Ovarian quiescent cattle bearing follicle with palpable size were treated with single intramuscular injection of 750-6, 000 IU of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) in 13 cases and 1, 000-2, 000 IU of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) in 5 cases. Changes of blood luteinizing hormone (LH) level, estrus and ovulation after the treatments were examined. After the hCG treatment LH level became slightly high from 0.2-0.6 ng/ml of pre-treatment to 0.3-1.9 ng/ml of post-treatment and maintained the level up to ovulation without the ovulatory LH surge. Ovulation was induced about 36 hr after the treatment in 12 cases. The ovulations were all silent ovulations. After the PMSG treatment LH level became slightly high from 0.6 ng/ml of pre-treatment to 1.3 ng/ml of post-treatment and the level lasted until the ovulatory LH surge. The ovulatory LH surge occurred about 39 hr after the PMSG treatment in 4 cases with a peak of about 32 ng/ml. Ovulation was induced about 74 hr after the treatment in all 5 cases. Four cases showed estrus but one in which the LH surge could nolt be confirmed did silent estrus preceding the induced ovulations. It was demonstrated that hCG induced ovulation without the LH surge but PMSG induced the ovulatory LH surge and the subsequent ovulation in ovarian quiescent cattle.

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Early organogenesis of the caprine stomach was studied in a series of 11 embryos ranging from 6.5 mm neck-rump length (NRL) to 13.3 mm crown-rump length (CRL). In embryos with 6.5-6.7 mm NRL, a part of the primordial proper esophagus extended to the dorsal side of the primordial stomach. The primordial proper esophagus and its extension were lined with a simple epithelium and stained dark brown with Con A III, while the primordial stomach was weakly stained. In embryo with 7.3 mm NRL, the esophageal extension was separated from the proper esophagus by constriction, and became a primordial forestomach situated in an area outside the omental sac. In embryos with 8.3 mm NRL-10.7 mm CRL, primordial forestomach and primordial stomach were united and formed a spindle shaped primordial ruminant stomach with foregut rotation. The primordial ruminant stomach was similar to the primordial simple stomach except that it was more flattened laterally with the convex at the area of`lesser curvature'. Primordial rumen, omasum and abomasum appeared from the spindle shaped primordial ruminant stomach in an embryo with 12.9 mm CRL. In an embryo with 13.3 mm CRL, primordial reticulum originated from an area between the primordial rumen and omasum.

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The influence of ingested volume of a sulfa drug suspension, sodium sulfamonomethoxine (SMMNa), on the oral pharmacokinetics was studied in pigs, with regard to bioavailability and gastric emptying. Eighteen pigs, weighing 30-70 kg, were used. Phenol red solution was used for the evaluation of gastric emptying study. SMMNa suspension was used for pharmacokinetic study. Both of these fluids were administered by natural swallowing. Three experimental groups were constructed: G-I; 5 ml/kg of the test fluids to starved animals, G-II ; 5 ml/kg of the test fluids to fed animals and G-III; 20 ml/kg of the fluids to fed animals. The glucose glycine electrolyte solution (GGES) was used as the vehicle for both the compounds. Six pigs, having duodenal cannula, were used for the study of gastric emptying. The gastric emptying rate was rapid in G-I, relatively rapid in G-III, and slow and variable in G-II. In agreement with the result of gastric emptying study, the values of Cmax and tmax were high and rapid in G-I, relatively high and rapid in G-III, and low and slow in G-II. Accordingly, the voluminous ingestion of drug suspension can facilitate the gastric emptying, in turn may make the oral absorption of the drug rapid-and-uniform. The 20 ml/kg volume of sulfa drug suspension may practically be recommended for the oral administration in pigs.

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A simple adhesion-hemadsorption inhibition (AHAI) test was developed for the detection of antibodies to Mycoplasma gallisepticum in the chicken sera. The AHAI antibody was detected simultaneously with HI antibody from sera of chickens intratratheally inoculated with viable cells of M. gallisepticum. A good correlation between HI and AHAI antibody titers was obtained with 382 (84.7%) of 451 sera from chickens reared on farms spontaneously contaminated with M. gallisepticum, whereas the remainder, 69 sera, was positive for HI but negative for AHAI test. It was not apparent whether the latters exhibited a non-specific reaction or the discrepancy was due to the lower sensitivity of AHAI redction. The AHAI test does not require a great amount of antigen, special reagents or instruments, or pre-absorption treatment of test sera, and, therefore, it may serve as a simple serological test for detecting antibodies to M. gallisepticum.

