Residues of fluoroquinolone drugs in the cloacal gland and other tissues of Japanese quail

1. In this study we investigated the residues of fluoroquinolone drugs (ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin) in the cloacal gland (a site of foam synthesis) and other tissues such as breast muscle, testes, brain, kidney and plasma. 2. Fifty-four healthy male Japanese quail were selected at random from a flock, maintained under uniform husbandry conditions and divided into three groups, each of 18 birds. Group I (control) received 1 ml vehicle (normal saline 0.9% (w/v) NaCl) daily for 12 d through the intraperitoneal route. Birds of groups II and III received ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin by the same route at the rate of 10 and 12 mg/kg body weight, respectively, every day for a similar period. 3. Birds from each group were killed, at 1, 5 and 10 d after the cessation of treatment, to collect the cloacal gland together with other tissues that were analysed for residual drugs. 4. Cloacal gland retained the maximum drug residues of ciprofloxacin (60%) and pefloxacin (80%) on d 10 compared with that on d 1 after drug withdrawal. The drug residues were found 60 and 80% in ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin groups, respectively, in the cloacal gland tissue even on d 10 after withdrawal of the treatment. 5. In the ciprofloxacin-treated group, all tissues except cloacal gland contained very small amounts of the drug residues on d 10 after treatment ended. In the pefloxacin group the cloacal gland, breast muscle and kidney retained a fairly high amount of drug even on d 10 after treatment ceased. No residues of pefloxacin were detectable in testes and brain throughout. 6. In conclusion, the cloacal gland in Japanese quail acted as the largest sink for the fluoroquinolone drugs. Ciprofloxacin was more widely distributed in different tissues and persisted for a shorter period than pefloxacin.     

Changes in vasotocin immunoreactivity of paraventricular nuclei and adrenal function of Japanese quail in relation to different phases of sexual development

In relevance to osmoregulatory and reproductive functions, activity of hypothalamic neurosecretory neurons may also vary seasonally. The current study was performed to determine annual changes in ir-AVT neurons of hypothalamus and adrenal gland function. We examined changes in ir-AVT neuron by immunohistochemical method and plasma testosterone was measured by enzyme immunoassay. The steroidogenic interrenal activity was studied by histological and biochemical methods. Birds were sampled in February (quiescent), April (recrudescent), June (breeding) and November (regressive). A significant and gradual increase in the number of ir-AVT neurons was observed from quiescent to breeding phase which decreased during regressive phase of annual gonadal cycle. The gradual increase in ir-AVT neurons along with annual gonadal activity of quail were accompanied by increase in plasma levels of testosterone. These results indicate a functional interaction between sex steroid and AVT synthesizing neurons. Adrenal activity (as judged by weight, ascorbic acid content, cortical cord width and cortico-medullary ratio) was also maximum during breeding phase. It is thus postulated that domesticated quail when exposed to natural day length (NDL), exhibits seasonal/annual cyclicity in vastocinergic activity and adrenal function which may be due to difference in sex steroid hormone.     

Pharmacokinetic studies of levofloxacin after oral administration in healthy and febrile cow calves

