Canine coronavirus produced CPE in CRFK cells without any blind passages. Syncytium formation was one of the most prominent cytopathic changes after inoculation at a low multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1 TCID₅₀/cell. At a high MOI of 50 TCID₅₀/cell, however, rounding and detachment of the cells occurred, but no syncytium formation was found. Specific immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase staining were confined in the perinuclear cytoplasm at 4 hr postinfection when infective titers of culture fluid began to increase. Virus titers reached their maxima of 10^4.2 and 10^5.3 TCID₅₀/0.1ml after infection at an MOI of 1 and 50 TCID₅₀/cell respectively. Electron microscopic observation revealed that virus particles occurred in the restricted area of the perinuclear cytoplasm, mainly at the Golgi field, in the early stage of infection. Localization of virus particles as well as positive immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase staining for specific CCV antigen was seen in the same area of infected cells, i.e., around the centriole and Golgi complex and perinuclear cytoplasm in an indentation in the early stage of infection.

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Shimizu and Gibbs' phage sets for typing poultry Staphylococcus aureus strains were applied to 295 strains isolated from chickens, a turkey, quails, pigeons and birds of prey in Japan and 5 other countries. Typability with Shimizu's set of 25 phages and with Gibbs' set of 22 phages was compared. Of 295 strains, 230 (78.0%) strains were typable with the former and 238 (80.7%) strains were typable with the latter, respectively. The majority of the poultry strains were highly susceptible at routine test dilution to the phages in the two sets. When the two typing sets were combined, the increase of typability was ca. 10%. Most of strains isolated from chickens in Japan, England, Belgium, Italy, Bulgaria and Argentina can be typed into the phage groups. The two sets appeared useful in typing strains in each of the S. aureus isolated from chickens in different countries. The phages of the two sets were found to be highly active also to the strains isolated from a turkey, quails, pigeons and birds of prey, showing a variety of avian hosts. It was shown from the relationship between Shimizu and Gibbs' phages that groups I and II of Shimizu's phages were closely correlated with group A and B2, respectively, of Gibbs' phages. Lytic spectra of all 47 phages of Shimizu and Gibbs' sets were made by the use of their propagating strains. These phages were divided into 6 distinct groups according to their host ranges. The propagating strain 11 of group IV phage CH11 which constitutes Shimizu's set was shown to be identical with a new species, S. hyicus subsp. hyicus on the basis of a taxonomic analysis. Therefore, we proposed in the present study that the phage CH11 should be deleted from our poultry phage set and regarded as a new phage of our S. hyicus subsp. hyicus phage set which had been established for typing S. hyicus subsp. hyicus strains of swine origin. Accordingly, the phages of our poultry phage set were classified into 3 lytic groups (I, II and III) according to their host ranges.

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Slaughtered pigs were examined for Sacrocystis infections and the causative organisms were identified as S. miescheriana in Japan for the first time by the morphological examination of cysts, bradyzoites and sporocysts in addition to the developmental stages in dogs. Of 100 fattened and 200 older culled breeding pigs slaughtered in Saitama Prefecture from March 1983 to March 1984, 17 culled pigs were positive for S. miescheriana, whereas none of the fattened pigs were positive. Sarcocystis cysts measured an average of 393.4×126.5μm and bradyzoites an average of 15.49×3.92μm. The cyst wall was radially striated and measured an average of 4.48μm in thickness. Prepatent period was 9 to 10 days and patent period ranged 50 to 83 days according to the storage term of infected meat in a refrigerator at 5°C. Sarcocysts in musculature survived for 30 days, when refrigerated at 5°C. Sporocysts measured an average of 12.0×9.4μm and have a single large, coarse, granular residuum together with four sporozoites. Young gametocytes were seen on days 1 and 2 after ingestion, macrogametes and zygotes on day 3, and unsporulated oocysts on day 5. Most of oocysts were sporulated on day 7. Most of these developmental stages of the parasite were found in lamina propria of the villi of the small intestine of dogs. The developmental stages were parasitic in about the anterior two thirds of the small intestine although the parasite population in each region fluctuated with the progress of development.

