Activation of equine neutrophils by phorbol myristate acetate or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine induces a different response in reactive oxygen species production and release of active myeloperoxidase

Neutrophil (PMN) contribution to the acute inflammatory processes may lead to an excessive generation of reactive oxygen metabolites species (ROS) and secretion of granule enzymes. We compared the effects of either phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) in combination with a pre-treatment by cytochalasin B (CB) on the production of ROS and the release of total and active myeloperoxidase (MPO) by isolated equine PMNs. The ROS production was assessed by lucigenin dependent chemiluminescence (CL) and ethylene release by α-keto-γ-methylthiobutyric acid (KMB) oxidation. In the supernatant of activated PMNs, total equine MPO was measured by ELISA and active MPO by the SIEFED (Specific Immunologic Extraction Followed by Enzymatic Detection) technique that allows for the study of the interaction of a compound directly with the enzyme. The stimulation of PMNs with CB-fMLP only modestly increased the release of MPO, but more than 70% of released MPO was active. PMA stimulation markedly increased the production of ROS and release of MPO, but more than 95% of released MPO was inactive. When PMNs were pre-incubated with superoxide dismutase (SOD) prior to PMA activation, the lucigenin enhanced CL, which is linked to the superoxide anion (O₂⁻) production, was much more decreased than KMB oxidation, linked to the hydroxyl-like radical production. The addition of SOD prior to the activation of PMNs by PMA also limited the loss of the activity of released MPO. These results confirm the key role of O₂⁻ generation in the ROS cascade in PMN and reveal its critical role on MPO inactivation.     

Measurement of phagocytosis and oxidative burst of canine neutrophils: high variation in healthy dogs

Quantitative analysis of phagocytosis and oxidative burst in canine polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells was performed by flow cytometry techniques. Different concentrations of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were used to modulate PMN phagocytosis. A low concentration of PMA (3 nmol) resulted in increased phagocytic activity of canine PMN, which could not be enhanced by higher dosages. Experiments with a reference cell population showed high losses of PMN, most probably by adherence to plastic material. It was possible to avoid this loss by layering all ingredients on cushions of Histopaque. However, Histopaque had a negative influence on the phagocytic activity of canine PMN. The use of PMA led to a dosage-dependent increase in the oxidative burst measured by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cushions of Histopaque were used to avoid cell loss. There was no negative influence of Histopaque on ROS formation. Storage of canine PMN for 24 h at room temperature had no negative influence on phagocytosis or oxidative burst measurements. Variations in the ROS assays conducted by two different examiners could be eliminated by use of a Histopaque-cushion.     

Concentrations of corticosteroids, leukocytes, and immunoglobulins in blood and milk after administration of ACTH to lactating dairy cattle: effects on phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus by polymorphonuclear leukocytes

A study was conducted to determine relationships among plasma and milk corticosteroids, milk immunoglobulins, and phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) isolated from milk of cows given injections of 0 (saline solution only), 100, and 200 IU of ACTH. Also determined were the effects of ACTH on mobilization of PMN into milk from the mammary gland irritated by infusion of 100 ml of saline solution containing 0.1% oyster glycogen. Cows (n = 10) were injected 6 times within a 48-hour period with 0, 100, or 200 IU of ACTH. Immediately before cows were given the 5th injection, 2 mammary quarters were infused with the saline-glycogen solution. Five hours after the 6th injection, milk from infused quarters was collected, and PMN were isolated, washed, and resuspended in autologous skimmed milk collected 5 hours after the 4th injection and before the udder was infused. Isolated PMN were incubated with S aureus and percentage of phagocytosis was determined. Concentrations of total corticosteroids in plasma and milk increased after cows were given injections of 100 and 200 IU of ACTH. The concentrations of IgA, IgG1, IgG2, IgM, and bovine serum albumin in milk after 4 injections of 0, 100, and 200 IU of ACTH were similar to preinjection (base line) concentrations. Injections of 100 and 200 IU of ACTH significantly increased the concentrations of total circulating leukocytes. Concentrations of leukocytes in milk tended to increased with increasing doses of ACTH, but the differences were not significant. Injection of 100 and 200 IU of ACTH reduced phagocytosis of S aureus by PMN. After 60 minutes of incubation, phagocytosis averaged 57% and 54%, respectively, for the ACTH treatments and 70% for controls (saline only). Results indicate that injections of ACTH that result in physiologic and pharmacologic plasma concentrations of corticosteroids inhibit phagocytosis. Impairment of phagocytosis appeared to be a direct effect of corticosteroid concentration o PMN and was not due to reduced concentrations of immunolobulins. These data indicate that reduced phagocytosis by PMN could be important in increased susceptibility to disease during stress in lactating dairy cows.     

