Harold Warner

Initiation of erection and semen release by rectal probe electrostimulation (RPE).

Instrumentation and methodology are described for rectal probe electrostimulation (RPE) in human males to elicit erection and allow semen collection. This system virtually eliminates shock hazard; the simultaneous monitoring of current, voltage and impedance ensures reliability and repeatability. It was tested with 8 neurologically intact subjects, and 12 paraplegic patients with lesions between T4 and L2. Platinum electrodes delivered current (density never exceeding 0.37 mA per mm. at the electrode) at frequencies of 60 Hz, 20 Hz, and 0.25 Hz. Erection was elicited repeatably in only 1 of the intact subjects, and no seminal emissions or ejaculations occurred. Discomfort prevented current delivery beyond levels even 50 per cent of those safely acceptable. Six of 10 paraplegic patients (2 others had penile implants) developed erections with 20 Hz; the other 2 frequencies were much less effective. The extent of RPE-induced penile tumescence varied directly with electrode surface area and applied current intensity. Discomfort was minimal. Retrograde seminal emission in 5 of the 12 paraplegics was verified by post-stimulation recovery of sperm via voiding or bladder irrigation via catheter. Although motility was very low, 4 of 8 recovered bladder-urine/seminal fluid specimens indicated sperm counts and morphology consonant with use in artificial insemination. Thus, RPE, if combined with techniques to allow antegrade semen collection, may be a useful technique for spinal cord-injured men who, as part of their sexual rehabilitation, are interested in siring children.

Electroejaculation of the great apes

The scientific literature concerning electroejaculation of simian primates contains many reports of successful collection of seminal fluid through electrostimulation with penile and rectal electrodes. In none of these reports is there a sufficient discussion of the important electrical parameters involved, such as the amplitude and density of electric current and the impedance of the electrode/tissue interface. Without such information it is difficult, if not impossible, for investigators in other laboratories to duplicate the stimulation regimen successfully and without injury to the animal. This assumes even greater importance when such techniques are considered for application to human beings.Following a series of unsuccessful experiments employing nonsinusoidal waveforms with penile, perineal, and suprapubic electrodes, we designed and constructed three rectal probes which enabled us to define two directed (with respect to the rectal axis) current patterns: longitudinal current and circular current. We also monitored and made careful measurements of the stimulating current and the electrode/tissue interface impedance during experiments leading to emission of seminal fluid.The probe designed for circular current stimulation has permitted semen collections from eight chimpanzees, two orangutans, and four lowland gorillas, a collective total of 59 out of 67 attempts. Several interesting drug-related observations were made linking inhibition of ejaculation with administration of atropine and phenothiazine compounds.

A computer-controlled language training system for investigating the language skills of young apes

A computer-controlled language training system was designed and constructed to enhance the objectivity and efficiency of inquiry into the language-relevant behaviors of apes. The system allows the S to gain control over the events of the 24-h day in direct correspondence with its competence in using a keyboard on which each key represents a word. Various incentives can be obtained through the selection and depression of appropriate keys in accordance with rules of sentence structure monitored by a computer. The system is flexible and allows for eventual conversation between man and ape, with the computer as the intermediary. A Teletype records all that transpires. Achievements of the chimpanzee S over the course of the first 8 months of the system’s operation attest to the worth of the system and training methods.

Cytochemical response of kidney, liver and nervous system to fluoride ions in drinking water

SynopsisMorphological and cytochemical studies on the squirrel monkey have been made after maintaining the subjects on pure distilled water and fluoridated distilled water for 18 months with the objective of determining the effect of fluoride on the activity of some hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes in the kidney, liver and nervous system. Daily water intake by individual animals was measured over the final 10 months of the animals exposure to 0,1 and 5 ppm fluoride. Water consumption was considerably higher in the animals on higher fluoride intake. Whereas the nervous system remained totally unaffected by this experimental procedure, the liver showed a slightly enhanced activity of Krebs citric acid cycle enzymes. The kidneys, however, showed significant cytochemical changes, especially in the animals on 5 ppm fluoride intake in their drinking water. In these animals, the glomeruli showed an increase in the activity of acid phosphatase and the enzymes belonging to the citric acid cycle and the pentose shunt, whereas lactate dehydrogenase, a representative of the anaerobic glycolytic pathway, remained unchanged or only slightly changed. These observations suggest that fluoride in concentrations as low as 5 ppm interferes to some extent with the intracellular metabolism of the excretory system.

