Comparative studies of the respiratory functions of mammalian blood. XII. Black galago (Galago crassicaudatus argentatus) and brown galago (Galago crassicaudatus crassicaudatus).

Respiratory characteristics of blood from sixteen adult male galagos were studied (8 brown and 8 black). The average body weight of the black galagos was significantly higher than that of the brown(1.512 +/- 0.162 vs. 0.988 +/- 0.099 kg, respectively). The blood oxygen capacities for black and brown galagos were 20.6 +/- 1.9 and 21.5 +/- 1.8 vol percent, respectively. The Bohr factor for blood from the black galago was -0550 +/- 0.039 (n = 9) and for brown galago blood was -0.523 +/- 0.050 (n = 6). There was no significant (P greater than 0.05) difference in P50 values of blood from the two subspecies of galagos, 36.7 +/- 1.1 vs. 37.7 +/- 0.9 mm Hg for the black and brown, respectively. The Haldane effect for black galago blood was higher than that for brown (7.5 vs. 65 vol percent, respectively). The concentrations of 2.3-DPG were similar in black and brown galago blood, 16.16 +/- 1.52 vs. 16.37 +/- 0.76 mumol/g Hb, respectively. Starch gel electrophoresis showed three major components of hemoglobin from both subspecies. There is a trend toward decreasing blood oxygen affinity as one ascends the primate evolutionary scale, which may be secondary to the trend toward a greater adult body weight.

Oestrogen concentrations in systemic plasma of pregnant pygmy goats.

Concentrations of oestradiol-17 beta, oestradiol-17 alpha, and oestrone in systemic plasma of pregnant pygmy goats (Capra hircus) remained low until about Day 60 and then rose to maximum values at Days 120-140 (parturition Day 140-145). Oestradiol-17 alpha was the predominant oestrogen. All 3 oestrogens at Days 100-130 were higher in females carrying 3 fetuses than in those carrying only one, but at Days 70-90 only oestrone values were higher. It is suggested that the feto-placental unit is the source of oestrogens during gestation in goats.

Hemodynamic and metabolic effects of chronic carbon monoxide exposure in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

Cardio-respiratory data were obtained on four adult female cynomolgus monkeys, intermittently exposed to CO for eight months and compared with data obtained from the same animals after five weeks of recovery. Due to CO exposure, the arteriovenous oxygen concentration difference and oxygen consumption decreased and blood oxygen affinity increased. However, there was no significant change in cardiac output and mixed venous PO2. The cynomolgus monkeys adapted to chronic CO exposure by reducing their metabolic rate.

Resting hemodynamics and oxygen transport in unanesthetized adult cats.

Characteristics of blood, oxygen transport were determined in seven adult female cats with inlying catheters in the pulmonary artery and a carotid artery. Measurements were made without anesthesia. Cardiac output averaged 167 ml.kg-1.min-1. Blood oxygen capacity averaged 11.6 ml.dl-1. Mean arterial oxygen saturation was 94% and mixed venous oxygen saturation was 49%. Mean oxygen tensions were 97.3% and 36.9 mm Hg in arterial and mixed venous blood, respectively. Mean arteriovenous oxygen concentration difference was 5.1 ml.dl-1, yielding a calculated oxygen consumption of 8.4 ml.kg-1 min-1, 5% higher than the value obtained by spirometric measurements on four of the animals. These data, when compared with previously reported values from species ranging widely in body size, show that the increased oxygen consumption per kg associated with decreasing body size is provided by progressive increases in cardiac output per kg and in arteriovenous oxygen concentration difference. Mixed venous oxygen tension is held within narrow limits in resting, unanesthetized animals.

Influence of progestin upon hemodynamics in castrated male pygmy goats.

