Biomedical subjects

D O'Callaghan

Publications and source records attributed to D O'Callaghan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Effect of type and quantity of concentrates on superovulation and embryo yield in beef heifers.

Embryo yield and quality can be decreased following superovulation of cattle on high levels of concentrates. Concentrate type can alter rumen fermentation patterns and so affect energy availability and thus embryo quality. The objectives of this experiment were to examine the effect of 2 levels and 2 types of concentrate on superovulatory response and embryo quality in beef heifers. Beef heifers received grass silage as a basal diet and barley at 3 kg (n = 20) or ad-libitum (n = 19), or citrus/beet pulp at 3 kg (n = 18) or ad-libitum (n = 19) as the source of concentrate supplement. Silage was available ad-libitum for heifers offered 3 kg but was restricted to 1 kg DM/day for heifers on ad-libitum concentrate intake. Both concentrates contained 14% crude protein. After 100 d, heifers were treated with an intravaginal progesterone releasing device (CIDR) for 7 d, and superovulation was initiated 60 h before CIDR withdrawal. Heifers received pFSH (a total of 265 mg NIH-FSH-P1 equivalent) administered over 8 injections at 12 h intervals with the last 2 injections administered at 12 and 24 h after CIDR withdrawal; they were inseminated at 56 and 72 h after CIDR withdrawal without reference to estrus. Heifers were slaughtered 6, 7 or 8 d after the first insemination, and embryos were flushed from the uterus with PBS and were graded morphologically. Statistical analyses were performed using analysis of variance. There was no interaction between level and type of diet, and thus data for the main effects are presented separately. Final live weights at the end of the experiment and carcass weights for heifers offered ad-libitum concentrate (643.8+/-6.9 kg; 354+/-8 kg, respectively) were higher (P<0.01) than those of heifers offered 3 kg concentrate (613.1+/-7.5 kg; 338.4+/-3.2 kg, respectively) while live weights and carcass weights of heifers offered barley (625.6+/-8.1 and 345.4+/-4.1 kg, respectively) or citrus/beet pulp concentrate (631.4+/-7.0 and 348.0+/-3.1 kg, respectively) were not different (P>0.05). Superovulatory responses (number of corpora lutea at slaughter) was greater (P<0.06) when heifers were offered 3 kg (15.5+/-1.6) than when offered ad-libitum concentrates (12.3+/-1.4). However, the superovulatory response for both citrus/beet pulp (14.4+/-1.5) and barley (13.4+/-1.5) diets were not different (P>0.05). Heifers offered 3 kg concentrates produced greater (P<0.05) numbers of transferable embryos (4.8+/-0.7) compared with heifers fed ad-libitum concentrates (2.8+/-0.4). Heifers offered citrus/beet pulp produced greater (P<0.05) numbers of transferable embryos (4.8+/-0.7) than heifers offered barley (2.9+/-0.5). These data indicate that high concentrate intake has a negative effect on embryo yield and quality and that a barley compared with citrus/beet pulp based concentrate has a negative effect on embryo quality following superovulation in beef heifers.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1999

Effect of immunization against melatonin on prolactin concentrations and the timing of reproductive transitions in ewes.

The objective of this experiment was to develop a procedure for immunizing ewes against melatonin that would alter the effects of changing photoperiod on seasonal reproduction and prolactin secretion. Ewes were immunized against human serum albumin (HSA) as controls (n = 9) or a melatonin-human serum albumin conjugate (0.25 mg; n = 10) on December 14th (Day 0) and boosted 9 times. They were maintained on natural photoperiod and then transferred indoors and exposed to long days for 35 d, followed by short days for 146 d, long days for 93 d, and short days for a further 123 d. Antibody titers to melatonin (at a serum dilution of 1:1,250) were significantly higher in immunized ewes (27.3 +/- 6.6%) than controls (0.7 +/- 0.1%; P < 0.001). At the end of the experiment, antibody titers in immunized ewes (at dilution of 1:50) were higher in blood (43.7 +/- 8.2%) than in cerebrospinal fluid (10.8 +/- 3.9%; P < 0.05), and highly correlated (r2 = 0.746). Onset of the breeding season was advanced slightly after the second transfer from long to short days in immunized ewes (April 12 +/- 3 d) compared with controls (April 25 +/- 3 d; P < 0.05). Mean serum prolactin concentrations were lower (P < 0.05) in melatonin-immunized ewes compared with controls on natural photoperiod, after transfer from long to short days, during long days, and after the second transfer from long to short days. In conclusion, despite melatonin-immunization increasing antibody titers in blood and cerebrospinal fluid, and decreasing prolactin concentrations over much of the experiment, minimal effects on the timing of reproductive transitions in the ewes were evident. This discrepancy between the response of the prolactin and reproductive axes to melatonin immunization supports the hypothesis of a dual site of action of melatonin, with melatonin acting in the pituitary gland to mediate the effects of photoperiod on prolactin secretion and in the mediobasal hypothalamus to affect reproductive responses.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

A homologue of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens VirB and Bordetella pertussis Ptl type IV secretion systems is essential for intracellular survival of Brucella suis.

Analysis of a TnblaM mutant of Brucella suis 1330, identified as being unable to multiply in Hela cells, allowed us to identify a 11 860 bp region of the B. suis genome encoding a type IV secretion system, homologous to the VirB system of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and the Ptl system of Bordetella pertussis. DNA sequence revealed 12 open reading frames (ORFs) encoding homologues of the 11 VirB proteins present in the pTi plasmid of Agrobacterium with a similar genetic organization, and a twelfth ORF encoding a putative lipoprotein, homologous to a protein involved in mating pair formation during bacterial conjugation and to adhesins used by Pseudomonas species to bind to plant roots. Phylogenetic trees based on the sequences of VirB4 and VirB9 protein homologues suggest that evolution of the systems from DNA transfer towards protein secretion did not stem from a single event but that the protein secretion systems have evolved independently. Four independent mutants in virB5, virB9 or virB10 were highly attenuated in an in vitro infection model with human macrophages. The virulence was restored by complementation with a plasmid containing the full virB region. The virB region appears to be essential for the intracellular survival and multiplication of B. suis.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗

PubMed1999

Seasonal variation in long-day stimulation of prolactin secretion in ewes.

Whereas ewes initiate reproductive activity in response to a photoperiod signal initiated after the winter solstice of 35 long days (35 LD) followed by short days, the reproductive axis fails to respond to this signal between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. The aim of experiment 1 was to determine whether the prolactin axis, like the reproductive axis, is unresponsive to a 35 LD photoperiod signal followed by continuous exposure to short days between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. Whereas the 35 LD signal from September 21 (</= 6 h increase in day length) failed to influence prolactin secretion, all other long-day treatments (> 6 h increase in day length) initiated a rise in prolactin in at least 75% of ewes in each group (p < 0.05). The aim of experiment 2 was to determine whether ewes failed to secrete prolactin during a 35 LD photoperiod from September 21 because they did not recognize a 6-h increase in day length at any time of year as a stimulatory photoperiod signal or because hypothalamic/pituitary regulation of prolactin synthesis or secretion is compromised in September. The results demonstrated that while hypothalamic regulation of prolactin secretion and pituitary stores of prolactin were normal at all times of year examined, the ability of ewes to secrete prolactin in response to a long-day photoperiod signal appears to be dependent on photoperiodic history rather than the time of year of the photoperiodic challenge.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Effect of timing of oestradiol benzoate injection relative to gonadotropin treatment on superovulatory response, and on embryo yield and quality in beef heifers.

