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  • Author or Editor: Christopher K. Cebra x
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Abstract

Objective—To compare numbers of L cells in intestinal samples and blood concentrations of glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 between neonatal and mature alpacas.

Sample—Intestinal samples from carcasses of 4 suckling crias and 4 postweaning alpacas for immunohistochemical analysis and blood samples from 32 suckling crias and 19 healthy adult alpacas for an ELISA.

Procedures—Immunohistochemical staining was conducted in accordance with Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory standard procedures with a rabbit polyclonal anti–GLP-1 primary antibody. Stained cells with staining results in ileal tissue were counted in 20 fields by 2 investigators, and the mean value was calculated. For quantification of GLP-1 concentrations, blood samples were collected into tubes containing a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor. Plasma samples were tested in duplicate with a commercial GLP-1 ELISA validated for use in alpacas.

Results—Counts of stained cells (mean ± SD, 50 ± 18 cells) and plasma GLP-1 concentrations (median, 0.086 ng/mL; interquartile range, 0.061 to 0.144 ng/mL) were higher for suckling alpacas than for postsuckling alpacas (stained cells, 26 ± 4 cells; plasma GLP-1 concentration, median, 0.034 ng/mL; interquartile range, 0.015 to 0.048 ng/mL).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Older alpacas had lower numbers of L cells in intestinal tissues and lower blood concentrations of GLP-1 than those in neonates. These findings suggested that there may be a decrease in the contribution of GLP-1 to insulin production in adult alpacas, compared with the contribution in neonates.

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To describe the metabolic effects of epinephrine administration in New World camelids and investigate whether these effects are influenced by administration of insulin.

Animals—6 llamas and 8 alpacas (all adult castrated males).

Procedure—Prior to each experiment, food was withheld from camelids for 8 hours. On each of 2 consecutive days, alpacas were administered epinephrine (10 mg/kg, IM; time 0); alpacas were randomly assigned to receive regular insulin (0.2 U/kg, IV) immediately after epinephrine administration on one of those days. In llamas, the experiment was performed once after administration of epinephrine only. At 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, and 240 minutes after treatment, blood samples were collected and several serum or plasma biochemical variables were assessed; in addition, plasma samples from llamas were assessed for insulin concentrations. Data were compared between days (alpacas only) and between time points.

Results—Administration of epinephrine induced mobilization of glucose, triglycerides, nonesterified fatty acids, and β-hydroxybutyrate. A small increase in endogenous insulin concentration was detected in epinephrine-treated llamas, compared with baseline values. Overall, insulin administration decreased, negated, or delayed the epinephrine-associated increases in serum or plasma concentrations of circulating energy substrates, except that it augmented the epinephrine-associated increase in concentration of triglycerides.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Epinephrine appeared to mobilize energy substrates in camelids and hence may be involved in the pathogenesis of disorders of glucose and fat metabolism. Insulin appeared to antagonize most of these effects, and its administration may have therapeutic value in camelids. (Am J Vet Res 2004;65:1692–1696)

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in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To evaluate the effects of long-acting insulin on glucose clearance in alpacas.

Animals—8 adult castrated alpacas.

Procedure—On 2 days, food was withheld from alpacas for 8 hours. Alpacas were randomly allocated to receive an SC injection of long-acting insulin (0.4 U/kg) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution 1 hour before the first of 3 administrations of glucose (at 60, 480, and 1,200 minutes after treatment) on day 1 and the alternate treatment and procedure on day 2. Plasma glucose concentration was determined before and 15, 45, 120, and 240 minutes after each glucose administration, and fractional turnover rates were calculated. The data were compared between alpacas with and without insulin administration and among the 3 glucose administrations for each day.

Results—Compared with sham-treated alpacas, insulin-treated alpacas had significantly lower blood glucose concentrations from 180 to 600 minutes after treatment; they also had glucose concentrations significantly below baseline values from 120 to 480 minutes, at which time the mean glucose concentration was in the hypoglycemic range. Also, mean fractional turnover of glucose was significantly higher in insulintreated alpacas from 105 through 300 minutes.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Compared with known effects of regular insulin in alpacas, the action of long-acting insulin was of slower onset but longer lasting; its administration may induce hypoglycemia, even in alpacas that receive glucose. To maintain the hypoglycemic effect, long-acting insulin may have to be administered more than once daily and blood glucose concentration should be monitored to avoid hypoglycemic complications in alpacas. (Am J Vet Res 2004;65:1688–1691)

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in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To assess the effects of prolonged feed deprivation on glucose tolerance, insulin secretion, and lipid homeostasis in llamas.

Animals—9 adult female llamas.

Procedure—On each of 2 consecutive days, food was withheld from the llamas for 8 hours. Blood samples were collected before and 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 240 minutes after IV injection of dextrose (0.5 g/kg) for determination of plasma insulin and serum glucose, triglyceride, and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations. Between experimental periods, the llamas received supplemental amino acids IV (185 mg/kg in solution). The llamas were then fed a limited diet (grass hay, 0.25% of body weight daily) for 23 days, after which the experimental procedures were repeated.

Results—Feed restriction decreased glucose tolerance and had slight effects on insulin secretion in llamas. Basal lipid fractions were higher after feed restriction, but dextrose administration resulted in similar reductions in serum lipid concentrations with and without feed restriction. Insulin secretion was decreased on the second day of each study period, which lessened reduction of serum lipid concentrations but did not affect glucose tolerance.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Despite having a comparatively competent pancreatic response, feed-restricted llamas assimilated dextrose via an IV bolus more slowly than did llamas on full rations. However, repeated administration of dextrose reduced insulin secretion and could promote hyperglycemia and fat mobilization. These findings suggested that veterinarians should use alternative methods of supplying energy to camelids with long-term reduced feed intake or consider administering agents to improve the assimilation of glucose. ( Am J Vet Res 2004;65:996–1001)

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in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To evaluate the effects of administration of hydrocortisone on plasma concentration of insulin and serum concentrations of glucose, triglyceride, and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) in llamas before and after feed restriction.

Animals—9 adult female llamas.

Procedure—Feed was withheld from llamas for 8 hours. Blood samples were collected before (0 minutes) and 120, 180, 240, and 300 minutes after IV injection of hydrocortisone sodium succinate (1 mg/kg) for determination of plasma insulin concentration and serum concentrations of glucose, triglyceride, and NEFAs. The llamas were then fed a limited diet (grass hay, 0.25% of body weight daily) for 21 days, after which the experimental procedures were repeated.

Results—Compared with llamas that were not feedrestricted, llamas after feed restriction had significantly higher plasma insulin concentration and serum concentrations of triglycerides and NEFAs. Feed-restricted llamas after hydrocortisone injection had a significantly smaller increase in serum glucose concentration, a decrease (rather than an increase) in serum concentration of NEFAs, and no change in blood concentrations of insulin or triglycerides.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Short-acting glucocorticoid hormones did not appear to increase blood lipid concentrations in healthy llamas, regardless of ongoing fat mobilization. Thus, these hormones appear unlikely to be major direct contributors to diseases such as hepatic lipidosis or hyperlipemia. Although administration of hydrocortisone reduced serum concentration of fatty acids in feed-restricted llamas, its use has not been evaluated in sick camelids and cannot be considered therapeutically useful. ( Am J Vet Res 2004;65:1002–1005)

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To evaluate the osseous structures of the external acoustic meatus, tympanic cavity, and tympanic bulla of llamas (Lama glama) by use of computed tomography (CT) and establish measurement values for use in detection of abnormalities associated with the external or middle ear in llamas.

Animals—10 adult llama heads without any evidence of ear disease.

Procedures—Heads of 10 healthy llamas euthanized by use of a captive bolt striking the dorsal aspect of the skull were collected. Transverse images of the heads were acquired with 1-mm slice thickness, and images were reconstructed in sagittal and dorsal planes. Measurements of the bony structures of the external and middle ear of each head were obtained.

Results—The osseous external acoustic meatus curved ventrally as it tracked medially. Its narrowest portion was located at the level of the tympanic annulus. The tympanic bulla conformation differed widely from the bubble-shaped tympanic bulla in dogs and cats. The bulla was divided by the stylohyoid fossa into a larger caudolateral and a smaller caudomedial process; its interior had a honeycombed structure with pneumatized cells similar to the honeycombed appearance of the human mastoid process.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results provided new information regarding the shape and dimensions of the osseous external and middle ear structures in adult llamas without ear disease. Specific landmarks for location of the external acoustic meatus, tympanic cavity, and tympanic bulla in relation to each other were identified. Knowledge of the CT appearance of normal structures will help clinicians to identify changes attributable to middle ear otitis, external ear canal stenosis, or congenital malformations of the ear in this species.

