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In ewes, the criterion for oestrous behaviour is usually acceptance of male mounting. This implies that oestrous behaviour is synonymous with receptivity and that it is an all-or-nothing phenomenon. The literature suggests that neither of these implications is true. In observing and comparing the responses of 20 cross-breed ewes to courtship of rams in different conditions, we developed a method to measure receptivity more accurately and to take into account proceptivity, another important component of oestrous behaviour in ewes. Two examples of the use of this method are given on intact cycling ewes, studied for successive cycles once a day, or before the first oestrus at 8-h intervals. One example is given on ovariectomized ewes during an artificial oestrous cycle with IM injections of 20, 30 or 50μg of oestradiol benzoate.

A total of 10 cases of ovarian quiescent heifers were assigned to 4 treatment groups. Heifers of Group I(n=3), II(n=3), III(n=3) and IV(n=1) were treated with a single intramuscular (IM) injection of 100μg, double IM injections of 100μg at 1 hr interval, single IM injection of 200μg and 400μg of LH-RH analogue, respectively. Changes of LH, estradiol-17β (E2), progesterone (P) levels in peripheral blood and ovarian alteration were examined before and after the treatment. The LH level increased quickly in all cases, reaching a peak of 72.3±42.9 (SD) ng/ml about 2 hr after and returned to a basal level about 7 hr after treatment. There was no significant difference in post-treatment maximum LH levels among Groups I, II and III. Ovulation was induced in 8 cases 35.5±5.3 hr after LH peak. Patterns of ovarian response after treatment were classified into 6 types according to changes of ovarian structure and P and E2 levels. No distinct disparity was found among the 6 types in pre-treatment LH and E2 levels, post-treatment maximum LH levels and amount of released LH, respectively. No correlation between the post-treatment LH release and the succeeding ovarial response was observed.

Renal glomerular and tubular lesions were produced in various groups of Wistar rats by weekly im injections of sodium aurothiomalate. The resulting lesions were similar to those described in human. It was observed that larger doses of the gold salt produced only renal tubular necrosis, whereas in small doses it produced a slowly progressive renal disease, recognized by electron-dense deposits on the epithelial aspect of the glomerular basement membrane, and some renal tubular necrosis. It is suggested that in larger doses gold salts have a direct toxic action on the proximal convoluted tubules, and in smaller doses it initiates an immune mechanism responsible for the glomerular changes.

SummaryThe antibody response is usually not great when rabbits are injected IV with PPLO or injected IM with the PPLO mixed with adjuvant. The response is better if a primary IM injection of the organisms with adjuvant is followed in a few weeks by one or more IV injections of the organisms. The production of agglutinins is greater following the injection of small amounts of organisms with adjuvant into the hind foot pads and often the response is very good within a period of 7 days. Growth-inhibiting properties have appeared in the sera in a period as short as 14 days following FP injection. Due to the difference in response to FP and IM injections of antigen, injections by both routes may be made at the same time and thus obtain both immediate and prolonged antibody production and sera of higher titer than by either route singly. Intracorneal injection offers a route by which it is possible to obtain a good antigenic stimulus without the use of an adjuvant. Otherwise it appears that the use of an adjuva...

Immunosuppression with cyclosporine (CYC) results in an early, acute, reversible reduction in renal hemodynamlcs. In an attempt to establish a model for investigating the functional and morphologic effects of ACIN at the single nephron level, renal micropuncture (MP) and ultra-structural (EM) studies were performed in growing male rats (100-140 g). Pair-caged animals were treated with IM injections of CYC (10 or 25 mg/kg/d) or olive oil for 1 week. Daily weight gain was reduced in both treated groups (-32%, n=24, and -44%, n=6, p

Treponemicidal levels of penicillin in the CSF were not obtained following intramuscular (IM) injections of 600,000 IU of penicillin G procaine along with 2% aluminum monostearate (PAM). Treponemicidal levels of penicillin in the CSF were achieved in 31 patients by probenecid, 500 mg/6 hr by mouth, with penicillin G, 500,000 IU by IM injection, and by probenecid every six hours by mouth and IM injections of penicillin G procaine once a day in two of three patients following injections of 600,000 IU, in four of five following 1.2 million IU, and in three (now all nine) following 2.4 million IU. (JAMA241:2538-2540, 1979)

