Differences in susceptibility between cattle and swamp buffaloes to infection with Fasciola gigantica

Cattle and buffaloes in the wet tropics are commonly infected with Fasciola gigantica (Spithill et al., 1999). There are few reports on differences in susceptibility to infection between cattle and buffaloes. E. Wiedosari (personal communication, 1997) demonstrated that buffaloes were least affected by infection with F. gigantica compared to Bali and Ongole calves. Differences in resistance and/or resilience to F. gigantica between cattle and buffaloes may exist as there are reports of breed differences in susceptibility to F. gigantica between Friesian and Boran cattle (Wamae et al., 1998), between Indonesian thin-tailed sheep, Merinos and St Croix sheep (Widjajanti et al., 1999), and between Red Masai and Dorper sheep (Waweru et al., 1999). This paper compares the susceptibility of cattle (Bos indicus) and swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) to infection with F. gigantica based on\ud parasitological and clinicopathological parameters

Influence of renal denervation on blood pressure, sodium and water excretion in acute total obstructive apnea in rats

Obstructive apnea (OA) can exert significant effects on renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and hemodynamic parameters. The present study focuses on the modulatory actions of RSNA on OA-induced sodium and water retention. The experiments were performed in renal-denervated rats (D; N = 9), which were compared to sham (S; N = 9) rats. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were assessed via an intrafemoral catheter. A catheter was inserted into the bladder for urinary measurements. OA episodes were induced via occlusion of the catheter inserted into the trachea. After an equilibration period, OA was induced for 20 s every 2 min and the changes in urine, MAP, HR and RSNA were recorded. Renal denervation did not alter resting MAP (S: 113 &#177; 4 vs D: 115 &#177; 4 mmHg) or HR (S: 340 &#177; 12 vs D: 368 &#177; 11 bpm). An OA episode resulted in decreased HR and MAP in both groups, but D rats showed exacerbated hypotension and attenuated bradycardia (S: -12 &#177; 1 mmHg and -16 &#177; 2 bpm vs D: -16 &#177; 1 mmHg and 9 &#177; 2 bpm; P < 0.01). The basal urinary parameters did not change during or after OA in S rats. However, D rats showed significant increases both during and after OA. Renal sympathetic nerve activity in S rats increased (34 &#177; 9%) during apnea episodes. These results indicate that renal denervation induces elevations of sodium content and urine volume and alters bradycardia and hypotension patterns during total OA in unconscious rats