Abstract

Detection of pathogenic organisms in any module of the conventionally bred animal facility is suggestive of possible infection in other strains/ modules of the facility as well. Timely diagnosis of the microbes prevailing in the conventional animal facility is possible if well planned screening program is in place. Laboratory Animal Facility of ACTREC breed and maintains 22 different strains of mice, two strains of hamsters and one rat strain. This paper report the microbiological screening results of rodent pathogens prevailing in the Laboratory animal Facility, ACTREC, India. Microbiological status of these strains was assessed by conventional microbiology using agar media and biochemical tests; readymade ELISA kits and PCR methods. Results of the conventional microbiology revealed that the rodents in ACTREC were reported positive for Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococci aureus, Escherichia coli and Proteus sp. Recent ELISA based results revealed presence of Mycoplasma pulmonis, CAR bacilli, Sendai, Tyzzers disease, MHV, Helicobacter hapaticus, Polyoma, Minute virus of mice, Pneumocystis carinii, Pasturella pneumotropica and Mouse Parvovirus; whereas PCR based methods revealed presence of Mycoplasma pulmonis, Sendai, Helicobacter hapaticus, Pneumocystis carinii, Helicobacter bilis, MNV, MHV and CAR bacilli. Effective quarantine, barrier maintenance, frequent surveillance for all recommended pathogens and eradication of the existing pathogens is the challenge to be accepted.

Abstract

A great number of preclinical and clinical studies have not only confirmed but have also extended the medicinal uses of species of the genus Phyllanthus mentioned in traditional medicine. We have examined some of the mechanisms underlying the analgesic effects of the extracts of Phyllanthus amarus and Phyllanthus fraternus against formalin-induced nociception in mice. In addition, we also investigated the action of both the species against capsaicin-mediated pain. 20 ?l of 2.5% formalin (0.92% formaldehyde), made up in phosphate-buffer solution, was injected intraplantarly in the right hindpaw. Animals were pre-treated with the extracts of Phyllanthus amarus and Phyllanthus fraternus and with specific receptor antagonists for evaluating the mechanisms of analgesic activity. 20 ?l of capsaicin (1.6 ?g/paw) was injected intraplantarly in the right hind paw. Animals were treated with the extracts of P. amarus and P. fraternus intraperitoneally (1-30 mg/kg) 30 min before, or orally (25-200 mg/kg) 60 min before capsaicin injection. Both the adrenergic receptor antagonists prazosin and yohimbine (0.15 mg/kg, i.p.) had no effect on the antinociceptive action caused by extracts of P. amarus (30 mg/kg, i.p.) and P. fraternus (30 mg/kg, i.p.). Treatment of animals with L-arginine (600 mg/kg) had no significant effect against the analgesic properties of P. amarus and P. fraternus. The extracts of Phyllanthus amarus and Phyllanthus fraternus given either intraperitoneally or orally caused marked and dose-related inhibition of capsaicin-induced pain. The current study suggest that their antinociceptive action is unrelated to central depressor action, interaction with ?-adrenergic receptor or interaction with L-arginine nitric oxide pathway.

Abstract

Bovine mastitis is an economically important disease of bovines and caused by multi etiological factors in which bacteria is the major cause. In the present study, milk somatic cell count (SCC) in mouse mastitis induced by Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. chromogenes, S. haemolyticus and S. aureus isolated from apparently normal bovine milk was studied. The 2 x 104 cfu organisms in 50 µl per teat were inoculated through intramammary route in 4th and 5th pairs of abdominal mammary gland in mice. The squeeze method, a technique was developed and standardized for milk collection from mice at 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr after intramammary inoculation (IMI). The milk somatic cell count was estimated using NucleoCounter SCC-100®. The mouse milk ranging from 50 to 200 µl per mice was collected successfully. The milk somatic cell count showed significant increase in S. aureus inoculated mice at 6, 12, 24 hr and increase was two to four folds when compared to PBS control. The three coagulase negative staphylococcus species showed increased SCC levels at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr after IMI. Thus, Coagulase negative staphylococci (C) species can increase the mice milk somatic cell count moderately but two to four fold increase was observed in S. aureus which indicated the subclinical nature of CNS infections in animals. Mouse is a suitable model to study coagulase negative staphylococcus species induced bovine subclinical mastitis.

Abstract

GLP is a Quality system concerned with the organizational process and the conditions under which non-clinical health and environmental safety studies are planned, performed, monitored, recorded, reported and archived. The purpose of studies on non-clinical health and environmental safety is to investigate the physical/chemical, biological and/or toxicological properties of the test item under investigation. The GLP principles are not only concerned about the possibility for checking back the identity of the test item but also ensures that the correct test item has been applied to the test systems. Test system characterization is an important quality control criterion in GLP studies. Regulators need sound, healthy, valid, unbiased test systems, to obtain reproducible, repeatable and reliable test results. This is possible only when we use properly characterized, pure, healthy test systems at a globally harmonized environmental conditions.

Abstract

he aim of the present study was to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Momordica charantia in cow urine on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The alcoholic extract of Momordica charantia was administered orally in cow urine at 200 mg/kg body weight to diabetic rats and the results were compared with standard antidiabetic drug, glinbenclamide. The results showed that there was a significant (P<0.001) increase in serum glucose, AST, ALT, cholesterol, triglyceride levels and significant (P<0.001) reduction in liver SOD, GPx and CAT activity indicating liver damage in diabetic control rats. The biochemical analysis was well supported by histopathological evaluation of the liver which showed necrosis and vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes in diabetic rats. Oral administration of Momordica charantia in cow urine gradually and progressively improved the clinical condition of the diabetic rats. There was significant (P?0.001) reduction in the serum AST, ALT, cholesterol and triglycerides levels. The treatment also resulted in the significant (P?0.001) increase in reduced SOD, GPx and CAT activity in the liver of diabetic rats. Histopathology revealed a progressive improvement in the architecture and return to normalcy of hepatocytes. The results clearly suggested that fruit extract of Momordica charantia in cow urine at 200 mg/kg body weight may effectively normalize the hepatic damage and impaired antioxidant status in STZ-induced diabetic rats than glibenclamide treated groups.

Abstract

Studies were aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition of the Sapindus laurifolius leaves and toxicological effect of the Sapindus laurifolius leaf extract using Wistar albino rats as a model animal. The phytochemical analysis was performed using High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC). In toxicity studies, the acute oral toxicity study was conducted as per the guidelines of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD 423 Acute Toxic Class Method) for testing of chemicals. In repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity study (OECD 407), leaf extract administered at the dose of 50, 200 and 800 mg/kg and limit dose of 1000 mg/kg. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponins, flavanoids, glycosides and bitter principles. In acute toxicity study, the LD₅₀ cut-off values were found to be more than 2g/kg in leaf extract. In repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity, significant (P<0.05) increase in AST, ALT, BUN and creatinine, significant (P<0.05) increase in total protein was noticed. The histopathological changes confined to liver, kidney and intestine, revealed mild to moderate hepatotoxicity, severe nephrotoxicity and increased goblet cell activity. The changes were found to correlate with increased dose of leaf extract. Thus the phytochemical analysis of S. laurifolius revealed the presence of saponins, glycosides, flavonoids and bitter principles.The acute oral toxicity study of S. laurifolius methanolic leaf extract in rats resulted in no toxicity even at the highest dose, in repeated 28-day oral toxicity study revealed mild to moderate hepatotoxicity, severe nephrotoxicity and intestinal damage.

