List of Abstracts presented at the 1998 Meeting of the American Association of Veterinary Anatomists

D. M. Hyde. Dept. Anat, Physiol and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.

Inhalation of ozone (03) causes airway epithelial necrosis that correlates with neutrophil emigration. Rhesus monkeys were given either a function blocking monoclonal antibody (Ab) to CD18 (R15.7) or an isotype control Ab (MOPC-21) by the cephalic vein, followed by exposure to 03 or filtered air (FA) for 8 hrs. R15.7 03-exposed monkeys showed a significant inhibition of neutrophil emigration and epithelial repair as compared with ozone exposed MOPC-21 monkeys. C5a was instilled into the right middle (RM) of some monkeys (R15.7) at the end of the exposure. At necropsy, lavage neutrophils were significantly elevated in the RM as compared with the left cranial (LC) lobe and ethidium positive (necrotic) cells were observed in small numbers in RM distal bronchi and bronchioles, while large aggregations of necrotic cells were observed in LC airways. Immunohistochemistry showed IL-8 staining of epithelium at times with neutrophil influx and aVb6 integrin staining of epithelium during repair of 03-exposed airways. These data indicate that neutrophils contribute to the repair of airway epithelium by enhancing removal of 03-injured epithelial cells. Further evidence is provided by results of decreased epithelial cell labeling in neutrophil-deficient as compared with neutrophil-sufficient rats following 03induced injury. Breathing pattern responses in neutrophil-deficient rats showed enhanced resolution of tachypnea following acute 03 exposure and neutrophil repletion. Neutrophils appear to contribute to the resolution of 03induced tachypnea by direct interaction with lung C fibers and/or by enhancing epithelial repair by the removal of 03-injured epithelial cells. Supported by Grant: NIEHS ES-00628.

A. Singh and B. J. Connell, Dept. of Anatomy and Physiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, Charlottetown PE C1A 4P3

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that endanger the health of animals and humans because of their capacity to bioaccumulate in the terrestrial and aquatic food chains. We have studied the toxicity of eight PCB congeners as a part of a comprehensive investigation: one of these, PCB 77 or 3,3(,4,4(-tetrachlorobiphenyl that has a toxic equivalency factor of 0.01 relative to TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin), occurs in the environment. The liver was chosen for this work because it suffers from alterations, such as smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) hypertrophy and mitochondrial abnormalities, following exposure to certain PCBs. In the present study, alterations in hepatocyte smooth reticulum and mitochondria were quantified in Sprague-Dawley rats fed congener 77 in concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 ppm in mixtures of corn oil for 13 weeks. Animals that served as the control were given corn oil, only. Liver specimens were conventionally processed, and thin sections prepared for an examination with an electron microscope. A dose-dependent increase in the volume of liver SER and of mitochondria at the 10 ppm PCB concentration was revealed in the female animals (p < 0.05); the males did not show the changes. Alterations noted in the females were probably a consequence of aromatic hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor activation. Application of a quantitative technique to estimate liver pathology confers more confidence in evaluating the lesions for toxicologic ultrastructural analyses. (Supported by Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council, Ottawa)

Evans, H. Dept. of Anatomy, Veterinary College, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853

Prof. Jiwu Liu (Beijing Agr. Univ.) reported a pancreatic duct in wild and domestic Chinese ducks, which entered the duodenal loop near the flexure, rather than at the point of entry of other ducts from the gall bladder, liver and pancreas as is normal for the chicken. He called it the "ductus pancreaticus primus" (#5 below, ventral view) since it was the first pancreatic duct to enter the duodenum. The other ducts are: 1) cystic, 2) common hepatic, 3) dorsal pancreatic, and 4) ventral pancreatic duct. The viscera of 75 Pekin ducks from a Long Island, NY farm showed a similar morphology. The illustration on p. 327 in Handbook of Avian Anatomy: Nomina Anat. Avium, 2nd ed., is a "Dorsal view" not a "Ventral view" as cited.

