Characterization of porcine xenoreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) against mouse P815 cells were detected after stimulation of porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with irradiated Balb/c splenocytes. In vivo priming prior to in vitro stimulation slightly enhanced CTL activity, but lysis of targets was undetectable from lymphocytes from non-immune or immune animals that were not cultured with mouse splenocytes. After primary culture with Balb/c (H-2d) splenocytes, specific killing of P815 (H-2d) targets and not L929 (H-2k) targets indicated that recognition was specific for the H-2 locus. Similarly, CTL primed by mouse cells from either of two congenic strains recognized targets with alleles homologous to the stimulating cells. The anti-murine CTL was confirmed to be a CD8+ T cell based on studies using specific monoclonal antibodies to the porcine CD4 or CD8 cells. The cells responsible for the cytotoxicity of P815 targets lacked the characteristics of non-specific NK cells because (1) naive PBMC were unable to lyse NK targets (K562 cells) during the 4 h cytotoxic assay and (2) CTL killing of P815 targets increased with time after primary stimulation, whereas killing of K562 cells remained low at all times. These results suggest that porcine CTL can be readily generated against the xenogeneic mouse major histocompatibility complex.     

Cisplatin Therapy in 41 Dogs With Malignant Tumors

Forty-one dogs with a variety of histopathologically diagnosed, measurable tumors were treated with cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum, Platinol, Bristol Laboratories, Syracuse, NY 13221-4755) as a single agent at a dosage of 60 mg/m2 given intravenously at 3-week intervals. In an attempt to avoid renal toxicity of cisplatin, saline diuresis was induced and maintained for 4 hours before and 2 hours following cisplatin administration. The dogs received one to ten doses of cisplatin. To determine response to therapy and to monitor toxicity of the drug, the dogs were evaluated with physical examinations including tumor measurements, radiography, complete blood counts, platelet counts, urinalyses, serum urea nitrogen concentrations, and serum creatinine concentrations. An overall response rate of 19% was observed. Complete remission occurred in one of 11 dogs with squamous cell carcinomas and one of one dog with a mediastinal undifferentiated carcinoma. Partial remissions were documented in one of 11 dogs with squamous cell carcinomas, two of three dogs with metastatic osteosarcomas, one of three dogs with nasal adenocarcinomas, and one of one dog with a thyroid adenocarcinoma. Toxic side effects were primarily gastrointestinal in nature, with vomiting occurring 1-6 hours after cisplatin administration in 27 of 41 dogs. Severe anorexia occurred in three dogs, and hemorrhagic diarrhea was observed in one dog. One dog developed grand mal seizures and died 3 hours following therapy. Granulocytopenia was documented in six dogs, and thrombocytopenia was observed in four dogs. One dog showed an increase in serum urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations, but this patient had known pre-existing renal disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Thyroid neoplasms in a colony of beagle dogs

The histologic, clinicopathologic, and epidemiologic features of spontaneous thyroid neoplasms were evaluated in a control population of Beagle dogs. The mean age of thyroid tumor-bearing dogs (16.2 years) as significantly higher than non-tumor-bearing dogs (13.6 years). Thirteen benign and 18 malignant tumors were identified, with the incidence of both tumors increasing rapidly near the mean age of 16.2 years for tumor-bearing dogs. The age-specific incidence of tumors was 1.1% per year at 8 to 12 years, increasing to 4.0% per year by 12 to 15 years and 67% over 17 years of age. Numbers of malignant tumors were greater than benign tumors at an earlier age. Approximately 44% of the malignant tumors metastasized but only 22% resulted in death of the dog. There was no difference in tumor incidence when compared according to sex, if total tumor numbers were considered or if tumors were separated into benign and malignant categories. The age at death of tumor-bearing dogs was not increased significantly by the surgical resection of the thyroid tumors. Of dogs with thyroid tumors, 15% had clinical diagnoses of hypothyroidism, and no dogs with thyroid tumors had diagnoses of hyperthyroidism.     

Superovulation beim Rind: Hormonprofile bei Stimulation mit Serum-gonadotropin (PMSG) bzw. hypophysärem FSH*)

Contents: Superovulation in cattle: Hormonal profdes during superovulation with PMSG or pituitary FSH.: Hormonal profiles for LH, FSH, PMSG, progesterone in peripheral blood and oestrogens in urine during superovulation with PMSG (1500–3100 IU i. m.) or pituitary porcine FSH (5 mg i.m. 2 times daily for 5 days) were evaluated radioimmunologicaly. Two days after the begin of treatment luteolysis was induced by means of 0.5 mg Estrumat® i. m. The experiments were performed with 14 heifers and 2 cows. Blood samples were taken in 6 or 12 h intervals. Preovulatory LH and FSH peaks occurred coinciding with the onset o f oestrus in good responding animals instead of a few hours later, as in weakly responding animals or during normal oestrous cycle. PMSG could be still measured in peripheral blood 10 days after application. Preovulatory gonadotropin peaks are preceded in good responding animals by clear oestrogen peaks contrary t o weak responding ones. Progesterone concentrations of good responding animals increase faster after the preouulatory LH peak and reach higher absolute values compared t o bad responding ones or during normal oestrous cycle. Furthermore there was a clear difference in progesterone values between both stimulation methods. Progesterone concentrations after induction of superovulation with PMSG are significantly higher f o r about the same number of corpora lutea as after stimulation with pituitary FSH. For judgement of the success of stimulation the determination of progesterone can be considered as parameter. From the hormonal profiles no conclusion can be drawn why some animals don't respond to the stimulation.     