Abstract

Pinworm infestation is more common in most conventional colonies of laboratory rodents. They usually do not exhibit any clinical signs and no adverse effects have been reported on reproduction in infested animals, although, there is an inverse relationship between bodyweight and degree of infestation in newly weaned rodents. It has been reported that oxyurid infestations influence experimental results and also interfere with research goals in number of ways. The prevalence of pinworms in rodent population depends on many factors, including environmental load, gender, age, strain, and immune status. Unlike many common viral diseases of laboratory mice, pinworm infestations can be treated. A rederivation program is highly recommended if other pathogens are present in the colony. Present study was carried out to evaluate the effective treatment regimen for oxyurid infestation. Rodent colonies were screened for adult oxyurid worms or eggs by cellophane tape or flotation method. This screening revealed the presence of pinworm in mouse and rat colonies. Treatment regimen included administration of combinations of fenbendazole and praziquantel for group I at the rate of 150 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg respectively for 24 days through drinking water. Piperazine and ivermectin was administered for group II at the rate of 10.8 mg/mL for 14 days and 0.01mg/mL for next 14 days respectively through drinking water. No oxyurids were found in the colony after 28 days of treatment in group II. It was concluded based on the treatment regimen that piperazine and ivermectin combination was more effective in complete eradication of oxyurids in rodents.

Abstract

ourty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly allotted to four equal dietary treatments consisting of complete mixed rations (16% CP; 15% CF) without (T₀) and with 5 (T₁), 15 (T₂) and 25 (T₃) per cent jojoba (Simmodsin chinensis) oil meal to study the toxicity as well as bone and meat characteristics. Supplementation of jojoba oil meal caused absolute mortality and the extent of mortality followed the dose response pattern. Fifty per cent of mortality rate was documented in T₃ as early as 3^rd week of experiment and at the end of 3^rd week all experimental animals succumbed to death while no mortality recorded in control group. Chemical composition of meat and bone indicated significantly lower crude protein and ether extract contents in treated rabbits. Autopsy of rabbits which died in jojoba oil meal incorporated complete feed showed mild to severe dilated and congested mesenteric blood vessels and enlarged liver and kidney. Toxicopathological changes include hepatocellular swelling, bile duct hyperplasia, glomerular nephritis and thyroiditis indicative of simmondsin toxicity in rabbits due to jojoba oil meal.

Abstract

Due to a history of recurrences of Mouse Parvovirus (MPV) outbreaks, a novel procedural solution to environmentally screen previously contaminated rooms was explored. The authors wanted to evaluate a rapid, reliable means to test the environment without using animals by investigating the use of environmental swabs to detect residual MPV after rooms were depopulated and decontaminated. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed on environmental swabs to determine the presence of DNA that could be indicative of residual MPV in the affected rooms. The absence of MPV DNA demonstrated that the rooms were adequately decontaminated, and the likelihood of a re-infection was minimal after repopulation. The use of PCR to confirm the absence of environmental MPV has been an excellent method to determine the effectiveness of post outbreak decontamination.

Abstract

Investigations were carried out to study the effect of supplementation of jojoba meal (Simmondisa chinensis) on biochemical, haematological and thyroid hormone profile in broiler rabbits. A total of fourty New Zealand white rabbits (4 week old) were randomly allotted to four dietary treatment groups, comprising ten rabbits in each group. The control group (T0) was fed with complete feed with no jojoba oil meal and test groups were fed complete feed with 5, 15 and 25 per cent jojoba oil meal in T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively. Hematology and serum biochemical profile indicated reduction in haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) and total erythrocyte count (TEC) in T2 and T3 groups compared to T0 and T1 groups on 30th day of study, while serum calcium, phosphorus, cholesterol and total protein were not affected. It was observed that serum tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4) levels in jojoba meal treated rabbits were declined in dose-dependent manner due to thyrotoxicity. Toxicopathological lesions include infiltration of inflammatory cells (T1) or inter-follicular thyroiditis in rabbits fed jojoba meal @ either 15 (T2) or 25 % (T3).

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is one of the important life style diseases of human beings. There are several animal models in vogue for studying the patho-physiology of Atherosclerosis. It is usually done by inducing pressure overload of aorta. In this study we attempted two different murine models by constriction of thoracic aorta (ascending aorta) and by constriction of abdominal aorta, using metal clips. It was observed that thoracic aorta banding requires expertise, expensive equipment and an increased mortality rate compared to abdominal aorta banding. But the time period for the development of cardiac hypertrophy was lesser in thoracic method (2-4 months) compared to abdominal aorta approach (20-24 months).