Hair Scores Research Articles

80 Effect of copper bolus administration on circulating copper concentration, blood metabolites and parasite load

Abstract In Texas and Southeastern United States Cu concentration in the soil is in the lower 50th percentile, this leads low bioavailability of copper for livestock. Therefore, a 70-d completely randomized block design study was conducted to determine the effects of Cu and fecal egg count in grazing beef cows (n = 40). Cows were blocked by parity and body weight (BW) then randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: standard offering of copper via free choice mineral (CON; Ragland Sweet Mag Mineral Mix, 425 ppm Cu) and those receiving a 25 mg Cu rumen bolus in addition to the standard offering (Santa Cruz Animal Health, Dallas, TX). Cattle were managed as a single herd at the with equal access to water, a grain supplement, and a warm season grass pasture. Fecal samples via rectal grab, blood via coccygeal venipuncture, BW, BCS, hair coat (1 being the healthiest) and shedding (1 being the most slick) scores were all collected on d 0, 10, 24, 38, and 66 relative to treatment initiation. Sera were analyzed to determine circulating Cu, macrominerals, urea, creatinine, and various blood proteins. Fecal egg counts were conducted to determine Coccidial, Moniezia, and Trichostrongyle egg content. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS inst. Inc, Cary, NC). No treatment × day interaction (P = 0.988) was observed for circulating Cu; however, Cu decreased (P < 0.001) in all cattle over time, and TRT tended (P = 0.090) to have increased Cu compared with CON. No interactions or main effects occurred (P > 0.509) for BW. No interaction (P = 0.4389) occurred for BCS, hair, or shedding scores. Hair scores (P < 0.001), shedding scores (P < 0.041), and BCS(P < 0.001) decreased in all cattle over time. Body condition for TRT (5.2 ± 0.056) was greater (P =.0024) than CON (4.9 ± 0.057). Hair score by day decreased (P < 0.001) in TRT, while the shedding had a tendency of increasing (P = 0.0411) by TRT. There were no interactions or main effects on Coccidial (P < 0.220) or Trichostrongyle (P < 0.274) egg content. While no interaction (P = 0.673) for Moniezia was observed, TRT tended (P = 0.095) to have fewer Moniezia eggsthan CON. No interactions (P > 0.100) were observed for any of the blood metabolites, and while they differed (P < 0.05) day to day for all cows, no treatment effects occurred (P > 0.10). Although Cu bolus administration at this concentration did tend to change Cu copper in the animal, effects resulting from it were minimal.

Evaluation of skin barrier function based on skin dermoscopic features in patients with rosacea.

Evaluation of skin barrier function based on skin dermoscopic features in patients with rosacea.

PSIV-B-18 Effects of Winter Hair Shedding Level and Service Sire Breed on cow-Calf Performance of a Spring-Calving Herd in the Southeastern United States

Abstract Over three years, the effects of winter hair shedding and service sire breed on cow-calf performance were assessed. Dexter cows were scored each spring for percentage of winter hair loss (0% = thick coat, 100% = smooth coat). Cows were exposed by natural service to Dexter (DEX) and Mashona (MAS) bulls in July. Calves were weighed at birth, 3.5 mo of age, and at weaning (7 mo). Based on hair scores in early June of each year, cows were classified as low shedders (LoS; 0 to 50%; n = 67) or high shedders (HiS; 51 to 100%; n = 130). Hair shed interacted (p < 0.05) with sire breed to affect pregnancy rates. HiS x MAS had a greater (p < 0.05) pregnancy rate than HiS x DEX (92.8 ± 3.8 vs. 60.9 ± 7.7%). Breeds did not differ (p > 0.05) within LoS. Pregnancy rate was greater (p < 0.05) for HiS than LoS (81.6 ± 4.8 vs. 63.1 ± 7.7%). Hair shed scores did not affect (p > 0.05) ADG. MAS calves had greater (p < 0.05) birth to 3.5 mo and birth to weaning ADG (0.77 ± 0.06 and 0.58 ± 0.05 kg/d, respectively) than DEX calves (0.64 ± 0.06 and 0.48 ± 0.05 kg/d, respectively). Across two complete production years, shedding group and service sire breed interacted (p < 0.05) for calf weight weaned per cow exposed. Within MAS, HiS weaned more weight (p < 0.05) than LoS (157.08 ± 24.27 vs. 48.47 ± 28.90 kg). Hair shedding was not important within DEX. Within HiS, MAS cows weaned more weight (p < 0.05) than DEX cows (157.08 ± 24.27 vs. 84.01 ± 24.01 kg). Service sire breed was not important within LoS. Hair shedding level and service sire breed influenced cow-calf performance.

Characterizing the role of facial hair in gender identity and expression among transgender men

Characterizing the role of facial hair in gender identity and expression among transgender men

In vivo evaluation of insect wax for hair growth potential.

Insect wax is secreted by Ericerus pela Chavanness. It has been traditionally used to treat hair loss in China, but few reports have been published on the hair growth-promoting effect of insect wax. In this work, we examined the hair growth-promoting effects of insect wax on model animals. Different concentrations of insect wax were topically applied to the denuded backs of mice, and 5% minoxidil was applied topically as a positive control. We found that insect wax significantly promoted hair growth in a dose-dependent manner, 45% and 30% insect wax both induced hair to regrow, while less visible hair growth was observed in blank controls on the 16th day. The experimental areas treated with 45% and 30% insect wax exhibited significant differences in hair scores compared to blank controls, and hair lengths in the 45% and 30% insect wax group was significantly longer than in blank controls on the 16th and 20th days. There were no new hair follicles forming in the treated areas, and the hair follicles were prematurely converted to the anagen phase from the telogen phase in experimental areas treated with 45% and 30% insect wax. Both 45% and 30% insect wax upregulated vascular endothelial growth factor expression. The results indicated that 45% and 30% insect wax showed hair growth-promoting potential approximately as potent as 5% minoxidil by inducing the premature conversion of telogen-to-anagen and by prolonging the mature anagen phase rather than increasing the number of hair follicles, which was likely related to the upregulation of VEGF expression. The dissociative policosanol in insect wax was considered the key ingredient most likely responsible for the hair growth promoting potential.

Prediction of cerebral infarction and patient outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: comparison of new and established radiographic, clinical and combined scores.

There are numerous grading scales to describe the severity of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and to predict outcome. Historically, outcome measures are heterogeneous and the comparability of grading scales is therefore limited. We designed this study to compare radiographic, clinical and combined grading systems in aSAH. Data from 423 consecutive patients with aSAH were analyzed. Modified Fisher (mFish), Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI), Hunt and Hess (HH), World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS), VASOGRADE (VG) and HAIR scores were calculated from clinical and radiographic data or the combination of both. Outcome measures included the development of new cerebral infarction (CI) and functional patient outcome assessed by the modified Rankin scale. Cerebral infarction and unfavorable outcome were predicted by radiographic, clinical and combined measures (each with P≤0.001). Clinical (HH, WFNS) and combined (VG, HAIR) scores had superior predictive power for CI compared with mFish grading but not BNI [area under the curve (AUC)mFish 0.612, AUCBNI 0.616, AUCWFNS 0.672, AUCHH 0.673, AUCVG 0.674, AUCHAIR 0.638]. Predictive performances of clinical gradings (HH, WFNS) for patient outcome were superior to radiographic measures and of similar quality or better than combined systems (AUCBNI 0.628, AUCmFish 0.654, AUCWFNS 0.736, AUCHH 0.749, AUCVG 0.711, AUCHAIR 0.739). Knowledge of the merits and limitations of clinical, radiographic and combined scores is necessary in routine clinical practice. The new combined grading systems (HAIR, VG) showed no superiority compared with the established clinical measures (WFNS, HH) in predicting CI and unfavorable patient outcome.

Association between hair cortisol concentration and perceived stress in female methamphetamine addicts

ObjectiveThe present study aims to explore whether hair cortisol concentration is associated with explicit stress or implicit stress in female methamphetamine addicts. MethodsHair samples were collected from 51 female methamphetamine addicts from inpatient addiction treatment programs. Perceived stress was assessed by both explicit and implicit measures through the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Implicit Association Test (IAT), respectively. ResultsThe positive relationship between hair cortisol concentration with D-scores of the IAT reached statistically significant difference. A marginal correlation between hair cortisol concentration and scores of the PSS was observed. Additionally, linear regression analysis indicated that D-scores of the IAT are strongly predictive of hair cortisol concentration. ConclusionHair cortisol concentration is strongly related to implicit stress but only weakly related with explicit stress.

