Decrease in mass of slow and fast tenotomized muscles of guinea pigs: role of nerve impulses and neurogenic factors

The role of nerve impulses and neurogenic factors in the decrease in muscle mass following tenotomy was investigated in 30 adult (15 males, 15 females) guinea pigs. Unilateral tenotomy, neurectomy and simultaneous tenotomy and neurectomy of slow and fast hindlimb muscles were performed in 3 groups respectively. Each group comprised 10 guinea pigs. The unoperated hindlimb of each animal in each group served as control. The weight loss occurred in both slow and fast muscles but was greater in the slow soleus muscle as compared to the fast gastrocnemius muscle. In each muscle the weight loss was least in the tenotomized group. This was followed by the weight loss in the neurectomized group. The greatest weight loss was observed in the simultaneously tenotomized and neurectomized group. These observations agree with the suggestion of other workers that a possible neurogenic factor flowing from the nerves to the muscles was very significant in maintenance of muscle fibre stability. It indicated also that simultaneous neurectomy and tenotomy did not prevent degenerative changes in slow and fast muscles and that it was not nerve impulses reaching the tenotomized muscles that were responsible for degenerative changes observed but that other factors were responsible.     

Growth and carcass composition of female turkeys implanted with anabolic agents and fed high-protein and low-protein diets

This laboratory investigated the anabolic effect of the synthetic steroid trienbolone acetate (TA) and found it effective in male and female meat turkeys without any apparent gross abnormalities (Poultry Sci., 61: 1386, 1982). The present study was undertaken to characterize the response of female turkeys, fed equicaloric diets varying in dietary protein density to anabolic agents implanted at 13 wks. TA and zeranol (Z) were tested singly and in combination (TAZ). Body weight gain and feed conversion at 16 wks of age were improved (P less than 0.01) with TA and TAZ. The response to TA was enhanced as dietary protein density increased. Carcass fat, protein, ash, energy, potassium, and calcium were not altered by implant treatment. A trend existed toward increased carcass fat with zeranol implantation. Carcass moisture (P less than 0.01) and sodium (P less than 0.05) were increased in the TA treatment. Blood plasma electrolytes were not affected by implant treatments but plasma calcium was decreased (P less than 0.05) by TAZ. No synergism was noted between TA and Z with respect to growth, feed conversion, carcass composition, plasma electrolytes with the exception of plasma calcium. No interaction was observed between dietary protein density and implant treatment. Performance variables increased and carcass fat decreased with increasing dietary protein density. These results confirm our earlier finding with respect to TA and provide additional evidence that dietary protein density influences the response of meat turkeys to TA. The data show that zeranol lacks an anabolic effect in turkeys.     

Comparative Pathologic and Hematologic Effects in Various Species Fed Cholesterol and Fats

The hematologic response in various animal species fed cholesterol and fat differed with the species and sex. Male rabbits, chickens and guinea pigs could not adequately comensate for the demand for increased red cell production and developed anemia. Female guinea pigs given added cholesterol and fat maintained adequate blood cell production but may have become anemic if the test period had been extended. Bone marrow production was increased in male rats and was sufficient to compensate for red cell loss. Blood and bone marrow values were not altered in female chickens by the dietary treatment. Fatty changes in the liver were common to all species fed added cholesterol and fat but gastric lesions were seen only in the rabbit.     

Decrease in mass of slow and fast tenotomized muscles of guinea pigs: Role of nerve impulses and neurogenic factors

The role of nerve impulses and neurogenic factors in the decrease in muscle mass following tenotomy was investigated in 30 adult (15 males, 15 females) guinea pigs. Unilateral tenotomy, neurectomy and simultaneous tenotomy and neurectomy of slow and fast hindlimb muscles were performed in 3 groups respectively. Each group comprised 10 guinea pigs. The unoperated hindlimb of each animal in each group served as control. The weigyt loss occurred in both slow and fast muscles but was greater in the slow soleus muscle as compared to the fast gastrocnemius muscle. In each muscle the weight loss was least in the tenotomized group. This was followed by the weight loss in the neurectomized group. The greatest weight loss was observed in the simultaneously tenotomized and neurectomized group. These observations agree with the suggestion of other workers that a possible neurogenic factor flowing from the nerves to the muscles was very significant in maintenance of muscle fibre stability. It indicated also that simultaneous neurectomy and tenotomy did not prevent degenerative changes in slow and fast muscles and that it was not nerve impulses reaching the tenotomized muscles that were responsible for degenerative changes observed but that other factors were responsible.     

