Ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering from dislocation structures.

Ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering data were obtained from deformed single-crystal aluminium samples. These data are consistent with recent theoretical predictions of scattering from dislocation walls, allowing quantitative microstructural parameters to be extracted.

The reversible effects of raloxifene on luteinizing hormone levels and ovarian morphology in mice.

Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that has estrogen agonist effects on bone and serum lipids and estrogen antagonist effects on breast and uterine tissues. This study assessed the effects of raloxifene hydrochloride (HCl) treatment on circulating luteinizing hormone (LH) levels and ovarian morphology in sexually mature, 15-week-old, female CD-1 mice. Mice were maintained on diets providing average daily doses of 0 or 233 mg/kg raloxifene for 2 weeks (Study 1) or 0, 7.9, or 236 mg/kg raloxifene for 4 weeks (Study 2). At the end of the treatment period, blood samples were collected every 2 hours for 24 h in Study 1 (5 mice per group) and at 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. in Study 2 (8 mice per group). Serum LH levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Ovarian histomorphology was evaluated in the 10 mice per group (Study 1) and the 8 mice per group (Study 2). For the reversibility phase (Study 2), mice were fed untreated diets for 3 weeks; serum LH levels and ovarian histomorphology were then assessed. Raloxifene treatment at 233 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks (Study 1) significantly elevated circulating LH levels by 4- to 7-fold compared with control. Raloxifene-treated mice had elevated LH levels sustained over the 24-h sampling period and did not exhibit the preovulatory LH surge evident in some control mice at the 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 8:00 p. m. time points. Mice treated with 236 mg/day raloxifene for 4 weeks (Study 2) had elevated LH levels (4.4-fold compared to control), whereas mice exposed to 7.9 mg/kg/day raloxifene had a slight, nonsignificant increase in LH (2-fold compared to control). In both dose groups, LH levels were indistinguishable from controls 3 weeks after raloxifene treatment was discontinued. The ovaries in six of the eight mice treated with 7.9 mg/kg/day raloxifene had dilated and/or anovulatory follicles. One mouse in this group had a single hemorrhagic follicle; however, corpora lutea distribution was normal, indicating that ovulation was occurring. Raloxifene-treated mice in Study 1 and mice treated with a comparable raloxifene dose (236 mg/day) in Study 2 had histomorphological changes in the ovary indicative of arrested follicular maturation, including anovulatory hemorrhagic follicles, some developing follicles, and very few corpora lutea. At the end of the reversibility phase, hemorrhagic follicles were no longer evident and follicular maturation and corpora lutea distribution were normal. Raloxifene treatment in mice produces a dose-dependent, sustained elevation in serum LH levels and is associated with changes in ovarian follicular morphology. These changes are reversible upon discontinuation of raloxifene treatment.

Anatrichosoma cynamolgi (Nematoda: Trichinellida) in rhesus monkeys, Macaca mulatta.

Young adult rhesus monkeys were examined for Anatrichosoma spp. by means of nasal swab, by histological study, and by gross examination with the aid of a dissecting microscope. Of 394 monkeys examined by nasal swab, 25 (6.3%) were found to be positive. Of 166 monkeys that died while in the colony, 23 (13.9%) were found to be infected when examined by histological study. Of 18 unfixed samples of external nasal vestibule, five (27.2%) were found to be infected when they were examined grossly with the aid of a dissecting microscope. Inflammatory response to the nematodes was limited. The nematodes were compared to type specimens of Anatrichosoma from monkeys, and were identified as A. cynamolgi Smith and Chitwood 1954. A. rhina and A. nacepobi are considered to be synonyms of A. cynamolgi.

Effect of zearalenone and estradiol benzoate on serum concentrations of LH, FSH and prolactin in ovariectomized gilts.

Six ovariectomized gilts were given zearalenone (Z), estradiol benzoate (EB) or vehicle in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design. Zearalenone was added to 2.3 kg of a corn-soybean ration at a dose of 1 mg Z/kg body weight; EB was given intramuscularly at 0.1 mg EB/kg body weight. Control gilts received vehicle solvent for both Z and EB. Blood samples were collected from indwelling jugular cannulas at 6-h intervals for 48 h before Z, EB or vehicle was given. After treatment, blood samples were drawn at 6-h intervals for an additional 84 h. Serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) decreased (P<0.001) from 4.67 ng/ml to 0.29 ng/ml within 6 h of EB. From 54 to 84 h after EB, serum concentrations of LH rose to 15.60 ng/ml (P<0.001). Serum concentrations of LH were reduced (P<0.001) in a similar pattern after Z (3.70 ng/ml to 0.49 ng/ml), but a rise in serum LH was not observed 54 to 84 h after Z (1.30 ng/ml). Serum concentrations of LH remained unchanged (P=0.55) in gilts given vehicle. Serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were suppressed (P<0.03) at 6 h in EB (19.10 vs 11.35 ng/ml) and Z gilts (16.16 vs 11.41 ng/ml) but remained unchanged in vehicle gilts. Serum concentrations of FSH did not change in EB or Z gilts during the next 36 h. These data indicate that the suppressive action of Z on serum concentrations of LH and FSH was similar to that of EB, while the biphasic stimulatory effect of EB for LH was not manifested by Z.

National Institute of Standards and Technology Synchrotron Radiation Facilities for Materials Science.

Synchrotron Radiation Facilities, supported by the Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, include beam stations at the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Laboratory and at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. The emphasis is on materials characterization at the microstructural and at the atomic and molecular levels, where NIST scientists, and researchers from industry, universities and government laboratories perform state-of-the-art x-ray measurements on a broad range of materials.

Cisplatin toxicity in cats.

Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum; Platinol, Bristol, Syracuse, NY) was administered to 11 cats, divided into three groups of experimental and clinical patients. In group 1, cisplatin was administered at a dose of 60 mg/m2 to four cats. In an attempt to avoid renal toxicity, saline diuresis was induced by administering 0.9% saline solution intravenously at a rate of 20 ml/kg/hr for 4 hours before and 2 hours after cisplatin administration. All four cats became dyspneic and died 48-96 hours after cisplatin administration. Postmortem findings included severe hydrothorax, pulmonary edema, and mediastinal edema. In group 2, four experimental cats entered a trial comparing the effects of saline diuresis and cisplatin (60 mg/m2) with the effects of saline diuresis and placebo (0.9% saline solution). The cats in the saline control group remained completely normal, while the cats that received cisplatin developed clinical signs and gross postmortem pulmonary changes identical to those in the first group of cats. Histopathologic examination showed that the alveolar septa were thickened and congested, and contained macrophages, occasional neutrophils, thrombi, and small foci of necrosis and fibrin. Microangiopathic changes were seen in the alveolar capillaries. In the third group, three additional cats were treated with a lower dose of cisplatin. Two cats that received 40 mg/m2 of cisplatin developed pulmonary changes similar to, but less severe than, those seen in the cats that received the higher dose of cisplatin. One cat treated with 20 mg/m2 of cisplatin showed no pulmonary changes ante mortem or post mortem. This series of 11 clinical and experimental cases identifies an apparent species-specific, dose-related, primary pulmonary toxicity of cisplatin in cats.

Effect of purified zearalenone on early gestation in gilts.

Purified zearalenone (Z) was added to the diet of gilts from d 2 to 15 postmating. Gilts received either 0, 5, 15, 30, 60 or 90 ppm Z (three to five gilts per dose) in 1.8 kg of feed daily. Serum concentrations of progesterone and estradiol-17 beta were determined weekly. On d 13 to 15 and 40 to 43 postmating, blood samples were drawn from a cannula at 20 min intervals for 4 h and analyzed for luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin (PRL). Gilts were killed 40 to 43 d postmating and embryonic development was assessed. Treatment with 5, 15 or 30 ppm Z had no effect on embryonic development when compared with 0 ppm. No fetuses were present in gilts fed 60 to 90 ppm Z, but two gilts given 60 ppm Z had remnants of fetal membranes in the uterus. The histologic appearance of reproductive tract tissues from the gilts given 60 ppm Z was similar to that from pregnant gilts. Tissues from gilts given 90 ppm Z appeared to be stimulated by both estrogen and progesterone. Serum concentrations of progesterone were decreased at 2, 3 and 6 wk postbreeding in gilts fed 60 and 90 ppm Z. Serum concentrations of estradiol-estradiol-17 beta were decreased at 4 wk postbreeding in gilts fed 60 and 90 ppm Z.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of zearalenone on days 7 to 10 postmating on intrauterine environment and migration of embryos in sows.

On d 7 to 10 postmating, first-litter sows were fed either a control diet or a diet containing zearalenone (ZEN; 1 mg/kg body weight). Surgery was performed on either d 9, 11 or 13 postmating to collect blastocysts and uterine flushings. The rostral and caudal portion of each uterine horn was flushed with phosphate buffered saline, and the blastocysts were separated from the recovered solution. Uterine flushings were analyzed for total Ca, Mg, Zn, estradiol-17 beta (E2 17 beta) and progesterone (P4). Administration of ZEN did not affect the number of blastocysts recovered or the position of embryos within the uterus on d 9 or 11. Blastocysts recovered on d 13 were filamentous and could not be enumerated. Total Ca in uterine flushings of control sows was higher (P less than .001) on d 11 than on d 9 or 13, but intrauterine Ca of ZEN-treated sows did not vary by sampling day (P greater than .05) and was lower (P = .01) than that of controls on d 11. Total intrauterine Mg of ZEN sows was greater (P = .002) than of control sows on d 11 and 13, and total intrauterine Zn of ZEN sows was greater than that in control sows on d 13. There were no differences in total intrauterine P4 or E2 17 beta among ZEN-treated and control sows on d 9, 11 or 13 postmating. Serum concentrations of 13, 14-dihydro-15-ketoprostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM) increased from d 9 to 13 in control and ZEN-treated sows, but there were no differences between treatment groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of prepubertal consumption of zearalenone on puberty and subsequent reproduction of gilts.

Forty-eight prepubertal gilts (178.7 +/- 4.1 d; 94.2 +/- 4.1 kg), 16 in each of three trials, were assigned randomly to receive 0 (C) or 10 ppm zearalenone (Z) daily in 2.5 kg of a 14% protein finishing ration for 2 wk. Blood samples were collected at 20-min intervals for 4 h 1 wk after the start of the experiment and 1 wk after Z was withdrawn. Two weeks after Z was withdrawn, gilts were exposed to mature boars 15 min per day for 3 wk. Gilts in estrus were mated to two different boars 12 h apart. Twice each week, blood was sampled and analyzed for progesterone to establish age of puberty. Age at puberty differed (P = .008) among replicates but was similar (P = .13) between Z and C gilts within each replicate. Mean serum concentrations of LH were suppressed (P = .025) during consumption of Z (.25 vs .42 ng/ml) but were similar (P = .16) to concentrations in C gilts 1 wk after Z was withdrawn (.35 vs .45 ng/ml). Frequency and amplitude of LH secretory spikes did not differ (P greater than .50) between Z and C gilts during either sampling period. Mean serum concentrations of FSH were similar (P = .25) between Z and C gilts. Number of corpora lutea and live fetuses were similar (P = .29 and P = .94, respectively) between Z and C gilts. Fetal weights were greater (P = .025) and crown to rump length tended to be greater (P = .10) in fetuses from Z gilts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of manure gases on puberty in gilts.

To determine whether manure gases can influence onset of puberty in gilts, 42 crossbred gilts were reared from 10 to 40 wk of age on concrete slats over a 1.22-m deep pit that was drained and refilled with clean water biweekly (clean group). Forty-one gilts were reared over a similar type pit where manure was allowed to accumulate (control group). Treatments were in two separate rooms of the same building with similar feeding, water, floor space, lighting and room temperature. Ventilation fans with timer controls in each room were set so fans in the clean environment ran twice as long as fans in the control environment. Aerial concentrations of ammonia in the control room were fourfold higher than in the clean room (21 vs 5 ppm), while aerial concentrations of hydrogen sulfide were similar. Average daily gain and feed efficiency were similar for both groups [.69 vs .72 kg/d (P = .31) and 1.61 vs 1.54 kg feed/kg gain (P = .52)]. From 20 to 40 wk of age, all gilts were exposed to a mature boar three times weekly, utilizing four boars in rotation. Blood samples were collected weekly from each gilt by venipuncture and analyzed for progesterone to establish time of first ovulation. A greater proportion of gilts in the clean group attained puberty by 24 to 26 wk (P less than .05) and 27 to 29 wk of age (P less than .10) compared with the control group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Field studies: pseudomonas pneumonia of mink.