Variation in superovulatory responses in cattle may be related to the stage of follicular growth at the time of gonadotropin treatment. Waves of follicle growth are regulated by both follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestradiol. The objective of experiment 1 was to determine the dynamics of follicle wave emergence and the relationship with FSH and oestradiol concentrations, after treatment of heifers with oestradiol benzoate (ODB) in the presence of an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device (CIDR-B). Experiment 2 examined the superovulatory response, embryo yield and quality following treatment with porcine follicle-stimulating hormone (pFSH) at different times relative to ODB injection. In experiment 1, 28 beef heifers were treated with a CIDR for 9 days and allocated at random to one of four groups to receive either: (I) CIDR only, or 5 mg ODB given as a single intramuscular injection at (II) day 0 (d0); (III) day 1.5 (d1.5); or (IV) day 3 (d3) post CIDR insertion. Ovaries were examined using daily ultrasound and blood samples were collected twice daily for 11 days. In experiment 2, 96 heifers were treated with a CIDR and 5 mg ODB as in experiment 1, and were allocated using a 4 x 3 factorial design plan to a superovulation programme using three doses (400 IU; 600 IU; 800 IU) of pFSH. FSH was given for 4 days at 12-h intervals beginning 6.5 days after CIDR insertion. Heifers received prostaglandin analogue 12 h before CIDR removal and were inseminated (AI) at 48 and 60 h post CIDR withdrawal and embryos were recovered 7 days after AI. In experiment 1, the interval from CIDR insertion to follicle wave emergence (FWE) was longer (P < 0.05) in heifers treated with ODB at d1.5 (5.4 +/- 0.4 days) and d3 (5.1 +/- 0.6 days) compared to heifers treated with CIDR only (2.4 +/- 0.4 days). On the basis of time to proposed injection of pFSH heifers would have had follicle emergence 4.4, 2.3, 1.5 and 1.4 days prior to pFSH for groups I, II, III and IV, respectively. In experiment 2, heifers treated with ODB at d1.5 had a higher (P < 0.05) superovulatory response (18.2 +/- 1.7) than heifers treated at d3 (12.8 +/- 1.7), but superovulatory response in both groups did not differ (P > 0.05) from heifers treated at d0 (14.4 +/- 2.0) or with CIDR only (15.0 +/- 1.8). There were fewer (P < 0.05) freezable-grade embryos recovered from heifers treated with ODB at d0 (1.5 +/- 0.7) and d3 (2.1 +/- 0.5) compared to heifers treated at d1.5 (3.0 +/- 0.6) or in heifers treated with CIDR only (3.4 +/- 0.7). Increasing the dose of pFSH caused a linear increase in the superovulatory response (11.7 +/- 1.0, 15.8 +/- 1.4 and 18.0 +/- 1.9) and in the number of embryos recovered (5.8 +/- 0.9, 7.0 +/- 0.8 and 9.1 +/- 1.0) for 400 IU, 600 IU and 800 IU, respectively. In conclusion, heifers treated with ODB had wide variation in time to follicle wave emergence and there was not a consistent beneficial effect of pretreatment with ODB on embryo yield and quality following superovulation.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Identification, cloning and initial characterisation of FeuPQ in Brucella suis: a new sub-family of two-component regulatory systems.

To cause disease, Brucella species have to adapt to a range of different environments. Environmental sensing and adaptive responses in bacteria often involve the concerted action of a two-component regulatory system, consisting of sensor and response regulator components. Amplification and sequence analysis of response regulators from Brucella species identified a response regulator sequence with 96% similarity to Rhizobium leguminosarum FeuP. In R. leguminosarum, the FeuPQ two-component system is involved in the regulation of iron uptake. A Brucella suis feuP isogenic mutant was constructed but was not attenuated in the murine brucellosis model. The survival and multiplication of the mutant in macrophages was also unaffected. The FeuPQ regulon represents a newly characterised sub-family of response regulators.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Quantitative changes in collagen levels following 830-nm diode laser welding.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The actual mechanism by which laser irradiation welds tissue is presently unknown; however, collagen is a major constituent of tissue welded by laser irradiation. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Collagen was extracted from the abdominal aorta of Wistar rats by acetic acid extraction and repeated pepsin digestion after tissue welding (254 W/cm2) by using an 830-nm diode laser. The collagen levels were determined by using the Sircol Collagen Assay (Biocolor, Northern Ireland). RESULTS: Compared with untreated aorta, the collagen content of the treated vessel was obvious decreased (P < 0.001) immediately after laser irradiation. Levels then increased by day 3, with a peak at day 10 (P < 0.002). The collagen content returned to normal levels on day 30 and remained at this level throughout the rest of the experimental period. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a proportion of the collagen molecules in the vessel are denatured by the heat of the laser. Collagen synthesis is stimulated during the healing process after laser welding with the parameters used in the present study.

Acetic Acid↗

PubMed1998

The influence of short-term nutrient changes on follicle growth and embryo production following superovulation in beef heifers.

