2-Bromopropane induced germ cell apoptosis during spermatogenesis in male rat

2-Bromopropane (2-BP) causes testicular toxicity in humans and rats. However, the germ cell degeneration of testicular toxicity by 2-BP has not been understood. 2-BP at doses of 135, 405, and 1,355 mg/kg/day was daily injected subcutaneously into Sprague-Dawley rats for 28 days. At the dose of 1,355 mg/kg/day, 2-BP significantly decreased the weights of body and testes, eipididymis, seminal vesicle, and prostate, as well as daily sperm production. Atrophy of seminiferous tubules accompanied with degeneration of germ cells such as spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and elongated spermatids was observed in the testes of rats exposed to the 405 mg/kg/day and 1,355 mg/kg/day of 2-BP. TUNEL-positive germ cells were appeared in the 405 and 1,355 mg/kg/day of 2-BP-treated groups. In addition, ultrastructure alterations of apoptotic germ cells were observed by the electron microscopy study. Dead elongated spermatids were observed at 1,355 mg/kg/day after 28 days exposure. These results suggest that 2-BP impair spermatogenesis may result from apoptotic germ cell death.     

Reproductive disorders in pubertal and adult phase of the male rats exposed to vinclozolin during puberty

Vinclozolin (VCZ) is a systemic dicarboximide fungicide with antiandrogenic activity. Reproductive toxicity of VCZ was investigated in male rats exposed to VCZ during puberty. Sprague-Dawley male rats aged with 35 days were assigned to six different groups; negative control, positive control receiving flutamide (100 mg/kg), VCZ (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg), and a combination of VCZ (200 mg/kg) + methyltestosterone (100 mg/kg). The animals were treated with test compounds by oral gavage daily during 35 to 44 days of age. In pubertal rats sacrificed on the next day after final treatment, VCZ or flutamide-treated group showed a decrease in weights of prostate, epididymis, and seminal vesicle, hypertrophy of Leydig cells in the testis, detached debris and sloughed cells in the tubules of the caput epididymis, and an increase in serum testosterone levels. On the other hand, combined treatment of VCZ + methyltestosterone decreased testicular weight, increased seminal vesicle weight, and induced degeneration of spermatocytes. In adult rats sacrificed at five weeks after final treatment, flutamide decreased testicular sperm counts, and VCZ, flutamide and VCZ + methyltestosterone also decreased epididymal sperm counts. In addition, treatment of VCZ (400 mg) or VCZ + methyltestosterone decreased some motion kinematic parameters of sperms including curvilinear velocity, mean angular displacement and lateral head displacement. Flutamide treatment also decreased lateral head displacement. These results indicate that VCZ exposure during pubertal period in male rats causes reproductive disorders in puberty and adulthood.     

Diphenylamine-induced renal papillary necrosis and necrosis of the pars recta in laboratory rodents

The nephrotoxicity of diphenylamine, the parent compound of the mefenamate family of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, was evaluated in male Syrian hamsters, male Sprague-Dawley rats, and male Mongolian gerbils. Total renal papillary necrosis was observed in four of ten, seven of ten, and six of ten male Syrian hamsters orally treated with diphenylamine at respective doses of 400 mg/kg body weight/day, 600 mg/kg body weight/day, and 800 mg/kg body weight/day. Total renal papillary necrosis was also observed in five of ten and four of ten male Syrian hamsters intraperitoneally treated with diphenylamine at respective doses of 600 mg/kg body weight/day and 800 mg/kg body weight/day. Focal intermediate renal papillary necrosis was induced in two hamsters orally given diphenylamine at 600 mg/kg body weight/day and in two of ten hamsters intraperitoneally given diphenylamine at 800 mg/kg body weight/day. Apex-limited necrosis of the medullary interstitial cells and vasa recta and degeneration of the renal interstitial matrix occurred in two Sprague-Dawley rats orally administered diphenylamine at 800 mg/kg body weight/day. Degeneration and necrosis of the pars recta was induced in seven of ten hamsters intraperitoneally given diphenylamine at 400 mg/kg body weight/day. Gross and microscopic renal lesions were not observed in any Mongolian gerbils. It was concluded that the Syrian hamster is more susceptible to the papillotoxic effects of diphenylamine than the Sprague-Dawley rat and the Mongolian gerbil. Renal papillary necrosis in the Syrian hamster treated orally with diphenylamine is reproducible, is of short onset, and is induced in a high proportion of the hamsters (70-90%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

