Serum glucose and immunoreactive insulinconcentrations were monitored after topical administration of an insulin-containing ophthalmic solution in 20 clinically normal cats. Three ophthalmic surface-acting agents, benzalkonium chloride, dimethyl sulfoxide, and proparacaine hydrochloride, were evaluated individually for their effectiveness in enhancing absorption of topically applied insulin. The ophthalmic effects of insulin-containing ophthalmic preparations were assessed by complete ophthalmic examination before and at the conclusion of each test period. Withholding of food overnight (12 hours) preceded each topical application of insulin-containing ophthalmic solution (12.25 to 26.4 U/cat), either alone or in combination with surface-acting agents, after which blood samples were drawn serially from an indwelling IV catheter over a period of 8 hours. Baseline serum insulin concentration, after food was withheld for 12 hours, in nonstressed cats was 6.0 microunit/ml (geometric mean), and an exponentiation of the logarithmic quantity (mean +/- SD) yielded values of 1.5 to 23.0 microunit/ml. All ophthalmicsolutions tested failed to significantly lower serum glucose concentration or increase serum insulin concentration. Solutions used did not induce deleterious effect on ocular structures. Results indicate that topical administration of insulin-containing ophthalmic solution, either alone at the concentrations used or in combination with surface-acting agents, did not result in effective absorption of insulin across the conjunctival and lacrimal nasal mucosa in biologically relevent quantities. Thus, this route of insulin administration, under these specific conditions, is not an effective alternative or adjunct to SC administration of insulin for treatment of cats with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or severe noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Fetal activity and mobility and changes in diameter of the allantoic fluid compartment in the uterine horns were studied in mares between days 69 and 81 of pregnancy by use of transrectal ultrasonography (n = 12) and transcervical videoendoscopy (n = 8). The insertion tube of the videoendoscope was positioned within the allantoic sac to permit viewing of the fetus and entrance to each uterine horn. Each uterine horn was divided ultrasonographically into 3 segments of equal length, and the horns were designated on the basis of side of umbilical attachment (cord vs noncord horns). The diameter of the allantoic fluid compartment in the cornual segments increased (P < 0.05) over the cranial (18.6 +/- 1.9 mm), middle (35.6 +/- 2.9 mm), and caudal (51.7 +/- 4.4 mm) segments, but differences between cord and noncord horns were not evident. Dynamic changes in diameter of the allantoic fluid compartment in cornual segments (ultrasonography) and at the entrance to each uterine horn (videoendoscopy) were detected (no significant difference between methods). During continuous videoendoscopic viewing (17 to 60 min/mare), extreme changes in allantoic fluid compartment diameter (76 to 100% of maximum to 0 to 25% of maximum or vice-versa) occurred an equivalent of 2.6 times/h/horn entrance; changes had an average duration of 3.4 minutes. A change from 100% (maximal diameter) to 0% (no visible lumen) or vice-versa occurred an equivalent of 1.3 times/h/horn entrance. Sometimes the uterine wall was so closely constricted around the fetal-amniotic unit that no intervening allantoic fluid was ultrasonographically detectable, whereas at other times, the uterus in the same location was widely dilated. Results indicated that extensive allantoic fluid shifts were associated with frequent diameter changes in various segments of the uterus. On the basis of 30-second activity trials every 10 minutes, the fetus was active 27% and was quiet 73% of the time (combined ultrasonographic and videoendoscopic data). Activity sometimes involved only movements of extremities, head, or mouth, whereas at other times, a sudden burst of intense whole-body activity was observed. The vigorous whole-body movements buoyed the fetus into the allantoic fluid, and movements of the extremities often caused the fetus to push away from the allantoic wall, resulting in marked changes in location, recumbency, and presentation (direction faced by fetus). Several instances were observed during videoendoscopic examination, in which the fetal-amniotic unit appeared to be forced through a constricted horn entrance into the allantoic fluid compartment at the dilated uterine body. On the basis of continuous videoendoscopic viewing, the fetus changed locations among the major portions of the uterus (body and each horn), on average, 5.0 times/h. Changes in recumbency and presentation occurred, on average, 10.5 and 5.0 times/h, respectively. The frequency of type of recumbency decreased (P < 0.005) as follows: lateral, 23 of 39 (59%); dorsal, 15 of 39 (38%); and ventral, 1 of 39 (3%). Frequency of cranial, caudal, and transverse presentation was not different between cord and noncord horn. Caudal presentation was more common (P < 0.005) when the fetus was in a uterine horn (47/70, 67%) than when it was in the uterine body (15/50, 30%; combined ultrasonographic and videoendoscopic data). Transverse presentation was more common (P < 0.005) when the fetus was in the uterine body (14/50, 28%) than when it was in a horn (4/70, 6%). Results indicated that the early stage equine fetus (days 69 to 81) is extremely mobile within the allantoic fluid, with frequent (several times per hour) changes in location, recumbency, and presentation.

One hundred and fifty lactating Holstein cows from 2 genetic lines selected for high and average milk production were used in the study. Sera from 6 annual herd tests were analyzed by agar-gel immunodiffusion test for antibodies to bovine leukemia virus. Odds of being seropositive were analyzed by use of stepwise and backward logistic regression procedures. Analysis within birth year revealed that estimated ln odds increased by 0.19/year of age among cows of the high genetic line and by 0.43 among cows of the average genetic line. This was accompanied by a more important cohort effect among high producers than among average producers.

Campylobacter jejuni A74/O and A74/C are congenic strains. An oral dose of 10(5) organisms of strain A74/C colonizes chicken intestines. Strain A74/O, from which A74/C is derived, does not colonize the chicken intestines with an oral dose of 10(5) organisms. In this study, the congenic bacteria were compared to identify possible colonization mechanisms. Differences were not observed in plasmid content or by HindIII, Pst I, Acc I, HincII, Ava I, Ava II, Xba I, and BamHI restriction enzyme digestion of total DNA. Transmission electron microscopy of negatively stained samples revealed no differences between the strains. Sections of cecal tissue from nonfed day-of-hatch chicks were cultured with each strain for 2 hours and then examined by light and electron microscopy. Both strains caused necrosis of villus epithelial cells. Immunofluorescent or silver staining revealed strain A74/C located deep in numerous epithelial crypts, but strain A74/O only was present in one sample mixed with sloughed necrotic cells. Similarly, organisms were detected by transmission electron microscopy deep in crypts in tissues cultured with A74/C, but not A74/O. Cells of A74/C detected in crypts did not appear to associate with epithelial cells. The strains did not differ in chemotactic behavior to mucin or fucose.

A protocol for performing slit-lamp fluorophotometry of the anterior chamber in dogs was established. The technique was then used to develop a model of blood-aqueous barrier disruption that can be used for comparative testing of ophthalmic anti-inflammatory drugs. It was determined that barrier disruption induced by a slow, controlled paracentesis of a small volume of aqueous humor may provide the most reliable model for drug testing. Additionally, fluorophotometry proved to be a sensitive and accurate means of detecting breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier.

A recombinant cDNA probe from genome segment 5 obtained from a virulent US bluetongue virus strain (BTV-11 strain UC8) was hybridized to US and Israeli BTV prototypes and field isolates. The cloned genetic probe hybridized with US BTV prototype 10, but not with US prototypes 2, 11, 13, and 17; with the avirulent BTV-11 strain UC2; and with the Israeli prototype 10. When the probe was hybridized to field isolates from the US serotypes, it hybridized to 12 of 14 BTV-10 isolates and 4 of 17 BTV-11 samples, but not to the BTV-13 and BTV-17 samples tested. Hybridization was not observed with the Israeli field isolates studied. Results indicate that a reassortant event occurred between a strain of US BTV-10 and US BTV-11 that originated the BTV-11 strain UC8.

A total of 5,142 kidney tissue samples and 5,111 serum samples from mature cattle in 49 states and Puerto Rico were collected at slaughter. Age of cattle ranged from 1 to 16 years (mean, 6.6 years). Leptospires were isolated from 88 (1.7%) kidney tissues, and 2,493 (49%) sera contained antibodies against I or more of 12 Leptospira interrogans serovars. Leptospires were observed by immunofluorescence in 41 (0.8%) kidney tissues. Using agglutinin-absorption tests, 73 (83%) isolates were identified as serovar hardjo, 11 (12.5%) as serovar pomona, and 4 (4.5%) as serovar grippotyphosa. By use of restriction endonuclease analysis studies of chromosomal DNA, all isolates differed from reference serovars but were identical to strains previously isolated from cattle or swine in the United States. Of the serovar hardjo isolates, 85% were identical to restriction endonuclease analysis type (genotype) hardjo-bovis A and 11 (15%) were identical to genotype hardjo-bovis B. Serovar pomona isolates were identical to genotypes kennewicki A (64%) or kennewicki B (36%), and serovar grippotyphosa isolates were identical to the RM 52 strain. Isolation rates were significantly (P < 0.001) higher for beef cattle than for dairy cattle and were higher (P < 0.001) for bulls than for cows. Combined culture and immunofluorescence results indicated that 2% of mature cattle were renal carriers of leptospires.

