The effects of fascioliasis on the activities of some drug-metabolizing enzymes in desert sheep liver.

Desert sheep experimentally or naturally infected with Fasciola gigantica were used to study the influence of infection on the activities of some drug-metabolizing enzymes found in the liver. The enzymes investigated were aminopyrine N-demethylase, aniline 4-hydroxylase and UDP-glucuronyltransferase. The experimental infection was confirmed histologically by detection of Fasciola eggs in faeces and by measuring the activities of sorbitol dehydrogenase (SD), glutamate dehydrogenase (GD) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in plasma during the course of the disease. Liver specimens from naturally infected sheep were obtained from the slaughter house. The activities of aminopyrine N-demethylase and aniline 4-hydroxylase were significantly decreased in sheep either naturally infected or during the acute stage of experimental fascioliasis (killed 5 weeks post-infection). The activity of UDP-glucuronyltransferase was decreased in naturally infected sheep and those killed 9 or 13 weeks post-experimental infection.     

Uterine Activity after Induction of Hypocalcaemia in the Ovariectomized Camel (Camelus Dromedarius)

Al-Eknah, M.M., Homeida, A.M., Dafalla, E.A., Galil, A.K.A. and Al-Tahir, A.Y., 1997. Uterine activity after induction of hypocalcaemia in the ovariectomized camel (Camelus dromedarius). Veterinary Research Communications, 21 (1), 45-50.Bilateral ovariectomy was performed in three parous, non-pregnant camels. Intrauterine and intra-abdominal pressure changes were recorded using balloon-tipped catheters. Uterine contractions were induced and maintained in the ovariectomized camels by daily intramuscular injections of 5 mg oestradiol benzoate throughout the experimental period. The frequency of uterine contractions varied from 6 to 9 per minute, whereas the amplitude varied from 2 to 3 kPa in all the animals. Inducing hypocalcaemia to a level of 0.5 mmol/L by Na2EDTA reduced the amplitude of the contractions to below 1 kPa (p<0.001). The frequency of the contractions was not affected.     

Drug-metabolizing Enzymes in the Placenta and Foetus of Camel and Sheep

Contents The activities of cytochrome P-450 and the P-450 dependent aminopyrine -N-demethylase and aniline 4-hydroxylase (Phase I, drugmetabolizing enzymes) and UDP-glucurony-l-transferase (a Phase II drug-metabolizing enzyme) have been measured in vitro in the placenta and liver of camels and sheep during pregnancy. The placenta of late pregnancy of both species produced 50% of the activity in maternal liver of phase I drug-metabolizing enzymes. The rate of O-aminophenol glucuronide was low both in placenta and foetal liver. It is suggested that close to term the placenta and foetal liver are capable of metabolizing drugs by P-450 mediated phase I reactions. Inhalt: Arzneimittel-metabolisierende Enzyme von Plazenta und Fötus bei Kamel und Schaf Während der Trächtigkeit wurde die Aktivität der Cytochrom P-450 abhängigen Aminophyrine -N-Demethylase, Anilin 4-Hydroxylase (Phase I metabolisierendes Enzym) und der UDP-Glucuronyl-1 Transferase (Phase II metabolisierendes Enzym) unter in vitro Bedingungen in Plazenta- und Lebergewebe von Kamelen und Schafen gemessen. In beiden Tierarten produzierte die Plazenta während der späten Trächtigkeit 50% der Aktivität, wie sie die mütterliche Plazenta der “Phase I—Enzyme” produziert. Die O-Aminophenol Glucuronide waren dagegen gering in Plazenta und fetaler Leber. Es wird angenommen, daβ die Plazenta und die fetale Leber kurz vor der Geburt in der Lage sind, Arzneimittel durch die Cytochrom P-450 abhängige Phase I-Reaktionen zu metabolisieren.     

Biological half-life of oxytocin in the goat

The disappearance of oxytocin from the peripheral circulation of the goat after a single intravenous injection followed a biexponential curve. The mean (+/- SD) half-life, calculated from the slower component of this decline, was 22.3 +/- 0.6 minutes. The volume of the central compartment was about twice the volume of the vascular compartment and the total apparent volume of distribution was more than twice the size of the extracellular compartment.     

Studies on the infundibular cysts of the uterine tube in camel (Camelus dromedarius).

Two hundred eighteen genital tracts of slaughtered female camels were collected and examined. Infundibular cysts were observed in 35 tracts (16%); these were either unilateral (22 cases) or bilateral (13 cases) all containing fluids of different consistencies. The morphological and histological structures of the cysts were recorded. The bacteriological investigation and physicochemical analysis of cyst contents were carried out. Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated from 68.5% of cases. Rectal palpation and ultrasound technique were compared for the diagnosis of the cysts antemortem.     

Loss of biological and immunological activity of oxytocin from goat plasma on storage

Storage of plasma at -30 degrees C, with no prior treatment, resulted in significant (P less than 0.01) reductions in the biological and immunological activities of oxytocin after 10 days and further reductions after 20 days. Acidification with 0.1 N hydrochloric acid, or snap-freezing in solid carbon dioxide-acetone, before storage afforded some protection against these losses and a combination of both treatments preserved the biological and immunological activities for 20 days despite thawing and refreezing after 10 days.     

Fertility of Zebu cross-bred dairy cows following oestrus synchronisation with PRID "Abbovestrol"

Contents: Abbovestrol® (Progesterone Releasing Intravaginal Device PRID) was administered to 5 non-pregnant cows intravaginally for 12 days (group 1). 5 other cows were left untreated as control group (group 2). Four animals in group 1 exhibited behavioural oestrus; peripheral plasma concentration of progesterone was 0.5 ng/ml and the oestradiol 17β concentration was similar to that in the control group. It is concluded that the Abbovestrol® device can induce a fertile oestrus in Zebu cross bred cattle.     

Uterine activity after ovariectomy in the camel (Camelus dromedarius): effect of exogenous administration of oestrogen and progesterone

During oestrous cycles of the camel, spontaneous uterine contractions were correlated significantly with plasma oestradiol-17β concentration. Ovariectomy in the camel resulted in a decreased plasma concentration of oestradiol-17β (<15 pg ml⁻¹) and progesterone (<0·1 ng ml⁻¹) and caused complete cessation of uterine activity. Daily administration of oestradiol benzoate (5 mg, intramuscularly) increased the plasma concentration of oestradiol-17β (>45 pg ml⁻¹) and increased the frequency and amplitude of uterine activity. Coadministration of progesterone (100 mg, intramuscularly) increased the plasma concentration of progesterone (>4 ng ml⁻¹) and increased the frequency but not amplitude of uterine activity. It is suggested that uterine activity in the camel is correlated with the circulating levels of oestradiol-17β and progesterone.