Serologic survey and virus isolation of feline herpesvirus (FHV) and feline calicivirus (FCV) were performed on cats used for research at the Laboratory Animal Research Centre, The University of Tsukuba, over the period from 1978 to 1981. Of the 507 mature and immature cats, 4 months old or older, 102 (20.1 %) had HI antibody against FHV and 412 (81.3%) SN antibody against FCV. Some 23 (16.2 %) and 76 (53.5 %) kittens among 142 younger than 4 months had antibodies against FHV and FCV, respectively. Both the antibodies in kittens were considered to be maternally derived. The FCV antibody rate was especially high in cats weighing 2.5 kg (males) and 2.0 kg (females) or more, which were regarded as 8 to 10 months of age. An attempt was made to isolate the viruses from the oropharynx and conjunctiva of clinically healthy mature or immature cats and kittens. As the result, either one or both of the viruses were isolated from 31 of 75 mature and immature cats, and isolation rates of FHV and FCV were 6.7 % and 36.0 %, respectively. On the other hand, no virus was detectable in 16 kittens.

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We made an investigation of implantation traces in delivered rats. 1. Nonfixed rat uteri were immersed in 2 %-NaOH solution for over one hour. The uteri were then cleared and the implantation traces were seen to be stained yellowish-brown. This staining method was convenient for observation of the implantation traces. 2. Stillbirth was induced by stabbing or crushing, either in some embryos on one day between the 6 th and 12 th day of gestation, or in all embryos after the 13 th day of gestation. Also, abortion was induced by stabbing or crushing all embryos before the 10 th day of gestation. 3. When live embryos existed in the uterine horns, abortion traces were not detected. 4. In cleared uteri stained with 2%-NaOH solution, abortion traces were observed as small globes, reddish-brown. Normal delivery traces were observed as large globes, yellowish-brown, covered with yellowish-white of agglomerate cells, while stillbirth traces appeared as middle-sized, orange or yellowish-brown masses. 5. Though the implantation traces in rats which had been delivered four times were arranged like beads, they were recognizable by NaOH stain as either old or new traces, the former appearing smaller without agglomerate cells and a little more brown in comparison with the latter. 6. As the implantation traces increased in the uterine horns they became distributed from the central region to the cervical end, and the mean space between them narrowed. The implantation traces occupying the ovarian end or central region of the uterine horns trendes smallest size or largest size. 7. The implantation traces were composed of cicatrical tissue, and the area they occupied did not show adhesion of the placenta. On the other hand, placenta adhering to the uterine wall proliferated, and formed new implantation traces which did not overlap the old traces after decollement of the placenta.

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A aspiration pneumonia caused in 3 female mice by food inhalation was examined histopathologically. Dark-red areas were observed macroscopically on the uncut lungs. The change was more severe in the superior and post-caval lobes of the right lung and the anterior part of the left lung. Microscopic examination revealed various-sized foreign bodies (inhaled food particles) accompanied by inflammatory cells and microorganisms in the tracheal lumen and the bronchiolar and alveolar spaces.

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The mandibular gland of the pika was examined by light microscopy, and transmission and scanning electron microscopies. The acinar cells were noted to be composed of serous cells and seromucous cells. The serous cells containing granules of moderate and high densities were slightly basophile and strongly positive to PAS, but were not stained with AB. The seromucous cells possessing less dense granules were light and moderately positive to PAS and AB. A sexual dimorphism was observed between these cells : Serous cells were considerably more frequent in males and seromucous cells were more numerous in females. Intercalated duct cells consisted of cuboidal light cells containing a few vesicles in the apical region. Striated ducts were comprised of two portions-a secertory portion and a typical striated portion without secretory granules. The secretory portion was composed of light and dark cells having secretory granules varying in size and density. The epithelium of typical striated portion consisted of light and dark cells containing fine vacuoles and vesicles.

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Eight small obese mice, 10 to 79 weeks of age, which occurred in C57BL/6J obese mice, were examined clinico-pathologically. These mice were characterized by small-sized obesity, and showed hyperglycemia without hyperinsulinemia and glucosuria without ketonurina throughout their life span. Morphologically, neither hypertrophy nor hyperplasia were found in the islets of Langerhans. There were an increase of A cells and a decrease of B cells in their islets. In the kidney, thickening of mesangial matrix in glomeruli and deposition of glycogen in the nucleus of epithelial cells of the distal tubules were seen. These findings suggest that the small obese mice are an obese-diabetic animal of different type from the usual obese mice (C57BL/6J-ob/ob) . The mechanism for development of this condition was unknown.

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Tri-combinant vaccine consisting of attenuated feline herpesvirus (FHV) and feline calicivirus (FCV) and inactivated feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV), were evaluated for safety and efficacy, using Japanese native cats and the viral strains isolated in Japan. Thirty-eight 9- to 12-week-old kittens were inoculated intramuscularly and subcutaneously with the vaccine. Consequently, no adverse reaction was found, and protective efficacy was confirmed by challenge tests with the virulent strains of each virus. Serum-neutralizing antibodies against FCV and FPLV were maintained for at least one year after vaccination, whereas antibody against FHV disappeared in two cases at 24 weeks after vaccination. Application of this vaccine seemed effective for control of feline viral disease in cats for experimental use.

