Black bindweed seed (Polygonum convolvulus) from the 1987 harvest was tested for possible toxicity in a 38-day range-finding test with Wistar rats which received feed rations on the basis of VDT-1 standard feedstuff and components of 5 or 20%. Histological liver findings as well as parameters recorded from laboratory diagnosis (plasma activities of ALAT, ASAT, and gamma GT as well as total protein and albumin levels in plasma) were indicative of incipient impairment of liver metabolism. More detailed and comprehensive chemico-analytical investigations are recommended, with due consideration of the unity between high-value primary components, on the one hand, and possibly toxic secondary constituent substances, on the other.
The effect of one single oral or parenterally administered dose of 1 million IU vitamin A on the vitamin A depot in the liver and on blood plasma vitamin A concentrations was investigated in 3 individual feeding experiments with involvement of 18 and 24 calves or 24 fattening bulls. 50% of all animals in each of the 3 experiments received feed without any vitamin A through 108 or 112 or 209 days, prior to vitamin A administration, or received 10.000 IU/100 kg live weight and day. Parenteral vitamin A administration in either group yielded rise in blood plasma from 0.06--0.35 to 26.2--30.2 mumol/l, after 1 or 2 days. The maximum value measured after oral administration was 1.9 mumol/l. Most of the plasma values had returned to normal (0.6--12. mumol/l) within 14 days from administration. Oral and parenteral vitamin A doses, after 14 days, caused significant rise in vitamin A concentrations in the liver (from 15.5 to 82.5), with the increase resulting from parenteral administration (from 13.7 to 99.1) being clearly higher than that resulting from oral administration (from 17.3 to 65.9 mumol/kg fresh liver tissue). The same trends were recorded from recovery of vitamin A from the liver (26.8% after parenteral administration versus 15.0% in the wake of oral doses). Storage in and recovery from vitamin-A depleted animals were below values recorded from young cattle with sufficient vitamin A supply. These findings are likely to confirm that one single parenteral vitamin A administration was of clearly higher effectiveness, as compared to oral application.
An account is given in this paper of catheterisation of the common carotid artery and external jugular vein of cattle by means of silicone rubber hoses together with a method of wireconnected remote recording of blood pressure and cardiac potentials, using strong subcutaneously placed electrodes. Also described are techniques for recording of respiration through one simple, intransally applied thermo-couple as well as for remote application of pharmaceuticals, using infusion pumps or syringes with extension tubes. Electrocardiograms (ECG) and shapes of blood curves recorded from non-medicated animals were analysed. Cattle ECG usually exhibited a small positive P-spike, one ventricular complex usually made up of one small positive R-spike and one large negative S-spike as well as one large positive T-spike. The pericardial arterial blood-pressure curve was found to rise, without preliminary waves, to two main waves separated from one another by a clear incisure, before it dropped steeply, later on more smoothly and oscillating to the enddiastolic pressure point.
Oestrus synchronisation by means of PGF2-alpha analogues was followed by injection of Gonavet(R) "Berlin-Chemie" which triggered off an LH peak, 2 to 3 hours from injection. Injection of Gonavet(R) "Berlin-Chemie", 44 hours after PGF2-alpha application, caused synchronisation of all LH peaks. The interval between injection of Gonavet(R) "Berlin-Chemie" and onset of ovulation amounted to 22 hours. The length of ovulation was not accurately determinable. Ovulation was successfully induced to all sheep by application of Gonavet(R) "Berlin-Chemie", 44 or 48 hours after PGF2-alpha injection. Ovulation rates were 1.75 or 1.54. Luteolytic action on sheep of Cloprostenol(R) "Jenapharm", a PGF2-alpha analogue, proved to be just as good as that of Oestrophan(R) (SPOFA).
