The effect of LPS injections on non-specific immune response in affected pigeons.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of LPS injections on non-specific mechanisms of immunity in pigeons. On the first day of observation the experimental birds (n=18) were intravenously injected with Escherichia coli LPS (10 microg/kg b.w.), while the control animals (n=6) received in the same way apyrogenic physiological saline. On the second and the third day of the experiment LPS in the same doses was injected again. Four and a half hours after the saline and each pyrogen administration blood samples were collected from the control and experimental pigeons. The total protein, gamma globulin, lysozyme, acute phase protein (Cp, CRP, Tf, ferritin, Alb) and selected trace element (Fe, Cu, Zn) concentrations were investigated. The obtained results showed the increase in the concentration of total protein, Cp, CRP and Tf in endotoxin fever resulting from LPS injection in pigeons. In contrast, the concentration of gamma globulins, ferritin and A1lb were decreased in response to the first LPS injection. However, the consecutive injections of LPS caused a decrease in the concentration of total protein, CRP and Tf. In opposition to those results, a significant rise in the lysozyme and ferritin concentrations was observed. On the other hand, the first LPS injection caused a decline in the iron and zinc concentrations which remaining lower than the control values following repeated administration of LPS. On the contrary, the copper concentration increased successively in response to the next LPS injections.

Effects of dietary calcium content and vitamin D source on skeletal properties in growing turkeys.

1. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of feeding fast growing turkeys with differentiated dietary calcium (Ca) content, and the partial replacement of vitamin D(3) in the feed with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D(3)), on skeletal properties. 2. One-day-old Big-6 male turkeys (n = 1008) were randomly divided into 4 groups, and two subgroups were created within each group. The groups were differentiated with 4 levels of Ca provision in the feed, namely 85% of the National Research Council (NRC) recommendation (Group Ca(1)); 95% as above (Group Ca(2)); 105% as above (Group Ca(3)); and 115% as above (Group Ca(4)). The first subgroup received the recommended dosage of cholecalciferol (vitamin D(3) subgroup) in the feed, while in the second subgroup (Hy-D subgroup), half of the dosage of cholecalciferol was replaced with 25(OH)D(3). At the ages of 4, 8, 12 and 20 weeks, 7 turkeys from each subgroup were randomly selected and killed to obtain the right tibia for densitometric, geometric and mechanical analyses. 3. This study showed advantageous effects of increased calcium supply in the diet on skeletal system properties, that were increased and produced the most desirable traits in turkeys receiving 95%, 105% and 115% of the NRC calcium recommendation. Benefits resulting from administration of 25(OH)D(3) in the diet were also obtained in the skeletal formation of turkeys, and the most advantageous effects were present in the group receiving 105% of recommended dietary Ca. 4. Effects on the metabolic response of the skeleton of turkeys to manipulation of dietary calcium content and vitamin D(3) source were the most evident in the groups between 4 and 12 weeks of life, and demonstrated a limited ability to induce a positive influence on bone properties at advanced stages of the production cycle by alteration of these dietary factors.

Effect of maternal dexamethasone and alpha-ketoglutarate administration on skeletal development during the last three weeks of prenatal life in pigs.

BACKGROUND: The effect of dexamethasone (Dex) on postnatal bone formation processes is known to decrease the synthesis of collagen and bone matrix, but the effect of alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is to induce positive effects on growth and skeletal development during postnatal life. However, the effects of Dex and AKG treatment on the prenatal processes of skeletal development have not been investigated so far. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Dex and AKG administered separately or simultaneously to sows during the last three weeks of pregnancy on the skeletal development in fetuses. METHODS: Immediately after birth blood samples were collected from non-suckling piglets for alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin determinations, and the humeri were isolated. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) of humeri and the geometric and mechanical properties were evaluated. RESULTS: Dex and AKG administered separately to pregnant sows during the last 24 days of prenatal life decreased BMD, BMC, and geometric and mechanical parameters of humeri in the newborns. Simultaneous administration of Dex and AKG significantly increased the analyzed properties of humeri. CONCLUSION: The bone mineral density and mechanical and geometric properties of humeri indicate an inverse effect of maternal separate or simultaneous administration of AKG and Dex to sows on bone development during the last 24 days of prenatal life.

