ing development of atherosclerotic le- W. M. Collins, avian geneticist, 



sions. For their animal model they use headed a research group consisting of 



pigeons — the White Carneau athero- veterinarians W. R. Dunlop and A. C. 



sclerotic-susceptible breed and the Corbett, microbiologist R. M. Zsigray, 



Show Racer atherosclerotic-resistant and immunogeneticist W. E. Briles 



breed. Lipid chemistry, a cell culture [Northern Illinois University), inves- 



system, and electron microscopy are tigating the genetic bases for the re- 



among the techniques used to monitor gression of a cancer of the connective 



changes in the cells during progression tissue in chickens, research partially 



of the disease. They have discovered supported by the National Cancer In- 



that smooth muscle cells from aortas stitute. (W. E. Urban, Jr., Station As- 



of susceptible pigeons accumulate sociate Director, was helpful in the 



more fatty material than correspond- beginning phase of this research in 



ing cells from resistant animals. They developing a tumor profile index, a 



do not yet know the cause of this measure of change in a tumor over 



accumulation, but results point to a time.) They discovered that age, sex, 



defect in the chemistry of susceptible nutrition and several genetic factors 



cells. The defect could be exacerbated underlie the disappearance of virus- 



by one or more environmental risk induced tumors. Some of the genetic 



factors, such as smoking, and/or a he- factors function by controlling the im- 



reditary predisposition to the disease, munological response to foreign sub- 



. ^ , stances in the blood. Following Collins' 

 The Vetermary Diagnostic Labo- ^^^-^^^^^^ -^ ^ggg, immunogeneticist 

 ratory, named after R. W. Smith N.H. ^ ^ ^^^^^ ^^^ continued genetic 

 State Veterinarian for 44 years (1921- ^^^^.^^ ^^.^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^ 

 1964), has as its primary mission diag- ^^^^^^ ^^^^ evaluated the role of cel- 

 nosis of diseases having potential for ^^^^^ i^^iunity in chickens using de- 

 spreading to other ammals or humans. ^^^^^^ reactions. 

 It is supported by the Experiment 



Station , the New Hampshire Depart- g^i^e have attributes which make 



ment of Agriculture and the N.H. Vet- t^em a good model for humans, and 



erinarians Association. The veterinar- miniature swine are important animals 



ians often must furnish a quick ^j, basic research. Station animal nu- 



response because they never know tritionist A. H. Parsons utilizes them 



when their work may result in control ^q evaluate the effect of endurance 



of a disease before it reaches epidemic training on the incidence and severity 



proportions. Although the bulk of the of atherosclerotic lesions in major ar- 



work involves examination and diag- tg^ies. S. C. Smith and R. Kertzer (exer- 



nosisoftissue samples referred to the ^ise physiologist. Department of 



Laboratory, the veterinarians do have physical Education) participate in the 



a research commitment. L. L. project. 

 Stackhouse was Laboratory Director 



between 1970 and 1980. J. J. Moore, T. L. Foxall, using the miniature 



currentDirector,assistedbyR. E.Wells swine model, is seeking a cellular 



and R. W. Fite, is involved in mastitis mechanism by which serum lipids 



research, testing of an artificial by- injure arteries and lead to atheroscle- 



pass vessel, and development of a vac- rosis. Specifically, he is investigating 



cine for waterfowl. the association between dietary lipids 



61 



