BACKGROUND: Current vascular prostheses are considered still inadequate for reconstruction of small-diameter vessels. To evaluate the potential use of xenograft vessels as small diameter arterial grafts, we implanted porcine vessels in goats. The grafts were treated with two different processes, freezing and acellularization, before implantation, and gross inspection as well as microscopic examination followed after a predetermined period. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Bilateral porcine carotid arteries were harvested and immediately stored at -70 degrees C within tissue preservation solution. One of them was designated as frozen xenograft vessel. The other one was put on acellularization process using NaCl-SDS solution and stored frozen until further use. Grafts were implanted in the place of carotid arteries of the same goat. The grafts have remained implanted for 1, 3, and 6 months in three animals, respectively. Periodic ultrasonographic examinations were performed during the observation period. After explantation, the grafts were analyzed grossly and histologically under light microscope. RESULT: All animals survived the experimental procedure without problems. Ultrasonographic examinations showed excellent patency of all the grafts during the observation period. Gross examination revealed nonthrombotic, patent lumens with smooth surfaces. Microscopic examinations of the explanted grafts showed cellular reconstruction at the 6-month stage in both grafts. Although more inflammatory responses were observed in the early phase of frozen xenografts, there was no evidence of significant rejection. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that porcine xenograft vessels, regardless of pre-implantation processes of acelluarization or freezing, can be acceptably implanted in goats, although short duration of observation in a small number of animals may limit this study.
Animals ; Bioprosthesis ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Carotid Arteries ; Freezing ; Goats* ; Heterografts ; Tissue Preservation ; Transplantation, Heterologous* ; Transplants*

The reliability of a Korean black goat (Capra hircus coreanae) to detect estrus in Himalayan tahrs (Hemitragus jemlahicus) for an artificial breeding program was investigated. Estrus in six female Himalayan tahrs was synchronized using fluorogestone acetate (FGA) sponges. Thirteen days later, 200 IU of PMSG and 100 IU of hCG were injected before removing the sponges and simultaneously injecting 5 mg of PGF2alpha the next day. Penetration of the cervical canal and the thickness and location of red crayon marks were examined 40~43 h later. Two females treated with sponges containing 60 or 45 mg of FGA had estrogen levels of 8.7 and 11.1 pg/mL, respectively. No red marks were found on the backs of these two tahrs. The remaining females had higher levels of estradiol, and the red crayon marks were clearly shown. The cervical folds of these tahrs were readily penetrated and the insemination gun was smoothly inserted into the uterine body. In conclusion, a Korean domestic goat with its chest crayon-harnessed was successfully used to detect estrus of Himalayan tahrs. This technique might be utilized as a part of breeding programs for wild goats and avoid the need for a vasectomy of conspecific males.
Animals ; Breeding/methods ; Estradiol/blood ; Estrus/physiology ; Estrus Detection/*methods ; Estrus Synchronization/methods ; Female ; Goats/*physiology ; Male ; Progesterone/blood

OBJECTIVETo compare the mechanical properties of point contact-dynamic compression plate (PC-DCP) and its effects on cortical bone perfusion with that of dynamic compression plates (DCP) in goat tibiae.

METHODSTwenty pairs of matched fresh goat tibiae were used. A transverse fracture model was established. The fractures with a 3mm interspace between the fracture ends were subject to fixations with the DCPs and the PC-DCPs respectively, then the four-points bending tests and the torsion tests were conducted to compare the mechanical properties of the PC-DCP with that of DCP. Another 13 sexually mature goats underwent fixations with the DCPs and the PC-DCPs, respectively, at the mid-shafts of the intact bilateral tibiae. Ischemic zones were observed at four time points (1 day, 2, 6, and 12 weeks after operation) using disulphine blue staining technique.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in mechanical properties, such as bend- and torsion-resistance, between the DCPs and the PC-DCPs. One day, 2, and 6 weeks after operation, on the side of DCP fixation, outer cortical bone ischemia under the plate persisted, and this condition did not reverse until 12 weeks after operation. However, on the side of PC-DCP fixation, cortical bone ischemia occurred only in the periphery of the screw holes and at the contact sites of the PC NUTs 1 day after operation, and it disappeared at 2 weeks after operation.

CONCLUSIONSThe PC-DCP has similar biomechanical properties of the DCP, but is less detrimental to local bone blood circulation than the conventional plates.

Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Plates ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Goats ; Staining and Labeling ; Tibia ; blood supply ; Tibial Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to study the changes in the inferior alveolar vessels and angiogenesis following mandibular lengthening with different rates of distraction.

METHODSBilateral mandibular corticotomies were performed in 6 goats. The mandibles in 6 goats were lengthened 10.0 mm using a custom-made distractor with different rates of distraction (1.0 mm/d[n = 3] and 2.0 mm/d [n = 3]); the other 2 nondistracted mandibles served as control. The goats with distracted mandibles were killed at 2 weeks after completion of distraction. The inferior alveolar vessels with distracted calluses were harvested and processed for histologic and morphometric evaluation.

