Archiv fur experimentelle Veterinarmedizin最新文献

It is the purpose of this study to determine the effects of Zn deficiency on the biochemical composition of testes, epididymis, and seminal vesicle of rabbits. An attempt is made to evaluate previous physiological studies and to correlate them with biochemical changes. 30 mature male Balady rabbits were used in this study. 1 group was fed a Zn-deficient diet, and 2 control groups were pair-fed or fed ad libitum a Zn-sufficient diet, all for a period of 120 d. There was significant reduction in the levels of hyaluronidase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase, sialic acid, protein, and Zn of both testes and epididymis of Zn-deficient rabbits. Reduction in the level of glyceryl-phosphoryl choline in the epididymis of Zn-deficient rabbits was the best indicator of inhibition of epididymal secretory activity. In contrast, the cholesterol and glycogen contents of the testes were elevated. The results also showed in Zn-deficient rabbits significant reduction in androgen-sensitive parameters, namely fructose and citric acid in the seminal vesicle. Zn levels were decreased in the seminal vesicle. The results indicated that Zn deficiency caused inhibition of testicular, epididymal, and seminal vesicle function and, consequently, caused reductions in the biochemical composition of these organs.

Haemophilus (H.) somnus strains were isolated from nasopharyngeal swabs collected from buffalo calves showing respiratory symptoms as well from pneumonic lung tissue samples, the incidence being 4.7% and 10.4%, respectively. The organism was not recovered from samples obtained from apparently healthy buffalo calves. All isolated strains were highly virulent to mice, causing acute septicaemia and death within 3-5 days from intraperitoneal inoculation with 7.5 x 10(6) viable organisms. All tested strains were resistant to tetracycline and sulphafurazole, but most strains were highly sensitive to gentamicin, ampicillin, penicillin G, and colistin sulphate. H. somnus must not be neglected as a causative agent of respiratory disorders in buffalo calves, in addition to other incriminated organisms.

Studies were conducted into 80 pregnant crossbred cows belonging in equal numbers to 1/2Friesian (F) 1/2Gir (G) and 1/2Jersey (J) 1/2G genetic groups to determine the effect of pregnancy on body weight (B.W.) and pelvic conformation of the dam. Mean B.W. started to increase in 1/2F1/2G/1/2J1/2G genetic groups from 406.08 +/- 6.16/375.45 +/- 7.73 kg on the 120th day of pregnancy and reached its maximum of 470.42 +/- 7.22/428.05 +/- 8.36 kg on the day of calving. A significant increase in weight occured in both groups between the 240th and 270th days of pregnancy. Total weight gain in both groups during pregnancy was 63.34/52.60 kg. There was a steep fall (P less than 0.01) in B.W. in both groups, within 1 month after calving. Weight became stable 60 days after calving in both groups. The cows in the 1/2F1/2G group were significantly heavier (P less than 0.01) than the 1/2J1/2G group, all the time. The mean pelvic outlet area started to increase in 1/2F1/2G/1/2J1/2G groups from 278.28 +/- 4.03/249.29 +/- 5.02 cm2 by the 120th day of pregnancy. Like B.W., the pelvic area, too, increased significantly (P less than 0.01) between the 240th and 270th days of pregnancy and dropped within 1 month post partum in both groups. Total increase in pelvic area was 49.15/39.76 cm2 in both groups, between the 120th day of pregnancy and calving. The area became stable 60 days after calving in both groups. The pelvic area in the 1/2F1/2G group was always significantly larger (P less than 0.01) than that in the 1/2J1/2G group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Three peptides of main epitope of FMD virus O1-Kaufbeuren, VP1 (16, 21, 31), were found to induce in the 130-160 sequence range, in free and/or carrier-bonded form, virus-neutralising antibodies in guinea pig, rabbit, mouse, swine, and cattle. Five carrier proteins were tested, with thyroglobulin, next to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), being most effective for 16-peptides (145-160) and 21-peptides (141-160 Tyr161). To protect guinea pig from FMD, minimum dosage of 21-peptide was found to be 2 x 8 micrograms. The immunogenic spectrum of peptides and conjugates proved to be broader than that of monovalent vaccines of inactivated virus. Free peptides were found to be also capable in vitro of inhibiting virus infection.

