Post‐natal Changes in Testicular Concentrations of Interleukin‐1 Alpha and Beta and Interleukin‐6 during Sexual Maturation in Bulls

Based on observations in laboratory animals interleukins could be regulators of testicular development. The objects of this study were to see if interleukins (IL‐1 and IL‐6) are present in the developing bull testis and to establish the temporal patterns of concentrations of IL‐1 and IL‐6 in the bovine testis during development. Separate groups of six bull calves were castrated every 4 weeks from 5 to 33 weeks of age, and at 56 weeks of age. Mean testicular IL‐1 alpha concentrations decreased (p < 0.01) from 5 to 9 weeks of age and 13 to 21 weeks of age. Mean testicular IL‐1 beta concentrations decreased (p < 0.01) from 13 to 17 weeks of age and from 29 to 33 weeks of age. Mean IL‐1 bioactivity increased from 13 to 17 weeks of age, decreased to 21 weeks, increased to 25 weeks, decreased to 29 weeks and decreased from 33 to 56 weeks of age (p < 0.05). Mean testicular IL‐6 concentrations decreased (p < 0.05) from 9 to 13 weeks of age, increased (p < 0.05) to 21 weeks, decreased (p < 0.05) to 25 weeks, increased (p < 0.05) to 29 weeks and decreased (p < 0.01) to 56 weeks of age. In conclusion, testicular IL‐1 alpha, IL‐1 beta and IL‐6 were found in the bovine testis and concentrations were age dependent. Testicular IL‐1 alpha and IL‐1 beta concentrations were highest in the early post‐natal period; however, IL‐1 bioactivity and IL‐6 concentrations were greatest in the immediate pre‐pubertal period. These findings suggest a functional role for interleukins in testicular development in the bull.     

Managing leaf‐cutting ants: peculiarities,trends and challenges

Leaf‐cutting ants are generally recognized as important pest species in Neotropical America. They are eusocial insects that exhibit social organization, foraging, fungus‐cultivation, hygiene and a complex nest structure, which render their management notoriously difficult. A lack of economic thresholds and sampling plans focused on the main pest species preclude the management of leaf‐cutting ants; such management would facilitate their control and lessen insecticide overuse, particularly the use of insecticidal baits. Recent restrictions on the use of synthetic compounds for such purposes impose additional challenges for the management of leaf‐cutting ants. Considerable effort has been exerted regarding these challenges, which are addressed herein, but which also remain challenges that are yet to be conquered. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

A study of cells in the mammary secretions of sows

The morphology and some of the in vitro functional properties of the cells in the mammary secretions of sows have been examined. A mean cell yield of 1 × 10⁷ cells/ml was obtained from sow colostrum but during the first week post-partum the yield decreased approximately 10 fold. The polymorphonuclear leucocyte was the predominant cell type in colostrum and milk and was associated with varying proportions of lymphocytes, macrophages and epithelial cells. The phagocytes of sow milk ingested heat-killed yeast, although the phagocytic index for milk macrophages was low compared with autologous neutrophils and alveolar macrophages. Milk whey provided an effective opsonising medium for yeast ingestion. Intra-mammary immunisation of sows with ovalbumin induced antigen-reactive lymphocytes in both peripheral blood and milk.     

Ultrasonographic Characteristics of Ovulatory Follicles and Associated Endocrine Changes in Cyclic Ewes Treated with Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (MAP)-releasing Intravaginal Sponges and Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (eCG)

