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.     

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.     

Muscle growth in sheep

Growth rates of muscle relative to empty body weight were computed for the Peppin Merino, a breed of sheep considered unimproved for meat production. Rates of muscle increase in the Merino sheep were comparable to growth coefficients reported for the Romney and Southdown breeds which were tabulated separately by sex. Pooled data for the Lincoln, Hampshire, Southdown, Suffolk and Welsh breeds were analyzed relative to empty body weight.No significant difference in muscle growth rates were found in direct comparisons based on starved body weights for the Romney and Southdown breeds (Fourie et al., 1970). From the standpoint of conformation these breeds might be expected to differ in muscle growth rate as the Romney is considered a leggy sheep and the Southdown a blocky animal. Growth coefficients for muscle in the Romney, Southdown and several other breeds were very similar to the Peppin Merino.     

Feed intake and rumen motility in dwarf goats. Effects of some α-adrenergic agonists,prostaglandins and posterior pituitary hormones

The purpose of the present investigation was to test the hypothesis that drug-induced changes in rumen contractions influence feed intake in dwarf goats. Intravenous (i.v.) administration of clonidine (1 g kg^-1 min^-1 for 10 min), xylazine (1 g kg^-1 min^-1 for 10 min), and PGF-2 (10 g kg^-1 min^-1 for 15 min) caused bradycardia and inhibition of rumen contractions. However, no appetite-stimulating effect of these drugs was observed. Other clinical changes induced by the ₂-adrenergic agonists included slight sedation and a decrease in body temperature; all clinical effects of clonidine and xylazine were partly antagonized by tolazoline pretreatment (10 g kg^-1 min^-1 for 30 min). These results suggest that the CNS control of feeding differs in ruminants and monogastric species.In dwarf goats fasted for 2 h, i.v. administration of oxytocin (0.01 IU kg^-1 min^-1 for 15 min), vasopressin (0.01 IU kg^-1 min^-1 for 15 min), octapressin (0.003 IU kg^-1 min^-1 for 15 min) or PGE (0.8 g kg^-1 min^-1 for 15 min) did not change feeding behaviour during the two observation periods (0–30 min and 180–210 min after drug infusion, respectively). In previous studies, similar doses of these drugs induced changes in heart rate and inhibition of rumen contraction in goats. These findings demonstrate that drug-induced changes in forestomach contractions do not simply cause changes in feeding behaviour. The i.v. infusion of the PGF₂ analogues etiproston (10 g kg^-1 min^-1 for 15 min), luprostiol (30 g kg^-1 min^-1 for 15 min), cloprostenol (1 g kg^-1 min^-1 for 15 min) and tiaprost (1 g kg^-1 min^-1 for 15 min) induced hypophagic effects and stimulated intestinal propulsion.     

A study of the interaction between bromocresol green dye and bovine,ovine and equine serum globulins

In human medicine it has been shown that the bromocresol green (BCG) dye-binding method for the determination of serum albumin is not entirely specific, the dye reacting also with certain human serum globulins. This causes over-estimation of albumin when reaction times are prolonged beyond 30 seconds.In the present study, serum albumin values obtained from three animal species by the immediate, i.e. less than 30 seconds, BCG reaction were compared with those by the 10-minute BCG reaction. Albumin-depleted sera were prepared using an affinity chromatography technique and their reactions and those of purified gamma globulin preparations with the dye were studied.In cattle, sheep and horses, serum albumin values obtained by the 10-minute reaction were higher than those obtained by the immediate BCG reaction, the differences being statistically significant. Purified gamma globulin did not react with the BCG dye after 10 minutes, but other globulins did. There were differences between the species in the magnitude of the reaction of their globulins with BCG dye.     

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.     

Estimation of antibodies to Newcastle disease virus in tears

Summary Micro-haemagglutination inhibition tests (Micro-HI) were used to measure the level of maternal IgG in the tears of chicks and also to measure the levels of HI antibodies in the tears and serum after vaccination with F strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and in the face of an outbreak of Newcastle disease. There was a 1·4 fold difference between the maternal IgG concentration in the serum and tears. The ratio of serum IgG to lachrymal IgG after maternal transfer was 4 to 5 : 1 on day 4 to 9 and decreased to 2·6 : 1 on day 12 post-hatch. The intra-ocular vaccination of chicks with F strain of NDV resulted in the highest titre of HI antibodies in the tears though there was no significant difference in the response of chicks vaccinated through intranasal, oral and intravenous routes.In the face of an ND outbreak, the level of HI antibodies in the tears during the acute phase was very high and persisted at the same level for 14 days.

