小鼠发情周期阴道上皮细胞形态变化的研究

为了区分小鼠发情周期各阶段阴道内部细胞组织形态学变化,利用阴道组织涂片法,对6只成年实验小白鼠连续6 d进行阴道涂片、镜检,观察阴道涂片中细胞的变化规律。结果表明,在小鼠发情周期各阶段阴道涂片特征明显,其中在发情前期,阴道涂片特征为形状不规则或蝌蚪状的有核上皮细胞占绝大多数,白细胞和角质化上皮细胞很少。在发情期,阴道涂片特征几乎全是片状的无核角质化细胞。在发情后期,阴道涂片特征为少量无核角质化上皮细胞,白细胞占大多数。在发情间期,阴道涂片特征为上皮细胞少而皱缩,涂片中有大量白细胞。试验结果表明,小鼠在整个发情周期过程中阴道内部细胞组织形态会发生一系列变化,特征显著,可以作为区分小鼠发情周期阶段的一个简便方法。     

甘加型藏羊发情周期阴道细胞变化规律

采用阴道涂片法,观察了8只甘加型藏羊连续2个发情周期阴道细胞涂片,统计分析了发情周期不同时期阴道细胞种类、形态变化特点及其所占比例。结果显示:甘加型藏羊发情周期阴道涂片中主要有副基底层上皮细胞、中间层上皮细胞、表层上皮细胞、不完全角化上皮细胞、完全角化上皮细胞、白细胞和细胞碎片。发情期角化细胞所占比例最高,显著高于发情前期、发情后期和间情期(P0.05);发情前期表层上皮细胞所占比例显著高于其他三个时期(P0.05);间情期和发情后期白细胞所占比例显著高于发情前期和发情期;中间层上皮细胞在各时期所占比例差异不显著(P0.05)。结果表明:根据涂片中阴道细胞种类和各类细胞所占比例的变化特点可以简便、快速准确地鉴定和区分甘加母羊发情周期的不同阶段,阴道凃片是高效、准确的发情鉴定方法。     

阴道涂片法确定绵羊情期的研究

实验用阴道涂片法确定绵羊发情时期。在发情季节,把经试情确定发情周期正常的母羊于发情前期、发情期、发情后期和发情间期分别进行阴道涂片,观察各种细胞成分及其变化。结果说明,绵羊阴道涂片中主要可见到白细胞、有核上皮细胞、角化上皮细胞和细胞碎片等4种细胞成分。白细胞在发情间期数目最多,显著(P<0.01)多于其它各期;各时期有核上皮细胞的数目无显著差异;角化上皮细胞在发情期数目最多,明显(P<0.01)高于其它各期;发情间期和前期的细胞碎片明显(P<0.01)多于发情期和发情后期。因此,有可能以角化上皮细胞和白细胞的数目作为指标,确定绵羊的发情时期。     

健康与屡配不孕西门塔尔牛发情周期不同阶段阴道细胞变化研究

为了探究健康与屡配不孕西门塔尔牛发情周期不同阶段阴道细胞的变化规律,试验随机选取年龄3～5岁、体重为500～700 kg、生长发育正常、膘情适中、健康雌性西门塔尔牛80头及屡配不孕西门塔尔牛19头作为试验动物,肌肉注射氯前列醇钠注射液(3 mL/头),采集阴道内容物,涂片并进行吉姆萨染色,显微镜下观察健康与屡配不孕西门塔尔牛阴道上皮细胞的形态,计数不同类型细胞占比,并分析发情周期不同阶段细胞形态特点。结果表明：健康与屡配不孕西门塔尔牛阴道涂片中主要有有核上皮细胞、角化上皮细胞、白细胞和细胞碎片。健康与屡配不孕西门塔尔牛在发情前期有核上皮细胞占比最高,分别为48.79%和54.77%,显著高于其他细胞(P<0.05);在发情期角化细胞占比最高,分别为48.26%和41.62%,显著高于其他细胞(P<0.05);在发情后期白细胞占比最高,分别为48.11%和54.55%,显著高于其他细胞(P<0.05);在休情期也是白细胞占比最高,分别为42.43%和52.14%,显著高于其他细胞(P<0.05)。健康与屡配不孕西门塔尔牛间相比,发情周期不同阶段不同类型上皮细胞占比...     