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A single dose (500mg/kg) of thalidomide was administered orally to pregnant JW-NIBS rabbits in various stages of organogenesis. Head anomalies in fetuses (anencephaly, holoprosencephaly and hydrocephaly) were induced at a high frequency by the maternal administration of thalidomide on day 7, and also in a few fetuses on day 8. These fetuses included those with an abnormal skull such as hypoplasia of cerebral and facial skull. Microphthalmia in fetuses was observed with a single administration from day 7 to 12 of gestation. Contracture of forearms and club foot in fetuses resulted from the maternal administration of thalidomide on day 8 or 9 of gestation, respectively. With a single administration on day 8 or 9 of gestation, kinky tail in fetuses resulted, and brachyury was observed with a high frequency from day 8 to 11 of gestation. Skeletal anomalies such as fusion or displacement of coccygeal vertebral bodies were observed at a high frequency with a single treatment from day 8 to 10 of gestation. Among the internal anomalies observed was abnormal lobation of the lung, resulting from a single treatment from day 6 to 15 of gestation (except for day 13), and abnormal lobation of the liver, induced from day 7 to 10. The cardiovascular anomalies were induced at a high frequency with a single treatment from day 7 to 9 of gestation. In the present experiment, the critical period for each anomaly produced by thalidomide in JW-NIBS rabbits was determined.

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Mammary tumor virus (MTV) antigens in both sexes of GRS/A, SHN and C₃H mice were examined in the sweat and sebaceous glands by immunoperoxidase technique using antiserum against gp52, envelope protein, or p27, core protein. Balb/c mice were used for reciprocal foster nursings with these inbreds to discriminate the expression of endogenous MTV from that of exogenous MTV. Both antigens were first detected around the age of 4 months in the sweat glands of mice with endogenous GR- or SHN- MTV. A linear staining of gp52 was seen along the luminal borders of glandular cells, and the reaction products for gp52 were demonstrated on the apical cell membranes, where no virion could be seen ultrastructurally. A diffuse staining of p27 was found in the cytoplasm of some glandular cells, where MTV particles could not be detected. In the sebaceous gland of the same mice, however, only p27 was first detected at the age of 60 days. A dot-like staining of p27 was found in the perinuclear region of some glandular cells, where an aggregation of intracytoplasmic A particles could be seen under an electron microscope. These positive stainings were unrelated to sex. In such skin appendages of all examined C₃H mice and Balb/c mice with GR- or SHN- MTV, no antigen expression could be seen up to the age of 500 days. Therefore, some genes might be able to regulate the expression of endogenous MTV antigens in the skin appendages, while their glandular cells would have no receptor for exogenous MTV, namely the so-called“milk factor”.

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The capacity for IgE antibody production in ASK mice, which are highly sensitivity to anaphylactic shock, was compared with that in C3H and AKR mice. Three strains of mice were immunized with DNP-Ascaris mixed with aluminum hydroxide gel. IgE antibody to DNP in the sera was titrated by the rat 48-hour passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test. Maximum IgE titers of each strain of mice were 1 : 2560 in C3H, 1 : 1280 in ASK and 1 : 640 in AKR. IgE antibody was detected in the sera until 170 days in C3H, 290 days in ASK and for not less than 320 days in AKR. These results suggest that the ASK mouse is a high responder strain for IgE antibody.

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The effects of repeated injections of epinephrine on lipolysis in rats were investigated in vivo and in vitro. By daily subcutaneus injections of epinephrine (100μg/kg) for 20 days, the weight of epididymal adipose pads were significantly decreased. By repeated injections of epinephrine for 20 days, the extent of increase in plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels after epinephrine injection became smaller, and the amount of epinephrine-induced NEFA and cyclic AMP release from epididymal adipose tissue were decreased. These results suggested that the lipolytic response to epinephrine in rats was decreased by repeated injections of epinephrine.

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Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and fibrinogen determinations of some species of experimental animals with automatic coagulometer KC-10^® were examined in regard to reliability and usefulness. In the examinations of within-run precision of the undiluted and diluted plasma of dog, rabbit and rat, the results were acceptable. In the examinations of capability detecting N-nitrosodimethylamine-induce coagulopathy of rats, the results were found to be accurate. The comparison studies between KC-10^® and the reference instrument AUTO-FI^® indicated good correlations. These results supported the reliability and usefulness of use of automatic coagulometer for blood coagulability test on experimental animals.

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A survey on the number of animals used in experiments including bioassay, diagnosis, education and preparation of biological agents such as vaccines between April 1981 and March 1982 was conducted. Out of 871 universities, institutes, hospitals, testing laboratories and companies, 479 replies were received. The distribution of the number of animals is shown in the following table:
Number of Animals Used in Experiments in 1981
Mice 8, 412, 869
Rats 1, 810, 259
Guinea pigs 166, 560
Hamsters 36, 820
Other rodents 27, 564
Rabbits 159, 061
Dogs 58, 282
Cats 14, 569
Pigs 2, 196
Other domestic animals 11, 330
Primates 3, 957
Insectivola 2, 047
Other mammalia 650
Chikens 97, 112
Japanese quail 18, 032
Ducks 1, 367
Other fowls 1, 185

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