Evaluation of peripheral lymphoreticular biopsy techniques and their clinical side effects in sheep

Tissue samples were collected postmortem from 126 sheep at five lymphoreticular sites by different techniques. The three most successful combinations of sites and techniques were: the third eyelids, using a forceps and scissors, which provided a mean (se) of 5.32 (0.70) lymphoid follicles per 5 microm tissue section, a mandibular lymph node, using a Biopty gun, which gave 1.19 (0.26) lymphoid follicles per 5 microm tissue section, and tonsil, using a biopsy forceps, which gave 1.14 (0.27) lymphoid follicles per 5 microm tissue section. These three techniques were repeated once a month for five months on five sheep under general anaesthesia, and their clinical effects were compared with five control sheep which were restrained and anaesthetised in the same way but from which no biopsies were taken. Most lymphoid follicles (3.47 [0.58] per 5 pm tissue section) were obtained by using the third eyelid biopsy technique. There were no clinical side effects associated with the biopsy procedure. There were increases in the plasma concentration of cortisol in all the animals, suggesting that the restraint and anaesthesia were more stressful than the biopsy procedure.     

Bracken effects on inorganic nitrogen leaching from an upland podzol

Leaching of inorganic N species to stream waters from upland areas of the UK is increasing, reflecting the increases in atmospheric deposition of nitrogen species due to increased levels of vehicular emissions. Bracken cover in UK uplands is also increasing overall ( Taylor, 1986 ), and the architectural nature of bracken has been shown to both increase deposition of atmospheric constituents to soils and change their chemical and physical nature. We have tested the nutrient status of upland podzols from the Lake District, Cumbria, UK, from under both moorland grass and bracken. The results show reduced levels of base cations and nitrate throughout the profile and decreases in the organic matter content of surface horizons as a consequence of bracken encroachment. We also report increased ammonium concentrations in lower soil horizons under bracken, possibly leading to increased leaching to stream waters. These results suggest either increased leaching of soil nutrients due to bracken encroachment or increased storage of nutrients within the bracken rhizome system. Results also suggest changes in either microbial activity or the microbial community of podzols, possibly due to the allelopathic nature of bracken. This may have caused changes in the soil nutrient dynamics, possibly accounting for some of the changes seen. We hypothesize that increased bracken cover within the British uplands has the potential to increase leaching of inorganic nitrogen to upland streams.     

Plant performance and water use of peppermint treated with methanol and glycine

Methanol applied to foliage has been reported to reduce water use of C3 crops. Two field experiments on peppermint measured both plant performance and soil water depletion for methanol, glycine, and an untreated control. No differences were found in dry matter yield, oil yield, plant height, leaf weight, or water use. Preliminary phytotoxicity studies showed no toxicity or necrosis at concentrations up to 99 percent methanol applied at a rate of 187 L/ha in the field.     

Cross-sectional study on acrylamide hemoglobin adducts in subpopulations from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Study

Acrylamide exposure was investigated in subgroups of the EPIC study population (510 subjects from 9 European countries, randomly selected and stratified by age, gender, and smoking status) using hemoglobin adducts of acrylamide (HbAA) and its primary metabolite glycidamide (HbGA). Blood samples were analyzed for HbAA and HbGA by HPLC/MS/MS. Statistical models for HbAA and HbGA were developed including body mass index (BMI), educational level, and physical activity. A large variability in acrylamide exposure and metabolism between individuals and country groups was observed with HbAA and HbGA values ranging between 15-623 and 8-377 pmol/g of Hb, respectively. Both adducts differed significantly by country, sex, and smoking status. HbGA values were significantly lower in high alcohol consumers than in moderate consumers. With increasing BMI, HbGA in nonsmokers and HbAA in smokers decreased significantly. In the assessment of potential health effects related to acrylamide exposure, country of origin, BMI, alcohol consumption, sex, and smoking status should be considered.     

Structure—activity relationships for some organotin molluscicides

Bioassay data are reported for 12 organotin compounds, R₃SnX, against the adult snail, Biomphalaria glabrata, an intermediate host of schistosomiasis. The relationship between the molluscicidal activity and the nature of the R and X groups in the organotin compounds is discussed, as well as the possible mode of toxic action of these compounds.     

Triennial Lactation Symposium: Effects of stress on postpartum reproduction in dairy cows

The objective was to review the effects of production stressors on reproductive performance of dairy cows. It has been well documented that genetic selection for milk yield over the last 50 yr has been associated with reduced fertility. In addition to negative associations between yield and conception rate, there is also an association between milk production and expression of behavioral estrus. Stress caused by production diseases in high-yielding dairy cows also contributes to the problems of poor fertility. Lameness results in reduced intensity of estrus and can contribute to ovulation failure, which is largely due to reduced pre-ovulatory estradiol secretion and failure of the LH surge. Mastitis has been associated with prolonged intervals to dominant follicle selection, and in animals with uterine infection the dominant follicle grows slower and produces less estradiol. In a recent study, we identified that milk yield was associated with an increased incidence of uterine infection, which is known to contribute to reduced fertility and prolonged calving-to-conception intervals. The incidence of uterine disease was 73% in high-yielding, compared with 45% in low-yielding cows. As well as effects at the ovary, various models of stress have also been shown to perturb endocrine secretion in the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary. In conclusion, the adverse effects on fertility associated with genetic selection for yield in dairy cows is, in part, associated with increased incidences of production disease-induced stress but is also associated with high milk yield.