Development and comparison of purification strategies for chicken antibodies from egg yolk.

With regard for animal welfare as well as cost, antibodies purified from the egg yolk of immunized chickens are an attractive alternative to antibodies raised in serum of mammals. Various purification strategies based on initial purification by a freeze-and-thaw method followed by one of three precipitation methods--ammonium sulfate, polyethylene glycol 6000, or caprylic acid--were compared. Ammonium sulfate precipitation (25 to 40%) was found to give the best combination of high purity and yield (58%).

Assessment of lacrimal IgA as a potential parameter for measurement of long term stress in poultry.

This study, considering the stress of caging on laying hens, looks at the possible use of a product of the immune system; immunoglobulin A (IgA), as a representative measure of the effect of this chronic stress on the immune system of birds. Recording of serum corticosterone served as a traditional measure of stress. The study also considers the possibility of using IgA from the tears as a noninvasive source of samples.

Changes in blood levels of proteinase inhibitors, pregnancy zone protein, steroid carriers and complement factors induced by oral contraceptives.

Three low-dose oral contraceptives Trinordiol, Gynatrol, and Marvelon, containing ethinylestradiol (EE) in combination with triphasic levonorgestrel (LNg), monophasic levonorgestrel, and monophasic desogestrel (DGS), respectively, were given to 65 healthy women, n = 21-22 in each group. Blood levels of antithrombin III (AT III), alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1at), complement factors (factor B, C3, C4), pregnancy zone protein (PZP), corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin were measured before treatment and during the first and third treatment cycles. AT III levels decreased and alpha 1at levels increased in all three groups during treatment.

Development of the KVL segregating inbred strain of the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).

A new colony of a single segregating inbred strain of the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), designated KVL, has recently been developed at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark. The segregation occurs with respect to coat colour (pied gray/pied brown) as a result of inbreeding with forced heterozygosity. After 20 generations average litter size was 6.

Levels of alpha2 pregnancy-associated glycoprotein in maternal circulation during pregnancy in the mink.

This is the first demonstration of alpha 2-pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (alpha 2-PAG) in the mink. Mink alpha 2-PAG exhibits complete immunological cross reaction with dog alpha 2-PAG when analysed in assays employing antisera against canine alpha 2-PAG raised in rabbits. Alpha 2-PAG was quantitated by rocket immunoelectrophoresis in heparin plasma samples obtained from the peripheral circulation of mink during the breeding season.

Human plasmin induces a receptor-mediated arachidonate release coupled with G proteins in endothelial cells.

Treatment of cultured bovine carotid artery endothelial cells with 10(-7) M plasmin increased arachidonate release coupled with the increase in prostacyclin production. The stimulatory effect of plasmin on arachidonate release could be divided into the early and late phases according to its calcium dependency and pertussis toxin sensitivity. The early phase of plasmin-induced arachidonate release was a calcium-dependent and pertussis toxin-sensitive response, which was observed within 20 min after plasmin treatment.

[Studies on the low skin impedance points and the feature of its distribution along the channels by microcomputer. II. Distribution of LSIPS along the channels].

The distribution of low skin impedance poionts (LSIPS) was observed on 60 healthy volunteers with a computer system designed to measure the skin impedance. The results demonstrated that LSIPs basically distributed along the channels. The method used was reliable and results obtained was repeatable.

Pregnancy-associated murine protein-1 (PAMP-1) in wild rodents.

The presence of pregnancy-associated murine protein-1 (PAMP-1) in a number of wild rodent species was examined using tandem crossed immunoelectrophoresis and anti PAMP-1 antisera raised in rabbits. PAMP-1 is a protein present in female laboratory mice and rats; analogues were readily detected in the following species: Musculus domesticus, M. musculus, Apodemus sylvaticus, A.

The binding of plasminogen fragments to cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Glu-plasminogen, kringle 1-5, kringle 1-3, and miniplasminogen exhibited strong binding to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). On the other hand, no significant binding was obtained with microplasminogen and kringle 4. Kringle 1-5 and miniplasminogen, which both contained kringle 5, specifically inhibited the binding of plasminogen to HUVEC while kringle 1-3 did not.

