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[Proximal femoral fractures: risk factors, bone mineral density, body composition and biochemical changes in and age-matched patients and controls].

During one year (6/93-5/94) we performed a prospective study in patients with hip fracture, treated at the Hospital de Clínicas. A total of 102 women 52 to 94 years of age (Mean +/- 1SD: 79.5 +/- 9.1 years) and 17 men 61 to 98 years of age (79.7 +/- 9.9 years) who had sustained a hip fracture due to mild or moderate trauma were included. The ratio women: men was 6:1. We also studied 55 age-matched control women without diseases that could affect the skeleton or previous hip fracture (77.1 +/- 5.8 years of age). We did not study a control group in men. Women with hip fractures had lower weight (p < 0.01), lower age of onset of the menopause (p < 0.01) and a tendency to have with a greater frequency a mother with hip fracture (p < 0.08) compared with age-matched controls. When vertebral fractures were excluded, 44% of the hip fracture women had sustained previous skeletal fractures, while only 16% of the age-matched controls had suffered previous skeletal fractures (p < 0.001) (Table 2). The most frequent previous skeletal fractures were wrist and humerus. Forty eight percent of hip fracture women had had at least one vertebral fracture. About 17% of the hip fractured men had sustained previous skeletal fractures, while 5/12 men had suffered at least one vertebral fracture. Hip fractured women and men sustained greater history of diseases which provoke postural instability (Table 3). Biochemical determinations showed significantly diminished levels of serum albumin (p < 0.001) and calcium (p < 0.01), and increased serum PTH (p < 0.05) compared to age-matched controls (Table 4). Bone mineral density (determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) was significantly diminished over proximal femur, total skeleton, legs and pelvis (p < 0.001), head and spine (p < 0.05) (Table 5). Body composition measurements showed that hip fracture women had a significantly lower lean mass compared with controls (p < 0.05). Fat mass also was lower in fracture patients compared with controls, but the difference was not statistically significant (Table 5). We conclude that hip fracture in our population is related to several previous factors: earlier onset of menopause, lower nutrition and body weight, previous diseases that increase the likelihood of falling, increased levels of PTH and reduced bone mass. Prevention of hip fractures should take into account all these factors, specially those that could be modified.

Aged↗

Loss of muscarinic and benzodiazepine neuroreceptors from hippocampus of alcohol abusers.

Thiamine deficiency (Wernicke-Korsakoff's disease) may not be the only mechanism whereby chronic alcohol abuse affects the brain and not all alcohol-related changes may be evident morphologically. The purpose of this study was to determine if alcohol abuse affects muscarinic cholinergic and benzodiazepine receptors in the hippocampus of histologically normal brains obtained at autopsy in a general hospital population. Because patients were excluded who had significant brain atrophy and/or dementia severe enough to require institutionalization, the reported findings are presumed to be early changes in the development of an alcohol encephalopathy. In addition, patients were excluded from this study if they had clinical brain diseases (including Wernicke's disease), died in coma, had liver disease, or received medications that could potentially alter receptor binding. The reported changes in receptor binding were therefore presumed to be related to alcohol abuse per se and not an alcohol-associated condition. We found that muscarinic cholinergic synaptic receptor density determined with 3[H] quinuclidinyl benzilate was decreased by 30% in homogenates of the hippocampus of 25 alcohol abusers compared with 25 matched nonalcoholic controls. Similarly, densities of benzodiazepine receptors determined with 3[H] flunitrazepam were also decreased by approximately 30% in alcohol abusers. The affinities of both receptor types were not affected by alcohol abuse. Age and death-autopsy time interval had no significant effects on either wet tissue protein concentrations, yields of protein after centrifugation, or receptor binding. The contributions of age and time interval were each less than 2% of the total variance of protein concentrations and receptor binding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗

Chronic alcohol consumption during male rat adolescence impairs skeletal development through effects on osteoblast gene expression, bone mineral density, and bone strength.

BACKGROUND: The effect of chronic alcohol ingestion on bone formation is mediated through its direct actions on osteoblasts. The affected population of mature osteoblasts declines in both number and function resulting in decreased cancellous bone volume and cortical bone strength. Although the mechanism of action on osteoblasts is unknown, alcohol alters osteoblast gene expression and matrix synthesis. METHODS: Male rats consuming alcohol (EtOH) daily for 60 days from 35 days of age until 95 days of age (unrecovered group) were compared to rats switched to a regular diet of rat chow without EtOH for an additional 90 days (recovered group). The effects of chronic dietary EtOH on skeletal development during adolescence were examined in the unrecovered and recovered rats by hormonal analysis, bone mineral density determination, bone histomorphometry, metaphyseal gene expression for osteoblast-specific proteins, and biomechanical analysis. RESULTS: The unrecovered EtOH imbibing rats weighed less than their paired isocaloric-fed and ad libitum mates. Statistically significant reductions occurred in femur lengths in the unrecovered EtOH-fed group compared to controls. Serum testosterone levels were significantly decreased by EtOH consumption but returned to higher normal levels during the recovery period. Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels were unaffected by EtOH. Serum osteocalcin levels in the unrecovered EtOH-fed group were higher than those in the recovered group but EtOH intake did not elevate the unrecovered levels compared to isocaloric or ad libitum control rats. Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) determination of bone mineral density (BMD) revealed a statistically significant reduction only in the distal femur metaphysis in the unrecovered EtOH-fed rats. BMD increased during recovery in the distal femur metaphysis and femur mid-cortex. Image analysis of midsagittal sections of the proximal tibial metaphysis of unrecovered rats revealed reductions in cancellous area, trabecular cellularity and thickness, and increased trabecular separation. Cortical widths were significantly reduced by chronic EtOH consumption. These changes remained statistically significant at the end of the recovery period. Four-point biomechanical testing of femurs from EtOH-fed and control unrecovered groups revealed significant reductions in cortical strength, energy-to-failure, and stiffness. These cortical characteristics returned to normal values with abstinence. Tibial metaphyseal alpha-1 type I collagen and osteocalcin mRNA expression levels were significantly elevated above the paired isocaloric control levels after 60 days of EtOH consumption. Metaphyseal alkaline phosphatase mRNA levels remained unaltered by EtOH consumption in the unrecovered group. After 90 days of abstinence alpha-1 type I collagen and alkaline phosphatase gene expression levels remained significantly elevated over the isocaloric and ad libitum control levels (collagen) and the isocaloric control value (alkaline phosphatase). However, metaphyseal osteocalcin mRNA levels declined to normal levels during abstinence. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic consumption of EtOH during the peripubertal period of skeletal growth leads directly to decreased metaphyseal and cortical bone mediated through effects on osteoblasts. Removal of EtOH from the diet is accompanied by incomplete restoration of normal bone metabolism during skeletal growth.

Age Factors↗

Receptor-oriented intercellular calcium waves evoked by vasopressin in rat hepatocytes.

Agonist-induced intracellular calcium signals may propagate as intercellular Ca2+ waves in multicellular systems as well as in intact organs. The mechanisms initiating intercellular Ca2+ waves in one cell and determining their direction are unknown. We investigated these mechanisms directly on fura2-loaded multicellular systems of rat hepatocytes and on cell populations issued from peripheral (periportal) and central (perivenous) parts of the hepatic lobule. There was a gradient in vasopressin sensitivity along connected cells as demonstrated by low vasopressin concentration challenge. Interestingly, the intercellular sensitivity gradient was abolished either when D-myo-inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate (InsP3) receptor was directly stimulated after flash photolysis of caged InsP3 or when G proteins were directly stimulated with AlF4-. The gradient in vasopressin sensitivity in multiplets was correlated with a heterogeneity of vasopressin sensitivity in the hepatic lobule. There were more vasopressin-binding sites, vasopressin-induced InsP3 production and V1a vasopressin receptor mRNAs in perivenous than in periportal cells. Therefore, we propose that hormone receptor density determines the cellular sensitivity gradient from the peripheral to the central zones of the liver cell plate, thus the starting cell and the direction of intercellular Ca2+ waves, leading to directional activation of Ca2+-dependent processes.

Animals↗

A single diethylcarbamazine dose for treatment of Wuchereria bancrofti carriers in French Polynesia: efficacy and side effects.

