Diseases and outcomes in rabbits with high BUN levels

One hundred and ninety cases of rabbits, seen at animal hospitals in Saitama and Tokyo, Japan from 1998 to 2001, with BUN values greater than 27 mg/dl were analyzed regarding their underlying and/or complicating diseases and outcomes. Gastrointestinal disorder (54 cases) was the most common disease, followed by overgrowth of molar teeth and then liver disturbance. The total mortality was 48.9% within three months, and cases showing complications such as liver disturbance or bacterial infection showed highest mortality. Cases with higher BUN values showed even higher mortality, although mortality varied depending on the complications. Therefore, the prognosis of rabbit cases with high BUN values should be evaluated based on findings from blood chemistry, together with the seriousness of the underlying and/or complicating disease.     

Rabbit syphilis diagnosed clinically in household rabbits

This paper deals with 16 cases presented from April to December 2001 and diagnosed clinically as rabbit syphilis, because they showed distinct lesions around the nose and/or mouth, responded to chemotherapy, and the "Rapid Plasma Reagin" test was positive. Twelve cases exhibited initial symptoms and four were relapses. Lesions around the genitalia and/or anus as well as the nose and/or mouth were seen in 8 cases, and 6 cases indicated sneezing. Fifteen cases were successfully treated with oral administration of chloramphenicol, and one was treated with long-acting penicillin by intramuscular injection. The mean age of onset was 8.8 months. As none of these cases had any mating history, the disease was likely to be maternally transmitted.     

Muscle cramps in two standard poodles with hypoadrenocorticism

Two standard poodles were evaluated for painful, episodic muscle cramps affecting their thoracic and pelvic limbs. Both dogs had been diagnosed with hypoadrenocorticism and were being treated with fludrocortisone acetate and prednisone when evaluated for muscle cramps. However, the muscle cramping started approximately 1 month prior to the diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism. Findings on general physical examination included lethargy and dehydration. Neurological examination was normal between episodes. Serum biochemical abnormalities included hyperalbuminemia, azotemia, hyponatremia, hypochloremia, and hyperkalemia. Altering treatment to desoxycorticosterone pivalate resolved the electrolyte abnormalities and the episodes of muscle cramping in both dogs. The authors conclude that hypoadrenocorticism can be associated with episodes of painful muscle cramping in standard poodles.     

1Alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 prevents the decrease of bone mineral density in lactating beagles

We assessed the change of bone mineral density (BMD) in lactating beagles with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and the preventive effect of 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 (1alpha(OH)D3) on the BMD. Beagles, two to five years old, were used for detecting the time course change of BMD. Since the coefficient of variation (CV(%)) on detecting lumber vertebral (L2-L4) and tibial BMD by DXA was about 0.5%, DXA was useful to detect the change of BMD in beagles. There was a marked decrease in vertebral BMD during lactational period in the control group. The BMD levels after weaning were found to reverse to the initial level at mating. The same tendency was observed in tibial BMD as vertebral BMD, though the BMD changes were not marked. Beagles were administered at a dose of 0.1 microg/kg of 1alpha(OH)D3 three times in a week, and it was found to suppress the decrease in vertebral BMD during the breast feeding period. Also, the administration of 1alpha(OH)D3 promoted the prevention of decreased BMD during lactation both in vertebrae and tibiae. Significant effects of 1alpha(OH)D3 administration on tibial BMD were not observed. No adverse effects, such as hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria, were observed during the experimental period. Therefore, DXA was useful for detecting the changes of BMD in lactating beagles and the change of BMD was marked in lumber vertebrae, which are rich in trabecular bone. The preventive effect of 1alpha(OH)D3 on the decrease of BMD during the lactation period was observed in beagles.     

In vivo and in vitro tests showing sensitization to Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen allergen in atopic dogs

Using both in vivo and in vitro tests, dogs with atopic dermatitis were examined for sensitization with Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica, CJ) pollen allergen. Ten dogs with clinical manifestation of atopic dermatitis were shown to be sensitized to CJ pollen based on the results of intradermal skin test and serum antigen-specific IgE test. In vitro lymphocyte stimulation test showed blastogenic response after stimulation with crude antigen of CJ pollen in all of the 5 cases examined. The peripheral leukocytes showed increased histamine release after stimulation with crude antigen of CJ pollen in 2 cases examined. These data indicate that a proportion of dogs with atopic dermatitis is sensitized to CJ pollen in a cell-mediated manner and show immediate phase reaction of type I hypersensitivity.     

