Causes, diagnosis and therapy of common diseases in neonatal puppies in the first days of life: cornerstones of practical approach.

Neonatal diseases and losses are a common and often unavoidable problem within breeding kennels. Altogether, morbidity and mortality ranges, according to the literature, from 5 to 35%. Among non-infectious causes besides hypoxia during birth, hypothermia, hypoglycaemia and dehydration are mostly responsible for puppy diseases and losses. Approximately 90% of all deaths in hypoxaemic pups occur during the first 2 days. Of 183 pups with hypoxia, 63 died, 92.7% of them within 48 h after birth. Among infectious causes, bacterial infection is the most common cause of neonatal mortality. Escherichia coli, streptococci, staphylococci, Pseudomonas sp., Klebsiella sp., Enterobacter sp. and some other micro-organisms are regularly involved in neonatal infections. Post-mortem findings especially document E. coli, Staphylococcus sp. and Streptococcus sp. as responsible bacteria. The dam and the environment are suspected as sources of neonatal infections as it was shown by genetic relatedness of responsible bacterial strains isolated in both puppies and their dams. From a total of 517 puppies with bacterial infections, the treatment results documented that parenteral administration of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in 308 neonates showed the best result. Diagnosis of diseases is often made difficult by the absence of variability in clinical signs contrary to adult dogs. Findings during a physical examination in pups differ from those in adults. Furthermore, treatment recommendations have to meet the special conditions in neonates concerning drug metabolism and excretion.

Changes in the spleen and liver of pregnant sows and full-term piglets after feeding diets naturally contaminated with deoxynivalenol and zearalenone.

Wheat contaminated naturally with the Fusarium toxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZON) was fed to pregnant Landrace sows for 35days. On day 110, caesarean section was carried out, the offspring were killed immediately after birth, and their livers and spleens examined. At necropsy there were no macroscopic lesions observed in any organ of either sows or piglets. Histopathological evaluation of tissues from sows of the treated group revealed changes in liver and spleen tissues, whereas no significant changes were observed in these tissues in their piglets. Liver damage, as measured by prominent elevated transaminase activities, was not detected in the serum of the sows. In pregnant sows there were individual variations in sensitivity to the Fusarium toxins. In conclusion, it can be assumed that there are no adverse effects on the liver and spleen of full-term piglets when their mothers consumed diets containing up to 9570 and 358mug DON/ZON per kg diet.

Influence of diets with cereal grains contaminated by graded levels of two Fusarium toxins on selected enzymatic and histological parameters of liver in gilts.

Feeding experiments with diets containing Fusarium toxin-contaminated wheat were conducted to clarify the pathogenesis of enzymatic and histopathological effects of Fusarium toxins on porcine liver cells. A total of 36 prepuberal gilts were divided into four groups and fed diets with increasing proportions of Fusarium toxin-contaminated wheat at a total wheat proportion of 40% over a period of 35 days. The concentrations of the indicator toxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZON) which were analyzed by HPLC methods were 210/4, 3070/88, 6100/235, and 9570/358 microg/kg in the diets fed to groups I-IV, respectively. The feeding of mycotoxin-contaminated diets did not cause gross pathological findings in the livers of the animals. Liver tissues were subjected to enzymatic, histological, and ultrastructural examinations. The percentages of the stained areas in periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Berlin-Blue, and Masson Goldner's trichrome stainings were calculated using the AnalySIS 3.4-system. Significant histopathological findings of alterations with varying degrees in glycogen reduction and increase of hemosiderin particles were found in the liver cells of groups II, III and IV. The thickness of interlobular connective tissue septum in liver cells was significantly increased in groups III and IV. Qualitative ultrastructural alterations were observed in hepatocytes of gilts in groups III and IV. Dependent upon the mycotoxin concentration in the diet, the hepatocytes developed a dose-dependent, extensive, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, exhibited loss of ribosomes, and acquired an increased number of fatty and autophagic vacuoles. However, liver damage as measured by prominent elevated transaminase activities in serum was not detected. Together, the histopathological results provide evidence of liver dysfunction in the absence of clinical signs, especially in pigs fed higher concentrations of Fusarium toxin-contaminated wheat.

Concurrent chemoradiation with capecitabine and weekly irinotecan as preoperative treatment for rectal cancer: results from a phase I/II study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of chemoradiation using capecitabine and irinotecan as neoadjuvant therapy for patients with rectal cancer. Conventional radiation was given at daily fractions of 1.8 Gy on 5 days a week for a total dose of 55.8 (50.4 + 5.4) Gy. Concurrently, irinotecan 40 mg m(-2) once weekly and capecitabine continuously at dose levels of 500, 650, 750 and 825 mg m(-2) twice daily were administered. Surgery was performed 4-6 weeks following completion of chemoradiation. A total of 28 patients (3 UICC II, 25 UICC III) were enrolled and all received treatment. Dose-limiting toxicity was diarrhoea grade IV and hand-foot syndrome at the 825 mg m(-2) dose level. The maximum tolerated dose of capecitabine was 750 mg m(-2). Diarrhoea was the most common toxicity: grade III in nine patients. Two patients died, one due to pneumonia and one due to sudden cardiac death. A complete response and only microfocal residual tumour disease was achieved in four and three patients (27%). In all, 25 of 28 patients undergoing surgery, 24 (96%) had R0 resection. Preoperative chemoradiation based on continuous daily capecitabine and weekly irinotecan appears to tolerated and effective in patients with rectal cancer.

[Reaction of muscles to a stimulating environment--effects on the loin muscle (M. longissimus) of Landrace pigs]. / Reaktion der Muskulatur auf eine stimulierende Haltung--Befunde am Kotelettmuskel (M. longissimus) von Landrasse-Schweinen.

The effects of an enriched environment on growth, meat quality, and muscle biological traits were investigated using 64 castrated pigs (age range 7 to 20 weeks). Positive emotional appraisal was induced by a system that acoustically frequently called individuals out of a group (n=32) to a feeding station, where they were rewarded with small portions of feed. The results were compared with traditional fed pigs (Control; n = 32). There was no environmental effect on live weight and lean muscle percentage. However, the stimulating keeping regime reduced the intramuscular fat content of the M. longissimus by 0.2 % and increased the protein content by 0.5 %. Moreover, the drip loss of M. longissimus was 1.1 % lower in the treatment group. The analysis of muscle fibre traits (biopsy samples of M. longissimus) showed a 7 % higher proportion of oxidative muscle fibres in the pigs reared in the enriched environment. This fibre type showed a tendency to increased fibre areas. These findings indicate a higher oxidative capacity of the muscle. However, the activity of the inarker enzyme citrate synthase (CS) was not influenced and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was even increased compared to the control animals.

Preslaughter handling of pigs and the effect on heart rate, meat quality, including tenderness, and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) transport.

It is known that stress applied to pigs can be of influence on meat quality combined with disturbed regulation of the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. However, the effect on meat tenderness is not sufficiently known. In an experiment with pigs two kinds of stress (immobilisation by a nose snare (nose) and the use of an electrical goad (goad)) for 5min just before slaughter were used and the results compared with minimum stress pigs (control). To quantify the level of stress, the heart rate during stress application was determined and it was found that the stress effect was highest in the goad pigs and surprisingly decreasing during the use of a nose snare. The meat quality did not differ between nose and control pigs, but was inferior in the goad group. Also, the goad stress significantly reduced the Ca(2+) transport of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The principal hypothesis, that a disturbed Ca(2+) transport will affect the tenderness by activating the calpain system, could not be verified. Tenderness did not differ between experimental groups using 24 h post-mortem samples, neither was there a difference in tenderness after storing the meat samples for 6 days.

The effect of dietary magnesium oxide supplementation on postmortem (31)P NMR spectroscopy parameters, rate of Ca(2+) uptake and ATPase activity of M. longissimus dorsi and meat quality of heterozygous and normal on malignant hyperthermia pigs.

Twenty four crossbred (Large White, White Meaty, Pietrain, Hampshire) pigs were tested by DNA probe for a mutation on the ryanodine receptor RYR1 (malignant hyperthermia-MH). An equal number of pigs heterozygote (monomutant-MON) and normal on MH (nonmutant-NON) were used in the experiment. The pigs were fed finisher feed (control group) or finisher feed supplemented with magnesium (3.6 g MgO per pig per day; MgO group) for 5 days prior to slaughter. Pigs fed the diet supplemented with MgO had higher plasma Mg concentrations. Phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance ((31)P NMR) measurements on postmortem (15 min) muscle samples (longissimus muscle) showed the highest phosphocreatine levels in normal pigs fed MgO (P<0.05). The MgO supplementation caused increased Ca(2+) uptake and Ca(2+) ATPase activity only in normal (NON) pigs. ATPase activity was lowest (P<0.05) in heterozygote control pigs. Pigs fed MgO supplemented diet had higher pH (45 min postmortem). A significant lower pH (P<0.05) was obtained in heterozygous (MON) control pigs. Also pigs fed with MgO had lower percentage of drip losses and significant differences (P<0.05) were obtained between heterozygous (MON) pigs. The results indicate that dietary MgO supplementation can improve parameters of muscle energetic metabolism, Ca(2+) uptake and meat quality (pH, drip loss).

