Rabbit Urine Research Articles

ANALISIS PERBANDINGAN ANTARA PUPUK ORGANIK URIN KELINCI DENGAN PUPUK NON-ORGANIK (NPK MUTIARA) TERHADAP PENDAPATAN DAN HASIL PANEN WORTEL DI DESA HANAKAU KABUPATEN LAMPUNG BARAT

Abstract Hanakau Village, Sukau District, West Lampung Regency is a village where most people depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. The main commodities grown in Hanakau Village are carrots, cabbage, sweet potatoes, and other types of vegetables such as mustard greens, tomatoes, peanuts, beans and chillies. Farmers there need chemical fertilizers, manure or animal dung in large quantities to fertilize the growth of vegetable crops. The use of chemical fertilizers in the village of Hanakau on agricultural land has continuously had a negative impact on the soil and the environment. Animals that are kept and used for manure in Hanakau Village are goats and rabbits. Rabbit urine has the highest nitrogen content compared to manure and urine of other livestock such as horses, buffaloes, cows, and sheep, because it is customary to never drink water and only consume green leaves and carrots. This study aims to see how far the difference between carrots and what are the economic benefits of using organic fertilizer (rabbit urine) and inorganic fertilizer (NPK Mutiara). The parameters observed in this study were plant height, number of leaf segments, measuring the diameter of the base of carrot tubers ready for harvest at 3 months. And the analysis used is to see an overview of the components of costs incurred and the benefits to be gained. The conclusion obtained is the growth of carrot plants using rabbit urine organic fertilizer and non-organic NPK Mutiara is not too significant difference. But there is a significant difference in net income for rabbit urine. The use of rabbit urine organic fertilizer is more profitable in terms of lower production costs (IDR 70,000) and higher income (IDR 130,000) compared to inorganic fertilizers (NPK Mutiara) Keywords: Organic fertilizer, inorganic fertilizer, rabbit urine, NPK Mutiara, carrot

Urinary calcium assessment and its relation with age, sex and Encephalitozoon cuniculi serological status in otherwise healthy pet rabbits

BackgroundUrinary calcium excretion by rabbits is set proportionately higher than that of other species, giving the rabbit urine its characteristic cloudy appearance. During pregnancy, lactation and growth, or when metabolic...

Effects of maternal stress induced by predator odors during gestation on behavioral and physiological responses of offspring in Brandt's vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii).

Maternal effects play a crucial role in regulating populations of small mammals and anti-predator behaviors of offspring. The present study investigated the effects of maternal stress induced by exposure to predator odors during gestation on the behavioral and physiological responses of offspring in Brandt's vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii). Effects included changes in growth, behaviors, hormone levels in serum, and fosB/ΔfosB mRNA and FosB/ΔFosB protein expression in the hypothalamus. Our results showed that when pregnant voles were exposed to cat and rabbit urine odors for 18 days (1 h/day), the weight of the female offspring decreased; however, the thymus and ovary indices increased, compared with the control group. Male offspring of voles exposed to cat odor spent more time exploring and foraging, and showed a decrease in corticosterone (CORT) compared with voles in the control group. Both fosB/ΔfosB mRNA and FosB/ΔFosB protein expressions were downregulated in the hypothalamus of male offspring in the cat odor-exposed group compared to that in offspring in the control group. However, the mRNA levels of fosB/ΔfosB in the hypothalamus of female offspring did not decrease in response to cat urine odor. Our findings suggested that maternal stress induced by predator odors during gestation restrained the growth of female offspring and increased the duration of exploring and foraging behaviors of male offspring by regulating the HPA axis, which, in turn, reduced the sensitivity of offspring to unfamiliar environments and increased their probability of becoming prey.

Metabolic Response in Rabbit Urine to Occurrence and Relief of Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction.

