The magnitude and duration of the analgesic effect of morphine, butorphanol, and buprenorphine in rats and mice. Contemporary Topics 39(2), 08.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the analgesic effect and its duration for three opioids commonly used clinically in rats and mice: buprenorphine, butorphanol, and morphine. Sixty-two male 200-300 g Hsd:SD rats and 61 male 25 to 35 g Hsd:ICR mice were used. Animals were administered a single SQ dose of buprenorphine (0.5 mg/kg for rats and 2.0 mg/kg for mice), butorphanol (2.0 mg/kg for rats and 5.0 mg/kg for mice), and morphine (10 mg/kg for rats and mice). Two standard tests used were the hot plate and tail flick assay. Five baseline measurements were made on each animal with a single drug and then the animal was euthanized.
Results:
It was noted during this study that several clinical observations were made. Subcutaneous injections of butorphanol appeared to be very painful as evidenced by vocalization by a majority of the rats and mice. There was no evidence of cyanosis or shallow respiration at the doses listed.
Morphine consistently gave the highest analgesic effect and was intermediate in its duration of 2 to 3 hours in rats and mice.
Butorphanol consistently gave the lowest analgesic effect and had the shortest duration of 1 to 2 hours in rats and mice. Buprenorphine consistently gave an intermediate analgesic effect and had the longest duration of 6 to 8 hours in rats and 3 to 5 hours in mice. Morphine is recommended for severe pain with frequent redosing, buprenorphine for moderate pain of increased duration and butorphanol for mild pain of short duration. The dosing durations suggested by this study are 2 to 3 hours for morphine, in both rats and mice; 1 to 2 hours for butorphanol in both rats and mice; and 6 to 8 hours in rats and 3 to 5 hours in mice for butorphanol.
Questions: Questions:
1. Which drug appeared to be very painful when administered subcutaneously?
2. Which drug produced the highest analgesic effect?
3. Which drug produced the longest analgesic duration?
Answers: Answers:
1. Butorphanol
2. Morphine
3. Buprenorphine

Evaluation of an anesthetic regimen for retroorbital blood collection from mice. Contemporary Topics 39(2), 14.
Abstract: In order to provide a general anaesthetic regimen for a minimally invasive procedure of short duration (retroorbital blood collection), a combination of ketamine (K) and medetomidine (M) with and without the topical ophthalmic anaesthetic (proparacaine), and with and without the alpha 2 adrenoreceptor antagonist (atipamezole) was evaluated for its efficacy, safety and practicality.
Adult male and females, and juvenile male and females from two strains (129/SvSj and B6,129F1) were selected because these backgrounds are not only common to many genetically modified mice, but have also been shown to be more sensitive to certain drugs.
Two different doses (full and half) of KM were used. Half the mice received proparacaine, and half the mice received atipamezole. Blood (200 ul) was collected from one retroorbital sinus of each mouse.
Overall, male mice were significantly more sensitive to the action of KM than were female mice. The pedal reflex was retained in all the juvenile mice, and the adults lost the reflex only after prolonged (more than 5 minutes) post injection delays.
Regardless of the KM dose, a large proportion of mice that did not recieve the proparacaine demonstrated an increased respiratory rate or active resistance during the blood collection. Administration of atipamezole greatly accelerated the onset of recovery in all treated mice. All treated mice recovered and two untreated animals failed to recover.
Questions: Questions:
1. To what other anaesthetic agents have male mice been shown to be more sensitive to ?
2. What other adrenoreceptor antagonist is available for use ?
3. What is the maximum recommended volume of blood that can be safely collected in a single draw ?
Answers: Answers:
1. Pentobarbital, hexobarbital.
2. Yohimbine - less selective than atipamezole
3. 1% of the animal's body weight

Toxicity evaluation of prophyloactic treatments for mites and pinworms in mice. Contemporary Topics 39(2), 18.
Abstract: Since parasitic infestation can be difficult to diagnose during routine quarantine, authors intended to evaluate if prophylactic treatments were safe to be used routinely.
Method
3 combinated therapies were evaluated:
1.. Piperazine (2.1 mg/ml water bottle, week 1 and 2)-ivermectin (7 microgr/ml water bottle, week 3 and 5)-dichlorvos (7g in bedding).
2.. Ivermectin alone (7, 10, 50, 220 microgr./ml water bottle).
3.. fenbendazole(150 ppm in the feed)-permethrin (2 cotton-balls) and fenbendazole (150 ppm in the feed)-dichlorvos (7g/week, in bedding, 4 weeks, 28 g total).
Strain backgrounds evaluated were: C57BL6, B10, B6SJL, B6CBA, 129B6, Balb/c, 129/SvSj, FVB/NJ, 129/SvJ, C3H/HeJ. But all the strains were not submitted to the different therapies.
Results/discussion:
Sporadic sudden death occured within 48 hours in 129 (1 at 7 microgr/ml, 1 at 10 microgr/ml, 1 at 220 microgr./ml) and FVB (2 at 220 microgr/ml) on ivermectin.
No clinical signs. No histo was done.
Three deaths occured following anesthesia (xyl.Ket) in the fenbendazole-permethrin group. These death may be an adverse response to anesthesia, or animals
were more sensitive to adverse effects. Other animals died following anesthesia and were not on treatment.
There were NO control groups for these treatment regimens. No gross pathology or histology was done to evaluate toxicity.
Questions: No questions

Artificial turf foraging boards as environmental enrichment for pair-housed female squirrel monkeys. Contemporary Topics 39(2), 22.
Abstract: Summary: The authors used artifical foraging boards to determine if semi-natural foraging behavior in squirrel monkeys would:
1. alter their time budgets similar to those observed in the wild
2. decrease stereotypic behaviors
3. provide sustained enrichment.
Foraging boards were made using artifical turf with attached petal-like structures to hold & trap small pieces of a fruit and nut foraging mixture. Pair-housed squirrel monekys were videotaped the week prior to, for weeks during the enrichment trial and the week follwoing the enrichment trial to determine any behavioral changes. The boards were provided for 2 hours daily.
With use of the foraging boards, inactivity decreased, locomotion increased and board related behaviors occupied 36.3% of the activity budget. Stereotypic behaviors such as pacing, headswinging, tail chewing and aggression were not altered by the foraging opportunity. The board did hold the interest of the monkeys over the 2 week trial period and altered their time budget to become more like activity patterns seen in the wild.
While foraging, the monkeys frequently reached the board by clinging in an inverted position to the side of the cage and reaching down. Inverted clinging is used by wild monkeys to reach food. Monkeys frequently retrieved food from the board but moved to another location to eat the food, which is also seen in the wild.

Hi everyone;

I have had a couple of people ask me how the answer to question one that I submitted for this summary could be c-long-tailed macaques, since the cynomologus is a long tailed macaque. Since I don't work with primates, I can't answer that question.
However, this question was taken from a direct quote in the article on page 22, the third paragraph: "Foraging tasks offering supplemental food items have been successful in the reduction of abnormal behaviors, including repetitive locomotion, in singly housed rhesus macaques, baboons and cynomologus macaques. However, these activities were ineffective in singly housed long-tailed macaques."
Perhaps the authors were referring to other long-tailed macaques? If there is a primate person on the list, perhaps you can answer this question.
Questions: Questions
1. Foraging tasks offering supplemental food items have been successful in the reduction of abnormal behaviors, including repetitive locomotion in all of the following singly housed primates except:
a. baboons
b. cynomologus macaques
c. long-tailed macaques
d. Rhesus macaques
2. What is taxonomy of the squirrel monkey?
Answers: Answers
1. c
2. Order-Primate
Suborder-Anthropoidea
Infraorder- Platyrhini
Superfamily-Ceboidea
Family-Cebidae
Subfamily-Samirinae
Genus-Saimiri
Species-sciureus

Use of the feed additive sodium hexametaphos-phate to prevent dental calculus in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri spp). Contemporary Topics 39(2), 27.
Abstract: Some common captive NHP health problems include dental calculus, dental plaque and associated gingivitis, and periodontal disease. Dental problems can compromise studies of infection and immunity, implants, and antimicrobials by providing a route of entry for bacterial pathogens into the circulatory system. Squirrel monkeys appear to be unusually susceptible to dental calculus and have been used as a model for studies of human gingivitis and periodontal disease. Sodium hexametaphosphate (HMP) is classified as a chelating agent or crystal-growth inhibitor. This agent has effectively retarded dental calculus growth in several species (cynos, dogs, lemurs). Previous HMP evaluation studies used cleaned teeth as a uniform starting point but failed to provide information on the effectiveness of HMP when dental calculus is already present. This study determined whether HMP reduced dental calculus in squirrel monkeys whose teeth had not been pre-cleaned.
Study animals were divided into 2 groups. One group received a standard diet while the other received an identical diet containing the HMP additive. The experimental diet was surface treated with HMP after extrusion as surface treatment with HMP has proven to be more effective in preventing calculus formation than uniform incorporation into the food pellet. Teeth were graded for extent of calculus formation (total score per animal and score according to tooth type) at the start of the study and at 3 and 6 months during HMP treatment. Incisors, canines, premolars, and first molars were evaluated as the presence of other molars is variable in squirrel monkeys. At the end of 6 months, dental calculus formation did not differ significantly between experimental groups. The authors concluded that HMP was ineffective in squirrel monkeys with preexisting dental calculus and suggested that precleaning is required for HMP to be effective in NHPs.
Questions: Questions
1. HMP as a food additive is effective at reducing dental calculus in squirrel monkeys that have not had their teeth pre-cleaned. True/False
2. HMP as a food additive has been shown to be effective in retarding dental calculus formation in which species?
1. Which of the following species HAS NOT been used as a model of periodontal disease.
A. Meriones unguiculatus
B. Saimiri spp.
C. Oryzomys palustris
D. Sigmodon hispidus
E. Callithrix jacchus jacchus
2. Name the Order, Infraorder, Family & Genus of the Squirrel monkey.
3. Match the following dental formulas 2(I/I C/C PM/PM M/M) to the correct primate group.
a. 2(2/2 1/1 3/3 3/3)=36 i. Great Apes
b. 2(2/2 1/1 3/3 2/2)=32 ii. New world NHP
c. 2(2/2 1/1 2/2 3/3)=32 iii. Human
iv. Callitrichid
v. Old world NHP
4. Cholelithiasis is induced in _________ squirrel monkeys by feeding an atherogenic diet, while nonhemolytic uncongugated hyperbilirubinemia (Gilbert's Syndrome) is seen in __________ squirrel monkeys.
Answers: Answers
1. HMP, as a food additive, is effective at reducing dental calculus in squirrel monkeys that have not had their teeth pre-cleaned. False
2. HMP, as a food additive, has been shown to be effective in retarding dental calculus formation in which species? Cynomolgus macaques, lemurs and dogs
1. D. Sigmodon hispidus - cotton rat (A - gerbil; B - Squirrel monkey; C - rice rat, fascicle #188; E - marmoset, fascicle #108)
2. Primate, Platyrrhini, Cebidae, Saimiri
3. a. ii. NEW WORLD NHP; b. iv. CALLITRICHID; c. i. GREAT APES, iii. HUMAN, v. OLD WORLD NHP
4. Brazilian, Bolivian