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To test the ability of a nested PCR assay to detect Eimeria macusaniensis at various stages of infection in alpacas.

Animals—4 healthy adult alpacas with no detectable E macusaniensis.

Procedures—Alpacas were inoculated with 2 × 104 sporulated oocysts. Serial fecal samples collected during the next 38 days were tested via sucrose flotation and PCR assay.

Results—Oocyst passage was detected via fecal flotation in all 4 alpacas 31 to 35 days after inoculation. Three had positive results for PCR assays on samples obtained 7 to 14 days after inoculation. One alpaca subsequently was removed from the study because of weight loss and inappetence. Two remaining alpacas had positive PCR reactions 28 and 31 days after inoculation, up to 7 days before oocysts appeared in the feces. All fecal samples with positive results for flotation also had positive results for PCR assay.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The PCR assay was able to detect early (7 to 14 days) and late (28 to 31 days) prepatent infection. These positive results suggested that the assay could have been detecting DNA unassociated with oocysts or detecting shedding earlier than has been previously recognized. The gap between the early and late detection periods may not be evident in alpacas receiving a larger or continuous inoculum, as might occur with natural infection. Use of a PCR assay for analysis of fecal samples may be valuable for detection of E macusaniensis during the prepatent period, thus aiding in the identification and control of infected animals.

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To evaluate the effects of exogenous insulin on clearance of exogenous glucose in alpacas.

Animals—7 adult castrated male alpacas.

Procedure—Prior to each of 2 trials, food was withheld for 8 hours. Glucose (0.5 g/kg of body weight) was then administered by rapid IV infusion. During 1 of the trials, regular insulin (0.2 U/kg, IV) was also administered 15 minutes later. Blood was collected immediately before (0 minutes) and 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes after glucose administration. Plasma concentrations of glucose and lactate were determined, and glucose fractional turnover rate and plasma half-life were calculated.

Results—Insulin treatment caused a significant increase in fractional turnover rate of glucose and plasma lactate concentration. Plasma glucose concentrations were less in insulin-treated alpacas from 30 minutes after glucose administration (15 minutes after insulin administration) until the conclusion of each trial, compared with nontreated alpacas. In addition, plasma glucose concentration in insulin-treated alpacas returned to baseline values 1 hour sooner than in the nontreated group.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—Glucose uptake in alpacas improves after insulin treatment, suggesting that administration of exogenous insulin will increase the therapeutic and decrease the pathologic effects of exogenous glucose administered to hypoglycemic alpacas. However, alpacas and other New World camelids should be monitored carefully during treatment with glucose or insulin, because these species appear to be partially insulin resistant. (Am J Vet Res 2001;62:1544–1547)

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To evaluate effects of hydrocortisone administration, with and without concurrent administration of insulin, on intermediary metabolism in alpacas.

Animals—8 adult castrated male alpacas.

Procedure—On each of 2 consecutive days, food was withheld from alpacas for 8 hours. Alpacas then were administered 1 mg of hydrocortisone sodium succinate/kg, IV (time 0). On 1 of the days, randomly assigned alpacas were also administered regular insulin (0.2 U/kg, IV) 120 minutes after hydrocortisone administration. Blood samples were collected at 0, 120, 135, 150, 165, 180, 210, 240, 300, and 360 minutes. Plasma concentrations of glucose and lactate and serum concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, nonesterified fatty acids, and β-hydroxybutyrate were determined. Data were compared between days. Additionally, serum insulin concentrations before and after hydrocortisone administration were determined for selected samples.

Results—Hydrocortisone administration induced hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, a reduction in concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterol, and a reduction in triglyceride-to-cholesterol ratio. Subsequent insulin administration temporarily negated the hyperglycemic effects of hydrocortisone, induced temporary hyperlactemia, and augmented the reduction in blood triglycerides.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—A single dose of a short-acting corticosteroid does not increase blood lipid fractions in healthy alpacas, probably because of a competent endogenous insulin response. Corticosteroids may induce differing responses in camelids with depleted glycogen stores or an ineffective insulin response. Administration of insulin can effectively negate the hyperglycemic effects of hydrocortisone and augment lipoprotein clearance. Hence, insulin administration may be therapeutic for alpacas with hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia, or hyperketonemia. (Am J Vet Res 2002;63:1269–1274)

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research