The essential fatty acid deficient chicken as a model for cystic fibrosis.

The essential fatty acid deficient (EFAD) chicken was evaluated as a model for cystic fibrosis (CF). Three semipurified diets--(I) 1% hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO), (II) 10% soybean oil + 1% HCO, and (III) 11% HCO--were fed to chickens from hatching to 5, 8, or 11 wk. Groups I and III exhibited poor weight gain and abnormal serum fatty acid patterns characteristic of EFAD. Production of prostaglandin F2 alpha, thromboxane B2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, and prostaglandin E in lung was significantly reduced at 5, 8, and 11 wk in both EFAD groups. Histopathologic examination revealed increased peribronchiolitis in group I compared with II. Incidence of pulmonary lesions in group III was intermediate. These data support the theory that essential fatty acids are necessary to maintain proper lung function. In this respect, the chicken is a good model for studying the relationship between EFAD and pulmonary disease in CF patients.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation in experimental intestinal strangulation obstruction in ponies.

Total strangulation obstruction of the caudal part of the jejunum was induced in 3 groups (each of 3 ponies) for 2, 4, and 6 hours. Coagulation tests which included blood platelet counts, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, activated coagulation time, plasma fibrinogen level, and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products assay were performed at specified time intervals for 1 week or until death of the experimental ponies. Another 3 ponies (sham-operated) were similarly treated, except that intestinal strangulation obstruction (ISO) was not induced. Necropsy was done on ponies that were euthanatized 9 days after the sampling period and on 2 ponies that died. Six hours of ISO resulted in severe ischemic damage to the intestines, characterized by hemorrhagic infarction, with or without perforation, in ponies that died, and total loss of mucosa with moderate to severe fibrosis of the intestinal wall in the surviving pony of this group. This damage was associated with significant coagulopathies, notably prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time, decreased blood platelets count, and the presence of high levels of fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (40 micrograms/ml). These laboratory findings are indicative of disseminated intravascular coagulation. In contrast, the jejunal segments of the ponies subjected to 2 and 4 hours of ISO were viable as revealed by histopathologic examination. There were no significant changes found in their coagulation profiles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Serum progesterone, enzymes, and electrolytes of hens laying a low or high incidence of shell-less eggs.

Three experiments were conducted to determine possible differences in serum progesterone, enzymes, and electrolytes between hens laying a high or low incidence of shell-less (SL) eggs. Blood was taken at time of oviposition and at 6, 12, 18, and 25 hr later, irrespective of the stage of the sequence. The results indicated no significant differences in average serum progesterone between hens laying a high or low incidence of SL eggs. In general, the patterns of serum progesterone in relation to time of oviposition was similar for each type. No significant differences were observed in serum phosphorus, magnesium, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, or alkaline phosphatase between hens laying a high or low incidence of SL eggs. It was concluded that the production of SL eggs is not related to abnormal serum progesterone, alkaline phosphatase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, magnesium, or phosphorus levels.