Condyloma acuminatus in a cynomologus monkey (Macaca fascicularis). Contemporary Topics 39(2), 30.
Abstract: A mature, wild-caught, male cynomolgus monkey developed multiple, coalescing wart-like growths on the penile shaft and glans 2 months after arrival in the facility. No other animals in the shipment were affected. Masses were biopsied and examined histopathologically. At euthanasia 1 year later, masses had regressed somewhat in size. Biopsies of the lesion suggested a diagnosis of viral papilloma consistent with condyloma acuminatum. Authors were unable to amplify viral DNA or detect papillomavirus by in situ hybridization to confirm the viral etiology but viral particles were detected with electron microscopy.
Questions: Q. What are 3 possible nonviral causes of lesions resembling viral papillomas?
Answers: A. Trauma, solar radiation, x-irradiation.

Radiotelemetry catheter implanation: surgical technique and results in cats. Contemporary Topics 39(2), 34.
Abstract: A surgical technique for the placement of radiotelemetry catheters, and the complications associated with the technique are described. Radiotelemetry catheters were surgically placed in the left femoral artery of 12 research cats. The surgical procedure required approximately 50 minutes to complete with no surgical complications experienced in any of the cats. The catheters were kept in place for an average of 6.5 weeks, and were removed at the completion of the project. Unusual pressures were noted in one cat that resulted in moving the catheter to the opposite leg, - the same readings were noted in the opposite leg. Abnormal anatomy of the left femoral in a second cat required use of the right femoral artery. Extreme care was used during the surgical implantation procedure to ensure the catheter would not kink with normal leg movements (extension and flexion). The only problem experienced with the use of the telemetric device was an occasional inability to record data. This was attributed to the cat's body position in relation to the reader at the time of data collection ( not close enough to the reader to receive signal input). No post operative analgesics were used. Although none of the animals experienced pain, the author's note that post operative analgesics would have been beneficial for the few cats that experienced discomfort.
Advantages of the use of telemetry blood pressure measurement over direct or indirect blood pressure measurement are 1) ability to record data (blood pressure and heart rate) without human intervention and restraint 2) the ability to achieve accurate diastolic pressure measurement that cannot be achieved with indirect pressure measurement. Disadvantages include 1) limited period of time for use -battery life expectancy is 6 months; 2) electronic drift eventually requires removal and re-calibration of the unit - typically within 6-8 months; and 3) encapsulation of the catheter tip can result in dampened pressure measurements that requires catheter removal and replacement.
Questions: Questions:
1) What are the potential complications associated with the use of radiotelemetric blood pressure readings?
2) What are the advantages and disadvantages of using radiotelemetry for blood pressure measurement?
3) What are the advantages and disadvantages of direct and indirect blood pressure measurement?
Questions:
Questions:
1. Name the different ways of measuring blood pressure.
2. Name disadvantages of each method.
3. What is ADPKD?
Answers: Answers:
1) Kinks in the catheter, proximity of animal to the reader; inability to easily verify unusual BP measurements; complications associated with computer equipment; encapsulation of catheter tip.
2) A -ability to collect data without human interactions or restraint; accurate direct measurement of systolic / diastolic pressures and heart rate. D-requirement of surgical procedure to implant, inability to adjust catheter without removing and replacing the catheter; limited battery life; potential electronic drift.
3) Direct BP - Disadvantages: proper positioning required and/or restraint required for measurements (persistent sympathetic arousal); often sedation or anesthesia necessary for catheter placement (altered hemodynamic parameters); attention to catheter maintenance required; bandaging necessary to prevent animal from dislodging or pulling out catheter. Advantages - measurement of BP and heart rate are accurate for both systolic and diastolic measures.
Indirect BP - Disadvantages: proper positioning required and/or restraint required for measurements. Stress results in persistent sympathetic arousal ; if sedation /anesthesia is used for collecting readings - altered hemodynamic parameters; diastolic pressures difficult to measure. Impractical for continuous long term studies; high standard deviations when compared to direct measures. Advantages - no catheter maintenance required. Non-invasive.
Answers:
1. direct, indirect, telemetric
2. Direct: have to anesthetize animal and restrict movement during data collection
Indirect: need to restrain animal during data collection, high standard deviations and impracticality for long-term data collection
Telemetric: specialized equipment, +ACQAJAAkACQAJA-
3. autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

