超低温冷冻对小鼠桑椹胚多能性因子Oct-4表达的影响

本实验旨在探讨昆明白小鼠桑椹胚超低温冷冻后Oct-4表达的变化与胚胎发育潜力的关系。胚胎采用OPS法冷冻,即胚胎于10%EG+10%DMSO溶液中预处理30 s,然后再移入玻璃化溶液(EDFS30)中处理25 s,以OPS为承载器投入液氮中。毒性组胚胎未投入液氮,其他过程与冷冻组相同,新鲜胚胎为对照组。胚胎解冻后,检测Oct-4 mRNA与蛋白的表达,通过观察其形态正常率、囊胚发育率和囊胚细胞数来综合判断其体外发育能力。结果表明:冷冻组和毒性组较桑椹胚中Oct-4 mRNA的表达量对照组相比显著降低(P<0.05),蛋白表达量3组间无显著差异。桑椹胚处理后的形态正常率以及桑椹胚培养48 h后的囊胚发育率(96.67%～100%)和囊胚细胞数(89.67～92.33)3组间无显著差异。结果显示,玻璃化冷冻保存小鼠桑椹胚后多能性基因Oct-4 mRNA表达的变化并未影响其体外发育潜力。     

小鼠体外受精及胚胎发育的影响因素

为了完善小鼠体外受精和胚胎的体外培养系统 ,以 M16为基础培养液 ,探讨了葡萄糖、磷酸盐、EDTA、谷氨酰胺及β-巯基乙醇等对小鼠体外受精和胚胎体外培养的影响。结果表明 ,在 M16液中添加 EDTA和 L -谷氨酰胺(m M16液 ) ,小鼠的体外受精率由 2 6 %提高到 5 1%;当在 m M16液中去掉磷酸盐 ,或添加 Hepes,或添加 β-巯基乙醇 ,体外受精率由 5 1%增至 6 2 %～ 74%;m M16液中添加 Hepes,或去掉磷酸盐 ,可阻碍胚胎的体外发育 ,囊胚的扩张率由 80 %降至 49%和 5 8%,而在无糖 m M16液中添加 β-巯基乙醇 ,可显著地提高扩张囊胚率 (91%)。以上结果表明 ,M16液中添加 EDTA、谷氨酰胺和 β-巯基乙醇后 ,适用于小鼠体外受精 ;同时去掉葡萄糖后 ,则适用于 2细胞胚的体外培养。     

转sMTPGH基因小鼠胚胎的体外培养

采用纯化的羊金属硫蛋白 (s MT)启动子指导的猪生长激素 (PGH )基因 (s MTPGH)为显微注射片段 ,将其导入小鼠受精卵原核 ,比较了几种不同培养液对导入外源基因的小鼠胚胎体外发育的影响。结果表明 ,改进的 M16培养液(用 m M16表示 )能有效克服 2 -细胞阻断现象 ,并使转基因胚胎发育到桑椹胚或囊胚阶段。在 m M16培养液的基础上 ,再加入表皮生长因子 (EGF) ,可使 1-细胞胚胎发育到囊胚的比率进一步提高。在 3种培养液 (M16、m M16、m M16 EGF)中 ,转基因胚胎突破 2 -细胞阻断期的比率分别为 12 %、6 8%、90 % ,发育到囊胚期的比率分别是 0 %、2 0 %、4 3%。采用 PCR方法检测 5 7枚经体外培养发育至囊胚的显微注射胚胎 ,4枚扩增出阳性条带 ,外源基因在囊胚期胚胎的滞留率为 7%。     

白细胞介素和干扰素γ对绵羊体外受精胚胎体外发育影响的研究

利用SOFM 0．8％BSA 1mM谷氨酰胺作为绵羊胚胎的培养液，分别添加LIF、IL—1β、IL—2、IL—6及IFN—γ，以研究LIF、IL—1β、IL—2、IL—6及IFN—γ对绵羊早期胚胎发育的影响。结果说明，LIF促进2—8细胞胚胎发育至桑椹胚，同时也能够促进桑椹胚向扩大囊胚和孵化囊胚发育。但IL—1β、IL—2、IL—6及IFN—γ对绵羊早期胚胎的发育无显著影响。     

