The phenomenon of stress: Concepts and mechanisms associated with stress-induced responses of the neuroendocrine system

Stress, stressors and the stress response are terms which represent concepts rather than oeing precisely definable. No single theory of stress has been universally accepted. Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome of stress remains the primary theory for the basis of stress research in food-producing animals; however, other concepts and theories have been developed. This paper reviews current theories and suggests that the complexity of research on stress in food-producing animals can be attributed to the lack of concrete theories and concepts regarding identifiable stressors, the endocrine responses stimulated by potential stressors and the complex and integrated biological changes in the neuro-endocrine system resulting from exposure to hypothesized stressors.     

Leukocyte and Cytokine Accumulation in the Ovine Teat and Udder during Endotoxin-Induced Inflammation

Persson Waller, K., Colditz, I.G., Flapper, P. and Seow, H.-F., 1997. Leukocyte and cytokine accumulation in the ovine teat and udder during endotoxin-induced inflammation. Veterinary Research Communications, 21 (2), 101-115The accumulation of leukocytes, ovine serum albumin and the cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumour necrosis factor- (TNF-), interleukin-8 (IL-8), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interferon- (IFN-) was studied during endotoxin-induced inflammation in lactating and dry ovine udders, and in the teat cisterns of dry ewes after surgical closure of the passage between the teat and udder cisterns. Samples were taken before infusion and hourly up to 10 h after infusion of 0.1, 1 or 10 µg of endotoxin, or infusion of pyrogen-free saline (PFS) as a control. Rectal temperatures were measured.A significant dose- and time-dependent accumulation of leukocytes, mainly neutrophils, was observed in the lactating udders and in the teat cisterns. In the dry udders, the leukocyte accumulation was significant for time but not for dose. Peak numbers of cells were reached at 3-4 h in the dry udders and in the teat cisterns, but not until 10 h after infusion in the lactating udders. The changes in the ovine serum albumin concentrations mostly paralleled changes in leukocyte numbers.A role was indicated for TNF-, IL-8 and GM-CSF, but not for IL-1 and IFN-, during endotoxin-induced inflammation in the ovine udder. Release of TNF-, IL-8 and GM-CSF was most prominent in lactating udders, peaking at 2 or 3 h after infusion, but was also detected in dry udders and teat cisterns. Detectable levels of IL-1 and IFN- were occasionally found in all three groups.     

Plasma concentration of sulphadimethoxine in pigs after multiple dosing and during injections of Escherichia coli endotoxin

The effect of endotoxin induced fever on the steady state concentration of sulphadimethoxine in pigs has been studied.Sulphadimethoxine 20 mg/kg b.wt. was injected at 9 a.m. in an ear vein each day for eleven days. From day 6 until the end of the experiment, endotoxin fromEscherichia coli 1.5 g/kg b.wt. was injected at 9 a.m. and at 3 p.m. The plasma concentration versus time curves were calculated by means of a computer program, assuming a two-compartment model. During the endotoxin injections the plasma concentrations were simulated and compared with those calculated.It was not possible to show any clinically significant changes in pharmacokinetics of sulphadimethoxine after the start of endotoxin injections.     

Plasma,Urinary and Biliary Residues in Cattle Following Intramuscular Injection of Nortestosterone Laurate

The synthetic androgen 19-nortestosterone (-NT) has been used illegally as a growth promoter in cattle production in the European Union. Elimination of -NT and its metabolites in plasma, urine and bile was studied in three cattle with cannulated gallbladders following intramuscular injection at a single site of 500 mg of the laurate ester (NTL) containing 300.5 mg -NT. Using enzyme immunoassay quantification, plasma Cmax of free -NT was 0.5±0.15 g/L (mean±SEM). Concentrations of free -NT in plasma were consistently greater than the assay limit of quantification (0.12 g/L) for 32.7±13.42 days. Mean residence time for free -NT in plasma was 68.5±20.75 days. Following sample preparation by immunoaffinity chromatography, high-resolution GC-MS was used to quantify -NT and -NT in urine and bile. -NT was detected irregularly in urine from two of the three animals post injection. The principal metabolite present in the urine, -NT, was detected for 160.3±22.67 days post injection. Cmax for -NT in urine was 13.7±5.14 g/L. Mean urinary AUC0–183 days for -NT was 845.7±400.90 (g h)/L.In bile, -NT was the only metabolite detected for 174.3±8.67 days post treatment. Cmax for -NT in bile was 40.8±12.70 g/L and mean biliary AUC0–183 days for -NT was 1982.6±373.81 (g h)/L. Concentrations of -NT in bile samples were greater than those in urine samples taken at the same time. The mean ratio of biliary:urinary AUC0–183 days was 3.0±0.72. It is concluded that bile is a superior fluid for detection of -NT following injection of NTL, owing to the longer period during which residues may be detected after administration.     