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The present experiment was carried out to clarify the effect of administration of the prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α)-analogue on the luteal function and the maintenance of pregnancy in bitches. Fifty-one bitches received a single inoculation of PGF_2α-analogue by intramuscular injection. The effect of this agent was observed by monitoring progesterone (P) levels and the state of the uterus by laparotomy, the occurrence of abortion, and the state of parturition. As a result, when bitches were administered with 100-400 μg at the beginning of the luteal phase, the decrease in the P level was temporary. In bitches inoculated with 100-800 μg of PGF_2α-analogue at the functional luteal stage, the P level began to decrease as early as on the following day after injection. In those treated with 100-200 μg of PGF_2α-analogue at 10-15 days of pregnancy, pregnancy was maintained in 3 of 5 bitches that had received the treatment at day 10, while in the remaining two, all embryos died after implantation. In those that had received the same treatment at day 15, only 2 of 7 maintained pregnancy. Pregnancy was interrupted in eight bitches treated with doses of 100-200 μg at days 25-45. In four bitches treated with doses of 100-200 μg at day 55, premature birth was induced after 30-44 hr. In conclusion, regression of the corpus luteum, abortion, and premature birth were induced in bitches treated with 100-200 μg at each stage, except the beginning of the luteal phase and of the pregnancy.

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Intestinal infection by Mycobacterium avium was investigated in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mouse strains. Single intragastric administration of a massive dose (10⁸) or multiple administration of a lower dose (10⁷, 10 times) established infection principally in the mesenteric lymph-node (MLN); a continuous or intermittent fedal excretion of the bacilli was detected by +8 weeks after the administration. Based on three criteria - isolation of the organisms from the MLN and from feces, and detection of acid-fast bacilli in sections of the MLN - germ-free (GF) BALB/c mice exhibited clearer dose-effect relations than the flora-bearing (FB) counterparts. After intragastric administration, the organisms were probably trapped in the Peyer's patch and then transferred to the MLN at an early period (by 4-7 days), persistent infection thus being established in the MLN. Systemic involvement evolved both in athymic and euthymic mice after a prolonged period of time (more than 40 weeks) showing far more severe involvement in the former regardless of the presence of floral organisms.

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Pharmacokinetic profile and therapeutic range of plasma quinidine concentration were determined in dairy Holstein cows. Plasma half-life of intravenous quinidine was 1.28±0.492 (0.41-1.65) hr. The pattern of plasma quinidine transition after oral administration varied greatly among individuals. Total body clearance was 58.7±24.49 ml/min/kg, although renal quinidine clearance was 0.76±0.441 ml/min/kg. Therefore, the involvement of some extrarenal organ as the main site of excretion was suspected. Seven cows, diagnosed as atrial fibrillation or ventricular premature contraction, were orally administered with quinidine at various dosages. They showed plasma concentration of 2.3±1.59 mg/l when therapeutic effect was observed. Clinical signs of intoxication were observed at plasma quinidine concentrations over 10 mg/l. These results suggest the difficulty with the maintenance of effective plasma quinidine concentration by an oral or a single intravenous administration, and thus it is concluded that use of quinidine for treatment arrhythmic cows must be carefully done in order to avoid possible intoxication.

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The effects of ligation of the ductus deferens on the epididymis in the fowl were studied histochemically and immunohistochemically to reveal the mechanisms of sperm disposal. At one week post-ligation, the lumina of the rete testes (RT) and the efferent ductules (ED) were distended and filled with densely accumulated spermatozoa. Macrophages and foreign-body giant cells were aggregated in and around the accumulations. The epithelium regressed in the initial portion of the RT with the invasion of fibroblasts and heterophiles into the lumen. The other part of the epithelium was penetrated by many spermatozoa. Numerous lymphocytes and plasma cells infiltrated into the interstitium. At 4 weeks, larger number of spermatozoa agglutinated in the lumen, and large masses of foamy cells and proliferated connective tissue protruded into the lumen. At 8 weeks, large masses of foamy cells were noted. The connecting ductules or the epididymal duct showed no marked changes after ligation. The epithelium of the ED showed weaker or no acid phosphatase activity after ligation. Immunoglobulin G-containing cells increased in number in the interstitium. These results showed that ligation of the ductus deferens in the fowl causes granuloma in the RT and ED, and that epithelial cells, macrophages and granuloma are engaged in the removal of spermatozoa. The participation of antibody is suggested in the sperm disposal processes.

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The isozyme patterns of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of bovine milks are different in normal (LDH₁ is predominant) and mastitic milks. We surveyed LDH isozymes of mastitic milks, and found that the isozyme patterns could be separated into two groups, mastitic milk A (higher proportions of LDH_{1, 2} and lower proportions of LDH_3-5) and mastitic milk B (relative decrease of LDH₁ and increase of LDH_2-5, particularly LDH_3-5). To elucidate the origin of LDH isozymes in the mastitic milks, the isozyme patterns of granulocytes, monocytes, platelets and lymphocytes (T and B cells) were examined. The patterns of granulocytes and lymphocytes were similar to those of mastitic milks A and B, respectively. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis also showed the presence of marker proteins of granulocytes and lymphocytes in mastitic milks A and B, respectively. These results suggested that granulocytes and lymphocytes at least partly contributed to the origin of LDH isozymes in the mastitic milks.

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Mongrel dogs were inoculated with two kinds of antigenic substances. The first was a phosphate buffered saline extract of whole Dirofilaria immitis mixed with aluminum hydroxide gel (group 1), and the second was an orally administered live Metastrongylus apri infective larvae (L₃) (group 2). Both groups were then infected with D. immitis L₃. Indirect hemagglutination (IHA) tests showed that the antibody was produced by these inoculations before the infection was introduced, even in dogs inoculated with M. apri. This suggests a cross-reactivity between D. immitis and M. apri. The initial passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) antibody production was markedly delayed by about 70 days in group 2 compared with the production in the infected control dogs (group 3). The appearance of microfilaremia was also delayed by about one month in group 2 compared with that in the above control group. All dogs were sacrificed after the termination of the observation and worms recovered from the right ventricle and pulmonary arteries were counted and measured. The results indicated that immunization resulting from the homologous worm-somatic antigen might accelerate the growth of the infected larvae, whereas immunization resulting from the heterologous worm antigen, but cross-reactive to D. immitis, might disadvantageously affect the growth.

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The establishment of characteristic wave pattern of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in the cat was attempted in order to be aid for clinical veterinary practitioners with the evaluation of visual dysfunction. 1) The position where the largest response of the VEPs was detected was close to the midline of the occipital area in normal cats. 2) The VEPs consisted of three components with latencies within 100 msec after flash stimulus. 3) Flash stimuli of higher illumination produced VEPs of shorter latencies and increased amplitude. Intensity of more than 0.6 J was necessary to obtain stable VEP patterns. 4) The latencies of VEPs hardly changed with time course under pentobarbital anesthesia, although they showed a fluctuant variation.

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Induction of twinning by ipsilateral nonsurgical transfer of frozen two or demi-embryos was attempted in 129 virgin dairy or crossbred heifers that had been kept under a stable in our station (group-1), mountain field (group-2) and private farm (group-3) conditions. Ninety seven heifers (75%) were diagnosed pregnant by rectal palpation at 35 to 60 days of gestation; 86 heifers produced 37 sets of twins and 49 single calves. Pregnancy rate of group-1 was lower compared to those of groups-2 and -3 (63%, 88%, 78%, respectively). Abortion and mortality rates of group-3 were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of groups-1 and -2 (8% and 6%, 12% and 16%, 18% and 24%). Twin calves had a lower birth weight (P<0.05) than singles. But there was no significant difference in weight between singles and twin calves at 270-330 days of age. Dystocia and difficult delivery were not observed in females producing twins. The incidence of retained placentas in twin calving cows (17%) was higher than that of single calving cows (2%). The interval to conceive postpartum was longer in twin calving cows (95±41 days) than in single calving cows (87±26 days). Gestation length was 5.0 days shorter for twin calving cows (P<0.05).