麦麸阿魏酰低聚糖对敌草快致氧化应激大鼠血浆和组织抗氧化能力的影响

本试验以酿酒酵母和枯草芽孢杆菌作为混合菌种发酵小麦麸皮,通过Amberlite XAD-2柱分离纯化制备麦麸阿魏酰低聚糖(feruloyl oligosaccharides,FOs),探讨麦麸FOs对敌草快(diquat)诱导的大鼠氧化应激是否有缓解作用。试验选用体重相近的断奶雄性大鼠48只,随机分为未攻毒组、攻毒组、攻毒+100 mg/kg BW麦麸FOs组、攻毒+200 mg/kg BW麦麸FOs组、攻毒+300 mg/kg BW麦麸FOs组和攻毒+100 mg/kg BW维生素C组,每组8个重复,每个重复1只鼠,各组大鼠均饲喂相同的商业饲料。麦麸FOs和维生素C配制成水溶液,采用灌胃的方式给予,未攻毒组、攻毒组用生理盐水替代,灌胃体积0.2 mL,连续灌胃15 d。灌胃结束当天,未攻毒组大鼠注射0.3 mL生理盐水,其他5组按0.1 mmol/kg BW的剂量腹腔注射0.3 mL敌草快。敌草快攻毒12 h后取样,分析各组大鼠血浆以及肝脏、肾脏和回肠中总抗氧化能力(T-AOC),过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性以及谷胱甘肽(GSH)和8-羟基脱氧鸟苷(8-OHd G)的含量。结果显示:1)通过混菌发酵小麦麸皮制备麦麸FOs,利用Amberlite XAD-2柱进行分离纯化,获得的麦麸FOs浓度为0.059 mmol/g。2)腹腔注射敌草快显著降低大鼠血浆中SOD活性和GSH含量(P0.05),显著降低大鼠肝脏中T-AOC,CAT、GSH-Px活性及GSH含量(P0.05),显著降低大鼠肾脏中T-AOC及CAT、SOD活性(P0.05),显著降低大鼠回肠中T-AOC,CAT、GSH-Px活性及GSH含量(P0.05),并显著提高大鼠血浆和各组织中8-OHd G含量(P0.05)。3)在敌草快引起的氧化应激状态下,灌胃一定剂量的麦麸FOs可以显著提高大鼠血浆中SOD(400 mg/kg BW)、GSH-Px活性(100和200 mg/kg BW)以及GSH含量(100和200 mg/kg BW)(P0.05),显著提高大鼠肝脏中T-AOC(100、200和400 mg/kg BW),CAT(200和400 mg/kg BW)、SOD(100、200和400 mg/kg BW)和GSH-Px活性(100、200和400 mg/kg BW)以及GSH含量(100、200和400 mg/kg BW)(P0.05),显著提高大鼠肾脏中T-AOC(400 mg/kg BW),CAT(200 mg/kg BW)和GSH-Px活性(200和400 mg/kg BW)以及GSH含量(400 mg/kg BW)(P0.05),显著提高大鼠回肠中T-AOC(200 mg/kg BW),SOD(400 mg/kg BW)和GSH-Px活性(100、200和400 mg/kg BW)以及GSH含量(100、200和400 mg/kg BW)(P0.05),显著降低血浆和各组织中8-OHd G含量(血浆、肾脏、回肠:100、200和400 mg/kg BW;肝脏:100 mg/kg BW)(P0.05);且灌胃200、400 mg/kg BW麦麸FOs后,大鼠血浆和组织中部分抗氧化相关指标可恢复到正常生理状态水平。综上所述,本试验制备的麦麸FOs可以通过有效提高大鼠血浆和组织中抗氧酶活性和GSH含量,降低DNA氧化应激代谢产物8-OHd G的含量,有效缓解由敌草快诱导产生的氧化应激。     