The effect of experimental stress on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) transport and meat quality in pig muscle.

Stress before slaughter affects the meat quality of pigs and a disorder in the Ca(2+) transport of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) results in inferior meat quality. The object of this work was to determine the impact of stress on SR Ca(2+) transport in pig muscle in animals with no mutation in the Ca(2+) release channel. At about 80 kg live weight, pigs were stressed either by running for 4 min (n=9) or by a 5 min application of a nose snare (n=7). Immediately before and after the application of the stress, as well as 4 h after the stress, biopsy samples of the longissimus muscle were taken and the Ca(2+) uptake of the homogenised muscle samples determined. The nose snare stress reduced the rate of Ca(2+) uptake by 9% (P=0.02) and running by 18% (P=0.06). Uptake in samples taken 4 h after the stress was at initial levels. The pigs were slaughtered at an average live weight of 109 kg. Half the pigs were stressed just before slaughter for 5 min by the use of a nose snare. Immediately after exsanguination longissimus muscle samples were taken, Ca(2+) uptake measured, and later standard meat quality parameters were determined. Although the stress reduced the Ca(2+) uptake rate (61.3 vs. 46.4 nM/min per mg protein for control and stressed pigs; P=0.04), the meat quality was not significantly affected.

Energy metabolism and thyroid hormone levels of growing rats in response to different dietary proteins--soy protein or casein.

Energy balances were measured by indirect calorimetry in four experiments on male growing rats, fed restrictively on isoenergetic and isonitrogenous (10% CP) diets based on either casein supplemented with methionine, or soy protein isolate (experiments 1, 2 and 3) and soy protein isolate supplemented with methionine (experiment 0), respectively. At the end of experiments the rats were killed for body analysis and determination of thyroid hormones and lipids in blood as well as mitochondrial respiration in liver and heart. Feeding of non-supplemented soy protein resulted in a lower efficiency of energy utilisation as well as a lower protein utilisation compared to casein-fed and supplemented soy protein-fed rats. Chemical body composition was not markedly different between the dietary groups. After long-term feeding of soy protein (experiment 3) mass and mitochondrial protein content of the interscapular brown adipose tissue were increased compared to casein-fed rats. Serum thyroid hormone levels were not changed (T3 and free T3) or were significantly lowered (T4 and free T4) following soy protein feeding in comparison with casein feeding (except for experiment 2). Cholesterol and triglycerides were decreased on an average in response to soy protein or supplemented soy protein feeding. In two of three experiments a significant lower efficiency of hepatic mitochondrial respiration with succinate as substrate, expressed by the ratio of added ADP to oxygen consumed, was observed in soy protein-fed rats compared to casein-fed rats.

[First results of neoadjuvant simultaneious radiochemotherapy in advanced rectal carcinoma]. / Erste Ergebnisse der neoadjuvanten simultanen Radiochemotherapie bei fortgeschrittenen Rektumkarzinomen.

PURPOSE: In locally advanced rectal cancer tumor-negative margins often cannot be obtained by surgery alone. Nevertheless only patients with complete tumor resection can be cured. Due to the poor prognosis of patients with R1/R2 resection the "Deutsche Krebsgesellschaft" recommends concurrent preoperative radiochemotherapy for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between May 1997 and November 1999 22 patients were treated with preoperative radiochemotherapy. A total dose of 45 Gy with a small-volume boost of 5.4 Gy was delivered in conventional fractionation (single dose 1.8 Gy). On days 1 to 5 and 29 to 33 patients received concurrently 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as continuous infusion of 1,000 mg/m2. If there was any sign of cardiac toxicity chemotherapy was changed to 5-FU/folinic acid or ralitrexed. RESULTS: Surgery following radiochemotherapy was performed in 19/22 patients. Resections with negative margins were achieved in 16/19 (84%) patients. Sphincter-conserving surgery was possible in 9/19 (47%) patients. A downstaging of at least 1 T category was found in 12/19 (63%) patients. With a median follow-up of 16 months no locoregional recurrences occurred in patients who underwent surgery. Two-year disease-free survival of resected patients is 62%, 2-year overall survival is 89%, of the whole population 76%. CONCLUSION: Preoperative radiochemotherapy followed by surgery is able to achieve clear resection margins in more than 70% of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer and may improve the rate of sphincter-conserving surgery.

