Two rare lens abnormalities in horses]

Coloboma and ectopia of the crystalline lens are rarely encountered or diagnosed congenital defects of the equine eye. The clinical and ophthalmoscopic features of a congenital coloboma of the lens in a 3 year old Hanoverian stallion and of an ectopic lens in a 6-month old Hanoverian filly are described and depicted. In the stallion, the lens coloboma was associated with a partial coloboma of the zonules, and in the filly, the ectopic lens was small and spherical (microphakia, spherophakia) and associated with syneresis of and small floaters in the vitreous. Although it cannot be excluded that the ectopic position of the lens may have originated from prenatal uveitis, it was classified as congenital in this case. In both eyes, there were no other clinically detectable congenital defects.     

Ocular lesions associated with attachment of the parasitic copepod Ommatokoita elongata (Grant) to corneas of Greenland sharks, Somniosus microcephalus (Bloch & Schneider)

The eyes from six Greenland sharks, Somniosus microcephalus (Bloch & Schneider), infected with the parasitic copepod Ommatokoita elongata (Grant) were collected in the Arctic waters of Victor Bay, North-west Territories, Canada, for study. Transformed adult female copepods, one per eye, were firmly attached to the corneas by an anchoring structure (i.e. the bulla) and each bulla was associated with an opaque area on the cornea. Two eyes additionally had one O. elongata copepodid attached to the cornea via frontal filaments with bullas which were each associated with a small corneal opacity. In addition to opacities associated with copepods at the time of collection, there were several randomly distributed, small, round-to-irregular, full-thickness corneal opacities which were not associated with copepods. Two unfixed eye lenses grossly examined in the field were normal in appearance. Histologically, corneal epithelial ulceration and heterophilic keratitis, disruption, mineralization, and detachment of Bowman's membrane, thinning, disorganization, mineralization and fibrosis of the corneal substantia propria, and focal thinning and mineralization of Descement's membrane were observed. Mild heterophilic and mononuclear anterior uveitis was also present. Based on the present observations, it is concluded that parasitism by O. elongata could lead to severe vision impairment (possibly including blindness) in Greenland sharks. However, the otherwise healthy appearance of the infected sharks studied and the information contained in the literature suggests that O. elongata infections do not significantly debilitate the hosts.     

Lens-induced uveitis (endophthalmitis phakoanaphylactica) in domestic animals]

In this paper ophthalmological and clinical results as well as the literature on lens-induced uveitis (LIU), a relatively unknown pathological syndrome in domestic animals, are presented. Out of all ocular material sent to the Institute of Pathology, GSF, from 1970 until 1990 (n = 864), 40 individual cases of LIU (14 cases in dogs, 13 in cats, 10 in rabbits, 1 in a horse and 2 in birds) were diagnosed. The histology of the eyes of the cases is characterized by a lesion of the lens capsule and a consequent reactive phacogenic inflammation of the anterior segment of the eye in the region of the anterior uvea. A comparison of the history and ophthalmological diagnosis indicates that 36 lens-induced uveitis cases occurred following a (spontaneous) traumatic injury to the eye, whereby the anterior lens capsule was perforated with the result of the lens material being exuded into the anterior uvea (iris-ciliary body region). The strongly vascularized anterior uvea is used as a carrier and a connecting link to the immune system. None of the histologically examined cases of LIU were diagnosed as such clinically. This can be explained by the fact that the uveitis is difficult to recognize on account of overlying secondary alterations in the eye. Nevertheless the morphological substrate of LIU is considered to be pathognomonic. The inflammatory and cellular reactions leading to a release of the lens material observed in domestic and laboratory animals exhibit only slight parallels to those observed in man. The case history of animals usually reveals a traumatic injury and an endophthalmitis (with or without secondary glaucoma) which cannot be controlled therapeutically. The therapy for promptly diagnosed cases should be a lens extraction to save the affected eye and its sight. In advanced cases the enucleation of the bulbus is the therapy of choice.     

The histopathology of the eye of big head carp, Aristichthys noblis (Richardson), infested with Lernaea piscinae Harding, 1950

Abstract. The histopathological changes in the eye due to the penetration and growth of the parasite, Lernaea piscinae , in the host tissue of big head carp is described. Distinct pathological changes were hyperplasia of the corneal epithelium, severe inflammatory response mainly around the anchor of the parasite, in the anterior chamber, the corneal stroma and the vitreous body and detachment of the vitreous and retinal layers. Rupture of the lens capsule and fibrous tissue response around the process of the anchor structure of the parasite were also observed. The development of an immune response to the parasite within the body of the host is thought to have led to the infection of the cornea, an avascular site.     