RESULTSNo pathological changes in the inferior alveolar vessels were found following mandibular osteodistraction. However, the number of microvessels within distraction gap in the animals distracted at a rate of 1.0 mm/day was greater than that in the goats distracted using a rate of 2.0 mm/day, and more mature newly formed bone trabeculae was observed.

CONCLUSIONThere were no significant changes in the inferior alveolar vessels after mandibular lengthening with distraction osteogenesis, but rapid distraction may have adverse effects on the aniogenesis in the distraction gap.

Alveolar Process ; blood supply ; Animals ; Blood Vessels ; physiology ; Capillaries ; physiology ; Goats ; Male ; Mandible ; blood supply ; surgery ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Osteotomy

PURPOSEWe once reported blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) in confined space. Here, bTBI was studied again on goats in the open air using 3.0 kg trinitrotoluene.

METHODSThe goats were placed at 2, 4, 6 and 8 m far from explosion center. Trinitrotoluene (TNT) was used as the source of the blast wave and the pressure at each distance was recorded. The systemic physiology, electroencephalogram, serum level of S-100 beta, and neuron specific enolase (NSE) were determined pre and post the exposure. Neuroanatomy and neuropathology were observed 4 h after the exposure.

RESULTSSimple blast waveforms were recorded with parameters of 702.8 kPa-0.442 ms, 148.4 kPa-2.503 ms, 73.9 kPa-3.233 ms, and 41.9 kPa-5.898 ms at 2, 4, 6 and 8 m respectively. Encephalic blast overpressure was on the first time recorded in the literature by us at 104.2 kPa-0.60 ms at 2 m, where mortality and burn rate were 44% and 44%. Gross examination showed that bTBI was mainly manifested as congestive expansion of blood vessels and subarachnoid hemorrhage, which had a total incidence of 25% and 19% in 36 goats. Microscopical observation found that the main pathohistological changes were enlarged perivascular space (21/36, 58%), small hemorrhages (9/36, 25%), vascular dilatation and congestion (8/36, 22%), and less subarachnoid hemorrhage (2/36, 6%). After explosion, serum levels of S-100b and NSE were elevated, and EEG changed into slow frequency with declined amplitude. The results indicated that severity and incidence of bTBI is related to the intensity of blast overpressure.

CONCLUSIONBlast wave can pass through the skull to directly injure brain tissue.

Animals ; Blast Injuries ; complications ; Brain ; pathology ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic ; etiology ; pathology ; Electroencephalography ; Goats ; Male ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; blood ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the situation of Xinjiang hemorrhagic fever (XHF) in patients who have been diagnosed as XHF by clinical methods and to predict the condition in people who were liable to infection and in the host-animals.

METHODSSera collected from XHF patients and some peasants under the risk of contracting the disease, followed by checking the specific antibody against XHF with IgG-ELISA and IgM capture ELISA, and XHF viral antigen with antigen capture ELISA. In addition, 80 sheep/goats serums were collected from two places where there were more XHF cases and specific IgG antibody against XHF checked by ELISA method.

RESULTSPositive rate of IgG and IgM antibodies were 39.62% (21/53) and 20.75% (11/53) respectively in the serums of patients; one patient's serum showed XHFV antigen positive by antigen capture ELISA. IgG antibody positive rate for peasants' sera was 21.05% (4/19), but IgM antibody detection showed negative for all sera. In sera from 80 sheep and goats, 70% (56/80) showed IgG positive.

CONCLUSIONResults showed that XHF broke out in Bachu county from April to June 2001 while recessive infection of the disease remained serious.

Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Antigens, Viral ; blood ; China ; epidemiology ; Goats ; Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo ; immunology ; Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean ; blood ; epidemiology ; virology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Sheep

Ofloxacin was administered to six male goats intravenously (5 mg/kg) to determine its kinetic behavior, tissue residue, in vitro plasma protein binding and to compute a rational dosage regimen. The concentration of ofloxacin in plasma and tissue samples collected at prescheduled time were estimated by using HPLC. The pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by non-compartmental model and plasma protein binding was estimated by equilibrium dialysis technique. The therapeutic concentration (> or = 0.5 microgram/ml) was maintained up to 36 h and the initial concentration at 2.5min (14.76 +/- 0.47 microgram/ml) declined to 0.05 +/- 0.03 microgram/ml at 96 h with a secondary peak (0.64 +/- 0.15 microgram/ml) at 24 h. The mean AUC, AUMC, t1/2, MRT, Cl and Vd were calculated to be 58.94 +/- 19.43 microgram h/ml, 1539.57 +/- 724.69 microgram h2/ml, 15.58 +/- 1.87 h, 22.46 +/- 2.71 h, 135.60 +/- 31.12 ml/h/kg and 2.85 +/- 0.74 L/kg respectively. Significantly high concentration of drug was detected in different tissues after 24 h of intravenous dosing of 5mg/kg, at 24 h interval for 5 days. The in vitro plasma protein binding of ofloxacin was found to be 15.28 +/- 0.94%. Based on these kinetic parameters, a loading dose of 5mg/kg followed by the maintenance dose of 3mg/kg at 24 h dosing interval by intravenous route is recommended.
Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents/*pharmacokinetics ; Blood Proteins/*metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/veterinary ; Goats/*metabolism ; Male ; Ofloxacin/*pharmacokinetics ; Protein Binding ; Tissue Distribution

This experiment was conducted to assess the changing patterns and relative values of acute phase proteins and inflammatory cytokines in experimental caprine coccidiosis. Eighteen newborn kids were allocated to 3 equal groups. Two groups, A and B, were inoculated with a single dose of 1x10(3) and 1x10(5) sporulated oocysts of Eimeria arloingi, respectively. The third group, C, received distilled water as the control. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of each kid in both groups before inoculation and at days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 post-inoculation (PI), and the levels of haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma were measured. For histopathological examinations, 2 kids were selected from each group, euthanized, and necropsied on day 42 PI. Mean Hp concentrations in groups A and B (0.34 and 0.68 g/L) at day 7 PI were 3.2 and 6.3 times higher than the levels before inoculation. The mean SAA concentrations in groups A and B (25.6 and 83.5 microg/ml) at day 7 PI were 4.2 and 13.7 times higher than the levels before inoculation. The magnitude and duration of the Hp and SAA responses correlated well with the inoculation doses and the severity of the clinical signs and diarrhea in kids. These results were consistent with the histopathological features, which showed advanced widespread lesions in group B. In both groups, significant correlations were observed for TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma with SAA and Hp, respectively. In conclusion, Hp and SAA can be useful non-specific diagnostic indicators in caprine coccidiosis.
Acute-Phase Proteins/*analysis ; Animals ; Blood Chemical Analysis ; Coccidiosis/*immunology/*pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Eimeria/*pathogenicity ; Goats ; Histocytochemistry ; Inflammation Mediators/*analysis

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) plays an important role in reproduction and social activities in ruminants including goats. A morphological study on the structure of VNO and its epithelial cells was carried out in Korean black goats. Grossly, the VNO of Korean goats opens into mouth through incisive ducts. Microscopically, the epithelium of VNO consisted of medial sensory epithelium and lateral non-sensory epithelium. Several blood vessels and nerve bundles were observed in the lamina propria encased by vomeronasal cartilage. Immunohistochemical staining showed that protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 was immunostained in the receptor cells of the sensory epithelium and in some cells of the non-sensory epithelium. Galectin-3 was mainly observed in the supporting cells of sensory and non-sensory epithelium. Lectins including wheat germ agglutinin, Ulex europaeus agglutinin, Bandeiraea simplicifolia lectin Isolectin B4, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin and soybean agglutinin used in this study were bound in VNO sensory, non-sensory epithelia as well as in the lamina propria with varying intensity. Collectively, this is a first descriptive morphological study of VNO of Korean black goat with special reference to lectin histochemistry.
Blood Vessels ; Cartilage ; Dolichos ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Galectin 3 ; Goats ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lectins ; Mouth ; Mucous Membrane ; Plant Lectins ; Reproduction ; Ruminants ; Soybean Proteins ; Soybeans ; Triticum ; Ulex ; Vomeronasal Organ

The purpose of this study was to identify the composition and organization of lingual tissues underlying the histo-structural change of developing tongue in Korean native goats by light microscopy (LM). Tongues of the fetuses on days 60, 90, 120 and neonate were examined for the morphological development. In the 60-day-old fetuses, the tongue tissues were differentiated into epithelium, lamina propria and muscle layer. Primordia of filiform, conical, lentiform, fungiform and vallate papillae appeared and rudiments of taste bud were observed in the epithelia of the primordia of the gustatory papillae. The dorsal surface of the lingual epithelia showed a weak PAS positive reaction. Collagenous fibers and small blood vessels were shown in the connective tissues. In the 90-day-old fetuses, Von Ebner's glands were moderately PAS positive while the muscle fibers and connective tissue were strongly positive for PAS. The collagenous fibers increased and came to have a more complex arrangement in the tongue. The muscle fibers were spread out at various directions and developed in striated muscle bundles. In the 120-day-old fetuses, taste buds were observed in the epithelia of the gustatory papillae, and several well-developed tissues visible such as blood vessels, collagenous fibers, muscle fiber bundles and Von Ebner's glands. In the neonates, many taste buds were found in a transverse section of the vallate papilla. The muscle layers, Von Ebner's glands, collagenous fibers and blood vessels were more developed than those of the 120-day old fetuses. These findings indicate that goat tongues have a variety of different shapes during prenatal development.
Blood Vessels ; Collagen ; Connective Tissue ; Epithelium ; Fetus ; Goats* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Microscopy ; Morphogenesis ; Mucous Membrane ; Muscle, Striated ; Muscles ; Taste Buds ; Tongue* ; von Ebner Glands