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During the period from September 1983 to October 1984, outbreaks of Newcastle disease (ND) in racing pigeons occurred in Japan. Seven isolates were collected from these outbreaks in 7 prefectures. All of the isolates were found to be identical with ND virus by the hemagglutination inhibition test, and they formed plaques without addition of diethyl-aminoethyl-dextran and MgS0₄ in tissue culture systems. Mean death time of the minimum lethal dose (MDT/MLD) of 7 isolates ranged from 90 to 144 hrs. The intracerebral pathogenicity indices of 5 isolates ranged from 1.3 to 1.7. Five out of 7 isolates were inoculated orally into 1-week-old or 4-week-old chickens. All of the isolates induced clinical signs in 1-week-old chicks, and 3 out of 5 isolates induced death in a few chicks (mortality, 10-30%). However, none of the 5 isolates induced clinical signs in most of the 4-week-old chickens. These results indicated that all the present isolates were of a mesogenic strain while showing a comparatively longer MDT/MLD.

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The general structures, intranodal lymph pathway and thymus (T)-dependent area of pig lymph nodes, known as the "Reverse type of lymph nodes", were histologically and immunohistochemically studied. The lymph nodes consisted of several lymphoid segments, "nodular unit" of various sizes. Each nodular unit possessed the "A-type hilus", at which afferent lymph vessels entered the nodes, and the "E-type hilus", which located between nodular units, and efferent lymph vessels left the node both at the E-type hilus and convex surfaces. The cortex-like tissues were located not only in the central area of the nodular units but also in the sub-capsular area around the A-type hilus. On the other hand, medulla-like tissues were distributed in the peripheral regions around the E-type hilus. These regional interrelations between the cortex-like tissues and the medulla-like tissues gave rise to various patterns (reverse or non-reverse) depending on the levels of sectioning for histological preparations. Large central cisternae (CC) and intra-trabecular lymph channels (ITLC) with lymphatic valves were found within the trabeculae, and the ITLC diverged subsequently into the peri-trabecular lymph sinuses (PTLS). Sub-capsular lymph sinuses (SCLS) were distinguished around the cortex-like tissues and were associated with PTLS. In the nodular units intranodal lymph flowed not only from the center to the periphery but also into the other two routes: by one route, it drained into the SCLS directly via the CC, and by the other, it drained into neighbouring nodular units through the internodular communicating routes of the SCLS. T-dependent area occupied almost all of the spacious cortex-like tissues except for the germinal centers. These areas closely faced the PTLS and SCLS.

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Plasma gastrin levels before and after feeding were determined by radioimmunoassay in cows at various ages. Pre-feeding levels of immunoreactive gastrin (IRG) increased with age to the maximum value (190.8±27.0pg/ml) in 4-month-old calves weaned immediately before and thereafter decreased gradually to adult low levels (69.1±17.6pg/ml). Suckling calves were fed colostrum and then whole milk at 12-hour intervals. Plasma IRG levels increased rapidly after the 1st suckling and remained high (700-1, 300pg/ml) until 42-54 hours after birth. This hypergastrinemia disappeared suddenly at 60 hours after birth and gastrin levels returned to the pre-suckling levels. In 1-month-old calves, plasma IRG levels attained at a peak value of 100-160pg/ml 2-4 hours after suckling, and decreased gradually to 51.0±6.7pg/ml by the next suckling. Elevations of the IRG level after suckling were variable between 2- to 3-month-old. Weanlings were fed 3 times daily hay, haylage, and concentrated ration. In 4- to 13-month-old calves, large fluctuations occurred irrelatively to feeding. In 14- to 16-month-old calves and adult cows, IRG levels were remained constant without specific post-prandial responses.

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Cross-correlation and power spectral analyses along with visual analysis were applied to electroencephalograms recorded during the NREM sleep in a litter of 5 beagles in order to evaluate the changes due to aging, and to establish the age-matched reference data for the clinical application. Based upon results obtained, the developmental course of the NREM sleep during the 1st year of life could be divided into 4 stages; from 0 to 6 weeks, from 6 to 14 weeks, from 14 to 24 weeks and from 24 to 50 weeks of age.

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Canine alveolar macrophages (AM) were examined for the presence of subpopulations with differnt immunologic functions. Lavaged bronchoalveolar cells (BAC) from normal beagle dogs were separated into 3 density subfractions by centrifugation through discontinuous gradients of Percoll solution. After incubated on plastic plates, each of adherent BAC subfractions recovered was identified as AM by morphologic criteria and phagocytic capacity of latex beads. These adherent BAC subfractions were then incubated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and/or silica for testing their capacity to produce interleukin 1 (IL-1). Il-1 activity of culture supernatants was greater both in the lowest and intermediate density subfractions, but much lower in the highest density subfraction. When each of adherent BAC subfractions was incubated with autologous nylon wool-passed lymphocytes from tracheobronchial lymph nodes in the presence of a lectin mitogen, phytohemagglutinin (PHA), proliferative responses of lymphocytes were prominently enhanced by increasing cell numbers of adherent BAC subfractions. On the contrary, another mitogen, concanavalin A (Con A)-induced lymphocyte responses were suppressed by addition of both of the lowest and intermediate density subfractions, whereas only the highest density subfraction enhanced lymphocyte response. The suppressive effect of adherent BAC subfractions on Con A-induced responses was, however, inhibited by addition of indomethacin, prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor. These results indicate the presence of functional subpopulations among canine AM with respect to IL-1 production and accessory cell, function for mitogen-induced lymphoproliferation.

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Adult female mosquitoes were collected weekly over the period from June 18 to November 5, 1979, in livestock pens in an enzootic area of equine Getah virus infection. a total of 55 virus strains was isolated in cell cultures or suckling mice from 27, 550 mosquitoes. Of the 55 isolates, 18 were identified as Getah virus and the remaining 37 strains as Japanese encephalitis virus. Of the 18 Getah virus isolates, 15 were recovered from 11, 471 mosquitoes of Aedes vexans nipponii in 280 pools, the field infection rate being 1:765 and the remaining three strains were isolated from 10, 693 mosquitoes of Culex tritaeniorhynchus in 254 pools, the field infection rate being 1:3, 564. Thirteen of the 15 Getah virus isolates from A. vexans nipponii were recovered from the mosquitoes in a pig pen and the remaining two strains from those in a horse baited stable. The field infection rate of A. vexans nipponii in the pig pen was 1:451. All the Getah virus isolations were made in September and October, when the emergence of A. vexans nipponii had a peak. These observations suggest that A. vexans nipponii may be a principal vector for equine Getah virus infection in the Kanto district and C. tritaeniorhynchus may also serve as a vector.

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The mechanism of suppression of plaque formation of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) by calf serum (CS) was investigated. Suppressor in CS was absorbed by incubation of the serum with chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF), indicating the attachment of suppressor to CEF. The amount of IBDV that was able to absorb to CEF decreased when the cells were pretreated with CS. Suppression of IBDV plaque formation was also noted when CS was added to agar overlay medium, indicating that the serum suppressed the spread of the virus infection to the surrounding cells. The suppressive effect of CS was not due to a direct inactivation (neutralization) of IBDV. The results indicated that the suppressor in CS attaches to the surface of CEF and probably occupies the virus receptors on the cells, therefore blocking the absorption of the IBDV and consequently, leading to the suppression of plaque formation by the virus.

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A transrectal real-time ultrasound scanner was used to study the structures of the ovaries during early midpregnancy in cows. The serum concentrations of sex steroids between cows with large and small or no follicles in the ovaries were not significantly different. The presence of large follicles in the ovaries was not consistently associated with an increase in serum estrogen levels and did not have a luteolytic effect on the corpus luteum of pregnancy. The changes in the serum concentration of sex steroids before and after the puncture of large follicles in the ovaries of 4 pregnant cows were also examined, together with six steroids concentration in the follicular fluid. The findings suggest that although large follicles are present in the ovaries of cows during midpregnancy, they do not significantly contribute to peripheral levels of sex steroids.

