Assessment of the ruminant digestive system.

Evaluation of the gastrointestinal system of ruminants is a logical progression of investigation and elimination. Important aspects of the animal's history pertinent to the gastrointestinal system are described. A systematic, comprehensive technique for physical examination is presented with emphasis on the digestive and lymphatic systems. Examples of potential signs of disease are provided for each body section.     

Assessment of the ruminant respiratory system.

With practice, complete use of the methods of this assessment: history, detailed examination of the head and neck, cough induction, chest auscultation and percussion, and chest auscultation following forced rebreathing can be completed within 10 minutes. The examination can provide a great deal of new information regarding the respiratory system that would go undetected on a more general physical examination. In cases in which the diagnosis is still in question or requires confirmation, this will also enable the optimal use of appropriate ancillary tests, as described in the article on ancillary testing for the respiratory tract elsewhere in this issue.     

Clinical examination of the ruminant nervous system.

Practical and rapid physical examination techniques that allow the clinician to neuroanatomically localize the site of disease to the cerebrum,cerebellum, brainstem/cranial nerves, or spinal cord/peripheral nerves are described. The physical examination methods discussed in this article can be performed easily and quickly and do not require any specialized or expensive equipment to perform.     

Congenital defects of the ruminant nervous system.

Abnormalities of the nervous system are common occurrences among congenital defects and have been reported in most ruminant species. From a clinical standpoint, the signs of such defects create difficulty in arriving at an antemortem etiology through historical and physical examination alone. By first localizing clinical signs to their point of origin in the nervous system, however, a narrower differential list can be generated so that the clinician can pursue a definitive diagnosis. This article categorizes defects of the ruminant nervous system by location of salient clinical signs into dysfunction of one of more of the following regions: cerebrum, cerebellum,and spinal cord. A brief review of some of the more recognized etiologies of these defects is also provided. It is important to make every attempt to determine the cause of nervous system defects because of the impact that an inherited condition would have on a breeding program and for prevention of defects caused by infectious or toxic teratogen exposure.     

Viral diseases of the ruminant nervous system.

This article presents the etiology, epidemiology, clinical features,and diagnosis of the primary viral neurologic diseases observed in ruminants. In general, these viral neurologic diseases are uncommon but often fatal. Rabies virus is perhaps the most important cause of encephalitis in cattle because of the public health implications. Other viral encephalitis diseases in ruminants include bovine herpesvirus encephalomyelitis, pseudorabies, malignant catarrhal fever, ovine and caprine lentiviral encephalitis, West Nile virus encephalitis, Borna disease, paramyxoviral sporadic bovine encephalomyelitis,and ovine encephalomyelitis (louping-ill).     

Ancillary testing for the ruminant respiratory system.

With greater use of a wide variety of diagnostic tools, such as transtracheal washing, respiratory endoscopy, chest radiography, thoracic ultrasonography, blood gas analysis, and lung biopsy, veterinarians are gaining tremendous insight into pathogenic mechanisms of the ruminant respiratory system. We have available many diagnostic aids; some fairly simple and inexpensive, others highly sophisticated and presently at far greater cost than justifiable on most individual food animals. Some methods recently developed, such as same-day viral particle detection in BAL samples,6 have tremendous potential for rapid and accurate diagnosis in ruminant pulmonary medicine. Undoubtedly, future research in this area will provide an ever widening array of powerful and rapid diagnostic aids to deal with respiratory disease of ruminants.     

Ancillary tests for assessment of the ruminant digestive system.

This article reviews the ancillary tests that are available to evaluate disease and function of the gastrointestinal system. Procedures and tests such as abdominocentesis and peritoneal fluid cytology; rumen fluid analysis; abomasal pH and pepsinogen; upper digestive tract endoscopy; ultrasonography and radiology; hematologic and biochemical assessments; cytology, culture, and histopathology of aspirates; serology, liver function tests and biopsy; exploratory laparotomy; fecal examination; and microbiology are described.     

