The effects of experimentally induced fever on the estimated blood flow to and oxygen utilization by the liver and the viscera drained by the portal vein in sheep

Intrajugular injection of a purified E. coli lipopolysaccharide induced a biphasic fever in sheep after a latent period of 12 to 20 min. The changes in the blood flow from the liver and from the viscera drained by the portal vein were: (a) in the latent period, decreases in total hepatic blood flow (THF) due to decreased portal venous blood flow (PVF); (b) during the first febrile phase, increases in THF due to increased hepatic arterial blood flow and, (c) in the second febrile phase, increases in THF due to decreased PVF. Although there were large variations in the oxygen supply to the viscera drained by the portal vein and to the liver, there were relatively small or no changes in their oxygen consumption.     

The failure of selenium supplementation to prevent copper-induced liver damage in Fischer 344 rats.

This study evaluates the ability of selenium (Se) supplementation to prevent experimental copper (Cu)-induced hepatocellular damage. Weanling male Fischer 344 rats were randomly assigned to groups of 15, 3 groups (A,B,C) were fed Cu-loaded diets (containing 2000 microg/g copper, added as CuSO4) and different levels of Se (added as Na2SeO3 x 5H2O) as follows: A) Cu-loaded/Se adequate diet (0.4 microg/g Se, fed basis); B) Cu-loaded/Se-supplemented diet (2 microg/g Se); and C) Cu-loaded/Se-deficient diet (< 0.2 microg/g). Three additional groups (D,E,F) were fed diets containing adequate levels of Cu (14 microg/g Cu, fed basis) and different levels of Se as follows: D) Cu-adequate/Se-adequate diet; E) Cu-adequate/Se-supplemented diet (2 microg/g Se); and F) Cu-adequate/Se-deficient (< 0.2 microg/g) diet. After 4, 8, and 12 weeks on the experimental diets, liver samples were processed for histology, histochemistry, metal analysis, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) measurement, and quantification of malondialdehyde (MDA). Morphologic changes characteristic of Cu-associated hepatitis, without an increase in hepatic MDA levels, were seen in all Cu-loaded rats in each sampling. Similar changes occurred in rats fed Se-adequate, Se-supplemented and Se-deficient diets. This study demonstrates that Fischer 344 rats fed 2000 microg/g Cu develop morphologic changes due to Cu toxicity without evidence of lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, Se supplementation does not result in protection against Cu-induced liver injury.     

Vaccination of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) against Mycobacterium bovis infection with bacille Calmette-Guérin: the response to multiple doses.

In New Zealand, the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is the principal wildlife vector of bovine tuberculosis. Control of infected possum populations contributes to the control of tuberculosis in domestic livestock. Vaccination is potentially a complementary strategy to population control, but to be cost-effective, administration of the vaccine to possums would need to be from an appropriately designed automatic vaccinator. Possums themselves would activate the vaccinator so that it would deliver an aerosol spray of vaccine. There would be no direct way to prevent possums receiving multiple doses of vaccine. This study examined the effect on protective immunity of repeated vaccination. Captive possums were vaccinated with BCG strain pasteur 1173P2 either 12 times at weekly intervals, twice at 6-weekly intervals, or once. Vaccination was by a combination of intranasal aerosol and conjunctival instillation. Eight weeks after the last dose of vaccine, all possums were challenged intratracheally with Mycobacterium bovis strain 83/6235. Vaccination induced a significant immune response as measured by the lymphocyte proliferation assay (LPA). A significant level of protection, as measured by the response to challenge, developed in all the vaccinated possum groups, but protection was greatest in the group vaccinated 12 times. It was concluded that protection would be enhanced if vaccinations were repeated at short intervals (weekly), but no benefit or detriment resulted from revaccination after longer intervals (1-2 months).     

Effect of heterogeneous digesta chemical composition on the accuracy of measurements of fiber flow in dairy cows.

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of unrepresentative sampling of digesta particulate matter entering the omasal canal on the accuracy of fiber flow measurements. The experimental design comprised one period, one diet, and three cows as experimental units. Within each cow, the physical and chemical composition of digesta particulate matter was assessed at seven sites within the digestive tract. Three Finnish Ayshire dairy cows, equipped with ruminal and simple-T duodenal cannulas, in extended lactation were offered grass silage twice daily on an ad libitum basis. Digesta samples were collected from the rumen (dorsal and ventral sac), reticulum, omasal canal, omasum, duodenum, and rectum to determine particle size distribution in digesta, chemical composition of various particle size fractions, and distribution of two flow markers (Cr-labeled straw and indigestible NDF [INDF]) among particle size fractions. Digesta samples were wet-sieved using sieves of 2.50, 1.25, 0.630, 0.315, 0.160, and 0.080 mm. Particulate matter was analyzed for OM, NDF, and Cr concentrations, and INDF concentration was determined based on 12-d ruminal incubation. The particle size of digesta entering the omasal canal was larger compared with the omasum or the duodenum, suggesting that omasal canal samples were not representative of particle size distribution truly escaping the rumen. The concentration of potentially digestible NDF (PDNDF) decreased with decreasing particle size. The PDNDF concentration of particulate matter retained on all sieves was greatest in the rumen and gradually decreased along the digestive tract. From the reticulorumen to the omasum, the decrease was associated with decreased particle size, reflecting selective passage of particulate matter. In contrast, from the omasum to the duodenum and rectum, the PDNDF concentration decreased within each particle size fraction without effect on particle size, indicating a nonselective passage of particulate matter between these sites. Variation between particle size fractions was slightly greater for Cr concentration than for INDF concentration, indicating that unrepresentative sampling of particulate matter had a greater effect on Cr concentration compared with that of INDF. Owing to unrepresentative sampling, NDF entering the omasal canal was overestimated by 5% using INDF and underestimated by 7% using Cr as a particle phase marker. Of total NDF digestibility, proportionally 0.90, 0.07, and 0.03 occurred in the reticulorumen, omasum, and intestines, respectively. The current results indicate that, despite unrepresentative sampling of digesta particulate matter entering the omasal canal, the errors in determined NDF flow were small. The omasum may have a greater role in postruminal NDF digestion than the intestines.     