乙基纤维素包被VC对SPF级豚鼠繁殖影响的初步研究

为评价乙基纤维素包被VC对SPF级豚鼠繁殖性能的影响,选取SPF级繁育适龄雄性豚鼠24只,雌性豚鼠72只,按性别随机分成对照组、试验组Ⅰ、试验组Ⅱ、试验组Ⅲ,每组24只,其中雄性6只,雌性18只。试验组Ⅰ、试验组Ⅱ、试验组Ⅲ豚鼠饲料中分别添加500、1 000、1 500 mg/kg的乙基纤维素包被VC,对照组饲料中添加1 800 mg/kg的单体VC。使母鼠完成2胎的生产,期间观察母鼠妊娠期情况、有无脱毛、流产情况和生产仔鼠的健康状况,计算各组母鼠受孕率、产仔率、仔鼠出生重、离乳率。结果表明,当乙基纤维素包被VC添加量为500 mg/kg时,可获得与添加单体VC一致的饲养效果;当乙基纤维素包被VC添加量为1 000 mg/kg时,SPF级豚鼠繁育指标达到最优,可满足繁殖状态下SPF级豚鼠对VC的需求;当乙基纤维素包被VC添加量为1 500 mg/kg时,SPF级豚鼠繁育指标并无显著变化。综上提示,饲料中添加乙基纤维素包被VC代替单体VC进行SPF级豚鼠饲养切实可行,且乙基纤维素包被VC最优添加量为1 000 mg/kg。     

Birth weight and measurements of various body parts of stillborn calves of a large dairy cattle herd]

Stillborn calves (80 animals) originating from one dairy herd were used for studies on allometric measures in newborn calves. In the first approach some factors were neglected and only the effect of the calves' sex was considered. Differences in mean birthweight between male and female calves were reflected in organ and other body constituent weights too, but with different relations between them. Enlarged thyroid glands could be observed in both sexes but more often in female calves meaning that there is no correlation between thyroid size and body weight. Strong correlations of bones, muscles and outer body measures and looser ones of internal organs (thymus, liver, lung, kidneys, spleen) and endocrine glands (adrenal glands) with body weight were found especially in male calves. In some calves the sometimes enlarged liver looked like a fatty liver with its pale yellowish appearance and crumbly consistency.     

Effects provoked by chronic undernourishment on the fibre type composition and contractility of fast muscles in male and female developing rats

In this study, we compare the effects of pre‐ and post‐natal food deprivation on the relative proportion of fibre types and contractile responses in the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle of female and male rats at different post‐natal ages. EDL muscles from undernourished male (UM) rats showed a higher proportion of Type IIB than IIA fibres and larger normalized twitch responses (with respect to muscle weight) than those of controls (CM). In contrast, EDL muscles from control (CF) and undernourished female rats (UF) showed no significant differences in their fibre type composition and normalized twitch forces at most of the ages analysed. Our data are indicative that the EDL muscles from undernourished males are more susceptible to the effects exerted by low food income than the EDL muscles from female rats. It is proposed that changes in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration and hormonal factors, due to undernutrition, are involved in the alterations observed in the fibre type composition and force production of EDL muscles in undernourished male rats and that estrogens may have an antioxidant protective role on the undernourished EDL muscles in female rats.     

The effect of severe dietary protein restriction on skeletal muscle fiber number, area and composition in weanling rats

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the effects of severe dietary protein restriction on soleus (S) and tibialis anterior (TA) fiber number and S muscle fiber area, composition and length. The S and TA muscles were removed from one leg of 12 male Sprague-Dawley rats at 21 d of age. Six of these animals were placed on a 1% protein diet until 42 d of age, while six served as age-matched controls. Muscle fiber number was determined by the nitric acid digestion method for S muscles and the mean fiber dry-weight estimation method for the TA muscles. Mean fiber numbers for the S muscles were 2,655 +/- 42 and 2,669 +/- 71 for the treatment group at 21 and 42 d of age, respectively, and 15,989 +/- 899 and 16,067 +/- 695 at 21 and 42 d of age, respectively, for the TA muscle. For the age-matched control group, fiber numbers for the S muscle were 2,928 +/- 78 and 2,949 +/- 76 at 21 and 42 d, respectively, and 17,964 +/- 281 and 18,445 +/- 296 at 21 and 42 d, respectively, for the TA muscle. The S muscle fiber area, composition and length were studied using 12 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Six animals were placed on the 1% protein diet from 21 to 42 d of age, while six animals served as age-matched controls. The S muscle fiber area was 33.1 and 51.5% smaller for type I and type II fibers, respectively, for animals fed the 1% protein diet. The S fiber length was 27.9% less in animals fed the 1% protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

