BACKGROUND: Abomasal hypomotility plays an important role in pathogenesis of some abomasal disorders such as abomasal bloat which has the same serious side effects associated with using synthetic drugs for its treatment, such as diarrhea and antibiotic resistance. To decreasing these side effects, administration of herbal medicine is a good way. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of oral administration of turmeric aqueous extract on rate of abomasal emptying rate in neonatal lambs. METHODS: This study was conducted on twelve five-day-old Sangsari-female-lambs (average weight 3 kg). All lambs received five oral treatments, including saline (30 ml), erythromycin (400 mg), turmeric 200 mg/kg, turmeric 250 mg/kg, and turmeric 300 mg/kg, respectively. At 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 minutes after each treatment, plasma samples of lambs were taken. The rate of abomasal emptying was determined with acetaminophen absorption test. RESULTS: Treatment with erythromycin and three different doses of aqueous extract of turmeric (200, 250, 300 mg/kg) increased the rate of abomasal emptying in comparison to the negative control treatment, significantly (P<0.05). The stimulatory effect of erythromycin on abomasal emptying was higher than aquatic extract of turmeric, significantly (P<0.05). No clinical side effects were observed following the administration of erythromycin and turmeric in lambs. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that aqueous extract of turmeric has a stimulatory effect on lamb's abomasal emptying but more studies are needed on the effect of this plant’s components on abomasal emptying.

Effects of the following treatments on abomasal and duodenal myoelectric activity in yearling cattle were studied: 2 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride solution (NACL); 0.07 mg of bethanechol (BET)/kg of body weight; 0.1 mg of metoclopramide (MET)/kg; and 0.07 mg of bethanechol and 0.1 mg of metoclopramide (BETMET)/kg. All treatments were administered SC during the early part of phase I of the migrating myoelectric complex Myoelectric signals were recorded for 4 hours after administration of the treatments from 1 electrode in the antrum and 3 electrodes in the duodenum. For the antral spike rate (ASR), there was no significant difference among treatments during the first hour, but the ASR was significantly (P < 0.05) greater during hours 2 to 4 after treatment with BETMET, compared with ASR for MET alone. The duodenal spike rate (DSR) was significantly (P < 0.05) greater during the first hour after administration of BETMET than after the other treatments. After administration of BET, DSR was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than after MET or NACL. There was no difference in DSR after MET, compared with DSR after NACL. There was no significant difference in DSR among treatments during the second and third hours. The total antegrade propagating spike (TAPS) count was greater after administration of BETMET in all hours, compared with the other treatments. The ratio of TAPS to total spikes on the orad-most duodenal electrode was significantly (P < 0.05) greater after BETMET during hours 1 and 2.

Objective-To characterize and compare in vitro contractility patterns of sections of abomasal wall harvested from cattle of 3 dairy breeds. Sample Population-Longitudinal and circular smooth muscle preparations harvested from the antrum and body of the abomasum of 30 recently slaughtered Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, and Simmental X Red Holstein cows. Procedure-Spontaneous isometric contractions of specimens in tissue baths of modified Krebs solution were recorded during a 4-hour period. Maximal amplitude, frequency of contractions, and change of basal tension were used to characterize contractility. Statistical analyses were used to test for differences among time periods, among breeds, between specimen locations, and between fiber orientations. Results-Myoactivity patterns of abomasal smooth muscle preparations are highly variable and differ on the basis of location and fiber orientation. Frequency of contractions differed significantly among time periods for longitudinally oriented specimens with decreasing frequencies of contractions over time. Maximal amplitude of the longitudinally oriented specimens from the antrum increased significantly, whereas maximal amplitude of the circularly oriented specimens from the antrum decreased significantly. Values did not differ significantly among breeds. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Patterns of spontaneous contractility of abomasal wall specimens are not homogeneous. During a 4-hour recording period, maximal amplitude and frequency of contractions of specimens varied significantly with respect to orientation and location; however, spontaneous contractile myoactivity did not differ significantly among breeds. Therefore, breed predisposition for displaced abomasum is not correlated with spontaneous activity of smooth muscle specimens.

Effects of the following treatments on abomasal and duodenal myoelectric activity in yearling cattle were studied: 2 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride solution (NACL); 0.07 mg of bethanechol (BET)/kg of body weight; 0.1 mg of metoclopramide (MET)/kg; and 0.07 mg of bethanechol and 0.1 mg of metoclopramide (BETMET)/kg. All treatments were administered SC during the early part of phase I of the migrating myoelectric complex Myoelectric signals were recorded for 4 hours after administration of the treatments from 1 electrode in the antrum and 3 electrodes in the duodenum. For the antral spike rate (ASR), there was no significant difference among treatments during the first hour, but the ASR was significantly (P < 0.05) greater during hours 2 to 4 after treatment with BETMET, compared with ASR for MET alone. The duodenal spike rate (DSR) was significantly (P < 0.05) greater during the first hour after administration of BETMET than after the other treatments. After administration of BET, DSR was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than after MET or NACL. There was no difference in DSR after MET, compared with DSR after NACL. There was no significant difference in DSR among treatments during the second and third hours. The total antegrade propagating spike (TAPS) count was greater after administration of BETMET in all hours, compared with the other treatments. The ratio of TAPS to total spikes on the orad-most duodenal electrode was significantly (P < 0.05) greater after BETMET during hours 1 and 2.