Epizootics of pneumonia in mink caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa were investigated to characterize the serotype of organisms and to identify possible predisposing factors. Most epizootics were associated with P aeruginosa Fisher serotype 1, and a few were associated with 3 other serotypes. There were no predisposing factors identified that could be used to differentiate farms affected and those not affected with pseudomonas pneumonia. Cultural studies indicated that P aeruginosa was present in mink from affected and nonaffected herds. Organisms isolated included serotypes associated with naturally occurring disease. Serostudy results were similar among herds. A prospective field vaccination trial did not yield definitive results, since only slight losses occurred in both vaccinated and nonvaccinated mink. Significant levels of antibody were detected in mink 15 to 17 weeks after they were given a single dose of P aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide vaccine.

Characterization of effects of zearalenone in swine during early pregnancy.

Mature gilts (n = 16) were hand mated and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups of 4 gilts each. Treated gilts had 108 mg of purified zearalenone added to their diet on postmating days (PMD) 2 to 6, 7 to 10, or 11 to 15. Control gilts were given the same diet without added zearalenone. On PMD 6, 10, and 15, control gilts had venous cannulas placed in the jugular vein, and blood samples were taken at 20-minute intervals for 4 hours before feeding and 4 hours after feeding. Samples were collected from treated gilts on the last day that zearalenone was consumed. Samples were analyzed for follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin. Single blood samples were taken by venipuncture on PMD 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28 and at euthanasia and were analyzed for serum concentration of progesterone and estradiol-17 beta. All gilts were euthanatized 30 to 32 days after mating, and fetal development was assessed. Three gilts that were given zearalenone on PMD 7 to 10 were not pregnant and had regressing corpora lutea on the ovaries at euthanasia. All other treated and control gilts were pregnant. Serum samples from treated gilts on PMD 10 and 15 had lower mean prolactin concentrations than did those from controls. The number of LH spikes were fewer (P less than 0.05) in gilts that were given zearalenone on PMD 15 compared with those in controls on PMD 15. Serum progesterone concentrations indicated that corpora lutea regressed between PMD 20 and 28 in nonpregnant gilts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of zearalenone on the growth of mouse embryos from blastocysts to the egg cylinder stage in vitro.

Embryos were harvested at the blastocyst stage from nontreated outbred mice and were grown in vitro for 4 days. Embryos cultured in control medium hatched and grew to the egg cylinder stage. Purified zearalenone (ZEN) added to the culture medium at concentrations of 8.5 to 68 micrograms/ml decreased the number of embryos growing, with a 50% decrease in the number growing in 32 micrograms of ZEN/ml of medium. Embryos growing in ZEN had decreased numbers of cells derived from the inner cell mass, normal growth of the trophoblast, less cellular differentiation than was seen in control embryos, and increased numbers of phagosomes. Undifferentiated cells of the inner cell mass of control and treated embryos were of the same size, as determined by morphometric analysis. Addition of 25 micrograms of estradiol/ml of culture medium caused no decrease in number of embryos growing or in embryonic size. Saturation of culture medium with ZEN (68 micrograms/ml) did not inhibit the growth of a tissue culture line of goat synovial cells. Seemingly, ZEN at concentrations near saturation inhibited the growth of mouse embryos in vitro. This effect was not duplicated with similar concentrations of estradiol and was not manifested in culture-adapted cells.

Effect of zearalenone on early pregnancy in guinea pigs.

