Peripheral plasma FSH concentration in relation to expression of estrus in Sahiwal cattle (Bos indicus).

An experiment was conducted to investigate the changes in peripheral plasma FSH concentrations in relation to expression of estrus in Sahiwal cows. Out of total five estrus, three were accompanied by overt signs whereas rest two were silent estrus. In cows with overt estrus, plasma FSH concentrations during periestrus, early luteal, midluteal and late luteal phase were 1.65+/-0.34, 1.67+/-0.21, 1.58+/-0.18 and 1.69+/-0.31 ng/ml, respectively and the corresponding values in cows with silent estrus being 0.68+/-0.39, 0.50+/-0.12, 0.75+/-0.13 and 0.46+/-0.12 ng/ml, respectively. The overall plasma FSH levels in cows that exhibited overt estrus was 1.63+/-0.82 ng/ml as against 0.64+/-0.55 ng/ml in silent estrus. It was concluded that FSH levels were higher (P<0.01) in cows that exhibited overt estrus compared to silent estrus.

Mast cells in Helicobacter pylori associated antral gastritis.

Mast cells are known to be effector cells in various inflammatory reactions, but their role in gastritis is unclear. The present study was undertaken to investigate the extent of mast cell involvement in antral gastritis with and without Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and thus evaluate the possible role of mast cells in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-associated gastritis. Antral mucosal biopsies were taken from 212 subjects with symptoms suggestive of acid peptic disease. Sections were assessed for inflammation. Modified Giemsa stain was used to detect H. pylori infection and 1% toluidine blue to count mast cells. Mast cell counts were significantly higher in the antral mucosa even in H. pylori-negative gastritis (68.4 +/- 6.7/mm2), as compared to normal non-inflamed mucosa (45.7 +/- 5.8/mm2) (P < 0.05). However, with H. pylori infection, the mucosal mast cell count were markedly increased (123.8 +/- 4.7/mm2) as compared to normal mucosa (P < 0.01). and H. pylori-negative gastritis (P < 0.01) this increase was noticed uniformly in patients with H. pylori-positivity, irrespective of the presence or absence of a peptic ulcer. After cure of H. pylori infection, the mast cell density decreased significantly (44.9 +/- 4.6/mm2) to reach levels that were similar to those in normal mucosa. There was a positive correlation between the antral mucosal mast cell density and polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cell infiltration (rs = 0.61). H. pylori infection, and 0.73 respy. It was concluded that could be responsible for increasing the mast cell density in the gastric antrum. Probably by inducing castain mucosal cytokine.

Peripheral plasma progesterone concentration in relation to estrus expression in Sahiwal cows.

The present study investigated the changes in peripheral plasma progesterone levels in relation to expression of estrus in Sahiwal cows. Out of a total of five estrus, three were accompanied by overt signs whereas the remaining two were silent estrus. In cows with overt estrus, plasma progesterone concentrations during periestrus, early luteal, midluteal and late luteal phase were 0.40 +/- 0.02, 0.74 +/- 0.10, 1.94 +/- 0.22 and 0.63 +/- 0.16 ng/ml, respectively and the corresponding values in cows with silent estrus being 0.47 +/- 0.03, 0.94 +/- 0.08, 1.39 +/- 0.13 and 0.95 +/- 0.19 ng/ml, respectively. The overall plasma progesterone levels in cows that exhibited overt estrus was 1.23 +/- 0.99 ng/ml as against 1.08 +/- 0.09 ng/ml in silent estrus. It was concluded that progesterone levels were lower (P > 0.05) in cows that exhibited silent estrus compared to overt estrus.

Effect of naloxone on GnRH-induced LH and FSH release in buffalo, Bubalus bubalis.

The effect of naloxone on GnRH-induced LH and FSH release was measured in buffaloes in luteal phase of estrous cycle. Animals were administered intravenously, naloxone/saline (50 mg/injection) every 15 min for 3 hr followed by GnRH (100 micrograms). Peripheral plasma LH and FSH concentrations were measured in blood samples collected at 15 min intervals from 1 hr prior to beginning of naloxone/saline treatment up to 3 hr post GnRH administration and every 30 min for the subsequent 3.5 hr. Between the animals of Group I administered naloxone and those of Group II given saline, GnRH-induced peak LH and FSH concentrations, the total LH and FSH released in response to GnRH, and the time to peak LH and FSH concentrations were not significantly different. The results of the present study suggest the absence of a direct effect of naloxone on pituitary responsiveness to GnRH.

