An immuno-biological test of species specificity in a low-molecular organic extract (<10,000 D).

A pharmacological formulation derived from bovine blood was studied for species-specific substances, the problem being the low-molecular weight of its components. A detection of the species specificity for bovines was possible exclusively by the use of monovalent bovine-specific blood group sera. All other sera showed cross-reactions. Inhibition tests and blood-group-specific bovine test sera enabled us to identify the species specificity of bovines in the drug concentrate at dilutions up to 1/1,000 which are used as the basis for the production of the medication. The requirement of the German authorities (BGA) to examine the specificity of the identity in the medication can therefore be met by this immunobiological method.

Breed differences and intra-breed genetic variability of dermatoglyphic pattern of cattle.

SUMMARY: Muzzle dermatoglyphics - n. ridges, granula and vibrissae - were analysed in various breeds. Differences among these in most traits were significant. Herd effects accounted for about 1/10 of the variance and heritability, estimated by combining sib, halfsib and dam-daughter correlations corrected for herd differences was above 50% for ridges and vibrissae and about 30% for granula. Genetic correlations between ridge counts and n. vibrissae in different nose fields, respectively, were high as they were between the former and n. granula but they were negative or very low between vibrissae and the other two traits. Asymmetry among the counts in the two muzzle sides was significant for nearly all traits, Heritabilities were low, around 10 to 20%, and the crossbreds had less asymmetry than their parental breeds. The correlations among asymmetry measures were low. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Rassenunterschiede und genetische Variabilität von Flotzmaulmustern Flotzmaulmerkmale - Zahl von Leisten, Warzen und Haaren - wurden in verschiedenen Rassen untersucht. Unterschiede zwischen diesen waren für alle Merkmale signifikant. Herdeneinflüsse verursachten etwa 1/10 der Varianz und Heritabilitätswerte, geschätzt aus Korrelationen zwischen Zwillingen, Halbgeschwistern und Töchter-Müttern, korrigien für Herdeneinflüsse, variierten zwischen 36 und mehr als 50%. Genetische Korrelationen zwischen Leistenzahl und Zahl von Haaren in verschiedenen Flotzmaulfeldern waren hoch, ebenso wie die zwischen ersteren und Zahl von Warzen, aber sie waren negativ oder sehr gering zwischen Haaren und den andern beiden Merkmalen. Asymmetrie zwischen Zahlen in beiden Flotzmaulhälften war signifikant für fast alle Merkmale. Heritabilitätswerte waren niedrig, etwa 10-20% und Kreuzungstiere zeigten weniger Asymmetrie als ihre Herkunftsrassen. Die Korrelationen zwischen Asymmetriemaßen waren niedrig.

A rare GC mutant in horses disclosed by isoelectric focusing and subsequent immunoprinting.

An apparent incompatibility in the GC/DBP system in a mare and her colt was found after classification by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Because of this observation an analysis of the equine GC/DBP system by isoelectric focusing and subsequent immunoprinting was initiated. Further GC subtypes, however, were not encountered: the three phenotypes GC F, FS and S were also delineated by this method. The GC types in the case of disputed descent were dissolved: GC S was found in the mare and GC FS in her colt as well as in another of her male offspring. It is proposed that a rare GC mutant is responsible for this observation, namely a GC S* component which is readily classified by isoelectric focusing and immunoprinting and difficult to disclose by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

New blood group factors Es, Et and a new allele Ebdgjmt (E16) in the pig E blood group system.

By immunizing a miniature sow a monovalent reagent (later designated anti-Es) was prepared, detecting an alternative antigen to the Ej. Blood group factors Ej and Es thus form the fifth genetically closed E subsystem. Analyses of selected raw sera containing anti-Ej led to the determination of a further Ej subgroup (designated Et) which is antithetical, mutually excluding with the blood factor Er. New blood factor Et is inherited by alleles Edeghjmnt (= E9) and (= E16). The investigation in pig breeds kept in CSFR indicated that allele Edeghjmnt occurs in Black and White Prestice breed (qE9 = 0.076 +/- 0.010) while allele Edeghjmnr (= E14) only in miniature pigs (qE9 = 0.147 +/- 0.011) and in wild pigs. In an élite herd of Swedish Landrace kept in CSFR a new complex allele Ebdgjmt (= E16) was found. Its frequency in the population studied was 0.058 +/- 0.022.

Further evidence for a silent allele in the transferrin locus of the horse.

A silent allele in the transferrin locus (Tf) was observed in a Thoroughbred mare and in five of her offspring from three different matings. Evidence for the silent allele was obtained by quantitative immunodiffusion studies.

[Leukocyte migration inhibition after experimental trypanosome infection in cattle]. / Leukozytenmigrationshemmung nach experimenteller Trypanosomeninfektion beim Rind.

Blood serum from cattle experimentally infected with trypanosomes was tested for its activity influencing granulocyte migration. Pooled porcine granulocytes were used in the migration assay. The inhibitory migration activity observed in serum samples of trypanosome infected animals implies the presence of mediators of cellular immunity. Values of migration indices express reciprocal events of inhibitory and stimulating events in infected animals. This study allowed to follow at least some aspects of the very complex cellular immune system and its functioning. The observed differences in migration values in serum of each animal speak for an individual immunological capacity to defy trypanosome infections. The variability in occurrence of the first inhibitory activity after infection supports the view of individual responsiveness. Distinct differences in migration values were observed in Dahomey cattle after primary and secondary challenge with trypanosomes. Serum from reinfected animals exhibited a marked decrease in inhibitory activity as compared to samples obtained after first infection. These observations suggest a modulation of the individual immune response after multiple challenge with trypanosomes of the same strain. This study demonstrates the involvement of cell mediated immune responses to trypanosome infections.

Chemical characterization of porcine blood serum components with A and SLA activity.

The porcine A blood group substance is found in the serum as a lipid and, additionally, in certain animals, as a glycoprotein. Swine lymphocyte antigens (SLA) occur in the serum only as glycoproteins. Heat treatment of the solid residue obtained by lipid extraction yielded a water-soluble fraction with low protein content, high A activity, but no SLA activity. Poly(glycosyl)ceramides with SLA activity do not occur in the serum; poly(glycosyl)ceramides with A activity cannot be excluded. Desialylation of protein fractions has no effect on A and SLA activity. Both A and SLA activities of protein fractions are stable to mild alkaline hydrolysis thus indicating N-glycosidic carbohydrate-peptide linkages.

Antigenic characteristics of Marek's disease tumour cells.

Surface antigens of Marek's disease lymphoblastoid cells were studied by indirect immunofluorescence (FA) tests and by cytotoxic antibody tests. The results of FA tests revealed genetic differences between cell lines of different sources with respect to their histocompatibility antigens. JMV and MSB-1 cells shared one of their alloantigens detectable by B blood group antisera. Differences between the cell lines were more pronounced when the respective hyperimmune sera were examined by cytotoxicity tests rather than by FA tests. The results of cross-absorptions of cell line antisera with cells of the different lines suggested that no identical common tumour-specific cell surface antigen was detectable serologically in addition to histocompatibility antigens or other normal cell surface antigens. The results of vaccination experiments with chicken embryo fibroblasts and with cells from various lymphoid tissues indicated that resistance against JMV lymphoblastic leukaemia could be induced by a number of different antigens which were not specific to Marek's disease.

Presence of horse blood group antigens in the major glycoprotein fraction of the erythrocyte membrane.

The aqueous phase of the chloroform/methanol extract of the horse erythrocyte membrane contained the blood group activities Ad, Dc or Dd. The factors Ad and Dc could be separated by gel filtration.

PGM3 locus and its genetic polymorphism in lymphocytes of the pig.

PGM3 activity was investigated by means of horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. In the pig of the German Landrace three different phenotypes have been recognized: F, S and FS. Family studies suggest the occurrence of at least two alleles--PGM3F and the PGM3S at an autosomal locus.