We investigated the histology and histochemistry of the esophagus of marine fishes belonging to five different species and with different feeding habits. Carnivorous fishes were represented by the seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax; the seabream, Sparus aurata; and the filefish, Stephanolepis diaspros. Herbivorous fishes were represented by the marbled spinefoot, Siganus rivulatus; and bottom-feeding fishes by the grey mullet, Mugil spp. The epithelial lining of the esophagus in S. rivulatus was simple columnar, in contrast to the stratified epithelium of the carnivorous fishes and grey mullet. In the esophagus of the carnivorous fishes, the apices of the mucosal folds in the caudal region were lined with simple cuboidal epithelium. Taste buds were found only in the esophagi of the seabass and seabream. Mucus secreting cells were more numerous in carnivorous fishes than in herbivorous ones, and they were completely absent in the esophagus of S. rivulatus. The mucosa of the caudal region of the mullet had abundant gastric glands in its lamina propria. The epitheliocytes of the seabass and seabream contain mixed mucins, but neutral mucins in S. rivulatus and acidic mucins in the mullet. In the seabass and seabream, there was no muscularis mucosae, but it was present in the others. The tunicae musculares of the seabass, seabream and S. rivulatus were organized into inner circular and outer longitudinal layers of skeletal muscle fibers, but in the mullet as an inner longitudinal and outer circular layer. The tunica muscularis of S. diaspros was different in its type and arrangement throughout the esophageal wall.

The endemic goby Sicyopterus stimpsoni is unique among five species of Hawaiian freshwater fishes because it undergoes rapid metamorphosis of cranial structures during postlarval development. These fishes are amphidromous and return after a prolonged stay in the ocean to streams where they are confined to estuaries until completion of cranial restructuring. Within 48 hours after entering fresh water, head width increases significantly, while total length and head length remains unchanged. Weight decreases by approximately 15% during this period. The upper lip enlarges greatly, and mouth position shifts from terminal to nearly ventral. Shape analysis of radiographs taken from a sequence of fish preserved at two-hour intervals after entering fresh water revealed drastic reallocation of the premaxilla-maxilla complex and dentary. The cranium and most dorsal and caudal structures of the skull remained unchanged. Microscopic observations showed development of a buccal velum, a ridge on the lower lip, and a greatly enlarged upper lip during metamorphosis. In the second half of metamorphosis, tooth buds develop, and a gland in the upper lip becomes prominent. After completion of metamorphosis, Sicyopterus stimpsoni is able to climb waterfalls by alternating use of the pelvic sucking-disk and mouth, with which it also is able to scrape diatoms from rock surfaces by rapid rostrocaudal movement of the upper jaw complex. Anatomical analysis of adult fish suggested a four-bar-linkage model for feeding and climbing; it consists of the (I) cranium, (2)a. hyomandibular-quadrate-triangle, b. Iower jaw complex, (3) upper jaw complex, and (4) palatine-ectopterygoid axis. The premaxilla-ethmoidal ligament and interopercular-articular ligament provide elasticity to the model. This analysis provides a unique example for the theory of terminal addition during ontogeny of an organism. A relatively small change in structure at the end of larval development has enormous implications for the entire ontogeny of the species. The metamorphosis of Sicyopterus stimpsoni constitutes a departure from typical linear development in the transition from larva to adult, and can be used to hypothesize evolutionary mechanisms guiding the phylogeny of a taxon.