Acute decreases in nutrient intake can improve embryo quality in sheep, although reductions in ovulation rate can also occur. In cattle, short-term nutrient restriction prior to ovulation has been shown to increase subsequent pregnancy rates. Thus, the objective was to determine the effect of a severe reduction in food intake on follicle growth and embryo quantity and quality in heifers superovulated with FSH. Beef heifers (n = 61) were offered a diet of grass silage and concentrates (ratio of 5:1, on a fresh weight basis), which was adjusted to provide a predicted intake of 28.6 Mcal/kg ME/d (H) or 9.6 Mcal/kg ME/d (L). Heifers were synchronized with a progesterone-releasing device for 7 d. They were allocated to oocyte recovery (n = 16/treatment) after 3 (225 IU) or 8 (600 IU) injections of FSH given at 12-h intervals. Oocytes were matured, fertilized and cultured individually in vitro. The remaining heifers (n = 14/treatment) were superovulated using FSH (600 IU), and embryos were recovered 7 d after breeding. The embryos were morphologically graded and subsequently cultured for 24 h before differential staining to determine inner cell mass and trophectoderm cell numbers. Follicle numbers increased following 8 (16.6 +/- 2.0) compared with 3 (6.7 +/- 0.6) injections of FSH (P < 0.0001). Heifers on the L diet had more follicles than those on the H diet (13.5 +/- 2.4 vs 9.6 +/- 1.2; P < 0.06), which was predominantly due to an increase in the number of 7- to 10-mm follicles. However, this effect was only evident after 8 injections of FSH. There was no nutritional effect on cleavage rates in vitro (55.6 +/- 8.1 vs 53.8 +/- 9.0 for H vs L diets, respectively). However, cleavage rates were lower in oocytes collected after 8 than after 3 injections of FSH (31.3 vs 69.2%; P < 0.0001). There was no significant effect of nutrition on ovulation rate after FSH (14.4 +/- 1.9 vs 16.3 +/- 3.0 for H vs L diet, respectively). The number of embryos recovered was not different between heifers on H (10.4 +/- 1.3) and L (11.3 +/- 2.4) diets. Following culture for 24 h, a significantly higher proportion of embryos from heifers on the L diet developed to the blastocyst stage (72.9 vs 41.5%; P < 0.01). Total cell numbers on Day 8 were greater in embryos from heifers on the L diet (98.3 vs 75.4; P < 0.0001); yet the inner cell mass as a percentage of total cells was not different (21 vs 20%). These data indicate that low energy intake prior to and during superovulation resulted in more follicles and in improved embryo quality, as evident from the increased number of blastocysts formed and higher cell numbers.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed1998

Differences in chromosome number and genome rearrangements in the genus Brucella.

We have studied the genomic structure and constructed the SpeI, PacI and I-CeuI restriction maps of the four biovars of the pathogenic bacterium Brucella suis. B. suis biovar 1 has two chromosomes of 2.1 Mb and 1.15 Mb, similar to those of the other Brucella species: B. melitensis, B. abortus, B. ovis and B. neotomae. Two chromosomes were also observed in the genome of B. suis biovars 2 and 4, but with sizes of 1.85 Mb and 1.35 Mb, whereas only one chromosome with a size of 3.1 Mb was found in B. suis biovar 3. We show that the differences in chromosome size and number can be explained by rearrangements at chromosomal regions containing the three rrn genes. The location and orientation of these genes confirmed that these rearrangements are due to homologous recombination at the rrn loci. This observation allows us to propose a scheme for the evolution of the genus Brucella in which the two chromosome-containing strains can emerge from an hypothetical ancestor with a single chromosome, which is probably similar to that of B. suis biovar 3. As the genus Brucella is certainly monospecific, this is the first time that differences in chromosome number have been observed in strains of the same bacterial species.

Blotting, Southern↗

PubMed1997

Structural and antigenic identification of the ORF12 protein (alpha TIF) of equine herpesvirus 1.

The equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) homolog of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) tegument phosphoprotein, alpha TIF (Vmw65; VP16), was identified previously as the product of open reading frame 12 (ORF12) and shown to transactivate immediate early (IE) gene promoters. However, a specific virion protein corresponding to the ORF12 product has not been identified definitively. In the present study the ORF12 protein, designated ETIF, was identified as a 60-kDa virion component on the basis of protein fingerprint analyses in which the limited proteolysis profiles of the major 60-kDa in vitro transcription/ translation product of an ORF12 expression vector (pT7-12) were compared to those of purified virion proteins of similar size. ETIF was localized to the viral tegument in Western blot assays of EHV-1 virions and subvirion fractions using polyclonal antiserum and monoclonal antibodies generated against a glutathione-S-transferase-ETIF fusion protein. Northern and Western blot analyses of EHV-1-infected cell lysates prepared under various metabolic blocks indicated that ORF12 is expressed as a late gene, and cross reaction of polyclonal anti-GST-ETIF with a 63.5-kDa HSV-1 protein species suggested that ETIF and HSV-1 alpha TIF are antigenically related. Last, DNA band shift assays used to assess ETIF-specific complex formation indicated that ETIF participates in an infected cell protein complex with the EHV-1 IE promoter TAATGARAT motif.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Response of Brucella suis 1330 and B. canis RM6/66 to growth at acid pH and induction of an adaptive acid tolerance response.

Acid pH is an environmental stress often encountered by Brucella during both the "environmental" and the "pathogenic" stages of its life. We have investigated the behaviour of B. suis biovar 1 and B. canis in acid conditions. Growth at suboptimal pH was characterized by a dramatic reduction in growth yield due to an early onset of stationary phase. B. suis was more resistant to low pH than B. canis, which lysed at pH 4.6. Viable counts measured after a 4-h acid shock at pH 3.2 showed that the relative survival of B. suis was 1,000-fold greater than that of B. canis. An adaptive acid tolerance response (ATR) was induced in both species by culture at pH 5.8; however, while the acid-sensitive B. canis had more than a 2,000-fold increase in survival following acid shock at pH 3.2, the increase in survival of B. suis was only around 50-fold. The kinetics of the induction of ATR were followed: for B. suis, 1-2 h (1 generation) at pH 5.8 were required to induce acid tolerance (50-fold protection), and these levels remained constant over 24 h. B. canis became relatively acid-resistant after only 30-min exposure to pH 5.8. Levels of acid tolerance continued to increase and were maximal at 24 h. Stationary phase pH 7.2 cultures of either species did not exhibit acid resistance, suggesting that, like Salmonella, Brucella does not have an rpoS-controlled stationary phase acid resistance.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1997

Influence of previous photoperiodic exposure on the reproductive response to a specific photoperiod signal in ewes.

Two experiments were carried out to determine whether the reproductive response of ewes to a specific photoperiodic signal depends on the time of year that the signal is given, and, if so, whether this dependence can be attributed to the photoperiodic history of the ewes. The aim of experiment 1 was to expand upon previous findings that the reproductive response to a specific photoperiodic challenge in ewes previously maintained on natural photoperiod varies with time of year. Ewes were transferred at one of three times of year from natural photoperiod to photochambers and were immediately exposed to 35 long days (18L:6D) followed by continuous exposure to short days (8.5L: 15.5D); this treatment is referred to as LD-->SD. The three times of year when long days started corresponded to the beginning of the breeding season, the mid-breeding season, and early anestrus (September 21, December 21, March 21, respectively). In ewes exposed to LD-->SD beginning in September, the breeding season and subsequent anestrous season was not altered. In ewes exposed to LD-->SD beginning in December, the transition to anestrus was advanced (p < 0.05) relative to that in controls maintained in simulated natural photoperiod. Subsequently, half of these ewes resumed reproductive activity within 180 days; this occurred 131 +/- 8 days after transfer to short days. In contrast, all ewes exposed to LD-->SD beginning in March resumed reproductive activity; this began 100 +/- 3 days after transfer to short days (p < 0.05 versus December group). The purpose of experiment 2 was to assess the extent to which the difference in response to a photoperiodic challenge can be attributed to photoperiodic history. Ewes were maintained on short days from the winter solstice interrupted with 35 long days from March 21, June 21, September 21, or December 21. The majority of ewes exhibited an onset of reproductive activity after exposure to LD-->SD at the different times of year, and there was no group difference in latency to onset of reproductive activity. The duration of reproductive activity, however, was longer (p < 0.05) in ewes exposed to LD-->SD beginning in June than in the other groups. Thus we conclude that the seasonal difference in the ability of the photoperiodic challenge of long followed by short days to induce reproductive activity in ewes previously maintained outdoors can be attributed, in large measure, to photoperiodic history. Other factors, such as phase of the endogenous rhythm, however, may influence the duration of reproductive activity resulting from this photoperiodic challenge.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1997

Investigation of the Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans genome by pulsed field gel electrophoresis.

