The suitability of morphometric parameters of fat cell size for the purposes of animal science research. 1. Cellularity of swine subcutaneous adipose tissue influenced by different fattening ages and graded feed levels

The cellularity of subcutaneous adipose tissue of 108 male castrated pigs (German Landrace) was investigated. The tissue was taken bioptically under anesthetic conditions. The outer and the inner layer of backfat were examined separately, fresh unfixed tissue slices floating in Ringer solution were subjected to microscopic measurements of adipocyte diameters. The animals were kept in feeding experiments, 3 and 2 sectors respectively of growing period were examined (40 kg; 66 kg, 88 kg body mass) divided into 6 and 4 feeding levels respectively for 21 days (0.4; 0.6/0.8; 1.0; 1.2; 1.4 MJ metabolic energy per kg body mass0.75 per day). The inner layer of backfat showed bigger fat cells compared to the outer layer. The average fat cell size was greater for the older and heavier than for the younger animals. The gradation of food administration resulted not in a straight parallel rise in fat cell size but in an effective consequence with respect to the distribution frequency of the dates: The higher the food energy level, the more the accumulation of small fat cells from 10 til 30 microns diameter. These cell fractions succeeded in being signified as typical and important closed population. Other authors also had described these particular cells, i.e. "fat cell clusters" and "VSFC" (= very small fat cells) respectively. An external use of the dates for computer simulation programs resulted in success and manifested the independently gained conclusions. The examinations were performed by support of different branches of literature and the results had to be discussed in front of a wide background of known connections.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ectopic ureter in the horse: Three cases and a review of the literature

Ureterovesicular anastomosis resulted in resolution of the clinical signs of urinary incontinence in three horses with unilateral ectopic ureter. Follow-up of two of the horses ten months and three years later indicated no further urinary tract problems; the third horse died four days after surgery from intestinal infarction.

Diagnosis can be readily confirmed by antegrade or retrograde ureterography, or endoscopic visualization of the ectopic ureteral openings. Nephrectomy appears indicated in cases of unilateral ectopic ureter with associated ipsilateral urinary tract infection or hydronephrosis, providing the contralateral kidney has normal function. Ureterovesicular anastomosis appears to be indicated in the management of unilateral ectopic ureters in the absence of ascending urinary tract infection or hydronephrosis, and in cases of bilateral ectopic ureters.

     

Test for linkage between the eumelanin dilution blue (B1), the extended black (E) allele at the E-locus and the linked pea comb (P) and eumelanin extension (M1) genes in the domestic fowl

1. A mating was made between a Blue Andalusian bantam male and a pea comb striped necked bantam female to produce a quadruple heterozygote of the linked pea comb (P) and eumelanin extension (Ml) genes and of the eunmelanin dilution blue (Bl) gene and the extended black (E) allele at the E-locus. 2. Two pea comb blue females so produced were mated to a single comb striped necked bantam male, thus providing a backcross to the quadruple recessive. 3. Bl segregated independently with each of the other three genes whilst 25 crossovers occurred amongst the 55 progeny assessed for linkage between P and Ml, confirming loose linkage between P and Ml which had previously been shown to be approximately 46 units. Linkage of 0.3% had been previously reported (Crawford, 1986) between P and a "melanotic" gene isolated from a segregating gene pool. Evidence is presented to demonstrate that two different "melanotic" genes were being considered, thus explaining the apparently contradictory reports. Charcoal (cha) is suggested for the recessive gene linked with P by 0.3%. 4. Thirty-four crossovers occurred among the 97 progeny between P and E suggesting linkage of approximately 35 units. A further mating was made from among segregants in the backcross which confirmed P-E linkage with 17 crossovers in 55 gametes. Combining the tests produced a linkage value of approximately 34 units.