Three electrophysiological classes of guinea pig sympathetic postganglionic neurone have distinct morphologies

Sympathetic postganglionic neurones can be differentiated electrophysiologically into three classes (phasic, Ph; tonic, T; and long-afterhyperpolarising, LAH) based on their potassium channel expression and consequent differences in excitability. We tested whether neuronal morphology differs between these classes. Neurones in coeliac, inferior mesenteric, and lower lumbar paravertebral ganglia of guinea pigs were filled with biocytin during in vitro experiments in which electrical properties were recorded. The dimensions of somata and dendrites were measured in approximately equal numbers of stained neurones of each class. The three electrophysiological classes were distinct in terms of soma shape, soma size (Ph < T = LAH), total dendritic length (LAH < Ph < T) and average length of dendrites (LAH < Ph < T) (P < 0.0001, multivariate analysis of variance). The mean number of primary dendrites also differed (LAH 13, Ph 16, T 20). The majority of dendrites did not branch, the ratios of terminations to primary dendrites being 1.36 (LAH), 1.63 (Ph) and 1.81 (T). Overall, LAH neurones, with medium-sized somata but the smallest dendritic trees, were more distinct morphologically than Ph and T neurones. The morphological differences between classes were not dependent on differences in location. Further, there was no apparent relation between morphology and the pattern of synaptic input each class receives. The results indicate that three distinct groups of sympathetic postganglionic neurone exist in adult guinea pigs, although more than three functions are subserved by these neurones.

Acoustic elements of speechlike stimuli are reflected in surface recorded responses over the guinea pig temporal lobe

Auditory evoked potentials measured from the guinea pig temporal lobe surface reflect acoustic elements of synthesized speech syllables. Eliciting stimuli included a four formant anchor stimulus /ba/, with a 40-ms formant transition duration. The other stimuli differed from /ba/ along simple acoustic dimensions. The /pa/ stimuli differed on a VOT continuum; /da/ stimuli had a higher frequency F2 onset; /wa/ had a longer (80 ms) formant transition duration; and /bi/ differed in three vowel formant frequencies. The /ba/ and /da/ onset response latencies decreased systematically with increasing F2 onset frequency. The response to the /pa/ voicing increased in latency with increasing VOT and showed a physiologic discontinuity at VOT of 15-20 ms. Responses to /ba/ and /wa/ showed similar onset morphology but significant amplitude differences at latencies corresponding to vowel onset. Significant amplitude differences in /ba/ and /bi/ responses corresponded in latency to both consonant and vowel portions of the syllables. Similar to previous reports in the awake monkey for VOT, these results demonstrate in the anesthetized guinea pig that acoustic elements essential to speech perception are reflected in aggregate response of ensembles of cortical neurons.

Properties of peroxisomes from jerboa (Jaculus orientalis)

This report presents new data on mammalian peroxisomes by studying an unusual rodent: the jerboa (Jaculus orientalis). This animal exhibits some unique peroxisomal properties compared to the rat, such as higher cyanide-insensitive palmitoyl-CoA oxidase specific activity, pattern differences in SDS-PAGE peroxisomal proteins as well as in acyl-CoA oxidase immunoblotting. There is also a peculiar response to a peroxisome proliferator, ciprofibrate. With 250 ppm of ciprofibrate in the diet for 2 weeks, we observed a limited liver peroxisome proliferation as well as a palmitoyl-CoA oxidase activity, enzyme content and mRNA increase. However, there was no increase in catalase activity, nor hepatomegaly which are prominent features of peroxisome proliferation in rats treated under the same conditions. The palmitoyl-CoA oxidase activity increase was weak in the kidney and not observed in the heart. Other subcellular organelle marker enzyme activities did not significantly change, especially the mitochondrial D-3-hydroxybutyrate and succinate dehydrogenases, lysosomal acid phosphatase, cytosolic lactate dehydrogenase and the endoplasmic reticulum NADPH-cytochrome c reductase. However, the activity of the liver membrane endoplasmic reticulum linked omega-lauryl hydroxylase (cytochrome P450 IV A1) increases after ciprofibrate treatment. Jerboa also behaves differently compared to the guinea pig after ciprofibrate treatment since the guinea pig has a weak response towards peroxisome proliferators. In conclusion, this first peroxisome study utilizing a different type of rodent as a laboratory animal, reveals that the jerboa shows unique peroxisome properties and responds in a moderate manner to a peroxisome proliferator, ciprofibrate, without leading to any increase in liver mass. This supports the fact that fibrate molecules may have different targets depending upon the species.

