The osmotic fragility of thrombocytes of laboratory animals

Zusammenfassung Die osmotische Resistenz von Thrombozyten fünf verschiedener Tierarten wurde untersucht und mit der osmotischen Resistenz menschlicher Thrombozyten verglichen. Ein Zusammenhang zwischen der osmotischen Resistenz der Thrombozyten und Erythrozyten der gleichen Tierart konnte gezeigt werden.     

Alopecia in laboratory animals induced by a polyampholyte,polyethylene alanine

Summary Polyethylene alanine, a polyaminoacid, was found to induce a characteristic alopecia when administered topically or systemically to suckling mice, or newborn guinea-pigs or rabbits.Acknowledgments. The authors thank Dr C. Peeters, Dr M.J. Vanstapel and Prof. Dr V. Desmet for the histopathological examination of the skin biopsy specimens, and Dr K. Marien for helpful discussions.     

Binucleated neurons in the central nervous system of the laboratory animals

Summary Binucleated neurons were studied in the central nervous system of the rat and the rabbit. They were present in the young as well as the adult animals. The animals injected with thymidine-H³ during their embryonic development showed labelled binucleated neurons. It is suggested that the neurons become binucleated during neuroembryogenesis, and differentiate into normal neurons morphologically and physiologically.Supported by NIH Research grant No. NS-08817-05.     

Preparation of serum for paper electrophoresis from small animals

Zusammenfassung 1 bis 2 Tropfen Blut werden in einer Kapillare 10 min bei 10 000 U/min zentrifugiert. Die Kapillare wird an der Schichtgrenze zerschnitten. Das Serum kann so leicht auf die Papierstreifen zur Elektrophorese aufgetragen werden.     

An inexpensive and sensitive method for measuring and classifying activity in small animals

Summary A vibration-sensitive device which is useful in the quantification of activity in small animals is described. In addition to measurement ot total energy expenditure for activity, this transducer also allows identification of types of activity (sleeping, eating, active movement).     

Improved treadmill to avoid foot and tail injuries of small animals

Summary A treadmill was improved so as to eliminate foot and tail injuries in small test-animals. The improvement was inexpensive and easily fabricated by the researchers.     

Monoaminergic innervation of the pulmonary vessels in various laboratory animals (rat,rabbit, cat)

Zusammenfassung Mit Hilfe der histochemischen Fluoreszenzmethode nachFalck ³ wurde die monoaminergische Innervation der Lungengefässe bei der Ratte, beim Kaninchen und bei der Katze untersucht. Während die Pulmonalarterie der Ratte keine Nervenendigungen aufweist, wurden solche an der Oberfläche der Media festgestellt. Bronchial- und Pulmonalarterien der Katze besitzen die monoaminergische Innervation nur an der Oberfläche der Media. Im Unterschied zur Ratte besitzt das Kaninchen eine typisch muskuläre Pulmonalarterie und reiche monoaminergische Innervation an der Oberfläche der Media.     

A field-portable racetrack and timer for measuring acceleration and speed of small cursorial animals

Summary We describe a relatively inexpensive, field-portable racetrack and timer that can be used to measure acceleration and maximum speed of small cursorial animals. Procedures for interfacing the racetrack to microprocessors are also outlined.This research was supported by NSF DEB 78-12124, the Miller Institute for Basic Research in Science (University of California, Berkeley), and by the Graduate School Research Fund (University of Washington, Seattle). The authors gladly acknowledge the advice of R. Reinstatler, J.R. Simpson, M.O. Smith, and especially A. M. Hawkins.     

Radiation carcinogenesis in experimental animals

Exposure of man to relatively high doses of ionizing radiation is generally restricted to accidental situations, with very limited knowledge about the actual doses received. Animal experiments can be performed under standardized and controlled conditions and can provide information on the dose-response relationships for radiation carcinogenesis. The risk of inducing neoplastic late effects after total-body irradiation with relatively high doses has been demonstrated for larger animals, such as monkeys and dogs. The bone marrow, the mammary glands and the lungs are among the tissues with the highest susceptibility for radiation carcinogenesis. Experimental results on tumour induction in rodents are summarized with emphasis on the effectiveness in dependence on radiation quality and fractionation or dose rate.     

Radiation carcinogenesis in experimental animals

Summary Exposure of man to relatively high doses of ionizing radiation is generally restricted to accidental situations, with very limited knowledge about the actual doses received. Animal experiments can be performed under standardized and controlled conditions and can provide information on the dose-response relationships for radiation carcinogenesis.The risk of inducing neoplastic late effects after total-body irradiation with relatively high doses has been demonstrated for larger animals, such as monkeys and dogs. The bone marrow, the mammary glands and the lungs are among the tissues with the highest susceptibility for radiation carcinogenesis. Experimental results on tumour induction in rodents are summarized with emphasis on the effectiveness in dependence on radiation quality and fractionation or dose rate.