Seasonal effects on Ca(2+) transport of sarcoplasmic reticulum and on meat quality of pigs with different malignant hyperthermia status.

The intracellular Ca(2+) concentration is mainly regulated by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). A disturbed regulation leads to an increased metabolism and ultimately to inferior meat quality. In this study, pigs with normal and mutated calcium release channels (referred to as MHR and MHS, respectively) were used. One batch of pigs was slaughtered in winter months and another in summer months. The intention was to elucidate the impact of season on the Ca(2+) transport of SR and on meat quality in dependence of the MH-status. The results show an impact of MH-status and of season on the meat quality with inferior values in summer months, and in MHS pigs. Immediately after slaughter the rate of Ca(2+) sequestration of the SR with biochemically closed and with opened calcium release channels (CRC) was not different between experimental groups. However, with basic CRC (not biochemically manipulated) the Ca(2+) uptake rate of MHR muscle of summer pigs was significantly reduced and at the level of that of MHS pigs. The results indicate an impact of summer season on the ability of SR to regulate Ca(2+) concentration properly even in pigs with a normal CRC. This disturbed Ca(2+) regulation is correlated with diminished meat quality.

Influence of exogenous application of n-3 fatty acids on meat quality, lipid composition, and oxidative stability in pigs.

The effect of dietary n-3 fatty acids on the fatty acid composition and lipid peroxidation of different tissues in pigs were studied. 20 castrated male pigs were included in this investigation, one half was fed daily a diet containing 1.3 g n-3 fatty acids/kg diet (control) and 10 pigs were fed a diet containing 14 g n-3 fatty acids/kg diet (n-3 diet) at the growing-finishing period. The intake of dietary n-3 fatty acids increased the concentration of these fatty acids in backfat, and the neutral and polar fractions of skeletal muscle and heart homogenates. The polar fraction showed an increased relative concentration of n-3 fatty acids in comparison to control, while the n-6 fatty acid content was reduced. In heart homogenates there was an enlargement of n-3 fatty acids both in polar lipids and in neutral lipids whilst n-6 fatty acids were decreased. Feeding n-3 fatty acid enriched diet had no influence on meat quality parameters drip loss, meat colour or pH value. The lipid peroxidation (measured as malondialdehyde equivalents) was in the order liver > heart > skeletal muscle with higher values in the n-3 group. However, by stimulation of oxidation by Fe2+/ascorbate for 3 hours the order of oxidative products in the n-3 group was muscle > liver > heart, whereas in the control group the order was liver > heart = muscle. Summarized, feeding a highly n-3 fatty acid enriched diet caused an incorporation of these fatty acids and increased the susceptibility to peroxidation in all investigated tissues.

Post mortem changes in Ca2+ transporting proteins of sarcoplasmic reticulum in dependence on malignant hyperthermia status in pigs.

Meat quality of pigs is dependent on biochemical and biophysical processes in the time course post mortem (p.m.) and is associated with the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. However, there is little known about changes in the Ca2+ transporting proteins controlling the Ca2+ uptake of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in the time course p.m. In this study changes in the Ca2+ transporting proteins were investigated in homogenates of longissimus muscles of 4 malignant hyperthermia susceptible (MHS) and 6 malignant hyperthermia resistant (MHR) Pietrain pigs. Muscle samples were obtained at different time intervals: biopsy 2 h prior slaughtering and from the carcass immediately after exsanguination (0 h), 45 min, 4 h, and 22 h p.m. The SR Ca2+ uptake rate was measured immediately after homogenization with closed calcium release channel (CRC), with opened CRC and without manipulation of CRC. Additionally the SR Ca2+ ATPase activity was determined. The results show: (i) The ability of SR to sequester Ca2+ declined to about 60% in the first 45 min p.m. in MHS samples irrespective of CRC state, whereas in MHR samples this decline was about 5%; (ii) Ca2+ uptake and Ca2+ ATPase activity were not different between the biopsy and 0 h samples, i.e. the stress of slaughter was of no immediate influence; (iii) The Ca2+ ATPase activity of the SR declined at about the same rate as the Ca2+ uptake in both MHS and MHR pig samples in the course of time p.m.; (iv) In samples, taken immediately after exsanguination, the Ca2+ ATPase activity of MHS pigs was higher than that of MHR pigs. However, in samples taken 4 h p.m. Ca2+ ATPase activity of MHS pigs has declined to about 30% of the value at 0 h; (v) The CRC can be closed and opened in all samples up to 22 h p.m. and seems to be fully functional at all sampling times; (vi) The CRC of MHS pigs is almost fully open, whereas the CRC of MHR pigs is only partially open at all sampling times; (vii) The permeability of the SR membrane to Ca2+ (determined as the ratio of SR Ca2+ ATPase with and without ionophore A23187) is the same in both MHS and MHR and did not change with ongoing time; (viii) No uncoupling of uptake from ATP hydrolysis occurred up to 4 h p.m., but the coupling differed between MHS and MHR for all time intervals with lower values for MHS pigs. The results suggest that the decreasing Ca2+ uptake rate of homogenates, sampled at different times p.m., is essentially caused by changes in the Ca2+ pump and not by changes in the CRC or an increased phospholipid membrane permeability to Ca2+.

