Analysis of the reactivity of anti-bovine CD8 monoclonal antibodies with cloned T cell lines and mouse L-cells transfected with bovine CD8

Mouse L-cells transfected with bovine CD8 and two Theileria parva-infected cloned T cell lines expressing bovine CD8 were used to screen the panel of ten monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) submitted to the workshop. Eight of the ten mAbs reacted with the transfectant and both the cloned T cell lines. However, two mAbs CC58 and BAT82A did not recognise the transfectant and only reacted with one of the T cell lines. Further biochemical studies indicated that the eight mAbs react with both homo- and heterodimeric forms of bovine CD8 whilst the two mAbs CC58 and BAT82A react with only heterodimeric forms. These data suggest that bovine DC8 is encoded by two genes as is the case in mouse and man.     

The Effect of Exogenous Hormone Treatment on Spermiation in Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (Sauvage and Dabry)

For the evaluation of hormonal control of spermiation in fish, a method to quanify the spermiation response of mature Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (Sauvage and Dabry) to hormonal therapy is described. Spermatocrit was determined after 7 min centrifugation at 18,000 ± g and sperm density was estimated by a standard hemocytomer method. Sperm density can be predicted from spermatocrit since their relationship is linear as described by the regression equation, Y = 3.68X - 27.18 ( R ² = 0.82, N = 50). where Y is spermatocrit and × is sperm density. Milt production by mature R. oxycephalus was highest at 24 h after injection of 1,000 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and 50 μg luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue (LHRHa) per kg body weight. Increased milt production coincided with low spermatocrit and sperm density levels. These results demonstrate that spermiation in mature R. oxycephalus can be reliably evaluated by a spermatocrit method and that HCG and LHRHa are effective in stimulating of spermiation in this species.     

Hyperlipemia and Ketonuria in an Alpaca and a Llama

An alpaca and a llama in late stages of gestation were evaluated for lethargy, anorexia, and recumbency. Both camelids had cloudy, white, turbid serum, elevated serum triglyceride (1564, 5658 mg/dL, respectively) and cholesterol (158, 297 mg/dL, respectively) concentrations, and ketonuria. Signs of fetal stress were evident ultrasonographically in the alpaca, and a live cria was delivered by Cesarean section performed under general anesthesia. The alpaca developed severe metabolic acidosis, hepatic lipidosis, and acute renal failure secondary to renal lipidosis and died 36 hours after admission despite medical therapy. Histopathology revealed renal and hepatic lipidosis and neutrophilic pancreatitis. The cria died 72 hours after birth. The llama responded to IV electrolyte, dextrose, and regular crystalline insulin therapy. The pregnancy was maintained, and the llama was discharged from the hospital 20 days after admission. Two months after discharge, the llama gave birth to a live, 5 kg cria. Findings of hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, elevated sorbitol dehydrogenase activity, metabolic acidosis, azotemia, and ketonuria occurred in these two camelids. Based on this report, camelids appear to be similar to both horses and cattle in their response to severe energy imbalances in late gestation.     

Serum biochemistry of Zebu bulls and their Friesian crosses fed two planes of protein

Twenty-one Bunaji (White Fulani, Zebu) and 21 Friesian X Bunaji cross-bred bull calves, approximately 6 months of age, were each divided after weaning into two groups and fed isocaloric rations containing 14.45% (high protein) and 8.51% (low protein) crude protein for 10 months. Serum samples were collected biweekly for 10 months and analysed for serum proteins. Age had no significant effect. The Bunaji had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher total protein, albumin, and alpha 1-globulin than Friesian X Bunaji. While there was no significant difference in body condition score between the two breeds, the Friesian X Bunaji had a significantly (P less than 0.05) higher growth rate. Animals on high protein diets had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher total protein, albumin, alpha 2-globulin, gamma-globulin and total globulin than those on low protein. However, alpha 1-globulin and beta-globulin were not significantly (P greater than 0.05) different for the two treatment groups.     

Fractionation of cock spermatozoa

An account is given of the methodology for fractionation of cock spermatozoa into head and tail fractions by ultrasonication, followed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Quantitative estimates of DNA attested to 89.4% purity of the head fraction and low contamination of tails with heads. Recovery of protein and malic dehydrogenase (MDH) activity, following sperm fractionation, averaged 94.3% and 95.7%, respectively. Contamination of the head fraction with tails, as assessed by MDH assay, was only 4.65%, and the purity of the tail fraction was 91%. Intensive succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) activity was histochemically localised in the separated tail fraction and in the tail portion of intact spermatozoa. However, SDH activity was discernible neither in the head fraction nor in the head of intact spermatozoa.     

Effects of ventilation and air temperature on pollution levels in underground car parks

The relationship between the levels of CO and airborne Pb was evaluated against conditions of traffic flow, ambient air temperature and the ventilation rates in 3 underground car parks. During the study period significant variations were noted in the levels of the pollutants in each of the car parks which frequently exceeded the proposed Malaysian Air Quality Standard of 0.7 μg m^?3Pb and 9 μg L^?1 (8 hr average) CO for indoor environs. High correlation coefficient values were obtained between the levels of CO and traffic flow and Pb and traffic flow. High traffic flow also increased the mean air temperature inside the car parks. Reductions in the ventilation rates in the car parks caused an almost two-fold increase in the level of CO and vice versa. A simple mathematical model depicting the CO concentrations in relation to other parameters was formulated.