The effect of one single oral or parenterally administered dose of 1 million IU vitamin A on the vitamin A depot in the liver and on blood plasma vitamin A concentrations was investigated in 3 individual feeding experiments with involvement of 18 and 24 calves or 24 fattening bulls. 50 % of all animals in each of the 3 experiments received feed without any vitamin A through 108 or 112 or 209 days, prior to vitamin A administration, or received 10.000 IU/100 kg live weight and day. Parenteral vitamin A administration in either group yielded rise in blood plasma from 0.06-0.35 to 26.2-30.2-mu-mol/l, after 1 or 2 days. The maximum value measured after oral administration was 1.9-mu-mol/l. Most of the plasma values had returned to normal (0.6-12.-mu-mol/l), within 14 days from administration. Oral and parenteral vitamin A doses, after 14 days, caused significant rise in vitamin A concentrations in the liver (from 15.5 to 82.5), with the increase resulting from parenteral administration (from 13.7 to 99.1) being clearly higher than that resulting from oral administration (from 17.3 to 65.9-mu-mol/kg fresh liver tissue). The same trends were recorded from recovery of vitamin A from the liver (26.8 % after parenteral administration versus 15.0 % in the wake of oral doses). Storage in and recovery from vitamin-A depleted animals were below values recorded from young cattle with sufficient vitamin A supply. These findings are likely to confirm that one single parenteral vitamin A administration was of clearly higher effectiveness, as compared to oral application.
The best maturation results were ensured in vitro by substitution of TCM-199 medium with FSH, HCG, and 17-beta-oestradiol: The stage of fertilisation capability (telophase I or metaphase II) was reached by 86 % of all oocytes (115 of 134). The rate of maturation was worse with significance in FSH-free medium (62 % or 101 of 163), and the amount of degenerated oocytes was twice as high (18 %). Maturation in hormone-substituted medium for 28 to 30 hours is recommended under the condition that immature oocytes were cultured from juvenile antral follicles (2-5 mm in diameter).
Black bindweed seed (Polygonum convolvulus) from the 1987 harvest was tested for possible toxicity in a 38-day range-findingtest with Wistar rats which received feed rations on the basis of VDT-1 standard feedstuff and components of 5 or 20 %. Histological liver findings as well as parameters recorded from laboratory diagnosis (plasma activities of ALAT, ASAT, and gamma GT as well as total protein and albumin levels in plasma) were indicative of incipient impairment of liver metabolism. More detailed and comprehensive chemico-analytical investigations are recommended, with due consideration of the unity between high-value primary components, on the one hand, and possibly toxic secondary constituent substances, on the other.
Thickness of epidermis, diameter and density of follicles as well as the ratio of secondary to primary follicles went up with significance (P less than 0.01) along with development. Medium concentrations of neutral and acid mucopolysaccharides were histochemically recorded from the corium, while high levels were present in basal stratum and hair pivots. High concentrations of alkaline phosphatase were recorded from basal stratum, hair pivots, and papillae and moderate concentrations from sweat and sebaceous glands, with the latter containing also glycogen and lipids.
Described in this paper is a technique by which to separate the components of the sperma acrosin system. Included in the method are extraction of all components by means of acetic acid, separation of acrosin inhibitors on Sephadex G 100 as well as biochemical determination of proacrosin and acrosin. While species-related peculiarities were of minor importance, alterations were found to occur to the acrosin system in response to deep-freeze preservation of bull, boar, and ram sperma. Those alterations grew manifest primarily through decline in total acrosin activity and shifting of the proacrosin-acrosin ratio in the direction of proacrosin activation. Detachability of membrane-bound acrosin inhibitors was increased with significance, following in-vitro capacitation of bull sperma under heparin action.
