Fertility in Adult Bitches Previously Treated with a 4.7 mg Subcutaneous Deslorelin Implant.

The absence of fertility problems in male dogs after a single treatment with deslorelin acetate (Suprelorin(®)) is well acknowledged. However, reports on the application of deslorelin in the bitch and information concerning fertility after implant treatment are still limited. In this retrospective study, data concerning induced and spontaneous oestruses of 39 bitches from 17 breeds, treated with deslorelin acetate implants (4.7 mg Suprelorin(®), Virbac, France), were retrieved to assess post-treatment fertility (ovulation rate, pregnancy rate and litter size). Animals were grouped according to treatment characteristics: group 1 (Gr1) - females submitted to oestrus induction, showing natural oestruses afterwards (n = 19); group 2 (Gr2) - females re-implanted with 4.7 mg deslorelin acetate to re-induce oestrus, showing subsequent spontaneous post-implant oestruses (n = 7); and group 3 (Gr3) - females submitted to a 4.7 mg deslorelin acetate implant for oestrus suppression, evaluated at subsequent spontaneous post-implant oestruses (n = 13). Comparison of fertility traits between induced and post-treatment spontaneous oestruses in Gr1 and Gr2 (short treatments), or between spontaneous oestruses after long-treatment schedules (Gr 3) revealed a slightly better performance in spontaneous cycles compared with induced cycles: ovulation rate post-treatment was 97.1%, 94.1% and 94.4% and the pregnancy rate post-treatment was 91.2%, 88.9% and 84.6% for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Nevertheless, fertility in induced and post-treatment oestruses was considered normal. Moreover, the individual litter size did not differ within groups between induced and spontaneous cycles. From these findings, we concluded that treatment with 4.7 mg deslorelin implants did not compromise the bitches' fertility in subsequent oestruses.

Induction of parturition with aglepristone in various sized bitches of different breeds.

The objective of this study was to confirm in various breeds of dogs the efficacy and safety of a parturition induction treatment described to be successful in Beagle dogs. Parturition was induced in seven various sized pregnant bitches of different breeds, with 15 mg aglepristone per kg at day 59-61 post-estimated ovulation day, followed 24 h later by 0.15 IU oxytocin per kg subcutaneous injections every 2 h. Two bitches were small-sized bitches (<10 kg), three bitches were large-sized bitches (30-40 kg) and two bitches were giant bitches (>40 kg). The results were compared to a control group (n = 6), in which bitches underwent a natural delivery in the same environmental conditions as the induced group. In the induced group, parturition was successfully induced in 7/7 bitches. The first pup in a litter was born on average 25.9 +/- 3.29 h after aglepristone administration (21-30 h). Two of seven bitches from the small-sized group delivered some of their pups before the first administration of oxytocin. The mean duration of parturition was 9.6 +/- 5.4 h vs 8.0 +/- 4.8 h in the control group. The mean interval between two successive pups being delivered was 115.6 +/- 82.8 min (34-265) vs 68.8 +/- 24.5 min in the control group (p < 0.03). The mean weight at parturition did not differ significantly between the two groups. One litter of four Yorkshire Terrier pups in the induced group were premature at the time of birth and died between 19 and 29 h post-delivery. This study, although on a very limited number of dogs, confirms the efficacy of the aglepristone/oxytocin protocol to induce parturition in dogs.

Major proteins of bovine seminal vesicles bind to spermatozoa.

Bovine seminal vesicles synthesize a family of closely related proteins, namely BSP-A1, BSP-A2, BSP-A3, and BSP-30-kDa (collectively called BSP proteins). Recently, we showed that these proteins bind specifically to choline phospholipids. Since this class of phospholipids is the major phospholipid fraction of the spermatozoan membrane, we investigated the binding of BSP proteins to spermatozoa. Polyclonal antibodies against purified BSP proteins raised in rabbits were used to detect these antigens in bovine epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa as well as in bovine seminal plasma. Comparison of spermatozoa taken from the caudae epididymides with ejaculated spermatozoa through use of various techniques, namely, surface labeling followed by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting, showed that epididymal spermatozoa are devoid of BSP proteins whereas ejaculated spermatozoa possess membrane-bound BSP proteins. Through use of the indirect immunofluorescence technique, the ejaculated spermatozoa of bull were characterized by an immunoreaction restricted to the midpiece, acrosome, and postacrosomal region, but no specific immunostaining could be found on the surface of epididymal spermatozoa. Surface-labeled BSP proteins on spermatozoa could not be displaced with buffers containing high salt concentration (1 M NaCl), but could be displaced specifically with phosphorylcholine (alone or in combination with urea). The data indicate that the BSP proteins that are secretory products of the seminal vesicles bind to the sperm surface upon ejaculation.

