The effect of a low energy diet on the concentration of DDT in the adipose tissue of turkeys.

Turkey hens which had completed a breeding season and contained DDT in their fat were divided into 2 groups of 20 hens each. One group was fed a high wheat control diet throughout a 6 week period while another group was fed a low energy diet for 3 weeks and then the control diet for 3 weeks. Biopsy samples of adipose tissue taken initially and at 3 weeks and carcass adipose tissue samples of 6 weeks were analyzed for DDT and DDE. Total DDT concentration in adipose tissue increased when the hens were fed the low energy diet but decreased again when fed the control diet so that the overall change in DDT concentration over the 6 week period was not different for the two groups. The biopsy technique used in this study was successful in greatly reducing variability and improving precision.


The tryptophan requirement of male and female broilers during the 4-7 week period.

Studies with broiler type chickens were conducted to determine the minimum tryptophan requirement for maximum growth, optimum feed efficiency and molted body feather count for the 4-7 week period of growth for both male and females. Basal diets analyzed to contain 0.158, 0.157, and 0.147% tryptophan using analyzed tryptophan values of 0.09, 0.01, 0.31, 0.70, 0.40, and 0.46% for corn, gelatin, corn gluten meal, soybean meal, peanut meal-45, and peanut meal-50, respectively. Based on the regression equations for males, the calculated tryptophan requirement for maximum growth, optimum feed efficiency, and molted body feather count for the 4-7 week period is 0.179, 0.170, and 0.172%, respectively for 3300 Kcal. of M.E. per kg. of diet. When expressed as a function of energy, these requirements would be 0.054, 0.052, and 0.052% tryptophan per megacalorie of M.E. per kg. of diet, respectively. Based on the equations for females, the calculated tryptophan requirement for maximum growth, optimum feed efficiency, and molted body feather count is 0.173, 0.163, and 0.172%, respectively for 3300 Kcal. of M.E. per kg. of diet, respectively.


Lysine requirement of White Leghorn pullets from 8 to 21 weeks of age.

White Leghorn pullets were fed rations in which the protein supplementary to that provided by the grain portion of the ration was derived from soybean meal, meat and bone meal, anchovy fish meal or cottonseed meal from 8 to 21 weeks of age. Protein levels were varied so that each protein supplement was tested in a feeding program in which pullets received 16% protein diets from 8 to 14 weeks and 14% protein from 14 to 21 weeks and in another feeding program in which 14% protein was fed from 8 to 14 weeks and 12% protein from 14 to 21 weeks. Each of the developing rations contained sufficient nutrient to enable pullets to develop and attain high rate of laying performance. The 14% and 12% protein cottonseed meal diets contained only 0.50% and 0.45% lysine respectively. Thus the lysine requirement of White Leghorn pullets from 8 to 14 weeks and from 14 to 21 weeks is not over 0.50% and 0.45% respectively.


Lesions of Marek's disease in some modified cutaneous appendages of chicken.

Studies were undertaken to determine the presence of lesions and immuno-fluorescent (IF) antigen of Marek's disease (MD) in the comb, wattles and skin overlaying the shank of MD affected birds. Lesions were more common in the comb than in the wattles and shanks, and were characterized by degeneration of epithelial lining cells and accumulation of lympho-reticular cells around the blood vessels of the dermis. Diffuse infiltration of these cells replacing varialbe areas of dermis were also seen in some cases. Immunofluorescent antigen was mostly confined to epidermal epithelium and was detected in comb from majority of cases, and the frequency of detection of IF antigen was similar to the presence of MD lesions in these tissues. This study indicates that the presence of lesions and viral antigen (If) of MD in these cutaneous appendages might play a significant role in epidemiology and diagnosis of this disease.


Calcium and phosphorus requirements of the laying hen.

Three experiments were conducted; the first studied the influence of pre-laying dietary calcium levels on subsequent hen performance, while in the second and third the influence of various levels of dietary calcium and phosphorus on performance, egg shell quality and calcium and phosphorus retention were investigated. Pre-dietary calcium levels (0.5 and 1.5%) resulted in a significant strain X diet interaction for weight gain up to commencement of lay but did not influence production, feed intake, egg size or sheel quality. Dietary calcium levels varying from 2.5 to 4.0% did not significantly alter the avove parameters during a 140 day laying test. Compared to a non-pelleted control diet, steam pelleting resulted in a significant enhancement in phosphorus availability is judged by higher levels of performance. Percent calcium retention varied with the level of dietary calcium and there was an indication that level of dietary phosphorus influenced calcium retention. Lower levels of dietary phosphorus resulted in egg shells with slightly lower deformation values. Regardless of dietary phosphorus, retention values were quite low. Changing the level of dietary calcium and phosphorus had little or no effect on the retention of phosphorus thus suggesting a relatively constant and low requirement for this nutrient.


Effect of restricted daylength during the growing period on semen quality and fertility of turkey toms.

Two trials were conducted in which three daylength and light intensity treatments were applied to 144 growing turkey toms from 8 to 28 weeks of age. Treatments were (1) six hours of artificial light, (2) natural light and daylength, and (3) simulated natural daylength. At 28 weeks of age all toms were placed on 14 hours of daily light. Individual tom semen quality was evaluated every two weeks for six months, and on alternate weeks, eight hens were inseminated with semen pooled by treatment replicate to obtain fertility (May to December). Seasonal decline in semen production, sperm concentration, semen volume, and fertility was observed for toms on natural daylength after three months of production. Toms on six hours of light and those on simulated natural light maintained high levels of production and quality for the entire six month period. Semen production expressed as the average number of toms producing semen, sperm concentration, and fertily were significantly lower (P less than .01), and semen volume was significantly lower (P less than .05) for toms on natural light after six months. It was concluded that natural light was less desirable than controlled light for "off season" growing of toms.


Effects of the chicken body louse, Menacanthus stramineus, on caged layers.

When 23-, 35-, and 49-week old Ideal 236 White Leghorn hens were infested with the chicken body louse, Menacanthus stramineus, percentage egg production 12 weeks later had decreased by 16, 34, and 46%. Meanwhile, the average hen weight had decreased by about 85, 300, and 450 grams compared with unifested control hens of the same age. There were also significant decreases in clutch size and feed consumption of the infested hens. All the decreases correlated with populations of lice.


Hemoglobin types in various populations of chickens.

Cellulose acetate electrophoresis of hemoglobin from 16 exotic breeds, five commercial broiler strains, nine commercial layer strains, a population of Gallus gallus and the Athens randombred population revealed only the normal hemoglobin type, consisting of one major and one slow-moving minor hemoglobin component. The same mutant and heterozygous types (in addition to normal) as were previously observed in the Athens Canadian (A-C) randombred population were observed in the Ottawa Meat Control population, from which the A-C population originated. Since the A-C population has been maintained separately from the Ottawa Meat Control since 1958, these results show that the hemoglobin mutant characterized in the A-C population in 1968 was not of recent origin, but has been segregating in the population since its construction from the Ottawa Meat Control.


The response of chickens to D-mannoheptulose: feeding behavior and blood glucose.

Administration of mannoheptulose (MH) at a concentration of 200-300 mg./kg. body weight, administered intraperitoneally or intracardiacly resulted in a significant increase of plasma glucose concentration (24.3%) four hours after administration. Food consumption was effected by administration of 300 mg./kg. body weight. There was a significant reduction in the mannoheptulose treated animals compared to the saline controls during the second and third hours of testing. The results were similar to those reported for mammals although the increase in plasma glucose concentration was not as drmatic in birds as it is in mammals. Food consumption studies in rat indicate a suppression, however, it is not significant as it was in this study.


Is L-glutamic acid nutritionally a dispensable amino acid for the young chick?

The importance of dispensable amino acids for the chick was reinvestigated. Two-week chick weights were 75.7 g. and 143.7 g. when dietary nitrogen was provided solely by indispensable amino acids and by indispensable amino acids and 10% L-glutamic acid, respectively. Weight gain increased four-fold when L-glutamic acid was added to the mixture of indispensable amino acids. Plasma free amino acid concentrations were considerably decreased and total indispensable amino acid concentration (including cystine and tyrosine) was reduced to approximately a half or less with L-glutamic acid supplementation. Increments of L-glutamic acid as the sole nitrogen source for dispensable amino acids in the diet increased two-week weight gain proportionately over a range from 0 to 10%. When 10% of L-glutamic acid was included in the amino acid diet, growth rate was equivalent to that with a practical diet up to two weeks of age. The mixture of leucine, isoleucine, valine, lysine and arginine produced little growth promotion as a nitrogen source for dispensable amino acids. L-aspartic acid, L-alanine and the mixture of dispensable amino acids devoid of L-glutamic acid were found not as effective as L-glutamic acid. The estimate of effectiveness of L-aspartic acid, L-alanine and the mixture was approximately 80%, 60%, and 80%, respectively, of that of L-glutamic acid during first two weeks. Utilization of diammonium citrate for growth promotion varied with the amount used and the age of chicks. A combination of dispensable amino acids plus nominal levels of DAC was not as effective as glutamic acid during the first week but shortly after that, produced good gains. Even during the 3rd week or 4th week high levels of DAC alone did not produce normal gains of chicks. The activities and the subcellular distribution of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) in the liver of young chicks were measured. GOT activity was considerably higher than GPT activity. Initially, GOT activity was found primarily in cytosol, but the mitochondrial activity increased to 57% of total activity by day 10, whereas GPT activity was exclusively in mitochondria regardless of the age.


Inhibition of adrenocortical function by intravenous administration of sodium pentobarbital in cocks.

The response of awake and anesthesized cocks with sodium pentobarbital to stressful stimuli has been examined. The stressful stimuli was immersion in cold water. In the awake cocks plasma corticosterone concentration was increased about 4 fold; they started shivering shortly after immersion and recovered after cessation of the treatment. In the anesthesized ones there was no increase in plasma corticosterone concentration, they did not shiver and died shortly after immersion.


Importance of oviduct relaxation in artificial insemination of turkeys.

This experiment was designed to determine whether or not relaxation of the turkey oviduct prior to the release of the semen was necessary for optimal fertilization to occur with artificial insemination. A total of 96 large type turkey caged laying hens were inseminated with 0.025 ml. of pooled semen near the area of the uterovaginal junction while the oviduct was still everted or after pressure on the hen was released and the oviduct returned to its non-everted position with the insemination tube in place. The difference in fertility of 9% between the non-everted (87.4%) and everted (78.5%) group was significant (P less than 0.01). The embryonic mortality of the non-everted group (10.6%) was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than in the everted group (13.2%).