In the fall of 1988, 14 Tahitian Wuchereria bancrofti carriers were treated by a single diethylcarbamazine (DEC) 3 mg/kg dose. Determination of blood microfilarial (mf) density was carried out on days 0, 7, 14, 30, 90 and 180 using the membrane filtration technique. Clinical signs and side effects were noted during the 3 days following treatment. Complete clearance of microfilaremia was observed in two carriers (negativation rate 14%). A decrease of mf density was noted in all of the 14 carriers, ranging from 35.2 to 99.2% (median 78.75%). The percentage decrease in mf density, determined for the whole group from the geometric mean of the 14 mf counts, was 86% by day 7 and reached 95% by day 180. Side effects were observed in 10 patients (71%) of whom 3 only were unable to perform usual activities for less than 24 hours. Though it induced an incomplete initial mf clearance, a single DEC 3 mg/kg dose was effective in reducing about 90% of the microfilaremia and in sustaining this reduction over a period of six months. Such long-term reduction (comparable to that observed in W. bancrofti carriers treated with a daily DEC 6 mg/kg dose during 12 days) is likely responsible for the consistent decrease of total mf counts observed in the Tahitian population which has been treated for years with single DEC doses given every six months.

Adolescent↗

Changes in axial bone density with age: a twin study.

Bone mineral density in adult life, which is an important determinant of fracture risk, is determined by peak adult bone density, achieved in early adulthood and subsequent rates of change during adult life. Cross-sectional twin and family studies indicate that the majority of population variation in bone density may be explained by genetic factors. Although there is evidence for a genetic effect on peak bone mass, it is unknown whether there is a genetic effect on rates of changes in bone density with age. Changes in lumbar spine and femoral neck bone density determined by dual-photon absorptiometry (Lunar DP3) were examined in a cohort of monozygotic (MZ, n = 21, 3 male and 18 female pairs, median age, range, 46; 24-75 years) and dizygotic twins (DZ, n = 19; 43, 25-65 years). The median follow-up was 3 years (range 1.1-5.5 years), with each subject having at least two and up to four bone density assessments. In these twins, genetic factors determine variation in rates of change (% change/year) in lumbar spine bone density, rMZ = 0.93 and rDZ = 0.51, p < 0.02 (one tailed), and Ward's triangle, rMZ = 0.60, rDZ = 0.11, p < 0.05 (one tailed). Model-fitting analysis was also consistent with a genetic effect on rates of change in bone density at the trochanteric site, although such an effect was not shown at the femoral neck. These data demonstrate, for the first time, the possible existence of genetic determinants of rates of change in bone mineral density in adults.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Oligomerization state of MIP proteins expressed in Xenopus oocytes as revealed by freeze-fracture electron-microscopy analysis.

The MIP (major intrinsic protein) family is a widespread family of membrane proteins exhibiting two major types of channel properties: aquaporins and solute facilitators. In the present study, freeze-fracture electron microscopy was used to investigate the oligomerization state of two MIP proteins heterologously expressed in the plasma membrane of Xenopus laevis oocytes: AQPcic, an aquaporin from the insect Cicadella viridis, and GlpF, a glycerol facilitator from Escherichia coli. Swelling assays performed on oocytes 48 and 72 h following cRNA microinjections showed that these proteins were functionally expressed. Particle density determinations indicated that expression of proteins is related to an increase in particle density on the P fracture face of oocyte plasma membranes. Statistical analysis of particle sizes was performed on protoplasmic fracture faces of the plasma membrane of oocytes expressing AQPcic and GlpF 72 h after cRNA microinjections. Compared to control oocytes, AQPcic-expressing oocytes exhibited a specific population of particles with a mean diameter of 8.7 +/- 0.1 nm. This value is consistent with the previously reported tetrameric organization of AQPcic. In addition, AQPcic particles aggregate and form orthogonal arrays similar to those observed in native membranes of C. viridis, consisting of homotetramers of AQPcic. On the protoplasmic fracture face of oocytes expressing GlpF, the particle density is increased by 4.1-fold and the mean diameter of specifically added particles is 5.8 +/- 0.1 nm. This value fits with a monomer of the 28-kDa GlpF protein plus the platinum-carbon layer. These results clearly demonstrate that GlpF is a monomer when functionally expressed in plasma membranes of Xenopus oocytes and therefore emphasize the key role of the oligomerization state of MIP proteins with respect to their function.

