Evidence for the non-involvement of the uterus in the lifespan of the corpus luteum in the cyclic dog

Progesterone levels in peripheral blood of dogs were analysed during the cycle in which hysterectomy (n = 5) or sham surgery (n = 3) was performed as well as during the cycle of dogs (n = 5) hysterectomized at least one year prior to this study; the data were compared with the findings in control dogs (n = 3). The averages of the duration of the luteal period observed in the three experimental groups were not significantly different from those of control dogs. Immediately after surgery, the progesterone level decreased from 25 to 50% of the presurgical level, but returned to presurgical level in about four days. Prolactin levels were elevated for about 30 h after surgery. Nevertheless, the averages of the mean prolactin levels for each animal during the luteal period of the experimental groups were not significantly different from those of control dogs. It is concluded that in the dog, the uterus is not involved in the lifespan of the cyclic corpus luteum.     

The influence of the width of the saddle tree on the forces and the pressure distribution under the saddle

As there is no statistical evidence that saddle fit influences the load exerted on a horse's back, this study was performed to assess the hypothesis that the width of the tree significantly alters the pressure distribution on the back beneath the saddle. Nineteen sound horses were ridden at walk and trot on a treadmill with three saddles differing only in tree width. Kinetic data were recorded by a sensor mat. A minimum of 14 motion cycles were used in each trial. The saddles were classified into four groups depending on fit. For each horse, the saddle with the lowest overall force (LOF) was determined. Saddles were classified as "too-narrow" if they were one size (2 cm) narrower than the LOF saddle, and "too-wide" if they were one size (2 cm) wider than the LOF saddle. Saddles two sizes wider than LOF saddles were classified as "very-wide". In the group of narrow saddles, the pressure in the caudal third (walk 0.63 N/cm(2)+/-0.10; trot 1.08 N/cm(2)+/-0.26) was significantly higher compared to the LOF saddles (walk 0.50 N/cm(2)+/-0.09; trot 0.86 N/cm(2)+/-0.28). In the middle transversal third, the pressure of the wide saddles (walk 0.73 N/cm(2)+/-0.06; trot 1.52 N/cm(2)+/-0.19) and very-wide saddles (walk 0.77 N/cm(2)+/-0.06; trot 1.57 N/cm(2)+/-0.19) was significantly higher compared to LOF saddles (walk 0.65 N/cm(2)+/-0.10/ 0.63 N/cm(2)+/-0.11; trot 1.33 N/cm(2)+/-0.22/1.27 N/cm(2)+/-0.20). This study demonstrates that the load under poorly fitting saddles is distributed over a smaller area than under properly fitting saddles, leading to potentially harmful pressures peaks.     

On the relationship between the height of the thick albumen and the weight of eggs

Calculations from data of egg quality obtained at four Regional Experimental Farms for Poultry Husbandry and at the Central Institute for Poultry Research “Het Spelderholt” at Beekbergen, the Netherlands, support the conclusions advanced in recent American investigations that the uniform regression of Haugh (1937), which is used for the correction of the height of the thick albumen in relation to the egg weight (0.05 mm. per g. difference in weight), has no general validity. Only for fresh eggs at the beginning of the laying period was an average regression found which did not deviate significantly from the Haugh regression. Significant differences between farms and strain crosses were not established as long as exceptionally deviating circumstances were not considered. It was also found that as the laying period proceeded the Haugh correction factor for the height of the thick albumen in relation to the egg weight could have an adverse effect. The same conclusion is valid for stored eggs produced at the end, and probably at the beginning, of the laying period.     

Monitoring of the mare during the perinatal period at the clinic and in the stable

Complications in late gestation are challenging problems for the equine clinician and are causes of considerable distress to owners. Health problems in a pregnant mare in each stage of gestation can adversely affect the pregnancy. It is important to obtain a thorough history and perform a detailed and systematic examination of the pregnant mare so that the mare may be classified as normal or high-risk. However, even after a thorough examination, practitioners may face problems with the interpretation and assessment of risk. Normal mares should foal in the stable or pasture. Mares classified as having a high-risk pregnancy need to be monitored precisely for signs of oncoming foaling with attendance of trained personnel when labour begins. A valuable method for monitoring of the high-risk mare is assessing fetoplacental well-being. Fetoplacental well-being is most accurately assessed with ultrasonography as well as several available hormone profiles. We are proposing our scoring system of the mare's health, which may be useful in the assessment of risk during pregnancy and help clinicians to decide whether sending the mare to the clinic is reasonable or unnecessary.     

Changes in the dimensions of the uterus of the Beagle bitch during the oestrous cycle

Results are presented of the changes in the dimensions of the horns of the uterus during the oestrous cycle in the Beagle bitch. The data, based on seventy-three observations in fifty-three animals, indicate that from the onset of oestrus the width and thickness of the uterus increase and reach peak values 7–9 weeks later.
Résumé. On présente les résultats des changements de dimension des prolongements de l'utérus, rencontrés pendant l'oestre d'une chienne Beagle. Les données, basées sur soixante-treize observations de cinquante-trois animaux, indiquent que dès le commencement du cycle la largeur et l'épaisseur de l'utérus s'accroissent et atteignent leurs valeurs maximales sept à neuf semaines plus tard.
Zusammenfassung. Es werden die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung von Dimensionsveränderungen der Uterushörner während des östrischen Zyklus bei der Beaglehündin angegeben. Die Daten von 73 Beobachtungen an 53 Tieren lassen erkennen, dass vom Beginn des Östrus die Breite und Dicke des Uterus zunehmen und 7 bis 9 Wochen später Maxima erreichen.     

Observations on the Pathology of the Spleen of the Cat

Abstract— Lesions were found in the spleen of four of sixty-three cats examined post mortem in the department, and comprised two examples of lymphosarcoma, one of chronic fibrinous peritonitis and one of subcapsular haematoma. Abnormalities were found in two cat spleens received from veterinary surgeons in general practice. In one cat the abnormalities were an haemangiosarcoma with secondary deposits in the liver and in the other extensive mast cell infiltration. In addition lesions were detected in the spleen of three of eighty-seven cats examined post mortem in general practice. The lesions were: multiple secondary deposits of adenocarcinoma from a primary tumour of the mammary gland, a ruptured spleen and a foreign body below the splenic capsule. Résumé— L'examen microscopique de soixante-trois chats pratiqué dans le service a permis de rencontrer quatre fois des lésions de la rate, dont deux lymphosarcomes, une péritonite capsulaire fibrineuse et un hématome sous-capsulaire. D'autre part des lésions ont été trouvées dans deux rates de chat expédiées par des vétérinaires exerçant en pratiaue générale. Chez un chat il s'agissait d'un htmangiosarcome avec métastases hépatiques et chex l'autre d'une infilt ation diffuse par des mastocyta. De plus, on a rencontré des llésions dnas la rate de trois chats parmi quatre-vingt sept autopsies effectuées dans le cadre d'une clientèle génárale. Ces iésions étaient dés métastases multiples d'un adénocarcinome dont la tumeur primitive siègeait dam la glande mammaire, une rupture de la rate et un corps érangers sou capsulaire. Zusammenfassung— Läsionen der Milz wurden bei vier von dreiuiidsechzig in dieser hbteilung sezierten Katzen gefunden, und zwar in zwei Fällen ein Lymphosarkom, in einem Falle eine chron-ische fibrinöse Peritonitis und in einem ein subkapsuläres Hématom. Anomalien fanden sich auch in der Milz von zwei Katzen, die aus der tierxrztlichen Praxis eingesandt wurden. Bei der einen Katze war dies ein Hämangiosarkom mit Metastasen in der Leber, bei der anderen eine weitläufige Infiltration der Mastzellen. Außerdem wurden bei drei von siebenundachtzig in der Praxis sezierten Katzen Milzläsionen gefunden. Diese bestanden am multiplen Metastasen eines Adenokarzinoms der Brustdrüse, einer Milzzerreissung und einem Fremdkörper unterhalb der Milzkapsel.     

Measurement of the elastic properties of the cancellous bone in the femoral head of the dog

The degenerative wear and pathologic damage of the joints are reasons for total endoprotheses in man as well as in dogs. The main problem is the aseptic loosening of the protheses. By usig the finite-element-method, the total endoprothesis is designed with new features, with the purpose of preventing loosening and being better adapted to load transmission. In order to simulate the femur of the dog for the numerical analysis, a material law is developed. By taking into account the anisotropy and the local density of the cancellous bone in the femoral head, the young's modules are experimentally determined. The measurements are performed by ultrasonic methods on femoral heads of euthanised dogs. The results show planar isotropic cancellous bone.     

Localization of the motoneurons innervating the hindlimb muscles in the spinal cord of the domestic fowl

The origins of the motor nerve fibers supplying the individual hindlimb muscles were elucidated in the fowl by the retrograde degeneration method. Chromatolytic cells were seen in the ipsilateral lamina 9 of the lumbosacral enlargement. Motoneurons innervating the individual hindlimb muscles were localized in the characteristic position of lamina 9. Both hip and thigh muscles are supplied by motoneurons of almost all the columns in lumbar segments and by those of dorsolateral columns in sacral segments, while the shank and foot muscles are supplied by motoneurons of ventromedial columns in sacral segments. The origins of the dorsal cord of the lumbosacral plexus are situated laterally in the lamina 9 and those of the ventral cord are located medially in it.     

Avulsion of the medial epicondyle of the humerus in the dog

Avulsion of the medial epicondyle of the humerus is described in five dogs. In four cases the injury followed recent trauma while in the other, it appeared as a chronic problem.     

陕北白绒山羊繁育中心羊场绒山羊日粮的评价

试验选择陕北白绒山羊繁育中心羊场的成年健康母羊（怀孕前期）16只,育成母羊13只,育成公羊13只,空腹称重。测定每只羊1d的采食量,计算其摄入的营养成分含量,并与原苏联绒用山羊饲养标准比较,进行饲养水平评价。结果显示,与饲养标准比较,陕北白绒山羊繁育中心羊场的育成母羊代谢能高2．68MJ,粗蛋白低59．29g,钙低3．00g,磷低1．52g;育成公羊代谢能高3．47MJ,粗蛋白低81．92g,钙低4．42g,磷低2．62g;成年母羊代谢能高2．51MJ,粗蛋白低91．33g,钙低3．09g,磷低1．93g。结合羊的体况综合评价饲养水平基本合理,但尚需要按饲养标准增加粗蛋白、钙、磷等营养物质的供给量。     

Localization of the Motoneurons Innervating the Forlimb Muscles in the Spinal Cord of the Domestic Fowl

The origins of the motor nerve fibers supplying the individual forelimb muscles were elucidated in the fowl by the retrograde degeneration method. Chromatolytic cells were seen in the ipsilateral lamina 9 of the cervical enlargement. Motoneurons innervating the individual forelimb muscles occupy the restricted area in the lamina 9. The muscles acting on the shoulder joint are supplied by motoneurons of the more cranial segments and the others acting on the elbow and the more distal joints by those of the more caudal ones. The origin of the dorsal cord is situated laterally in the lamina 9 and that of the ventral cord is located medially in it.     

On the development of the papillary body in the feline claw

The pre- and post-natal development of the feline claw was studied in 22 feline fetuses with a crown-rump length (CRL) ranging from 40 to 160 mm, in six kittens up to an age of 22 days, and in four adult cats. In fetuses up to a CRL of 75 mm, the characteristic shape of the feline claw was developed. Segment-specific dermal modifications in the various segments, especially the dorsal ridge, started to develop in fetuses with a CRL between 75 and 105 mm. Modifications of the papillary body in the different claw segments took place in the last third of prenatal development and were continued postnatally. At first, the basal lamina became wavy, followed by the formation of small dermal microridges, which would be enlarged to dermal ridges and lamellae. In the claw of adult cats, the papillary body was very small. The dermal tissue of the proximal part of the coronet formed low microridges with short papillae originating on and between these low ridges. In the wall segment, dermal microridges were formed which were arranged in a parallel fashion, and in the distal part of the wall, short dermal micropapillae arose on the crest of each microridge. In the sole segment, thin dermal lamellae were developed. The sequence of papillary body development and the varying conformations of the papillary body in the different segments of the feline claw are compared to those in the nail, the canine claw and hooves.     

