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Biomedical subjects

J R Lodge

Publications and source records attributed to J R Lodge.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Caffeine: its direct and indirect influence on reproduction.

Caffeine constitutes the active drug principle in a number of commonly consumed beverages. Among North American adults, it holds the distinction as being probably the most widely utilized psychotropic drug. The compound is most often consumed in the form of coffee, which is derived from the bean of the tropical tree Coffea arabica or Coffea robusta. The unique pharmacologic and physiologic properties of caffeine have led to extensive research efforts, especially in the area of mutagenically and teratogenically mediated effects. In this regard, investigators have often overlooked the alterations in catecholamine, free fatty acid and cyclic nucleotide levels that the the presence of caffeine brings about. Such alterations are discussed in light of their effect on reproduction, and an attempt has been made to clarify the effects that the associated habits of alcohol and smoking have on the reproductive system.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Effects of dietary caffeine on the testis of the domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus.

Roosters were fed 0-1% caffeine mixed by weight into a standard ration. With continued dietary caffeine administration, the average fertility of eggs collected for 2 weeks from untreated pullets inseminated with semen from the treated males at 0, 7 and 14 days after the start of treatment was 30-8, 33-5 and 3-3%, respectively. After 14 days of treatment fertility was significantly lower (P less than 0-001) than before (0 days) or 7 days after treatment. Semen output and sperm concentration were markedly reduced 17-21 days after treatment, and no semen could be collected from the roosters after they had received caffeine for 30 days. Removal of dietary caffeine resulted in resumption of semen production and a return of fertility to the control level. Testicular histology showed that spermatocyte divisions ceased and spermiogenesis was abnormal, although Leydig tissue and the response of the males to massage for semen collection was not affected. The effects on spermatogenesis and fertility were reversible after treatment for 30 days.

Animals↗

Prenancy diagnosis in dairy cattle by progesterone concentration in milk.

Concentration of progesterone in whole milk was used to diagnose pregnancy in lactating dairy cows. Milk samples were taken 21 to 22 days postbreeding and analyzed for progesterone by radioimmunoassay. Progesterone in milk greater than 11 ng/ml, 8 to 11 ng/ml, and less than 8 ng/ml was used classify animals as pregnant, questionable, and not pregnant. In this classification for 123 cows, 67 were classified pregnant, 7 questionable, and 49 not pregnant. A comparison of progesterone diagnosis with actual calving results showed agreement of 73 and 98% for the cows classified as pregnant and not pregnant. Thirteen of 19 animals, in which there were discrepancies between diagnoses by milk progesterone and calving results, were not detected in estrus within 30 days after breeding. One animal classified not pregnant by milk progesterone was pregnant.

Animals↗

Serum testosterone and estrogen concentrations in the Holstein-Friesian bull after successive ejaculations.

The testosterone and estrogen concentrations in venous serum of 4 mature Holstein-Friesian bulls were determined by radioimmunoassay before and after each of 3 consecutive semen collections taken at 1-hour intervals. The hormonal concentrations were highly variable for the 2 steroids, but uniform in their patterns after the bulls had ejaculated. After the 3rd semen collection, marked changes in hormonal concentrations did not occur.

Animals↗

Whole blood leukocyte culture technique for mammalian cytogenetic analysis.

In the past, the in vitro culture of leukocytes for cytogenetic analysis has required a slightly altered technique for each animal species. This study showed that a simple, yet standardized, in vitro culture system was readily applicable to growth of bovine, canine, equine, feline, ovine and porcine blood leukocytes. The major features of the standardized technique included: 1) the use of whole heparinized blood; 2) a minimum, unfortified culture medium; and 3) a vortex mixer for mixing materials during the hypotonic and fixative stages of the harvesting procedure.

Animals↗

Caffeine-mediated changes of sex ratio in Chinese hamsters, Cricetulus griseus.

Sixty 6- to 10-week-old male Chinese hamsters were assigned to two groups. In one, the animals were untreated and in the other, they were treated with 0.02 g caffeine/100 ml water orally for 60 days. The sex ratio of the resulting litters showed a significant (P smaller than 0.025) skewing towards females (61.4%) when compared to that of the controls (49.2%).

Administration, Oral↗