Influence of organochlorine pesticides on ATPase activities of microsomal fractions of bovine oviductal and endometrial cells.

In the present study the effects of organochlorine pesticides: o,p'-DDT, p,p''-DDT, methoxychlor, and lindane on ATPase activities of microsomal fractions of bovine oviductal and endometrial cells were investigated. We were not able to characterize a Ca2+ stimulated ATPase, whereas 57 and 15% of the total ATPase activity were sensitive to Mg2+ in the oviductal and endometrial fractions, respectively. After 10 min preincubation with the four organochlorines, a significant inhibition was found only with o,p''-DDT at 32 microM (27.9%) and 64 microM (35.6%) in the oviductal microsomal fraction and at 64 microM (32.2%) in that of the endometrium. Increasing the preincubation time to 30 min, the Mg2+ ATPase in the endometrial fraction was significantly inhibited by all four pesticides at 64 microM, but in the oviductal fraction only at 64 microM o,p''-DDT. It is suggested that organochlorine pesticides can have an influence on cells responsible for reproduction.

[Psychosocial strain and work satisfaction of oncologic nurses. Results of an empirical study in an acute care hospital]. / Psychosoziale Belastungen und Arbeitszufriedenheit onkologischer Pflegekräfte. Ergebnisse einer empirischen Untersuchung im Akutkrankenhaus.

78 nurses in acute care of cancer patients were questioned during the implementation of psychooncology at the hospital of Herford ("Herford Model", supported by the SULO-Stiftung) on psychosocial aspects of the job. The predominant source of strain as reported by the nurses are doubts about the principle of maximum therapy in many cases (57% expressing considerable strain), followed by suffering with the patient and from team interactions. Positive aspects of the job are seen in "autonomous and responsible work" (84%), but also in teamwork and intense contact with patients. Overall job satisfaction is rather high, only 10% express clear dissatisfaction in this confidential investigation. Nurses expect from psychooncology the psychosocial care for the patients, but also a clear feedback for the staff and psychosocial staff training.

Influence of organochlorine pesticides on transmembrane potential, oxidative activity, and ATP-induced calcium release in cultured bovine oviductal cells.

The present study investigated the effects of the pesticides DDT, MXC, and gammaHCH on transmembrane potential, oxidative activity, cytotoxicity and ATP-induced intracellular Ca2+ release in cultured bovine oviductal cells. Transmembrane potential, oxidative activity, and cytotoxicity were assessed using the fluorescent dyes bis-oxonol, dihydrorhodamine 123, and propidium iodide (PI), respectively, and measured spectrofluorometrically in a microplate reader. The cultured cells were loaded with Ca2+-sensitive fluorochrome fura-2-AM, and cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) was monitored by a microscope image analysis system. A dose-dependent increase in depolarization and changes of oxidative activity were observed over a concentration range of 8 to 128 microM DDT and MXC compared to nonexposed controls. At a concentration of 16 microM DDT or MXC, the oxidative activity and depolarization of cells were significantly enhanced compared to controls, but most of the cells were intact as indicated by the fact that PI-staining was not significantly increased. Trypan-blue staining indicated that the viability of oviductal cells decreased significantly when exposed to concentrations of 64 and 128 microM DDT or MXC. ATP-mediated enhancement of [Ca2+]i in cells was almost completely inhibited after incubation with 128 microM DDT for 3 h at 37 degrees C. This response was reduced to approximately 50% after incubation of the cells with MXC at 128 microM; lindane did not significantly interfere with the above physiologic parameters.