Comments on the Risk Stratification for the In-Hospital Mortality in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: The HAIR Score

The HAIR score was published in the August 2014 issue ofNeurocritical Care as a tool to enable risk stratification ofin-hospital mortality after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)[1]. The scale features four variables: Hunt and Hess score,age, intraventricular hemorrhage, and re-bleeding thatcomprise a composite maximum score of 8. Several otherfactors, previously described as being associated with pooroutcome after SAH, were not considered in the HAIRscore, for example larger aneurysm size or the presence ofglobal cerebral edema on follow-up CT scan. In their ret-rospectively reviewed cohort of 400 patients, Lee et al.demonstrated increasing mortality rates with incrementalincreases in HAIR scores across the entire spectrum ofscores between 0 and 7.We sought to externally validate the HAIR score in ourcohort of SAH patients from the Columbia University SAHOutcomes Project (SHOP) registry. Data from 1,629 pa-tients were prospectively collected and adjudicated weeklyby the study team. Our findings show that the HAIR scoreadequately discriminates mortality rates between scores 0and 5, however, fails to discriminate between scores 6 and7 (Fig. 1a). The area under the ROC-curve was 0.90(Fig. 1b).Additionally, Lee et al’s study did not include any pa-tients with a HAIR score of 8, which, in our cohort,corresponded to a 100 % in-hospital mortality rate.In summary, analysis of our larger, prospectively col-lected cohort of patients with SAH confirmed the authors’

Genetic basis of a key character in Helianthemum nummularium

Two subspecies of Helianthemum nummularium (L.) Mill. occur in southern Scandinavia. The key character distinguishing the two subspecies is a dense cover of stellate hairs on the abaxial surface of the leaves in subsp. nummularium that are not found in subsp. obscurum. Stellate hairs on the abaxial surface of the leaves are not a discrete character, but occur in a more or less continuous range from zero stellate hairs to a thick carpet of white intertwisted stellate hairs. A template involving seven classes (scores) was used to describe the variation in stellate hairs. Forty-one natural populations were studied in the field, and their offsprings raised in a common garden were also studied. Distribution of hair scores showed little overlap or few intermediates between the two taxa. In crosses between individuals assumed to be homozygous for the key character of subsp. obscurum and subsp. nummularium, respectively, all progeny in F1 showed hair scores in the range of that found in subsp. obscurum. Consequently, heterozygous individuals could not be distinguished from homozygous individuals of subsp. obscurum. Segregation in F2 did not deviate from the expected 3:1 ratio (obscurum:nummularium), indicating one major gene with a dominant allele for the key character of subsp. obscurum and a recessive allele for the key character of subsp. nummularium. Besides the Mendelian inheritance of the presence/absence of a whitish felt of stellate hairs, the density of hairs appeared to be further modified by minor (quantitative) genes and environment. The frequency of the recessive allele for the subsp. nummularium phenotype in mixed populations showed a strong correlation between field-sampled plants and their offspring in a common garden, supporting the conclusion that the key character was controlled by Mendelian inheritance.

Physiological changes in scalp, facial and body hair after the menopause: a cross-sectional population-based study of subjective changes

Significant changes in scalp, facial and body hair occur after the menopause. These can have a significant negative impact on self-esteem and are also potential markers of endocrine or metabolic diseases. Knowledge of postmenopausal hair changes is important for clinicians to distinguish between normal physiological change and those that require further medical investigation. To assess the subjective experience of scalp, facial and body hair change in a large cohort of normal postmenopausal females. Postmenopausal females aged 45 years or over of northern European origin completed a questionnaire detailing scalp, facial and body hair changes following the menopause. Women with a history of thyroid disease, oophorectomy or premature menopause were excluded from the study. The Mann-Whitney U-test and the χ(2) test were used to assess the correlation between scalp, facial and body hair changes with age. Diffuse generalized hair loss was the most common form of scalp hair loss, reported by 26% of women. Frontal hair loss was reported by 9% of women. Facial hair gain was cited by 39% of females with the chin being the most frequent site for new growth (32% of women). Body hair loss was significantly correlated with older age (P < 0·001) and was most frequent at androgen-sensitive sites. We noted two patterns: (i) diffuse hair loss in which diffuse generalized scalp hair loss was significantly correlated with body hair loss and increasing age (P < 0·05); and (ii) frontal hair loss which was associated with higher facial hair scores and relatively younger age (P < 0·05) compared with women with diffuse hair loss. This is the first comprehensive study of the subjective hair changes in postmenopausal women. This study demonstrates two distinct patterns of hair change relating to age, which may reflect different underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and are of relevance to the medical management of these women as well as being possible predictors of health outcomes.