Understanding the ontogeny of intestinal morphology has proven a useful tool in phylogenetic and functional studies of fish. To present, the ontogeny of the intestinal tract of tilapian fish has not been completely elucidated. This study investigated the developmental morphology of the intestine of Oreochromis niloticus from hatchling to definitive form. Weekly from day 0 to day 98, six fish were arbitrarily selected and overdosed with tricaine methane sulfonate. The body cavity of all fish (including fry) was opened and the gastrointestinal tract fixed in situ. To increase contrast, the intestinal tract was stained for 10 seconds with 10% methylene blue. Drawings and photographs made from ventral, left and right aspects. Development was divided into seven stages based on the degree and form of gut coiling. The earliest form of the gut was a simple straight tube, which subsequently progressed methodically to a complex looping and coiling form. Briefly, the intestine left the stomach and formed an elongate loop along the hepatic borders before entering into a spiral region. Loops definitively related to the liver and stomach formed first, followed by those eventually forming the spiral parts of the intestine. All loops of the spiral region developed concurrently by simultaneous looping of intestinal regions immediately preceding and following the gastric loop. Definitive form was attained by 63 days. The development of tilapian gut to such a complex coiling pattern may provide an advantage to the fish in digestion and absorption of food resources.

Bundit Tengjaroenkul and Bonnie J. Smith, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia.

Despite the prominence of tilapia in aquaculture and their growing importance as a laboratory animal, neither the distribution of digestive/absorptive enzymes in the adult nor their developmental appearance has been adequately characterized in tilapian fish. This report used enzyme histochemical techniques to describe the regional distribution of maltase, alkaline phosphatase and nonspecific esterases in the intestinal tract of the mature tilapian fish, Oreochromis niloticus. Tissues from six adult fish were obtained from five specific intestinal segments. Tissues were fixed, frozen-sectioned, and incubated in medium specific for each enzyme. Enzyme activities were demonstrated using substituted naphthol methods appropriate for each enzyme. Prepared sections were examined and photographed using a stereomicroscope. All of these enzymes localized mainly in the brush border; non-specific esterases were also found in enterocytic cytoplasm. Activities of maltase, alkaline phosphatase and non-specific esterases were present in the first four intestinal segments (hepatic loop, first major coil, gastric loop, and second major coil), but absent in the terminal segment. Strong enzyme reactions were detected from the second to the fourth intestinal segments for maltase; in the first three parts for alkaline phosphatase, and in all of the first four gut portions for non-specific esterases. The presence of enzyme activity through the first four regions of the tilapian's intestine suggests that these regions are important role in digestion, absorption and metabolism of food particles in this fish species.

Tottering mice carry an autosomal recessive mutation in the (1A calcium channel subunit, that results in three distinct neurologic disorders: 1 ) absence seizures; 2) cerebellar ataxia; and 3) myoclonus. Several morphologic and biochemical abnormalities have been described in the cerebellum of the tottering mouse. One abnormality described in the tottering mouse is hyperinnervation of adrenergic fibers from the nucleus locus coeruleus. It was thought that increased adrenergic input into the tottering mouse cerebellum produced myoclonic seizures. We tested this hypothesis by depletion of norepinephrine (NE) using the neurotoxin, DSP-4. Depletion of NE had no significant effect on myoclonic seizures in tottering mice. We then determined whether a specific region of the cerebellum was important for myoclonus production. We performed localized surgical lesions of the tottering mouse cerebellum. Lesioning the anterior cerebellar vermis or anterior vermis plus paravermis caused significant reductions in myoclonic seizures. Lesions in the posterior cerebellar vermis did not have the same effect, indicating that anterior vermis and paravermis cerebellar output is important for myoclonic seizures in tottering mice. Supported by NIH grant K08NS01681 and Myoclonus Research Foundation funds to L.C.A.

Anatomical closure of the ductus arteriosus (DA) occurred in the West African dwarf goats between 22-23 days after birth. In the present study, postnatal ductal changes were investigated in 0-60 day old indigenous South African goats. The DA of 10 kid goats was perfused with 3% glutaraldehyde and routinely processed for light and electron microscopy. The DA was haemodynamically patent in kid Goats 0-16 days and anatomically occluded between the ages of 46-60 days. The functional closure is initiated by smooth muscle constriction, progressive intimal evagination, protrusion of endothelial cells and delamination of the internal elastic membrane by migrating subintimal smooth muscle cells leading to the disruption of the endothelial layer. The tunica media, initially radially organized except for the subintimal region became very disorganized, and beyond 20 days, showed a lot of ultrastructural changes. The peripherally migrating smooth muscle cells were characterized by enlarged cisternae of the RER with dispersed ribosomes closely associated with mitochondria. These cells progressively became fibrillar and surrounded by collagen and elastic fibrils. Necrotic debris and collagen and elastic fibers filled the lumen between 4660 days. The constrictory and migratory changes of the smooth cells could be a prelude to the active morphological processes culminating in the final occlusion of the DA. The longer closure time observed in these goats, compared to the West African (sea level) goats could be an adaptation to the higher elevation of Pretoria above sea level.

The Hanson and Silver Learning Styles Inventory for Adults (1994) was administered to 1 st year veterinary students to determine preferences in learning styles. The instrument is constructed to yield a score for each respondent in each of four style quadrants representing the dynamic relationships of the mental processes, perception and judgment [Sensing-Thinking (ST), Sensing-Feeling (SF), Intuitive-Thinking (NT), and Intuitive-Feeling (NF)]. There was a strong bias toward ST and NT learning styles with only 3 students with a first preference for SF and 2 students with a first preference for NF learning styles. ST learners are good at rote learning, but may have more difficulty in recognizing relationships, establishing alternatives, and applying a new concept in any context beyond, the original definition model. Learners with a combination of NT and NF styles may have the greatest ease in problem identification and problem solving. SF learners are at the highest risk in the first year of the professional curriculum. These findings raise many questions regarding admissions, instructional methodology, and assessment.

All four editions of the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria (NAV) as well as the Illustrated Veterinary Anatomical Nomenclature (1992), list some anatomical terms that seem to be inconsistent with the rules, as follows: - on page 2 of the 4th ed. of the NAV, the terms "fibularis" and "peroneus [peronaeus]" are listed under "Termini Generales" - on page 21 (op. cit.) the fibula is listed without the old and obsolete term "peroneus" within brackets, while the muscles and the nerves that should be called "fibularis" are listed as "peroneus" (page 38 and 123, respectively, op. cit.) with the terms "peronaeus and fibularis" within brackets - several ontogenetic terms are listed in the N A V, even though the first edition of Nomina Embryologica Veterinaria (NEV) was concomitantly published with the 4th ed. of the NAV; some of those terms are also listed in the NEV - on pages 114-115 (op. cit.) are listed 33 terms that are found only in primates (Cebus), and in addition 4 terms common to Un and Pr. In the Illustrated Veterinary Anatomical Nomenclature, the terms belonging to the primates were disregarded. Comparisons between the NAV, the NA (Nomina Anatomica), the Illustrated NAV, and the Nomina Embryologica (NE) are presented.

Tongues from West Indian manatees were examined grossly and microscopically. Grossly, the tongues are slender, muscular, and firmly fixed in the oral cavity. Only the cranial free tip is free. Numerous filiform papillae are present over the dorsal surface of the rostral 20% of the tongue, particularly on the free tip. The papillae reduce in number and are lost caudal to the most rostral one-fifth of the tongue. Caudal to the filiform papillae, multiple raised, round, lingual fungiform-like papillae are present over the majority of the dorsum. Lingual fungiform-like papillae are also present on the lateral margins of the tongue. A row of pits is present at the lateral margins of the tongue and continues caudally. Caudally, the dorsal and lateral portions of the tongue present numerous open fossae and pits. Microscopically, the majority of the tongue is covered with a thick stratified squamous epithelium. A thick irregular connective tissue supports the epidermis. Dermal ridges are taller on the lateral surfaces than on the dorsal surface of the tongue. The papillae on the dorsal and lateral lingual surfaces are keratinized, but more lightly than the adjacent epithelium. The caudal dorsal and lateral open pits lead to mostly mucous and partially mixed glands. Striated muscle is abundant throughout the tongue, organized into bundles running transversely, longitudinally, and obliquely. Blood vessels, Iymph channels, and nerve fibers are also abundant throughout the lingual substance.

