Simple technique for examining lymphocyte blastogenesis in whole blood cultures for neonatal calves

A method for examining lymphocyte blastogenesis in whole blood cultures of neonatal calves is presented. Considerable variation in magnitude of thymidine incorporation was noted between animals but the general trend of response was uniform. Maximum responses occurred at different culture times for each mitogen. In a standard 0.2 ml micro culture system using 10,000 mononuclear cells per culture incubated for 96 hours in 5 per cent fetal bovine serum maximum mitogenic responses were obtained with 0.8 microgram phytohaemagglutinin per culture, 1 microgram concanavalin A per culture and 0.08 microgram pokeweed mitogen per culture.     

Development of a technique for serial bilateral renal biopsy in steers

A biopsy procedure was developed to provide serial kidney samples from standing steers. Ten clinically normal steers were given intramuscular injections of gentamicin sulfate, 4 mg/kg body weight. Renal biopsy was performed at 5 separate times. After feed was withheld for 24 h, laparoscopic surgery was performed in standing stocks. Acepromazine, xylazine, and butorphanol were used for sedation and analgesia, and 2% lidocaine was used for local anesthesia. Two incisions approximately 2 cm long were made in the paralumbar fossa to allow for trocar introduction. The abdomen was insufflated with CO2 and, with endoscopic guidance, a biopsy forceps used to remove a kidney sample 2 to 3 mm in diameter, by either a left or a right abdominal approach. Each operation was recorded on videotape, and images were also captured with a digital medical device system. Respiration, heart rate, temperature, appetite, attitude, and postural positions were evaluated at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after surgery. The 51 laparoscopic procedures provided 48 renal samples (approximately 100 mg each). The 1st and 2nd samples were from the right kidney, and the 3rd sample was from either the left or the right kidney; the 4th and 5th samples were from the left kidney. Adhesions made an approach from the right side difficult for the 3rd sample. No clinical changes were observed in 9 steers after the procedure. One steer died after the 3rd procedure owing to hemorrhage.     

Embryo transfer procedure and its use as a research technique

The technique of superovulation and embryo transfer not only has the potential to increase the reproductive rate of the female but because the number, genotype, age of embryo, site of transfer and other factors can be controlled, also has the potential in a broad research context. The current efficiency of the total procedure involved, including superovulation, embryo recovery, embryo storage and embryo transfer is reviewed. Some of the main experimental uses that embryo transfer has already or may, in the future, be put to, are also reviewed.     

Bioluminescence: the potential of a molecular non-invasive biooptical imaging technique and improvement of animal research

Bioluminescence is an optical imaging technique that exploits the emission of photons at specific wavelengths based on energy-dependent reactions catalysed by luciferases. The technique makes it possible to monitor measure, and track biological processes in living animals. A short review is presented of the potential of in vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI) as a new bio-optical imaging technique for use in research into cancer infectious diseases, pharmacology, and toxicology. Bioluminescence has greatly improved the quality of longitudinal data obtained from animal research and has led to a significant reduction in the number of animals needed.     

Germfree technique for the rearing of kittens--a research tool

Techniques to derive and rear germfree kittens (Felis catus) for biomedical research were explored and refined. The isolator units, equipment, sterilization procedures, husbandry techniques, and safety issues are discussed. This method proved to be successful for the surgical derivation and hand-rearing of germfree kittens.     

A novel method for preparing histology slides without a microtome

A study was undertaken to determine if it might be possible to prepare tissue sections on slides without the use of paraffin embedding, microtome sectioning, or cryostat sectioning which involve equipment and training not always available to scholars or professionals wishing to examine tissue microscopically. After evaluating many different reagents, cutting instruments and solid supports, we developed a method involving application of super glue to a slide, adhering a section of tissue to it, cutting the tissue with a disposable microtome blade, staining the tissue and removing the superglue with a commercially available product. The sections are similar to those sectioned on a microtome, but do not at this time equal their quality. However, histoarchitecture is preserved and individual cell morphology is usually good. We conclude that this is a viable method for preparing histology sections without the use of a microtome or cryostat, something long thought impossible. We have dubbed the method 'RAMP' (Rapid Adhesive-Mediated Procedure).     

A technique for catherization of the renal vein in the dog

A technique for the catheterization of the renal vein is described. Samples of blood were withdrawn from the vein without obstructing the flow of blood through it.     