Pulsed field gel electrophoresis was used to investigate nineteen strains of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. The genome was found to contain a single chromosome whose size we estimate to be 2300 kb from the sum of restriction fragments generated with rare cutting endonucleases. We detected the presence of large plasmids with sizes ranging from 35 to 300 kb. In some strains, extrachromosomal elements constitute over 20% of the total genome. Comparison of the profiles of ApaI digests of the 19 strains showed a high degree of polymorphism with 13 different profiles, providing a new tool for epidemiological studies.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans↗

PubMed1997

Genome structure and phylogeny in the genus Brucella.

PacI and SpeI restriction maps were obtained for the two chromosomes of each of the six species of the genus Brucella: B. melitensis, B. abortus, B. suis, B. canis, B. ovis, and B. neotomae. Three complementary techniques were used: hybridization with the two replicons as probes, cross-hybridization of restriction fragments, and a new mapping method. For each type strain, a unique I-SceI site was introduced in each of the two replicons, and the location of SpeI sites was determined by linearization at the unique site, partial digestion, and end labeling of the fragments. The restriction and genetic maps of the six species were highly conserved. However, numerous small insertions or deletions, ranging from 1 to 34 kb, were observed by comparison with the map of the reference strain of the genus, B. melitensis 16M. A 21-kb Spel fragment specific to B. ovis was found in the small chromosome of this species. A 640-kb inversion was demonstrated in the B. abortus small chromosome. All of these data allowed the construction of a phylogenetic tree, which reflects the traditional phenetic classification of the genus.

Brucella↗

PubMed1997

Variation in the ability of a long day followed by a short day photoperiod signal to initiate reproductive activity in ewes at different times of the year.

Three experiments examined the importance of the time and duration of exposure to a long day followed by a short day photoperiod signal in initiating reproductive activity in ewes. In Expt 1, ewes were maintained on short days (8.5 h light:15.5 h dark) from 21 December interrupted with either 105 long days (18 h light:6 h dark; LD) from 9 February or 35 LD from 9 February, 16 March or 20 April. Exposure to long days followed by short days advanced the onset of reproductive activity in comparison to control ewes maintained on simulated natural photoperiod. Exposure to long days for 105 days delayed the onset of reproductive activity (August 2 +/- 3 days; P < 0.05) compared with 35 days beginning on the same date (July 13 +/- 5 days). The interval from the end of the long day signal to the onset of reproductive activity was shorter (P < 0.001) however, after 105 LD than after 35 LD. In Expt 2, control ewes were moved from natural photoperiod to simulated natural photoperiod on 1 November and subsequently exposed to short days from 21 December. Four other groups were also exposed to this basic photoperiodic signal sequence but it was interrupted with either 70 LD from 16 November, or 35 LD from 16 November, 21 December or 20 April. More ewes (P < 0.05) initiated reproductive activity after exposure to 70 LD from 16 November and 35 LD from 21 December or 20 April compared with control ewes maintained on short days or ewes given 35 LD from 16 November. The interval from the end of long days to the onset of reproductive activity was less (P < 0.01) in ewes given 70 LD than in ewes given 35 LD. In Expt 3, ewes on natural photoperiod were given either 90 LD from 21 September, 35 LD from 21 September, 26 October, 30 November, 4 January or 8 February followed by short days. The majority of ewes that received long followed by short days after the winter solstice resumed reproductive activity. However, all photoperiod signals given between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice failed to initiate reproductive activity in ewes during the experiment. Thus we conclude that, in ewes, the reproductive neuroendocrine axis is insensitive to long days followed by short days between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. The reproductive axis of ewes regains sensitivity to the inductive effects of long days followed by short days at a time close to the winter solstice. Between the winter and summer solstices, long days followed by short days maintain the anoestrous state and provide the cue for initiation of reproductive activity.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Effect of immunization of rams against bovine inhibin alpha 1-26 on semen characteristics, scrotal size, FSH, LH and testosterone concentrations.

