Identification of the surface components of Trypanosoma evansi.

125I-labelling was used to characterise the surface components of five stocks of Trypanosoma evansi. Two components of 67 and 60.5 kD were labelled in two of the stocks, a single 60.5 kD component in two other stocks and no components in the remaining stock. These differences are probably related to the labelling method and biochemical differences between the stocks.     

Effects of xylazine on the stress response to transport in male goats.

A 20-min van journey increased plasma cortisol concentrations to 15-25 ng/ml in male goats, blood glucose concentrations were not affected, but respiratory rates and heart rates were increased, the latter by 40 beats per min. A 2-h van journey increased plasma cortisol to greater than 25 ng/ml and blood glucose to greater than 5 mmol/l. Respiratory rates were increased to greater than 40 breaths per min and heart rates by greater than 100 beats per min. Xylazine alone (0.01 mg/kg) suppressed resting plasma cortisol concentrations, increased blood glucose concentrations to 4.5 +/- 0.8 mmol/l and suppressed respiratory rates by 5-10 breaths per min and heart rates by 20 beats per min. Cortisol concentrations were suppressed by xylazine treatment if given before a 20-min van journey, and for approximately 60 min if given 20 min after the start of a 2-h journey. When combined with transport, xylazine caused an additive effect on glucose concentrations, but suppressed respiratory and heart rates. However, for the latter criteria the timing of suppression was different depending on the time of onset and duration of the stressor. Injection of 50 micrograms ovine corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) caused an immediate elevation of cortisol concentrations (but not glucose) which lasted for at least 6 h compared with the return to baseline within 60 min after either length of journey. Xylazine pretreatment did not alter the cortisol response to CRF, suggesting that xylazine must act centrally above pituitary level when blocking the cortisol response to transport. It is proposed that under resting conditions the hypothalamus is under alpha 2-adrenergic suppression. Stimulation of cortisol secretion in response to a stressor can be inhibited by an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist.     

Response time of broiler chickens to cimaterol: meat tenderness, muscle composition fiber size, and carcass characteristics.

The response time to cimaterol (CIM), a beta-adrenergic agonist, by broiler chickens for carcass characteristics, muscle composition, muscle fiber size, catheptic enzyme activity, and tenderness was determined. Two trials were conducted in which chickens were fed a control diet (CON) containing 0 ppm of CIM or a diet containing 1 ppm of CIM. Trial 1 consisted of 55, 31-d-old broiler chickens individually fed for up to 48 h. At 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 48 h, five CON and five CIM-fed chickens were killed. Trial 2 consisted of 160, 33-d-old broiler chickens group-fed for up to 14 d. At 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 d, 10 CON and 10 CIM-fed chickens were killed. The breast muscle (BM) and leg muscle (LM) weight, cathepsin B and L activities, DNA, RNA, and protein concentration, and BM shear force value (SFV) were measured in both trials. Thigh muscle (TM) SFV were measured in Trial 2 only. Fiber size of BM was measured (five birds per treatment) at d 2, 6, 10, and 14. In Trial 1, BM weight and SFV were lower in CIM-fed birds at 6 h (P less than .05). In Trial 2 BM SFV were higher at d 8 (P = .06) and d 10 (P less than .05) in CIM-fed chickens. The SFV of CIM-fed chickens were higher at d 4, 8, 10, 12, and 14 (P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Muscle relaxants in canine anaesthesia 2: Clinical application

There are a variety of factors which are likely to influence the action of muscle relaxants in canine anaesthesia. These include age, body temperature and muscle diseases. Of the anaesthetic agents it is only the inhalational anaesthetic agents which significantly increase the duration of action of muscle relaxants. Antibiotic therapy particularly with the aminoglycoside antibiotics is likely to increase their duration of action. The indications for the use of muscle relaxants and the main contraindications such as the absence of anaesthetic equipment and the inability to ensure unconsciousness are discussed. The choice of anaesthetic technique together with a discussion on the premedication induction and maintenance of anaesthesia are important factors when using relaxants as is the technique of artificial ventilation. The various advantages and disadvantages of neuromuscular block monitoring are discussed as is the reversal of neuromuscular block.     

Characterization of Brucella canis protein antigens and polypeptide antibody responses of infected dogs

The cytoplasmic protein antigens (CPAg) of Brucella canis were characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and analysis of 35S-labeled polypeptides. Approximate molecular weights of the immunoreactive polypeptides were determined by migration patterns of the immunoprecipitated polypeptides after SDS-PAGE or Western immunoblotting of sera collected at various times after experimental infection of dogs. Polypeptides were specifically precipitated by sera of infected dogs, but not from the sera of normal or false-positive (seropositive, non-infected) animals. During the initial month after infection, proteins with molecular weight masses (MW) of approximately 18, 22, 31, 42 and 54 kDa were commonly recognized. A 20-kDa polypeptide was first recognized at 8-10 weeks after infection, but it was detected inconsistently after 6 months. Additional polypeptides detected from 2 to 12 months post-infection had MW of 22, 66-68 and, less regularly, 42, 60, 82, 100 and greater than 200 kDa. The polypeptides most consistently recognized in sera from B. canis-infected dogs had MW of 18, 22 and 68 kDa.