The role of porcine parvovirus (PPV) in inducing reproductive failure in swine has been extensively documented. However, information is not available as to the risk of ppv transmission by embryo transfer. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, PPV-specific DNA was detected in association with 4-day-old porcine embryos incubated in vitro in the presence of NADL-8 strain of PPV, despite attempts to rid the embryos of virus by either washing or treatment with pronase or trypsin. The presence of PPV in embryos collected from acutely infected swine was not detected by PCR, although PPV DNA was detected in the proximal portion of the reproductive tract during the early stages of infection. Viral-specific nucleic acid was not detected in embryos transferred from infected donors to seronegative recipients and retrieved and assayed on the 15th and 32nd days of gestation. Results of the use of PCR to detect PPV associated with swine female reproductive tract and embryos ascribe minimal risk to the transmission of PPV to seronegative recipients through embryo transfer.

A relation exists between colloid osmotic pressure and serum total protein concentration; equations describing this relation have been used to determine a calculated value for colloid osmotic pressure. However, the relation between total protein concentration and colloid osmotic pressure is altered by the method used to measure protein and by changes in the ratio of concentrations of albumin (A) to globulin (G). We developed nomograms for estimating colloid osmotic pressure from A and G concentrations, using samples obtained from clinically normal animals and compared the accuracy of these nomograms with that of previously described equations relating colloid osmotic pressure to total protein concentration. For comparison, serum samples from canine (n = 106), equine (n = 79), feline (n = 24), and bovine (n = 27) patients admitted to the University of Georgia Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital were used. Results indicated that nomograms based on protein concentration estimated by a refractometer generally were the least reliable. Although predictive nomograms, using total protein concentration determined by the biuret method, provided better results for serum samples, there was considerable variation between measured and calculated values for colloid osmotic pressure in all species studied. Calculated values for colloid osmotic pressure derived from A and G concentrations were most closely related to measured values for colloid osmotic pressure in dogs, horses, and cats. However, calculated values for colloid osmotic pressure differed from measured values by as much as 5 mm of Hg for some samples by each of the methods of estimation. These results indicate that, although calculated values for colloid osmotic pressure may be most accurate when variations in the A-to-G ratio are accounted for in the nomogram, none of the calculation methods provided a consistently accurate estimate of colloid osmotic pressure. For clinical patients, colloid osmotic pressure based on these nomograms cannot replace direct measurement.

Cerebrospinal fluid and serum were obtained from 17 adult, healthy llamas (9 males, 1 castrated male, and 7 females). Osmolality; activities of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase; and concentrations of glucose, sodium, chloride, potassium, total protein, and albumin were determined in serum and CSF. Total and differential cell counts were determined in CSF, and electrophoresis of CSF proteins was performed. Total nucleated cell count was low, 0 to 3/microliter, which is lower than that reported for other domestic species and is similar to values in healthy people. Differential leukocyte percentages were disparate depending on the degree of blood contamination. Blood contamination influenced the percentage of neutrophils and eosinophils in CSF. Samples with few erythrocytes had differential leukocyte distribution similar to that of other species: mostly lymphocytes, fewer monocytoid cells, and scant neutrophils. Older llamas had a few eosinophils in the CSF. Total protein, albumin, and gamma-globulin concentrations in llamas were similar to values in cattle and were higher than values in most domestic species. Glucose concentration in CSF was approximately 40% of the value in serum (nonruminant animals and people typically have CSF glucose concentration that is approximately 60 to 80% of the serum glucose concentration). Sodium and Cl concentrations in CSF were higher than those in serum, whereas K concentration was lower in CSF, compared with serum. Activities of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase in CSF were markedly lower than those in serum, and the ranges of values in this group of healthy llamas were narrow.

Paired CSF and serum samples were obtained from 109 rhesus macaques aged 1 to 18 years. The CSF and serum IgG and albumin concentrations were determined, using radial immunodiffusion; CSF total protein and glucose were determined, using colorimetric methods; and Na, K, and Cl concentrations were determined, using ion-specific electrodes. The CSF protein values were lower than those reported for nonhuman primates, and this finding was confirmed by results of agar gel electrophoresis. Animal age and sex had no significant effects on CSF composition, but serum IgG concentration increased with age. Concentrations of total protein, albumin, and IgG were greater, and concentrations of glucose and potassium were lower in CSF obtained from the lumbar rather than the cisternal site. Composition of CSF was not significantly altered by contamination with blood at values up to 10,000 RBC/microliter. The CSF albumin quotient, IgG quotient, and IgG index were determined and differed markedly from values reported for human beings, indicating that the properties and specificity of the blood-brain barrier may be species-specific.

Cardiorespiratory effects of abdominal insufflation were evaluated in 8 dogs during isoflurane anesthesia. Each dog was studied 3 times, in 1 of the following orders of insufflation pressures: 10-20-30, 20-30-10, 30-20-10, 10-30-20, 20-10-30, and 30-10-20 mm of Hg. Anesthesia was induced by use of a mask, dogs were intubated, and anesthesia was maintained by isoflurane in 100% oxygen. After instrumentation, baseline values were recorded (time 0), and the abdomen was insufflated with nitrous oxide. Data were recorded at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes after insufflation. The abdomen was then desufflated, with recording of data continuing at 35 and 40 minutes. Mean arterial pressure increased at 5 minutes during 20 mm of Hg insufflation pressure, and from 20 to 30 minutes during 30 mm of Hg pressure. Tidal volume decreased from 5 to 30 minutes during 10 and 20 mm of Hg pressures, and from 5 to 40 minutes during 30 mm of Hg pressure. Minute ventilation decreased at 10 and 20 minutes during 20 mm of Hg pressure. End-tidal CO2 concentration increased from 5 to 30 minutes during 20 and 30 mm of Hg pressure. The PaCO2 decreased at 40 minutes during 10 mm of Hg pressure, at 30 minutes during 20 mm of Hg pressure, and from 10 to 40 minutes during 30 mm of Hg pressure. Values for pH decreased from 10 to 30 minutes during 20 and 30 mm of Hg pressures. The PaO2 decreased from 20 to 40 minutes during 10 mm of Hg pressure, at 30 minutes during 20 mm of Hg pressure, and from 10 to 40 minutes during 30 mm of Hg pressure. Percentage decrease in tidal volume was greater at 5 and 15 minutes with 30 mm of Hg pressure. Differences in percentage increase in end tidal CO2 concentration were observed among the 3 pressures from 5 to 30 minutes. Although significant, these changes do not preclude use of laparoscopy if insufflation pressure > 20 mm of Hg is avoided.

Each of 5 US-origin serotypes of bluetongue virus (BTV) was inoculated into a separate pair of sheep. The duration of each animal's ensuing viremia was monitored, using a BTV serogroup-specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and an embryonating chicken egg (ECE) inoculation procedure. Mean duration of viremia was 100 and 38 days for the PCR and ECE methods, respectively. This difference was significant (P < 0.001) and documents a more prolonged viremia in virus-exposed sheep than has been reported. A dual internal oligonucleotide solution hybridization procedure was developed for the rapid (2 hours) colorimetric detection and identification of BTV-specific PCR products. This enzyme-linked oligonucleotide sorbent assay (ELOSA) relied on annealing of separate biotinylated and fluoresceinated probes to the amplified BTV nucleic acid; these complexes were captured on streptavidin-coated microtitration wells and were detected, using a horseradish peroxidase-labeled antifluorescein antibody conjugate. End-point dilution analyses of PCR products indicated that the ELOSA was more sensitive than gel electrophoretic or comparable colorimetric slot-blot hybridization techniques. The BTV PCR-ELOSA system represents a more sensitive and expeditious means of diagnosing BTV-induced viremia than does the ECE procedure currently used. The combination of ELOSA with PCR should facilitate practical application of nucleic acid technology to diagnostic veterinary medicine.

Kidney tissues were removed from euthanatized mature White Leghorn chickens 4 days after iv inoculation with type A influenza virus. The kidney tissues were then fixed at -70 C, using a freeze substitution technique. Type A influenza virus nucleoprotein was readily detected in the nuclei and cytoplasm of the proximal and distal tubular epithelial cells by immunocytochemistry, and the sharpness of the immunomarker in the cells indicated minimal antigen migration during fixation and tissue section preparation. This tissue fixation technique also resulted in good preservation of cellular morphology. The freeze substitution technique of tissue fixation is an excellent alternative to cryostat-cut acetone-fixed tissue sections or conventional chemical fixation of paraffin-embedded tissues for in situ immunocytochemical localization of type A influenza virus nucleoprotein antigen.