Animals↗

Glycopolymer charge density determines conformation in human ocular mucin gene products: an atomic force microscope study.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been applied to the study of heterogeneity in the structure and function of individual biopolymers with complex structures such as glycoproteins, polysaccharides and nucleic acids. In this work we describe experiments which shed light on the heterogeneity of human ocular mucin gene products. By separating samples of native human ocular mucins on a caesium chloride density gradient, at least three populations consisting predominantly of products of the gene MUC5AC can be identified. Separation on the caesium chloride density gradient is governed by molecular architecture and charge density, and thus provides a route to the discrimination between different glycoforms within a glycoprotein sample. AFM images of these populations show that each is characterised by different conformational properties and polymer diameters, both of which can be attributed to differences in the degree and nature of glycosylation. These differences in glycosylation are likely to be the result of post-translational processing and may also have functional consequences. The AFM's ability to examine the composition of a predominantly single gene product population at the level of the single molecule allows the consequences of post-translational process heterogeneity to be examined at high resolution.

Biopolymers↗

Endothelial cell density determined by specular microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Human eyes were photographed with a specular microscope and later examined wit a scanning electron microscope. Corneas from patients undergoing corneal transplantation in whom we were able to obtain preoperative specular micrographs were similarly analyzed. An attempt was made to correlate the counts obtained with both microscopic techniques by determining the amount of shrinkage the cornea undergoes while being processed for SEM. All specimens were counted with a planimeter. We found that the specular microscope adequately analyzes the endothelial cell density in the central and paracentral cornea of a normal eye, but because of its small sampling area specular microscopic counts are subject to significant error when dealing with nonhomogeneous populations such as postoperative cases. We found the peripheral corneal endothelial density to be less than the central endothelial density. Furthermore, we found that we could maximize the accuracy of counting by using a variable frame in a nonhomogeneous population, counting a minimum of four photographs per specimen, analyzing different areas, and analyzing larger areas.

Adolescent↗

The effect of explantation and neomycin on hair cells and supporting cells in organotypic cultures of the adult guinea-pig utricle.

Recent reports suggest that immature hair bundles are observed following aminoglycoside-induced hair-cell loss in the mammalian utricle in vitro as well as in vivo. It is therefore important to document the initial morphological changes associated with both culturing and aminoglycoside application so that degeneration can be clearly distinguished from regeneration. In this study, utricles from adult guinea pigs were maintained in culture for either 3 or 8 days, half being exposed to neomycin for days 2 and 3. They were then processed for microscopical examination and compared with control utricles from animals of the same age. The numbers of hair-cell and supporting-cell nuclei were counted and hair-cell morphology assessed. Bundles were classified as having either stepped (SHB) or unstepped (UHB) stereocilia, and their density determined. The numbers of hair-cell, but not supporting-cell, nuclei declined significantly compared with controls in both untreated and treated explants, the greatest reduction occurring 5 days after neomycin administration. The density of SHBs also declined but there was no significant change in UHB density, resulting in a residual population of hair bundles of more immature appearance in both untreated and treated utricles in vitro than in vivo. Although degenerative events such as hair-cell ejection from, or retraction into, the sensory epithelium were observed, no evidence of regeneration was found.

Animals↗

Ligand density determines the efficiency of negative selection in the thymus.

To study the influence of antigen density on the efficiency of negative selection in the thymus, MHC class I (H-2K(b), K(b)) transgenic mice were generated, which expressed a K(b) transgene under the control of its natural promoter at 33% (K(b-lo)) or 150% (K(b-hi)) the surface density of Kb in C57BL/6 (B6, H-2(b)) mice. These mice were crossed to anti-K(b) T-cell receptor (Des-TCR) transgenic mice. In Des-TCRxK(b-hi) double transgenic mice, Des-TCR bearing T cells were completely eliminated during thymocyte maturation. In contrast, in Des-TCRxK(b-lo) double transgenic mice, two populations of Des-TCR T cells were evident, which either expressed the Des-TCR at intermediate density in the absence of CD8 (Des-TCR(int)CD8(-)) or expressed both the Des-TCR and CD8 at low density (Des-TCRloCD8lo). In the thymus of both types of double transgenic mice, no Des-TCR(+)CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes were detected, suggesting that deletion of Des-TCR cells occurred before the CD4(+)CD8(+) stage. Because only very few Des-TCR(+) thymocytes were found in Des-TCRxK(b-hi) transgenic mice, deletion of these T cells apparently occurred upon expression of the Des-TCR. By contrast, Des-TCRxK(b-lo) transgenic mice showed distinct populations of Des-TCR(int)CD4-8- and Des-TCR(lo)CD8(lo) thymocytes, suggesting that expression of the CD8 coreceptor was required to allow negative selection to proceed. Functional analyses showed that sublethally irradiated Des-TCRxK(b-lo) double transgenic mice were protected from lethal graft-versus-host disease by injected Des-TCR lymph node cells.

