2017 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

At inclusion, the median (range) serum CBL concentration was 204 ng/L (150-350 ng/L). It increased significantly to 1,113 ng/L (794-2,385 ng/L) after supplementation. This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.002; Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test). Due to the retrospective nature of the study, metabolic markers of CBL deficiency could not be analyzed. Despite this limitation, our results suggest that oral CBL supplementation appears effective in treating dogs with EPI and subnormal or lownormal serum cobalamin concentrations. Since, according to the manufacturer, only traces of IF should be present in the PEz, this finding suggests that dogs, as has been demonstrated in humans, may have an IF-independent pathway for CBL absorption. Whether such an alternative pathway does exist in dogs requires further studies. Additionally, further studies comparing cellular cobalamin status after PO or PE supplementation in dogs with EPI are warranted. Three-dimensional organ-buds, or organoids, are a novel and organ mimicking in vitro model based on LGR5-positive stem cells that show realistic micro-anatomy. Recently, intestinal organoid cultures from various species including mice and humans have been described. However, canine intestinal crypt-derived organoids are not yet described. Since organoids can be infinitely expanded in culture, remain genetically stable, and can be differentiated to all cell types of the intestine, they represent an ideal in vitro model for intestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, virus infections, and drug screening. The aim of this study was to establish small intestinal and colon-based organoid culture systems from dogs, followed by molecular and cellular characterization.