Compatible measurements of volumetric soil water content using a neutron probe and Diviner 2000 after field calibration

Field calibrations for a neutron probe and a capacitance sensor (Diviner 2000) for measuring the soil water content of a shrinking–swelling clay soil were substantially different from commonly used default values. Using our field calibrations, the two instruments estimated similar changes in the cumulative water content of a soil profile (0–1 m depth) over one growing season.     

Hematological parameters and visceral lesions relationships in rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease.

Twenty rabbits were inoculated with a suspension of Viral Hemorrhagic Disease virus. Hemostatic functions were assessed every sixth hour from 6 to 60 hours post-inoculation. Tissue samples obtained at the same intervals allowed the study of the development of lesions throughout the experiment. Biological signs of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) were detected on and after 30 h post-inoculation and consisted of prolonged One Stage Prothrombin Time and Activated Partial Thrombin Time, the decrease of factors V, VII, and X and high levels of soluble fibrin monomer complexes and D-dimers. A reduction of thrombocyte numbers, heterophils and lymphocytes was associated. The close association of DIC and necrotizing hepatitis lesions suggested the hepatic lesions to be the most important DIC triggering factor. Other mechanisms are discussed.     

Cumulus Oophorus Expansion of Bovine Oocytes Cultured in vitro: A SEM and TEM Study

Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated from antral follicles (3–6 mm in diameter). COCs with a compact multilayered cumulus investment were cultured for 9, 13 and 24 hours, respectively, and processed for scanning or transmission electron microscopy after different periods of culture including a 0 hour control group. In all 0 hour control COCs initial formation of cumulus cell projections, blebs and microvilli were observed. The start of cumulus-oocyte disconnection in cattle was observed after 9 hours of in vitro culture. These connections were almost completely discrupted after 13 hours, when a continuous production of extracellular matrix was observed. The full expansion of corona radiata cells was not observed even after 24 hours. Some cumulus oophorus cells were bound together with junctions of the zonula adherens type after 24 hours when extracellular matrix was found only in deeper layers. The full expansion of corona radiata cells was not the prerequisite for disconnection of cumulus-oocyte complex. Inhalt: Kumulus oophorus Expansion von in vitro kultivierten Rinderoozyten: Eine SEM und TEM Untersuchung Kumulus-Oozyten-Komplexe (COC) von Rindern wurden aus antralen Follikeln aspiriert (Durchmesser 3–6 mm). COC's mit kompakten mehrschichtigen Kumulus wurden für 9, 13 und 24 Stunden kultiviert und für die Scanner- oder Transmissionselektronenmikroskopie vorbereitet. Verschiedene Kulturzeiten incl. einer 0-Stundengruppe als Kontrolle wurden untersucht. In allen Kontroll COC's wurden beginnende Formationen yon Kumuluszellprojektionen, Bläschen und Mikrovilli beobachtet. Nach 9-stündiger in vitro Kultur begann die Lösung zwischen Kumulus und Oozyte. Die Verbindungen waren nach 13 Stunden vollständig unterbrochen, wobei eine kontinuierliche Produktion extrazellulärer Matrix beobachtet wurde. Eine vollständige Expansion der Corona radiata Zellen wurde auch nicht nach 24 Stunden beobachtet. Nach 24 Stunden waren einige Cumulus Oophorus Zellen über Verbindungen des Zonula adherens Typs verknüpft, wobei extrazelluläre Matrix nur in den tieferen Zellschichten gefunden wurde. Eine vollständige Kumulusexpansion ist keine Voraussetzung für die Auflösung des Kumulus-Oozyten-Komplexes.     

Cytological, Immunocytochemical and Ultrastructural Study of the Adenohypophyseal Pars Distalis of the Kid (Capra hircus): The TSH cell

The structure and ultrastructure of the adenohypophyseal pars distalis in kids of the Murciano-granadiana breed (18 males and 12 females), aged 2-3 months and with an average carcass weight of 8 kg has been studied. Techniques of staining (Tetrachrome Herlant's, and Cleveland-Wolfe) and histochemistry (PAS, PAS-OG and BA-PAS-OG) contrasted with immunolabelling (PAP) have been used. In addition an ultrastructural study has been made and nucleus and cytoplasm, secretory granules, mitochondria and lysosomes have been measured with a semiautomatic image analyzer (IBAS-1). TSH cells are found in sagittal section in the anterior area and in an antero-caudodorsal band, and transversally in the ventral and medial region; they are 6% and their average size is 14.15 microns. Ultrastructurally they are a single cellular type with spherical granules whose size is 195 nm in males and 149 in females; these granules are characterized by a clear halo and a variable electronic density. The rough endoplasmic reticulum is found as slightly enlarged vesicles with a homogeneous and moderately electro-dense content or in concentric stratifications.     