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Using unilateral uterine fistulas, the time required for spermatozoa to reach the end of the fistula after natural mating, artificial insemination (AI) in a normal standing posture (NP), and AI standing on the head (SH) was investigated in each of three stages of estrus. Conceptivity in these bitches was also investigated. Five experimental bitches were tested during a total of 8 estrous periods. The results are as follows; the time required for spermatozoa to reach the end of the fistula was almost the same in the early and middle stages, i.e., 30 sec to 1 min after natural mating and SH and less than 2 min for half the bitches in NP, although no intrauterine transport could be observed in the other half. In most cases of mating during the late stage no spermatozoa were found after any of the 3 methods of insemination. Five animals became pregnant in these experiments, but the other three failed to conceive. The implantation of fertilized ova occurred also in the fistulated uterine horn in all cases of pregnancy.

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The effect of zinc deficiency on trace metals in the liver, spleen, kidney, pancreas and duodenum was investigated in the control and zinc-deficient rate at 17 days and 20 days of pregnancy. Zinc-deficient rats fell into limosis after 5 days of pregnancy. The contents of zinc, iron, copper and manganese in the maternal tissues were measured by colorimetry with 5NPPF. The morphological changes of the liver were observed by light and electron microscopy. The contents of zinc in the pancreas and duodenum were less in the zinc-deficient group than in the control at both 17 days and 20 days of pregnancy. The contents of the copper and manganese in the liver, kidney, pancreas, duodenum and spleen, however, were not significantly different from the control. The contents of iron in the liver, spleen and kidney in the deficient group increased greatly at 17 days and 20 days of pregnancy compared with the control group. The combination rate of transferrin with iron also increased significantly in the deficient group. Staining with Berlin blue or Turnbull's blue showed intense reaction to iron around the interlobular connective tissue of the liver in the zinc deficient group at 20 days; of pregnancy. Ultrastructurally, the liver of the zinc-deficient rats showed the decrease of glycogen granules and increase of lipid-like granules and lysosomes with various sizes and electron densities. These findings suggest that zinc deficiency causes the increase of iron contents in the various organs during pregnancy, and that there is an intimate interrelationship between zinc and iron in the metabolism of iron during pregnancy.

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We used a heart rate memory apparatus to measure 2047 successive R-R intervals with an accuracy of 10 msec in adult goats. For 100 successive stationary R-R intervals out of the 2047 intervals, the R-R intervals sequence was recorded graphically and the means and standard deviations (SD) were calculated. The magnitude of the variation in the R-R intervals was represented by the SD. The usefulness of the analysis of R-R intervals as an indicator of autonomic nervous activity was determined. The diagram of 100 successive R-R intervals at rest showed a conspicuous periodic fluctuation. After the administration of atropine, atropine plus propranolol or after feeding, the R-R intervals were markedly shortened and the variations in the R-R intervals were abolished. After the administration of propranolol only, the R-R intervals were prolonged and the amplitude of the fluctuations in the R-R intervals was conspicuously increased. The respiration curve and the variation in the R-R intervals at rest fluctuated in periodic synchrony. A positive correlation between the mean and the SD of the R-R intervals was highly significant. This indicates that the variations in the R-R intervals in the adult goats are closely related to autonomic nervous activity and that the analysis of the R-R intervals is suitable for the noninvasive assessment of autonomic nervous activity.

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Oral administration of 1×10⁷ viable spores of Clostridium botulinum type C killed the chickens kept on a board floor to allow them coprophagy, whereas the same dose of the spores failed to develop symptoms in those kept on a wire-net floor not to allow them coprophagy. Type C toxin was detected in the cecal droppings of the chickens of both the groups after feeding the spores and also in serum of symptomatic as well as asymptomatic chickens kept on a board floor. Thus, coprophagy, by which chickens ingest type C toxin (C₁ L toxin) and the bacterial cells, seems to be a prerequisite for development of chicken botulism.