[Psychosocial acceptance of surgical interventions of the breast in oncological gynecology]. / Psychosoziale Akzeptanz mammachirurgischer Eingriffe in der Gynäko-Onkologie.

In a retrospective analysis of 197/600 women (33%) treated for primary breast cancer at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Münster (1984 to 1994) the psycho-social acceptance of mastectomy vs. breast conservative treatment (BET) was evaluated. Mean age was 59 years (range, 31-87 yrs.). BET was performed in 58% (n = 114), modified radical mastectomy (MRM) in 42% (n = 83). Reconstructive surgery after MRM was performed in 40% (n = 33) either as primary procedure in 39% (n = 14) or as secondary procedure in 61% (n = 20). In addition to somatic patterns, features of pre- and postoperative coping, individual psycho-social burden, cosmetic results, contentment of treatment, social rehabilitation and quality of life were evaluated. Performance status and quality of human relations are discussed. In terms of psycho-social acceptance the results of BET are in general not superior to MRM at a mean follow-up of six years. Coping and postoperative quality of life are almost similar within the two groups. Although the alteration of body image after BET is less compared to MRM, the psychologic burden of postoperative radiotherapy and the fear of local recurrence are experienced worst compared to all other features analyzed after BET.

Effect of body composition, feed intake, and ambient temperature on heat production of Vietnamese Sway-back pigs.

From theoretical considerations animals with a higher protein-fat ratio in the body should have a higher maintenance energy requirement (MEm). The literature on this problem shows a non-uniform picture with deviating results. From the results of a series of experiments it is possible to compare the heat production (HP) of male and female animals of the Vietnamese Sway-back breed pigs which vary quite widely in their body composition. The protein-fat ratio was 1.2 for the male and 0.2 for the female animals. In the experiments 4 male and 4 female animals in the live weight range of 20-33 kg and 33-42 kg, respectively, were involved. The HP measurements were carried out in climatized respiration chambers on two levels of energy intake at ambient temperatures of 6 degrees C, 12 degrees C, 18 degrees C, 24 degrees C, 30 degrees C, and 35 degrees C. The dependence of HP on the ambient temperature has been described by a cubic regression function. Thermoneutral temperatures are lower in the female animals caused by the better insulation effect of the backfat. The difference in HP which was expected by the large difference in body composition, was not found. The absolute protein mass determined the correlation to HP. Certainly the difference increased after lowering the ambient temperature. The influence of different factors on HP is discussed.

Effects of porcine somatotropin on the chemical body composition and fat quality in growing-finishing pigs.

Seventy eight growing-finishing pigs (male castrates and females) of the cross-breed Pietrain x (Large White x German Landrace) were used to investigate the effects of pST treatment on the chemical composition of the body, the growth of adipocytes, and the fatty acid profile of the backfat. Intramuscular injections (1 or 3 mg pST) were administered daily from an average weight of 65 kg up to slaughter. After pST treatment significant changes in all studied characteristics were observed in barrows, whereas the females exhibited very small responses. The pST caused an increase of water and protein contents and a simultaneous decrease of lipid content especially in body parts rich in fat. Furthermore, the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids increased and the fat cell diameter decreased in the backfat.

Effect of ATP and platelet-activating factor on intracellular calcium concentrations of cultured oviductal cells from cows.

Oviductal endosalpingeal cells were mechanically isolated from heifers at different reproductive stages (cyclic: days 8-14, at oestrus: day 0 and pregnant: day 7) and cultured until 100% confluent. The cells were loaded with the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorochrome fura-2/AM, and cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) was monitored spectrofluorimetrically and by use of a microscope image analysis system. ATP (400 mumol l-1) evoked a prompt increase in [Ca2+]i in all cell preparations in both the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+ when measured with the cuvette method. Single cell measurements using oviductal cells from cyclic heifers revealed a heterogeneous [Ca2+]i pattern in response to ATP, with some cells either failing to respond or reacting very slowly. Platelet-activating factor (PAF, 30 nmol l-1) induced a rapid increase in [Ca2+]i especially in cells derived from cyclic and pregnant animals, but the effect was significantly less in cells from heifers at oestrus. The increase in [Ca2+]i in bovine cells induced by PAF was reduced when extracellular calcium was depleted, indicating that the effect of PAF on [Ca2+]i involves an influx from the extracellular space. Voltage-sensitive calcium channels do not appear to be involved in the influx of extracellular Ca2+ since verapamil had no effect on the PAF-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. The PAF receptor antagonist WEB 2086 inhibited the PAF-mediated effects on [Ca2+]i.