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Biomedical subjects

B S Cooper

Publications and source records attributed to B S Cooper.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Changes in concentrations of follicular inhibin alpha and beta A subunit messenger ribonucleic acids and inhibin immunoactivity during preovulatory maturation in the pig.

Ovarian tissues were collected from 5 pigs on each of days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after withdrawal of an orally active progestin to determine changes in follicular inhibin subunit mRNAs during preovulatory maturation. Follicles (N = 146) were aspirated for fluid and homogenized in guanidinium isothiocyanate for RNA isolation. Follicular RNA and inhibin alpha and beta A subunit mRNA standards were dot-blotted, hybridized with [32P]-cDNA probes, and quantified by densitometry. Mean concentrations of alpha mRNA (pg/micrograms of RNA) increased (p < or = 0.05) by 140% as healthy follicles grew from medium (3-5 mm) to large (> 5 mm). Inhibin immunoactivity was greater (p < or = 0.05) in large than medium follicles. In contrast, mean concentrations of inhibin beta A subunit mRNA did not differ between healthy medium and large follicles. However, both alpha mRNA and beta A mRNA increased (p < or = 0.05) linearly as follicular diameter increased from 3 to 5 mm on Day 1 and from 3 to 9 mm on Day 3. On Day 5, alpha mRNA remained elevated, but was not significantly correlated with diameter. In contrast, beta A mRNA decreased linearly (p < 0.05) as diameter increased from 6 to 11 mm on Day 5. The molar ratio alpha mRNA to beta A mRNA was 20:1 in healthy, large follicles on Days 3 and 5. Mean concentration of alpha mRNA in large follicles decreased (p < 0.05) by 72% between Days 5 and 7, while beta A mRNA decreased to non-detectable levels on Day 7.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of Variance↗

Effects of gonadotropin treatment on ovarian follicle growth and granulosal cell aromatase activity in prepuberal gilts.

This experiment was conducted to compare the ability of USDA porcine FSH-B-1 (pFSH), USDA porcine LH-B-1 (pLH), and pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) to grow large follicles and induce granulosal cell aromatase activity in prepuberal gilts. Twenty-four gilts (164 d old) received one of four treatments by i.m. injection: 1) saline once, n = 8; 2) pFSH (8 micrograms/kg BW, nine times at 8-h intervals), n = 5; 3) pLH (2 micrograms/kg BW, nine times at 8-h intervals), n = 6; or 4) PMSG (15 IU/kg BW, once), n = 5. At slaughter, 72 h after the first injection, the ovaries to saline-treated gilts contained an average of 104 surface antral follicles 1 to 3 mm in diameter. compared to treatment with saline, pFSH increased (P less than .05) the number of follicles 46%, whereas pLH or PMSG decreased (P less than .05) the number by 70 and 84%, respectively. Compared with saline, treatment with PMSG or pLH induced growth of large follicles (7 to 9 mm) (10.8 and 4.8 follicles/gilt, respectively), increased plasma estrogen, increased granulosal cell aromatase activity, and decreased plasma FSH by 51 and 69%; treatment with pFSH had no significant effect on these traits. Results indicate that injected pFSH did not cause growth of large follicles or induce granulosal cell aromatase activity in prepuberal gilts. In contrast, LH initiated growth and increased granulosal cell aromatase activity in a small number of follicles and accelerated atresia among the remaining follicles.

Animals↗

The concentration of penicillin in bovine conjunctival sac fluid as it pertains to the treatment of Moraxella bovis infection. (I) Subconjunctival injection.

Single dose, subconjunctival injections of procaine penicillin using either skin or conjunctival routes of administration were evaluated in order to compare the duration of antibacterial concentrations at the site of Moraxella bovis infection. Samples of conjunctival sac fluid (CF) were collected using blunted capillary tubes and were periodically assayed for penicillin by an agar-well-diffusion technique. Linear regression lines were constructed for concentration of penicillin-time profiles. Similarity of the regression slopes for each treatment enabled the construction of three common lines by the method of co-variance analysis in order to represent each treatment. Treatments were thereafter compared by the slopes of the common regression lines. A subconjunctival injection of procaine penicillin at a dose of 6 X 10(5) iu in 2 ml, administered either through the skin or through the conjunctiva, produced a peak penicillin concentration in the CF of approximately 8 iu/ml for either route and a duration of therapeutic concentration (DTC) of 67.6 +/- 4.9 and 40 +/- 2.7 h respectively. A dose of 3 X 10(5) iu in 1 ml, administered through the conjunctiva, produced a similar peak but the DTC was reduced to 35 +/- 4.2 h. The results of this study support field practices, as adequate penicillin concentrations were maintained by both techniques investigated.

