Tyrosine Ameliorates Some of the Clinical,Biochemical and Haematological Effects of Acute Stress Associated with Transportation of Desert Sheep

We studied some clinical, biochemical and haematological variables in Desert (Najdi) sheep acutely stressed in the course of individual road transportation, and the influence thereon of pretreatment with tyrosine. Transportation for 30 min resulted in variable but statistically insignificant increases in heart, pulse and respiratory rates. It also caused significant increases in the plasma concentration of cortisol (from 43.5 to 101.7 mmol/L) and glucose (from 3.1 to 4.5 mmol/L), and a decrease in that of magnesium (from 0.85 to 0.72 mmol/L). The endogenous thiocyanate level was unaffected. The transportation stress also decreased the haematocrit (PCV) and the number of lymphocytes, and increased the concentration of haemoglobin. Pretreatment of sheep with tyrosine at a dose of 100 mg/kg by the intravenous route significantly ameliorated the stress-induced clinical, biochemical and haematological changes. The treatment caused no overt adverse effects.     

Perineal Nets of Proteoglycans and Glycoproteins in Albino Rat Hippocampus

Perineuronal nets (PNs) of condensed extracellular matrix (ECM) have been shown to characterize the microenvironment of individual neurons and the chemoarchitecture of some brain regions. In the present study, PNs in the hippocampus were visualized with a cationic iron colloid method for sulphated proteoglycan content and a plant lectin from Vicia villosa agglutinin (VVA) for N-acetylgalactosamine containing glycoconjugates. The ECM molecules were organized in reticular coats (PNs) around non-pyramidal cells in the Ammons horn (Corneu Ammons, CA) and subicular region, in addition to pyramidal neurons located in CA2 and CA3 regions. CA2 stratum pyramidale exhibited the most intense staining of its PNs and a diffuse intervening neutrophil labelling, while CA3 region showed a graded fashion of staining intensity. The subiculum displayed intensely stained perineuronal coats. Notably, the hippocampal perineuronal nets revealed overlapped staining characteristics with both staining methods. However, cell coats of the subicular neurons showed various degrees of labelling characteristics with both markers. It is suggested that the PNs in the hippocampus are correlated with the fast spiking inhibitory GABAergic neurons and their target pyramidal cells, and this is important to keep the excitatory elements under control and therefore control the information processes within the hippocampus.     

Ultrastructure of the thyroid gland of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Follicular epithelium of the thyroid gland of the one-humped camel was examined by light and electron microscopy. It consisted of a single type of epithelial cell which varied from flattened to columnar in shape. Follicular epithelial cells were characterized by the presence of markedly dilated cisternae of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, well developed Golgi apparatus, abundant small vesicles (150 nm to 200 nm in diameter) in the apical cytoplasm, and electron-dense colloid droplets measuring from 250 nm to 1600 nm. Follicular epithelial cells frequently showed apocrine secretion into colloidal lumens. Apocrine protrusions with smooth surface were dome-like or balloon-like structures and contained a fine granular matrix. These findings indicate that the morphological features of the follicular epithelial cells of the thyroid gland of the camel are essentially similar to those of mammals except for the presence of apocrine secretion, which is unique to the camel.     

Control of chlorophyll formation and sprouting of tubers by oil dipping in five potato cultivars of Pakistan

Five potato cultivars of autumn crop, dipped in corn oil, were observed for 90 days at room temperature under natural light. Chlorophyll formation took place in minute quantities in treated tubers of ‘Désirée’ and ‘Prima’, and a little more in ‘Primura’, ‘Montana’ and ‘Multa’, whereas all control tubers became completely green after 90 days. Sugars were significantly lower and starch higher in treated tubers than in controls. No sprout-development was observed in treated tubers of all cultivars, but 50–70% control tubers had sprouted during this period. Peeling-losses were minimum in treated tubers and were 67.5–85.4% in controls. The oil-dipped potato tubers of all cultivars could safely be stored for 60 days without quality deterioration under ordinary conditions of temperature and light.     

Protection of pastured cattle from black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae): Improved weight gains following a dermal application of phosmet

In two experiments, a pour-on application of phosmet at 25 mg kg^?1 reduced the harassment of cattle by black flies for up to 5–6 weeks posttreatment. During this period, the treated groups either gained more weight or loss less weight than their controls. The untreated groups made compensatory gains when teh black fly activity decreased or ceased. No significant differences existed between the average daily gains of a treated group and its control either for the posttreatment-periods of 9 and 15 weeks or for the experimental periods of 15 and 20 weeks in the two experiments.Black fly toxemia was not seen in indigenous cattle or in naive steers brought into a black fly infested area 1–2 weeks before the onset of black fly activity.