This question was raised by Peter V. Scrivani, et al., JAVMA, Sept., 1998; 211: 741-748. They used NAV terms in their anatomical description, but said the NAV was cumbersome in relating anatomy to physiology and urethrography. In the NAV the preprostatic urethra is included in the pelvic urethra, but in the cat, most of it is in the abdomen. The postprostatic part of the pelvic urethra (Fletcher, 1996) is not listed. (These omissions from the NAV will be corrected.) They say both male and female urethrae should be redefined as only the parts having striated muscle (m. urethralis), and showing a dilated lumen in urethrograms. The latter was demonstrated in the male but not in the female. They also declare that continence is a function of the bladder, not of the urethra, and therefore the male abdominal urethra and the cranial 60X of the female urethra, which have mainly circular smooth muscle, should be called the neck of the bladder. Many anatomists and clinicians restrict the neck of the bladder to the conical part containing the trigone, and regard the internal urethral orifice as the beginning of the urethra in the cat. (Habel, 1950; McCully, 1955; Fletcher, 1996; Dyce, Sack, and Wensing, 1996). Others consider the tube from the bladder to the pubis in the male, and the cranial 60X in the female, to be the neck of the bladder. (Reighard and Jennings, 19011935; Hyman, 1942; Schummer, Nickel, and Sack, 1979). Some have it both ways: their illustrations disagree with their text. The main source of the confusion is the difference between man and quadrupeds. In man, due to the erect posture, the neck of the bladder sits directly on the prostate, so there is no preprostatic urethra. Comparative anatomists, teaching premedical students, used the human nomenclature, which does not list anything between the neck of the bladder and the prostatic urethra.

Incorporation of novel educational technology into traditional lecture and laboratory instruction offers two express benefits: supplementation of presentation style, and addition of a dimension of interest and novelty that stimulates student learning. This work presents examples of how virtual reality may be used to deepen understanding of selected complex anatomical structures in the goat. Specifically, the skull, isolated stomach, and stomach with the spleen and liver were imaged in a computer program that allows viewing the structure from numerous angles. Each of these structures was placed on a turntable and an Olympus digital camera D-320L 12024r768 used to produce a series of 18 two-dimensional pictures. A quick time virtual reality authoring studio was then used to prepare the three dimensional raster objects for use in the program. In use, the object is rotated using the mouse to view different surfaces of the object or zoom in to see different structures in more detail. Adding this interactivity to three-dimensional anatomical graphics enhances quick and deep understanding. These three-dimensional objects will be incorporated into a multimedia interactive program that will hopefully be available on a hybrid CD-ROM within few months. Currently part of this program is located on this site: http://www.vetmed.vt.edu/education/curriculum/ vm8114/goat/goatanatomy.html

F.A. El-Nady and B.J. Smith, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia.

We have developed an interactive computer program depicting the cross-sectional gross and computed tomographic (CT) anatomy of the goat abdomen. The program includes numerous interactive and self -evaluation opportunities, and provides the user with instruction in cross sectional abdominal anatomy, as well as experience in interpretation of similar CT sections. The program permits the user either concurrent or separate display of corresponding gross anatomical sections and CT images. Numerous structures are labeled on both forms of images. Viewing sections preceding and following a given section enable the user to follow a given organ through the body, noting changes in shape and relation to adjacent structures. In addition to these features, the program also includes ultrasonographic imaging of selected abdominal organs, as well as a narrated movie clip of a live fetus. Finally, self-administered quizzes are provided for each section of the abdomen. These quizzes include conventional as well as more innovative forms of questioning. The program is designed to be particularly user-friendly and inviting, and includes occasional touches of humor that hopefully will hold student interest beyond the point where tedium might otherwise set in. The final form of the hybrid CD-ROM that will hold this program will also include virtual reality clips of the entire stomach and its immediately-associated structures.

Plastination is the impregnation (forcing polymer into a specimen) of biological or porous materials with a curable polymer using differences in vapor pressure to draw polymer into the tissue. This excellent method for preservation of tissue, essentially removes tissue fluids and some lipids via a solvent and then the solvent is replaced with silicone polymer under decreasing pressure. Plastination was invented in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1975 by a physician, anatomist, Dr. Gunther von Hagens. The process and polymers are patented, however, their application and use for teaching is encouraged and have minimal restrictions. Several polymers have been used with silicone, epoxy and polyester being the most common. The silicone polymer has enjoyed the widest acceptance. The plastination process has been used at The University of Tennessee since 1984 to preserve gross anatomic and pathologic specimens as teaching aids. The basic silicone technique has five steps. The specimen must first be prepared (dissected) to show the desired structures. It may or may not be fixed, for a short period of time, in a low concentration (1 - 10%) of formalin or other preferred fixative solution. The fixative is washed out using running water and the specimen is dehydrated in cold (-20°C) acetone (preferred), room temperature acetone or a graded ethanol/methanol series. The acetone not only dehydrates but serves as a volatile intermediary solvent, which is necessary for impregnation of the specimen with the polymer. Methylene chloride also serves as a good intermediary solvent Impregnation takes place in a vacuum chamber and until recently usually at -15°C The dehydrated specimen is submerged in the silicone polymer and the pressure is decreased one atmosphere over a period of 3 - 5 weeks. Today room temperature silicones are available and impregnation time is decreased to one week. The final step, after draining off the excess polymer, is exposing the impregnated specimen to a cunna (polymerizing) agent. The finished product is a noninfectious, odorless, dry to touch, and nontoxic specimen that maintains its original shape and some of its consistency. In addition to normal anatomical specimens, plastination allows for long term preservation of unusual or rare specimens, such as exotic zoological specimens, rare pathological specimens or specimens with anomalies. Plastinated specimens may be used for most circumstances and stored at room temperature with no deterioration. They will enhance your teaching program and effectiveness, as well as, aid student comprehension of difficult anatomical relationships. Viewing the relationship of organs on plastinated transverse sections is an invaluable aid for interpreting CT and MR images. Should you set up a plastination laboratory? Yes, if you have a person who can spend a few hours a week dedicated to this technology and if you plan to produce twenty or thirty specimens per year. Otherwise consider having an established laboratory plastinate your prepared specimens. Cost of plastination is the most common complaint. Polymer is probably the least expensive component. The average silicone specimen consists of 40% polymer by weight. At current prices, polymer cost for a kilogram specimen is $13.00 or $1.30 for a 100 gm plastinated dog heart. Prosection and curing time is probably the most expensive item beyond the cost to set up a plastination laboratory. The polymer cost for epoxy or polyester is about 2 times that of the silicone specimen because the polymer is also used to make the sheet surrounding the specimen. Plastination is a unique process which should be used for preserving and presenting biological specimens in the 21st century or at least considered for such.

High quality microscopic anatomical images of different tissues and organs were digitalized by means of a high-resolution scanner. The images were stored as bit maps, in relational database files, which are accessible through an objected-oriented program interface, developed by the author. Appropriate links were established between records of the relational database files of the images and the program query objects, enabling fast data retrievals of the images. The program is called CompuHistology'. The program interface and the rational database files are presently optimized for 32 bit WindowsTM operating system environment. The databases also embody appropriate textual descriptions of the images. A total of 15 database files, representing 15 subject chapters of microscopic anatomy, are accessed both sequentially and randomly through the graphical user program client interface. Movie highlights of rendered-labeled images are readily generated, and enable the user to easily navigate through the database contents. The program also furnishes a data bank of questions in True and False as well as multiple choice formats. The entire package is available on compact disc storage medium as an interactive learning and teaching resource for undergraduate medical, veterinary and dentistry curricula. The overriding philosophy is to provide a repository of portable and high quality microscopic anatomical color images which can be readily accessed and utilized for learning purposes through cost-effective microcomputer resources. The technology involved could be adapted towards developing other computer-aided learning resources in related disciplines.

The Canine Anatomy course at The Ohio State University is a 5-credit hour course in a 10-week quarter system. To prepare our students for the 21 st century, the author hopes to cultivate "self-directed learning" and "life-long learning" skills in our students. Additionally, being the only regular faculty in a class of 135 students has motivated the author to stimulate students to learn by themselves. The PBL teaching techniques were implemented after the author attended a PBL teaching program at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University in spring 1996. The following implementations have been made: Case studies for each anatomical region have been developed and implemented in the class; Clinical rounds/discussions by clinical faculty are presented; laboratory demonstrations and live animal palpation are conducted. Numerous teaching media have been developed including: slides and prints from computer simulations of complicated anatomical structures, videotapes of canine dissections, and other anatomical modules. These media will be on display to share with colleague anatomists at this MVA Summer Conference. The author has always been interested in learning from colleagues for ways to improve Teaching Veterinary Anatomy.

A computer-based program of comparative gross anatomy and histology to train students interested in becoming veterinary technicians. Initially, the program will be presented at regional sites in Indiana, using the Internet. Ultimately, the program will be available to anyone interested mammalian and avian anatomy. The program is divided into 9 units. The student has the option to study anatomical terminology, integument, musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular and Iymphatic, digestive, endocrine, and urogenital systems. The program is base upon the carnivore, with clinically relevant area of the horse and ruminants also being stressed. Review questionnaire provided for the student. Interactive communication with the instructors will be available. Testing will done using Test Pilot©.

CLIVE is a collaborative project of the 6 Veterinary Schools in the United Kingdom. Associate members of CLIVE can benefit from the educational programs produced by this group. A CD-ROM containing reviews of the programs available to associate members will be presented. These programs will include: early embryology, canine retina, ageing of horses, central nervous system, canine forelimb, and cell biology of basic tissues.

Hexokinase (HK) catalyzes the first step of intracellular glucose metabolism, glucose to glucose-6-phosphate (G6P). The four HK isoforms have different tissue distributions, and HK-1 is the predominant isoform in embryonic tissues. In this study, gestational day (gd) 9.5 (early organogenesis) vs. gd 13.5 (late organogenesis) mouse embryos (plug = gd 0.5) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for HK-1 distribution. Embryonic hearts were isolated on gd 9.5 and 13.5 and evaluated for: 1) HK-1 levels using SDS-PAGE/Western analysis; 2) HK-1 activity using a radioassay to measure conversion of glucose to G6P; and 3) glycolytic metabolism by measuring conversion of glucose to lactate. IHC demonstrated localization of HK1 to the embryonic heart, with more intense staining on gd 13.5 vs. gd 9.5. This finding was confirmed by SDS-PAGE/Western analysis, which demonstrated higher HK-1 expression in the embryonic heart on gd 13.5 vs. gd 9.5. By contrast, HK-1 activity and glycolytic metabolism were higher in the embryonic heart on gd 9.5 vs. 13.5. Thus, lower HK-1 expression is associated with higher HK-1 activity and glycolytic metabolism in the embryonic heart on gd 9.5 vs. gd 13.5, suggesting higher intrinsic activity of available HK-1 in early vs. Iate organogenesis. This finding parallels a previously-demonstrated change in the embryonic heart from glucose dependence and glycolytic metabolism in early organogenesis to TCA cycle metabolism in late organogenesis. Support: NCSU-CVM Faculty Research Award

Vitamin D is known to reverse infertility in male and female rats. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin D deficiency on testicular development, intestinal calbindin-D28K (CaBP28K), and serum testosterone (T) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in chickens. Male chicks were raised from 1 day to 12 weeks of age on four different diets: normal diet + 1 % Calcium (Ca) (Gp 1), vitamin D-depleted diet + 3% High Ca (Gp ll), vitamin D-repleted diet + 3% High Ca (Gp lll), and Agway diet (Gp IV). The body weight and testicular weight of Gp ll were significantly lower than those in Gps 1, Ill, and IV after 12 weeks. However, testes:body ratio (wt./wt.) was not different among groups, indicating no specific effect of the diet on the weight of the testes. The seminiferous tubules of vitamin D-depleted chicks were immature, smaller in diameter, and poorly organized as compared to the normal morphology in Gps l, lll, and IV. The serum level of Ca and phosphorous (Pi) was significantly lower in Gp ll (Ca: 8.92+1.91-; Pi: 4.35+1.35 ) than in Gps I (Ca: 13.47+.43; Pi:6.35+.65), lll (Ca: 14.37+.71; Pi: 6.92+.52), and IV (Ca: 13.06i.51; Pi: 6.72+.45). Intestinal CaBP28K was undetectable in Gp ll, but was abundant in Gps I (43.51+17.63--),111 (41.83+13.66), and IV (56.61+14.28). Serum level of T was not different among the four groups. Serum LH in Gp ll (2.29i1.42 ) was significantly lower than in Gp lll (4.64+3.06). This suggested a possible effect of vitamin D deficiency on the pituitary LH secretion in male chickens. (Units *= mg/100ml; ** = µg/mg total protein; ***ng/ml). Part of this study was presented at the 1 0th Vitamin D workshop in Strasbourg, France, 1997

Pressure data were obtained by affixing a force sensing resistor to the central area of the ground surface of each weight bearing paw pad of a female English Pointer weighing 13.4 kg. Connection to the microcomputer was completed by a 10 strand telephone cable supported by five sliding pulleys on a 9.37 m tension cable. Data were recorded at the rate of 400 Hz as the dog was lead (at approximately 1 m/s) in a straight line for three 20 second periods. Data from stance phase of 10 step cycles were analyzed. The process was repeated for hind limbs. Within paw pads, the pressures were consistent in form and magnitude. The coefficient of variation of the maxima within pads was less than 6 %. Maximum forelimb pressures were 5.10, 10.60, 5.70, 10.00, and 6.30 (N/m2) for digital pads 2-5 and the metacarpal pad respectively. Maximum hind limb pressures were 2.09,10.08,5.62,8.70 and 8.18 (N/m2) for digital pads 2-5 and the metatarsal pad respectively. Digital pads 3 and 5 had the greatest pressures while digital pads 2 and 4 had the least pressure. That the greater pressures were not on adjacent digits was an unexpected finding. The metapodial pads had pressures that were intermediate in magnitude for each paw. Our results indicate that this technique will provide new insight in evaluating bandaging methods, prosthetic devices and surgical manipulations for alleviating pressure.

This study examines the expression of the multi-functional cytokine vascular permeability factor/ vascular endothelial growth factor (VPF/VEGF) in the rat uterus during early proestrus (EP), proestrus (PR), estrus (ES) and diestrus (DI). Groups of ovariectomized [O(-)] or hypophysectomized [H(-)] rats served as endocrine controls. Expression of VPF/ VEGF mRNA was two-fold greater in uteri during PR and ES than in other phases of the estrous cycle. In situ hybridization techniques indicated that VPF/VEGF mRNA expression was confined to the luminal epithelium during PR, but shifted to the stromal compartment during ES. Ovariectomized, H(-) or diestrus rats exhibited scattered localization of VPF/VEGF mRNA among glandular epithelium and endometrial stromal compartments. Although VPF/ VEGF mRNA was expressed throughout the estrous cycle, but in different compartments of the endometrium depending on the stage of the estrous cycle, VPF/VEGF protein expression appears to be restricted to the epithelial compartment during PR and ES. Results indicate that circulating levels of gonadal steroids may be associated with the differential expression of VPF/VEGF mRNA and its translation activity in the endometrium during different stages of the estrous cycle. Partly Supported by USDA funds.