Effects of 2 drugs commonly used for chemical restraint of cattle were evaluated for their effect on laryngeal and pharyngeal anatomy, function, and response to stimuli. Eighteen adult Jersey cows, free of respiratory tract disease, were studied. Cows were assigned at random to 1 of 3 treatment groups. Endoscopic evaluations were performed before and at a predetermined time interval after administration of each drug. Responses to stimuli were evaluated by stimulating 7 preselected sites (epiglottis, left and right arytenoid cartilages, left and right vocal folds, and left and right dorsolateral pharyngeal walls) with a closed, transendoscopic biopsy probe. Xylazine HCl (0.05 mg/kg of body weight, IV) was administered to group-1 cows (n = 6), and endoscopy was repeated 5 minutes after administration of the drug. Xylazine (0.07 mg/kg, IV) was administered to group-2 cows (n = 6), and endoscopy was repeated 5 minutes after administration of the drug. Acepromazine maleate (0.035 mg/kg, iv) was administered to group-3 cows (n = 6), and endoscopy was repeated 10 minutes after administration of the drug. Responses to stimuli were scored as brisk (0), moderate (1), slow (2), and absent (3). Scores for responses to stimuli were compared, using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for data within groups, and a general linear models procedure, using the Kruskal-Wallis test between groups. Interobserver agreement rates were generated for each group. A value of P<0.05 was considered significant. Xylazine profoundly changed laryngeal sensitivity and function at both dosages. The corniculate processes of the arytenoid cartilages were observed to be in a markedly adducted position after sedation. Response to stimuli was significantly (P = 0.03) slower than normal after sedation, using both dosages. Displacement of the soft palate dorsal to the epiglottis was persistent in 50% of the cows after stimulation tests subsequent to sedation with xylazine. Acepromazine had a mild effect on laryngeal sensitivity and function. The corniculate processes of the arytenoid cartilages were observed in paramedian position after sedation. Acepromazine did not significantly affect responses to stimuli. Effects of sedation on responses to stimuli were not significantly different for groups 1 and 2. However, effects for group 3 were significantly different from those for groups 1 and 2 (P = 0.006 and 0.004, respectively). Endoscopic evaluation of the proximal portion of the respiratory tract of cattle should be performed without sedation, when possible. If sedation is required to facilitate restraint for endoscopy, acepromazine maleate is recommended over xylazine on the basis of results of this study.

A commercial rapid-absorbed ELISA developed to detect antibodies to Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in bovine serum was modified for use with goat serum. Diagnostic sensitivity was evaluated, using a group of 163 goats from a herd with endemic paratuberculosis. Blood and fecal samples were obtained simultaneously, and prevalence of shedding of M paratuberculosis in the feces was estimated by detection of DNA of the mycobacterial insertion sequence, IS900, using a commercial test kit. Diagnostic specificity was evaluated, using blood samples from a total of 123 goats in 10 herds that were considered clinically free of paratuberculosis. The IS900 DNA was detected in 35 of the 163 goats (21%) from the infected herd. Serum antibody to M paratuberculosis was detected in 19 of the 35 IS900 DNA-positive goats, for apparent sensitivity of 54%. Serum antibody was detected in 18 of the 128 IS900 DNA-negative goats from the infected herd. Negative results for serum antibody to M paratuberculosis were obtained for all 123 goats from the herds that were considered clinically free of paratuberculosis.

Liposomes and immunostimulating complexes (ISCOM) are adjuvants that have been known to potentiate the immune response to membrane proteins. Adjuvanted outer membrane proteins (OMP) from Salmonella enteritidis were evaluated for their protective efficacy against S enteritidis infection in turkeys. The adjuvanted vaccines prepared for evaluation were: positive or negatively charged liposomes, lipid-conjugated ISCOM, and mineral oil vaccines. These preparations were compared with that of a whole cell bacterin and protein alone. After vaccination, turkeys were challenge-exposed with a nalidixic acid-resistant strain of S enteritidis. They were monitored for clinical signs of disease, antibody response, bacterial shedding pattern, and clearance of the challenge S enteritidis from internal organs. Results indicated a significantly (P < 0.05) higher antibody response to the positively charged liposomal OMP vaccine, compared with the whole cell bacterin. The antibody response to positively charged liposomal OMP vaccine was greater when a booster dose of this preparation was given. Shedding of S enteritidis was decreased in all vaccinated and challenge-exposed turkeys (P < 0.001). The tissues from a high percentage (90 to 100%) of birds that received a booster vaccination of the liposomal (+ or -) and ISCOM vaccine were culture-negative for S enteritidis.