Steady-state sinusoidal velocity responses of the basilar membrane in guinea pig

This report provides a detailed analysis of tone-evoked velocity responses of basilar membrane (BM) motion measured in the basal turn of the guinea pig cochlea. A laser Doppler vibrometer, coupled to a compound microscope, measured the velocity of reflective microbeads placed onto the scala tympani surface of the BM. The velocity responses of the stapes footplate were also determined, allowing the calculation of a BM transfer function. The normal transfer function is compared to that seen with cochlear "insensitivity" and postmortem. This comparison results in measures of the active process contribution to the magnitude and phase of the BM transfer function. It was found that the active process contributed as much as 65 dB of "gain" and 270 degrees of phase lag at the best frequency. Other details about features of input/output velocity functions and the derived mechanical frequency-tuning curve at a criterion of 50 micron/s are analyzed.

Carbohydrate composition of stereociliary glycocalyx of the utricle of guinea pig inner ear

The carbohydrate composition of the stereociliary glycocalyx of the utricle was analysed quantitatively. The utricular sensory epithelium was collected from adult albino guinea pigs, and its apical surface structure was blotted onto a PVDF membrane, which was then subjected to acid hydrolysis. The hydrolysate was treated with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone for labelling and analysed by reversed-phase HPLC coupled with detection of UV absorbance at 245 nm. Man, GlcN, GaIN, Glc, Gal and Fuc were detected and estimated to be 211, 219, 46, 1,270, 266 and 36 pmoles per 10 utricular maculae, respectively. The presence of Man indicates the presence of N-linked glycoconjugates, and the considerable amounts of GLcN and Gal suggest the presence of complex-type N-glycosides, poly-lactosamine and/or keratan sulfate. The relatively low GaIN content indicates that O-glycosides, chondroitin sulfates and GaINAc-containing glycosphingolipids, i.e. gangliosides and globosides, are minor components. Electronmicroscopic and confocal laser scanning microscopic observations revealed that the blotted apical surface structure constituted mostly the ciliary bundle. Consequently, the observed carbohydrate composition is probably that of the stereociliary glycocalyx of the utricular sensory epithelium.

Interdigitation of nitric oxide synthase-, tyrosine hydroxylase-, and serotonin-containing neurons in and around the laterodorsal and pedunculopontine tegmental nuclei of the guinea pig

