Narcolepsy in a Brahman bull

Behavioral, electrophysiologic, and pharmacologic tests were performed on a 2 1/2-year-old Brahman bull suspected of having narcolepsy. Placement on a tilt table or electroejaculation induced apparent sleep and cataplexy. Electrophysiologic recordings during the episodes revealed the low-voltage, high-frequency electroencephalogram, reduced electromyogram amplitude, and rapid eye movements in the electrooculogram associated with rapid eye movements sleep. Physostigmine salicylate appeared to elicit and potentiate the episodes, whereas atropine sulfate and imipramine reduced or blocked them. The combined results of the tests supported the diagnosis of narcolepsy.     

Effects of Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone Administration on the Pituitary-Ovarian Axis in Anoestrous vs Ovariectomized Bitches

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) administration on the plasma concentrations of reproductive hormones in intact and ovariectomized (OVX) bitches. Therefore, blood samples were collected at multiple times before and after the administration of 10 microg/kg GnRH (Fertagyl)) for the determination of the plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone in six anoestrus and in six OVX bitches. The mean plasma LH concentrations before and 60 min after GnRH administration were significantly lower in the anoestrous bitches than in the OVX bitches. In both groups GnRH administration resulted in a significant increase in the plasma LH concentration. The highest plasma LH concentrations were found at 10 min after GnRH administration and these values did not differ significantly between the two groups. Only in the anoestrous bitches a significant increase in plasma oestradiol concentrations was found after GnRH administration and these values were significantly higher than those in the OVX bitches. The plasma concentrations of progesterone and testosterone were low (close to or below the limit of quantitation) both before and after GnRH administration and the differences between anoestrous and OVX bitches were not significant. It can be concluded that (i) basal plasma LH concentration is significantly higher in OVX bitches than in anoestrous bitches, (ii) plasma LH concentration increases after GnRH administration in both anoestrous and OVX bitches, (iii) GnRH administration causes a significant rise in plasma oestradiol concentration only if ovarian tissue is present and (iv) measurement of plasma progesterone and testosterone concentrations before and after GnRH administration does not aid in distinguishing between anoestrous and OVX bitches. The results of this study may provide a basis for the diagnosis of remnant ovarian tissue and verification of neuter status in the bitch.     

Phosphorus uptake and use efficiency in different varieties of bread wheat (Triticum Aestivum L)

Thirty spring wheat varieties were evaluated and classified into eight different groups on the basis of their grain yield performance and phosphorus (P) uptake using Metroglyph analysis. Significant variability was observed for grain and biomass yield, plant height, P content in grain and straw, total P uptake and phosphorus harvest index and P use efficiency traits. Varieties WH 711 and PBW 343 exhibited high grain yield as well as high P uptake (HGY-HP). WH 283 and UP 2425 with high index score of 19 and 16 respectively, constituted the high grain yield-medium P uptake (HGYMP) group. Both these varieties, though had similar grain yield of 5348 kg/ha, but WH 283 (12.64 kg/ha) utilized much lower P as compared to UP 2425 (16.94 kg/ha). Moreover, WH 283 (81.64) also showed higher values for phosphorus harvest index (PHI) than UP 2425 (67.88%). P uptake of WH 283 was comparable with that of Raj 3765 (10.78 kg/ha) and grouped into high grain yield and low P uptake (HGY-LP) group. The grain yield performance of these two varieties with a relatively low P uptake is reflected in their high index score for P use efficiency thus, earmarking them for low P regimes. Variety HW 2006, despite low grain yields of 4665 kg/ha had high index score of 16 due to its higher value for Phosphorus Biological (PBER) and Economic Yield (PEER) Efficiency Ratio as it has effected least (7.18 kg/ha) P mobilization. In addition high P translocation in the grain was also observed for this variety. Inter-mating of genotypes like HW 2006, UP 2338 and HW 2016 with those belonging to HGY-HP (PBW 343 and WH 711) and HGY-LP (Raj 3765 and WH 283) would be an ideal strategy to develop the cultivars for efficient phosphorus use.     

Diagnosis of partial epilepsy in a goat

A seizure disorder of 4.5 years' duration in a 6-year-old female Nubian goat was diagnosed as partial epilepsy on the basis of history, focal electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities, convulsive response to ketamine, and necropsy findings. The goat appeared to maintain consciousness during her seizures. A 1.5-day period of continuous seizures during a pregnancy at age 1.5 years may have resulted in a postanoxic seizure focus responsible for the seizures. A morphologic cause for the seizures was not detected. Two spontaneous seizures and 2 drug-induced seizures were detected during 1 month of observation after donation. The amplitude of the EEG over the left frontocentral cortex was depressed, and periodic bursts of high-frequency interictal spiking were detected over the same site. Acepromazine, intermittent photic stimulation, or ketamine after acepromazine failed to elicit seizures or EEG abnormalities, but ketamine alone (50 mg, IV) twice elicited seizures. Seizure severity appeared to parallel plasma estrogen concentration.     

Diagnosis of primary generalized epilepsy in a cow

On the basis of history, electrodiagnostic and neuropharmacologic studies, and results of laboratory testing and necropsy, a seizure disorder of 1.5 years' duration in an 8-year-old Hereford cow was diagnosed as primary generalized epilepsy. Evidence of metabolic, toxicologic, head trauma, or genetic cause of the seizures was not found. A morphologic cause for the convulsions also was not detected. One naturally occurring seizure was recorded electroencephalographically, but interictal EEG abnormalities were not seen. Attempts to evoke a seizure with photostimulation or therapeutic doses of acepromazine, ketamine, tripelennamine, and estradiol cypionate were unsuccessful. The seizure threshold for the CNS stimulant pentylenetetrazol was found to be less than 6 mg/kg, IV; the seizure threshold in a control cow was found to be greater than 12 mg/kg, IV. The pharmacologic protocol used for this cow may be useful for diagnosis of epilepsy in other animals.     

Detection and localization of regucalcin in spermatozoa of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): A calcium‐regulating multifunctional protein

Regucalcin (RGN) is a calcium‐regulating, anti‐apoptotic, antioxidative and antiproliferative multifunctional protein predominantly seen in liver and kidney. All these functions are very crucial during spermatogenesis and sperm maturation process until fertilization of the ovum. Although many studies have reported the wide distribution of regucalcin in the male reproductive tract of the rat, human and bovine, its presence in spermatozoa is yet to be demonstrated wherein calcium has a pivotal role in the transport, capacitation, acrosomal reaction and further fusion with ova. Here, we detected the expression of regucalcin mRNA and protein in buffalo spermatozoa using real‐time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The study detected two new regucalcin isoforms of 44 kDa and 48 kDa size along with the reported 34‐kDa, 28‐kDa and 24‐kDa isoforms, wherein the 34‐kDa isoform was found to be membrane associated in spermatozoa. Further, immunocytochemistry study localized the regucalcin protein in the acrosomal region of the caudal and ejaculated buffalo spermatozoa while it was detected in both cytoplasm and acrosomal region of testicular spermatozoa. This discovery of RGN in spermatozoa and localization in the acrosomal region will help to focus researchers to see its role in calcium‐related functions like capacitation, acrosomal reaction and membrane fusion. Overall, regucalcin may be a new fertility marker in buffalo and can be utilized for infertility treatments.