The metabolic responses of equine articular cartilage to incubation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were studied, using explant cultures of articular cartilage obtained from the metatarsophalangeal joints of 15 horses, age of which ranged from 3 months to 20 years. For comparison, explants were also established from the metatarsophalangeal joints of 3 calves. Explants were cultured for 3 days in medium containing various concentrations of LPS from 0 (control) to 100 microgram/ml. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) released during the 3-day incubation was determined by a spectrophotometric assay, using the dye 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue. Newly synthesized GAG content was assayed by measuring [35S]sulfate incorporation during a 3-hour pulse labeling period. In addition, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis was quantified, using a [3H]PGE2 radioimmunoassay kit and magnetic separation. Finally, explants from 3 animals were used to evaluate the effect of supplementing culture medium with 5% serum on the response of explants to LPS, and explants from 1 horse were used to compare responses to stimulation with LPS derived from 2 bacterial sources. Equine explants cultured with bacterial LPS had a dose-dependent decrease in synthesis and increase in release of GAG, and these responses were significantly (P < 0.0001) greater in explants from younger horses. In addition, equine explants had a significant (P = 0.0001) dose-dependent increase in concentration of PGE2 released into the culture medium in response to incubation with LPS. Comparison of data for GAG synthesis from equine and bovine explants revealed a significant (P = 0.025) difference in responsiveness to LPS between the 2 species. Equine explants tended to have a greater suppression of GAG synthesis in response to incubation with increasing concentrations of LPS than did age-corrected bovine samples.

Association between individual cumulative milk yield and various reproductive disorders in 56,772 Finnish Ayrshire cows belonging to 5,912 herds in 80 communities was studied. All cows delivered calves between September 1985 and September 1986. Five logistic regression models were fitted, 1 for each outcome disorder of interest: early metritis, late metritis, silent heat, ovarian cyst, and other infertility. Cumulative individual 37-day milk yield was used in the early metritis model, and cumulative individual 60-day milk yield was used in the other models, on the basis of median days in milk when these disorders developed. Cumulative 305-day herd milk yield, parity, calving season, presence or absence of other disorders, and community were also included in the models. Point estimates from the models represented odds ratios for the likelihood of having the outcome disorder.Lactational incidence risks for the 5 reproductive disorders studied were: early metritis (2.4%), late metritis (1.1%), silent heat (5.4%), ovarian cyst (6.6%), and other infertility (2.1%). The risk of early metritis decreased with increasing 37-day milk yield. The risk of silent heat, ovarian cyst, and other infertility increased with increasing 60-day milk yield; 60-day milk yield had no effect on late metritis. The 305-day herd milk yield increased the risk of early metritis, ovarian cyst, and other infertility; it had no effect on late metritis or silent heat. Parity had an effect on all disorders, except late metritis. Cows that delivered calves during the colder, darker seasons of the year had a higher risk of reproductive disorders than did those that delivered calves at other times of the year. A number of other disorders, reproductive and otherwise, were significant predictors of development of the outcome disorders.

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.

Serial sections of bone and soft tissue from the metacarpophalangeal joints of 2 mature and 2 immature horses were evaluated for substance P immunoreactive sensory nerve fibers. Formalin-fixed specimens were sectioned, either nondemineralized or demineralized with formic acid or EDTA. Rabbit antiserum to substance P (SP) was used in the strep. tavidin-biotin-peraxidase complex method for immunolocalization of SP antigen, and staining with 3,3'- diaminobenzidine was used for permanent identification of SP fibers. Abundant sensory nerve fibers were identified in the joint capsule, synovial membrane subintimal layers, collateral ligaments, suspensory ligament and distal sesamoidean ligament attachments to the sesamoid bones, and the periarticular periosteal layers. Sparse SP-immunoreactive nerve fibers were found in subchondral bone plates of the metacarpus, proximal first phalanx, and dorsal articular surface of the sesamoid bones. Most SP fibers were associated with blood vessels in the small cancellous spaces and haversian canals of the subchondral bone. The deeper marrow spaces contained increased numbers of SP sensory fibers; a few appeared in small groups and as several SP-immunoreactive fibers in a larger nerve. Cortical bone contained only a few SP fibers in the haversian canals. Substance P fibers were not identified in the osteocytic lacunae, canaliculi, or the bony lamellae of the haversian systems of the subchondral bone plate, and its extension to the metaphyseal and diaphyseal cortical bone. Equine metacarpophalangeal joint soft tissues have an abundant sensory nerve supply, similar to that of other species. However, the subchondral bone plate also has sparse sensory nerve fibers, which is a unique finding, and may help explain signs of bone pain associated with disease states of the fetlock.

Mean phosphorus (P) content in bovine rib bone was 102.9, 108.3, and 182.7 mg/g of bone on fresh, dry, and ash weight bases, respectively. Values for calcium (Ca) were 194.3, 203.7, and 344.6 mg/g, respectively, and for magnesium (Mg) were 5.3, 5.5, and 9.4 mg/g, respectively. Mean percentage of ash in rib bone was 59.12%. Expected concentrations of Ca, P, and Mg were determined on fresh, dry, and ash weight bases and for 3 age groups, 3 breeds, and bulls, females, and steers. On an ash weight basis, cattle 6 to 18 months old had 185.74 mg of P/g, 372.52 mg of Ca/g, and 12.37 mg of Mg/g. Those 19 to 36 months old had 182.02 mg of P/g, 322.35 mg of P/g, and 8.09 mg of Mg/g. Those > 36 months old had 174.80 mg of P/g, 340.36 mg of Ca/g, and 6.62 mg of Mg/g. Steers had 183.93 mg of P/g, 352.73 mg of Ca/g, and 10.15 mg of Mg/g. Females had 178.47 mg of P/g, 320.28 mg of Ca/g, and 6.5 mg of Mg/g. Males had 176.15 mg of P/g, aH on an ash weight basis. Dairy breeds were found to have 186.08 mg of P/g, 351.25 mg of Ca/g, and 10.47 mg of Mg/g. Cattle of mixed breeding had 177.42 mg of P/g, 341.28 mg of Ca/g, and 6.54 mg of Mg/g. The Africander breed of beef cattle had 167.07 mg of P/g, all on an ash weight basis.

Biplanar radiography was used to study normal growth of the left and right radius in 5 Beagles and growth of the left radius alone in 15 additional Beagles. We explored the applicability of this radiographic method in veterinary medicine by measuring the contribution to total radius length from each growth plate. Spherical tantalum markers (0.5 mm) were embedded in the proximal epiphysis, diaphysis, and distal epiphysis of each dog's radius at 10 weeks of age. Simultaneous biplanar radiographic views were obtained every 4 weeks until skeletal maturity was documented. A three-dimensional coordinate system was constructed allowing for measurement of growth (in millimeters). Resolution of the measuring system was 0.074 mm. Mean +/- SEM length of the skeletally mature Beagle's radius, as measured from proximal epiphyseal bead to distal epiphyseal bead, was 95.33 +/- 1.07 mm. The percentage of contribution to the total radius length from the proximal and distal growth plates was 36.76 and 64.73%, respectively, with 95% confidence interval of 2.29%. The percentage of contribution to radius length from the distal radial growth plate increased for each consecutive time segment, with the distal radial physis contributing 61.75% from 10 to 14 weeks of age and increasing to 70.22% from 22 to 26 weeks of age. Significant growth was not observed after 26 weeks of age. The period of most rapid growth was between 10 and 14 weeks of age. Biplanar radiography was accurate and precise in quantifying the relative contribution of the proximal and distal growth plate to radius length in Beagles. The method is applicable in veterinary research or clinical medicine for monitoring of axial and angular growth: physiologic, iatrogenic, or pathologic.

