Effects of maternal choline supplementation on performance and immunity of progeny from birth to weaning.

The objectives were to investigate whether supplementation with rumen-protected choline (RPC) during late pregnancy in Holstein cows affects offspring immunity and growth, and whether effects are utero-placental, colostrum dependent, or both. A total of 105 multiparous Holstein cows were assigned randomly to a prepartum diet (1.54 Mcal of NEL/kg of DM, and 15.8% CP) without (control) or with added RPC (12.9 g/d of choline ion). Calves (n = 111) were blocked by sex and assigned randomly to colostrum from control cows or colostrum from RPC cows, resulting in 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: (1) calves born and fed colostrum from non-supplemented dams (NN; n = 33); (2) calves from non-supplemented dams and fed colostrum from RPC-fed cows (NC; n = 25); (3) calves from RPC-supplemented dams and colostrum from non-supplemented cows (CN; n = 28); and (4) calves from RPC-supplemented dams and colostrum from RPC-fed cows (CC; n = 25). Growth, intakes, and immunity of females were evaluated up to 56 d of age. Growth and intake of male calves was evaluated up to 35 d of age, and physiological and immune responses to intravenous LPS challenge were evaluated from 21 to 35 d of age. Effects of prenatal and colostrum treatments and interactions between treatments were analyzed using mixed models. Calves fed colostrum from RPC-supplemented dams had a 17.4% increase in apparent efficiency of absorption of IgG compared with calves fed colostrum from control dams (27.4 vs. 23.3%). Incidence of fever in the first 21 d of age tended to be less in females born from RPC-supplemented dams compared with females born from control dams (31 vs. 58%). Prenatal RPC females had increased hematocrit and concentrations of red blood cells, leukocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in blood compared with prenatal females born from control dams. Compared with prenatal control females, prenatal RPC females had greater intake of milk replacer (704 vs. 748 ± 9.9 g/d) and starter (45.4 vs. 60.2 ± 5.9 g/d) during the first 21 d of age. In male calves, mean intake of DM was greater (1,074 vs. 976 ± 45 g/d) after the LPS challenge (0 to 8 d) by calves born from dams fed RPC compared with males born from control dams. Calves born from RPC-fed dams also had lower mean rectal temperature (39.0 vs. 39.2°C) and mean respiration rate (35.6 vs. 39.3 breaths/min) compared with males born from control dams. Moreover, serum concentrations of metabolites (i.e., ß-hydroxybutyric acid, fatty acids, and glucose), cytokines (i.e., tumor necrosis factor-α) and acute phase proteins (i.e., serum amyloid A) were consistent with less-severe inflammatory response to LPS in males born from dams fed RPC compared with control. Source of colostrum and interaction between prenatal and colostrum treatments had minimal effects on calf responses to LPS. Overall, maternal RPC supplementation during late gestation suggests a positive effect on immunity, in that colostrum from RPC-fed dams increased efficiency of IgG absorption and maternal supplementation with RPC during late gestation, regardless of colostrum source, attenuated responses to LPS.

Behavioral changes in group-housed dairy calves infected with Mannheimia haemolytica.

Monitoring sickness behavior may improve identification, management, and welfare of sick animals. The objective of this study was to characterize components of sickness behavior in group-housed dairy calves, using an experimental disease challenge model with Mannheimia haemolytica (MH). Holstein bull calves (aged 3-7 weeks; 58.0 ± 12.0 kg of body weight) were group-housed based on age and body weight in sand-bedded pens (6 calves/pen, 6.6 m2/calf) and provided pasteurized waste milk (8 L/d) 2×/d and grain concentrate ad libitum. Within group, calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: (1) inoculation at the tracheal bifurcation with 3 × 109 cfu of MH suspended in 5 mL of sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS) followed by a 120 mL wash PBS (MH; n = 12, 3/pen), or (2) inoculation with 5 mL + 120 mL of sterile PBS only (control; n = 12, 3/pen). Rectal temperature and health scores were collected from d 0 to +6 of the challenge. A range of behaviors, including feeding patterns and social interactions, were recorded from video from d 0 to +2. The challenge model resulted in calves experiencing a mild disease state: rectal temperatures of MH calves were elevated throughout the challenge compared with control calves, peaking at 12 h postinoculation (39.2 vs. 38.9°C; standard error = 0.14). Many behavioral responses were subject to treatment by day effects, with calves generally becoming less active following inoculation with MH and then returning to baseline. Affected behaviors surrounding feeding included milk feeding time, frequency of competitive displacements, and concentrate feeding time. Lying time was similarly subject to treatment by day effects, and MH calves also spent more time lying on their left side compared with their right (604 vs. 471 min/h; standard error = 32), whereas control calves expressed no laterality. Duration of social lying did not differ, but frequency of social lying bouts decreased in MH calves following inoculation (0.44 vs. 0.75 bouts/h; standard error = 0.04). Social grooming was initiated less by MH calves (0.78 vs. 1.96 min/h; standard error = 0.38), but they tended to receive more social grooming for a greater duration of time (1.59 vs. 1.25 min/h; standard error = 0.13). Overall, we found that infected calves exhibited reduced grooming, feeding, and social interactions, suggesting that these behavioral changes may be useful indicators of early stages of respiratory disease.

Rigorous classical-mechanical derivation of a multiple-copy algorithm for sampling statistical mechanical ensembles.

We derive a rigorous, multiple-copy simulation algorithm that is formally equivalent to conventional classical molecular dynamics for an ensemble of systems, but may be used for rapid geometry optimizations. The derivation is accomplished by starting from an ensemble of copies of the entire system and applying a point coordinate transformation to a large subsystem defined as the bath. After the transformation, each atom of the bath is described by one "major" set of coordinates located at the average position of the ensemble of equivalent atoms and a set of "minor" coordinates that when combined with the "major" coordinates represent exact dynamics. Neglecting the "minor" set of coordinates results in a Hamiltonian and a probability density equivalent to those used in existing multiple-copy methods. Neglecting Hamilton's equations of motion for the minor variables gives the equations of motion for locally enhanced sampling. Numerical tests indicate that the algorithm can recover exact molecular dynamics of the ensemble, conventional multiple-copy dynamics, or results of intermediate accuracy. Thus, the algorithm provides a rigorous basis for multiple-copy dynamics, resolves many of the uncertainties associated with their current implementations, and offers the potential for calculating ensemble average properties in conjunction with finding a system's global minimum energy geometry.

Unexpected nitrosyl-group bending in six-coordinate [M(NO)](6) sigma-bonded aryl(iron) and -(ruthenium) porphyrins.

The six-coordinate nitrosyl sigma-bonded aryl(iron) and -(ruthenium) porphyrin complexes (OEP)Fe(NO)(p-C(6)H(4)F) and (OEP)Ru(NO)(p-C(6)H(4)F) (OEP = octaethylporphyrinato dianion) have been synthesized and characterized. Single-crystal X-ray structure determinations reveal an unprecedented bending and tilting of the MNO group for both [MNO](6) species as well as significant lengthening of trans axial bond distances. In (OEP)Fe(NO)(p-C(6)H(4)F) the Fe-N-O angle is 157.4(2) degrees, the nitrosyl nitrogen atom is tilted off of the normal to the heme plane by 9.2 degrees, Fe-N(NO) = 1.728(2) A, and Fe-C(aryl) = 2.040(3) A. In (OEP)Ru(NO)(p-C(6)H(4)F) the Ru-N-O angle is 154.9(3) degrees, the nitrosyl nitrogen atom is tilted off of the heme normal by 10.8 degrees, Ru-N(NO) = 1.807(3) A, and Ru-C(aryl) = 2.111(3) A. We show that these structural features are intrinsic to the molecules and are imposed by the strongly sigma-donating aryl ligand trans to the nitrosyl. Density functional-based calculations reproduce the structural distortions observed in the parent (OEP)Fe(NO)(p-C(6)H(4)F) and, combined with the results of extended Hückel calculations, show that the observed bending and tilting of the FeNO group indeed represent a low-energy conformation. We have identified specific orbital interactions that favor the unexpected bending and tilting of the FeNO group. The aryl ligand also affects the Fe-NO pi-bonding as measured by infrared and (57)Fe Mössbauer spectroscopies. The solid-state nitrosyl stretching frequencies for the iron complex (1791 cm(-)(1)) and the ruthenium complex (1773 cm(-)(1)) are significantly reduced compared to their respective [MNO](6) counterparts. The Mössbauer data for (OEP)Fe(NO)(p-C(6)H(4)F) yield the quadrupole splitting parameter +0.57 mm/s and the isomer shift 0.14 mm/s at 4.2 K. The results of our study show, for the first time, that bent Fe-N-O linkages are possible in formally ferric nitrosyl porphyrins.

Linked linear amplification: a new method for the amplification of DNA.

BACKGROUND: Linked Linear Amplification (LLA) is a new nucleic acid amplification method that uses multiple cycles of primer extension reactions. The presence of nonreplicable elements in LLA primers renders primer extension products unusable as templates for further amplification, leading to linear accumulation of products. Through the use of nested primers, linear reactions can be "linked", providing total amplification yields comparable to those obtained by PCR. METHODS: The LLA model predicts (a) that amplification yield will approach that of PCR as the number of primers increases and (b) that the unique composition of LLA products will give lower carryover amplification efficiency compared with PCR. To test these hypotheses, the human ss-globin gene was amplified by 10-, 14-, or 18-primer LLA and the yield was compared with PCR. Carryover contamination was simulated by reamplifying a dilution series of LLA or PCR products. To demonstrate the clinical utility of the method, LLA coupled with allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO) capture was used to detect the factor V Leiden mutation in a panel of 111 DNA samples. RESULTS: Fourteen- and 18-primer LLA gave amplification yields comparable to PCR. However, LLA carryover amplification efficiency was four orders of magnitude lower than that of PCR. The LLA-ASO assay detected the correct factor V Leiden genotype in all 111 samples. CONCLUSIONS: LLA is a robust target amplification method that is comparable to PCR in yield. However, LLA is more resistant to false results caused by carryover amplicon contamination.

Spontaneous disc degeneration in the baboon model: magnetic resonance imaging and histopathologic correlation.

Degenerative disc disease is a major source of disability in humans. The baboon model is an excellent natural disease model to study comparable human disease, because baboons are relatively large (adult males 20-26 kg, adult females 12-17 kg), long-lived (30-45 years), well defined, easy to use, and closely related to humans. Published investigations with plain radiographs of disc degeneration in baboons indicated vertebral anatomy and changes that were remarkably similar to those seen in humans, and it would be valuable to determine if magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathologic evaluation would be useful methods for studying the model, as MRI allows multi-planar visualization of tissues without the use of intravenous contrast and it is superior for evaluating disc hydration, annulus tears, and herniations. The thoracolumbar junctions from 47 randomly selected baboons, ranging in age from 2 weeks to 34 years, were evaluated with MRI and histopathology. Excellent correlation with MRI was observed for changes in disc desiccation, height, and age (P < 0.001). The pathologic analysis demonstrated P values of < 0.001 when comparing histopathology with age and MRI results. All severely degenerated discs seen by MRI were in baboons 14 years of age or older.

Quantification of mitral regurgitant volume by the color Doppler proximal isovelocity surface area method: a clinical study.

In vitro studies have demonstrated that regurgitant flow rate can be estimated by the color Doppler "proximal isovelocity surface area" (PISA) method. By applying the PISA method and continuity principle, we developed a formula to calculate mitral regurgitant volume: 2 pi r2.VN.FVI/Vo, where r = distance from the first jet alias to mitral leaflets, VN = aliasing velocity, FVI = flow velocity integral or regurgitant jet, and Vo = peak velocity through the regurgitant orifice. Doppler echocardiography was performed in 20 patients with mitral regurgitation. The mitral regurgitant volume was estimated by PISA and compared to cine ventriculographic grading. The results showed an increase in regurgitant volume by PISA compared with increasing angiographic grades of mitral regurgitation: 19 +/- 0.6, 18 +/- 5, 25 +/- 12, and 44 +/- 4 ml for grades 1+ to 4+, respectively (r = 0.77). Thus a formula developed from PISA is able to identify patients with a severe grade of mitral regurgitation and to provide an alternate approach to the noninvasive quantitation of mitral regurgitation.

Genome organization of a biologically active molecular clone of the lymphoproliferative disease virus of turkeys.

