Glycated hemoglobin fractions in normal and diabetic dogs measured by high performance liquid chromatography.

We established a new analytical condition to measure the canine glycated hemoglobin by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using cation exchange column. The canine hemoglobin gave five peaks consisting of 2 major and 3 minor hemoglobin fractions such as HbA1a, HbA1b and HbA1c. Measurement was done in 38 clinically normal dogs and 10 diabetic dogs. Mean HbA1c values (% of total Hb) in normal and diabetic dogs were 2.60 and 6.41%, respectively. And mean HbA1 values were 3.58 and 7.41%, respectively. The mean values of the canine HbA1c and HbA1 in diabetic dogs was higher than those in normal dogs, significantly (p less than 0.01). Advantages of the HPLC method and applicability for monitoring effectiveness of insulin therapy in the canine diabetes mellitus are discussed.     

Effect of the strain combination of the donor and recipient on the production efficiency of W‐bearing sperm in mixed‐sex germline chimeric chickens

Effect of the strain combination of the donor and recipient on production efficiency of W‐bearing sperm in mixed‐sex chimeric testes was analyzed. The combinations of the donors and recipients were White Leghorn (WL) and Rhode Island Red (RIR), and vice versa. Generated mixed‐sex chimeras that had the male phenotype at sexual maturity were classified into four groups: (1) a female WL donor and a male RIR recipient; (2) a male WL donor and a female RIR recipient; (3) a female RIR donor and a male WL recipient; (4) a male RIR donor and a female WL recipient. The mean number of W‐bearing sperm detected by in situ hybridization among 10 000 sperm observed were 147, 165, 30 and 45 in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The numbers in groups 1 and 2 were both significantly higher than those of groups 3 and 4 (P < 0.05). The combination of a WL donor and a RIR recipient produced W‐bearing sperm more efficiently than the reverse combination.     

Interleukin 1 alpha mRNA-expressing cells on the local inflammatory response in feline infectious peritonitis.

By in situ hybridization with biotinylated human interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) cDNA probe, distribution of feline IL-1 alpha mRNA-expressing cells was examined in the tissues from 49 cases diagnosed as feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) by pathological examination. IL-1 alpha mRNA-expressing cells were found in visceral peritoneum, lymphoid organs, liver, kidney, pancreas, digestive tract, lung, pleura, brain, palpebral conjunctiva, and bone marrow. Hybridization signals for IL-1 alpha mRNA were mostly located in the local inflammatory lesions on the serosal surface of various organs and omentum, which were frequently involved in the lesions of FIP (27.8 +/- 5.1 cells/mm2). Morphological examination suggested that they were infiltrated macrophages. However, few IL-1 alpha mRNA-expressing macrophages were in the lesions of other organs. These data suggested that IL-1 alpha produced from macrophages in the local inflammatory sites might participate in the initiation and development of the lesions on the visceral peritoneum in FIP.     

Experimental transmission of rabbit syphilis

Rabbit syphilis was experimentally transmitted from clinical cases to healthy rabbits. The purpose was to evaluate changes in RPR titers during the course of infection and to detect the pathogenic organism. Two of three littermate rabbits were inoculated topically. One rabbit became symptomatic, with typical clinical signs on its genitalia about 8 weeks after inoculation and a marked rise in RPR titers, another remained asymptomatic with a moderate rise in titers, and the control rabbit remained negative. These results supported the specific relationship between clinical signs and RPR titers. Histopathological examination of the skin lesion from the symptomatic rabbit revealed spirochetes.