Ureteral obstruction will lead clinically to hydronephrosis, which may further develop into partial or complete loss of kidney function and even cause permanent histological damage. However, there is little knowledge of metabolic responses during the obstructed process and its recoverability. In this study, a complete unilateral ureteral obstruction (CUUO) model was established in the rabbit, and 1H NMR-based metabolomic analysis of urine was used to reveal the metabolic perturbations in rabbits caused by CUUO and the metabolic recovery after the CUUO was relieved. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to identify metabolic characteristics. The gradually decreased levels of 3-hydroxykynurenine, 3-methylhistidine, creatinine, guanidoacetate, meta- and para-hydroxyphenylacetate, and phenylacetylglycine and the gradually increased levels of acetate, alanine, citrate, glycine, lactate, and methionine in urine could be regarded as potential biomarkers for the occurrence and severity of ureteral obstruction. And the reduced levels of 3-methylhistidine, creatinine, guanidoacetate, hippurate, meta-hydroxyphenylacetate, and methylguanidine and the elevated levels of 2-aminoisobutyrate, acetylcholine, citrate, lactate, lysine, valine, and α-ketoglutarate in urine compared with the obstructed level could characterize the metabolic recovery of ureteral obstruction. Our results depicted the disturbed biochemical pathways involved in ureteral obstruction and demonstrated the practicability of recovering renal functions for the patients with severe hydronephrosis in clinical practice by removing causes for obstruction.

Surgical correction of a herniated bladder in a 6-year-old male entire rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Bladder herniation is an uncommonly reported finding in rabbits. This case describes the anaesthesia, analgesia, surgical correction and perioperative management of the entrapped urinary bladder in a male entire rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) originally presented to the clinician as having an extra-abdominal mass. In this rabbit, calcium excreted in the rabbit's urine caused a thick ‘sludge’ to form within the herniated portion of the bladder, resulting in a firm mass that initially appeared to be a neoplastic lesion. Veterinary surgeons are encouraged to consider bladder herniation and entrapment as a rare but possible differential diagnosis for a subcutaneous caudal abdominal or inguinal mass.

Cues from a common predator cause survival-linked behavioral adjustments in Mojave Desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii)

Animals are expected to engage in behavioral decision-making that minimizes their risk of predation; these decisions can cause non-lethal predator effects to behavior and spatial use. Our goal was to determine whether non-lethal effects of a common predator, coyotes (Canis latrans), could affect the behavior of a declining reptile, the Mojave Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), hereafter tortoise. We exposed captive tortoises to olfactory and visual cues of coyotes and measured their resulting foraging behavior, burrow use, and other antipredator behaviors. We also measured risk of coyote predation in wild tortoises based on burrow use. Willingness to feed and time spent feeding were unaffected by the presence of coyote urine, but higher air temperatures at the start of feeding caused a decrease in time spent at their food dish. Captive tortoises chronically exposed to coyote urine did, however, spend more time in their burrows than when exposed to rabbit urine. When exposed to a coyote decoy, captive tortoises showed more general antipredator behaviors than those exposed to a control stimulus (deer decoy). Wild tortoises were less likely to be depredated by coyotes, if they were encountered in burrows more frequently. Predator olfactory and visual cues exerted non-lethal effects on captive tortoises through behavioral adjustments to their refuge-seeking behavior, which was a behavior linked to decreased coyote predation risk for wild tortoises. Human-subsidized predator populations may negatively affect declining species, including reptiles, as a result of behavioral modifications in response to predator cues. Predators can affect behavior of animals through olfactory and visual cues, which can have measurable effects on prey populations. Changes in prey behavior in response to predator presence can occur at the expense of opportunities to forage or reproduce, leading to decreased survival and reproduction. We tested behavioral responses of captive Mojave Desert tortoises to olfactory and visual cues of coyotes, which are a common predator in the Mojave Desert and subsidized by human food sources. Foraging behavior of captive tortoises was strongly affected by air temperatures at the start of feeding, but not coyote cues. Captive tortoises did, however, increase the amount of time they spent in burrows when coyote urine was present and showed greater fearfulness at the presentation of coyote urine combined with coyote models. Increased burrow use was associated with lower risk of coyote predation in wild tortoises, which suggested an advantage to increased refuge use when coyotes were detectable. Responses by tortoises suggest that coyote cues on the landscape affect tortoises through behavioral pathways that result in increased refuge use.

