Assessment of the clinical significance of serum matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 in patients with various chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have the ability to degrade basement membranes and may thus play an important role in extracellular matrix turnover in liver fibrosis and carcinogene-sis. Serum levels of MMPs have been suggested as diagnostic markers in these processes.

We measured serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 by ELISA in 91 patients with chronic liver disease, including 25 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and in 60 controls.

MMP-2 was significantly higher in patients with chronic liver disease compared to controls, and increased with Child-Pugh class. There was a significant correlation between MMP-2 and liver function (bilirubin, albumin, and prothrombin time), and a strong opposite correlation between MMP-9 and these parameters.

MMP-2 levels in patients with HCC were significantly higher than in controls, but comparable to patients with chronic liver disease without this malignancy. MMP-9 yielded no significant differences between patients with or without HCC and controls.

Serum MMP-2 and to a lesser extent MMP-9 correlate with the severity of liver disease and may reflect changes in extracellular matrix remodeling. Due to a considerable overlap in patients with chronic liver disease with or without HCC, MMP-2 and MMP-9 can not be used as a diagnostic marker for HCC.

Theme paper: Part of this paper was originally presented at the joint meetings of the 16th International Congress of the International Society of Fibrinolysis and Proteolysis (ISFP) and the 17th International Fibrinogen Workshop of the International Fibrinogen Research Society (IFRS) held in Munich, Germany, September, 2002.

Multiparameter Investigation of a 46,XX/46,XY Tetragametic Chimeric Phenotypical Male Patient with Bilateral Scrotal Ovotestes and Ovulatory Activity

We report on an adult male initially presenting with gynecomastia and a painless scrotal mass without additional genital anomalies. Hyperpigmentation of the skin following the Blaschko's lines was identified. He underwent gonadectomy because of suspected cancer. Histological analyses revealed an ovotestis with ovulatory activity confirmed by immunohistochemistry with multiple markers. Karyotyping of cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes and a buccal smear revealed a 46,XX/46,XY chimeric constitution with different percentages. Multiple molecular analyses as well as blood typing implied a tetragametic origin. After the unilateral gonadectomy, the patient developed recurrent painful cystic swellings of the remaining gonad. Because of the wish to preserve hormonal activity as well as future fertility, the patient underwent surgical resection of a cystic gonadal area. The removed tissue showed ovulation-related features in addition to both testicular and ovarian tissue, diagnosed as an ovotestis. Testosterone therapy was initiated to suppress the persistently elevated gonadotropins and thereby suppress ovarian activity. During treatment, the recurrent pain complaints and cystic swellings ceased, although gonadotropin levels were not fully suppressed. Based on these observations, the importance of a detailed genetic and pathological diagnosis and the clinical dilemmas including the pros and cons of personalized treatment with gonadal preservative surgery are discussed.

In- and outdoor reproduction of first generation common sole Solea solea under a natural photothermal regime: Temporal progression of sexual maturation assessed by monitoring plasma steroids and gonadotropin mRNA expression

Reproduction of many temperate fishes is seasonal and maturation and spawning of gametes are under photothermal control. Reproductive success of first generation (G1) common sole Solea solea in captivity has been low. In this study, the sexual maturation status has been assessed during the prespawning months in G1 sole that were housed (a) outdoor under the natural photoperiod and temperature, or (b) indoor under artificial photothermal induction. Maturation was assessed in male and female G1 broodstock in November as controls, after which the remaining population was divided over two outdoor flow-through tanks placed in a pond and two indoor recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) tanks. Subsequently, maturation status (gonadosomatic index GSI and plasma levels of testosterone T and 17β-estradiol E2) was assessed in one tank for each condition in January, February and during spawning in early April, while fish in the other tank were not disturbed in achieving reproductive success. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to determine species-specific gonadotropin mRNA expression in females. Successful G1 spawning and egg fertilisation occurred in all experimental tanks. Gonadal development was similar under both conditions. Higher E2 and T levels were found in indoor housed females. Gonadotropin expression revealed similar profiles between outdoor and indoor housed females. G1 sole could be reproduced in the outdoor tanks under the natural photoperiod and in the indoor tanks under artificial simulation of this regime that includes a potentially crucial chilling period of 2-3 months at 5-7 °C.

A case of angioimmunoblastic T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma with a neocentric inv dup(1)

Neocentromeres are rare epigenetic phenomena in which functional centromeres are formed onto novel chromosomal locations without any alpha-satellite DNA. To date, constitutional human neocentromeres have been reported in at least 90 cases. In cancer, however, the knowledge is much more limited. Acquired neocentromeres have been described in a particular class of lipomatous tumors (atypical lipomas and well-differentiated liposarcomas; ALP-WDLPS), three cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), one case of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and one case of lung carcinoma. Here, we report on a 66-year-old male with angioimmunoblastic T-cell NHL. Cytogenetic analysis of his bone marrow showed multiple aberrations, including the presence of a supernumerary chromosome. Using the fluorescence in situ hybridization technique, the supernumerary chromosome was demonstrated to be entirely composed of material derived from chromosome 1. It represented an inverted duplication of the segments between 1q21 and 1qter with a neocentromere in band 1q31. To our knowledge, this is the second reported case of NHL (both T-cell) with the presence of a neocentromere. The occurrence of neocentromeres in tumor cells, however, may be underestimated because of technical limitations during the routine diagnostic chromosomal analysis. The prognostic impact is therefore currently unknown.

Several tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motifs of FANCG are required for assembly of the BRCA2/D1-D2-G-X3 complex, FANCD2 monoubiquitylation and phleomycin resistance

The Fanconi anaemia (FA) FANCG protein is an integral component of the FA nuclear core complex that is required for monoubiquitylation of FANCD2. FANCG is also part of another protein complex termed D1-D2-G-X3 that contains FANCD2 and the homologous recombination repair proteins BRCA2 (FANCD1) and XRCC3. Formation of the D1-D2-G-X3 complex is mediated by serine-7 phosphorylation of FANCG and occurs independently of the FA core complex and FANCD2 monoubiquitylation. FANCG contains seven tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motifs that mediate protein-protein interactions and here we show that mutation of several of the TPR motifs at a conserved consensus residue ablates the in vivo binding activity of FANCG. Expression of mutated TPR1, TPR2, TPR5 and TPR6 in Chinese hamster fancg mutant NM3 fails to functionally complement its hypersensitivities to mitomycin C (MMC) and phleomycin and fails to restore FANCD2 monoubiquitylation. Using co-immunoprecipitation analysis, we demonstrate that these TPR-mutated FANCG proteins fail to interact with BRCA2, XRCC3, FANCA or FANCF. The interactions of other proteins in the D1-D2-G-X3 complex are also absent, including the interaction of BRCA2 with both the monoubiquitylated (FANCD2-L) and non-ubiquitylated (FANCD2-S) isoforms of FANCD2. Interestingly, a mutation of TPR7 (R563E), that complements the MMC and phleomycin hypersensitivity of human FA-G EUFA316 cells, fails to complement NM3, despite the mutated FANCG protein co-precipitating with FANCA, BRCA2 and XRCC3. Whilst interaction of TPR7-mutated FANCG with FANCF does appear to be reduced in NM3, FANCD2 is monoubiquitylated suggesting that sub-optimal interactions of FANCG in the core complex and the D1-D2-G-X3 complex are responsible for the observed MMC- and phleomycin-hypersensitivity, rather than a defect in FANCD2 monoubiquitylation. Our data demonstrate that FANCG functions as a mediator of protein-protein interactions and is vital for the assembly of multi-protein complexes including the FA core complex and the D1-D2-G-X3 complex.

The ultrastructure of a characteristic spermhead-defect in the boar: the SME-defect

Semen samples from an eight-month-old landrace boar showing poor sperm motility were investigated at the boars' arrival to an A.I. centre. Sperm morphology was found abnormal in +/- 30% of the sperm heads, which contained a rounded, often circular hypochromatic body (eosin-nigrosin stain) about 2 mum in diameter. The body was located in the front half of the sperm head, i.e. within the region of the acrosomal cap. Later a similar defect (+/- 50%) was found in an imported 2 1/2-year-old Yorkshire boar with decreased fertility. Electron microscopy of ejaculates and testis tissue showed that the hypochromatic body was a cyst containing a body of variable size but of moderate electron density. Usually the cyst was located within the nucleus and sometimes with direct communication to the acrosonal system. During spermiogenesis the abnormal spermids may show a deep invagination into the nucleus of the acrosomal granule. Inbreeding experiments are planned in order to determine if a possible hereditary factor is involved in the defect.

New Alzheimer's disease locus on chromosome 8

BACKGROUND

Family history is one of the most consistent risk factors for dementia. Therefore, analysis of families with a distinct inheritance pattern of disease can be a powerful approach for the identification of previously unknown disease genes.

OBJECTIVE

To map susceptibility regions for Alzheimer's disease.

METHODS

A complete genome scan with 369 microsatellite markers was carried out in 12 extended families collected in Sweden. Age at disease onset ranged from 53 to 78 years, but in 10 of the families there was at least one member with age at onset of < or =65 years. Mutations in known early-onset Alzheimer's disease susceptibility genes have been excluded. All people were genotyped for APOE, but no clear linkage with the epsilon4 allele was observed.

RESULTS

Although no common disease locus could be found in all families, in two families an extended haplotype was identified on chromosome 8q shared by all affected members. In one of the families, a non-parametric multimarker logarithm of the odds (LOD) score of 4.2 (p = 0.004) was obtained and analysis based on a dominant model showed a parametric LOD score of 2.4 for this region. All six affected members of this family shared a haplotype of 10 markers spanning about 40 cM. Three affected members in another family also shared a haplotype in the same region.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of our data, we propose the existence of a dominantly acting Alzheimer's disease susceptibility locus on chromosome 8.

Spectrum and significance of variants and mutations in the Fanconi anaemia group G gene in children with sporadic acute myeloid leukaemia

Childhood acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is uncommon. Children with Fanconi anaemia (FA), however, have a very high risk of developing AML. FA is a rare inherited disease caused by mutations in at least 12 genes, of which Fanconi anaemia group G gene (FANCG) is one of the commonest. To address to what extent FANCG variants contribute to sporadic childhood AML, we determined the spectrum of FANCG sequence variants in 107 children diagnosed with sporadic AML, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), fluorescent single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) and sequencing methodologies. The significance of variants was determined by frequency analysis and assessment of evolutionary conservation. Seven children (6.5%) carried variants in FANCG. Two of these carried two variants, including the known IVS2 + 1G>A mutation with the novel missense mutation S588F, and R513Q with the intronic deletion IVS12-38 (-28)_del11, implying that these patients might have been undiagnosed FA patients. R513Q, which affects a semi-conserved amino acid, was carried in two additional children with AML. Although not significant, the frequency of R513Q was higher in children with AML than unselected cord bloods. While FANCG mutation carrier status does not predispose to sporadic AML, the identification of unrecognised FA patients implies that FA presenting with primary AML in childhood is more common than suspected.

Tetratricopeptide-motif-mediated interaction of FANCG with recombination proteins XRCC3 and BRCA2

Fanconi anaemia is an inherited chromosomal instability disorder characterised by cellular sensitivity to DNA interstrand crosslinkers, bone-marrow failure and a high risk of cancer. Eleven FA genes have been identified, one of which, FANCD1, is the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA2. At least eight FA proteins form a nuclear core complex required for monoubiquitination of FANCD2. The BRCA2/FANCD1 protein is connected to the FA pathway by interactions with the FANCG and FANCD2 proteins, both of which co-localise with the RAD51 recombinase, which is regulated by BRCA2. These connections raise the question of whether any of the FANC proteins of the core complex might also participate in other complexes involved in homologous recombination repair. We therefore tested known FA proteins for direct interaction with RAD51 and its paralogs XRCC2 and XRCC3. FANCG was found to interact with XRCC3, and this interaction was disrupted by the FA-G patient derived mutation L71P. FANCG was co-immunoprecipitated with both XRCC3 and BRCA2 from extracts of human and hamster cells. The FANCG-XRCC3 and FANCG-BRCA2 interactions did not require the presence of other FA proteins from the core complex, suggesting that FANCG also participates in a DNA repair complex that is downstream and independent of FANCD2 monoubiquitination. Additionally, XRCC3 and BRCA2 proteins co-precipitate in both human and hamster cells and this interaction requires FANCG. The FANCG protein contains multiple tetratricopeptide repeat motifs (TPRs), which function as scaffolds to mediate protein-protein interactions. Mutation of one or more of these motifs disrupted all of the known interactions of FANCG. We propose that FANCG, in addition to stabilising the FA core complex, may have a role in building multiprotein complexes that facilitate homologous recombination repair.

The Fanconi anemia gene product FANCF is a flexible adaptor protein

The Fanconi anemia (FA) protein FANCF is an essential component of a nuclear core complex that protects the genome against chromosomal instability, but the specific function of FANCF is still poorly understood. Based upon the homology between human and Xenopus laevis FANCF, we carried out an extensive mutagenesis study to examine which domains are functionally important and to gain more insight into the function of FANCF. In contrast to previous suggestions, we show that FANCF does not have a ROM-like function. We found that the C terminus of FANCF interacts directly with FANCG and allows the assembly of other FA proteins into a stable complex. The N terminus appears to stabilize the interaction with FANCA and FANCG and is essential for the binding of the FANCC/FANCE subcomplex. We identified several important amino acids in this N-terminal region but, surprisingly, many amino acid changes failed to affect the function of the FANCF protein. Our data demonstrate that FANCF acts as a flexible adaptor protein that plays a key role in the proper assembly of the FA core complex.

Multiple TPR motifs characterize the Fanconi anemia FANCG protein

The genome protection pathway that is defective in patients with Fanconi anemia (FA) is controlled by at least eight genes, including BRCA2. A key step in the pathway involves the monoubiquitylation of FANCD2, which critically depends on a multi-subunit nuclear 'core complex' of at least six FANC proteins (FANCA, -C, -E, -F, -G, and -L). Except for FANCL, which has WD40 repeats and a RING finger domain, no significant domain structure has so far been recognized in any of the core complex proteins. By using a homology search strategy comparing the human FANCG protein sequence with its ortholog sequences in Oryzias latipes (Japanese rice fish) and Danio rerio (zebrafish) we identified at least seven tetratricopeptide repeat motifs (TPRs) covering a major part of this protein. TPRs are degenerate 34-amino acid repeat motifs which function as scaffolds mediating protein-protein interactions, often found in multiprotein complexes. In four out of five TPR motifs tested (TPR1, -2, -5, and -6), targeted missense mutagenesis disrupting the motifs at the critical position 8 of each TPR caused complete or partial loss of FANCG function. Loss of function was evident from failure of the mutant proteins to complement the cellular FA phenotype in FA-G lymphoblasts, which was correlated with loss of binding to FANCA. Although the TPR4 mutant fully complemented the cells, it showed a reduced interaction with FANCA, suggesting that this TPR may also be of functional importance. The recognition of FANCG as a typical TPR protein predicts this protein to play a key role in the assembly and/or stabilization of the nuclear FA protein core complex.

Postoperative astigmatism and rotational stability after Artisan toric phakic intraocular lens implantation

PURPOSE

To evaluate deviations in the axis (intended versus achieved) and postoperative astigmatism after implantation of an Artisan toric phakic intraocular lens (IOL).

SETTING

University Eye Hospital, Mainz, Germany.

METHODS

This prospective study comprised 29 eyes with high ametropia and astigmatism. All eyes had uneventful implantation of a toric phakic IOL through a superior scleral tunnel incision at 12 o'clock. After a minimum of 6 months, the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best correct visual acuity, refraction, and astigmatism were analyzed in all eyes. A multivariate analysis of postoperative astigmatism was performed.

RESULTS

After a follow-up of at least 6 months, 95% of eyes were within +/-1.00 diopter (D) of emmetropia and 85% of eyes has a UCVA of 20/30 or better. The difference between the mean intended cylinder axis and achieved cylinder axis was 3.9 degrees (median 3 degrees; range to 13 degrees). The difference between the mean intended axis and the achieved axis between miosis and mydriasis was 1.8 degrees (median 1.5 degrees; range 0 to 5 degrees). The mean postoperative astigmatism after 6 months was 0.56 D with an axis of 31 degrees. Doubled-angle scatterplot analysis showed a tendency toward more flattening in the vertical meridian.

CONCLUSIONS

During the 6-month follow-up, no significant rotation was observed after implantation of Artisan toric phakic IOLs to correct high ametropia. A sutureless sclerocorneal superior approach for phakic IOL insertion resulted in moderate to low astigmatism. Induced astigmatism should be taken into consideration during preoperative planning.

Evaluation of the practicality of optical biometry and applanation ultrasound in 253 eyes

PURPOSE

To evaluate the percentage of eyes that could not be measured using optical biometry and ultrasound applanation and the reasons.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Hospital, Mainz, Germany.

METHODS

Optical biometry (IOLMaster, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) and A-scan ultrasound biometry were performed consecutively in 253 eyes scheduled for cataract surgery the next day. Lens opacities were evaluated with the Opacity Lensmeter (Interzeag), and a slitlamp examination and measurement of visual acuity were performed. The 2 techniques were compared in terms of the rate of and reasons for primary measurement failure.

RESULTS

Measurement with the IOLMaster was not possible in 44 eyes (17%). Failed measurements were the result of a combination of low visual acuity and lens opacity in 45% of eyes, posterior subcapsular opacity in 25%, and macular disease in 7%. Measurement with ultrasound biometry was not possible in 10 eyes (4%); 7 eyes were filled with silicone oil and in 3 cases, the patient refused biometry.

CONCLUSIONS

Optical biometry allowed comfortable, noncontact, high-precision measurement in the optical axis. Uncorrected visual acuity and lens opacity were predictors of successful measurements. Eyes with dense cataract or poor visual acuity are better evaluated using ultrasound applanation.

Assessment of the clinical significance of serum matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 in patients with various chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have the ability to degrade basement membranes and may thus play an important role in extracellular matrix turnover in liver fibrosis and carcinogenesis. Serum levels of MMPs have been suggested as diagnostic markers in these processes. We measured serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 by ELISA in 91 patients with chronic liver disease, including 25 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and in 60 controls. MMP-2 was significantly higher in patients with chronic liver disease compared to controls, and increased with Child-Pugh class. There was a significant correlation between MMP-2 and liver function (bilirubin, albumin, and prothrombin time), and a strong opposite correlation between MMP-9 and these parameters. MMP-2 levels in patients with HCC were significantly higher than in controls, but comparable to patients with chronic liver disease without this malignancy. MMP-9 yielded no significant differences between patients with or without HCC and controls. Serum MMP-2 and to a lesser extent MMP-9 correlate with the severity of liver disease and may reflect changes in extracellular matrix remodeling. Due to a considerable overlap in patients with chronic liver disease with or without HCC, MMP-2 and MMP-9 can not be used as a diagnostic marker for HCC.

Evolutionary clues to the molecular function of fanconi anemia genes

Fanconi anemia (FA) is an autosomal recessively inherited disease with diverse clinical symptoms including developmental anomalies, predisposition to neoplasia, and a deficiency of hematopoietic stem cells resulting in progressive aplastic anemia. FA is genetically heterogeneous with at least 8 genes being implicated on the basis of functional complementation studies. To date, six FA genes are known: FANCA, FANCC, FANCD2, FANCE, FANCF and FANCG, all of which encode orphan proteins sharing no homology to each other nor to any other known protein. In addition, they do not appear to possess any domains with homology to currently known protein domains, which makes a prediction about their molecular action difficult. Studying the molecular evolution of FA genes and their products using sensitive database search methods such as PSI-BLAST may provide novel insight into the nature of the FA pathway and its relationship to hematopoiesis, embryonic development and the origin of malignancies. Preliminary results of such an approach show that at least one FA protein, FANCG, may contain a known domain, suggesting that this protein is a member of the family of tetratricopeptide repeat-containing proteins.

Characterization, expression and complex formation of the murine Fanconi anaemia gene product Fancg

BACKGROUND

Fanconi anaemia (FA) is an autosomal recessive chromosomal instability disorder. Six distinct FA disease genes have been identified, the products of which function in an integrated pathway that is thought to support a nuclear caretaker function. Comparison of FA gene characteristics in different species may help to unravel the molecular function of the FA pathway.

RESULTS

We have cloned the murine homologue of the Fanconi anaemia complementation group G gene, FANCG/XRCC9. The murine Fancg protein shows an 83% similarity to the human protein sequence, and has a predicted molecular weight of 68.5 kDa. Expression of mouse Fancg in human FA-G lymphoblasts fully corrects their cross-linker hypersensitivity. At mRNA and protein levels we detected the co-expression of Fancg and Fanca in murine tissues. In addition, mouse Fancg and Fanca proteins co-purify by immunoprecipitation. Upon transfection into Fanca-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts EGFP-Fancg chimeric protein was detectable in the nucleus.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified a murine cDNA, Fancg, which cross-complements the cellular defect of human FA-G cells and thus represents a true homologue of human FANCG. Spleen, thymus and testis showed the highest Fancg expression levels. Although Fancg and Fanca are able to form a complex, this interaction is not required for Fancg to accumulate in the nuclear compartment.

Elimination of alkaline phosphatases from circulation by the galactose receptor. Different isoforms are cleared at various rates

Three isoforms of human alkaline phosphatase (liver, bone and placental ALP) were purified and their elimination studied after intravenous injection in rats. The rates of elimination were significantly inhibited by prior injection of asialofetuin, indicating that the uptake was mediated by the galactose receptor in liver. Their relative clearance rates differed, being rapid for the bone ALP, significantly slower for the liver isoform and very slow for the placental ALP. The bone ALP showed a rapid initial clearance, apparently related to its large glycan heterogeneity and to the presence of molecules with a low sialic acid content. When isolated from serum the liver and bone ALP isoforms showed clearance rates differing slightly from those of the organ derived forms. We conclude that differences in carbohydrate structure and amount of sialic acid of the three isoforms result in various clearance rates. These differences will also affect their serum concentrations as well as the composition and heterogeneity of the individual isoforms in serum.

Studies on boar semen. III. Sperm concentration and seminal plasma total solids followed in Danish AI boars through a 10-year-period

Semen samples from 1531 young boars eligible for AI service were examined for normality. Sperm concentration (s.c.) was determined by the hemocytometer technique in 1348 of the samples. Seminal plasma total solids (t.s.) were determined on all samples in order to control whether the semen samples originated from complete ejaculates.

The hemocytometer counts showed an arithmetic mean of 370 × 10⁶/ml with a standard deviation of 188×10⁶/ml. No correlation was found either between s.c. and age or between s.c. and season of the year.

The seminal plasma t.s. showed an arithmetic mean of 4.6% with a standard deviation of 1.35%. No correlation was found between t.s. and s.c. or between t.s. and the age of the boars. Neither was there any association between t.s. and the season of the year.

Values of t.s. below 1.6% combined with aspermia were regarded as the result of incomplete ejaculations and the following retest from such cases gave ejaculates showing normal values concerning s.c. and t.s. A drop in t.s. combined with an admixture of pathological cells to the ejaculate may indicate an inflammatory condition in the vesicular glands.

Aplasia of the ductuli efferentes--a new sterilizing congenital syndrome in the bull

A young bull of Holstein-Friesian breed showed constant aspermia and increasing swelling of both testes. The histo-pathological examination of the testis-epididymis after slaughter gave the explanation that the aspermia was due to lack of connection between rete testis and ductus epididymidis, i.e. aplasia of the ductuli efferentes. The characteristic ductuli efferentes epithelium was only found in a group of rudimentary ducts, collapsed and empty, situated in the right caput epididymidis. In rete testis an accumulation of loose sperm heads and a strong spermiophagic reaction were seen both in the epithelium and in the interstitia, characterized by abundant occurrence of giant cells and plasma cells. The case reported here necessitates that this new type of aplasia in the future should be regarded as a specific syndrome: aplasia of the ductuli efferentes, in contrast to segmental aplasia of the Wolffian duct (Blom & Christensen 1951).

Sertoli cell tumour combined with lack of epididymis in a bull

A case of a Sertoli cell tumour in one testis of an 111/2-year-old bull of the Red Danish breed is described. Ipsilaterally segmental aplasia of the Wolffian duct practically with aplasia of the epididymis occurred. The bull had served normally in an AI society until at the age of 11 years he acquired impaired semen quality. The tumour showed both a diffuse and a whirly palisade-forming pattern, and did not metastasize. The possible connection of the two abnormalities is discussed with respect to a recently published case in a newborn bull calf.

Airway resistance during esophageal phonation

Prosthesis airway resistance calculations were completed for five Blom-Singer prostheses and esophageal source airway resistance estimates were made of five laryngectomized patients using the Singer-Blom voice restoration method. Airway resistance of the Blom-Singer prostheses ranged from 46 to 121 cmH20/LPS, while source airway resistance in these-subjects ranged from about 155 to 270 cmH20/LPS. These results revealed that the opposition of the voicing sources used in esophageal speech production to airflow through them is substantial and larger than that established for the normal, laryngeal source. Findings are interpreted to highlight major advantages the Singer-Blom (1980) method of speech/voice restoration has over esophageal speech/voice produced on a conventional basis and to reveal specific reasons for the failure of many laryngectomized patients to develop consistent voice and functionally serviceable speech.

Ultrastructure of the tail stump sperm defect in the bull

A characteristic major sperm defect, with about 60% of the sperm cells showing a rudimentary tail stump, was found in two sterile Danish bulls of imported origin. The condition seldom occurs, but seems to be widespread and has been observed in several breeds of cattle and in different animal species, including man. Electron microscopy of ejaculated sperm and testicular tissue from one of the bulls has shown that a dysfunction of the centriolar apparatus during spermiogenesis is likely to be the cause of the defect. In ejaculated defective sperm the proximal centriole is often found connected with the normally transitory organelle, the centriolar adjunct. In the defective spermids the distal centriole has lost the faculty to form axonemal fibers, so that no tail formation can take place.

Studies on seminal vesiculitis in the bull. II. Malformation of the pelvic genital organs as a possible predisposing factor in the pathogenesis of seminal vesiculitis

Of 32 bulls showing inflammatory conditions in the pelvic genital organs, 25 were examined post mortem (24 showing vesiculitis with or without ampullitis and one showing ampullitis alone). In ten cases (40%) the following malformations or rare anatomical deviations were demonstrated by careful gross-anatomical dissection: Segmental aplasia of the Wolffian duct: 1; segmental hypoplasia of the Wolffian duct: 3; asymmetric implantation of the two ampullae: 3; accessory vesicular glands: 1; uterus masculinus persistens: 2. These results corroborate earlier observations that a congenital defect may play a certain rôle in the pathogenesis of seminal vesiculitis, most probably by acting as a locus minoris resistentiae in or around colliculus seminalis. On account of the above findings, and considering the prognosis for the condition and the lack of effective treatment, it can in general be recommended, that diseased bulls should be slaughtered as soon as the diagnosis seminal vesiculitis is final.

Studies on seminal vesiculitis in the bull. I. Semen examination methods and post mortem findings

During the ten-year period 1968--1978, about 1500 bulls were examined yearly for possible inflammatory conditions in the genital organs. Thirty-one cases of vesiculitis with or without accompanying ampullitis, and one case of isolated, one-sided ampullitis were recorded. Twenty-three cases (72%) were found in young bulls aged 18 months or less. Diagnosis was based on clinical examination of the pelvic genital organs or examination of semen, or in most cases on both. In 17 (53%) of the cases the diagnosis was initially established in the laboratory. Of the laboratory methods, the most reliable was the demonstration of pus cells in Giemsa stained semen smears. Twenty-five cases (24 + one case of ampullitis) were examined post mortem. Fifteen showed interstitial vesiculitis, Group I (Galloway, 1964). The milder 'catarrhal' type (Group II) was found in 9 cases. The 'potential pathogenic' bacteria isolated from the inflamed vesicular glands were: Corynebact. pyogenes, 8 cases (33%), E. coli, 2 cases; Ureaplasma, 2 cases (one in combination with Corynebact. pyogenes). Four of the bulls were newly imported (stress ?), IN THREE BULLS THERE WAS A HISTORY OF NAVEL INFECTION DURING CALFHOOD, AND IN ONE CASE THE BULL HAD LARGE NUMBERS OF VESICAL CALCULI (ABOUT 300 G). In ten of the sets of pelvic organs examined (40%) rare congenital defects or anatomical variations were found in or around the colliculus seminalis (Blom, 1979b).

The corkscrew sperm defect in Danish bulls--a possible indicator of nuclear fallout?

The characteristic corkscrew defect in the middle piece of the bull sperm was observed by the author in two infertile bulls in 1958 and described the following year. Since then the spermiograms of all Danish A.I. bulls (about 1200) have been examined yearly, and a total of 60 cases showing more than 2% corkscrew sperms in their semen have been recorded. The sperm defect was found mostly in older bulls and was often accompanied by testis degeneration. The Red Danish breed seems to be highly predisposed. The cause of the defect and the testis degeneration is obsecure. However, by comparing the curves for nuclear fallout during the observation period and the number of cases observed, there seems to be some correlation. It is striking that the maximum of ten new cases of the corkscrew defect was found in the peak year for nuclear testing in the atmosphere (1962), when a total of at least 133 tests were performed, thus polluting grassland all over the world. Since 1963, when a partial test ban treaty came into force, most nuclear testing has been done underground. From that time the number of yearly cases of the corkscrew defect in the Danish bull population has decreased and the defect is now practically non-existent. Attempts to produce the condition experimentally by feeding young bulls with the fission product Iodine131 have so far been negative.

Study of the inheritance of the SME seminal defect in the boar

The characteristic SME-defect was demonstrated in the spermiogram of two boars in Denmark, one of the Danish Iandrace, and one of Yorkshire breed (imported from England). Recently a similar case has been reported from Norway in a Norwegian Iandrace boar. In order to ascertain whether or not the SME-defect is due to heredity, an inbreeding experiment was performed during the years 1974--76 based on two sons (with normal spermiograms) and two daughters of the Yorkshire boar. In the F2 generation 13 boars were studied. Ten had normal semen, while two were affected with the SME-defect to about the same extent as the grandfather. The last one showed a somewhat lower percentage of affected sperm heads. Assuming simple, recessive inheritance, the observed ratio of affected (2 + 1) to nonaffected boars (10) is, generally speaking, identical with the expected ratio. Thus the results support the theory of simple, recessive inheritance.

A decapitated sperm defect in two sterile Hereford bulls

Two almost identical cases of sterility in young Hereford bulls have been investigated. Semen samples sent to the laboratory showed normal sperm concentradition and abnormal sperm morphology. In 80-95% of the sperm cells, head and tail were separated, and similar to what has been found in the 'decapitated sperm defect' in the Guernsey breed, a high percentage of the loose tails were able to perform active movements. A third characteristic was a proximal bending or curling of the loose tail around the cytoplasmic droplet, a detail which by lower magnification might be mistaken for a mini-head. The possible heredity of the defect is discussed.

Zinc as a possible causal factor in the sterilizing sperm tail defect, the 'Dag-defect', in Jersey bulls

The zinc content was determined in semen samples from four young Danish Jersey bulls showing the typical 'Dag defect' (greater than 50% strongly coiled or bent sperm tails). Two of the bulls were half brothers. Semen samples from 14 normal fertile Jersey bulls served as controls. The normal material showed a zinc content in the centrifuged sperm of 190 +/- 15.8 mug/g d.w. and in the seminal plasma 81 +/- 31.2 mug/g d.w. In the four abnormal bulls the following elevated values were found: in the centrifuged sperm 310 +/- 109.5 mug/g d.w. and in the seminal plasma 137 +/- 75.2 mug/g d.w. (see figs. 1 and 2). One of the Dag defect's main localizations, the outer dense tail fibers, has a very high zinc content and this fact together with the heredity of the defect make further studies most promising.

A sterilizing tail stump sperm defect in a Holstein-Friesian bull

A case of sterility in an 18-month-old bull of the Holstein-Friesian breed was investigated. A semen sample sent to the laboratory showed a very low sperm concentration and abnormal sperm morphology. On the preliminary examination, the major sperm defect (60-70%) seemed to be tailless heads. When higher manification was used it was found that most of the defective heads had a short tail rudiment, a tail stump 2-3 mu long. Loose sperm tails were seldom seen in the smears. The defect has been described previously from Canada where it has occurred in different breeds, including Holstein-Friesians. The dam of the Danish bull in question was inseminated with imported American semen, and the sire is one of the most demanded Holstein-Friesian bulls at present. The possible heredity of the defect is discussed.

Mycoplasmosis: experimental and spontaneous infections of the genital tract of bulls

A strain of M. bovigenitalium was isolated from semen of a bull (K) with chronic seminal vesiculitis. Using this strain a vesiculitis of the same type as found in bull K, characterized by simultaneous acute and chronic lesions, was induced experimentally in 2 bulls by direct inoculation into the vesicular glands. In the acute phase a marked infiltration of eosinophils was found in the interstitial tissues and alveoli whereas in the chronic phase fibrosis, lymphoid and epithelial hyperplasia were seen. Degeneration of vascular walls and connective tissue was common.

On inoculation into the testis of 3 bulls a chronic epididymitis and ampullitis were produced. The histological changes were of the same type as found in the vesicular glands of the 3 bulls with vesiculitis.

By indirect hemagglutination a specific and significant increase in serum antibody could be demonstrated. As the titers were low and the maximum titers were reached early, it will probably not often be possible to make an etiological diagnosis on the basis of serological evidence.

A comparative experiment employing the type strain (PG 11) of M. bovigenitalium was performed. A rise in antibody titer was seen, but neither clinical nor histological changes could be demonstrated.

Secretion of iodine 131 in bull semen compared to blood plasma and blood corpuscles

Iodine 131 is among the biologically most important fission products. ¹³¹I decays with a half life of 8.05 days. The metabolism of ¹³¹I and especially its secretion into cow’s milk has been widely studied.