INVESTIGATION INTO THE USE OF MICRO-DOSE OF SOMATOTROPHIN INJECTED AT ACUPOINT GV01 IN MILK PRODUCTION OF NELORE COWS
Lopes CT <tadeulop@cenargen.embrapa.br>,
EMBRAPA, CENARGEN, Brasilia DF, Brazil,
Luna SPL <stelio@fmvz.unesp.br>,
FMVZ, Unesp, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
Somatotrophin or growth hormone has been commercially used to increase milk production. This study aimed to investigate the effect of injection of 1/10 of the integral dose of bovine somatotrophin (BST) given to cows, and evaluate the weight gain of calves ranging from 30 to 40 days of age. Twenty Nelore (Zebu) cows and calves kept on pasture were divided in two groups after 30 to 40 days of parturition. Four cows received 500 mg of BST subcutaneously (control group) and 16 cows received 50 mg (1/10 of the conventional dose) diluted to 10 ml of saline solution injected to a 7 cm depth in the GV01 (Ho Hai). That acupoint is located in the midline between the base of the tail and the anal sphincter. Four injections were performed every 14 days. The calves were weighed at 33 and 57 days after the beginning of treatment. The calves from group that received the integral BST had an initial weight of 77 kg; those from the 1/10 BST dose group had an initial weight of 78 kg. The mean weight was 111 and 107 kg 30 days later, with a weight gain of 35 and 28 kg, respectively. The mean final weight was 129 and 126 kg, with a weight gain of 18 kg (0,739 g/day) and 20 kg (0,827 g/day), respectively. There were no differences in either weight or weight gain between the groups, either before the beginning of the study (first measurement) or after 33 and 57 days after treatment. The use of 1/10 of the conventional dose of BST injected at acupoint GV01, had the same weight gain as those given the conventional dose of BST subcutaneously, reducing the cost of treatment, possible side effects and also the risk of hormone consumption by the population.
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EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE ON THE INFLAMMATORY IMMUNE REACTION INDUCED BY THE TICK RHIPICEPHALUS SANGUINEUS (LATREILLE, 1806) IN DOGS AND GUINEA PIGS
Scognamillo-Szabó MVR <szabo@convex.com.br>
Szabó MPJ
Bechara GH
Departamento de Patologia Veterinári, FCAVJ, Unesp, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acupuncture (AP) on physiopathological processes from the viewpoint of western medicine. For this purpose the effect of AP and moxibustion on an immune inflammatory response, the hypersensitivity reaction, induced in dogs and guinea pigs by Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks was evaluated. Moxibustion was applied during the sensitisation phase of guinea pigs. Prolongation of the delayed hypersensitivity reaction and a decrease in local eosinophil numbers at cutaneous hypersensitivity test sites of treated animals occurred. AP was also used during the onset of the immediate hypersensitivity, induced by tick antigens in dogs. In that case, such treatment significantly decreased the size of reaction. It was concluded from these results that AP could clearly and measurably interfere with hypersensitivity reactions. Effects of AP and related mechanisms are discussed.
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INJECTION OF PULSATILLA NIGRICANS IN ACUPOINT GV01 TO REDUCE THE PUERPERIUM PERIOD IN CATTLE
Lopes CT <tadeulop@cenargen.embrapa.br>
Rumpf R <rodolfo@cenargen.embrapa.br>
EMBRAPA, CENARGEN, Brasilia DF, Brazil
Pusatilla nigricans is a Ranunculacea, widely used in reproduction disorders like hypoestrogenic ovary, acting in the central nervous system, probably inducing FSH and LH secretion, leading to a follicular maturation and ovulation. Postpartum there is a desynchronization between hypothalamic function and the ovary. The objective of this study was to resynchronise hypothalamic-gonadal function, with the injection of Pulsatilla at acupoint GV01. In this study, 82 Zebu cows (Nelore/Brahman Breed), 15 to 30 days after calving, with the same body conditions, were divided into three groups. T1 (42 cows) received 10 ml of Pulsatilla at GV01; T2 (20 cows) received 10 ml of hydroalcoholic solution (HAS) at the same acupoint; T3 (20 cows) received no treatment (control). The cows underwent a breed season of 100 days (11/20/98 to 2/20/99), with andrologically healthy bulls. The pregnancy diagnostic was performed 60 days after the breeding station. The following results were observed : T-1 (Pulsatilla) from 42 treated cows, 36 were pregnant (85,71%); T-2 (HAS) from 20 treated cows 14 were pregnant (70%); and T-3 (control) from 20 cows, 15 were pregnant (75%). The study showed that cows treated with Pulsatilla had a better pregnancy rate when compared to the other groups. These results might indicate a potential use for combining acupuncture and other sources of treatments.