Pathology and histopathology of gossypol toxicity in broiler chicks

Two experiments were conducted to determine the toxicity, pathology, and histopathology of purified gossypol in broiler chicks. Gossypol was added to broiler feed at 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of feed in Experiment 1 and at 0, 800, and 1600 mg/kg of feed in Experiment 2. Day-old broiler chicks were fed these diets from 1 to 21 days in Experiment 1 and from 1 to 23 days in Experiment 2. In Experiment 1, body weight and feed intake at 21 days were not significantly affected by dietary gossypol. However, chicks fed gossypol at 400 mg/kg of feed had poor feed conversion ratio compared with the other treatment. Feed conversion ratios were 1.493, 1.564, 1.471, and 1.60 for chicks fed gossypol at 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of feed, respectively (Experiment 1). Chicks fed 400 mg/kg gossypol also had mild perivascular lymphoid aggregate formations and bilary hyperplasia in the liver. In Experiment 2, gossypol at 1600 mg/kg resulted in 28.1% mortality. Gossypol at 800 and 1600 mg/kg feed resulted in significant decreases in body weight and feed intake of chicks. The average body weights of 23-day-old chicks in Experiment 2 were 676, 224, and 111 g for 0, 800, and 1600 mg/kg gossypol, respectively. Feed conversion ratios of chicks fed 800 and 1600 mg/kg gossypol were significantly higher than those of chicks fed control diets (1.383 vs. 1.564 vs. 1.745 for 0, 800, and 1600 mg/kg gossypol, respectively). Plasma iron and hematocrit values were significantly reduced by gossypol at 800 and 1600 mg/kg of feed. Enlarged gallbladder was the only gross pathology symptom associated with gossypol levels. Severe cases of perivascular lymphoid aggregate formation, biliary hyperplasia, and hepatic cholestasis were observed in chicks fed 800 and 1600 mg/kg of gossypol in feed. No gossypol-related changes were observed in kidney tissues of chicks. These results show that gossypol is toxic to broiler chicks at high levels. This study also shows that histopathologic changes in liver due to gossypol also occur at levels lower than the levels that affect body weight.     

Dietary L-carnitine increases plasma insulin-like growth factor-I concentration in chicks fed a diet with adequate dietary protein level

1. The effect of L-carnitine supplemented into experimental diets with varying dietary protein concentrations (50, 200 and 400 g/kg) on body weight gain and plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) concentration in chicks was examined. 2. Dietary L-carnitine supplementation provided 0, 200, 500 and 1000 mg/kg. Chicks were given the diet ad libitum for 10 d. 3. When L-carnitine was provided as 500 or 1000 mg/kg, body weight gain was significantly improved in birds receiving the 200 and 400 g protein/kg diets. 4. There was an interaction between dietary L-carnitine and protein content on plasma IGF-I concentration. L-carnitine supplementation had little influence on plasma IGF-I concentrations in birds receiving the low protein (50 g/kg) diet. When dietary L-carnitine concentrations were increased from 0 to 1000 mg/kg in the adequate protein (200 g/kg) diet, plasma IGF-I concentrations were also increased. However, when dietary L-carnitine content was more than 500 mg/kg in the 400 g/kg protein group, plasma IGF-I concentration decreased with increasing dietary L-carnitine content. 5. Body weight change correlated significantly with the alteration in plasma IGF-I concentrations in chicks given diets with adequate dietary protein. 6. In conclusion, the improvement in body weight gain caused by dietary L-carnitine supplementation was achieved when chicks were given their dietary protein requirement, which may be partially explained by an increase in plasma IGF-I concentration.     

