A seasonal study of the haematology of carp (Cyprinus carpio) from a locality in the Transvaal, South Africa

Various haematological parameters of carp blood were examined on a monthly basis from February to November. Seasonal variations were observed in red and white blood cell counts, in haemoglobin and plasma protein concentrations and in mean corpuscular fragilities. Sexual differences were evident in red blood cell counts, haematocrit values and haemoglobin concentrations. Plasma protein electrophoresis showed marked conformational changes during the study period. The results are discussed in relation to previous findings and also in relation to the use of blood as a possible indicator of breeding season in carp

Yellowfish and Tigerfish Haematology

No Abstrac

In vitro fertilisation when normal sperm morphology is less than fifteen per cent: Results of in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer at H. F. Verwoerd Hospital, Pretoria

The outcome of in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer in 90 couples where the husband's normal sperm morphology was less than 15% were analysed. Based on the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa the patients were divided into three groups: group A - normal morphological features 0 - 5%; group B - 6 - 10%; and group C - 11 - 14%. A control group had normal morphological features ≥ 15%. The fertilisation rate and number of embryos transferred was not significantly different in these groups. However, the pregnancy rate per embryo transfer was significantly different for groups A and B compared with group C and the control group (0% and 5,9% for groups A and B v. 13,9% and 18,3% for group C and the control group, respectively). It is concluded that when the normal sperm morphology is less than 11% the prospect of a pregnancy is poor

Pregnancy outcome after in vitro fertilisation at the Pretoria unit

This retrospective study was conducted to ascertain the success rate of a university-based in vitro fertilisation (IVF) programme. Over a 4-year period a total of881 patients was aspirated with an 81,8% embryo transfer (ET) rate. This resulted in 150 biochemical pregnancies (20,8% per ET), and 92 births that produced 100 babies were recorded (12,8% per ET). Multiple pregnancies accounted for 8,7% of births and 6,5% of the 100 babies presented with minor congenital abnormalities. Delivery took place by caesarean section in 46% of cases. Birth mass of babies ranged from 1,06 to 4 kg with a mean of 2,944 ± 0,629 kg. Mean gestational age was 260 ± 18,2 days. Twenty-three percent of babies born were pretenn, 13,8% of these were twins and presented with a low birth mass. It was concluded that the conception rate of patients did not differ with regard to the number of IVF attempts but that those who conceived during the first two attempts had a significantly better chance (P < 0,05) of carrying to tenn

Chikungunya Disease: Infection-Associated Markers from the Acute to the Chronic Phase of Arbovirus-Induced Arthralgia

At the end of 2005, an outbreak of fever associated with joint pain occurred in La Réunion. The causal agent, chikungunya virus (CHIKV), has been known for 50 years and could thus be readily identified. This arbovirus is present worldwide, particularly in India, but also in Europe, with new variants returning to Africa. In humans, it causes a disease characterized by a typical acute infection, sometimes followed by persistent arthralgia and myalgia lasting months or years. Investigations in the La Réunion cohort and studies in a macaque model of chikungunya implicated monocytes-macrophages in viral persistence. In this Review, we consider the relationship between CHIKV and the immune response and discuss predictive factors for chronic arthralgia and myalgia by providing an overview of current knowledge on chikungunya pathogenesis. Comparisons of data from animal models of the acute and chronic phases of infection, and data from clinical series, provide information about the mechanisms of CHIKV infection–associated inflammation, viral persistence in monocytes-macrophages, and their link to chronic signs

Heat production in nocturnal (Praomys natalensis) and diurnal (Rhabdomys pumilio) South African murids

Heat production by means of oxygen consumption (Vo2) was measured at different ambient temperatures (Ta 6-34 °C in both species. The thermoneutral zone for both species was found to be at Ta = 32 ± 1 °C. Below the lower critical point Vo2 for the diurnal species (R. pumilio) was significantly higher (p<0,001) than Vo2 for the nocturnal species (P. natalensis). Non-shivering thermogenesis (NST) was measured as a response to an injection of noradrenaline (1,5 mg/kg s.c.) in both species and NST magnitude for R. pumilio was significantly higher (p<0,001) when compared to P. natalensis. The differences in heat production are related to the difference in fur insulation and this may derive from the fact that R. pumilio is diurnal while P. natalensis is nocturnal

The effect of stress and season on some Haematological and Biochemical parameters of three antelope species in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park

A seasonal study of some haematological and biochemical parameters of three antelope species (springbok Antidorcas marsupialis, oryx Oryx gazella and blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus) was conducted during January, April and June in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. A communal increase in two blood parameters during April was observed in all three species studied. These increases correlated with optimal range conditions. Active pursuit of individuals as well as drug induced immobilisation proved to place animals under stress influencing haematograms extensively