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Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) developed spontaneously in subcutaneous tissue of the head of a 15-month-old ma1e Fischer 344 rat. The tumor was serially transplanted int6 syngeneic rats up to the 45th generation and was designated MFH-MT. Light and electron microscopic examinations revealed that the original and serially transplanted tumors were composed of an admixtute of fibroblast-like and histiocyte-like cells arranged in a storiform pattern. Neoplastic cells gave positive reactions for acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, nonspecific esterase, alpha-1 antitrypsin dnd lysozyme. The tumors transplanted into the lungs and cutaneous tissue of the tail had a mixed histologic appearance of storiform, pleomorphic, myxoid and giant cell types. Moreover sclerosing hemangioma-like and osteosarcoma-like structures were also found. MFH-MT grew well in athymic nude mice showing neoplastic proliferation of pleomorphic cells strongly positive for alpha-1 antitrypsin. Development of MFH-MT was significantly retarded by the two antitumor drugs tested. The retarded tumors consisted predominantly of fibroblast-like cells and abundant collagenic fibers, whereas histiocytic cells decreased in number.

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Escherichia coli bacteremia and endotoxemia were observed in 3 adult mongrel dogs which had been prediagnosed as canine parvoviral disease. The endotoxin level was 46.5 pg/ml in the plasma of clinical cases, while 2.3 pg/ml in healthy controls. The microflora of the feces was confused in the clinical cases. The percentage of E. coli was major in the feces. Serologically similar strains were isolated from the blood. These strains did not produce enterotoxins such as heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) and heat-labile enterotoxin (LT). Histopathologically, the lesions in the small intestine consisted of epithelial degeneration and necrosis. Viral inclusion bodies were frequently observed in the epithelial cells. Disseminated intravascular coagulation was observed in various tissues including the liver and small intestinal submucosa. After experimental infection with CPV, all dogs showed various clinical signs. CPV was positive in the feces. Endotoxin level in the plasma gradually increased and high level continued for long period from 10 to 30 days. Mean maximum level of endotoxin in the experimental dogs was 73.6 pg/ml. These results indicate that intestinal flora plays a important role in the pathogenesis of CPV infection and that endotoxin is one of the factors which predispose to severe disease after the infection.

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The crude hemagglutinin of feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1), solubilized from infected fcwf-4 cells by detergents, was partially purified by three kinds of chromatographic methods. Lectin-affinity chromatography showed the hemagglutination (HA) activity in fractions, which was bound to Concanavalin A-sepharose and then eluted by α-methyl D-mannoside, suggesting that the hemagglutinin might include a glycoprotein. Ion-exchange and gel-exclusion chromatographies were also capable of purifying the detergent-soluble crude hemagglutinin. When peak HA fractions, which were obtained from each of the three procedures, were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the gel-exclusion chromatography was the most effective method. Electrophoreic analysis also showed only one band of 59, 000 (59K) molecular weight protein, which was commonly observed in the three partially purified hemagglutinins with silver staining. In addition, the 59K protein band was clearly recognized in immunoblot analysis of the infected cell lysates using infected cat serum. These observations suggest that the FHV-1 detergent-soluble hemagglutinin from infected fcwf-4 cells may be closely related to a 59K immunogenic glycoprotein.

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A total of 169 pregnant cats presented for ovariohysterectomy were examined for the number of corpora lutea (CL) and the number of fetuses per uterine horn. The implantation rate and the frequency of occurrence of transuterine migration of embryos were calculated. The average number of CL was 5.6±1.9 (mean±SD; range, 2-11), the average number of fetuses was 4.5±1.4 (range, 1-8) and the average implantation rate was 84±20%. Transuterine migration occurred in 69/169 cats (40.8%). In animals with a 100% implantation rate, transuterine migration occurred in 50/84 cats (59.5%). The number of embryos that migrated ranged from 1-3 per animal and embryos moved from the uterine horn ipsilateral to the ovary with the larger number of CL in 66/69 cats (95.7%). As a result of transuterine migration, the difference in the number of fetuses between uterine horns as compared with the difference in the number of CL between ovaries was smaller in 54 cats (78.3%), unchanged in 8 cats (11.6%) and larger in 7 cats (10.1%). These results indicate that cats tend to equalize the number of fetuses between uterine horns by transuterine migration of embryos.

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