Bradford B. Smith

Third compartment ulcers in the llama.

The diagnosis of third compartment ulcers in the llama and alpaca is largely one of exclusion. Clinical signs may include mild to severe colic, inappetence, decreased fecal output, bruxism, and depression. Abdominocentesis results are usually unremarkable if C3 perforation has not occurred but reflective of a generalized peritonitis if full thickness ulceration has occurred. The H-2 receptor antagonists cimetidine and ranitidine do not suppress C3 acid production for a significant period of time and are of questionable efficacy in the management of C3 ulcers.

Influence of menstrual cycle on serum cholinesterase.

This study examined whether the variability in cholinesterase (ChE) values among and within women may be attributed to phase of menstrual cycle and/or circulating progesterone concentration. Blood was drawn from 21 female subjects once a week for 8 weeks and analyzed for ChE activity and for progesterone concentration. Women ranged in age from 25 to 55 years and five used exogenous hormones (oral contraceptives, estrogen supplements, or progesterone therapy); one woman became pregnant during the study. There was a significant positive correlation between serum ChE and progesterone values only for the two women on oral contraceptives although there were large weekly variations within individuals (CV: 4-32%). Age significantly affected ChE values with 36-40 year olds having the lowest values and 30-35 year olds the highest. This variation in serum ChE probably is due to the influence of some sex steroid but, in women, there is not a direct one-to-one relationship between the enzyme and progesterone. However, when interpreting ChE tests used to monitor exposure of women to pesticides age and hormone intake must be considered in order to avoid false positive results.