Evaluation of phagocytic function of canine peripheral polymorphonuclear leucocytes by whole blood chemiluminescence.

Zymosan-induced and luminol-aided chemiluminescence (CL) of whole blood from beagle dogs was estimated for the function of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs). Whole blood (0.1 ml) was examined directly and results were obtained within 20 min. A phagocytic function of PMNs can be estimated from the peak CL counts and the number of PMNs in a specimen, and the opsonic activity can also be estimated by the peak time showing peak CL after the addition of non-opsonized zymosan. The optimal temperatures to keep diluted whole blood for the CL measurement was around 13 degrees C. Thus, this method offers information concerning the functions of phagocytic cells in whole blood.     

Characteristics of cytotoxic cells induced by Toxoplasma lysate antigen in mouse spleen.

Spleen cells from Toxoplasma lysate antigen (TLA)-sensitized BALB/c mice showed the strong cytotoxic activity against both natural killer (NK)-sensitive cells (YAC-1 and RL male-1) and NK-insensitive cells (P-815), when incubated with TLA or recombinant human IL-2 (rhIL-2). The increment of TLA concentration in culture medium increased the cytotoxic activity. Treatment of effector cells; spleen cells from TLA-sensitized mice incubated with TLA, with anti-asialo GM1 or anti-Thy-1 plus complement inhibited the cytotoxic activity of effector cells, whereas treatment with anti-mouse Lyt-2.2 serum plus complement had no effect on the cytotoxic activity. Treatment of spleen cells from TLA-sensitized mice with anti-asialo GM1 and/or anti-Thy-1 plus complement inhibited cytotoxic activities of effector cells. These results suggested that spleen cells sensitized with TLA both in vivo and in vitro were asialo GM1 positive and Thy-1 positive, and the majority of cytotoxic cells induced by TLA were similar to lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells induced by IL-2.     

Oxidative damage to the membrane of canine erythrocytes with inherited high Na, K-ATPase activity.

Oxidative damage to the membrane in canine erythrocytes with inherited high Na, K-ATPase activity (HK cells) was compared with that in normal canine cells (LK cells). When 30 mM beta-acetylphenylhydrazine (APH) was applied to HK and LK cells, lipid peroxidation and hemoglobin denaturation occurred. Lipid peroxidation determined from malondialdehyde (MDA) formation was significantly lower in HK than in LK cells so far as endogenous glutathione (GSH) concentration was maintained at appropriate levels. With the depletion of GSH, MDA formation was accelerated and difference between HK and LK cells was not significant. Denatured hemoglobin bound to the membrane protein was less in HK than in LK cells. During incubation with APH, osmotic fragility increased markedly in LK cells, while HK cells showed very little change. The amounts of total lipid, total and free cholesterol, glycolipid, phospholipid and fatty acids were essentially the same in both cell types. Fatty acid compositions showed very small differences. The membrane of HK cells thus appear to have greater protection against oxidative damage induced by APH, owing to the presence of excess GSH in HK cells. The capability of HK cells to withstand oxidative damage would not be due to differences in membrane lipid compositions.     

Prevention of estrus in the queen with chlormadinone acetate administered orally.

The possibility of estrus prevention in the queen by the oral administration of chlormadinone acetate was examined. The animals used were 29 mature and 15 immature queens. For 16 mature females, 4-12.5 mg was given daily by mouth for 7 days every 3 months. Ten of the 16 queens given this treatment came into estrus within 4 months of the first treatment. For 28 females including the immature, 2-12.5 mg was given once a week throughout the experiment. This treatment prevented estrous activity for at least 1 year. In the queens in this study, the side effects were not observed excepting an increase in body weight during treatment. Our results showed that oral administration of this drug weekly is safe and reliable for long-range prevention of estrus in queens.     

The Effect of Lead and Zinc on Plant Growth and Chlorophyll Content of Holcus lanatus L.

Root length of Holcus lanatus L. declined rapidly with increasing lead and zinc concentrations in nutrient solution. In all used Pb and Zn concentrations root growth of genotypes coming from a Pb-Zn mine area, was greater than that of the control, suggesting that these genotypes evolved tolerance to Pb and Zn.
Negative correlation was also observed between chlorophyll content and increased heavy metal concentrations. The greater chlorophyll content found in tolerant genotypes, in different Pb and Zn concentrations, in comparison with the control, could be served to distinguish tolerant and non-tolerant genotypes.     

Comparison of Three Solvent Systems for Extraction of Chlorophyll a from Fish Pond Phytoplankton Communities

Chloroform-methanol (2:1 v/v), absolute methanol, and 90% acetone were evaluated for their effectiveness as extractants of chlorophyll a from samples of phytoplankton communities collected from catfish ponds. Chloroform-methanol consistently extracted more chlorophyll a than either 90% acetone or methanol. Precision for the methanol extraction was also unacceptably low, with an average coefficient of variation of 17%. Average coefficients of variation for the chloroform-methanol and 90% acetone extraction procedures were 6 and 5%, respectively. Filtered samples should be steeped in chloroform-methanol for at least 4 h to obtain maximum chlorophyll extraction, and the addition of MgCO₃ to the extractant as a buffer is not necessary.     

Changes in several blood and urine parameters during combined hyperfluid therapy for the treatment of chronic obstructive bronchitis (COB) in the horse

During the combination of oral and intravenous application of saline solution for treatment of the COPD of horses the level of hydraemia basing on the total protein concentration in the serum, the urine production and the specific weight of urine was determined. Additionally the development of serum concentration and of renal excretion rates of potassium, calcium and magnesium were ascertained. The level of hydraemia resulting from the combined method is almost identical with the solely intravenous performed hyperinfusion therapy. Due to the excessive application of fluid an extremely high level of urine production is reached which causes a reduced specific weight as well as an increased renal excretion of potassium, calcium and magnesium. The result is a real loss of electrolytes which is - apart from hydraemia - the reason for the lower level of the corresponding serum concentrations. This seems to be important, especially for potassium and magnesium, because the organism is unable to compensate the loss of these electrolytes in the same way as the loss of calcium. In connection with the renal loss of electrolytes during the high level of urine production glucosuria is observed.     

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 effect of hypervitaminosis D3 on the bones of the chicken. 2. Electron microscopic studies

In an experiment of 36 days duration 46 one-day-old chicks were divided into 5 groups and fed with different concentrations of vitamin D3. The animals of the group which lacked vitamin D3, showed the typical rachitic lesions. After a 15 days lack of vitamin D3 the chicks of another group were treated with standard food (2000 I.U. vitamin D3/kg food) with the consequence of an approximation of the analyzed parameters to those of the control group within 3 weeks. When fed with 60,000 I.U. of vitamin D3 after a 15 days lack of this vitamin, the animals showed an over-hasty healing process, ending up with signs of intoxication which were even more conspicuous when fed with 120,000 I.U. of vitamin D3. Besides an increasing calcification of osteoblasts and endothelial cell membranes as well as a degeneration of osteoblasts, a clear increase of eosinophilic granulocytes could be noticed. In all groups free erythrocytes within the ground substance were found. There was no evidence of necroses of osteocytes or of bone.