Isolation and partial purification of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins from sheep placenta

in Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement = Biotechnology, Agronomy, Society and Environment [=BASE] (2001), 5(1), 23-24

Four years of induction/synchronization of estrus in dairy goats: effect on the evolution of eCG binding rate in relation with the parameters of reproduction

in Reproduction Nutrition Development (2001), 41(5), 401-412

Ninety-eight Alpine goats of two herds were followed over 4 years in a program of annual artificial insemination after estrus induction/synchronization, including progestagen administration (vaginal ... [more ▼]

Ninety-eight Alpine goats of two herds were followed over 4 years in a program of annual artificial insemination after estrus induction/synchronization, including progestagen administration (vaginal sponge) followed by prostaglandin analog and equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) 48 h before sponge removal. Goats were sampled every 4 hours from the 16th to the 56th following sponge removal, for determination of LH surge and tested for estrus by the presence of a buck. Seven days after AI, endoscopic examination of the ovaries was performed to determine the number of corpus lutea. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed at day 21-22 post AI by determination of plasma progesterone and at day 40-45 by ultrasonography. Parturition, number and sex of kids were recorded. All the goats were sampled before and after each treatment, for anti-eCG antibodies screening. Statistical analysis of the results clearly established a significant effect of the treatments on anti-eCG antibodies. Time of estrus and LH surge were significantly different between herd. The antibodies significantly delayed the time of coming out of estrus as well as the time of LH surge. Two antagonistic effects were evidenced: first, the delayed of time of estrus and time of LH surge in relation with the immune reaction to eCG; secondly, the ahead of time of estrus and time of LH surge during the years of treatment, identical to both herd. The antibodies negatively influenced the percentage of ovulating females as well as kidding rate. Finally, no effect of antibodies on prolificacy was found. [less ▲]

A mesterséges termékenyítést követő 12. Napon adott GNRH-kezelés hatékonyságának ellenőrzése egy holstein-frís tehenészetben

in Proceedings of the 12th Magyar Buiatrikus Kongresszus (2001)

Pregnancy-associated glycoprotein detection by RIA in pregnant buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis)

in Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement = Biotechnology, Agronomy, Society and Environment [=BASE] (2001), 5(suppl), 62

The inactive members of the aspartic proteinase family in the ruminant placenta: specificity of three different radioimmunoassay systems

in Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement = Biotechnology, Agronomy, Society and Environment [=BASE] (2001), 5(1), 26-27

Study of the Virulence of Five Strains of Amyxomatous Myxoma Virus in Crossbred New Zealand White/Californian Conventional Rabbits, with Evidence of Long-Term Testicular Infection in Recovered Animals

in Journal of Comparative Pathology (2000), 122(2-3, Feb-Apr), 101-13

The virulence of five amyxomatous myxoma virus (MV) strains, the clinical and pathogenetic effects of which had been studied previously in specific pathogen-free (SPF) rabbits, was determined by ... [more ▼]

The virulence of five amyxomatous myxoma virus (MV) strains, the clinical and pathogenetic effects of which had been studied previously in specific pathogen-free (SPF) rabbits, was determined by inoculation of five groups of 10 crossbred New Zealand White/Californian conventional rabbits. A much more acute myxomatosis syndrome was produced in conventional rabbits than that reproduced previously in SPF animals. However, the main clinical signs were of the respiratory type. The MV strains MYX 254/95 and 801 appeared very virulent, killing all the inoculated animals. The strains MYX 217/95, MYX 555/94 and Saint Benoist were somewhat attenuated, killing only seven, six and six rabbits, respectively. Extensive lung lesions due to supervening bacterial infections were observed in 36 of the 39 rabbits that died. Lethality was found to be a better estimate of virulence than mean survival time. By 98 days after viral inoculation, all the surviving animals had completely recovered. At that time, they were immunosuppressed by treatment with adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) for 10 days to determine whether they still harboured the virus. After the ACTH treatment, eight of the 11 surviving rabbits showed clinical signs that resembled amyxomatous myxomatosis. All the virological examinations performed on naso-conjunctival exudate, on mononuclear cells, on eyelids and on ovaries remained negative but infectious virus was isolated from the testes of three of six surviving male rabbits. [less ▲]

Pregnancy-associated glycoprotein levels in pregnant goats inoculated with Toxoplasma gondii or Listeria monocytogenes: a retrospective study

in Theriogenology (1999), 52(6), 1095-104

The pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) concentration profiles of goats that had been experimentally inoculated with either Toxoplasma gondii or Listeria monocytogenes are described. All goats were ... [more ▼]

The pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) concentration profiles of goats that had been experimentally inoculated with either Toxoplasma gondii or Listeria monocytogenes are described. All goats were examined regularly by ultrasonography. In T. gondii-infected females (n = 5), a slow decrease of PAG was observed throughout a period of 55 to 74 d after inoculation. Afterwards, the goats either aborted (n = 4) or kidded 1 dead and 1 weak fetus (n = 1). In L. monocytogenes-infected females (n = 8), a marked decrease of PAG was observed from the day of inoculation. Abortion occurred within 9 to 11 d post inoculation (n = 7). Only 1 goat kidded a healthy fetus. [less ▲]