Animals↗

The concentration of penicillin in bovine conjunctival sac fluid as it pertains to the treatment of Moraxella bovis infection. (II) Topical application.

Sodium benzyl penicillin, procaine penicillin and benethamine penicillin were applied into the bovine conjunctival sac as an aqueous solution or in ointment form in order to study the concentration-time profiles. The series of treatments was repeated in five animals in a random sequence. Penicillin concentration in conjunctival sac fluid (CF) was determined using the agar-well-diffusion assay technique. The data obtained were transformed to linear regression slopes. Similarity of the slopes within treatments (in five different eyes) enabled the construction of four common lines by co-variance analysis to represent each treatment. The regression coefficients of the four common lines were then compared to study the difference between treatments. Topical application of 5,000 iu sodium benzylpenicillin in aqueous solution at a concentration isotonic with 0.9% saline, produced a duration of therapeutic concentration (DTC) in CF of 12.6 +/- 1.5 h. When the same salt or other less water-soluble ones were formulated at the same concentration in an ointment base, the DTC was significantly prolonged. For all treatments, peak concentrations in CF were recorded at the first sampling and ranged between 7 iu/ml and 14 iu/ml. Sodium benzylpenicillin or procaine penicillin, both in the ointment base, produced DTCs of 38.8 +/- 2.1 h and 37 +/- 4.0 h, respectively, while the ointment formulation of benethamine penicillin produced a DTC of 56 +/- 4.5 h. The prolonged duration observed in the eye ointments can be partly accounted for by the viscous nature of the base. Other differences may be dependent on relative water solubility of each penicillin product and complexity of the surface mucosae of the eye.

Administration, Topical↗

Local tissue reaction to the administration of an inactivated Brucella ovis saline-in-oil vaccine by the intraperitoneal route.

An inactivated Brucella ovis saline-in-oil vaccine was administered to 14 adult ewes using both the intraperitoneal route and the subcutaneous route. Pairs of animals were necropsied at intervals between 24 hours and ten weeks after injection. The nature of the local inflammatory reaction to the administration of the vaccine was similar at all sites. The lesion consisted of granulomatous inflammation arranged around droplets of oily vaccine. Diffuse peritonitis was seen at necropsy in 12 of the 14 animals. A local extraperitoneal inflammatory response at the injection site was present in four animals despite careful attempts to deposit the vaccine within the abdominal cavity. A second study of 30 rams vaccinated by the intraperitoneal technique confirmed that extraperitoneal deposition of vaccine commonly occurred and that approximately 20% of animals vaccinated by the intraperitoneal method still had peritonitis six months later.

Journal Article↗

The response of vaccinated rams to experimental challenge using Brucella ovis.

One hundred and thirty eight rams were allocated to four experimental groups. An inactivated Br. ovis vaccine was administered either once by the intraperitoneal route (1 i/p), twice by the intraperitoneal route (2 i/p), or twice by the subcutaneous route (2 s/c), and the last group was left unvaccinated. They were then challenged by the intravenous inoculation of between 123 and 1.23 x 108 live Br. ovis bacteria. The number of rams that succumbed to infection within the four groups was 4135 (11%) for the 2 s/c, 7133 (21%) for the 2 i/p, 9135 (26%) for the 1 i/p and 18135 (51%) for the unvaccinated rams. Vaccination reduced the number of rams that succumbed to experimental challenge and although there were differences between the vaccinated groups, these were not statistically significant. Following challenge, unvaccinated rams were the first to excrete Br. ovis in their semen three weeks following inoculation. Next, those vaccinated by either one or two doses by the intraperitoneal technique began to excrete the organism (five weeks) and then finally those rams vaccinated twice by the subcutaneous route (seven weeks).

Journal Article↗

Inhibition of sperm transport and fertilization in superovulating ewes.