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EFFECT OF ELECTROACUPUNCTURE ON INTESTINAL MOTILITY IN DOGS
Luna SPL <stelio@fmvz.unesp.br>
Joaquim JGF <jeanvet@yahoo.com>
FMVZ, Unesp, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture (EAP) on the intestinal motility in dogs, determining the faecal excretion rate of chromic oxide. Five dogs were received EAP at acupoints ST36, LI04 and BL25. Faeces were collected for 60 hours after EAP. The same dogs underwent electrical stimulation in points close to the above acupoints, but not related to the acupuncture (AP) Channels (control group - Sham AP). Three dogs received the first treatment followed by the second one and three dogs received the second treatment followed by the first one at an interval of one week. The frequency of defecation was higher in the dogs submitted to EAP (21) when compared to the control group (15). Excretion rate of chromic oxide was also higher (p=0.03) in dogs treated with EAP, showing that EAP increased intestinal motility in dogs and might be useful clinically for this purpose.
Another study was performed to confirm the above findings. A gastric tube was inserted in six dogs anaesthetised with pentobarbitone (Hypnol, Cristália) and a magnetic tracer (manganese ferrite) was administered. After that, gastric motility was measured using a biosusceptometer positioned at the epigastric region based on the magnetic flux transformer with differential coil. Gastric pressure was measured using a cuffed inflated tube placed in the stomach and connected to a pressure monitor. AP was followed by EAP at acupoints ST36 and LI04. The frequency of gastric movements increased 23 times and the intragastric pressure increased 53 times after AP and EAP, when compared to basal values, showing that AP/EAP may be used successfully to increase peristaltis in dogs.
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THE ROLE OF ACUPOINT BAIHUI FOR INDUCTION OF LUTEOLYSIS IN MARES
Luna SPL <stelio@fmvz.unesp.br>
Joaquim JGF <jeanvet@yahoo.com>
Minichelli M
Alvarenga MA
Barros CM
FMVZ, Unesp, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
The use of very low or microdoses of certain drugs applied to specific acupoints has been described. Several hormones have been injected at acupoint Baihui for treatment of reproductive disorders in domestic species. A previous study demonstrated the effectiveness of using low or micro doses of prostaglandin (dinoprost) given at the acupoint Baihui. Otherwise distilled water injected at the same site did not produce a luteolytic effect. According to these findings it was not clear whether acupuncture (AP) itself had or not a role in luteolysis. The aim of this study was to investigate the luteolytic effect of 50% glucose injected at acupoints Baihui and BL23 and define the role of AP on its own on this effect. Twelve cyclic mares of various breeds kept on pasture, aged from 3-10 years old were used. They were submitted to a complete gynaecological exam before the beginning of the study. The mares were teased daily to monitor oestrus. Once oestrus was confirmed, the mares were examined daily by transrectal palpation and ultrasonography to monitor follicular growth and detect ovulation. The mares were divided in two groups of six animals. Six mares underwent injection of 10 ml of 50% glucose in acupoints Baihui and BL23 (bilateral) using a 30 X 7 mm needle. In the other six mares (Sham AP group), the same volume of glucose was injected in points situated 2 cm lateral to real points. Injections were performed on day 6 post-ovulation. The interval from pretreatment ovulation to post-treatment ovulation (days) and interval from treatment to ovulation (days) were measured. Blood sampling was collected before glucose injection and at 24, 48 and 96 hours afterwards for measurement of progesterone concentration. Injection of 50% glucose at acupoints Baihui and BL23 6 days after ovulation, neither induced luteolysis nor decreased plasma progesterone concentration in mares, suggesting that at least a small dose of PGF2? is necessary to induce luteolysis using acupoints Baihui and BL23 in mares.
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EFFECTS OF CHANNELS AND ACUPOINTS ON DISTRIBUTION OF RADIOISOTOPES IN SPECIFIC ORGANS IN MICE. PRELIMINARY REPORT
Guilhon SL <sergioguilhon@bridge.com.br>
Gomes ML
Bernardo Filho M,
UERJ, ICAC, Brazil
There is controversy on the exact location of Channels and acupoints. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intravenous injection of sodium pertecnatete IV (99mTc) (200µCi) in mice treated (n=7) with acupuncture (AP) at acupoints ST01 and ST44, compared with a control non-AP treated group (n=7). Mice were killed humanely 30 minutes later and the stomach and hind limbs were weighed. There was a difference in radioisotope concentration between the treated and untreated mice, showing that AP probably modified the blood circulation and metabolism. These results may be used in the future for mapping the Channels and acupoints.
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