Antral histopathological changes in acid peptic disease associated with Helicobacter pylori.

The histopathology of the antral mucosa of patients with acid peptic disease was studied in relation to Helicobacter pylori infection. Three hundred and fifty-five patients underwent gastroscopy and biopsy on 443 occasions. During each gastroscopy, two antral samples were taken for Rapid Urease Test (RUT) for H. pylori and two antral samples for histopathology. Haematoxylin and Eosin and modified Giemsa stained sections were studied. Histopathological changes in the antrum and the density of H. pylori were graded according to the Sydney System criteria. There was a significant association between the RUT and histology results for detection of H. pylori. The overall prevalence of H. pylori was 61.4% with a maximum incidence in the third and fourth decades of life, and an equal sex distribution. H. pylori colonisation was seen in 90.7% of patients with duodenal ulcer, 66.7% with gastric ulcer and 44.3% with non-ulcer dyspepsia. H. pylori colonisation was associated with more severe antral chronic active gastritis, lymphoid follicles, intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia. Elimination of H. pylori by treatment with anti-H. pylori regimens resulted in regression of the changes.

Follicular fluid immunoreactive-inhibin concentrations in relation to follicular diameter and estradiol-17 beta, progesterone and testosterone concentrations in individual ovarian follicles in buffalo, Bubalus bubalis.

The objective of this study was to measure the concentrations of immunoreactive inhibin (ir-inhibin) in follicular fluid from individual ovarian follicles and relate them to follicular diameter and follicular fluid concentrations of estradiol-17 beta, progesterone and testosterone in buffalo. Follicular size was measured with an ultrasound machine and follicles were categorized as small (4 to 5 mm diam.), medium (6 to 9 mm diam.) and large (10 mm and above in diam.). Ir-inhibin concentrations varied markedly between and within follicles of same size category. Follicular fluid ir-inhibin concentrations (microgram/ml) were positively related to follicular diameter (R = 0.32, n = 262, P < 0.001) and were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in large (8.32 +/- 0.56) in comparison to medium (7.02 +/- 0.31) follicles which, in turn had inhibin concentrations significantly higher (P < 0.001) than those in small follicles (5.13 +/- 0.48). Ir-inhibin and estradiol-17 beta concentrations were positively related in medium (R = 0.38, n = 128, P < 0.001) and large (R = 0.64, n = 35, P < 0.001) but not in small follicles. There was a negative relationship between ir-inhibin and progesterone concentrations in large follicles (R = 0.46, n = 33, P < 0.01), with no relationship between the two hormones in small and medium follicles. Ir-inhibin was positively related to molar ratios of estradiol-17 beta to progesterone in medium (R = 0.30, n = 124, P < 0.01) and large (R = 0.49, n = 24, P < 0.01) but not in small follicles. There was no relationship between ir-inhibin and testosterone concentrations in follicles of all size categories. The results of the present study suggest that follicular inhibin production is related to follicular size as well as intrafollicular estradiol-17 beta and progesterone concentrations.

Inhibin in individual buffalo ovarian follicles in relation to size.

A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay was validated and applied for measurement of inhibin in follicular fluid (bFF) obtained from individual buffalo ovarian follicles. Follicular size was measured with an ultrasound machine and follicles were categorized as small, medium and large. Presence of inhibin was detected in all the antral follicles above 3 mm diameter. Inhibin concentration showed a positive relationship (R = 0.27, P < 0.01) with follicular diameter and was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in bFF from medium and large follicles (8.44 +/- 0.54 and 7.70 +/- 0.45 micrograms/ml, respectively) in comparison to that from small follicles (5.74 +/- 0.80 micrograms/ml). Total inhibin content was highly correlated (R = 0.92, P < 0.001) with follicular diameter and the inhibin content was higher (P < 0.001) in large > medium > small follicles.