The aim of this study was to assess the ultrasonographic characteristics of ovulatory follicles in cyclic Western White Face ewes (December) that had received intravaginal sponges containing medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP; 60 mg) for 12 days, with or without an injection of 500 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) at sponge removal. We hypothesized that quantitative echotextural attributes of the follicles in ewes treated only with MAP would differ from those in MAP/eCG-treated ewes, reflecting the increased antral follicular growth and secretory function under eCG influence. Digital images of ovulatory follicles obtained at 0 and 24 h after MAP sponge removal and at 24 h before ovulation in the eCG-treated (five ewes, 13 follicles) and control (six ewes, 9 follicles) animals, were subjected to computerized analyses. The mean diameter of ovulatory follicles increased (p < 0.001) 24 h after eCG treatment. The mean pixel intensity and heterogeneity of the follicular antrum (p < 0.001), as well as mean pixel intensity of the follicular wall and perifollicular ovarian stroma (p < 0.05), were greater in eCG-treated animals compared with control ewes 24 h after sponge removal and at 24 h before ovulation. Mean serum concentrations of oestradiol-17beta tended to increase (p = 0.06) 24 h after eCG treatment and the eCG-treated ewes exceeded (p < 0.05) control animals in progesterone concentrations from days 9-15 after ovulation. Our results support the hypothesis that large antral follicles in eCG-treated ewes exhibit distinctive echotextural characteristics. Follicular image attributes in eCG-treated ewes appear to be indicative of the changes in follicular morphology and secretory activity caused by the administration of the exogenous gonadotropin, which has both FSH- and LH-like activities.     

Cardiorespiratory effects and efficacy of morphine sulfate in winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus)

OBJECTIVE: To assess the cardiorespiratory effects of morphine sulfate and evaluate whether morphine blocks cardiac responses to a noxious stimulus in winter flounder. ANIMALS: 42 winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) that were acclimated at 10 degrees C. PROCEDURES: Each fish was fitted with a Doppler flow probe around the ventral aorta; cannulae were placed for injection of drug or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution and assessments of respiration. Selected cardiorespiratory variables were measured in morphine-injected (40 mg/kg, IP [n = 18] or 17 mg/kg, IV [2]) or saline solution-injected (1.6 mL [22]) fish at various intervals. Heart rate and cardiac output (CO) were also measured in flounder that were injected with saline solution (n = 19) or morphine (10) and received a noxious or innocuous stimulus (injection of 5% acetic acid or saline solution SC into a cheek) 50 minutes later. RESULTS: Morphine administration promptly induced marked bradycardia (and a concomitant reduction in CO), followed by prolonged (> 48 hours) increases in CO and heart rate. Morphine injection only transiently affected respiratory rate. Application of a noxious stimulus to control flounder resulted in a significant (10%) but transient (< 5 minutes' duration) increase in CO, which was completely blocked by prior administration of morphine. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although morphine blocked the response to a noxious stimulus in fish, its cardiovascular effects might preclude its use in many research situations. Investigation of the dose dependency of these cardiovascular effects and their interspecific variation is required to determine the applicability of morphine for use in fish.     

A Universal Index of Uterine Discharge Symptoms from Calving to 6 Weeks Postpartum

In this paper, a new uterine discharge index (D‐index) was created and tested. It was based on a principal component analysis (PCA) of clinical findings of classical uterine discharge symptoms and rectal temperature during the postpartum period of dairy cattle. The PCA analysis revealed how uterine discharge features relate to each other and how they cluster together possibly representing different degrees of uterine inflammation. The D‐index was the result of the multivariate PCA‐analysis, and the D‐index gives a continuous value between 0 and 10. It was demonstrated that the same scale, i.e. the D‐index, can be used without any adjustment from 1 to 6 weeks post‐calving. It is valid for any type of uterine discharge without defining the type of infection or differentiating between infection and contamination. The D‐index was tested using the uterine involution data. Uterine involution was significantly delayed in the high‐D‐index group of cows. Similarly, in the test with all cows, involution was progressively delayed and the rate of involution of the pregnant horn was slowed down with the increase of the D‐index values. It is concluded that the D‐index can be a new practical, universal, tool for improved management of dairy cows in the postpartum period under commercial conditions.     

Punishment by response-contingent withdrawal of an imprinted stimulus

Newly hatched ducklinigs were exposed to a moving, imprinted stiulullls; if they followed it, the stimnulus was withdrawn briefly. The tendency to follow gradually declined durinig punishment periods, but it returned to prepunishment amounts whlen punishmnent terminated. This finding attests to the efficacy of withdrawal of reinforcement as a techniquie for behavioral control.