Suture technics for the abdominal wall after midline laparotomy

During the last 10 years 268 laparotomies by a midline incision were performed. A high incidence of seromas, fistulas caused by suturing material and wound ruptures were observed. After finding only a small number of publications in the veterinary medicine about wound healing disturbances an analysis of the human medical literature was done. This induced the change of our surgical procedure and suturing technique: The midline incision and surgical management during the laparotomies in 14 horses suffering from colic were performed by a minimized trauma. The abdominal wall was closed layer by layer in the following manner: peritoneum by a running suture of catgut metric 5, linea alba by Sultan single sutures of polyglycolic acid material metric 5 (12 cases) or of polydioxanone metric 4 (2 cases), subcutaneous layer by a running suture of polyglycolic acid material metric 4, skin by single sutures of monofilamentous synthetic material metric 2. Thus, no complications in wound healing were observed in these 14 horses. Therefore, we recommend to prove the described surgical and suturing procedure by a larger number of horses undergoing a laparotomy by a midline incision.     

Improvement of the extraction procedure for hyaluronan from fish eyeball and the molecular characterization

The object of this study was to improve the isolation procedure of hyaluronan and to compare characteristics of hyaluronan from the eyeball of bigeye tuna Thunnus obesus with other sources. General sources of hyaluronan are from Streptococcus zooepidemicus and rooster comb. Hyaluronan can be also obtained from the vitreous of fish eyes. Pure hyaluronan of higher molecular weight was obtained by the following improved extraction procedure: the frozen vitreous of a tuna eyeball was used to avoid contamination with blood, muscle tissue, and other factors; extracting was carried out over a long time period under cold conditions; cetylpyridinium chloride was used in order to separate mucopolysaccharides containing hyaluronan in the initial procedure without the process of removing fat and protein by reagents. The hyaluronan obtained was characterized by gel permeation chromatography, dynamic light scattering measurements, and viscometry. The characteristics of hyaluronan from tuna eyeballs were similar to those from other sources. However, the viscosity was lower. The possible reason could be ascribed to the wide distribution of molecular size in the vitreous humor of fish eye.     

The effect of vitamin H substitution on the growth and condition of hooves

A long-term treatment with biotin (vitamin H) in 5 warm-blooded horses and 10 trotter horses is reported. The dose of 0.031-0.037 mg/kg body weight was well tolerated, and with a therapy period up to 10 months an improvement of the horn quality of the growing hoof could be attained as it had not been possible before with other measures. Biotin (Gabiotan) is recommendable as a therapeutic in all cases of hoof problems which are based on disturbed horn elasticity.     

The histopathology of acute and chronic infections of rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri Richardson with eye flukes, Diplostomum spp.

Abstract. A histopathological study was carried out on rainbow trout suffering from acute and chronic diplostomiasis. Clinical signs were few in acutely infected fish but in chronic cases fish were blind, exophthalmic and emaciated. Acute infections resulted in subcapsular cataract formation with varying capsular change. Chronically infected fish frequently showed lens dislocation, capsular rupture or duplication and the formation of Elschnig's pearls and Wedl cells. Phacogenic uveitis was seen in many fish with capsular rupture and retinal detachment frequently occurred as a sequal to vitreous detachment.     

Plasma gastrin levels in horses with colic]

The plasma gastrin levels in fasted horses (21.1 +/- 15.6 pg/ml), in horses with spasmodic colic (7.3 +/- 5.4 pg/ml) and in horses with impaction of the left ventral large colon and/or pelvic flexure (11.4 +/- 3.1 pg/ml) were not significantly different. The plasma gastrin concentrations of horses with strangulation obstruction of the small intestine, large colon displacement or adynamic ileus, and which had no gastric reflux, were 12.9 +/- 8.7 pg/ml and did not differ from fasted gastrin levels. Horses which had 5-10 litres of stomach content reflux had a higher mean gastrin level (32.2 +/- 22.6 pg/ml) (range 8.7-83.0) than the fasted horses. The mean plasma gastrin level (69.0 +/- 32.2 pg/ml) (range 27.0-122.0 pg/ml) in horses which had gastric reflux and 11-20 litres of stomach content outflow through the nasogastric tube were significantly higher (P less than 0.0004) than in fasted horses or in horses with spasmodic colic, impaction of the left ventral large colon or in horses from which no gastric reflux could be obtained.     

Mandibular fractures in cattle--treatment and results

The results of a retrospective investigation of 25 cases of mandibular fractures in cattle are reported; 19 animals were treated and 6 slaughtered without therapy. Five cases of unilateral fracture of the pars molaris healed with conservative therapy, whereas the same method of treatment was unsuccessful in four cases with compound fractures (2 x pars incisiva, 1 x diastema, 1 x pars molaris) and in one with multiple fractures of the corpus and ramus of the mandible. For animals with symphyseal fractures, surgical fixation using cerclage wire (three cases) proved successful, as did percutaneous fixation in six animals with fractures of the diastema or body of the mandible. The fractures healed well in 14 out of 19 treated cattle and the animals were retained, on average, for a further four years.     