The influence of extracellular and phagolysosomal pH changes on the bactericidal activity of bovine neutrophils against Staphylococcus aureus

The influence of the pH of suspending medium on bovine neutrophil (PMN) function was assessed in tests of phagocytosis and killing of Staphylococcus aureus. Intracellular killing was markedly inhibited by moderate extracellular acidification whereas phagocytosis was little affected, except at the lowest pH level (pH 5.0). The killing of S. aureus by extracts of isolated PMN lysosomal granules showed a similar pH dependence and was optimal at pH levels above neutrality. Survival of S. aureus within PMN from different cows varied significantly and the relative differences in PMN bactericidal efficiency were maintained at all pH levels. The acidification of extracellular medium during incubation which resulted from metabolic activity of the PMN themselves, increased with increasing ratios of bacteria:PMN and varied significantly among cows. Addition of methylamine (10 mM) to elevate phagolysosomal pH inhibited phagocytosis and had no effect on intracellular survival of S. aureus. However, a lower concentration (1.5 mM) did not affect phagocytosis, but reduced bacterial survival without altering the relative differences in efficiency of PMN from different cows. It is suggested that the acidity of the extracellular medium may both reflect and influence the pH changes occurring within PMN phagosomes and, thereby, modulate the efficiency of intracellular destruction of S. aureus.     

Comparison of the response of bovine and human neutrophils to various stimuli.

Elastase release, oxidant production and cytoplasmic Ca2+ fluxes by bovine and human neutrophils were compared using sensitive kinetic assays on a photon-counting spectrofluorometer. The stimulants used were phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), cytochalasin B, zymosan opsonized with bovine complement (bOZ) or human complement (hOZ), calcium ionophore, formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) and concanavalin A (Con A). The respiratory burst of bovine and human neutrophils was stimulated by PMA and OZ but not by cytochalasin B, or calcium ionophore. Con A weakly stimulated this response in human neutrophils but not bovine. FMLP stimulated the respiratory burst of human but not bovine neutrophils. For evaluation of elastase release, human neutrophils were pretreated with cytochalasin B for 5 min and then stimulated. Cytochalasin B alone did not stimulate elastase release from human neutrophils. Phorbol myristate acetate, calcium ionophore, hOZ, FMLP and Con A did stimulate human neutrophils pretreated with cytochalasin B to release elastase. Human serum OZ was also able to stimulate elastase release from human neutrophils not pretreated with cytochalasin B. Some bovine neutrophils released elastase in response to cytochalasin B alone. Those bovine neutrophils that did not release elastase in response to cytochalasin B alone released elastase when stimulated with Con A or calcium ionophore after cytochalasin B pretreatment. Bovine neutrophils did not release elastase in response to FMLP or PMA with or without cytochalasin B pretreatment, but did release elastase in response to bOZ alone. Total elastase activity of bovine neutrophils was determined to be about 50 times less than that of human neutrophils. Intracellular calcium fluxes were stimulated in human neutrophils by calcium ionophore, FMLP, hOZ and Con A but not by PMA or cytochalasin B. Bovine neutrophil calcium fluxes were stimulated by calcium ionophore, Con A and bOZ; cytochalasin B also stimulated bovine neutrophils to increase cytoplasmic calcium concentration. Cytoplasmic calcium fluxes were not stimulated in bovine neutrophils by PMA or FMLP. In summary, human and bovine neutrophils respond similarly to calcium ionophore and OZ, but differently to PMA, cytochalasin B, Con A and FMLP.     