Metabolic acidosis stimulates the production of the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin in rabbit urine.

Intercalated cells of the collecting duct (CD) are critical for acid-base homeostasis and innate immune defense of the kidney. Little is known about the impact of acidosis on innate immune defense in the distal nephron. Urinary tract infections are mainly due to Escherichia coli and are an important risk factor for development of chronic kidney disease. While the effect of urinary pH on growth of E. coli is well established, in this study, we demonstrate that acidosis increases urine antimicrobial activity due, at least in part, to induction of cathelicidin expression within the CD. Acidosis was induced in rabbits by adding NH4Cl to the drinking water and reducing food intake over 3 days or by casein supplementation. Microdissected CDs were examined for cathelicidin mRNA expression and antimicrobial activity, and cathelicidin protein levels in rabbit urine were measured. Cathelicidin expression in CD cells was detected in kidney sections. CDs from acidotic rabbits expressed three times more cathelicidin mRNA than those isolated from normal rabbits. Urine from acidotic rabbits had significantly more antimicrobial activity (vs. E. coli) than normal urine, and most of this increased activity was blocked by cathelicidin antibody. The antibody had little effect on antimicrobial activity of normal urine. Urine from acidotic rabbits had at least twice the amount of cathelicidin protein as did normal urine. We conclude that metabolic acidosis not only stimulates CD acid secretion but also induces expression of cathelicidin and, thereby, enhances innate immune defense against urinary tract infections via induction of antimicrobial peptide expression.

IbM Kelompok Ternak Kelinci dan Kelompok Tani Cabai di Desa Mekarsari dan Sidorejo, Kecamatan Kabawetan, Kabupaten Kepahiang, Provinsi Bengkulu

IbM program for farmer group partners rabbits Tani Mulya village Mekarsari aims to provide knowledge and business skills make Bokashi fertilizer and liquid organic fertilizer by utilizing waste rabbits are widely available in the village Mekarsari as one of the productive economic activities. Program for partners Rational Kepahiang chili farmer groups is to give knowledge and skills in chili cultivation by utilizing Bokashi rabbit droppings and urine POC rabbits to substitute the use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides, as well as increase production of chili plants. Methods of execution include: (1) Extension and technical guidance of making modifications to the enclosure; (2) Training and technical guidance manufacture Bokashi rabbit feces and urine POC (3) Extension and technical guidance packaging and manufacture of trademarks Bokashi rabbit feces and urine POC; and (4) Extension and demonstration plot curly chilli cultivation. The conclusion of this program are members of the group partner 1 (Tani Mulya) already know and understand in modifying enclosures so that the urine of rabbits can be disposed of easily, leftover food and feces collected well, where food is specially concentrate that is easily accessible rabbits and easy to clean, the food in the form of special herbs are easy to reach and a special drink that rabbit feels comfortable, environmental sanitation is better and easier to collect waste enclosure to be used as organic fertilizer. In addition, farmers' groups have been able to make fertilizer bokashi of solid waste and liquid waste rabbits, making the brand and market Bokashi manure they produce. Members of farmers group partner 2 (Rational Kepahiang) already know and understand the chilli cultivation by utilizing Bokashi rabbit droppings and urine POC rabbit in order to substitute the use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.

Chronic Co-species Housing Mice and Rats Increased the Competitiveness of Male Mice.

Rats are predators of mice in nature. Nevertheless, it is a common practice to house mice and rats in a same room in some laboratories. In this study, we investigated the behavioral and physiological responsively of mice in long-term co-species housing conditions. Twenty-four male mice were randomly assigned to their original raising room (control) or a rat room (co-species-housed) for more than 6 weeks. In the open-field and light-dark box tests, the behaviors of the co-species-housed mice and controls were not different. In a 2-choice test of paired urine odors [rabbit urine (as a novel odor) vs. rat urine, cat urine (as a natural predator-scent) vs. rabbit urine, and cat urine vs. rat urine], the co-species-housed mice were more ready to investigate the rat urine odor compared with the controls and may have adapted to it. In an encounter test, the rat-room-exposed mice exhibited increased aggression levels, and their urines were more attractive to females. Correspondingly, the levels of major urinary proteins were increased in the co-species-housed mouse urine, along with some volatile pheromones. The serum testosterone levels were also enhanced in the co-species-housed mice, whereas the corticosterone levels were not different. The norepinephrine, dopamine, and 5-HT levels in the right hippocampus and striatum were not different between the 2. Our findings indicate that chronic co-species housing results in adaptation in male mice; furthermore, it appears that long-term rat-odor stimuli enhance the competitiveness of mice, which suggests that appropriate predator-odor stimuli may be important to the fitness of prey animals.