Plasmin and the regulation of tissue-type plasminogen activator biosynthesis in human endothelial cells.

Plasmin inhibited the biosynthesis of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) antigen by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in a dose-dependent manner. The amount of tPA antigen found in the 24-h conditioned medium of cells treated with 100 nM plasmin for 1 h was 20-30% of that in the control group. However, in contrast to tPA, such treatment led to a 3-fold increase in plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) activity, whereas the amount of PAI type 1 antigen was unchanged.

Experimental candidosis in pregnant mice.

Pregnant mice were challenged intravenously with doses of 1 x 10(3)-1 x 10(7) Candida albicans blastospores, and from postmortem histopathology it was found that C. albicans had a propensity for localization in the murine placenta. At the highest dose, blastospores, hyphae and pseudohyphae were randomly located in the foeto-placental units, whereas proliferation of fungi at lower doses started in the rim of the placental disc, after which it spread along Reichert's membrane and/or the splanchnopleure, eventually attacking the foetal skin.

Synthesis and physicochemical properties of oligonucleotides built with either alpha-L or beta-L nucleotides units and covalently linked to an acridine derivative.

Modified deoxynucleosides 2'-deoxy-beta-L-uridine, beta-L-thymidine, alpha-L-thymidine, 2'-deoxy-beta-L-adenosine and 2'-deoxy-alpha-L-adenosine were synthesized and assembled as homooligomers, respectively: octa-beta-L-deoxyuridylates, octa beta-L and alpha-L-thymidylates and tetra beta-L and alpha-L-deoxyadenylates. These unnatural oligomers were then substituted with an acridine derivative. The binding studies of these modified oligonucleotides with D-ribo- and D-deoxyribopolynucleotides were carried out by absorption spectroscopy.

Negative effect on early post-implantation pregnancy and progesterone levels in mice infected with the intestinal trematode Echinostoma caproni.

Infection in mice (BALB/cABom) with the intestinal trematode Echinostoma caproni had a negative influence on pregnancy. The effect of the infection set in immediately following implantation (day 5 of pregnancy) resulting in fewer foetuses being present in infected mice on day 9 than in the controls. Ovulation, fertilization of eggs, and implantation itself were obviously not impaired.

Pregnancy-associated murine protein-1 plasma levels during oestrus cycle, pseudopregnancy and pregnancy in the mouse.

A cyclic variation in plasma levels of pregnancy-associated murine protein-1 (PAMP-1) during the oestrus cycle in outbred Pan: Thei mice was recorded. PAMP-1 plasma levels were significantly elevated in dioestrus as compared with the three other stages of the murine oestrus cycle. Until day 7 of gestation the PAMP-1 plasma levels remained low, and no significant differences could be observed between pregnant and pseudopregnant female mice.

Effect of extra-genital Schistosoma mansoni and Echinostoma caproni infections on serum levels of pregnancy-associated murine protein-1 during murine pregnancy.

Maternal plasma levels of pregnancy-associated murine protein-1 (PAMP-1) were measured by rocket immunoelectrophoresis in BALB/cABom mice experimentally infected with the two intestinal parasites Schistosoma mansoni and Echinostoma caproni. In the first half of pregnancy the PAMP-1 level was significantly lower in the infected females compared with the healthy controls, indicating that PAMP-1 is not essential for implantation and early gestation. In the latter half of pregnancy a rapid increase in the plasma levels of PAMP-1 in the infected females was recorded.

Effect of exogenous insulin treatment on fetal growth and maternal alpha-fetoprotein levels in pregnant mice.

The effect of exogenous insulin on the maternal serum level of alpha-fetoprotein and fetal weight was studied. Insulin was given either as one subcutaneous injection on the 13th day of pregnancy (pulse treatment) or as subcutaneous injections each day throughout pregnancy (long-term treatment). Neither of the treatment procedures resulted in a significant alteration in the average fetal weight.

Indirect immunofluorescence staining and crossed immunoelectrophoresis for differentiation of Candida albicans and Geotrichum candidum.