Spironolactone versus placebo or in combination with steroids for hirsutism and/or acne

Hirsutism is the presence of excessive hair growth in women and is an important cosmetic condition often resulting in severe distress. The most common cause is by increased production of male sex hormones (androgens). It is also affected by increased sensitivity to androgens in the hair follicles, and secretory glands around hair follicles (sebaceous glands). Spironolactone is an antiandrogen and aldosterone antagonist used to treat hirsutism. The objective was to investigate the effectiveness of spironolactone and/or in combination with steroids (oral contraceptive pill included) in reducing excess hair growth and/or acne in women. The Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group (MDSG) trials register was searched (April 2008). The Cochrane MDSG register is based on regular searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and CENTRAL, handsearching of 20 relevant journals and conference proceedings, and searches of several key grey literature sources. In addition, all reference lists of relevant trials were searched and drug companies contacted for details of unpublished trials. All randomised controlled comparisons of spironolactone versus: placebo, steroids (oral contraceptive pill included), spironolactone of varying dosages, or spironolactone and steroids versus steroids alone when used to reduce hair growth and acne in women. Nine trials were included in the review, eight trials were excluded. Two other trials are awaiting assessment. Only one trial studied acne as an outcome, the remainder were concerned with hirsutism. Major outcome measures include the following: subjective observations, Ferriman and Gallwey hair scores, hormonal and biochemical parameters, side effects, sebum production measurement. In the two trials that compared 100 mg of spironolactone with placebo significant differences were reported for subjective improvements in hair growth (OR 7.18, 95% CI 1.96 to 26.28), although not the Ferriman-Galwey score (WMD 7.20, 95% CI -10.98 to -3.42)). Data could not be otherwise pooled as only one trial reported an outcome. From the studies included in this review, there is some evidence to show that spironolactone is an effective treatment to decrease the degree of hirsutism but there was no evidence for effectiveness for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Studies in this area are scarce and small. Individual study data indicates some superiority of spironolactone over other drugs but results cannot be generalised.

Negative Correlation between Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia and Testosterone Levels

We conducted a pilot study in 10 adult male schizophrenics, 5 with predominantly positive symptoms (group I) and 5 with predominantly negative symptoms (group II), and 10 healthy matched controls. No significant differences in serum levels of testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), estradiol, and cortisol were found between patients as a whole and controls, using radioimmunoassay. However, serum T and DHEAS levels were lower (P <0.05) in group II patients than in group I. Body hair and aggression scores also were lower (P <0.05) in group II. In a much larger sample, Shirayama and colleagues also showed that "moderate negative symptoms, but not low negative symptoms" correlated negatively with T (P <0.05), but positively with ACTH (P <0.05) and cortisol (P <0.01) levels in plasma. Neuroactive steroids, such as DHEAS, and other sex hormones, including their synthetic derivatives, may have an adjunctive role in reversing or slowing the progression of negative symptoms. Indeed, "DHEA augmentation" improved "negative (P <0.01), depressive (P <0.05), and anxiety (P <0.01) symptoms."

Growth rate and physiology of steers grazing tall fescue inoculated with novel endophytes

Cattle grazing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) often develop fescue toxicosis. This condition is thought to be caused by ergot alkaloids produced by the endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum. Endophytes from wild tall fescue plants, which do not produce ergot alkaloids, were transferred into the endophyte-free tall fescue germplasm, HiMag. The novel associations also lacked the ability to produce ergot alkaloids. Our objective was to determine whether cattle grazing these novel endophyte associations showed signs of fescue toxicosis. At the Fayetteville, Arkansas location, tester steers (n = 72) were assigned to one of four pasture treatments: endophyte-free HiMag tall fescue (HiMag−); ‘Kentucky-31’ tall fescue infected with its native, toxic endophyte (KY+); and two novel endophyte-infected tall fescue associations, HiMag4 and HiMag9. At the Mount Vernon, Missouri location, steers (n = 54) were used to test three of the four cultivars (HiMag9 was not tested). Ergot alkaloid concentrations in the forage of HiMag4 and HiMag9 were low or undetectable. Respiration rate, rectal temperature, ADG, and hair scores were measured during the grazing period. Blood was collected via jugular venipuncture and used for prolactin, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cholesterol, triglyceride, and creatinine analysis. Weight gains by steers grazing HiMag4 and HiMag9 did not differ from those of steers grazing HiMag−, but were greater than gains (P < 0.05) by steers on the KY+ treatment. Steers grazing KY+ had higher (P < 0.05) respiration rates, rectal temperatures, and hair scores than did steers grazing novel endophyte and HiMag− pastures. Prolactin, ALP, cholesterol, LDH, and triglycerides all were suppressed (P < 0.05) in steers grazing KY+ compared with steers grazing novel endophyte and HiMag− pastures. Steers grazing the novel endophyte tall fescues did not suffer from the decreased weight gains and toxicities associated with fescue toxicosis, resulting in enhanced animal production.

Growth rate and physiology of steers grazing tall fescue inoculated with novel endophytes.

Cattle grazing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) often develop fescue toxicosis. This condition is thought to be caused by ergot alkaloids produced by the endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum. Endophytes from wild tall fescue plants, which do not produce ergot alkaloids, were transferred into the endophyte-free tall fescue germplasm, HiMag. The novel associations also lacked the ability to produce ergot alkaloids. Our objective was to determine whether cattle grazing these novel endophyte associations showed signs of fescue toxicosis. At the Fayetteville, Arkansas location, tester steers (n = 72) were assigned to one of four pasture treatments: endophyte-free HiMag tall fescue (HiMag-); 'Kentucky-31' tall fescue infected with its native, toxic endophyte (KY+); and two novel endophyte-infected tall fescue associations, HiMag4 and HiMag9. At the Mount Vernon, Missouri location, steers (n = 54) were used to test three of the four cultivars (HiMag9 was not tested). Ergot alkaloid concentrations in the forage of HiMag4 and HiMag9 were low or undetectable. Respiration rate, rectal temperature, ADG, and hair scores were measured during the grazing period. Blood was collected via jugular venipuncture and used for prolactin, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cholesterol, triglyceride, and creatinine analysis. Weight gains by steers grazing HiMag4 and HiMag9 did not differ from those of steers grazing HiMag-, but were greater than gains (P < 0.05) by steers on the KY+ treatment. Steers grazing KY+ had higher (P < 0.05) respiration rates, rectal temperatures, and hair scores than did steers grazing novel endophyte and HiMag- pastures. Prolactin, ALP, cholesterol, LDH, and triglycerides all were suppressed (P < 0.05) in steers grazing KY+ compared with steers grazing novel endophyte and HiMag- pastures. Steers grazing the novel endophyte tall fescues did not suffer from the decreased weight gains and toxicities associated with fescue toxicosis, resulting in enhanced animal production.

Body hair scores and total hair diameters in healthy women in the Kirikkale Region of Turkey.

It was aimed to determine the normal hair scores of women of Kirikkale region according to the Ferriman- Gallwey scale and to investigate the relationship between the hair shaft diameter and hair scores. Hair scores were calculated in 204 healthy women, and hair shaft diameters were measured from the hair samples collected from 60 patients. Body mass index, waist to hip ratio, insulin resistance and blood androgen levels were determined. Neutral, hormonal and total hair scores were 2.1 1.4, 3.1 2.7 and 5.2 3.6, respectively. The average total hair diameter and hormonal hair diameter were 191.93 90.49 m and 121.8 75.9 m respectively. The correlation between total hair diameter and total hair score was statistically significant (r=0.704 p 0.001). Also, the correlation between hormonal hair diameter and hormonal hair score was statistically significant (r=0.724 p 0.001). While hair scores and diameters show meaningful positive correlation with androgen levels, they show negative correlation with age. In our population, 95% value of total hair score was 11, and for the hormonal score, it was 9. Hair diameters increase with hair score, regardless of total or hormonal of hair scores. Hair scores and hair diameters may be affected by blood androgens in healthy women.

Spironolactone versus placebo or in combination with steroids for hirsutism and/or acne.

Hirsutism is the presence of excessive hair growth in women and is an important cosmetic condition often resulting in severe distress. Hirsutism is most often caused by increased production of male sex hormones also known as androgens. It is also affected by increased sensitivity to androgens in the hair follicles, and the secretory glands around the hair follicles, called sebaceous glands. Spironolactone is an antiandrogen and aldosterone antagonist used to treat hirsutism. Since 1978, many studies have been conducted to determine its effectiveness. The objective of this review was to investigate the effectiveness of spironolactone and/or in combination with steroids (oral contraceptive pill included) in reducing excess hair growth and/or acne in women. All publications of randomised controlled trials of spironolactone versus placebo and/or in combination with steroids (oral contraceptive pill included) were identified. Search strategy was developed by the Menstrual Disorder Group. All accessable electronic databases were searched. In addition, all reference lists of relevant trials were searched and drug companies contacted for details of unpublished trials. All randomised controlled comparisons of spironolactone versus: placebo steroids (oral contraceptive pill included)) spironolactone of varying dosages or spironolactone and steroids versus steroids alone when used to reduce hair growth and acne in women. Four trials were included in the review, seven trials were excluded. Two other trials are awaiting assessment. All included trials were small (no more than 31 participants) randomised and controlled. Only one trial studied acne as an outcome, the remaining three were concerned with hirsutism. One trial investigated spironolactone versus placebo; one trial was a dosage studies of spironolactone; one trial compared spironolactone with spironolactone in combination with dexamethasone; the remaining trial used topical spironolactone for the treatment of acne. Major outcome measures include the following: - subjective observations - Ferriman and Gallwey hair scores - hormonal and biochemical parameters - side effects - sebum production measurement All sample populations were small and confidence intervals were wide. There was no significant difference between treatments for any of the observed outcomes. The effectiveness of treatment for either acne vulgaris or hirsutism cannot be determined due to the small sample populations involved in the trials. Its value in clinical practice is difficult to assess from currently available research.

Growth Performance and Serum Prolactin Concentrations of Stocker Steers Implanted with Trenbolone Acetate While Grazing Endophyte-Infected Fescue in the Spring

A 64-d grazing study was conducted with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to evaluate the impact of implant treatment on growth performance, hair score, and serum prolactin levels of steers grazing tall fescue with high (HE) or low (LE) levels of infection with the endophytic fungus Neotyphodium coenophialum. Mixed-breed steers (n = 130; 246 ± 3.5kg initial BW) were allocated randomly to one of three HE or one of four LE pastures beginning April 13. Within each replication, one-half of the steers were implanted (IMP) with trenbolone acetate (40 mg) and estradiol (8 mg), and one-half were not implanted (NI). No implant treatment × endophyte level interactions were detected (P>0.10). Steers grazing HE had lower (P<0.01) BW gain, inferior (P<0.05) hair scores, and lower (P<0.01) serum prolactin concentrations on d 64 than those steers grazing LE. Total BW gains were greater (P=0.01) from IMP steers than from NI steers, but serum prolactin concentrations and hair scores did not differ (P>0.10) between IMP and NI steers on either d 36 or 64. When tabulated across forage and implant treatments, correlations were negative between overall BW gains and hair scores measured on d 64 (r = 0.28; P<0.01), and positive between overall BW gains and serum prolactin levels measured on d 36 and 64 (r = 0.33 and 0.43, respectively; P<0.001). Therefore, fescue toxicity symptoms were manifested in HE steers, and implanting trenbolene acetate and estradiol improved grazing BW gain, but no endophyte level × implant interactions were detected.

Intracerebroventricular Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Improves Motor Function and Supports Nigrostriatal Dopamine Neurons in Bilaterally 6-Hydroxydopamine Lesioned Rats

In order to evaluate the efficacy of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in a model of advanced Parkinson's disease, we studied rats with extensive bilateral lesions of the nigrostriatal pathway. Adult male F344 rats were injected bilaterally into the medial forebrain bundle with the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine. Locomotor ability as measured by total distance traveled in an open field over 20 min, as well as von Frey hair testing of sensorimotor neglect, was monitored weekly. Rats demonstrating severe motor impairment and sensorimotor neglect were used for this study and were sorted to achieve similar average behavioral scores between the two treatment groups. After 2 weeks of pretesting, the rats received 250 μg GDNF or vehicle injected into the right lateral cerebral ventricle. Three weeks later, an additional 500 μg GDNF or vehicle was injected into the contralateral ventricle. The rats were monitored for another 2 weeks prior to sacrifice. Behavioral results indicated that von Frey hair scores were inconsistent between tests for each rat and were unchanged following GDNF treatment. However, GDNF recipients demonstrated significant improvement in locomotor ability compared to vehicle recipients. High-pressure liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection analysis of neurotransmitter levels revealed a significant increase in dopamine content within the substantia nigra and ventral tegmenta, but not the striata, of GDNF-treated rats. Further, immunohistochemical staining of tissues from matched pairs of rats revealed increased numbers of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive ventral mesencephalic neurons in one of the two pairs of rats examined. These results suggest that intracerebroventricular GDNF administration improves motor ability and supports nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in a model of severe Parkinson's disease.

Clinical and Biochemical Parameters of Androgen Action in Normal Healthy CaucasianVersusChinese Subjects

Stimulation of androgen-sensitive hair follicles is mediated by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is formed in these tissues by 5 alpha-reduction of testosterone. A possible mechanism for increased body hair in some human populations might, therefore, be an increase in 5 alpha-reductase activity, resulting in elevated tissue levels of DHT. If present, this finding could have other important clinical implications, since the 5 alpha-reductase enzyme is pivotal in the pathophysiology of prostatic disease. To explore differences in clinical and biochemical parameters of androgen action, we conducted a study of 184 caucasian and Chinese subjects in whom we evaluated chest hair density and serum levels of androgen precursors and 5 alpha-reduced androgen metabolites. Differences in chest hair density were most notable in the men, in whom comparative mean chest hair scores (using a scale of 0-4) were 3.0 vs. 0.8 (P less than 0.0001), caucasian vs. Chinese. Levels of 5 alpha-reduced androgen products were also strikingly higher in the caucasian vs. Chinese subjects. Serum 3 alpha-androstanediol glucuronide levels (nanomoles per L) were 34.7 +/- 2.4 vs. 19.7 +/- 0.9 (P less than 0.001) for the men and 21.5 +/- 3.2 vs. 9.4 +/- 0.6 (P less than 0.001) for the women, and serum levels of androsterone glucuronide (nanomoles per L) were 179 +/- 26 vs. 107 +/- 7 (P less than 0.01) for the caucasian vs. Chinese men and 173 +/- 23 vs. 81 +/- 9 (P less than 0.001) for the women. Serum levels of total and bioavailable testosterone did not differ between the racial groups, but serum levels of the precursor androgens, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and androstenedione, were significantly higher in the caucasian vs. Chinese men, but not in the women. We conclude that increased serum levels of 5 alpha-reduced androgen metabolites in caucasians vs. Chinese subjects provide circumstantial evidence for a racial difference in 5 alpha-reductase activity and suggest a mechanism for the increased body hair observed in the caucasian men. Increased levels of precursor androgens may also play a role.

Performance of stocker heifers and steers grazing high endophyte fescue and offered oxytetracycline in a mineral mixture (1988)

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of stocker calves grazing high-endophyte fescue (68 to 70%) and offered oxytetracycline in a free-choice mineral supplement. In Experiment 1, 24 yearling crossbred heifers were utilized in a 112-day grazing study beginning on June 18. Performance of both control calves and those receiving oxytetracycline was extremely poor, making data interpretation difficult. Average oxytetracycline consumption was 327 mg per head, daily. Approximately 8296 of the total grazing time occurred during the daylight hours (6arn - l0pm) for both treatment groups. Heifers offered the medicated mineral mix grazed 20 minutes more than heifers offered the control mineral mix. Hair scores and rectal temperatures were unaffected by oxytetracycline supplementation. In Experiment 2, fifty-three crossbred steers were utilized in an 83-day grazing study beginning on September 15. Steers were randomly divided into groups of 25 and 28. One group received a control mineral mixture, whereas the other received a similar mineral mix containing oxytetracycline, 250 mg per ounce. Steers fed oxytetracycline gained faster (P<.05) and tended to have lower (P=.12) rectal temperatures. Therefore, response of cattle to consumption of oxytetracycline from a mineral mixture may be variable. Heifers grazing endophyte infected tall fescue (Experiment 1) may not have gained sufficiently to support treatment differences. However, when cattle were gaining weight (Experiment 2), treatment differences were observed.