Effects of alpha-ketoglutarate on bone homeostasis and plasma amino acids in turkeys.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of denervation and alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) administration on the development of osteopenia in the turkey radius. At 22 d of age, all turkeys were subjected to neurectomy of the right radius. Control turkeys were given a saline solution into the crop each day for 97 d. Experimental turkeys were given 0.4 g of AKG/kg of BW into the crop each day. After 98 d, BW was not affected by the AKG treatment. Volumetric bone mineral density of the radius was measured by quantitative computed tomography. Mechanical properties were tested using a 3-point bending test. Cross-sectional area, second moment of inertia, and mean relative wall thickness were measured as well. Amino acid concentrations were assessed with the use of ion-exchange chromatography. Denervation had a negative effect on all bone characteristics that were measured except bone length. The AKG had a positive effect on all bone characteristics except bone length. Plasma concentrations of proline and leucine were increased by AKG, whereas concentrations of taurine and glutamine were decreased. The turkey radius appears to be a good model for studying osteopenia because its development can be affected by treatments such as denervation and AKG administration.

Long-term denervation of the humerus in turkeys as an experimental model for osteopenia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of long-term denervation on volumetric bone mineral density, and geometrical and mechanical properties of the humerus in turkeys. The experiment was conducted from d 22 after hatching until wk 17 of life. All experimental birds (male turkeys) were randomly divided into 2 weight-matched groups. The first group of turkeys served as the control group and underwent a sham operation on the right wing, and the second group was subjected to surgical denervation of the right humerus. The denervation was performed by neurectomy of the radialis and the mediano-ulnaris nerves in the region of the proximal epiphysis of the humerus. All the left wings within both groups were surgically untouched. The left humerus served as the control bone to the right humerus in both investigated groups. Effect of denervation of humerus was determined in terms of geometrical and mechanical properties and quantitative computed tomography. The denervation of the humerus in turkeys significantly decreased volumetric bone mineral density, and geometrical and mechanical properties of this bone, when compared with the results obtained in humerus from the sham-operated or surgically untouched wings. However, no significant differences between right and left humerus were observed when analyzing all of the investigated parameters in the sham-operated group of turkeys. It is concluded that long-term denervation of humerus in turkeys induces osteopenia and may serve as a new experimental model for investigating factors that affect skeletal homeostasis in poultry and other vertebrates.

Effects of sodium taurocholate and sodium dehydrocholate on bile flow, lipid and bilirubin secretion in sheep.

The investigation was performed on 8 sheep with implanted catheters in the common bile duct and in the cystic duct. Sodium taurocholate and sodium dehydrocholate were infused into the jugular vein at the rate of 50 mumol/min for 20 min. Directly after the termination of the sodium taurocholate infusion, the volume of the secreted bile increased from 8.4-9 microliters.kg-1.min-1 to the highest mean value of 17.8 microliters.kg-1, min-1, with a simultaneous increase in the concentration of cholates from 1.71 mmol/l to 4.82 mmol/l and bilirubin from 271.1 mumol/l to 461.7 mumol/l. The concentration of cholesterol and phospholipids in the bile also increased, but did not reach statistically significant values. The infusion of sodium dehydrocholate caused an increase in the bile secretion to the highest mean value of 20.59 microliters.kg-1.min-1 with a simultaneous decrease in the concentration of bilirubin to 148.75 mumol/l, cholesterol to 233.0 micrograms/ml, phospholipids to 56.11 micrograms/ml and cholate to 1.0 mmol/l. The results show that biliary secretion of phospholipids, cholesterol and bilirubin is dependent on the secretion of sodium taurocholate rather than on dehydrocholic acid.

Thermoregulatory effects and electrical conductivity in vagina of cow during oestrous cycle.