Effects of progestin administration for 5 to 6 weeks upon hemodynamics were studied in two separate experiments, using trained, adult castrated male Pygmy goats. Measurements of cardiac output, blood pressure, plasma volume, and oxygen content of arterial and mixed venous blood were made before, during, and after treatment. In experiment 1, four animals were used. Progesterone was implanted subcutaneously in silicone envelopes which released an average of 44 mg of progesterone/day/goat. A 20% decrease in cardiac output occurred by the 5th week of treatment. Blood pressure was maintained by an increased peripheral vascular resistance. The five animals in experiment 2 were given (IM) 6 mg of 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone/kg of body weight/day. Cardiac output decreased 17% in the 2nd and 3rd weeks of hormone treatment. 17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone caused a transient natriuresis followed by sodium retention. Urinary aldosterone excretion increased after 9 days of treatment, but returned to normal by the 15th day.

Responses to exercise in the pregnant pygmy goat.

Pregnant Pygmy goats were trained to walk on a treadmill up a 10 degree grade at a rate of 1.5 mile/hr for 10 min. Hemodynamic measurements were made in duplicate during late pregnancy and postpartum, at rest and after 3 min of exercise. All kids were weighed within 12 hr of delivery to assess the effect of exercise on fetal growth. Pulse rate, cardiac output and oxygen consumption were higher during pregnancy than postpartum, at rest and also during exercise. Stroke volume increased significantly with exercise. Peripheral vascular resistance (pvr) at rest was lower during pregnancy than postpartum, and decreased significantly during exercise, especially in pregnancy. Exercise was associated with a fall in arterial P(CO2) during pregnancy and postpartum. In goats, as in humans, the increased oxygen demands of pregnancy, during exercise and at rest, are met by an increased cardiac output rather than by increased peripheral oxygen extraction. The individual birth weights of twins, triplets and quadruplets from Pygmy goats who were exercised during late pregnancy were smaller than birth weights of matched newborns from control animals.

Respiratory characteristics of opossum (Didelphis virginiana) blood during chronic anemia.

In five adult opossums (Didelphis virginiana), blood hemoglobin concentration was lowered from 12.3g% to 6.4g% by daily bleeding. Blood P50 rose significantly (P is less than 0.05) from 44.5 mm Hg to 47.4 mm Hg and the concentration of 2, 3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) increased from 14.17 mumol/g Hb to 20.90 mumol/g Hb. The observed shift in blood oxygen affinity was of similar magnitude to that recorded in humans with a similar degree of anemia, but the concomitant rise in DPG concentration was greater in opossums than in humans. In the opossum the shift in P50 with anemia can be attributed entirely to the action of DPG as a non diffusible intraerythrocytic anion.

Serum biochemistry values in normal pygmy goats.

Blood serum of pygmy goats (both sexes, and castrated males) was analyzed to establish biochemical reference values. Influence of age on reference values was also studied. Serum biochemical analyses were made for urea nitrogen, creatinin, bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, glucose, uric acid, and total lipids. These serum values for pygmy goats were similar to those reported for man, except as follows: Aspartate aminotransferase activities were slightly higher than those reported for man. Glucose concentrations in pygmy goats were slightly lower than in human beings, and uric acid levels were significantly lower than the values for man. Female and castrated male goats had lower total lipid concentrations than did human beings, whereas intact males had higher concentrations. Thus, of the 9 measured variables for pygmy goats, 5 were comparable to human values. This, together with other attributes, including the small size which conduces to economics of maintenance and enhances the desirability of using pygmy goats in research.

Hematologic values in normal pygmy goats.

Pygmy goat blood was analyzed to determine hematologic base-line values. Male, female, and castrated male goats were used in this investigation. Influence of age on these variables was also studied. Most of the hematologic values of pygmy goats were similar to the reference values reported for several other ruminant species and for man. Values significantly different from reference values in man were as follows: Erythrocyte counts were slightly higher than for human beings. The relative lymphocyte count was comparable to that in infants, but significantly greater than values in adult human beings. Also, although not of statistical significance, hemoglobin levels in goats were slightly lower than in both infants and adult human beings, and the leukocyte count was just slightly higher than the usual values for infants and adult human beings. Thus, of 9 hematologic variables, only 1 was significantly different from those in man, and 2 were slightly different. The fact that pygmy goats have hematologic responses similar to those of man, and the similarity of hematologic values to reference values in man, further enhances the pygmy goat for use as an experimental animal.