In vitro effects of very low levels of aflatoxin B₁ on free radicals production and bactericidal activity of bovine blood neutrophils

As one of the most potent and hazardous feed/food-originated mycotoxins, aflatoxin (AF) B? is regarded as a potent immunosuppressor in dairy cows. Neutrophils (PMN), as key effector cells against pathogens, have a high potential to kill engulfed microbes. To investigate the in vitro effects of very low doses of AFB? on blood PMN functions, we examined the effects of biologically relevant concentrations of AFB? on the phagocytosis and non-phagocytosis dependent luminol, representative of mainly intracellular free radicals, and isoluminol, representative of mainly extracellular free radicals, chemiluminescence (CL), necrosis and apoptosis of PMN. Isolated blood PMN from healthy dairy cows (n=12) were exposed to 0, 0.01, 0.05 and 0.5 ng/ml of AFB? for 0.5 and 18 h depending on the assay. Further, blood PMN of healthy dairy cows (n=8) were exposed to 0.5 ng/ml of AFB? for 3h and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, superoxide anion (O??) production, phagocytosis and killing activities against Staphylococcus (S.) aureus and Escherichia (E.) coli, were examined. Though the effect of extremely low doses of AFB? were less pronounced, at 0.5 ng/ml the production of free radicals was greatly enhanced, especially extracellularly. In contrast to isoluminol CL, the AFB?-treated PMN showed a remarkably impaired phagocytosis-depended luminol CL. PMN necrosis and apoptosis were not affected by AFB?. MPO activity, O?? production, phagocytosis rates and killing of E. coli and S. aureus by AFB?-treated PMN were significantly lower than those of non-treated ones. Our results show the extracellularly pro-oxidant and antiphagocytic properties of very low doses of AFB? for bovine PMN. The scope of the suppressive effects of the in vitro AFB? levels on cellular innate immune functions should be considered for high yielding dairy cows.     

Sevoflurane inhibits equine myeloperoxidase release and activity in vitro

Objective To investigate the effects of the volatile anaesthetic sevoflurane on the release of total and active myeloperoxidase (MPO) by non‐stimulated and stimulated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in whole blood from healthy horses. Study design In vitro experimental study. Animals Adult healthy horses. Methods Samples of whole venous blood were collected and incubated in air or in air plus 2.3% or 4.6% sevoflurane for 1 hour. PMNs were stimulated with N‐formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (fMLP), with a combination of cytochalasin B (CB) and fMLP or with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Total and active MPO contents released by PMNs in blood were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and specific immunological extraction followed by enzymatic detection (SIEFED) respectively. Additional experiments were performed to assess the effect of sevoflurane on the peroxidase and chlorination cycles of purified equine MPO using Amplex Red and 3’‐(p‐aminophenyl) fluorescein as fluorogenic substrates respectively. Results As compared with air alone, 1 hour exposure of whole blood to 4.6% sevoflurane in air significantly inhibited the release of total and active MPO by unstimulated and both fMLP‐ and CB + fMLP‐stimulated PMNs but not by PMA‐stimulated PMNs. Although 2.3% sevoflurane had no effect on total MPO release by unstimulated and stimulated PMNs, it significantly reduced the release of active MPO by unstimulated and fMLP‐stimulated PMNs. Additionally, sevoflurane reversibly inhibited the activity of MPO, especially the peroxidase cycle of the enzyme. Conclusions and clinical relevance Although our experimental study was not designed to assess the effects of sevoflurane in vivo, this inhibition of MPO release and activity may have relevance for anaesthetized horses and deserves further studies to examine the clinical importance of these findings.     