The possible development of type-1 hypersensitivity reactions in the abomasal mucosa caused by soluble L3 products of Ostertagia ostertagi was studied in 4-month-old calves sensitized by repeated exposure to L3 over a 50-day period followed by anthelmintic treatment. Four groups each of 4 calves were used. Group 1 served as nonsensitized controls and group 2 as sensitized controls, group 3 was challenge exposed at 2-week intervals beginning at week 10 with a soluble L3 product (OAG), and group 4 was challenge exposed at 2-week intervals with an oral dose of L3, followed by anthelmintic treatment 3 days later. All calves infected with L3 became sensitized, as indicated by a positive reaction to an intradermal skin test. However, a passive cutaneous anaphylaxis was only partly effective in indicating the presence of homocytotropic antibody in the infected calves. Sensitized calves had significantly (P < 0.05) higher eosinophil counts and plasma pepsinogen values for the entire 14 weeks than uninfected controls. Globule leukocyte and mast cell counts from the abomasal mucosa were also significantly (P < 0.05) higher. Studies for possible immunomodulation revealed that lymphocyte counts decreased between every 2-week challenge-exposure period for groups-3 and -4 calves. A transient depression of blood lymphocyte (BL) responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), a T-cell mitogen, was observed over the first 8 weeks in the infected calves. Increases in BL responses to OAG were also observed. Differences were not observed in BL responses to pokeweed mitogen, a T- and B-cell mitogen. Blood lymphocyte responses to PHA in group-3 calves were low following the initial challenge exposure with OAG. The sensitized calf lymphocytes did not have suppressive activity on the response of control calf lymphocytes to PHA. Differences were not observed in lymphocyte responses to PHA in a suppressive assay done on abomasal lymph node lymphocytes. Increases in abomasal lymph node mass and lymphocyte responses to PHA, pokeweed mitogen, and OAG were observed in all sensitized calves. Histologic examination of abomasal lymph node sections from challenge-exposed calves revealed increased mitotic activity in germinal centers. Plasma pepsinogen values in groups 3 and 4 increased between each challenge exposure, which further suggested that type-1 hypersensitivity reactions had occurred in the abomasal mucosa, resulting in increased permeability and leakage of macromolecules.

Possible immunomodulation by low-level infection with Ostertagia ostertagi was studied in 4-month-old calves. Six groups of 4 calves each were subjected to the following regimes: group 1--nonparasitized controls; group 2--nonparasitized, but challenge exposed at day 64 with Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccine (BA) and at day 78 with IV administration of a soluble third-stage larval (L3) antigen preparation of O. ostertagi (OAG); group 3--nonparasitized, but challenge exposed at day 78 with 75 X 10(3) L3 of O ostertagi; group 4--continuously parasitized by weekly dosing with 30 X 10(3) L3 of O ostertagi; group 5--continuously parasitized by weekly dosing with 30 X 10(3) L3 of O ostertagi, then challenge exposed on day 64 with BA and on day 78 with IV inoculation of OAG; and group 6--continuously parasitized by weekly dosing with 30 X 10(3) L3 of O ostertagi, then challenge exposed on day 78 with 75 X 10(3) L3 of O ostertagi. Over the initial 10 weeks of the study, nonparasitized calves, (groups 1, 2, and 3) had higher body weight, blood lymphocyte (BL) response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), and significantly (P less than 0.05) higher feed consumption and lymphocyte numbers, whereas parasitized calves (groups 4, 5, and 6) had higher BL responses to pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and significantly (P less than 0.05) higher neutrophil and eosinophil numbers, plasma pepsinogen (PP) values, and BL response to OAG. During the challenge-exposure period (weeks 10 through 13), group-5 calves had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher eosinophil numbers and PP values for week 11 (BA challenge exposure) and for week 13 (OAG challenge exposure) than did group-2 calves, but differences were not observed in BL responses to PHA, PWM, and OAG. Oral L3 challenge exposure at week 13 induced significantly (P less than 0.05) lower lymphocyte numbers, higher eosinophil numbers (P less than 0.05), and higher PP values, but lower BL response to PHA, PWM, and OAG in group-6, compared with group-3 calves. In continuously parasitized calves, comparison of IV OAG challenge exposure with oral L3 challenge exposure indicated that group-6 (L3) calves has significantly lower (P less than 0.05) lymphocyte numbers and higher PP values than did group-5 (OAG) calves. Results of ELISA revealed significantly (P less than 0.05) higher antibody titer to OAG in parasitized calves, compared with nonparasitized calves. Abomasal mucosal pathologic changes were most severe in the continuously parasitized calves. Calves of groups 4, 5, and 6 had thicker mucosae (edema), significantly (P less than 0.05) higher eosinophil numbers, and higher globule leukocyte and mast cell numbers in the fundic and pyloric regions than did calves of groups 1, 2, and 3. Calves of groups 4, 5, and 6 also had significantly (P less than 0.05) larger abomasal lymph node masses than did nonparasitized calves. In group-1 calves, nodes had the lowest mass. Differences were not observed among groups for lymphocyte responses to proliferative and suppressive assays performed on the abomasal lymph node lymphocytes.

