Evaluation of opioid receptors in synovial membranes of horses

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate mu-opioid receptors in synovial membranes of horses and determine whether these receptors are up-regulated in nerve endings during inflammation. SAMPLE POPULATION: Synovial tissue obtained from 39 client-owned horses during arthroscopy and 14 research horses during necropsy; brain and synovial tissues were obtained during necropsy from 1 horse, and control tissues were obtained from a mouse. PROCEDURE: Horses were classified into 7 groups on the basis of histologically determined degree of inflammation. Binding of primary rabbit antibody developed against mu-opioid receptors in equine synovial tissue was studied, using western blot analysis. Synovial membranes were tested for mu-opioid receptors by immunohistochemical staining, using a diaminobenzidine-cobalt chloride chromogen. Homogenates of synovial membranes were evaluated by use of radioligand binding. RESULTS: Examination of western blots of equine thalamus revealed that rabbit antibody developed against mu-opioid receptors yielded a band (molecular weight, 55 kd) that corresponded with that of other opioid receptors. Use of immunohistochemical staining of synovial tissue revealed considerable staining in the proliferative lining layer and in regions surrounding vascular structures. Specific radioligand binding of tissue homogenates was found in all groups. We did not detect significant differences in binding between horses with inflammation and horses without inflammation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of immunohistochemical analysis and radioligand binding of tissue homogenates suggest that there are opioid receptors in synovial membranes of horses. Our results support the practice of intra-articular administration of opioids to relieve pain after arthroscopic surgery in horses.     

New histochemical and ultrastructural observations on normal bovine tonsils.

Samples of normal bovine palatine tonsils were examined by light and electron microscopy. Like human tonsils, they were composed of crypts, subepithelial areas, follicles, and T-dependent zones, but their well-developed capsule subdivided the lymphoid tissue by connective septa. B cells formed the major lymphoid component. The follicles and T-dependent zones had morphological and histochemical features typical of peripheral lymph organs. Follicular dendritic cells were isolated and shown to be similar to human follicular dendritic cells.     

Feline vaccine-associated fibrosarcoma: an ultrastructural study of 20 tumors (1996-1999)

Twenty feline vaccine-associated sarcomas were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Tumors contained pleomorphic spindle cells, histiocytoid cells, and giant cells. Most tumors contained myofibroblasts, which had morphologic features similar to those of fibroblasts. These cells were further distinguished by subplasmalemmal dense plaques and thin cytoplasmic actin myofilaments organized as elongated bundles concentrated at irregular intervals forming characteristic dense bodies. Intracellular crystalline particulate material was found in 5 of the 20 tumors. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to identify the crystalline material within one tumor as aluminum-based. One tumor from a feline leukemia virus-infected cat contained budding and immature retroviral particles.     

Modulation of function of bovine polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes by high temperature in vitro and in vivo.

Function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) and proliferation of lymphocytes after stimulation with mitogens were evaluated in vitro at incubation temperatures of 38.5 and 42 C, and after in vivo heat stress of lactating Holstein cows. Cytochrome-c reduction and random migration of PMNL were reduced when cells were preincubated or incubated at 42 C, but high incubation temperature had little or no effect on phagocytosis and killing of Escherichia coli. Proliferation of lymphocytes was reduced when cells were incubated for 60 hours at 42 C after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen, or concanavalin A. After stimulation with phytohemagglutinin, lymphocytes were most sensitive to high temperature during the first 24 hours of the 60-hour culture period. High incubation temperature had little effect on viability of cells. In vivo heat stress had no significant effect on responses of PMNL in vitro, but the decrease in proliferation of lymphocytes in vitro at high temperature was less when cells were obtained from heat-stressed cows. Total leukocyte counts in blood and somatic cell counts in milk were higher in heat-stressed cows. Results indicate that: exposure to high temperature in vitro can depress responses of PMNL and lymphocytes; apparent adaptive mechanisms induced by in vivo heat stress provide protection from effects of high temperature seen in vitro; and evidence could not be found to support the hypothesis that reduction in immune function is the basis for increases in the incidence of mastitis during the summer.     

Technical note: a double L intestinal cannula for cattle

A double L-shaped intestinal cannula was developed in an attempt to overcome problems observed previously with simple T-type cannulas. The cannula was constructed from cyclopolyvinyl chloride water pipe fittings. Construction materials were fairly rigid, but by connecting the split cannula pieces with elastic castration bands the cannula had some flexibility. Placing a short cone over the exposed cannula barrel reduced mechanical damage to the intestine. The double L cannula required a much smaller incision in the intestine during surgical insertion than a T-type cannula; it also simplified replacement. Construction is described; use and performance of the cannula has been satisfactory.     

Histomoniasis in Leghorn pullets on a Florida farm

Recurrent outbreaks of histomoniasis in flocks of 4-to-6-week-old white leghorn pullets is reported. In a typical outbreak, 5% of the pullets were stunted and listless with unkempt feathers. Mortality ranged from 2 to 3%, and the cull rate was approximately 2%. Ceca of affected chickens contained caseous cores. Histological examination of the ceca revealed fibrinonecrotic ulcerative granulomatous typhlitis associated with numerous histomonad trophozoites in the cecal wall. The outbreaks of histomoniasis were associated with heavy parasitism of pullets by Heterakis gallinarum. Litter had not been completely removed from the houses for the past 10 years, providing a constant source of Histomonas-infected larvated Heterakis ova.