Clinical, diagnostic and biochemical features of generalised glycogenosis type II in Brahman cattle

SUMMARY Clinical, diagnostic and biochemical features of generalised glycogenosis are described In 96 Brahman-type calves. Typically the calves were presented when about 6 months of age, with III-thrift and muscular weakness as the most common signs. Acidic α-glucosidase activity was reduced in peripheral blood lymphocytes and skeletal muscle. Muscle glycogen concentration was consistently higher in affected animals than In clinically normal cattle. Other observations in affected calves Included elevation of serum aspartate amlnotransferase and creatine kinase activities and excessive amounts of high molecular weight oligosaccharides in urine. Fine cytoplasmic vacuolation of neurones In the brain and spinal cord, skeletal muscle, myocardlum and of Purkinje fibres were consistent histological observations. Periodic acid-Schlff staining revealed the presence of glycogen-like material In peripheral blood lymphocytes of all affected calves, Indicating that this is a useful aid for the diagnosis of glycogenosis. While 3 of the 96 calves showed somewhat different clinical signs, the similarity of pathology and the biochemical and clinical evidence in the remainder suggested that, In these animals, the disease was expressed as a single syndrome.     

Effect of dietary fat source and exercise on odorant-detecting ability of canine athletes

Eighteen male English Pointers (2-4 years of age, 23.94+/-0.54 kg body weight) were allotted to three diet and two physical conditioning groups to evaluate the effect of level and source of dietary fat on the olfactory acuity of canine athletes subjected to treadmill exercise. Diet groups (6 dogs/diet) consisted of commercially prepared diets (minimum of 26% crude protein) containing 12% fat as beef tallow (A), 16% fat provided by equivalent amounts of beef tallow and corn oil (B), or 16% fat provided by equivalent amounts of beef tallow and coconut oil (C). This dietary formulation resulted in approximately 60% of the total fatty acid being saturated for diets A and C, while approximately 72% of the total fatty acids were unsaturated in diet B. One-half of the dogs within each dietary group were subjected to treadmill exercise 3 times per week for 30 min (8.05 km/h, 0% grade) for 12 weeks. All dogs were subjected to a submaximal exercise stress test (8.05 km/h, 10% slope for 60 min) every four weeks beginning at week 0. Olfactory acuity was measured utilizing behavioral olfactometry before and after each physical stress test. Non-conditioned (NON) dogs displayed a greater decrease (P<0.05) in olfactory acuity following exercise, while physically conditioned (EXE) dogs did not show a change from pre-test values. A diet by treatment interaction (P<0.10) was detected over the course of the study. NON dogs fed coconut oil had decreased odorant-detecting capabilities when week 4 values were compared with week 12 values. Feeding a diet that is predominately high in saturated fat may affect the odorant-detecting capabilities of working dogs. Additionally, these data indicate that utilization of a moderate physical conditioning program can assist canine athletes in maintaining olfactory acuity during periods of intense exercise.     

An avidin-biotin enhanced dot-immunobinding assay for the detection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and M. synoviae serum antibodies in chickens

A dot-immunobinding assay was enhanced by the incorporation of avidin and biotin reagents into the test system (DAB assay). This assay was used to detect serum antibodies to Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and M. synoviae (MS) from chickens. Serum samples were tested by rapid serum plate (RSP), hemagglutination-inhibition (HI), and DAB assay methods. These results were compared. The DAB assay was at least 20 times more sensitive in detecting antibodies for MS and at least 75 times more sensitive in detecting antibodies for MG than the HI test. The DAB assay was as specific as the HI test. The DAB assay was also more sensitive and specific than the RSP test. Some cross-reactions occurred when low dilutions of high-titer sera were used in the DAB assay. Parameters for determining negative, suspicious, and positive samples were established. The DAB assay for MG and MS may have several applications, including use as a screening test and a confirmatory test.     

