Electrocardiographic functional diagnosis of the autonomic nervous system in cattle. 1. Electrocardiographic determination of maximum dose for the beta-adrenergic substance isoprenaline

Reference is made to the importance of functional diagnosis of the autonomic nervous system in cattle, and a concept is described by which higher methodological reliability should be obtainable for intra-organic diagnosis of sympathetic nerve activity. What is needed, among others, is to eliminate the autonomous cardiac effect through pharmacological blockade by means of the parasympathetic atropine and the beta-receptor blocker propanolol. The beta-adrenergic substance isoprenaline, required to estimate propranolol blocking action upon the beta-adrenegic receptors, then was injected through indwelling catheters to the external jugular veins of cattle. The doses were between 50 microgram and 560 microgram. Isoprenaline doses between 200 microgram and 250 microgram were established as maximum doses by electrocardiographic examination, determination of heart rate, and clinical observation. Such maximum isoprenaline doses were found to be suitable for checking the extent to which beta-adrenergic blockade of the heart has been caused by beta-receptor blockers. However, sub-maximum isoprenaline doses of something between 100 microgram and 150 microgram should be used to establish the extent to which beta-receptors have caused relaxation of smooth musculature.     

Comparative morphological studies on the vascular systems of testes in cattle, swine, horse and dog under functional conditions]

The metacrylate and latex corrosion techniques were used to establish that the vascular system of testes is based on one coherent principle in common domestic mammals. The cone-shaped Plexus pampiniformis consists of numerous venous rami, between 0.25 mm and 1.0 mm in thickness and forming a dense vascular network, which practically encase the spiral-shaped A. spermatica interna (cooling coil principle). The testicular veins and arteries in the Tunica albuginea constitute a somewhat voluminous layer of vessels for dissipation of heat, with rami branching off radially into the testicular parenchyma. Most of the artieral rami with radial penetration of the testicular parenchyma turn towards the surface in the mediastinum testis for three-shape ramification. The vascular rami are characterised by countless meanders, primarily for temperature control, pulse flattening for more regular and even blood flow, and blood reflex pumping.     

Rapid test for the preclinical postmortem diagnosis of BSE in central nervous system tissue.

The efficacy of a rapid test for detecting PrP(Sc) in central nervous system tissue was evaluated for the postmortem diagnosis of BSE at different times during the course of the disease. One hundred and six samples of brain, at the level of the medulla oblongata, and spinal cord, derived from the experimental study of the pathogenesis of BSE carried out in Great Britain between 1991 and 1995, were examined. PrP(Sc) was detected in the samples from most of the exposed animals killed 32 months or more after they had been exposed to the agent, and before the onset of clinical signs which were first recorded at 35 months. Comparisons with the results of histology, fibril detection, PrP immunohistochemistry and mouse bioassay indicated that the rapid test is at least as sensitive as these conventional confirmatory diagnostic methods and its result can be obtained more quickly.     

Experimental studies on the ketogenic effect of high doses of proteins in dairy cows]

A 14-month feeding experiment was conducted with 16 high-yielding cows, each given a daily supplement of 2 kg soya meal regardless of milk yield or the stage of lactation, in comparison with 8 normally-fed cows. At monthly intervals various parameters of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism and of liver function were determined. At the end of the trial, samples of liver were obtained by biopsy for morphological and histochemical examination. Supplementation had a pronounced effect on milk yield and fat content, averaging over 900 kg of milk and 0.2% fat content more than during the preceding year. The parameters of metabolism revealed clear signs of subclinical ketosis, particularly during the first third of the trial period. Changes were greatest during the 3rd and 4th months of the trial, when the protein content of the ration was particularly high (over 3 kg) and when the energy supply ratio was particularly unfavourable (PEQ 300). At the end of the trial some abnormalities were detected in individual animals in the biochemical properties of blood and urine, and the morphological, histochemical and ultrastructural appearance of the liver. These changes included increases in KK, BTS and bilirubin concentrations in the blood; ketonuria, proteinuria; perilobular fat infiltration with glycogen depletion; changes in succinate dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase activities. In most animals the liver seemed to have become adapted to a high protein intake.     

Distribution of bovine virus diarrhoea viral antigens in the central nervous system of cattle with various congenital manifestations.

Distribution of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) antigens in the central nervous system (CNS) of 26 cattle persistently BVDV infected, 11 cattle with mucosal disease (MD), and 32 calves with congenital brain malformations was studied using monoclonal antibodies against BVDV epitopes. In persistently infected cattle and in cattle with MD, a widespread infection of neurons was present. Predilection sites for BVDV antigens were the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus. In calves with congenital encephalopathies, viral antigen-containing neurons could only be detected in the CNS of four animals. From the topographical distribution of BVDV antigens in these four postnatal cases with end-stage lesions, no conclusions could be drawn concerning the pathogenesis of BVDV-induced encephalopathies.     

The effect of seasonal undernutrition on the protein fractions in the blood of Moroccan cattle]

In a trial including 84 cattle from three farms near Rabat (Morocco) the influence of undernutrition (dry season September to February) on the concentration of total protein and its fractions in the blood of cattle was investigated. The results out of the field were confirmed by comparing these concentrations during an experimental cycle of sufficient--insufficient--sufficient feed. It was obvious that malnutrition decreases the concentration of total protein and some of its fractions (albumins, gamma-globulins) in the blood by about 10%, while alpha- and beta-globulins remained nearly uneffected.     

