Ovarian cysts in cattle--etiology, therapy success, fertility

The functions of the ovaries were controlled in 92 cattle over a period of 12 to 95 days p.p. Cystic follicles developed in 61% (25 from 41) during reconvalescence period and were correlated with a 4.2 days earlier onset of ovarian function, which was assured statistically. All together in 41 animals cystic degeneration was registered. Cysts having appeared before day 39 p.p. receded spontaneously in 24%, those having developed later remained. By application of the GnRH-analogous Buserelin (Receptal), either exclusive or combined with beta-carotene or Prostaglandin Trometamol-Tiaprost (Iliren) ovarian function could be restored in all cases. Restitution was most rapid when using Buserelin plus beta-carotene (Fertilizing insemination 3 weeks post application), but protracted after the consecutive method of therapy. All 92 cattle became pregnant. The P4-level of all "cyst-cows" were low, i.e. between 0.68 and 0.81 ng/ml of skimmed milk. The increase of conductivity of the cervical mucus to above 30 Ohm turned out an evidence of an ovarian cyst to be present. Restoration took longer in correlation with the increasing diameter of the cysts.     

The use of immunochemically purified anti-brucella antibody in a direct fluorescent antibody test for Brucella abortus

Antibodies specific for Brucella abortus were purified from the serum of hyperimmunized sheep using immunochemical procedures. They were conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate and used in a fluorescent antibody (FA) test for B. abortus. The conjugate did not stain any heterologous bacterial or fungal species tested and background fluorescence associated with its use on smears and sections of abortion materials was particularly low. Of 239 cases of abortion examined fluorescent microscopy demonstrated B. abortus in all 12 cases in which the organism was isolated. A few areas of fluorescence typical of B. abortus were also seen in 3 cases from which the organism was not cultured. B. abortus was demonstrated in lymph nodes from 6 of 36 Brucella reactor cows by culture and 7 by the FA test. However, only very low numbers of B. abortus were isolated or seen and sampling errors would have been significant. Use of the FA test allows diagnosis of Brucellosis to be made in 2 hours, compared to 6 days by the usual cultural procedures.     

Precocene II metabolism: Comparative in vivo studies among several species of insects,and structure elucidation of two major metabolites

Several species of insects, exhibiting varying responsiveness to the juvenile hormone antagonist precocene II (6,7-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethylchromene), were challenged topically with a tritiated preparation of the title compound. Metabolism of [³H]precocene II was subsequently examined by withdrawing hemolymph samples from treated animals at appropriate time intervals and characterizing the extractable radiolabel chromatographically. Quantitative (or qualitative) differences observed between the respective metabolic profiles were found not correlative with specimen sensitivity to precocene. Production of two heretofore unreported metabolites, identified by spectral and chemical means as O-β-glucosides of 6- and 7-monodemethylated precocene II, was demonstrated in both sensitive and insensitive species. No evidence for the presence of a hemolymphborne, biologically effective “activated metabolite” produced in vivo by precocene-susceptible insects could be found. The latter finding may well argue for in situ bioactivation of precocene at the target tissue(s) by these sensitive insects.     

Localizing the action of two thiadiazolyl herbicidal derivatives

Enzymatically isolated leaf cells from navy beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L., cv. “Tuscola”) were used to study the effect of buthidazole (3-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone) and tebuthiuron (N-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-N,N′-dimethylurea) on photosynthesis, protein, ribonucleic acid (RNA), and lipid synthesis. The incorporation of NaH¹⁴CO₃, [¹⁴C]leucine, [¹⁴C]uracil, and [¹⁴C]acetic acid as substrates for the respective metabolic process was measured. Time-course and concentration studies included incubation periods of 30, 60, and 120 min and concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μM of both herbicides. Photosynthesis was very sensitive to both buthidazole and tebuthiuron and was inhibited in 30 min by 0.1 μM concentrations. RNA and lipid syntheses were inhibited 50 and 87%, respectively, by buthidazole and 42 and 64%, respectively, by tebuthiuron after 120 min at 100 μM concentration. Protein synthesis was not affected by any herbicide at any concentration or any exposure time period. The inhibitory effects of buthidazole and tebuthiuron on RNA and lipid syntheses may be involved in the ultimate herbicidal action of these herbicidal chemicals.     

Immunochemical study of canine intestinal, hepatic, and osseous alkaline phosphatases.

Partially purified alkaline phosphatase (ALP) from canine intestine, liver, and bone were injected into rabbits to elicit anti-canine intestinal, hepatic, and osseous ALP antibodies, respectively. The antibody formed a soluble enzyme-antienzyme complex when directly interacted with the ALP antigen. In order to form an insoluble complex, it was then necessary to interact the initial soluble complex with the goat anti-rabbit gamma-globulin antibody in the 2nd step. Antiintestinal ALP antibody was highly specific and did not cross react with canine hepatic, osseous, splenic, and renal ALP. Antiliver and antibone ALP antibodies, on the other hand, did cross react with hepatic, osseous, splenic, and renal ALP, but not with the intestinal ALP.     

Microbiology of normal and seborrheic canine skin.

Quantitative and qualitative bacterial assays were performed on the skin of 15 normal and 32 seborrheic dogs. Nonionic detergent scrubs were made on areas demarcated by glass sidearm cylinders. Quantitative analysis was accomplished by the serial dilution technique, and the bacteria were identified by individual and colonial morphology and by enzyme production. Areas measured on control dogs had a markedly lower total bacterial count than similar areas measured on seborrheic animals. Control dogs had a flora consisting primarily of coagulase-negative cocci, whereas seborrheic dogs usually had a cutaneous flora composed primarily of Stahylococcus aureus, coagulase-positive.