In Experiment 1, all ewes were treated with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH-P) to induce superovulation. Ewes came into natural estrus or were treated with prostaglandin F(2)alpha (PGF(2)alpha) or 6-methyl-17-acetoxyprogesterone (MAP) to regulate the time of estrus. The ewes were mated during estrus and necropsied 3 h after mating. Regulation of estrus with either compound reduced the number of sperm recovered from the cervix, uterus, and oviducts and increased the proportions of sperm recovered from the cervix and uterine body that were immotile, dead, or had disrupted membranes. In Experiment 2, all ewes were in natural estrus. They either ovulated naturally or were superovulated, and ewes in each group were necropsied at 3 or 23 h after mating. Superovulation reduced the number of sperm in oviducts, uterus, and anterior segments of the cervix at both time intervals and increased the proportions of sperm that were immotile, dead, or had disrupted membranes. In Experiment 3, of 3x2 design, ewes were in either natural estrus or estrus regulated with PGF(2)alpha or with MAP; they ovulated naturally or were superovulated. Ewes were necropsied 3 d after mating and ova were examined. Both regulation of estrus and superovulation reduced the proportion of ova that were fertilized and reduced the number of accessory sperm attached to fertilized ova.

Journal Article↗

A survey of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis in the Gisborne and Hunterville regions of New Zealand.

A postal survey of 400 beef farmers in the Hunterville and Gisborne districts sought to identify features of farms or management procedures that might influence the occurrence, transmission or severity of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK). The overall response rate was 72%. The annual incidence of IBK outbreaks rose from 10% to 28% between the years 1977 to 1981 and was similar for both districts. Prevalence was highest during mid-summer and lowest in mid-winter. Larger properties were more prone to outbreaks. In both districts, farmers of IBK-free properties purchased fewer cattle than those who had experienced IBK and this distinction was more evident in the Hunterville area. Only in the Gisborne district did a Hereford breed predisposition to infection become apparent. All age groups were affected with IBK but the attack rate was highest in the younger cattle. Eleven percent of farmers routinely treated their cattle for IBK and that produced an earlier resolution of lesions and fewer cattle in which healing extended longer than four weeks. Most farmers considered IBK to be an inconvenience which limited livestock production through reducing growth rates and lowering monetary returns when stock had to be sold at unsuitable times. Eye disfigurement caused loss of value in stud and export stock.

Journal Article↗

Subspecies differentiation of Moraxella bovis by restriction endonuclease DNA analysis (BRENDA).

A total of 94 strains of Moraxella bovis have been examined by bacterial restriction endonuclease DNA analysis (BRENDA). These strains comprised isolates from the U.S.A., the U.K., in Australia, and from a number of widely separated areas within New Zealand. The strains were classified into a total of 26 different types on the basis of their BRENDA patterns. Fourteen types were present among 34 strains from the U.S.A., eight types from 17 strains in the U.K. three types from five strains in Australia but only one type resulted from all 38 New Zealand strains. Moraxella liquifaciens, M. nonliquifaciens and an atypical Moraxella sp. isolated from cattle eyes in Australia were tested and produced BRENDA patterns clearly different from those of the Moraxella bovis strains. BRENDA, when used with the restriction endonuclease EcoR1, did not provide a means of distinguishing between avirulent, nonhaemolytic M.bovis, and the virulent haemolytic strains.

Journal Article↗

Improvement by ergonovine of sperm transport, fertilization and pregnancy rates in ewes in natural or prostaglandin-induced estrus.

Eight experiments were conducted with 451 ewes to test effects of ergonovine, prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and phenylephrine on sperm transport and fertility. In most experiments, ewes were mated at estrus and necropsied 2 or 3 h later. Sperm were flushed from the oviducts, uterus and anterior, middle and posterior thirds of the cervix and counted. Various doses of PGF2 alpha or phenylephrine given im at mating caused no significant increase in sperm numbers in any segment of the tract 2 h later. Three different dose levels of ergonovine were given im to ewes in natural estrus 1 h after mating and ewes were necropsied 3 h after mating. Doses of .2 and 1.0 mg were ineffective, but .5 mg increased sperm numbers about 10-fold in the oviducts and uterus. When given im at the time of artificial insemination, .6 mg of ergonovine increased the fertilization rate at 3 d from 5/25 in control ewes to 12/25 (P less than .05). In three experiments with ewes in PGF2 alpha-induced estrus, .6 mg of ergonovine increased sperm numbers in the cervix and uterus at 3 h after mating and in the uterus and oviducts at 23 h, near ovulation. Other ewes were artificially inseminated in the external cervical os and one-half of the ewes were given .6 mg of ergonovine im; ewes not returning to estrus were laparotomized at 22 to 26 d and embryos removed. After insemination during natural estrus with .2 ml of semen, pregnancy rates were 14/25 for control ewes and 15/25 for ergonovine-treated ewes; after insemination during natural estrus with .1 ml of semen, 6/35 and 18/35 (P less than .005); after insemination during PGF2 alpha-induced estrus with .2 ml of semen, 7/60 and 12/60. Fertilization and pregnancy rates combined were 32/145 (22%) for all control ewes and 57/145 (39%) for ergonovine-treated ewes (P less than .005).