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Traumatic gastritis was classified into three groups: subacute local, chronic and acute diffuse, and analyses of serum protein, protein fractions and mineral values were conducted. Decrease of the albumin concentration and increases of the α and β globulin concentrations were common findings in all types. In the subacute local type, hyperproteinemia with a slight hypoalbuminemia, a marked increase of β globulin concentration and a slight increase of the γ globulin concentration were observed. The α globulin pattern was obtuse and fast electrophoretic mobility of the β globulin fraction was also found. Severe hypoalbuminemia and a marked increase of the γ globulin concentration with incomplete or complete β-γ bridging were observed in the chronic type. Moderate hypoalbuminemia, hypokalemia and hyper inorganic phosphatemia were observed in the acute diffuse type.

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The differentiation of the adenohypophysial cells in the developing golden hamster was studied immunocytochemically to determine their time of the first appearance, localization, and change in the distribution during development in connection with development of hypothalamo-hypophysial system. The cells of Atwell's process at day 11 of gestation showed first immunopositive reaction to anti-rat LH and anti-ovine LHβ sera. ACTH-, LH-, and TSH-immunoreactive cells first appeared simultaneously in the midventral portion of the pars distalis at day 12.5 of gestation. They were independent types of cells showing peculiar forms and distributions. FSH-immunoreactive cells appeared first in a small number in the ventral portion of the pars distalis at day 14 of gestation. Some FSH cells also showed immunopositive reaction to anti-rat LH and anti-ovine LHβ sera. GH-immunoreactive cells appeared first in the caudal part of the pars distalis at day 15 of gestation, while PRL-immunoreactive cells occurred in the central portion of the pars distalis at 3 days after birth. The pars tuberalis was originated from Atwell's process at day 12.5 of gestation and contained LH- and LHβ-immunoreactive cells but not other types of pituitary cells. In the hypothalamus, LHRH-immunoreactive perikarya appeared first in the preoptic nucleus and somatostatin-positive cells occurred in the arcuate nucleus at day 12.5 of gestation. The vascularization of the pars distalis via the Atwell's recess occurred at day 12 of gestation.

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ICR-nude mice inoculated intraperitoneally with MHV-NuU, showed progressive proteinuria and had virus in the kidney at 2 to 5 weeks postinoculation. In the renal glomeruli, mesangial and endothelial cells were enlarged and proliferated with infiltration of neutrophils, mononuclear cells and a few multinucleated giant cells. Proliferative endovasculitis was seen also in the brain, lung, liver, pancreas, omentum and mesentery. Immunofluorescence revealed MHV antigen within endothelial cells of the small veins, and multinucleated giant cells and glomerular mesangial cells. Segmental or diffuse deposition of immunogloblin as well as C3 were present in glomerular mesangial areas in association with MHV-antigen. By electron microscopy were seen degeneration of podocytes and hypertrophy of endothelial cells with subendothelial or paramesangial deposits. Virions were seen within vascular endothelial cells, macrophages and giant cells in and around the small vein but not within those in the glomeruli.

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Light and immunofluorescent microscopical examination was performed on the kidneys of 16 pigs with mastocytosis. Hyaline droplets were demonstrated in various degrees in the mesangium of the glomeruli of all the pigs. In many of the pigs, the hyaline droplets were also present in the macula densa and juxta-glomerular zone. These hyaline droplets resembled those in the proximal tubular epithelium both in shape and staining property. By immunofluorescence, IgG was demonstrated in the glomerular hyaline droplets, but C3 was not detected. Severe global or segmental expansion of the mesangial area with mesangiolysis was noted in 10 pigs. The hyaline droplet formation were occurred more frequently in association with mesangiolysis. The glomerular lesions were not considered to be specific to mastocytosis and possible pathogenesis of the lesions were discussed.