Chromatogram profiles of andrographolide in A23187-induced New Zealand rabbit's urine and faeces

In-vivo antimalarial and toxicological evaluation of Chrozophora senegalensis A. Juss (euphorbiaceae) extractsAli A. Jigam, Usman. T Abdulrazaq, Martins N. Egbuta

Metabolism and excretion of novel pulmonary-targeting docetaxel liposome in rabbits.

Our study aims to determine the metabolism and excretion of novel pulmonary-targeting docetaxel liposome (DTX-LP) using the in vitro and in vivo animal experimental models. The metabolism and excretion of DTX-LP and intravenous DTX (DTX-IN) in New Zealand rabbits were determined with ultraperformance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. We found DTX-LP and DTX-IN were similarly degraded in vitro by liver homogenates and microsomes, but not metabolized by lung homogenates. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry identified two shared DTX metabolites. The unconfirmed metabolite Mun differed structurally from all DTX metabolites identified to date. DTX-LP likewise had a similar in vivo metabolism to DTX-IN. Conversely, DTX-LP showed significantly diminished excretion in rabbit feces or urine, approximately halving the cumulative excretion rates compared to DTX-IN. Liposomal delivery of DTX did not alter the in vitro or in vivo drug metabolism. Delayed excretion of pulmonary-targeting DTX-LP may greatly enhance the therapeutic efficacy and reduce the systemic toxicity in the chemotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer. The identification of Mun may further suggest an alternative species-specific metabolic pathway.

Prevention and treatment of Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection in immunosuppressed rabbits with fenbendazole.

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of oral administration of fenbendazole (20 mg/kg body weight) prior to and after experimental infection of immunosuppressed rabbits with Encephalitozoon cuniculi. A total of thirty rabbits were divided into five groups: NN (non-immunosuppressed; non-infected), IN (immunosuppressed; non-infected), IPI (immunosuppressed; protected-infected), ITI (immunosuppressed; treated-infected), and II (immunosuppressed; infected) groups. Fenbendazole was administered as a prophylactic for seven successive days before infection with E. cuniculi and as a treatment for four weeks initiated on the 28th day post-challenge (PC). Experimental rabbits were infected with intraperitoneal injection of 2 × 105E. cuniculi spores. Parameters evaluated were body weight, detection of spores in urine, serum antibody assay, hematological, biochemical and histopathological changes. The IPI and ITI groups showed a significant better final bwt than the II group. Spores were detected in urine of all infected rabbits from the 28th day PC until the end of the study. The IPI group showed the least values of antibodies (IgG) compared to the ITI and II groups. Concerning histopathological changes, the intensity of the lesions was marked particularly in the II rabbits and to a lesser extent in the ITI rabbits. Noticeable improvement was found in the IPI rabbits. It could be concluded that fenbendazole was effective to some extent in protection of rabbits against E. cuniculi infection, while when administered as a therapeutic no significant effects were observed.

Encephalitozoon cuniculi in rabbits: an overview

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a microsporidian parasite that can survive in the environment for 4–6 weeks. It is spread in the faeces and urine of infected rabbits and is transmitted to the host by ingestion, by inhalation, or by vertical transmission via the placenta. Clinical signs can be varied and include neurological signs such as torticollis, head tilt, ataxia and hind limb paralysis; urinary signs such as urinary incontinence and urine scalding, polyuria/polydipsia; ocular signs such as uveitis or cataract formation; and non-specific signs such as lethargy and chronic weight loss. A positive serological result is not conclusive proof that E.cuniculi is the cause of disease: it only indicates exposure to the parasite. A presumptive diagnosis may be made based on relevant clinical signs, exclusion of other underlying causes and on elevated IgM and IgG antibody titres. The disease can be a challenge to diagnose and to treat, and there is still much research warranted on these topics.