大鼠发情周期中子宫内肥大细胞和组织胺含量变化的观察

采用阴道涂片法鉴定大鼠所处的发情阶段,应用甲苯胺蓝染色观察肥大细胞(MC)在大鼠发情周期不同阶段子宫内的分布、形态和数量的变化规律,应用荧光分光光度计检测大鼠发情周期不同阶段子宫内组织胺(HA)的含量变化。结果显示,在大鼠发情周期中,MC在子宫内不同部位内的分布存在明显的差异,数量依次为:子宫角子宫体子宫颈。大鼠子宫各部位在发情周期各阶段内MC的数量依次为:发情后期(ME)发情前期(PE)发情间期(DE)发情期(E),子宫角内不同生理阶段MC的数量之间差异极显著(P0.01);子宫体、子宫颈内发情后期与发情期内MC数量差异极显著(P0.01),发情间期与发情前期内MC数量差异不显著(P0.05)。子宫各部位在发情周期各阶段内HA的含量依次为:发情后期(ME)发情前期(PE)发情间期(DE)发情期(E),子宫角中的HA含量在发情后期明显高于其他3个时期(P0.05),子宫体和子宫颈内HA含量在发情周期各阶段中差异均不显著(P0.05)。研究表明,根据阴道细胞类型的变化来确定大鼠发情周期的各阶段是可行的。大鼠子宫内MC的数量及形态随发情周期阶段的变化而改变,对子宫的局部免疫具有重要的作用。发情周期子宫内HA含量的变化与MC的变化一致,MC主要通过释放HA发挥调节子宫尤其是子宫角的局部免疫水平的作用,在一定程度上,可以将子宫角组织中MC的数量作为HA含量的指标。     

母犬发情周期各阶段阴道上皮细胞的种类和形态

在母犬发情周期的四个阶段分别采集其阴道分泌物,涂片、染色、镜检,观察母犬每个阶段阴道上皮细胞的种类和形态特征,为阴道涂片法的应用提供有效的试验依据.     

阴道涂片法对母犬发情鉴定的应用研究

母犬的排卵时间变化范围较大,目前许多宠物犬主很难确定准确的配种时间,其结果往往延误适时交配。由于阴道上皮的变化是由于生殖激素,特别是雌激素的作用引起的,这种变化可以在阴道涂片上的细胞中表现出来。通过试验摸索自然发情母犬阴道角质化上皮细胞的变化规律,以进一步搞清母犬理想的交配时间。结果表明,大部分自然发情的母犬在阴道排血后第9～13天,角质化上皮细胞比例超过80%,阴道粘膜的浮冰样堆积明显。因此,根据阴道细胞学检查结果,可辅助确定母犬发情的配种时间。     

阴道涂片法鉴定乌苏里貉发情周期的研究

乌苏里貉是一种季节性每年一次发情的珍贵毛皮兽,漏配会对养殖业造成很大的经济损失,因此准确鉴定发情和判断配种时间显得尤为重要.对乌苏里貉进行阴道涂片,经伊红染色后显微镜下观察细胞学成分和细胞含量变化,主要有白细胞和圆形上皮细胞存在表明处于休情期,角化上皮细胞的出现标志进入了发情前期,无核角化上皮细胞的激增是发情前期向发情期过渡的标志.应用阴道涂片法进行发情鉴定,配种成功率可高达90%以上.     

阴道电阻值测定法与阴道角化细胞涂片法检测蓝狐发情的比较研究

为了比较阴道电阻值测定法和阴道角化细胞涂片法对蓝狐发情鉴定的准确率和实用性,试验选取60只青年雌种狐,随机分为2组,每组30只。Ⅰ组使用阴道电阻值测定法,Ⅱ组使用阴道角化细胞涂片法对繁殖期雌蓝狐进行发情鉴定。结果表明:Ⅰ组鉴定准确率为86. 7%,Ⅱ组鉴定准确率为56. 7%,阴道电阻值测定法鉴定蓝狐发情的准确率极显著高于阴道角化细胞涂片法(P0. 01);阴道角化细胞涂片在蓝狐排卵±3 d内变化不明显。说明使用阴道电阻值测定法对蓝狐进行发情鉴定,其准确率优于阴道角化细胞涂片法,且快速、简便。     

发情周期不同阶段牦牛子宫中黄体生成素受体的表达变化

为研究发情周期不同阶段牦牛子宫中黄体生成索受体(LHR)的定位及表达变化,笔者利用免疫组织化学SP法分别检测发情期、发情后期、间情期和发情前期牦牛子宫中LHR的表达,并进行光密度值分析.结果表明,LHR免疫阳性产物在牦牛子宫腺上皮细胞、基质细胞、血管内皮细胞、血管平滑肌细胞和肌层平滑肌细胞中均有表达;腺上皮细胞、基质细胞和肌层平滑肌细胞中LHR在发情前期和发情期表达最弱,发情后期表达增加,间情期表达最强(P＜0.05);子宫内膜血管平滑肌细胞中LHR的表达在发情期最强,间情期最弱(P＜0.05);血管内皮中LHR在发情期和发情前期表达很强,发情后期和间情期显著下降(P＜0.05).结果表明LHR参与了发情周期不同阶段牦牛子宫功能变化的调控.     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Chemotaxis of macrophage in inflammation

Our particular attention in this article was given to natural mediators for macrophages isolated from the sites of tissue injury. A number of chemotactic factors, which may satisfy many criteria making them acceptable as inflammatory leucocyte chemotactic factors, has been separated. Among them, our laboratory has isolated three macrophage (monocyte) chemotactic factors (MCF-a, -b and -c). Their purification, characterization and functional specificity are discussed.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein