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We report the case of a 45-year-old man with 3 months malaise, in whom ultrasound showed an atypical tumour of the right kidney. Ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy led to a diagnosis of renal actinomycosis.

The in vitro transport of L-lactate across rumen epithelium was found to be a passive, mass-action regulated diffusion, and no saturable transport mechanisms were involved at concentrations from 2-20 mmol/L. During this increase in L-lactate concentrations the epithelial resistance and potential difference increased significantly, indicating an epithelial change towards a more tight epithelium. The net sodium transport was significantly reduced by 45% at 20 mmol/L lactate as compared to lactate free conditions.

The adenosine analogues 5'-(N-ethyl) carboxamidoadenosine (NECA) and N6-(phenylisopropyl) adenosine (R-PIA) were shown to differ in their effect on the plasma level of free fatty acids (FFA), glucose and lactate in pigs representing low (Ada 0) and high (Ada A) red cell adenosine deaminase activity. At the same dosage range (0.001-0.005 mg/kg) R-PIA produced a much stronger suppression of the FFA level than NECA, indicating that A1 adenosine receptors predominate in porcine adipose tissue. Pretreatment with 8-phenyltheophylline completely abolished the antilipolytic effect of both adenosine analogues. NECA in contrast to R-PIA elevated the blood glucose concentration, suggesting that A2 adenosine receptors are involved in the stimulation of glycogenolysis. This effect of NECA was not altered by a beta-adrenoceptor blockade providing evidence for a direct effect of adenosine on glycogenolysis. Whereas the changes in plasma FFA following NECA administration were of similar magnitude in Ada A and Ada 0 pigs, the changes in the blood glucose concentration were different in these two groups of pigs.

(1979). Selection for improved meat quality with the aid of genetic markers in Pigs of the Danish Landrace Breed. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica: Vol. 29, No. 3, pp. 291-294.

Determination of the seleno-enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in blood from Danish Landrace pigs was done using a quantitative, spectrophotometric method and a simple “spot test”. A close correlation between the net reaction rate measured spectrophotometrically (Δ A/min.) and time for defluores-cence (minutes) was obtained (r(2) = 0.72—0.77, P < 0.0005). From these results the factors used for a conversion of defluorescence time to u/g hemoglobin were evaluated. The results further showed that the “spot test” can be used as a screening method for detection of subnormal GSH-Px levels in pigs. While red cell GSH-Px seems independent of the sex, an elevation of both plasma and red cell GSH-Px was found with increasing age of pigs. The normal range of red cell GSH-Px activity was wide, contrasting the small variations observed in the individual pig. Some evidence that porcine red cell GSH-Px is under genetical control was found and discussed in relation to the possible use of GSH-Px as an indicator of the pig's selenium status.

Agar gel electrophoresis using veronal as buffer is very often used for the determination of LDH isoenzymes. Differences in optimal conditions for LDH isoenzymes, especially between LDH 1 and LDH 5 cause certain difficulties in their determination. When samples with the same activity of LDH 1 and LDH 5 were separated and estimated by the above mentioned technique, intensity of LDH 5 was found to be less than 50% of that of LDH 1 The steps in this procedure were investigated to explain the discrepancy of LDH 1 and LDH 5 intensities, but also aiming to improve the sensitivity of this method. Colloids, such as agar, agarose and albumin were shown to stimulate the formation of formazan in the colour reaction, while they stimulate LDH activity only slightly. Furthermore it was found that different buffer types combined wih cyanide, may interfere with colour formation and the determination of LDH activity. The possible effect of cyanide is discussed and the replacement of cyanide in the staining solution by pyrophosphate is suggested. The influence of veronal on the LDH isoenzyme determination was investigated also. Results showed that veronal selectively inhibits LDH isoenzymes. By adding citric acid, which is known to be a specific activator of LDH 5 , to veronal this discrepancy was removed. Results obtained with the original and the modified methods are presented. Finally, a method is described which allows the separation of LDH isoenzyrnes in starch gel followed by an estimation as described in the modified agar gel electrophoresis technique. Results obtained with these two methods were comparable. The reproducibility and simplicity of this method should make it a useful tool not only for biochemical studies but also in clinical diagnostic work.