Keratan sulfate (KS) is a glycosaminoglycan, distribution of which is confined mostly to hyaline cartilage. As such, it is a putative marker of hyaline cartilage catabolism. In experiment 1, a focal osteochondral defect was made arthroscopically in 1 radial carpal bone of 2 ponies, and in 2 other ponies, chymopapain was injected into the radiocarpal joint to induce cartilage catabolism. Sequential and concurrent plasma and synovial fluid concentrations of KS were measured, up to 13 months after induction of cartilage injury, to determine whether changes in KS concentrations reflected cartilage catabolism. In experiment 2, a large, bilateral osteochondral defect was made in the radial carpal bones of 18 ponies, which were subsequently given postoperative exercise and/or injected intra-articularly with 250 mg of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG). Medication was given at surgery, then weekly for 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected and synovial fluid was aspirated before surgery, when medication was given, and at postmortem examination (postoperative week 17). The KS concentration was measured in these fluids to determine whether changes in KS concentration indicated an effect of joint treatment. In experiment 1, the concentration of KS in synovial fluid was highest 1 day after joint injury, and the concentration in plasma peaked 2 days after joint injury. For ponies receiving chymopapain intra-articularly (generalized cartilage catabolism), a fivefold increase over baseline was observed in the concentration of KS in plasma (peak mean, 1.2 microgram/ml), and a tenfold increase over baseline in synovial fluid (peak mean, 2.0 mg/ml) was observed. On average, these maxima were threefold higher than values in fluids of ponies with osteochondral defects (focal cartilage disease). In experiment 2, nonexercised ponies had lower KS concentration (as a percentage of the preoperative concentration) in synovial fluid than did exercised ponies at all postoperative times, and at postoperative week 17, this effect was significant (P < 0.05). This may be related to decreased turnover of KS in articular cartilage attributable to stall confinement and late increase in turnover related to exercise. Seventeen weeks after surgery, synovial fluid from exercised, medicated ponies had significantly (P < 0.05) higher KS content than did fluid from exercised, nonmedicated ponies. This indicated that exercise, when combined with medication, may increase KS release from articular cartilage. Synovial fluid from medicated joints of nonexercised ponies had significantly (P < 0.05) lower KS concentration than did synovial fluid from nonmedicated joints of nonexercised ponies. This indicated that, in nonexercised joints, medication with PSGAG may have decreased either release of KS from the articular cartilage into the synovial fluid or inhibited synthesis of KS. Concentration of KS in synovial fluid was not related clearly to the development of osteoarthritis in these ponies. Exercise or medication did not affect plasma KS concentration, and synovial fluid and plasma KS concentrations were not correlated. Data indicated that KS concentration in plasma and synovial fluid may be increased in acute, marked, generalized articular cartilage catabolism and that KS turnover in cartilage of joints with large osteochondral defects was affected by intra-articular PSGAG and postoperative exercise.

To study increase of the Salmonella population in the cecum of chickens infected with Eimeria tenella, quantitative changes in mannose residues on the cecal mucosa were investigated. Inhibition of S typhimurium adherence to the cecum by a 2% carbohydrate (D-mannose, D-galactose, L-fucose, alpha-methyl-D-glucoside) in phosphate-buffered saline solution was examined. Only D-mannose had inhibitory effects. Whereas, D-galactose had somewhat enhancing effects on adherence of S typhimurium to the cecal mucosa of uninfected germ-free chickens. In infected and uninfected chickens, D-mannose inhibited adherence of S typhimurium. D-mannose significantly (P < 0.05) increased adherence of Bacteroides sp. In infected and uninfected chickens, D-mannose did not have any effect on adherence of Clostridium perfringens and Bifidobacterium thermophilum. Under microscopic observation, only concanavalin A and Lens culinaris agglutinin, of 8 lectins examined, were recognized as lectin-positive staining lines or spots in the cecal mucosa, indicating presence of mannose residues on the cecal mucosa. In E tenella-infected chickens, lectin-positive staining was seen strongly on the coarse surface of damaged cells and at the bottom of the crypts. These results indicate that coccidial infection may induce increase of mannose residues on the intestinal surface and allow adhesion of more salmonellae to the intestine.

The anterior chambers in 16 dogs with normotensive eyes and 3 Beagles with glaucomatous eyes were treated with 0, 25, 50, or 100 IU of bovine testicular hyaluronidase. Aqueous outflow resistance was then determined by constant-pressure perfusion of 0.9% NaCl solution for 30 or 60 minutes. In normotensive eyes, 25, 50, or 100 IU of hyaluronidase significantly (P < 0.02) increased the rate of constant-pressure perfusion compared with that of untreated eyes during 30- or 60-minute perfusions. Treatment of glaucomatous eyes with 25, 50, or 100 IU of hyaluronidase did not significantly increase the rate of constant-pressure perfusion over controls during a 30-minute perfusion. Bovine testicular hyaluronidase at all doses removed the staining of colloidal iron from the trabecular meshwork in normotensive eyes. In Beagles with glaucoma, the trabecular meshworks remained stained with colloidal iron when treated with the hyaluronidase, which suggested that some glycosaminoglycans were resistant to this enzyme's action.