Immature oocytes from antral follicles of cattle were tested for the effect of follicular factors on maturation. In vitro maturation was accomplished by use of follicular fluid from small (2-5 mm) and large (above 15 mm) follicles and by addition to the medium of a granulose factor (GF) which had been isolated from the surface of granulosa cells. The parent material, with 84% (72/86) of oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage (GV-S) at the beginning of culturing, could be rated immature. 46% of all oocytes (41/89) had reached telophase I or metaphase II (full maturation) after 24 hours of maturation in hormone-free control medium (TCM 199 + 10% of foetal calf serum). 36% of oocytes (53/84), on the other hand, stayed between GV breakdown (GVBD) and anaphase I (incipient maturation). Full maturation was reached by as little as 14%. GF and follicular fluid from small antral follicles were found to inhibit GVBD in the oocytes. 59% (36/61) or 48% (61/127) of oocytes were blocked at GV stage. Positive determination of maturationinhibiting action of the above follicular components may provide a chance for their target-oriented use in control of the maturation process. The pool of immature oocytes of the ovaries, under such circumstances, might be more systematically utilised for in vitro manipulations.
Studies were conducted into concentrations of RNA, DNA, and total protein in various skeletal muscles, diaphram, right and left ventricles as well as in musculature of the oesophagus, stomach, and urinary bladder of 25 normally developed piglets and 24 sprayleg piglets of differentiated body weight (B. W.). DNA concentration was found to be at its highest in piglets of lowest B. W. The Protein:DNA-quotient increased along with growing B. W. The average value of this quotient in the anterior tibial muscle and brachial triceps muscle of sprayleg piglets was lower than that in normally developed piglets. Average values of the RNA:DNA quotients in the brachial triceps muscle, anterior section of the long dorsal muscle, left ventricle, and stomach muscles were also lower in sprayleg piglets. In newborn piglets, DNA concentrations in ventricles as well as in the muscles of the stomach and oesophagus were higher than those recordable from skeletal muscles. Causes of incapability of newborn piglets to stand on their own feet are discussed in some detail.
Baby mouse and Y1 cell culturing tests were conducted into 117 Escherichia (E.) coli strains from mastitis of cattle to clear up enterotoxin formation. The rate of the latter was found to be relatively low, with enterotoxins recorded from only 7 strains (6 %). No correlations were established between enterotoxin formation, on the one hand, and antibiotic resistance as well as biochemical activities of E. coli isolates, on the other. The question still remains open, if enterotoxin-forming strains derive their udder pathogenicity from endotoxins or with support by enterotoxins.
40 adult White Californian rabbits were monitored for serum levels, soft tissue concentrations, and biological half-life of technical chlorotetracycline (Aureovit 12 C40 - SPOFA), chlorotetracycline chloride (Farmitalia substance), tetracycline chloride (tetramyocine tablets for veterinary use - SPOFA), and oxytetracycline chloride (oxymycoine in powder form for solution for veterinary use - SPOFA), following application of 20-mu-g.kg-1. All tetracyclines tested were orally administered by gavage, following dissolution or suspension (Aureovit 12 C40). Statistically significent differences were found to exist among serum levels of various tetracyclines, with the 1st to 11th hours from administration, whereafter differences turned minimal between the 11th and 24th hours. Differences were found to exist also among concentrations in various organs.
49 of 102 sheep of one production herd, which had returned to oestrus once or twice within the 1985 breeding season, were treated twice in a nine-day interval with the PGF2-alpha analogue Cloprostenol(R) "Jenapharm". 53 animals received an additional dose of 10-mu-g of Gonavet(R) "Berlin-Chemie". A lambing rate of merely 15% was achieved by subsequent term-oriented artificial insemination. 31 sheep still in oestrus one day after term-oriented artificial insemination were served, bringing the lambing rate from synchronisation of oestrus and ovulation to 26% and the lambing result to 154%. Serving of the remaining sheep in 2 subsequent oestric cycles, on balance, yielded lambing rates and results which were higher with significance than those recorded from untreated sheep in the same herd.
Thirty-four Syrian goats were investigated for postnatal uterus development, from the first day after parturition to the age of six months. Structures were found to undergo conspicuously early differentiation. Full morphological uterus development was established at the age of three to four months. Syrian goat thus is sexually mature at that early age. This is considered to be essential to good suitability of Syrian goat as experimental animal.