白细胞介素和干扰素γ对绵羊体外受精胚胎体外发育影响的研究

利用SOFM+0.8%BSA+1mM谷氨酰胺作为绵羊胚胎的培养液,分别添加LIF、IL-1β、IL-2、IL-6及IFN-γ,以研究LIF、IL-1β、IL-2、IL-6及IFN-γ对绵羊早期胚胎发育的影响。结果说明,LIF促进2～8细胞胚胎发育至桑椹胚,同时也能够促进桑椹胚向扩大囊胚和孵化囊胚发育。但IL-1β、IL-2、IL-6及IFN-γ对绵羊早期胚胎的发育无显著影响。     

小鼠体以精及胚胎发育的影响因素

为了完善小鼠体外受精和胚胎的体外培养系统，以M16为基础培养液，探讨了葡萄糖、磷酸盐、EDTA、谷氨酰胺及β－疏基乙醇等对小鼠体外受精和胚胎体外培养的影响。结果表明，在M16液中添加EDTA和L－谷氨酰胺（mM16液），小鼠的体外受精率由26％提高到51％；当在mM16液中去掉磷酸盐，或添加Hepes，或添加β－疏基乙醇，体外受精率由51％增至62％－74％；mM16液中添加Hepes，或去掉磷酸盐，可阻碍胚胎的体外发育，囊胚的抗张率由80％降至49％和58％，而在无糖mM16液中添加β－疏基乙醇，可显著地提高扩张囊胚率（91％）。以上结果表明、M16液中添加EDTA、谷氨酰胺和β－疏基乙醇后，适用于小鼠体外受精；同时去掉葡萄糖后，则适用于2细胞胚的体外培养。     

胚胎干细胞显微注射对小鼠和猪胚胎发育影响的研究

旨在为小鼠和猪多能性干细胞嵌合体制作提供参考,探讨胚胎干细胞(Embryonic stem cells或Embryonic germ cells,ES/EG)显微注射及受体胚胎发育时期等对胚胎发育的影响。对小鼠ES细胞和猪EG细胞分别进行研究:(1)将小鼠ES细胞分别注入小鼠桑椹胚和囊胚,比较不同发育时期受体胚胎体外培养的发育率和孵化率,以及注射胚胎和未注射胚胎体外培养的发育率和孵化率。结果表明,显微注射后的桑椹胚体外培养发育率和孵化率分别为94.7%和70.2%,囊胚率分别为84.6%和80.8%,注射后桑椹胚体外培养发育率极显著高于囊胚(P0.01),但注射后囊胚体外培养孵化率极显著高于桑椹胚(P0.01);未注射胚胎(注射胚胎)的体外培养发育率和孵化率分别为96.6%(89.9%)和67.8%(75.2%),未注射胚胎发育率极显著高于注射胚胎(P0.01),但注射胚胎孵化率极显著高于未注射胚胎(P0.01)。(2)将猪EG细胞分别注入猪桑椹胚、早囊、囊胚及孵化囊胚,比较不同发育时期受体胚胎移植后妊娠率以及注射胚胎和未注射胚胎体外培养的孵化率,并对猪EG细胞显微注射针和固定针的规格进行了探讨。结果表明,显微注射的桑椹胚、早囊及囊胚移植后妊娠率为67%,而显微注射的孵化囊胚移植妊娠率为0,桑椹胚、早囊及囊胚移植后受体母猪妊娠率极显著高于孵化囊胚(P0.01),由桑椹胚、早囊及囊胚注射后移植获得了两头嵌合体仔猪;显微注射和未显微注射的猪胚胎其孵化率分别为47.54%和72.97%,未注射胚胎孵化率极显著高于注射胚胎(P0.01)。确定猪EG嵌合体制作过程中,注射针外径约为30μm,内径约为25μm;固定针外直径约为130~150μm,内径约为40μm。嵌合体制作时,胚龄宜早不宜迟,桑椹胚显微注射更易操作,而且导入的时期较早,ES/EG细胞在嵌合体组织中可以有很高的贡献率,故选择桑椹胚进行注射。在本试验条件下,显微注射对小鼠胚胎发育影响不大,对猪胚胎影响较大,说明猪胚胎显微注射条件需要进一步优化。     

