NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
SEPTEMBER 1955]
S.
N.
LUKTUKE
215
(v) Adrenals. These lie near the kidney and produce adrenaline and cortical
hormones.
(vi) Placenta. This acts as an endocrine gland during pregnancy.
As already mentioned, the heifer in calf, for the first time, has a very
little development of the alveoli in her udder up to the fourth month of gestation.
After this period the level of oestrogens in the blood system rises, the alveolar develop-
ment begins and this progresses until the end of pregnancy. Progesterone, the
hormone of the corpus luteum, is responsible for the development of the duct system
in the udder. Oestrogen and progesterone, in conjunction with two hormones from
the anterior portion of the hypophysis (mammogenic duct growth hormone and
mammogenic lobule-alveolar growth hormone), are concerned with the growth of the
udder and if there is a short supply of any one of these hormones, full development of
the mammary gland does not take place. At the time of birth, the level of oestrogen
in relation to progesterone is very high and this gives rise to the onset of parturition.
At this time, a hormone is liberated from the posterior part of the pituitary. This
is called as oxytocin. This hormone assists in the contraction of walls of the uterus
at the time of parturition and helps the expulsion of foetus from the uterus. During
advanced pregnancy, a hormonal imbalance is created because of the excess of
oestrogenic hormones secreted by the placenta, resulting in the arrest of milk pro-
duction. Placenta thus checks the milk secretion and at parturition this check is
removed. When the young one is born, the pituitary gland is called upon to produce
a hormone prolactin, which causes the secretion of milk in the developed udder.
Oxytocin controls the ejection of milk from teats. Suckling of teats by calf sets
up certain stimuli which influence the liberation of oxytocin through the central
nervous system, and increases the glandular pressure to squeeze out the milk from
alveoli and smaller ducts. Similar stimuli are produced by rattling of milk buckets
in a milking shed, washing the udder with warm water, etc. Stimuli of a different
nature such as fright cause the secretion of adrenaline which prevents the ejection
of milk.
A constant production of the lactogenic hormone—prolactin—by the pituitary
is necessary for continued milk secretion. If the pituitary is removed from a
lactating animal, the milk ceases to be formed.
Proper functioning of the thyroid gland is necessary for normal milk secretion.
Surgical removal of thyroid has an adverse effect on lactation. Cortical hormones of
the adrenal gland also influence lactation. Removal of the adrenals rapidly stops
milk secretion.
INCREASING ESTABLISHED LACTATIONS BY HORMONAL METHODS
Anterior pituitary hormones, if administered to a cow during the declining
phase of her lactation, cause an increase in the milk yield. Another hormone.
thyroxine, is also found to give similar results. A preparation called iodocasein
obtained by treating milk proteins with iodine can give similar response as that by
thyroxine. Recently in the U. K., a large experiment was undertaken involving
216
HORMONES AND LACTATION
[Vol. XXV, Part III,
1,000 cows and an equal number of control cows from a panel of 38 different farms
for giving a wide trial to synthetic thyroxine. The cows were daily fed with a fixed
dose of this hormone during the period of experimentation. In this investigation,
it was found that the increase in milk yield resulting during the period of hormonal
treatment was completely negatived by a shortening of lactation period, showing
thereby that this treatment was unprofitable.
ARTIFICIAL INDUCTION OF LACTATION IN DRY BARREN COWS
The hormones responsible for the development of udder during pregnancy have
already been described. It is possible to reproduce this condition artificially
with the use of oestrogenic hormones, so as to obtain milk from heifers and cows
without the necessity of pregnancy. Oestrogens acting in conjunction with proges-
terone (already present in the body) will stimulate the liberation of lactogenic hor-
mones from the pituitary. If this hormone is administered to cows in milk, it will
cause them to go dry, as the first action of the oestrogen is to influence the growth
of the alveolar cells and then milk secretion.
Stilboestrol is a cheap synthetic oestrogenic hormone available for the purpose
of induction of artificial lactation in mature virgin heifers and dry barren cows.