动物脂质体技术与产品的研究

1.1脂质体(Liposome)或称类脂小球、液晶微囊,是一种定向药物载体,属于靶向给药系统的一种类似微型胶囊的新剂型。1971年,英国Rymen等人开始将脂质体用作药物载体。所谓载体,可以是一组分子,包蔽于药物外,通过渗透或被巨嗜细胞吞噬后载体被酶类分解而释放药物,从而发挥作用。它具有类细胞结构,进入动物体内主要被网状内皮系统吞噬而激活机体的自身免疫功能,并改变被包封药物的体内分布,使药物主要在肝、脾、肺和骨髓等组织器官中积蓄,从而提高药物的治疗指数,减少药物的治疗剂量和降低药物的毒性。脂质体技术是被喻为“生物导弹”的第四代…     

A technique for estimating progression of chronic renal failure in the dog

A simple method for estimating the rate of progression of chronic renal failure was evaluated in 11 dogs. The plot of the reciprocal of the serum creatinine concentration vs age declined linearly, and projection of the regression line to the abscissa accurately predicted each dog's age at the time of death attributable to renal failure. The linear decline of the reciprocal of the serum creatinine concentration vs age indicated that nephrons may be lost at a constant rate in dogs with chronic renal failure. Changes in the slope of this line may provide a means of evaluating response to treatment.     

Flow cytometric detection of myeloperoxidase in horse neutrophils: a novel technique in equine diagnostic research

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a protein of interest due to its involvement in equine pathologies. Until now, results in equine diagnostic research were achieved through extracellular MPO detection. However, studying the cellular MPO content in neutrophils has revealed important insights in human diseases. This study aimed to develop a technique for the specific detection of MPO on the single cell level defining a flow cytometric protocol for the detection of both equine surface-bound and cellular MPO. Both indirect and direct labeling techniques are described which include the comparison of two secondary antibodies and two linking-fluorochromes, respectively.     

Selection for ovulation rate in rabbits: Direct and correlated responses estimated with a cryopreserved control population

The aim of this work was to evaluate the response in 10 generations of selection for ovulation rate in rabbits using a cryopreserved control population. Selection was based on the phenotypic value of ovulation rate estimated at d 12 of second gestation by laparoscopy. To produce the control population, embryos from 50 donor females and 18 males, belonging to the base generation of the line selected for ovulation rate, were recovered. A total of 467 embryos (72-h embryos) were vitrified and stored in liquid N(2) for 10 generations. The size of both populations was approximately 10 males and 50 females. The number of records used to analyze the different traits ranged from 99 to 340. Data were analyzed using Bayesian methodology. A difference between the selected and the control populations of 2.1 ova (highest posterior density interval (HPD(95%))[1.3, 2.9]) was observed in ovulation rate (OR), but it was not accompanied by a correlated response in litter size (LS; -0.3; HPD(95%) [-1.1, 0.5]). The number of implanted embryos (IE) increased with selection in 1.0 embryo (HPD(95%) [-0.6, 2.0]), but this increase was not relevant. Prenatal survival, embryonic survival, and fetal survival (FS) were calculated as LS/OR, IE/OR, and LS/IE, respectively. Prenatal survival was reduced with selection (-0.12; HPD(95%) [-0.20, -0.04]), basically because of a decrease in FS (-0.12; HPD(95%) [-0.19, -0.06]). Embryonic survival could have slightly decreased (-0.05; HPD(95%) [-0.12, 0.02]). In summary, comparison with a control population showed that ovulation rate in rabbits increased with selection without any correlated response in litter size, basically because of a decrease in fetal survival.     

Selective genotyping with a main trait and a correlated trait

In some instances of quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, a correlated trait may be available for which measurement is less costly or more convenient than direct measurement of the trait of main interest. In this paper we consider ways of combining phenotyping for a main trait and a correlated trait to maximize power within the overall framework of a selective genotyping design. Four schemes are compared: (1) Selection for the main trait only (2) Selection for the correlated trait only (3) Two-stage selection (4) Three-stage selection. Optimum proportion selected for the two traits were obtained for the various schemes, and power parameters compared, according to the correlation r, between the two traits, and the proportion of the population, Q, phenotyped for the main trait. The schemes were compared under two sets of assumptions: (1) Total population size and proportion that can be phenotyped for the main trait are fixed, and (2) Total costs are fixed, with relative cost, c', of rearing and phenotyping for the correlated trait as compared to the main trait. Under (1), the multi-stage schemes are very advantageous when r is high, and Q is low. Under (2), the single-stage schemes were always superior to the multi-stage schemes; Scheme 1 being preferred when r²/c' < 1.0, and Scheme 2 when r²/c' > 1.0.     

Interlocking box jejunostomy: a new technique for enteral feeding

A new jejunostomy tube placement technique is described and compared to traditional methods. The interlocking box technique was compared to a simple purse-string with jejunopexy and an inverting serosal tunnel (Witzel technique) with jejunopexy. Procedures performed in fresh canine cadavers were fluid pressure tested following tube removal. Mean+/-standard deviation (SD) intraluminal pressure necessary to induce leakage at the jejunopexy site of the interlocking box group (87.63+/-40.56 cm H2O) was significantly greater (p less than 0.001) than the simple purse-string (43.17+/-31.69 cm H2O) and serosal tunnel (46.33+/-23.60 cm H2O) groups. Significant differences were not identified between the latter groups. The interlocking box technique resisted leakage following acute removal better than conventional techniques and should be tested clinically.