Acetylcholinesterase activity, and neurofilament protein, and catecholamine synthesizing enzymes immunoreactivities in the mouse adrenal gland during postnatal development.

The present study showed the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and neurofilament protein (NFP), catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes, dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) immunoreactivities in the mouse adrenal gland during postnatal development. From birth to postnatal-1-day, AChE activity was weakly and diffusely found in some medullary cells and in very few nerve fibers whereas strong NFP immunoreactivity was seen in a few ganglion cells and in remarkably numerous nerve fibers in the medulla. Almost all meduallary cells were reactive for both DBH and PNMT during this period. From postnatal-2- or -3-day to postnatal-1-week, strong AChE activity was observed in a few large ganglion cells, but the reaction was weak in clusters of chromaffin cells, and the number of strong AChE-active nerve fibers in the medulla was rapidly increased. From postnatal-2-day onwards, the number of NFP-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the medulla were remarkably numerous. Numerous chromaffin cells were reactive for both DBH and PNMT whereas some chromaffin cells were reactive for only DBH from postnatal-2-day onwards. These results suggest that drastic changes such as an increase of acetylcholine in the nerve fibers, differentiation of noradrenaline and adrenaline cells of the medulla may occur during this period. From postnatal-2-week to postnatal-3-week, weak AChE activity was seen in the clusters of several chromaffin cells and a few ganglion cells, and the number of AChE-active nerve fibers in the medulla was gradually increased. From postnatal-4-week to postnatal-8-week (adult), the distribution and frequency of AChE activity in the adrenal gland were similar to those at postnatal-3-week. In the adult, AChE activity was weakly seen in the clusters of several chromaffin cells showing noradrenaline fluorescence in the adrenal medulla. The noradrenaline cells were contacted by denser AChE-reactive nerve fibers than adrenaline cells. These results suggest that the development of cholinergic nervous system in the mouse adrenal medulla may be completed by postnatal-3-week.     

Corticotropin-releasing factor immunoreactivity increases in the cerebellar climbing fibers in the novel ataxic mutant mouse, pogo

The ataxic pogo mouse (pogo/pogo) is a novel neurological mutant, which was derived as an inbred strain (KJR/MsKist) from a Korean wild mouse. The pathological manifestations include a difficulty in maintaining a normal posture, the failure of inter-limb coordination and an inability to walk straight. In this study, we examined the distribution of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) immunoreactive cerebellar climbing fibres and their projections to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactive Purkinje cells in the cerebellum of the pogo mutant mouse using immunohistochemistry. In the pogo/pogo mouse, a subset of climbing fibres was stained more intensely for CRF than in the control. Moreover, ataxic pogo mouse, neurons of the inferior olivary nucleus projecting climbing fibres were also more intensely stained for CRF than in the control. In the pogo/pogo mouse, TH immunoreactivity was located in the Purkinje cells, whereas no TH expression was found in the control. Double immunostaining for CRF and TH in the pogo/pogo cerebellum revealed that the distribution of TH-immunoreactive Purkinje cells corresponded to terminal fields of CRF-immunoreactive climbing fibres but not to the CRF-immunoreactive mossy fibres. Therefore, we suggest that an increase of CRF level may alter the function of targeted Purkinje cells and that it is related to the ataxic phenotype in the pogo mutant mouse.     

Blood supply of the ovine adrenal gland and its relevance in adrenal autotransplantation

SUMMARY The arterial supply and venous drainage of 62 left and 5 right ovine adrenal glands is described, and the contribution of individual arteries to successful adrenal gland autotransplantation was evaluated. Arterial flow was measured by direct collection from the draining adrenal vein. Assessment of function of the transplanted adrenal gland was made from survival of the sheep and by the cortisol response to infusion of ACTH and the aldosterone secretory response to infusion of angiotensin II or potassium. For the left adrenal, the principal arterial supply was from the renal artery in 21 (34%), a lumbar artery in 32 (52%), and the anterior mesenteric artery in 3. The total blood flow was 5.0 ± SEM 0.4 mL/min, the flow from the renal branch 2.3 ± 0.3 mL/min, and the principal lumbar branch 2.6 ± 0.3 mL/min. Venous drainage from the left adrenal was via a major adrenal vein to the left renal vein, but additional tributaries to the renal vein were present in 26% . The arterial supply to the adrenal is regional and omission of a branch at transplantation could result in infarction of portion of the gland. By defining arterial supply and measuring blood flow, selection of the appropriate artery or multiple arteries can achieve an adrenal gland autotransplant survival of 90% .     

Prenatal growth of the adrenal gland in sheep

From 1256 adult sheep received for clinical/post-mortem examination over an 8 1/2-year period, intestinal adenocarcinomas were diagnosed in 37 (2.9%). Mean age of the affected animals was 6.1 years. Clinical pathology and post-mortem findings are summarized.     

