Microcirculation in the follicles and corpora lutea of the bovine ovary--a corrosion anatomical study

With the help of a new synthetic material follicles and corpora lutea from the ovaries of 80 cows in different stages of the sexual cycle were examined for modifications of their blood vessel architecture. In the theca externa the main artery which runs towards the follicle, separates into arterioles of which capillaries derive in the theca interna, building a basket-like network around the zona granulosa. After ovulation the follicle wall forms characteristic fields. Capillaries grow into the zona granulosa and thus the folds form the lobular structure of the corpus luteum. Capillaries which rise from the ruptured part of the follicle, spread centripetally and together with lutein cells they build up the not lobulated cupola of the corpus luteum. The regression of the corpus luteum starts around the 16th day of the cycle, beginning at the capillary network of the cupola. A contraction of the vessels and a quick decrease of the volume follow.     

The Content of β-endorphin-like Immunoreactivity in Porcine Corpus Luteum and the Potential Roles of Progesterone, Oxytocin and Prolactin in the Regulation of β-endorphin Release from Luteal Cells in vitro

The amount of β‐endorphin‐like immunoreactivity (β‐END‐LI) in porcine corpora lutea from several stages of the oestrous cycle and the effects of progesterone, oxytocin, and prolactin on β‐END‐LI secretion in vitro by luteal cells were studied. Porcine corpora lutea obtained on days 1–5, 6–10, 11–13, 14–18, and 19–21 of the cycle were used to prepare extracts for β‐END‐LI determination. Additionally, corpora lutea from days 11–13 and 14–18 were enzymatically dissociated and isolated luteal cells were used for further study of β‐endorphin secretion in vitro. Cells were cultured in serum‐free defined M 199 medium (10⁶ cells/ml) at 37°C under 5% CO₂ in air, for 12 h. The influences of the following factors on β‐END‐LI secretion by luteal cells were tested: progesterone (10^–9, 10^–7 and 10^–5M ), oxytocin (0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 ng/ml), and prolactin (0.1, 1, 10 and 100 ng/ml). The β‐END‐LI contents in extracts and media were measured by radioimmunoassay. The tissue concentration of β‐END‐LI was lowest on days 1–5 of the cycle (0.35 ± 0.03 ng/g wet tissue). Subsequently, it constantly increased to the highest value on days 14–18 (16.58 ± 0.52 ng/g wet tissue) and on days 19–21 it declined (11.10 ± 0.52 ng/g wet tissue). Progesterone at a low dose (10^–9 M ) resulted in significant (p < 0.05) increases and decreases in β‐END‐LI secretion by luteal cells from days 11–13 and 14–18, respectively. Higher doses of progesterone (10^–7 and 10^–5 M ) had no effect on β‐END‐LI release, compared with the control group. All dose‐levels of oxytocin used decreased β‐END‐LI secretion by luteal cells on days 11–13 and 14–18 of the cycle. Prolactin at doses of 0.1 and 1 ng/ml on days 11–13, and all doses tested on days 14–18 resulted in decreases in β‐END‐LI release from luteal cells. These results document evident changes in β‐END‐LI content in the pig corpus luteum during its development and indicate the potential roles of progesterone, oxytocin, and prolactin in luteal cell secretion of β‐END‐LI.     

In situ radiometric mapping of soil erosion and field-moist bulk density on cultivated fields

Abstract. Recent developments in in situγ ray spectrometry offer a new approach to measuring the activity of radionuclides such as ¹³⁷Cs and ⁴⁰K in soils, and thus estimating erosion or deposition rates and field moist bulk density (ρ_m). Such estimates would be rapid and involve minimal site disturbance, especially important where archaeological remains are present. This paper presents the results of a pilot investigation of an eroded field in Scotland in which a portable hyper pure germanium (HPGe) detector was used to measure γ ray spectra in situ. The gamma (γ) photon flux observed at the soil surface is a function of the ¹³⁷Cs inventory, its depth distribution characteristics and ρ_m. A coefficient, Q_Cs, derived from the forward scattering of ¹³⁷Cs γ ray photons within the soil profile relative to the ¹³⁷Cs full energy peak (662 keV), was used to correct the in situ calibration for changes in the ¹³⁷Cs vertical distribution in the ploughed field, a function of tillage, soil accumulation and ρ_m. Based on only 8 measurements, the agreement between in situγ ray spectrometry and soil sample measurements of ¹³⁷Cs inventories improved from a non significant r²=0.05 to a significant r²=0.62 (P<0.05). Erosion and deposition rates calculated from the corrected in situ¹³⁷Cs measurements had a similarly good agreement with those calculated from soil cores. Mean soil bulk density was also calculated using a separate coefficient, Q_K, derived from the forward scattering γ photons from ⁴⁰K within the soil relative to the ⁴⁰K full energy peak (1460 keV). Again there was good agreement with soil core measurements (r²=0.64; P<0.05). The precision of the in situ¹³⁷Cs measurement was limited by the precision with which Q_Cs can be estimated, a function of the low ¹³⁷Cs deposition levels associated with the weapons testing fallout and relatively low detector efficiency (35%). In contrast, the precision of the in situ ρ_m determination was only limited by the spatial variability associated with soil sampling.     