Because certain inflammatory processes are dependent on the fatty acid composition of the cellular membrane, dietary manipulations that replace omega-6 fatty acids with omega-3 fatty acids may modify inflammatory responses. We investigated the effect of supplemental dietary linseed oil, containing the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid, on in vivo responses of horses to endotoxin. One group of horses (n = 6) was fed a control pelleted ration (0% linseed oil), and another group of horses (n = 6) was fed an 8% linseed oil pelleted ration. After 8 weeks of consuming these rations, all horses were given 0.03 microgram of Escherichia coli 055:B5 endotoxin/kg of body weight, infused over 30 minutes. Horses were monitored over 24 hours. Compared with baseline values within each ration group, endotoxin infusion caused significant (P < 0.05) increase in rectal temperature, heart rate, and plasma concentration of thromboxane B2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, and fibrinogen and significant (P < 0.05) decrease in total WBC count. Compared with baseline values within each ration group, endotoxin infusion failed to cause significant changes in prothrombin, activated partial thromboplastin, thrombin, or whole blood recalcification times, serum concentration of fibrin degradation products, PCV, or plasma total protein concentration. Before and after endotoxin infusion, horses given the linseed oil ration had longer mean whole blood recalcification time and activated partial thromboplastin time than did horses fed the control ration.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection causes severe lower respiratory tract disease in infants and calves. Neonatal respiratory tract infection in children often produces persistent changes in lung function. The specific objective of this study was to determine whether neonatal calves have transient or persistent alterations in pulmonary function and airway reactivity following RSV infection. Six 2- to 3-day-old Holstein bull calves were inoculated with 10 ml of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) inoculum (10(2.7) to 10(3.8) cell culture infective doses/ml) intranasally and 10 ml of BRSV inoculum (10(4.8) to 10(5.9) cell culture infective doses/ml) intratracheally for 4 consecutive days, and 5 other calves were sham-inoculated. Prior to inoculation (day 0) and on days 4, 14, and 30 after the last inoculation, body weight (kg), dynamic compliance (Cdyn), pulmonary resistance (R(L)), and 2 indices of airway reactivity (effective dose [ED] 65Cdyn and ED200R(L)) were measured. Control calves gained weight progressively throughout the study, whereas RSV-inoculated calves failed to gain weight for 14 days, but equaled control calf weight by 30 days after inoculation. The Cdyn of control calves increased significantly by 30 days, but did not in the RSV-infected calves. Pulmonary resistance was increased significantly at 4, 14, and 30 days, but was unaffected by sham inoculation. The ED65Cdyn and ED200R(L) indicated an age-dependent increase in reactivity to histamine and an increase in responsiveness in the infected group beginning at 14 days and persisting until the end of the study. The data indicate that BRSV causes airway obstruction and hyperreactivity in neonatal calves, which persists for at least 30 days following viral exposure.

Ovulation has been likened to an inflammatory process. Inflammatory cells accumulate in the ovulating follicle, presumably because of chemotactic factors. Chemotactic activity was measured in fluid aspirated from follicles of estrous mares 0, 12, 24, and 36 hours after ultrasonographic detection of a 35-mm follicle and IV treatment with 2,500 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin. Chemotaxis was assessed by measuring directional migration of equine neutrophils under agarose. Follicular fluid acted as a chemoattractant for neutrophils, but there was no significant difference in chemotactic activity among different time intervals after administration of human chorionic gonadotropin. On the basis of results of various treatments, chemotactic properties of serum and follicular fluid were similar. Chemotactic activity was significantly reduced by heating (56 C for 30 minutes) and by trypsinization and was virtually removed by charcoal treatment. Dialyzing the follicular fluid (3,500 and 8,000 molecular weight cut-off) significantly reduced the chemotactic activity of follicular fluid and serum. The importance of chemotactic factors in the process of ovulation in the mare is yet to be established.