Sheep Red Blood Cells Suspension Research Articles

Conservation of orbital angular momentum and polarization through biological waveguides

A major roadblock to the development of photonic sensors is the scattering associated with many biological systems. We show the conservation of photonic states through optically self-arranged biological waveguides, for the first time, which can be implemented to transmit light through scattering media. The conservation of optical properties of light through biological waveguides allows for the transmission of high bandwidth information with low loss through scattering media. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the conservation of polarization state and orbital angular momentum of light through a self-arranged biological waveguide, several centimeters long, in a sheep red blood cell suspension. We utilize nonlinear optical effects to self-trap cells, which form waveguides at 532 nm and 780 nm wavelengths. Moreover, we use the formed waveguide channels to couple and guide probe beams without altering the information. The formed biological waveguides are in a sub-diffusive scattering regime, so the photons’ information degrades insignificantly over several centimeters of propagation through the scattering media. Our results show the potential of biological waveguides as a methodology for the development of novel photonic biosensors, biomedical devices that require optical wireless communication, and the development of new approaches to noninvasive biomedical imaging.

Forssman Prevalence in a Portuguese Donor Population

Abstract Introduction Discovered in 1911 by Frederick Forssman, the Forssman (Fs) antigen (Ag) expression varies among species, being rarely present on human red blood cells (RBC). In 1987 three unrelated English families were identified with a phenotype designed Apae which was later classified as the 31st blood group: FORS. Since antibodies (Ab) anti-Fs has natural occurrence and the expression of the Ag occurs on the surface of the RBC, body fluids and organs, raises a potential role for this antigen in transfusion and transplantation implications. Objectives Our main goals were to evaluate the prevalence of anti-Fs Ab and clarify its impact in transfusional medicine by classifying the type of immunoglobulin (Ig) involved. Methodology 3-5% sheep RBC suspension with positive expression for Fs Ag was used to evaluate the presence of Ab anti-Fs in plasma samples from a Portuguese population of blood donor and classify the immunoglobulin involved. Standard tube technique was used in all the experiments. Results From a total of 11877 donors, 117 (0,99%) showed weak reactions (between 0 and 1 in a scale from 0 to 4). All these samples would be further studied to evaluate the presence of the Arg296Gln in the GBGT1 gene. Also, from the 192 samples studied to classify the Ab involved, 52% revealed to be only IgM, being the rest a mixture between IgG and IgM. Conclusion The population studied revealed few samples with negative reaction against the sheep RBC confirm the low-prevalence of this blood group. The majority from the Ab to be IgM was also corroborated although the presence of an IgG portion can be clinically significant once it can cross the placental barrier.

Evaluation the effect of using thyme and oregano powder in comparison to the antibiotic and probiotic supplementation on growth, some immune responses and intestinal morphology of broiler chicks

To determine the effect of using thyme and oregano powder supplementation on performance, some immune response and intestinal morphology of broiler chicks a total of 200 one-day-old Cobb 500 male broiler chicks were divided into the four treatments consisting of five replicates of 10 chicks each. The treatments were as control groups with no herbal, antibiotic and probiotic supplementations. control groups + virginiamycine antibiotic, control groups + protexin probiotic, control groups + 2 % of each thyme and oregano powder supplementation and Control groups + 4 % of each thyme and oregano powder supplementation. The performance parameters such as feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were measured during the study period. To determine immunity parameters on days 28, 0.5 mL of 10 % sheep red blood cells suspension was administrated to two chicks per each replicate through and at day 31, 3 mL blood samples were collected from left wing. On day 42, jejunum tissue samples were separated and fixed in (10 %) neutral buffer formalin and were analyzed by auto-processing apparatus, there after the slide sections were prepared by rotary microtome type (Manubeni, Erma-Tokyo, Japan) and the average of villi measurements was reported as a mean for each bird. The result of this study showed that the dietary inclusion of herbals and probiotic had no significant effects on FI and FCR of broiler chicks but higher body weight gain were seen with they received thyme+oregano supplementation. Inclusion of thyme+oregano and probiotic increased humeral immunity in broiler chicks compared to the control (P ≤ 0.05). Additionally heterophil, lymphocyte and their ratio were not influenced by experimental treatments. The villus length, villus width, and crypt depth were increased were the birds feed by oregano and thyme powders. In conclusion in current study some of beneficial acts toward using thyme and oregano powders on performance, some immune parameters and intestinal morphology on broiler chicks were demonstrated.