Hepatitis contagiosa canis (H.c.c.)--2 cases in Austria

Two cases of H.c.c. which occurred in winter 1987 in Vienna are described. Case one was a female Chow-Chow, 8 weeks of age, that died from the peracute form of the disease. The diagnosis was confirmed by histology and direct immunofluorescence. Case two, a 9-month old female Kuvacz, showed clinical signs of the subacute form of H.c.c. She was hospitalized and therapy was successful. The disease was diagnosed by the typical clinical signs and the raise of antibodies in paired serum samples. Etiology, clinical signs and immunology of H.c.c. are discussed.     

Nephrotoxicity of amphotericin B in dogs: a comparison of two methods of administration.

Two methods of administration of amphotericin B were compared for their ability to produce nephrotoxicity in 12 dogs. Six dogs received six alternate day doses of amphotericin B: 1 mg/kg administered as a rapid bolus in 25 mL 5% dextrose in water. Another six dogs received alternate day treatments of the same dose of amphotericin B in 1 L 5% dextrose in water over 5 h. Both treatment groups experienced significant reductions in glomerular filtration rate, as measured by inulin clearance, 24 h endogenous creatinine clearance, serum creatinine and serum urea. This reduction in glomerular filtration rate was most marked in the group receiving the drug as a rapid bolus. The inulin clearances decreased from 3.54 +/- 0.30 mL/min/kg (means +/- SEM) on day 0 to 1.15 +/- 0.25 mL/min/kg on day 12 in the slow infusion group and from 3.24 +/- 0.25 mL/min/kg on day 0 to 0.46 +/- 0.11 mL/min/kg on day 12 in the rapid bolus group. Renal lesions characteristic of amphotericin B administration were observed in all dogs tested. The dogs which received amphotericin B as a rapid bolus had a significantly greater number of tubular lesions than the slow infusion group. Systemic side effects, such as vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss, were observed in both treatment groups but were most severe in the rapid bolus group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Familial stomatocytosis--hypertrophic gastritis (FSHG), a newly recognised disease in the dog (Drentse patrijshond)

A newly recognised disease, which we have given the provisional name of familial stomatocytosis-hypertrophic gastritis (FSHG), is described in two families of dogs of the Drentse partrijshond breed. The affected dogs consisted of 3 females and 5 males, 3 to 19 (mean 9.5) months of age at admission. The main clinical problems were diarrhoea, icterus, and ataxia and paresis of the pelvic limbs. Laboratory evaluation revealed abnormal red cell shape (stomatocytosis), increased osmotic fragility, haemolytic anaemia, and increased liver enzymes and serum bilirubin. Gastroscopic and histopathologic examination of the gastric mucosa revealed hypertrophic gastritis resembling Ménétrier's disease in man. Histologic findings in the liver were suggestive of progressive liver disease. Cysts were found in the kidneys of the five oldest patients. Electroneurography in 2 dogs revealed polyneuropathy. In the parents of 2 patients (sister and brother), there were no clinical or laboratory abnormalities. An autosomal recessive hereditary defect of lipid metabolism is suspected.     

Identification by isoelectric focusing of creatine kinase-MM isoforms in the plasma and striated muscle of pigs

Total creatine kinase (CK) and CK-MM isoforms were determined in plasma and longissimus dorsi muscle extracts from normal pigs. Based on their total CK activity, the pigs were divided into two groups. Pigs of group 1 (n=16) had a mean plasma total CK of 298±16 U/L and the distribution of the CK-MM isoforms was 65.7±2.5% CK-MM₃, 18.9±1.6% CK-MM₂ and 15.3±1.5% CK-MM. In group 2 (n=18; 826±75 U/L total CK) four isoforms were observed: 3.1±0.9% CK-MM, 67.9±3.0% CK-MM₃, 21.5±2.3% CK-MM₂ and 7.5±1.3% CK-MM₁. The differences between the two groups of pigs were significant (p<0.001) for CK-MM₁ and the presence of CK-MM. Four CK-MM isoforms were also detected in longissimus dorsi muscle homogenates: 45.6±8.1% CK-MM, 32.6±11.7% CK-MM₃, 16.6±2.3% CK-MM₂ and 5.1±2.8% CK-MM₁. The release of CK-MM isoforms from muscle into plasma seems to be unrelated to the concentration of these isoforms in striated muscle.