Increase of plasma eCG binding rate after administration of repeated high dose of eCG to cows.

Equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) is still used to promote follicular growth in cattle and, more recently with an increased frequency of administration, in ovum pick-up protocols. The aim of this experiment was to verify the possible effect of high frequency of administration on the immune response to eCG. The profiles of eCG binding rate, in the blood of two groups (A, B) of 4 primiparous cross breed beef cows (3-3.5 years old) submitted weekly for 5 to 10 weeks to repeated high doses (1000-2000 IU) of equine chorionic gonadotrophin, are presented in this paper. A sensitive radiometric method was used to detect antibodies in plasma. The profiles clearly indicated a marked increase of eCG binding rate after 3 to 5 injections of the exogenous hormone to the females. The statistical analysis of the results established that treatments induced a significant increase (P < 0.01) in binding rates after 6 and 3 injections in group A and B respectively. These binding rates remained elevated for at least 1 week following the last injection and decreased afterwards. The values of plasma binding rates following repeated eCG administration differed significantly between groups (0.90+/-1.04 and 1.04+/-0.11 for groups A and B before treatment versus 11.77+/-0.92, 6.70+/-0.85 for groups A and B after treatment, P < 0.01) and from one cow to another (P < 0.01) with some cows presenting no significant immune response while others were more reactive against the hormone (at least 3 injections).

Four years of induction/synchronization of estrus in dairy goats: effect on the evolution of eCG binding rate in relation with the parameters of reproduction.

Ninety-eight Alpine goats of two herds were followed over 4 years in a program of annual artificial insemination after estrus induction/synchronization, including progestagen administration (vaginal sponge) followed by prostaglandin analog and equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) 48 h before sponge removal. Goats were sampled every 4 hours from the 16th to the 56th following sponge removal, for determination of LH surge and tested for estrus by the presence of a buck. Seven days after AI, endoscopic examination of the ovaries was performed to determine the number of corpus lutea. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed at day 21-22 post AI by determination of plasma progesterone and at day 40-45 by ultrasonography. Parturition, number and sex of kids were recorded. All the goats were sampled before and after each treatment, for anti-eCG antibodies screening. Statistical analysis of the results clearly established a significant effect of the treatments on anti-eCG antibodies. Time of estrus and LH surge were significantly different between herd. The antibodies significantly delayed the time of coming out of estrus as well as the time of LH surge. Two antagonistic effects were evidenced: first, the delayed of time of estrus and time of LH surge in relation with the immune reaction to eCG; secondly, the ahead of time of estrus and time of LH surge during the years of treatment, identical to both herd. The antibodies negatively influenced the percentage of ovulating females as well as kidding rate. Finally, no effect of antibodies on prolificacy was found.

[Radioiodine (131I) as the only treatment of hyperthyroidism. Results of 10 years of experience]. / Radioiode (131I) comme seul traitement de l'hyperthyroïdie. Résultats d'une expérience de 10 années.

This work present the results of the use of 131I, as first line and only, antithyroid treatment, applied to 120 patients suffering from autoimmune hyperthyroidism, compared to 64 patients with toxic goiter and adenoma. The diagnostic weight of the determination of the various antithyroid antibodies was assessed in the identification of autoimmune hyperthyroidism, for which TRAb and TPO Ab are the most significant. The evolution after treatment of a preexisting ophthalmopathy (i.e. Graves'disease) was never found to be alarming and in most cases regularly improved with time. A single case (out of 72) of autoimmune hyperthyroidism with no preexisting sign developed a severe ophthalmopathy after treatment, which was well controlled thereafter. Mean cumulated 131I doses to control hyperthyroidism were 22.8 mCi for toxic goiter, 21.6 mCi for adenoma, 14.1 mCi for autoimmune hyperthyroidism and 16.7 mCi for Graves'disease. Post 131I hypothyroidism was found in 28.2% of toxic goiters, 12.1% of adenomas, 66% of autoimmune hyperthyroidisms and 70% of Graves'disease. No relapse was observed after treatment. A surgical indication was proposed for cases requiring more than two 131I doses to control hyperthyroidism.

Susceptibility of urinary pathogens in a Dublin teaching hospital.

The range and resistance patterns of organisms causing urinary tract infections (UTI) vary with time and place. A prospective study of midstream urine (MSU) specimens, received over a 3 month period, was therefore undertaken. The antibiotic sensitivities of 528 isolates from 196 domiciliary and 332 hospitalised patients with significant bacteriuria (> 10(5) organisms/ml) were determined using the modified Stokes method. Escherichia coli accounted for 79% of domiciliary isolates and 57% in hospitalised patients. Gram positive organisms causing UTI have become increasingly common and were isolated from 8% and 15% of domiciliary and hospitalised patients respectively. Resistance levels for co-amoxiclav (Augmentin) were low (7% domiciliary, 14% hospitalised). However 46 Gram negative isolates (10%) had intermediate sensitivities to co-amoxiclav on disc testing. Breakpoint testing showed 89% of these to be sensitive at the urinary breakpoint but only 52% were sensitive at the systemic breakpoint. Forty nine percent of E. coli from hospital specimens were resistant to pipercillin, due to TEM-1 beta lactamase production. A 6% resistance level to ciprofloxacin in domiciliary E. coli is considerably higher than previous reports and gives cause for concern. Gentamicin resistance was found in 4% of Gram negative hospital isolates, a finding of some significance in the empiric treatment of septicaemia of urinary tract origin.