Nano selenium improves humoral immunity, growth performance and breast-muscle selenium concentration of broiler chickens

Context Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element and plays pivotal roles in poultry nutrition. Aims The present study was designed to compare the impact of dietary supplementation of different sources of Se on growth performance, Se concentration of breast meat, and immune response of broiler chickens. Methods In total, 300 1-day-old as hatched broilers were randomly allocated to six dietary treatments, with five replicates of 10 birds per each. The experimental diets were as follows: (1) corn–soybean meal-based diet supplemented with 0.30 mg/kg of sodium selenite, (2) basal diet supplemented with 0.30 mg/kg of Se-enriched yeast, and (3–6) basal diet supplemented with 0.15, 0.30, 0.90 and 1.50 mg/kg of nano-Se respectively. Humoral immunity was assessed by antibody titer against a 5% sheep red blood-cell suspension and cellular immunity was measured by administration of phytohaemagglutinin-p at 38 days. Key results Results indicated that during the periods from 1 to 10 days, from 11 to 24 days, from 25 to 42 days and from 1 to 42 days, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio did not differ among the treatments (P > 0.05). Assessment of orthogonal contrasts at the whole phase of feeding showed that the average daily gain in the broilers fed organic Se was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that in those fed inorganic Se, as well as nano-Se in comparison to organic Se; such effects were not observed in earlier feeding stages. Se supplementation significantly increased the Se concentration of breast muscle (P < 0.0001). The birds that received 1.50 mg/kg of diet nano-Se showed higher (P < 0.05) total immunoglobulin and IgG titers in primary and secondary immune responses against sheep erythrocytes respectively. Toe web swelling after 24 h and 48 h of receiving phytohaemagglutinin-p was not affected by Se supplementation (P > 0.05). Conclusions In conclusion, the addition of nano-Se gave better results than did inorganic (sodium selenite) and organic (yeast selenium) forms of Se in performance traits, breast meat Se concentration and antibody response of broilers. Implications Novel elemental nanometer particulates, including nano-Se, exhibit new characteristics and a different mode of actions in comparison with organic and inorganic forms of Se sources in poultry diets. Inclusion of the nano form of Se in broiler diets and study of productive performance, immunity responses and meat quality leads to improve balanced broiler diets formulation in view of Se.

Relative hypoxia and oxidative stress in spleen lymphocytes of immunized Balb/c mice as indicated by HIF-1α, HIF-2α, Nrf2 expression, and glutathione peroxidase activity

Background: Lymphocytes activated by immunization must increase their metabolism to meet the energy requirements for mitosis, differentiation, and protein synthesis, which may subject the cell to conditions of relative hypoxia and oxidative stress. This study was conducted to investigate the increase in the levels of transcription factors involved in both conditions.Methods: Male Balb/c mice were divided into the following four groups, each consisting of six animals: the control and three experimental groups. The experimental groups were immunized by injection of 0.2 ml of 2% sheep red blood cells (SRBC) suspended in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Lymphocytes were harvested from the spleens of each group at time intervals of 24-, 48-, and 72-h post-immunization. The buffy coat from splenocytes was separated using Ficoll Histopaque as the medium. The lymphocytes were separated from adherent cells by incubating the purified splenocytes in microtubes for 2-h. Cells were lysed by three freeze–thaw cycles (−80°C and 37°C) and used to analyze the levels of HIF-1α and HIF-2α (mRNA and protein), Nrf2 (protein), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity.Results: The treatment caused an increase in GPx activity and HIF-1α protein concentration 24-h post-immunization, whereas the HIF-1α mRNA levels remained static. Elevated Nrf2 protein levels were detected within 48-h after treatment. Meanwhile, the HIF-2α mRNA and protein levels increased within72-h after immunization.Conclusion: Immunization with SRBC suspension induced relative hypoxia, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS), and oxidative stress in the lymphocytes as indicated by the increase in both HIF-1α and HIF-2α protein and mRNA levels, GPx activity, and Nrf2 protein levels.

The Activity Test of Ethanol Extract Tea Parasite Herb (Scurrulla Artopurpurea) as an Immunostimulator on Wistar Strain Rat Sensititized with Sheep Red Blood Cell

Tea parasite (Scurrulla artropurpurea) is one of the hemiparasite plants suspected as an imustimulator agent. The aims of this study was to prove the activity of tea parasite herb extract as immunostimulator in Wistar strain rats that are sensitized by sheep red blood cell suspension (SRBC). Twenty eight Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups. The control group was given CMC 1%, the treatment group was given the tea parasite herb extract at doses of 750 mg, 1.5g and 3 g/kgBW/day, each group was sensitized by SRBC 10% as much 0.5 ml intraperitoneally on the 0th and 9th days and 0.1 ml intraplantar on 12th days. The total number of leukocyte and lymphocyte cells was performed using blood smear and analyzed by GLMRM. test. The macrophage cell activity and the capacity of the peritoneal fluid preparation on day 14 and analyzed by ANOVA test. The histopathological features are demonstrated after 48 hours of intraplantar injection, quantitatively perceived perivascular and periadnexal infiltrates. The results showed that there were average differences on leukocyte cell counts (F = 46.249) and total lymphocyte cells (F = 58.144) on each calculation (day), but there were no average differences between each treatment group. The highest activity of phagocytosis is 78% and continues to increase along with the additional dose of extract, without the increased capacity of macrophage phagocytosis. Histopathological features of slow-type IV reaction shows mild severity. It can be concluded that the active compound of the extract tea parasite herbare able to improve immune system.

Effect of Season on the Immunity of Newly Hatched Broiler Chicks Reared in Arid-Hot Climate

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the environmental temperature on the immune response of exotic broiler chicks reared in arid-hot climate zone (the Sudan). Twenty eight broiler chicks (Lohman) were challenged with 1 mL of 10% sheep red blood cells suspension (10% SRBCs) at day 2 and day 13 during summer (June) and winter (January) seasons. At day 13 and day 20 sera were harvested and subjected to hemagglutination test to measure antibody titers against 10% SRBCs for primary and secondary immune response, respectively. In winter season the antibody titers (GMT) against 10% SRBCs for the secondary immune response was so high compared to that in summer season. Nevertheless, the antibody titers for primary immune response during winter and summer seasons were, somehow, identical although it was a little bit higher during winter season. The weights of the lymphoid organs (spleen, thymus and bursa of Fabricius) were significantly higher in the winter season compared to summer season irrespective of the age.

Radial Segmentation of Blood Lymphocytes Nuclei in Pheasants Vaccinated against Newcastle Disease and Haemorrhagic Enteritis

The purpose of the experiment was to investigate the influence of the pheasant vaccination with a vaccine containing live attenuated virus of haemorrhagic enteritis, (HE) on the ability of peripheral blood lymphocytes to form a nuclei deformation described as the radial segmentation (RS). This feature is identified with cytoskeletal rearrangement of the cells. The pheasants were vaccinated against Newcastle disease (ND) on the 1st, 28th and 56th day of life. Moreover, on the 49th day of life, a part of the birds was given the vaccine containing HEV (Haemorrhagic enteritis virus) in drinking water. Fourteen days after the HEV vaccination, the birds were administered intravenously 0.5 ml of the 10% SRBC (Sheep red blood cells) suspension. Blood samples were collected on the 21st day after HEV vaccination, on the 7th day after SRBC injection. It was shown that in pheasants the percentage of cells undergoing RS induced by oxalates was low, approximately 3.75%, whereas in HEV vaccinated birds this percentage increased twice (p < 0.05). Pheasant immunization with SRBC led to significant reduction of the ability to form RS, whereas in HEV vaccinated birds after SRBC administration the percentage of cells with RS remained on the level of the control group. Based on these results, the authors suggest that immunosuppressive effects of some viruses may be a result of both sensitivity and rearrangement ability changes in cytoskeletal proteins of the cells involved in immunological response.

Use of Whole Sheep Red Blood Cells in ELISA to Assess Immunosuppression In Vivo

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using whole sheep red blood cells (SRBC) has been reported as one of the methods for detecting a T-lymphocyte-dependent antibody response. However, it has not been widely used because of SRBC problems such as the weak attachment to ELISA plates, specificity and short-term stability. The objectives of this study were to address these issues and to validate the SRBC-specific antibody response assay. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were bled after 6 days of SRBC immunization. In our new procedure, glutaraldehyde was added before discarding the supernatant of inoculated SRBC suspension to attach SRBC firmly to the plate, while in the original method it was added after discarding. As a result, the attached SRBC was maintained throughout the ELISA procedures. No interference was observed in the titration curve of IgM and IgG antibodies in rats and IgM-antibody in mice when control sera were analyzed to evaluate specificity of this method. The short-term stability of SRBC was overcome by using the different lots of SRBC. They provided antibody titers, which were consistent with those measured using the same lot for immunization. In addition, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, prednisolone and methotrexate, well-known immunosuppressive agents, were tested to confirm the applicability of the improved ELISA method to detect the T-lymphocyte-dependent antibody response. All four compounds inhibited the IgM antibody responses dose-dependently. These results demonstrate that the improved whole SRBC-ELISA method provides reproducible and reliable results in the T-lymphocyte-dependent antibody response assay.

Influence of glutamine and vitamin E on the performance and the immune responses of broiler chickens

This study aimed at evaluating the influence of Glutamine (Gln) and Vitamin E (VE) supplementation on the performance and immune response of broilers. A completely randomizes experimental design with a 2 x 3 (VE x Gln) factorial arrangement was used. VE was supplemented at 10 and 500 mg/kg feed, with or without Gln (1%) addition, and two periods of supplementation in the starter diets (1-7 and 1-14 days of age), with five replicates of 50 birds each. The analyzed parameters were: live performance (weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio); relative weights of the spleen, bursa, and thymus; antibody titers (with sheep red blood cells suspension - SRBC) and cutaneous basophilic hypersensivity (CBH). Data were submitted to the analysis of variance, and means were compared using the test of Tukey. Treatments did not influence (P>0.05) live performance parameters or antibody titers. VE reduced (P=0.01) CBH, with the level of 10 mg VE/kg allowing higher cell proliferation as compared to 500 mg VE/kg. As to lymphoid organs, only the spleen was affected (P=0.035) by Gln, which resulted in higher spleen relative weight when fed during the first week of age. Results showed that 10 mg VE/kg with Gln (1-7 days) promoted better immune responses.

EFFECT OF SELECTION FOR HIGH AND LOW ANTIBODY RESPONSE AGAINST SHEEP RED BLOOD CELLS ON HORMONAL PROFILE DURING IMMUNE RESPONSE IN CHICKENS

SUMMARY Two experiments were conducted in this study using two lines of Fayoumi chickens divergently selected for high (H) and low (L) antibody response against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) for four generations. The objectives of this study are to compare humoral and cell mediated immune responses between the lines, as well as to monitor the T3 and corticosterone hormone profile during the initiation of the immune responses. In the first experiment one hundred male chicks of each line were primary injected intramuscular with either 1 ml 25% SRBC suspension or saline at 50 and secondary reinjected at 80 days of age. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 h and at 3, 7 and 10 days following primary and secondary injection. The results showed that H line produced significantly higher primary and secondary antibody titer than L line at 7 and 10 days post injection. The results showed that T3 levels decreased significantly at 3 h in H line and at 3, 6 and 9h in L line, then remained at low levels till 10 days post primary SRBC injection as compared to 0 h. Within both H and L lines, the T3 level showed insignificant differences between 0 hr and at any time post secondary SRBC or saline injection ( except that in H line at 3h post SRBC injection). In both line there was a significant increase in corticosterone levels at 24h as well as at 3, 7 and 10 days post primary, and at 3,7 and 10 days post secondary SRBC injection as compared to 0 h. In the second experiment, one-hundred and twenty male chicks of each line were injected intradermally into wattle with either 100 μg PHA-P or saline at 56 days of age to monitor the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction. Blood samples were collected at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and, 24 hs post injection. The results indicate that H line had higher DTH value at 12 and 24 h than that in L line at the same time point. There was no remarked change in the level of T3 or corticosterone between PHA-P and saline injected birds at any time point following injection within both lines. In conclusion, the results of T3 or corticosterone levels in the current study may explain that the initiation of humoral immune response involves the activation of HPT- and HPA-axis. While this axis is not involved in delayed type hypersensitivity reaction.

Effect of Melanin Extract from Black Cumin Seeds (Nigella sativa L.) on Humoral Antibody Response to Sheep Red Blood to Cells in Albino Rats

Al-Mufarrej, S.I., Hassib, A.M. and Hussein, M.F. 2006. Effect of melanin extract from black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa L.) on humoral antibody response to sheep red blood cells in albino rats. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 29: 37–41. To study the effect of melanin extract from Nigella sativa on antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC), fifty six albino rats were divided into four groups (A-D) of 7 males and 7 females each. Rats of groups A, B and C were immunized with 1 ml suspension of SRBC (25%) subcutaneously. Group A rats were also inoculated simultaneously with 1 ml suspension of N. sativa melanin extract (10 mg/ml), while those of group B were inoculated with 0.1 ml of Fruend's complete adjuvant. Groups C and D served as “immunized only” and “sham immunized” controls, respectively. The same immunizations were repeated four weeks later to investigate secondary immune responses. Significantly, higher and longer lasting antibody response to SRBC in group A than either group B or C was observed. This was evident both during the primary and secondary immunization and was generally more pronounced in female than male rats. Concurrent elevation of serum globulins and total protein occurred in all immunized groups. These findings indicate that melanin extracted from the seeds of N. sativa might have a stimulatory effect on the immune system, which could explain the popular belief of an association between these seeds and increased resistance to disease.

Humoral and Cellular Response of Pheasants Vaccinated against Newcastle Disease and Haemorrhagic Enteritis

The purpose of the experiment was to define whether and to what extent can prophylactic vaccinations against Newcastle disease (ND) and haemorrhagic enteritis (HE) affect the humoral and cellular response in pheasants. The evaluation of humoral response was performed on a basis of agglutinin titre after administered antigen and the cellular immunity index was the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction. The pheasants were prophylactically vaccinated against Newcastle Disease (ND) on the 1st, 28th and 56th day of life. Moreover, on the 49th day of life, part of the birds was given in the drinking water a vaccine containing the HEV (Haemorrhagic Enteritis Virus). Fourteen days after the HEV vaccination, the birds were intravenously given 0.5 ml of the 10% SRBC (sheep red blood cells) suspension. Simultaneously with the SRBC administration the delayed hypersensitivity test was performed by intradermal administration of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). It was shown that in pheasants vaccinated with NDV and additionally with HEV, the specific agglutinin anti-SRBC titre was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than in birds vaccinated against ND only. It also appeared that, the antibodies resistant to 2-mercaptoethanol were 43% of the total pool of specific anti-SRBC antibodies in the NDV vaccinated birds, whereas in birds vaccinated also with HEV they were 75%. No significant differences were found in the DTH test. Only in the HEV vaccinated pheasants the tendency to increase the wing index value was noted. The results confirm the observations concerning immunosuppressive effects of simultaneous vaccinations. They also indicate that overloading the pheasants with many antigens (ND and HEV vaccination) may weaken the humoral response to administered SRBC.

Enhancement of Cellular and Humoral Immunity in Young Broilers by the Dietary Supplementation of β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate

As a dietary supplement, β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate (HMB), a catabolite of leucine, has been shown to reduce broiler mortality. In a series of experiments, male broilers (Experiments 1 and 2, n=576) were grown for 21 days on diets that contained HMB at 0, 0.01. 0.05, and 0.10% of diet. In Experiment 3 (n=240), chicks were fed diets containing 0, 0.05, 0.075, and 0.10% HMB. HMB dietary supplementation did not significantly affect broiler weight gain in any experiment. However, a trend toward increased mean broiler weight gain per bird was observed in Experiments 1 and 3 when HMB was consumed at 0.10% of the diet. Mean feed to gain ratio was not affected by the inclusion of HMB in broiler diets. In Experiment 3, HMB supplemented diets did not affect bursa of Fabricius, thymus, and spleen weights at 21 days of age. Cutaneous basophilic hypersensitivity response against pokeweed mitogen was higher (P⩽0.05) at 48 and 72 hours post-injection in chicks on 0.05% dietary HMB (Experiment 1). In Experiment 2, this increase occurred 24 hours post-injection in chicks fed HMB at 0.01% of the diet. On the contrary, the T-cell mediated response against PHA-P mitogen was comparable between all dietary treatments in multiple experiments. Macrophage hnction profiles were determined at 21 days of age. All chicks in experiments 1 and 2 on HMB supplemented diets showed an increase in the recruitment of Sephadex-G50⩽-elicited abdominal exudate cells (AEC). A 2-fold increase in AEC numbers occurred at the 0.10% HMB level (Experiment 1, P⩽0.05). Although HMB supplementation did not significantly affect the phagocytic potential of the abdominal macrophages, nitrite levels in the macrophage culture supernatants were higher in 0.01% and 0.05% treatment groups as compared to the controls (Experiment 2, P⩽0.04; Experiment 3, P⩽0.05). HMB supplementation did not alter the bird's ability to clear Escherichiacoli or Salmonella arizona from the bloodstream. Beginning 7 days post-hatch, chicks were injected i.v. with a 7% sheep red blood cells suspension. Serum samples were collected to determine the primary and secondary antibody response. Chicks receiving the 0.1% HMB diet in Experiments 1 and 2 exhibited increased IgG and total anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) antibody levels during the primary response. During the secondary response, birds consuming the 0.10% HMB diet had elevated IgM levels as well as increased total anti-SRBC levels over the controls in Experiments 1 and 3. These studies show that HMB supplementation improves several immunological functions in young broilers, and such improvement may result in decreased mortality.

Diet and Humoral Responsiveness of Lines of Chickens Divergently Selected for Antibody Response to Sheep Red Blood Cells

Growth and humoral immune response were studied in lines of white leghorn chickens selected for high (HA) or low (LA) 5-day antibody titers to an i.v. inoculation with 0.1 ml of a 0.25% suspension of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) antigen(s). Chicks were fed either a high (E) or low (A) nutrient density diet from hatch onward. Chicks from each line-diet subclass were inoculated i.v. with 0.1 ml of either 0.25% or 2.50% suspension of SRBC at either 7, 14, 21, or 28 days of age. Antibody titers were measured 5, 10, and 20 days after inoculation. LA chicks were heavier than HA chicks at 7 days of age and thereafter. Chicks fed diet E were heavier than those fed diet A. Feed efficiency was influenced by diet (E > A) at 21 and 28 days of age and line (LA > HA) at 28 days of age. In all but one case, antibody titers to SRBC were higher in HA than LA chicks. Also, the frequency of nonresponders of chicks inoculated with SRBC at 7 days of age was higher for LA than HA chicks. The higher dosage elicited greater 5-day antibody responses in LA but not in HA chicks inoculated at 28 days of age. Dietary effects on SRBC antibody were generally unimportant except for occasional interactions of dosage and line.

Antibody transmitting ability of hens from lines of chickens differing in response to SRBC antigen

1. Hens from White Leghorn lines selected for high (HA) or low (LA) antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were inoculated with 0.1 ml of either 0.25% or 2.50% SRBC suspension. Eggs laid over the next 15 d were grouped into 5, 3‐d collection periods and incubated. Maternal antibody titres were determined in chicks at hatch and 7 d after hatch. 2. In a subsequent experiment, hens of the 2 lines were inoculated with 0.1 ml of 2.50% suspension of SRBC, and eggs laid on days 10 to 13 after inoculation were incubated. Maternal antibody titres were determined in 15 and 18‐d embryos as well as in chicks at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 d after hatch. 3. Dosage of SRBC had no effect on the antibody titres in line HA; however, the higher dosage elicited greater antibody titres than the lower dosage in line LA. 4. Maternal antibodies were detected earlier in chicks of line HA (eggs laid on days 7 to 9) than those of line LA (eggs laid on days 10 to 12) regardless of dosage administered to the hens. 5. In both lines, antibodies specific to SRBC were observed on day 15 of incubation, with the frequency of responders greatest at hatch. The high frequency of HA responders was maintained for 15 d after hatch, whereas there was an immediate decline with age in LA responders. 6. It was concluded that lines HA and LA have diverged in the pattern of maternal antibody levels as a result of the divergent selection for antibody response to SRBC.

Effects of Royal Jelly on the Humoral Antibody Response and Blood Chemistry of Chickens

Al-Mufarrej, S.I. and El-Sarag, M.S.A. 1997. Effects of royal jelly on the humoral antibody response and blood chemistry of chickens. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 12: 41–47. The effects of royal jelly (RJ) on primary and secondary antibody responses against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and on blood chemistry were studied in 40 chickens of either sex. The birds were divided into 4 equal groups A, B, C and D, each consisting of 5 male and 5 female birds. At 8 weeks of age, the birds of groups B and C were treated each with 200 mg RJ, given orally or subcutaneously, respectively. Simultaneously, both groups, as well as group A were immunized each with 0.2 ml of 10% SRBC suspension in PBS and re- immunized 10 days later with a second similar dose. Group D served as non-immunized control. Treatment witu RJ increased antibody production against SRBC in groups B and C, as compared to group A, while non-significant changes in concentrations of electrolytes and other blood constituents were recorded in the RJ-treated birds, apart from a decrease in K and cholesterol concentrations. Further studies on these lines have been recommended.

The effect of methionine and aflatoxin on immune function in weanling pigs

To investigate the effect of aflatoxin (AF) and dietary methionine (MET) on immune responses of swine, a total of 288 pigs weaned at 21 d of age were allotted to 12 dietary treatments arranged in a 3 x 4 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design. Diets consisted of a corn-soybean meal diet (.95% lysine, .30% MET, and .32% cystine) containing either 0, 140, or 280 ppb of AF and supplemented with either 0, .15, .30, or .45% DL-MET. Immune response measurements were made after the pigs had received their diet for 3 wk. Antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was measured 0, 7, and 14 d after i.m. injection of 2.5 mL of a 20% SRBC suspension. Total serum immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG were measured using an ELISA. In vivo cellular immunity was measured using a phytohemagglutinin (PHA) skin test. Skin thickness was measured 0, 6, 12, 24, and 36 h after s.c. injection of .1 mL of PHA (1.50 mg/mL). In vitro cellular immunity was measured using a lymphocyte blastogenesis assay. Antibody response to SRBC and serum IgM and IgG concentrations were not affected by dietary treatments. Skin thickness response at 6 h after injection was maximal when .45% MET was added to diets containing 280 ppb of AF, whereas the response was maximal at .30% supplemental MET for the 0 and 140 ppb of AF diets (AF x MET interaction, P < .10). Skin thickness was reduced linearly (P < .10) with increasing dietary AF at 12 and 24 h after PHA injection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

REDUCTION OF DELAYED-TYPE HYPERSENSITIVITY BY THE INJECTION OF n-3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS IN MICE

The effects of injection of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response was investigated in mice. Mice were immunized with sheep red blood cells (SRBCs). Six days later 50 microliters of a 20% SRBC suspension was injected into the right hind footpad of each mouse. Just before the challenge of SRBCs, various amount of a trieicosapentaenoyl-glycerol emulsion (10%) was injected through tail veins (5 mice per each dose). Then 24 hr later the dorsoventral thickness of the right hind footpad was measured and compared with that of the left hind footpad. The difference in thickness between both footpads was regarded as the DTH response. The effect of the emulsion on DTH was dose-dependent; the DTH responses (in mm) in the control group (injected with 0.5 ml of a 2.5% glycerol solution through tail veins) and EPA-injected groups (with 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg) were 1.53 +/- 0.16 (mean +/- SEM), 1.09 +/- 0.14, 0.43 +/- 0.07 (P less than 0.005), and 0.36 +/- 0.13 (P less than 0.005), respectively. The DTH response was also depressed by the injection of a tridocosahexaenoyl-glycerol emulsion. Consequently, n-3 PUFA emulsions have clinical implication in DTH-related diseases such as rejection of allografts.

Appropriate conditions for the plaque forming cell (PFC) assay in rats and effects of cyclophosphamide on PFC response.

The appropriate conditions for the plaque forming cell (PFC) assay using rat splenocytes were determined and effects of cyclophosphamide on PFC response were investigated using these conditions. The number of PFCs produced by immunization with a suspension of sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) was higher with i.v. injection than with i.p. injection. Subcutaneous injection of the suspension did not produce PFCs. The highest PFC response was observed when the number of PFCs was determined 4 days after i.v. immunization with 0.5 ml of a 1% SRBC suspension. Cyclophosphamide (3, 10, 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) dose-dependently decreased PFC response under the above-mentioned optimal conditions, and decreased PFC responses were noted even at the very low dose of 3 mg/kg: a dose at which a decrease in the number of PFCs has not been reported in studies using mice. From these results, the appropriate conditions for the PFC assay in rats are considered to be i.v. immunization with 0.5 ml of a 1% SRBC suspension and determination of the number of PFCs 4 days after immunization. Furthermore, it is considered that the PFC assay using rats might be more sensitive to immunosuppressive agents than that using mice.