Harnessing the genetic toolbox for the benefit of the racing Thoroughbred

The understanding and application of genetics have grown extremely quickly since it has become possible to sequence the whole genome of an organism. The human genome sequence was completed in 2001 and that of the horse in 2007. The significance of this is that it makes it more feasible to explain how both genetically simple and complex traits are transmitted from one generation to the next and, therefore, to make informed breeding decisions, modify how horses are managed and trained to minimise the risk of disease and injury, and improve methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of many conditions. The science of genetics/genomics will continue to grow internationally, limited only by the funds available. The application of the science to man, horses and other species raises very complex moral and commercial issues. Thoroughbred breeders are perceived by some as resistant to change, but their apparent intransigence is often based on a genuine concern for the integrity of the breed. By taking control of the application of the advances in genetics, the Thoroughbred industry potentially has the opportunity to improve both the health and performance of Thoroughbreds. If, however, the science is applied in an uncoordinated manner, driven by commercial interests with no underlying concern for the horses themselves, there is a very real risk that breeders, the Thoroughbred breed and individual horses will all suffer as a consequence.     

Anatomy of the blood supply to the flank of the sheep

The anatomy of the a circumflexa ilium profunda supplying the flank of the sheep was investigated in 25 sheep. Two constant branches were identified by dissection and angiography, and the cutaneous areas they supply identified. The arterial system was put to two separate experimental uses successfully.     

Application of the log-linear model in the prediction of the antinuclear antibody test in the dog

To find possible associations between antinuclear antibody (ANA) pattern, ANA titer, and certain clinical changes and clinical laboratory test results in dogs, the veterinary medical records of 111 ANA-positive and 126 ANA-negative dogs were examined. Variables could not be found that had significant associations with ANA pattern (unlike the results in persons), because of the predominance of 2 patterns. A log-linear model for ANA titer adequately fit the observed frequency and included 2-way interactions between titer and polyarthritis, titer and hematologic disorders, and polyarthritis and lymphadenopathy.     

古浪县北部荒漠草场改良过程中植被变化动态的研究

结合古浪县北部荒漠草场生态治理工程,在自由放牧、围栏封育和人工补播条件下,对退化草场的植物种类、植被盖度、生产力水平等进行了初步的调查研究。结果表明：1）随自由放牧时间的延长,草场植被盖度、生产力逐渐下降,植物种类逐渐减少;2）随围栏封育时间的延长,放牧压力减轻,草场植被盖度、生产力逐渐提高,物种丰富度增加;3）人工补播种草加快了草场的恢复演替速度。围栏封育和人工补播使草场植物群落优势种得到加强,沙蒿Artemisia desertorum,沙米Agriophyllum squarrosura,短花针茅Stipa breviflora大量生长,草场植被盖度和生产力大幅度提高,是恢复和改良退化草场的一条行之有效的途径。     

中国饲料工业协会第五届理事会顾问、会长、常务副会长、副会长、秘书长、副秘书长、常务理事、理事名单

顾问刘中一张德邻宋瑞祥聂振邦张子仪戎易王维四会长白美清国务院原副秘书长、第四届理事会会长常务副会长(8人,以姓氏笔划为序)刘永好新希望集团董事长、第四届理事会副会长刘汉元通威股份有限公司董事长、第四届理事会副会长陈丹广东恒兴集团股份有限公司董事长、第四届理事会副会长张延喜农业部原副部长、第四届理事会副会长吴明夏湖南正虹科技发展股份有限公司董事长、第四届理事会副会长陶一山唐人神集团股份有限公司董事长、第四届理事会副会长温鹏程广东温氏食品集团有限公司董事长、第四届理事会副会长谭竹洲原化学工业部副部长、第…     

犊牛腹泻与肠道菌群的变化

本文检测腹泻犊牛的直肠内8种主要正常菌群的变化,并与健康犊牛进行对比。结果发现,犊牛腹泻时,大肠杆菌、双岐杆菌和乳杆菌变化较大,而其它菌群变化较小。腹泻或将腹泻时,大肠杆菌数增加,双岐杆菌和乳杆菌数下降。腹泻康复或即将康复时,大肠杆菌减少,双岐杆菌、乳杆菌数增加。     

In the still of the night

With medical general practitioners soon being able to buy themselves out of the requirement to provide overnight cover for their patients, for how much longer will the veterinary profession be able to sustain its 24-hour commitment? Here, Professor Bob Michell argues that it is time for the profession to rethink how it provides out-of-hours services--and, with the RCVS about to review the situation, concludes that something will have to change.