Besnoitia cysts in the adrenal gland of a cow

Summary

An unusual finding of Besnoitia besnoiti was discovered during histopathological examination of the adrenal gland of a cow brought to slaughter.     

Adenocarcinoma of the salivary gland in a white Swiss mouse.

A salivary gland adenocarcinoma in a white Swiss mouse used in a titration of the scrapie agent is reported. The neoplasm originated from the serous cells of the parotid salivary gland. Retroviral particles were detected in the neoplastic salivary gland cells by electron microscopy.     

Dexamethasone in cattle: pharmacokinetics and action on the adrenal gland

The pharmacokinetics of Dexamethasone (DXM) was studied in four cows all of which received DXM alcohol and DXM 21 isonicotinate (as a solution) by the intravenous and intramuscular routes. Concentrations of DXM and cortisol were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. An additional study was made in a second group of four cows which received intramuscular DXM 21 isonicotinate suspension for the assessment of DXM suppression of adrenal gland function. This was determined by measurements of base-line and ACTH-stimulated cortisol concentrations, before and following DXM administration. Following intravenous administration, the disposition kinetics of both formulations were described by a two-compartment open model. The half-times of elimination were similar; 335 and 291 min, respectively, for DXM alcohol and DXM 21 isonicotinate. All other pharmacokinetic parameters were not statistically different indicating that DXM was almost totally available (from DXM 21 isonicotinate). Following intramuscular administration, no significant difference in parameters was observed between the two formulations. Peak plasma concentrations were reached at 3 to 4 h post injection and bioavailability was approximately 70%. DXM was not detected in the plasma after the intramuscular administration of the suspension. The mean control plasma cortisol concentration was 8.8 ± 3.03 ng/ml. Following intravenous and intramuscular administrations of DXM alcohol and DXM 21 isonicotinate (solution), cortisol concentrations initially increased. However, at 120 min (intravenous) and 2–4 h (intramuscular), concentrations were negligible; 24–72 h and 48–96 h, respectively elapsed before concentrations returned control values. Following DXM 21 isonicotinate (suspension) there was no initial increase and concentrations had not returned to normal in all four cows until 52 days post administration. Similarly, ACTH-stimulated plasma cortisol concentrations decreased progressively and significantly post administration. At 52 days, response to ACTH was normal in all animals.     

人溶菌酶基因hLYZ在小鼠乳腺中的表达及其抗菌活性检测

从人胎盘组织中克隆获得人溶菌酶基因hLYZ,选用体内表达载体pcDNA3.1,构建表达载体pcDNA3.1hLYZ,并转染至小鼠体内,采集小鼠乳汁和乳腺组织,通过RT-PCR方法检测基因的表达水平,用免疫组化反应、Western blotting检测蛋白的表达,并通过体外抗菌活性检测重组人溶菌酶的抗菌活性。经酶切鉴定和核苷酸序列测定,表明重组质粒pcDNA3.1-hLYZ构建正确,小鼠乳清的SDS-PAGE电泳显示在约14700处有特异的蛋白条带出现,Western blotting检测表明成功表达了人溶菌酶,根据回归方程计算酶活性为4011U/mL,体外抗菌活性检测结果显示重组人溶菌酶对大肠杆菌有明显裂解作用。本试验成功地在小鼠乳腺中表达了重组人溶菌酶,表达的蛋白具有较高的酶活性,这些结果为哺乳动物乳腺生物反应器的研究奠定了基础。     

Phosphoric acid ester preparations used in cattle, swine and sheep with special reference to cholinesterase activity. 4. Use of phosphoric acid esters and their effect on acetylcholinesterase activity in sheep]

The use of organophosphorus preparations for the control of ectoparasites and endoparasites of sheep, particularly systemic application, is discussed. Experiments on 13 groups of sheep with five preparations produced in the German Democratic Republic in various formulations and concentrations showed that external application had good contact activity, but little was absorbed. Acetylcholinesterase activity was not inhibited, except by pour-on application of doses several times the normal dose. The preparations were arranged in order of cholinesterase inhibition. In contrast to cattle, diminished cholinesterase activity was unreliable as in indicator of systemic toxicity of organophosphorus preparations in sheep.     

Video scanning for determination of the proportion of cortical tissue in the avian adrenal gland.

The use of a video scanning apparatus (Leitz, T.A.S.) for the determination of the corticomedullary proportion in histological sections of the avian adrenal gland is described and statistically evaluated. When the video scanning method was applied to material from groups of domestic hens, which had been exposed to different experimental conditions, the results were similar to those obtained through the integrating method as described by Siller et al. (1975). The mean values obtained by both methods did not differ significantly, and there was a highly significant correlation between the counts for both methods applied on the same sections. When applying the video scanning method to 16 sections from four adrenals, repeated measurements on each of the sections showed considerable variation. However, this variation was found to be significantly smaller than the variation among the sections. It is suggested that the video scanning method could be made more precise by improvement of the staining procedure. However, on relatively large samples it seems to give reliable results, and it has a great advantage in reducing the tedious work involved in other available methods.     

