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.

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration was measured, using an automated immunoturbidimetric assay, in 44 clinically normal dogs and 67 dogs with band neutrophil count greater than or equal to 10(9) cells/L, and values were found to be significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) different. Correlation of serum CRP concentration and band neutrophil count in the 67 dogs with greater than or equal to 10(9) band neutrophils/L resulted in a statistically significant P less than or equal to 0.05), but low correlation coefficient of 0.34. Serum CRP concentration and CBC values were determined for 6 clinically normal dogs undergoing anesthesia (controls) and 6 clinically normal dogs undergoing anesthesia and ovariohysterectomy. Significant alterations in CBC results and serum CRP concentration, compared with baseline values, were lacking in dogs of the control group. Serum CRP concentration was significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) increased above baseline values in dogs undergoing surgery and was significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) increased, compared with values in control dogs by 12 hours after surgery. In dogs undergoing surgery, serum CRP concentration was also significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) different from values in control dogs at 28 and 36 hours, but not at the 76- and 124-hour sample collection times. Alterations in CBC values compatible with possible or convincing inflammation were detected in 83% of the dogs undergoing surgery at the 8- and 12-hour postsurgery sample collection times, 100% of dogs at 16, 22, 28, and 36 hours after surgery, 83% of dogs at 52 and 76 hours after surgery, 67% of dogs at 100 hours after surgery, and 0% of dogs at 124 hours after surgery. It was concluded that significant increases in CRP, concentration in dogs with surgical trauma were not detected earlier than CBC alterations compatible with possible or convincing inflammation.

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.

An applanation tonometer was used to estimate intraocular pressure in normal eyes of several species of raptors. No bird had active injury or illness, though some were nonreleasable to the wild because of previous injury. Mean (+/- SD) intraocular pressure was 20.6 (+/- 3.4) mm of Hg in red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis, n = 10), 20.8 (+/- 2.3) mm of Hg in Swainson's hawks (Buteo swainsoni, n = 6), 21.5 (+/- 3.0) mm of Hg in golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos, n = 7), 20.6 (+/- 2.0) mm of Hg in bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, n = 3), and 10.8 (+/- 3.6) mm of Hg in great horned owls (Bubo virginianus, n = 6). There was no significant difference in intraocular pressure between hawks and eagles. Mean pressure in great horned owls was significantly (P < 0.01) lower than pressure in hawks or eagles. Reliable intraocular pressure readings could not be obtained in barn owls (Tyto alba).

Cell-mediated immunity was evaluated in intestinal, respiratory, and systemic lymphoid tissues of pigs exposed when 11 days old to virulent transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), attenuated TGEV, or porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV), 3 antigenically related porcine coronaviruses with distinct enteric and respiratory tissue tropisms. Mononuclear cells were prepared from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), bronchial lymph nodes (BLN), and spleens of pigs and tested for virus-specific responses by use of lymphocyte proliferation assays. Vigorous MLN and BLN proliferation responses to virulent TGEV and PRCV, respectively, at postinoculation days 8 to 24 were strongly associated with prior detection of TGEV in rectal swab samples and PRCV in nasal swab samples. Gastrointestinal disease and intestinal virus replication, assessed on the basis of rectal virus shedding, were almost exclusively found in the virulent TGEV-inoculated pigs, even though virulent TGEV and a high dose of attenuated TGEV elicited the highest proliferation responses in MLN. Pigs exposed to PRCV or attenuated TGEV did not have clinical signs of disease, and only 1 pig given a high dose of attenuated TGEV shed virus in feces. Porcine respiratory coronavirus replicated in the respiratory tract after either oronasal or aerosol inoculation of virus and induced strong BLN, but not MLN, proliferation responses. A high dose of attenuated TGEV (4 X 10(8) plaque-forming units) was more effective than a lower dose of attenuated TGEV (7 X 10(6) plaque-forming units) in eliciting significant lymphocyte proliferation in MLN and BLN. Cellular immune function, assessed on the basis of mitogen-induced proliferation of lymphocytes, was comparable for all 3 sources of lymphocytes and was not adversely affected by exposure to any of the pigs. The tissue tropism of TGEV and PRCV was associated with induction of virus-specific cell-mediated immune responses, as evidenced by substantial lymphocyte proliferation responses in MLN and BLN, mucosa-associated lymph nodes adjacent to the primary sites of virus replication. The failure of PRCV strain ISU-1 to replicate in the intestinal tract correlated with poor virus-specific cellular immune responses in MLN.

