Effect of immunization against oestradiol-17 beta on some biochemical parameters and reproductive performance in barki ewes

The present study was carried out on 14 Barki ewes raised at the National Research Centre Farm. Ewes were either treated with a mixture of saline and Freund's complete adjuvant [FCA, control group, n=6] or oestradiol-17beta-6-BSA conjugated with FCA [immunized group, n=8]. Ewes were mated after the booster injection. Blood samples were collected to determine lipids, proteins and their fractions. The reproductive efficiency of ewes were recorded. Results revealed no significant changes in plasma lipids, proteins and their fractions between control and immunized groups. Twinning rate increased in immunized [75%] than in control [0%] groups. Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in gestation length, pregnancy rate, lambing rate and lamb birth weight between both groups. It is concluded that active immunization of Barki ewes against oestradiol-17beta-6-BSA increased twinning rate [75%]

Effect of active immunization against estradiol-17 beta on plasma antibody titer and steroids levels in Barki Ewes

The present study was carried out on 14 Barki ewes raised at The National Research Centre Experimental Farm. Animals were treated either with a mixture of saline and Freund's complete adjuvant [FCA] and served as control [n=6] or conjugated estradiol-17beta and served as treated group [n=8]. Ewes were mated after the booster immunization. Blood samples were collected during the different reproductive stages to determine plasma anti-estradiol liters [ELISA] as well as progesterone and estradiol-17beta [RIA] levels. Results indicated that immunized ewes were capable of eliciting antibodies specific to the steroid moiety and titer was detected during the different reproductive stages. Moreover, hormone levels during cyclic, pregnancy and perilambing periods revealed similar pattern in both groups but in variable levels and were significantly higher in immunized than the control group it is concluded that barki ewes responded well to immunization against estadiol-17beta by producing considerable amount of antibody titer

Platelet aggregation and von willebrand factor in children with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus represent the most serious complications that burden normal life in insulin dependent diabetic patients. It has been speculated that platelet activation and von Willebrand factor [vWF] activity might contribute to the evolution of microvascular complications in patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM]. In this study, platelet aggregation [in response to ADP and ristocetin] and vWF activity were measured in 20 children with IDDM who were clinically free from demonstrable microvascular complications, and in 10 normal healthy children of matched age and sex served as control group. The results showed an abnormal platelet behavior in diabetic children that was characterized by irreversible aggregation with low dose of ADP and significant increase in peak wave length of platelet aggregation with both ADP and ristocetin. Also the activity of vWF which is a marker of endothelial cell function was significantly higher in diabetic children compared to control group. The studied parameters, were compared with the state of metabolic control, namely glycemic control by measurement of glycated haemoglobin [Hb A1c] and the lipidemic state assessed by serum total cholesterol levels. Platelet aggregation was positively correlated with the serum cholesterol level while vWF was positively correlated with the level of glycated haemoglobin. Meanwhile vWF activity was positively correlated with platelet aggregation. To conclude; the results of this study suggest that diabetic children who are clinically free from detectable microvascular complications might be at the onset of preclinical microangiopathy manifesting itself by the enhanced platelet aggregation and endothelial cell dysfunction [high vWF activity]. Both the glycemic and lipidemic states seem to affect the enhanced platelet activation and increased vWF

Development of immuno sorbent agglutination assay [ISAGA] for determination of speeifie antihouse dust mite IGE

Atopy poses a world wide health problem to large segments of population and is relevant from early childhood to adulthood. Diagnosis of atopy is simply based on skin tests which must be avoided in many occasions, or on total Ig[E] estimation which may be misleading. Other tests to detect serum specific Ig[E] are expensive and need special instrumentation. This study presented a less expensive modification of ISAGA to detect specific Ig[E] antibodies of 180 asthmatic children and 89 healthy children control evaluated clinically and by pulmonary function. 137 children were proved to be asthmatic 59 [43.1%] of cases and 8 [8.9%] gave SPT and intradermal positive tests to house dust mite [HDM] allergen extract. Collection of the mite D-pteronyssinus from houses of all asthmatic cases and control detected high infestation rate in all houses [94.9 - 93.5% respectively]. Agglutination score [of three wells] encountered by different serial dilution among 59 atopic children with +ve SPT to HDM allergens showed that 1/25 serum dilution is effective to perform ISAGA test. Correlation of ISAGA with skin tests showed that the sensitivity of the test is 100% [67 positive by the test of 67 true positive] the test was [98.4%] specific [one false positive case out of 61 true negative]. The test also prooved to be reproducible. Application of the test showed that 76.1% of asthmatic patients had specific Ig[E], the test also correlates well with the intensity of the skin reaction. Such findings accomodate it as a test for atopy among asthmatics