Characterization of bladder calculi and urinalysis in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) treated with mesenchymal adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) after partial urinary bladder allotransplantation

Bladder calculi associated or not with early crystalluria or salt deposits can be a common finding after reconstructive bladder surgery. The objective of this study was to characterize calculi and urine of domestic rabbits treated with mesenchymal adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) after partial urinary bladder allotransplantation. Twenty-four New Zealand White rabbits were submitted to surgery and treated postoperatively with cyclosporine or ADSCs for immunosuppression. There were no signs of graft rejection in either treatment group 30 days after surgery. Fewer animals presented bladder calculi in the ADSC treated group (33.3%) compared to the cyclosporine treated group (58.3%). Calcium was the predominant component of calculi in both groups. Urinalysis revealed no haematuria or bacteriuria in the ADSC group, in contrast to the results obtained for the cyclosporine group. ADSCs may be an attractive alternative to cyclosporine for immunosuppression after bladder allotransplantation.

Hypothalamic neurones governing glucose homeostasis.

The notion that the brain directly controls the level of glucose in the blood (glycaemia) independent of its known action on food intake and body weight has been known ever since 1849. That year, the French physiologist Dr Claude Bernard reported that physical puncture of the floor of the fourth cerebral ventricle rapidly leads to an increased level of sugar in the blood (and urine) in rabbits. Despite this important discovery, it took approximately 150 years before significant efforts aimed at understanding the underlying mechanism of brain-mediated control of glucose metabolism were made. Technological developments allowing for genetically-mediated manipulation of selected molecular pathways in a neurone-type-specific fashion unravelled the importance of specific molecules in specific neuronal populations. These neuronal pathways govern glucose metabolism in the presence and even in the absence of insulin. Also, a peculiarity of these pathways is that certain biochemically-defined neurones govern glucose metabolism in a tissue-specific fashion.

Black-tailed prairie dogs selectively urinate near rabbit urine: the scent of competition between a rodent and a lagomorph?

Rodents commonly use urine to communicate with conspecifics and might do so with heterospecifics. We exposed black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) to water (a control) and urine from different mammals and then noted whether the prairie dogs urinated near the liquid stimuli. Prairie dogs urinated near water during 15% of trials, compared to 3% of trials with coyote (Canis latrans) urine, suggesting they avoided urinating in the presence of a predatory stimulus. Prairie dogs most commonly urinated near urine from herbivores, especially Sylvilagus rabbits (89%, relative to 37% for mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus). Prairie dogs altered the spatial layout of their urine markings depending on the liquid stimulus, using localized markings near water and mule deer urine, but scattered markings near rabbit urine. These results collectively suggest that urine may function as a communicative resource between prairie dogs and rabbits. Prairie dogs and rabbits often live in close proximity and can compete for food, and prairie dogs are sometimes aggressive toward rabbits. Urine signals might enable each species to avoid agonistic encounters, while helping prairie dogs to reduce competition for food.

Olfactory environment of commensal house mice as a factor that affects the formation of the species composition of the population of rodents in buildings

It was demonstrated that in Y-maze individuals of the outdoor species Myodes glareolus and the semi-synanthropic species Microtus levis avoided the urine odor of commensal Mus musculus. On the contrary mice stayed longer in the maze compartment with the odor of voles. The level of avoidance of commensal mice odor was higher than the other strange odors (urine of rabbit or outdoor mouse Mus spicilegus). It is assumed that the sharp smell of commensal mice is an adaptation designed to hold and protect a particular ecological niche against other species of rodents, i.e., human buildings.

Identification of interspecific differences in phase II reactions: determination of metabolites in the urine of 16 mammalian species exposed to environmental pyrene.

