Investigation of Cervical Patency and Uterine Appearance in Domestic Cats by Fluoroscopy and Scintigraphy

The cervical patency of six domestic female cats was monitored under sedation by infusion of contrast medium (Omnipaque) into the cranial vagina during early oestrus, mid‐oestrus, late oestrus and interoestrus or a radiopharmaceutical (^99mTc‐HSA) during mid‐ and interoestrus in a non‐ovulatory oestrous cycle. The transport of the contrast medium or the radiopharmaceutical through the cervix and within the uterine horns was observed under fluoroscopy and with the aid of scintigraphy. In three of the queens, transcervical transport of contrast medium was demonstrated in all stages of oestrus, in one queen during mid‐oestrus, late oestrus and 1 day after oestrus, and in two queens only during late oestrus. The relations between the cervical patency to the contrast medium and the oestrous behaviour, cornification of the vaginal cells and the serum oestradiol‐17β concentration were evaluated, and a relationship was found between the cervical patency and the degree of vaginal cornification. Transcervical transport of the radiopharmaceutical was observed in three queens during mid‐oestrus. When the cervix was open, hysterography under a fluoroscope and hysteroscintigraphy were performed. The fluoroscopic and scintigraphic recordings revealed the patterns of the uterine contractions during oestrus in both ascending and descending directions, and the movement of the uterine contents back and forth between the uterine horns. The hysterograms were classified according to the shape of the uterine horns and the appearance of the endometrial lining. Spiral‐shaped uterine horns with a smooth inner contour were observed in two queens, and a corkscrew appearance with irregular filling defects in the uterine lumen was shown in two queens that had developed subclinical cystic endometrial hyperplasia. These findings demonstrated that fluids or particles deposited in the cranial vagina of the cat can be transported into the uterus during some stages of the oestrous cycle. The fluoroscopic and scintigraphic techniques developed in this study may be further modified to permit more detailed studies of uterine contractile patterns and sperm transport in the feline female reproductive tract. Hysterography proved useful to diagnose uterine disease. The information on cervical patency is of value also for the development of techniques for artificial insemination in this species, and should be studied also in the ovulatory cycle.     

Effect of dietary vitamin C and ammonia concentration on the cellular defense response of Macrobrachium nipponense

This study examined the effects of dietary vitamin C and ammonia concentration on the cellular defense response of Macrobrachium nipponese . The response of the cellular defense was determined by monitoring changes in reactive oxygen intermediates in hemocytes, superoxide dismutase activity, catalase activity, glutathione peroxidase activity, glutathione reductase and glutathione transferase activity in muscle. The results showed that prawns fed the basal diet had a significant increase in reactive oxygen intermediates in response to exposure to ammonia-N. When dietary vitamin C was added to the feed, there was a significant decrease in reactive oxygen intermediates in response to exposure to ammonia-N. Total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity of prawns fed the basal diet decreased as ammonia-N increased. This decrease in activity was significantly less pronounced in prawns that were fed the dietary vitamin C supplement. In prawns that were fed the dietary vitamin C supplement there was no significant variation in catalase reductase or gluxathione reductase activity in response to variations in ammonia-N concentration. The glutathione transference activity increased at a low concentration of ammonia-N in prawns that were fed the dietary vitamin C supplement, but there was no significant variation in the prawns fed the basal diet. Overall the results indicate that dietary vitamin C supplements enhance the capacity of M. nipponese to respond to elevations in ammonia-N. This response involved several biochemical reactions known to be involved in cellular defense.     

Reproductive roles predict sexual dimorphism in internal and external morphology of lake whitefish,Coregonus clupeaformis

Abstract – The different reproductive roles of the sexes can predict the direction and magnitude of sexual dimorphism of external and internal morphology. Males should have enlarged structures that enhance the acquisition of mating opportunities, whereas females are predicted to have enlarged organs that are associated with the production of eggs. We tested these predictions in male and female lake whitefish, a species in which both sexes have similar overall body size and shape. After controlling for body size, male lake whitefish had significantly longer jaws and pectoral and pelvic fins, larger hearts, and more muscle than females. Sexual dimorphism in relative muscle mass may be one of the most fundamental morphological differences between males and females. Females had relatively heavier livers than males. Because the liver is important for the breakdown of fats and vitellogenesis, selection should favour an enlarged liver in females for the processing of energy and the production of large numbers of eggs.     

豫麦10号高产栽培技术调查总结

通过对小麦新品种豫麦1O号的观察,认为该品种在上蔡县增产潜力较大。为充分发挥其增产优势,从整地播种,施肥浇水,中、后期管理等方面提出了措施和建议。     

克萎星对棉花黄萎病的防治效果

克萎星可溶性粉剂是河南省濮阳农业科学研究所研制生产的防治棉花黄萎病的新农药，田间药效试验结果表明：克萎星防治棉花黄萎病，发病初期叶面喷施，防效71．7％～100％，最佳施用浓度500～1000倍液，间隔期7～10d,棉花安全。     

植物乳杆菌ST-Ⅲ对实验性动物高胆固醇血症影响的研究

在建立试验用高胆固醇血症大鼠模型的基础上,观察用植物乳杆菌ST-Ⅲ制成的三个不同剂量的ST-Ⅲ活性乳对大鼠血脂水平的影响。动物实验表明:三个剂量的ST-Ⅲ活性乳均可显蓍降低大鼠血清胆固醇(TC)的含量(P<0.01),但对甘油三酯(TG)的降低作用不显著(P>0.05)。高剂量的ST-Ⅲ活性乳可显著提高大鼠血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-c)含量(P<0.01)。因此认为ST-Ⅲ活性乳具有辅助降血脂的功能,特别对高胆固醇血症具有良好的功效。