NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
THE EFFECT OF FEEDING THYROPROTEIN ON SEMEN
QUALITY AND ON SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL
CONDITIONS OF GOATS
III. EFFECT ON PULSE RATE, RATE OF RESPIRATION, BODY TEM-
PERATURE AND BODY WEIGHTS
BY D. P. MUKHERJEE, S. S. JAWA AND P. BHATTACHARYA, Animal Genetics Section,
Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar
(Received for publication on 1 April 1952)
(With two text-figures)
I N Parts I and II of the present series the results of feeding thyroprotein to
goats on their semen characteristics and 'reaction time' have been reported. It
was found that by feeding one gram of thyroprotein per day per animal during May
to August, sperm concentration per unit volume of semen increased with concomitant
decrease in seminal fructose and increase in the rate of fructolysis. There was also
an appreciable decrease in the volume of semen. The other characteristics of semen
remained unaffected. That the improvement brought about in semen quality was
rather apparent than real was also discussed in Part I.
The results of investigations on the effect of season and/or feeding thyroprotein
to animals on their semen quality are likely to be influenced by the various clima-
tological factors obtaining during the period of observations. It is, necessary
therefore, to correlate the results obtained in such investigations with the relevant
detailed climatological data. This may provide a satisfactory general explanation
for the various contradictions found in the literature on the influence of seasons
or thyroprotein feeding on semen quality.
In the present paper, therefore, besides the effect of feeding thyroprotein, on
pulse rate, rate of respiration, body temperature and body weight of the goats,
detailed information regarding the more important climatological factors prevailing
during the course of the experiment and their effect on goats have also been reported.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Pulse rate, rate of respiration and body temperature of each animal were re-
corded daily and their weekly body weight record was maintained during the entire
experimental period, i.e. from May to August. These observations were made in
the morning before the animals were let out for grazing. Daily readings of maximum,
minimum, dry and wet bulb thermometers were noted in a well ventilated shed.
The readings were taken once a day at about 7 a.m. from the records the average
weekly air temperature and relative humidity have been calculated. Body tempera-
ture was taken by means of a clinical thermometer inserted in the rectum. Pulse
rate was determined by feeling the femoral artery with the tips of the fingers. Rate
of respiration was determined by the use of a stethoscope applied on the chest wall
of the animal.
15
4
16
THE EFFECT OF FEEDING THYROPROTEIN ON SEMEN (III) [Vol. XXIII, Part I,
RESULTS
The results of the statistical analysis of pulse rate, respiration rate, body tem-
perature and body weight of the animals during the pretreatment and treatment
periods are presented in Table I.
TABLE I
Summary of statistical analysis of average pulse rate, rate of respiration, body tempera-
ture and body weight of the animals during the pretreatment and treatment
period.
Pulse rate (per minute)
Rate of respiration (per
minute)
Body temperature (in °F)
Body weight (in lb.)
Pretreatment period
Control
group
81.00
±1.50
27.14
±0.90
101.49
±0.10
66.0
±8.84
Experi-
mental
group
81.94
+ 2.55
24.05
±0.95
101.37
±0.13
58.0
±4.0
Differ-
ence
between
the means
0.94
3.09
0.12
8.0
t—value
0.311
2.364*
0.746
1.493
Treatment period
Control
group
71.20
±1.38
21.87
±0.78
101.38
±0.06
71.28
±1.54
Experi-
mental
group
84.17
±1.57
22.13
±0.62
101.64
±0.07
59.98
±1.82
Differ-
ence
between
the means
12.97
0.16
0.26
11.30
t—value
8.042**
0.352
3.655**
4.746**
*Significant at five per cent level
**Significant at one per cent level
It will be seen from the table that during the pretreatment period the animals
of the control group did not vary significantly from those of the experimental group
in the physiological aspects studied, except in the rate of respiration which in the
latter group was significantly lower. During the treatment period, however, the
average pulse rate and body temperature of the experimental group showed highly
significant increases over the control group, while the average body weight showed a
highly significant decrease. The average rate of respiration in the two groups was
practically identical. As the rate of respriation in the experimental group was
lower than in the control group during the pretreatment period, it seems that the
feeding of thyroprotein increased the rate of respiration along with the pulse rate
and body temperature, but decreased the body weight of the animals. The weekly
fluctuations in the average rate of respiration, pulse rate, body temperature and
body weight for the entire experimental period are shown in Fig. 1. The weekly
fluctuations in the maximum and minimum atmospheric temperatures, relative
humidity and rainfall are shown in Fig. 2. There is an indication from
figures 1 and 2 that with the increase in air temperature, pulse rate and rate of
respiration of the animals in the two groups also increased. Body temperature
of the animals did not show any appreciable change. Pulse rate decreased with the
increase in relative humidity. The rate of respiration showed a tendency to decrease
March, 1953] D. P. MUKHERJEE, S. S. JAWA AND P.
BHATTACHARYA
17
Fig. 1. Weekly variations in body weight, body temperature, rate of respiration and pulse rate of
goats
4 A
18
THE EFFECT OF FEEDING THYROPROTEIN ON SEMEN (III) [Vol. XXIII, Part I.
with the increase in relative humidity. From the 11th to 16th week there was a
conspicuous increase in rainfall and as a result the humidity increased and the air
temperature decreased. The net effect of these atmospheric changes on the animals
was a decrease in their pulse rate and respiration rate.
The air temperature, relative humidity and rainfall prevailing during the treat-
ment period showed fluctuations as indicated in Table II.
TABLE II
Summary of air temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, body temperature, respiration
rate, pulse rate and body weight for the treatment period
Air temperature (°F.)
Relative humidity (per cent)
Rainfall (in inches)
Body (rectal) temperature (°F.)—
Control
Experimental
Rate of respiration (per minute)—
Control
Experimental
Pulse rate (per minute)—
Control
Experimental
Body weight (in lb.)—
Control
Experimental
Treatment period
Range
77.6—108.1
44—96.0
0.00—15.67
101.0°F.—101.S°F.
10l.0°F.—102.1°F.
18.4—30.1
17.7—25.7
62.4—80.9
75.7—36.7
65.9—78.0
51.5—67.2
Mean with its standard
deviation
88.58±1.217
72.83±4.220
2.21±0.967
101.4°F.±0.06
101.6°F.±0.07
21.97±0.78
22.13±0.62
71.2±l.38
84.2±1.57
71.28±l.54
59.98±1.82
To study the effect of the atmospheric factors on the pulse rate, rate of respi-
ration and body temperature of the animals, the relevant data were analysed for
partial and multiple correlation coefficients. The analysis was done according to the
methods described by Goulden [1939] and Snedecor [1946]. The summary of
the analysis for the partial correlation coefficients between atmospheric factors and
the physiological conditions of the animals are presented in Table III.
March, 1953]
D. P. MUKHERJEE, S. S. JAWA AND P. BHATTACHARYA
19
Fig. 2. Weekly variations in average rainfall, humidity and air temperature
20 THE EFFECT OF FEEDING THYROPROTEIN ON SEMEN (III) [Vol. XXIII, Part I,
TABLE III
Partial correlation co-efficients between atmospheric factors and the physiological
conditions of the goats during the treatment period
Pulse rate
Rate of respiration
Body temperature
Atmospheric
temperature
Control
+0.510
—0.068
—0.046
Experi-
mental
+0.341
+0.727**
—0.207
Relative
humidity
Control
—0.713**
—0.671**
—0.178
Experi-
mental
—0.281
—0.579*
—0.491
Rainfall
Control
—0.101
—0.215
+0.069
Experi-
mental
+0.047
+0.274
—0.143
*Significant at five per cent level
**Significant at one per cent level
From the above table it is apparent that the values for partial correlation
co-efficient between the air temperature and pulse rate were not statistically signi-
ficant. There is, however, an indication that in both the groups with the rise in air
temperature there was an increase in the pulse rate. The value for partial correlation
coefficient for the control group was more than that of the experimental group and
approached nearly the significant value (value at five per cent level being 0.532).