This drug is easily soluble in oil and is administered in the form of injections. These
injections have got to be repeated several times before the lactation could be induced.
To avoid this, stilboestrol tablets can be implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of the
neck region of the cow. Two weeks after the implantation of the tablets, thin
colostrom-like fluid appears in the teats. Normal lactation is initiated within three
weeks after the treatment. The milk yield attains peak within 8.10 weeks when
the withdrawal of implanted tablets is absolutely necessary. If the tablets are
not removed, the hormone will act adversely on lactation and the animal will go
dry much earlier. This induced lactation usually lasts for a period of 8.9 months.
Experiments conducted at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar,
have revealed that this lactation will persist for a much longer time if the cow at the
time of implantation of tablets has large cysts in her ovaries. In one such cow,
the lactation persisted for over a period of six years, giving on an average 5 lb. of
milk per day. Out of the three heifers and six Hariana cows in which lactation
was produced artificially, the best response was shown by a cow which yielded
2324 lb. in 343 days, with a peak yield of 11 lb. per day. This was her second in-
duced lactation. She had given 1245 lb. of milk in 209 days in the first induced
lactation and 2910 lb. in 307 days in the preceding normal lactation.
The important question which remains is about the composition of milk secreted
by the mammary gland under artificial hormonal stimulation. It has been found
that the initial colostrom-like fluid has a high oestrogen content but after about a
week the lactation starts, milk becomes quite normal and absolutely safe for human
consumption.
September 1955]
S.
N.
LUKTUKE
217
HAZARDS IN THE APPLICATION OF HORMONAL METHOD
Hormonal therapy may lead to certain complications in the animals. Often
after treatment, the cows are seen constantly in heat and at times this results in
rarification of pelvic bones. There is every likelihood that such cows get their pelvic
bones fractured when they are jumped upon by other cows or bulls in the herd. If
this hormone therapy is tried in normal cows, the chances for their conception become
remote due to the endocrine imbalance created by the administration of hormones
That is why this technique is not recommended for general field use. The veteri-
narians should try to attempt to restore normal fertility in sub-fertile cows as far
as possible. Artificial lactation may be attempted only in cows which have been
diagnosed as absolutely sterile. It is, however, emphasised that only genetically
heavy milkers, and not any scrub cows, can be expected to show good response to
this treatment.
27 AR/55
10
STUDIES ON THE CERCARIAL FAUNA IN MADRAS
II. A NEW SPECIES OF ECHINOSTOME CERCARIA*
By C. T. PETER, G.M.V.C., PH.D., Indian Veterinary Research Institute,
Izatnagar.
(Received for publication on 12th November 1954)
(With one text-figure)
T HE main distinguishing character of the echinostome cercariae is the presence
of collar spines. Sewell [1922] brought under Echinostome cercariae, the 'Megal-
ura' group of Cort [1915] as its members possess many features in common with the
typical echinostome larva, though they are not provided with collar spines. Among
the echinostome larvae found in India, only Cercariae indicae xxiii Sewell, 1922
was known to occur previously in the city of Madras [Rao, 1932]. During the
present investigations, four species of echinostome cercariae have been encountered.
They are arranged below under the different divisions to which they belong together
with their respective snail hosts:
I. Echinatoides group of Sewell:
(1) Cercaria nairi, n.sp., from Indoplanoribis exustus (Deshayes).
II. Eehinata group of Sewell:
(1) Cercaria echinostomi revoluti Beaver, 1937, from Limnaea luteola f. succinea
(Deshayes).
(2) Cercariae indicae xxiii Sewell, 1922, from Limnaea luteola f. typica (Lam-
arck) and L. luteola f. succinea (Deshayes).
III. 'Megalura' group of Cort:
(1) Cercariae indicae iv Sewell, 1922, from Melanoides (plotia) scabra Muller
and M. tuberculatus Muller.