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Determinacion De Anticuerpos Frente Al Virus De Newcastle En Lagrimas

Resumen Se utilizaron tests de inhibición de la microhemoaglutinación (micro-HI) para medir el nivel de IgG maternas en las lágrimas de pollitos y también para medir los niveles de anticuerpos HI en las lágrimas y en el suero después de vacunar con la estirpe F del virus de la enfermedad de Newcastle (NDV) y durante una epidemia de la enfermedad de Newcastle. Hubo una diferencia de 1·4 veces entre la concentración de IgG maternas en el suero y en las lágrimas. El cociente entre las IgG del suero y de las lágrimas tras la transferencia materna fue 4–5: 1 entre los días 4 y 9 y disminuyó a 2·6 : 1 el día 12 posteclosión. La vacunación intraocular de los pollitos con la estirpe F del NDV dió lugar al título más elevado de anticuerpos HI en las lágrimas, si bien las differencias entre animales vacunados por vía intranasal, oral y endovenosa no fueron significativas. Durante una epidemia de la enfermedad de Newcastle, el nivel de anticuerpos HI en las lágrimas durante la fase aguda fue muy alto y se mantuvo constante durante 14 días.

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Estimation Du Taux d'Anticorps Contre Le Virus De La Maladie De Newcastle Dans Les Larmes

Résumé Des tests d'inhibition par micro-hemoagglutination (Micro-Hi) furent utilisés pour mesurer, soit les taux d'IgG maternelles dans les larmes des poussins, soit les taux d'anticorps Hi dans les larmes et les sérums après vaccination avec une souche F du virus de la maladie de Newcastle (NDV) et dans le cas d'une épidémie de la maladie de Newcastle. Le ratio entre les IgG maternelles dans le sérum et les larmes fut de 1,4. Le ratio entre les IgG dans le sérum et les IgG dans les larmes était de 4 à 5 pour 4 entre le jours 4 et 9 et diminua à 2,6; 12 jours après éclosion. La vaccination intra-oculaire des poussins avec une souche F du virus de la maladie de Newcastle donna les plus hauts taux d'anticorps Hi dans les larmes, cependant il n'y eut pas de différence significative dans la réaction des poussins après vaccination intranasale, orale ou intraveineuse.Durant une épidémie de la maladie de Newcastle, le niveau des anticorps Hi dans les larmes pendant la phase auguë fut très élevé et persista à ce niveau pendant 14 jours.

     

Scrapie in the sheep and laboratory animals: Suitability of the sheep model for the study of slow virus diseases

After briefly summarizing the information available on sheep scrapie, the authors explain the value of using the sheep in the study of slow virus diseases, since it is particularly prone to diseases of this type. It may be affected not only by scrapie but also by other similar diseases such as visna, maedi and jaagsiekte. These disorders may therefore be used as models to which the most recent pathogenic concepts can be applied. A study of them will lead to a better understanding of the virus-host relationship in the pathology of infection.

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Kurzfassung Im Anschluss an die Darstellung der Traberkrankheit bei Schafen und eine kurze Zusammenfassung aller bisher darüber vorliegenden Erkenntnisse wiesen die Autoren auf die Bedeutung des Schafes als Versuchstier bei der Untersuchung der durch langsame Viren verursachten Krankheiten hin, da Schafe eine ausgeprägte Disposition für diese Art von Störungen aufweisen. Sie können neben Traberkrankheit ausserdem von weiteren Erkrankungen des gleichen Typs wie Visna, Maedi und Jaagsiekte befallen werden. Diese Erkrankungen eignen sich daher als Modelle, an denen sich die jüngsten Erkentnisse über die Pathogenese praktisch erproben lassen. Solche Untersuchungen führen zweifellos zu einem besseren Verständnis des Verhältnisses zwischen Wirtstier und Virus im Rahmen der infektiösen Pathologie.

