Hereditary melanoblastoma in miniature pigs and its successful therapy by devitalization technique.

Applying selective breeding for 10 years we established the MeLiM (Melanoblastoma-bearing Libechov Minipigs) strain. Melanoblastoma (MB) in this strain shows a hereditary occurrence. Cutaneous tumours are usually nodular, multiple and distributed on various parts of body. They appear in darkly pigmented animals already at the birth or during two months thereafter (57% of all animals). Numerous organ metastases mainly into the spleen, lymph nodes and lungs are regularly ascertained in animals with cutaneous MB. Tumour cells were surprisingly found also in the inner organs of phenotypically healthy minipigs in which no cutaneous MBs were observed visually (27% of all animals). About 34% of all affected piglets die during the first 2 months of age. These features document a malignancy of this tumour in the MeLiM strain. Original surgical technique was applied in more than 40 affected minipigs at 1-2 months of age. It consists in a devitalization (ischemization) of one of cutaneous tumours by the mattress sutures conducted around the tumour base without any excision of tumour tissue. This simple procedure causes a total destruction of MB cells in all cutaneous tumours as well as in all organ metastases during 4-6 months. Animals treated by this technique were fully healed of tumour cells and no relapses were observed. This technique could bring similar positive results also in therapy of human MB.

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of seminal ribonuclease in reproductive tract fluids of bulls.

Bovine seminal ribonuclease (BS RNase) is synthetized in the ampulary gland and seminal vesicles of the bull as shown by indirect immunofluorescence and by using a sensitive sandwich-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The ampullary and seminal vesicle BS RNase concentrations in samples of 15 bulls were 656 micrograms/ml and 1285 micrograms/ml, respectively. Seminal plasma BS RNase levels in 22 breeding bulls were slightly lower than in the seminal vesicles--1132 micrograms/ml. There were no significant differences in the concentration of this enzyme in seminal plasma of 16 bulls ranked as having high and low fertility. Even with its immunosuppressive activity this enzyme does not seem important for the protection of sperm cells in the female reproductive tract.

Porcine fetal antibodies to maternal granulocytes and lymphocytes.

Immunological tests were used to determine the presence of antibodies to maternal lymphocytes and granulocytes in the blood serum of porcine fetuses and 4-week-old young. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that the presence of these antibodies in fetal blood was an exception. No cross-reactions of these sera with porcine reproductive tract antigens were demonstrated.

[Intestinal invagination in pigs]. / Strevní invaginace u prasete.

The invaginations of small intestine are being described which represent one of possible causes of intestinal ileus. In connection with multiple invaginations, a case of two intussusceptions is being mentioned, in which the peaks of invaginates are directed towards each other. At the same time four theoretically possible double invaginations are presented as well as a proposal for their distinction and indication.

Experimental elimination of various intestinal segments by means of devascularization (devitalization).

Segments of the small and large intestine, of varying lengths (10-180 cm), were devascularized by simultaneously ligating the mesenteric arteries and veins. When the circulation had been cut off, the ends of the devascularized segment were both ligated, continuity of intestinal passage was renewed by forming an anastomosis and the isolated segment was left in situ, together with its contents. Contrary to accepted views, no changes leading to death (necrosis and peritonitis) occurred, but the devascularized tissue was progressively destroyed and reconstructed until, after four weeks, all that was left was a minute fibrous residue. None of 41 pigs died as a result of devascularization, including those in which large doses of pathogenic microorganisms were injected into the isolated segment. The possibility of employing this technique in the surgical treatment of inoperable tumours is discussed.

[Small and large intestine devascularization (devitalization) and potentials in the therapeutic use of this operative method]. / Die Dünn- und Dickdarmdevaskularisation (Devitalisation) und einige Möglichkeiten der therapeutischen Ausnutzung dieser Operationsmethode.

The experimental findings with devitalization of various intestinal segments by means of devascularization showed that the isolated segments left in peritoneal cavity (together with their contents) were gradually destroyed and changed into a slight fibrous residue. The retaining of the up to 180 cm long segment did not endanger the life of experimental animals. This experience was used in the surgical treatment of inoperable tumours in left half of large intestine and in rectosigmoideum. The case report of four successful operations is given together with two cases of invagination of the devitalized part into intestinal lumen.

Seminal and colostral protease inhibitors on leukocytes.

For detection of protease inhibitors from cow colostrum (CTI) and bull seminal plasma (BUSI I and BUSI II) on the surface of leukocytes, immunological methods were used. An agglutination and an immunofluorescence test demonstrated components on the surface of bovine, porcine and ovine granulocytes and lymphocytes which were immunologically identical with the protease inhibitors isolated from cow colostrum and bull seminal plasma. When antisera against (CTI, BUSI and BUSI II were absorbed by bovine and porcine liver, kidney and spleen homogenate or by bovine and porcine granulocytes or lymphocytes, the immunological tests were negative.

The presence of blood group and lymphocyte antigens on porcine granulocytes.

Suspensions of highly viable (less than 95%) granulocytes minimally contaminated by other cell types were isolated from the peripheral blood of pigs by a single centrifugation with low molecular weight dextran and after preferential lysis of erythrocytes by hypotonic shock. A complement-dependent cytotoxic test showed the presence of antigens of the SLA major histocompatibility complex, the SLB leucocyte system and the A and E blood group systems on the granulocytes. Some SLA typing reagents against class I (SD) antigens did not react with granulocytes, however, or yielded dubious reactions. The findings showed that the reactivity of SLA sera resembles the reactivity fo human HLA sera. The results also show that compatibility in the SLA, SLB, A and E systems will have to be taken into account when preparing alloimmune sera for the determination of granulocyte-specific antigens of pigs.