Histochemical detection of glycoconjugates in the male reproductive system of the horse

Lectins are glycoproteins of plant and animal origin that have the ability to bind specific carbohydrate residues of cell glycoconjugates, particularly in terminal positions. In this study, the binding of lectins, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), soybean agglutinin (SBA), Bandeiraea simplicifolia BS-1 (isolectin B4), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), and Ulex europaeus (UEA-I), was studied in the reproductive systems of male thoroughbred horses.DBA was detected in the stereocilia of the caput and corpus epididymis, and in the vas deferens. It was weakly detected in connective tissue of the corpus epididymis. Strong SBA staining was seen in epithelial cells in the testis, stereocilia of the corpus and cauda epididymis, and in the vas deferens. There were intense positive reactions for isolectin B4 in interstitial cells in all tissue and serosa of the vas deferens. PNA staining was seen only in stereocilia in the caput and corpus epididymis, and in the vas deferens. Strong WGA staining was seen throughout the testis, except in Sertoli cells, stereocilia, and connective tissue. UEA-I was detected in secondary spermatids, stereocilia, and epithelial cells of the cauda epididymis. These results show that degenerating cells in the testis, epididymal tubules, and vas deferens have differential affinities for lectins, and suggest that lectins play a role in the reproductive system of the horse. The heterogeneity of the lectin staining pattern in the reproductive tubules of adult horses suggests that the carbohydrate composition of each cell type is region specific.     

玉米赤霉烯酮对雄性小鼠生殖系统的毒性作用

为探讨玉米赤霉烯酮(ZEA)对雄性生殖系统的毒性作用,本试验选取清洁级昆明系雄性小鼠93只,随机分成5组:25 mg/kg、50 mg/kg、75 mg/kg ZEA处理组、溶剂对照组(DMSO)、空白对照组(生理盐水),进行腹腔注射染毒,每天1次,连续5 d,于末次染毒后第2天摘眼球采血并脱颈处死动物,分离睾丸和附睾,测定脏器系数、精子密度和活力,睾丸酶的活力水平以及血清睾酮和雌激素的浓度。结果显示,与对照组相比,玉米赤霉烯酮显著地降低小鼠的体重和精液品质,睾丸乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)的活力随着染毒剂量的增加显著升高(P0.01,P0.05),血清睾酮和雌激素浓度随染毒剂量的增加显著下降(P0.01,P0.05)。该结果提示,玉米赤霉烯酮对雄性小鼠生殖系统具有严重的损伤作用,影响生精功能。     

利用体外产气法评定反刍动物饲料的营养价值

试验利用体外产气法评定反刍动物饲料的营养价值。对花生藤、木薯渣、柠檬酸渣和甜叶菊渣4种原料进行体外发酵试验,通过测定各种原料的24h累计产气量、干物质(DM)降解率和细菌氮含量来评定其对反刍动物的营养价值。试验结果表明:花生藤、木薯渣、柠檬酸渣和甜叶菊渣的24h累计产气量分别为93.50、106.25、117.25和54.33ml;DM降解率分别为34.76%、48.34%、24.66%和33.63%;细菌氮含量分别为1.48、1.10、1.54和1.59mol/(g·ml)。总体来看,这几种饲料可以作为反刍动物的新型饲料资源加以推广利用,而且用体外产气法评定反刍动物饲料的营养价值是可行的。     

Parelaphostrongylus tenuis and other parasitic diseases of the ruminant nervous system.

There are many parasites that affect the ruminant central nervous system. Clinical signs can vary dramatically based on the location and mobility of the parasite. Clinical disease can occur due to the physical presence of the parasite and the resulting host immune response or the toxin produced by the parasite. Differentiating the cause of disease is particularly important because prognosis,treatment, and subsequent control measures vary dramatically depending on the disease process. This article focuses on the pathogenesis,treatment, and control of some of the more common parasitic diseases of the ruminant central nervous system.     

利用体外产气法评定反刍动物饲料的营养价值

本试验利用体外产气法评定反刍动物饲料的营养价值.对花生藤、木薯渣、柠檬酸渣和甜叶菊渣4种原料进行体外发酵试验.通过测定各种原料的24 h累计产气量、干物质(DM)降解率和细菌氮含量来评定其对反刍动物的营养价值.试验结果表明,2 g花生藤、木薯渣、柠檬酸渣和甜叶菊渣样品的24 h累计产气量分别为93.50、106.25、117.25 mL和54.33 mL;DM降解率分别为34.76%、48.34%、24.66%和33.63%;细菌氯含量分别为1.48、1.10、1.54mol/(g·mL)和1.59 mol/(g·mL).总体来看,这几种饲料可以作为反刍动物的新型饲料资源加以推广利用,而且用体外产气法评定反刍动物饲料的营养价值是可行的.     