It suggests that the animals of the control group tended to react in a more sensitive
manner to changes in the air temperature than those in the experimental group.
The average increase in the relative humidity tended to decrease the pulse rate
in both the groups when the temperature and rainfall were held constant. The value
of the partial correlation coefficient was highly significant in case of the control
group, whereas in the experimental group it was not so. It seems, therefore, that
the control group was highly susceptible to changes in relative humidity, but not so
the experimental group. Rainfall apparently had no significant effect on the pulse
rate of the animals in the two groups.
Multiple correlation coefficient (R) for the control group is 0.939, which is
highly significant, and that for the experimental group is 0.715 which is significant.
These values of R suggest that with regard to pulse rate, the control group reacted
in a more sensitive manner than the experimental group, to the changed atmospheric
factors studied here. The multiple regression equations for the pulse rate, with
X 1 representing average air temperature, X 2 average percentage of relative humidity,
X 3 average rainfall and Y the estimated value of the pulse rate are as follows.
Control group
Y=0.576X 1 —0.232X 2 —0.143X 3 +37.39
Experimental group Y=0.439X 1 —0.104X 2 —0.076X 3 +52.69
An examination of the regression coefficients in the equation for the control
group shows that the coefficient for air temperature is two times more than humidity
and four times more than rainfall. This suggests that with every one degree rise in the
atmospheric temperature there was two times and four times as much change in the
24
THE EFFECT OF FEEDING THYROPROTEIN ON SEMEN (III)
[Vol. XXII, Part I,
inch change in the rainfall, respectively. Likewise, in the treated group one degree
change in air temperature caused four and five times as much change as was due to
one per cent change in humidity or one inch change in rainfall, respectively.
Multiple regression equations for respiration rates indicate that in the control
group relative humidity played a major role in the fluctuation of respiration rate
whereas, in the treated group it was the air temperature which played the major
role.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors are grateful to Dr S. Datta, Director, Indian Veterinary Research
Institute, for his kind interest in this work. Thanks are also due to Mr. S. Sen,
for his help and advice given regarding some of the statistical analysis of the date.
REFERENCES
Goulden, C. H. (1939). Methods of Statistical Analysis. Chapman & Hall, Ltd. S1, 78
Snedecor, G. W. (1946). Statistical Methods. Collegiate Press, Ames, Lowa, 360
Sheath, D. M. and Miller, G. D. (1946) The Relative Importance of High Temperature and
High Humidity as factors Influencing Respiration Rate, Body Temperature, and Pulse
Rate of Dairy Cows J. Dairy Sci. 29, 465
Reprinted from the Indian Journal of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry
1953, Vol. XXII, Part I (March), Pages 25—38.
VOLE VACCINATION-ITS VALUE IN THE CONTROL OF
BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS
By J. M. LALL and N. C. SEN, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar-
Kumaun, Uttar Pradesh
(Received for publication on 28 June 1950)*
E VER since Koch claimed that tuberculin had curative or protective properties,
workers have been interested in the study of vaccinating animals and man with
a view to raise their general resistance to tuberculous infection. Darenburg [1889]
tried the use of dead tubercle bacilli arid Trudeau [1894] attempted avian and atten-
uated human strains to protect rabbits against a virulent mammalian strain.