The lymphoproliferative disease retrovirus (LPDV) induces an acute, horizontally transmitted disease of turkeys that is often fatal. Although LPDV cannot be grown in cultured cells, it was possible to isolate molecular clones of biologically active integrated proviral genomes from spleens of infected turkeys. Based upon molecular hybridization and nucleotide sequence comparisons of its pol gene, LPDV was shown to represent a distinct group of avian retroviruses most closely related to avian sarcoma-leukemia viruses. Here we report the complete nucleotide sequence of the LPDV genome as well as amino acid sequence analysis of its gag gene products. The genetic organization of LPDV is characteristic of members of the oncovirus subfamily. Further sequence comparisons of the gag gene confirmed that LPDV is most closely related to Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). However, the gag, pro, and pol open reading frames (ORFs) were in different translational phases so that the expression of their mature gene products would require the double frame-shifting mechanism utilized by simian retroviruses, mouse mammary tumor virus, and human T-cell leukemia virus. In contrast, the RSV proteinase is synthesized as part of the gag precursor. The LPDV gag gene differs from that of RSV as well as from all other retroviruses in that it encodes a unique 31,000-Da (p31) protein, located between the MA and the CA coding sequences. FOur short ORFs of unknown function were present, Whether the putative products of these ORFs account for the acute nature of LPDV-induced disease remains to be determined.

Functional characteristics of enterocystoplasty after interruption of the mesenteric blood supply.

Previous studies have suggested that small (5 to 7 cm.) enteral patches used for bladder augmentation could remain viable following ligation of the mesenteric vascular pedicle. We performed subtotal cystectomy and ileocystoplasty in 5 female mongrel dogs using a 25 cm. segment of detubularized ileum. Functional bladder capacity, compliance and size of the bowel segment were measured 4 months later, and the mesenteric blood supply was interrupted. Immediately after pedicle ligation all patches appeared dusky and had diminished or absent Doppler pulsations with poor fluorescein uptake. However, all animals had an uneventful postoperative course without any signs of urine leak or peritonitis. Urodynamic studies were performed 2 months later and the animals were re-explored with removal of the augmented bladder for histological examination. All of the bowel segments were viable on exploration at that time but a decrease in patch size was noted ranging from 9 to 63%. Functional bladder capacity was also decreased in 4 animals. Although the integrity of augmentation was maintained in all animals, changes in bladder capacity and size of the enteral segment occurred in the majority after interruption of the mesenteric blood supply. These changes could possibly negate the clinical benefits that had been achieved by the bladder augmentation. This finding would suggest the need to consider revision of the enterocystoplasty in the event of inadvertent ligation of the vascular pedicle.

Enterocystoplasty and reflux nephropathy in the canine model.

Correction of vesicoureteral reflux at enterocystoplasty is often recommended to prevent the development of reflux nephropathy. Children with enterocystoplasty who require intermittent self-catheterization invariably have asymptomatic bacteriuria. In patients with persistent vesicoureteral reflux after enterocystoplasty the risk of renal damage from this asymptomatic bacteriuria is unknown. Detubularized ileocystoplasty was performed in 17 dogs with either direct nontunneled reimplantation or unroofing of the intramural tunnel and incision of the ipsilateral hemitrigone to create vesicoureteral reflux. Fluoroscopic urodynamic studies were performed 1 month later and unilateral vesicoureteral reflux was present in 6 dogs. All animals had low intravesical pressure and excretory urograms were performed to exclude obstruction. The 6 dogs with reflux were euthanized 3 months postoperatively and the kidneys were examined for histological evidence of pyelonephritis. In 5 of 6 dogs bacterial bladder colonization and subsequent renal pelvic colonization developed on the side of the vesicoureteral reflux. All of these animals had histological evidence of pyelonephritis in the refluxing kidney, whereas only 1 of 6 nonrefluxing control kidneys had any evidence of pyelonephritis (p = 0.031). Our results suggest that vesicoureteral reflux in association with enterocystoplasty leads to chronic upper tract infection and pyelonephritis in a majority of animals, despite creation of a low pressure urinary reservoir. Correction of vesicoureteral reflux at enterocystoplasty should be considered to prevent upper tract damage.

Comparison of transesophageal color flow Doppler imaging of normal mitral regurgitant jets in St. Jude Medical and Medtronic Hall cardiac prostheses.