Effect of dietary ascorbic acid on iron utilization in the growing chick.

Day-old male broiler chicks were fed for three weeks a purified casein diet with the addition of different levels of iron and ascorbic acid. Dietary ascorbic acid fed at 0.4% increased the hemoglobin concentration and total body iron retention when the diets fed were low in iron (23 p.p.m.). At 0.1% level in the diet, ascorbic acid caused an increase in total body iron retention in chicks fed diets marginal in iron (40 p.p.m.) and did not affect either parameter in chicks fed diets adequate in iron (100 p.p.m.).


The influence of divergent growth selection of semen traits, fertility and hatchability.

The effects of divergent growth selection for 18 generations on semen characteristics, fertility and hatchability were investigated. Males from the low weight line produced semen with a significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) higher sperm concentration and a highly significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) lower methylene blue reduction time than the males from the high line. Differences between lines for semen volume, sperm motility, percent of live sperm, fertility and hatchability were not statistically significant.


Thyroxine and triiodothyronine in blood after ingestion of iodinated casein by chicks.

White Leghorn cockerels were fed a broiler ration containing 0 (controls), 0.02 or 0.04% Protamone (iodinated casein) either continuously or for 10-14 days after which the 0.02% Protamone ration was switched to control or vice versa. Body growth rate was temporarily suppressed during the first 14 days of feeding 0.02% Protamone. Thyroid weight was promptly depressed during feeding of Protamone and increased more slowly when Protamone was removed from the feed. Only a fleeting increase in oxygen consumption rate was detectable in birds fed either 0.02 or 0.04% Protamone. Serum T4 and T3 promptly rose when Protamone was fed; continued feeding resulted in compensatory adjustments in secretion and perhaps peripheral metabolism of iodohormones within 2-3 days so that a level close to 200 ng. T3 or 2.5 mug T4/100 ml. serum was subsequently maintained.


Response to selection for hatchability in turkeys at three altitudes.

Eggs from a commerical flock of Small White turkeys established at 76 meters above sea level were used to develop five lines of turkeys. Hatchability of fertile eggs was the only criterion used to establish selected lines at 76, 1524, and 2182 meters. Control lines were maintained at the 76 and 1524-meter locations. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of the selection program on organ weights, body weight, and packed cell volumes (PCV). For two generations, eggs from one hatch at each of the three elevations were divided into three groups, two of which were exchanged for hatching and rearing. Twenty poults from the five lines at all three locations were sacrificed at 1-day, 2-weeks, and 4-weeks of age. Heart. liver spleen, adrenals, pancreas, lungs, kidneys, and gonads were removed, weighed, and the weight expressed as a percent of body weight. Blood samples were collected and PCV values determined at ages 1-day, 2-weeks, and 4-weeks at the 1524-meter elevation. Selection for hatchability had no adverse effect upon 1-day, 2, and 4-week body weights. Variations in body weight between locations were not due to natural environmental conditions, but rather to variations in management. Selection for hatchability coupled with natural selection resulted in the development of lines of turkeys with higher PCV values than the original control population. Exposure of turkey poults from the five genetic lines developed at an altitude of 2182 meters lead to an increase in relative weights of the heart and adrenal glands compared to birds at the 76 and 1524-meter locations. Exposure at the 2182-meter location also resulted in lighter spleens, pancreata, kidneys, and ovaries compared to birds at the 76 and 1524-meter locations. Selection for hatchability favors larger adrenals, livers, pancreata, kidneys, and lungs, but smaller hearts. Natural selection at higher elevations compounds the situation by favoring smaller adrenals and livers, but larger spleens, pancreata, and kidneys.


A note on amounts of [14C] in laying hens' blood after intramuscular administration of [4-14C]-estrone.

[4-14C]-Estrone in 2 ml. ethylene glycol was injected into the breast muscles of S.C. White Leghorn laying hens and the amounts of plasma [14C] per ml. whole blood were measured at various times thereafter. Maximal values were observed at 30 to 50 minutes after injection. The values then declined logarithmically with time and with a half-life of about 80 minutes between 40 and 270 minutes after injection.


Biotin and early poult growth.

Commerical Broad Breasted White male poults were fed either a soybean and milo ration, or similar rations containing 7.5% or 20% animal protein, for a period of 0-8 weeks. Three groups of 48 birds each were fed each of the three rations which were isocaloric (2926 M.E. Cal. /Kg. of ration) but differed slightly in protein content. Other groups were fed identical rations supplemented with biotin at a level of 220 mcg/kg. When the growth data were analyzed by analysis of variance, highly significant differences noted for treatment (P less than or equal to 0.01). Biotin supplementation of the soybean-milo ration gave no response, but supplementation of the rations containing animal protein with biotin gave excellent growth responses. When the data were combined so that the effect of biotin could be evaluated, a highly significant (P less than or equal to 0.005) improvement in growth was obtained by supplementing the rations with biotin. Feed efficiency was found to be closely related to growth rate. Mortality did not appear to be related to diet, with the differences being non-significant statistically.


The effect of protein and dietary energy levels and housing regime on production and reproduction parameters of turkey hens.

Two experiments were conducted using 960 Large Board Breasted White turkey hens to measure the effect of diet and confinement housing versus range pens on egg production, fertility and hatchability. A 2 X 3 factorial arrangement of diets provided protein levels of 15 and 18% with metabolizable energy levels of 2666, 2893, and 3101 kcal. per kg. of diet. The hens were randomized into 24 range pens  and 24 pens in an open-sided house. Dietary protein levels had no effect on body weight, feed consumption, egg production, fertility or hatchability. Hens fed the higher energy diet produced larger eggs (P less than .05), but there was no difference in total egg production due to dietary energy level. As dietary energy level increased, feed consumption linearly decreased. Hens fed the 3102 kcal./M.E./kg. diet had significantly higher fertility (P less than .05) than hens fed the intermediate energy level diet with no differences between the lowest energy level and either of the other two levels. Fertile eggs from hens fed the intermediate energy level diet had lower hatchability (P less than .05) than those from hens fed either the lower or higher dietary energy levels. Type of housing and no effect on average body weight or feed consumption on a hen-day basis. Housing treatment had no effect on percent fertility or hatchability. Hens housed in the range pens produced more and larger eggs (P less than .05) and more eggs per kg. of feed than hens penned in the house.


Effect of dimethyl sulfoxide on embryonic survival and subsequent chick performance.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was injected into the yolk of fertile White Leghorn chicken eggs at levels of 0.0, 0.025; 0.05, 0.10 and 0.20 ml./egg. Injection with 0.20 ml. DMSO/egg resulted in 100% mortality of chick embryos within six days of incubation. Injection with 0.10 ml. DMSO/egg resulted in 22.2% embryonic mortality by 14 days of incubation and 51.9% hatchability of fertile eggs compared to 84.6% for control eggs. Chicks hatched from eggs injected with 0.10 ml. DMSO/egg exhibited a decreased growth rate and high mortality. Injection of 0.05 ml. DMSO/egg or less had no effect on embryonic survival, hatchability of chick performance. The embryos from eggs injected with higher levels of DMSO exhibited hemorrhagic areas of the brain and head region and a retarded vitelline and allantoic circulatory system and were characterized by anopthalmia and celosomia. DMSO had no effect on the packed cell volume of chicks from eggs injected with DMSO.


The effect of the pellet binder "Lignosol FG" on the chicken's disgestive system and general performance.

The use of the pellet binder "Lingnosol FG" in broiler diets at three levels plus a control group revealed differences in the consistency, quantity and color of the caecal contents between the treated and untreated groups. By week 4, post-mortem examinations revealed that birds receiving Lignosol FG had enlarged caeca and the caecal contents were dark brown, shiny, tenacious and gelatinous which continued to slaughter age (7 weeks). The use of the pellet binder had little effect on general performance although there was an indication that it had the effect of increasing feed consumption and body weights but with a slight increase in feed conversion (feed/gain).


The influence of feeding diets containing different calcium-phosphorous ratios on the laying hen.

Six experiments were conducted to determine the influence of feeding diets containing different calcium-phosphorus (Ca:P)ratios at different times on the laying hen. Feeding a diet containing 0.75% P from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and a diet containing 1.50% P from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. decreased serum calcium in three or four experiments and decreased specific gravity of eggs in four of four experiments, when compared to that of the birds fed the control  diet which contained 0.75% P during both time periods. Specific gravity of eggs from hens fed a diet containing 0.75% P from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and a diet containing 0.33% P from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. was increased in three of four experiments. Although the differences are not significant, with one exception, the trend in the experiments indicate that the level of P in the diet and time of intake can influence shell quality and serum calcium. The dietary treatments had no significant influence on feed consumption, egg production or egg weight during any of these experiments. It was postulated that the adverse or beneficial effect on specific gravity of eggs and serum calcium as a result of feeding diets containing various CaP ratios was due to the influence on calcium absorption and/or bone resorption.


Effect of dietary methionine status on response of chicks to coccidial infection.

Three experiments determined if the methionine requirement of broiler chicks was affected by coccidial infection. Chicks were fed a corn-soy or a corn-soy-pea basal diet containing 0.73% and 0.62% total sulfur amino acids (TSAA), respectively.  Levels of 0 to 0.45% DL-methionine were added, with and without 0.01% monensin sodium. In two experiments, the chicks were inoculated at two weeks of age with a mixture of oocysts of E. acervulina, E. maxima, E. tenella, E. necatrix and E. brunetti. Lesion scores on the intestines and ceca, and blood carotenoid levels were determined at three weeks. The experiments were terminated at four weeks. A level of methionine greater than 0.47% and of TSAA greater than 0.83% was necessary to obtain maximum growth rate in uninoculated chicks. No evidence of dermatitis was observed. Growth rate and feed efficiency of chicks infected with coccidiosis were more severly depressed when the diet was not supplemented with methionine. Infections of coccidia and low levels of methionine, which in themselves did not produce any significant change in weight gain, did give a significant weight depression in combination. Adding monensin to the diet prevented a reduction in growth rate and feed efficiency of inoculated chicks fed adequate methionine. Monensin did not completely prevent the adverse effects of a coccidial infection, based on feed efficiency, when chicks were fed diets inadequate in methionine. Blood carotenoid levels were not affected by methionine level, but were significantly lowered by coccidial infection in the absence of monensin. Intestinal and cecal lesions in inoculated chicks were significantly reduced by including monesin in the diet. Although the coccidial infection more severly affected the performance of chicks fed diets deficient in methionine, satistical analysis of pooled data indicated no difference in the quantitative requirement of chicks for methionine. Therefore, a level of methionine and cystine adequate for optimum growth under the coccidial-free conditions should be adequate for chicks when infected with coccidia.


Effect of excessive dietary vitamin E on the chick.

Day-old male broiler chicks were fed a broiler ration for five weeks to which was added one of the following levels of dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate; 0; 2,000; 4,000; 8,000; 16,000; 32,000, and 64,000 I.U./kg. The chicks fed diets containing 4,000 I.U./kg. or more of vitamin E showed decreased pigmentation in their beaks, feet and shanks, and liver as a percent of body weight was significantly increased. Feeding at least 8,000 I.U./kg of the vitamin significantly reduced chick body weight and resulted in waxy appearing feathers. Dietary inclusion of 16,000 I.U./kg. or more of vitamin E significantly increased feather, spleen, liver, and plasma vitamin E content.


Effect of dietary antibiotics on chickens infected with Eimeria tenella.

Two experiments were performed to study the effect of dietary antibiotics on percent daily weight change, mortality and gross cecal pathology in chickens during the critical phase of Eimeria tenella infection. In the first experiment, chickens were continuously fed ration containing thiopeptin, 2 mg/kg.; bacitracin, 20 mg./kg.; penicillin, 12 mg./kg.; or chlortetracycline, 22 mg./kg. One day after antibiotic fed was given, each bird received an oral inoculation of 30,000 sporulated oocyts. In the second experiment, chickens were consecutively fed ration containing amprolium plus ethopabate, 125 plus 8 mg./kg., and a combination of the coccidiostat and one of 4 antibiotics; thiopeptin, bacitracin, penicillin, or chloretracycline. One day after medicated feed was given, birds were each given an oral inoculation of 30,000 amprolium plus ethopabate-resistant E. tenella oocysts. The experiments were terminated 7 days after coccidia exposure. In both experiments, E. tenella infection resulted in depression in all birds of infected groups. Average percent weight change of infected birds was significantly lower than that of uninfected unmedicated control between 4 and 5 days after infection. Significantly greater number of birds died of cecal coccidiosis in group fed dietary bacitracin than that of other infected groups. Dietary antibiotics did not reduce gross cecal lesions.


The effects of semen dosage and insemination frequency on the fertility of brolier breeder hens.

Sexuality mature commerical broiler breeder pullets were housed singly in laying cages and artifically inseminated with one of three different levels of undiluted pooled semen (0.1, 0.05 and 0.025 ml.) at either of two different frequencies (once and twice a week) in three different trials. The best fertility was obtained by inseminating twice a week with 0.05 ml. of semen. Inseminating once a week with 0.1 ml. of semen did not provide maximum fertility in the stock used in this study.


Influence of carbohydrate source on liver fat accumulation in hens.

Four experiments were conducted with laying hens and one with broiler chicks to investigate the effect of carbohydrate source on fat accumulation in the liver. When corn and wheat in various proportions were fed to laying hens, the percent fat and total fat per liver increased as the proportion of corn increased. In comparison of different cereal grains and wheat samples in isocaloric diets, the total liver fat accumulated was the highest for hens fed grain sorghum, corn or triticale and the lowest for those fed barley, oats or rye. Intermediate levels of liver fat were obtained with wheat and similar liver fat contents were observed with hens fed different samples of West Coast wheat. There was no significant difference in liver fat of groups fed wheat diets made isocaloric with corn oil or animal fat, Liver fat accumulation of broiler chicks fed diets with corn or wheat was not significantly different. No difference in liver weight, liver fat content and total fat per liver was observed among hens fed diets containing either zero, one-half, or all glucose monohydrate substituted for corn. In comparisons of corn or wheat from different geographical area, no difference was observed in liver fat content of hens fed corn grown in Georgia or the Midwest or wheat grown in Georgia or in the Far West. Hens fed diets contaning corn had significantly more liver dry matter, liver fat, and total fat per liver than hens fed the isocaloric diets containing wheat. Considerably more fat accumulated in the livers of hens fed diets containing corn at Washington State University (15.4 to 19.6 g. fat/liver) than in hens fed corn at the University of Georgia (5.4 to 7.2 g. fat/liver), suggesting the existence of unidentified environmental factors affecting liver fat accumulation.


Oviposition-inducing activity in the ovarian follicles of different sizes in the laying hen.

The walls of the preovulatory follicles and the  ruptured follicles collected during the middle of a clutch sequence were extracted separately for an oviposition-inducing factor. The activity of this factor in the follicular extracts was estimated by single intravenous injection of the extracts to hens with a soft-shelled egg in the uterus. Administration of the extracts from either follicles destined to ovulate in 20 to 27 hours or follicles in 46 to 53 hours failed to induce premature oviposition of soft-shelled egg in any of the hens treated. In contrast, the largest follicle within 1 hour prior to the expected ovulation exhibited a high activity for inducing premature ovipositions. This level of the activity seemed to be persisted in the subsequent ruptured follicle for several hours, followed by considerable decrease in activity after about one day or more days.


An association of hardness of water with incidence of fatty liver syndrome in laying hens.

Twenty-one samples of water were collected from commercial egg production farms in Georgial with or without a history of fatty liver syndrome. These samples plus a sample of water from the University of Georgia Poultry Farm were analyzed for various mineral elements by atomic absorption, direct reading emission spectroscopy and by neutron activation. Water samples from farms with a history of fatty liver syndrome had signficantly more calcium, magnesium, strontium, sodium, iron and barium than water samples from farms reporting no significant problem with fatty liver syndrome. Levels of manganese, boron, copper zinic and aluminum were not significantly different. Although the results do not prove that water quality is the cause of the disease, they do demonstrate an association of hardness of water with fatty liver syndrome that should be further investigated.


A revised artificial insemination schedule for broiler breeder hens.

Broiler type hens maintained in individual cages were artificially inseminated with either 0.023, 0.035, or 0.047 ml. of  pooled semen. Insemination intervals were nine, nine, and ten days on a repetitive basis. This schedule was adopted because it allowed an extension of the conventional insemination interval and yet remained compatible with a five-day industrial work-week. The results demonstrated that maintaining broiler breeder hens in cages and utilizing artificial insemination as a means of obtaining fertile eggs were feasible. The data also indicated that extending the insemination interval to 10 days is possible providing the number of spermatozoa inseminated is increased.


The temporal interaction of corticosterone and prolactin in affecting liver lipid metabolism of the chick.

Experiments were conducted to determine if Brown Leghorn chickens (Gallus domesticus) showed a daily differential responsiveness to the phased injections of corticosterone and prolactin. In experiment 1, 28 day old chicks, maintained on continuous lighting and a standard diet, were treated daily for 6 days with corticosterone (300 mug. in 0.2 cc. saline) and with prolactin (150 mug. in 0.2 cc. saline) for 4 days. The prolactin injections began 2 days after the first corticosterone injection. The interval between daily corticosterone injections at 1800 hours followed by prolactin injections 6, 12 or 18 hours later resulted in a significant increase in the liver lipidcontent in the chicks. However, when corticosterone and prolactin were given at the same time (1800 hours), no increase in liver lipid content was observed. Corticosterone admininstered at 6oo hours and followed by prolactin injections had no effect on liver lipid content regardless of the time of prolactin prolactin injections. Experiment 2 was designed to test the effect of the administration of corticosterone or prolactin alone at either 600 hours or 1800 hours on liver lipid metabolism. Two groups of Brown Leghorn chicks received prolactin alone (for 2 days) at either 600 hours or 1800 hours. None of these treatment groups were significantly different from the uninjected controls. It is concluded that the chick has a diurnal sensitivity to the effects of coritcosterone and that once the liver is affected by corticosterone, a temporal interaction between this steroid and prolactin can affect the liver lipid content of the Brown Leghorn chick.


Sex difference in mortality rates of Leghorn-Red reciprocal crosses.

Mortality rates among White Leghorn-Rhode Island Red pure-line and reciprocal cross adult female progeny were recorded for 8 years. The mortality rate among progeny of White Leghorn males exceeded that of the progeny of Rhode Island Red males in both pure-line and crossbreds. White Leghorn X Rhode Island Red crossbred progeny had the highest mortality rate. In a second phase of the study, a comparison was made between mortality rates of male and female progeny of White Leghorn-Rhode Island Red reciprocal crosses. Rate of loss was significantly lower in males than in females but did not differ between crosses. These results support a conclusion that sex linkage is a major factor in differential mortality rates between progeny of White Longhorn-heavy breed reciprocal crosses.


Light intensity and housing for pigeons.

Four light intensities were used in completely enclosed pigeon housed for 14 hours per 24 hours. Open front pens with only natural light were also used. There were four pens per treatment and five pairs of young, breeding age, White Carneaux per pen for 420 days. Results per treatment, 16, 30, 44 and 61 lumens per sq. m. and open pens, were respectively as follows for each  objective: squabs raised-252, 220, 288, 203, and 212 with no significant differences except for the 44 lumen treatment which was higher than all others except 16; body wt./squab in g.-522, 526, 522, 508, and 531 at four weeks of age with no significant differences; feed per squab in kg.-4.7, 5.3, 4.5, 5.5, and 5.1 with only a significant difference between treatments 44 and 61 lumens; percent hatchability-89.7, 82.1, 89.6, 78.0, and 82.9 with no significant differences; percent squabs raised-93.7, 88.7, 97.9, 91.0, and 89.5 with no significant differences. The average number of squabs raised per treatment for all enclosed artifically lighted pens was 241 compared to 212 for the open pens with only natural light.


Acute oral ochratoxicosis in day-old White Leghorns, turkeys and Japanese Quail.

The comparative acute, oral toxicity of ochratoxin A for three day-old avian species is presented. The seven-day LD50 value for White Leghorns was calculated to be 3.4 +/-0.19 mgm./kg., for turkeys to be 5.9 +/- 0.72 mgm./kg., and for Japanese quail to be 16.5 +/- 0.56 mgm./kg., body weight. The dose-response curves are linear and parallel through one standard deviation on either side of the LD50 when log-dose is plotted against probit for survivors. It is suggested that the mechanism of action of ochratoxin A is similar in the three species, though the potency differs. The reduction in weight gain of Leghorn survivors was proportional to dose, and was observed in two separate traials over an overall dosage range from 0.2 mgm./kg. to 5 mgm./kg. The turkeys showed only a slight reduction in weight gain at doses less than 4mgm./kg., a more marked reduction being observed at higher dose levels. The quail did not show reduction of weight gain at dose levels below 10.9 mgm./kg., though the reduction was proportional to dose at higher levels. All birds dying of acute ochratoxicosis revealed a progression of symptoms from listlessness, huddling, occassionally diarrhoea, ataxia, prostration and death. Viscereal gout was observed at necropsy of the Leghorns.


Hematocrit, erythrocyte, and hemoglobin values for male and female guineas at various ages.

Hematocrits, erythrocyte counts, and hemoglobin values were determined for male and female guineas 2, 3, 8, 12, and 24 months of age. Values for males were greater than for females for all parameters. Value for two and three month old birds were lower than the other three age groups.


Effect of calcium propionate on performance of laying hens.

Laying hens kept in individual cages were fed a practical diet supplemented with 0, 0.1, 0.2., 0.4, or 0.8% calcium propionate for a six-week period. Rate of egg production, average egg weight, feed consumption, and body weight change during the experiment were not significantly affected by and dietary treatments. Liver weight, moisture content and fat content were also no significantly affected by dietary treatments. The results show that the performance of normal hens is not changed by calcium propionate supplementation.


Incomplete dominance of the gene for naked neck in domestic fowl.

The autosomal gene for naked neck in domestic fowl has been shown to be incompletely dominant. Heterozygotes characteristically have an isolated tuft of feathers on the ventral side of the neck above the crop. Homozygotes lack this tuft completely, or it may be reduced to a very few pinfeathers or small feathers.


Reproductive response of geese to a cool environment.

Geese kept at 4.5 degrees C. trended toward greater fertility than geese housed but subjected to natural temperature variations. This trend became highly significant after April 3.


Cecal mucosal response to coccidiosis in growing chickens.

The cecal mucosal changes of a subclinical coccidial (E. tenella) in chickens was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Oral inoculation was used and the mucosal surface of the ceca was studied. A control group from the same hatch of chickens was sampled simultaneously. The ceca from the infected birds was markedly smaller and contained some hemorrhagic areas. The control birds maintained a relatively smooth continuous epithelium throughout the study. During the infection, early fenestration was seen in the epithelium followed by its disruption. The crypts were easily seen as the disease progressed and in some cases the epithelium became denuded. The infective organism may inhibit replacement of degenerating epithelium.


Studies on the accessory reproductive organs in the drake. 3. Ejecting mechanism of the fluid from the ejaculatory groove region.

The ejecting mechanism of the fluid from the ejaculatory groove region (EGR-fluid) of the drake was investigated. When Evans blue solution was injected into the wing wein, EGR-fluid was colored blue with the dye soon after injection. Ligation of the A. pudenda interna decreased the oozing volume of the fluid to a negligible amount and excision of the vascular body completely suppressed the erection of the penis. To investigate the ejecting course of EGR-fluid, Evans blue solution and India ink were injected into the A. pudenda interna and just beneath the epithelium of the ejaculatory groove region, respectively, using cloacal specimens. Injected Evans blue solution flowed out from the ejaculatory groove region and the particles of ink were observed to have lined between the epithelial cells. From these results, the following assumption might be made. Lymph generated in the vascular body causes the erection of the penis only and a lymph generated the tissue of ejaculatory groove, region to which blood is supplied from the A. pudenda interna is ejected from the epithelium of this region through the intercellular space of it. The ejected lymph is considered to be the EGR-fluid to be added to semen at copulation.


Effect of serotonin on ovulation in the fowl.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) injected 8 hours before the expected time of ovulation effectively blocked ovulation (90%). When serotonin was administered for 10 days, the ovarian weight number follicles, adrenal weights, and ovulation rate were significantly changed (p less than or equal to .05). Serotonin or reserpine treatment induced premature oviposition if the egg was in the genital tract. It was suggested from this study that there is stimulation for ovulation at 8 hour before ovulation which can be inhibited by serotonin.


Growth of the chick embryo in vitro.

An improved technique is described for in vitro culture of the chick embryo from three days through 21 days of total incubation (three days in shell plus 18 days in culture). Mean survival time for cultured embryos is 18 days of total incubation, and mean morphological stage is Hamburger-Hamilton stage 41 (15 days). Mean measurements of wet weight, dry weight, and right third toe length for stage 45 (partial or complete abdominal yolk sac retraction, 19-20 days) cultured embryos are comparable with corresponding means for stage 42-43 (16-17 days) embryos from control intact eggs. Possible causes of growth retardation in vitro are briefly discussed.


Effect of four lighting regimes on broiler performance, leg abnormalities and plasma corticoid levels.

The effect of four lighting regimes: (1) continuous light (5 to 10 lux); (2) an intermittent system of 1 hr. of light (5 to 10 lux) and 3 hr. of darkness; (3) an intermittent system of 1 hr. of light (5 to 10 lux) and 3 hr. of darkness interrupted by 13 hr. of regular light (5 to 10 lux); (4) as with (3) but with low intensity light (less than 1 lux) during the 13 hr. period while the intermittent system continued, was studied in 2400 broilers of two commercial crosses over two trials. Lighting regime had a significant effect of body weight in trial 2 with birds on treatments 3 and 4 being lighter than those on treatments 1 and 2 which did not differ. Lighting regime had no significant effect on feed to gain ratio, percent crooked toes or mortality to 8 weeks. Birds grown on continuous light had significantly more leg abnormalities than those grown on any of the intermittent regimes. In trial 1 birds grown on continuous light had significantly higher plasma corticoid levels than those grown on any of the intermittent regimes. The same trend existed in trial 2, except that birds on treatment 3 had the highest plasma corticoid level.


Effect of diethylstilbestrol, ascorbic acid and vitamin E on serum lipid patterns.

The effects of relatively high concentration of vitamin C, vitamin E and diethylstilbestrol, and various combinations of cholestyramine and diethylstilbestrol on the lipid compositions of chicken serum were studied were studied. After DES injection (at concentrations as low as 1 mg/day for 7 days), levels of triglycerides, phospholipids and cholesterol were much higher, the effect being much more pronounced in the hens. Cholestyramine caused a fourfold decrease in cholesterol in females, a 25% reduction males. DES consistently caused a redistribution of the esterfied fatty acids, increasing the percentage of oleic and reducing percentages of stearic and lionelic acids. Preparative TLC analysis of all constituents showed other variations in fatty acid composition, but there was no other common pattern of change. Vitamin E in the diet caused a significant rise in triglycerides and phospholipids in DES treated birds. When vitamins E and C were fed, triglyceride and phospholipid values decreased. Cholesterol concentration did not vary significantly. With birds receiving both vitamins, diethylstilbestrol seemes to have less effect in causing the shift to increase percentage of oleic acids in the total esterified fatty acids.


Use of tylosin to prevent early mortality in bobwhite quail.

Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of treating day-old quail by drenching either with a soluble tylosin, tartrate solution or plain water, or medicating for five days with tylosin in the drinking water. Diagnosis of dead birds indicated ulcerative enteritis infection. Quail drenched with plain water or tylosine had less (P less than .01) mortality than those given tylosin in the drinking water or the untreated control birds. There was no difference between quail drenched with plain water or tylosin. Birds given tylosin in the drinking water resisted mortality significantly better (P less than .01) than the control birds.


Effect of toxaphene on the performance of White Leghorn layers and their progeny.

An experiment involving 48 white leghorn layers fed 0, 10 and 100 p.p.m. of toxaphene has been conducted. Except for a slight decrease in egg production, no adverse effects on various performance parameters including fertility, hatchability and survival of progeny were observed. A significant increase (P less than .05) in average 7-day weights of progeny was noted.


Water consumption and urine volume in polydipsic and normal White Leghorn chickens.

Experiments were conducted to study the route of passage of water by chickens exhibiting hereditary diabetes insipidus (di). Results showed that the excessive quantities of water consumed by the di chickens passes through the kidneys. Water reabsorption failure in the di chickens appears to occur in the kidneys.


Laying patterns of geese in the mid west.

In the nine years from 1966 through 1974 two large flocks of geese, one Emden and the other Toulouse, averaging respectively 1959 and 734 females began laying between January 9 and February 28 with the Toulouse lagging an average of 16 days. It took a mean of 17 days to advance from the 5% to the 33-1/3% level of laying. An average rate of 29.5% was thereafter maintained for 80 days, after which it dropped to 16% in ten more days.


Strychnine convulsions in cockerels.

An intravenous injection of 0.85 mg/kg strychnine nitrate produced typical convulsions in all cockerels, aged 4 to 12 weeks, as well as adult hens. Convulsions consisted of an initial excitement, tonic stage associated with opisthotonos, transient clonic movement, and finally vigorous tonic convulsions. Strychnine spikes in the Wulst EEG were not induced by the same intravenous does of strychnine in both cockerels and adult hens.


Effects of method of mating on fertility in broiler breeder hens.

Sexually mature commercial broiler breeder pullets were housed singly in laying cages or in floor pens and mated by means of artificial insemination alone, natural mating and natural mating supplemented by artificial insemination. The best fertility, was obtained by the combination method where natural mating was supplemented with artificial inseminations of 0.05 or 0.025 ml of undiluted pooled semen twice a week. Other reproductive traits including percent hatch of fertile eggs and chicks per hen were not affected by method of mating.


Fertility and embryonic livability as influenced by depth of insemination of turkey hens.

In two separate artificial insemination trials with individually caged breeder turkeys, semen release in the oviduct at depths of 3.0 and 7.5 cm from the exterior surface of the relaxed vent were compared. In the first trial, 7.5 cm. insemination at two-week intervals produced significantly higher (82.3 vs 78.5%) fertility and lower embryonic mortality (16.8 vs 20.2%) than the 3.0 cm. depth. In the second trial, insemination at three-week intervals, 7.5 cm. depth also produced significantly higher (79.2 vs 73.9%) fertility and lower embryonic mortality 11.2 vs 15.6%). The net gain in reproduction efficiency due to the combined effects was 6% in Trial 1 and 8% in Trial 2.


A note on the lack of difference in fertility between old and young hens when inseminated with frozen semen.

Semen was frozen (in glycerol) from 24 males (9 months of age) of a commercial broiler line and was inseminated intravaginally into old (19 months of age) and young (7 months of age) commercial Leghorn females. Duration of fertility, percent fertility during duration and percent hens fertile were measured. The means for old and young hens respectively, were: duration of fertility (1.4 +/- 0.4 and 1.6 +/- 0.5 days), percent fertility (19.1 +/- 5.1 and 15.9 +/- 5.1) and percent hens fertile (29.2 +/- 7.7 and 25.3 +/- 7.2). The "t" test revealed no significant (P greater than 0.05) differences between old and young females in fertility.


The effect of accidental pre-lighting of turkey hens on subsequent reproduction.

The length of the light day was accidentally increased from nine hours to continuous light on one group of thirty-week old hens for an unknown period of not more than eleven days. Egg production, after attaining a level of twenty-five percent, ceased five weeks later as the result of restricting the length of the light day to four hours and two series of feed and water deprivations. One month later hens from the pre-lighted and control groups were brought into egg production. Pre-lighting depressed later egg production more in medium-bodied hens than in large-bodied hens. The major effect of pre-lighting was to reduce the length of a laying period included 9 weeks later with no significant effects on intensity of lay, number of broody periods or average length of the broody period. It was concluded that the egg production would not be greatly reduced by pre-lighting under the above conditions if the length of the laying period were shortened from 180 days to a normal 140-day period.


The influence of short term exposure to two different environmental temperatures on electrolyte concentrations of fowl semen.

The concentration of some of the electrolytes found in fowl semen changed when birds were transferred from a temperature environment of 19 degrees C to either 8 degrees or 30 degrees C. The pH of the semen obtained from males transferred to the 30 degrees C. environment significantly decreased as opposed to a significant increase in the pH of the semen obtained from males transferred to the 8 degrees C. environment. Sodium and potassium concentrations significantly increased in whole semen in both transfer groups, while magnesium increased significantly only in whole semen from males transferred to the 8 degrees C. environment. Sodium increased in seminal plasma when the males transferred from 19 degrees C. environment to the 8 degrees C. environment. The data indicate that an abrupt change to either a warmer or colder environment causes a change in electrolyte concentration of cock semen.


Rapeseed meal glucosinolates: metabolism and effect on performance in laying hens.

Two experiments were conducted with Hyline Leghorn hens to study the metabolism and detrimental effects of rapeseed meal (RSM) glucosinolates. Raw Target RSM was force fed to 12 hens which were killed after varying time intervals (15 min., 30 min., 60 min.) and the contents of areas of the digestive tract (crop; proventriculus and gizzard; duodenum and ileum) were analyzed for the presence of hydrolysis products of progoitrin. Nitrile compounds were found to be present in all areas of the digestive tract in much larger relative amounts than was oxazolidinethione. When commercially prepared RSMs of varying glucosinolate content were fed to laying hens at a 50% level of dietary inclusion, high glucosinolate-content RSM depressed egg production (P less than 0.05) more than low glucosinolate-content RSM but did not cause a greater frequency of liver hemorrhage. Histological examination of liver tissues from hens suffering liver hemorrhage revealed a severe reticulolysis.


Electrocardiographic and respiratory responses to viscerotropic and neurotropic strains of Newcastle disease virus measured by radio telemetry.

Two groups each of White Rock chickens from 6 to 23 weeks old were monitored by radio telemetry to determine their electrocardiogram and respiration response after they were infected with either a velogenic viscerotropic isolate of Newcastle disease virus (VVND) or the neurotropic GB strain of Newcastle disease virus (NGB). Significant changes were found in the heart rate, R wave amplitude, ST segment elevation, T wave amplitude, RS complex interval, ST segment duration T wave interval, TP segment duration, PR segment duration and TP interval of the birds infected with VVND, but no significant ECG changes were found in the birds infected with NGB. There were no significant changes in respiration rate in any birds.


Effects of magnesium and high dietary intakes of pyridoxine on the chick.

Day-old broiler-type male chicks were used to determine what effects magnesium and high dietary pyridoxine had on the chick's performance. The chicks were randomly assigned to 15 treatments of magnesium at 875, 1375 and 1875 mg/kg. diet and pyridoxine at 1, 4, 31, 301, and 3001 mg/kg. diet in a 3 x 5 factorial block design. A regression was used to study some of the criteria. The highest mortality of 20% occurred in chicks on the 1875 mg. magnesium-3001 mg. pyridoxine treatment. Magnesium and pyridoxine had highly significant effects on body moisture. Effects due to magnesium and pyridoxine and the interaction between the two were highly significant for weight gain and the efficiency of feed utilization (E.F.U.) At 1875 mg. magnesium/kg diet, maximum growth response and E.F.U. were predicted to occur on 10 and 39 mg pyridoxine/kg diet, respectively, Neither magnesium nor the interaction between magnesium and pyridoxine had any significant effect on carcass protein. Pyridoxine had a highly significant effect on carcass protein. Maximum response in carcass protein occurred at 31 mg. pyridoxine/kg diet irrespective of magnesium level. Serum aminotransferase activity (S.A) was significant for magnesium, pyridoxine and the interaction between the two. Pyridoxine requirement for maximum S.A. was 49 mg/kg diet at 1875 mg magnesium/kg diet. Pyridoxine requirement for maximum response was highest for S.A. and least for growth. But S.A. had the highest R2 whereas growth had the least.


Influence of high temperature stress of 16-day embryos on subsequent hatchability.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of acute heat stress on late-stage chicken embryos. Embryos were incubated at a normal control temperature (37.5 degrees C.) for 16 days and were then subjected to 40.6, 43.3, 46.1 or 48.9 degrees C. for various periods of time in another incubator of the same type. At the end of the stress period all embryos were placed back into the control incubator for the remainder of the incubation period. Exposure of embryos for 24 hours to a temperature of 40.6 degrees C, caused no major detrimental effects on hatchability. Exposure for 6 hours to the temperature of 43.3 degrees C, caused a decrease in hatchability with a severe decline in hatchability occurring after 9 hours of exposure. Exposure to 46.1 degrees C. for 3 hours or 48.9 degrees C for 1 hour killed all embryos. Chicks which hatched following a severe heat stress had a high incidence of clubbed, wiry down and exhibited an unsteady gait.


Reproductive tissue activity in hypothyroid or heat stressed hens.

The ability of the reproductive tract of the White Leghorn hen under heat stress or methimazole thyroid blockage to assimilate 32P was examined. Both treatments increase the uptake of 32P by the shell gland and egg shell but only heal stress increases 32P uptake by the ovaries and reduces shell thickness. The greater shell thinness under the heat stress is related to an increased deposition of phosphate in the shell. Gilbert (1967) has reported an increased serum calcium, due to calcification inhibitions by phosphate, leading to an increased gonadotropin secretion. Thyroid blockage appears to stimulate TSH and gonadotropin LH secretion but in the absence of phosphate inhibition of calcification shell thickness is not affected. It is also speculated that hypothyroidism does not stimulate FSH secretion and therefore ovarian tissues is not activated by this condition.


The effect of pharmacological levels of dietary vanadium on the egg production, shell thickness and egg yolk cholesterol in laying hens and coturnix.

The addition of 100 p.p.m. of vanadium to a ration for White Leghorn laying hens caused a significant increase (p less than 0.01) in the egg shell thickness, but did not cause any significant change in the production, egg weight or egg ypok cholesterol content. The addition of 300 p.p.m. of vanadium caused a severe depression in the egg production which was the only symptom of vanadium toxicity to be observed. The addition of 50, 100, 200 or 300 p.p.m. vanadium to the ration of laying coturnix did not cause any significant change in egg production, egg weight, or egg yolk cholesterol content. The addition of the same levels of vanadium to one-day old male coturnix chicks did not cause any significant growth depression or mortality. We suggest that coturnix may be more resistant to vanadium toxicity than chickens.


Studies on the accessory reproductive organs in the drake. 2. Macroscopic and microscopic observatorys on the cloaca of the drake with special reference to the ejaculatory groove region.

The anatomical structure of the ejaculatory groove region (EGR) of the drake was investigated macro- and microscopically in connection with its function. The EGR covers a part of the urodeum and the second fold of the cloaca. The EGR is unique to the males and is characterized by red colored appearance and less smooth surface of the mucosa. The mucosa of EGR forms folds giving less smooth surface to it and is lined with psuedostratified columnar epithelium. A vascular layer which contains many capillaries and lymphocytes and gives red color to the mucosa lies just beneath the epithelium. The EGR develops at puberty together with the developments of the testis and the penis. Blood supply and the arrangement of the lymphatic sinuses of EGR were described and their functions were discussed.


The effect of pantothenic acid on the diet of growing chicks on energy utilization and body composition.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of varying levels of pantothenic acid on the efficiency of energy utilization and changes in body composition of the growing chick. The results indicate that a pantothenic acid deficiency does not interfere with the chick's ability to obtain metabolizable energy from the diet. The data do show that the efficiency of energy utilization and body composition were markedly affected when chicks were fed diets deficient in pantothenic acid. In both experiments, protein, fat and energy stores were significantly reduced when pantothenic acid-deficient diets were fed. Increased estimates of heat increment per gram of diet were observed when levels of pantothenic acid below the N.R.C. (1971) recommended level of 10 mg. per kg of diet were fed.


Dissemination of Salmonella serotypes from raw feed ingredients to chicken carcases.

During a Salmonella survey in a large integrated poultry organization it was observed that a significant correlation existed between Salmonella serotypes isolated from the raw feed ingredients and those from finished carcases. A number of serotypes hitherto unrecognized in the organization were detected in the raw feed ingredients, and were later recognized in live birds and carcases from the processing plant. It appears that a significant reduction in carcase contamination rate could be achieved by minimizing Salmonella in the meal and grain constituents of poultry feed.


Biological potency of selenium from sodium selenite, selenomethionine, and selenocystine in the chick.

Experiments were conducted to determine the relative effectiveness of selenium (Se) from sodium selenite, selenomethionine and selenocystine for promoting weight gain and preventing exudative diathesis. The chicks used were hatched from eggs low in Se. They were fed a basal diet made up mostly of corn (low in Se) and torula yeast or the basal diet supplemented with various levels of Se from sodium selenite, selenomethionine, or selenocystine. At 10 mug. of added Se per kg of diet, sodium selenite and selenocystine were about equal in promoting weight gain and preventing exudative diathesis. Selenomethionine was less effective. Tissues from chicks fed the various Se sources providing 60 mug. Se per kg of diet for four weeks were analyzed for Se. The content of tissues from chicks fed sodium selenite or selenocystine was similar. Chicks fed selenomethionine had a higher concentration of Se in the pancreas and breast muscle than chicks fed the other two Se sources, but a lower concentration in the kidney, liver, and heart. The level of Se in the kidney, liver, or heart which a Se source produces seems to be more important for preventing exudative diathesis than that which is found in the pancreas or muscle.


Effect of light intensity on confinement rearing of male turkeys.

Light intensities of .11, 1.1, 11 and 33 lux of 12 hours per day duration were studied for their effect on growth rate and feed utilization efficiency. The two experiments were initiated when the birds were 3 weeks old. Up to 12-14 weeks of age, the .11 lux intensity was superior to the other treatments. After this age, the other treatments were superior. Two other experiments were conducted with a crossover design. Birds were reared under either 11 or .11 lux from 3 to 12 weeks of age, than half of each group was maintained, and half was switched to either the higher or lower, intensity. Best growth up to 12 weeks of age was associated with .11 lux. Best growth to 22 weeks was associated with 11 lux. Crossing from high to low or low to high had no beneficial effects in either experiment.


[Electrocardiographic findings in 100 cases of acute pancreatitis].

In this paper the authors report the results of the electrocardiographic study of 100 patients (60 males and 40 females) admitted with acute pancreatitis to the emergency room and intensive care unit at the Mexico City General Hospital in a period of 5 years. The analysis of this results is basically the same of that reported by other investigators but with an clinopathological co-relation that will be of interest in the physiopathological explanation of the complex electrocardiographical signs that could be observed in the patients with acute pancreatitis such as left ventricle ischemia and lesion.


[Hyperlipidemias as a coronary risk factor in the newborn].

This article reviews the risk factors of the coronariopathy in the newborn. The authors state that the early diagnosis of the risk factors is an important step in the prevention of ateromatous plaques. Some people are now in the investigation of the normal levels of cholesterol and triglicerides in the blood of the umbilical cord. This values seems similar in different places all over the world and have served to establish the possible interrelation between the newborn hiperlipidemia and the coronary risk.


[Adenopathies and anticonvulsants: Lymphoma or drug reaction?].

In this paper the authors present the clinical case of a nine years old girl with adenopathy, fever and important weight loss. 10 months after she begins with diphenidantoin the differential diagnosis was attempted between lymphoma and drug reaction. The authors reviewed the literature pointed out the development of lymphomas in patients on diphenidantoin therapy. They mention the different hipothesis to explain this drug-lymphoma interrelation concluding that there is necessary more studies and experience in future cases to clarify the certain role of the anticonvulsivants in the production of this abnormalities.


[Personality factors that influence the working conditions in a hospital].

The author of this paper studied the structure of the personality of the doctors, nurses, social workers and auxiliar personnel of a hospital in Mexico City, through the test of incomplete sentences of Sacks-Cantú which investigate the attitude to the superior, values, repelled and accepted aspects of identity, personnel interrelations, success and downfall, character, liability, confiability and competence. The doctors has the following attributes to the performance of their work: initiative, altruism, personnel interrelations, liability and confiability. The nurses are abnegate and altruists and the social workers has initiative and acceptance of their identity. This investigation shows that the most structured personality, the best intellectual development and the best laboral effectiveness.


[Hydroxyproline concentration in the blood of patients with diabetes mellitus complicated by angiopathies].

The authors used oxyproline indices for the diagnosis of diabetic nephroangiopathies. Patients with diabetes mellitus of various severity (47 in all) were examined. Disturbance of oxyproline metabolism observed in these patients was particularly pronounced in development of nephroangiopathies; this can apparently be attributed to destruction of the basal membrane. The authors believe that it is difficult to assess the collagen metabolism in patients with diabetes mellitus by the urinary oxyproline content, since these patients display a disturbance of the glomerular function of the liver at various stages of the disease.


[Use of pancreozymin for detection of pancreatic enzyme-secreting insufficiency in diabetic patients and selection of methods of treatment].

Under conditions of stimulation with pancreozymine (in doses of 1.5 and 0.5 Units/kg), a specific stimulant of the enzyme secretion of the pancreas, there occurred a significant fall of the concentration and of the amount of lipase and trypsin in the duodenal contents of patients suffering from diabetes mellitus for over 5 years (20 investigations) in comparison with the indices in 14 healthy persons. No disturbances of amylase secretion were found in diabetes. Proceeding from the evidence on the role played by calcium and cyclic 3'--5'-adenosinmonophosphate in the regulation of the external pancreatic secretion the effect of calcium gluconate and euphylline was tested; they appeared to be effective stimulants of pancreatic secretion of the enzymes in patients with diabetes mellitus.


[Treatment of diabetes mellitus with long-acting biguanides].

The paper discusses of the results of treatment with preparations of phenylethylbiguanide (dibotin, meltrol, dipar, dibophen-retard), of butylbiguanide (silubin-retard, buforming-retard) and of dimethyl-biguanide (glucophage-retard). All these preparations were of prolonged action. The treatment was carried out in 242 patients. The saccharolytic action of the active agent contained in one tablet of each type of biguanide was approximately the same. Biguanides of prolonged action were highly effective in obese patients with diabetes mellitus of moderate severity. The best results were obtained in complex treatment with biguanides of prolonged action together with sulfonylurea preparations of the second generation. There were noted almost no toxic reactions from the use of biguanides up to 2 tablets a day.


[Ophthalmotonus in patients with thyroid gland disorders of different etiology].

A study of ophthalmotone in 123 patients with thyroid gland dysfunction of various etiology and in 26 patients with the diencephalic syndrome revealed no definite dependence of the intraopthalmic pressure on the thyroid gland function. These changes were most pronounced in the diencephalic syndrome and secondary thyrotoxicosis developed against the background of infectious-toxic encephalopathy. Elevation of ophthalmotone depended on the extent of affection of the diencephalic region.


[Sex gland function in obese women].

A study was made of the functional state of the gonads in 365 obese women. Clinical data were compared with the results of study of fractional composition of estrogens excreted with the urine at various phases of the menstrual cycle. Gonad dysfunction was much more frequent in neuro-endocrine than in exogenous-constitutional adiposity (62 and 31.5%, respectively). Amenorrhea was dominating among other disturbances of the menstrual cycle. Hirsutism was manifest in 10.5% of the patients with neuro-endocrine adiposity and disturbance of the menstrual cycle. A fall of the estrogen excretion, more pronounced in calculation per 1 kg and 1 m2 of body surface, was seen in obese women; as to estrogen excretion -- it approximately corresponded to such in healthy women at the initial phases of the menstrual cycle, i. e. at the period of the minimal estrogenic activity of the ovaries. There was a higher production of active estrogen fractions with their maximal content not at the ovulation phase, as in healthy persons, but at the lutein phase. A reduction of body weight promoted improvement of the gonad function, normalization of the quantitative and qualitative indices of the estrogen excretion.


[A fluorescent method of determining aldosterone in urine].

The authors suggest a method of aldosterone determination in the urine. Aldosterone is extracted from the sample and purified with the aid of columnar and thin-layer chromatography on silicagel. Aldosterone is distinctly identified in ultraviolet light on the chromatogram by its green fluorescence developing after sprinkling the plate with phosphoric acid and its subsequent heating. Quantitative determination is carried out by the measurement of the intensity of aldosterone fluorescence in sulfuric acid.


[The rate of cortisol secretion in thyrotoxicosis patients].

The rate of cortizol secretion was determined in 5 healthy persons and 18 patients suffering from thyrotoxicosis by dilution of isotopic label by the mean specific radioactivity of tetrahydrocortizol and tetrahydrocortisone excreted with the urine. There was revealed a close direct dependence of the adrenal gland activation on decompensation of the disease and a reverse dependence on the duration of thyrotoxicosis. The rate of cortizol secretion had a tendency to reduction and normalization in medicinal compensation of thyrotoxicosis.


[Characteristics and use of the "ROTOP-insulin-test'' for radioimmunologic determination of insulin].

The authors describe characteristics and clinical application of the "ROTOP-insulin-test'' set. Radioimmunological insulin determination is carried out by the principle of reverse titration: 50 ml of plasma is incubated for 18 hours with antiserum. The remaining free valencies of insulin antibodies are bound with the excess of 125I-insulin. Bound 125I-insulin is precipitated after the addition of alcohol. The variation coefficient is 7.4% in one batch and 9.1% in analysis in 48 hours (insulin concentration = 2.08 ng/ml = 49 mcU/ml). The precision index of the standard curve was 0.022. Insulin secretion was analyzed in 107 healthy persons with a normal body weight under conditions of prolonged glucose infusion. Two phases of insulin secretion were shown.


[The pathogenesis of the insulin-resistant form of diabetes mellitus].

The level of the radioimmunological growth hormone, free fatty acids and sugar was determined in the blood on fasting stomach and after the intravenous injection of insulin in 45 patients suffering from diabetes mellitus, insulin-resistant and sensitive, with consideration to body weight. Patients requiring for compensation of diabetes mellitus 100 units and more of insulin per day were referred to the group of resistant cases. A significantly greater growth hormone content on fasting stomach 60 and 120 min after the administration of insulin was found in the sensitive patients with diabetes mellitus with a normal weight, in comparison with the group of healthy individuals; the content was also higher on fasting stomach and in 60 minutes in comparison with the group of sensitive diabetics with excessive weight. A conclusion was drawn on the significance in the resistance formation of prolonged and stable decompensation. A reduction of compensatory possibilities of the hypothalamo-hypophysial system in response to the insulin deficiency in diabetic patients resistant to insulin is supposed. Adiposity characterized by reduction of the insulin sensitivity increased the requirements to the regulating system and led to reduction of the compensatory reaction at the stage of less severe sensitive diabetes. No participation of free fatty acids in the resistance formation was revealed.


[The effect of thyrotropic hormone on processes mediating the cytotoxicity of antithyroid antibodies].

Administration of 3 units of thyrotropic hormone to rabbits with autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism led to reduction of the I131 absorption by the thyroid gland and to increase in the activity of proteolytic enzymes of the gland. Apparently, in autoimmune thyroiditis disturbances at the stages of the iodide incorporation into the gland were irreversible; proteolysis depression was apparently secondary. Possibly the mentioned disturbances were associated with the circulating antithyroid antibodies.


[The effect of an epiphyseal extract on regulation of fat-carbohydrate metabolism].

Experiments were conducted on rabbits. A study was made of the effect of actic extract from the epiphysis of cattle on the level of immunoreactive insulin under conditions of glucose load, triglyceride content and insulin tolerance. There was a significant increase of glucose tolerance with the unchanged insulin tolerance. A bi-phasic action of the epiphysis preparation on the blood serum insulin and triglyceride concentration in rabbits. At the end of the 1st week of the preparation administration insulin and triglyceride concentration increased, and in 3 weeks it fell below the initial level.


[The effect of hydrocortisone and insulin on ribonucleic acid synthesis in the nuclei and cytoplasm of sexually mature male rat liver cells].

Prolonged administration to male sexually-mature rats weighing 180-200 g of hydrocortisone, protamine-zinc-insulin enhanced considerably the synthesis of DNA-like RNA, precursor of ribosomal RNA in the nuclei and ribosomal RNA in the cytoplasm of the liver; this increase was even more pronounced after the administration of both hormones. The data obtained were in favour of the participation of DNA-like RNA, precursor of ribosomal RNA of the nuclei and ribosomal RNA of the cytoplasm of the liver of male sexually-mature rats in the synthesis of transaminases of their liver.


[A comparison of the effect of hydrocortisone and corticosterone on histone and chromatin DNA biosynthesis in regenerating rat liver].

Thymidin incorporation into DNA was depressed and glycin incorporation into histone proteins was decreased after the treatment of rats with hydrocortisone and corticosterone for 4 days (for 3 days before and on the day of partial hepatectomy). No significant differences in the action of these glucocorticoids on biosynthesis of DNA and histones in the course of regeneration were noted at the periods under study. There was no decrease in histones and nucleoprotein in comparison with control 6 hours after the operation at the time when the synthesis of DNA-like RNA was elevated. Apparently DNA synthesis was not imperative for biosynthesis of histone proteins, in any way--for the arginine-rich fraction of histones.


[The effect of hydrocortisone on the impulse activity of cat cerebral cortex neurons].

The pulse activity of the neurons (50 in all) was studied in the brain somatic cortex by glass microelectrodes in acute experiments on 22 cats after an intravenous injection of hydrocortisone-hemisuccinate in doses of 0.03-8.0 mg/kg. 36 of 50 neurons changes their activity after the injection. Three types of reactions prevailed: an increase of the pulse frequency, its rarefaction, and a two-phase reaction in which the activation was followed by depression. As a rule the reaction occurred 10 to 60 sec after cortisone injection; this suggests a possibility of the direct action of the hormone on the brain cortex. A possible mechanism of variable neuronal reactions to hydrocortisone is discussed.


[A study of thyroglobulin biosynthesis by the incorporation of glucosamine-14C, mannose-14C and galactose-14C in thyroid gland cell-free systems].

The authors studied in the microsomal and polyribosomal protein-synthesizing system of the thyroid gland a combination of carbohydrate components of thyroglobulin by the incorporation of labeled D-glucosamine-14C, D-mannose-14C, and galactose-14C. It was shown that in the process of protein biosynthesis there occurred in the microsomal system a combination of carbohydrate-14C; no combination of carbohydrates was noted in the polyribosomic system. Analysis of the synthesized proteins was carried out by disc-electrophoresis. All the carbohydrates under study were revealed both in the 19S molecule of thyroglobulin and in its 3-8 subunits. Thus, a combination of carbohydrate components occurred after the termination of peptide chain synthesis and already at the microsome level.


[Specific antagonism between angiotensin II and several of its analogs].

The authors studied comparatively the properties of two angiotensin II analogues, a new compound (1-hydantoin acid, 5-valine, 8-alanine)-angiotensin II (compound III) and (1-asparagine, 5-valine, 8-alanine)-angiotensin II (compound II), as of the myotropic action of angiotensinamide (these experiments were conducted on the rat isolated ascending colon); pressor action of the hormone was investigated in experiments on anesthetized rats. A competitive character of the antagonism--within the range of low concentrations of the analogues--10(-10)--10(-9) M/l--was revealed in vitro. No antagonism was expressed against the nonspecific myotropic agents--acetylcholine and bradykinin. In vivo compounds II and II manifested the antagonistic action against angiotensinamide beginning from the doses of 100 and 50 gamma/kg, respectively.


[The extrathyroid effect of methylmercaptoimidazole. The effect of methylmercaptoimidazole on the isoenzyme distribution of tissue aspartate transaminase in thyroidectomized guinea pigs].

Administration of methylmercaptoimidazol to thyroidectomized guinea pigs decreased the activity and altered the isoenzymatic distribution of aspartic transaminase in the liver, myocardium and the brain tissue. The activity of the isoenzyme of the cytoplasm fell in all the three tissues under study. The activity of the isoenzyme of the mitochondria decreased in the liver, remained unchanged in the myocardium and increased in the brain tissue. The detected changes are associated with the direct action of methylmercaptoimidazol on the level of soluble cell proteins and on the energic metabolism in the mitochondria.


[The dynamics of cardiac contraction in dogs with alloxan diabetes].

Development of alloxan diabetes was accompanied in dogs by regular changes in the phasic structure of the cardiac contractions. Direction of the changes in the indices of phasic analysis in the groups of dogs with an average (up to 144.3 +/- 12.5 mg%) and marked (up to 258.0 +/- 22.8 mg%) increase in the blood sugar level was the same, but their expression increased with the elevation of hyperglycemia. In marked hyperglycemia there was established an increase (in comparison with normal values) of the index of myocardial tension, a shortening of the period of ejection, a decrease of the mechanical coefficient and of the intrasystolic index, this coinciding with the character of changes of the corresponding indices in the patients suffering from diabetes mellitus, depending on the severity of the disease. The data obtained pointed to the significant influence of metabolic changes (assessed by hyperglycemia level) on the contractile function of the heart.


[The role of insulin deficit in the pathogenesis of several lipid metabolism disorders].

Alloxan diabetes of various degree of severity was accompanied in rabbits by an increase in cholesterol and triglyceride level and, also by a progressive increase in the concentration of prebeta-lipoproteids in the blood serum. Feeding rabbits with alloxan diabetes with cholesterol for one month led to earlier and more pronouned atherogenic shifts in the organism than in control animals with the intact beta-cells of the pancreas.


[The effect of taurine on the carbohydrate metabolism of diabetic animals].

A study was made of a new antidiabetic preparation--taurin in various methods of its administration to rats and rabbits with alloxan and ditisone model of diabetes. A short-term restoration of carbohydrate metabolism was seen after intraperitoneal and intravenous injection in a dose of 200 mg/kg. Oral use of aqueous taurin solution in the same dose failed to produce the desirable result. Microcapsulated taurin with acetylcellulose in the capacity of a filler given per os in a dose of 300 mg/kg restored to the normal glycogen content in the liver and leukocytes, blood and urine sugar level, and the insulin-like activity of blood plasma. Taurin (in a concentration of 3 mg/ml) possessed an insulinogenic action in experiments on fragments of the pancreas isolated from diabetia animals.


Efferent arterioles in glomerular haemodynamics.

In haemorrhagic rats norepinephrine normalises BP but maintains renal cortical pressures at low levels. Dopamine, however, can normalise both BP and renal cortical pressures. Dopamine is therefore useful in treating haemorrhagic hypotension in addition to or while awaiting blood transfusion. The efferent arteriole in superficial nephrons is a passive resistance in glomerular haemodynamics.


Relationship of glomerular filtration rate and hypoalbuminaemia to renal glucose reabsorption.

Ten glucose titration studies were performed on 10 patients with chronic renal disease without renal failure. Six of them had nephrotic syndrome. The results show that patients with marked hypoalbuminaemia (i.e. patients with nephrotic syndrome) have a marked splay in the glucose titration curve. This observation is consistent with the hypothesis that physical factors play a main role in tubular reabsorption and indicate that proximal tubular reabsorption is decreased in nephrotic syndrome.


Chemical properties of human glomerular basement membrane in the nephropathy with electron dense deposits inside the basement membrane.

Glomerular basement membranes containing electron dense deposits have been isolated from human kidneys. The presence of electron dense material could not be accounted for by the accumulation of an exogenous substance such as gamma globulin. Chemical analyses of abnormal membranes demonstrated that the electron microscopic findings are the consequence of the accumulation of a basement membrane glycoprotein material slightly different from that normally present.


Serum and glomerular complement in 205 cases of glomerulonephritis.

In 205 cases of GN the glomerular deposits of C3, C1q, C4, and C3A and the serum levels of the same complement components at the time of biopsy were studied. Alterations of serum complement profile were found only in acute GN, membranoproliferative GN and lupus nephritis, while glomerular deposition was observed with a different incidence and intensity in all nephropathies. A strict correlation between the intensity of deposits and the degree of hypocomplementaemia was found only in early acute GN and in active lupus nephritis.


Acute renal failure due to rifampicin (R-ARF).

Five episodes of acute renal failure due to rifampicin (R-ARF) were observed in four patients and the clinical and histological data were compared with the records of 52 episodes reported in the literature. The bulk of data supports the assumption that the by far most frequent renal injury responsible for R-ARF is acute tubular necrosis produced by a vasomotor mechanism. Nevertheless a few data, above all immunohistological findings, suggest the local presence of allergic process. It may be, that the development of an immunological renal lesion is prevented or blunted by the consequences of vasomotor effects.


Long-term treatment of uraemic osteodystrophy with 1-alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol.

Three adolescents on regular haemodialysis were treated for more than one year with 1alphaOHD3 in doses of 0.25 - 10 mug/day orally. All the patients had hypocalcaemia, a high serum level of alkaline phosphatase and signs of uraemic osteodystrophy on X-ray. Clinical signs of bone disorder were present in two cases. During the treatment serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase normalised, and there was a marked improvement in the X-ray changes. Clinical improvement also took palce but not to the same extent as indicated by the laboratory data. It seems therefore important that treatment should start before severe bone lesions are present. Careful control of the treatment is necessary to avoid hypercalcaemia.


1 alpha hydroxycholecalciferol and 25 hydroxycholecalciferol in renal bone disease.

Four microgrammes of 1-alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol (1-alpha-OH D3) or 200 mug of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH D3) were given orally every other day respectively to 10 uraemic patients (8 on chronic haemodialysis) for 1-12 weeks and to 3 patients on chronic haemodialysis for 4-8 weeks. A transilial bone biopsy and serial evaluation of serum immunoreactive PTH (iPTH) calcium phosphate and alkaline phosphatase were performed before and at the end of therapy. Both 1-alpha-OH D3 and 25-OH D3 (the latter at a 50 times higher dose) were able to depress hyperparathyroidism in two-thirds of the cases and to consistently improve the mineralisation defect. In no case did iPTH or the bone histomorphometric parameters return to normal, so that long term evaluation of these two drugs is warranted.


Long term therapy with 1,25(OH)2D3 in dialysis bone disease.

Five patients with haemodialysis bone disease were treated with 1 to 1.5 mug of 1,25 (OH)2D3 daily for periods ranging from 6 -8 months. There was a significant improvement in calcium absorption but no troublesome hypercalcaemia was encountered. Secondary hyperparathyroidism improved, both histologically and radiologically, and there was a fall in serum PTH and return of serum alkaline phosphatase to within normal limits. There was also improvement in the patients' mineralisation status, but this change was slower and less marked. Muscle power improved significantly, both clinically and electromyographically.


Gastrin and gastric secretion in chronic renal failure.

Both gastrin and acid responses to antral stimulation by meat extracts (Oxo) were studied in 15 undialysed males with chronic renal failure (CRF). Eighteen sex and age-matched duodenal ulcers (DU) served as controls. Oxo increased acid and plasma gastrin in both groups. The rise in plasma gastrin was larger in CRF than in DU. The pattern of gastrin response in CRF suggests accumulation of gastrin in the plasma probably related to impaired renal inactivation of the hormone. Five CRF had large acid responses representing 40 to 90 percent of their maximal secretory capacity. Antral function should be measured in CRF before haemodialysis or renal transplantation.


Plasma noradrenaline levels in regular haemodialysis patients.

Plasma concentrations of noradrenaline (NA), adrenaline (A) and renin (R) were measured in 29 regular haemodialysis patients (RHP) [13 normotensive, 10 hypertensive, 6 binephrectomised] and in 15 healthy control subjects (C) under various physiological conditions: supine-standing-walking. RHP had significant higher plasma levels of noradrenaline and adrenaline in the mean than C. All RHP responded to passive orthostasis with a significant increase in diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and plasma NA. In contrast to C, plasma NA did not drop after two hours of active orthostasis. Hypertensive RHP had significant higher plasma concentrations of R and A than normotensives. It is concluded that the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) plays a minor role in hypertensive blood pressure regulation of RHP. The adequate response to passive orthostasis in RHP with regard to diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and plasma NA indicates and intact function of the SNS under this condition. Hypertension in RHP not controllable by salt and volume depletion can be attributed to elevated levels of R, which in turn may stimulate adrenaline release from the adrenals. The mechanisms responsible for the elevated levels of circulating catecholamines remain unclear: an inhibition of re-uptake, disturbances in enzymatic metabolism or/and abolished renal clearance are suggested.


Blood pressure, circulating renin and the body sodium/volume state in patients with mild renal failure.

Hypertensive patients with various renal lesions and a mean plasma creatinine of 2mg/100ml showed increases (p is less than 0.05) in mean exchangeable sodium and plasma renin activity, while blood volume was not altered significantly. Patients with mild renal failure and normal blood pressure demonstrated no consistent abnormalities in these parameters. Blood pressure correlated significantly with exchangeable sodium and with the 'sodium-renin' and 'blood volume-renin' products; but not with circulating renin or volume individually. This suggests that subtle abnormalities in the physiological sodium/volume-renin feedback mechanism may occur already in the earliest stages of renal disease and may contribute to the hypertension in such patients.


Angiotensin II metabolism and blood pressure in chronic renal disease.

A direct positive correlation has been found between mean blood pressure (MBP) and angiotensin II metabolic clearance rate (AII MCR) (p is less than 0.001) in 12 hypertensive patients with chronic renal disease (CRD) while it is not discernible in nine normals. A strong positive correlation appears between angiotensin II arterio-venous extraction (AII E) and total peripheral resistance in the two groups when analysed both jointly or separately (p is less than 0.001 in all instances). As MBP equals cardiac output (CO) x TPR and AII MCR equals CO x AII E percent, the only parameter which makes the two groups different in the relation MBP/AII MCR is the impairment of CO autoregulation in CRD cases. AII peripheral extraction and degradation is closely linked to the control of peripheral vascular resistance in the two groups.


Pharmacokinetics of frusemide in chronic renal failure.

1 The pharmacokinetics of frusemide have been studied in thirteen patients with severe chronic renal failure by using 35 S-frusemide. 2 The abosrption of aqueous frusemide was 57 +/- 20 percent (SD) and the bioavailability of 500 mg tablets was 42 +/- 12 percent, this differnece not assuming significance. 3 The renal clearance of frusemide was negligible (1.45 +/- 1.7 ml/min).


Indolic tryptophan metabolism in uraemia.

Tryptophan and some indolic metabolites were studied in urine, plasma and dialysate of uraemic patients using thin-layer- and high-pressure liquid chromatography. Some new metabolites: indole-3-carboxylic acid, indole-3-carbaldehyde, indolelactic acid and N-acetyltryptophan were detected. Levels of the latter two metabolites in urine, dialysate and especially plasma suggest increased transamination of tryptophan and a possible defect in renal amino acid acylase in uraemia.


Globin synthesis in uraemia.

Globin synthesis was measured by incubating washed packed red cells with a balanced amino acid mixture and 14C-Histidine. After globin had been isolated from the haemolysate the 14C-incorporation rate per 10 mg globin per min was estimated. With regard to globin synthesis no differences existed between patients on chronic intermittent haemodialysis therapy (n equals 41), patitents suffering from secondary anaemia due to chronic infection, rheumatism or malignant diseases (n equals 21) and healthy subjects (n equals 37). Patients with acute bleeding on the other hand, had significant higher 14C-incorporation rates caused by an increase of the reticulocyte count mu1 blood (n equals 13). When substances retained in renal failure were added to the incubation mixture a marked inhibition took place with guanidinosuccinic acid, methylguanidine and fraction containing peptides with a molecular weight between 1200-1400 present in uraemic serum and normal urine, but not in serum from patients without renal failure.


Factors predisposing to priapism in haemodialysis patients.

Clinical data and therapy of all male home dialysis patients of two centres were compared in order to establish predisposing factors to priapism. One centre (Frankfurt) had nine priapisms in 96 patients, whereas the other centre (Montpellier) had none in 59 patients. The only difference found were higher haematocrits in Frankfurt than in Montpellier. The highest haematocrits were found in the priapism patients. Further evaluation of the Frankfurt data showed that androgen therapy, high haematocrits and hypovolemia increase the risk of dialysis priapism. It is recommended to withdraw androgen therapy when the haematocrit is consistantly above 25%.


Serum lipids in uraemic patients on regular haemodialysis.

Measurement of serum lipids in 75 patients on regular haemodialysis showed that they had a higher mean serum triglyceride level than normal subjects. Cholesterol levels were not significantly different. Amongst haemodialysis patients men had higher serum triglycerides than women and women had higher cholesterol levels than men, a situation analogous to that found in normal subjects. In men, serum triglycerides correlated with percent body fat and treatment with Sustanon 250(R) intramuscularly weekly caused a significant rise.


Portable/wearable artificial kidney (WAK) - initial evaluation.

This report discusses the modus operandi and results achieved using this new mode of haemodialysis. An insulated 20 L dialysate bath acts as a carrying case for the system. When empty the case is large enough to hold the wearable module and complete supplies for one week's operation. The total weight is 17 kg. The wearable unit consists of a combined blood and dialysate pump (1.2 kg), rechargeable batteries, tubing, Dow dialyser and charcoal regeneration module with a total weight of 3.5kg. Ideally the patient dialyses using a single needle some 3 hours/day, 6 days/week. It is necessary for the wearable module to be connected to the 20 L dialysate bath for an average of 90 minutes to achieve adequate urea and 5+ removal. One patient was dialysed on 35 consecutive days and 4 others were dialysed intermittently. Routine laboratory tests and mass balance studies were performed on all patients. Ultrafiltration rates reached 700 ml/hour, routine serum chemistries remained stable and mass balance studies demonstrated a daily removal of urea 14-20 G, creatinine 1500-2000 mg, uric acid 500-900 mg and K+ 30-55 mEq. It is concluded that dialy dialysis with WAK is biochemically adequate and also permits the patient a much less restricted esistence.


Is hollow fibre occlusion due to maldistribution of blood?

Blood flow has been shown to be very slow in the central portion of a capillary bundle where intracapillary clotting mainly occurs. It is concluded that extremely uneven blood distribution is a causative factor in intracapillary clot formation in the HFAK examined.


Haemodialysis with charcoal haemoperfusion.

An activated charcoal haemoperfusion device containing 300 g acrylic hydrogel coated activated charcoal, was combined with haemodialysis, on six occasions in each of two patients, for a 2-hour portion of a routine 5-hour dialysis schedule. Blood pressure changes with combined treatment were minimised by using a low priming volume dialysis filter. Plasma clearance of both creatinine and urate were increased during the combined haemodialysis-haemoperfusion period. During the two hours of the combined treatment period in one patient creatinine removal amounted to 70% and urate removal to 50% of that obtained during a 5-hour haemodialysis. No significant additional urea or phosphate removal occurred. Changes in middle molecular weight substances with combined treatment were slightly greater than changes occurring with dialysis alone. Haemodialysis alone did not result in a terminal platelet fall, but combined treatment resulted in a terminal 20-30% platelet reduction, despite unchanged platelet counts at the end of the 2-hour haemoperfusion period. This preliminary study suggests that combined haemodialysis-haemoperfusion, is worthy of further scrutiny.


Experience with a new vascular prosthetic device (Sparks mandril) for periodic haemodialysis.

In eighteen months, eleven Sparks mandrils have been implanted in ten patients who presented serious vascular access problems. So far nine mandrils have been anastomosed and six are functioning. In one patient the apparatus, inserted in the right leg, clotted after 108 dialyses and was reinserted in the left arm; after a further forty dialyses the patient died from causes not connected with dialysis. Another patient's Sparks mandril thrombosed from infection on the fourth post-operative day. Using a single needle apparatus, 693 dialyses have been carried out with particular problems either for the patients or the grafts.


The Sparks Mandril for vessel access in haemodialysis.

The Sparks Mandril, placed as a forearm loop, provides excellent access for haemodialysis. The long-term patency rate however, is less than for other access devices and hence the mandril's place at present is in patients with access problems.