Scanning electron microscopic studies of megakaryocytes and platelet formation in the dog and rat

Megakaryocyte morphology and platelet formation in canine and murine bone marrows were studied by scanning electron microscopy. In situ-fixed bone marrow preparations and cell suspensions of bone marrow provided complementary information for the 2 species (dogs and rats). Cylindrical processes (proplatelets) of variable length and thickness, originating from the megakaryocyte surface, were in the larger marrow sinusoids and the central vein. Regional constrictions along the length of proplatelets, particularly near their apical region, and the presence of fragments of such processes supported the concept of platelet formation through segmentation of proplatelets. Megakaryocytes presented varied morphology. Surface features resembling platelets were observed on megakaryocytes, indicating that platelets may have been released through surface budding. In conclusion, megakaryocytes formed long proplatelet processes that actively migrated to venous sinusoids to release platelets by fragmentation. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed a complex and variable megakaryocyte surface topography. The platelet-like structures on megakaryocyte surfaces may represent platelet release by a budding mechanism. The similarity between murine platelet release and canine platelet release demonstrates that data from rodent models may be applicable to nonrodents.     

Growth and reproductive performance of rabbits on a moderately low crude protein diet with or without methionine or urea supplementation

The reproductive and growth performances of New Zealand White rabbits on four dietary treatments were compared. The treatments were a 21.5% crude protein (CP) diet control, a 16% CP diet (LP), LP + .3% DL-methionine (LP + met) and LP + 2.1% urea (LP + urea). The CP in the LP diet was derived entirely from alfalfa meal and wheat mill run, with no protein supplement used. Data were collected over five parities. Preweaning and postweaning growth rates and reproductive performance as assessed by litter size, conception rate and litter interval, were comparable for the four treatments. Average daily postweaning gain was about 40 g per d. Litter size at weaning was seven kits per litter. This study indicates that a simple diet of forage and a grain-milling by-product, with no cereal grain or protein supplement, can support normal growth and reproduction of commercial meat rabbits.     

A Field Trial of a Pilated Moraxella bovis Bacterin for the Prevention of Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis

Two field trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a Moraxella bovis bacterin in the control of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis. The bacterin did not affect the incidence of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis in either trial but did appear to reduce the severity of lesions, treatments required and withdrawals from pasture required in one trial. Possible reasons for the apparently contradictory results are offered. It is suggested that the bacterin may be of some value when used in conjunction with other preventive measures.     

Primary lens luxation in the Border Collie

Seven cases of lens luxation in related adult Border Collies are described. The clinical features, essential bilaterality and age of onset were similar to those of primary lens luxation encountered in the terrier breeds.     

Congenital meningocele-encephalocele in an experimental swine herd

Fourteen instances of meningocele-encephalocele in an experimental herd were recorded over a 5-year period. Thirteen of these affected animals were subjected to extensive pedigree analyses. Familial associations were strong, and clearly the meningocele-encephalocele in this herd was under genetic influence. However, additional studies are needed to clarify the mode of inheritance and, perhaps, to identify other factors that might be involved.     

Iron deficiency and pseudo-iron deficiency in hospitalized horses

Values for serum ferritin, serum iron, and serum total-iron binding capacity were determined in 100 hospitalized horses. Six foals had iron deficiency, as indicated by low serum ferritin and iron concentrations. Twenty-eight horses had low serum iron content and normal or high serum ferritin content and were considered to have pseudo-iron deficiency, possibly in response to infection. Ten horses had serum ferritin concentrations that were quite high, probably indicating iron overload.     

Prevalence and effects of intramammary infection in beef cows

Prevalence and effects of intramammary infection in 322 beef cows was determined during three calving intervals. Intramammary infection was confirmed in 37% of cows and 18.1% of quarters. Coagulase-positive staphylococci accounted for 17.9% of infections with Staphylococcus aureus isolated from 7.1% of cows. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and micrococci accounted for the remainder of infectious organisms. Butterfat and total protein levels were reduced 27.3 (P less than .05) and 25.5% (P less than .01), respectively, in milk from quarters infected with S. aureus. Somatic cell counts were elevated (P less than .001) with 3,827 X 10(3) cells/ml for S. aureus-infected quarters as compared with 555 X 10(3) cells/ml for uninfected quarters. Somatic cell counts were negatively correlated with 210-d calf weaning weights. Staphylococcus aureus-infected cows weaned calves weighing 19.1 kg less (P less than .01) than uninfected cows. At a present market value of $1.65/kg, economic losses were placed at $31.43/calf from cows infected with S. aureus in one or more quarters.     

Suspected chlorpyrifos toxicosis in a llama, and plasma pseudocholinesterase activity in llamas given chlorpyrifos

Five days after treatment with chlorpyrifos, a 1.5-year-old male llama was unable to stand, had saliva flowing from its mouth, and had constricted pupils, hyperglycemia, a metabolic acidosis, and a plasma pseudocholinesterase activity of 111 IU/L. Mean (+/- 1 SD) plasma pseudocholinesterase activity of 29 healthy llamas was 233.76 +/- 51.55 IU/L. Five to 8 days after topical application of chlorpyrifos (25 mg/kg of body weight) to 3 healthy llamas, the pseudocholinesterase activity decreased to 38% to 62% of pretreatment (base-line) activity and returned to within 90% of base-line activity by the 36th to 48th day after treatment.     

Conjunctivitis, tracheitis, and pneumonia associated with herpesvirus infection in green sea turtles

Fourteen juvenile (15- to 20-month-old) green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), representative of a group of sea turtles with clinical signs of respiratory tract disease, were euthanatized and submitted for necropsy. Macroscopically, lesions included periglottal necrosis, tracheitis with intraluminal caseous and laminated necrotic debris, and severe pneumonia. Several turtles had caseous conjunctival exudate covering the eyes. Microscopically, the turtles had fibrinonecrotic inflammation around the glottal opening, tracheitis, and severe bronchopneumonia and interstitial pneumonia. In multifocal areas, periglottal and tracheal epithelial cells adjacent to areas of necrosis had hypertrophic nuclei with amphophilic intranuclear inclusions. A mixed population of primarily gram-negative microorganisms was isolated from the tracheal and glottal lesions. Attempts at viral isolation in cultures of green sea turtle kidney cells resulted in the development of cytopathic effects characterized by giant cell formation and development of intranuclear inclusions. Using electron microscopy, intranuclear viral particles (88 to 99 nm in diameter) were seen in inclusion-containing tracheal and glottal epithelial cells and infected green sea turtle kidney cells; particles were consistently seen enveloping from nuclear membranes, and mature particles (132 to 147 nm) were found in the cytoplasm. On the basis of size, conformation, location, and presence of an envelope, the particles most closely resembled those of herpes-viruses.     

Effects of small and large face masks and translaryngeal and tracheostomy intubation on ventilation, upper-airway dead space, and arterial blood gases

Pulmonary function was examined in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs that were spontaneously breathing through a large poorly fitted face mask, a small snug-fitted face mask, an endotracheal tube, and a tracheostomy tube. Increasing upper-airway dead space volumes were associated with higher minute ventilation and faster breathing rates. Minute and tidal alveolar ventilation, calculated ideal alveolar oxygen, alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, venous admixture, arterial pH and blood gases, cardiac output, and systemic and pulmonary arterial blood pressure were not changed. The functional dead space of each mask was considerably less than that measured by water displacement. The small mask only slightly increased, and the endotracheal tube slightly decreased, the dead space estimated for a nasally breathing healthy dog.