The topography of neurons containing nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and monoamines was investigated in the guinea pig mesopontine tegmentum. NOS-containing neurons were identified with NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry, and monoamine-containing neurons were identified with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and serotonin (5-HT) immunocytochemistry. The distribution of NADPH-d positive cells was centered on the laterodorsal tegmental (LDT) and pedunculopontine tegmental (PPT) nuclei. Diaphorase-containing cells had a mean soma diameter of 23.0 +/- 4.1 microns (n = 160) and were distributed inhomogeneously, with numerous cells found within densely packed clusters. A nearest-neighbor analysis revealed that these cells were closely spaced, with up to 20% within one cell diameter and more than 50% within two cell diameters of a neighboring NADPH-d cell. Within the LDT and PPT, NADPH-d positive cells were mixed with smaller, diaphorase-negative cells (diam: 12.8 +/- 3.3 microns; n = 182; P << 0.01). TH-containing cells were not organized into a compact LC as in rat and their distribution more closely resembled that observed in cat. On average, TH-containing cells (diam: 21.2 +/- 4.8 microns; n = 160) were smaller than NADPH-d cells (P < 0.01). 5-HT-containing cells were mainly located in the raphe nuclei, as in other species. 5-HT-containing cells (diam: 18.2 +/- 4.4 microns; n = 161) were smaller on average than both the NADPH-d (P < 0.01) and TH-containing cells (P < 0.01). An analysis of the overlap in soma distributions revealed that TH-containing cells were largely interdigitated with NADPH-d containing cells. As much as 78% of the area occupied by the NADPH-d cells of LDT was contained within the area occupied by TH cells. Substantial numbers of TH and 5-HT immunoreactive processes were seen in both LDT and PPT. Varicose 5-HT and TH-containing fibers, as well as thicker, possibly dendritic processes containing TH were often seen in close apposition to NADPH-d containing somata and proximal dendrites. These results support the hypothesis that NADPH-d cells of both the PPT and LDT receive input from TH and 5-HT cells. Moreover, the clustered substructure of LDT and PPT and the extensive overlap of NADPH-d and TH-containing somata raise the possibility that the membrane permeable messenger nitric oxide plays a role in modulating TH-containing somata and their processes as well as 5-HT-containing processes in the LDT and PPT.

A comparison of the role of dynorphin in the hippocampal mossy fiber pathway in guinea pig and rat

Several behavioral studies in rat (Gallagher, 1988) have suggested that opioids in the hippocampus could play an important role in learning and memory. However, in this species, very few reports specifically address the issue of physiological actions of opioids released by the mossy fibers which constitute the principal source of dynorphin and enkephalin in the hippocampus. In the guinea pig high frequency stimulation of mossy fibers causes a transient heterosynaptic inhibition of neighboring mossy fibers (Weisskopf et al., 1993) or perforant path synapses in the dentate (Wagner et al., 1993), which is mediated by the synaptic release of dynorphin that activates presynaptic kappa receptors. We show here that neither exogenous nor endogenous dynorphin affect mossy fiber excitatory postsynaptic potentials in the Sprague-Dawley rat, which is consistent with the finding that kappa receptor binding in the mossy fiber termination zone is dense in the guinea pig and sparse in this rat. More surprisingly, although kappa receptor binding is found in the rat dentate gyrus molecular layer and in the CA3 pyramidal cell layer, dynorphin had no action on perforant path field responses, somatic potassium currents or evoked monosynaptic inhibitory postsynaptic currents in CA3 cells. This lack of action appears to be an exception among rodents as dynorphin significantly inhibited mossy fiber responses in the hamster, mouse, and even another strain of rat, Long-Evans. Unlike the kappa mediated actions, the mu opioid receptor agonist DAMGO inhibited Sprague-Dawley mossy fiber responses, as it does in guinea pig. In contrast to other investigators, however, we found that the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone had no effect on Sprague-Dawley mossy fiber LTP.

Neural responses to free-field auditory stimulation in the superior colliculus of the wallaby (Macropus eugenii)

Auditory responses to free-field broad band stimulation from different directions were recorded from clusters of neurones in the superior colliculus (SC) of the anaesthetized tammar wallaby. The auditory responses were found approximately 2 mm beneath the first recording of visually evoked responses in the superficial layers, the vast majority being solely auditory in nature; only one recording responded to both auditory and visual stimulation. Responses to suprathreshold intensities displayed sharp spatial tuning to sound in the contralateral hemifield. Those from the rostral pole of the SC disclosed a preference for auditory stimuli in the azimuthal anterior field, whereas those in the caudal SC preferentially responded to sounds in the posterior field. A continuum of directionally tuned responses was seen along the rostrocaudal axis of the SC so that the entire azimuthal contralateral auditory hemifield was represented in the SC. Furthermore, tight spatial alignment was evident between the best position of the visual responses in the superficial layers in azimuth and the peak angle of the auditory response in the deeper layers.

