Alterations to maternal cortical and trabecular bone in multiparous middle-aged mice.

OBJECTIVES: During the reproductive cycle, altered calcium homeostasis is observed due to variable demand for mineral requirements. This results in increased bone resorption during the time period leading up to parturition and subsequent lactation. During lactation, women will lose 1-3% of bone mineral density per month, which is comparable to the loss experienced on an annual basis post-menopausal. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of parity on bone formation in middle-aged mice. METHODS: Mice were mated and grouped by number of parity and compared with age matched nulliparous controls. Measurements were taken of femoral trabecular and cortical bone. Calcium, protein and alkaline phosphatase levels were also measured. RESULTS: An increase in trabecular bone mineral density was observed when comparing mice that had undergone parity once to the nulliparous control. An overall decrease in trabecular bone mineral density was observed as parity increased from 1 to 5 pregnancies. No alteration was seen in cortical bone formation. No difference was observed when calcium, protein and alkaline phosphatase levels were assessed. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that number of parity has an impact on trabecular bone formation in middle-aged mice, with substantial changes in bone density seen among the parous groups.

Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM or CD166) modulates bone phenotype and hematopoiesis.

Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule (ALCAM/CD166), is expressed on osteoblasts (OB) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) residing in the hematopoietic niche, and may have important regulatory roles in bone formation. Because HSC numbers are reduced 77% in CD166(-/-) mice, we hypothesized that changes in bone phenotype and consequently the endosteal niche may partially be responsible for this alteration. Therefore, we investigated bone phenotype and OB function in CD166(-/-) mice. Although osteoclastic measures were not affected by loss of CD166, CD166(-/-) mice exhibited a modest increase in trabecular bone fraction (42%), and increases in osteoid deposition (72%), OB number (60%), and bone formation rate (152%). Cortical bone geometry was altered in CD166(-/-) mice resulting in up to 81% and 49% increases in stiffness and ultimate force, respectively. CD166(-/-) OB displayed elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization, and increased mRNA expression of Fra 1, ALP, and osteocalcin. Overall, CD166(-/-) mice displayed modestly elevated trabecular bone volume fraction with increased OB numbers and deposition of osteoid, and increased OB differentiation in vitro, possibly suggesting more mature OB are secreting more osteoid. This may explain the decline in HSC number in vivo because immature OB are mainly responsible for hematopoiesis enhancing activity.

Serum biochemical and hematologic values of normal and Mycobacterium bovis-infected American bison.

Hematologic and serum biochemical tests were used to monitor the health of 3 groups of bison in an experimental study of tuberculosis. Bison were randomly assigned to Mycobacterium bovis-infected, M. bovis-sensitized, and uninfected control groups. Hematologic measurements included total and differential leukocyte counts, hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), fibrinogen, and plasma proteins. Biochemical tests included serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, aspartate amino transferase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, serum calcium, and serum phosphorus. There were no significant differences (P = 0.05) in any test values between groups of bison. The bison data were combined and compared to similar data of cattle. The mean values for PCV and Hb were higher than values (PCV 24-46%, Hb 8-15 g/dl) for cattle. Mycobacterium bovis-infected bison had a slight increase in the number of blood monocytes and lymphocytes when compared to the uninfected bison but were within the normal ranges for bison and cattle. Other hematologic parameters were within normal ranges reported for cattle. Creatinine levels in all bison were above the normal range (1.0-1.5 mg/dl) for cattle. Phosphorus levels for M. bovis-infected and M. bovis-sensitized bison exceeded the normal range (5.6-8.0 mg/dl) reported for cattle. The level for uninfected bison was near the upper limit of normal for cattle. Mean values for other serum biochemical tests were within the normal ranges reported for cattle.

Pathogenesis of Mycobacterium bovis infection in American bison.