Effect of cephapirin and mecillinam on the phagocytic and respiratory burst activity of neutrophil leukocytes isolated from bovine blood

Antimicrobial therapy is the most commonly used treatment of bacterial infections in dairy cows. Polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes (PMN) play an important role in the first line defence against invading bacteria and it is important that the function of PMN is not compromised by antibiotics. We investigated the in vitro effect of cephapirin, a first generation cephalosporin, and mecillinam, an amidinopenicillin with activity against mainly Gram-negative bacteria, on phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity of PMN isolated from bovine blood. After in vitro incubation of PMN with different concentrations of the antibiotics, phagocytosis was evaluated by flow cytometry and respiratory burst activity was evaluated by registration of chemiluminescence (CL) with a luminometer. None of the investigated concentrations of cephapirin and mecillinam had an effect in vitro on phagocytosis of Escherichia coli by PMN. At high concentrations (100 and 1000 μg/mL), cephapirin and mecillinam reduced the respiratory burst activity of PMN. Part of these suppressive effects could be ascribed to oxidant scavenging. Inhibitory effects of cephapirin were stronger than mecillinam. In conclusion, cephapirin and mecillinam did not seem to affect antibacterial activity of PMN isolated from bovine blood in vitro at therapeutic concentrations.     

Phagocytosis of opsonized fluorescent microspheres by equine polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Equine blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were isolated by buffy coat and hypotonic lysis of residual erythrocytes. A highly reproducible method is described for measuring the uptake of opsonized latex microspheres by equine PMN using flowcytometry. The use of cytochalasin D allowed for differentiation of ingested from attached particles. The kinetics of phagocytosis in vitro is shown for different experimental conditions. We developed an assay for evaluation of phagocytic capacity of PMN which allows the assessment of drugs for their influence on phagocytosis in vivo as well as in vitro.     

Secretory activity of equine polymorphonuclear leukocytes: stimulus specificity and priming effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide.

Neutrophil (PMN) contributions to the acute inflammatory process and host defense include generation of bioreactive oxygen metabolites and secretion of granule enzymes. We assessed equine PMN secretion using several PMN stimuli, singly and in combination with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS avidly associated with equine PMN, as shown by strong PMN labeling with FITC-conjugated LPS. LPS alone (1 or 10 micrograms ml-1) was a weak stimulus for PMN superoxide anion (O2-) generation, but preincubation with LPS followed by phorbol ester (PMA, 10 ng ml-1) significantly augmented (P less than 0.01) secretion of O2- (19.38 nmol O2- per 2 x 10(6) PMN per 5 min) over the amount generated by PMA stimulation alone (13.75 nmol O2-). A qualitatively similar, but smaller O2(-)-generation response occurred when either opsonized zymosan or recombinant human C5a was used as the PMN stimulus. Arachidonic acid (ArA; 50-200 microM) was a potent stimulus, with secreted O2- levels similar to those from PMA-stimulated PMN. Preincubation of PMN with either the formyl peptide, fMLP, or platelet-activating factor before stimulation with ArA did not significantly increase O2- generation over levels obtained using ArA alone. Release of PMN granule enzymes was also quantitated. A small amount of lysozyme secretion resulted when PMN were exposed to LPS alone (8.20% of total cell content), and PMA stimulation caused marked release of PMN lysozyme (44.45%). Non-specific proteolytic activity in PMN supernatants, assessed by cleavage of a collagen-rich substrate, was minimal with LPS as a sole stimulus (5.08%). There was significant proteolytic activity (P less than 0.01) in supernatants from PMA-stimulated PMN (27.21%), and preincubation with LPS followed by PMA stimulation slightly enhanced (P less than 0.05) the release of PMN proteases (34.62%). The activities of beta-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase were minimal in PMN supernatants when using LPS and PMA as stimuli. The activity of PMN granule enzymes was found to be sensitive to the presence of normal equine serum, and proteolytic activity was markedly reduced (80.13% reduction) in the presence of 10% pooled serum.     

Diapedesis across mammary epithelium reduces phagocytic and oxidative burst of bovine neutrophils.

The effect of diapedesis on the phagocytic and oxidative burst activity of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) was examined, using an in vitro cell culture model consisting of a monolayer of primary mammary epithelial cells. Isolated blood PMN from 10 cows were added to the basal side of the epithelial cell monolayer. Diapedesis was induced by the addition of complement factor C5a to the apical side of the monolayer. PMN phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus and oxidative burst were measured before diapedesis on PMN that were non-activated and activated by incubation with C5a and on PMN after diapedesis, using flow cytometry. The percentages of PMN fluorescing due to phagocytosis of S. aureus and oxidative burst were reduced by 21.2 and 14.4%, respectively, after diapedesis. Pre-incubation in the presence of C5a had no effect on percentage PMN fluorescing due to phagocytosis or oxidative burst. The capacity for individual migrated PMN to phagocytose S. aureus and to produce an oxidative burst, as measured by the intensity of fluorescence, decreased by 34.2 and 30.3%. Activation of PMN with C5a increased intensity due to the oxidative burst, but had no effect on intensity due to phagocytosis. These data show that PMN diapedesis across mammary epithelium results in decreased phagocytosis and oxidative burst of the PMN.     