Phosphorylcholine-binding proteins from the seminal fluids of different species share antigenic determinants with the major proteins of bovine seminal plasma.

The major proteins of bovine seminal plasma, BSP-A1, BSP-A2, BSP-A3, and BSP-30kDa (collectively named BSP proteins) bind to phospholipids containing the phosphorylcholine moiety. An affinity purification method using a p-aminophenyl phosphorylcholine-Agarose (PPC-Agarose) affinity matrix was developed for their purification. In this study, we investigated the distribution of BSP-like analogues in seminal fluid of the human, porcine, hamster, mouse, and rat using this affinity matrix. Alcohol precipitates of the seminal plasma/seminal vesicle secretions (SP/SVS) were further delipidated using isopropyl ether:n-butanol (60:40). The protein preparations obtained were solubilized in a minimal volume of buffer A (50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 5 mM EDTA, 0.02% NaN3), dialyzed against the same buffer, and applied to a PPC-Agarose column connected to a FPLC system. The unbound material was washed out and the adsorbed proteins eluted with buffer A containing 10 mM phosphorylcholine (PrC) and 10 M urea. The fractions were separated by SDS-PAGE, stained or transferred onto a nitrocellulose membrane, and probed with rabbit polyclonal anti-BSP antibodies. Anti-BSP cross-reacting proteins were detected in the seminal fluids of all the species investigated. Moreover, many of these proteins bound to the affinity matrix. The BSP proteins and their immunoreacting analogues appear to be ubiquitous in mammals and may possibly be involved in a common function such as in the modification of the lipid content of the sperm plasma membrane.

[Abuse in adolescence. Incest. Apropos of 21 cases]. / Sévices à l'adolescence. L'inceste. A propos de 21 observations.

While violent behavior and delinquency in youth have been extensively described, the different patterns of violence that adolescents are subjected to in their families are far less known. Physical abuse is probably as frequent as in childhood and offers some distinctive features because of its appearance or prolongation in adolescence. Moreover, sexual assaults become more important, especially in girls. From review of the literature and the experience of 21 cases of incest observed in the Adolescent Medicine Unit of Hospital Bicêtre, we discuss the circumstances, impact on adolescents and role of the professionals involved. The majority of these cases of incest occur in an impoverished atmosphere, both on psychological and social levels. Intervention strategy is often very delicate.

[Suicide attempts in adolescent girls. Epidemiological aspects]. / Les tentatives de suicides de l'adolescente. Aspects épidémiologiques.

The authors report the results of a study undertaken in 27 adolescent girls hospitalized for suicide attempts, interviewed according to the same procedure as 46 adolescent girls hospitalized during the same time period for other reasons. A statistical study of the questionnaire used showed answers significantly different, especially concerning grandparents, intra-familial relationships, parental picture, behaviours of adolescents outside their family, school attendance. The whole of these results suggests a disturbance in the communication systems of the suicidal adolescent.

[Adolescent medicine: who cares for what?]. / Une médecine d'adolescents: qui soigne quoi?

The expression of adolescence can be defined as a psychic maturation crisis. The purpose of this study was to better understand the specific institutional and health care needs this particular age group requires. The authors have analysed the nature of adolescent care within a pediatric ward, using data obtained from interview material. There was a growing awareness among the staff that feelings of rejection and alienation often jeopardize the delivery of optimal care to adolescents. This idea helped define the final formation of a unit designed for adolescents. The particular characteristics of such a practice are illustrated in the paper. In doing so, an effort was made to remain objective and to respect the ideas originated by the staff.