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Resume Après avoir montré l'importance et résumé brièvement l'ensemble des connaissances relative à la tremblante du mouton, les auteurs montre l'intérêt de l'utilisation du mouton pour l'étude des maladies à virus lents, celui-ci montrant une particulière prédisposition à présenter ce type de désordres. Il peut être atteint non seulement de tremblante mais aussi d'autres maladies de même type comme le visna, le maedi et la jaagsiekte. Ces affections constituent donc des modèles auxquels les plus récents concepts pathogéniques peuvent être appliqués. Leur étude permettra certainement de mieux comprendre la relation virus-hôte en pathologie infectieuse.

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Riassunto Gli autori, dopo aver sottolineato l'importanza e riassunto brevemente il complesso dei dati disponibili sulla malattia del trotto (prurigo lombare accompagnata da disturbi neuromotori) degli ovini, rilevano l'interesse che può avere l'impiego di ovini nello studio delle malattie da virus lenti, in quanto questi animali sembrano particolarmente predisposti a tale tipo di affezioni. Essi possono essere colpiti non soltanto dalla malattia del trotto, ma anche da altre malattie affini quali il visna, il maedi e la jaagsiekte. Lo studio di queste malattie, che rappresentano modelli ai quali possono essere applicati i più recenti concetti patogenetici, consentirà certamente di comprendere più a fondo la relazione virusospite nella patologia infettiva.

     

A new pattern of morphofunctional relationship among cranial nerves: Evidence of anatomical and physiological connection between trigeminus and oculomotor nerves

It is shown that the cell bodies of the afferent fibres supplying the proprioceptivity to the extrinsic eye muscles are located within the semilunar ganglion. Furthermore, some Gasserian cells have central processes which enter the midbrain through the oculomotor nerve. Sensory ganglion cells, derived from the same strand of placodal cells forming the ophthalmic lobe, can be constantly detected within the oculomotor nerve of ox, monkey and man.

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Kurzfassung Unsere Forschungen haben ergeben, dass sich die Zellkörper der fibrae afferentes, die dem äusserlichen Augenmuskeln die propriozeptive Sensibilität geben, im Ganglion des Gasser befinden. Ausserdem haben einige Zellen des Gasserschenganglion zentrale Verzweigungen die durch den Nervus oculomotorius in den Hirnstamm führen. Sensitive Ganglionzellen, die von der gleichen Reihe plakodischer Zellen stammen, und den lobus oftalmicus Gasseri formen, sind regelmassig im nervus oculomotorius des Rindes, des Affen und des Menschen zu finden.

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Resume Nos recherches ont démontré que, chez le Mouton et le Porc, le ganglion de Gasser contient les corps cellulaires des fibres nerveuses desservant les fuseaux neuromusculaires des muscles extrinsèques de l'oeil. En outre, quelques cellules du ganglion de Gasser ont leurs prolongements centraux qui se portent au tronc cérébral en suivant à rebours les radicules du nerf oculomoteur. En fin, on a trouvé constamment des cellules ganglionnaires sensitives dans l'oculomoteur du Boeuf, du Singe et de l'Homme; ces cellules proviennent du même cordon de cellules placodiales qui forme le lobe ophthalmique du ganglion semilunaire.

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Riassunto Le nostre ricerche hanno dimostrato che i corpi cellulari delle fibre nervose afferenti, che danno la sensibilità propriocettica al muscolo oculare estrinseco, si trovano nel ganglione di Gasser. Inoltre, alcune cellule del ganglione di Gasser hanno diramazioni centrali che portano al tronco cerebrale attraverso il nervo oculomotore. Infine, si sono costantemente incontrati nel nervo oculomotore del bovino, della scimmia e dell'uomo, cellule sensitive che provengono dallo stessotronco di cellule placodali che formano il lobo oftalmico.

