Photoperiod and melatonin-induced changes in male reproduction in Indian desert gerbil, Meriones hurrianae (Jerdon).

Exposure to continuous darkness and chronic treatment with melatonin, for six weeks, stimulated reproduction in the male Indian desert gerbil as evidenced by morphometric data. Exposure to continuous light, for same duration, on the other hand inhibited reproduction. The results are opposite to those reported from similar studies on temperate zone species. Surface areas of abdominal scent glands increased following both, exposures to continuous darkness and the treatment with melatonin. Exposure to continuous light decreased the scent gland surface area. Assessment of scent gland activity could be useful in evaluation of reproductive function as they are dependent on sex steroids. Melatonin that mediates photoperiodic influence on reproduction is not always inhibitory to gonads.

Influence of melatonin on blood morphology in male albino mice.

Influence of melatonin on diurnal changes in hematological profiles was examined in male albino mice, at six hourly interval. Melatonin treatment either once daily (25 micrograms at 1700 hrs) or twice daily (25 micrograms at 0900 and 1700 hrs) for two weeks resulted in an alternation in the RBC rhythm. Generally the effect was suppressive though at some times the counts were marginally increased. Total WBC counts were increased and there was apparently a change in their rhythm too. Interestingly the differential WBC counts exhibited different patterns in, once and twice daily melatonin-treated mice. Melatonin given once daily predominantly stimulated the absolute lymphocyte count whereas the twice daily regimen predominantly stimulated the neutrophil count. This perhaps is related to the varied exposures of the animals to melatonin in the two experimental setups. Erythrocyte indices like mean cell volume, mean cell hemolglobin and mean cell hemoglobin concentration in both the experiments correlated with hemoglobin and hematocrit values. It may be concluded that melatonin has a modulatory role in hemopoiesis and its rhythms. The stimulatory effect of melatonin on WBC supports its purported immunopotentiating action.

Effect of long-term administration of melatonin on adrenal histomorphology of the Indian desert gerbil Meriones hurrianae Jerdon.

Melatonin treatment for 8 weeks resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.01) in weights of the adrenal glands, in both male and female, M. hurrianae. The weight increase was not related to the time of administration of melatonin. Histology of adrenal glands in melatonin treated gerbils revealed a stimulatory response. In treated gerbils, adrenal cortex exhibited significant hypertrophy with enlarged nuclei and degranulated cytoplasm. Signs of hypertrophy were also evident in the adrenal medulla. The physiological significance of this response is not yet clear. It remains to be clarified if the hypertrophy indicates enhanced synthesis of corticosteroids.

Effect of long-term administration of melatonin on eyes and harderian glands in albino rat.

Pineal hormone melatonin is also synthesized by the ocular structures, retina and Harderian gland. The physiological significance of such production is not fully understood. Daily treatment with melatonin (25 micrograms/rat) for 8 weeks led to an increase in weight of eye balls and fluid within it (P < 0.05). Weight of the Harderian gland in the control and treated rats was not significantly different, though the histological observation revealed an increase in cell height and reduction in lumen diameter in the treated animals. Inter luminal deposits of porphyrin content appeared to be more in the Harderian glands of melatonin treated rats. The retinal tissue indicated degenerative changes in the melatonin treated rats. The results suggest melatonin's influence on level of ocular fluid, structure/function of retina and harderian gland.

Toxoplasmosis prevalence in pregnancy with bad obstetric history.

Four hundred ninety nine sera from pregnant mothers with bad obstetric history were tested for presence of antibodies to T.gondii by indirect haemagglutination test. Prevalence was 19.44 percent as 97 out of 499 sera were positive.

Osteomyelitis: a rare complications of Salmonella senftenberg infection--a case report.

A case of chronic osteomyelitis is rare complication of salmonella senftenberg infection and is reported.

Salmonella newport isolations from a general hospital in Pune.

Salmonella newport had not been reported from the Pune (Maharashtra) area till 1983. After the first isolate in 1984, the isolation rate showed a significant increase. A total of 64 isolates todate (two isolates in 1984, six in 1985 and 56 in 1986) have been encountered at Sassoon General Hospital, Pune. It has been commonly isolated from adults (54.7 per cent). Most of the strains were multi-drug resistant.