Optical light microscopy was used in investigations of ovariectomised gravid gilts to which progesterone doses between 120 mg and 40 mg as well as 250 micrograms of oestradiol benzoate had been daily applied to preserve gravidity, with 12 mg of norgestrel being additionally administered to some of them. These investigations were conducted for the purpose of studying locally delimited effects of conception on the placental structure. Uterus tissue was sampled from living and dead embryos (centre and sides of ampullae) as well as from uterus regions free of foetal membranes (in-between ampullae). With adequate progesterone supply, embryos were shown to clearly affect the endometrial structures. Endometrium in the centre of ampullae, with living embryos, was lower than at points without embryos. Surface epithelium was flattened, and endometrial stroma was more strongly oedematised. Strongly pronounced hyperaemia occurred to subepithelial stroma in the centre of ampullae, and uterine glandular function was unambiguously stimulated. These embryo-triggered effects were much less or no longer detectable at all under conditions of inadequate progesterone supply (40 mg/die). Administration of 12 mg of norgestrel, in addition to 40 mg/die of progesterone, enabled embryos to exercise gravidity-specific influence upon the endometrium, as in cases of sufficient progesterone supply.

Electron microscopy was used to watch and monitor free as well as phagosomically incorporated multilamellar vesicles (MLV) which were considered to be signs of rapid recycling of phagosomal membranes. Close relations were found to exist between lysosomes, on the one hand, and MLV in phagosomes, on the other. The same applied to MLV and mitochondria or nuclear membranes. Destruction of MLV was highly differentiated. Hints are given in this paper on the kinetics of such processes. These results are considered to be of some relevance to the suitability of liposomes as carriers of pharmaceutical substances.

Eleven cows in late lactation were exposed to butyric acid for three weeks and were compared to five controls. Two intraruminal doses were daily applied, that is 1.0 g/kg B.W. of butyric acid to six animals and 1.0 g/kg B.W. of sodium butyrate to another five. Decline in milk yield was clinically recorded in response to butyric acid, while muscle tremor and diarrhoea resulted additionally from sodium butyrate. Behaviours of the clinico-chemical parameters of beta-OH-butyrate, glucose, free fatty acids, bilirubin, ASAT, gamma-GT, AP, and cholesterol were comparable to those in fattening bulls. Liver damage was not safely established. Some of the clinico-chemical alterations were more strongly pronounced after administration of sodium butyrate. One cow fell ill with ketosis under butyric acid load.

Described in this paper is a physical method by which to determine virus concentrations, including ultracentrifugation of a sample through a saccharose gradient and subsequent analysis of tubule content by means of a flow photometer. Here before, the curves thus obtained used to be graphically evaluated by means of stencil plates. Direct recording and processing of the extinction-time curve by means of a KC 85/1 minicomputer have substantially improved accuracy of results. Time consumption has been reduced, and reading as well as calculating errors have been entirely ruled out. Repetition of determinations confirmed that virus concentrations could be determined at an accuracy of four to seven percent.

A highly specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against envelope protein gp51 and effectively bonding the antigen (Ag) on account of its high affinity from an unpurified Ag preparation was chosen for use in a double-sandwich enzyme immuno-assay (EIA) for diagnosis of bovine leukaemia virus (BLV). The epitopes recognised in bovine sera by the gp51-specific antibodies were at the same time properly exposed. Some parameters of major importance to testing were optimised (Ab and Ag quantities, dilution of bovine sera for testing). Preliminary testing of the double-sandwich EIA on selected bovine sera and comparison with both the immunodiffusion test and anti-BLV EIA confirmed its good diagnostic specificity and sensitivity. Hence, this double-sandwich EIA, developed by means of an mAB against gp51, on account of the possibility to use as Ag culture supernatant of the FLC cell line, is a sensitive, low-cost alternative to the anti-BLV EIA Dessau MTP which had so far been used. The double-sandwich EIA is recommended for use in final sanitation for its high analytical and diagnostic sensitivity.

Forty-four pregnant gilts were slaughtered on the 32nd and 33rd days of pregnancy, after 30 of them had received 100 or 400 IU of HCG on the eleventh day of pregnancy. Both doses had resulted in higher number of living embryos. Embryo survival rates of treated sows were up to 14.9 percent higher than those of untreated animals. Higher numbers of embryos had no adverse effect on their mass development. Fertility was measured of 77 HCG-treated and untreated gilts as well as of 54 adult sows. The number of non-pregnant sows which returned to oestrus was higher in the group of gilts and adult sows which had received treatment. The number of pregnant animals in the treated adult sow group was seven percent higher than that in the control group. Increased litter sizes were additionally recordable from those gilts and adult sows that had received HCG injections. Yet, those higher litter sizes were associated with lower weight of live-born piglets. In further studies more attention should be given to possible stimulation of LH secretion in early gravidity.