Surfactant secretion and clearance in the newborn

Pregnant rabbits (30 days) were injected intravenously with [3H]choline 8 h before delivery. The fetuses were delivered, and lung lavage and lamellar body phospholipids (PL) were analyzed. Some newborns also received radioactively labeled surfactant intratracheally on delivery and were permitted to breathe. With time, intratracheal label decreased in lavage and appeared in the lamellar body fraction, and intravenous label accumulated in both pools. Using a tracer analysis for non-steady state, we calculated surfactant secretion and clearance rates for the newborn period. Before birth, both rates rose slightly from 1.8 micrograms PL.g body wt-1.h-1 at 6 h before birth to 7.3 at birth. Immediately after birth, secretion rate rose to 37.7 micrograms PL.g body wt-1.h-1. Between 1.5 and 2 h after birth it fell to a minimum of 1.8 micrograms PL.g body wt-1.h-1 and then rose slowly to 6.0 at 12 h. After birth, clearance rate increased less than secretion rate (maximum 24.7 micrograms PL.g body wt-1.h-1 shortly after birth) then followed the same pattern but did not balance secretion rate in the 1st day.

Human pulmonary surfactant protein (SP-A), a protein structurally homologous to C1q, can enhance FcR- and CR1-mediated phagocytosis

C1q, a subunit of the first component (C1) of the classical complement pathway, and the pulmonary surfactant protein SP-A are structurally homologous molecules, each having an extended collagen-like domain contiguous with a non-collagenous domain. It is the collagen-like region of C1q that binds to mononuclear phagocytes and mediates the enhancement of phagocytosis of opsonized particles by these cells. Because SP-A enhances the endocytosis of phospholipids by alveolar type II cells and alveolar macrophages, we examined whether these two molecules were functionally interchangeable. The phagocytosis of sheep erythrocytes opsonized with IgG or with IgM and complement was enhanced by the adherence of monocytes or macrophages, respectively, to SP-A. The enhanced response was dependent on the concentration of SP-A used for coating the surfaces, similar to that seen when monocytes were adhered to C1q-coated surfaces. Both the percentage of cells ingesting the opsonized targets and the number of targets ingested per cell increased with increasing concentrations of SP-A. No such enhancement was seen with cells adhered to albumin, iron-saturated transferrin, or uncoated surfaces. However, SP-A did not substitute for C1q in the formation of hemolytically active C1. C1q did not stimulate lipid uptake by alveolar type II cells or alveolar macrophages and had only a slight inhibitory effect on the binding of SP-A to alveolar type II cells. Thus, these results suggested that a function which requires interactions of both the collagenous and the non-collagenous regions (i.e. initiation of the classic complement cascade) could not be mimicked by a protein sharing structural macromolecular similarity but lacking sequence homology in the non-collagen-like region. However, SP-A could substitute for C1q in stimulating a function previously shown to be mediated by the collagen-like domains of the C1q molecule.

Lung surfactant apoprotein SP-A (26-36 kDa) binds with high affinity to isolated alveolar type II cells

Pulmonary surfactant is synthesized and secreted by alveolar type II cells. These cells recycle surfactant lipids by an internalization process that is enhanced in vitro by the surfactant proteins with molecular masses of 26-36 kDa (SP-A). SP-A also inhibits the secretion of lipid by type II cells. These results suggest that SP-A may play a role in feedback regulation of surfactant pool size and are consistent with the hypothesis that the type II cell surface has receptors for SP-A. The goal of this study is to characterize the binding of radioiodinated SP-A to isolated rat type II cells. Binding of SP-A to type II cells at 4 degrees C has a K1/2 of approximately 5 X 10(-10) M, is saturable, and is inhibited by excess unlabeled SP-A. Binding is dependent on calcium and is reduced by heat treatment of SP-A. The binding of a proteolytic fragment of SP-A that is produced by collagenase treatment is reduced by excess unlabeled SP-A. The binding of the fragment to macrophages and lung fibroblasts is not inhibited by excess unlabeled SP-A. Trypsinization of the type II cell surface reduces the binding of both intact SP-A and the collagenase-resistant fragment. These results show that SP-A binds to type II cells with high affinity and suggest that these cells have receptors that recognize the carboxyl-terminal domain of SP-A.

Sulfinpyrazone prolongs survival and decreases platelet uptake of heart allografts

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential benefit of the platelet active drug sulfinpyrazone (SPZ) on uptake of indium-III-oxine (111In)-labeled platelets and survival of rat heart allografts. Lewis rats bearing ACI heterotopic heart transplants were treated with SPZ in high, intermediate, or low doses. In 111-labeled platelet uptake was measured 5 days postoperatively and calculated as a ratio between the transplanted and native hearts. Left and right ventricles were measured separately. SPZ given in doses of 400 and 200 mg/kg daily significantly decreased platelet uptake in the graft and reduced the ratio of uptake between transplanted and native hearts (P less than 0.05). In animals treated with SPZ 100 mg/kg/day platelet uptake was not significantly less than that of the nontreated control animals. Survival of allografts was determined by daily palpation and compared to vehicle-treated controls. Mean graft survival was prolonged for animals treated with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg daily, i.e., 19.0 +/- 3.02 and 11.42 +/- 1.97 days, respectively. Animals administered 400 mg/kg did not have longer graft survival than controls (6.63 +/- 0.66 versus 6.31 +/- 0.18 days). Most animals in the 400 mg/kg group died as a result of adverse side effects of the drug. We conclude that SPZ in low to intermediate doses prolongs allografted heart survival. The enhanced survival in the lower dose group may in part be due to mechanisms other than platelet adhesiveness.

Silica prevents the induction of diabetes with complete Freund's adjuvant and low-dose streptozotocin in rats

Three weekly intraperitoneal injections of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and, one day later, 25 mg/kg of STZ have been reported to cause a gradual onset of autoimmune diabetes. We have previously reported that the onset of diabetes in this model occurs too rapidly to be due to a specific immune reaction and that other compounds that activate macrophages also potentiate low-dose STZ in rats. We have proposed that mediators released from activated macrophages may enhance the cytotoxic effect of STZ. In the present study, we have observed that intraperitoneal injections of silica, a macrophage toxin, markedly decrease the incidence and severity of diabetes induced with CFA and low-dose STZ.

