The impact of staphylococcal mastitis on the level of milk IL-6, lysozyme and nitric oxide

Mammary gland secretions derived from secretory cows infected with coagulase +ve Staphylococcus spp. was examined for the expression of IL-6, production of lysozyme and NO(x). The examined cows reflected 25 cases of subclinical mastitis and 15 cases of clinically mastitic animals. The IL-6 concentration in the subclinical animals was significantly higher (30.8 ng/ml) than the clinically manifested animals (18.0 ng/ml) and the normal cows (5.2n g/ml). On the other hand the level of lysozyme although significantly higher than the normal cows (6.9 microg/ml) yet its level in the subclinical animals (11.2 microg/ml) was lower than that estimated in the clinical animals (15.6 microg/ml). Similarly, the level of NO(x) in the normal animals was found to be 5.6 microM/ml to increase to 6.2 microM/ml in the subclinical mastitic animals and to significantly increase further to 11.5 microM/ml in the clinically affected cows. These results suggest the promising use of whey IL-6, lysozyme or/and NO concentration variabilities as prognostic parameters on the degree of the commencement of mastitis in cows.     

The effect of water deprivation on the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine and sulphadimidine following intravenous administration in Nubian goats

The effect of water deprivation on the pharmacokinetic parameters of antipyrine and sulphadimidine in the Nubian goat was studied. Water deprivation, to a level of dehydration at which the animals lost an average of 7.5% body weight, resulted in a significant reduction in antipyrine clearance (p<0.05), and a consequently increased AUC value (p<0.05). No effect was observed on the distribution parameters of the drug. In dehydrated animals which had lost an average of 10% or 12.5% of their body weight owing to water deprivation, significant changes were found in the distribution and elimination pharmacokinetic parameters of antipyrine and sulphadimidine. The volume of distribution was significantly decreased, resulting in elevated plasma levels for the two drugs compared to normally watered animals. Significant decreases in clearance and subsequent prolongation of the elimination half-lives were observed during these periods of water deprivation. These changes in the disposition kinetics of the two drugs may be attributed to the loss of total body water and extracellular fluids and changes in the liver and kidney functions taking place during dehydration.     

Plasma steroid profiles following follicle-stimulating hormone or equine chorionic gonadotropin injection in cows chronically treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist

Plasma steroid profiles following follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) injection were studied in chronically gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-A)-treated cows. Follicular development and irINH secretion were stimulated by FSH or eCG injection. The plasma concentrations of estradiol-17 beta (E(2)) and testosterone (T) were markedly increased following eCG injection. However, significant increases of the plasma E(2) and T concentrations were not detected in FSH-treated cows. Ovulation of developed follicles were depended on the hCG injection in both groups. These results show: 1) Follicular response to an exogenous gonadotropin is still remained, 2) Ovulation of developed follicles is induced by hCG injection and 3) FSH and eCG cause disparate plasma steroid profiles, under the influence of repeated GnRH-A treatment.     

Fructolysis and Semen Characteristics in Young Bulls with special reference to cytoplasmic droplets

Inhalt: Fruktolyse und Sameneigenschaften bei Jungbullen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der cytoplasmatischen Tröpfchen 45 Ejakulate von 7 Jungbullen wurden bewertet. Zwischen Proben wurden signifikante Korrelationen errechnet zwischen der Fruktolyse und der Massenbewegung, der Spermienmotilität, dem Prozentanteil lebender Spermien (p < 0.01) und der Spermienkonzentration (p < 0.05). Zwischen Bullen konnten signifikante Korrelationen zwischen Fruktolyse und der Motilität sowie den Prorentanteil lebender Spermien (p < 0.01) ermittelt werden. Die Gehalte an freien Cytoplasmatröpfchen waren signifikant korreliert (p < 0.01) mit der Fruktolyse, der Massenbeweyung, Spermienmotilitat, der Spermienkonzentration und dem Prozentanteil lebender Spermien. Mit Hilfe der linearen Regression konnte eine signifikante Beziehung (p < 0.05) zwischen den Konzentrationen für freie Cytoplasmatröpfchen und der Fruktolyse nachgewiesen werden.     