A laryngoscope designed for intubation of the rat. Contemporary Topics 39(2), 40.
Abstract: The authors report a laryngoscope that they designed for ednotracheal intubation in the rat. The instrument has a hollow sqaure handle sheath (diam. 5.5 mm & 90 mm long). Handle sheath lower end is attaceh to a horizontal flant blade ( 41 mm X 8 mm) with a blunt-tipped curved end. The blade lifts the tongue and lower jaw. Passing through the hollow outer handle is a sqaure sliding arm (4.5 mm X 4.5 mm) that is 110 mm long and at its lower end a 20 mm blade that's angled up by 5 degrees. 3 sides of the bottom end of the sliding arm are cut away for 15 mm just above the short arm which provides an unobstructed view of the throat. There is a grooove on the under side of the short blade which stabilizes it against the upper incisors. A spring placed in the sheath maintains the 2 blades in the closed position, facilitating placement and withdrawl from the oropharynx. The blades are separated by by applying a downward force on the sliding arm. A fiberoptic cable passes through the fiberoptic sleeve on the upper surface of the short blade which provides illumination of the oropharyngeal area and vocal cords. Since this is an instrument article, I recommend looking at the pictures to clearly understand this peice of equipment.
Questions: 1. How many lung lobes are located on the left side of the rat?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
2. At birth, the newborn rat lacks all of the follwing except
a. alveloli
b. alveolar ducts
c. terminal bronchioles
d. respiratory bronchioles
3. Lung restructuring in the rat pup begins to occur at
a. Puberty
b. 14 days of age
c. 4 days of age
d. 0-24 hours of age
Answers: 1. a 2. c 3. c

Isoflurane anesthesia for guinea pigs (cavia porcella) in a stereotaxic surgical apparatus. Contemporary Topics 39(2), 43.
Abstract: Notes on anesthesia in guinea pigs - In general, variable anesthetic responses may be observed in guinea pigs due to the influence of cecal fill. A twelve hour fast prior to anesthesia will help minimize this variability. In addition, guinea pigs may carry a bolus of food at the base if the tongue which must be flushed out to prevent aspiration during anesthesia. Due to the difficulty of intubating guinea pigs, there is an increased risk for post operative complications associated with this procedure. When using a nosepiece for inhalant anesthetic delivery, the animal's mouth does not have to be incorporated since the guinea pig normally breathes solely through its nose.
Isoflurane - Inhalation anesthetics offer many advantages and are safer than drugs administered by injectable routes. Isoflurane produces appropriate analgesia, muscle relaxation, and minimal cardiovascular depression. The reported MAC value (1.1% for guinea pigs) for isoflurane is lower in guinea pigs than in other rodent species. Isoflurane can cause more severe respiratory depression than halothane and its strong odor may cause animals to hold their breath during early induction.
Anesthetic system - An anesthetic system was described that allows the use of isoflurane in guinea pigs during stereotaxic surgical procedures. The use of stereotaxic equipment limits both animal positioning and access to an anesthetic face mask. A non-rebreathing anesthetic system was designed to fit male Hartley guinea pigs (weighing 250 - 350g) for these procedures. The system consisted of a commercially available induction chamber (Stoelting, Wood Dale, IL) with a gas inlet and outlet. The induction chamber was used in a hood - exhaust system to prevent personnel exposure when the chamber was opened. After induction, the animal was prepped and positioned in a face mask for anesthetic maintenance. Waste gases were removed into a scavenging device by using suction (Fluovac 110V and Fluosorbers canisters, International Market Supply, Conglaton, Cheshire, England). A calibrated vaporizer (Ohmeda Tec 3) was incorporated into the circuit for control of anesthetic concentration and a flow meter to adjust oxygen delivery rate. The animal was induced using a 2 liter flow rate with a delivery of 5% isoflurane mixed in oxygen per minute. Maintenance anesthesia required 1.5 to 2% isoflurane delivery mixed with 0.2-0.3 liter per minute of oxygen. Construction of the delivery system consisted of easily obtained materials such as Norton Tygon O tubing for connections and a rubber stopper (diameter, 13mm; length, 2.4mm; Fisher Scientific) for a nosepiece. Refer to article for pictures and diagrams of system.
Questions: Questions:
1) T or F Guinea pigs may carry a bolus of food at the base of the tongue which must be flushed out prior to anesthesia.
2) T or F The MAC value of isoflurane is higher in guinea pigs than other species.
Answers: Answers:
1) T
2) F