Rabbit hyperimmune antisera were used for differential diagnosis of Candida albicans and Geotrichum candidum in murine and bovine tissues by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) staining. Although the antisera did not detect common antigens by crossed immunoelectrophoresis (XIE) a marked cross-reactivity of fungal cells was observed in the IIF assay. Following liquid phase absorption with heterologous antigenic preparations the hyperimmune antisera were rendered specific for each species thus making possible an unequivocal differentiation of the two species.

Suppression of humoral antibody response during pregnancy in mice.

Fifty female BALB/cA mice were allocated to four groups. The mice of groups 1 and 3 were mated with male BALB/cA mice, whereas groups 2 and 4 served as unmated control groups. The mice of groups 1 and 2 received a primary immunization (100 micrograms ovalbumin in Freunds Complete Adjuvant) and the first booster immunization (100 micrograms ovalbumin in sterile saline) prior to mating.

A murine model for the study of the impact of Aspergillus fumigatus inoculation on the foeto-placental unit.

Pregnant female BALB/c mice were inoculated intravenously with Aspergillus fumigatus conidia in different concentrations (1 x 10(1)-1 x 10(8)) on day 10 of pregnancy. Pregnancy was confirmed by the presence of murine alpha-fetoprotein (m-AFP) in the maternal circulation. Conidia inoculation of 1 x 10(3) and greater significantly (p less than 0.

Comparison of intestinal anaphylactic reactions in sensitized mice challenged with untreated bovine milk and homogenized bovine milk.

Outbred NMRI mice were sensitized for high IgE production either by subcutaneous injections of low doses of untreated bovine milk or homogenized bovine milk in combination with intraperitoneal injections of Freund's Complete Adjuvant or by oral administration of untreated or homogenized bovine milk without adjuvant. When analysed in murine passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test both types of milk resulted in production of reaginic antibodies against bovine milk proteins when given subcutaneously. When given orally, homogenized milk resulted in reagin production in 10 out of 14 mice, whereas untreated milk resulted in reagin production in only one out of 12 mice.

Murine mycotic placentitis produced by intravenous inoculation of conidia from Aspergillus fumigatus.

Primipregnant BALB/cABom mice were challenged intravenously with 1 x 10(5) Aspergillus fumigatus conidia on day 10 of pregnancy. Histopathological examination of the foeto-placental units and extrauterine organs from the mice revealed hyphal growth restricted to the foeto-placental unit. In the foeto-placental unit the growth of hyphae was first established on Reicher's membrane next to the periphery of the placental disc.

Induction of pregnancy-associated murine protein-1 in dwarf mice by human growth hormone.

Pregnancy-associated murine protein-1 (PAMP-1) could not be detected in peripheral blood of female dwarf mice (genotype dw/dw of the DW strain). By contrast the normal size females of the DW strain (genotypes +/+ and +/dw) had PAMP-1 serum levels of 18.9 AU +/- 15.

Effect of growth hormone on secretion of pregnancy-associated murine protein-1 (PAMP-1) in female and male rats.

The effect of 2 daily injections of human growth hormone (hGH) on serum levels of pregnancy-associated murine protein-1 (PAMP-1) was analysed in male and female Mol:WIST rats. In untreated control male rats the PAMP-1 level in the circulation is below the detection limit of rocket immunoelectrophoresis whereas females have a high serum level of PAMP-1. hGH treatment of male rats resulted in a dose-dependent increase in PAMP-1 concentration, whereas a similar treatment of female rats resulted in a significant decrease of the PAMP-1 concentration in serum.

Enzyme activity electrophoresis: development and applications.

The development of rocket enzyme activity electrophoresis for the detection and quantification of various proteinases, lipases and pectinases is presented. Rocket enzyme activity electrophoresis is more sensitive than the radial diffusion assay and often enables distinction between qualitatively different enzymes present in the same samples, whereas the radial diffusion assay only provides information on the overall enzyme activity. However, calibration and optimization of the enzyme activity electrophoretic assay have to be performed for each new enzyme-substrate system to be analyzed.