Laboratory parameters for the control of the course of therapy of canine Cushing's syndrome]

We compared the results of the ACTH stimulation tests with measurements of alkaline phosphatase and serum cholesterol during Lysodren therapy in 23 dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism. The ACTH stimulation test proved to be a very sensitive parameter, by which the extent of Lysodren under- or overdosage could be reliably estimated. On the other hand, regulation of the individual Lysodren requirement was not possible by measuring AP and serum cholesterol only. However, it is highly probable that those two parameters can be used to evaluate the general state of metabolism, and they appear to be of prognostic value when greatly elevated.     

Bovine haptoglobin: single radial immunodiffusion assay of its polymeric forms and dramatic rise in acute-phase sera.

Using purified bovine haptoglobin (Hp) and specific antisera, a single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) assay method has been developed to measure the serum Hp level in cattle. Bovine Hp is a highly polymerized protein showing heterogeneous molecular forms in serum. After treatment with cysteine or glutathione, Hp was partially reduced to a homogeneous form, suitable for SRID assay. This method gives values comparable to those obtained by hemoglobin-binding capacity assay, and has the advantage of being simple and convenient. Although serum Hp was not detectable in healthy cattle, it was found more than 50-fold after invasive surgery, indicating that Hp is a characteristic acute-phase protein in cattle.     

Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for diagnosis of trichinellosis in swine.

Experimental and field trials were conducted to evaluate an ELISA for its ability to detect Trichinella-infected domestic swine and to compare ELISA results with muscle-digestion test results. The ELISA used was a commercial double-antibody kit, containing an excretory-secretory antigen, and was evaluated principally for epidemiologic use. Experimentally induced infection in swine (4 groups of 3 pigs each; inoculated with 0, 50, 500 or 5,000 larvae) was detected as early as postinoculation week 4, with seroconversion of all inoculated swine by postinoculation week 8. The rate of seroconversion appeared to be affected by initial larval dose, time after inoculation, and immunocompetence of the individual host. Determination of antibody kinetics generally revealed rapidly increasing antibody titer, followed by its steady decrease in most pigs. Once seropositive, however, all pigs remained seropositive for the duration of the 10-week study. Presence of muscle larvae was confirmed in all infected pigs at termination of the study. We recognize that the experimental conditions may not be truly representative of those under which natural infection develops in pigs; however, the ELISA detected an infected pig with muscle larval density of 0.87 larvae/g of tissue. Results of a field trial (n = 310) indicated no muscle digestion test-positive pigs (35 g of diaphragm muscle digested/pig), but 3 samples tested positive by ELISA for specificity of 99.0%.     

Skeletal muscle characteristics in young trained and untrained standardbred trotters.

Muscle biopsies were taken from the middle gluteal muscle of 28 Standardbred trotters, 3-4 years of age. The 13 horses in Group T were trained consistently from 18 months of age, whereas the 15 horses in Group UT were not exposed to any systematic training before 3 years of age. Group T horses had a lower percentage of Type IIB fibres (31%) than did Group UT horses (39%). Citrate synthase (CS) activity, representing oxidative capacity, was higher in Group T (72 mmol kg-1 min-1) than in Group UT (47 mmol kg-1 min-1). Biopsies were taken from 4 horses in each group when they were foals and then annually until 3-4 years of age. Results from this study indicate that regular training of Standardbreds from 18 months of age resulted in increased CS activity and a decrease in the percentage of Type IIB fibres. This study shows that training, not growth, is the main factor that induces a high oxidative capacity and a high Type IIA/IIB fibre ratio in muscle of Standardbred trotters.     

Chronic partial obstructive urolithiasis causing hydronephrosis and chronic renal failure in a steer.

A 13-month-old Angus steer was examined with a 6-week history of lethargy, malaise and dribbling urine. Laboratory exam revealed crystalluria and poor renal function. Ultrasound revealed hydronephrosis and hydroureter. Euthanasia was chosen because of a poor prognosis for economic recovery. Necropsy demonstrated numerous calculi causing partial urethral obstruction approximately 25 cm from the end of the penis. Secondary renal changes were confirmed. Urolithiasis occurs commonly in ruminants. Secondary obstruction is usually complete with severe consequences. This is the first report of chronic partial obstructive urolithiasis resulting in endstage renal disease.