There is no previous record of the occurrence in India of the cercaria of Echino-
stoma revolutum. The echinostome larva from Indoplanorbis exustus is a new species
for which the name Cercaria nairi is proposed.
INCIDENCE OF ECHINOSTOME CERCARIAE Table I shows the percentage of inf
cercariae in their primary snail hosts in Madras City. In Limnaea and Melanoides
spp. of snails Echinostome infection was very high while in Indoplanorbis exustus
it was comparatively low. Limnaea luteola f. succinea harboured two varieties of
Echinostome cercariae while the other four species of snails had only one type each.
Both Cercariae indicae iv and xxiii developed in two species of snails, though the
two molluscan hosts of each larva belonged to the same genus, Melanoides in the
former and Limnaea in the latter.
*Part of a thesis approved by the University of Madras for the Degree of Master of Science.
27 AR/55
219
11
220
STUDIES ON THE CERCARIAL FAUNA
[Vol. XXV, Part III,
TABLE I
Rate of occurrence of Echinostome Cercariae in the city of Madras
Molluscan hosts
Species
Indoplanorbis exustus
Limnaea
luteola
f. typica
L. luteola f. succinea
Melanoides (plotia)
scabra
M. tuberculatus
No.
examined
3,863
901
1,545
211
282
Percentage of infection
Cercaria
nairi, n.sp.
0.2
..
..
..
..
Cercariae
indicae xxiii
Sewell, 1922
..
10.4
1.4
..
..
Cercaria
ech. revoluti
Beaver, 1937
..
..
0.8
..
..
Cercariae
indicae iv
Sewell,
1922
..
..
..
1.4
9.6
Total
0.2
10.4
2.2
1.4
9.6
Cercaria Nairi, N. Sp.
Cercaria nairi, n.sp. (Fig. 1) is the only echinostome larva found developing in
Indoplanorbis exustus (Deshayes) in Madras city. It is a very active swimmer and
is propelled by the vigorous lashing movements of the tail. The creeping movements
are accomplished by an alternate contraction and extension of the body, and are
aided by two suckers. The general features are in conformity with those of the other
echinostome larvae. The body is capable of considerable contraction and extension,
more especially in the pre-acetabular region, while the tail is less so. When elongated,
the body assumes the typical 'echinostome' shape but in a semi-contracted state it is
pyriform, the widest portion being at about the level of the ventral sucker.
The body and tail measurements in millimeters of specimens, both live and fixed,
are given below:
Live
Formalin—fixed
Specimens
contracted
extended
Body
0.219 X 0.158
0.396x0.086
0.244 x 0.142
Tail
0.368x0.045
0.462x0.042
0.396x0.044
September 1955]
C.
T.
PETER
221
Fig. 1. Cercaria nairi, n.sp. Camera lucida drawing of the body. Organs of only one side are
represented and cystogenous glands omitted.
Key to abbreviations
act—anterior collecting tubule
agm—anterior genital mass
angsp—angle spines
c—caecum
cap—capillary tube
cet—caudal excretory tube
cl—collar
db—dorsal body
dsp—dorsal spines
eb—excretory bladder
eg—excretory granule
ep—excretory pore
fc—flame cell
lcet—lateral caudal excretory tube
lsp—lateral spines
met—main excretory trunk
oe—oesophagus
os—oral sucker
pet—posterior collecting tubule
pgm—posterior genital mass
ph—pharynx
pph—pre-pharynx
sg—secretory gland
sgd—secretory gland duct
sgo—secretory gland opening
vs—ventral sucker
224
STUDIES ON THE CERCARIAL FAUNA
[Vol. XXV, Part III
gland cells, the ducts of which are not clearly defined. A group of three flame cells
are seen on either side of the body at about the level of the ambulatory processes.
In the immature redia, the region of the body behind the gut is occupied by germ
balls which in mature specimens develop into varying stages of cercariae filling
up the available space inside the mother organism. The cercariae encyst within
the primary molluscan host. Cysts are globular and transparent, measuring 0.149
mm. in diameter.
