Subject(s)
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/veterinary , Macaca fascicularis , Monkey Diseases/diagnosis , Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary , Tuberculosis/veterinary , Animals , Female , Liver/microbiology , Macaca fascicularis/microbiology , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/isolation & purification , Tuberculin Test/veterinary , Tuberculosis/diagnosisABSTRACT
Two commercially available synthetic adjuvant systems, trehalose dimycolate (TDM) and TDM + monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), were compared with Freund complete adjuvant (FCA) for the ability to stimulate antibody production in New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). In addition, each animal was evaluated for adverse reactions. The antigen, rat liver microsomal epoxide hydrolase, was administered SC emulsified with FCA, TDM, or TDM + MPL. Serum antibody titers were stimulated with all 3 adjuvant-antigen combinations. The highest titer was produced by use of FCA; TDM + MPL produced an intermediate response, and TDM produced the lowest titer. All of the rabbits immunized with FCA developed sterile subcutaneous abscesses. Rabbits immunized with TDM or TDM + MPL developed no abscesses, and only slight reactions at the injection site. The synthetic adjuvant system TDM + MPL is recommended for use in rabbits, considering its adequate stimulation of antibody production with minimal adverse reactions.
Subject(s)
Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology , Antibody Formation , Freund's Adjuvant/pharmacology , Rabbits/immunology , Animals , Cord Factors/immunology , Epoxide Hydrolases/immunology , Lipid A/analogs & derivatives , Lipid A/immunology , Male , Microsomes, Liver/enzymology , Rats , Rats, Inbred Strains , Specific Pathogen-Free OrganismsABSTRACT
A new prosthetic, segmented polyether polyurethane portacaval shunt featuring quick-connect anastomotic ends was constructed and evaluated as part of a short-term pharmacokinetic study. The shunts were easily implanted, did not require the use of anticoagulants, and decreased the operative time normally required for this surgical preparation. There was no evidence of thrombosis or venous stasis associated with the shunts.
Subject(s)
Portacaval Shunt, Surgical/instrumentation , Animals , Blood Vessel Prosthesis , Dogs , Liver/metabolism , Liver Circulation , Pharmaceutical Preparations/metabolism , Portacaval Shunt, Surgical/methodsABSTRACT
Amendments to the Animal Welfare Act (PL 99-198) require that an exercise program for dogs be established by the attending veterinarian. A 6-week study was conducted to determine the effects of a moderate exercise program in purpose-bred Beagles. Sixteen male Beagles (4/group) were maintained as follows: (1) standard cage without exercise; (2) standard cage with individual exercise periods (35 minutes, 3 times/week); (3) large cage without exercise; and (4) standard cage with group-release exercise periods. Blood samples were collected for CBC, serum biochemical analysis including determination of serum cortisol concentration, and immune function (lymphocyte transformation assay). Group-released dogs interacted with each other during most of the exercise time. Fighting in these dogs occurred only during the third week. Dogs had little inclination to exercise when released alone into the exercise area. Regardless of the size of the cage, dogs did not exercise unless human beings were present in the room. There were no significant differences in laboratory findings among dogs in the 4 groups. This moderate exercise program had no demonstrable effects. Similarly, continuous cage housing, without a formal exercise program, could not be determined to be detrimental to the physiologic or health status of dogs.
Subject(s)
Dogs/physiology , Physical Conditioning, Animal , Animals , Blood Cell Count , Housing, Animal , Hydrocortisone/blood , Lymphocyte Activation , Male , Time FactorsABSTRACT
A method to simplify serial venous blood sampling in miniature pigs was developed. Jugular vein Vascular-Access-Ports (VAP) were implanted in four animals. The mean functional lifetime of these ports was 37.7 +/- 23.0 (S.D.) days with a range of 17 to 77 days. The VAP allowed easy serial blood sampling and intravenous drug administration. Use of these ports in animals restrained in a sling was simple and effective and caused no undue stress to the animal over a 6 to 8 hour experiment. The VAPs were implanted easily and required minimal maintenance. Subcutaneous location of the entire apparatus allowed for group housing of the pigs and decreased the susceptibility of postoperative infection and/or damage. Provided that proper maintenance and careful aseptic sampling techniques are used, the VAP is a relatively easy, safe and reliable alternative to conventional methods of serial blood sampling in swine.
Subject(s)
Blood Specimen Collection/veterinary , Swine, Miniature/blood , Animals , Blood Specimen Collection/methods , Catheters, Indwelling/veterinary , Infusions, Intravenous/veterinary , Jugular Veins , Male , Swine , Swine, Miniature/surgeryABSTRACT
The effect of shipping stress on immunologic functions was examined in mice. The mice were shipped either by truck or by plane, 2 of the most common modes for transport of animals. While mice were in transit, temperature fluctuations and light intensity were monitored. The foot pad test, hemagglutination assay, and plaque-forming cell assay were used to measure immunologic function. Corticosterone concentrations were quantitated with a competitive protein-binding technique. Regardless of the method of shipment, corticosterone values in the mice were markedly increased at arrival and remained at the high value for a 48-hour period. Immune-function assays were significantly lessened in the mice at arrival, but returned to base line within 48 hours, indicating that a minimum 48-hour stabilization period is required for all new arrivals.