De. Schweinitz [1894] employed an attenuated strain to immunize guinea-pigs, and
Von Behrin [1903] introduced the vaccination of calves with living human tubercle
bacilli. Von Behring's method was fraught with serious risks of spreading the
disease to human beings, as the bacilli artificially introduced into the bodies of cattle
remained alive for a long time (according to the researches of Ligineres and of Weleer
and Titze) even for two years, and were found to be excreted in milk. Friedmann
introduced his turtle bacillus for immunization, but no useful protection could
be afforded to warm-blooded animals by this method. The value of tubercle bacilli
killed by heat and chemical agents was also tested by various investigators, but the
results suggest that although there was some increase in resistance in the animals by
dead vaccines, this fell far short of the requirements. In 1932, Spahlinger is claimed
to have improved the antigenic quality of this type of vaccine but this has not been
confirmed by other workers. Believing that dead vaccine could not be relied upon
for purposes of immunization, Calmette and Guerin [1924] introduced a living vaccine
consisting of a bovine strain that had been made avirulent by subculturing for several
years on a glycerol-bile-potato medium, now well known as B.C.G. (Bacille-
Calmette-Guerin). When injected into animals, it does not produce more than small
retrogressive local lesions but its presence in the system usually renders such animals
sensitive to tuberculin. B.C.G. vaccine has been extensively applied in human beings
in certain countries in Europe and America. Of late, it has been introduced in
India and Ceylon. There appears to be a general agreement on its usefulness as a
prophylactic under certain conditions.
More recently, the isolation by Wells [1937] of an acid-fast bacillus from naturally
infected voles (Microtus agrestis) in England has proved of great interest to bacterio-
logists since it was nearly after forty years that a new member in the Mycobacterium
group was described and apart from rat leprosy, no other epidemic disease caused by
a member of this group was hitherto known to occur in wild animals. This discovery
has opened a new field for the immunologist to investigate and probe into the possibi-
lity of evolving an useful and effective weapon to fight against the curse of tuber- -
culosis.
*Revised in May 1952
6
25
March, 1953]
J.
M.
LALL
AND
N.
C.
SEN
37
many debatable points, which require undoubtedly serious studies to gain the further
pathological, epidemiological and immunological background which is so very essen-
tial to formulate efficient measures for the" control and eradication of the scourge.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Thanks are due to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, for financing
the scheme to carry out investigations on bovine tuberculosis.
Our thanks are also due to Shri M. R. Dhanda, Head of the Division of
Pathology and Bacteriology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, for his suggestions
in writing this review article.
REFRENCES
Bang, B. (1899). La lutte contre la tuberculose animals par la prophylaxia (Nordisk medicinsk
Arkiv-1899). Reprinted in Selected Works, 366-410
——(1908, b). Studies on tuberculosis in domestic animals, and what we may learn from them
regarding human tuberculosis. (Sixth International Congress on tuberculosis 1908). Re-
printed in Selected Works, 493-498
Birkhaug, K. (1946). Amer. Rev. Tuberc., 53, 411-426
Bull, L. V. (1937). Some comparative aspects of tuberculosis in lower animals. Med. J. Austr.
24, 827-830
Calmette, A. and Guerin, C. (1924). Ann. Inst. Pasteur, 38, 371
Corper, H. J., and Cohn, M. L. (1943). Amer. J. Clin. Path., 13,18
Daremburg (1889). Immunization with dead tubercle bacilli. Bull. Acad. Med. Paris, 22,
391-404
Francis, J. (1947). Bovine tuberculosis including a contrast with Human tuberculosis
Griffith, A. S. (1942). J. Hyg. Camb., 42, 527
Griffith, A. S. and Dalling, T. (1940). J. Hyg., camb., 40, 673-680
Hutyra F. and Marek, J. (1949). Special Pathology and Therapeutics of the diseases of domestic
animals, 1, 555-661
Irvine, K. N. (1949). B.C.G. vaccination in theory and practice
Irwin, D. and O' Connell, D. C. (1943). Canad. Med. Ass. J., 48, 486
Kereszturi, C., Rosenberg, H. A. and Park, W. H. (1937). Amer. Rev. Tuberc. 36, 90
Lucas, A. P. (1938). Control of tuberculosis in Portugese dairy herd. Bol. pecuar. 6, 23-50
Abst. in Bull off. int. Eqiz. 17, 596-608
M'Fadyean, J. (1899C). Nat. Vet. Med. Ass. tuberculosis. A personal explanation. J.