Modulatory Effect of Imetit, a Histamine H3 Receptor Agonist, on C-Fibers, Cholinergic Fibers and Mast Cells in Rabbit Lungs in Vitro

in European Journal of Pharmacology (1999), 371(1), 23-30

The pharmacological mechanisms involved in the interactions between C-fibers, cholinergic fibers and mast cells were investigated in tracheally perfused rabbit lungs by measuring the simultaneous release ... [more ▼]

The pharmacological mechanisms involved in the interactions between C-fibers, cholinergic fibers and mast cells were investigated in tracheally perfused rabbit lungs by measuring the simultaneous release of substance P and histamine in lung effluents. The amounts of substance P and histamine released in lung superfusates were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) after administration of capsaicin and carbachol. Capsaicin (10(-4) M) induced a simultaneous increase in substance P (273 +/- 56% of baseline) and histamine (460 +/- 138%) release. Similarly, carbachol (10(-4) M) caused an increase in the release of both substance P (367 +/- 111%) and histamine (1379 +/- 351%). The effect of capsaicin was prevented by pretreating the lungs with the tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist SR 140333 (10(-7) M), and atropine (10(-6) M). SR 140333 prevented the carbachol-induced release of substance P but not of histamine. Exogenous substance P induced an increase in histamine release (136 +/- 7%) which was significantly greater in lungs perfused with the neutral endopeptidase inhibitor, thiorphan (10(-5) M) (272 +/- 35%). This effect was prevented by atropine (10(-6) M). Pretreatment of lungs with imetit (5 x 10(-8) M), a selective H3 receptor agonist, prevented the capsaicin-induced release of both mediators. Imetit also blocked the carbachol-induced release of substance P but not of histamine. Exogenous substance P-evoked histamine release was inhibited by imetit. Therefore, it can be concluded that substance P released through the action of capsaicin can activate cholinergic fibers, leading to cholinoceptor stimulation with subsequent activation of C-fibers and mast cells. While the presence of presynaptic H3 receptors modulating substance P-induced acetylcholine release was only surmised, the existence of modulating histamine H3 receptors on C-fibers was confirmed. [less ▲]

Determination of Pregnancy-Associated Glycoprotein concentrations in sheep: a retrospective study

in Advances in Cell Biology (1999), 26(Supplement 12), 89-96

This study is carried out to determine ovine pregnancy associated glycoprotein (oPAG) levels in the serum of Berrichone ewes throughout gestation and the first month post partum. The levels were ... [more ▼]

This study is carried out to determine ovine pregnancy associated glycoprotein (oPAG) levels in the serum of Berrichone ewes throughout gestation and the first month post partum. The levels were determinated with heterologous RIA using bovine PAG as standard and tracer and rabbit antiserum against oPAG. The level of oPAG increased from the 4th week of pregnancy till 12-13th week and decreased slowly till 17th week, when increased rapidly and reached the highest level (around 600-700 ng/ml). In the sheep carrying twins, we observed higher levels of oPAG than in the uniparous sheep. After lambing, oPAG decreased rapidly in 4 week to basal values. The oPAG concentrations in the animals carrying twins was higher when comparised to single lamb. We concluded that the oPAG level depends on the number of lambs and term of pregnancy. The estimation of oPAG concentrations in the blood can be used as a indicator for pregnancy diagnosis. [less ▲]

Comparison of ultrasonography, bovine pregnancy specific B, and bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein 1 test for pregnancy detection in dairy cows

in Theriogenology (1998), 50(1), 77-88

At Days 26 to 58 after AI, 138 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were repeatedly examined by ultrasonography, using a 7.5 MHz linear-array rectal transducer. The total calving rate was 37.6% (52/138), and late ... [more ▼]

At Days 26 to 58 after AI, 138 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were repeatedly examined by ultrasonography, using a 7.5 MHz linear-array rectal transducer. The total calving rate was 37.6% (52/138), and late embryonic mortality occurred 8.6% of the cows (12/138). On the days of ultrasound scanning, blood samples were drawn from the jugular vein for measuring the concentration of bovine pregnancy-specific protein B (bPSPB) and bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein 1 (bPAG 1). When compared with calving results, there were no significant differences in accurate diagnosis of pregnant cows were found between the 3 methods. However, when recognition of an embryo proper with a beating heart was used as the criterion for positive ultrasonographic diagnosis significantly fewer (P<0.001) pregnant cows were correctly identified than by the other 2 tests. When compared with the noncalving cows, significantly fewer (P<0.001) false positive diagnoses were made by the 2 ultrasonographic tests than by the PSPB and bPAG 1 tests, while significantly fewer (P<0.001) false positive diagnoses were made by the bPSPB test than by the bPAG 1 test. The accuracy of detecting nonpregnant animals by both protein tests was limited by the relatively long half-life of these proteins after calving and by early embryonic mortality. [less ▲]