Preliminary study on induction of sex reversal inMeloidogyne javanica (Chitwood) andTylenchulus semipenetrans (Cobb) nematodes by testosterone

Sex hormone, testosterone, was used to induce the function of sex reversal in the two nematode genera, by treatingM. javanica andT. semipenetrans egg-masses and new hatched larvae. The percentages of males were 80 and 62.5%, respectively, when applying testosterone three times, the first on egg-masses, the second and the third on hatched larvae at 10 ppm concentration. Percentage of males was increased by 45.83 forM. javanica in comparison with the check. Also, the sex hormone decreased the percentage of citrus nematode females that infected the root with 80%. Consequently, this means that the males percentage was increased.In addition, the reduction percentages of the total nematode population forM. javanica andT. semipenetrans treated with testosterone were 33.33 and 80%, respectively.These results indicate that the use of testosterone to induce the function of sex reversal is promising as a new approach for controlling parasitic nematodes,M. javanica andT. semipenetrans on tomato and sur orange, respectively. Testosterone showed two dimensions in this respect, the first is in changing the population sex ratio, where the percentages of males were increasing and decreasing the total population in comparison with the check in both nematode genera.

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Zusammenfassung Das Sexualhormon Testosteron wurde angewandt, um die Ausbildung des Geschlechts vonM. javanica undT. semipenetrans durch Behandlung der Eigelege und der frischgeschlüpften Larven zu beeinflussen. Bei dreimaliger Anwendung des Hormons bei den Eigelegen, sowie den Zweit- und Drittlarven, betrug der Männchen-Anteil der beiden Nematodenarten 80 bzw. 62,5%. Dabei wurde der Männchenanteil vonM. javanica um 45,8% gegenüber Kontrolle erhöht. BeiT. semipenetrans wurde bei gleicher Anwendung der Weibchenanteil um 80% vermindert, was ebenfalls einen Anstieg der Männchenquote bedeutete.Weiterhin wurde durch die Testosteron-Anwendung die Gesamtpopulation vonM. javanica um 33,3% und diejenige vonT. semipenetrans um 80% vermindert.Diese Ergebnisse zeigen, daß der Gebrauch von Testosteron zur Beeinflussung des Geschlechterverhältnisses einen neuen aussichtsreichen Weg zur Bekämpfung der pflanzenparasitären NematodenM. javanica undT. semipenetrans darstellt. Die Wirkung des Hormons ist dabei eine zweifache: Verringerung des Weibchenanteils sowie Verminderung der Gesamtpopulation der Nematodenart.

     

Nephrotoxicity in rats induced by organophosphate insecticide methidathion and ameliorating effects of vitamins E and C

The effects of organophosphate insecticide methidathion (MD) on kidney tissue and the ameliorating effects of a combination of vitamins E and C against subchronic MD toxicity were evaluated in rats. Experimental groups were: control group (group I), 5 mg/kg body weight MD-treated group (group II), and 5 mg/kg body weight MD plus vitamin E plus vitamin C treated group (group III). The groups II and III were treated orally with MD on five days a week for four weeks. Vitamins E and C were injected at doses of 50 mg/kg body weight, i.m. and 20 mg/kg body weight, i.p., respectively, 30 min after the treatment of MD in the group III. Rats were anaesthesized and venous blood samples were collected by direct right ventricle heart puncture, in addition, the right kidney was removed for histopathological examinations and malondialdehyde (MDA) analyses after four weeks. The serum activity of cholinesterase (ChE) and the kidney level of malondialdehyde, and kidney histopathology were studied in rats. MD caused decreased ChE activity (group I: 2114 ± 63 U/L, group II: 1455 ± 100 U/L) and increased MDA level (group I: 147 ± 20.2 nmol/mg protein, group II: 236 ± 25.6 nmol/mg protein), and kidney damage in rats. Furthermore, a combination of vitamins E and C restored partially (ChE activity: 1670 ± 111 U/L, MDA level: 159 19.4 nmol/mg protein) this changes in MD-treated rats.     