Measurement of vaginal temperature and electrical conductivity of cervicovaginal mucus were conducted in 20 dairy cows and were related to the phase of the oestrus cycle. Temperature and electrical conductivity in the anterior part of the vagina changed in synchronicity with phases of the oestrous cycle. About 12 hours before ovulation, the vaginal temperature increased from 37.94 +/- 0.33 degrees C to 39.00 +/- 0.64 degrees C, as compared to the pre-oestrus value. The occurrence of oestrus was accompanied by an increase in electrical conductivity of mucus in the anterior part of the vagina from 7.60 +/- 0.33 mS to 12.00 +/- 0.54 mS. Vaginal temperature dropped to 38.50 +/- 0.29 degrees C, and electrical conductivity dropped to 10.00 +/- 0.55 mS at ovulation time. Rises in vaginal temperature and electrical conductivity in the anterior part of the vagina were additional symptoms of oestrus and were followed by decrease in these values, indicating ovulation in cows.

[Effects of bile and bile acids on spontaneous motor activity of the small and large rabbit intestines in vitro]. / Efekty dzialania zólci i kwasów zólciowych na spontaniczna czynnosc motoryczna jelit cienkich i grubych królika in vitro.

The aim of our study was to describe the effects of bile and bile acids action on the spontaneous motor activity of the rabbit small and large intestines. The following fragments of intestines were used: duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum and colon of 25 rabbits of both sexes, weighing 2-3 kg. The motor activity of the isolated fragments of the intestines was recorded by the suspension method in a 300 ml container with oxygenated Krebs' solution, temp. 37 degrees C (constant), pH 7.8. The intestine was connected with the miograph constructed according to the Gillespie method. Vesicular bile was given in the amounts 0.3-10 ml per 1 l of the Krebs' solution. Chemically pure bile acids were also given as follows: cholic acid (Light) and chenodeoxycholic acid (Light) in the amount 500-1500 mumol/l of the Krebs' solution and lithocholic acid (Serva)--300-500 mumol/l. 0.33 ml/l of the Krebs' solution of the bile caused the threshold reaction, and only in the jejunum caused distinct inhibition of the motor activity. In duodenum, ileum and colon the inhibition time was very short, intestines quickly regained initial activity, and, what is more, frequency and amplitude of spasms were even greater. Big doses of the bile usually inhibited the motor activity of the studied intestine fragments, eliminating completely--with the exception of caecum--the spasms' amplitude, without releasing any relaxation reaction. As for the bile acids, the strongest inhibiting effect had lithocholic acid but, unlike bile, it caused the relaxation reaction.

[Effect of bile and bile acids on monoamine oxidase and acetylcholinesterase activity in the jejunum of rabbits, guinea pigs and swine]. / Wplyw zólci i kwasów zólciowych na aktywnosc monoaminooksydazy i acetylocholinesterazy w jelicie czczym królika, swinki morskiej i swini.

The studies were carried out in vitro on the jejunum of 10 pigs, 10 rabbits and 10 guinea pigs. The activity monoaminooxidase (MAO) was determined manometrically in Warburg's apparatus, that of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) spectrophotometrically after Ellman's method modified by urek and Syrowatka. The obtained results were statistically analysed. It was shown that in the animals studied the bile acids exerted a considerable effect on the activity of enzymes metabolising neurohormones. Under the influence of bile the activity of monoaminooxidase was inhibited. Stimulating, but less distinctly, bile effected the activity of acetylocholinesterase. Significant differences in the action of bile on the activity of these enzymes were found in the jejunum of the animal species studied. The highest decrease in the activity of MAO under the influence of bile was found in the jejunum of the rabbit (by about 65%), a weker in the pig (by 37.5%) and guinea-pig (by 18.5%). However, the highest increase in the activity of AChE under the influence of bile occurred in the pigs (by about 21.6%), a weaker in the rabbit (by 16.4%) and guinea-pig (by about 11.5%). Among the bile acids, the strongest action on both the activity of MAO and AChE was exerted by lithocholic acid, desoxycholic, weaker by cholic and chenodesoxycholic acid. MAO activity under the influence of lithocholic acid decreased (in the pig by about 63%, rabbit by 55.7% and guinea pig by 34.8%). After incubation of the jejunum in desoxycholic acid a decrease in MAO activity occurred (in the rabbit by 43.8%, pig by about 39.4% and guinea-pig by 15.7%). AChE activity under the influence of lithocholic acid increased (in the pig on average by 62.2% rabbit by 21.8 and guinea-pig by about 10.2%). After incubation of the jejunum in desoxycholic acid an increase in the activity of acetylcholinesteras occurred (in the pig by about 13.5%, guinea-pig by 7.7% rabbit 7.3%).