Further studies on the variation among cows,bulls and calves in the ability of their blood polymorphonuclear leucocytes to kill Staphylococcus aureus

Bovine neutrophils (PMN) were isolated from anticoagulated blood stored for up to 6 h at room temperature. PMN were incubated with Staphylococcus aureus and 0·5% heated bovine serum for 2 h at 37 °C with constant rolling. An average of 90% of the bacteria were killed but there were large variations in the bactericidal activity of PMN from bulls and calves. The bacterial survival after 2 h incubation with PMN from 32 bulls and 16 calves ranged from 2 to 40%, and from 4 to 33% respectively.The rate of bacterial kill was log-linear with time for incubation periods of up to 2 h for PMN of low activity but bacterial phagocytosis was initially much more rapid for PMN of high activity with half the Staph. aureus killed within 10 min. Three healthy cows with a known history of susceptibility to E. coli mastitis gave average values in this test.There was a tendency for PMN with low overall bactericidal activity to show higher numbers of PMN-associated bacterial survivors—possibly due to reduced intracellular bacterial killing in addition to a low rate of phagocytosis.     

Temporal effects of 3 commonly used anticoagulants on hematologic and biochemical variables in blood samples from macaws and Burmese pythons

BACKGROUND: Few studies have been done to evaluate anticoagulants for use with blood samples from birds and reptiles. Heparin currently is the most commonly used anticoagulant in practice, but may adversely affect blood cell staining and quantitation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of lithium heparin, K3-EDTA, and sodium citrate, with and without the addition of albumin, on hematologic variables in macaw (Ara sp) and python (Python molurus bivittatus) blood samples. METHODS: Blood samples from 10 macaws and 10 Burmese pythons were collected in heparin-coated syringes and placed into tubes containing either lithium heparin, K3-EDTA, or sodium citrate with and without the addition of 0.25 mL of a 22% bovine serum albumin solution. Cell lysis was determined by counting the number of lysed cells/200 WBCs in Wright's-Giemsa-stained blood smears and by qualitative evaluation of pink plasma in microhematocrit tubes. A CBC was done after 3, 12, and 24 hours of storage at 4 degrees C in anticoagulant-containing tubes and results were compared with those obtained at 0 hour for the heparin-coated syringe sample. A biochemical panel also was done at each time point in similarly stored lithium-heparin samples. RESULTS: Hemolysis was significantly increased in citrated samples from both macaws and pythons beginning at 12 hours. At 24 hours, 19 of 30 (63%) macaw samples in all anticoagulants had >100 lysed cells/200 WBCs. There were no significant differences in hematologic values in samples from pythons collected in heparin or EDTA at any time point. No significant differences were found in the number of lysed cells or in other hematologic data in samples with albumin. Glucose concentration decreased and potassium concentration increased significantly over time in heparinized blood samples. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, whole blood samples anticoagulated with lithium heparin or EDTA should be evaluated within 12 hours (macaws) or 24 hours (pythons) of collection and stored at 4 degrees C for best results. Citrate should be avoided as it may result in increased cell lysis. The addition of albumin does not prevent cell lysis.     