不同眼型金线鲃洞穴鱼类趋触行为的对比研究

研究金线鲃（Sinocyclocheilus）的游动特征——趋触性（贴近边界前行）,为人工养殖、繁育和物种保护提供理论支持。试验用金线鲃均为成鱼,8种51尾,其中盲眼种2种、小眼种和正常眼种各3种。试验在安静、黑暗的环境进行,刺激条件分别为无干扰、静止障碍物和振动吸引,使用软件追踪分析试验鱼位置(距离和方向)、时间以及相对于试验缸壁的游动速度,运用线性模型分析金线鲃趋触行为差异的关键因素。结果表明：趋触前行时间占比盲眼种为73.06%、小眼种为72.65%、正常眼种为54.62%;趋触距离盲眼种（197±18）SBL、小眼种（158±14）SBL、正常眼种（139±15） SBL;趋触游动速度盲眼种（0.53±0.19）cm/（s·SBL）、正常眼种（0.37±0.18）cm/（s·SBL）、小眼种（0.46±0.22）cm/（s·SBL）。金线鲃趋触前行的行为与游泳特性如游泳速度和时间高度相关,趋触行为可能作为一种自我保护作用和觅食策略,甚至作为一种防御策略。实践中可以依据金线鲃眼部形态和行为上的趋触性偏好分类培育饲养,同时增加缓沉型鱼食以及增添静止设施。     

中国对虾复眼的结构及生理功能的作用

对中国对虾复眼进行切片制作，通过对其纵、横切面构造的比较分析，发现中国对虾小眼的横切面是正方形结构，并据此绘制了中国对虾小眼及复眼的纵切面结构图，对对虾眼的固定、脱水、透蜡及组织切片过程中的特殊性作了说明。通过结合视网膜电图的分析，讨论了虾眼的生理作用及如何在育苗生产、养殖及配饵中合理利用虾眼的生物功能。     

The uveodermatologic syndrome in dogs]

A review of the literature pertaining to the uveodermatological syndrome of dogs is presented. This syndrome is marked by depigmentation of the periocular region, lips and nose in association with severe uveitis. Early diagnosis and therapy can prevent serious vision loss. Symptoms and therapy of the cases described in the literature as well as cases seen at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in Davis/California are discussed.     

Etiology and occurrence of periodic eye inflammation of horses in the area of Berlin

Over 130 cases of equine periodic ophthalmia (p.o.), which were treated as in-patients at the Equine Clinic of the Free University of Berlin in the last 35 years, were examined statistically in relation to the age and gender of the animals involved as well as to the development of the illness and the season in which it arose. As regards aetiology, the extraction of 71 affected Trotters was investigated. Antibodies to toxoplasmosis, leptospirosis and intestinal parasites were found only in some of the patients. Younger animals, aged between one and four years, and male animals (63.6%) were predominantly affected. The results of the examinations of faeces showed no correlation between cases of p.o. and a vermination of the horses. The examinations for antibodies to toxoplasmosis gave no indication of a participation of the toxoplasmas in the aetiology of recurrent uveitis. In contrast, the results of the examinations for antibodies to leptospirosis, of which 58.8% were positive, showed a seven to ten times higher infection than in healthy horses in Berlin. Breed analysis showed that in certain breeds of Trotters and warm-blooded horses, p.o. illnesses were frequent, supporting the hypothesis that the occurrence of p.o. is due to a hereditary, allergic reaction, triggered by various factors, in particular an infection without clinical signs.     

Morphological development of post hatch larval goldlined seabream Rhabdosargus sarba (Forskål, 1775)

Ultrastructural changes in Rhabdosargus sarba larva in early life history were investigated. At hatching, the digestive system was histologically undifferentiated. The digestive tract was a straight tube attached to the dorsal end of the yolk‐sac and was not connected to either the mouth or the anus. The layer of gut epithelium at some regions of the luminal surface was straight and microvilli were not present. These straight borders were not observed at 1 day post hatching (DPH) onwards as microvilli increased in number on the luminal surface and became more regular. At 2 DPH, the digestive system was well differentiated and the separation of the mid‐ and hindgut by the intestino‐rectal valve became more advanced. At 0 DPH, the eye was spherical and the retina had a zonation with undifferentiated cells. The eye also lacked differentiated photoreceptors (PR). The retinal PRs increased in length and in number as the yolk‐sac was absorbed. By 2 DPH, the eye was fully pigmented, suggesting that the larval vision system was functional. The larvae had a pure cone retina at the onset of exogenous feeding. Morphological and functional differentiation of the digestive tract and the eye of the larvae preceded the completion of yolk and oil globule absorption. The oil globule was exhausted at 4 DPH and at 2 DPH, the yolk‐sac was completely absorbed. Food particles were observed at 3 DPH. Food particle ingestion and absorption of the yolk‐sac were observed as vision became fully functional.     

