Illumina MiSeq sequencing found that Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Thermotogae, Fusobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria were the dominant bacteria at the phylum level and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_7, Haloimpatiens, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_15, Clostridiaceae_1, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_18, and Oceanotoga were the dominant bacteria in genus level among the EG. In the bacterial culture of the medullary cavity tissues, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shewanella algae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, and Vibrio vulnificus were the predominant infective species. Moreover, compared with the SG, the EG showed a higher detection rate of E. coli and S. aureus (P = 0.008 and P = 0.001, respectively). The detection rates of V. alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. fluvialis were higher in the SG than the EG (P = 0.007, P = 0.03, and P = 0.03, respectively). Conclusions Our model, which was comprehensively evaluated using four techniques: histopathology and SEM observation, gene detection, and bacteria culture, provides a scientific basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients in such settings.

The purpose of this experiment is to study the relationship between the difference in production performance between Sichuan White (SC) rabbits and New Zealand (NZL) rabbits and the diversity of caecal flora. Twelve pregnant SC rabbits and 12 NZL female rabbits were selected for this experiment. After delivery, the young rabbits were divided into two groups according to breeds, each group had 30 replicates, and each replicate had one rabbit. During the experiments, these rabbits were kept in the same room, and the temperature in the room was controlled at 12-25 °C, with a 16-hour light cycle every 24 hours. The nutritional composition of the feed and other environmental conditions were consistent. On the 59th day of the experiment, the caecum contents of the two groups of young rabbits were collected. The results showed that the survival rate of the SC rabbit group was higher than that of the NZL rabbit group, and the diarrhoea rate and average daily gain were lower than those of the NZL rabbit group (P < 0.05). The results of high-throughput sequencing of the 16S gene showed that compared with the NZL rabbit group, the relative abundance of Bacteroides increased, and the abundance of harmful flora Verrucomicrobia and Proteobacteria decreased (P < 0.05). Functional analysis of the microflora showed that the relative abundance of carbohydrate metabolism genes in the SC rabbit group was higher than in the NZL rabbit group. In conclusion, compared with the NZL rabbits, the SC rabbits have a more optimized intestinal flora structure and lower abundance of harmful bacteria. Moreover, the intestinal health level of SC rabbits is improved, and the tolerance to roughage of SC rabbits is increased.

The aim of this study was to test the preventive effects of nano liposomes against contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in New Zealand rabbits. Sixty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into four groups, with 15 rabbits in each group: control group, contrast group, hydration group and nano liposome group. Serum creatinine (Scr) and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) were measured before and after injection of the contrast agent iopromide. Oxidative stress markers, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and apoptosis markers, such as Bcl2-Associated X (Bax) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Rabbits were killed 24 h after injection of the contrast medium and both kidneys were removed. Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot assays were performed in kidney tissue. Pathological changes were analyzed under the optical and electron microscope. Compared with the hydration group, the nano liposome group showed improved protection of renal function, with significantly different Scr and BUN levels, incidence of CIN, apoptosis index, RT-PCR and Western blot protein expression patterns. Under the optical and electron microscope, the renal injury in the nano liposome group was less than in the hydration group. However, based on SOD and MDA, there was no significant difference in oxidative stress when compared with the hydration group. Apoptosis is an important mechanism in CIN. Nano liposomes can prevent the occurrence of CIN by decreasing apoptosis, reducing damage to the kidney by the contrast agent.

Introduction: The magnesium alloy was fabricated into orthopedic plates, and used to repair tibial fractures of New Zealand white rabbits. The osteogenesis and degradation behavior of magnesium alloy plates were investigated in vivo. Methods: 38 rabbits were randomly divided into an experimental group using the magnesium alloy plate and control group using a titanium alloy plate. Tibial fractures in the experimental group and control group were fixed with magnesium alloy plates and titanium alloy plates, respectively. An X-ray of the fracture site was taken at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks after surgery. The formation of callus and expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2) in each group were examined at 4, 8, and 16 weeks postoperatively. The degradation behavior of the magnesium alloy plate was observed using a scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive spectroscopy system. Results: The results of X-ray showed that the fracture healed gradually and there was significant callus around the plate in the magnesium alloy plate group than that in the titanium alloy plate groups. The formation of callus and the expression of BMP-2 in the magnesium alloy plate group were more significant than that in the titanium plate group. The degradation behavior of the magnesium alloy plates deepened in vivo with the implantation time. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the magnesium alloy plate implanted into the rabbit tibia could promote the formation of callus and result in osteogenesis in vivo. Meanwhile, the magnesium alloy plate was absorbed gradually in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed to explore the bacterial community composition following ocean bacterial infection using an animal model. Methods: This animal-based experiment was conducted from September 2019 to November 2019. Eighteen seawater filter membranes were collected from Changle City, Fujiian Province, China, on September 8, 2019. Ten filter membranes were used for implantation. Eight filter membranes that were used in the bacterial culture for the exploration of seawater bacteria were assigned to the seawater group (SG). Fourteen healthy adult New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into the experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). Seawater filter membranes and asepsis membranes were implanted into the tibia in the EG and CG, respectively. One week after surgery, tibial bone pathology tissues were collected and assessed using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Medullary cavity tissues were collected for the performance of Illumina MiSeq sequencing and bacterial culture. The differences between EG and CG were assessed by pathological observation under light microscopy and SEM, high-throughput bacterial sequencing, and bacterial culture. Results: Compared with the CG, the infection rate was 100%, and the mortality value was 20% after the implantation of the filter membranes in the EG. Both light microscopy and SEM showed that a large number of bacteria were distributed in the bone marrow cavity after ocean bacterial infection. No bacterial growth was found in the CG. Illumina MiSeq sequencing found that Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Thermotogae, Fusobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria were the dominant bacteria at the phylum level and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_7, Haloimpatiens, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_15, Clostridiaceae_1, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_18, and Oceanotoga were the dominant bacteria in genus level among the EG. In the bacterial culture of the medullary cavity tissues, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shewanella algae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, and Vibrio vulnificus were the predominant infective species. Moreover, compared with the SG, the EG showed a higher detection rate of E. coli and S. aureus (P = 0.008 and P = 0.001, respectively). The detection rates of V. alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. fluvialis were higher in the SG than the EG (P = 0.007, P = 0.03, and P = 0.03, respectively). Conclusions: Our model, which was comprehensively evaluated using four techniques: histopathology and SEM observation, gene detection, and bacteria culture, provides a scientific basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients in such settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthy, weaned, coccidial-free male rabbits from two breeds (New Zealand white (NZ) and V-line (VL)) were divided into 10 equal groups (5 groups each for NZ and VL) (3 replicates/group, 6 rabbits/replicate, 18 rabbits/group). All rabbits were inoculated with 5 × 104 Eimeria spp. oocysts (E. intestinalis (67%), E. magna (22%), and E. media (11%)) except for the rabbits in the first group (G1), which were inoculated with a sterile solution and served as a negative control. The remaining four groups were treated as follows: G2, no treatment/positive control, G3, treated with neem leaf extract, G4, treated with pomegranate peel extract (PPE), and G5, treated with a combination of neem leaf extract and PPE. For both breeds, our results showed that the use of neem leaf and/or pomegranate peel extract resulted in improved growth performance, with a significant improvement in relative feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the positive control groups, which recorded the worst values, as well as a significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction in mean oocyst count compared to the positive control groups. We also observed downregulation of mRNA levels of IL-1βα, IL6, and TNF-α in the herbal treatment groups compared with the mRNA levels of these genes in the positive control groups. Herbal treatment with neem leaf and/or pomegranate peel extracts had positive effects on the NZ and VL rabbits experimentally infected with mixed Eimeria species, as evidenced by their healthy appearance, good appetite, no mortalities, an anticoccidial index > 120, and a significantly higher total return and net profit when compared to the positive control groups of both breeds. In NZ rabbits, the treatment with neem leaf extract alone (G3) or in combination with PPE (G5) recorded the most efficient economic anticoccidial activity.