Animals↗

In vitro susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum to quinine: relation to parasite density and drug distribution in culture fractions.

We have studied the importance of parasite density (2, 0.2, 0.02 and 0.002%) for the in vitro susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum (F32 strain) to quinine. Shorter exposures (< or = 48 hours) only briefly inhibited parasites in wells with the highest initial density. Parasites reappeared after 3-5.5 days in wells with intermediate (0.2 and 0.02%) and lowest density (0.002%). Longer exposures (> or = 72 hours), however, inhibited them for much longer periods and parasites did not reappear in most of the wells with the lowest density during the 28 days of follow-up. The mean multiplication rate following reappearance was tenfold per parasite schizogony cycle. The mean elimination rate per schizogony cycle was calculated to be 99.91%. The elimination and multiplication rates were not correlated to initial parasite density. The mean ratio between quinine concentrations in erythrocytes and medium was 3.6 regardless of quinine concentrations and presence of parasites. Mean quinine-free fractions of 36 and 67% were found from total concentrations of 0.33 and 10.4 mumol/l. We conclude that initial parasite density determines the time to reappearance of parasites following quinine exposure while the elimination and multiplication rates are independent of the initial parasite density, and that quinine protein binding is concentration-dependent in vitro and lower than during treatment.

Animals↗

Wet and dry bacterial spore densities determined by buoyant sedimentation.

The wet densities of various types of dormant bacterial spores and reference particles were determined by centrifugal buoyant sedimentation in density gradient solutions of three commercial media of high chemical density. With Metrizamide or Renografin, the wet density values for the spores and permeable Sephadex beads were higher than those obtained by a reference direct mass method, and some spore populations were separated into several density bands. With Percoll, all of the wet density values were about the same as those obtained by the direct mass method, and only single density bands resulted. The differences were due to the partial permeation of Metrizamide and Renografin, but not Percoll, into the spores and the permeable Sephadex beads. Consequently, the wet density of the entire spore was accurately represented only by the values obtained with the Percoll gradient and the direct mass method. The dry densities of the spores and particles were determined by gravity buoyant sedimentation in a gradient of two organic solvents, one of high and the other of low chemical density. All of the dry density values obtained by this method were about the same as those obtained by the direct mass method.

Bacillus cereus↗

Reductions of erythrocyte membrane viscoelastic coefficients reflect spectrin deficiencies in hereditary spherocytosis.

Hereditary spherocytosis is a common hemolytic anemia associated with deficiencies in spectrin, the principal structural protein of the erythrocyte membrane-skeleton. We have examined 20 different individuals from 10 spherocytosis kindreds and 2 elliptocytosis kindreds to determine the effects of different levels of spectrin deficiency on the viscoelastic properties of the erythrocyte membrane. Micropipettes were used to perform single-cell micromechanical measurements of approximately 1,000 individual cells to determine the membrane elastic shear modulus, the apparent membrane bending stiffness, and whole cell recovery time constant for the different cell populations. The membrane viscosity was calculated by the product of the shear modulus and the recovery time constant. Results show correlation between the fractional reduction in shear modulus and the fractional reduction in spectrin content (determined by spectrin radioimmunoassay) and spectrin density (determined by the ratios of spectrin to band 3 on electrophoresis gels) suggesting that membrane shear elasticity is directly proportional to the surface density of spectrin on the membrane (P less than 0.001). The apparent membrane bending stiffness is also reduced in proportion to the density of spectrin (P less than 0.001). The membrane viscosity is reduced relative to control (P less than 0.001), but the nature of the relationship between spectrin density and membrane viscosity is less clearly defined. These studies document striking relationships between partial deficiencies of erythrocyte spectrin and specific viscoelastic properties of the mutant membranes.

