Changes in physiological and immunological parameters during the peripartum period in Zerasca sheep.

The aim of this study was to provide the picture of the dynamics of some blood parameters in the native Zerasca sheep breed during the peripartum period. Blood samples were collected from peripheral blood of 14 ewes at different times: from 21 d before lambing to 42 d after. Physiological and immunological parameters were evaluated: aspartate-aminotransferase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, non-esterified fatty acids, total protein, total antioxidant capacity, free radicals, serum bactericidal activity and serum lysozyme. One-way repeated measures ANOVA test was performed. Results showed a significant influence of the peripartum and the deviation from the normal range on many parameters.

Blood chemistry and haematological values of captive Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus).

Plasma from 24 captive, clinically normal, Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus) was analysed in order to provide haematological and chemistry reference values for use in clinical pathology. The values found were broadly similar to those reported by previous authors in other species of vultures and raptors. No sex or subspecies differences were observed for any of the parameters studied. Aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase, were higher during spring than during winter. In addition, cholesterol values decreased with age whereas creatinine values increased.

An enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay for salivary estriol during normal pregnancy.

It has been recently demonstrated that the concentration of Estriol in saliva increases in the course of pregnancy, similarly to the plasmatic concentration of unconjugated and total Estriol. As an alternative to RIA, which is an expensive method and requires a highly specialized laboratory, there is now available a competitive, sensitive and rapid enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) for Estriol in saliva and plasma. Aim of this study is to compare the levels of Estriol concentration, measured by RIA and by ELISA in saliva and plasma in seven women tested every week from the 30th week to the term of pregnancy.

Morphofunctional findings in adenocarcinoma of endometrium.

Ten cases of adenocarcinoma of the endometrium were studied using histochemical methods for mucopolysaccharides and immunocytochemical methods for the localization of various markers, such as EMA (epithelial membrane antigen), GCDFP-15 (gross cystic disease fluid protein) and CEA. Four cases appeared to contain High Iron Diamine-positive substance and 6 cases were positive using an immunocytochemical method with a polyclonal anti-CEA antiserum. In contrast, no cases stained when a monoclonal anti-CEA antiserum was employed. This suggested that HID- positive material could be a sign of differentiation towards cells with a secretory function.

Morpho-functional changes in normal cyclic endometrium.

Eight cases of normal endometrium in the early proliferative phase and an equal number of cases in the late secretive phase were stained histochemically for acidic mucosubstances and immunocytochemically for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), carcinoembryogenetic antigen (CEA) and Gross Cyst Disease Fluid Protein -15 (GCDFP-15) production. Alcian blue positive material was observed in both phases of the cycle, although the distribution was different. Sulphated mucosubstances were only present in the secretive phase. No CEA nor GCDFP-15 immunoreactive material was detected. EMA positive staining was observed in all cases, but the distribution varied according to the two different phases of the cycle.

Behaviour of some steroids in postmenopausal women with coelomic ovarian tumors.

In order to study the hormonal pattern in ten postmenopausal women with coelomic ovarian tumors we measured Estrone, Androstenedione, DHEA-S and Testosterone plasmatic levels before and after surgery. Estrone and Androstenedione plasmatic levels were significantly higher in patients with coelomic ovarian tumors than in the control group and they showed a rapid and constant decrease after surgery. Nevertheless we didn't find any ovarian histological picture to explain the hormonal increase.

Behavior of some steroids in endometrial adenomatous and atypical hyperplasia.

Endometrial adenomatous and atypical hyperplasia are the histopathological pictures that more frequently may develop into an adenocarcinoma. It is believed that a hormonal action may favour the genesis of endometrial cancer. We studied the plasmatic levels of some steroids, considered to be responsible for neoplastic changes, in patients with adenomatous and atypical hyperplasia. With this object we measured plasmatic levels of estrone, estradiol, androstenedione, DHEA-S and testosterone in postmenopausal patients with adenomatous and atypical hyperplasia and in fertile women, both in proliferative and secretory phases. We didn't find any difference in the steroid pattern in the two groups.

Estrogen and progesterone receptors revealed by an immunoperoxidase method.

An immunoperoxidase method which reveals saturated ER and PgR receptors is reported. With this method it is possible to assess nuclear and cytoplasmic positivity as well as the percentage of the positive cells present in the tumour.