Comparative morphology of primate spermatozoa using scanning electron microscopy. I. Families Hominidae, Pongidae, Cercopithecidae and Cebidae

Abstract Spermatozoa from 16 species of primates, representing Families Cercopithecidae Cebidae, Pongidae, and Hominidae, were viewed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Various techniques of specimen preparation were employed, especially critical point drying using CO 2 , but also critical point drying using N 2 O as well as air drying using amyl acetate. Details of ultrastructure and identifying features of the various families are presented, with both relationships and differences being evident. Accompanying light micrographs of several of the species illustrate size relationships of the head, midpiece, and principal piece of the tail. Dimensions of these parts of spermatozoa were calculated from such photographs, and add to the interpretation of overall morphology. SEM is of considerable value in understanding many details of structure in spermatozoa, and should contribute to the study of taxonomic affinities among the various primate groups.

A Remote Control Brain Telestimulator with Solar Cell Power Supply

A brain telestimulator system is described which can be used with primates weighing 3.0 kg or more. The 3×6×7 cm, 200 gm head-mounted receiver employs solar cells to maintain the charge on its battery, thereby permitting experiments to continue undisturbed for many months. The head unit develops across its output a cathodal, monophasic pulse whose duration, rate, and constant current are remotely controlled from the transmitter. Subject to a duty cycle of 0.1, these parameters are continuously and remotely variable: pulse repetition rate, 0-200 pulses per second; pulse duration, 0.1-3.0 ms; pulse current intensity, 0-1.0 mA with less than ± 3 percent variance for loads between 2500-10 000 ohms. Output pulse rise time is 30 , ?s. Any one of 12 electrode channels can be selected for stimulation by remote control activation of an electro-mechanical stepping switch in the head unit. Utilization of crystal control in the frequency modulated transmitter and head units permits multi-animal operation by providing separate bands in the 138 MHz region for independent stimulation of up to four animals. The sensitivity of the receiver has purposely been designed low (-35 dBm). Thus, with the present transmitter the system has a range of about 0.2 mile, which extends beyond the normal visual limits of observation of primate groups.

The LANA Project: Origin and Tactics

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the origin of and tactics in the design of the LANA project. The germinal idea of the LANA Project concerned the possibility of devising an electronic system that would enhance in several ways the efficiency and objectivity of research into the acquisition of language-type skills by ape subjects. Such a system contained the potential for automating certain aspects of training so that the subject would be in the training situation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Equally important, an automated system would allow for a more economical use of manpower, for greater objectivity in defining the training conditions and in recording responses executed by the subjects, and for a technology that might extend research efforts to various settings. A number of conferences were held to assess the feasibility of implementing the idea, where it was concluded that a computer-based system would probably be feasible and that the effort should include a linguist. Language learning and usage was to be the behavioral medium whereby ape subject would interact with its environment. Initial training would be simple, fundamental operant conditioning whereby the subject, Lana, would come to master the basic discriminations and responses necessary to address the computerized system. The results of the project have served as educational materials in institutions across the country from kindergartens to universities.

Computer-Controlled Teaching Instrumentation for Linguistic Studies with the Great Apes

A minicomputer has been interfaced with keyboards, visual display projectors, and vending devices, forming a 24 hour/day teaching instrumentation system for linguistic studies with a chimpanzee. Employing visual, geometric word-symbols with a 12-element construction (9 elements and 3 colors) a 4 year old female chimpanzee over a 2 year period has learned 70-80 words which she uses productively in numerous sentences to gain most of her sustenance, entertainment, and companionship (human). The computer evaluates her inputs for proper syntax and mediates in conversations between her and the experimenters. All interchanges are recorded.

chapter 14 – The Conversation Board

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the conversion board (CB) in an attempt to acquire language training in a different normal environment. The CB was designed to serve chiefly as a language training adjunct, it may prove valuable as a device for conversation between subject and experimenter or perhaps even between one subject and another after elementary and intermediate language training with the stationary facility. During operation of the CB, both parties in the conversation use the same row of projectors. When the CB is employed indoors, a separate power supply connected to the building mains is used. One hopes that the CB communication will serve as a reinforcer in such a way that it will foster language usage in many different situations. An increase in preference for the CB over time should indicate an increase in the subjects preference for communication via the route provided by the CB. Thus, the CB should provide a means to take advantage of the desire for communication potential so that the gap from language facility in the computer environment to language facility in the subjects regular environment can be bridged.