Comp. Path. 12, 250
Paterson, J. C. Crombie, D. W. and Coles, J. C. (1948). Protection by killed vole bacillus vaccine
against experimental tuberculosis in guinea-pigs. Canad. J. Res. Sect. E. 27, 37-42
Report (1934). Economic Advisory Counc. Comm. Cattle diseases, H.M. Stat. Off. Lond.
Sahai, L. (1942). Progress report of the Research Officer, Tuberculosis and Johne's Disease, Im-
perial Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar, 28 April 1951, to 39 March 8952
——(1943). Progress report of the scheme for the investigation of Tuberculosis and Johne's
disease in animals at the Imperial Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar-Kumaun, U.P.
for the year 1942-43
—L.
(1944). Progress report of the scheme for the investigation of Tuberculosis and Johne's
disease in animals at the Imperial Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar-Kumaon,
U. P. for the year 1943-44
38
VOLE
VACCINATION
[Vol. XXIII, Part I,
Spahlinger, H. (1932). Lancet, 1, 309
Stamp, J. T. (1944). A review of the pathogenesis and pathology of bovine tuberculosis with
special reference to practical problems. Vet. Rec. 56, 443-446
Topley, W. W. C. and Wilson, G. S. (1948). Principles of Bacteriology and immunity (third
edition), London, 1289-1357
Trudeau, E. L. (1894). A report on the ultimate results obtained in experimental eye tuberculosis
by tuberculin treatment and anti-tuberculous inoculation, Trans. Assoc. Phys. 9, 168
Wahlgren, F., Olin, G., and Widstrom, G. (1944). Nordisk Med., 22, 943
Wallgren, A. (1928). J. Amer. Med. Ass., 91, 1876, 1934 Ibid., 103, 1341; (1945) Nordisk Med.
27, 1715
Wells, A. Q. (1937). Lancet, Lond. 1, 1221
Wells, A. Q. (1946). M.R.C. Special Report Series No. 259; London
Wells, A. Q. and Brooke, W. S. (1940). British J. Exp. Path, 21, 104
Young, J. A. and Paterson, J. S. (1949). Studies on the vaccination of cattle as a measure
against infection with tuberculosis with the living vole acid-fast bacillus J. Hyg. Camb.
47, 39-78
CUTANEOUS ERUPTIONS OF RINDERPEST IN GOATS
By RADHEY MOHAN, L.V.P., P.V.S. II, Assistant Disease Investigation Officer
(Sheep and Goats), Government Livestock Farm, Hissar and MANGAT RAI
BAHL, L.V.P., Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Ferozepur
(Received for publication on 25 April 1952)
(With Plate I)
C UTANEOUS eruptions in cattle due to rinderpest have been reported by
several workers from different countries. The following references have been
cited by Mohan [1948].
Curasson [1921, 1932] mentioned that the cutaneous form of rinderpest was
known since the eighteenth century and that the relationship between the exanthema
and the infection had been recognised as early as 1712 by Ramazzini, who accord-
ing to Gerlach [1873], went to the extent of designating rinderpest as Pocken-
seuche, i.e. 'Pock disease'. These eruptions were repeatedly noticed in Holland,
Germany, Hungary and England during the great wars of the nineteenth century
and were described by Gerlach [LOC. cit.], Peuch [1892], Nocard and Leclainche
[1903] and other workers. Gartner [1920] recorded these cutaneous eruptions as
a constant feature of rinderpest in East Africa. Hutyra and Marek [1916] describ-
ed similar eruptions from Roumania and steppes of Russia. Curasson [LOC. cit.]
and his colleagues found the eruptions a more or less constant feature in Sudan
and other parts of West Africa. Croveri [1921] in Italian Somaliland, Carlier [1920]
in Belgian Congo, Pecaud [1924] in Chad, and Malfrey [1927] have all reported the
occurrence of cutaneous eruptions in rinderpest. MacGregor [1944] was the first
worker in India who in collaboration with Menon, made some preliminary observa-
tions and tests on this condition. Mohan [1948] published an account of the work
done by him during 1943-45. The above workers recorded the occurrence of
cutaneous eruptions in cattle but no reference appears to be available in so far as
goats are concerned. This note describes an outbreak of rinderpest in goats in
which some of the animals showed cutaneous eruptions.