不同精粗比下添加维生素B12对体外瘤胃发酵和微生物酶活力的影响

本试验通过体外培养法,研究在不同精粗比饲粮中添加维生素B12对体外瘤胃发酵和微生物酶活力的影响。试验采用3×3双因子试验设计,即3个底物精粗比(玉米∶羊草=35∶65、50∶50和65∶35)和3个维生素B12添加量(0、40和90 ng/mL)。体外试验用瘤胃液取自3只安装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的湖羊。体外培养24 h后测定体外瘤胃发酵参数和微生物酶活力。结果显示:1)随着底物精粗比和维生素B12添加量的提高,体外培养24 h的产气量、潜在产气量和有机物消化率极显著地增加(P<0.01),且维生素B12添加量与上述指标存在线性剂量效应(P<0.01)。2)当底物精粗比为50∶50和65∶35时,添加维生素B12显著提高了发酵液中氨态氮、微生物蛋白、总挥发性脂肪酸、乙酸和丙酸浓度(P<0.05),但对丁酸浓度和乙酸/丙酸无显著影响(P>0.05)。3)当底物精粗比为35∶65和50∶50时,添加40 ng/mL维生素B12使发酵液中羧甲基纤维素酶、木聚糖酶活力显著提高(P<0.05);当精粗比为65∶35时,添加90 ng/mL维生素B12使发酵液中羧甲基纤维素酶、木聚糖酶活力显著提高(P<0.05)。结果提示,底物精粗比和维生素B12添加量影响体外瘤胃发酵。添加维生素B12可增加瘤胃微生物酶的活力,从而提高有机物消化率以及微生物蛋白和总挥发性脂肪酸的产量。当底物精粗比(玉米∶羊草)较高(50∶50和65∶35)时,维生素B12的添加效果更明显,并且具有剂量依赖效应。     

Substance P: a neurogenic mediator of acute cellular inflammation in the dog?

Substance P (SP) is a neuropeptide that has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurogenic inflammation. SP has been shown to activate polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) as well as other inflammatory cells. The present study investigated the direct stimulatory and priming effects of SP on canine PMN aggregation and migration. Direct stimulation of cell migration by SP was present at an unphysiologically high concentration of the mediator. However, when micromolar concentrations of SP were added to PMN prior to stimulation with sub-optimal concentrations of leukotriene B4 (LTB4), the cells exhibited enhanced aggregation and migration, i.e. priming, when stimulated with the latter. Since SP has been reported to act via the formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) chemotaxin receptor, this mediator was also studied and found not to possess any effects similar to SP. Thus, the results indicate that SP acts as a primer of canine PMN functions in vitro via a receptor different from that for fMLP. Before ascribing SP a mediator role in canine neurogenic inflammation, in vivo studies determining the concentrations of, and responses to SP in inflamed tissue should be performed.     

The comparison of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentrations in plasma and serum from dairy cattle

The aim of this study was to compare thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentrations in serum, plasma with heparin (heparin plasma), and plasma with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA plasma) as anticoagulants from dairy cattle. Serum, heparin plasma, and EDTA plasma TBARS were not sufficiently strongly correlated to allow accurate prediction of one set of values from the other. Heparin plasma TBARS concentrations were found to be lower, and were affected by the duration of mixing during the assay process. The results suggest that it is necessary to differentiate TBARS concentrations between different sample types such as serum, heparin plasma, and EDTA plasma. For measurements of TBARS concentrations in cattle, EDTA plasma samples may be more suitable than the other samples.     

The influence of anticoagulants on the measurement of total protein concentration in equine peritoneal fluid

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of two commonly used anticoagulants (K3EDTA and lithium heparin) on refractometric and spectrophotometric measurement of total protein (TP) concentration in equine peritoneal fluid samples. The influence of a commercial solution of K3EDTA, a solution of K3EDTA in distilled water and lithium heparin on the refractometric and spectrophotometric (biuret) quantification of TP content in peritoneal fluid samples was assessed. Total protein concentration measured by refractometry was consistently overestimated in samples with commercial K3EDTA. The solution of K3EDTA in distilled water only caused TP overestimation at high K3EDTA concentrations (>5 micromol/ml). By contrast, lithium heparin did not influence the refractometric values of TP. Neither anticoagulant modified TP values when measured by the biuret method. In conclusion, the use of K3EDTA as anticoagulant may result in a significant overestimation of TP values of peritoneal fluid samples measured by refractometry.     

Effect of venipuncture site and anticoagulant on selected hematologic values in black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis).