Cercaria nairi exhibits all the characters of the 'Echinatoides' group as defined
by Sewell [1922]. The only larva that bears a close resemblance to the present one
is Cercariae indicae xlviii Sewell, 1922, belonging to the 'Echinatoides' group.
However, Cercariae indicae xlviii is quite distinct from the one under study in the
following specific features: The rod-shaped granules contained in the cystogenous
cells are all arranged parallel to each other and do not occur in separate bundles,
the peculiar refractile body found at the anterior region of the dorsal surface of the
present cercaria is absent, the cephalic spination is entirely different: out of a
total of 43 spines in all, 35 are arranged in a double row around the dorso-lateral
region of the collar and remaining eight form 'angle' spines in two groups of four
each, the secretory glands on either side consist of four cells instead of three in the
present material, the excretory bladder is not divided into two compartments, and
only 14 pairs of flame cells are present.
SUMMARY
Four species of echinostome cercariae are recorded from the city of Madras
of which Cercaria nairi is described as a new species. The occurrence of the cercaria
of Echinostoma revolutum (Froelich) in India is recorded for the first time.
REFERENCES
Beaver, P. C. (1937). Experimental studies on Echinostome revolutum (Froelich), a fluke from birds
and mammals. Ill. Biol. Monogr., 15:1—96
Cort, W. W. (1915). Some North American larval trematodes. Ill. Biol. Monogr., 1:1—86
Rao, M.A.N. (1932). A comparative study of the cercarial fauna in Madras. Indian vet. J., 9:107—111
——(1933).
A preliminary report on the adult trematode obtained from Cercariae indicae xxiii,
Sewell, 1922. Indian J. vet. Sci. 3:317—320
Sewell, R. B. S. (1922). Cercariae indicae. Indian J. med. Res., 10 (Supplement): 1—370
A REDESCRIPTION OF PARAMPHISTOMUM
GOTOI FUKUI,
AN INDIAN RECORD OF THE SPECIES
By R. S. TANDON, M.Sc., Research Assistant [Helminthiasis Scheme, Indian Council
of Agricultural Research] Lucknow University, Lucknow
(Received for publication on 18th October 1954)
(With five text-figures and one appendix)
F UKUI [1926] described Paramphistomum gotoi as a rare parasite from the
rumen of Bos taurus in Japan. Later Dawes [1936] recovered a few immature
specimens from buffaloes in Malaya. While collecting amphistomes from the
animals at the slaughter houses in Lucknow, a large number of specimens of this
fluke were recovered on many occasions. It, thus, appears that this form is not
uncommon in Lucknow. Further, the account given by earlier workers is not only
inadequate but also defective in certain respects.
Paramphistomum gotoi Fukui, 1926
The worms measure 4.828-10.6 mm. in length and 1.685-3.21 mm. in breadth.
The cuticular papillae described by Fukui as extending over the body, were not
found by Dawes. In the present specimens, there were numerous well-developed
papillae both at the anterior and posterior ends of the body. The cuticle is modified
into flattened spines at the margin of the mouth (Fig. 1, 2a and 2b) and continues
as a thick lining in the oral sucker, and a ridge lining the oesophagus.
The mouth is terminal and a large number of spines are present at its margin.
The characteristic oral sucker is relatively large and conspicuous and is further
divided into an anterior and posterior part (Fig. 1, 3). Many large papillae with
flattened spines are present, as observed by Fukui and Dawes, in the anterior two-
fifth of the oral sucker. In our specimens 20-30 papillae, each bearing 1-7 spines,
are present on either side of the lumen of the oral sucker. The spines are hollow
and triangular with flattened bases. The spines are also present in the posterior
part of the oral sucker, but are smaller than those of the anterior part. In the
terminal portion only small papillae are present. The length of the oral sucker is
greater than its breadth, which is 0.77-1.28 mm. The posterior sucker is slightly
larger than the oral sucker and measures 0.975-1.554 mm. in diameter. The
oesophagus is slender and short and bears a muscular pad at its origin from the oral
sucker. The lumen of the oesophagus is lined with a cuticle giving it a serrated
appearance. The oesophagus is surrounded by muscular tissue and bears a large
number of conical flattened cells all along its course. The intestinal caeca are
folded (not alternately constricted and swollen as described by Dawes) and the
folds are extended inwards upto the median line. The terminal ends of the caeca
are dilated and curved inwards lying one behind the other. These dilatations
measure 0.294-0.836 mm. in width.