Genetic polymorphism of the pig plasma vitamin D binding protein Gc was demonstrated by agarose isoelectrofocusing followed by either autoradiography or immunofixation with specific human Gc antiserum. Three different types F, FS and S were observed. Family data supported the genetic theory that the Gc types are controlled by two autosomal codominant alleles GcF and GcS. Both alleles are present in Yorkshire and Duroc. In Danish Landrace and Hampshire only the GcF allele was observed.

Running exercise in pigs results in an elevation of lactic acid in blood. This elevation in blood lactate does not occur in physically conditioned pigs. Activities of succinic dehydrogenase, fructose-l,6-diphosphate aldolase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine Phosphokinase as well as the myoglobin content were determined in m. gastrocnemius from 6 ergometer-trained and 4 untrained pigs. The succinic dehydrogenase and myoglobin contents were significantly higher (P

Contrary to blood serotonin the level of free and total tryptophan is distinctly influenced by feed intensity and composition. Piglets show a considerably higher plasma free tryptophan and blood serotonin content than adult pigs, just as boars possess a significantly higher blood level of tryptophan and serotonin than sows. A pronounced individual variation of blood serotonin and a much less variable content among littermate pigs provide evidence that blood serotonin is genetically controlled. Tryptophan is readily absorbed and distributed in a characteristic manner among investigated organs and tissues. A genetical control of blood serotonin and its possible relation with type of reaction exhibited by ergometer exercised pigs support the influence of tryptophan and serotonin on the ability of pigs to withstand controlled environmental conditions such as physical exercise.

The effect of dipyridamole - an adenosine uptake inhibitor - on the plasma concentration of free fatty acids (FFA), glucose, lactate and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) has been examined in 2 groups of Landrace pigs representing low (Ada 0) and high (Ada A) red cell adenosine deaminase (Ada) activity. Pigs fitted with a jugular vein catheter were given dipyridamole (0.16 mg/kg/min) over a period of 30 min. The infusions were performed 22 h after the last meal at a time where pigs were found to show steady increase and decline in rates of lipolysis and glycogenosis, respectively. The results showed that lipid mobilization as identified by the plasma FFA concentration was markedly depressed. During the infusion of dipyridamole similar degree of inhibition was seen in Ada 0 and Ada A pigs, however, in the period following the infusion, a significantly stronger suppression persisted in the Ada 0 pigs. Both the blood glucose and lactate level rose distinctly as a result of the dipyridamole treatment. This stimulation of the glycolysis rate was significantly more expressed in Ada 0 pigs compared to that of the Ada A pigs. When theophylline, an antagonist of adenosine, was given together with dipyridamole, the rise in the lactate level was considerably diminished. Dipyridamole also produced a distinct rise in the plasma cAMP levels.

In the present report some results from an investigation of LDH isoenzymes in plasma, tissues and spermatozoa from pig are presented.

1. Three heifers were changed from a diet of equal parts of hay and barley cubes (50:50 diet) to one entirely of barley cubes given in three equal feeds throughout the day. Feed intake was restricted to 80% of calculated appetite at the time of change and this percentage progressively decreased as the live weights of the animals increased.2. The change of diet had no significant effect on the volume of rumen fluid but the rate of outflow from the rumen was significantly lower on the barley diet than on the 50:50 diet.3. Animals on the restricted barley diet developed an exceptionally high rumen ciliate population and the bacterial population was shown by Gram films to include a number of organisms typical of roughage-fed animals. In culture, organisms of the genusBacteroideswere predominant but these appeared largely as cocco-bacilli in the Gram films. This microbial population was associated with a higher proportion of butyric acid than of propionic acid in the rumen fluid.4. Occasional fluctuations in ciliate populations occurred in all three heifers. Decreases in ciliate number were paralleled by increases in propionic acid and decreases in butyric acid but not necessarily by a fall in pH. Under these conditions Gram films showed increases in bacteriodes-type rods and in certain curved Gram-negative rods.5. Rumen ammonia concentrations were on average lower and showed a different diurnal pattern when ciliate numbers were reduced. Lactic acid concentrations were low and were not affected by the size of the ciliate population.6. When the three heifers were given the barley dietad lib. there was a decrease in rumen pH and a complete loss of rumen ciliates. The rumen bacterial population and the volatile fatty acid proportions were similar to those seen during decreases in ciliate number at the restricted level of intake. These changes also occurred in a fourth heifer which was changed fairly rapidly from the 50:50 diet to a restricted amount of the barley diet.7. Two steers which had never had access to roughage were changed fromad lib. to restricted intake of the barley diet and were later given an inoculum of rumen ciliates. The rumen microbial population and the pattern of fermentation so produced were similar to those found in the heifers on the restricted barley diet.8. Anomalous values were noted for total counts of rumen bacteria when free starch grains were present in the rumen fluid.9. It is concluded that large ciliate populations and high proportions of butyric acid can be produced in animals fed exclusively on a barley diet by suitable adjustment of the intake and the method of feeding. It is postulated that the ciliate population may be largely responsible for the high butyric acid concentrations.

Blood-sampling from animals can be done in several ways without interfering with the results from analysis of many substances in the blood. For such labile substances as plasma enzymes, it should be realised, however, that certain methods of sampling can give rise to false results. By collection from animals during slaughtering there is the risk that such conditions as excitement and anaesthesia interfere with the results of the blood-analysis.

1. Short-term in vitro incubations of whole rumen contents have been used to measure the rate of production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in two heifers given a diet containing 85% barley and 15% protein-mineral-vitamin supplement. Daily intake of the diet was restricted to 5.1 kg which was given in three equal feeds. In one heifer (no. 794), VFA production was measured over a 24 h feeding cycle; in the other (no. 832), a single 6 h feeding period was examined.2. The feeding schedule outlined above was found in previous work to result in a major alteration in the rumen environment and in the end-products of rumen fermentation relative to findings in animals given the same diet ad lib. Some of these earlier observations have been confirmed and extended in the present work.3. In heifer 794, the rate of VFA production reached a maximum (52–62 m-moles/l. h) 15 minafter each feed and then declined steadily throughout the remainder of the feeding period. Consistent changes with time were observed in rumen pH and in the concentration of VFA and dry matter in rumen contents during each feeding period.4. Simultaneous measurements of rumen fluid volume and outflow allowed estimates to be made of VFA production and absorption in the entire rumen during each feeding period. In heifer 794, total VFA production amounted to 18.2 moles/day of which approximately 85 % was absorbed directly from the reticulo-rumen. On a caloric basis, total daily production accounted for 36. 5% of the digestible energy intake.5. In heifer 832 there were significant differences in the rate of VFA production and in rumen pH and VFA concentration between two sets of observations made some 8 weeks apart. These differences appeared to be related to changes in the rumen microbial population and particular to a marked alteration in the numbers of ciliate protozoa. The possible role of rumen ciliates in modifying both the rate of VFA production and the environment within the rumen is discussed.

Three Lactic Dehydrogenase Isoenzyme Systems in Pig Spermatozoa and the Polymorphism of Sub-units controlled by a Third Locus C

Lactic acid is produced in significant amounts in the rumen on rations rich in easily digestible carbohydrates such as starch and sugars. If high amounts of concentrates, containing starch and sugars, are fed to high lactating dairy cows, lactic acid concentrations in rumen fluid up to 80 mmol/l can be found. If such high concentrations of lactic acid are consistent during longer periods of time, rumen acidosis may arise, causing disfunction and necrosis of rumen epithelium.