Effect of estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) on uterine antibacterial activity and immunoglobulin concentrations in mares was studied. In 2 in vitro experiments, 6 mixed-breed mares were ovariectomized, and uterine fluid and blood serum were analyzed. Antibacterial assay methods were used to determine inhibitory effects on Streptococcus zooepidemicus of uterine fluid samples collected on days 3, 5, and 8, and serum obtained on day 8 of treatment. Single radial immunodiffusion methods were used to quantify amounts of IgA and IgG in uterine fluid and serum on days 3, 5, 8, and 14 of treatment. Neither E2 nor P4 increased activity of serum and uterine fluid against S zooepidemicus. Numbers of colony-forming units per milliliter of bacteria were significantly (P < 0.01) lower in control Hanks' balanced salt solution with 1.0% gelatin (HBSSG) than in uterine fluids. Bacterial numbers were significantly (50%) greater in uterine fluids and serum than in HBSSG controls for both treatments. Both fluids, especially serum, supported significantly (P < 0.01) more growth of S zooepidemicus than did HBSSG when incubated for 0, 2, and 4 hours. These findings are in contrast to previous reports of antibacterial activity in the uterus of sexually intact mares undergoing an estrous cycle: great reduction of bacterial count in uterine fluid from mares in diestrus, and significant increases in bacterial numbers in uterine fluid or serum from mares in estrus. Treatment comparisons between serum and uterine fluid IgA and IgG concentrations were not significantly different, although overall IgA concentration in the uterus was higher than concentration in serum. The IgG concentration in uterine fluid was higher in P4- than E2-treated mares. However, IgG concentration was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in uterine fluid on day 8 in P4-treated mares than on day 3 or 5. Results of this study indicate that neither immunoglobulin concentration nor hormone treatment has a direct effect on streptocidal activity.

High molecular weight (MW) hyaluronate (HA) is an integral part of synovial fluid (SF), regulating many important physiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms. Many of its effects depend on, or are reflected in, the concentration and MW of HA. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to assess simultaneously the concentration and MW of HA in SF obtained from horses with various arthritides: acute traumatic arthritis; chronic traumatic arthritis, including degenerative joint disease (DJD); and infectious arthritis. The size-exclusion column was calibrated, using appropriate HA concentration and MW standards, before the high-performance liquid chromatographic assays of the SF samples. Calibration of the column disclosed that the maximal limit for MW estimation of HA was around 3 million. In control joints, MW of HA ranged from 2 to 3 X 10(6) (mean 2.5 X 10(6)) and did not differ significantly from MW of HA in SF from horses with acute or chronic traumatic arthritis (mean 2 x 10(6); range 1.5 to 3 x 10(6)). Interestingly, a small amount of HA of moderately high MW (approx 1 to 1.5 x 10(6)) was detected in chromatograms of SF from infected joints. This degree of polymerization of SF HA was significantly (P < 0.01) lower, compared with that for control joints. There was no difference in mean (+/- SD) concentration of HA between control joints and joints with acute or chronic traumatic arthritis (0.33 +/- 0.12 g/L vs 0.18 +/- 0.03 g/L or 0.23 +/- 0.12 g/L), indicating that SF HA concentration probably should not be used as a diagnostic marker for the condition. However, the SF HA concentration was significantly (P < 0.01) lower in joints with infectious arthritis (0.07 +/- 0.03 g/L) and in the joints with radiographic evidence of DJD (0.12 +/- 0.01 g/L), compared with control joints.