Female guinea pigs were tested to determine whether they could serve as a model of zearalenone (ZEN) toxicosis during early pregnancy, as observed in domestic swine. Only 1 of 4 female guinea pigs that were given 21 mg of ZEN/kg of body weight orally during the first 8 days after mating was pregnant when examined 22 days after mating. Guinea pigs that were given 7 or 14 mg of ZEN/kg had normal fetal development. Serum concentrations of progesterone were less than 12 ng/ml in all guinea pigs 8 and 15 days after mating. Serum concentrations of progesterone were greater than 100 ng/ml in pregnant guinea pigs on day 22, but remained less than 12 ng/ml in nonpregnant guinea pigs. Three of 5 guinea pigs treated with 20 mg of ZEN/kg and only 1 of 4 guinea pigs given 30 mg of ZEN/kg on days 1 to 3 after mating were pregnant 22 days after mating. Female guinea pigs treated with 20 or 30 mg of ZEN/kg on days 4 to 5 or 6 to 8 after mating and female guinea pigs treated with 60 or 90 mg of ZEN/kg on days 4 and 5 after mating had normal pregnancies. Serum concentrations of progesterone were less than 10 ng/ml in all guinea pigs on day 15 and remained low on day 22 only in nonpregnant guinea pigs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blastocyst development on days 10 or 14 after consumption of zearalenone by sows on days 7 to 10 after breeding.

Sixteen primiparous sows were bred and fed either a control ration (n = 8) or a diet containing purified zearalenone (n = 8; 1 mg/kg of body weight) from days 7 to 10 after breeding. On day 7 after breeding, the jugular vein of each sow was cannulated and blood was collected at 20-minute intervals for 4 hours before feeding and 4 hours after feeding. On day 10 after breeding, blood samples were collected from 4 control sows and 4 zearalenone-fed sows at 20-minute intervals for 4 hours before collection of blastocysts. A similar blood sampling schedule was followed for the remaining 4 control and 4 zearalenone sows on day 14 after breeding. On day 10 after breeding, spherical blastocysts were recovered from all control sows and from 3 of 4 zearalenone-treated sows. Average diameter of blastocysts from zearalenone-treated sows were similar to that of control sows. On day 14 after breeding, blastocysts were recovered from all control sows and 3 of 4 zearalenone-treated sows. Blastocysts from the control sows were filamentous, whereas blastocysts from zearalenone-treated sows were fragmented and contained foci of necrosis. Incidence of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretory spikes per sow was less (P less than 0.01) in zearalenone-treated sows (0.25 +/- 0.25/4 h) than control sows (1.75 +/- 0.25/4 h) on day 10 after breeding. Incidence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretory spikes was similar (P = 0.45) among treatments on days 7, 10, and 14 after breeding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pseudomonas pneumonia of mink: pathogenesis, vaccination, and serologic studies.

Fulminating pneumonia was produced in mink by the intratracheal administration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The sequence of pulmonary lesions was focal inflammation, focal necrosis, and widespread inflammation and necrosis. Secondary lesions of peracute hemorrhage and necrosis were the result of bacterial spread via the airways. Invasion of vessel walls by P aeruginosa was a terminal event and was secondary to bacillary invasion and necrosis of adjacent tissues. Regional (lymphatic) and systemic spread of bacteria followed the development of pulmonary lesions, but there was little morphologic evidence of tissue damage in other organs. Immunofluorescence studies showed that P aeruginosa antigen was dispersed within pulmonary cells and was free in the lung parenchyma. Mink surviving beyond postinfection hour 60 had a macrophage infiltration into limited pulmonary lesions. A vaccine trial was conducted with P aeruginosa lipopolysaccharides (LPS) used as antigen, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect antibody. Antibody was detected in mink after vaccination with LPS or natural exposure. Mink with antibody to LPS, from vaccination or naturally acquired, were resistant to experimental infection.

Evaluation of use of progesterone to counteract zearalenone toxicosis during early pregnancy in gilts.