[A 3-year study of adolescent hospitalization in a department of pediatrics (author's transl)]. / Expérience de trois années orientées vers l'hospitalisation de l'adolescent en service de pédiatrie.

A 3-year experiment in adolescent hospitalization in a department of pediatrics is described. Details are given concerning patient referral to this specialized sub-unit and staff behavior.

Genetic study of mouse sensitivity to MHV3 infection: influence of the H-2 complex.

Genetic study of acute and chronic mouse hepatitis virus type 3 disease was carried out in segregating generations of a cross involving a susceptible (C57BL/6) and a resistant (A/J) mouse strain. The data obtained indicate that one or two recessive genes may be involved in resistance of acute and chronic diseases but suggest that the genes involved in both diseases are different. In this cross, no correlation was observed between H-2 and acute or chronic disease. In mice of congenic lines, however, A/Sn (H-2a), A.SW (H-2s), A.BY (H-2b), and A.CA (H-2f), it appeared that the presence of the H-2f allele conferred to heterozygote as well as to homozygote animals the capacity to resist the development of chronic disease. It seems, therefore, that MHV3 sensitivity in mice is under the influence of at least two major genes: one for the acute disease and the other, H-2 linked, for the chronic disease.

Neonatal susceptibility to MHV3 infection in mice. I. Transfer of resistance.

Up to 3 weeks of age, mice of the resistant A/J strain are fully susceptible to mouse hepatitis virus type 3 infection (MHV3). Immune deficiency, however, resulting from neonatal thymectomy or long term ALS administration led A/J animals to remain susceptible when tested at adult age. Whole spleen cells transferred from normal adult A/J donor mice protected suckling syngeneic recipients from i.p. infection with MHV3. Such a protective capacity of spleen cells was abolished after treatment with anti-theta serum and complement. Spleen cell separation by means of adherence to plastic also showed that neither the nonadherent nor the adherent populations injected separately were able to confer resistance to young mice challenged with the virus. Protection was not achieved with peritoneal cells originating from adult syngeneic animals. Transfer of resistance to MHV3 was obtained, however, when peritoneal cells were associated with adherent spleen cells. This study indicated that two types of mature cells, at least, were required for transferring MHV3 resistance into newborn mice of the A/J strain: T lymphocytes and an adherent spleen cell population.

Immunopathology of mouse hepatitis virus type 3mii. effect of immunosuppression in resistant mice.

Normal adult A strain mice are resistant to MHV-3 infection. A strain mice immunosuppressed by 600 rads of x-irradiation or by anti-lymphocyte serum treatment became susceptible to the virus and died with specific lesions of the liver and high virus titers. However, mice immunized with MHV-3 before sublethal x-iraddiation resisted a second injection of virus. Resistant adult (A times C3H) F-1 hybrids undergoing graft-vs-host (GVH) reaction became highly susceptible to MHV-3 injected 8 days after parental cell injection. Virus titer 3 days after injection was 2 logs higher in mice undergoing GVH than in controls. However F-1 hybrid mice resisted virus challenge when the first injection of virus was given 2 weeks before GVH induction. In addition, thymectomy also modified the behavior of resistant animals toward virus infection. It appears, therefore, that cell-mediated immune functions play an important role in resistance of mice to MHV-3.

Immunopathology of mouse hepatitis virus type 3 infection. Role of humoral and cell-mediated immunity in resistance mechanisms.

Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses were studied in resistant and susceptible strains of mice infected with mouse hepatitis virus type III (MHV 3). Virus was maintained by regular passages in susceptible DBA/2 mice and assayed in DBA/2 mice by LD-50 determination. Normal resistant A strain mice were able to clear the virus from liver, brain, and serum within 7 days after infection. No neutralizing antibody was found. Transfer of serum from immunized A strain mice was not effective in protecting susceptible DBA/2 mice against challenge with virus. In A strain animals resistance to MHV-3 developed rapidly during the 3rd week of life. During the period of susceptibility, newborns were protected neither by transplacental passages of anti-MHV-3 antibodies nor by injection of "educated" thymus cells.