Animals↗

A comparison of the pharmacological activity in cows of two suspensions of betamethasone alcohol.

The activity of two betamethasone (BM) suspensions, which differed only in their solids:vehicle ratio, was examined in cattle. Two groups of 10 cows received by subcutaneous injection either 20 ml of a 2 mg/ml aqueous suspension of BM alcohol or 2 ml of a 20 mg/ml aqueous suspension. A further 10 cows served as a saline-treated control group. The mean peak plasma BM concentration was significantly higher in cows treated with 2 mg/ml suspension. However, plasma BM levels tended to be maintained for longer by the 20 mg/ml suspension. A depression of early morning cortisol levels, similar to that seen with other synthetic glucocorticoids, was recorded with both BM preparations; the depression outlasted the presence of BM. Plasma glucose levels and circulating neutrophil numbers were elevated by BM treatment, and the magnitude and duration of these changes was related to the solids:vehicle ratio of the injected suspensions. The more concentrated suspension was absorbed more slowly and thus produced effects of greater duration.

Journal Article↗

The effect of oxygen on Cor pulmonale in experimental emphysema induced by elastase or elastase and beta-aminopropionitrile in hamsters.

Right ventricular hypertrophy in elastase-induced emphysema in the System hamster was assessed by either the weight of the right ventricle as a fraction of body-weight or by the ratio of the weight of the right to the left ventricle. Right ventricular hypertrophy accompanies elastase-induced emphysema and is more severe in hamsters injected with elastase while fed a diet containing 0.5% beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), a combination that causes more severe emphysema. Measurements of arterial blood oxygen pressures showed that emphysematous animals were hypoxemic. Treatment of emphysematous animals with 35% O2 either during the development of right ventricular hypertrophy or after it had developed produced measurable amelioration of the hypertrophy in those groups with the more severe emphysema (elastase plus BAPN diet) but did not completely prevent it. The oxygen had no effect on the severity of the emphysema measured morphometrically. These results indicate that the cor pulmonale in elastase-induced emphysema is probably multifactorial, but hypoxia appears to be one of the major factors.

Aminopropionitrile↗

Increased numbers of sperm in the oviducts and improved fertilization rates in rabbits after administration of phenylephrine or ergonovine near the time of insemination.

Phenylephrine, an alpha-adrenoceptor agonist, was administered im to does near the time of mating or insemination. The treatment increased sperm numbers in the oviducts by about 50-fold and in the uterus by about 10-fold at 2 or 2.5 h after insemination. Methoxamine, another alpha-adrenoceptor agonist that was given im, did not increase sperm numbers, although both phenylephrine' and methoxamine significantly increased the number and amplitude of uterine contractions when contractions were measured by strain gauge force transducers attached to the uterus of conscious does. Ergonovine, an ergot derivative given im, increased sperm numbers more than 10-fold in the oviducts and five to 10-fold in the uterus at 2 or 2.5 h after insemination. Ergonovine increased the frequency and amplitude of uterine contractions when given iv but not when given im. In tests with a range of doses of phenylephrine and ergonovine, 5 mg of phenylephrine and .6 mg of ergonovine appeared to be near optimal for maximizing the number of sperm in the uterus and oviducts at 2.5 h after insemination. Phenoxybenzamine, an alpha-adrenoceptor blocking agent, prevented the phenylephrine-induced increases in both uterine contractions and sperm numbers in the oviducts and uterus. Phenoxybenzamine also prevented the effect of ergonovine on sperm numbers. In does inseminated with low numbers of sperm (92,000; an inseminate selected to result in a low fertilization rate in control does), the administration of phenylephrine or ergonovine significantly increased ovum fertilization rates (16% for control does, 52 and 63%, respectively, for phenylephrine- and ergonovine-treated does).

Animals↗