Cultured rat pituitary cells were studied to: determine the effects of ergovaline and loline on in vitro prolactin release; delineate the agonistic activity of these alkaloids at the D2 dopamine receptor, using 2 selective D2 dopamine receptor antagonists; and compare the efficacy of 2 dopamine receptor antagonists in reversing effects of the treatments on in vitro prolactin secretion. Ergovaline reduced in vitro prolactin release by at least 40% (P < 0.05) at concentrations of 10(-4),10(-6), and 10(-8) M. However, loline reduced (P < 0.05) prolactin release only at the highest concentration, 10(-4) M. Two standard dopamine agonists, dopamine and alpha-ergocryptine, were used to verify that the inhibitory control mechanisms of in vitro prolactin release were intact. Both compounds reduced prolactin release by at least 40% for concentrations of 10(-4), 10(-6), or 10(-8) M. Selective D2 dopamine receptor antagonists 10(-6) M, domperidone and sulpiride, reversed (P < 0.05) the effect of loline on in vitro prolactin release. However, only domperidone (10(-6) M) was able to reverse (P < 0.05) the effect of ergovaline and only at the lowest ergovaline concentration (10(-8) M). Domperidone was more effective (P < 0.05) in reversing the prolactin-suppressing effect of alpha-ergocryptine than was sulpiride. The dose-response curve for domperidone (cubic fit, P < 0.0001) indicated a threshold concentration (10(-7)M) for reversal of alpha-ergocryptine's (10(-8)M) effect on prolactin release. However, at similar concentration of sulpiride (quadratic fit, P < 0.007), a threshold level was not obtained. These data indicate that ergovaline and loline mayact as D2 dopamine receptor agonists. Additionally, domperidone seems to be a more potent drug for reversal of the alkaloids hypoprolactinenic effect in vitro than does sulpiride.

In a feasability study, a technique for constructing 3-dimensional sonographic images of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) was established in 6 clinically normal horses and applied to 7 horses with injured SDFT. Two-dimensional B-mode sonographic images were recorded on videotape as the sonographic transducer was manually moved along the palmar aspect of the metacarpal region. Selected videofields were digitized, and 3-dimensional images were constructed, using a computer work station and dedicated software program. The 3-dimensional images were of high quality and presented qualitative clinical information in unique fashion. Indication of the extent of SDFI injuries was excellent. Such 3-dimensional images would be especially useful in explaining to owners and trainers the importance of the injury to their horse and would have a role in monitoring tendon healing and in the assessment of various treatments.

Effects of isoflurane on the CBC in ferrets were studied. There was rapid decrease in all hematologic variables after induction of anesthesia. Percentage reductions in indices of the erythron (hematocrit, RBC count, hemoglobin concentration) exceeded those of plasma protein concentration and WBC count at the first postinduction time point. There was little additional decrease in these variables for the duration of anesthesia. The values had partially recovered to preanesthetic baseline at 45 minutes after anesthesia. Although these alterations appear to be well tolerated in healthy ferrets, care should be exercised when subjecting anemic, geriatric, or debilitated ferrets to isoflurane-induced anesthesia.

Pharmacokinetic variables of propofol were investigated in 6 mixed-breed dogs, and the effect of medetomidine (10 microgram/kg of body weight) on these kinetics was investigated using a two-way crossover design. On 2 occasions, dogs received either a bolus dose of propofol sufficient to allow endotracheal intubation, followed by an infusion of propofol (0.4 mg/kg/min) for 120 minutes, or medetomidine (10 microgram/kg, IM), 15 minutes prior to induction of anesthesia as described, followed by infusion of propofol (0.2 mg/kg/min). Dogs given medetomidine received atipamezole (50 microgram/kg, IM) at the end of the 120-minute propofol infusion. Blood propofol concentration was measured, using high- performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Mean elimination half-life, blood clearance, mean residence time, and mean volume of distribution at steady state, were 486.2 minutes, 34.4 ml/kg/min, 301.8 minutes, and 6.04 L/kg, respectively, in the absence of medetomidine, and 136.9 minutes, 36.2 ml/kg/min, 215.1 minutes, and 3.38 L/kg, respectively, in the presence of medetomidine. Mean time to walking without ataxia was 174 minutes in the nonpremedicated dogs (with a median blood propofol concentration of 2.2 microgram/ml) and was 160 minutes in the premedicated dogs in which median blood propofol concentration was 1.03 microgram/ml.

Leukocyte adhesion deficiency was diagnosed in 4 Holstein calves from 1 to 4 months old. Calves had severe ulcers on oral mucous membranes, gingivitis, severe periodontitis, chronic pneumonia, and stunted growth associated with severe neutrophilia. Neutrophils from affected calves had function defect, characterized by severely decreased adherence, chemotactic movements, phagocytosis, luminol-dependent chemiluminescent response, and O2(-1)-producing activities. Deficient CD18 expression (0.1 to 1.7%) on neutrophils was clearly detected by use of flow cytometric analysis. These affected calves were linked to a common ancestral sire that has been documented to be a carrier. Clinical features, leukocyte functional abnormalities, deficient expression of CD18, and mode of inheritance indicated that affected calves had leukocyte adhesion deficiency. In vitro leukocyte functional abnormalities were associated with deficiency in the expression of CD11/CD18. Pathologic findings indicated possible increased susceptibility to infection associated with this disease.