Pathological and bacteriological studies of hydrosalpinx in buffaloes.

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the bacteria accompanying hydrosalpinx of the buffalo cow and investigate the correlation between bacterial infection of the uterus and hydrosalpinx. Buffalo cows' reproductive tracts were collected from Mosul abattoir. A total 385 uterine samples were examined of which 25 were having hydrosalpinx. Swabs for bacteriology, fluid for cytology and biopsies for histopathology were collected from the hydrosalpinx and the uterus from each samples included in this study. Results of this study indicated high prevalence of hydrosalpinx (6.5%) including unilateral (n = 19; 76%) and bilateral (n = 6; 24%) hydrosalpinx. Although 16 samples (64%) of the hydrosalpinx samples had no bacterial growth, the most prevalent bacteria recovered from hydrosalpinx were Corynebacterium hemolyticum and Actinomyces bovis, 42.8% and 28.6%, respectively. The most prevalent bacteria in the uterus were Archanobacterium pyogenes (18.5%), Staphylococcus aureus (14.8%), and Listeria monocytogenes (11.0%). Higher rates of leukocytes infiltration (p < 0.01) were observed in the uterine discharge than hydrosalpinx. A significant (p < 0.01) increase in lymphocytes was found in uterine discharge. Microscopic examination of the hydrosalpinx showed mucosal atrophy and dilatation of oviductal lumen without any signs of inflammation. It could be concluded that there is no correlation between bacteria isolated from uterus and hydrosalpinx. No association was found between bacteriological cultures and hydrosalpinx. Inflammation of the uterine tissue could be extended to utero-tubal junction producing local inflammation resulting in fibrosis and tubal obstruction. The obstruction in the lumen of the oviducts resulted in accumulation of fluid.

A study on the ovarian follicular dynamic in Iraqi Northern Buffaloes.

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis of wave pattern of follicular growth and to monitor the ovarian follicular dynamic in Iraqi buffalo cows. Reproductive tracts were collected at random intervals slaughtered at Mosul abattoir. According to morphological appearance of the corpus luteum, the estrous cycle was divided into four stages. The number of subordinate follicle (<5 mm in diameter) was higher during stage 1 (metestrous) and stage (proestrous and estrous) than during other stages of the estrous cycles, 13.5 +/- 6.08 and 4 9.41 +/- 3.94, respectively. There were fewer follicles (5-8 mm in diameter) during early diestrous and proestrous, 1.66 +/- 1.42 and estrous, 0.69 +/- 0.47 than during metestrous, 4.53 +/- 3.23 and late diestrous, 3.66 +/- 2.23. Follicles > 8-12 mm in diameter were more numerous during early diestrous, 1.62 +/- 1.29 and late diestrous, 1.03 +/- 0.72. A total 38 (64.6%; 82/127) animals examined showed follicles larger than 8 mm during early and late diestrous (stage 2 and stage 3). This indicated that these buffaloes developed two follicular waves in their cycle. Buffaloes did not show follicles larger than 8 mm during early and late diestrous were 45 animals (35.4%; 45/127), but all of these presented one large follicle during the following stage. These buffaloes develop only one follicular wave in their cycle. It could be concluded that, 64.6% of Iraqi buffalo cows develop two patterns of follicular waves, and 35.4% showed one wave of follicular dynamics.

Structure and transcription of the Drosophila melanogaster vermilion gene and several mutant alleles.

The nucleotide sequence and intron-exon structure of the Drosophila melanogaster vermilion (v) gene have been determined. In addition, the sites of several mutations and the effects of these mutations on transcription have been examined. The major v mRNA is generated upon splicing six exons of lengths (5' to 3') 83, 161, 134, 607, 94, and 227 nucleotides (nt). A minor species of v mRNA is initiated at an upstream site and has a 5' exon of at least 152 nt which overlaps the region included in the 83-nt exon of the major v RNA. The three v mutations, v1, v2, and vk, which can be suppressed by mutations at suppressor of sable, su(s), are insertions of transposon 412 at the same position in exon 1, 36 nt downstream of the major transcription initiation site. Despite the 7.5-kilobase insertion in these v alleles, a reduced level of wild-type-sized mRNA accumulates in suppressed mutant strains. The structure and transcription of several unsuppressible v alleles have also been examined. The v36f mutation is a B104/roo insertion in intron 4 near the splice donor site. A mutant carrying this alteration accumulates a very low level of mRNA that is apparently polyadenylated at a site within the B104/roo transposon. The v48a mutation, which deletes approximately 200 nt of DNA, fuses portions of exons 3 and 4 without disruption of the translational reading frame. A smaller transcript accumulates at a wild-type level, and thus an altered, nonfunctional polypeptide is likely to be synthesized in strains carrying this mutation. The v(H2a) mutants has a P element insertion in exon 6 within the coding region.