jections, a literature review showed that the effect of position on discomfort had never been tested systematically. Therefore, we undertook a controlled study with 44 patients at a university medical center who were to receive preoperative injections(2). Seventeen men and 27 women, aged 20 to 65 years (mean 42.6 years), agreed to participate. We selected only patients who were oriented to time, place, and person; who could easily assume a prone position; who were to receive preoperative medications of atropine, morphine, and diazepam; and who could safely receive injections in the dorsogluteal site. Each patient received one injection of atropine and morphine, and a second injection of diazepam. To rotate their femurs internally, patients were told to point their toes inward. To rotate them externally, they were instructed to point their toes outward. Each patient received one injection with femurs internally rotated, the other with them externally rotated. The study conditions were specified before the study began and provided all possible combinations of the following factors: position, medication, and order of injection. The injections were given by two nurse researchers. All injections were given with a 23gauge needle. Needle length varied from 1 to 1-/2 inches, depending on the patient's size and weight. Each patient received an equal amount of medication (1.5 to 2 cc.) in each of the two injections. After each injection, patients rated their discomfort on a five-point scale: 1-no discomfort, 2-slightly uncomfortable, 3-moderately uncomfortable, 4-very uncomfortable, and 5extremely uncomfortable. The scale was purposefully kept simple to minimize demands on patients awaiting surgery. We anticipated that diazepam, an irritating drug, would cause more discomfort than atropine-morphine injections(3). Therefore, we examined the effect of patient position on discomfort scores separately for each medication.

We want to report the preliminary results of an ongoing study documenting the beneficial effects of active pneumococcal vaccination during gammaglobulin replacement therapy in young children, with low IgG2 subclass levels. Four children suffering from early chronic rhinitis and from respiratory problems were representing abnormal low levels of plasma IgG2 and an absence of salivary IgA (twice checked). Surinfection was relapsing twice a month and streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated at least on four occasions from cultures of nasal secretions. The allergic check-up was non-contributive, nor the evaluation of plasma immunoglobulin levels, complement system and neutrophil function. Repeated IM injections of gammaglobulins every three weeks, subjectively improved the patient status but did not modify the frequency of relapsing infections, nor the IgG2 levels sequentially reassessed before each injection. With the consent of the parents, antipneumococcal vaccination then was given simultaneously to the last gammaglobulin injection. In all cases, we observed a total remission on the recurrent infections and a significative increase of their IgG2 levels (p

Establishing a reliable test of androgen sensitivity is still prerequisite for etiological diagnosis in infants suspected of androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS). Since androgens are known to decrease SBP levels we have investigated the possibility of using plasma SBP as a marker of androgen sensitivity, and studied the conditions for a rational protocol. The ontogenic pattern of SBP from birth to adulthood was first established in 695 controls, (by a solid phase method). SBP levels (μg/l) low at birth, (6.3±3) rise to 22.3±7.5 during the first month of life correlatively with time, with no sex difference but large individual variations. In addition, SBP decreased significantly after either an acute or a 3-day routine ACTH test. Whatever the age (1 mo-13 yr ), SBP levels decreased significantly (mean=30%) in a group of 40 boys at the end (day 14) of an hCG test (1500 IU/48 h × 7), but the response was very variable and not correlated with testosterone levels. In contrast, the exogenous administration of fluoxymesterone (10 mg/m2/d.x 10 d.) or depo-testosterone (4 IM injections of 100 mg/m2 every 2 weeks) induced a siginificant drop (mean 2 fold) in 10 infants with idiopathic male pseudohermaphroditism, but not in 2 suspected of AIS. In conclusion. SBP appears a good marker of androgen sensitivity in infancy, however establishing a protocol requires three conditions: 1) the test should not be done during the 1st month of life (rising basal levels), 2) neither after an ACTH test and 3) utilise the exogenous administration of a high dose of androgens for somewhat a prolonged period of time.

To the Editor.— The coverage of current controversies surrounding the use of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTP) vaccine in the MEDICAL NEWS section (1982;248:12) was timely and generally excellent. How very unfortunate, however, that an article concerned with the complications of immunization procedures contained a photograph that depicts a dangerous and obsolete technique of intramuscular (IM) injection. The risk of sciatic nerve injury associated with gluteal injections in young children is substantial.1It is my impression that it is now universally accepted that infants should receive IM injections only in the anterolateral aspect of the midthigh. I am surprised and concerned that the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, provided such a photograph.