Transesophageal color flow Doppler imaging of mitral mechanical prostheses is now widely used. This method eliminates the frequent problems of acoustic shadowing and flow masking that are commonly seen with a transthoracic Doppler study of mechanical mitral prostheses. Transesophageal color flow Doppler imaging was performed postoperatively in seven patients who had received St. Jude Medical mitral prostheses (St. Jude Medical, Inc., St. Jude, Minnesota) and in six patients who received Medtronic Hall mitral valves (Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota). Maximal systolic regurgitant jet length and area determinations were obtained in all patients. A comparison of maximal jet lengths and areas for each type of mechanical prosthesis demonstrated that the Medtronic Hall prostheses produced longer maximal jet lengths (p = 0.0001) and larger jet areas (p = 0.0009) than those produced by the St. Jude Medical mitral valves. Medtronic Hall prostheses produce a large centrally directed jet, whereas St. Jude Medical prostheses typically generate three smaller jets. Recognition of these differences in transesophageal color flow Doppler images in these commonly used cardiac valve prostheses is necessary to avoid misinterpretation of the normally large systolic regurgitant jet of the Medtronic Hall prosthesis as representing prosthetic dysfunction.

Viability and functional characteristics of enterocystoplasty after ligation of the vascular pedicle.

A canine model was developed to evaluate the effect of ligation of the mesenteric blood supply of enterocystoplasty. In 5 dogs with an ileocystoplasty and 6 with a gastrocystoplasty the blood supply was interrupted 4 months postoperatively. Re-exploration 2 to 8 weeks later revealed sufficient collateral blood flow to maintain integrity of the bowel wall and none of the animals had urine leak or other signs of perforation. Two animals had a significant decrease in the size of the cystoplasty. Intraoperative measurements of bowel viability after pedicle ligation were not predictive of the outcome. The functional outcome after pedicle division seems to be variable and probably reflects how well the patch has been vascularized before interruption of the blood supply. The augmented bladder may remain viable if sufficient time has elapsed to allow revascularization of the intestinal segment before its mesenteric blood supply is divided.

Chloropentafluorobenzene: short-term inhalation toxicity, genotoxicity and physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model development.

Ten Fischer 344 rats and six B6C3F1 mice of each sex were exposed to air, 0.25, 0.80, or 2.50 mg chloropentafluorobenzene (CPFB)/liter of air for three weeks, excluding weekends. Exposure to 2.50 mg/liter caused a reduction in the growth rate of rats but did not affect the growth rate of mice. Following the exposure there was reduced SGOT activity in the blood serum of exposed rats and a dose related increase in liver weights. Increased liver weights were observed in mice as well; the response in the female groups was clearly dose dependent. Histologically the livers of both rats and mice presented single cell necrosis. In exposed mice hepatocytes exhibited mild hepatocytomegaly with increased granular eosinophilic cytoplasm. In evaluations for its potential to induce chromosomal damage following this exposure regimen, CPFB did not alter the rate of bone marrow cellular proliferation. Assessment of the micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes and normochromatic erythrocyte populations during the inhalation exposures indicated a general absence of genotoxic activity.

Removal of retained intracoronary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty equipment by a percutaneous twin guidewire method.

Balloon rupture during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) resulted in embolization of a guidewire-balloon fragment into the distal circumflex artery. Access to the circumflex was technically difficult because of aortic root dilation. The fragment was removed by inserting two PTCA guidewires into the artery and twisting them together to produce a helix. The helix propagated distally, entrapping the embolized fragment for removal. This report describes an unusual mode of failure for a balloon-on-a-wire dilating catheter and a new percutaneous removal technique that may be applied to retained catheter debris in small, inaccessible vessels.

Atypical luteinizing hormone rise and associated fertilization failure in non-male factor in vitro fertilization patients.

The purpose of this investigation was to analyze fertilization failure in non-male factor infertility in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients. Twenty-five nonfertilized IVF patients were compared with 57 successfully fertilized IVF patients. Patients were matched for age, ovulation-induction protocol, and cycle. The two groups were similar with respect to infertility etiology, peak estradiol, and total oocytes retrieved at laparoscopy. There was a greater incidence of primary infertility (64 versus 49%) and mean years of infertility (5.4 +/- 0.4 versus 4.6 +/- 0.3) in the nonfertilization group, although these differences were not statistically significant. Most important, the nonfertilization patients had a greater incidence of an atypical LH rise prior to hCG administration (60 versus 18%; P less than .001) and fewer mature oocytes (2.0 +/- 0.3 verus 3.4 +/- 0.3; P less than .01). Stepwise linear regression analysis yielded four primary factors for predicting fertilization failure: infertility duration, primary infertility, number of mature oocytes, and presence of LH rise. These findings help characterize several potential factors other than oligozoospermia that are associated with nonfertilization, and support LH monitoring in IVF and gamete intrafallopian tube transport patients.

Characterization of mouse mammary tumor virus gag-pro gene products and the ribosomal frameshift site by protein sequencing.

The synthesis of retroviral polyproteins that are the translational products of the genome-size mRNA is initiated in the upstream gag gene. The synthesis of the products of the protease gene (pro) and polymerase gene (pol) is regulated by translational suppression (in-frame read-through or frameshift) of termination codons as a strategy developed for controlling the level of replicative enzymes required only in catalytic amounts. In mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV), three overlapping reading frames are utilized for the synthesis of gag-encoded Pr77, gag-pro-encoded Pr110, and gag-pro-pol-encoded Pr160 polyproteins. To characterize pro gene products and to determine the site of frameshift required for the synthesis of Pr110, we purified and sequenced three MMTV proteins: p14, p30, and p13. Sequence analysis showed that p14 is the basic nucleic acid-binding protein derived entirely from gag, and p13 is a product of the pro gene and has characteristic sequences of protease. A comparison of the amino acid sequences of p30 with the corresponding nucleotide sequence of proviral DNA allowed the delineation of the frameshift site utilized in vivo for the synthesis of the gag-pro-encoded fusion polyprotein Pr110. The results showed that: (i) the N-terminal 94 residues of p30 are translated from the gag frame; (ii) residue leucine-95 is specified by either the last UUG codon of gag or the overlapping CUU codon in the pro frame; and (iii) the elongation of the peptide chain from residue 96 continued to be encoded in the pro frame to the pro terminator. The possible mechanisms of frameshift and of the tRNAs involved are discussed.

Comparative inhalation hazards of aluminum and brass powders using bronchopulmonary lavage as an indicator of lung damage.

Bronchopulmonary lavage has been used as a rapid screening test for acute lung injury from many pneumotoxic chemicals. We demonstrated the efficacy of lavage fluid analysis for detection of acute pulmonary damage from inhaled metal dusts. Groups of male, Fischer 344 rats were exposed 4 h to one of five dosage levels of either brass (200, 100, 50, 10, 1 mg m-3) or aluminum (1000, 200, 100, 50, 10 mg m-3). At 24 h, 14 days and 3 months post-exposure (PE), rats were evaluated for physiological and histological alterations to correlate with enzymatic and cytological profiles of lavage fluid. At 24 h PE, there were dose-related increases in lactate dehydrogenase and protein in lavage fluid of the brass exposed rats, acute inflammatory response in terminal airways, increases in macrophages and neutrophils, and increased pulmonary resistance. All reactions were resolved by 14 days PE. In contrast, aluminum powder produced no alteration in pulmonary function, but elicited persistent changes in enzymatic and cytological lavage fluid parameters with multifocal microgranulomas in lungs and hilar lymph nodes. Bronchopulmonary lavage analysis was useful as an indicator of inhalation hazards of brass and aluminum powders.

Oxidized cellulose for preventing adnexal adhesions.

Oxidized cellulose gauze (Surgicel) was evaluated for its ability to prevent postsurgical pelvic adhesions. Ten New Zealand white female rabbits were subjected to laparotomy and standardized bilateral trauma to the fimbria and ovaries. On one side in each rabbit the ovary and uterine tube were wrapped in Surgicel. The untreated side in each rabbit served as the control. Four weeks later the rabbits' pelvises were reexplored, and the adhesions on both sides were scored. The overall adhesion scores on the treated sides (mean +/- SD = 4.24 +/- 1.28) were significantly higher than those on the control sides (mean +/- SD = 1.5 +/- 1.06, P less than .001). Surgicel appeared to enhance, rather than prevent, adhesion formation in the rabbits.