Nitrogen metabolism of calves inoculated with bovine adenovirus-3 or with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus

Beef calves were inoculated with bovine adenovirus-3 or infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus. After inoculation, plasma fibrinogen increased, serum phosphorus decreased, and nitrogen and phosphorus digestibility decreased compared with preinoculation values. Urinary N excretion increased when calves developed rectal temperatures greater than 39.7 C. Results indicated that clinical infection of calves with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus increases urinary N excretion and reduces N and phosphorus balance, and that clinical and subclinical infections with either virus reduce dietary N digestibility.     

Intermediate Filament Proteins Expression and Carbohydrate Moieties in Trophoblast and Decidual Cells of Mature Cat Placenta

The aim of this study was to characterize cytoskeletal intermediate filament proteins and glycoconjugates of syncytiotrophoblast, cytotrophoblast and decidual cells of feline endotheliochorial placenta. Samples from 12 normal pregnant female cats, after 45 ± 5 days of gestation, were obtained removing the uterine horns by hysterectomy. Sections were processed for routine observation and for immunohistochemistry using anticytokeratin, antivimentin and antidesmin antibodies. In addition, lectin histochemistry was performed using a panel of several biotinylated lectins to characterize glycosides expression profile. Cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast showed immunoreactivity only with acidic and basic cytokeratins. Decidual cells were only positive to vimentin, consistent with their origin from endometrial fibroblasts. Trophoblast expressed a broad population of glycans, highly exposing terminal N‐acetyl glucosamine residues and non‐sialylated galactose and N‐acetyl galactosamine oligomers. Oligosaccharides bound by Phaseolus vulgaris erythroagglutinin were the only highly branched N‐linked residues evidenced in cats, and they were restricted to the syncytium. Unlike results reported on humans, mice and rats on lectin affinity of decidual cells, sialid acids and complex N‐linked oligosaccharides were not demonstrated in cats. Glycosylation of proteins determines many of their final properties, thus becoming essential for the embryo‐maternal dialogue during implantation and placentation. Changes in glycosylation pattern have been related to pathological pregnancies in other species. Hence, the knowledge about glycosylation profile of the normal cat placenta may lead to a better understanding of both normal and pathological reproductive events.     

Histological changes to the skin of Merino sheep following deep dermal and subcutaneous injections of sodium lauryl sulfate

Objectives To characterise the changes caused to sheep skin by deep dermal and subcutaneous injections of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and describe the subsequent healing process. Procedure On 6 sheep 20 small areas of skin were each given deep dermal and subcutaneous injections of 0.2 mL of 7% SLS. Biopsies were collected at intervals up to 28 days after treatment and the histological changes in each of the treated skin samples were assessed and graded. Results There was no evidence of alterations in behaviour, weight gain or appetite of the sheep following the injections. Initial swelling of the treated site subsided by day 14, leaving a firm, slightly raised crust. At day 21, the treated area was depressed and covered by a scab, which sloughed completely by day 28. There was necrosis of the subcutis and deep dermis 2 min after treatment, followed by inflammation, fibroplasia, angiogenesis and tissue remodelling. Conclusion Injection of SLS caused almost immediate local necrosis followed by eschar formation, sloughing and scarring of treated skin. Deep dermal and subcutaneous SLS is potentially useful as a chemical alternative to mulesing.     

Lectin‐binding Sites on the Normal and Pathologic Uterus of Sows

The lectin‐binding pattern was compared in the normal and pathological uterus of sows during the ovarian cycle. The following biotinylated lectins were used: Con A, DBA, SBA, PNA, RCA‐I, UEA‐I and WGA. Glycoconjugate labelling showed differences between phases of ovarian cycle and presence of morphologic lesions. Cystic endometrial hyperplasia increased the RCA‐I reaction in the apical region of the glandular epithelium. There was higher intensity of labelling of WGA in the glandular epithelium in uteri with endometritis. In addition, increased Con A binding in the glandular epithelium and mild reduction of UEA‐I reactivity in the glycocalyx of the glandular epithelium were detected in the cases of endometritis. The results of this study show that morphologic alterations modify the sugar pattern in the porcine uterus. These modifications in glycoconjugates may be one of the reasons for decreased fertility in sows.