Colitis in a female tarmain (Saguinus mystax). Contemporary Topics 39(2), 47.
Abstract: An adult, wild caught tamarin was found moribund & extremely dehydrated with severe diarrhea. The tamarin was part of a viral hepatiis study but had not yet been experimentally manipulated. She intitially responded to supportive therapy but died 3 days later.
Necropsy: hyperemia of the colonic mucosa, mesenteric lymphadenopathy, acanthocephalid parasites (Prosthenorchis elegans) embedded in the mucosa of the terminal ileum & cecum, and free filarid nematodes(Dipetalonema sp) in the abdominal cavity.
Culture: Campylobacter sp. from colon.
Histo: except for changes associated with parasites, significant histo lesion limited to colon.
enterocytes: hypertrophied, degenerate & attenuated; epithelial syncytial cells & some had intranuclear inclusions; mildly depleted lymphyoid follicles with rare syncytia; changes were consistent with acute enteric viral infection
Mealses virus confirmed using immunohistochemistry, reverse transcriptase PCR & Southern blot.
Old World Monkeys with mealses: cutaneous rash, respiratory symptoms & low mortality
New World Monekys with measles: severe diarrhea with high mortality
This report differs from previous reports in that syncytial cell formation was limited to the colon.
Questions: Questions
1. What causes of diarrhea should be in the differential diagnosis work-up?
2. The histo changes are suggestive of what etiologic agent?
3. What additional tests are available to confirm the diagnosis?
4. What can be done to prevent similar losses?
Answers: Answers
1. Infectious causes of diarrhea:
Bacterial: Camyplobacter, Shigella, Yersinia, Salmonella, Clostridium perfringengens, hemolytic E. coli
Viral: Paramyxoviridae
Parasites: Entameba histolyticum, cryptosporidium, nematodes
Non-infectious: stress, dietary intolerance/changes, medication intolerance, acute/chronic colities of unkown etiology
2. acute viral infection, most likely paramyxovirus
3. transmission electrom microscopy, confirmed in survivors via rising anti-measles antibody titer, viral isolation from stomach contents, bronchiolar-alveolar lavage fluid, feces
4. vaccination for measles

Southern and northern hybridization. Contemporary Topics 39(2), 50.
Abstract: Southern and Northern hybridization are used to detect specific DNA and RNA sequences from microbial and mammalian cells. A Southern is used to detect a gene (DNA) while a Northern is used to detect expression of that gene (RNA). The techniques require that DNA or RNA samples are separated by gel electrophoresis. RNA samples are electrophoretically separated on a denaturing gel to linearize the fragments and DNA samples are digested with restriction enzymes before electrophoresis. The sample is transferred to a solid membrane (nitrocellulose or nylon) and then probed with a labeled nucleotide sequence that is complementary to the gene of interest. Autoradiography or colorimetric detection shows the presence or absence of the specific RNA or DNA sequence.
Questions: 1. What does a Southern detect?
2. What does a Northern detect?
Answers: 1. DNA
2. RNA