Serum electrolytes in normal pygmy goats.

Serum from pygmy goats was analyzed to determine normal base lines for electrolytes. Animals of both sexes were used. Influence of age on these variables was also investigated. The electrolyte values were as follows: sodium, 147 +/- 6.0 mEq/L; potassium, 5.6 +/- 1.0 mEq/L; chloride, 106.0 +/- 4.2 mEq/L; calcium, 4.9 +/- 0.3 mEq/L; magnesium, 2.1 +/- 0.3 mEq/L; and inorganic phosphorus, 4.8 +/- 0.9 mEq/L. Most of the serum electrolyte values for pygmy goats were similar to reports for other ruminant species and human beings.

Serum proteins and protein electrophoretic pattern in normal pygmy goats.

The values of total protein and protein electrophoretic patterns for pygmy goats were studied to establish normal basic values. The values obtained in the present study were as follows: alpha1-globulin, 0.6 +/- 0.1 mg/dl; alpha2-globulin, 1.0 +/- 0.3 mg/dl; beta-globulin, 0.5 +/- 0.1 mg/dl; gamma-globulin, 1.6 +/- 0.1 mg/dl; total protein, 7.3 +/- 0.7 mg/dl; albumin, 3.2 +/- 0.6 mg/dl; A/G ratio, 0.8 +/- 0.3 mg/dl; and globulin, 4.5 +/- 0.6 mg/dl. Goats were divided into groups on the basis of age and sex to determine if any significant differences were present in these groups. Of the 8 variables studied, only albumin and A/G ratio showed significantly different values due to sex; castrated males showed significantly lower values than thos for intact males and females (P less than 0.05). Also, A/G ratio values for females and castrated male pygmy goats were significantly lower than those for intact males (P less than 0.05). Total serum protein values studied in female pygmy goats at various ages were also significantly different (P less than 0.05).

Postnatal changes in blood respiratory characteristics in an American opossum (Didelphis virginiana).

The oxygen affinity of opossum blood changes in the postnatal period. The youngest opossums studied were 53 days of age (dated from the day of transit from vagina to pouch) and still confined to the maternal pouch: they had a blood P50 of 32.6 +/- 2.9 mm Hg. The blood P50 value then increased significantly, in two steps. First, while the young were still in the pouch, blood P50 rose secondary to a rise in the concentration of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG). Blood P50 and DPG concentration then remained stable until the animals left the maternal pouch, when DPG rose again, causing a further increment in the blood P50 which peaked at 48.7 +/- 4.5 mm Hg in animals 148 days old. Blood P50 subsequently decreased significantly, reaching the adult value (42.0 +/- 1.9 mm Hg) at about 250 days.

Respiratory characteristics of blood from Basenji dogs with classical erythrocyte pyruvate kinase deficiency.

The oxygen affinities of blood from eight Basenji dogs homozygous for classical erythrocyte pyruvate kinase deficiency and four dogs heterozygous for the defect were compared with blood from 14 Labrador retrievers and two normal Basenji dogs. The homozygous dogs showed significant anemia compared to heterozygous and normal dogs (P is less than 0.01). The average blood P50 value (at 38C and plasma pH of 7.40) for both homozygous and heterozygous dogs was significantly higher (P is less than 0.01) than for normal dogs (33.6+/-0.4 and 31.8+/-0.7 vs 30.8+/-0.6 mm Hg). The concentrations of 2,3-DPG in the blood of both heterozygous and homozygous dogs were significantly higher than normal values. Four months after splenectomy P50 values declined to normal in four homozygous Basenji dogs without any change in the degree of anemia or blood 2,3-DPG concentrations. Iron kinetic studies showed a shorter plasma clearance time in a homozygous than in a normal dog with the heterozygote falling midway between. The red cell life span in the normal and heterozygous dogs was approximately 120 days. The 59Fe studies on the homozygous dog indicate markedly different survival characteristics which can be attributed to the existence of three populations of red cells differing in their life spans.