Symptoms
The outbreak was reported from Basti Bhattian, Ferozepur. There were 115
goats in all in the Basti, out of which 13 were affected. Out of the 13 goats affected,
eight with white or grey and short hair showed well marked cutaneous lesions. The
eruptions were mainly seen on the udder especially the base of the teats, ears,
scrotum, perineum, inside of the thighs, neck and back. In some cases only one
or two parts mentioned above showed the eruptions, in others the lesions were
seen on three or more parts but in no case there was generalisation of the eruptions
over the whole body. None of the affected animals showed any lesion on the por-
tions below the hocks and knees. Diarrhoea was seen in two out of the eight goats
showing cutaneous lesions whereas it was observed in three out of the remaining
39
9
Indian J. Vet. Sci., Vol. XXIII, Part I.
PLATE 1.
FIG. 1. Showing cutaneous eruptions of rinderpest on the outer surface of the car of Kid No. 3.
FIG. 2. Showing cutaneous eruptions of rinderpest on the inner surface of the car of Kid No. 3.
March, 1953]
R.
MOHAN
AND
M.
R.
BAHL
41
TABLE I
Observations on transmission experiment conducted with material from an outbreak
of suspected cutaneous rinderpest from Ferozepur
Serial
number
1
2
3
4
Description of
the animals
Male Betal Kid No.
3.
Male Betal Kid No.
8.
Male Betal Kid No.
6.
Male Betal Kid No.
579.
Nature
of the
material
used
Spleen
preserved
in 50 per cent
N. S.
Glycerine. Do.
Scabs from
cutaneous
lesions Do.
Date of
inocula-
tion 15
August
1951
101.6
100.2
100.2
101.8
Temperatue on
1st
day
°F.
101.6
100.0
100.6
103.2
2nd
day
°F.
102.4
102.8
102.2
103.6
3rd
day
°F.
104.6
104.2
103.8
104.0
4th
day
°F.
104.8
103.8
105.4
104.0
5th
day
°F.
103.4
104.2
..
105.0
6th
day
°F.
103.4
103.6
..
104.0
7th
day
°F.
103.0
Cutaneous lesions visible
103.0
Cutneous lesions visible
..
103.2
Cutaneous lesions visible
8th
day
°F.
102.8
103.0
..
103.2
9th
day
°F.
104.4
103.6
..
101.4
10th
day
°F.
103.1
103.0
..
REMARKS
A.R.P. Serum
given on 21st
August
1951
Destroyed on
19th August
1951
Died on 24th
August 1951
TABLE II
Immunity test on kids which developed cutaneous lesions on inoculation with material
from the affected goats in the Ferozepur outbreak
Serial number
1
2
1
2
Description of
the animals
Male Kid No. 3 from
Chhaoni
Male Kid No. 8 from
Chhaoni
Controls
Male Kid No. 582 from
Goat Section
Male Kid No. 583 from
Goat Section
Temparature
before inoculation
with goat
blood
virus
2-10-51
101.4
101.6
101.2
101.3
3-10-51
101.4
101.4
101.5
101.5
Date
of
inocula-
tion
3-10-51
3-10-51
3-10-51
3-10-51
Temperature on
1st
day
°F.
102.0
101.8
101.2
102.0
2nd
day
°F.
101.0
100.9
101.2
101.4
3rd
day
°F.
101.4
102.0
105.4
106.2
4th
day
°F.
101.6
102.2
106.3
106.2
5th
day
°F.
102.3
102.5
106.4
106.1
6th
day
°F.
102.4
102.5
105.3
105.2
7th
day
°F.
102.2
102.6
104.8
104.6
8th
day
°F.
102.2
102.3
Died
105.4
9th
day
°F.
102.3
102.0
103.3
10th
day
°F.
102.0
102.2
103.0
Remarks
A.R.P. Serum
given
sub-
cutaneously on the 5th
day
after
inoculation of
blood virus