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A reappraisal of the feedback effects of oestradiol upon luteinizing hormone surge.

The objective of this study was to assess the temporal relationships of serum oestradiol and luteinizing hormone (LH) with regard to the feedback mechanism leading to the LH surge. Daily measurements of oestradiol, LH and follicle stimulating hormone were made in 65 women with ovarian failure undergoing an evaluation of endometrial response to oral cycle stimulation. Patients received incremental oral oestradiol valerate for varying durations at the in-vitro fertilization unit of the Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. The treatment protocol involved the administration of daily oestradiol valerate, starting with 1 mg/day, followed by a daily increment of 1 mg for a total of 4, 6 and 8 days. After the last day, a daily maintenance dose of 2 mg was continued. Serum oestradiol concentrations correlated with the dose of oral oestradiol valerate. Peak oestradiol concentrations (mean +/- SEM) were 572 +/- 60, 721 +/- 42 and 797 +/- 53 pg/ml for 4, 6 and 8 days of oestradiol valerate administration respectively. Serum LH, after an initial suppression, peaked 2 days after maximal oestradiol valerate dose and 1 day after peak serum oestradiol. The magnitude of the LH peak was proportional to the duration of incremental oestradiol valerate treatment. In conclusion, the LH surge is temporally related to the cessation of serum oestradiol increase. Consequently, the occurrence of this surge can be explained by a simple negative feedback inhibition of pituitary LH release rather than by a dual negative/positive mechanism.

Adult↗

Stimulation of phosphate transport in the proximal tubule by metabolic substrates.

Studies of phosphate transport in the proximal tubule have recently focused on interactions with cellular metabolism. The present studies demonstrate that two fatty acids, valerate and butyrate, and two tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, succinate and malate, stimulate net phosphate transport in the rabbit proximal tubule by 34-117%. Valerate had no effect on the total uptake of inorganic [32P]phosphate into suspensions of proximal tubules but did enhance the initial rate of influx. Net fluid transport was unaffected by these substrates although glucose absorption increased by 10-15% following the addition of either valerate or succinate. Since valerate, butyrate, and succinate are known to stimulate gluconeogenesis and respiration, we evaluated the role of gluconeogenesis in the stimulation of phosphate transport. The addition of 3-mercaptopicolinate (1 mM), an inhibitor of gluconeogenesis, did not alter phosphate transport, nor did it prevent the valerate-induced stimulation of phosphate transport. We conclude that valerate, butyrate, succinate, and malate enhance phosphate transport by the proximal convoluted tubule. This action appears to be unrelated to effects on gluconeogenesis and may be related to close links between phosphate transport and oxidative metabolism.

Animals↗

Dynamics of the anaerobic process: effects of volatile fatty acids.

A complex and fast dynamic response of the anaerobic biogas system was observed when the system was subjected to pulses of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). It was shown that a pulse of specific VFAs into a well-functioning continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) system operating on cow manure affected both CH(4) yield, pH, and gas production and that a unique reaction pattern was seen for the higher VFAs as a result of these pulses. In this study, two thermophilic laboratory reactors were equipped with a novel VFA-sensor for monitoring specific VFAs online. Pulses of VFAs were shown to have a positive effect on process yield and the levels of all VFA were shown to stabilize at a lower level after the biomass had been subjected to several pulses. The response to pulses of propionate or acetate was different from the response to butyrate, iso-butyrate, valerate, or iso-valerate. High concentrations of propionate affected the degradation of all VFAs, while a pulse of acetate affected primarily the degradation of iso-valerate or 2-methylbutyrate. Pulses of n-butyrate, iso-butyrate, and iso-valerate yielded only acetate, while degradation of n-valerate gave both propionate and acetate. Product sensitivity or inhibition was shown for the degradation of all VFAs tested. Based on the results, it was concluded that measurements of all specific VFAs are important for control purposes and increase and decrease in a specific VFA should always be evaluated in close relationship to the conversion of other VFAs and the history of the reactor process. It should be pointed out that the observed dynamics of VFA responses were based on hourly measurements, meaning that the response duration was much lower than the hydraulic retention time, which exceeds several days in anaerobic CSTR systems.

Acetates↗

Kinetics of substrate hydrolysis and inhibition by mipafox of paraoxon-preinhibited hen brain esterase activity.

For the purpose of assessing the neurotoxic potential of organophosphorus compounds, it has been determined that paraoxon-preinhibited hen brain has both neurotoxicant (mipafox)-sensitive (neurotoxic esterase; NTE) and -insensitive esterase components. Several experiments designed to investigate the kinetic parameters governing the reaction of these esterases with two substrates and one organophosphorus inhibitor are presented. First, kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of phenyl valerate and phenyl phenylacetate were measured. At 37 degrees C, the Km values of NTE for phenyl valerate and phenyl phenylacetate were found to be about 1.4 X 10(-3) and 1.6 X 10(-4) M respectively. At 25 degrees C, the Km of NTE for phenyl valerate was determined to be about 2.4 X 10(-3) M. Secondly, the kinetic constants of NTE for mipafox were measured at both 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C. With either phenyl valerate or phenyl phenylacetate as substrate, the Km at 37 degrees C was determined to be about 1.8 X 10(-4) M, and the phosphorylation constant (k2) was about 1.1 min-1. For phenyl valerate only, the Km at 25 degrees C was found to be about 6 X 10(-4) M, and the k2 was about 0.7 min-1. The data obtained at 25 degrees C were analysed by using a two-component model without formation of Michaelis complex, a two-component model with formation of Michaelis complex on the second component (NTE), or a three-component model without formation of Michaelis complex. The fact that the Michaelis model fit the data significantly better than either of the other two models indicates that the higher apparent Ki values that occur with low concentrations of mipafox are due to formation of Michaelis complex at high concentrations, rather than because of the presence of two NTE isoenzymes, as has been suggested by other investigators.

Animals↗

Combination of a dual 5-lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase inhibitor with a glucocorticoid results in synergistic topical antiinflammatory activity without inducing skin atrophy.

Synthetic glucocorticosteroids are widely used in clinical dermatology in the treatment of a number of inflammatory skin disorders. However, cutaneous side effects such as induction of skin atrophy are among the factors that limit the chronic use of this class of agents. We have found that a combination of a dual 5-lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase inhibitor (9-phenylnonanohydroxamic acid, BMY 30094) and a glucocorticosteroid (hydrocortisone valerate) has synergistic antiinflammatory activity. Topical application of a 0.2% solution of hydrocortisone valerate alone inhibited phorbol ester-induced mouse skin inflammation by 92%. A 1% solution of BMY 30094 alone or a low dose of hydrocortisone valerate (0.005%) had no significant effect on the inflammatory reaction. A combination of 1% BMY 30094 and 0.005% hydrocortisone valerate inhibited the inflammation by 76%. This latter combination produced no signs of skin atrophy in rats after 28 days of application. In contrast, a 0.1% dose of hydrocortisone valerate produced significant skin atrophy. These findings suggest that it is possible to reduce the skin atrophy potential of glucocorticoids while maintaining the antiinflammatory activity using a novel drug combination.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

The relevance of inhibitor-substrate interactions when measuring neuropathy target esterase inhibition.

Neuropathy target esterase (NTE), thought to be the target for organophosphate polyneuropathy, is operationally defined as that neural phenyl valerate esterase resistant to paraoxon (40 microM) and sensitive to mipafox (50 microM; 20 min, pH 8.0, 37 degrees C). The time course of inhibition of particulate paraoxon pretreated esterases by mipafox showed that the lines indicating the rate of inhibition did not pass through the log 100% activity when extrapolated at zero time. Slopes of inhibition of NTE were not linearly related to the concentration of mipafox. Kinetic parameters derived from Wilkinson type plots were: Ka = 49-199 microM, k(+2) = 0.24-0.64 min(-1) and k(a) = 3.1-5.0 mM(-1) m(-1). When mipafox was removed (either by dilution or centrifugation) before the addition of phenyl valerate intercepts below 100% disappeared. We confirm that the formation of Michaelis complex between NTE and mipafox is not prevented by phenyl valerate and that inhibition proceeds after addition of phenyl valerate. We compared inhibitions obtained with experiments by using the traditional method (sequential incubation with inhibitors and phenyl valerate) to those obtained with a method where mipafox is removed before the addition of substrate. When calculating fixed-time 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of some inhibitors for NTE, the longer the hydrolysis time, the lower were the IC50s. Therefore, the inhibitory potency of certain NTE inhibitors, is accurately assessed only when calculating second-order rate constants (k(a)).

Animals↗

Chemical composition of caecal contents in the fowl in relation to dietary fibre level and time of day.

1. Immature hens were preconditioned to a standard diet containing either 0, 100, 200 or 400 g/kg of added dried grass, 200 g/kg powdered cellulose, or 200 g/kg grass with an enzyme supplement, and were killed at either 10.30, 12.30 or 15.30 hr (after measurement of intestinal sugar absorption reported elsewhere). 2. Contents of caeca removed from these birds immediately after death were weighed and analysed for pH, uric acid, free sugars and volatile fatty acids, and the results related to dietary fibre level and time of day (of death). 3. Wet weights and uric acid concentrations of caecal contents both increased with increasing grass in the diet; neither measure varied with time, thus supporting the proposal that filling of caeca is continuous. Values of pH were all close to neutrality. 4. Mean molar concentrations of glucose, galactose, mannose, xylose, arabinose, fucose and rhamnose were in the proportions 36:2:3:1:4:1:1, respectively. Xylose and rhamnose declined with increasing grass; as did glucose, galactose and mannose with added cellulose; glucose, mannose and arabinose levels changed with time. The relative abundance of glucose in caecal contents should be taken into account when estimating contributions of fermentation products to energy balance. 5. Mean concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, iso-butyrate, valerate and iso-valerate were in the proportions 72:22:16:1:2:2. Acetate declined and iso-valerate increased with increasing grass; the cellulose and enzyme treatments caused increases in acetate and valerate respectively; butyrate, iso-butyrate and iso-valerate levels changed with time.

Animals↗

A hypothalamic endorphinic lesion attenuates acquisition of cocaine self-administration in the rat.

The present study explores the role of beta-endorphin-producing neurons of the arcuate nucleus in the behavioral effects of cocaine (i.e. acquisition of cocaine self-administration). Eight-week-old female rats were treated with a single estradiol valerate injection that causes a progressive lesion that is specific to beta-endorphin-producing neurons throughout the arcuate nucleus. Cocaine acquisition was suppressed following estradiol valerate pretreatment, while water reinforced behavior was similar to controls. Since estradiol valerate treated rats exhibit low estrogen plasma levels, estrogen replacement was performed but cocaine self-administration acquisition remained suppressed. In addition, analysis of beta-endorphin, dopamine, and DOPAC tissue levels confirmed the specificity of the endorphinic lesion resulting from estradiol valerate treatment. The suppression of cocaine self-administration acquisition following estradiol valerate treatment provides evidence for a significant role for beta-endorphin in cocaine reward.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

The effect of hormone replacement therapy on the oxidation of low density lipoprotein in postmenopausal women.

The oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) is important in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and oestrogen has been shown to inhibit copper and cell mediated oxidation of LDL in vitro. We have investigated the effect of oral and transdermal oestrogens (oestradiol valerate 1 mg, conjugated equine oestrogens 0.625 mg and patches releasing 50 microg oestradiol daily), oestrogen implants (oestradiol 50 mg) and oral combined oestrogen and progestogen (oestradiol valerate 2 mg with medroxyprogesterone acetate 5 mg and oestradiol valerate 2 mg with norethisterone acetate 1 mg), on the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation in postmenopausal women (total n = 56). Oxidation of LDL was initiated by the addition of copper ions, and monitored by measurement of conjugated dienes. Changes in fasting serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides were also evaluated, as were changes in LDL composition. Total cholesterol decreased by 5.5% (P < 0.05) with CEE, 6.8% with oestradiol implants (P < 0.05), 9.3% with oestradiol + MPA (P < 0.01) and 10% with oestradiol + norethisterone (P < 0.05). There were reductions in LDL with oral oestradiol valerate (7.8%) (P < 0.05), CEE (13.8%) (P < 0.01) and oestradiol combined with MPA (12.7%) (P < 0.05). HDL increased by 7.1% (P < 0.01) and 6.3% (P < 0.05), with oestradiol valerate and CEE respectively, and decreased by 9% (P < 0.05) with implants and by 14.7% with oestradiol combined with norethisterone (P < 0.01). Triglycerides were significantly increased with CEE (14.9%) and reduced with oestradiol implants (15.2%) (both P < 0.05). While there was no change in the ratio of 'cholesterol ester' to 'free cholesterol' within LDL with any of the HRT preparations, a reduction in total cholesterol and cholesterol ester content of LDL occurred with transdermal oestradiol and a reduction in free cholesterol occurred with oestradiol plus MPA. Although we found a small but significant decrease in plasma hydroperoxide concentration four weeks after insertion of the oestradiol implant from 1.17 +/- 0.06 to 1.03 +/- 0.04 micromol/l (P < 0.05), we found no significant change in the lag time to oxidation, or in the maximum rate of propagation of the reaction, after treatment with any of the above forms of hormone replacement therapy. This study does not therefore support the role of oestrogens as antioxidants in vivo.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Optimizing continuous-combined hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women: a comparison of six different treatment regimens.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the optimum estradiol valerate-medroxyprogesterone acetate regimens for efficacy and safety. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a 24-month, randomized, double-blind phase II study. Four hundred nineteen women who were postmenopausal for at least 3 years were placed in six parallel treatment groups and received 1 or 2 mg estradiol valerate with either 2.5 or 5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate. In two groups the dose of estradiol valerate was increased from 1 to 2 mg estradiol valerate after 6 months. RESULTS: A marked improvement of climacteric symptoms was observed, and most women had no bleeding even during the first 3 months of treatment. The best bleeding pattern was achieved with 1 mg estradiol valerate and 2.5 or 5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate, and in most groups the bleeding pattern improved over time. No cases of hyperplasia were observed. CONCLUSION: All regimens alleviated climacteric symptoms and provided excellent bleeding control, even during the early weeks of treatment. A choice of various dose combinations offers flexibility of dosing, thus enabling therapy to be tailored to the needs of individual women.

Bone Density↗

Feasibility of measuring lipophilic or protein-bound drugs in the dermis by in vivo microdialysis after topical or systemic drug administration.

Our aim was to assess the microdialysis technique for determining in vivo drug levels of a lipophilic and a protein-bound model drug in the dermis. Forearm skin of healthy volunteers received topical 2% fusidic acid or 0.1% betamethasone-17-valerate formulations twice daily as occluded treatment on irritative dermatitis. Microdialysis sampling in the dermis after 48 h was without measurable drug. Hairless rats received maximized treatment with occluded applications of 10% fusidic acid or 4% betamethasone-17-valerate in ethanol for 72 h followed by microdialysis. Mean levels of betamethasone-17-valerate were 11-45 ng/ml; fusidic acid was not measurable. Systemic administration in clinical doses to rats was without measurable drug levels; increasing doses to 312 mg/kg of fusidic acid and 158 mg/kg of betamethasone-17-valerate yielded betamethasone-17-valerate levels of 25-44 ng/ml and fusidic acid levels of 10-90 ng/ml. This study demonstrates the challenges arising when using microdialysis for measuring in vivo-drug levels. For the drugs chosen it was necessary to administer very high systemic doses or apply a high topical drug concentration to obtain measurable drug levels in the dialysates. Drug levels were in the nanomolar range and demonstrated reproducible and dynamic monitoring of in vivo drug levels in the skin. Using microdialysis for sampling highly protein-bound or lipophilic drugs in the skin requires very sensitive analytical methods, and the sensitivity of the analysis is likely to be the limiting factor.

Administration, Oral↗

Discrimination of the toxic potential of chemically differing topical glucocorticoids using a neutral red release assay with human keratinocytes and fibroblasts.

In inflammatory skin disease, hydrocortisone and prednisolone double esters are about equipotent to conventional medium potency topical glucocorticoids, such as betamethasone valerate. Local adverse effects, in particular skin atrophy, are a potential problem with topical glucocorticoids. Recently, cell cultures have shown promise as a means of assessing local tolerance. To investigate the toxic potential of hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone-17-butyrate, hydrocortisone aceponate, prednicarbate, triamcinolone acetonide, betamethasone valerate and desoximethasone, human keratinocytes and fibroblasts were exposed to these agents in vitro, using a modified neutral red release assay. In addition, the morphology of these cells was assessed by light microscopy. Although all the topical glucocorticoids tested proved toxic to both cell types, there were major differences between glucocorticoids in their effect on fibroblasts. Hydrocortisone and the non-halogenated double-ester-type glucocorticoids were less toxic than the conventional medium potency topical glucocorticoids tested (betamethasone valerate and desoximethasone). In particular, hydrocortisone aceponate was less toxic than betamethasone valerate (P < or = 0.05). In general, the effect of topical glucocorticoids on the cells, based on neutral red release, was more marked with keratinocytes than with fibroblasts. Although the ranking order with respect to the toxic potential was similar, a clear-cut difference was not observed between non-halogenated double-ester-type glucocorticoids and betamethasone valerate. Morphological changes due to glucocorticoid exposure followed the same pattern with both keratinocytes and fibroblasts. The neutral red release assay is able to discriminate between the cytotoxic effects of chemically differing topical glucocorticoids on human keratinocytes and fibroblasts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Topical↗

Formation of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) by Azotobacter vinelandii UWD.

Azotobacter vinelandii UWD formed polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) copolymers containing beta-hydroxybutyrate and beta-hydroxyvalerate (HV) when grown in a medium containing glucose as the primary C source and valerate (pentanoate) as a precursor. Copolymer was not formed when propionate was added to the glucose medium but was formed when heptanoate, nonanoate, or trans-2-pentenoate was present. Optimal levels of HV were formed when valerate was added at the time of maximum PHA synthesis, although HV incorporation was not dependent on glucose catabolism. HV content in the polymer was increased from 17 to 24 mol% by adding 10 to 40 mM valerate to glucose medium, but HV insertion into the polymer occurred at a fixed rate. Similarly, the addition of valerate to a fed-batch culture of strain UWD in beet molasses in a fermentor produced 19 to 22 g of polymer per liter, containing 8.5 to 23 mol% HV after 38 to 40 h. The synthesis of HV in these cultures also occurred at a fixed rate (2.3 to 2.8 mol% h-1), while the maximum PHA production rate was 1.1 g liter-1 h-1. During synthesis of copolymer in batch or fed-batch culture, the yield from conversion of glucose into PHA (YP/S) remained at maximum theoretical efficiency (greater than or equal to 0.33 g of PHA per g of glucose consumed). Up to 45 mol% C source, but the PHA produced amounted to less than 1 g/liter. The combination of 30 mM valerate as a sole C source and 0.5 mM 4-pentenoate increased the HV content in the polymer to 52 mol%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Azotobacter vinelandii↗

Efficacy of a liposome preparation of anti-inflammatory steroid as an ocular drug-delivery system.

The efficacy of a liposome preparation on ocular steroid availability was investigated by both tracer studies and investigation of in vivo steroid uptake by the cornea. Dexamethasone and its ester derivatives were used as model drugs and aqueous suspensions of each served as control preparations. The liposome preparation containing dexamethasone valerate provided the highest ocular drug levels among the examined preparations. In the case of dexamethasone or dexamethasone palmitate, the liposomal form provided a lower drug level in comparison with the suspension. High esterase activity for dexamethasone valerate was observed in the corneal homogenate supernatant, and most of the steroid taken up after instillation of dexamethasone valerate was metabolized to free alcohol. The corneal dexamethasone level was almost proportional to the concentration of free dexamethasone valerate in the liposome preparation. Only the addition of stearylamine (SA) to the liposomal membrane had an added extra effect on the corneal absorption of dexamethasone valerate.

Animals↗

Accumulation of biopolymers in activated sludge biomass.

In this study, activated sludge bacteria from a conventional wastewater treatment process were induced to accumulate polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) under different carbon-nitrogen (C:N) ratios. As the C:N ratio increased from 20 to 140, specific polymer yield increased to a maximum of 0.38 g of polymer/g of dry cell mass while specific growth yield decreased. The highest overall polymer production yield of 0.11 g of polymer/g of carbonaceous substrate consumed was achieved using a C:N ratio of 100. Moreover, the composition of polymer accumulated was dependent on the valeric acid content in the feed. Copolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) [P(3HB-co-3HV)] was produced in the presence of valeric acid. The 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) mole fraction in the copolymer was linearly related to valeric content in the feed, which reached a maximum of 54% when valeric acid was used as sole carbon source. When the 3HV U in the polymer increased from 0-54 mol%, the melting temperature decreased from 178 degrees to 99 degrees C. Thus, the composition, and hence the mechanical properties, of the copolymer produced from activated sludge can be controlled by adjusting the mole fraction of valeric acid in the feed medium.

Journal Article↗

Effects of bromocriptine on serum prolactin levels, pituitary weight and immunoreactive prolactin cells in estradiol-treated ovariectomized rats: an experimental model of estrogen-dependent hyperprolactinemia.

The present study was designed to assess the effects of bromocriptine, a dopamine agonist, on pituitary wet weight, number of immunoreactive prolactin cells and serum prolactin concentrations in estradiol-treated rats. Ovariectomized Wistar rats were injected subcutaneously with sunflower oil vehicle or estradiol valerate (50 or 300 micrograms/rat(-1) week (-1) for 2, 4, or 10 weeks. Bromocriptine (0.2 or 0.6 mg rat (-1) day (-1)) was injected daily during the last 5 or 12 days of estrogen treatment. Data were compared with those obtained for intact control rats. Administration of both doses of estrogen increased serum prolactin levels. No difference in the number of prolactin cells in rats treated with 50 micrograms estradiol valerate was observed compared to intact adult animals. In contrast, rats treated with 300 micrograms estradiol valerate showed a significant increase in the number of prolactin cells (P < 0.05). Therefore, the increase inn serum prolactin levels observed in rats treated with 50 micrograms estradiol valerate, in the absence of morphological changes in the pituitary cells, suggests a "functional" estrogen-induced hyperprolactinemia. Bromocriptine decreased prolactin levels in all estrogen-treated rats. The administration of this drug to rats previously treated with 300 micrograms estradiol valerate also resulted in a significant decrease in pituitary weight and number of prolactin cells when compared to the group treated with estradiol alone. The general antiprolactinemic and antiproliferative pituitary effects of bromocriptine treatment reported here validate the experimental model of estrogen-induced hyperprolactinemic rats.

Animals↗

Interestrous interval of cyclic gilts is decreased by systemic but not intrauterine administration of exogenous oxytocin.

Oxytocin (OT) stimulates pulsatile secretion of uterine prostaglandinF2alpha in ruminants, but the role of OT in the estrous cycle regulation of pigs is not clear. These studies were performed to determine the effect of exogenous OT on interestrous interval of intact cyclic gilts. Intrauterine infusion of 80 USP units three times daily on d 10 to 16 after estrus did not decrease interestrous interval (24.5+/-1.3 d) compared with control gilts (22.5+/-1.3 d). In contrast, i.m. injections of 20 USP units of OT twice daily or 80 USP units of OT three times daily on d 10 to 16 after estrus decreased (P < 0.05) interestrous interval (20.0+/-0.3 or 19.5+/-0.4 d, respectively) compared with control gilts (20.5+/-0.3 d). When gilts received a single i.m. injection of 0 or 1 mg of estradiol valerate on d 11 and twice daily i.m. injections of 0 or 20 USP units OT on d 10 to 16 after estrus, an interaction (P = 0.05) between OT and estradiol valerate was detected. In the absence of exogenous estradiol valerate, injection of OT decreased interestrous interval (19.0+/-0.5 d) compared with injection of vehicle (20.4+/-0.5 d). However, when gilts were injected with 1 mg of estradiol valerate to inhibit luteolysis, OT did not prevent the increase in interestrous interval (25.4+/-0.5 d) compared with injections of vehicle (24.7+/-0.5 d). These results indicate that 1) exogenous OT administered by intrauterine infusion on d 10 to 16 did not decrease interestrous interval of intact cyclic gilts, 2) exogenous OT administered i.m. on d 10 to 16 shortened interestrous interval, and 3) exogenous OT did not prevent the increase in interestrous interval induced by estradiol valerate.

Animals↗

Volatile fatty acid metabolism by rumen mucosa from cattle fed hay or grain.

Effects of an all-grain versus an all-hay diet on metabolic activity of rumen mucosa of cattle were investigated. After diets had been fed for 3 to 4 mo, rumen papillae were collected at slaughter from the dorsal rumen sac and incubated with one of various volatile fatty acids. Rates of substrate utilization were in the order: n-butyrate greater than n-valerate approximately propionate greater than iso-butyrate approximately iso-valerate. Over-all, papillae from hay-fed steers utilized greater amounts of volatile fatty acids. Dietary treatment did not significantly affect extent of conversion of volatile fatty acids to lactate and to ketone bodies. Lactate was the major metabolite from propionate and n-valerate. Ketone body formation accounted for more than 90% of n-butyrate uptake by papillae. Ketone formation from n-valerate was restricted to beta-hydroxybutyrate while that from iso-valerate was essentially acetoacetate plus acetone. Metabolic systems in rumen mucosa of physiologically mature ruminants seem to adapt little to varying individual volatile fatty acids available for absorption in vivo.

Acetoacetates↗