黄芩苷、川芎嗪对小鼠体外培养胚胎冷冻-解冻及移植效果的研究

将中药有效成分黄芩苷(Baicalin,Bai)和川芎嗪(Ligustrazine,Lig)添加到小鼠2-细胞胚胎培养液中进行体外培养,比较其体外发育能力,并将体外发育的桑椹胚、囊胚进行2种程序常规冷冻.解冻后形态正常的桑椹胚、囊胚分别培养8～14 h、6～8 h,比较各组胚胎的冷冻-解冻发育效果及冷冻胚胎移植妊娠率和产仔率等.结果各试验组胚胎孵化率,Bai组(80.6%)、Lig组(78.3%)极显著高于对照组(51.8%)(P＜0.01).孵化胚胎细胞计数结果显示, Bai组(81.9±6.2)和Lig组(83.9±7.7)与对照组(77.4±5.6)差异极显著(P＜0.01);程序1和2的桑椹胚解冻囊胚发育率,以Bai、Lig组显著高于对照组;其囊胚解冻存活率,2个试验组均好于对照组.受体妊娠率、产仔率以及初生仔鼠、离窝仔鼠平均体重、离窝成活率等指标,各组间均无显著差异(P＞0.05),但以中药有效成分各组别均好于对照组.结果表明中药有效成分Bai和Lig能显著地提高小鼠 2-细胞胚胎体外发育能力,并有利于提高冷冻-解冻后移植胚胎的发育潜力.     

不同分割液对小鼠不同阶段胚胎分割效果的影响

本实验在保存液、PBS液、0.2 mol/L蔗糖PBS液和进口分割液中对不同发育阶段的小鼠胚胎进行徒手分割,分割后的胚胎进行体外培养,探讨不同分割液对胚胎分割效果的影响。结果表明:不加血清PBS液组显著低于保存液、0.2 mol/L蔗糖PBS液、进口分割液组(P<0.05);桑椹胚组显著低于囊胚组(P<0.05)。说明在0.2 mol/L蔗糖PBS液和进口分割液中分割胚胎的成功率比较高,半胚的发育率较理想。     

转sMTPPGH基因小鼠胚胎的体外培养

采用纯化的羊金属硫蛋白（sMT)启动子指导的猪生长激素（PGH)基因(sMTPGH)为显微注射片段，将其导入小鼠受精卵原核，比较了几种不同培养液对导入外源基因的小鼠胚胎体外发育的影响。结果表明，改进的M16培养液（用mM16表示）能有效克服2－细胞阻断现象，并使转基因胚胎发育到桑椹胚或囊胚阶段。在mM16培养液的基础上，再加入表皮生长因子（EGF），可使1－细胞胚胎发育到囊胚的比率进一步提高。在3和培养液（M16,mM16,mM16 EGF)中，转基因胚胎突破2－细胞阻断期的比率分别为12％，68％，90％，发育到囊胚期的比率分别是0％，20％，43％。采用PCR方法检测57枚经体外培养发育至囊胚的显微注射胚胎，4枚扩增出阳性条带，外源基因在囊胚期胚胎的滞留率为7％。     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Chemotaxis of macrophage in inflammation

Our particular attention in this article was given to natural mediators for macrophages isolated from the sites of tissue injury. A number of chemotactic factors, which may satisfy many criteria making them acceptable as inflammatory leucocyte chemotactic factors, has been separated. Among them, our laboratory has isolated three macrophage (monocyte) chemotactic factors (MCF-a, -b and -c). Their purification, characterization and functional specificity are discussed.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein