Use of Monoclonal Antibodies for the Detection of HLA and DR Antigens on Spermatozoa of Different Species

ABSTRACT: There are conflicting reports about the presence of HLA and DR antigens on human sperm. The difference may be due to the complexity of anti-sera used by earlier researchers. These limitations have been overcome by using monoclonal antibodies in the present studies. The microcytotoxicity test was used to determine the presence of HLA and DR antigens on sperm of different species. It was observed that about 60% of human spermatozoa express HLA antigens and a slightly lower percentage (48%) express DR antigens. These antigens are highly cross-reactive with that of monkey and, to a lesser extent, with that of buffalo. Histocompatibility antigens expressed on epididymal spermatozoa of rat and mouse are also weakly reactive with monoclonal antibodies directed to human HLA and DR.     

Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Indian buffaloes

Five cases of pulmonary aspergillosis were recorded in buffaloes on histopathological basis. Aspergillus flavus from an aged buffalo and A. fumigatus from a 4 week old buffalo calf could be isolated. Only six out of 789 sera samples gave positive precipitin reaction with filtrate antigen of Aspergillus species. The sera samples from 3, 2 and 1 case reacted with antigen of A. flavus, A. fumigatus and A. niger respectively. Sixty four sera gave false positive lines due to C-reacting proteins. A. flavus isolated from one case was found to be highly pathogenic to the rabbits. The histopathological lesions in natural cases as well as experimentally inoculated rabbits consisted of mixed granulomatous foci in affected organs.

Zusammenfassung

Fünf Fälle einer pulmonalen Aspergillose wurden bei Büffeln aufgrund histopathologischer Untersuchungen diagnostiziert. Aspergillus flavus wurde bei einem alten Büffel und A. fumigatus bei einem 4 Wochen alten Büffelkalb aus den Lungen isoliert. Nur 6 von 789 Serumproben zeigten eine positive Präzipitationsreaktion auf filtriertes Aspergillus - Antigen. Sechs Serumproben reagierten positiv auf die Antigene wie folgt: A. flavus 3ma1, A. fumigatus 2mal und A. niger 1mal. 64 Seren zeigten falsch-positive Präzipitations- linien auf C-reaktive Proteine. Der in einem Fall isolierte A. flavus -Stamm erwies sich für Kaninchen als hoch pathogen. Die histopathologischen Läsionen sowohl bei natürlichen Erkrankungen als auch bei experimentell infizierten Kaninchen bestanden aus verschie- denen granulomatösen Herden in den befallenen Organen.     

Effectiveness of Menuzo's B2 Medium with Buffalo Rat Liver Cells for Development of In Vitro Matured/In Vitro Fertilized Bovine Oocytes

Purpose: The effectiveness of two culture media on the development of bovine embryos in a buffalo rat liver (BRL) coculture system was investigated. Methods: Bovine oocytes were matured and fertilized in vitro, then cocultured, 25 per well, for 7 days in 500 l of modified M199 or modified Menuzo's B2 medium over a BRL cell monolayer at 39°C in an atmosphere of 5% CO ₂ in air. Medium 199 was modified by the addition of 10% of (v/v) fetal bovine serum (FBS), 9 mg/ml bovine serum albumin, 2 mM glycine, 1 mM alanine, and 0.1 mM nonessential amino acids (NEAA). Menuzo's B2 medium was modified by the addition of 10% (v/v) FBS, 1 mM alanine, and 0.1 mM NEAA. Results: Modified Menuzo's B2 medium improved embryo development to the morula or blastocyst stage compared to modified M199 (121/353, 34.3%, versus 99/362, 27.3%, P<0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that Menuzo's B2 medium with modifications in a BRL coculture system can provide a significant benefit for culture of early bovine embryos over the traditional use of medium 199.     

Structural and Functional Features of Choroid Epithelium from Buffalo Brain

Choroid plexuses (CPs) play pivotal roles in many processes that establish, survey, and maintain the biochemical and cellular status of the central nervous system (CNS). Changes in the anatomy and physiology of CPs have been linked to several CNS diseases. However, CP structure and function are not definitely known. Here, we report structural and functional features of choroid epithelium from buffalo brain never described before. Mixed with common epithelial cells, two novel cell types were identified by scanning and transmission electron microscopies. The first peculiar cells showed a globular apical portion projecting into the ventricular cavities, and a basal peduncle in direct contact with blood capillaries underlying the epithelium. The second type of cells resulted to be formed by a globular body from which depart numerous processes; these cells, localized deeply in the choroid epithelium, strictly contact neighboring epithelial cells. No synaptic contacts were detected between these cell populations and common epithelial cells. To gain some insight into the functional properties of choroid cells, NADPH diaphorase (NADPHd) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) activities were evaluated. Of interest, whereas a strong NADPHd activity was detected in all cell types of choroid epithelium, nNOS was only detected in the first type of peculiar cells. The presence of nNOS in the CPs was confirmed by Western blotting. These results suggest that nitric oxide may serve as a signal for the regulation of CP multiple functions. Anat Rec, 290:1399–1412, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Effect of Caffeine on Motility of Buffalo Spermatozoa in vitro

Addition of an optimum level of caffeine (7 mM) during preservation (5 degrees C) of buffalo semen in EYC medium had a stimulatory effect on sperm motility. It increased the preservation time of buffalo semen by delaying the loss of sperm motility. Immotile buffalo sperm due to cold shock could also be mobilised by addition of caffeine.     

Aspergillus niger Associated with Mycotic Abortion in a Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)/ Aspergillus niger-assoziierter mykotischer Abortus bei einem Büffel (Bubalus bubalis)

Summary: The etiological role of Aspergillus niger is described in a 9-year-old buffalo which aborted at 7 months of gestation. The fungus was cultured from the liver, lung and abomasum of the aborted foetus. The pathogen was also demonstrated in the placental tissues, skin, lung and liver using the potassium hydroxide technique. The question regarding the portal of entry remains unanswered.
Zusammenfassung: Es wird die ätiologische Rolle von Aspergillus niger in einer neunjährigen Büffelkuh diskutiert, die nach 7monatiger Tragzeit einen Abort hatte. Der Pilz wurde aus der Leber, der Lunge und dem Labmagen dés abgegangenen Föten angezüchtet Der Erreger konnte mittels Kalilaugepräparat auch in den Plazentargeweben, der Haut, der Lunge und der Leber nachgewiesen werden. Die Frage nach der Eintrittspforte bleibt unbeantwortet.     

水牛巨胆的超声切面显像

本文首次报道一例水牛巨胆的超声切面显像,其声像面积较正常者平均大六倍强,对巨胆声像作了描述和测量,并与11例水牛和18例黄牛的胆囊声像图、100例黄牛手术所见的活体胆囊和50个离休牛胆新鲜标本肉眼所见作比较。     

吡喹酮肌肉注射制剂治疗实验感染家兔和牛日本血吸虫病

本文报道吡喹酮肌肉注射制剂治疗实验感染家兔、水牛血吸虫病的杀虫效果、血药浓度和组织病理学变化的结果.10%肌注剂15和25mg/kg治疗水牛血吸虫病的减雌率均为100%,减虫率为59.2%及81.9%.制剂无副作用,使用方便.血药浓度测定30mg/kg肌注组注射后0.5h达1297μg/ml,是同剂量口服组的3.7倍,是15mg/kg肌注组的3倍.并就肌注剂杀灭雌虫的意义及作用机制进行了讨论.