Evaluation of three strip tests for measuring electrolytes in mares' pre-partum mammary secretions and for predicting parturition

Three strip test kits which measure calcium and/or magnesium in mares' mammary secretions were compared and assessed for their accuracy in:- 1) measuring these electrolytes compared to standard laboratory measurements, and 2) predicting the time of parturition. Daily samples of mammary secretions were obtained pre-partum from 35 Thoroughbred mares and allocated a score. Measurement of mammary secretion calcium and/or magnesium by the strip tests and laboratory methods correlated significantly (P less than 0.001). The results obtained for prediction of parturition were analysed by two methods. Method i) indicated that the majority of mares had a maximum score on the day of birth. However, the second method of analysis included all prepartum scores and this demonstrated that maximum scores occurred on more occasions prior to the day of birth than on the day of birth itself. The number of nights spent attending mares, and the percentage of occasions when foaling was missed, were also calculated for given strip test scores. The results indicate that the test kits are not particularly accurate in predicting time of parturition although they are a reliable means of measuring mammary secretion calcium and/or magnesium. It is suggested that the test kits may be more helpful by indicating when it is not necessary to attend mares at night.     

Ultrastructure of sarcocysts from water buffalo in India

The ultrastructure of sarcocysts of macro- and microscopic species of Sarcocystis was compared from naturally infected water buffalo from India. Grossly visible sarcocysts had walls consisting of cauliflower-like villar protrusions, typical of S. fusiformis. The sarcocyst wall of the microscopic species of Sarcocystis was 6.4 microns thick and consisted of tightly packed conical villar protrusions that were 9.6 microns long and 3.7 microns wide at the base. At approximately 3 microns above the base, the distal two-thirds of the villar protrusion became conical shaped and was bent laterally at an angle of 45 degrees to the sarcocyst surface. The granular layer beneath the villar protrusions was 0.9 microns thick. In S. levinei the granular layer was 1.9 microns thick, the villar protrusions were narrow and it had a highly undulating primary cyst wall. Whether the microscopic S. levinei-like sarcocysts of Indian and Malaysian water buffalo are distinct species of Sarcocystis will require further investigation.     

Mucus synthesis in the goblet cells of the small intestine in experimental infection with the coccidium Isospora suis in piglets

The state of mucus synthesis in the goblet cells of the small intestine was studied in conventional piglets infected with a dose of 200,000 oocytes of the coccidium Isospora suis the first and fifth day after parturition. The synthesis of mucus and its chemical characteristics undergo significant changes during the third and fourth day after infection. The activity of acid and neutral mucous substances declines; their level and the physiological synthetic function of goblet cells begin to return to the normal during the period starting on the eight to tenth day after infection. However, there were no fully functioning goblet cells in the broken numerical ratio even at the end of the period of investigation, i.e. the 13th day after infection. The thin surface layer of mucus remained almost unchanged within the whole extent of the small intestine parts studied.     

Anaerobes in periodontal disease in the dog: a review

As anaerobic sampling and culture techniques improved, the documented prevalence of anaerobic bacteria in periodontal disease has increased. The anaerobic bacteria have become more well-known in humans and consequently in dogs, since this species is a major model in periodontal studies. A review of the literature related to anaerobic flora is described.     

Characterization of and radioimmunoassay for canine thyroglobulin

Canine thyroglobulin (cTg) has been isolated and purified. It has similar electrophoretic patterns as Tg from other mammalian species. The main fraction had a MW of 660,000, whereas also fractions of a MW of approximately 1,300,000 (dimer) and 330,000 (subunit) were present. The iodine content was 0.8 to 1.0 % (w/w). cTg did not cross-react with antibodies against human Tg to a degree that would allow the use of a radioimmunoassay for human Tg for the determination of cTg in serum or plasma. Therefore a polyclonal antiserum was raised against cTg and a homologous radioimmunoassay was developed, which was sensitive (0.4 μg/l) and specific (cross-reactivity in cTg assay of human Tg, goat Tg, T₄, T₃, and DIT < 0.01 %).

Plasma Tg levels in normal dogs of both sexes and aged 3–15 years amounted to 192 ± 73 μg/l (mean ± SD, n=30). There was no relation between plasma Tg and T₄ levels.