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Adult female mosquitoes were collected biweekly over the period from May 11 to October 18, 1980 at two horse habitations in the western areas of Japan. A total of 13 virus strains was isolated in Vero and HmLu-1 cell cultures from 33, 604 mosquitoes. Of the 13 isolates, four were identified as Getah virus and the remaining 9 strains as Japanese encephalitis virus. Of the four virus isolates, three were recovered from 19, 465 mosquitoes of Culex tritaeniorhynchus in 200 pools, the field infection rate being 1:6, 488 at the Miyazaki Race Course (R. C.). Besides, one strain of Getah virus was recovered from 5, 897 mosquitoes of C. tritaeniorhynchus at the Ritto training Center (T. C.). In these studies, C. tritaeniorhynchus was collected predominantly with 85.1% and 54.5% at the Miyazaki R. C. and the Ritto T. C., respectively. On the other hand, Aedes vexans nipponii was captured in an extremely low proportion (less than 2%) from both collection sites. These results suggest that C. tritaeniorhynchus, which is occasionally infected with Getah virus, may act as a main vector of sporadic occurrence of equine Getah virus infection and A. vexans nipponii is a less important vector mosquito in the western areas of Japan.

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Four male and four female Holstein-Friesian calves affected with cervical ectopia cordis were examined macroscopically and their sternums were radiographed using soft X-rays. Their lifespan ranged from 3 minutes to 312 days. The heart was located within the pericardium under the muscles and skin at the ventral cervical area and its double apex was directed craniodorsally, and the base was pointed caudoventrally. The branching pattern of arteries from the aortic arch was similar to that of dog in all cases. Double cranial vena cava and double azygos vein were observed in many cases. The manubrium was very wide to enlarge the cranial thoracic aperture. The short and wide sternum consisted of 13 to 26 sternebrae, and the ossification centers of manubrium and body of sternum showed paired appearance. The thoracic portion of the thymus was absent, while the cervical portions were gathered together on the craniodorsal side of the heart. The ligaments extending from the fibrous pericardium were attached to the mandibles and parotid fasciae cranially, to the cervical fasciae laterally, and also to the first ribs or manubrium caudally and held the heart in its position. Based on these findings, the pathogenesis of this anomaly was discussed from an embryological point of view.

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A shock-like reaction occurred in 20 (8%) of 243 Dirofilaria immitis-uninfected and infected dogs, after milbemycin D administration at a dose of 0.1-5mgkg. All dogs with the reaction were infected, and microfilariae (mf) were detected in peripheral blood (19 dogs) or by histopathological examination (1 dog). The number of circulating mf before administration and their decrease rate after treatment were not related to the occurrence and intensity of the shock-like reaction. The reaction occurred 1.5 to 4 hr after administration, and recovery took place 1 to 4 hr after the onset of the reaction without any treatment in all dogs. Clinical signs of the affected dogs were depression, paleness and/or slight cyanosis of the mucous membranes, weak pulse, coldness of skin, dyspnea, staggering, prostration, tendency to heart rat e decrease and remarkable decrease of blood pressure. Disappearance or relief of arrhythmia, increased height (mV) of the R wave, sagging of the ST segment and inversion of the T wave were seen on electrocardiogram. On the hematological findings, total WBC and neutrophil counts decreased at the early stage of the reaction and increased at the latter stage, and RBC, eosinophil counts and serum total protein concentration decreased at the reaction. Serum glucose concentraion temporarily increased at the reaction. Serum enzyme activities considerably increased and mf count remarkably decreased at 24 hr after administration. The dogs which showed the shock-like reaction at the first administration did not display any such reaction at the second or third administrations.

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Cows suffering from traumatic gastritis were classified into 3 groups, subacute local, chronic and acute diffuse type. Diagnostic value of total and differential leukocyte counts were evaluated. Decrease of basophil and monocyte count were common findings in all types. In acute diffuse types, decrease of eosinophil count and left shift in neutrophils or degenerative left shift were observed, and decrease of eosinophil count was observed in subacute local types. Leukocytosis and neutrophilia or regenerative left shift were observed in chronic types.

