Study of some acute phase reactant proteins, in acute human fascioliasis

Acute human fascioliasis represents the migration of immature flukes through the liver leading to areas of inflammation. Some acute phase reactant proteins such as C-reactive protein, ceruloplasmin, alpha 1- acid glycoprotein- and alpha 1- antitrypsin are increased in serum, in response to inflammation. 23 patients with acute fascioliasis were chosen to carry out this study. All previous parameters as well as eosinophilic count and antibody titre were significantly increased. CRP value is proved to be valuable in the diagnosis of human fascioliasis in the early phase of infection and hence its estimation can be a new test supporting the diagnosis

Influence of photoperiodicity on estrous cycle, serum gonadotrophin and pituitary ovarian and uterine cytology in female albino rats

Rats maintained on either constant illumination [LL] or constant dark [DD] were compared to those exposed to 14 hr dark Schedule [LD]. At the estrous phase, LL caused a reduction in LH level throughout the twelve weeks observation period. FSH levels were increased to a peak at the 8th week then decreased. Pituitary gland weight was significantly increased from the 8th week observation period onward with a histochemical presence of more FSH and LH producing cells. Ovarian and uterine weights were also increased with no evidence of ovulation histologically in the ovaries. Constant dark caused prolongation of the estrous cycle to 6-7 days in 96% of animals. At the estrous phase, LH level insignificantly increased throughout the observation period whereas FSH reached a peak maximum at the 8th week then decreased. No significant changes in pituitary, ovarian and uterine weight or cytology occured. This study demonstrates that the light-darw cycle as an environmental factor is profoundly affecting the reproductive cycle in female rats