Thesis (Ph. D.)--Auburn University. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 97-101).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Auburn University, 1998. / Advisers: John D. Jackson, Robert B. Ekelund, Jr. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Murdoch University, 1984.

No description available.

The metabolism of androgenic anabolic steroids has been studied in the racing greyhound. Various drug preparations have been investigated utilising different derivatisation techniques, coupled with gas chromatographic analysis, to enable the identification of key metabolites in canine post administration samples. This has led to an increased understanding of some of the generic routes of steroid metabolism that take place in the greyhound. This valuable information can help to support metabolism studies in the future. The identification of specific metabolites for each compound investigated, has provided a means for controlling the misuse of these compounds, and contributed valuable enhancements to screening protocols utilised in the canine sports drug testing industry. Utilisation of the techniques described, resulted in the identification of specific major metabolites of the anabolic steroid methyltestosterone, namely 17??-methyl-5??- androstan-3??-17??-diol and 17??-methyl-5??-androstan-3??,16??,17??-triol. 16??- hydroxylation was shown to be a major phase I metabolic pathway in the canine along with phase II conjugation with glucuronic acid. Similar results were obtained during the metabolism study of the progestatgenic steroid norethisterone. Several di- and trihydroxy metabolites were detected in the glucuronic acid fraction of the post administration urines from this study. The norethisterone metabolism study also provided some insight, into the area of trace contaminants of pharmaceutical preparations. Low levels of nandrolone metabolites were also detected in the norethisterone post administration urine samples, leading to the discovery that the administered pharmaceutical tablets contained small quantities of nandrolone and 19- norandrostenedione, albeit below FDA approved contaminant levels. Modern methods of drug screening employ such highly sensitive techniques, that they allow for the detection of metabolites of such trace contaminants, following administration of the drug preparation to the greyhound. It is therefore important to have a broad understanding of the metabolism of various drug preparations, both banned and permitted substances alike; as detection of a trace amount of a banned substance metabolite, arising from the administration of a permitted medication, whose iii metabolite profile is unknown, and therefore potentially not detected, could present an interesting case. In conjunction with research into controlling the use of banned substances for the purposes of suppressing oestrus in the greyhound bitch, an investigation into normal/reference levels of endogenous hormones has been carried out. The endogenous steroid levels in a population of 212 greyhound bitches have been studied with a view to establishing a method for the detection of the exogenous administration of the endogenous anabolic steroid testosterone. The major urinary metabolites investigated were epiandrosterone, 5??-androstane-3??,17??-diol and 5??-androstane-3??,17??-diol. Statistical evaluations have been carried out to support the implementation of a suitable threshold for the key testosterone metabolites, namely 5??-androstane-3??,17??-diol and epiandrosterone. The detection of 5??-androstane-3??,17??-diol was found to be a very good indicator of the exogenous administration of testosterone to the greyhound bitch, when compared with the reference population data for this metabolite. However, further statistical/analytical data evaluation was deemed necessary before an absolute threshold could be implemented for this analyte, for the purposes of controlling the misuse of testosterone in the racing greyhound bitch. To support the understanding of endogenous steroid levels in the female greyhound, yet further, the endogenous reproductive steroid profiles were measured throughout the entire oestrus cycle of a cohort of 33 racing bitches. The results of the study clearly indicate a surge in androgen metabolites during the first 7-10 days of the oestrus cycle, in particular epiandrosterone and 5??-androstane-3??,17??-diol. This unique set of data has provided detailed information regarding the fluctuating concentrations of androgen and progesterone metabolites (following ovulation), at key stages of the canine oestrus cycle. The information obtained from this research can be used to support regulatory decisions regarding the misuse of testosterone in the racing greyhound bitch.

No description available.

No description available.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Anatomy and Physiology / David C. Poole / Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) or epistaxis has been recognized in racehorses since the 16th century. Since this time, great strides have been made in terms of identifying the lungs as the source of the hemorrhage via the endoscope, utilization of bronchoalveolar lavage to quantify the hemorrhage, and the discovery of successful treatments such as furosemide and the nasal strip that ameliorate, but do not abolish EIPH. It has been determined that, in addition to extremely high pulmonary arterial pressures and the negative intrapleural pressures being the major physiologic forces causing pulmonary capillary stress failure, other factors have the potential for influencing the severity of EIPH including locomotory impact trauma, inflammatory airway disease (IAD), upper airway obstruction, coagulation anomalies, and high blood viscosity. It has been hypothesized that EIPH is detrimental to performance and this was recently confirmed by Hinchcliff et al. in 2004. EIPH is a complex multi-factorial condition with much still unknown about the etiology, best method for diagnosis, and most effective form of treatment. Chapter one of this dissertation determined the effectiveness of a novel treatment, concentrated equine serum, in ameliorating EIPH via reduction of IAD. Chapter two refuted the hypothesis that herbal formulations commonly used in the field with anecdotal success would decrease EIPH by correcting coagulation deficits during exercise, as scientific efficacy was not evident, at least at the dose and duration used in our investigation. Chapter three addressed the dogma that EIPH only occurs during maximal intensity exercise, and in demonstrating significant EIPH during sub-maximal exercise, emphasized the role that the airways play in contributing to the initiation and severity of EIPH. Chapter four examined the occurrence and severity of EIPH in the horse’s canine counterpart, the racing Greyhound. The demonstrated presence of mild EIPH in the Greyhound, a physiologically similar yet different athlete in comparison to the horse sheds new light on the etiology of this condition in both species. The results of these investigations have advanced the frontiers of our knowledge concerning EIPH. Specifically, they have generated novel information on the mechanistic bases of EIPH and have provided evidence supporting additional treatment options for reducing the severity of EIPH in horses.

The Affymetrix GeneChip® Canine Genome 2.0 microarray is re-annotated using AgBase tools, up-to-date ID mapping and GO annotations associated with publicly available gene products updated on this array. This re-annotation makes the array more useful for researchers using the canine microarray for biological discovery. We use flow cytometry to determine if liposomal clodronate (LC) is an acceptable alternative to surgical splenectomy to facilitate detection of subclinical infection with Babesia canis in potential blood donor greyhounds. Our study shows that LC is not a reliable means of exposing babesiosis in greyhounds with a recent history of infection. We evaluate the effect of depletion of antigen presenting cells on regulatory T cells (Tregs) in dogs treated with LC by multi-color flow cytometry. We demonstrate that LC promotes increases in the CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Tregs affecting mostly the CD4+CD25lowFOXP3+ Tregs subset suggesting a role of monocytes in naïve T cell priming and differentiation into Tregs.

No description available.