Nephrotoxicity in lambs apparently caused by experimental feeding withNarthecium ossifragum

Seven lambs were fed a mixture of bog plants containing 15 g (wet matter)Narthecium ossifragum per kg live weight for 10 consecutive days. Their serum creatinine concentration increased from day 1 to 4 but then fell to normal by day 6 after feeding started. In the same animals, the serum magnesium concentration was increased on days 3, 4 and 5. Histopathological examination of the kidneys of 2 lambs killed after being fed 25 gN. ossifragum per kg live weight for one day revealed tubular epithelial cell degeneration and necrosis. There were no signs of disease or distress in the experimental animals and their appetite remained normal throughout the experimental period. It was concluded thatN. ossifragum is probably nephrotoxic to lambs.Abbreviations ALP alkaline phosphatase - ASAT aspartate aminotransferase - -HBA -hydroxybutyric acid - CK creatine kinase - d.m. dry matter - -GT -glutamyltransferase - GLDH glutamate dehydrogenase - MCV mean cell volume - RBC red blood cells - SEM standard error of the mean - WBC white blood cells - w.m. wet matter     

The pharmacokinetics of fenbendazole and oxfendazole in cattle

The pharmacokinetics of fenbendazole and oxfendazole in cattle are described. The pharmacokinetics of oxfendazole were not significantly different when administered orally and by intra-ruminal injection. At a dose rate of 4.5 mg/kg, administered orally, fenbendazole gave rise to mean peak concentrations in plasma of fenbendazole and oxfendazole of 0.11 and 0.13 g/ml respectively. Oral administration of oxfendazole, at 4.5 mg/kg body weight, gave rise to plasma peak concentrations of fenbendazole and oxfendazole of 0.10 and 0.20 g/ml respectively. Following intra-ruminal administration of oxfendazole, the peak concentrations were 0.11 and 0.18 g/ml respectively.     

Effect of PCB on some MFO enzyme activities in pregnant and virgin rabbits

Fenclor 64 (a PCB's commercial mixture) was administered twice i. p. to virgin and pregnant New Zealand rabbits at the dose of 100 mg/Kg to evaluate its inducing properties on the following hepatic microsomal MFO activities: p-nitro-anisole-O-demethylase, amino-pyrine-N-demethylase, acetanilide-hydroxylase and arylhydrocarbons-hydroxylase.The results indicate that Fenclor 64 evoked a mixed type induction in virgin as well as in pregnant rabbits since it increased liver weight, cytochrome P-450 levels, as well as p-nitro-anisole-O-demethylase and acetanilide-hydroxylase. Pregnancy by itself affects only amino-pyrine-N-demethylase levels.Work supported by a grant from M. P. I. 40% (1982)     

The use of cultured hepatocytes from goats and cattle to investigate xenobiotic oxidative metabolism

