Expression of MHC-I and -II in Uterine Tissue from Early Pregnant Bitches

The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I and -II in uterine tissues from pregnant and non-pregnant bitches, taken at different time periods after mating. The pregnant bitches were ovariohysterectomized during the pre-implantation (group 1, n = 4), implantation (group 2, n = 7) and placentation stage (group 3, n = 7). Non-pregnant animals in diestrus served as controls (group 4, n = 7). The expression of MHC- I and -II in salpinx, apex, middle horn, corpus uteri and at implantation sites was investigated by immunohistochemistry as well as qualitative and quantitative RT-PCR; MHC-I mRNA was detected in all tissues and with quantitative RT-PCR, and no significant changes were detected until placentation. Immunohistologically, at the apex and corpus site, the average number of MHC-II positive cells increased from the pre-implantation to the post-implantation stage (apex: 1.54 ± 1.21 to 3.82 ± 2.93; corpus: 1.62 ± 1.9 to 5.04 ± 4.95; p < 0.05). The greatest numbers of MHC-II positive cells were observed at placentation sites (6.64 ± 5.9). In parallel, a marked increase in the relative mRNA expression of MHC-II in uterine tissues was assessed from the pre-implantation to the placentation stage (relative to Glycerinaldehyd-3-phosphate-Dehydrogenase (GAPDH): 6.9 ± 9.5, 8.4 ± 5.8, p > 0.05). Immunohistologically, in the salpinx, significantly greater numbers of MHC-II positive cells were found in the tissues of pregnant animals than in the control group (p < 0.05). It is proposed that the increase in MHC-II is pregnancy-related, even though the impact on maintenance of canine pregnancy is still unclear.     

Promising apricot genetic resources from the Lake Van Region

This study was conducted in order to select valuable genetic resources(Prunus armeniaca L.) of apricot in Geva situatedon Lake Van Region (East Anatolia) of Turkey during 1998 and 1999. Allpopulation consisted of native apricot genotypes were examined with respect tofruit and tree characteristics for two years, and twenty-eight genotypes wereselected for future breeding efforts. Their flowering habit and desirable fruitcharacteristics were determined in comparison withHachalilolu. All selected apricots grown at 1700m in the region were not affected by late spring frosts. In themajority of genotypes, bud break, first flowering, full flowering and end offlowering occurred a few days earlier than the cultivarHachalilolu in both years, whereas, harvest waslater than that. Some selections produced larger fruits thanHachalilolu. All genotypes showed a range of25–48 g for fruit weight, 11–21% for soluble solids and0.19–2.90% for acidity. Soluble solids content was more than 20% in threeselections (G12, G29 and G33), and the acidity was lower than 1% in fivegenotypes (G2, G12, G27, G29 and G33). Selections with attractive fruit colorshad small to medium-sized fruits. Many genotypes were evaluated as promising forfurther breeding efforts.     

Hemagglutination, hydrophobicity, enterotoxigenicity, and drug-resistance characteristics of avian Escherichia coli

A total of 35 Escherichia coli isolates obtained from necropsy materials of hens with septicemia in the Konya region of Turkey were examined for hemagglutination (HA), cell-surface hydrophobicity, enterotoxigenicity, and drug resistance. HA tests were performed on live cultures with human (group A), bovine, avian (chicken), and guinea pig erythrocytes with and without mannose. Nine HA patterns were observed. Of the 35 isolates, 62.8% exhibited mannose sensitive hemagglutination (MSHA), 8.6% exhibited mannose resistant hemagglutination (MRHA), and 28.6% did not hemagglutinate. Of the isolates, 85.7% were hydrophobic by a salt aggregation test (SAT). Only three isolates were enterotoxigenic by a suckling mouse assay. The majority of the isolates were resistant to chloramphenicol, tetracycline, streptomycin, ampicillin, erythromycin, and trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole but were highly sensitive to gentamicin and nalidixic acid.     

Contribution of the xenograft bone plate-screw system in lumbar transpedicular stabilization of dogs: an in-vitro study

We performed biomechanical comparison of a xenograft bone plate-screw (XBPS) system for achieving cadaveric lumbar transpedicular stabilization (TS) in dogs. Twenty dogs'' cadaveric L_2-4 lumbar specimens were harvested and their muscles were removed, but the discs and ligaments were left intact. These specimens were separated to four groups: the L_2-4 intact group as control (group I, n = 5), the L₃ laminectomy and bilateral facetectomy group (LBF) (group II, n = 5), the LBF plus TS with metal plate-screw group (group III, n = 5) and the LBF plus TS with XBPS group (group IV, n = 5). Five kinds of biomechanical tests were applied to the specimens: flexion, extension, left-right bending and rotation. The averages of the 16 stiffness values were calculated and then these were statistically analyzed. The statistical results show that the XBPS system contributes spinal stability and this system can be a good choice for achieving TS.     