Thyroxine effect on 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) level in sheep erythrocytes.

The reported investigations were carried out on 18 adult sheep weighing about 35 kg. One intramuscular dose of D,L-thyroxine 100 mg was given to 13 animals, and the remaining 5 control sheep received normal saline in the same way. In blood samples obtained from the jugular vein the concentration of 2,3-DPG and the level of haemoglobin were determined in the erythrocytes at 4-hour intervals during 44 hours. Before blood sampling the rectal temperature was measured and electrophysiological activity of the heart was recorded. The initial concentration of 2,3-DPG in the erythrocytes of the animals receiving thyroxine was 0.57 mumol/g of Hb while in the control animals it was 0.43 mumol/g of Hb (average values). The changes in 2,3-DPG concentration after thyroxine administration were biphasic. The first increase in the animals reacting earlier to the hormone occurred 4 hours after thyroxine injection and reached the highest mean value of 1.93 +/- 0.25 mumol/g of Hb in the 8th hour. The highest mean value of the second peak was 1.63 +/- 0.18 mumol/g of Hb in the 24th hour after thyroxine injection. The first peak of 2,3-DPG concentration in the erythrocytes in 8 slower-reacting sheep was 1.39 +/- 0.23 mumol/g Hb, on the average, in the 16th hour, and the second peak appeared in these animals 32 hours after thyroxine and it was much lower than the first one. Thyroxine failed to cause any significant changes in the bioelectric cardiac activity but increased the heart rate from a mean initial value and control value 90-99/min to a highest mean value of 117/min.

Postnatal changes in 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) content of calf erythrocytes.

In 82 calves, 22 adult cows and 10 fetuses the 2,3-DPG level was determined in the erythrocytes. The lowest level was found in cows (1.13 microM/g haemoglobin, on the average), and in calves aged 35 days or more. In the foetuses the mean 2,3-DPG concentration in the erythrocytes was 4.98 microM/g Hb and it was higher that that in the erythrocytes of cows, the oldest foetuses and calves during the first two days of postnatal life. During 5 weeks of postnatal life the changes taking place in 2,3-DPG concentration could be divided into two periods: period I or the period of increase covering the first 6 days of life, with a characteristic rise in the concentration of this component from 1.37 to 15.80 microM/g Hb, and period II or the period of decrease lasting from the 6th to the 35th day of life. In period II two phases could be discerned, the first phase lasting from the 6th to the 10th day with a steep fall of 2,3-DPG level from 15.80 to 4.58 microM/g Hb, and the second phase from the 10th to the 35th day of life in which the level of 2,3-DPG reached slowly the value found in adult cows. A comparison of oxygen affinity of haemoglobin in calves aged 6 days, which was composed of about 80% of fetal haemoglobin and about 20% of adult haemoglobin, and in adult cows, which contained exclusively adult haemoglobin, showed that the oxygen-binding capacity of haemoglobin was lower in calves.

Effect of acute posthaemorrhagic anaemia on the level of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) in the erythrocytes of sheep.

In 11 sheep anaemia was produced by one-time removal of from 17% to 20% total volume of blood. Blood samples for 2,3-DPG determinations in the erythrocytes were taken at 4-hour intervals during 72 hours. Posthaemorrhagic anaemic hypoxia caused in sheep a rise in the concentration of 2,3-DPG in the erythrocytes from a mean control value of about 0.13 microM/g Hb to 2.45 microM/g Hb during 20 hours after blood loss (primary rise). The return of this concentration to its control value occurred between 32 and 64 hours after blood loss. Between 36 and 56 hours after the blood loss a second (secondary) rise of 2,3-DPG concentration in the erythrocytes appeared reaching a peak level of about 0.6 microM/g Hb. Determinations of sodium and potassium in the erythrocytes of 5 low-potassium sheep demonstrated a fall in potassium concentration whose lowest values were observed 24 hours after blood loss. After 24 hours from blood removal potassium rose again to the initial value. The concentration of sodium in the erythrocytes showed changes opposite to those observed in the concentration of potassium.

