Polymerase chain reaction for detection of guinea pig adenovirus.

Lack of in vitro cultivation methods has inhibited the development of rapid, reliable diagnostic procedures for adenovirus-associated necrotizing bronchopneumonia in guinea pigs. Because polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques are well established for human adenoviruses, primers for the amplification of guinea pig adenovirus DNA were evaluated. The DNA for PCR was purified from the lung tissue of spontaneously infected and healthy guinea pigs.

Fungus Paecilomyces: a new agent in laboratory animals.

The fungus Paecilomyces has not yet been considered a health problem in laboratory animals. However, this agent known as a 'spoiler' of fruit beverages and other foodstuffs is an opportunistic pathogen especially in immunocompromised humans. Since 1985, we have isolated Paecilomyces, most probably P.

Gene expression of aphrodisin in female hamster genital tract segments.

Aphrodisin is a glycoprotein originally isolated from hamster vaginal discharge which was demonstrated to be involved in pheromonal effects on male hamsters. In the present study, we investigated the localization of aphrodisin-synthesizing and -storing cells in the entire genital tract of the female golden hamster using immunohistochemical and molecular biological methods. By use of immunohistochemical methods, significant aphrodisin immunoreactivity was detected within the cervical glandular tissue.

[Dorsal recumbency in dogs--a circulatory risk during surgical treatment?].

In this study, changes in hemodynamic, blood gas, and metabolic variables recorded during right lateral and dorsal recumbency in beagles anaesthetised with thiopental are presented. Other than reported in human beings, dorsal recumbency in these dogs resulted in an increase (33%) in heart rate, decrease (30%) in systolic, diastolic, and mean systemic arterial pressure, a decrease (17%) in systemic vascular resistance, and a decrease in both right (31%) and left (39%) ventricular work in comparison with lateral recumbency. Furthermore, mixed-venous PO2, oxygen saturation and respiratory quotient were lower in dorsal than in lateral recumbency while O2 consumption and lipolysis were increased in the former.

[Science needs experimental animals].

Data on the number of animals used in experiments are compared with data on meat consumption. The usefulness of laboratory animals for past achievements in biological sciences is presented. The negative effect of the rather disapproving attitude of the general public and the restrictive Animal Protection Law on Germany as a place of science is demonstrated in the general decrease of the number of registrated scientific projects.