The effect of right paralumbar fossa exploratory celiotomy and omentopexy on peritoneal fluid constituents was studied in 22 adult dairy cows. Six cows were eliminated on the basis of physical examination findings (n = 2), surgical findings (n = 2), or inability to obtain a sufficient volume of peritoneal fluid (n = 2). Sixteen cattle had normal results of Csc and serum biochemical analysis, and a minimum of 1 ml of peritoneal fluid was obtained by abdominocentesis. Abdominocentesis was repeated on days 1, 2, and 6 after surgery. Statistical analysis for repeated measures was performed, using a significance level of P < 0.05. Stage of gestation was evaluated for interaction with time. Mean total nucleated cell count was 3,200 cells/1 before surgery, was significantly increased 2 days after surgery (16,336 cells/microliter), and continued to increase through day 6 (20,542 cells/microliter). Mean polymorphonuclear cell count was 1,312 cells/microliter before surgery and was significantly higher at 2 (11,043 cells/microliter) and 6 (10,619 cells/microliter) days after surgery. Mean lymphocyte count was 254 cells/microliter before surgery and was significantly increased 2 days (1,911 cells/microliter) after surgery. By day 6, lymphocyte numbers were similar to preoperative values. Mean mononuclear cell count was 770 cells/microliter before surgery and was significantly increased on days 1 (3,084 cells/microliter), 2 (3,285 cells/microliter and 6 (2,349 cells/microliter) after surgery. Mean eosinophil numbers were 1,388 cells/microliter before surgery and were significantly increased on day 6 (6,347 cells/microliter) only. Interaction between time and stage of gestation was found only for specific gravity and total protein concentration. In general, specific gravity and total protein concentration increased after surgery (mean before surgery, 1.016 and 3.6 g/dl; mean after surgery, 1.021 and 5.6 g/dl).

During growth, central venous, right ventricular, pulmonary arterial, Pulmonary capillary wedge, and systemic arterial pressures, heart rate, and cardiac Output were repeatedly measured in 41 Friesian calves, considered as having conventional muscular conformation, and in 19 Belgian White and Blue double-muscled calves. A total of 123 and 70 recordings were collected in conventional and double-muscled calves, respectively. These circulatory indices were calculated: stroke volume, cardiac and stroke indices, pulmonary and systemic pulse pressures, pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance indices, and right and left ventricular work indices. Results indicated that systemic arterial and pulse pressures, as well as cardiac output, stroke volume, cardiac and stroke indices, and right and left ventricular work indices were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05 to 0.001) lower but, in contrast, pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance indices were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.001) higher in double-muscled than in conventional calves. Right-sided vascular pressures and heart rate were similar in the 2 groups. These results indicated that global cardiac performance may be considerably poorer in double-muscled calves. Diminished cardiac performance of double-muscled calves appears to be related neither to relative bradycardia nor to reduced ventricular preload. The potential role of increased ventricular afterload or of reduced myocardial contractility in double-muscled cattle should be determined by direct measurements.

Plasma insulin concentration of many species has a characteristic early or acute-phase response in the minutes after IV administration of glucose, However, the plasma insulin response of horses soon after the Iv administration of glucose has not been examined, whereas the more prolonged response has been evaluated. We examined the plasma insulin and glucose concentration responses of adult mares during the 30 minutes after rapid Iv administration of glucose (0.33 g/kg of body weight). Plasma glucose concentration peaked at 664 +/- 54 mg/dl within I minute of cessation of glucose administration, whereas insulin concentration peaked at 326 +/- 24 pmol/L at 2 minutes after the end of glucose administration. Thus, these mares had an acute insulin response, consistent with that observed in other species, including dogs, human beings, and cattle.

Polyclonal rabbit antiserum to human T-cell CD3 was used to study its reactivity in lymphoid tissues (lymph nodes, spleen, aggregated lymphoid follicles [Peyer's patches], thymus) of several animal species (cattle, sheep, goats, rats, and mice). Using a peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues, immunoreactive cells were detected in T cell-dependent areas of the lymphoid tissues. Reactivity was high in all species tested, but mouse tissues had reduced reactivity, compared with the other species. To obtain a reaction, it was necessary to digest tissues with pronase before application of the immunocytochemical technique. Our results indicate that CD3 antiserum may specifically recognize T-lymphoid cells as it does in human lymphoid tissues and can be used as a marker to study physiologic and pathologic conditions of the lymphoid system of these species.