大鼠与家兔生后发育期趾浅屈肌纤维间的比较

肌纤维的分类建立在它们所含有的不同肌球蛋白重链(MHC)异构体基础上,对大鼠和家兔生后发育各年龄阶段趾浅屈肌采用标准的肌动球蛋白ATP酶和琥珀酸脱氢酶组织化学染色。在生后2周龄至24周龄的大鼠和家兔,I型和ⅡⅩ型肌纤维百分比例趋于减少,而ⅡA型和ⅡB型纤维百分比例则增加。进行大量单肌纤维的组织化学特征的比较和肌纤维间相关性探讨,结果表明,动物平均体重与趾浅屈肌的平均湿重随着生后发育逐渐增加。Ⅰ,ⅡⅩ,ⅡA型和ⅡB型纤维均在生后各年龄组的全部肌肉内被发现,但生后2日龄组是个例外。在生后发育期间,雄性大鼠和家兔ⅡB型纤维的平均肌纤维型构成要大于雌性大鼠和家兔,而雄性大鼠和家兔Ⅰ,ⅡⅩ型和ⅡA型3种氧化组织化学分类的肌纤维型构成均小于雌性大鼠和家兔。大鼠Ⅰ,ⅡⅩ,ⅡA型和ⅡB型纤维的平均横切面积明显小于家兔的同类型肌纤维,在大鼠和家兔可见明显的性别差异。在大鼠和家兔的ⅡⅩ型纤维横切面积是最小的,Ⅰ型和ⅡA型纤维呈中等大小横切面积,ⅡB型纤维横切面积最大。此研究有助于我们尝试研究啮齿类动物快肌纤维生理特征的适应性。     

Contraceptive effect and potential side-effects of deslorelin acetate implants in rats (Rattus norvegicus): Preliminary observations

During the last ten years, numerous species have been treated with deslorelin implants to induce contraception. The aims of the study were 1) to assess contraceptive efficacy of 4.7 mg subcutaneous deslorelin implants in rats, 2) to determine the latency of contraceptive effect, and 3) to determine potential side effects. Three experimental females were implanted and their estrous cycle was studied by vaginal smear. Two weeks after implantation, a male whose fertility was previously assessed with a control female, was introduced into their cage. No female conceived during the 4 mo following implantation. Additionally, 38 pet rats were recruited from clients in practice to test for potential side effects, including 6 males and 32 females with a mean age of 14 mo. Local reaction and transient weight gain during the first 2 wk, as well as behavioral changes were recorded. According to this pilot study, deslorelin implant could be used as a contraceptive method in female rats. The latency period is about 2 wk. Nevertheless, it might be possible to refine the treatment further using hormonal measurements. The duration of contraceptive effect is to be determined in an upcoming study.     

Toxicologic studies of a conjugate of asparaginase and polyethylene glycol in mice, rats, and dogs

A conjugate of asparaginase and monomethoxypolyethylene glycol was evaluated in acute, subacute, and subchronic toxicologic studies in mice, rats, and dogs. The drug induced low-grade toxicosis. The appearance and behavior of rats and dogs were not affected by the treatment. Only large doses produced inactivity, loss of appetite, and loss of weight. The LD50 could not be established. The drug retarded slightly body weight gains in dogs and female rats and produced mild anemia in 30% of the female rats. Urinalysis and blood chemical determinations in rats and dogs were generally not affected by the treatment. Monomethoxypolyethylene glycol-asparaginase was detectable in the plasma of mice 13 days after IV, intraperitoneal, or IM administration, and in dogs for 3 to 4 weeks.     

Reproductive performance of rats supplemented with L-carnitine

It has been shown previously that supplementation of sows with l-carnitine increases their reproduction performance. The current study was carried out to investigate if feeding of l-carnitine also affects the reproduction performance of rats. Thirty female rats at 4 weeks of age were divided into two groups. The rats were fed diets with or without l-carnitine (1 g/kg diet) over a period of 34 weeks. After 8 weeks of feeding, the female rats were mated the first time. Two more reproductive cycles followed, with 3-week intervals in between. Body weight development of the females was similar in both groups during the whole experimental period. Number of pregnancies and number of total rat pups, pups born alive and stillborn pups were not influenced by l-carnitine. There was also no influence of dietary l-carnitine on the body weight of individual pups and the litter weights at birth. Weight development of litters differed between both groups on several days, but no uniform effect of l-carnitine was observed. Body weight development of weaned rats fed a commercial diet was different between both groups, but only in one reproduction cycle. In conclusion, this study shows that l-carnitine supplementation does not improve the reproductive performance of rats.     

