Divergent selection of chickens for antibody response to sheep erythrocytes: kinetics of primary and secondary immunizations

Chicks from lines selectively bred for either high or low antibody response post-primary immunization (PPI) to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) and their reciprocal crosses were immunized intravenously with 0.1 ml of 0.25% SRBC antigen in Trials 1 and 3 and with 0.1 ml of 0.025%, 0.25%, or 25% SRBC antigen in Trial 2. All initial immunizations were made at 35 days of age, and 0.1 ml of 0.25% SRBC booster dose was given 24 days later. Results showed that (a) population differences appeared by day 4 PPI and persisted through day 24 PPI, (b) regardless of population, peak titers occurred at about the same time for primary and secondary immunizations, (c) dosage of antigen influenced differences among populations in antibody response to primary immunization, and (d) both selected lines had similar responses in 2-mercaptoethanol-sensitive and 2-mercaptoethanol-resistant antibodies to primary but not secondary immunization.     

Ova transport and fertility after resection of the oviductal isthmus in pigs

The effect upon the reproduction of total resection of the oviductal isthmus, including the uterotubal and ampullary-isthmus junctions followed by end-to-end ampullo-cornual anastomosis was studied in pigs. Normal cycling gifts of proved fertility were submitted to bilateral isthmus deletion (Group I). Other gilts were submitted only to unilateral isthmic resection, while their contralateral medial isthmus was transversally cut and reanastomosed (Group II). A significantly lower nidation index was obtained after bilateral isthmic resection. The gilts in Group I which did not become pregnant and those in Group II were successfully mated during forthcoming standing oestruses, and were in association to that slaughtered on days 3, 4, or 5 of the cycle, and the characteristics and location of ova were determined. Spermatozoa fertilized the ova, and those cleaved normally in the isthmic-resected tube as well as in the sham-operated oviducts. The isthmic-resected oviduct, however, did not transport cleaved ova into the uterus at the time expected as normal. The findings suggest that the fertilized pig ova cannot reach the uterus at the normal expected time in case of total absence of the isthmic part of the oviduct, resulting in impaired fertility.     

Strongylus equinus: development and pathological effects in the equine host.

The development and pathological effects of Strongylus equinus were studied in 17 pony foals and one horse foal raised in isolation and examined at necropsy from seven days to 40 wk postinfection (PI). Following inoculation of 15000 +/- 6% or 16000 +/- 6% infective larvae by stomach tube foals were monitored for clinical signs and selected blood changes. Larvae penetrated the wall of the ileum, cecum and colon. The molt to the fourth stage occurred mostly in the wall of the ventral colon before 2 wk PI and larvae attained the liver mainly via the peritoneal cavity as early as eight days PI and persisted in the liver until 17 wk PI. Following active migration within the liver, invasion of the pancreas was accomplished at least by 7 wk PI with maximum numbers at 17 wk. The fourth molt occurred about 15 wk PI and preadults were present in the wall of the ventral colon at 30 wk PI and in the lumen of the colon at 40 wk. Strongylus equinus tends to wander retroperitoneally to the flanks, perirenal fat, diaphragm, omentum and occasionally to the lungs. Between 1 and 4 wk PI small raised hemorrhagic areas were present on the serosa of the ileum and colon. Small white foci on the surface of the liver at 1 wk PI were followed by tortuous tracks 3 wk later. Pathological changes in the pancreas were evident at three months PI and more severe by four months. Granulomas containing larvae were common in the flanks, diaphragm, omentum and occasionally beneath the pleura of the lungs. Clinical signs were correlated with invasion of the pancreas, the fourth molt, maximum globulin values and high eosinophil counts.     

Microneutralisation systems for use with different strains of peste des petits ruminants virus and rinderpest virus

Summary Comparative studies were made to determine the most suitable microtitration system for assaying strains of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) and rinderpest virus (RV). Infectivity titres did not differ significantly when assayed in either calf kidney, sheep kidney or Vero cells. However, cytopathic effects were much easier to detect in the latter making them the cell of choice. Addition of small amounts of virus to preformed cell monolayers in microplates with the subsequent addition of maintenance medium give higher infectivity titres than when cell suspension was added to virus, although the latter is more convenient for routine use. The titres of PPRV and neutralising antibodies assayed in tubes and microplates were not significantly different. Simultaneous screening of sera at a 1 in 20 dilution against both PPRV and RV gave a higher incidence of positives against homologous as opposed to heterologous virus.

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Resumen Se hicieron estudios comparativos para determinar el mejor sistema de microtitulación para detectar cepas del virus de la peste de peque?os rumiantes (VPPR) y virus de rinderpest (VR). Los títulos infectivos, no difirieron significativamente cuando los ensayos se efectuaron en cultivos celulares de ri?ón de ternero, de oveja y células Vero. Sin embargo, los efectos citopáticos se detectaron más facilmente en este último, haciendo de este cultivo celular el preferencial para pruebas de microtitulación. La adición, de peque?as poblaciones virables a monocultivos celulares preformados en microplacas, conjuntamente con medio de mantenimiento, dió títulos infectivos más altos, que cuando la suspensión de células se a?adió al virus, aunque este último método es más conveniente para trabajos de rutina. Los títulos del VPPR, y los anticuerpos neutralizantes, pruebas determinadas en tubo y microplacas, no difirieron significativamente. El análisis simultáneo de suero en diluciones 1 en 20 contra los virus de Pest de Peque?os Rumiantes y Rinderpest, dió una incidencia más alta de positivos contra el suero homólogo, que contra el heterólogo.