The effect of early postnatal treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist on the developmental profiles of testicular steroid hormones in the intact male pig

Three studies examined the effects of early postnatal treatment with a GnRH agonist on plasma concentrations of testosterone, dehydroepian-drosterone sulfate, 16-androstene steroids in fat and salivary glands, androstenone in fat and plasma, and testicular development of intact male pigs. The first study involved 45 7-d-old pigs assigned to three treatment groups: 1) boars administered 100 microg/kg of Lupron depot, 2) boars administered 200 microg/kg of Lupron depot, and 3) control boars receiving a saline carrier. The second study involved 20 7-d-old pigs assigned to two treatments: daily injection of 200 microL of 0.5 mg/mL Lupron from d 7 to 35 and controls treated with saline. The third study involved a total of 100 animals assigned to 10 groups of 10 based on their age at slaughter. These groups were subdivided into one of two treatments: 1) boars injected with 200 microL of 0.5 mg/mL of Lupron from d 3 to 35 and 2) control boars injected with saline. Testicular steroid hormone concentrations in plasma decreased (P < 0.01) within 7 d of GnRH agonist treatment. Following cessation of treatment, steroid levels increased to control levels and remained constant until the final rise at 5 mo. Plasma testosterone levels in the 100 microg/kg depot treatment group were higher (P < 0.05) than that of the 200 microg/kg and control group at 164 d of age. There were no differences between treatments (P > 0.05) in testicular steroid hormone levels at the end of study 2 or 3. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in concentrations of 16-androstene steroids in salivary glands between any of the treatment groups at market weight in studies 1 and 2. Fat androstenone levels measured in the third study ranged between 0.6 microg/g and 4.2 microg/g at 7 to 28 d of age. Treatment with GnRH agonist decreased plasma steroid levels and testicular development; however, by d 60 testicular size and weight were at control levels and remained similar until 180 d of age. The results of these studies indicate that daily administration of a GnRH agonist significantly decreased testicular development and steroidogenesis only during treatment, but testis growth and steroidogenesis had returned to control levels by 60 d of age in male pigs. Suppression of the early postnatal rise in testicular steroid hormones did not affect growth performance or steroid hormone levels at 5 to 6 mo of age.     

两种防霉剂与丙酸的组合对青贮牧草根霉菌毒力的研究

采用抑菌圈法研究了75%百菌清、50%多菌灵与99.5%丙酸在不同浓度下组合对高寒地区青贮饲草根霉菌的毒力。结果表明:丙酸(200mg/kg) 百菌清(400mg/kg)、丙酸(200mg/kg) 多酸灵(300mg/kg)、丙酸(100mg/kg) 多菌灵(300mg/kg)组合对根霉菌的毒力没有显著差异,但其毒力均极显著地高于其他处理;以丙酸(200mg/kg) 百菌清(400mg/kg)组合对青贮牧草根霉菌的抑菌作用最佳,其毒力分别是丙酸(200mg/kg) 多菌灵(300mg/kg)组合的1.05倍和丙酸(100mg/kg) 多菌灵(300mg/kg) 组合的1.20倍。     

茶多酚和酵母硒及其互作对绿壳蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质及蛋黄中胆固醇和硒含量的影响