虹鳟复口吸虫病的研究——Ⅰ一种新的复口吸虫及其早期发育史观察

一种新的复口吸虫在中国虹鳟养殖场饲养的虹鳟(Salmo gairdneri)眼内发现,定名为山西复口吸虫新种(Diplostomulum shanxinensisn.sp)。虹鳟被严重感染后能引起角膜破裂或玻璃体脱落,即所谓“寄生虫性白内障病”,小鱼可导致消瘦或死亡,成鱼则可能影响性腺发育。胞蚴和尾蚴在萝卜螺(Lymnaea auricularia)内发现。尾蚴钻入鱼宿主的皮肤后到达鱼眼球水晶体内。尾蚴在虹鳟眼内发育成囊蚴阶段需时80天,而在白鲢(Aristichthys nobilis)眼内发育则只需要33天。     

中华乌塘鳢嗅觉器官的形态结构

中华乌塘鳢（Bostrichthys sinellsis Lacepede）样品体长17．0～19．8cm，性成熟鱼性腺为Ⅳ～Ⅴ期，性未成熟鱼性腺为Ⅱ期。取嗅囊切片、染色、固定。分别以扫描电镜和透射电镜拍照。结果显示，中华乌塘鳢具一对纺锤形嗅囊，由前、后鼻孔与外界相通，嗅上皮向嗅囊腔内突起形成10～16个初级嗅板，初级嗅板上有次级嗅板，可增大嗅上皮的表面积。嗅板由嗅上皮和中央髓两部分构成，中央髓主要由疏松结缔组织和毛细血管构成；嗅上皮排列于中央髓的两侧，由多层细胞组成。扫描和透射电镜观察表明：嗅上皮分为非感觉区和感觉区两部分，非感觉区位于嗅板边缘，较薄且平滑，外缘高倍放大呈指纹状或块状结构；感觉区位于中央部位，呈连续分布，细胞种类多样，表层为纤毛非感觉细胞，中上层为纤毛感受细胞和柱状细胞，中卜层为支持细胞，底层为基细胞。纤毛感受细胞为一种双极神经元，树突在上皮表面形成嗅结；轴突则穿过基膜，在固有层内集合成束，形成嗅神经纤维，终止于嗅叶。     

Anesthesia of horses with xylazine and ketamine. 2. Anesthesia in adult horses

Xylazine and Ketamine were used for anaesthesia in 250 adult horses. This combination is useful both for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia. The induction with Xylazine and Ketamine has been successful not only with foals but also with high risk patients such as horses with colic. During the maintenance of anaesthesia Xylazine/Ketamine can be used with injectable anaesthetics as well as with volatile anaesthetics at the same time. A form of injection anaesthesia for short-time surgical procedures like castration and wound repair is presented. The maintenance of a Thiobarbiturate/Guaifenesin anaesthesia with Xylazine/Ketamine seems to be suitable for field conditions.     

点带石斑鱼不同组织同工酶的研究

运用聚丙烯酰胺垂直梯度凝胶电泳法对点带石斑鱼7种组织（眼睛、肌肉、心脏、肝脏、肾脏、尾鳍、脾脏）的4种同工酶（EST、SOD、LDH、MDH）进行了初步研究，并对4种同工酶的同工酶位点及其酶谱表型进行了分析。结果表明，点带石斑鱼的4种同工酶都具有不同程度的组织特异性：EST由4个基因位点编码，具有多态现象；肌肉SOD与其它组织SOD的差异最明显；眼睛LDH与其他组织LDH的差异最明显；MDH具有线粒体型（m-MDH）和上清液型（s-MDH）两种类型。     

Spectral sensitivity of the electroretinogram b-wave in dark-adapted Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio Bloch, 1782)

One of the purposes of this study was to examine whether b-wave measurements can be used in the evaluation of scotopic spectral sensitivity in Prussian carp measurements when the eyes were surgically deprived of cornea, lens, and most of the vitreous. Another goal was testing the new fitting procedure for A2-based photopigments. Using fitted amplitude-log intensity functions for threshold calculation, and two models for computer-assisted fitting of spectral sensitivity curves, no significant differences in λ _max were found between rod photopigments and b-wave-based spectral sensitivity.