[Monoamine oxidase and acetylcholinesterase activity in the pig's digestive tract in ontogenesis]. / Aktywnosc monoaminooksydazy i acetylocholinesterazy w przewodzie pokarmowym swini w ontogenezie.

To obtain information about the regulating nervous mechanisms of the pig alimentary canal the activity of monoaminooxidase (MAO) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in duodenum, jejunum and colon was studied during the embryonal and postnatal growth. The activity of monoaminooxidase was measured manometrically according to the method prepared by Kolb and that of acetylcholinesterase colorimetrically according to Hestrin's method. It was found that the activity of MAO and AChE in different parts of the pig alimentary canal was considerably differentiated during ontogenesis. Presence of these enzymes was already shown in the embryonal period. However, their activity was poor and almost on the same level in all the examined parts of intestines. Rapid increase of activity of both enzymes was immediately after pigs birth at the time between parturition and fifth day of postnatal life. In the later period of life (6-11 days after birth) there was a decrease of activity of both MAO and AChE only in duodenum. But in jejunum and colon there was a further, slight though, increase of the activity of both enzymes. Comparing the activity of MAO and AChE in the individual parts of the mature pig intestine with the embryonal and postnatal periods, it was found that in spite of the considerable increase of activity of both enzymes after birth, their level was smaller than that in the mature animals.

[Effect of intra-duodenal administration of HCl and NaHCO3 on the secretion and content of sodium, potassium and calcium in the pancreatic juice and bile of sheep]. / Wplyw dodwunastniczego podawania HCl i NaHCO3 na wydzielanie i zawartosc sodu, potasu i wapnia w soku trzustkowym i zólci u owiec.

The experiments were carried out on 3 sheep with a Harrison type cannula inserted into the funds of the gall-bladder enabling to obtain bile and with a Herrera type cannula fixed in the duodenum enabling to sample pancreatic juice. Administration of 3 mEq HCl in 50 ml of solution to the duodenum increased the volume of secreted bile from 6,04 ml to 8,11 ml/15 min with no essential changes in the volume of pancreatic juice. Administration of 15 mEq NaHCO3 in 50 ml of solution decreased the volume of secreted bile from 6.73 ml to 4,15 ml/15 min and decreased pancreatic juice from 5,46 ml to 4.72 ml/15 min. Intravenous administration of secret increased the volume of both pancreatic juice and bile. Administration of HCl and NaHCO3 solution to the duodenum did not cause changes in the concentration and secretion of sodium, potassium and calcium in pancreatic juice and bile. The results point to the predominance of the secretory function of bile over pancreatic juice in sheep after stimulation of the duodenum with the investigated substances.

The post-natal changes in minimal metabolic rate in the pig.

1. Minimal metabolic rate was measured as oxygen consumption in new-born pigs when environmental temperature was rising and passing through thermal neutrality.2. Three different periods were observed in 20 days after birth. The first period included the time from birth to 82 hr and was characterized by a continuous rise in minimal metabolic rate from 9.4 to 16.0 ml. O(2)/kg.min (70% increase). The second period extended from 82 hr to 9.5 days with values near to 16 ml. O(2)/kg.min. The third period beginning on the eleventh day lasted until observations ceased on the twentieth day and was characterized by a 25-30% fall in minimal metabolic rate when compared with the second period.3. Minimal metabolic rates from the second and third period were proportional to body weight and not to the surface area. Exponential factors for body weight were 0.93 and 0.96 for the second and third periods respectively.4. Rectal temperature rose from 38.6 degrees C on the first day to 39.3 degrees C on the second and 39.5 degrees C on the fourth day after birth.5. Environmental temperature associated with minimal metabolic rate showed a general tendency to fall from 36.5 in the first 4 days to between 33 and 34 degrees C in the following days.6. Age rather than body weight is the decisive factor influencing changes in minimal metabolic rate in the new-born pig.