This paper concerns somato-autonomic reflex responses in various visceral organs following somatic sensory stimulation in animals anesthetized to eliminate emotional factors. Various forms of somatic sensory stimulation can produce different autonomic reflex responses, depending on the visceral organs and which somatic afferents are stimulated. Some responses have a dominant sympathetic efferent involvement, whereas others have predominantly parasympathetic efferent involvement. Some responses have propriospinal and segmental characteristics, while others have supraspinal and systemic characteristics in their reflex nature. These somato-autonomic reflex responses may be functioning during physical therapy including acupuncture

The cryopreservation of mammalian embryos has become an integral part of method s to control animal reproduction. Numerous vitrification solutions have been formulated with ethylene glycol in combination with macromolecules, sugars and other cryoprotective agents. These indicate that a study of ethylene glycol as a cryoprotectant of choice in vitrification studies would be promising. To understand the cryobiology of ethylene glycol, several factors have to be studied. These are : cryoprotectant toxicity, osmotic stress and temperature at exposure. Understanding these factors could lead to the formulation of vitrification protocols that would lead to higher viability rates after cooling. First, ethylene glycol must be used as the sole cryoprotectant in a solution without macromolecules and sugars. Second, partial dehydration and permeation prior to cooling to subzero temperatures must be studied to achieve accurate exposure and a one-step dilution method. Third, the toxic effects of ethylene glycol must be overcome without sacrificing its vitrification properties by combining step-wise exposure at appropriate temperatures, low concentration and decreased volume. Fourth, the long-term effects of ethylene glycol on exposed or vitrified embryos must be determined. Lastly, the influence of culture on the viability of vitrified embryos must be studied to improve viability rates after warming