Expression and localization of alpha-tubulin N-acetyltransferase 1 in the reproductive system of male mice

The structure of microtubules is essential for the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa. Acetylation of α-tubulin plays an important role in flagellar elongation and spermatozoa motility. Previous reports have suggested that alpha-tubulin N-acetyltransferase 1 (ATAT1) is the main acetyltransferase involved in the acetylation of α-tubulin. Although ATAT1 is reported to express in the testis, no information is available regarding its expression in elongated spermatids, epididymis, and mature spermatozoa. Hence, it remains unclear whether ATAT1 is involved in spermatozoa maturation and capacitation. Therefore, we evaluated the expression of ATAT1 in the mouse male reproductive system using immunostaining and western blotting. Our results showed that ATAT1 was expressed in spermatids during spermiogenesis in mouse testes, but its expression varied according to the seminiferous tubule stage. We observed ATAT1 in the cytoplasm of round spermatids, the flagella of elongated spermatids, and in the cytoplasm of step 16 spermatids, just before its release into the lumen. In addition, ATAT1 was expressed in epithelial cells of the epididymis. In spermatozoa of the cauda epididymis, ATAT1 expression was primarily observed in the midpiece of the spermatozoa. The localization of ATAT1 protein in the male germline was observed during spermiogenesis as well as during spermatozoa maturation. Our results suggest that ATAT1 may be involved in the formation of flagella and in the acetylation process, which has attracted attention in recent years regarding male infertility.     

玉米赤霉烯酮通过干扰内分泌系统造成性成熟雄性大鼠生殖损伤

玉米赤霉烯酮(ZEA),作为一种环境类雌激素物,其对动物及人体健康具有潜在的危害。尤其是,ZEA可能会导致人类不孕不育症。本试验中,给予性成熟的雄性SD大鼠每公斤单次腹腔注射5 mg/kg的ZEA,在随后的48 h内观察检测。可见大鼠血清睾酮(T)和促黄体生成素(LH)在6 h极显著降低,而血清LH在随后12 h又极其显著升高;睾丸环腺苷酸(cAMP)在6 h同样显著下降;同时,睾丸LHR,Star,p450scc,3β-hsd-1 mRNA表达水平在注射ZEA后6 h显著下调。总之,本研究可以得出单次腹腔注射ZEA可能通过扰乱内分泌系统,影响胆固醇合成中关键酶的基因表达,进而抑制睾酮生成,最终造成生殖系统短暂性的损伤。     

Diagnostic imaging of the male canine reproductive organs. Methods and limitations.

Survey radiographic, contrast radiographic, and ultrasonographic techniques for evaluation of the male canine reproductive organs are reviewed. The applications and limitations of these technique as they apply to reproductive diseases involving the prostate gland and testicles are illustrated.     

Effects of exposure to genistein during pubertal development on the reproductive system of male mice

Genistein, a soybean-originated isoflavone, is widely consumed by humans for putative beneficial health effects but its estrogenic activity may affect adversely the development of the male reproductive system. Twenty-one days old ICR mice weaned from dams fed with a casein-based AIN-76A diet during gestation and lactation were exposed to genistein (2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 5 weeks. 17beta-Estradiol (7.5 microg/kg/day) and corn oil were used for the positive and negative vehicle controls, respectively. The animals were fed the casein-based AIN-76A diet throughout the experiment. There were no significant differences in body weights of mice between the genistein groups and the negative control group. No significant differences in relative reproductive organ weights were found among all experimental groups. Sperm counts in epididymis and testes were slightly decreased in the genistein-exposed groups compared with control group. Sperm motile characteristics in genistein-exposed groups were slightly higher than those of the control group. Levels of phospholipid hydroxide glutathione peroxidase mRNA in the testis, epididymis, and prostate of mice exposed to genistein or estradiol were significantly higher than those of the controls (P<0.05). Exposure to genistein caused hyperplasia of Leydig cells in the testis and a slight increase of interstitial fibroblasts in the epididymis, while estradiol treatment caused severe damage to the testis and epididymis. These results suggest that dietary uptake of genistein during the juvenile period may affect male reproductive development, resulting in a slight decrease in sperm count, but with an increase in sperm motion quality.     

反刍动物蛋白质评价的新体系

1　旧体系及其缺陷蛋白质的营养价值由其被动物吸收、利用的程度决定,反刍动物蛋白质营养价值的评定沿用粗蛋白质(ＣＰ)、可消化粗蛋白质(ＤＣＰ)和蛋白质的生物学价值(ＢＶ)三种方法至今。这三种评价方法在当时条件下,对指导中等生产水平的反刍动物饲养效果较好。然而随着生产水平的不断提高和对反刍动物蛋白质营养更深入的探讨,旧体系已暴露出许多弊端。11　ＣＰ体系是以日粮中氮的含量为基础进行评定的,忽视了蛋白质可被反刍动物消化、吸收、利用的情况。12　ＤＣＰ体系是以瘤胃降解率为基础的,其主要问题是无法将瘤胃非降解蛋白质和微生…