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A rapid colorimetric assay was used to quantitate the cytotoxic activity of monoclonal antibody against tumor-associated antigen (TAA) of bovine leukemia cells. The viability of specific antibody-treated target cells was assessed by using a tetrazolium dye that is reduced to a purple formazan by living but not dead cells. The results of cytotoxicity determined by colorimetric assay were similar to that of trypan blue dye exclusion method. Using this colorimetric assay, we detected TAA in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from leukemic cattle as well as in PBL from most cattle with lymphocytosis but no evidence of tumor.

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A total of 1708 strains of coagulase-positive staphylococcal species, Staphylococcus aureus (n=1541) and S. intermedius (n=167) isolated from humans and 17 kinds of animals in Japan were subjected to the biotyping scheme of Hajek and Marsalek. Of the 1708 strains tested, 1470 (86.1%) could be classified into biotypes and 238 (13.9%) could not be assigned to any of the known 6 biotypes. All S. aureus strains obtained from quails and pigeons, and the majority of human S. aureus strains were classified as biotype A. Chicken and swine S. aureus strains were predominately classified as biotype B. Bovine S. aureus strains were divided into biotypes B and C at an equal percentage. As for canine, equine and pigeon strains, the strains of S. aureus isolated from dogs and horses were classified as biotypes A, B or C. All S. intermedius strains from dogs, horses and pigeons were classified as biotype E. About 56% of S. aureus strains isolated from laboratory (rabbits, mice, rats, guinea pigs and a nude mouse) and wild (Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus, mice and a ferret) rodents were classified as biotypes A, B, C or D. Of the 238 unclassified strains, 202 were an extremely homogeneous group of S. aureus. They produced fibrinolysin, yellow pigment and DNase, hydrolyzed egg-yolk and Tween 80, coagulated both human and bovine plasmas. Thus these 202 strains showed properties intermediate between human biotype A and bovine biotype C, producing fibrinolysin like human biotype A and coagulating bovine plasma like bovine biotype C. Therefore, we propose that the group of these organisms should be added to the new biotype designated as biotype G in the biotype classification of Hajek and Marsalek.

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The alteration of rat hepatic 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase zymogram by boiled renal aqueous extract was demonstrated. The substance(s) in the extract was suggested to be other than peptidase and thermostable proteins.

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Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for detecting antibody against Tyzzer's organism "Bacillus piliformis" in immune mouse sera, using formalin-killed organisms grown on a primary mouse hepatocyte culture. There was good correlation on titers between ELISA and immunofluorescence, while ELISA titers were lower. ELISA was shown to be useful for studying antigenic relatedness among different bacterial strains.

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A new techinique was established for the isolation of TGE virus from the feces of diarrheic pigs. Cytopathic TGE viruses were isolated consistently in roller cultures of CPK cells by a combination of trypsin treatment of the inoculum and incorporation of trypsin in the maintenance medium.

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The indirect hemagglutination (IHA) titers of sera against sonic extract of Clostridium chauvoei paralleled the protection of mice immunized with blackleg vaccine. The titers of 1:8 or higher correlated with sufficient protection of mice to the challenge exposure. These results suggest that the IHA test may be useful as an aid for evaluation of protective potency of blackleg vaccine.

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To evaluate sensitivity owing to breed idiosyncrasy for milbemycin D (Milbe), 5 rough-coated collies and 7 Shiba dogs were treated with Milbe at a dose of 1.0mg/kg, 2.5mg/kg and 5.0mg/kg orally for 10 consecutive days. In the 5.0mg/kg dose of the collie group, neurologic signs such as arrhythmia, salivation, mydoriasis, staggering, recumbency, lethargy and so on occurred in 4 of 5 dogs after the 1st administration, and showed intermittently or continuously during the trial. The intensity of the neurologic signs was different in the individual dog and with the day of administration. The affected dogs recovered without treatment within 24 hr after the administration and no dog died.