     

Infectious pancreatic necrosis of salmonidae-recent developments and future prospects

Infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN), first described in 1955, is a viral disease of salmonid fry. The virus remains in the sexual fluids of adult carriers, thus allowing vertical transmission. The virus has been classified among the reoviruses, and at least three serotypes are well known: VR₂₉₉ (USA), Sp and Ab (Europe). It has been established in the case of VR₂₉₉ virus that some IPN survivors carry high levels of antibodies and completely eliminate the virus, while others do not synthesise antibodies and remain carriers for life. Sp type virus serially passaged a few times on cultured trout cells (RTG₂), acquires new properties compared to the wild original virus. The adapted virus forms large plaques, loses its pathogenicity and is neutralised by normal serum from trout free of IPN. The molecule involved in this neutralisation is not related to IgM antibodies, and its nature remains unknown. Variant virus types with different growth characteristics have also been selected from VR₂₉₉ cultured in trout (RTG₂) or minnow (FHM) cells. It appears therefore necessary to investigate the relationships betweenin vitro properties and pathogenicity.

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Kurzfassung Die zuerst in Amerika (1955) beschriebene infektiose Pankreas-Nekrose (N.P.I.) stellt eine Virose der Salmonidenbrut dar. Der Virus befindet sich in den sexuellen Ausscheidungen erwachsener Trägertiere; somit ist eine vertikale Ubertragung möglich. Von diesem Virus, der zur Familie der Reoviridae gehört, sind wenigstens drei Serumtypen bekannt: VR₂₉₉ (USA), Sp und Ab (Europa). Für VR₂₉₉ steht fest, dass die NPI Uberlebenden viele Antikörper erzeugen und den Virus völlig ausscheiden, während andere Varianten gar keine Antikörper produzieren und daher lebenszeitige Träger bleiben. Auf kultivierte Forellenzellen übertragene Viren des Sp Typus erlangen andere Eigenschaften als die Zellen des wilden Original virus. Der angepasste Virus provoziert grössere Auflösungsplatten, verliert seine pathogene Wirkung und wird vom normalen Forellenserum der NPI neutralisiert. In diesem Fall gehört das verantwortliche Molekül für die Neutralisierung nicht zu den IgM Antikörpern, und seine Natur ist nicht gut bekannt. Eine Selektion verschiedener Viren mit unterschiedlichen Wachstumseigen-schaften hat man mit dem VR₂₉₉ auf Forellen-oder Pfrillen-(FHM)-Zellen erhalten. Es scheint demnach notwendig, die Beziehungen zwischen Eigenschaftenin vitro und die Pathogeneität näher zu untersuchen.

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Resume Décrite pour la première fois aux U.S.A. en 1955, la Nécrose Pancréatique Infectieuse (N.P.I.) est une virose des alevins de salmonidés. Le virus est présent dans les produits sexuels des porteurs adultes, assurant la transmission verticale. Ce virus, classé dans la famille des Reoviridae, présente au moins trois sérotypes: VR₂₉₉ (U.S.A.), Sp et Ab (Europe). Classiquement, les survivants de N.P.I. (dans le cas du VR₂₉₉) font beaucoup d'anticorps et éliminent le virus, ou bien font peu ou pas d'anticorps et restent porteurs à vie. les virus de type Sp cultive sur cellules de truite RTG₂ acquièrent en quelques passages des propriétés différentes de celles du virus sauvage d'origine. Le virus adapté provoque des plages de lyse plus grandes, perd tout pouvoir pathogène et est neutralisé par le sérum de truites indemnes de N.P.I. Dans ce cas, la molécule responsable de la neutralisation n'appartient pas aux anticorps, et sa nature reste mal connue. La sélection de variants possédant des caractéristiques de croissance différente a aussi été obtenue avec le VR₂₉₉ propagé en cultures soit de truit (RTG₂) soit de vairon (FHM). Il apparaît donc néssaire d'approfondir les relations entre propriétésin vitro et pouvoir pathogènein vivo.