Phosphoric acid ester preparations used in cattle, swine and sheep with special reference to cholinesterase activity. 3. Use of phosphoric acid ester preparations and their effect on acetylcholinesterase activity in swine]

The use of organophosphorus preparations in the treatment of ectoparasites and endoparasites of pigs is discussed. Treatment of 43 store pigs with preparations produced in the German Democratic Republic by washing and by the pour-on method resulted in considerable inactivation of acetylcholinesterase, which implies good systemic action. Overdosage increased this effect, but without producing signs of toxicity. The oral dosages for pigs cited in the literature were confirmed. Repeated treatment was recommended for the best results, as pigs rapidly break down the preparations. It is necessary to take into account adverse effects of oral administration on palatability of the ration and on weight gain. Addition of a preparation to a batch of food for a group of pigs is likely to be less successful than individual dosing, which is the best method for sows.     

Experimental infection of the mouse mammary gland with Campylobacter coli.

Campylobacter coli strains of bovine and avian origin were inoculated into the mammary gland of mice. A bovine strain isolated from a case of mastitis produced gross and histological changes in most of the glands; one bovine and one avian faecal isolate did not. Histologically, lesions were characterised by neutrophil infiltration in the alveolar spaces and necrosis and oedema in the interalveolar tissue. On bacteriological examination, the bovine mastitis strain could be isolated from most of the glands, but neither of the faecal strains. The mouse, therefore, appears to provide a convenient model for studying campylobacter mastitis.     

An evaluation of adrenal mass and adrenal cholesterol as measures of adrenal activity

1. The effects of twice daily injections of corticotrophin (1 IU/kg body weight) or restriction of food intake to 75% of normal on body mass, adrenal mass and adrenal cholesterol were determined on chicks from 1 to 21 d of age. 2. Only the birds subjected to restricted feeding showed a reduced growth rate. 3. There was no adrenal hypertrophy in birds receiving corticotrophin but in the restricted group there was transient hypertrophy at 2 weeks. 4. Depletion of adrenal cholesterol was noted only in the birds receiving corticotrophin. 5. It is concluded that neither depletion of cholesterol nor hypertrophy is an inevitable consequence of enhanced adrenal cortical activity.     

Dexamethasone and prednisolone in the horse: pharmacokinetics and action on the adrenal gland

Pharmacokinetics of dexamethasone and prednisolone were studied in 6 horses given dexamethasone alcohol (IV or IM) or dexamethasone 21-isonicotinate as a solution IV or IM (50 micrograms/kg of body weight), prednisolone 21-sodium succinate IV or IM (0.6 mg/kg of body weight), or prednisolone acetate IM (0.6 mg/kg of body weight). Plasma concentrations were determined using a high-performance liquid chromatographic method. After dexamethasone alcohol (IV) or dexamethasone 21-isonicotinate (IV), the half-life of elimination was similar (53 minutes) for both formulations. After dexamethasone (alcohol and isonicotinate, IM), concentrations were low or nondetected. After prednisolone 21-sodium succinate (IV), the half-life of elimination (99.5 minutes) was significantly (P less than 0.01) longer than that for dexamethasone. After prednisolone 21-sodium succinate (IM), absorption was rapid and bioavailability was high. After prednisolone acetate (IM), absorption was slow and prednisolone was present in plasma for about 7 days. Due to the nonlinearity of prednisolone kinetics, a bioavailability higher than 100% was obtained. The basal plasma hydrocortisone concentration was approximately 70 ng/ml. After dexamethasone (IV or IM), plasma hydrocortisone values decreased after a 2-hour delay and returned to base line after a 3 to 4 day delay. After prednisolone 21-sodium succinate (IV or IM), plasma hydrocortisone decreased immediately (IV) or rapidly (IM) and returned to base line after a 24-hour delay. After prednisolone acetate (IM), plasma hydrocortisone decreased for up to 21 days.     

Identification of irisin immunoreactivity in porcupine (Hystrix cristata) adrenal glands and kidneys

Irisin, a novel peptide, was initially been shown to be expressed explicitly in the muscle tissues. We studied the presence of irisin immunoreactivity in porcupine adrenal glands and kidneys. Immunocytochemistry showed that irisin was localised both in the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla. In organs, irisin immunoreactivity was found in the tubular and collecting system of the nephron. The functional role of irisin in the adrenal gland and kidney has not been precisely yet. However, irisin might have a paracrine and autocrine function as do other locally produced peptides.