Single-dilution indirect solid-phase radioimmunoassay for the detection of anti-pseudorabies immunoglobulin G in swine sera

A single-dilution indirect solid-phase radioimmunoassay (IRIA) was developed for the detection of low levels of anti-pseudorabies immunoglobulin G in swine sera. The assay derived increased sensitivity from the use of a second amplifying antibody. The IRIA was examined for its stoichiometry, amplification by secondary antibody, advantage of a single-dilution assay vs an end-point titration, sensitivity, and specificity. The assay had a near linear dose-response relationship with positive sera (serum-neutralization titer less than or equal to 1:16) and lacked a dose response with negative sera. With addition of the secondary antibody, the IRIA was enhanced 8.5-fold in net specific binding, and the end-point titer was amplified 32-fold. The single-dilution assay was proved to be a feasible test, compared with end-point titration. Anti-pseudorabies virus titers were at least 128-fold higher by IRIA than those by serum-neutralization test. Evidence indicated that there may be minimal or no cross-reactivity of IRIA antigen with anti-infectious bovine rhinotracheitis sera. The single-dilution IRIA was a rapid and sensitive test for anti-pseudorabies virus immunoglobulin G in swine sera.     

Einbau der Zuchtarbeit in KB-Betrieben

Inhalt Das Arbeitsverfahren für BullentieJgefriersperma unter Benutzung von Ampullen wird beschrieben. Es werden technische Einzelheiten der Gewinnung, Verdünnung, Aufbereitung, Einfrierung und Einlagerung des Samens gegeben. Der Arbeits-ablauf wird durch Abbildungen illustriert. Contents The method of deep-freezing bull semen using ampoules is described. There are presented details of collecting, diluting, preparing, freezing and storing the semen, The workingmethod is illustrated by pictures.     

Prevalence of Giardia in the feces of pups

Fecal specimens were collected from 117 healthy pups (79 privately owned pups and 38 pups from an animal shelter) and analyzed for Giardia. Giardia cysts or trophozoites were found in 35.9% of the dog feces.     

Die Wirkung der intravaginalen "PRID"-Spirale auf das Scheidenmilieu des Rindes

Inhalt: Zur Untersuchung der Auswirkungen auf das Scheidenmilieu wurde 12 Kühen eine PRID-Spirale in die Scheide eingelegt und dort für die Dauer von 12 Tagen belas-sen. Vier Tiere wurden mit einliegender Spirale und jeweils 2 am 1. bis 4. Tag nach Entzug der Spirale geschlachtet. Im Untersuchungszeitraum wurden Tupferproben mikrobiologisch und bei der Schlachtung gewonnene Scheidenproben histomorphologisch und histochemisch untersucht. Die Ovulation fand etwa 3 Tage nach dem Ende der Behandlung statt. Zwei weitere Tiere wurden in der Gelbkörperphase mit einem Prostaglandin-Analog behandelt und 3 Tage darauf geschlachtet. Sie dienten als zyklussynchrone Kontrollen. An den von Behandlungsbeginn bis zur Schlachtung genommenen Tupferproben zeigte sich, daβ die bakterielle Besiedlung von Vagina und Cervix uteri bei den Versuchsgruppen im Untersuchungszeitraum deutlich zunahm. Auch mehrere Tage nach Entzug der Spirale war diese Besiedlung nicht eliminiert. Histologisch lassen sich bei einliegender Spirale unterschiedlich stark akut und chronisch entzündliche Komponenten nachweisen. Epitheldefekte und freie Blutungen sind auf kleine Bezirke beschränkt. Das Epithel ist atypisch und in der Schleimsekretion gestört. Die nach Entzug der Spirale rasch einsetzenden proliferativen Reparationsvorgänge sind am Ende des Untersuchungszeitraumes nicht abgeschlossen. Das Epithel ist, namentlich um den üblichen Besamungszeitpunkt herum, weiterhin nicht zu normaler Schleimsekretion in der Lage, wie sie für den Östrus typkch wäre. Die Untersuchung zeigt, daβ der Einsatz der PRID-Spirale nicht völlig ohne Probleme ist. Die bakterielle Besiedlung und Störungen in der epithelialen Schleimsekretion sind als Beeinträchtigung des Scheidenmilieus zu werten. 06 hierdurch der Besamungserfolg negativ beeinfluβt wird, bedarf weiterer Abklärung. Contents: Effect of a progesterone releasing intravaginal device (“PRID”) on the intravaginal environment in the cow An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of the application of “PRID” on histological and bacteriological conditions in the vagina of cows. PRID-coils (CEVA) were introduced into the vagina of 12 cows where they remained for 12 days. Four cows were slaughtered with the coil in position and 2 cows each were slaughtered on day 1, 2, 3 and 4 after coil removal. Cervical and vaginal mucus collected before introduction and after removal of the coil and at the time of slaughter was used for bacteriological examination. Immediately after daughter the genital tract was removed and tissue samples were taken from different segments of the vagina. Two additional cows were treated with a prostaglandin analogue during the luteal phase. These were slaughtered 3 days later and served as controls. The bacteriological examination revealed that in most cows application of the “PRID”-coil implies bacteriological contamination of cervix and vagina. Damage to the vaginal epithelium and its secretory activity was histologically evident. Recovery commenced immediately after coil withdrawal but was not complete by the time mating or insemination of cows would normally take place. Further investigation must show if application of the “PRID”-coil exerts a detrimental effect on the cow's fertility.