Urine uric acid-to-urine creatinine ratios (UUA:UC), urine uric acid concentrations, urine uric acid concentrations corrected for glomerular filtration rate, and urinary uric acid fractional excretions were compared with 24-hour urinary uric acid excretions measured in 6 healthy adult female Beagles. Comparisons, using correlation analysis, were made when dogs consumed a 10.4% protein (dry weight), casein-based diet and a 31.4% protein (dry weight), meat-based diet. The UUA:UC, urine uric acid concentrations corrected for glomerular filtration rate, and urinary uric acid fractional excretions were not reliable estimates of 24-hour urinary uric acid excretions during consumption of either diet. Urine uric acid concentrations in samples collected 2, 4, 6, and 24 hours after initiation of collection correlated with 24-hour urinary uric acid excretions when dogs consumed the casein-based diet; correlation was not found at any time interval when dogs consumed the meat-based diet. Therefore, determination of 24-hour urinary uric acid excretion is recommended because UUA:UC are unreliable.

Sixteen IgA-deficient German Shepherd Dogs with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth were randomized into 2 groups. One group was fed a chicken-based kibble diet; the other was fed the same diet, but with 1% fructo-oligosaccharides supplemented at the expense of cornstarch. After being exposed to the diets for 46 to 51 days, the group that ate the supplemented diet had significantly (P = 0.04) fewer aerobic/facultative anaerobic bacterial colony-forming units in fluid from the duodenum/proximal part of the jejunum, as well as in the duodenal mucosa. We could not detect significant differences in the species of bacteria found in the intestine of these 2 groups of dogs. We conclude that at least some dietary carbohydrates can affect small intestinal bacterial populations in dogs with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

Intrareticularly placed sustained-release selenium boluses were administered to 1 group of selenium-deficient heifer calves (n = 16), and a second group (n = 16) was left as nontreated controls. Age range for all calves was 83 to 156 days. These boluses release 3 mg of selenium each day, as sodium selenite. Measurements of blood selenium concentration, plasma copper concentration, hepatic copper concentration, and body weight were made over a 188-day day study. The treated group of calves had significantly higher mean blood selenium concentration at posttreatment days 68 (P < .0001), 112 (P < 0.0001), and 188 (P < 0.005) than did the control group. Mean blood selenium concentration in the treated calves was > 0.10 micrograms/ml for 188 days. These boluses were observed to be clinically safe; signs of selenium toxicosis were not detected and untoward effects were not seen in the selenium-treated calves. There were no differences between control and treatment groups with respect to mean hepatic copper concentration or mean plasma copper concentration. There were no observed differences between the control and treatment groups with respect to weight gain during the study.

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.

Growth of Pasteurella haemolytica A1 in RPMI 1640 medium containing 0.5% bovine serum albumin (BSA) for 2.5 hours enhanced culture supernatant leukotoxic activity [30,700 +/- 12,900 toxic units/ml, compared with leukotoxic activity of culture supernatants produced in RPMI 1640 medium alone (120 +/- 40 toxic units/ml)]. Gel filtration chromatography of the leukotoxic activity from RPMI 1640 medium supernatants in buffer containing 50 mM NaCl indicated a single leukotoxic activity peak (peak I) eluting near the gel resin molecular mass exclusion limit (estimated molecular mass of approx 8,000 kd). In contrast, culture supernatants produced in RPMI 1640 plus bovine serum albumin medium (RPMI + BSA) had peak I and 2 additional leukotoxic activity peaks (peaks II and III) with estimated molecular mass of approximately 80 and < 30 kd, respectively. All leukotoxic activity peaks were composed of approximately 100-kd molecular mass leukotoxin protomer, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting with a monoclonal antibody against leukotoxin. Subjecting culture supernatant leukotoxic activity produced in RPMI + BSA to gel filtration chromatography in buffer containing 500 mM NaCl or 6M urea resulted in detection of only a single leukotoxic activity peak with estimated approximate molecular mass of 250 and 800 kd, respectively. These findings suggest that P haemolytica exists as a high molecular mass aggregate with low leukotoxic activity which, in the presence of BSA, partially disaggregates to multiple toxin forms with enhanced leukotoxic activity. Some of these leukotoxin forms interact with dextran-based gel resins at low ionic strength.