Ostertagia ostertagi, calves, inoculation doses producing severe and even fatal infections failed to induce resistance against reinfection

Objective—To assess the suitability of the modified acetaminophen absorption test for evaluation of abomasal emptying rate in ruminating cattle. Animals—7 Holstein-Friesian heifers. Procedures—In a crossover study design, heifers consecutively underwent an IV infusion of 1 L of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (control treatment), 1 L of saline solution containing metoclopramide (0.1 mg/kg), and 1 L of saline solution containing atropine (0.1 mg/kg), with an interval of 15 days between treatments. Immediately after each treatment, acetaminophen diluted in ethanol (50 mg/kg) was infused transcutaneously into the abomasum. Blood samples were obtained repeatedly for measurement of plasma acetaminophen concentration, and pharmacokinetic data were obtained. Results—Maximum plasma acetaminophen concentration was significantly lower after atropine treatment than after control or metoclopramide treatment, whereas no difference was identified between control and metoclopramide treatments. The interval to maximum plasma acetaminophen concentration was significantly longer in atropine-treated versus metoclopramide-treated heifers. The interval to maximum acetaminophen concentration obtained from a pharmacokinetic model was significantly longer for atropine than for control and metoclopramide treatment. Similarly, areas under the plasma acetaminophen concentration-time curves for the first 60, 90, 120, and 240 minutes after administration were significantly lower for atropine versus metoclopramide or control treatment, whereas differences between metoclopramide and control treatments were not identified. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The modified acetaminophen absorption test was a practical, minimally invasive, and reliable method to assess abomasal emptying in cattle. Metoclopramide administered at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg did not increase the abomasal emptying rate.

Pepsinogen and protein concentrations were determined in blood samples, collected from the left gastroepiploic artery and vein, and in abomasal lymph from 15 steers naturally infected with Ostertagia ostertagi and 4 uninfected steers. In steers with type-1 ostertagiosis, the concentration gradient between the mucosal interstitium and the blood alone could account for higher than normal serum pepsinogen concentrations. High interstitial pepsinogen concentrations may have resulted from increased epithelial permeability or increased pepsinogen production and secretion. However, in steers with type-2 ostertagiosis, the concentration gradient could not entirely account for the high serum pepsinogen concentrations, suggesting that capillary permeability or surface area may have been altered. Lymphatic uptake contributed pepsinogen to the blood in all infected steers.

Nine adult female sheep were each surgically fitted with an Ivan and Johnston reentrant cannula in the cranial part of the duodenum just distal to the pylorus. By diversion (loss) of abomasal outflow, this model has been shown to consistently induce hypochloremic, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, accompanied by hyponatremia and dehydration. Each sheep was subjected to 3 treatment trials, each preceded by a 24-hour prediversion period, and a diversion period during which a syndrome of hypochloremia (68 +/- 2 mEq/L), hypokalemia, hyponatremia, and metabolic alkalosis was induced. Development of this syndrome was attributable to losses of large amounts of acid and electrolytes in the abomasal effluent. Mean total electrolyte contents of the effluent were: Cl-, 650 +/- 27 mEq; Na+, 388 +/- 23 mEq; and K+, 123 +/- 12 mEq, with total volume loss ranging from 3.6 to 10.0 L of gastric contents and pH ranging from 3 to 5. Decreases in plasma electrolyte concentrations also can be attributed to decreased intake, because anorexia developed shortly after the onset of diversion. Electrolyte losses in urine during diversion were minimal for Cl-(mean +/- SEM, 12.0 +/- 5.1 mEq), but were greater for Na+ (124.2 +/- 14.5 mEq) and K+ (185.1 +/- 31.2 mEq). Treatments consisted of 0.9% NaCl (300 mosm/ L), 3.6% NaCl (1,200 mosm/L, and 7.2% NaCl (2,400 mosm/L) administered over a 2-hour period, with the administered volume determined by the estimated total extracellular fluid Cl- deficit. Significant difference was not found among treatments, with all solutions resulting in return of clinicopathologic and physical variables to prediversion values within 12 hours of treatment. We concluded that rapid iv replacement of Cl-, with small volumes of hypertonic saline solution, is safe and effective for correction of experimentally induced hypochloremic, hypokalemic, metabolic alkalosis in sheep.