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play a regulatory role in various physiological processes in mammals and act as endogenous ligands for the G protein-coupled receptors (GPR) 41 and 43. The role of GPR41 and GPR43 in mediating SCFA signaling in the rabbit remains unclear. The present study was to investigate the sequence of the GPR41 and GPR43 messenger RNA (mRNA) and their expression pattern in different tissues and developmental stages in New Zealand rabbit. Comparison of genomic sequences in GenBank using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool program suggested that the New Zealand rabbit GPR41 mRNA has high similarities with the human (84%), bovine (84%) and Capra hircus (84%) genes. Similarly, GPR43 mRNA has high similarity with the rat (84%) and mouse (84%) genes. Real-time PCR results indicated that GPR41 and GPR43 mRNA were expressed throughout rabbit’s whole development and were expressed in several tissues. G protein-coupled receptor 41 and GPR43 mRNA were most highly expressed in pancreas (P

Copyright of Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira is the property of Colegio Brasileiro de Patologia Animal - CBPA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Diarrhea is a syndrome of digestive disorders in young rabbits and may lead to secondary infections resulting in reduced immunity and higher mortality in baby rabbits, with serious impacts on rabbit farming. In this study, we investigated the effects of diarrhea on the health of baby rabbits in terms of intestinal mucosal development, immune function, and intestinal microbial diversity. We found that the duodenal villus length and the villus/crypt ratio in rabbits with diarrhea were significantly reduced compared with those in healthy rabbits (P

Introduction: The research on the marine products and creatures, in particular coral, has started during the recent decade, confirming the beneficial effects of this material. Therefore, this study aimed to use the coral native to Persian Gulf as oral powder to heal the tibial bone defect in rabbits. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 18 New Zealander rabbits were randomly categorized into 3 groups (control group, the group which used oral calcium powder and the one which used oral coral powder) of 6 rabbits. For producing the defect, 1/3 of the tibial bone was blunt dissected and the operation site was observed. Using an orthopedic drill, a hole with the depth of 0.6-0.8 mm and diameter of 4 mm was produced and after emptying and washing, the operation site was sutured. The operation was performed on all the 3 groups similarly. The calcium group was treated using 1150 mg calcium powder daily, the coral group received 1220 mg of coral powder on a daily basis, and the control group was kept under standard condition. On days 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 63, the cases were evaluated and pathological studies were performed. Results: In the histopathologic study, fibroblastic proliferation, new bone formation, bone maturation and mineralization were evaluated; the results for the coral group were better than those of the calcium and control groups (P

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play a regulatory role in various physiological processes in mammals and act as endogenous ligands for the G protein-coupled receptors (GPR) 41 and 43. The role of GPR41 and GPR43 in mediating SCFA signaling in the rabbit remains unclear. The present study was to investigate the sequence of the GPR41 and GPR43 messenger RNA (mRNA) and their expression pattern in different tissues and developmental stages in New Zealand rabbit. Comparison of genomic sequences in GenBank using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool program suggested that the New Zealand rabbit GPR41 mRNA has high similarities with the human (84%), bovine (84%) and Capra hircus (84%) genes. Similarly, GPR43 mRNA has high similarity with the rat (84%) and mouse (84%) genes. Real-time PCR results indicated that GPR41 and GPR43 mRNA were expressed throughout rabbit’s whole development and were expressed in several tissues. G protein-coupled receptor 41 and GPR43 mRNA were most highly expressed in pancreas (P<0.05) and s.c. adipose tissue (P<0.05), respectively. The expression levels of GPR41 mRNA was down-regulated in duodenum, cecum (P<0.05) and pancreas and up-regulated in jejunum, ileum, adipose tissue and spleen during growth. G protein-coupled receptor 43GPR43 mRNA was highly expressed in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, cecum and lung at 15th day (P<0.05), whereas the expression levels in the pancreas and spleen increased later after birth, with the highest expression at 60th day (P<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction: The research on the marine products and creatures, in particular coral, has started during the recent decade, confirming the beneficial effects of this material. Therefore, this study aimed to use the coral native to Persian Gulf as oral powder to heal the tibial bone defect in rabbits. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 18 New Zealander rabbits were randomly categorized into 3 groups (control group, the group which used oral calcium powder and the one which used oral coral powder) of 6 rabbits. For producing the defect, 1/3 of the tibial bone was blunt dissected and the operation site was observed. Using an orthopedic drill, a hole with the depth of 0.6-0.8 mm and diameter of 4 mm was produced and after emptying and washing, the operation site was sutured. The operation was performed on all the 3 groups similarly. The calcium group was treated using 1150 mg calcium powder daily, the coral group received 1220 mg of coral powder on a daily basis, and the control group was kept under standard condition. On days 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 63, the cases were evaluated and pathological studies were performed. Results: In the histopathologic study, fibroblastic proliferation, new bone formation, bone maturation and mineralization were evaluated the results for the coral group were better than those of the calcium and control groups (P

The purpose of the present study was to define the normal haematologic values and some biochemical parameters in serum and in urine in both male and female New Zealand white rabbits and to determine the effect of gender on these parameters. Blood and urine samples from a total of 40 New Zealand white rabbits were investigated. The haematologic parameters were determined in whole blood samples, while serum and urine (urine protein, glucose, creatinine, urea, GGT, nitrite, Na, K, Cl, creatinine clearance) biochemical parameters were determined in serum and urine samples. Normal values of these parameters were determined and statistical comparisons between male and female animals performed. No statistically significant differences were found between male and female animals for the parameters analysed except HCT, HGB, granulocyte %, L/M and serum K concentration. As a result, it was judged that defining the normal values of given haematological factors and serum and urine biochemical parameters in this study in New Zealand white rabbits would be helpful for both clinicians and researchers.

Rabbits have been used as an experimental model in many diseases and for the study of toxicology, pharmacology and surgery in many universities. However, some aspects of their macro anatomy need a more detailed description, especially the abdominal and pelvic arterial vascular system, which has a huge variability in distribution and trajectory. Thirty cadaveric adult New Zealand rabbits, 13 male and 17 female, with an average weight and rostrum-sacral length of 2.5 kg and 40cm, respectively, were used. The thoracic aorta was cannulated and the vascular system was filled with stained latex S-65. The celiac artery and its proximal branches were dissected and lengthened in order to evidence origin and proximal ramifications. The celiac artery emerged between the 12th and 13th thoracic vertebra in 11 (36.7%) rabbits; at the level of the 13th thoracic vertebra in 6 (20%) rabbits; between the 13th thoracic vertebra and the 1st lumbar vertebra in 12 (40%) rabbits; and at the level of the 1st lumbar vertebra in only one (3.3%) rabbit. The mean length of the celiac artery was 0.5cm. The celiac artery first branch was the lienal artery, the second branch was the left gastric artery and the hepatic artery arose from the left gastric artery in all the dissected rabbits. No relation was observed between the celiac artery length and the rostrum-sacral length in rabbits. The number of left gastric and lienal artery branches and the distribution of celiac artery origin are not gender dependent.Os coelhos têm sido usados como modelo experimental em diferentes patologias e para estudos de toxicologia, farmacologia e cirurgia em várias universidades. Entretanto apesar de sua grande utilização, muitos aspectos de sua macroanatomia, em especial os que se referem ao sistema vascular arterial que irrigam as viscerais abdomino-pélvicas ainda carecem de uma descrição mais detalhada, pois os vasos arteriais apresentam grande variabilidade na sua distribuição e trajeto. Foram utilizados 30 coelhos, 13 machos e 17 fêmeas, pesando em media 2,5 kg e apresentando comprimento rostro-sacral em torno de 40cm. A artéria aorta torácica foi canulada e através da mesma foi feita à fixação com solução de formaldeído a 10% e repleções vasculares com solução de Petrolátex S65 corado. A artéria celíaca e suas ramificações proximais foram dissecadas ao longo do seu percurso, registrando com auxílio de um paquímetro seu comprimento e sua esqueletopia. A artéria celíaca teve sua emergência de forma única diretamente da artéria aorta abdominal em todos os animais dissecados. Emitiu inicialmente a artéria lienal e a seguir a artéria gástrica esquerda que se continuou como hepática em todos os 30 animais. A artéria celíaca teve sua origem entre a 12ªe 13ª vértebra torácica em 11 animais (36,7 %), na 13ª vértebra torácica em 6 (20 %), entre a 13ª vértebra torácica e a 1ª vértebra lombar em 12 (40 %) e na 1ª vértebra lombar em apenas 1 animal (3,3%). O comprimento médio da artéria celíaca foi de 0,5cm. Não foi observada relação entre o comprimento da artéria celíaca e o comprimento rostro-sacral dos coelhos. O número de artérias gástricas esquerdas, ramificações principais da artéria lienal, bem como a origem da artéria celíaca independeram do sexo do animal.