The oxidative metabolism of aldicarb (ALD), a carbamate pesticide, and fenbendazole (FBZ), an anthelmintic, was studied using cultured hepatocytes obtained from 4 goats and a bullock and incubated with ALD (50 mol/L) and FBZ (10 mol/L). The parent compounds and the metabolites were measured by HPLC. Both compounds are metabolized at the sulphur atom via two sequential oxidations, first to the sulphoxide (aldicarb sulphoxide and oxfendazole, respectively) and then to the sulphone. Oxfendazole and fenbendazole sulphone from FBZ, and aldicarb sulphoxide from ALD were found in both species. Aldicarb sulphone was not produced by the hepatocyte preparations from the bullock. The good correlation obtained comparing the in vitro results of FBZ metabolism with published in vivo dat obtained on FBZ kinetics in the same species confirmed the usefulness of in vitro models for predictive analysis of in vivo xenobiotic biotransformations.Abbreviations ALD aldicarb - ALDSON aldicarb sulphone - ALDSOX aldicarb sulphoxide - BSA bovine serum albumin - ID internal diameter - EGTA ethylene glycol bis(-aminoethyl ether) N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid - FBZ fenbendazole - FBZSON fenbendazole sulphone - HBSS Hanks' balanced saline solution - HPLC high-pressure liquid chromatography - LDH lactate dehydrogenase - MFO mixed function oxidase - NCS newborn calf serum - OXF oxfendazole - WME Williams' Medium E     

Uterine motility of the sow during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy

With electromyography and strain gauges the uterine motility of the sow during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy was studied. Special attention was paid to characterization of myometrial activity at the time of intrauterine migration of blastocysts.From recordings of 4 animals (3 became pregnant) 3 types of electrical spiking activity (each could be correlated with an elevation of the strain gauge tension) were discerned. Two of them appeared regularly and were suitable for analysis: High Voltage Slow Acticity (with relative high amplitude and low frequency of spikes) and Low Voltage Fast Activity (with relative low aplitude and high frequency of spikes).The sexual status markedly influenced myometrial activity: during prooestrus and oestrus only one type of electrical activity was present whereas the myoelectrical complex (an episode of this activity and the subsequent interval of inactivity) was shorter than 10 min. During dioestrus the myoelectrical complex was longer than 10 min and High Voltage Slow Activity (solely on the cervix and bifurcation) and Low Voltage Fast Activity occurred simultaneously in episodes which mainly appeared to originate on the bifurcation.The characteristics of uterine activity during pregnancy were similar to those of a cyclic sow until day 12. It was only on day 12 that gestation appeared from an increased frequency of myoelectrical complexes.It is concluded that Low Voltage Fast Activity as it was found on the uterine horn at days 8–9 might be involved in the process of intra-uterine migration of blastocysts. In cyclic and in pregnant animals the patterns of Low Voltage Fast Activity were similar. Therefore, the occurrence of Low Voltage Fast Activity is independent of the actual presence of blastocysts. It seems to be exhibited in dependence on the ovarian hormones.     

The effect of transfer factor treatment on two challenge infections ofHaemonchus contortus in immuno-competent 7-month-old lambs

A number of immuno-competent Blackface lambs were infected with 10,000Haemonchus contortus third stage larvae and were later challenged with a second dose of 10,000H. contortus third stage larvae. One group of lambs was treated with dialysed transfer factor prior to the second challenge dose.Histological changes in the abomasal wall, reductions in abomasal worm burdens at slaughter and faecal egg counts monitored throughout the experiment suggested the presence in some animals of (1) an innate resistance, (2) a self curing effect, (3) an enhancement of this self curing effect in the transfer factor treated group and (4) a response in one transfer factor treated animal comparable to classical self cure.     

Intestinal atresia and stenosis: A review comparing its morphology

A review of the literature on intestinal atresia of domestic animal species and humans was done. The 5 types of intestinal occlusions described in human infants are atresia type 1, atresia type 2, atresia type 3, stenosis, and the apple peel or Christmas tree deformity. The intestinal defects described in domestic animal species such as the bovine, equine and porcine are similar to those of human infants. The T-formation, an intestinal defect of the bovine resembling atresia type 3, and rectal stricture, an acquired intestinal defect of the porcine resembling stenosis, were described recently. Intestinal atresia is similar in several species and these similarities raise the questions as to whether the pathogenic mechanism and possibly etiologies of intestinal atresia are similar in these species.     

