Phagocytic and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reductive activities of blood neutrophils from 19 Holstein heifers were measured by light microscopic and spectrophotometric methods, respectively. These functional properties of neutrophils correlated well (r = 0.64) and varied significantly (P < 0.05) among animals studied. Variations in phagocytosis and NBT reductive activities attributable to the source of sera were determined in experiments in which cells from the same cows and zymogen particles opsonized with heat-inactivated autologous or homologous sera were used. Variations attributable to the source of cells were determined in experiments in which cells from different cows and particles opsonized with pooled sera from all the cows were used. Most of the variation in phagocytic properties and NBT reductive activities was attributable to the source of cells (ie, each cow). The source of sera contributed slightly to the variation in NBT reductive activities, but not to the phagocytic properties. These results support the concept of functional heterogeneity of neutrophils among cows.

Twenty-three clinically normal Beagles were inoculated with North American Trypanosoma cruzi isolates from an opossum (Tc-O), an armadillo (Tc-A), or a dog (Te-D). The dogs were grouped according to the clinical outcome of inoculation. Group 1 consisted of 7 dogs inoculated with Tc-O or Tc-A that died or were euthanatized during acute stages of disease. Group 2 consisted of 5 dogs inoculated with Tc-O or Tc-A, that also developed acute disease, but survived to develop chronic disease. Group 3 consisted of 7 dogs inoculated with Tc-D neither developed acute nor chronic disease. Group 4 consisted of 4 dogs and served as noninoculated controls. In group 1, the gross lesions were diffusely pale myocardiums with right ventricular enlargement, hepatomegaly, and a moderate amount of modified transudate in the abdominal cavity. Severe diffuse granulomatous myocarditis with large numbers of pseudocysts and minimal fibrosis characterized the tissues from all cardiac chambers and septum. The lesions were most severe in the right atrium and ventricle. Mild multifocal myositis and pseudocysts were observed in skeletal muscles and smooth muscles of the urinary bladder and small intestine. Multifocal encephalitis and pseudocysts were in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and brain stem. In group 2, the gross lesions were biventricular enlargement and thinning of the ventricular free walls. The right ventricle contained the most severe microscopic changes. There were mild multifocal interstitial lymphohistiocytic cellular infiltrates, perivasculitis, and marked fibrosis in all areas of the myocardium. Mild myositis and multifocal encephalitis were seen in the skeletal muscles and brains. Pseudocysts were not observed in any tissues. In group 3, there was mild biventricular dilatation, minimal inflammation with fibrosis in cardiac tissues, and a multifocal myositis in most skeletal muscles. Multifocal encephalitis was seen in the brain stem. Pseudocysts were not observed in any tissues. Lesions were not found in group 4. Our results indicated heterogeneity between North American T cruzi isolates in lesion development in dogs, and there appeared to be a temporal relationship between acute and chronic trypanosomiasis in Tc-O- and Tc-A-inoculated dogs and the 3 phases of Chagas disease in human beings.

The lateral distribution and temporal changes in the eye standing potential of 15 dogs with normal eyes (as determined by use of an ophthalmoscope and electroretinography) were measured by use of noninvasive methods. The standing potential was converted to an alternating potential by controlled eye movement. The light peak occurred 6 minutes after a stimulus intensity increase of 4 log units. The ratios of the highest measured voltage after the light step divided by the voltage measured immediately before the light step ranged from 1.27 to 2.07 (mean 1.74 +/- SEM, 0.064). The responses typically decayed slowly after the light peak. The potential after the light peak did not return to prelight step values during the observation period. The field potential of the standing potential decreased nonlinearly in temporal direction from the outer canthus.

Concentrations of amino acids in the plasma of 13 neonatal foals with septicemia were compared with the concentrations of amino acids in the plasma of 13 age-matched neonatal foals without septicemia. Analysis of the results revealed significantly lower concentrations of arginine, citrulline, isoleucine, proline, threonine, and valine in the plasma of foals with septicemia. The ratio of the plasma concentrations of the branched chain amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, and valine) to the aromatic amino acids (phenylalanine and tyrosine), was also significantly lower in the foals with septicemia. In addition, the concentrations of alanine, glycine, and phenylalanine were significantly higher in the plasma of foals with septicemia. Therefore, neonatal foals with septicemia had significant differences in the concentrations of several amino acids in their plasma, compared with concentrations from healthy foals. These differences were compatible with protein calorie inadequacy and may be related to an alteration in the intake, production, use, or clearance of amino acids from the plasma pool in sepsis.

Ototoxicosis was evaluated in 6 healthy ponies given 5 mg of gentamicin/kg of body weight, q 8 h, IM. Ponies 1, 2, and 3 were dosed for 7 days and ponies 4, 5, and 6 were dosed for 14 days. Serum peak and trough concentrations of gentamicin were measured by radioimmunoassay at regular intervals. Brain stem auditory-evoked responses were recorded every 5 days up to 60 days after the first dose to monitor auditory function. Although serum gentamicin concentrations were within or above the accepted clinical therapeutic range, loss of auditory function was not observed at the frequency range (1 to 4 kHz) tested. Serum chemical values remained within the accepted clinical range and no evidence of nephrotoxicosis was observed. Seemingly, gentamicin given IM to healthy ponies was safe and had minimal risk of side effects.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of withdrawal of lactose from the diet for 72 hours on lactase activity in the jejunal mucosa of conventionally raised calves. The descending portion of the duodenum of six Holstein calves < 24 hours old was cannulated. The calves were fed milk except on days 5, 6 and 7 when they were given the same volume of an electrolyte solution. Sequential biopsy specimens of the proximal jejunal mucosa were obtained for three weeks and the lactase activity determined. Lactase activity was highest on day 1 and a trend toward decreased lactase activity from birth until three weeks was observed. Mean lactase activity was significantly (p < 0.05) higher for days 1, and 3 compared to days 9, 13 and 17. The withdrawal of milk and replacement by an electrolyte solution during three days had no significant effect on jejunal mucosal lactase activity in neonatal calves.