Postnatal development of glucose transporter proteins in bovine skeletal muscle and adipose tissue.

Facilitated diffusion of glucose across the plasma membrane is mediated by a family of glucose transporter (GLUT). GLUT1 is ubiquitously present in all tissues and involved in cellular glucose uptake, while GLUT4 plays a key role in cellular glucose uptake stimulated by insulin in skeletal muscles and adipose tissue. To examine the postnatal change in the GLUTs of ruminants, the protein levels of GLUT1 and GLUT4 were measured by Western blot analysis of skeletal muscles, adipose tissue and brain of Holstein male calves aged from 0 to 12 months. Analysis of rumen short chain volatile fatty acids revealed that rumen fermentation increased around 2-3 months old. The GLUT1 level did not change in all tissues examined during the postnatal period, while the GLUT4 levels in skeletal muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue decreased gradually, and at 12 month old, it was about 40% of those seen at 0 month old. These results are contrast to those in non-ruminant species, in which GLUT4 increases during postnatal development, and may be related to the insulin-resistance seen in adult ruminants.     

Visual evoked potentials in guinea pigs with brain lesion.

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were recorded in 10 adult male guinea pigs with brain lesion. Lesions were produced in 5 animals by superficial suction of the occipital lobe. The other 5 animals were orally administered with hexachlorophene (about 35 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. In the VEP following the ablation of the occipital lobe, the peaks P10, N20, P55, N75, N140 and P200 disappeared in many cases. The amplitude of the peak N40 decreased to approximately one half its control VEP. In the VEP obtained from the animals administered with hexachlorophene, the peak latencies of N20, P30, P55, N75 and P100 were slightly prolonged after the 7th day following the first administration. On the other hand, there was no change in the latency of N40 during the whole period of administration. The peak-to-peak amplitude showed some variability in different peaks. Histologically, diffuse status spongiosis were found in the white matter of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem. As described above, the ablation of the occipital lobe caused markedly depressed VEPs, however, the responses to the photic stimulation persisted after the injury. On the other hand, the VEPs of animals administered with hexachlorophene showed a high probability of peak appearance, and a decrease in amplitude was not marked.     

Soybean Yield and Yield Components in Two Planting Patterns

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] plant density for maximum yield in Japan is usually from 16 to 25 plants m⁻². The objective of this study was to compare yield and yield components, especially node number between square- and zigzag- (an equilateral triangle-planting pattern or plants in the row offset from each other) planting patterns within a range of plant populations (16, 20 and 25 plants m⁻²).
Field experiments with cultivar Enrei (Maturity Group VII) were conducted in the field at Niigata University on a loamy sand soil in 1991, 1992 and 1993.
Yield increased as density decreased in 1991 and as density increased in 1992 and 1993. This result seemed to be due to adverse weather conditions during seed filling in 1991. Yield tended to be higher in zigzag- than in square-planting patterns except at 20 plants m⁻². Seed number m⁻² due to increased yield was highly correlated with branch node number. The yield increase was caused by an increase in total node number, especially branch node number m⁻² (about 60 % contribution at 16 plants m⁻² and about 40 % contribution at 25 plants m⁻²).     

Latex agglutination test: a simple, rapid and practical method for bovine serum CRP determination.

A semi-quantitative latex agglutination test for bovine serum CRP levels has been established by mixing diluted serum (or diluted standard serum) with a 1% latex suspension containing 0.489 micron latex particles coated with affinity-purified antibody at a ratio of 20 micrograms/mg latex. The agglutination was performed on a glass slide in a moist chamber at room temperature with 45 min. incubation. This test is reliable, reproducible and the results correlate with those of the single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) test. The effect of low temperature storage on CRP concentration revealed a 30% degradation of CRP during 2 years storage at 4 degrees C. The possible role of EDTA addition to prevent a decrease in serum CRP concentration by freezing and thawing is also discussed.