Kinetics of Interferon-Gamma Production and its Comparison with Anti-Listeriolysin O Detection in Experimental Bovine Listeriosis

The kinetics of the production of interferon gamma (IFN-) in whole blood culture and its comparison with anti-listeriolysin O (ALLO) detection by ELISA were studied during oral infection of calves with Listeria monocytogenes. Culture filtrate antigen (CFA), listeriolysin O (LLO), and sonicated antigen (SA) were used to prime the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the plasma from orally infected calves. IFN- and ALLO appeared as early as day 7 of an oral infection. IFN- was detected earlier with LLO than with SA. The Max50 interleukin (IL-2) activity and IFN- estimated in the culture supernatant from PBMCs primed in vitro with different antigens of L. monocytogenes revealed high induction of IL-2 and IFN- by CFA, LLO and live antigen. IFN- assay and ALLO detection were used for testing cases of repeat breeding in dairy cattle. It appeared that detection of IFN- employing LLO can be used to diagnose listerial infections.     

Identification of Functional α-Adrenoceptor Subtypes in the Bovine Female Genital Tract During Different Phases of the Oestrous Cycle

The concentration and functionality of the -adrenoceptor (-AR) subtypes in the genital tract of cyclic heifers were investigated. In each tissue sample, a single class of ₁-ARs was observed, whereas two distinct classes of ₂-ARs were discriminated: low-affinity (LA) and high-affinity (HA) ₂-ARs. Statistical analysis showed the presence of significantly (p < 0.05) higher concentrations of all -AR subtypes in the follicle than in the corpus luteum. No significant differences were found in the ovary or myometrium between the luteal and follicular phases. In the ovary, the density of ₁-ARs was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of ₂-ARs. By contrast, there were significantly (p < 0.05) more ₂-ARs than ₁-ARs in the myometrium. As far as ₂-ARs are concerned, LA ₂-ARs were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than HA ₂-ARs in all tested tissues. Competition studies suggested that the rank order of potency of antagonists for ₁-ARs was prazosin > phentolamine > yohimbine, whereas for ₂-ARs the order of potency was yohimbine phentolamine > prazosin. Functional assays performed on myometrium showed that noradrenaline, phenylephrine and clonidine elicited concentration-dependent contractions only in dioestrus and pro-oestrus preparations and that clonidine was more effective than phenylephrine as a contractile agent. It appeared that there were no significant modifications in -AR affinity or concentration during the different stages of bovine oestrous cycle, whereas the uterine spontaneous activity and the responsiveness to -adrenergic stimulation was strongly influenced by hormonal levels. The modifications of uterine contractility observed during the oestrous cycle may be related to modifications induced in the transductional mechanisms of -ARs.     

Nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in calves apparently caused by experimental feeding withNarthecium ossifragum

Seven calves were fed a mixture of bog plants containing 15 g (wet matter)Narthecium ossifragum per kg live weight for two consecutive days. Their serum creatinine, urea and magnesium concentrations increased, whereas the serum calcium concentration decreased. Histopathological examination of the kidneys of the 5 calves that were killed revealed tubular epithelial cell degeneration and necrosis. There were signs of liver dysfunction in all the calves including increased aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and -glutamyltransferase activities.All the calves refused to ingestN. ossifragum after 2 days feeding, and their appetite for hay and concentrate was also reduced. It can be concluded thatN. ossifragum is nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic to calves.Abbreviations ALP alkaline phosphatase - ASAT aspartate aminotransferase - -HBA -hydroxybutyric acid - CK creatine kinase - d.m. dry matter - -GT -glutamyltransferase - GFR glomerular filtration rate - GLDH glutamate dehydrogenase - MCV mean cell volume - RBC red blood cells - SEM standard error of the mean - WBC white blood cells - w.m. wet matter     

Milk Protein Polymorphism in Kangayam Cattle

This paper reports the milk protein polymorphism, the allele frequencies of variants and the possible linkages among various combinations of milk protein phenotypes in the Kangayam cattle of south India. Milk samples from 156 Kangayam cows were typed by starch gel and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for caseins and whey proteins, respectively. All the four milk protein components studied, _s1-casein, -casein, -lactoglobulin and -lactalbumin, exhibited polymorphism with high allele frequencies of 0.9231±0.0151 for _s1-casein C, 0.9263±0.0148 for -casein A, 0.9135±0.0159 for -lactoglobulin B and a relatively high frequency of 0.6218±0.0275 for -lactalbumin A. The mean heterozygosity estimated over all the four milk protein loci was 0.2420. Genetic equilibrium was observed among all the loci studied, except -lactalbumin. Linkage analysis confirmed the non-independence between _s1- and -caseins and between caseins and -lactalbumin phenotypes.     