Concentrations of estradiol-17 beta, progesterone, luteinising hormone (LH), and prolactin were recorded from 9 gilts, following cycle blocking by means of Suisynchron(R)-Prämix and application of PMSG, HCG, and Suidor(R). A radio-immuno-assay which for its quality criteria enabled safe determination of the hormone in peripheral blood had been worked out specifically for prolactin appraisal. HCG application led to blockage of pre-ovulatory LH release in 7 of 9 animals. Possible causes are discussed. Prolactin concentrations during oestrus were differentiated and, for example, were characterised by strong oscillatory variations. With the experimental arrangement used, the boar pheromone Suidor(R) was not found to have any impact upon hormone profiles.
Various organs of goslings and Muscovy duck chickens were investigated by electron microscopy, with the negative contrast technique being used in a routine diagnosis programme. Investigations were extended over several years and were, more specifically, applied to 1,148 samples obtained from 525 goslings and 429 samples which had been collected from 139 Muscovy duck chickens. Viruses were directly detected in 132 or 76 samples. Parvoviruses were predominant in geese and Muscovy ducks and accounted for 83.3 or 94.7%. Rotaviruses, reoviruses, and adenoviruses were sporadically diagnosed. Most of all positive findings were recorded from intestinal matter, liver, and heart. Parvovirus-related diseases were practically removed from among goslings, owing to efficient immunoprophylaxis on all larger goose units. Small privately owned flocks were found to play a role as pathogen reservoirs for both goslings and Muscovy ducks.
Described in this paper is a technique by which to separate the components of the sperma acrosin system. Included in the method are extraction of all components by means of acetic acid, separation of acrosin inhibitors on Sephadex G 100 as well as biochemical determination of proacrosin and acrosin. While species-related peculiarities were of minor importance, alterations were found to occur to the acrosin system in response to deep-freeze preservation of bull, boar, and ram sperma. Those alterations grew manifest primarily through decline in total acrosin activity and shifting of the proacrosin-acrosin ratio in the direction of proacrosin activation. Detachability of membrane-bound acrosin inhibitors was increased with significance, following in-vitro capacitation of bull sperma under heparin action.
Acute anaemia was induced in calves aged 1 week, using the oxidant chemical phenylhydrazine-hydrochloride (PHH). The hematoclinical responses to graded doses were evaluated. Mild anaemia was observed with the 60 mg/kg body weight (B.W.) dose. The 100 mg/kg B.W. dose was too toxic. The sublethal 80 mg/kg B.W. dose produced the desired type of hemolytic anaemia, the peak of which being observed on d 4 post-injection (p.i.). Hemolytic anaemia was evidenced by hemoglobinaemia and hemoglobinuria.The acute toxicity symptoms lasted for about 30 min. Thereafter, the animals appeared to overcome the stress. In general, increases in pulse and respiration coincided with progress of the hemolytic syndrome. Peak response occurred 48 to 60 h p.i.
An account is given in this paper of catheterisation of the common carotid artery and external jugular vein of cattle by means of silicone rubber hoses together with a method of wireconnected remote recording of blood pressure and cardiac potentials, using strong subcutaneously placed electrodes. Also described are techniques for recording of respiration through one simple, intranasally applied thermo-couple as well as for remote application of pharmaceuticals, using infusion pumps or syringes with extension tubes. Electrocardiograms (ECG) and shapes of blood curves recorded from non-medicated animals were analysed. Cattle ECG usually exhibited a small positive P-spike, one ventricular complex usually made up of one small positive R-spike and one large negative S-spike as well as one large positive T-spike. The pericardial arterial blood-pressure curve was found to rise, without preliminary waves, to two main waves separated from one another by a clear incisure, before it dropped steeply, later on more smoothly and oscillating to the enddiastolic pressure point.