本研究旨在探讨茶多酚和酵母硒及其互作对绿壳蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质及蛋黄中胆固醇和硒含量的影响。试验选用810只44周龄健康绿壳蛋鸡,随机分成9个组,每组5个重复,每个重复18只鸡。采用2因素3水平试验设计,在基础饲粮中分别添加不同剂量的茶多酚和酵母硒构成试验饲粮,茶多酚设0、200、400 mg/kg 3个添加水平,酵母硒(按硒计)设0、0.25、0.50 mg/kg 3个添加水平。预试期7 d,正试期28 d。结果表明:1)饲粮中添加茶多酚和酵母硒均有提高平均蛋重的趋势(P>0.05),添加200、400 mg/kg茶多酚能显著提高产蛋率且显著降低料蛋比(P<0.05);2)饲粮中添加茶多酚和酵母硒对蛋黄指数、蛋黄色泽和哈氏单位均有提高的趋势(P>0.05),添加0.50 mg/kg酵母硒能显著提高蛋形指数(P<0.05),同时使蛋壳厚度显著下降(P<0.05),添加200、400 mg/kg茶多酚能显著减缓鸡蛋在贮藏过程中哈氏单位的下降(P<0.01);3)饲粮中添加200、400 mg/kg茶多酚均能显著降低蛋黄胆固醇含量(P<0.01),添加0.25、0.50 mg/kg酵母硒均能显著提高蛋黄硒含量(P<0.01);4)茶多酚和酵母硒的互作对生产性能、蛋品质及蛋黄中胆固醇和硒含量均无显著影响(P>0.05)。由此可见,在基础饲粮中采用400 mg/kg茶多酚和0.25 mg/kg酵母硒的添加组合对蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质不会产生拮抗作用,并可有效生产"富硒+低胆固醇"的绿壳鸡蛋。     

Adverse effects associated with high-dose acetylsalicylic acid and sodium salicylate treatment in broilers

1. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and sodium salicylate (SS) are considered safe for poultry and often used in avian medicine. However, information on tolerance and specific side effects of these drugs in birds is lacking.

2. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of 14?d administration of high doses (200 or 400?mg/kg) of either ASA or SS on body weight gain, blood biochemistry, white and red blood cell counts and pathology in broilers. In addition, minimal plasma salicylate concentrations were determined on the 1st, 5th, 10th and 14th d of treatment.

3. The results showed that the dose of 400?mg/kg of either ASA or SS decreased weight gain and induced gizzard ulceration. Kidney to body weight ratio was increased in a dose-dependent manner, but serum concentrations of creatinine and uric acid were not affected. A time-dependent decrease in the minimal plasma salicylate concentration was evident.     

黄芪多糖对断奶幼兔生长性能、腹泻率及免疫功能的影响

为研究黄芪多糖（APS）对断奶幼兔生长性能、腹泻率及免疫功能的影响,试验选取100只28日龄的断奶幼兔,随机分为5组,每组20只幼兔。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮中分别添加100、200、400、800 mg/kg的APS,预试期5 d,正式试验期30 d。结果表明：（1）与对照组相比,200 mg/kg APS组幼兔的末重、增重、平均日增重显著提高,分别提高了12.42%、19.95%、20.36%（P ＜ 0.05）,料重比显著降低11.11%（P ＜ 0.05）|400 mg/kg APS组幼兔的末重、增重、平均日增重显著提高,分别提高了17.73%、28.42%和28.45%（P ＜ 0.05）,料重比显著降低13.55%（P ＜ 0.05）。（2）与对照组相比,400 mg/kg APS组幼兔的腹泻率和死亡率显著降低,均降低了50%（P ＜0.05）|800 mg/kg APS组腹泻率显著降低37.5%（P ＜ 0.05）。（3）与对照组相比,400 mg/kg APS组IgA的含量显著提高,提高了13.04%（P ＜ 0.05）|200、400 mg/kg APS组IgG含量显著提高,分别提高了4.98%和6.31%（P ＜ 0.05）。综上所述,在幼兔基础日粮中添加APS可以显著提高幼兔生长性能,降低腹泻率和死亡率,并提高机体免疫力,且最适添加量为400 mg/kg。 [关键词] 黄芪多糖|兔|生长性能|腹泻率|免疫功能     

The effect of different doses of methisoprinol on the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte subpopulation and the antibody titers in pigeons immunised against PPMV-1

As immunosuppression in pigeons is common and results in reduced post-vaccination immunity and lower health status of the birds, studies have been taken up aimed at evaluation of the effect of three doses of methisoprinol on the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte subpopulation in peripheral blood and in the spleen and the titre of anti-NDV antibodies in the serum of pigeons in four groups (A, B, C, D), with 20 birds each. Pigeons in each group were immunised against paramyxovirosis at week 6 and 9 of life. Water for injection (group A - control) or methisoprinol at 100 mg/kg of body weight (group B), 200 mg/kg of body weight (group C) and 600 mg/kg of body weight (group D) was administered intramuscularly for 3 days before each vaccination. The immunological analyses were carried out by flow cytometry and the ELISA test. The findings indicate that methisoprinol administered intramuscularly at 100 and 200 mg/kg of body weight for 3 successive days before vaccination against paramyxovirosis mainly stimulates the mechanisms of non-specific humoral and cellular immunity, which is indicated by a higher percentage of the subpopulation of CD4+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood and in the spleen and a higher titre of anti-NDV antibodies.     

Long term effects of boron on layer bone strength and production parameters

1. The effects of dietary boron (0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) on bone strength characteristics and egg production of white leghorn layers were investigated. 2. The shear fracture energy increased in the tibia and radius at 72 weeks for birds started on the 200 mg/kg supplement at 32 weeks of age. 3. The shear force, stress, and fracture energy of the tibia and radius increased for the non-egg producing birds at 72 weeks. 4. Bird body weight, food consumption, egg weight, and egg production all decreased at 400 mg/kg boron. 5. Boron concentrations in the breast, liver, thigh and bone tissue increased with increasing concentrations of supplemental boron.     

Streptozotocin-induced diabetes increases apoptosis through JNK phosphorylation and Bax activation in rat testes

Diabetic disease is known to suppress male reproductive activity in laboratory animals and humans. The present study was designed to evaluate whether streptozotocin-induced diabetes increases apoptotic cell death in rat testes through activation of the JNK and Bax pathway. Diabetes was induced by a single intravenous injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) and testis samples were collected after 3 months. Compared with controls, body weight and testicular weight were lower in the diabetic group, and the apoptotic index in testicular germ cells was significantly increased. Expression of phospho-JNK and Bax was significantly increased in the diabetic group, and the level of activated caspase-3 was also increased, compared to that of controls. Our findings suggest that streptozotocin-induced diabetes increases apoptotic cell death in rat testes through phosphorylation of JNK and activation of Bax.     

Chloramphenicol toxicosis in cats

Six cats were given chloramphenicol orally at the dose level of 120/mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses for 14 days and were then observed for another 3 weeks after treatment. Five other cats were used as untreated controls for the first 14 days and subsequently were given 60 mg of chloramphenicol/kg/day for 21 days. Clinical signs of toxicosis, which were more severe in cats given the higher dose level, included central nervous system depression, dehydration, reduced food intake, body weight loss, sporadic diarrhea, and vomiting. In cats given the higher dose level, chloramphenicol caused reversible marrow suppression, with marrow hypoplasia, maturation arrest of erythroid cells, and inhibition of mitotic activity, and caused vacuolation of lymphocytes and of early myeloid and erythroid cells. Significant changes were evident in bone marrow after treatment for 1 week and in peripheral blood at the end of the 2nd week. Hematologic changes included decreased numbers of neutrophils, lymphocytes, reticulocytes, and platelets. In cats given the lower dose level, changes in blood and bone marrow were similar but less severe.     

Effect of thalidomide on growth and metastasis of canine osteosarcoma cells after xenotransplantation in athymic mice

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether thalidomide inhibits the growth of primary and pulmonary metastatic canine osteosarcoma in mice after xenotransplantation. ANIMALS: Athymic nude mice. PROCEDURE: Canine osteosarcoma cells were injected SC in 50 mice. Mice were randomly placed into the following groups: control group (n = 13; DMSO [drug vehicle] alone [0.1 mL/d, IP]); low-dose group (12; thalidomide [100 mg/kg, IP]), mid-dose group (13; thalidomide [200 mg/kg, IP]); and high-dose group (12; thalidomide [400 mg/kg, IP]). Starting on day 8, treatments were administered daily and tumor measurements were performed for 20 days. On day 28, mice were euthanatized and primary tumors were weighed. Lungs were examined histologically to determine the number of mice with metastasis and tumor emboli. Mean area of the pulmonary micrometastatic foci was determined for mice from each group. RESULTS: Primary tumor size and weight were not significantly different among groups. The number of mice in the mid-dose (200 mg/kg) and high-dose (400 mg/kg) groups with micrometastasis was significantly less than the number of control group mice; however, the number of mice with tumor emboli was not affected by thalidomide treatment. Size of micrometastasis lesions was not affected by thalidomide treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Mean area of micrometastases was not affected by treatment; however, growth of micrometastases had not yet reached an angiogenesis-dependent size. Although thalidomide did not affect growth of primary tumors in mice after xenotransplantation of canine osteosarcoma cells, our findings indicate that thalidomide may interfere with the ability of embolic tumor cells to complete the metastatic process within the lungs.     

Studies on the toxic interaction between monensin and tiamulin in rats: toxicity and pathology

The characteristics of the toxic interaction between monensin and tiamulin were investigated in rats. A three-day comparative oral repeated-dose toxicity study was performed in Phase I, when the effects of monensin and tiamulin were studied separately (monensin 10, 30, and 50 mg/kg or tiamulin 40, 120, and 200 mg/kg body weight, respectively). In Phase II, the two compounds were administered simultaneously to study the toxic interaction (monensin 10 mg/kg and tiamulin 40 mg/kg b.w., respectively). Monensin proved to be toxic to rats at doses of 30 and 50 mg/kg. Tiamulin was well tolerated up to the dose of 200 mg/kg. After combined administration, signs of toxicity were seen (including lethality in females). Monensin caused a dose-dependent cardiotoxic effect and vacuolar degeneration of the skeletal muscles in the animals given 50 mg/kg. Both compounds exerted a toxic effect on the liver in high doses. After simultaneous administration of the two compounds, there was a mild effect on the liver (females only), hydropic degeneration of the myocardium and vacuolar degeneration of the skeletal muscles. The alteration seen in the skeletal muscles was more marked than that seen after the administration of 50 mg/kg monensin alone.     

Efficacy of divided doses of GS-23654 against immature Echinococcus granulosus infections in dogs.

One hundred dogs were used to evaluate the efficacy of GS-23654 (4-nitro-4'-isothiocyano-diphenyl-ether) against immature Echinococcus granulosus. A 25% suspension of active ingredient was administered at dose rates of 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg of body weight on 1, 2, or 3 occasions. Anthelmintic efficacy was dosage dependent and increased with the number of times the dosage was repeated. At none of the treatment schedules tested were all worms eliminated from all dogs, although 92.6% of the expected number of worms were eliminated from dogs given 400 mg/kg on 3 occasions.     

The effect of magnesium aspartate, xylazine and morphine on the immobilization-induced increase in the levels of prolactin in turkey plasma

The effect of pre-treating turkey poults (8 weeks old) with magnesium aspartate, xylazine or morphine on the concentration of prolactin (PRL) in plasma was studied in normal birds, and birds stressed with immobilization. Acute immobilization (2 h) without drug treatment increased significantly the PRL concentration in plasma. Pretreatment with magnesium aspartate (405 mg/ml) at intramuscular doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/bird decreased significantly, in a dose-dependent manner, the PRL plasma concentration when compared with the immobilized birds. Drug treatment without immobilization had no significant effect on PRL concentration. Similar results were obtained with xylazine (20 mg/ml) when given to birds intramuscularly at doses of 5, 10, or 20 mg/bird, 1 h before immobilization. Morphine, at intramuscular doses of 5 or 10 mg/kg, did not affect significantly the prolactin concentration of immobilized turkeys. At a dose of 25 mg/kg, however, it significantly lowered the PRL plasma concentration in immobilized birds. Morphine treatment alone did not influence significantly the basal PRL plasma concentration.