Pathogenic mechanisms of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus

Goats infected with caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) show chronic arthritis and cachexia, which are progressive in nature. The immunopathogenic mechanisms responsible for these progressive clinical symptoms have not been fully elucidated. Various haematological and immunological parameters were evaluated in experimentally-infected goats showing typical signs of CAEV-induced disease. Infected goats showed recurrent lymphocytosis that may be due to constant presentation of antigen by infected cells of a monocyte/macrophage lineage. The serum alkaline phosphatase and -glutamyl transferase concentrations were elevated in infected goats, a characteristic of hepatic and bone disorders. All other serum chemistry parameters were similar between infected and control goats. Importantly, the serum tumour necrosis factor- (TNF-) levels were higher in infected goats. The cachexia seen in infected goats may be at least partly due to altered metabolism as a result of prolonged elevation of serum TNF- levels. Depressed natural killer cell activity was observed in infected goats and may contribute towards the establishment of a persistent infection with CAEV.Abbreviations AIDS acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - CAEV caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus - GGT -glutamyl transferase - HBSS Hanks' balanced salt solution - HIV human immunodeficiency virus - NK natural killer - PBMC peripheral blood mononuclear cells - PCR polymerase chain reaction - SAP serum alkaline phosphatase - TNF tumour necrosis factor     

β-Adrenoceptors in Equine Trachea and Heart

The density and subtype pattern of -adrenoceptors in equine tracheal epithelium, tracheal smooth muscle and heart from 6–9 horses were investigated by radioligand binding studies using the non-selective -adrenoceptor antagonist 125I-cyanopindolol (ICYP). The specific binding of ICYP was 341±162 fmol/mg protein (mean±SD) for epithelium, 42±13 fmol/mg for smooth muscle and 124±39 and 101±19 fmol/mg for the cardiac atrium and ventricle, respectively. The Kd value of ICYP was 6.7–10.2 pmol/L.In competition studies, different concentrations of either the 2-selective drug ICI 118551 or the 1-selective CGP 20712A competed with 25 pmol/L ICYP for the binding sites. The competition curves for tracheal smooth muscle and epithelium were monophasic with an approximate Kd value for ICI 118551 of 1 nmol/L and for CGP 20712A of 10 000 nmol/L. This corresponds to known Kd values for these substances binding to 2-adrenoceptors. 2-Adrenoceptors were also found in the heart, most pronounced in the atrium, where the density was 29%±6% (mean±SD) of the total receptor density. CGP 20712A and ICI 118551 bound to the dominating binding site of 1-adrenoceptors in the heart with Kd values of approximately 1 nmol/L and 100 nmol/L, respectively.     

Clinical Value of Fructosamine Measurements in Non-healthy Dogs

Ninety-three unhealthy dogs (including some with diabetes mellitus or insulinoma) of different ages, sex and breeds were divided into 10 groups according to their pathology. Serum fructosamine concentrations were determined using a commercial colorimetric nitroblue tetrazolium method. Diabetic dogs had the highest fructosamine concentrations (454.85±149.34 mol/L). Dogs with insulinoma had significantly lower fructosamine concentrations (202.80±31.22 mol/L), similar to those with leishmaniosis (202.83±99.83 mol/L). Fructosamine concentrations in non-healthy dogs, except those with diabetes mellitus, insulinoma or leishmaniosis, were within the reference limits previously reported.     