Synaptic connections and putative functions of the dopaminergic innervation of the guinea pig cochlea

We report our findings in the guinea pig involving dopamine in postsynaptic regulation of the activity of glutamatergic inner hair cells (IHCs) and in protection of primary auditory neurons during transient ischemia. Seven days after intracochlear perfusion of 6-hydroxydopamine, no immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was demonstrable within the organ of Corti. TH and aromatic amino acid decarboxylase were immunolocalized at an ultrastructural level within lateral olivocochlear varicosities synapsing with radial auditory dendrites postsynaptic to the IHCs. The D2 agonist piribedil induced a dose-dependent decrease in the amplitude of the compound action potential of the auditory nerve. Piribedil also prevented appearance of ischemia-induced swelling of the radial dendrites.

A comparative study of voiding in rat and guinea pig: simultaneous measurement of flow rate and pressure

In this study, the voiding phase of the micturition cycle in the anesthetized rat and guinea pig is analyzed. In both animals, voiding is characterized by an increase in intravesical pressure and then a decrease, which is accompanied by flow through the urethra and emission of urine. An ultrasonic flow probe was used in both species to measure the flow rate in relation to the intravesical pressure. In the (male) rat, so-called high-frequency oscillations are superimposed on the decreasing bladder pressure. These oscillations do not occur in the guinea pig. It is concluded that the high-frequency oscillations are caused by intermittent flow and not by variations in the bladder contraction. The intermittent flow most likely is caused by the relaxation and contraction of the external urethral sphincter and may have a function in territory marking. In our view, it is not likely that the oscillations enhance bladder emptying, as has been suggested in the literature.

[Function and morphology of the larynx of the domestic guinea pig. An animal model for laryngologic and phoniatric research?]

The present study was undertaken to collect data on fundamental functional and morphological features of the guinea pig larynx using frequency analysis of animal vocalizations and light and scanning electron microscopy. Vocalizations of healthy animals were recorded in an anechoic chamber and were analyzed with short-time fourier transformation (color spectrograms). From the multitude of vocalization patterns produced by the guinea pig, distress squeals were selected as a typical, reproducible, voiced sound. These were stereotyped, upward-frequency modulated, multiharmonic signals with a formant-like structure. The fundamental frequency of this sound rose by about 1.5 octaves and reached up to 6 kHz near the end of the call. The different regions of the endolaryngeal epithelia showed morphological properties that corresponded to proposed functional significance. Keratinized squamous epithelium covered the supraglottic region. The marginal rim of the vocal cord was covered by a very thin epithelium with very flat cells covered with short microvilli. The subepithelial space was filled with loose connective tissue. The subglottic region was covered by respiratory epithelia. Based on these findings, we propose that the larynx of the guinea pig can be used as a model in phoniatric and laryngological research.

Effects of unilateral cochlea ablation on the distribution of calretinin mRNA and immunoreactivity in the guinea pig ventral cochlear nucleus

The predominantly neuronal, calcium-binding protein calretinin is highly expressed in the guinea pig auditory system. Within the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN), calretinin-positive auditory nerve fibers terminate on many calretinin-containing bushy, octopus, and multipolar cells. The abundance of calretinin in the cochlear nucleus provides an ideal system for examining the effects of altered neuronal input on the expression of this calcium-binding protein. The present experiments examined the effects of unilateral cochlea ablation on calretinin immunoreactivity and mRNA levels in the VCN. Calretinin mRNA was labeled by in situ hybridization histochemistry using a radioactive oligonucleotide probe and was quantified by optical density measures on autoradiograms. Survival times of 1, 7, and 56 days postlesion were examined. The results revealed a consistent increase in calretinin mRNA in the rostral portion of the ipsilateral anterior VCN 1 day postlesion but no effect on calretinin mRNA in this region at 7 and 56 days postlesion. The intensity of immunohistochemical label was also increased at 1 and 7 days after surgery. In contrast, calretinin mRNA was not affected 1 day postlesion in the ipsilateral posterior VCN but was decreased at both 7 and 56 days postlesion. The decrease in calretinin mRNA in the posterior VCN at longer survival times was accompanied by decreased immunolabeling of fibers projecting from VCN cells to the superior olivary complex. These results suggest that calretinin gene expression is regulated in part by auditory nerve activity in some cochlear neurons but that additional factors related to the unique cellular milieu also control calretinin expression.

Naturally occurring human anti-band 3 autoantibodies accelerate clearance of erythrocytes in guinea pigs

A variety of naturally occurring autoantibodies (NOAs) have been found in sera of animals and humans. Although their specific homeostatic role in the clearance of altered or senescent cells has been proposed and in vitro studies support such functions, in vivo evidence has been lacking. We studied the effect of affinity-purified human anti-band 3 NOA on the survival of untreated and diamide-treated erythrocytes in normal and complement C3-deficient guinea pigs. In vitro exposure to diamide, an oxidative agent, severely reduced the erythrocyte deformability and increased the amount of high-molecular-weight forms of band 3 protein and band 3-hemoglobin adducts in erythrocyte membranes, thereby markedly shortening the survival of these cells in vivo. Human anti-band 3 NOA bound in a dose-dependent manner to erythrocytes, and binding increased with exposure to diamide. In normal guinea pigs anti-band 3 NOA significantly accelerated the clearance of erythrocytes that were mildly damaged by iodine surface labeling and of those that were further oxidized by diamide. However, the anti-band 3 effect was transient and small. In contrast, anti-band 3 NOA did not significantly alter erythrocyte survival in functionally C3-deficient guinea pigs, thereby supporting the C3b requirement for anti-band 3 NOA activity. On the other hand, a pretreatment of animals with purified human band 3 protein slowed down the clearance of erythrocytes incubated with IgG depleted of anti-band 3 NOA. These results provide the first in vivo evidence of a role for anti-band 3 NOA in the clearance of erythrocytes.

The developmental emergence of the representation of auditory azimuth in the external nucleus of the inferior colliculus of the guinea-pig: the effects of visual and auditory deprivation

A topographic representation of the auditory azimuth has been described in the external nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICX) of the guinea-pig [3]. This representation is characterized by directional multi-unit responses, at threshold stimulation intensities, with directional preferences organized in such a way as to represent the auditory azimuth along the rostro-caudal axis of the ICX. The following paper considers the emergence of that map and the role of developmental experience in its elaboration. Multi-unit responses to free-field broad-band auditory stimuli were recorded in the ICX. At threshold stimulation intensities, multi-unit receptive fields (MURFs) obtained from younger animals showed the same discrete spatial tuning as found in MURFs from animals older than 35 DAB (days after birth). However, a normal adult topographic representation was not present until animals were at least 30-32 DAB. Visual deprivation, by dark-rearing from birth until mapping (at 35-43 DAB), had no obvious detrimental effects on auditory receptive field size or topographic order in the ICX. Auditory deprivation was achieved by rearing animals in an environment of continuous omnidirectional noise from birth until mapping (47-53 DAB). Following auditory deprivation, receptive fields remained relatively discrete, but no correlation between rostro-caudal position of the recording site and the angle of the best response was observed. Thus, the representation of auditory azimuth in the ICX appears to be unperturbed by developmental visual deprivation but is susceptible to developmental auditory deprivation.

Functional anatomy of the head-neck movement system of quadrupedal and bipedal mammals