Life cycle of the tick Amblyomma parvum Aragão, 1908 (Acari: Ixodidae) and suitability of domestic hosts under laboratory conditions

Amblyomma parvum is a widespread Neotropical tick found on several domestic animals and is known to harbor a Rickettsia species of yet unknown pathogenicity. However its life cycle on, and suitability of, several of these hosts has not been described. In this work the biology of A. parvum is presented when fed on seven domestic hosts (chicken, dog, rabbit, horse, guinea pig, cattle and goat). The complete life cycle of the tick varied from 96.8 to 102 days. Highest engorgement weight of larvae was from ticks fed on horses and that of nymphs from guinea pigs. Highest larval yield was from guinea pigs and that of nymphs from horses. Engorged female and egg mass weights, yield and conversion of female weight to eggs rates were the highest in dog ticks and the lowest in goat ticks. The highest egg hatching rate was seen in ticks from dogs and the lowest in ticks from cattle. Overall it was seen that dogs were the best host for adult A. parvum ticks, and guinea pigs for immatures. Horses were also shown to be a good host for all tick stages. It can thus be affirmed that A. parvum is a host generalist tick, and its distribution is probably determined by environmental requirements rather than by hosts.     

Differential Growth in the Supracoracoideus Muscles of Male and Female Turkeys

The growth of supracoracoideus muscles in male and female turkeys was measured at two week intervals for 20 weeks after hatching. Growth in weight of the supracoracoideus was closely related to growth of the adjacent pectoralis and coracobrachialis muscle. Growth curves for muscle length and fascicular length exhibited marked deceleration so that more than 75% of the length at 20 weeks had been reached by 10 weeks. Growth curves for weight, cross sectional area at the muscle midlength and myofibre diameter were approximately linear with 50% or less of the 20 week growth attainment being reached by 10 weeks. Supracoracoideus muscles in most males had a greater cross sectional area and were longer and heavier than those in females. At 20 weeks, the greater mass of supracoracoideus muscles in males was due to radial and not longitudinal myofibre growth.     

约氏乳杆菌对大鼠生长性能、血液指标及脏器指数的影响

本试验旨在研究约氏乳杆菌对大鼠生长性能、血液指标及脏器指数的影响。试验选取SD大鼠80只,雌雄各半。大鼠按照体重相近的原则随机分为4个剂量组,即阴性对照组、试验Ⅰ(5 000 mg/kg体重)、试验Ⅱ(1 000 mg/kg体重)和试验Ⅲ组(200 mg/kg体重)。试验期为30 d。结果表明:试验剂量为200~1 000 mg/kg体重时,约氏乳杆菌对大鼠体增重、总采食量、饲料转化率、血液学指标和病理学指标的影响无显著性差异(P>0.05);试验剂量为5 000 mg/kg体重时,谷草转氨酶、血糖、总胆固醇差异不显著(P>0.05);与其他剂量组相比,大鼠的体增重和总采食量显著降低(P<0.05),但饲料转化率无显著差异(P>0.05);谷丙转氨酶水平显著降低(P<0.05),白蛋白和总蛋白显著增高(P<0.05);雌性大鼠尿素氮和雄性大鼠肌酐显著增高(P<0.05)。综合分析,约氏乳杆菌剂量低于1 000 mg/kg体重时,对大鼠平均日增重、血液指标及脏器指数无影响;约氏乳杆菌剂量高于5 000 mg/kg体重时,对大鼠脏器指数有影响。     

Vaccination with Trypanosoma rangeli induces resistance of guinea pigs to virulent Trypanosoma cruzi

Chagas’ disease, endemic in Latin America, is spread in natural environments through animal reservoirs, including marsupials, mice and guinea pigs. Farms breeding guinea pigs for food are located in some Latin-American countries with consequent risk of digestive infection. The aim of this work was to study the effect of vaccination with Trypanosoma rangeli in guinea pigs challenged with Trypanosoma cruzi. Animals were vaccinated with fixated epimastigotes of T. rangeli, emulsified with saponin. Controls received only PBS. Before being challenged with T. cruzi, parasitemia, survival rates and histological studies were performed. The vaccinated guinea pigs revealed significantly lower parasitemia than controls (p < 0.0001–0.01) and a discrete lymphomonocytic infiltrate in cardiac and skeletal muscles was present. In the chronic phase, the histological view was normal. In contrast, control group revealed amastigote nests and typical histopathological alterations compatible with chagasic myocarditis, endocarditis and pericarditis. These results, together with previous works in our laboratory, show that T. rangeli induces immunoprotection in three species of animals: mice, guinea pigs and dogs. The development of vaccines for use in animals, like domestic dogs and guinea pigs in captivity, opens up new opportunities for preventive tools, and could reduce the risk of infection with T. cruzi in the community.     

