On the physiological response of the cerebral cortex to acute stress (reversible asphyxia)

1. Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) foetuses were delivered by Caesarean section 3-10 days before term. Aortic blood and cerebrospinal fluid (c.s.f.) samples were taken, the latter from the cortical subarachnoid space and the cisterna magna. The umbilical cord was clamped and foetal breathing prevented for 14-17 min. Blood and c.s.f. were sampled further during this total asphyxiation and for up to 24 hr thereafter.2. The [K(+)] in the cortical subarachnoid fluid started to rise within 2-3 min after the onset of asphyxia and increased up to 7 times the normal level. The [K(+)] of blood plasma and cisternal fluid also increased, but much more moderately. All these effects reversed rapidly upon resuscitation of the foetus.3. A pronounced rise in the cortical subarachnoid fluid [glucose] and a lesser effect on cisternal fluid [glucose] were noted in most cases by the end of, or immediately following, the period of asphyxia. The onset, magnitude and reversal of these effects on [glucose] were less predictable than the observed effects on [K(+)].4. There were no significant changes in the [Mg(2+)], [Ca(2+)] or [Na(+)] of any of these fluids. The calculated total osmolarity of the cortical subarachnoid fluid and, to a much lesser extent, of cisternal fluid and plasma, increased during asphyxia mainly as a result of increased [K(+)].5. The results are interpreted as indicative of a rapid release of K(+) from cortical cells during total asphyxia. The (immature) haematoencephalic K(+) transport system becomes saturated and thus K(+) accumulates in the extracellular fluid (e.c.f.) whence it diffuses into adjacent regions of the c.s.f. system.6. The intracellular fluid of apical dendrites must become even more hypertonic than the e.c.f., since these cellular processes are known to swell during asphyxia at the expense of the e.c.f. space. This apparent increase in intracellular osmolarity could be accounted for by the release of normally bound intracellular cations.7. On the basis of our results and review of the relevant literature, the following sequence of events is proposed: the cortex responds to acute physiological stress (asphyxia, overstimulation, chemical or physical irritation, etc.) by releasing intracellularly bound cations (K(+) and possibly Na(+)). The increased intracellular osmolarity results in the absorption of water from the e.c.f. space. Passage of water across the blood-brain barrier is restricted; thus the e.c.f. space of the cortex does not swell, but becomes hyperosmotic. Under these circumstances, swelling of the cortical cells is limited by the volume of e.c.f. available.8. It is proposed that the release of intracellularly bound cations is a result of their displacement from their binding sites by NH(4) (+) which is released to, and recovered from, these cation binding sites by a glutamate-glutamine interconversion.9. It is concluded that the apparent organized ;shutdown' of the cortical cells in response to acute stress may contribute to the relative insensitivity of this area of the brain to permanent histopathological damage.

Studies of the secretion of monkey placental lactogen

A radioimmunoassay for monkey placental lactogen (MPL) was developed to study the factors controlling the secretion of MPL. The sensitivity of the assay was 1 ng MPL per ml. Human and monkey growth hormone, and human placental lactogen (HPL) showed minimal cross-reactions with MPL. Maternal MPL concentrations as measured in 40 rhesus monkeys increased progressively throughout pregnancy to a mean of 5000 ng/ml at term while umbilical vein MPL was less than 50 ng/ml. After term delivery maternal MPL concentrations decreased rapidly with a t(1/2) of 20 min.After fetectomy but with retention of the placenta, MPL concentrations decreased by 25% reaching a plateau over a 6 hr period. Experimental abruption of the secondary placenta within 1 hr produced a 50% decrease in MPL concentration. After ligation of the fetal vessels supplying the secondary placental disc, MPL increased transiently and then decreased to levels significantly below those of the control period. These studies suggest MPL secretion is not directly controlled by the fetus but is sensitive to changes in placental blood flow. The pregnant rhesus monkey serves as a useful model for investigating factors which may regulate HPL secretion because of the close similarity between MPL and HPL secretion.

The ontogenesis of haematoencephalic cation transport processes in the rhesus monkey

1. This investigation was undertaken to determine the time course of development of cation transport processes between blood and the extracellular fluid compartments of the central nervous system (C.N.S.) of the foetal rhesus monkey. The development of concentration gradients within the cerebrospinal fluid (c.s.f.) system was also studied in an attempt to gain information on regional variations in transport activities.2. Cerebrospinal fluid samples were obtained from the lateral ventricle, the cisterna magna, the cortical subarachnoid space and the lumbar region of the spinal subarachnoid space of adult monkeys. Foetal c.s.f. samples were obtained from the cisterna magna and the frontal region of the cortical subarachnoid space. Blood samples were taken within 3-10 min of the c.s.f. samples. The concentration of K, Mg and Ca were determined on appropriately diluted samples by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.3. The concentrations of K, Mg, and Ca in the plasma and c.s.f.s of the adult monkey are similar to those of other mammalian species. The c.s.f./blood concentration gradients of these cations are in the same direction but generally of greater magnitude than those in non-primate mammals. The indicated [Mg] in the extracellular fluid of the adult monkey's cerebral cortex is high (more than 2 m-equiv/kg H(2)O) and the [K] is low (less than 2 m-equiv/kg H(2)O).4. Accumulation of Mg into the c.s.f. system against a concentration gradient is evident in the earliest foetuses studied (50 days of intrauterine life) and by the second half of gestation the concentration gradients of this cation are similar to that of the adult.5. In the second trimester foetus, the [K] in the cisternal fluid is near the plasma ultrafiltrate level. It then decreases gradually throughout the remainder of gestation, approximating the adult value at birth.6. The very low [K] typical of the adult cortical subarachnoid fluid is observed by the sixth month following birth but not during foetal life or within the first few weeks of post-natal life. This indicates that the transport processes at the cortical region of the haematoencephalic interphase do not fully develop until well after birth.7. It is concluded that the various transport processes responsible for the elaboration and maintenance of adult type of K, Ca and Mg concentrations within the extracellular fluid compartments of the monkey C.N.S. do not develop at the same time. This temporal dissociation provides strong evidence against any direct association or coupling between the haematoencephalic K and Mg transport systems.8. Existence of normal cation concentration gradients between c.s.f. and blood may serve as a criterion for the normality of the (foetal) blood-brain barrier.

Uncus and Amiygdala Lesions: Effects on Social Behavior in the Free-Ranging Rhesus Monkey

The eflect of uncinectomny on the social behavior of free-ranging rhesus monkeys was observed on Cayo Santiago Island. Operated subjects showed social indifjerence, failed to display appropriate aggressive and submissive gestures. were expelled from their social group, and evenitlually died. Two juvenile subjects with the lesion restricted to amygdala survived and have rejoinied their social group. Size of lesion and age at operation were major factors in determniting the degree of behavioral change.

Autoimmune chorioretinitis in rhesus monkeys

Monkeys injected with monkey retinal tissue incorporated in Freunld's complete adjuvant developed ocular lesions characterized by choroiditic patches in the fundus periphery and sheathing of retinal vessels. Bovine retina, monkey choroid plexus, and guinea pig kidney were ineffective in this respect.