Erythrocyte maturation in neonatal Dwarf and Landrace kids

The morphology of the erythrocyte cell series was investigated in external jugular vein blood samples from Dwarf and Danish Landrace goats aged from one day to 12 months. Three erythrocytic cell types were observed in neonates after supravital staining with new methylene blue. The first type were macrocytes which were stained uniformly dark to muddy blue. They formed the majority of the erythrocytic cells at birth and were categorized as diffusely basophilic chromatophilic erythrocytes. The second type were punctate and aggregated reticulocytes, and the type were mature erythrocytes. The size ranges of the three erythrocytic cells were 4.2–5.6, 4.9–6.3 and 2.8–3.5 m diameter respectively in the Dwarf kids and 5.6–9.7, 4.2–9.0 and 3.8–4.2 m respectively in the Landrace kids during the first week of life. Romanowsky-stained blood smears from neonatal kids were characterized by anisocytosis and poikilocytosis in which polychromatophilic macrocytes were numerous, but reticulocytes were not clearly identifiable. The ranges of erythrocyte diameters in Romanowsky-stained neonatal blood films were 4.4–5.8 (5.2±0.39) and 4.1–6.7 (5.1±0.67) m in Dwarf and Landrace kids respectively, decreasing to 3.0±0.15 and 3.3±0.13 m in the two broods respectively by 12 months of age. The numbers of diffusely basophilic polychromatophilic erythrocytes and punctate/aggregated reticulocytes diminished with age and they were not observed in 1–2-month-old kids.     

Copper deficiency and posterior paralysis (shalal) in small ruminants in the sultanate of oman

Summary A posterior ataxia or paralysis in goats and sheep is a syndrome known as Shalal within the Sultanate of Oman. An investigation was carried out into the etiology of the syndrome. Samples of blood and tissues were obtained from normal and Shalal-affected goats and sheep. Samples of feed were collected from the affected areas of the Sultanate. Chemical analyses of samples showed that affected animals suffered from severe copper deficiency in spite of sufficient copper contents in feed. However, concentrations of sulphur and iron in the feed were high. It was concluded that the Shalal syndrome in Oman is the condition generally known as swayback or enzootic ataxia caused by conditioned copper deficiency. The deficiency is probably due to copper-sulphur and copper-iron interactions in the rumen, enhanced by feeding of fresh roughage containing rumen degradable proteins.

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Deficiencia De Cobre En Oman

Resumen La atoxia posterior o parálisis en cabras y ovejas, es un síndrome conocido como Shadal en el Sultanato de Oman. Se llevó a cabo una investigación para detectar la etiología del síndrome, tomando muestras de sangre, tejidos de cabras y ovejas normales y enfermas. También se colectaron muestras de alimento, de las áreas problema del Sultanato. Análisis químicos llevados a cabo revelaron una deficiencia severa de cobre, a pesar que el alimento tenía un contenido de cobre suficiente. Sin embargo, el contenido de azufre y hierro en el alimento se encontró alto. Se concluyó, que el síndrome Shadal en Oman es la condición conocida con el nombre de atoxia enzootica, causada por una deficiencia condicionada de cobre. La deficiencia es debida probablemente a la interacción cobre-azufre y cobre-hierro en el rumen, exacerbada por el consumo de forrajes frescos, con un contenido de proteina degradable en el rumen.

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Carence En Cuivre Dans Le Sultanat D'Oman

Résumé L'ataxie locomotrice ou la paralysie due train postérieur chez les moutons et les chèvres est un syndrome connu sous le nom de Shalal dans le sultanat d'Oman où son étiologie a fait l'objet de recherches. Des prélèvements de sang et de tissus ont été effectués à partir d'animaux indemnes ou atteints de la maladie de même que des échantillons ont été prélevés dans les régions du sultanat ou elle sévit. Les analyses chimiques ont relevé que les animaux malades souffraient d'une sévère carence cuprique, malgré une quantité suffisante dans l'alimentation. Cependant les concentrations en soufre et en fer étaient également élevées dans les aliments. On en conclut que le syndrome de Shalal en Oman correspond à l'affection généralement connue sous le nom de Swayback ou ataxie enzootique due à une carence particulière en cuivre. Il est probable que celle-ci résulte d'interactions cuivre/soufre et cuivre/fer au niveau du rumen, aggravées par l'ingestion de fourrages verts contenant des protéines dégradables dans le rumen.

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Contribution No. 1491 from the Animal Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada.