Pharmacokinetics of a porcine insulin zinc suspension in diabetic dogs

Ten dogs with naturally occurring diabetes mellitus were injected with a highly purified porcine insulin zinc suspension at a dose according to their expected requirement. Plasma insulin and glucose concentrations were measured at two-hourly intervals over 24 hours following injection. There were either one or two peaks in plasma insulin concentration: one at about four hours (mean 4.3 21.3 [SD]) and another at about 11 hours (mean 11 pM1-85) after the injection. The second insulin peak was seen in only eight dogs. Persistence of elevated plasma insulin concentrations ranged from 14 to 24 hours (mean 17.4 pM 3.65). These results compare favourably with those published for other intermediate-acting insulin preparations used to treat canine diabetes mellitus and suggest that this preparation has useful properties for the successful management of many canine diabetics.     

The Breakdown of Olivine to Perovskite and Magnesiowustite

San Carlos olivine crystals under laboratory conditions of 26 gigapascals and 973 to 1473 kelvin (conditions typical of subducted slabs at a depth of 720 kilometers) for periods of a few minutes to 19 hours transformed to the phase assemblage of perovskite and magnesiowustite in two stages: (i) the oxygen sublattice transformed into a cubic close-packed lattice, forming a metastable spinelloid, and (ii) at higher temperatures or longer run durations, this spinelloid broke down to perovskite and magnesiowustite by redistributing silicon and magnesium while maintaining the general oxygen framework. The breakdown was characterized by a blocking temperature of 1000 kelvin, below which olivine remained metastable, and by rapid kinetics once the reaction was activated.     

Comparison of ivermectin, oxfendazole and levamisole for use as anthelmintics during the periparturient period in sheep

Ewes synchronised with progestin impregnated sponges to reduce the spread of lambing were treated during the periparturient period with anthelmintic. The suppression of nematode egg output in faeces was measured in ewes given ivermectin either by subcutaneous injection or orally, or oxfendazole or levamisole orally. Ivermectin and oxfendazole reduced the output of eggs in the faeces of the ewes significantly (P less than 0.05) and the period of suppressed egg output was extended when ivermectin was given by subcutaneous injection. Plasma pepsinogen activity was estimated as a measure of abomasal damage. Pepsinogen values were significantly (P less than 0.001) lower in those animals treated with ivermectin by subcutaneous injection than in control animals. Levamisole showed a poorer response in terms of the output of eggs in faeces than either ivermectin or oxfendazole.     

Production of strains of the sheep parasite Ostertagia circumcincta by implantation of adult parasites into the abomasum of lambs

The implantation of a single pair of adult parasites of Ostertagia circumcincta via the abomasa of four lambs resulted in the production of 19, 53, 393 and 425 viable larvae after faecal culture using faeces collected from day 6 to day 20 after implantation. Implantation of a single female parasite into two lambs failed to produce larvae.     

Multiple forms of bovine pepsinogen: isolation and identification in serum from calves with ostertagiasis

By using fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) a new form of bovine pepsinogen has been identified. Compared with the previously isolated pepsinogen (PG I) the new pepsinogen (PG II) is less mobile on agarose electrophoresis, is eluted earlier from an anion-exchange column and is 30 times less abundant. Agarose electrophoresis identified PG I in the serum of calves given third stage Ostertagia ostertagi larvae, while FPLC identified both PG I and PG II in such serum.     

Strategic use of anthelmintics for parasitic nematodes in cattle and sheep

Treatment regimes for the control of parasitic nematodes in cattle and sheep are reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of each strategy are outlined and the veterinarian's judgement of the management and economic constraints involved when recommending a particular system to a client is emphasised.     

The distribution and some pharmacokinetic parameters of ivermectin in pigs

Ivermectin was injected subcutaneously into five pigs at the usual dose rate of 300 µg/kg and found to distribute well to all tissues and body fluids which were sampled 24 h post-injection. Ivermectin was detected in the contents and mucus at all levels of the gastrointestinal tract. The drug was excreted in bile, with high concentrations of the drug in the intestines and faeces. High concentrations of ivermectin were measured in skin, ears and ear wax, suggesting that the drug should be effective in the treatment of ectoparasitic infestations, particularly ear mites. The high lipid solubility of the drug may explain the high concentrations found in ear wax and skin. Ivermectin was also detected in the body fluids and tissues of an untreated pig penned with the treated animals. Direct contact appeared to be necessary for transfer of ivermectin from the treated to the untreated pig but coprophagia or urine drinking is a possible explanation.The pharmacokinetics of ivermectin administered subcutaneously at a dose rate of 300 µg/kg to six pigs were studied. There was marked individual variation in the pharmacokinetics of ivermectin. In one pig the area under the plasma concentration-time curve was particularly high. This may reflect individual variation in uptake and excretion of the drug. The mean elimination half-life of the drug was 35.2 h, suggesting that the drug is cleared slowly from pigs with drug detectable in plasma for 6–10 days. This persistence should allow a short period of protection before re-infection with parasites.