Elasticity↗

The impact of osteophytic and vascular calcifications on vertebral mineral density measurements in men.

To evaluate the influence of extravertebral calcification on spinal bone density determinations, we measured lumbar vertebral density in 71 hospitalized and 58 normal men using dual photon absorptiometry. The extent of vascular and osteophytic calcification was graded from lateral lumbar radiographs. Fifty-five (43%) of the subjects had identifiable osteophytes, and 86 (67%) had vascular calcifications. Despite similar ages and weights in subjects with and without ostephytes, those with osteophytes had greater spinal density (1.34 vs. 1.17 g/cm2; P less than 0.001), and there was a strong correlation between osteophyte severity and spinal density (r = 0.41; P less than 0.00001). Proximal femoral density was not different in those with and without osteophytes. The distribution of osteophytes in this population was not random, and as a result, the presence of osteophytes obscured the the relationship of bone density to age as well as the comparison of hospitalized to normal men. Vascular calcification had a minimal effect on vertebral density. In summary, osteophytic calcification exerted an important influence on the measurement of spinal bone density in men. This effect should be considered in both clinical and research applications of integral vertebral density measures.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

[Bone mineral density determination by osteosonography in healthy children and adolescents: normal values].

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a frequent health problem in adults. Optimization of bone mass acquisition during childhood and adolescence may play a major role in the prevention of this disease. Osteosonography is a recent technique for measuring bone mineralization without exposing the patient to radiation. OBJECTIVES: To measure bone mineral density using osteosonography in healthy Spanish Caucasian children and adolescents in order to determine normal values. METHODS: We performed a cross sectional study of 829 healthy child and adolescent volunteers (360 girls and 469 boys) randomly selected from the urban area of Pamplona in Navarre (Spain). Ages ranged from 6 to 18 years. ADBM Sonic 1200 ultrasound densitometer from IGEA was used. Daily calcium dietary intake and amount of physical activity were recorded. RESULTS: Cross sectional standards for Ad-SOS are presented. Ad-SOS did not significantly change between the ages of 6 and 9 years in girls or until the age of 10 years in boys. From the ages of 10 to 14 years, Ad-SOS values were higher in girls than in boys. After the age of 14 years, no significant differences were found. No correlation was found between calcium dietary intake, amount of physical exercise or bone mineralization values. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of Ad-SOS by osteosonography is an easy, fast and inexpensive method for measuring bone mineral density in children and adolescents without exposing them to radiation. It can be used in the pediatric population to detect early alterations in bone mineralization.

Adolescent↗

A rapid, automated flow cytometric method to measure activated degranulated platelets by density determination.

Platelet activation is reported to correlate with acute coronary syndromes. A platelet analysis method on the ADVIA 120 Hematology System provides rapid analysis of platelet density, reported as mean platelet component (MPC) concentration, utilizes routine hematology specimens, requires no pre-treatment, and thirty seconds to generate results. Sub-populations of platelets separated by density gradients showed excellent correlation with the ADVIA 120 MPC parameter (r = 0.997). Platelet activation induced by thrombin treatment resulted in a shift of platelets into the lowest density fraction (d</=1.068 g/mL) with a corresponding reduction in MPC from 24.7 to 20.6 g/dL, N = 4 subjects (p < 0.004). There was also excellent correlation between expression of CD62P measured by fluorescence flow cytometry and the ADVIA 120 Hematology System MPC values (r = 0.85). These results indicate that the ADVIA 120 MPC parameter may be a useful new test for assessing activated platelets and platelet density.

Automation↗

[Fly density determination in cow-sheds].

Considering the tropical conditions of the Republic of Cuba and the usually applied methods of measuring fly-density, a photographic method was developed and tested basing on the experience of the SCUDDER-fly-grill method. In this method the flies are photographically counted in defined areas of 0.25 m2 of extension, which are determined according to the concrete conditions in the animal production units. An index of the fly density (in flies per m2) is calculated. The exact comparison of different animal production units will be obtained by the selection of the defined areas for the photographic counting, always the equal times for measuring, and the consideration of the situation in the production cycle.

Animals↗