Paired blood samples were collected from the ear and radial vein of four captive healthy adult black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis). Samples were collected using heparin or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as an anticoagulant. Packed cell volume (PCV) and total protein (TP) values were compared between samples drawn from the two venipuncture sites and treated with the two anticoagulants to determine whether statistically significant variation occurred. No significant difference in the grouped values was observed when venipuncture sites (ear and radial vein) were compared using the same anticoagulant (heparin). However, when comparing different anticoagulants (EDTA and heparin) used to collect blood from the radial vein, the grouped-heparinized samples had higher mean PCV and TP values than did the EDTA-treated samples. These differences may be important when performing serial sampling in a sick rhinoceros and suggest that the choice of anticoagulant should be consistent, although selection of venipuncture site may be less important when monitoring selected hematologic values in black rhinoceroses.     

Endotoxin-induced bovine mastitis: immunoglobulins, phagocytosis, and effect of flunixin meglumine

Milk whey immunoglobulins (Ig) and phagocytosis of staphylococci by milk polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes (PMN) were measured in 12 cows (allotted to 6 pairs) during acute bovine mastitis induced by intramammary inoculation of endotoxin. Six of these cows (or 1 in each pair) were treated with flunixin meglumine and were compared with the others (given only saline solution). The endotoxin inoculation comprised 10 micrograms of Escherichia coli O26:B6 lipopolysaccharide injected into one of the rear quarters (mammae). Flunixin meglumine was administered parenterally at a dosage of 1.1 mg/kg every 8 hours (total of 7 doses) beginning at 2 hours after endotoxin was injected. Milk samples were obtained, and whey samples were prepared from each quarter of each cow 3 times before inoculation and at 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168, and 336 hours after endotoxin was inoculated. Significant increases (P less than 0.05) in milk whey IgG1, IgG2, IgM, and IgA concentrations were observed in whey samples from endotoxin-inoculated quarters. Greatest relative increase was seen for IgG2. Increased whey Ig concentrations were not observed in quarters which were not inoculated with endotoxin. Concentrations of whey IgG1 and IgM in endotoxin-inoculated quarters were significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased in flunixin meglumine-treated cows, compared with those in saline solution-treated cows. Significant increases in phagocytosis of staphylococci by milk PMN were observed in whey samples from endotoxin-inoculated quarters. Significant differences in PMN phagocytosis were not found in whey samples from cows given flunixin meglumine when compared with whey samples from cows given saline solution.     

Influence of arachidonic acid metabolites and steroids on function of bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) from 4 ovariectomized healthy cows were incubated with 0 (control), 10(-8), 10(-7), and 10(-6) M arachidonic acid metabolites of the cyclo- and lipoxygenase pathways for 30 minutes, and with steroids for 2 hours. Immediately after incubation, PMN were subjected to the following function assays: chemotaxis against zymosan-activated serum, chemotaxis against arachidonic acid metabolite or steroid at the doses given (only control PMN were tested), random migration, ingestion of 125I-iododeoxyuridine-labeled Staphylococcus aureus (125I-IdUR-S aureus), iodination of proteins, cytochrome C reduction, antibody-independent and -dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (AICC and ADCC). Prostaglandin F2 alpha was chemoattractant and stimulated ingestion of 125I-IdUR-S aureus. Prostaglandin E2 stimulated cytochrome C reduction, whereas prostacyclin inhibited iodination of proteins. Thromboxane B2 stimulated ADCC. Leukotriene B4 was chemoattractant for bovine PMN and stimulated random migration and AICC. 5-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid was also chemoattractant, but inhibited ingestion of 125I-IdUR-S aureus. 15-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid was chemoattractant and decreased ADCC. Lipoxin A4 stimulated random migration, whereas lipoxin B4 inhibited chemotaxis against zymosan-activated serum, but was chemoattractant and stimulated cytochrome C reduction. 12-Hydroxyhepadecatrienoic acid and 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid did not influence any of the PMN functions tested. Of the steroids tested, cortisol increased ADCC, and progesterone stimulated cytochrome C reduction, but decreased ADCC. 17 beta-Estradiol and estrone were chemoattractant and stimulated cytochrome C reduction. In addition, estrone also stimulated random migration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)