Ontogeny of pig discrete Peyer's patches: expression of surface antigens.

Leukocyte populations present in the discrete Peyer's patches (PP) of the pig were characterized from birth (Day 0) to day 35 after birth by immunohistochemistry and image analysis. Immediately after birth, cell membrane expression of CD2 and CD3, major histocompatibilty complex (MHC) class 11 (both SLA (swine leukocyte antigen) -DQ+ and SLA-DR+), CD21, 74-22-15 and surface immunoglobulin (sIg) were all demonstrable. Computer assisted morphometric techniques were used to confirm the significant expansion of these cell populations from birth onwards. The distribution of the cell types was not random but suggested a preferential retention of cells at specific sites. This implies a degree of organization of immunological cells within the discrete PP, enhancing the potential to mount immune responses in the most efficient manner.     

Complex vertebral malformation in a stillborn Holstein calf in Japan

A female stillborn Holstein calf with shortened cervical and thoracic regions, protrusion of the tongue, and bilateral symmetric flexural contraction of the anterior limbs was delivered on gestation day 281. Multiple hemivertebrae, fused and misshaped vertebrae, synostosis and scoliosis of cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebral column were found in the affected calf by radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) analysis. Ten pairs of ribs were present and the sternum consisted of 9 sternebrae. Multiple morphologic abnormalities including fusion, malformation, and displacement, were found in the ribs and sternum. Cardiac anomalies, including atrial septal defect and hypertrophy of right ventricle, were observed. DNA-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis demonstrated that amplified product from the liver DNA of the affected calf had identical pattern to that associated with complex vertebral malformation (CVM) of Holstein calves and that her dam was a heterozygous carrier of CVM. The affected calf was diagnosed as having CVM based on the DNA-PCR results and the characteristic findings, and was recorded as a first documentation of CVM confirmed in a Holstein calf in Japan.     

Seroepidemiologic studies on Babesia caballi and Babesia equi infections in Japan

Antibodies to Babesia caballi and Babesia equi were examined on a total of 2,019 horse serum samples that had been collected in 1971-1973 by the National Institute of Animal Health by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using recombinant proteins and by Western-blot analysis. Based on the criterion for positivity by ELISA, 5.4% (109/2,019) and 2.2% (44/2,019) had antibodies against B. caballi and B. equi, respectively. The ELISA-positive sera were further examined by Western blot; 30/109 for B. caballi and 2/ 44 for B. equi were positive for native B. caballi or B. equi, but none of them was seropositive for both infections. Based on the results of this study, further investigations should be required to survey horses that have arrived in Japan relatively recently and tick vectors of equine Babesia using ELISA with some recombinant protein, a parasite detection method in an in vitro culture of equine Babesia, and PCR testing.     

Pharmacokinetics of fentanyl after single intravenous injection and constant rate infusion in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the plasma concentration and define the pharmacokinetic characteristics of fentanyl (10 microg kg(-1)) administered as a single intravenous (IV) injection followed by: (a) no further drug; or (b) a constant rate infusion (CRI) of fentanyl 10 microg kg(-1) hour(-1) lasting 1, 3 or 4 hours in dogs. Animals Fourteen healthy adult beagles (seven males and seven females). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Randomized cross-over design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dogs were randomly assigned to four treatment groups. Drugs were administered to each dog in a randomized cross-over design with at least a 14-day washout interval between experiments. All dogs received an IV loading dose of fentanyl (10 microg kg(-1)). One group received no further fentanyl. In others, the loading dose was followed by a CRI of fentanyl (10 microg kg(-1) hour(-1)) for 1, 3 or 4 hours. Blood samples were collected and plasma fentanyl concentrations determined using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Plasma pharmacokinetic estimates were obtained by plotting plasma concentrations versus time data and by fitting the change in concentration to a pharmacokinetic model, using a purpose-built program written by the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Kyoto University) in Visual Basic (VBA) on Excel (Microsoft Corporation). RESULTS: Plasma fentanyl concentration decreased rapidly after single IV injection: the plasma concentration-time curve best fitted a two-compartment model. Pharmacokinetic variables for IV injection were characterized by a short distribution half-time (t1/2alpha was 4.5 minutes), a relatively long elimination half time (t1/2beta was 45.7 minutes), a large volume of distribution (approximately 5 L kg(-1)) and high total body clearance (77.9 mL minute(-1) kg(-1)). Stable plasma fentanyl levels were obtained in all CRI groups although pharmacokinetic variables were influenced by the duration of administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: While this study clarified the pharmacokinetic features of rapid IV fentanyl injection and CRI in dogs, the plasma concentration achieving analgesia was not and so further research is needed. Further studies on the effects of other sedatives and/or anaesthetics on fentanyl's disposition are also required as the drug is commonly used with other agents.     

Carrier rate of Factor XI deficiency in stunted Japanese black cattle

Blood examinations and genotyping of Factor XI (F11) were performed in growth retardation Japanese Black cattle and their dams. Genotyping of F11 revealed that the recessive homozygous and heterozygous genotype frequencies were 5.2% and 50.0% in the Claudin-16 (CL-16) deficiency group (n=58), 0% and 14.2% in the renal dysplasia group (n=7), 0% and 26.1% in the non-CL-16 deficiency nephritis group (n=23), 8.9% and 46.7% in the hypogenesis syndrome group (n=45), 6.2% and 25.0% in the neonatal weak calf syndrome group (n=32), 9.1% and 38.6% in the respective dams group (n=44), 0% and 23.1% in the normal cattle group (n=13), and 5.9% and 38.2% in total (n=222), respectively. These results showed that the carrier rate of F11 deficiency was high in Japanese Black cattle, and that the CL-16 deficiency, hypogenesis syndrome, neonatal weak calf syndrome, and dams groups had a large amount of recessive homozygous genotype than the other groups. No abnormal bleeding was observed clinically in the present study, and 4 of the recessive homozygous dams showed normal growth and parturition.     

Effects of liquid nitrogen vapor sensitization conditions on the quality of frozen-thawed dog spermatozoa

The freezing conditions for preparation of frozen canine semen by the plunging method were investigated with regard to the period of sensitization in liquid nitrogen (LN2) vapor and the height from LN2, and the semen qualities after thawing were compared with those of canine semen prepared by the simple freezer method previously reported by us. In the plunging method, 9 semen straws were prepared under the same conditions, horizontally kept at 5, 7, and 10 cm above the LN2 surface in a styrene foam box for 5, 10, and 15 min, and then plunged into LN2. The semen qualities immediately after thawing were high in the 7 cm/10 min (cooling rate: -4 to -22 degrees C/min) and 10 cm/15 min groups (cooling rate: -6 to -10 degrees C/min). On comparison of frozen semen prepared by the plunging method (7 cm/10 min) with frozen semen prepared by the simple freezer method, sperm motility and viability were significantly higher for the frozen semen prepared by the plunging method. The cooling rate in freezing was higher for the simple freezer method (cooling rate: -6 to -50.9 degrees C/min) than the plunging method. Based on these findings, horizontal placement of canine semen straws above LN2 to reduce the temperature at a slow cooling rate of about -10 degrees C/min, followed by plunging into LN2 after sensitization for 10-15 min, provides good semen qualities after thawing.     

Effects of addition of sodium lauryl sulfate on frozen-thawed canine spermatozoa

The addition of Orvus ES paste (OEP) to extender may be essential for preparing frozen dog semen. The major ingredient of OEP is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). In this study, we compared the effect of SLS on frozen dog semen with that of OEP. There were no significant differences between the 2-mg/ml SLS group and OEP group concerning sperm motility, viability and the percentage of viable sperm with intact acrosomes after freeze-thawing. These results suggest that the effectiveness of frozen dog semen extender containing 2 mg/ml of SLS is similar effective to that demonstrated for OEP.     

Adenomyosis with severe inflammation in the uterine cervix in a dog

A dog with purulent vulval discharge was found to have many cysts containing purulent mucus in the uterine cervix. The uterine horns did not contain any pus. Histological examination revealed a cervical adenomyosis infiltrated by many neutrophils. After an ovariohysterectomy including the whole cervix, the dog recovered well.     

Effect of nutritional conditions on changes in leukocyte populations in Japanese black calves

To clarify the effect of nutritive conditions on changes in immune cells in Japanese Black (JB) calves during the growth period, leukocyte populations were analyzed in ten healthy JB calves managed in one herd. The calves were divided into two groups: five calves in Group 1 were given insufficient nutrition, and the other five calves in Group 2 received adequate nutrition. The levels of serum total cholesterol and glucose were significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 at 1 month. The numbers of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells tended to be lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 at months 1 and 2, and the difference in CD4+ was significant at month 2. The number of MHC class-II(+high) cells was significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 at months 1 and 2. These results suggest that adequate nutrition might stimulate an increase in immune cells in calves during the growth period.