The cardiopulmonary effects of thiopental sodium were studied in hypovolemic dogs from completion of until 1 hour after administration of the drug. Hypovolemia was induced by withdrawal of blood from dogs until mean arterial pressure of 60 mm of Hg was achieved. After stabilization at this pressure for 1 hour, 8 mg of thiopental/kg of body weight was administered IV to 7 dogs, and cardiopulmonary effects were measured. After blood withdrawal and prior to thiopental administration, heart rate and oxygen utilization ratio increased, whereas mean arterial pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, central venous pressure, pulmonary wedge pressure, cardiac index, oxygen delivery, mixed venous oxygen tension, and mixed venous oxygen content decreased from baseline. Three minutes after thiopental administration, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, and mixed venous oxygen tension increased, whereas oxygen utilization ratio and arterial and mixed venous pH decreased from values measured prior to thiopental administration. Fifteen minutes after thiopental administration, heart rate was still increased; however by 60 minutes after thiopental administration, all measurements had returned to values similar to those obtained prior to thiopental administration.

Six calves with suppurative arthritis were given a single IM injection of sodium cephapirin at a dosage of 10 mg/kg of body weight. Cephapirin concentrations were serially measured in serum and in normal and suppurative synovial fluid over a 24-hour period. Mean peak serum concentration was 6.33 microliter/ml at 20 minutes after injection. The highest cephapirin concentrations in normal and suppurative synovial fluid were 1.68 and 1.96 microgram/ml, respectively, 30 minutes after injection. Overall mean cephapirin concentration in normal synovial fluid for the first 4 hours (1.04 +/- 0.612 microgram/ml) was not significantly different from that in suppurative synovial fluid (0.88 +/- 0.495 microgram/ml; P > 0.05). Elimination half-life was 0.60 hours and clearance was 1,593 ml/h/kg.

Nineteen purebred Beagles of various ages (4, 5, 13,and 47 weeks) were inoculated with North American Trypanosoma cruzi isolates obtained from an opossum (Tc-O), armadillo (Tc-A), or a dog (Tc-D). Dogs were grouped on the basis of clinical outcome of infection. During the acute stage of disease, dogs of group 1 (n = 7 inoculated with Tc-O or Tc-A) died or were euthanatized because of the severity of disease. Dogs of group 2 (n = 5 inoculated with Tc-O or Tc-A) developed acute disease, but survived to develop chronic disease. Dogs of group 3 (n = 7Tc-D-inoculated dogs) developed neither acute nor chronic disease. Dogs of group 4 (n = 4-2 dogs 13 weeks old and 2 dogs 47 weeks old) served as noninoculated controls. Clinical signs associated with severe acute myocarditis developed in dogs of groups 1 and 2 between postinoculation day (PID) 15 and 28. Generalized lymphadenopathy and lymphocytosis were observed in all dogs of groups 1, 2, and 3 between PID 14 and 17. Serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase activities and urea nitrogen concentration were high, and glucose concentration was low prior to death of dogs in group 1. Serum activities of isoenzymes of creatine kinase were significantly (P < 0.05) high in only 1 dog (group 1), whereas serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme activities were not significantly high in any dog. Parasitemia was detected by examination of thick blood smears as early as PID 3, peaked by PID 17 in most dogs, and was not detected by PID 33 in dogs of groups 1 and 2. Parasitemia was documented by blood culture results in dogs of groups 2 and 3 at various times throughout the study. Dogs infected at an older age generally had lesser degree of parasitemia and higher survival rate than did dogs infected at a younger age. Dogs of group 2 did not manifest clinical signs of disease for 27 to 120 days prior to onset of chronic disease. Ventricular-based arrhythmias and exercise intolerance developed in all dogs of group 2 at various times by PID 120. Two dogs developed signs of biventricular heart failure.

Plasma concentrations of porcine growth hormone (PGH) were similar in healthy pigs and those with atrophic rhinitis (AR), therefore, observed reduced growth rates and feed efficiency in naturally infected pigs with AR were not attributed to low concentrations of plasma PGH. Also, pituitary glands in both groups of pigs were responsive to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) challenge by increasing PGH secretion. Administration of clonidine hydrochloride to pigs naturally infected with AR failed to elicit any significant change (5.3 +/- 1.4 ng/ml) in the plasma concentration of PGH within a 45-minute bleeding interval. The pretreatment concentrations of PGH were similar in specific-pathogen-free toxin-treated and specific-pathogen-free control groups, but they increased significantly in toxin-treated pigs (20.7 +/- 8.2 ng/ml) within 15 minutes after GHRH injection. Porcine growth hormone release in toxin-treated pigs was variable; however, all pigs did not respond to GHRH administration: 3 responded with an increase in PGH release (35.6 +/- 10.6 ng/ml), 2 did not respond (6.7 +/- 0.5 ng/ml), and 1 had a decrease in PGH release (3.9 ng/ml). Therefore, the observed reduced growth rates reported in the literature may be attributed to factors at the target level of PGH action, such as insufficient or down-regulation of PGH receptors, changes or impaired ability in the PGH receptor-binding characteristics, and inability of PGH receptor complex to transduce signal. Toxins are known to modulate signal transduction pathways. It has been speculated that serotype-D Pasteurella multocida toxin may influence growth by its effect on signal transduction from PGH receptor complex on the cell membrane to the interior of the cell. This would account for the presence of high concentrations of PGH in the plasma and a functionally competent hypophysis cerebri, which responded to GHRH injection that have retarded growth in pigs affected with AR.