Determination of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in cattle and swine erythrocytes using the optical test under optimal measuring conditions]

To find out optimal measuring conditions for determination of G-6-PDH-activity in erythrocytes of cattle and pigs by means of the optical test the dependence from nature, concentration and pH of buffer surroundings as well as from concentration of substrate (G-6-P), coenzyme (NADP) and activator (Mg++) was studied. From the results obtained, best reaction conditions for determination of G-6-PDH-activity in this species exist taking the following composition of the measuring sample (final concentration): 120 mM TRIS/HCl-buffer, pH 9.0; 10 mM MgSO4; 2 mM G-6-P; 0.2 mM NADP and 0.1 ml haemolysate in 3.0 ml of the measuring volume. The influence of an optimal planning of the reaction conditions on registration of G-6-PDH-activity in erythrocytes of the farming animals is discussed.     

Malignant catarrhal fever in Switzerland: 2. Evaluation of the diagnosis]

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a mostly fatal lymphoproliferative disease of cattle. In 1995 a PCR based method was introduced for the detection of the ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2), which is regarded as the causative agent of the sheep-associated form of the disease. This PCR can be regarded as a gold standard for the in vivo diagnosis of sheep-associated MCF in cattle (Müller-Doblies et al., 1998). This semi-nested PCR was now used as a reference test for the reassessment of diagnostic criteria in the clinical and post mortem diagnosis that could previously not be quantitated. Based on 83 suspected cases with a complete clinical record the clinical signs were weighted and grouped according to their sensitivity and specificity into lead signs indicative of MCF and frequently accompanying signs supportive for the diagnosis of MCF and general clinical signs that were less reliable for the diagnosis. Differential diagnoses are discussed, which are of particular significance due to their status as OIE list A diseases e.g. foot-and-mouth disease or rinderpest. 38 PCR confirmed cattle with MCF served for the quantitative analysis of organ lesions. For the post mortem diagnosis an essential set of organ samples is defined to permit a reliable histological diagnosis, as the gross pathology often did not give any indication for the diagnosis. These criteria should help to improve the diagnostic efficiency and to select the appropriate laboratory diagnostic procedures for MCF-suspected cattle.     

Investigations on the usefulness of the dry chemistry blood anaylsis system SPOTCHEM SP-4410in laboratory diagnosis of cattle

The usefulness of the dry-chemistry blood analyzer, SPOTCHEM SP-4410, for analysis of bovine blood chemistry was studied in a veterinary clinic. The control serum Precipath-U, Boehringer-Mannheim, was used to measure precision within each run and between days. The coefficients of variation (CV) ranged between 1.54% and 4.86%, with the exception of albumin and creatine phosphokinase showing a CV of 6.3% and 10.03% for between-day precision. For methodological comparison bovine serum samples were assayed with both the SPOTCHEM SP-4410 and the automated blood analyzer HITACHI 705, which served as a wet-chemistry reference system. The following analytes were measured: glucose, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, total bilirubin and the enzymes AST, CPK and gamma-GT. For hemoglobin, which was measured in heparinized whole blood, the CO oximeter 855, CIBA-CORNING, was used as a reference system. The comparative analysis showed very good correlation in eight of ten parameters and their correlation coefficients (r) ranged between 0.962 and 0.998. Only the correlation coefficients of the analysis of total bilirubin (r = 0.903) and albumin (r = 0.771) were less satisfactory. The recovery test was carried out with the two parameters glucose and blood urea. The recovery of glucose was 93.7% and of urea 98.8%. The SPOTCHEM SP-4410 is easy to use and proved to be reliable and accurate, and therefore it seems to be useful for analysis of bovine blood samples.     

酒糟培养灵芝提取物对小鼠中枢神经系统的抑制作用观察

为了评价酒糟培养灵芝提取物的药理活性,将小鼠随机分为提取物125 mg/kg体重组、250 mg/kg体重组、500mg/kg体重组,安定组和生理盐水组,观察酒糟培养灵芝的提取物对小鼠自发活动、巴比妥钠阈上剂量致睡眠时间、戊四氮致惊厥的影响。结果显示,提取物的各组、安定组与生理盐水组比较,小鼠的自发活动能极显著减少(P0.01),睡眠时间能显著或极显著延长(P0.05,P0.01),高、中剂量组小鼠的惊厥率显著减少(P0.05)。结果提示,酒糟培养灵芝的提取物对小鼠中枢神经系统具有一定的抑制作用。     

The effect of steroid hormone doses after ovariectomy on the peripheral hormone processes and uterine development in gilts. 2. Effects on gilts during early pregnancy

Experimental studies were conducted into ovariectomized pregnant gilts to establish effects of exogenic hormone administration, with endogenic ovarian steroids excluded, upon uterus and fetus development as well as on hormone levels in blood plasma, endometrium, and allantoic fluid. Hormone concentrations in blood plasma were found to depend clearly on hormone doses applied after ovariectomy to preserve pregnancy. 2 to 3 weeks of smooth gravidity, following ovariectomy, were ensured on the 6th or 14th day after KB1 by daily application of very low doses of progesterone only (80 mg) or in combination with estrogens, the ratio being 480:1.