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Résumé Des études comparatives ont été effectuées pour déterminer la microméthode la mieux adaptée au titrage des souches des virus de la peste des petits ruminants (VPPR) et de la peste bovine (VPB) Les titres d'infectivité n'étaient pas significantivement différents qu'ils soient dosés sur cellules de rein de veau, de rein de mouton ou sur cellules Vero. Cependant, les effects cytopathogènes étaient plus facile à déceler dans les cellules Vero, ce qui en fait les cellules de choix. L'addition de petites quantités de virus aux tapis cellulaires complets en microplaques puis adjonction ultérieure de milieu d'entretien s'est traduit par des titres d'infectivité plus élevés que lorsque le virus était inoculé aux cellules en suspension, bien que cette dernière méthode soit plus commode pour l'utilisation de routine. Les titres du virus de la PPR et des anticorps neutralisants ne se sont pas révélés significativement différents en tubes ou en microplaques. Les examens simultanés de sérums au 1/20 contre à la fois le virus de la PPR et de la PB se tradusient par une fréquence plus élevée de réactions positives aux virus homologues qu'aux virus hétérologues.

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Research project R3792.     

Necrotizing hepatitis associated with a reo-like virus infection in a parrot

A young African grey parrot was presented for necropsy following a 3-to-4-day illness consisting of lethargy, anorexia, and diarrhea. A disseminated necrotizing hepatopathy was evident upon histologic examination of the liver. Aggregates of approximately 70-nm-diameter viral particles having morphology consistent with the family Reoviridae were demonstrated by thin-section and negative-staining electron microscopy.     

The effect of severe dietary protein restriction on skeletal muscle fiber number, area and composition in weanling rats

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the effects of severe dietary protein restriction on soleus (S) and tibialis anterior (TA) fiber number and S muscle fiber area, composition and length. The S and TA muscles were removed from one leg of 12 male Sprague-Dawley rats at 21 d of age. Six of these animals were placed on a 1% protein diet until 42 d of age, while six served as age-matched controls. Muscle fiber number was determined by the nitric acid digestion method for S muscles and the mean fiber dry-weight estimation method for the TA muscles. Mean fiber numbers for the S muscles were 2,655 +/- 42 and 2,669 +/- 71 for the treatment group at 21 and 42 d of age, respectively, and 15,989 +/- 899 and 16,067 +/- 695 at 21 and 42 d of age, respectively, for the TA muscle. For the age-matched control group, fiber numbers for the S muscle were 2,928 +/- 78 and 2,949 +/- 76 at 21 and 42 d, respectively, and 17,964 +/- 281 and 18,445 +/- 296 at 21 and 42 d, respectively, for the TA muscle. The S muscle fiber area, composition and length were studied using 12 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Six animals were placed on the 1% protein diet from 21 to 42 d of age, while six animals served as age-matched controls. The S muscle fiber area was 33.1 and 51.5% smaller for type I and type II fibers, respectively, for animals fed the 1% protein diet. The S fiber length was 27.9% less in animals fed the 1% protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Hematologic and biochemical abnormalities associated with induced extrahepatic bile duct obstruction in the cat

Bile duct obstruction was induced in 6 cats by surgical ligation and transection of the common bile duct. Clinical and laboratory changes were monitored weekly for 25 to 54 days. Clinical signs of obstruction were similar in all cats and included anorexia, pyrexia, lethargy, intermittent vomiting, weight loss, palpable gallbladder, hepatomegaly, and bleeding tendencies. Tissue jaundice and acholic feces were evident grossly as early as postsurgical day (PSD) 4 with a mean onset of jaundice at PSD 5.3 +/- 0.4. Hematologic changes were initially characterized by a mild neutrophilic leukocytosis that increased with the chronicity of bile duct obstruction. Regenerative anemia developed in 4 cats associated with gastrointestinal blood loss. Acute serum biochemical changes were characterized by a marked increase in the mean values of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol, and copper. Comparatively, only moderate increases in mean serum alkaline phosphatase activity were observed. Mean total bilirubin values increased remarkably at postsurgical week (PSW) 1, reaching a maximal value of 23.1 +/- 4.4 mg/dl at PSW 3 with 71.6 +/- 2.7% direct bilirubin. With chronicity of bile duct obstruction ranging from PSW 3 to PSW 7, the mean serum values of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol, serum alkaline phosphatase, and total and direct bilirubin stabilized and then declined, whereas the increased mean serum copper values persisted. At PSD 25 to 54, hepatic copper values and serum bile acids were markedly increased. Seemingly, clinicopathologic changes of induced cholestatic hepatic injury depended largely on the duration of biliary obstruction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)