AbstractBackground and purpose: This study was undertaken to examine the reversibility of renal injury in the male New Zealand white rabbits, subsequent to a 90-days exposure to uranyl nitrate (UN) in the drinking water. Animals were exposed for 90 days to uranyl nitrate in their drinking water (24 or 500mg/l). The control group were given municipal tap water.Materials and Methods: The biomarkers of kidney function measured in this study included β-2 micro globulin (marker of tubular), micro albumin (marker of glomerular) and the marker for cell toxicity was catalase.Results: Excretion of β-2 micro globulin was to be significantly different and was correlated with uranium intake for rabbits in early weeks. Microalbuminuria was found to be significantly different but this different was within normal range. Catalasuria was not significantly different in this study.Conclusion: These results suggest that chronic ingestion of uranium in the drinking water affects kidney function and is related to the proximal tubule, rather than glomerul.

Background: Biological scaffolds that compose extracellular matrix (ECM) can facilitate the restructuring of a large number of preclinical studies in animal tissues and also in clinical applications. As we know interaction between cells and ECM provides suitable threedimensional structures. Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of induced matrix of New Zealand rabbit bladder on the blastema cells in vitro. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, first of all, in order to decellularize, it is necessary to put bladder of New Zealand rabbit in 1% weight/vol solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) for 24 hours. Then, to prepare blastema tissue, the pinna of New Zealand rabbit should be punched-hole manually with a special puncher, and after 72 hours a circular blastema is separated with another puncher. After that, the decellularized samples are put in the middle of the blastema ring and transferred to the culture. Then to test, we first use Hematoxylin & Eosin and pick indigo staining. To identify 1 micron samples Toluidine Blue staining is used. After preparing 7 nm sections, some samples are studied by transitional electron microscope on day 15 and 20. Results: Collagen fibers are preserved after decellularizing in matrix of bladder. Most migration of blastema cells occur on days 15 and 20 of culture. Blastema cells are differentiated in different types of cells. Toluidine Blue staining shows desmosome connections between epithelial cells. Glycoproteins that are secreted by the epithelial cells can be indicated in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Conclusions: Bladder scaffold has the ability to induce blastema cells as they differentiate and migrate. This finding is very important since no other growth factor and inducer component has been used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Corneal endothelium engineering is focused in producing transplantable cell sheets to overcome the shortage of corneal graft tissue donors for the treatment of corneal blindness. For this purpose, the use of a proper animal model plays a key role. Corneal parameters of White New Zealand rabbits such as endothelial cell density, central corneal thickness, and corneal diameter decrease with age, similarly as in humans. However, as opposed to humans, they retain the ability to restore their corneal endothelium after injury. Therefore, they are considered as an inappropriate corneal endothelial wound healing model. Findings: Here we analyze the corneal endothelium mitotic ability of White New Zealand rabbits aged 3, 6, 12 and 18 months, 36 and 72 hours after thermal injury. The highest mitotic activity was observed in the 3-month rabbits 36 h after wounding. Rabbits of 12 months registered decreased mitotic activity and those of 18 months did not show mitotic activity 72 h after injury. Conclusions: These results propose that rabbits of 18 months represent a suitable model for human corneal endothelium engineering research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The research on the marine products and creatures, in particular coral, has started during the recent decade, confirming the beneficial effects of this material. Therefore, this study aimed to use the coral native to Persian Gulf as oral powder to heal the tibial bone defect in rabbits. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 18 New Zealander rabbits were randomly categorized into 3 groups (control group, the group which used oral calcium powder and the one which used oral coral powder) of 6 rabbits. For producing the defect, 1/3 of the tibial bone was blunt dissected and the operation site was observed. Using an orthopedic drill, a hole with the depth of 0.6-0.8 mm and diameter of 4 mm was produced and after emptying and washing, the operation site was sutured. The operation was performed on all the 3 groups similarly. The calcium group was treated using 1150 mg calcium powder daily, the coral group received 1220 mg of coral powder on a daily basis, and the control group was kept under standard condition. On days 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 63, the cases were evaluated and pathological studies were performed. Results: In the histopathologic study, fibroblastic proliferation, new bone formation, bone maturation and mineralization were evaluated; the results for the coral group were better than those of the calcium and control groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, in the histopathologic evaluation of Persian Gulf coral, it was found to be an osteoconductive biomaterial which act as a scaffold and consequently could be used for healing a segmental tibial defect by increasing the bone formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To explore the feasibility of establishing an animal model of chronic radiation-induced lung injury. Methods: Twenty-eight New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups (the right lung irradiation group, the whole lung irradiation group and the control group). Animal model of radiation-induced lung injury was established by high-does radiotherapy in the irradiation groups, then all rabbits underwent CT and pathological examinations at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 weeks, respectively after radiation. Results: Within 4 weeks of irradiation, some rabbits in the right lung irradiation group and whole lung irradiation group died. CT and pathological examinations all showed acute radiation pneumonitis. At 8–12 weeks after irradiation, CT scanning showed ground glass samples signs, patchy shadows and fibrotic stripes. Pathological examination showed the fibrosis pulmonary alveolar wall thickened obviously. Conclusions: The clinical animal model of chronic radiation-induced lung injury which corresponds to practical conditions in clinic can be successfully established. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of level of fibre on production performance, gastrointestinal tract development, caecum fermentation and fibrolytic activity in weaner to 2-month-old New Zealand rabbits. One hundred weaner rabbits were allocated in individual cages for five treatments in which they were fed each diet with ADF at 130 (NDF, 274.1; ADL, 39.7; CP, 158.4; EE, 26.8; starch, 252.5g/kg), 160 (NDF, 292.9; ADL, 41.9; CP, 160.3; EE, 25.6; starch, 249.4g/kg), 190 (NDF, 312.4; ADL, 50.5; CP, 157.6; EE, 24.2; starch, 218.2g/kg), 220 (NDF, 343.9; ADL, 51.2; CP, 158.5; EE, 22.2; starch, 217.6g/kg), and 250g/kg (NDF, 375.7; ADL, 66.0; CP, 156.9; EE, 22.4; starch, 220.8g/kg) original matter basis, respectively. The results were: ADG and F/G deteriorated with increasing fibre (P<0.05); ADI increased with increasing dietary ADF (P=0.002). The stomach relative weight (g/kg LW), small intestine relative weight (g/kg LW), caecum weight, caecum content weight and caecum relative weight (g/kg LW) all increased with increasing ADF (P=0.003, 0.007, 0.002, 0.010 and <0.001, respectively). Quadratic effects of level of ADF on the villus height, villus height/crypt depth of the duodenum and the villus height/crypt depth of the jejunum were obtained; cubic effects of level of ADF on the crypt depth of the jejunum and the villus height/crypt depth of the ileum were obtained. Cubic effects of level of ADF on the pH, the butyric acid (% total VFA) and C2/C4 were obtained. The NH3–N concentration dropped and the acetic acid (% total VFA) increased when the dietary ADF increased (P<0.001). The fibrolytic activity measured in the caecal contents increased when the dietary ADF increased (P<0.001). Providing a ration consisting mainly of clover meal, wheat straw and peanut hulls, the optimum dietary ADF content for weaner to 2-month-old growing meat rabbits was shown to be 190g/kg feed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Kitazin (technical grade, 94% pure), is an organophosphate group of pesticide was evaluated for irritancy property on skin and mucous membrane of New Zealand rabbits. The intact and abraded skin areas and the mucous membrane of rabbits were exposed to the compound and irritancy reactions in terms of erythema, eschar formation and or oedema were observed at 24, 48 and 72 hrs of post treatment. The results revealed that mild erythema at 24 hrs of post exposure on the abraded skin areas where as the intact skin was found to be normal. The study concluded non-significant irritant property of the compound on skin and mucous membrane. [Veterinary World 2008; 1(1.000): 11-12]