Eighteen 12-month-old bison were randomly placed in each of 3 groups (6 animals/group): group-1 bison were exposed to live Mycobacterium bovis, group-2 bison were inoculated with killed M bovis in oil, and group-3 bison were noninfected controls. Six, 6-month-old, tuberculin test-negative calves were placed (pen contact) with group-1 bison 30 days after exposure to M bovis. Tuberculin skin test responses (caudal fold and/or comparative cervical) were detected in all bison in groups 1 and 2 at 2, 4, 6, 10, and 12 months. Tuberculin skin test responses were observed in 2 of 6 calves at 9 and 11 months after pen contact with M bovis-exposed bison (group 1). Statistically significant lymphocyte blastogenic responses to M bovis purified protein derivative were detected in group-1 bison exposed to live M bovis at 2 months after exposure (P less than 0.025). Significant ELISA reactions were detected in sera of bison at 2 months after exposure to killed M bovis in oil (P less than 0.005) and in bison 2 months after exposure to live M bovis (P less than 0.01). Significant tuberculin skin responses, ELISA reactions, or lymphocyte blastogenic responses to M bovis purified protein derivative were not observed in the 6 control bison. Grossly visible tuberculous lesions were observed in lymph nodes and/or lung collected at necropsy in 4 of 6 bison at 12 months after exposure to live M bovis. Microscopic granulomas compatible with tuberculosis were detected in 5 of 6 bison; M bovis was isolated from tissues of each of the 6 bison.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Protein loss across burn wounds.

One factor contributing to negative nitrogen balance in burned patients is protein loss through the burn wound. There is, however, little information on the amount and type of protein lost by this route. This study was designed to quantitate protein loss through burn wounds. Multiple full- and partial-thickness burns on 29 patients were studied. Sampled burn sites were dried and occlusive sponge dressings (2'' X 2'') were applied and left in place for 1 hour. The central 1 square-inch portion of the dressing was then removed, rinsed in distilled water, and total protein, albumin, and globulin were measured in the water wash. Considerable protein losses were measured. These losses were greatest in the first 3 postburn days, being somewhat greater in full-thickness burns (0.98 +/- 0.82 mg/cm2/hr) compared to partial-thickness burns (0.59 +/- 0.41 mg/cm2/hr) during this period mean +/- SD). Subsequent to the first 3 postburn days, protein loss in all burn types decreased to a relatively steady rate of loss of approximately 0.25 mg/cm2/hr. Based upon these data, average daily protein losses during the first postburn week can be estimated by the following equation: 24-hour protein loss through burn surface (gm) = 1.2 X body surface area (m2) X % burn (%). On subsequent days, protein is lost at approximately half this rate. These data demonstrate significant protein losses through burn wounds greater than recent studies have considered. It is possible that inadequate nutritional replacement of these protein losses is partly responsible for the marked negative nitrogen balance of the early postburn period.

Isolation of Mycobacterium kansasii from lymph nodes of cattle in the United States.

The isolation of 6 strains of Mycobacterium kansasii from bovine lymph nodes is reported. Occasional isolations of this organism from cattle lymph node lesions provides further evidence of its pathogenicity in domestic animals. The isolates were similar as determined by biochemical and serologic examinations. Histopathologic changes induced by this organism relative to those by M bovis and factors regarding source of infection are discussed.

Mycobacterium bovis isolated from a dusky langur with granulomas in the intestine.

Tubercles were seen in the spleen of a male dusky langur (Presbytis obscurus) on laparotomy. Subsequently, tuberculous lesions in the intestine, lungs, and a hilar lymph node were observed on necropsy of the monkey. Histologic examinations of these tissues revealed granulomas, and acid-fast bacilli were observed within granulomas in replicate sections that were stained with auramine-O. An acid-fast organism was isolated and identified as Mycobacterium bovis. Guinea pigs and rabbits inoculated intraperitoneally with the organism developed granulomas in the lungs, liver, and spleen. Lesions did not develop in chickens inoculated with the culture.

Mycobacterial infections in animals.

Mycobacteria other than mammalian tubercle bacilli are capable of producing disease in a wide range of animal hosts. Serotypes of Mycobacterium avium complex cause the most important mycobacterial diseases in domestic animals. Although disease is most common in lymph nodes, a wide variety of tissues may be involved, including tissue from spleen, liver, lungs, kidney, central nervous system, gall bladder, intestinal mucosa, skeletal system, ovaries, and the skin.

Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in the semen and genital organs of a semen-donor bull.

Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, the cause of Johne's disease, was isolated from the feces of a donor bull in an artificial insemination stud. During isolation and observation for 21 months, the organism was recovered from all of 26 fecal samples and from 8 of 31 semen samples. At necropsy, it was isolated from the intestine and adjacent lymph nodes, lung, spleen, seminal vesicles, and prostate gland but not from the testicles. We concluded that routine fecal cultures at bull studs will reveal infected bulls before they become genitally infected and shed M paratuberculosis in semen.

Tuberculosis in fennec foxes.

Fennec foxes (Fennecus zerda) in 2 zoos were found on necropsy to have lesions typical of those found in canine tuberculosis. Histologic examination revealed numerous acid-fast bacilli in lesions of liver, portal lymph node, spleen, kidney, and lung. Mycobacterium bovis isolated from tissues was identified by biochemical methods and by pathogenicity tests in guinea pigs and rabbits.

Observations on diagnostic tests for paratuberculosis in a deer herd.

Paratuberculosis was diagnosed in a herd of 62 fallow deer (Dama dama) and 38 sika deer (Cervus nipon) maintained in an animal park in Ohio. A comparison was made of delayed-type hypersensitivity responses, results of in vitro lymphocyte immunostimulation tests, and isolation of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis on fecal culture in 19 deer.

Comparison of four culture media for isolation of Mycobacterium avium complex from porcine tissues.

The efficiency of four culture media was compared for the isolation of Mycobacterium avium complex from 197 procine tissues. In 82 tissues with microscopic granulomas and acid-fast bacilli, a significantly greater number of isolates were obtained on Middlebrook 7H10 medium with sodium pyruvate than on Stonebrink medium, Herrold egg yolk agar medium, or Lowenstein-Jensen medium (P=0.01). In 46 tissues in which no microscopic granulomas or acid-fast bacilli were observed, a significantly greater number of isolates were made on Middlebrook 7H10 medium or Herrold egg yolk agar medium than on Stonebrink medium or on Lowenstein-Jensen medium (P=0.01). The time required to grow M. avium complex on Lowenstein-Jensen medium was significantly greater than the time required to observe growth on Stonebrink, Middlebrook 7H10, or Herrold egg yolk agar medium (p=0.001).

Bovine tuberculosis in the United States and Puerto Rico: a laboratory summary.

Mycobacteria were isolated from 14.3% of the tissues submitted to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories over a 5-year period (July 1, 1972, to June 30, 1977). The isolates were identified by drug susceptibility, and biochemical and serologic tests. Mycobacterium bovis isolated from tissues of cattle originating in 32 states and Puerto Rico accounted for 78% of the acid-fast isolations. Of the Mycobacterium bovis isolates, 4% were from tissues in which no microscopic tuberculous granulomas were observed on examination of tissue sections. Of the 119 Mycobacterium avium isolates, 18 were serotype 1, 44 were serotype 2, and 45 isolates represented 12 other serotypes.

An enzyme-labeled antibody test for detecting antibodies in chickens infected with Mycobacterium avium serotype 2.

An enzyme-labeled antibody test was used for detecting antibodies in serums from chickens infected experimentally with Mycobacterium avium serotype 2. Positive ELA reactions were observed in the serums of each of 8 chickens 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after infection; no reactions were observed in uninfected controls. Tuberculin skin tests did not induce positive ELA test reactions in uninfected chickens.

Epidemiology of mycobacterial lymphadenitis in an Idaho swine herd.

A study of Mycobacterium avium infected swine in an Idaho herd was made to obtain information on morbidity and to evaluate some control measures. Of 867 pigs slaughtered during a 30-day period in May and June, 1974, 100 carcasses were condemned or passed for cooking and 406 carcasses had lesions in one lymph node and were passed without restriction. Mycobacteriologic examinations were made on 33 pigs which were tuberculin tested. Mycobacterium avium was isolated from 21 of 26 tuberculin positive pigs and from 4 to 7 tuberculin negative pigs. Lymphocyte stimulation tests were completed for 12 pigs. Positive results were observed in 11 and M. avium was isolated from 7. Mycobacterium avium serotypes 1,2,4,8, and 9 were identified.