The present experiment was designed to study the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin in six healthy cross bred female cow calves (4 to 6 months age) weighing between 40 to 80 kg. Plasma from blood was separated by centrifugation at 10,000 rpm. Quantitative estimation of levofloxacin was done by UV-VIS spectrophotometer at 286 nm. The mean maximum plasma concentration (Cp_max ) of levofloxacin in febrile calves (5.28?±?0.32 µg/ml) did not differ significantly as compared with healthy calves (4.50?±?0.22 µg/ml) after single dose (20 mg/kg) oral administration. The mean therapeutic plasma concentration ( Cp_ther ) of levofloxacin was maintained for longer period in febrile calves (10 h) as compared to healthy calves ( 8 h). The mean maximum urine concentration (Cu_max) in febrile (40.86?±?2.19 µg/ml) also did not differ significantly as compared with healthy calves (39.38?±?2.43 µg/ml). No significant difference in various pharmacokinetic parameters of plasma was observed in healthy calves ( β?=?0.23?±?0.01/h ; t1/2 β?=?3.00?±?0.17 h and MRT?=?4.66?±?0.14 h ) and febrile calves ( β?=?0.23?±?0.01/ h; t1/2 β?=?3.05?±?0.16 h and MRT?=?5.04?±?0.14 h ) . The mean value of β, and t ½ β calculated in urine also did not differ between healthy and febrile calves. However, the value of MRT(3.79?±?0.07 h) and Cl_B(1.65?±?0.09 ml/kg/min) calculated in urine of febrile calves significantly(p?B?=?2.09?±?0.13 ml/kg/min). Based on kinetic profile levofloxacin may be given orally at the dose rate of 1.49 mg/kg B.W.at 8 h intervals in febrile calves.     

Trade-off expression of melatonin receptor subtypes (Mel1a and Mel1b) and androgen receptor in lung of a tropical bird,Perdicula asiatica

The role of circulatory steroid hormone along with melatonin in lung of any seasonally breeding bird has never been explored so far. This could be interesting because steroid hormones are immunosuppressive while melatonin is immunostimulatory in nature. In our present study, we report the effect of exogenous melatonin and testosterone on expression of melatonin receptor subtypes (Mel_1a and Mel_1b) and androgen receptor in lung of a tropical bird Perdicula asiatica. Birds were collected from vicinity of Varanasi and acclimatized in laboratory with sufficient food and water. The birds were treated with melatonin and testosterone at dose of 25 µg/100 g B.wt./day and 1 mg/100 g B.wt./day, respectively, for 28 days. At the end of the experiment, the birds were sacrificed and lung tissue and blood sample were collected for immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis and hormonal assay. Testosterone treatment increased circulatory testosterone and upregulated expression of androgen receptors whereas downregulated expression of melatonin receptor subtypes Mel_1a and Mel_1b. Melatonin administration increased peripheral melatonin and upregulated expression of melatonin receptor subtypes Mel_1a and Mel_1b while downregulated androgen receptor. Thus, our results suggest that a trade-off relationship between melatonin and testosterone exists in regulation of their receptors in lung of Perdicula asiatica.     

Association of bovine KISS1 single nucleotide polymorphisms with reproductive traits in Indian Cattle

Kisspeptins, a family of neuropeptide encoded by the Kiss1 gene, have emerged as crucial regulator of fertility and reproduction by regulating the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. The present study was aimed to identify and associate SNPs in the KISS1 gene with reproductive traits in cattle of Indian origin. DNA samples collected from 300 individual cows of three Indian dairy breeds (Gir, Kankrej and Frieswal) of cattle were used in the study. The SNPs of KISS1 gene were identified with PCR-RFLP and sequence analysis using two sets of primer pairs. A total of 5 SNPs were identified in the targeted region of which, two were selected for screening the population and association studies. The analysis revealed that genotypes of rs442633552G>A and rs42022871C>T had a significant association with dry period. The SNP rs42022871C>T also established significant role in milk production traits, and selection of TT-genotyped animals will improve the reproduction and production potential of the animals.     

Clinical and hematological findings on "Degnala", a disease of buffalo in Eastern Nepal

A buffalo disease, called "Degnala", causing lameness, edema, gangrenous ulceration of hooves or tail, emaciation, recumbency and eventual death, occurs in Eastern Nepal. Clinical examinations manifested lice eggs on hairs, bradycardia, hypothermia, dehydration, exanthema and icterus. Hematologically, increase of band neutrophil, giant platelet, hypoalbuminemia and hyperglobulinemia were characteristics. Microscopically, dark blue tiny particles were seen on red blood cell (RBC) after Giemsa staining. Administration of tetracycline at an early stage of the disease was effective.