A procedure for pulmonary lavage in mice.

A method for the pulmonary lavage of mice is described. The procedure includes exsanguination of anesthetized mice by severting the renal artery, inserting a tracheal catheter in situ, and repeatedly injecting and aspirating 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Protein was recovered from the cell-free lavage fluid even after a given mouse was lavaged several times. The major part of the protein, however, was obtained with 1-ml washes repeated 3 times. Approximately 0.563 mg of protein was recovered by the procedure from a 29-g mouse. Four lavages per mouse yielded approximately 2.9 x 106 free cells.     

Evapotranspiration relationship with pan evaporation and evapotranspiration ratio of corn under different nitrogen levels and moisture regimes

In a field experiment with four moisture regimes and eight nitrogen levels, the ratios between evapotranspiration and pan evaporation ($\text{Et}\text{Eo}$) were low in the initial stages of crop growth and attained maximum values at 70–80% (20 and 40% available soil moisture depletion (ASMD)), 65% (60% ASMD) and 55% (80% ASMD) of the crop growth stage. Amongst nitrogen levels, the evapotranspiration ratio (ETR) was highest (3573) under no nitrogen and lowest (1312) with 180 kg N/ha. The 20% ASMD regime utilised less water (ETR= 1499 to produce a kilogram of grain than did the other moisture regimes. The lowest evapotranspiration ratio (914) was recorded with 20% ASMD and 180 kg N/ha in combination. The highest ETR (3954) was found with 60% ASMD and no nitrogen. An additive effect of nitrogen and moisture was found, in indicating that they can be substituted one for the other, when one of them becomes a constraint.     

Serological tests in relation to the viability,fertility and localization of hydatid cysts in cattle,sheep, goats and swine

A serological study of intermediate hosts (cattle, sheep, goats and swine) of Echinococcus granulosus was carried out by means of the indirect haemaglutination (IHA) and flocculation with latex (LA) tests, relating them with the organs invaded, and the fertility and viability of the cysts.In cattle a sensitivity of 75% and 21.05% of non-specific reactions was given by IHA, while the LA gave 66.7 and 17.54%, respectively. In the sheep, the IHA gave 79.16 and 20%, and the LA, 75 and 15%. In the goat, the IHA gave 76 and 22%, and the LA 71.43 and 16%. Finally, in the pig, the IHA gave 75 and 22%, and the LA, 66.6 and 14.16%.The IHA was more sensitive in detecting hepatic cysts in the cow, and pulmonary cysts in the goat, while in the sheep and the pig there were no significant differences. The LA was more sensitive in detecting hepatic cysts in the cow, goat and pig, while there were no significant differences in sheep.The differences in serum titers by the IHA and the LA tests with respect to the viability and the fertility of the cysts in the hosts, were not significant.     

Streptococcal infection as a cause of reproductive tract problems of swine

This study determined that streptococci were the etiological agents responsible for a high percentage of breeding sows experiencing infertility and abortions.No isolations of virus were obtained from fetuses, or placentae. There was no positive serology obtained from sows that aborted when tested for evidence of virus, leptospira, brucella, and eperythrozoon antibodies. Streptococci were the predominant isolates obtained from the genito-urinary tract of sows and boars. Cultures were taken from 75 sows and 46 (61%) yielded hemolytic streptococci; 27 of these streptococci belonged to a specific serogroup. Of the 75 sows studied, 46 were infected, and of these, nine aborted, 14 were infertile, and 23 farrowed normally. There was a significantly (P < 0.02) higher number of sows that had abortions or were infertile in the infected group. A random sample of 18 sows given penicilin therapy indicated a significant benefit from treatment (P < 0.02) in the reproductive performance of infected animals.Twelve out of 16 boars yielded hemolytic streptococci with seven isolated being of a specific serogroup.The percentage distribution of all streptococci isolates belonging to a specific serogroup was 63.4% group C, 22% group D, and 7.3% each fooup A and G.