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The present study aimed to evaluate the acute phase proteins (serum amyloid A, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, and C-reactive protein) profile in canine and feline fetal fluids during the second half of gestation. Seventeen pregnant domestic short-hair queens and 19 pregnant mixed-breed bitches were enrolled. Animals were divided into three groups according to their gestational age (30–39, 40–49, and 50–60 days). After ovariohysterectomy and sample collection, the concentration of the mentioned APPs was measured by the ELISA method. There was an increasing trend in the concentration of APPs in canine fetal fluids alongside increasing pregnancy age, but these changes were not statistically significant. Canine amniotic SAA concentration was significantly higher than allantoic. The highest concentration of SAA and CRP in the feline fetal fluids was observed at days 40–49, and the maximum concentration of AGP was observed at days 50–60. For the first time, the current study investigated the APPs profile in canine and feline fetal fluids during pregnancy. The maximum concentration of APPs was observed at the end of canine pregnancy and at days 40–49 of feline pregnancy.

Background and objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the volume, the concentration of steroid hormones, and biochemical composition of the foetal fluids at different gestational ages in dogs and cats. Methods: Following the ovariohysterectomy, the allantoic and amniotic fluid samples were collected from pregnant bitches and queens and were assigned to different groups according to their gestational age. Results: The canine and feline allantoic fluid volume increased during pregnancy, reached its maximum values on days 40–49 and then decreased. The canine and feline amniotic fluid volume increased steadily by the last days of pregnancy. In spite of significant changes of sex hormones in the foetal fluids, their concentration and ratios were not significantly different between male and female fetuses. The canine amniotic cortisol concentration increased until days 40–49 and decreased significantly afterwards. The maximum cortisol concentrations in the feline allantoic and amniotic fluids were observed on days 50–60 and 40–49, respectively. During the canine pregnancy, the concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, chloride, sodium, triglyceride, cholesterol, total protein, albumin and the activities of aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), amylase and gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the amniotic fluid were higher than the allantoic fluid. The magnesium, potassium, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, creatine and lipase were higher in the allantoic fluid. In the feline allantoic fluid, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, creatinine, albumin and glucose concentrations and the activities of creatine kinase (CK), GGT, LDH and lipase were higher. The ALP, AST activities, sodium and calcium concentrations were higher in the amniotic fluid (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Volume of foetal fluids was determined in dogs and cats. Concentration of sex hormones did not different between male and female fetuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, biological samples (slaughterhouse material) were collected from 30 sheep and 36 goats and classified according to gestational stage into either early or late gestation. Samples consisted of allantoic fluid, amniotic fluid, fetal liver, fetal kidney, fetal thyroid gland, maternal plasma and liver to determine selenium (Se) concentrations throughout gestation. The Se concentrations in the allantoic fluid, fetal liver and kidney increased significantly (p <0.01) during late gestation. Concurrently, the Se concentrations in amniotic fluid, maternal plasma and liver decreased significantly (p <0.01) over time. Significant (p <0.01) positive relationships were recorded between the age of the fetus and Se concentrations in the allantoic fluid (r =0.57–0.75), fetal liver (r =0.43–0.59) and kidney (r =0.80–0.81) in both sheep and goats. A significant (p <0.05) positive relationships were also recorded between the Se concentrations in the allantoic fluid and fetal liver (r =0.35–0.37), the maternal plasma and liver Se concentrations (r =0.37–0.57) between sheep and goats. A significant (p <0.05) negative correlation was recorded between the Se concentrations in the allantoic fluid with maternal plasma of sheep (r =−0.41) as well as between the fetal liver and maternal liver Se (r =−0.22 to 0.50) and a negative correlation (r =−0.42 to 0.43) (p <0.01) between Se concentrations in the fetal liver and amniotic fluid in both sheep and goats, respectively. Se concentration in the fetal liver was significantly (p <0.01) higher than that of the kidney and thyroid. In the thyroid gland no morphological differences were noted. Strong fetal–maternal relationships in Se concentration were evident throughout the gestational period and dams seem to sacrifice Se levels in order to maintain that in the fetus. Se concentrations in the amniotic and allantoic fluids could be used as a possible indicator of the Se status of the fetus throughout gestation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]