Expression of mRNA for cell adhesion molecules in the bovine corpus luteum during the estrous cycle and PGF2alpha-induced luteolysis

Cell-to-cell interaction via cell contact-dependent pathway is essentially important for maintenance and regulation of corpus luteum (CL) integrity and its physiological actions. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the mRNA expression of the cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that are constituent factors of gap junctions [connexin (Cx) 43] and adherence junctions (VE-, E-, N-cadherin) in two types of endothelial cells from the mid CL and in CL tissue during the estrous cycle and PGF(2alpha)-induced luteolysis in the cow. Specific mRNA expression for Cx43 and N-cadherin was detected in cytokeratin-positive (CK+) and cytokeratin-negative (CK-) luteal endothelial cells (EC) and fully luteinized granulosa cells (LGC). E-cadherin mRNA was expressed in CK+EC and LGC, but not in CK-EC. VE-cadherin mRNA was expressed in both CK+ and CK-EC. During the estrous cycle, Cx43 mRNA expression was significantly lower in the regressing CL. VE-cadherin expression also tended to increase in the mid CL and increased significantly in the regressing CL. E-cadherin mRNA expression was higher in the early and late CL than in the mid- and regressing CL. N-cadherin mRNA expression gradually increased from the early to late CL followed by a decrease in the regressing CL. During PGF(2alpha)-induced luteolysis, Cx43 mRNA expression appeared to increase, and VE-cadherin and E-cadherin mRNA significantly increased at 24 h. N-cadherin mRNA expression decreased 2 and 4 h after PGF(2alpha) administration. Collectively, expression of the mRNAs for CAMs was different in the two types of luteal endothelial cells and fully luteinized granulosa cells and changed independently in the CL during the estrous cycle and PGF(2alpha)-induced luteolysis in the cow. The results suggest that CAMs play physiological roles in cell-to-cell communication to regulate both gap and adherence junctions during CL development and regression in the cow.     

Food intake and rumen motility in dwarf goats. Effects of some serotonin receptor agonists and antagonists

The serotonergic regulation of feeding behaviour has not so far been studied in ruminants. Therefore, the effects of some serotonin (5-HT) receptor agonists and antagonists on food intake and forestomach motility were studied in dwarf goats.Goats ate less food when treated intravenously (IV) with the 5-HT precursor 5-HTP (25 µg, 50 µg or 100 µg kg^–1 min^–1 over 15 min) than when they were treated with 5-HT (which does not pass the blood-brain barrier) or with saline. Accordingly, IV dexfenfluramine infusions (50 µg or 100 µg kg^–1 min^–1 over 15 min), which induces release of brain 5-HT, also led to dose-related reductions in food intake. In contrast, no anorectic effects were observed after IV infusions with the selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine (100 µg kg^–1 min^–1 over 15 min), the selective 5-HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT (0.5 µg kg^–1 min^–1 over 15 min), or eltoprazine (4 or 8 µg kg^–1 min^–1 over 15 min), a mixed 5-HT1A/5HT1B receptor agonist. None of the 5-HT antagonists tested gave any increase in food consumption in this model. Interestingly, the non-selective 5-HT receptor antagonist methysergide (360 µg/kg IV) reduced food intake. This effect was most noticeable at 3 h after injection. The 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron (IV 10 µg kg^–1 min^–1 over 15 min) and the peripheral 5-HT2 receptor antagonist xylamidine (IV 100 µg kg^–1 min^–1 over 10 min) failed to modify food intake. These results provide evidence for central serotonergic involvement in the control of feeding. However, this control system differs markedly in goats and rodents.Dexfenfluramine, 5-HTP and eltoprazine administered at similar dose rates to those used in the food intake experiments induced some clinical signs including inhibition of forestomach contractions. These results, together with our earlierin vivo andin vitro observations, suggest that the inhibitory effects of serotonin receptor agonists on forestomach contractions are due to interactions with both peripheral and central serotonergic receptors. The change in smooth muscle tension, which leads to a change in the signals transmitted via vagal afferents to the central nervous system, appears not to modify feeding behaviour in dwarf goats.