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Fluorescein angiography was carried out see retinal vascular changes of the ocular fundus in 4 spontaneously occurring diabetic dogs. In all 4 cases, several hypofluorescent areas were determined to be filling defects of the retinal capillary bed of the tapetal fundi during the arteriovenous phase. Around these hypofluorescent areas, many dots of hyperfluorescence were also observed to be microaneurysms. However, no leaking of fluorescein was detected during angiography. These findings of 4 diabetic dogs were similar to those reported in man with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

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Fifty-two monoclonal antibodies specific for Marek's disease virus (MDV) and herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) were established. Twenty-two of these antibodies were specific for three different serotypes. Of the remaining antibodies, 22 cross-reacted with all combinations of the three serotypes (1·2·3, 1·2, 1·3 and 2·3). Using the serotype-specific antibodies, 10 presumable serotyped MDV and HVT and 7 field isolates could be serotyped by indirect immunofluorescence test. One of 7 field isolates was identified to a serotype 2 MDV which has been isolated for the first time in Japan.

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In order to examine the prophylactic effects of mylbemycin D (MD) against Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis) infection, the experiment was carried out under the conditions mimicking natural infection of D. immitis. Fifteen filaria free beagles of age 3 to 9 months were inoculated with a total number of 110-250 larvae divided into 5-10 times over a period of 4- to 7-month, and doses of MD at 1.0mg/kg were given once every month for the same period. The infection rate of the medicated group was zero suggesting complete protection, while that of the non-medicated control groups ranged from 26.5 to 45.3% (mean, 32.7%).

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Cerebral mucormycosis was reported in a cow. The lesion was found in the left occipital lobe. Histopathologically, it was subacute thrombo-embolic meningoencephalitis with cortical malacia and medullary demyelination in which there were hyphae revealing the characteristic morphology of the order Mucorales.

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Plasma levels of β-carotene and vitamin A in Holstein cows with ovarian cysts, raised on a feed with low β-carotene contents were determined. Feeding green forages significantly increased plasma β-carotene but had small effect on vitamin A in cows. The levels of β-carotene were significantly lower in cows with ovarian cysts than those in cows without ovarian cysts, when they were fed only straw and concentrates. The levels of vitamin A were also slightly lower in cows with ovarian cysts.

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An outbreak of parapox infection was observed in 155 out of 402 serows captured in various parts of Gifu Prefecture from Dec. 1984 to Mar. 1985. Nodular or papular lesions were mainly located in the naso-oral, external genital, udder and auricular parts. Histopathologically, the lesions were characterized by acanthosis with cytoplasmic inclusion bodies. Electron microscopically, viral particles were also confirmed in ballooning cells. Widespread of the disease in wild Japanese serows has never been reported.

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Mg, Ca and P contents of feed, digesta in the gastro-intestinal tract (10 parts) and feces were determined in rats. Remarkable absorption of Ca in the upper small intestine and of Mg in the caecum were observed. Significant positive correlations were obtained between Mg vs. Ca, and also Mg vs. P contents from the feed to the digesta in the lower small intestine (p<0.001, respectively), and between Ca vs. P contents from the feed to the feces (P<0.001).

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Secretory responses of plasma insulin, glucagon, cortical and glucose to heat exposure (33°C, 60% RH) were investigated using Holstein calves. Plasma gluagon concentration had a significant increase, but plasma insulin, cortisol and glucose had significant decreases within 24 h following heat exposure. Concerning subsequent responses to heat exposure, plasma glucagon level maintained increased concentrations for 8 days of heat exposure. Plasma insulin level increased on and after day 4 of heat exposure. However, plasma cortisol and glucose levels maintained declined levels throughout the heat days.

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Two of the 4 goats given a daily dose of 4-6mg/kg cycasin for 88 to 124 days presented weakness and paretic signs in the hindquarters. All the 4 goats showed anorexia, weight loss, anemia and decreases in serum albumin and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP) levels. Two of them had severer hepatic lesions and leukomyelopathy consisting of demyelination and axonal swelling or disappearance in the spinal cord, which were similar to those seen in cycad poisoning of cattle.

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Spontaneous seminoma was experienced in an old male black swan. Two solid neoplastic masses 10×5×5 and 6×5×5cm in diameter were found attached to the body cavity wall at a level of the 6th and 7th thoracic vertebrae. Neoplastic cells were proliferated in the seminiferous tubules with infiltration into the right kidney parenchyma which was fused with a tumor. Metastatic foci were observed in the liver.

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