Antibiotic susceptibility of cultivable microbiota from the oral cavity of captive Bothrops atrox and Bothrops lanceolatus: Implications for the treatment of snakebite-associated infections in the French departments of America

INTRODUCTION

Secondary infection is a frequent complication after bites by Bothrops atroxin French Guiana or B. lanceolatus in Martinique. Knowledge of the bacteria present in snake mouths is a valuable aid for determining probabilistic antibiotherapy after Bothrops bite. The objectives of this study were to describe the cultivable bacteria of the oral microbiota of the specimens of B. atrox and B. lanceolatus kept in captivity, and to study their susceptibility to antibiotics.

METHODS

Fifteen B. atrox and 15 B. lanceolatus were sampled. Bacterial cultures were performed and each morphotype on plates was identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Antibiotic susceptibility was studied using the agar disk diffusion method, with possible determination of the MICs.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-two isolates were identified: 52 isolates and 13 species in B. atrox, 70 isolates and 23 species in B. lanceolatus. The main species were Providencia rettgeri, Morganella morganii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus xylosus, and Paeniclostridium sordellii (only in B. lanceolatus mouths). For B. atrox, 96% of isolates were susceptible to piperacillin/tazobactam, cefepime, imipenem and meropenem, 94% to ciprofloxacin and 76% to cefotaxime and ceftriaxone. For B. lanceolatus, 97% of isolates were susceptible to meropenem, 96% to cefepime, 93% to imipenem and piperacillin/tazobactam, 80% to ciprofloxacin, and 75% to cefotaxime and ceftriaxone. Many isolates were resistant towards amoxicillin/clavulanate.

CONCLUSION

Among currently recommended antibiotics, cefepime and piperacillin/tazobactam seem more suitable than cefotaxime or ceftriaxone in the event of a Bothrops bite. Ciprofloxacin may also be considered for B. atrox.

Estimation of statistical properties of rough surface profiles from the Hurst exponent of speckle patterns

We applied the Hurst exponent technique to an experimental study of rough metallic surface profiles and the speckle patterns generated by them. Characterization of important statistical properties of the surface profile and speckle patterns were performed. We observed a clear correlation between the Hurst exponent of a surface profile and the one calculated from the associated speckle patterns. Therefore, in principle, information of the Hurst exponent of the profile can be obtained from the Hurst exponent of speckle patterns. Range and sampling analyses were performed in the Hurst exponent calculations showing the robustness of the method. As an additional application, we performed a basic simulation to show that the Hurst exponent is sensitive to surface waviness.

Abstract P1-07-08: Mixed ductal-lobular carcinomas of the breast: Abrogated cell adhesion in the clonal evolution from ductal to lobular morphology

Mixed ductal-lobular carcinomas (MDL) display both ductal and lobular morphology, and are a clear example of intratumour morphological heterogeneity. The evolution of MDL carcinomas is not well understood. There is a paucity of data surrounding the genetic origin of the different morphological compartments and it remains to be seen whether the coincident presentation of these distinct morphological entities represents two independent tumours that have collided (so called 'collision tumours'), or whether they arise from a common clone. We propose that clonal progression during the evolution of these tumours is associated with a change in phenotype. To address this, a cohort of 82 MDLs was studied for clinical, morphological and molecular features. Key findings include: i) MDLs more frequently co-exist with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) than lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS); ii) the E-cadherin-catenin complex was recurrently normal in the ductal component but aberrantly localised in the lobular component of the same tumour; iii) E-cadherin deregulation in the lobular component was almost always aberrantly located to the cytoplasm, conversely classic ILCs are typically completely negative for this molecule; iv) epithelial to mesenchymal transition marker expression was not associated with E-cadherin deregulation. Comparative Genomic Hybridsation (CGH) and exome sequencing was performed to investigate clonal relationships between the different intratumour morphologies and identify mechanisms underlying the change in phenotype. Our analysis revealed that i) all morphological components within a case are clonally related; ii) divergence of the morphological components may occur early during tumour evolution (where both DCIS and LCIS are present) or later during tumour progression (cases with only DCIS detectible); and iii) mutations were identified in genes such as CDH1 and ESR1, and other breast cancer driver genes. Together, these data strongly support the concept that the disparate morphological components of these mixed tumours are clonally related, and are not the result of a collision event. Furthermore, we show that lobular morphology can arise via a 'ductal' pathway of tumour progression. The mechanisms driving the change in phenotype are yet to be fully elucidated, but there is significant intertumour heterogeneity and each case may utilise a unique molecular mechanism.

Citation Format: McCart Reed AE, Kutasovic JR, Nones K, da Silva L, Melville L, Jayanthan J, Vargas AC, Reid LE, Saunus JM, Cummings MM, Porter A, Evans E, Waddell N, Lakhani SR, Simpson PT. Mixed ductal-lobular carcinomas of the breast: Abrogated cell adhesion in the clonal evolution from ductal to lobular morphology [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-07-08.

Speckle patterns produced by an optical vortex and its application to surface roughness measurements

In this work, we report on the analysis of speckle patterns produced by illuminating different rough surfaces with an optical vortex, a first-order (l=1) Laguerre-Gaussian beam. The generated speckle patterns were observed in the normal direction exploring four different planes: the diffraction plane, image plane, focal plane, and exact Fourier transform plane. The digital speckle patterns were analyzed using the Hurst exponent of digital images, an interesting tool used to study surface roughness. We show a proof of principle that the Hurst exponent of a digital speckle pattern is more sensitive with respect to the surface roughness when the speckle pattern is produced by an optical vortex and observed at a focal plane. We also show that Hurst exponents are not so sensitive with respect to the topological charge l. These results open news possibilities of investigation into speckle metrology once we have several techniques that use speckle patterns for different applications.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Amides as Slip Additives in Polypropylene

In this study, we describe the synthesis of amides and evaluate their use as slip additive agents in polypropylene films. The additives N-isopropyl-stearamide and N,N-diisopropyl-stearamide were synthesized and characterized and then used to prepare masterbatches. Erucamide, a commercial masterbatch, was used as the reference standard. A 32 factorial experimental design was used to create the different compositions of slip additives in polymer films. The films were processed via flat-die extrusion and stored in an oven at a constant temperature of 40 °C for seven days. The following are the properties evaluated in the study: thermal decomposition temperature, fusion temperature, fusion enthalpy, coefficient of friction, surface energy, contact angle, and seal initiation temperature. The results were evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a 90 % confidence interval. The analysis of the results showed that N-isopropyl stearamide and N,N-diisopropyl stearamide do not provide an adequate surface slip for polypropylene films at the conditions used in the study. In turn, at the same conditions, erucamide, the commercial amide, also does not provide the required surface energy for printing and lamination processes required for polypropylene films.

Nonfunctional overreaching leads to inflammation and myostatin upregulation in swiss mice

The aims of the this study were a) to verify whether the performance decrease induced by nonfunctional overreaching (NFOR) is linked to high concentrations of cytokines in serum, skeletal muscles and liver; b) to verify muscle myostatin adaptation to NFOR; c) to verify the effects of chronic glucose supplementation on the parameters mentioned above. Mice were divided into control (C), trained (TR), overtrained (OTR) and supplemented overtrained (OTR + S). The incremental load test (ILT) and exhaustive test (ET) were used to measure performances before and after exercise protocols. 24 h after ET, muscles and liver were removed and stored at -80°C for subsequent measurements. Total blood was collected from decapitation for subsequent determination of cytokine concentrations. Generally, OTR and OTR + S presented higher contents of IL-6, TNF-alpha, GLUT-4 and myostatin in muscle samples compared to C and TR. Glucose supplementation attenuated the high contents of IL-6, TNF-alpha and IL-15 in liver, and of IL-6 in serum. In summary, NFOR led to low-grade chronic inflammation and myostatin upregulation.

Molecular and cellular mechanisms of bone morphogenetic proteins and activins in the skin: potential benefits for wound healing

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and activins are phylogenetically conserved proteins, belonging to the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, that signal through the phosphorylation of receptor-regulated Smad proteins, activating different cell responses. They are involved in various steps of skin morphogenesis and wound repair, as can be evidenced by the fact that their expression is increased in skin injuries. BMPs play not only a role in bone regeneration but are also involved in cartilage, tendon-like tissue and epithelial regeneration, maintain vascular integrity, capillary sprouting, proliferation/migration of endothelial cells and angiogenesis, promote neuron and dendrite formation, alter neuropeptide levels and are involved in immune response modulation, at least in animal models. On the other hand, activins are involved in wound repair through the regulation of skin and immune cell migration and differentiation, re-epithelialization and granulation tissue formation, and also promote the expression of collagens by fibroblasts and modulate scar formation. This review aims at enunciating the effects of BMPs and activins in the skin, namely in skin development, as well as in crucial phases of skin wound healing, such as inflammation, angiogenesis and repair, and will focus on the effects of these proteins on skin cells and their signaling pathways, exploring the potential therapeutic approach of the application of BMP-2, BMP-6 and activin A in chronic wounds, particularly diabetic foot ulcerations.

Extrusion Effects with Bactericidal Additives in Polymer Wood Composites

Wood polymer composite is an important material class for industries. Microbiological properties can be an important aspect to enlarge its application base. The biocidal properties of wood polymer composite (WPC) can be aggregated by incorporation of biocidal additives on its composition. But, an important aspect is the evaluation the influence of the fabrication process on its biocidal properties. In particular, the temperature and screw velocity are important parameters for extrusion processes, and the mass proportions of the compounds are important factors to define the WPC properties. Different combinations of process conditions and mass proportions of the composite can promote variation in the magnitude of the bactericidal effect. The bactericidal properties are aggregated in the composite by organic bactericidal additive and the high temperature and high shear rate during the extrusion process can affect the effectiveness of the bactericidal additive function. This paper investigates the effects of the extrusion process parameters associated with different percentages of bactericidal additives on the WPC. The results showed significant effects on the bactericidal properties that depended only on the bactericidal content.

Distinctive Expression of Cancer/Testis-X Antigens in a Subset of ER Negative Breast Carcinomas

Background: Cancer/testis-X antigens are a multigene family that are predominantly expressed in human germ line cells, with little or no expression in somatic adult tissues, but become aberrantly activated in various malignancies. Some such CT-X antigens represent ideal targets for cancer immunotherapy and have already been used in clinical testing. In contrast to melanomas, bladder, lung, ovarian and hepatocellular carcinomas which show higher levels of CT-X antigen expression, the reports in breast cancers have been inconclusive to date and a comprehensive gene expression and clinicopathological analysis has yet to be performed.Material and Methods: Using sequencing data as well as nine publicly available gene expression data sets, we analyzed the expression of Cancer/testis-X antigens in more than 1900 primary breast cancers. Complementary analysis was performed on three tissue microarrays comprising a total of 201 primary breast carcinomas and 53 brain metastases. Clinical information on the ER-, PR-, HER2, Ki67, p53, EGFR and basal markers was available for statistical analysis.Results: A significantly higher expression of Cancer/testis-X antigens was found in ER negative breast carcinomas over different data sets with a concordant gene expression pattern of several Cancer/testis-X antigens. Members of the MAGEA family and NY-ESO-1/CTAG1B were consistently the most prevalent. Immunohistochemical analyses confirmed a significant correlation of MAGEA family and NY-ESO-1/CTAG1B with ER negative (pValue < 0.0001), PR negative (pValue < 0.01) and Ki67 staining (pValue < 0.0001). Many of these tumors were also positive for basal markers.Discussion: Previous studies of Cancer/testis-X antigens in breast have focused on ER positive cancers, in smaller subsets and provided inconclusive results. Using comprehensive gene expression data sets and tissue microarrays, we have demonstrated a significant association of MAGEA family and NY-ESO-1/CTAG1B with ER/PR negative breast cancer. Since these cancers represent a subgroup for which less therapeutic modalities are available, we propose the use of MAGEA and NY-ESO-1/CTAG1B cancer vaccines in the adjuvant setting as an approach to restricting tumor growth and metastases. Clinical trails using MAGEA and NY-ESO-1/CTAG1B are warranted.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 3139.

Termination of unwanted pregnancy in dogs with the dopamine agonist, cabergoline, in combination with a synthetic analog of PGF2alpha, either cloprostenol or alphaprostol

Associations of a dopamine agonist, cabergoline, and a synthetic analog of PGF2alpha, either alphaprostol or cloprostenol, were used to induce pregnancy termination in 15 mature Beagle bitches. Alphaprostol (20 microg/kg/d) was injected subcutaneously (sc) in combination with cabergoline (1.65 microg/kg/d, sc) daily for 5 d from Day 32 after the LH peak in 5 animals. Cloprostenol 2.5 microg/kg/d in one group (n = 5) and 1 microg/kg/d in another group (n = 5) was also used in combination with the same dosage of cabergoline, following the same protocol, but starting from Day 25 after the LH peak. Treatment efficacy, defined by the number of pregnancy terminations, was 100% in all treated groups. Dose-related side effects due to PGF2alpha were observed (excessive salivation, prostration, vomiting, diarrhoea, scratching at the injection site), and were less severe with cloprostenol than with alphaprostol. In the group treated with the lowest dosage of cloprostenol, no adverse reactions were noticed. In all treated groups, interestrus intervals compared with previous cycles and in control animals were reduced after treatment.

Determination of the role of cervical closure in fertility regulation after mating or artificial insemination in beagle bitches

In the present study, the pregnancy rate after one insemination with fresh semen performed at the optimum period of fertilization (control) was compared with the pregnancy rate after insemination by either vaginal deposition of semen or transcervical uterine insemination at 24, 48 or 72 h after closure of the cervix (n = 5 bitches per time period and group). In the group of bitches inseminated into the uterus, 2 ml of a fresh pool of semen from four male dogs was deposited transcervically or by laparoscopy into the uterus, whereas in the vaginally inseminated animals, 2 ml fresh semen was extended with 4 ml prostatic fluid. The study was performed over 5 years; some bitches were used twice during two consecutive oestrous cycles. Closure of the cervix was determined once a day by retrograde vaginogram using a radiopaque contrast dye. Closure of the cervix occurred 6.9 +/- 1.1 days (mean +/- SD) after the LH peak and 1.5 +/- 0.9 days before the first day of cytological metoestrus. The hormone values at the time of closure were 81.2 +/- 12.3 nmol progesterone l-1 and 28.4 +/- 23.2 pmol oestradiol l-1; there were no differences between groups. Of the bitches inseminated before closure of the cervix, five and four bitches became pregnant after uterine and vaginal insemination, respectively. Of the bitches inseminated into the vagina 24, 48 or 72 h after cervical closure, none became pregnant, whereas three, three and one bitches became pregnant after insemination directly into the uterus at 24, 48 or 72 h after cervical closure, respectively. The mean litter size was 3.9 +/- 1.4 pups among all pregnant animals and there were no significant differences between groups. The results of the present study indicate that mature canine oocytes may remain fertile for > 200 h after ovulation, rather than for 48-60 h as was previously believed, and that cervical closure may be a limiting factor for reproductive success after natural mating.

[Rice and bean diets increase hepatic and plasmatic activity of gammaglutamyltranspeptidase in young rats]

The effect of feeding rice and bean diets in both hepatic and plasmatic activity of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase-(GGT-EC 2.3.2.2) activity was evaluated in growing-rats (Experiment A) and mature rats (Experiment B). During 28 days, the animals were fed with isocaloric-diets composed by tree levels of rice, bean or rice-and-bean protein. Similarly with the aproteic group, a significant increase on both the hepatic and plasmatic GGT activity were showed with the lowest levels of protein, when compared with 25% casein control group. This rise was more effective in growing-rats fed on legume-based diets (as bean or rice-and-bean diets), making evident a differential effect of age and an exacerbated effect of the protein restriction with the lowest sulfur amino acids disposal. These alterations suggest a metabolic adaptation of GGT to both the inadequate protein and sulfur-amino acid levels, thus supporting the hypothesis that the Glutathione levels may be reduced by these legume-based diets.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in cystic lesions of the pancreas

There are few reports about magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in cystic lesions of the pancreas (KLP). For this reason, we have undertaken a prospective study evaluating the diagnostic efficiency of MRCP as compared with ultrasonography. Twenty-four patients with KLP were examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and standard and cholangiopancreatography. There were seven cases of cysts associated with acute pancreatitis, 11 patients with KLP and chronic calcifying pancreatitis, five cases of cystic neoplasms of the pancreas, and one polycystic disease of the gland. All cases were first submitted to ultrasonography, which failed to diagnose only a case of cyst associated with chronic pancreatitis depicted by MRCP. We used a GE Signa Horizon 1.5-T system (20 examinations) and a Siemens Magneton Plus 1.5-T machine (four examinations). Eleven patients were operated on. In all cases, it was possible to identify the cysts, the main pancreatic duct and the biliary tree, and verify the relationship of the cyst with neighboring organs. Communication of the cyst with the main pancreatic duct was described in five instances, but we cannot be sure that MRCP would have depicted all cyst-duct communications. The MRI and MRCP images were confirmed by surgery in the 11 operated-on cases. The diagnosis of duct alterations and small pancreatic stones in initial cases of chronic calcifying pancreatitis may be problematic. Clinical findings are very important data to be considered in the differential diagnosis of KLP. Together with the clinical data, MRCP is a very important technique in the diagnostic and therapeutic decision making of KLP. Standard magnetic resonance is advisable as part of the examination in all cases. MRCP is not invasive, is reliable if one knows its limitations, and the patient can return at once to his activities. It allows the analysis of many variables in one examination, contributing to better therapy.

Effect of stage of anestrus on the induction of estrus by the dopamine agonist cabergoline in dogs

Beagle bitches were administered the dopamine D2 receptor agonist cabergoline in 3 groups of 5 animals each, starting on known days of the estrous cycle. Cabergoline treatment was started in either early anestrus (Days 93 to 108), mid-anestrus (Days 123 to 156), or late anestrus (Days 161 to 192) at doses of 5 ug/kg/d, per os, and was continued until the confirmation of induced proestrus or for 40 d. Reproductive parameters were compared with those in 5 control anestrous bitches (Days 90 to 150). In control bitches, the mean (+/- SEM) interval to the next proestrus (73+/-11 d) resulted in an interestrus interval (192+/-9 d) similar to that of the previous cycles (196+/-11 d). In 14 of the 15 cabergoline-treated bitches, the next proestrus occurred within 4 to 30 d, was premature in early and mid-anestrous bitches and developed with low variability within groups. The resulting intervals to proestrus in bitches treated with cabergoline in early anestrus (20+/-2 d), mid-anestrus (14+/-3 d) and late anestrus (6+/-1 d) resulted in interestrus intervals in those groups of 131+/-5, 166+/-7 and 196+/-2 d, respectively. In response to treatment, interestrus intervals were reduced (P<0.05) and more synchronous (P<0.05) in early and mid-anestrus bitches, and were more synchronous (P<0.05) in late-anestrous bitches compared with those of control bitches or those of the previous cycle. Periovulatory estradiol and progesterone profiles of induced cycles in treated bitches were similar to those of spontaneous cycles in control bitches. Four of 5 control bitches and 12 of the 14 responding cabergoline-treated bitches became pregnant and produced normal litters. Plasma prolactin concentrations at Days 2 and 5 of treatment (0.3+/-0.1 ng/mL) and at the onset of proestrus shortly before the end of treatment (0.4+/-0.1 ng/mL) were lower (P<0.05) than those present in anestrus prior to treatment (1.7+/-0.6 ng/mL) or in control bitches. Prolactin was also low at the onset of proestrus in control bitches (0.5+/-0.2 ng/mL). The results demonstrate that prolactin-lowering doses of the dopamine agonist cabergoline can terminate the normal obligate anestrus in dogs, and that the effect occurs more slowly in early anestrus than in mid or late anestrus.

Comparison of the fracture resistances of pulpless teeth restored with a cast post and core or carbon-fiber post with a composite core

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The survival of pulpless teeth restored with a post and core system is a controversial issue.

PURPOSE

This study compared the fracture resistance of 2 types of restorations: teeth restored with prefabricated carbon-fiber posts and composite cores to cast dowel-core restored teeth.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 44 recently extracted sound premolars were randomly distributed into 2 equal groups: group I, restored with prefabricated carbon-fiber post and a composite core; and group II, with custom-cast type III gold alloy post and cores. The size and shape of the posts were identical in the 2 groups. All teeth were fully covered with a nonprecious cast crown. Fracture resistance was measured by applying a point force at 45 degrees to the long angle of the tooth.

RESULTS

Mean fracture threshold was 103.7 +/- 53.1 kg for group I versus 202.7 +/- 125.0 kg for group II (differences significant with P = .003). In group II, however, fracture nearly always affected the tooth itself, whereas in group I, the post-core nearly always failed first.

CONCLUSIONS

Significantly higher fracture thresholds were recorded for the cast post and core group. Teeth restored with cast posts typically showed fracture of the tooth, although at loads rarely occurring clinically.

[Study of intestinal malabsorption diseases as cause of monosymptomatic short stature]

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out in order to evaluate the etiology of monosymptomatic childhood short stature (below the third percentile or with growth rate of less than 5 cm/year) with emphasis on causes due to intestinal malabsorption. METHODS: Each patient was submitted to endocrinological, biochemical and hematological investigation. Determination of serum anti-gliadin antibodies, fecal fat, chloride levels in sweat, jejunal biopsy and bone age was also obtained.RESULTS: A total of 51 children was studied, most of them belonging to the group of normal variants. Four children had abnormally high sweat chloride, compatible with the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. These children were asymptomatic regarding respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that cystic fibrosis, besides celiac disease, must be included in the differential diagnosis of short stature in childhood.

Comparisons of intravaginal and intrauterine insemination of bitches with fresh or frozen semen

To compare the importance of the route of insemination when using fresh or frozen semen, six groups of five bitches were inseminated either into the uterus (groups 4, 5 and 6) or the vagina (groups 1, 2 and 3) with fresh (groups 1 and 4) or frozen semen (groups 2, 3, 5 and 6). The fresh semen was collected when needed from the same dog. The frozen semen used in groups 2 and 5 was obtained from seven dogs on the same day, and pooled and processed simultaneously so that the groups were inseminated with exactly the same semen. The frozen semen used in groups 3 and 6 was obtained from different dogs and processed independently to evaluate not only the effect of the route of insemination but also the potential effect of the dog. The mean concentration of the fresh semen was 310 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml, its motility was greater than 80 per cent and the percentage of normal live spermatozoa was 80 to 92 per cent. The mean spermatozoal concentration of the frozen semen was 200 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml, its motility was greater than 60 per cent and the percentage of normal live spermatozoa was 80 per cent. In all the groups there were fewer than 15 per cent abnormal spermatozoa. The animals inseminated with fresh semen received significantly more spermatozoa than the others. The bitches were inseminated twice, three and five days after the estimated peak of luteinising hormone, with a total volume of 5 ml for the vaginal inseminations and 2 ml for the intrauterine inseminations. Sixty per cent of the bitches inseminated with frozen semen and 100 per cent of the bitches inseminated with fresh semen became pregnant, irrespective of the insemination technique used.

Comparisons between three different extenders for canine intrauterine insemination with frozen-thawed spermatozoa

Ejaculates from 7 dogs were obtained on the same day and were pooled. This pooled semen was separated into 3 equal fractions and processed simultaneously, the only difference being in the extender used for freezing. The extenders were laiciphos (containing laiciphos, egg yolk, distilled water and glycerol- Group 1); Tes/Tris (containing Tes/Tris, egg yolk, distilled water and glycerol- Group 2); and biociphos (containing biociphos with glycerol in it, egg yolk and distilled water- Group 3). Spermatozoa were conditioned in 0.5ml French straws and presented normal characteristics before freezing and after thawing. The sperm concentration of the pooled was 683 x 10(6) sperm/ml; sperm motility was above 95%, the percentage of live spermatozoa was above 95% and was of good quality and mobility. Characteristics of the spermatozoa after thawing were the same for spermatozoa frozen with laiciphos and Tes/Tris. Mean sperm concentration was 201.5 +/- 4.95 x 10(6) sperm/ml, sperm motility was 65%, the percentage of live spermatozoa was 80% and the quality of motility.was good. Spermtozoa frozen with biociphos had the following post-thaw characteristics: sperm concentration was 201 x 10(6) sperm/ml, sperm motility was 50%, the percentage of live spermatozoa was 78% and the quality of mobility was medium. Abnormalities were less than 15% for all spermatozoa after thawing. Intrauterine artificial inseminations were performed by laparoscopic intrauterine insemination twice at Days 3 and 5 after the estimated LH peak in 15 normally cyclic Beagle bitches (5 per group) presenting normal hormonal profiles. There were no differences between groups. The females were inseminated with 1.0 ml of spermoatozoa (concentration of 200 x 10(6) sperm/ml) diluted with 1.0 ml of extender. A 60% pregnancy rate was obtained in bitches inseminated with frozen-thawed spermatozoa extended with laiciphos or Tes/Tris and 100% in bitches inseminated with spermatozoa extended with biociphos. Females inseminated with laiciphos, Tes/Tris and biociphos had a mean litter size of 5 +/- 2.6, 3 +/- 1 and 3.4 +/- 1.3 pups, respectively. This study demonstrated that post-thaw assessment of sperm characteristics is not the best technique for evaluating sperm fertility after freezing or for assessing different semen extenders.

Cervical opening in relation to progesterone and oestradiol during heat in beagle bitches

The relationship between hormonal profile and cervical opening and closure was analysed during heat in seven bitches. The bitches were studied each day from the beginning of pro-oestrus until 5 days after cytological metoestrus. Vaginography was performed using a radiopaque contrast dye injected through an insemination probe and blood samples were collected daily. The opening of the cervix was observed, in pro-oestrus, 2.6 +/- 2.8 days before the LH peak. The progesterone and oestradiol values at that time were 2.0 +/- 2.4 nmol l-1 and 171.1 +/- 133.1 pmol l-1, respectively. The opening of the cervix was observed concurrent with the day of the maximal value of the oestradiol:progesterone ratio, just before the decline of oestrogen preceding the LH peak. Differences between the oestradiol:progesterone ratio the day before, the day of and the day after opening were significant. The closure of the cervix occurred 6.7 +/- 1.4 days after the LH peak and 2.6 +/- 1 days before the first sign of cytological metoestrus. The progesterone and oestradiol concentrations at that time were 68.9 +/- 15.4 nmol l-1 and 16 +/- 10.3 pmol l-1, respectively. All bitches were in cytological oestrus when the cervix closed. These data indicate that there is a relationship between hormonal profile and cervical opening and that breeding success may also be temporarily limited, not only by oestrous behaviour, but also by cervical closure. In the beagle colony studied, a blood concentration of 60 nmol progesterone l-1 would give a good indication that no success will follow artificial vaginal insemination or natural mating.

Laparoscopic intrauterine insemination in the bitch

A technique for laparoscopic intrauterine insemination in bitches is described. During natural estrus, 5 beagle bitches were inseminated and S others were naturally mated (control group) twice at a 48-h interval on Days 3 and S (n = 4) or Days 4 and 6 (n = 6) after the increase in plasma progesterone considered to be indicative of the day of the preovulatory LH peak. All the inseminations were with fresh semen and under general anesthesia. The technique involved the introductions of 1) a Verres needle to insufflate the abdominal cavity by direct punction on the middle line 1 cm over the umbilicus, 2) a laparoscope to visualize the abdominal cavity by a 1 cm puncture on the middle line 1 cm under the umbilicus, 3) a forceps used to manipulate the uterus by a 0.5 cm puncture at 2 to 3 cm lateral to the mammary glands, and 4) an 18-g catheter used to puncture the uterus on the middle line between the 3rd and 5th mammary gland. The uterine body was grasped by the forceps and elevated against the ventral abdominal wall. The 18-g catheter was then inserted through the abdominal wall directly into the uterine lumen, and 1.0 ml of fresh semen containing 250 to 480 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml was injected. The inseminations resulted in pregnancies in all animals. Litter size was similar in the artificially inseminated and naturally mated bitches (5 +/- 1.8 and 4.8 +/- 1.6 pups per litter, respectively). Bitches in the artificially inseminated group delivered at 65.2 +/- 0.8 d and in the natural mated group at 65.4 +/- 0.5 d after the LH peak. In conclusion, this paper gives the first results of intrauterine laparoscopic insemination in bitches, indicating interesting perspectives for this technique in dog's reproduction.

Abortion induction in the cat using prostaglandin F2 alpha and a new anti-prolactinic agent, cabergoline

This study in cats compared the effects of a natural prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and cabergoline, administered on and after day 30 after mating, with regard to the plasma progesterone concentration, the induction of abortion and the side effects of each regimen. PGF2 alpha, through a direct luteolytic action, induced abortion by an abrupt and rapid (24 h) decline in the plasma progesterone concentration. Using doses (2 mg per cat) comparable to the ones selected in a previous study, 100% of abortions (4/4) in cats treated from day 33 of gestation were obtained. Cabergoline (1.65 micrograms kg-1 day-1, administered subcutaneously for 5 days), through its antiprolactinic action induced abortion in 80% (4/5) of the cats treated on day 30 of gestation. The abortion was initiated by means of a reduction in plasma progesterone concentration to < 1 ng ml-1. This reduction was not as rapid (3-4 days), however, as that obtained with PGF2 alpha (24 h). Prostaglandins always induced significant side effects such as nausea, prostration, vomiting and diarrhoea, within 10 min following injection, whereas cabergoline never induced side effects or behavioural disturbances. In addition, cabergoline usually induced abortion through fetal resorption (75% of cases), without any clinical sign other than some vaginal discharge.

Echocardiographic study of heart rate in dog and cat fetuses in utero

The heart rate of dog and cat fetuses in utero was studied using real-time B and M mode ultrasonography. Fifteen bitches and 15 queens were monitored from day 19 after the luteinizing hormone (LH) peak in the bitch, and from day 15 after the first mating in the cat, up to parturition, using a 7.5 MHz linear transducer. The first fetal cardiac movements and the cardiac frequency were detected from days 23 and 29 after the LH peak and from days 18 and 25 after mating, in the bitch and in the queen, respectively. In bitches, heart rates were higher [230.2 +/- 15.4 beats per minute (b.p.m.)] than values previously reported. Initial average values were 214 +/- 13.3 b.p.m. and these significantly increased thereafter, with an average of 238.2 +/- 16.1 b.p.m. at day 40. A reduction was noted near parturition. In queens, the average values recorded were 228.2 +/- 35.5 b.p.m. Contrary to what has been observed in the bitch, the cardiac frequencies remained stable during pregnancy.

A follow-up study of severe puerperal psychiatric illness

The outcome in clinical and social terms of a psychiatric illness arising within 1 year of confinement or termination of pregnancy and requiring on-going care was studied after a period of 1-6 years in 47 women. The outcome was related to the earlier features of the illness and to personal and historical features. Social impairment and continuing psychopathology occurred in many cases. The only factor which significantly related to poor outcome was an initial diagnosis of schizophrenia.