Failure of carbon monoxide to induce myocardial infarction in cholesterol-fed cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

Twenty-six adult female cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were randomly assigned to four groups which were fed on a standard laboratory diet or a semipurified diet containing cholesterol. In two of the groups, the monkeys were exposed intermittently to CO throughout the day for 14 months; the control animals breathed room air. No myocardial infarctions were observed, and the ECG showed a transitory injury current in only one animal. No differences in plasma cholesterol levels or in aortic and coronary atherosclerosis could be attributed to CO exposure.

Hemoglobin Willamette (alpha2beta2 51Pro replaced by Apg (D2)) a new abnormal human hemoglobin.

A hemoglobin variant with the same electrophoretic mobility as hemoglobin S was found in three generations of a black family. No clinical symptoms or findings were present in subjects heterozygous for this mutant. Except for target forms of mature erythrocytes, they have no abnormal hematologic findings. Structural studies demonstrated a previously undescribed substitution, beta51 Pro replaced by Arg, in the abnormal fraction which accounts for about one-third of the total hemoglobin. This fraction is more unstable in vitro at 65 degrees than normal A hemoglobin. Both whole blood and purified abnormal hemoglobin have increased oxygen affinity and a slightly decreased Bohr effect.

Serum biochemical and electrophoretic values from four deer species and from pronghorn antelope.

Serums from 4 species of deer and 1 species of antelope were analyzed for various components in order to define an animal disease model for sickle cell disease in people. Animal species included black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), sika deer (Cervus nippon nippon), fallow deer (Dama dama), and pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana). The mean serum values for total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea nitrogen, and electrolytes were similar in all species and were in the normal range for human beings. Cholesterol and uric acid values for all animals were lower than those for people. Alkaline phosphatase values in the 4 cervid species were higher than in the pronghorn antelope. Values for glutamic oxalacetic transaminase were lower in the cervids than in the pronghorn antelope. Lactic dehydrogenase values were similar in the 5 species. High activities for glutamic oxalacetic transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase in the 5 species probably related to muscle mass and great muscular activity.

Postoperative hemodynamic and electrophysiologic evaluation of the interatrial baffle procedure.

Hemodynamic and electrophysiologic studies were performed in 11 children with dextrotransposition of the great arteries an average of 26 months after the interatrial baffle procedure and, in 2 patients, additional closure of a ventricular septal defect. All children are clinically well. Right to left shunts ranging from 28 to 63 percent of systemic blood flow were found at the superior vena caval-baffle junction in four children. The superior vena caval-baffle gradient averaged 7 mm Hg (range 0 to 22). Right ventricular stroke work index averaged 39 g-m/beat per m2 and right ventricular end-diastolic pressure 9 mm Hg. These values were not significantly different from the values for the systemic left ventricle in a comparable group of normal children (average left ventricular stroke work index 45 g-m/beat per m2 and average left ventricular end-diastolic pressure 8 mm Hg). Cardiac index, heart rate and arteriovenous oxygen difference were also normal. No child has complete heart block. His bundle recording demonstrated normal H-V intervals (range 27 to 40 msec); 4 of the 11 had a prolonged A-H interval. Left ventricular systolic pressure was less than 40 mm Hg in all but two children who had significant subpulmonary stenosis. Pulmonary vascular resistance averaged 1.9 units and was decreased in all children. We conclude that up to 37 months postoperatively, despite some residual abnormalities, the clinical and hemodynamic condition of these children is excellent.

Development of the neonate opossum (Didelphis virginiana).

This study describes the postnatal growth and development of the opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Measurements were made weekly on 6 young opossums between 50 and 189 days following birth. These measurements included: total length, length of ear and tail, and length of front and rear appendages. Body weight measurements were extended to 233 days. The mean body weight at 50 days was 14.1 g, which increased rapidly to 2,560 g at 233 days.