This biomechanical investigation quantified the range of motion of the different articulations of the head-neck ensemble in man, monkeys, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs. Radiography and dissections were used to establish the degrees of freedom of the system. The erect posture and rigidity of the cervical spine in mammalian vertebrates are possible because the degrees of freedom of the movements of the cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae in passive ranges of motion are asymmetric, and thus significantly restricted, when judged from the resting position. The total range of motion at the atlanto-occipital articulation varies between species. It is approximately 90 degrees-105 degrees in the quadrupedal mammals tested, and only 11 degrees or 13 degrees, respectively, in humans and monkeys. When at rest, bipeds and quadrupeds hold the atlanto-occipital articulation and the upper cervical joints (C1/C2, C2/C3) in a flexed attitude. The total range of motion at the cervicothoracic junction (C6-T2) is approximately 6 degrees-80 degrees in all vertebrates investigated (quadrupeds and bipeds). At rest, the vertebral articulations that form the cervicothoracic junction are held in their extreme extended positions in quadrupeds and monkeys. In man, the vertebrae of the lower cervical spine are kept at a midposition between maximal flexion and maximal extension. This latter observation may be related to the permanent bipedalism of humans. Collectively, our data indicate that biomechanical constraints such as bone structures (e.g. specifically shaped articular processes) and ligaments may maintain the intrinsic configuration and self-supporting structure of the cervical spine. Furthermore, the specialised structures in the cervical joints allow movements more or less in particular planes of space, and thus biomechanical constraints limit the number of possible solutions as to how an animal can perform a given orientating head movement. Although we have not entirely clarified the functional implications for head movement control of the different sagittal-plane ranges of motion in vertebrates, we hypothesise that different mechanical requirements relating to the influence of gravity have caused the observed differences between the investigated bipedal and quadrupedal mammals.

Low-frequency biasing of round window responses in guinea pigs and chinchillas

The acoustic biasing technique using low-frequency sound is of increasing interest to investigators, not only as a means of studying cochlear transduction but also as a promising tool for assessing cochlear pathology such as endolymphatic hydrops. We compared normal modulation patterns of round window responses in guinea pigs and chinchillas, whose low-frequency auditory characteristics are known to be different. A 50-Hz sine wave (90 dB SPL for guinea pigs and 80 dB SPL for chinchillas), which evoked an equivalent magnitude of cochlear microphonics (CM) in both species, was used to modulate the compound action potential (CAP) and the summating potential (SP) elicited by 8-kHz tone bursts. Overall patterns of CAP and SP modulation were almost identical between the two species except for a difference in the phase of 50 Hz CM. The phase of maximum SP enlargement was in accord with that of maximum CAP suppression, which led to inferred basilar membrane (BM) position at maximum scala tympani displacement by between 45 and 90 degrees. More complex or hysteresis effects seemed to be involved in the modulation of CAP and SP magnitude, in addition to the biasing effect owing solely to BM displacement.

[Pets as patients in the small animal practice. 1. Descent, physiology, husbandry, feeding]

Small pets as domestic animals and patients in veterinary practice have gained in importance during the last years. Their different habits and needs require exact knowledge of their descent and physiology, as well as husbandry and feeding requirements. Therefore, a survey of rabbit, guinea-pig, chinchilla, hamster, gerbil, mouse and rat as pets is given.

Functional compartments of the tensor veli palatini muscle

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a dual role for the tensor veli palatini muscle in tubal and palatal function.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The eustachian tube region of guinea pigs and macaques was fixed and processed for analysis by serial section histologic examination, micro-dissection, or both. The attachment, fiber direction, and regional relations of potentially discrete functional compartments in eustachian tube muscles were noted.

RESULTS

The tensor veli palatini muscle in macaques has two anatomic sub-bellies. One appears to be a tubal dilator, the other to make the tube rigid along its longitudinal axis. No other muscle is directly associated with the eustachian tube in macaques. The tensor veli palatini muscle in guinea pigs has one gross belly that may affect palatal tensing and tubal dilation, rigidification, and stabilization. Other muscles of the eustachian tube in guinea pigs are a medial sub-belly of the medial pterygoid muscle, not previously described, and the levator veli palatini muscle.

CONCLUSIONS

The muscular elements underlying tubal-palatal function in guinea pigs are more distinct and spatially separated than in macaques or humans. These differences may explain the confusion about the role of accessory muscles in tubal function. Muscular compartments of the eustachian tube complex in guinea pigs are easily accessible, which facilitates a more discrete and confident placement of electromyography electrodes. The guinea pig may be a useful model to better understand the interaction of multilevel compartmentalized physiologic sequences that underlie coordination of swallowing, breathing, and middle ear aeration.

Estrogen, not testosterone, creates male predominance of a P4501-related cytochrome in adult guinea pig adrenals

Guinea pig adrenal microsomes possess a distinctive cytochrome P450 that is immunochemically related to P4501 and correlates with microsomal capacity for xenobiotic metabolism. This 52K protein and the capacity for metabolizing compounds such as ethylmorphine are located in the zona reticularis, are suppressed by ACTH, and are predominant in adult males. The protein is undetectable and the enzyme activity is low in young prepubertal animals. In males, both increase with age. However, in females, the protein remains undetectable, and ethylmorphine demethylase activity remains low into adulthood. Despite this clear sex difference through puberty and into sexual maturity, we recently observed that in female retired breeders, both the 52K cytochrome P450 and the capacity for metabolism of ethylmorphine appear at levels equal to those in males of comparable age. As estrogen levels are low in female retired breeders, we decided to investigate whether estrogen plays a role in maintaining the low levels of this protein and of xenobiotic metabolism seen in younger females. In a series of gonadectomy and hormone replacement experiments, we demonstrated that estrogen suppressed the levels of both protein and enzyme activity in adult guinea pigs. Ovariectomy resulted in the appearance of the 52K cytochrome P450 and of ethylmorphine demethylase in female adrenal microsomes at levels comparable to those seen in adult males. Estrogen replacement suppressed the increase in both protein concentration and enzyme activity. In hemiovariectomized cycling females, compensatory hypertrophy of the remaining ovary occurred, and the characteristic low levels of the 52K P450 and enzyme activity were maintained. Furthermore, estrogen treatment of male guinea pigs suppressed levels of both the 52K P450 and ethylmorphine demethylase activity in male adrenals. These experiments demonstrate that estrogen plays a significant role in the regulation of this protein. Testosterone, on the other hand, was not required to maintain the higher levels of 52K P450 and correlated enzyme activity in adult males. The levels of both were the same in normal, castrated, and sham-operated males, treated with testosterone or vehicle alone or left untreated. In fact, castration of prepubertal males resulted in a rapid rise to adult male levels of both immunodetectable protein and enzyme activity, implying that some suppressive agent of testicular origin effects the gradual increase that normally occurs with age in males.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Participation of the periaqueductal gray matter in the modulation of tonic immobility in the guinea pig

Unilateral microinjection of carbachol (CCh, 1 microgram/0.2 microliter) into the specific sites in the ventral and ventrolateral portions of the periaqueductal gray (PAG) matter, which is known to be involved in analgesia, increases the duration of restraint-induced tonic immobility (TI) episodes induced in 23 adult male guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Mean duration of TI episodes was 107 +/- 16.38 s in the control group and increased to 220.7 +/- 40.24 s in the group microinjected with CCh. The potentiating effect of carbachol on TI duration was blocked by pretreatment with atropine (7.6 micrograms/0.4 microliter). These data suggest that PAG and the cholinergic system are involved in the modulation of the motor inhibition characteristic of TI which may be activated by the same stimuli that induce defensive analgesia.

Guinea pigs

Guinea pigs are popular pets for both adults and children, and they are often presented to the small animal practitioner for medical problems. Diseases and management problems seen in pet guinea pigs often vary from those commonly seen in laboratory animals, and the treatment techniques used in pet animals also are different. This article reviews pet guinea pigs' common medical problems and treatment.

Guinea pig as an animal model for the study of urinary bladder function in the normal and obstructed state

The guinea pig has become an excellent model for the study of mechanical and electrical mechanisms regulating bladder function in the normal and obstructed state. Much preliminary work has been done on the in vitro behavior of the detrusor smooth muscle. The tissue has permitted electrophysiological studies by sucrose gap, microelectrode, and patch clamp technique. Excellent urodynamic studies can be performed under anesthesia. A recent model of bladder obstruction has resulted in a source of tissue which is suitable for electrophysiological analysis of the muscle. Low-cost and simple animal care requirements permit large-scale studies correlating urodynamic, structural, biochemical, contractile, and electrophysiological changes in response to obstruction.