The effects of inhibin immunization on inhibin antibody titres, semen characteristics, scrotal size, fertility, FSH, LH and testosterone concentrations were determined by immunizing adult rams against bovine inhibin alpha 1-26-Gly-Tyr conjugated to human serum albumin (n = 16) in non-ulcerative Freund's adjuvant and DEAE:dextran (1:1) or adjuvant alone (n = 16) on days 0 (29 June), 30, 60, 191, 303 and 394. Blood samples were collected and bovine inhibin alpha 1-26-Gly-Tyr antibody titres and serum testosterone concentrations were determined. Each month, between days 174 and 417, semen was collected every 30 min to a maximum of 15 ejaculates over 7 h and scrotal circumference was measured. Ram fertility was recorded during natural service. FSH, LH and testosterone concentrations and GnRH-induced FSH and LH release were measured in a subgroup of immunized (n = 5) and control (n = 5) rams at frequent intervals. Antibody titres were variable among immunized rams (0-46% 125I-labelled bovine inhibin alpha 1-26-Gly-Tyr at 1:1600 serum dilution) but mean titres were consistently higher than in control rams (P < or = 0.001). Immunization did not alter the semen volume, output or quality of spermatozoa or ram fertility, but increased the mean scrotal circumference (37.6 +/- 0.8 cm versus 34.4 +/- 0.7 cm, P < 0.001). Mean FSH concentrations were higher in immunized rams during two intensive blood sampling periods (in June and August) (5.8 +/- 0.7 ng ml-1 versus 3.0 +/- 0.3 ng ml-1, P < 0.001 in June; and 4.8 +/- 0.9 ng ml-1 versus 2.0 +/- 0.3 ng ml-1, P < 0.02 in August), and were correlated with antibody titres (r2 = 0.3, P < 0.05 in June; and r2 = 0.8, P < 0.001 in August). Discrete FSH pulses were not detected. Immunization did not alter mean or basal testosterone or LH concentrations, or LH pulse frequency; LH pulse amplitude was increased (1.6 +/- 0.2 ng ml-1 versus 0.8 +/- 0.2 ng ml-1, P < 0.02) and was correlated with antibody titres (r2 = 0.6, P < 0.01). Immunization enhanced GnRH-induced FSH (P < 0.05) but not LH release. In conclusion, immunization of adult rams against bovine inhibin alpha 1-26 Gly-Tyr increased scrotal circumference, mean FSH concentrations and LH pulse amplitude, without altering semen characteristics, fertility, mean LH concentrations, LH pulse frequency or mean testosterone concentrations.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Structure-activity relationships of competitive NMDA receptor antagonists.

The interaction of structurally constrained competitive NMDA receptor antagonists, (+/-)-cis-4-phosphonomethyl-2-piperidine carboxylic acid (CGS 19755), (2-amino-4,5-(1,2-cyclohexyl))-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (NPC 12626), (+/-)-6-phosphonomethyl-de-cahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (LY 274614), (S)-alpha-amino-5-phosphonomethyl[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-propanoic acid (SDZ EAB-515) and (S)-alpha-amino-5-phosphonomethyl[1,1':4',1"-terphenyl]-3-propa noi c acid (SDZ 215-439), with their receptor was assessed using radioligand binding, protection against neurotoxicity in cortical neuronal cultures and computerised molecular modelling. All compounds inhibited the specific binding of [3H]CGS 19755 and/or [3H]CGP 39653 (inhibition constants 40-2000 nM), and protected neuronal cultures from NMDA-mediated injury (IC50 values 1.3-5.6 microM). Quantitative conformational analyses indicated that the molecules fitted well to a NMDA receptor model. Our results draw attention to a deep hydrophobic pocket, defined by the bi- and terphenyl containing antagonists (SDZ EAB-515, SDZ 215-439), which may influence potency and selectivity.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1996

In-vitro evaluation of beta-lactamase inhibition by latamoxef and imipenem.

The in-vitro 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of latamoxef and imipenem against a set of plasmid-mediated beta-lactamases including TEM-1, TEM-3, TEM-5 and TEM-10 were determined by an enzymatic method using nitrocefin as substrate. The IC50s of both antibiotics against extended-spectrum beta-lactamases were below 0.2 mg/L. The conventional spectrum beta-lactamase TEM-1 was not inhibited by either antibiotic at the highest concentration tested. Except for TEM-10 for which the IC50s of the two antibiotics were the same, imipenem showed significantly greater activity than latamoxef against TEM-3 and TEM-5. Clavulanic acid taken as a control demonstrated greater and wider inhibitory activity, but on the other hand it has no significant antibiotic activity.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