Interspecific differences in xenobiotic metabolism are a key to determining relative sensitivities of animals to xenobiotics. However, information on domesticated livestock, companion animals, and captive and free-ranging wildlife is incomplete. The present study evaluated interspecific differences in phase II conjugation using pyrene as a nondestructive biomarker of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their metabolites have carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting effects in humans and wildlife and can have serious consequences. The authors collected urine from 16 mammalian species and analyzed pyrene metabolites. Interspecific differences in urinary pyrene metabolites, especially in the concentration and composition of phase II conjugated metabolites, were apparent. Glucuronide conjugates are dominant metabolites in the urine of many species, including deer, cattle, pigs, horses, and humans. However, they could not be detected in ferret urine even though the gene for ferret Uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, UGT) 1A6 is not a pseudogene. Sulfate conjugates were detected mainly in the urine of cats, ferrets, and rabbits. Interestingly, sulfate conjugates were detected in pig urine. Although pigs are known to have limited aryl sulfotransferase activity, the present study demonstrated that pig liver was active in 1-hydroxypyrene sulfation. The findings have some application for biomonitoring environmental pollution.

Toxoplasma gondii influences aversive behaviors of female rats in an estrus cycle dependent manner

The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) manipulates the behavior of its rodent intermediate host to facilitate its passage to its feline definitive host. This is accomplished by a reduction of the aversive response that rodents show towards cat odors, which likely increases the predation risk. Females on average show similar changes as males. However, behaviors that relate to aversion and attraction are usually strongly influenced by the estrus cycle. In this study, we replicated behavioral effects of T. gondii in female rats, as well as expanded it to two novel behavioral paradigms. We also characterized the role of the estrus cycle in the behavioral effects of T. gondii on female rats. Uninfected females preferred to spend more time in proximity to rabbit rather than bobcat urine, and in a dark chamber rather than a lit chamber. Infected females lost both of these preferences, and also spent more time investigating social novelty (foreign bedding in their environment). Taken together, these data suggest that infection makes females less risk averse and more exploratory. Furthermore, this effect was influenced by the estrus cycle. Uninfected rats preferred rabbit urine to bobcat urine throughout the cycle except at estrus and metestrus. In contrast, infected rats lost this preference at every stage of the cycle except estrus. Commensurate with the possibility that this was a hormone-dependent effect, infected rats had elevated levels of circulating progesterone, a known anxiolytic.

Simultaneous determination of four sulfur mustard-DNA adducts in rabbit urine after dermal exposure by isotope-dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a classic vesicant agent, which has been greatly employed in several wars or military conflicts. The most lesion mechanism is its strong alkylation of DNAs in vivo. Until now there are four specific DNA adducts of SM identified for further retrospective detection, i.e., N(7)-(2-hydroxyethylthioethyl)-2'-guanine (N(7)-HETEG), bis(2-ethyl-N(7)-guanine)thioether (Bis-G), N(3)-(2-hydroxyethylthioethyl)-2'-adenine (N(3)-HETEA) and O(6)-(2-hydroxyethylthioethyl)-2'-guanine (O(6)-HETEG), respectively. Here, a novel and sensitive method of isotope-dilution ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) combining with solid phase extraction was reported for the simultaneous determination of four SM-DNA adducts. A lower limit of detection of 2-5ngL(-1), and a lower limit of quantitation of 5-10ngL(-1) were achieved, respectively, and the recoveries ranged from 87% to 116%. We applied this method in the determination of four SM-DNA adducts in rabbit urine after dermal exposure by SM in three dose levels (2, 5, 15mgkg(-1)), so as to investigate the related metabolic behavior in vivo. For the first time, in SM exposed rabbit urine, our results revealed the relative accumulation abundance of four SM-DNA adducts, i.e., 67.4% for N(7)-HETEG, 22.7% for Bis-G, 9.8% for N(3)-HETEA, 0.1% for O(6)-HETEG, and significant dose and time dependent responses of these SM-DNA adducts. The four adducts were detectable after 8h, afterwards, their contents continuously increased, achieved maximum in the first two or three days and then gradually decreased till the end of one month. Meanwhile, the amounts of SM-DNA adducts were positively correlated with the exposure doses.