Susceptibility to onion-induced hemolysis in dogs with hereditary high erythrocyte reduced glutathione and potassium concentrations.

The hemolytic effect of onion consumption in dogs with hereditary high erythrocyte reduced glutathione and potassium concentrations (designated HK dogs) was compared with that in clinically normal dogs. Twelve hours after oral administration of boiled onions (200 g/dog), hemoglobin concentration decreased to 84.4% of the initial value in HK dogs; it decreased only to 90.5% in clinically normal dogs. At 24 hours, methemoglobin concentration was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in HK dogs than in clinically normal dogs. The concentration of erythrocyte oxidized glutathione increased about fivefold at 10 hours in HK dogs, whereas it did not change during the experimental period in clinically normal dogs. In addition, at 12 hours, the proportion of erythrocytes containing Heinz bodies increased to 24.4% in HK dogs, but increased only to 1.2% in clinically normal dogs. Thus, results indicated that HK dogs were more susceptible to the oxidant action of onions than were clinically normal dogs.     

Differentiation of hog cholera and bovine virus diarrhoea viruses in pigs using monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies against hog cholera and bovine viral diarrhoea viruses were assayed on organ tissue sections of experimentally infected animals. The animals had been infected simultaneously with both viruses. The antibodies were tested using an indirect immunofluorescence test and an indirect enzyme immunoassay with a biotin/streptavidin/peroxidase detection system. A polyclonal hyperimmune serum was used as a control in direct immunofluorescence tests. Both techniques based on monoclonal antibodies were more sensitive and more specific than the conventional test, the enzyme immunoassay being more sensitive than the immunofluorescence test. Small amounts of BVD viral antigen were demonstrable with monoclonal antibodies in most organ tissues.     

Conception rates in early postpartum ewes bred naturally or by intrauterine insemination

Ewes were treated with a medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) sponge for 8 d followed, at sponge removal, with 500 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) at d 30, 40 or 50 (d 0 = lambing) to induce estrus. Dry and lactating ewes were divided into equal numbers at each postpartum day and bred at estrus. Conception rates and number of accessory sperm were determined by flushing the oviducts 3 d after mating and examining the recovered ova. There was no effect (P greater than .05) of lactational status on conception rates. Conception rates increased (P less than .05) from d 30 (10%) to d 40 (45%) and from d 40 to d 50 (80%). There were fewer (P less than .05) ova with accessory sperm (5/26) in d-30 ewes compared with d-40 (10/27) or d-50 (12/24) ewes. In Exp. 2, ewes were assigned to two groups after receiving PMSG on d 30: 1) mated naturally or 2) inseminated during laparotomy near the uterotubal junction (UTJ). Dry and lactating ewes were divided evenly within each of the two treatments. Oviducts were flushed and ova were examined for cleavage. The conception rate was 60% in ewes that were inseminated in the UTJ vs 10% in ewes mated to rams (P less than .05). Lactational status had no effect on results. In conclusion, conception rates in postpartum ewes treated with MAP sponge and PMSG increased from postpartum d 30 to d 50 with natural breeding, and d-30 conception rates were increased over natural mating by insemination into the uterine horn near the UTJ.     

Light and electron microscopy of keratinization in the laminar epidermis of the equine hoof with reference to laminitis

The laminar epidermis (epidermis parietis) of hooves from 14 clinically normal horses, 6 months to 15 years old, was examined by light and electron microscopy and immunofluorescence to measure the contributions of this region to the formation of the hoof wall. By their progressive keratinization to form primary epidermal laminae, the secondary epidermal laminae ultimately contributed about 20% of the thickness of the hoof wall (as revealed in the white line [zona alba]). The keratinized, primary epidermal laminae were developed to a height of 4 mm during their proximodistal-course, much of this obscured because of their basal portion being embedded in the cap horn epidermis. From evaluation of structural changes accompanying keratinogenesis in the cell and determination of the contribution of the laminar epidermis to the formation of laminar horn, cap horn, connecting horn, terminal horn, and the white line, we concluded that the sterile bed concept of a nongerminative role for the secondary epidermal laminae is no longer tenable.     

