ABSTRACT
Diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP), and dicyclopentadiene [3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methyanoindene] (DCPD), were found as contaminants of groundwater in Colorado. Since there was a potential for cattle to be exposed to these chemicals by drinking well water, a study of their effects was initiated. Eight-to-ten week old calves were given a single dose of either DIMP at 62.5, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of body weight (b.w.) or DCPD at 250, 500, 1000 or 2000 mg/kg of b.w. The calves given DIMP developed tympanitis and ataxia, followed by depression, prostration, and death within two hr after dosing. A slight but significant increase in activated partial thromboplastin time was the only change observed in any of the clinical pathologic parameters. The only gross pathologic changes were acute gastroenteritis with hemorrhages in calves given 1000 mg/kg of b.w. Mild signs of intoxication, ataxia and excess salivation, were observed in calves given 250 mg of DCPD/kg of b.w. At higher doses, these signs were intensified; in addition, calves fell and, while prostrate, exhibited running movements and tonic, clonic spasms. The severity of the signs observed increased as the dose of DCPD increased. All calves given 2000 mg/kg of b.w. and one calf given 1000 mg/kg of b.w. died before seven days after dosing. The only clinical pathologic changes found were increased serum levels of creating phosphokinase, glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase, and glutamic pyruvic transaminase. The only consistent gross pathologic change was congestion in a variety of tissues in calves given 2000 mg/kg of b.w. A variety of histologic changes were observed in tissues from calves treated with both chemicals. However, these changes were not consistent for any one dose level and were not dose dependent. DIMP was slightly toxic for calves, since no signs of intoxication were observed at doses less than 1000 mg/kg of b.w. DCPD exerted detrimental effects on calves at 250 mg/kg of b.w. and was classified as moderately toxic.
Subject(s)
Indenes/toxicity , Organophosphorus Compounds/toxicity , Alanine Transaminase/blood , Animals , Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood , Body Weight/drug effects , Cattle , Creatine Kinase/blood , Female , Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase/metabolism , Indenes/blood , Male , Organophosphorus Compounds/blood , Partial Thromboplastin TimeABSTRACT
The effects of shipping stress, increased serum cortisol concentrations, and levamisole treatment on the hematologic values of cattle were studied. Complete blood counts were done on blood samples from 40 calves; samples were collected 9 times during a period that began immediately after the calves were weaned and continued through an auction barn-truck transport cycle plus 5 weeks. The object of the study was to determine whether the combination of shipping stress and levamisole treatment would alter the hematologic values (granulocytic series). There was no effect observed.
Subject(s)
Cattle/blood , Levamisole/pharmacology , Stress, Physiological/veterinary , Animals , Body Weight , Cattle/physiology , Hydrocortisone/blood , Leukocyte Count , TransportationABSTRACT
The effects of social stress (crowding) on hexachlorobenzene (HCB) toxicity in male rats was evaluated by a morphometrical analysis of adrenal cortex mitochondria. The social stress was produced by transferring singly-housed rats from cages of ample size (1000 cm2 floor space) into small cages (100 cm2 floor space) each containing four rats. Differences in cage design as well as size may have contributed to the overall stress experienced by the rats. The food of the treated rats was supplemented with 250 ppm HCB. Structural changes in mitochondrial volume, surface area, or cristae area were not significant in HCB-treated or in crowded animals when compared with those of the controls. However, increases in mitochondrial volume and diameter were significant in those animals simultaneously challenged by HCB and crowding. The results strongly suggest that even a relatively mild social stress may adversely affect the ability of an animal to resist the effects of some exogenous chemicals.
Subject(s)
Adrenal Cortex/ultrastructure , Chlorobenzenes/toxicity , Crowding/physiology , Hexachlorobenzene/toxicity , Mitochondria/ultrastructure , Adrenal Cortex/drug effects , Animals , Male , Mitochondria/drug effects , RatsABSTRACT
The accuracy and precision of an electronic cell counter equipped with a mean cell volume and packed cell volume accessory were evaluated for avian blood, and the results were compared with those of "standard" avian hematological techniques. Precision on replicate determinations with the electronic instruments was excellent and the mean results compared well with those of standard methods when the instrument was carefully standardized and calibrated.
Subject(s)
Chickens/blood , Erythrocyte Count/veterinary , Hematocrit/veterinary , Animals , Erythrocyte Count/instrumentation , Erythrocyte Count/methods , Hematocrit/instrumentation , Hematocrit/methods , MaleABSTRACT
An acquired coagulation factor X activity deficiency was demonstrated in sheep fed Hymenoxys odorata, bitterweed plant. All coagulation tests were normal before the sheep were given the plant material. All tests involving the function of factor X, including a specific factor assay, became abnormal after the sheep were given bitterweed. Other specific factors remained within normal limits. The presence of an inhibitory activity could not be shown.
