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Biomedical subjects

M J Silvapulle

Publications and source records attributed to M J Silvapulle.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Epidermal growth factor alters the electrolyte profile of lactating ewes (Ovis aries).

1. Lactating ewes were treated with mouse epidermal growth factor (EGF) at a dose rate of 0.5 mg/day for 4 days and its effects on the electrolyte profile were observed. 2. There was no effect of EGF on plasma concentrations of sodium or potassium, although urinary and total (in urine and milk) losses of both were reduced. 3. EGF-induced hypocalcaemia was associated with reduced milk calcium secretion and increased urinary calcium excretion whereas EGF-induced hypermagnesaemia was associated with reduced urinary and total magnesium losses. 4. Glomerular filtration rate was reduced during EGF infusion. 5. Chronic intravenous EGF infusion affects the electrolyte profile by altering electrolyte secretion by the mammary gland and renal electrolyte excretion.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Fluid balance, electrolyte profiles and plasma parathyroid hormone concentrations in ewes treated with epidermal growth factor.

The infusion of low doses of epidermal growth factor (EGF) into lactating ewes stimulates water intake and urine volume. The plasma concentrations and daily output of various electrolytes in milk and urine are also affected. We have investigated this further by recording the effects of EGF infusion on fluid balance, electrolyte profiles and plasma concentrations of glucose and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in non-pregnant, non-lactating ewes. Twenty-four animals (n = 8 per group) received infusions of 100 ml saline/day into the jugular vein for 10 days (days 1-10) followed by EGF at a dose rate of either 1 (low dose), 5 (medium dose) or 10 (high dose) micrograms/kg liveweight per day in 100 ml saline for 5 days (days 11-15). All ewes then received an infusion of 100 ml saline/day for 10 days (days 16-25). Most plasma and urine samples had undetectable concentrations of EGF-immunoreactive material during the periods of saline infusion. During EGF infusion, the highest amounts of EGF infusate excreted in urine were 1.6, 5.9 and 5.6% for ewes in low, medium and high dose groups respectively. Water intake increased by 17% (0.5 kg), 88% (2.5 kg) and 89% (2.3 kg) and urine volume increased by 29% (0.5 kg), 108% (2.2 kg) and 134% (2.1 kg) for the three groups respectively. Fluid balance and feed intake were not affected by EGF infusion, but the output of faecal dry matter was reduced in ewes receiving the two higher doses of EGF. All levels of EGF resulted in hypocalcaemia, increased plasma PTH concentrations and hypermagnesaemia. There was no effect of EGF on plasma concentrations of K+ and glucose or on daily urinary excretion of K+ and Mg2+. The only response to the low dose was a reduced plasma concentration of Na+ and an increased daily urinary urate excretion. The two higher doses increased the daily urinary excretion of Na+, PO4(3-) and urate, but had no effect on the respective concentrations in plasma. Urinary Ca2+ excretion was reduced only during infusion of the medium dose of EGF. The responses of most variables were similar during infusion of the medium and high doses of EGF. All three doses of EGF induced polydipsic and diuretic responses in ewes, and infusions of 5-10 micrograms EGF/kg liveweight per day affected renal excretion of Ca2+, Na+ and PO4(3-). We interpret the responses of the kidney and plasma PTH concentrations as a means of maintaining the homeostasis of plasma profiles of electrolytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Lack of effect of epidermal growth factor treatment in late-pregnant ewes on subsequent lactation.

Twin-bearing ewes were treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) to determine its effect on mammogenesis and resultant milk production and composition. The EGF was infused intravenously at a dose rate of 0.5 mg/d in 300 ml saline between days 117 and 139 of gestation; control animals received placebo infusions of saline. All animals then received continuous infusions of 300 ml/d saline on days 139-144. Following parturition 1-5 d later, ewes were milked by hand for 10 d and thereafter were machine-milked until day 16 of lactation. At this level of treatment, EGF was not detected in the circulation during infusion and feed intake was not affected. All ewes gave birth to healthy twin lambs. There were no effects of EGF on birth weights of lambs, live weights of ewes or lengths of gestation. An EGF-immunoreactive material was detected in the mammary secretions of control ewes at a mean concentration of 2 micrograms/l on day 1 of lactation. Two ewes had detectable levels on day 2, but none was found in the milk thereafter. In the EGF-infused group, concentrations of EGF in colostrum were approximately 10 times higher than in the control ewes on day 1 of lactation and EGF was detected in mammary secretions on day 2 but not in subsequent milk samples. A range of 0.3-0.5% of the EGF infused appeared in mammary secretions over the first 2 d of lactation. No other differences were observed for colostrum composition, subsequent milk yield or composition between the two groups of ewes indicating that mammary gland development and function were unaffected. The levels of EGF observed in the mammary secretions of treated and control ewes indicate that the mammary glands accumulate and store EGF in the pre partum period.

Animals↗