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Riassunto Descritta negli USA per la prima volta nel 1955, la necrosi pancreatica infettiva e una virosi dei giovani salmonidi. Il virus e presente nei prodotti sessuali dei portatori adulti, assicurando la trasmissione verticale. Questo virus classificato nella famiglia dei Reoviridae, rappresenta almeno tre sierotipi diversi: il VR₂₉₉ (USA), lo Sp ed il Ab (Europa). Tipicamente, i sopravissuti della NPI, producono molti anticorpi ed eliminano il virus, oppure ne producono pochi o non ne procucono affatto e rimangono portatori a vita. Dopo alcuni passaggi, i virus di tipo Sp, coltivati su cellule di trota RTG₂, acquistano delle proprietà diverse delle cellule del virus selvatico di origine. Il virus adattato provoca dell placche di lisi più grandi, perde ogni potere patogeno, e si neutralizza con il siero di trota indenne da NPI. In questo caso, la molecola responsabile della neutralizzazione non appartiene agli anticorpi e la sua natura resta poco nota. La selezione di varianti con caratteristiche di crescita diverse è stata anche ottenuta propagando il VR₂₉₉ in colture di trota (RTG₂) e di vairone (FHM). Appare quindi necessario approfondire le relazioni tra le proprietain vitro e il potere patogenoin vivo.

     

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.     

Re-evaluation of letters and letters journals

This paper recommends that the term letters be confined, in relation to the transfer of primary scientific information, to a specific category of articles, most commonly appearing in special letters journals or in letters sections of other research journals. The outstanding importance or general interest of the contents of true letters makes it desirable that they be published relatively rapidly. There is a place for special letters journals, but these need special refereeing.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Tolerance to the Nephrotoxic Component of Narthecium ossifragum in Sheep: The Effects of Repeated Oral Doses of Plant Extracts

Young adult sheep were dosed with extracts of Narthecium ossifragum plants by the oral or parenteral routes and the resulting nephrotoxicity was assessed from the increases in the concentrations of creatinine and urea in the serum. Following single intraruminal or intraperitoneal doses of extracts derived from 30 g N. ossifragum (wet weight) per kg live weight (kg lw), serum creatinine concentrations increased from about 100 mol/L to between 260 and 510 mol/L. The serum urea concentrations increased from about 5–8 mmol/L to between 11 and 66 mmol/L in individual sheep. Daily intraruminal administration of 5–30 g/kg lw to three sheep over a 10- or 15-day period increased creatinine concentrations from 100 mol/L to 300–760 mol/L, and urea concentrations from 5–8 mmol/L to 35 mmol/L. A single intraperitoneal challenge dose of 30 g/kg lw, delivered 7 or 12 days after the final intraruminal dose, did not lead to increased serum creatinine or urea concentrations, indicating that oral treatment had apparently resulted in an increased tolerance to the nephrotoxic principle(s) in N. ossifragum.     

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)     

Haemophilus influenzae and the β-adrenergic system: A review

Haemophilus influenzae is a bacterium that often can be isolated from the deeper respiratory airways of patients with chronic asthmatic bronchitis. In the present study the effects ofH. influenzae vaccination on guinea pig pulmonary -adrenoceptor number and function (in vitro and in vivo) have been evaluated. Functioning of -adrenoceptors is determined by measuring the -mimetic effect of isoprenaline on the inhibition of anaphylactic mediator release and isolated tracheal strip relaxation. The number of -adrenoceptor binding sites was measured by means of a³H-dihydroalprenolol binding assay.Also the mechanism of action underlying the changes in -adrenoceptor functioning was evaluated. Furthermore, it was established that the effect on the -adrenoceptor system was not specific forH. influenzae and that other respiratory pathogens were also biologically active in this respect.     

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     

Histamine relaxes constricted trachea and bronchi of horse

Horse trachea and bronchi contracted to slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis, carbachol, 5-hydroxytryptamine, histamine, 2-methyl-histamine, bradykinin and prostaglandin F₂. Prostaglandins E₁ and E₂, isoprenaline and 4-methylhistamine caused relaxation of carbachol-contracted bronchi. Mepyramine (H₁-blocker) specifically inhibited histamine bronchoconstriction. In the presence of mepyramine, histamine caused relaxation of carbachol-contracted bronchi. Metiamide (H₂-blocker) inhibited histamine bronchorelaxation but not relaxation of the trachea. This suggests (1) the presence of both H₁- and H₂-receptors mediating bronchoconstriction and relaxation respectively (2) the existence of an atypical histamine receptor in the trachea. The study suggests that in equine respiratory hypersensitivity under therapy with classical (H₁) antihistaminics, further release of histamine may exert a beneficial broncholytic effect on airways contracted by other chemical mediators of immediate-type inflammation.