27 AR/55
225
13
September 1955]
R.
S.
TANDON
227
Fig. 1. General anatomy ventral view.
KEY TO ABBREVIATION
ac. b.—acetabular branches; a.t.—anterior testis; cir.—cirrus; e.b.—excretory bladder; e.p.—
excretory pore; int. c.—intestinal caeca; l.l.d.—lateral longitudinal duct.; l.l.v.—longitudinal lymph
vessel; l.pl.—lymph plexuses; m.—mouth; met.—metraterm; m.p.—muscular pad; m.t.d.—
median transverse duct.; oes.—oesophagus; o.s.—oral sucker; ov.—ovary; p.—papillae; p.s.—
posterior sucker (acetabulum); p.t.—posterior testis; s.—spines; s.g.—shell glands; ut.—uterus;
v.—vitellaria.
228
A REDESCRIPTION OF PARAMPHISTOMUM
[Vol. XXV, Part III,
Fig. 2a. Solid spines at the rim of the mouth.
Fig. 2b. Same magnified.
Fig. 2c. Hollow spines lining the lumen of the oral sucker.
September
1955]
R.
S.
TANDON
229
FIG. 3. Longitudinal section through the mouth, oral sucker and oesophagus.
230
REDEBCRIPTION
OF PARAMPHISTOMUM
[Vol. XXV, Part III,
Fig. 4. Excretory system
September 1955]
R.
S.
TANDON
231
Fig. 5. Lymphatic system
232
A REDESCRIPTION OF PARAMPHISTOMUM
[Vol. XXV, Part III,
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author was entrusted by Dr G. S. Thapar, the Officer-in-charge of the
Helminthiasis Scheme, to redescribe the species and clear the incongruities existing
on the morphology of these forms. The author is deeply indebted to Dr Thapar
for entrusting this work to him and also for his guidance. He is also thankful to
Dr Thapar for placing his personal library at the disposal of the author for
consultation. The author wishes to express his gratitude to the Council for the
financial assistance granted for this investigation.
REFERENCES
Baylis, H. A. (1929). A Manual of Helminthology, Medical and Veterinary, London, pp. 55-57
Dawes, B. (1936). On a collection of Paramphistomidae from Malaya, with a revision of the genera
Paramphistomum Fisch., 1901 and Gastrothylax Poirier, 1883. Parasit. 28: 330-354
Fukui, T. (1926). Three new species of amphistomata from Mammals. J. Fac. Sci., Imp. Univ.
Tokvo., sec. 4, 1: 97-113
—(1929).
Studies on Japanese amphistomatous parasites, with a revision of the group. Jap
J. Zool., 2:219-3251
Thapar, G. S. and Sinha, B. B. (1945). On the morphology of a new genus of Amphistomes from
the rumen of cattle in the United Provinces. Indian J. vet. Sci., 15 (3):219-222
Travassos, L. (1934). Svnopse das Paramphistomoidea. Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz., 29:19-178
September 1995]
R. S. TANDON
233
APPENDIX I
Comparison of the descriptions of P. gotoi
Form
described by
Fukui
Dawes
Present
author
Body
length
5-7.3 mm.
1.5-5.1
mm.
4.82-10
mm.
Body
width
2-3 mm.
Not
given
1.68-3.21
mm.