It has been shown that zearalenone disrupts early pregnancy in swine without altering intrauterine content of estradiol 17 beta or progesterone, embryo migration, or estradiol-17 beta synthesis by blastocysts. However, serum concentrations of progesterone were reduced 2 to 3 weeks after mating in gilts that ingested zearalenone. Therefore, progesterone was administered to gilts during early pregnancy to determine whether it could counteract the detrimental actions of zearalenone on embryonic development. Thirty-two crossbred gilts (Hampshire x Chester White x Yorkshire x Duroc) were assigned randomly to a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: zearalenone (Z); zearalenone plus progesterone (ZP); progesterone (P); or control (C). From postmating days 4 to 15, Z- and ZP-treated gilts were fed 1 mg of Z/kg of body weight, and P-treated and C gilts were fed ethanol as vehicle in a corn-soybean diet. On postmating days 3 to 15, P- and ZP-treated gilts were injected IM with 100 mg of progesterone, and C and Z-treated gilts were injected with progesterone carrier (15% ethanol, 15% benzyl alcohol, 70% propylene glycol). Blood was collected from gilts by puncture of the jugular vein daily from days 3 to 15, on alternate days from days 17 to 31, and then twice weekly until the end of the experiment. Fetal development was assessed in Z- and ZP-treated gilts on postmating day 47.6 +/- 2.9 by cesarean section and in P-treated and C gilts at slaughter on postmating days 51.2 +/- 3.2. Serum concentrations of progesterone in P-treated gilts were greater on days 7 to 8, 10 to 15, 17, and 19 than in C gilts. Serum concentrations of progesterone were greater on days 8, 10, and 12 in ZP-treated than in C gilts. However, serum concentrations of progesterone were lower in ZP-treated gilts than in C gilts on postmating days 19 to 31.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of Fusarium roseum corn culture containing zearalenone on early pregnancy in swine.

A corn culture of Fusarium roseum was added to a standard corn-soybean swine gestation ration. Low, middle, and high dosage mixed feeds contained 7, 38, and 64 mg of zearalenone/kg of feed (7, 38, and 64 ppm) and 0.5, 2.5, and 4.5 mg of deoxynivalenol/kg, respectively. Control feed was the standard ration without added F roseum corn culture. Mature gilts were bred by natural service and fed control or F roseum molded feed from 3 to 34 days after breeding. The main effect of the molded feed was an inhibition of fetal development, with decreased numbers of fetuses present in treated animals at slaughter (38 to 43 days after breeding). Normal litters were present in 7 of 8 control animals, in 2 of 4 gilts given the low-dosage feed, in 1 of 4 gilts given the medium dosage, and in 0 of 4 given the high-dosage feed. Corpora lutea were maintained in all treated animals, as evidenced by serum progesterone concentrations. Serum estradiol concentrations were decreased in gilts in the middle- and high-dosage groups. The genital system of the gilts fed low- and middle-dosage feeds had a gross and microscopic appearance similar to that of the pregnant controls and reflected prolonged progesterone stimulation. Morphologic changes in the genital system of the high-dosage group were intermediate between changes induced by progesterone and those induced by estrogen. Clinical signs of hyperestrogenism and partial feed refusal were noticed in only some of the high-dosage group animals.

Fibrous osteodystrophy in an opossum.

A free living opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) was found to have severe fibrous osteodystrophy of the maxilla and mandibles. No significant lesions were found in the kidneys, ruling out an etiology of renal secondary hyperparathyroidism. An etiology of primary phperthyroidism or nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism is suggested.

Acute toxicosis in swine associated with excessive dietary intake of vitamin D.

Acute toxicosis developed in a group (n = 35) of fattening hogs and replacement gilts that had excessive vitamin D3 inadvertently added to their feed. All of the pigs were lethargic, and emesis was evident in about half of the pigs 1 to 2 days after they consumed the feed. On the 2nd day, 3 of the pigs died. The remaining pigs were given a different ration. Five additional pigs died during the next 2 weeks. Clinical toxicosis also was observed in 1 of 2 feeder pigs fed the suspect feed in the laboratory and in 2 of 2 pigs fed the suspect feed by the company that had mixed the feed. Gross necropsy findings consistently observed were hemorrhagic gastritis and diffuse interstitial pneumonia. Myocardial degeneration and nephrosis were seen in, respectively, 1 of 6 and 4 of 6 pigs necropsied. Histologically, necrosis and mineralization of variable severity were observed in the fundic gastric mucosa, lungs, kidneys, bone, heart, and small blood vessels of the lungs and heart. Less necrosis and more mineralization were observed in pigs that survived longer than 6 days. The 2 pigs fed the suspect feed in the laboratory had increased concentrations of serum calcium from the 3rd to the 9th days or the 1st to the 3rd days, after feeding the suspect feed. Serum phosphorus concentrations were increased from the 1st until the 2nd or 3rd day, and serum magnesium concentrations were increased from the 1st or 2nd to the 3rd day after feeding the suspect feed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)