不同基因型甜高粱品种干物质积累规律研究

以不同基因型甜高粱为材料,采用田间试验调查和室内测试等方法对不同基因型甜高粱品种的干物质积累规律进行了研究比较,结果表明:(1)不同基因型甜高粱品种其生育进程和生育期之间有差异.(2)不同基因型甜高粱品种在不同生育阶段的干物质积累有差异,并且不同基因型甜高粱品种在各个生育阶段的干物质积累速度有差异.(3)不同基因型甜高粱品种在不同生育期阶段的干物质日积累量有明显的差异.     

Three-dimensional computed tomographic examination of pelvic cavity in Van Cats and its morphometric investigation

This study was carried out to determine the morphometric values of the pelvic cavity, the cranial and caudal pelvic aperture by three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the images obtained by computed tomography in adult Van Cats and to show the differences between these indicators in both genders. A total of 16 adult Van Cats, eight male and eight female, were used in the study. Animals were anesthetized with ketamine–xylazine combination and were scanned by computerized tomography. Images of the pelvic cavity were obtained. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the pelvis was performed with three-dimensional modelling program. Measurements of the diameters of the pelvic cavity, the cranial and caudal pelvic aperture were calculated from these images, and statistical analyzes were performed. Three-dimensional modelling of the pelvic cavity of Van Cats were examined between males and females. The results showed that there were significant (p < .05) differences between measurement of the pelvic inclination, the medial transverse diameter, the caudal transverse diameter and the angle between ischiatic arch. In addition, the correlations between age and weight were found statistically significant (p < .05) with the dorsal transverse diameter, the intermediate transverse diameter and the caudal transverse diameter in males. On the other hand, the correlations of age were statistically significant (p < .01) with the cranial pelvic aperture and the caudal pelvic aperture in females. In conclusion, some biometric values of pelvic cavity were observed to be statistically different in Van Cats.     

Immunohistochemical evaluation of hepatic progenitor cells in different types of feline liver diseases

Hepatic progenitor cells are periportally resident cells capable of differentiating into mature hepatocytes or cholangiocytes to ensure hepatic regeneration. This reaction is termed a ductular reaction. In the present study, regenerative response of the feline liver to different hepatic diseases was investigated immunohistochemically. Regeneration of the liver through hepatocellular replication and proliferation of progenitor cell compartment were comparatively evaluated. Histological and immunohistochemical stainings were conducted on feline liver samples (n=40) representing various hepatobiliary diseases. Cytokeratin (CK) 7, CK19, Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Ki67, and Human hepatocyte marker 1 (Hep Par-1) were used. The presence of progenitor cells within feline livers was proved, both as passive cells in normal liver and as active cells (ductular reaction) in hepatic lesions. CK7 was found to be a suitable antibody for immunohistochemically detecting feline progenitor cells. In acute events, regeneration was predominantly shaped by the division of hepatocytes. In chronic events and severe acute events, hepatocytes lost their ability to divide and regeneration mainly occurred through progenitor cells. Location of the ductular reaction varied between different hepatic diseases. Parenchymal ductular reaction was detected in fulminant hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, hepatocellular lipidosis and metastatic lymphoma, whereas septal ductular reaction was detected in chronic hepatitis and metastatic lymphoma. Ductular reaction exhibited positive staining for Hep Par-1 in chronic and severe acute events. This study indicates the major role played by hepatic progenitor cells in regeneration of the feline liver. Moreover, it shows how the activation pattern of ductular reaction varies according to the hepatobiliary disease type.