ABSTRACT
The distribution of phosphatases was examined in the epididymis of swamp buffaloes aged 1.5-2 years, where spermatogenic activity in the testis had reached the early primary spermatocyte stage. A granular distribution of acid phosphatase was present in the luminal region of the epithelium of the efferent ductules. In the ductus epididymidis, four zones were identified and all zones showed varying degrees of acid-phosphatase activity in the epithelium, with the most pronounced activity in the apical region and stereocilia of zone II. Alkaline-phosphatase activity occurred along the basal region of the epithelium in zones I, III and IV of the ductus and in the stereocilia of zones I and II. An intense apical reaction was seen in zone II. The efferent ducts were free of this enzyme. Thus, zone II is considered the most active region, having the function of absorption and possibly steroid metabolism.
Subject(s)
Aging/metabolism , Buffaloes/metabolism , Epididymis/enzymology , Phosphates/analysis , Acid Phosphatase/analysis , Acid Phosphatase/metabolism , Alkaline Phosphatase/analysis , Alkaline Phosphatase/metabolism , Animals , Buffaloes/physiology , Epididymis/cytology , Epididymis/physiology , Epithelial Cells , Epithelium/enzymology , Epithelium/physiology , Histocytochemistry , Male , Phosphates/metabolism , Seminiferous Tubules/cytology , Seminiferous Tubules/metabolism , Seminiferous Tubules/physiology , Sexual Maturation/physiology , Spermatocytes/cytology , Spermatocytes/metabolism , Spermatocytes/physiology , Spermatogenesis/physiology , Testis/cytology , Testis/metabolism , Testis/physiologyABSTRACT
Sera were collected from a minimum of 20 cattle aged nine to 36 months at each of 14 localities in five climatic zones of Sri Lanka. Sera were tested for antibodies to Babesia bovis and Anaplasma by an indirect fluorescent antibody test and a card agglutination test, respectively. Antibodies to B. bovis and Anaplasma were detected in all samples tested from each of 14 and 12 localities respectively. In general, prevalences were consistently high among localities below 1,200 m and lower and more variable in the hill country. Management practice rather than climate was considered to be the main factor influencing prevalences. Management is discussed in relation to the risk of disease outbreak.
Subject(s)
Anaplasma/immunology , Antibodies, Bacterial/isolation & purification , Antibodies, Protozoan/isolation & purification , Babesia bovis/immunology , Cattle/microbiology , Cattle/parasitology , Agglutination Tests/veterinary , Animals , Climate , Fluorescent Antibody Technique/veterinary , Geography , Sri LankaABSTRACT
A Sri Lankan strain of Babesia bovis (designated A strain) was isolated from larval ticks and prepared for use as vaccine by syringe-passage in 20 splenectomised calves followed by irradiation. The A strain and a vaccine strain of Babesia bovis (designated K strain) brought in frozen form from Australia were used to vaccinate 37 susceptible bulls imported from southern Australia. Rectal temperatures, packed cell volumes, parasitaemias and overt clinical signs were monitored for three weeks following vaccination. The results indicated that the A strain was slightly more virulent than the K strain but suitable for the vaccination of well-supervised cattle.