The leucine metabolite 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyrate (HMB) modifies protein turnover in muscles of laboratory rats and domestic chickens in vitro

This study was conducted to assess the in vitro effects of leucine and 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyrate (HMB) on protein synthesis and degradation in isolated rat and chick muscles. Isolated muscles — extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (S) in rats and EDL and tibialis anterior (TA) in chicks — were taken out intact and incubated in Krebs—Henseleit buffer with [¹⁴C]phenylalanine. Protein synthesis was then determined by measuring [¹⁴C]phenylalanine incorporation into protein and protein breakdown was estimated by net release of tyrosine from muscle proteins. In all muscles investigated leucine stimulated protein synthesis (average 20%; p < 0.05 versus control) but only slightly reduced proteolysis (average 8%, NS). In contrast, HMB had no significant effect on protein synthesis but consistently decreased protein degradation in the range from −29% (p < 0.01 versus control) in rat extensor digitorus longus to −5% (NS) in rat soleus muscles. HMB appeared to suppress protein degradation more in white muscle fibres than in red muscle fibres (at least in the rat). These data support observations in humans indicating that HMB decreases muscle proteolysis. It is suggested that metabolism of leucine to HMB could be responsible for the reported suppressive effects of leucine on protein breakdown.     

Effect of zearalenone on early pregnancy in guinea pigs

Female guinea pigs were tested to determine whether they could serve as a model of zearalenone (ZEN) toxicosis during early pregnancy, as observed in domestic swine. Only 1 of 4 female guinea pigs that were given 21 mg of ZEN/kg of body weight orally during the first 8 days after mating was pregnant when examined 22 days after mating. Guinea pigs that were given 7 or 14 mg of ZEN/kg had normal fetal development. Serum concentrations of progesterone were less than 12 ng/ml in all guinea pigs 8 and 15 days after mating. Serum concentrations of progesterone were greater than 100 ng/ml in pregnant guinea pigs on day 22, but remained less than 12 ng/ml in nonpregnant guinea pigs. Three of 5 guinea pigs treated with 20 mg of ZEN/kg and only 1 of 4 guinea pigs given 30 mg of ZEN/kg on days 1 to 3 after mating were pregnant 22 days after mating. Female guinea pigs treated with 20 or 30 mg of ZEN/kg on days 4 to 5 or 6 to 8 after mating and female guinea pigs treated with 60 or 90 mg of ZEN/kg on days 4 and 5 after mating had normal pregnancies. Serum concentrations of progesterone were less than 10 ng/ml in all guinea pigs on day 15 and remained low on day 22 only in nonpregnant guinea pigs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

苜蓿黄酮对雌性大鼠生长和繁殖性能的影响

为了研究苜蓿黄酮对大鼠生长、繁殖及内分泌系统的影响,本实验设计了3个苜蓿黄酮剂量组(120,400,1 200 mg/kg)和2个对照组(己烯雌酚0.5 mg/kg、空白对照组)。通过化学发光法对大鼠雌二醇(E2)、催乳素(PRL)、孕酮(P)、生长激素(GH)检测,并对大鼠繁殖相关的指标,包括子宫湿重/系数、卵巢湿重/系数、采食量、日增重、产仔数、初生窝重进行测定。结果显示,低剂量的苜蓿黄酮显著提高了性成熟雌鼠的E2水平以及子宫湿重/系数(P<0.05),显著降低了卵巢湿重/系数(P<0.05)。对未性成熟雌鼠,苜蓿黄酮对激素的影响不显著,但中、低剂量组显著降低了子宫湿重(P<0.05)。此外,苜蓿黄酮和对照组比,在采食量上不存在显著差异,但性成熟大鼠的产仔数和初生窝重有提高的趋势,中、高剂量组的产仔数和空白对照比,分别提高0.4%和2.2%。中、高剂量组的初生窝重和空白对照比,分别提高5.14%和0.10%,但差异性并不显著(P>0.05)。配种前灌胃不同剂量的苜蓿黄酮在一定程度上影响了性成熟和未性成熟雌鼠的激素分泌和生殖器官的发育, 但未能明显改善雌鼠的繁殖性能。