Lesson of the Week #1.

Since starting here, I have learned some very quirky things about the world of animals. Thus, I've decided to begin a Lesson of the Week to pass along the interesting information learned in the annals of vet school. These lessons will come in varying forms; some in the form of a story, some as a recounting of events.

Lesson of the Week #1.

Prologue: We are sitting in histology this morning enjoying a lovely discussion about the tissues of the male and female reproductive organs. Dr. Stimmelmayr (yes, that is spelled correctly) begins to talk about the hormones produced during ovulation, and the process in which the follicles on the ovaries develop. She then abruptly interrupts herself by calling out to Dr. Kainer in the back of the room (filled with approximately 100 students): "tell them about testing for pregnancy using rabbits". Or some such nonsense.


Aside: Dr. Kainer is a very 'mature' gentleman, one who has seen many years in the scientific field and who is always willing to (very slowly) share his wisdom with his students.


Background: Prior to the advent of "the most advanced technology you’ll ever pee on", when his wife thought she was pregnant with their first child he had his wife submit a urine sample to him, which he then injected into a rabbit. A hormone called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is released shortly after the egg implants itself on the uterine wall. This hormone causes the placenta to release progesterone that aids in preventing the rejection of the developing embryo. The hCG hormone is detectable in a pregnant woman's urine. Injecting the urine containing the hormone hCG induces detectable ovarian changes in the rabbit. Specifically, the ovaries develop many follicles, which can be seen upon dissection.

Lesson: [Story by Dr. Kainer] Thus, Dr. Kainer explained to the class that in order to determine if his wife is pregnant, he injected urine into a rabbit, gave it a few days to take effect, and then dissected the rabbit to examine the ovaries. In his case, the ovaries were covered with follicles and so they celebrated that evening with a supper of rabbit stew.

Yes, if you didn't catch that, they ate the freaking rabbit. After injecting it with urine. Ah, what a child they must have created.

May I say, it is very nice to live in the advent of technology.