Cellular uptake and processing of surfactant lipids and apoprotein SP-A by rat lung

The intracellular pathways and the kinetics of metabolism of surfactant apoprotein and lipid, which may be recycled from the alveolar space, are largely unknown. We used a lipid-apoprotein complex made from liposomes of pure lipids in a ratio found in mammalian pulmonary surfactant plus surfactant apoprotein (SP-A, Mr = 26,000-36,000) to test some possible relationships in the recycling of these major surfactant components between intrapulmonary compartments. After intratracheal instillation of 80 microliters of an apoprotein-liposome mixture with separate radiolabels in the lipid and the apoprotein, rats were killed at times from 8 min to 4 h later. The lungs were lavaged with saline, and subcellular fractions were isolated on discontinuous sucrose density gradients. Both the [14C]lipid radiolabel and the 125I-apoprotein radiolabel demonstrated a time-dependent increase in radioactivity recovered in a lamellar body-enriched fraction. Uptake of the radiolabels into other subcellular fractions did not exhibit a clear-cut time dependence; more of the protein than the lipid radiolabel was found in the Golgi-rich and microsomal fractions. We conclude that both the lipid and apoprotein portions of lung surfactant are taken up by lung cells and are incorporated into secretory granules of the cells.

Pulmonary surfactant metabolism

Recent work suggests that surfactant undergoes a complex sequence of metabolic events during its life cycle in the alveolar airspace. The composition, turnover, and metabolism of surfactant, and the possible "control points" in its metabolic pathway that might be compromised in disease states are discussed.

Coronary blood flow and thallium 201 uptake in rejecting rat heart transplantations

The effects of rejection on coronary flow (CAF) in heart allografts are unclear, although previous evidence with cardiac imaging agents indicates impaired flow during advanced rejection. The purpose of this study was to measure CAF in heterotopically placed heart grafts. Lewis rats (LEW) received grafts from either syngeneic Lewis rats (LEW/LEW group) or allogeneic ACI rats (ACI/LEW group). CAF was measured in both the transplanted and native hearts with radiolabeled microspheres. Rejection was measured histologically (grades 0 [absent] to 4+ [severe]). In addition systemic blood pressure and cardiac outputs of the native hearts were determined with microspheres. Different animals were studied during relatively early (4 days) and late (6 days) rejection. Among the 4-day animals a cyclosporine-treated group was included (ACI/LEW CyA). In 6-day rats CAF in allografts was lower (0.56 +/- .06 ml/gm/min) compared with syngeneic grafts (1.72 +/- 0.4 ml/gm/min) (p less than 0.05). The CAF in the native hearts did not differ significantly but was higher than in the grafts in both groups. Heart rates were reduced in allografts (p less than 0.05). It is interesting that arterial pressure and cardiac output were significantly lower in animals bearing allogeneic than syngeneic grafts. In rats studied at 4 days graft CAF was lower than in the native heart in both the LEW/LEW and ACI/LEW groups, but there was no significant difference in behavior between groups. The same was true for a cyclosporine-treated group. Graft heart rates were similar in all 4-day rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Oxygen free-radical scavengers and immune destruction of murine islets in allograft rejection and multiple low-dose streptozocin-induced insulitis

We examined the effects of desferrioxamine (DFX), a potent inhibitor of the formation of oxygen-derived hydroxyl radicals, and nicotinamide (NIC), a poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase inhibitor and a weak free-radical scavenger, on two models of immune destruction of murine islets [i.e., allograft rejection and multiple low-dose streptozocin (STZ)-induced insulitis]. Freshly isolated or low-temperature-cultured BALB/cJ islets were transplanted beneath the kidney capsules of C57BL/6J recipients. The recipients were treated with NIC alone (500 mg.kg-1.day-1), DFX alone (4.2 mg/day x 14 days), or NIC + DFX. Only recipients treated with NIC + DFX, receiving cultured islets, showed a mean graft survival time significantly longer than control mice receiving freshly isolated or cultured islets. Control CD-1 mice treated with multiple low doses of STZ developed insulitis and diabetes. Treatment with NIC alone, DFX alone, or NIC + DFX decreased the severity of hyperglycemia relative to the controls. Treatment with DFX alone was more effective than NIC alone or NIC + DFX. Only the group treated with DFX alone had a lower incidence of diabetes (mean plasma glucose level greater than 200 mg/dl) than the controls after 4 wk. Histologically, islets from control mice showed severe insulitis, islet destruction, and absence of stainable insulin, whereas islets from DFX-treated mice showed only mild peri-insulitis and a relative preservation of beta-cell granulation. Our study showed that NIC and DFX partially protect islets from immune destruction in allograft rejection and in low-dose STZ-induced insulitis. Apparently, hydroxyl radicals play important roles in both of these models.

Uptake of perfusion imaging agents by transplanted hearts: an experimental study in rats

There is a need for a reliable noninvasive marker of rejection in transplanted hearts. Endomyocardial biopsy is now the universally accepted diagnostic method of choice, but the invasiveness of the procedure and the limited size of the sample obtained makes this method far from ideal. As coronary blood flow may be expected to decrease during acute rejection, there has been interest in thallium-201 chloride (T1), a perfusion marker, as an imaging agent for diagnosing cardiac rejection. Hexakis(t-butylisonitrile)-technetium (Tc-TBI) is a representative of a new class of radiopharmaceuticals proposed as perfusion markers. We have compared the uptake of these imaging agents in a rat model of cardiac transplantation. Uptake of Tc-TBI as well as of T1 was significantly lower in rejecting than in nonrejecting hearts. This change was found in both left (LV) and right (RV) ventricles. Allografts in animals treated with cyclosporine (CyA) showed less severe rejection and higher uptakes of both imaging agents as compared to unmodified rejection. Our results suggest that perfusion imaging with these radionuclides is a potentially useful approach to the problem of detecting allograft rejection.

Induction of Ia antigen expression on murine islet parenchymal cells does not diminish islet allograft survival

Aberrant Ia antigen expression has been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. Ia antigen expression was induced on isolated B10.BR murine islet parenchymal cells by culturing them for 5 days with lymphokine supernatants containing interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) or with recombinant murine IFN-gamma + recombinant tumor necrosis factor. Ia positivity was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence. Islets cultured for 5 days without cytokines were Ia-negative. Purified B10.BR islets allografted into the portal veins of C57BL/6J mice do not reject, which allowed the authors to determine whether aberrant expression of Ia on parenchymal cells has a deleterious effect on allograft survival. Ia-positive or Ia-negative islets were transplanted via the portal vein into diabetic C57BL/6J mice. All mice remained normoglycemic until they were killed at 30 to 60 days. Well-granulated islet allografts were identified histologically in all mice. The experiment was repeated using Balb/cJ mice as donors. Purified Balb/cJ islets are rapidly rejected by C57BL/6J mice. Induction of Ia expression on Balb/cJ islets significantly improved allograft survival. These findings indicate that Ia-positive islet cells do not induce rejection in these allograft models but may actually have a protective effect.

Spontaneous hydronephrosis in C57BL/KsJ mice

Spontaneous hydronephrosis was observed in 15 of 33 necropsied C57BL/KsJ mice. The gross and histological appearances of these lesions are described. Spontaneous hydronephrosis is rare in mice and has not been previously described in this strain. At least four different mutations are reported to cause hydronephrosis in the mouse; each is associated with a high incidence of severe skeletal defects. Because no skeletal malformations were observed in the present study, it is likely that either a multigenic trait which has been present for a long time but is expressed variably, or a mutation other than those previously described may be responsible for hydronephrosis in C57BL/KsJ mice.

Essential fatty acid deficiency prevents multiple low-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetes in CD-1 mice

Multiple i.p. injections of low-dose streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) produce insulitis, beta cell destruction, and diabetes in male CD-1 mice. Recent data also suggest that macrophages figure in the low-dose streptozotocin model. Because other recent studies have shown that essential fatty acid deficiency prevents autoimmune nephritis in mice, decreases the number of resident Ia-positive glomerular macrophages, and decreases the elicitation of macrophages into the glomerulus in inflammation, we examined the effect of essential fatty acid deficiency on the incidence and severity of insulitis and diabetes in CD-1 mice treated with low-dose streptozotocin. Streptozotocin-treated mice on the control diet uniformly developed diabetes (19/19). Essential fatty acid-deficient mice treated with streptozotocin did not develop diabetes (1/13). Mean plasma glucose levels for the control and essential fatty acid-deficient mice were 384.5 +/- 23.6 and 129.1 +/- 15.5 mg/dl, respectively, at the end of 1 month. To discern whether essential fatty acid deficiency prevented the streptozotocin-induced beta cell injury or the inflammatory response to injured beta cells, mice were repleted with daily injections of 99% pure methyl linoleate beginning 3 days after the last streptozotocin injection. These mice also quickly developed severe (3/4) or mild (1/4) diabetes. Histologic examination of the pancreata of control mice or repleted mice showed marked insulitis and beta cell destruction; in contrast, the pancreata of essential fatty acid-deficient mice showed preservation of beta cells and only focal mild peri-insulitis. Essential fatty acid deficiency thus prevents the insulitis and resultant diabetes in low-dose streptozotocin-treated CD-1 mice, suggesting a central role for macrophages and lipid mediators in this autoimmunity model.

Phenotypic and genetic relationship between linear functional type traits and milk yield for five breeds

Lactation records of cows first calving between 18 and 35 mo were combined with linear type ratings assigned during the same lactation if before 43 mo. Phenotypic relationships were examined between final score and 13 type appraisal traits and first lactation milk yield from 2935 Ayrshire, 3154 Brown Swiss, 13,110 Guernsey, 50,422 Jersey, and 924 Milking Shorthorn records. Most phenotypic correlations between type and milk yield were low. Linear correlations of final score with first lactation milk yield were .18 to .38. Of the linear functional type traits, correlations with first lactation yield had greatest absolute values for dairy character (.19 to .53), udder depth (-.26 to -.30), and rear udder width (.20 to .31). Multiple correlations of all type appraisal traits with first lactation milk yield ranged from .41 to .59. Herd-year-season components of variance averaged 25% for type traits. Herd-year-season with sire interaction averaged 4%. Heritability estimates for final score from paternal half-sib analysis were from .11 to .21. Heritability estimates for linear traits ranged from .01 to .37. Genetic correlation between milk and final score was positive for Guernseys (.25) and Jerseys (.21). Genetic correlations between yield and most linear type traits were low to moderate except for dairy character (.53 to .77).

Nordic ski jumping fatalities in the United States: a 50-year summary

Nordic ski-jumping fatalities are rare events. Six jumping fatalities have occurred in the United States during the past 50 years. The fatality rate for nordic ski jumping, estimated to be roughly 12 fatalities/100,000 participants annually, appears to be within the range of fatality rates for other "risky" outdoor sports. Cervical fractures appear to be the most frequent fatal ski-jumping injury.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the stomach. A report and review of malignant fibrohistiocytic tumors of the alimentary tract

An example of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the stomach, manifesting initially as a pulmonary metastasis, is described. A review of the world medical literature yielded ten other examples of MFH of the alimentary tract--four in the large intestine, two each in the small intestine and rectum, and one each in the esophagus and stomach. Patients ranged in age from 17 to 74 years, and all but one were males. Histologically, 91% of the tumors were of the pleomorphic type, with or without an associated storiform pattern. Six of the 11 patients died, two postoperatively and four with tumor, while the others were alive from 14 months to eight years after therapy. The distinction between gastric MFH and leiomyosarcoma is discussed.

Tumor necrosis factor enhances interferon-induced Ia antigen expression on murine islet parenchymal cells

Islets from male B10.BR mice (H-2k) were isolated by the collagenase technique, hand-picked with a Pasteur pipette, and incubated in tissue culture media supplemented with recombinant murine interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma), recombinant murine tumor necrosis factor (rTNF), or both. IAk-molecules could be identified on the surface of islets incubated for 5 days with a combination of rIFN-gamma (1, 10, or 100 ng/ml) and rTNF (10 or 50 U/ml) by indirect immunofluorescence. Optimal concentrations of rIFN-gamma and rTNF, 10 ng/ml and 50 U/ml, respectively, were used in all subsequent experiments. Weak Ia-positivity could be identified on the surface of islets cultured with both cytokines for as little as 48 hours; however, the staining appeared most intense after 5 days of culture. Intensely Ia-positive islets were then carefully washed and cultured in media without either cytokine; Ia positivity could be identified on the surface of these islets for up to 1 week. Dispersed islet cells were cultured with rIFN-gamma alone (10 ng/ml), rTNF alone (50 U/ml), or both cytokines for 5 or 10 days. After either 5 or 10 days of culture with both cytokines, intense immunofluorescent staining for Ia could be identified on the surface of greater than 80-90% of the viable islet cells. Culture with IFN alone for 10 days resulted in 15-20% Ia positivity; culture with TNF alone did not cause Ia expression.

Effect of niacin/nicotinamide deficiency on the diabetogenic effect of streptozotocin

Weanling CD-1 mice were fed either a control diet or a diet deficient in niacin/nicotinamide for one month and then injected i.v. with 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, or 160 mg/kg streptozotocin. Mice on the deficient diet developed a higher incidence of diabetes and more severe hyperglycemia than those on the control diet.

Synergistic effects of adjuvants, endotoxin, and fasting on induction of diabetes with multiple low doses of streptozocin in rats

Three weekly intraperitoneal injections of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and, 1 day later, low-dose streptozocin (STZ; 25 mg/kg i.p.) have been reported to cause immune destruction of beta-cells and a gradual onset of diabetes mellitus. In this study, male Lewis rats were injected intraperitoneally with CFA and 1 day later with low-dose STZ; these were repeated at weekly intervals for 3 wk. The incidence of diabetes mellitus (nonfasted plasma glucose greater than 200 mg/dl) in wk 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 50, 80, 93, and 100%, respectively. Rats receiving either CFA or STZ only did not develop diabetes. Injections of either the components of CFA (incomplete Freund's adjuvant and Mycobacterium butyricum), another granuloma-inducing organism (Listeria monocytogenes), or endotoxin before STZ induced diabetes, but the onset was slower and the diabetes was less severe than with CFA and STZ. Because intraperitoneal CFA injections caused peritoneal irritation, acute weight loss, and hypoglycemia on the day after injection, we examined whether fasting alone potentiated low-dose STZ. Fasting for 24 h before and 24 h after low-dose STZ caused diabetes that was similar in rapidity of onset and severity to that induced with CFA and STZ. Administration of CFA subcutaneously before STZ did not cause hypoglycemia or weight loss but did cause diabetes. Thus, the fasting effect of intraperitoneal CFA was not responsible for the induction of diabetes with CFA and STZ. These data indicate that immunologic adjuvants, endotoxin, and fasting all potentiate the diabetogenic action of low-dose STZ.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Changes in quantity, composition, and surface activity of alveolar surfactant at birth

We hypothesized that when the lung makes the transition from the fluid- to the air-filled state at birth, there are changes in physical and functional properties of the alveolar surfactant. To test this hypothesis, newborn rabbits were killed at different times in the first 24 h of life, their lungs lavaged with ice-cold saline, and the lavage fluid subfractionated by differential centrifugation. The phospholipid and protein content and composition and the kinetics of surface tension lowering of the subfractions were examined. We found that with the onset of breathing, shifts occur in the distribution of surfactant subfractions as a surfactant apoprotein-free phospholipid fraction is generated. The ratio of rapidly sedimentable apoprotein-rich to slowly sedimentable, apoprotein-free fractions decreases from 31 at birth to 4 at 24 h of life. Concurrently, rates of surface tension lowering by the subfractions increase with time. The results suggest that the adult pattern of pool sizes and surface activity of alveolar surfactant is not present at birth but evolves slowly over the 1st day of life.

Metabolism and turnover of lung surfactant

Despite the grave difficulties that beset researchers who are trying to isolate and characterize the various intracellular and extracellular forms of lung surfactant; despite the serious ambiguities of interpretation of experimental data caused by the multicomponent nature of the surfactant; despite the inaccessibility for diagnostic purposes of this material, which functions deep in the lungs; despite the fact that incisive methods of protein chemistry and molecular biology have only recently been brought to bear on lung surfactant; despite all these problems, our knowledge and understanding of lung surfactant are rapidly increasing. We know now that it is a dynamic system with many parts, and that the reserves of these are normally not large and are recycled. We believe that tight metabolic control must exist to maintain these reserves, and we already have experimental techniques to raise or lower the reserves. Heroic methods of surfactant substitution are now being tested in patients whose deficiency or risk thereof is sufficiently desperate, and the results of these clinical trials, if they are carefully documented with lung function data, will add a new dimension to our knowledge of surfactant dynamics. We may expect in the future that more subtle alterations in surfactant function will become detectable and more sophisticated methods to manipulate the system will be invented. Essential to these will be a deeper understanding of surfactant forms, pathways, kinetics, and controls. Fortunately, research on surfactant structure, metabolism, and turnover intrigues many investigators. They, we may hope, will soon provide the necessary information.

Oral amyloidosis: two unusual case presentations

Two cases of oral amyloidosis are reported. In each case there were unusual oral manifestations. In the first case the patient's only complaints were of recurrent swelling of the submandibular glands and xerostomia. The diagnosis of amyloidosis was determined from a labial salivary gland biopsy. In the second case an enlarged tongue had produced displacement of the teeth, causing malocclusion. The resulting difficulty in chewing stimulated the patient to seek advice. In each case the diagnosis was confirmed by electron microscopy, Congo red staining, and serum and urine electrophoresis.

Surfactant apoprotein Mr = 26,000-36,000 enhances uptake of liposomes by type II cells

The alveolar type II cell which synthesizes and secretes surfactant also plays a major role in the reuptake of surfactant lipids. In a recent in vivo study we found that the subfractions of natural surfactant that contained the surfactant protein with molecular weights of 26,000-36,000 (SP-26-36) were preferentially taken up into lamellar bodies of type II cells to a greater extent than were fractions that did not contain SP-26-36. Because the subfractions of natural surfactant in that study differed in other properties than the presence or absence of SP-26-36, the current study was undertaken to determine whether purified SP-26-36 enhanced the uptake of surfactant-like lipids by freshly isolated type II cells. SP-26-36 increased the uptake of label in radioactive surfactant-like lipids by up to 10-fold, and the effect of SP-26-36 was dependent on time, protein concentration, and temperature. The enhancement was inhibited by heat-treating the protein, by a polyclonal antibody against SP-26-36, and by metabolic inhibitors. The distribution of radioactivity in cell-associated phospholipids differed if cells were incubated with or without SP-26-36. If SP-26-36 was present during the incubation, greater than 96% of the radioactivity remained associated with phosphatidylcholine. In the absence of SP-26-36, only 85% of the radioactivity remained associated with phosphatidylcholine and 7% of the label appeared in phosphatidylglycerol. We hypothesize that SP-26-36 may act as a ligand to direct surfactant lipids to type II cells, perhaps to different metabolic pathways, and to regulate recycling and surfactant homeostasis.

Pulmonary surfactant and its components inhibit secretion of phosphatidylcholine from cultured rat alveolar type II cells

Pulmonary surfactant is synthesized and secreted by alveolar type II cells. Radioactive phosphatidylcholine has been used as a marker for surfactant secretion. We report findings that suggest that surfactant inhibits secretion of 3H-labeled phosphatidylcholine by cultured rat type II cells. The lipid components and the surfactant protein group of Mr 26,000-36,000 (SP 26-36) inhibit secretion to different extents. Surfactant lipids do not completely inhibit release; in concentrations of 100 micrograms/ml, lipids inhibit stimulated secretion by 40%. SP 26-36 inhibits release with an EC50 of 0.1 microgram/ml. At concentrations of 1.0 microgram/ml, SP 26-36 inhibits basal secretion and reduces to basal levels secretion stimulated by terbutaline, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, and the ionophore A23187. The inhibitory effect of SP 26-36 can be blocked by washing type II cells after adding SP 26-36, by heating the proteins to 100 degrees C for 10 min, by adding antiserum specific to SP 26-36, or by incubating cells in the presence of 0.2 mM EGTA. SP 26-36 isolated from canine and human sources also inhibits phosphatidylcholine release from rat type II cells. Neither type I collagen nor serum apolipoprotein A-1 inhibits secretion. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that surfactant secretion is under feedback regulatory control.

Influence of genetic differences in merit of mates on sire evaluation

Effect of nonrandomness of bulls' mates on daughter milk yield was examined from first lactation records of cows with birth dates in 1965 and later. Results were based on 67,081 Ayrshire, 77,633 Brown Swiss, 241,486 Guernsey, 1,433,761 Holstein, 291,201 Jersey, and 10,465 Milking Shorthorn records. Extent of assortative mating was examined. Correlations between sire Predicted Difference and dam (mate) Cow Index for individual years ranged from -.08 to .20. Correlations for all records within herd-year (.00 to .02) indicated essentially no assortative mating for milk yield for any breed except Ayrshire. For Ayrshires, negative assortative mating was indicated by a correlation of -.07. Within-sire regressions of daughter milk yield deviated from contemporary average (which had been adjusted for average Predicted Difference of contemporaries' sires) on dam Cow Index (merit of mates) by breed were .84 to 1.08. Expected regression was 1.00. Effect of merit of mates on sire evaluation was determined by comparing evaluations from standardized yield with those from standardized yield minus dam Cow Index. Correlations between evaluations for 4233 Ayrshire, 5275 Brown Swiss, 13,742 Guernsey, 32,572 Holstein, 13,688 Jersey, and 1240 Milking Shorthorn bulls rounded to 1.00 except for Milking Shorthorns (.99); average absolute differences in evaluations were 9 to 16 kg, and maximum differences were 49 to 118 kg. Adding an adjustment to Sire Summaries to account for nonrandomness of mates would do little to increase accuracy.

Interferon-mediated induction of Ia antigen expression on isolated murine whole islets and dispersed islet cells

Islets from male B10.BR mice (H-2k) were isolated by the collagenase technique, handpicked with a Pasteur pipette, and incubated (either intact or after dispersion with Dispase) for 0, 3, 5, 7, 10, or 14 days in tissue culture medium supplemented with either lymphokine supernatants or recombinant murine interferon-gamma. Islets and single cells were examined for IAk molecules by use of indirect immunofluorescence. Ia-positive islet cells were identified on the surface of islets incubated with 5-10% lymphokine for greater than 4 days or with 10, 100, or 1000 ng/ml interferon for greater than 6 days. Islets incubated in unsupplemented medium were Ia negative. Incubation with 5% lymphokine induced Ia expression on 10-40% dispersed islet cells cultured for greater than 9 days. Dual immunofluorescent staining for Ia and insulin revealed that Ia-positive cells included both beta- and non-beta-cells.

DNA excision repair in spontaneously diabetic BB Wistar rats

BB Wistar rats develop a syndrome characterized by spontaneous diabetes mellitus as well as a wide variety of autoimmune, neoplastic, and degenerative disorders which do not occur in the outbred Wistar strain from which they were derived. This syndrome also includes elements of premature ageing (i.e., a markedly shortened lifespan and premature occurrence of diseases associated with ageing). Excision DNA repair capacity which has been reported to be directly proportional to maximal achievable life span was estimated in neonatal BB Wistar and outbred Wistar rats. Excision repair was assayed autoradiographically by determining unscheduled DNA synthesis following UV radiation of passage 3 cultured skin fibroblasts. No difference in excision repair capacity could be demonstrated between the two strains.

Reactive synovitis after silicone arthroplasty

A number of patients with silicone rubber implants performed by us and other surgeons initially had excellent results; however, they returned with swelling and discomfort. We studied 18 patients ranging in age from 16 years to 57 years who presented 8 to 78 months (average, 31.7 months) after silicone arthroplasty (four scaphoid, six lunate, one scapholunate, four finger, two wrist, one trapezium, and one ulnar head for metacarpal hemiarthroplasty). Erosive osteolysis was seen on x-ray films, with progressive destruction evident in patients followed serially. None of the patients' conditions responded to conservative care. The severity of the proliferative, inflammatory synovitis and the foreign material in the multinucleated giant cells correlated with the interval since arthroplasty. Implant surface analysis by scanning electron microscope and x-ray spectrometer showed that silicone microparticles were the result of implant degeneration and erosion. All joint cultures were negative. Silicone particulate synovitis and destruction were arrested by the removal of the implant, a synovectomy, and curettage of the lytic lesions at salvage (resection arthroplasty or arthrodesis). Patients who have had silicone arthroplasties should be followed indefinitely, at regular intervals, by x-ray films and clinical examination.

Injury patterns in nordic ski jumpers. A retrospective analysis of injuries occurring at the Intervale Ski Jump Complex from 1980 to 1985

No studies describing the types and frequencies of nordic ski jumping injuries have been reported in the medical literature. We examined records of injuries sustained at the Intervale Ski Jump Complex (15, 40, 70, and 90 meter jumps) in Lake Placid from 1980 to 1985. Forty-seven injured jumpers sustained 72 total injuries. The most frequent injuries were contusions. Fractures occurred in 11 jumpers; most were nondisplaced. Upper extremity fractures outnumbered lower extremity fractures. Injuries requiring hospitalization were uncommon; none of these resulted in permanent disability. Injury rates for non-World Cup and for World Cup competitions were 4.3 and 1.2 injuries per 1,000 skier-days, respectively. This is roughly equivalent to injury rates in alpine skiing. Our study suggests that the dangers of nordic ski jumping have been overestimated.

Alterations in rat alveolar surfactant phospholipids and proteins induced by administration of chlorphentermine

Chlorphentermine is a cationic amphiphilic drug which produces a phospholipid storage disorder in rat lungs. Experiments were carried out to characterize changes in the composition of acellular alveolar lavage materials and to study possible mechanisms by which pulmonary surfactant phospholipidosis is produced by administration of the drug. Following ten daily injections of chlorphentermine (25 mg/kg body weight), there are 12.2- and 13.6-fold increases of pulmonary lavage total phospholipids and disaturated phosphatidylcholines (disaturated PC), respectively. In addition, there is a 2.8-fold increase in total protein and a 12.7-fold increase in the surfactant apoprotein group with molecular weights from 28,000 to 32,000. We measured incorporation of labeled palmitate, choline and glycerol into disaturated PC in type II cells and alveolar macrophages isolated from control and chlorphentermine-treated animals. The drug does not affect the incorporation of labeled substrates into disaturated PC in either cell type. However, in alveolar macrophages there is a decrease in the rate of intracellular degradation of recently synthesized disaturated PC in chlorphentermine-treated animals. The drug also inhibits the phospholipase-induced catabolism of rat surfactant disaturated PC which occurs during incubation of alveolar lavage fluid in vitro at 37 degrees C. When the lavage fluid is divided into subfractions by differential centrifugation, a larger percentage of the phospholipid is distributed in the less sedimentable subfractions in chlorphentermine-treated animals relative to controls, suggesting the accumulation of older surfactant materials. These results suggest that chlorphentermine-induced phospholipidosis of pulmonary surfactant materials is due to decreased rates of phospholipid degradation.

Uptake of lung surfactant subfractions into lamellar bodies of adult rabbit lungs

The goals of this investigation were to determine whether subfractions of alveolar surfactant that have different physical and biochemical properties are preferentially taken up from the alveolar air space into lamellar bodies and to correlate the magnitude of the uptake with the properties of the fractions. Radiolabeled subfractions were obtained by differential centrifugation of lavage fluid from rabbits that had been intravenously injected with radioactive palmitate. The subfractions were P (pellet) 3 (1,000 g, 20 min), P4 (60,000 g, 60 min), P5 (100,000 g, 16 h). Subfractions were instilled into the lungs of anesthetized spontaneously breathing adult rabbits, and lavage and lamellar body fractions were isolated at later times. P3 and P4 were taken up to a larger extent than was P5 or liposomes prepared from a P4 lipid extract. The fractions that were preferentially taken up (P3 and P4) contained surfactant apoprotein (APO) 36, tubular myelin, multilamellar vesicles, and were rapidly adsorbed to an air-water interface. P3 also contained APO 10. These results demonstrate that different forms of surfactant are recycled at different rates and suggest that there is specificity in the recycling process.

Gastrointestinal malformations associated with prune belly syndrome: three cases and a review of the literature

Prune belly syndrome (PBS), a triad consisting of abdominal musculature hypoplasia, urinary tract malformations, and cryptorchidism, is frequently associated with other congenital malformations. Although it is acknowledged that gastrointestinal (GI) malrotation and mesenteric anomalies are frequent in PBS, other GI anomalies are generally considered to be exceedingly rare. Here we describe 3 autopsy cases with severe malformations of both midgut and hindgut derivatives and review the world literature to evaluate the spectrum of GI malformations associated with this syndrome. The relatively high frequency of distal stenoses and atresias suggests that the anomalous mesenteric attachments may predispose to prenatal volvulus and subsequent anatomic bowel obstruction. Postnatal volvulus is also occasionally observed. Infants with PBS also appear to be at a higher risk for persistence of the common fetal cloaca.

Changes of evaluation for natural-service sampled bulls brought into artificial insemination

United States Department of Agriculture Sire Summary files were used to select bulls with a published Modified Contemporary Comparison sire evaluation prior to entry into artificial insemination. Canadian bulls were not included. Of the Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, and Jersey bulls that entered artificial insemination since 1974, 28 Brown Swiss, 19 Guernseys, 298 Holsteins, and 45 Jerseys (4 to 12%) had natural service evaluations. Of these bulls, 10 Guernseys, 154 Holsteins, and 28 Jerseys had an increase of Repeatability of 30% or more after entering artificial insemination. Evaluations for bulls just prior to their entering artificial insemination were compared with their most recent evaluations through July 1983. Average Repeatabilities for evaluations of bulls just prior to their entering artificial insemination were 32% for Guernseys, 32% for Holsteins, and 31% for Jerseys and 88, 90, and 87% for their most recent evaluations. Average Predicted Differences prior to entering artificial insemination were 305 kg for Guernseys, 394 kg for Holsteins, and 452 kg for Jerseys for milk and 11, 10, and 16 kg for fat. Most recent average Predicted Differences were 268, 380, and 532 kg for milk and 7, 10, and 18 kg for fat. Predicted Differences of natural service bulls were not overevaluated regardless of number of herds for sampling or year of entry into artificial insemination. Artificial insemination organizations can continue to acquire bulls with natural service evaluations calculated with the Modified Contemporary Comparison and be confident that these Predicted Differences are not overestimated.

Protein composition of rabbit alveolar surfactant subfractions

The goal of this investigation was to characterize the proteins in subfractions of alveolar surfactant obtained by lung lavage and separated by differential centrifugation. It was previously demonstrated that the material in the more sedimentable fraction, which was enriched in tubular-myelin and was surface-active may be a precursor to the less sedimentable, vesicular, inactive material [1]. Separation of the proteins by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the more sedimentable subfractions and rabbit surfactant isolated by conventional methods contained proteins with molecular weights comparable to those previously reported for alveolar surface active material (approximately 36 000 and 10 000). The less sedimentable subfractions contained less of these proteins. Immunoblots with anti-dog surfactant apoprotein antibodies, which cross-react with rabbit proteins, supported these observations. Immunoblots also showed that all of the subfractions contained serum proteins and secretory IgA, with the less sedimentable subfractions containing more secretory IgA. These results suggested that changes in protein composition may accompany functional changes in surfactant in the alveoli.

Toxicity of metallic ions in the lung: effects on alveolar macrophages and alveolar type II cells

Airborne metallic particulates are associated with fossil-fueled power plants, automobile exhausts, metal mining, and metallurgical smelters. Therefore, the possible toxic effects of metals on the lung are of environmental and occupational concern. In this investigation we determined the effects of in vitro exposure to metallic ions on the following parameters: oxygen consumption and membrane integrity of alveolar macrophages and type II cells, and chemiluminescence of zymosan-stimulated alveolar macrophages. Cu2+ and Zn2+ exhibited marked toxicity to isolated alveolar macrophages and type II cells, while V3+ exhibited intermediate toxicity. In contrast, short-term in vitro exposure to As5+ and Se4+ had little effect on alveolar macrophages and type II cells. Although the data suggest that exposure to certain metals may be harmful to the lung, the various pulmonary parameters tested in this investigation display differing susceptibility to metal exposure. That is, metals are less toxic to alveolar type II cells than to alveolar macrophages. Our data also indicate that chemiluminescence is the most sensitive assay for monitoring the viability of alveolar macrophages, while oxygen consumption is a sensitive assay for type II cells.

Effect of herd and sire on uniform functional type trait appraisal scores for Ayrshires, Guernseys, Jerseys, and milking shorthorns

Type appraisal data supplied by United States breed organizations for Ayrshires, Guernseys, Jerseys, and Milking Shorthorns were examined for genetic and environmental sources of variation. Repeatabilities were highest for pelvic angle, udder depth, stature, suspensory ligament, and final score (.51 to .74) and lowest for foot shape (.15 to .29). Variances and covariances were estimated from appraisals from 230 Ayrshire, 352 Guernsey, 699 Jersey, and 51 Milking Shorthorn herds and represented 117, 157, 333, and 32 sires. Herd variances by trait and breed ranged from 2 to 23%. Herd effects were large for stature and rear udder width of Ayrshires, for most traits of Jerseys, and for udder depth of Milking Shorthorns. Herd X sire variance was small but averaged 3% across all breeds and traits. Heritabilities ranged from .06 to .75. Stature had the highest heritability (.34 to .75) for all four breeds. Heritabilities also were high for chest and body (.42), rump width (.36), and pelvic angle (.34) for Guernseys; pelvic angle (.29) and udder depth (.27) for Jerseys; and chest and body (.70), rump width (.50), and final score (.44) for Milking Shorthorns. Foot shape had the lowest heritability for Ayrshires, Guernseys, and Jerseys (.06 to .07). Most of the phenotypic correlations between appraisal traits were low to moderately high. Genetic correlations were calculated.

Central pontine myelinolysis following saline treatment of a diabetic rat for dehydration

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) was observed at necropsy in an emaciated 333-day-old BB Wistar insulin-dependent diabetic rat that had been treated for dehydration by subcutaneous injection of normal saline. There was a large area of nearly complete demyelination involving most of the basal portion of the pons, part of the tegmentum, and the base of the middle cerebellar peduncles. There was a relative sparing of neurons and axons, but some unidentifiable large cells with degenerative changes in the cytoplasm were present. No oligodendrocytes or reactive astrocytes were seen and there was no evidence of inflammation or infarction. Although diffuse demyelination can be induced in rats by rapid fluctuation of serum electrolytes, no studies have experimentally induced central pontine myelinolysis nor has it been observed incidentally in animals previously.

Spontaneous thyroiditis in BB Wistar diabetic rats

Spontaneous lymphocytic thyroiditis was observed at necropsy in 36 BB Wistar diabetic rats (63.2%) and in eight of their nondiabetic siblings (42.1%). The incidence of thyroiditis decreased both with age and with longer duration of diabetes. All rats with pancreatic insulitis (a manifestation of the onset of diabetes) also had thyroiditis. BB Wistar rats with insulitis had more severe lymphocytic thyroiditis, characterized by lymphocytic, plasmacytic, and macrophage infiltration of thyroid interstitium and follicles. A milder, mostly perivascular and interstitial lymphocytic thyroiditis was characteristic of lesions in rats which did not have insulitis. The histological appearance of the thyroiditis suggests that these rats may be subject to autoimmune disease at the onset of diabetes which involves sites other than just the pancreas.

Incorporation of [3H]palmitate into disaturated phosphatidylcholines in alveolar type II cells isolated by centrifugal elutriation

In order to study synthesis of pulmonary surfactant materials, we measured incorporation of [3H]palmitate into disaturated phosphatidylcholines (PC) in alveolar type II cells isolated by centrifugal elutriation. The time course for this process is not linear and, at high external palmitate levels (1 mM), incorporation is maximal in 4-5 h. Incorporation is dependent on extracellular palmitate with a Vmax (at 1 mM) of 1.66 nmol palmitate incorporated into disaturated PC/4.2 X 10(5) cells per 2 h and a K1/2 of 0.1 mM palmitate. Addition of an optimal amount of extracellular choline (0.05 mM) increases Vmax and decreases K1/2 for palmitate. Incorporation of palmitate is dependent upon cell number, inhibited by extracellular Ca2+ and stimulated by external Mg2+. Cholinergic and beta-adrenergic agonists do not increase incorporation. Pulmonary lavage fluid inhibits incorporation of palmitate into disaturated PC, suggesting there is negative feedback involved. Disaturated PC which has been recently synthesized (i.e., over a 2 h period) is broken down intracellularly by type II cells when they are suspended in palmitate-free medium. These results indicate that (1) several factors, such as substrate levels, cell number, Ca2+, Mg2+ and amount of surfactant present, are involved in the regulation of palmitate incorporation into disaturated PC; (2) disaturated PC which has been recently synthesized may be broken down by type II cells; and (3) surfactant synthesis in freshly isolated cells differs slightly from that reported by other investigators in type II cells maintained in primary cell culture.

Pathological lesions in the spontaneously diabetic BB Wistar rat: a comprehensive autopsy study

A total of 145 BB Wistar diabetic rats, 46 of their nondiabetic siblings, and 43 outbred Wistar rats were autopsied and the frequency of lesions in all organ systems were determined. Common strain-related lesions included pulmonary infections, granulomas, lymphoid hyperplasia, lymphomas, lymphocytopenia, eosinophilia, supradiaphragmatic accessory lobes of the liver, and prostatic atrophy. These suggest some basic strain-related abnormalities of the immune system that were selected by the process of inbreeding. Diabetes-related lesions were insulitis, testicular atrophy, cataracts, hepatic fatty change, pancreatitis, lymphocytic thyroiditis, hypoglycemic brain damage, central pontine myelinolysis, stomach erosions, and idiopathic megacolon. Many of these are sequelae of human juvenile-onset diabetes and support the validity of the BB Wistar rat as an animal model for human diabetes mellitus. The absence of several important sequelae of the human disease (i.e., diabetic nephropathy, atherosclerosis, and severe microangiopathy) suggests a degree of infidelity as a model for human diabetes mellitus. Nonspecific lesions occurring in all three groups of rats included myocardial degeneration and fibrosis, splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis, and chronic progressive glomerulonephropathy.

Transport properties of isolated type II alveolar epithelial cells

Type II cells are granular cells located in the alveolar epithelium. In addition to the synthesis and secretion of surfactant, these pneumocytes exhibit several other interesting properties. Although type II cells possess a high permeability to sodium, they maintain a low free intracellular sodium concentration by the presence of a Na-K pump. The activity of the Na-K pump is high and can result in substantial net movement of solute and water. Therefore, type II cells may employ this pumping capacity to play a significant role in the transepithelial transport of water. Type II cells are also relatively resistant to oxidant damage and play a role in the regeneration of the alveolar epithelium after oxidant injury. Ascorbate is a known antioxidant that is accumulated by type II cells via a specialized transport system for the uptake of ascorbate and sodium. The presence of this specialized transport system in type II cells and alveolar macrophages may explain in part why these cells are more resistant to oxidant injury than other pneumocytes.

Supradiaphragmatic accessory lobe of the liver in BB Wistar rats

Supradiaphragmatic accessory livers were observed in two closely related rats in a series of 172 necropsies on BB Wistar rats. The gross and histological appearance of both accessory lobes are described. This abnormality has been reported in only one other inbred strain of rats where it also arose with a very low incidence. As in the previous report, the pattern of occurrence of these accessory lobes suggests a mode of inheritance that is either polygenic or autosomal recessive with low penetrance.

Subfractionation of lung surfactant. Implications for metabolism and surface activity

Because previous studies have suggested that lung surfactant is not a simple compartment of homogeneous material, we subfractionated lamellar bodies and components of alveolar lavage from male New Zealand white rabbits, according to differences in sedimentability. We recovered two lamellar body populations at different densities in discontinuous sucrose density gradients; we separated six subfractions of alveolar lavage by differential centrifugation. To determine whether or not precursor-product relationships existed among the subfractions, we injected radioactive palmitate intravenously, killed the rabbits 1-72 h later, and measured phospholipid specific activities. The two populations of lamellar bodies had similar phospholipid composition, fatty acyl composition of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol, and surface activity. Light lamellar bodies had a higher ratio of phospholipid to protein, and labelled with tracer later in time than dense ones. For alveolar lavage subfractions, later labelling with tracer, lower adsorption rate and lower total protein and phosphatidylglycerol content seemed to correlate with decreasing average density and particle size as well as with the disappearance of tubular myelin structure and appearance of predominantly vesicular structure. The subfractions appear to be in a metabolic sequence in which heavier, more dense material is a precursor to lighter, less dense material. The results suggest that subfractions of surfactant are extensively recycled.

Ascorbate uptake by isolated rat alveolar macrophages and type II cells

Studies were conducted to measure intracellular ascorbate content and to characterize ascorbate uptake in three fractions of isolated rat pneumocytes (i.e., alveolar macrophages, alveolar type II epithelial cells, and another fraction of small pneumocytes that contains neither macrophages nor type II cells). When cells are incubated in medium containing 0.1 mM ascorbate (i.e., the concentration normally found in plasma), intracellular ascorbate concentrations are 3.2 mM in alveolar macrophages and type II cells and 0.9 mM in other lung cells; ascorbate influx is 1.5 nmol . 10(7) cells-1 . h-1 for alveolar macrophages, 0.24 nmol . 10(7) cells-1 . h-1 for type II cells, and very slow in other pneumocytes. Ascorbate influx displays saturation kinetics in both alveolar macrophages (K1/2 = 2 mM; Vmax = 32.2 nmol . 10(7) cells-1 . h-1) and type II cells (K1/2 = 5 mM; Vmax = 14.2 nmol . 10(7) cells-1 . h-1). After correction for differences in the membrane surface areas of these two types of lung cells, the rates for maximum ascorbate influx (Vmax) are similar in alveolar macrophages and type II cells. In addition, ascorbate uptake by alveolar macrophages and type II cells is dependent on metabolic activity and extracellular sodium. In contrast, ascorbate uptake in other lung cells does not exhibit saturation kinetics and is not dependent on metabolism or sodium. Thus alveolar macrophages and type II cells possess an energy-dependent cotransport system for ascorbate and sodium influx. The high ascorbate content and the existence of a specialized transport mechanism for ascorbate uptake may explain the relative resistance of alveolar macrophages and type II cells to oxidant injury.

Hematological Characteristics of the BB Wistar Rat

Complete blood counts, differential white blood cell and platelet counts were performed on male and female BB Wistar diabetic rats (BBWd), their nondiabetic siblings (BBWnd) and outbred Wistar rats of the line from which the BB Wistar rats were derived. Most of the observed changes were strain-related (those present in both BBWd and BBWnd but not in control rats) rather than diabetes-related (those in BBWd but neither BBWnd nor control rats) and therefore probably due to the inbreeding process. The BBW strain had significantly lower numbers of white cells and platelets, as well as markedly changed differential white cell counts. Differential counts showed a pattern of lymphopenia, neutrophilia, monocytosis and eosinophilia. It is possible that these white blood cell changes contribute to the increased susceptibility to infection reported for the BBW strain. No significant difference in serum immunoglobulin concentrations was found in any of these three groups of rats. There- fore, hypogammaglobutinemia cannot account for the increased susceptibility to infections, but it is not possible to rule out an abnormality in the distribution of immunoglobulin fractions as an etiological factor.