Use of synthetic peptides in virology

A survey of the potential use of synthetic oligopeptides in the field of virology is given. The potential value of synthetic peptides as vaccines and diagnostic antigens is discussed. The advantages compared to conventional vaccines as well as the limitations, e.g. the poor efficiency of immune response, are described.     

Possible association of vitamin A deficiency with displacement of the abomasum in dairy heifers

Clinical manifestations of anasarca, left displacement of the abomasum, abortion, and incoordination appeared in a group of heifers fed a vitamin A-deficient diet. Older heifers and heifers late in pregnancy were more affected. All clinical signs of disease disappeared within 14 days after vitamin A treatment was begun, and the diet was changed. Although vitamin A deficiency in dairy cows has been documented, this report differs from others in the main clinical manifestations of disease.     

P‐33 Poxvirus infection in two cats

A 3‐year‐old Burmese cat was presented with a history of nonresolving crusted and papular lesions of the face and prior treatment with prednisolone. Skin biopsies revealed typical pox lesions with hyperplasia and ulceration of the epidermis and eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the epidermal cells. In the upper dermis there was prominent diffuse mast cell infiltration and mild neutrophilic and eosinophilic inflammation. Rare cytoplasmic inclusion bodies were also present in swollen endothelial cells of dermal venules, which showed no other degenerative changes. Histological diagnosis was confirmed by electron microscopic evidence of pox virus particles in inclusion bodies of epidermal cells. The lesions resolved within 6 weeks with systemic antibiotic therapy and supportive care. A 2‐year‐old domestic short‐haired cat was presented with multiple disseminated papular and ulcerative pox lesions with central eschar over the entire body. Histologically, large epidermal inclusion bodies (up to 6 μm in diameter) were present. Widespread haemorrhage and vascular wall necrosis was visible in the dermis and subcutis. Some subcutaneous vessels showed neutrophilic vasculitis. In addition to diffuse dermal neutrophilic and eosinophilic inflammation, a lymphohistiocytic panniculitis was also present. The cat died as a result of massive haemorrhage and lymphedema, despite supportive care. Funding: Self‐funded.     

Deep Freezing of Boar Semen Packaged in Plastic Bags and Straws

For practical reasons, a large volume (i.e. 5 ml) of frozen boar semen per insemination dose is desirable, but successful freezing has not been achieved, since optimal cooling rates have not yet been established. Post-thaw motility and the acrosome intep'ty of semen from four boars frozen with a programmable freezin machine, in mini-(0.25 ml), maxi-(5 ml) plastic straws and in 10 × 5 cm PVC- or Teflon FEP-plastic bags (0.35 – 0.12 mm thick, 5 ml) was studied. The freezing of the semen was monitored using thermocouples placed in the straws and the bags. The freezing curve started from +5°C, at a rate of −3°C/min, to – 6°C, it was held for 1 min at −6°C, and was followed by further drop to −100°C at a rate of −20°C/min, with subsequent storage in LN₂. The bags had a much shorter freezing point plnteau, compared to the maxi-straws. Post-thaw sperm motility was significantly higher when semen was frozen in mini-straws or in bags than in maxi-straws. The freezing procedure did not cause major acrosomal damages, significantly more normal apical ridges being present in the bags and mini-straws than in the maxi-straws. This in vitro evaluation indicates that the freezing method employed is satisfactory for freezing large volumes of boar semen into plastic bags .     

Importance of Some Biochemical Parameters in the Quality and Yield of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Samples of rapeseed from three Italian growing environments (Bologna, Perugia and Palermo) were analysed for glucose content and dry weight of 1000 seeds every three or four days starting from the end of flowering until complete ripening. In addition, the content of oil, soluble and total proteins, glucosinolates and myrosinase activity was determined in samples of mature seeds. The cultivars used were jet Neuf and Lingot (type 0) and Tandem, Jade and Santana (type 00). From the results it emerged that the point of intersection of the two branches of the linear regression plots for different glucose-consumption kinetics found during seed filling, in addition to being strongly affected by the climate of the test environment, is correlated with quantitative and qualitative production, independently of the genotype.