Length
1/6 of
the body
length
1/5-1/4
of the
body
length
1/4-1/6
of the
body
length
Oral sucker
Anterior 2/5
Palillae
15-20
Not
signifi-
cantly
different
20-30
Spines
3-10
on each
papilla
Could not
make out
1.7 on
each
papilla
Posterior 3/5
Papillae & spines
Papillae only
present
Makes no men-
tion of it
Both Papillae
& spines in the
anterior and
papillae only
in the osteprior
region
Acetbulum
1/5-1/4
of the
body
1/6-1/5
of the
body
length
1/7-1/4 of
the body
length
Intestinal caeca
Wavy and stout
(Neither dilated
nor inturned)
Wavy and stout
dilated at several
places besides the
terminal parts
and are inturned
at the ends
Wavy and stout
dilated at terminal
part and inturned
at the ends
Muscular
tissue at
the begin-
ning of
oesophagus
Not
noted
Present
Present
Opening of
laurer's
canal
Posterior to
the excretory
pore
Anterior to the
excretory
pore
Anterior to the
excretory
pore
Eggs
Not describe
Got only
immature
forms
Oval and
operculated
0.1085-0.12094
×0.068-0.074
mm.
27 AR/55
OVARIAN ACTIVITY IN PREGNANT BUFFALOES
By E. S. E. HAFEZ,* PH.D. (CANTAB.), Faculty of Agriculture, University of Cairo,
Egypt
(Received for publication on 22nd February 1955)
(With Plate VI and two text-figures)
I N Eutherian mammals, oogenesis occurs rhythmically throughout the sexual
life in relation to the ovulation cycle. In the cow the right ovary is consistently
heavier than the left [Reece and Turner, 1938]. This trend is apparent even before
sexual maturity. In the cow, ovulation is more frequent in the right ovary [Asdell
et al., 1949] while in the mare it is more prominent in the left [Amoroso et al., 1948].
The foetus is usually carried in the corresponding uterine horn. However, trans-
uterine (internal) migration of the ovum has been reported in the pig, sheep, goat,
cow, horse and certain members of Carnivora, Cheiroptera, Insectivora, Rodentia
and Primates [Boyd et al., 1944]. Oestrus and the rhythm of reproductive organs
are normally suspended during pregnancy. Meanwhile oestrus may occur during
almost all stages of pregnancy as recorded in the ewe [Grant, 1934] and the cow
[Wewey, 1952].
In most species, the corpus luteum is maintained, at least anatomically, during
pregnancy. In the cow it is believed that the corpus luteum persists until parturi-
tion and some days post-partum. Regression of the corpus luteum in the ewe starts
long before the end of pregnancy [Voss, 1950]. Pregnancy will be maintained in
this species after the removal of the corpus luteum at the first third of gestation
[Casida and Warwick, 1945]. In the mare, however, the regression of the corpus
luteum at the first month of pregnancy is associated with subsequent ovulations
and formation of secondary corpora lutea [Amoroso et al., 1948]; this coincides
with the high concentration of serum gonadotrophin. In twin pregnancies, the
corpus luteum is smaller compared to single pregnancies [Kupfer, 1928].
The domestic buffalo, Bos (Bubalus) bubalis L., is a member of the ox-tribe,
sub-family Bovinae. During non-pregnancy, spontaneous ovulation takes place
every 21.14+0.72 days [Hafez, 1952a], the duration of oestrus being 28.47 hours
[Hafez, 1954]. During pregnancy, oestrus is not manifested at all [Hafez, 1955]
while it is expressed at 35 ± .01 days post-partum [Hafez, 1952b]. The physiology
of reproduction in the buffalo has been reviewed and augmented [Hafez, 1952]
and the anatomy of the reproductive tract has been investigated [Mansour, 1953].
The present work is a study of the anatomical changes in the ovaries
of pregnant buffaloes with particular reference to the side of ovulation and conception
and the macroscopic appearance of the corpora lutea and graafian follicles.
* Present Address: Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology, Shrewsbury, Mass., U.S.A.
235
27 AR/55
15